Friday 30 January 2009

Assignments - Reg:

Dear Students,
Starting this calendar year, all your assignments with me, will be uploaded on this, our academic blog, under the label "Student Assignment(s)" for greater transparency, and for the larger benefit of the student community as well. Make your impact!
Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus
English Lecturer
CLICK HERE to access the PDF Copy of your Assignments.

Wednesday 28 January 2009

Rendezvous with Mr. 'Kalam' Nagappan @ MCC...:

Dear Students of I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg),
Mr.'Kalam' Nagappan, a student who has founded Young Helping Minds,
run by the youth, to see a developed India by 2020, and
involved in educational upliftment of poor students,
will give us a thought-provoking lecture on 29 January 2009.
This motivating lecture, we hope, would provided a spark and impetus to your academic life here at MCC and have a great impact on your future for the better.
(You can know more about their organisation and their activities by visiting their website HERE)
Try your best to be there!
Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus
For more details about the programme, please contact me.

Contest for Aspiring Filmmakers..:

If you have a handy camera and an idea to make a film,
enter the film making competition for free.
You can send your DVDs or upload your film directly HERE.
For more details, visit their site info HERE.
All Participants will get to interact with the jury. Free Entry!
Send your entry latest by 31st March 09. All the best.!

Monday 26 January 2009

Also read Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam's Letter to every Indian HERE

Meet 'Kalam' Nagappan!

It's quite rare to find students making use of their spare time in constructive, meaningful ways. On this Republic Day, we salute the spirit of a young student from Chennai 'Kalam' Nagappan, whose noble vision is worth emulating!

Even as a student, 'Kalam' Nagappan from Chennai had the habit of helping poor students to meet their educational expenses. As a college student, he along with a few of his friends, had helped a physically challenged student in his studies. The radiant smile that beamed across the face of the physically challenged student changed their minds only for the better!!

Nagappan hails from a poor family. But within Nagappan's mind was a deep desire to help people, and be of service to others. "Instead of talking nonsense and whiling away the time, we can use the time in discussing something constructive for the nation's advancement" was his request to his classmates.

With like-minded friends, he started an organisation - "Young Helping Minds" which now functions with 200 members. He has borne the educational expenses of 41 poor and needy students.

When Dr.Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, came to know about 'Nagappan', he met up with them, and said, "A thousand organisations like the present one would easily help India become a successful, mighty and developed Country," and he also encouraged and congratulated his team on their efforts.

Greatly inspired by his social service, his College professors regularly donate a fraction of their salaries to the noble services of their proud 'student.'

When asked about his future activities, Nagappan said, "Students, when they speak with their friends, should always speak only about what is beneficial and good for the betterment of our country. We should realize that even the small help that we offer to others, has the ability to make a great impact in changing their lives."

Attracted by Dr.Kalam's scholarship and his simplicity, Nagappan has rechristened his name as 'Kalam' Nagappan.

Let's all wish 'Kalam' Nagappan all the best, in his sincere desire and ardent efforts to lend a helping hand to the needy students.! He indeed is a Young and Proud Pillar of the Indian Republic!

(this article has been translated into English by the author, from today's chennai Edition of Dina Malar)

'Nature, Chennai, Us'

The third edition of Prakriti Foundation's Tree of Life festival begins on January 27 and goes on until February 7 across different venues in Chennai.
There are various interesting story telling sessions and tree walks. Latika Rana's film on the tiger will be screened and a presentation cum talk for the public and college students will follow the screening.
For details, call 98406 66761.


Thursday 22 January 2009

I BSc Pbt/Zoo - I CIA Marks - Reg:

Dear Students of I BSc Pbt/Zoo,
Your internal marks for your first CIA are ready.
I BSc Pbt students, kindly click HERE
I BSc Zoo students, kindly click HERE to access your marks.
This I CIA test which was given to you on 19 January, was an open-book test, with both the text book and the day's newspaper to assist you in your answers.
While this spoon-feed of a test could have fetched you very high marks, if only you'd put in a bit more of thought, time an effort, some, i feel, have not made proper use of the advantage given to you on a platter. Some students, i felt, haven't understood some of the questions properly, and hence lost a few marks due to highly irrelevant answers. While some of you have done very well, some could have done even better!
For any clarifications/corrections, you can meet me directly between 10.20 am and 10.45 am on all working days, or over mail at rufusonline@gmail.com
Give your best as always! All the very best
Regards,
Rufus

Award for rookie/unpublished Writers...!

The Breakthrough Novel Award brings together talented writers, reviewers and publishing experts to find and develop new voices in fiction.
If you're an author with an unpublished novel waiting to be discovered, visit CreateSpace in the website to learn more about the next Breakthrough Novel Award and sign up for regular updates on the contest.
Completed Manuscripts must be novels between 50,000 and 150,000 words. Each Manuscript must be authored by a single, individual author. Any Manuscript submitted as an Entry written by two or more authors will not be eligible. Poems and short stories or collections of same submitted as Entries will also not be eligible.
Submission period : February 2, 2009 - February 8, 2009
For more on this Award, link HERE

Writing Contest...!

If you are passionate about writing and participating in the virtual community, this is an opportunity to make money using your passion! Write interesting threads in Digital Bhoomi forums to win the total prize of Rs. 2000 ($50)! Three best threads or replies will be selected between January 1, 2009 and January 31, 2009. First prize is Rs. 1000 ($25), second prize is Rs. 600 ($15) and third prize is Rs.400 ($10). Summary of the rules: -Contest is open to all users irrespective of their country of residence. -Your articles/threads/replies must be original. You can not copy the work of other people. -You can post multiple threads or replies.
For more info, click HERE
The contest will run from January 1 to January 31, 2009
Winners will be announced on: February 3, 2009 at 5pm IST
All the best..!

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Participate in the Shell Recruitment Day...:

Are you a graduate or in the final year of your degree studies?
If so, apply for the 'Shell Recruitment Day' for an exciting career with Shell, which provides Shell with the opportunity to find out more about you, watch how you work with other people, and see if you've got the qualities and expertise they're looking for. For more information, click on their website
HERE

Tuesday 20 January 2009

Govt Educational Scholarship for College Students..:

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India has introduced a new Scholarship scheme titled “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students”, for students who have secured 80% and above in the Higher Secondary Examination, March 2008 conducted by this department and pursuing higher studies.
The scholarship will be given @ Rs.1000/- per month at Graduation level for first three years of College and University courses and Rs.2000/- per month at Post graduation level. Students pursuing professional courses would get Rs.2000/- per month in the 4th and 5th year. The scholarship would be paid for 10 months in an academic year.
The award of scholarship shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. The scholarship shall be awarded to the Indian nationals only.
2. The Undergraduate/Post graduate/Professional course are pursued in a recognized
college/institution in India.
3. The student should have scored a minimum 80% of marks in the Higher Secondary
Examinations, March 2008 conducted by the State Board of School Examinations, TamilNadu, Chennai – 6

Last Date for application is 28 January 2009.
For more info, visit their website http://dge.tn.gov.in

Topics for Rhetoric:

Dear Students of II BA English,
Given below is a broad list of the topics avaiable to you to unleash your rhetorical capabilites to your best! While you can take any side of the argument, make sure that you are passionate about your topic and let that enthusiasm come out. First impressions are powerful. Believe it. All the very best..!
Topics for Rhetoric:
"Is being happy connected with having a lot of money?"
"Has Science made man's life quite comfortable?"
Is it possible to keep politics out of sports?
Do you think we should maintain our traditions or give way for change?
There should be strict censorship of films and news bulletins on television and movies to prevent children from copying violent incidents. Do you agree?
Do you think that the young have anything to learn from the elderly and vice versa?
How about boarding schools? Don’t you think they teach children how to live together?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting married? Don’t you think it’s better to stay single?
What do you think are the causes for the increasing violence in our society?
Why do people commit crimes?
*********************************
Fashion – A complete waste of time, money and resources.
English should be the world language.
Written Exams alone serve no useful purpose.
Extended/large families are more successful than nuclear families.
Teenage drivers are unsafe.
Books will soon be old-fashioned.
Politicians should be paid higher salaries.
Internet is a useful resource for children.
Reservation for women
Science has made man’s life quite comfortable.
Privatisation is desirable.
Indian independence is a success story.
TV is harmful to society.
Family planning should be made compulsory.
There should be a ban on migration of educated Indians.
The need to implement a ban on the Public Sectors.
PS: An initiation into the art of public speaking will be given in our next class on Rhetoric. Try to be there!!!

I BSc Pbt/Zoo - I CIA Test - Reg:

Dear Students of I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg),
You are expected to bring your text book and the day's copy of THE HINDU, along with you for your I CIA Test. The two essays by C.E.M.Joad, and Dr.Radhakrishnan respectively, will form a part of the test. All the best!
Regards,
Rufus
Note: Students of II Year Phil/Tam are expected to bring the day's copy of The Times of India along with their text books. All the best!

Sunday 18 January 2009

Short-term Course on POSTMODERNISM..:

organized by the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences,
IIT Kharagpur.
This is a highly specialized course meant for faculty/students from Recognized/Deemed Universities, UGC approved colleges, MA students, and Graduates from the same.
The focus, firstly, will be on providing a comprehensive understanding of postmodernism by re-reading and re-analyzing those philosophic discourses and insights that have contributed to the creation of postmodernism, and those, which have maintained and carried forward the exploration of issues concomitant with and ensuing out this concept.
Last date for receiving applications: 1 May 2009
Intimation to participants: 7 May 2009
Course Dates: 15-18 May 2009
For more info, visit their website HERE

INTERNATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION 2009

Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest global threats of our time. Scientists agree that global warming and extreme climate phenomena can be increasingly attributed to human activity - in particular, heavy emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, resulting from industrial processes.
Solutions to those pressing problems could lie in the rapidly growing ‘green economy’: environmentally sustainable enterprises, technological innovations (new sources of clean, renewable energy), energy efficiency measures, economic incentives for low-carbon choices, etc. How can youth contribute?
The World Bank and its Partners invite you to participate in -
The Essay Competition 2009 - inviting youth to share ideas on:
How does climate change affect you?How can you tackle climate change through youth-led solutions?
Eligibility: The International Essay Competition is open to all young people, students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 25, from all countries of the world.
If you are older than 18 and younger than 25 on June 15, 2009, you are eligible to participate.
Submissions are accepted until February 22, 2009.
For more details you can visit their website HERE.

Centre for African Studies gives a Call for Papers:

Redefining South-South Cooperation: Africa on the Centre stage Africa is rapidly shedding its reputation as a conflict and poverty ridden ‘dark’ continent and emerging as a large market with vast untapped natural resources.
This new profile has reinforced interest in the continent globally and specifically among the Asian drivers, mainly India and China.
Within this broad remit, the Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, expects papers that will explore key areas (non- exhaustive) in a host of key issues given HERE
Empirical and contemporary perspectives are particularly welcome.
Abstracts should be about 300- 350 words in length as a word document.
Submission of papers -- 25 January 2009.
For more details, visit their WEBSITE HERE

EWRI invites Papers from Eco-Enthusiasts:

3rd INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON
CURRENT & FUTURE STATE OF WATER RESOURCES & THE ENVIRONMENT
is to be held in Chennai between January 4 and 6, 2010.
The focus of this conference will be on water resources and the environment in developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa. The emphasis will be on global effect on regional issues and solutions. Participants, including paper presenters and attendees, will include engineers, scientists, planners, economists, and legal professionals from all over the globe.
The Conference is open to all.
Abstract Submissions On: March 26, 2009
Final Papers Due On: September 26, 2009
For details and more info, visit their website HERE

Wednesday 14 January 2009

A True Story...! Just Read On...!

It was probably the April of 1974. Bangalore was getting warm and red gulmohars were blooming at the IISc campus. I was the only girl in my postgraduate department and was staying at the ladies hostel. Other girls were pursuing research in different departments of science. I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science. I had been offered scholarships from universities in US. I had not thought of taking up a job in India.

One day, while on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board. It was a standard job-requirement notice from the famous automobile company Telco [now Tata Motors]. It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hardworking and with an excellent academic background, etc.

At the bottom was a small line: "Lady candidates need not apply." I read it and was very upset. For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination.

Though I was not keen on taking up a job, I saw this as a challenge. I had done extremely well in academics, better than most of my male peers. Little did I know then that in real life academic excellence is not enough to be successful.

After reading the notice I went fuming to my room. I decided to inform the topmost person in Telco's management about the injustice the company was perpetrating. I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco. I thought it must be one of the Tatas. I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company's chairman then).

I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing. To this day I remember clearly what I wrote. "The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India, such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives. They have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender."

I posted the letter and forgot about it. Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco's Pune facility at the company's expense.

I was taken aback by the telegram. My hostel mates told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost — and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap! I collected Rs 30 each from everyone who wanted a sari. When I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going, but back then they seemed good enough to make the trip.

It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city. To this day it remains dear to me. I feel as much at home in Pune as I do in Hubli, my hometown. The place changed my life in so many ways.

As directed, I went to Telco's Pimpri office for the interview. There were six people on the panel and I realised then that this was serious business. "This is the girl who wrote to JRD," I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room. By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. That realisation abolished all fears from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted.

Even before the interview started, I reckoned the panel was biased, so I told them, rather impolitely, "I hope this is only a technical interview." They were taken aback by my rudeness, and even today I am ashamed about my attitude.

The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them. Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me, "Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply? The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a co-ed college; this is a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout. We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories."

I was a young girl from small-town Hubli. My world had been a limited place. I did not know the ways of large corporate houses and their difficulties, so I answered, "But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories."

Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful. So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune. That city changed my life in many ways. I met a shy young man from Karnataka there, we became good friends and we got married.

It was only after joining Telco that I realised who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry. Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay. One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman, who we all knew as SM. I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House [the Tata headquarters] when, suddenly, JRD walked in. That was the first time I saw 'appro JRD'. Appro means 'our' in Gujarati. That was the affectionate term by which people at Bombay House called him.

I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode. SM introduced me nicely, "Jeh (that's what his close associates called him), this young woman is an engineer and that too a postgraduate. She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor." JRD looked at me. I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview (or the postcard that preceded it). Thankfully, he didn't. Instead he remarked. "It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?" "When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir," I replied. "Now I am Sudha Murty." He smiled that kindly smile and started a discussion with SM. As for me, I almost ran out of the room.

