Irrigation Analysis and Trends in Telangana State

Guduri Kailasam

Dept. of Economics, Osmania University, Hyderabad 

Abstract

Telangana’s irrigation is based on two large rivers, the Godavari and Krishna, which have a combined allocation of 1266.94 TMC (967.94 TMC and 299 TMC, respectively) of guaranteed water and 500 TMC of surplus water in each river. Nine Major Irrigation Projects that have been finished have increased the state’s irrigation potential by 21.32 lakh acres. A comprehensive irrigation development strategy has been devised by the Telangana government in order to provide irrigation facilities for around 125 lakh acres of land throughout the state. The government has also launched a number of initiatives and developed a six-pronged strategy for the expedited completion of outstanding irrigation projects. One of the most significant connections between irrigation and agriculture. It increases productivity and shields farmers from unfavourable monsoons, guaranteed irrigation is essential for crop production and farmer incomes. Additionally, guaranteed irrigation can preserve groundwater levels and increase water usage efficiency. India is the second-most populous country in the world and has an agriculture-based economy. Agriculture output supports India’s food requirement and accounts for 17% of its GDP. A crucial element in the development of agriculture is irrigation. Irrigation is currently neither in a suitable state nor does is there a progressive strategy. The government must take the appropriate action to improve irrigation system effectiveness in order to fully enhance water demand for rich crop patterns.

Keywords: Agriculture, Irrigation, Telangana, Trends 

Introduction

Irrigation development in Telangana

According to the Socio-Economic Outlook 2023, during the 2014-15 to 2022-23 period, the Telangana government spent Rs 1.61 lakh crore on irrigation projects in the State, resulting in an increase of the Gross Irrigated Area (GIA) from 62.48 lakh acres in 2014-15 to 135 lakh acres in 2021-22, an increase of 117 percent. 26,885 crore has been proposed for the Irrigation Department for the 2023-24 fiscal. The Telangana government is determined to provide irrigation to 1 crore 25 lakh acres.

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project or KLIP is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally, Telangana, India. The confluence of the Pranhita and Godavari rivers is the site of the largest multi-stage lift irrigation project in the world as of right now. Vidyasagar Rao Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme for his enormous contribution to irrigation in Telangana. He fought for safe drinking water in the fluoride-affected Nalgonda district and provided water to the arid lands in the Telangana region.

Nizam Sagar is the oldest dam in the state of Telangana. This place is located at about 145 km north-west of the state capital Hyderabad and 81 km from Nizamabad District.

The Nizamsagar dam was built in 1923 by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the then-ruler of the royal Hyderabad. The correct answer is Wells. In Telangana throughout the past ten years, wells have mostly served as the source of irrigation. About 75% of Telangana’s net irrigated area is served by bore wells and other wells. Over time, irrigation beneath the ponds has decreased while increasing beneath the canals. In the State, Rangareddy has the largest percentage of well-irrigated land (95%) followed by the districts of Medak and Karimnagar. In India, canals are the secondary source of irrigation after wells and tube wells. Large plains, excellent soils, and enduring rivers are features of the territories that are being irrigated by the canals. Most of North India’s plains are irrigated by canals.

Review of Literature 

Sanjukumar (2015) attempted to understand that irrigation is the essential input for increasing

agricultural output, therefore, the development of irrigation has been a key approach in the development of farm sector in the country. In this work, he examined various forms of irrigation and their effects on agriculture. India’s farming is mostly reliant on the monsoon season. Additionally, this study provided information on how to manage irrigation for important Indian crops such rice, wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseeds.

Narayana and Narayanan Nair (1983) emphasized on assessment of the impact of irrigation on

agricultural output in Kerala and also to identify the main constraints on the development of irrigation. Researchers discovered that while winter and summer crops are not affected by irrigation, autumn crops are somewhat stabilised and yields are improved. Poor irrigation water management is to blame for the lack of any significant effects of irrigation on agricultural productivity. Numerous additional studies that have demonstrated that an increase in irrigation infrastructure will result in an improvement in productivity per worker and per unit of capital do not support the conclusion drawn.

Data and methodology

This study is completely based on secondary sources of data. The Department of Agriculture and Irrigation(TS), Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Hyderabad, various Socio-Economic outlooks, Statistical yearbooks, Agriculture census, and Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India publications were the sources for the secondary data. The study’s analytical section has used growth rates.

Telangana is newly formed 29th state of India, situated in the central stretch of the Indian Peninsula on the Deccan Plateau. Geographically, the state is situated in a semi-arid region with a climate that is primarily hot and dry. The state is drained by the two significant rivers, the Godavari and the Krishna, as well as a number of smaller rivers, including the Manjira, the Bhima, and the Musi. The southwest monsoons cause Telangana’s annual average precipitation to range between 900 and 1500 mm in the north and 700 to 900 mm in the south.Agriculture in the state is a proverbial bet in the monsoons since rainfall is unpredictable and inconsistent.

Historically, during the period of Kakatiya’s tank irrigation has developed hugely like big lakes Ramappa,Pakhal, Laknavaram and many others. . The area irrigated by canals and wells was later expanded throughout the planning phase by building new projects and canals. Some of the outstanding accomplishments made by the Nizam during his rule are Mir Alam, Hussain Sagar, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, and the Nizamsgar projects, among others. But following the Green Revolution for two decades, well irrigation has increased significantly, especially due to private investment.

Water for irrigation can be obtained from a variety of sources, including groundwater (from springs or wells), surface water (from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), or unconventional sources like treated wastewater, desalinated water, drainage water, or fog collection. spate irrigation, also known as floodwater harvesting, is a particular type of surface water irrigation. The moisture stored in the soil will be used thereafter to grow crops. Spate irrigation areas are in particular located in semi-arid or arid, mountainous regions. Rainwater harvesting is typically not regarded as a kind of irrigation, although floodwater harvesting is a recognized irrigation technique. Rainwater harvesting is the gathering and concentration of runoff water from roofs or vacant land. 90% of the world’s wastewater production goes untreated, leading to widespread water pollution, particularly in low-income nations. Untreated wastewater is increasingly being used as an irrigation water source in agriculture. Cities are appealing to farmers because they offer lucrative marketplaces for fresh food. Farmers frequently have no choice but to utilise water contaminated with urban waste, including sewage, to water their crops because agriculture must compete for increasingly limited water resources with industry and municipal consumers. Using water contaminated with pathogens in this way poses serious health risks, especially if consumers consume fresh vegetables that have been irrigated with contaminated water.

Table 1: Percentage of Net Area Irrigated by Source of Irrigation from 2008-09 to 2015-16

S.No.YearNet AreaIrrigated(lakh Ha.)% of Canal%Tank%Wells
12008-0918.2811.5513.0372.09
22009-1014.939.183.8284.33
32010-1120.0415.7611.8769.63
42011-1219.8516.379.2271.69
52012-1317.745.078.9183.77
62013-1422.8912.6710.0574.83
72014-1517.2610.085.6281.87
82015-16(K)13.133.438.3886.37

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Hyderabad. K= Kharif

The net area watered by well grew from 72.09 percent in 2008-09 to 86.37% in 2015-16(K), indicating a decline in public irrigation investment. Increased well irrigation causes groundwater supplies to be depleted and also requires greater private investment, which raises the cost of farming. While tank irrigation also dropped over the time, the area watered by canals climbed from 11.55 percent in 2008-09 to 12.68 percent in 2013-14 and decreased to 10.08% in 2014-15. In 2008–09, the tank’s net irrigated area made up 13.03% of the overall net irrigated area, however, it rapidly shrunk throughout the course of the year.

Status of groundwater development

In the State, groundwater-based irrigation was a reliable source of water during the late 19th-century monsoon drought years. The early 1980s drilling technology advancements in hard rock regions led to an increase in groundwater irrigation that eventually surpassed tank and canal irrigations (Pingale, G., 2011). Most of the state’s well irrigation systems are operated by individual farmers who have spent money on digging dug wells, dug cumbre wells, or bore/tube wells (bw/tw), installing pump sets, and constructing pipelines to their fields. These farmers only benefit from free power, which the previous administration has been giving them twice daily since 2004 (Pingale, G., 2011). As of January 1, 2018, the current administration is providing 24 hours of free, high-quality power to agricultural pump sets (PD, Telangana State Government, 2018). Currently, the state has 24.2 lakh connections for pump sets (The Hindu, 20 March 2020). COVID-19 for many benefits to some, extracting 8084 mcm of groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.

Table 2 : Trends in Cropping Intensity

S. NoDistrict1997-982002-032007-082012-13
1Mahabubnagar1.081.081.071.11
2Rangareddy1.091.081.131.11
3Hyderabad
4Medak1.181.241.221.24
5Nizamabad1.491.471.621.66
6Adilabad1.051.031.091.08
7Karimnagar1.421.381.581.45
8Warangal1.301.231.311.32
9Khammam1.071.061.111.13
10Nalgonda1.241.161.291.23
11Telangana1.691.201.421.19

Note: 1) Cropping intensity is the ratio of gross cultivated area to net area sown 2)1997-98 refers to the average of 1996-1997, 1997-98 and1998-99. 2002-03 refers to           the average       of         2001- 02,2002-03 and 2003-04.2007-08 refers    to  average of 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09. 2012-13 refers to representaverage of 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14.

Source: Computed from data collected from Statistical Abstract of Andhra Pradesh and Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India of various years

                Table 3 : Trends in Intensity of Irrigation(In percentage)

S.NoDistrict1997-982002-032007-082012-13
1Mahabubnagar0.200.180.250.29
2Rangareddy0.220.220.260.30
3Hyderabad
4Medak0.280.260.330.32
5Nizamabad0.590.64o.650.61
6Adilabad0.010.150.140.15
7Karimnagar0.660.670.790.75
8Warangal0.590.600.660.63
9Khammam0.410.360.440.43
10Nalgonda0.390.330.490.43
11Telangana0.220.360.490.42

Note: 1) Intensity of irrigation is the percentage of net area irrigated to net area sown. 2)1997-98 refers to average of 1996-1997, 1997-98 and1998-99.

2002-03 refers to average of 2001-02, 2002-03 and2003-04.

