R. J.

HERALD
Hindi Vidya Prachar Samiti’s Jan-February. 2010
Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College Newsletter
Vol. 9 Issue:1

Challenge A word from the Principal

“Challenge!" Upon hearing this term, one immedi-
ately imagines scenes of battles being won after a
mighty struggle, of a team overcoming all others on
the way to the championship. Although there are
many types of challenges, the widespread conception
is that a "challenge" is a win-or-lose match; overcom-
ing the challenge brings victory and accomplishment,
while anything else is a defeat. In the field of team
building, "challenge" is thought of in a completely
different sense. Here it is not a case of win-or-lose,
success or failure. Instead, "challenge" is seen as a
continuous process towards growth, learning, and un-
derstanding. Challenge is simply a means for the par-
ticipants to engage in communication, teamwork, and
problem-solving processes. Lets get together to
address our adversities and make corrections.
Through this process, we will learn how to work to-
gether effectively.
Dr. Usha Mukundan

Distinction
Dr. Usha Mukundan was selected by
the Association of training Scholarship
(AOTS) Japan and she underwent a
training in Corporate Management for
India from Jan 27 -Feb 9, 2010. The
training included TQM, 5S, Kaizen and
visits to industries like Toyota, Oval
Corporation, Meri etc.
On Panel
Dr. Shashi Mishra, Head, Dept. of So-
ciology, was invited as a member of
panel for the session on Moving Women
into Decision Making at the State Level
Seminar on Challenges to Women Em-
powerment in the 21st Century organised
by K.B. College of Arts and Commerce,
on Jan 22- 23, 2010.
Presentation/Publication
Dr. Amita Valmiki, Head, Dept. of
Philosophy, presented a paper titled
Mind Your Business! Let me Mind my
Business !! at the State Level Seminar
FACULTY NEWS
on Trade: Elixir to Human Progress
organised by M.D. College, Parel ,
Mumbai on Jan 16, 2010. She also
presented a paper titled Terrorism:
Anarchy with a Religious Base at a
National Level Seminar on Terror-
ism, Human Rights, Peace and Jus-
tice organized by Momin College,
Bhiwandi on Jan 30, 2010.
Prof. Neeta Chakravarty, Dept. of
English and Dr. Shashi Mishra
jointly presented a paper titled In-
dian Women and Rights of Equality
at the National Conference on
Changing Society and Changing
Relationships organised by Adarsh
College, Ambernath, on Jan 22- 23,
2010.
Prof. Lakshmi Chandrasekar,
Dept. of BBI and Prof. Vijayalak-
shmi Iyer, Dept. of BMS presented
a paper titled Economic Empower-
ment of Women & Self – Help
Groups at a State Level Seminar on
Microfinance: A Tool for Women
Empowerment and Poverty Allevia-
Empowerment and Poverty Allevia-
tion at Shailendra College, Dahisar,
on Feb 5, 2010.
Dr. Sneha Deuskar, Head, Dept. of
Marathi presented a paper titled
Meghana Pethe Yanchya Kathanche
Streevadi Vaachan in the U.G.C.
sponsored State level Seminar on
Ekvisaavyaa Shattkatill Marathi
Saahityatil Badalate Pravaah. organ-
ised by S.K. Patil College, Sind-
hudurg, on Feb 13-14, 2010.
Dr.Shashi Mishra authored a book
titled Women and Urban Informal
Sector published by Discovery Pub-
lishing House, Delhi, in January
2010. She presented a paper titled
Women Empowerment and Poverty
Alleviation at a UGC sponsored
State Level Multidisciplinary Semi-
nar on Microfinance: A Tool for
Women Empowerment and Poverty
Alleviation organised by Shailendra
College, Dahisar on Feb 5-6, 2010.
She also presented a paper titled
 2 R. J. Herald, Jan-
Condition of Women in Unorganized
Sector – Issues of Human Rights at a
UGC sponsored National Seminar on
Human Rights and the Role of Law
organised by S.K. Somaiya College of
Arts , Science and Commerce on Feb
15-16, 2010.
Dr. K Raghunath, Head, Dept. of
Kannada, published 8 weekly col-
umns in Udayavani, a Daily Kannada
News Paper in January and February.
Prof. Maria Shaikh, Dept. of Eng-
lish, presented a paper titled Develop-
ing Transformational Leadership
Skills in Schools in a National Semi-
nar on Developing Transformation
Leadership Skills for Excellence in
Education organised by K.J. Somaiya
College of Education on Feb 25-26,
2010.
Seminar/Workshop
Prof. Maria Shaikh, Dept. of Eng-
lish, attended a National Symposium
on Gay and Lesbian Literature held at
St. Andrew’s College on Nov 21,
2009.
Dr. A.P. Pandey, Head, Prof. Shar-
mila Jajodia and Prof. Maria
Shaikh, Dept. of English, participated
in a workshop on the Proposed Sylla-
bus Revision in Communication Skills
organised by the Dept. of English,
SIES College in collaboration with
the BOS in English, University of
Mumbai on Jan 2, 2010.
Dr. Shashi Mishra attended a Semi-
nar on Pre – Marital Counselling: A
Contemporary Social Need organised
by Dr. BMN College of Home Sci-
ence , SNDT, on Jan 20-21, 2010.
Dr. Abhay D. Sawant, Dept. Chem-
istry attended a Seminar on Global
Warming: Causes, Consequences &
