Tina

Due to coronavirus outbreak, the grand Onam festive celebrations will not be held this year. However, Onam was celebrated with low-key celebrations. Onam festival was celebrated in the city with enthusiasm. A pukkalam (flower rangoli) was prepared in Lord Ayyappa temple, Mahalaxmi Nagar.  Special drums known as Chenda Melam was played by community members and MP Shankar Lalwani.  Talking about the importance of playing the instrument, businessman Sajan Panicker said, “Classical music soothes the mind and brings positive energy to environment.” He added that music is an important part of any of celebrations, especially Onam. Hence, Chenda was played by male community members. While a group of men played first thalam on the classical musical instrument, women chatted and sang classical songs.  

After considering the dilemma of Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), School Education Department directed all the divisional commissioners and collectors of the state on Monday, to provide transport to students.  According to the directive of the order, students will be provided free transportation to and from the examination centre for JEE Main and NEET. JEE Main will held from September 1 to 6 and NEET 2020 will be held on September 13, 2020.  The free-of- cost transport facility will be available to all the students appearing for JEE/NEET exams. Arrangements will be done from block HQ (headquarters) and district HQ of exam centres. Examinees can call at 181 or can apply by clicking on http://mapit.gov.in/covid-19 from August 31.  Exam centre in 11 districts for JEE Main and 5 districts for NEET Out of 52 districts of Madhya Pradesh, only 11 (Ujjain, Satna, Sagar, Rewa, Jabalpur, Indore, Gwalior, Chhindwara, Bhopal, Betul,...

Schools cannot remove students from online classes citing non-payment of fee, ordered divisional commissioner Pawan Sharma after hearing the plea of parents and giving an ear to schools on Monday.  Parents had approached Sharma under the campaign ‘Jago Palak Jago’ against schools pressuring to pay complete fee while only online classes are being held. Troubled by school, a parent of Agrawal Public School had approached CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan by stopping his car midway.  Following the incident, Chouhan ordered divisional commissioners to hear parent’s plea and solve the issues. Hence, group of parents representing different schools met with the commissioner and also staged a protest demanding guidelines for online classes and fee charged for the time being.  Further, discussing issues, advocate Chanchal Gupta brought CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) affiliation bye laws, which states that every school must have reserve fund for emergency.  On which, Sharm...

State’s forest land is doomed and less likely to exist for long if the strange and careless behaviour of Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Department (MPTWD) continues. Recently, the department send out an order to Satna collector instructing not to reject forest claims even if there no photo evidences. Further, the department said that the satellite image will only be used to validate the claim and no claim will be invalidated due to satellite imagery. If these orders are followed, then thousands of hectares of forest land will be lost, explained legal activist Abhijeet Pandey. Pandey raised a complaint against the order citing ‘Section 12A (11) of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and Rules 2007 made thereunder. The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India i (h) is not explained in the said order.  “According to 12A (ii), any committee will use satellite imagery to decide claims and according to Rule 13 satellite imagery will be used as evidence in the determ...

 वर्क फ्रॉम होम और ऑनलाइन क्लास के दौरान घर पर कैसे फिट रहें इस पर ऑनलाइन सेमिनार का आयोजन क्रिएट स्टोरीज सोशल वेलफेयर सोसाइटी द्वारा किया गया । फ़िज़ियोथेरेपिस्ट डॉ प्रियंका तिवारी शर्मा ने इस विषय पर चर्चा करी । संचालन दीपक शर्मा ने किया । डॉ प्रियंका तिवारी शर्मा ने बताया की अभी के समय में वर्क फ्रॉम होम और ऑनलाइन क्लास का दौर चल रहा है ,  इस दौरान स्क्रीन पर पढने और काम करने का समय पहले की तुलना में तीन गुना बढ़ गया है , जिससे अनेको समस्याओं का जन्म हो रहा है ।  शुरू से यदि अपनी शरीर पर ध्यान न दिया जाएँ तो कई बीमारियाँ जन्म लेती है , गलत बॉडी पोस्चर या ढंग आदतें बन जाती है एवं अभी के लाइफस्टाइल के हिसाब के समस्या देखने को मिल रही है जैसे स्पाइन टेढ़ी होना , कंधे झुकना , गर्दन आगे आना , कमर दर्द , 15 से 20 दिन में बार बार कफ होना , इम्युनिटी वीक होना , ज्यदा देर न बैठ पाना ,  सर्वाइकल स्पॉन्डिलोसिस ,  लो बेक पेन , आदि । फिटनेस का मतलब वजन कम करना या जीरो फिगर बनना नही है बल्कि  फिटनेस का मतलन है की हमे कोई बीमारी या दर्द ना हो ।  दर्द के साथ दोस्ती न क...

