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Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Alld HC junks pleas against move to pair govt schools
Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Monday upheld the decision of the state govt to pair primary and upper primary schools, which have less than 50 students, with nearby institutions. The court said that the state govt is bound to ensure that no child is left out because of any action taken by it. Pronouncing the verdict reserved on July 4, 2025, the bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia dismissed two separate writ petitions filed by Krishna Kumari and others. The petitioners had demanded the cancellation of the state govt's June 16 order in this connection. The petitioners had pleaded that the govt decision would deprive children, aged 6 to 14, from getting education in their neighbourhood which would be a violation of Article 21A of the Constitution of India. Opposing the pleas, additional advocate general Anuj Kudesia, assisted by chief standing counsel SK Singh and Sandeep Dixit, counsel for director, basic education, said that the schools would not be merged but 'paired' to improve the quality of education. They added that the impugned govt order was passed in a perfectly legal manner. Passing the judgment, the bench observed, "On a complete analysis of Rule 4(1), Rule 4(2) and Rule 4(3) read conjointly of the Right to Education Act, it is clear that the state government is bound to establish school on the nearest possible place from a habitation and in the absence thereof, it is obliged to ensure transportation facilities etc., by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo and in conjunction thereof identifying the neighbourhood schools, whether they are government schools or otherwise. " Considering the Nation Education Policy, 2020, framed by the central govt, the bench said, "The policy is laudable, and prescriptions have been given with regard to the steps to be taken to ensure that education is imparted at the initial level to all the citizens and the children of the country. There being no material to the contrary in respect of guidelines of pairing in the 2020 policy, which can be said to be arbitrary or in violation of Article 21A of the Constitution and finding the Government Order of June 16 to be in furtherance of the said objective, no interference is called for. " BOX Structural reform through pairing of schools will revitalise edu: Govt Times News Network Lucknow: The state govt's initiative to pair schools is a transformative structural reform aimed at revitalising the basic education system in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a govt spokesperson said. "This move addresses the deep-rooted challenge of thousands of small, under-enrolled schools that historically led to isolation for teachers and students, reduced peer learning opportunities, and weakened school governance," he said. According to education department's officials, under the pairing model, low-enrolment schools will be converted into Bal Vatika centres, in line with the emphasis of NEP 2020 on early childhood education. Larger 'host' schools will receive students from 'guest' schools, enabling more structured academic routines, dedicated subject instruction, and access to better infrastructure. "The initiative prioritises holistic development through team-based learning, project work, and integration of sports and digital tools to nurture 21st century skills," an official said.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
PU ‘safer campus' plan hits internal wall
Chandigarh: Panjab University has seen outsiders slip into protests, sneak into hostels, and in two grim cases since Nov 2024 — one died of an alleged drug overdose in a hostel, another fatally stabbed a student on campus. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now PU moved to tighten gate access with planned barcoded stickers for students and employees, but only 23 out of 74 departments sent lists, despite the ask being only for existing students, not freshers who are taking admissions. These lists are crucial to enforce PU's new mobility policy, which aims to streamline vehicle entry on campus and improve safety and also establish designated parkings for students and visitors. In June, the university had planned that a group of student coders would develop a digital interface for vehicle registration and sticker generation after departments send data of over 16,000 students. A Rs 50 fee per QR sticker was also proposed. But the plan is facing hiccups after departments failed to provide student data. Officials had promised a fresh, streamlined rollout by the start of the academic session. It is even more important because of upcoming student council elections scheduled for late August or early Sept, when uncountable outsiders try to access the campus. As per the policy, hostellers will be allowed only two-wheelers, which must be registered through hostel wardens. Day scholars may bring cars, but only after applying for a Rs 50 sticker issued by the university's security office. Entry will be restricted to specified gates, and security guards can scan QR codes to verify permissions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Without student data from departments, the stickers cannot be linked to student profiles, and the policy remains just a circular on paper. The campus has 74 teaching and research departments/institutes/centres besides 6 independent chairs for research. While the holdup may appear administrative, its implications are not. In recent years, PU has struggled with on-campus traffic chaos, outsider entry, and even safety threats. The QR code system was introduced as part of a broader push to monitor movement more efficiently. Unless departments act today, another deadline will pass, and the university's attempt at campus discipline may once again stall, this time, ironically, due to indiscipline from within. BOX- DUI raps depts The DUI office has now stepped in, rapping departments for the delay. In a notice issued this week, it clearly stated that July 4 is the final deadline to submit vehicle details of students. "Despite telephonic reminders for 2-3 times from the office of the undersigned, only 23 departments sent the said information to the chief university security," the notice reads.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Japanese envoy meets CM, says stateemerging top choice for global investors
Lucknow: Japanese ambassador Ono Keiichi on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and discussed steps to strengthen collaboration between Japan and Uttar Pradesh in technology, investment, youth skill development, and tourism. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Japanese ambassador congratulated the CM on the "positive transformation and developmental progress in UP over the past eight years", adding that Japanese companies view UP as a reliable and investment-friendly destination. Keiichi also commended the CM on improvements in UP's law and order, infrastructure, road and rail networks, and air connectivity. "The state is fast becoming a top choice for global investors. The positive environment created by the govt in the state is highly beneficial for Japanese companies," he said. The CM also described the meeting as "fruitful and meaningful" and said that "UP welcomes Japanese investment and technological collaboration in sectors like electronics, green energy, and semiconductors. The state govt is ready to adopt modern models of urban mobility in addition to metro projects." The two sides discussed developing the skills of UP's youth and providing them with international employment opportunities. The CM informed the delegation that the state govt was working with Japan to train youth, so they become eligible for employment there. Both sides also agreed to strengthen ties in the tourism sector. "Our ties with Japan are rooted in history. UP is India's spiritual centre, home to numerous significant sites related to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, many of which are of great interest to Japanese citizens as well," the CM said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the meeting, it was decided that a high-level delegation from the UP govt would soon visit Japan to explore opportunities for collaboration in green hydrogen, electronics, and semiconductor sector. The delegation will also participate in the World Expo to be held in Osaka in the last week of July. In a message on social media platform 'X', Keiichi said: "Concurred with Yogi Adityanath for Japan-UP cooperation in investment, technologies, human-resource development, and tourism. Look forward to working with CM Yogi Adityanath by putting the right eye of the daruma doll as a promise of our collaboration: the left will be put when it comes true." "Both sides agreed to formalise cooperation and prepare a concrete action plan," a govt spokesperson said. BOX Japanese ambassador meets para judokas Lucknow: Ambassador of Japan to India, Ono Keiichi, visited India Para Judo Academy in Lucknow on Friday, where he interacted with Kapil Parmar, Paralympian bronze medalist and Asian Para Games silver medalist, and Kokila, Paralympian, Asian Para Games bronze medallist, Akram Shah Olympian and Arjuna awardee. General secretary of Indian Blind and Para Judo Association, Munawar Anzar, said that the Judo Association and Japan International Corporation Agency had a deep relation. "In the past, Japanese coaches from JICA stayed in India many times and gave free training to judokas. Soma Nagao, a Japanese judo coach, stayed in the academy for two years and trained judokas," he said.
