Download - Great pictures reveal the sacrifice of our forefathers: Tandon

NEHU News : Apr. - June 2008

A NORTH-EASTERN HILL UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Vol. 9 No. 2 April-June 2008

Great pictures reveal the sacrifice of ourforefathers: Tandon

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he Vice-Chancellor, Pro-fessor Pramod Tandonsaid the images of theuprising of 1857 reveal the

sacrifice made by our forefatherswho bravely resisted the Britishrule under the East India Com-pany. Delivering his inauguraladdress, as Chief Guest at the

four-day Exhibition Programmetitled Representations of 1857:Recovering the Indian Voices,organised by the Indian Coun-cil of Historical Research(ICHR) in collaboration with theNorth-East Regional Centre ofICHR, Guwahati and NEHU at

TProfessor Pramod Tandon, flanked by Professor D R Syiemlieh and Professor M Momin, delivers his inauguraladdress at the four-day Exhibition Programme (Publications photo).

Arjun Singh flanked by Mr. P. R. Kyndiah, D.D. Lapang and Prof. Pramod Tandon, lending hisattention to the vote of thanks proposed by Prof. Lalthantluanga (Publications photo).

I N S I D E

CAMPUS NEWS 3

NEWS CAPSULE 9

HIGHLIGHTS 14


2

Correspondents

Dr. B. P. Sahu - Adult &ContinuingEducation

Dr. T. B. Subba - Anthropology

Dr. H. N. Pandey - Botany

- Bio-Chemistry

Dr. O. P. Singh - Centre forEnvironmentalStudies

Dr. N. M. Panda - Commerce

Miss S. Rapsang - Creative Arts

Dr. Ismail - Chemistry

- Central School

- St. Edmund’sCollege

Dr. M. Bhattarcharjee- Shillong

College

Dr. H. J. Syiemlieh - Dean ofStudents’Welfare

Mr. Langkupar War - English

Dr. A. K. Kundu - AssistantLibrarian,Tura

Dr. N. Srivastava - Economics

Dr. P. K. Gupta - Education

Dr. A. C. Mohapatra - Geography

Dr. M. P. Pandey - Hindi

Dr. F. A. Qadri - History

Dr. S. Dkhar - Khasi

Ms. S. Lyngdoh - Linguistics

Dr. Lalhmachhuana - Library

Ms. J. Thabah - LibrarySciences

- Life Science

Dr. L. Cajee - MTTA

Dr. A. Alam - NEHUTA

Dr. M. K. Parida - Physics

Dr. P. Shukla - Physical

Sciences

Dr. B. B. P. Gupta - Zoology

Editorial Board

Assistant Editor : Bedarius Shylla.

Production : Amitava Deb

Editorial : Surajit Dutta

Assistant

Vice-Chancellor’s Column

Design & LayoutSHONGDOR DIENGDOH

The marathon race to efficiently complete most of the tasks targeted for the XIth plan and other financial requirements well before the close of the financial year had sent the

months flying and engrossing in many academic and administra-tive activities. April usually considered a month of reconciliationand revitalization after the hectic and strenuous efforts was equallyoccupied with the preparation for the visits of many importantpeople to the University. Some of the prominent visitors includethe ten-member team from the University Grants Commissionheaded by Professor A Gnanam, the 39- Member African del-egation and Mr. R P Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Human Re-source Development, Government of India. The UGC team hadspecifically come to gather, first hand information on the func-tions of the University to facilitate the finalisation of the variousproposals made for the XIth plan.

During this quarter, the departments of the University hadorganised important academic activities. These include: the four-day Exhibition Programme titled Representations of 1857: Re-covering the Indian Voices, organised by the Indian Councilof Historical Research (ICHR) in collaboration with the North-East Regional Centre of ICHR. Guwahati and NEHU; the three-day national seminar on Purvottar Bharat Ka Sahitya Aur HindiKi Bhumika, jointly organised by the University and North East-ern Council; and the Hindi workshop for the employees of theUniversity, organised by Hindi Cell.

The University also welcomed to its family the new Con-troller of Examinations, Professor D R Syiemlieh and the Direc-tor, College Development Council, Dr. C R Diengdoh besidesothers who had recently joined the University. I sincerely ex-pressed my gratitude to all the members of the big family of theUniversity who had rendered their utmost services to make allour visitors feel at home and cosy whilst in the University.

I also appeal to all the fraternity of NEHU to rise upand build our university into an institute of fame in the variousfields of learning and research !

NEHU News : Apr. - June 2008 3

CAMPUS NEWS

the Central Library of the University, on May 5, 2008,Professor Tandon said, reading the narrations in His-tory books is one thing and seeing such happeningsin pictures makes us feel sympathetic to those greatleaders who laid down their lives for the country’sfreedom. The pictures he added are self-explana-tory and exposed the brutal killings of the Indian sol-diers during the 1857 uprising.

Professor Tandon lauded the efforts of theICHR in preserving and displaying these great pic-

per cent. Such in-humane treatments of the Britishmade the Indians feel agitated and prompted theeducated Indians to organise a mutiny against theforeign rulers, Professor Tandon added. The dreamthat was dreamt in 1857 said Professor Tandon sawits fulfilment in 1947.

Earlier, introducing the theme of the Exhibi-tion Programme, Professor D R Syiemlieh, Con-troller of Examinations, said, the exhibition is part

(From Left to Right) Professor D R Syiemlieh introducing the purpose of the Representations of 1857. The Vice-Chancellor, appreciates some of the rare representations of 1857, recovering the Indian voice during the exhi-bition programme (Publications photo).

