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India Today
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Over 4.7 lakh pirated NCERT books seized across India since 2024: Government
In a big move against textbook piracy, the Education Ministry has said that over 4.7 lakh fake NCERT books have been seized across India since 2024. The information was shared by Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply to the Rajya stated that cases of NCERT textbook piracy have emerged from various parts of India, driven largely by the commercial interests of unauthorised 2024 and 2025, nearly 4.71 lakh pirated NCERT books have been confiscated in operations conducted across multiple states,' he noted. He reiterated NCERT's core mission to ensure access to high-quality, affordable educational resources for every student in the country. 'NCERT textbooks are produced on a no-profit, no-loss basis to reach even the last child,' he the past year alone, NCERT has carried out raids on 29 locations suspected of being linked to the illegal production and distribution of pirated books. The raids, which also targeted manufacturers of fake NCERT watermarked paper, led to the seizure of stocks and printing equipment worth over Rs20 counter the deep-rooted piracy network, the council has implemented several initiatives. These include a 20% price reduction in textbook costs, timely printing schedules, enhanced paper and print quality using modern printing technologies, and expanded availability through e-commerce is also exploring technological solutions to fight collaboration with IIT Kanpur, a pilot anti-piracy mechanism was tested on one million copies of a Class 6 textbook. The solution is patented and aimed at tracking and preventing the circulation of fake the newly released NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook, titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), has sparked discussion about omitting key historical figures like Tipu Sultan and Haidar Ali, as well as the Anglo-Mysore Wars, in its chapter on India's colonial textbook covers the era from Vasco da Gama's arrival in the late 1400s up to the 1800s, including the Battle of Plassey and the 1857 uprising, portraying how one of the world's wealthiest lands was systematically impoverished during British rule. The second part of the textbook is expected to be released later this year.(With PTI inputs)- Ends
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI launches tree-plantation drive
KARACHI: In a bid to tackle the growing climate crisis and environmental degradation in Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi has launched a city-wide plantation campaign titled 'Let's Make Karachi Green,' aiming to plant 100,000 saplings across the megacity. The initiative was formally launched on Wednesday in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, where JI Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar, along with Town Chairman Dr Fawad planted the first sapling of the campaign. Speaking to the media, Zafar emphasised that the campaign was part of a broader climate strategy led by JI to counter rising temperatures, urban heat, and deteriorating air quality in the city. 'Karachi was once known for its 'cold roads' lined with trees,' he recalled. 'Now, in many areas, we're left with nothing but concrete jungle. It is our responsibility to restore greenery and bring back Karachi's lost environment.' He said that the drive would be implemented across all towns under the supervision of local chairmen and union councils to ensure meaningful and sustained impact. Criticizing the Sindh government for what he termed as 'environmental negligence,' the JI leader questioned the fate of 50,000 trees promised by the provincial administration. 'Where is the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency? What happened to their commitments?' He also slammed the government for chopping down trees during Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects without adequate re-plantation efforts. 'Development should not come at the cost of ecological collapse.' Highlighting the party's recent contributions, Monem Zafar said that JI had restored over 155 public parks during the past two years and introduced innovative ideas such as roadside jungles, urban forests, and rainwater harvesting systems to conserve natural resources. The JI leader said Karachi deserves at least Rs500 billion for its development, not just Rs20 billion. We demand a minimum of Rs2 billion for each of the city's towns. He expressed concern over the large number of unsafe structures in the megacity, especially in District South. 'Out of 749 buildings declared dangerous by the Sindh Building Control Authority, 400 are in District South alone. Who allowed 8-storey buildings on 8-yard plots,' he questioned. Zafar pointed out that while the World Health Organisation recommends one tree for every seven individuals. He said Karachi's ratio is shockingly low—estimated at one tree for every 1,000 people. 'This is a wake-up call. The megacity ranks 170 out of 173 in the global livability index. If we don't act now, future generations will suffer even more.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
‘BYD's Shark 6 PHEV launch to help fill the market gap'
KARACHI: BYD officials and auto sector experts believe the launch of Shark 6 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) will help fill the market gap, while attracting customers through its comfort, features, and luxury in comparison with other pickup trucks. They expressed these views during a media workshop on PHEV technology held in Karachi. The company is set to launch Shark 6 on July 25 as the country's first PHEV in the pickup truck segment. Talking to Business Recorder, PakWheels co-founder Suneel Munj said because of poor road infrastructure and for want of a proper charging network, PHEV was being launched so that commuters could use both plug-in hybrid and engine. 'The competition depends on the price of the vehicle', he said, anticipating the price of Shark 6 could be less than Rs20 million. Meanwhile, Danish Khaliq, Vice President Sales and Strategy at BYD Pakistan, was of the view that when consumers are given options, new vehicles make their places in the market. 'Our Shark 6 PHEV will attract customers who are already well-informed about all models of the international brand BYD. There is a gap in the market, we think we will fill this gap in terms of not only luxury, feature perspectives but also technology one. This is the first pickup truck in PHEV.' China's BYD says it is against import of 5-year-old used vehicles Delivering a presentation, he also explained how PHEVs redefine the hybrid driving experience. 'This isn't about incremental improvement, it's a leap. The electric motor does the heavy lifting. The combustion engine exists to support, not lead. That distinction changes the entire driving dynamic, especially for urban users who are increasingly looking for smarter and cleaner options,' he said. Khaliq said the fundamental difference between PHEVs and traditional hybrids (HEVs) was that while HEVs rely mainly on the petrol engine and recharge their batteries through their engine or by regenerative braking, PHEVs come equipped with a larger battery that can be charged externally. 