Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College

A Brief Chronology

January 1997: Dr. Surendra K. Kaushik decides to open a women’s college in village and post office Malsisar, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan-a rural community of about 15,000 and birth place of Dr. Kaushik.

Malsisar Educational and Cultural Trust ( Shri Mahabir Prasad Sharma, Chairman), and Shivkaran Parvati Shikshan Sansthan (Shri M.C. Chaturvedy, Chairman) formed.

April 27, 1998: Dr. Surendra K. Kaushik and Dr. G.C. Chaturvedy meet with the Education Minister of Rajasthan, Dr. Lalit Kishore Chaturvedy. Dr. Kaushik visits the Directorate of Higher Education. Application for No Objection Certificate (NOC) to open the College filed with the directorate.

April 28, 1998: Dr. Kaushik meets with members of Gokhri Panchayat regarding public land under its jurisdiction for the proposed college. Gokhri Panchayat passes a resolution offering land for the college the same day and delivers it to the Collector of Revenue and District Magistrate of Jhunjhunu for his approval and recommendation to the state government in Jaipur.

June 13, 1998: Dr, Kaushik’s second meeting with the Education Minister, Dr. Lalit Kishore Chaturvedy, accompanied by Shri Ramesh Chaturvedy and Shri Satyadeo Joshi.

Dr. Kaushik, accompanied by Shri Hiralal Chaudhary and Shri Jagdish Prasad Verma, meets with Shri Ramnarain Chaudhary, Member, Legislative Assembly from Mandawa constituency (who represents Malsisar area), district Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

June 14, 1998: Malsisar Educational and Cultural Trust and Shivkaran Parvati Shikshan

Sansthan meet in Jaipur. Shri M.C. Chaturvedy chairs the meeting.

January 11, 1999: Principal C.L. Sharma of Kalyan Post Graduate Government College,

Sikar submits his inspection report for NOC to the Joint Director for initial accreditation, Mr. B.R. Haldia, of the Department of Higher Education, Government of Rajasthan.

January 11, 1999: Malsisar Educational and Cultural Trust and Shivkaran Parvati

Shikshan Sansthan meet in Jaipur. Shri M.C. Chaturvedy chairs the meeting.

January 11, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets with the Education Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh For approval of NOC.

January 13, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets with His Excellency the Governor Of Rajasthan and Former Chief Justice of Rajasthan, Justice Naurang Lal Tibrewal at Raj Bhawan (Governor’s Residence) in Jaipur accompanied by Shri Ranveer Singh Katewa, Prof. Babu Lal Sethi and Shri Jagdish Prasad Verma.

January 15, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets the Collector & District Magistrate of Jhunjhunu, Dr. Manjit Singh, IAS.

April 12, 1999: NOC granted by education Minister Dr. Jiterndra Singh with the help of Shri Ramnarain Chaudhary and intervention of the Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot.

April 23, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets with Padam Shri Sis Ram Ola, Member Parliament from Jhunjhunu in Delhi.

June 1999: Shri M.C. Chaturvedy and Shrimati Sukhan Chaturvedy meet with Revenue Secretary,

Ms. Krishna Bhatnagar, IAS at the Secretariat in Jaipur regarding land for the college.

July 28, 1999: Malsisar Educational and Cultural Trust and Shivkaran Parvati Shikshan Sansthan meet in Jaipur. Meeting chaired by Dr. (Mrs.) Kanta Ahuja, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan and a trustee.

July 29, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets with Deputy Revenue Secretary, Mr. B.L. Varma, RAS, at the Secretariat in Jaipur regarding approval of land by the Revenue Minister.

August 2, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets with the Collector of Jhunjhunu. Mr. Sudhansh Pant, IAS.

August 3, 1999: Government of Rajasthan grants 30 acres of land approved by the Revenue Minister of Rajasthan Shrimati Kamla Beniwal.

August 4, 1999: Inauguration function for the College at the proposed site of a new College campus. The founder Dr. Surendra K. Kaushik, Governor of Rajasthan Justice N.L. Tibrewal; Dr. Raja J. Chelliah, former Chairman of Committee on India’s Tax Reform and Advisor (with the rank of Minister of State for Finance) to Finance Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh Dr. Kanta Ahuja, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan, and many others addressed the function also attended by Padam Shri Sis Ram Ola, MP and former union minister, and Ramnarain Chaudhary, MLA

August 4, 1999: Shri Purushottam Lal Joshi, M.A., Former Senior Lecturer, Government College, Sujangarh, Rajasthan, and a native of Malsisar, appointed first Principal of the College.

August 5, 1999: First Year classes begin with 35 students from 19 villages.

August 6, 1999: Dr. Kaushik meets with Chairman, Revenue Board of Rajasthan, Mr. I.C. Srivastava, IAS in Udaipur.

November 29, 1999: Land measured and transferred to Shivkaran Parvati Shiksan Sansthan for Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College.

February 21 2000: Computer Center is inaugurated by Mrs. Mohini Sharma.

February 21, 2000: Foundation stone ceremony for the academic building with the Revenue Minister of Rajasthan Shrimati Kamla Beniwal as the Chief Guest. Padam Shri Sis Ram Ola chaired.

March 10, 2000: Dr. Raja J. Chelliah, former Chairman of Committee on India’s Tax

Reform and Advisor (with the rank of Minister of State for Finance) to Finance Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, delivers a guest lecture at the College.

June 2000: 31 of 33 students passed the First Year university examination in the first year of the College. A superb result! Thanks to students and faculty.

July 14, 2000: Music Center is inaugurated with a concert by Shri Anup Jalota, Ustad Sultan Khan, and Ustad Kadar Khan.

July 15, 2000: Foundation stone ceremony for a hostel with President of Pradesh Congress Rajasthan and Member of Parliament Dr. Girija Vyas as the Chief Guest. Padam Shri Sis Ram Ola chaired the function.

August 5, 2000: Application to regularize past foreign contributions filed with the Home Ministry in Delhi under FCRA requirements.

August 28, 2000: Dr. Ghasi Ram Verma, Professor of Mathematics, University of Rhode

Island, United States, delivers a guest lecture at the College.

August 29, 2000: R.D. Gupta Construction Pvt. Ltd. begins construction of the academic building on the new campus.

September 9, 2000: Dr. Shanta Mehtani, Former Principal, Kanodia Girl’s College, Jaipur, appointed second Principal of the College.

October 28, 2000: A benefit concert by Great masters of the Indian Classical Music that included Ustad Sultan Khan, Sarangi, Ustad Rais Khan, Sitar, Ustad kadar Khan, Tabla and Ms. Lalitya Munshaw, vocal, among others, was held at The New York Society for Ethical Culture, New York City.

January 12, 2001: Mr. Milton Lipton, Former President of Walter Levy Associates, an economic and energy consulting firm in New York City, United States, delivers a guest lecture at the College.

January 13, 2001: Dr. R.K. Sharma, Professor, Agricultural Rconomics Research Center,

Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi delivers a guest lecture at the College.

January 13, 2001: Mrs. Barbara Lipton, Former Director of The Marchese Museum of

Tibetan Art in New York City, United States, delivers a guest lecture at the College.

January 13, 2001: Mr. Govind S. Joshi and Mr. Naveen Joshi from the United States, accompanied by their relative Shri Subhash Purohit from Alsisar, visit the College and speak to students and faculty.

January 13, 2001: A music class taught by Ustad Kadar Khan (accompanied by musicians, who gave a concert on January 14, 2001, listed in the next item) at the College.

January 14, 2001: A Makar Sakranti Bhajan Concert given by Ustad Kadar Khan, Tabla; Ustad Moinuddin Khan, Sarangi; Dr. Roop Narain Balkaran, Vocal; Mrs. Bala Balkaran, Vocal; and Irfann, Harmonium.

