Latest news with #Children'sDay
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
From chips to makhana, Bengaluru schools embrace healthier snacks
Bengaluru: Cafeterias and tuck shops in the city's schools are quietly undergoing a transformation. In response to recent advisories from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), schools are reducing the availability of high-sugar, high-oil food items on campus. Cakes and pastries have disappeared from the shelves. Samosas now come with mixed vegetable fillings instead of just potato, and their availability has been reduced from daily to twice a week. Toffees are being replaced with smaller chikkis (peanut bars), while chips are making way for healthier alternatives such as makhana and roasted peanuts. The move comes after both national boards asked schools to take concrete steps to curb sugar consumption among students. Schools have also been asked to install awareness boards on campus to educate students about the permissible sugar intake and the long-term health risks of processed food. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru At Delhi Public School-North, the student council has taken the lead in rethinking tuck shop menus. "Instead of banning everything at once, we're introducing changes step by step so that healthy eating becomes a mindset, not a punishment," said Ujwal H, a class 11 student. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo After conducting a calorie analysis of the food sold in the school's tuck shops, the council recommended phasing out high-sugar drinks and replacing them with low-sugar alternatives. Ice cream has been replaced with yogurt and whole fruits, while cakes and pastries are off the menu entirely. Aarush BS, another student involved in the food reform, explained that daily staples such as vegetable puffs are now limited to two days a week. "We've added protein-packed egg and paneer puffs as healthier swaps. Boiled egg sandwiches are also an addition, so students aren't left with only puff-based snacks," he said. Other schools are following similar measures. At Navkis Education Centre, Gokula, the management has decided to stop distributing sweets and chocolates during school functions. "For events such as Independence Day and Children's Day, we would usually distribute laddus and chocolates. We've decided to replace them with small packets of dry fruits," said principal Seema Gupta. The school has also put up signboards explaining the recommended sugar intake for children. St Joseph's Boys High School, according to principal Fr Sunil Fernandes, is working with its outsourced canteen to phase out sugary and processed foods. "The contractor may have stocked up on some items, so we've told them not to replenish once those are sold. Children naturally gravitate towards processed food, so we need to slowly help them unlearn the habit," he said. Some schools had already banned junk food but are now stepping up awareness drives. "We never served junk food on campus, but after the CBSE circular, we've started special sessions with doctors on healthy eating. These issues are being discussed in class assemblies too," said J Bhuvaneswari, director and principal of Presidency School-Bangalore South. CBSE's move came in the wake of rising cases of Type 2 diabetes among children — a worrying trend attributed to the easy access to sugary snacks, beverages, and processed food within school environments. The board's advisory warned that apart from diabetes, high sugar intake increases the risks of obesity, dental issues, and metabolic disorders, affecting both long-term health and academic performance.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
18-year-old harassed near Behala school
Kolkata: An 18-year-old college girl was harassed by a man near a Behala Chowrasta school in Kolkata on Sunday. According to the girl's complaint, the accused, Rohit, allegedly dragged her into an alley, where he made unwanted advances and attempted to physically harass her around 2 pm when the girl was heading out to pick her sister up from her school. The accused reportedly grabbed the girl's hand, touched her inappropriately, and tried to force himself on her despite repeated protests. The complaint also states that several bystanders witnessed the incident, but did not intervene despite the girl's calls for help. She managed to break free from his grip and escaped the ordeal. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Investigation by Parnasree Police has revealed that Rohit had previously approached the girl at a Children's Day party when she was in Class 7 for the first time. He stalked her and made unwanted proposals through his friends. He also followed her to her dance, tuition classes. The accused was served a notice, however, his family members have produced medical documents to establish that he is mentally unstable.