Following the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, animal lovers lead by example and have set up shelters for stray dogs and continue to adopt and feed stray dogs in their locality. On Sunday, posts advocating adoption of local breeds over buying expensive ones were trending on all the portals.  Indoreans took the cue from PM to further motivate people to care for local breeds around them with heartfelt messages and pictures. Quoting the importance of adopting over shopping for breed dogs, animal activist leading MP police cell for cruelty against animals Priyanshu Jain said, “Buying foreign breed dogs who are accustomed to living in cold weather and bringing to live in hot climate is Indore is cruel and not really a true form of showing love towards animals.” She explained that caring for breeds that are naturally found in India is our prime responsibility.  “We are Indians because we are born in India and we love our country, so are Indie breeds, and to lead by example, I...

Classical dance festival Nrityadhara was organised online this year by Dhrupad Dance on Sunday.  Performing in the event, 7 avid dancers presented their repertoire on social media. In this edition senior dancer Apeksha Mundargi from Mumbai also performer. She presented Vinayak Daru which is a combination of Kautuvam written by Shahaji Maharaj 2nd and keertanam in raag Mohanam. Further, Apeksha continued her performance with bajan Thumak Chalat Ramchandra and closed her vibrant performance with Anand Natanam Aduvar Thillai a composition praising Cosmic dance of Lord Shiva and story of “Agni Linga”.  Samridhi Jaiswal presented Shiv stuti “Bho Shambho” and Shabdam on Lord Krishna. Shivani Sudarshan presented Ganesh stuti followed by a Jatiswaram in Raag Chakravagam and Keertanam Edathu Padam Thooki in Raagam Arabhi.  Malvika Sharma presented “Daksh yagya” abhinay and a bandish in Kathak style.  Aayushi Limaye presented teentaal and Shiv vandana, Advaita Acharya presente...

From the last academic session 2019-20, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) launched two versions of mathematics: basic and standard in class X board examination. However, as per protocol, if a student wishes to opt for mathematics in class XI then the student must clear mathematics standard board examination in class X.  Students opting for basic math version could attempt the standard paper along with compartment examination to enrol for class XI math. However, CBSE compartment examinations are still on standstill due to coronavirus and the petition filed at Supreme Court.  In a recent notification, CBSE said that students who took the Basic Mathematics paper in the class X board exams could also pick Math in class XI this year without appearing for the Standard Mathematics paper in the CBSE compartment exams. This announcement was welcomed by parents much more than students. Educationists have termed it ‘as an empathetic move' by the board in times of the Covid cris...

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is starting from September 1 for admission into the top engineering colleges in the country including Indian Institute of Technology (IITs). While it is a dream for most students to clear the entrance and attempt the examination, this year has another manifold challenge for students living in nearby districts of Indore and other cities.  While public transport remains shut and fear of corona prevails, parents will have to bring their children to Indore for attempting the examination alongside thousands of other students. For most parents who are already facing a financial crunch, this trip will add another burden along with fear of coronavirus attack.  Over 9,000 students were sent back to their districts when lockdown was enforced to control the outspread of coronavirus.  Now, these students preparing for entrance examinations from nearby places must return. Students from Khandwa, Khargone, Kalapipal, Bamnala, Ratlam, etc. will come ...

 Giving hope to devotees, Ganesh idol placed at Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Nanda Nagar is seen killing coronavirus with ‘trishul’. The idol has been placed for worship during the 10-day Ganesh festival.  While devotees are now allowed inside the temple premises, they are allowed to pray to the lord from outside. Shri Ram Bhakta Balaji Mandal has organised the festive celebrations of Ganesh at the temple.  As shared by devotees, the Ganesh idol brings positivity and hope that we will win the fight with coronavirus soon.

Only 25 teachers from different districts have been selected for ‘State Level Awards for Teachers’ this year. However, announcement of awards has stirred up conflicts and questions in teacher’s associations.  As per policy of the award, a dedicated and deserving teacher from every district is selected for the award. Madhya Pradesh 52 districts, which are divided in ten divisions. Against the policy, only teachers from 25 districts have been found eligible for this award. The award list skips teachers more than half the districts, i.e. 27 districts for the award.   Teachers’ association president Aarif Anjum said, “It’s truly disappointing and heart-breaking that not even one teacher was selected from each district, whereas all the teachers have also been working to fight coronavirus along with district administrations.”  He added that this announcement brought displeasure to all the teachers. “We will be speaking to the department on discussing the matter on Monday,”...

