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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mission Admission 2025: Students guided on career choices and exam preparations
1 2 Bengaluru: Hundreds thronged the JN Tata Auditorium on Friday for The Times of India's Mission Admission 2025 event which featured a panel of educationists, industry experts, and representatives from leading institutions. It revolved around the central theme of moving beyond the traditional herd mentality and focusing on individual strengths and skills. The crowd spilled over from the auditorium, and parents and students queued up to ask questions during sessions which covered various crucial aspects of higher education, including evolving engineering curricula, specialized counselling for competitive exams like CET and NEET , and exploration of unconventional career paths. Degree alone not enough: Official Inaugurating the event, Mohammed Mohsin, principal secretary, department of medical education, urged the students to leverage such unique opportunities that were unavailable to previous generations. He advised students and parents to conduct a SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) for career planning, focusing on individual aptitude rather than societal trends. He said, "Every child is unique, everybody is different. Nobody can match anybody else." He stressed that a degree alone is insufficient; practical skills are crucial. He encouraged the students to scrutinise the quality of teaching in institutions and to not hesitate in asking questions. Professor S Sadagopan, former director of the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore, stressed the relevance of artificial intelligence and data sciences. He described AI and data science as "two eyes" – inseparable and fundamental to any modern field, urging students to gain proficiency regardless of their chosen discipline. CET and NEET counselling by Manjunatha R, joint controller of examinations and PRO, KEA Manjunatha R laid out a comprehensive roadmap for the upcoming academic season, offering clarity on eligibility, procedures and new technological initiatives. "We are awaiting the final seat matrix approval from the state govt. KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority) is ready to begin the seat allotment process immediately upon receiving the seat matrix," he said. "Allotment of seats will be conducted in three rounds for CET. We are awaiting a nod from the govt for conducting further rounds," he said. He also highlighted a coordinated approach with Comed-K to minimise overlap and prevent financial losses for students who might otherwise pay fees to multiple institutions without securing a seat. Comed-K, however, later said it will go ahead with its counselling, without waiting for CET. In the session on NEET that followed, Manjunatha provided a comprehensive overview of the current structure of medical college admissions, focusing particularly on the various categories of seats and the corresponding fee implications in both govt and private institutions. Unlocking winning formula for NEET by Pradeep Eshwar, founder, Parishrama NEET Academy "Why have Karnataka students never achieved the all-India rank 1 in NEET?" asked Pradeep. "It is because class 11 is neglected in the state, while students and teachers focus only on class 12. In CET physics, around 45 questions are from II PU. However, in NEET, a good portion of the questions come from class 11, which our students have not focused on," he explained. The sitting MLA from Chikkaballapur also emphasised the need to focus on NCERT textbooks. "There are six NCERT books, including practical lab manuals, that students have to focus on. However, in the state, students buy only two NCERT books. The practical lab manual used here is a small book, while the original book has 150 pages," he said. Pradeep urged students to let go of phones and TV and put in relentless effort and have an unshakeable belief in themselves. Comed-K by S Kumar, executive secretary, Comed-K Kumar detailed the features of Comed-K. "Why Comed-K? We have three salient features. There are no reservations of any category to meet constitutional requirements in Comed-K. Towards these obligations, all member colleges of Comed-K hand over a certain number of seats to the govt. Private professional education started in Karnataka in the 60s, leaving us with the oldest private institutions when compared to neighbouring states. The ecosystem we have is very supportive of technical education. You name the industry… there is ample opportunity. As long as a student wants to seek, it's all there," he said. Kumar also went on to explain ComedKares, an initiative Comed-K has taken up for upskilling engineering students. "Modern-day engineering needs newer dimensions to be added. So instead of each college investing, ComedKares has now set up a total of 10 centres all over Karnataka. They offer eight courses during the four-year engineering programme—machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, planning, prototype design, among others," he said. — Prathikaa V Shastry Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Leeza AI rewiring autism care
