Five girls students of the department of linguistics, foreign and Indian languages (DLFIL) have managed to do what no one has been able to for 30 years. They have cleared the BA (additional) German literature, an examination that was instituted in 1978 by the Nagpur University.
Priti Chhabra, Kalyani Tatke, Neha Rawal, Geeta Pitale and Sampada Apte were beaming when TOI met them on Thursday. All are past students of DLFIL and the first four are now serving in the same department.
“It’s indeed a proud moment for us as our students managed to pass the examination with flying colours,” a beaming head of department P D Nimsarkar said.
He added that the course was introduced in 1978 by the late Pramod Deo, who was reader and lecturer for German language in the DLFIL. According to Nimasarkar, the achievement is all the more commendable as no regular teachers or guidance were provided to them while preparing for the exam. “All of them have achieved success with their sincerity, dedication and commitment,” Nimasarkar informed.
Former student and teacher of this department, Sunita Gaikwad who was the motivating force for these girls and one who actually guided them to have a go at the exam, told TOI that since the German literature examination was very tough only a handful of students actually attempt it. ‘Foreign languages in demand’
Nagpur: The course for German literature was less popular among students as the eligibility for appearing in the examination is the three-year higher diploma in German language from any university, informs head of the department of DLFIL P D Nimsarkar. “Initially, foreign languages were not so popular. Students who were interested were not keen to move to higher diploma or above level, and hence existence of a course like German literature was not known to students. However, things have undergone a change and foreign languages are sought after by students right from their schooldays,” he said.
“Basically, German grammar is one of the toughest among all foreign languages. Moreover, it’s a three-year course crammed into one year, hence students find it little tough to study,” says Sunita Gaikwad, former student and present German teacher of the DLFIL.
Preeti, the seniormost student, said that it was the support of teachers S Natarajan and MKN Yenkee that helped them clear the hurdle in the first attempts. “Initially, the course seemed tough. Course material was not available too. Moreover, we were working women. But we decided to give it a shot. We collected notes from the internet and old books, and also studied together,” she said. Kalyani said the studies helped them to learn the intrinsic nature of the language and they would now be teaching their students in the department.
Priti Chhabra, Kalyani Tatke, Neha Rawal, Geeta Pitale and Sampada Apte were beaming when TOI met them on Thursday. All are past students of DLFIL and the first four are now serving in the same department.
“It’s indeed a proud moment for us as our students managed to pass the examination with flying colours,” a beaming head of department P D Nimsarkar said.
He added that the course was introduced in 1978 by the late Pramod Deo, who was reader and lecturer for German language in the DLFIL. According to Nimasarkar, the achievement is all the more commendable as no regular teachers or guidance were provided to them while preparing for the exam. “All of them have achieved success with their sincerity, dedication and commitment,” Nimasarkar informed.
Former student and teacher of this department, Sunita Gaikwad who was the motivating force for these girls and one who actually guided them to have a go at the exam, told TOI that since the German literature examination was very tough only a handful of students actually attempt it. ‘Foreign languages in demand’
Nagpur: The course for German literature was less popular among students as the eligibility for appearing in the examination is the three-year higher diploma in German language from any university, informs head of the department of DLFIL P D Nimsarkar. “Initially, foreign languages were not so popular. Students who were interested were not keen to move to higher diploma or above level, and hence existence of a course like German literature was not known to students. However, things have undergone a change and foreign languages are sought after by students right from their schooldays,” he said.
“Basically, German grammar is one of the toughest among all foreign languages. Moreover, it’s a three-year course crammed into one year, hence students find it little tough to study,” says Sunita Gaikwad, former student and present German teacher of the DLFIL.
Preeti, the seniormost student, said that it was the support of teachers S Natarajan and MKN Yenkee that helped them clear the hurdle in the first attempts. “Initially, the course seemed tough. Course material was not available too. Moreover, we were working women. But we decided to give it a shot. We collected notes from the internet and old books, and also studied together,” she said. Kalyani said the studies helped them to learn the intrinsic nature of the language and they would now be teaching their students in the department.