Enjoy the freedom, brought to us by our martyrs

Darshan Arora emphasized the responsibility towards the nation

A grand celebration at CMC hospital

Ludhiana, 26th Jan, 2013(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):The 64thRepublic day was celebrated at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana with Patriotic spirit. The program started with thanks giving service for the country at college chapel, followed by Flag hoisting, March past and cultural events by staff & students of various colleges at Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest Sh. Darshan Arora emphasized the responsibility of every citizen towards the nation and then to enjoy the freedom, brought to us by our martyrs.Earlier Sh. Darshan Arora was welcomed & introduced by the Director, CMC - Dr. Abraham G. Thomas. Present on the occasion were the Administrative team, staff and students to mark the celebration. At this occasion staffs who had completed 35 years of dedicated service were honoured. The Program was organized by College of Physiotherapy and Vice Principal thanked everyone for the help extended.
Associate Director, Dr.Kim Mammen, Principal CMC, Dr S.M. Bhatti, Principal Christian Dental College, Dr.Abi M.Thomas, Principal College of Nursing Prof.(Mrs.) Ponnamma R. Singh, Principal College of Physiotherapy, Dr.Jeewan S.Parkash, Principal IAHS, Dr.Anup Benjamin were also present on the occasion.

Art face of medical line

Talent sets the stage alight at CMC Ludhiana

The Music and Theatre Workshop of Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana comprises of doctors and students of various colleges of the institution who organizes regular productions. This year, the workshop organized a play entitled ‘Harvey’. The show was staged on three days commencing on the 22ndof march, 2012 at the Lady Willingdon Hall, CMC, Ludhiana.

Mr. Sajin Sunny Mathew, the student co-ordinator of ‘Harvey’ said, “We are glad that the rich tradition of high quality productions we have had in the past has been kept alive with ‘Harvey’ under the patronage of our director, Dr Abhraham G Thomas.”

The play ‘Harvey’ is a comedy in three acts authored by the American playwright Mary Chase. It is about an affable man named Elwood P Dowd (played by Manu Mathew Kurien) who claims to have an unseen friend named Harvey- a six-foot, one-half-inch tall rabbit. His social-climbing sister, Veta( Angela Elizabeth Eapen), and her daughter, Myrtle (Meriya Joseph), find his eccentric behaviour embarrassing. She decides to have him committed to the sanatorium and a comedy of errors ensues. As the play moves hilariously through various comic situations, there is an underlying message of goodwill and encouragement that the lead character always portrays. His philosophy of life is a message to us all. ‘Many years ago,’ he says, ‘my mother told me I should be either oh-so-smart or oh-so-pleasant. I was smart for years. I recommend pleasant.’ Through every stressful situation even in the face of anger, he remains calm, kind and courteous making him well-beloved character by the end. The message of love and bonding between family members which prevails eternally despite mutual faults, is powerfully depicted through the play.

Be it the well- coordinated production, the enticing props and costumes or the proactive backstage crew, the production holds together and moves seamlessly through the three acts. A collective team, comprising a cast of about 11 students and about 50 others pitched in their time, efforts and talents in the making of ‘Harvey’. “An amazing and witty play that’s bound to leave you captivated and entertained” adds Mr. David Livingston. “It was challenging but fulfilling experience  to put up a three act comedy on stage with the right expressions, timings, punch lines to deliver and even working off-screen and on-screen chemistry with the co-cast. It boosted our confidence and built on our positive traits allowing us to improve” said Angela, one of the actors. “Though there wasn’t much tedious work involved, we worked hard at depicting the scenes to the finest detail,” said Ansu John, a member of the props crew. “It was a gratifying job to design the costumes and transport the actors to a different era.” said Amritha Kurien, from the costumes team. The director of the play, Dr Dhruv Ghosh, a paediatric surgeon of CMC said, ‘It was a great joy to work with the students on the play. Their talents never cease to amaze me.’

The annual musicals and plays have been appreciated by the residents of Ludhiana city and surrounding areas for the many years. This year’s play, ‘Harvey’ was a break from the hectic routine of life as aspiring doctors entertained and enthralled the audience showcasing the power of voice and expression. Aditi George, one of crew members said,  “This year’s play is a must see. Funny and heart-warming, it’s a wonderful night of theatre for the whole family.” --Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Therapist Uses Art to Help Troops Heal

The center provides treatment, recovery, rehabilitation and...
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

Creative arts therapist Melissa Walker offers a wealth of supplies to service members to complete their art projects in the Healing Arts Program at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Walker developed her program to help those with psychological health issues and traumatic brain injuries. DOD photo by Terri Moon Cronk 

BETHESDA, Md., March 8, 2012 - An art therapist is using the power of creativity to help service members heal from traumatic brain injuries and psychological health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Melissa Walker designed the Healing Arts Program at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence on the campus of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center here. She is the program's sole art therapist, and also serves as its coordinator. The program aims to help the recovering service members find a creative haven where their buried post-war thoughts and emotions can come to the surface through art and therapy.
With gentle encouragement from Walker, active-duty troops create their way to healing. By working on their art projects in a personal manner, they confront the circumstances of their injuries and begin to overcome the uncertainty they might feel, she said.

