Latest news with #AtalTinkeringLabs
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Double engine govt delivering and with accountability, says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
SAMBALPUR: The previous government only made promises whereas the double engine government is delivering with accountability, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday. He was addressing a programme on 'Empowerment of Kendu Leaf Workers,' organised jointly by the Forest and Labour departments at Sambalpur University auditorium. Highlighting the vital contribution of kendu leaf workers to the rural economy, Pradhan said the government is committed to addressing their long-standing issues and empowering them through welfare initiatives. 'All the promises made to kendu leaf workers will be fulfilled. Today's programme marks a welcome step in this direction,' he said, adding that the previous government often failed to deliver on its commitments, such as the Rs 100 bonus on paddy announced at Sohela. 'Our government works on the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas,' Pradhan said. The union minister said that around 7 lakh metric tonne of kharif paddy worth nearly Rs 8,000 crore was procured in the state, and the direct benefit transfer (DBT) mechanism ensured financial support reached farmers directly. H The minister announced that over the next five years, 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs will be set up in government schools to foster scientific mindset among children, and every gram panchayat in Odisha will have a Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister Rabi Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jay Narayan Mishra, Rengali MLA Sudarshan Haripal and Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy were present at the event. Earlier in the day, Pradhan inaugurated the regional conference 'Saksham 2025' organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) organized at Indian institute of Management - Sambalpur (IIM-S), where he urged chartered accountants to actively support grassroots economic activities.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
New India strikes back with full force: Adityanath on Operation Sindoor
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted on Thursday that the strikes Indian armed forces carried out under 'Operation Sindoor' inside Pakistan's territory in response to the Pahalgam terror attack reflected the country's strength and how new India strikes back with full force if provoked. Addressing a programme in Lucknow during which appointment letters were distributed to 494 assistant teachers and 49 lecturers selected by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), the CM said, 'India does not interfere in others' matters unnecessarily, but if someone threatens its internal security, it enters the enemy's hideouts. The world witnessed this strength yesterday and will continue to see it in the future as well.' Highlighting the role the teachers play in shaping society, he said, 'If we move forward with the times and prepare our youth keeping in mind today's needs, we will remain relevant. But if we fall behind, the consequences will not only affect the current generation but also the future ones. The teachers must become a part of the mission and lay the strong foundation of a developed India.' He added, 'The teachers must focus on what changes they can bring to education, which techniques they can use to ensure that youth face no identity crisis and have a clear direction towards a bright future.' The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for mini-stadiums in 23 government inter-colleges at a total cost of Rs 4.92 crore. The principals of five government secondary schools were awarded certificates for setting up Atal Tinkering Labs, while principals of another five received certificates for establishing ICT labs. He encouraged teachers to study new teaching methods and make their lessons engaging, suggesting that storytelling could be a great tool to keep their students interested and make classes more lively. 'Uttar Pradesh's school education system has undergone a fundamental transformation. Innovation and technology are now central to learning, and Operation Kayakalp in basic education was recognised even during NITI Aayog discussions,' he said. In the past eight years, more than 8 lakh youth were given government jobs, including 40,000 in secondary education, he added. 'Recently, over 8,000 teachers for government inter-colleges were selected, while over 1.23 lakh teachers were recruited in basic education to address longstanding shortages. Before 2017, some districts had earned the reputation of being hubs of cheating in secondary education,' the Chief Minister pointed out. 'The schools did not have enough teachers and had fewer students. It was also noticed that students from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir would travel to these places to take in the board exams. Upon investigation, it was found that these were proxy candidates appearing for someone else. This practice was completely stopped through strict measures. As a result, there was significant improvement in exam results. We were able to conduct exams for 56 lakh candidates in just 14 days in a cheating-free enviroment,' he added. The success of the Project Alankar, which not only improved infrastructure in government institutions but also funded private schools running with government support, he said, adding, 'Today, we have better buildings, well-equipped labs, libraries and smart classrooms. There have been significant improvements,' he stated.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Talent, temperament, tech will change future: Modi
The trinity of 'talent, temperament and technology' will transform the future of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he emphasized on simplifying regulations and fast-tracking approvals to allow the benefits of innovation and research to reach the people. Modi also hailed India's youth as 'R&D'—ready and disruptive—and narrated how India is setting new milestones in various sectors. Speaking at the YUGM (Confluence in Sanskrit) Innovation Conclave organized by the Wadhwani Foundation and the Union education ministry in New Delhi, the PM remarked that 'We have limited time, the goals are big'. After a pause, Modi clarified that he was not referring to the 'current situation', referring to anticipation over India's response to the terror attack at Pahalgam , but about the larger task of turning India into a developed nation by 2047. The PM said the country is at the forefront to adapting to AI (artificial intelligence). He added that India must accelerate the transition from idea to product in order to meet the goal of becoming 'Viksit Bharat' within the next 25 years. Speaking at length on the latest innovations, the PM also compared the progress made during the UPA era and the current regime. 'To give continuous momentum to the goals that India has set, it is necessary to strengthen the country's research ecosystem. In the last decade, rapid work has been done in this direction, necessary resources have been increased. In 2013-14, the gross expenditure on R&D was only ₹60 thousand crores. We have more than doubled it to more than ₹1.25 lakh crores. Many state-of-the-art research parks have also been established in the country. Research and Development Cells have been established in about 6000 higher education institutions. Due to our efforts, innovation culture is developing rapidly in the country' Modi said that in 2014, around 40 thousand patents were filed in India every year, which has now increased to more than 80 thousand. 'This also shows how much support the youth of the country is getting from our intellectual property ecosystem,' he added, listing the ₹50,000 crore (over five years) National Research Foundation , the One Nation One Subscription scheme for subscription to journals, and the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship. Modi highlighted the commissioning of the world's longest hyperloop test track, the 422-metre hyperloop developed by IIT Madras and the Indian Railways, the development of 'brain on a chip' technology by IISC and making of the first indigenous MRI machine. 'There are many such path-breaking R&D that are taking place in our universities. This is the youth power of a developing India – Ready, Disruptive, and Transformative!' Modi said. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also spoke at the conclave. He said the government will open 50,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs in schools across the country over the next five years. He said 10,000 such labs have already been established. He said initiatives such as internship cells and the PM Vidyalakshmi scheme are being implemented to support skill development and improve access to education. Pradhan said the word 'YUGM' reflects integration, vision, and innovation. He said the government's education and research reforms are forming the base of a self-reliant India.
