Friday 30 March 2007

Combined Marks for III CA - Prosody and Rhetoric

Sl.No Name Rhetoric (50)Prosody (50)Total (100)
1 ANGELIN, J 36, -, 36

2 ARCHANA 35, -, 35

3 BIVITHA EASO 39, 33, 72

4 CELINE SATHYA, J 37, -, 37

5 CHAITHANYA ELSA 40, 37, 77

6 CHITRA, K -, 10, 10

7 ELWIN SUSAN JOHN 36, 33, 69

8 GEETHA, G -, -, -

9 JEMIMA DANIEL 40, 21, 61

10 JISHNA RAJENDRAN 40, 33, 73

11 KAVITHA, S 36, 6, 42

12 LAXMI PAWAR 35, -, 35

13 MISPA KEGZIYA, J 36, 7, 43

14 NILIN RICHU MATHEWS 39, 20, 59

15 PREMA, R 36, 22, 58

16 REBECCA SUSAN JOHN 38, 31, 69

17 RITA, L R 40, 27, 67

18 STEFFY RACHAEL THOMAS 38, 22, 60

19 THEKKEKARA SHARON FRANCIS 35, 19, 54

20 VEDAVALLI, B 36, -, 36

22 VRINDA R.CHANTH 40, 39, 79

24 ALEXANDER ERIC WYNNE 30, 9, 39

25 AMAL RICHARD PRABAKARAN, G 38, 27, 65

26 ANUJ DEV LESLIE, G,B 39, 7, 46

27 ARUNRAJ, R 33, -, 33

28 ASHISH MATHEW KOSHI 40, 13, 53

29 ASHOK KUMAR, K 28, 12, 40

30 ASHWIN JOHN SAMUEL -, -, -

31 BENJAMIN, S 32, 5, 37

32 JABESTIN, D 35, 13, 48

33 JASON ROY VARKEY 40, 3, 43

34 KALI SHEKAR, P 35, 9, 44

35 KARTHIK VARMA 40, 28, 68

36 KORUTH CHERIAN 35, 33, 68

37 KUNGA NGODUP 40, 16, 56

38 MAGESH, M 32, -, 32

39 PETERSON, P.A 36, -, 36

40 PONNIVALAVAN, P 40, 28, 68

41 POTHEN CHERIAN 35, 28, 63

42 PRASHANT IPE JOB 40, -, 40

43 RAKUL, R 35, 11, 46

44 SAMUEL JAYAKUMAR, M 40, 7, 47

45 SIDDHARTH KUMAR 31, 16, 47

46 TIM RUFUS KAKARLA 40, 7, 47

Monday 26 March 2007

For the Attention of I BSc Pbt / Zoo students,

Your CIA Marks have been displayed below.

Clarifications, if any, can be made in a week's time, from the publication of the Internal Mark Statement.

A copy of the same is available for perusal with me, as well as on the notice board of the Eng Dept.

You have class on 28 March, Wednesday, at 8.30 am.

Regards,
Rufus

Sunday 25 March 2007

I BSc Zoo (Reg) Internal Assessment Marks Nov - Apr 2007

Sl.No Name of the Candidate C.A-1 C.A-2 C.A-3 Total Average
1 Amalorpavam, S 70, 75, Ab, 145, 36
2 Anitha Paul, P.B 62, Ab, 58, 120, 30
3 Chithra, R 68, 74, Ab, 142, 36
4 Divya, K.S 73, Ab, 66, 139, 35
5 Eugeni Anitha Preethi 70, Ab, 63, 133, 33
6. Gayathiri, R 63, Ab, 60, 123, 31
6 Hemamalini, A 60, 74, Ab, 134, 34
7 Hennah, R 70, Ab, 60, 130, 33
8 Jayapratha, S Ab Ab - - -
9 Jerin, M 64, 60, Ab, 124, 31
10 Jothi Lakshmi, H 60, 70, Ab, 130, 33
11 Kalpana, K Ab, 60, 63, 123, 31
12 Madhu Smita 70, 76, Ab, 146, 37
13 Monisha, E 66, 60, Ab, 126, 32
14 Muniyammal, S 55, 64, Ab, 119, 30
15 Nanthini, M 70, Ab, 75, 145, 36
17 Premalatha, J 60, 62, 60, 122, 31
18 Priya, C 60, 66, Ab, 126, 32
19 Ramya, P 75, 75, Ab, 150, 38
20 Revathy, M 65, Ab, 70, 135, 34
21 Saraswathi, R 50, 63, Ab, 113, 28
22 Saraswathi, S 65, 64, Ab, 129, 32
23 Sheela, R Ab Ab - - -
24 Shema Mariya Abraham 74, Ab, 65, 139, 35
26 Arun Dinakaran, K 62, Ab, 63, 125, 31
27 Arun Kumar, P.K 73, Ab, 75, 148, 37
28 Arun, P Ab Ab - - -
29 Basethy Sudeep 64, 76, Ab, 140, 35
30 David Selvanathan, S 70, 75, 72, 147, 37
31 Deepan, M Ab, 64, 70, 134, 34
32 Ganesh, G 63, 40, 60, 123, 31
33 Jackson, G 60, Ab, 60, 120, 30
34 Jagadeesan, A 60, Ab, 62, 122, 31
35 Joel Singh, D 63, 75, 62, 138, 35
35 Kamei Chungpu 65, 74, 62, 139, 35
36 Mohanraj, P 60, 40, 56, 116, 29
37 Ngamshing Tulphou Marim 68, 74, 0, 142, 36
38 Paul Immanuel, G 73, 76, Ab, 149, 37
39 Prashanth, T 73, Ab, 70, 143, 36
40 Rajkumar, S 40, 62, 62, 124, 31
41 Ramnathchandrasekhar, K 73, 65, Ab, 138, 35
42 Sivaram Kumar, P 60, 70, Ab, 130, 33
43 Theodore John, P 60, 66, Ab, 126, 32
44 Vijaya Kumar, M Ab, Ab, 35, 35, 9
45 Vishnu ADhithan, S, 71, 73, Ab, 144, 36
46 Gayathri, R Ab Ab - - -
47 Kumaresan, G 60, 73, Ab, 133, 33