2007-08 refers to represent average of 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

2012-13 refers to represent average of 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Source: Computed from data collected from Statistical Abstract of Andhra Pradesh and Agricultural Statistics at aGlance, Government of India of various years

Conclusion

The growth of irrigation infrastructure benefits the State’s rural economy, especially the agricultural sector. It is evident from the research above that irrigation has been more important in the growth of the agricultural industry in Telangana state. It is obvious that irrigation facilities have grown over time, but additional facilities will need to be added in the future. We find that well irrigation, one of the dominant methods of irrigation in recent decades, has negative effects on groundwater levels and requires greater private investment, which drives up the cost of farming. However, irrigation in tanks and canals exhibited a decreasing tendency at that time. Additionally, irrigation encourages increased land use, causing a change in crop pattern in favour of new and improved crop types, commercial crops, and cropping intensity. Since agriculture is the foundation for all other types of growth, the state must develop its agricultural sector. In agricultural development, irrigation in the form of soil moisture plays a prominent role. thus, role. Therefore, irrigation is a key component in the growth of agricultural in the State.

Reference

Ashok Mitra (1965): “Level of Regional Development in India”, paper published in edited Book, Regional Planning in India”, Edited by Mahesh Chand and Vinay Kumar Puri, Allied Publishers, New Delhi

Bhatt J.S. (1972): “Regional Planning in India”, Statistical Publishing Society, Calcutta.

Bhullar, D.S. (1998): “Regional Economic Disparities and Area Planning”, ABD Publishers, Jaipur.

Baran Paul (1973): “On the Political Economy of Backwardness” ‘in A N. Agrawal and

S.P. Singh (Editors) Economics of Under Development, Oxford University Press 1973 Pg. no75.

Deshpande, R. S., & Narayanamurthy, A. (2001). Role of irrigation in agricultural performance: Revisited.

Dhawan, B. D., & Datta, H. S. (1992). Impact of irrigation on multiple cropping. Economic and Political Weekly, A15-A18.

Government of India (2001): Economic Survey:2000-2001, Ministry of Finance Economic Division, New Delhi, p 152

Mathur A (1983): “Regional Development and Income Disparities in India: A Sectoral Analysis, EconomicDevelopment & Cultural Change” Vol. No.3 April, Page. No, 475505.

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The Role of Students in the Telangana Movement –A Study of Hyderabad District

C. Yadagiri

Research Scholar, Department of Political Science

Osmania Univesity

Hyderabad

Abstract:

The important significance of the student movement in the Separate Telangana campaign is evident. The individuals had a significant role in elevating the prominence of the demand for the establishment of Telangana State, particularly through intellectual engagements such as dialogues, workshops, seminars, and public gatherings organized by esteemed academic institutions like Kakatiya and Osmania universities. Several student organizations, namely TRSV, ABVP, NSUI, PDSU, AISF, and Dalith Student Organization, collectively demonstrated their solidarity with the Telangana agitation. The students showcased their solidarity by establishing a student Joint Action Committee (JAC) at Kakatiya University on November 17, 2009. They expressed their endorsement of KCR, the leader of TRS, who was undertaking a hunger strike in pursuit of a particular objective.

The active engagement of students can be ascribed to their enduring consciousness of the Telangana cause, which has been deeply instilled in them since their early years. Their profound comprehension and unwavering dedication rendered them the fundamental support system of the revolution. This article discusses the significance of the student movements that became instruments in the formation of Telangana State. 

Keywords: Telangana campaigb, student organizations, unwavering dedication, student movements, separate state etc. 

Introduction

The student movement that emerged during the Separate Telangana movement in Telangana was undoubtedly a very influential and impactful social movement in the region—approximately twelve years after the establishment of Andhra Pradesh, the populace of Telangana commenced articulating their discontentment with the governing authorities, asserting their desire for the fulfilment of the pledged assurances. The origins of this struggle can be traced back to the formative years of post-colonial India. The first indications became apparent through the non-Mulki agitation in 1952, which was succeeded by what might be regarded as the third wave manifested in the second non-Mulki agitation in 1956, and the year 1969 witnessed a notable escalation in the persistent pursuit of establishing an independent state of Telangana, also called the agitation. The sequence above of agitations serves as a testament to the enduring and ingrained aspiration of the Telangana populace to establish a separate state.

Notably, the movement’s inception can be traced back to December 6, 1968, when a group of students from Vivek Vardhini College in Hyderabad initiated a parade. Regrettably, the procession encountered instances of violent aggression from individuals enlisted by proponents of integration, as well as from law enforcement personnel. In light of these occurrences, protests were orchestrated in Khammam and Warangal. The momentum of the campaign experienced a sustained increase, disseminating to several regions inside Telangana, encompassing Nizamabad. This historical time holds great significance in the annals of Telangana’s history and is commonly known as the “Black Day,” symbolizing the arduous trials and tribulations encountered throughout the movement.

On January 8, 1969, an individual named Ravindranath commenced an indefinite hunger strike in the Khammam region, aiming to advocate for the safeguarding of Telangana. The precise underlying factors driving his activities remain ambiguous. However, this was initially a protest confined to a certain geographical area. Nevertheless, as the strike persisted, it acquired more support and momentum. On the fifth day of the hunger strike, students in Khammam resorted to increasingly extreme measures, including the vandalization of government offices and the deliberate ignition of road transportation corporation (RTC) buses. The action above resulted in the intensification of the crisis and garnered increased focus on the underlying issue.

In a display of solidarity with their counterparts in Khammam, students in Warangal also orchestrated protests, augmenting the movement’s scope and influence. This occurrence exemplifies how seemingly minor actions may ignite substantial social and political movements.

The emergency meeting held on January 12, 1969, by the Osmania University Student Union was to evaluate the current protests occurring in several regions. During the discussion, the union conveyed profound discontentment with the political leadership in the region. The individuals in question demonstrated a courageous act by formally requesting the resignation of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and nine cabinet ministers from Telangana. Demonstrating unwavering determination, the students proclaimed that unless the government acceded to these stipulations, they would commence an indeterminate cessation of activities on January 15, 1969. The issuance of this request signified a notable intensification in their position. This development also underscores the progression of student demands, which have expanded in terms of both quantity and breadth as compared to the first requests presented by the all-party Telangana leaders. The statement highlights the growing intensity and resolve exhibited by the students in their endeavour to establish an independent state for Telangana.

On January 15, 1969, as per their prior declaration, students in the twin towns of Hyderabad and Secunderabad abstained from attending their academic sessions. A meeting was convened at the Nizam College grounds, where individuals assembled. It became apparent that the student body might be divided into two distinct factions: one arguing for implementing safeguards for Telangana, and the other supporting the creation of an independent state of Telangana under the guidance of Mallikarjun. The Student Union persisted with their protest and expanded the scope of their academic boycott. He issued a directive to gather all students at Nizam College on the following day at 11 a.m. During the deliberations, it became evident that the faction advocating for establishing a distinct Telangana state held a dominant position regarding popular backing.

After the conference’s conclusion, Mallikarjun, the President of the Osmania University Students Association, led a student rally from the Nizam College grounds to the Abids Circle. Despite the substantial police deployment, there were sporadic occurrences of students engaging in the act of hurling stones at municipal buses. Regrettably, these events resulted in the unfortunate loss of two lives. Two individuals, Sriram Chandra and Dasthagir, aged twenty-five and ten, respectively, lost their lives as a result of police gunfire during their attempt to interrupt a felicitation ceremony honouring the Home Minister Jalagam Vengal Rao in his town of Khammam. Furthermore, in a separate occurrence at Secunderabad, an individual named Ravinder, aged eighteen, tragically perished due to the escalating turmoil inside the satyagraha movement. The instances above underscore the heightened intensity and profound seriousness of the circumstances that characterized the Telangana Movement of 1969.

Mallikarjun, the leader of the Osmania University Student Union, made a notable declaration, asserting that their protest would last until establishing an independent Telangana state. The declaration above emphasized the student movement’s unwavering determination and resolute nature. It is noteworthy to acknowledge that throughout that period, there existed murmurs and conjectures regarding the potential involvement of specific politicians in orchestrating and exerting influence over the actions undertaken by student union officials, however discreetly. This observation implies the presence of political manoeuvring and strategic planning within the context of the movement. In light of the intensifying circumstances, Chief Minister Sri. Brahmananda Reddy, confronted with an expanding array of requests and persistent acts of aggression, implemented a resolute measure. The closure of all educational institutions until January 27, 1969, was officially announced. The purpose of this action was presumably to alleviate tensions and offer temporary relief from the intensifying protests and rallies.

After a ruling by the High Court, students in Khammam district commenced a protest to advocate for enforcing a 2:1 ratio in all public services, encompassing autonomous entities such as the State Electricity Board. Furthermore, they advocated for prolonging the timeframe for implementing protective measures. The political leaders of the Telangana region have shown a lack of responsiveness towards the concerns stated by student leaders despite their sincere endeavours to address the difficulties above. The absence of timely and effective communication likely contributed to the increasing dissatisfaction among the student body.

Following this, a General Body meeting of the Osmania University Students Union occurred on January 12, commencing at 10 a.m. at Nizam College. Several distinguished student leaders were invited to participate in deliberations around the Telangana safeguards. During this discussion, two divergent perspectives became apparent: one faction calling for the establishment of an independent Telangana state and another advocating for the preservation of an integrated Andhra Pradesh, accompanied by the execution of robust protective measures for the inhabitants of Telangana. The split was observed among the students, wherein certain individuals advocated for establishing an independent state. In contrast, others advocated for the integration of Andhra Pradesh with comprehensive protective measures, constituting a significant juncture in the campaign. The statement above elucidated the intricate nature and wide-ranging perspectives of the Telangana Movement.

The collective arguing for the proficient implementation of protective measures was popularly known as “safeguards,” whilst individuals firmly dedicated to establishing an independent Telangana state were labelled as “separatists.” To streamline and coordinate their endeavours, the safeguardists decided to function inside the framework of the Osmania University Student Organization. Conversely, the separatists established an independent entity known as Telangana Students.

The divergence in approach and strategy ultimately resulted in the forming of an Action Committee that garnered significant support inside the Telangana region. Both factions commenced arranging gatherings autonomously and instigated public displays of protest starting from January 15, 1969 onwards. Regrettably, the divide above and divergent methodologies culminated in a confrontation between the two antagonistic factions on January 18, 1969. The occurrence above highlights the profound emotional intensity and intricate diversity of perspectives in the Telangana Movement.

The Second Phase of Telangana Movement Between 1990-2009

In 1991, two notable organizations, namely the Telangana Student Front and the Telangana Liberation Student Organization, were founded within the premises of Osmania University. These groups were instrumental in advocating for the cause of Telangana. The establishment of the Kakatiya Unit of the Telangana Students Front in 1992 strengthened the presence and impact of the movement within the university.