Due to lockdown and coronavirus pandemic, many private schools are on the verge of closing down due to non-payment of fee from parents and even government for students admitted under Right To Education (RTE) act.  Payment of over Rs 36 crore from government is pending to private schools accounting for last two academic years. Settlement of this amount can save many schools from shutting down during these difficult times, as shared by MP Private School Association coordinator Gopal Soni.  “We have already submitted a memo to district collector, commissioner and even Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for payment of RTE students, but to no use,” Soni said. He explained that this time of lockdown and school shut-down has severely affected most schools. “Schools which are generally running as economic schools are now struggling and might even shut down if school fee is not paid and RTE amount is not settled,” Soni said. He explained that RTE fee is remunerated after 2 to 4 years...

Three teachers from Madhya Pradesh have been shortlisted for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) award to teachers 2019-20. Out of the three, two teachers are from Indore and one is from Bhopal.  Raminder Kaur Mac and Kuldeep Kaur Mac, both teaching English, have been selected for the award from Indore. CBSE awards to teachers are conferred every year on September 5, i.e. Teachers' day. The winners will get a merit certificate and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.  Sister Lilly Cherian from Bhopal has been shortlisted for the recognition as school principal. Raminder has been selected in PGT (Post Graduate Teacher) category and Kuldeep has been selected in TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher).  The criteria for teachers to be selected for the award is: experience in related field, age, higher qualification and percentage in educational qualification. The teachers have been using learner centred pedagogy, collaborative learning approach, activity based approach coupled with art...

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan warned private hospitals stating that govt is thankful to private hospitals for their services in fighting coronavirus, but nobody is allowed to ‘loot’ people.  “I direct collector and commissioner to hold meeting and fix rate for treatment in private hospitals,” Chouhan said this after inaugurating Super Specialty hospital in Indore on Friday.  The 10-storey hospital with modern medical facilities has been made at a cost of over Rs 237 crore. The newly built hospital will have facilities for neurology, neurosurgery, nephrology, genitourinary surgery, cardiology, cardiac surgery, gastroenterology, plastic & reconstructive surgery and organ transplant. But at present, the facility will serve as covid-19 hospital with 402 beds.  Chouhan said, “We are trying to provide free treatment for covid-19 to everyone, and those who are financial competent can get treatment at private hospitals.” Further, he added that Super Speciality hospital...

The sixth day of Paryushan Parv was celebrated as Dhoop Dashmi on Friday by Digamber Jain community. Usually, this is one of the most important days of the festival when community members gather in Jain temples to light incense sticks and hold communal celebrations.  People generally visit Jain temple and light ‘Dhoop’, which are the scented pieces of a dried log of tree, in front of idol of god. The belief behind this is that ‘Dhoop’ represents the ‘karmas’ and, as they have burnt the Dhoop, one day they will be able to burn all their karmas and liberate their soul, as shared by Digambar Jain Samajh president Narendra Veda. However, due to coronavirus outspread, the doors of the temples remained shut with only a few community members lighting the ‘Dhoop’ as symbolism.  “Following the guidelines of the administration, arrangements were made such that people could visit the temple and symbolically attend the festive celebration from outside the main doors,” community spokespers...

 With challenges of coronavirus, most businesses have gone online from shopping stores to kirana. Adding another option for buyers to ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ an innovative concept platform ‘CreditKart Fin-Com’ launched on Friday.  The online shopping platform will enable shoppers to “Buy now, pay later” at no rate of interest, no down payment, and no processing fees. The platform launched all over India and will cater to Indore and other tier 2, 3, 4 and 5 cities.  Conceptualised by entrepreneur Swapnil Madiyar, the start-up blends e-commerce and finance taking another step towards financial inclusion for India. “There is a need for a shopping platform that provides a direct credit line in order to reduce/ minimize the lengthy procedures and dependence on other financial institutions,” he said. He added that because of these inconveniencies along with high interests and down payment costs way more than the original price of the product, shopping on EMI is quite a stressful e...

Cycling is the way to fitter and greener India. The message floated across the city as MP Shankar Lalwani and a group of 100 cyclists rode from Rajwada to Regal square on Friday.  The campaign to promote cycling was organised under the banner of Namo Namo Shankaraya headed by Lalwani. Along with cycling, the riders promoted yoga and pranayama for mental and physical fitness.  Lalwani said, “ Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call on Fit India, we are taking basic steps to include yoga, pranayama and essentially cycling that will build healthier city, state, country and even help environment by controlling pollution.”  He added that cycling is the best exercise to keep fit, which is why they cycled to led by example. “Cycling is the best tool to increase immunity and stay healthy,” Lalwani said. He added that cycling is best means to stay healthy during the Corona period and to drive away the Corona by increasing our immunity.  “Along with cycling, we must incl...