I BSc Pb & Pbt Internal Marks - Nov - Apr 2007

Sl.No Name of the Candidate. CA-I CA-2 CA-3 Avg Total
1 Abinaya, T 73, 74, Ab, 147, 37
2 Ananthi, R 65, 76, Ab, 141, 35
3 Anitha, M 75, Ab, 75, 150, 38
4 Aswathy Joseph 74, 76, Ab, 150, 38
5 Clarissa Andrea Smith Ab Ab - - -
6 Daisy Jennifer, D Ab, 75, 70, 145, 36
7 Desai Sireesha Devi 75, 74, Ab, 149, 37
8 Elizabeth, R Ab, 74, 65, 139, 35
9 Hajji Habeeba Beevi, J 72, 76, Ab, 148, 37
10 Jayanthi, S 70, 76, Ab, 146, 37
11 Jemima Hobday, S Ab Ab - - -
12 Jenita Mary, T 65, Ab, Ab, 65, 16
13 Kanimozhi, P Ab, 75, 73, 148, 37
14 Krithica, C 75, Ab, 63, 138, 35
15 Lalthanmawii Chhangte 70, 72, 63, 142, 36
17 Manju, R 75, Ab, 75, 150, 38
18 Maria Hepzibah, A 75, 75, Ab, 150, 38
19 Mary Diana, P 75, 72, Ab, 147, 37
20 Monolisha, S 70, Ab, 63, 133, 33
21 Nancy Antony 75, Ab, 73, 148, 37
22 Precilla Ruth, J 62, Ab, 73, 135, 34
23 Rachal Srujana Kalapa 65, Ab, 63, 128, 32
24 Raichal Kiruba, T Ab, 73, 72, 145, 36
25 Reengara Selvi, S 68, 72, Ab, 140, 35
26 Sheeba Janet Angelin 70, 75, 63, 145, 36
27 Shibina, D 70, 72, Ab, 142, 36
28 Shilpa Achamma Mathews 75, 76, Ab, 151, 38
29 Sindhuri, P 70, 71, Ab, 141, 35
30 Sophia D Lazarus 70, Ab, 62, 132, 33
31 Sridevi, K 62, 64, Ab, 126, 32
32 Srigeethapriya, R 74, 75, Ab, 149, 37
33 Vijaya Parkavi, V 62, Ab, 63, 125, 31
34 Vijayarani Syindia, A 70, 74, Ab, 144, 36
35 Ashwin Thomas, M 75, 60, Ab, 135, 34
36 Balaji, P 55, Ab, 60, 115, 29
37 Gracelin Ranjith, T.D 69, 60, Ab, 129, 32
38 Jabez, R 72, 66, Ab, 138, 35
39 Jehu Walter, J 75, 76, 63, 151, 38
40 Jemin Francis, Y 70, 71, Ab, 141, 35
41 Jeswinth Amirtharaj, J 70, Ab, 67, 137, 34
42 Jittu J. Thomas 65, 74, Ab, 139, 35
43 Kumar, E 64, 67, Ab, 131, 33
44 Manikandan, A 60, 66, Ab, 126, 32
45 Nagalla Naga Venkat 75, 60, 62, 137, 34
46 Naresh Kumar, N 60, 50, 60, 120, 30
47 Purushothaman, U 60, 66, Ab, 126, 32
48 Rambo, P 70, Ab, 55, 125, 31
49 Sadhu Sundar Lal, D.S 70, 70, Ab, 140, 35
50 Umeshan, T 75, 71, Ab, 146, 37

Friday 23 March 2007

Results of the III CA marks for III BA English students -

R.No Name Max.100
1. AMANDEEP AHLUWALIA 73
2. BEAULAH HELEN, V
3. CHRISTINA DHANASEKARAN 78
4. ESTHER, D 78
5. JUDITH SUGIRTHA, J.C 78
6. LILLY PUSHPAM, D 64
7. MARGRET DEVAPRIYA KNUDSON -
8. NADHIYA KAVERI, K -
9. PRIYA, G 70
10. PRIYANKA MARWAH -
11. PUVIYA RANI KRITHIKA, K 74
12. RANJITHA, R 71
13. REVATHI, K 69
14. SHALINI CHARLES -
15. SHEEBARANI, R 64
16. SUBHASHINI, G.V 78
17. SUMITRA RAGHAVAN 78
18. SUNEETA THOMAS 78
19. TINKU ANNA THOMAS 74
20. VAISHNAVI, D -
21. Anand Kirubakaran, H -
22. Arghya Mandal 75
23. Bijoy Rudra Thomas 74
24. Edwin Selvan, S 68
25. Israel, B 67
26. James Hardy 60
27. Jaswanth Aleph Kukatlapalli -
28. Karthick, A.R 66
29. Luthanhope, G 66
30. Melbin Alexander Thomas -
31. Michael Lalremtluanga 67
32. Raghul, B 70
33. Sai Muthanna, K 73
34. Sajeev V. Koshy 76
35. Samuel Manoharan Jabez, M 74
36. Sandeep Samuel Medikonda 74
37. Santhosh, V 67
38. Shannon Victor Peter 78
39. Tanvir Ahmed 74
40. Vikram Veeraraghavan, V. M 78
41. Vinodkumar, G 78

Clarifications, corrections, if any, can be brought to my notice before 29 March 2007. Regards, Rufus

Farewell is here...

Dear Final year students of the English Department,
It's now the turn of your juniors to bid farewell to you for all that you've been to them and to us. It's tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, 28 MARCH, 2007 at 4 pm. Give expression to your talents.
BE THERE....!!!!

Thursday 22 March 2007

III BA English Assignment Marks - (SR)

1. AMANDEEP AHLUWALIA 67
2. JUDITH SUGIRTHA, J.C 75
3. PRIYA, G 73
4. REVATHI, K 66
5. SUMITRA RAGHAVAN 75
6. Anand Kirubakaran, H 65
7. Israel, B 64
8. Melbin Alexander Thomas 69
9. Sajeev V. Koshy 75
10. Shannon Victor Peter 70

Rhetoricians and their Oratory - Score out of 100


Sl.No Name Max.Marks:100
1 ANGELIN, J -
2 ARCHANA Ab -
3 BIVITHA EASO -
4 CELINE SATHYA, J -
5 CHAITHANYA ELSA -
6 CHITRA, K -
7 ELWIN SUSAN JOHN 70
8 GEETHA, G -
9 JEMIMA DANIEL -
10 JISHNA RAJENDRAN 80
11 KAVITHA, S -
12 LAXMI PAWAR 70
13 MISPA KEGZIYA, J-
14 NILIN RICHU MATHEWS 78
15 PREMA, R -
16 REBECCA SUSAN JOHN -
17 RITA, L R 80
18 STEFFY RACHAEL THOMAS 76
19 THEKKEKARA SHARON FRANCIS 70
20 VEDAVALLI, B -
22 VRINDA R.CHANTH 80
24 ALEXANDER ERIC WYNNE -
25 AMAL RICHARD PRABAKARAN, G -
26 ANUJ DEV LESLIE, G,B -
27 ARUNRAJ, R -
28 ASHISH MATHEW KOSHI 80
29 ASHOK KUMAR, K -
30 ASHWIN JOHN SAMUEL -
31 BENJAMIN, S -
32 JABESTIN, D -
33 JASON ROY VARKEY-
34 KALI SHEKAR, P 70
35 KARTHIK VARMA 80
36 KORUTH CHERIAN 70
37 KUNGA NGODUP 80
38 MAGESH, M -
39 PETERSON, P.A -
40 PONNIVALAVAN, P 80
41 POTHEN CHERIAN 70
42 PRASHANT IPE JOB 80
43 RAKUL, R 70
44 SAMUEL JAYAKUMAR, M -
45 SIDDHARTH KUMAR -
46 TIM RUFUS KAKARLA-

II BA English - Assignment on PROSODY AND RHETORIC - Marks (SR)

Sl.No Name Max.Marks 100
1 ANGELIN, J 70
3 BIVITHA EASO 74
5 CHAITHANYA ELSA 76
7 ELWIN SUSAN JOHN 76
9 JEMIMA DANIEL 78
11 KAVITHA, S 70
13 MISPA KEGZIYA, J 73
15 PREMA, R 67
17 RITA, L R 72
19 THEKKEKARA SHARON FRANCIS 72
22 VRINDA R.CHANTH 75
24 ALEXANDER ERIC WYNNE 67
26 ANUJ DEV LESLIE, G,B 69
28 ASHISH MATHEW KOSHI 68
30 ASHWIN JOHN SAMUEL 70
32 JABESTIN, D 66
34 KALI SHEKAR, P 70
36 KORUTH CHERIAN 68
38 MAGESH, M 60
40 PONNIVALAVAN, P 76
42 PRASHANT IPE JOB 76
44 SAMUEL JAYAKUMAR, M 74
46 TIM RUFUS KAKARLA 60

Saturday 17 March 2007

Dear II BA English Students,

Before giving you your marks, i wanted to put forward your own Oratory for your purview. The few, whose Reviews have not been added, will be added soon.
Regards,
Rufus
PS: Material on Rhetoric would be given to you shortly, so dont miss out on the classes.

