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I admit, selecting a topic for my first panel, or rather, my first public discussion beyond my clinic, proved far more difficult than I thought. The answer, however, came from the most common of sources: a family chat.

A few days ago, while having a chat with my in-laws, they mentioned something that I hear all too frequently in my practice—the fact that most of their teeth have been extracted at a young age. Today, they find it difficult to chew, speak, or even smile. It was not merely the fact that they lost teeth that caught my attention, but that they accept this fact so matter-of-factly, as if this was simply what one can expect from turning old.

In the past, conservative dental care was scarce. If someone needed dental treatment, the most common choice was either an extraction or nothing at all. This meant that people lost teeth that could still be conserved. At that time, dentistry was all about extraction and not conservation. Teeth were not an investment worth spending money on. After all, we all have 32 teeth; losing a few would not make any difference.

It turns out, a great deal.

Times, thankfully, are changing. Aesthetics have become inextricably linked to lifestyle. A healthy, positive smile can work wonders for how the world sees you—and for that matter, how you see yourself too. It is no hidden fact that movie stars around the world, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Priyanka Chopra, have already made huge investments in dental aids for aesthetic purposes. Veneers, crowns, dental aligners—are these not reserved for the elite? These tools have now become an adjunct for not only improving dental function but also boosting the confidence to face the world.

In the series of upcoming blog posts, I intend to talk about these procedures in an honest manner—not to glorify them, but to demystify them. The purpose of these blog posts lies in dispersing awareness about dental health among the general public. My understanding is that the dental field in general tends to function like an inward-looking, sealed box. Dentists share memes, reels, and educational nuggets, but mostly among themselves. What does awareness gain, if this awareness somehow fails to reach the concerned public?

The reality is, each one of us has dental problems. And in light of what my father always tells me, “You only have 32 teeth in your mouth; eventually, at least one of them will be problematic.” What makes it more disturbing is that most people do not know the reason for, much less the solution to, this issue. And to add to this problem are the deeply-rooted fear, stories, and myths linked to dental care; no wonder this situation continues to be more problematic. During my time in dental school, for instance, no one can tell how many times patients asked me if having a tooth extracted could lead to problems with eyesight. It is astonishing, and, at the same time, scary, to know that all these myths could go on for generations, while real awareness lingers.

Ironically, we look to the West to follow in many other aspects of life, but in the area of preventive and routine dentistry, they outperform us. People in the West visit dentists regularly and without fear. Orthodontics work is a very common practice, and wearing braces in the West is normalized from a very young age. But in our popular culture, wearing braces is something that needs to be laughed at, and this is a very sad trend. I’m positive that patients aren’t the ones who benefit from this.

Enough ranting for Day One.

For purposes of introduction, I hold a master’s degree in Oral Medicine and Radiology. I practice dentistry in my clinic along with my brother. I come from a family with my dad being a general surgeon. My mom is a retired matron from a government hospital. It is expected that most of our family talks are related to medicine, health-related concerns, lifestyle practices, as well as spiritual topics. It is just fitting that we carry our talks beyond our dining tables. By means of this column, my goal is to demystify and destress the notion of dental health. If my work can empower even one of my readers with a better understanding or with decreased anxiety toward the dentist and the experience of dental visits, it will have made my mission worthwhile. Your questions, ideas, and areas of concern are welcome.

By Dr. Monalisa Ghosh, Dental Surgeon

Because the world no longer works in silos and neither should learning. A doctor needs technology. .A journalist is no longer sufficient with the knowledge unless he is technically literate. An entrepreneur blends psychology, finance design and storytelling creative skills to establish his identitiy. An engineer must understand human behavior Yet for decades ,education told students to choose one subject, one path and stay there. But the real world never followed those rules. 

Interdisciplinary education is no longer a luxury but a necessity. In today’s fast changing complex it simply means learning across multiple subjects and connecting them meaningfully. It is where science meets design,technology meets ethics,business meets sociology,art meets analytics.

