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Agri research must benefit farmers on field: Andhra Minister Lavu

Agri research must benefit farmers on field: Andhra Minister Lavu

GUNTUR: Stressing the importance of taking innovations from lab to land, Narasaraopet MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu on Wednesday emphasised that agricultural research must directly benefit farmers by reducing input costs and combating crop diseases.
He paid floral tributes to the statue of Acharya NG Ranga and recalled his pioneering contributions to Indian agriculture and rural development. Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) campus in Guntur, he lauded the university's distinguished history, strong infrastructure, and dedicated scientific community.
'Institutions like ANGRAU should strive to make their research accessible and practical. The technologies and findings developed here must empower farmers on the ground,' he said, adding that scalable, pest-resistant solutions are critical for large-scale implementation.

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Harvard Professor beats inbox lag, Allahabad Professor still in ‘seen' limbo": Delhi boy's post goes viral
Harvard Professor beats inbox lag, Allahabad Professor still in ‘seen' limbo": Delhi boy's post goes viral

Time of India

time37 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Harvard Professor beats inbox lag, Allahabad Professor still in ‘seen' limbo": Delhi boy's post goes viral

Writing a research paper is a mammoth task in itself, and the task is made more tedious when we await the replies from experts or professors. The late replies can be explained due to the tight schedule, too many emails, or simple disinterest. But a recent X post from a student has brought to light something deeper: the realization that hierarchy and accessibility don't always go hand in hand. The X post, which has gone viral on X, reads as follows: 'A professor from Harvard University with 500–600 cited papers replied within one hour of me sending my email, and a professor from Allahabad University with 4 cited papers can't see my mail sent a month ago.' — twinkythough (@twinkythough) The post has sparked conversation in the comment section of the post, with some narrating their own similar incidents. One user said, 'Same. I recently sent a connection to a person in LinkedIn. He has over 30 yrs experience and an impeccable track record and currently works for a government in Middle East region. He responded to me in few mins and gave me 5-6 contacts. Meanwhile, my past colleagues need me to remind them every week about the same thing. ' Another user pointed out, 'Not to dispute the evident problems in Indian academia but it's entirely possible that the Prof in India is way more overburdened with admin and teaching duties than his counterpart in Harvard. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Not to mention the probable difference in number of students hired.' It's true that there's a stark difference in the professor-to-student ratio between institutions like Harvard and most Indian universities. While Harvard boasts a ratio of 1:7, ensuring more individual attention and manageable workloads, Indian universities typically operate with a ratio closer to 1:26—making it significantly harder for professors to engage with every student who reaches out. A third user remarked that this lack of empathy and consideration in Indian academicians risese from the fact that most of them dont like their job. They wrote, 'I''ve always talked about this. Here majority of the teachers and professors are not in love with their profession and just doing it as a job . They lack enthusiasm and grit which is the cornerstone of teaching. Again I'm talking about the majority.' However, some pointed out that the user's experience could be a one-off case of good luck. They shared that they, too, had reached out to people in high positions, but rarely received a response. Whatever the odds, the incident has highlighted a troubling divide—students today are more connected than ever, yet still struggle to access meaningful academic support. When emails go unanswered and curiosity meets silence, it sends a quiet message: that reaching out doesn't always mean being heard.

The connection between teacher happiness and student performance
The connection between teacher happiness and student performance

Hans India

time3 hours ago

  • Hans India

The connection between teacher happiness and student performance

In the ongoing pursuit to boost student performance, much attention is given to curriculum structures, assessment standards, and the integration of digital tools. However, what is often overlooked is the pivotal role a teacher's emotional wellbeing plays in the everyday functioning of a classroom. An educator doesn't just deliver classroom knowledge, they also shape the emotional quotient of the learning environment. Numerous studies back what teachers have long felt: when educators are emotionally balanced and content, their teaching becomes more effective, and this has a measurable impact on students' academic performance, behavior, and overall wellbeing. Teaching is Emotional Labor : Instruction isn't merely an intellectual pursuit, it is profound emotional work. Every day, teachers must wear many hats such as mentor, counselor, disciplinarian, cheerleader while multitasking lesson planning, testing, administrative work, and classroom control. Add to this the invisible weight of caring for children's emotional needs, and you have a profession that demands high levels of emotional energy. In this dynamic, teachers can often deprioritize their happiness and mental wellbeing. It is well known that the energy of Wellbeing can be contagious. The bonhomie and enthusiasm of teachers immediately transmutates on the class, making the students more open minded and receptive to knowledge. So, when their emotional wellbeing is compromised, the adverse effects ripple through the classroom. The Science of Happiness and Performance : Teachers who are happier are more motivated, patient, creative, and present. These characteristics lead to more exciting lessons, better relations with students, and a healthier classroom environment, all of which lead to improved academic achievement. Students, particularly younger students, are extremely attuned. Teachers are surrogate parents at school. They reflect emotional signals and are attuned to the mood of the adults in their environment. A stressed, disengaged, or emotionally drained teacher can unwittingly establish a tense learning climate, which can interfere with student motivation, raise behavioral problems, and lower academic concentration. On the other hand, when teachers feel valued, emotionally balanced, and professionally empowered, they are more likely to foster classrooms that encourage growth, empathy, and active learning. Such an environment becomes fertile ground for curiosity, collaboration, and creativity where students feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and thrive both academically and emotionally. Ripple effects of wellbeing in the classroom: In Indian classrooms, where students traditionally regard teachers as Gurus figures of deep respect and guidance, the emotional state of the teacher carries immense weight. A teacher's attitude doesn't just shape the day; it shapes how students feel, engage, and absorb knowledge. When a teacher enters the classroom with optimism and empathy, it creates more than just a pleasant atmosphere; it activates students' brains for deeper learning. Neuroscience supports this, showing that positive emotional states enhance memory, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving. Simply put, when teachers are emotionally well, they have an effect on students that don't just feel better but also learn better. The vicious cycle of compromised wellbeing: Emotionally disconnected teachers can be less effective in gauging the emotional wellbeing needs of students. This can lead to a decline in student performance, leading to their own stress levels escalating further, and ultimately unavoidable burnout. In the last decade, this cycle has driven an alarming level of teacher attrition across the globe, a crisis that hurts not just individuals but compromises whole education systems. A Human Equation : Fundamentally, the quality of education is directly linked to the quality of human interaction. A teacher, in the truest sense, is not merely a task executor checking off chapters but an Educator, entrusted with shaping another life for the future. Teachers who are emotionally secure, supported, and content are far better equipped to build those meaningful connections that spark transformation. It's in those powerful moments when a teacher sees and acknowledges a student's unique potential that true learning and growth occur. As we envision the future of education, we must recognize this truth: the happiness and wellbeing of our teachers is not just important, it is essential. Because when teachers thrive emotionally and intellectually, they nurture not just minds, but hearts and in doing so, raise a generation prepared for life. Redefining Success: Putting the Teacher at the Center : If we truly want to make student success the priority, then we have to rethink how we define and work towards it. Student performance is not distinguishable from teacher wellbeing. It means investing in systems that care for teacher wellbeing as a necessity, not a nicety. What does that look like in action? It means infusing emotional intelligence and mindfulness into teacher preparation programs. It means making available on an ongoing basis a platform for reflection, peer support, and supporting teacher wellbeing. It means seeing teachers as holistic development partners towards students in the classroom and not merely content deliverers, further allowing them to have the agency and respect their positions require. 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How The ‘Swan' Soft Toy On Axiom-4 Headed To ISS Is Linked To Goddess Saraswati
How The ‘Swan' Soft Toy On Axiom-4 Headed To ISS Is Linked To Goddess Saraswati