Our Rhetoricians and their Oratory - A Review:

1. RITA, L R, spoke on Women’s Rights. Some of the points which she put forward, along with her pictorial illustrations, authenticated the fact that she had spent much time in fine tuning the Subject Matter of her Oratory.

She highlighted the cruel practice of dowry, were the Sons are Sold for a Sum. "Marriages are made in Money, not in Heaven," she claimed.

As a result, female infanticide has become widely prevalent all over. She said that women are also responsible for this plight.

She made it clear that, “If marriage should be honorable, you should be free from covetousness.”

She also challenged the guys by saying, “Eat the labor of your own hands, not your father in law’s hands.”

However, she also added as an appendix, “If parents give something joyfully without any form of demand, please accept it”, she said.

She concluded with a logical argument which runs thus:

“When you bring something to the house, you pay for it. So, when a bride comes into the house, you should pay for it, not the bride.”

She was convincing, authentic, and substantiated her arguments with clinching thoughts and challenging quotes. Kudos.!

2. STEFFY RACHAEL THOMAS spoke on Discrimination between States. “The unity that we see around today – isn’t it an assumed unity?” she asked, and then went on to share her experience at MCC in this regard.

Because of fragmentation, we lose a broad outlook. She spoke on Favouritism in Educational Institutions which resulted in discrimination. What should you adopt as the yardstick to select a student? Is it Merit or Preferential treatment?

To redeem the situation, and to remedy this evil, one should enlighten the children right at the Kindergarten level. They should be taught to think beyond racism. If these small evils are eradicated, Tagore’s prayer for India will become a reality. And this was the prayer of Tagore, which she’d obviously failed to memorise properly. 

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow
domestic walls;” will indeed become a reality.”

She began with a question and ended with a quote. Clear and convincing, with logical points. But the only thing she goofed up was the quote of Tagore towards the end.

3. KARTHIK VARMA spoke on FRAMEWORKS and its Meaning in our Lives. He too dashed off a question to the audience, asking them, “What’s the purpose of roads?” He got some good answers on that. According to him, a road is a clear, constructive path. In life, we build a lot of roads, which help us out a lot, but at the same time things become mundane, routine cos of them.

All stances that we take in our life are based on assumptions. What’s right for me from the podium is left for you as the audience. So what’s right and left? It’s entirely an asuumption.
Then he connected this thought with the necessity of frameworks in life. “We need frameworks to get at anything in life. If I look at this room, I don’t see any higher consciousness inhabiting it. Religion is a framework, which adds meaning to life. Each religion has a distinctive framework without which people may lose their way.

If you strip yourself of all the frameworks in your life, you lose interest in living.

He then delved into the Earthcentric view of religion.

According to him, life is measured as one unit. Hence, if two units come together, its more powerful.

Frameworks, moreover, have to be flexible. They should be stepping stones.

A lovli expository oratory, with little props. He began with a quote, with a pictorial backup to authenticate his point. Clear, convincing and lovli. Far from the beaten track…!Hence a special Kudos.!

4. ELWIN SUSAN JOHN gave a commentary on Dr APJ Kalam’s Speech at MCC. While harping on his five point agenda, Capacity Building, Research and enquiry, Creativity and innovation, Creativity and innovation, Capacity to use high technology etc.

She said, there should not be any discrimination of the underprivileged, as the term itself implied something negative. She concluded by saying its easy to say but difficult to implement it. One easy way to implement it would be to educate everyone.

Te seriousness and the effectiveness of her speech was lost in her occasional laughs and smiles, thus taking away from it, the cream of Rhetoric, Conviction.

5. BIVITHA EASO elaborated on the concept of FREEDOM, and started off with a quote of Moshe, “Freedom is the Oxygen of the Soul.”

She spoke on the different perspectives of the term Freedom, stating that, a child’s perception of Freedom is different from that of an Adult’s. An adult has the options to chose his way of life. Freedom, again varies from person to person.
She defined Freedom as, “Coming out of the established shell of society.

Another worthy quote was, “Nothing can be changed by changing the face, but everything can be changed by facing the change,” highlighting on the need for updating and upgrading ourselves in tune with the societal needs.

Presentation was convincing, and clear. As an added advantage, could have added real life examples for illustrations.

6. POTHEN CHERIAN spoke on MY MCC. He started with a quote, Make it, or break it, tat’s MCC. At MCC, no one interferes in the life of students. Students too know their limits. Only a handful have ruined their life. But still, cos of a couple of steps in the wrong direction, and the influence of politics on smaller establishments, and the political hierarchy at the top, the College has assumed the status of Parliament, and students imitate them. Discrimination against various communities was another area he highlighted. He concluded with his remarks, “College officials should change their ways or else College days will be a bad memory for us.”

The points were fine, though on a critical vein, but I expected a lot more from you da. You could have made it more focussed on one area that deserves attention in our College, which would have made it highly focalised and interesting in perspective.

7. PONNIVALAVAN, P spoke on INTERNET PIRACY. He began by giving a shocking statistics, saying that, “One out of every five softwares is pirated, according to the Software Producers’ Association. Some of these softwares reach the black markets even a full two months before their official release. Honesty, according to him, gets a beating in the world of Piracy. He spoke on P2P Technology.

Then he posed the question, “Are consumers alone responsible for this state of affairs?”

“Absolutely No” seems to be the overwhelming answer. Big companies themselves foster it greatly to crush smaller companies. This is technically called as LABEL DOMINATION, he added.

By 2008, a policy called COLLECTIVE LICENSING will be implemented, which will be a level playing field for both the Producers and the Consumers.

He concluded by saying that, Piracy cant be eradicated totally.

He has done his homework well, and devoted considerable attention to the nitty gritty of the world of Piracy. He was convincing, clear and to the point. Kudos…!

8. THEKKEKARA SHARON FRANCIS spoke on Culture. The destruction of monuments, documents, books and historical records, a new culture was being manufactured. She cited the Pune and Mumbai instances as examples.

Death of a language sounds the death of a culture. Even though a lot of literature is being translated into English, translation makes a work of art lose its essence. She ended saying, when you lose your language, you lose your voice.”

The presentation seemed to highlight more of a linguistic perceptive of Culture, which related itself to the Applied Linguistics. However, an elaboration on the definitions of Culture, and its various significations would have been an added advantage.

9. PRASHANT IPE JOB spoke on Rhetoric. He traced the origins of Rhetoric, where wise men were taught to cultivate the art. Cicero was one famous exponent, while Aristotle gave it clear parameters. He spoke on Mark Antony’s speech and its appeal to the Roman audience. He read out a paragraph with almost every word starting with V.

He was convincing, and exhibited skills of a Rhetorician.