"What's bothering them runs the gamut of that moment in time: ... the frozen trauma, the frozen memory. They can't seem to shake what they've internalized," Walker said.

Service members with psychological health issues and traumatic brain injuries create an endless variety of designs on papier-mache masks to help them clarify their thoughts and sense of self, art therapist Melissa Walker said. Their designs vary from their war experiences to picturing themselves as healing while undergoing treatment at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. DOD photo by Terri Moon Cronk.Download screen-resolution                                    Download high-resolution

The center provides treatment, recovery, rehabilitation and, sometimes, reintegration to active duty for service members who have psychological health issues and traumatic brain injury. All have mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder, and most also have had some kind of head injury from exposure to a blast injury or fall, Walker said.

When these service members come to the center, they're often in a confused place, and some experience a loss of identity. Those who want to return to duty have a difficult time because they're passionate about their jobs, and those who will rejoin the civilian world wonder what they'll face, she said.

"They need to realize, 'It's time to take care of myself,'" she said.

Art therapy is one element of the center's interdisciplinary treatment. Walker, who designed the Healing Arts Program when the center opened two years ago, said creating art slows down the brain so people can focus and improve their cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination.

Walker's interest in the effects of war on troops stems from childhood memories of her grandfather returning from military service in Korea with what she now believes was post-traumatic stress. But, she said, "there wasn't a name for it then." White House, Defense Department and Veterans Affairs officials have made traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress treatment and prevention a top priority during the past decade of war.

By their third week in the Healing Arts Program, Melissa Walker assigns service members montages to design that signify their experiences at the center and characteristics they see in themselves. One wrote a poem in a creative writing class and incorporated it into his montage, which Walker said brought him "full circle." The art therapy program is a four-week piece of the treatment plan at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., for those with psychological health issues and traumatic brain injuries from their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. DOD photo by Terri Moon Cronk.
Download screen-resolution                                          Download high-resolution
  

Walker begins her treatment by meeting the service members one-on-one so she can get to know them and their goals while they are at the center. This also helps her meet the art therapy needs of each small group of about five people, she said. She has the service members design a mask, a montage and a postcard in any design with any materials they want, from magazine clippings to beads and paint. Most of their artistic creations, she said, reflect their inner thoughts concerning deployment, their injuries, various war experiences, and their futures.

Since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military officials have recognized family members' needs for support, and Walker's Healing Arts Program is no exception. One night a week, family members come to Walker's family class to do the same projects as the service members, to give this group of caregivers a break and a chance to "breathe," Walker said.

Service members' mask designs vary, she said, recalling a service member who divided his mask into the halves of two faces, depicting how he saw himself as both a civilian and a member of the military. The split-self has to do with identity, she said. Some who still have war images in their minds might design a scene of the injuries they and their fellow troops suffered.

The groups discuss their mask creations and what they mean. Walker said these discussions bring up personal and symbolic experiences. Sharing and discussing artwork establishes a sense of community and bonding with one another, which is particularly helpful to those with post-traumatic stress who tend to isolate themselves and don't trust others, she said.

"Some feel a lot has been lifted off their shoulders," she said of the group discussions. "Some will share things they never have before and feel validated. They realize they aren't alone."

Walker said the service members with psychological health issues and traumatic brain injury have "layers and layers of complications." In a similar manner, the montages they design often reflect the past, present and future of who they are, which helps them clarify their sense of self, Walker said.

The art therapist described the montage of another student who created a representation of himself in three stages: gradually coming from the dark side of war, opening a door labeled "NICoE," and stepping into brightness to depict healing, she said.

Walker's goal at the final week's commencement is to leave each
service member in "a forward-thinking mode," by asking them to design a postcard with a "positive" hand-scribed note for one of the center's recent graduates.

"One wrote, 'Remember what you learned here,'" she said.

Walker said she is confident future studies will bear positive results of art therapy for those with PTSD and TBI. For now, she added, she stands determined to help people confront and cope with their wounds by expression through art.

