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CloudxLab.com to up-skill youth during COVID-19 lockdown

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newspost
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Roorkee, 20th April 2020: In an endeavour to upskill the youth and promote e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown, IIT Roorkee has launched an Advanced Certification Course on Deep Learning at Cloudxlab.com.

The launch comes in the wake of the current economic crisis which underscores the significance of technical skills to tackle the global slowdown. It follows the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT Roorkee and Cloudxlab.com, a US-based ed-tech company, for offering a series of instructor-led as well as self-paced executive online courses.

“COVID-19 has triggered a nationwide lockdown. This is the best time for the youth as well as others to up-skill themselves. This initiative will be attractive for users who aim to excel in the technical field. The partnership with CloudxLab.com will amplify our reach to offer the latest knowledge in tune with the needs of the industry,” said Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee.

The course is a new addition to a host of pre-existing courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science and many more. It will be delivered by the faculty of IIT Roorkee and other experts from the industry. The classes will be streamed online through a live video. Upon completion of the course, users will receive a certification from IIT Roorkee.

“Technology continues to advance rapidly even today, and this is perhaps the best time for professionals to expand their horizons and learn new technologies,” said Manish Shrikande, Dean, Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy, IIT Roorkee.

The initiative will equip students as well as professionals who wish to utilize this lockdown period in up-skilling themselves.

We’ll get by with a little help from our friends!

By
Tania Saili
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Dateline Mussoorie: Who could have, in their wildest dreams, ever dreamt that there would be a connection between Uttarakhand and the Beatles song We’ll get by with a little help from our friends?

Recently, The Beatles Story, Liverpool, created a three and a half minute feel-good medley video featuring fans of the Fab Four from all across the globe, singing ‘We’ll get by with a little help from our friends’! Fans of all ages, gender, backgrounds and nationalities came together and shared their version of the song with the message of solidarity and support amid these extraordinary times.

Diane Glover, Marketing Manager said: “We’re hoping the video will bring a smile, not just to the faces of Beatles fans, but to everyone who can appreciate the sense of togetherness a simple video message can create.”

The Beatles

Famous Folk artist Ramcharan Juyal, the only artist from the continent plays the traditional Morchang in the medley. Speaking to Newspost, the artist said, “Raju Gusain shared the video with me and I heard the song for the very first time. Within minutes, I got the feel of the song and composed the beat on the spot.”

Senior Journalist and an encyclopaedia on The Beatles visit to India, Raju Gusain tells us, “It is a great feeling that one of our folk artists has featured in a music video from Liverpool. Juyal ji is playing the elusive Morchang. Being featured in the famous Fab Four song will generate curiosity about the folk musical instrument used in the video.”

Did someone say: We’ll get by with a little help from our friends?

The Liverpool video comes in the year that the popular attraction will be celebrating its 30th anniversary after first opening their doors to the public on 1st May 1990.

With A Little Help From Our Friends! The Beatles Story and The Beatles Fans

The Beatles Story has created a feel-good video featuring fans of The Beatles from all around the world, who have ‘come together’ to share a message of solidarity and support amid these uncertain times. 🎵🌈🌎A massive thank you to everyone who shared and sent their videos, we hope you enjoy it! 🤗Tag a friend who is helping you get by in the comments !

The Beatles Story यांनी वर पोस्ट केले गुरुवार, १६ एप्रिल, २०२०

Happiness is an inside job

By
Tania Saili
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Trepan Singh Negi with his gift

Dateline Uttarkashi: Sakshi Negi, resident of Gangori, Uttarkashi is an Ayurvedic Doctor who works in Bangalore. Like many others, she was unable to return home after the pan–India lockdown on account of Covid19. What made staying away from home more heart wrenching this time round was the fact that it was her father’s 55th birthday on the 16th of April.

Unable to be there in person Sakshi did the second best thing. “After exhausting all my resources in Dehradun hunting for the N95 mask and my hometown Uttarkashi. I got in touch with District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan via Instagram.” She put in a request to the DM requesting him to gift her father Mr. Trepan Singh Negi with a N95 facemask as he worked as Chief Pharmacist in the District Hospital.

