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NDTV
9 minutes ago
- NDTV
Yogi Adityanath Assured Class 7 Girl Fee Waiver. School Said Not Possible
Gorakhpur (UP): A Class 7 girl's appeal for financial support that can help fulfill her dream of becoming an IAS officer has snowballed into a political row in Uttar Pradesh. Pankhuri Tripathi's family suffered a major setback after her father, Rajiv Kumar Tripathi, sustained a critical leg injury in an accident and had to quit his job. The family sought help from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who assured them that her education wouldn't face obstacles. The Class 7 student says the school management has refused to pardon her fees and stressed that there is no such provision. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has now targeted the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and offered to support the girl's education. Pankhuri's family hopes the Chief Minister will intervene and help her work towards fulfilling her dream. Pankhuri Tripathi studies at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Gorakhpur's Pakkibag. The school, run by RSS education wing Vidya Bharati, charges Class 7 students a monthly fee of Rs 1,650. Pankhuri has dues of about Rs 18,000. "I had gone to the Chief Minister with a fee pardon request. He gave me a chocolate and assured me that it would be done. But when I went to school with my father, they misbehaved with us. We were told that the fee couldn't be pardoned. They said that if more parents sought a fee pardon, the school wouldn't be able to function. They said they have to pay teachers," she said. "My father broke down. No one had ever spoken to him like this. But I trust that the Chief Minister will not let my dream shatter and I will work hard and become an IAS officer," Pankhuri said. Gorakhpur is a stronghold of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He is the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math and served as Gorakhpur MP five times before taking over as the state's Chief Minister. Akhilesh Yadav, who heads the state's main Opposition Samajwadi Party, has now taken a swipe at the ruling party over Pankhuri's remarks. "We promise that her education won't stop. This is the truth of the BJP's fake slogans of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'. We urged the BJP not to lie to children," Mr Yadav said in a post on X. Pankhuri's father Rajiv Tripathi said he worked outside the state before the Covid pandemic. "When I was at home during the pandemic, I slipped off the terrace and suffered a leg injury. I lost my job. Both my children study in English-medium schools. My son studies in Class 12, and my daughter is in Class 7. I was struggling to pay their fee and my daughter did not go to school after February. It is my son's last year in school, so I did not want to disrupt his education. I thought of taking my daughter out of school for a year. Then it struck me that I could approach the Chief Minister for help. We went to Janata Durbar on July 1 and sought his help. He immediately asked officials to ensure that my daughter's education does not stop," he said. "The school administration, however, said there is no such provision. They said that if every parent manages to get a fee pardon, the school will shut down. They misbehaved with us. When I saw my daughter crying, I broke down too," he added. On hearing that Mr Yadav had tweeted about the issue and offered help, Mr Tripathi said, "He has tweeted. But we are associated with the Math and Maharaj ji (referring to Yogi Adityanath) and we believe he would ensure my daughter's education." NDTV reached out to the school administration, but they refused to comment on the matter. An education department official said the state government has written to the school administration and a positive response is expected shortly.


Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
Harvard students push back as over 200 sign open letter against demands from Trump administration
Over 200 Harvard students have signed an open letter urging the University not to bow to political pressure, as former President Donald Trump claims a 'historic' deal with Harvard is imminent. The letter, circulated by Harvard Students for Freedom —an unrecognized student group—was released on July 4 to emphasize concerns around institutional independence and academic freedom. According to a report by The Harvard Crimson , the letter attracted 197 public signatures and 29 anonymous ones from undergraduate and graduate students alike. It was addressed 'To Harvard from its Students' and expressed unease about potential compromises in ongoing negotiations between the University and the Trump administration. Concerns over academic freedom, student rights The letter outlines several red lines that students believe the University must not cross. These include refraining from altering its curriculum under political pressure, refusing to dismiss faculty members over ideological disagreements, and not disciplining students for exercising peaceful free speech. One of the more pressing concerns involves the possible sharing of disciplinary records of international students, which students believe could open the door to politically motivated deportations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실비보험' 최적가 비교가입! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 든든하게"... 굿리치 [등록번호:제2006038313호] 가입하기 Undo The group stressed that any deal with the federal government should not come at the expense of Harvard's core academic principles, nor should it set a precedent that undermines university autonomy nationwide. Independence Day release marks symbolic resistance The timing of the letter's release, on July 4, was a deliberate choice. The group positioned the move as a show of unity and a reaffirmation of values such as freedom of expression and institutional integrity. By publishing the letter on a national holiday, the students aimed to frame their message as a defense of foundational American principles, according to The Harvard Crimson . University response remains guarded While Trump has publicly claimed that Harvard is close to reaching a deal with his administration, the University has not confirmed those claims. It has only stated that its communications with the White House have focused on efforts to combat antisemitism and support viewpoint diversity. This ambiguity has sparked concern among students, faculty, and alumni about the nature of the negotiations and their potential implications. The student letter argues that Harvard must maintain its stance, guided by legal principles and a commitment to truth. The signatories contend that conceding to political pressure would erode the University's credibility and autonomy, not just for Harvard, but across higher education institutions in the U.S. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!


Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Supreme Court chief justice visits Mumbai school and recalls student days
MUMBAI: The Supreme Court Chief Justice Bhushan Gavai visited his old school, Chikitsak Samuh High School in Girgaon, Mumbai, on Sunday. He studied there from standards 3 to 7 in Marathi medium. The CJI praised his teachers for shaping him, crediting the debating skills he honed there and the values of equality and social benevolence inculcated in students for his rise to the topmost post in the Indian judiciary. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Walking down memory lane, the CJI shared nostalgic moments. "Mother would give me 20 paisa. I would walk towards Mantralaya to catch the BEST bus number 5 to Gaiwadi and then walk some more to school each day. The bus ticket cost 5 paise. In those days, a samosa patti would cost 5 paise with homemade jam, and misal pav would cost 10 paise." He studied between 1969 and 1973 at the school surrounded by chawls. "I see the surroundings have not changed. The chawls are still visible from the school. The Marathi sanskriti is still intact here. This is part of the real 'amchi Mumbai," he said while speaking in Marathi to a gathering of his former batchmates, teachers, and school students—some of whom, as part of NCC, practised hard to form a band within six months to welcome him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo "Of all the welcomes I received so far across India and even abroad as a CJI, the little children's performance today as a band was the warmest," Justice Gavai gushed. "I was interested in debates. This school gave me that platform, and PT class by Joshi Sir induced the necessary discipline in us as students. Studying in Marathi medium was not a handicap; it grounded me," he added. He expressed the pride he has in being a student of Chikitsak, which now is an English medium ICSE school as well. The CJI met his old classmates who completed 10th in 1976. He also met the old school staff and, most of all, remembered one teacher whose signature on his school leaving certificate was the memento he was presented with and which he proudly accepted. The CJI's advice to young students was to work hard, be diligent and honest; the rewards would then follow. Tucked in Sadashiv Cross Lane, the small three-storeyed school building has no lifts. On Sunday, the local Member of Legislative Assembly and Maharashtra minister, MP Lodha, who was also present, promised to help with the paperwork to install one.