January 18, 2001: Dr. Ramesh K. Bhatia, an economic expert on energy, environment, and water resources, a

former professor at the Institute of Economic Growth, University of Delhi, and a member of the Trust delivers a guest lecture at the College.

January 19, 2001: Mr. Madhukar Gupta, IAS, UNDP Facilitator for Rajasthan, Jaipur and former Collector and District Magistrate of Sikar, visits the college.

January 20, 2001: Professor K.L. Kamal, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan, delivers a guest lecture at the College.

January 25, 2001: Shri Subhash Maharia, Member of Parliament from Sikar and Minister of State for Rural Development in the central government in Delhi, visits the College.

February 12, 2001: Foreign Contribution Regulation Act department, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India regularizes funds received by the College from the United States from 1994 to 2000. Assistance of the Prime Minister’s office is greatly appreciated.

February 27, 2001: Dr. Govind Avasthi, Dean at BITS, Pilani and Honorary Dean at the College visits the new campus accompanied by Dr. Chandra Prakash Khetan.

February 28, 2001: The structure of the academic building and foundation for the Guest House have been completed. Construction and finishing work on the two structures continues. Construction of the hostel will begin in March after Holi. The three buildings are expected to be ready for the academic year 2001-2002.

March 6, 2001: New application filed to receive advance permission under FCRA 1976

to receive foreign contributions from the United States.

March 13, 2001: Collector and District Magistrate of Jhunjhunu, Shri A.C. Bhatt visits the new campus and the new three story building. He requests maintaining the water reservoir (talab) just outside the College property, and supplying water to neighboring villages.

March 13, 2001: Prior permission application to receive funds from foreign contributions filed with the Home Ministry in Delhi under FCRA requirements.

June 12, 2001: First and Second Year students achieve 96 and 97 percent results respectively in their

university examinations.

Januuary 18-20, 2002: Inauguration of the John Dorr Science Lab and Nell Dorr Art Gallery by The Honorable Richard L. Ottinger ,of the United States, a former Congressman and Dean Emeritus.

Naming of rooms for Basdev Bhakt, Bhagwan Das Bhatia, Eleanor and Frank Genovese, Margaret Mead Gunn, Edward J. Kingsbury, Chandra Prakash Khetan, Parmeshwari Prasad Khetan, Dr. Chandra Prakash Khetan, Hanuman Prasad Pujari, Heera Pujari, Shanta and J.N. Sharma and The Steel Family,

January 18-20, 2002: International Conference on Renewable Energy Technologies: Development and Commercialization in India chaired by Honorable Richard L. Ottinger , Former Congressman and Dean Emeritus, Pace University , an expert in the subject, who presented a paper as well. Other presenters included Dr., Dr. Ravi Prakash, Dr. Nirupama Prakash , Dr. S.D. Pohekar, Sanjay Vashishtha , and Dr. M. Ramachandran of BITS, Pilani, Dr. Ramesh Bhatia, Dr. S.N. Mishra, Dr. R.K. Sharma, Dr. Narain Sinha, Dr. R.P.S. Malik , and Mr. Niranjan Mehta, Additional Chief Executive, Rajasthan Energy Development Agency.

March 5-9, 2002: A five-day workshop on use of solar energy at the household level f or area women

organized by Renewable Energy Development Agency (REDA) at the College.

March 11. 2002: Accreditation inspection for a B.Sc. and M.A. program completed by the Director of Higher Education, Rajasthan.

April 24, 2002: Painting of the clock tower and the guardhouse finished. Foundation of the residence hall under construction completed for walls and laying of the roof on the ground floor in May. Residence hall is expected to be ready for the academic year 2002-2003 opening in July 2002.

April 27, 2002 Forum on Higher Education for Women and Minorities in India organized by Resources and

Environment Group on behalf of the College at Columbia University, New York City. Honorable Congresswoman Nita Lowey was the chief guest at the conference. Speakers included: Honorable Preeta Bansal, Former Solicitor General of New York State, Dr. Frank C. Genovese, Graduate Dean Emeritus, babson College, Professor K. L. Kamal, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan, Mr. B.P. Singh, Executive Director, The World Bank and Former Home Secretary, India, and Honorable Santosh Bagrodia, Member Parliament (Rajya Sabha), India, among others.

June 30, 2002 All 22 B.A. Final Year students pass their university examination, 9 with First Division and 13 with Second Division.

July 19, 2002 First Commencement Ceremony at the College and Inauguration of the new campus, the academic hall and the guest house and publication of the Yearbook for the Class of 2002.

July 7, 2002 80 students registered in BA part I

October 7, 2002 Permanent FCRA Registration issued (# 125620005, Nature: Cultural Economic Educational Social) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

November 2002 Dr. Geeta Gupta, a biotechnologist from Cambridge University, UK visits the College.

December 2002 Dr. C.B. Singh, a physician in Queens, New York visits the College.

January 2003 Mohamed Jaffer, a photojournalist based in Hyderabad, India and New Jersey, USA visits the College.

January 2003 Dr. Surendra K. Kaushik visits from the US and Professor K.L. Kamal joins as a consultant.

March 2003 Professor K.L. Kamal visits the College.

April 2003 A residence hall for 80 to 100 students is under construction for July occupancy.

May 16, 2003 A Benefit Concert by Shri Anup jalota in White Plains, New York, USA. Honorable Congresswoman Nita Lowey of New Yor is the chief guest. His Excellency Pramathesh Rath, Consul Gneral of India in New York is represented by Deputy Consul General Ashok Tomar. Messages of good wishes were received from His Excellency Lalit Mansingh, India's Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Dr. Bhishma K. Agnihotri, Ambassador at Large for NRIs and PIOs and Adviser to India's Permanent Mission at the United Nations, and Dr. Chitaranjan S. Ranawat. Honorable Richard L. Ottinger presided over the function.

May 2003 Dr. Devaki Chandra of Berkeley, California visits the College.

July 7, 2003 The John Dorr Science Labs are ready for the new Bachelor of Science degree programs at the College.

July 7, 2003 Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, and Master of Arts degree programs are opened after receiving permission from the accreditation bodies.

July 13-15, 2003An international conference on Sustainable Development was held at the college. Academic papers were presented by prominent economists from Delhi, Jaipur, and by Professor Robert Isaak of Pace University, New York, USA, Professors S.N. Mishra and G. Pathak of Delhi, Professors Narain Sinha, S. Somra, and Ms. A. Saxena of the University of Rajasthan presented papers . Lecturers and students at MHKWC also presented short papers and comments in their active participation in the conference.

July 13-15, 2003Extensive planting of some 3000 plants is dome around the inside of the 30-acre boundary wall. Visiting dignitaries also participate in plantings by their own hands.

July 15, 2003 Second Graduation for 22 students with commencement speakers from India and the United States. Dr. Surendra Kaushik , Professors Robert and Gudrun Isaak from the US and Mr. Hanuman Prasad, Commissioner and Minister in the Government of Rajasthan, Mr. Madhukar Gupta and Mrs. Kiran Soni Gupta from India present diplomas to the graduates. Other visitors for the occasion from the US were:

Mrs. Durga Kaushik, Shorav Kaushik, Shobha Kaushik and Vinay Kaushik.

July 15, 2003 Shobha Kaushik, niece of the founder and granddaughter of the honoree inaugurates the Mrs. Ratni Devi Sharma Residence Hall for students.