Great pictures reveal...Contd from page 1

tures of the uprising of 1857. The Indian voices ofthose times were represented only in the form ofproclamations, letters and orders besides the firsthand narratives told by the affected Indians, headded. The torturous acts and other merciless treat-ment meted out to the Indian Sepoys and their lead-ers by the Britishers, Professor Tandon observedwere not officially recorded. He also said ‘howmuch happened and how much did not happen’could be known only from history. The Indian lead-ers like Rani Lakshmi Bai, Firoz Shah, Nana Saheb,and Bahadur Shah Zafar were severely penalisedfor their national feeling and had to pay for it withtheir own deaths, he concluded.

The revolt of 1857, in the opinion of Profes-sor Tandon, was a sort of revenge against theBritishers who deprived the people of their ownholdings, besides, making the artisans and the farm-ers to pay exorbitant tax revenue to the tune of 70

of the decision to celebrate the 150th Anniversaryof the Sepoy Mutiny. The Government of India hassanctioned Rupees 1 crore to the Indian Council ofHistorical Research (ICHR) for observing this an-niversary. The Council after a series of meetings,deliberations and planning, decided to mark thissesquicentennial anniversary of the great fight forindependence in two ways namely: (i) to organisefifty seminars across the country for students andto give an award for the best write up on the revo-lution of 1857, (ii) to organise exhibition to visuallydepict what happened 150 years ago and to proudlyshowcase the atrocities meted out to the IndianSepoys during the British Raj.

The Head, Department of History, Profes-sor Momin delivered the welcome address while amember from the North East Regional Centre,Guwahati proposed the vote of thanks.


CAMPUS NEWS

The Secretary, Ministry of Human ResourceDevelopment, Government of India, Mr. RP Agarwal said appreciated the efforts of

the university to gainfully spent the allotted moneyduring the IXth plan, and assured the authority thatfunds flow should never be a problem. Deliveringhis speech to the faculty and authority of the Uni-versity on 12 May 2008 at the Conference Roomof the University, Mr. Agarwal extolled the active

Funds flow to NEHU not a problem: Agarwal

tional centres to tap their potential and generateemployment opportunities.

Mr. Agarwal also stated that women mem-bers in the university are considerably less in num-bers, this is apparent from the strength of womenparticipating in the meeting. He also lamented thefact, that out of sixty members of the MeghalayaLegislative Assembly, there is only one-womanmember. This is quite a paradox in the matrilineal

role of the authority, the faculty and the adminis-trative staff for making their university win the titleof University with Potential for Excellence. TheUniversity, he said, acted as a mother of theNagaland and Mizoram Universities. Besides, thelocation of this university is beautiful and its scenicplace is truly in harmony with nature, he added.

The twenty-first century, he observed, is nolonger an economic or military control but it is thecentury of Knowledge. However, in India, Mr.Agarwal observed things have not changed for thebetter as what was there during the first century isstill through to the twenty-first century because In-dia is typical in this regard. We expect the univer-sity to treat the large population of the country notas a liability but as an asset by opening more voca-

society, he remarked, because once all women areeducated, everything is in place.

Mr. Agarwal also made a pertinent remarkon the achievement of excellence saying there isno sense of achievement if we are not updatingour system of working. We have to destroy whatwas there 34 years ago, thereby making rooms forthe up gradation of the present system. Accordingto Mr. Agarwal, many affiliated colleges of the uni-versity have not upgraded their knowledge. Theworld today no longer considers those who cannotread and write as un-educated but those who can-not learn and re-learn.

Earlier in his welcome address-cum-powerpoint presentation on the journey of the University

(From Left to Right) Mr. Agarwal sharing his happiness at the completion of the various activities of the University.The deans of schools of the university engaged themselves in talks prior to the arrival of the secretary MHRD(Publications photo).

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CAMPUS NEWS

to many academic andadministrative achieve-ments and excellences,the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-fessor Pramod Tandonhistorically said, in theyear 1973 the universityhad only six departmentswith 28 students. How-ever, time has changedand today, he proudlyclaimed that our Univer-sity has as many as 31Departments, 5 Centresand nearly three thou-sands students.

Professor Tandonalso informed the gueststhat the University is try-ing its level best to attractforeign students to itscampus. Till date, according to Professor Tandon,the University offers education to foreign studentsfrom countries like Netherland, Bangladesh, Nepaland Japan. He also apprised the guests that theNortheastern region, in comparison to other statesin the country has only nine per cent of the geo-graphical area of the country, but has as many as250 tribes and 200 languages. The area, however,is rich in cultural diversity and biodiversity he added.

The University, Professor Tandon, said,endeavours to provide affordable education to thepeople of the area by truly following its objective,which stated, that the objective of the university is:“to disseminate and advance knowledge by pro-

Funds flow to NEHU...

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viding instructional and research facilities insuch branches of learning as it many deem fit;to pay special attention to the improvement ofthe social and economic conditions and welfareof the people of the hill areas of the North-East-ern Region, and, in particular their intellectual,academic and cultural advancement”.

Professor Tandon also informed the gueststhat the University proposes to set up a Jowai Cam-pus in the near future. The Campus, according tohim, would offer courses in Applied Sciences suchas Food Science, Sericulture and Horticulture witha vision to enhance the knowledge of the studentsin these areas as well.

The Controller of Examinations, the University Librarian and other heads and offic-ers of the university listening to the talk of Mr. Agarwal (Publications photo).

OBITUARY

Prof. R. K. Mishra, former VC, Smt. Wenis Violet Lyngdoh, SO Zoology, Smt. RubyMoore, Caligraphist, Examination Department & Mr. Noah Khonglam, Driver fromAdministration deptt, passed away this year. The Vice-Chancellor and staff of NEHUoffered their condolences to the bereaved families.


CAMPUS NEWS

A 39-member team of young achievers andactivists representing 27 African countries,who arrived in Meghalaya during the first

week of April, visited the University and interactedwith the students and faculty members on April 2,2008. The team was accompanied by the JointSecretary, Technical Cooperation, Ministry of Ex-ternal Affairs (MEA), Ms Primrose Sharma.