Sakshi with her father in happy times

The District magistrate did not think twice. He arranged for an N95 mask and without much ado, had it delivered to the gentleman’s home in Gangori. Much surprised and delighted the birthday boy was touched by the gesture of both his daughter and the bureaucrat who took out time to do the needful despite the given circumstances. Trepan Singh spoke to Newspost saying, “I was very touched and surprised by the kind gesture.”

In the meantime, being evaluated by the government on dealing with Covid19 pandemic, the performance of Uttarkashi has been outstanding. District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan says: “Special precautions have been taken regarding Corona virus infection. More than 5600 people have been screened in the district. There are 4452 persons who have been in home quarantine for 14 days. Samples of 117 suspects have been collected so far in Uttarkashi district. 104 reports have arrived. They are all negative.” With the inter-districts boundaries of the district sealed. Only vehicles carrying essential materials are exempt from the ban on vehicles entering the city, those too after being sanitized.

Archana Painuly: Taking Hindi to Denmark 

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newspost
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Dateline Mussoorie: Uttarakhand’s daughter, Archana Painuly, M.Sc. B.Ed. has been blazing a trail in the world of Hindi literature since 1988. While doing so, she has just won the coveted Padmabhushan Dr. Moturi Satyanarayana Award by Kendriya Hindi Santhan, Agra.

Moving to Denmark to be with her husband, Dr. Jyoti Prasad Painuly a researcher by profession, in September 1997, she began work as a substitute teacher before getting a full-time Science teacher’s at NGG International School, where she teaches secondary students. She joined the illustrious list of the select few Asian teachers, who work in an international school. Throughout her teaching career, spanning over three decades, her love for writing remained a constant companion.

The author with her doting family

A dedicated writer, Archana has written short stories, articles, and novels in her mother tongue Hindi including a few in English that reflect on the current ethnic and migratory issues with special reference to the Indian community in Scandinavian countries. Archana has also translated works of Danish writers into Hindi, which have been well received by her readers.

 

With three published novels, one of which she translated and published in English also, two short stories collections, and over fifty stories and articles behind her, Archana feels how, “Her readers get a different insight into the daily life of a migrant in Denmark. From discussions on the far-right political parties to the differing social norms across countries to the confusing concept of ‘home’.”

Archana’s first novel ‘Parivartan‘ was published in the year 2003, and it is about changing status of women over three generations in Uttarakhand. Her second novel, ‘Where Do I Belong’ Published in 2009 by Bharitya Gyanpith chronicles the life of Indians living in Denmark. It’s the first piece of literature written in Hindi on Danish society and was published in English in 2014 by Rupa Publication. Her third novel, ‘Paul ki Tirthyatra published by Rajpal, was amongst ‘top-ten novels 2016’ by Femina.

But Archana is no stranger to awards. Her work has found recognition every step of the way. It began in July 2004 when she was awarded the Dhad Sahityik and Sanskretik Sanstha, Dehradun for her novel ‘Parivartan’. After this came the Premchandra Award given by the Indian Cultural Association, Denmark in August 2006. In August 2011, came the ‘Pride of India’ by Indian Cultural Society, Denmark.

The latest feather in her cap is the news that the President of India will confer on her the Padmabhushan Dr. Moturi Satyanarayana Award given by Kendriya Hindi Santhan, “I feel very honoured and humbled to get this prestigious award. It was motivating to get rewarded for my hard work over the years.”

Meantime, Archana Painuly is working on her forthcoming novel Kairali Massage Parlour that due to hit the stands in 2020.

Tata Motors’ resolve to combat COVID-19 impacts 6750 lives in 10 days

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newspost
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Pantnagar,  Staying true to the testament of improving the quality of life of its community members, Tata Motors one of country’s leading automobile manufacturer has taken up various measures to ensure the well-being of the community amidst the lockdown.

