British effect  Amidst the amazement to be among the millions infected by the huge hysteric euphoria for the unprecedented success of the British film Slumdog Millionaire which clinched eight Oscar awards recently, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song for music composer AR Rahman, an undercurrent of inferiority complex is palpable in the minds of Indians having capacity to appreciate quality music. The awards to the musical wizard in Rahman, who had attained the status of a legend among lovers of Indian music much earlier with a series of original sublime scores, had to wait till the other day for the coveted global recognition. And had he not worked for Slumdog... director Danny Boyle, who got the Best Director award at the Oscars, Rahman would have remained like any other Indian maestro. It’s ironic that he fails to get the same recognition through his better works in ventures of Indian or non-British directors. Seems the hangover of the British Raj, rather the British effect has much, if not everything, to do while propelling Indian artistes or whatever to the zenith of recognition. Another irony seems to be that we are rejoicing at our unenviable plight — the condition of the children in Mumbai or any other slum — so nicely depicted, which indirectly lays bare the so-called glorious Indian democracy as well as its flourishing economy in front of the global audience.

Learn & earn  The IGNOU, in collaboration with Max New York Life Insurance recently launched Smart Move, an all India internship programme to provide students an opportunity to earn while learning. This is Max New York’s maiden venture with IGNOU to offer internship to over 10,000 students. Top Max New York official Rajender Sud speaking about the joint venture said: “One of the most effective ways to generate a ready pool of productive talent is by providing students specialized training and practical experience early in their career. Through this internship we look forward to providing a strong platform for them to learn, earn and build careers in specialized functions of life insurance.” IGNOU vice-chancellor Prof VN Rajasekharan Pillai emphasized the importance of gainful employment in areas of one’s choice and aptitude, adding that the venture with Max New York will mutually benefit the students as well as the insurance major.

Celebration time  The Northeast’s one of the leading healthcare providers, Down Town Hospitals of Guwahati celebrated its 20th anniversary recently with various events and programmes lined up for a whole fortnight. While the hospital provided free registration and other benefits to the patients for the month of February, on February 15 the annual Down Town Public Oration was delivered by Dr Nikhil Tandon from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, who deliberated on various aspects of diabetes. This year’s Down Town Award for Excellence in Medicine went to Dr Sugan Chandra Jain, former professor and head, department of surgery, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. The anniversary celebrations also saw a unique get-together of children born at the hospital during its 20 years of existence. There was a free check-up of these children by paediatricians as well as a round of dietary consultation for them. There was also a colourful cultural programme where members of the hospital family participated with various items of dance and song. It also had a fashion show with three rounds — traditional, casual and western formal.

Simanta / Mridumoloy