Latest news with #PTM
Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
AP sets Guinness World Record for largest PTM 2.0
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has earned a Guinness World Record for hosting the world's largest Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM), with over 53.4 lakh parents and teachers participating. Held on July 10, the event, dubbed Mega PTM 2.0, drew a total of 1.52 crore attendees, including students, alumni, School Management Committee (SMC) members, and philanthropists. This historic achievement underscores Andhra Pradesh's commitment to transforming public education and aligning government schools with global standards, said a statement from Samagra Shiksha on Monday. The initiative supports the state's vision to become a 'Quantum Valley,' fostering innovation and empowering youth through education. HRD minister Nara Lokesh expressed pride in the global recognition, dedicating the honor to the state's teachers for their tireless efforts. 'The Guinness World Record validates our mission to rejuvenate public education and promote inclusive learning. We dedicate this award to our teaching community,' he said. The record was confirmed after a rigorous audit of data from over 61,000 schools, including photographs, videos, verified participant counts, and independent witness statements, all collected via the state's LEAP app. This digital platform enhances education delivery by providing interactive content for students, structured lesson plans for teachers, and robust tools for the education department.'Over 40 auditors worked tirelessly to verify the data, ensuring the award's integrity,' said B Srinivasa Rao, state project director, Samagra Shiksha Andhra Pradesh. He added, 'This recognition will inspire us to further strengthen the Andhra Model Public Education system, ensuring quality and equitable education for all.' The official Guinness World Record certificate will be presented at a ceremony in Amaravati during the second week of August.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan tribal council threatens highway block over girl's murder
ISLAMABAD: A tribal jirga (council of elders) in Pakistan's Tank district has threatened to block a stretch of Indus Highway on July 29 after the killing of a nine-year-old girl sparked public outrage. Convened in Tank's Gul Imam on Saturday, the jirga issued an 11-point charter of demands, warning of a full blockade if authorities fail to respond. Indus Highway (N-55) is a critical national artery that runs along the river, connecting Karachi in Pakistan's south with Peshawar in the north and cutting through multiple provinces. The planned blockade at Pezu will impact trade routes, passenger transport, and military convoys. The protests gained momentum after a viral video showed residents confronting armed security personnel -- an extraordinary act in this militarised stretch of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The footage amplified long-standing anger over arbitrary detentions, raids without warrants, and what locals call collective punishment disguised as counterterrorism. 'Our decision to block the highway remains. If our demands are accepted, we'll reconsider. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tummy Tuck Surgery In Russian Federation Might Be Cheaper Than You Think Tummy Tuck Surgery | Search Ads Undo If not, Pezu will be shut down on July 29,' jirga leader Abdul Qayum Kundi said. Police have registered a case in the girl's death, but authorities have yet to disclose any findings. Locals allege misconduct or negligence by security forces—claims that remain unverified but widely believed within the community. In a bid to defuse tensions, local officials delivered three sheep and (Pak) Rs 2.5 million (around $9,000) to the girl's family -- an act rooted in tribal custom, meant to symbolise remorse and reconciliation. But jirga members view it as a token gesture. 'This is hush money in ceremonial form,' said one elder. The jirga's demands include the release of detainees not proven to have militant ties, an end to forced house searches, and a halt to arrests of suspects' relatives. They also call for the return of confiscated weapons and an end to detentions based on vague accusations of mukhbiri (spying). The jirga's demands echo those of the banned Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), which for years challenged Pakistan's security policies in its tribal belt.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Pashtun Attire & Weapons: Why Karachi University Students' Performance Sparked Outrage