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Managing school closure days remains a challenge for parents
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A s a working parent of three primary school-going children, I am grateful for the many ways Singapore supports families. That said, many parents, including myself, face challenges managing school closure days that fall outside official public holidays with our limited parental leave entitlement. Each year, schools close for days such as on Youth Day, Teachers' Day, Children's Day, the day after National Day, and PSLE marking days, which last for four days. In addition, there are occasional early dismissals and home-based learning days, where students stay home and often require parental supervision, especially for younger children. These can easily add up to seven or more working days a year, not counting regular school breaks. Currently, working parents receive only two days of extended childcare leave annually when the youngest child is between seven and 12 years old. This often falls short in meeting caregiving needs. Many parents cope by using annual leave or relying on family support, but this can be difficult for those with multiple children or limited help at home. Perhaps the relevant ministries can consider reviewing ways to better support parents. These could include increasing childcare leave and looking at ways to limit school closure days that require parental supervision. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Such thoughtful adjustments would help working parents manage their responsibilities at home and at work, making it easier to raise families in Singapore while balancing career commitments. Low Wen Wei
Hans India
13-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Turning Pages, Changing Lives: Retired railway officer builds free library for rural students in Tumakuru
Bengaluru: In an age where digital distractions dominate and education remains a privilege for many, a retired railway station master in Karnataka's Tumakuru district is quietly revolutionizing learning — one book at a time. T. Ramachandrappa, a former railway station master from Turuvekere taluk, has transformed the first floor of his home into a haven for rural students — a free public library housing over 20,000 books. What began as a personal effort driven by a passion for books has become a powerful social mission that continues to inspire hundreds of young minds. The seeds of this initiative were sown long before his retirement. 'I started my job at 21 and joined the Railways after clearing the entrance exam,' recalls Ramachandrappa. 'Since then, reading has been my constant companion. I always wanted to give others — especially students from rural backgrounds — the access to knowledge that many lack.' Moved by the plight of underprivileged students who couldn't afford study materials for exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC, and other competitive tests, Ramachandrappa began collecting books in 2009. Using his pension money, he consistently added titles to the growing collection. What started with a few books in a room gradually grew into a full-fledged library occupying an entire floor of his 2,400 sq. ft. house — now complete with reading areas, a lending system, and even an auditorium. Realizing the scale of his commitment, his wife Lalitha Ramachandra, a retired college lecturer, joined him in managing the library. Soon, their daughter Sushma Chaitanya and son-in-law Krishna Chaitanya, both educators, came on board too. Together, the family has made it their collective mission to promote reading and provide access to resources that most rural students can only dream of. The library doesn't just stop at books. Newspapers from all major publications are available daily. Articles on politics, science, and technology are carefully archived into indexed files for students to browse. Lending policies are flexible — students can borrow books and even call to renew them. But the real magic lies in the community-building events that the library hosts. On the first Saturday of every month, a special session is held where a speaker introduces and discusses an insightful book. This program has been running for the last ten years without fail. In addition, ISRO scientists are invited annually to conduct seminars promoting basic science education for high school students and teachers. Free meals are served at these events, ensuring inclusivity. On Children's Day (November 14), the library turns into a cultural hub. Also the library has welcomed noted personalities such as Hiremagaluru Kannan, filmmaker P. Sheshadri, K. Shivaram (retired IAS officer and actor), T.N. Seetharam, and many more who have come to encourage reading and learning. After retiring at the age of 54, Ramachandrappa didn't stop learning. He earned a Bachelor's in Library and Information Science and an MA in Journalism, equipping himself with the skills to run the library more effectively. 'Many students who studied here are now well-settled professionals. One of them, Hitesh, became a research scientist. There are many such success stories,' he shares with quiet pride. T. Ramachandrappa's story is proof that retirement is not the end, but the beginning of new possibilities. Through his love for books and dedication to education, he has built not just a library — but a legacy that will empower generations.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Gujarat to enrol record 1.5 lakh children in Anganwadis, to achieve 87.6 per cent pre-primary education enrolment rate
GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat's Anganwadi Praveshotsav will enrol over 1.50 lakh children across more than 53,000 Anganwadis in the state in 2025, which includes around 77,570 boys and 73,379 girls, according to an official release. To provide quality pre-primary education for the holistic development and a bright future for the children of the state, the Anganwadi Praveshotsav is held every year to enrol children aged between 3 and 6 years into Anganwadis. Through the dedicated efforts of the state government to ensure education for all, the future of children in Gujarat is transforming into a brighter one. Under the Anganwadi Praveshotsav, over 5 lakh children have been enrolled in Anganwadis in the past three years, including 2.68 lakh boys and more than 2.53 lakh girls, the release said. Gujarat's Anganwadi Praveshotsav rate is the highest in the country. While the national enrollment rate for pre-primary education in Anganwadis in 2024 is 66.8 per cent, Gujarat has recorded a significantly higher enrollment rate of 87.6 per cent for children aged 3 years. Anganwadis offer informal education to children aged 3 to 6 years through games and activities, creating a nurturing environment that supports their physical, linguistic, intellectual, social, and emotional development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Contrata tu Alarma y consigue la Instalación Gratis Movistar Prosegur Alarmas Undo Anganwadis are equipped with various learning materials that encourage children to interact harmoniously with peers, develop self-regulation, and cultivate internal discipline through both individual and group activities. In Anganwadis, children are engaged in a curriculum-based informal pre-primary education through a variety of interactive activities such as circle time, theme-based discussions, songs, music, stories, rhymes, and puzzles, making learning enjoyable and playful. A digital calendar is also prepared for parents, providing details of weekly activities aligned with the curriculum. It includes details of two daily activities for children, insights into what the child is expected to learn each month, and guidance on assessing what the child has learned by the end of the month. Moreover, children's overall development is monitored through the 'Mari Vikas Yatra' book. Special activities are organised for children, including the celebration of Children's Day, various festivals, sports events, and Bal Melas to provide hands-on learning experiences. For scientifically driven holistic development, educational kits are used to conduct engaging activities such as paper craft, clay modelling, block printing, clay sculpting, and drawing. To provide guidance and education to children through modern technology, the "Umbare Anganwadi" YouTube channel features curriculum-based programs such as Bal Anand, as well as creative and constructive activities. Furthermore, this platform offers positive parenting programs for parents. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