Ms Sharma said the visit formed part of apartnership forum between members of develop-ing countries under the South-East co-operationprogramme with the purpose of highlighting the di-versity of India. A visit to North-East, according toMs Sharma would make them experience the dif-ferent look of the country because the region doesnot showcase the typical Hindu image of India butalso its sizable inhabitants - Christians. Thereforeshe said this visit is a unique experience of the cul-ture and religion of the area besides learning itsgreat traditional heritage.

Mr Amit Dasgupta, Joint Secretary, PublicDiplomacy, MEA who was also a team leader said,the visit “is an attempt to have them see for them-

39- Member African delegation visited NEHU

selves that India is a tolerant nation and does notbelieve in racism”. The aim was also to make theminteract with a cross section of people, NGOs andwomen organisation. This interactive-visit will dis-cuss important issues like Women’s Empowerment,rising numbers HIV-AIDS cases and CapacityBuilding for the youth of the state.

According to Mr. Dasgupta, the team willbenefit greatly from the visit to this region becauseit could have a first hand knowledge of the prob-lems faced by the people. The visit would also makethe team draw a line of similarity between the in-habitants of the North East and the Africans whoare equally groping for answers as the people ofAfrica. The visiting team “might hit upon someanswers to their problems and vice versa”, headded. Besides, Mr. Dasgupta informed, that thisvisit would serve as the first level of contact anddialogue – a curtain raiser – for a two-day detailedsummit held on April 8 and 9, 2008 scheduled onApril at Delhi. If this visit clicked, he stated, theNorth East and Shillong might soon become aneducational destination for many African students.Filed by S. Umdor, PRO

A team of young achievers from 27 African countries appreciating the traditional bamboo dance performed bythe Mizo students of the university (Contributed photo).


CAMPUS NEWS

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor PramodTandon said Hindi should be encouraged tospread to places where the language is not

spoken and written. Speaking as the Chief Guestat the inaugural session of the three-day nationalseminar on the theme Purvottar Bharat KaSahitya Aur Hindi Ki Bhumika, jointly organisedby the University and North Eastern Council atNEHU Guest House on June 3, 2008, ProfessorTandon said, we have to make a humble beginning.This, he reiterated, should begin with the childrenas they can adopt and speak, read any language ata very short span of time.

VC encourages the spread of Hindihonesty in implementing it, consultations in timesof difficulty, and putting the community above theindividuals. He appealed to the scholars and par-ticipants of the seminar to combine their efforts tomake Hindi a language of the North-eastern re-gion also because most of its markets have brokenHindi as the lingua franca.

Professor Krishnarayan Prasad, a HindiPundit from the University of Manipur, in hisspeech said, the number of languages in the North-east is innumerable and the people of the regionare fluently speaking the language even in theirrespective areas. He gave a historical perspec-

However, Professor Tandon proudly an-nounced that amongst the universities in theNortheast, NEHU is the only University thathas a bilingual signboard besides, having a De-partment of Hindi, he added. Professor Tandonwhile wishing the organisers and the partici-pants a fruitful interactive sessions suggestedthat at the end of the three days there shouldbe a concrete decision with a mission to fosterthe usage of Hindi at different levels of inter-action.

Earlier Professor P P Srivastava, memberof the North Eastern Council in his speech pro-posed a three-pronged formula for the developmentof Hindi in any region, namely Rastriya Bhasha,Matri Bhasha and Vidya Bhasha. ProfessorSrivastava emphasised that these strategic devel-opments of the language must be combined with

tive of the development of Hindi in Manipur andother seven sister states of the region to substan-tiate his point.

Professor Temsula Ao, Dean, School ofHumanity and Languages in her speech on theoccasion remarked, in the Northeast there is anatural antipathy to learning the language inschools because the tribals already have a richlanguage of their own. However, she stated, theattitude has changed and today many tribalsspeak Hindi as good as the native speakers.Things could improve further, she said, if a bitof Hindi literature is introduced in the lowerclasses.

Others who spoke on the occasion includeDr. Sushil Kumar Sharma, Prof. D S Bhattacharjeeand Dr. Chaubey.

(From Right to Left) The Vice-Chancellor lighting the ceremonial lamp before the inauguration of the three-dayHindi workshop. The dignitaries seen in a light mood before the start of the function (Publications photo).


CAMPUS NEWS

The ninety-sixthannual session ofthe Indian Sci-

ence Congress, the firstof its kind in the entireNortheast will be hostedby the University fromthe 3-7 of January 2009.This was informed bythe Vice-Chancellor,Professor PramodTandon in a press con-ference held at BijniComplex on June 26,2008. Professor Tandonoptimistically stated thatthe honour was grantedto the University because of its excellent perfor-mances in the field of science and having goodinfrastructure. He expressed his happiness stat-ing that the mega event will not only boost theimage of the University but also place the state ofMeghalaya in the road map of the scientists bothnational and international.

The advantage of holding the mega eventat NEHU he said is because the University hasgood infrastructure, ample hostel accommoda-tion for more than 1780 delegates besides hav-ing a multi-use –convention centre with thestate-of –the –facility. The rest of the delegatesaccording to him will be easily accommodatedin the different college-hostels available in thecity.

Dr. Rama Swami, Secretary, Department ofScience and Technology (DST), Government ofIndia and general president of the Annual Sessionof the Science Congress who also seconded thestatement of Professor Tandon, told the press andelectronic media that the 96th annual session of theScience Congress would be held at NEHU and thedates are fixed. Briefing the Press on the issue,Dr. Swami, said the Indian Science Congress As-sociation (ISCA) established in the year 1914 hadso far conducted 95 Annual Science Congress’Sessions in different places of the country but not

NEHU to host the ninety-sixth Indian Science Congress

in the Northeast.

