Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed the Centre for being “blind to student’s distress” after the Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition seeking appropriate directions and orders to the authorities concerned for rescheduling or deferring the NEET UG- 21.
“Government of India (GOI) is blind to students’ distress. Postpone #NEET exam. Let them have a fair chance,” tweeted the Congress MP.
On Monday, a bench of the apex court, headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar, refused to interfere with a petition filed seeking directions to the authorities concerned for rescheduling the NEET UG- 21.
“We are not inclined to pass any order. Sorry. You (the petitioner) may approach and make your representation to the Competent Authorities with your prayers and reliefs you seek,” the bench led by Justice Khanwilkar said and refused to interfere with the petition and pass any order on the issue.
The petition was filed before the Supreme Court by many students belonging to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Private, Compartment and Patrachar (candidates) to defer the NEET-UG 2021.
The Supreme Court, after going through the arguments and submissions made by the parties in the case, refused to entertain the petition after noting that the petition has no merit. (ANI)
After the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, its decision to ban co-education has resulted in the partition of university classrooms.
“Partition in University classrooms after Taliban announced that male and female students should not attend one classroom,” tweeted Pajhwok Afghan News. In a photo shared by the Afghan news agency on Twitter, it is seen that the classroom is divided by a curtain creating a segregating wall between the boys and girls.
In a meeting earlier between university lecturers, owners of private institutions, and the Taliban, the latter said that there is no alternative and justification for continuing with co-education and it must be ended.
The country has separate classes for boys and girls in schools and there is co-education in government and private universities.
Officials have raised their concerns over the decision as separate classes can be managed in public universities and institutions but it is difficult in private institutes as there are fewer female students.
Many people have decried this move, which is set to deprive girls of higher education as major universities in the country cannot afford to provide different classes due to a dearth of resources.
Taliban higher education minister Baqi Haqqani during a speech at Loya Jirga Tent had said that all educational activities in the country will be conducted according to Sharia Law. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated “Shikshak Parv” conclave through video conferencing.
The Prime Minister also launched multiple key initiatives in the education sector during the event. PM Modi also launched Indian Sign Language Dictionary (audio and text embedded sign language video for the hearing impaired, in conformity with Universal Design of Learning), Talking Books (audiobooks for the visually impaired), School Quality Assurance and Assessment Framework of CBSE, NISHTHA teachers’ training programme for NIPUN Bharat and Vidyanjali portal (for facilitating education volunteers/ donors/ CSR contributors for school development).
The theme of ‘Shikshak Parv-2021’ is “Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India”. Its celebration will encourage innovative practices to ensure not only continuity of education at all levels but to improve quality, inclusive practices and sustainability in the schools across the country as well.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Ministers of State for Education Jitin Prasada were also present at the event. (ANI)
Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit sure knows to mesmerise people by the way she carries herself so gracefully. Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, the superstar recently showed that she is ready for the festival by dressing up to the nines in traditional Maharashtrian attire.
Personifying beauty in a traditional avatar, Bollywood’s ageless beauty hopped onto her Instagram handle and treated fans to stunning pictures.
The ‘Kalank’ star looked regal while sporting a green Paithani saree with an orange border. The actor looked drop-dead gorgeous as she donned a minimal makeup look. Madhuri accessorised her glamorous avatar with Marathi style bindi and heavy stone studded jewellery inclusive of a neckpiece, earrings, ring, bangles, and the statement Marathi nosepin. Not to miss her perfectly tied bun which she accentuated with a pink flower.
The ‘Devdas’ star’s million-dollar smile was enough to make the fans’ hearts skip a beat.
Sharing the pictures, the 54-year-old wrote, “Keeping it ethnic.”
The snap garnered more than one lakh likes, with scores of fans chiming into the comments section and leaving heart and fire stuck emoticons.
Meanwhile, on the work front, the ‘Dhak-Dhak’ girl will be debuting in the digital world through the suspenseful family drama Netflix series titled ‘Finding Anamika’.
The plot of the series revolves around the story of a global superstar, wife, and mom who suddenly vanishes without a trace. As police and loved ones search for answers to her disappearance, her perfectly crafted facade is stripped away, revealing hidden truths and painful lies in the life of an iconic female actor. (ANI)
For the third time in the last 11 days, India administered more than 1 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
India’s total vaccination coverage has crossed 69.68 crore doses and untill 7 pm today, 92 lakh vaccine doses were administered, the ministry said.
Out of the total doses administered today, 64,30,173 people were innoculated with the first dose , while 27.7 lakh were given the second dose.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded India’s performance in the ongoing nationwide vaccination drive against COVID-19. India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 69.68 crore (69, 68, 96,328) today. More than 92 lakh (92, 00,822) vaccine doses were administered till 7 pm when the Prime Minister congratulated the healthworkers via a tweet.
