logo
Delhi govt to launch new civic education initiative on August 15

Delhi govt to launch new civic education initiative on August 15

Hindustan Times2 days ago
The government is set to launch Rashtraneeti — a program designed to inculcate ethical governance and civic participation among students in Delhi government schools — on August 15, officials said on Tuesday. The proposed committees will simulate the electoral process with students leading participation and members will be chosen among themselves. (HT Archive)
Department of education (DoE) has proposed at least seven committees to be formed in each school to promote grass root level democracy. 'This course is being introduced for students across classes to give them practical knowledge of governance, democracy, active citizenship, and policymaking,' a DoE official said.
According to officials, almost every student in government schools in the city will be a part of these newly formed committees or subcommittees.
The proposed committees will simulate the electoral process with students leading participation and members will be chosen among themselves. 'A few committees namely the environment committee, anti-bullying committee, canteen committees will be formed in each school and students will run these committees with the help of teachers,' an official said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Delhi: Flyover repaired ahead of G20 develops cracks
Delhi: Flyover repaired ahead of G20 develops cracks

Hindustan Times

time8 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Delhi: Flyover repaired ahead of G20 develops cracks

In the heart of the Capital, just metres away from some of its most powerful institutions, the Ranjit Singh Flyover on Barakhamba Road —an arterial stretch connecting New Delhi and Old Delhi— has fallen into a state of alarming disrepair. Its pock-marked surface, missing concrete panels, broken noise barriers and open urination spots paint a grim picture, especially given its proximity to luxury hotels, corporate offices and political party headquarters. Damage on Ranjit Singh Flyover on Thursday. (Sanchit Khanna/ HT Photo) The deterioration comes just three years after the flyover was repaired and beautified ahead of the G20 Summit. The sharp contrast between its current condition and the city's ongoing month-long sanitation drive has raised concerns about the sustainability of infrastructure maintenance and civic hygiene in one of Delhi's most prominent areas. The 900-metre flyover begins at Barakhamba Road and connects to areas such as Ramlila Maidan, Zakir Hussain College, Delhi Gate and Turkman Gate. Once a key corridor for smooth cross-city travel, it has now become a bumpy, jarring ride, especially in the monsoon, as water seeps into cracks and deepens surface damage. During a spot check on Thursday, HT found that most of the progress made in 2022-23 has been lost. The road surface is fractured, the noise barriers have gaping holes, and many of the concrete covers on the central verge are either broken or missing. The stretch over the railway tracks, opposite the BJP headquarters—once decked out to mark 75 years of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav—has now turned into an open urinal. Commuters and residents say the neglect is not just an eyesore, but a safety hazard. 'The condition of the flyover is not good. There are multiple potholes on the northern end. I have seen people fall and get injured,' said Mohammed Zia, 31, who works at a clinic nearby. 'The road surface is uneven, and certain sections are higher or lower than the rest.' Jai Prakash Malhotra, 68, who uses the flyover daily to reach his medical shop, echoed the concern. 'It's full of bumps. Repairs have been done several times, but nothing has improved. The top surface is still uneven, and the potholes keep coming back.' Shashi Kant, 48, a shop owner near the flyover, said that while some parts have been patched up in the past, long stretches remain riddled with potholes—especially near the entry points. 'Repairs should be carried out again, but properly this time,' he said. Built in 1982 during the Asian Games, the flyover has undergone patchy repairs over the years. In 2018, ahead of the inauguration of the BJP headquarters on Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, civic agencies repainted the railings and installed view-cutters. In 2022, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) undertook a major revamp, replacing expansion joints, bearings, crash barriers and railings. The road surface was also re-laid to ensure a smoother commute. A further round of beautification was carried out in May 2023, when Union home minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated installations including LED lighting and national flags set up at a cost of ₹2 crore. The estimated cost of the 2022-23 repair work was around ₹4 crore. Before that, the last substantial overhaul was in 2000. The long-standing demand for thorough renovation, especially from regular commuters, is back on the table—with many questioning how long a ₹6 crore facelift can last if upkeep is this short-lived. A senior NDMC official acknowledged the issue and said that the repair work will be carried out in the coming days. On open urination, the official said that it is a problem across Delhi. 'We will try to ensure cleanliness and raise awareness in the area,' the official added.

Involvement of communities led increase in forest, tree cover: Govt
Involvement of communities led increase in forest, tree cover: Govt

Hindustan Times

time16 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Involvement of communities led increase in forest, tree cover: Govt

Active involvement of communities and local stakeholders in the management and restoration of forest resources has led to a positive trend of the increase in forest and tree cover over the past decade, minister of state for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh told Rajya Sabha on Thursday, citing the India State of Forest Report 2023. The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) in 2023 said there has been an increase in forest and tree cover over the past decade. (HT PHOTO/Representative) Singh said the National Forest Policy, 1988, emphasises the importance of closely associating the tribal communities in the protection, regeneration, and development of forests. He said the policy seeks to provide gainful employment to people living in and around the forests, while safeguarding their customary rights and interests. Singh said the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act recognises the rights of the forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources on which these communities are dependent for livelihood, habitation, and other socio-cultural needs. He was responding to YSR Congress Party lawmaker Golla Baburao's questions on forest rights to tribals and forest degradation, etc. HT on July 6 reported that the tribal affairs ministry has asked for scientific evidence from the environment ministry to substantiate claims that granting forest rights to tribal communities causes forest degradation. It escalated a tussle over a landmark 2006 legislation that recognises traditional forest rights of tribal communities in protected areas. The environment ministry has said the government remains committed to tribal welfare and active involvement in forest management through traditional knowledge while enhancing livelihood opportunities.

13 Haryana MLAs to attend legislative summit in Boston from August 4-6
13 Haryana MLAs to attend legislative summit in Boston from August 4-6

Hindustan Times

time17 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

13 Haryana MLAs to attend legislative summit in Boston from August 4-6

Thirteen legislators from Haryana will take part in a legislative summit being held in Boston, US, from August 4 to lawmakers are part of an Indian delegation comprising more than 130 MLAs and MLCs from 24 states and 21 political parties. Thirteen members of the Haryana assembly (in photo) will take part in a legislative summit being held in Boston, US, from August 4 to 6. (HT file photo) 'This is the largest-ever Indian legislative presence at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL),' Nuh Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed said over phone. The visit is being facilitated by the National Legislators' Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat), a non-partisan platform that aims to enhance the capacity of legislators and promote democratic collaboration globally. The Haryana delegation comprises Thanesar Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Arora, Jagadhri Congress MLA Akram Khan, Nuh Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed, Rohtak Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra, Baroda Congress MLA Induraj Singh Narwal, Kosli BJP MLA Anil Yadav, Kaithal Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala, Dabwali INLD MLA Aditya Devilal, Meham Congress MLA Balram Dangi, Ganaur Independent MLA Devender Kadyan, Hodal BJP MLA Harinder Singh, Sonepat BJP MLA Nikhil Madaan, and Pundri BJP MLA Satpal Jamba. The legislators will bear the expenses for the visit individually. During the three-day summit, the delegation will engage with over 7,000 lawmakers from across the globe and participate in discussions on issues such as artificial intelligence in governance, digital democracy, cybersecurity, voter trust, and policy innovation. The programme includes academic sessions on US legislative practices and interactions with Indian-origin leaders in politics, business, and academia.

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