The basic purpose of the Science Con-gress according to Dr. Swami is to bring thescientists and political system of the country toone place because he believed that the conglom-eration and confluence of scientists and socialbodies of the globe and the nation would pro-pound certain technological and societal re-sponses to climatic changes, and environmen-tal degradation.

Dr. Swami said the January session of theScience Congress at NEHU, to be inaugurated bythe Prime Minister of India will be participated bymore than 5000 delegates from the various partsof the world including Nobel Laureates. The themeof the Congress, he revealed, would be ScienceEducation and Attraction of Talent. The idea isto tap young talents to contribute to the growth ofthe country, as Science Education has to serve andmingle with the society and not prison in the ivorytowers of research and learning. The Science Con-gress according to Dr. Swami will also be a plat-form for the scientists and policy makers to jointlyaddress the issues of environmental problems andemployment generation, thereby enabling them todevise technologies to make health care affordableand near.

Dr. Rama Swami and the Vice-Chancellor jointly briefing the Press on the 96th IndianScience Congress to be held at NEHU (Publications photo).


NEWS CAPSULE

The Provision ofStatute 2(A) 3 of

NEHU Act 1973 hasbeen amended. Thiswas informed by theRegistrar, Prof. D TKhathing in a notificationissued on February 21last. According to theRegistrar, the notifica-tion has the assent ofthe visitor vide letter No.F. 8-11/2007/Desk (U)– 4050 dt 30.1.08 issuedby the Ministry of Hu-man Resource Devel-opment (Department ofEducation). The follow-ing is the verbatim re-production of the ordi-nance:

Notwithstandinganything contained inClause (2), a person ap-pointed as Vice-Chan-cellor shall, if he com-pletes the age of sev-enty years during theterm of his office or anyextension thereof, retire

NEHU Ordinance amendedfrom office.

The provision of the sec-tion 26(1) (i) of theNEHU Act 1973 on thescales of pay and allow-ances and service con-ditions of non-teaching(other than statutory)employees of the uni-versity from group-A toD Levels has beenamended. This was in-formed by the Registrar,Professor D T Khathingin a notification issuedon March 20, 2008. Thefollowing is the verba-tim reproduction of theAmended Section

1. The scales of pay andallowance of Non teach-ing (other than Statutory)employees of the Uni-versity from Group-A toD level shall be the sameas prescribed by theUGC/MHRD, Govern-ment of India and ac-cepted by the Universityfrom time to time.

2. The date of retire-ment of such employeesshall be the same as pre-scribed by the UGC/MHRD, Government ofIndia and accepted bythe University from timeto time.

3. They shall be entitledto such allowances andperks as may be pre-scribed by the Govt. ofIndia/UGC/Universityfrom time to time.

4. The Recruitment andPromotion of such em-ployees shall be as pro-vided in the respectiveapproved RecruitmentRules, adopted by theUniversity and notifiedunder Regulations fromtime to time.

5. Other conditions ofservice such as leave,pay fixation, probationperiod, retirement ben-efits etc. shall be as pre-scribed by the Govt. ofIndia from time to time.

BPGS in statistics reconstituted

The Vice-Chancellorhas recently recon-

stituted the Board ofPostgraduate Studies(BPGS) in Statistics fora period of three yearswith immediate effect.This was informed bythe deputy registrar(Conference) in a noti-fication issued on March7 last.

The members of theboard include:

The head of theDepartment of Statis-tics as the ex-officiomember. The othermembers include allprofessors from thedepartment, Dr. M KDas, Dr. T KChakraborty, Mr. B KGupta, Dr. R Singh all

from the Departmentof Statistics; Dr. A KChandra, Departmentof Chemistry; Dr. S SKhatri, Department ofPhysics ; Dr. C RMondal, Departmentof Mathemat ics ;Prof. R S Khongsdier,Department of An-thropology; Prof. PNayak, Department

of Economics; Prof.Nimai K Chandra ,Department of Statis-tics, Kalyani Univer-sity; Dr. S M Bendre,Department of Math-ematics & StatisticsUniver is ty ofHyderabad; and Prof.S C Kakati, Depart-ment of Sta t i s t ics ,Dibrugarh University.

Hindi Workshop

The Hindi Cell of theU n i v e r s i t y

organised a one-dayworkshop, for its em-ployees who have aworking knowledge ofHindi and are proficientin using the language onApril 11, 2008 last. Ac-cording to theorganisers of the work-shop, its purpose was totrain such employees inorder to enable them todo drafting and noting inHindi. Altogether, about15 participants havebenefited from theworkshop.

New CDC Dir.

The Vice-Chancellor,Professor Pramod

Tandon, has appointedDr. C R Diengdoh as thenew director of CollegeDevelopment Council(CDC) of the Univer-sity. Dr. Diengdoh wasthe head of the Depart-ment of Zoology, St.Mary’s College.


NEWS CAPSULE


stituted the SteeringCommittee for the Cen-tre for Adult and Con-tinuing Education(CACE), for a period ofthree years with imme-diate effect. This wasinformed by the deputyregistrar (Conference)in a notification issuedon March 12, 2008.

Steering committee for CACE reconstitutedThe members of

the committee include:Dr. B.P. Sahu,

head, Centre for Adultand Continuing Educa-tion, as the chairman.The other members in-clude Dr. N.P. Goel,Lecturer, Centre forAdult and ContinuingEducation, Professor S.Sungoh, Department ofEducation, Dr. SushilKumar Sharma, Depart-

ment of Hindi, Dr. MalaRanganathan, Depart-ment of English, Dr.R.N. Rai, Centre forDistance Education, Dr.P. Jhingan, Centre forCultural and CreativeStudies, and Miss J.I.Rapthap, Centre forAdult and ContinuingEducation. The externalexperts include Profes-sor M. Jayakumar, De-partment of Adult Edu-

cation & Extension,Bharathiar University,Coimbatore; ProfessorD.S. Patil, Departmentof Adult and ContinuingEducation & Extension,University of Mumbai;and Dr. RatneswarBhattacharjee, Centrefor Adult and Continu-ing Education and Ex-tension, Kalyani Univer-sity (West Bengal)


stituted the Board ofUnder-graduate Studies(BUGS) in English andBio-technology for aperiod of three yearswith immediate effect.This was informed bythe deputy registrar(Conference) in sepa-rate notifications issuedon March 13, 2008.

