Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Friday, November 30, 2012

INQUIRY BASED LEARNING versus ROTE LEARNING - USE YOUR BRAIN OR LOSE YOUR BRAIN

INQUIRY BASED LEARNING versus ROTE LEARNING

USE YOUR BRAIN OR LOSE YOUR BRAIN

Ruminations on Education and Learning

VIKRAM KARVE

Here is quote from Liddel Hart (quoted by Norman Dixon on page 162 of his book On The Psychology of Military Incompetence)

A lifetime of having to curb the expression of original thought culminates so often in there being nothing left to express

Think about it.

Isn’t the present day rote learning type education system doing exactly this?

And so is the “do as you are told” management philosophy prevalent in most organisations.

There is a saying:

If You Don’t “Use” It, Then You Will “Lose” It

It is the same with your brain, especially the right side of your brain.

If you keep restraining your creativity from realizing its full potential

and

if you curb your imagination and suppress your original thinking

a time will come when

you will lose the ability to think imaginatively and ingeniously.

After some time, you will become like a mechanical “robot” and you will unthinkingly and unquestioningly do what you are told.

That is what the prevalent teacher-centric rote learning education system and “do as you are told” work culture will achieve.

Do we want our children to become “robots”?

Or should we not introduce a more Student-Centric Inquiry Based Learning System?

Remember the saying:

Tell me and I Forget

Show me and I Remember

Involve me and I Understand

This dictum implies that involvement is the sine qua non of holistic learning.

Mere “Telling” and “Showing” is not enough as this will not encourage development of creativity and stimulate imagination.

It is “involvement” that will kindle and inspire original thinking which in turn will facilitate realization of one’s full potential.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Did you like reading this article?
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my book COCKTAIL an anthology of Short Fiction.
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
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Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

BLOGS IN BOOKS OUT

BLOGS ARE IN and BOOKS ARE OUT

Musings on Contemporary Indian Creative Writing in English

VIKRAM KARVE

It looks like Indian Creative Writing in English has reached its nadir.

Can you name any Modern-Day Indian Fiction Writer of the calibre of RK Narayan, Raja Rao, Mulk Raj Anand, Manohar Malgonkar or Khushwant Singh?

The other day I was browsing in my favourite bookstore in Pune and I noticed a few things:

1. The book racks were flooded with novels written by Indian Authors.

2. Most of these novels were Campus Romances.

3. Most of the authors were youngsters who had just passed out of college (and some had written novels while studying). Of these, most writers had studied Engineering or Management.

4. Most books had shoddy production values, uneven editing and disappointing literary quality.

5. The authors had nothing much to say and no message to convey through their writing. It appeared that they had written the novel for gratifying their vanity and, maybe, just to attain the status of a “published author”.

6. In most cases, as you read the story, the feeling of authenticity was missing, especially in the dialogues. Maybe this is due to the authors’ lack of life experience and this certainly validates the dictum that one must not write a book too early in life. Having studied Engineering at an IIT and Management at a premier institute, and also taught both Engineering and Management till recently, I really wonder whether life is really so exciting and romantic on campuses and workplaces as made out to be. Yes, literary licence is fine, but there are limits.

7. Almost all books were “Bestsellers”. Some novels were proclaimed bestsellers even before launch or in the first printing itself.

Regarding this last point, can someone tell me the definition of BESTSELLER.

What is a bestseller?

How can every book be a bestseller?

How may copies does a book have to sell before being declared a bestseller – One Million, One Lakh, Ten Thousand or One Thousand?

From the look of it, I have my doubts if some of those so-called “bestsellers” have sold 1000 copies.

This needs to be quantified and I feel that, in the Indian context, a book should be declared a bestseller only after it has sold at least One Lakh (100000) copies (and the sales figures must be verified and authenticated by the publisher).

With the proliferation of Information Technology, advent of ebooks and the accessibility, convenience and popularity of the Internet, I feel that the death of the printed book is inevitable as more and more readers shift to online reading and writers start Blogging to showcase their creative writing. This process may be hastened in India owing the poor quality of creative writing in English. Why should you pay for buying a shoddy book when you can read the best of literature for free on the internet?

