Latest news with #Devanagari
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Accord mother tongue prominence, but embrace languages sans borders
The 2020 National Education Policy's insistence on teaching at least two languages in school is based on sound science. Research shows that learning multiple languages before adulthood improves crucial skills such as cognition, hand-eye coordination and memory. However, it's the BJP-Sena government's bid to introduce it in primary schools that drew the ire of parents, teachers, language activists and opposition politicians. To Fadnavis's attempts of propping the Union government's policy in his defence, Marathi language activists posit the NEP's advice for instruction only in the local or home language till class 8. The boon and bane of having the same script, Devanagari, is back in intellectual discourse. Such a tangle of livewires has tripped the ambitious chief minister's stride towards Hindi. It's indeed a sensitive issue in a state where people still honour the '106 martyrs' who died in the late 1950s agitating for a separate Marathi speakers' province. Yet ironically, like dominant tongues in several other states, Marathi too flexes muscle for what scholar Prachi Deshpande calls the 'bear hug' of language. Konkani speakers on the state's southern borders have resisted Marathi's sway for decades, while Dangi speakers on its northern fringes are still contending with its peremptory ways. The abiding paradox is that though most Indian states were demarcated linguistically, language itself brooks no border. In a country with 22 constitutionally scheduled languages and hundreds of others thriving, we have to accept lingual influences across and within state lines. Despite the heat of politics, culture shrivels in the cold confines of hard borders.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Efforts on to revive Tulu and Konkani in coastal schools
Mangaluru: Tulu and Konkani, widely spoken in the coastal districts, were introduced as third-language options in select schools. However, over the years, student interest in learning these regional languages has gradually declined. In response, the Konkani and Tulu sahitya academies are trying to revive this interest. The govt introduced Konkani as an optional third language between classes VI and X from the academic year 2007-2008. It was able to attract good number of students from undivided Dakshina Kannada, but currently, there is no school teaching the language through the academy. One of the reasons for the decline in interest in Konkani is the ongoing issue over which script to adopt, Kannada or Devanagari. Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy chairman J Stany Alvares said that efforts are on to reintroduce Konkani in schools again, which previously had good takers for the language. Currently, less than five schools teach Konkani in the Devanagari script, and it is not connected to the academy. "We are planning to reintroduce it from the next academic year. Prior to this, the academy is planning to have a 'Shikshana Samavesha' in each education block, to convince schools to take up Konkani as a third language. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Also, the academy is considering initially hand-holding these schools that start teaching Konkani," said Alvares. Tulu was introduced as a third optional subject in the academic year 2010-11. The number of schools teaching the language increased to 45 until 2019, but dropped due to issues in the payment of remuneration. "Teachers teaching Tulu in schools across undivided Dakshina Kannada were paid Rs 30,000 per year as an honorarium. There were no separate funds from the govt, but it was paid from the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy fund. However, the teachers did not get paid from 2019, and it forced schools to stop. The number of schools currently teaching Tulu has reduced to 27," said Tharanath Gatti Kapikad, chairman of the academy. Kapikad said that they are trying to clear dues of teachers. They are further writing letters to school heads and also meeting them in person, urging them to include Tulu. "There is also a proposal to include Tulu teachers as guest teachers in the school. We have spoken to the state government in this regard, and if all goes well, it is likely to happen next academic year," said Kapikad. The academy also gave away cash prizes to those candidates who scored 100 marks in Tulu in the SSLC exam. Additionally, this academic year, they are distributing free notebooks to those learning Tulu.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC grants Centre time to file affidavit in misuse of national emblem
1 2 3 Cuttack: Orissa high court granted the Centre time till July 22, 2025 to submit a more detailed affidavit in response to a PIL alleging widespread misuse of the national emblem of India. Adopted on Jan 26, 1950, the national emblem is based on the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, with the words Satyameva Jayate inscribed below in Devanagari script. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman on Tuesday, granted the time following a request by deputy solicitor general P K Parhi to file the improved affidavit. The PIL, filed by Ganjam-based Alone Trust on Dec 27, 2024, seeks strict action against unauthorised and incorrect usage of the national emblem. The petition highlighted several instances where the emblem is misrepresented, including omission of key elements like the animals and the motto Satyameva Jayate. Advocate Pabitra Kumar Dutta represented the petitioner. The court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre's counter affidavit filed on March 12, following its directives dated Jan 22 and Feb 19. "There has to be verification, action taken and report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Counter will be accepted on adjourned date upon advance copy served," the court stated, setting the next hearing on March 26. I n its Feb 19 order, the HC criticised repeated adjournments sought by the Centre and emphasised the seriousness of the allegations regarding the emblem's misuse. "We do not appreciate prayer for adjournment, earlier obtained for verification and rectification," the bench had observed. The PIL also calls for the inclusion of the national emblem of India in school curricula and campaigns to promote public awareness about its legal, cultural, and symbolic significance. It argues that a lack of awareness is contributing to its misuse across the country. Interestingly, the PIL was filed on Dec 27, 2024, just two days after the Centre proposed stricter regulations, including a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and jail terms, to curb unauthorised use of national symbols, as well as names and photographs of the President and Prime Minister. Currently, the emblem's usage is governed by two separate laws — the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, overseen by the ministry of home affairs, and the emblems and names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, enforced by the consumer affairs department. The Centre is reportedly considering merging the two laws under a single administrative authority for better enforcement.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Govt to train students in art of manuscript preservation
Panaji: Merging academic learning with heritage conservation, the state directorate of archives will soon launch an initiative to train history students in manuscriptology and palaeography to preserve the state's centuries-old documentary heritage. 'Spanning pre-Portuguese, Portuguese, and post-Liberation eras, the archives house a wealth of documents in diverse scripts and languages — from ancient Devanagari and Modi to Portuguese and Roman scripts — making it fertile ground for this initiative. The initiative will not only help conserve Goa's manuscript wealth, but also offer practical skill-building opportunities to students,' an archives official told TOI . As part of the National Education Policy (NEP), internships are now mandatory in college curricula, and the state archives department is turning this academic requirement into a unique opportunity for history students in Goa. The plan is to start the orientation and training of students by mid-Aug in this academic year. 'The department will equip students with these skills before involving them in real-time documentation and conservation efforts,' the official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like See How Much You Can Save on Car Insurance Search7 Learn More Undo 'The initiative is linked to the Gyan Bharatam Mission, part of the Union culture ministry's National Mission for Manuscripts, which aims to preserve and digitise India's rich manuscript heritage. To facilitate this, state govt has already approved the establishment of the Goa State Mission for Manuscripts,' the official said. Under this mission, the archives department will launch an extensive statewide survey to identify manuscripts — some of which may be with private collectors and religious institutions across Goa. Once documented, these manuscripts will be conserved and digitised to make them accessible to future generations. TOI reported on June 18 that under this initiative, the department expects to find literary treasures such as correspondence that was once exchanged between neighbouring kings, freedom fighters, and texts that capture the essence of Goan life through the centuries.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NMC Unveils 114 Digital Classrooms in Civic Schools Ahead of New Academic Year
Nagpur: Ahead of the new academic year beginning June 24, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has equipped 114 civic school classrooms with interactive smart boards and computer labs. The initiative, spearheaded by municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, aims to make civic school students technology-savvy and future-ready. The smart classrooms feature interactive panels that allow students to engage dynamically with content, blending traditional teaching with modern digital tools. A two-day teacher training programme was launched on Tuesday to ensure smooth implementation. Additional commissioner Vaishnavi B inaugurated the session at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee E-Library in Bajeria. Expert trainers Prabhat Tiwari and Raju Kalbande will train over 200 teachers in four batches. The digital classrooms have been established under NMC's 'Mission Navchetna'. On Day 1, 54 teachers received hands-on training in smartboard hardware, software, multilingual content usage, and digital classroom management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse dispositivo discreto está virando febre entre idosos com dor nos nervos. A arte do herbalismo Undo The workshop also included practical demonstrations of tools like notepads and subject content in Devanagari and English scripts. With this initiative, students from Classes 1 to 12 in NMC schools will learn using cutting-edge technology. The civic body aims to bridge the digital divide in civic education and ensure that its students are not left behind in the era of smart learning. Teachers are being empowered with tech skills, while students will experience a richer, more interactive educational environment than ever before.
