India news

aIcte plans audit to identify gaps in access for students with disabilities udaipur tailor murder: 32 senior cops transferred amid criticism

AICTE is seeking to empanel an agency to carry out an accessibility audit of identified educational institutions across India.

THE All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to conduct an accessibility audit of affiliated institutes to identify gaps in facilities for students with disabilities and to set up at least one model institute for accessible education in each major state.

“The AICTE proposes to create one model institute imparting accessible education, in each major state which will be able to inspire others, so that over time all institutions start imparting accessible education,” the AICTE said in a letter seeking proposals for the audit on Tuesday.

It said AICTE is seeking to empanel an agency to carry out an accessibility audit of identified educational institutions across India. The audit will cover the infrastructure and educational aspects of institutions. “The audit report shall become the basis for [the] development of a proposal by the educational institute, for funding from the AICTE.”

AICTE said it wants to encourage the enrolment of students with disabilities in technical education. “To make them as comfortable as other students and empower them to complete their studies, certain special provisions are to be created or modified in the existing institutions for a supportive atmosphere. These mechanisms should comprehensively cover physical accessibility of academic institutions, improvement of the teaching learning process, support systems once admitted and other linkages...”

The areas to be covered under the audit include administrative and circulation spaces, building infrastructure, classrooms, libraries, workshops, laboratories, cafeterias, hostels, sports facilities, digital content, printed content, etc.

'cms are of 3 types…': shashi tharoor's veiled dig at shiv sena leader eknath shinde

In a move that stunned political pundits, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that Eknath Shinde will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday sprang up a surprise by announcing rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde as the next chief minister of Maharashtra. In a curious turn of events, former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was widely believed to take up the CM's office, first announced that he would stay out of the Shinde-led government but was sworn in later as Shiv Sena leader's deputy.

The BJP, however, is expected to safeguard the party’s interests in the state and the government by ensuring that key portfolios remain with it.

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor quoted satirist Sharad Joshi in an apparent swipe at the newlyappointed chief minister.

“There are three types of chief ministers: the elected chief ministers, the planted chief ministers and the third are those who become (chief minister) in the battle of the first two!” he tweeted in Hindi.

On Thursday, Congress accused the BJP government of capturing power "unethically" by use of money and muscle power, and destabilising democratically elected governments.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a statement that the focus of the Bharatiya Janata Party has been to capture power in the states and bring down the elected governments rather than serve the people. "We strongly condemn the way BJP is destabilising both democratically elected governments and democratically installed governments. This is not only an insult to democracy, but also an insult to the people who voted against the ideology of BJP," the Rajya Sabha member said. "Through the naked display of money and muscle power, the BJP has undemocratically and unethically captured yet another state government. Under the Modi-Shah duo, the BJP wants to capture power at any cost, either directly or through remote control. What happened in Maharashtra is shameful for Indian democracy," he added. UdaIPUR police came under criticism for not providing security to Kanhaiya Lal after he complained of threats over a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma.

As many as 32 officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS), including the Inspector General and Police Superintendent Of Udaipur, have been transferred in the wake of the gruesome murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal.

Udaipur police came under strong criticism for not providing security to the 48-year-old after he complained of threats over a social media post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, whose comment on Prophet Muhammad triggered massive outrage.

He was murdered on Tuesday by two men who filmed the killing. Later, Riaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad put out another video in which they bragged about the murder and also threatened to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two have been arrested, and five others have been detained.

The Union Home Ministry has handed over the investigation into the sensitive case to the country's top anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The killers had links with Pakistan-based group Dawate-Islami and one of them also went to Karachi in 2014, say investigators.

The tailor's murder was a planned act of terror and more people were involved, Rajasthan police chief ML Lather said. "The main accused were in touch with organisation Dawat-e-Islami. One of them also went to Karachi in Pakistan in 2014 to meet the organisation. We are considering it an act of terror," he said.

Mr Lather said an Assistant Sub-Inspector has been suspended for not taking proper action to prevent the incident.

The two accused were produced in court amid heavy security yesterday. The court sent them to judicial custody for 14 days.

Crowds raised slogans against the two on the Udaipur court premises.

Udaipur continues to be on alert as the curfew imposed in the wake of the horrifying crime continues.

