Latest news with #BetiBachao
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Two Jorhat students step into DC's shoes for a day
1 2 3 4 Dibruugarh: Under govt's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign, two students from Jorhat — Sanshita Baruah and Geetashree Sharma — got the rare opportunity to serve as district commissioner for a day on Saturday. The initiative, aimed at empowering young girls and exposing them to governance, allowed the students to shadow Jorhat DC Jay Shivani and participate in official duties. Sanshita, a Class 9 student from Pragjyotika Senior Secondary School in Titabor, and Geetashree, a postgraduate student from Chandra Kamal Baruah Commerce College, earned this privilege after winning a district-level essay competition. Jorhat DC Jay Shivani expressed pride in the students' enthusiasm and highlighted the initiative's objective. "Witnessing policy implementation and decision-making firsthand has strengthened my resolve to join the civil services in the future," Geetashree said. "We got to see how the district's progress is monitored and how different departments function. We even learnt about election processes," Sanshita said.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
15-year-old Puri girl doused with petrol, set on fire. Naveen Patnaik blasts BJP
A 15-year-old girl was doused with petrol and set on fire in Odisha's Puri on Saturday, coming on the heels of the death of a college student who self-immolated herself after complaining of sexual harassment by a minor, who has suffered 70% burn injuries, has been to AIIMS Bhubaneswar and is critical. The incident happened in Bayabar village when the girl was going to her friend's house. She was waylaid by three miscreants, taken to the banks of the River Bhargavi and set on incident happened just 1.5 km away from the Balanga police station. The trio fled after the incident. The police have launched a manhunt for the miscreants.A senior police officer said that the girl suffered burn injuries to her back, abdomen and other victim's cousin brother said she was kidnapped, tied up near the river and set on fire. He said the incident happened barely 500 metres from their house. "My sister was going to her friend's place carrying some books. On the way, three people kidnapped her. They tied her up near the river and set her on fire using petrol. We don't know why she was attacked. We have filed a complaint with the police," he media reports said the girl's family has ruled out personal enmity or a love affair angle as possible CHIEF MINISTER REACTSDeputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the police have been instructed to immediately arrest the culprits."I am deeply pained and shocked to hear the news that some miscreants in the Balangir region poured petrol on a fifteen-year-old girl on the road and set her on fire... All necessary arrangements are being made for her treatment. The government will bear all medical expenses," Parida said."The police administration has been directed to arrest the culprits immediately and take strict action," Parida, who also holds the Women and Child Development portfolio, PATNAIK SLAMS BJPTearing into the ruling BJP government, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said such incidents against women had become almost daily across the state."These are not stray cases of violence. These incidents occurring with shocking regularity point to a deep systemic failure of governance. It shows that criminals have become emboldened under the present government and are not worried about being punished," Patnaik squarely blamed government inaction for Odisha becoming highly unsafe for women."Will the government wake up from this deep slumber and take speedy action so that the criminals are arrested? And more importantly, will the government respond so that such incidents are not repeated?" he MODI HAS BLOOD IN HIS HANDS'Calling it an incident of "criminal negligence", the Trinamool Congress lashed out at the ruling BJP government, remidning it of its 'Beti Bachao' slogan."BJP, where is your Beti Bachao slogan now? Where is NCW hiding? Or are they too busy witch-hunting opposition voices instead of protecting India's daughters? This isn't governance. It's criminal negligence. PM Modi, blood is on your hands!" the TMC, which has an axe to grind with the Odisha government over the alleged detention of Bengali migrants, incident comes at a time when tempers are yet to soothe in Odisha over the death of a student of Fakir Mohan 20-year-old student set herself on fire on July 12 after her repeated sexual harassment complaints against a professor allegedly went unaddressed by the college second-year student suffered 95% burns and passed away at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday.- Ends
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Odisha CM must step down after student's death: JMM
1 2 3 Ranchi: JMM on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the death of a college student in Balasore district a day before. The 20-year-old student, who set herself on fire protesting alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against her department head in Balasore, succumbed to her injuries late Monday night after a 60-hour battle for life. The girl initially reported the matter to the college principal on June 30 and posted her ordeal in a social media post, tagging authorities and reported the matter to the police on July 1. Addressing a press conference in Ranchi, JMM's general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya demanded that the CM must take accountability and step down. He also clamied that violence against women are rising in states where they are in power. "The death of the student in Balasore is once again a reminder how BJP ruled states are increasingly becoming unsafe for women. The woman fought hard to save her dignity, but the BJP govt in Odisha didn't take any concrete action against her perpetrators in the first place before it became too late. We wonder how the CM is still in office there," said Bhattacharya, citing how women continue to suffer right from Manipur to UP, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar among others. "BJP's Beti Bachao campaign has now turned into Beti Jalao. As usual, PM and home minister of this country are conveniently silent," he said. "It is beyond anyone's imagination that a student had to face torment in her own institution. Even after raising the complaint, attempts were on to hold her wrong. Who will give justice to the deceased student," he added. Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Ajay Sah said, "JMM should be ashamed of its selective politics. It remains silent when criminals are from their alliance ruled states but pounces on any unfortunate incident in a BJP-ruled state. When students at Kolkata's R J Kar Medical College were protesting after a rape incident, JMM's leadership was silent. Examples are abound. Does JMM determine the seriousness of a crime based on the party ruled state? Even in Jharkhand, instances of rape and women abuse are surfacing daily. It should talk on its own govt. BJP govt in Odisha will ensure the strictest action."