Instead of asking What subjects do you study? Interdisciplinary education asks,How do you think about a particular concept? It prepares students not just to remember education concepts theory but to apply knowledge creatively ,solve real world problems and adapt continuously. Traditional model system has no relevance in the day to day life. Science students may create good rhythm beats and compose music and own a musical band. Art students can be good at solving complex management problems. A climate crisis is not just science .It is economics, politics and psychology technology and communication. A startup is not just business. It is design storytelling data human emotion and leadership. Hence, interdisciplinary education makes you knowledgeable, adaptable and smart to handle multiple tasks in the smart way. 

Employers don’t just ask “Can you adapt, connect ideas and solve problems? Interdisciplinary education builds exactly that capability. It builds real world problem solvers. Life does not give text book questions. It gives us ambiguous situations, conflicting perspectives, emotional and ethical dilemmas, interdisciplinary learning teaches students to see problems from multiple angles, think critically instead of memorizing make informed balance decisions .It moves students from answers to understanding. 

Interdisciplinary education encourages creativity and innovation .Innovation does not happen in isolation. When students explore different disciplines they learn to think creatively ,ask better questions and break mental boundaries. This is how innovation is born, not from repetition but from connection. It makes learning more meaningful and human. Interdisciplinary education brings learning closer to real life. Interdisciplinary education doesn't just teach subjects .

It teaches how to learn, unlearn  and relearn. This mindset is the greatest skill of the 21st century. Technology without ethics is dangerous .Business without empathy is unsustainable. Education shapes not just skilled professionals but responsible human beings.

Institutions and platforms like Edinbox Matter- At Edinbox ,education is not just about ranking institutions .It is about redefining quality of education,relevance and impact. Promoting interdisciplinary education helps universities design future ready curricula.It helps students to discover their true potential. By endorsing interdisciplinary learning models,Edinbox supports an education ecosystem that is inclusive,innovative and forward thinking.This is how education stays aligned with the real world. Interdisciplinary education is not about doing more. It is about thinking deeper,wider and wiser. It prepares students not just for exams but for life.Not just for jobs,but for leadership.Not just for success but for a meaningful career. In a connected world,connected learning is the future. And that future begins now.

In 2025, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has overhauled the curriculum as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. Whether it was the deletion of history modules or the addition of vocational training, the NCERT textbooks are facing major developments this year, starting with modules based on the Indian Operation Sindoor.

Although the same topics are in effect, the council has decided to chuck out but also introduce some new topics relevant to students. Today, we’re going to discuss the prominent changes initiated by the NCERT that students must know before entering 2026.

History Updates

Contrary to the earlier pattern, the new History textbooks will emphasize more on activities and contexts and less on the title itself. To incorporate this, the names 'Akbar the Great' and 'Tipu Sultan the Great' will be erased from the textbooks. Leaving aside these, the decline of Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb and certain mentions of rulers like Raziyya Sultan and Nur Jehan will also be erased.

In addition, matters such as ‘Cold War Era’ and ‘US Hegemony in World Politics’ are absent in Class 12 history textbooks.

Now, the textbooks are more based on ancient Indian dynasties, the contribution of tribal communities, and Indian scientists. A lot of new topics have been included, such as the manner in which the land itself can become sacred, cultural topics such as Maha Kumbh.

Although there were concerns raised by critics, terming this an attempt at “politically or ideologically motivated changes,” there was support by others, stating that there is rationalization of these in terms of NCF-SE 2023 and NEP 2020. On why particular topics had been removed, there was an explanation that it is to prevent duplication and students’ overload.

Vocational Education from 6th Standard

Keeping in mind the aim to incorporate skill-based learning in Indian classrooms, the NCERT thought of implementing vocational courses from Class 6. This will not only help students in gaining confidence, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills but also improve employability.

Special Moduless - Operation Sindoor

For spreading awareness among students about India's struggle against terrorism, NCERT has started two new modules for students of classes 3 to 12 in Operation Sindoor. It's not just a military operation, but it has also been termed as ‘A commitment to safeguard peace, in tribute to those who lost their lives in Pahalgam terror attack.’