10. RAKUL, R spoke on the Influence of Media on the Youth. He defined the term Media, and elaborated on Gender Roles, a topic on which he had an extended conversation with another Professor. He also highlighted his concern for the Tamil language. He patted the Govt’s awareness programs on AIDS, citing an instance of a recent advert in the Media, which aroused the curiosity of the onlookers, which was a novel way of attracting attention. Even students had a fear that this question may be asked for their Public Examinations, he said.

He said that, a film director should be all encompassing. Just because a few things inspire him, he should not go ahead with it. Instead, he should sit back, analyse the various maladies of society, and try to bring about societal transformation through his films.

While he entertained the audience with his mannerisms, and he also laid bare a few key points, two precious minutes was made to little use cos of our Rhetorician's softness with the audience.

11. VRINDA R.CHANTH spoke on the Need for E-governance, toeing the line of Dr.Kalam’s Speech here a fortnight ago.

She dwelt on the advantages of E-governance, after defining the broad meaning of the term. For easy, clear, responsive and speedy governance the choice is obviously e-governance, she opined.

The goals of E-governance were outlined, some of them being - ,
To interact with the government at different levels.
To make the government more responsive to its citizens
TO integrate.

She spoke on the implementation of E-governance in the states of MP and Kerala, where Death Certificates, Birth Certificates, Income Certificates are issued online, making the erstwhile cumbersome process, much more simpler and easier.

She also said that e-governance enables access to the different government schedules and programmes. In Kerala, Akshaya programme was launched.

She then outlined the benefits and hurdles in implementing e-governance.
While benefits include, reducing language barriers, Reducing Costs, Increasing Efficiency etc, the major hurdles are lack of well developed infrastructure, coupled with the whopping costs in ICT.

Convincing… but a tinge of Ethos, (Emotional Appeal) would have been Clinching.

12. KUNGA NGODUP spoke on MY TIBET…

He started off on a very Indian Note by saying, “Our first king was an Indian.” He also narrated the story of how an Indian, when he arrived in Tibet, was asked, where he came from. That man pointed to the South, meaning India, but the Tibetans mistook it, and thought he was pointing to the skies. So they thought him to be a Divine Person and so elected him their King.

He elaborated on the Concept of Incarnation, on how the Soul keeps changing the Body and the 14 th Dalai Lama, who was presently living at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Ever since the War, 6000 monasteries were destroyed.

He spoke on how China used Tibet as its military base. India has the largest number of Tibetans.

From skyscrapers to brothels and discotheques, Tibet has come far ahead… in terms of lifestyle. Chinese are eventually benefited in the end. ‘We are just the means to their end,” he said.

He also added on a sober note, “we are now outnumbered in our own country.

On Economic Changes sweeping his country, he said, these measures have caused havoc to the Wildlife, Contaminated the Water bodies etc. China tested its First Nuclear Bomb in Tibet, having eight missile bases, and eight Inter continental Ballistic missiles.

A good expository speech, relating himself to the audience, with his radiant smile, which added credibility and the needed appeal.

13. Kali Shekar spoke on Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam’s Vision 2020. He spoke from a very idealistic stand point, presenting a rosy picture of the entire Indian Panorama. He talked on Urbanisation, Literacy Levels, Improvements in the fields of Science and technology, eradication of Poverty etc.

Kali Shekar also highlighted the fact that politicians are responsible for corruption in our country, as funds meant for welfare programmes were either diverted or misused. He finished off with the quote, “ If Hardwork, is your weapon, success is yours.”

He was short, short of valid points to vindicate his arguments. Yet, was clear in his presentation.

II BA Philosophy - Internals - I & II CAs

1 Elavarasi, M 61, 70

2 Shyamala, J 66, 72

4 Yapanglemla 57, Ab

5 Adlin Jacob, J Ab, 74

9 Easudoss, A 53, 50

10 Isaac Praveen, 51, 73

11 Jacob Jebadurai,Ab, 70

12 Jacob Milton, M 62, 66

14 John Peter, D 62, 63

15 Micosteen, G 63, 73

16 Noman Akram, A 69, 70

17 Prem Kumar, T 63, 72

19 Saravanan, M 55, 50

20 Senthamizh Selva60, 50

21 Solomon, A Ab, 73

22 Sudhakaran, R 51, 60

24 Thomson Nithya 55, Ab

25 Victor, A 53, 50

26 Vijay Selva 63, 74

Repeat Semester
Shardendu Vimal 59

II BA Tam/Phil Internal Assessment Marks - I & II CAs

1 Amala, P 53, 70

2 Bhavani, M 57, 73

3 Bhavani, T 60, 64

4 Bismi Marsukka, 61, 73

5 Deepa, T 61, 70

6 Haseena, M.M.S 60, 73

7 Helen Mary, A 60, 71

8 Kalaivani, S 47, 70

10 Meenakshi, S 60, 70

11 Priscilla, M 58, 70

12 Rajalakshmi, R 61, 67

13 Ritaminu, K.P 62, 73

14 Saritha, M 63, 74

15 Selvamani, S 63, 72

16 Selvivijaya, D Ab, 71

17 Abdul Sathik, I 61, 50

18 Amar, S Ab, 74

19 Ebenezer, S 63, 74

20 Franklin Selva Ab, 50

21 Gopiraj, P Ab, 65

22 Jones Albert, R Ab, 70

23 Karthik, M Ab, 50

24 Premkumar, J 61, 50

25 Raja, K 62, 73

26 Santhosam, B Ab, 50

27 Sathya, S 55, 50

28 Senthil Kumar, Ab, 50

29 Udayamoorthi, P 55, 50

30 Venkatesan, S Ab, 50

"Respect for Life" & "Merchant of Venice" Lesson Summaries..:

"Respect for Life" - Lesson Summary

Introduction:

In this essay, Jane Goodal talks about respect for all living creatures, with special focus on the chimpanzees and its behaviour. The essay underlines the need for wildlife conservation and the humane treatment of animals.

Man vs Beast:

According to Jane, even chimpanzees have the ability to think and reason. Hence there is continuity in the evolution of mind and physical structure. it is in the sophistication of the intellect and the uses to which it is put, that man differs from beast.

Meaning and Hope for Human Life:

While there is large scale eveidence of human violence and cruelty everywhere because of human overpopulation, when we look at the whole issue from an evolutionary perspective, we see that after all, there is hope. Because, most of the destruction that had been done to the environment was wrought before people knew the appaling damage that they were doing. But now, in the light of growing understanding and awareness, we are beginning to come out of that desolation and misery.

Healing the Human wounds inflicted on the Planet:

The West is beginning to realize the ultimate cost of the reckless destruction of the environment. The growing power of the green movement is forcing governments of more and more countries to enact legislations to protect the environment. There is hope that we are seeing the Green Revolution that will turn aside the total destruction caused by the Industrial Revolution.

The Power of the Individual in Shaping the Values of Society:

There is enormous power in the individual in shaping the values of society. Even among chimpanzees the influence of certain individuals is apparent. There are “genius” chimpanzees who invent new behaviours that are passed on and become part of the tradition. In human history the legacies of a Hitler or a Jesus, are testimonies to the impact they made during their brief years on earth.

It is not only the famous that leave their marks. Every single one of us has, a significant part to play in the preservation of the environment. We can talk to others, teach, give our time or money to improve the quality of life around us, and conserve nature in our own backyards.

