‘Can't think of any postgraduate who hasn't been absorbed into some industry by end of course': asst prof at SPPU's Department of Foreign Languages
Written by Kavyaa Musurkar
At the Department of Foreign Languages in Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), learning a new language is no longer just a leisurely pursuit. Over the years, the department has seen a shift in its student profile – from hobbyists to working professionals, students to senior citizens, all looking to boost their employability and global mobility.
'The demand keeps changing – some years it's one language, other years it's another,' said Dr Nandita Wagle, Assistant Professor, who has been teaching French and is associated with the department since 2013. 'During admissions, especially after Class 10 or 12, nearly all languages see demand, except perhaps Russian. However, in Pune, French, German, and Japanese continue to draw the most interest,' she added.
The diversity of the department's student body reflects its growing relevance. Wagle mentioned that while most of those undergoing the various courses are students, they also have a substantial number of working professionals; in fact, many of the learners are above 50.
'Most professionals join because they view the course as an opportunity to enhance or even reshape their careers,' she said.
In 1995, while working with Datapro Infoworld after completing his Computer Engineering from Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT), Pramod Karanjkar enrolled in the department's Japanese language part-time course. 'I was fortunate to be taught by Dr Hari Damale Sensei, who not only taught us the language but also shared his cultural experiences from Japan. He helped us understand the nuances of the language and the values behind it,' Karanjkar said.
During his course, he was offered a position as a Bilingual Engineer in the Japan-focused division of Datamatics Ltd. 'Within six months, I was interacting with a Japanese client who visited India. Soon after, I flew to Japan for a new project. The education I received, both language and culture, helped me take that leap. I eventually got the opportunity to lead a dedicated Japan Offshore Development Centre in Pune,' he added.
In the same batch as Karanjkar was Dattatray Sadashiv Warunkar, then in his 40s, who completed all three levels of the Japanese course between 1997 and 1999. He also credited Damale's teaching for shaping his understanding of the Japanese language and values. 'We got the chance to interact with many native Japanese speakers who visited the department. Through conversations with them, I learned so much about their discipline, dedication, humility, and above all, their love for their country. These are qualities I think Indian citizens can benefit from adopting,' he said.
Warunkar went on to serve as Vice President of the Japanese Language Teachers' Association of Pune (JALTAP) for 15 years after completing the course. He fondly recalled how being in the classroom with younger students gave him a fresh outlook on life. 'I loved talking with them. They had so much energy and joy. It inspired me to take life lightly, to laugh more, and live happily. I learned as much from the students around me as I did from the curriculum,' he added.
The department has adapted its curriculum and teaching methods in step with changing times. 'Our courses are updated regularly,' Wagle said, adding that 'Post-Covid, many classes moved online. We now run hybrid batches. Faculty members are trained in digital teaching tools utilising smart boards, online textbooks, and other resources. Students also have the option of choosing between paper and e-book formats.'
She explained that language education today is deeply connected with real-world career needs. 'Earlier, people came to learn a language out of cultural interest. Today, it's seen as a skill that adds value to any career path,' she said, adding that 'for many, it opens doors to opportunities abroad, or adds a global edge to their current profession.'
'Teaching and translation are traditional options, but many also work in management, localisation, verification services, or with embassies and consulates,' Wagle further said. 'With the way the economy has opened up, language learners can find employment in a variety of roles. I can't think of a single postgraduate who hasn't been absorbed into some industry or the other by the end of the course,' she added.
(Kavyaa Masurkar is an intern with The Indian Express)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran hints at Strait of Hormuz closure. How will it impact Indian crude imports?
