Nothing to report.
Usual work at office....it seems I am still not out of mind frame that Pranav couldn't make it to med school.
I must try to be a realistic....
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
running around.....
Nothing much to report.....but, actually, a lot has been transpired....lot of water has passed thru the river Ganges...
...what should I write...I dunno....
My last post was on 9th Sept. 2004...and today it's 4th Oct.....since then son Pranav complained of severe asthamatic conditions and desired that he will accept any branch of engg in Mumbai...
...again a lot of running around in Mumbai to see if vacant engg seats are available in Mumbai colleges.......could have got at mant colleges including one or two of the top local engg colleges in Mumbai....but then he had said said 'no'....I had kept on asking if he was comfortable at SIT.... he had said that medicine was his first preference....I had tried for vacant seats in medicine....difficult....as there was a lot of money to be made in med seats for private med college management...again running around for med admission ...sent fax to all pvt colleges in Maharashtra....then applications sent by speed-post....and finally gave up on 29th/30th september.....I was disappointed ....felt that Pranav should have got better marks in MH-CET.....but after considering many factors now I feel Pranav is happy at SIT...save SIT Principal's decision about not allowing to wear jeans at college...
...oh!what a running around.....
...what should I write...I dunno....
My last post was on 9th Sept. 2004...and today it's 4th Oct.....since then son Pranav complained of severe asthamatic conditions and desired that he will accept any branch of engg in Mumbai...
...again a lot of running around in Mumbai to see if vacant engg seats are available in Mumbai colleges.......could have got at mant colleges including one or two of the top local engg colleges in Mumbai....but then he had said said 'no'....I had kept on asking if he was comfortable at SIT.... he had said that medicine was his first preference....I had tried for vacant seats in medicine....difficult....as there was a lot of money to be made in med seats for private med college management...again running around for med admission ...sent fax to all pvt colleges in Maharashtra....then applications sent by speed-post....and finally gave up on 29th/30th september.....I was disappointed ....felt that Pranav should have got better marks in MH-CET.....but after considering many factors now I feel Pranav is happy at SIT...save SIT Principal's decision about not allowing to wear jeans at college...
...oh!what a running around.....
Friday, September 10, 2004
A stupendious pay out
Well, today was a busy but calm day.No upheavals regarding engg admissions. I called Pranav and he was okay (his health).
However, what is worring me is the following payouts lying ahead of me.
1.Raffles tickets of MARS - Rs.5,000/-
2.LIC premium - Rs.5,000/-
3.Car Battery (new) -Rs.3,000/- (remeber my car was broken?)
4.Rotary club semi-annual dues - Rs.3,500/-
5.Country club dues for 2004-05 Rs.3,000/-
6.Guru-Ashish flat dues - Rs.5,000/-
7.Balance of hostel dues of Pranav - Rs.14,500/-
8.Auto bill of Anupa - Rs.2,000/-
9.Private Tutions for Anupa - Rs.1,000/-
10.Telephone Bills (Landline + Cell + Internet) - Rs.3,000/-
11.Electricity Bills Rs.3,000/-
12.Apartment semi-annual dues - Rs.21,000/-
13.Books+ stationery etc. for Pranav - Rs.4,000/-
14.New clothes for Pranav - Rs.3,000/-
15.Car fuel (visits to lonavala) @ Rs.700/- per trip - Rs.3,500/-
Oh!...what a stupendious payment to be made!
Hopefully, I will be able to meet them one by one.
However, what is worring me is the following payouts lying ahead of me.
1.Raffles tickets of MARS - Rs.5,000/-
2.LIC premium - Rs.5,000/-
3.Car Battery (new) -Rs.3,000/- (remeber my car was broken?)
4.Rotary club semi-annual dues - Rs.3,500/-
5.Country club dues for 2004-05 Rs.3,000/-
6.Guru-Ashish flat dues - Rs.5,000/-
7.Balance of hostel dues of Pranav - Rs.14,500/-
8.Auto bill of Anupa - Rs.2,000/-
9.Private Tutions for Anupa - Rs.1,000/-
10.Telephone Bills (Landline + Cell + Internet) - Rs.3,000/-
11.Electricity Bills Rs.3,000/-
12.Apartment semi-annual dues - Rs.21,000/-
13.Books+ stationery etc. for Pranav - Rs.4,000/-
14.New clothes for Pranav - Rs.3,000/-
15.Car fuel (visits to lonavala) @ Rs.700/- per trip - Rs.3,500/-
Oh!...what a stupendious payment to be made!