In line with the company strategy to combat the crisis, the employees at the Pantnagar plant have devoted themselves to initiatives that serve the greater good of the community. The plant has adopted measures under the below mentioned E3 directive laid down by the company –

Essential Supplies provision:

Tata Motors has organized for food supplies to migrants and stranded communities, urban slums, transit camps and villagers, drivers, co-drivers, mechanics, contractual and temporary workers, security personnel, in villages of the region. So far, over 550 cooked meals and 1488 ration kits were distributed to community kitchen in transit camp and in regions of Nagla, Haldwani, Kichha, Dineshpur, Rudrapur and Bhaidaipura by the company.

Equipping heroes on Ground-Zero:

Tata Motors’ is supporting and assisting Self-Help Groups to manufacture home-made certified masks and to be distributed to hospitals, vendors, health-workers, army personnel, police stations, forest department officials, in communities around the Pantnagar plant. So far, the company has distributed 5430 masks and 450 sanitizer bottles. The plant has also provided 100 bed sets with IV stands and lockers to the District Hospital.

Educating masses for containment and prevention:

Tata Motors is emphasizing on good health practices by putting up banners and other related information material to spread awareness in slums and amongst contract workers, suppliers and low-income group communities. At Pantnagar, Tata Motors doctors and paramedical staff ran briefed over 500 people in the vendors’ park about safety and precautionary measures against the COVID 19.

The company in collaboration with Institute of Social Development (ISD), its partner organization is running awareness campaigns in the rural and slum areas of the district. The company is also leveraging its social media platforms to spread awareness about simple and easy precautionary measures one can adopt to stay unaffected and healthy.

Mr. Vinod Kulkarni, Head – CSR, Tata Motors Ltd says, “We at Tata Motors, along with the entire Tata Group, have a deeply rooted philosophy of community wellbeing at the core of our corporate agenda. The world is going through an unprecedented crisis and the company is committed to assist those in need. The company will continue to support the government’s efforts and provide services to the heroes that are battling this pandemic at the front-lines. We firmly believe that the collective efforts will help us come out through this crisis stronger.”

Nandprayag: Leading by example

By
Tania Saili
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Dateline Nandprayag: As relaxation hours come into affect, just one utility van makes it way from Nagar Panchayat Nandprayag to adjoining villages. It picks up fresh, chemical free, organic vegetables and diary products that are sold in Nandprayag market, a few hours later.

All you need is an idea. This time it came to a young, energetic woman, Dr. Himani Vaishnava, the Chairperson of the Nandprayag Nagar Panchayat. This win-win model has left both producers and consumers a happy lot.

Before the lockdown, the same produce from villages in the interiors would be sold in the abutting plains of Uttarakhand. Trouble came knocking when a lot of this produce could not be moved during the lockdown. It began to rot and was used as cattle feed. That is when this unique concept was born.

Dr. Himani Vaishnava tells Newspost: “Remember that in this season, when all our crops are ready for marketing, there was no way we could send them for sale. Why not pick up the crops ourselves to make them available to the thirty five thousand odd population of Nandprayag itself? And it’s worked!”

These organically grown vegetables sell the instant the van gets to the market. Take your pick: beans, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, radish, Raee (indigenous leafy vegetable), suchiana (pahadi beans), cabbage, as also fresh diary products such as curd, butter, milk, and cottage cheese. All are available at competitive prices.

Here is a micro-model: the consumer gets whatever he requires straight from the farmer. And the farmer can collect his payment the next day. Himani adds: “It is our moral duty to look after people. The overwhelming response that we have got from our people, we plan to continue this even when the lock down is lifted. Soon we will be adding indigenous spices and pulses to the list.”

With us staring into another three-week lockdown perhaps this success story could be implemented in other areas in the hill-state as well.

Teaching beyond boundaries

By
Tania Saili
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Conducting online maths class

Dateline Dehradun: At end of January 2020, Rakesh Gusain returned to Dehradun from Shanghai, China. A month long winter break from work where Rakesh Gusain has been working as a Mathematic teacher for A-level at a Centre run by Cambridge Assessment International Education, UK, Programme.

On the 24th of February, Rakesh Gusain was all set return to work in Shanghai, which has been his home away from home for the past six years. But then all hell broke loose. The Covid-19 pandemic jumped international boundaries. The Chinese government, understandably suspended visas, international flights came to a shuddering halt. Henceforth lockdown was to become the new way of life across the globe.

For the last few weeks, making most of what time and technology has to offer, Rakesh has been conducting online classes for his students between fourteen to eighteen years of age. Given the two and half hour time lag, Rakesh conducts classes for two batches of over twenty students each, in two shifts. “One class begins at 7:30 IST and the other at 12:30 IST.” Adding, “but I do miss our regular classes the most, though some of them are brilliant and proactive in class, they miss that spark in them while interacting online. Also language is a barrier which when we have classes one-on-one is not much of an issue.”

Adding, “The CAIE has cancelled May/June 2020 series exams across the globe due to the outbreak of the epidemic and now they are working on how to provide grades to registered students based on the predicted grade and necessary evidences that the Centers will provide.”

Like everyone, everywhere, Rakesh too is hanging on to the fond hope that life will return to normal. That this air of doom will lift. And he will be able to take his flight back to Shanghai to be with his students.

I am afraid, until then, like all other teachers across the world, technology will have to suffice.

Technology to the rescue of schools

By
Tania Saili
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: The present lockdown came into force just as schools in the hill-station were on the verge of finishing or getting ready for a fresh academic session at the end of their long-winter vacation.

This is where technology stepped in whereby private schools turned to online platforms while others like the Mahatma Yogeshwar Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Mussoorie have turned to WhatsApp.

This is no small task when you consider that there are over seven hundred students in Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Mussoorie. But successfully, for days on end now, timetables to chapters; lesson plans to worksheet and YouTube links and activities are being exchanged between the teacher and the taught.  You will find that the children here are not from the privileged strata. They come from humbler social backgrounds – most from the villages abutting the hill station.

From activities such as Yoga, creative handicraft, being helping hands to their parents, composing poems, essays are some of the suggestions that teachers are listing for their students.

“As teachers, we send two subjects plus a task for students from class 9-12. One subject and an extra activity for those from class 5-8 via WhatsApp, with promising feedback from our students,” adds Principal Manoj Payal. “Though these interactive sessions are a boost to the students and the teachers, yet this is no substitute for regular classes,’ he tells us, “the only satisfaction is the fact that in extraordinary times like these, we are being able to do something for our wards, even if its limited to an hour or so.”

For teachers from both government and private schools, the common challenge has been to ensure that somehow their wards are not left gaping at a lost academic year and have been looking for innovative ways via technology to engage their students. A first for all.

Building emotional quotient & managing stress through Covid19

By
Mrs Hemali Kabthiyal
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New Delhi, There is no room for stress if one knows how to manage one’s emotions in healthy ways, take initiative and adapt to changing circumstances. At the moment the COVID-19 outbreak and the much needed lockdown has indeed caused a lot of uncertainty and anxiety amongst all, especially the younger lot, the children most importantly.

With educational institutions closed  and lockdown imposed, there is literally no way to do all the things that children would be engaged in from morning till evening. So what now? Are we going to feel depressed and stressed and whine over things? No way, that’s not how emotionally intelligent people behave, right?

Always remember when it comes to happiness and success in life, emotional intelligence matters just as much as intellectual abilities. Emotional intelligence affects :

  • Your performance at school – High emotional intelligence can help you navigate the social complexities of your environment, lead and motivate others and excel in school.
  • Your physical health – If you are unable to manage emotions, you are probably not managing your stress either. The first step to improving emotional intelligence is to learn to manage stress.
  • Your mental health – Uncontrolled emotions and stress can also impact your mental health, making you vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
  • Your relationship – By understanding your emotions and how to control them, you are better able to express how you feel and understand how others feel.
  • Your social intelligence – Being in tune with your emotions serves a social purpose, connecting you to other people and the world around you. Social intelligence enables you to recognise friend from foe, measure another person’s interest in you, reduce stress and feel loved and happy.

Now let’s look at ways how one can improve emotional intelligence. The good news is that emotional intelligence can be learnt and developed by following the strategies below :

  • Look honestly at how you think and interact with people. Try to put yourself in their place and be more open and accepting of their perspectives and needs.
  • Look at your school/work environment. Do you seek attention for your accomplishments? Humility can be a wonderful quality and that doesn’t mean that you are shy or lack confidence. Give others a chance to shine – put focus on them and don’t worry too much about getting praise yourself.
  • Do self evaluation. What are your weaknesses? Are you willing to accept that you are not perfect and that you could work on some areas to make yourself a better person?
  • Examine how you react to stressful situations. Do you become upset every time there is a delay or something doesn’t happen the way you want? Do you blame others and become angry at them even when it’s not their fault?

So let’s get started and take control of the situation. Let us make the most of it and use this time to grow. Do all those things that we didn’t have time for.

  • Read and read more books and develop good communication skills by writing down the gist of the story and read it aloud at home to those around you and polish your speaking skills.
  • Do yoga to improve flexibility, build muscle strength and overall wellbeing of the body and mind and boost up your immunity.
  • Practice meditation to reduce stress, control anxiety, enhance self awareness, focus and improve willpower and mental strength.
  • Develop your hobbies, it could be art and craft, singing or playing an instrument, writing articles or poems or anything else you enjoy doing the most.
  • Talk to all the people in your family and friend circle in India or abroad over the phone or skype or video chat and share your experiences i.e. stay connected.

Believe me, this too shall pass and you will come out a stronger person both mentally and physically. So, take all the necessary precautions in the present scenario and at the same time make the most of it.

” Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.“

Mussoorie: Doing it differently

By
Tania Saili
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: Life in the Times of the Corona Virus evokes images of the administration coming down with a heavy hand hard on those who violate restrictions that are in place. So far, most of our social media shows frightening images from all over India of the heavy-handed treatment meted out to folks venturing out. However, fortunately, a sensitive administration in the hill-station of Mussoorie, has shown that there is a path less travelled by. It goes a long way in proving the adage that things are always much better in Mussoorie.

Take our local administration for instance which is headed by a youthful Sub Divisional Magistrate who has alongside a firm and energetic Station House Officer of Police. Together their teams have been doing random rounds after the post-relaxation hours. If you are found on wheels after the lock down time or are found lingering a bit too long, in the first instance, you will be told the idea behind the lockdown whilst habitual offenders get a stern warning.

Varun Choudhary, SDM tells Newspost: “In the first instance we warn those who bent on breaking the rules of this lock down. The second time around, we challan them. But if they persist we will not hesitate to arrest them for being habitual offenders.”

The miracle is that this idea works. On the fifteenth day of the lockdown, some five-six vehicles have been seized. “The idea is to make sure that no one is out after 1:00 o’clock. A complete and full lockdown with not a single violation is what we ensure. No stone will be left unturned to ensure that this is achieved.” He adds.

Talking to Newspost, SHO Mussoorie Vidya Bhushan Negi says: “As far as the police here is concerned, the lockdown consists of two parts: the first begins from 7:00am to 1.00 noon, we keep an eye on people on two wheelers or four wheelers (which are totally banned) with six police pickets across town to enforce this. Then we make public announcements throughout the day asking people to maintain social distancing while out shopping for essentials on the next day and we ask people not to cross the Laksman Rekha of safety in their own homes, not without a valid or compelling reason.”

Adding: “After one o’clock it’s a full-on lockdown. Of course by now all residents know about this. Henceforth we have no hesitation in issuing challans or seizing vehicles!’

Make no mistake. This lockdown is as good as anywhere in the country. But the concept of an iron fist in a silk glove seems to have worked better than any other model seen so far.

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