Latest news with #VJ
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MBBS admission quota in unaided colleges cut by 50%, students erupt
Nagpur: A controversy has erupted over the ongoing MBBS admission process in Maharashtra, with a students' body alleging that reservation for backward class students has been slashed from 50% to 25% in private and unaided colleges. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) confirmed the move through a govt notification of 2006. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar National Students Federation in Nagpur has claimed that quota for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Vimukta Jatis (VJ), Nomadic Tribes (NT) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was illegally reduced by half, pushing hundreds of students to the brink of losing their rightful seats. According to the federation, this arbitrary decision of the state's medical education and drugs department has resulted in 766 reserved category aspirants being denied admission to MBBS courses this year in private colleges. A memorandum has been already submitted to the SC/ST Commission seeking urgent intervention. "Maharashtra has 23 private unaided medical colleges with a total intake of 3,219 MBBS seats. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo As per constitutional provisions, 1,533 seats should have been reserved for backward communities. Shockingly, only 767 have been allotted," alleged Dr Siddhant Bharne, president of the federation. Breaking down the numbers, the federation claimed Scheduled Castes (13%) were entitled to 398 seats, but only 199 were earmarked, while Scheduled Tribes (7%) should have received 215 seats, but just 107 were reserved. Similarly, OBCs (19%) were eligible for 583 seats, but only 292 were allotted. A senior official with Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) told TOI that a 2006 govt notification had fixed reservation at 25% in unaided medical colleges. "It was the policy decision of the Maharashtra govt after Supreme Court allowed respective states to fix the quota only in private colleges," he told TOI. However, the federation president Dr Bharne said, "This is nothing less than an organised conspiracy to deprive backward class students of medical education. Instead of safeguarding the rights of underprivileged communities, the govt has trampled upon them. We will not remain silent while hundreds of deserving students are robbed of their future." Calling it a "blatant violation of constitutional rights," the federation demanded that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis intervene to restore full reservation immediately and ensure justice to the affected students. "We noticed this now, and hence we are raising the voice against the injustice now. Any injustice going on for years doesn't mean it must continue. This type of injustice by the medical education department towards backward category students has been going on since the last 19 years," said Dr Bharne. The federation warned of intensified protests if corrective measures are not taken, while also urging the SC/ST Commission to issue strict directions. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
King Charles Seen Driving Queen Camilla To Church In Scotland In First Summer Outing
Last Updated: Crathie Kirk is the Royal Family's usual place of worship when they stay at Balmoral. The King and Queen are in Scotland for their yearly holiday. King Charles and Queen Camilla were pictured at Balmoral for the first time this summer, with the King driving her to a church service on Sunday. The Queen sat beside him in the passenger seat as they went to Crathie Kirk church, which is near the castle. Charles looked relaxed as he waved to people while driving his Audi Q8 e-tron electric SUV to the service. Camilla smiled as she joined him in greeting the public and photographers. The King and Queen dressed smartly for the Sunday service. King Charles, 76, wore a camel coat over his usual suit and tie. Queen Camilla wore a stylish hat with green and black feathers that matched her outfit, GB News reported. Crathie Kirk is the Royal Family's usual place of worship when they stay at Balmoral. The King and Queen are in Scotland for their yearly holiday. The trip usually starts in August, but Charles's holiday was delayed because he was leading the Victory over Japan Day commemorations. VJ Day, observed on August 15, marks the end of World War Two worldwide. On Friday, the King and Queen attended a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark the day. They were joined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, members of VJ associations, military personnel, and senior politicians for the national remembrance service. The King laid a wreath in honour of those who died and held a two-minute silence. While at the event, Camilla was moved to tears when a 105-year-old war veteran paid tribute to Charles in his speech. Yavar Abbas saluted 'my brave king" as he added a personal message. He spoke directly to King Charles and praised him for attending despite his ongoing cancer treatment. The veteran also said that the King's late grandfather, King George VI, would have been proud of him. King George VI, who was Queen Elizabeth II's father, struggled with lung cancer for years before passing away in 1952. view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 22:57 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
King Charles and Queen Camilla in tears during emotional VJ Day celebrations
The King and Queen Camilla joined 33 veterans who fearlessly served in the Far East and Pacific at an emotional national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday The King and Queen were moved to tears by the powerful first-hand testimony of VJ veterans as they spoke at a service of remembrance this afternoon, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. The sun shone down on the incredibly moving ceremony, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which paid tribute to those who fought and died during the War in the Far East and Pacific. It included two Fly Pasts, a two-minute silence, musical interludes and testimony from survivors of the so-called Forgotten War. But it was Captain Yavar Abbas, from the 11th Sikh Regiment, who stole the show as he went off script to pay tribute to the King for attending today and drawing attention to the veterans who have so often felt overlooked. He paused to salute the King and Queen and thanked them for honouring the 'forgotten Army'. It comes after Prince Harry's devastating loss in royal rift was exposed as Meghan 'holds the cards'. 'Apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King,' Mr Abbas said. 