"We saw firsthand the fact that, this simple daily practice was quietly reshaping the way they spoke, debated, and engaged with the world!" ❤️

Happy Arguing! 😊

The Rising Importance of English Proficiency in the AI Era

My Classroom Experience with the Newspaper in English

#newspaperinlearning

10th March 2026

I happened to read a very informative article in today’s The Times of India, Chennai Edition, (page 11) on the rising importance of English proficiency.

An overwhelming 97% of Indian employers consider English proficiency more important today than it was five years ago, outpacing the global average of 92%.

A recent global survey has highlighted that the demand for English language skills in the workplace is surging, driven heavily by globalisation and the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Moreover, language skills are becoming a standard metric in recruitment. In India, 80% of companies now use English assessments during candidate screening, slightly above the 78% global average.

Means to say that, employers across the nation value the human ability to communicate clearly, critically, and accurately in English!

This apart, one thing is quite clear: Even to extract value from AI, professionals need high-level English to write nuanced prompts, navigate complex AI outputs, and critically evaluate those results for accuracy.

In this regard, I would like to suggest one insightful book by Jay Heinrichs, titled, Thank You for Arguing.

Well, this particular book is quite different from other books in the genre, as it jumps out of the monotonous theoretical frameworks, and helps to reframe the effectiveness of arguing in a highly practical and highly accessible way – pitching it as an everyday survival skill.

It doesn’t just explain classical concepts; it demonstrates them in action.

Sample this excerpt from the book for us all -

It is early in the morning and my seventeen-year-old son eats breakfast, giving me a narrow window to use our sole bathroom.

I wrap a towel around my waist and approach the sink, avoiding the grim sight in the mirror; as a writer, I don’t have to shave every day. (Marketers despairingly call a consumer like me a “low self-monitor.”)

I do have my standards, though, and hygiene is one. I grab toothbrush and toothpaste. The tube is empty.

The nearest replacement sits on a shelf in our freezing basement, and I’m not dressed for the part.

“George!” I yell. “Who used all the toothpaste?”

A sarcastic voice answers from the other side of the door.

“That’s not the point, is it, Dad?” George says.

“The point is how we’re going to keep this from happening again.”

He has me. I have told him countless times how the most productive arguments use the future tense, the language of choices and decisions.

“You’re right,” I say.

“You win. Now will you please get me some toothpaste?”

“Sure.”

George retrieves a tube, happy that he beat his father at an argument Or did he? Who got what he wanted?

In reality, by conceding his point, I persuaded him. If I simply said, “Don’t be a jerk and get me some toothpaste,” George might stand there arguing.

Instead I made him feel triumphant, triumph made him benevolent, and that got me exactly what I wanted. I achieved the height of persuasion: not just an agreement, but one that gets an audience - a teenaged one at that - to do my bidding. No, George, I win.

Any parent should consider rhetoric, the art of argument, one of the essential R’s.

Rhetoric is the art of influence, friendship, and eloquence, of ready wit and irrefutable logic. And it harnesses the most powerful of social forces, argument.

Whether you sense it or not, argument surrounds you. It plays with your emotions, changes your attitude, talks you into a decision, and goads you to buy things.

Argument lies behind political labelling, advertising, jargon, voices, gestures, and guilt trips; it forms a real life Matrix, the supreme software that drives our social lives. And rhetoric serves as argument’s decoder.

By teaching the tricks we use to persuade one another, the art of persuasion reveals the Matrix in all its manipulative glory.

The ancients considered rhetoric the essential skill of leadership - knowledge so important that they placed it at the centre of higher education.

It taught them how to speak and write persuasively, produce something to say on every occasion, and make people like them when they spoke.

After the ancient Greeks invented it, rhetoric helped create the world’s first democracies. It trained Roman orators like Julius Caesar and Marcus Tullius Cicero and gave the Bible its finest language. It even inspired William Shakespeare. Every one of America’s founders studied rhetoric, and they used its principles in writing the Constitution.

Heinrichs hence points out that the most productive arguments - the ones that actually solve problems - happen in the future tense.

In short, controlling the tense of the conversation is a master key to controlling the argument itself!

Lovely, ain’t it?

Well, the book is available for grabs on Amazon. Do grab a copy for yourself. Here’s wishing you happy arguing – the ‘English’ way! 😊

And finally, on a personal note – 😊

I’d like to share from a personal experience in my classes, from over 15 years ago, (in my language classes to be specific), when I made sure that each of the students took turns in reading out aloud news articles from the day’s newspaper in English.

This read-out-aloud exercise in class made students aware of the importance of reading the day’s newspaper - one of the most effective ways to enhance both written and verbal communication skills!

That’s because veteran journalists and editors employ a vast, precise vocabulary to convey complex situations clearly and concisely. Hence, a regular exposure to such high-quality journalism helps the student in acquiring new terminology, idioms, and varied sentence structures.

