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Business Standard
13 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Global Child Prodigy Awards 2025 Makes History at British Parliament --Top 100 Child Prodigies Honoured at the House of Commons
VMPL London [UK], June 27: For the first time in history, the House of Commons, British Parliament, became the venue for an unprecedented celebration of youthful excellence: the Global Child Prodigy Awards 2025. The event marked a historic milestone as 100 of the world's most remarkable children -- all under the age of 15 -- were honoured for their exceptional achievements across a wide spectrum of disciplines, from science and innovation to arts, music, sports, entrepreneurship, literature, and social impact. These prodigies, selected from thousands of nominations spanning over 130 countries, represent a new generation of changemakers whose work is already shaping a better world. The evening's ceremony brought together leaders, educators, innovators, and philanthropists in a powerful tribute to the brilliance, determination, and vision of these young talents. Speaking at the prestigious Global Child Prodigy Awards held at the British Parliament, Mr. Gareth Bacon, Member of Parliament for Orpington and Chief Guest for the evening, expressed his admiration for the young honourees: "It is a moment of immense pride to welcome these extraordinary children to the heart of British democracy. Their achievements are a powerful reflection of what is possible when young talent is recognised and nurtured. They inspire hope for the future and challenge us all to strive for better." Presented by Charles Group and powered by the Hindustan Group of Institutions, the Global Child Prodigy Awards 2025 underscored the importance of providing platforms for young people to thrive, collaborate, and lead. Both presenting organisations have been instrumental in supporting youth-led innovation, inclusive education, and social responsibility. Mr. Jose Charles Martin, Chairman & MD of Charles Group, shared: "These prodigies inspire us all. It is incredible to witness the creativity, compassion, and innovation of these young minds. Supporting this platform is both a privilege and a responsibility -- because when we invest in children, we invest in humanity's brightest future." The Global Child Prodigy Awards 2025 was supported by Charles Group as Title Sponsor, Hindustan Group of Institutions as Powered by Sponsor, Supertal as Gold Sponsor, and Pasham Photography as Photography Partner. These organisations, along with other valued partners, have been instrumental in enabling this global celebration of young talent. Their ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, education, and inclusive growth reflects their belief in creating a better future by supporting today's changemakers. A key highlight of the evening was the official launch of the Global Child Prodigy Book 2025, an inspiring publication that documents the journeys, achievements, and dreams of the 100 honourees. This book will be distributed to educational institutions, libraries, and influential networks around the world, designed to ignite the ambitions of countless young readers. Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman of Hindustan Group of Institutions, added: "Wishing all the child prodigies all success and GCPA for recognising and organising a wonderful event with very eminent personalities like nobel laureate Prof. George F. Smoot and honorable Member of parliament Gareth Bacon (House of commons) Hindustan Group of Institutions with six decades of legacy, have been at the forefront of education, creating an ecosystem that accelerates global opportunities. We are happy to be part of the GCP awards, recognising the leaders of tomorrow." These prodigies, selected from thousands of nominations spanning over 130 countries, represent a new generation of changemakers whose work is already shaping a better world. Among them were: * Ravi Adelekan (UK) -- a musical changemaker inspiring hope through music and advocacy, Pride of Britain's Child of Courage, and founder of Ravi's Dream for brain tumour awareness. * Zayn Ali Salman (UAE) -- a football prodigy known for elite-level skill and vision from an early age. * Orion Monaco Jean (US) -- a service prodigy inspiring a movement through kindness and compassion, TIME Kid of the Year and founder of Race to Kindness, mobilizing millions globally. * John Christian Caldeira Weibull (Spain)-- an art prodigy and Guinness World Record holder as the youngest artist in the