After that I used to see JRD on and off. He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. There was nothing that we had in common. I was in awe of him.

One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours. To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react. Yet again I started worrying about that postcard. Looking back, I realise JRD had forgotten about it. It must have been a small incident for him, but not so for me.

"Young lady, why are you here?" he asked. "Office time is over." I said, "Sir, I'm waiting for my husband to come and pick me up." JRD said, "It is getting dark and there's no one in the corridor. I'll wait with you till your husband comes." I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable.

I was nervous. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing. There wasn't any air of superiority about him. I was thinking, "Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee."

Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out. JRD called and said, "Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again."

In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco. I was reluctant to go, but I really did not have a choice. I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up. He was absorbed in thought. I wanted to say goodbye to him so I stopped. He saw me and paused.

Gently, he said, "So what are you doing, Mrs Kulkarni? (That was the way he always addressed me.) "Sir, I am leaving Telco." "Where are you going?" he asked. "Pune, sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune." "Oh! And what you will do when you are successful?" "Sir, I don't know whether we will be successful." "Never start with diffidence," he advised me. "Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. I wish you all the best."

Then JRD continued walking up the stairs. I stood there for what seemed like a millennium. That was the last time I saw him alive.

Many years later I met Ratan Tata in the same Bombay office, occupying the chair JRD once did. I told him of my many sweet memories of working with Telco. Later, he wrote to me, "It was nice listening about Jeh from you. The sad part is that he's not alive to see you today."

I consider JRD a great man because, despite being an extremely busy person, he valued one postcard written by a young girl seeking justice. He must have received thousands of letters every day. He could have thrown mine away, but he didn't do that. He respected the intentions of that unknown girl, who had neither influence nor money, and gave her an opportunity in his company. He did not merely give her a job; he changed her life and mindset forever.

Close to 50 per cent of the students in today's engineering colleges are girls. And there are women on the shop floor in many industry segments. I see these changes and I think of JRD. If at all time stops and asks me what I want from life, I would say I wish JRD were alive today to see how the company we started has grown. He would have enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

My love and respect for the House of Tatas remains undiminished by the passage of time. I always looked up to JRD. I saw him as a role model - for his simplicity, his generosity, his kindness and the care he took of his employees. Those blue eyes always reminded me of the sky; they had the same vastness and munificence.

*Sudha Murthy is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She is involved in a number of social development initiatives and is also a widely published writer. Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy is her husband.

Membership at The American Library now @ just Rs.200/-

Students can avail for themselves a 50% discount in Library Membership at The 32nd Chennai Book Fair. The American Library in Chennai offers a wide range of resources, programs and services to provide accurate and up-to-date information on a host of issues including society, culture, values, literature etc. The membership fees now is priced at an amazing low of Rs.200/-. Grab the offer at the earliest!


The British Council Library has also given a special discount and freebies with its new Student Membership plan. For more details, please visit their website.

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Assignment on Rhetoric - Shruthi, II BA English

Shruthi, M.T, writes..:

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi:

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of our Nation was one of the greatest leaders and greatest speakers. His speeches were strong enough to inspire the nation and imply the importance and strength of non-violence. He lived a life, holding out to his principles of truth, non-violence, simplicity, faith and vegetarianism. He sets out an example to the world with his life.

The Quit India speech was made by Gandhi on August 8th, 1942, on the eve of the Quit India Movement. He called for determined, but passive resistance the signified the certitude that Gandhi foresaw for the movement is best described by his call to Do or Die. His speech was issued at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, since re-named August Kranti Maidan (August Revolution Ground). However, almost the entire Congress leadership, and not merely at the national level, was put into confinement less than twenty-four hours after Gandhi’s speech, and the greater number of the Congress leaders were to spend the rest of the war in jail.
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS:

Rhetorics or oratory may be simply defineds as speaking. Gandhi’s Quit India Movement speech is a good example of Good rhetorics. The speech is strong enough to appeal to the logical, ethical and emotional sense. Gandhi was able to impart his thoughts, beliefs and something of his own personality through the speech. Even while doing this, we see that his tone is humble. His daily habits of reading, conversation and literary instinct are reflected in his speech. His great knowledge, experiences and feeling can be seen in his speech. His style appeals to all and is not confined to any particular class of people. That’s a very important point in rhetorics. The language should be easily understood by all. Gandhi’s language has the capacity to captivate his readers and get them to absorb what he’s trying to convey. Gandhi has invented a style to represent himself. He was able to present his ideas and convictions fully and naturally, without disadvantage from an imperfect medium of communication. He is perfectly fluent and natural in conversation. His power over expression has been developed by culture and his words are a spontaneous reflection of his mind’s working.

It is important for a good speaker to choose his words carefully. He should take care, patience and minuteness in the study and choice of words. In this speech, we can see that Gandhi has taken great care in the words he chose to speak. He was able to convey and impress his ideas and yet not leave his humbleness. He has spoken the words with exactness and used language to impart his thoughts rightly.

Gandhi was able to impart the value of non-violence. He taught people to fight Himsa (Violence) with Ahimsa (Non-violence). He could make people believe that Ahimsa was more powerful than Himsa and always had better results. The power of his speech was thus, that people could accept all this and do accordingly. It was not simply, that Mahatma Gandhi’s speeches are described as motivational, persuasive and inspirational speeches.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPEECH:

The Quite India Movement (Bharat Chhodo Andolan, August Kranti) was the final call, the definitive organized movement of civil disobedience for immediate independence of India from British rule issued by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942 and made famous by his slogan Do or Die. Unlike the other Gandhi-led movements, Quit India was more controversial, and specifically designed to obtain the exit of the British from the Indian shores.

In 1942, Indians were divided over World War II, as the British had unilaterally and without consultation entered India into the war. Some wanted to support the British during the Battle of Britain, hoping for eventual independence through this support. Others were enraged by the British disregard for Indian intelligence and civil rights and were unsympathetic to the travails of the British people, which they saw as rightful revenge for the enslavement of Indians.

On August 8, 1942 the Quit India resolution was passed at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). At Gowalia Tank, Bombay, Gandhi urged Indians to follow a non-violent civil disobedience. Gandhi told the masses to act as an independent nation and not to follow the orders of the British. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the country responded to the call. Many thousands of revolutionaries who employed violent means were outside the Congress rallied to the call of their non-violent resister brothers and sisters.

Though the revolt shook the foundations of British rule, its forceful and quick suppression did reduce the force of the revolt. By early 1944, India was mostly peaceful again, while the entire Congress leadership was incarcerated. But, the movement in fact had succeeded. The war had sapped a lot of economic, political and military life-blood of the Empire, but the powerful Indian resistance had shattered the spirit and will of the British government, and had made it clear that after the war, even a greater, larger movement would be launched an would succeed, as no excuse or distraction from the issue would remain.

