Final Polling Station Lists Released for 59 AP Urban Local Bodies
State election commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said the final publication followed the prescribed consultation process with political parties and the disposal of public objections and suggestions.
Task force push for stability, security and transparency in Maharashtra competitive exams
Digital Desk | Pune, Sep 13 (IANS) In a major move to make Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and other state competitive examinations more transparent, secure, stable, and candidate-centric, the high-level recruitment examination taskforce constituted by the state government held extensive consultations with students, teachers, parents, and key stakeholders, officials said on Sunday. The deliberation covered vital issues, including exam timetables, question paper quality, leak prevention, vacancy announcements, answer keys, exam centre logistics, grievance redressal, and candidate 'opting-out' policies. The Task Force operates under the chairmanship of V. Radha, Additional Chief Secretary (Services) of General Administration Department. The high-level committee comprises Director General of Police Sadanand Date; IT and AI Secretary of Electronics Virendra Singh; Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Secretary N Ramaswami; Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam; Air Marshal Ajit Shankarrao Bhosale (Retired), former member of the UPSC; and Shyamprasad Kargudde from IIT Bombay. The state government formed the Taskforce amid MPSC exam paper leaks and ongoing protests by aspirants demanding the transparency and the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. MPSC candidates urged the taskforce to publish and strictly adhere to an annual examination calendar, emphasising the need for long-term procedural stability without frequent policy changes. Pre-declaring minimum vacancies for various cadres was also strongly recommended. Task Force Chairperson V. Radha announced that competitive examinations will not be conducted online for the coming year. Instead, they will be held using the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet pattern, for which standardised operating guidelines are currently being framed. To achieve a zero-leak environment, the committee plans to leverage advanced technology across question creation, printing, transport, and distribution. The Taskforce is evaluating an encrypted 'e-question bank' system where even the item writers remain unaware of which exam their questions will feature in. Students demanded rigorous quality checks to eliminate errors in question papers and answer keys, alongside standardised evaluation metrics and reviewer audits for answer script verification. Stakeholders called for a unified online portal for candidate queries and objections, as well as a single-window system for one-time registration and fee payment across all state exams. Emphasis was placed on ensuring basic amenities at test centers, including clean restrooms, drinking water, and appropriate seating arrangements. Participants advocated for a clear policy on post-selection candidate 'opting-out' to avoid seat wastage when a candidate qualifies for multiple posts, along with timely verification of disability and sports quota certificates. The Taskforce is studying operational models of public service commissions across the countryspecifically analysing systems in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)to adapt proven best practices for Maharashtra. Highlighting the growing operational load on the MPSC, officials stressed the urgent need to bolster the Commission's administrative workforce, technical capabilities, and organisational structure. Our objective is to build a faster, more transparent, and accountable officer selection process for the state, Director General of Police Sadanand Date said. Divisional Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Additional District Collector Satish Raut, and Resident Deputy Collector Jyoti Kadam were among the senior officials present during the consultation.
Earlier they had to transport their produce all the way to Sangli or Pune in Maharashtra or pay more at private processing units
Three Ganderbal Minors Traced in Pune After 10-day Police Operation
SRINAGAR: Police in Central Kashmirs Ganderbal district have traced three minor boys who went missing from Tulmulla and reunited them with their respective families following a 10-day search operation. Police said the boys were located at Daund Railway Station in Pune, Maharashtra, on September 9 with the assistance of Maharashtra Police. The case was taken []
What started as a dream became a mission: Sukant Kadam turns focus to Asiad after 100-medal mark
Digital Desk | Japan, Sep 13 (IANS) Sukant Kadam reached the milestone he once turned into a personal promise at the Japan Para Badminton International on Sunday, winning two silver medals to complete a career tally of 100, but the World No. 2 SL4 player was already looking beyond the landmark towards the Asian Games. The 31-year-old Indian added the milestone medals in Japan in contrasting fashion. He finished runner-up in the mens singles SL4 after losing 21-8, 21-16 to Frances Lucas Mazur, before joining Pramod Bhagat in the mens doubles SL3-SU5 final, where the Indians went down 21-5, 21-15 to Indonesias Hikmat Ramdani and Fredy Setiawan. For Kadam, though, the significance lay less in the colour of the medals and more in the number attached to them. I made my international debut in 2014 with a dream in my heart. In 2016, I won my first BWF Para Badminton International medal. And today, in 2026, after years of victories, defeats, injuries, doubts, sacrifices, comebacks and countless hours on the court Medal No. 100. What started as a dream slowly became a mission. And #DreamOf100 became a promise I made to myself to keep pushing until I reached this moment, Kadam said. The journey to that promise began far from the international badminton circuit. A cricket injury at the age of 10, followed by multiple surgeries, left Kadam unable to bend his left knee. It was a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympics by Girisha Nagarajegowda that helped point him towards para-sport and eventually para-badminton. Based in Pune, Kadam