world, painting since five months old. And there were many more remarkable young talents celebrated -- each with an inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and positive impact. The event also featured the launch of The Water Project, an environmental initiative by Miss Threlakshaa, aimed at raising global awareness about water conservation, inspired by her personal connection to nature. This initiative highlighted the sense of responsibility and care these prodigies feel for the planet and future generations. Professor George Smoot, Nobel Laureate in Physics (2006) and Chief Guest of the evening, remarked: "It is truly amazing to see such young minds achieving so much at such an early age. Their curiosity, brilliance, and drive give us all hope for a better, more enlightened future. Tonight, we have seen the future of science, the arts, and society -- and it is in very good hands." The Global Child Prodigy Awards, founded in 2020 by Mr. Prashant Pandey, remain the world's only platform dedicated exclusively to identifying and celebrating extraordinary talent among children under 15. Previous editions of the awards, held in New Delhi and Dubai, attracted Nobel Laureates, changemakers, and global dignitaries, helping to build a worldwide movement that celebrates and supports the next generation of innovators and leaders. Mr. Prashant Pandey, Founder & CEO of the Global Child Prodigy Awards, reflected: "It is simply extraordinary to see this global community of young talents come together in a spirit of unity, excellence, and hope. Every child honoured tonight has shown that age is no barrier to greatness. Our mission is to give these prodigies the support, visibility, and opportunities they deserve, so they can continue to change the world." The awards ceremony concluded with a powerful call to action -- to continue nurturing young talent and creating opportunities for children everywhere to achieve their full potential. As the 100 prodigies gathered for an official group photograph, their collective energy symbolised a future filled with promise and possibility. About Global Child Prodigy Awards Launched in 2020, the Global Child Prodigy Awards (GCPA) is the world's first and only platform dedicated to recognising and honouring extraordinary talents under the age of 15. Each year, 100 prodigies are selected across a range of disciplines and from every corner of the world. The GCPA provides these young changemakers with global visibility, mentorship, and opportunities to connect with leaders, organisations, and institutions that can help them amplify their impact. Past editions have been held in New Delhi and Dubai, with participation from Nobel Laureates, heads of state, and prominent changemakers. For media inquiries: Website: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
It may be a silent protest, but the message is loud and clear. And ‘temporary graffiti' is building a following.
'I'm coming to Boston, I'm bringing hell with me,' Homan In early March, on the night before Mayor Michelle Wu was due in Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress about the city's immigration policies, a group of activists had an answer for Homan. Advertisement 'You can't bring hell to Boston,' the artists projected in vintage typeface on the brick facade of the Old State House. 'It's been waiting for you since 1770.' Photographic evidence of the temporary installation quickly made the internet rounds. Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up The Silence Dogood display at the Old State House. Handout Not by happenstance, that day was the anniversary of the skirmish that came to be known as the Boston Massacre, when the colonists' disagreements with the British Parliament and King George III's occupying troops boiled over into deadly violence. That kind of link to this city's revolutionary past is what drives the folks behind Advertisement The group borrowed the name from the Boston native Benjamin Franklin, who used it as an alias early in his illustrious life. At 16, while apprenticing at his older brother's print shop, Franklin adopted the pen name after James Franklin declined to print his young sibling's letters in his weekly newspaper, the New-England Courant. A display on Old North Church. Aram Boghosian Benjamin Franklin imagined his alter ego to be a middle-aged widow, a defender of 'the Rights and Liberties of my Country' and 'a mortal Enemy to arbitrary Government & unlimited Power.' Silence is 'a bit of a busybody,' explained Diane Dwyer, who has become the default spokesperson