Hopefully, I will be able to meet them one by one.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Upheaval
Today, it is 9th September 2004. I am trying to pen down few of my thoughts on blogger for long but something or the other thing is prevening me to do so. I shall try to capture events which followed Pranav's homecoming on the 3rd September,2004.
Pranav came here on the 3rd Sept. As the second around for Govt. seats in Mubai was over and we were not going anywhere Pranav asked me if he can go to Lamington Road area, probably to purchase components for a new computer being assebled for Alok. I said he can.On 4th he left at noon. He finally called me at 12.10 am /5th Sept. for help in dropping Alok and his computer at Alok's home at Airoli.While driving down to Airoli, Pranav told me that his friend in SIT had called him and said that there is going to be a Uniform at SIT. Pranav seemed to be horribly aversed to very idea of wearing uniform at engg. college.I echoed him and told that wearing is a uniform at engg college is rediculous idea. I asked him to first check whether the news of uniform is true. I was in shock, however, when he told me that he would not like to continue at SIT on the ground of uniform. It was a shock because we had not sought admission anywhere in Mumbai subconsequent to his getting admission in SIT. And I thought it is foolishness to think of giving up education on this flimsy ground.He further said that Mumbai University is the only known university from India internationally. I tried in vain to tell him that it is not so and Pune University is also equally good. I broke this news to his mother who was in tears hearing this.The whole night she cried.On Sunday, the 5th she was successful in pusuading Pranav that uniform really doesn't matter. I also showed him few sites on the web from Pune wherein engg colleges have prescribed uniforms.I consoled him further by telling him that he may have to wear uniform only on few days.Finally it was decided that now Pranav would attend 3rd round for Architecture seats that was being conducted at Sir J.J. School and if he get a seat in Sir J.J.College of Architecture, he would continue to be in Mumbai or else in SIT.
On 6th we attended counselling round at JJ, however, he could not get a seat in JJ. Then he made some purchases for his drawing class. He said he needed to go back to SIT the same evening.I asked him whether we should try to find a seat in Mumbai college, to which he vehemently replied in negative.Since my car was broken, I asked Dr. Nilesh to drop us at SIT.Thus we dropped him at SIT at around 7 pm on 6th.
On 7th, when I called Pranav at around 8 a.m. he complained of some trouble with his asthmatic conditions.He said that any branch of engg in Mumbai would do for him .It was painful for me too.I immediately got ready, collected his certificates and decided to go to Vivekanand,Saboo and Fr. Agnel,Bandra.I went to Vivekanand and found that VESIT were going to put admission / counselling sked on the same day in the afternoon.It was 11 a.m. I called him again and asked how he was feeling...he said he was much better and would probably attend college in the afternoon session.I also told him that since Vivekanand was the only college in which we had submitted form for the 2nd round we shall try in that college only and if he is lucky enough, he shall come back to Mumbai, which he agreed.He even said he was happy at SIT. The same evening I learned that his doctor at SIT advised him to be take rest and hence he didn't go to college.In the evening his friend Alok called me and told that there are some vaccant seats in Saboo.He had called Pranav earlier and felt that probably Pranav may feel awkward to talk to me regarding vaccant seats in Saboo and hence Alok decided to call me. I called back Pranav and asked him if he was interested in Saboo and told him that we would not mind if he came back to Mumbai. He flatly said "No", He said that he was not sure whether he would like to do Auto or Prodn. or for that matter even Mech and hence will continue to be in EXTC branch at SIT.
On 8th at morning 5.45 I got a call from Pranav. He complained of the same trouble and also said that his Asthalin inhaler has exhausted and asked me to bring one. I went to 24hrs med shop and got 3 such inhalers.My car was broken and hence took Dr. Nitin's car and went to SIT with his mother.By that time he had secured one inhaler from someone from the hostel.We asked Pranav to wait for us and not to bother to go to class till we met. We reached SIT at 9.30 a.m. We had some breakfast at the canteen and dropped him at his college building just before 10.30 a.m., when his next class would begin.Before that we again confirmed whether he would still be interested to come down to Mumbai for studies.
The above account may look simple narration of events, but what emotional upheaval we have gone thru cannot be captured at this time at least.One of the reason is time-lag between the emotional feeling and noting down the event.Secondly, it would take up quite a time in jotting all this thru keyboard.