Humane Treatment of Animals:

Animals are not machines. They are also sentient beings capable of feeling human-like emotions and pain. The higher mammals, particularly the great apes have a great degree of empathy and loyalty. It is a sad reflection on science that animals are being used in experimentation and product testing across laboratories in the world.

Alternatives to the use of Animals:

Using animals to test cosmetic products and household products should be stopped at once. Intensive farming, factory farming, leg hold traps, poisoning and shocking abuses should also be stopped. Cruelty is the worst of human sins, and cruelty to animals is every bit as bad as cruelty to humans.

Conclusion:

Jane strongly believes in the power to change the state of things in our planet. Only if every single individual can make some contribution to the effort to bring new hope to the younger generation, will our life be worthwhile. Thus, a more humane ethic, a respect for all living things – is desirable not only for improved well-being of nonhuman animals, but for our own spiritual development as well.

The Merchant of Venice – Lesson Summary

Introduction:

The Merchant of Venice was probably written in either 1596 or 1597. Its Italian setting and marriage plot are typical of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies, but the characters of Portia, Shakespeare’s first great heroine, and the unforgettable villain Shylock elevate this play to a new level.

Bassanio’s Need:

Bassanio a gentleman of Venice requires 3000 ducats to pay for his travel expenses to Belmont. Bassanio wishes the money as he is seeking to wed the Heiress Portia. Bassanio turns to his good friend Antonio, who is a wealthy merchant.

Condition imposed by Shylock:

Unfortunately, Antonio's money is tied up on Ships doing business. He, however has offered to be Guarantor, they attempt to borrow money from a wealthy Jew, Shylock. Shylock reluctantly agrees, but on the condition that if he doesn't pay the 3000 Ducats by three months than, Antonio has to give up a pound of his flesh, closest to the heart. They agree to the Bond.
Portia of Belmont and the Caskets:

Portia, in her home at Belmont has been visited by many suitors. From her dead fathers wishes her suitors were required to choose between a lead, silver, or a gold casket. The one who chooses the casket containing her portrait, would be her husband. No man has yet chosen the correct casket.

Jessica elopes with Lorenzo:

Jessica, the daughter of Shylock wishes to change into Christianity, against her father's will and marry the Christian Lorenzo. She runs away with him, and takes some of her father's fortune. Shylock is furious and vows revenge.

Bassanio travels to Belmont:

Bassanio with friend Gratiano travel to Belmont to, Portia is delighted to hear this, as he is the one she wants to marry. Before hand the prince of Morocco and the prince of Aragon had tried but failed to choose the correct casket. Bassanio takes his time in choosing the casket - he chooses the lead casket; the correct one. Gratiano, woes Nerissa, and the four prepare to be wed.

Tragedy strikes Antonio:

Bassanio's friends arrive with a messenger, he receives a letter from Venice, it said that Antonio's ship had not yet arrived and Shylock was demanding his pound of flesh, as the money had not been paid. Bassanio is extremely upset about this news. Portia reassures him and offers to pay any amount possible or do anything she can. The men set off back to Venice.

Portia in Disguise:

Portia along with Nerrissa conduct a plan to help Antonio, they tell Lorenzo and Jessica to mind the house while they wait for their husbands in a monastery. They plan to dress up as Lawyers in order to defend Antonio in court.The two women enter the courtroom with a message that the doctor Balthasar (Portia) has being sent to replace the original doctor, Bellario. Portia begins her case with a plea for mercy, she begs him to forfeit the bond and accept three times the amount. Shylock refuses, as he wants to take his revenge on the Christains who have criticized him because he is a Jew.


A Pound of Flesh:

Portia then reads the bond and discovers that Shylock is only allowed to take one pound of Antonio's flesh. She tells him that he can take his pound of flesh on the condition that he takes exactly one pound of flesh and only flesh. No blood shall be shed. Shylock is forced to forfeit the bond, if he does go outside the conditions than he too will be punished. Since he forfeited the bond, but threatened the life on a Venetian, Shylock was forced to give up his money, half to Antonio the other half to the general state.

Antonio’s generosity:

Antonio takes pity on the Jew and declines his half of the money, he tells the court that Shylock can keep his money, but on the condition that he change into Christianity and leave his money to his daughter on his death. The Jew painfully agrees. The men gratefully thank doctor Balthasar and her clerk, they offer them anything they desire. Portia and Nerissa both ask for Bassanio's and gratiano's rings. Reluctantly they hand it to them, as it was a present from their wives who told them never to lose it.

Conclusion:

Thus, Portia and Nerissa return home, soon after Bassanio, Antonio, and Gratiano return with the good news. Portia and Nerrissa demand to know what happened to the rings, the men apologized and explained the situation. Portia and Nerissa show them the rings and explain that they were the two doctors in disguise, and they all live happily ever after.

*****

Dear I BSc Pbt & Zoo Students,

The III CA on Tuesday will be on Dr.Kalam's Speech at Madras Christian College, followed by Prize distribution to meritorious students. Notes and other announcements will be given on that same day.

Important Dates to Remember: March - April 2007

19 March, Monday - Telugu New Year's Day - Holiday

20 March, Tuesday - III C.A Test begins - Part - II English & Advanced Communication Skills Classes start at MCC School of CE