In August 1993, Osmania University organized a significant event in the form of a national symposium on small states. The conference was started by Surendra Mohan, followed by an address presented by Justice Madav Reddy to the delegates. The seminar served as a forum for delegates from different regions of the nation to convene and partake in deliberations about the notion of tiny states, encompassing debates on the ambitions of Telangana for autonomous statehood.

The Forum for Freedom of Expression, including journalists and writers, exerted considerable influence in championing the Telangana cause throughout 1996. The individual responsible for the article’s composition can be identified as a co-founder of the forum, suggesting the active participation of diverse societal factions within the movement. The resurrection of the movement was exemplified by a significant event that occurred in Warangal on November 1, 1996, at the Telangana Praja Samiti conference. The gathering garnered participation from many delegates, exceeding five thousand, representing various regions within Telangana, thereby underscoring the extensive backing for the cause above.

Subsequently, a notable convention took place in Hyderabad on December 1, 1996. Subsequently, a sequence of conferences, group assemblies, and public congregations took place in diverse locations throughout Telangana, encompassing Godavarikhani, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Jangabn, Aler, Ghanapur, Nizamabad, Khammam, Nalgonda, the historic city of Hyderabad, and Bhongir. The Bhongir meeting, specifically, demonstrated a pivotal moment. Gaddar, a highly acclaimed balladeer known for his revolutionary contributions, was the distinguished guest of honour. He appealed to the populace to initiate a wholly nonviolent campaign to attain the objective of establishing an autonomous territory. This assertion by a prominent figure further strengthened and unified the movement.

The demand for the formation of the state of Telangana continued to exist even with the quelling of the 1969 movement. The persistent desire for separate statehood in Telangana was motivated by a perceived sense of unfairness, injustice, and humiliation felt by the local population and personnel hailing from the region. The grievances arose due to various factors, including the Gentlemen’s Agreement, breaches of the six-point formula, allocation of budgetary reserves, and the exploitation of irrigation water from the Godavari and Krishna rivers. In light of these persistent concerns, several institutions and platforms emerged during the latter half of the 20th century to spearhead the campaign for establishing Telangana as a separate state. The organizations that were involved in the movement for the formation of Telangana were Telangana Mahasabha, Telangana Janasabha, Telangana Students Organizations, Telangana Teachers Forum, Telangana Intellectuals Forum, Telangana Information Centre, and Telangana Study Forum. These groups endeavoured to tackle many challenges and promote the establishment of Telangana as an independent state.

The demand for a distinct Telangana region experienced a resurgence during the 1980s and 1990s, notably during the governance of the Telugu Desam Party. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) formation in 2001 emerged as a notable achievement in the pursuit of Telangana statehood.

From the mid-2000s onwards, numerous organizations emerged to advance the pursuit of statehood for Telangana. Notable organizations that emerged during this period include the Telangana Vidyavanthula Vedika (2006), Telangana Ikya Karyacharana Committee (2006), and Telangana Dhoom Dham (2007), with several other cultural organizations. These organizations were instrumental in galvanizing and mobilizing the popular campaign for Telangana, irrespective of political alignments or party loyalties. A significant occurrence during this period was the establishment of the political Joint Action Committee in 2010. This committee convened many political bodies, including TRS, BJP, CPI(ML), and other groups. The retraction of the declaration regarding the formation process of Telangana by P. Chidambaram, the Union Home Minister, prompted the organization’s founding. The occurrence above highlighted the unwavering commitment and cohesive collaboration exhibited by diverse factions in their endeavour to establish Telangana as a separate state.

The demand for establishing an independent Telangana state has been motivated by two key factors: the aspiration for the region’s socio-economic progress and the preservation of its inhabitants’ dignity. Notwithstanding a multitude of obstacles, encompassing elusive commitments, repressive tactics, and Machiavellian machinations, the movement has persistently garnered traction. The pressure above has been applied to both the Central and State Governments. The influence of the political environment has also been a significant factor in shaping the course of the movement. The demand for a separate state in Telangana has been consistently advocated by its residents. At the same time, political parties have frequently used this matter for electoral advantages in national and local elections. Nevertheless, after the attainment of electoral triumph, governing parties have occasionally modified their position, resulting in disenchantment among the general public.

The desire to establish Telangana State has had intermittent phases of renewal. Following a period of being marginalized until 1995, the revival of the cause was initiated through intellectual-led talks, workshops, seminars, and public gatherings held at esteemed universities such as Kakatiya University and Osmania University. The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also incorporated the issue of state formation into its electoral program in 1999. Notably, in 2000, many new states, namely Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand, were established. The Telangana State formation problem experienced a notable surge in June 2001, coinciding with the establishment of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), a newly formed political organization under the leadership of Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao. The resignation of Rao from his MLA seat within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) constituted a significant milestone in the trajectory of the movement.

The Third Phase of Telangana Movement Between 2009-2014

The toll inflicted upon the younger generation during the Telangana movement serves as a poignant reminder of the region’s profound and enduring desire for self-governance. Between the years 2010 and 2012, a notable number of young individuals, as reported by activists, tragically ended their lives, with a subset of sixteen individuals turning to self-immolation. The sacrifice made by the individuals in question can be interpreted as an emotional appeal for increased political control and autonomy on behalf of the inhabitants of Telangana. As per the findings of the Telangana Amaraveerula Kutumbala Vedika, a platform dedicated to the families of Telangana martyrs, a significant number of 904 suicides were reported in Andhra Pradesh over the period spanning from November 2009 to February 2013. A shared demand for the establishment of the state of Telangana characterized these incidents.

The Telangana movement serves as a symbol of the Indian endeavour for both economic and cultural self-governance. The movement resembles other social and political movements originating from Osmania University. The institution facilitated the convergence of many demographic groups through its extensive educational initiatives, affording them an opportunity to express their ambitions. Osmania University emerged as the focal point of the Telangana agitation. The school served as a platform for the mobilization of demonstrations by organizations such as the Telangana Students Front (TSF) and Telangana Liberation Students Organization (TELSO), which effectively amplified the voices pushing for the autonomy of Telangana both within and outside its premises.

Formation of Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC/JAC)

In response to the prevailing circumstances, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) demanded a further general strike to be held on December 24, 2009. The primary objective of this strike was to strategically impede the functioning of the regional economy, thereby garnering attention towards the pressing need to establish an independent Telangana state.

In light of the burgeoning movement, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) was established, comprising individuals affiliated with prominent political parties who endorsed the notion of an independent Telangana. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that there were documented instances of substantial disparity among the Joint Action Committee (JAC) constituents about their perspectives on an independent Telangana. This observation suggests that even among proponents of separation, divergent viewpoints and approaches existed regarding the means to further their objective.

Students Joint Action Committee

Padayatras (foot marches) were planned across Telangana by students from several universities, such as Osmania, Kakatiya, Telangana, Palamuru, and Nallagonda (MG). The Student Joint Action Committee (JAC) divided into two factions, each undertaking padayatras in distinct regions, namely South and North Telangana. The series of marches reached its culmination with concluding meetings at the Kakatiya University and Osmania University, respectively. It is worth noting that the success of these padayatras was not constrained by political philosophy. The residents of Telangana, in conjunction with their elected officials at the district level, demonstrated their unwavering support, irrespective of their political alignments. The extensive commitment and solidarity within the Telangana movement are highlighted by the unity and support exhibited by several parts of society.

Undoubtedly, students have played a pivotal role in spearheading the Telangana movement. Apart from the TRSV (Telangana Rashtra Samithi Vidyarthi), various other student organizations, including ABVP, NSUI, PDSU, AISF, and Dalit Student Organization, supported the Telangana cause. On November 17, 2009, a significant event occurred at Kakatiya University, whereby a considerable assembly of student organizations met. The gathering above resulted in the establishment a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprised of students. Subsequently, on November 23, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) was extended an invitation by K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader, to support his ongoing hunger strike. This exemplifies the collective dedication to the cause.

The profound and ingrained understanding of the underlying factors among the student population originates from their early years of development. From an early age, they have been shaped by the principles of the movement. Upon the advent of the Tuition Reimbursement Scheme (TRS) in 2001, many university students were still undergoing their secondary education. The enduring influence of TRS’s objectives left a profound impression on their worldview as they matured with a deeply ingrained understanding of these principles. During instances of ambiguity or difficulty within the context of the agitation, the students have assumed a pivotal role in offering transparency and steering the movement towards the appropriate trajectory. The Telangana movement has greatly benefited from their active participation and unwavering commitment.

Students in the Telangana region have conducted several activities. During the hunger strike, these students, primarily from Osmania University, engaged in peaceful forms of protest like sit-ins, road blockades, public gatherings, and other forms of agitation within the framework of a democratic system. However, the police responded to these actions with a disproportionate use of force, injuring numerous students. The campus was secured by a police/military presence, which involved the placement of barbed wire barriers and interrupting water and power supplies to the university’s hostels. In addition, they have encountered instances of termination and the use of force by law enforcement personnel on the university grounds. The government issued a proclamation granting holidays to the students and mandated their evacuation from their respective schools. In this circumstance, a student named Srikantha Chary, pursuing a degree in physiotherapy, tragically resorted to taking his own life due to the ongoing unrest. In the occurrences above, the students who tragically took their own lives expressed their support for the cause of “Jai Telangana.” These incidents subsequently served as catalysts for a significant increase in student suicides, with over 600 reported cases occurring throughout various regions of Telangana.

The makeup and scope of the Telangana Movement saw a notable transformation during its second phase. This period was instigated by a group of intellectuals: professors, lawyers, employees, cultural and literary activists, and diverse caste organizations. In contrast to the previous stage, which mostly focused on urban areas, this subsequent phase transformed a widespread movement that included rural and geographically isolated regions.

Notably, the movement has exhibited exceptional durability, persisting for over twenty years during its second phase. Women have become prominent contributors to the continuing movement and have even been subjected to arrests by the state government due to their support for the establishment of a separate Telangana state. It is worth mentioning that the police have selectively focused their attention on students hailing from Osmania and Kakatiya Universities, encompassing individuals of both genders. Osmania University continues to be a  site of ongoing conflicts and law enforcement interventions. The pursuit of Telangana statehood continues unabated, displaying unwavering determination.

