Page 411 - Education
TN Governor denies association with lecturer accused in sex scandal
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday categorically denied having any association with a college professor arrested for asking her students to extend sexual favours to university officials in exchange of financial and academic rewards.In the audio clip of Nirmala Devi's conversation with her students, she also mentioned she was close to Purohit.Countering her claim, Purohit told media, "I've not even seen her face till date, she hasn't met me."He further assured stringent punishment for the accused and said, "Let the police do its job. As far as the university is concerned, the Vice Chancellor narrated everything to me and I've set up a committee for investigation."An audio clip of the Mathematics professor at Devanga Arts College in Aruppukottai, went viral where she was heard asking her students "to adjust with some officials" of the university, for higher marks and monetary rewards.On the basis of the audio clip, Nirmala Devi was arrested earlier in the day.
MoU for Aeronautical Engineering College in Patiala
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today in the presence of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for the establishment of Punjab State Aeronautical Engineering College (PSAEC) in Patiala. The MoU, which has been signed between Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda and Punjab State Civil Aviation Council (PSCAC), Patiala, seeks to create synergies between the two for the creation of PSAEC as a Constituent College of the MRSPTU. The chief minister assured of total support for the initiative to develop the proposed institute as one of the leading aeronautical engineering colleges in the country. He said that this college adjacent to the Patiala Aviation Club would enable the students to secure sufficient practical knowledge and flying experience. The agreement will further facilitate collaboration for the development of various training facilities at Patiala Civil Aerodrome, he said.
e-rickshaw service started on JNU campus
An e-rickshaw service was started on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus here on Tuesday to promote eco-friendly mobility of people.
AAP-Centre tussle: Appointment of 9 advisors cancelled; Sisodia calls it conspiracy to derail 'edu revolution' in Delhi
The tussle between the AAP Government and the Centre further escalated today with the cancellation of appointment of nine advisors to Delhi ministers, including those assisting Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, following the Union Home Ministry's directions which said these posts were "not sanctioned". Launching a scathing attack on the Centre over the issue, Sisodia said that the Narendra Modi government's order was a "conspiracy to derail" the "education revolution" in Delhi. Since no BJP government has been able to deliver anything in education and health sectors, the Centre is trying to paralyse the AAP government, he alleged, adding his advisor Atisi Marlena, who was playing a "vital role" in improving the education system, has been "targeted". According to an order issued by General Administration Department of the Delhi government, the MHA had written in its letter that these posts on which the appointees are officiating are not in the list of posts approved for the ministers and the ..
UP univ cancels papers after leak
DDU Gorakhpur University today cancelled the exams in two subjects after their papers, one of which matched the original, surfaced on social media. The BA/BSc part one Mathematics and BA part two Sociology papers went viral on social media yesterday, a day before the exams were to be held. A committee formed under Pro Vice Chancellor S K Dixit found that the Mathematics paper was actually leaked while the Sociology paper available on social media didn't match the actual question paper. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University Gorakhpur has informed police about the paper leak. It sent letters to district magistrates and superintendents of police of the concerned districts, drawing their attention to the incident. The new dates for the two papers will be decided on April 19, university officials said. University spokesman Harsh Sinha said some "miscreants" had tried to create problems. He said the Sociology paper which went viral was based on the previous years' papers while the Mathematics
PM undermining Delhi education system: Sisodia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to "undermine" Delhi's education system, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said today after the Union Home Ministry cancelled the appointment of nine advisors. The BJP-led government, Sisodia said, targeted his advisor Atisi Marlena through the order as she played a vital role in improving the education system. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to undermine Delhi's education system, that is why this order has been issued today," Sisodia said at a press conference. Of the nine advisors, only four are currently working with the Delhi government. The Delhi government today cancelled the appointment of nine advisors after the Union Home Ministry said the posts were "not sanctioned". According to an order issued by General Administration Department of the Delhi government, the ministry wrote in its letter that the posts are not in the list of posts approved for ministers and the chief minister. "No prior approval of the central government has ..