January 2004 Dr. Kaushik visits the College for the mid-year review. An international series of lectures by American and Canadian experts is held from January 12 to 18. The distinguished visitors/lecturers included:

Dr. Lawrence Bridwell, Pace University, New York; Professor Barbara Lipton, New School University, New York; Dr. Karen Lund, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Professor Eleanor Hope McCarthy, Professor of English Emerita, Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, Massachusetts; Professor Alice Shafer of Acton, Massachusetts; Mrs. Virginia Steel, Director of Religious Education, Unitarian UniversalistChurches of Waynad and Sudbury, Massachusetts, and Mts. Marion Tratnyek, Nurse Anesthetist of Sudbury, Massachusetts. All of them made weeklong presentations to students and faculty using PowerPoint presentations and lectures and donated their lecture materials to the College library. Topics covered included Art of India, English Composition, Anesthesia, Health Careers, Occupational Therapy, Intro to Western Music, fossils, and Religions in America. The College is most grateful to all of them for their interest, preparation, time and visits at their personal expense for the cause of women's education generally and at Helena Kaushik Women's College in particular.

January 2004 Professor K.L. Kamal, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan visits the College and delivers the Virginia Steel Lecture in the presence of Mrs. Virginia Steel .

January 2004 Professor K.L. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan visits the College and delivers a lecture on Higher Education in India, particularly in rajasthan.

January 2004 Professor Kiran Mishra, formerly of the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi University and Professor Nirmala Joshi of Jawaharlal Nehru University visit the College. Professor delivers a lecture on India's foreign policy and Dr. Mishra makes brief remarks on India-Nepal relations.

January 2004 Mr. Bhim Singh and Mrs. Bimla Dhankhar visit the College during the international lecture series and give a grand reception to the visiting lecturers at the home and medical clinic of their daughter and son-in-law doctors Raj Bala,MD and Vijendra Singh, MS in Surgery, in Singhana, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

February 2004 The Journal News newspaper in New York and the Town Crier newspaper in the towns of Wayland, Weston and Sudbury, Massachusetts carry stories about the College.

March 2004 Mr. Donald Plunkett, Jr., a businessman in Cortlandt Manor, New York and his 11-year old daughter visit the College for four days during their week long first visit to India. They also visits schools in and around Malsisar.

April 2004 The College receives permission to offer philosophy as a subject in BA, geography in MA, Diploma in Computer Applications, Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, Certificate of Library Science, and Bachelor of Library Science programs.

May 2004 Dr. Kaushik is a luncheon speaker at the Rotary Club of Peekskill thanks to Mr. Donald Plunkett who had visited the College in March.

June 2004 Professor K.L. Kamal visits the College.

July 7, 2004 Three new scholarships are established: Dr. Devaki Chandra Scholarships for a student in economics, Mariah Plunkett Scholarship for a science student, and Kayla Plunkett Scholarship for an arts student.

July 9, 2004 5^th Anniversary Celebration at Pace University chaired by Honorable Richard L. Ottinger, Former Congressman and Dean Emeritus, Pace Law School. Chief Guest: Honorable Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Dr. & Mrs. Frank C. Genovese, Dr. & Mrs. Colin Steel, Professor Barbara Lipton, Dean of the Pace Law School Dr. Stephen Friedman, Dr. Satish Kapoor and many other friends and supporters joined in the celebration of the College, and the 60^th birthday of Helena Kaushik who was also in attendance and enjoyed celebration of the two birthdays.

Festivities included appreciation awards presented to and Nita Lowey, Richard and June Ottinger, Frank and Eleanor Genovese, Colin and Virginia Steel and the Dorr Foundation .

Music of Ustad Kadar Khan, Javed Khan, Imran Khan, Ghulam Mohammed Khan, Felix Hernandez, Michael Braudy and Thomas Girasa enthralled the gathered and lifted up everyone's spirits with their instrumental music.

July 2004 Construction of two tennis courts which will also be used as helipad when needed .

July 31, 2004 His Highness Maharana Shri Arvind Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur was given a traditional welcome by the college, area residents and former feudal rulers in a formal ceremony on his arrival at the college.

July 31, 2004 The Third Commencement for 44 graduates with BA and the 5^th Anniversary of the College were celebrated. His Highness Maharana Shri Arvind Singh Ji Mewar delivered the commencement address. Professor K.L. Kamal, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan, Professor S.N. Mishra, former Director, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, Shri Kunji Lal Meena, Collector, Jhunjhunu, also addressed the graduates and gave their blessings for a bright future. Professor Dr. Kaushik , his mother Mrs. Ratni Devi Sharma, and his sister Sushila Devi Purohit also participated in the festivities.

July 31, 2004 His Highness Maharana Shri Arvind Singh Ji Mewar inaugurated a classroom named for Maharana Mewar Foundation.

July 31, 2004 Professor James Gould of Pace University, New York and Professor Shyam Lodha of Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven participated in the graduation ceremony along with Professor B.P. Bhatnagar, former Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (Deemed University), Udaipur.

July 31-Aug.2, 2004 A National Seminar on Women's Education and Development was held at the College. His Highness Maharana Shri Arvind Singh Ji Mewar inaugurated the conference organized by Professor J.B.G. Tilak and presided over by Professor S.N. Mishra.

The topics covered included the Status of Women's Education in India: Literacy and School Education, Vocational /Technical and Higher education, Government Policies and Programmes; Women's education and Development: Women's Education and Poverty reduction, Women's Education and Economic Development-Income and Wealth Distribution, Women's Education and labor Force Participation, Women's Education and Health and Nutrition: Education and Health Relationships, Women's Education and Nutritional Status of Households, Women's education, Population Growth and demographic Transition, Public Policies and Women's education: Role of the State in Women's Education, Public and Private Efforts (including NGOs) towards development of Women's Education, and Positive Discrimination in Education and Employment of Women.

Presenters and participants included:

Dr. Sarita Agrawal, M.S. University, Baroda

Dr. Govindasamy Balatchandirane, Delhi University

B.P. Bhatnagar, Former Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (Deemed University), Udaipur

Dr. Ramila Bisht, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

Dr. Karuna Chanana, Zakir Hussain Center for Educational Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Univ., Delhi

Dr. Malathy Duraiswamy, Department of Economics, University of Madras, Chennai

Professor James Gould, Pace University, New York, USA

Dr. Asha Gupta, Delhi

Mrs. Kiran Soni Gupta, IAS, Commissioner, Command and Colonization Area, Bikaner, Rajasthan

Mr. Madhukar Gupta, Commissioner, Bikaner, Rajasthan

Dr. Usha Jayachandran, Mumbai

Professor K.L. Kamal, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Professor Surendra K. Kaushik, Pace University, New York, USA

Dr. Dipa Mukherjee, Howrah,Kolkata

Professor T.Lakshmanasamy, Chennai

Professor Shyam Lodha of Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, USA

Dr. S. Madheswaran, Chennai

Professor S.N. Mishra, Society for Economic and Social Rsearch, Delhi

Dr. Dipa Mukherjee, Dept of Economics, Narasinha Dutt College, Howrah, West Bengal

Dr. Saraswati Raju, Center for Educational Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Dr. S. Srinivasa Rao, Zakir Hussain Center for Educational Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Univ., Delhi

Dr. (Mrs.) Sadhna Saxena, Dept. of Education, Central Institute of Education, Delhi University, Delhi

Professor K.R. Shah, Vadodra

Professor Narain Sinha, Department of Economics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Dr. Ratna M. Sudarshan, Institute of Social Studies Trust, India Habitat Center, Delhi

Professor J.B.G. Tilak , National Institute of Education Training and Administration

Prof. Padma Velaskar, Research in Sociology of Education, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

Most of them also participated in the graduation ceremony.

August 15, 2004 Mrs. Ratni Devi Sharma was the chief guest at the traditional Independence Day unfurling of the flag and celebrations with patriotic speeches and cultural programs presented by students.

