Latest news with #ChintanShivir
News18
31-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Malegaon Blast Case: P Chidambaram, Sushil Shinde, RK Singh—Who Coined ‘Saffron Terror'?
The term saw an official burial on Thursday as an NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case From P Chidambaram to Sushil Kumar Shinde and former home secretary RK Singh—the term 'saffron terrorism" coined by these prominent personalities saw an official burial on Thursday as an NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Each time, it landed the Congress in a spot of bother, and ultimately, on Thursday, party leaders evaded any comment on the matter. From Chidambaram to Shinde and Singh, no one chose to speak. The NIA, which had filed a supplementary chargesheet in the Malegaon case in 2016 (under UPA tenure), also did not commit immediately to whether it would appeal against the court verdict. How it began P Chidambaram, the home minister between 2008 and 2012, was the one who coined the term 'saffron terror". On August 25, 2010, Chidambaram was addressing the annual DGP/IGPs conference in Delhi, where he said a 'recently uncovered phenomenon of 'saffron terrorism' has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past". He was talking about the blasts in Malegaon in 2008 and the Samjhauta train blasts, and the Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Sharif blasts of 2007. The BJP took umbrage at it, with senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad reminding the Congress that saffron is also a part of the tricolour. The Congress backtracked, saying terrorism does not have any colour other than 'black" and that saffron was a part of India's ancient traditions. But Chidambaram's successor, Sushil Kumar Shinde, went a step further in January 2013 when he said not only does 'saffron terror" exist, but it is emanating from terror camps run by the RSS and BJP. Shinde said so at a Congress Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, making headlines. He also mentioned the Samjhauta and Malegaon blasts. The Congress was again in a spot, and within days, Shinde had to issue a retraction. 'I had no intention of linking terrorism with any religion. There is no basis for suggesting that terror could be linked with the organisations mentioned in my brief speech at Jaipur. I am issuing this clarification and express regret to those who felt hurt by my statement," Shinde said in a statement issued a few days later. Then home secretary R K Singh, however, seconded Shinde and said there was evidence that people associated with the RSS were involved in terror incidents. Singh subsequently joined the BJP after retirement and went on to become a minister. He then blamed Shinde for coining the term 'saffron terror" and denied using it. BJP calls it Congress conspiracy BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad said the court verdict on Thursday has smashed the Congress conspiracy of framing people under the guise of 'saffron terror". Prasad said a serving army officer who fought terrorism in Kashmir was implicated in the Malegaon blasts by planting RDX at his house. 'This was a well-planned Congress conspiracy for sheer vote-bank politics," Ravi Shankar Prasad said. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat CM approves AI implementation action plan
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The Gujarat government's AI implementation action plan focuses on efficient governance and effective welfare programmes by fostering a robust artificial intelligence 'Action Plan for Implementation of Artificial Intelligence 2025-2030', approved by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel , aims to facilitate smart decision-making, citizen-focused schemes, efficient service delivery, and effective welfare programs through the application of AI, according to an official release on action plan aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to position India as a global leader in digital empowerment, leveraging the widespread use of AI to drive growth in various sectors through extensive AI adoption, the release the annual 'Chintan Shivir' held in November 2024, CM Patel had declared that Gujarat will leverage AI across its administrative framework and government departments to lead in technology-driven governance and socio-economic progress, in line with the vision of Viksit Gujarat@ realise this vision and embed AI in governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, fintech, and other critical sectors, an AI taskforce, a committee of 10 experts, was on the recommendations of the task force, Patel has approved the action plan, the release action plan will serve as a time-bound blueprint to equip the state government with advanced AI capabilities. Furthermore, it will foster a robust, innovative AI ecosystem that ensures seamless service delivery, improved citizen welfare, and enhanced quality of life with ensure the structured and timely implementation, the state will establish a dedicated ' AI and Deep Tech Mission ', said the mission will function as a specialised institutional mechanism, leading the design, implementation, and innovation of AI strategies and emerging technologies within the state it will strengthen a robust ecosystem by fostering collaboration among startups, academic research, and industries. The mission will focus on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the workforce in AI and related technologies, said the release. PTI
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong to hold training camp for MLAs in Mandu on July 21, 22
Bhopal: After the training session of BJP people's representatives, now Congress will hold a two-day Chintan Shivir (contemplation camp) in Mandu, Dhar district on July 21 and 22. This is being organised with focus on the 2028 MP assembly election. Legislators will be trained in how to give effective speeches in public meetings and handle the media among other strategies. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi may join virtually to interact with the party's MLAs. PCC chief Jitu Patwari, LOP Umang Singhar and AICC in-charge for Madhya Pradesh affairs Harish Chaudhary will be present in the training camp. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, LOP Umang Singhar said, "Keeping 2018 in perspective, the Congress party will hold the contemplation and strategy camp. Discussion will be on topics which are essential for the state. Those issues that the BJP does not want to discuss or take a decision. Issues like employment generation for the youth, PESA Act and rights of tribal society, atrocities on SCs and STs." He said that central leaders of the Congress party will join online and are unable to come because Parliament would be in session. The state party office sent an invitation to Rahul Gandhi to come to the camp in Mandu. LOP Singhar said that the PCC is still hoping he will come.