The Telangana movement has significantly impacted Osmania University (OU). Due to establishing a joint action committee by students residing in more than twenty-four hostels, the institution was obligated to implement the closure of its residential facilities. The aforementioned collaborative endeavour exemplifies the profound level of dedication within the student population. As a symbolic act of solidarity with Telangana, certain students have taken the initiative to modify their vehicle registration numbers, replacing the AP (Andhra Pradesh) code with TG (Telangana). This action demonstrates an individual’s commitment to the cause. 

The enthusiasm displayed by the students has not only reinvigorated previously inactive pro-Telangana employees’ unions across several government ministries, but it has also breathed new life into the TRS, which was earlier encountering difficulties. The active involvement of students in the Telangana cause has not only revitalized the movement but has also had significant consequences for the political environment, notably for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

The instances above in 2009 and 2010 illustrate the confrontations and conflicts between law enforcement personnel and students affiliated with Osmania University amidst the Telangana movement. The Telangana movement witnessed the emergence of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC) in 2009, comprising multiple student unions affiliated with Osmania University. Nevertheless, the law enforcement authorities exhibited a severe reaction towards these demonstrations organized by the students. On February 14, 2010, an incident of severe police aggression occurred, allegedly orchestrated by Stephen Ravindra. During the incident above, the law enforcement authorities inadvertently caused damage to the lighting infrastructure within the premises of the Arts College, resulting in an unfortunate situation where the dormitory students were left without illumination. This event is one of the most intense encounters between law enforcement and student individuals.

The incident resulted in notable ramifications, as a minimum of 30 pupils incurred injuries necessitating hospitalization. Six of the individuals who sustained injuries comprised women who experienced notably serious injuries. The Human Rights Commission purportedly opposed these attacks, shedding light on police conduct in the Telangana agitation. These occurrences highlight the profound character of the movement and the difficulties encountered by the student activists in their pursuit of Telangana statehood.

On February 21, 2011, a noteworthy occurrence occurred when 16 female students from Osmania, Kakatiya, and Mahatma Gandhi Universities exhibited remarkable perseverance and drive. The individuals successfully navigated over all obstacles established by law enforcement, ultimately achieving their objective of attending the scheduled event, commonly referred to as the “Assembly Muttadi.” The aforementioned courageous action exemplified the unwavering dedication of these youthful females to assert their voices and engage in the Telangana movement. The activities undertaken by individuals exemplified the enduring determination and bravery that were symbolic of the Telangana statehood struggle.

After the valiant efforts undertaken by the group of 16 girls, the ensuing occurrences were characterized by additional instances of conflict with law enforcement authorities. The individuals in question were apprehended near the Assembly. During the Million March Program, an individual named Keerthi, a student hailing from Khammam, was apprehended and subsequently detained for 14 days. Following her release, Keerthi remained actively engaged in the movement, employing her artistic abilities in singing and dancing to advance the objectives of the cause.

MLAs and ministers from Telangana have collectively tendered their resignations as a powerful demonstration of unity and dissent, urging prompt action to effectuate the division of Andhra Pradesh. Furthermore, individuals supportive of the Telangana cause and students affiliated with Osmania University engaged in a confrontation with Nagam Janardhan Reddy, a prominent Telugu Desam Party leader at the time. The individual experienced physical force, resulting in being forcefully brought down, followed by repeated strikes and kicks, until eventually finding an opportunity to flee the scene using a motorcycle. These occurrences highlight the heightened level of passion and enthusiasm exhibited by the movement during this specific timeframe.

Students in Telangana Agitation

The Telangana agitation has had a lasting impact on the region’s political landscape, particularly in student activism and radicalism. The custom above, which had a surge in popularity throughout the 1970s and continued to endure subsequently, was subsequently revitalized with heightened intensity.

It is imperative to acknowledge that the genesis of the distinct Telangana movement may be attributed to a student demonstration. At its inception, the call for a distinct state was not a direct request but rather a reaction to the government’s inability to effectively enforce protective measures, specifically in job and educational prospects, as stipulated in the Gentleman’s Agreement established during the merger of 1956. Notably, the movement’s commencement occurred without support from any political party or established politician assuming a leadership role. Indeed, officials from this particular region, including individuals affiliated with the Congress party, such as legislators and ministers, were compelled to participate in the movement after that. The statement above highlights the inherent characteristics of the Telangana movement, namely its origin at the grassroots level and its impetus led by students.

The Telangana agitation is noteworthy for being one of the most militant and protracted movements in the region’s history. The protest, which students from Osmania University predominantly spearheaded, resulted in a prolonged disruption of the entire educational system, encompassing schools as well. Regrettably, the unrest led to a substantial fatality count among the student population, with an estimated 370 students perishing. Notably, the agitation also contributed to reinforcing the interpersonal connections between educators and learners. During the movement, both factions found common ground in their objectives, with notable figures such as former Vice-Chancellor Mr. Ravada Satyanarayana and then Vice-Chancellor Mr. Narotham Reddy publicly endorsing the protest. They even engaged in satyagraha, a kind of nonviolent resistance, in collaboration with the students on campus.

Despite the dedicated endeavours, the movement eventually did not attain its principal goal of forming an independent state of Telangana. The result above engendered a lasting disillusionment among the student population, who perceived themselves as being taken advantage of by politically motivated and self-interested individuals seeking to further their partisan objectives. The sentiment above continues to persist within the student population until now.

However, the agitation had an enduring effect on the student community, rejuvenating their pride and affiliation with Osmania University. Hence, any internal or external occurrence that influenced the university’s standing became closely intertwined with the broader position of the Telangana region within the state of Andhra Pradesh. The people of Telangana have attributed a newfound and noteworthy significance to several matters, including state grants allocated to the institution, admissions, academic appointments, and administrative appointments, among others. The enduring impact of the agitation continues to influence the viewpoint of the residents in the region for subsequent generations.

References:

  1. Altbach, Philip, G. {July 1965), Students Politics in Developing Countries, American, Review, p.55. 
  2. Altbach, Philip, G. India and the World Crisis, in Altbach, RG (ed), Op.cit.,p.ll. 
  3. Altbach, Philip, G.(1970), A Select Bibliography on Student Politics and Higher Education, Harvard Center for International Affairs, London, pp.24-6. 
  4. Anjaiah. M. (1999), Pressure Group politics -A Study of Students’ Organizations in Andhra Pradesh, Since 70s,(Ph.D., Thesis Unpublished), Department of Political  Science.  
  5. Di Bona, Joseph (1971), Change and Conflict in die Indian University, Lalvani, Bombay, p.l51. 
  6. Lipset, S.M, and Altbach, PG (eds), (1969), Students in Revolt, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, p.521. 
  7. Mehata, Prayag (1979), Indian Youth, Somaiya Publication, Bombay,p.71 – 83
  8. Sharma, Dev, Campuses and Youth -in Turmoil: A perspective, in Prayang, Mehatha, Op.cit,p79 – 80 
  9. Singhal, Sushila (1977), Academic Leadership and Student-Unrest, Newmen, New Delhi.p.157. 
  10. The Statesman, December 9, 1969. 
  11. Vishwa Yuvak Kendra (1973), The Dyanarnic of student    Agitations,    Somaiya    Publications, Bombay,p.3.
  12. Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Politics in the Name of Women’s Reservation. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X241262562

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Recent Trends of ICT in Indian Higher Education System: An Analytical Study

Mohd Mushtaq

Research Scholar

Department of Education and Training

Maulana Azad National Urdu University Hyderabad-32

Abstract:

With the fastest eras of information communication technology, Education requires an innovative methods and strategies of teaching learning process. The relationship between technology and education at all levels is bi-directional. According to NEP 2020, Digital India Campaign is helping to make over the whole nation into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. While education will play a critical role in this transformation.  ICT play an important role in the improvement of educational processes and outcomes. The present study is to explore the recent trends of ICT and role of ICT in Indian higher education system. Finding of the study revealed that the usage of ICT in education will increase the interest, motivation, excitement and learning capacity among students during the teaching learning process. ICT enhance the learner interest, gives flexibility to the students, enhance motivation, give freedom to the students, increases the learner potentials and capabilities etc. Some resources of educational technology such as smart devices, digital cameras, social media platform, software applications and better facilities of internet.  Further found that when we have best resources according to the recent trends of ICT and facilities for the implementation of information communication technology, the teaching process will be skilful and reached at higher standard and students will gain more and more knowledge. Education through ICT is very effective and successful such as through the interactions between students and teachers, peer groups and course materials etc. 

Keyword: Information Communication Technology, Recent trends, teaching learning process, Role of ICT, Indian education system.

INTRODUCTION

Education is critical in modifying an individual’s behaviour to meet the demands of the present situation. As a result, it has a significant impact on societal change. Due to the rising of population emergence of information technology and education is also going bi-directional. Hence education play a vital role in changing the society as well as the modification of behaviour of an individual. For the betterment of education innovative technology are applied in e- learning to enhance the quality education.  Online learning is the combination of tool which we can use through the websites. In online learning students can obtain knowledge from a website, it is considered a more flexible learning strategy. They can download appropriate learning materials, as well as use the mail system and a variety of social media sites where teachers and students can interact and learn by sharing their perspectives. Emergence of Innovative applications of computer in the teaching learning process increasing day by day and it includes e- learning, computer learning, network-based learning, intranet based and internet-based learning and also includes many strategies of learning such as; text, video, animations, audio, and virtual /pure online environment. ICT, stands for “information and communication technology,” was first used in 1992. Science, technology, and engineering use ICT as a discipline and management technique to manage information, its use, and involvement with socioeconomic and cultural issues. In the current situation, ICT tools are usually overlooked. The traditional educational system was insufficient to hold a student’s attention in the developed world and in the age of modern science. The present methods also struggle to fulfil the needs of learning among students. Predictable processes of teaching and learning which brought knowledge as bits, it includes memorizing theories, justifications, facts and principles that do not achieve teaching objectives. For effective teaching learning process, new and innovative strategies must be personalised to increase the interest of the students. Technology plays a vital role in teaching learning process. At current time development of technology is very useful for teaching learning process. Educational technology is made up of two words education and technology. Education is the process of attaining and imparting knowledge, skill and attitudes. Technology denotes approaches as well as technical devices. Technology is the techniques of science and methods of obtaining new knowledge related to technology and others field such as, arts, science and specifically professional courses. National Council for Educational Research and Training defined that educational technology as the means of three different things includes with progress, application and evaluation the first thing is strategies/techniques, second is system and the third one is aids to improve overall teaching leaning process. In present scenario of education, e-learning is the most recent kind of ICT applied to improve and accelerate teaching and learning. It is a well-known fact that ICT has entered every aspect of life and that education has spread to practically every country in the world. E-learning offers a variety of applications and accessibility to students seven days a week, 24 hours a day so that anybody can participate in class at any time and from any location using a variety of communication methods. E-learning in India has modified the evolving characteristics of instructional materials and created new educational opportunities. ICT is a type of technology that makes it possible to conduct information-based activities. These include obtaining information, processing data, and gathering, processing, and displaying data. Communication and cooperation are especially critical in these efforts. It has evolved into ICT, or information and communication technology. As a result, an online teacher makes up for the absence of a physical classroom by creating a friendly atmosphere where all students feel at ease taking part in online lessons. By offering flexible locations, class schedules, and the world’s best content, it considerably aids in the migration of our lives into the digital world. 

