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“National Education Policy Meant To Develop Hindi, Not India”: MK Stalin

“National Education Policy Meant To Develop Hindi, Not India”: MK Stalin

by | Mar 12, 2025 | top-stories




Chennai:

The ‘language war‘ between Tamil Nadu and the centre – the contention that the BJP is trying to ‘impose Hindi‘ on the southern state in the guise of a National Education Policy – continued Wednesday afternoon with Chief Minister MK Stalin calling it a plan to develop Hindi rather than India.

Mr Stalin has led the state’s charge; this has included firing sharp attacks on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom he last month accused of ‘blackmail’ by threatening to withhold funds and this week said was “arrogant” and “acting like a king”; after he used a pejorative to describe Tamilians.

On Wednesday evening the DMK leader stepped up his attacks, declaring at an event in Tiruvallur, “The National Education Policy is not education policy… it is a saffronisation policy.”

“The policy was not created to develop India… but to develop Hindi. We are opposing this policy as it will completely destroy the Tamil Nadu education system,” he said, emphasising what he has been saying over the past fortnight – that the centre denying Rs 2,150 crore for state-run schools, till the NEP is implemented, amounts to an attack on the nation’s federal structure.

In his speech Mr Stalin fired questions at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue, claiming the centre is acting “like a dictatorship to destroy the rights of states and the federal structure”.

“You said you would give importance to states (when Mr Modi was campaigning to become the PM). But what have you done so far to give importance to federalism?” he asked, also accusing the BJP of taking “political revenge” for electoral defeats in Tamil Nadu in 2021 and 2024.

“We are asking for our share of taxes… which we paid with our efforts. What is the problem with this? Is it fair to threaten and not release funds for the welfare of 43 lakh schools? Because we don’t accept NEP, they are refusing to release funds that belong to Tamil Nadu…”

“We would have welcomed NEP if it brought everyone into education (i.e., increased school enrolment) But NEP removes people from education (i.e., the DMK claims it will disincentive Tamil students as Hindi will be ‘forced’ on them’). That is why we are opposing it…” he said.

The row over ‘Hindi imposition’ – a sensitive topic in the south, and particularly in Tamil Nadu, where ‘anti-Hindi’ riots broke out in the 1960s and which has always been opposed to the language being foisted on it – re-erupted last month with the BJP pushing its new policy.

The DMK, and its ally, the Congress, has argued Tamil Nadu – the second-largest state economy – has flourished under a two-language system that teaches Tamil and English.

The BJP, though, maintains its formula will benefit Tamil people travelling to other states.

It has said no student will be forced to learn Hindi as the third language, and has counter-accused the DMK of politicising the language issue ahead of next year’s Assembly election.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV last month, Mr Pradhan accused the DMK of creating a “false narrative” and depriving students of academic progress for their own political ends.

Much of the ‘language war’ face-off between the DMK and the BJP-led centre has revolved around Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s claim the Tamil party had last year agreed to set up PM SHRI, or Schools for Rising India, institutions, but later went back on its words.

This, Mr Pradhan said in Parliament on Monday, showed the DMK to be “dishonest”.

In response the DMK filed a privilege motion against the Union Minister for making “factually incorrect” statements in the House. DMK MP Kanimozhi said the state had agreed to set up these schools but with certain conditions that were, eventually, not met.






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Union Minister Shares Letter By Tamil Nadu On PM SHRI Schools, DMK Holds Ground

Union Minister Shares Letter By Tamil Nadu On PM SHRI Schools, DMK Holds Ground

by | Mar 11, 2025 | top-stories




New Delhi:

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared a letter from the Tamil Nadu school education department that said the southern state was “very keen” to set up PM SHRI Schools, as the Union Minister launched a counter-attack against the DMK over allegations that he misled parliament.

Criticising Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK government for “playing politics” over the three-language initiative in the New Education Policy (NEP), Mr Pradhan in parliament said the party led by Chief Minister MK Stalin was “dishonest”.

“They (DMK) are dishonest. They are not committed to the students of Tamil Nadu. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language barriers. They are doing politics. They are making mischief. They are undemocratic and uncivilised,” Mr Pradhan said in the Lok Sabha.

