By Nadeem Sufi
Proposed Immigration Rules Are Likely To Derail Foreign Cos’ Expansion Plans In The UK Market
The UK government is walking a tightrope between maintaining its global image as ‘open for business and anti-protectionist’, and assuaging rising anti-immigrant sentiment at home as local unemployment peaks. For the first time, UK home minister Jacqui Smith announced moves specifically targeted at economic migration and overseas investors, for long a cornerstone of Labour’s open economy credentials.
The Indian government has repeatedly raised the issue of visa barriers hindering Indian companies legitimately doing business in the UK at the highest levels. One estimate says work permits issued to Indians doubled in 2008 to almost 50,000 in total. According to the last report by the Migration Advisory Committee, work permits accounted for about 27% of total non-EU in-migration into the UK by 2007, with sectors like IT, business and professional services, finance and healthcare leading the pack.
In focus now, despite the highly-publicised crackdown last week, are two proposed measures — not announced ones — that are likely to raise hackles among overseas investors and foreign companies. One, the Home Office has sought an economic case from the Migration Advisory Committee for “an assessment of the economic contribution made by the dependents of migrants and their role in the labour market”, from its advisory panel, which is widely seen as a precursor to stopping families of professionals from coming to the UK. Next, it has also asked for an economic case for limiting employment of foreign talent in Tier 2 — which includes all company and work permit migrants — to shortage occupations only. “At this difficult time, any change in policy, which will affect the ability of the UK to attract the best workers from across the globe, should be considered very carefully, particularly if it will increase hiring and employment costs for businesses. The mantra ‘British jobs for British workers’ simply doesn’t ring true in the City,” said City of London Corporation Policy chairman Stuart Fraser, who represents the financial sector.
Both proposed measures are likely to hit foreign companies in the high-end professional sectors as well as SMEs and MMEs. “Clearly, it would be odd to tell an overseas company you can base your European CEO in the UK, but you cannot bring your family,” said Barry Gardiner, Labour MP and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Indo-UK focussed on Trade. “Absolutely, the worst thing we can do now is to retreat into protective bunkers, and we will fight for the rights of Indian companies to be as competitive as everyone else in the UK. Let us see what the policy actually brings.”
The last available figures for 2006 show that the number of dependents who accompanied permit holders were only about half the number of permits issues. The percentage of work permit holders and their dependents who settled in the UK is about 17% of the total number of dependents who settled in the UK. The bulk of dependents becoming permanent migrants are from families of resident Britons and citizens, said the report.
A case to limit overseas workers to shortage sectors only is likely to affect companies in the ICT, professional services, and other high-end sectors across the spectrum, as most of these don’t figure on the periodically updated shortage lists. Based on the MAC’s last report, overseas companies were able to use shortage sectors for only about 9% of total overseas recruitment in 2007 while the rest had to meet the resident labour test.
A spokesperson for Think London, London’s main inward investment agency, said it is common practice for companies, which set up overseas units to initially depend on trusted teams from home to oversee the new operations, and this changes in favour of hiring local talent over time. “The change in rules for skilled migrant workers do have an impact on every UK-based company that is employing foreign skilled workers, including overseas companies in London,” the spokesperson said. FDI by overseas companies accounts for 13% of the total jobs in London, about 500,000, according to Think London figures. Speaking to ET, a Home Office spokesperson said, “We introduced our flexible Points Based System to allow the British government to manage the number of people coming to the UK from outside Europe, adjusting the bar to ensure that the right people and the people we need can come. We want the UK to remain open to business and an attractive place for multinational businesses.”
Immigration experts say the measures are still at the proposal stage, and have some way to go before translating into policy. The announced changes, requiring advertisement of all jobs at JobCentres, is just an extension of the existing resident labour market test, and unlikely to throw up realistic candidates in highend professional and business jobs. However, along with other increased visa fees, sponsorship registration and maintenance fees, advertising and so on, the costs of hiring overseas talent have shot up exponentially recently, and will adversely affect the large number of smalland medium-sized Indian companies setting up or expanding operations in the UK market.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
War on terror needs a paradigm shift
By Javid Hassan
The ongoing National Campaign for Combating Terrorism (NCCT), which got under way in New Delhi on Feb. 3, will culminate in a seminar, ‘Aashirwad-the journey begins’, on March 6. The event has been marked by speeches, human chain, cultural programmes and calls to draw inspiration from the heroes of Indian history.
A dispassionate analysis of all the rhetorics and theatricals thrown into the anti-terrorism campaign makes it clear that those spearheading the campaign have missed what should have been the main point of the debate on the root cause of terrorism. Before we delve deeper into those aspects, it would be instructive to recap what has been said or done so far in order to realize the need for a paradigm shift.
The campaign got under way on February 3 in New Delhi with a `peace and harmony run'. More than 4,000 students from 78 colleges in Delhi and elsewhere have already registered for the run, which was flagged off by Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental of Delhi University. He observed that under the banner of NCCT, Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) will mobilize the youth by holding a series of functions during the month-long campaign.
Besides the peace run, DUSU has lined up various other events as part of the campaign against terrorism: a two-day bilingual theatre festival held on February 9; debating competition scheduled in Delhi on February 19; `Udgosh - Spice of India', a music festival on February 27 and `Aashirwad - the journey begins', a seminar on March 6 at the New Conference Hall.
The next phase of NCCT would involve Loyola College, Chennai, where similar competitions will be held to identify budding talents, who would then be grouped into an NGO dedicated to helping the victims of terror.
The organizers of the anti-terrorism campaign have exhorted the members of NCCT to imbibe human values that underpin responsible citizens. And the only way forward, we are told, is to educate ourselves about our country and its cultural roots underlying the greatness of the Indian nation.