In conclusion, this is the advice I would give to a young budding creative writer:

1. Don’t waste your time and effort writing and publishing your novel the conventional way. The only thing you will satisfy is your vanity as it is unlikely that you will make a substantial amount of money from publishing the book. In the modern-day world I don’t think you can survive by being a full time creative writer.

2. Forget about earning money and focus on your writing. The best way to showcase your writing to the world is to start a Blog. Blogging will satisfy your creative urge and give you a sense of instant gratification. When you blog you can write in your own natural style and you are not at the mercy of editors and publishers nor are you dictated by market forces as to what you must write and how you must write. And if you do want to “publish” and make money from your writing, then you can explore avenues like Amazon.

3. Accept the fact that change is inevitable and it may soon not be economically viable for anyone and everyone to publish, market and sell a book so publishers are going to become more circumspect before accepting manuscripts. So first ascertain the chances of acceptance and the likelihood that your proposed book will be published. Write your full manuscript only after your book proposal is accepted in principle. You must remember that in India, there are very few big publishers and they enjoy a monopoly position vis-à-vis new writers. There are very few literary agents in India. So you will have to do everything yourself. It is most demoralizing for a creative writer to go around peddling a completed manuscript since, by nature, creative writers are sensitive persons. Ask yourself: Do you have the brazen marketing skills required in today’s world to push your book with publishers and later in the market?

Rather than be in a frustrating situation where your creative efforts cannot find an outlet in the form a book, isn’t it better to post your writing on a blog?

BLOGS ARE IN and BOOKS ARE OUT – do you agree?

And before I forget, can someone please tell us the definition of BESTSELLER.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

FLIRT SEDUCE FOREPLAY ABORT - A FLIRTY DATE AT CHURCHGATE

FLIRTATION SEDUCTION FOREPLAY ABORTION

A Flirty Date at Churchgate

Short Fiction – A Breezy Detective Romance Story

VIKRAM KARVE

From my Creative Writing Archives:

Dear Reader,

I spent six of the best years of my life in Mumbai.

I was very lucky - I lived in a beautiful heritage building called Empress Court opposite the Oval.

Every morning I woke up sharp at six to the chimes of the majestic clock on the University of Mumbai Rajabai Tower and I would be off to Marine Drive for my brisk morning jog cum walk from Churchgate to Chowpatty and back right upto land's end at Nariman Point. This was for physical exercise.

In the evenings, after dinner, and on Sunday afternoons, I would browse books in the Oxford Bookstore next door.

I can never forget the many delightful hours I spent browsing books in the comfort of Oxford Book Store on those elegant orange rocking chairs, refreshing myself with delicious cups of invigorating teas in the Cha-Bar.

My wife would keep an eye on me (to ensure I was browsing books only) from our second floor balcony in Empress Court as I sat in a rocking chair enjoying my reading.

Whenever I got time I would go across to Oxford and enjoy my moments there - the staff was very courteous and encouraged browsing.

After relocating to Pune, the one thing I miss is Oxford Bookstore, the tranquil ambiance and the wonderful time I spent there among books.

As a remembrance, I set this story in the Oxford Book Store and the surroundings.
I wrote this story seven years ago, in the year 2005 I think. I have written many short stories set in Mumbai but this story (Flirtation Seduction Foreplay Abortion) remains one of my all time favourite Mumbai Stories.

I am sure you will love this breezy romance - the story of a bored housewife and her exciting adventure.

Read on ... and do tell me if this story cheered you up.

FLIRTATION SEDUCTION FOREPLAY ABORTION

A Flirty Date at Churchgate

VIKRAM KARVE

What do you do if a man looks at you with frank admiration in his eyes – in an insistent suggestive sort of way that is worth a thousand compliments...?

Nothing...! You do absolutely nothing.

You do nothing because you are a thoroughly bored “happily” married thirty year old housewife sitting comfortably in your favourite rocking chair, browsing through Benjamin Spock’s Baby and Child Care, at the Oxford Bookstore at Churchgate in Mumbai.

So you just look down, act as if you have not noticed, and try to read.