In response, the DMK initiated a privilege motion with its MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu requesting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take action for “contempt of the house”. The DMK MP’s notice said Mr Pradhan’s claim that the Tamil Nadu government took a U-turn after agreeing to sign an MoU with the Centre to accept PM SHRI Schools in the state was “factually incorrect, misleading the house and against official record.”

Mr Pradhan then posted the letter dated March 15, 2024 from the Tamil Nadu education department to prove the point he made in the house.

“… I stand by my statement made in the Parliament and am sharing the consent letter from Tamil Nadu School Education Department dated 15th March 2024. DMK MPs and Hon’ble CM can stack lies as high as they want, but the truth doesn’t bother knocking when it comes crashing down,” the Union Education Minister said.

“The DMK dispensation led by Hon’ble CM Stalin have a lot to answer to the people of Tamil Nadu. Raking the language issue as a diversionary tactic and denying facts as per their convenience will not shield their governance and welfare deficit. Why this sudden change of stance on NEP? Definitely for political brownies and reviving DMK’s political fortunes. This retrograde politics of DMK is a great disservice to the bright future of Tamil Nadu and its students,” Mr Pradhan said.

Kanimozhi, the DMK MP, today told reporters the state did agree on setting up PM SHRI Schools in Tamil Nadu, but on one condition.

“We had said that we agreed on PM SHRI Schools based on the committee recommendations, then only the [state] government would have signed the MoU,” she told reporters.

Education Minister Hits Back

Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh refuted Mr Pradhan’s allegations that the state made a sudden change in its stance on PM SHRI Schools.

Mr Mahesh, pointing at the letter shared by Mr Pradhan, said it clearly mentioned that a committee will be formed and based on its finding the state would decide on implementing the Centre’s initiative.

“Those who are trying to impose the NEP are playing politics, not us. Tamil Nadu’s education model is exemplary and has consistently proven its ability to shape the future of our students,” he said. “Please understand that India’s diversity is its strength, not weakness. You should rather acknowledge and support Tamil Nadu’s right to choose what is best for the future of its children.”

The entire controversy stems from the debate over the NEP, particularly the contentious three-language policy, which Tamil Nadu strongly opposes.

“Tamil Medium Enrolments Declining”

Mr Pradhan quoting data from the Unified District Information System For Education Plus (UDISE+) said enrolments in Tamil medium dropped from 65.87 lakh in 2018-19 to 46.83 lakh in 2023-24, a reduction of over 19.05 lakh students in five years.

He said 67 per cent of students are now in English medium schools, while Tamil medium enrolment has dropped from 54 per cent (2018-19) to 36 per cent (2023-24). In government schools, English medium enrolment rose five times from 3.4 lakh to 17.7 lakh in just five years, and Tamil medium enrolment fell by 7.3 lakh in government-aided schools, reflecting a deep shift in preference.

“These numbers reveal the real story – enrolments in Tamil medium are on a continuous decline. This isn’t just a shift in language preference, it’s a colonial mindset at play. English is seen as the gateway to status and jobs, Indian languages are seen as a symbol of backwardness,” the Union Minister said.

PM SHRI School is a centrally sponsored scheme, intended to develop more than 14,500 schools managed by the central government, state, Union Territory government and local bodies including KVS and NVS.

SHRI is short for ‘Schools for Rising India’. 

The objectives include ensuring every student feels welcomed and cared for, where a safe and stimulating learning environment exists, where a wide range of learning experiences are offered, and where good physical infrastructure and appropriate resources conducive to learning are available to all students, the government says on the PM SHRI School programme website.






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From Olympic Snowboarder To FBI's Most Wanted, The Fall Of Ryan Wedding

From Olympic Snowboarder To FBI's Most Wanted, The Fall Of Ryan Wedding

by | Mar 11, 2025 | top-stories



Ryan Wedding, once a rising star in snowboarding, is now on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List. He came from a well-off family of ski racers.

Wedding started his career at the age of 12 and won a bronze medal in the Parallel Giant Slalom at the 1999 Junior World Championship and a silver medal in the 2001 Junior World Championships. He became the Canadian national champion in the Giant Slalom in 2001 before representing Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. That wasn’t all that bad a career trajectory.

And then it all went haywire.

