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The Hindu
an hour ago
- General
- The Hindu
Multiple stories of humiliation of Devadasi children
Thirty-two-year-old S. Radha has been running from pillar to post to get her daughter admitted to a government-run residential school for a year now. The child whose documents do not provide the father's name, but has 'XYZ' marked in the column to name the father, has been denied admission. 'I have been humiliated by officials. Having to fill the father's name mandatorily has to be removed to make our lives easy,' said Ms. Radha, a Davadasi and a resident of Nagenahalli, near Hosapete in Vijayanagara district. The woman, who dropped out of PUC more than a decade ago, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts. Similarly, 22-year-old Ravi Kombenavar, a civil engineering diploma holder from Nidugundi in Vijayapura district, has 'XXX' written in place of his father's name. The need for naming the father has become a problem, especially after the application process has been moved online and without filling the name, the application remains incomplete. 'Though officials frustrate us by asking us to put some random name whenever there is a problem, I do not do it. How can I create documents for some imaginary name?' asked Manjula Malige, daughter of a Devadasi and an MSW graduate working at Hosapete-based NGO Sakhi Trust. 'We want the government to allow us to name our mother in the father's column or just write Devadasi.' Ms. Malige faced a problem when she applied for a certificate to get benefits under Article 371 J. The Devadasi children have been facing the problem for a long time, and recently, the daughter of a Devadasi fought successfully for months to get her passport done without naming the father. 'Many others have had a problem of the grandfather's name or a maternal uncle's name filled in the father's name column. When the women migrated looking for livelihood, they would leave their young child in their maternal homes. During admissions, either the grandfather or uncle would have provided names,' said Renukamma from Kudligi. According to Koppal resident Yamanurappa Hucchaiaya Swamy, son of a Devadasi and coordinator of the Vimuktha Devadasi Mahila Mathu Makkala Vedike spread across 14 districts, most Devadasis come from Dalit and backward communities. He said more than 90% of the Devadasis come from the most backward Madiga community. Women from Holeya, Valmiki, and Talwar communities, among others, have also been initiated. 'In many cases, though the father is moving in front of his children, they cannot identify him as the father. The Bill has become necessary because there is no reservation or any other comprehensive benefits for Devadasi children. In most cases, Devadasis are abandoned by men, do not provide their name to the child, and there is no value for relationship,' he said.
Business Wire
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Aqua Pennsylvania Acquires City of Beaver Falls Wastewater System in Beaver County
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) announced today its Aqua Pennsylvania subsidiary has finalized a $37.75 million purchase of the City of Beaver Falls wastewater system in Beaver County, PA. The system serves approximately 3,200 customers in the City of Beaver Falls. The wastewater system also provides bulk transmission and treatment service for approximately 3,800 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU) in seven nearby municipalities including Patterson Township, Patterson Heights Borough, White Township, West Mayfield Borough, Big Beaver Borough, Eastvale Borough and North Sewickley Township. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved the sale on June 18, 2025. 'We are excited to bring customers in Beaver Falls and the surrounding area into the Aqua family,' said Essential Utilities Chairman & CEO Christopher Franklin. 'The successful completion of this transaction was the result of partnering with local and state officials to find the best solution for customers and taxpayers in Beaver Falls and current customers of Aqua. This is a great example of how regionalization of water systems and wastewater systems can bring long-term benefits to communities.' Aqua Pennsylvania plans to invest $10 million in infrastructure improvements over the next decade with a focus on safety and plant upgrades. Improvements include: Repairing and replacing portions of sewer collection system Upgrading the treatment plant headworks and filter tower Upgrading the pump station 'These investments will significantly improve operational efficiency and environmental compliance,' said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. 'Aqua Pennsylvania's top priority is delivery of high quality, continuous service across the Commonwealth. We are excited to serve our new customers in Beaver Falls and surrounding communities in Beaver County.' 'The investments Aqua Pennsylvania plans to make at the wastewater treatment plant, coupled with their operational expertise, will ensure dependable service to our community for years to come,' said Mayor Dr. Kenya Johns. Customers' base rates will not change after Aqua Pennsylvania begins operating the system. Any future rate change will be subject to approval by the PUC through a transparent process that allows for public input. Eligible customers seeking assistance with their sewer bills will gain access to Aqua's low-income Customer Assistance Program (CAP) and hardship fund called Aqua Aid. As part of the transition, residents can expect to receive communication from Aqua Pennsylvania outlining service schedules and procedures. This is the sixth water and wastewater acquisition Essential Utilities, Inc. has completed in the past 18 months, adding 6,700 customers or 12,420 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs). About Aqua Pennsylvania Aqua Pennsylvania provides water and wastewater service to approximately 1.5 million people in 33 counties throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Visit for more information or follow @MyAquaWater on Facebook and @MyAquaWater on X. About Essential Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which generally include words such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'anticipates,' 'estimates,' 'will' and similar expressions. The company can give no assurance that any actual or future results or events discussed in these statements will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements represent its views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from the statements contained in this release. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the capital, including timing, to be invested by the company over the next ten years and efficiencies created. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the company's business, please refer to the company's annual, quarterly and other SEC filings. The company is not under any obligation – and expressly disclaims any such obligation – to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. WTRGF