COMMEnTS

A religion procession by devotees of Lord Jagannath is scheduled to be taken out today and heavy force has been deployed to ensure peace.

"set country on fire": supreme court slams ex bJp spokesperson nupur sharma

nUPUR Sharma's offensive remarks during a TV debate earlier this month sparked massive protests in India and several Gulf countries summoned Indian diplomats to issue severe reprimands.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today blamed former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for igniting tension with her comments on Prophet Muhammad and said "she and her loose tongue have set the country on fire".

In unusually strong comments, the court said she must apologise to the country. "The way she has ignited emotions across the country. This lady is singlehandedly responsible for what is happening in the country," said the judges.

Nupur Sharma's offensive remarks during a TV debate earlier this month sparked massive protests in India and several Gulf countries summoned Indian diplomats to issue severe reprimands. On Tuesday, a tailor in Udaipur who had backed Nupur Sharma in a social media post was murdered on camera by two men who said they were "avenging an insult to Islam".

Questioned on the "deceptive name" on her petition, her lawyer said she had not used her name because of the threats. The judges snapped: "She faces threats or she has become a security threat?"

The court also snubbed Nupur Sharma's argument on "equal treatment" and "no discrimination".

Her comments showed her "obstinate and arrogant character", said the Supreme Court. "What if she is the spokesperson of a party? She thinks she has back up of power and can make any statement without respect to the law of the land?"

The judges added: "These remarks are very disturbing and smack of arrogance. What is her business to make such remarks? These remarks have led to unfortunate incidents in the country...These people are not religious. They do not have respect for other religions. These remarks were made for cheap publicity or political agenda or some other nefarious activities."

Her lawyer replied she had only responded to a question by the anchor during a TV debate. When the lawyer referred to the citizens right to speak, the judges replied caustically: "In a democracy, everyone has the right to speak. In a democracy, grass has right to grow and the donkey has the right to eat."

Nupur Sharma's argument citing a previous order about protecting journalistic freedom also did not wash. "She cannot be put on the pedestal of a journalist. When she goes and lambasts on a TV debate and makes irresponsible statements without thinking of the ramifications and consequences that it will have on the fabric of society," the Supreme Court said.

BRISBanE, Nationwide Migration, and Education presented the Migrant Achiever awards 2022 on Sunday 26th June at the prestigious W hotel. This is a new initiative by Nationwide Migration to recognize the contribution of talented and skilled students or migrants who support Australia's economy in numerous ways to celebrate all the international graduates and skilled migrants who have come a long way to achieve their Australian dream.

Suman Dua, director of Nationwide Migration, said, “We believe their successes must be appreciated and celebrated, hence the big night! The journey of the migrants would have typically started with acquiring valuable qualifications in Australia. They are then moving on to tirelessly upskilling to secure the job of their dreams or start a business of their passion.

These people are now making a difference to our society by contributing their skills in their industry of work; or by creating opportunities for others in the community at the same time. The award nominations were open until 31st May 2022 and 88 nomination applications were from all over Australia.

Three prominent awards were presented.

Excellence Award in Professional Category- won By Ankit Sharma, a data engineer.

Young Achiever Award – won by Kashyap Trivedi, the small business owner

Global Talent Independent Category- jointly won by Neeraj Mall and Daniel Odion Iyinomen.

Gracing us tonight were migrants who are business owners, doctors, social workers, nurses, and from other diverse professions. Senator Paull Scarr and Ms. Marney Richardson from the QLD State Government were present to show their incredible support to international graduates and migrants. We would also like to give a big applause to our Judges, Cr. Sandy Landers, Mr. Umesh Chandra OAM, Immediate Past President of QMC, and Mr. Farouk Adam, President of the Muslim Business Council, for all their expertise, dedication, and hard work in selecting the winners tonight.

We sincerely thank Saurav, Minerva, and their team from Oceania College for their support tonight. Thank you to Rahul Fernandes and Adriano Tagliari from Canterbury College.

We also appreciate the presence of Mrs. Usha Chandra from Globenet realty, Ms. Upma Kite from Ravishing Fashionista, Caroline Russo from Hush Hush Biz Media, and Karen Ossorio from Brand 4 Profit, Kate Kendall from Impact your life.

We would also like to thank our Exclusive Media partners, Brisbane Indian Times, and Australian Indian Radio”.