Amid its ongoing conflict with Israel and the US, Iran has hinted it may close the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbours. The passage facilitates the daily supply of about a fifth of the world's oil, Bloomberg reported. (File photo) Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz,(REUTERS) Not just global, the closure of this strait may impact India's energy security as well, some experts have said. Tehran indicated the strait's closure for shipping after the US military struck three of Iran's key nuclear facilities. When asked about the closure, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, "A variety of options are available to Iran." Will closure hurt India? About 40 per cent of India's supplies are sourced from Middle East nations such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. These countries export crude oil to India through the Strait of Hormuz. About 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, a significant portion of India's total imports, is sent through the passage. While there is a significant portion that India sources from the Middle Eastern countries, there is still less likelihood of a big impact on its oil supply if the strait is shut, news agency PTI reported. This is because India mostly imports Russian oil which uses the Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, or the Pacific Ocean for its passage, and not the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar, India's principal gas supplier, also does not use the Strait of Hormuz for supplies. Similarly, India's other sources for LNG supply in Australia, Russia and the US would also not be impacted by the strait's closure. Impact on imports from Saudi, Iraq India's crude oil imports from Iraq, and to an extent from Saudi Arabia, will be impacted if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, said Dr Laxman Kumar Behera, Associate Professor at Special Centre for National Security Studies at JNU. Besides, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed even briefly, it will impact oil markets significantly, a recent analysis by the International Energy Agency showed. "With geopolitical and economic uncertainties affecting oil producers and consumers alike, oil supply security remains high on the international energy policy agenda," it said. Nearly 30 per cent of global oil and one-third of the world's LNG (liquefied natural gas) use the Strait of Hormuz for their passage. Its closure could have significant global repercussions, including costlier rerouting of oil shipments and an impact on the currencies of the countries in the region. Will Iran shut Strait of Hormuz? Ever since the Israel-Iran conflict began on June 13, Iran has hinted at closing the Strait of Hormuz. Apart from the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, had also said closing the Strait of Hormuz is an option. Despite this, a prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption is very unlikely. The Strait of Hormuz not only deals with exports of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, but also of Iran itself. China is the number one importer of Iranian oil at 47 per cent of its seaborne crude, reportedly accounting for over three-quarters of its oil exports. Hence, while the Strait of Hormuz closure stands to impact global oil markets, it also would prove counterproductive for Iran. Iran, which is already in a geopolitical conflict with Israel and the US, is likely to risk international military escalation with this key passage closure.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Hard-Hitting World Leaves EU Soft Power Stranded
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Last week, with uncertainty raging over whether the US would join Israel in striking Iran, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto delivered an elegy for a soft-power Europe that looked stranded in a hard-power world. 'We talk about Europe as if Europe counted for something,' he said. 'But its time is over, and I say it with sadness.' It turned out to be a fitting prelude to the weekend's events as Europe's last-ditch push for diplomacy with Tehran ended with American bombers striking Iranian nuclear sites. It speaks to wider anxiety over Europe's geopolitical future as drones and missiles continue to pound Ukraine, tensions rise in the Taiwan strait and the Middle East erupts. Yes, the combination of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump has finally stung the European Union out of complacency, with the prospect of rearmament projects worth €800 billion ($920 billion) sending share prices soaring and industrial capacity whirring into life. German weapons maker Rheinmetall AG, for example, is outperforming tech darling Nvidia Corp. and taking Gucci parent Kering SA's place on the Euro Stoxx 50 index. Yet at the same time, we're a long way from a European defense worthy of the name. Even as military budgets flip to feast from famine, political willpower is showing signs of strain, as are supply chains after decades of undernourishment. Dependence on US security and Chinese components runs deep, making much-needed strategic autonomy look entirely theoretical. And fragmentation along national lines is hampering economies of scale: A new analysis by the Kiel Institute and Bruegel finds Europe has credibly boosted production of artillery shells and howitzers, while output of tanks and infantry vehicles still falls well short of matching Russia's — which would require a sixfold increase. Last week's Paris Air Show showed some of these mixed signals: As the Dassault Aviation SA Rafale circled the skies and Italy's Leonardo SpA talked up industry consolidation, grumbles from some on the sidelines suggested firm orders remain slow and joint platforms lack unity. Rheinmetall's announcement of a partnership with US venture-backed Anduril also raised eyebrows among those who would have preferred to see European startups benefit. A revolution is needed on several levels as North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders prepare to meet in the Hague to agree on future spending — with 2% of gross domestic product becoming a bare minimum. With Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimating that spending by euro members will reach 2.8% of GDP by 2027, fiscal divides are still too obvious between countries that aspire to boost their militaries and and those that can actually afford