"I always tell them, 'I'm so glad you're here and taking time for yourself, and the biggest step you've taken is being open to this,'" she said. "That's huge. That's brave."

Related Sites: National Intrepid Center of Excellence Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Heart care with art !

Art technology used to cure the heart diseases

In the current era where heart disease has touched epidemic proportions in India according to WHO - there is something to cheer about. Just simple tests and lifestyle changes and regular exercise can dramatically reduce the chances of suffering from a heart attack.

At a recently concluded free cardiac camp in Jagraon conducted by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – head of Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College & Hospital in Ludhiana – some very positive findings have come up. At the camp which was inaugurated by Baba Ghalla Singh ji of Nanaksar   - himself a cured patient of Dr HS Bedi - a comprehensive cardiac checkup was performed on over 250 patients of Jagraon and the surrounding villages. Free consultations by super-specialists, free tests and medications would be given. A special test for vascular disease – The ABI test – was done for all patients where indicated. For the first time ever – a very high tech tool – the i-stat – which is available in CMC & H was used to screen all people . Dr Bedi explained that in this test just a drop of blood is used give about 15 parameters to judge a person’s health. It was found that people who exercised regularly or performed yoga had their hearts in good shape, and had cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control  . Dr Bedi was very encouraged with these findings for they suggest that a simple regimen of exercise, prudent diet, weight control and regular checkups could indeed keep the hearts of Punjabis in good shape. He stressed that the aim of preventive medicine was – ‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick – they should beat strongly’.

Interestingly similar reports have been found worldwide. Currently around one in five menopausal women die from heart disease. But according to new research by exercise scientists at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), this shocking statistic could be reversed if women took just 30 minutes to exercise, 5 days a week. Similarly a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that walking briskly for half an hour cut the risk of premature death in men and women by 44 percent.

There is some confusion about the type and intensity of exercise required. For cardiovascular fitness, you need to do a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, working hard enough that you break a sweat or are mildly out of breath. If you work out on a treadmill you should walk at a speed of at least four miles per hour on a level. If it’s on an incline, you can go a little more slowly.

Punjabis have a genetic predisposition to heart disease. You can’t do anything about your genes just yet—but you can lower that risk through lifestyle changes. Diet, yoga, exercise, regular physical checkups—all of these can help. Diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected and kept under control. It is time that we invested in our health and fitness now to ensure a real quality of life in later years – just as we plan a financial pension plan for our future. So, strap on your sneakers and start striding in the park – said Dr Bedi .

Aim for a target heart rate during exercise.  Make monitoring your heart rate an integral part of your workout routine. It's a safer, more effective way to exercise, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Here's how to calculate your target heart rate range:

-Estimate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. 

- Determine your lower-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.6.

- Calculate your upper-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.9.

For most people, working out at the lower end of the heart rate range for a longer time is better than exercising at the higher end for a shorter period.

Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – said that the outreach programmes were an integral and important part of the basic philosophy of CMC so that medical care could reach one and all in this region.

Kum. Selja lighting the lamp

The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture, Kum. Selja lighting the lamp to inaugurate an exhaustive retrospective of Ramkinkar Baij, curated by sculptor K.S Radhakrishnan, in New Delhi on February 08, 2012. The Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Jawhar Sircar and other dignitaries are also seen.  PIB photo....08-February-2012

Role of Children in Water Conservation

Second National Painting Competition
Art on Water Conservation Organised

The first prize winning Painting of 2nd National Painting Competition, organised by the Central Ground Board under the Ministry of Water Resources, in New Delhi on January 21, 2012.

The Minister of State for Water Resources and Minority Affairs, Shri Vincent Pala presented awards to the winners of 2nd National Painting Competition, organised by the Central Ground Board under the Ministry of Water Resources, in New Delhi on January 21, 2012

Union Minister of State for Water Resources and Minority Affairs Shri Vincent H. Pala presented the prizes to the winners of the second National Painting Competition organised by the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources at a function in New Delhi toady. The theme of the competition was “Role of Children in Water Conservation”. 

Speaking on the occasion Shri Pala underlined the need to harvest the rainwater in view of limited availability of fresh ground water resources. He said It is necessary that the young generation is fully aware about the water resource scenario of the country and understands the concerns and steps to mitigate the challenges in water resource management, in particular the water conservation efforts. He called for actively involving children in spreading of awareness on water conservation and efficient water use practices in the country. 