Both modules are called “Operation Sindoor—A Saga of Valour” for the preparatory and middle levels/Classes 3 to 8, and “Operation Sindoor—A Mission of Honour and Bravery” for the secondary level/Classes 9 to 12. Both modules have been designed keeping in mind the objective of creating awareness of Indian military might among school-going kids.

New Swadeshi Module

In order to encourage 'self-sustenance' in Indians, NCERT has also included a 'Swadeshi' module for middle and secondary classes. It links up Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat to the 'Swadeshi Movement'.

These newly included modules begin with quotational segments of PM Modi’s 79th Independence Day speech. For many years now, PM Modi has been reiterating that "self-reliance is the bedrock of national strength and dignity." Many times, in different addresses, PM Modi has appealed to the people and shopkeepers of the nation that they should promote Made in India products. This must be done voluntarily and with pride.

Bridging Programmes for Key Grades

Bridge programmes Also this year, the NCERT launched the Bridge courses for classes 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8. These are the short-term educational programs which have been started to bridge the gap in the educational experience of the students moving from one academic level to another or one educational system to the other.

It will be the first time that Artificial Intelligence will be used for the evaluation of the answare papers in the Higher Secondary examination. From the coming academic session, the Higher Secondary examination has been introduced in the semester system. The first semester, also termed the third semester considering the Higher Secondary Education Council, which had exams for the last two semesters in Class XI, has already been over prior to the Durga Puja festival. The final semester examination will begin in February.

What would the process for-scripts verification consist of?

In this year itself, there have been a few complaints regarding the exams held using the OMR cards. The Council has warned the students, guardians, and teachers to strictly adhere to the guidelines provided in the OMR cards because the cards are processed in computers. In case there is any mistake in the exam, like marking two spots for a single answer, water splashing or any other liquid pouring on the paper, or folding the OMR card, the processing will not be possible in the computer, and the whole answer sheet or the OMR card might have to be cancelled.

Artificial intelligence in evaluation

Despites the warning not to do this, there are certain issues that have been mentioned to have already emerged that could lead to problems in the process of evaluating the OMR. In this particular situation, the Council has already concluded that they will take advantage of what AI has to offer. According to a quotation attributed to the President of the Council, Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, an AI has been created to meet the particular areas they need assistance in.

The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is embedded within the AI system. Optical Character Recognition is a type of technology that possesses the capability to read images, whether they are handwritten or printed, to move them into a form that a computer can read. The characters in an image can be recognized through Optical Character Recognition technology.

Will multiple markings have any effect on the cancellation of the answer sheets?

In OMR, the student is supposed to write their roll numbers and registration numbers by hand in two separate places and also mark their numbers by coloring over the respective numbers in the circles. This method involves a procedure where, in case of any irregularity and mistake, the answer sheet would be canceled. However, with this new technology, once implemented, the answer sheet won’t be canceled as long as there isn’t any mistake in writing as well as circling numbers.

Many times, while selecting the proper answer to be marked, the student unconsciously marks two answers. Normally, this would not be accepted by the computer. However, in this regard, the student would be assisted by AI technology, says Bhattacharya. 

“The computer would compute probabilities. It would compute which one of the two answers has been marked in heavier characters. One would be taken as the intended answer,” he explained. Many a time, a student may have casually checked the wrong answer and later checked the correct answer correctly. The AI will isolate the correct answer. Also, apart from all these, if there are any other bugs, there will be a human operator available for attending to it accordingly. 