This is enough for the time being.
Pranav came here on the 3rd Sept. As the second around for Govt. seats in Mubai was over and we were not going anywhere Pranav asked me if he can go to Lamington Road area, probably to purchase components for a new computer being assebled for Alok. I said he can.On 4th he left at noon. He finally called me at 12.10 am /5th Sept. for help in dropping Alok and his computer at Alok's home at Airoli.While driving down to Airoli, Pranav told me that his friend in SIT had called him and said that there is going to be a Uniform at SIT. Pranav seemed to be horribly aversed to very idea of wearing uniform at engg. college.I echoed him and told that wearing is a uniform at engg college is rediculous idea. I asked him to first check whether the news of uniform is true. I was in shock, however, when he told me that he would not like to continue at SIT on the ground of uniform. It was a shock because we had not sought admission anywhere in Mumbai subconsequent to his getting admission in SIT. And I thought it is foolishness to think of giving up education on this flimsy ground.He further said that Mumbai University is the only known university from India internationally. I tried in vain to tell him that it is not so and Pune University is also equally good. I broke this news to his mother who was in tears hearing this.The whole night she cried.On Sunday, the 5th she was successful in pusuading Pranav that uniform really doesn't matter. I also showed him few sites on the web from Pune wherein engg colleges have prescribed uniforms.I consoled him further by telling him that he may have to wear uniform only on few days.Finally it was decided that now Pranav would attend 3rd round for Architecture seats that was being conducted at Sir J.J. School and if he get a seat in Sir J.J.College of Architecture, he would continue to be in Mumbai or else in SIT.
On 6th we attended counselling round at JJ, however, he could not get a seat in JJ. Then he made some purchases for his drawing class. He said he needed to go back to SIT the same evening.I asked him whether we should try to find a seat in Mumbai college, to which he vehemently replied in negative.Since my car was broken, I asked Dr. Nilesh to drop us at SIT.Thus we dropped him at SIT at around 7 pm on 6th.
On 7th, when I called Pranav at around 8 a.m. he complained of some trouble with his asthmatic conditions.He said that any branch of engg in Mumbai would do for him .It was painful for me too.I immediately got ready, collected his certificates and decided to go to Vivekanand,Saboo and Fr. Agnel,Bandra.I went to Vivekanand and found that VESIT were going to put admission / counselling sked on the same day in the afternoon.It was 11 a.m. I called him again and asked how he was feeling...he said he was much better and would probably attend college in the afternoon session.I also told him that since Vivekanand was the only college in which we had submitted form for the 2nd round we shall try in that college only and if he is lucky enough, he shall come back to Mumbai, which he agreed.He even said he was happy at SIT. The same evening I learned that his doctor at SIT advised him to be take rest and hence he didn't go to college.In the evening his friend Alok called me and told that there are some vaccant seats in Saboo.He had called Pranav earlier and felt that probably Pranav may feel awkward to talk to me regarding vaccant seats in Saboo and hence Alok decided to call me. I called back Pranav and asked him if he was interested in Saboo and told him that we would not mind if he came back to Mumbai. He flatly said "No", He said that he was not sure whether he would like to do Auto or Prodn. or for that matter even Mech and hence will continue to be in EXTC branch at SIT.
On 8th at morning 5.45 I got a call from Pranav. He complained of the same trouble and also said that his Asthalin inhaler has exhausted and asked me to bring one. I went to 24hrs med shop and got 3 such inhalers.My car was broken and hence took Dr. Nitin's car and went to SIT with his mother.By that time he had secured one inhaler from someone from the hostel.We asked Pranav to wait for us and not to bother to go to class till we met. We reached SIT at 9.30 a.m. We had some breakfast at the canteen and dropped him at his college building just before 10.30 a.m., when his next class would begin.Before that we again confirmed whether he would still be interested to come down to Mumbai for studies.
The above account may look simple narration of events, but what emotional upheaval we have gone thru cannot be captured at this time at least.One of the reason is time-lag between the emotional feeling and noting down the event.Secondly, it would take up quite a time in jotting all this thru keyboard.
This is enough for the time being.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Outbound student
It is well realised now that Pranav is very happy at SIT. There is, however, this strange feeling that some people may ask why he has been sent to SIT, in Lonavala,Pune and not studying here, in Mumbai.People may think that Pranav has very scored poor marks.I know it is not so.He did get a seat into Chemical engg. in a Mumbai college and could have got seat in a Mumbai college for 'Electronics & Telecommunication' in the subsequent rounds.But when he did get EXTC at SIT and paid the fees and stayed there for few days he developed such an enduring liking for his college and campus that we now feel it is better for him to be at SIT.