A young, new generation of nationalists had heeded Mahatma Gandhi’s call, suffered trials and tribulations in an extremely critical time, and came out victorious. Being “Quit India graduates,” was a matter of great prestige, the Congress Party had sown the seeds here of a new generation of nationalists who would become the first generation of independent Indians Quit India graduates used to great discipline and spirit they imbibed to brave the tragedy and travails of the Partition of India, and establishing a Constitution of the Republic and developing the strongest enduring tradition of democracy and freedom in post-colonial Africa and Asia, giving birth to the World’s Largest Democracy.

National Level Scientific Writing Contest..:

The National Aademy of Sciences invites entries - scientific write-up on Mission Green Earth - from students of B.Sc.(any Branch) / B.Tech.(any Branch) of Indian Universities by January 15, 2009 for evaluation and further participation (for selected entries / write-up only) in On the Spot Contest to be held on February 26, 2009 at Allahabad. The idea is to generate scientific temperament among students and also make them aware about the current scientific and environmental issues. The rules for Entries / Scientific Write-ups on Mission Green Earth is available on the websites of NASI at www.nasi.org.in and www.nasi.nc.in

Assignment on Rhetoric - Madhavan, M, II BA English

Assignment on Famous Rhetorical Speech of President George W.Bush
Submitted by: Madhavan, M
My greatest responsibility as President is to protect the American people. And that's your calling, as well. I thank you for your service, your courage, and your sacrifice.
After September the 11th, 2001, I told the American people that the road ahead would be difficult, and that we would prevail. Well, it has been difficult -- and we are prevailing. Our enemies are brutal, but they are no match for the United States of America, and they are no match for the men and women of the United States military.
May God bless you all.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Supraja, II BA English

SUPRAJA, P, writes..:

Rhetoric Analysis:

The above speech of John F.Kennedy is to educate the young audience of American University. This speech is about peace. He talks about a permanent solution for the global crisis called War. He was the right person to speak about peace because it was the time when there was a cold war between soviet union and America. This message was delivered in a ceremony of the American University. Sponsored by the Methodist Church, founded by John Fletcher Hurst and First opened by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. There are large amounts of live audience and even an external targeted audience such as Mass media.

SPEECH CONTENT AND STRUCTURE:

The whole content of this speech is about peace and the current affairs of that time. He says that “Total war makes no sense in an age where great powers can maintain large and relatively invulnerable nuclear forces and refuse to surrender without resort to those forces.”
He says that a single nuclear weapon contains almost 10 times of the explosive sources delivered by all allied airforces in the second world war, which can spoil wind, water, soil and sea to far corners of the globe and to generations yet unborn. He talks about the attitude of the two countries towards peace. The attitudes of both countries should change. He talks not only about the peace of America but about the universal peace too. He says that a series of concrete actions and effective agreements in his interest should be adopted not only by one or two nations but by many. He requests each country should live at least in mutual tolerance by submitting the disputes to a just and peaceful settlement. The enmities between the nations do not last forever. Then he generally talks about the different disputes between US and Soviet union and the disputes within other nations. He confesses that there is a certain defect in the attitude of US towards Soviet Union.

Finally he concludes his speech by stating that Americans will never start a war and the Americans would be prepared to stop the war started by other countries.

The Speech Conclusion:

Like the opening, the concluding remarks are also quite interesting. The conclusion here is quite concise and memorable. Here he calls all the Americans to say ‘No’ to war. There is no interaction with the audience. The message was focused on the word ‘WE’

LANGUAGE:

The language used here is simple and appropriate for the audience. The sentences here were a bit long but was easy to understand.

INTANGIBLES:

This speech was convinceable and a must hear address. It was very interesting that we would hear it once again.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Dolly, M, II BA English

Choose any one famous speech of Dr.Abdul Kalam that interests you and analyse its structure from a rhetorical perspective and comment on its historical significance.

Submitted by: Dolly, M, II BA English

Kalam's Indian Vision - 2020

"I have three visions for India. In 3000 years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards, The Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and Tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others...
... ... ...

"ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY"
Lets do what India needs from us.
Thank youAbdul Kalaam


Rhetoric is all about listening, speaking, reading and writing, where the oratory part is not given importance in the educational institutes, which is a drawback in the upgrowth of children. Rhetoric in a broad sense means 'to convince'. We can see this quality in most of the best orators like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Barack Obama, Abdul Kalam.

To talk about the speech from a rhetorical perspective, I've taken the famous speech of Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam. Its known with a title "Kalam's Indian Vision 2020." This speech is known to be one of the most inspirational speech given by Abdul Kalam to the people of India.

The speech is started by directly approaching the main point. The main idea of the whole speech is given in the first sentence itself.

"I have three visions for India."

The three main canvas of Rhetoric;
* Logos - using logic thus to appeal to the reason.
* Ethos - using ethics thus to appeal to the ethical principal and
* Pathos - Emotion is cleverly and satisfactorily used by Mr.Kalam in this speech.

Secondly, comes his style. Style is the manner of expressing thought in language; and more over particularly giving it skillful expression with fitting dignity and distinction. As its said that a man style is mirror of his mind and character, we see that Mr.Kalam's style represent his humanity and humble nature. We can see that his interest, lies in developing not only the nation but also the mind set of the people of the nation.

This speech has its own style and the expression is direct and easily said so that even a layman can understand without any difficulty.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Priya, P, II BA English

Priya, P, writes..:

I Have a Dream Speech by Martin Luther King

Analysis from a Rhetorical Perspective:

Studying other speakers is a critical skill, and quite an essential skill for a public speaker because through this ability to analyze a speech (will) gives some new strength of my heart.

The Speech Objectives:

In this speech by Martin Luther King’s goal is to get freedom from everything in America. I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King speech is full of educated and motivate the people of his own country. In this speech of Martin Luther King’s primary message being delivered. Such is that “to get freedom.” Why the Martin Luther King delivering this speech means to know about their rights, they can live in the country of their own land, to come together to win sweet land of liberty. Exactly he is a right person. So that only the people of Negro listened his speech and followed his ways.

The Audience and Context for the Speech:

I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King is used different kinds of techniques to connect with an audience.

King delivery of the speech on August 28, 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the march on Washington for jobs and freedom was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Speech Content and Structure:

The content and structure of the speech is selected and organized to achieve the primary speech objective. The content of the speech is freedom and structure is long.

The Speech Opening:

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King opening with clear establish the intent of the presentation and its opening with memorable.

The Speech Body:

The author Martin Luther King organized the famous sketch of his ‘I Have a Dream’ is easy to follow everybody, and he presented smoothly from one part of the presentation to the next.

The Speech Conclusion:

‘I Have a Dream’ is appropriate there – a call to action. Delivery skills and techniques:- Martin Luther knows the best speakers know precisely when to use every tool how to use and for what purpose.

Historical Significance:

“I Have a Dream” is the popular name given to the historic public speech by Martin Luther King Jr, when he spoke of his desire for a future where blacks and whites among others desire for a future where blacks and whites among others would coexist harmoniously as equals. King’s delivery of the speech on August 28, 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln memorial during the march on Washington for jobs and freedom was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. Delivered to over 2,50,000 Civil Rights supporters, the speech is often considered to be one of the greatest and most notable speeches in history and was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century by a 1999 poll of scholars of public address.