JNU introduces e-rickshaws on campus
Aiming to reduce vehicular pollution and ease commuting, Jawaharlal Nehru University today inaugurated e-rickshaws that will ply on three routes on the campus. A commuter will have to pay Rs 10 for each ride. A total of 10 e-rickshaws will be deployed from today to connect all residential areas, hostels and shopping complexes, library, academic buildings and all the exit gates, and will ply from 7.30am to 9.30 pm. "The service provider will be charging a low fare of Rs 10 per ride per person. To promote women entrepreneurship and gender-friendly ambience on the campus, in the coming months all vehicles will be driven by female drivers," the vice-chancellor said after flagging off the vehicles. Depending on the demand, more rickshaws may be deployed in the coming months, a university official said.
Centre releases Rs 30 crore for agri varsity in Meghalaya
The Centre has released funds close to Rs 30 crore for the Central Agriculture University (CAU) which is being set up in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly today. The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) of the Ministry of Agriculture had in 2010 had selected a site at Kyrdemkulai in Ri-Bhoi district for the CAU and 30 per cent of the work has been completed, he said. Classes have also started at a temporary campus in Umiam, the chief minister said.
Probe against woman faculty member shifted to CB-CID
The probe into the case of a woman faculty member of a college allegedly advising students to extend sexual favours to some university officials in return for higher marks and money was today transferred to Tamil Nadu Crime Branch Police. Assistant Professor Nirmala Devi was arrested yesterday on a complaint by the college and a women's forum after an audio clip of her purported conversation with students went viral on social media on Sunday. Devi of Devanga Arts College in Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar District, about 500 km from Chennai, was alleged to have made the overtures to a group of girls a month ago and had already been suspended. DGP T K Rajendiran issued the order transferring the case from Aruppukottai Town police station to the CB-CID wing "considering the importance of the case," a police release said in Chennai. A report from Arupukottai said Devi was being interrogated at the local all-women police station and police have seized three mobile phones used .
Two school students drown in Meenachil river
Two students from a school here drowned in the Meenachil river near Poonjar in the district today, police said. The deceased have been identified as Muhammed Riaz and Christopher Abraham (both 17 years), studying at the Baker Vidyapeetham, they said. The bodies have been recovered. The two along with other friends had gone to Poonjar on a holiday trip.
SC asks HRD ministry to frame guidelines for safety of students
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) to frame comprehensive policy and guidelines for safety and security of students within six months.The top court's order came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the father of Pradyuman, a Class II student of Gurugram's Ryan International school who was found dead inside his school premises.Thakur's body was found, with his throat slit, in school's washroom last year.The incident invited a nationwide outrage and raised question over the safety of children at schools.The apex court had earlier ordered a compilation of norms formulated by the Centre and states for its consideration.The top court had asked all states and union territories to file a response on the PIL filed by Pradyuman's father.
DMK questions TN Guv's action on lecturer episode
The Opposition DMK today questioned Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit's action in ordering a probe into the matter of a woman lecturer who allegedly asked students to "adjust with some officials" in return for higher marks and money. The incident involving the woman lecturer of a private college in Arupukottai and affiliated to the state-run Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) is seen as a suggestion by her to girl students for sexual favour and has sparked an outrage. Party working president M K Stalin said only the Vice-Chancellor of a university acts as the head and could address issues of staff and students of colleges affiliated to it and not the Governor, who is also its Chancellor. "Therefore, he (V-C) alone should have taken action on the issue. But, one cannot understand how the Chancellor of the varsity could initiate action in this regard," Stalin told reporters here. There seemed to be "some confusion" in the matter, he said and added he had yesterday sought ...
JIPMER to host international conference from April 20-22
The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) here is holding the 2nd international undergraduate medical students conference here from April 20 to 22 to 'promote research and showcase academic brilliance.' Over 1,300 delegates from within and outside the country were expected to take part in the conference 'CONNAISSANCE 2018', a release said today. The meet aims at promoting research activities and showcasing academic brilliance among undergraduate medical students of the country and abroad, it said. Students from the country would have interaction and exchange ideas with the foreign delegates, the release said. Participants would also have a hands-on experience in different fields such as 'basic life support, safe delivery of baby, surgical skill, radio diagnostics, writing of scientific papers, research methodology and yoga', the release said.