Coping Strategies organised by VES
College of Arts, Science & Com-
merce, at Chembur & RCF on Jan 22-
23, 2010.
Prof. Rashmi Wagle, Vice Principal,
attended a workshop on Revised Syl-
labus for Business Economics Paper
III, organised by the Board of Studies
in Business Economics and Depart-
ment of Economics held at R. A
Podar College on Feb 17, 2010.
Faculty Development Programme
Prof. Bindu Achary, Dept. of Zool-
ogy, Prof. Meher Mistry, Dept. of
History, and Prof. Bhushan Arekar,
Dept. of Political Science success-
fully completed the Orientation
Course conducted by the U.G.C.
Staff Academy College with an ‘A’
grade during the months of Dec 29-
Jan 25, 2010.
Dr. Shashi Mishra acquired a Post
Graduate Diploma in Human Rights,
with a first class from the University
of Mumbai on Jan 7, 2010.
Prof. Shubhangi Vartak , Dept. of
Economics and Prof. Jayashree
Vaze, Dept. of Statistics participated
in Faculty Development Programme
( DST – NIMAT PROJECT ) organ-
ised by Maharashtra Centre for Entre-
preneurship Development under
sponsorship of Department of Sci-
ence and Technology, Govt. of India,
New Delhi and EDM, Ahmedabad
from Jan 18-30, 2010.
Prof. Bhakti Todankar, Dept. Bio-
technology attended a Bioinformatics
Workshop at ACTREC, Kharghar on
Jan 21- 22, 2010. She also attented
Lady TATA Bioinformatics Work-
shop at Ruia College on Feb 1- 5,
2010.
Prof. Neelambari Kulkarni, Dept.
of Marathi and Prof. Sharmila Ja-
jodia, Dept. of English attended a
Refresher Course in Comparative
Literature organised by U.G.C Aca-
demic Staff College, University of
Mumbai, from Jan 27- Feb16, 2010.
Research Projects
Dr. Abhay Sawant has been sanc-
tioned Minor Research Project Grant
in Chemistry for the year 2009-2010.
Dr. Janhavi Bhagwat, Dept. of Zo-
ology, has been sanctioned Minor
Research Project Grant in Zoology
for the year 2009-2010.
Jan-February 2010
Prof. Meher Mistry, Dept. of History
has been appointed as project associ-
ate for a Research Project on The Ge-
nealogy of the Sethna Family being
conducted under the aegis of the K.R.
Cama Oriental Institute.
Academic Outreach
Prof. Shyamala Kulkarni, Dept. of
Biological Sciences, Jr. College, was
invited as judge for Science exhibi-
tion of West Zone on Nov 11,
2009.She was also a Judge for Homi
Bhabha Young Scientist interview for
Std. VI (English) of Thane & rest of
Maharashtra Zone on Feb 21, 2010 .
Prof. Anagha Kamble, Dept. of His-
tory, was on the organizing commit-
tee for an International conference on
Culture of Peace on Jan 8- 9, 2010.
Dr. Shashi Mishra was invited as a
guest speaker on the topic Human
Rights for TYBMS students at Joshi-
Bedekar College on Jan 11, 2010.
She was also invited as a special in-
vitee at the inaugural session of an
International Seminar on Mind, Brain
and Consciousness at Joshi- Bedekar
College, Thane on Jan 13, 2010.
Prof. Pratibha Singh, Vice – Princi-
pal, was invited to judge an Intercol-
legiate Poster Competition for post-
graduate students at Ruia College on
Jan 15, 2010.
Prof. Kamlakar V. Indulkar Dept.
of Biology, Junior College,was in-
vited to Judge District Level Science
Exhibition organised by department
of Education at R.S.T. High School,
Govandi, on Jan16-17, 2010. He also
delivered a guidance lecture to SYJC
students on 'How to prepare for Biol-
ogy paper I and II.' at Ratnam Junior
College of Science, Bhandup on Jan
27, 2010.
Dr. A. P. Pandey, conducted a work-
shop on Paper VI – Rhetoric, Compo-
sition and Applied Language Skills
for the T.Y.B.A students at Birla Col-
lege, Kalyan on January 22, 2010. He
also delivered an expert lecture for
Postgraduate students on Literatures
 3 R. J. Herald, Jan-
in Translation at R.K.T. College, Ul-
hasnagar, on Jan 27, 2010.
Dr. Mithilesh Sharma, Dept. of
Hindi, compered a Seminar titled Sufi
Sahitya Ka Punar Mulyakan organised
by Sathaye College, Vileparle on Feb
5-6, 2010.
Community Outreach
Dr. Jyotsna Nijsure, Dept. of Biology
Jr. College, was invited as a guest
speaker to speak on Introduction to
Biotechnology & Nanotechnology at
Thane Vigyan Mahotsav organised
by Thane Municipal Corporation &
Jidnyasa Trust, Thane on Jan 28-31,
2010.
Prof. Shyamala Kulkarni was in-
vited as resource person for Lak-
sha,organised by Congress party at
Jan-February 2010
Dombivli to guide students for HSC
& CET. She also judged the inter-
collegiate dance competition organ-
ised by Rotaract Club of R.J.College
at Saboo Hall, on Feb 22, 2010.
Dr. Mithilesh Sharma compered a
seminar titled Hindi Jan Sanchar
Madhyam. organised by M.M. P.S
College, Matunga on Feb 26, 2010.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Dept. of Biotechnology organized a lecture by Dr. Narendra Chirmule, Executive Director, Amgen. Inc, U.S.A on
Challenges In Developing Vaccines On HIV for TYBSc, & MSc students on Jan. 6, 2010. Dr. Archana Shivpurkar,
CREMA, Mumbai delivered a lecture on Clinical Research for MSc-I students on Jan 9, 2010.