trains under Olympian Nikhil Kanitkar and his coaching team at NKBA. Over the years, the journey has been shaped not just by medals but also by the support around him. No athlete reaches a milestone like this alone. A heartfelt thank you to my coaches Nikhil Kanitkar and Mayank Gole for believing in me, standing by me, challenging me and guiding me in the best ways possible. Your belief has been a huge part of this journey. I am deeply grateful to the Sports Authority of India, Government of Maharashtra, Badminton Association of India, Paralympic Committee of India and Olympic Gold Quest for their constant support, encouragement and belief in my journey. To my family, friends, teammates, support staff and everyone who has stood beside me through the highs and lows this medal belongs to you too, he added. Yet the 100th medal has not altered Kadams immediate priorities. With the Asian Games next on the horizon, he sees the Japan campaign as preparation rather than a finish line. The 100th medal is a very special milestone, but for me, it is another step in the journey. My focus now is on the Asian Games. I want to take the confidence from this tournament, continue working hard and give my best for India when it matters most, he concluded
Sarthak, Ann complete double as INRC Round 2 concludes in Chennai
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 13 (IANS) Pune teenager Sarthak Chavan completed a dominant double in the premier Super Sport 301-400cc Open class as the second round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W 2026 concluded at the Madras International Circuit on Sunday. Starting from pole, Chavan initially slipped behind Petronas TVS Racing teammate Rakshith Dave, who led the early stages alongside the Chennai rider. The pair remained locked in a close contest before Chavan made his decisive move at Turn 4 on the final lap and went on to claim his second consecutive victory of the weekend. Dave finished second, just 0.494 seconds behind, while Hyderabads Rahil Pillarisetty of RACR Castrol Power1 completed the podium after making his way through from the back of the grid. Chennai teenager Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan also completed a double, winning the Super Stock 301-400cc Open Race 2 after Saturdays victory. Following a red-flag stoppage, the race was reduced to a three-lap sprint, with Kabilesh finishing ahead of Bengalurus Seshadri S and Chennais Kamal Navas. Ann Jennifer of Motul Sparks Racing extended her unbeaten run in the Super Stock 165cc Intermediate class with another victory. It was her fourth consecutive win of the season. Anandhu KK of Veedol C2 Racing also completed a double, taking the Stock 301-400cc Novice race after it was reduced to four laps following a red-flag stoppage. Faruk Ali Sohtun of Motul Sparks Racing secured a close victory in the Stock 165cc Novice class, leading a team sweep of the podium. Yashwant Varma finished second, with Raja Sreeharsha Singamsetty third. Venkatesan Iyyappan emerged victorious in an action-packed Pro-Stock 200cc Open race. After several riders traded the lead, Iyyappan broke clear in the closing stages to finish ahead of Mohamed Mikail and Bengalurus Savion Sabu. In the Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship, Kamal Navas won the Expert Apache RR 310 class for his second victory of the season, while Bengalurus Dev Agastya triumphed in the Rookie Apache RTR 200 category. Chavan completed his weekend on a high by winning the Electric RTE EV race, with Bengaluru riders Chiranth Vishwanath and Savion Sabu finishing second and third respectively.
Home Minister Amit Shah to inaugurate Hindi Diwas 2026 in Mumbai tomorrow
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 13 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the inaugural session of Hindi Diwas 2026 and the sixth All India Official Language Conference in Mumbai on Monday, an official said. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the event will highlight the vibrant relationship of Hindi with Maharashtra's rich linguistic, cultural, and literary traditions, the official said in a statement. On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, several Members of Parliament, distinguished guests from various fields, scholars, litterateurs, educationists, and senior officials from various departments and Ministries of the Central government will also be present. The Department of Official Language of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been organising All India Official Language Conferences every year since 2021. This journey, which began from Varanasi, has reached Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra this year, passing through Surat, Pune, New Delhi and Gandhinagar. During the inaugural session of the two-day programme, the 'Rajbhasha Gaurav' and 'Rajbhasha Kirti' Awards for the year 202526 will be presented by the Union Home Minister, the statement said. The institutions and individuals who have undertaken outstanding work and made noteworthy contributions in the field of Official Language will be honoured with these awards, it added. Several important books and publications will also be launched during the inaugural session and other sessions. These include a special commemorative issue of the Department of Official Language's journal 'Rajbhasha Bharati', centred on the National Song 'Vande Mataram'; 'Bharatiya Gyan Tantra: Srot aur Swaroop'; 'Shiv Anadi Hain, Anant Hain'; and 'Andheron Se Ujalon Tak', a compilation of writings by prison inmates. A special attraction of this year's conference will be a special discussion session centred on the National Song 'Vande Mataram'. Joydeep Chattopadhyay will also have a special presence at the programme. He is a fifth-generation descendant of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of 'Vande Mataram'. A special session will also be organised at the Conference on the role of Town Official Language Implementation Committees (TOLICs/NARAKAS). NARAKAS is a strong and empowered unit that takes forward the implementation of Official Language Hindi at the grassroots level. A special exhibition is also being organised at the conference venue, in which stalls will be put up by various institutions, organisations, banks and ministries, the statement said.