The members of theboard in English in-clude:

The head, De-partment of English,Professor Esther Syiem,as Chairman. The othermembers include, Headof Department, English,Tura Campus, All pro-fessors in the Depart-ment of English, Shillong& Tura. Dr. M.M.Majumdar, Departmentof English, Shillong, Ms.

BUGS in English reconstituted

Babitha Justin, Depart-ment of English, TuraCampus; Eva D. War,Synod College, Shillong;Monotosh Chakravarty,St. Edmunds, CollegeShillong; Ms. SutapaDas, Sankardev Col-lege, Shillong; BijuBarooah, St. Mary’sCollege, Shillong; SelaKhathing, Lady KeaneCollege, Shillong; Pro-fessor K.C. Baral, Di-rector, The English andForeign Languages Uni-versity, Shillong; Mr. RS Thakur, Departmnetof English, Tura; andDr. Subhir Dhar, De-partment of English,Rabindra Bharati Uni-versity, Calcutta.

The members ofthe board in Biotech-nology include:

The head, De-partment of Biotechnol-

ogy Professor AChatterjee as the chair-man. The other membersinclude, all Professors ofthe Department of Bio-technology andBioinformatics; Dr. S RJoshi, and M S Majaw,both M S Majaw, bothfrom the Department ofBiotechnology andBioinformatics; Dr. ISingh, and Ms Ivy Boiss,Department of Biotech-nology, St. Anthony’sCollege; Ms YChaudhury, Ms B Man-ners, and Mr. SamratAdhikari, Department ofBiotechnology, St.Edmund’s College; Pro-fessor A K Burgohain,Department of Molecu-lar Biology and Biotech-nology, Tezpur Universityand Professor T KChoudhuri, Departmentof Zoology North BengalUniversity, Darjeeling.

Full time COE

The Vice-Chancellor,Professor Pramod

Tandon has appointedProfessor David RSyiemlieh, a renownedand noted historian asthe new Controller ofExamination (COE) ofthe University. It may bementioned here thatProfessor Syiemlieh ofthe Department of His-tory, has always beenassociated himself withmany academic worksfor the last thirty years.

New PRO

The Vice-Chancellor,has appointed Dr. S

Umdor, Lecturer, De-partment of Economics,as the Public RelationsOfficer (PRO), of theuniversity, in addition tohis normal duties withimmediate effect. Thiswas informed by thedeputy registrar, Estab-lishment II vide notifica-tion dated March 24, ‘08.


NEWS CAPSULE

The UGC visitingteam led by

Professor A Gnanam,visited the Universityfrom April 28 to 30,2008, to finalise thevarious proposals forthe XIth Plan period .The visitors besidesvisiting the differentdepartments of theUniversity also spenttime to interact with theteaching, non-teachingstaff, and the students’body separately togather first handinformation of theirproblems, grievancesand hardships. Theteam also visited thevarious departments ofthe University and

interacted with thedeans and heads of thedifferent schools,departments andcentres. The teammembers include:Professor A Gnanam,former Vice-Chancellor,Pondicherry University,Tamilnadu; ProfessorH Y Mohan Ram,former Professor andHead, Department ofBotany, Delhi

University, New Delhi;Professor SushantaDatta Gupta, Director,Indian Institute of ScienceEducation & Research,IIT, Kharagpur; ProfessorTiplut Nongbri, Member,School of Life SciencesCentre for the Study ofSocial Systems,Jawaharlal NehruUniversity, New Delhi;Professor DamodarAcharya, Director,

Indian Institute ofT e c h n o l o g y ,Kharagpur; ProfessorD N Jha, Departmentof History, DelhiUniversity, New Delhi;Professor J GKhairnar, BarveSamrity, Garur Bagh,Dhule; Professor T NKapoor, former Vice-Chancellor PanjabUniversity; Professor DSingh Chauhan, ViceChancellor, JayyeUniversity ofInformational Technology,Waknagat, HimachalPradesh and ProfessorRajesh Anand, JointSecretary, UniversityGrants Commission,New Delhi.

UGC team visits NEHU

Court Member nominated

The Vice- Chancellor, Professor PramodTandon, has notified that the President of In-

dia and Visitor of the University has nominatedthe Principal of Seng Khasi College, as memberof the Court of the University for a period of threeyears. According to the notification issued by thedeputy registrar, Conference, his/her nominationis with immediate effect.


stituted the SteeringCommittee for the Cen-tre for Distance Educa-tion (CDE), for a periodof three years with im-mediate effect. Thiswas informed by thedeputy registrar (Con-ference) in a notificationissued on June 19, 2008.

The members ofthe committee include:

The head, Cen-tre for Distance Edu-

Steering committee for CDE reconstitutedcation, Dr. R N Raiwill be the chairman.The other members in-clude: All Professorsin the Centre, Dr.(Mrs) S Wangu, Dr. RC Pandy from theCentre for DistanceEducation; Dr. B PSahu, Centre for Adultand Continuing Educa-tion; Dr. Desmond LKharmawphlang, Cen-tre for Cultural andCreative Studies;Prof. B K Tiwari, Cen-

tre for Environmental

Eduation; Prof. B B P

Gupta, Department of

Zoology; Mr. D C

Pant, former PVC,

IGNOU, Gurgaon,

Haryana; Prof. M M

Pant, Gurgaon,

Haryana; and Prof.