Conclusion:
The ‘I Have a Dream’ speech by Martin Luther king featured is in the form of extracts, passages or lines from the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King. This speech can be described as a motivational speech, persuasive speech or inspirational speech. The celebrated Martin Luther King had excellent powers of oration which are highlighted forever in History by the dream speech by Martin Luther King.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Nadhiya, N, II BA English

Nadhiya, N, writes:

Famous Speech of Martin Luther King:

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C

“I Have a Dream” is the popular name given to the historic public speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., when he spoke of his desire for a future where blacks and whites among others would coexist harmoniously as equals. King’s delivery of the speech on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. Delivered to over 2,50,000 civil rights supporters, the speech is often considered to be one of the greatest and most notable speeches in history and was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century by a 1999 poll of scholars of public address. According to U.S Representative John Lewis, who also spoke that day as the President of the student Non-violent coordinating committee. “Dr.King had the power, the ability and the Lincoln Memorial into a modern day pulpit. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations.

At the end of the speech, King departed from his prepared text for a partly improvised peroration on the theme of “I Have a Dream”, possibly prompted by Mahalia Jackson’s cry, “Tell them about the dream, Martin!” He had delivered a speech incorporating some of the same sections in Detroit in June 1963, when he marched on Woodward Avenue with Walter Reuther and the Reverend C.L. Franklin, and rehearsed other parts.

In this historic speech, King said he had a dream that white and black children would one day walk hand in hand and that one day sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners would be able to agree to live together.

The 1950s, 1960s and 1970s were tremendously difficult times for African-Americans. They were not treated like white Americans simply because of their skin colour. And the laws protected the bad treatment they got. Laws requiring “separate” hotels, restaurants, schools and even drinking fountains were common in many states.

Martin Luther King was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, a drive to get more equal treatment for all Americans, not just white Americans.

This speech was important in several ways:

It brought even greater attention to the Civil Rights Movement, which had been going on for many years. King’s speech was part of the March on Washington, a gathering of more than 250,000 people in the nation’s capital. African-Americans still were not treated as equals. Marches like this one and ones earlier in Detroit and other cities called attention to this fact.

The speech was given in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial, the monument honouring President Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the Southern States. By giving his speech there, King was wanting to call attention to how things were terrible a century before (during the Civil War) and how some things hadn’t changed so very much in 100 years.

It brought Martin Luther King and his message of non-violence to a nationwide (and worldwide) audience. The speech was carried on radio and was reprinted in newspapers and magazines all over the United States and all over the world. After this speech, the name Martin Luther King was known to many more people than before.

It made Congress move faster in passing the Civil Rights Act. This set of laws was finally passed the next year, in 1964. Many of these laws gave African-Americans more equal treatment than they ever had before.
Martin Luther King continued to speak out for Civil rights and for non-violence. Sadly, he was killed in 1968. But the memory of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech and the message it continues to live on.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Rajesh Kumar, N, II BA English

Rajesh writes..:

Clinton Speech - Farewell Address:

My fellow citizens, tonight is my last opportunity to speak to you from the Oval Office as your President.

I am profoundly grateful to you for twice giving me the honor to serve, to work for you and with you to prepare our nation for the 21st century. And I'm grateful to Vice President Gore, to my Cabinet secretaries, and to all those who have served with me for the last eight years. This has been a time of dramatic transformation, and you have risen to every new challenge. You have made our social fabric stronger, our families healthier and safer, our people more prosperous.

You, the American people, have made our passage into the global information age an era of great American renewal. In all the work I have done as president, every decision I have made, every executive action I have taken, every bill I have proposed and signed, I've tried to give all Americans the tools and conditions to build the future of our dreams, in a good society, with a strong economy, a cleaner environment, and a freer, safer, more prosperous world. I have steered my course by our enduring values: opportunity for all, responsibility from all, a community of all Americans.

I have sought to give America a new kind of government, smaller, more modern, more effective, full of ideas and policies appropriate to this new time, always putting people first, always focusing on the future. Working together, America has done well. Our economy is breaking records, with more than 22 million new jobs, the lowest unemployment in 30 years, the highest home ownership ever, the longest expansion in history.

Our families and communities are stronger. 35 million Americans have used the family leave law. Eight million have moved off welfare. Crime is at a 25-year low. Over 10 million Americans receive more college aids, and more people than ever are going to college. Our schools are better. Higher standards, greater accountability and larger investments have brought higher test scores, and higher graduation rates.

More than three million children have health insurance now, and more than 7 million Americans have been lifted out of poverty. Incomes are rising across the board. Our air and water are cleaner. Our food and drinking water are safer. And more of our precious land has been preserved, in the continental United States, than at any time in 100 years. America has been a force for peace and prosperity in every corner of the globe. I'm very grateful to be able to turn over the reins of leadership to a new President, with America in such a strong position to meet the challenges of the future.

Tonight, I want to leave you with three thoughts about our future. First, America must maintain our record of fiscal responsibility. Through our last four budgets, we've turned record deficits to record surpluses, and we've been able to pay down 600 billion dollars of our national debt, on track to be debt free by the end of the decade for the first time since 1835. Staying on that course will bring lower interest rates, greater prosperity, and the opportunity to meet our big challenges. If we choose wisely, we can pay down the debt, deal with the retirement of the baby boomers, invest more in our future and provide tax relief.

Second, because the world is more connected every day in every way, America's security and prosperity require us to continue to lead in the world. At this remarkable moment in history, more people live in freedom than ever before. Our alliances are stronger than ever. People all
around the world look to America to be a force for peace and prosperity, freedom and security. The global economy is giving more of our own people, and billions around the world, the chance to work and live and raise their families with dignity.

But the forces of integration that have created these good opportunities also make us more subject to global forces of destruction, to terrorism, organized crime and narco-trafficking, the spread of deadly weapons and disease, the degradation of the global environment.

The expansion of trade hasn't fully closed the gap between those of us who live on the cutting edge of the global economy and the billions around the world who live on the knife's edge of survival. This global gap requires more than compassion. It requires action. Global poverty is a powder keg that could be ignited by our indifference.

In his first inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson warned of entangling alliances. But in our times, America cannot and must not disentangle itself from the world. If we want the world to embody our shared values, then we must assume a shared responsibility. If the wars of the 20th century, especially the recent ones in Kosovo and Bosnia, have taught us anything, it is that we achieve our aims by defending our values and leading the forces of freedom and peace. We must embrace boldly and resolutely that duty to lead, to stand with our allies in word and deed, and to put a human face on the global economy so that expanded trade benefits all people in all nations, lifting lives and hopes all across the world.

Third, we must remember that America cannot lead in the world unless here at home we weave the threads of our coat of many colors into the fabric of one America. As we become ever more diverse, we must work harder to unite around our common values and our common humanity. We must work harder to overcome our differences. In our hearts and in our laws, we must treat all our people with fairness and dignity, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation and regardless of when they arrived in our country, always moving toward the more perfect union of our founders' dreams.

Hillary, Chelsea, and I join all Americans in wishing our very best to the next President, George W. Bush, to his family and his Administration in meeting these challenges and in leading freedom's march in this new century.

As for me, I'll leave the presidency more idealistic, more full of hope than the day I arrived and more confident than ever that America's best days lie ahead. My days in this office are nearly through, but my days of service, I hope, are not. In the years ahead, I will never hold a position higher or a covenant more sacred than that of President of the United States. But there is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizen.

Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.
The William Jefferson Clinton Speech - Farewell Address:

The William Jefferson Clinton Speech - Farewell Address featured is in the form of extracts, passages or lines from the William Jefferson Clinton Speech - Farewell Address. A speech by Bill Clinton can be described as a motivational speech, persuasive speech or inspirational speech. A Quote or citation from the William Jefferson Clinton Speech - Farewell Address provides an illustration of, or allusion to, the famous events of the day during the era of Bill Clinton. Use the William Jefferson Clinton Speech - Farewell Address with passages and lines taken as direct citations from this famous Presidential Speech using the language and words used by Bill Clinton in their own language and dialect within the content of the Presidential speech. This well-known Presidential speech by Bill Clinton, famed for its powers of verbal and oral communication, makes excellent use of the words and language. Use of native tongue of Bill Clinton within the speech makes it powerful and relevant to historic occasions. A persuasive, motivational and inspirational speech by Bill Clinton. An American President's speech, such as those by Bill Clinton can contain various subjects and topics ranging from inaugural, farewell, ceremonial, tribute, acceptance and commemorative but each President speech is informative. The celebrated Bill Clinton had excellent powers of oration which are highlighted forever in History by the William Jefferson Clinton Speech - Farewell Address

Assignment on Rhetoric - Hebzibah Nancy, G, II BA English

Hebzibah Nancy, G, writes...:
Barack Obama’s Rhetorical Skill, His ability to captivate and Inspire Audiences with his powerful speeches:

What is the secret of his success – the word themselves, the way he delivers them, or the historical change he represents?

“I believe Barack Obama embodies, more than any other politician, the ideals of American eloquence," says Ekaterina Haskins, professor of rhetoric at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

His speeches, she argues, are shaded with subtle echoes of great speeches past, consciously creating a sense of history, purpose and continuity.

"He has certainly studied all of his predecessors, he is quite aware of the rhetorical heritage that he draws on," Ms Haskins explains. "He clearly sees himself as a descendant of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King."
"He is summoning the ghosts of previous leaders and presidents who Americans have learnt to revere."

On winning the election, his Chicago address echoed two of the most famous speeches in US history - Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Gettysburg address and the words spoken by assassinated civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King the day before his death.
Philip Collins, a speech-writer for former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, is in no doubt that Mr Obama owes his success to his oratorical gifts.
"He has shown the power of brilliant rhetorical force," says Mr Collins, a leader writer for the UK's Times newspaper.
Initially, Mr Obama's speeches, peppered with references to lofty ideals like "change", "promise" and "belief" prompted criticism that they were devoid of content and policy.
He began to add policy detail as the campaign progressed but his speech at the Democratic Convention was regarded as less engaging by some observers, precisely because of the number of concrete proposals it contained.

Ms Haskins argues that Mr Obama has other techniques for avoiding the charge of pure rhetoric, adding weight and depth to the abstract with solid illustrations.

"Rhetoric always has the connotations of being about appearances rather than reality but he doesn't sound false. He plays with the patriotic abstractions that allow for a certain kind of rhetorical manoeuvring and fills them with specific concrete examples," she says.
His victory speech, delivered in Chicago, channelled broad ideas of the struggle of a generation through the eyes of 106-year-old Ann Nixon Cooper, who has become a celebrity in her own right.
But does the poetry of his campaign risk stumbling when it faces the more prosaic role of holding office?

Many commentators pinpoint the "A More Perfect Union" speech, made in March 2008 in the aftermath of a scandal about his former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, as one of Mr Obama's finest.

Evidence of Rev Wright's inflammatory sermons risked irrevocably damaging Mr Obama's candidacy but his response managed to tackle the question of race in US society with delicacy.
It was a speech which wrapped the experience of different races together, expressing understanding for the deep-seated, lingering resentments of each and presenting himself as the embodiment of unity.

For Mr Collins, it remains the only speech, so far, that will not fade. Rousing campaigning speeches, however perfectly pitched and presented, he says, do not test the true mettle of a politician. What does is a speech that attempts to change the opinions of those who disagree with you.
"The weakness of Obama's rhetoric so far is that it is so agreeable. There is almost nothing he says with which you can disagree. We need to wait for the big moments, the foreign policy challenges, for the great Obama speeches."

Yet print out and read a transcript of a speech by Mr Obama and you may be disappointed. Virginia Sapiro, professor of political science at Boston University, suggests this is because the way Mr Obama delivers his speeches is as important as his words.
"He looks at all times in possession of himself - he is very calm, with an inner peace in his delivery which, in a time of crisis, is very important."
Ms Haskins agrees: "I've been going through his speeches textually. The text alone cannot tell us why they are so powerful, it is about delivery."
He may have calmness, notes Mr Collins, but the range of his delivery - the way he alters his pace, tone and rhythm - is closer to song.

"His style of delivery is basically churchy, it's religious: the way he slides down some words and hits others - the intonation, the emphasis, the pauses and the silences," he explains. "He is close to singing, just as preaching is close to singing. All writing is a rhythm of kinds and he brings it out, hits the tune. It's about the tune, not the lyrics, with Obama.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Vignesh Ram, A, II BA English

Vignesh Ram, A, writes...:

Famous Speech of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and analysis of its Rhetorical perspective:

Sixty one years ago our would be first Prime Minister of free India delivers a speech which is intended to inspire what was to be the independent spirit of our Nation. And it is this great articulation that will be looked into in detail from a Rhetorical perspective in the following:

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru talks to a multitude of eager Indians about their duty and responsibility in handling the new power vested in their hands on that eventful day. He speaks elaborately about the hardships involved in the days that would follow the 15th of August, 1947. His speech, we find, is emotionally, politically and patriotically quite profound. He in a methodical way, conveys his idea of what an independent India would be like and how the free Indiana should work, labour to achieve that goal.

To every great speech ever delivered in the history of mankind the most important aspect is and always has been the opening line. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru begins this historical speech with this line:

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very systematically.”


Thus delivering the expository line of his entire rhetoric he forges his way into the speech. He does not mince his words in making it clear to the listening public, the difficulties the nation has gone through so far and the challenges it would face from posterity. He addresses the soul of our nation and recognizes the sufferings of our people. He captures and conveys this thought as follows:

“A moment comes which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, then an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.”

He urges every Indian, on that day to pledge his/her allegiance to India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity. He reminds every Indian that the independence from the British Raj is only a step even being an achievement. At the same time, he makes them aware of the magnitude of power and responsibility awarded to them by this mighty achievement. We find that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, being as the scholar he was, makes full use of his oratorical dexterity to embed these ideas in the minds of the Indian public to leave a rather deep impression.

Thus making his primary idea, he arrives at a fitting conclusion that is self explanatory and shall be left for itself to exhibit its rhetorical aesthetics. Peace has been said to be indivisible, so is freedom, so is prosperity now, and so also is disaster in this one world that can no longer be split into isolated fragments. To the people of India whose representatives we are, we make appeal to join us with faith and confidence in this great adventure. This is no time for petty and destructive criticism, no time for ill-will or blaming others. We have to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell.”