But you cannot read – the words just don’t focus in front of you. You think of the man, his lingering look, his eyes curiously languid, yet inviting – it’s the first time someone looked at you in such a flattering way for a long long time.

You feel a tinge of excitement.

Maybe something is going to happen. Something exciting, something dangerously exciting is going to happen to you. At long last.

Something that you have been secretly wanting to happen, and thought would never ever happen.

Or maybe it’s nothing.

Just your imagination playing tricks.

So just to check. Once. Only once. You quickly look up – a fleeting glance.

He is still looking at you – not furtively, but brazenly, almost unashamedly, with waves of yearning flowing out of his eyes.

He looks a decisive, hot-blooded and masculine man with his smart beard and piercing eyes.

You feel a flush inside. A shiver. A tremor. A tremor of trepidation – mixed with excitement.

You cannot define how you feel – but it feels good.

He looks at you.

You look back at him in return.

He begins to smile.

You quickly look down and bury yourself into the pages in front of you and pretend to read.

But it is no use. You can sense his unseen eyes locked onto you, burning into you, travelling all over your body and lingering exactly where they should not – just like a laser beam.

And now, he knows that you know.

So what do you do...?

Best is not to react – just accept the fact of being looked at – ignore him and keep on pretending to read.

Oh, No...! That may be dangerous. He may get ideas. You never know these types. He may think you are game.

But are you game for some fun...? Or aren’t you...?

Why not play on... have some fun... flirt a bit... see what happens.

Why not have a little excitement to liven up your boring life a bit.

So you take a deep breath, brace yourself and start a dangerous flirtation game.

You look up from your book, pan your gaze slowly across the bookstore, looking at everything – the shelves of books, the people, the cha-bar, the sales counter - and finally, like a dog that has circled its bowl of food long enough, you look directly at him.

Eyes meet.

His and yours.

Yours and his.

His appraising eyes look into yours. And then his eyes travel down and look at the book in your hands.

You spontaneously follow his gaze, and look down at the book in your hands – Benjamin Spock’s Baby and Child Care – most inappropriate for what you have in mind. You quickly put it away into the rack, run your eyes across the shelf and pick up ‘The Art of Seduction’.

You turn the pages – nothing registers – so you look up at him almost seeking approbation.

He smiles – a wry canny smile – as if he knows something you don’t. And suddenly he gets up from the chair, keeps the magazine he is holding back in the rack and begins walking towards you.

Your heart stops – you want to disappear, but he is already standing in front of you.

“Good morning Anita,” he says. “I’m Sen. Dilip Sen.”

Anita...? You are not Anita. Seems to be a case of mistaken identity – but you are curious, and in a playful mood, so you say, “Oh, Hello Mr. Sen. You are late.”

“Late...? No,” he says looking at his watch, a confused look on his face. “The RV is correct - as planned.”

“RV...?”

“Rendezvous... ”

Now you are really curious.

“Why don’t you pull that stool and sit,” you say to the man.

“Not here. Let’s go to the cha-bar. We can talk in peace there,” he says.

“Okay,” You replace the book in its place in the shelf, get up and walk towards the cha-bar.

The cha-bar – the tea lounge – it’s the best thing about Oxford Bookstore. An ideal place to relax, browse, or have a quiet flirtatious chat over a cup of exquisite tea.

As you sip, savouring the fragrance and relishing the rich flavour of premium Darjeeling Tea, you feel a shiver of anticipation. It’s your first time. You wonder what’s going to happen next.

“Well done. Let’s recap,” he says pulling out a pocket diary.

Well done? Recap? You wonder what this is all about. The man seems to be crazy. But you keep your wits about, and to calm down you say to yourself, “Relax. Just keep quiet and go along.”

And to Mr. Sen, you say confidently, “Okay. Sure. Let’s recap.”

“Step 1,” he says looking into the diary in front of him, “you and I independently arrive at the previously agreed upon rendezvous. Your choice is excellent – this bookstore – easy to wait, observe and not be noticed. We just blended in. Much better cover than a railway station, park or restaurant. And the book you chose – Baby and Child Care - easily discernible – so aptly chosen. Perfect for your cover. Looked so natural in your hands.”

“Do I look pregnant...?” you snap at him.