Business Wire
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
AppDirect Acquires Energy Broker DNE Resources, Supported by La Caisse,
MONTRÉAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AppDirect, the world's leading B2B commerce platform, announced it has acquired Québec-based DNE Resources, a market-leading energy broker focused on Canadian deregulated markets. This follows AppDirect's recent announcement of its Broker Online Exchange (BOX) acquisition, the most flexible retail energy network in North America. Both acquisitions are financed by a CAD 100 million credit facility provided by global investment group La Caisse (formerly CDPQ) and substantially expand AppDirect's reach into the Canadian and U.S. energy markets, fueling its vision of becoming the everything store and lifecycle management platform for all services supporting business success and growth sold through advisors and brokers. 'The energy market is undergoing massive changes, presenting significant opportunities for cost savings, sustainability, and innovation,' said Nicolas Desmarais, AppDirect's Chairman and CEO. Founded in 2009, DNE provides energy solutions for industrial and commercial customers, making it easier to get the right scalable energy strategy in place. DNE has grown to become one of the largest energy management firms in Canada, with more than CAD 250 million in energy spending under management. Through this acquisition, the DNE team will gain access to the BOX My Service Cloud platform and AppDirect's portfolio of value-added services. This allows DNE to offer a truly differentiated go-to-market approach to provide their customers with additional technology solutions, driving new revenue streams and increasing customer loyalty. 'One of the most important things we focus on as a business is always doing the right thing. In this case, the right thing for our end customers includes solving their evolving energy needs and expanding our solution set to all products supported in the AppDirect procurement marketplace,' said Wayne Burke, Co-founder and CEO of DNE. 'We are excited about this growth opportunity for us as a company and for our customers as a community.' The acquisitions of DNE and BOX mark a bold step forward in AppDirect's mission to redefine the future of technology procurement. By adding energy solutions to its platform — which already includes cloud, telecom, mobility, hardware, and AI — AppDirect is building a unified procurement marketplace for technology advisors and brokers so that their customers can seamlessly find, buy, and manage everything they need to succeed. 'The energy market is undergoing massive changes, presenting significant opportunities for cost savings, sustainability, and innovation,' said Nicolas Desmarais, AppDirect's Chairman and CEO. 'Backed by our longstanding partner La Caisse, our acquisitions of DNE and BOX are happening at a crucial time when increased AI consumption has skyrocketed energy demands. We are committed to empowering businesses with the tools, insights, and infrastructure required to thrive in a connected, sustainable, and rapidly evolving digital economy.' 'La Caisse has been a committed partner of AppDirect since 2020, helping them grow through flexible financing solutions to pursue bold, high-potential acquisitions,' said Jérôme Marquis, Managing Director and Head of Private Credit at La Caisse. 'This latest investment not only reinforces AppDirect's leadership in digital commerce but also drives meaningful economic impact by bringing a Québec energy leader into their platform. We are proud to see our partnership continue to create long-term value in Québec and across North America.' DNE Resources and BOX will remain as strong distinct brands in the energy market. Following these acquisitions, customers will continue to receive the high level of service they have come to expect from DNE and BOX. As a result of this acquisition, DNE customers and BOX brokers can access additional technologies or solutions now available to run their businesses more efficiently and effectively. A&D Global Advisors LLC / M&A Securities Group Inc. served as exclusive financial advisors to DNE Resources Inc. in this transaction. To learn more about AppDirect, connect with our team or head to To learn more about DNE, please visit To learn more about BOX, go to About AppDirect AppDirect is a B2B subscription commerce platform company that brings together technology providers, advisors, and businesses to simplify how they buy, sell, and manage technology. More than 1,000 providers, 10,000 advisors, and 5 million subscribers rely on the AppDirect ecosystem of subscription marketplaces to power their innovation, growth, and success. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. About DNE DNE is an award-winning energy consulting firm that helps clients receive the best value to power their businesses. We develop energy strategies for businesses, schools, non-profits, and government organizations to help them recognize and weigh their energy options. Our portfolio of CAD 250 million in energy spending under management and growing helps us obtain the most competitive prices for each customer. As our portfolio continues to grow, so does our buying power. About Broker Online Exchange Broker Online Exchange (BOX) is the most flexible retail energy network in North America. It meets the needs of commercial customer advisors, energy brokers, and referral partners by providing direct access to North America's top energy suppliers and markets. Broker Online Exchange also provides personalized support and flexible payment plans to its network of energy brokers and partners. About La Caisse At La Caisse, formerly CDPQ, we have invested for 60 years with a dual mandate: generate optimal long-term returns for our 48 depositors, who represent over 6 million Quebecers, and contribute to Québec's economic development. As a global investment group, we are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2024, La Caisse's net assets totalled CAD 473 billion. For more information, visit or consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages. La Caisse is a registered trademark of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec that is protected in Canada and other jurisdictions and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Different from anything I've ever seen' – Why Chelsea's dazzling new Brazilian star Estevao Willian is the real deal