Talking about the technologies that power Leeza, the founder said, 'Leeza AI uses Flutter for mobile development and MERN stack for web. Our assessment engine and progress reporting tools are hosted on a secure cloud. AI integrations help in report summarisation and appointment optimisation, and soon, caregiver guidance through our upcoming LMS.' Ibrahim explained that Leeza is a hybrid model. While they use APIs like OpenAI for language-based interpretation, the scoring engine and recommendation pathways are custom-built based on clinical logic and practitioner feedback, not user data. 'The foundation is based on globally trusted clinical protocols, adapted for digital self-use,' he noted. How does it work? The user journey begins with a free screening. These are digitised self-report assessments originally developed by clinicians and validated by organisations like the NHS. Once completed, users receive AI-generated interpretations and personalised reports. Based on their region and needs, they're matched with verified healthcare providers (doctors, psychologists, genetic counsellors). Post consultation or diagnosis, families can choose therapy or training services. 'Soon, our Progress Tracking System (PTS) will enable ongoing monitoring and personalised therapy guidance. Our target users are families of neurodivergent children, especially in underserved areas. We cater to both digitally active middle-income urban families and lower-income households that lack access to specialised care,' explained the founder. Asked about data privacy and security, he said that they are actively working toward GDPR and DPDPA compliance. All personally identifiable information (PII) is encrypted and only shared with healthcare professionals if a user opts into a service. No third-party sharing is permitted. Data access is tightly controlled and based on explicit user consent. 'Designing a platform for low-bandwidth areas, ensuring accessibility for non-tech-savvy caregivers, and adapting assessments across diverse literacy and cultural contexts were key challenges,' pointed out Mohammed Mohsin, Chief Technical Officer. 'Building secure, modular systems for seamless appointments and structured therapy onboarding also required deep iteration,' he shared, further adding, 'We are not HIPAA-compliant yet but maintain best practices in data handling.' Highlighting few features designed to help with communication, learning, or emotional understanding for autistic users Ibrahim explained, 'We've built a Progress Tracking System (PTS) that helps therapists assign tasks and measure improvement. Tools like emotion detection and mood tracking are in our future roadmap. And we've onboarded 14 active healthcare providers and four partner clinics. Their insights shaped our digital assessments, reporting tools, and therapy onboarding.' 'The platform was born out of my personal experience as a computer science graduate who witnessed a loved one struggle with autism diagnosis and care. The pain of misinformation, high costs, and social stigma became the catalyst for creating Leeza AI, to ensure no family faces these challenges alone,' he revealed. By 2026, they aim to onboard 780 healthcare providers and scale Leeza AI globally, beginning with partnerships in Mexico and MENA. They're building toward a world where early autism care is localised, affordable, and integrated into public health and education systems. 'We engage caregivers, therapists, and community leaders from the design stage. All features are created for accessibility, using simple UX, regional adaptation, and culturally sensitive language. Our goal is to build not just smart tools, but inclusive, human-centered ones that empower neurodivergent families across every context,' he concluded.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Tourism Shattered: How the Pahalgam Attack Crippled Kashmir's Fragile Economic Revival
