FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR

The re-opening of colleges after the summer vacation found us looking at a crowded calendar for the following three months. September will see ERC ending its second phase in the Campus Diversity Initiative.

From the Chief Editor: Ms.Sharada Nayak - The principal goal of education....

Guest Column: Political Implications of Multiculturalism Prof.Ratna Naidu

Universities And Bridging The Divide Prof.M.S.Swaminathan

Diversity Discrimination And Disadvantage Dr.S.Srinivasa Rao

Effective Multicultural Curriculum Transformation  In "Advanced" Mathematics and "Hard" Sciences Christine Clark

Unity in Diversity: The Fundamental Idea Behind All Religions T.S.Ananthu

Counselling: An Intervention on College Campus Dr.Veena Ahire and Dr.M.V.Baride

Profile: Presidency College, Kolkata

From The Press:Education News - CDI Project, a boon to Shimoga college student. Sahyadri Science College adds another feather to cap.

And The Story Goes on.. Sachin Kumar

Visits & Forthcoming Events

We are now engaged in reviewing and evaluating the work done in colleges and universities for the past six years, whether they received grants for only three years or six. Our initial findings have indicated that despite the end of funds for some of the early recipients of grants, the impact and the changes in the colleges - especially among the faculty engaged in CDI, and also among the students who have graduated and left the campus - have been lasting. There is often a regret expressed that the "project has ended" but then they quickly agreed that while some of the activities may have ceased when the money was finished, the goal of CDI, that of an attitudinal change among the campus population, has been noticeable and lasting. 

I believe it was Steven Wright who said, in his typical funny/clever style: `Success always occurs in private, failure in full view'. The successes of CDI seem "small" - a changed teacher, a quiet but effective leader, a re-invigorated programme, a student awakened, an innovative idea or new activity. All small successes, usually very "private", but combining to give what we often called "a changed campus climate". A climatic change is visible only through the interaction of invisible forces. The bigger changes are in the new courses introduced, outreach work in rural areas and centres for student counselling.

While we rarely saw "failure staring at us in full view", we discussed with principals, faculty and students what they saw as their shortcomings. Their response was usually the same: Not enough. Many more students should have been involved, many more faculty trained and follow up activities organised, repetition of workshops and training programmes.

Students who have graduated, email us asking if there are plans for programmes in which they could participate. There are certainly many plans and you will hear of them. 

The three ERC consultants who will have travelled and met representatives from all CDI grantee institutions by the end of the summer, will put together notes, experiences and findings by the end of September. We will continue to improve our networking and organise more joint programmes in the coming months. In this we have the help and encouragement of the Ford Foundation, which we appreciate. We also appreciate your responses and comments on 'Beyond the Margins'. We would like to remind those of you, who sometimes report that you have not received an issue due to postal mishap, that the Newsletter and a calendar of our past and future activities are always available on our website <www.erctrust.org>.



JULY 2002                                                        SHARADA NAYAK