Assignment on Rhetoric - Dayananth,J, II BA English

Dayananth, J, writes..:
Rhetorical and Historical Importance of Mahatma Gandhi’s Speech on Indo – Pak Conflict

This is one of the famous speeches of Mahatma Gandhiji on Kashmir Issue, which he addressed in the Prayer meeting on January 4, 1948 where he justified Indian government for having taken the Issue (Kashmir Issue) to U.N.O and also stressed the importance of Peace talks between India and Pakistan. He started the speech with these very lines “Today there is a talk of war everywhere. Everyone fears a war breaking out between the two countries.” This is how he started the historically important speech.

He also insisted in that speech that if a war breaks between India and Pakistan it would be a calamity for both Nations and added however trivial the issue may appear to be, it could lead to a war between the Nations.

He also suggested that the denial of Pakistan will bot settle the matter and requested to get out of the Kashmir Issue which has been creating a war hysteria and to arrive at settlement through bilateral negotiations. He also warned if such settlements cannot be made through Peace talks it would definitely lead to war. Thereby he justified the decision taken by the Union Government to take up the issue to U.N.O. He also didn’t mind whatever the attitude of Pakistan may be as he clearly said, “If I had my way I would have invited Pakistan’s representatives to India and we could have met, discussed the matter and worked out some settlement. He also quoted the Pakistan’s statement that they want an amicable settlement but they do nothing to such settlement.

Even on that stand he humbly told the responsible leaders of Pakistan “though we are now two countries – which is a thing I never wanted – we should at least try to arrive at an agreement so that we could live as peaceful neighbours. He also acknowledged that “the mistakes were made on both sides, of this no one have no doubt. But this does not mean that we should persist in those mistakes, for then in the end we shall only destroy ourselves. Bringing the subject to an end he suggested that India and Pakistan should come together if God as witness and find amicable settlement. Thereby he made a call for peace.

Besides the Kashmire issue, he addressed a domestic issue which happened in Delhi over which he was really concerned by that time. He was very upset because many of the children and women were exploited. By that time he made the speech he was quite worried about the internal conflict that were happening in the capital, where there were world representatives looking into. Having compassion in his mind he was very conscious in keeping up the Government norms by advising the people not to go against the law. He also termed the people as Barbarians who indulged in making women and children as a shield for their protection. And in the concluding part of his speech he insisted reconciliation which would prevent the third person’s interference and comments.

This speech is both rhetorically and historically important. Rhetorically it is important because Gandhiji takes on the stand of common man’s perspective. The main objective of his speech is to avoid a war between India and Pakistan. He however manages to express his powerful thoughts in a moderate way. This is also rhetorically important because of his humble approach without compromise and also his positive attitude towards peace, which clearly reflects his ahimsa ideology and his tendency to admit the mistakes in both ends and go for peace proves him as a peace maker. Throughout the speech he was very conscious of not letting other country to intervene and laugh at us.

Historically Mahatma Gandhiji’s Speech on Kashmir issue is important because it happened immediately after few months of India’s freedom and also the event took place in the same month of Gandhiji’s assassination. Since the event which Gandhiji quoted in his speech happened in Delhi capital of India, it becomes historical fact. Since it was the first war hysteria between India and Pakistan it was of historical importance. It was also the first interference of the U.N.O between India and Pakistan.

Gandhi’s thought is full of rich values that to be adopted. His way of approach and firm stand is exemplary. His heart for keeping peace and mind for keeping law is genuine. His patriotism and love for neighboring country is also revealed in his speech. His effort in bringing in peace between Hindus and Muslims causes his death which is the saddest part of all. As we face the same turmoil at present, we will have to follow the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhiji the “Father of Our Nation.”

Assignment on Rhetoric - Georgy Varghese, II BA English

Georgy Varghese writes..:

Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny.’

‘Tryst with Destiny’ was a speech made by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India. The Speech was made to the Indian constituent Assembly, on the eve of India’s independence, towards midnight on August 14, 1947. It focuses on the aspects that transcend India’s history. It is considered in modern India to be a landmark oration that captures the essence of the triumphant culmination of the hundred-year Indian freedom struggle against the British Empire in India.

Looking from a Rhetoric perspective ‘Tryst with Destiny’ is a special speech in which Nehru portrays the problems and challenges of Independent India very well. He urges the people to get together and dwell in peace.

“We have to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell.” His language and style is highly impressive.

“And so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams.” Those dreams are for India but they are also for the world.”

He had mentioned about all sectors in the society and challenged all of them. Nehru says freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests upon this Assembly, a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India. Before the birth of freedom we have endured all the pains of labour and our hearts are heavy with the memory of the sorrow. Some of those pains continues even now. Nevertheless, the past is over and it is the future that beckons to us now.

Nehru acknowledges the realities, he says, the service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over.

Rather than celebrating Nehru asks people to work more harder so that India could wipe away poverty from its soil. This speech is so significant and it has got a big historical importance.

The speech is referenced in the 1988 Hindi film “Earth” directed by Deepa Mehta. The film portrays the main characters listening to the speech on radio, against the backdrop of the Hindu-Muslim riots following the Partition of India. This provides an interesting juxtaposition between the realities of partition and the optimism that followed Independence. His speech is appreciable from a rhetoric perspective. He is a famous crowd puller.

Assignment on Rhetoric - Samuel Finny, M, II BA English -

Assignment topic: - Choose any one famous speech of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam that interests you, and analyse its structure from a Rhetorical perspective, and also comment on its historical significance.

Samuel Finny, M, Writes:

The Speech by Dr.Abdul Kalam on the eve of the 59th Independence Day:

This is the speech by Dr.Abdul Kalam delivered to the Nation of India on the evening of the 59th Independence Day. This particular speech talks about the freedom fighters and covers all the aspects of the country. The presentation of Dr.Abdul Kalam is to great the nationalism to each and evey citizen of India. At the time of Independence Day the whole Nation, 110 crores of people, watching the speech of our president. So each and every words have uniqueness and its like a arrow that insert in every heart in India.

His presentation covered all the aspects of Our country like:
*Nature’s Fury and its Management
* Energy Independence
*Goals and Policies
*Energy Independence in Electric Power Generation
*Changing Structure of Energy Sources
*Solar Farms
*Nuclear Energy
*Power through municipal waste
*Power System loss Reduction
*Transportation sector
*Use of biofuels

Each topic was explained in detail and every thing revealed to all Indians. Not only informing but also he express his views personally that the effort of every individual to this great Nation success. As he referred to some of the freedom fighters, it made all the modern Age people to have more spirit of Nationalism.

THE SPEECH OBJECTIVE:
Speaker’s Goal:
The speaker’s goal is to educate the people of India, in such a way as to create a secure life themselves and around forever. The Rhetoric perspective The speaker also aimed to motivate the listeners to create the spirit of nationalism and to also live for others.

Primary Message:
The primary message by Dr.Abdul Kalam within 25 years, “our country should consider as a developed country & the economic status should raise.”

Right Person? :
If any speech delivered by any leader, it has some real useful meaning. As he was the President of India, he supported to give this royal message as well as what he speaks, he is worthy of that. This judgment is by the listeners.

