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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Plans afoot to construct 240 toilet units across Kochi
Kochi: The city is set to witness a spurt in public toilet construction at a total cost of 7.7 crore to construct 240 units. The plan is to construct 200 units of public toilets and 40 community toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Of the total cost, SBM will allocate Rs 5 crore, while the remaining funds will need to be mobilised by Kochi corporation. " For the public toilets, we have earmarked funds for construction. This amount can be pooled with the funds SBM will allocate. Corporate social responsibility funds of PSUs like BPCL Kochi refinery can also be utilised," said T K Ashraf, chairman, health standing committee, Kochi corporation. "The project, costing a total of Rs 3 crore at Rs 1.5 lakh per unit for 200 public toilets, will receive SBM assistance of Rs 1.65 crore. The corporation will need to find the remaining Rs 1.35 crore. The corporation will soon devise plans for toilet construction in accordance with SBM guidelines," he said. Similar projects designed earlier are still in cold storage. Around two years ago, corporation roped in a private firm to set up public toilets in different parts of the city. But it still remains on paper. "The private firm didn't show interest in the project after we awarded the work to it," Asharaf said. Again, a couple of months ago, corporation introduced a new firm to set up public toilets in the city along with cafeteria. The corporation will have to provide additional land to the firm to erect billboards so that it can generate advertisement income to operate the toilets in a hygienic manner. "Identifying 75 cents of land in various parts of the city for the public toilets and cafeteria is not easy. This is a huge burden. Moreover, the facility's operation and revenue collection will rest with the private firm for next 20 years. So, corporation is yet to take a call on the project," Asharaf said. Meanwhile, due to the apathy by authorities, many existing public toilets in the city remain dysfunctional. "In Vyttila, a public toilet with two units remains closed for past five years. The public toilet attached to corporation's zonal office was opened for the public for a brief period around one-and-a-half years ago. After one month, it ceased to operate. It has been six months since authorities erected a container toilet near the bus stop at Vyttila towards Aluva side. It couldn't be opened as water and electricity connections are yet to be provided," said RTI activist T N Prathapan. "Similar is the case with a public toilet attached to 'Take a Break' project near Ernakulam boat jetty. The toilet has been defunct for past several months due to septic tank-related issues. District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is yet to rectify it," he added.
News18
03-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Zumba Row: Kerala Teacher Suspended For Criticising Govt's Move On Social Media
Last Updated: A teacher from T A M UP School, was suspended for a social media post criticising Zumba, which the Kerala Education Department introduced in schools for an anti-drug campaign. A teacher from T A M UP School in Edathanattukara, T K Ashraf, has been suspended following a social media post criticising the Zumba dance. He was suspended by the school management pending an inquiry. Following strong intervention by the Department of Education, the school took action and suspended the teacher. A meeting was held at the school on Thursday to decide on the next steps. The school manager confirmed that a copy of the suspension order has been sent to the Education Department. The controversy started when T K Ashraf shared a post on social media criticising Zumba dance. As the issue sparked public debate, the Department of General Education issued a notice to the school manager through the Deputy Director of Education, Palakkad, seeking action within 24 hours. The management requested three days to respond, but the department did not grant the extension. Subsequently, the suspension order was handed over on Thursday morning. The Kerala education department introduced Zumba in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign, and some Muslim outfits have objected to the decision. The move is facing backlash as some religious groups objected to girls and boys 'intermingling" and 'dancing together wearing minimal clothes". Many schools in the state have begun offering Zumba training from this academic year. Zumba is a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. However, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the move and also shared a video on Facebook showing the participation of Muslim students in a Zumba session.'Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty said. CPM General Secretary MA Baby called the objections based on misconceptions. He noted that Zumba is done globally and that the students were 'fully clothed". The SNDP has backed the move. Youth Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil and DYFI have also expressed support. First Published: July 03, 2025, 19:15 IST
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Teacher faces action over Zumba dance criticism
