|
| Calcutta University Science College Alumni Association |
c/o Dr. Tarak Bhar
2008 Great Falls Street, McLean, VA 22101, USA
Email: dsom@cpcweb.com
or tbhar@erols.com
Newsletter Volume 1.1 November 1997 The leaves have started to turn colors, the gorgeous summer afternoons are slowly fading into memory and the day start and end with a nip in the air. Fall is here as yet another year has gone by. But it has been a year that all of us should be proud of Calcutta University Science College Alumni Association (CUSCAA), which was but a dream when a few among us talked about it in the Fall of '95, has become a reality. It has already created a link between us and our alma mater, the Calcutta University Science College. Originally, the idea was that in the Washington area, a forum needed to be established that would bring together the alumni of the great institution. When the first flier was circulated during the Puja Festival in 1995, the initial callers had no idea about the kind of response it would generate. And yet by May 1996, when the Alumni Association was formally inaugurated, it had collected a roomful of members and a page full of agenda. Members voted for the name CUSCAA in this meeting and made another important decision: CUSCAA will not have elected office-bearers; there will be a Working Committee to carry on the routine activities but the idea is to involve as many members as possible in all its activities. It was decided that CUSCAA would establish communications with all the departments in the Science College and provide support that may be necessary from time to time. was decided that CUSCAA would supply books, publications and other information upon request to the departments of the Science College, provide information and assistance to students coming to the US for higher studies, encourage interaction in a reciprocal manner and arrange seminars for the visiting members. CUSCAA held its first annual get-together for its members in
November 1996, when the first annual general meeting was held. This meeting approved the
brochure, formed the Working Committee and resolved to move forward. The meeting ended
with a cultural program.
The annual meeting was followed by an exciting and truly
enjoyable cultural programs like
CUSCAA members enjoying a very palatable and delicious dinner with varieties of foods and sweets. By the time CUSCAA held an outdoor picnic in May 1997, it not merely turned out to be a great success as a social event it actually celebrated the fact that its efforts were receiving serious attention from our alma mater. The Physics Department had asked for some books and the Computer Center had asked for some software. We have recently sent some books and the software to them which was highly appreciated. And yet we have only begun. We have a lot more to do. One of the
things we will be pursuing this year is to involve more people from North America who are
what hey are today because Established In May ‘96 In Washington D.C., CUSCAA wants to promote a continuing relationship between its members and the various departments of the Calcutta University Science College. In view of the limited resources currently available with the organization and its members, it has been decided that the association will focus on the following areas: a) provide information/support to undergraduate /graduate students
coming to the US for higher studies.
e) CUSCAA will organize fund-raising events In the future when its activities expand. EVENTS Since inception, the following activities have taken place: Date: Sunday, May 5, 1996 The meeting was organized to have an initial interaction among the members in the Washington area and to discuss the basic objectives of the Association. A Working Committee was elected to coordinate all the activities. The members agreed to pay an annual membership fee. Date November 16,1996 Almost every member from the area attended the meeting. A brochure containing information about the objectives and future activities of the Association was formed end a Directory containing the names and addresses of members was circulated. it was decided that CUSCAA would contact alumni staying in other parts of North America who would be encouraged, if they so desired, to form their own regional chapters. it was decided that the membership fee would be $20 per year. The members unanimously agreed to continue with the ad hoc Committee which became the Working Committee. The new Committee, however, wanted active participation from more volunteers and as a result, some new members joined the Working Committee. Date: Saturday May 31, 1997
More than 70 CUSCAA members enjoying the annual picnic with varieties of foods and sweets. The picnic was a great success. More than 70 people attended. The weather was great and so was the food. There were party games and some members broke out into spontaneous live music performance. it was a day to remember. COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCIENCE COLLEGE, CALCUTTA Some of our members, Ranjit Dasgupta, Gopal Kundu, Utpal Mukhopadhyay, Madhuchhanda Mukhopadhyay and Tapas Makar visited Calcutta and established contacts with some key persons in the various departments of the College. When Dr. R N. Basu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta and Dr. J. Mondal from the Department of Psychology visited Washington D.C., Tarak Bhar met them and informed them of our initiative. Dr. Basu expressed appreciation on our efforts. CUSCAA and its members have sent the following books and computer software to the Science College. Books: 1. An introduction to Ouantum Field Theory by Peskin and Schroeder
Software: 1. Visual C++ for Windows 3.1 3. Matlab for DOS 6.2/Windows 3.1 We have received a letter of appreciation from the Head of the Department of Physics and the Director, Computer Center, University of Calcutta, acknowledging the receipt of the books and the software. A homepage has been created by Rupam Bhar, son of our member Tarak Bhar containing our goals and objectives on the internet The page also contains a membership application form. We will be periodically updating information on this page. Members are encouraged to send suggestions or information to the homepage. Email in this connection may be sent to : Tbhar@erols.com or, Mukho@aol.com The url for the homepage is http://www.geocities.com/Athens/ Parthenon/1257 Added by the editor on Jan 25,1998: This address is now changed to www.cpcweb.com/cuscaa.html IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Job Opening A suggestion has been made that CUSCAA should publish information about job openings (including summer jobs) in the organizations that the members are associated with. Members willing to share such information should contact Tarak Bhar so that the information can be circulated through the newsletter or the Homepage. Members are requested to check the relevant information about themselves in the Directory which has already been circulated. For changes, they should contact Shyamal Pal at (301)298-8492. Added by the editor on Jan 25,1998: Do not contact Shyamal Pal , please contact Dilip Som @ 301-424-9439 or dsom@cpcweb.com ACTIVITIES IN PROGRESS - Financial Award CUSCAA is proposing to introduce some awards to recognize academic excellence among the first year science college students in the University of Calcutta. Guidelines for these have been formulated and will be finalized in the Second Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on November, 1997. Logo Competition CUSCAA needs to design its own logo as a part of establishing its identity. Members including their family members are requested to design the logo and send it to Tarak Bhar/ Madhuchhanda Mukhopadhyay by November 30, 1997. The Ad hoc committee will select the best entry which will get a token award of $25 as a mark of appreciation. Fund Raising CUSCAA should try to raise funds for expanding its activities. A
suggestion has been made that CUSCAA should print T-shirts and make decals for use by
members and their friends. Members are requested to give their suggestions in this regards
to Tarak Bhar and Madhuchhanda Mukhopadhyay. |
