Indian-origin academics in UK 'dread' Modi in power, issue open letter

April 23, 2014

London, Apr 23: Around 75 professors and other academics of Indian origin working at some of Britain's prestigious institutions such as Cambridge and Oxford university and London School of Economics today issued an open letter, sharply attacking Narendra Modi and saying, "The idea of Modi in power fills us with dread".
Indian-originThe academics led by Prof. Chetan Bhatt and Gautam Appa of the London School of Economics issued the open letter in the UK"s Left-leaning 'Independent' newspaper.

"As the people of India vote to elect their next government, we are deeply concerned at the implications of a Narendra Modi-led BJP government for democracy, pluralism and human rights in India," the letter said targeting the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate.

"Narendra Modi is embedded in the Hindu Nationalist movement, namely the RSS and other Sangh Parivar groups, with their history of inciting violence against minorities. Some of these groups stand accused in recent terrorist attacks against civilians," the letter titled "The idea of Modi in power fills us with dread" reads.

The letter followed a similar open letter by Indian-origin author Salman Rushdie and artist Anish Kapoor among others in the 'Guardian' earlier this month.

The letter in 'Independent' published here today reads: "There is widespread agreement about the authoritarian nature of Modi"s rule in Gujarat, further evidenced by the recent sidelining of other senior figures within the BJP. This style of governance can only weaken Indian democracy." "Additionally, the Modi-BJP model of economic growth involves close linking of government with big business, generous transfer of public resources to the wealthy and powerful, and measures harmful to the poor.

A Modi victory would likely mean greater moral policing, especially of women, increased censorship and vigilantism, and more tensions with India"s neighbours," the letter reads.

The academics represent some of the leading British educational establishments, including Oxford University"s Prof. Nandini Gooptu and Prof. Joya Chatterji from Cambridge University.

Like most of the other columns in the British media, the letter refers to the Godhra riots as proof of sectarianism in Gujarat under Modi, who has been the chief minister of the western state for 13 years.

"We recall the extreme violence by the Hindu Right in Gujarat in 2002 which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. This violence occurred under Modi"s rule, and senior government and police officials have provided testimony of his alleged role in encouraging or permitting it to occur," the letter says.

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Media Release
July 21,2020

Mangaluru: As many as 22 students of Shakti PU College wrote second PUC exams and from that 8 students passed 
with distinction, 14 students passed with first class, and achieved 100% results in 
science and commerce streams.

Students from science & commerce dept. PRIYA VIONA DSILVA, SANKALPA 
GIRISH, SHARATH KUMAR, KATHIJA RAHIFA, K.T. THARUN AYYAPPA, 
RAHIL UMAR FARUK, TUSHAR S, KDEEJA SHAHAMA, passed with distinction.

Akshaya Acharya, B Anil Kumar, S Writhwik K.T., K.S. Varun, Madhuraj PC, Nazila 
Fathima, Pratheek S, Rajath R Gujaran, Uruthik, Riza Basheer, Saania Eraam, Shreya 
Somanna, P.B. Sayyed Mohammed Moosa, Viba S, passed with first class,

College Director Dr. K.C. Naik, Secretary Sanjith Naik, Advisory chairman Ramesh K, 
College development Officer Prakiyath Rai, College Principal Prabhakar J.S. and 
Shakthi Residential College principal Vidya G Kamath, praised all the students for their 
performance and also to their teaching staff, who put their efforts and hard works to 
bring their students to this level.

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Media Release
March 10,2020

The Alumni Association members along with the members of Women’s Cell organized a programme to celebrate Women’s day and felicitate the student achievers in various fields.

The programme began with a prayer song by the members of the Women’s cell. Among the dignitaries were Sr Dr M Jeswina A.C, Principal, St Agnes College, Mrs Geanette Dsouza, Vice President, Agnesian Alumni Association, Ms Vivid Dsouza, Convenor of the programme and Secretary Agnesian Alumni Association, Mrs Jyothi Cutinha, Joint Secretary Agnesian Alumni Association. 

The college president, Ms Jerusha Maben welcomed the gathering followed by a welcome dance. The student achievers of the college were honoured by the Agnesian Alumni Association;

Agnesian Outstanding Leader Award sponsored by Mrs Carol Pais in honour of her parents Mr Philip and Mrs Mariette Pais is awarded to Ms Jerusha Maben of III BCom.

Agnesian All-Rounder Award sponsored by Mrs Marjorie Texeira is awarded to Ms Anna Una Crasta of II MA English.

Agnesian Scholar Award sponsored by Dr Meera Aranha is awarded to Ms Shane Joveeta Jovet of III BCom.

Agnesian Best Sports Woman Award sponsored by Mrs Daisy Coelho is awarded to Ms Anusha K.J of III BSc.

Agnesian Best NSS Volunteer is awarded to Nerissa Clementina Noronha of III BCom.

Agnesian Best NCC Cadet Award (Army Wing) is awarded to CPL Melani Lobo of III BCom.

Agnesian Best NCC Cadet Award (Air Wing) is awarded to CWO Vanditha Anusha Dsouza of III BSc.

Sr Dr M Jeswina AC presided over the programme congratulated all the student achievers and wished them the best.

Mrs Carol Pais compered the programme and Ms Vivid Dsouza, Secretary of Alumni Association proposed the vote of thanks.

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Media Release
March 15,2020

First Steps Pre-School, Kudroli celebrated Red Day on Friday, 14th March 2020 with elegance. To mark the celebration, all the tiny tots wore Red clothing and brought Red coloured fruits, vegetables & toys to share with the class and each pre-schooler briefly described his or her Red item brought to the class. 

The classroom was decorated with red streamers, balloons and table settings. The bulletin board was designed with the word ‘Red’ with pictures of Red animals, vehicles, plants and foods.

The Bloomings were asked to bring Red coloured objects for a ‘Show and Tell’ activity.

The teachers collected the objects from the children and displayed them on a table and taught the names of the objects to the children and also introduced many other facts about them. Students were given a thorough understanding of the colour red through different activities.

The kids actively participated and were very happy and excited. Parents were equally thrilled and overwhelmed due to their child’s participation.

Career Guidance Counsellor, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Shameer Ahmed was the chief guest of the event. He addressed the students on the importance of colours and explained the purpose of conducting such an event to boost the confidence and creative culture in kids.
 
Headteacher Himna S. Ahmed enlightened the importance of colour in our life. She further added that Red is the best colour to create enthusiasm for life and can awaken greater confidence & optimism. In the meaning of colours, Red inspires original thought and inquisitiveness. 

Red is the colour of energy, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense colour. Children learnt the significance, importance and identification of the colours.

The teachers Himna, Azeema decorated the classrooms with red objects that children can easily identify with. They created beautiful red tables, red drapes, red balloons, red toys, red boxes, red balls, red fruit and vegetable cutouts etc. Everywhere the kids looked, they found something or the other in red. Learning was fun on red day and the children are looking forward to learning about yet another colour.

Event coordinator Shehzan S. Ahmed arranged the event in a skilled manner, which added a feather to the event.

In the end, each child was sent home with a bright Red smiley prop. and the colouring sheets which they coloured as an indoor activity to commemorate the Red day.

The event magnificently concluded with refreshments for the kids of pre-school.

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