Updated on 08 Nov, 2021
Prof. Santosh Panda
Director
Dr. Santosh Panda, a professor of distance education since 1997 at the Staff Training and Research Institute, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India, started university teaching in 1984. An Economics graduate, he has MPhil and Ph.D. (Education), Certificate in EdTV (BBC, UK), Certificate in Online Learning (University Maryland), and Fulbright Post-doctorate (UNM, USA). His past assignments include: Assistant Professor at dual-mode Kurukshetra University; Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor at IGNOU; Director, Association of Indian Universities; Founding Director, erstwhile Inter-University Consortium (IUC) for ICT, IGNOU; Director, Centre for Flexible & Distance Learning, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; and Chairperson, National Council for Teacher Education (a statutory regulator of Government of India), New Delhi/India. During the academic and administrative career spanning over last 35 years, he has taught various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses at Kurukshetra University, IGNOU, University of New Mexico/USA, and University of Maryland/USA. Also he has been visiting professor at University of London, Manchester Metropolitan University, Beijing Normal University, and University of Gaudalajara/Mexico.
During the past 35 years of teaching, research and administration career, Dr. Panda has extensively worked in areas of: educational planning and economics of education; higher education planning, management and accreditation; open, distance, online and blended learning; and teacher education. His current and past teaching of courses/programmes include: IGNOU – postgraduate diploma in e-learning, M.A. in distance education (economics of distance education, communication technology for distance education, curriculum development for distance education), M.Phil and Ph.D. in distance education; University of New Mexico - management of distance education (Grad course), and research in distance education (Doc course); University of Maryland – management of distance education-cost analysis; Kurukshetra University – MA (edn), MPhil and Ph.D. (edn.). As coordinator of international programmes in distance education at IGNOU, Dr. Panda expanded the programmes, then offered in 24 countries, sponsored by RGF, COL, UNESCO, SADC, World Bank and ADB. He was national coordinator and developed DEC-NCTE National M.Ed programme.
Engaged in extensive policy and professional development activities, Dr. Panda: i) initiated research training, skill development, curriculum and instructional design models, assessment strategies at STRIDE; ii) initiated policy and training at Inter-University Consortium on IMM and online learning for Commonwealth, and South Asian countries, including taking IGNOU from traditional ODL to the next phase of interactive and virtual technology-enabled teaching-learning; iii) training of senior Army officials through ARCTAC for ODL; iv) training of senior bureaucrats through UNDP and DOPT toward distance and online training; v) training/roundtable of new vice-chancellors, registrars, controllers of examination at Association of Indian Universities; vi) new Regulation 2014 under Justice Verma Commission at the National Council for Teacher Education, with significant reforms in recognition, accreditation, regulation, integrated teacher education, interdisciplinary institutional provisions, e-governance and e-monitoring, and vii) curriculum reforms; and online, flexible and blended learning at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
Dr. Panda’s past and current research areas include; international student mobility, costing of higher education and distance education, virtual research, models of instructional design and course development, student dropout, employability and career mobility, programme evaluation, online research resources, self-regulated learning, OER, open education practices, teacher education, open schooling, TNA, networking and partner institutions, planning and management in distance education.
Dr. Panda has presented 3 convocation addresses in universities and 24 international/national conference keynotes and workshops in 26 countries; sits in the editorial board of above 20 refereed international journals. He has published extensively, including the following:
Book: (2017). Planning and Management in Distance Education. 1st Edition. London: Routledge.
Book: (2008). Economics of Distance and Online Learning. New York: Routledge.
Book (2019). Linking Skill Programmes with Higher Education Programmes.
EDUCATION: |
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Fulbright Post-Doctorate (Online Education) 2003
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Name of the University: University of New Mexico, USA.
Discipline: Education.
Dissertation Topic: “Online Constructivist Continuing Professional Development of Special Educators”.
Academic Achievement: Senior Fulbright Fellowship by United States Government.
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Doctor of Philosophy (Social Psychology of Education) 1984
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Name of the University: Kurukshetra University.
Discipline: Education.
Doctoral Research Topic: “Rorschach as a Tool for Investigating Socio-Psychological Aspects of Acculturation”.
Academic Achievement: University PhD Fellowship holder.
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Master of Philosophy (Education) 1981
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Name of the University: Kurukshetra University.
Discipline: Education.
Dissertation Topic: “Rorschach Test for Personality Assessment”.
Academic Achievement: University Chancellor Gold Medal.
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Master of Arts (Education) 1980
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Name of the University: Kurukshetra University.
Discipline: Education.
Academic Achievement: University Chancellor Gold Medal.
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Bachelor of Arts (Economics) 1978
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Name of the University: Utkal University.
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WORK EXPERIENCE:
Chairperson, National Council for Teacher Education, Government of India, New Delhi. (2013-2016)
Director, Inter-University Consortium for ICT-Enabled Education, IGNOU. (2013-2013)
Director, Centre for Flexible & Distance Learning, University of the South Pacific, Fiji. (2010-2010)
Director, Staff Training & Research Institute, Indira Gandhi National Open University. (2005-2008)
Founding Director, Inter-University Consortium for ICT-Enabled Education, IGNOU. (2004-2007)
Senior Fulbright Scholar, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA. (2003-2003)
Director, Staff Training & Research Institute, Indira Gandhi National Open University. (1997-2000)
Professor of Distance Education, Staff Training & Research Institute, IGNOU. (1997-continuing)
Director, Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, India. (1994-1997)
Associate Professor (Distance Education), Indira Gandhi National Open University. (1991-1994)
Senior Lecturer (Distance Education), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). (1989-1991)
Lecturer (Distance Education), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). (1987-1989)
Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Kurukshetra University, Haryana, India. (1984-1987)
Project Officer, Centre for Adult Education & Extension, Kurukshetra University. (1984-1984)
INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Dr Panda has visited, presented keynotes, and conducted workshops in the following 26 countries (10 keynotes; 40 workshops; 18 conference papers/ conference chair) on higher education, teacher education, open/distance/online/blended/lifelong learning, and open schooling:
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Peoples’ Republic of China, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Lesotho, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Turkey, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The Netherlands, UAE, UK, and USA.
