The Observer Edition 33

Website: theweeklyobserver.in

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Bengaluru’s youngsters have differing opinions over voting in upcoming assembly elections | P 4

SC says Muslim quota in place till May 9; BJP vows to fight it

Shobha: Unlawful to give it on the basis of religion

By Yashaswini Sri

Even as the Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that the Karnataka government’s decision to scrap a 4 per cent quota for Muslims will be held in abeyance till May 9, the BJP vowed to fight against the measure.

PTI reported that an apex court Bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna said the earlier regime of 4 per cent quota to Muslims will continue to hold till May 9, when the matter will be heard next.

Union minister Shobha Karandlaje, who is coordinator of the BJP’s

Election Management Committee, said at a press conference: “Giving reservation to a religion-based com-

munity is against the law and Constitution. The BJP will make sure that we will fight against injustice

News Briefs

Delhi cops get SC notice on plea by wrestlers

and scrap the reservation. That is the only right thing.”

On April 13, 2023, the Supreme Court criticized the Karnataka government for scrapping the 4 per cent Muslim OBC quota two days before the announcement of assembly elections in Karnataka. However, the court refused to stay the quota. The court said Muslims in the state were enjoying the benefits of reservation for a long time and the order to scrap the quota was based on fallacious presumptions.

Slamming the state government, the court had said: “The foundation of your decision-making process is flawed and shaky.”

The Observer tried to contact various Muslim associations but did not get any response from any of those associations.

yashaswini.s@iijnm.org

Continued on page 3

Parents unhappy as schools enforce 6 years age norm for class 1 kids

By Sneha TS

Parents are unhappy about some schools implementing the rule that children six years old or more should be admitted to class 1 from academic year 2023-24.

Though the Karnataka government in 2022 relaxed the order for two years, the Department of School Education decided to implement the rule from academic year 2023-24.

In February, the central Ministry of Education directed all states and Union territories to set the minimum age of admission for class 1 to six years and

above. According to the National Education Policy (NEP), the rule comes into effect from the academic year 2025-26.

Ankita Jain, parent of a sixyear-old, informed The Observer : “I am relieved that my daughter is six years and 2 months old.

She goes to Chitrakoota School, which is affiliated to CBSE. The school has implemented the mandatory rule of accepting only children who have completed six years to class 1. I have heard many parents even considering changing their children’s date of birth in official records.”

Rashmi N, a parent, said: “My son will turn six in October. He is done with pre-schooling. I was planning to shift him to an ICSE school. I hope this rule doesn’t become a hurdle to it. Otherwise, the only option that children will be left is to repeat UKG.” l State board schools have not implemented the rule, P4

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Delhi Police on a petition by seven women wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP, saying these are serious allegations. The court initially said normally, in such matters, the aggrieved person can seek remedy under Section 156(3) of the CrPC.

Deccan Herald

Rahane back in Indian team for WTC final

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday made a comeback to the Indian team for the World Test Championship final against Australia, scheduled at the Oval from June 7 to 11. Rahane’s comeback after 15 months was on predictable lines after Shreyas Iyer’s back injury ruled him out of the grand finale.

Deccan Herald

Don Anand Mohan set to be released from jail

The Bihar government has issued a notification to release don-turned-politician Anand Mohan, currently serving a life sentence for the murder of former District Magistrate of Gopalganj G. Krishnaiah. On April 24, evening, Bihar government issued the notification, containing 26 names including Mohan’s, when he was at the engagement ceremony of his son Chetan.

The Hindu

PM Modi inaugurates Kochi Water Metro

PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Kochi Water Metro a first of its kind boat service in India integrated with a metro rail network. The Kochi Water Metro is a project being implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Corp ltd with aid from the German agency Kreditanstalt für Wieraufbau.

The Indian Express

Rise of online shopping and e-commerce platforms has become a major cause for ecological damage| P 2

Union minister Shobha Karandlaje said that reservation based on religion is unlawful | Credits: Ajay Rag A

Parents feel that schools should consider children who are just a few months away from turing six | Credit: Sneha T S

Go easy on pesticide use, be kind to bees, say beekeepers

Beekeepers want a ban imposed on harmful chemicals

By Yukta Mudgal

Beekeepers say pesticides and insecticides used by farmers and pest-control companies are leading to a decline in the number of bees, harming their honey business.