“No. No. I am sorry. I didn’t mean it that way,” he says, taken aback, “You look lovely. But the book – it suited your cover – as a bored housewife.”

Cover...? A bored housewife...? What’s he talking...?

That’s what you are, aren’t you...?

Husband busy working, kids at school, and you – a bored housewife... bored to death with nothing to do.

“I’m not bored,” you tease him with your eyes... you flatter him by looking steadily at him without letting your eyes stray.

“Step 2 – making eye contact. We could be a bit more discreet next time, isn’t it...?” he says smiling into your eyes.

Discreet...? Next time...? What’s going on...? Who’s this guy...?

“Step 3 – the signal. Change of book. Okay. But ‘The Art of Seduction’...?” he looks perplexed, “try something more sober – in line with your cover…..”

He goes on and on but you aren’t listening.

You just look at him. A man who looks like a man. Solid, strong, decisive but vulnerable.

You fantasize.

Your imagination begins to run wild.

You feel his touch – he has put his hand in your arm. His touch is electric.

A shiver of anticipation rises within you.

Suddenly he is shaking you.

You snap back to reality.

“Okay Anita. Let’s get on with the tradecraft,” he says, in an almost imperative tone.

“Tradecraft...?”

“Yes. And make sure you don’t grow a tail.”

“Tail...? “

“Yes,” he says, “Be careful. Maybe you’ve already grown a tail – check it out and shake it off.”

“Grown a tail...?” unknowingly you move your hand over your behind to check and instinctively shake your bottom.

“Not there...!” he reprimands, in a voice a teacher uses to scold a careless student.

“Have you forgotten everything – counter surveillance protocol...?”

“Countersurveillance protocol...?” you ask credulous.

“Come on Anita. Snap out of it. Be alert. They told me you were a seasoned detective. Now get on with your mission. We can't afford to abort the mission now...”

Detective...? Mission...? What’s he talking about...?

Oh my God...! Fear starts rising within you. It’s getting dangerous. This is for real... it's no longer fun. It’s time to run.

“Excuse me,” you say, quickly get up and start walking towards the exit. You sense he is following you. So the moment you get out of the bookstore, you deliberately avoid going to your car but walk in the opposite direction towards the Oval.

The Clock on Rajabai Tower is striking twelve – it is twelve noon.

You look back over your shoulder. Dilip Sen is following you.

You break into a run, still looking back, and suddenly bang into someone.

Oh, My God...! It’s Nalini – your gossipy neighbour.

“What happened...?” Nalini asks, steadying you up.

“Nothing,” you say.

“Hey. Why did you abort...?” Dilip Sen asks, catching up with you, his hand clutching your arm.

“Abort...? Did you say 'Abort'...?” exclaims Nalini, her eyebrows arched, a mischievous glint in her eyes... she looks at him and then at me and with an incredulous look in her eyes she says to me in astonishment ... you ... Anita ... abortion...?”

You look at Nalini. Then at Dilip Sen. And then at Nalini again.

Nalini’s roving eyes travel all over you, look meaningfully at Dilip Sen, for that significant moment her eyes focus on his hand holding yours, taking in everything, till her gaze settles down pointedly looking at where it should not.

Everything seems frozen in silence - a terrible silence, a deafening silence, a grotesque silence.

You look at Nalini, her changing expression.

Nalini looks at you with envious awe.

And you see something mischievously wicked in her large radiating eyes.

You know you are sunk.

Yes, you are truly sunk. Lock, Stock and Barrel. “Up the Gum Tree” as they say.

You break out into laughter. That’s the only sane thing left to do.

But one thing is for sure.

Life isn’t going to be boring any longer after this flirty date at Churchgate.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work

Did you like this story?
This is a story from my short fiction anthology COCKTAIL

I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in COCKTAIL

To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:

http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme

http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm

http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Friday, November 30, 2012

INQUIRY BASED LEARNING versus ROTE LEARNING - USE YOUR BRAIN OR LOSE YOUR BRAIN

BLOGS IN BOOKS OUT

Thursday, November 29, 2012

FLIRT SEDUCE FOREPLAY ABORT - A FLIRTY DATE AT CHURCHGATE

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