2019-2019: Visiting Professor, University of Guadalajara, Mexico.
2012-2012: Visiting Professor, Research Centre for DE, Beijing Normal University, Beijing.
2011-2011: Visiting Professor, Beijing Normal University, Beijing.
2007-2008: Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland, USA & University of Oldenburg, Germany.
2005-2005: Visiting Professor, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
2004-2004: Visiting Professor, University of London, & Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
FELLOWSHIP/ AWARDS:
Sl. No.
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Name of the Fellowship/Awards
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Granting/Awarding Institution
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Year
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1.
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Fulbright Post-Doctorate (Online Education)
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University of New Mexico, USA & United States Department of Education
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2003
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2.
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British Govt. Fellowship for Certificate in ETV at BBC
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British Government
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1987
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3.
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Gold Medal for standing first in MPhil
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Kurukshetra University
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1981
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4.
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Gold Medal for standing first in MA
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Kurukshetra University
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1980
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5.
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University Fellowship for Ph.D.
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Kurukshetra University
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1982-84
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6.
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Scholar of the Year Award
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Nes Wadia College, Pune
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2016
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7.
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National Gold Medal for Innovation in ICT in Education
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Hon’ble President of India at IGNOU Convocation
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2013
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PUBLICATIONS:
Books: 19
Chapters in books: 44
Refereed research papers: 48
Conference papers: 34
Policy documents: 20
Units written: PGDip Units:10, Masters Units:8, MOOC Units and Videos: 25
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODY/STATUTORY BODY (INTERNAL / EXTERNAL):
Membership of Professional body/Statutory body
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Name of statutory body/institution/
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Period
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1) Member, Board of Governors
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International Council for Educational Development, UK.
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2018-20
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2) President
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Network for Staff and educational Development, New Delhi
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1997-continuing
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3) Member
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International Society for Technology in Education, USA
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2007-2009
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4) Life Member
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Indian Association of Educational Research
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1997-continuing
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5) Life Member
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Indian Association of Teacher Educators
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1984-continuing
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6) Member, Academic Council
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Central University of Gujarat
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2016-2020
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7) Member, National Yoga Certification Board
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Technical Committee, Ministry of AYUSH
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2018-2021
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8) Member, Selection Committee of Directors
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UGC-IUCTE (BHU, JNTU)
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2015-2018
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9) Member, UGC-DAAD/Committee on Collaborative Research.
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UGC & DAAD/Germany
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2016-2017
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10) Member, PMMNMTT Committee
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MHRD, Govt. of India
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2014-2016
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11) Member, Indian National Commission for UNESCO
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MHRD, Govt. of India
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2014-2016
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12) Member, Advisory Committee, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education
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NIEPA
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2015-
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13) UGC nominee, Governing Body of St. Ignatius Autonomous College
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UGC
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2015-2019
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14) Member Advisory Committee, PMMNMTT Teaching-Learning Centre
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Tezpur Central University
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2016-2019
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15) Member Advisory Committee of PMMNMTT
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Central University of Jammu
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2016-2019
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16) Chief Minister Advisory Committee on ‘Mo School’
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Government of Odisha
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2016-2019
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17) Member, University Research Council
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IGNOU
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2002-2005; 2005-2008; 2018-
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18) Member, School of Board, School of Education
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IGNOU
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2018-
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19) Member, School Board, School of Law
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IGNOU
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2008-2011; 2018-
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20) Member, School Board, School of Health Sciences
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IGNOU
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2018-
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21) Member, Academic Council
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TERI University
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2011-2014
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22) Member, University Senate
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University of South Pacific
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2010
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23) Member, Advisory Board of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Knowledge Base on ODL
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UNESCO, Bangkok
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2005-2009
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24) Chancellor Nominee, Selection Committee of Professors
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Garhwal Central University
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2008
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25) Member, Standing Committee of Academic Council
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IGNOU
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2008-2010
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26) Member, Planning Board & also Academic Council
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UPRTOU
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2005-2008
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27) Member, Academic Council
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Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha
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2005-2007
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28) Member, Green Teacher Advisory Committee
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COL & Centre for Environmental Education
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2005-2008
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29) Member, Advisory Committee, Virtual Research Environment
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University of London External Programme
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2002-2005
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30) External Expert, President Research Grant Committee
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OUHK, Hong Kong
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2000-2005
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31) Member, School Board, SOET
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IGNOU
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2000-2002; 2003-2006
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32) Member, School Board, SOA
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IGNOU
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2005-2008
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Official Address:Director,
STRIDE,
Prof. G Ram Reddy Block-16,
Indira Gandhi National Open University,
Maidan Garhi,
New Delhi -
110068
New Delhi, India

011-29572615

spanda.ignou@gmail.com , spanda@ignou.ac.in