An old photo of History Department

 A student shared an old photo of the students and faculty of the  History Department at University of Hyderabad. This must be some where in 1984 or1985.  I can see Aloka, Sudhir, Kameshwari sitting with a number of students and TRSharma and myself standing. Our attender Kistayya who was famous for spending all his time under a tree which was named the Bodhisattva tree by all of us  is also there.

Class Photo of 1984

 A student had sent this photo, taken some where in 1984,when photographs were not so common like today and none had a mobile phone. Some of these students are in different colleges and I meet them sometimes in Refresher courses. Some thing which strikes me is that all the girls then wore saree to the class, and in the University, some thing which I no longer see now. As I look back, I see thirty five years of the University life passing by with so many students one met down the line, few who touched our lives and the other few whose lives, we  touched, perhaps......

Board of Studies at CUK

 On 13th April, 2016, attended the Board of Studies meeting at the History Department Central University of Karnataka, Gulburga. With Prof Shadakshariah, Nazrul Bari and Sumanth an old student of ours doing Ph. D here.

Women's Studies Narrative

 On 11th April, 2016, I got a copy of my new book in my hands. I am very happy to share my New Book, Pande, Rekha ( Ed), 2016, Women's Studies Narrative: Travails and Triumphs, Pub. The Women Press, New Delhi. Thanks a lot to all my friends in the Women's studies Movement , Gillian Youngs ( U.K.) , Nazmunnessa Mahtab ( Bangladesh), Jayshree ( Kerala), Govind Kelkar ( U.S . office, Philippines ),  Annpurna Nautiyala( Srinagar),  Kifayat Aghayeva ( Azerbaijan), Leila Bijois( Brazil), Olugu( Canada/Africa), Kamala Marius( France), Susan Laird( USA), Moly( Kerala), Maxine Ankarah( Uganda), Ratna Kumari( Andhra), Sumita( Allahabad) for sharing their  experiences and  contributing to this book . I share my experience in Telangana. Speaking from their specific subjective and regional context, they all have added a valuable new dimension to our understanding of the Women's Movement and the establishment of Women's Studies across the world and in different parts of our country. I hope a copy of the  book reaches all my friends soon  and we are all able to share our excitement.

Sarmishta Pre Submission

 Very Happy to see my fourth student giving her Ph. D pre submission seminar on 7th April, 2016. Sarmishta now I will have to see who amongst the four of you submits first.

Interactions with students in Kochi

It was lovely meeting  with  the students at Kochi. Wonderful students and had a lovely time interacting with them. I only hope many of them will come forward to do research in Women's Studies.

Temples in Kochi and Ernakulam

 Meera Bai has a lovely house in Kerala style of architecture. Visited her place. In the evening went around the temples in Kochi and Ernakulam.

Invited as an Erudite Scholar by the Kerala Governemtn, 2016

 Professor Rekha Pande, Head Department of History and Joint Faculty, Centre for Women’s Studies was invited as an Erudite Scholar by the Kerala Government for Gender sensitization and research on Gender issues.The Erudite is one of the innovative concepts undertaken by the State Government of Kerala to rejuvenate the field of higher education in the state and to strengthen research activities of various Universities of Kerala. Envisaged by the Kerala Higher Education Council, it receives special attention from the State Ministry of Education. Eminent academicians from India and abroad are invited to different State Universities under the programme. Erudite, the scholars-in-residence programme is successful in bringing in many renowned academics from within the country and abroad to the universities here in the first phase.

The project aims at providing the teachers and students an opportunity to interact with eminent academicians including Nobel laureates. Education Minister M.A. Baby, informed that about 35 renowned academicians from the country and abroad have been invited in the first phase of the programme. Elaborating on the objectives of the Erudite programme, the Minister said eminent academicians including Nobel laureates will be invited to spend not less than one week in a university department, where they are intended to deliver lectures on topics of their expertise and to interact with the students, both research scholars and postgraduates. The government had sanctioned Rs.7 crore for implementation of the programme, he said.

The programme is strictly residential in character, with the universities providing all facilities required for the visiting scholars. The programme is not conducted in a seminar/conference/workshop model, and it will provide students, researchers and faculty members the opportunity to get in-depth knowledge on areas of the scholars’ expertise. Erudite is intended to provide the students and teachers exposure to thought-provoking lectures. As an Erudite Scholar, Professor Rekha Pande was attached to the Cochin University of Science and Technology ( CUSET) and interacted with students and faculty on various gender issues and had a series of discussions and lectures. Some of the areas that she highlighted included, need for gender sensitization, gender violence, Women’s Movement in India and abroad, sexual harassment at the work place, feminist research methodologies and the aims and objectives of feminist research.

Erudite Scholar at CUSAT

 Reached CUSAT, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Centre for Women's Studies at Kochi on 1st April, 2016. The architecture of Kerala is very beautiful and they have lovely buildings in the University in this style. The students are very interactive. Prof. Meerabai is the Director of the Centre.

Guruvayur Temple in Thissure

 

In Thissure visited the   Guruvayur  Temple on 1st April, 2016. Visited here with Prof. Manimekhalai, Director Centre for Women's Studies, Bharti Dasan University  and Suresh.

Guruvayur is home to the historic Sree Krishna Temple, called the Dwaraka of the South. It is among the most revered and popular pilgrimage destinations in Kerala and the entire country. The central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in 1638 C.E. The architectural style and individual elements inside the shrine are beautiful representations of the history of the place. As per tradition, the shrine faces the East with two Gopurams (tower), one in the East (Kizhakkenada) and other in the West (Padinjarenada).  In the front and the east side of the Nalambalam (a square shaped column) lie the pillars of light called Deepastambam. There are a number of such light pillars in the temple. The eastern side’s Deepastambam is 24 feet in height and has thirteen circular receptacles, making it an absolutely spectacular sight when lit. Another famous sight here is the Dwajasthamba. It is a flag-staff, around 70 feet tall, fully covered with gold.  Only Hindus are allowed inside the Temple. 

Guruvayur Temple is supposed to have been 5,000 years old. In those times, it was known as "Bhooloka Vaikunta" (Abode of God on Earth). The term 'Guruvayur' is said to have been derived from two words, 'Guru' (preceptor of the gods) and 'Vayu' (god of winds). The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is also known by the name of Guruvayoorappan. Due to its reverence, Guruvayur Temple is also known as 'Dakshina Dwaraka' (Southern Dwarka). 

The presiding deity is Lord Krishna is the form of Maha Vishnu (Lord Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The image is depicted in a standing posture, which has four hands holding Shankh (conch), Sudarshana Chakra (a serrated disk), Lotus and Mace. The image is worshipped as Balakrishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is carved out of a rare stone named Patala Anjana. The walls of the main shrine are festooned with beautiful mural paintings and intricate carvings.