In Karnataka, over 15,000 students from colleges in Dharwad constituted a human chain as part of the campaign against terrorism on Feb.3. The initiative for this came from the department of higher education in Bangalore for launching a State-wide drive aimed at mobilising the youth in the fight against terrorism. The campaign, according to government officials, is deemed necessary in view of the surge in terrorist activities involving students and youths in India in general and Karnataka in particular.
Leaving aside these platitudes, it is instructive to examine the root cause of terrorism on the basis of realities on the ground. In the case of the Nanded bomb blast, for example, the motive, according to accused, Bhanurao Vithalrao Choudhary, was to target a mosque in Aurangabad. He also identified Himanshu who told them they needed to fight Muslim terror by carrying out terror strikes in the country. However, the plan could not materialize, as the bomb that exploded by accident in Nanded was actually meant to destroy the Aurangabad mosque.
Choudhary pointed out that Himanshu was in a revengeful mood due to the fact that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who was responsible for the Gateway of India blast in 2003 which killed many, went away scot-free despite the massacre that he was involved in. Thus, Himanshu believed, it was necessary to target the Muslim population in the country to safeguard the interests of the Hindutva.
Elaborating on the theme, Aleem Faizee, social activist working for the Malegaon blast victims, observed during investigations that the police found a map with details of the Aurangabad mosque. They also came across fake beards and Muslim outfits as part of the grand design to plant bombs and shift the blame on Muslims.
Muslim extremists, too, have been crazed by the same spirit of revenge. This became clear during the statements made by some of the accused arrested in connection with the recent Delhi blasts. The gang leader, Riyaz Bhatkal, said during interrogation that the blasts were meant to avenge the Mecca Masjid blasts which, he believed, involved some Hindu outfits to pin the blame on Muslims.
Here it would not be out of place to cite the example of Andaman Islands, which has a mix of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Yet, it has never experienced communal violence. The reason is that there are no political parties to fan the flames of ethnic, cultural or religious divide. This proves convincingly that political parties have their own agenda in creating by communal or religious tension by exploiting the youth or some unemployed people.
Other factors responsible for the wave of terrorist attacks in the country stem from the use of high technology, to which techno-savvy youth have access. For instance, US Internet search company Google Inc released recently a software programme that allows users of mobile phones and other wireless devices to automatically share their whereabouts with family and friends. Users in 27 countries can broadcast their location to others constantly, using Google Latitude. The controls also enable users to decide who receives the information or to go offline at any time.
In a blog announcing the launch of the new service, Google believes that with this new technology, it is not only possible to control exactly who gets to see your location, but also decide the location that they see. What is more, friends' whereabouts can be tracked on a Google map, either from a handset or from a personal computer.
However, Google has rendered this state-of-the-art technology inaccessible to terrorists through built-in checks and controls. On the other hand, there is mounting evidence that high-tech terrorists are relying increasingly on SIM cards to cover up their tracks during mobile calls from various destinations.
In one bizarre case involving an airport employee, the police discovered that he had procured 10 SIM cards by placing orders on his company’s letterhead and forging signatures of its executives. The other application of science and technology put the spotlight on Abdul Sattar, a technician who had earlier worked in Saudi Arabia as an air-conditioning timer expert. He used his expertise to set off blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad in July last year
These bomb blasts involving both Hindus and Muslims underline a common message. When people lack a focus in life, are not aware of the do’s and don’ts of successful living, have a weak moral foundation, lack the spirit of research and enquiry in the pursuit of their goal as a student, do not know how to overcome the challenges of life, they dissipate their energy in a wild goose chase. They behave like a stray bullet killing innocent people, destroying houses, causing avoidable damage, and playing havoc with society like a loose cannon.
The youth cannot be insulated from terrorism by issuing high-decibel calls in the name of patriotism or cultural heritage. Illustrious personalities, however great they might be, do not change the mindset of a people anywhere in the field unless the desire for change lingers within oneself. And the only way to bring about that change is to impress on a person the importance of taking care of the present.
This is the message that Socrates delivers to Dan Millman, the university student and gymnast, in the 2006 American movie, “Peaceful Warrior.” Dan, who dreams of becoming a national champion, is diverted from his main goal by his sexual exploits. Socrates, with whom Dan has a chance encounter, advises the latter to concentrate on his goal to the exclusion of other diversions. He also teaches him to focus on his journey in order to reach his destination. These valuable lesson change the course of his life leading him eventually to win the coveted championship award.
Media education can play that role in transforming students from non-entities into entities with a mission to succeed in their goal. Once they have a mission statement in life, they will not have time for eve-teasing or other non-academic pursuits like sending pink chaddies to Ram Sena leader Pramod Mutalik on Valentine Day as they did on Feb.14.
Nor will they fall into the hands of terrorists or indulge in violence, political or criminal activities due to their heightened awareness of crime and punishment. I was absolutely shocked to learn, in a letter to the editor, that some of our youths take the politicians to be their role models! What else can we expect from such a generation other than terrorism, hooliganism, ragging, assaults on teachers, cheating in exams, etc.
To sum up, the only way to wean the Indian youths away from the scourge of terrorism is to inspire them with a mission in life as student. Through media awareness programmes, they can be made to realize that they have no future unless they have a goal and become a shining star to win the attention of those who matter. Once their goal is defined, they will not fall by the wayside and become an unexploded landmine taking innocent lives.
The ongoing National Campaign for Combating Terrorism (NCCT), which got under way in New Delhi on Feb. 3, will culminate in a seminar, ‘Aashirwad-the journey begins’, on March 6. The event has been marked by speeches, human chain, cultural programmes and calls to draw inspiration from the heroes of Indian history.
A dispassionate analysis of all the rhetorics and theatricals thrown into the anti-terrorism campaign makes it clear that those spearheading the campaign have missed what should have been the main point of the debate on the root cause of terrorism. Before we delve deeper into those aspects, it would be instructive to recap what has been said or done so far in order to realize the need for a paradigm shift.
