Welcome to the Gender Fest. Students, Hurry up and Register for some exciting events.The Dean's Student Welfare and Centre for Women's Studies is organising a Gender Law Fest with support from the National Commission for Women and, assistance from Simbiosis Law, School Hyderabad. Students please go ahead and register.
The Centre for Women's Studies and Department of History is organising a talk by Shri. Sajjad Shahid, a well known authority on Deccani culture and a heritage activist who has contributed immensely to the understanding of the Deccani culture and society. All are welcome.
With the History Department faculty at Ram Lal Anand College in Delhi on 23rd October, 2018.
For A NAAC visit on 22nd October, 2018, in Delhi at Ram Lal Anand College with their Principal, Rakesh Gupta, Prof. B. A. Chopade, Vice Chancellor Marathwada University, Prof. Thavamani. A very hectic but excellent day. A beautiful, green, clean campus and very aesthetically done and maintained
On Vijaydasmi day, 18th October, 2018, my friend Malti Surya took me to Brahma Kumaris which is very close to my house. Though not a regular visitor, I am familiar with this place for our University celebrates it's convocation in their peace Auditorium and it is on the way of my morning walk. There was a cultural celebration and I did nor regret spending the evening here. There were people from twenty one countries across the world that participated in this cultural programme. It was nice to see a two hours program that did not bank on Bolly wood for its songs and dance. The dancers from foreign countries were dancing to Indian bhajans and doing the Indian dance moves. There was a juggler from Argentina, a flute player from Russia and many more. All of them were members of the Brahma Kumaris from around the world. I felt happy to see the Brahma Kumari spreading not only the message of spirituality but that of Indian culture too. Some of the foreigners also sang songs of Shiva in their own accent.Their dance moves were perfect and they wore the saree with great elegance and grace. The Telengana Government which celebrates this period as Bathukamma also partnered with them. Bathukamma is a unique festival of flowers, joy, harmony where women become one with nature and celebrate its bounty through a certain dance form. A wonderful evening and by seeing so many young participants from different countries, I was left in admiration for the beauty of Indian culture and religion that attracts so many young people to accept our culture, its religious philosophy and learn it. Indeed in this sense the Brahma Kumari are doing a great service by keeping the torch of our spirituality burning bright.This was not just about religion or spirituality but the joy of celebration.
Very happy to share with all, my latest book, Multicultural Perspectives on aging, which I have edited with Prof. Theo Van der Weide and is published by IGI Global, Pennsylvania, USA. I have only seen a soft copy now and hope, I get to see the hard copy when I reach India. Thanks to all who have been part of this journey and thanks to all the Professors and my friends, Shahida Murtaza, Ishita Mukhopadhyay, Manimekhalai, Lalitha Sami, Usha VT. Sita Vanka, for being part of the Editorial Board.
On 1st october, 2018, the University of Hyderabad celebrated its Twentieth Convocation, amidst a riot of colours and a stage bedecked with beautiful coloured flowers. The degrees were given by the illustrious Chancellor Justice L. Narsimha Reddy and Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member of the Niti Aayog and former Director of the DRDO. The students looked very graceful and lovely, the girls in their white crisp sarees and the boys in Kurta's, Pyjamas or dhoti. I am so glad that we have given up the Colonial gowns for the Convocation, which were being used few years back and now with these ethnic dresses, there is an Indian touch to our Convocation. The whole environment was festive and it was great to know that our University featured in the year 2018,in the QS Top 50,Universities in the world that are under 50 years. It was nice to meet Pooja from the History Department, who got a gold medal and Arnav from Human Rights and in whose DC I was a member.
