Sustainability

New civil services coaching institute at Haridwar aims to blend academic excellence with holistic student development; scholarships and subsidised fees announced for aspirants.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has expanded the Patanjali Group’s footprint into the education sector with the launch of the Patanjali IAS Academy, appointing noted civil services mentor Avadh Ojha as its head.

The academy, located within the Patanjali campus near Haridwar, aims to prepare candidates for the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination and train future IAS and IPS officers. Announcing the initiative, Ramdev said the institution seeks to produce successful administrators who can contribute to nation-building while upholding strong ethical values.

The launch marks Patanjali’s entry into India’s rapidly growing civil services coaching industry, estimated to be worth between ₹3,000 crore and ₹4,000 crore annually. Thousands of aspirants from across the country currently migrate to coaching hubs such as Delhi, Prayagraj and Jaipur in pursuit of government careers.

According to the academy's promoters, Patanjali IAS Academy will distinguish itself by combining rigorous academic preparation with a supportive residential environment designed to reduce stress, anxiety and mental health challenges often faced by competitive exam aspirants. The institute plans to provide experienced faculty, structured mentorship and a holistic learning atmosphere within the Patanjali educational ecosystem.

The move is the latest in a series of diversification efforts by the Patanjali Group, which has expanded well beyond its FMCG roots over the years. The group has previously ventured into sectors such as private security services through Parakram Suraksha Private Ltd and apparel through Patanjali Paridhan, while continuing to strengthen its presence in healthcare, education and wellness.

To make coaching accessible, the academy has announced differential fee structures. Students enrolled at Patanjali University will be able to access IAS coaching for less than ₹1 lakh, while external candidates will pay approximately ₹2.5 lakh. The institute has also unveiled scholarship programmes covering 80 to 100 per cent of tuition fees for meritorious students.

With Avadh Ojha’s strong following among UPSC aspirants and Patanjali’s nationwide brand presence, the new academy is expected to intensify competition in India’s highly sought-after civil services coaching market.

As Rajasthan continues to battle an intense summer heatwave with temperatures crossing 45°C in several districts, residents in desert regions are turning back to a centuries-old traditional dish — a savoury form of Rabdi — to cope with the extreme weather.

In areas such as Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner, where scorching winds and harsh afternoons have become routine, locals are increasingly relying on this simple, homemade preparation instead of packaged cold drinks and artificial energy beverages.

Unlike the popular North Indian sweet dessert of the same name, Rajasthan’s Rabdi is a savoury dish made using millet or sorghum flour mixed with buttermilk. It is widely consumed in rural households during summer months and is believed to help the body stay naturally cool, hydrated, and energetic in extreme temperatures.

Prepared using basic ingredients such as millet flour, buttermilk, water, and salt, the dish is cooked slowly until it reaches a smooth, porridge-like consistency. Some households add cumin seeds or green chilli for flavour. It is typically served slightly cooled and eaten during midday meals when heat conditions are most severe.

Residents in desert regions say Rabdi is more than just food — it is a traditional cooling remedy passed down through generations. Many families continue to prefer it over modern beverages, especially during peak summer months when temperatures become difficult to endure.

In several villages, elderly residents describe it as a “desi superfood” due to its nutritional value and easy digestibility. It is commonly believed to help maintain hydration levels and reduce fatigue caused by prolonged exposure to heat.

Beyond its nutritional benefits, Rabdi also holds cultural significance in Rajasthan’s rural communities. In some areas, Jyeshtha Sudi Chaturthi is celebrated informally as “Rabri Day,” when families prepare and share the dish collectively.

Despite rapid urbanisation and changing food habits, the dish remains a staple in desert kitchens, particularly during extreme heatwaves.

As Rajasthan faces increasingly severe summers, the renewed popularity of traditional foods like Rabdi highlights how age-old dietary practices continue to offer practical solutions for surviving harsh climatic conditions, long before modern cooling systems became common.

As higher education undergoes rapid transformation in the digital age, Sanskriti University is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation by integrating artificial intelligence, smart learning technologies, and Industry 5.0 principles into its academic ecosystem.

The NAAC-accredited university has developed an AI-powered learning model designed to personalize education according to individual student needs. Through intelligent learning platforms, students receive customized content, real-time feedback, and support that helps identify learning gaps early, creating a more effective and engaging educational experience. The objective is to move beyond traditional classroom instruction and prepare students for the demands of an increasingly technology-driven workforce.

Industry 5.0, which emphasizes collaboration between humans and intelligent technologies, is becoming a key focus for organizations worldwide. Recognizing this shift, Sanskriti University has embedded technology, innovation, and practical industry exposure across its academic programs. The institution aims to equip students with skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and technological competence—qualities considered essential in the future job market.

Among its notable initiatives are laptop-enabled programs in disciplines such as engineering, computer applications, business administration, and management studies. The university also provides students with opportunities to earn industry certifications through collaborations with leading organizations in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, digital marketing, financial analytics, and entrepreneurship.

To address the growing demand for AI professionals, the university has introduced specialized programs such as a Bachelor of Computer Applications in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These courses are designed to prepare graduates for careers in emerging technology sectors that continue to expand globally.

Sanskriti University also emphasizes research and innovation. According to the institution, students are encouraged to transform ideas into practical solutions through research projects, innovation labs, and entrepreneurial initiatives. The university has reported a strong focus on intellectual property development and innovation-driven learning across its academic departments.

Industry engagement remains another key strength. Through collaborations with corporate partners and recruiters, the university seeks to enhance employability and provide students with exposure to real-world business and technological environments. Graduates have secured opportunities with leading companies across information technology, consulting, manufacturing, and engineering sectors.

