A Maratha group organised a march in Pune on Sunday to condemn the murder of Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and the death of Somnath Suryawanshi in judicial custody in Parbhani. During the protest, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Suresh Dhas claimed that a meeting discussing an extortion deal in Beed had taken place at the residence of Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde in June. According to Dhas, the meeting was between Munde's aide, Walmik Karad, and officials from a company, news agency PTI reported. Karad had been arrested after he surrendered to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the extortion case linked to the Beed Sarpanch murder case. The march, organised by the local unit of Akhand Maratha Samaj, started from Lal Mahal at noon and culminated at the District Collector's office, PTI reported. Apart from Dhas, the family members of the murdered sarpanch, former Chief Minister (CM) Prithviraj Chavan, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) lawmaker Bajrang Sonawane, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange, along with leaders from various parties and office-bearers, were also present during the march. Protesters shouted slogans against Munde, PTI reported. "A meeting was held on June 14 between Walmik Karad and officials of a renewable energy company at Dhananjay Munde's residence in Parali (in Beed district). Simultaneously, Munde's PA (personal assistant) spoke with some senior officials of the company. Meetings also took place at the official residence of Munde in Mumbai. A deal of Rs 3 crore was finalised in the meeting," Dhas, the MLA from Beed district, alleged. He added that he had provided the evidence to the police. "Walmik Karad alias 'aaka' and his PA use 17 mobile phones. The Beed superintendent of police and the CID IG can recover more evidence from these phones," Dhas said. Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village, was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, allegedly because he tried to prevent an extortion attempt involving an energy company operating a windmill project. Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with the murder. Suryawanshi, a Dalit, died in judicial custody after his arrest in connection with violence in Parbhani in December over the desecration of a glass-encased replica of the Constitution. (With PTI inputs)
05 January,2025 11:00 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a strong appeal to the people of Delhi to bring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the national capital, as he attacked the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with "AAP-da" and "Sheesh Mahal" jibes, news agency PTI reported. He also assured Delhiites that no welfare scheme would be discontinued if the saffron party forms the government. Speaking at BJP's first public rally in Rohini ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, PM Modi said every season in the city had turned into a period of "emergency," with drinking water shortages in the summer, waterlogging during the monsoon, and pollution in the winter. The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998 and has been making every effort to dethrone AAP, which has governed the city since 2015. The Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 are likely to be held next month. "Only when this AAP-da (disaster) is gotten rid of in Delhi, the double-engine of development can come in," PM Modi said, criticising AAP. He called the AAP government a "disaster" for Delhi, adding that giving them more responsibility would be a punishment for the people. PM also claimed that the AAP government lacked any vision to develop the national capital and asserted that BJP would bring about change. "We want to make Delhi such a world capital that reflects the vastness of India's heritage. It should be the centre of new global systems. This can only happen when the BJP government works both at the Centre and state (Delhi)," he told during the 'Parivartan Rally'. Modi also accused the AAP government of spreading fear that a BJP regime in Delhi would discontinue several welfare schemes launched by the Kejriwal-headed party. The AAP government currently provides free electricity, water, bus rides for women, and pilgrimages for the elderly. It also claims that its work in health and education is exemplary. The prime minister asserted that the BJP government would implement central schemes, which, he claimed, had been stalled by the AAP regime. Hours after Modi's accusations, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference, claiming that BJP was seeking votes by abusing him, PTI reported. Modi also emphasised on the Centre's development efforts, such as building highways in Delhi, expanding the Metro network, launching the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System, and running large hospitals. However, he noted that upon stepping out of a Metro station, one could find pothole-filled roads and overflowing sewers. He pointed out that some areas were so congested that auto and cab drivers refused to go there. "In the past 10 years, Delhi has witnessed a state government that is no less than an 'AAP-da (disaster)'! Delhiites have realised this. Only one voice is ringing in Delhi – 'Aapda nahi sahenge, badal kar rahenge' (we will not tolerate disaster, we will bring change)," Modi said. Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: Only BJP can develop the national capital, says PM According to PTI, he also mentioned that several BJP state governments are running special schemes for women. If the BJP is voted to power in Delhi, he promised, its government would ensure women find it easier to run their households, daughters and sisters are safe, and that they receive good education and job opportunities. He suggested that a BJP chief minister would provide financial assistance to women before the elections. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has already announced that, if it returns to power, it will offer Rs 2,100 in monthly aid to women. "I have full confidence that the people of Delhi will rein in the corrupt and anti-development 'AAP-da' and give an opportunity to the BJP to make the city a modern, 21st-century capital," he said. The PM told the rally that he had come to Rohini with a special request to the people of Delhi: to give the BJP an opportunity for their own and the city's bright future. "Only BJP can develop Delhi," he said. He also accused the AAP government of wasting resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on building their "Sheesh Mahal (palaces)" while the people of Delhi struggled to find medical oxygen and medicines. "They made a huge budget for the 'Sheesh Mahal'. This is their truth... They do not care about the people of Delhi. That is why every Delhiite today is saying, 'we will not tolerate AAP-da, we will bring change'," he said. Modi also blamed the AAP government for wasting a decade fighting with the Centre. "We are in the 21st century, and 25 years have passed. Two or three generations have entered their youth. The next 25 years are very important for Delhi. The next 25 years will see India emerge as a developed nation. We all will be stakeholders in this journey," Modi said. He added that the national capital should be a part of this glorious journey. "In Delhi, people blessed the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, and now, in the assembly polls, they are set to bless the BJP. This is a golden opportunity to win the heart of Delhi and free it of disaster ('aapda')," he said. Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated several projects worth Rs 12,200 crore, including a 13-km section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor from Sahibabad in Ghaziabad to New Ashok Nagar. (With PTI inputs)
05 January,2025 08:15 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAn advanced light helicopter (ALH) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crashed in Porbandar, Gujarat during a routine training sortie (a flight that an aircraft undertakes during military operations, such as training or combat). According to Bhagrithsinh Jadeja, Superintendent of Police (SP) Porbandar, "The Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) crashed at 12:10 PM during landing near the runway of Porbandar airport and caught fire. The blaze was brought under control with the help of a fire tender. At the time of the incident, two pilots and an aircrew driver were present in the helicopter. All three were rescued and admitted to nearby hospital but unfortunately all three of the crew members did not survive. It was a routine sortie of the coast guard." According to SP, all three crew members on board were pronounced dead after being rescued and admitted to a nearby hospital. An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the Indian Coast Guard crashed in Porbandar, Gujarat, during a routine training sortie (a flight that an aircraft undertakes during military operations, such as training or combat). More details of the crash are awaited.Via:… pic.twitter.com/uFYlArsDUp — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 5, 2025 The crew members killed in the accident are Commandant Saurabh, Deputy Commandant SK Yadav and Manoj Pradhan Navik, according to the defence ministry. "The ICG helicopter, with two pilots and one aircrew diver, was on a routine training sortie," the ministry said in a statement, adding that after the incident, the crew were taken to a government hospital, Porbandar, where they were declared brought dead. The reasons leading to the incident are being investigated by a Board of Inquiry. "The mortal remains of the crew namely Commandant (JG) Saurabh, Deputy Commandant SK Yadav and Manoj Pradhan Navik will be cremated as per service traditions and honour," the ministry said. The incident comes four months after the ICG's ALH MK-III helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar on September 2 last year, killing three crew members. The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-Dhruv) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class. More than 340 Dhruv helicopters have been produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd so far. (With PTI inputs)
05 January,2025 07:05 PM IST | Porbandar | Prasun ChoudhariA 14-year-old boy allegedly killed his grandparents with an axe in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, news agency PTI reported. The incident took place in Talar Pahadi village within the jurisdiction of Rajgarh Police Station area in Mirzapur, an officer said on Sunday. According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhinandan, the mental condition of the boy was not good. The boy was attacking himself with an axe, the SP said. When his grandparents — 85-year-old Pitambar and Hiravati, 80 — tried to stop him, in a fit of rage he attacked them as well, PTI reported. The SP said the injured teenager has been admitted to the hospital for treatment. After receiving the complaint, a case has been registered under Section 103 (punishment for murder) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and an investigation is underway, PTI reported. Police have sent the bodies of the deceased for post-mortem. Man kills wife, five-month-old son in Rajasthan A man allegedly murdered his wife and five-month-old son in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan on Sunday, police said. The incident occurred in the Hathiyawala Bas area in Bhadra on Sunday morning. The accused, identified as Prem, hit his wife Radhika, 22, and their son with a sharp-edged weapon, the cops stated. According to the police, the couple had had an argument the previous night. The accused has been detained and is being interrogated to ascertain the cause of the murder, the police said. The bodies were shifted to the mortuary of a local hospital for post-mortem. 