August 2004 The College is granted permanent accreditation for its Bachelor of Arts program from the Government of Rajasthan.

November 22-25, 2004 Dr. Donald Plunkett traveled from the United States to deliver the Annual Tahirih Lecture on Empowerment of Women. He met with each of the classes, had discussions with faculty and resident students. He also visited area schools and delivered greetings and messages from young American students from Irvington Public School in New York to initiate a new Pen Pal program with Malsisar area children.

December 13, 2004 A book drive at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York, USA collects 600 books from faculty, students and staff. Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College is grateful to Pace University and all those who participated in the event. The event was organized and led by Ms. Daniella Castro, a Senior from Venezuela in Pace’s Honors Program. Distinguished Professor Janetta Benton guided and encouraged Ms. Castro and other students in the book drive. Several student organizations lent their names and support to Ms. Castro in this most successful and commendable effort by her. The College appreciates and thanks her high values of reaching out to current and future students in far off places.

December 13, 2004 Shri J.N., Shrimati Shanti Sharma and their son Rajiv Sharma visit the college. As chief guests they participate in the annual awards function and give our prizes to winners in various competitive events at the college and inter-collegiate events in which MHKWC students won prizes such as debating, running, and jumping competitions. Shrimati Ratni Devi Sharma presided over the ceremony.

December 27-28, 2004 Shaikh Tayeb Poonawala , an engineer by profession, visits the college from Queens, New York, USA.

December 30, 2004 Mr. Brian Alistair Corsie Steel, of Wayland, Massachusetts and Oakland, California , USA establishes a three-year scholarship in science in the name of his maternal grandmother Mrs. Margaret Mead Gunn, of Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.

January 11-20, 2005 Professor Dr. Asta Heller of Germany and the United States visits the college and shares her expertise in teaching and learning of English with students and faculty. Professor Heller taught English at the college level in the United States before her retirement.

January 11-20, 2005 Dr. Surendra Kaushik, Founder of the College visits for the mid-year review. After participating in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Mumbai from January 7 to 9, in Delhi he calls on Shri Jaswant Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of India’s parliament) and former Minister for Defence, External Affairs and Finance at various times in the BJP government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Dr. Girija Vyas, Spokesperson for the All India Congress Committee and former Minister for Information and Broadcating and Tourism and former President Rajastan Pradesh Congress Committee . In Jaipur he calls on Prof. K.L. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur regarding permanent affiliation of the college with the university having completed the normal waiting period of 5 years in May 2004.

January 17, 2005 The Honorable (Mrs.) Sumitra Singh, Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, representing Jhunjhunu constituency, is honored by the college with a plaque of her achievements in politics, high government positions as minister, and community service over a period of 50 years. Mrs. Singh gave compliments the college for a huge modern campus and excellent labs in such a small rural hamlet offering high quality education to rural female students. She impressed on students to take full advantage of the great facilities and to make the most of this rare educational opportunity for their future and that of their families and communities. Mrs. Singh also promised to give her full support to the college.

March 2005 Mrs. Regina Kramer establishes a bus transportation system support at the College in memory of her beloved husband Mr. Roy Kramer who had passed away in 2004.

May 2 to 11, 2005 Dr. Kaushik again visits the college to supervise recruitment of faculty and staff for 2005-2006. He calls on Dr. P.L. Sanjeev Reddy, former IAS, Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration in Delhi and invites him to visit the college. He also calls on Shri Jaswant Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, and Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resource Development. In Jaipur he again calls on Prof. K.L. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan, and Prof. P.N. Kalla, Professor and Incharge of the Apex Center in Jaipur of the Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner as well as Professor Ramesh Dhadhich of the University of Rajasthan and the former Vice Chancellor Professor K.L. Kamal.

May 7, 2005 Dr. P.L. Sanjeev Reddy, Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration visits the college and accepts invitation from Dr. Kaushik on behalf of the Malsisar Educational and Cultural Trust to be a member of the board of trustees. Mr. B.L. Joshi, former Deputy General Manager of State Bank of India in New York and former Chairman of Nainital Bank Trust visits the college from his hometown Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

May 2005 The college completes six academic years.

June 2005 Students achieve 96 to 100 percent examination results in the three year classes of B.A., two year classes of B.Sc., and B.Sc. in Biotechnology as well as two year classes of M.A. More than 50 percent students in each class earn I Division and almost all other II Division with only one to three with III Division. There is a remarkable consistency in the high performance of our dedicated rural students eager to learn by working hard and supported by the college facilities and its highly qualified and dedicated lecturers and staff.

June 2005 The college publishes its first research article “Need for Higher Education of Women in Rural Areas of India” by The Honorable Richard L. Ottinger, former member of the United States House of Representative and former dean of Pace University’s Law School who had delivered the lecture in New York in 2002.

July 7, 2005 Academic year 7 opens at the college.

July 7, 2005 Margaret Mead Gunn Scholarship to support a promising and deserving science student for a period of three years is established by her grandson Brian Steel and his wife Lisa of Oakland, California, USA.

July 7, 2005 Regina Kramer of Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA (sister of the honoree Helena Kaushik) establishes a Roy Kramer Transportation memorial for her husband in support of bus transportation at the College.

July 10, 2005 The college publishes its second research article “Renewable Energy” by The Honorable Richard L. Ottinger and Ms. Rebecca Williams. An earlier version of the article had been delivered by Mr. Ottinger at the college at its First International Seminar on Renewable Energy in January 2002. It was subsequently pub;lished in the University of Washington Law Review and is reprinted here with the permission of the authors and the journal.

July 30, 2005 Fourth Commencement celebrated for 66 graduates with B.A. and First Commencement for 5 post-graduate students with M.A. – 3 in Sanskrit and 2 in Hindi.

July 30-August 1, 2005 Fourth International Seminar held at the college. The theme of the seminar is Women leaders and Development. It is done jointly with the National Commission for Women, Indian Institute of Public Administration, and the Society for Economic and Social Change. Dr. Girija Vyas, Chair, National Commission for Women and a trustee of Malsisar Educational and Cultural Trust delivers the keynote address to the seminar. Other speakers include Dr. Jaideep Singh of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Dr. Devaki Chandra of Berkeley, California, USA. Dr. Surendra Kaushik, Founder, welcomes participants and chairs a seminar session. Several academics and leaders participate and present papers including Miss. Jyoti Sharma of the Maharana of Mewar Foundation, Mrs. Archana Sharma, Member, Municipal Corporation, Jaipur, Dr. K.L. Kamal and Dr. K.L. Sharma, former and current Vice Chancellor, respectively, of the University of Rajasthan, Mrs. Yasmeen Abrar , Member, National Commission for Women, among others.

Dr. Devaki Chandra and her husband Dr. John Kuriyan continue their support of the College following her participation in the semimar.

August 19, 2005 Helena Kaushik Education Foundation (HKEF) is registered as a not-for-profit corporation in New York, USA. The initial board of directors consists of: Professor Roy Girasa, Ph.D., Dr. Ms. Emita B. Hill (former president of Indiana University, Kokomo campus), Dr. Satish Kapoor, M.D., Professor Surendra K. Kaushik, Ph.D., Mrs. Edith Landau Litt, B.A., Mrs. Joan Malkin, J.D., Honorable Richard L. Ottinger, J.D. (former Congressman from New York), and Mr. James Wood, B.A. (former senior banker with the Bank of New York and subsequently investment analyst with Merrill Lynch).

Mrs. Barbara Lipton, a long standing friend of the College, facilitated help of Ms. Betty Lefferts, Vice President of National Executive Service Corps (NESC) of New York City, who in turn arranged for Mr. I. Roy Cohen, formerly CEO of a corporation, to consult in the formation of HKEF and development of its initial board.