The process of building Biomethanation plant that will convert wet waste into CNG in Indore has begun. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will begin the process of developing this grand plant by attending Bhoomi Pujan for the plant on Friday, i.e. today.  Indore municipal commissioner Pratibha Pal had first shared the news about development of biomethanation plant with Free Press in her exclusive interview recently.  Under the initiative for disposal of wet waste in Indore, the cleanest city in the country, Biomethanation plant will be set up at the disposal site Devguradia. The plant of 550 tonnes capacity will be set up with Bio-methanation Plant Environmental Infrastructure and Service Limited (EESL). The said plot installation is proposed to be completed in two phases.  In the first phase, 200 tonnes capacity plant will be start producing CNG in April 2021. In the second phase, the plant will run with full capacity i.e. process 500 tonnes waste into 17,500 kg CNG by...

Pushing make in India, a biotechnology students have prepared pomegranate-based herbal shampoo to provide an alternative eco-friendly solution for hair.  The research on product got selected and is published in Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.  Under the guidance of professor Payal Puri, biotech students Nanadini Pal, Tanya Malpani and Manali Jethalia worked on understanding various components of pomegranate and further created the herbal shampoo.

Moti, the infamous elephant, residing at Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya keeps losing his temper. City zoo authorities worried by the aggressive behaviour of the elephant are now trying to calm him with music therapy.  Recently, Moti demolished the wall of his enclosure. To enclosure that he does not break another wall, music therapy is being used. Luckily, Moti seems interested in the music as shared by authorities and is calmer. Among previous aggression episodes of Moti, his anger strike to elephant Laxmi is among the scariest ones. Laxmi, who was his partner for some years, became victim to his anger last year. Moti had slammed and dragged her on the ground that eventually led to her death. Light music travels to Moti’s enclosure. City zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav said that many experiments have been done to calm Moti's anger. “Right now the tires of JCB, tractors, trucks and buses are kept in his enclosure, which keeps him engaged,” he said. He added that staying busy keeps Mot...

Buying a laptop? Be careful as a consumer who bought Rs 56,000 Dell laptop later found it to be using i5 motherboard with i7 sticker and had unmatched LCD screen as well. After being troubled with the laptop, the consumer raised his voice and sought redressal to the issue at District Consumer Forum Indore-II.  The forum headed by president Om Prakash Sharma and member Sumitra Hathiwala ordered Dell India Pvt Ltd to pay back Rs 56,000 spent on the laptop and further pay penalty of Rs 7,000 including consumer forum charges.  The complaint was raised by Rudraksh Gupta, a resident of Sukun Villa, New Palasia, Indore. He bought a Dell laptop on Aug 8, 2015 by paying Rs 56,000.  The laptop came with 3 year warranty. However, in 1 year 4 months, the laptop crashed and seemed to have a loose battery connection.  “The laptop failed to work and kept shutting down,” explained the plaintiff. Raising the first complaint on December 6, 2016, Gupta sought help from the company....

Future doctors and engineers have been studying to make the cut in the best institutes of the country for medial and engineering studies. However, due to coronavirus pandemic, NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) were postponed. These exams have already been deferred twice in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Now, the examinations are scheduled in September. The matter of postponement and conduction of examination has been trending on twitter and other platforms. While the examinations are must for admissions, risking 28 lakhs walking into examination centres is risky considering coronavirus outspread.  Indoreans are also split in the decision and here is what they say…  “JEE and NEET are important examinations that determine future of children. We have seen the concrete arrangements of the administration and the government, whether it is the 12th exam or Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka...

The 40-day festival named Chalio also called Chaliho Sahib celebrated by Sindhi Hindu community concluded on Tuesday. Due to Corona pandemic this year, Bahrana Sahib procession was cancelled. Bahrana Sahib is a symbolic representation of lord Jhulelal in each and every household, which is taken out in a procession the 41st day. The community prayed to lord Jhulelal seeking to liberate the world from coronavirus attack.  The grand Matki Yatra which is organised on the concluding day of the festival in Ulhasnagar, Maharasthra was also cancelled. Hundreds of Sindhi community members from Indore also attend the yatra in Ulhasnagar usually.  Live event were organised from Jhulelal temples across the country on Tuesday. Community representatives Naresh Fundwani and Sanjay Punjabi shared that symbolic Bahrana Sahib and aarti was organised at lord Jhulelal temple.  “Bahrana Sahib consists of jyot, sugar candy, phota, fruits, clove and akho. Behind is an earthen pot with a coconut...

Under the campaign 'Hamara Ghar- Hamara Vidyalaya', school education department has launched a family inclusive reading activity for this month. The activity focused on developing reading habit among children will conclude on September 24.  Under this activity, various reading assignments have been given to children seeking involvement from parents, siblings and other family members.  As per instructions, students need to work upon developing language skills regularly using learning resources like textbooks, newspapers, lyrics-story books, novels etc. Directing district education officers, Commissioner, State Education Centre Lokesh Kumar Jatav has instructed them make the major activities of 'Khub Pado Abhiyan' wherein one-minute games focused on listening, reading and writing skills will be organised by teachers. Listening and speaking Children should listen to the story from the elders in their home and practice repeating it so that the memory of children can be shar...