News18

time3 hours ago

  • News18

How The ‘Swan' Soft Toy On Axiom-4 Headed To ISS Is Linked To Goddess Saraswati

Last Updated: As the Axiom-4 crew readies for liftoff, they'll bring along a plush swan named 'Joy'. When the Falcon-9 rocket launches from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on June 10, it will be carrying more than just astronauts and scientific gear. Joining the Axiom 4 mission crew aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule will be a small plush swan named 'Joy.' This soft toy isn't just a sentimental item—it plays a meaningful role. In keeping with a long-standing space tradition, astronauts bring a small object to float freely once the spacecraft reaches orbit. It's a visual cue: the moment the toy begins to drift, the crew knows they've officially entered microgravity. But 'Joy' is more than just a zero-gravity indicator. The plush swan carries a deeply personal significance for each astronaut on board, symbolising emotion, connection, and the human side of space travel. Here's why this tiny companion holds such powerful meaning for the crew. Why Swan? During a pre-flight virtual press conference, all four members of the international Axiom-4 crew played a role in choosing the swan plush toy, selecting it as a shared cultural symbol that resonated with them all. For ISRO astronaut and Axiom-4 mission pilot Shubanshu Shukla, the swan holds profound spiritual and philosophical significance, making it a deeply personal choice as well as a meaningful representation for the crew. 'In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of goddess Saraswati, symbolising wisdom, learning, and purity. Swan is believed to have the rare ability to separate milk from water, representing purity, wisdom, and grace," Shukla said during the crew's pre-launch press briefing on Tuesday (June 3). 'Carrying this symbol reminds me of the delicate balance between knowledge and pressure, and it keeps me grounded in the values I hold dear. I feel inspired, fully prepared, and confident as I embark on this journey," Shukla added. Once in orbit, Shubanshu Shukla will make history as the second Indian to venture into space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who became the first nearly 40 years ago. Mission commander and America's most seasoned astronaut, Peggy Whitson, explained the significance behind the swan, saying, 'Joy symbolises the collective dreams of three nations coming together in their pursuit of human spaceflight. In India, the swan represents wisdom; in Poland, it reflects resilience; and in Hungary, it stands for grace. Through 'Joy,' we honour both our cultural differences and the unity that drives our shared mission in space." What Is Axiom-4 Mission? The Axiom-4 mission, a collaborative effort between Texas-based Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA, will send four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for a two-week mission. The crew includes Mission Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Plush Toys In Space Taking a soft toy into space might seem light-hearted, but it's actually a long-standing tradition among astronauts. The use of zero-gravity indicators dates back to 1961, when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin carried a small doll on his groundbreaking Vostok mission. The purpose was simple: once the doll started to float, it confirmed the spacecraft had entered zero gravity. Over the years, Russian space crews have kept this tradition alive, often taking along plush toys chosen by their children, adding a personal and sentimental touch to their journeys beyond Earth. The tradition of flying soft toys as zero-gravity indicators eventually crossed over to the United States after the space shuttle era. Today, crewed spacecraft from SpaceX, Boeing, and NASA's Artemis missions regularly include these floating companions to mark the arrival of weightlessness. Once aboard the International Space Station, 'Joy' the swan will join an eclectic collection of plush space travellers. Past zero-g mascots include 'Droog," a crocheted origami crane from SpaceX's Crew-10 mission, and a horn-blowing angel chosen by the Soyuz MS-27 crew, adding a touch of whimsy to space exploration. First Published:

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