Erdogan's full speech in English: threatens 'anti-Islamism' protestors in North CyprusGreece
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
26% staff crunch affects Kendriya Vidyalayas in Karnataka
Hubballi: Karnataka has 53 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) run by the Union govt. According to an RTI reply, there is a 26% shortage of teachers at KVs in the Bengaluru region, which includes all districts of the state. Some schools are functioning without a full-fledged principal, and some are left understaffed. The parents who are mainly from union govt departments, including the defence and paramilitary personnel, the state govt, and civilians, are worried about the shortage. In an RTI reply, a copy of which is available with the TOI, Hema K, assistant commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Bengaluru Region, stated that there are 1,981 sanctioned posts, but 524 of them are vacant. Umapati Bandakeri, secretary of KV Alumni Association, Hubballi-Dharwad, told TOI that the shortage of teachers is hampering the academic curriculum of KVs across the state. "Though they appoint local teachers on a contract basis, they can't be engaged in departmental training and other activities like permanent teachers. Another issue is that, as question papers for the written test are in English and Hindi only, South Indian teachers are not getting recruited. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Plastic Surgeon Reveals The 1 Thing Every Woman Should Be Using Instead Of Moisturiser New Skin Discovery Undo If they are recruited, they are not moving to north India due to trouble in speaking Hindi. Hence, KVs should hold region-wise written tests for the recruitment of teachers and provide question papers in regional languages. On the other hand, north Indian teachers, who get posted in south Indian states, will be going back to north India within a year or two using their political influence, even though there is a norm of not transferring a teacher within five years of posting," he elaborated. He also noted that earlier, it was mandatory to have a substitute, like local contractual teachers, to relieve any transferred teacher. "Nowadays, this mandate is removed, and north Indian teachers are being relieved at any time from Karnataka or any other state without the arrangement of substitutes," he added. Prakash, who worked as a contractual teacher at a KV in Bengaluru, said that he was mercilessly terminated when a permanent teacher joined. "I suffered without a job for the remaining academic year, as I was terminated in the middle of the year. Since then, I have stopped joining KV," he added. Shaik Tajuddin, deputy commissioner of KVS Regional Office, Bengaluru, was unavailable for comment. Is the RTI reply genuine? Bandakeri suspected that the number of vacant posts given in the RTI reply is either outdated or not genuine. "According to these statistics, each KV in the state faces an average shortage of 10 teachers. However, KV No. 1 Hubballi is facing a shortage of 29 staff against a sanctioned number of 46. While 21 posts are vacant in KV No. 2 Hubballi, against 51 sanctioned posts, KV Dharwad has 21 vacant posts against 55 sanctioned posts. Hence, they might have given a reduced number of vacant posts," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Israel weighs Hamas truce offer amid Gaza offensive plans, hostage release talks intensify
Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end A view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border between Gaza and Israel, on Tuesday. Reuters Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end. Efforts to pause the fighting gained new momentum over the past week after Israel announced plans for a new offensive to seize control of Gaza City at the heart of the Palestinian enclave. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mediators Egypt and Qatar have been pushing proposals to restart indirect talks between the sides on a US-backed ceasefire plan. The proposals include the release of 200 Palestinian convicts jailed in Israel and an unspecified number of imprisoned women and minors, in return for 10 living and 18 deceased hostages from Gaza, according to a Hamas official. Two Egyptian security sources confirmed the details, and added that Hamas has requested the release of hundreds of Gaza detainees as well. Israel says a total of 50 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of them still alive. 'Israel's policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles established by the cabinet for ending the war. We are in the final decisive stage of Hamas and will not leave any hostage behind,' an Israeli political source said. The comment, while adamant, fell short of an outright rejection of the proposal on the table. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene discussions about the ceasefire proposal soon, the two Israeli officials said. A response was expected in the coming two days, said a Palestinian source close to the talks. Before Hamas responded on Monday to the proposal, Netanyahu had ruled out any deal that excluded the return of all the hostages. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said the 60-day truce deal would include 'a pathway to a comprehensive agreement to end the war.' The proposal includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, which presently control 75% of Gaza and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the enclave, where a population of 2.2 million people is increasingly facing famine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel had previously agreed to the outline, advanced by U.S. special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, but negotiations faltered over some of its details. The last round of talks ended in deadlock in late July. While Israel's political echelon weighed a response, Defence Minister Israel Katz met commanders late on Tuesday. Public broadcaster Kan's military correspondent Itay Blumental said on X the meeting was to approve plans to capture Gaza City. The post cited four stages to the plans: building humanitarian infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, evacuation of Gaza City, encirclement of Gaza City and manoeuvring into Gaza City. Thousands of people fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive are estimated to have fled the area in the past few days for points to the west and south in the shattered territory. On the ground, there were no signs of a ceasefire nearing as Israeli gunfire, tank shelling and airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians on Tuesday, according to Gaza health officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At a shelter in Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave, displaced people had mixed feelings over whether a deal would be reached this time. 