Hans India
28-04-2025
- Hans India
Beyond smartboards: Building future-ready classrooms
When smartboards first appeared in Indian classrooms over a decade ago, they seemed revolutionary. Students and teachers were excited by the promise of videos, animations, and interactive lessons. However, in today's world, smartboards have become little more than digital chalkboards. Co-founder of STEMROBO Technologies shares insights on what classrooms of 2025 truly need to prepare students for a knowledge-driven future. Empowerment First, Technology Second Technology can revolutionize education, but only when teachers are adequately trained to use it effectively. Many schools in India install tools like smartboards without providing teachers with the necessary training. This leads to the underutilization of otherwise valuable resources. The first priority should always be teacher capacity building. When teachers are confident in their skills and the tools available to them, technology can enhance learning outcomes. A government initiative addressing this issue is the NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement) programme, which aims to train over 42 lakh teachers. Through structured, continuous professional development, this initiative focuses on modern pedagogical practices, digital literacy, classroom management, and integrating technology into teaching. This approach ensures that teachers can utilize technology effectively to boost student engagement and improve learning outcomes. 2. Hands-on Learning and Tinkering Spaces While smartboards are useful visual tools, they can't replicate the power of hands-on, experiential learning. In a future-ready STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) classroom, students engage in building, experimenting, and creating, not just consuming content. Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across India embody this vision. With over 10,000 ATLs set up and plans to expand by 50,000 more in five years, these labs equip students with tools like 3D printers, robotics kits, and electronic components. In addition to ATLs, schools are incorporating DIY kits, IoT labs, and AI learning tools to solve real-life problems. Technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are enhancing the learning experience, allowing students to visualize complex concepts and take virtual field trips to distant locations. These interactive learning environments promote creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, skills that are difficult to develop through traditional lectures alone. 3. Personalised and Adaptive Learning Tools Students have diverse learning needs. Some are visual learners, others excel through hands-on practice, and some require more time to understand certain concepts. A static smartboard cannot cater to these differences. Adaptive learning systems are now essential to address the unique learning needs of each student. AI-powered educational platforms are at the forefront of this change, offering personalised learning experiences. These systems track how students interact with content and adapt the lessons accordingly, adjusting difficulty levels, providing feedback, and changing teaching methods to suit individual needs. Government initiatives like PM eVidya have brought mobile-first learning to rural India, ensuring access to education via smartphones, TV, and radio. India's EdTech user base surpassed 300 million by 2023, showing the growing demand for personalized, technology-driven education. 4. Real Industry Exposure and Project-Based Learning Classrooms must prepare students not just for exams but for the real world. Project-based learning, where students solve real-world problems, is crucial. Schools are increasingly encouraging students to engage in coding contests, design sprints, and innovation challenges. These activities allow students to apply what they've learned in the classroom to practical scenarios. For instance, a student building a solar tracker provides them with a deeper, more lasting understanding of renewable energy than watching a video or reading a textbook. Tools like microcontrollers, sensors, and open-source coding platforms are enabling students to create smart gadgets and environmental monitoring systems. These projects not only make learning more engaging but also prepare students for the careers of tomorrow by developing skills that are highly valued in industries. 5. Community and Peer Learning Platforms The learning process extends far beyond the classroom. The pandemic demonstrated the power of peer-to-peer learning, where students collaborate, share ideas, and help each other understand concepts. Platforms like DIKSHA and the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) have democratized access to educational content in multiple regional languages. These platforms also foster collaborative environments where students can engage in discussions, share knowledge, and resolve doubts. These community-driven platforms are essential for inclusivity, especially for students in remote or underserved areas. They promote collaboration—a key skill needed in today's workforce. By leveraging technology, these platforms break down geographical and social barriers, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality education. Beyond Boards: The Real Meaning of a Smart Classroom A truly smart classroom is not defined by the presence of digital boards or sophisticated gadgets. It is defined by the quality of learning that happens within it. Creating classrooms that are truly future-ready requires a shift from focusing on installing expensive equipment to empowering both educators and students. The key is investing in teacher training so educators can confidently integrate technology into their teaching. Alongside this, embracing project-based learning, which connects students with real-world problems, and personalized learning tools that cater to individual needs, will ensure that classrooms are responsive to the diverse needs of students.