We do feel void in life, at present, as our son has gone to stay in a residential campus college, but feel strongly that it may help him in preparing for life.Today, when I was browsing thru I came across some notes on OUTDOOR ACTITIES or OUTBOUND ACTIVITIES. I felt very strong to reproduce few the point why it is necessary for Pranav to stay outdoor. They are as follows:
Why Outdoor
We do feel void in life, at present, as our son has gone to stay in a residential campus college, but feel strongly that it may help him in preparing for life.Today, when I was browsing thru I came across some notes on OUTDOOR ACTITIES or OUTBOUND ACTIVITIES. I felt very strong to reproduce few the point why it is necessary for Pranav to stay outdoor. They are as follows:
Why Outdoor
- Increased self sufficiency
- Meeting people more easily
Breaking down sex barriers - Increased self-awareness
Increased awareness of others - Intense personal contact
Appreciation of wilderness - New wilderness skills
Adaptability to new situations - Self-confidence
Escape from pressures - Appreciation of civilization
Increased self-esteem - Fun
Leveler - Increased self-reliance
New random group - Pushing limits
Seeing worth in others - Education outside the classroom
Teaching responsibility to others - Awareness of how your actions effect others
Appreciation of the natural environment - Honesty & Self-disclosure
We sincerely hope that Pranav will make good use of all the opportunities that he has now got for excelling in life.
Amen!
2nd round of allotment
Today I went to Lonavala to bring back Pranav for attending counselling session of the 2nd round for admission to Govt. engg. colleges in Mumbai.
I see that Pranav is very very happy there in the SIT campus....and he felt that whether he gets admission in the Govt engg colleges in Mumbai or not he will still be in Win-Win situation; if he gets admission in Govt engg colleges in Mumbai it will be a gret honour attending those colleges; if he doesn't he would still be happy -because he would stay back at SIT-a great campus.
By the time we were back to Mumbai it was past 9.30 pm.We went to the DTE website and learned that all the vaccancies at Mumbai were filled in by the 3rd Sept. I felt so much dejected. Many times it happened ,when we felt that we have come closer (to a target) still we were eluded.There could be vaccancy at Pune Engg college, but then I felt so much dejected and exhausted that I declared to Pranav that we need not go for counselling and he is now free to attend his regular classes on Saturday at SIT and that I can drop him at Lonavala; or since he has come to Mumbai for the first time after going to Lonavala he can choose do spend his time as he think fit.
Pranav's mother is infact happy that he will continue at SIT . She feels that we should not tempt him with the lure of better or best colleges at this moment as he is likely to get confused and then when he is being offered a better college he will not be able to say no and probably join that college but then he may not be able to concentrate. Instead,she is of the opinion that we should not talk about taking admission in yet another better college and instead stick to this college-SIT as he is more than comfortable here.She is right, I think.
So much dejected I went to bed, I know I should not have felt so much as all this possibility of getting admission came up as something new and new hopes were created but here Pranav had already secured admission to one of the best campuses and he is happy here.
So, I also decided to maintain status quo.
I see that Pranav is very very happy there in the SIT campus....and he felt that whether he gets admission in the Govt engg colleges in Mumbai or not he will still be in Win-Win situation; if he gets admission in Govt engg colleges in Mumbai it will be a gret honour attending those colleges; if he doesn't he would still be happy -because he would stay back at SIT-a great campus.
By the time we were back to Mumbai it was past 9.30 pm.We went to the DTE website and learned that all the vaccancies at Mumbai were filled in by the 3rd Sept. I felt so much dejected. Many times it happened ,when we felt that we have come closer (to a target) still we were eluded.There could be vaccancy at Pune Engg college, but then I felt so much dejected and exhausted that I declared to Pranav that we need not go for counselling and he is now free to attend his regular classes on Saturday at SIT and that I can drop him at Lonavala; or since he has come to Mumbai for the first time after going to Lonavala he can choose do spend his time as he think fit.
Pranav's mother is infact happy that he will continue at SIT . She feels that we should not tempt him with the lure of better or best colleges at this moment as he is likely to get confused and then when he is being offered a better college he will not be able to say no and probably join that college but then he may not be able to concentrate. Instead,she is of the opinion that we should not talk about taking admission in yet another better college and instead stick to this college-SIT as he is more than comfortable here.She is right, I think.