We found out the lovely truth that, there is a profound difference between understanding a text silently and owning it vocally! 

Indeed, great communicators don’t just speak well; they know what to speak about. Keeping up with international affairs, cultural shifts, and economic trends provides a deep reservoir of relevant examples, metaphors, and analogies.

And yes! The results have been transformative.

Watching our students navigate the morning headlines vocally has proven to be a masterclass in spontaneous communication. We saw firsthand the fact that, this simple daily practice was quietly reshaping the way they spoke, debated, and engaged with the world!

That’s because, when reading silently, it is incredibly easy to skip over a difficult word or gloss over an unfamiliar term. However, when reading it out aloud, the students are forced to actively sound out complex vocabulary, parse intricate journalistic phrasing, and negotiate the pronunciation of global names and places.

We also found out that, it helped a lot in bridging the gap between passive recognition and active usage, expanding their spoken lexicon day by day.

And perhaps the most immediate benefit has been the quality of our classroom discussions. We found out that, it made them active contributors to classroom discussions on trendy issues in society.

A practice that we’ve been following for decades now – making available the day’s newspaper in English for the student!

PS: For all ye current students, who do not have access to the day’s newspaper in English, our office of International Programmes has copies of the day’s newspaper (The Hindu & Times of India) in our office right from 8 am all through the day, on all working days! You can avail yourself of them free of cost, (one newspaper per student) on a first-come-first-served basis.

Here's wishing y’all a happy reading and a happier arguing! 😊

You may want to listen to our students from a language class (from over 15 years ago)  😊reading out aloud from the day’s newspaper - audio recordings - HERE on our past blogpost.

Navigating Dystopias | Reflections on a Ph.D. Viva Voce ❤️

Delving into Dystopia: Reflections on a Ph.D. Viva Voce Examination

10th March 2026 | 11 am

@ Crescent University, Chennai

Today, 10th March 2026, marked a significant academic milestone for the research scholar Ms. M. Rabia, who successfully defended her thesis at the Ph.D. Public Viva-Voce Examination held at 11 am today.

I felt so happy to conduct the PhD viva-voce examination of Ms. Rabia. She presented her thesis on a highly compelling and relevant subject: “Identity Crisis and Trauma in the Select Young Adult Dystopian Novels of Scott Westerfeld and Suzanne Weyn.”

As someone deeply invested in exploring trauma, healing, and hermeneutics through literary interpretation, I found her research focus particularly striking. Young Adult dystopian literature serves as a fascinating mirror for contemporary anxieties.

Especially authors like Scott Westerfeld and Suzanne Weyn craft intricate narratives where young protagonists are forced to navigate profoundly oppressive systems. Analysing these texts through the lens of psychological trauma and identity fragmentation opens up crucial conversations about how literature helps us process systemic and individual crises.

The defence took place in the CSB Seminar Hall, guided by the scholar’s supervisor, Dr. H. Sofia from the Department of English.

There was thunderous applause from the audience, especially from the family members of Ms. Rabia, even as I presented Ms. Rabia as Dr. Rabia Begum. The very first time someone calls her with the reputed honorific Dr. Rabia Begum.

On a very heart-warming note, I could see her Research Supervisor Dr. Sofia getting emotional when she spoke so highly on her research scholar. Something that I so cherished during the Vote of Thanks today.

Academic gatherings like these are always a refreshing reminder of the rigorous, vibrant research happening in the humanities. Exploring how emotional identity is affected by external systems - whether futuristic dystopian regimes or modern technological advances - is indeed a vital critical pursuit.

Congratulations to Dr. Rabia Begum, her Supervisor, and to the Head of the Department and all faculty members in the Department of English at Crescent, on the successful culmination of this research endeavour! It is always inspiring to see fresh, critical perspectives added to the field of literary studies.

Shaping the Nation's Future | Celebrating Our New Civil Servants ❤️

Hearty congratulations to two of our vibrant students who have cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examinations recently.

Ms. Sreeja J. S. (BA & MA Pol Science in MCC) on securing All India Rank 57

Ms. Athidhi Krishnadev B (BA English in MCC) on securing All India Rank 451

Ms. Sreeja J. S pursued both her Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies in Political Science at Madras Christian College from 2019 to 2024, and distinguished herself as a committed and intellectually vibrant student.

During her time at MCC, she remained actively engaged in academic pursuits, successfully cleared the UGC–NET during her Master’s programme, and contributed a chapter on “SDG 4 & Global Citizenship: A Case for India” to a volume on Quality Education: Mapping the Global Trajectories, published by the College, reflecting her deep interest in global affairs and public policy.

She was also an active member of Martin Hall, serving as the Literary and Debating (L&D) Secretary, demonstrating leadership and active participation in the college’s vibrant campus life.

