Latest news with #Care
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Pretoria pensioner sentenced to life for raping girl (6)
A 79-year-old Pretoria man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of raping a six-year-old girl, with the court also declaring him unfit to work with children or own a firearm. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court handed down the life imprisonment sentence to Johannes Jacobus Christiaan Kotze. 'Kotze also received five years each for two counts of sexual assault, to run concurrently with the life sentence. 'The court further ordered that his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.' She said Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother. 'The victim referred to him as 'Oupa' even though they were not biologically related. Mahanjana said the mother found her child in Kotze's room on October 3, 2019 when she searched for her but could not find her where she was supposed to be playing. 'When she entered, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which brought made the mother suspicious.' The mother took the child out of the room and questioned her. 'The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touching her private parts, and forcing her to touch him,' said Mahanjana. 'The child further revealed that these acts were not isolated incidents. The mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to Kotze's arrest on October 24 2019.' Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune. However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez presented compelling evidence, including the victim's testimony and corroborating reports, proving Kotze's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Mahanjana said during sentencing, Kotze sought leniency, citing his age and ill health. 'Du Preez countered that his lack of remorse, the gruesome nature of the crime, and its lasting trauma on the victim, who continues to suffer nightmares, warranted no deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. She argued that age alone could not excuse such a heinous act.' Regional Court Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime; therefore, he found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency; he imposed life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary's stance against GBV. The NPA urges communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) stand ready to provide medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Karnataka hikes salaries of NHM doctors, specialists, nurses
BENGALURU: To boost healthcare services and retain talent under the National Health Mission (NHM), the state government on Thursday revised the salaries of MBBS doctors, senior specialists and nursing officers working in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCUs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the state. MBBS medical officers working in various NHM programmes at the state and district levels will now receive a consolidated monthly salary of Rs 75,000 and senior medical officers Rs 86,858 – Rs 80,000. Major clinical specialists including OBG, Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Surgeons and Ophthalmologists will draw Rs 1.4 lakh per month, revised from the earlier Rs 1.1–1.3 lakh range. For these posts, experienced candidates will be eligible for an additional 25 per cent increment per annum. The pay cap is fixed at Rs 1.75 lakh and is only applicable to retirees. The same rules must be readapted for new and serving staff. Their experience will be given priority during recruitment. Similarly, nursing officers working in SNCU or ICUs, with computer skills and a minimum of 5 years of experience will now earn Rs 22,000 per month, up from the earlier Rs 14,186–Rs 18,141 range.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
From GDP to GDK—Gross Domestic Knowledge: A moment of pride and a call to action
Rashmi S Chari has been actively involved in the field of education for last 34 years. She is currently Director, Academics & Training, Bhartiya Shiksha Board (BSB). She was till recently Member, Educational Research & Innovations Committee (ERIC) of Ministry of HRD, Government of India advising the apex educational institution NCERT on ways to bring qualitative improvement in teacher education through infusion of innovative practices and action research. She has consistently supported the initiatives of the Apex educational bodies as an Advisor to the Apex educational institutions of India in NCERT and CBSE on Teacher Education, Early Childhood Care and Education and National Policy of Education (2015). She has also extensively researched Human Values in Education and has developed a curriculum for teacher-education for MHRD. LESS ... MORE India's rise to become the world's 4th largest economy, with a GDP of approximately $4.19 trillion in 2025, is a proud moment for us. Surpassing Japan in global economic rankings is not just a matter of statistics—it is a proof of determination, hard work and resilience of Indian people. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a robust 6.2% growth rate making India the fastest-growing major economy globally. Even as we celebrate this achievement, we must ask: How do we sustain and expand this growth—and make it truly inclusive? The answer lies in education and skill development across all levels—from foundational schooling to higher education. Additionally, all of us Indians must continue to learn lifelong- whatever phase of life we are in we should continue to expand our horizons by learning more, thinking more, and doing more. These are no longer individual aspirations—they are now strategic national priorities, central to shaping India's economic future. Bridging the gap between learning and earning So, what can we do to connect education with employability? In both schools and universities, skill development should be promoted through experiential learning opportunities across all disciplines—languages, sciences, or social sciences—whether through hands-on school activities and projects, or internships, apprenticeships, and industry-led coursework at colleges. Emerging sectors such as AI, data science, biotechnology, green energy, clean manufacturing, and healthcare demand a workforce equipped with specialized skills and innovative knowledge. The education fraternity must shift its focus to educational outcomes and actively collaborate with both industry and the service sector to understand evolving workforce requirements. Curricula and learning resources should be continually redesigned and upgraded based on these inputs. The NEP 2020 directive to introduce vocational training from middle school and continue it through higher education must be thoughtfully implemented at every level to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among learners. Universities must actively enrich classroom learning by inviting professionals from diverse industries to engage with students. They should also broaden their role as hubs of research and innovation, driving the creation and application of new ideas. Realizing India's demographic dividend through equity and inclusion India's true potential lies in its under-30 human capital. Real progress demands that education, and opportunity should reach every corner of the country. This includes ensuring quality education in rural and remote areas and creating inclusive environments for underserved groups such as girls, differently abled learners, and those from marginalized communities. Let's train these students to use digital tools and access content in regional languages to bridge learning gaps. Scholarships, mentorship programs, and open schools and universities will enable upward mobility in education and vocational training. Higher education institutions must extend their reach beyond campuses—through community outreach, satellite centres, and remote learning models—to ensure that all youth can access relevant knowledge and skills aligned with changing job market needs. Skills that matter: From schools to universities To ensure education leads to meaningful outcomes, the teaching methodology must also evolve. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognizes that the future belongs to those who can think critically, solve problems, and innovate. Learning must go beyond rote memorization and exam performance. Therefore, these skills must be developed through competency-based pedagogy and assessments across the educational spectrum. At the school level, this means classrooms that nurture curiosity, independent thinking, collaboration, and creativity. In higher education, it calls for interdisciplinary curricula aligned with industry needs, flexible course structures, and a greater emphasis on research, innovation, and real-world application of knowledge. Rethinking textbooks A key component is the transformation of textbooks from tomes of information to tools for exploration. Textbooks should no longer be dense compilations of abstract theory and repetitive drills. Instead, they must support teachers with activity ideas and discussion prompts that spark curiosity and inspire inquiry. Experiential learning activities anchored in key concepts help students build essential competencies—critical thinking, digital literacy, civic responsibility, environmental awareness, and multilingual proficiency. Case studies that relate to real-life contexts and diverse perspectives must be incorporated to foster a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. Transforming learning with interactive digital books To maximize the impact of these resources, schools and universities must embrace interactive digital textbooks that enable connected, flexible, and continuous learning. These platforms provide students with 24×7 access educational content, allowing them to learn at their own pace and according to their individual needs. Advanced digital textbooks transform learning from static to interactive by integrating search engines, multimedia, and AI-powered tools to create personalized learning pathways. Students can revisit concepts, explore related topics, and receive adaptive support. Simulated experiments and interactive visualizations add a layer of experiential learning, enabling students to understand complex ideas through virtual hands-on engagement. By offering access to a vast universe of curated knowledge and skill-building resources, digital textbooks make learning more engaging, inclusive, and future-ready. Supporting teachers through mentorship and digital skills training To truly transform classrooms in the schools and universities, we must invest in the people who bring them to life—our teachers. A robust system of Teacher Mentorship will ensure the continuous and comprehensive improvement in teaching-learning practices. Veteran educators can serve as mentors by observing classroom practices, providing constructive feedback, and facilitating reflective dialogue. Periodic performance reviews of teachers and lecturers should be followed by mentoring sessions to enhance their skills in pedagogy, resolving classroom challenges, and improving student engagement. Equally vital is the need to build educators' digital skills, enabling them to confidently integrate technology into their teaching. Continuous professional development will empower educators to innovate, adapt, and deliver high-quality, future-ready education. A learning nation: A shared vision and responsibility To retain our global edge, India must become a learning nation. Our policies must reflect our ambitions, but our practices must reflect our intrinsic age-old value system- the Karam Yog. Let us strive to enhance our GDK-Gross Domestic Knowledge to push our GDP to World's No1. This is our moment—not just to rise, but to uplift. Education at every level—from preschool to Ph.D.—must lead the way. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Stronger support for seniors in the community; those seeking care to have one point of contact: MOH
