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News18
3 days ago
- General
- News18
Are Parents To Blame For Girls' 'Short Clothes'? Ujjain Temple Poster Sparks Debate
A poster at Bade Ganesh Mandir in Ujjain's Birla village has sparked controversy by questioning girls' clothing and urging "Sanatani dress" in temples A fresh controversy has emerged in the temple town of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, after a poster displayed at the Shree Bada Ganesh Mandir in Birla village, Nagda, set out five pointed questions on women's clothing choices at the temple. The notice, which calls for adherence to 'Sanatani dress" at temples, has triggered discussions among devotees, priests, and the public but the identity of those behind it remains unknown. Across Ujjain, several temples have already put up banners urging visitors to follow a traditional dress code. Temple priests often remind devotees to arrive in a traditional attire, a practice common in South Indian temples and already enforced inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahakal temple. The new poster at Shree Bada Ganesh Mandir, however, has attracted particular attention for directly addressing parents and questioning the perceived acceptance of revealing clothing. The text criticises what it describes as the 'silent approval" of parents who let their children wear 'indecent" outfits. It also questions the belief that wearing 'short" clothes reflects modernity or sophistication. The poster ends with a reference to the 'Janjagran Samiti", leading to speculation that a social group may be responsible, though no organisation has claimed ownership. Mahesh Sharma, president of the All India Priest Federation and a senior Mahakal temple priest, publicly backed the message. 'A temple is a place of faith and dignity. All devotees, especially young women, should maintain decorum when entering. This is already the tradition in many temples," he said, adding that a dress code upholds cultural and spiritual sanctity. Several devotees at the temple also expressed support for the measure. The five points listed on the board are as follows: Is there a mother who sows the seeds of obscene dressing by choosing indecent clothes for her innocent little daughters (above 4, 6, 8 years) after watching TV shows and films? Is there a father who remains silent when his daughters above 10 years of age wear indecent, tight, and short clothes? Is there a belief that considers a girl wearing short, revealing dresses to be modern, smart, and standard? Give your daughters the freedom of thought, not of indecent and obscene dressing. Decent clothing is the protective shield of your daughter. Local authorities and the temple committee claim they have no knowledge of when or by whom the poster was placed, but it has already ignited a debate in the district. view comments First Published: August 11, 2025, 17:55 IST 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.
The Print
6 days ago
- General
- The Print
You won't dig this—ASI's budget doubled in last 10 yrs, but it spent less than 1% on excavations
From 2014 to 2019, the amount spent on excavations was Rs 28.46 crore. The spendings saw a slight uptick as it was Rs 34.81 crore from 2020 to 2024. So much so that the expenditure remained less than 1 percent of the ASI's budget in the last 10 years. The figures speak for themselves—Rs 9,652.01 crore was allocated for the 2014-2024 period of which Rs 63.27 crore (i.e., 0.65 percent) was spent on excavations. New Delhi: Conservation, exploration and excavation come to mind whenever the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is talked about. Turns out excavation is the last in the pecking order. On the face of it, paucity of funds cannot be a reason. A look at Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) numbers show that budget allocations nearly doubled in the same period from Rs 680.05 crore in 2014 to Rs 1,278 crore this year. Furthermore, the CAG documents and numbers from Parliament show that more than 90 percent of the budget allocated to the ASI was spent on the conservation of monuments (41 percent) and salaries of the staff (56 percent) alone. The remaining was divided under heads such as 2 percent on maintenance of site museums among others. In its 2022 follow-up report, the CAG had highlighted that the ASI is spending less than 1 percent of the budget on actual exploration and excavation. That year saw the Ministry of Culture assure Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that it will increase the amount spent on exploration and excavation activities to 5 percent of the total budget. But, there's no change even after three years. 