As regards the concerns about ‘the possible reduction of teachers’ roles’ due to increased usage of AI in assessment, ‘the Council cannot accept this argument.’ As regards ‘the possible reduction of teachers’ roles’ due to increased usage of AI in assessment, ‘the Council cannot accept this argument.’ In regard to ‘the reduction of teachers’ roles’ due to ‘increased usage of AI in assessment,’ ‘the Council cannot accept this argument.’ As regards ‘the possible reduction of teachers’ roles,’ ‘the Council cannot accept this argument.’ As regards ‘the possible reduction of teachers’ roles’ due to increased usage of AI in assessment, ‘the Council cannot accept this argument.’ As regards ‘the reduction of teachers’ roles’ due to ‘increased usage of AI

Having a disability is never an easy situation with the number of challenges that one faces. This is more so for persons with disabilities in India if they are not financially and emotionally independent. India, which is the fifth-largest economy globally, allocated only 0.025% of total budget expenditure for the financial year 2025-26 to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

It is true that the country is still far behind in offering world-class disability support infrastructure, cost effective quality instruments, support for health care services, sufficient insurance provisions, or more importantly adequate socio-cultural support to the PwDs despite the enormous growth of the economy of the nation since the time of independence, which is not acceptable.

It is very expensive to be differently-abled: the cost of a person with a disability over their lifetime is such that it goes into a few crores. It is not just a matter of living or surviving, it is also about thriving. It is not important that people with disabilities are struggling for the basic things in life such as effective therapy, effective medication, wheelchairs, disability-friendly cars, internally disability-friendly homes, caregivers, and so on? Even with limited economic support from the governments as well as insurance companies, with an average increase in the cost of living/healthcare in India of 12-15%, which is significantly higher than the retail inflation of 4-6%, it is imperative for people with disabilities to work doubly hard in order to meet the additional costs that their disability imposes.

Building a pyramid

The initial step that the PWDs should undertake for securing their financial future is to get educated or earn through an active stream of income either through employment or business. This would enable them to accumulate wealth, make a name, as well as gain confidence, which would automatically help to reduce the extra cost burden as well as enable them to enjoy their life the way they like.

Step number two is to purchase term and health insurance for the family members at a young age. It is possible that the insurance plan does not cover a certain disability, but it still pays for various other medical or hospitalization bills. Due to high medical inflation rates in the country along with a Per Capita income of only $2,400, it is observed that Indians are on the verge of becoming bankrupt after one hospitalization.

Step three: “curtailing leisure/unnecessary expenses, and living a simple life.” This is a means of financing many of the expenditures that come with having the disability. “We all want everything in life. But the harsh reality is that life is unfair, and if the PWDS have limited resources, then adhering to step number three is the sensible thing to do.”

And step four is to have a passive income stream by means of starting to invest in equity asset class as early as possible. Compounding requires time; therefore, it is advisable to invest in equity mutual funds—a lump sum investment or a monthly systematic investment plan (SIP) to beat the returns of inflation in the latter stages of one's life. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) cannot earn active income throughout their lifetime, and equity is the only asset class that helps generate returns beating inflation. It is observed that for the last 30 years, on a rolling 10-year average, the Nifty 500 index has comfortably clocked an average compound return of more than 15%.

Emotional security

Financial security is one aspect that one should keep in mind. But then, there is emotional security too. Keeping in mind the psychological as well as physical issues faced by PwDs, it is important to feel for them; it is also important to motivate them. It should never be remembered that it is not possible for people with disabilities to live their lives without some or other support that they would need.

Patience is the mother of all virtues. It is important for members of the family to be patient in dealing with PwDs. A family can be loving enough to make the PwDs feel secure, supportive enough to enable the PwDs to meet challenges of life, and motivational enough to enable the PwDs to prosper.

There would be many people with disabilities who would not be physically or mentally capable of pulling themselves up financially or emotionally, and it is here that the important role of family members would be called for. It is important to approach doctors, counsellors, patient groups, but more importantly, it is important to be open-minded.

Data reveals that for the year 2025, India stands at number 132 out of 152 countries in the global OBI inclusiveness index (disability rankings at 121), firmly establishing that disability is still viewed as a taboo issue or a liability. Research points to the negative economic cost of exclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and that PwDs are very productive and driven with the right support systems in place; their performance is at par with, if not better than, that of their able colleagues in their respective domains. It is strongly suggested that in this current techno era, it is important that the taboo about Persons with Disabilities is broken by viewing them as assets in the various sectors of Indian society. 

