Latest news with #SaraswatiPuja
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Beset with violence & politics, other campuses try to turn over a new leaf
Kolkata: Law colleges in the city have a history of campus violence and skirmishes. While some, including the college where the gang rape took place on Friday, continue to grapple with such issues, others have made efforts in recent years to improve their reputation by enforcing discipline, adhering to academic schedules, and strengthening safety and security measures. The college that came under the spotlight on Friday has witnessed vandalism and violence between rival students' groups. A few months ago, another south Kolkata-based institution, Jogesh Chandra Choudhury Law College, hit the headlines when students of the college had to organise the Saraswati Puja under police protection after Calcutta High Court intervened when students went to the court alleging intimidation by outsiders. During the 1980s and 1990s, violence frequently occurred on law campuses in the city, including incidents of bombs being lobbed during union elections. Several former students from this period said entry into law campuses was unhindered. Some indicated that a reference from a former prominent Congress leader sufficed to secure admission to a law college near Sealdah. "Some of our batchmates at that time got their college admission forms while sitting at the leader's house, and political affiliation was the only criterion to get admission where merit didn't play any role. " You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Jatindra Kumar Das, head of the department of law and dean, faculty of law, Calcutta University, stated that systematic classes and exams motivated students to study regularly, while the institution took necessary actions to enhance campus safety and security. "We have tried to reduce political interference by involving students in academics and other activities. Previously, classes were not held regularly, and students engaged in politics, leading to brawls and fights. However, the situation has changed completely. We have restricted outsiders on campus, and students are encouraged to participate in academics and activities that aid their careers. These have helped us reform the college's image. Security was enhanced," he added. Surendranath Law College was notorious for campus violence in the past. But it has improved its image considerably in recent years by implementing measures to address untoward incidents, particularly gender-based violence. Shibasish Banerjee, visiting faculty and advocate at Calcutta HC, said: "We have a strong mechanism in place to prevent untoward incidents. The campus is almost entirely covered with CCTV cameras. Students must vacate the common room by 2 pm. If there is a programme and students need to stay until late evening, access is limited to areas covered by CCTV cameras. We try to prevent students from staying beyond 8 pm. There is a grievance cell, and two female teachers are assigned duties to check on female students for any issues in college."
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Virtually ran the college': TMC student wing member accused in rape case had free run of institute even after graduating
Monojit Misra, the main accused in the rape of a student at a Kolkata law college, is a member of the ruling TMC's student wing and a former president of its college unit who wielded immense clout in the campus even after completing his graduation. Misra, 31, was among three people arrested in the case. The two other arrested persons, Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), are also members of the college's Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) unit and Misra's associates. The Indian Express spoke to current and former students as well as local TMC members who alleged a string of offences on campus by Misra, his outsized influence there, and his flaunted closeness to local party leaders. Students pointed to the fact that the college's governing body — its president is TMC MLA Ashok Deb — appointed Misra as a 'casual' clerical staffer after he had passed out. 'Misra was the TMCP unit president in the college before he passed out. Earlier, he was accused of ransacking CCTVs put up by the authorities in the old campus of the college. Even in the new campus, he was accused of abducting a student of a rival TMCP faction,' alleged a former student. 'He was suspended twice for all this. But after he passed out, he was appointed as a casual clerical staff by the governing body of the college,' said this person, who is also a TMCP member. The person said: 'Misra formed a gang of students in the college. He called it Team MM. The two other accused persons are members of this group.' Indeed, a graffiti on one of the college walls reads: 'Monojit da is in our hearts (Team MM)'. The text 'arma sobai TMCP samarthak (We are all TMCP supporters )' appears above it. Misra's most recent role in the TMCP was as one of the secretaries of its South Kolkata unit. Trinankur Bhattacharya, the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad president, said: 'He was once with Trinamool Chhatra Parishad. But now he is not. Whoever he may be, be it a party leader or not, he should be given exemplary punishment if found guilty. We condemn such incidents.' Another student and TMCP member said:. 'He virtually ran the college and his diktats were to be followed by the students. From Saraswati Puja to symposiums to party programmes, he was at the helm of everything in the college.' Misra is a resident of the Kalighat area. A Kalighat TMC leader said: 'We don't know how the party gave him space in the law college. He always tried to be close to local TMC councillors and MLAs.' Misra's Facebook timeline appears to bear this out, with multiple photographs showing him with TMC leaders. There are also several photographs and posts related to the college. His bio describes him as a lawyer with the Alipur police and sessions court and an organisational secretary of the South Kolkata TMCP. Debanjan Dey, the state secretary of CPI(M) student wing SFI, said: 'Monojit Misra is a known criminal from Kalighat. Many cases are pending against him. Even after that, he was given a job in this college. Why did not take action against him?' Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari posted on X: 'This incident is not just a crime, it is a blatant proof of the corruption of educational institutions by the leaders of the Trinamool Congress student wing. The Trinamool student leaders are repeatedly abusing their power to create an atmosphere of fear and anarchy in educational institutions.' TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, meanwhile, posted on X: 'Police to see that maximum punishment should be given. However we must be careful. Such boys sometimes come close to our party and then they will do their will and do shameful acts. The leaders with whom this boy has worked locally should be careful.'
