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14th Srijan Mahotsav Natya and Samman Samaroh in Bhopal

On Friday evening, the five-day ’14th Srijan Mahotsav Natya and Samman Samaroh’ was hosted at Shaheed Bhawan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The event was marked by a Hindi play ‘Tax Free’ staged as part of the fest. Written by Dr Chandrashekhar Phansalkar and directed by Tanveer Ahmed, the play was translated into Hindi by Vidula Gore and presented by The Reflection Society for Performing Art and Culture. It told the story of four blind people who become blind due to accidents, but live an entertaining life free of helplessness.

In addition, patriotic songs were performed by young artists from Ek Rang Socio Cultural Group, led by director Vibha Srivastava. Young’s Theater Foundation organized the program in memory of the fifth Sarsanghchalak late Sudarshan, in association with the Ministry of Culture, Swaraj Sansthan, and the Directorate of Culture, M.P. The play Nadi Pyasi Thi is scheduled to staged on Saturday evening.

The Reflection Society for Performing Art and Culture is a not-for-profit organization based in Mumbai, India. It was established in 2005 by Aparna Dhuru and Bal Mukund Sharma, two renowned theater and film artists. The mission of the organization is to create a platform to promote quality theater and foster an environment of creativity and excellence in the theater industry. Since its inception, The Reflection Society has successfully produced several acclaimed plays, such as Tax Free and acted with several leading actors and actresses.

Vidula Gore is a renowned poet and translator from Maharashtra, and has been writing poems, plays and translating works since 2012. She has adapted several plays into Marathi and Hindi, which have been receiving critical acclaim in the theater world. Her works focus on topics such as caste, gender, religion, and social issues. Her Hindi translation of Tax Free has been performed across multiple festivals in India.

Toonz Animation Studios and FTII Pune to Jointly Launch Animated Film and Visual Effects Courses

Toonz Animation Studios has recently announced a collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to offer students of the institute specially designed courses in animation and visual effects. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 24th of May, which will be implemented through Toonz’s education services arm, Vizdem. The objective of the collaboration is to bridge the gap between industry requirements and the teaching provided at educational institutes.

The MoU was signed by Subbalakshmi Venkitadri, the Chief Financial Officer of Toonz Animation Studios, and Sayyid Rabeehashmi, the Registrar of FTII. With this collaboration, IFTII has also announced the launch of a new undergraduate course in ‘Animation and Visual Effects Design’. To assist in this course, Toonz studios will provide necessary support by mentoring the curriculum, arranging industry experts and academicians from Vizdem, as well as providing internship opportunities to the students.

P Jayakumar, the Chief Executive Officer of Toonz Media Group stated that the collaboration between the two is extremely beneficial for students of the institute as well as for the animation and visual effects industry. He is confident that this joint effort will help in providing the students with the right kind of skills and education to help them excel in their respective fields. He further added that Vizdem, the Toonz studios’ education services arm, is a leading institute in animation training in South Asia.

Both Toonz and FTII also have plans to develop various animation and visual effects courses and an incubation centre in the FTII campus. Toonz Animation Studios is a popular name in the animation industry, having been operational since 1999. The company focuses on delivering high-quality content to its audiences and has a rich legacy of 25 years in the business.

It is hoped that this collaboration will lead to better, more relevant courses in the media and entertainment field, helping students acquire the skills necessary to find success in the industry.

Assistant Professor Suspended From Work

Assistant Professor Rajeev Singh from Government College for Women (GCW) in Udhampur has been placed under suspension, effective from May 17, 2023. The decision was announced on May 26 by the Higher Education Department of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, after Singh’s arrest by the police in connection with a case registered under FIR Number 259/2023 U/S 9/10 POSCO Act, 354 IPC.

During this period of suspension, Singh will be attached to Government Degree College, Billawar. This decision sets a precedent for other institutions to follow and ensure compliance with rules and regulations.

Higher Education Department of J&K is responsible for the administration of higher education in the state. It provides direction, policies as well as programs to all the colleges and universities in the state. With such strict steps, the department aims to promote quality learning, research and educational opportunities for students in the state.