2 killed, 12 injured in multi-vehicle crash on Pune-Bengaluru Highway
Pune civic body gears up for Ganeshotsav with focus on waste management, road maintenance
Manipal Hospitals scouts for acquisitions in Andhra, Keralam, Delhi-NCR
Manipal Health Enterprises Ltd is setting its sights on expansion in various states, including Telangana, Keralam, and Delhi-NCR, while pivoting towards a physical plus digital healthcare model driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The healthcare major is actively evaluating strategic opportunities in Telangana, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to selectively deepen its presence in identified markets, Manipal Health Enterprises said in its annual report for FY26. Manipal Hospitals continues to evaluate inorganic growth opportunities across Karnataka; Maharashtra and Goa, including the Mumbai-Pune economic corridor; and Eastern India, comprising West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Sikkim, it said. A key pillar of its upcoming infrastructure is the greenfield project in Juhu, Mumbai. The group recently completed the acquisition of the remaining land and building for this project for a total consideration of Rs 495 crore, of which Rs 130 crore is payable subject to the ...
Jaandaar tipped for S A Poonawalla Million (Gr 3)
Three unbeaten horses will be among seven facing the starter for the S A Poonawalla Million (Gr 3), the feature event of the Sunday card at Pune.
Ganeshotsav Rush Triggers 3-km Traffic Jam On Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Heavy traffic has been reported on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near the Khalapur toll plaza in Maharashtra's Raigad district, with vehicles queued up for around 2 to 3 km amid the Ganeshotsav rush.
Pune techie out for run in morning hit by MPV on NDA-Pashan Road, dies
Ganesh mandal brings Punavdi to life in Kasba Peth lane
PMC calls key meet with railways and defence to discuss land handover for HCMTR and inner ring road
Two minors among three vandalise 18 vehicles, including PMPML buses
Residents seek stricter enforcement of silence-zone rules; MPCB to monitor 200 spots
AprilAug property registrations in Maharashtra jump 12% over last year, revenue up nearly 16%
Two joggers deaths in two months expose Punes lack of safe & dedicated running spaces
More than modak: A place that offers sweetness in sisterhood, a purpose and empowers women
Pune Festival opens with Mangalacharan ceremony
Pune MACT awards 86L to family of woman killed in 2023 truck accident
One booked for robbing trailer truck driver of Rs10,500 in Pune
Woman resists chain snatching, suspects flee with half gold chain in Pune
Chinchwad resident cheated of Rs1.36 crore in online share trading fraud
Engineer gets 6 months in jail 11 years after slapping cop inside police station
Traffic crawls on Pune-Satara stretch, journey to Kolhapur takes nine hours
Light to moderate rain likely in Pune on Monday
Three Pune cops suspended for attending birthday bash hosted by family of accused
Man killed by speeding car during morning walk in Pune
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Pune techie dies after being hit by car while on morning walk
National 2W Racing: Chavan leads podium sweep; Jennifer, Rajini Krishnan script fine wins
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 12 (IANS) Shrugging off lack of sleep and jet lag following an overnight journey from Spain to Chennai, 19-year-old Sarthak Chavan from Pune still found reserves of energy and determination to win the premier Super Sport 301-400cc Open race, which he started from the last row of the grid in the second round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W 2026 at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on Saturday. Sarthak, who arrived in Sriperumbudur at six in the morning on Saturday, missed Fridays practice and qualifying sessions, but found his rhythm at the right moment to pull off a stunning win; he acknowledged that leader Rahil Pillarisettys retirement at the end of the penultimate lap played a part in his victory. In the process, Sarthak led a podium sweep for the Petronas TVS Racing team as Chennai teenager Rakshith Dave finished second ahead of Bengalurus Chiranth Vishwanath, who started last having missed the practice and qualifying sessions on Friday due to a bout of food poisoning. Another impressive performance came from 16-year-old Kabilesh (RACR Castrol Power1), son of former multiple National champion Rajini Krishnan, who