Dehradun (The Hawk): The FICCI FLO Uttarakhand Chapter hosted a thought-provoking and empowering program titled 'Unleashing the Power of Social Change - An Evening with Anurag Chauhan, the Padman of Humanity' at Hotel Aketa today. The program aimed to shed light on the incredible work and impact of Anurag Chauhan, an award-winning social worker and the founder of Humans For Humanity.&nbsp;
Anurag Chauhan, reflecting on his humble beginnings, shared, "As a regular boy from Doon, I had aspirations and a deep passion for women's menstrual hygiene. My life's journey began when I had the privilege of meeting Pt. Birju Maharaj during my school days and later joined Spic Macay in 6th grade."
During the session, he recounted his childhood curiosity, stating, "I used to experiment with my mother's sanitary pads, but she caught me and explained their purpose. Since then, I became deeply interested in menstrual hygiene. When I further researched this topic, I found out that poor menstrual hygiene is one of the major causes of female deaths." Anurag also shared an intriguing aspect of his journey, revealing, "My fashion story began in Dehradun. I used to wear shorts, T-shirts, and casual shoes when visiting colleges for lectures or the secretariat to meet dignitaries. Unfortunately, I was often dismissed and overlooked. However, everything changed by chance one day when I accidentally wore a kurta pajama to the secretariat. Suddenly, I was treated with a level of respect I had never received before. From that moment on, my dressing style and fashion statement underwent a significant transformation."
The program featured an engaging conversation between Anurag Chauhan and Dr. Prachi Kandwal, delving into the transformative power of social change. The insightful discussion shed light on Anurag's journey, the challenges faced, and the tremendous impact he has made on society. Dr. Prachi Kandwal, with her expertise, encouraged meaningful conversations and explored the possibilities of driving further change.
During the occasion, Anurag also spoke about his upcoming fashion label 'Raag'.
The program was chaired by Lubna Mirza, who orchestrated the evening with grace and enthusiasm, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees. The support of The Shawl Story and Art in Fact by Tripti Behl added an artistic touch to the event, further enhancing its essence.
Anurag Chauhan is widely acknowledged for his groundbreaking contributions to menstrual hygiene and social welfare. His relentless efforts through the WASH project have touched the lives of over 3.5 million women across multiple states, earning him the revered title of Padman. Anurag's commitment to curating cultural festivals and promoting literature has garnered him esteemed accolades, including the Karmaveer Chakra and Mahatma Puraskar.
Speaking on the occasion, Anuradha Malla, Chairperson, FLO Uttarakhand said, "We express our heartfelt gratitude to Anurag Chauhan, Dr. Prachi Kandwal, Lubna Mirza, The Shawl Story, Art in Fact by Tripti Behl, and all the attendees for making this program a resounding success. Together, we can unleash the power of social change and create a brighter future for all." The program concluded on a high note, leaving the attendees inspired and motivated to contribute towards social change in their respective domains. The program witnessed a diverse audience, including Immediate Past Chairperson Dr. Neha Sharma, Past Chairpersons Komal Batra and Kiran Bhatt Todaria, Senior Vice Chairperson Charu Chauhan, FLO Office Bearers and members, and social enthusiasts, who gathered to celebrate and learn from Anurag's inspiring journey.

 The FICCI FLO Uttarakhand Chapter hosted a thought-provoking and empowering program titled 'Unleashing 

FICCI FLO Hosts Inspiring Evening With Anurag Chauhan

Chandigarh (The Hawk): University School of Open Learning(USOL), Panjab University, Chandigarh, organized today a one-day national seminar on “India’s Internal Security Threats and the Role of Security Forces: An Emerging Security Perspective” at the university ICSSR Complex. The Chairperson of USOL, Prof Neeru gave a welcomed address and briefly spoke on the relevance of the theme in the face of the various challenges such as communal violence, religious disharmony, language discords, and terrorism etc. posing a big challenge to the country’s internal security.
As a keynoter, Lt. General (retired) and a sitting UPSC member, Raj Shukla gave a very elaborate and wide-angled talk on India’s security challenges, both external and internal, highlighting such key issues related to national security as health, cyber, artificial intelligence, technological tsunami and economic efficiency and many more. An expert on military and strategic affairs, with a long field exposure of the varied postings across the country, Mr Shukla invoked and advocated the Chanakya-niti, a blend of the Shastra(weapon) and Shaastra (scriptures), as major guiding principles in the matters of security issues/concerns and also called upon the academia and the universities of the nation to equip and advance themselves on the issues related to national security research and innovation.
The guest of honour and Honorary Director of ICSSR, Prof Sanjay Kaushik expressed his happiness for providing the venue to host the event that aimed at addressing the issues of national security as an issue of utmost importance. About forty research papers were presented in the two technical sessions.
Dr Jaskaran Singh and Dr Kamal Sandhu as convener and co-convener of the event. Three technical sessions were held in the seminar which were chaired by Prof. Parveen Sharda, Prof. Simrat Kahlon and Prof. Harsh Gandhar. Valedictory session was chaired by Prof. Anju Suri, Dean faculty of Arts, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Prof Manju Gera proposed a vote of thanks towards the end.