The campaign got under way on February 3 in New Delhi with a `peace and harmony run'. More than 4,000 students from 78 colleges in Delhi and elsewhere have already registered for the run, which was flagged off by Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental of Delhi University. He observed that under the banner of NCCT, Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) will mobilize the youth by holding a series of functions during the month-long campaign.
Besides the peace run, DUSU has lined up various other events as part of the campaign against terrorism: a two-day bilingual theatre festival held on February 9; debating competition scheduled in Delhi on February 19; `Udgosh - Spice of India', a music festival on February 27 and `Aashirwad - the journey begins', a seminar on March 6 at the New Conference Hall.
The next phase of NCCT would involve Loyola College, Chennai, where similar competitions will be held to identify budding talents, who would then be grouped into an NGO dedicated to helping the victims of terror.
The organizers of the anti-terrorism campaign have exhorted the members of NCCT to imbibe human values that underpin responsible citizens. And the only way forward, we are told, is to educate ourselves about our country and its cultural roots underlying the greatness of the Indian nation.
In Karnataka, over 15,000 students from colleges in Dharwad constituted a human chain as part of the campaign against terrorism on Feb.3. The initiative for this came from the department of higher education in Bangalore for launching a State-wide drive aimed at mobilising the youth in the fight against terrorism. The campaign, according to government officials, is deemed necessary in view of the surge in terrorist activities involving students and youths in India in general and Karnataka in particular.
Leaving aside these platitudes, it is instructive to examine the root cause of terrorism on the basis of realities on the ground. In the case of the Nanded bomb blast, for example, the motive, according to accused, Bhanurao Vithalrao Choudhary, was to target a mosque in Aurangabad. He also identified Himanshu who told them they needed to fight Muslim terror by carrying out terror strikes in the country. However, the plan could not materialize, as the bomb that exploded by accident in Nanded was actually meant to destroy the Aurangabad mosque.
Choudhary pointed out that Himanshu was in a revengeful mood due to the fact that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who was responsible for the Gateway of India blast in 2003 which killed many, went away scot-free despite the massacre that he was involved in. Thus, Himanshu believed, it was necessary to target the Muslim population in the country to safeguard the interests of the Hindutva.
Elaborating on the theme, Aleem Faizee, social activist working for the Malegaon blast victims, observed during investigations that the police found a map with details of the Aurangabad mosque. They also came across fake beards and Muslim outfits as part of the grand design to plant bombs and shift the blame on Muslims.
Muslim extremists, too, have been crazed by the same spirit of revenge. This became clear during the statements made by some of the accused arrested in connection with the recent Delhi blasts. The gang leader, Riyaz Bhatkal, said during interrogation that the blasts were meant to avenge the Mecca Masjid blasts which, he believed, involved some Hindu outfits to pin the blame on Muslims.
Here it would not be out of place to cite the example of Andaman Islands, which has a mix of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Yet, it has never experienced communal violence. The reason is that there are no political parties to fan the flames of ethnic, cultural or religious divide. This proves convincingly that political parties have their own agenda in creating by communal or religious tension by exploiting the youth or some unemployed people.
Other factors responsible for the wave of terrorist attacks in the country stem from the use of high technology, to which techno-savvy youth have access. For instance, US Internet search company Google Inc released recently a software programme that allows users of mobile phones and other wireless devices to automatically share their whereabouts with family and friends. Users in 27 countries can broadcast their location to others constantly, using Google Latitude. The controls also enable users to decide who receives the information or to go offline at any time.
In a blog announcing the launch of the new service, Google believes that with this new technology, it is not only possible to control exactly who gets to see your location, but also decide the location that they see. What is more, friends' whereabouts can be tracked on a Google map, either from a handset or from a personal computer.
However, Google has rendered this state-of-the-art technology inaccessible to terrorists through built-in checks and controls. On the other hand, there is mounting evidence that high-tech terrorists are relying increasingly on SIM cards to cover up their tracks during mobile calls from various destinations.
In one bizarre case involving an airport employee, the police discovered that he had procured 10 SIM cards by placing orders on his company’s letterhead and forging signatures of its executives. The other application of science and technology put the spotlight on Abdul Sattar, a technician who had earlier worked in Saudi Arabia as an air-conditioning timer expert. He used his expertise to set off blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad in July last year
These bomb blasts involving both Hindus and Muslims underline a common message. When people lack a focus in life, are not aware of the do’s and don’ts of successful living, have a weak moral foundation, lack the spirit of research and enquiry in the pursuit of their goal as a student, do not know how to overcome the challenges of life, they dissipate their energy in a wild goose chase. They behave like a stray bullet killing innocent people, destroying houses, causing avoidable damage, and playing havoc with society like a loose cannon.
The youth cannot be insulated from terrorism by issuing high-decibel calls in the name of patriotism or cultural heritage. Illustrious personalities, however great they might be, do not change the mindset of a people anywhere in the field unless the desire for change lingers within oneself. And the only way to bring about that change is to impress on a person the importance of taking care of the present.
This is the message that Socrates delivers to Dan Millman, the university student and gymnast, in the 2006 American movie, “Peaceful Warrior.” Dan, who dreams of becoming a national champion, is diverted from his main goal by his sexual exploits. Socrates, with whom Dan has a chance encounter, advises the latter to concentrate on his goal to the exclusion of other diversions. He also teaches him to focus on his journey in order to reach his destination. These valuable lesson change the course of his life leading him eventually to win the coveted championship award.
Media education can play that role in transforming students from non-entities into entities with a mission to succeed in their goal. Once they have a mission statement in life, they will not have time for eve-teasing or other non-academic pursuits like sending pink chaddies to Ram Sena leader Pramod Mutalik on Valentine Day as they did on Feb.14.