'It's a sad reality that there is no balance between allocations. The ASI is going backward academically as funds are not allocated for excavation projects,' said an archaeologist, who has to her credit of working at many sites in north India. She wondered why many monuments were in bad condition if such a large portion of the budget is spent on conservation projects. 'It means the amount is not utilised properly. Even our monuments are under-staffed.' There are 3,685 centrally protected monuments and sites under the ASI's jurisdiction in the country. Operating under the culture ministry, the government agency doesn't come out with annual reports detailing its allocation and expenditure. To be sure, the ASI's lopsided expenditure has caught the public's attention from time to time. For instance, in 2016, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had highlighted in Parliament that numerous excavation proposals were either being not undertaken or being left incomplete. 'The ASI is undertaking exploration & excavation work based upon the potential of the site as well as problem oriented research projects covering vast time periods and vast geographical area. The expenditure on exploration and excavation as a percentage of total expenditure is not reflective of the importance given to this activity,' the then Minister of State, Culture, Mahesh Sharma said in response in the Lok Sabha. The ASI, he said, has neither stopped the excavation work nor left it incomplete. 'Excavation needs less money in comparison to conservation work. … Excavation can only be done for a few months,' ASI joint director general (monument) Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu told ThePrint, adding that excavation is not a costly affair in India, as most of the work is done by hands not machines. ASI's work, she said, is not to excavate everywhere. 'We excavate and explore (when it is needed).' Conservation is a costly affair, she explained. 'But the same is not true in the case of excavation. So, most of the budget goes in conservation of the monuments.' Also Read: Indian archaeology is getting a cool, new makeover. Out of the trenches, letting people in What CAG found In its report, 'Performance Audit of Preservation and Conservation of Monuments and Antiquities', the CAG analysed the components of the ASI expenditure from 2007 to 2012. The CAG found that 41 percent of expenditure went to conservation projects, 56 percent on the head of other-establishment, 2 percent on site museums, and 1 percent on excavation projects. The culture ministry, it said, made budgetary allotments without assessing funds requirement and absorptive capacity. 'The requirement of funds should commensurate with the number of centrally protected monuments and the need for preservation and conservation of these monuments.' A breakdown of the numbers show how excavations never got its due over the years despite a new government coming in 2014. The ASI spent Rs 4.34 crore on excavation and exploration out of the total allocated budget of Rs 629.27 crore that year, i.e., just 0.69 percent. That trend remained in the following years: Rs 5.48 crore (0.8 percent) in 2015, Rs 3.61 crore (0.47 percent) in 2016, Rs 5.29 crore (0.56 percent) in 2017, Rs 6.18 crore (0.64 percent) in 2018, Rs 3.56 crore (0.35 percent) in 2019, Rs 2.48 crore (0.29 percent) in 2020, Rs 5.48 crore (0.53 percent) in 2021, Rs 6.80 crore (0.6 percent) in 2022, Rs 9.98 crore (0.88 percent) in 2023, and Rs 10.03 crore (0.78 percent) in 2024. It comes as no surprise that this fact came to the fore in 2022, when the CAG came out with a follow-up report whose audit period spans from 2013 to 2022. The public watchdog mentioned that the culture ministry informed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) about its decision to increase the budget on exploration/excavation activities to five percent of the total budget. 'Despite the assurance given by the Ministry, ASI's expenditure on excavation and exploration activities was still less than one percent,' it said. Veteran archaeologist Phanikant Mishra gave a nuanced account of the ASI's expenditures. 'Monuments are fragile and they need special care. Also, many monuments are obligatory such as UNESCO heritage sites where expenditure on conservation is high. So, most of the ASI budget is spent on conservation activities,' the former ASI regional director, East, told ThePrint. The ASI through its 5 regional and 37 circles manages conservation and management of centrally protected monuments and sites under its jurisdiction. As for earnings, the main revenue comes from ticket sales to visitors. In 2013, the Narendra Modi government informed Parliament that the ASI earned Rs 1,804.94 crore from the centrally protected ticketed monuments in the 2013-2023 period. On the other hand, the ASI spent Rs 3,117.87 crore, which is more than 1.5 times the revenue earned from ticket sales. Mishra said conservation is an expensive affair but it doesn't mean that spending on excavations should be negligible. 