The first prize at the competition was won by Disha Roy Choudhury of Siliguri, West Bengal. She was awarded cash prize of Rs. one lakh. There were four second prizes of Rs. 50,000/ each. The winners included Bhavika Dugar of Coimbatore, A.Yokaran of Chennai, Yeerandip Debnath of Sealdah and Devjit Choudhury of Jamshedpur. The eight third prize winners with cash prize of Rs. 25,000/ each included Shreya Das of Faridabad, Kshitiz Rawat of Delhi, Sayani Das of Jamshedpur, A.Esha Rayal of Hyderabad, Shreeraksha of Mangalore, A.Priya Darsini of Coimbatore, Bhagyashree Kunwar of Mumbai and Imon Chetia Phukan of Guwahati. All the participating students were awarded Rs. 5000/ each as consolation prize and a certificate. 

About sixteen lakh students of 4th, 5th & 6th standards from all over the country participated in the painting competition organised at different levels. In all 23,475 schools in 27 States and Union Territories participated. Out of these, 50 students selected in each State were invited to participate in the State Level Painting Competition organised on 14th November, 2011 except in Pudduchery and Goa where it was organised on 9th November, 2011. The three winners of State Level Painting Competition were invited to Delhi to participate in National Painting Competition. 87 students participated at the National Level Painting Competition. (Ministry of Water Resources) {21-January-2012 19:56 IST} [PIB]

Initiative for Museum Reforms in India//Alok Deshwal*

A museum is also a kind of bridge

One of the oldest museums in Asia, the Indian Museum was founded in 1814

As one of the oldest and greatest civilizations of the world, India indeed has an incredible story to tell about its rich and glorious past. The treasures of its golden past are kept in its museums for the mankind to see, enjoy and cherish. There are over a thousand museums in India, both large and small. Over 90 percent of these are funded and maintained by the Central and State Governments and few renowned museums have also been set up through private efforts. The Archaeological Survey of India itself manages 44 site museums located near important historical sites, some of them in the remotest parts of the country like Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat and others at well-known World Heritage Sites such as Agra.

Some of the oldest museums were established by the British and their collections were a combination of natural history and antiquarian remains like the 197 year old Indian Museum, Kolkata (which will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2014) Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai.
Museums have always played an important role in our society by bringing us closer to our roots and making us aware of our glorious past. Museum visits as an integral part of school life were important events, which shaped our understanding of the growth of human life on earth.

It is in this context that Jay Winter, American Historian has said that, “Museums are, in a way, the cathedrals of the modern world, places where sacred issues are expressed and where people come to reflect on them. A museum is also a kind of bridge between the academy and the public.”
However, of late museums across the country have suffered a down-turn, both in terms of their working and their public image as they have not been able to keep pace with the international best practices in the field. There is a severe shortage of museum professionals in the country because of which the museum sector has suffered a setback. This is amply clear from the fact there is a high vacancy rate in almost all the National level museums in the country. Due to the unavailability of dedicated professionals many of the museums in the country today are in a state of neglect, being managed by staff with little or no knowledge or professionalism in their business.

The need for modernization and up-gradation of museums in India has been felt and expressed for several decades. In the light of much needed reforms in the field the Ministry of Culture has proactively pursued a path of initiating museum reforms. After brainstorming with Museums Experts and Directors, The Museum Reforms Programme was instated by the Ministry of Culture, to address 14 key concerns in the Museum Sector. These concerns are:

Collection & Stores Management

·         Introduce computer aided collections management.
·         Verify physically stocks with registers/database.
·         Modernize methods of storage and retrieval & introduce visible storage.
·         Develop adequate storage facilities.
·         Control/filter atmospheric heat, dust, humidity, light and pest in Stores.
·         Take professional quality digital photos of stored items.
·         Upload entire collections’ database with images of objects online.
Proper/Scientific Display of Artefacts

·         Design and develop exhibit-specific display systems.
·         Up-grade display techniques on professional lines.
·         Introduce atmospheric control of heat/cold, humidity, dust, etc. in Galleries.
·         Modernize lighting with power-saving/auto switch & heat control.
·         Have variety in gallery presentations, with other ‘attractions’ interspersing.
·         Circulate periodically displayed materials, from Store to Gallery.
Information, Signages, Floor Plans & Visitor Facilities

·         Set up ‘Visitor Interpretation Centres’, & give different options to them.
·         Improve Object Interpretation Board, communication strategies/narratives.
·         Introduce Braille plaques for the visually impaired visitors.
·         Arrange attractive videos and digital shows and hands-on activities.
·         Put interactive strategies, touch screen kiosks, ‘sound posts’, etc.
·         Print international-standard guide-books with floor plans/signages.
·         Keep comfortable benches & resting places, and nooks/seating corners.
·         Drinking water facilities and clean toilets with signages.
·         Set up cafeterias, vending machines and spaces to interact.
·         Have flexible and extended visiting hours, with some special ‘free days’.
·         Engage enthusiastic volunteers as museum assistants, to guide visitors.
Museum Shops and Souvenirs

