Latest news with #NSS
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
NSS units of Prajyoti Niketan College donate books to ‘Vaa Vaayikkam' Programme
The NSS units of Prajyoti Niketan College, Pudukad, have donated 721 books to the 'Vaa Vaayikkam' programme initiated by Thrissur District Collector Arjun Pandyan. The 'Vaa Vaayikkam' programme aims to promote reading habits and provide access to books for those who may not have them otherwise. The book donation ceremony was attended by NSS programme officers Tresa Peter and Alan Lukose, along with NSS volunteers who played a crucial role in collecting and donating the books.
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘NSS helping shape policies for growth'
Lucknow: At least 25 teams comprising 50 students from various colleges and institutes participated in the state-level quiz competition 'Anvesha 2.0', organized by the state capital office of the National Statistical Office (NSO) to mark the 75th anniversary of National Sample Survey (NSS). Dean, faculty of science at LU, Sheela Misra said, "NSS plays a crucial role in capturing the socio-economic realities of our nation, helping shape effective policies for inclusive growth." Deputy director general, NSO, Suchita Gupta said, "NSS continues to provide valuable insights that support a developed and data-driven India." Anshika Shukla and Swati Dwivedi bagged first prize, Gangotri Singh and Pragati won second prize, while Eeshan Soni and Om Mishra won the third prize.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
He couldn't save his sister, so he chose to help needy
1 2 Chappra: Mantu Kumar Yadav (29) from Harpur Jaan village under Mashrakh police station area in Saran district has devoted his life to selfless service. Guided by the belief that selfishness is immoral and unselfishness is moral, Mantu has made compassion his life's mission. The eldest among four siblings, Mantu remains a bachelor and dedicates his time to educating underprivileged children through an institution he runs in Chhapra called Diksha School. A recipient of the Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme (NSS) award, Mantu was felicitated by the then President, Pranab Mukherjee, on Nov 19, 2015, for his exemplary work as an NSS cadet of Jai Prakash University. Driven by a deep urge to serve society, Mantu formed a group of like-minded youths called 'Face of Future India' (FFI), a name he chose to reflect his vision of the nation's future — ethical, compassionate, and youth-led. His commitment to this ideal intensified after a personal tragedy when he was unable to arrange blood for his sister during a medical emergency. Since then, Mantu has donated blood 34 times and inspired many others to become regular donors. He credits the then SP Har Kishore Ray, for supporting his early initiatives. Mantu has also been the driving force behind organising national-level youth festivals in Chhapra every year since 2019, continuing through to 2025. These festivals are more than cultural events; they are platforms for unity, leadership, and exchange of ideas among young minds from across the country. One such notable edition was held in 2022, where Supreme Court advocate Seema Samridhi, who had fought the Nirbhaya case, participated. Mantu's work, however, extends far beyond festivals and blood donation. On July 9, during a visit to sadar hospital in Chhapra, he noticed a woman lying in the vehicle parking area, her legs having blood stains. Initially thinking she might be dead or mentally ill, he was surprised when the woman, Lalsa aged over 30, narrated her story. A resident of Brahampur overbridge area, she had eloped with a man from her neighbourhood years ago. After his sudden death, neither her in-laws nor her own family accepted her back. Homeless and abandoned, she found herself with no help or support. Mantu called the women's helpline but received no response. Undeterred, he contacted Saran SSP Kumar Ashish, Sadar SDO Nitesh, and a few journalists. These efforts bore fruit, and she was admitted to the "one stop centre" under the Women and Child Development Corporation. Blood was needed urgently, and both Mantu and FFI member Arpita donated blood to save her. In another act of kindness, Mantu helped a woman named Amina who had been released from Chhapra jail a few years ago but was left alone with no one to receive her. Mantu and his FFI team spoke to her, learned about her family, and arranged to bring her brother to Chhapra. They even provided train tickets for both her brother's arrival and their return journey, ensuring she could reunite with her family. Such stories of selfless intervention are not exceptions but rather the essence of Mantu's daily life. He does not seek praise or rewards; he simply believes in doing what he would want someone to do for his own family if they were in need.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
A coup? Here's what makes SA most vulnerable to attacks
The NSS stated that a disregard for the state's authority was growing, fuelled by the malicious use of communication platforms. A National Security Strategy (NSS) document published this week gives an overview of the greatest dangers posed to South Africa's stability. Threats of a possible coup d'état were raised by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as the country still reels from allegations made by a senior police official. Neither Ntshavheni nor the NSS document elaborate on any specific groups which could carry out a coup, amplifying calls for the minister to furnish the nation with proof of her claims. SA 'remains stable' The redacted NSS document released on 15 July stated that domestically, the primary risks were those that undermined the state's functionality and the physical vulnerability of citizens. The report listed organised crime, gangsterism and illegal migration as breeding grounds of instability — all tied together with the consistent use of illegal firearms. 'Illegal migrants create 'no-go' areas in South Africa that violate the sovereignty of the country and undermine the authority of the state. 'The threat to socio-economic stability is caused by, among others, violent community protests as well as instability in the labour, transport and education sectors,' read the NSS. The NSS stated that a disregard for the state's authority was growing, fuelled by the malicious use of communication platforms. 'In order to destabilise the social and political situation in South Africa, inaccurate information is distributed, including deliberately false reports about the threat of terrorist acts,' read the document. However, it concluded that 'South Africa remains a stable country', despite the number of internal social ills. African and global threats Outside South Africa's borders, threats to the Southern African Development Community primarily stemmed from poverty. 'Poverty and underdevelopment are the overriding human security challenge. Violence and crime feature strongly in the region as both a cause and symptom of underdevelopment,' the NSS states. 