Daily Archives: April 7, 2016

Now, a school to help chess prodigies make the right move

Thiruvananthapuram:

“Chess is everything; art, science and sport.” So said Russian grandmaster Anatoly Karpov once, and the Capablanca Chess School, the new centre in the city offering professional training in the game of chess, will base its tutoring upon this theory.

“Though there are several coaching centres across the country for chess, ours is the first-of-its-kind which attempts to promote chess at grassroots level. Incorporating yoga, meditation and counselling into the professional training programme, we aim at overall cognitive and psychological development of every student,” says Vijin Babu, one of the three founders of the chess school. Mayor V K Prasanth inaugurated the school on Wednesday.

Though the founders expect a major chunk of their students to be children, adults are also welcome. The two-hour classes will be split into an hour for teaching chess skills followed by an hour of game to put the newly acquired skills to practice.

“Chess is like mathematics. If you learn the right tricks in an interesting way, you can master it. Every great chess player has in some way received professional training which has helped him approach the game scientifically. We, here, will help the students in understanding the notations, theory and the language of the game,” Babu, who is also a district level champion and national player, said. As a part of the curriculum, the school will conduct regular tournaments where students will face players from across the state, he added.

Two-time state champion Sreekumar P will be the principal, and the school will have three permanent faculty members and several guest lecturers. “I have an experience of over 20 years in teaching chess. Studies have revealed that a well-trained chess player will have better memory retention and cognitive ability,” he said. Chess players are eligible for grace-marks at school and PSC examinations, which makes it an even more worthwhile game to pursue, he added.

There will be regular weekday and weekend batches at the school, which is situated Kochulloor.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / April 01dt, 2016

Three-day Science Congress Begins

Kochi :

Aathree-day ‘Children’s Science Congress- 2016’ (Balasasthra Vijnanotsavam – 2016) to identify the best talented students in the field of science and to mould the next young generation of scientists began here on Tuesday.

J Letha, Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) inaugurated the event in which 150 students from 14 districts are participating.

The programme, organised by the International School of Photonics and Center for Science in Society, Cusat, is being held under the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL 2015), which aims to raise global awareness on the social, economic and developmental role of light and optical technologies.

Many eminent scholars from Cusat campus will be training and guiding the students participating in the Science Congress. Various exhibits on lights and technologies is also on display at the congress.

The main attraction of the fair is the live 3D simulator which displays 3D images in 360 degrees which can be seen by naked eyes. The 3-day camp will also include various entertainment programme for students. The students will also be able to experience the experiments which will be conducted during the program. The exhibition will be a great experience for the young master minds in science.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service / April 06th, 2016

The feel of books to fill up hearts

PusthakanaviruKERALA07apr2016

The Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature organised ‘Pusthakaniravu 2016’ to mark the granting of classical status to Malayalam language.

Magic Academy chairperson Gopinath Muthukad inaugurated ‘Pusthakaniravu’ at a function held at the Public Service Commission (PSC) office on Wednesday.

In govt. offices

The Institute Director Paul Manalil presided over the function.

The event is being organised in government offices and other institutions to inculcate love for the mother tongue and reading habit in children through their parents.

Competitions

As part of the event, competitions involving the children of the employees, book exhibition, and cultural events were held.

The sale and exhibition of books will be on at the examination hall at the PSC office on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Discount

Those who purchase one copy each of all the books in stock will be given 50 per cent discount.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Staff Reporter / Thiruvananthapuram – April 07th, 2016