Nor will they fall into the hands of terrorists or indulge in violence, political or criminal activities due to their heightened awareness of crime and punishment. I was absolutely shocked to learn, in a letter to the editor, that some of our youths take the politicians to be their role models! What else can we expect from such a generation other than terrorism, hooliganism, ragging, assaults on teachers, cheating in exams, etc.
To sum up, the only way to wean the Indian youths away from the scourge of terrorism is to inspire them with a mission in life as student. Through media awareness programmes, they can be made to realize that they have no future unless they have a goal and become a shining star to win the attention of those who matter. Once their goal is defined, they will not fall by the wayside and become an unexploded landmine taking innocent lives.
Monday, February 9, 2009
A new curriculum to gauge self
By Javid Hassan
In a trail-blazing move, the National Council of Education, Research and Training (NCERT) will introduce in the next academic year a textbook on Human Ecology and Family Sciences (HEFS) as part of an educational drive to enable students to understand the meaning of life through a holistic approach.
The book, which has already been approved by NCERT’s National Monitoring Committee, will be launched from the new academic session for classes XI-XII, according to Sushma Jaireth, programme co-ordinator for HEFS.
The inclusion of human ecology in the curriculum is a major step in bringing about a qualitative change in the student community. “Human Ecology,” according to the University of Alberta (Canada), Dept. of Human Ecology, “ is an interdisciplinary applied field that relies on a holistic approach to help people solve problems and enhance human potential within their near environments. This includes their clothing, family, home, and community. Human ecologists promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through education, prevention, and empowerment.”
The objective of the book, according to NCERT, is to broaden the scope of the curriculum, so that students could understand `self' vis-à-vis family and the society. Further, they will have a better perception of their role as a responsible and productive member of their family, community and the society at large.
To this end, the curriculum will lay greater emphasis on the practical aspects of a subject so as to promote critical thinking, Jaireth explains. In line with this approach, practical training will be integrated within the framework of the textbook in the ratio of 70:30. The practical course will have an innovative and contemporary relevance in the context of the deployment of new technology for improving the living standards of the people.
In this respect, it marks a radical departure from the stereotyped textbook approach that emphasizes theory at the expense of the practical aspects of life. NCERT should be commended for this novel initiative at a time when the stresses and strains of economic recession have dictated the need for such a curriculum. In the process, it could turn a student into an entrepreneur by making his skills marketable.
The textbook for class XI will focus on two aspects of society — `self and family' and `community and society.' This is intended to help students understand the dynamics of life at the individual level and in terms of social interaction. The class XII curriculum, however, will shift the focus on job-oriented courses. Here students will learn the importance of work ethic, the need for a career and their interrelationship, so that they look at the broader picture of human dynamics.
They will also be taught critical skills within the framework of HEFS curriculum, which will teach them the basics prior to honing professional skills in various fields discussed in the course.
The content has been developed in line with the objectives of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005. It addresses the strategic principles of equity, equality and inclusiveness; gender sensitivity as well as respect for diversity across the broad spectrum of society and the need for plurality in relation to rural-urban- tribal spread, dispersion of caste and class in a geographical setting, and other aspects of the ecological scale.
Besides implanting practical skills among the students, the curriculum will stress the humanistic aspect of the learning process. Education that emphasizes technical aspects without a moral code of professional conduct will graduate a student into an evil genius. The Rs.7,000-crore Satyam scandal underscores this point in bold print. It shows the massive scale of fraud that a highly skilled but morally bankrupt individual could unleash on the society when his lust for power and greed will propel him to any extent towards that goal.
Another ugly aspect of education gone wild stared us in the face last month when a gang of ten students waylaid a 21-year-old MBA student on the Noida-Delhi road and raped her by turns in a deadly blow to humanity. This happens when education without moral filters turns man into a Frankenstein monster and destroys his creator, as the Satyam and gang rape episodes illustrate. The new HEFS course will, hopefully, address both aspects of life, so that the alumni of the course graduate into productive and responsible members of the society contributing to its growth and development with none of the ugly spectacle that will haunt the Indian society as a dark chapter in its history.
In a trail-blazing move, the National Council of Education, Research and Training (NCERT) will introduce in the next academic year a textbook on Human Ecology and Family Sciences (HEFS) as part of an educational drive to enable students to understand the meaning of life through a holistic approach.
The book, which has already been approved by NCERT’s National Monitoring Committee, will be launched from the new academic session for classes XI-XII, according to Sushma Jaireth, programme co-ordinator for HEFS.
The inclusion of human ecology in the curriculum is a major step in bringing about a qualitative change in the student community. “Human Ecology,” according to the University of Alberta (Canada), Dept. of Human Ecology, “ is an interdisciplinary applied field that relies on a holistic approach to help people solve problems and enhance human potential within their near environments. This includes their clothing, family, home, and community. Human ecologists promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through education, prevention, and empowerment.”
The objective of the book, according to NCERT, is to broaden the scope of the curriculum, so that students could understand `self' vis-à-vis family and the society. Further, they will have a better perception of their role as a responsible and productive member of their family, community and the society at large.
To this end, the curriculum will lay greater emphasis on the practical aspects of a subject so as to promote critical thinking, Jaireth explains. In line with this approach, practical training will be integrated within the framework of the textbook in the ratio of 70:30. The practical course will have an innovative and contemporary relevance in the context of the deployment of new technology for improving the living standards of the people.
In this respect, it marks a radical departure from the stereotyped textbook approach that emphasizes theory at the expense of the practical aspects of life. NCERT should be commended for this novel initiative at a time when the stresses and strains of economic recession have dictated the need for such a curriculum. In the process, it could turn a student into an entrepreneur by making his skills marketable.