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
School cook gets 20-yr RI for raping 7-year-old student
1 2 3 Keonjhar: A fast-track court in Keonjhar district on Friday sentenced a 50-year-old school cook to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 7-year-old student. Judge Bijay Kumar Mishra also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. The incident occurred on Saraswati Puja evening at a school where the girl was a hostel resident. The crime came to light when her mother discovered bruises on her daughter's body on Jan 29, 2023. Special public prosecutor Gyanendra Nath Jena said the convict sexually assaulted the minor in a nearby field when she asked to use the bathroom. The court heard that he also inflicted injuries on the girl's chest. The school's caretaker, a 40-year-old man, was fined Rs 700 for attempting to suppress the crime. Both convicts face additional imprisonment if they fail to pay their respective fines — six months for the cook and one month for the caretaker. The verdict was based on testimonies from 17 witnesses and police investigation reports. The court also recommended the district legal services authority to provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the girl. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Platforms selling tribal attire empower rural artisans
Ranchi: The platforms selling tribal attire have emerged as a lifeline for rural artisans, relying on their skilled hands to craft exquisite garments that showcase traditional weaving techniques. This initiative has not only preserved age-old skills but also transformed the lives of artisans, empowering them and improving their livelihoods. As these artisans weave their magic into every thread, they are not just creating beautiful clothing; they are crafting a better future for themselves and their families. The impact of this initiative is palpable, with artisans gaining confidence, financial stability, and a sense of pride in their work. Salge Tudu, who is associated with one of the online platforms that sells garments made out of tribal textiles, said, "After we associated with the business, our economic conditions elevated. Before, the garments we made did not achieve such a wide buyer base, but now our products are sold at premium rates in different parts of the world. From earning nothing, we now have earnings in thousands every month." She added that around 350 weavers in East Singhbhum district are currently associated with the textile industry, who weave and embroider various women's garments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Exclusive Pre-Launch Offers – SPR Gurgaon Signature Global Book Now Undo The products woven by these artisans attract massive demand during festivals such as Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja, and Sarhul. Chara Swansi, a 45-year-old male weaver from Khunti district who weaves bed sheets, tribal cloths, shawls, sarees, and various other tribal textiles, said he earns around Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 a month. "Now I have started training the youths in my locality so that they can also make a livelihood out of it, and the traditional art forms can also be preserved. We take immense pride in our work as the products delicately stitched by our hands are now reaching foreign countries, and celebrities have also started wearing those," he added.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Beyond the call of duty: How a govt official transformed a school for tribal kids in Garhwa
Ranchi: During the Saraswati Puja in February this year, Garhwa district welfare officer, Dheeraj Prakash, happened to visit the Janjatiya Awasiya Vidhyalaya, a residential school for ST students run by his department and located in Naxal-hit Kudrum, a remote area in Garhwa district. What Prakash saw there was disheartening — crumbling infrastructure and an environment far from ideal for young children. Amid his helplessness to do anything at that time, Prakash made a silent vow, "It must change." Days later, he began a modest personal intervention in the Nilambar Hostel, meant for junior section students studying between classes 1-7. Despite limited resources and the school's challenging location, nearly 45km away in a forested region — he chose not to wait for govt funds or schemes. Prakash began mobilising personal resources, including from like-minded people in his department and undertook multiple site visits to renovate the hostel. Today, the facility is transformed and it gives the inmates a sense of dignity. it wasn't a large-scale project, but a noble one inspired not by official obligation, but by empathy and purpose. Talking to TOI on Tuesday, Prakash, who earlier served in various official capacities in Sahibganj and other districts, said he was at a loss of words when he first visited the school. "I was called by the school authorities during the Saraswati Puja celebrations as a guest. I had also shared bhog (prasad) with the staff and kids there and walked on the campus," he said. Prakash further said, "While the condition of the senior section was largely better, I couldn't believe my eyes to see the pathetic condition of the facility of the junior section. I couldn't sit back, thinking about those kids. They deserved better." After holding a review meeting with his departmental officials, he learnt that four years back, repairs were undertaken but the situation, instead of improving, turned worse. Preparing a fresh detailed project report (DPR) for renovation would take a long time given the maze of bureaucratic channels, even though funds are often earmarked for repairs and upkeep of such govt hostels, he said. "After evaluating the required works along with our engineers, we decided to mobilise the renovation through our own resources and funds. A few like-mind staff, too, joined hands and the work began," Prakash junior section hostel is a G-plus one structure having 28 rooms, two large halls and accommodation for 120 students. So far, Prakash and others have invested Rs 1.5 lakh. "We largely focused on revamping the inside of the building as it mattered the most for the kids. Gradually, the entire structure was whitewashed and painted. Moreover, other repairs were done by local workers. The defunct electric wiring system was also rectified to ensure proper lighting and cleanliness," Prakash said, adding that work related to pipelines needs an upgrade for which they are exploring ways.
