Category: India

Renowned Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen has expressed serious worries about the situation in Bangladesh. He mentioned his friend Muhammad Yunus, who is currently leading the temporary government, is trying hard to solve the country’s problems but has a tough journey ahead. Sen feels a strong connection to Bangladesh because of his Bengali heritage and has spent lots of time there, especially in Dhaka and his ancestral homes in Manikganj and Bikrampur.

In an interview at his home in West Bengal, Sen praised the progress Bangladesh has made since it gained independence, noting improvements in income, lower birth rates, and longer life spans compared to India. He highlighted the country’s positive changes in women’s rights, which are supported by both the government and organisations like BRAC and Grameen Bank.

Sen also admires the relatively free press in Bangladesh, where many newspapers continue to thrive, even when they critique the government. He acknowledged the Bangladeshi Army for avoiding military rule, which is common in many other countries. Sen warned against banning the Awami League party, as this could lead to repeating past mistakes. Instead, he believes Bangladesh should bring people together and embrace its tradition of cooperation.

He expressed hope that future elections will be fairer and that the spirit of freedom and diversity will prevail in Bangladesh. When asked about Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor, Sen said he trusts Yunus’s skills and commitment to secularism and democracy. Sen condemned violence against Hindu minorities and the destruction of temples in Bangladesh, stressing that both the government and citizens must work to prevent such acts. He also noted similar incidents have occurred in India, calling for an end to all forms of communal violence.

Sen urged everyone to remember the dangers of stirring up communal tensions, reminding us of the terrible riots in the 1940s. Overall, he is worried about the situation in Bangladesh but still holds onto hope for a brighter future.

Delhi’s healthcare system is getting a big upgrade! The city government is planning exciting changes to improve hospitals. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh shared that there will be new projects to make healthcare better for everyone. Soon, polyclinics will open to provide primary and secondary care and collect important patient information. The government aims to hire more doctors and healthcare workers to solve the staff shortage issue.

Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, local hospitals will have better medicines for patients. The new BJP government recently approved a healthcare plan that had been stuck before. Each person enrolled will get health coverage of ₹10 lakh, with equal contributions from both the Central and Delhi governments.

Singh assured that improvements to Delhi’s healthcare will happen over the next six months. The first phase will focus on necessary changes, while the second phase will introduce bigger projects. He wants to improve healthcare quality, provide better medicines, and enhance facilities.

Singh pointed out that many clinics set up by the previous government were in bad locations and not functioning well. The new government aims to fix these problems and improve major government hospitals. As a doctor himself, Singh understands the issues medical staff face and promises to give them the right tools to care for patients.

The government is determined to make healthcare better for everyone. They plan to make services more efficient, clear, and accessible. However, a recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) showed big challenges in healthcare. It revealed that operating rooms are not used enough, there are not enough doctors and medicines, and funding is lacking. It also stated that emergency services are struggling, and surgeries can be delayed for as long as 10 months because of a lack of medical staff.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has started new discussions about the three-language rule, especially between the central government and Tamil Nadu. This debate goes back to the 1960s, when Tamil Nadu strongly opposed making Hindi a required language in schools. While the central government supports the policy to promote learning multiple languages, Tamil Nadu believes it puts too much pressure on states that don’t speak Hindi.

What is the Three-Language Rule?

The three-language rule was first suggested by the Kothari Commission, which studied education in India from 1964 to 1966. It became part of the National Policy on Education (NPE) in 1968, during Indira Gandhi’s time as Prime Minister. This rule aimed to help students learn three languages:

1. Their mother tongue or regional language.
2. The official language of India (Hindi).
3. A modern Indian or European language.

In areas where Hindi is the common language, schools were advised to teach a modern Indian language from the south. In states where Hindi is not spoken as much, students were to learn Hindi, their regional language, and English. This idea was repeated in later versions of the policy in 1986 and 1992, which talked about the importance of Hindi as a common link language for the nation.

