Starting Well Index-2012

Starting Well Index was compiled by Economist Intelligent Unit based on Preschool systems around the world. They surveyed 45 countries around the world.The term "Preschool"  is based on UNESCO's ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education),so for preschools  ISCED 0 programmes.These programmes are based on :

•  The curriculum must have educational properties.
• The programme must be school or center based.
• The minimum age of children whom this is designed is three years old and the upper limit is entry to ISCED 1.
• Where applicable ,staff are required to have some pedagogical credential.

This report discusses both quality and inclusiveness .The key indicators are categorized into four -they are 

1. Social Context.
2. Availability.
3. Affordability.
4. Quality.

The rich countries did better than the poorer countries in this survey,and according to the report there is a strong correlation between country's income per person and its overall ranking. India ranks 45th , i.e last in the ranking. According to the report

" India ranks last overall,behind other countries such as Ghana(40th), Philippines(43rd)and Indonesia(44th),with a combination of limited availability,the lowest overall quality, and relatively high costs.This partly related to the fact that India faces the toughest social conditions:high rates of child malnutrition and child mortality,combined with low rates of literacy and immunization. " 

The cost of education is getting higher and higher in India but the quality of education is not upto the standard specially preschool environment.

Here is the list of Top 10 countries:

Rank	Country	Points
1.	Finland	91.8
2.	Sweden	91.7
3.	Norway	88.9
4.	UK	87.9
5.	Belgium	84.7
6.	Denmark	83.5
7.	France	81.0
8.	Netherlands	75.6
9.	New Zealand	73.9
10.	South Korea	72.5

Mesmerizing Monday -10

One of the most beautiful overture ( introduction to an opera) of all time.This particular piece was a gem by the great Mozart. This overture set the tone for the entire opera and you can not take your ears-off when you listen this composition.This opera is based on Beaumarchais's 1784 play La Folle Journée, ou Le Mariage de Figaro, a sequel to his earlier play, Le Barbier de Séville (The Barber of Seville).Mozart premiered this opera in 1786.The starting is so nice that you will feel something magical is happening around.I had this piece in my first classical music CD.This composition always fascinates me.Enjoy this wonderful music.



Click here for full text of this opera in English 

Global Peace Index-2012

Global Peace Index (GPI) is the product of Institute od Economic and Peace which measures the relative nation's and region's peacefulness.India ranks 142 in the list .The top five risers in the ranking are Srilanka, Bhutan, Guyana,Zimbabwe and Philippines. According to Steve Killilea of IEP - “ Peacefulness has returned to approximately the levels seen in 2007, but while external measures of peacefulness have improved, there has been a rise in internal conflict. This is particularly noticeable in the rise in fatalities from terrorist acts which have more than trebled since 2003.” Singapore ranks 23rd in the rankings.

Country	Rank
Iceland	1
Denmark	2
New Zealand	2
Canada	4
Japan	5
Austria	6
Ireland	6
Slovenia	8
Finland	9
Switzerland	10

Click here for the complete list

Mesmerizing Monday -9

Camille Saint-Saens was one of the famous French romantic composer."The Carnival of the Animals" is one of his most famous pieces composed in 1886.It has fourteen movements, each one represents different animal.The moment the music starts you will feel that you are in a fantasy zoo.I started listening to this composition only 2 months back,now almost everyday im listening atleast any one movement It starts with 'Royal March of the Lion" with its majesty  to the 'Aquarium" with grace, altogether a great musical experience. The fourteen movements are :

1 - Introduction & Royal March Of The Lion ..... 
2 - Hens & Roosters  ..... 
3 - Wild Asses & Quick Animals  ..... 
4 - Tortoises  ..... 3:42
5 - The Elephant  ..... 
6 - Kangaroos .... 
7 - Aquarium  ..... 
8 - Creatures With Long Ears  ..... 
9 - The Cuckoo In The Depths Of The Woods ..... 
10 - Aviary  ..... 
11 - Pianists ..... 
12 - Fossils  ..... 
13 - The Swan  ..... 
14 - Finale (Final) ..... 