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABEL Ferreira has been around. So when he says that current wonderkid Estevao is something really special, it is time to pay attention Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Estevao is the new wonderkid to come from Brazil 5 Estevao has played more than 50 games for Palmeiras before his 18th birthday Credit: Getty Ferreira has had a long career as a right back in his native Portugal, coached there and in Greece before heading for Brazil, where for the last four and half years he has been the highly successful boss of Palmeiras. He oversaw the start of the career of Real Madrid wonderkid Endrick, who scored Brazil's winner at Wembley last year. Ferreira, 46, says Chelsea's newest arrival Estevao is "different from anything I've ever seen" -- which means the kid must be something very special indeed. It was in the middle of last year, in a post-match press conference, and Ferreira was fighting hard trying to stop himself from saying the words. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL RON THE BOX Channel 5 announces Club World Cup pundits as Ronaldo leads amazing line-up WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN But he could not hold his tongue. It all came out. 'This kid,' he said, 'is different from anything I've ever seen.' He used the opportunity to make an appeal to the club not to sell Estevao - which, of course, fell on deaf ears. Within a few weeks Chelsea had done a deal to take him to Stamford Bridge, although not until after this summer's Club World Cup. The deal officially goes through on June 1, but the small print means that he'll still be wearing a Palmeiras shirt for a few more weeks. Chelsea fans will be able to see their new teenage prodigy when Palmeiras take on Porto in their opening game in New Jersey on Sunday. So what was it about this slightly built, unassuming youngster that had captivated Abel Ferreira so much? In part, as you might expect from a coach who comes across as a young Jose Mourinho, it was a mentality thing. He loved the way that Estevao, right from the start, was so unflustered by failure. Ferreira would make a point of showing the Palmeiras youth players how, if a move did not come off, Estevao would dust himself down and, full of confidence, try something new. 5 Estevao has a reputation as a brilliant dribbler Credit: EPA 5 The Brazilian teenager is predominantly left footed Credit: AFP 5 Willian Estevao made his debut for Brazil last year aged 17 Credit: AFP At 17 he was taking crunch penalties and free kicks. This, then, is a skinny little player with a big heart. But what absolutely leaps out is the talent - that kind of George Best -type balance that makes it appear that, while things are happening all too quickly for the defenders, he is operating in slow motion, sizing up his options and calculating their chances of success. Left footed, he has been used on the right wing, where he can cut in and shoot, or go outside and cross. And, to the delight of his coach, he has a keen understanding of the space that he needs to attack. His first start came almost a year ago - April 11th 2024, in a game in the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League, against a team from Uruguay. Estevao made his mark, getting in at the far post to score with a header. It was not the type of goal that might have been expected from a player of his type, but it was the consequence of how he had read the situation and worked out where to go. All of this brought back memories of another little player who at 17 had a similar capacity to understand what was going on around him - a certain Lionel Messi. And at the start of his youth career, Estevao was nicknamed 'Messinho.' The name of that Uruguayan club, by the way, was Liverpool. And all around the stadium, even on his debut as a starter, there was an understanding that he would soon be on the other side of the Atlantic, coming up against a much bigger club with the same name. Palmeiras fans, and Brazilian supporters in general, are catching Estevao while they can. Soon, though, watching him will be the privilege of the Chelsea faithful. And they should be genuinely excited. It is hard to see how they can make use of all of the talent that they buy - Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez, for example, is having a tough time growing up in public. His form has slumped, which is worrying just a few months before his move to England. He could easily find himself out on loan, and lose momentum as a result. Estevao, though, will demand inclusion. Chelsea supporters have the chance to follow the growth of the most dazzling talent to come out of Brazil since Neymar- but with much less of the baggage. Estevao is a discreet figure. There is nothing histrionic about him, and instead of going to ground looking for fouls, he has the healthy habit of trying to stay on his feet. And before long, Estevao will be bringing Stamford Bridge to its feet.