University School of Open Learning(USOL), Panjab University, Chandigarh, organized today a one-day national seminar

National Seminar On 'India's Internal Threats And The Role Of Security Forces'

New Delhi: Poet-diplomat Abhay K's book 'Nalanda', the acquisition of which has been announced by Penguin Random House India, delves into the history of the ancient seat of learning in Bihar. The award-winning poet and writer Abhay K's new book, titled Nalanda is his highly anticipated book which is set to take readers on an enlightening journey through time and history. The book is scheduled to release in October next year in 2024 from the Vintage imprint. Nalanda offers a vivid and passionate account of the remarkable story of one of the world's greatest centres of knowledge and learning. Abhay K masterfully weaves together historical facts and a narrative flair to transport readers to the prehistoric city of Rajgir, the birthplace of Brihadratha and Jarasandha, which later evolved into the powerful empire of Magadh. Abhay K, through the book, invites readers to uncover the extraordinary journey of the fabled Mahavihara of Nalanda--the world's first university--through painstaking research and captivating narrative. From its inception to its unfortunate destruction and its subsequent resurrection in the 21st century as Nalanda University, the book unravels the extraordinary tale of this iconic institution. Furthermore, it also explores the invaluable contributions made by luminaries from Nalanda who revolutionized various fields, such as mathematics, philosophy, poetry, logic, and more.  While the book will resonate with readers from all domains, offering them a fascinating glimpse into the past, it will also delight history enthusiasts interested in ancient civilizations, and individuals eager to delve into the fascinating story of Nalanda and its significance in the world's educational and intellectual history. Author Abhay K says, "I'm truly delighted that Penguin Random House India is going to publish my book on Nalanda, a place very close to my heart, a place where I was born and grew up, and often go back to draw inspiration and recharge myself. Nalanda played a vital role as an ancient centre for learning in spreading knowledge across the world. This book introduces one to an incredible journey of Nalanda from its birth to destruction and rebirth. I'm grateful to Milee Ashwarya for all her support in publishing this book." Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Penguin Random House India, meanwhile has said, "Abhay K has grown up in Nalanda amidst its stories, legends, history, culture, and ethos. He will bring these together in Nalanda to make it a unique and valuable book for readers across the world. I look forward to working with Abhay on the book and publishing it next year." Notably, Abhay K is the author of several poetry books, including Celestial, Stray Poems, Monsoon, The Magic of Madagascar and The Alphabets of Latin America. He is also the editor of half a dozen books including The Book of Bihari Literature. His poems have appeared in over a hundred literary magazines, including the Poetry Salzburg Review and Asia Literary Review. His poem 'Earth Anthem' has been translated into over 150 languages. He received the SAARC Literary Award (2013) and was invited to record his poems at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, in 2018. His translations of Kalidasa's Meghadutam and Ritusamharam from Sanskrit won him the KLF Poetry Book of the Year Award (2020-21).(ANI)

Poet-diplomat Abhay K's book 'Nalanda', the acquisition of which has been announced by Penguin Random House India

Acclaimed writer Abhay K's new book on Nalanda to be published by Penguin

New Delhi: In a bid to reduce the burden on students, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has dropped the full chapter on Periodic Classification of Elements, a full chapter on Democracy and Diversity, a full chapter on Challenges to Democracy, and a full page on Political Parties from the newly released textbooks of Class 10 students.
As per the NCERT, the decision has been taken to reduce the content load on students in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Complete chapters on these above subjects now stand deleted as a part of a "rationalisation" meant to reduce the "burden on students".
Among the topics dropped from the science textbook is also the chapter on environmental sustainability and sources of energy.
According to the NCERT website, "The National Education Policy 2020, also emphasises reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with a creative mindset. In this background, NCERT has undertaken the exercise to rationalise the textbooks across all classes. Learning Outcomes already developed by the NCERT across classes have been taken into consideration in this exercise."
"Contents of the textbooks have been rationalised in view of the Overlapping with similar content included in other subject areas in the same class, Similar content included in the lower or higher class in the same subject, Difficulty level, Content, which is easily accessible to students without much interventions from teachers and can be learned through children through self-learning or peer-learning, Content, which is irrelevant in the present context," NCERT said. —ANI

In a bid to reduce the burden on students, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

NCERT Drops Chapters On Periodic Table, Challenges To Democracy, Others From Class 10 Textbooks

Damoh: Amid the controversy over the hijab case in the Damoh district of Bhopal, Minister of School Education Bhopal Inder Singh Parmar on Thursday said that action would be taken on the issue if the parents lodged an objection to the case.
Following an uproar over the pictures of Hindu topper girls wearing hijab shared on social media by a local school in Bhopal, the Minister of School Education Bhopal stated that the uniform of the school was subject to public scrutiny and that the private schools had a right to decide on the uniform.
"The uniform of the school is subject to scrutiny. As per the rules of the School Education Department, private schools have the right to decide on the uniform," he said.
Parmar further added that action would be taken on the Damoh hijab case if the parents of the children studying in the local school would lodge an objection to the issue.
"Action will be taken if the parents lodge the objection. Action will be taken as per the instructions by the Home Minister and Chief Minister," said Parmar.
On May 31, posters of toppers from a private school began to circulate on the internet. The surprising aspect of these posters was that all of the female students shown were wearing hijabs. Some of these females were Hindus and Jains, which aroused outrage.
Priyank Kanoongo, head of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), took cognizance of the situation and issued a notice to the District Magistrate (DM) on May 31 seeking an action report within a week.
According to the notice, the major areas to be investigated were whether the school had permission to allow hijabs as a dress code.
The commission also discovered videos of students reciting religious prayers, the authorities appear to be in violation of Article 28(3) of the Indian constitution, and the funding received by the institution.
Notably, Hindu organisations had been criticising the school administration since 2021, claiming that Hindu girls were forced to wear hijabs, males were taught how to do Namaz, and these students were educated as if the school was a Madrasa. —ANI

Amid the controversy over the hijab case in the Damoh district of Bhopal, Minister of School Education Bhopal Inder Singh Parmar

Action Will Be Taken On The Issue: Minister Of School Education Bhopal Inder Singh Parmar On Damoh Hijab Controversy