Shortly after the 2002 Olympics, Wedding enrolled at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and started working as a bouncer. He eventually got involved with the city’s pot dealers. 

Wedding later dropped out of school and allegedly turned into a big marijuana dealer before linking up with some Iranian and Russian cocaine smugglers, making the end of his snowboarding career. 

He was first arrested in 2008 in California and found guilty of conspiring to smuggle cocaine.

In 2009, Bobby Allison, a former national champion ski racer, said Wedding was fearless. He said when many young athletes claim they want to go fast, they often hold back due to a fear of falling. But Wedding had no such fear and pushed himself without hesitation.

Wedding was sentenced to four years in jail in May 2010 after being found guilty of attempting to buy cocaine from a government official in 2008.

According to prosecutors, he was involved in at least three killings and ran a billion-dollar criminal operation between 2011 and 2024 that transported cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, the US, and Canada. The alleged drug kingpin has been linked to the dangerous and powerful Sinaloa cartel.

The cartel allegedly helped Wedding and his ally Andrew Clark, who was arrested in October 2024, run their operation out of Mexico. They are charged with trafficking 54 tons of Colombian cocaine to Los Angeles stash homes and then across the US and Canada.

Martin Estrada, the US Attorney for the Central District of California, said, “An Olympic athlete-turned-druglord is now charged with leading a transnational organized crime group that engaged in cocaine trafficking and murder, including of innocent civilians.”

Wedding married a British Columbian businesswoman of Iranian descent while being behind bars in 2011, as per CBC. The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, said Wedding told her he was convicted unfairly, claiming he was just “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

She later distanced herself from him, saying, “I don’t want to be associated with these people.” 

Her name has reportedly since been connected to kidnapping and money laundering cases, some of which are related to Mexican drug cartels, according to CBC.

Twelve gang members have been captured as a result of the FBI’s collaborative effort with other law enforcement agencies to target the cocaine gang, but Wedding has so far escaped arrest.

The FBI also said that Wedding might be under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel. The US State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. 

The FBI is now providing an extra $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspected drug kingpin.




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Tesla Shares Plunge 15% Amid Market Sell-Off, Steepest Drop Since 2020

Tesla Shares Plunge 15% Amid Market Sell-Off, Steepest Drop Since 2020

by | Mar 11, 2025 | top-stories




Washington, DC:

Stocks of Elon Musk’s Tesla plummeted by more than 15 per cent on Monday, its largest single-day decline in several years amid a broad-based market sell-off sparked by potential recession concerns and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff plans. Shares registered their worst day since September 2020, closing more than 50 per cent below their record closing high of $479 on December 17 last year.

The bloodbath in Wall Street came amid concerns over declining electric vehicle sales and politically driven protests against Mr Musk over his involvement in the Trump administration. The Tesla chief, however, seemed to dismiss the market concerns. Replying to a post on X about the largest single-day drops in Tesla shares, Mr Musk wrote, “It will be fine long-term.”

A Look At Tesla Shares

Tesla shares plunged 15.4 per cent by the end of Monday’s trading session. It was the largest single-day percentage decline since September 2020, when shares saw a decline of over 21 per cent in a single day. 

With this, Tesla stocks witnessed a total decline of 41.4 per cent year-to-date so far in 2025. This includes a drop of over 36.6 per cent in the past months. As of March 10, Tesla stock has fallen by more than half to a new market cap of $696 billion after reaching its all-time largest market capitalization of $1.5 trillion on December 17. 

UBS has also lowered its price target on the stock to $225 from $259, citing lower delivery forecasts for the first quarter it sees resulting from softer demand for Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This contributed to the sell-off, along with broader concerns about the US economy facing a recession and a widening trade war amid President Trump’s tariff threats. 

On Monday, the S&P 500 ended the trading day 2.7 per cent lower–its lowest closing level since September and its biggest daily percentage decline since December. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, dropped 2 per cent, for its lowest close since November 4, the day before Mr Trump’s election as President. The Nasdaq Composite plunged 4 per cent to a near six-month low.

Protests Against Tesla

Tesla, where Mr Musk is chief executive, has been facing protests and even vandalism at some of its dealerships. Last week, shots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Oregon, while in Boston, someone set fire to the company’s charging stations. Authorities also arrested some violent protesters for rallying at a Tesla dealership in Lower Manhattan.