Apurva BV, chairman of Hive Trust, Bengaluru, said bees are dying because of poisoning. In rural areas, pesticides used by farmers kill bees. In urban areas, people use pest control to get rid of bees. Another reason for the decline of bees is light pollution.

There are 500 bee colonies in 70 coffee estates in Kodagu. In the past few years, it has not rained enough in these estates. Many trees have not developed the buds on which bees feed, causing the starving insects to fight till they kill each other.

In urban areas, due to a rise in pollution, bees feel stressed. They are exposed to polluted water and pesticides which affect their reproductivity.

Over the years, Apurva’s honey business has been affected adversely. “Last year, I used to procure 5 kg of honey per bee box; this year, I have only been able to procure 1 kg per box.”

In India, the government should at least educate people

about the importance of bees.

Dr Dharmesh Vadher, who left the beekeeping business in 2022, said the main reason for the decline in bee numbers is pesticides used by farmers. “When I was in the business, we used to lend bees to the farmers for pollination on the condition that they would not use pesticides on their crops. But the bees went to adjoining farms where pesticides had been used.”

He said: “The way the government helps farmers by giving loans and subsidies, they should also regulate their policies on making bee-friendly pesticides. In many parts of Europe, harmful pesticides are banned.”

Vadher said that European honeybees used by farmers are sidelining the indigenous breeds. The former find it difficult to sur-

vive during summer.

Manjunath SN, deputy director, agriculture plan production, department of agriculture, Karnataka, said every insecticide and pesticide goes through molecular screening. The concerned authority conducts trials to make insecticides and pesticides safe for animals, birds and aquatic life, though not for bees and other insects. The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee implements rules on pesticides.

“We on the government level are aware farmers use pesticides to a limit, but unfortunately farmers overuse the pesticides which becomes hazardous to not only insects but animals and humans as well.”

Anusha HN, MD at Pestokill,

Citizen’s Voice

Spirit of literature dying in the chaos of technology

a pest control company in Bengaluru, said strong pesticides are harmful for bees. Instead of killing bees, her company uses smoke to drive them away. Most people are scared of bees and ask for pest control.

“Sometimes, even after driving the bees away, they come back to the same place. In this case, we suggest our clients colour their balconies in some light shades,” Anusha said.

Soumik Dey Roy, assistant professor, agricultural entomology, Brainware University, Kolkata, wrote to The Observer: “Without proper knowledge about the target insects’ physiology, farmers go for broad-spectrum pesticide spraying. As a result, the pest status has declined….Honeybees were among these non-target animals.

Heavy spraying of pesticide on flowering crops resulted in exposure of honeybees to highly poisonous chemicals. These chemicals in turn caused the death of bees, and the presence of chemicals in honey produced by them.”

According to the Press Information Bureau, India exported 59,999 tonnes of natural honey worth Rs 716 crore (US$ 96.77 million) during 2020-21, with the US taking a major share at 44,881 tonnes. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bangladesh and Canada were the other top destinations for Indian honey.

India started its first organized exports in the year 1996-97. yukta.m@iijnm.org

E-shopping craze causes ecological damage

Cardboard boxes, plastic covers are the worst culprits

By Yashaswini Sri

revolution, it comes with warning signs that we should not ignore.”

Literature is a stream where people pile up degrees but lack of jobs. It seems hard for coming generations to pursue their dreams in literature and opt for job-oriented courses. The government’s lack of interest in humanities and the buzz of technology has made humanities an ancient thing. When was the last time you saw a parent buying a Dickens novel or an anthology of Tagore? We strive for humanity.

Satyam Kumar

Let us build a just, sustainable future

The financial markets, so complex and full of strife, are manipulated by wealthy people, affecting lives of the poor. Emerging markets suffer from debt on their back, and economies crack. In 2008, millions lost their jobs after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Let’s build a sustainable and just future, with no flatulent asset bubbles.

Prajwal Gowda

Digital platforms have gained popularity

The present IPL has really started a very interesting war behind the scenes regarding viewership rights. For the first time, television streaming is in direct competition with digital streaming. Right now, television streaming still holds the sway but with the current consumer trend of people watching live sports on mobile devices as per their convenience might seriously affect television’s dominant position.