Rajeev Singh is an Assistant Professor (EVS) who was employed as a faculty member at Government College for women, Udhampur prior to his suspension. Singh holds a degree in Environmental Science and has been working in the field since 2000. He is known for his academic excellence and dedication towards teaching, making him an inspiration for aspiring students.

This case serves as a reminder for educators and professionals alike of the regulations that are in place to ensure proper functioning of organizations and educational facilities. By setting an example such as this, Higher Education Department of J&K aims to further maintain and improve quality higher education in the state.

AYUSH Hosts Yogotsava at JU

Under the direction of Dr. Mohan Singh, Director of AYUSH J&K (Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and Dr. Vandana Dogra, District AYUSH Officer Jammu and Medical Superintendent of the Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Jammu, a Yogotsava programme was conducted in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education at the University of Jammu. This programme was organised as part of the lead-up events to the 9th International Day of Yoga in accordance with the Union Ministry of AYUSH and their promotional theme of ‘Har Ghar Angan Yog’ to promote Yoga and its benefits for the community.

The programme saw over 450 participants from various convocations of the university and the Department of AYUSH J&K who took part in the Yoga Workshops, Common Yoga Protocol Practice and Community Level Yoga Sessions. Attendance included Dr. Daud Iqbal Baba, Director Standards and Physical Education Department of JU; Dr. Seema Rohmetra, Director Gandhian Studies; Dr. Suresh Sharma, Deputy Director AYUSH; Dr. Vandana Dogra, District AYUSH Officer Jammu; Medical Superintendent Govt. Ayurvedic Hospital Jammu; Dr. Bharat Bhusan, CMO Jammu University and other personnel.

The event paid homage to Mahrishi Patanjali, the inventor of Yoga, who was the first to record ancient wisdom into the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Dr. Suresh Sharma of Jammu’s AYUSH Division outlined the need to practice principles and practices of Yoga for balanced health and positivity in the current health landscape. Dr. Anil Sharma and Dr. Manjeet Singh supervised and coordinated the Yoga session respectively. Dr. Vandana Dogra ended the session with thanks. The upcoming sessions will include components leading to the completion of the 9th International Day of Yoga event.

AYUSH is a body within the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which is focused on the promotion and development of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy systems of medicine in India. The Institute has conducted, and will continue to organize, various programmes including workshops, skill-building exercise, and other outreach activities that focus on the advancement of traditional treatments and therapies in the country. With an aim to spread awareness about the benefits of holistic healthcare, AYUSH and the Ministry have constantly worked towards the improvement and modernization of healthcare services in India.

EAM Jaishankar Inaugurates Two ‘Smart Anganwadis’ in Gujarat

On Friday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar performed the Bhoomi Pujan (ground breaking ceremony) of two ‘Smart Anganwadis’ in Narmada district, Gujarat. Following this, he took to twitter to express his happiness, tweeting, “Had the privilege of performing Bhoomi Pujan of 2 Smart Anganwadis at Vyadhar, Tilakwara in my parliamentary state of Gujarat this morning. Thanks to regional MP Geeta Ben Rathwa ji for being present with me.”

During the occasion, EAM Jaishankar highlighted the importance of strengthening the connection between health and Anganwadis and stated, “Health and Anganwadis have a very deep connection, if we strengthen it further then the steps to move forward will become easier, so this time my focus is on smart Anganwadis.” He went on to explain that special emphasis is being paid on health, nutrition, and education under MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) to ensure a bright future for the nation.

On his two-day visit to Gujarat, EAM Jaishankar also visited Malsamot village in Dediapada taluka of the district. There, he announced the opening of two new Anganwadis and one health and wellness centre from MPLADS. Additionally, he visited the Nari Shakti Kendra and Ekta Skill Development Centre in Kevadia. Finally, he made a trip to Bhadod village in Sagbara, the third model village in the region.

