Latest news with #PondicherryUniversity
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
PU offers 1-year PG diplomas for agamic studies, rock art
Puducherry: Pondicherry University (PU) has established two research centres offering one-year postgraduate diploma courses in agamic studies and rock art. The Centre for Agamic Studies and Indian Knowledge Systems aims to study the dynamic role of temples in medieval Indian society. The centre would also study the role of agamic texts in the growth and expansion of the professional arts and crafts among the lower sections of society. A statement from the university said that agamic texts help unravel their role as contributors to sustainable development in medieval times, which can provide lessons in implementation of sustainable development goals in contemporary times. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The Centre for Rock Art and Cognitive Studies, a field-based course, will be a tribute to the temple culture of South India, which is vibrant and thriving, said the statement. The centre will focus on the evolution of cognitive capabilities of the human species and their manifestation in the form of paintings and engravings, it added. Both centres are part of the university's department of history. Pondicherry University vice-chancellor P Prakash Babu said the courses offer exciting avenues for the young generation to explore the fascinating world of agamic temple culture, encompassing the entire gamut of contemporary society. "The programme will equip the students with the necessary skills to get employed in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, as well as making them qualified site managers of the rock art locations," said the statement.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
V-C hails critical role of nurses, paramedics in healthcare domain
P. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, has underscored the critical role of nurses and paramedics in the healthcare system. Addressing the recent graduation ceremony at Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College, an affiliate institution of the University, the Vice-Chancellor told the graduating class of paramedics, nurses, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals that their role in the field of healthcare went beyond just supporting doctors. 'You are the backbone of the healthcare system. You are the first to respond in emergencies, the steady hand in recovery, and the kind voice in moments of fear. Whether it's a nurse offering comfort in a crowded hospital ward, a physiotherapist helping someone walk again after injury, or a lab technician ensuring accurate diagnoses — your work changes lives', Mr. Prakash Babu said. Recalling the vital roles of these health professionals in times of public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, he said: 'The world has finally begun to see what we have always known: that healthcare is not possible without paramedics and allied professionals. Dwelling on the theme of 'Viksit Bharat - 2047: Role of Paramedics in India', Mr. Babu said achieving the set goals required robust progress in various sectors, and healthcare stands as a cornerstone. Within the healthcare system, paramedics — including nursing staff, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), lab technicians, radiographers, and other allied health professionals — have a critical role in strengthening the healthcare delivery system, expanding accessibility and affordability and ensuring a continuum of care. The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the vital role of paramedics in emergency and disaster response, mass casualty management, crisis containment, propagation of digital health and telemedicine support and supporting preventive and primary care. Their mandate, which includes conducting awareness programmes, vaccination drives, screenings (BP, diabetes, malnutrition), and home visits, is key to reducing long-term national health costs and also reducing urban-rural health disparities, he said. According to the Vice-Chancellor, as India focuses on strengthening healthcare infrastructure — from metros to remote villages — the need for skilled, ethical, and compassionate paramedics has never been greater. 'You are entering a field where your degree is not just a qualification; it is a responsibility. A responsibility to serve with empathy, to uphold the dignity of life, and to continue learning every day', he said. The Vice-Chancellor also conferred degrees upon the graduating students. B. Ramachandiran, chairman, Radha Ramachandiran, Founder Trustee, Rajiv Krishna, Managing Director, Sree Venkateshwaraa Group of Institutions (SVGI), Moushmi Rajiv, Executive Director, SVGI, B. Vidhya Rangaraju, Chief Operating Officer, Malliga Kannan, Principal Indirani College of Nursing, C. Ananda Vayaravel Cassinadane, Dean, College of Paramedical Sciences and S. Jeyanthi, Principal, College of Physiotherapy were present.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tamil writer Indira Parthasarathy turns 96