India Today
16-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
SSY scheme: How your daughter can get Rs 71 lakh at 21
The government runs many schemes to secure the future of daughters, and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is one of the most popular. It supports parents in saving money for their daughter's higher education and marriage, helping her receive around Rs 71 lakh when she reaches 21 if planned well. LAUNCHED IN 2015Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched in January 2015 under the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' is a small savings scheme backed by the government, which offers high interest rates, tax benefits under Section 80C, and tax-free returns on maturity. Over 4.1 crore accounts have been opened so far under this INTEREST AND TAX SAVINGSSSY offers an attractive interest rate of 8.2%, which is usually more than what banks offer on FDs. The government guarantees the money you invest, so it is completely safe. Also, you can claim up to Rs 1.5 lakh in tax deductions every year under Section CAN OPEN AN SSY ACCOUNT?Parents or legal guardians can open an SSY account for a girl child up to the age of 10. Only one account can be opened for one daughter.A birth certificate, an ID proof and an address proof are needed to open the account. The account can be opened easily at the nearest post office or any bank AND HOW TO USE THE MONEYThe SSY account matures 15 years after opening. Money can be partially withdrawn for higher education once the girl turns account reaches full maturity when she turns 21, but if she gets married before that, the account must be closed at the time of TO GET Rs 71 LAKHIf you deposit Rs 1.5 lakh every year for 15 years, then on maturity, the amount grows to nearly Rs 71,82, of this, Rs 22.5 lakh is your saving, while the remaining Rs 49.32 lakh is the interest earned. The best part is, the entire amount is tax-free when you withdraw it must be mentioned that from October 1, 2024, only parents or legal guardians can manage an SSY account. If someone else opened the account, it must be transferred to the legal guardian or parents, or it will be closed.(Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment or financial decisions. The views expressed are independent and do not reflect the official position of the India Today Group.)- Ends
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Women, STEM careers and a more receptive industry
Every year on July 15, as we observe World Youth Skills Day, we are reminded that skills development is fundamental to reducing unemployment and promoting decent work. India faces a critical paradox: 43% of India's STEM graduates are women, the highest proportion among major economies globally. Yet, women represent only 27% of the STEM workforce, limiting women's access to career opportunities offered by the STEM sector. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, India's overall female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has risen to 41.7%, a meaningful jump after years of stagnation. However, the increase is sharper for rural women (47.6%) than in urban areas (25.4%), reflecting barriers in formal employment, workplace safety, and societal expectations. In STEM, the paradox is more pronounced. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2021), only 31.5% of researchers worldwide are women. This education-employment gap reflects systemic barriers that industry is uniquely positioned to address. The economic stakes are clear. According to estimates by the McKinsey Global Institute, enabling 68 million more women to participate in India's workforce could boost India's GDP by up to $700 billion by 2025. Similarly, the World Bank suggests that achieving a 50% female workforce participation rate could elevate GDP growth by 1%. Government vision and STEM skilling The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 paved the way for higher retention and opportunities in the fields of STEM. The nodal Ministry of Education (MoE) has integrated education with skills development and life skills training. The Government's renewed focus on revitalising Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and expanding vocational skilling is bringing high-quality technical education and training closer to villages and small towns, ensuring broader access for youth across rural India. This progress aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat (or developed India), where women's economic mobility forms the cornerstone of inclusive development. The share of the gender budget in the total national Budget has increased from 6.8% in 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26 with ₹4.49 lakh crore in allocation toward gender-specific programmes. Further, the Union Budget 2025-26 introduced term loans for women entrepreneurs, new National Skill Training Institutes, and investments in technology-driven skilling. India's policy framework, from Skill India to Digital India, and from 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' to PM Vishwakarma Yojana, has the right intent. However, government policy alone cannot bridge the education-employment gap. Industry must transform from passive recruiter to active enabler of women's career transitions. Industry as the missing link Industry plays a critical role in bridging the gap between skilling and employment, especially for women. Persistent social norms, such as the belief that 'mechanical means masculine' or that 'coding isn't for girls', continue to create invisible barriers for skilled women entering technical fields. These stereotypes are well-documented in multiple studies, including those by the World Bank and UNESCO, which highlight how gendered perceptions limit women's participation in STEM and technical trades. Evidence also shows that women do not leave STEM fields due to a lack of ability, but instead because workplaces are often unwelcoming, families lack awareness of career opportunities, and roles remain deeply gendered. Addressing these perceptions, alongside ensuring workplace safety, equitable pay, and support for career transitions related to marriage, childbirth, and caregiving, is key to unlocking the full potential of the workforce. India's private sector is increasingly stepping up, with many companies championing structured mentoring programmes, industry-linked training initiatives and partnerships with educational institutions to create direct pathways from classrooms to careers. One such initiative is the UN Women's WeSTEM programme, being implemented in collaboration with the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, and supported by the Micron Foundation. This programme provides access to skills and bridges the talent gap. By engaging families and community leaders, conducting workplace safety sessions, and introducing women role models in classrooms, the programme recognises that skill-building requires a shift in mindsets to be effective. A blueprint for industry leadership Industry partnerships with educational institutions, mentorship networks linking professionals with students, and workplace policies that accommodate life transitions and ensure safety, can bridge the education-employment gap. The question is not whether India can afford to invest in women's STEM careers. It is whether industry can afford not to. By equipping women and girls with the skills and training needed to succeed in STEM fields, we can create a more inclusive and robust society. When a woman earns, her voice and impact echoes across dinner tables, shop floors, policy rooms and entire industries. And in that voice lies the blueprint of a future ready India. Kanta Singh is the Country Representative, a.i. at UN Women India and is a part of Team UN in India. Antara Lahiri is the Director, Micron Foundation, Asia and Europe. Micron Technology and the Micron Foundation focus on expanding access to STEM education and pathways to high-tech careers of the future.