Sagnik Datta

Around the City

Great International Developer Summit 2023, April 25 - 28 at 08:00 AM, National Science Symposium Complex, Bengaluru

Beyond the Palette, April 26 2023 at 11:00 am to April 30 2023 7:30 pm, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru

Bhoomi Habba-The Earth Festival, April 26- 30 2023 7:30 pm, Visthar, Bengaluru

Shopping

through e-commerce platforms will leave negative footprints on the environment. The website earth. org has published a report which says online shopping has two times the carbon footprint if compared to traditional shopping.

According to the report, in recent years, India has experienced a boom in Internet and smartphone penetration. The number of Internet connections in 2021 increased significantly to 830 million, driven by the government’s Digital India programme which led to more people buying products online.

A report published by The Times of India, quoting data by Bain & Company, said that with 270 million online shoppers in 2022, India’s e-commerce market has the potential to surpass the US to become the second-largest shopper base in the next one to

two years. India’s e-retail market rose to approximately $40 billion in 2021, and is slated to reach $50 billion in 2022 and grow at of 25-30 per cent annually for the next five years.

India currently has the third largest online shopper base in the world, behind China and the US.

Ullash Kumar, an environmental researcher, said: “Online shopping was popularized because of fast deliveries that are free of cost. While most people

argue that physical shopping and online shopping have same carbon emissions, it is not true. Online shopping ships a product across the world, and it would be just one product. Physical stores are a bulk of products, so the carbon emissions are less when compared to online shopping. If we talk about the packaging, online shopping unnecessarily uses plastics and cardboard boxes which are eventually thrown away. While online shopping is a

Divya Prata, a user of online shopping platforms, said: “ I like to shop almost everything online because going out is a task. It is hard for working people to go out and shop physically. Most of my family and friends rely on online shopping for everything. It saves time and delivery is prompt.”

Siri Varshini, a student, had similar views to share about online shopping. “Online shopping has made life easier. With the Internet and so many apps to browse on for various things, shopping has been simplified to an extent that it is addictive.”

Yashwanth S, an employee with a fintech company, said: “I order everything online, from groceries to apparels. The packaging waste that accumulates in my flat is horrible. Every day I throw away at least three cardboard boxes and countless plastic covers and packets. I cannot even reuse them because they are customized to the product size, which is uneven and can be barely used to wrap or store things in it.”

yashaswini.s@iijnm.org

Read the complete report on: www.theweeklyobserver.in

Devjeet Live Friday, 28 April, 7:30 pm – Sat, 29 April, 12:30 am In 3 Days Biergarten Whitefield (BGW) Bengaluru, Karnataka

Bollywood Takeover, 28 April Superclub, Haralur, Bengaluru

Wednesday’s Open Mic Night

Tomorrow, 8:00 – 11:30 pm #25, ZouK - Lounge Bar

Tweetcasm

During the 90s, the rising Indian middle class stayed glued to their new BPL & Onida TV screens and perceived a young boy as a representation of their ambitions. They got Visa power, Boost energy and their Dil always wanted more. It was a good time to be alive.

-@Trendulkar

India exported 59,999 tonnes of natural honey worth Rs 716 crore (US$ 96.77 million) during 2020-21

India currently has the third largest online shopper base in the world, behind China and the US.

Netas promised slums the moon last time, but never came back

By Vindhya Pabolu

Slum-dwellers struggle for the basic amenities like drinking water, proper houses and sanitation. They hope that these can be fulfilled by the government Karnataka will elect on May 10.

Slum residents of Pantharapalya, Devara Jeevanahall, Chennapragada and Pulakeshi Nagar informed The Observer politicians did not fulfil their promises during the last elections. They never came back to the slums after winning.

Chitra, a DJ Halli resident, said: “During the last elections, politicians had promised us to grant us houses under the PM Awas Yojana. It is time for a new government, but there is no update on our houses.”

Jayanthi, another DJ Halli resident, said: “I submitted the required documents for my house seven years ago, but there is no update on the same yet. Above all, we are not getting proper drinking water. We get water only once in seven days and all the residents in our street use the same tap. We hope that the upcoming government will look

into our problems.”

Tirupathamma and a few other residents of Chennapragada slum said there are no proper washrooms for defection and bathing. Public washrooms, drinking water tap connections and shelters are the primary needs of slum people .

Drainage pipes in Chennapragada often stink, and the residents suffer health issues due to poor sanitation.