Published : Apr 26, 2025 14:47 IST - 9 MINS READ For over six years, Mohammed Mohsin*, 27, had wanted to resurrect his family's aging hotel in the picturesque hill town of Pahalgam in Southern Kashmir. The old structure—set against a backdrop of lush pine trees, with the raging waters of River Lidder gushing ahead and the snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the distance—had worn down with time, and the business struggled to bring in profits. This year, Mohsin finally decided to act. Though reviving the old structure felt like a daunting task, the surge in tourist footfall across Kashmir since 2023 gave him a rare sense of optimism. He took a risk: He borrowed money from lenders, sold off family gold and poured most of his savings into the business. When the resurrected hotel finally opened in the middle of April, everything seemed to have fallen into place. Domestic tourist bookings were coming in, the rooms were full, and for the first time in years, the business seemed to have a future. That was until April 22, the day of the Pahalgam attack. Roughly 4 km from Mohsin's hotel, armed militants unleashed carnage in a meadow—Baisaran Valley—often dubbed 'mini-Switzerland'. They approached civilians, ascertained their religion, and massacred 26 men in a hail of gunfire. Most of the victims were identified as Hindu tourists, with the exception of one Kashmiri Muslim labourer. Now, Pahalgam has fallen silent. Black clouds hang low over the valley, and a sombre chill rides the wind. Hotels are empty, restaurants remain shut, shops barely see a customer, and hundreds of vehicles sit idle at the two main taxi stands. Business owners, who just days ago were overwhelmed with work, sit quietly on footpaths, ruing what locals are already calling 'bloody Tuesday'. The mesmerising town is now catatonic. 'When I first started, I didn't get enough time to even speak to my family on the phone; such was the tourist rush', Mohsin told Frontline. But after the attack, he had no choice but to send most of his staff home and shut down the hotel. 'Till the morning of April 22, I had bookings for all my rooms, right through June', Mohsin recalled. 'Now, I don't have a single one. I've already laid off six of my 10 staff'. With his hotel empty overnight and all his bookings cancelled, Mohsin now has little hope left. 'This is the time when the tourist season begins. But with the attack, it ended before it even had a chance to take off. I've invested nearly 20 lakhs in this hotel. I sold what little my family owned to make this work. How do I recover it?' he said. The season is gone, and so are his savings. 'How do I repay lenders? Like Kashmir, I'm ruined', Mohsin told Frontline. Tourism ≠ Normalcy The attack in Pahalgam didn't just take 26 civilian lives but also struck viciously at the core of one of Kashmir's most promising industries that has already slowed to a trickle: Tourism. For a region like Kashmir, New Delhi had decoded 'rising tourist footfall' as one of the major signs of 'normalcy'. After the political shock of abrogation of the region's semi-autonomous status in 2019, followed by the circumscribing pandemic lockdowns, tourism, like other sectors, was slowly finding its rhythm again. In the last three years, the sector, which remains one of Kashmir's major economic drivers (one that also acts as a fragile barometer of peace for Delhi), had started to grow and was expected to expand at a faster pace this year. According to official data, the total tourist footfall in 2024 was approximately 2.95 million, a notable rise from 2.71 million visitors in 2023 and 2.67 million in 2022. In fact, this year, in just the first three months, over half a million tourists had already visited the region. As the tourism industry offered steady and promising returns, a large number of people joined the sector in recent years. Also Read | Fears of demographic change in Kashmir are real: Waheed Parra Tourists mostly stay in hotels; dine at local restaurants; hire guides, pony ride operators, local cabs, and shop for Kashmir art and other handcrafted goods: This directly supports thousands of people across the region. In all major tourist destinations in Kashmir, which Frontline travelled to, taxi drivers waited at empty stands, tour guides had cancelled itineraries, hotel rooms lay vacant, and restaurant tables were empty. From local artisans to shopkeepers, all those who rely on tourism for their livelihood, are now facing days of inactivity, which they fear may prolong into months of economic uncertainty. Kashmir's tourism ecosystem is large and diverse with more than 1,000 houseboats, over 4,000 hotels, and many taxi drivers, tour guides, pony ride operators, and handicraft sellers who all mostly rely on the domestic visitors. Many had invested in the sector believing in the promise of a good season. 'We count on the tourist season to sell, earn, and pay back what we owe. I still have to repay my debt, pay rent for the shops and there's no income. Nothing. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever recover from this.'Syed BashirSrinagar resident 'The fallout of the attack is beyond anything we could've imagined', said Syed Bashir, a Srinagar resident who sells Kashmiri handicrafts and rents shops in Pahalgam and Srinagar every tourist season. 'For us, the season is already over. Why would anyone spend their money to visit a place from where they can't be sure if they will return?' In his 12 years in the trade, Bashir said he has weathered many difficult seasons but nothing like this. For the first time, he fears the industry may not bounce back anytime soon. This attack, he said, was different given how tourists were gunned down, something that has never happened before. He also believes the timing of the attack was no coincidence. 