Vasudha Kamat, Joint

Director, Central Insti-

tute of Educational

Technology, NCERT,

New Delhi.

Students’ counsellorappointed

The Vice-ChancellorProfessor Pramod

Tandon, has appointedProfessor R N Sharan,Department of Bio-chemistry, as the in-charge of the Students’Counselling and Place-ment. This was in-formed by the deputyregistrar (Administra-tion) in a notification is-sued on March 26,2008.


Language committee constituted

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pramod Tandon,has constituted the Official Language Imple-

mentation Committee for the enhancement/propa-gation and spread of the progressive use of Hindi(Rajbhasha) in the University. According to thenotification, the members of the committee shallinclude all heads of the Departments and Centreswith the VC as the chairperson. This was informedby the Registrar in a notification issued on May 22,2008 last.

Medical in-charge to continue

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pramod Tandonhas retained Dr. V S Prasad, (specialist grade-

I) as the in-charge of the office of the MedicalOfficer (MO) of the University. According to thenotification, Dr. Prasad will continue to function asMO of the University until further orders. Thiswas informed by the Registrar, Professor D TKhathing, in a notification issued on June 16, 2008.

New head forBotany


Tandon has appointedProfessor M S Dkhar asthe new head of theBotany Department, vice,Professor R C Laloo whohad tendered his resigna-tion from the headship.According to the notifica-tion, the appointment ofProfessor Dkhar is witheffect from 12. 3. 2008and for a period of threeyears. This was informedby the deputy registrar(Establishment II) in a no-tification issued onMarch 12, 2008.

New headThe Vice-Chancellor hasappointed Dr. Tapan KrChakrabarty, as the newhead of the Departmentof Statistics with imme-diate effect for a periodof 3-year. This was in-formed vide notificationdated May 5 2008.

New PIOappointed


Tandon has appointedMr. C D Rynjah, as thenew Public InformationOfficer (PIO) in addi-tion to his normal dutiesas the Vigilance Officerand Deputy Registrar.According to the notifi-cation, the appointmentof Mr. Rynjah is withimmediate effect. Thiswas informed by thedeputy registrar (Estab-lishment II) in a notifi-cation issued on May 7last.

New head for LawThe Vice-ChancellorProfessor PramodTandon has appointedDr. Chintamani Rout, asthe new head of theDepartment of Law fora period of three yearswith effect from June 7,2008. This was in-formed by the assistantregistrar (EstablishmentII) in a notification is-sued on May 7 last.

Ms K. Raseshowri

has been awarded aPhD in Botany for herthesis Studies on theDevelopmental andHisto - chemicalanalysis of Digestiveand Secretory Glandsof some InsectivorousPlants of Meghalaya.Ms Raseshowri workedunder the supervision ofProf. N Venugopal, De-partment of Botany.

Ms Iaibadaiahun

Nongrum has beenawarded a PhD inBotany for her thesisConservation and

DNA Fingerprint ofNepenthes KhasianaHookf – A ThreatenedInsectivorous Plant ofIndia. Ms Nongrumworked under the su-pervision of Prof.Pramod Tandon, (super-visor) and Dr. SumanKumaria (joint supervi-sor), Department ofBotany.

Ms Minakshi

Chakraborty has beenawarded a PhD in Eco-nomics for her thesis:City Size, :Labour Pro-ductivity and Inci-dence of ChildLabour: An Economet-

ric Analysis. MsChakraborty workedunder the supervision ofDr. A C Dubey and thejoint supervisory ofProf. N Srivastava, De-partment of Botany.

Ms Biswarupa

Ghosh has beenawarded a PhD inBotany for her thesis:Regeneration ecologyand Sustainability ofHarvest of bay leaf,Cinnamomum TamalaFr. Ness in Meghalaya.Ms Ghosh worked un-der the supervision of

Contd Page 13

ACHIEVEMENTS

NEWS CAPSULE


ACHIEVEMENT

Dr. Uma Shankar andjoint supervisory ofProf. S K Barik, De-partment of Botany.

Mr. K Pachhunga

has been awarded aPhD in Chemistry for histhesis Synthesis, Spec-tral and StructuralStudies of n5 and n6Cynclichy- drocarbonComplexes of somePlatinum Group Met-als with N,N and O,ODonor BidentateLigands. Mr.Pachhunga worked un-der the supervision ofDr. K M Rao, Depart-ment of Chemistry.

Ms Aruna Kumari

has been awarded aPhD in Hindi for her the-sis Manav Moolyon kePariprekshya meinSiyaram SharanGupta ke Kavya kaAnusheelan. MsKumari worked underthe supervision of Dr.Sushil Kumar Sharma,Department of Hindi.

Mr. Raj Kumar Jha

has been awarded aPhD in Hindi for his the-sis AcharyaVishwanath PrasadMishra ke Krititva kaV i s h l e s h n a t m a kAdhyayan. Mr. Jhaworked under the su-

Contd from page 12 pervision of Dr. M PPandey, Department ofHindi.

Ms Tonjam J Chanu

has been awarded aPhD in Anthropologyfor her thesis A Studyof ReproductiveHealth Among theLois of Imphal Valley.Ms Chanu worked un-der the supervision ofProf. R. Khongsdier,Department of Anthro-pology.

Ms Lorna Barbara

Bang has beenawarded a PhD in An-thropology for her the-sis: ReproductiveHealth in a Matrilin-eal Society: An An-thropological Study ofthe Khasis ofMeghalaya. Ms Bangworked under the su-pervision of Prof. T BSubba, Department ofAnthropology.

Ms Medalda

Challam has beenawarded a PhD in Li-brary and InformationScience for her thesis:Evaluation of CollegeLibraries inMeghalaya: A casestudy. Ms Challamworked under the su-pervision of Prof. A.S.Chandel, Department ofLibrary and InformationScience.