'This allows them to offer both greater fuel efficiency and environmental benefits without compromising range. They also provide the capability to drive solely on the battery, with an extended range, operating as a pure electric vehicle.' In terms of real-world application, he said BYD's Shark 6, which uses the Dual Mode off-road (DMO) plug-in hybrid platform, could cut tailpipe CO₂ emissions by as much as 62%, a notable figure in congested cities like Karachi and Lahore, where transport emissions dominate the smog equation. 'Beyond its environmental benefits, the vehicle also delivers an exceptional driving experience for adventure seekers with multiple terrain modes, including mud, snow, and sand, ensuring complete control across diverse landscapes.' While the Shark 6 was the centerpiece during the event, the larger focus remained on how PHEVs could play a transformative role in Pakistan's mobility ecosystem. BYD Pakistan Country Head Lei Jian said the company's dual mode architecture had been under development for over two decades. 'We launched the world's first mass-produced PHEV back in 2008. With a vertically integrated supply chain and constant R&D, we've built a platform that's both intelligent and efficient. The engine only activates when it's needed, making long-distance travel stress-free,' he said. Jian stated that the system, which BYD introduced globally with the F3DM (the world's first mass-produced PHEV), had undergone over 20 years of continuous development. Under the Super Dual Mode Hybrid Platform, he explained, the vehicle combines a large-capacity power battery with a high-efficiency Xiaoyun 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, which offers an industry-leading thermal efficiency of 46.06%, a benchmark among mass-produced hybrid engines. Jian said BYD Shark 6 had been introduced not just as Pakistan's first PHEV pickup but also a category-defining product.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
FIR lodged against principal for extortion, mental harassment of teacher
Nagpur: The Hudkeshwar police have registered an offence against the principal of a school and junior college in Avdhut Nagar under Section 308(2) of the BNS, following allegations of extortion and mental harassment levelled by a senior teacher. The accused is also the joint secretary of the education society which runs the junior college, and is the son of the organisation's head. According to the complaint filed by Sarang Chaudhary, who has been working at the institute since 2016, the principal demanded Rs20 lakh in cash and five per cent of his monthly salary in exchange for regularising his post. Initially hired on an unaided basis, Chaudhary's post was made permanent in March 2023. However, he claimed he was coerced into transferring five percent of his salary — approximately Rs3,800 monthly — either in cash or into the account of a staff member. Chaudhary alleged that when he stopped the payments in October 2024, his salary account was frozen. He claimed that a letter was issued to his bank's branch in Narendra Nagar, instructing that his salary account be blocked. "Despite multiple complaints to education authorities and two separate orders from the deputy director of education in March and April 2025 directing the school to resume his salary, no action was taken by the management," he stated in the complaint. The complainant further alleged systematic harassment, including denial of attendance sign-ins, non-payment of arrears, exclusion from essential service records, and repeated demands for already-submitted appointment documents. The FIR also mentioned that his mobile phone was regularly confiscated during duty hours without any official reason. Chaudhary has alleged additional harassment, including being assigned non-teaching tasks, forced attendance at civil defence training meant for other teaching staff, and denial of recognition for completed government-mandated training. Chaudhary claimed that this harassment has caused financial distress to his family, pushing him to approach the police. Based on his complaint and supporting evidence, the Hudkeshwar police registered an FIR which identified the principal as Vikas Ingole. Senior inspector Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar, PSI Omprakash Bhalavi, and PSI Yogesh Korde are conducting investigation.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Principal booked for extortion, mental harassment of teacher
Nagpur: The Hudkeshwar police have registered an offence against the principal of a school and junior college in Avdhut Nagar under Section 308(2) of the BNS, following allegations of extortion and mental harassment levelled by a senior teacher. The accused is also the joint secretary of the education society which runs the junior college, and is the son of the organisation's head. According to the complaint filed by Sarang Chaudhary, who has been working at the institute since 2016, the principal demanded Rs20 lakh in cash and five per cent of his monthly salary in exchange for regularising his post. Initially hired on an unaided basis, Chaudhary's post was made permanent in March 2023. However, he claimed he was coerced into transferring five percent of his salary — approximately Rs3,800 monthly — either in cash or into the account of a staff member. Chaudhary alleged that when he stopped the payments in October 2024, his salary account was frozen. He claimed that a letter was issued to his bank's branch in Narendra Nagar, instructing that his salary account be blocked. "Despite multiple complaints to education authorities and two separate orders from the deputy director of education in March and April 2025 directing the school to resume his salary, no action was taken by the management," he stated in the complaint. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The complainant further alleged systematic harassment, including denial of attendance sign-ins, non-payment of arrears, exclusion from essential service records, and repeated demands for already-submitted appointment documents. The FIR also mentioned that his mobile phone was regularly confiscated during duty hours without any official reason. Chaudhary has alleged additional harassment, including being assigned non-teaching tasks, forced attendance at civil defence training meant for other teaching staff, and denial of recognition for completed government-mandated training. Chaudhary claimed that this harassment has caused financial distress to his family, pushing him to approach the police. Based on his complaint and supporting evidence, the Hudkeshwar police registered an FIR which identified the principal as Vikas Ingole. Senior inspector Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar, PSI Omprakash Bhalavi, and PSI Yogesh Korde are conducting investigation.