Is Hindi Being Forced by NEP 2020?

The central government says NEP 2020 is more relaxed about language learning, stating, “We will keep the three-language formula but let states, regions, and students choose their languages.” The new policy ensures that while it encourages learning different languages, states can decide what languages to teach, as long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.

Why is Learning in Your Own Language Important?

NEP 2020 believes that learning in your own language helps students understand better and keeps cultural traditions alive. Studies, including one by UNESCO, show that children learn faster and grasp important concepts in their mother tongue.

Support from National Curriculum Framework

The National Curriculum Framework has always supported the three-language rule. In its latest version (2023), it emphasizes that this rule should continue for the same reasons: respecting the Constitution, promoting different languages, and ensuring national unity.

Tamil Nadu’s Stand Against the Policy

Tamil Nadu has a long history of resisting the three-language rule. In 1937, the then-Congress government tried to make Hindi compulsory in schools, which led to protests by local leaders. Although that rule was canceled, the feelings against Hindi continued.

When the three-language rule was introduced in 1968, Tamil Nadu rejected it, believing it aimed to impose Hindi on them. Under Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai, the state decided to teach only Tamil and English, becoming the only state that has not followed the three-language guideline.

Funding Controversy and More Issues

Because Tamil Nadu refuses to accept important parts of NEP 2020, especially the three-language rule, the central government has stopped giving Rs 573 crore in educational help. According to policy rules, states need to follow NEP guidelines to receive this funding, which is crucial for education.

The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, started in 2018, has been improved under NEP 2020, focusing on better learning and literacy. Different states receive different funding levels based on their needs.

Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister, Prem Chand Bairwa, announced that the state is working to combine Ayurveda, a traditional Indian healing system, with modern science. He emphasized that Ayurveda is a key part of Indian culture, an idea first recognized by the ancient healer Charak. Speaking at the opening of a four-day health fair called ‘Aarogya Mela 2025,’ he said that Ayurveda helps not only in curing illnesses but also in improving overall well-being. Bairwa highlighted Rajasthan’s role as a major exporter of medicinal plants, positioning the state as an important hub for Ayurveda and natural treatments. He stated, “Ayurveda begins where modern medicine ends.” He also mentioned Rajasthan’s rich history in health and wellness. The Aarogya Mela offers an excellent chance for visitors to get free consultations and learn more about Ayurveda and other health systems. The BJP leader explored various booths featuring Ayurvedic products, traditional medicine methods, and medicinal plants. Jaipur MP Manju Sharma also joined the celebration. Throughout the event, experts in Ayurveda, Yoga, Homeopathy, Unani, and natural medicine will provide free consultations and treatments

The Border Security Force (BSF) captured 15 people from Bangladesh trying to sneak into India. They also caught three Indian helpers who were assisting these individuals by bringing them into the country without the right papers or passports.

This happened on Thursday night in a place called Kailashahar, located in the Unakoti district of northern Tripura. The 13 Bangladeshis came from different areas, like Moulvibazar and Sunamgunj.

During a special operation done with the Tripura Police, two Bangladeshis were caught in West Tripura while they were attempting to return to Bangladesh.

Recently, the BSF has been working extra hard to keep an eye on the border because there has been a noticeable rise in drug smuggling. In the past few months, they have successfully stopped several attempts, showing how committed they are to keeping the borders safe.

A court in Delhi has allowed the police to drop a case against Shehla Rashid Shora, a former vice president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), over her tweets about the Army. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Anuj Kumar Singh, made this decision on February 27. The police asked to drop the case after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, V K Saxena, decided not to go ahead with the prosecution. This decision from the Lieutenant Governor was based on advice from a Screening Committee, and it was approved on December 23, 2024. Shehla had been accused of stirring up conflict between groups and harming social harmony with her tweets. On August 18, 2019, she alleged that the Army was going into homes and mistreating people in Kashmir, but the Army called these claims false.