Category Archives: Education

Now, a Guinness record for ‘largest first aid lesson’

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Breathtaking feat: As many as 3,540 students of Lucknow come together under one roof to learn lesson on first aid.

Students from 15 public and private schools in Lucknow created another Guinness World Record when 3,540 of them came together under one roof for a training session on first aid in the ongoing India International Science Festival-2018 (IISF) here at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan on Sunday afternoon.

Union minister for science and technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan and secretary, department of biotechnology, government of India, Dr Renu Swarup jointly received the certificate of Guinness World Record from its adjudicator Rishi Nath in the presence of participants.

Dr Vardhan and Dr Swarup congratulated students on this accomplishment.

The previous record was held by a group of 2,580 people at an event that took place at the directorate of emergency and public safety, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi on April 18, 2018, said coordinator Dr Omkar Tiwari (DBT).

The pandal reverberated with a thunderous applause when chief instructor Shweta Singh of St John’s Ambulance at Red Cross announced that Lucknow students created a new record.

“I was excited to be a part of this event and liked the way first aid techniques were explained,” said Ritika, student of Class 8 in Pioneer Montessori Inter College. Ayushi, a student of Class 9 from the same school said it was a dream for her to be a part of Guinness World Record.

On Saturday, 550 students of GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow had also created a Guinness World Record for simultaneously conducting DNA isolation experiment of banana.

“It takes only six minutes for the human brain to expire due to lack of oxygen. First aid helps ensure that the right methods of administering medical assistance are provided,” informed Shweta Singh. After this training session, these students will always be ready to come forward and extend help in rushing the injured to hospital in the right manner, she added.

The final part of the training included identifying fractures and providing first aid in such a situation. The students acquired hands-on learning on how to provide first aid in case of head injury, jaw injury, collarbone injury or spinal fractures by administering first aid to their fellow student volunteers post demonstration by Shweta.

The ‘Largest First Aid Lesson’ involved lesson explanation with slides support and demonstration with volunteers on stage. GD Goenka Public School, Shaheed Path, Lucknow roped in 300 students and invited Shweta Singh from Indian Red Cross Society, UP, state branch to train students how to administer basic first aid techniques.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / October 08th, 2018

550 Lucknow Students Extract DNA Simultaneously, Set Guinness Record

Amazing Feats, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The students, from G D Goenka School in Lucknow, participated in a massexperiment to extract DNA at the ongoing India International Science Festival or IISF, and completed the task in a mere 90 minutes.

Lucknow :

For 550 students of a private school in Lucknow, no moment so far could have been this special. After all, they all just set a world record, acknowledged by none other than the prestigious Guinness World Records.
The feat these teenagers achieved – being the highest number of people in the world to simultaneously extract DNA from bananas.

The students, from G D Goenka School in Lucknow, participated in a mass experiment to extract DNA at the ongoing India International Science Festival or IISF, and completed the task in a mere 90 minutes.

On the successful completion of the experiment, participant Anand Agarwal said he was very happy at seeing the DNA — the universal genetic material of living organisms.

Applauding the students, Guinness World Record official Rishi Nath said, “Congratulations we have a new world record, you have done it children.”

The earlier record was set up in 2017 in America when 302 students performed a similar experiment.

Dr Saroj Barik, director National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, said, “Children have created a world record and done India and Lucknow proud. DNA the children extracted can be seen as a white globule at the end of the stick.”

In 2015, the same festival when held in IIT-Delhi won a Guinness Record for the single largest chemistry experiment.

Last year, at the third edition of the IISF in Chennai, the city students created a huge Guinness record of the single largest biology class.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV.com / Home> Lucknow> Sections / by Pallava Bagla / October 06th, 2018

Start-up incubated at IIT-Kanpur blooms at UN

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature
Ankit Agarwal

HelpUsGreen recycles floral waste at temples into a substitute for thermocol

New Delhi :

HelpUsGreen, a start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) was chosen as one of the exceptional young leader projects to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations on Sunday.

HelpUsGreen, founded by a young engineer Ankit Agarwal together with Karan Rastogin three years ago, seeks to convert flowers offered in temples ,which are often thrown away as waste, polluting rivers and other water bodies, into biodegradable substitute to thermocol and fragrant incense sticks.

Agarwal was among the 17 young leaders selected from more than 8,000 youth from over 184 countries at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly currently in session in New York.

