Latest news with #Swayam
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Natal family violence against women remains largely underreported: Study
A study conducted by a Kolkata-based feminist organisation has found that natal family violence against women is widely underreported. The organisation and its researchers have asked for stricter laws to include natal family violence under the domestic violence laws and sought a wider study into the matter to understand the gravity of this violence in India. Swayam, a feminist organisation which has worked across seven districts of West Bengal for the past half a decade worked with over 50 survivors of natal family violence and found that 75% of the women faced verbal and emotional abuse, and 68% faced physical abuse, and 20% faced child abuse. Their research also found that most of the perpetrators of abuse are fathers, brothers, male relatives, followed by mothers and grandmothers in some cases. 'Women were denied education, mobility, healthcare, and even nutrition. Decisions about their lives were taken without consent. Girls were burdened with care work and restricted in clothing, movement, and relationships,' the study found. They also came to the conclusion that violence is normalised, internalised, and transmitted across generations as discipline, family honour, and concern by the perpetrators. The researchers said that cases of natal family violence were largely invisible in mainstream conversations on domestic violence which mostly talks about marital family violence and the community institutes fail to recognise this as a legitimate claim against violence. 'Violence that women face in their natal families is huge. It starts even before birth through female foeticide and continues in many ways through discrimination, control, abuse, and forced marriages,' Anuradha Kapoor, the primary researcher of the study 'The Natal Family: A Neglected Site of Domestic Violence Against Women' said during the launch of the study on July 17, Thursday. Ms. Kapoor highlighted that each case of natal family violence is looked at as individual cases and the structural, cultural, and direct nature of the violence is largely ignored. She also said that many women who have sought help from Swayam in such cases have also refused to go public about the issue or even file cases against the abusers. 'I was sent to my maternal grandparents' house when I was one year old, three months before my brother was born, and lived there till I was 10. My grandfather would throw me on the ground and kick me. My grandmother would pinch me, bang my head against the wall frequently. My uncles beat me up and smashed my head against the wall when I was little. Eventually, my brother also began beating me up,' a survivor stated while recounting her experience of natal family violence. After their study, Swayam has recommended that there is a need to recognise natal family violence as a key dimension of domestic violence. 'Strengthen laws and legal aid mechanisms, ensure access to property, education, and livelihood, train frontline workers and institutes to help support the survivors of abuse,' the researchers said. They also called for intersectional research on the subject across the nation to bring police level changes and help find survivor-centered solutions.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
4 out of 5 women face violence from parents, siblings, finds survey
1 2 Kolkata: Contrary to the social myth that a woman's birth family is a space of safety, a study has revealed that natal family violence (NFV) is a pervasive and under-recognised form of domestic violence. The study, drawing testimonies of 50 women from diverse backgrounds, claim that families often normalise this form of violence, committed by the woman's birth family, including parents and siblings. Four out of five women interviewed experienced one or more forms of NFV— emotional, verbal, physical, economic, or sexual — before marriage. Three out of four said verbal and emotional abuse were common while seven out of 10 had suffered physical violence and one out of five had experienced child sexual abuse. The study report has been released by the Kolkata-based feminist organisation Swayam. The violence within natal families is passed down across generations, the report states. Widespread abuse across class, caste, and religion abuse is often disguised as discipline or concern. Women grew up witnessing beatings and emotional cruelty, learning that love could coexist with harm. This confusion made it difficult to identify, name, or resist abuse. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata In 44% of cases, mothers were survivors of domestic violence, and in 77% of these cases, their daughters were also abused. This cycle of harm — learned, internalised, and justified within the family — is at the core of inter-generational violence. The study found that women were denied education, mobility, healthcare, and even nutrition. Decisions about their lives were taken without consent. Girls were burdened with care work and restricted in clothing and movement. Marriages were arranged forcibly, and women who returned after marital violence were shamed, rejected, or coerced into leaving. They were also disinherited from property.