New Delhi: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) announced to drop of objectionable content against Sikh Community from the political science textbook for Class 12 students of the CBSE.
The portions have been removed in view of the representation received from the stakeholders, particularly a letter from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and a recommendation of the expert group set up by NCERT.
Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Sanjay Kumar Secretary of School Education told ANI that in the chapter of Political Science of Class 12 Punjab, there were two-three such lines in reference to which a letter was given by SGPC to NCERT Director and requested that some points related to Anandpur Saheb resolution should be changed and reconsider it.
"NCERT has its own procedure that when such a request is received, it forms a committee of exports and takes decisions based on the recommendations of that export committee. The SGPC says that it was written in the book that the Anandpur Sahib Resolution depicted that the Sikhs wanted a 'separate Sikh Nation' for themselves, objecting to that point because no such thing has been said in Anandpur Sahib Resolution", he added.
School Education Secretary Kumar further told ANI that the Export Committee which has been constituted by NCERT has studied the Anandpur Sahib Revolution on this point and gave its recommendation to NCERT. On the basis of that NCERT has made some minor changes in it and now drop it.
"On the basis of that minor change NCERT has issued Corrigendum to CBSE that the correction version should aware to teachers and also removed from digital books," he added.
NCERT said that the experts' committee examined the same and as per its recommendation, the following changes have been incorporated in Chapter VII -Regional Aspirations (Rationalised Class XII Political Science Textbook-Pg. 123)
"From the last sentence of the third paragraph under the sub-heading 'Punjab' the line'...but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation' is dropped. Just before this line, the given statement is rewritten as 'The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism in India'. In the same section (Sub-heading 'Punjab'), from the last sentence of the fourth paragraph, '... and the creation of Khalistan' is dropped," NCERT said.
The soft copy of the Class XII Political Science Textbook with changes is uploaded on the NCERT's website. —ANI

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) announced to drop of objectionable content against Sikh Community 

NCERT Drops Content From Class 12 Political Science Book After Objection From Sikh Body

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh today interacted with and felicitated the first 20 All India Toppers of IAS/ Civil Services Exam 2022, who called on him at the Department of Personnel &amp; Training (DoPT) headquarters at North Block here. The result of the exam was declared on 23rd May 2023.



Among the first 20 IAS/Civil Services toppers invited, Dr Jitendra Singh said, first four toppers and 60 percent out of top 20 happen to be women and this is a great reflection of demographic change happening in the last 9 nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government, where India is moving from women participation to women leadership. He recalled that last year also the top three toppers were women and hoped that hattrick will be made in 2023 Civil Services Examination.



Dr Jitendra Singh also underlined that this year out of top 20, there are only 8 engineers and one medico and rest are from humanities and he welcomed this change describing it democratisation of services through optimum use of technology.

The Minister also took note of the demographic change happening over the last few years and said that they represent a pan-India coverage as these candidates hail from the States/UTs of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana. He said, this gender and demographic change augurs well for a diverse country like India. The Minister also underlined that even candidates having done schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya School and Government schools are cracking the exam, while earlier it was mostly confined to elite schools.

In his welcome address to the top-20 rankers and their family members, Dr Jitendra Singh described the 2022 batch of Civil Servants as the “Batch of Change Leaders”, as they will be in key positions of Governance, when India will celebrate 100 years of Independence after 25 years as one of the frontline countries of the world.

Dr Jitendra Singh also informed the officers that there is a huge and positive change in curricula in LBSNAA in tune with modern times, and apart from Mission Karmayogi and Mission Prarambh, young probationers will have a 3-month stint of mentorship at the Central government before getting the respective State or Union Territory to join the allocated cadre.
Ms. Ishita Kishore (Roll No. 5809986) has topped the Civil Services Examination, 2022. She belongs to Uttar Pradesh. She qualified the examination with Political Science and International Relations as her optional subject. Ms. Ishita Kishore has graduated with B.A.(Hons.) degree from University of Delhi.

Ms. Garima Lohia (Roll No. 1506175) has secured 2nd Rank in the Civil Services Examination, 2022. She belongs to Bihar. She qualified the examination with Commerce &amp; Accountancy as her optional subject. Ms. Garima Lohia has graduated with B.COM degree from University of Delhi.

Ms. Uma Harathi N (Roll No. 1019872) has secured 3rd Rank the Civil Services Examination, 2022. She belongs to Telangana. She qualified the examination with Anthropology as her optional subject. Ms. Uma Harathi N has graduated with B. TECH. degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad.

The top 20 candidates comprise of 12 female and 8 male candidates.

Optional subjects of the top 20 candidates in the examination range from Political Science and International Relations, Commerce and Accountancy, Anthropology, Zoology, Electrical Engineering, Sociology, Economics, Law, Mathematics, Philosophy, History.

The recommended candidates also include 41 Physically Disabled persons 14 (Locomotive Disability and Cerebral Palsy, LDCP), 07 Visually Impaired (VI), 12 Hearing Impaired (HI) and 08 Multiple Disabled (MD)) out of total 933.

The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2022 was conducted on 05.06.2022. 11,12,318 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,13,192 candidates actually appeared.13,090 candidates qualified for appearing in the Written (Main) Examination held from 16.09.2022 to 25.09.2022. Out of them, 2529 candidates qualified for the Interview/ Personality Test.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh also released the IAS Civil list 2023. The publication of e-book IAS Civil list 2023 has enabled the Department of Personnel &amp; Training to do away with the traditional way of printing of voluminous IAS Civil list. The e-book IAS Civil list is an effort by the Department to contribute towards the Digital India initiative of the Government of India. This move will also lead to economic utilisation of resources by reducing expenditure towards publishing of the civil list. This e-book IAS Civil List2023, contains photographs as well the following information of the IAS officers of all the State Cadres.

Every year DOP&amp;T issues a Civil List of IAS officers working throughout the country at various levels. Availability of the Civil List for all the concerned stakeholders as well as the general public is a vital source of information on the IAS officers manning various posts. This is the 68th edition of Civil List and third edition of e-book in pdf, being launched in 2023, with unique search facilities and hyperlinking of contents for ease of access of information at a click of button.