32-year-old wanted in Uttar Pradesh double murder case held in Gujarat A 32-year-old man on the run after allegedly killing a woman and her daughter in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested in Ahmedabad, police said on Sunday. Rajesh Upadhyay had been absconding since the murders in Basti district in Uttar Pradesh last month and was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000, said Bharat Patel, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Crime Branch. Patel said Upadhyay was one of the eight accused named in a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Kaptanganj police station for the murder of his stepmother and her daughter in a property dispute. The Uttar Pradesh police arrested three accused, and Upadhyay is the fourth accused apprehended in the case, he said. The official said the man was familiar with Ahmedabad, as he had worked in the city and decided to hide here. He was living in Barej village near the city. As per the case details, Upadhyay and seven others murdered Godawari Devi and her daughter Saumya after rendering them unconscious and placing them on a bed before setting them on fire at Setha village on the intervening nights of 3 and 4 December. The murders took place a day before the mother-daughter duo were due to depose before a court in a property dispute case, the FIR stated. Upadhyay and the other accused were not happy with the division of property in the will left by his deceased father, it said. A case was registered against them under sections 103 (2) (murder committed by a group of five or more people acting in concert), 238 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 326 (g) (mischief by fire or explosion) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). (With PTI inputs)
05 January,2025 05:38 PM IST | Mirzapur | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the state government was probing the Beed sarpanch's murder case with determination, and those involved in the crime will not be spared, reported news agency PTI. Fadnavis said the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massjog village, Beed district should not be politicised. Deshmukh was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9, apparently because he tried to thwart an attempt to extort money from an energy firm operating a windmill project. Walmik Karad, an aide of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, has been arrested in the extortion case, stated PTI. The police have arrested seven persons in connection with the murder so far. "In the Beed case, the government and the police are acting with full strength and determination. The guilty will not be spared," the chief minister said. He noted Deshmukh was a popular sarpanch, but his death should not be politicised. "Even if the accused are absconding, action is being taken. We are not sparing those who helped the accused. The probe agencies should be allowed to investigate the case properly," said Fadnavis. The police on Saturday said they nabbed absconding accused Sudarshan Chandrabhan Ghule (26) and Sudhir Sangle (23) were picked up from Pune, and arrested Siddharth Sonawane, whose alleged role in the conspiracy came to light during the probe, reported PTI. The police had earlier arrested Jairam Manik Change (21), Mahesh Sakharam Kedar (21), Prateek Ghule (24) and Vishnu Chate (45) in the murder case, while Krushna Andhale, another accused, is still at large, reported PTI. Beed sarpanch murder: All-party march held in Parbhani demanding arrest of all accused An all-party march demanding a deeper investigation into the Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case was organised in Maharashtra's Parbhani city on Saturday, PTI reported. The morcha started from the Nutan College ground and will culminate at the Shivaji Maharaj's statue. Till now, the police have arrested six out of the seven individuals involved in the murder. The opposition has demanded the resignation of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde after his close aide Walmik Karad was arrested in the extortion case in connection to Deshmukh's murder, PTI reported. As per PTI, Public representatives from the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and ruling Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange, along with family members of the deceased Santosh Deshmukh joined the march. (With inputs from PTI)
05 January,2025 03:44 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentPawan Kumar Modi, the father of deceased Atul Subhash, expressed his disappointment over the bail granted to his son’s wife Nikita Singhania, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania, and brother-in-law Anurag Singhania. The trio, accused in connection with Atul’s death, were granted bail by Bengaluru’s Civil Court on January 4. Speaking to the media, Pawan Kumar Modi stated, "Although bail has been granted under the legal process, I firmly believe they should not have been released. My greatest concern is for my grandson and his safety. According to information received from the Karnataka Police, my grandson is currently in a boarding school in Faridabad, admitted at an unlawfully young age. This situation indicates a lack of maternal care and portrays the child being used as a tool for financial exploitation." He alleged that Nikita had used the child as leverage in her bail plea. "This is not the first time such tactics have been employed. The school was on winter break, yet my grandson was not sent back to me. It raises questions about whether the school authorities are aware of the circumstances in which he is being kept," he added. The three accused were arrested on December 15, with Bengaluru Police confirming that Nikita was apprehended in Gurugram, Haryana, while Nisha and Anurag were arrested near a hotel in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Following their arrests, they were remanded to judicial custody until being granted bail. The case gained significant attention following the death of Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old deputy general manager of a private firm, who died by suicide in December 2024 at his Bengaluru apartment. In his 24-page suicide note, Atul accused his wife, her mother, and her brother of harassment. The note also included allegations against a judge, claiming the individual had demanded Rs. 5 lakh to resolve a case. (With inputs from ANI)
