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News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Should Students Clean Toilets? SC Commission Seeks Report On IAS Officer's Remark In Telangana
Last Updated: Dr VS Alagu Varshini was recorded in a widely circulated audio clip suggesting that students incorporate cleaning toilets and hostel rooms into their daily routine. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued notices to the Telangana Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police regarding controversial remarks made by IAS officer Dr VS Alagu Varshini. The Commission demands an action-taken report within 15 days concerning allegedly derogatory instructions given to Gurukul school authorities. Varshini, Secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS), was recorded in a widely circulated audio clip suggesting that students incorporate cleaning toilets and hostel rooms into their daily routine. The audio has drawn criticism, with many alleging discriminatory implications for Dalit students. Former IPS officer and BRS leader Dr RS Praveen Kumar, a former Secretary of TGSWREIS, condemned the remarks, questioning whether the Chief Minister's own children would be expected to clean school bathrooms. He called for Varshini's dismissal, accusing her of perpetuating caste-based discrimination under the pretext of discipline. BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha also criticised the officer, characterising her actions as reflective of what she described as the Congress government's 'anti-poor" mindset. She alleged that the current government discontinued the monthly Rs 40,000 budget allocated under BRS rule for employing cleaning staff in Gurukul schools. According to Kavitha, the elimination of assistant caretaker positions in 240 schools has left students responsible for chores such as cleaning toilets and managing kitchens. She emphasised that Gurukuls were established to shield marginalised students from caste and class-based humiliation, not to expose them to it. In response, Varshini released an audio message urging against politicising the issue or misinterpreting her comments. She maintained that students from impoverished backgrounds should acquire self-reliance and life skills, including cooking and cleaning. The officer stated that children need to develop independence, particularly in preparation for adulthood without constant parental support. She added that such tasks are commonplace in other countries and should be viewed as contributing to holistic development rather than constituting exploitation. First Published: June 03, 2025, 16:28 IST


NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Telangana Gurukul Student Agasara Nandini Scripts History At Asian Athletics Championship
Agasara Nandini, a student of Telangana's Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS), returned home to a rousing welcome after clinching a gold medal in the heptathlon at the 26th Asian Athletics Championship 2025, held recently in Thailand. This remarkable achievement marks a historic first for a student from Telangana's Gurukul institutions on the Asian stage. These Gurukuls provide residential educational facilities for children from the most deprived sections of the society. On her arrival at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Nandini was accorded a ceremonial reception by a large contingent of TGSWREIS senior officials and staff. She later met with Dr. V.S. Alugu Varsini, Secretary of the Society, at the Head Office, Masab Tank, where she was felicitated for her outstanding performance. "The Asian record I set remains untouched so far, and that fills me with immense pride. But this is just the beginning. My next goal is to win Olympic gold for India. This is not the time to rest it's time to train harder, aim higher, and stand tall on the global podium,"Nandini said at the felicitation. She attributed her success to the unwavering support and professional training provided by the Gurukul system. "The consistent encouragement from our Secretary Dr. Varsini Ma'am, who recognised and nurtured my talent personally, gave me tremendous confidence. I discovered my passion for sports in Class VI, and every step from state to national, and now international competitions was backed fully by my institution," she added. Reflecting on her performance despite sustaining an injury during the Asian Games, Nandini noted with emotion that it was the moral and logistical support from the Gurukul leadership that inspired her to defy the odds and secure gold. Dr. V.S. Alugu Varsini, applauding Nandini's exemplary feat, said the young girl had emerged as a national inspiration. "Her determination and performance exemplify the potential embedded in our residential education model. We will continue to provide her with advanced training, technical support, and all necessary assistance to prepare her for the Olympic Games." She said the Society had paid for Nandini's travel and competition expenses and would continue to extend full financial and infrastructural support. "This is the first time a Telangana Gurukul student has brought home a gold medal from the Asian Athletics Championship-an achievement that fills us with pride," she added. Dr. Varsini also commended Nandini's parents Mr. Agasara Ellappa and Ms. Ayamma for their unwavering encouragement and support, both of who were visibly overwhelmed with pride. "Their belief in their daughter's dream deserves special recognition," she said. Highlighting the Telangana Government's commitment to sports, Dr. Varsini said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had been prioritising sports development in the State. "His vision is to see athletes from Telangana win medals at the Olympic level. Nandini's journey is a shining embodiment of that dream." She also emphasised that students like Nandini reflect the transformative power of the Gurukul education system. "Her discipline, perseverance, and patriotism inspire us all. The Society remains dedicated to providing world-class facilities and mentorship to SC students, enabling them to shine on global platforms." Coaches, physiotherapists, dieticians, academic staff, and training partners were lauded for their crucial roles in preparing the young athlete. Nandini's victory is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for countless young girls across Telangana. Her unwavering dedication and trailblazing journey are expected to serve as an inspiration for future generations, particularly from marginalised communities. "She stands today not only as a champion but as a role model. Nandini has become the face of possibility, discipline, and excellence emerging from Telangana's Gurukul institutions," said Dr. Varsini.


