Video:Punes Dagdusheth Ganpati arrives in grand procession on peacock chariot
The idol of Lord Ganesha from the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple was carried on a beautifully decorated peacock chariot and installed at a replica of Vrindavan's Prem Mandir, created at Jai Ganesh Prangan
Ganeshotsav 2026: Mumbai's Chinchpokli sees heavy rush on Day 1
Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations gathered pace across Maharashtra as Mumbai's Chinchpokli saw a heavy rush of devotees at Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, while Pune welcomed Shreemant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati with a traditional procession featuring Dhol Tasha and Mardani Khel
Devotees attend Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati procession in Pune
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Indias data centre capacity likely to touch 8 GW by 2030
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Indias installed datacentre power capacity has risen sharply to 1.57 GW (as of August 2026) from about 375 MW in 2020, an official factsheet said on Monday. The capacity is projected to expand to nearly 8 GW by 2030 amid roughly $70 billion of ongoing investments and a further $90 billion in announced projects. Indias data-centre journey has evolved alongside the rapid expansion of e-Governance and digital services, with rising citizen expectations for online services increasing demand for robust data-centre infrastructure. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has established state-of-the-art National Data Centres across the country. These include facilities at NIC Headquarters in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. NIC has also established 37 smaller data centres at various state capitals. These facilities provide reliable digital services to Government institutions at different levels. They support round-the-clock operations, system management and skilled onsite personnel. Data centre capacity is expanding rapidly, making energy and resource efficiency increasingly important. Data centres require reliable electricity and efficient cooling systems for continuous operations, the official statement said. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, demand could reach 17 GW by 203132. As the sector is expanding, the government is also promoting cleaner energy and efficient resource use to support sustainable sectoral growth, the statement noted. Indias digital economy is entering a new phase of rapid growth and technological transformation, while digitalisation is reshaping productivity, competitiveness and service delivery across sectors. As digital services expand, they are generating unprecedented demand for computing capacity, data storage and high-speed connectivity. Meeting this demand requires infrastructure that can operate continuously, securely and at scale. Data centres provide this critical foundation, powering the digital services that increasingly drive Indias economy and governance, said the official factsheet.
Six-member gang stealing copper from transformers held
Woman found murdered at home near Baramati
Planning to buy gold today on Ganesh Chaturthi? Check prices in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik
Gold and silver prices today, 14 September: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik, along with MCX market updates.
Residents of Charholi battle lack of access roads, water & power woes
Rulers pushing Maha into darkness; Lord Ganesha save us: Shiv Sena(UBT) in 'Saamana'
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) Launching a scathing attack on the state government on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Monday sharply criticised the ruling Mahayuti government for Maharashtra's compounding socio-economic and political crisis. The Thackeray camp, in an editorial in the party's mouthpiece, 'Saamana', painted a grim picture of a state eset by inflation, systemic corruption, agricultural distress, and rising communal polarisation -- arguing that the current rulers themselves have become the single biggest vighna (obstacle) confronting Maharashtra and the nation. The editorial slammed the government for compounding public distress ahead of the festive season. Highlighting steep hikes in the prices of sugar, milk, CNG, domestic LPG, petrol, and diesel, the daily noted that while the common man's festive budget has been badly hit, devotees will still leave no stone unturned to welcome Lord Ganesha with devotion. The editorial highlighted the recent physical assault on Pune activist Vidyanand Bapat, who had voiced strong opposition to high-decibel DJ systems during public celebrations. Rather than addressing noise pollution, the ruling establishment branded the activist as an urban Naxal and an outsider, while the Chief Minister resorted to evasive stances instead of decisive action, it claimed. Pointing to the severe impact of El Nino, the Thackeray camp warned of a worsening drought across Maharashtra. With Kharif crops wilting in scorched fields and deficient rainfall casting a shadow over the upcoming Rabi season, rural livelihoods are in severe jeopardy while farmer suicides continue unabated. The editorial also criticised repeated examination paper leaks. Following scandals in NEET and TET, the leak of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) papers forced the cancellation of exams. Dismissing the government's announced SIT probe and administrative reform claims as empty rhetoric, the editorial questioned who would answer for the shattered dreams of thousands of aspiring youths. Tracing the roots of Lokmanya Tilak's public Ganesh festival, the editorial lamented that its founding socio-political vision is being eroded by corporate takeover and cheap political posturing. The editorial further highlighted rising crimes against children, deteriorating roads claiming innocent lives daily, and the government's failure to enforce local Marathi language norms for non-native auto and taxi drivers. Concluding with a stark warning, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena asserted that Maharashtra -- once a beacon of progressive ideas for the country -- has been rendered directionless and pushed into the shadows of religious extremism by power-drunk and fanatical rulers. Calling upon the public to recognise the true root of their hardship, the editorial closed with a direct plea to Lord Ganesha to bestow wisdom upon the populace and save the state.
Mirzapur: The Movie crosses Rs 170 crore, makers discuss sequel plans
Mirzapur: The Movie has crossed Rs 170 crore at the domestic box office, prompting Excel Entertainment to consider a second theatrical film. The cast, director Gurmmeet Singh and writer Puneet Krishna are set to meet producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani
Techie loses Rs6.5L in online share trading fraud
Gold and silver add sparkle to Ganeshotsav celebrations despite soaring prices
Ganderbal Police trace three missing minor boys from Pune after 10-day search
Safely brought back, reunited with families Ganderbal, Sep 13: In a major success, Ganderbal Police have traced and safely recovered three minor boys who had gone missing from the Kheerbhawani area, following an extensive 10-day search operation that led the police team to Daund Railway Station in Pune, Maharashtra. According to police, Police Station Kheerbhawani []
Pune has over 44 lakh vehicles but just over 2,800 scrapped in last two years, RTO data shows
From homes to societies, Pune celebrates the arrival of Ganapati
HC orders PMC to act against Kausarbaug encroachments
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.
One held in Pune for cheating 5 with job promises
Preventive action against 2.5k criminals, 53 externed
Colour, scent of flowers fill markets, demand during puja increases cost
Neighbourhood Watch: Residents Of Punes Charholi Battle Lack Of Access Roads, Water & Power Woes
Two killed, 12 injured after four vehicles involved in accident on Katraj-Dehu Road bypass
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.
Two killed, 12 injured after truck hits tempo on Pune-Bengaluru highway
According to police, the truck was travelling from Satara towards Pune when it rammed into a tempo travelling ahead of it. The impact caused both vehicles to cross onto the opposite carriageway, where they collided with two cars
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
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
MoD fixes timelines for defence land needed for public projects
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
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
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
Forty-year-old water tank to be demolished after it partly collapses
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
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.
Pune Police probe fake Kurash certificate racket; 71 govt recruits under scanner
Police said the certificates were allegedly generated by falsely showing that taluka, district and state-level Kurash competitions had taken place, even though several of the competitions were never actually held
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
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)
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