India News
SC UPHODLS UGC DIRECTIVE: NO PROMOTION WITHOUT EXAMS
Supreme Court has upheld UGC decision to hold final year exams by Sep 30. The court held that the states must hold exams to promote students, it added that if any state feels they can’t conduct exams, they must approach UGC for suitable reliefs.
Supreme Court has upheld UGC decision to hold final year exams by Sep 30. The court held that the states must hold exams to promote students, it added that if any state feels they can’t conduct exams, they must approach UGC for suitable reliefs.
Court disposed of the petitions challenging the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for conducting final semester exams by September 30 with following orders :
1. The bench has refused the prayer to quash the UGC guidelines to hold the exams.
2.The directions of State Disaster Management Authority for canceling exams in that particular State will prevail over the UGC directions.
3. However, the direction of the State Disaster Management Authority to pass the students on the basis of previous performance is beyond the scope of the Disaster Management Act.
4.States/UTs cannot promote final year students without examination as ordered by UGC. States/Union Territories given liberty to approach the UGC to seek postponement of the exams in the light of COVID19 pandemic situation.
A host of Senior Counsel including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Shyam Divan, and Arvind Datar argued in favour of the interests of the students. They pointed out that the decision taken by some state governments to cancel the exams was only on account of the rising COVID-19 figures. Under normal circumstances, a deferment or cancellation of exams would not be stipulated.
1.Compelling students to appear for physical exams when the COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying exposes them to serious health risks, affecting their right to life.
2.The uniform direction issued by the UGC without taking into account local situations will put several students to grave prejudice, as several areas are containment zones and local lockdown is in prevalence in many regions.
3.The pandemic and the lockdown have disrupted the classes, and conducting exams without requisite number of classess is arbitrary and unreasonable.
4.There are many students of final semester who have either cleared job interviews or secured admission for higher courses. So granting them degree certificates at the earliest based on past performance is the best course available to protect the future of the students.
5.The option of online exams is also not viable given the stark digital divide, and the lack of uniform access to the internet across the spectrum.
6.Examination is not the only mode of evaluation. UGC follows the concept of ‘continuous evaluation’ of the student from day 1. Hence, internal assessments and performance of past semesters can be reckoned to award final degrees.
Read Also: Supreme Court throws out appeal seeking inquiry against former CJI Ranjan Gogoi
In its reply, UGC averred that the state governments are taking contradictory stands with regard to starting the academic session and conduct of the final year exams.
Initially, a total of 31 students from different universities across India had approached the Supreme Court to quash the UGC circular directing universities to wrap up final year examinations by September 30.
India News
India’s luxury train Deccan Odyssey makes a comeback, starting services on September 23
The train was inaugurated on September 21 around 1:30 pm at the CST Station in Mumbai but the operation will be starting from Saturday.
India’s luxury train Deccan Odyssey is all set to start its commercial services from September 23. It is a comeback for the Royal Train after 3 years. The operation of this train was stopped in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The train was inaugurated on September 21 around 1:30 pm at the CST Station in Mumbai but the operation will be starting from Saturday.
According to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) official, notable personalities such as Rahul Narvekar, Deepak Kesarkar, and Girish Mahajan attended the inauguration, with attempts being made to invite Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar as guests of honour.
The official said that after Covid-19, the first seven-day journey, will traverse through royal destinations including Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Sawai Madhopur and culminate in New Delhi.
The MTDC operate the Deccan Odyssey Royal Train. The train provides a luxury service at a cost starting from Rs 6.5 lakh per person. The cost has been revised after the Covid-19 pandemic.
If a passenger books in a group of two people, the charges will cost around Rs 9 lakh for the royal experience.
To experience the grandeur of Maharashtra’s royal history, aboard the iconic Deccan Odyssey. The train features 21 coaches, with 11 dedicated to guests, as well as dining, conference, spa, and lounge coaches. MTDC has appointed a new tour operator to ensure seamless operations.
People can book now for the first trip after the COVID pandemic, with 25 seats already reserved out of a total capacity of around 80 persons.
The Deccan Odyssey showcases Maharashtra’s cultural heritage and scenic wonders, blending elegance and opulence for a luxurious travel experience.
The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognised World Heritage site Ajanta Ellora Caves is also included in the Royal Train journey, people can experience this journey.
India News
Indian High Commission, consulates facing threats, Canada’s allegations politically motivated: MEA
Arindam Bagchi further underscored that it is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime.
Amidst escalating tension between India and Canada, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that the allegations by Canada seems to be politically motivated, adding that there’s a degree of prejudice. Diplomatic standoff between both the countries broke out after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday claimed that his country’s security agencies were investigating a link between the Indian government and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Briefing the media regarding the aforesaid allegation, Arindam Bagchi noted that no specific information was shared by Canada on the Nijjar case. He added that the Indian government had shared specific information concerning criminal activities by individuals on Canadian soil but no actions were taken regarding the same.
Arindam Bagchi further underscored that it is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime. He asserted that the security situation is owing to the inaction by the Canadian government. He also claimed that there are elements linked to organized crime, terrorists, and extremists who are on a free run and politically condoned.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson also claimed that the Indian High Commission and consulates are facing security threats in Canada and therefore cannot process visa applications temporarily. He noted that all categories of visas are suspended and that the issue is not about travel to India but about incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely, he continued.
He conveyed that the Indian government has informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in their mutual diplomatic presence. Notably, in a meeting that was held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship.
India News
Women’s Reservation Bill can still be sent to Select Committee for including caste quota: RJD MP Manoj Jha
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha suggested sending the bill to the Select Committee for including the Schedule Caste, Schedules Tribes, Other Backward Castes in the Bill.
Speaking on the Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha, the Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha, said there is still a chance to send the bill to the Select Committee for including the Schedule Caste, Schedules Tribes, Other Backward Castes in the Bill as well.
The Rajya Sabha MP said it would have been a revolutionary step if the 33 percent reservation would not be from the existing quota but it should be a separate quota.
He said the government has created a provision to empower women who come from SC, ST, and OBC communities. There is not much for the welfare of women in the religious text, he added. RJD MP Jha suggested the Modi-led BJP government to take a stand and work for the welfare of the women without any hesitation, he further added.
Speaking on surname privilege, he said people often overlook their privilege. He said his surname is a privilege. He added our surname has afforded us privilege. Consider those surnames that lack such advantages. In this country, a name may hold little significance, but everything lies in the surname, the Rajya Sabha MP said.
Early in the day, he said the government doesn’t have a clear intention on this bill. There’s no road map and this bill is being passed in Lok Sabha. You have rejected and excluded a big population. PM Modi and his team need to understand that the discussion is not happening on the passing of the bill but on OBC. He further raised questions on OBC not being included in the bill. He said government should revise their position once again or else people have other options to change their position and their bill, Manoj Jha said.
Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav has also spoken on the Women’s Reservation Bill and said the reservation should be ensured for backward women and minority women. No one knows when it will be implemented because it will be implemented after the census and delimitation, he added.