With a diverse academic portfolio, international student presence, modern laboratories, and extensive industry partnerships, Sanskriti University reflects a broader trend in Indian higher education toward skill-based, technology-enabled, and industry-oriented learning. As institutions adapt to the demands of the future economy, the university's AI-powered and Industry 5.0-focused approach aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional success.

As space increasingly becomes a critical arena of geopolitical competition and military strategy, leading figures from India's aerospace, defence and scientific communities have called for urgent action to strengthen the country's space infrastructure, industrial capacity and strategic autonomy.

The message emerged at the third edition of the national symposium, The Day the Sky Goes Dark: Warfare in the Age of Satellite Dependence, held at T-Hub in Hyderabad. The event brought together former chiefs of ISRO, DRDO and the Indian Air Force, alongside industry leaders, policymakers and researchers, to examine India's readiness for a future where space assets could play a decisive role in warfare.

A key theme of the discussions was that India possesses the technological expertise needed to compete globally but lacks the production scale required for the next phase of growth. Former ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar pointed to achievements such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1 and Mission Shakti as evidence of India's scientific capabilities. However, he stressed that future success would depend on developing large satellite constellations, expanding launch capacity and encouraging greater participation from private industry.

Former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy described space as the fourth dimension of warfare alongside land, sea and air. He emphasized stronger collaboration between government agencies and private companies to accelerate innovation and strengthen national security.

Industry leaders echoed similar concerns. Ananth Technologies Chairman and Managing Director Subba Rao Pavuluri noted that satellites have become indispensable components of modern military systems. He argued that while Indian companies possess the engineering talent to compete internationally, greater investment and manufacturing capacity are needed to meet the rising demand for defence-specific satellites.

Experts also highlighted rapid launch capability as a strategic necessity. Ronak Kumar Samantray, Founder and CEO of TakeMe2Space, said countries capable of launching satellites quickly and repeatedly would dominate the future space economy and security landscape.

Participants called for policy reforms, including larger procurement programmes, predictable order flows and easier access to growth capital for space startups. They warned that as military networks become increasingly dependent on space-based infrastructure, investments in cyber resilience, secure communications, advanced electronics and indigenous technologies will be essential to safeguarding India's strategic interests in the emerging space era.

The Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan (CBPACS) to introduce skill-based training programmes in Ayurveda, yoga and allied traditional healthcare disciplines.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Pankaj Kumar Singh and is expected to strengthen employment and skill development opportunities in the Ayush sector in Delhi, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

HSSC functions under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and works to promote industry-relevant healthcare training across the country.

Under the partnership, the institutions will introduce training programmes aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) through the HSSC sub-council dedicated to Ayush education and skilling.

The collaboration will focus on specialised training in areas such as Ayurveda Ahar and Poshan, Ksharakarma, Ayurved Diet, Yoga Wellness Trainer, Ayurveda Masseur, Prakriti Parikshan, Panchakarma Assistant and Panchakarma Technician.

Officials said the initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional healthcare education and evolving industry demands by combining HSSC’s skilling ecosystem with CBPACS’s academic and clinical expertise.

Speaking during the event, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said traditional healthcare systems hold significant potential for both employment generation and wellness promotion. He stated that the partnership would help create a future-ready and professionally skilled Ayush workforce aligned with national development priorities.

The initiative is also expected to support entrepreneurship and career opportunities in alternative and traditional healthcare sectors, which have witnessed growing public interest in recent years.

According to the statement, the partnership will additionally focus on certification, placement assistance and employment support for students undergoing training in various Ayush disciplines.

Education and healthcare experts believe such collaborations could play a larger role in formalising skill-based training in India’s traditional medicine ecosystem while improving the employability of students pursuing alternative healthcare careers.

The move also reflects broader efforts to integrate vocational education, wellness industries and traditional medical systems into India’s expanding healthcare and skill-development landscape.

Education leaders, grassroots innovators and social changemakers came together for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of rural education and its role in shaping a developed India under the vision of “Viksit Bharat”.

Moderated by Aditi Rajput, the session focused on how strengthening education at the grassroots level can become a powerful driver of economic growth, social inclusion and community transformation across rural India.

The discussion highlighted that rural education is no longer limited to improving literacy rates alone, but is increasingly being viewed as the backbone of India’s long-term development agenda. Speakers emphasised that empowering villages through quality education could unlock opportunities for millions of young people while reducing inequalities between urban and rural communities.

Participants explored the importance of community participation in building sustainable educational ecosystems. Several speakers stressed that local involvement—from parents and teachers to village leaders and civil society groups—plays a crucial role in improving school attendance, learning outcomes and student confidence.

The panel also examined inclusive learning models designed to reach students from marginalised and underserved backgrounds. Discussions centred on the need for multilingual education, digital access, skill-based learning and flexible teaching approaches that reflect the realities of rural life.

Grassroots innovation emerged as another major theme during the conversation. Speakers shared examples of local educators, NGOs and rural entrepreneurs developing low-cost, scalable solutions to bridge educational gaps. These innovations, they noted, have the potential to create lasting impact when supported through policy, technology and public-private collaboration.

The discussion further underscored that rural education must move beyond infrastructure development and focus equally on teacher training, digital literacy, critical thinking and employability skills. Experts argued that preparing rural students for future industries and emerging technologies would be essential for achieving inclusive national growth.

Panelists concluded that India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation cannot be achieved without investing in its villages and empowering young learners at the grassroots. By strengthening rural education systems, they said, the country can create a more equitable and innovation-driven future while ensuring that development reaches every corner of India.