Secretary, DoPT Ms. S. Radha Chauhan, Secretary, DAR&amp;PG Shri V. Srinivas and Senior Officers of DoPT were present during the function. Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST) sponsored Technology Enabling Centre (TEC) of Panjab University, Chandigarh organized interactive session with representatives of Coal India Limited (CIL) in Panjab University, Chandigarh on 30th May, 2023 so as to understand exact issues on which R&amp;D is desired by CIL. Scientists from IIT Ropar, Panjab University, PEC Chandigarh, INST Mohali, Chitkara University etc participated in this session.Industry persons from Meta Tattva system limited, Gilard electronics Pvt Ltd, Cheema boilers, Sagar Machine Tools Ltd etc also participated in this event and discussed thrust areas suggested by executives from Central Mine Planning &amp; Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL). Er. R N Jha, Director (T/RD&amp;T), CMPDILarticulaated thrust areas identified by CIL on which Industry and academic Institutes should work. He emphasized that India is the second largest coal producer in the world and still we are capable of mining only 5% underground coal. Therefore, academic professors and Industrialists should come forward to develop technologies under the Make in India theme to overcome challenges being faced by CIL. He further highlighted dependency of India on coal as around 75% electricity in India is generated from coal. Therefore, Er R N Jha opined that there is dire need that scientific minds of our Nation should develop technologies that can be of use to Coal India Limited. ErMilan Sen, Chief Manager (Mining), S&amp;TDeptt at Central Mine Planning &amp; Design Institute Limited in his address explainedthrust areas related to mining of coale.gtechnologyfor increase in production from underground mining as well as open cast Mining, Improvement of safety/health/environment,Waste to Wealth, Alternative use of coal and clean coal technologies, Coal beneficiation and utilization etc. He said that proposals may be formulated in line with the S&amp;T Guidelines of Ministry of Coal,which are readily available in the website: https://www.cmpdi.co.in. He further added that the Ministry of coal, through CMPDIL, has invited start-ups/talented minds for a hackathon on R&amp;D in coal mining sectors.
Prof. Manu Sharma, Director of CIIPP and coordinator of DST-TEC conducted a very enthralling interactive session amongst various Industrial delegates and Academic professors. Dr.Debabrata Das, Assistant Professor, Panjab University discussed his research contributions on a pioneering research project conducted in domain of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical elements in the North Eastern Coal Fields. He stated that Preliminary outcomes from his investigation indicate the existence of substantial reserves, with estimations projecting a potential yield surpassing 20,000 tons of rare earth, 12,000 tons of lithium, and 10,000 tons of rubidium. Dr JD Sharma, Head Metallurgy, PEC Chandigarh updated that the department is working in collaboration with Virginia Tech University US to use coal for development of Graphene. Department will be interested to participate in any pilot project based on Coal Blending or coal treatment for better efficiency of its combustion. He acknowledged all the support and efforts of TEC, PU to strengthen relation with Coal India limited. Mr J P Kundra from Cheema boilers shared R&amp;D initiatives taken by Cheema boilers for production of Hydrogen by doing steam reforming of Methane. It was heartening to know that Cheema boilers is trying to produce valuable Carbon Nanotubes from Carbon Dioxide present in exhaust of boilers.

 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy

MoS Dr Jitendra Singh felicitates the first 20 All India Toppers of IAS/ Civil Services Exam 2022

Chandigarh (The Hawk): Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST) sponsored Technology Enabling Centre (TEC) of Panjab University, Chandigarh organized interactive session with representatives of Coal India Limited (CIL) in Panjab University, Chandigarh on 30th May, 2023 so as to understand exact issues on which R&amp;D is desired by CIL. Scientists from IIT Ropar, Panjab University, PEC Chandigarh, INST Mohali, Chitkara University etc participated in this session.Industry persons from Meta Tattva system limited, Gilard electronics Pvt Ltd, Cheema boilers, Sagar Machine Tools Ltd etc also participated in this event and discussed thrust areas suggested by executives from Central Mine Planning &amp; Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL). Er. R N Jha, Director (T/RD&amp;T), CMPDILarticulaated thrust areas identified by CIL on which Industry and academic Institutes should work. He emphasized that India is the second largest coal producer in the world and still we are capable of mining only 5% underground coal. Therefore, academic professors and Industrialists should come forward to develop technologies under the Make in India theme to overcome challenges being faced by CIL. He further highlighted dependency of India on coal as around 75% electricity in India is generated from coal. Therefore, Er R N Jha opined that there is dire need that scientific minds of our Nation should develop technologies that can be of use to Coal India Limited. ErMilan Sen, Chief Manager (Mining), S&amp;TDeptt at Central Mine Planning &amp; Design Institute Limited in his address explainedthrust areas related to mining of coale.gtechnologyfor increase in production from underground mining as well as open cast Mining, Improvement of safety/health/environment,Waste to Wealth, Alternative use of coal and clean coal technologies, Coal beneficiation and utilization etc. He said that proposals may be formulated in line with the S&amp;T Guidelines of Ministry of Coal,which are readily available in the website: https://www.cmpdi.co.in. He further added that the Ministry of coal, through CMPDIL, has invited start-ups/talented minds for a hackathon on R&amp;D in coal mining sectors.
Prof. Manu Sharma, Director of CIIPP and coordinator of DST-TEC conducted a very enthralling interactive session amongst various Industrial delegates and Academic professors. Dr.Debabrata Das, Assistant Professor, Panjab University discussed his research contributions on a pioneering research project conducted in domain of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical elements in the North Eastern Coal Fields. He stated that Preliminary outcomes from his investigation indicate the existence of substantial reserves, with estimations projecting a potential yield surpassing 20,000 tons of rare earth, 12,000 tons of lithium, and 10,000 tons of rubidium. Dr JD Sharma, Head Metallurgy, PEC Chandigarh updated that the department is working in collaboration with Virginia Tech University US to use coal for development of Graphene. Department will be interested to participate in any pilot project based on Coal Blending or coal treatment for better efficiency of its combustion. He acknowledged all the support and efforts of TEC, PU to strengthen relation with Coal India limited. Mr J P Kundra from Cheema boilers shared R&amp;D initiatives taken by Cheema boilers for production of Hydrogen by doing steam reforming of Methane. It was heartening to know that Cheema boilers is trying to produce valuable Carbon Nanotubes from Carbon Dioxide present in exhaust of boilers.