won the Super Stock 301-400cc Open race dominantly to round off the days programme. Meanwhile, former National womens champion from Chennai, Ann Jennifer (Motul Sparks Racing), also scripted a fairytale victory in the Super Stock 165cc Intermediate race, which she started last on the grid after failing to set a time during qualifying this morning, following a crash. Thiruvallurs Mohamed Mikail (Team MRA) won the Pro-Stock 200cc Open in a tight finish, while local challenger Anandhu KK (Veedol C2 Racing) benefitted after race leader Kavicholairasan (Speed Up Racing) crashed in the Stock 301-400cc Novice race and Yashwant Verma led a 1-2 finish for Motul Sparks Racing in the Stock 165cc Novice class. Hyderabads Rajender Beedani notched his second win in three outings in the Expert (RR 310) class, holding off Bengalurus AS James in a close finish. Poojita Anil Kumar, the teenager from Bengaluru, also recorded her second win in as many races in the Women (Apache RTR 200) class, sparing some 29 seconds to second-placed Hannah Akkineni Joshitha from Hyderabad. Pothu Vignesh from Mancherial took the top honours in the Rookie (Apache RTR 200) class, followed by Bengalurus Dev Agastya. The results (Provisional all six laps unless mentioned): Super Sport 301-400cc Open (Race-1): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, Petronas TVS Racing) (11mins, 03.311secs); 2. Rakshith Dave (Chennai, Petronas TVS Racing) (11:03.506); 3. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, Petronas TVS Racing) (11:06.187). Pro-Stock 200cc Open (Race-1): 1. Mohamed Mikail (Thiruvallur, Team MRA) (11:51.610); 2. Amarnath Menon K (Kozhikode, MadRabbit Racing) (11:51.831); 3. Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Chandra LGE Racing) (11:53.924). Super Stock 301-400cc Open (Race-1): 1. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1) (11:38.273); 2. Kamal Navas (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (11:41.065); 3. Seshadri (Bengaluru, Motul Gusto Racing) (11:41.153). Super Stock 165cc Intermediate (Race-1): 1. Ann Jennifer AS (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:46.048); 2. D Annish Samson (Bengaluru, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:53.234); 3. Anandhu KK (Chennai, Veedol C2 Racing) (12:55.971). Stock 301-400cc Novice (Race-1): 1. Anandhu KK (Chennai, Veedol C2 Racing) (12:15.190); 2. Rehbar Islam Baktoo (J & K, Motul Gusto Racing) (12:17.181); 3. Ashwin R (Bengaluru, Pvt.) (12:17.860). Stock 165cc Novice (Race-1): 1. Yashwant Varma (Visakhapatnam, Motul Sparks Racing) (13:09.445); 2. Raja Sreeharsha Singamsetty (Tadipatri, Motul Sparks Racing) (13:09.792); 3. Dev Agastya (Bengaluru, Pvt.) (13:10.097). Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship: Expert (Apache RR 310) (Race-1): 1. Rajender Beedani (Hyderabad) (11:42.499); 2. AS James (Bengaluru) (11:42.612); 3. Kamal Navas (Chennai) (11:44.190). Women (Apache RTR 200) (5 laps): 1. Poojita Anil Kumar (Bengaluru) (11:14.009); 2. Hannah Akkineni Joshitha (Hyderabad) (11:43.872); 3. Mansi Ashok Walunj (Pune) (11:43.884). Rookie (Apache RTR 200) (Race-1): 1. Pothu Vignesh (Mancherial) (13:13.842); 2. Dev Agastya (Bengaluru) (13:14.321); 3. Rehbar Islam Baktoo (J & K) (13:14.381).
Out For Jogging, Techie Dies After Being Hit By Car In Pune
The car was registered under the name of a private company in Pune, police said.
Andhra Pradesh: Photo Electoral Rolls of MPTCs, ZPTCs Put on Display for Public Inspection
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said all Mandal Parishad Development Officers and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Praja Parishads to prepare and publish the photo electoral rolls of MPTCs and ZPTCs respectively.
Maharashtra FDA seizes Rs 4.45 crore food stock in festive-season crackdown
Maharashtra FDA has seized food stock worth Rs 4.45 crore in a two-day festive-season crackdown, including over 75,000 kg of butter in Ahilyanagar and more than 18,000 kg of paneer, khoya and curd in Pune, along with sweets and milk
Kavya bags the Pune City Gold Cup
CIAL deploys robotic assistance for passenger convenience and travel ease
Cochin International Airport has introduced a passenger assistance robot service. This robot offers directions and real-time flight information to travelers. It also showcases Kerala's rich cultural heritage and local artworks. Future plans include deploying more robots in check-in areas and for deliveries. Pune-based Kinetics Robotics developed this innovative assistance robot.