The MPLADS scheme was started by the Government of India in the year 1993. Its objective is to provide financial resources for the implementation of certain developmental works in the constituencies of Members of Parliament, in a transparent and accountable manner. The scheme is implemented by the district authorities with the assistance of the respective Member of Parliament. It provides an opportunity for the local MPs to identify the local needs and participate in the development process in their constituency. It also marks an important milestone in the increasing participation of the Members of Parliament in the development of the country. In this regard, EAM Jaishankar’s two-day visit to Gujarat has underlined the importance of taking necessary steps for strengthening health, nutrition, and education in the state.

Indian Mandala: Empowering the Pacific Region with a Secure India

In recent weeks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited Japan and met with the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). Meanwhile in India, the country hosted the G20 Summit facilitated by Modi through tourism. The Prime Minister also flew to Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week to participate in the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), becoming the first Indian leader to participate in the event. U.S. President Joe Biden was scheduled to join them, but flew home to manage the country’s debt limit crisis and was instead represented by the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

The meeting in Papua New Guinea and the fourteen regional countries involved in FIPIC symbolizes India’s interconnectedness with the Pacific region. India is simultaneously taking a strong middle ground in the Ukrainian War, showing non-Western countries the country is willing to provide economic support to fight climate change, which is a key concern for the Pacific islands that may soon be affected by rising sea levels.

In response to Prime Minister Marape’s warm welcomes, where he proclaimed India as the “third big voice,” Modi expressed his willingness to share India’s capabilities and experiences. He mentioned digital technology, space technology, health security, food security, climate change, and environment protection as potential sharing opportunities. The United States also signed a $45 million deal with PNG to boost economic and security cooperation, and an additional agreement to increase surveillance of the nation’s exclusive economic zone.

India’s presence in the Pacific appears as a safer power in the region. At the moment, India does not possess the same military capabilities of other Western countries and cannot surpass China’s influence. Nonetheless, the country is striving to make a difference by leveraging its knowledge and experiences to help countries, particularly those in the Pacific region, in areas like solar energy and climate change.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs reported there are around 320,000 Indians living in the region, many of whom have immigrated over time. These people offer bridgehead opportunities to promote trade and can play a huge part in the country’s future.

In conclusion, India is determined to solidify its power in the Pacific region by using available resources, similar initiatives from other countries, and its own capabilities to achieve its goals. By taking these steps, India can successfully become a safe and reliable power in the Indo-Pacific.

General Manoj Pande, Indian Army Chief, Visits Manipur After Violence

Today (May 27), the Chief of the Indian Army General Manoj Pande will be making a visit to violence-hit Manipur. In order to evaluate and review the security conditions in the state, the COAS will assess the various aspects of the issue.

Recently, new conflicts broke out in several districts, prompting the Chief Minister of Manipur N Biren Singh to call for peace and urge all communities to refrain from violence. Even Union Minister of State, Nityanand Rai, who is visiting the state, announced that Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Manipur on May 29.

Army forces, Central Armed Police Force, Manipur Rifles, police and Village Defence Force have already been deployed in at least 38 sensitive areas of the different districts. In discussions with the media, the Chief Minister expressed the government’s commitment to peace and security. He expressed his confidence that through consultation with the public, normalcy can be restored in the state.

In response to the situation, women organisations expressed their dissent by burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and other relevant personnel.

The Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, and the Lok Sabha member Lorho S. Pfoze, appealed to the people to prioritize and maintain ethnic harmony in the state. In this regard, Singh noted the detrimental effects that violence can have on the development and welfare activities, and called for peaceful mediation of any disputes.

The original aim of this visit was to resolve the ongoing ethnic crisis that Manipur is facing today. In his plea, the Chief Minister has requested people to have faith in the government and abide by the regulations established to ensure peace and order in the state. The government is confident that through its actions, peace and normality can be restored in Manipur.