The textbook for class XI will focus on two aspects of society — `self and family' and `community and society.' This is intended to help students understand the dynamics of life at the individual level and in terms of social interaction. The class XII curriculum, however, will shift the focus on job-oriented courses. Here students will learn the importance of work ethic, the need for a career and their interrelationship, so that they look at the broader picture of human dynamics.
They will also be taught critical skills within the framework of HEFS curriculum, which will teach them the basics prior to honing professional skills in various fields discussed in the course.
The content has been developed in line with the objectives of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005. It addresses the strategic principles of equity, equality and inclusiveness; gender sensitivity as well as respect for diversity across the broad spectrum of society and the need for plurality in relation to rural-urban- tribal spread, dispersion of caste and class in a geographical setting, and other aspects of the ecological scale.
Besides implanting practical skills among the students, the curriculum will stress the humanistic aspect of the learning process. Education that emphasizes technical aspects without a moral code of professional conduct will graduate a student into an evil genius. The Rs.7,000-crore Satyam scandal underscores this point in bold print. It shows the massive scale of fraud that a highly skilled but morally bankrupt individual could unleash on the society when his lust for power and greed will propel him to any extent towards that goal.
Another ugly aspect of education gone wild stared us in the face last month when a gang of ten students waylaid a 21-year-old MBA student on the Noida-Delhi road and raped her by turns in a deadly blow to humanity. This happens when education without moral filters turns man into a Frankenstein monster and destroys his creator, as the Satyam and gang rape episodes illustrate. The new HEFS course will, hopefully, address both aspects of life, so that the alumni of the course graduate into productive and responsible members of the society contributing to its growth and development with none of the ugly spectacle that will haunt the Indian society as a dark chapter in its history.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Trouble ahead for CBSE Students in Saudi
By Javid Hassan
The decision of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to open tele-counselling facilities at 39 centres in India and four in the Gulf states (Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar) for students from February 1 to April 2 this year will cause a grave setback to CBSE schools in Saudi Arabia.
These help-lines for normal students and those with special needs was being provided to CBSE students to 39 schools in different parts of the country for the last 12 years. However, the Board decided to extend this service to four affiliated schools in the Gulf—one each in Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah and Doha. Strangely enough, it did not include Saudi Arabia as part of this network, even though there are 20 CBSE-affiliated schools in that country. The decision will only compound the difficulties that international schools are facing in the Kingdom.
Under the new CBSE dispensation, some 43 principals, counsellors from CBSE schools, psychologists and social scientists will provide tele-counselling service on dedicated helplines in India and the Gulf to help the students cope with the examination stress. The facility will also be available for students with special needs from its website: www.cbse.nic.in.
One of the major problems facing CBSE-affiliated schools in Saudi Arabia is the lack of trained teachers, since Saudi visa regulations do not permit women to come on their own, except under the sponsorship of the school. This creates many hurdles for them, as they cannot move about without being escorted by their husbands.
Further, it creates a paradoxical situation for the couple if they are working under the sponsorship of two different organizations. The problem arises when the husband’s Iqama (residence permit) is not renewed by his sponsor. His wife will have then no option but to leave her job, as she cannot stay independent of her husband under the law. Such a situation has led to a demand for expatriate housewives, who may be degree-holders but not necessarily qualified for a teaching job. This factor, together with favouritism in the filling up of vacancies for teachers’ posts, has had an adverse impact on the standard of education in CBSE-affiliated schools in the Kingdom.
A case in point was the recent CBSE decision to include Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) for students of Classes X and XII for last year’s examination. The move evoked a mixed response both from the students and parents in the region.
The 2008 examination, based on the new curriculum, required the students to answer 20 percent of questions in the HOTS format to test the student’s skills in terms of his understanding the questions for relevant answers. Given the fact that a majority of them are used to “Most of the Same” (MOTS) type of standard answers, they were floored from the beginning. The question papers are set in such a way as would require them to answer all the questions within a specific time frame. Their academic deficiencies rendered them unfit for the revised format.
One of the students also drove home this point when he explained that schools in the region are not well equipped to provide interpretative skills among students due to the paucity of trained staff. Under these circumstances, only parents with adequate resources could opt for special tutorials for their children. Such an option is not available for a majority of parents belonging to the middle class families.
This has created a peculiar situation for CBSE schools, especially in Saudi Arabia, where most of the Indian schools have adopted the CBSE curriculum but lack qualified staff to handle key subjects at the higher levels due to the reasons cited above. The best course of action under these circumstances would have been to set up a tele-counselling centre also in the Kingdom. However, by keeping Saudi Arabia out of the loop, CBSE has already made a bad situation worse, as NRI students from Hyderabad and other states will find it difficult to survive in the tough competition looming ahead.
The decision of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to open tele-counselling facilities at 39 centres in India and four in the Gulf states (Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar) for students from February 1 to April 2 this year will cause a grave setback to CBSE schools in Saudi Arabia.
These help-lines for normal students and those with special needs was being provided to CBSE students to 39 schools in different parts of the country for the last 12 years. However, the Board decided to extend this service to four affiliated schools in the Gulf—one each in Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah and Doha. Strangely enough, it did not include Saudi Arabia as part of this network, even though there are 20 CBSE-affiliated schools in that country. The decision will only compound the difficulties that international schools are facing in the Kingdom.
Under the new CBSE dispensation, some 43 principals, counsellors from CBSE schools, psychologists and social scientists will provide tele-counselling service on dedicated helplines in India and the Gulf to help the students cope with the examination stress. The facility will also be available for students with special needs from its website: www.cbse.nic.in.
One of the major problems facing CBSE-affiliated schools in Saudi Arabia is the lack of trained teachers, since Saudi visa regulations do not permit women to come on their own, except under the sponsorship of the school. This creates many hurdles for them, as they cannot move about without being escorted by their husbands.
