Latest news with #UtpalSarma


Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Aasu to sponsor coaching of 40 UPSC aspirants from NE in Delhi every year
Guwahati: All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) on Monday announced a major initiative to provide special support to 40 UPSC aspirants from Assam and the northeast. They will be offered free coaching at selected Delhi institutes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the results for Assam in the UPSC-conducted civil services examination were not promising in the recent past, this year saw a drastic fall in the number of candidates from Assam and the northeast who qualified in the UPSC civil services final examination. On Monday, Aasu announced that every year, it will send 26 students from Assam and 14 students from other northeastern states, through the North East Student Organization (NESO) for training for the UPSC-conducted civil services examination in Delhi. In the first step of the project, this year, under the "Pratyasha" project, 25 candidates from Assam who succeeded in the UPSC prelims will be provided assistance for the main exam. The student union will cover all expenses for these 25 candidates to receive online or offline training at their chosen institution. Interested candidates who succeeded in the preliminary stage can apply by filling out a form on the student union's website The application process will continue until Jun 29. In the first week of July, assistance will be provided to 25 selected candidates. Candidate who have already enrolled in institutions for training can also apply, and the student union will provide assistance with training costs as much as possible. "They will receive training at selected institutions in Delhi. A special arrangement will be made to select and send these candidates to Delhi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aasu will soon provide a detailed explanation on this matter," Aasu president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Samiran Phukan said in a statement on Monday. Aasu has devised a special plan to encourage students and youth from Assam to appear in the civil services examination and to create a cadre of efficient administrative officers from Assam. To advance this plan, the student union will proceed with advice from former Dibrugarh University VC Alak Kumar Buragohain, Assam Skill University VC Subhas Chandra Das, retired IAS officer Himangshu Sekhar Das, retired senior officer of Indian Railways Robin Kalita, and some former and current civil service officers. During the training in Delhi, the All Assamese Students' Association New Delhi will coordinate the efforts. Notably, in 2001-02, Aasu supported a group of candidates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of whom succeeded in the exam. This time, Aasu said their mission is more elaborate and planned. "Over the years, the number of qualifiers has been gradually decreasing. This has concerned both the people of Assam and Aasu. Various student groups and university groups of Aasu have been organising training camps for competitive exams from time to time. However, there is still much to be done to raise awareness for national-level competitive exams in Assam," said Utpal Sarma. Guwahati: All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) on Monday announced a major initiative to provide special support to 40 UPSC aspirants from Assam and the northeast. They will be offered free coaching at selected Delhi institutes. While the results for Assam in the UPSC-conducted civil services examination were not promising in the recent past, this year saw a drastic fall in the number of candidates from Assam and the northeast who qualified in the UPSC civil services final examination. On Monday, Aasu announced that every year, it will send 26 students from Assam and 14 students from other northeastern states, through the North East Student Organization (NESO) for training for the UPSC-conducted civil services examination in Delhi. In the first step of the project, this year, under the "Pratyasha" project, 25 candidates from Assam who succeeded in the UPSC prelims will be provided assistance for the main exam. The student union will cover all expenses for these 25 candidates to receive online or offline training at their chosen institution. Interested candidates who succeeded in the preliminary stage can apply by filling out a form on the student union's website The application process will continue until Jun 29. In the first week of July, assistance will be provided to 25 selected candidates. Candidate who have already enrolled in institutions for training can also apply, and the student union will provide assistance with training costs as much as possible. "They will receive training at selected institutions in Delhi. A special arrangement will be made to select and send these candidates to Delhi. Aasu will soon provide a detailed explanation on this matter," Aasu president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Samiran Phukan said in a statement on Monday. Aasu has devised a special plan to encourage students and youth from Assam to appear in the civil services examination and to create a cadre of efficient administrative officers from Assam. To advance this plan, the student union will proceed with advice from former Dibrugarh University VC Alak Kumar Buragohain, Assam Skill University VC Subhas Chandra Das, retired IAS officer Himangshu Sekhar Das, retired senior officer of Indian Railways Robin Kalita, and some former and current civil service officers. During the training in Delhi, the All Assamese Students' Association New Delhi will coordinate the efforts. Notably, in 2001-02, Aasu supported a group of candidates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of whom succeeded in the exam. This time, Aasu said their mission is more elaborate and planned. "Over the years, the number of qualifiers has been gradually decreasing. This has concerned both the people of Assam and Aasu. Various student groups and university groups of Aasu have been organising training camps for competitive exams from time to time. However, there is still much to be done to raise awareness for national-level competitive exams in Assam," said Utpal Sarma.


Time of India
08-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
GU administration bans ‘animal feeding' & ‘vlogging' on campus
Guwahati: A directive from Gauhati University's administration has drawn criticism, particularly regarding its prohibition on animal feeding within the campus. The notice also lists bans on vlog shooting, videography, and some outdoor performances on university campus. After a picture of the notice board placed at a university entrance went viral on social media , GU administration on Sunday asked the community to avoid misinterpreting these rules, while explaining their context and purpose. "Perhaps this was the only thing left for the Gauhati University administration to do in the name of administrative reform. The university administration has clearly stated on a signboard at the entrance of Gauhati University — No feeding of animals," All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) president Utpal Sarma wrote on 'X'. Aasu president said public educational institutions have administrative buildings where administrators work, emphasising that they should not see themselves as authority figures instead of administrators. The university administration provided clarification regarding animal welfare concerns on Sunday. They explained that outsiders feeding items like bananas to monkeys leads to aggressive behaviour and disturbances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Didn't Anyone Tell You About This Power Saver? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo "The restriction specifically applies to feeding wild animals, such as monkeys, which can pose significant safety and health risks to residents," GU registrar Prof Utpal Sarma said in a statement. "Feeding monkeys, a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, is also strictly prohibited by law," he added. Prof Sarma said while Hostel Rule 2017 restricts animal feeding within hostel premises, residents may keep domesticated pets. Many faculty and staff members care for pets on campus. The vice chancellor's residence includes a stray dog rehabilitation facility, where regular vaccinations and care is provided under the personal supervision of the VC. GU released a statement on Sunday explaining that the notice was issued before the 32nd Convocation, scheduled for Apr 25, 2025, where President Droupadi Murmu was expected as chief guest. The university implemented strict security measures in accordance to directives from state and national agencies due to the anticipated presence of dignitaries. The measures included restricting campus entry to those with valid university identification or passes, prohibiting open-air performances, and restricting video shooting. Despite the President's visit being postponed due to the Pahalgam incident, security protocols remain active, officials said. "Due to Operation Sindoor, a sensitive operation necessitating continued vigilance and restricted access, these restrictions are not arbitrary but are in full accordance with national security directives and govt protocols governing high-profile visits and sensitive operations," Prof Sarma stated. The video shooting and vlogging restrictions were clarified as applying only to unauthorised commercial filming and vlogging. The administration has requested understanding from students, staff, and the community regarding these measures, emphasising their "necessity for maintaining a safe learning environment".