Sriram Ayer ruffles many feathers by criticising Gujarati behaviour
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Writer's Corner: ‘Development shouldn't erase heritage,' says Meera Iyer who has spent years documenting Bengaluru's past
From a dovecote at Lalbagh to the old clubs of the city, if you are near a part of Bengaluru that is of any significant age, Meera Iyer has probably helped document it in her books. Iyer's first work, Discovering Bengaluru, is one of the more comprehensive and accessible English resources published in recent years, dealing broadly with the history of most parts of the city that one might see as a pedestrian. Her latest, India in Triangles, co-authored with Shruthi Rao, deals with the history of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, an initiative in which Bengaluru also played a part. Looking back on her memories of the city, Iyer told The Indian Express on Monday that she spent a good chunk of her childhood in Bengaluru. 'I have stayed in Basavanagudi, Austin Town, Frazer Town… So I feel like I have personal connections in many different parts of the city which have many different cultures.' Iyer, who also serves as the convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in the city, added, 'I had come back to Bangalore in 2005 and used to travel on the weekends to places in and around the city. I remember going to the Devanahalli fort. It was a place full of historical importance, and yet there was nobody there to tell us anything about the place, no information on hand. At that point, I wanted to be in a place where I could change that.' By 2007, she had begun volunteering with INTACH. As Iyer recalled, INTACH had also begun conducting heritage walks in the city in 2008, around one each month. She said, 'At that time, there weren't so many people doing heritage walks. A lot of people who came on our walks said we ought to write a book about all this… It came to fruition in 2019 when the book was actually published.' The book took four years to write, with the research beginning even earlier. Iyer said, 'Of course, some great books have been written about Bangalore. Janaki Nair has written The Promise of the Metropolis, Fazlul Hasan has written a really popular and accessible history (Bangalore Through the Centuries). What we wanted was a book about the neighbourhoods, a hyperlocal kind of history. Something that is accessible to people, but when you read it, gives an idea of the evolution of the city.' The research work involved poring over the archives in the Vidhana Soudha and sourcing information from abroad. She said, 'You have access to information on the internet, so it makes things easier, but you still have to go back to the archives as not everything is available. It is such a connected world now, I can reach out to someone who is studying in a university in the US, etc, and ask them to find some information, because very often they have information that we do not have in our libraries.' Several sections of the book were also worked on by other contributors, including Krupa Rajangam, Hita Unnikrishnan, B Manjunath, S Karthikeyan, and Harini Nagendra. A key site that played its part in India in Triangles – the book was released in June – was the Great Trigonometrical Survey (GTS) Observatory off the Hennur-Bagalur Road. Iyer added, 'The city is littered all over with remnants of this survey and traces. Many have been lost, but there is still a sizeable number.' In 2024, her co-author Shruthi Rao reached out regarding collaborating on the book. Recalling the research process, she said, 'I really loved the process of going through the archives… We are blessed with the ability to read reports that (William) Lambton (the British infantry officer who initiated the Great Survey) wrote after his early surveys in Bangalore and Chennai. A lot of the documents have also been digitised.' But in Bengaluru, as elsewhere, history does not always stand protected. The GTS Observatory was heavily damaged and broken, with the land it stood on being subject to a property claim. Iyer said, 'That was something that really shattered us when we were working on the book. But the demolition… There were people who lived there who tried to stop it. I think we should hold on to that. There were people who cared enough. That is our hope, that despite everything that happens, there are people who understand that such structures are important to our city.' She added, 'Urbanisation can proceed without erasing our past. Development does not have to be at the cost of heritage. If you look at New York, there are several hundred protected sites. It is not that we should import their lessons exactly, but we can be modern and still retain our past.'
