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Times of Oman
4 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
India: Goa declared fully literate state on Statehood Day
Panaji: In a landmark achievement, Goa declared itself a fully literate State on Friday, becoming a beacon of inspiration for the rest of the country, officials said. This landmark announcement was made on the occasion of the 39th Goa Statehood Day and marks a significant milestone in the state's journey toward inclusive and quality education. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, "Our sustained collective efforts to strengthen the education sector with New Advancements, NEP 2020, have yielded the result." With the motto "Jan-Jan Sakshar", the initiative was instrumental in bringing lifelong learning to every citizen aged 15 years and above, by mobilising a vast network of volunteers that included retired teachers, NSS units, students from teacher training colleges, and field-level education professionals. The literacy campaign began with the identification of 2,981 non-literate learners across the twelve talukas of Goa. These learners were trained through schools and supported by Resource Adult Trainee Coordinators (RATCs), alongside a dedicated team of educators and student volunteers. To support effective adult education, the state introduced ULLAS primers in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, and English. These multilingual materials emphasised not just reading and numeracy, but also financial literacy and essential life skills. Goa's achievement of 100 per cent literacy is a testament to what is possible through sustained effort, collaboration, and a strong vision. More than a statistical milestone, it symbolises social transformation, empowerment, and opportunity for every Goan. As the state celebrates this remarkable feat, it also looks ahead to a future where lifelong learning becomes a way of life, where no one is left behind. Education continues to be the foundation of an inclusive and progressive society. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed officers and sailors onboard India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, and declared that "Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India's frontal assault against terrorism. "Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India's frontal assault against terrorism, and if Pakistan resorts to anything evil or unethical, it will, this time, face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy," said the Defence Minister. Commending the Indian Navy's "silent service" during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh stated that the mighty Carrier Battle Group ensured that the Pakistani Navy did not venture out, or else it would have faced the consequences. He sent a clear message to Pakistan that if it tries to cast an evil eye, the opening of New Delhi's response will be at the hands of the Indian Navy.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russell students claim top spots in ‘Dare to Dream'
Russell High School students placed first and second in the Glockner Dare to Dream Pitch Competition at Shawnee State University earlier this week. In its 11th year, the event gives area high school students the entrepreneurial opportunity to create a business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges. Russell's Blakely Monte, Marlee Coburn, Ava Gabbard and Abbie Phipps launched Unbridled Creations, which took first place out of 13 pitches. The quartet took home a $6,000 cash prize on Tuesday. Carmin Corey, Averi Dean and Chloe Townsend — also students representing Russell Area Technology Center — captured second place with Alissa's Cheesecakes. They won $5,500. Monte is the CEO of Unbridled Creations. The 2024 Miss Greenup County Fair and standout cheerleader is a welding student at RATC. She, Coburn, Gabbard and Phipps started Unbridled Creations with old horseshoes, recycling them to make wreaths, wine racks and more. 'It morphed into working on a horse head made out of scrap metal,' said Melissa Wilburn, business teacher at RATC. 'They want to bring the Lexington vibe to the area, with the (Revolutionary Racing) horse track coming, and to go along with the arts in Ashland.' Wilburn said the four girls sold $550 worth of their product at a craft fair a couple months ago. 'They wanted to take it to a grander scale,' Wilburn said. '… The judges were pretty impressed with girls in trades. They've stepped into it and made it into their own.' Their pitch included positive points such as: handcrafted items, by females for females, focused on home decor, affordable, unique, local and avoids shipping. Coburn, Gabbard and Phipps handled duties at the competition on Tuesday. Monte was in Morehead as the cheerleading squad supported the Russell girls basketball team in the 16th Region Tournament. 'Those girls are all busy, spread thin,' Wilburn said. 'These girls are so good at this, but it's just a fraction of what they do.' Wilburn's statement applied to the trio behind Alissa's Cheesecakes as well. Corey, Dean and Townsend helped Dean's mother, Averi, with the cheesecake business when she was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. After she recovered and went back to work, the three took the reins from there. 'They all three grew up baking, making cake pops, things like that, so they're familiar with it,' Wilburn said. 'They picked up the business and ran with it.' They made 25 cheesecakes for Valentine's Day and sold out within two hours, Wilburn said. 'They're looking at it right now as a side hustle to help put them through college,' she said. 'Maybe eventually they'll set up in downtown Russell with a storefront.' Wilburn said the Angel Investment Group, Andy Glockner and local businesses are instrumental in donating money toward this competition to make it happen. 'Nothing motivates these kids more than cash,' Wilburn said. '… They want to get young people started with an idea and show they could be entrepreneurs, which is great.' Other finalists were from Minford, Wheelersburg, Greenup County, Portsmouth, Green, South Webster and Boyd County. Judges were April Perry (Kentucky Farmers Bank), Faith Knutsen (Voinovich School of Leadership), Ryan Redoutey (Glockner's Commercial), Jessica Kopelwitz (TechGrowth Ohio), Luke Keller (Glockner Enterprises) and Adam Miller (Shawnee State). The annual competition is open to students who attend high schools in Lawrence, Scioto, Pike, Gallia, Adams and Jackson Counties in Ohio and Lawrence, Boyd, Greenup and Carter Counties in Kentucky. Blazin' Butter (Minford High) was the 2024 winner.