to, with Germany's new position as the world's fourth-biggest military spender pretty much in a league of its own. Incentives like an escape clause from EU fiscal rules and tapping a new €150 billion defense fund are only a start: More levers need to be pulled, from the European Investment Bank's balance sheet to a more defense-focused EU budget. Pension funds will also need to join the effort on a continent that tends to invest its savings abroad. And while defense is firmly within the remit of national member states, there needs to be a serious attempt at knocking down the barriers to a true continental market for materiel. Joint procurement is low and duplication high, with 17 battle tanks on offer in Europe versus one in the US, according to management consultancy firm BCG. Instead of waiting for a Yalta-style moment where leaders agree on how to divide and allocate responsibilities, strong players like France should lead by example with more support for pan-EU collaboration. More industry consolidation may help here, perhaps along the same lines as Franco-German plane-maker Airbus SE. But even more than Airbuses, Europe needs more tech-savvy Andurils of its own. The US currently outspends Europe on research and development by 10-fold; the future of warfare may belong as much to unmanned drones and artificial intelligence as B-52 bombers or F-16s. That means encouraging collaboration between defense and startups, promoting a strong research ecosystem and integrating capital markets. It's not too late to give the old continent a shot of strength. More from Bloomberg Opinion: This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist writing about the future of money and the future of Europe. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes. More stories like this are available on
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Strait of Hormuz Closure? India sitting pretty on oil front, no worries on gas at all
Agencies Representative Image US strikes on Iran's three main nuclear facilities have once again raised concerns that Tehran might shut down the Strait of Hormuz - one of the world's most critical chokepoints, through which a fifth of global oil and gas supply flows. For India, the Strait of Hormuz is important as about 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil out of its total import of 5.5 million bpd transits through the narrow waterway. Having diversified its sources of imports, New Delhi, however, is unlikely to lose sleep even if the Strait is shut down, as alternative sources - from Russia to the US and Brazil - are readily available to fill any void, industry officials and analysts said. Russian oil is logistically detached from the Strait of Hormuz, flowing via the Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, or the Pacific Ocean. Even US, West African, and Latin American flows - though costlier - are increasingly viable backup options. On gas, India's principal supplier Qatar does not use the Strait of Hormuz for supplies to India. India's other sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Australia, Russia and the US would be untouched by any closure. The heightened tensions in the world's largest energy supply basket would however have a near-term impact on prices, with oil prices likely to jump to USD 80 per barrel, analysts said. India is 90 per cent dependent on imports to meet its crude oil needs and buys roughly half of its natural gas from overseas. While crude oil is turned into fuels like petrol and diesel in refineries, natural gas is used for generating electricity, making fertilisers, and turned into CNG for running automobiles or piped to household kitchens for cooking. Here is a Factbox on the Strait of Hormuz and the emerging energy scenario: GEOGRAPHY: The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The narrow channel, approximately 21 miles (33 kilometres) wide at the narrowest point, separates Iran (north) from the Arabian Peninsula (south). But shipping lanes in the waterway are even narrower - two miles wide in each direction, making them vulnerable to attacks and threats of being shut down. LIFEBLOOD OF GLOBAL OIL & GAS: The Strait of Hormuz is of great strategic and economic importance, especially as oil tankers collecting from various ports on the Persian Gulf must pass through the strait. It serves as the maritime artery through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas flows. In 2024, daily shipments averaged 20.3 million barrels of oil and 290 million cubic meters of LNG, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The bulk of oil exports from regional powerhouses - Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Qatar, Iran, and Kuwait - must transit this narrow waterway. In the past, it was the West - chiefly the US and Europe - that stood most exposed to disruption in Persian Gulf energy flows but today it is China and Asia that would bear the brunt of any closure. According to the EIA, 82 per cent of the crude oil and condensate exports passing through the Strait of Hormuz in 2022 were destined for Asia, with India, China, Japan, and South Korea accounting for 67 per cent of total flows in 2022 and the first half of 2023. India imports about 90 per cent of its crude oil, with over 40 per cent of those imports originating from Middle Eastern countries whose exports transit the Strait of Hormuz. You Might Also Like: Strait of Hormuz: The world's most important oil artery The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stated that any disruption to flows through the Strait would have significant consequences for world oil markets. THREATS OF CLOSURE: Iran has only made noise so far about closing the Strait, but has never shut it down. This time around too, some Iranian leaders have reportedly called for disrupting oil transit in retaliation for US involvement in Iran's conflict with Israel. During the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988, both nations targeted commercial vessels in the Gulf in what came to be known as the Tanker War - yet the Strait of Hormuz was never fully closed. In 2011 and 2012, Iranian officials, including then-Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi warned of a potential closure of the waterway if the West slapped further sanctions on its oil exports over its nuclear program. Iran in 2018 threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz when tensions spiked