'Who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he is undergoing treatment for cancer. The veteran continued: 'I salute him for attending this occasion. By his presence here he has gone a long way to make sure that his Grandad's 14th army is never given the sobriquet of the forgotten army.' His comments were met with applause from the guests, while Camilla's eyes were red from crying. As he returned to the Royal Box, Mr Abbas saluted the King once more, who stood to chat to the veteran, clasping his hands. They spoke for almost a minute before saluting each other and returning to their seats. When they were reunited at a reception for veterans later that afternoon, they greeted each other like old friends. Shortly before noon, the arrival of a Guard of Honour marked the start of the ceremony, followed by a drum laying ceremony while The Bands of the Royal Marines Portsmouth played Elgar's Nimrod. The National Anthem signalled the arrival of the King, wearing the stone Field Marshall Number 4 uniform, and the Queen, who inspected the Guard of Honour before laying wreaths at the foot of the memorial steps. The Prime Minister, Admiral Sir Antony Radakin and Vice Admiral Paul Bennett also laid wreaths before making their way to their seats in the Royal Box to join the 33 VJ veterans and their families. Sheltered from the heat by a canopy, they had a direct view of the hour-long service, paying tribute to those who continued to fight for three long months after victory had been declared in Europe. For decades, veterans family members of those who died have been campaigning for the VJ heroes to be given the same recognition as those who fought the Nazis in Europe. The hour-long service then got underway, which saw the jets of the Red Arrows leave a trail of red, white and blue in the skies above and was hosted by actress Celia Imrie. The 1,500 guests stood to observe the national two-minute's silence, many removing their hats and bowing their heads as they reflected on those who fought and died during the War in the Far East and Pacific. The only sound that could be heard was that of pigeons ruffling in the trees above. This included the heartbreaking testimony of prisoners of war, who recalled the horrors they endured at the hands of the Japanese Ghani concluded his testimony by saying: 'Never walk with anger, let calmness lead the way.' As John Harlow's testimony was read by actor Anton Lesser, the camera showed the veteran, sitting next to the Queen, holding back tears as he listened to his story. The King appeared to wipe away a tear. Towards the end of the service, celebrated violinist Jennifer Pike MBE performed The Lark Ascending at the top of the memorial, dancers performed at the bottom, waving white doves on long flag poles. The roar of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight drew the service to a close. Charles then headed to view the memorials, including the Burma Star Memoirla and the Chanid Memoiral, before reuniting with his wife at a reception for VJ veterans and their families. They spent almost an hour moving from table to table separately and chatting with the veterans who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories and their families. On the first table, the King cracked jokes and said he was concerned for those who had to sit in direct sunlight during the service. Speaking to the family of 100-year-old RAF veteran Trevor Taylor, the King asked: 'Have you had to come from a long way away? Bradford? I hope you're not driving as somebody cannot have a drink.' He then asked if they were ok after sitting in the midday sun, 'I was very worried about you all sitting out, it was incredibly hot in the sun. You couldn't put an umbrella up?' Mr Taylor then enquired after the Queen, but the King pointed her out at a nearby table and said: 'She's here, she's there. 'You'll have to send her my love,' he said, to which the King responded: 'I will.' Charles was handed a couple of tea when he arrived on the third table, where he asked if Royal Marine veteran John Eskdale, 100, had ever encountered his great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten. As Supreme Allied Commander in South East Asia, he oversaw the recapture of Burma from the Japanese. The King asked: 'And you didn't come across my Great uncle lord mountbatten? I've heard a lot of stories about him.' Meanwhile, the Queen was discussing the service with Edwin Habberley and said, 'I found it so incredibly moving.' The monarch was then reunited with Mr Abbas, who served as a combat camerman, and they stood clasping hands for 40 seconds before taking their seats. The King told him: 'I can just remember by grandfather, but only just. I was told all the stories about Burma by my great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten. I learned a great deal from him.' Speaking afterwards, Mr Abbas said: 'Today, I make no apology for going off the script. If it upset their schedule, no I don't think it affected their schedule, I think it improved their schedule.' Asked why it was important for him to say what he did, he said: 'I admire the man, I admire the King, he has similar views about things that I have, about the environment for example. He's human.' I admire him for the man that he is. When I went up to him and spoke to him, he said something very touching to me. He said 'I am very grateful to you, I admire you for what you said. Thank you very much. He said to me: 'I almost cried.' And that's our King, he's a great King.' Charles's most poignant words came when chatting to Charlie Richards, 104, one of the last surviving Chindits, a unit that fought deep behind enemy lines in Burma between autumn 1942 and summer 1943. 'The things you did, I could never get over,' the monarch told him. 'We owe you all such a huge debt of gratitude.'
Economist
4 days ago
- Business
- Economist
A farewell to arms? Hamas considers its options
Opinions of Hamas are shifting—among its international backers, in Gaza, even within its affiliates' ranks. If it opts to disarm, what would happen next? A new analysis suggests using a sense of risk to explain markets' movements might be focusing on the wrong emotion. And our final ' Archive 1945 ' instalment relives VJ day through The Economist 's coverage at the time.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Cardiff to host service to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
The ceremony, taking place at the Wales National War Memorial, will honour Welsh veterans who served in the Asia Pacific during the Second World War. Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister of Wales, said: "Today we honour the Welsh veterans and all those who served in Asia Pacific during the Second World War. "On this 80th anniversary, we remember not only their service, but also the importance of reconciliation. "We must ensure their stories and sacrifices are never forgotten, so that future generations can understand the true cost of war and the value of peace." Mr Irranca-Davies will lay a wreath alongside MP Dame Nia Griffiths and Mr Masaki Ikegami, Deputy Ambassador for the Japanese Embassy in the UK. He will also host a private reception at the Temple of Peace, where families of VJ veterans will gather to remember their loved ones.
