logo
Proper communication vital for urban growth: Usha

Proper communication vital for urban growth: Usha

Hans India4 days ago
Dhenkanal: Urban transformation can be realised not only by construction but by proper communication of transforming waste materials into wealth, said Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development department.
Delivering a special lecture-cum-workshop on 'Governance, Urban Transformation and Role of Public Communication,' at IIMC auditorium, Padhee said government has introduced several schemes and Mukhyamantri Shahri Yojana for the benefit of people and media should play a pivotal role to disseminate information about welfare schemes. Public communication should promote awareness for inclusion of more eligible people to avail government schemes, she said.
Urban transformation can come about through recycle and reuse of waste materials into wealth, Padhee said, adding that the State government is taking steps to use plastic materials for construction of road with support of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). 'We cannot check rapid growth of urbanisation, but rural areas should also get urban amenities,' she said.
Padhee advised media students to prioritise unbiased reporting to win public trust. In reply to questions of students, she said use of advanced technology has helped in reducing corruption.
In response to request of IIMC Regional Director Anand Pradhan, Padhee announced internship facility in departments of Housing & Urban Development and Transport for students of Corporate Communication and Brand Management.
Pradhan and Prof Mrinal Chatterjee sought Padhee's consent for training at departments of Housing & Urban Development and Transport for students of Odia and English journalism.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Zelensky Returns To Site Of Stunning Oval Office Shouting Match To Meet Trump
Zelensky Returns To Site Of Stunning Oval Office Shouting Match To Meet Trump

NDTV

time5 hours ago

  • NDTV

Zelensky Returns To Site Of Stunning Oval Office Shouting Match To Meet Trump

United States: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returns to the Oval Office on Monday for the first time since a spectacularly tense exchange with President Donald Trump saw their talks cut short and question marks raised over future US support. I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. I am grateful to @POTUS for the invitation. We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 18, 2025 At the February 28 meeting, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky on live television, accusing him of being ungrateful for US aid provided since Russia's invasion three years prior, and pressing for quick negotiations to end the war. The hostile confrontation marked a turning point in Kyiv-Washington relations, which had been warm under former president Joe Biden, and raised fears that President Trump would cut off US military support. The scene quickly devolved at the end of a long question-and-answer session with the press. Vice President Vance accused President Zelensky of being "disrespectful" and displaying ingratitude for President Trump's diplomatic efforts, after the Ukrainian leader expressed skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted, given his repeated violations of earlier agreements. As President Zelensky defended his position in his non-native English, President Trump was enraged by the Ukrainian leader's suggestion that while the United States was currently far from the fighting, "you will feel it in the future" if they appeased President Putin. "You don't know that. You don't know that. Don't tell us what we're going to feel. We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel," railed President Trump, before adding: "You're not in a good position. You don't have the cards right now." As tempers flared, Vice President Vance demanded President Zelensky thank the United States for the billions provided to Kyiv in military aid. "Have you said 'thank you' once?" he asked. When President Zelensky attempted to respond, he was silenced by President Trump. "No, no. You've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble," said President Trump, cutting President Zelensky off. The Ukrainian leader left the White House shortly after, without signing a mineral rights deal that was a key reason for his visit. In the ensuing days, the United States temporarily cut off military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, heightening European fears that Trump would side with Putin in trying to end the conflict. Shifting tides Much water has since flowed under the bridge, however. President Trump, who has in the past expressed his admiration for President Putin, began to lose patience with the Russian leader, as Moscow kept up its military offensive even as US special envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in feverish diplomacy to achieve a ceasefire. In April, President Trump met with President Zelensky at the Vatican and accused President Putin of "tapping me along" without delivering on promises. Days later, Ukraine and the United States finally signed a minerals deal, which Trump had earlier referred to as compensation for US aid. The two leaders also met face-to-face in June on the sidelines of the NATO summit at The Hague. On Friday, President Trump met with President Putin in Alaska to discuss the Ukrainian conflict, promising to run any proposals by both Ukraine and its European allies before agreeing to a deal. Shortly after the Russian summit, President Trump invited President Zelensky to the Oval Office. Perhaps wary of the contours of the previous diplomatic dust-up, President Zelensky quickly said he was "grateful for the invitation." European leaders will join President Zelensky in Washington on Monday, seeking above all else to prevent another Oval Office meltdown -- but also to coordinate on the path toward peace negotiations, especially on how to prevent any future Russian invasion. On the latter front, the Trump administration says it is now open to providing Ukraine security guarantees, a shift hailed Sunday by Ukrainian and European leaders. President Zelensky is expected to first meet one-on-one with President Trump before they are joined by European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, a European government source said. According to US broadcaster CNN, President Zelensky's former sparring partner -- Vice President Vance -- will also be present.