September 4, 2005 Dr. Kaushik is honored with the Rashtriya Vikas Shiromani Award for his valuable contribution in the field of Education by the Delhi Telugu Academy at its Annual Celebrations in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

September 15, 2005 Dr. Kaushik participates in a Reception in Honor of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh by India’s Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Ronen Sen.

October 17, 2005 Dr. Kaushik visits the Department of Public Information of the United Nations for possible NGO affiliation. He visits the NGO Section and the Educational Outreach Section. Coincidentally he also briefly visits with Ambassador Nirupam Sen, India’s Permanent Representative, while in the Secretariat building of the UN.

October 20, 2005 Helena Kaushik Education Foundation is registered with the Charities Bureau of the Office of Attorney General of New York, USA.

October 20, 2005 The University of Rajasthan notifies the College, having passed all its inspections, of its permanent affiliation effective with the academic year 2005-2006.

October 21, 2005 Mr. Bruce Beutler, CEO of EEC Contols, in Brewster, New York, USA visits the College and meets with students and faculty.

October 26, 2005 Professor Hrishikesh D. Vinod of Fordham University sends second batch of books on economics to the College.

October 27, 2005 Books on management and management science donated by Professors Ellen S. Weisbord, and Fred N. Silverman of Pace University are sent to the College.

November 2, 2005 Books on literature and history donated by Mr. Louis and Mrs. Cricket Laun of Chappaqua, New York, USA are sent to the College.

November 8, 2005 Helena Kaushik Education Foundation is approved as a tax-free not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) by IRS.

December 10, 2005 University Grants Commission team led by Prof. J.K. Tandon, UGC Coordinator for University of Rajasthan, visits the College for direct affiliation with the UGC.

December 12, 2005 Ann Rakoff of New York ships books to the College.

December 17, 2005 Neil McMartin of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada establishes a memorial in support of women’s higher education for his cousin Christine Josephine McMartin (27 January 1924-20 August 2005) who never had a chance to go to school.

December 21, 2005 Application for new degree programs for a Bachelor of Home Science and a Master of Science in Biotechnology beginning in the academic year 2006-2007 is submitted to the Government of Rajasthan.

December 23-31, 2005 Christmas Holidays at the College.

February 2006 Mrs. Carol Alee, Mrs. Beverly Rosen, Mrs. Virginia Steel, Mrs. Edith Landau Litt , Dr. John Litt and Dr. Surendra Kaushik visit the College from the United States.

March 2006 Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women visited with Dr. Surendra and Mrs. Helena Kaushik during her visit to New York.

June 2, 2006 Application for a college of education filed with the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to begin the approved B.Ed. course in July 2007.

July 2, 2006 Dr. Surendra Kaushik visits with The Honorable Mrs. Vasundhara Raje, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, The Honorable Shri Ghanashyam Tiwari, Education and Law Minister of Rajasthan and The Honorable Narpat Singh Rajvi, Minister for Industry and NRI, Rajasthan during their visit to the United States.

July 8, 2006 Dr. Surendra Kaushik visits with the Honorable Vayalar Ravi, Inida’s Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs during his visit to the United States.

August 10-15, 2006 Miss Deepal Pandya, an actress and a model in New Jersey, USA, opened an exhibition, the first at the College, of photographs of village life in Rajasthan taken by students graduating in 2006 was a significant part of festivities at the College. Students took photos from free disposable cameras in their homes and the area surrounding the College. Mrs. Barbara Lipton, art historian and expert in Tibetan, Indian and Eskimo art in New Jersey, USA, organized the exhibition the idea for which was developed by Mrs. Eleanor Hope-McCarthy . Mrs. Barbara Lipton secured free disposable Kodak cameras from Mr. Frank Shapiro. The College distributed the cameras to students and had the photos printed and then mailed them to the US for a blind review and selection by Mrs. Lipton, her friend and photographer Mrs. Eleanor Hope-McCarthy, who had visited the College in January 2004 and published a book of her own photos of students, and Dr. Kaushik who constituted the selection panel. Three photos out of 40 on display were also recognized for blue ribbon prizes. Mrs. Lipton was present at the College for the exhibit, other lectures and the fifth graduation ceremony on August 12. Mrs. Virginia Steel, Miss Nisha Srivastava, Mr. Jagdish Verma, Mr. Jai Chand, Mr. Shri Ram and Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Mrs. Zia Durrani,among others, assisted in the project.

August 12-14, 2006 Graduation 2006: The Honorable Narpat Singh Rajvi, Minister for Industry and NRIs in theGovernment of Rajasthan, was the chief guest and delivered the key graduation address on 12 August 2006 to our B.A., B.Sc. and M.A. graduates. Former Vice Chancellor Professor K.L. Kamal also very kindly graced the occasion, as in earlier years, and presided over the graduation ceremony. The Honorable Sandy Galef, Member, New York State Legislature also delivered a commencement address on August 12, 2006 followed by the following Americans on the occasion of the fifth graduation ceremonies: Mrs. Judith Anderson, Mrs. Zia Durrani, Durga Kaushik, Shobha Kaushik, Shorav Kaushik, Vinay Kaushik, Mrs. Barbara Lipton, Ms. Deepal Pandya, Ms. Kayla Plunkett, Dr. Donald Plunkett, and myself. Mrs. Barbara Lipton presented awards to winners in a photo contest of Village Life in Rajasthan, in and around the area of the College, she had organized among the graduating students.

The National Commission for Women sponsored an International Seminar on Gender Violence and Witness Protection at the College from 12 to 14 August 2006. Many scholars presented papers and several lecturers, students, and local leaders participated in the seminar. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Dr Girija Vyas herself delivered the keynote address on 14 August 2006. A report was prepared by students and faculty of the College and submitted to the Commission with recommendations on laws and regulations for the safety and protection of women society. Many of the recommendations are part of the national legislation recommended by the Commission for enactment of new laws by the Parliament.

The Seminar on Gender Violence and Witness Protection, sponsored by the National Commission for Women and in cooperation with the Indian Institute of Public Administration, were held at the College. Speakers and participants in the seminar included: Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Dr. P.L. Sanjeev Reddy, Dr. Sushma Yadav, Several Americans participated in festivities in the new academic year in July leading up to August 15. They are (in alphabetical order): Mrs. Judith Anderson, Mrs. Zia Durrani, the Honorable Sandra R. Galef, Member, New York State Assembly, Mrs. Durga Kaushik , Miss Shobha Kaushik, Mr. Shorav Kaushik, Dr. Surendra Kaushik , Mr. Vinay Kaushik, Mrs. Barbara Lipton, Miss Deepal Pandya, Miss Kayla Plunkett, and Dr. Donald Plunkett.