Stronger support for seniors in the community; those seeking care to have one point of contact: MOH SINGAPORE - Plans to ensure seniors have a single point of contact for community care are in the works , as the authorities work on integrating such services for a fast-ageing population, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on May 28. Beyond expanding individual community services, integration will make it easier for families to access services and move between different ones , he said at the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) Community Care Work Plan Seminar 2025. Mr Ong, who was also appointed Coordinating Minister for Social Policies on May 21, laid out the vision for community care. 'It must be a system that every senior can count on, regardless of your health status. When you are well, community care prevents us from falling sick. If we are sick, it supports us to manage the disease and prevent it from progressing,' said Mr Ong. 'If we become frail, it supports our families to take care of us and organises the different services that we need. If our families are unable to take care of us, the system then steps in as a last resort.' The urgency to transform community care is unmistakable. By 2030, Singapore will have one million seniors aged 65 and above, with possibly half of them living with a chronic disease. The number of those who need help with at least one activity of daily living is expected to almost double within a decade, from an estimated 58,000 in 2020 to 100,000 in 2030. More seniors are also expected to be staying alone – from 76,000 in 2023 to 122,000 in 2030. Mr Ong listed three areas of change. Firstly, strong coordination is needed in the community care sector to tie together the various services as they expand. This will mean that seniors who need a combination of services to serve complex needs can move across services easily. Mr Ong said the Health Ministry (MOH) and AIC have reorganised community care into smaller sub-regions. Providers in each region are encouraged to form a network together , under a centre that will be the dedicated point of contact for seniors who need long-term care services. This so-called Integrated Community Care Provider will bring together the four commonly used services, namely those at Active Ageing Centres (AACs), day care services at Senior Care Centres, care at home under the Enhanced Home Personal Care service and rehabilitation at home under Home Therapy. 'To a family and to a senior, they should see it as just one service... with one contact, one coordination point,' said Mr Ong. This way, when a senior falls ill and needs rehabilitation or support services, the provider can help to put together the relevant services to restore him to health, said Mr Ong. If his conditions progress, it may then provide home personal care or other necessary services. When he recovers, he can return to the AAC to lead a more active lifestyle, he said. Secondly, efforts to make commu nity health services more accessible will be stepped up. Mr Ong said he heard from doctors that there are patients in their 40s and 50s seeking help at the hospital because of their diabetes, with a few even suffering from gangrene. Early actions, with a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medication, could have prevented progression of chronic diseases, have prevented the progression of their diseases. These patients could have done something earlier to prevent the progression of their diease, but they either did not know they were sick, or even if they knew and had enrolled in Healthier SG, they did not follow up with their health plan. This is a significant gap which community are can help close, Mr Ong said. 'For (Healthier SG) to be truly successful, we got to go beyond the GPs. The GPs needs to be supported and reinforced by effective community care services.' Mr Ong said the three healthcare clusters have set up community health posts, with about nine out of 10 AACs having one at or near their centres. Nurses at these centres can attend to patients. These posts can do more to help seniors, especially in catering to walk-ins. For instance, they can help seniors enrol in preventive health programme Healthier SG, which pairs each resident with a primary care physician, or follow up with their appointments and provide lifestyle coaching and health advice. Thirdly, outreach to seniors needs to step up, so the authorities will have information on every senior, and no one will die alone at home without anyone knowing. Silver Generation Ambassadors, People Association's volunteers and other volunteers have to work together to visit every household in the community, and share data so that every senior is known, Mr Ong said. He said the political office-holders in his ministry's refreshed team - Dr Koh Poh Koon, Mr Tan Kiat How and Ms Rahayu Mahzam - will all have a role in the community care sector. This includes areas such as manpower, coordination, community health posts and outreach. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
India's Adani Ports plans 15-year bond issue this week, bankers say
MUMBAI, May 28 (Reuters) - Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone ( opens new tab, India's largest private port operator, plans to raise as much as 50 billion rupees through the sale of bonds maturing in 15 years, two merchant bankers said on Wednesday. The company is likely to offer a coupon of around 7.75% on the issue and invite bids on Friday, the bankers said, requesting anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media. The group did not immediately respond to Reuters' email seeking comments. On May 22, the company's board approved raising up to 60 billion rupees through bond sales. The notes are rated AAA by Crisil and Care.
