Latest news with #K
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Outrage over foot worship at schools in Kasaragod, Kannur
A series of 'Pada Puja,' foot-washing ceremony, held in multiple CBSE schools in Kasaragod district has sparked widespread condemnation from political parties, child rights bodies, and civil society. The ceremony, part of Guru Purnima celebration on Vyasa Jayanti, saw students kneeling and washing the feet of teachers, including retired teachers, and offering flowers in a symbolic ritual of reverence on Thursday. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Saturday demanded a report from the Director of General Education and condemned the practice as 'undemocratic and against the spirit of modern education.' The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights sought reports from the Bekal Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Badudka police on the incident. The rituals were reportedly held at Kakkachal Saraswathi Vidyalayam at Bandadka, Thrikkarippur Chakrapani Vidya Mandiram English Medium School, and Cheemeni Vivekananda Vidyamandiram — all under the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan umbrella. A similar ceremony was also held at Sreekandapuram Vivekananda Vidyapeedam in Kannur. The events were led by the Vidayala Samiti in celebration of Vyasa Jayanti. Visuals of the event has been widely circulated on social media, drawing criticism. Terming the event as primitive and degrading, the Student Federation of India, Balasangham, and Democratic Youth Federation of India staged protests and lodged complaints. The SFI approached the child rights commission, demanding accountability. SFI Kasaragod district secretary K, Pranav said the ceremony was regressive and contrary to Kerala's progressive educational values. The DYFI said the ritual was an attempt to introduce Sangh Parivar ideology in educational institutions and undermine scientific temper and secular values of the public education system. The DYFI announced a State-wide campaign 'Human vigilance against Sangh Parivar's move to return to primitive times' on July 14 in front of private schools. Earlier, Mr. Sivankutty, speaking to mediapersons, reiterated that such practices eroded the purpose of education, to foster critical thinking and self-awareness. 'Instilling a slave mentality in students has no place in democratic society,' he said. The Minister said the Department of General Education had the authority to take action against schools in any syllabus that did not comply with the Right to Education Act and regulations. The Welfare Party of India also condemned the act, calling it an insult to humanity. In a statement, the Kasaragod district unit accused the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan of attempting to usher in a Hindutva-oriented social order through education institutions. The demanded an investigation and strict action against those responsible.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women of war: The IDF female combat soldiers guarding the Israeli-Egyptian border
Two female soldiers, K and Y – who serve in this capacity – are among the women making a significant impact on the front lines. In a world where combat roles in the military are still largely dominated by men, the IDF stands out with its singular approach to gender equality in service. In recent years, women have been finding their place in intense combat units, proving that female soldiers can be just as strong and intense as men. Women in Israel are not only allowed to serve in combat positions but are also encouraged to do so, with many stepping up to protect the country in critical roles. This includes guarding Israel's southern border with Egypt, where the challenges are multifaceted and the stakes incredibly high. Two female soldiers, K and Y – who serve in this capacity – are among the women making a significant impact on the front lines. K is a captain and platoon commander, and Y is a first sergeant. For both women, the decision to serve in a combat role was driven by personal conviction. While many young women in Israel might choose non-combat roles, these two women volunteered for the challenging and demanding task of defending Israel's border with Egypt. K reflects on her decision, stating that she took a gap year before joining the army, immersing herself in the study of Israel's history, and determining her role as a future protector of the nation. 'It was about patriotism: about doing something bigger than myself,' she says. In Israel, while military service is mandatory for both men and women, combat roles are not. Women must specifically volunteer for these roles; and once they do, they are expected to embrace their duties without hesitation. K's journey led her to the co-ed Caracal ('Wildcat') Battalion, where she joined fellow volunteers from her gap year. Y comes from a family with no military tradition in combat service. 'I grew up knowing I could do my best,' she says, explaining how she initially considered non-combat roles. But the desire to fully contribute to the defense of her country – particularly on the front lines – eventually led her to combat training. The realities of serving on the Egyptian border are not without their challenges. The extreme weather conditions – scorching heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night – are just one of the many obstacles faced by soldiers in the region. However, the terrain is not the only challenge that these women and their comrades face. K and Y describe how the threat of smuggling, terrorism, and even drone activity has heightened in recent months. Drones, often used for smuggling weapons and drugs, have become one of the most concerning threats on the border. As Y points out, 'Every day, anything can happen.' Whether it's a suspicious movement or a sudden shift in weather, the unknown factor is a constant that soldiers must prepare for. It is this unpredictability that demands the highest levels of mental and physical readiness. However, K highlights that the most important challenge for her soldiers is knowing that they are the first line of defense for their country. 