Coronavirus and lockdown enforcement for controlling its outspread has taught an important lesson of living in sync with environment. Learning this lesson, Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS) is now taking steps towards making sustainable campus more rigorously.  “We are moving towards Adarsh campus and Zero Vaster campus for which work is in progress with the cooperation of Indore and various environmental consultants,” Dr Rakesh Saxena, SGSITS director, said. The institute has been working on various green technologies. “The vegetable and mess waste coming out of canteen and mess is done by automatic composting machine installed in the institute,” Saxena said. “We are installing LED lights / solar lights in the campus, making compost, going paperless as far as possible, but we still need to work upon water harvesting system,” Saxena said. He added that research work is in progress and we are consulting various experts for establishment of rain wat...

Parents are panicking and worried as Chameli Devi Public School (CDPS), a private school affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), issues a notice asking them to pay fee else their child’s name will be ‘struck off’.  Parent associations have already been urging the administration and even court to come to a requisite fee for online classes and fee waivers under the campaign ‘Jago Palak Jago’ citing financial constraints faced by parents due to covid-19.  “As you know through our circular no 6 that we have been conducting video lectures and online classes for nursery to XII through google meet, and as per CBSE guidelines, students present are also being marked for attendance,” the school said.  Further, examination for all the classes will be conducted from September 2 to 12, 2020 and result will be provided later. “Hence, to ensure uninterrupted conduction of studies and examination, parents are asked to pay first quarter fee latest by August 31,” the not...

 Pratiksha Nayyar, an actor popularly known as Malwi Bhabhi, trends across India with 9 million views and 2,30,000 reactions on her video. From singing Malwi songs to interacting with her followers on social media, Nayyar attempted to discuss various skills that can be explored while stuck at home. To motivate her followers to follow protocols to control coronavirus spread, she composed a song on the lines of Nadi Nare Na Jao, a Bollywood song from 1963.  Nayyar’s video is about 40 minutes long. “Yes, many things are coming back but not exactly, the kind of hard work our mothers and grandmothers did are still not our daily tasks,” she said. Further, she chuckles warning women not to rush to market to get retro jewellery and attire. 

Practitioners of Sahaja Yoga is celebrating the 10-day Ganeshotsav with live stream of Havana from Chhindwara this year. Chhindwara is the birthplace of the founder Mataji Nirmala Devi.   Indore Coordinator Surendra Kumar Bhide said, “This Puja Festival online broadcasting program will be attended by almost 90 countries including India.” Coordinator of Madhya Pradesh Sahaja Yoga Mahendra Vyas said, “After the havana, meditation, bhajans, seminars and other programs of worship will be broadcast live from Pune.”

Schools have been shut down since the outbreak of coronavirus in India and are less likely to open any time soon. Hence, to assess student’s learning and understanding of subjects, online internal assessments will be conducted for classes 9th to 12th in this academic year. Joint director, school education department (Indore) Manish Verma noting the instructions from commissioner, state education department Lokesh Jatav asked district education officers (DEOs) to prepare for online assessments.  “All the teachers must continue teaching online and ensure proper understanding among students, further, as we will be conducting online assessments all the requisite preparations like setting the assessment paper must be completed in stipulated time,” Verma said in the letter. Evaluation will be based on open book method As per instructions from MPBSE given to DEOs through a video conferencing, the online internal assessment will be based on open book method. An "open book examination...

Two teachers from Madhya Pradesh have been shortlisted for National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2020. The award is given to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country every year on Teacher’s Day, i.e. September 5. The National Level Jury constituted by the Department of School Education and Literacy by the Ministry of Education reviewed 153 teachers from the selection committees of 36 state and union territories, out of which 47 teachers from all over India, including 2 from MP have been selected. Further, the award honours those teachers who through their commitment and industry have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students.  Last year, Lalit Mehta from Government Higher Secondary School of Excellence, Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, was the only teacher from the state who received this award.  This year, the two teachers selected for the honour are:  Sanjay Kumar Jain from GGPS Dunda, Dunda...

 Have you been told to work hard? Go at it continuously hammering and you will reach your goal? True probably, right? But probably not… We all tend to believe that if we continuously strive towards something or someone, it is bound to become ours. However, often this continuously striving towards a particular thing even if it is forcing ourselves to think positively that leads to anxiety, stress and long-term disorders. Yes, these disorders are often undetected because we have come to believe that stress is a normal part of our lives.  If you feel stressed, many other health issues including physical and psychological are bound to creep their way into your ‘good life’.  An essential way to detect a problem is being stuck with something. But then a question that strikes a conflict is confusion being stuck and loyalty.  Loyalty is not being stuck with one thought or a feeling. We often hate the person we love, even in that hatred we might love the person more than imag...