HelpUsGreen currently processes around 8.4 tonnes of floral waste from temples and mosques in Uttar Pradesh and converts them into biodegradable packaging material, charcoal-free incense sticks, and natural vermicompost.

According to Agarwal, over 8 million tonnes of flowers are used in different religious places as offerings. These flowers, a symbol of devotion, are subsequently discarded in the rivers like the Ganga, creating havoc in their fragile ecosystems and leach in the groundwater.

The start-up, supported by Tata Trusts through its Social Alpha programme, has developed a patented flower-recycling technology, which not only tackles the monumental temple waste in India, but also provide employment to people.

HelpUsGreen, which has so far recycled over 11,000 tonnes of floral waste, has been able to provide livelihood to 73 manual scavenging families, which now earn six times more than what they did earlier.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Trending Today / by The Hindu Bureau / New Delhi – September 25th, 2018

Retired Uttar Pradesh teacher gives lessons in selfless service

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Niranjan is a retired primary school teacher who was felicitated with the President’s award for his outstanding services. He received the award from then President KR Narayanan in 1999.

Niranjan can be spotted on the streets of Lalitpur city in Uttar Pradesh, removing polythene bags from canals | Express

Lucknow :

He seems to be in the grip of an obsession which he finds difficult to resist. Approaching 80, Rupnarayan Niranjan is unstoppable. His fetish for work not only inspires but also leaves one in awe.

Clad in shorts and a vest, Niranjan can be spotted on the streets of Lalitpur city in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, mending a pothole, opening a blocked sewer or even clearing roads and canals by removing polythene bags.

The first impression one gets of the man is that of an ordinary labourer at work, but as soon as the interaction starts, that perception is shattered. His polished language and mannerism bring out the quintessential teacher in him. Niranjan is a retired primary school teacher who was felicitated with the President’s award for his outstanding services. He received the award from then President KR Narayanan in 1999.

But now, after retirement, he begins his day by setting out on his mission with a handcart, broom and shovel, looking for patches on roads that need repairs or streets that can do with some cleaning. The reason he gives for doing such work all day at his age is astonishing.

“As I retired as a primary school teacher, the government pays me pension which comes to `600-700 a day. Hence, it is incumbent on me to offer services in return to the taxpayers who bear the burden of my pension,” says Niranjan, adding that his daily work keeps him physically fit and mentally content. He spends his pension to get the roads repaired and arrange for logistics in the Lalitpur primary school.

After toiling for around five hours in the morning, Niranjan, who is a certified Ayurvedic doctor, treats patients free of cost at his residence in Chowkbagh.

For Niranjan, his father, who was the village head, was a source of inspiration. He grew up seeing him always active and concerned about keeping the village clean.

Niranjan, who shuns the limelight, was a reluctant awardee. When asked to complete the modalities for recommendation for the President’s award for his teaching services, he refused. The then education secretary, LK Pandey, had to visit him and convince him to do the required paperwork, which paved his way to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Teachers’ Day to receive the honour.

He took up the mission of repairing roads when he found that his students in Bazarra village primary school were reluctant to come to school because of the dilapidated roads.

Initially Niranjan requested the authorities to get the roads repaired, but when his pleas fell on deaf ears, he decided to do it himself.

With his own money, he got toilets constructed, an electricity connection provided and arranged for clean drinking water for students in the school.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> The Sunday Standard / by Namita Bajpai / September 23rd, 2018

NSD’s new chapter in Varanasi will revive Sanskrit plays

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Playwright Actor Director Ram ji Bali Ramji Bali has been appointed as the first director of the new branch.

Rangamy Ramji Bali.

In its six decades of history, the National School of Drama (NSD) has expanded itself outside its celebrated Delhi precincts with opening up of an extension centre in Varanasi recently. The renowned institute has roped in one of its eminent alumni, Rangamy Ramji Bali, to become the first director of the new branch.

As of now, the new centre will run a one-year certificate course and only deal with Sanskrit plays translated into Hindi. Like its parent branch, the centre will take in 26 students from all over India. The admission for the first batch is in process at the moment. The last date for submitting the forms is 20 July and the final interviews will be held between 25 and 27 July in Varanasi itself. The classes are scheduled to start from the first week of August.

Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, Bali said that there is no better place to start the institute outside Delhi than in the land of Shiva, the originator of “Natya Shastra” or the science of dances.

Better known as Kashi, the place is considered as the land of Hindu mythology that connects Sanskrit scriptures to the rest of the country, he explained, adding that the new centre’s main objective will be to introduce this Natya Shastra written in these scriptures to the world.