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Gujarat Vidyapith registers 27% increase in admissions within a year
Gujarat Vidyapith, a 104-year-old institution founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, is adapting to changing demands while eying an increase in enrolment. For the upcoming academic session starting July 10, the university has seen a 27% increase in admissions, from 850 last year to nearly 1,080, driven by new programmes and flexible offerings. A few dynamic decisions by the institution include opening an on-the-spot postgraduate (PG) programme in MSc IT (Master of Science in Information Technology) within a single day, accommodating the waiting list of already running MCA (Master of Computer Applications) programme and launching undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in commerce. The MSc IT programme for which against an intake of 60 students, 50 seats are already filled barring the reserved seats that are vacant, on the spot statutory permissions were sought within a single day leading to a waiting list for the course. University sources said that special meetings of Academic Council and Executive Council were held and required notification was issued for launching the MSc IT programme. 'Following the entrance test, against the 66 seats for the MCA programme, nearly 250 candidates qualified. When enquired if they are willing to enrol in MSc IT, most of them agreed. This was also possible because while the MCA programme is permitted by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) while the MSc IT programme is under the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines,' Gujarat Vidyapith Vice-Chancellor Harshad Patel told The Indian Express. There was a rise in MCA applications from around 150 to 250, this year. Sharing the reason, the authorities said as the first batch of BCA passed out this year, nearly 15 students from the same batch applied for the postgraduate programme. 'Looking at the demand, we doubled the seats for BCA from 30 to 60 for the new academic session,' Head of Department, Computer Science, Prof Ajay Parikh told this paper. The other new programmes launched this year are B Com and M Com. The institution also started commerce programmes from this year, authorities revealed. During the three-day Chintan Shivir, held on December 24 last year, one of the most discussed topics included how to increase the intake in Gujarat Vidyapith. Authorities stated that the Vidyapith is aiming at an enrolment of 3000 by 2030, a criteria the university needs to fulfil to stay deemed as per the new National Education Policy rules. So, launching the commerce programmes, increasing the entrance examination centres both in numbers and geographically along with other measures were decided upon during this Chintan Shivir, said sources. 'However, launching the MSc IT course was decided on-the-spot after a surge in MCA applications,' officials revealed. The number of admissions is also expected to rise as the admission deadline has been extended by a month, from June 30 to July 31. One of the measures to increase the enrolment was a simplified admission process, conducted online, leading to a reduced cancellation rate. 'From nearly 400 cancellations recorded last year, so far less than 60 have been registered,' Prof Parikh added. Looking at the demand, another postgraduate programme started in the academic session 2024-25 was MSc Food and Nutrition. 'Within a year, the number of admissions increased from 4-5 to nearly 26,' he added. Among the 34 total UG and PG degree and diploma programmes offered at Gujarat Vidyapith, the top five popular ones are MCA followed by BEd, BCA, BSc and MSc in Microbiology and MSc IT. *Total applications registered 2147; 1077 male and 1070 female Students who took entrance: 1683 Fee paid for courses: 1077 MCA: 250 applications against 66 seats BEd:187 applications against 110 seats BCA:160 applications against 66 seats MSW:107 applications against 66 seats MSc IT: 85 applications against 66 seats
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Chintan Shivir 2.0 concludes at IIM Raipur, ministers discuss fiscal, educational reforms
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 9 (ANI): After Chintan Shivir 2.0 concluded at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur on Monday, Chhattisgarh Minister OP Choudhary said that the entire cabinet participated in Chintan 2.0 under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and various topics including fiscal reforms, education, reforms related to the health sector were discussed in detail. 'Chintan 2.0 was organised. For this, we have learnt a lot under the leadership of our CM Vishnu Deo Sai. We are seeing that the world is transforming at such a fast pace. The whole cabinet participated in this Chintan 2.0 as students. Be it reforms of the fiscal sector, the education sector, the health sector or any other sector, or achieving the Viksit Bharat aim through good governance, these topics were discussed in detail,' OP Choudhary told ANI. Chhattisgarh Minister Kedar Kashyap said that the second edition of Chintan Shivir is very important in improving your government and administration. Kedar Kashyap said, 'This is the second edition and second year of Chintan Shivir. This Shivir is very important in improving your government and administration. It helps the government to reach the ground level. We are confident the training would not only help in personal grooming but also help in administrative work.' In the 2-day residential program, the cabinet ministers, including the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai engaged on this dynamic platform for introspection, strategic dialogue, and policy innovation, aimed at accelerating the state's inclusive and sustainable development, according to the release. The people who attended the event, including the Chhattisgarh CM, engaged in an intensive and collaborative dialogue on critical governance challenges, reform priorities, and strategic development roadmaps. In his address, CM Sai stated 'Chintan Shivir 2.0, conducted through the collaboration of IIM Raipur and the Chhattisgarh Department of Good Governance, was a successful initiative where cabinet members were introduced to relevant topics that will help in running the government more efficiently. The topics chosen and the speakers were remarkable, and their teachings will greatly support us in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.' The program included sessions on 'Seva, Sankalp, aur Seekh' (Service, Resolve, and Learning), and concluded with the inauguration of the 'Sushasan Vatika' (Good Governance Garden) via a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. (ANI)