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ignou launches sand art courses by Sudarshan Pattnaik, apply by Sept 15
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has introduced two new online courses on sand art in collaboration with internationally acclaimed sand artist a and Padma Shri awardee from Puri, Odisha, Sudarsan courses are being offered through the Ministry of Education's Swayam platform and are open for enrolment until September two courses, titled 'Introduction to Sand Art' and 'Principles & Formats of Sand Art', are designed to provide both theoretical and practical understanding of sand art The courses began on July 15 and will run until November 15, 2025, spanning a total of 12 Sudarsan Pattnaik represented India in over 60 international sand art championships and festivals, making him one of the most recognised sand artists in the world. His insights and field experience form the backbone of the course AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSEThe courses aim to introduce learners to the fundamentals of sand art, including environmental considerations and techniques involved in crafting sand programme is classified under the 'Arts' category, is taught in English, and carries 4 credit points. It is offered at the undergraduate will explore key themes such as global sand art practices, selection of location and sand, the right amount of water, and techniques for gathering, compacting, and shaping course also guides learners in creating the right environment suitable for this artistic course begins with an exploration of sand art across the world, offering insights into its history, cultural significance, and contemporary will then be guided in the selection of the right place for creating sand art, focusing on factors such as terrain, climate, and accessibility. Understanding the selection of sand is crucial, as different textures and grains impact the outcome of the important is choosing the right kind and amount of water, which helps in shaping and stabilising the structures. The course also covers techniques for gathering and compacting the sand according to the appropriate format, ensuring durability and students will learn how to choose or create the right environment for sand art, including aspects like lighting, audience interaction, and AND ASSESSMENT PROCESSTo receive a Swayam certificate, learners must complete both internal and external assessments. The internal assessment involves a final quiz worth 30 marks, while the external component is a proctored end-term exam worth 70 qualify, learners must score at least 40% overall, which includes a minimum of 12 marks in the internal quiz and 28 marks in the external candidates can visit the official platform at to register and access course link to apply for Ignou's sand art courses 2025With its unique focus on artistic expression and hands-on learning, the programme offers an enriching opportunity for art enthusiasts and learners across India.- Ends
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
DU teachers seek withdrawal of draft UGC regulations and address academic concerns
New Delhi: Delhi University teachers have written to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and sought withdrawal of the Draft UGC Regulations, 2025, and resolution of long-pending academic and service-related issues. Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) submitted the plea through the ministry of education, with support from nearly 2,000 faculty members. The President is the visitor to the university. DUTA president Prof AK Bhagi said the draft regulations must not be implemented without aligning them to the forthcoming 8th pay commission and wider consultations with academic stakeholders. Criticising the undergraduate curriculum framework under NEP 2020, he said, "Its rigid structure, excessive paper load and reduced credits for core subjects have diluted academic depth. Faculty members are overburdened with rising teaching and administrative responsibilities without corresponding recruitment or infrastructural expansion. Overcrowded classrooms and inadequate resources have worsened the learning environment." You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Bhagi cautioned against allowing students to earn credits through online platforms like Swayam and massive open online courses, arguing it would erode academic standards and undermine classroom teaching. 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 He also pointed to delays in admissions and the absence of a synchronised academic calendar that has disrupted the rhythm of teaching and learning. DUTA secretary Anil Kumar said that persistent gaps in staffing and funding had aggravated challenges under the NEP implementation. "No additional grants have been provided to meet growing academic and infrastructural demands," he added. The teachers' body urged the President and the ministry to ensure all reforms are guided by principles of equity, academic freedom and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SBI readies introduction of revamped digi platform
Mumbai: State Bank of India (SBI) is set to undergo a digital transformation in FY26, led by the launch of a revamped Yono platform. Dubbed 'Only Yono', the new app will feature hyper-personalised user journeys and have biometric logins and multilingual support. The bank is also expanding paperless account opening through video KYC for sole proprietorship businesses, scaling its digital kisan credit card journey to five more states, and introducing facial recognition in kiosk banking. Over 3,000 Swayam (pass book printing) kiosks-including 1,000 with auto-flip features-will be deployed. SBI's marketing technology platform, powered by AI and integrated across SMS, WhatsApp, and email, will be fully rolled out by Oct 2025 and will send messages based on customer behaviour. The bank is also developing a real-time analytics system, or Data Lakehouse, by Sept 2026 and revamping its agri loan management system and trade finance processes. The export and import modules of trade finance went live in April 2025. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