A tiger came and sat in a farmer's field in Sarwahi village of Beohari development block of Shahdol district on Sunday. After much effort, the forest department was able to send him back to the forest. When some farmers of the village of Sarwahi came out to their fields in the morning, they saw tiger sitting in the field. The villagers immediately shared the news to the forest department.     Forest department team reached the spot and rescued the tiger. Coordinating wildlife activist Ravi Shukla said, "Tiger was sent back to the jungle by playing musical instruments and burning firecrackers."  However, king of the forest, troubled by this noise, finally escaped from the field and ran towards the forest. "Many villages of Beohari development block are adjacent to Sanjay Tiger Reserve in Sidhi district," Shukla said.  Even before this, the villagers have encountered the tiger many times. 

This year, due to covid-19 outspread, Paryushana which is the most important annual holy event for Jains, will be celebrated at home only. The festival began with Kshamavani fest on Sunday. As shared by community representative Manish Ajmera, “Kshamavani or "Forgiveness Day" is a day of forgiving and seeking forgiveness for the followers of Jainism.” Digambar Jain community celebrated it on the first day of Ashvin Krishna month of the lunar-based Jain calendar. Shwetambar Jain community will celebrate it on Samvatsari, the last day of the annual Paryushana festival. “Paryushana festival will end on September 1 and further, there will be a last day of celebrations on September 3,” Ajmera said. Large events like bhajans, kirtans, rituals, cultural events and competitions etc. have been postponed due to the Corona epidemic.  

Independent School Alliance urged parents to submit school fee stating if timely fees not received, then private unaided schools will be closed. Patron of alliance Dhruv Tiwari said, “The state government has given clarification to the parents about depositing fees for the lock down period of the schools. This means they are not given any exemption like fee waiver.” He added that financial condition of the schools has deteriorated due to the fees paid only by 20 percent of the parents. “Studying online is quite challenging, yet teachers are doing this work with full enthusiasm. 90 percent of the children are also attending online classes,” Saurabh Sengar and Sanjay Pav from the alliance said. They added that as per the rules of the board, attendance in 75% of online classes is also mandatory for appearing in the examinations, due to which the future of 10 percent children is still in darkness. Quoting various expenses of schools such as maintenance of buildings, electricity - telephone...

Ala… re Ala… Ganpati ala in surprising colours, idols, forms and compositions. This year, as covid-19 has affected every festive celebrations, Ganesh has shown interesting and innovative ways to bring home the lord and celebrate the 10-day-long fest.  Becoming more aware about after-effects of polluting and harming the environment due to careless acts, Indoreans have not only chosen eco-friendly Ganesh but also chosen to decorate and utilise the Ganesha idol for environment benefit.  From simple perspective designs to creating their own innovative edible Ganesh, Indoreans are ready to charm the fest and create a new best. Bringing some surprising innovations and inspiring idols of Ganesh 2020, we present the ‘Creative Corner’ of this year’s fest. Tainted with Golden Spice Turmeric ‘the Golden spice’ holds immense symbolic significance in the Hindu culture and even known for its numerous benefits. Utilising the spice, 12-year-old Periyakaruppan Jaganath prepared the Ganesha ido...

Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, is seeking suggestions from teachers on implementation of the recently approved new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.  Secretary Anita Karwal, in a letter, asked school teachers and principals to submit their views on the implementation process of NEP 2020. Suggestions can be submitted via innovateindia.mygov.in/nep2020 from August 24 to 31. The ministry has also introduced a list of questions through which the teachers have been asked to submit their suggestions. “To simplify the process for the teachers, the suggestions are being called on each theme of the NEP 2020 related to school education...through a question-answer process. The questions are framed in such a manner that teachers can relate to them from their experience as teachers and classroom transactions,” the official letter said. Further, each question gives reference to the paragraphs of NEP 2020 to which refers to, to enable the teacher to read t...

This year ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ will be different as for the first time most people will switch over DIY (Do-It-Yourself) mode from preparing idols to performing requisite pujas.  Purohits are offering complete guide on how to carve clay idols to ‘infusing life’ into it (pranpratishtha), performing requisite pujas and conducting the visarjan. This is being done to ensure that people are able to follow all the ritualistic prayers and celebrate the festival, while keeping coronavirus spread at bay. These special DIY videos, audios and instructions are being made available through various channels.  Ajit Upadhyaya, a Brahmin, has started demonstrating step-by-step instructions in doing all the rituals of the 10-day festival. “Dig out a handful of clay from your backyard, mix it in some cow dung and water, shape it into the elephant-headed deity, and your Ganpati idol is ready,” Upadhyaya said. As for visarjan, he added that immersing the idol in a nearby well will do the trick. Pand...

