Latest news with #Department
Mid East Info
42 minutes ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
DGHR graduates a group of its employees from ‘Ta'heel' program to enhance second-line leaders' capabilities
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department DGHR organised a special ceremony to felicitate employees who successfully graduated from the 'Ta'heel' program, which is aimed at developing second-line leaders. His Excellency Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR Department honoured the graduates in the presence of senior officials from the Department and representatives from PwC Academy—the entity responsible for implementing the program. DGHR and PwC Academy for consulting and training mutually launched this exceptional initiative, in a move to equip emerging leaders with the tools and expertise needed to predict future challenges, drive institutional transformation, and integrate artificial intelligence into diverse operational domains. It also aims to meet future needs and stay updated with global trends by empowering government talents through a comprehensive approach that combines behavioural, technical and strategic development. H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR Department, said: 'The 'Ta'heel' program is in line with our goal to nurture second-line leaders by equipping them with state-of-the-art tools and skills that seamlessly integrate strategic thinking, technological expertise and modern leadership behaviours. This strategy enables participants to confidently navigate future challenges and seize opportunities presented by new technologies and artificial intelligence. Throughout this program, we have gained insights on the participants' exceptional engagement and enthusiasm, further reflecting their commitment to continuous learning and personal development as fundamental drivers of Dubai's future ambitions. At DGHR, our strategy centres on nurturing talents capable of leading transformative change and delivering meaningful impact within the government sector. We remain dedicated to developing, launching, and implementing innovative programs and initiatives that enhance the preparedness of Dubai Government employees and reinforce their key role in the ongoing journey of progress and modernisation.' An intensive three-month learning journey was held from May to July 2025, which inspired and encouraged participants. The program focussed on a comprehensive range of advanced specialised modules, which included the fundamentals of strategic thinking, hands-on project management, mentoring and coaching, data-driven decision-making, as well as exploring the horizons of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and institutional change management. It further held final group projects focused on developing practical, actionable solutions tailored for the government workplace, which are aimed at enhancing employee happiness and supporting productivity. Participants lauded the program as it served as an ideal opportunity to network with colleagues from various departments and share experience and insights. They emphasised that the technical and behavioural skills gained would have a direct and positive impact on their career pathways, improve their productivity and expand their professional horizons. By designing and implementing exceptional programs that improve workforce preparedness and aid in government modernisation initiatives, DGHR plays a vital role in developing government talents. These programs support the accomplishment of national objectives and are in line with Dubai's vision for excellence and leadership in institutional work.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's 165,000 posts offices to go digital by Aug 4 in big tech push to speed up delivery
New Delhi, More than 86,000 post offices across the country have gone digital and by August 4 this year the entire network of nearly 1,65,000 post offices will have migrated to the new platform as part of the reform initiative launched by the Centre to reposition India Post as a technology-driven, citizen-centric logistics and e-commerce enabler, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. The technological transformation of India Post under the IT 2.0 framework is designed to introduce real-time track and trace capabilities, customised services for bulk customers, electronic proof of delivery, OTP-based authentication, digital payments, and open API integration, the statement said. In line with industry's best practices, the Department has introduced centralised delivery for all categories of mail and parcels by setting up dedicated delivery centres that consolidate the service areas of existing post offices. These delivery centres will enable the Department to offer flexible delivery services, including Sunday and holiday deliveries, as well as morning and evening delivery options. A total of 344 delivery centres have been launched nationwide during Phase 1, the statement added. One of the core pillars of this transformation is the integration of India Post's systems with major national digital commerce ecosystems. According to officials, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) will enable wallet-based prepaid bookings, centralised order tracking, and automated reconciliation with ONDC's accounting systems. Through its collaboration with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India Post will provide API-driven automated pricing and centralised dashboards for payment tracking and cash-on-delivery (COD) settlements, they said. Union Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, on Tuesday, chaired a high-level review of the mail operations, parcel operations, and business strategy divisions of the Department of Posts. "These enhancements must enable India Post to offer seamless, end-to-end logistics services comparable to those of leading market players," Pemmasani said while addressing the briefing. "India Post's unmatched physical footprint must now be complemented by cutting-edge digital capabilities. This transformation is about scale, speed, and service for every Indian -- from the remotest village to the busiest metropolitan area," he added. India Post is currently undergoing a comprehensive, technology-driven transformation under the IT 2.0 framework. This initiative is part of a strategic roadmap aimed at positioning India Post as a strong competitor in the logistics industry, especially in the rapidly expanding e-commerce parcel delivery sector. To drive this transformation, India Post has on-boarded a dedicated data analytics team working with IT 2.0 to enhance operational efficiency through route optimisation, smart sorting, and demand forecasting. The focus is also on data-driven revenue generation, positioning India Post as a modern logistics force aligned with India's digital economy vision, the official statement added.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ab Tak Chhappan: How The Story Of 'Encounter Specialist' Daya Nayak Became A Pop Cult