for the Silence Dogood project. On a recent Friday afternoon, Dwyer sat in a shared artist space on the second floor of an old brick building in the Fort Point district. Scale models covered most flat surfaces; artists' renderings were pinned up across much of the available wall space. A display in Boston Harbor. Handout Dwyer, who grew up in Maryland, moved to Boston a few years ago, after earning a master's degree in narrative environments from the University of the Arts London. She has a background in theater, 'and I'm a huge history nerd,' she said. She was recently named a grant recipient of the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture's 'We're inviting people to write their own plaques,' Dwyer said. While she's currently compiling a database of Boston's existing markers — and noting the overwhelming prevalence of white men (there are, she says, as many references to Paul Revere as all women combined, and more than all Black people) — she still gets excited about making connections to the country's founding fathers. Advertisement A display on Faneuil Hall. Handout Silence Dogood's projections have featured statements attributed to George Washington ('The cause of Boston now is and always will be the cause of America,' projected in the water at the base of the Boston Tea Party Museum), Joseph Warren ('May our land be a land of liberty,' at the Bunker Hill Monument, on the site where Warren was killed), and, yes, the aforementioned silversmith Revere ('One if by land, two if by D.C.,' projected on the Old North Church, though that's not a direct quote). Silence Dogood's work at Old North Church on April 17, 2025. Mike Ritter The Rev. Dr. Matthew Cadwell, the vicar at Old North Church, didn't know about those projections until he saw them on 'The Rachel Maddow Show.' Silence Dogood's warning came during a busy week for the church, which doubles as an active Episcopal mission and a historical site. It was the 250th anniversary of Revere's famous ride. One of the projections borrowed from the last stanza of 'In the main, people were very enthusiastic about it,' Cadwell said over the phone. 'It was neat. It was a powerful capstone on that night of historic remembrance.' To stage the Silence Dogood protests, Dwyer borrows state-of-the-art projection equipment — and sometimes enlists production help — from the small circle of Boston creatives who specialize in outdoor art. At one 'activation,' an unexpected hailstorm sent volunteers scrambling to cover the expensive projector with their jackets. Advertisement Visual artists Jeff Grantz and Diane Dwyer are part of a grassroots group that uses high-powered projectors to beam protest messages on the facades of Boston historical buildings, reminding people of connections between Boston's revolutionary history and the present day. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe In recent years, projection-mapping artists have fine-tuned the art of 'temporary graffiti.' Some say the practice of projection mapping as a form of protest took off during the Occupy demonstrations of 2011. During the first Trump administration, Another group, In Boston during the racial reckoning of 2020, some of the city's projectionists partnered with street artist Cedric Douglas after the removal of a Christopher Columbus statue in the North End. They While redefining the nature of public protest, these artists have also been grappling with the unresolved debate about the legality of their protests. Some legal experts cite property rights and laws governing trespassing. Others argue that the right to free speech covers projections just as it does signs and banners. Arists Diane Dwyer and Jeff Grantz project a quotation from George Washington on the wall of a vacant Dorchester tire store on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Dwyer and her colleagues talk often about their First Amendment right to protest and the potential collateral damage to the other work they do, for advertisers, art festivals, and more. Dwyer, who heads Advertisement For her, the commitment to activist work came into sharp focus on a Friday in May, when she watched the live feed of a 'They were speaking to the coordinated resistance without hemming and hawing,' Dwyer recalled. After another period of despair, she said — 'Who can remember the headline of the day?' — the Town Hall discussion fortified her. It also made her feel, for the first time, like she'd become a bona fide Bostonian. You just hope, she said, 'that we're not screaming into the void.' James Sullivan can be reached at .