21 March, Wednesday - New Writing

24 March, Saturday - Prosody and Rhetoric

28 March, Wednesday - Regular Classes, III D.O

29 March, Thursday - Regular Classes, IV D.O

30 March, Friday - Study Holidays Begin

11 April, Wednesday - End of Semester Exams Begin

12 April, Thursday - Farewell for Retiring Staff Members

I Pbt Internal Assessment Marks for I & II CAs

1 Abinaya, T 73, 74

2 Ananthi, R 65, 76

3 Anitha, M 75, Ab

4 Aswathy Joseph 74, 76

5 Clarissa Andrea Smith Ab, Ab

6 Daisy Jennifer, D Ab, 75

7 Desai Sireesha Devi 75, 74

8 Elizabeth, R Ab, 74

9 Hajji Habeeba Beevi, J 72, 76

10 Jayanthi, S 70, 76

11 Jemima Hobday, S Ab, Ab

12 Jenita Mary, T 65, Ab

13 Kanimozhi, P Ab, 75

14 Krithica, C 75, Ab

15 Lalthanmawii Chhangte 70, 72

17 Manju, R 75, Ab

18 Maria Hepzibah, A 75, 75

19 Mary Diana, P 75, 72

20 Monolisha, S 70, Ab

21 Nancy Antony 75, Ab

22 Precilla Ruth, J 62, Ab

23 Rachal Srujana Kalapa 65, Ab

24 Raichal Kiruba, T Ab, 73

25 Reengara Selvi, S 68, 72

26 Sheeba Janet Angelin 70, 75

27 Shibina, D 70, 72

28 Shilpa Achamma Mathews 75, 76

29 Sindhuri, P 70, 71

30 Sophia D Lazarus 70, Ab

31 Sridevi, K 62, 64

32 Srigeethapriya, R 74, 75

33 Vijaya Parkavi, V 62, Ab

34 Vijayarani Syindia, A 70, 74

35 Ashwin Thomas, M 75, 60

36 Balaji, P 55, Ab

37 Gracelin Ranjith Sweetraj, T.D 69, 60

38 Jabez, R 72, 66

39 Jehu Walter, J 75, 76

40 Jemin Francis, Y 70, 71

41 Jeswinth Amirtharaj, J 70, Ab

42 Jittu J. Thomas 65, 74

43 Kumar, E 64, 67

44 Manikandan, A 60, 66

45 Nagalla Naga Venkat 75, 60

46 Naresh Kumar, N 60, 50

47 Purushothaman, U 60, 66

48 Rambo, P 70, Ab

49 Sadhu Sundar Lal, D.S 70, 70

50 Umeshan, T 75, 71

Internal Assessment Marks for I & II C.As for I BSc Pbt & Zoo Classes

1 Amalorpavam, S 70, 75

2 Anitha Paul, P.B 62, Ab

3 Chithra, R 68, 74

4 Divya, K.S 73, Ab

5 Eugeni Anitha Preethi 70, Ab

6. Gayathiri, R 63, Ab

6 Hemamalini, A 60, 74

7 Hennah, R 70, Ab

8 Jayapratha, S Ab, Ab

9 Jerin, M 64, 60

10 Jothi Lakshmi, H 60, 70

11 Kalpana, K Ab, 60

12 Madhu Smita 70, 76

13 Monisha, E 66, 60

14 Muniyammal, S 55, 64

15 Nanthini, M 70, Ab

17 Premalatha, J 60, 62

18 Priya, C 60, 66

19 Ramya, P 75, 75

20 Revathy, M 65, Ab

21 Saraswathi, R 50, 63

22 Saraswathi, S 65, 64

23 Sheela, R Ab, Ab

24 Shema Mariya Abraham 74, Ab

26 Arun Dinakaran, K 62, Ab

27 Arun Kumar, P.K 73, Ab

28 Arun, P Ab, Ab

29 Basethy Sudeep 64, 76

30 David Selvanathan, S 70, 75

31 Deepan, M Ab, 64

32 Ganesh, G 63, 40

33 Jackson, G 60, Ab

34 Jagadeesan, A 60, Ab

35 Joel Singh, D 63, 75

35 Kamei Chungpu 65, 74

36 Mohanraj, P 60, 40

37 Ngamshing Tulphou Marim 68, 74

38 Paul Immanuel Santhosh 73, 76

39 Prashanth, T 73, Ab

40 Rajkumar, S 40, 62

41 Ramnathchandrasekhar, K 73, 65

42 Sivaram Kumar, P 60, 70

43 Theodore John, P 60, 66

44 Vijaya Kumar, M Ab, Ab

45 Vishnu ADhithan, S 71, 73

46 Gayathri, R Ab, Ab

47 Kumaresan, G 60, 73

Tuesday 13 March 2007

Attention - II BA English Students,

For your third CA, those of you who have taken the Elocution, need not sit for my part of the test for the III CA. However, you'll have to give your answers for the next fifty marks conducted by your other teacher Ms.Sariga.

But for those of you who havent taken up the Elocution, you have to give your answers for fifty marks for my questions too.

We have been following the attendance wise allocation of Elocution so far. Those who have not been able to do it during their turn, will be given a chance, only if the logical order finishes their turn in their time. Otherwise, it's the Hobson's Choice.

Regards,
Rufus

COURSE ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS @ MCC S of CE

Dear Students,

The MCC School of Continuing Education is starting a
COURSE on COMMUNICATION SKILLS,
on 19 March 2007 @ its premises.
Those of you who wish to join it, can do so
by registering your names with
the MCC SCE Office at the earliest.
COURSE DURATION: FIVE WEEKS

Attention - I Pbt / Zoo Students...

Dear Students, Your C.A answer sheets have been distributed in class today, and the dozen of you who couldnt turn up for class today can collect it from me, latest by this weekend. Corrections, if any, should also be made by the same deadline.

The highlight of the third CA would be : Dr.APJ ABDUL KALAM's speech @ MCC, with regard to VISION INDIA - 2020, and your views on it. The full text of his speech is available @ http://presidentofindia.nic.in/ and also in our blog here, down below.

Your Assignment marks along with your assignments will be given on Ides of March, 2007.

Regards,

Rufus

Tuesday 6 March 2007

Ode to Evening - William Collins

Introduction:

“Ode to Evening,” is one among the most enduring poems of William Collins. It is a beautiful poem of fifty-two lines, addressed to a goddess figure representing evening. This nymph, or maid, who personifies dusk, is chaste, reserv’d, and meek, in contrast to the bright-hair’d sun, a male figure who withdraws into his tent, making way for night. Thus evening is presented as the transition between light and darkness.

Collins’ Construction of Evening:

Collins slowly constructs Evening as an allegorical figure with many attributes, and many aural and visual characteristics. Collins piles up epithets; Eve is
“chaste,”
“reserved,”
“composed,”
“calm,”
“meekest”;
her ear is “modest.”
The figure of Eve so far is only yet a sketch, but her attributes add up to the idea of an attractive, calm woman who is not restless or forcefully active.
Contrast of Evening with the Daytime:

According to the poet, Evening possesses “solemn springs” and “dying gales” Daytime activity gives way to calm as the wind literally often dies down in the evening. Some activity now supplements our picture of Eve. The gentle movements of water and the air ensure that her figure is not static.
Eve’s contrast with the daytime world is even more obvious when Collins compares her to the setting sun. The glaring “bright-haired sun” sits regally in his tent of clouds, the “skirts” or edges of which seem to be made of many-colored braided cloth. This ethereal (heavenly) cloth evokes a picture of a vivid sunset; the sun is descending to its “wavy bed,” behind an ocean or lake. The day is almost done, and the sun not at the height of vigor (he is in his tent), but the implication is that he rests only after an active day.

The Journey of the Pilgrim into the world of Evening:

After the sunset, at “twilight,” the world is not yet attuned to Eve’s mood. The air is hushed, except for some annoying sounds: the bat’s “short shrill shrieks” and sound of the beetle’s “small but sullen horn.” The bat’s weak eyes and “leathern wing” are not pleasant, nor are the many beetles as they are borne (by the a breeze, I assume) up against the pilgrim on his quasi-religious journey. The beetles’ horns together can be characterized a making a humming noise; in any case they are heedless of the annoyance they cause.
The Poet in a Prayerful Mood:

Up until now, Collins has simply been addressing Evening. The grammatical unit of the opening of the poem is not completed until Line 15: “Now teach me.” The mood of this verb is not imperative, but prayerful. In the drama of the poem, the speaker is at first unsure of himself but gradually gains confidence. Evening has finally arrived: darkening, still, genial, cheering, vital, and beloved. The poet prays for Eve to teach him to write a poem which praises her. This is Collins’ way.

Description of Evening:

Now the poem blossoms. Collins begins to build up, not a literal picture of Evening, but a picture of the allegorical figure of Evening composed of details which evoke more of her attributes. A “car” or processional vehicle is being prepared for Eve in which she can progress through the evening surrounded by her attendants. The picture Collins gives us of a ceremonial car would have been more familiar to his audience than to us. Her attendants add to her characterization. Her car is prepared by The Hours (goddesses who order the seasons and are given to adorn things), and accompanied by sprightly elves who sleep in flowers, river goddesses wreathed in sedge and shedding freshening dew, and pensive Pleasures. These are active and by-and-large beautiful figures, without being at all bustling or too dazzling. They all embellish the figure of Eve, delicately balancing her qualities:
active yet calm,
beautiful and cheerful yet chaste and reserved.