Moreover, a recent report found that Tesla car sales in Germany, Europe’s largest market for electric vehicles, fell by 76 percent in February compared with a year earlier, sounding alarm bells for the entire European market. 

Questions Over Musk’s Leadership

The fall in Tesla stock came as its chief Musk is facing questions about how much attention he is paying to his businesses while serving as an adviser to President Trump. Over the week, Mr Musk’s business empire – including Tesla, social media site X and the rocket maker SpaceX – has run into challenges.

On Monday, as Tesla shares fell, users of X reported widespread outages. Before that, last week, a SpaceX rocket exploded in Florida during launch, showering some places with debris.

Mr Musk was quick to blame the X issues on a cyberattack stemming from Ukraine, without providing evidence. He posted on X that Democratic donors were responsible for seeding protests against Tesla, again without evidence. In response to the SpaceX explosion, he said on X: “Rockets are hard.”




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Armed Robbers Storm Tanishq Showroom In Bihar, Loot Jewellery Worth Rs 25 Crore

Armed Robbers Storm Tanishq Showroom In Bihar, Loot Jewellery Worth Rs 25 Crore

by | Mar 10, 2025 | top-stories



In a brazen daylight robbery, a group of masked men stormed a Tanishq showroom in Bihar’s Arrah on Monday, holding customers and staff at gunpoint. The thieves made off with jewellery worth ₹25 crore along with an undisclosed amount of cash. The incident occurred on Monday shortly after the showroom opened at 10:30 am, when 5-6 men burst into the store, overpowering security personnel and taking hostages. CCTV footage shows the armed men ordering customers and staff to raise their hands as they carried out the heist and methodically packed the stolen items into bags before making their escape.

The daring heist occurred at the Tanishq branch located in Gopali Chowk, within the jurisdiction of the Arrah police station. According to Kumar Mrityunjay, the showroom manager, the thieves made off with a substantial haul, including cash, gold jewellery such as chains, necklaces, and bangles, as well as some diamond pieces.

Watch the video here:

Security guard Manoj Kumar recounted the ordeal, stating that the showroom had opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, ahead of Holi.

“Six criminals arrived in a car, parking it across the street. As per showroom policy, we do not allow groups of more than four to enter at once, so we permitted them entry in pairs. When the sixth person arrived, he held a pistol to my head, snatched my weapon, and assaulted me. Then, they started filling their bags with jewellery,” he said.

Rohit Kumar Mishra, an employee of the store, told IANS that the staff hid behind the counters to save their lives when the situation got tense and chaotic.

Following the incident, the Superintendent of Police, Bhojpur instructed all station heads to conduct thorough vehicle checks. To aid in identifying the perpetrators, CCTV footage and photographs were disseminated via the district’s WhatsApp group. Acting on this information, the station head, accompanied by their team, began checking vehicles at the Babura Choti bridge. During this operation, six suspicious men on three motorcycles were spotted speeding towards Doriganj.

When signalled to stop, they accelerated and attempted to flee. A high-speed chase ensued, during which the perpetrators opened fire on the police, prompting the officers to return fire in self-defence. Two sustained injuries during the crossfire and are currently undergoing medical treatment. The police successfully recovered two pistols, 10 cartridges, stolen jewellery from the Tanishq showroom, and a Pulsar motorcycle. 

The company is assisting the police in assessing the losses and investigating the case. Meanwhile, showroom employees have also alleged a delay in police response. 

“This is a lapse by the authorities. It was morning time, not evening or night. We were calling the police, but did not receive any response,” reported PTI quoting Kumar Mrityunjay. He added that two of their executives were injured as they were hit on the head by a revolver. 






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Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Dandiya Celebration After India's CT 2025 Triumph Is What Team Spirit Is About | Cricket News

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Dandiya Celebration After India's CT 2025 Triumph Is What Team Spirit Is About | Cricket News

by | Mar 9, 2025 | top-stories






Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma broke into crazy celebration after India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. It was a nervy win despite India chasing a target of 252. India have now won two ICC titles in two years – first the 2024 T20 World Cup and then the 2025 Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma scored his first half-century in an ICC event final as India chased down the target with one over to spare. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s celebration went viral. 

