‘Connected Classroom’, Dell’s IT Solution to Modern Education

Growing up in the digital age, youth today have the opportunity for greater access to technology and information than any previous generation. They have the whole world at their fingertips. And to enhance and equip students and teachers with 21st century skills to compete in today’s global economy, Dell launched ‘Purpose-built Latitude-2100 notebook’, a new range of solutions in India, christened “Connected Classroom”, which is targeted at the education sector to help schools hold classes using the latest technology.

“The idea behind the Dell Connected Classroom is simple, through its ability to stimulate learning on multiple levels; technology can enhance the classroom experience for both teachers and students”, said the Director of Solutions Marketing-Public Sector (APJ), Kriti Kapoor.

It is currently available in the US, UK, Mexico, Brazil, China, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. And it focuses on the sectors like education, defence, healthcare and government through its public division, which was created in November, 2009.

Prof. Marmar Mukhopadhyay (a moderator, policy maker, planner, author, researcher), addresses the reporters saying. “The agenda is to generate ‘Thinking based learning’, as it is crucial to bring about a positive turmoil in our new emerging India. Introducing technology in classrooms will certainly take away the fear factor and generate confidence. But we have to be extremely cautious about introducing any technology that encourages spoon-feeding as it will make our next generation incompetent.”

Explaining which Prof. M M Pant, member of Board of Management, IIT, Delhi, said, “Thinking and Computing are complementary components that has helped in growing from Agricultural economy to Knowledge economy, it enhances the ability to formulate new problems by thinking and then find new solutions for them.”

The company is working towards active and interactive participation of the government, community, teachers, students and their parents; it is in discussion with schools, both private and public, for deployment. The cost of the solution would start at about Rs 3 lakh per classroom for a 24-student set-up.

“The education vertical is going to be a key area of focus for Dell in the current financial year. Through this solution, we are increasingly focusing on providing mobility and the education sector will look at strengthening that position. There are currently 1.3 million schools in India with ICT penetration of approximately 14%, out of 7% of India’s population going online, 44% of these netizens are students”, estimated Dell India General Manager (Public Division), Neeraj Gupta.

“Textual knowledge integrated with technology can become standardized global education, no one can replace the teacher but technology can serve as an effective tool and an added advantage for better learning and understanding process”, concluded Dr. Shyama Chona, Renowned Educationist.

World of Ephemeral Pleasures

An experience of Divinity in its simple elegant form has been presented through a very opulent and graceful advance by the artist, Megha Joshi, who has attempted to capture the essence of the nature during the season of Hanami by blending the cultures and traditional arts of India and Japan. Presented by the Mirart Fine Arts “Golden Spring” an exhibition of Japanese Art to be held till 15 May at ‘ai’, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, has put forth a universal idea through simple elements of nature.

It all began when Megha, who practiced more in the conceptual space with sculptures and installations which is a genre of complex art, open to various interpretations and discussions was posed with a challenge by Meera Kakar, the curator, to embrace a new style and approach to creating by fusing the aesthetic art of the Land of the Rising Sun with the sumptuous tradition of India. She accepted it and after a lot of research, produced a very delicate and oriental form of art that has the golden base and fabric textures of Japan unified with the spring aroma of India.

Exhibited at a perfect location like ‘ai’, a very prestigious Japanese restaurant in Delhi, the exhibition imposes an ambience where art and gastronomy has been fused together. Here golden spring fabric designs with Sakura (cherry blossom), kimono, and leafy textures embracing the magnificence of new life surrounds you on one hand and the delectable summer Japanese menu of ‘ai’ comes as a complete delight on the other.

The Chef De Cuisine, Vikram Khatri, indulges in the process of feeding all your senses and presents an enchanting round of cuisines where there is Cold Mushroom soup with mixed green salad, appealing Tuna Maki rolls with Wasabi (horse radish), fresh ginger and Soya sauce. Then accompanies the Miso soup with Bonita flakes and tofu, along with the mouth-watering Ceviche (sea food) with Okinawa chilies and yuzu sauce. For the main course comes the luscious Terriyaki chicken, Garlic fried rice and Rayu noodles with spring onions and sesame seeds. To top it up is the delicious green tea ice-cream and the green tea opera cake which makes it all in all a truly heavenly experience.

“It has been a meditative journey, from unlearning the complex modern theories of ideas to concentrating on a Zen-like approach towards creating aesthetics and imbibing the simple classic beauty of Japanese motifs which are so humble and genuine”, says the vibrant artist who now works upon a 300kg sculpture on social networking culture. She adds, “This is my first individual approach, and I am happy to have shared it with Meera, who inspired the whole secular decorative tradition”.

A very confident Meera appreciatively says, “The inherent beauty spontaneously inspires you to embrace the splendor of life around you. The spiritual spirit around the luxurious warming, envelopes the senses at the first sight, therefore making the entire approach more philosophical and divine”.