Bollywood Hungama travelled to Goa earlier this week for the trailer launch of the much-awaited Drishyam The Conclusion. Soon after we reached our hotel and headed for lunch, this writer bumped into Dr Sharad Bhutadiya, the veteran actor who plays Martin in the thriller franchise. Interestingly, the lunch area itself had a Drishyam theme. Pav Bhaji, as expected, was part of the buffet, while the venue was aptly christened Martins Corner, after the restaurant run by Martin Uncle in the film. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Dr Sharad Bhutadiya spoke about the film, the enduring popularity of his character and a lot more. When asked about the Martins Corner tribute, Dr Sharad Bhutadiya said, This makes me very proud (smiles). Its wonderful to see that my role has had some impact and that people still remember and cherish it. Credit goes to everyone, mainly to the film's writer along with Ajay Devgn and the director. Hum sab ne milke uss waqt jo kiya tha, woh abhi tak logon ko yaad hai. Did the first parts director, the late Nishikant Kamat, offer him the part? Dr Sharad Bhutadiya replied, No, he didnt. However, I knew him. I remember someone from the team had called me from Pune. They explained my role to me in brief and asked if Id be interested in signing for the film. When asked if he had seen the original film starring Mohanlal, he replied, I didnt see it, but I saw it later, after I had finished working on the first part. Just like the rest of the team, Dr Sharad Bhutadiya also stated, I cant say much, but I can assure you that Drishyam The Conclusion is very different from the Malayalam Drishyams third part. Since the release of the first Drishyam in 2015, Dr Sharad Bhutadiyas life has changed and he has been recognized by the aam junta when hes out. Dr Sharad Bhutadiya revealed, It happened many times (smiles). And this is what I find very surprising. If you see, mere role mein aisa kuch tha hi nahin. And yet, people appreciated it a lot! He spoke highly of his co-star, Ajay Devgn, Hes very cool and down-to-earth. He never does show-off or anything of that sort. He talks to co-actors respectfully. He treats everyone equally. Yeh aaj kal nahin dekhne ko milta hai. Dr Sharad Bhutadiya has worked extensively in Marathi films and also a few Hindi films. He admitted that the industry did notice him after the release of Drishyam. He said, I did get 2-3 offers. However, due to my other commitments, I had to decline them. However, it would have been great if I had accepted those offers. The third part of Drishyam is said to be the final one. Dr Sharad Bhutadiya joked, Woh pata nahin (laughs). Does he feel a part 4 can be in the offing in the near future? He replied, Part 4 bhi ho sakta hai. It all depends on the writer. Writer ke dimaag mein kya chalta hai, yeh samajna bahut mushkil hai! Also Read: Alia Bhatt REACTS to Ajay Devgns Drishyam The Conclusion trailer: Hat-trick incoming
Veteran Congress leader and socialist thinker Ratnakar Mahajan dies at 80 in Pune
Sovereign King for Pune City Gold Cup
Sovereign King will be bidding for a hat-trick on Saturday, having already won his first two races on the Pune racetrack
FDA seizes over 17,900 kg of paneer and khoya in Pune before Ganeshotsav
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Pune: FDA seizes paneer from four trucks in Budhwar Peth ahead of Ganeshotsav
Four trucks seized in Budhwar Peth as Food and Drug Administration steps up food safety checks ahead of Ganeshotsav across city
10-Day Alcohol Ban During Ganesh Festival In Pune Curtailed To Two Days After HC Rebuke
Associations of hotel owners and wine shop owners had moved the High Court challenging the Pune Collector's order prohibiting sale of alcohol for 10 days during the Ganesh festival.
Pune Liquor Ban Curtailed To 2 Days During Ganeshotsav
The collector subsequently curtailed the ban to two days Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the arrival of Lord Ganesha, on Saturday, and Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the festival, on September 25.