Top intelligence sources said: 'The use of traditional cultural symbols as props for a mock terrorist show highlights the state's view of an entire ethnic group." A recent seminar at the University of Karachi, where participants dressed in traditional Pashtun attire and carried weapons in a stage performance, thus inaccurately portraying them as terrorists, has led to outrage across Pakistan's academic and civil society circles. The display, deemed culturally insensitive, reinforced long-standing state propaganda by associating Pashtun identity with extremism. Top intelligence sources criticised the University of Karachi for promoting dangerous views under the guise of national security narratives. 'The use of traditional cultural symbols as props for a mock terrorist show highlights the state's view of an entire ethnic group, especially at a time when Pashtuns face ongoing discrimination and suspicion," they said. This event has not only undermined the credibility of a major educational institution but also demonstrates how educational institutions in Pakistan are being utilised for ideological conflicts, they added. Universities in Pakistan are becoming breeding grounds for radicalisation, with campaigns indirectly encouraging students to adopt extremist state-sponsored ideologies, said sources. News18 had earlier reported how the historical resentment over the merger fuelled has political instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for decades. Today, several separatist and militant movements continue to challenge the Pakistani government's control over the region. Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) emerged as a significant non-violent movement advocating for the rights of Pashtuns. The PTM accused the Pakistani military and government of treating Pashtuns as second-class citizens and called for the formation of a 'Greater Pashtunistan' by uniting Pashtun territories in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the largest Islamic militant group in Pakistan, remains highly active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the adjoining tribal areas. The TTP seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish Sharia law. The group intensified its attacks on military and government targets, especially after the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Baloch separatist groups have also found common ground with Pashtun rebels, forming alliances to resist Pakistani military operations. The longstanding grievances of both the Baloch and Pashtun communities reflect the broader discontent that stems from the political decisions made at the time of Partition. With Agency Inputs view comments 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
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Students learn about health, hygiene at PTMs held at govt schools
Patna: All govt primary schools across the state on Saturday conducted parent-teacher meetings under the theme 'Vocational Skills and Health, Hygiene and Nutrition'. The meeting was held in most schools of Patna where parents engaged in discussions about their children's future. The initiative aimed to foster closer engagement between parents and educators regarding students' holistic development. The PTMs are now a monthly event that is organised on the last Saturday of each month in all govt schools. A teacher from Kanya Madhya Vidyalaya in Bankipur block reported approximately 50% attendance, noting that parents engaged actively in discussions and viewed models prepared by students for the 'Inspire Award'. It is a scheme that aims to foster a culture of creativity and innovation among school students by encouraging them to develop original ideas and innovations rooted in science. "Parents came according to the time that suited them, and we shared their wards' progress," he added. The headmaster of another school in Patna, who preferred not to be named, said that attendance was around 25-30%. "Some parents who are aware show more interest in knowing about their wards' progress than others," he added. Similarly, the headmaster of Primary School Naya Gowan shared that parents of around 20 out of 63 students came to the school. "We conducted the PTM as per the guidelines of the education department, discussing with parents the importance of hygiene and health," he said.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra's Bapatla Municipal High School gets a major facelift
GUNTUR: In a shining example of responsive governance and community-driven development, the Bapatla Municipal High School has undergone a complete transformation within a year, fulfilling a promise made by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu during a landmark event. On December 7 last year, a grand Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) was held on the school premises, where parents, teachers, and members of the School Management Committee collectively brought several long-standing infrastructure issues to the attention of the Chief Minister. Responding to their concerns on the same platform, Naidu assured immediate action and directed officials to upgrade the school within a year. True to his word, the school now boasts 24 newly constructed classrooms, a spacious dining hall, and well-equipped science laboratories. Local MLA Vegesana Narendra Varma Raju and Bapatla District Collector J Venkata Murali played a key role in ensuring the timely completion and maintaining the quality of the work. The transformation was executed at a rapid pace, setting a benchmark for government school development. HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh lauded the achievement, stating, 'We kept our word. I congratulate everyone who contributed to this remarkable transformation. I urge students and teachers to uphold the name of Bapatla Municipal High School by striving for academic excellence.' According to Bapatla District Education Officer S Purushottam, the school has 747 students and 27 teachers.