Dept. of English organised an inter-collegiate Script Writing Workshop on Jan 12, 2010. Dr. Kishan Pawar, Dept. of
English, M.D. College, graced the occasion as the Resource Person.

ASSOCIATION NEWS
Community Outreach
Women’s Department Cell organised a street play on Gender Sensitization. In- Charge, Dr. Shashi Mishra, organized a
one-day workshop for NSS students at, Kotwalwadi Rural Camp, Neral on Jan 7, 2010 on gender related issues.

Economics Association organised Arth– Gyaan, the one-day inter-collegiate students event on Jan 9, 2010. The Chief
Guest was Mr. M. Savarimuthu, General Manager, Indian Bank, who spoke on Lessons from the Recession. 95 students
from various colleges participated in the following four competitions.The competition I – Lead had the students doing a
role-play of world leaders and speaking on their economics policies. The world leaders were –. Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Mrs. Margaret Thatcher and Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. In Business Buzz, there were group presentations on four entrepre-
neurs – Ms. Chanda Kochhar, Ms. Kalpana Morparia, Mr. Nandan Nilekani and Mr. Vineet Nayyar. Eco- Talk had cur-
rent issues discussed. Visual Impact competition saw posters displayed on Landmarks of Mumbai.
Political Science Association and History Association jointly conducted a poster competition on Picturing the Decade
2000 – 2010 on Jan 13, 2010 and an elocution competition on Modern Indian Thinkers’on Jan 18, 2010. A field trip to
Vidhan Sabha was also jointly organized on February 1, 2010. A Personality Development Course was conducted by the
Association for students of TYBA from February 16 to 25, 2010. A joint Valedictory cum Prize- Distribution function
was organized by the Political Science and History Associations on February 26, 2010. Students who successfully com-
pleted the Certificate of Excellence Programme and prize winners of the various competitions organized were felicitated
by Vice Principal, Prof. Rashmi Wagle.
History Association conducted its annual History Quiz competition on Jan 16, 2010.
Philosophy Association conducted On the Spot Writing competition on the topic Gender Equality and Essay Writing
competition on Jan 15, 2010. Parents Meet for FYBA Philosophy was arranged on Feb 3, 2010. A Farewell cum Vale-
dictory function was organised on Feb 25, 2010. A PPT competition was held for the T.Y.B.A students on Feb, 5, 2010.
Large number of F.Y.B.A and S.Y.B.A Philosophy Students, attended Philo – Feast and Yoga organised by Dept. of
Philosophy, University of Mumbai and participated in various competitions.
Sociology Association organised a workshop on Women and Violence conducted by eminent speakers, Ms. Hasina Khan
4 R. J. Herald, Jan-
Jan-February 2010