The admit card for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main has been released. Candidates can download the hall ticket through NTA (National Testing Agency) and JEE website. The engineering entrance exam is scheduled to be conducted from September 1 to 6. JEE Main hall ticket will have details of the exam venue, time slot etc. The three-hour exam will be conducted online for both paper-I for admission to engineering courses and paper-II for admission to architecture courses.  This year, a different paper for B Plan will also be conducted. There will be two shifts, morning shift will begin at 9:30 am and the afternoon shift will begin at 2:30 pm.

Dawoodi Bohra community celebrated the first happy night of New Year according to Islamic calendar, i.e. the first day of the 1442 Hijri New Year on Tuesday night. The community celebrated by feast on special food palette prepared from fruits, sweets and dry fruits. The night marked the first month (Muharram) of Islamic Calendar. Bohras are known for their close social ties and prefer celebrating every occasion through social gathering. On the eve of Islamic New Year, a special food preparation is done in every house and all family members sit together circling around a big plate (thaal). “The new Hijri year of Dawoodi Bohra society, i.e. year 1442 is starting on Wednesday, August 19,” Mazhar Sethjiwala, community coordinator said. He added that Tuesday night (i.e. August 18), the first happy night of the New Year. “The month of Muharram also has major significance to the Battle of Karbala which was fought between Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad and Ummayad Ruler Yazid,” Buh...

Students who attempted Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) board examinations for the academic session 2019-20 will receive their final board mark sheet soon. As shared by MPBSE divisional officer Deven Sonwani, the mark sheet was sent out to all the district offices on Tuesday.  “The mark sheets in Indore have been received at district coordination office, i.e. at Government Malav Kanya Higher Secondary School,” Sonwani said. He added that these mark sheets are being checked and verified.  “From August 19, i.e. Wednesday, schools can collect the mark sheets from the coordination centre,” Sonwani said. Schools need to submit a letter and requisite details for collecting the mark sheets from the centre. “After the schools receive mark sheet on Wednesday, they might take a day or two for verifying all the mark sheets,” Sonwani said. Hence, students can hope to get their mark sheet of class 10th or class 12th from Thursday onwards. In order to ensure that the mark...

National Art competition was organized by the Create Stories Social Welfare Society on the theme of Joy of Freedom. Organisor Deepak Sharma said that artists from 6 to 52 years participated in it. In Under 10 age group First Vriddhi Dewan, Second Ariha Bohra and Srinika Jena, Third Priyam Pandit. In 11 to 16 years First Rajveer Singh Chawla, Second Hrithik Sharma, Third Lakshya Khatri and in  Above 16 years First Ankita Sharma, Second Ruchi Bhargava, Third Shubham Singh Darbar. The Best Creative Art title given to Khushboo Verma, Prabhat Shukla, Devanshi Upadhyay and Jinal Bharat Patel, along with Dr. Maggie Soni, Neha Gaikwad, Sanghita Sengupta and Jayashree Mukherjee in Best Concept Art and Best Contrast Art given to Pallavi Pandit, Priya Chandwani and Jyoti Upadhyay .

जॉय ऑफ़ फ्रीडम थीम पर क्रिएट स्टोरीज सोशल वेलफेयर सोसाइटी द्वारा कला प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन किया गया  ।  संयोजक दीपक शर्मा ने बताया की 6 से 52 साल तक के कलाकारों ने इसमें हिस्सा लिया  । अंडर 10 में प्रथम वृद्धि दीवान , द्वितीय अरिहा बोहरा और सृनिका जेना , तृतीय प्रियम पंडित । 11 से 16 साल में  राजवीर सिंह चावला , द्वितीय ऋतिक शर्मा , तृतीय लक्ष्य खत्री । 16 साल से ऊपर में प्रथम अंकिता शर्मा , द्वितीय रूचि भार्गव , तृतीय शुभम सिंह दरबार । बेस्ट क्रिएटिव आर्ट का ख़िताब खुशबु वर्मा , प्रभात शुक्ला , देवांशी उपाध्याय और जिनल भरत पटेल को मिला साथ ही बेस्ट कांसेप्ट आर्ट में डॉ मैगी सोनी , नेहा गायकवड , संघिता सेनगुप्ता और जयश्री मुख़र्जी को मिला एवं बेस्ट कंट्रास्ट आर्ट पल्लवी पंडित , प्रिया चांदवानी और ज्योति उपाध्याय को मिला ।

The initial plan of BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit) with cycle track to promote cycling as a eco-friendly and fitter way of transport did not work out, but now, with ibuses on a break, cyclists are enjoying the BRTS corridor as a cycle track. ‘ Thanks to a break in the rat race, city has more cyclists than ever. One single cycle shop sells over 50 cycles in a day now, as shared by cycle shop owners. Further, Indore has about 50 major cycle stores in the city recording 50 cycle sales every day. Hence, an estimate of 2,500 cycles are sold every day in the city.  A major contribution in promoting cycling is the empty BRTS corridor providing a protected cycle lane. Another major trend seen in the city is the rise of female cyclists. “Cycling in BRTS feels safe as it is protected from other vehicles and even from rogue people and eve-teasers,” Karuna Sisodiya, a homemaker, who recently took up cycling, said.  Can cycling become the new way to commute?  While cycling for fitness has b...

