Teacher turns math into play, boosting school attendance, enrollment
Ravi started his channel during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, posting videos to help students understand basic maths concepts at a time when classes shifted online. But it was in 2024, after he joined MPUPS Admapur, that he realised the scale of the problem. He realised that many students were unable to grasp basic concepts or solve simple problems. This, he noticed, was linked to poor attendance. Determined to find a solution, he introduced board games and puzzles into his lessons, blending learning with play. The approach worked — attendance, Ravi Raj says, rose from 45% to 95%.
What began as a handful of videos soon grew into a large online resource. Today, his channel hosts over 1,600 videos and has about 1.5 million subscribers. 'The videos are not monetised. I see this as social service, not a source of income,' he says. His lessons have drawn praise from students across India and abroad, many of whom leave comments about how the content helps them.
The impact shows at his school too. During this year's Badi Bata, this MPUPS saw enrolment climb from 53 students last year to 73 — and numbers may reach 100 in the coming weeks.
Outside the classroom, the 43-year-old works with voluntary organisations to improve facilities. New benches, a lab, notebooks, ties and belts have been provided, with the teacher often spending from his own pocket. His efforts have drawn attention. Recently, Education Secretary Yogita Rana invited him to help develop MPUPS Admapur as a model school with state government support.
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The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
In Gurez Valley, a lone man is archiving the Dard-Shin story
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The Chak dynasty, belonging to this community, ruled over Kashmir for over 25 years in the mid-16th Century before surrendering to Akbar their territory known as Dardistan. The 2011 Census recorded a total of 48,440 Dard-Shin people, for whom the principal means of sustenance are farming and raising livestock, and more recently, tourism. The community's geography in India has placed it literally on the edge, with mountains in the backyard housing Pakistan posts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. However, the Indian Army in the Gurez sector has maintained that the security forces and the Dard-Shin people share an intimate bond that has helped India secure the region and the community live peacefully. Mr. Teroo said that when he was starting his museum, the Indian Army had approached him. 'They wanted to build a Shina cultural centre to celebrate our culture and had approached me to display my items at the museum they were building,' he said. 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Outnumbered And Low On Fuel, This MiG-21 Indian Pilot Turned The Tables On 3 Pak Jets
Last Updated: After a victorious dogfight, Vikram Shah's MiG-21 had barely any fuel left. He climbed, shut the engine, and glided to base, landing safely as the last drop of fuel ran out On the afternoon of December 16, 1971, during the Indo-Pakistan war, Flight Lieutenant Vikram Samar Shah of the Indian Air Force found himself facing a critical situation. While flying a MiG-21 at an altitude of thousands of feet, Shah was preparing to return to base after completing his mission. Suddenly, three supersonic fighter jets from the Pakistan Air Force surrounded his MiG-21, with one on either side and the third above. The MiG-21's alarming system began to signal, alerting Flight Lieutenant Shah to a dire situation: his fuel was nearly depleted. With only a few minutes left to reach the base, a crash seemed imminent. Faced with a perilous predicament, Shah made a bold decision. Rather than retreat, he chose to confront the enemy head-on. Shah engaged the engine of his fighter jet at full throttle, executing a sharp turn and disappearing into the sky's depths. This intense encounter occurred as Indian Air Force's Marut fighters were on a mission to attack enemy positions in Naya Chor and Mirpur, with Shah and Flying Officer Dinesh Arora of the 29th Squadron tasked with providing cover. Initially, the mission proceeded as planned until Shah spotted a Pakistani Cessna Bird Dog fighter jet. He instructed Arora to stay with the Marut fighters while he advanced to engage the enemy. After neutralising the Pakistani Cessna, Shah prepared to return to base when he was surrounded by Pakistani MiG-19 fighters. With his fuel running dangerously low, Shah disappeared into the sky once more. Reappearing unexpectedly, Shah manoeuvred his MiG-21, scattering the Pakistani jets. The precision of his strategy caused two pilots to lose coordination, prompting them to flee. With only one Pakistani fighter remaining, Shah capitalised on a minor error by the enemy pilot, targeting him with a missile. The MiG-19 crashed into the desert. Despite his triumphant dogfight, Shah's aircraft had barely enough fuel to reach the base. In a final act of ingenuity, he ascended to a certain height, turned off the engine, and glided towards the base. His MiG-21 landed safely just as the last drop of fuel was exhausted. Flight Lieutenant Shah's exceptional skills and bravery not only decimated the enemy but also ensured the safe return of his aircraft. For his outstanding performance, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal and Vir Chakra. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