A swift half-century from skipper Rohit Sharma, fine knocks by Shreyas Iyer and fine spells from spinners, in particular Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, helped an all-round India seal their third ICC Champions Trophy title, beating New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai on Sunday. This is India’s third ICC Champions Trophy title, having shared one with Sri Lanka in 2002 and securing the second under ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni in 2013.

During the run-chase of 252 runs, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a fine start once again. Rohit was the aggressor against pacers, including 14 runs against Nathan Smith in eighth over, with two fours and a six. India reached the 50-run mark in 7.2 overs.

At the end of 10 overs in the powerplay, India was 64/0, with Rohit (49*) and Gill (10*) unbeaten.

Rohit reached his half-century in 41 balls, with five fours and three sixes. The Hitman continued collecting boundaries against spinners as India reached the 100-run mark in 17 overs.

The 105-run stand between Rohit and Gill ended with Gill being removed by Mitchell Santner thanks to a stunning catch from Glenn Phillips at covers. Gill was gone for 31 in 50 balls, with a six. India was 105/1 in 18.4 overs.

Michael Bracewell got the big wicket of Virat Kohli for just one run. India was 106/2 in 19.1 overs. Spinners continued to bring Kiwis back in the game, with Rachin Ravindra removing Rohit for 76 in 83 balls, with seven fours and three sixes. India was 122/3 in 26.1 overs.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel stitched a partnership for India, with Iyer finding some timely boundaries and taking India to the 150-run mark in 32.5 overs.

Kiwis made a comeback as Santner removed Iyer for 48 in 62 balls, with two fours and two sixes, with a fine catch from Rachin near short fine leg. India was 183/4 in 38.4 overs, needing 69 in 69 balls.

KL Rahul and Axar helped India cross the 200-run mark in 40.5 overs. However, India’s run-chase encountered another obstacle, with Axar throwing away his wicket for 29 (in 40 balls, with a four and six) to Bracewell with a fine catch by William O’Rourke. India was 203/5 in 41.3 overs.

Hardik and KL brought back India into the equation with some fine strike rotation and odd boundaries, leaving India with 32 runs in 30 balls.

Hardik(18) holed it back to Kyle Jamieson while trying to pull it away. Ravindra Jadeja stuck the winning boundary to seal a memorable win for India.

Earlier, India’s spinners put on a stellar show to restrict New Zealand to 251/7 in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday in Dubai. Despite a late counter-attack from Michael Bracewell, the Blackcaps struggled to accelerate in the middle against India’s disciplined bowling attack.

After winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner opted to bat first. The Kiwis got off to a flyer, with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra putting on a strong partnership. They brought up 50 runs inside seven overs before Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Young for 15, breaking the opening stand at 57.

Ravindra continued his attacking approach, scoring 37 off 29 balls, including four boundaries and a six, but was cleaned up by Kuldeep Yadav as New Zealand found themselves at 69/2 in 10.1 overs. Kane Williamson, who scored a century in the semi-final against South Africa, couldn’t make an impact this time, falling to a brilliant caught-and-bowled effort by Kuldeep for just 11.

New Zealand reached 100 in 19.2 overs but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Tom Latham (14) was trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja, while Glenn Phillips (34) was bowled by Chakravarthy, leaving the Kiwis at 165/5 in 37.5 overs.

Daryl Mitchell played the anchor role, scoring a patient 63 off 101 deliveries before falling to Mohammed Shami in the 46th over. Shami, despite being expensive (1/74 in 9 overs), claimed his ninth wicket of the tournament. Skipper Santner (8) was run out by Virat Kohli, adding to New Zealand’s troubles.

However, Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 off 40 deliveries, featuring three fours and two sixes, provided a late flourish, ensuring New Zealand reached a competitive total of 251/7.

India’s spinners were the key architects of the bowling performance. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) were the standout performers, while Jadeja (1/30) and Axar Patel (0/29 in 8 overs) kept the pressure on with their economical spells.

With 252 runs required for victory, India will look to capitalize on the slow conditions and chase down the target to secure their third ICC Champions Trophy title.

With ANI inputs 

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