City immersed in patriotic fervour and celebrated Independence Day on August 15 in various ways. Though public gathering were restricted to maximum 5 people, this did not steal away the charm of the day as people found other ways to show love for the country.  Various running and cycling events that gather about 500 fitness activists were organised as virtual events this year. The biggest run of the country Fit India Freedom Run organised by govt of India started from Aug 15 and will conclude on Oct 2.  Khajrana Ganesh decorated with tricolour was among the most trending photographs in the city. Ganesha adorned with tricolour tikka and mukut became the Indori way to wish each other. Further, similar photos from Mahakal temple, Ujjain were also trending in city portals. Collector Manish Singh hoisted the national flag at the Collectorate. All the employees of the department were present and maintained social distancing as per norms.  Wishing everyone Independence Day Singh...

A day to give thanks and pray ‘Nowruz’ was celebrated by Parsi community on Sunday. Nowruz is the Persian New Year that falls on the day of the vernal equinox -- the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day.  “Following district administration guidelines, we did not hold any gatherings or communal celebrations to ensure that coronavirus does not spread further,” Dara Unwala, secretary of Parsi community, said.  Hence, the community celebrated the fest only at home with their family. “However, we greeted and wished each other via voice calls, video calls and messages to share blessings and merry feel of the day,” Unwala said.  10-days of paying Homage Prior to Nowruz, Parsi community pays homage to their ancestors for 10 days. “Muktaad are the ten days preceding the Parsi New Year which are devoted to intense prayers and elaborate rituals for the departed souls (Mukt-Atmas),” Unwala said.  He added that the last ten days of the Zoroastr...

Even after 2.5 months, Forest department has not removed encroachments of over 12 acre on Mhow-Mandleshwar road. Taking an action, the department suspended forest ranger Mahesh Ahirwar for negligence and irresponsible behaviour allowing 12 hectares of forest land on the route. However, encroachment stands and no action has been taken to remove encroachments giving an opportunity to encroachers to permanently claim ownership of the land later.  Another complaint was filed regarding the encroached land by legal activist Abhijeet Pandey to divisional forest officer (DFO) Indore.  Complaint raised 3 months back Pandey raised a complaint in this regard with various photographs showing forest land is being used for crops leaving no space for nature to bloom in June first week. As per his complaint, “Forest protected land on Mhow – Mandleshwar road is being used for cultivation of crops and the regional forest rangers are not taking any action in the regards.” Pandey added that despi...

The usual grand celebrations of Independence Day will be missed this year, as most celebrations will go online and only unfurling of the National Flag ceremony will be organised in schools and other places with limitation of 5 people.  However, to celebrate the day and pray for our country, Indoreans are sending out positive messages and planning events online.  Chairperson of Indore Sahodaya School Complex UK Jha said, “We will miss having children this year and the usual celebrations, but with permission from district administration, we will unfurl the National Flag in schools with maximum 5 staff members.”  Green India, free from Corona An environmentalist Zafar Shaikh shared his unique bonsai preparation for Independence Day. He prayed to nature to heal us from coronavirus and help India in becoming ‘Green Zone’.  “I want to show Green India, the country free form coronavirus and in sync with nature,” Shaikh said. He prepared the map of India by growing a bonsai ...

Corona report of Water Resources Minister Tulsi Silawat came negative on Thursday and he was discharged on Friday.  On Friday, he attended the virtual cabinet meeting from the hospital itself. After this, he was discharged from the hospital at around 1 pm.  Silawat had tested positive for coronavirus on July 28 and was admitted to Shri Aurobindo Hospital on July 30.  Even after staying for 12 days in hospital, he had tested positive of COVID-19. However, Shri Aurobindo Hospital administration had claimed that his conditions are good but his second sample report is also tested positive due to which he is kept in hospital. “Minister Tulsi Silawat was admitted to the hospital after being tested positive. His conditions are good and he is recovering well. However, his second sample report was tested positive due to which he was not discharged yet,” COO of Shri Aurobindo Hospital Rajeev Singh said. He added that after testing negative of covid-19, Silawat was discharged.