Kozhikode: The general education department has directed disciplinary action against T K Ashraf, a teacher at PKMUP School, Edathanattukara and general secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, after he publicly criticized the introduction of Zumba classes in schools. Following an order from the director of general education, the deputy director of education (DDE), Palakkad, instructed the school to initiate disciplinary proceedings — including suspension — within 24 hours. The action stems from Ashraf's Facebook posts deemed defamatory to the state govt and the education department. The directive was issued on July 1. In a June 26 post, Ashraf stated that as a teacher he was distancing himself from the directive mandating conducting Zumba dance in schools. He also said his son would not take part in the dance initiative. "I am ready to face whatever action the department takes on this matter. I send my child to a public school for quality education- not to learn a culture of boys and girls dancing together in skimpy clothes to the rhythm of music. Some may see this as progressive. But I admit, in this matter, I am conservative," Ashraf had written. In a subsequent post, also cited in the official notice, Ashraf said the core issue was the lack of public dialogue before implementing the programme. Targeting those who raise concerns won't erase the issue, he wrote. Wisdom Islamic Organisation condemned the action, stating that Ashraf's concerns reflect the sentiments of a section of society that upholds traditional values. "This move is an attempt to silence teachers who also have the right to express their views," the organisation said. Meanwhile, minister Saji Cherian, speaking in Alappuzha, said divisive politics were being promoted under the guise of opposition to Zumba dance. He also questioned whose interests opposition leader Satheesan is protecting by suggesting that Zumba dance should be examined. The minister also accused Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (Casa) of sowing anti-Muslim sentiment among Christians with RSS backing. He claimed both the controversies surrounding Zumba and the film Janaki vs State of Kerala were part of efforts to spread communal hatred.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Education department calls for disciplinary action against TK Ashraf over Zumba criticism
The Education Department has directed disciplinary action against TK Ashraf, the General Secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation and a teacher, for criticising the introduction of Zumba sessions in schools. In a letter addressed to the manager of the school where Ashraf is currently employed, the Deputy Director of Education in Palakkad has urged that action be taken within 24 hours. The letter stated that Ashraf insulted the department and the government through a Facebook post, which was enclosed with the communication. Zumba sessions were introduced in schools as part of an anti-drugs campaign launched by the state government. However, several Muslim organisations have voiced opposition to the initiative. Ashraf was one of the prominent voices criticising the programme. 'Children are being sent to schools for quality education and not for a cultural practice where boys and girls intermix and dance. Some might consider this progressive, however, I am regressive in this case,' he wrote on Facebook. The Wisdom Islamic Organisation has condemned the Education Department's move, stating that 'the concept of gender being a social construct is a door that opens to sexual anarchy.'
India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Kerala: Zumba dance introduced in schools as part of anti-drug campaign
Thrissur (Kerala) [India], July 2 (ANI): A Zumba dance initiative was launched in schools on Wednesday as part of the curriculum to promote physical fitness and mental well-being among students. This program is part of the anti-drug campaign in schools in Kerala, aimed at helping students manage stress through physical activity. However, the initiative has faced criticism for allegedly encouraging inappropriate intermingling of boys and girls. Speaking to ANI, Roma Mansoor, a certified International Zumba Fitness instructor, said, 'I am happy to say that the Kerala government has taken initiative to promote Zumba in schools. It is a great initiative because nowadays children are addicted to many things that ruin their mindset. Zumba can help them relax their will help the children to increase their confidence. As it is a calorie-burning workout, it is a good move for weight management also...' Earlier on June 28, Muslim groups in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram raised strong objections after the state education department introduced Zumba dance in schools, stating that they can't accept girls and boys intermingling, dancing together, or wearing minimal clothing. The backlash began after TK Ashraf, a teacher and General Secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, posted on Facebook that he and his son would not participate in the programme. 'Cannot accept this, and my son and I will not participate in this,' Ashraf wrote in a brief but direct statement opposing the initiative. Following his statement, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama leader Nassar Faizy Koodathai also criticised the sessions, calling them inappropriate and a violation of students' rights. The education department, on the other hand, defended its decision, saying the Zumba sessions were voluntary and were introduced under a statewide initiative to help students cope with academic pressure and discourage drug abuse. According to the official, the programme was designed to promote mental and physical well-being and was not mandatory for students. Meanwhile, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty strongly defended the inclusion of Zumba dance in schools, stating that raising objections to such activities would inject poison that is more deadly than drugs into society. Responding to the criticism, Minister Sivankutty said, 'No one has asked children to wear minimal clothes. Children are wearing school uniforms and performing this.' CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby also backed the Kerala Government's plan to introduce Zumba in schools and said the backlash is 'absolutely untrue'. (ANI)