“The NSD teaches everything to its students, from Western to Indian classical and contemporary. But there has always been a concern that our youths are not attached to their own culture in this modern era. Hence, NSD-Varanasi will help break this stereotype, as we will include everything—from dance to music to acting. This will be taught from an Indian classical point of view, which will be amalgamated with mythology and Natya Shastra,” said Bali.

Bali further added that the style of performance will be inspired by “Natya Shastra and mythology”, but the presentation will be in Hindi with a “touch of Sanskrit in it”.

Pointing out that there is a false impression that the youth is “rigid” when it comes to Sanskrit, he said, “It is a misconception. I have met a lot of students who have displayed their interest in Natya Shastra. This is why one of our main objectives will be to break this stereotype.”

The institute has plans to hire teachers on contractual basis, giving preference to scholars with Sanskrit background.

“People who have studied or are experts in Sanskrit will be hired for the job. This will give new opportunities to people with Sanskrit degrees,” Bali added.

The new centre aims at making its students realise the importance of Sanskrit scriptures that have mostly surfaced in Varanasi itself. “We will try to make our students understand the importance of Natya Shastra and then slowly teach the basics of Sanskrit in the span of one year,” he said.

The new NSD Director, who always wanted to encourage Natya Shastra, said he “personally wants every student, who walks out of NSD, to know something about Sanskrit”.

To provide students with an exposure to a wide array of knowledge on Indian culture, the students will be taken on a month-long trip to different corners of the country.

Explaining the involvement of NSD-Delhi, Bali said, “The plays will be staged independently by the Varanasi centre only. Though the centre will be guided by the Delhi branch, everything else will be done independently there.”

The new NSD branch will be opened at the Nagari Natak Mandali’s campus in School Kabir Chaura in the holy city. “It’s one of the oldest buildings in Varanasi. We don’t have our own campus yet, but are working on it,” said Bali.

A resident of Faridabad, Bali has penned seven plays and has directed approximately 75 plays so far. He is an alumnus of 2001 batch of the NSD, Delhi. He will be seen in the upcoming projects of noted director Tigmanshu Dhulia—“Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3” and “Yaara”.

source: http://www.sundaymagazineive.in / Sunday Guardian Live / Home> News / by Nibedita Saha & Nikita Jain / July 08th, 2018

Chitrapriya Singh becomes the fbb Campus Princess 2018 from Lucknow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

A fashion show was recently organized by a private institut of fashion designing at Paryatan Bhavan.

L) Ravi Kapoor (R) Roshmitha Harimurthy (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)

Organized by the second year students of the institute, the show had Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva 2016 Miss Universe India Roshmitha Harimurthy, and actor and Lucknowite Mohit Kesarwani as showstoppers for the evening. SP Singh, vice-chancellor of Lucknow University and Anis Ansari were the chief guests of the event which had Madrid as its theme.

The Best Designer award went to Hafza Abdul while Aqsa Fatima bagged the Miss College award.

L) Chitrapriya Singh (R) Mohit Kesarwani (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)

However, the highlight of the event was the fbb Campus Princess 2018 auditions in which Chitrapriya Singh was adjudged the winner. Being gratified as the finalist of the fbb Campus Princess pageant, Chitrapriya will get an opportunity to get groomed and participate in the Miss India organisation’s national beauty pageants.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Lucknow News / TNN / June 20th, 2018

Now, India’s first paediatric orthopaedic department at KGMU

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
KGMU VC MLB Bhatt and other office-bearers felicitate the department’s first head Prof Ajai Singh (third from right)

Lucknow :

King George’s Medical University (KGMU) has become the first medical institute in the country to have a paediatrics orthopaedic department after the state government gave its nod on Wednesday.

The super-speciality department will also start an MCh degree in paediatrics orthopaedic, currently nowhere else in the country.

The out patient department (OPD) will be functional from June 15 at limb centre and 30 beds would be available for admission of patients from July.

The government sanctioned posts of five faculty members and three senior residents in the department. KGMU had applied for the super-speciality department in April-May 2016. “It took us one and a half year to get MCI’s consent. In November 2017, we asked the state government for manpower,” said Prof Ajai Singh, the first head of the department.

Prof Singh had been running a single faculty unit since 2008, receiving patients from several states. “The department will help in creating a policy for injured children and treatment protocol,” he said.