Jayanthi, a resident of Nethaji Road slum, said: “We are living here for more than 20 years. Every year, at the time of elections,

People are fed up with this ‘cheating govt’, says Cong

By Janani Srinivas

The Congress on Tuesday hit back at the Bhartiya Janata Party for claiming it has ties with the outlawed People’s Front of India.

The ruling party is known for telling lies, AICC spokesman Gourav Vallabh (in photo) said.

“They were asked to file an affidavit, but they failed to do so. They have called for a stay till 9 May. It’s a cheat-all program. Shame on the 40% Sarkar,” Vallabh told The Observer when asked to comment about the Muslim reservation issue.

The Congress has, contrary to the BJP, worked for the benefit of the Kannadigas.

“People are fed up with this cheating government. The government that can’t give an affidavit. What kind of cowardly nature is this? This means the current government has cheated the 6 crore people of Karnataka.”

When The Observer asked Vallabh about BJP leader spokesperson K.S. Eshwarappa’s reported statement that his party doesn’t want any Muslim votes, he said contractor Santosh K. Patil’s suicide is not enough

Did You Know?

be blocked, affecting the health of children.

Ahead of the 2018 elections, candidates from different parties promised slum-dwellers that they will fulfil their promises if they voted. The residents feel there is no development in their slums.

According to an article in The Softcopy, a website brought out by IIJNM students, the emphasis of AAP and JD(S) will be on providing pucca houses with proper sanitation to slum-dwellers.post elections.

When dropped on a very hard, rigid surface, glass balls and steel balls will bounce higher than rubber ones. The reason is that rubber balls deform significantly on impact, flattening onto the surface, and then springing back. In the process of this squashing, some energy is lost.

Quiz

1. Panna Tiger Reserve is located in which state/UT?

2. Which state celebrates the ‘Bhed Mata Mela’ Fair annually?

3.Which river was known as “Drishdvati” in Vedic Era?

4. India’s first Flow Chemistry Technology Hub (FCT Hub) has been set up in which city?

5. The ‘Biggest super-moon of 2022’ was observed in which month?

politicians come and promise many things, but nothing changes. We just want proper washrooms and allotted houses to be constructed. We are asking only these things for the past three elections, but we are left with nothing but hope.”

For 350 houses in the Nethaji Road slum, located in Pulakeshi Nagar, there are only four public toilets, their walls covered with fungus. and smelly

Residents informed The Observer the toilets have not been cleaned for the past one year. This has caused the drainage to

Asked about the Congress plan for slum-dwellers in the upcoming elections, Anil Taikal, a party spokesperson, said: “Now, we can’t say anything; we can only show the results once our party wins. It’s confidential information which can’t be shared.”

About the benefits being promised to slum people, Veena Serrao, an AAP spokesperson, shared: “For the upcoming elections, we will be focusing on basic amenities such as a water connection for every house, sanitation, public washrooms and houses allotment.”

Read the full story on www.weeklyobserver.in

6. The ‘Biggest super-moon of 2022’ was observed in which month?

7. What does the Olympic Flame symbolize?

8. ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is a military exercise held between India and which country?

Answers on page 4

Quote of the day

To be a miracle worker you do not have to get a doctoral degree, become a minister, eat a particular food, or be able to meditate for long hours.

- Alan Cohen

Former HC judge questions criminals’ participation in polls

Continuted from page 1

CN. Ashwath Narayan, Karnataka Minister of Electronics, Information Technology, said: “The BJP doesn’t discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste and religion. If it is injustice, we raise our voice. Giving reservation to a specific religion is unlawful.”

By Ahona Roy

Former Justice of Karnataka High Court Arali Nagaraj held a press meet on Tuesday demanding that a law should be introduced to stop convicts who have committed offences punishable by more than 3 years from contesting in the elections.

by more than three years of imprisonment, has a FIR issued against him, detained or comes out of jail on bail then he should not be allowed to contest elections.”

to make Eshwarappa ashamed.

The BJP does not care about its own people, a reference to the fact that Patil was a BJP worker.

“The (former) minister himself is under the scanner, so what is this talk about Hindu-Muslim?”

“This is the modus operandi of the BJP. The people of Shivamogga know what is better for them. We have 150 alliances. We shall get 140 seats.”

All that the BJP government has done is to cheat the people. The government should be ashamed of itself and the chief minister Basavaraj Bommai should resign from his post.