This remarkable achievement brings immense pride to the entire Madras Christian College community. On behalf of the College, I extend my very best wishes to Sreeja as she embarks on her journey in public service.

We are confident that she will carry forward the values of integrity, leadership, and service that MCC upholds, and make meaningful contributions to the nation through the Indian Foreign Service. Her accomplishment will undoubtedly inspire many young minds at MCC.

Ms. Athidhi pursued her Undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature (Aided) at Madras Christian College from 2019 to 2022 and distinguished herself as a diligent and committed student during her time on campus.

Athidhi served as an NSS Leader during the academic year 2021–2022, demonstrating a strong spirit of service and leadership. She was also an active member of TheatrEyrie, the theatre wing of the Department of English (Aided), and performed in two stage productions, contributing vibrantly to the cultural life of the College.

We take great pride in Athidhi’s achievement and extend our heartfelt congratulations to her. On behalf of the Madras Christian College community, I wish her every success as she embarks on a career in public service. Her accomplishment stands as an inspiration to many students of MCC, reflecting the values of dedication, leadership, and service that the College seeks to nurture.

Excerpted from our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson’s Note of Appreciation for the two soon-to-be-Officers!

Kudos Sreeja and Athidhi. We are so proud of you!

26 Species and Counting: A Birding Adventure at Nemmeli Marsh Today ❤️

Winged Farewells at the Great Salt Lake: A Morning at Nemmeli Marsh

8th March 2026

#intothewildwithrufus

With March already underway, Chennai’s birders are a tad bit sad! Yes, we are currently in the thick of departure season, when most migratory birds in and around Chennai start heading back to their native breeding grounds, the mass exodus continuing all through April.

By May, even as the peak summer heat sets in and the water levels in local lakes and wetlands drop significantly, the vast majority of the winged visitors will have completely left the area.

Be it the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, or the Pulicat Lake & its Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, or the Pallikaranai marshlands, or the Nemelli marshlands, or the Great Salt Lake, the migratory waders, flycatchers, and ducks that winter in the city’s marshes and green spaces slowly make their exit, joining the northward passage between March and April. 

Hence it was, that a few of us wannabe birders, decided to descend on the Great Salt Lake off Chennai, this dawning! 

Indeed, driving down the scenic East Coast Road away from the hustle and bustle of Chennai especially so early into the dawn of the day, is indeed an experience in itself. And along this scenic route lies the sylvan Nemmeli Marsh and its Great Salt Lake!

And well, the Great Salt Lake is one of Chennai’s most fascinating geographical features. Unlike traditional freshwater lakes, this is a closed basin formed by seawater from the Bay of Bengal. The seawater flows south and becomes trapped. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind shallow, highly saline waters and distinct, arid stretches of land covered in salt deposits. That’s hence the name, Great Salt Lake of Chennai.

Interestingly, the lake bed is also dotted with inactive and semi-active salt pans (salterns), serving as a reminder of the region’s history in salt production. Even as we drove down the the Kelambakkam-Kovalam stretch, we could still find remnants of this era, including the ruins of the old Covelong Salt Factory and a historic Central Government Salt Department office whose foundation stone was laid all the way back in 1893.

By six in the morning today, the marsh itself was alive with activity. In fact, the sheer volume of life in the saline shallows is breathtaking. Posting herewith from the 26 species of birds we had a darshan of, today!

And… the stunning standout of the morning today, was a magnificent Black-headed Ibis.

Then we spotted a tiny Little Ringed Plover scurrying along the ground. With its distinct yellow eye-ring, it was such a beautiful sight to behold.

We also caught sight of a wise and opportunistic Crow showing off a fresh, silvery fish in its beak! I guess the crow itself musta been quite surprised at catching a fish, something that the Kingfishers and the River Terns are known for! 😊

We then caught sight of a massive flock of Painted Storks resting and foraging together, standing out beautifully against the grey-blue of the water. 

We also caught sight of the shimmering Eurasian Spoonbills, that provided a majestic hue against the sunlight. 

Sharing these waters were the Black-winged Stilts. With their long, needle-thin red legs, the way they were all wading through the shallows with the delicate, deliberate steps of a bevy of ballet dancers was a sight to behold!

Slightly further up, in the muddy banks, we spotted a pair of Glossy Ibis moving through the reeds.

This picture is indeed a rare and memorable one for the archives! A picture that captured the great egrets, the little egrets and the spoonbills all in one frame. Dominating the centre of the frame are the Greater Egrets. You can spot them by their impressive height, long, graceful ‘S’-shaped necks, and striking yellow-orange bills.

Mingling so effortlessly among the ‘giants’ are the Little Egrets. They are identifiable by their black bills and, if you look closely at the bird stepping forward in the middle, their distinct yellow feet.