·         Set up proper Museum/Souvenir Shops, preferably on PPP model
·         Merchandise professional selected museum items, for souvenirs.
·         Produce, with ‘class’, replicas, prints, postcards, albums etc.
·         Publish world-class books & catalogues, through the best available.
·         Arrange inter-museum & outsourced sale of books/catalogues & CDs.
·         Promote/market India’s heritage as a brand, through all museum shops.
·         Approach corporates to popularize museum culture through gifts.
Multi-Media, Audio Visual & Guide Facilities

·         Design, and continuously update, website & information systems.
·         Introduce museum related activity cum technical research blogs.
·         Digitize important stored artefacts for ‘Virtual Guide’, CDs and Websites.
·         Introduce / improve audio guides: work on time-bound plans.
·         Set up LCD panels, to display digitized artefacts on videos and power points.
·         Introduce 3-D holographic projections, simulated images & virtual reality.
·         Set up interactive sound & talking trees, musical clocks & other attractions.
Attract Various Audience Segments, including Students/Children

·         Plan the calendar of events for the entire year, and more, if possible.
·         Send newsletters and keep updating mailing lists, through visitor registers.
·         Arrange special training for Education Officers, PROs &  ‘Guides’ for this work
·         Plan ‘Out-reach’ programmes for different segments, target specific.
·         Design invitation cards, brochures, fliers both artistically and professionally.
·         Organize regular interactive programmes and set up ‘children’s corners’.
·         Formalise networks with schools and colleges, on a regular basis.
·         Introduce ‘Collections Identification & Authentication’ facility for collectors.
·         Encourage small online exhibitions to be curated by museum enthusiasts.
Image Building, Publicity and Cultural Events.

·         Have well dressed and polite museum assistants/guides & cafeteria staff.
·         Plan campaigns, highlighting interesting facets & get feedbacks.
·         Issue attractive advertisements and informed articles in the media.
·         Set up and invigorate ‘Friends of Museum’ & also meet them.
·         Celebrate regularly ‘World Days’, ‘State Functions’ and ‘Special Events’.
·         Organize cultural performances and other outreach programmes.
·         Harmonize tangible & intangible cultural heritage, seamlessly.
·         Attract corporate sponsors with special exhibitions for their clients.
·         Engage event-managers marketing/sales team & communication specialists,
Visiting & Travelling Exhibitions

·         Invite exhibitions & inter-museum exchanges, including with ASI  museums.
·         Establish curator panels and plan multiple curatorial themes, in advance.
·         Keep updating policies for exhibitions abroad, through regular feedbacks.
·         Curate exhibitions abroad – have different policies for art & antiquities.
·         Formulate scientific policies regarding valuation, insurance, etc. for exhibits.
·         Plan exhibitions (both internal & external) professionally on global standards
·         Insist on proper reciprocity from foreign museums/galleries.
·         Publish world class catalogues for each exhibition in India or abroad.
Expansion & Acquisition of Collections

·         Revisit art purchase procedures and committees, with transparency.
·         Frame policies to encourage donors, i.e., tax exemption, publicity, etc.
·         Devise ‘loan policies’ for short, medium & long term loans.
·         Prepare policy on bequeaths & have proper screening/evaluation methods.
·         Set up search committees and negotiating teams, to locate/buy rare items.
·         Frame policies for de-accessioning of unwanted/unrelated collections.
Professional Development of Museum Personnel

·         Organise HRD training & expose personnel to international standards.
·         Encourage courses and exchanges of best practices, through visits.
·         Facilitate studies, researches to bring out better publications.
·         Utilize Visiting Fellows to unravel treasures within museums.
·         Conduct professional courses in museum studies & collections management
·         Start online/correspondence courses in museum studies & heritage management.
·         Collaborate with Open Universities & conservation laboratories.
·         Publicise available courses for wider dissemination, at nodal points.
·         Devise administrative structure/emoluments for good career management
·         Engage specialized professionals, on contract/tenure basis, for emulation.
Implementation of Plan Schemes & special projects

·         Ensure optimum utilization of funds, through prior planning.
·         Make monthly activity charts and conduct reviews /self-assessments.
·         Outsource work to professional agencies, where required.
·         Undertake long term planning, rather than adhoc improvements.
·         If possible & permitted, create public private partnerships.
·         Invite, with proper approval, specific projects from outside.
Security: Modern Techniques