So far, over 1 crore healthcare workers have been vaccinated while 1.83 crore frontline workers received the jab in the country inoculated. (ANI)
Haryana government on Monday announced suspension of internet services in Karnal district from 12:30 am tomorrow (September 7), ahead of a mahapanchayat and the call to “gherao” the mini-secretariat in protest against the police lathicharge against them on August 28.
The internet services will remain suspended till midnight on September 7 to maintain law and order in the district, where Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code is already in place, district officials said. Under Section 144 public assemblies are banned.
Addressing reporters here Karnal District Magistrate (DC), Nishant Yadav said:
“As a precautionary measure, we have written to the government to suspend the internet service in the district for 24 hours as to maintain law and order situation and Section 144 has been imposed till further orders”.
Police have stepped up security in the district and have announced diversions in anticipation of the protest.
“The main National Highway No 44 (Ambala-Delhi) may see some traffic disruptions in Karnal district. Therefore, the general public using NH 44 are advised to avoid journey through Karnal town or otherwise use alternative routes to go to their destination on September 7. All citizens are being informed about these arrangements in advance so that they are able to plan and modify their journey accordingly, to avoid any inconvenience,” Yadav said.
The farmer leaders met with the Karnal administration to discuss the Karnal Mahapanchayat on September 7 and the gherao of the mini secretariat.
After the meeting, Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Gurnam Singh Charuni said: “No outcome from the meeting with Karnal admin. We will go ahead with our panchayat.”
Karnal District Magistrate Yadav said: “We held talks with farmers. Their main demands were that the farmers who got injured during the lathi-charge at Bastara toll plaza on August 28, should be paid compensation including the farmer who died on August 29 from a heart attack should also be paid compensation by the government. Secondly, demanding registration of an FIR against those officers who had allegedly ordered a lathi charge on agitators,” said Yadav.
“We have informed them that all these people who participated in the protest violated the law as they blocked the National Highway and took the law in their hand and hence no compensation will be given to law violators. Their demand was not justified and no action will be taken against our official. We will not allow them to block the National Highway and gherao mini secretariat tommorow,” added Yadav
Superintendent of Police (Karnal Range) Ganga Ram Poonia said,” We have deployed 40 companies including 10 companies of paramilitary forces to maintain the law and order situation. Police are fully alert over the gherao call and all security measures have been beefed up to prevent any untoward incident”.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is heading the farmers’ agitation against three farm laws, has given a call for gherao of the secretariat demanding registration of an FIR against those officers who had allegedly ordered a lathi charge on agitators during their protest against a BJP event in Karnal on August 28. (ANI)
Raga Olga D’silva, an LGBT advocate, author and entrepreneur, says the Supreme Court helped pave the way. Now, society has to take it forward
September 6 is a very special day for all of us in the LGBTQ community, whether out or in the closet. Three years ago on this day, the Supreme Court upturned Section 377 which criminalised consensual private sexual conduct between adults of the same sex. The penal provision said: “whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
Imagine if we had such laws in a heteronormative world!
The sense of freedom one felt cannot be expressed in words. I no longer had to legally hide my sexual preference. I no longer had to pretend around authorities about my same sex relationship. Legally, I became finally protected. But does that make me feel safe?
Protection and safety are two separate concepts. One provides you the option of lawfully living your life with no fear. The latter is based on society, their mindsets and how evolved they are to accept us. Thus, I am yet to feel safe. I still walk around waiting for someone to throw a slur at me, judge me, shame me, abuse me and ridicule me. I still get hateful trolls.
Has making the Section 377 unconstitutional allowed me the rights I would take for granted if I lived a heterosexual life? I still do not enjoy all the privileges that come with such freedom. Banks are just about beginning to value the ‘pink’ rupee and the ‘value’ the LGBTQ community contributes to the economy. Insurance companies, schools, universities, hospitals, are still catching up.
Raga with her partner Nicola (right)
The corporate world is just about joining the bandwagon and have started looking at equality, diversity, and inclusion as part of what they offer their employees. This is extremely important as many of us come from homophobic backgrounds, due to lack of understanding and awareness. We do spend a lot of time at our workplace and any sensitisation towards the community will only create ally-ship and help bring in inclusion and equity.
Schools and universities are inviting more voices from the community to help raise awareness and acceptance. Some of the stories we hear from the community are heart-breaking; particularly as we hear about homophobic teachers and administration. This needs to change, as our schools and universities need to ensure we teach people about equality, love and human rights. It must start with our teachers.
The next step is to introduce laws around discrimination. I hope we create laws that will ensure our safety at all levels. That marriage rights are given to us. Adoption rights are given to us. And all those rights that a heterosexual couple enjoy are given to us. We make excellent parents, and research indicates that. My children have been brought up by two mothers and they live a life of non-judgement. We need such stories and narratives so we can together create a world that is inclusive and does not judge people on their own prejudices.
