Political Science Department Activities:
- Arts, Commerce, and Science College, Lasalgaon, organized a program titled ‘Model Assembly/Legislative Assembly’.
“A program was organized where first and second-year Political Science students were given the responsibility of creating a mock legislature. They were tasked with understanding and demonstrating various aspects of the legislative process, including:
Faculty members from The process of lawmaking, drafting of bills, The roles of the ruling and opposition parties, Formation of the cabinet, The role of the Speaker of the Assembly, Functions of the legislature, The administrative officers associated with the legislature
various departments were present to guide the students in effectively fulfilling these roles. “The program commenced with the Governor’s address, setting the tone for the proceedings. Subsequently, the Speaker of the Assembly, Varsha Shinde, provided a detailed explanation of the legislative process, rules, and procedures. She emphasized the crucial role of the opposition as an integral part of a democracy and its significance in keeping the ruling party in check.
Various ministers from the ruling party introduced their respective bills. These bills were then debated upon by members from both the ruling and opposition parties. The concept of starred questions, unstarred questions, and zero hour was elucidated. The entire process of bill passage and subsequent lawmaking in a session was discussed in detail.
Following the inaugural session, seating arrangements were made for all students. Professor Maroti Kandhare provided a comprehensive overview of the legislative process, including the preparation of a draft bill, its first reading, second reading, third reading, and the Governor’s assent. “
- voter Awareness Week: A Successful Initiative
The political science department at nutan Vidya Prasarak Mandal’s Arts, Commerce, and Science College, Lasalgaon, organized a week-long voter awareness campaign from September 17 to 23, 2018. The event, inaugurated by the college principal, Dr. Dinesh Naik, aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the democratic process among students and encourage them to exercise their right to vote.
Political science students played a pivotal role in disseminating information about the importance of voting. They conducted interactive sessions in classrooms, common areas like the college canteen and ground, and even the college prayer hall. The culmination of the week-long campaign was a street rally that concluded at the Lasalgaon bus stop. During this rally, students engaged with the local populace, explaining the voting process, the importance of elections in a democracy, and motivating them to participate in the electoral process.
The initiative proved to be highly successful. Out of the college’s 2200 students, 291 who had recently turned 18 years old were encouraged to register as new voters. The department collected necessary documents from 54 students, facilitating their voter registration.
Under the guidance of Prof. Maroti Kandhare, the political science department successfully executed this voter awareness initiative.
- Educational Visit to the Maharashtra State Legislature, Mumbai, During the Winter Session
a field trip to the Maharashtra State Legislature was organized on 28/02/2019. The students first visited the iconic Gateway of India, a symbol of British colonial rule in India. Subsequently, they toured the renowned Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The highlight of the trip was the visit to the Maharashtra State Legislature, where students witnessed the actual functioning of the legislative body.
This educational excursion proved to be a transformative experience, providing students with a firsthand understanding of the state government’s functioning. They were able to observe the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Council and gained insights into the roles of MLAs and ministers. This practical exposure complemented their theoretical knowledge acquired through textbooks and media.
The students’ enthusiasm and curiosity were evident throughout the trip. The trip was meticulously planned and executed by Prof. Maroti Khandare. This educational initiative has undoubtedly enriched the students’ knowledge and understanding of the legislative process.
- “On December 26, 2018, a group discussion was held for students of the Political Science, Economics, and English departments. The topics of discussion included the causes and solutions to farmer suicides, and whether farmer loan waivers are an effective solution to prevent suicides. Various other related topics were also explored.”
- The subject of ‘Local Self-Government Institutions in Maharashtra’ has been included in the academic curriculum. To provide students with firsthand knowledge of these institutions, an educational field trip was organized on April 27, 2024, to Hiware Bazar, renowned as the best Gram Panchayat in Maharashtra. All students participated in this excursion.”
- Remedial Teaching Method:
Upon admission to the university, students undergo a month-long orientation program. Following this, they are assessed through written and oral examinations to evaluate their abilities and intellectual capacity. Those identified as underperforming are subjected to various interventions. These interventions may include.Showing inspiring films, fostering a love for extracurricular reading, and emphasizing the value of education.
The primary objective of this remedial teaching method is to bridge the academic gap between underperforming students and their peers.
- Newspaper Reading Training
Media has now permeated the entire world. News, analysis, in-depth information on various fields such as social, political, economic, religious, and educational can be found in newspapers. Experts from various fields write extensively. However, students, comparatively, do not read newspapers. And even if they do, they do not know what to read and what not to. Therefore, a newspaper reading training program is organized every year for all students of the political science department. All students are given training in reading through a presentation.
- Students who opt for the Arts stream often find fewer job opportunities compared to those in the Science and Commerce streams. To address this gap and provide guidance to Political Science students, a special program has been designed.
This program aims to explore the diverse career paths available to Arts graduates. It covers a wide range of fields including:
Competitive Examinations: Information about various competitive exams suitable for Arts graduates will be provided.
Journalism: The program will delve into the world of journalism and the career paths it offers.
Judiciary: Opportunities in the judiciary, such as law and legal services, will be discussed.
District Selection Committee Posts: Information about government jobs filled through the District Selection Committee will be shared.
Education Sector: The program will highlight the various teaching and educational roles available to Arts graduates.
To make this program comprehensive, experts from different fields, government officials, and professors from the Political Science department will be invited to provide guidance and insights. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive a well-rounded understanding of their career prospects.”
- “On January 25, 2020, the Department of Political Science organized an essay competition on the theme ‘Electoral Literacy for a Strong Democracy’. Many students participated in this competition. The top three participants were selected and awarded prizes to encourage students to write and read more. Such competitions are regularly organized by the Department of Political Science with the primary objective of promoting reading and writing among students.
10) Every year a welcome ceremony is organized for second year students.
11) Every year a farewell ceremony is organized for third year students
12) Organizing field visits/excursions for students.
13) class room seminar and group discussion etc. to organize.