Further, it creates a paradoxical situation for the couple if they are working under the sponsorship of two different organizations. The problem arises when the husband’s Iqama (residence permit) is not renewed by his sponsor. His wife will have then no option but to leave her job, as she cannot stay independent of her husband under the law. Such a situation has led to a demand for expatriate housewives, who may be degree-holders but not necessarily qualified for a teaching job. This factor, together with favouritism in the filling up of vacancies for teachers’ posts, has had an adverse impact on the standard of education in CBSE-affiliated schools in the Kingdom.
A case in point was the recent CBSE decision to include Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) for students of Classes X and XII for last year’s examination. The move evoked a mixed response both from the students and parents in the region.
The 2008 examination, based on the new curriculum, required the students to answer 20 percent of questions in the HOTS format to test the student’s skills in terms of his understanding the questions for relevant answers. Given the fact that a majority of them are used to “Most of the Same” (MOTS) type of standard answers, they were floored from the beginning. The question papers are set in such a way as would require them to answer all the questions within a specific time frame. Their academic deficiencies rendered them unfit for the revised format.
One of the students also drove home this point when he explained that schools in the region are not well equipped to provide interpretative skills among students due to the paucity of trained staff. Under these circumstances, only parents with adequate resources could opt for special tutorials for their children. Such an option is not available for a majority of parents belonging to the middle class families.
This has created a peculiar situation for CBSE schools, especially in Saudi Arabia, where most of the Indian schools have adopted the CBSE curriculum but lack qualified staff to handle key subjects at the higher levels due to the reasons cited above. The best course of action under these circumstances would have been to set up a tele-counselling centre also in the Kingdom. However, by keeping Saudi Arabia out of the loop, CBSE has already made a bad situation worse, as NRI students from Hyderabad and other states will find it difficult to survive in the tough competition looming ahead.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Gulf Forum invites Muslim Leaders for Umrah and talks
By Javid Hassan
A prominent NRI has invited leaders of the Muslim community and Urdu journalists from Hyderabad to come to Makkah for Umrah at his expense and also attend a meeting aimed at reconciling differences between the two groups and unify their ranks for a common cause.
In a message sent to HNN through Tanzeem Hum Hindustani (THH), Ahmed Ziauddin, president of Riyadh-based NRIs’ Gulf Forum, has said they are ready to bear all expenses for travel and accommodation if they could meet in the holy city of Makkah after performing Umrah. The proposed meeting could help iron out all their differences that are being exploited by certain vested interests, with the general elections round the corner.
Makkah, seat of the holy Kabaa, to which Muslims from around the world turn five times a day for prayers, has always served as a platform for promoting unity among them. “Makkah Declaration” best sums up the role of this holy city when it comes to reconciling differences among Muslims at the international level under the umbrella of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Forum has chosen an appropriate venue for launching its initiative in this direction.
Ziauddin, who also hails from Hyderabad, said that in case the Muslim leaders find it inconvenient to visit Makkah, he was prepared to come down to their city in the interest of the Ummah. “The important thing is to get together in a spirit of unity and reconciliation for resolving all outstanding differences that are doing a great harm to the cause of Muslim unity,” said the Forum chief, who holds a senior managerial position in Riyadh-based Saudi Hollandi Bank.
Invitations have been extended to Mohammed Quaiser, president, THH and also Osmania University Old Boys’ NRIs’ Association in Riyadh, Asaduddin Owaisi, president, Majlis Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Zahid Ali Khan, Editor, Siasat, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, Maulana Khaled Saifullah Rahmani, Maulana Mufti Mohammed, Maulana Naimullah Khan, Amir, Tableeghi Jamaat, Mufti Khaleel Ahmed Shaikh of Jamia Nizamia, Abid Ali Khan, Maulana Khubool Pasha Qadri and Maulana Abdul Aziz, Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami, among others.
Knowledgeable sources point out that some vested interests have been exploiting the Urdu media to create rift among Muslims, so that they could exploit them for their own ulterior motive. Such a situation could harm the interests of the Muslim community at a time when general elections are scheduled to be held all over India between April 8 and May 15, according to the country's election commissioner. The need of the hour is to weed out such elements that are said to be stoking, instead of dousing, the flames of mutual hatred and bickering within the community.
Another crucial factor that dictates the need for a united front is elections in the Telangana region, where political alliances are being forged by various parties in the electoral fray. With the Congress and the Muslim United Front yet to make up their mind, their state of indecision is playing into the hands of their opponents.
Ziauddin said NRIs from Hyderabad based in the Gulf states, the US and Canada are concerned over the deteriorating situation facing Hyderabad Muslims that could play into the hands of their opponents during the upcoming elections. Cementing their rank and file should, therefore, be of paramount importance at this critical juncture. “Otherwise, Muslims may have to pay a heavy price,” he has warned.
A prominent NRI has invited leaders of the Muslim community and Urdu journalists from Hyderabad to come to Makkah for Umrah at his expense and also attend a meeting aimed at reconciling differences between the two groups and unify their ranks for a common cause.
In a message sent to HNN through Tanzeem Hum Hindustani (THH), Ahmed Ziauddin, president of Riyadh-based NRIs’ Gulf Forum, has said they are ready to bear all expenses for travel and accommodation if they could meet in the holy city of Makkah after performing Umrah. The proposed meeting could help iron out all their differences that are being exploited by certain vested interests, with the general elections round the corner.
Makkah, seat of the holy Kabaa, to which Muslims from around the world turn five times a day for prayers, has always served as a platform for promoting unity among them. “Makkah Declaration” best sums up the role of this holy city when it comes to reconciling differences among Muslims at the international level under the umbrella of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Forum has chosen an appropriate venue for launching its initiative in this direction.