Where Happiness Goes to School: Elementary School, Paro (Bhutan)
In a world where the word education has become a byword for a milking cow for pecuniary benefits rather than spreading enlightenment via its inherent quality of knowledge in the rank and file of our planet, there are still places (read: countries) like Bhutan who has moved every ounce of its national energy to make sure the retention of the real quality of education. In this small Himalayan kingdom tucked away in the remote recesses of the Himalayan ranges, the question that the innumerable schools of this nation-state ask its students is not merely What should a child learn? But also What kind of human being should the child become? This philosophy lies at the heart of Bhutans approach to elementary education. Over here in Bhutan, education is viewed not simply as a route to employment, but as an instrument for creating balanced, compassionate, culturally rooted and environmentally conscious citizens. High-sounding words? Not at all. Welcome to an offbeat write-up that has been drawn personally from our recent experience in Bhutan, which had a chastening effect on self and my better half, while on a tour to this faraway landlocked country. It is here in these schools of formative training that the USP of Bhutan finds its most evocative expressionGross national happiness( GNH). What better way to express the same when one casts a look on the National Education Policy of Bhutan, which says in so many wordsquote Children are expected to develop an understanding of their culture, care for others, and nurture critical and creative abilities, as also the capacity for lifelong learningunquote. Since Better Half is a nationally acclaimed teacher in one of the schools of Pune, she was bound to gravitate to this subject when she came around to witness scores of children in Thimphu, Paro and other places going around their activities, attired in their school uniforms tailored around the national dress consisting of Gho/ Kira. Though on a vacation to a foreign land, the last thought that crosses your mind is to evince interest in a countrys education system. But then there are few countries in this world that can rival Bhutan in matters concerning the HDI (Human Development Index) in the form of GNH permeating their education or the school system. It was a chance encounter while undertaking a morning walk during our stay in Paro that self and wife came across the Paro Elementary School (ECCD- Early childhood care and development). The most distinctive feature of Bhutanese education is the attempt to translate GNH from a national development philosophy into an everyday educational practice. The Educating for Gross National Happiness (EGNH) initiative was introduced across Bhutans school system in 2010. Its objective was to prepare and integrate GNH principles into a definite curriculum and pedagogy, as well as to create what Bhutan calls a GNH School or Green School. This concept went beyond trees and gardens to include intellectual, academic, social, cultural, spiritual, aesthetic and moral dimensions of development. This has profound implications for elementary education. A young child-student learns that happiness is not synonymous with consumption. Human dimensions like Cooperation, respect, nature, community, culture, etc. matter. The two most abiding spectacles of Bhutanese students that took me and my better half by pleasant surprise in Thimphu & Paro were their wearing of school uniforms in traditional Bhutanese national attire and not carrying any mobile phones, unlike in India, where both of these norms are flouted with impunity. The physical manifestation of these two facets are in a way, an assertion of the Bhutanese way of imparting ENGH. The elementary school (ECCD) at Paro is located at Tshendona, providing foundational learning and early childhood care. This school was just a stones throw from our place of stay at Paro, hence our chance encounter with this institution. Nestled among the gentle and rolling hills of Paro, the school couldnt have asked more in terms of its idyllic setting. Perhaps nowhere is Bhutans educational philosophy more visible than in its relationship with the environment. Bhutan has consciously attempted to make environmental stewardship part of childrens education. School activities can connect children with agriculture, local ecosystems, and cleanliness. This is more relevant in a Himalayan country whose identity and economy are closely connected to its natural environment. Elementary education in Bhutan begins with pre-primary and extends through the primary years, broadly covering the foundational stage up to class VI. The emphasis is on creating strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and language, while simultaneously developing social, emotional and ethical capabilities. This is where Bhutans educational philosophy differs significantly from the examination-driven model familiar in much of South Asia, including India. Modernisation often creates a difficult situation for smaller nations; how does one embrace the modern world without losing ones identity? Bhutan has very intelligently tackled this issue. Dzongkha, the national language, is taught alongside English, which serves as the medium of instruction throughout the length and breadth of this Himalayan kingdom. Unlike India, which, even after eighty years after independence, has been witness to fighting amongst its southern states with the centre at New Delhi over the issue of Hindi as a medium of instruction. Not only this, even the NEP 2020 of India does not emphasise Hindi/ National language as the mandatory medium of instruction. Amazingly, school life in Bhutan itself reinforces cultural identity. National dress, national anthem, traditional practices and knowledge of Bhutanese heritage are integrated into the educational environment. How much of the above facets have been implemented into the Indian schools? The objective is not isolation, but rooted in globalisation. There is sometimes a tendency to interpret GNH education as an alternative to academic rigouras though Bhutan is choosing happiness over mathematics, science or technology. That would be a big misnomer. Having interacted with a few students at Paro during my visit to Bhutan, what I could gather was that there was no difference between an average