Five people, including two school students, have died after a local train struck a pool car at an open level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. The gateman has been arrested, and a railway permanent way inspector suspended for alleged dereliction of duty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday was celebrated with extensive programmes in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency. Events included special prayers by 76 young priests, a milk 'abhishek' of the Ganga, and a significant 'Seva Sankalp' motorcycle journey from Varanasi to Vadnagar, Modi's birthplace, involving 500 participants. Several prominent political figures, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, participated in the celebrations, offering prayers for Modi's health and India's progress.
'This generation decides on their own what is good or bad for them.' 'They got an outlet to vent their anger against this government through CJP and they did that.' 'They felt how can the government control us or lathi charge us?'
Glimpses from Janmashtami celebrations taking shape across India before the festival.
Polio survivor Rupa Sahu has turned her disability into a mission to protect others and spent 20 years going door to door to vaccinate children against the dreaded disease.
'My suggestion to Nandan Nilekani is that it would be worthwhile for him to take a holistic review in a manner in which examination is just one critical component.'
The Supreme Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to comply with its previous order to identify land for establishing Navodaya Vidyalayas in each district of the state, emphasising cooperative federalism and urging a change in mindset regarding the central government's education policy.
The Supreme Court has asked the CBSE to consider deferring the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 6 students, which mandates two native Indian languages, until the academic session starting 2027. The CBSE stated it would consider the suggestion. The policy, aligned with NEP-2020, makes two native Indian languages compulsory for Class 6 and Class 9, with provisions for foreign languages as additional options and no board exams for the third language in Class 10.
Supreme Court Justice Prasanna Varale has voiced serious concerns over the closure of Marathi-medium schools, inadequate facilities in Ashram schools, and insufficient growth in Maharashtra's education budget, suggesting that greater spending could have prevented these shutdowns.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday announced a nationwide campaign to improve government schools in villages, calling on parents to conduct social audits of basic facilities and sarpanches to take up the task of improving the institutions.
Seven schoolgirls in Bihar's Khagaria district fainted after being subjected to physical punishment by a teacher for not completing homework. The incident at Eknia Middle School led to outrage among parents and villagers, prompting officials to launch an investigation and warn other schools.
The father of a three-year-old boy, who allegedly endured hours of physical abuse inside his playschool in northeast Delhi, has claimed that CCTV footage showed his son tied to a chair for nearly three hours, beaten and kicked repeatedly, and, in one instance, a person placing hands on the child's private parts.
The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.
The Rajasthan high court, Jodhpur, has taken suo motu cognisance of issues concerning Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, expressing concern over junk food, excessive screen time, paper leaks, inadequate infrastructure in rural schools and the possible erosion of basic learning skills in the age of artificial intelligence.
An 11-year-old student was killed and four others injured when a roadside Peepal tree fell on a school bus carrying 12 children in Mumbai's Chembur area. The incident has raised questions about civic preparedness and public safety.
The Bihar Education Department has directed all private and government-aided schools to adhere to NCERT guidelines, ensuring school bag weight does not exceed 10 per cent of a child's body weight. Schools must install weighing scales and monitor bag weights regularly, with violations leading to action.
Police has launched an operation to recover the abducted school children.
'If he settles on something, there are fifty considerations behind it -- the pros and cons, all of it.'
Residents from three slum clusters near the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi met Rahul Gandhi, seeking his intervention against their proposed relocation to Savda Ghevra. They claim the move, mandated by a Delhi High Court order, would severely disrupt their livelihoods, children's education, and access to essential services, despite the Centre citing defence infrastructure security as the reason for eviction.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia expressed confidence in the Indian contingent's performance at the upcoming Asian Para Games in Japan. He highlighted the team's focused training, stress-free environment, and recent successes, while also outlining long-term plans for the 2028 and 2032 Paralympics and addressing grassroots development challenges.
For a child who is six years old, one hour is the limit, says rediffGURU Dr Deepa Suvarna.