Mistress of Colours

Along with innocence in eyes, simplicity in expressions and vivacity in her smile, Salvya. S. Raj, a student of class VIII of Rani Public School, Vatakara, talks about her recent achievements in water colour painting.

The daughter of Mr. Sasidharan. C (Inspector in CRPF) and Mrs. Samja. K. K was awarded the first prize in the International Art & Craft Contest 2009-10 conducted by Pidilite Industries Limited. It was selected among seven lakh candidates from all over the world. She also bagged the fifth prize in the International Painting competition on ‘Climate Change’ conducted by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Her entry was selected among 2.4 million entries from more than 100 countries and has now been selected as an E-Card.

After all the recognitions, filled with excitement the artist from Tellicherry, Kannur, Kerala welcomes all to her First exhibition “Let us be Green” at Travancore Art Gallery, Kasturba Gandhi Marg from 6 to 8 May at 5:30pm onwards. It will be inaugurated by Hon’ble M. O. S Agriculture, Government of India, Prof. K. V. Thomas and the Guest of Honour will be Film Director, Shri. Sasi Paravoor.

The admirer of the works of Milind Mulick and Sadu Aliyur says, “Never mind if you have to face great difficulties in life, one must be determined to struggle and flourish their talents to success.” She adds, “When I start painting I tend to get so deeply involved that I forget the world around me, my love and passion for art has given me a distinct identity.”

[Our Mistress of Colours has also achieved the CCRT National Scholarship in Painting, first prize and the Best Artist award 2009-10 in the All Kerala Painting Contest conducted by Thapasya-Kadalundi. The winner of more than 25 gold medals most humbly says, “I want to thank my parents and my art teachers Santhosh Chirakkara and Lohithakshan (Gitanjali) to whom I owe all my success.]

Our Mistress of Colours at such a tender age, through her paintings has taken a massive leap to grow awareness globally about saving our Earth from the devastations of climate change and global warming. All her creations portrays the images of lush green sceneries, glittering streams, smoke free surroundings putting forth the message of how magnificently beautiful our world would be if its made pollution-free. The winner of more than 25 gold medals most humbly says, “Through the medium of colours I want to reach one and all and urge them to contribute their part to save our nature, our home.”

‘I am Kalam’- The Voice of the Deprived

“It is essential that we enlighten and create widespread awareness of education among all sections of society particularly in rural areas and among the urban poor”, a quotation of former President of India, A P J Abdul Kalam, that sparked the idea of “I am Kalam”, 87-minute Hindi feature film.
An inspiring production of the Smile Foundation and Eleeanora Images Private Limited, “I am Kalam”, with a budget of 2.1crore will have its world premiere at the Marche du Film at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival starting on May 12.

Producer and Director, Nila Madhab Panda, who made over 60 short films, documentaries, television drama and films for national broadcasters, the BBC, Discovery Channel and NGC, now makes his ‘feature film debut’. He has indulged in a very interesting star cast making the film a perfect performer’s piece. It includes the brilliant and heart-touching acting of Delhi slum boy Harsh Mayar who is in the title role of a young Dhaba (road side food joint) boy (Chhotu), veteran Bollywood and international actor Gulshan Grover (as Bhati the Dhaba owner), child actor Hussan Saad of Delhi 6 fame (as Prince Ranvijay), French actress Beatrice Ordeix, FTII-trained Pitobash and Meena Mir. Bidhu Bhushan’s.

Coinciding along a time when the Child’s Right to Education Bill has passed this sensitive film, shot in Bikaner, is not only on the plight of the underprivileged millions deprived of education, but also about how the privileged class can play a role in their upliftment.
The film strikes a chord with an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a contemporary fable. The film is about the world of Chhotu, who starts referring himself as Kalam. Chhotu’s life takes an unexpected turn as he befriends Prince Ranvijay, whose father, is an erstwhile “king” of a princely state where Chhotu goes to deliver tea. Both kids bond big time, and Chhotu starts getting his education informally. Does Chhotu achieve his dream finally; is what the film all about? Chhotu represents millions of other kids who could become many Kalams, but for the unfortunate circumstances they find themselves in.
“The film has a universal appeal and a sense of purpose. I believe that the more local you get, the more global your access will be. I have explored the people’s basic needs and problem of the marginalized, as they are purposeful and exciting along with cinema for children and family; a genre that is much neglected in world cinema and more specifically in Asia”, says Madhab.

“‘I am Kalam’ is a story of struggle that I have faced and observed since my own childhood. The film celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds”, concludes the Director who now works upon his next release “The Curse of the Rat Eaters”. Barbara Brocholli (producer, James bond) would be organizing a screening in UK with special dignitaries from UK industries.