and Ms.Yasmeen from Awaj –a –Niswa , an NGO, on Jan 18, 2010.

Chem – Bond organized Spontaneous Chemistry & Poster Competition on Jan 25 & Feb 13, 2010 respectively.
Rotaract Club of R. J College arranged Danza La Gusto,an inter – collegiate dance festival on Feb 23, 2010. Rink Foot-
ball was organized on Feb 12- 14, 2010 and inter – collegiate Cricket Tournament was held on Feb 13, 2010.
Kannada Sangha organised a special lecture on Kannada Development and inter- collegiate Elocution, Debate, Singing
and Mono-acting competitions on Feb 14, 2010.
SAP Valedictory function was held on Feb 2, 2010. Sw. Ameetanandaji from Chinmaya Mission was the chief guest.
She delivered a talk on Essential Learning.

NCC NEWS
A rural camp was organized for NSS students at at Nerul, Raigad, from Jan 4- 10, 2010. Prof. Pratap Kamble accompa-
nied the students.

GYMKHANA NEWS
Junior & Degree Mix Girls Kabaddi Team was a runner up at the Kabaddi Tournament organized by M. D. College on
Jan 4-8, 2010. Junior & Degree Mix Boys Kabaddi Team won the Kabaddi Tournament organized by D.Y. Patil College,
Vashi on Feb 4-8, 2010.Junior & Degree Mix Boys Kho- Kho team won the Kho- Kho Tournament at D. Y. Patil Col-
lege, Vashi on Feb 4-8, 2010.
The College Cricket Boys Team (Degree) was a Runner Up at the Cricket Tournament at D. Y. Patil Cricket ground,
Vashi on 4th Feb 2010.Over all the College Sports Team was declared a Runner Up at the D.Y.Patil University tourna-
ment. They also won Raheja College, Inter College Cricket Tournament.Cricket Degree Team has reached the semi final
league stage at Sangam Lad Inter- Collegiate Cricket. Our Junior College Boys Cricket Team won Junior College Sports
Association Cricket Tournament Boys at Cross Maidan , CST Mumbai on Jan 4-15, 2010.Our College Junior boys
cricket team won Junior College’s Sports Association Cricket tournament beating Rizvi College in the finals.
Our College Taekwondo Men and Women team participated in University Taekwondo Tournament at Kirti College
Dadar on 11th Feb, 2010 . LIBRARY NEWS
STUDENT NEWS
Students of R.J College won Prizes at the intercollegiate event Arth – Gyaan organised by Economics Association. Ms.
Aarti Singh of T.Y.B.A. History and Mr. Amrutraj Poojary of T.Y. B.Com got the second and third prize respectively
in the Visual Impact Poster Competition. Mr. Manoj Vyas , Ms. Sangita Keni and Ms. Arpita Singh of the B.M.S
Dept. won the third prize in Business Buzz Competition. Mr. Punit Shah and Ms. Meghana Singh bagged the first
prize and Ms. Shaheen Sheikh and Ms. Aarti Sharma of BMS received the second prize in the Eco- Talk Competition.
Ms.Sujata Bugaji Godre of S.Y.B.Com received the Best Raider Awardat the Kabaddi Tournament organized by M. D.
College on Jan 4- 8, 2010.
Mr. Shaikh Aquib Mobin was selected to represent Mumbai University Team at All India Inter University Cricket
Tournament held at Mumbai.
Mr. Pardesi Jaydeep Deepak, Mr. Jay Kumar Naik were selected to represent Mumbai under 19 Cricket team at All
India Inter Zone.
Mr. Imran Murtuza Ali Khan of SYBA won Silver Medal in University Taekwondo Tournament.
Ms.Swapnali Vinayak Dhanve of FYBSC won Gold Medal in University Taekwondo Tournament.
5 R. J. Herald, Jan-
GUEST EDITOR’S COLUMN
Why Not I?
Life often brings in moments when we have an
opportunity of doing new things and in different ways.
However, at such moments people cave in, to precedents
set before them. Is it not possible for us to set new prece-
dents? While my mind was munching over this question
in an attempt to find an answer, I came across a book
that filled my heart with contentment. Let me share my