05 January,2025 02:16 PM IST | New DelhiWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. PM Modi inaugurates 13-km section of Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a 13-km section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor from Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Ashok Nagar here. VHP says acquittal of Nanded blast accused 'tight slap' on Congress The VHP on Sunday termed the acquittal of the 2006 Nanded blast accused a "tight slap" on the Congress' face and asked the party's top leadership to apologise to Hindu society. CII urges focus on employment policies, labour codes and women workforce in Union Budget 2025-26 The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a range of measures to be included in the upcoming Union Budget announcements, including an integrated National Employment Policy, policy support for employment generation, implementation of labour codes, and increased participation of women in the workforce, among other initiatives. As is the convention, the budget for 2025-26 will be tabled on February 1, 2025. Sunil Gavaskar upset after not being invited to present BGT with Border Team India legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed his sadness after not being invited to present the elusive Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is named after him and Allan Border. The five-match Test series between India and Australia ended in Australia's favour. With the win by six wickets, the Aussies reclaimed the BGT title after 10 years, breaking India's strong, unbeaten string. Read more Deva teaser out! Shahid Kapoor is a crazy and chaotic cop in this action-packed drama - watch video The highly anticipated teaser of Shahid Kapoor’s Deva, produced by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films, is finally here, following the release of two captivating posters that gave fans a first look at the intense world of Deva. These posters set the stage for what’s to come, with Shahid’s fierce and electrifying presence. Read more.
05 January,2025 01:57 PM IST | New DelhiThe Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a series of measures to be included in the upcoming Union Budget for 2025-26, urging the government to prioritise the development of an integrated National Employment Policy, stronger support for employment generation, and the full implementation of labour codes. Additionally, the industry body stressed the importance of enhancing the participation of women in the workforce, among other recommendations. The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 is scheduled to be presented on February 1, 2025. CII, in its comprehensive set of suggestions, highlighted the need for continued efforts to improve employment generation. The organisation noted that while the 2025 Budget had already introduced schemes like the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme to boost job creation, further initiatives should be considered to accelerate employment growth. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, pointed out that India stands at a pivotal moment where its demographic dividend offers a unique opportunity for economic growth and social transformation. "Employment generation is critical to this journey," he said. Banerjee further emphasised the need to enhance productivity, suggesting that India's Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR) needs to be reduced. He proposed the formation of an expert committee to examine this issue in greater detail and provide recommendations. A key proposal from CII is the creation of an integrated National Employment Policy, which would encompass various employment-generation schemes currently under consideration by different ministries and states. The policy could also build on the existing National Career Service (NCS), integrating data from various platforms into one unified portal. In addition, CII has advocated for the establishment of a Universal Labour Information Management System (ULIMS), which would provide valuable information on employment opportunities, job classifications, skills demand, and available training opportunities. The industry body also suggested introducing a new provision in lieu of Section 80JJAA, which would encourage new employment by offering deductions on gross income. This initiative could be available to taxpayers involved in business or profession, with specific conditions around the recruitment of new employees. CII has also proposed targeted support for employment-intensive sectors such as construction, textiles, tourism, and low-skilled manufacturing, with an emphasis on boosting exports from these sectors. It recommended aligning tariff structures and support programs like the Production/Employment Linked Schemes and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to facilitate this. (With inputs from ANI) To strengthen rural employment, CII suggested launching an internship program for college-educated youth in government offices in rural areas, providing much-needed support for the effective implementation of various government initiatives. Additionally, the industry body has called for measures to boost female workforce participation, which currently remains low. CII proposed initiatives like constructing dormitories using CSR funds, formalising the care economy, and establishing government-supported creches in industrial clusters to improve the working conditions for women. CII also recommended the rolling out of labour codes and extending social security coverage to gig and platform workers, helping to further strengthen the employment landscape. Furthermore, the organisation suggested creating an International Mobility Authority under the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate Indian youth in accessing overseas employment opportunities. This authority could collaborate with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to develop skill programs aligned with global demands, including technical, cultural, and foreign language skills. As per ANI, these recommendations reflect CII's vision to leverage India’s demographic advantage and transform it into a robust, employment-generating economy.