'We are the ones who make sure that citizens in nearby settlements and cities can sleep peacefully,' she says. 'In Israel's current and forever situation, we will always need a strong army, just like we have strong soldiers, whether they're male or female, who can protect the borders and do whatever it takes to make sure that every single citizen of our country sleeps quietly at night.' One of the most striking elements of their stories is the sense of unity and camaraderie within their unit. Both K and Y emphasize the importance of teamwork in ensuring the success of their missions. 'Once you're a combat soldier, the people you serve with become your family,' says K. 'We take care of each other, and that's what makes us strong.' While there is no doubt that gender plays a role in shaping the experience of female soldiers in combat, K and Y stress that it is not an issue within their unit. 'The gender issue doesn't exist here,' K says. 'We all do the same missions together, regardless of whether we're male or female. The only difference is where we sleep.' Y, who has served in various capacities throughout her time in the army, adds that the presence of male and female soldiers in the same unit has only enriched the experience. 'Having men in our unit actually makes the experience better,' she says. 'It creates a different kind of dynamic, and it makes the service more interesting and fun.' When asked about moments when training made a difference, both soldiers express how critical their combat training has been during tense situations. K recalls an emergency during the Oct. 7 events when her unit was called to action. In that scenario, quick thinking and solid training enabled her team to respond efficiently and with clarity, ensuring that wounded civilians received medical treatment while securing the area. Y recounts a similar experience, reflecting on the importance of leadership and maintaining a calm presence. 'When you're leading soldiers, especially in tense situations, it's about keeping them together,' she says. 'We rely on one another, and that's what makes us stronger.' One of the most common misconceptions about female combat soldiers is that they cannot perform as well as their male counterparts. Y disagrees strongly with this view. 'We prove ourselves every single day,' she says. 'Some people think we're here just to show off, but that's not the case. We are strong, we are capable, and we do the work just as well as any man.' K also remembers an experience after the events of Oct. 7 when she was stationed in a religious settlement near the border. Initially, some people questioned her ability to command the unit because of her gender. 'But after a short time, they saw that women can do these roles just as well as men,' she says. 'They trusted us, and we earned that trust.' For K and Y, their time on the border has shaped them in ways they never anticipated. Serving on the front lines has opened their eyes to the realities of life in a conflict zone. Y describes her experience as 'mind-opening,' explaining how being stationed on the border has expanded her understanding of Israel's security situation and the role of the IDF in maintaining peace. For K, it's about contributing to the safety of Israel and its citizens. 'We have a responsibility to protect not just our people but the whole country,' she says. 'I am proud of what we do, and I know we're making a difference.' K and Y have strong advice for young women considering joining the IDF in a combat role. K urges them to prepare mentally and physically. 'A strong body is essential, but a strong mind is even more important,' she says. Y encourages resilience, urging women not to give up when faced with tough moments. 'The hard moments shape you,' she asserts. 'They build strong friendships and make you realize what you're truly capable of.' 'Don't give up, and don't let your worst moment shape you because there are some times where you're not expecting it to be hard,' Y says. 'These hard moments actually build you and let you know who your best friends are. If everything was easy, it wouldn't be the same. Just don't give up, and be prepared for it; and don't let the hardest moment take over you.' In the eyes of K and Y, the work they do on the border is not only vital for Israel's security but is also deeply personal. 'Every day, we get very professional in our section of the border,' K reflects. 'And we do it all to make sure that each citizen is safe, and that's our priority.' These words speak to the heart of what it means to serve on the front lines: the dedication, the professionalism, and the commitment to protecting those who depend on them. As they continue their service, K and Y remain inspired by their roles and the larger mission they carry out. Their contributions to the safety and security of Israel's southern border are a testament to their strength and resilience – and to the growing number of women in combat roles who prove that they are more than capable of standing side by side with their male counterparts in defending their – our – country.