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Goyal, and Bhagat (2010) Factor that affect information and communication technology usage: A case study in Management Education. In this study survey based research was conducted under 458 respondent 57 teacher and 401 students from different background. The finding of the study show that both students and teachers gave significant importance to pedagogy and ICT is very effective in teaching learning process for teacher as well as students. Usage of information communication technology in teaching learning process gives flexibility to the students, engaging students, better relationship between teacher and students, students and peer group and increase students motivation, students interest, enhance capability of students and freedom to students.  Some pedagogical factors are relevant for the effective usage of ICT such as, usage of technology in daily routine, development of ICT day to day life,  some technological device like reliability of ICT, IT and data security etc.

Amit Mahajan and Dhirendra Sharma (2012) conducted a study on Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threats analysis of information communication technology infrastructure and services in Jammu University. In this study the researcher revealed that the university have a better ICT infrastructure and services for the students. ICT services play an important role in teaching learning process with the experts of technology it  increase the student’s opportunity, identify the weakness of students as well as researcher and give greater chance for improving the research work. Result of the study show that most of the institution want a better facilities in ICT for teaching learning process and same as it is University of Jammu have better facility and want to developed institution in information communication technology.

Ulka Toro and Millind Joshi (2012) conducted a study on information Communication Technology Review of Literature from the Period 2004-2011. In this study the researcher found that ICT play a vital role in teaching learning process at higher education level. Around the world emergence of technology increasingly day by day and moving it into the digital society. ICT is being more important in 21 century among teaching learning process.  ICT help in improving the weaknesses and strength of the student at higher education. Finding of the study revealed that the new information communication technology tools have basic produced significant transformation in industry, agriculture, education, medicines, engineering and others fields. The new teaching approaches involve the use of audio-visual, computer and telematics tools on the part of lecturers.

Syed Noor-Ul-Amin (2013) a study on an effective use of information and communication technology for education and learning by worldwide knowledge. The purpose of this study is to explore the usage of technology in teaching learning process. In past few years the usage of information communication technology is changed. The higher education system is highly influence by information communication technology and quality of education for improving the quality of education and application of ICT. In this study the researcher explore that the ICT not effected on learner styles but also effects on teachers way of teaching. It enables students centered learning and increase the overall significance of ICT in education as well as teaching learning process. In this study the researcher identify and assess significant strategies in national as well as international research and effective use of ICT for education with respect to the teaching learning process,  Quality of ICT and accessibility of education  ICT and learning motivation, ICT and learning environment, and ICT to enhance the educational performance. The researcher further found that ICT can show a very less significant role in overall development of teaching learning quality and students oriented learning modules in recent education system. Usage of ICT is very helpful in teaching learning process which enhanced the teaching strategies.

Ishtiaq etal. (2017) conducted a study on the effects of information and communication technology on the students’ academic achievement and retention in chemistry. Experimental methods were used for the study. In this study 50 students of 9th class belonging to the Kohsar Public School and College Latamber Karak under sample random sampling were selected. The study is based on equalling groups that is based on pre-test and post-test. Mean average, standard deviation, and t-test were used for analysing the data through statistical analysis.  In this study the researcher found that the Information communication technology have positively effect on students’ academic performance and retention and ICT was found more effective, interesting and motivating for the students as well as teacher. 

Mushtaq Ahmed Patel (2020) conducted a study on Open Educational Resource a teaching-learning tool in the times of covid-19 in India. In this study the researcher found that open educational resource is an innovative approach in teaching learning process. OER help the students as well as teacher for accessing the material easily and without time being. The teacher and student can access the material through some electronic devices such as, computer, mobile phone, desktop, smart phone and tablets etc. The researcher further found that that individuals are making isolated efforts with few unorganized governments and non-government agencies efforts. 

Mushtaq and Banwaree Lal (2022) conducted a study on Blended Mode of education and its relevance in teaching learning process. In this study the researcher try to find out the emergence of technology in teaching learning process. The main objectives of the study is to explore the  features, key benefits of blended learning, role of teacher and students in blended learning environment and infrastructure required for blended learning classroom. Result of the study reveals that blended learning is the combination of learning where students learn through offline mode (physical presence) with online instruments in teaching learning process.  Blended learning is more effective, interesting and motivated for the students as well as teachers and enhance the learning potentials, remove the relationship gap between teacher and students and give freedom to the students. The implementation of blended learning requires better infrastructure, good trained teachers, experts, and a better system of technology for the effective and interesting teaching learning process. And further found that face to face teaching learning process with the use of online instruments such as projectors, smart board, laptop, desktop, and some software application increase the learners and teacher capabilities, interest, motivation, learning potential, problem solving skills, creativity, cognitive power and practice of the learners in teaching learning process.

OBJECTIVES

1. To study the Role of ICT in Indian higher education system.

2. To study the recent trends of ICT in Indian higher education system.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the role of ICT in Indian higher education system?

2. What is the recent trends of ICT in Indian education system?

METHODOLOGY

        In this study Qualitative methods of research was used to analyze the role of ICT in Indian higher education system and recent trends of ICT in Indian education system for the study. 

ROLE OF ICT IN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

ICT plays a significant role in teaching learning process, strategies of Information Communication Technology in administration, role of ICT in research, ICT as a Change agent in Society and role of ICT changing in Higher education.  In day today life Information communication Technology play an important role in the overall educational process encompassing from endeavor to the application of technology in handling key issues of access, fairness, administration, effectiveness, teaching process, techniques or strategies, quality, research and development. Information Communication Technology gives insight to the students and teachers for the development of education and its plays important role to make effective teaching learning process at higher education level. Use of ICT in higher education give establishing a forceful edge by contribute to improve the service among staff and students, enhanced learning process among students and increase experience towards teachers in teaching learning process and research also. ICT plays a significant role in administration of educational institutions for the usage of prevailing resources and  make easy administration tasks such as, student administration, staff administration, general administration by removing the work load  of paper and exchange the physical conservation of record keeping to electronic maintenance of records which helps in easy recovery  of any material of students, staff and general with in a section of seconds can access the essential information and knowledge. Combination of ICT in higher education increases the excellence of research work and more number of students enrolled in the research work in the different fields. Information communication technology enables the connections throughout the world in all disciplines and make social networking. It saves time, money and struggle to the researchers in their research studies. Information communication technology is most essential for computing and analyses of data in quantitative works. Some software of ICT is beneficial for analyzing and interpretation of data such as, excel, SPSS, statistical techniques for social science, online analyzing calculators etc. usage of information communication technology is beneficial for the researcher where the researcher scholar identify the literature reviews making objectives hypothesis and methodology in research work and using ICT in an appropriate situations. The advancement of higher education in India combined with the need to stand and be competitive in an international situation needs a good decisions to be taken rapidly and effectively.  This  has  increased  the  opportunity  and  difficulties  of administration,  thus  making  it  essential  to  implement  different  approaches  of  higher  education administration. The increasing student population in higher education accelerated the necessity of for information communication technology to process, recover and store data and information in a quick basic and particular patterns. The attentions of electronic administration in higher education is on the establishments of an actual electronic administration by taking care of prevailing resources in the form of economically. The concept of traditional classroom moving from black board, notebook, pencils to an online education such as; computer software, internet, some apps of teaching and learning. Besides that the ICT change the teacher centered approach into student centric approach and the duty of teacher is coach, counselor, mentor and knowledge provider and the teaching learning process provide real time problem solving methods, intellectual reasoning and creative thinking also.

HIGHER EDUCATION: The students of under-graduation, graduation, MPhil, PhD and post doctorial belonging to the different colleges, and universities are falling in higher education. Different curriculum and co curriculum covering different disciplines like science, arts, medical, non-medical, commerce, computer science, social science, engineering, mathematics culture and humanities. The government of India take an initiates in the form of SWAYAM that is providing MOOCs courses with certificate at the completion of course.

RECENT TRENDS OF ICT IN INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

         The global usage of internet has increased the demand for spreading of educational programmes. The highest advantage of using ICT tools is that it reduces carbon footprint. Usage of ICT tools allows e learning to take place in virtual learning environment. Online tools and mobile phones are very effective to promote learning.  Today’s learners are tech understanding. In order to make learning interesting mobile phones can be used by learners to explore. From young age learners need to be taught the safety measures to be taken during natural disasters. Initially this can be taught with the help of mobile phones where primary learners can learn about the safety measure through mobile phones. With the help of mobile phone students can watch cartoons based on natural disaster. This will help the students to understand the concept easily and with the help of mobile phones leaners can get access to information. Artificial intelligence is the current trend in education. Teaching artificial intelligence at school is very important. Schools should focus on three areas first the learners should learn with Artificial intelligence that is they need to know how to use them, secondly, they should learn about artificial intelligence this will enlighten them on the techniques and technologies involved in artificial intelligence. This will bring awareness to know its impact on human lives. Especially in building up of values and skills for life. It has the potential to transform education therefore it is essential to include artificial intelligence in education to meet the goals of sustainable development. With the help of artificial intelligence, it is possible to promote equitable quality education and it provides opportunities for lifelong learning. In recent trends of education blended learning plays an important role in teaching learning process. Blended means mixed up of traditional as well as virtual classroom where teachers and students presence are compulsory. Teacher imparts education via traditional classroom with the use of information communication technology such as, power point slides, pdf, videos, Google classroom, Google zoom, Google meet, Edmodo applications and some gamification applications. After Covid pandemic in higher education university grant commission recommended to the institutions 40% syllabus should be taught in online mode and 60% syllabus through offline mode.  