05 January,2025 01:17 PM IST | New DelhiPrime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation for several major development projects in Delhi today, with a combined value exceeding Rs 12,200 crore. The projects are expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, improve infrastructure, and provide a boost to the local economy. At approximately 12:15 PM, the Prime Minister will kickstart the launch by inaugurating a key stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor. The 13 km section, linking Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar, is worth an estimated Rs 4,600 crore. This new corridor marks a historic moment for Delhi as it will offer the city its first Namo Bharat connectivity, providing high-speed and reliable travel between Delhi and Meerut. The project will undoubtedly benefit millions of commuters by easing their daily journeys and ensuring a safer, more comfortable travel experience. At around 11:15 AM, PM Modi will also ride the Namo Bharat Train from Sahibabad RRTS Station to New Ashok Nagar RRTS Station, further showcasing the capabilities of this cutting-edge transportation project. The inauguration of the 2.8 km stretch of the Delhi Metro Phase-IV, between Janakpuri and Krishna Park, is another highlight of today’s events. This Rs 1,200 crore stretch is the first section of the much-awaited Phase-IV expansion of the Delhi Metro, providing improved connectivity to West Delhi, including Krishna Park, parts of Vikaspuri, and Janakpuri. This expansion will greatly benefit the locals, offering quicker and more efficient transportation across the city. Additionally, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the 26.5 km Rithala-Kundli stretch of Delhi Metro Phase-IV, valued at Rs 6,230 crore. This project will connect Rithala in Delhi to Nathupur (Kundli) in Haryana, thus enhancing connectivity across the north-western regions of Delhi and Haryana. Areas such as Rohini, Bawana, Narela, and Kundli will be the primary beneficiaries of this project, improving accessibility to residential, commercial, and industrial zones. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation for a new state-of-the-art building for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Rohini, New Delhi. The Rs 185 crore project will offer advanced healthcare and medical research infrastructure, enhancing the delivery of integrated healthcare services. The facility will house several key departments, including the Administrative Block, OPD Block, IPD Block, and a dedicated Treatment Block, ensuring an exceptional experience for both patients and researchers. These initiatives reflect the government's ongoing commitment to modernising the nation’s infrastructure and improving quality of life for its citizens. As per ANI reports, the inauguration and laying of foundations for these crucial projects signal a new era of development and growth for Delhi and its surrounding areas (With inputs from ANI)
05 January,2025 11:46 AM IST | MumbaiA thick blanket of fog shrouded Delhi for the third successive morning on Sunday, disrupting transportation and leading to delays in 51 trains, officials reported. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that visibility was reduced to zero at several locations, affecting daily routines across the national capital. According to the Met office, zero visibility was recorded at Palam Airport between 4 am and 7:30 am, marking another significant disruption after a nine-hour zero visibility spell at the same location on Saturday. Safdarjung Airport also reported drastically reduced visibility of just 0.50 metres around 5:30 am. By 7:30 am, general visibility at both Palam and Safdarjung airports remained virtually non-existent due to the persistent very dense fog. Delhi’s air quality continued to pose serious health risks, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 372 at 9 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI value in this range falls under the 'very poor' category, signifying significant adverse effects on health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions. For reference, AQI values between 301 and 400 are classified as 'very poor,' while readings exceeding 400 fall into the 'severe' category. Persistent fog and low wind speeds have contributed to the high concentration of air pollutants, worsening conditions for residents. The minimum temperature in the city settled at 9.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees above the season's average, while the humidity level soared to 95% by 8:30 am. The Met department has predicted that the dense to very dense fog will likely persist throughout the day. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 18 degrees Celsius, providing little respite from the cold and hazy conditions. In addition to train delays, the reduced visibility has significantly impacted road travel, with vehicles moving cautiously to navigate the dense fog. Authorities have advised travellers to plan their journeys with delays in mind and to follow safety protocols. Delhi residents are urged to take precautions, particularly while stepping outdoors in light of the combination of very poor air quality and foggy conditions. The weather department has also highlighted that these conditions are likely to persist in the coming days, further emphasising the need for vigilance. AS PER PTI, the persistent foggy weather has disrupted normal life in Delhi, exacerbating transportation issues and raising health concerns due to declining air quality.