'Excavation is the primary work of the ASI only through which we know our past. ASI needs a proper approach over it.' ThePrint had earlier reported in July that there is no homogeneity in the allocation of funds for excavations. Between 2020 and 2024, excavations were carried out at 58 sites across 17 states that cost Rs 34.81 crore. Of this amount, a quarter (Rs 8.53 crore) was allocated to Gujarat and over 90 percent was allocated to Modi's hometown Vadnagar. 'In the last few years, the pace of excavations has increased. However, when it comes to spending to go up, it will take time,' Manoj Kurmi, superintending archaeologist, ASI's Bhopal circle, told ThePrint. The last major excavation was carried out at Sinuali, Uttar Pradesh in 2019. That excavation, according to the ASI, had unearthed a warrior tribe that once flourished around 1900 BCE. This is an updated version of the article with statement from senior ASI official. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Sambhal's massive makeover as holy Hindu city has begun. Skanda Purana is the blueprint
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- The Hindu
Unvarnished facts: on the Ahmedabad air crash, AAIB investigation
The pushback by pilot bodies and the agencies that are investigating the Ahmedabad air crash, to the damaging leaks by sections of the media could well turn out to be a tepid attempt to staunch the flow. While these leaks have been dismissed as 'selective, unverified, irresponsible and baseless reporting' and triggered legal responses, they have, in a way, set a narrative going. There is no fathoming of what more the cockpit voice recorder could contain — especially relating to the troubling possibility of 'human intervention' in the crash of Air India flight AI171 on June 12. In this the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has to turn the spotlight on itself for its presentation of the key findings in its preliminary report. Its sparse detailing of an unusual 'transitioning' of the two separate fuel control switches, from 'run to cutoff' and back, a standalone snatch of conversation, reflecting unease and denial, between the crew in the unfolding disaster — that has been left open to endless interpretation — and, finally, a near blanket signing-off of no recommended actions concerning the aircraft type, the engine, and the manufacturers, only point to one direction — of the need for the release of a full and raw cockpit voice recorder transcript. In a legal analysis, if credible evidence of 'human intervention' does emerge, the investigation could shift, with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 inquiry, that is focused on safety, moving alongside a parallel criminal probe under domestic law. It must be noted that in 2015, following the Germanwings flight 9525 accident — a case of definite 'human intervention' — the Government of India was mulling 'mid-term' psychometric tests. Then Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma had said that psychometric tests should be carried out on pilots in India from time to time. He added that the Ministry would hold consultations with the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to facilitate the preparation of fresh rules keeping in mind the crash of the German plane. A senior counsellor at the Kolkata-based Indian Institute of Psychometry (founded in 1978) had also favoured having a repeat of psychometric tests 'if a person, especially a pilot or cabin crew, was undergoing mental stress or had had a tragedy on the personal front'. On July 17, in a letter of appeal, the AAIB had said that it would publish updates, as and when required, which would have content of technical and public interest. While it is understood that an air accident investigation would be meticulous, at the same time, the hope is that the AAIB clears the fog in the AI171 accident and presents the unvarnished facts — as promised in Parliament on Monday.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Times Samman 2025: Recognising the vital role that law enforcement plays in maintaining public safety and justice
