The Dirty Thirty

The Dirty Thirty is an initial list of professors that a new UCLA alumni group is targeting to expose their apparent leftist agenda. One of them is Vinay Lal, Professor of History.

The alumni group, Bruin Alumni Assn, is headed by a former campus Republican leader, Andrew Jones who is supporting himself with a modest salary from the organization and is its only full-time employee. The fine print on the website states that it is an independently registered body and is not affiliated with UC, UCLA or UCLA Alumni Assoc. The group is concerned with the level of professional teaching at UCLA and an overwhelming leftist tilt at elite colleges and universities around the country.

I don’t have a problem with the Bruin Alumni Association having a problem with the Dirty Thirty. What really appalled me was the fact that they were paying students upto $100 for lecture notes and recordings from classes. Now, most of us have been students and can understand how handy a crisp $100 would be…not a good idea….

Two board members of the group resigned stating they were uncomfortable with the vigilantism...

Apart from comments in newspapers, I don’t think the University has issued a formal statement. Campus's tend to provide an ideal setting for minds to churn through ideological debates and UCLA is not the only campus where there is a protest going on against faculty.

Seems like everyone’s ticked off – the professors, the alumni group, the university. What about the students? They are being used to get evidence for the professors to face a reprimand or worse. Is anyone including them in this conversation?

Wait a minute, what conversation? Two kids on a playground saying its MY swing and I want it blue/red color……geez….How about a conversation people, before we start attacking and defending and fundraising. Have we lost our will to converse? What's the alum - Academic Vigilantism or Citizens' Right to Protest or both?

Happy Alum Moments (AM's)!

Chalta Hai?....Probably Not

On October 12th, 2005, the Right to Information Act came into effect in India. This is a fantastic step in the right direction for the citizens to have the right to ask questions, get information and for the government bodies to be accountable to the citizens.

The origins of the Act can be traced to MKSS (Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan) and the "Janata Jaanch" practice they used. Their slogan is "Hamara Paisa, Hamara Hisab." Apart from MKSS, there have been many people, like Anna Hazare propelling the enactment of this act. Thankfully, the government also cooperated...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3238128636848285898

Key Points:
• Information is broadly defined and not restricted to documents or records
• Public Information Officers (PIO) are required to be appointed to receive and respond to citizen queries
• There is a timeline for responding (a) 30 days for a normal application (b) 40 days if third party information is sought (c) 48hrs in situations concerning “life and liberty of a person”
• Reasonable fee is stipulated and no fee charged for those living below the poverty line
• PIO can be penalised Rs 250 per day up to a maximum of Rs 25,000 for not accepting application, delaying, denying, knowingly giving incomplete, false information

The timeline and penalty clause are radical departures from earlier laws. Since the law has been enacted many organizations have successfully used RTI. Parivartan is an NGO (non governmetal organization) that is very active and records success stories. Here is a comprehensive blog on RTI. Hum Janenge is a natiowide users group. IndianExpress and Parivartan have been tracking how ordinary citizens are using RTI.

RTI is here….no more chalta hai…at least from the government bodies.

Cross-posted on Desicritics.org

DesiCritics Launch

DesiCritics, a franchise of Blogcritics, is launching today. Lots of excitement, many talented writers, desis all over the globe. It's aiming to be the south asian perspective on the Flat World.

While it will be those of us with access to computers/internet, it promises to provoke diverse voices. Expect to see some of my posts there as CarpeDiem (CD@DC)!

Happy AlumMoments (AM's)!

The Quiet Room

I've decided to blog. I noticed that I can now type faster than I can write. This will be my quiet room for reflection and I invite all. So, pull up a chair, get your favorite beverage of choice and let's talk.

Room Rules:

- Open 24/7/365
- Any topic is welcome; except those that demean anyone or anything
- Everyone is entitled to his/her opinions, but do back it up with facts or sources
- Aim is to arrive at clarity and reflection (of self and society and the connections therein)
- Each topic to explore finding its alum
- No silver alum for all issues, but perhaps one for each
- Respect all - come in peace or you will be asked to leave in peace

Happy AlumMoments (AM's)!