List of Potential Paper Presenters/Speakers

1. Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Government of India

2. Dr. Surendra K. Kaushik, Founder and Chairman, Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College and Professor of Finance, Pace University, USA

3. The Honorable Sandy Galef, Assemblywoman, New York Assembly, USA

4. Dr. Donald Plunkett, Adjunct Professor, Baruch College, City University of New York, USA

5. Mr. Shorav Kaushik, Brooklyn Law School, USA

6. Ms. Deepal Pandya, Rutgers University, New Jersey, and Jon Robert Powers Agency, Philadelphia, USA

7. Ms. Shobha Kaushik, University of Rocheter, New York, USA

8. Mrs. Barbara Lipton, Adjunct Professor, New School University, New York, USA

9. Mrs. Judith Anderson, Virginia, USA

10. Mrs. Zia Durrani, New Jersey, USA

11. Miss Kayla Plunkett, Cortlandt Manor, New York, USA

12. Mrs. Durga Kaushik, Briarcliff Manor, New York, USA

13. Dr. Ghasi Ram Verma, Professor Emeritus, University of Rhode Island, USA

14. Dr. K.L. Kamal, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur

15. Prof. Sushma Yadav, Professor, Dr. Ambedkar Chair in Social Justice, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi

16. Prof. Jai Narain Sharma, Department of Gandhian Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

17. Dr. Anil Dutta Mishra, Deputy Director, National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi

18. Dr. Ashu Pasricha, Department of Gandhian Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

19. Dr. Himanshu Borai, Associate Professor, H.N.B. University, Garhwal, Srinagar

20. Smt. Shashi Rao, Director, All India Women Conference, Rewari, Haryana

21. Ms. Nidhi Yadav, Research Officer, Dr. Ambedkar Chair in Social Justice, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi

22. Sh. Ram Autar, District Food supply Controller, Rohtak, Haryana

23. Dr. Pradeep Srivastava, Head, Department of History, Chirawa P. G. College, Chirawa

24. Dr. Prabhat Sharma, Head, Department of Bus. Admin., Seth G.D.S.B. Patwari, Bagar

25. Dr. Devi Prakash Tripati, Head of the Department of History, Seth G.D.S.B. Patwari, Bagar

26. Dr. S. C. Agarwal, Head, Department of Economics, Seth G.D.S.B. Patwari, Bagar

27. Ms. Sarika Mohta, Lecturer in Psychology, Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women P.G. College

28. Mrs. Chandan Bala Jain, Lecturer in Botany, Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women P.G. College.

August 15, 2006 The College celebrated India’s 60th Independence Day with great joy and fanfare. Dr. Surendra Kaushik, founder of the College, hoisted the Indian flag during the traditional ceremony. He urged students and lecturers to continue to achieve their best to contribute the most to India’s progress by modernizing their families, farms, factories, villages and towns. Students presented cultural programs of local songs and dances as well as songs and dances from the movies. A reception followed the festivities.

August 24, 2006 The Honorable Dr. Sahib Singh Verma, Former Chief Minister f Delhi and Former Union Minister of Labor was honored at the College, accompanied by Mrs. Santosh Ahlawat of Surajgarh, on August 24, 2006.

August 24, 2006 The Honorable Dr. Sahib Singh Verma, Former Chief Minister f Delhi and Former Union Minister of Labor was honored at the College, accompanied by Mrs. Santosh Ahlawat of Surajgarh, on August 24, 2006.

November 30, 2006 His Holiness Mahaprajya Muni Ji of Terapanthi Jain Samaj was honored and His Holiness graced and blessed the College and its students, faculty and staff as well as a large gathering of people from the surrounding villages on November 30, 2006.

January 6, 2007 Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Beth Steffian of Massachusetts, and Mr. & Mrs. Michiel and Diana Boudrez of Virginia, visited the college in January 2007.

January 11 to 18, 2007 Dr. Asta Heller of Germany and the United States made a second visit to the college, accompanied by Ms. Carola Giller of Germany, in January 2007.

January 20-21, 2007 Mr. James Wood, Mrs. Twink Wood, Mr. Richard Lawrence, Mrs. Starr Lawrence, and Mrs. Patricia Keesee of New York visited the college in January 2007.

February 4, 2007 Mr. Gulzari Lal, M.Com., former Principal at Government Kalyan P.G. College, Sikar was appointed as Principal for the balance of the academic year 2006-2007.

March 5, 2007 Application for B.Ed. complete and initial inspection by the regional office of Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Rajasthan in Churu done on this day.

March 30 to April 15, 2007 Dr. Kaushik called on The Honorable Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, The Honorable Mrs. Yasmeen Abrar, Member, National Commission for Women; Mr. S.M. Khan, PS to the Honorable President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam; Mrs. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, Vice-Chairperson of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust.; The Honorable Nirmala Despande, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha); The Honorable Sis Ram Ola, Minister for Mines; The Honorable Mrs. Kanti Singh, Minister of State for Heavy Industry; The Honorable Mrs. Meira Kumar, Minister of State for Social Justice; The Honorable Mani Shankar Aiyer, Minister of State for Youth Development and Sports, and Panchayati Raj; The Honorable L.K. Advani, former President of BJP and Leader of Opposition in Parliament (Lok Sabha); Dr. Sahib Singh Verma, Vice President of BJP and former Chief Minister of Delhi,and former Minister of Labor;The Honorable Subhash Maharia, Member of Parliament and former Minister of State for Rural Development; The Honorable Ghanshyam Tiwari, Minister of Education, Rajasthan; Dr. N.K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan; Dr. Om Veer Singh, Regional Director, Northern Committee of NCTE; Dr. S.K. Garg, Principal, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Delhi; Dr. P.L. Jain, Principal, Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi ; Dr. S.N. Mishra, former Director, Institute of Economic Growth and Chairman, Society for Economic and Social Rresearch; Prof. J. B.G. Tilak of the National Universityof Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), Delhi; and Dr. P.L. Sanjeev Reddy, Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Delhi during his two week visit for the College.

April 6 to 13, 2007 A former colleague from Babson, Professor Laura Godtfredsen also visited in January 2007 and gave a talk in the Mrs. Virginia Steel Lecture Series on community service. I had the pleasure of visiting the College and academic and political leaders in Jaipur and Delhi as well as community leaders in Jhunjhunu and Chirawa in April 2007.

April 8, 2007 A duly constituted committee consisting of representatives of the University of Rajastha, UGC Coordinator, Director, Higher Education, Rajasthan, experts in subjects and management of the College, including Dr. Kaushik and Dr. Laura Godtfredsen of the US, met in Jaipur and interviewed candidates for faculty appointments.

April 21, 2007 B.Ed application file reaches the Secretariat from Churu via Bikaner office of Director of Secondary Education.

May 7, 2007 NCTE (National Council of Teacher Education) seeks invitation for inspection for Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College .

June 16, 2007 NCTE Northern Regional Committee, Jaipur conducts inspection for the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College.

July 2, 2007 9^th academic year of the College opens.

July 7, 2007 Permanent NOC (accreditation) of all existing B.A., M.A., B.Sc. and M.Sc. programs approved by the Government of Rajasthan.

July 27, 2007 6^th Graduation Convocation addressed by the Honorable Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women; the Honorable Mrs. Kanti Singh, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industry; Dr. N.K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan; Dr. Surendra K. Kaushik, Founder of the College, and others. 56 students of the College graduated with degrees of the University of Rajasthan.

July 31, 2007 Malsisar Panchayat felicitates Dr. Kaushik who donates Rs. 75,000 for village roads and Rs. 5,000 as initial deposit for a water-harvesting tank under government’s water-harvesting scheme. Mr. Vinod Kumar Parajapati, Sarpanch, Malsisar Panchayat will follow-up with the district administration and have the road on the western-end of Malsisar and the water harvesting tank behind the College constructed as soon as possible.

August 1, 2007 Dr. Kaushik chairs a public meeting of the Brahman Mahasabha, Jhunjhunun on the issue of social reform with focus on abortion of female fetus, divorce and remarriage, and child marriage, dowry, wasteful expenditures,and drug dependency. Other speakers were: Shri Sashi Kumar Pareek, District Judge (Chirf Guest); Shri Kalicharan Sharma, Additional District Magistrate and Additional District Collector; Shri Gajanand Sharma, Additional District Judge; Shri Jagdish Sharma, Sessions Judge; Shri Vishnu Kumar Gaur, Deputy Superintendent of Police; Shri Om Prakash Bohra, General Secretary, Brahman Mahasabha, Jhunjhunu and Dr. Dayashankar Bawalia, Chairman, Brahman Mahasabha, Jhunjhunu, and Professor Yogesh Kumar Sharma, among others.

