Page 40 - Social Issues
'Parent-child play can boost creativity, learning among children'
Parent-child play can boost creativity, learning and development among children aged three to eight years, reveal the findings of a programme implemented across nine communities in Delhi. At a conference organised by the Sesame Workshop India Trust and the LEGO Foundation, speakers said the "Play Every Day" programme reached 2,000 families across nine low-resourced communities in Delhi between September and December 2018. The intervention included play workshops with caregivers and children, community events like play fairs, street plays and using social media platforms. The evaluation of the intervention found improvements in social development, creativity and other learning outcomes of the children and a shift in the perceptions of parents and caregivers about play and its role in promoting learning and development outcomes. Children evaluated as part of the programme showed a 33 per cent shift in creativity for using recyclable items, including plastic bottle, cans and cardboard, .
HC seeks government response on lawyer welfare plea
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and the state governments to file reply to a plea seeking steps for security and welfare measures, including medical insurance, for advocates.
Pakistan man murders HIV positive wife in epidemic-hit south
A Pakistani man killed his HIV positive wife Wednesday in southern Pakistan, where hundreds of people have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks, stirring panic and casting a light on the country's dismal public health standards. Police said the murder took place in a village near the epicentre of the outbreak on the outskirts of Larkana city in Pakistan's Sindh province, where thousands have been screened in the last month. The victim -- a 32-year-old mother of four -- tested positive in recent days, according to a local police officer, with her husband accusing her of having an extramarital affair. "This morning the husband strangled (the victim) with a rope and then hung her from a tree outside his home," Roshan Ali -- a police officer in Shikarpur -- told AFP, adding that the suspect was now in custody. Shikarpur district police chief Sajid Sadozai confirmed the incident, saying an investigation into the killing was ongoing and the suspect had been booked on murder ...
Quack who performed "hundreds" of abortions held in TN
A 32-year-old suspected quack, who performed abortions in a clinic in this temple town was arrested Wednesday, police said. Kavitha, who has completed her class 10, had been performing abortion procedures for rural women for about a decade, and used a fancy store here as front office for her clinic, they said. The woman's husband was also arrested. The crime came to light after a pregnant woman from Kalasapakkam village, who visited the Government hospital for regular check-up did not turn up and it was later found that she had undergone abortion at the clinic, they added. Medical equipment and medicines used for the surgeries were seized from the abortion clinic during a search, police said. District Collector K S Kandasamy said, "For the past ten years the couple had performed several abortions.. hundreds of women have been their patient. They had collected about Rs 12,000 for an abortion." The clinic has now been sealed, he said. Investigation is on to ascertain if ...
Mamata Banerjee to join TMC protest against poll violence in Naihati tomorrow
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will join the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers protesting outside Naihati Municipal Corporation against the violence in the state during the Lok Sabha polls that have allegedly rendered many TMC workers homeless.A TMC leader said, "Mamata Banerjee will join TMC protest tomorrow outside Naihati Municipal Corporation from 1 pm onwards. The protest is against violence on TMC leaders who have been rendered homeless because of it."Earlier today, Banerjee declined to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday objecting to the families of BJP workers, allegedly killed in political violence in the state, being invited to the function.
HC asks Centre, Delhi govt to respond to plea for advocates' welfare measures
The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought response of the Centre and the Delhi government on a plea seeking effective steps for security and welfare measures, including medical insurance, for advocates. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi issued notice to the central and state governments on the PIL and listed the matter for further hearing on August 7. The plea filed by three lawyers submitted that due to increasing number of attacks on the legal fraternity, in which some are being allegedly implicated in false cases by the police, there is a need for 'Advocates Protection Act' to ensure their safety. The petition, filed by advocates Tajinder Singh, Anurag Chauhan and Yakub Raza, sought a direction to the authorities to take effective steps for protection, social security and welfare measures including medical insurance for advocates in Delhi. "It is the primary responsibility of the respondents (Centre and state government) to protect the rights of ...