following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the reimposition of sanctions. In 2019, four ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE, amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States during Donald Trump's first term. Washington blamed Tehran for the attacks, but Iran denied the allegations. In April 2024, Iranian armed forces seized a container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating regional tensions following a deadly Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria. IS CLOSURE POSSIBLE? Many experts consider a prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption less likely due to the US naval presence. Besides hurting exports of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, any Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz would affect its exports as well. While Iranian hardliners have threatened closure, and state media have warned of oil spiking to USD 400 per barrel, analysis by global trade analytics firm Kpler assigns "a very low probability" to a full blockade, citing strong disincentives for Iran. China, Iran's largest oil customer (which imports 47 per cent of its seaborne crude from the Middle East Gulf), would be directly impacted. The world's second-largest economy is the number one importer of Iranian oil, reportedly accounting for over three-quarters of its oil exports. Iran's reliance on Hormuz for oil exports via Kharg Island (handles 96 per cent of its exports) makes self-blockade counterproductive. Additionally, Tehran has made deliberate efforts over the past two years to rebuild ties with key regional actors, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of which rely heavily on the Strait for exports and have publicly condemned Israel's actions. Sabotaging their flows would risk unravelling those diplomatic gains. A closure would also provoke international military retaliation. Any Iranian naval build-up would be detectable in advance, likely triggering a preemptive US and allied response, according to Kpler. "At most, isolated sabotage efforts could disrupt flows for 24-48 hours, the estimated time required for US forces to neutralise Iran's conventional naval assets." Any such move would provoke military retaliation and diplomatic fallout with Oman, undermining Iran's own backchannels with the US At most, Iran might attempt short-term sabotage operations that disrupt flows for 24-48 hours, not a prolonged shutdown, Kpler said. "Despite repeated threats, Iran has never closed the Strait of Hormuz due to the strategic and economic costs," said Hitesh Jain, Strategist, Institutional Equities Research at Yes Securities. Instead, Tehran uses the threat as a diplomatic lever. PRICES: Global oil prices surged following Israel's wave of attacks on Iranian military leaders, residential buildings, army bases and nuclear sites on June 13. Tehran responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles. The escalation led to a spike in oil prices, reflecting increased geopolitical risk and supply disruption fears. Benchmark Brent crude oil prices have shot up to USD 77 per barrel, up 10 per cent since the conflict started. Oil analysts at Goldman Sachs warn that oil prices could exceed USD 90 if the conflict escalates. Brent crude prices could surge to nearly USD 90 a barrel if the Strait of Hormuz were closed, analysts at Citigroup said. Rating agency Icra said any escalation in the conflict in the area could significantly impact prices. IMPACT ON INDIA: India sources about 40 per cent of its supplies from Middle East nations such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. These countries export crude oil to India through the Strait of Hormuz route. In recent years, Russia has emerged as a key supplier and imports from Moscow are now more than the combined flow from the Middle East. Indian refiners imported 2-2.2 million bpd of Russian crude oil in June - the highest in the last two years and more than the about 2 million bpd bought from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, preliminary trade data from Kpler showed. Also, imports from the United States have risen 439,000 bpd in June, a big jump from 280,000 bpd purchased in the previous month. While supplies remain unaffected so far, vessel activity suggests a decline in crude loadings from the Middle East in the coming days. Shipowners are hesitant to send empty tankers (ballasters) into the Gulf, with the number of such vessels dropping from 69 to just 40, and (Middle-East and Gulf) MEG-bound signals from the Gulf of Oman halving. This suggests that current MEG supplies are likely to tighten in the near term, potentially triggering future adjustments in India's sourcing strategy, Kpler said adding India's import strategy has evolved significantly over the past two years. Russian oil (Urals, ESPO, Sokol) is logistically detached from Hormuz, flowing via the Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, or the Pacific Ocean. Indian refiners have built refining and payment flexibility, while optimizing runs for a wider crude slate. Even US, West African, and Latin American flows - though costlier - are increasingly viable backup options. India's June volumes from Russia and the US confirm this resilience-oriented mix. ALTERNATIVE SOURCES: If conflict deepens or there is any short-term disruption in Hormuz - Russian barrels will rise in share, offering both physical availability and pricing relief. India may pivot harder toward the US, Nigeria, Angola, and Brazil, albeit at higher freight costs. Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on June 13 stated that India has adequate energy supplies for the coming months and can easily tap into alternate sources in case of any disruption. India can also release oil from its strategic reserves (covering 9-10 days of imports) to bridge any shortfall. The government can also consider price subsidies to curb inflation if domestic prices spike, especially for diesel and LPG. IMPACT OF HIGH PRICES: Higher oil prices in the near term would erode the margins state fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) have accumulated by keeping retail prices steady even when international rates had dropped. Jain of Yes Securities said oil markets appear well-supplied, with OPEC's 4 million barrels per day spare capacity and a pre-conflict global surplus of 0.9 million bpd providing a buffer. The rise of US shale adds further resilience.