So much dejected I went to bed, I know I should not have felt so much as all this possibility of getting admission came up as something new and new hopes were created but here Pranav had already secured admission to one of the best campuses and he is happy here.
So, I also decided to maintain status quo.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Specialisation to Generalisation : Dual Engg degree and Mechatronics
Yesterday, I was searching on google to find syllabus of Pune University for engineering.I couldn't get it.However, some interesting things popped up.
Anna University has introduced dual degree programme - BE/B Tech (Information Technology) for students who have completed 2nd semester from non-IT streams of BE/B Tech. Thus such students can take courses (subjects/papers) of IT ,which they have not studied ,from their 3rd semester, in extended hours beyond their usual hours of regular studies, and will have to complete all the IT courses by 10th semester.Thus, one can get dual engg degrees in 5 years instead of one degree in 4 years.I think this is vcery good.As there is perception that demand for Computer engg/IT, as an independent sector, may not be there in the future students are reluctant to seek admission to computer/IT. Students feel that IT/Comp will be required to be mastered as tool and not end in itself. And I feel that's correct. Even my child Pranav, who is quite well in computers, programming had this idea in mind and hence decided to choose a non-comp/IT branch!!
These days there is increasing tendency to take core subject and supplement comp/IT knowledge by acquiring it separately.Large no. of students do these IT courses from institutes like NIIT etc. But if they can get university degree in IT, that too Engg degree, it will always be preferred.
Now is the unfortunate part.This facility is available to students from Tamilnadu state only!Come on everyone! Make representations to Anna University, to your local university.state govt., UGC,AICTE, so that such facilities are available to all students of engg.
I can understand that there will be strong opposition from students who are already doing comp/IT and especially IT.
One more interesting thing came up.One of the womens engg college in Pune has write-up on MECHATRONICS on its website.They say that in future one need to be aware of almost all the processes of manufuturing, from conceptualisation to production.And they believe that in future only such person / engineer will be required.
I think it could be correct as long as engg students remain on floor-shop. But these days most of the students prefer to do MBA and shift to non- floorshop jobs. Secondly, if you see the above referred write up, few of the existing degrees have most of what is mentioned in the write up. Instrumentation, Industrial, Production engg. are the cases in this category; however not favoured by students -it's simply out of fashion according to students.
I think, AICTE should formulate a policy where by there should be only one engg degree having syllabus akin to Mechotronics, provide electives in 3rd and 4th year and may have specialisation at post-graduate level. Like Architecture and Medicine the first degree should have common syllabus save electives.
There is one question:
Either specialisation or generalisation?
Anna University has introduced dual degree programme - BE/B Tech (Information Technology) for students who have completed 2nd semester from non-IT streams of BE/B Tech. Thus such students can take courses (subjects/papers) of IT ,which they have not studied ,from their 3rd semester, in extended hours beyond their usual hours of regular studies, and will have to complete all the IT courses by 10th semester.Thus, one can get dual engg degrees in 5 years instead of one degree in 4 years.I think this is vcery good.As there is perception that demand for Computer engg/IT, as an independent sector, may not be there in the future students are reluctant to seek admission to computer/IT. Students feel that IT/Comp will be required to be mastered as tool and not end in itself. And I feel that's correct. Even my child Pranav, who is quite well in computers, programming had this idea in mind and hence decided to choose a non-comp/IT branch!!
These days there is increasing tendency to take core subject and supplement comp/IT knowledge by acquiring it separately.Large no. of students do these IT courses from institutes like NIIT etc. But if they can get university degree in IT, that too Engg degree, it will always be preferred.
Now is the unfortunate part.This facility is available to students from Tamilnadu state only!Come on everyone! Make representations to Anna University, to your local university.state govt., UGC,AICTE, so that such facilities are available to all students of engg.
I can understand that there will be strong opposition from students who are already doing comp/IT and especially IT.
One more interesting thing came up.One of the womens engg college in Pune has write-up on MECHATRONICS on its website.They say that in future one need to be aware of almost all the processes of manufuturing, from conceptualisation to production.And they believe that in future only such person / engineer will be required.