HDFC disburses subsidy to over 1 lakh first-time homebuyers under PMAY
HDFC Ltd said on Wednesday it has disbursed subsidy amounting to over Rs 2,300 crore benefitting over 1.04 lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) credit linked subsidy scheme (CLSS).The company approved Rs 22,136 crore of home loans under CLSS to homebuyers belonging to economically weaker section, low income group and middle income groups.HDFC has been partnering and supporting the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the National Housing Bank to work towards the government's goal of 'Affordable Housing for All.'"The government's PMAY scheme is a growth accelerator programme that aims to provide affordable housing to people in the country," said company's Managing Director Renu Sud Karnad."The thrust on housing is a recognition that a rapidly growing country like India with a large young population needs more affordable homes," she said in a statement.HDFC has also engaged extensively with developers and channel partners to reach out to more eligible ...
UK Sikh group considers legal action over no ethnicity tick box in census
A British Sikh group lobbying for Sikhism to be added as a separate ethnicity tick box in the next UK census in 2021 is considering taking legal action against the UK government over its rejection of such a categorisation. Sikh Federation UK claims to have the support of over 120 Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations as it issued a letter before action to the UK Cabinet Office last week, demanding a reassessment of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) decision to reject the need for such an additional tick box. Our clients have identified a number of flaws within the process for determining whether to include a Sikh ethnicity category in the 2021 Census, Rosa Curling, solicitor from UK law firm Leigh Day, which is representing the group, said. They believe it is crucial that individuals are able to identify as ethnically Sikh in the next Census to ensure a more accurate picture of the community is taken. This will ensure public bodies are fulfilling their duties under the Equality Act .
My victory a trust vote for Modi: Diya Kumari (Interview)
As a young and dynamic leader from Rajasthan, Diya Kumari, the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Rajsamand, has a fair chance of either being picked up as a Union Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or promoted as a face of the party in the state.
Naveen distributes portfolios to new ministers
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was on Wednesday sworn-in for his fifth consecutive term along with a 20-member ministry, distributed portfolios to his new ministers.
Yemen national commits suicide in Hyderabad after fiance dies
A 24-year-old Yemen national allegedly committed suicide at his house here reportedly upset over the death of his fiance in the gulf nation, police said Wednesday. Mohamed U Ali, pursuing a degree course herehanged himself from a ceiling fan in his house on Monday evening, they said. A few months ago,Ali was engaged to the woman who lives in Yemen, but she "died of cancer" recently, a police official said based on preliminary investigation. A suicide note purportedly written by Ali was found in the room in which he stated that he went into depression after the death of his fiance and that "he too wanted to join her" and resorted to the extreme step. Ali's friends said he was under depression for the past few days, police said adding a case of suicide was registered.
Tribal welfare panel head Pandit gets MoS status
Former MLA Vivek Pandit, who heads a committee on tribal welfare, has been accorded the status of a Minister of State by the Maharashtra government. The committee was set up by the government in February last to review various schemes being implemented for the welfare of tribals in the state. Pandit, a former MLA from Vasai in Palghar district and tribal rights activist, was appointed chairman of the 17- member committee. The government Tuesday issued an order according the Minister of State (MoS) status to Pandit. He will enjoy all the benefits provided to a junior minister in the government, the order said. Talking to the media here Wednesday, Pandit said, "I never wanted the (MoS) status, but the government has given me a very important responsibility and I will live up to its expectations." The Pandit-headed panel has undertaken a study of various works done for providing employment opportunities, minimum wages and proper livelihood to tribals. The committee comprises
Mumbai medico suicide: 3 women doctors in police custody
A Mumbai Special Court on Wednesday remanded till May 31 three women doctors arrested in connection with the suicide of a medico Payal Tadvi, a law official said.