The Spirit of Evening:

Collins then asks Evening to lead on as she progresses to this lovely day’s end. She moves from the lowly heath, lighted now only by a reflection of a totally calm lake. Moving upward where Evening can be seen for the last time, the lake’s light cheers an ancient building and an upland field. Note that Eve is addressed a “vot’ress”; presumably like the poet she worships the spirit of Evening.
The Other side of Evening:

Collins now expands on his definition. So far, his description of Evening has been calm and beautiful. But Collins’ Evening is not just beautiful. She also includes “chill blustering winds” and “driving rain.” When he cannot walk about, the poet hopes to look out from a “hut” on a mountainside, rather like the place from which many Claude scenes are viewed. He will see wild scenery and flooding rivers, as well as the poem’s first traces of ordinary civilization: “hamlets brown, and dim-discovered spires.” Now night falls as Eve’s “dewy fingers draw / The gradual dusky veil.”

Evening as seen through the Whole Year:

Collins then takes Evening through the year. As before, some of the associations are not pleasant. Spring is nicely associated with both water and the movement of air (showers and “breathing tresses”), Summer with sport and half-light. Autumn is less lovely (sallow), but is generous with leaves. Winter is nasty, “yelling through the troublous air and attacking Eve’s train (of attendants? of her dress?) and even rending her robes. Evening can be attacked and is vulnerable, but she is not defeated. Collin’s characterization leads us from the beautiful picture of the poems first 32 lines to a picture of Evening’s strength to endure through good and bad. All in all, Collins has accomplished what he evidently set out to do—catch lovely time of day in all its transitory aspects.

Evening as a State of Mind: Lessons from Evening:
From the beginning Collins has asked Evening to lead him on, to infuse his heart and mind with the ability to see her and write about her. The progress in the poem has not just been the gradual unfolding of Evening, but the gradual education of the poet about what Evening is—from the early visions of shadowy beauty to the qualities that endure through bad weather. These qualities have obvious human analogues. In short, Evening becomes, not only a time of day, but a state of mind that develops in the pilgrim/poet by contemplating and experiencing and writing about the literal evening. Literal evening is not just associated with but actually helps cause this wonderful calm, happy, contemplative, intelligent, happy, open, creative, sympathetic state of mind, the state that feeds Fancy (as in the writing of this poem), Friendship, Science (that is knowledge and learning), and for that matter physical, and by extension mental, health. It is no surprise that these qualities sing a hymn of praise to Evening—a hymn that is a sharp contrast to the yelling of winter a few lines before.[21]
Conclusion:

This poem points ahead. He is enabled by this state of mind and moves forward. Ode to Evening is one of the masterpieces of Collins. Collins’ odes, do not point morals. Rather they dramatically define their subject by building up a personified and vividly pictured allegorical character. it is the best of the mid-century odes and provides a good bridge to the great Romantic poets.
- With due acknowledgements to Prof.George Soule

Monday 5 March 2007

III BA English Students,

A detailed compendium on Shyam Selvadurai's Funny Boy has been made out from all possible sources, and it has been made available to you two weeks back. However, if by any reason, you have not got your notes, please contact Judith or Melbin of your class, or else directly access me.
Regards, Rufus

Annoucement for I BSc Pbt / Zoo students - Notes - Reg:

Dear Students,

The second phase of Notes has been released today in class (5 March). For your convenience, a soft copy of the same is being uploaded onto our website.
Your internal marks will be out on Wednesday for both I & II CAs.
Regards, Rufus

The Cherry Orchard – Anton Chekov – Guidelines to the Play

The Cherry Orchard: A Comedy in Four Acts
Time and place written : From 1901 to 1903, in Yalta, an island in the Mediterranean.
Date of first performance : seventeen January 1904
Date of first publication : During the last week of June, 1904
Narrator : There is no narrator in the play
Climax : The climax comes in Act Three, when Lopakhin reveals he has bought the orchard
Protagonist : Ranevsky
Setting (Place) : At the country estate of Lyuba Ranevsky
Falling action : Everyone leaves the house in October after Lopakhin purchases the estate in August; this departure constitutes the entire fourth Act
Foreshadowing : Firs walk across the stage in Act One foreshadows his death scene in Act Four; in Act One, Lopakhin foreshadows his own purchase of the orchard by declaring that the orchard cannot be saved except by his plan;
Tone : Varying between absurd, satirical, ironic and tragic
Themes : Modernity vs. the old Russia; breaking with the past; nature
Motifs : The union of naturalism and symbolism; miscommunication; self-consciousness
Symbols : The cherry orchard; the sound of a breaking string

Russia had been changing ever since the early 18th century, when Tsar Peter the Great carried out a series of reforms with the intent of modernizing Russia in Western Europe's image. European styles in fashion and art were imported, the Western canon was widely read among the nobility, and French was adopted as the language of cultured discourse. A large government bureaucracy was created; the achievement of rank became an obsession of Russian life. During Chekhov's childhood, in the time of Tsar Alexander II, a second wave of reforms was underway, reforms that further liberalized the country and its economy. The most important of these was the Emancipation Declaration of 1861, which freed the serfs from bondage. These reforms caused great controversy, as they introduced what was, in effect, the beginning of a free-market economy, undermining the power of the nobility, and sometimes even impoverishing them. The situation displayed in The Cherry Orchard, of a wealthy landowning family forced to sell their estate in order to pay their debts, was thus a familiar one in the Russian society of Chekhov's day.

Plot Overview The play begins in the pre-dawn hours of a May morning in Russia. We learn that the cherry trees are in bloom even though it is frosty outside. Yermolay Lopakhin, a friend of the family, and Dunyasha a maid on the Ranevsky estate, wait for the estate's owner Ranevsky at the estate's main house, in a room called "the nursery". Lopakhin reveals that Ranevsky has been in Paris for the last five years. Lopakhin is a local businessman in his mid- thirties, dressed in a fine white suit (with gaudy yellow shoes), whose feelings towards Ranevsky are mixed between affectionate gratitude for past kindnesses, and resentment at her condescension toward him because of his humble, peasant origins. Also on the estate is Simon Yephikodov, a hapless youth nicknamed "Simple Simon" because of his frequent and ridiculous accidents.

Soon, Ranevsky arrives from Paris, along with her daughter Anya, who has been with her there since Easter of that year; Yasha, a young manservant who has accompanied her on her travels; and Charlotte, Anya's governess, who brings along her dog. Also accompanying her are Firs, her 87-year old manservant; her elder, yet still infantile, brother Leonid Gayev; and her adopted daughter Varya; these last three have stayed in Russia but went to the station to greet Ranevsky on her return

Ranevksy expresses her joy and amazement to be home again, while Anya reveals to Varya the relative poverty in which she found her mother when she arrived in Paris and the way in which she continues to spend money. Varya reveals that the family's estate is to be sold at auction on the 22nd of August, in order to pay their debts. Anya reveals that Ranevsky's departure for Paris was caused by her grief over two deaths: that of her husband six years before and that of her son, Grisha, who drowned a month thereafter.