There was no as such press conference at the KPPC office, Congress spokespersons responded to reporters’ queries.

janani.s@iijnm.org

Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa informed The Observer: “Initially, minorities were under 2B; it was because some communities were socially and economically backward, so they were grouped into 2B and other categories and were offered reservations. It was challenged before, but it was upheld by SC, which said the reservations are in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. What we see today is for the sake of politics, for the sake of elections. The government headed by Bommai decided that it would change the reservation from 2B to EWS category. They could extend the reservation of employment.”

The Karnataka cabinet decided to scrap 4 per cent reservation for Muslims under the OBC quota.

yashaswini.s@iijnm.org

He said: “In every election, corruption, casteism and crime have become dominant. The 1971 election on wards casteism, corruption and crime have increased. In the last 75 years India has developed at a rapid pace but the acceleration rate of development of a country is far less than the acceleration of crime, corruption and casteism.”

He said that today in India, corruption has percolated in all three sectors – education, health as well as in job opportunities.

“These days, even to be a D group servant like head constable, you have to pay 10 to 15 lakh rupees. For being a Head Constable you have to pay 18 to 20 lakh rupees and for a position in a PSI you have to pay almost 25 to 30 lakh rupees.

Nagaraj said, “A person accused of an offence punishable

He said that a single candidate should not be allowed to contest from two different places in elections. He mentioned that in the Education sector as well poor and children of illiterate parents are not getting any chances for admission in LKGs and Kindergarten, due to high fees and exclusionary practices.

The voters too should practise their right to vote NOTA to reject these corrupt leaders. Youngsters should be made aware of these malpractices and they should not vote for the wrong people.

“Equality, equal opportunity and equal protection is only the constitution,” he said. “If this continues there will be no opportunities left for the future generations.”

A good political leader should show concern for their constituency and as well as show compassion for common people. They should also have proper judgements over their actions. ahona.r@iijnm.org

‘BJP does not endorse biases’

Residents still await basic amenities like toilets, pucca houses, taps

Residents demands have still not been fulfilled, and have no hopes left | Credit: Vindhya Pabolu

Young B’lureans are divided over voting in assembly polls

Politics does not make a difference to us, some say

By Arsha BS

Young voters of Bengaluru have a mixed opinion on the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. While some think it is important to be a part of the election process, others say they do not have any hope in the government.

Mallikarjun, a 24-year-old postgraduate student, informed The Observer: “We need to understand that as citizens, voting is the least we can do to be a part of democracy. It is important that we take part in the election process. I may not know what is happening in the world, but I think we all should know what is happening in our immediate surroundings at least.”

However, Leelavathi, 21, an engineering student, thinks it would not make any difference. “I haven’t enrolled myself in the voters’ list. Neither do I follow politics nor am I interested in it. The government focuses mostly on older people and

does things for them. We are often ignored. If we need something, we have to do it ourselves. Waiting for the government to do everything for you is a bad idea,” she said.

Parvathi V.P., an undergraduate student, said: “I think we must know what’s happening to society and what the government is doing about it. It is important that we vote and become a part of the process as it is for us at the end.”

Geethanjali MCS, 19 expects the upcoming government to work more. “A digitized mode of education is important as we saw in the pandemic. I expect the government to work on that aspect and help us better,” she said.

Sigdappaji R., 31, said: “Youths are an electoral minority. What affects us are price hikes and hike in rent, etc., which may not be a problem for young voters. That is why they are not as interested in voting as they should be. When they grow up and start facing the real world, they will start thinking about all these.”

Pushpa. P, a research scholar in sociology, says media, especially social media, have a lot to do with many youngsters being interested in politics. “Youngsters might not read the newspapers or watch news channels, but most of them are on social media. The social media campaigns that polit-

Wonders of World

ical parties organize make them interested in the election process. They want to go and vote. But a deep understanding of how politics is important must be instilled in youngsters. They should know what the government is doing for them, and what it is not.”

Dr Narasimha Murthy M, a professor of political science at Bengaluru University, thinks that more youngsters are thinking beyond religion. Politics based on religion is keeping them away from voting in elections this year.

