Will Vidarabha be carved out as a new State of India?
The landslide victory in Vidhan Sabha elections in Maharashtra with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Mahayuti enjoying power paved the way for the formation of Vidarbha as a new State of India.
Raj Thackeray helped Uddhav save face in Maharashtra?
There was a surprising factor in the just concluded Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha polls. The role of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is hotly discussed among the political pundits as it indirectly aided his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray’s party. MNS is said to have played a decisive role in eight critical constituencies, including high-profile ones like Worli, Mahim, and Bandra East, where Shiv Sena (UBT) won. Political analysts suggest that without the MNS fielding candidates, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) would have been limited to just 10 seats, with most of the remaining seats going to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. In Mahim, MNS candidate Amit Thackeray, the son of Raj Thackeray secured 33,062 votes, enabling Uddhav Thackeray’s candidate Mahesh Sawanz to win by a narrow margin of 1,316 votes. The vote split in MNS and Eknath sena helped Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) to register victory on almost a dozen seats.
BUREAUCRACY
IAS Divya Prabhu G.R.J. efforts to Improve Education Quality and Infrastructure in Dharwad
IAS officer Divya Prabhu G.R.J. belongs to the 2014 batch officer and is currently serving as the District Collector of Dharwad, Karnataka. She has been recognized for her exemplary work with the Best DC Award, the Clean City Swachh Survekshan Award, and the National Award for Best Electoral Practices.
Prabhu’s dream project focuses on improving education in terms of both quality and infrastructure. “I believe that through education, change can be brought to society. Therefore, we need to improve the quality of education, the infrastructure supporting it, and access to proper education,” she said.
To address these challenges, she has launched an initiative called Mission Vidyakashi under her leadership. Explaining the name, she said, “Dharwad is historically known as Vidyakashi because it is the central hub of Karnataka, home to major educational institutions, numerous hostels, and schools.” She further elaborated on the initiative’s focus, saying, “We assess educational quality based on results. Unfortunately, Dharwad has consistently ranked in the bottom 10 districts in the state over the past few years.”
Mission Vidyakashi aims to leverage Dharwad’s academic resources, including institutions like IIT Dharwad, to inspire and support local students. “These institutions are located here, but the representation of students from Dharwad remains very low,” she noted. Additionally, CSR initiatives are being utilized to bridge the gap in educational infrastructure, ensuring better facilities for students.
Additionally, students are categorized based on baseline assessments to provide special support. “Each student has unique learning needs. By offering special classes, customized study materials, and skill-building exercises, we are improving learning outcomes. Our focus is on both underperforming students and high achievers to help them excel further,” she shared.
To complement these efforts, workshops and training programs are also being conducted for teachers.
Looking ahead, Prabhu plans to hold motivational sessions with the district’s top-performing 20-25 students every 15 days. “This program, called Vidyarthi Beḷaku, meaning Light for Students, aims to clarify their doubts, and build their confidence,” she explained.
Bureaucratic overhaul on the anvil in Maharashtra
Soon after the installation of a new Chief Minister, there will be bureaucratic changes with a new team of Chief Minister in Maharashtra.
Ansh Deep is Deputy Secretary, MHA
Ansh Deep has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He is a 2013 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.
Interviews for Director (Tech), ECL on Dec 2
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is holding interviews for the post of Director (Technical), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) on December 2, 2024.
Six officers of CSS promoted to Director level
Six officers of Central Secretariat Services (CSS) have been promoted to the Senior Selection Grade (Director) Select List (SSGSL) of CSS for the year 2024. The officers are: Dhananjay Kumar, Anurag Sharma, Sanjiv Kumar Sehgal, Ajay Kumar, C S Rao and Uttam Kumar.
CBI arrests Regional Provident Fund Commissioner for accepting bribe
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested three accused including Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and Enforcement Officer, both of EPFO, Baddi, Solan (HP) for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs. 10 lakh from the complainant.
Ashutosh Kumar appointed Dy. CRS (Tech.), CRS
Ashutosh Kumar, Deputy Chief Engineer (Dy. CE), TM, GRC, South Eastern Railway (SER), has been selected for deputation to the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) as Deputy Commissioner of Railway Safety (Dy. CRS) (Technical) at the Office of the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle, Kolkata, for a period of five years. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.
Pradeep Yadav appointed GM (Civil), NMRC
Pradeep Yadav, Deputy Chief Engineer (Dy CE), Track, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), has been selected for deputation to Noida Metro Rail Corporation Limited as General Manager (Civil) for a period of three years. He is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer.
G Nagendra Prasad appointed Sr Professor (Signal), IRISET
G Nagendra Prasad, who is presently serving in Southern Railway, has been transferred to the Indian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications (IRISET) and posted as Senior Professor (Signal). He is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.
Ajay Kumar appointed PCME, PLW
Ajay Kumar, who is presently working as Chief Works Engineer (CWE) at Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW), has been posted as Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer (PCME) in PLW itself. He is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer.
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