Ziauddin, who also hails from Hyderabad, said that in case the Muslim leaders find it inconvenient to visit Makkah, he was prepared to come down to their city in the interest of the Ummah. “The important thing is to get together in a spirit of unity and reconciliation for resolving all outstanding differences that are doing a great harm to the cause of Muslim unity,” said the Forum chief, who holds a senior managerial position in Riyadh-based Saudi Hollandi Bank.
Invitations have been extended to Mohammed Quaiser, president, THH and also Osmania University Old Boys’ NRIs’ Association in Riyadh, Asaduddin Owaisi, president, Majlis Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Zahid Ali Khan, Editor, Siasat, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, Maulana Khaled Saifullah Rahmani, Maulana Mufti Mohammed, Maulana Naimullah Khan, Amir, Tableeghi Jamaat, Mufti Khaleel Ahmed Shaikh of Jamia Nizamia, Abid Ali Khan, Maulana Khubool Pasha Qadri and Maulana Abdul Aziz, Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami, among others.
Knowledgeable sources point out that some vested interests have been exploiting the Urdu media to create rift among Muslims, so that they could exploit them for their own ulterior motive. Such a situation could harm the interests of the Muslim community at a time when general elections are scheduled to be held all over India between April 8 and May 15, according to the country's election commissioner. The need of the hour is to weed out such elements that are said to be stoking, instead of dousing, the flames of mutual hatred and bickering within the community.
Another crucial factor that dictates the need for a united front is elections in the Telangana region, where political alliances are being forged by various parties in the electoral fray. With the Congress and the Muslim United Front yet to make up their mind, their state of indecision is playing into the hands of their opponents.
Ziauddin said NRIs from Hyderabad based in the Gulf states, the US and Canada are concerned over the deteriorating situation facing Hyderabad Muslims that could play into the hands of their opponents during the upcoming elections. Cementing their rank and file should, therefore, be of paramount importance at this critical juncture. “Otherwise, Muslims may have to pay a heavy price,” he has warned.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Several vacancies for Islamic banking jobs in the Gulf
By Javid Hassan
Several vacancies have been reported in Islamic banks in the UAE and other Gulf states, reflecting the growing demand for Shariah-compliant investments that are projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2010, up from the current level of $ 1 trillion.
Emails received by HNN during the last few days testify to the expansion of Islamic banking products and services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the credit control, auditing, marketing and other sections.
The surge in the demand for Shariah-compatible investments and other Islamic assets from an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims around the world has already spawned the growth in educational institutions offering such courses. The Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance in Hyderabad became the country’s pioneering venture in launching a course in the field of Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance.
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has now taken the plunge with its decision to introduce a one-year post-graduate diploma course in 'Islamic Banking: and Finance.' The course has been designed by Dr Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqi, winner of the King Faisal International Prize in Islamic Studies, who also taught economics for several years at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah.
The course is modelled on Islamic rules of transaction, of which the cardinal principle is prohibition of Riba (interest), giving rise to the interest- free banking system. AMU’s academic council, which supervises academic affairs, endorsed the introduction of the course, which will start from the next academic session. Some 20 students will be admitted to the course initially.
In this system of banking the depositor shares the risk with the bank unlike other banking systems. The owner of the capital, however, is entitled to a share in the bank's profits, according to Dr. Siddiqui, who adds that this type of banking system curbs the tendency towards speculation or gambling with the depositors’ money. It was the corporate greed that triggered the housing mortgage crisis in the US with all its global consequences and more recently the Satyam scandal case, in which the banks and auditors played a major role in the cover-up. The course would enable students to launch a career in Islamic banking that is gaining momentum not only all over the Middle East and Southeast Asia but also further afield in the US and the UK. Dr. Siddiqui points out that as of now no university in India is offering a full-fledged course in Islamic Banking, though some research work on the subject has been done in Karnataka and Pune universities. It does not figure in the syllabus of any university.
Dr. Siddiqui believes that though there are no Islamic banks in India, a few non-banking cooperatives are operating on those principles in Karnataka and Mumbai. He is upbeat about the prospects of Islamic banking in India, as it can attract NRI investors. Some of the top Indian companies are also planning to launch Islamic financial products to cater to the needs of Muslims who comprise 12 percent of India’s 1.2 billion population.
According to Mohamed Ridza, a leading consultant on Islamic finance in Malaysia and managing partner of Mohamed Ridza & Co,
the Islamic financial system is projected to account for approximately 4 per cent of the global economy as part of its long-term growth.
Despite the overall gloom and doom on the international economic scene, the Islamic banking industry, currently worth an estimated $1 trillion, is widely expected to emerge as one of the fastest growing sectors in the world of finance. Islamic banks, Ridza points out, have cushioned the impact of global recession due to their built-in checks within their strict regulatory framework. This has improved their performance to a stage where the Islamic banking industry is now anticipating a growth rate of 15 per cent annually.
A major factor behind this trajectory of growth is the fundamental Islamic banking principle of profit and loss-sharing scheme, known as Mudarabah, under which banks forge partnership with entrepreneurs. This obliges the banks to be circumspect in their approach in terms of sharing their risk and evaluating each proposal carefully before providing funds to the investor. The other aspect is the cost plus scheme, or Murabaha, where banks own assets desired by customers and sell them on installment basis at an agreed price in line with the Islamic principle of interest-free payment.
That the system is working well has been documented by their impressive track record. Since the western banks, including the internationally renowned HSBC, have already introduced Islamic finance as part of their investment portfolios, Indian banks should seriously consider such an option in the interest of job creation and economic growth.
Several vacancies have been reported in Islamic banks in the UAE and other Gulf states, reflecting the growing demand for Shariah-compliant investments that are projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2010, up from the current level of $ 1 trillion.
Emails received by HNN during the last few days testify to the expansion of Islamic banking products and services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the credit control, auditing, marketing and other sections.