Bhutanese student vis--vis any other student of the world in so far as knowledge was concerned. The same tendency was reflected and understood while I interacted with my Bhutanese guides Wangchen and Kinley Dorjee during the tour, who displayed an excellent sense of civility, command over the English language and general awareness. Indeed, Bhutan has recently moved towards greater alignment of its national school curriculum with Cambridge standards. When I discussed the comparative analysis of the education system of India and Bhutan with my better half during the tour, she came up with some very compelling evidence of what ails our system despite rolling out the NEP 2020 by the GOI. As per her, the core philosophy of education in both countries is similar, but the execution of this philosophy is tempered with the expediencies of the situation that keeps changing in Indias case. Bhutan emphasises a strongly linked GNHcharacter building, wellbeing, values, environment and such like facets in its education system, unlike us, wherein we stress upon academic achievement, examinations, and future employability as our core pillars of teaching. In child development, Bhutan lays stress on emotional, moral, social and physical development aspects. India too does the same, albeit in practice academics often dominate the above-stated facets. In matters of classroom atmosphere, values, teacher student relationship, Bhutan demonstrates its age-old propensity of nurturing communityoriented activities. But in the case of India (as per my better half), these facets are variable, notwithstanding the existence of excellent personal mentoring. Moreover, large classes can make these variables difficult to execute, which she has been facing throughout her teaching stint at Pune. Though our interaction with the Bhutanese education system was brief and only restricted to a few tete-a-tete with the locals, it was nevertheless enough to wisen us about the countrys forward march to awakening its younger generation. The world is beginning to rediscover something that Bhutan placed at the centre of its national philosophy decades agoDevelopment without human well-being is incomplete, and education without human development is equally incomplete. (The writer is a retired army officer and a regular scribe of Rising Kashmir & can be approached at his email: slalotra4729@gmail.com)
Ganesh mandals flag steep power bills, delayed deposit refunds
Four held for extorting Rs25 lakh from Bhosari MIDC firm
Techie loses Rs5.9 lakh in matrimonial fraud
Retired bank officer loses Rs3.5 lakh in fake pension card scam in Pune
Nigerian national acquitted after nearly 4 years in jail as court finds flaws in drug seizure
Two bogus doctors caught in Pune; FIRs filed after civic body raid
Pune RTO launches WhatsApp number and email for passengers to detect fleecing by buses
SpiceJet flight from Pune to Dubai delayed by 20 hours; flyers left fuming
Bombay HC clears construction on two Pune Cantt leasehold plots
Worker crushed to death after pallet falls on him
Pune residents face low water pressure scenario ahead of Ganeshotsav
Discoloured water, dead fish raise alarm along Mula river
Delivery person stabs co-worker to death over 600, arrested
Maha lags in HPV vax coverage with just 8.4%, Gujarat & UP cover 100%
How shadu mati Ganapati idols get their colour and character
Bringing Ganapati idols home in personalised welcome rituals
Why single out Pune with 13-day liquor sale ban during Ganesh festivities: Bombay HC
Amul India gives Mirzapur: The Movie a MASKAPUR twist with Kaleen Bhaiya creative
The Mirzapur universe has now found an unexpected pop-culture crossover, with Amul India giving Excel Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios Mirzapur: The Movie its own playful twist. The dairy brand recently joined the conversation around the film with a customised social media creative, dubbing the topical MASKAPUR and featuring Kaleen Bhaiya with a bun maska. The creative features Kaleen Bhaiya, played by Pankaj Tripathi, seated with a bun maska in his hand, bringing together a familiar image from the Mirzapur universe with Amuls signature topical advertising format. The brand captioned the post, Amul Topical: The Movie Mirzapur create waves! The reference to MASKAPUR adds a food-centric play on the title while acknowledging the films ongoing presence in popular culture. The Amul topical comes as Mirzapur: The Movie continues its theatrical run following its release on September 4, 2026. The film marks the theatrical expansion of the popular Mirzapur franchise, which has developed a strong following through its streaming series. The move to the big screen has also brought several familiar characters together for a new chapter in the story. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amul - The Taste of India (@amul_india) Directed by Gurmmeet Singh and written by Puneet Krishna, Mirzapur: The Movie stars Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu and Ali Fazal in key roles. The ensemble also includes Abhishek Banerjee, Rasika Dugal, Mohitt Maalik, Sheeba Chadha, Rajesh Tailang, Pramod Pathak, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Harshita Shekhar Gaur, Shweta Tripathi and Sonal S Chauhan. The film follows an untold chapter from the world of Mirzapur, bringing together several members of its ensemble for its theatrical outing. Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar have produced the film under the Excel Entertainment banner, with Kassim Jagmagia and Vishal Ramchandani serving as co-producers. Presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Excel Entertainment, Mirzapur: The Movie released in Hindi and Telugu on September 4. With Amuls MASKAPUR creative, the franchise has now also become the subject of a topical from one of Indias most recognisable dairy brands, adding another layer to the films ongoing pop-culture conversation. Also Read: Mirzapur: The Movie cast serves Bhaukaal in viral 80s AI trend; see pics
Pune Rolls Back 12-Day Liquor Ban For Ganeshotsav After High Court Rap
The ban was curtailed to two days by the Pune district administration just hours after the court said such orders could not be issued without a logical basis.
ISFBP in Pune offers French baking education with international standards, focusing on technical skills and professional discipline.
