The Hindu : New Delhi News : Taking anthropology to college

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 18, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Taking anthropology to college

Delhi University is making efforts to take the study of anthropology to the college level instead of restricting it to the department. The University recently made a proposal to the Delhi Government to ask its colleges to begin teaching anthropology at the undergraduate level from the next academic session.

"Though a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in anthropology was started in 1962, so far classes for this course have been held in the department itself as there were not many takers. But the subject is now gaining popularity as there is a huge job market for it," says Head of Anthropology Department Surinder Nath.

At a seminar held on the campus this past month, the Congress MLA from Patel Nagar, Ramakant Goswami, discussed the matter with the teachers and recommended that the study of anthropology be introduced in all Delhi University colleges.

There is a demand for anthropologists in various non-government organisations and forensic science departments that need their services in their day-to-day activities. Anthropologists also help in framing policies needed for the development of different sections of society, Prof. Nath added.

"Initially all undergraduate courses in science subjects were being handled by their respective departments in Delhi University but gradually they moved to the college level. But anthropology and geology stayed back as they were not very popular with students. However, anthropology has always been a big draw in other universities like Lucknow University," he pointed out.

Bhaskarachyara College of Applied Sciences is one institute that has shown a keen interest in starting a bachelor's course in anthropology.

The inspection committee of the science faculty of Delhi University had visited the college this past year to see if it had ample space and infrastructure needed for running the new course.

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The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has intensified its agitation against "dictatorial" regime of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College Principal Jitinder Kaur. They staged a demonstration in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office earlier this week demanding a comprehensive and impartial enquiry into Dr. Kaur's "style of functioning".

Alleging that Dr. Kaur had violated rules and regulations of Delhi University, DUTA president Amar Deo Sharma said: "She committed and continues to commit administrative and financial irregularities. The staff association of the college has drawn attention to her misdeeds through a series of white papers. The latest audit report of the college has also found bungling in public funds and recommended thorough investigation by a higher authority."

At a press conference this week, the staff association of Bhagat Singh College accused Dr. Kaur of manipulating contract of the college canteen, tampering with official records and hijacking the powers and functions of the association.

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The New Year began on a good note for Aligarh Muslim University. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Usha Singhal, was conferred the K.P. Puttharaya Award for Best Teacher of Physiology in 2005-2006 at a national conference of the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India (APPI) at Surat in Gujarat past week.

Earlier, Prof. Singhal -- who is also the chairperson of the Department of Physiology at J. N. Medical College -- was awarded the M. L. Gupta Prize of APPI for her significant contribution to medical education. She has also won many fellowships of both APPI and the International Union of Physiological Sciences.

-- Parul Sharma

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