Times Samman 2025, an initiative by Optimal Media Solution, a division of Times Internet Limited, Times of India, was organised to honour the selfless service and unwavering courage of our police force. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Times Samman 2025 was grandly hosted, at GL Bajaj Educational Institution on June 23, 2025, and it acknowledged the valiant service of Gautam Buddha Nagar Police personnel. This initiative reflects the recognition of the vital role that law enforcement plays in maintaining public safety and upholding justice. Dr Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament, Gautam Buddha Nagar The event was graced by the Hon'ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, as the chief guest. In a special ceremony dedicated to recognising the remarkable contribution, discipline, and dedication of the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Force, the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, felicitated 17 police personnel from Gautam Budha Nagar. Laxmi Singh, Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddha Nagar Other esteemed dignitaries who attended the event included Mahesh Sharma, member of parliament; Mohit Jain, chief operating officer (Publishing) & Board Member, Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd (BCCL); Laxmi Singh, commissioner of police, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Tejpal Nagar, MLA, Dadri; Manish Kumar Verma, district magistrate, Gautam Buddha Nagar; Ram Kishore Agarwal, chairman, GL Bajaj Educational Institutions, Greater Noida/ Mathura; Pankaj Agarwal, Vice Chairman, GL Bajaj Educational Institutions, Greater Noida/ Mathura; Debasish Mishra, New Delhi Circle CGM, State Bank of India; Piyush Dwivedi, Social Worker & Industrialist; Shamshad Ali, chief production & project officer; Mohammad Zubair, head sale & medico marketing, Hamdard Laboratories India; Vivek Vaibhav, director, AAV Group; and Haji Kamruddin, managing director, Servokon Systems Ltd. The presence and contributions of the sponsors played an integral role in the success of the event. In the keynote address, Governor, Anandiben Patel, stated, 'The true strength of any society lies in the quiet dedication of its protectors. The police force stands not only for law, but for courage, compassion, and selfless service.' She shared inspiring thoughts and highlighted several progressive initiatives such as: * A robust police infrastructure to boost Ease of Doing Business in Noida * Respect and support for the economically weaker sections * Promotion of the Green Saree' movement to encourage giving up alcohol * Importance of HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 * Advocacy for BMI checks and 10% reduction in oil intake to curb obesity * Introduction of 30% new courses and establishment of 15 A+ and A++ universities * Urged students to travel, gain experience, and broaden their horizons Gautam Buddha Nagar Member of Parliament, Mahesh Sharma, said, 'Police personnel provide us with security by working day and night, and should be respected'. Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh shared insights on modern policing using advanced technology. She said, GB Nagar police Commissionerate is the first in UP to have its police stations ISO certified. Mohit Jain, COO (Publishing) & Board Member, BCCL shared, 'This platform recognises the officers whose courage, conviction, and quiet resolve keep our communities secure, often without recognition. Today, we gather to salute that strength.' Group Picture of Police Awardees Best Conviction - Constable Amit Kumar PNO-163201825 Best Conviction - Female Head Constable 1167 Muneshwari Devi PNO-112761396 from Police Office Surajpur Best Sports Person of the Police Department - Female Police Officer Priyanka Arora PNO-112020242 Best Fire Man - Fireman Devendra Singh PNO-002330189 and his team Best Traffic Police officer - From Traffic Police, FIR-353 Ashok Kumar PNO-112767336 and his team Best Recovery - Inspector Yatendra Kumar, SWAT Team Incharge Greater Noida and his team Best First Responder (112) - PRV Commander Constable Vivek Kumar PNO-1122900883 Best Proactive officer (Go's) - Arvind Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police, 3rd Greater Noida Best Police Station Management -Dharma Prakash Shukla PNO-012410095 Inspector in charge of Station Sector-2, Noida Police Citizen Service Best Performance IGRS, Best Thana & C.M Dashboard. - Shri Jitendra Kumar Singh, PNO-982510258 Inspector in Charge, Police Station Sector-39, Noida Social Media Management - Subodh Kumar Tomar PNO-012810084 Inspector/Incharge Media Cell Best Proactive officer (Go's) - Praveen Kumar Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, First Noida Best LIU officer - Sub-Inspector Rakesh Chauhan from L.I.U Most Difficult and Challenging case solved by a team - Sub-inspector Rakesh Babu and his team from Bisrakh Police Station Best CCTNS Police Station - Thana Kasna Best Community Policing Officer (Mahila Beat) - Woman sub-inspector Ankita Patel from Jewar police station Best Woman Cop of the City (from every zone) - Woman Sub-Inspector Shilpa Chikara from Police Station Sector 20, Noida PNO-192331337 . Pankaj Agarwal, Vice Chairman of GL