Indira Parthasarathy, one of the towering figures of modern Tamil literature and drama, turned 96 on Sunday (July 6, 2025) and revealed his keen interest in completing the adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth in Tamil. His eyes lit up as he spoke about the project with childlike enthusiasm. 'I have completed 50 per cent of the work. It's not a translation, but an adaptation,' he said. It was during this process that his calcium levels dropped, requiring hospitalisation. 'I stopped at the scene where Macbeth kills Duncan in his sleep. He says, 'Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more.' I also lost sleep from that day,' quipped Mr Parthasarathy with a smile, drawing an uncanny parallel between his own experience and Shakespeare's tormented protagonist. He has engaged with the adaptation of King Lear as Iruthi Aattam and The Tempest as Sooravali. Iruthi Aattam, he noted, takes its title from Samuel Beckett's play Endgame. Asked if he would finish the current work, Mr Parthasarathy said he needed to be in the right mood. 'When I meet friends and others, I get the enthusiasm to complete it,' he said. His birthday celebration brought together family members, as well as many friends, students, publishers, and admirers. Among them were Velu Saravanan, the well-known theatre personality, and Ilango Kumaravel — who adapted Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan for the stage and later collaborated with director Mani Ratnam on the film adaptation. Both were among Mr Parthasarathy's first students at Pondicherry University. 'I was a physics student and had little idea about any subject, let alone theatre. He shaped me. He once came to the university on a Sunday to appreciate my play,' recalled Saravanan. Parthasarathy is, in a way, Kesavan — the protagonist of his novel Verpattru. 'My father was a Sanskrit scholar, and we lived in a house opposite that of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in Kumbakonam. Parents on Sarangapani Street aspired to have children who excelled in mathematics. I pursued an M.A. in Tamil just to express my protest,' he said.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Indira Parthasarathy turns 96, wishes to complete Macbeth in Tamil
Indira Parthasarathy, one of the towering figures of modern Tamil literature and drama, turned 96 on Sunday and revealed his keen interest in completing the adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth in Tamil. His eyes lit up as he spoke about the project with childlike enthusiasm. 'I have completed 50 per cent of the work. It's not a translation, but an adaptation,' he said. It was during this process that his calcium levels dropped, requiring hospitalisation. 'I stopped at the scene where Macbeth kills Duncan in his sleep. He says, 'Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more.' I also lost sleep from that day,' quipped Mr Parthasarathy with a smile, drawing an uncanny parallel between his own experience and Shakespeare's tormented protagonist. He has engaged with the adaptation of King Lear as Iruthi Aattam and The Tempest as Sooravali. Iruthi Aattam, he noted, takes its title from Samuel Beckett's play Endgame. Asked if he would finish the current work, Mr Parthasarathy said he needed to be in the right mood. 'When I meet friends and others, I get the enthusiasm to complete it,' he said. His birthday celebration brought together family members, as well as many friends, students, publishers, and admirers. Among them were Velu Saravanan, the well-known theatre personality, and Ilango Kumaravel — who adapted Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan for the stage and later collaborated with director Mani Ratnam on the film adaptation. Both were among Mr Parthasarathy's first students at Pondicherry University. 'I was a physics student and had little idea about any subject, let alone theatre. He shaped me. He once came to the university on a Sunday to appreciate my play,' recalled Saravanan. Parthasarathy is, in a way, Kesavan — the protagonist of his novel Verpattru. 'My father was a Sanskrit scholar, and we lived in a house opposite that of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in Kumbakonam. Parents on Sarangapani Street aspired to have children who excelled in mathematics. I pursued an M.A. in Tamil just to express my protest,' he said.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Pondicherry University improves score in global rankings
Pondicherry University has improved its standing in the global rankings released by The Times Higher Education that evaluates institutions on the basis of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to a press note, the University raised its overall score of 65.6 - 70.2 in the 601-800 rank range, compared to the previous year's score of 64.5-69.8 in the new World University Rankings. Pondicherry University ranked in the 1201–1400 band globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, which featured participation from 8,467 institutions across 106 countries. Among Indian universities and institutions, only 54 secured a place in the QS World University Rankings 2026. According to the press note, Pondicherry University showed significant improvement across all parameters compared to the previous year, especially in Sustainability, International Research Network, and an impressive global rank of 545 in 'Citations per Faculty' . Additionally, in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025, the University achieved a global position of 820 and ranked 29th within India. The University also made remarkable strides in SDGs such as Life on Land (101-200), No Poverty (301-400) and Gender Equality (401-600), the press note said. The latest edition drew participation from a record 2526 Universities across more than 130 countries, including 135 from India. P. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, complimented the faculty, staff, concerned SDG coordinators and students for the remarkable achievement and called for sustaining the momentum to further enhance the University's global standing in future.