·         Upgrade security systems & install latest cameras/surveillance systems.
·         Deploy CISF, armed police, except inside museum galleries.
·         Retain own security, for gallery watch & other duties.
·         Introduce aesthetically pleasing dress for in-house security personnel.
·         Install fire-fighting devices/techniques and undertake regular trials.
·         Revisit display storage plans on security /fire-fighting considerations.
·         Maintain friendly, terror/stress free atmosphere in museum galleries.
Conservation and Restoration

·         Set up or upgrade conservation laboratories and modeling workshops.
·         Build capacities for in-house expertise for conservation and restoration.
·         Upgrade regularly, conservation and restoration techniques, through training.
·         Utilize domain-specific external expertise and learn latest technologies.
·         Extend this domain knowledge to smaller museums.
·         Outsource, where necessary, and imbibe newer techniques.
·         Publish technical research & conservation treatment bulletins.
·         Organise special workshops outside, for basic collections care.
Interactions with Academics, Archaeologists and Artists

·         Institutionalize a proper network with different relevant domain experts.
·         Organize cooperation with academics/experts through regular workshops.
·         Encourage onsite exposure of museum personnel for experience.
·         Encourage museum personnel to make presentations before academics.
·         Strengthen networking through professional bodies like ICOM, MAI etc.


An MoU was signed in 2010 with British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and British Library, London and the Ministry of Culture (on behalf of Indian Cultural Institutions)  to strengthen and enhance friendly cultural relations and promote cultural cooperation and exchange. The MoU offers an appropriate platform for collaboration and sharing of best practices in different areas of Museum Management.

The Ministry has recently initiated the Leadership Training Programme for in-service museum professionals in India in collaboration with the British Museum, London. This is the first Leadership Training being organized for museums in India. The Programme is being coordinated by the National Culture Fund, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture that facilitates public private partnerships for the preservation of arts and heritage in India. The Training Programme will include intensive training sessions on Curation, Museum Education, Design & Display, Scientific Storage, Conservation & Preservation, Museum Marketing, Outreach and Collection Management. 20 museum professionals from 12 Indian museums will undergo this six month Leadership Training in Delhi, London and Mumbai respectively. They will take part in three sessions of training which have been specially created to balance the theoretical with the practical, building on participants existing skills and advising on museum best practice. The training has been carefully shaped to ensure participants can immediately apply and share their knowledge and skills within their organisations. The first session was commenced in Delhi in January 2012, the second in London will be in March, and the final session in Mumbai will be in May. This will ensure the training has the highest possible impact and takes advantage of local conditions.

Museums are increasingly engaging personnel with a wide variety of skills to increase their profile and remain relevant to 21st century audiences. While academic scholarship remains the bedrock of our organisations, it is increasingly acknowledged that this work benefits from, and is enhanced by individuals with different specialisms. The range of practitioners involved in conducting the training programme is broad. Among many others, sessions will be taught by specialists in strategic planning, project management, exhibition display, education, communications, marketing, digital technology, conservation and security, drawing on their extensive first-hand experience of working museum environments. This programme will generate museum leaders who will further train museum professionals all across the country to create a rich web of world class museums in India.

As part of the training programme, Indian scholars will be given substantial access to the British Museum’s world collection and will be encouraged to share their invaluable knowledge, particularly of the Indian collections. The exchange of knowledge between Indian and British Museum scholars will be strongly encouraged and it is hoped will form a foundation for future collaboration in the areas of research and publication as well. (PIB Feature:16-January-2012). {Photo courtesy: Kolkata Hub} ****

*Deputy Director (Media & Communication)

Success Story: Floriculture–a Gainful Livelihood Option

Rai has sold roses worth Rs.1.60 lakh 
Special feature PIC, Khamdong                                     Suman Gazmer*

A progressive farmer from Radang in East Sikkim, Bishnu Kumar Rai has embraced floriculture as a livelihood option since 2008. He cultivates roses in a 650 sq feet land and a green house provided by the State horticulture department.

Rai was  first introduced to floriculture by his wife who attended a  week long  training programme supported by the State horticulture department on General Green House Management at the Horticulture training centre, Talegaon Dabhade in Pune. Later, he acquired further knowledge on floriculture by attending a training programme organized by the department and started reaping the dividends. He has constructed a 80 X 18 feet green house with his own contribution and help from State horticulture department.

