Date:14/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/14/stories/2007021421880300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

"Make history relevant"

Staff Reporter

"No need to be perturbed over decline in the importance of the subject"

TIRUCHI: History as a subject of study could be made more relevant through recording the happenings in various areas that have a bearing on mankind and development, speakers observed during a symposium on `Contextualising History in the Era of Globalisation,' organised by the Department of History, National College, on Tuesday.

All branches of academic disciplines have their own histories and there was no need to be perturbed over the perceived decline in the importance for the subject. It was only through history that one could imbibe a sense of self-actualisation, despite achieving progress by virtue of pursuing knowledge and job-oriented academic disciplines, said S.P. Rajalingam, Post Master General, Central Region, addressing the valedictory session.

The preference for job-oriented disciplines has had as much impact on History as on other conventional subjects. Nevertheless, History being the root of all disciplines, continued to be a preferred subject for civil service and other competitive examinations. History teachers must prevail upon the policy makers to make the subject more interesting.

Philately exhibition

The Department of Posts would conduct a college-level philately exhibition at the National College during the second week of March, he informed.

The Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University, C. Thangamuthu, said that study of History could be made vibrant through an analytical perspective. He also wanted students to be familiar with the histories and cultures of other nations.

The Principal, K. Anbarasu, emphasised that the history of sciences must be taught and the Head of the Department S. Kailasam felt that History could be effectively taught with modern tools. N. Rajendran, Head, Department of History, Bharathidasan University, observed that basic sciences and social sciences faced the same kind of problem in the context of globalisation. He also chaired a brainstorming session in which E.E. Benet of the Department of English took part.

K. Pandiyan, Convenor of the symposium, introduced the theme of the seminar. The undue importance given for foreign histories in the curriculum indicated that colonial residue remained strong in our consciousness. The present task was to project our true image, he said. N.K. Narayanan, former Principal, Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai, delivered the keynote address. The participants comprising 30 schoolteachers and 40 lecturers received certificates.