Bajaj Educational Institutions Greater Noida/ Mathura Pankaj Agarwal has been leading the organisation for the last 20 years. Under his visionary guidance, GL Bajaj has achieved new heights in the field of education, innovation and placements. He is also the presenting sponsor of "Pratibhaa Samman Samaroh", an inspirational initiative to honour the true heroes of the society. His commitment and leadership has given GL Bajaj global recognition. Debasish Mishra, New Delhi Circle CGM, State Bank of India State Bank of India (SBI) is the country's largest public sector bank, renowned for its legacy of trust, innovation and financial leadership. With a vast domestic and international presence, SBI offers a comprehensive set of banking and financial services to individuals, businesses and institutions. It is famously called, 'Every Indian's Bank.' Piyush Dwivedi, Social worker & industrialist Piyush Dwivedi, fondly known as the "CBG Man" for his Green Energy and Pollution Free Industry, is a prominent name in the clean fuel industry. He is also renowned as a reputed industrialist and social worker. His contribution is deeply connected to the vision of "Clean and Green India". His name is also taken with great respect in the beverage industry. Shamshad Ali, Chief Production & Project Officer, & Mohammad Zubair, Head Sale & Medico Marketing, Hamdard Laboratories India Shamshad Ali, Chief Production and Project officer at Hamdard Laboratories received the memento on behalf of Abdul Majeed, Chairman, Hamdard Laboratories India. Hamdard Laboratories has been a pioneering force in Unani and natural medicine, contributing to nation-building through health and education. Its iconic products– Sualin, Joshina, Safi, and Cinkara, have become household names across generations. Hamdard Laboratories has become one of India's leading health and wellness organizations, boasting an extensive portfolio of over 600 natural and herb-based products. Hamdard holds a cherished place in the hearts of many, symbolising a rich legacy of quality, innovation, and dedication to holistic health. Looking ahead, Zubair reaffirmed Hamdard's willingness to deepen its health service collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Police, aiming to support the health of those who dedicate their lives to ensuring public safety. Zubair congratulated all award recipients and saluted the dedication of every uniformed warrior, stating, "Their courage is India's strength," he said. Vivek Vaibhav, Director, AAV Group AAV Group was founded in 2016 with the aim to make healthcare available to the common man at affordable prices. During the Covid period, the company provided manpower to various hospitals in Delhi/NCR. Haji Kamruddin, Managing Director, Servokon Systems Ltd. Haji Kamruddin, Managing Director of Servocon, is a respected and inspiring name in the energy sector. He is counted among the leading industrialists promoting smart and sustainable energy solutions in India. His contribution is not limited to technological advancement, but he is also renowned as a respected social worker. His role in realising the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Green Energy" has been commendable. Disclaimer: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Indraprastha University launches AI chatbot for hassle-free admissions
NEW DELHI: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University has introduced an AI-powered chatbot, 'IPU AI ASSIST,' to streamline the student admission process and offer instant assistance to applicants. The chatbot was developed using artificial intelligence and is accessible via mobile phones. It is designed to address admissions- and counselling-related queries for the upcoming academic promoting quick, accurate, and round-the-clock responses for the admission process, the service aims to ease the experience for thousands of aspiring students. 'IPU AI ASSIST' draws its responses from official sources such as the university's admission brochures, notices, and circulars available on its website. It serves as a virtual guide, helping students navigate admission procedures, understand eligibility criteria, and get clarity on key dates and documentation. It helps to minimise communication delays and give end-to-end information to the students during the admission sessions. Vice Chancellor Dr. Mahesh Sharma called the initiative 'a boon for information seekers,' especially those dealing with questions about admissions. The move marks a step in digital transformation at the university, aligned to solve the educational problems with the help of AI, aiming to make the admission process more transparent, student-friendly, and efficient for all applicants. It can be accessed 24/7 through the official university website,