So far, this year, Rai has sold roses worth Rs. 1 lakh 60 thousands and is hoping to cross Rs. 1 lakh 70 thousand in sales by the end of this year from the 5000 planted saplings. The selling price of rose per stick is Rs. 3 during off-season and Rs. 5 in peak season. Having taken up floriculture three years ago, this horticulturist has made Rs. 96,000 in the first year and Rs. 1.45 lakhs in the second year through sales. He follows the drip irrigation technology which saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of the plants, either on the soil surface or directly into the root zone through a network of valves, pipes, tubes and emitters.

After gaining experience in rose cultivation, Rai has branched off to cultivate Jarvera from April 2011 and has already earned more than Rs. 30,000 by selling cut flowers. He is selling 100 sticks every day at the rate of Rs 4 per piece. It is easy to cultivate Jarvera as compared to rose as risk of disease is very less in it and Jarvera blossoms 12 months a year, he said. He is expecting to earn Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000 from 800 plants this year and receives whole hearted support from his wife in this profession.

This energetic farmer has a future plan to develop his area as a floriculture belt and remains committed to cultivate flowers suitable in his 1 acre land. He has not limited himself to flowers but has been cultivating vegetables for almost two decades. He grows cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, tomato and other green vegetables.

Rai had won the 2nd prize of Rs. 15,000 along with a certificate during the Horticulture Show 2011 held at Saramsa. He had also bagged a cash 3rd prize of Rs. 5,000 in vegetable (tomato) category during the Kharif Kisan Mela 2008 held at Saramsa. (PIB)
*****
Disclaimer: The writer is a freelance journalist and the views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB.

* Freelance journalist

Asmita weekend theatre workshop on Saturday

The Asmita weekend theatre workshop, conceptualised by Mr Arvind Gaur Director Asmita theatre group, is the first of its kind. This workshop provides working professionals a platform to pursue theatre on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The uniqunes of this workshop lies in the selection of its content, chosen to study contemporary acting. Socio-political issues become a subject of discussions, improvisations and script reading.Voice and speech work, quintessential in acting are taught by means of physical exercises, street plays and monolouges.
15 years of knowledge and experience of Asmita Theatre Group is carefully filtered into the minds of students by the senior most actors of Asmita, under the critical guidance of Mr. Arvind Gaur.
Finally the three month workshop culminates in a public production.
"Kharashe" a play based on short stories by Gulzar was performed by the second batch of Asmita Weekend Theatre Workshop at I.H.C on the 26th and 27th of july.A comprehensive documentation of this play is available at the Asmita Weekend Theatre Group on Facebook.

For More Details Contact: Shiv Chauhan-9958793683,Shilpi Marwaha-9540656537, Arvind Gaur-9899650509

Ecstasy: The Dance Studio in city

QUE  VIVA  LA  SALSA !

Rightly said by ~Dave Barry “Nobody cares if you can't dance well .  Just get up and dance.”
Dance is the only art form in which your body, mind and soul are completely in unison and one can enjoy the stuff of which he/she is made up off. An Ecstatic state of mind where pleasure takes over your worries and makes you free to float in the state of happiness .

Keeping all this in mind Ecstasy the dance studio by Gautam offered a free salsa and meringue workshop for beginners who love to dance but somehow can’t. Mr. Gautam the Director of Ecstasy is of view that through the platform of Ecstasy he always tries to fulfill the real aim of dance which is to spread happiness in today’s mechanized world we hardly take out time for ourselves, to treat our senses, to relax our minds from all the hellish work tensions .So through this workshop he tried to hit the target and it was indeed a success , as 30 to 40 people attended this workshop and danced their heart out , they learnt the basics of salsa and meringue dance forms.

 “learning salsa could be this much fun ,I never knew” these were the words of Sanya , one of the participant in the workshop she  was feeling at the top of the world as learning salsa was her dream but she never got the chance but in this workshop she achieved her dream. All the participants enjoyed the workshop and thanked “Ecstasy” for this wonderful workshop. --Shalu Arora  