Tribal Students of Jammu & Kashmir Receives Generous Scholarship Worth 45 Crores Rupees

On Friday, the Jammu and Kashmir Tribal Affairs Department took a historic step to help its tribal people, by disbursing the highest ever scholarship worth Rs 45 Crore to students of the community under various schemes. Secretary of Tribal Affairs, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, explained that the funds were to be provided through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, under both pre and post-matric scholarship schemes.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly backed this initiative, which is aimed at providing tribal students in the region with educational assistance and opportunity. The move is part of the Jammu and Kashmir government’s primary goal of promoting education among the tribal communities. The scholarships are not only intended to financially assist students, but also to make the system more transparent and user friendly through the National Scholarship Portal, which has been seamlessly integrated with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

The Tribal Affairs Department has expressed its hope that thedisbursement will have a positive impact on the lives of tribal students, equipping them with the necessary resources to pursue a bright future through education.

In addition to the Tribal Affairs Department, whose primary function is to support and foster tribal interests, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir plays a vital role in contributing to the education of its tribal population. Through creative initiatives that help to craft a bright future for the community, the government has become a major advocate of tribals rights in the region.

Manoj Sinha has been a major driving force behind spearheading programs designed to empower and bring relief to the region’s tribals. He has provided invaluable assistance to the Tribal Affairs Department, and remains committed to the union territory’s goal of building a brighter future for its citizens.

80% of BA Final Year Students Clear Exams in Indore

Around 80 per cent students passed their Bachelor of Arts (BA) final year exams in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the results of which were announced by Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) on Friday. The exams were conducted in March-April, and nearly 60,000 students had appeared in the exams, including 20,000 students in the BA exams.

Despite the Department of Higher Education’s mandate for the results to be declared by May 15, the BA and BSc final year results were released nearly two weeks later due to the unavailability of transportation for the answer books. Although the results of the BA exams have been declared, those of the BSc exams are still awaited.

The results of the final year exams have also prompted the beginning of the centralized online counselling process for admission in post graduate courses.

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) is located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and is a public university founded in 1964. It offers a variety of Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level courses and runs several departments and research centres in the field of Engineering and Technology, Arts and Sciences, Law, Commerce, Pharmacy etc. It is also renowned for its research activities and encourages students to take part in various activities.

The Hon’ble Chancellor of DAVV is Shri M. Krishnamurthy, who is the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. Shri M Krishnamurthy is a retired Indian Administrative Service Officer who has worked with the Madhya Pradesh government in various capacities. He has been instrumental in launching numerous initiatives in the state, and is a committed leader focused on uplifting the educational system of the state.

Is Inclusive Education Still Unattainable in Nagaland?

In Nagaland the dream of providing inclusive education remains unfulfilled. On Friday, Diethono Nakhro, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, urged everyone in the state including churches, civil societies and government departments to take responsibility for ensuring inclusive education. She lamented that there are few inclusive schools in the state and the available data relating to persons with disabilities are underestimated.

In the workshop on Rights of Children with Disabilities, Kopele Tepa, Headmistress of Bumblebee Inclusive School, Kohima, made the point that the idea of inclusion is still quite exclusive as PwDs are not consulted or included in the conversation or planning. She further encouraged creating awareness about PwDs to ensure that educational institutions are more accessible to them.

Ngaugonbe, joint secretary of NSDF Nagaland, discussed during the workshop some of the challenges faced by CwDs when it comes to education. These included lack of awareness of available guidelines and provisions related to PwDs, lack of trained educators, lack of special education support, lack of accessible classrooms, and lack of inclusion in planning solutions. He proposed that scholarships can be initiated by the government for CwDs and that trained professionals and accessible classrooms should also be available to ensure that all children have a fair chance to attend school and learn.

Deputy Director of School Education Department, Nellayappan B, informed that the department is making changes and striving for inclusive education, but there is a need to produce more trained professionals and open doors of educational institutions more widely for PwDs. He proposed that the state government can consider training surplus government teachers as special education teachers to facilitate this.

On the whole, the need of the hour is to create more awareness and ensure opportunities and support for PwDs. Governments, civil societies, and churches need to come together to work on the goal of giving everyone equal opportunity to education while ensuring that the rights of CwDs are respected.