JAMMU, DECEMBER 3. At a function organised by the state’s school education ministry to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons (December 3), governor Satya Pal Malik announced new scholarships for differently abled children. Incorporated into the J&K government’s scholarship scheme, Rs.1 lakh will be awarded annually to one meritorious boy and girl child.

“We need to provide best possible facilities for the holistic development of students with special needs,” said Malik, speaking on the occasion. He lauded the cultural performances presented by special needs children and announced cash awards for them and a five-day orientation programme in Bangalore for 30 children.

Karnataka
Women students freeships

BANGALORE, DECEMBER 5. The state government will waive the tuition fees of women students enrolled in pre-university, undergrad and postgraduate study programmes in government colleges statewide.

This waiver scheme was approved by the Karnataka cabinet which met here and will come into effect from the start of the academic year 2019-20, said Krishna Byre Gowda, law and parliamentary affairs minister.

Expected to benefit 370,000 women students, the scheme will cost the state exchequer Rs.95 crore annually, he added.

Arunachal Pradesh
First innovation hub

ITANAGAR, DEECMBER 8. The state’s first innovation hub and planetarium — built at an estimated cost of Rs.4 crore — was inaugurated by Nabam Rebia, land management, environment and forests minister, at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar.

The 45-seat planetarium has been developed by the National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata in association with the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology.

“In the next few years, we will produce brilliant ideas, innovations and start-ups from the state,” predicted the minister.

Uttar Pradesh
Anti-cheating software

Lucknow, december 10. Novel software has been designed and a four-step process initiated to check exam malpractices in the Uttar Pradesh board exams scheduled to begin on February 7, said deputy chief and secondary and higher education minister Dinesh Sharma.
“Previously, there were large-scale irregularities involved in selecting examination centres. Under the new process, schools have to apply online and submit details of facilities before being officially declared examination centres. The newly designed software will be installed in schools which fulfill minimum eligibility criteria such as CCTV surveillance, separate toilets for boys and girls and boundary walls,” he said.

Tamil Nadu
Research stipend hike demand

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 21. IIT-Madras research scholars staged a protest demonstration inside the campus demanding an increase in fellowship stipends and timely and regular disbursals from various funding agencies.

They demanded that the monthly stipend of Junior Research Fellows is raised from the current Rs.25,000 to Rs.45,000 and Rs.55,000 per month from the current Rs.28,000 for Senior Research Fellows.

Maharashtra

New Homi Bhabha University

MUMBAI, DECEMBER 20. The state government has approved establishment of a Homi Jehangir Bhabha University named after the renowned nuclear physicist, which will enable students to opt for a “choice-based credits system” and study electives of their choice.

Addressing press personnel at Mantralaya, education minister Vinod Tawde said the Institute of Science, Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Elphinstone College and the Government College of Education will become affiliated colleges of the new university.

“Once this university is established, students will have the option of studying through a choice-based credits system. For instance, a student studying commerce in Sydenham College will have the option of studying arts in Elphinstone College as well,” the minister explained.

Gujarat
Sanskrit propagation drive

AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 24. The state government is mulling the idea of setting up a Sanskrit examination board to popularise this ancient language among the masses, said chief minister Vijay Rupani while inaugurating a two-day state-level convention of Samskrita Bharati, a non-profit NGO, in Gandhinagar district. The board will be constituted on the lines of other exam boards such as CBSE and the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, according to a government communique.

In his address, Rupani alleged that some “pseudo secularists” of the country are attempting to sideline Sanskrit by describing it as irrelevant. Classifying Sanskrit as India’s heritage, Rupani urged the people to save the language and popularise it.

Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs