Fundamatics

Tag: 2021

  • Education

    Education

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    Artwork by Prof. Arun Inamdar

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Education is the theme of this issue of Fundamatics, a theme that is prompted by the announcement of the New Education Policy (NEP) by the government. Ashok Kamath takes a deep dive into the implications from his unique perspective as an alumnus, a technology manager and a founder of Akshara, an NGO. He notes that the NEP has a strong focus on Foundational Learning & Numeracy (FLN), which is sensible and reassuring. Sensible because the 3 R’s (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) have always been considered the foundation of any formal education system and reassuring that the only ‘masterstroke’ here is replacing one acronym with another. Hopefully, no foundational damage was done. But the elephant in the room that no one is talking about is Resources. Without increased allocation for HRD — sorry, Education, one is left with serving the tinier pieces of the small pie between an increasing number of plates. One is reminded of the wisdom that reducing poverty is all about ‘increasing the size of the cake’. Apparently, this brilliant insight is forgotten when making an allocation for HRD — sorry, Education. One hopes that this name change implies restoring a broader understanding of the word Education. Recall that the original Ministry of Education was renamed HRD under a prime minister who famously said, ‘Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.’ One hopes that the value of teachers’ contribution will be restored too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anurag Mehra shines a light on the stark reality that is our Education System, in characteristically biting language. He underlines the various ills that our fancy policy documents choose to bury. He describes what is basically an under-resourced operation trying to cope with massive numbers. Inevitably, teachers are as much a part of the problem as they will be a part of the solution.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Education is the theme of this issue of Fundamatics, a theme that is prompted by the announcement of the New Education Policy (NEP) by the government.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The ‘Mecca of Merit’ that are IITs have made little if any difference to improving equity and representation in Indian society. But as Parthasarathy describes, IITB is trying to make a difference though it is far from where it should be.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Digital is a tool not a solution in itself. For all the advantages of this tool, it is two-dimensional so its value in conceptualising three-dimensional space and design is a challenge. Sonam Ambe describes an exercise in teaching architectural design online. One can see the innovation and creativity involved in design teaching under the constraints imposed by Covid-19.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Parents of school-going children will find resonance in Ravi Banavar’s lyrical angst, a lived story of hopes only partially fulfilled. Akshay Saxena and Krishna Ramkumar share their journey of the founding of Avanti Fellows and Avanti Learning Centres giving us a glimpse of what needs to be done beyond fancy policy documents.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While the spotlight has been on NEP, what has been happening away from the spotlight is not pretty. The Ministry of Education has decided to create a board for the promotion of Vedic Education on the lines of NCERT. The need for a separate board is a moot point but awarding a private player the right to set up such a board has the makings of another scam. The less said about it the better, so we will not sully this issue on Education with it. Arun Inamdar’s cover illustration describes it well. The people waiting in expectation of abundant fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, while a nasty pecker drills into its slender stem.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ali Baba returns after a long hiatus to make a plea for Reason. Uncharacteristically, he cannot find humour in the dismal response to the pandemic. While on the subject of Reason, the poet in Varun Sahni was inspired by the newly introduced academic program in Astrology to dream of a career. Don’t miss his poem.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Table of Contents” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23dd9933″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”12″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1627644347270-4619c916-d4f1-6″ taxonomies=”516″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • The Tribe of Hope Whisperers

    The Tribe of Hope Whisperers

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    Illustration by Nilapratim Sengupta

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]“Peace in the universe rests on the shoulders of the tellers of good tales, the tellers of tales that give hope. They are the hope whisperers.“[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The “Tribe of Hope Whisperers” grew from several roots but primarily from a beautifully recontextualized folklore (source of the above quote) by Sherline Pimenta, a Kathanika or professional teller of tales, that we published in our first issue of 2020. The phrase the “Tribe of Hope Whisperers” had such a lovely ring to it that we decided to put together an entire issue around the theme.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now, after living a year when reality has often seemed stranger than fiction, an issue about “hope” cannot but embrace the whole of humanity. Hoping is, after all, an inherent part of being human. But how can one find hope amid uncertainty, conflict, or loss? How does one keep hope alive? To answer these questions, we set out on a quest that took us beyond the tribe of storytellers. The outcome is this issue in which hope takes many forms and voices, which we have divided into three themes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Spreading Hope” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23dd9933″][vc_column_text]Representing our original vision for this issue, we have the tribe of “storytellers,” “artists,” and “doers” who spread the myriad colors of hope through their actions, words, and deeds. There are stories about storytellers, and stories about men and women whose innovations and initiatives have changed the world (or a small corner of it) for the better, in whatever fashion, to whatever degree.[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”-1″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1619068002417-88d1915c-144f-5″ taxonomies=”511″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Living with Hope” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23dd9933″][vc_column_text]We also hear the voices of those who live with hope for the situation to right itself; those caught between the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’ who have been patiently holding up a candle to darkness. These are tales of sheer determination, tenacity and resilience.[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”-1″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1619068002418-414589a4-3dda-4″ taxonomies=”513″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]And, then we have stories of ordinary people finding hope and solace in the smallest things of life such as dandelions that push their way up toward the sunlight.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Finding Hope” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23dd9933″][vc_column_text]The dandelion that features in the cover illustration of this issue, in fact, beautifully embodies the elusive yet all-pervasiveness nature of hope — unnoticeable and gentle at first sight but with an amazing determination to self-propagate. Like a dandelion seed that sets sail on the back of winds in search of renewed life in unknown lands, we hope that you can ride on the back of this issue into a land of light and promise. And, reawaken, even if it is for a fleeting instant, the “instinct of hope” within you.[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”-1″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1619068002420-a7dc05df-c387-5″ taxonomies=”512″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]To end with a much-loved quote from Ruskin Bond: Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.  The same can be said about hope. This issue of Fundamatics is all about finding hope, living with hope, and spreading hope even in the bleakest of times when it is indeed most needed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tomorrow will be beautiful.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Reimagining a post-COVID World

    Reimagining a post-COVID World

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    Cover Illustration by Rajat Patle

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The COVID 19 pandemic has been devastating, globally. Despite the development of new vaccines, many are still wondering what recovery could look like. Many are also pondering on how the pandemic has changed the world and the life lessons that it has taught us. The articles in this issue aim to help our readers assess the changes that have occurred in 2020 and give them a perspective of what could be expected over the next two to three years, what would change irrevocably and how can they adjust to it. As our Guest Editor for this issue, Chandru Chawla captures it beautifully in his Editorial “we are pretty much locked into a new paradigm for some time – a surreal digital life in the safety of a gated cocoon…” This edition has an extraordinary array of writers speaking on wide-ranging topics like effective delivery of justice, financial inclusion of the marginalized, existential issues of a social sector startup, transition to e-learning, mental health during a pandemic. Also, included is a liberal dose of art that captures the lighter side of the crisis.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Table of Contents” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23dd9933″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”14″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1627016497072-f8ef61ec-cd71-7″ taxonomies=”498″][/vc_column][/vc_row]