However, life hasn’t really changed much for me. I live in the UK, with regular travel into India. I live two lives. I am an openly gay woman in the UK but when I cross into Indian borders, I go back into my shell.
The fear lives in me. The mindsets are still far from reaching its maturity. There is a large populace who believe my same sex relationship is illegal, shameful, an illness and abnormal. Until that changes, I will be forever in hiding.
My partner and I started ‘coming out stories from India’ as a series on my YouTube Channel to bring real lived experiences and role models to those who need such awareness. A story I wrote loosely based on my life is being made into a film by the critically acclaimed filmmaker Onir. I am writing my memoirs of my struggle of internalised homophobia and the challenges.
The narrative will change, I truly believe, but one story, one ally, one voice, one narrative at a time. The Supreme Court has helped pave the way. Now, let’s take it forward. Together.
Iran on Monday condemned the attack by the Taliban on Panjshir province of Afghanistan and said that the siege by the outfit is “unacceptable in terms of international law and humanitarian law”.
“There is only political solution to Panjshir and the siege of Panjshir is by no means acceptable in terms of international law and humanitarian law,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a regular news briefing. Taliban has claimed that they have captured the Afghan province of Panjshir, the last resistance stronghold in the country.
Thousands of Taliban fighters overran eight districts of Panjshir overnight, according to witnesses from the area who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety, Tehran Times reported.
Khatibzadeh said reports from Panjshir are “worrying”. He added the attack on the province is strongly condemned.
After the fall of Kabul on August 15, Panjshir province remained the only defiant holdout where resistance forces led by Ahamd Masoud, the son of late former Afghan guerrilla commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, were fighting the Taliban.
The geography has witnessed heavy conflict between the warring sides in the past four days and both parties are claiming to have inflicted heavy casualties.
Panjshir has been the stronghold of the National Resistance Front, led by Ahmad Massoud and former Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who declared himself caretaker president. On Sunday, Massoud said that he was ready to cease fighting and start negotiations if the Taliban abandoned the province.
Panjshir was the last Afghan province holding out against the armed group that swept to power last month. Taliban has been facing stiff resistance after pushing deep into the country’s holdout in Panjshir Valley.
Panjshir resistance spokesperson Fahim Dashti was reported dead in a clash with the Taliban on Sunday.
He was also the nephew of Abdullah Abdullah, a senior official of the former government who is involved in negotiations with the Taliban on the future of Afghanistan.
Khatibzadeh said the “martyrdom” of Afghan leaders is a “source of regret”.
“No side must allow that this course lead to fratricide,” he said, adding that the Taliban should abide by international law.
He went on to say that “starving” the people of Panjshir and “cutting their water and electricity is a cause of concern and regret.” (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the BRICS Summit on Thursday in virtual format, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazil President Jair Bolsanaro, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the meeting, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. The theme for the Summit is ‘BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus’.
This is the second time Prime Minister Modi will be chairing the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit. Earlier he had chaired the Goa Summit in 2016.
The Indian Chairship of BRICS this year coincides with the 15th anniversary of BRICS, as reflected in the theme for the summit.
The meeting will also be attended by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, President of the New Development Bank Marcos Troyjo, the pro tempore chair of the BRICS Business Council, Onkar Kanwar and pro tempore Chair of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, Sangita Reddy.
They will present reports on the outcomes pursued this year under their respective tracks to the leaders during the summit.
India had outlined four priority areas for its Chairship. These are Reform of the Multilateral System, Counter-Terrorism, Using Digital and Technological Tools for achieving SDGs and Enhancing People to People exchanges.
In addition to these areas, the leaders will also exchange views on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other current global and regional issues, the ministry said.
Russia hosted the last BRICS meeting.
The 2020 BRICS summit was held virtually amid the covid pandemic under the chairmanship of Russia.
The summit took place in November and it was the first time that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping were on the same platform after the Galwan valley episode. (ANI)
President Ram Nath Kovind and the Supreme Commander of Indian armed forces on Monday presented President’s Colour to the Indian naval aviation at INS Hansa.
Award of the President’s Colour to Indian Naval Aviation is in recognition of the yeoman service rendered both during peace and combat. Commissioned as a modest air station with only a few aircraft, INS Hansa has increased its prowess over the last six decades and is presently operating over 40 military aircraft, clocking an average yearly flying of over 5000 hours.
INS Hansa celebrated its diamond jubilee on Sunday. Commanding Officer, INS Hansa, Comrade Ajay D Theophilus had said, “Over the years, the base has represented a crucial segment of the Navy’s combat power.”
“Aircraft from Hansa augment the security of entire western seaboard significantly, including offshore assets, and undertake extensive surveillance to neutralise threats at and from the sea,” he added. (ANI)
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