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The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
'Japan training kids to rule AI world, we're not even making AI workers': AAP slams Centre
Launching a scathing attack on the Centre about India's education policies, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) announced a nationwide campaign to audit government schools, deploying 3,000 trained volunteers across 20 States. The move comes in response to what the AAP described as decades of neglect by successive BJP and Congress governments. There was no immediate response available from the ruling BJP on the allegations. "Most of the government schools across the country are in ruins. Only 4.8% schools have computer labs. Only 29% students in fifth standard can do maths of second class," senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia told a press conference. "The NEP (National Education Policy), which the government is celebrating on completion of five years, says that 6% of GDP should be invested in education. Forget about GDP, the Central government is not even using 2.5% of its budget," he said. Mr. Sisodia accused the BJP and the Congress of having "looted and cheated" people in the name of education for the past 70 years. "Countries like Japan are training their kids to rule the AI world and we are not even training them to be AI workers. China made AI mandatory in high school syllabus in 2018 and what we are doing is changing syllabus in some history books and having discussions around that," the AAP leader said. "Why are we not taking steps like Japan and China instead of making our students fight in the name of caste and religion?" he asked. Citing that over 31 crore students are enrolled in schools and colleges in India, Sisodia announced that his party has selected 3,000 workers to inspect the condition of schools from August 1 to 7. "We had a meeting with 20 state AAP chiefs and decided incidents like the one in Jhalawar must not happen again," he said. Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who was also present during the press conference, threw light on the progress made in the education sector in the state under the AAP. "In 2022, girls had to wait for eight hours to use a toilet and sat on the floor in schools. Today, every school in Punjab has clean washrooms, WiFi and top-class furniture. 260 students from Punjab's government schools passed JEE Mains and 800 cleared NEET," said Bains. "We are now investing Rs 400 crore to set up AI labs in every government school," he added. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on his part accused the BJP of attempting to "keep the next generation uneducated to carry their narrative of hate". "When we think of hatred and incidents like Jhalawar, we think of the BJP. But when we think of free quality education, electricity, water and healthcare, we think of the AAP," said Mr. Singh. "They want to keep the next generation uneducated to carry their narrative of hate, but we will not let that happen," he added. Announcing a demonstration in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on August 2 as part of the education campaign, Singh said the AAP's fight will continue "on the streets, in Parliament and in the Supreme Court". Earlier on Friday, a portion of the roof of Government Upper Primary School at Piplodi village in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district collapsed, killing seven students and injuring 28 others.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AAP councillors meet Manish Sisodia, seek break with Cong
Chandigarh: In the backdrop of ongoing political uncertainty in the city, councillors from Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Chandigarh unit recently held a meeting with senior party leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. The meeting, held a few days ago, marked the first formal interaction between Sisodia and municipal councillors since the party's controversial loss in the mayoral election earlier this year. According to party sources, the discussion revolved around several pressing issues, including the decision to elect the mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor through show of hands rather than secret ballot, alliance with the Congress, and internal party discord. A significant number of councillors reportedly voiced their dissatisfaction with the current coalition and urged the leadership to consider contesting future elections independently. "There is growing sentiment among councillors that AAP can perform better on its own in the upcoming municipal corporation elections scheduled for December, 2026," a senior party source said, adding, "The alliance with Congress is seen as a limiting factor, especially with the Punjab assembly elections also approaching in the next year and a half." 