           Technology is a significant element in students’ education as well as teacher training programmes. Through digital media platform students have access knowledge and information without any restrictions. ICT is essential to pre-service teacher education programs in the twenty-first century. Without adequate ICT expertise, it is impossible for a teacher to perform in their classroom, hence it cannot be considered to be complete.  In day-to-day life, attention is also located on diverse educational philosophy and educational practice based on the various that developing requirements of our society. These theories and practises suggest that teacher education has also experienced alterations. It makes wisdom that new technology must be merged into the teacher education. Along with having strong perception towards teaching skills, teachers also need to have the correct attitudes and values. The minimum requirements of any training programme are that it should assist the learner in obtaining the fundamental abilities and aptitudes of a successful teacher. Inter- disciplinary approaches, correspondence courses, orientation courses, and other innovative developments in education are currently popular especially for teacher and students also. Other methods used in education include team teaching, programmed instruction, micro teaching, and simulations teaching are beneficial for the learner. Action research is now used in classroom during teaching learning process and teacher education as well. ICT assists as a portal to the informational world and aids in keeping students as well teacher up to date. It promotes knowledge, skill, learning aptitudes, potential, research aptitudes, online course teacher and student relationship, skilled based course and learning strategies also. Some beneficial approaches for students and teachers are as under;

  1. E- Learning
  2. Online/ virtual learning
  3. Blended learning
  4. Mobile learning
  5. Artificial intelligence
  6. Open and distance education
  7. Learner centred environment
  8. Learning management system

                Technology is nowadays being used in the classroom by Indian higher education. Technology includes some online approaches during teaching learning for the effectiveness of teaching learning process. Such approaches are laptops, LCD projectors, desktops, Smart classrooms, online video lectures, conferences, workshop, seminar, research webinar and memory sticks. ICT is beneficial for the teacher in teaching learning process. Because teachers are the only ones who can give pupils a bright future. Some of the recent trends are as under;

  1. Mobile Learning. With the emergence of technology the combining of software and hardware are generate new advances “Smart Phone” that is the essential tools in day to day life. A smart phone have advanced fixed technology in the field of industrial and telecommunications. Mobile devices with internet connectivity and computational power are projected to soon replace personal computers as the official appliance in classrooms.
  1. Cloud computing. Applications are increasingly moving away from independent desktops and laptops and onto server farms that can be accessed online. This trend will result in the availability of less expensive information appliances that do not need the size or processing capacity of a PC, which will have significant implications for educational systems. Providing interconnectivity to access data stored in the “cloud” will be the challenge.
  2. One-to-One computing.  Around the world, the tradition of classroom environment is to provide knowledge and information from the teacher to students and the application of information communication technology. In this setting of classroom students can learn through individual devices such as mobile phone, individual laptop/desktop, tablet etc. classrooms should prepare for the universal availability of personal learning devices.
  3. Universal learning. With the development of technology required strong network connection and better infrastructure for teaching learning process all over the world. Information communication technology gives great opportunity to the students for obtaining knowledge without time constrain, gives flexibility to students for accessing  their knowledge from anywhere and at any time. This trend of ICT requires a rethinking on traditional classroom environment
  4. Gaming. According to the Horizon Report, a current survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed that the excessive playing of online games are found in youth or young peoples and this types of activities can-not benefitted for the health. Most of the young people are interconnected with the society through games
  5. Personalized learning. Education systems are increasingly day by day and exploring the use of technology for better understanding among student’s knowledge.

                Some Current trend in Information Technology are as under, SWAYAM (Study Web of Active-learning for Youth Aspiring minds) Learning Management System, MOOCs, Robotics, Open Educational Resource, Cooperative Learning Strategies (CLS), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning etc. Integration of technology in present situation plays a vital role in our education system as well as outside the educational background. But, education will be able to plays its role more effectively by making the individuals creative, innovative and efficient. Educational technology can immensely contribute to the qualitative as well as quantitative improvement of education.

CONCLUSION 

This study examine that the recent trends of information communication technology and role of ICT in Indian higher education system. ICT plays a vital role in the school education as well as higher education system in India.  During Covid pandemic all the formal education system was unfortunately stopped, meanwhile ICT was started day by day and spread over the world. ICT can immensely contribute to the qualitative as well as quantitative improvement of education.According to National Policy on Education 2020 technology will be benefitted for the students as well as teacher. Technology integration play an important role in teaching learning process. Some recent trends of ICT such as; Learning Management System, MOOCs, Robert, Cooperative Learning Strategies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Moodle, Open Educational Resource, Online Assessment and Portfolio, Smart classroom, Electronic Devices, and some software application are Google meet, Google classroom, Zoom, WebEx, Study Blue Flashcards, Schoology, Quiz, Teacher Kit, Animoto, Socrative, Seesaw, Tether, FoxFi, Too Noisy, Answer Garden, Slido etc. Finding of the study revealed  that usage of technology such as projectors, smart boards, laptops, desktop computers, and some software applications makes learning convenient and enhanced learner and teacher capabilities, interest, motivation, and learning potential as well as problem-solving abilities, creativity, and cognitive ability. If the proper infrastructure would be available with the recent trends of technology in Indian higher education system and trained teachers in information technology then the educational standard will be high.

REFERENCES

Amit Mahajan, Dhirendra Sharma (2012). A Technical SWOT Analysis of ICT Facilities: Jammu University, Jammu, India. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering. 2(12): 128-139.

Goyal, Ela; Seema Purohit and Manju Bhagat. 2010. ‘Factors that affect information and communication technology usage: A case study in management’. Education journal of information technology management, 21 (4) 38-57.

Hussain, I,. Suleman, Q,.  Naseer ud din, M,. & Shafique ,F. (2017) Effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Students’ Academic Achievement and Retention in Chemistry at Secondary Level. Journal of Education and Educational Development. 4(1)73-93.

Mushtaq. M,. & Meena B,. L. (2022) Blended Mode of education and its relevance in teaching learning process. Post Covid Education Scenario in India. G.H.G. Khalsa Colleges, Gurusar Sadhar Twenty first century publications Patiala. 73-78.

NEP (2020). New Education Policy. Ministry of Human Resource Development Government of India. Retrieved from www.education.in

Patel. I. Mushtaq (2020) the OER – a teaching-learning tool in the times of covid-19 in India. Global and Lokal Distance Education- GLOKALde, October 2020, Vol 6 (2), https://www.glokalde.com/pdf/issues/18/Volume6Number2.pdf#page=91

Syed Noor-Ul-Amin (2013) An Effective use of ICT for Education and Learning by Drawing on Worldwide Knowledge, Research, and Experience: ICT as a Change Agent for Education, Department Of Education, University Of Kashmir, , 2(4), 38-45, 

Ulka Toro and Millind Joshi (2012).ICT in Higher Education: Review of Literature from the Period 2004-2011.International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology. 3(1):20-23.

UNESCO (2002). Information and Communication Technologies in Teacher Education, A Planning Guide. Paris: UNESCO.

Healing Arts: Exploring Artistic Resonance in John Green’s The Fault in our Stars

Mrs. L. P. Priyanka M.A., M.Phil., NET

Assitant Professor

Department of English

Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women (Autonomous), Periyakulam

Abstract:

Art has long been recognized as a powerful tool for emotional expression, empathy, and personal growth. The concept of healing arts encompasses a diverse range of expressive mediums, each playing a distinct role in the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals. This research article delves into the multifaceted dimensions of arts as a therapeutic medium through an analysis of John Greens acclaimed novel The Fault in Our Stars,with a particular focus on literature, music, games, and poetry. By analyzing how these forms of artistic engagement contribute to the characters’ emotional healing. This study aims to shed light on the inherent therapeutic qualities of literature  and other arrs and its potential to provide solace and guidance.

Keywords: Healing arts, literature, games, poetry, therapeutic medium, emotional healing, John Green, The Fault in Our Stars.

Healing Arts: Exploring Artistic Resonance in John Green’s The Fault in our Stars

Art has its beginning in the caves of stone-age man. From then on it has become a vital ingredient of life. It is mostly defined as a process of deliberately arranging items with symbolic significance. As a result, it influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions and intellect. In art, one can find a diverse range of human activities, creation and modes of expression. Art in its various forms includes music, literature, film, photography, sculpture and paintings.  Healing is often an intricate process, and the utilization of various artistic mediums can significantly impact the emotional trajectories of individuals. John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars has garnered widespread acclaim for its profound portrayal of young love amidst the challenges of terminal illness. Green intertwines literature, music, games, and poetry to underscore the importance of the healing in navigating the complexities of life, love, and loss. This paper explores how the novel exemplifies the healing arts, demonstrating how literature  and varied art can play a therapeutic role in the lives of both fictional characters and real-world readers.

Expressing oneself through various media such as art and literature has been a desire of mankind since the beginning of time. Literature has the unique ability to transport readers into alternate worlds, allowing them to experience a range of emotions and perspectives. Nobody can imagine a life without art. Artists express their emotional world through art and spectators or readers let this world pass through the realm of their sensuality. It is the sphere of feelings and sentiments of a person arising from his direct experience. Emotions in art are special. There are many pros and cons in the feelings of everyday life. In real life feelings and emotions come in a variety of shades, from negative to positive.

Emotions in art have social impact, they are very similar to the feelings of every humans.Through feelings art reaches the inner world of a human being, inspiring him and making him humane, and moulding his personality. Art can go to the extent of solving pedagogical and psychological problems. In addition, art acts as a psychotherapeutic therapeutic tool for the soul, which is capable of relieving psychological and spiritual distress. 

As an art form, literature has been used to express mankind’s deepest emotions and observations, most profound thinking and firm beliefs. Literature encompasses many genres such as drama, poetry, and novels. While both physical arts and literature are a form of self-expression, each also represents a profession. When the world of arts and literature is explored, mankind’s fascination for self-expression can be discovered.

Literature is a work of art in words. It is a writing that carries strong and lasting value through beauty or emotional power. Literature expresses the writers’ thoughts, hopes and fears. Writings become literature only when well written and are of lasting interest to people of many societies and different generations. Literature is a powerful weapon to change the world with its human ideas and emotions expressed through words.

Art has tremendous healing power. Mankind is very much accustomed to spiritual and physical healing through prayer. Concrete experiences of such healing were innumerable through the healing touch of Jesus Christ. Music too is known to bring emotional balance relieving one in distress. Music is the most accessible and most researched medium of art of healing, relieving one of anxiety. Creative writing and reading of literature too are healers in a broad sense.