Objective Achieved? :
As the speech was like motivation, it will not achieved suddenly. But it will come true as soon as possible. Because of the power of his speech.
BEFORE THE SPEECH:
Similar, opposed, or unrelated?
As he was the only responsible for this perspective. Then it’s not possible for others to present the same topic before him. Though it relates or has a similar effect of every words interpret the real meaning of (motive) the speech.

Introduced, appropriate? :
Certainly, President should/must introduce appropriate.

Speaker with this topic at this time:
As the time of Independence Day, the audience generally look over the speaker with that topic at that time. Its already preplanned, but the style of speech may differ one another. Former President Dr.Abdul Kalam worthy of it. When he was talking about ------- he point out the freedom fighters and also mentioned how many of them he met.

Level of Confidence:
For Dr.Abdul Kalam, the uniqueness within him is that the level of confidence. All most, in all the speech he used to mention the dates. At this time he mention that within 25 years, the India will never lack for oil and gases from other country. Even in different speech, he said, “In 2020, India will be developed” in all the circumstance of the nation. That is the real spirit and the realism present in his speech. He did not believe only with him but also all the citizens of India. That will bring the result.

THE SPEECH BODY
Presentation focused:
The presentation focused/related back to the primary object. In this speech, at the beginning he taught about the nationalism and after that he covered Nature’s fury & resources, after everything else he comes directly to the audiences, and submit everything in the hands of common people.

Statistic, to support the speech:
In all the part, he gave the examples & statistic provided to the audience, to make the listeners to picturise effectively. In energy Independence, he stated the amount of oil that is 114 million tonnes of oil used by our country. Soon that 75% of gas we are importing from foreign countries, we spend Rs.120,000 crores per year. And the electricity to India 121,000 MW which is 3% of world capacity.

Fortunately for us, 89% of energy used for power generation today is indigenous, from coal (56%), hydroelectricity (25%), nuclear power (3%), and renewable (5%). Solar energy segment contributes just 0.2% of our energy production. These statistics references supported the speech of Dr.Abdul Kalam.

*****

Monday 12 January 2009

Assignment on Rhetoric - Thamil Vanan, V, II BA English

Thamil Vanan, V, "writes":
Speech of Abdul Kalam and Rhetoric Analysis:

Address and interaction with the students of Delhi Public School, Dimapur, by APJ Abdul Kalam, on 27th Dec 2008. Dr Abdul Kalam started his speech with his Christmas greetings and topic for the talk is “Ignited Minds: The Power of the Nation.”

The president had chalked out his speech under different heads. The first being earth moon complex.

Earth-moon-mars Complex:

Dr.Abdul Kalam, here, observes, the scientists and engineers of ISRO made the country proud by precise guiding of the moon Impact probe (MIP) to the specific location of their choice have all been demonstrations of disciplinary and interdisciplinary skills in this high tech area and acknowledged by the world. Here, he personally witnessed, how many different types of hardware and software systems these scientists perfected in a short duration of five years for on board computers of Chandrayan. According to him, they not only completed a successful mission, but had triggered many minds to take up innovative missions of their lives to explore the earth-moon-Mars complex. The distance between earth and mars varies from 55 to 400 million kilometers depending upon their orbital positions.

His experience in Greece:

He shared his beautiful experience, when he visited Greece in April 2007. He negotiating and climbed towards Acropolis mountain top in Athens and came across a group of 150 Greek Students. At that time, he thinks about the great personalities, the land of Greece had given to the world: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Here, he brings out the words of Plato, “Our aim is founding the State was not the disproportionate happiness of any one class, but the greatest happiness of the whole.”

Then, he compared the words of Plato to Tamil poet Saint Thiruvalluvar, around the same period, that is “the important elements that constitute a nation are: being disease free; high earning capacity: high productivity; harmonious living and strong defence.” According to him, we have to provide all these elements to the citizens of every nation on an equitable basis for happiness for all.

Knowledge:

According to Dr.Kalam, knowledge is a combination of creativity + righteousness + courage. Young students can acquire knowledge from home, good books, teachers and teaching environment.

First one is Righteousness:

“Where there is righteousness in the heart There is beauty in Character. Another component of courage which is characterized by Courage:
“Courage to think different,
Courage to invent,Courage to discover the impossible,Courage to travel into an unexplored path,Courage to combat the problems and Succeed are the unique qualities of the youth,” according to him.

Save or better someone life:-

While talking about good deeds, he was reminded of the advice given to Mahatma Gandhiji by his mother. She says, “Son, in your entire life time, if you can save or better someone’s life, your birth as a human being and your life is a success. You have the blessing of the Almighty God”. This advice has made a deep impact in the mind of Gandhiji, which made him to work for the humanity throughout his life.

Together we will win:

According to Dr.Abdul Kalam, life is more than winning for ourselves. Life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. Here he reveals, “I would say that, you do not have to slow down. Rather by helping difficult areas, the feed back will make you go faster. If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts as well as someone else’s. “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”.

Indomitable Spirit:-

Dr.Abdul Kalam narrates an experience which happened in Mexico, quoted from a book caleed “Everyday Greatness.”
A riot was raging in La Mesa Prison in Mexico. Twenty five hundred prisoners were packed into a compound, which had been built for only six hundred. They angrily hurled broken bottles at the police who fired back with machine guns. Then came a startling sight. A tiny five feet two inches, sixty three year old woman, calmly got into the crowd, with outstretched hands, in a simple gesture of peace. Ignoring the shower of bullets, she stood quietly and asked every one to stop. Incredibly every one did. No one else in the world, but Sister Antonia could have done this. Why did the people listen to her? All because of her decades of service to the prisoners by her choice. She sacrificed all her life for the sake of prisoners lived in the midst of murderers, thieves and drug lords all of whom she called her sons. She attended their needs round the clock, procured antibiotics, distributed eyeglasses, washed bodies for the burial and counselled the suicidal. This selfless act of love and compassion generated the respect among the prisoners to control
themselves and urged them to do what she wanted them to do. What a great message for humanity? We have seen a leader with compassion is there for even prisoners, but we need leaders with compassion for the voiceless people of millions in the world.

Youth Power:

Now, he talks about power of youth. According to him, ignited minds of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. And he convinced that the youth power, if properly directed and controlled, could bring about transformational changed in humanity for its progress, meeting its challenges and bring peace and prosperity. According to him, if we give a proper direction and manner, they can achieve anything from any part of the world.

Conclusion:

He concludes his talk by administering an oath for the youth. “As a youth, all of you have a responsibility to work for universal harmony by ironing out all the causes of conflicts.

Oath for the youth:

1. I will have a goal and work hard to achieve that goal. I realize that small aim is a crime.
2. I will always be righteous in the heart which leads to beauty in the character; beauty in the character brings harmony in the home, harmony in the home leads to order in the nation and order in the nation leads to peace in the world.
3. I will work with integrity and succeed with integrity.
4. I will be a good citizen, a good member of my family, a good member of the society, a good member of the nation and a good member of the world.
5. I will always try to save or better someone’s life. Wherever I am, a thought will always come to my mind. That is “What can I give?”
6. I will always protect and enhance the dignity of every human life.
7. I will always remember that “Let not my winged days, be spent in vain”.
8. I will always work for Clean Green Energy and Clean planet Earth.
9. As a youth of the Globe, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all my tasks and enjoy the success of others.