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 The councillors emphasised that any political decision taken in Chandigarh could have ripple effects in Punjab, where AAP holds significant ground. While the final call on the alliance rests with the party's central leadership, councillors expressed the need for an early decision to allow adequate time for campaign planning and strategy. The issue of internal rifts within the Chandigarh unit also surfaced during the meeting. The councillors raised concerns over cross-voting in the January mayoral election, which led to AAP's defeat despite having a majority. They urged Sisodia to take disciplinary action against those responsible. Sources indicated that Sisodia listened to the concerns and assured that the party leadership would consider all viewpoints before making a final decision. The meeting is seen as a pivotal moment for AAP's local leadership, as it seeks to recalibrate its strategy ahead of key elections. With growing pressure from within, all eyes are now on AAP's central command to see how it navigates the alliance debate and addresses internal challenges in Chandigarh. MSID:: 122784755 413 |
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh bags 10 awards under ODOP initiative
Vijayawada: In a significant achievement, Andhra Pradesh has bagged ten prestigious awards under the 'One District – One Product' (ODOP) initiative. Special chief secretary (handlooms and textiles), RP Sisodia said that seven of these awards were bagged by handloom and handicraft products, while two were awarded to agriculture-based products. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In addition, the state received another award in the inter-state ODOP category. Awards will be presented at the national ceremony scheduled to be held on Monday in New Delhi. "Awards are a result of focused efforts by the state govt under the leadership of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has prioritized the revival and promotion of traditional crafts and rural livelihoods. The Bobbili Veena from Vizianagaram, Etikoppaka toys from Anakapalli, Peddapuram silk sarees from Kakinada, Chirala silk sarees from Bapatla, Venkatagiri sarees from Tirupati, Narasapur crochet lace from West Godavari, and Dharmavaram silk sarees from Sri Sathya Sai district among the award-winning handloom and handicraft products," Sisodia told TOI. He explained that Guntur chilli and cashew from Srikakulam have also received ODOP honours under the agriculture category. He said that district collectors and skilled artisans from respective districts have already departed to New Delhi to receive the awards. Sisodia expressed happiness that within just one year of the coalition govt taking charge, the state has earned national-level recognition through ten ODOP awards. "The state govt is actively working to bring more products under the ODOP framework. Chief minister Naidu has already raised the issue with the central govt, seeking recognition for banana from Kadapa, tomato from Chittoor, and groundnut from Anantapur under the ODOP scheme. The objective is to ensure that each district in Andhra Pradesh is represented with a signature product, which will promote local industries and empower producers," said Sisodia.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Vijay Nair: The new 'power centres' of Punjab AAP; internal battle in party ahead of 2027 polls
NEW DELHI: New "power centres" have emerged within the ruling (AAP) in Punjab, as its Delhi-based top leadership has decided to spend more time in the border state, the only one which the party currently governs following the defeat in Delhi after over a decade, in February. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The formal beginning came when Punjab affairs were entrusted to senior leaders and former Delhi ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain, . Both Sisodia and Jain were among the AAP heavyweights who lost in the national capital, as did party supremo and ex-CM and Saurabh Bharadwaj, among others. "The ministries have been evenly divided between the two leaders, who are spearheading policy initiatives. While Sisodia is handling key portfolios like finance and education, Jain has health and social welfare related portfolios," Punjab officials who did not be wish to be named, told ET. Earlier, Punjab affairs had been entrusted to Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak. However, Chadha is now focusing on creating a profile separate from his party, and Pathak is in-charge of its unit in Chhattisgarh. The Vijay Nair influence Another individual who has emerged as a new power centre here is Vijay Nair, AAP's communications head and an accused in the Delhi liquor policy case. As per party sources, in the middle of the recent Ludhiana West by-election, which the AAP candidate won, Nair asked eight members of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann's social media team to resign, prompting the Punjab leadership to retaliate. "This (resignation of Mann's social media team) was done by Nair, who said the team's conduct was not above board. Within days, the Punjab leadership sought the resignation of two members of Nair's team involved in media management on the grounds of corruption. The logic was - you got Punjab people sacked, we will drive Delhi people out," a source said. The corruption factor Also, there is "angst" within the cadre which feels the party is no longer what it claimed to work for, especially the anti-corruption plank. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If you look at the boards and commissions across Punjab, they are filled with Delhi's consultants. They are running the show. The demand for Lokpal was the mainstay of the movement that brought AAP into existence. Where is Lokpal now that AAP is in government?" asked ex-spokesperson Iqbal Singh. Punjab's industry owners also complain - openly - of the "rate of corruption" going up. "The rate of corruption has gone up four or five times. Earlier, just for ease of clearances, four of us industry owners used to pay a liaison person money to get certificates and permissions. There was no illegality but just to expedite the process. Now the person is charging 50% more," the owner of a Ludhiana-base hosiery unit stated. BJP vs AAP Attacking the Kejriwal-led outfit, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar termed the former as "super CM" and Mann as "de facto CM." "The entire governance has been outsourced. This is the first time that Cabinet meetings are taking place not in the CM's office but at the CM's residence. This gives enough leeway for outsiders to attend these meetings. It is not Mann who is presiding over the Cabinet but Kejriwal and Sisodia," Jakhar alleged. However, state AAP spokesperson Neel Garg defended the leadership's involvement in Punjab affairs. He also denied any "rift" between the two state units. "Delhi is getting involved in a guidance role. When elections take place, it is the party that goes for polls not the government. The central leadership is guiding the party how to run police matters. It is for the benefit of Punjab," Garg said. What next? Sensing it is in a difficult position in Punjab, where its maiden term will end in March 2027 followed by the assembly election, the AAP has launched various initiatives, including one against the drug menace, an emotive issue here. Under "Yudh Nashian Virudh" (War Against Drugs) campaign, the police have apprehended 19,735 smugglers in 120 days. The state government has also introduced the land pooling scheme for the planned development of its cities. It is also looking for investments to fund its welfare initiatives.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
BJP, AAP oppose EOL vehicle crackdown
New Delhi: The BJP and AAP have both distanced themselves from the current action against end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, which includes refusing fuel and seizing such vehicles. The enforcement pattern on the ground reflects the sentiment, with the initial crackdown seeing the seizing of 80 vehicles on Day One and then a drop to seven vehicles on the second day, and single-digit seizures on the third day, according to sources. It was announced earlier that all EOL vehicles would not only be denied fuel in the capital, they would also be impounded on the spot and taken for scrapping from July 1 onwards. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi All fuel pumps have been equipped with technology to identify such vehicles — petrol-run vehicles older than 15 years and diesel-run vehicles older than 10 years. Two Delhi govt ministers, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, holding the charge of environment, and transport minister Pankaj Singh, have voiced opposition to the drive. Sirsa said that govt was thinking of going to court against the rules, while Pankaj Singh said the earlier AAP govt failed to control pollution. AAP functionaries, including former deputy CM Manish Sisodia, former CM Atishi, and Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj, have been critical of the move. Sisodia alleged that the move was taken as BJP govt wanted to benefit automobile companies. "Many vehicles have run for barely a few kilometres and do not cause pollution, yet BJP govt is branding them unfit and ordering them to be scrapped," said Sisodia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Sources in petrol pump associations said that the security deployed at pumps considerably decreased on the third day, and there was hardly any impounding. This is not the first time that such a move has met with stiff political resistance. In 2023, when the drive to impound such vehicles from the roadside started, transport minister Kailash Gahlot objected to it. The matter went to court, after which Delhi High Court ordered the release of "end-of-life" vehicles, but under some conditions. A mit Bhatt, MD, International Council on Clean Transportation India, however, said that the move sends a signal on the ground that polluting vehicles would not be tolerated. "Emission levels also change with various engine types; older technology vehicles have much higher emissions than newer ones," he said. "Ultimately, if you do want clean air, then there is no option other than shifting to electric," he said. Anil Chhikara, faculty at the Asian Institute of Transport Development, said: "The problem was that the whole exercise was done without much preparation. Also, you are putting so much resource while a handful of vehicles is being impounded." Nischal Singhania, president of the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, said that the association is happy with the ministers' decision advocating a halt. "It anyway will not have much effect until there is a blanket ban in NCR," he said.