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Delhi CM SHRI School Admission 2025: Check Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Steps To Apply
CM SHRI School Admission 2025: The Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, will close the application window for the CM SHRI Schools Admission Test 2025. Eligible students can now apply until August 22, while the admission test for Classes 6, 7 and 8 will be conducted on September 6. The admission test is being held to fill vacant seats in 33 of the 75 CM SHRI schools established during the 2025-26 academic session. These schools, notified as "Specified Category" under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, are designed as model institutions equipped with modern infrastructure, advanced teaching practices, and a curriculum aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Eligibility And Reservation Only students who are residents of Delhi and are currently enrolled in recognised schools in the city are eligible to apply. At least 50% of seats are reserved for students from government-run and aided schools, including those under DoE, MCD, NDMC, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. A 5% relaxation in eligibility marks will be provided for students from SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), and Children With Special Needs (CWSN) categories. Exam Pattern The admission test will be an OMR-based objective exam, carrying 100 questions for 100 marks. It will be bilingual (Hindi and English) and without negative marking. The test duration is 150 minutes, with additional time for CWSN candidates. The paper will cover: Hindi Language - 15 marks English Language - 15 marks General Awareness - 15 marks Mental Ability - 25 marks Numerical Aptitude - 30 marks How To Apply Interested students can submit their applications online through the DoE portal until August 22, 2025 (11:59 pm). The detailed syllabus and sample OMR sheet are also available on the website. The DoE has advised candidates and parents to regularly visit the portal for updates regarding the examination and admission process.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Parenting tips to make your kids outsmart peer pressure
Peer pressure significantly impacts young individuals, influencing decisions from homework to trends. Developing strong decision-making skills is crucial for navigating these pressures and fostering confidence. Experts emphasize the importance of open communication, role-playing and value identification to empower children to make independent choices aligned with their beliefs, both at home and in school. Peer pressure insidiously shapes the lives of young people but it is not always the dramatic, negative influence that we imagine from cautionary tales. Sometimes, peer pressure is simply passing on a homework assignment because 'everyone else' is, or raving about a TV show they don't actually like as a way to fit in. Over time, these seemingly minor decisions can wear down a respect for their own decision-making and independent thought process. In our increasingly networked world, peer influence has already crossed the line between physical space and cyberspace; untested decisions can sweep far beyond the classroom. The young readers can observe how quickly a trend can blow up on their phones and how instantly they can be affected by a "viral" individual. Here, it is pertinent to note that good decision-making techniques are not just helpful ; they are paramount for navigating such rapid influences. Children imitate peer behaviour to feel a sense of belonging In a 2024 PubMed cross-sectional study of 355 adolescents (aged 16–18) from Karnataka, researchers found that nearly 44% of students were significantly influenced by peers, which was statistically linked to behavioural changes. The data highlights the powerful role of peer influence during adolescence and underscores the need for strategies that enhance awareness and personal agency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Children who can manage emotions (like fear of rejection or embarrassment) are better at resisting pressure. (Image: Pexels) Peer pressure is a harsh reality that almost every child faces at some point in life. Whether it is being encouraged to buy a fancy gadget, choosing the type of chocolate to distribute at a birthday party in school, or deciding what clothes to purchase, children often follow trends that go against their values or engage in risky behaviour just to 'fit in.' As children grow, with media exposure and constant interaction with peers, their desire for social acceptance can cloud their judgment. Considering these challenges in development and overall growth, building strong decision-making skills becomes essential not only for academic success but also for lifelong confidence and integrity. Decision-making is more than simply choosing right from wrong. It means stopping to think for a moment, considering the repercussions of their actions and checking how their decisions align with personal values. In an interview with TOI, Dr Alka Kapur, Principal at Modern Public School in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh, suggested, "Children must be made to feel that they have a say in a secure environment in order to become independent thinkers. This must not be discouraged either in schools or at home. Children should be encouraged to express opinions even if they do not align with the opinions of the majority. Children can build confidence in their thinking if we build a habit of listening to them." Children shift judgments under peer pressure Authored by Thiyam Kiran Singh and Payal Kanwar Chandel in the International Journal of Indian Psychology , a 2022 review described how adolescents often emulate their peers — ranging from benign behaviours to risky ones — primarily due to the desire to fit in. The authors recommended interventions focused on assertiveness training, future planning and active dialogue, empowering students to resist negative peer influence while retaining social connection. Helping children balance and navigate peer pressure begins both at home and at school. Parents and teachers play a key role in teaching children how to identify peer pressure and stop it at the right stage. Commenting on the same, Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director at Birla Open Minds, shared, "Pressure can be direct, such as a friend urging them to break a rule because it looks bold and cool. It can also be subtle, such as feeling left out for making a different choice or experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out). Recognising pressure is the first step toward resisting it effectively." In a classic American Journal of Public Health study, over 770 students in grades 5–8 reported receiving dares or challenges from peers — often involving risky behaviour. Half of these dares could lead to physical harm or encourage unsafe habits. Peer pressure peaked in 8th grade, illustrating the pressing need for early resilience-building and decision-making skills. Tips on positive peer tutoring Birla advised, "From a young age, children should be encouraged by parents and teachers to identify and articulate their values. When children are clear about what matters to them, such as honesty, kindness, or safety, they are more likely to make choices that align with those values even in the face of social pressure. Parents and educators can guide this process by asking reflective questions like 'What do you think is the right thing to do?' or 'How would you feel about this choice tomorrow?' Children build internal decision-making strength by reflecting on past choices, not just being punished for them. (Image: Pexels) Role-playing is often a powerful tool. Dr Kapur explained, "Role-plays enable kids to practise potential reactions so that they prepare themselves for actual situations, where they might get pressured. It is equally important to instruct kids about saying "no" without losing friendships. Moreover, when children observe adults in their world making wise decisions and discussing their reasoning while adhering to values, children learn that independent thinking is a strength and not an act of rebellion. " Echoing that role-modelling scenarios is an effective strategy, Birla opined, "Practicing responses to peer pressure, such as saying 'no' with confidence, suggesting alternatives, or simply walking away, helps children feel prepared when real-life situations arise. The more they rehearse, the more natural these responses will become." Building decision-making skills also means encouraging children to make choices and experience the consequences in a safe and supportive environment. This does not mean letting them fail without guidance but rather using mistakes as opportunities to learn. When a child makes a poor choice due to peer influence, it is more constructive to ask, 'What led to that decision?' instead of criticising. Parents should always maintain a balance between correction and constructive questioning while practicing patience. Open, non-judgmental discourse at home can promote children to share what is at stake in their world. Ultimately, our goal is not to shield them from every influence but to help them navigate those influences with self-respect, courage and clarity. That's a lesson they will hold with them forever, even after the school years.