Pune airport terminal renovation completed, awaits BCAS approval
The News Mill
SUV owner booked for using flipping number plate on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
The case came to light after a video, showing the owner of the vehicle, went viral on social media. The video was reportedly recorded from another vehicle travelling on the Pune-bound carriageway of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near the Khalapur Toll Plaza
Why single out Pune?: Bombay high court questions 10-day liquor ban during Ganeshotsav
Only Pune people behave badly? HC on 10-day liquor ban
The Bombay High Court strongly criticised the Pune administration's decision to ban alcohol sales for 10 days during the Ganesh festival, questioning why Pune was singled out for such restrictions while other regions were not. The court deemed the blanket ban arbitrary and stigmatising for Pune residents, urging the administration to withdraw the order or face judicial intervention.
Bombay High Court questions Pune-only alcohol ban during Ganesh festival
A bench comprising Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna was hearing petitions filed by associations representing hotel owners and wine shop owners against the Pune collector's order. The prohibition is scheduled to remain in force during the 10-day Ganesh festival beginning September 14
The police investigation found the company had two directors, but only one of them was named as an accused; the Court submission stated that the son of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra wields influence
Indias electronics exports to BRICS jump nearly 50 pc, momentum to surge after 18th Summit: Industry
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) Indias electronics exports to BRICS member nations rose 49.27 per cent in 202526, outpacing the countrys overall export growth of 26.53 per cent, an industry chamber said on Friday. The statement from Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) said the surge strengthens the case for turning BRICS' 18th Summit proposals on digital infrastructure and trade facilitation into concrete gains for exporters. ESC noted that the United Arab Emirates and China were the largest destinations within BRICS, together accounting for 88.50 per cent of Indias electronics exports to the grouping. Among the product categories, Telecom Equipment had the largest share of 74.60 per cent, the statement added. The industry chamber highlighted that BRICS accounted for around 19.61 per cent of Indias total electronic exports globally and urged that deeper cooperation could translate into more demand for network equipment, device certification and the software that runs on shared digital infrastructure. Gurmeet Singh, CEO & ED, ESC said several items on this year's agenda, under India's BRICS Chairship, could have a bearing on this trajectory, though the specific outcomes will depend on how these deliberations progress. Discussions around a BRICS Digital Public Infrastructure Repository, and a bilateral India-Brazil ICT memorandum covering 5G/6G, Open RAN and satellite connectivity signed in Pune last month, indicate the direction BRICS digital cooperation could take, Singh said. The Council also pointed to the proposed BRICS Global Value Chains Action Plan 2026-2030 and the proposed MSME Cooperation Portal as mechanisms that could, if taken forward, support Indian electronics exporters, particularly smaller manufacturers, in plugging into cross-border supply chains. ESC said the proposed BRICS invoice discounting mechanism, meant to address trade finance gaps for MSMEs, could be especially useful for exporters looking to grow in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia and South Africa. The BRICS Global Value Chains Action Plan 20262030 and the proposed MSME Cooperation Portal can open new avenues for Indian electronics exporters, particularly MSMEs, to participate in emerging cross-border value chains, said Rajesh Revankar, Chairman, ESC.
BAVMC Pune Assistant Professor Recruitment 2026 - Walkin
Bharatratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College Pune (BAVMC Pune) has announced Recruitment 2026 for 1 Assistant Professor (Community Medicine - UHTC) post. Eligible candidates can attend the walk-in interview scheduled for 17 September 2026. For details, visit the official website, bavmcpune.edu.in.
Jackie Shroff farmhouse tour: The actor's expansive Pune farmhouse showcases his deep love for nature. The property features hundreds of plants, farm animals, and a serene man-made lake. A special Kadamba tree honors his mother, adding a personal touch to the estate. An amphitheater and a unique viewing platform offer scenic countryside vistas. This rustic retreat emphasizes greenery and a peaceful rural lifestyle over opulence.
Pune, Maharashtra, India Business Wire India
Pune Airport's Renovated Old Terminal Nears Reopening, Awaits Final BCAS Clearance
Rohit Pawar claims Rs 40-crore FDA exam leak racket, seeks MPSC chief's exit
Addressing a press conference in Pune, Rohit Pawar alleged that a Rs 40-crore racket was involved in the alleged Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recruitment examination paper leak
Rising fuel, food, and LPG costs drive up hotel room tariffs
Maratha community members get ready for Mumbai march
Commuters at risk on milled roads in Salunke Vihar, Wanowrie areas
Canal road shut for repairs, vehicles spill over into Sopanbaug roads & Solapur highway
Home collection of documents from senior citizens unable to attend hearings
Maharashtra agriculture, revenue departments to review farm losses caused by deficit rain
One held for stealing sandalwood tree from army establishment in Dehu Camp
Final-year engineering student killed as motorcycle hit by tanker in Punawale
Bank managers alertness helps elderly man mitigate digital arrest scam in Pune