Enter into the "Kingdom of Animals" created/composed by Saint-Saens.My favorite parts are "Aquarium" and "The Swan".
The following recording is not that much good but we can listen :


You can listen the full score here-better one

துயில் (Thuyil) -S.Ramakrishanan

Thuyil is a celebration of pain and suffering.For me this book shown me the different views of suffering.I personally believe that this is not a novel but a collection of "life" stories.

I can divide the story into three parts :
1)Year 1982:Alagar and his family's journey to Thekkodu Mary's church (Thuyil tharu Madha)
 Alagar is  a mermaid showman.He disguises his wife Chinnarani as mermaid and earn money for his living.They have one daughter Selvi with a leg crippled.The author beautifully brings the life of ordinary people through these characters.Their fight for survival is expressed beautifully by S.Ra .

2)Year 1873:The story of missionary doctor Ellen Pover who reaches Thekkodu to do medical service to poor people through the church.She is very excited and eager to share her life with the village people.But she faces many obstacles before slowly gaining the trust of the villagers.Her letters to her Bishops explores her life.

3)The story of all the other pilgrims.

So many characters pops up and each has its own story to tell.The story of Nangaa,a young village girl, who like other girls wanted to get marry but  rejected by everyone because of her skin color and look.She gradually loses her mind and atlast takes her own life by hanging herself .A rude wake up call for all those who thinks "beauty is in skin " and tells the pathetic situation of so many real Nangaas in our society.

The portrayal of Kondalu akka is something we have heard many times , may be similar to Mother Teresa's life, atleast thats what i thought after finish reading the book.The end of the novel is something cinematic,Chinnarani kills the man who raped her, this is something we have seen in many Tamil movies.I felt the ending did not fit to the theme of the story.

The characterization of Ellen Pover was nice, she had a  typical missionary zeal but when faced with reality she was shocked but did not panic as she had a similar experience before. Initially she misunderstood the locals and the locals misunderstood her but slowly she gains their support.i did not like the circumstances which leads to her death.

This book was a slow read and at times it will make you to close it, as too much of suffering .This novel is definitely not the best of  S.Ramakrishnan. I have already bought two other books from the same author- உறுபசி and யாமம் . Im sure these two books will be better read.

Click here to author's website

Mesmerizing Monday -8

Maurice Ravel's "Bolero"  is one of my favorite composition and i like it so much specially when running.I heard this piece for the first time in 2008 in a rainy day ,from that time im obsessed with this one-movement orchestral piece,simply awesome.Initial phases heard like our school marchpast beats , but beneath there is a wonderful soft melody  flowing. The flutes,the violin and Saxophone all mixed in harmony.

Maurice Ravel(1875-1937) was a French composer and this orchestral piece was his most famous work.He had composed many other pieces specially melodies.He was a contemporary and rival to another great composer Debussy.He wrote this piece for his dance friend, i think his friend was a 'bolero' dancer,a Spanish dance.Through out this piece the same theme is repeating 18 times.Check the finishing part, how slowly it builds up.

 An enduring music which makes us feel humble.Enjoy this wonderful music.


More on Bolero

Top Universities under 50 years-2012

This survey contacted by Quacquarelli Symonds(QS)ranked 50 best universities under 50 years old around the world.Good to see lots of Asian Universities but again there is no universities from India.Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU)is in 4th in the list.

Rank	University	Country
1.	The Chinese University of HongKong	HongKong
2.	The HongKong University of Science and Technology	HongKong
3.	The University of Warwick	UK
4.	Nanyang Technological University	Singapore
5.	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	South Korea
6.	University of York	UK
7.	Pohang University of Science and Technology	South Korea
8.	Maastricht University	Netherlands
9.	City University of HongKong	HongKong
10.	University of California,Irvine	USA

And there was another survey contacted by Times Higher Education(THE) which listed 100 top universities under 50 years around the world under.

Rank	University	Country
1.	Pohang University of Science and Technology	South Korea
2.	Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne	Switzerland
3.	The HongKong University of Science and Technology	HongKong
4.	University of California,Irvine	USA
5.	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	South Korea
6.	Universite Pierre et Maire Curie	France
7.	University of California, Santa Cruz	USA
8.	University of York	UK
9.	Lancaster University	UK
10.	University of East Anglia	UK

Both surveys considered factors like research, academic reputation ,infrastructure etc.