August 2, 2007 Dr. Kaushik and Shri Jagdish Verma met with Dr. Om Veer Singh Sikarwar, Regional Director, Northern Regional Committee (NRC) , National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) regarding the status of application to statrt B.Ed. course at Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College.

August 3, 2007 Based on the decision of July 31, 2007 of the NRC of NCTE, order pf a conditional approval of B.Ed. was issued subject to appointment of teaching staff.

August 3, 2007 Dr. Kaushik participated in and personally met with the key persons addressing a conference on human trafficking organized jointly by the National Commission for Women (which also provided secretariat services), Ministry of Women and Child Development, Home Ministry, National Commission on Human Rights, National Commission on Children, and UINICEF at Vigran Bhavan from Aug 3 to 4. The conference was addressed by The Honorable Union Home Minister Shri Shiv Raj Patil (Chief Guest), Justice Narendra Babu, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission and former Chief Justice of India, Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National commission for Women, Justice Shiv Raj patil, Member, National Human Rights Commission and former Justice of the Supreme Court of India, among high members of union and state of commissions on human rights, commissions on women and children, and law enforcement agencies.

August 5, 2007 Dr. Kaushik called on Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, the Honorable Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Union Minister for External Affairs and Leader of the House in Lok Sabha, and the Honorable Shri L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, and leader of BJP.

August 7, 2007 Appointment of faculty and their affidavits in compliance of the order of August 3 submitted to NRC, NCTE for unconditional approval of the B.Ed. course.

August 11, 2007 B.Ed. course approved by the NCTE effective the current academic year 2007-2008. The College thanks the Honorable Shri Ghanshyam Tiwari Ji, the Education and Law Minister of Rajasthan, the Honorable Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, a former Union Minister and a former Chairperson of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, who has visited the College four times since its founding, Dr. N. K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan, and Dr. Om Veer Singh Sikarwar, Regional Director, Northern Regional Committee of the NCTE for their support and approval of the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College and its B. Ed. course. Everyone’s cooperation from the time the application was filed on 2 June 2006 to the final order of approval on 11 August 2007 is deeply appreciated.

August 17, 2007 Application for land for a separate building for the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College submitted to Collector, Jhunjhunu supported by the Village Panchayat, Malsisar

August 24, 2007 Application for affiliation of B. Ed. course with the University of Rajasthan filed with six times the normal affiliation fee due to late filing necessitated by late approval of the course by NCTE. The university, the education department and the NCTE have less than perfect coordination of timings, fees, etc. There is also no distinction of private non-profit and non-aided, private non-profit aided, private for profit and government colleges when it comes to higher education policy. It makes private-public partnership for public investment a nonstarter. Policy has a strong bias against private institutions and therefore discourages them with high fees and other hurdles while at the same time preferring government institutions for which there is not enough money. The result unfortunately is continuing scarcity of educational opportunities.

August 30, 2007 Final step to complete a basketball court and tiled boundary an Olympic size race track begins

Sept. 12-18, 2007 Canvassing of students in Ajmer as per procedures of the Government of Rajasthan Ministry of Education to begin B.Ed.course in arts, science and commerce in the current the academic year 2007-2008.

October 9, 2007 Greeted Dr. A.M. Gondane, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, on arrival to his new assignment in the United States. He is very interested in education and other development related activities of NRIs.

October 2007 Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College commenced B.Ed. course for 100 students - 98 in arts and 2 in commerce.

October 2007 Construction of a regulation size basketball court and an Olympic size running track completed along with a 60’x45’platform for outdoor functions and resurfacing of two double tennis courts.

November 5, 2007 Report of operation of the Education College submitted to MDSU, Ajmer with a list of 100 students in attendance.

November 15, 2007 Construction of one more single tennis court completed. Both tennis courts can also be used as helipads for VIP visits.

November 17, 2007 The Honorable Former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, and current Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and BJP candidate for Prime Minister, Shri L.K. Advani Ji was the chief guest at a Special Convocation on November 17, 2007. Shri Advani Ji addressed the convocation, congratulated graduates and inaugurated naming the college library in his name as L.K. Advani Library. He also inaugurated the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College, a new Wall of Leaders Who Have Visited Us, a regulation size basketball court, an Olympic-size eight lane running track, and a tennis court/helipad. Vice Chancellor Dr. N.K. Jain also very kindly graced the occasion, as in earlier years and announced that the University of Rajasthan will also resume convocation and graduation ceremonies not held in many years. Political and government leaders from Rajasthan, Jhunjhunu and other districts who attended the convocation included: Shri Mahesh Sharma, President of Pradesh BJP in Rajasthan, Hon. Minister Shri Sanwarmal Jat, Hon. Minister Shri Rajendra Singh Rathore, Hon. Minister Shri Prabhulal Saini, Hon. Minister Dr. Digambar Singh, Hon. Shri Subhash Maharia, MP, Hon. MLA and BJP District Charman Shri Sunder Lal, Alsisar Panchayat Samiti Pradhan Shri Narendra Khichar, District Magistrate and District Collector Shri Dinesh Kumar, Additional District Magistrate Shri K.C. Sharma, Additional SP Shri V.K. Gaur, several district ooficers, BDO Shri V.K. Gaur, and Panchayat Samiti and Panchayat level leaders from a wide area around Malsisar.

The College also celebrates the 56 graduates in 2007 and 295 graduates in all so far since the first convocation in 2002. The Honourable Dr. N.K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, University of Rajasthan presided over the distribution of certificates of completion of the University of Rajasthan by the graduates.

The Honourable Shri L.K. Advani Ji inaugurated the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College, the new Basketball Court, and the new Olympic size Running Track. The Hon. Sumitra Singh, Speaker, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, had laid the foundation for the Basketball Court and the Running Track when she was honored by the College in a special convocation on January 17, 2005.

November 22, 2007 On this Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Dr. Devendra Gupta, a staff scientist at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 for 40 years, visited the college with his two sons, Sudhir and Devratna and his older brother's grandson Anurag to dedicate a classroom in the memory of his wife Sudha Gupta, who had passed away a few months earlier. A collage of pictures of her life was also placed. Sudha Ji
herself was a teacher at a girl's college in Bareilly before marriage, and was a dedicated supporter of women's education and a community activist in Ossining, New York, USA where she lived for 40 years. The Gupta family was visiting India to immerse Sudha Ji's remains in mother Ganga for a lasting peace to her departed soul according to her last wishes and to honor the Hindu traditions. The College gratefully acknowledges the Gupta family's donations to the College and its related organizations in the United States in the memory of Mrs. Sudha Gupta as loving wife and mother.

January 10-18, 2008 Dr. Kaushik attends Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan from January 7 to 10 and meets with Hon, L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Hon. Raghuvans Prasad Singh, Minister for Rural Development, Hon. Namonarain Meena, Minister of State for Forests, Hon. Sis Ram Ola, Minister for Mines, Hon, Bhanwar Lal Sharma, MLA, Rajasthan, and Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission for Women , among several dignitaries attending the PBD festivities. He also attends the World Congress on Psychology and Spirituality at the India Habitat Center and d meetings of USABF at Hotel Mansingh.

American visitors to the college during this period include Mr. David Swope, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur and Rebecca Samberg, Dr. Donald Plunkett, and Dr. & Mrs. Amarjit Singh. Ms. Mauna Kaushik , who lives in Bulgaria during part of the year, also visited the college.