Over on the far left, head down and actively feeding, is the Eurasian Spoonbill. 

In the dry, golden grass we spotted a Red-wattled Lapwing - delivering its frantic, familiar calls!

From the salt pan we then moved on to the nearby foliage that revealed an entirely different cast of characters.

We were lucky enough to spot a male Asian Koel perched amidst the tangled branches. Its piercing, ruby-red eye truly captivated us!

No trip to a South Indian wetland is complete without the flash of a kingfisher. We were treated to the sight of a vibrant White-throated Kingfisher.

Then, deep into the thorny scrub, we were surprised to see a striking Black-winged Kite. Perched on top of a bare, jagged branch, this small raptor looked incredibly elegant!

Then came the Golden Hour with the Master Hoverer. Yes, we managed to track a Pied Kingfisher - the undisputed master of the mid-air hover. Unlike the White-throated Kingfisher, the Pied Kingfisher actively hovers over open water to hunt.

Then we had darshan of the male Purple Sunbird captured mid-song on a bare branch. It was a perfect, vocal punctuation mark of sorts, to the morning’s oblations! 😊

Not too far away, blending masterfully into the dry grass in natural camouflage, was the Grey Francolin – a very shy bird that made a rare appearance.

Looking up, a tiny Plain Prinia sat perfectly balanced on an overhead wire, acting as a tiny sentinel over the entire scrubland.

Then, we spotted a lot of Jungle Prinias all over the place. 

And the third Prinias of the day – the beautiful Ashy Prinias also gave their cute and swift darshan for us before shying away from our gaze! 

We also spotted a pair of Pied Bushchats. The subtle, earthy-brown female kept a quiet watch from a dry branch, along with the striking black male, that perched itself majestically near the blue-tailed Bee-eater! 

No trip to the scrublands is complete without the bee-eaters, and Nemmeli did not disappoint. We were treated to the sight of an Asian Green Bee-eater, with its unique black “eyemasks”.

But the real showstopper was the Blue-tailed Bee-eater. With a brilliant blue tail, they sat beautifully in such uniformed precision, waiting for the prized catch! These birds are a common sight back in MCC as well. Watching these acrobats launch from their thorny perches, snatch insects mid-air, and loop back to the same branch is always a mesmerizing experience.

On an aside, me thought of highlighting two interesting facts about the Asian vs the Blue-tailed Bee-eater!

Firstly, while the Asian Green Bee-eater is common in dry, open habitats, across scrublands, farmlands, and even urban gardens, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater usually prefer habitats closer to water, especially near rivers, lakes, marshes, and mangroves, though they also forage in open country.

Secondly, while both of these birds are native to India, the Asian Green Bee-eater is a year-round resident across almost the entire country. They do not undertake long-distance migrations!

However, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater is a migratory species. They are known as seasonal migrants across much of India. They fly in to southern India during the cooler months near coastal areas, wetlands, and estuaries, before eventually heading back north or eastward to breed, once summer starts! And hence, this is one of the last sightings of the Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, for the season, ladies and gentlemen! They head back to cooler pastures for the summer, and come back to southern India only during the winter!

Coming back,

We usually spot the Indian Peafowl, strutting across open fields or dancing on forest floors. But today, we spotted a gorgeous male perched incredibly high up in the fronds of a coconut palm.

Equally surprising was our encounter with the White-breasted Waterhens. We spotted one doing exactly what you’d expect - strutting confidently through the thick, wet grass on its long, yellow legs. It’s added joy to catch these typical ground dwellers on tree-tops, for a change!

We also spotted a heavily streaked Jerdon’s Bushlark taking a quiet breather on the sideways to the marsh!

We captured a striking silhouette of two Black Drongos perched face-to-face against the pale sky. With their distinctive deeply forked tails, they looked like two old friends catching up on the morning gossip before diving off to catch insects mid-air.

No birding trip in Chennai is complete without the handsome Red-vented Bulbul. We found one perched delicately on a slender, dry stalk, looking sharp with its glossy black crest, scaly brown body, and that signature pop of crimson under its tail.

This Swamphen was an absolute marvel of colour. With its robust, bright red bill designed exclusively for navigating marsh vegetation, it was a lovely sight to behold.

In the scrubby edges of the marsh, a male Indian Robin made an appearance, standing confident and alert among the tangled undergrowth!

 

Then we saw an express-image of the Kentish Plover and the Little Stint - the small waders which were out in full force, turning the still water into a mirror.

Well, the Nemmeli Marsh is indeed a brilliant reminder of how much wildlife thrives just on the fringes of Chennai! Whether you are an experienced birder with a long telephoto lens or just someone with a pair of binoculars looking for a quiet morning, the ECR wetlands always ensure that, they spring a surprise on you! As it did to us all, today!

A rewarding day, in every way!