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Assisted Dying Moves Closer to Becoming Law in England and Wales After Key Vote
British lawmakers on Friday approved plans to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill patients in England and Wales, advancing what would be one of the biggest social changes seen in Britain in decades. After a debate that was at times emotive and fraught but remained respectful in tone, legislators supported the proposal by a vote of 314 to 291. The vote on Friday was the second time lawmakers have approved the idea of assisted dying, after an initial vote in November of last year that was followed by months of scrutiny and debate in parliamentary committees. The issue has provoked deep division in and beyond the British Parliament. The bill now goes to the unelected second chamber of the Parliament, the House of Lords. While the Lords can amend legislation, the fact that the bill has the support of elected lawmakers means that it is very likely to become law. That would mean Britain would join a number of jurisdictions where assisted dying is permitted, including a small number of European countries, Canada and New Zealand, as well as 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The university versus constitutionally protected speech
'Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties,' said John Milton in his famous pamphlet, Areopagitica (1644), opposing the licensing system (called imprimatur). Originally introduced in response to the introduction of the printing press in England in 1538 and reinstituted by the British Parliament in 1643, authors had to obtain permission or licence from the government prior to their publications. In India, several High Courts and even the Supreme Court of India are hearing petitions on the limits of freedom of expression. Should we really go back to that dated system where prior permission of the government or university is required to express one's views? Are university teachers mere robots who should write only research papers and not express their opinions on contemporary issues? Do we no longer consider free speech to be an integral part of human dignity and an individual's self-fulfilment? Is truth no more autonomous and the highest public good? Are not excessive restrictions on free speech based on the assumption of infallibility of the state or its stated positions? These are some of the pertinent issues that India must resolve because its position on these fundamental issues is bound to strengthen or weaken its ethical claim of being a true Vishwaguru. India's low rank of 151 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index does not enhance its stature in the comity of nations. No doubt, 'nation first' should be the rule of thumb for all of us because no debate can survive if the nation itself perishes. We must be united in our fight against an enemy that has time and again been sponsoring and exporting terror to our country. A prompt and befitting response during Operation Sindoor has been given to the enemy nation. The labelling of opinion as activism We must now return to the realm of constitutional vision as we need to win the battle of ideas as well. Of course, every writer has the duty to make a disclaimer that his views are personal and do not represent the views of the institution he serves. But then a mere expression of views cannot be termed by the corporate owners of the universities or vice-chancellors as 'activism'. An expression of opinion may be dissent but not necessarily activism. Public academic institutions do not mind even activism and active politics. A professor became the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (1991-93). Certainly, no writer should expect any institutional support for his personal views. No court should ideally shy away from its duty of safeguarding constitutionally 'protected speech'. It must remain consistent with its own past pro-freedom of speech judgments. The U.S. Supreme Court, in Texas vs Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989), had even considered burning of the national flag as a protected expression. India need not go that far. John Stuart Mill, in his celebrated essay on liberty, said that ''If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind'. British jurist William Blackstone in 1769 considered a free press was essential for a free state. Though the 1787 U.S. Constitution did not include freedom of the press as a right (because Roger Sherman had said in the Constitution Convention that adopted the U.S. Constitution, that there was no need to mention freedom of press as the powers of the Congress would not extend to press yet within four years), the First Amendment in 1791 on freedom of press made a categorical and explicit declaration that the 'Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press....' Democracy is government by choice and people cannot exercise their choices if they are not told about all the available alternatives. Let alternative views be expressed and protected. Moreover, freedom of speech assures individual self-fulfilment. If a citizen is not allowed to express his emotions, his opinions, his frustration, and his happiness he will not feel self-fulfilled. University owners must understand that such suffocated individuals cannot produce scholarly research as knowledge cannot be created in a controlled environment. We produced greats such as Aryabhata, Chanakya, Gargi Vachaknavi and Charaka because the education in our ancient gurukuls was not controlled by the state. Within the portals of universities, all kinds of ideas, which include repulsive ones, must be expressed. Today, our universities are over regulated and grossly underfunded. Expression and the truth Freedom of expression helps us in attaining the truth. It was Milton who said, 'Though all winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so truth be in the field, we do injuriously by licensing and prohibiting to misdoubt her strength. Let her and falsehood grapple, who ever knew truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter'. In an age of fake news, let everyone speak so that people can decide for themselves who is speaking the truth. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. of the United States rightly observed that in a capitalist market place, the 'best test of truth is the power of thought to get itself accepted in the competition of market'. Thus, an expression of all views would basically serve the government's cause in fencing off people from what is false. This is nobody's case that freedom of speech is an absolute right. Indeed, no one should indulge in unnecessary talk. The exercise of right must be aimed to serve the constitutional objects of free speech, i.e., the search for truth and helping people in forming opinions about governmental actions and thereby ensuring sovereign people's participation in the governance. The extent of restrictions The Constitution permits only 'reasonable restrictions' on the freedom of speech and expression. The all-important word 'reasonable' was inserted by the first constitutional Amendment in 1951. These restrictions can be in the interests of sovereignty and the integrity of India, security of state, public order, decency, morality, friendly relations with foreign countries, and defamation or incitement of an offence. 'Public order and friendly relations with foreign states' too were inserted in 1951. Interestingly, restrictions in the interests of 'sovereignty and integrity' were inserted by the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963. No restriction on freedom of speech can be imposed even by the government through an executive order. Restriction on free speech requires legislation. To satisfy the test of 'reasonableness', courts invoke the 'doctrine of proportionality'. In Anuradha Bhasin vs Union Of India (2020), the Supreme Court not only held the right to Internet as a part of free speech but also reiterated that the restrictions on free speech can be imposed after considering alternative measures. It added that such restrictions must be legitimate, necessary and least intrusive. It is the state which has the burden of proof in establishing that the restriction is proportionate, and thus reasonable. No institution has any right to restrict anybody's freedom of speech on any ground other than the ones mentioned in Article 19(2). Thus, restrictions cannot be imposed by any institution just because it is a private educational institution or because it is bound by the regulatory control of regulatory bodies. These are lame excuses that do not have a leg to stand on. The Supreme Court, in Dr. Janet Jeyapaul vs S.R.M. University and Anr. (2015), had held private universities as 'state' because they too discharge 'public functions' and thus, any arbitrary dictate by them would be hit by Article 14, i.e., the right to equality which includes the right against arbitrariness. Returning to the issue of an author/writer facing the consequences, the law is crystal clear — if his speech is not protected by the Constitution, no one can or should defend him. But when the speech is well within constitutional limits, ideally, the institution should not disown him as it would not only demotivate the faculty but also result in a situation where such an institution would not be able to attract outstanding scholars. A student is the real conscience keeper of a university. Private educational entrepreneurs must know that the Supreme Court has had the consistent view that education is an occupation and not a business. Let us celebrate a diversity of opinions as in a vibrant democracy, every opinion counts and the university truly signifies a universe of knowledge. Faizan Mustafa is a constitutional law expert and Vice-Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, Patna, Bihar. The views expressed are personal
Saba Yemen
04-06-2025
- General
- Saba Yemen
Thousands form human cordon around British Parliament to halt arms exports to Israel
London – Saba: More than 10,000 protesters formed a human cordon outside the British Parliament in London on Wednesday, in a majestic scene swathed in red to demand an end to arms exports to Israel. Thirty members of Parliament, led by Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Ayub Khan, and Shawkat Adam, participated in part of the demonstration. The members responded to a call by major solidarity organizations in Britain, under the slogan "A red line for Palestine: Arms embargo and sanctions now," according to the Arabs in Britain website. This massive protest was called for by the Palestinian Forum in Britain, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition, Friends of al-Aqsa, the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and the Muslim Association of Britain. The organizers called on participants to wear red and form a human cordon around the Parliament building, a symbolic message expressing the British government's crossing of a red line by remaining silent on the crimes of the Israeli enemy. During the protest, slogans and banners were raised calling on the British government to take a firm stance, at a time when Gaza is recording alarming numbers of casualties. More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the aggression in October 2023, including more than 15,000 children, according to the organizers. The participants in the demonstration called for a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, immediate sanctions against the Israeli government for war crimes and genocide, the resumption of UK support for UNRWA, support for ongoing investigations at the International Criminal Court, and a call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In speeches delivered by a number of activists and religious and community figures, the speakers described the silence at this historic time as a "moral betrayal," emphasizing that the British Parliament can no longer shirk its political and humanitarian responsibility toward the tragedy in Gaza. The demonstration was marked by a large turnout and a striking visual spectacle. Participants lined up in red, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans demanding justice and an end to the genocide. This scene embodied the unity of the popular stance and the clarity of the message: "Enough with the silence." The demonstration coincided with statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who acknowledged that "the situation in Gaza is getting worse by the day." However, these words have not yet been accompanied by any practical steps, which the organizers considered a mere attempt to contain popular anger without actual policy change. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