I think it could be correct as long as engg students remain on floor-shop. But these days most of the students prefer to do MBA and shift to non- floorshop jobs. Secondly, if you see the above referred write up, few of the existing degrees have most of what is mentioned in the write up. Instrumentation, Industrial, Production engg. are the cases in this category; however not favoured by students -it's simply out of fashion according to students.
I think, AICTE should formulate a policy where by there should be only one engg degree having syllabus akin to Mechotronics, provide electives in 3rd and 4th year and may have specialisation at post-graduate level. Like Architecture and Medicine the first degree should have common syllabus save electives.
There is one question:
Either specialisation or generalisation?
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Medicine to Engineering
Son Pranav wanted to be a doctor.He did not study mathematics that well thinking that he will get into a medical college.However, when it was clear that he would not get a seat in medical college in Maharashtra, we proposed him to study again for an entrance test for next year.At first he said yes but then changed his mind and decided to seek admission in engineering college.With far less marks in mathematics, 70 out of 100, he was at a wrong side.Inspite of this, his rank of 10315 out of 52000+ , he managed to get Chemical Engineering seat in a Mumbai college.
When Pranav took a science stream, I asked him what he wanted to do: medicine or engineering?He said that he was not sure:medicine or engg.In engg. his interest was Chemical engg,Bio-tech engg and Aeronautical engg. As time passed he said that he wanted to do medicine.We told him that we are not at all averse to medicine but for entry into medicine he will have to study a lot as there are very few seats available in medicine,almost 1/15th of engg. seats.He was studying hard for med entrance but somehow his 94 percentile score in med entrance did not assure him a med seat as yet.
So, now when he said that he would rather go for engg. we thought it good that he has atleast taken a decision, rather swift one, in a way good decision.In medicine a basic degree is not sufficient and one has to do atleast a post-graduate course,although super speciality is desirable, to reach a respectable position.And at all entry level there is filtering and hence we felt med is a uncertain arena.
Although he got a Chem Engg seat in Mumbai,he was uncertain what branch of fngg. he would study.While studying for med entrance he had not at all decided about engg. and hence not formed any idea of a particular branch of engg. But then slowly he started formulating his idea- shorlisting engg. branches or rather eliminating branches of engg. which he would not study.By now he has formed his idea- Electronics & Tele-Communication,Mechanical.About Computer Science and Engg. he says that since he knows computer programming so well that he would rather do engg degree in branch other than computers and still he would be updating his knowledge about everything in computers so that he will have a dual specialisation! That's fine.
When we saw Sinhgad Institute of Technology (SIT) at Lonavala we all were very much impressed by the campus.He filled in this institute with EXTC (Electronics and Telecommunication) and Mechanical (Mech) engg. as few of the top options after VJTI (states' premier technical institution) in the option form of Governments' Centralised Admission Process (CAP).It was thru CAP that he got a Chem engg seat.He could not get at SIT as SIT falls under Pune University whereas we stay under the jurisdiction of Mumbai University.Under the CAP, 70% of the seats are allocated to students residing in the respective university area and 30% are open to entire state.
When there are vaccant seats available, one can approach individual college for a seat. We are proud that son Pranav said that he would like to seek admission on merit only and he refrained us from approaching colleges asking for donations.We approached SIT and filled up form for vaccant seats making amply clear that we are interested in vaccant seats only and not in management seats, where some donation is sought.Again we were proud to find his name listed at rank 4 in the 100 vaccant seats.This is in short how Pranav got admission into seemingly good college albeit in Pune University.
Govt. of Maharashtra has declared to carry second round of admission for vaccant seats in Govt. aided colleges and probably other unaided colleges which is 3 days away.But Pranav is so satisfied with environment of SIT that he is bit reluctant to leave SIT. We have assured him that we shall think of taking admission only in the top 2-3 top-rated govt. colleges (chances are pretty dim); otherwise he will stay back in SIT.
I am writing all this so that by any chance he sees this blog down the time he will understand what went thru our (pop and mom) minds.
Goodluck Pranav
When Pranav took a science stream, I asked him what he wanted to do: medicine or engineering?He said that he was not sure:medicine or engg.In engg. his interest was Chemical engg,Bio-tech engg and Aeronautical engg. As time passed he said that he wanted to do medicine.We told him that we are not at all averse to medicine but for entry into medicine he will have to study a lot as there are very few seats available in medicine,almost 1/15th of engg. seats.He was studying hard for med entrance but somehow his 94 percentile score in med entrance did not assure him a med seat as yet.