'The level and extent of terrorism as an asymmetric threat is contingent on the extent to which major demographic, socio-economic, developmental and governance issues are addressed,' it explained. This leads to a continental spread that sees the 'expansion of ungoverned and ungovernable spaces, transnational militancy, organised crime and trafficking'. Globally, the digital age has removed the geographical limits of crimes, leaving nations open to international crime, terrorism, sabotage and trafficking networks. However, Deputy Minister of Defence Bantu Holomisa said on Thursday that coups were not discussed on social media. Holomisa was one of the last leaders to successfully stage a coup south of the Limpopo when he took control of the Transkei civilian government in December 1987 as chief of the Transkei Defence Force. 'We are not expecting conventional warfare in South Africa. The major threat I foresee is civil disobedience, where we are asked by the police to assist and protect them,' said Holomisa while conducting an oversight visit at 1 Military Hospital. Digital insurgency Digital communications have also been highlighted by a European body as a platform for plotting social unrest and insurgency. A study by the German Council for Foreign Relations (GCFR) states that insurgent groups were most likely to use multiple online platforms to mobilise. 'There is a playbook available to plan a coup based on digitally maximising on- and offline capabilities to amplify a cause and push for mobilisation,' states the GCFR. However, no group or sector of society has been identified as having the resources or organisational capacity to pose a threat to the South African government. This has led Ntshavheni's opponents to insist that the minister or the security cluster reveal the source of her coup claims. 'She must tell us who, what and where,' said uMkhonto weSizwe (MP) party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela. 'She has already told the public, now she must give us details and stop politicking,' he concluded. NOW READ: 'A coup is not discussed on social media': Holomisa says no need to press panic buttons
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa's security crisis: Unimplemented commissions and political turmoil makes it a ticking time-bomb
South Africa faces a critical juncture as unimplemented findings from state commissions raise alarms about the integrity of its security institutions. With recent accusations of corruption and potential political instability, the nation must confront its challenges head-on. Image: IOL Graphics South Africa finds itself at a perilous crossroads, with recent revelations casting doubt on the integrity of the nation's security institutions. A series of state commissions, established over the years to investigate scandals and security lapses, have painted a troubling picture: a ticking time bomb poised to destabilise the country further. Since the dawn of democracy, South Africa's parliamentary and judicial commissions have played a critical role in addressing public controversies. Yet, many of their findings remain unimplemented, raising questions about political will and institutional commitment to reform. Last week, in a shocking media briefing, KwaZulu-Natal's top police official, Lieutenant Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of being part of a criminal syndicate actively undermining efforts to combat crime. Mkhwanazi's allegations come amid persistent concerns over policing deficiencies, illegal border crossings, unchecked immigration, and organised crime-issues that threaten national security. This week in Cape Town, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni unveiled a redacted version of the country's National Security Strategy (NSS) and National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) documents for the current administration. She warned of 'one of the risks' being a potential coup d'état, asserting that measures are in place to mitigate such threats. 'The government has identified the risk of a coup d'état and taken steps to prevent it,' Ntshavheni declared. 'We have men and women in our defence and police services working tirelessly for the greater good of this country.' However, critics argue that these reassurances mask deeper systemic issues. Several commissions have previously highlighted alarming deficiencies within South Africa's security sector. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Mufamadi Commission, officially known as the High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency, revealed a disturbing trend in the intelligence community: It has shifted towards a narrow, politically motivated security focus, diverging from constitutional principles. The panel recommended overhauling the intelligence framework, citing political malpractices, factionalism, and disregard for legal mandates. Similarly, the Farlam Commission, established after the Marikana massacre, recommended reforms in police crowd management, public order policing, and accountability measures. Yet, years later, many of these recommendations remain unimplemented. Dr Mpumelelo Breakfast, a political analyst, emphasised the importance of acting on these findings. 'If these recommendations had been implemented, they could have served as effective deterrents against corruption and insecurity,' he said. 'The public must stay vigilant and demand oversight to protect our resources and ensure accountability.' From a legal standpoint, commissions serve as vital platforms for issue ventilation beyond the scope of courts. Political analyst Dr Reneva Fourie stated, 'Commissions provide a broader remit than courts, allowing for purpose-built investigations. They are against political interference, especially for institutions like the National Prosecuting Authority.' However, Fourie cautioned that evidence gathered through commissions does not automatically become admissible in court, often requiring further judicial processes. She stressed their role in laying the groundwork for law enforcement investigations. A report published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in May 2024 echoed these sentiments, highlighting the quasi-judicial nature of commissions and their importance in safeguarding the rule of law amid political turbulence. On Thursday, the Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation sharply criticised Ntshavheni's recent remarks about coup risks, calling her statements 'deeply irresponsible and reckless.' The Foundation accused her of fear-mongering, especially in the context of President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent actions, including placing Minister Mchunu on leave amid allegations of political interference. 'Such claims without evidence are dangerous,' the Foundation stated. 'They exacerbate political tensions and threaten national stability.' As South Africa grapples with these complex security challenges, Fourie warned, 'Without decisive reform and genuine oversight, South Africa's security institutions risk becoming instruments of division rather than protection. The country's future depends on it.' IOL Politics