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No change in three-examination system for SSLC and PUC, says department of school education and literacy
Bengaluru: The department of school education and literacy has said there will be no change in the three-examination system that is currently followed in SSLC and PUC. In a social media post, minister Madhu Bangarappa said: "There is no change in the present annual exam 2 and exam 3 system for both SSLC and II PUC students. These exams will continue as per the existing policy. Furthermore, there have been no discussions to withdraw the current three-exam system." The minister's post is in response to news reports that said these exams could be withdrawn. The education department began the three-examination system for students to improve their scores or pass the exam in case they could not do it on the first attempt. The best of the marks are considered. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Stop calling 911 about unhoused people on Public Utility Commission property: CK police
The Chatham-Kent Police Service is asking people to please stop calling 911 about unhoused people camped on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) property on Grand Avenue. Calling 911 is for emergencies only, the force said in a news release issued Thursday. "The Chatham-Kent Police Service is aware of the presence of unhoused individuals choosing to shelter at the PUC property, which is municipally-owned and is within the guidelines of the municipality's encampment protocol," police said. "Unhoused individuals are permitted to shelter at this property under existing guidelines." Outreach workers from R.O.C.K., Reach Out Chatham-Kent, have been working with the municipality to help relocate residents of an encampment in the downtown park on the edge of the Thames River. City officials say they needed people out of the park by the start of this week because a construction project requires the site for equipment storage into next year. Unhoused can camp if there's no adequate alternative The eviction has led to confusion among unhoused people and their advocates over where they can legally camp. Courts have ruled that Ontario municipalities cannot evict encampment residents without offering adequate, accessible shelter spaces. "This means that the Municipality of Chatham-Kent cannot remove people who are experiencing homelessness unless alternative options are provided or there are compelling safety concerns," the municipality says on its website. "Chatham-Kent's current emergency shelter (Victoria Park Place) operated at 99 per cent capacity on average in 2024, illustrating that there are simply not enough beds for the approximately 200-plus individuals experiencing homelessness in Chatham-Kent." The municipality's encampment policy prohibits encampments in the following areas. On or within 100 metres of municipal playgrounds, water parks, splash pads, beaches or sports fields. On or within 100 metres of any elementary school, childcare facility, assisted living facility or other health or social services facility providing support or care services to youth or vulnerable populations. Within 10 metres of any private property line. On or under bridges. On or within five metres of sidewalks or pedestrian paths. On or within 25 metres of any cemetery. On or within five metres of an off-leash dog area. On or within five metres of any community garden. In any actively used parking lot. In or on any public-use building or structure. In areas that block the free movement of another person on a street, public pathway, sidewalk or other path of public travel. On municipal land where individuals have a private easement or ownership interest or where the municipality owes a duty to maintain the land to the benefit or partial benefit of private individuals (i.e. beach access). On municipal lands in areas obstructing construction or maintenance activities. Structures must be freestanding and able to be moved as necessary, the rules say. The policy also expresses zero tolerance for violence or other criminal acts and demands that sites "maintain a level of reasonable cleanliness." That includes no used, uncapped needles in or around the site and no unreasonable amounts of garbage, clutter, or uncontained debris.
Business Standard
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Academic Year Underway at Giraffe Learning
Academic Year Underway at Giraffe Learning PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 14: A fresh academic year has begun at Giraffe Learning, as a new group of students steps into classrooms with aspirations of cracking the PUC, CET, and JEE exams. Blending structure with personal attention, the institute continues to guide young learners through one of the most important phases of their academic journey. This year's program introduces updated methodologies, with a renewed focus on conceptual clarity, practice-based learning, and academic mentoring. Giraffe Learning has recently established tie-ups with St. Charles for integrated studies in PUC, CET, JEE, and NEET. This year's program introduces updated methodologies, with a renewed focus on conceptual clarity, practice-based learning, and academic mentoring.