So, now when he said that he would rather go for engg. we thought it good that he has atleast taken a decision, rather swift one, in a way good decision.In medicine a basic degree is not sufficient and one has to do atleast a post-graduate course,although super speciality is desirable, to reach a respectable position.And at all entry level there is filtering and hence we felt med is a uncertain arena.
Although he got a Chem Engg seat in Mumbai,he was uncertain what branch of fngg. he would study.While studying for med entrance he had not at all decided about engg. and hence not formed any idea of a particular branch of engg. But then slowly he started formulating his idea- shorlisting engg. branches or rather eliminating branches of engg. which he would not study.By now he has formed his idea- Electronics & Tele-Communication,Mechanical.About Computer Science and Engg. he says that since he knows computer programming so well that he would rather do engg degree in branch other than computers and still he would be updating his knowledge about everything in computers so that he will have a dual specialisation! That's fine.
When we saw Sinhgad Institute of Technology (SIT) at Lonavala we all were very much impressed by the campus.He filled in this institute with EXTC (Electronics and Telecommunication) and Mechanical (Mech) engg. as few of the top options after VJTI (states' premier technical institution) in the option form of Governments' Centralised Admission Process (CAP).It was thru CAP that he got a Chem engg seat.He could not get at SIT as SIT falls under Pune University whereas we stay under the jurisdiction of Mumbai University.Under the CAP, 70% of the seats are allocated to students residing in the respective university area and 30% are open to entire state.
When there are vaccant seats available, one can approach individual college for a seat. We are proud that son Pranav said that he would like to seek admission on merit only and he refrained us from approaching colleges asking for donations.We approached SIT and filled up form for vaccant seats making amply clear that we are interested in vaccant seats only and not in management seats, where some donation is sought.Again we were proud to find his name listed at rank 4 in the 100 vaccant seats.This is in short how Pranav got admission into seemingly good college albeit in Pune University.
Govt. of Maharashtra has declared to carry second round of admission for vaccant seats in Govt. aided colleges and probably other unaided colleges which is 3 days away.But Pranav is so satisfied with environment of SIT that he is bit reluctant to leave SIT. We have assured him that we shall think of taking admission only in the top 2-3 top-rated govt. colleges (chances are pretty dim); otherwise he will stay back in SIT.
I am writing all this so that by any chance he sees this blog down the time he will understand what went thru our (pop and mom) minds.
Goodluck Pranav
Heavy Heart
I just returned from Lonavala, after seeing my son Pranav, who sought admission into an engineering college, SINHGAD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, just 3 days back.
And I do not know what is this happening to me after dropping my son there which is barely 90 km away from our home,here in Mumbai,INDIA.
Here, it is not so common that kids/children go to residential schools, when options are available locally. Unless there is a strong reason like getting admission to highest rated engineering schools like IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) or on the other hand if you are not getting admission in local colleges.
When he was getting admission in the local engineering colleges, affiliated to Mumbai University, which is one of the topmost multi-disciplinary University, many people thought it a sheer madness to put him in residential engg. school that falls under jurisdiction of Pune University.
And, that there will be this talk why he has gone to other place? ....was it because he could not get admission to local engg. college?....and what if this newly started (2004) college has many students with marks in the range of 50-60%?..what will be the standard of the college?
So to settle all these questions I thought I may start blog and thru which I shall try to express my feelings.
First of all, this college, SINHGAD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, located in picturesque hill station Lonavala,90km from Mumbai, is a residential campus having a Hotel Management & Catering Technology school, a Management school offering BBA,BFT,MBA,BCA,MCA, a Pharmacy school, and a Public school. It's a huge grand campus on the footstep of Sahyadri Hills.It's a love at first sight when you see the site!
2004 is the first year of the college and hence many are apprehensive of its standard and ranking. All I can say is that this college is being built by a group having built huge colleges in Pune and they have been categorised as 'A' grade collegs/s by Maharashtra state government.So, one can expect them to repeat the same feat here also .When you see the kind of infrastructure already existing and also what is planned (and under construction) you have no reason but to believe the Management/Promoters of the campus.
Secondly, climate at Lonavala is very good, always cool compared to Mumbai, which is hot,humid and sultry. My son Pranav has asthama and I thought it would be nice if he could live there.Infact Pranav also thought the same way.When he saw the campus he made up his mind to be in this college.