Tamil Nadu to upgrade 20 government high schools to higher secondary for 2025–26
Tamil Nadu to upgrade 20 government high schools to higher secondary for 2025–26

Time of India

time9 hours ago

  • Time of India

Tamil Nadu to upgrade 20 government high schools to higher secondary for 2025–26

Chennai, India: The Department of School Education has announced plans to upgrade 20 government high schools across Tamil Nadu into higher secondary schools for the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative, aimed at expanding access to higher secondary education, follows a budget announcement earlier this year by School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. As part of the upgradation process, 200 postgraduate teachers will be appointed, with ten teachers assigned to each school. Subject-wise allocations include Tamil, English, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, history, economics, computer science, and commerce. Teachers will be recruited under the pay scale of Rs 36,900–1,16,600 (Level-18), with the state government approving an estimated expenditure of Rs 29.39 crore for the project. Among the schools identified for upgradation is Mathur Government High School in Chennai's Madhavaram block. Other districts benefiting include Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Chengalpattu, Dindigul, Tiruchy, Tirupattur, Madurai, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram, Tiruppur, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, and Kanniyakumari. Officials said the initiative aims to ensure students in rural and semi-urban areas can continue studies up to Class 12 without shifting schools or discontinuing education. 'It is about time certain high schools are upgraded. This will help reduce dropout rates and encourage students to pursue higher education within their localities,' a government school teacher said. However, the development comes amid challenges in the state's education system, with declining enrollment in several schools. The Department of Elementary Education (DEE) recently closed 208 state-run schools due to zero admissions. Overall, 1,204 schools across Tamil Nadu recorded no new enrollments this academic year, including 208 government primary and middle schools, 114 government-aided schools, 11 partially-funded schools, 869 private institutions, and two union government schools. Officials hope that upgrading high schools to higher secondary will strengthen the public school system and restore confidence among parents and communities in state-run institutions. IANS Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!

‘K'taka must fully implement new State Education Policy'
‘K'taka must fully implement new State Education Policy'

Hans India

time9 hours ago

  • Hans India

‘K'taka must fully implement new State Education Policy'

Bengaluru: The Kannada Development Authority has welcomed the State Education Policy recently submitted to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, describing it as a landmark framework that could reshape school and higher education over the next decade. The policy, chaired by former UGC chairman Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat, was prepared by a commission of eminent scholars and educationists over two years, holding 132 meetings and conducting extensive data-based studies of Karnataka's education landscape. 'This is the first time Karnataka has such a comprehensive and forward-looking State Education Policy. If fully implemented, it will radically transform our schools and universities and prepare our younger generation for the challenges of a modern society,' said Prof. Purushottam Bilimale, Chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority. Key recommendations include improving the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring equal opportunities and participation, revising curricula, textbooks and evaluation methods, addressing inequities caused by privatisation, filling teacher vacancies within three years, tackling funding shortages in higher education, and promoting constitutional, civic and human values from the school level. The policy also addresses the medium of instruction debate, long contentious in multilingual India. It recommends a bilingual approach with Kannada and English, while allowing communities to study their mother tongues as first languages. 'What makes this policy significant is its balance — it ensures Kannada remains central to education while respecting linguistic diversity. It is not exclusionary, and could serve as a model for the country,' Prof. Bilimale explained. Special measures have been proposed to set up language training centres, translation hubs, and strengthen Kannada under the 2015 Kannada Learning Act. The framework also acknowledges the rights of Urdu and other linguistic minorities to retain their languages while mandating Kannada as either a first or second language. Calling it 'a game-changer for Karnataka,' Prof. Bilimale urged the government to implement the recommendations fully rather than selectively. 'The comprehensive nature of this policy is its greatest strength. If the government acts decisively, Karnataka's education sector can emerge as a national model,' he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store