Soon, Anya departs for bed, and Lopakhin brings up the issue of the imminent sale. He proposes a solution; Ranevksy should parcel out the land on her estate, build cottages on the parcels, and lease them out to summer cottage-holders, who are becoming increasingly numerous. Gayev and Ranevsky dismiss thr idea, because it would necessitate cutting down the family's beloved (and gigantic) cherry orchard. Before he leaves, Lopakhin offers them a loan of 50,000 rubles to buy their property at auction if they change their minds, and predicts there will be no other way of saving the orchard. Ranevsky then lends some money to a fellow impoverished landowner, Boris Simeonov-Pischik. Peter Trofimov arrives; he was Grisha's tutor before the drowning, and thus he brings back painful memories for Ranevsky. Before the end of the act, after complaining about Ranevksy's inability to curb her spending, Gayev outlines three alternatives to Lopakhin's plan: a financing scheme involving some banker friends of his, Ranevsky borrowing some money from Lopakhin (without the condition that they then cut down the orchard), and a wealthy aunt in Yaroslavl who might provide a loan.

In the Second Act, we are introduced more closely to the young servants on the estate, Dunyasha, Yasha, and Yephikodov, who are involved in a love triangle: Yephikodov loves Dunyasha, Dunyasha loves Yasha, and Yasha is very much in love with himself. Soon, Lopakhin, Ranevsky, Gayev, Anya and Varya appear, and they are again debating over Lopakhin's plan to turn the orchard into cottage country. Lopakhin becomes frustrated with Ranevsky's reluctance; she, in turn, thinks his plan is vulgar, and says that if they plan to sell the cherry orchard, she wants to be sold along with it. Ranevsky reveals that she has a lover in Paris who has been sending her telegrams, asking her to return, and who robbed her, left her, and as a result drove her to a suicide attempt.

Soon, Trofimov appears, and gives several speeches about the importance of work and the laziness and stupidity of Russian intellectuals. In a quiet moment, the sound of a snapping string is heard, and no one can identify its source. A drunkard appears, asking for directions, and then money; Ranevsky ends up giving him several gold pieces. Disturbed, most of the group leave, except for Anya and Trofimov. They discuss Varya's growing suspicion that Anya and Trofimov are having an affair, which they are not; Trofimov declares that they are "above love". The act ends with Yephikodov sadly playing his guitar and Varya calling out, in vain, for Anya.
In the Third Act, Ranevsky throws a party on the day of the auction. The guests consist of several local bureaucratic officials such as the stationmaster and a post-office clerk. Charlotte entertains the guests with a series of magic tricks. Ranevsky worries anxiously about why Gayev and Lopakhin have not yet returned. Ranevsky fears that the orchard has been lost, that the aunt in Yaroslavl has apparently not given them enough money to buy it, and that Gayev's other sources have failed to come through. She and Trofimov get into an argument; Trofimov accuses her of not being able to face the truth, and she accuses him of being unusual for never having fallen in love. Lopakhin and Gayev soon return from the auction. Lopakhin reveals to everyone that he has bought the estate and intends to carry out his plans for the orchard's destruction. Anya tries, in vain, to comfort her mother.
In the last act, it is October, and the trees in the cherry orchard are already being cut down. All the characters are in the process of leaving; Lopakhin will depart to Kharkov for the winter, Varya to the Ragulins', another family that lives fifty miles away. Gayev plans to live in the town, working at a bank, Anya will go off to school, and Ranevksy will leave for Paris with Yasha, to rejoin her lover. Charlotte has no idea what she will do, but Lopakhin assures her he will help her find something. Trofimov and Lopakhin exchange an affectionate if contentious farewell; Yasha leaves Dunyasha, weeping, without a second thought; and Anya tearfully says goodbye to her mother. Anya worries that Firs, who has taken ill, has not been sent to the hospital as he was supposed to be, but Yasha indignantly assures Anya that he has. Ranevsky encourages Lopakhin to propose to Varya; but the proposal is never made—Lopakhin leaves Varya alone, and in tears. Finally, Gayev and Ranevsky bid a tearful farewell to their house. Everyone leaves, locking the doors behind them.

But Firs is, in fact, accidentally left behind, having fallen ill and being forgotten in the rush of the departure. He walks onstage after everyone else has left, quietly muttering about how life has left him by. He lies on the couch, and silently expires as two sounds are heard; again, the sound of a string snapping, and the sound of an axe cutting down a cherry tree in the orchard.

***** Acknowledgements: www.sparknotes.com *****

AN IDEAL BEFORE THE YOUTH - Dr.S.Radhakrishnan

Introduction: Dr.S.Radhakrishnan was one of the most distinguished men of India. From a humble origin, he rose to hold the highest office in India. In him we see a rare combination of Indian tradition and scientific thinking. Dr.Radhakrishnan has contributed much to the cause of education in our country. In this essay he points out the importance of the right kind of education for the youth of the country. He looks at the needs of India as related to education in a perspective that is historical, political, economic, philosophic and religious.

Challenges facing our Country: Political freedom has brought us a great opportunity. It has brought us the sacred responsibility of building up a new India which will be free from want and disease and the curse of caste and creed. Our country is passing through a great revolutionary period in human history. It is facing a many sided challenge, political and economic, social and cultural. Education is the means by which our youth can be trained to face this great challenge and build the new India of our dreams.

The Constructive Side of Science: Dr.Radhakrishnan believes that scientific and technological studies develop in us an attitude of tolerance, freedom from prejudice and hospitality to new ideas. Only by developing our heart and intelligence and our own moral values can we save the world from total destruction. If we do so, science can lead us to such a degree of material wealth as has never before been possible in human history. But this will be possible only if we develop our moral values and take the right judgments.

The Real Aim of Education: Any satisfactory system of education should aim at a balanced growth of the individual. It should insist on both knowledge and wisdom. It should not only train the intellect, but also bring grace into the heart of man. Wisdom is more easily gained through the study of literature, philosophy and religion. The study of these subjects help us to understand the higher laws of the universe and face the difficult problems of life.

Cause for Unrest among Students: Indifference to our culture is mainly responsible for the increasing unrest among the students in our universities. Unless the students develop a sense of self-control and a sense of balance, they become a danger to themselves, and to society as a whole.

Role of Teachers in Universities: A University is essentially a corporation of teachers and students. The kind of education that the students receive will depend on the quality of the teachers. The University teachers must be paid well so that they may be able to devote themselves to learning, teaching, and research. Magnificent buildings and equipments are no substitute for great teachers. In the absence of competent teachers, it is impossible for the students to get adequate academic tuition or moral guidance.

The Importance of Spiritual Strength: Our future destiny as a nation depends on our spiritual strength rather than upon our material wealth. The goal of perfection cannot be reached by the weak in spirit. The greatest asset of a nation is the spirit of its people. If we develop the spirit of our people, our future will be bright.

Demanding more than Giving: Dr.Radhakrishnan remarks that there is no revolutionary fervour among the people of our country at present. There is only a spirit of enjoyment. There is no spirit of sacrifice. We seem to demand more than what we give. There is a kind of spiritual slackness among our people. We have to overcome this spiritual slackness and work hard for the country.

Learning without being Cultured – Dangerous: If we become learned without getting truly cultured, we become a danger to society. We become like demons and we may bring destruction to the world. It is wrong to assume that scientific discovery and technological improvement alone can bring about the betterment of mankind. We have placed too much emphasis on scientific training. We have to rectify this mistake and develop the basic values of the spirit.

Conclusion : The essay reveals Dr Radhakrishnan’s love for our country and his concern to give the right kind of education to the young men and women of our country.