Lamar Odom launches a new book 'Darkness to light'
Khloe Kardashian's ex-husband Lamar Odom released a new book titled 'Darkness to light', which reportedly will reveal dark secrets of his life.According to Fox News, citing the book he said, "He needed women as an outlet...an escape.""I wanted to be loved, but I could never find love," he added.Lamar also disclosed that he used to share the bed with up to six women a week and paid for plenty of abortions over the years.The former professional basketball player confessed in an interview that he regrets his actions against ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian including cheating on her and hiding about his addiction to cocaine during their four-year marriage.According to sources, 39-year-old regrets his divorce with Khloe and also misses the Kardashian family.He wrote in his book that, "he was the happiest he's ever been after they married in 2009, one month after they met. But he eventually began having affairs and he wrote he couldn't handle the "lethal cocktail of the spotlight, addiction, a ...
Kejriwal wishes speedy recovery to Jaitley
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday wished "speedy recovery and healthy life" to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who has decided not to join the union cabinet due to health reasons.
New Zealand treasury website hacked on eve of budget
Ahead of its much speculated "well-being budget" scheduled on Thursday, hackers stole crucial information from New Zealand's Treasury website.
Payal suicide case: 3 accused sent to police custody till May 31
A special court here Wednesday remanded three senior women doctors, arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a junior colleague by passing casteist slurs at her at a state-run hospital here, in police custody till May 31. The accused -- Bhakti Mehere, Hema Ahuja and Ankita Khandelwal -- were booked after their 26-year-old colleague Payal Tadvi at B Y L Nair Hospital here allegedly hanged herself at her hostel room last Wednesday. Additional Sessions Judge R M Sadrani remanded the three accused in police custody till May 31 after accepting the prosecution's arguments, seeking their custody for interrogation to ascertain if they misplaced or destroyed Tadvi's purported suicide note. The accused have been booked under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Anti-Ragging Act, the IT Act and section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.
Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on PIL seeking implementation of two-child norm
Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the Centre for the consideration of the implementation of a two-child norm as a criterion for government jobs, aids and subsidies to control the population explosion in the country.A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi seeks reply of the Centre and said 'just tell us what steps have been taken on the report of the committee". The court slated the matter for next hearing on September 3.Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who is also associated with BJP, through this PIL sought direction to implement National Commission to Review the Working of Constitution (Venkatchaliah Commission) recommendation on Population Control.The petition claimed, NCRWC submitted its detailed report to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government on March 31, 2002. The petitioner also seeks direction to the government to ascertain the feasibility of implementing 24th recommendation of NCRWC (Justice ...
Delhi government to set up a children's creche at its Secretariat
The Delhi government is planning to set up a children's crche at its secretariat for the convenience of its women employees, officials said Wednesday. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has asked the department of women and child development to submit the plan by June 15. "It is a matter of great pride that a large number of workforce in the Delhi government consists of women. However, work life balance for such women, especially working mothers, is not easy and it is the responsibility of employer organisations to improve working conditions of women. "It has been brought to my notice by my colleagues at the Delhi Secretariat that a creche for children of working parents at the Delhi Secretariat is needed," Sisodia said in a letter to the secretary of the department. He directed the Secretary (WCD) to explore the possibilities and feasibility of a creche at the Delhi Secretariat. "A meeting may be convened at the level of Secretary WCD with concerned departments for making a plan ...
PIL for population control in India: HC seeks Centre reply
The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought response of the Centre on a PIL seeking implementation of measures to control the country's rising population on the grounds that it was the root cause of rise in crimes, pollution and dearth of resources and jobs. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Brijesh Sethi issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Law Commission of India seeking their stand on the plea which was listed for hearing next on September 3. The petition by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who is also a lawyer, has sought implementation of the recommendations for population control made by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) headed by Justice Venkatchaliah. "The NCRWC, after making immense efforts for two years and elaborate discussion, had suggested addition of Article 47A in the Constitution and formulation of Population Control Law. "Till now the Constitution has been amended 125 times, hundreds of new laws ...
