CORPORATE CITIZEN CLAPS FOR THE NEW STATUS ATTAINED BY SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY (SPPU) AS IT BECOMES THE LARGEST UNIVERSITY IN MAHARASHTRA, SURPASSING MUMBAI UNIVERSITY (MU) ON KEY ACADEMIC AND OTHER PARAMETERS

It gained past Mumbai University on key areas such as academic research and quality, the number of affiliated colleges it works with and on overall excellence. Ironically, SPPU or PU (Pune University) as it was formerly known began as an offshoot of MU in 1949 with 18 colleges under its wings. Today, it forms a cohort of 890 colleges as against MU’s current affiliation of 823 colleges. SPPU also has about 70 research institutes under its belt. “SPPU is forging ahead in parameters like academic research, excellence and infrastructure but there are challenges related to size. However, we have systems in place to overcome them,” said Nitin Karmalkar, Vice Chancellor of the University. With an area spread of about 411 acres, the University continues to attract many foreign students due to its world-class facilities. Earlier, the university’s jurisdiction covered over 12 districts in western Maharashtra but its current spread is across three districts when its district spread was reduced to three when other universities took off in the region. The University was established under the Poona University Act passed by the Bombay Legislature in 1948. In 1949, what began with only 18 colleges with an enrolment of 8,000 students has now grown to 209 colleges affiliated to it along with an enrolment of 1.7 lakh students. “SPPU has always been the hub of academic excellence and research and its Vice Chancellors have been men of eminence and vision who gave a new dimension to the field of teaching and learning. The achievements of today are due to the visionary leadership of the former university vice chancellors and heads of various departments and the current administration, who gave their level best for the cause of education, said Anwar Shaikh, head of Poona College of Arts, College and Science. SPPU is a tribute to the pioneering efforts of educationist, poet and social reformer, Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule in bringing education to the grass root levels. Today, their dreams have crossed a milestone as it continues to function with 43 academic departments and has notched up a new space giving a new meaning to the spirit of education.

CORPORATE CITIZEN SLAPS THE SAD STATE IN WHICH A MAJORITY OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND NEWLY RETIRED ELDERLY SUSTAIN THEMSELVES IN INDIA

They hold the lack of dedicated fund and self-employment schemes as the damper in leading a sustained and dignified life. And quite truly, Agewell Foundation-a non-governmental organisation linked to the United Nations revealed that retired senior citizens had raised concerns on the non-availability of dedicated resources for providing a progressive and dignified living. Concerns included a commitment for safety and security measures for the aged, research and advocacy for matters concerning old people, self employment schemes for the retired and dedicated healthcare insurance. Himanshu Rath, Chairman, Agewell Foundation said that “Due to fast increasing elderly population, trends of issues concerning older persons have also changed dramatically over the years. Besides traditional social security schemes, like old age pension, senior citizens are now demanding dedicated funds, schemes and provisions for their welfare and empowerment in old age. We believe timely and appropriate provisions would certainly empower millions of older persons and will help in creating an older person-friendly environment in India.” About 71% of senior citizens remain particularly concerned on issues related to old-age trauma centres and old-age homes, on mobile medical care, recreations centres or pilgrimage facilities. The lack of a legal framework was seen as jeopardising safety and security requirements and is the primary need of the hour. Especially, legalities that protect senior citizens against violation of their human rights or other forms of elder abuse could resolve disparities within family networks. Setting up of a legal framework, exclusively to look after safety and security issues of senior citizens, would, therefore, play an important role. The report stated that about 56% of senior citizens had suggested that the government launch self-employment schemes for retired senior citizens on a larger scale for gainful opportunities in old age. “They claimed that this initiative will also help in creating jobs for unemployed youths,” the study said. It’s a game of ability over age and can’t a few tweaks in policies lend empowerment to the past, yet healthier generation to pave the path for the next?