Governor, VC can't probe criminal cases, only CBI should: PMK leader
PMK leader S. Ramadoss on Tuesday said committees appointed by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University P.P. Chellathurai to probe an alleged sexual trafficking complaint were not legally valid.
Students clash with security forces in J&K
Students seeking justice for the Kathua rape and murder victim, clashed with the security forces on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore town, police said.
Sikkim on way to achieve 100 per cent literacy: Chamling
Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling has said that the Himalayan state is headed towards achieving 100 per cent literacy. Addressing a public meeting, during his ongoing 32-day tour of the state, in the East district yesterday, Chamling said his government has given top priority to education and ensured that students from poor families get access to quality education. "Sikkim is steadily moving towards being a 100 per cent literate state," Chamling said. Chamling said that his government has set up 26 colleges and seven universities in the past two years to provide quality education to students. A medical college and a veterinary college will be set up in the state and Sikkimese students will be given free education in these colleges, the chief minister said. "We are also coming up with our own state university," Chamling said. "The purpose of education should be to become good human beings for which the students must change their mindset," he added.
Bhim Pathshalas strengthening Dalit movement by imparting education on their struggles
Educating Dalit kids about the history, achievement and struggles of prominent Dalit icons like Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Sant Valmiki, Bhim Pathshalas (BPs), an initiative by the Bhim Army, are quickly gaining prominence in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.Initially started as a two-hour, post-school coaching class for Dalit children in Saharanpur, they have now spread throughout the state, including places like Meerut, Agra and Muzaffarnagar bolstering the Dalit movement in the state.Owing to the drastic lack of facilities in government schools in rural areas, Bhim Pathshalasa were started by the founder of Bhim Army, Chandrashekhar Azad alias Ravan, to ensure that the Dalit children, whose parents, generally, are unable to bear the expenses of a private school, do not miss out on education in their key formative years.However, BPs offer more than just regular academics, like science and math, they also explore the history of Dalits in the nation along with the lives and struggles of ...
HC comes to rescue of student barred from taking part in Maths Olympiad
The Madras High Court today came to the rescue of a student, who was prevented from participating in the International Mathematical Olympiad by the National Board of Higher Mathematics on the ground that he did not have an Indian passport. The petition was filed by the boy represented by his mother, Lakshmi Sundararajan, against a communication issued by the Board in this connection. Justice S Vaidyanathan quashed the communication dated March 1 this year and allowed the plea. According to the petitioner's mother, the boy was born in London on March 14, 2003, and was holding Indian Passport at birth. Later in 2009, he acquired British Passport. He obtained an Overseas Citizen of India Card on May 19, 2010. The petitioner, along with his parents, moved to India and has been residing in the country since 2010, it was submitted. The petitioner received a communication from the Board stating that he has been selected in the International Mathematical Olympiad-2018" as INMO-2018 ...
Delhi HC dismisses plea to change date of CBSE Class 12 economics exam
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking rescheduling of the re-examination of the class XII economics paper, which the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to conduct on April 25 after the paper was leaked in March.The court also asked CBSE to find out the reasons for the decision for not reconducting the examination and listed the plea filed by a student for April 20.According to media reports, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar rejected the plea filed by an NGO, Suniye.The question papers of class XII Economics and class X Mathematics exams held on March 26 and March 28 respectively, were leaked on Whatsapp.The re-examination of the Class XII Economics paper will be conducted on April 25. However, there will no re-test for Class 10 Maths paper.Till now more than 60 people have been questioned in the case, out of which 10 are tutors of coaching centres.
HP Cabinet to create agency for water supply in Shimla
The Himachal Pradesh cabinet today approved setting up of Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) for water supply and waste water management in Greater Shimla Planning Area and other places. The estimated cost of the project to be implemented with financial assistance from the World Bank is Rs 770 crore. The Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, also approved in principle transportation guidelines for the safe plying of school vehicles. It was also decided that the transport department would send letters to the principals of all private schools on behalf the chief minister informing them about the school transportation safety guidelines. The decision was taken after 27 schoolchildren and three others were killed when their bus fell in a deep gorge in Kangra district. The Cabinet decided to provide honorarium of Rs 21,500 per month, three per cent annual increment, 12 days casual leave and 10 days medical leave along with framing of transfer policy for ..