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Brotherless Night by VV Ganeshananthan audiobook review – love and conflict in Sri Lanka
Brotherless Night opens with 16-year-old Sashi Kulenthiren, who hopes to be a doctor like her eldest brother, making tea when the kettle slips out of her hand, causing her to pour boiling water on herself. When a neighbour, K, hears her screams, he rushes over to help, cracking raw eggs over the scalds to soothe the pain. 'So I began as K's patient though he ended as mine,' Sashi reflects. Set in 1980s Sri Lanka, VV Ganeshananthan's coming-of-age novel – which won the 2024 Women's prize for fiction – is an epic and hard-hitting tale of family and survival as it documents life during the civil war between Tamil separatists and the Sinhalese majority that lasted three decades. Before fighting breaks out, Sashi's most pressing problem is whether she will pass her exams at school. But soon violence and kidnapping become the norm, communities are left 'brotherless' and ordinary citizens are turned into what the outside world calls terrorists. Sashi, who becomes a trainee doctor, begins working as a field hospital medic, and finds her loyalties put to the test. She must also reckon with her feelings for K, who has filled her thoughts ever since he came to her aid in her teens, and who becomes a high-ranking Tamil Tiger official. Nirmala Rajasingam is the narrator, her mellifluous reading drawing out the subtle intimacy and compassion in Ganeshananthan's prose. Contemplating her love for K, Sashi reflects: 'I wanted the life on the other side of the war's looking-glass, the future we might have had, and which no longer existed.' Available via Penguin Audio, 13hr 28min Old God's TimeSebastian Barry, Faber, 8hr 34minStephen Hogan narrates this Booker prize-longlisted tale of a retired policeman whose solitude is interrupted by two ex-colleagues looking for assistance on a case. We All Shine On: John, Yoko & MeElliot Mintz, Penguin Audio, 9hr 9minMintz, the one-time radio host and publicist to the stars, documents his close friendship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Read by the author.
South China Morning Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How Malaysia's wealth of produce inspires Japanese chef at K kaiseki in Kuala Lumpur
Almost five years after the 2020 closure of two-Michelin-star Tenku RyuGin in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, former chef de cuisine Hidemichi Seki has embarked on his next culinary adventure. Advertisement He was on hiatus in his homeland, Japan, when the team from Malaysian hospitality group Ilham Dining Concepts (IDC) came knocking in 2022, inviting him to start his own restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Seki launched his first restaurant, K, in February 2025. On the 37th floor of the Foster and Partners-designed Ilham Tower, the kaiseki restaurant offers a generous 15-course tasting menu. Despite receiving offers from restaurants in Japan, Seki chose to move to Malaysia's capital, wanting to see more of the world while still living close to nature. K kaiseki restaurant opened on the 37th floor of the Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur in March 2025. Photo: K Kuala Lumpur 'I've always wanted to gain more diverse experiences overseas and immerse myself in different cultures,' he says. Advertisement
Fast Company
09-05-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Why ‘k' is the most hated text message, according to science
A study has confirmed what we all suspected: 'K' is officially the worst text you can send. It might look harmless enough, but this single letter has the power to shut down a conversation and leave the recipient spiraling. According to a study published in the Journal of Mobile Communication, 'K' was ranked as the most negatively received response in digital conversations—worse than being left on read or even a passive-aggressive 'sure.' The study found that the single-letter reply often signals emotional distance, passive-aggressiveness, or outright disinterest. Despite its brevity, 'K' carries surprising emotional weight. Adding an extra letter—making it 'kk'—softens the tone of the reply entirely. Variants like 'ok' or 'okay,' while still cold, tend to be interpreted as neutral or merely formal. Many of our day-to-day conversations happen over text, which means there are now unspoken codes of conduct to follow. Opening up about your emotions but don't want to sound too serious? Make sure to add 'lol' to the end of those texts to show you're just in a silly, goofy mood and not suicidal. Giving advice to a friend that you don't want to be held accountable for? Add an 'idk' at the end of the sentence to mitigate culpability. Non-verbal cues like tone, facial expressions, and body language can be difficult to convey via our phones, leaving the door wide open for misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Sometimes generational differences also impact how we send and interpret texts. In some cases, textual miscommunications can be relationship killers, research has found. Some texters recognize the power of 'k' and are willing to weaponize the letter to serve their own motives. One X user called it 'the digital equivalent of slamming the door while making dead eye contact.' Another added: 'K is short for 'you're dead to me.'' Others advocate for the convenience of the single-letter response: 'I've learned that rather than replying with a wall of text explaining how you feel, you should just type 'K' and hit send. No sense in wasting your valuable words.'