Prof. V. Rengarajan, an expert on Micro Finance, visited from Madras University. He prepared a brief survey questionnaire to find out the awareness of financial services in the area of the College and trained student and lecturer volunteers to conduct the survey. The survey was conducted and it showed that more than 60 percent of the people surveyed, including mothers and grandmothers, were aware of existence of banks. A national seminar on micro finance will be held at the College in the near future

January 24-Feb 26, 2008 Dr. Amarjit Singh serves as temporary Acting Principal from January 24 to February 24 following the resignation of Prof. Gulzari Lal for personal reasons in early January.

February 27, 2008 Prof. Ram Chandra Sharma is appointed Principal.

March 19, 2008 Ms. Mauna Kaushik and Dr. Arun, specializing in naturopathy visit the college to explore Aurvedic and other programs of study at the college.

April 4, 2008 An exhibition of Village Life in Rajasthan is opened at The College of New Jersey by Dean Susan Albertine. The project consists of photos of life in and around Malsisar taken by the students of The Class of 2006. The project was organized by Prof. (Mrs.) Barbara Lipton and Prof. (Mrs.) Eleanor Hope McCarthy.

May 19 -26, 2008 Dr. Kaushik visits the college and has meetings with Hon. L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Dr. (mrs.) Kanti Singh, MOS for Tourism, Dr. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Comission for Women, Hon. Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, former Minister of Defense, Civil Aviation and Rural Development, and Dr. N.K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, Un iversity of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Dr. Kaushik also visited with the District Magistrate and Collector Shri Dinesh Kumar and other district officers.

May 21, 2008 Shri J.P. Verma retires as Secretary of the College after 10 years of dedicated and active service so as to be able to spend more time with his family and grandchildren. He will continue to be of service and assistance to the College to the best of his ability and health.

May 25, 2008 A luncheon meeting was hosted by the college for the people of Gokhri and Malsisar. Guests from Jhunjhunu, Bagar, Chirawa, Pilani, Kithana, Jaipur and other towns also attended. Shri Guljhari Lal Sharma, Secretary, Seth Motilal College was the chief guest and Shri V.K. Gaur, Block Development Officer, Alsisar Panchayat Samiti was the guest of honor. Leaders of Gokhri and Malsisar expressed their views and suggestions to the college followed by a feast.

July 2008 The college achieved 100 percent examination result in Bachelor of Science, Parts I, II, and III, 100 percent in M.A. (P), 94 percent in B.A. Part I, …percent in B.A. Part II, and 100 percent in B.A. Part III. Congratulations to students and their parents.

July 1, 2008 Academic session 2008-2009 opens. Shri J.K. Chaturvedy supervises and guides the College in the new academic year. Prof. Ram Chandra Sharma continues as Principal.

July 17, 2008 Mr. Shyam Sunder Sharma joins as Administrative Officer.

July 18, 2008 The College acquires a second 42-seater bus for the convenience of students traveling to the college from small villages around the college not on public bus routes.

July 29, 2008 Dr. Kaushik calls on the Hon. Member of Parliament Smt. Ranjit Ranjan and invites her to the Convocation on August 8.

July 30, 2008 Dr. Julian Silk of New York gives a lecture on economic subsidies as public policy at the College.

July 31, 2008 Dr. Kaushik meets with vocalist Shri Rajkumar Rizvi and his family of singers and invites them to perform at the College on August 7. Dr. Kaushik gives an interview to Doordarsan reporter Rajesh Yadav.

July 31, 2008 Dr. Kaushik calls on the Hon. Union Minister of State for HRD Shri M.A.A. Fatmi in Delhi and the Hon. Member of Parliament Shri Devendra Yadav and invites them to the Convocation on August 8.

August 1, 2008 Dr. Kaushik calls on Dr. Girija Vyas, Cairperson of the National Commission for Women, Hon. Union Cabimet Minister of Mines Shri Sis Ram Ola, and Hon. Union Minister of Fertilizers, and Chemicals Shri Ram Vilas Paswan and invites them to the Convocation on August 8.

Dr. Kaushik is interviewed by Doordarsan reporter Dr. O.P. Yadav, and others.

August 3, 2008 Dr. Kaushik calls on Hon. Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan Dr. N.K. Jain.

Dr. Kaushik calls on the District administration – Collector Shri T. Ravikant, IAS, SP Dr. B.L. Sharma, RPS, Addl. SPShri M.L. Maheshwari, RPS, and other officers and invites them to the Convocation on August 8.

August 4, 2008 Dr. Kaushik Chairs Malsisar Ramlila Mandal’s function to distribute books and clothing to poor elementary children in Malsisar schools.

Dr. Kaushik and the College staff prepare for the arrival of Hon. Ministers and MPs on August 8.

August 7, 2008 The Rajkumar Rizvi Family and other musicians give an enchanting musical evening of Bhajans, Ghazals and popular film songs from 10 pm to 2 am at the College.

August 8, 2008 The Seventh Graduation and Convocation took place with great pomp and circumstance in cap and gown on August 8, 2008 when 56 students received their certificates of completion of B.A., B.Sc. M.A. and M.Sc. degrees of the University of Rajasthan. The Hon. Ministers and MPs could not travel out of Delhi either because of an emergency Cabinet Meeting or poor weather but the district administration was represented by SP Dr. Sharma and Addl. Sp. Shri Maheshwari, and other officers.

Another group of 100 students of the Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s Education College College have extraordinary examination results in their B.Ed. examination in 2008: 7 with Distinction, 95 with First Division, and 5 with high Second Division.

It is also remarkable that more than 90 percent of students at the College are OBC, SC-ST, and Minority category in addition to being dependent only on income from farming and small trades - skilled in pottery marking, carpentry, barbers, weavers, cobblers, gardeners, jewelers, etc. Our students come from some more than 50 villages in the 30-kilometer radius around the College.

The College is very proud of its students for their high results in the University examinations, support to them from their parents and families, lecturers, staff, public officials in Rajasthan and at the Center who support this movement to educate rural women at the higher education level.

September 13, 2008 Dr. Kaushik attended a reception for the Hon. Union Minister Vayalar Ravi at the India House in New York and invites him to visit the College.

September 14, 2008 Dr. Kaushik greets the new Consul General His Excellency Ambassador Prabhu Dayal to New York. Dr. Kaushik also greets the visiting delegation of FICCI Ladies Organization at a reception at the India House.

September 19, 2008 Dr. Kaushik calls on Dr. A.M. Gondane, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, and updates him on the progress of Mrs. Helena Kaushik Women’s College from 1999 to 2008.

September 21, 2008 Dr. Kaushik attended celebration of the 95^th birthday of Mrs. Margaret Mead Gunn by her family and friends in Bedford, Massachesetts, USA. Mrs. Gunn, herself a college graduate in biology from Michigan State University in 1934, has been a friend and contributor to the development of the College including scholarships, water tank, lab rooms, hostel and the Guest House. The College wishes her many happy returns on her birthday on September 22^nd.

September 25, 2008Dr. Kaushik attended India Conference organized by CII and other organizations and greets the Chief Guest Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India, and the Keynote Speaker at the Luncheon Dr. Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary of State of the United States.

September 27, 2008 Dr. Kaushik attended a reception for Honorable Sandy Galef, Member, New York State Assembly, and greets the Chief Guest Hon. Nita Lowey, Member, U.S. House of Representatives.

September 27, 2008 Dr. Kaushik attended a reception given by His Excellency Ambassador Ronendra and Mrs. Kalpana Sen in honor of the Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur. The Prime Minister has been a big supporter of the College. Dr. Kaushik invited the Prime Minister to the College.

September 30, 2008 Dr. Kaushik attended a reception and conversation with the Hon. Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs, India at the Asia Society in New York City. Dr. Kaushik invited Hon. Minister of External Affairs to the College.