Ms Chaitali

Bhattacharjee hasbeen awarded a PhD inBiochemistry for herthesis: A study ofchemical carcinogeninduced genomic in-stability. MsBhattacharjee workedunder the supervision ofProf. R.N. Sharan, De-partment of Biochemis-try.

Ms Fameline K

Marak has beenawarded a PhD in Garofor her thesis: MajorFolk Festivals ofGaros with special ref-erence to Cultivation:A Critical Studies. MsMarak worked underthe supervision of Prof.C R Marak, Departmentof Garo, Tura Campus.

Ms Malabika Mitra

has been awarded aPhD in English for herthesis: Jane Austen:Anxiety over Author-ity. Ms Mitra workedunder the supervision ofProf. T. Ao, Departmentof English.

Mr. Xavier

Pfokrehe Mao hasbeen awarded a PhD inPhilosophy for his the-sis Act, Character andMorality: a Revalua-tion. Mr. Pfokreheworked under the su-

pervision of PofessorJagat Pal and the jointsupervision of ProfessorN. Malla, Departmentof Philosophy

Mr. Dhirendro

Nongsiej has beenawarded a PhD in Phi-losophy for his thesisThought and Reality:A critical Study ofHegel. Mr. Nongsiejworked under the su-pervision of PofessorJagat Pal and the jointsupervision of ProfessorN. Malla, Departmentof Philosophy..

Mr. Alempa Ao has

been awarded a PhD inPhilosophy for his thesisThe Concept of Right:An Examination. Mr.Ao worked under thesupervision of PofessorJagat Pal and the jointsupervision of ProfessorN. Malla, Department ofPhilosophy..

Mr. Surajit Barman

has been awarded aPhD in Geography forhis thesis Fluvio- Mor-phological Impact ofP a g l a d i y a -Morapagladia Riverson Rural Settlements.Mr. Barman workedunder the supervision ofDr. H J Syiemlieh, De-partment of Geography.

Contd Page 14


HIGHLIGHTS

Mr. Pranab Jyoti

Sarma has beenawarded a PhD inGeography fo r h i sthes i s River BankErosion and its Im-pact on Dwellers ofBrahmaputra Valleyin Mor igoan Dis -trict of Assam. Mr.Barman worked un-der the supervision ofProfessor B S Mipun,Department of Geogra-phy.

Mr. Prakash Sarma

has been awarded aPhD in Geography forhis thesis EcologicalBasis of the Economyof Periodic Markets inBarpeta District,Assam. Mr. Sarmaworked under the su-pervision of Professor AC Mohapatra, Depart-ment of Geography.

Mr. G Rosangkima

has been awarded aPhD in Zoology for his

thesis Studies on Anti-tumor and Anti-mu-tagenic Potentials ofsome Plants ofMeghalaya andMizoram. Mr.Rosangkima workedunder the supervision ofProfessor S B Prasad,Department of Zoology.

Mr. Curiously Bareh

has been awarded a PhDin Linguistics for his the-sis Descriptive Analy-sis of the Jowai andRymbai Dialects of

Khasi. Mr. Barehworked under the super-vision of Professor JWar, Department of Lin-guistics.

Mr. Nitin Sarma has

been awarded an MPhildegree in Mathematicsfor his dissertation DarkEnergy and CosmicAcceleration: A Re-view. Mr. Sarmaworked under the su-pervision of Professor SK Srivatava, Depart-ment of Mathematics.

Contd from page 13

The Department of Botany has been in theforefront of teaching and research in plantsciences since its establishment in 1974. The

original aim of providing quality education to theeducationally underprivileged tribes of the North-eastern states has been successfully fulfilled by theDepartment. The department stands today as aunique institution in the Northeastern region of thecountry where multidisciplinary and interdisciplinaryteaching and research in plant sciences has estab-lished permanent roots. The uniqueness of the de-partment essentially liesin the fact that within thedepartment’s facultythere are experts andactive researchers representing almost all areas ofplant sciences. The department believed that inorder to be effective, the post-graduate teachingmust be done by teachers who are also activelyinvolved in research in their respective areas ofspecialization. The department has developed ateaching programme that stresses on the unifor-mity of principals of macro as well as micro mo-lecular mechanisms in all living systems besides,organising refresher courses to update the knowl-edge and skills of teachers of the region and the

Department of Botanycountry. The department therefore, serves as acatalyst in the vital scientific and educational ac-tivities of India and has a commitment to continueits service to the nation.

Quality teaching requires ongoing researchactivities, which needs a good deal of financial sup-port. With a current strength of more than 50, theresearch fellows of the department constitute thecore of its research activities. The department isfortunate to bring in research funds from nationaland international agencies in the form of research

projects which includethe Department Bio-Technology, Council ofScientific & Industrial

Research, Indian Council for Agricultural Re-search, Department of Science & Technology,Ministry of Environment and Forests, NorthEastern Council, the Indo French Centre for Pro-motion of Advanced Research, USDA and host ofothers who have generously supported the ongoingresearch activities in the department through spon-sored research projects. The financial support fromthe above agencies has helped over 500 researchpublications to the credit of the department.

BRIEF WRITE UP

Contd Page 15


HIGHLIGHTS

These sustained efforts of the faculty havebrought laurels to the department in the form ofawards, honours and recognitions. The departmenthad two fellows of the Indian National Science Acad-emy besides other awards like F.N.A.Sc., B.P. PalNational Environment Fellowship award, F.N.I.E.,F.I.G.S., FISPP and INSA Young Scientists award.In recognition of the excellent work carried out bythe department, the University Grants Commissionhas extended its financial support to the Departmentunder its DSA and COSIST programmes.