Around 36% of the patients coming to KGMU Trauma Centre are children with orthopaedic and associated injuries.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / TNN / June 14th, 2018

Lucknow boy wins national accolades

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Aysuh Mishra has won the national-level science championship – Vidhayarthi Vigyan Manthan

Lucknow :

Ayush Mishra, 15, of the city has bagged the first prize in the north zone division of the national-level science championship—Vidhayarthi Vigyan Manthan—held under the central government’s science ministry on Tuesday.

The young boy who wants to be a scientist in the stream of aeronautical engineering in future is a student of standard XI who had scored 94.4% in class X CBSE result.

The national-level competition tests students on presentations, scientific understanding, creativity, out-of-box activities, assessment and leadership quality. It is jointly organised by Vigyan Prasar (VP), a national institute for science and technology communication established under the Central government’s science and technology department, NCERT and Vigyan Bharati, a national movement for propagation and popularization of science and technology.

“The competition was divided into three levels—district, state and national and the process had started in November last. The state winners were then called to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai on May 12 and 13 for the final competitions,” said Ayush, a student of DPS Janakipuram. He received a trophy, certificate and cash reward for winning the north zone.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / TNN / June 06th, 2018

Body to study genetic profile of Sitapur dogs

Education, Science & Technology

Lucknow :

Another canine attack was reported from Sitapur on Tuesday, this time a 10-year-old boy seriously injured by a pack of five dogs. The incident took place at Akbarpur village in Hargaon police station area.

Intrigued by the unconventional canine attacks in Sitapur, which have resulted in the deaths of 14 children and injuries to 51 in the last seven months, scientists at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have decided to study the genetic profile of the dogs in the district.

City magistrate Harsh Deo Pandey said the victim, Satyam Pandey, had gone to a mango orchard a few metres from his house at around 7 pm where he was attacked by a pack of five dogs.

Police rushed Satyam to the community health centre in Hargaon where he is undergoing treatment. The boy has sustained injuries to his arms and lower back.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Lucknow News / by Pathikrit Chakraborty / TNN / May 23rd, 2018

With steely resolve, they clinch gold

Amazing Feats, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Stories of grit, determination and dreams coming true filled the atmosphere with positivity at Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University on Saturday. At its fourth convocation, chief minister Yogi Adityanath awarded medals to meritorious students. Rehabilitation professional and social worker Uma Tuli was the chief guest at the occasion where governor Ram Naik was also present. TOI spoke to the top three medal winners.

Inspired by differently abled, he emerges as winner

It was peer pressure which forced him to join a master’s course. He chose SMNRU for an MSc in applied statistics in 2015 because the university was close to his place. Two years hence, Vipin Yadav stands as a topper with the chancellor’s gold medal, awarded for his score of 87.7%, the highest among all students.

The turning point of Vipin’s life was seeing differently abled students: the visually impaired, hearing-impaired and physically handicapped, struggling each day to study. “They made efforts to use laptops and typewriters. I thought when they, who had 100 reasons to not come to college, are working so hard, why can’t I? They inspired me,” Vipin said.

So moved was Vipin with their dedication that he is now pursuing research in the area upliftment of the differently abled.

Mother of two conquers disability

Age and disability are no barriers to education. Anju Kumari, 42, not only decided to pursue education after a gap of 19 years but also scored the highest marks among differently abled students in PG.

An accident at the age of 10 years had totally damaged her right hand but not her determination. For one year, she practised writing with her left hand and never took a scribe. She says her husband and young children were very supportive. Anju was awarded for securing 79.6% in MA Hindi. Now, she has joined MA in Bhojpuri. “No knowledge is waste. I had always wanted to learn languages,” said Anju.

Lost eyes but not vision

She has lost 80% vision but used the remaining 20% to excel in studies. The daughter of a small farmer in Basti, Jyoti Mishra has emerged as a winner among all differently abled students enrolled in UG courses. Overall, she has scored the third highest marks—71.4% in BA.

Despite her odds, she decided to not study in Braille.

“I used my mobile phone camera to enlarge the words and then read. With the help of mobile recordings, I learnt my lessons and then reproduced it to my writer in exams,” Jyoti said.

Purusing BEd now from SMNRU, Jyoti wants to become a teacher. “It’s difficult for my family to make ends meet. Before sending me to Lucknow, my father told me to study hard. The medals are for him. He will be very happy when he comes to know about my success.” she said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City News> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / TNN / May 20th, 2018