Department of Science & Technology (DST) sponsored Technology Enabling Centre (TEC) of Panjab University

Coal India Limited (CIL) Articulates Issues For R&D/Innovation

Shimla (The Hawk): The Belletristic Literature Society at Shoolini University hosted a thought-provoking session on "Mountain Literature: A Multi-Thematic Analysis and Exploration of SR Harnot's Stories." The speaker of the session was, Dr. Abhiyudita Gautam, who delved into the complexities of literature inspired by mountains, offering a profound exploration of this genre. Dr. Gautam, a recognised specialist in the field of mountain literature, brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the session.&nbsp;
Dr. Purnima Bali, the Head of the School, provided a brief overview of Belletristic and also introduced the guest. Dr. Gautam, shared their thoughts and questions, fostering a fruitful dialogue. Prof. Nasser Desht Peyma also contributed to the discussion by emphasising that authors are storytellers rather than mere reporters of events. Dr. Gautam, drawing on her expertise, responded eloquently to each query, enhancing the session's depth and resonance. The session was concluded with remarks by Mr. Neeraj Pizar, who also delivered the vote of thanks. He extended his appreciation to Dr. Gautam, the panellists, and the attendees, acknowledging their collective effort in making the session a resounding success.&nbsp;

 The Belletristic Literature Society at Shoolini University hosted a thought-provoking session on "Mountain Literature

Exploring Mountain Literature: A Captivating Session Held At Shoolini University 

Chandigarh (The Hawk): Students Magazine ‘Jawan Tarang’ released at Panjab University Professor Renu Vig, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh released the annual student based magazine ‘Jawan Tarang’ for the session 2022-2023, representing the activities of Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Professor Sanjay Kaushik, Dean College Development Council, Dr. Rohit Kumar Sharma, Director Youth Welfare, Dr. Tejinder Singh, Assistant Director Youth Welfare and Professor Simrat Kahlon, Dean Student Welfare (Women) along with all the editors of this magazine were also present on the occasion and released the annual magazine. This annual magazine is compilation of contributions from students of different colleges and departments of Panjab University, Chandigarh who have secured podium positions in various events conducted by Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Students Magazine ‘Jawan Tarang’ released at Panjab University Professor Renu Vig, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University

Students Magazine ‘Jawan Tarang’ Released At PU

Shimla (The Hawk): Shoolini University has once again achieved remarkable recognition for its dedication to research excellence. Shoolini has secured an impressive second position in the prestigious EducationWorld Grand Jury India Higher Education Rankings 2023–24 in the category of Exemplary Researcher of the Year.
The EducationWorld Grand Jury, consisting of well-informed educationists, meticulously evaluated and ranked over 400 nominated higher education institutions across 14 categories of 21st-century education excellence. Shoolini University's outstanding commitment to research and its consistent pursuit of academic innovation have propelled it to a well-deserved second place in this esteemed ranking. On this achievement, Chancellor Prof. PK Khosla said it reflects the university’s dedication to producing cutting-edge research, fostering an environment of innovation, and nurturing talented researchers.
&nbsp;The university's commitment to excellence in research is exemplified by its state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class faculty, and vibrant ecosystem that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages groundbreaking discoveries, Says Prof. Chancellor Mr. Vishal Anand.
Prof. Atul Khosla , Vice-Chancellor of Shoolini University, expressed his gratitude and pride in the institution's remarkable achievement. He stated, "This recognition is a testament to the relentless efforts of our faculty, researchers, and students who continually strive for excellence in their pursuit of knowledge. At Shoolini University, we strongly believe in the transformative power of research and its ability to shape a brighter future. This prestigious ranking fuels our motivation to continue pushing boundaries and making a significant impact through our research endeavours."
In addition to its remarkable performance in the Exemplary Researcher of the Year category, Shoolini University's commitment to other aspects of higher education excellence was also acknowledged. The institution's outstanding library resources, dedication to diversity, inclusion, and equity, best skill development and education initiatives, and strong academia-industry alliance were recognised in the EducationWorld Grand Jury India Higher Education Rankings.
&nbsp;EducationWorld is India's premier education magazine and online platform dedicated to covering the latest developments and achievements in the field of education. The EducationWorld Grand Jury India Higher Education Rankings is also an esteemed annual ranking that assesses and acknowledges excellence in higher education across various categories.

Shoolini University has once again achieved remarkable recognition for its dedication to research excellence

Shoolini University Gets Top Rank For Exemplary Research

Lucknow: Nearly 43 per cent candidates skipped Civil Services preliminary examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) here on Sunday.
Of the 40,018 candidates, only 57.10 per cent turned up.
In the morning shift, 23,123 (57.78 per cent) aspirants appeared, while 16,895 skipped the exam.
In the second shift, 22,851 candidates appeared (57.10 per cent) and 17,167 gave it a miss.
About 50 per cent candidates had skipped the exam in 2020.
Meanwhile, the candidates who appeared found the General Studies (GS) paper very tough as compared to previous year.
Rajeshwar Singh, an aspirant who came from Barabanki to write the exam said, "The general studies question paper was quite tough this year. I took the same exam last year too, but this year the paper was much more difficult."
The second paper 'Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)' was easy, he said. The exam was held in 86 exam centres in the state capital. —IANS

Nearly 43 per cent candidates skipped Civil Services preliminary examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission

43% Candidates Skip UPSC Preliminary Exam In Lucknow

Shimla (The Hawk): Efforts must be made to increase convergence between labs and fields to become more field-friendly. As plant health affects the whole agri-horticulture sector, therefore an ideal combination of local. indigenous and modern strategies are needed to ensure proper plant health. Amitabh Avasthi, Horticulture Secretary of Himachal Pradesh expressed these views while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day ‘National Symposium on Confluencing Indigenous and Modern Strategies for Plant Health Management’ at the Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni on Friday.
The symposium is being organized under the aegis of the Himalayan Phytopathological Society and the Department of Plant Pathology of the university. Eminent scientists and researchers working on different areas of plant health management from ICAR-National Institutes, reputed universities and agrochemical industries are attending the event.
The Horticulture Secretary said that it was important that the experience of the farmers must be accommodated into the system as they are the real masters and eventually the technologies and strategies will have to be adopted by them. He urged the scientists to keep the issue of the farmers in mind and also stressed on the need to ensure the proper plant health of planting material.
Professor Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, UHF Vice-Chancellor who was the Guest of Honour said that we need to narrow the gap between indigenous and modern technologies and check how the practices which are prevalent are relevant in today’s times. Prof. Chandel said that there is a need to address how some agricultural produce from our country, which has low average agrochemical usage as compared to developed countries, often show high traces of residue above the maximum residue level. He also gave the example of Himachal Pradesh, which through its natural farming movement has shown the way towards scientifically backed sustainable and environmentally friendly natural farming practice which have been successfully adopted by thousands of farmers and have ensured good returns at a lesser input cost.
Earlier, Dr. Sunita Chandel, HOD of Dept. of Plant Pathology and President of HPS informed that the symposium aims to provide deep insights on different aspects of plant health management and the forum will focus on advocating the importance of plant health among the scientists, farmers and industry. The symposium would outline the potential role of traditional and current technologies in deciphering combined stress tolerance in plants. Emerging plant health challenges such as the impact of climate change, loss of biodiversity, the rapid emergence of new pests and diseases, soil health, and other challenges will also be addressed in different sessions.
With the increase in world population, the pressure on agriculture production systems has also increased and plant health plays a vital role in ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security across the globe. Plants are continuously being challenged by biotic and abiotic factors that reduce the quality and quantity of produce which calls for sustainable management strategies to ensure plant health.
Symposium themes
Plant health management under natural and organic crop production, Bioactive compounds in botanicals and plant defense, Plant health management strategies under changing climate scenario, Mushroom cultivation for nutrition and livelihood; Biotechnological approaches for plant disease management; Artificial intelligence and IoT-based approaches in plant disease management; Plant quarantine, biosecurity, certification and seed health and Farmers-Scientist-Industry interaction and technology demonstration.

Efforts must be made to increase convergence between labs and fields to become more field-friendly

Scientists Discuss Issues Affecting Plant Health At National Symposium At Nauni Varsity

Chandigarh (The Hawk): Haryana Governor, Mr. Bandaru Dattatraya emphasized the pivotal role of universities in equipping the country with skilled professionals. During his visit to Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), he interacted with professors, non-teaching staff, and students. He inspired them to engage in innovative educational endeavours. The Governor highlighted the importance of aligning educational proposals with the needs of society and industry.
Inaugurating several educational centers at CDLU, Mr. Bandaru Dattatraya called upon universities to effectively implement the new National Education Policy-2020. He set a target for Haryana's universities to fully implement the policy by 2025, thus contributing to the state government's vision. The Governor emphasized the significance of preserving a strong connection with the mother tongue while highlighting the importance of proficiency in other languages.
On reaching this programme organized at Tagore Bhavan Extension Lecture Theatre, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ajmer Singh Malik welcomed the Governor and informed about the future plans of the University. Addressing the faculty members at the Theatre, the Governor encouraged them to undertake innovative educational initiatives. He stressed the need for quality research in educational institutions to ensure national development. He urged professors to embrace educational techniques rooted in technology, particularly artificial intelligence and robotics. Recognizing the prevalent skills gap that has left over three crore jobs vacant across India, the Governor emphasized the responsibility of educational institutions to bridge this gap by equipping students with practical skills for employment and holistic development.
The Governor shared insightful anecdotes with the professors, highlighting the value of promoting innovation. He emphasized that obtaining a degree alone is inadequate and urged professors to foster a culture of continuous learning among students. Mr. Dattatreya stressed the importance of skill development and adaptive learning, exemplifying the impact of his physics teacher, Ramaya, on his own success. He encouraged professors to serve as role models for students.
During his visit, Mr. Bandaru Dattatraya inaugurated the first Census Data Research Work Station, University Science Instrumentation Center, University Center for Competitive Examination Center, and released the Handbook of Information related to admissions for the academic session 2023-24.
Additionally, the Governor engaged with the Deans of various faculties at CDLU, sharing insights on fostering self-reliance within universities. He stressed the importance of considering social and national interests when seeking financial assistance from industry leaders. He urged educational institutions to align their proposals with the demands of the industrial world while also addressing local needs and promoting entrepreneurship, particularly through programs in hospitality.
Highlighting the significance of teamwork, the Chancellor encouraged professors to contribute to the institute and the nation through their work. He reiterated that wealth, education, and fame are invaluable assets in life, obtained through hard work and dedication. The Governor also emphasized the importance of physical fitness and urged professors to motivate students to participate in sports. He actively engaged with teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as the SC-BC Students Union, encouraging their enthusiastic involvement in the University's development.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;—Jag Mohan Thaken

 Haryana Governor, Mr. Bandaru Dattatraya emphasized the pivotal role of universities in equipping the country with skilled 

Haryana Governor Dattatraya Emphasizes Innovation And Self-Reliance In Higher Education