Real has often inspired reel and Ab Tak Chhappan drawing inspiration from Daya Nayak, the 'Encounter Specialist' of the Mumbai Police, is just another example. The 2004 film starred Nana Patekar as the protagonist Sadhu Agashe, modelled on Daya Nayak. Let's revisit the film in the light of senior police inspector Daya Nayak's promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. According to reports, he received the promotion two days before his retirement on July 31, 2025, 30 years after he joined the police force as a sub-inspector. Ab Tak Chhappan gets its title from the 56 encounters performed by Nana Patekar's Sadhu Agashe till date. The film was directed by Shimit Amin (three years before Chak De! India) and produced by Ram Gopal Varma. whose penchant for true-crime stories is world renowned. Ab Tak Chhappan follows Sadhu Agashe, who has risen through ranks as a fearless and goal-oriented cop who is making headlines for almost single handedly taking out the Mumbai underworld gangs. Despite being in a high-pressure and violent job, Sadhu Agashe is a family man. His life does a double take when the new commissioner MP Suchak -- who has a strong link with don Rajashekhar -- takes charge. In a key scene of the film, the encounter specialist tells his junior that the job of a Circle Inspector is to "shoot criminals, not control them". The philosophy was simple, effective but not very human rights and media friendly. Some colleagues are jealous of his growing fame (read: notoriety), some call him out on his face for being irresponsible with his license to kill, while others support his way of working, however questionable it may be. But Sadhu Agashe is clear in his mind as to what his duty entails, like a horse with blinkers, "Defence is our responsibility, not the department's." He further argues, "We, cops, are not allowed to think. All we have is the finger to pull the trigger". Killing becomes like a second nature to Sadhu Agashe so much that after he kills a goon at point blank range, smiling all the way, he casually sips on a glass of orange juice as if what happened a while ago was normal. And in the world of Sadhu Agashe maybe that is quite normal. A realistic, gritty narrative, theme of moral ambiguity and duty, and no songs were some of the factors in the success of the film. It is widely believed that Daya Nayak even served as a consultant on Ab Tak Chhappan makers for authenticity, advising them on details like appearance and conduct of police officers. Not only Ab Tak Chhappan, Daya Nayak's career also inspired Department (2012). Ab Tak Chhappan later got a Telugu remake in Siddham (2009), fronted by Jagapati Babu. Another Telugu film, Golimaar (2010) is also said to be inspired by Daya Nayak's life. A sequel, Ab Tak Chhappan 2 was also released in 2015, but it didn't receive acclaim and moderate success like the original.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Feeding scheme or feeding scam: KZN education department responds to food tender ‘corruption'
The school nutrition Programme in KZN benefits around 2 million learners. As KZN education MEC Sipho Hlomuka waits to hear whether he will be sanctioned by Premier Thami Ntuli, his department has denied allegations of tender corruption. It is alleged that politically connected companies were awarded National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) contracts in an alleged attempt to garner support for his bid to become ANC provincial chairperson. Political parties in the KZN legislature are demanding an investigation into the tender process, and the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, has also requested answers from the province. On Wednesday, the provincial Head of Department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, said all correct procedures were followed in the awarding of the contracts. 'From the outset, it is important that we place on record the fact that the process has been done in line with all the procurement processes and relevant prescripts. 'The process undertaken had various stages, which included the advertising of the tender, after which every eligible South African was at liberty to apply. 'It is also very important to indicate that after the advertisement of the bid, all bidders were invited to the compulsory briefing sessions in all 12 Districts, where all the bidders were taken through the requirements of the bid,' Ngcobo said. Twenty thousand bids received for NSNP tender He claimed 20 000 bids were subjected to the same comprehensive evaluation criteria in line with all the Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes. 'All the bids were subjected to a standard evaluation process as set out in the bid document. It is also important to state categorically that evaluation and adjudication were followed in line with the prescribed procedures,' he said. ALSO READ: Julius Malema's message to KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi The department will respond to all aggrieved bidders Ngcobo said he is aware that some bidders may not be happy with the outcomes of the bidding process. 'The Department is currently at a stage where it is dealing with the appeals or objections. An unfortunate situation with regard to this tender is that it attracts thousands of bidders who all have to compete for only 1 756 clusters across the 12 Districts. 'We note with disappointment that once some bidders are not recommended for the award, they resort to illegitimasing the entire process,' he said. Ngcobo said the department would respond to Gwarube's interrogation of the tender process. NOW READ: Higher education minster accused of covering up tender irregularities — report
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Explained: Why the US is suddenly handing power back to states on education
States encouraged to use ESEA waivers as US shifts education control. (AI Image) The US Department of Education has issued a letter to all chief state school officers, encouraging them to take advantage of existing flexibilities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The move invites states to reduce federal compliance burdens by using statutory waiver authority granted under Title VIII of the ESEA. This initiative is part of a broader federal effort aimed at improving academic outcomes following the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, which showed significant declines in reading and math performance across the country. Flexibility under the ESEA The Department has outlined two primary avenues for states to exercise greater control over education policy: implementation of existing flexibilities under the ESEA, and the submission of waiver requests under Title VIII. These waivers allow states and tribes to seek relief from statutory or regulatory requirements, except where prohibited by law. In the letter, the Department detailed the criteria that waiver proposals must meet and the process for review. States are also encouraged to seek informal, non-binding feedback from the Department by contacting during the waiver development stage. Response to NAEP performance The guidance follows the publication of the 2024 NAEP results, which revealed declines in both math and reading scores. The scores have prompted the Department to encourage more localized and tailored education strategies. According to the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Hayley Sanon, the recent results indicate that many students have not been well-served by the current public education system. Sanon stated that the Department remains focused on empowering families and improving academic achievement through state-led innovation. She emphasized the role of states in crafting solutions that meet the distinct needs of their students. Waiver authority under Title VIII Title VIII of the ESEA permits the Secretary of Education to waive statutory or regulatory provisions, provided the waiver request meets the legislative criteria and supports educational goals. The Department notes that this authority is designed to help states direct federal resources more effectively and remove obstacles that hinder local implementation. States may request waivers individually or in collaboration with local districts and schools. The Department has clarified that while many flexibilities already exist within the ESEA, waiver authority offers an additional mechanism when those flexibilities are insufficient. Support for state-level education decisions This latest communication from the Department aligns with the Trump administration's stated goal of returning education decision-making power to the states. The Department has reiterated its readiness to assist states in navigating the waiver process and ensuring that resources are used in ways that directly address student needs. The guidance encourages states to take prompt action and leverage all available tools within the ESEA framework. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