In recognition of the level of expertise avail-able with the department, the University GrantsCommission has upgraded the department to thestatus of Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany

with effect from April 2006 with “Plant DiversityAssessment and Conservation” as the identifiedthrust area. The various aspects of research beingpursued under the identified thrust area are:

Structural and functional analysis of ecosys-tems; Molecular profile based characterization anddocumentation of plant genetic resources of theregion; Bio- prospecting of novel genes, promotersand Bio-molecules from the floral diversity of North-east India; Conversation Bio-technology of rare andendangered plants of Northeast India; Microbialdiversity, inventorization of forest and agro-ecosys-tems; Electronic herbarium and computer aidedstorage and retrieval systems for plant genetic re-sources; Reproductive biology of plants; and Es-tablishment of seed banks.

Contd from page 14

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION(S)

LEAD International, U.K.

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu.

Community Forestry International, Santa Barbara, US.

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia under the Indo-EU S& T cooperation

Oregon State University, USA ( Indo-US collaboration funded by DST-NSF).

Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia.

National Institute of Agrobiological Resources, Tskuba, Japan.

Awards/ honours/ fellowships received by the faculty

We are honoured to have had amongst us two fellows of the Indian National Science Academy (F N A),New Delhi, namely: Professor P S Ramakrishnan and Professor R S Tripathi

We have also been honoured in having four fellows of the National Academy of Sciences (F N A Sc)Allahabad on our faculty. These include Professor P S Ramakrishnan, Professor R R Mishra; ProfessorR S Triphathi; Professor P. Tandon

Other fellowships/awards received by the faculty include:

F I S G : Professor A K Misra

F N I E : Professor H N Pandey

F I S P P : Professor N K Chrungoo

B P Pal National Environment Fellowship: Professor P Tandon

LEAD Fellowship : Dr S K Barik

BOYSCAST Fellowship : Dr. Uma Shankar

Biotechnology National Associateship : Professor A K Misra and Professor N K Chrungoo

Professor P Maheshwari Medal, IBS: Professor P Tandon

INSA Young Scientist Medal: Dr. Uma Shankar

CSTUP Young Scientist Award: Dr. Uma Shankar

National Scholarship for study abroad, GOI: Professor P Tandon

Science and Technology Award, Government of Japan : Professor P Tandon


CAMPUS NEWS

Published by NEHU Publications and printed at NEHU Printing Press, Bijni Complex,Shillong - 793 003. Telefax : 0364 - 2226316 / 2501902,

North-Eastern Hill University Publications(Selected Titles)

1. 1997 D. R. Syiemlieh Anecdotes of an Indian Life Rs. 170.00

2. 1996 Daniel O’Connor A Liberating Force and a Friend Rs. 140.00

3. 1999 S. K. Bose Coins and Tokens of Assam Rs. 340.00 (HB)

Rs. 250.00 (SB)

4. 1999 R. P. Sharma Critical Asides : Musings on Language,Literature & Life Rs. 200.00

5. 2000 P. P. Gokulanathan Environmental Education Rs. 80.00

6. 1986 Mrinal Miri (Ed) Five Essays on Kant Rs. 40.00

7. 1995 G. Hargopal Gandhian World View Rs. 120.00 (HB)

Rs. 65.00 (SB)

8. 1996 H. K. Barpujari Problems of the Hill Tribes (Vol.I) Rs. 220.00 (HB)

Rs. 160.00 (SB)

9. 1998 H. K. Barpujari Problems of the Hill Tribes (Vol. II) Rs. 210.00 (HB)

Rs. 150.00 (SB)

10. 1986 A. J. M. Mills Report on Khasi & Jaintia Hills Rs. 225.00

11. 1986 J. B. Bhattacharjee (Ed) Studies in the History of North-East Rs. 200.00

12. 1996 F. S. Downs The Christian Impact on the Status ofWomen in Northeast Rs. 170.00

13. 1996 N. Hasan Thomas Hardy Rs. 40.00

14. 1997 B. N. Saraswati The Sacred Science of Nature Rs. 150.00

15. 1999 Helen Giri U Khasi, ha ka Por u Phareng Rs. 150.00

16. 1998 Nari Rustomji Verrier Elwin : Philanthropologist Rs. 275.00

17. 1998 Nari Rustomji Verrier Elwin and Indian’s North-Eastern Borderlands Rs. 45.00

18. 2000 Ramchandra Guha 12th Elwin Memorial Lectures Rs. 50.00

19. 2002 Sujata Miri & Introduction to Social & PoliticalJagat Pal Philosophy Rs. 120.00

20. 2002 V. Tandon SEM Pictorial Guide to Trematodesof Livestock and Poultry in India Rs. 700.00

21. 2003 T. Ao Songs from Here and There Rs. 105.00

22. 2003 Kynpham Singh Anthology of Contemporary PoetryNongkynrih & Robin from the Northeast Rs. 230.00 (SB)Singh Ngangom (Ed.) Rs. 320.00 (HB)

23. 2003 S. K. Barpujari The Nagas : The Evolution of theirHistory and Administration (1832-1939) Rs. 550.00 (HB)

24. The NEHU Journal (Bi-Annual) Rs. 100.00

25. 2004 Reverend Robert Evans The Great Earthquake of 1897 in theKhasi and Jaintia Hills(Translated by Basil Morris) Rs. 95.00

26. 2004 M. N. Karna Agrarian Structure and Land Reformsin Assam Rs. 250.00

27. 2004 A. N. Rai & M. B. Syiem Laboratory Safety Guidelines Rs. 60.00

28. 2006 B. Kharbuli, H. Kayang, Bio-diversity in North East India Rs. 420.00 (HB)D. Syiem (Ed.) Rs. 370.00 (SB)

29. 2006 Esther Syiem The Idiom of the Allegorical Mode: Rs. 200.00 (HB)A Study of Six Novels Rs. 150.00 (SB)

30. 2006 Helen Giri (Ed.) Katto Katne Shaphang ka Put Ka Tem Rs. 60.00 (SB)Tynrai