'This is the time when most small traders take goods worth lakhs on credit', Bashir told Frontline, pointing to the empty market of Pahalgam. 'We count on the tourist season to sell, earn, and pay back what we owe. I took items worth at least Rs.8 lakh, believing I would make twice that amount. Now, everything is locked inside shops. I still have to repay my debt, pay rent for the shops and there's no income. Nothing', said Bashir. 'Honestly, I don't think I'll ever recover from this'. Kashmir's tourism sector accounts for at least 8 per cent of the Union Territory's GDP. As per the Jammu and Kashmir's economic survey of 2024-25, the region's GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) had grown 7.06 per cent in 2024-25 and 7.08 per cent in 2023-24. In fact, the UT government had come out with a comprehensive tourism policy in 2020, which aimed at generating employment for approximately 50,000 people each year and attracting an average investment target of Rs.2,000 crore per year for the next five years. In the first Budget speech of the UT, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that his government's goal was to 'increase tourism's contribution to the GSDP from 7 per cent to at least 15 per cent over the next four to five years.' But since the Pahalgam attack, at least 13 lakh bookings scheduled through August have been cancelled across the Kashmir valley, according to Babar Chaudhary, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association, which represents around 240 hotels and restaurants. 'From April to August, over 25 lakh tourists usually visit Kashmir. This year, at least 90 per cent of them won't come because of the fear'. According to a survey conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles, six out of 10 families with travel plans to the Kashmir Valley this year have decided to cancel their bookings following the attack. The survey also revealed that among 6,807 respondents who had planned trips to Kashmir between May and December this year, 62 percent have already decided to cancel their vacations. Also Read | Kashmir is an open-air prison; a zoo for outsiders: Mehbooba Mufti According to Farooq Ahmed Kuthoo, former president and member of The Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, one of the region's largest associations, the attack will have far-reaching consequences for the industry. 'It will be hard to convince people to visit Kashmir now', Kuthoo told Frontline. 'The knee-jerk response is that Kashmir is not safe'. The ancillary sectors, including the transport business, are feeling the pressure too. 'Since the attack, 30 per cent of our bookings have been cancelled', said Shabir Ahmed Basmati, president of the J&K Radio Taxi Association, which operates 120 cabs across Kashmir. 'We're bracing for more cancellations in the coming days'. However, the chief minister told reporters after a meeting with tourism stakeholders: 'We are not worried about the financial implications of the attack at this point of time.' Trust shattered When 'social activists' hoisted the Indian tricolor atop the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Srinagar on the Republic Day in 2022, guarded by a large contingent of men in uniform, it was hailed as a symbol of India's victory in quelling separatism in the Valley. Before that, Ghanta Ghar had been a focal point of political tension and would often shut down in response to calls for strikes by separatist groups. After 2019, Lal Chowk, where the Clock Tower stands, emerged as a major tourist hotspot. Almost everyday tourists would visit, take photos of the iconic structure with security personnel by its side. Since abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, New Delhi has placed a significant emphasis on drawing tourists to the region, seeing it as a way to demonstrate 'normalcy' in Kashmir. However, observers believe that quantifying peace through tourism numbers and not local voices was Delhi's failure. 'The government has instilled confidence in tourists to visit Kashmir. However, when these innocent people become targets of attacks, which the government had said [had stopped] it becomes a huge embarrassment for Delhi', said an observer, who requested anonymity. 'The trust between tourists and Delhi is shattered. If peace and normalcy truly existed, tourists would be safe'. The government has essentially put a lot of focus on tourism by creating new infrastructure. 'But, if tourists still don't feel safe, what value does that infrastructure have?' he wondered. The true challenge for Delhi now goes beyond merely bringing tourists back; it lies in restoring genuine normalcy and establishing peace at the core of Kashmir. Zaid Bin Shabir is a journalist based in Srinagar.