Guwahati (Assam): The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has issued a notification to introduce Bodo as a medium of instruction for Higher Secondary Arts courses from the academic year 2023-24.
In the notification, AHSEC said that institutions willing to offer a Bodo medium of instruction to students are required to intimate it immediately.
"It is hereby notified to all concerned that the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council has decided to implement Bodo Medium of Instruction in addition to the existing medium of instruction initially in Arts Stream from the academic session 2023-24 in the instructions under Assam Higher Secondary Education Council, comprising the following subjects," AHSEC said in an order issued on Friday.
History, Geography, Education, Logic and Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, Environmental Education, Mathematics and Swadesh Adhyayan are the subjects for which Bodo medium of instruction has been introduced.
"As such, institutions willing to offer the Bodo Medium of Instruction are requested to intimate the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council regarding the offering of the said instruction in their institution," the notification added.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu also informed about the decision of AHSEC through a tweet.
"Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has NOTIFIED to introduce BODO as a medium of instruction for HS Arts course from 2023-24. Institutions willing to offer Bodo medium of instruction to students are required to intimate AHSEC immediately," the minister said in the tweet. —ANI

The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has issued a notification to introduce Bodo

Assam Higher Secondary Education Council To Introduce Bodo As Medium Of Instruction For Hs Arts Courses

New Delhi: The academic council of Delhi University voted to remove a chapter on Pakistan's national poet Muhammad Iqbal from the political science curriculum, and Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh declared, "Those who laid the foundation to break India should not be in the syllabus." Saare jahan se achha was written by Iqbal, who was born in Sialkot, undivided India, in 1877. Many people consider him the "father" of Pakistan.
The chapter "Modern Indian Political Thought" was voted out of the textbook by the university's academic committee on Friday. According to administrators, the question is included in the BA sixth-semester paper, and the next step is to propose the issue to the DU executive council for a decision.
According to Vice Chancellor Singh, Iqbal composed music in support of the "Muslim League" and the "Pakistan Movement."—Inputs from Agencies

The academic council of Delhi University voted to remove a chapter on Pakistan's national poet Muhammad Iqbal from the political science curriculum, and Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh declared, "Those who laid the foundation to break India should not be in the syllabus."

Those who laid foundation to break India shouldn't be in syllabus: DU VC on poet who penned 'saare jahan se achha'

Chandigarh (The Hawk): Interactive meet on Proposed S&amp;T Cluster (Northern Region) Organised jointly by Panjab University, Chandigarh and IIT-Ropar.
Dr. (Ms.) Parvinder Maini,Scientific Secretary to Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, visited Panjab University for setting up S&amp;T Cluster in Northern Region of India comprising states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&amp;K and Union Territoryof Chandigarh.
In the Curtain Raiser event organised for setting of S&amp;T Cluster,Dr. (Mrs) Parvinder Maini, gave the introductory remarks and underlined the need for S&amp;T Cluster. She Said, “The Chief Operating Officers (or their equivalents) are uniquely positioned in the already established six clusters in various cities of India. For the proposed cluster in Panjab University, she was elated to see the support from various stakeholders that has capacity for enabling India to become a technology reliant country. Dr. Maini discussed with the stakeholders, principles of this flagship program at regional and global level. She further added that the seed grant will be provided by the Office of PSA for setting up the cluster. Dr. Maini emphasised on the fact that the main mandate of the cluster should be to innovate on pain-points of the end users. She urged that the industries should be involved in the project at the very starting stage of the project.
The event was presided by Professor Renu Vig, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh. who is also Chair of the Proposed S&amp;T Cluster (Nr). In her address, she accentuated on the research facilities already available at Panjab University i.e CRICK, DIC, SAIF, TEC, BioNEST, etc., which would support the proposed S&amp;T Cluster.
Dr. Rupinder Tiwari, Mentor, Technology Enabling Centre at Panjab University, shared the genesis of S&amp;T Cluster, and modalities to be worked upon for S&amp;T Ecosystem of northern region of India. He briefed about the MoU (between PU &amp; IIT-Ropar) and Goals of S&amp;T Cluster (NR).
Prof Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar and Joint-Chair [Proposed S&amp;T Cluster (North)] in his address emphatically remarked, that how both IIT Ropar and PU can work together to bring technological solutions of the problems of the industry. He assured to help in setting up of a robust and vibrant Innovation-driven Technology Development Ecosystem.
Further Dr Pushpendra P Singh from IIT-Ropar gave detailed insights into the implementation of the ‘Proposal on S&amp;T Cluster (NR)’. He discussed the framework of the cluster which was categorized into 5 different segments i.e Pharma/healthcare, Agriculture, Sustainable Mobility,Green Energy, Waste management. He beautifully articulated a potential revenue model and the plan of implementation.
Very enthralling Interactive session was conducted by Professor Manu Sharma, Honorary Director CIIPP &amp;TEC,with various industrial delegates, and academic stakeholders. They discussed the wide-ranging engagements, including the National Missions on One Health, Quantum Technologies, Livelihood, Green Hydrogen, One Nation One Subscription, etc. The discussion focused majorly on having solutions to the industrial problems. The event was attended by about 20 people from the Industry and 20 people from different CRIKC Institutes. Professor Arvind, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Sanjeev Khosla, Director of IMTech and Professor Rudrapratap, Vice-Chancellor of Plaksha University graced the event with their presence. Concluding remarks and vote of thanks was finally delivered by Dr Pushpendra P Singh. Dr Parvinder Maini expressed confidence that very soon proposed Science &amp; Technology cluster will get final approval.

 Interactive meet on Proposed S&T Cluster (Northern Region) Organised jointly by Panjab University

Interactive Meet On Proposed S&T Cluster (Northern Region) Organised Jointly By PU, Chandigarh And IIT-Ropar

New Delhi (The Hawk): The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 2nd convocation of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Ranchi at Namkum, Ranchi today (May 25, 2023).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that today India is moving towards entrepreneurial culture by strengthening the start-up eco-system and promoting self-reliance. In this context, scientific research and innovation has become an even more important topic in the country's development discourse. It is only through research that new processes, products and designs can be developed that can help find innovative and sustainable solutions to emerging issues. She expressed confidence that higher educational institutions in India would enhance their research capabilities and produce talented students who would be technologically proficient and work for the welfare of citizens through innovations. She emphasized that technology should be used as an instrument of social justice.