Hans India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Aiming high: Nandini aspires to win gold in upcoming Olympics
Hyderabad: Agasara Nandini, who recently won a gold medal in the heptathlon at the 26th Asian Athletics Championship 2025, now aspires to win gold in the upcoming Olympics for India. Nandini, a student of the Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS), on Monday received a grand welcome. She later met with Dr V S Alugu Varsini, Secretary of TGSWREIS. Speaking to the media, Nandini said, 'The Asian record I set remains untouched so far, and that fills me with immense pride. But this is just the beginning. My next goal is to win Olympic gold for India. This is not the time to rest. It's time to train harder, aim higher, and stand tall on the global podium. The consistent encouragement from our Secretary Dr Varsini Ma'am, who recognised and nurtured my talent personally, gave me tremendous confidence. I discovered my passion for sports in Class VI, and every step from state to national, and now international competitions was backed fully by my institution,' she added. Dr V S Alugu Varsini stated, 'Nandini has emerged as a national inspiration. Her determination and performance exemplify the potential embedded in our residential education model. This is the first time a Telangana Gurukul student has brought home a gold medal from the Asian Athletics Championship—an achievement that fills us with pride.'


Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Telangana officer's remarks on involving students in cleaning toilets spark row
A controversy has erupted in Telangana over the alleged remarks of a senior official of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS) regarding students' involvement in cleaning activities. The opposition BRS has demanded the official's removal, while the National Commission for Scheduled Castes sought details on the matter. The commission on May 31 issued notices to the Telangana Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, seeking a report within 15 days concerning the alleged derogatory remarks made by the IAS officer against SC students in the institutions. However, TGSWREIS Secretary V S Alagu Varsini clarified that 'this is about life skills, not labour.' A purported audio clip of the officer 'instructing' principals at a recent review meeting to involve students in cleaning toilets, hostel rooms, as well as cooking meals has gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from the BRS. BRS MLC K Kavitha has said that each social welfare school had received ₹40,000 per month during her party's regime for hiring four temporary workers for cleaning tasks. "This has been stopped by the Congress government starting May this year," she said. In a recent post on 'X', Kavitha said, "The government has also done away with having assistant caretakers in the 240 schools, forcing the students to take up the role of wardens and manage kitchens. Now the officer is Forcing children to clean toilets in schools !!" The BRS leader called the behaviour "discriminatory, exploitative" and said it "violates basic principles of child rights and dignity". "It only Reflects Revanth Reddy government's anti poor, anti Dalit attitude !! I demand the government to immediately take steps to remove the officer and start giving the required funds to run the social welfare schools properly," Kavitha said. The IAS officer, however, refuted the allegations and said they were just an activity to "tarnish" the government. She emphasised that all the sanitation staff remain employed. "Leaders like Gandhi and Ambedkar emphasized personal hygiene and dignity of work. Our students call me 'Amma.' I treat them as my own children. Asking them to be responsible for their surroundings is about nurturing future-ready citizens, not exploiting them,' Varsini said. The official also denounced the selective editing of her two-hour speech into "misleading" four-minute audio clips now circulating on social media. In her clarification, the official expressed pain at being reduced to a caste tag in political narratives. 'I come from a BC farming family. I have climbed each step through sheer perseverance. It's heartbreaking when caste becomes a tool to diminish merit,' she said. She added that while majority of the residential students are from the scheduled castes, BCs, STs, and minority students are equally part of the system. 'I treat them all with the same care. Don't colour our children with your political brush,' a release quoted her as saying.


The Hindu
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Agasara Nandini of TGSWREIS wins gold at 26th Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea
Agasara Nandini, a third-year BBA student at the Social Welfare Residential Degree College, Sangareddy, won gold at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships 2025 being held in Gumi, South Korea. Ms. Nandini won the gold medal in the heptathlon with a personal best of 5,941 points. She is the third Indian to win heptathlon gold at the Asian Championships, after Swapna Barman (2017) and Soma Biswas (2005). Heptathlon is a combined track and field event comprising seven disciplines - 100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin throw, and 800 metres – held across a two-day period. Ms. Nandini is coached by Mr. Saji and Mr. Nagaraju. TGSWREIS Secretary Alagu Varshini congratulated Ms. Nandini on her achievement, and extended her appreciation to the coaches. 'Nandini is a shining example of what is possible when vision, effort, and opportunity come together,' she said.