The healing power of literature has been recognized throughout history, from ancient myths to modern novels. By immersing themselves in the lives of fictional characters, readers can gain insight into their own emotions and struggles. Most people resort to reading as a means of escape from reality. Further, the world seen through books creates awareness and realization of one’s faults when one is caught up in the mean world. In Green’s novel, protagonists Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters navigate the challenges of cancer, mortality, and young love. Their emotional journeys serve as a lens through which readers can explore their own feelings of grief, fear, and hope. Both Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters are fond of reading books. Hazel reads her favourite novel ‘An Imperial Affliction’ by Peter Van Houten. Augustus reads ‘The Price of Dawn’, a brilliant novelization of his favourite video game.

 Hazel describes the book as her personal Bible, because it accurately matches her own experience. She finds relief through ‘An Imperial Affliction’. She says that she loves this book for its honesty. Anna, the main character of ‘An Imperial Affliction’, is a young girl with cancer who does not want to let this fact define her entire life. This parallels Hazel’s situation and causes Hazel to find empathy and connection in the book. Hazel finds this book as a touchstone to her life. She tries to deal with pain honestly and directly and also finds comfort in it.  She recommends ‘An Imperial Affliction’ to Augustus. She tells him that the book accurately reflects the reality of death. One dies in the midst of their life, in the midst of a conversation. But I want to know what happens to everyone else. Both of them are very curious to know about what happens to the characters at the end of the novel. This curiosity made them travel to Amsterdam to meet the author Peter Van Houten. Hazel reads books not to escape from reality but to escape from the eyes of the society that views herself as a cancer patient and not as a human being. Hazel believes and lives in reality. She has no illusions about her health. She comes to a better understanding of life through the novel ‘An Imperial Affliction’. Even though it is a fictional work it has a genuine value in her life. Hazel finds this novel a pain-reliever.

Augustus tends to deal with his pain through humour and sacrifices himself in a video game. He lends Hazel a copy of ‘The Price of Dawn’, a book based on his favourite video game.  Hazel reads the book and then purchases the first two sequels of ‘The Price of Dawn’. In human company Hazel feels the sense of otherness. While shopping with her friend Kaitlyn in a mall she realizes how Kaitlyn sees her as a cancer patient. Hazel says that social interactions were depressing because it was so obvious that everyone she talked to for the rest of her life would feel awkward and uncomfortable around her. So just to escape from Kaitlyn’s eyes Hazel begins to read the sequel to ‘The Price of Dawn’. 

Coming to Augustus and his friend Isaac, video game serves as an escape mechanism. Their interest in the game originates from their need to escape from pain. When Isaac’s girlfriend Monica deserts him, he cries in distress. Just to escape from that hard reality he resorts to playing video game. It is also a kind of healing for him.

 Augustus takes his game-playing seriously. When Hazel questions him as to why he has saved some hostages in the game instead of himself, he says, “All salvation is temporary, I bought them a minute. Maybe that’s the minute that buys them an hour, which is the hour that buys them a year. No one’s gonna buy them forever, Hazel Grace, but my life bought them a minute. And that’s not nothing” (59). The whole life-or-death situation inherent in video games is close to that of Augustus. Like the hostages in the game, he recognizes that he and his fellow cancer kids are working with a limited amount of time, and anytime gained is very valuable and precious. When Augusts is worried about his fear of oblivion, he indulges in playing a video game and feels comforted.

Peter Van Houten, the author of ‘An Imperial Affliction’, is an alcoholic. When Hazel and Augustus meet him at his house in Amsterdam, he is abrasive and drunk. He never reads his fans’ mails. All these are because he has lost his daughter Anna to cancer. After the death of Anna, he became bad tempered and alcoholic and was unable to cope with her loss. He became a writer because of his daughter. Meeting Hazel, he is reminded of Anna and that’s why he behaves in a cruel manner. He refuses to answer most of Hazel’s questions and he is very mean to them. To prove himself an intellectual genius, he replies cryptically, citing the paradox of Zeno’s tortoise. Zeno, a pre-Socratic philosopher was the first person in history to show that the concept of infinity is problematical. Van Houten saysZeno’s tortoise paradox is renowned for its paradoxical nature. Suppose that you are racing against a tortoise and the tortoise is ahead of you by ten yards. As you run, the tortoise may have moved one yard, and as you make up the distance, the tortoise will move a further distance, and this cycle continues indefinitely. You may be faster than the tortoise, but you will never catch it, you will only reduce its lead. You may simply run past the tortoise without considering the mechanics involved. The question of how to do this becomes extremely complicated. Nobody really figured it out until Cantor showed that some infinity is bigger than others.

Therefore, it shows that fast runners are not always winners. To escape from the present situation, Van Houten takes out his grief on others. Van Houten uses his intellect to escape from the reality. The idea of Zeno’s paradox comes later in the novel, providing Hazel and Augustus a way to understand the time they spent together. Although Van Houten does not provide the answers to the end of the novel, he does provide Hazel a way to imagine her relationship with Augustus. Hazel is happy for her small infinity with Augustus Waters.

            Hazel’s attending poetry classes and reading poetry are a proof that art is really healing. Poetry, through heavy use of imagery and word association, quickly conveys emotions. Poetry is something everyone can love, and it is a great art that can be part of our life. Poems with powerful images can help us retain them in memory and relish them as intellectual treat. Poems speak to us in many ways. A poem helps one express what cannot be said in other forms of writing, to suggest an experience, idea, or feeling. 

A concrete example is seen in John Keats, the Romantic poet, when threatened by consumption which ran in the family and which had already carried off his brother Tom expressed his fear of death through “When I have fears that I may cease to be” (Lall 3), a prophesying of his early death in Shakespearean form. His ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ is a song of death and despair. It contains the premonition of his premature death: “My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains / my sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk” (Lall 153). Through his expression of feelings, fear and pain he achieves psychological healing.                                               

            In the novel, Hazel attends a poetry class at MCC, their community college. When Augustus asks her about her interest, she says that she is interested in reading, “from, like, hideous romance to pretentious fiction to poetry” (33). At once Augustus yells saying, “Hazel Grace, you are the only teenager in America who prefers reading poetry to writing it” (33). Most people love to write poetry in order to express their feelings, but Hazel is fond of reading poetry. She feels very peaceful while reading poetry.

 During the flight Hazel reads the long poem Howl by Allen Ginsberg, which she is reading for her poetry class. The title Howl indicates protest, cry for all exploitation, repression and subjugation. In Howl, Ginsberg describes the desperation, the suffering and persecution of a group of outcastes who are seeking transcendent reality. They love narcotic things because they want to forget their pain. They have repulsion towards life and attraction towards death. Hazel tells Augustus, “The guys in this poem take even more drugs than I do” (152).

            How much poetry means to Hazel is seen in her having poems in memory. Augustus asks Hazel to recite a poem from her memory, and Hazel recites a part of T.S. Eliot’s poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. At Oranjee Augusts requests Hazel to recite the final lines of the Prufrock  poem. She tells how it ends, “We have lingered in the chambers of the sea / By sea-girls wreathe with seaweed red and brown / Till human voices wake us, and we drown” (164). The poem reminds her of her own situation. This poem speaks about awareness, water and drowning. Drowning is a clear reference to death by water which Hazel fears.

 After returning from Anne Frank’s house, Hazel recites the poem Thirteen ways of looking at a Blackbird by Wallace Stevens. She recites the fifth stanza of the poem: “I do not know which to prefer, / The beauty of inflections / Or the beauty of innuendos, / The blackbird whistling /Or just after” (204). While Hazel and Gus are waiting for the ambulance to arrive, Gus asks her to read something, so she recites William Carlos William’s The Red Wheelbarrow until the ambulance arrives. She also makes some modification to the poem to describe Gus:

so much depends 

upon

a red wheel 

barrow

glazed with rain 

water

beside the white

chickens. (246-247)

This poem is an example of a true imagist poem. Red wheelbarrow is important to the farmer and she compares Gus to the wheelbarrow, meaning metaphorically that Gus is equally important to her. Here, she is the white chicken. The form of the poem itself is very symbolic. The wheelbarrow is red to show its power at the farm, and the chickens are white to show their purity. The wheelbarrow is covered with rain water. 

 The lines which Hazel adds to the poem are “And so much depends, upon a blue sky cut open by the branches of the trees above. So much depends upon the transparent G-tube erupting from the gut of blue-lipped boy. So much depends upon this observer of the universe” (247). Here, she tries to tell about the pitiable situation of Gus. His survival depends upon the observer of the universe that is God. It is in God’s hand to save him.

Towards the end of the novel, after Gus’s funeral, Hazel recalls the lines, “So dawn goes down to day, / Nothing gold can stay” (278) from the poem Nothing Gold can Stay by Robert Frost. This line symbolizes the idea that all the good and beautiful things in life eventually fade away. Nothing good can last. It shows the cycle of life and death. Hazel also thinks that even if death doesn’t get in the way, the kind of love that she and Augustus share could never last. Hazel’s love for books and poetry in general represents a certain escapism, not wanting to harm or affect other people and so retreating into the world of authors, fiction and poetry for comfort and kinship. Thus she finds healing through literature.

Music as a mechanism for relief is seen in the novel. Music has much significance in human life and people listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Intimate relation to music is one pretty way to make one feel happy or excited. There are many types of music like pop, rock, jazz, classical etc . . In addition to providing entertainment it can purify the mind and give positive energy. Music makes one relaxed and influences one’s mental health significantly. Music, through stimulation can abolish pain, and calm the neural activity in the brain. 

Van Houten is seen relieved from frustration by listening to Swedish rap music. In the early days most wrappers in Sweden rapped in English. Afasi and Filthy was a Swedish hip hop dou from Uppsala, Sweden. Peter Van Houten is a fan of the group and plays ‘Bomfallera’ when Hazel and Augustus meet him. When Hazel asks him to answer her questions, he suddenly brings up Zeno’s paradox of tortoise and quickly connects the theory to Swedish hip hop. When Augustus says that they don’t speak Swedish, at once Van Houten tells: 

Well, of course you don’t. Neither do I. Who the hell speaks Swedish? The important thing is not whatever nonsense the voices are saying, but the voices are feeling. Surely you know that there are only two emotions, love and fear, and that Afasi och Filthy navigate between them with the kind of facility that one simply does not find in hip-hop music outside Sweden. Shall I play it for u again? (188)

Augustus asks if Van Houten is playing some kind of performance on them, to which Van Houten replies that if they cannot hear Afasi and Filthy’s bravadic response to fear, then his work is not for them. He purposely plays the sound track, because he is frustrated by the presence of Hazel and Augustus Waters. To relieve himself from the frustration he plays the Swedish hip-hop rap music.