experience of reading this book. I wish to send this mes-
sage to enthuse new hopes, new zeal and new happiness
in our hearts, in an otherwise commonplace life.
The book ‘Why not I?’ is a story of a woman &
her daughter – with a ‘Positive Syndrome! A. woman all
alone, with her daughters fights against all odds that
come in her life. At a very young age, she loses her hus-
band. He dies due to heart attack. Within a year, her
younger daughter, Devu, becomes a victim of wrong
medicines administered to her by her pediatrician. Thus,
is Devu made to suffer from a life long illness, ‘Stevent
Johnson Syndrome! at the tender age of six. Due to this
illness, she loses her eyesight completely & starts suffer-
ing from numerous medical complications. However,
they do not give up their hopes. They struggle, exhibiting
immense positivity. At the end, Devu excels in her ca-
reer, even achieves international recognition through
her work in her subject.
Now, let me let the cat out of the bag. This is a
real life story and not the brain child of a writer. Today
the central characters of the book are, in reality, also
leading their lives in the same way as is narrated in the
book. We can associate ourselves with the entire atmos-
phere in the book. The relationships of the two with other
people – whether that be their relatives, friends or
neighbours or even their pets, is unique, but yet, so real-
istic, so intensely touching!
At some point of time, almost everybody of us is
defeated by everyday problems of life. We go on strug-
gling, making petty complaints & making a mountain of
a mole. But Devu teaches us to believe in ourselves. In-
spite of losing eyesight completely, she is neither de-
pressed nor suffers from inferiority complex or feelings
of inadequacy. Devu sets an example for us: how with a
sound self confidence and humbleness we can carve a
Jan-February 2010
success out of our lives. A sense of inferiority &
inadequacy always interferes with the attainment of
our hopes. Usually sour experiences by our dear
ones demoralise us & dampen our spirit of living.
Devu & her mother have ‘Minds of steel’. They
keep negativity out of their minds by building an
invisible wall of goodness. Devu’s openness to all
types of experiences in life, attracts us to her. In
spite of being blind, she is brought up by her
mother like any other normal child. When a blind
co- student requests her to join their group of
blinds to show the normal children their unity &
through this, their power, she decisively refuses to
adapt this attitude. Her philosophy is ‘even if she is
blind & she is not able to ‘see’ the world around, it
is unnecessary to create barriers in ‘feeling’ it by
keeping biases & grudges against others. People
around us are not always to take pity on us.’
Throughout the book, Devu & her mother
keep us in a trance. What Devu has achieved is un-
paralleled but the role that her mother played in
her life is truly exemplary. While reading this book,
a question that continuously hovers in my mind is–
if Devu inspite of her physical limitations & other
obstacles can lead a very positive & fruitful life,
‘WHY NOT I ?’
Prof. Manasi Vinod
Know your Guest Editor:
Prof. Manasi Vinod is lecturer in the Depart-
ment of Economics. She likes reading, travel-
ling, trekking and has an inclination for yoga.
R. J. Herald, Published by Principal Dr. Usha
Mukundan, R. J. College, Ghatkopar (W),
Mumbai-400 086.
Core Editorial Board: Prof. Neeta Chak-
ravarty, Prof. Meher Mistry, Prof. Maria
Shaikh, Dr. Janhavi Bhagwat, Prof. Suvarna
Kalshetty, Ms. Shailaja Mathapati.
(For Internal Circulation Only)
6 R. J. Herald, Jan-
Jan-February 2010

LIBRARY NEWS