“What I have observed is that youngsters want to see the system change. It is an idealistic way of thinking, but as a society, I think we should discourage religion getting mixed with politics. The religious beliefs of a person should be a personal thing. We could have different religious affiliation, but as a community, we are Indians. This thought is becoming alien to society now. Maybe this is what is keeping the youth from being interested in politics and elections.:

According to a report published by The Times of India, Bengaluru Urban district has seen a 49 per cent increase in the number of young voters. arsha.s@iijnm.org

State board schools haven’t implemented rule

pre-schooling’

By Sneha T.S.

State board schools are giving admissions to children below six years of age.

Sangmesh E.G., headmaster and teacher at Butti Basaveshwara School, Kushtagi, said: “We have been taking children who are at least five years and six months old. A lot of parents have approached me saying that they don’t want to wait for another year to get admission to class one. If a child is capable of coping with the curriculum, I don’t see any problem in taking her/him into class 1. The main thing is that basic concepts should be clear. If there is a need for the child to clear his/her concepts, then my advice for the parents would be definitely to repeat UKG.”

Ashwini Reddy, headmistress at Netaji Subhas Chandra Lower Primary School, Koppal, said: “Our school offers only primary education…. We do not have such restrictions, and accept five-yearolds also to our school.”

CBSE and ICSE schools have already implemented the rule.

A person who works in the admissions department of SJR

Public School, an ICSE institution at Kengeri, said: “We will not take any student who has not attained the age of six. We will only take those students who have completed six years after verifying their date of birth. They are also supposed to appear for a test which would test their basic concepts.” The headmaster was unavailable to comment.

Riji Kumari, admission manager at Tattva School, affiliated

to CBSE, said: “Earlier, we used to take children if they were not six but now the management has made it mandatory to accept only those children who have completed six years of age.”

Ruksan Najaneen, Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Primary Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, explained: “Three years of pre-schooling is essential for the development of a child. A

child must not skip any year of pre-schooling….” She said the rule will benefit children as it has been introduced keeping in mind their mental. According to the NEP website, school curriculum and pedagogy in a new 5+3+3+4 design consists of the foundational stage that is 3 years of Anganwadi/preschool +2 years in class 1&2, preparatory stage that covers grades 3-5, middle stage covering 5-8 grades, and secondary stage covering grades 9-12.

Earlier, the plan was to introduce the rule in academic year 2024-25, but keeping in mind the Supreme Court’s judgment and NEP, the state government will not wait till 2024. “We have already created awareness among school authorities, teachers and parents. We are just waiting for the final order from the higher authorities, which would be passed after the assembly elections,” Najaneen shared.

Indrani Roy, a special educator, welcomed the decision. “For past many years, parents, especially working parents, enrolled their children in schools early as they were unable to take care of them. By the time they reach class 1, they are just five years old. Formal education should go parallel with the mental development of the child.”

sneha.ts@iijnm.org

The Colosseum, also named the Flavian Amphitheater, is a large amphitheater in Rome. It was built during the reign of the Flavian emperors as a gift to the Roman people. Construction of the Colosseum began sometime between C.E. 70 and 72 under the emperor Vespasian. It opened nearly a decade later and was modified several times in the following years. The massive structure measured approximately 189 by 156 meters (620 by 513 feet), towered four stories high, and included eighty entrances to the amphitheater— seventy-six for the patrons, two for participants of events, and two exclusively for the emperor to use. The sheer number of entrances proved to be necessary: the Colosseum could hold more than 50,000 spectators at its maximum capacity. When the Colosseum first opened, the emperor Titus celebrated the gladiatorial games.

National Geographic Society

Maximum Temperature: 31°C

Minimum Temperature: 23 °C

Dew Point: 17 °C

Humidity: 57%

Wind : 10 km/h

Air quality: Excellent

Forecast: Scattered Thunderstorms

Produced by the Print students of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media at Nityananda Nagar, Kumbalgodu, Kengeri hobli, Bengaluru 560074.

Editor: Siddhi Chauhan

News Editor: Priya Pathak

Reporters: Yashaswini Sri, Arsha BS, Janani Srinivas, Vindhya Pabolu, Sneha TS, Ahona Roy

Copy editors: Hamsaveni N, Priya Pathak, Yukta Mudgal

Photo editor: Shruti Banerjee

Youngsters have developed an interest in politics after the parties started using social media for campaigns | Credit: Arsha

‘Child must not skip any year of

Earlier, the plan was to introduce the rule in academic year 2024-25