            To Hazel, like all entertainment the reality television show offers an escape from real life problems. She regularly watches “America’s Next Top Model marathon” (6), a reality show. This show grabs the attention of Hazel even though she is a brilliant young reader too.

Augustus’s house is decked out with inspirational quotes. On every single surface of the house, there are encouraging and inspirational phrases. When Hazel goes to Augustus’s house for the first time, she notices:

“A wooden plaque in the entryway was engraved in a cursive with the words Home Is Where the Heart Is, and the entire house turned out to be festooned in such observations. Good Friends Are Hard to Find and Impossible to Forget read an illustration above the coatrack. True Love Is Born from Hard Times promised a needlepointed pillow in their antique-furnished living room.” (26)

Augustus, on seeing Hazel reading them tells that his parents call them encouragements. Encouragements are a tangible form of comfort. Even though Hazel and Augustus may not agree with them, they know that to some extent it provides comfort and hope to Augustus’s parents. When Augustus dies, Hazel mentions a great quote in his eulogy which she found very comforting: “Without pain, we couldn’t know joy” (272), because she knows that it will mean a lot to his parents. 

            John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars beautifully illustrates how the healing arts, encompassing literature, music, games, and poetry, enrich the human experience by providing avenues for emotional expression, connection, and personal growth. As individuals navigate life’s challenges, these artistic mediums offer pathways toward healing, resilience, and a deeper understanding of oneself and others. As literature continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the human experience, it is essential to recognize and appreciate its potential to facilitate healing and transformation. Each character heals himself or herself by relying on an art such as reading a novel, reciting a poem, playing video game, listening to music, writing and encouragements. The concept of healing is thus intrinsically connected with some form of an art.

Works Cited

 Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars. India: Penguin Books, 2012. Print.

Lall, Ramji. John Keats: An Evaluation of His Poetry. New Delhi: Rama Brothers, 1995. Print.

‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’- Book by Khaled Hosseini

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”

Book Review - A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
  • Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns
  • Author: Khaled Hosseini
  • Publisher: Riverhead Books
  • Genre: Contemporary, Historical Fiction
  • First Publication: 2007
  • Language: English
  • Major Characters: Laila, Mariam, Rasheed, Tariq
  • Setting Place: Herat and Kabul, Afghanistan
  • Theme: History and Memory in Afghanistan, Suffering and Perseverance, Shame and Reputation, Love, Loyalty, and Belonging, Gender Relations and Female Friendship.
  • Narrator: The story is told in the third person, alternating between Laila’s and Mariam’s points of view.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a Heartbreaking story of Mariam and Laila. It represents the stereotypes against women and also implies the common quote, ‘Woman is woman’s worst enemy and a best friend’. The Storytelling is perfect and at no moment the reader feels bored or thought of putting it away.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini stretches over decades and talks about the Afghan history in which the Soviets invaded and the Taliban took over and time after that. It revolves around the story of two heroines: Mariam and Laila. Both are born and brought up differently but the severity of the war and their fate brings them together.

While all the characters are fictional in this novel, the reader feels sad after reading it. The story of both the women is heartbreaking, I myself was shoving nails into my head while reading this book. It is a great melancholic representation of the sufferings of the Afghan people.

It deals with various injustices done against women. Most of them are portrayed through Rasheed. Khaled Hosseini explicitly deals with domestic violence, Discrimination in providing education to the girl child (Aziza; Laila and Tariq’s daughter), Exploitation of women’s right to freedom, and many more. He has also glorified the qualities of motherhood and sisterhood among the women.

This novel includes the romance of Tariq and Laila which shortly turns into a tragedy. But maybe Hosseini felt a little pity for his readers and thus united both of them towards the end of the novel.

‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ is a disheartening novel and it may not be a good choice for sensitive readers. Almost 3/4th of the novel is following a melancholic theme. The reader cries at the agonies and miseries faced by these two women. It is indeed a masterpiece by Khaled Hosseini. If the reader is okay with the gloomy factor of this novel then definitely should give it a try. You can purchase your own copy of this novel from here.

Thyroid Awareness Month

January is the Thyroid Awareness Month of the year. But do we know what thyroid is and how it affects our body?

According to research by the American Thyroid Association, 1 in 10 people suffer from a thyroid disorder. As many as 20 million Americans suffer from a thyroid disorder. More than half of the cases are undiagnosed.

What causes a thyroid is still unknown but if left undiagnosed, can cause various problems. Like an increased risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and infertility.

The thyroid plays a major role in our body. It regulates metabolism, body temperature and other physical functions. The thyroid produces hormones to keep our body functioning at a certain rate. 

What is the thyroid?

It is a small butterfly-shaped gland found in the lower neck. The gland produces the hormones T3 and T4. It is located above the collarbone and in front of the windpipe. The role of these hormones is to help regulate metabolism, manage body temperature and control heart rate. 

If these hormones are overproduced or underproduced, they can cause serious health issues. 

The two most common diseases related to the thyroid are:

Hyperthyroidism 

Hypothyroidism 

What is hyperthyroidism?

When the T4 (thyroxine) hormone is overproduced in the body, it causes hyperthyroidism. It is also known as an overactive thyroid. This disease causes an increase in metabolism which leads to weight loss and an irregular heartbeat. It affects about 1% of the population. It is five times more common in women than in men. It usually affects people under the age of 50 years and results in enlargement of the thyroid gland. 

It also causes insomnia, increased appetite, excessive perspiration and diarrhea. 

Even though it is associated with more energy, it can sometimes lead to a body break down and make one feel more tired. 

Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

Anxiety

Oversensitive to heat

Increased sweating

Palpitations

Dry, thin skin

Hair loss

Trembling 

What is hypothyroidism?

It is more common than hyperthyroidism. It happens when the body cannot produce enough of the thyroid hormone. It results in a slow down of the body functions. It is also known as under-active thyroid. It affects heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism. 

It mostly affects people over the age of 60 years and increases with age. In older people, it can cause memory impairment, weight loss and loss of appetite. These happen because of old age as well, therefore, hypothyroidism is relatively difficult to diagnose in older people and remains under-diagnosed. 

The possible causes of hypothyroidism are autoimmune disease, certain medicines or surgical removal of a part of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Fatigue

Sensitive to cold/heat

Weight gain and inability to lose weight


Depression

Anxiety

Constipation

Numbness in limbs 

Other diseases that can happen because of improper functioning of the thyroid gland are Hashimoto’s disease and thyroid cancer. 

Thyroid cancer is of four types:

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most commonly differentiated thyroid cancer. It may spread to the lymph nodes of the neck even though it grows slowly.

Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common thyroid cancer. It grows near areas where there is a high iodine deficiency in the body. It is easiest to cure. 

Medullary thyroid cancer is rare and mostly hereditary. It has higher chances of spreading to the lymph nodes of the neck than other types.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the most aggressive form of thyroid cancer and is the rarest of all. It grows rapidly and spreads easily, therefore it is the most dangerous one. 

How to diagnose thyroid disorders?

They can either be self-diagnosed at home first and later consulting the doctor is the best way to be sure.

For self-diagnoses, one can perform the following:

Stand in front of the mirror or take a hand mirror above the collarbones where the area below you Adam’s Apple is visible. 

  1. Tilt your head back and take a sip of water.
  2. Swallow the water and watch your neck for signs of bulging.
  3. Repeat a few times to make sure you don’t see obvious signs of bulging.
  4. If you see a huge bulge, nodule or an enlarged gland, contact a physician.

The only way to confirm you have a thyroid disease and which one is it, it by going through a blood test. 

Treatment:

The treatment usually includes medication to regulate hormone production. Doctors usually treat it with medications, iodine or hormones. In some cases, one may also need to undergo therapy or surgery. 

Thyroid awareness month is recognised to increase awareness about the disorders related to thyroid and their possible symptoms. The symptoms of a thyroid disorder are common in other disorders as well. Therefore it can become difficult to diagnose it and remain ignored. Thyroid disorders are not curable or preventable but are treatable. Consulting your doctor and getting regular health checkups can improve the quality of living to a great extent.

How to Select a Right Journal to Publish your Research Paper?

How to Select a Right Journal to Publish your Research Paper?

1. Use Journal Finder

Most of the leading publishers provide a free tool called ‘Journal Finder’, which helps to identify the right suitable journal for research area with relevant keyword to publish the manuscript. some of the journal finding tools are given below.

IEEE Publication Recommender

Wiley Jounal Finder

Elsvier Journal Finder

Springer Nature Journal Suggester

Edanz Journal Selector

Cofactor Journal Selector

2. What type of article accepted by the journal?

Before going to submit your manuscript verify the types of articles accepted by the journal(Review, Case study, or Theorem). Ensuring the journal’s publication policy will reduce more time by selecting the right journal.

3. Get expert recommendations

Getting a view about the journal from senior scholars or professors is a good idea to select the journal. If they already published their article in that journal then they would have enough knowledge about the journal procedures.

4. Analysis Journal Metrics

Analysis journal’s Impact Factor(IF) is one measure of its reputation, but not always the most important. You should consider the prestige of the authors that publish in the journal and whether your research is of a similar level.

Check -> How Impact Factor(IF) is calculated?

5. Check the frequency of the publication

The different journal has a different timeline of the review process, always verify the frequency of the publication (Monthly, Quarterly, or Twice a yearly) before submitting your manuscript.

6. Published Articles in the Literature

Analyse the published articles in your field that are similar in scope and impact on the field, and see where they were published. It is an easy way of selecting the journal by checking your literature review paper’s publication.

Always select two or three choices of a suitable journal from your research area. if your paper is rejected from your first-choice journal, you can quickly submit to your second-choice journal.

Important tips before choosing a journal

Read or download Guide for Authors.

Verify the journal topics match your area of research.

Check if the journal is invitation-only as some journals will only accept articles after inviting the author.

Submit your paper to only one journal at the time.

Read the aims and scope of the journal.

If you need to publish open access know that most Elsevier journals have open access options explained on the journal homepage.

Check the journal performance for the review and publication timelines.


Hope, this article helps you to select the right journal to publish your valuable scientific research article.