Ajoka's VIRAST Theatre Festival

Time	Wednesday at 7:00pm - October 23 at 10:00pm
Location	Alhamra, The Mall, Lahore
Created By	AjokaTheatre Pakistan
More Info	Dear friends, Ajoka Theatre is organizing the VIRASAT Theatre Festival in Lahore from 20th to 23rd October 2010 at Alhamra The Mall, Lahore at 7p.m. daily, to highlight the rich cultural & historical heritage of Pakistan by showcasing some of its best productions in recent years. Schedule of the festival is as follows: • 20th Oct BULLHA Alhamra Hall # 1 • 21st Oct RAJA RASALU Alhamra Hall # 2 • 22nd Oct DUKH DARYA Alhamra Hall # 2 • 23rd Oct DARA Alhamra Hall # 2 Ajoka has now decided to ticket performances in order to sustain our work. We are trying to discourage free performances but we will keep the ticket prices low so that everyone can afford to pay. For the Virasat Festival we are charging Rs. 100 per ticket for each performance. We will be donating the ticket money to the flood relief efforts. Tickets will be available from 11th October from the Ajoka office & box office. For further information please contact: •Mr. Uzair Sultan Ph: +92-42- 36686634/36682443: Cell: 03434140005 You can also become a “Friend of Ajoka” by paying an annual membership fee the details of which are: •Complementary Invitations of Ajoka Performances, throughout the year •Quarterly Ajoka Newsletter •Reserved Seats during the performances •25% discount on Ajoka Products •Invitations to screenings of our telefilms and recorded plays Membership forms are available at the Ajoka office, For further information contact; •Mr. Kanwal Christopher, Ph: +92-42- 36686634/36682443: Ph: 03214583164. Membership Charges Adults: Rs. 3,000/- per year Couples: Rs. 5,000/- per year Students: Rs. 1,000/- per year Kindly send us your e-mail address at ajokatheatre@gmail.com so that we can add you to our emailing list. Madeeha Gauhar Artistic Director

Common Man Theatre Festival 11th September to 26th September

Street plays are a major part of this festival. Theatre actors are going to present many street plays in this festival raising current issues related to common man. Dilemma of street vendors, crises of domestic help are the major concern of our street shows.Asmita Theatre Group presents Common Man Theatre Festival from 11th September to 26th September 2010 at various venues of Delhi. This includes proscenium as well as street performances on socio political issues related to common man.Common Man Theatre Festival’s premier show is Ramkali starring well known Personality Mallika Sarabhai directed by veteran theatre activist Arvind Gaur.This festival is showcasing well known Indian and International playwright’s works like Mahesh Dattani, Swadesh Deepak, Dario Fo, Bertolt Brecht, Ashok Lal, Munshi Premchand, G P Deshpande, Harsh Mander.These Plays are contemporary, socio-political and raise the voice of common man Thereby addressing their issues. The festival is unique and different in its nature.Some of the milestone productions of Indian theatre will be part of this festival like Court Martial, Final Solutions, Ek Mamooli aadmi, Operation Three Star, Ramkali -The most popular plays among Indian audience.

	Time Today at 7:00pm - September 26 at 9:00pm Location Sri ram centre,IHC,Muktadhara & Alliance Francaise Mandi House,Lodhi Road,Maxmuller Marg,Gole Market New Delhi, India Created By ASMITA THEATRE GROUP ( ASMITA ART GROUP, Delhi )
	11th & 12th Sept Opening with " Ramkali " staring Mallika Sarabhai at Sri Ram Centre, 7pm. Adaptaion by Amitabha Srivastava, lyrics-Piyush Mishra, Music by Sangeeta Gaur 17th Sept- based on Harsh Mandar’s book " Unsuni "Scripting by Malika Sarabhai at Muktadhara,Gole Market at 7pm. 19th Sept - Mahesh Dattani's " Final Solutions " at 3.30pm Translation by Shahid Anwar & Ashok Lal's Ek Mamooli Aadmi " at 7 pm at Sri ram Centre, Mandi House. 24th Sept- " Mote Ram ka Satyagrha "Based on Munsi Premchand's story ,Adaptaion by Habib Tanvir & Safdar Hashmi at 7.3opm at India Habitat Centre, Amphi theatre. 25th Sept- G.P. Despande's " Raaste " at 3.30pm & Swadesh Deepak's " Court Martial "at 7pm at Sri ram Centre. 26th Sept- Dario Fo's " Operation Three Star " based on accidental death of an anarchist , Adaptaion by Amitabha Srivastava lyrics Piyush Mishra at 7pm at Alliance Francaise. All Plays Directed By Arvind Gaur For details pls contact- 9711188856, 9999692525,9540656537 ,9958793683 9899650509 (Arvind Gaur) asmitatheatre@gmail.com __________________________________________ http://indiantheatre.blogspot.com/ Asmita Theatre- Celebrating 18th year of theatre movement

Drop Shot Photo Contest

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 03:26 AM PDT

Via Schools Water Portal

We are organizing "Drop Shot" a photography contest for students in VIII std to XII std and in an undergraduate program (2 categories).

According to Pratham Books the themes for the contest are:

* Thirst
* What a waste!
* Water - our common wealth
* Drop the drip
* Fresh water, refreshing water

The deadline to receive the entries is 12th Sept 2010. For more information on the contest details, registration form and judgment criteria Click here

(Please click on the image for a larger view)