Thirdly, Pune University is also Five-star rated University like Mumbai University.Therefore,I shunned the thoughts that pune University is inferior to Mumbai University.Infact I spoke to few students who are in or were in Pune Engg. College, Maharashtra's top rated engg. college and affiliated to Pune University and are now in Mumbai, either working in Mumbai or studying in IIT,Mumbai. All of them have vouched that Pune University is in no way inferior to Mumbai University.
Forthly, environment in Pune/Lonavala is conducive to study, has far less distractions than Mumbai.
Syllabuswise, it seems that at least in Pune you don't have to study Computer Programming and Communication Skills in the first year.But then Pranav is very good in both: Computers and written communication skills, and he would not lose anything without them. On the other hand in Mumbai,you have 'Mechanics' in the first semester only.This is the one subject/paper in which many students fail to pass. Luckily in Pune this paper is in second semester. I think by that time students get used to the grind of hardwork and are able to cope up with difficult work.
These are all enabling factors which prompted to put him in this college,which Pranav also seems to like the college much.It is, infact, we the parents who have started experiencing strange feeling of living at home without kids . At first I thought how Pranav will be able able to stay without parents....but now I know that with lot many friends from all over India he will be able to enjoy his stay in new environment.It is infact we,parent, have started feeling strange without him at home
Hope to write more on this.
Prashant Koli
And I do not know what is this happening to me after dropping my son there which is barely 90 km away from our home,here in Mumbai,INDIA.
Here, it is not so common that kids/children go to residential schools, when options are available locally. Unless there is a strong reason like getting admission to highest rated engineering schools like IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) or on the other hand if you are not getting admission in local colleges.
When he was getting admission in the local engineering colleges, affiliated to Mumbai University, which is one of the topmost multi-disciplinary University, many people thought it a sheer madness to put him in residential engg. school that falls under jurisdiction of Pune University.
And, that there will be this talk why he has gone to other place? ....was it because he could not get admission to local engg. college?....and what if this newly started (2004) college has many students with marks in the range of 50-60%?..what will be the standard of the college?
So to settle all these questions I thought I may start blog and thru which I shall try to express my feelings.
First of all, this college, SINHGAD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, located in picturesque hill station Lonavala,90km from Mumbai, is a residential campus having a Hotel Management & Catering Technology school, a Management school offering BBA,BFT,MBA,BCA,MCA, a Pharmacy school, and a Public school. It's a huge grand campus on the footstep of Sahyadri Hills.It's a love at first sight when you see the site!
2004 is the first year of the college and hence many are apprehensive of its standard and ranking. All I can say is that this college is being built by a group having built huge colleges in Pune and they have been categorised as 'A' grade collegs/s by Maharashtra state government.So, one can expect them to repeat the same feat here also .When you see the kind of infrastructure already existing and also what is planned (and under construction) you have no reason but to believe the Management/Promoters of the campus.
Secondly, climate at Lonavala is very good, always cool compared to Mumbai, which is hot,humid and sultry. My son Pranav has asthama and I thought it would be nice if he could live there.Infact Pranav also thought the same way.When he saw the campus he made up his mind to be in this college.
Thirdly, Pune University is also Five-star rated University like Mumbai University.Therefore,I shunned the thoughts that pune University is inferior to Mumbai University.Infact I spoke to few students who are in or were in Pune Engg. College, Maharashtra's top rated engg. college and affiliated to Pune University and are now in Mumbai, either working in Mumbai or studying in IIT,Mumbai. All of them have vouched that Pune University is in no way inferior to Mumbai University.
Forthly, environment in Pune/Lonavala is conducive to study, has far less distractions than Mumbai.
Syllabuswise, it seems that at least in Pune you don't have to study Computer Programming and Communication Skills in the first year.But then Pranav is very good in both: Computers and written communication skills, and he would not lose anything without them. On the other hand in Mumbai,you have 'Mechanics' in the first semester only.This is the one subject/paper in which many students fail to pass. Luckily in Pune this paper is in second semester. I think by that time students get used to the grind of hardwork and are able to cope up with difficult work.
These are all enabling factors which prompted to put him in this college,which Pranav also seems to like the college much.It is, infact, we the parents who have started experiencing strange feeling of living at home without kids . At first I thought how Pranav will be able able to stay without parents....but now I know that with lot many friends from all over India he will be able to enjoy his stay in new environment.It is infact we,parent, have started feeling strange without him at home
Hope to write more on this.
Prashant Koli
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