You should trust yourself and spread it in the universe that you too are capable of living a successful life both professionally as well as personally, since you too deserve it. A lot of things are easier said than done, since dealing with and accepting one’s disability is unimaginably difficult. It is only natural that you feel like giving up on life, feel low, feel negative about things, but try not to dwell on these feelings too much, since they should drift by like the blowing winds. There is no better way of expressing it: in the current era of the world, being dependent completely on someone, either financially or emotionally, is no less than choosing to hand over the remote of your life to someone who would finally end up commanding you for some reason or the other.

Protect your heart with your plate-not with a pill.

Heart disease is no longer a health disorder affecting only older adults. Increasing stress, long working hours, and disturbed eating patterns push even young Indians into the risk zone these days. Cardiologists insist that the most potent way to keep your heart healthy starts on your plate, not in a pill box. Here are six daily foods which doctors highly recommend adding to your regular diet as they nourish the heart, improve blood flow, regulate cholesterol, and help the body fight against silent inflammation.

Oats: Daily dose of fibre that tames cholesterol

Oats are amongst the more trusted breakfast options of heart specialists since oats contain beta-glucan-a kind of natural fiber that binds the extra cholesterol, therefore making it easier to take out of the body. Eating on a regular basis will reduce LDL levels and will keep full for quite a period of time, thus not allowing unhealthy snacking.

Walnuts and almonds: small handful, big impact

These nuts are also very powerful heart protectors. Walnuts provide plant-based omega-3 oils, while almonds supply vitamin E and healthy fats. Together, they reduce inflammation, give flexibility to arteries, and maintain overall heart function. How much: 6–8 nuts daily Why: It has been shown in research that those who consume nuts on a regular basis have a very low risk of heart problems.

Berries: Antioxidants protecting your arteries

Antioxidants in blueberries, strawberries and raspberries-even local fruits like jamun-protect the inner lining of the blood vessels. They help stabilise blood pressure and reduce oxidative stress for healthy circulation. How much: ½ cup daily Best part: Even a small serving makes a measurable difference.

Leafy Greens:

Nature's Blood Pressure Regulators Spinach, methi, amaranth and other Indian greens contain potassium and natural nitrates that help dilate blood vessels, easing the heart's task of pumping blood. Another reason they're good for you: greens cut down the harmful effects of high-salt diets, common in Indian homes. How much: 1 cup cookedEasy fix: Add greens to rotis, dals, khichdi or soups to make them a daily habit. 

Olive oil or mustard oil:

Pick the right fat Healthy fats: Keep your heart in good shape. Olive oil contains very high levels of monounsaturated fats that maintain good cholesterol in healthy amounts. Mustard oil, on the other hand, works beautifully for Indian cooking-it is intrinsically low in saturated fat, besides carrying heart-salubrious omega-3s. How much: 1-2 tablespoons per day Caution: Do not use the same oil for frying repeatedly-it creates harmful compounds. 

Beans and Lentils:

Heart-Protective Protein Plant protein and soluble fibre in staples like rajma, chole, moong dal and masoor dal in Indian cuisine stabilize sugar levels and curb cholesterol. As you feel fuller for longer, you tend to eat less and that automatically cuts the chances of overeating and weight gain-two main factors contributing to heart strain. How much: 1–2 servings a day Added advantage: They are inexpensive, easily available and can be simply incorporated into your daily diet. 

The cardiologist's takeaway 

Heart-healthy eating is not about complicated diets or exotic ingredients; it's about simple, everyday choices that you repeat day in and day out. When these six foods become part of your routine, they gradually improve cholesterol, blood pressure and blood vessel health. Even if you can't adopt all six right away, make at least one change today: a stronger heart is built through small, sustainable steps-not sudden overhauls.