A viral Rs 2.5 lakh school trip to Japan has exposed the soaring, extraneous costs of modern Indian education. From textbook monopolies to elite excursions, these hidden fees create intense classroom peer pressure even as parents face a financial spiral. We ask you, Dear Reader, to share your experience with us.
We started with notebooks and graduated to lavatories, self defence classes, laptops during the lockdown... And, every Ganeshotsav, the contributions increased, says Ananya Chincholikar.
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) has strongly denied reports of violating land lease conditions for the R K Khanna Tennis Complex, asserting that all facilities comply with government norms. The association suggested that the allegations are "mala fide" and strategically timed to influence the upcoming All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections. DLTA also defended its commercial subletting practices, stating they are approved by the L&DO and are essential for generating revenue as it receives no government funding for maintenance.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by India, to designate November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. This global initiative aims to raise awareness and accelerate efforts to combat this harmful practice, which disproportionately affects women and girls, hindering their education, health, and overall human rights.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly moving back to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, later this month, but will continue as non-working members of the royal family. The move comes six years after they relocated to the US.
For five Mumbaikars who were teenagers or in their 20s during the 1980s, the decade was not a sepia-toned Instagram filter. It was their everyday life, they tell Rediff's Rishika Shah. And while they remember its limitations, what they seem to miss most is something technology can't recreate -- the unhurried warmth of human connection.
Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has become a co-owner of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup, a grassroots initiative promoting sports among children. Having served as an ambassador, Chopra's new role aims to expand the programme's reach to one million children across India, fostering confidence, discipline, and a stronger sporting culture from the ground up.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed his belief that the growth of cricket in the United States has been slower than anticipated, but he remains optimistic about its potential, especially with the US national team's increasing competitiveness and the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
A 15-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district allegedly died following an abortion attempt after being repeatedly raped by a school teacher, leading to the arrest of the teacher and his brother.
'Modi had his own cricket team in his school days. He was a good cricketer.'
For its 80th year, Mumbai's Parelcha Raja Narepark pays tribute to Maharashtra's Warkari tradition of worshipping Lord Vitthal with a towering 23 feet Ganesha idol, for which water was brought in from Pandharpur's Chandrabhaga river.
The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming conditions in government primary schools in Nuh district, citing violations of children's rights to education, health, and dignified living.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran will not succumb to "bullying" from the US and Israel, vowing to protect national interests amidst escalating West Asian hostilities. During his visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit, Pezeshkian also discussed strengthening bilateral ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advocated for local currencies in BRICS trade, positioning Iran as a strategic energy and transport partner.
The Haryana Human Rights Commission has initiated suo motu proceedings after reports of alarming conditions in government primary schools in the Nuh district. The commission has sought detailed reports from authorities, citing violations of children's rights to education, health, and dignity.
Survivors of the recent devastating floods in Nepal share their harrowing experiences of escaping the raging waters, losing loved ones, and witnessing widespread destruction, as thousands remain missing and families struggle to rebuild their lives.
The Supreme Court has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for the current academic year. The policy, which mandates the study of three languages including two native Indian languages, is challenged by petitioners who question CBSE's jurisdiction over classes 6-8. The court emphasized finding a solution that avoids student pressure and suggested a potential deferral for Class 6.
A third generation murtikar and probably one of the first in her family, Manaswi Bagwe, a self-taught sculptor, is quietly pushing the boundaries of idol-making.
Former Brazil captain Cafu discussed India's upcoming friendly against Brazil, highlighting the learning opportunity despite ranking differences. He also suggested India popularise football among children for growth, commented on Brazil's World Cup drought, and reflected on the evolving role of fullbacks in modern football.
A government school teacher in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, has been booked for allegedly caning 10 Class 10 female students, causing severe hand injuries and preventing them from taking exams. The incident led to a police case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Juvenile Justice Act after a parent's complaint.
