'Mission Buniyaad' comes to abrupt halt; no reason cited by government
Speaking to the newspaper, MCD education director Sanjay Singh said, "We discontinued the programme from this year. We are still discussing and getting clarity on the issue. There was no direction from the Delhi government on this. However, we have organised two camps in our schools – fun camps and summer camps."
However, Director of Education Veditha Reddy did not respond to any queries.
Meanwhile, the former education advisor during the AAP government, Shailendra Sharma, said, "This government claims to be committed to implementing the NEP 2020, but actually they are just violating it. NEP says the policy itself will only become relevant if all students learn to read, write and do basic arithmetic. Mission Buniyaad has been doing precisely that. By stopping it abruptly, the BJP government proves once again that they are not serious about education."
On April 5, this newspaper had reported that after the Education Minister's announcment that schemes implemented by the previous government will be discontinued, most government schools had dropped Mission Buniyaad from time tables.
Parents in lurch
The discontinuation of the programme has also sparked deep concerns among parents, especially those from economically weaker sections. For them the programme was more than an educational support system – it was a source of daily nourishment and dignity for their children. Knowing that their children would receive at least one nutritious meal daily, gave many families a sense of relief.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
AAP rally for slum dwellers a flop show, says Virendra Sachdeva
NEW DELHI: After Aam Aadmi Party's protest against the demolition of slums in various parts of the city, the BJP said that the public rally called by the opposition was an utter flop. 'When AAP leaders addressed the gathering, their anarchic and unconstitutional character was exposed once again,' said Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. He added that for nearly a month, the entire AAP leadership had been 'spreading confusion', but the slum dwellers not only rejected this false campaign—they are now asking AAP leaders: 'What have you done in ten years to improve the lives of slum residents?' The Delhi BJP chief also pointed out that about five months ago, after losing the elections, AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Rai, and others incited their workers to storm the Prime Minister's residence in the name of slum dwellers. At that time, ordinary slum residents in Delhi were asking Kejriwal: 'You've built a 'Sheeshmahal' for yourself in ten years — why haven't you allocated flats to the poor in places like Narela or Bawana?' Sachdeva remarked that Kejriwal is a two-faced leader, shedding crocodile tears in the name of poor slum dwellers today. But during COVID, instead of protecting them, he forced them to return to their villages. He further stated that the call for an attack on the PM's residence once again revealed the dark, Naxalite-like faces of Kejriwal and Gopal Rai—and they must understand that there is no place for their words in a civilised society. Sachdeva said that the BJP government is committed to giving a better life to slum dwellers who are compelled to live in terrible conditions along drains and railway tracks. 'Just as we have resettled slum dwellers from Kalka Ji, Jailorwala Bagh, Kalandar Colony, and Kathputli Colony, going forward, through the 'Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan' campaign, we will continue to provide new homes and new lives to slum residents.'
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
BJP destroyed homes in just five months: Former CM Arvind Kejriwal
NEW DELHI: Hundreds of jhuggi residents from across the capital gathered at Jantar Mantar following widespread demolitions, responding to a mobilisation call by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Addressing the crowd, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said that it has only been five months since the BJP formed the government, and already the situation in Delhi has deteriorated to such an extent that people have been forced to gather in protest. Kejriwal alleged that PM Narendra Modi's real intention was never to provide homes to the poor but to wipe them out completely. 'What he truly meant was 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Maidan.' That's why, one by one, your homes are being razed to the ground,' he said. Comparing the PM's 'guarantee' to a fake product, he warned people not to fall for it again: 'Don't trust PM Modi's guarantees—they are counterfeit, hollow lies.' Speaking at the 'Ghar-Rozgar Bachao' campaign, Kejriwal said, 'It's only been five months since the BJP government was formed, and look at what they've done to Delhi already. They've pushed the city to such a state that people from all over Delhi are protesting at Jantar Mantar.' He recalled warning the public earlier: 'I had released a video message specifically for the poor and marginalised jhuggi residents. I clearly said—don't vote for them. Their eyes were always on your land. I told you that if they came to power, they'd demolish your jhuggis within a year.' 'I never imagined they would wreck the city in just five months,' he added. 'Why have so many people left their homes and gathered here? It's because they've sent in bulldozers, destroying Delhi inch by inch. People have no option left but to protest.' 'In this unbearable heat, with temperatures crossing 50 degrees Celsius, they are mercilessly tearing down jhuggis. Children are crying, education is disrupted, and families are being thrown onto the streets without a second thought,' he said. Kejriwal also pointed out that demolitions destroy livelihoods. 'Women work in nearby homes as domestic workers, men as drivers or guards. Once jhuggis are gone, their income disappears too,' he said. Meanwhile, AAP's protest sparked political backlash. BJP leaders accused AAP of promoting 'anarchist' and 'anti-national' sentiments. During the protest, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai issued a fiery ultimatum to the Centre: 'If you bulldoze homes without rehabilitation… we'll enter the PM's house and take control!'
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Punjab CM Mann says Dhuri ROB work to begin soon; Bittu slams CM for taking ‘fake credit'
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the work on railway overbridge (RoB) in his constituency Dhuri, Sangrur district, would begin soon. Reacting to this, Union Minister of State for Railways and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu slammed Mann for 'taking fake credit' as the 'the Railways, which has to grant an approval for the RoB adjoining Dhuri LC 62A railway crossing, will do it soon — without efforts from Mann or the ruling AAP government'. 'The Mann-led AAP government in Punjab has not sanctioned a single rupee for the work,' Bittu said. Asserting that 'necessary clearance' was granted for the work by the Ministry of Railways after 'persistent efforts by the state government', Mann said in a statement: 'The state-of-the-art RoB, which will be constructed at the level crossing (phatak) no. 62A, will play a crucial role in resolving traffic congestion in the Malwa region, particularly for commuters in the Dhuri segment. The total cost of the project is Rs 54.76 crore, which will be funded entirely by the state government.' He also said that 'once initiated, the project will be completed within 18 months. Groundwork began in 2024, but the progress has been delayed due to the pending final railway permission/ NOC since March 2025… The state government pursued the matter diligently, and with required approvals from the Railways, the project work will commence shortly.' Terming Mann's remarks 'misleading', Bittu said: 'In the past three years, Mann has not provided a single rupee to the Railways for cost-sharing overbridge projects across the state. If he had even sent Rs 54.76 lakh, he would have held a press conference. This Rs 54.76-crore claim is pure optics. Can the CM tell in which head this amount is lying, and why it has not been disbursed till today.' Bittu further alleged: 'A few residents met me very recently, and after listening to their grievances, I took up the issue at the highest level immediately. Despite being the MLA from Dhuri, the CM has done nothing to address this long-pending demand… Now that the Railways has taken the initiative, Mann is shamelessly trying to take credit.' Slamming Mann for his alleged neglect towards Dhuri, Bittu said while the previous chief ministers made significant efforts to develop their home constituencies, Mann failed to do so. 'He has not held even a single public interaction in Dhuri after becoming the CM… The bus stand is in poor condition, and the local hospital lacks basic infrastructure too.' 'I had received multiple representations from local BJP leaders and citizen groups, urging immediate action on the overbridge as the 62A railway crossing remains closed for hours, effectively cutting the town into two and causing daily chaos for commuters,' Bittu said, adding residents often have to wait three to four hours to cross the railway tracks.
