What can we learn from Indian history? What can we learn from Hitler? How to get over superstition? Why did Russian communism fail? What is modern management and why there is great demand for MBAs?
What is the status of NGO movement in India? What can be done to remove grinding poverty? Do we have energy crisis in India? Should we have reservation? What is the essence of Jiddu Krishnamurthy’s philosophy?
What is liberalisation in Indian context? What are some of the early signs of environmental problems in Dakshina Kannada? How to become a responsible citizen? These are some of the topics being deliberated at a seminar on “True Education,†a brain child of Dr Bhamy Venkataramana Shenoy, a consultant to power projects in European companies and former Adviser to National Oil Company of Georgia.
The seminar which began at S V S College in Bantwal on June 10 will conclude on July 29 with three classes per week.
Dr Shenoy said the main objective of the programme is to make students think and question. “I am happy if the students disagree with me!†he said and added: “It doesn’t matter whether the students are right or wrong as long as the students start thinking.â€Â
Lamenting on the system of education being imparted in colleges, he said the present day education system is exam oriented and that not much is being done to make the students think. “There is a need to educate the students than make them literates,†he said.
“The urge to do something to set right the anomaly resulted in such an endeavour,†Dr Shenoy said and added that the purpose of the seminar is to make the students learn the art of asking the right questions.
The methodology used by Dr Shenoy is a one hour programme after the college hours. “After a short introduction by the speaker, most of the time will be allocated for questions and answers. But every participant is expected to ask questions or make comments.â€Â
Though Dr Shenoy prefers only degree students, even PU students may take part. However, the number is restricted to 30. Every participant is expected to pay a nominal fee of Rs 100 for the whole programme.
However, if any student cannot afford to pay, the fee will be waived. At the same time, the money collected will be given as awards to three students in the form of books.
Dr Shenoy who shuttles between the US and Bantwal is ready to share his ‘methodology’ in any college if they came forward.
After passing out the IIT in Chennai in 1965, Dr Shenoy worked in oil industries in European countries for 21 years and returned to India in 1987. In 1997, he again went abroad as adviser to oil companies in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Georgia where he successfully exposed corruption in the government.
“However, I could not succeed to expose adulteration in India in the last 20 years,†said Dr Shenoy who is also associated with Mysore Grahakara Parishat and editor of Catalyst, a quartely magazine.