The surge in the demand for Shariah-compatible investments and other Islamic assets from an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims around the world has already spawned the growth in educational institutions offering such courses. The Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance in Hyderabad became the country’s pioneering venture in launching a course in the field of Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance.
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has now taken the plunge with its decision to introduce a one-year post-graduate diploma course in 'Islamic Banking: and Finance.' The course has been designed by Dr Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqi, winner of the King Faisal International Prize in Islamic Studies, who also taught economics for several years at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah.
The course is modelled on Islamic rules of transaction, of which the cardinal principle is prohibition of Riba (interest), giving rise to the interest- free banking system. AMU’s academic council, which supervises academic affairs, endorsed the introduction of the course, which will start from the next academic session. Some 20 students will be admitted to the course initially.
In this system of banking the depositor shares the risk with the bank unlike other banking systems. The owner of the capital, however, is entitled to a share in the bank's profits, according to Dr. Siddiqui, who adds that this type of banking system curbs the tendency towards speculation or gambling with the depositors’ money. It was the corporate greed that triggered the housing mortgage crisis in the US with all its global consequences and more recently the Satyam scandal case, in which the banks and auditors played a major role in the cover-up. The course would enable students to launch a career in Islamic banking that is gaining momentum not only all over the Middle East and Southeast Asia but also further afield in the US and the UK. Dr. Siddiqui points out that as of now no university in India is offering a full-fledged course in Islamic Banking, though some research work on the subject has been done in Karnataka and Pune universities. It does not figure in the syllabus of any university.
Dr. Siddiqui believes that though there are no Islamic banks in India, a few non-banking cooperatives are operating on those principles in Karnataka and Mumbai. He is upbeat about the prospects of Islamic banking in India, as it can attract NRI investors. Some of the top Indian companies are also planning to launch Islamic financial products to cater to the needs of Muslims who comprise 12 percent of India’s 1.2 billion population.
According to Mohamed Ridza, a leading consultant on Islamic finance in Malaysia and managing partner of Mohamed Ridza & Co,
the Islamic financial system is projected to account for approximately 4 per cent of the global economy as part of its long-term growth.
Despite the overall gloom and doom on the international economic scene, the Islamic banking industry, currently worth an estimated $1 trillion, is widely expected to emerge as one of the fastest growing sectors in the world of finance. Islamic banks, Ridza points out, have cushioned the impact of global recession due to their built-in checks within their strict regulatory framework. This has improved their performance to a stage where the Islamic banking industry is now anticipating a growth rate of 15 per cent annually.
A major factor behind this trajectory of growth is the fundamental Islamic banking principle of profit and loss-sharing scheme, known as Mudarabah, under which banks forge partnership with entrepreneurs. This obliges the banks to be circumspect in their approach in terms of sharing their risk and evaluating each proposal carefully before providing funds to the investor. The other aspect is the cost plus scheme, or Murabaha, where banks own assets desired by customers and sell them on installment basis at an agreed price in line with the Islamic principle of interest-free payment.
That the system is working well has been documented by their impressive track record. Since the western banks, including the internationally renowned HSBC, have already introduced Islamic finance as part of their investment portfolios, Indian banks should seriously consider such an option in the interest of job creation and economic growth.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
ETPI: Where ideas meet funds
By M H Ahssan
Recession and pink slips usually spell gloom. But they can spell opportunity for the enterprising. The innovative dream of paving new paths in really difficult circumstance, often turn out be new, killer ideas. Because the solution comes after really experiencing the pain. Still, time and again, lack of funds become huge roadblocks, snuffing out these ideas.
Here’s something that can make the difficult search for funds much easier, and make a hundred wonderful ideas take birth. There is help at hand for entrepreneurial young Indian. The Economic Times, has initiated a new platform, “The Power of Ideas’’, for those with entrepreneurial dreams.
Those with ideas that can change the way we live and think, can get real help in realizing their dream business. Open to all Indians aged 18 years and above (on February 20, 2009), the ETPI is the biggest platform for ideas to find funding and guidance.
A group of angel investors, Indian Angel Network, is partnering the ET on this project and will guide aspiring businesspersons on the roadmap for moving ahead. ETPI invites all ^ homemaker, professional, businessperson, student or teacher ^ with just an idea that can enrich the nation.
With just an idea, a business plan, fund-seekers can meet a jury who will filter genuine interest. Running start-ups are also invited. All that the jury wants is basic information in a business summary format. No detailed business plan is required right away.
All that is needed is one great idea. The interested should get in touch with The Economic Times. And, who knows, we could be writing about you one day.
Recession and pink slips usually spell gloom. But they can spell opportunity for the enterprising. The innovative dream of paving new paths in really difficult circumstance, often turn out be new, killer ideas. Because the solution comes after really experiencing the pain. Still, time and again, lack of funds become huge roadblocks, snuffing out these ideas.
Here’s something that can make the difficult search for funds much easier, and make a hundred wonderful ideas take birth. There is help at hand for entrepreneurial young Indian. The Economic Times, has initiated a new platform, “The Power of Ideas’’, for those with entrepreneurial dreams.
Those with ideas that can change the way we live and think, can get real help in realizing their dream business. Open to all Indians aged 18 years and above (on February 20, 2009), the ETPI is the biggest platform for ideas to find funding and guidance.
A group of angel investors, Indian Angel Network, is partnering the ET on this project and will guide aspiring businesspersons on the roadmap for moving ahead. ETPI invites all ^ homemaker, professional, businessperson, student or teacher ^ with just an idea that can enrich the nation.
With just an idea, a business plan, fund-seekers can meet a jury who will filter genuine interest. Running start-ups are also invited. All that the jury wants is basic information in a business summary format. No detailed business plan is required right away.
All that is needed is one great idea. The interested should get in touch with The Economic Times. And, who knows, we could be writing about you one day.
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