Latest news with #RamanSharma
Observer
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Danger grows as India, Pakistan appear to escalate the clash
India and Pakistan appeared to be dangerously escalating their armed confrontation Thursday, as both countries said their military sites had come under attack, and heavy shelling and strikes were reported overnight on each side of their border. The military faceoff began Wednesday, when India struck several sites in Pakistani territory — its deepest strikes inside Pakistan in decades — in retaliation for a deadly terrorist attack two weeks before. As a sign of the international alarm that the conflict could spin out of control, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with leaders from both countries on Thursday and emphasized the need for 'immediate de-escalation,' according to State Department accounts of the calls. India and Pakistan both continued to claim that they were not seeking an escalation in their military clash. But the reality on the ground indicated that the two nuclear-armed countries were not yet ready to take the off-ramps from their boiling tensions that had appeared to be taking shape a day before. The Indian government on Thursday said it had thwarted Pakistani attempts to unleash drones and missiles at Indian military targets in more than a dozen cities and towns, many of them home to air force bases. India said it had responded by striking Pakistan's air defense systems and radars close to the city of Lahore — the kind of blow that often causes a military conflict to intensify, analysts said. Pakistan accused India of continuing what it called illegal aggression and said its forces had shot down more than two dozen Indian drones that entered Pakistan's airspace. In the rapidly developing situation, the claims from both sides could not be independently verified. Late Thursday, some parts of Jammu, an Indian city of about a million people that is part of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, were under blackouts. The sounds of blasts and sirens could be heard across the city, as shells and drones flew overhead, according to eyewitness accounts. 'Residents are in panic and staying indoors,' said Raman Sharma, a civil activist and resident of Jammu. India's defense ministry, in a post on the social platform X, said military bases in Jammu and two other cities, Pathankot and Udhampur, which are close to India's disputed Kashmir border with Pakistan, were 'targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones.' Panic also spread during an evening cricket match in Dharamsala, not far from the area facing heavy shelling, where a crowd of more than 10,000 people had to be evacuated and the game called off.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Awaiting 1st semester results, students sit for fresh exams
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, rolled out last year in Panjab University (PU)-affiliated colleges, is drawing fresh criticism as a major delay in releasing first semester results continues to affect the academic progress of thousands of students. Students who had appeared for their first semester exams under the new NEP framework in December 2024 are still waiting for their results, even as the second semester exams have already begun. The uncertainty has led to widespread confusion, stress, and frustration on campuses. 'This delay is unfair to students,' said Varun Goel, executive member of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU). 'Results are not just marks; they offer students a chance to reflect, improve, and plan their approach for future exams. Without their previous semester scores, they are moving blindly into the next phase,' he added. Faculty members at colleges argue that the delay has robbed students of a vital academic checkpoint, especially as this was their first experience under the NEP system. One college educator noted how the feedback based on past results is often used to adjust teaching strategies and guide students more effectively. 'Often we suggest certain writing techniques or study strategies that help students score better in the future. If we don't know how they performed, we can't help them improve,' she said, adding, 'For first-year students who are new to the NEP format, this guidance is even more crucial.' The NEP has introduced significant changes in the curriculum. According to Raman Sharma, an educator at Arya College, the number of subjects for arts students has increased from six to eight. The new additions include multidisciplinary, skill enhancement, and value-added courses. But the way these are implemented varies from college to college, depending upon faculty availability. 'Every college is offering different subjects under these new categories. This has made the evaluation process more complex and time-consuming,' Sharma explained, adding, 'The system has been burdened by these new layers of academic requirements.' Meanwhile, Panjab University officials have acknowledged the issue. Jagat Bhushan, PU's controller of examinations, said a new software system for handling NEP-based evaluations is nearly ready. 'The results will be declared within a few days,' he assured.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Panjab University directs affiliated colleges to implement revised pay rules
Cracking down on non-compliant colleges, Panjab University (PU) has directed all its affiliated institutions to immediately implement revised pay scales for teachers working on unaided or self-financed posts. The university warned that disciplinary action would be taken against colleges that continue to defy its orders. In a letter issued on Monday, the dean of the college development council (DCDC) stated that multiple complaints have been received from teaching staff and associations representing teachers of affiliated colleges, requesting the university's intervention to ensure compliance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) revised pay scales and deduction of provident fund (PF) as per the regulation. The letter noted that despite repeated communications issued by the university over time, many colleges have still not extended the benefit of revised pay scales to their faculty members. The letter also stressed that colleges must maintain the PF accounts of teachers according to the rules in the Panjab University calendar, which mandate deductions based on gross salary, not basic salary. Teacher associations across the city welcomed the university's strong stand. Raman Sharma, Panjab University area secretary, The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU), said that some managements, including prominent ones like DAV and a few others, have been repeatedly flouting rules. 'The university had earlier issued directions for compliance with the Seventh Pay Commission scales and PF regulations. After several complaints, the university has now reminded the colleges again,' he said. Tarun Ghai, spokesperson for the Association of United College Teachers (AUCT), also welcomed the move. He warned that if the colleges fail to pay teachers as per the revised scales by May, AUCT members would launch protests outside the defaulting ones and seek the cancellation of their affiliation with Panjab University.