'I expect - every time the (Israeli) occupation would be obstinate, reject and receive proposals with negative responses - I expect the same for this proposal as well,' said Abdallah Al-Khawaja. Women sat by wood fires cooking meals for their families, while men filled plastic gallons with water; many hoped Israel would approve the proposal. 'What I say and expect as a member of the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip, one of the bereaved and displaced, is that I expect a positive response (from Israel),' said Awad Labde. In Israel, the threatened offensive prompted tens of thousands of Israelis on Sunday to hold some of the largest protests since the war began, urging a deal to end the fighting and free the remaining hostages held in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netanyahu faces domestic political pressure from his far-right government partners who object to a truce with Hamas. Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have demanded to keep the war going until Hamas' defeat, and annex Gaza. Groups representing Israeli families of those held hostage have demanded their return to Israel and an end to the war. Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that the truce proposal it has agreed to is an interim accord that would pave the way for negotiations on ending the war. A source close to the talks said that, unlike previous rounds, Hamas accepted the proposal with no further demands. But prospects for agreeing an end to the war appear remote, with gaps remaining on the terms. Israel is demanding the group lay down its arms and its leaders leave Gaza, conditions which Hamas has so far publicly rejected. The war began when Hamas-led fighters stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants. The Israeli assault has plunged Gaza into a humanitarian crisis and displaced most of its population. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
NCERT Introduces 2 Special Modules On Operation Sindoor For Classes 3 To 12
New Delhi: The NCERT has introduced two special modules on the Operation Sindoor for classes 3 to 12 describing the mission not just as a military operation but a promise to protect peace and honour the lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack. The modules which have been introduced as supplementary material in the curriculum come over three months after Operation Sindoor. The modules also state that although Pakistan denied any involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, it was carried out on "direct orders" by "Pakistan's military and political leadership". "India launched missiles and air strikes, targeting nine terrorist sites situated in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on May 7, 2025. Out of nine targets which were finally chosen and approved, seven of these terror camps were destroyed by the Indian Army, while the Indian Air Force destroyed terrorist targets in Muridke and Bahawalpur, which are the nerve centres of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed," one of the modules said. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reiterated government stand that India made sure no civilians were harmed. "Every target was double-checked. Only terrorist bases were attacked. This operation showed that India would not let terror masterminds escape punishment," it added. The two modules are titled 'Operation Sindoor-A Saga of Valour' for preparatory and middle stages or classes 3 to 8, and 'Operation Sindoor-A Mission of Honour and Bravery' for secondary stage or classes 9 to 12. The modules have been created with the aim of raising awareness about India's military power among school children. Calling Operation Sindoor "a triumph of bravery, strategy, and innovation", the modules also mention India's air defence systems, like the S-400, which shot down enemy aircraft at long distances and also prevented enemy drones from causing damage. The modules highlight that people across the country stood united, with candlelight marches held nationwide in solidarity. "Muslim communities in Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Bhopal wore black armbands and openly denounced the attack. In Kashmir, shopkeepers closed their shops in protest. Villages near the border demanded strong action and supported the Armed Forces," the secondary stage module stated. "The local (Kashmiri) population stood up and spoke against terrorists. Their response breaks stereotypes and shows the real voice of peace-loving people," it added. The modules also explain that the name Operation Sindoor was chosen as a tribute to the widows of the victims, symbolising solidarity, empathy, and respect. The modules highlight retaliatory actions by Indian military forces, including the Balakot air strikes in 2019 following the Pulwama terror attack, and more recently, Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack. "In the past, India has never shied away from standing up for its citizens. We gave a strong reply in the wars of 1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999... Operation Sindoor was also India's way of stopping terrorism, led by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM) and Pakistan's spy agency, ISI," one of the modules said. "It was not just a military operation; it was a promise to protect peace and honour the lives lost," it said.