The President said that India has the third largest tech start-up ecosystem in the world. We are already using smart devices that have made our lives easier. But such equipment and systems should be accessible to common people and should be in line with overall sustainability. This is where the role of the technologists becomes more challenging. For this they need to adopt a holistic approach in their thinking and work.

The President said that in the era of artificial intelligence, it is the responsibility of bright minds like students of IIIT Ranchi to increase efficiency by making best use of it. By saving time and resources, they can focus more on creative and sensitive tasks that require empathy and human touch. She urged them to think about how to use artificial intelligence to help divyangjan, senior citizens or other needy sections.

The President said that youth have immense potential to change the society and nation. Our youth can make a big contribution in making a conscious and developed nation. It is the duty of all of us to show the right direction to the youth and encourage them towards working for the progress of the country and society.

The President was happy to note that in just a few years of its inception, the faculty and students of IIIT Ranchi have underlined the importance of knowledge creation, and they are contributing through original research papers and publications in the reputed national and international publications. She also noted that IIIT Ranchi is making students future-ready through state-of-the-art laboratories and Research and Development Cells related to areas such as data science, bio-informatics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. She expressed confidence that IIIT Ranchi would make its mark as a hub of research and innovation in the times to come.

The President urged IIIT Ranchi to collaborate with national and international organizations and industry and prepare the students for the upcoming challenges at personal and professional level. She said that apart from being technically skilled and educated, our youth should also be socially, mentally, emotionally and physically fit.

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 2nd convocation of IIIT

President Of India Graces The 2nd Convocation Of IIIT Ranchi

Dehradun (The Hawk): The Genesis- Quantum University’s Innovation Cell organized a Start Up Award Ceremony to appreciate and support the young entrepreneurial minds of the students . The ceremony celebrated various start-ups for their exceptional achievements. The university awarded a prize cheque of Rs. 50,000/- to six winner start ups as a token of appreciation. To motivate and inspire the new start ups, Quantum University joined hands and gave support to the future endeavours and successful business of the new students start ups. On this occasion, Quantum University took a step forward in fulfilling its commitments toward welfare and development of the society.&nbsp;
On one hand, Quantum University is providing quality education for the betterment and development of the society and on the other hand, it is also supporting the new entrepreneurs for establishing their own ventures. The chairperson of the Quantum University, Mr. Ajay Goyal is very much positive for the holistic development of the students in all domains.&nbsp;
The ceremony started with lamp lighting by the dignitaries or the university. Prof. Vivek Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Quantum University, Dr. Manish Shrivastava, Director, Quantum School of Business, Registrar Dr. Amit Dixit, Varun Tiwari, CEO of The Genesis, and many other faculty members were present to cheer up the students. The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the Genesis Start Up School, The Genesis CEO Challenge, The Genesis TV, the Technical club and the Finance club.&nbsp;
The annual fest of the Quantum University- Dharohar-23 saw the beginning of the start ups competition where 30 start ups participated in Srijan-2023 an inter-university start up- prototype expo held at the university.&nbsp;
The six start ups included Anagh, Vet Cure Kart, Millet Upshot, Nayan Bamboo, The Wine Hour and The Royal Hemp, each one of them went through a rigorous selection process and pitched their innovative ideas before the esteemed panel.&nbsp;
This step towards a new world of entrepreneurs supported the young minds by giving them an exclusive opportunity to get a wide recognition before the experts and the industry professionals.

 The Genesis- Quantum University’s Innovation Cell organized a Start Up Award

Quantum University Takes A Step Towards The Entrepreneurs World

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today called upon the students “to work tirelessly, avail opportunities and script the blueprint for New India at 2047, when the nation celebrates the centenary of its independence”. Encouraging students to make opportunities out of challenges, he suggested that “nothing is more dangerous than to have a brilliant idea parked in your mind. Act on the ideas by unleashing your talent and exploiting your potential”.
The Vice-President was the Chief Guest at the 70th Annual Convocation of Panjab University, Chandigarh. During the ceremony, the Vice-President, who is also the Chancellor of Panjab University, conferred the Honoris Causa (Doctor of Literature) on noted educator and philanthropist, Dr Sudha N. Murty and Honoris Causa (Doctor of Laws) on the former Chief Justice of India and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Shri Ranjan Gogoi.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President reminded the students about their “responsibility to contribute to the wider good of society, and to work for the greater good of all”. “Ensure and inculcate a deep sense of keeping Nation Always First”, he said. Hailing the National Education Policy 2020 as a game changer, the Vice-President said the policy developed after consultation with all sections, is transforming education at all levels.
The Vice-President observed that systemic reforms and affirmative governance measures in recent years have paid rich dividends and that India, “the largest functioning democracy, is a favourite global destination of opportunity and investment and bright star in the world economic growth”.
Touching upon digital transformation in India, the Vice-President referred to IMF recognising India’s digital development as a "world-class digital public infrastructure", serving as a model for other nations undergoing digital transformation. He also referred to Direct Benefit Transfers through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, MUDRA scheme, etc as reflective of India’s changing governance model which gives no scope for pilferages.
In his address, the Vice-President noted that the convocation was being organised under the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the Panjab University- Prof Renu Vig. He appreciated that Panjab University is home to some of the most illustrious alumni and called upon them to catalyse further growth of the University. He lauded the University for ever pursuing excellence, noting the various MoUs signed with foreign Universities and its participation in international projects like the High Energy Research Programme.
During his visit, the Vice-President held separate meetings with Senate Members, Syndicate Members, Students’ Union, Teachers Association and the Non-Teachers’ Association of Panjab University.
Shri Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Governor of Haryana, Shri. Som Prakash, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce &amp; Industry, Government of India, Shri Harjot Singh Bains, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of Punjab, Prof. Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Dr. Sudha N. Murty, Padma Bhushan awardee, Former Chief Justice of India &amp; Member of Parliament, Shri Ranjan Gogoi and other dignitaries were present at the event.

 The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today called upon the students “to work tirelessly

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