05 January,2025 11:21 AM IST | New DelhiQuality education cannot be achieved through privatisation and financial incentives, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Saturday, underlining the importance of governments spending more on education and strengthening public institutions. In a conversation with IIT Madras students held sometime back, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha talked on a host of issues including on the changes he would want to initiate to improve the education system. "I believe it is one of the foremost responsibilities of any government to guarantee quality education to its people. This cannot be achieved through privatisation and financial incentives. "We need to spend a lot more money on education and strengthening government institutions," he said in a post on X, while sharing an edited video of his conversation with the students. On his WhatsApp channel, he said they discussed discuss "redefining success and reimagining education in India". "Our conversation centered on empowering students to explore paths beyond traditional careers, encouraging them to embrace innovation and pursue their passions. By prioritising fairness, fostering research, nurturing creativity, and driving production, we can position India as a true global leader. Their insightful perspectives made this dialogue deeply inspiring and hopeful for the future." Asked by the students how the Congress and the BJP are different in terms of how they operate, he said the Congress and UPA generally believe that the resources should be distributed more fairly and growth should be wider and inclusive. The BJP, he said, is more aggressive on growth. "They believe in what in economic terms is 'triple-down'. On the social front, we feel that the more harmonious society is, the less people are fighting, the better it is for the country. "On the international relations front, there are probably some differences with regards to the way we relate to other countries but it will be similar," he said. On how to promote higher education, he said, a country needs to guarantee quality education to its people. "I don't think that the best way to guarantee quality education to our people is to privatise everything. Frankly, when you bring some sort of financial incentive into the game, you don't actually give quality education. "I have said this many a times that the best institutions in our country are government institutions, yours being one of them. I argue for much more money being spent in education by governments," he told the IIT Madras students. Gandhi said he has "serious problems" in the way the country's education system is set up. "I don't think our education system allows the imagination of our children to thrive". "You might not agree with me. I think it is a very restrictive, top down system... It is very narrow," he said. Gandhi said that during his Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra, he talked to thousands of children and asked them what they wanted to become. They said they wanted to become a lawyer, doctor, engineer or an army soldier, he told the students. "It can't be that there are only five things to do in this country. But that's what our system is pushing," he said, noting that the country's education system measures success only if one becomes an engineer or a doctor, or join the IAS/IPS or get into the forces, "which is just one percent or two percent of our population and 90 percent of our population is never going to do this". He said the system should allow kids to do what they want and allow them to experience and do multiple things. "Our education system disregards many things, it undervalues many professions and overvalues these four or five professions. So those are the types of things that I would like to change," he said. On the international front, he said, the single most important thing going forward is how India balances China and America. "In a situation, where the two superpowers are going head to head, we have a balancing equation, a balancing ability....So India is in a space where it can get quite a lot more than its power would give it. So if India intelligently navigates through this thing, without getting stuck or without making a major mistake, then we might benefit from it," Gandhi said. Noting that the country's education system is a very hierarchical structure, he said its traditional system focusses on introspection, looking inside, and self observation. Gandhi favoured pushing children for innovation, saying it can only come if they actually start production and their skill is respected and investment is made in it. "One of the things that I want to push is moving more into the physical production space. To me, real innovation comes from that space. Put as much money you want in R&D, if you are not actually producing the thing, it will just be a budget," Gandhi said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 January,2025 09:04 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
