Insights

The Jadavpur University students in Kolkata were reportedly refused permission to celebrate Ram Navami on the university campus. The students claimed that the vice chancellor's absence was the reason for refusing them permission.

Somsurya Banerjee, a Jadavpur University student, informed ANI that a delegation of students had formally requested on March 28 to hold Ram Navami celebrations. He stated that they received a written rejection from the university explaining that the request could not be granted when the Vice Chancellor was not present.

"On 28th March, we sent a letter to the university on behalf of General students of JU requesting permission (for Ram Navami Celebrations); today, we got a signed copy from the university saying that they cannot give the permission since the VC is away", he said.

Banerjee also accused inconsistency in the university's handling, noting that a political programme by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) was allowed on April 3 and 4, also in the absence of the VC.

"Likewise on April 3 and 4 - SFI organized a political programme, but that also without the VC present, but with permission. Every religious activity such as 'iftaar' used to be organised here on the university campus but none of us raised any objections to it. We have made intimation to the university as well as an e-mail to the police stating that we would celebrate Ram Navami peacefully. We hope all the student unions and the admin will respect and cooperate in our celebrations.", he added.

Previously, West Bengal assembly opposition leader and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari condemned Mamata Government and accused them of stopping the people from celebrating Ram Navami.

"It's our constitutional right to celebrate religious festivals, but the police of Mamata Banerjee is deterring us. We need to approach the High Court and Supreme Court over each matter," he added.

During ordinary times, Soma Das would have been thrilled and relieved by the SSC ruling of the Supreme Court. She is not.

The cancer survivor is the sole one (among the 25,753) whose career is not at risk following the apex court on Thursday sanctioning the Calcutta High Court order to cancel the appointments of 25,752 teachers. Das was exempted on "humanitarian grounds" both by the HC and the SC. It might be a personal victory for her, but she doesn't celebrate as two of her fellow panel members are going to lose their jobs. Both, like her, are members of the 2016 SSC panel.

"How can I celebrate while I was one of the ones struggling against the job racket?" Das, now a teacher at Modhura High School in Birbhum, told TOI over phone.

"I cleared the exam on merit, and my name figured in the merit list. But I was appointed on the merit of the HC order passed by then HC judge Abhijit Ganguly, which, on humanitarian grounds, was upheld by the Supreme Court," she added. "I am aware of the fact that there are plenty of deserving teachers who had for years worked hard to get this appointment. They do not deserve such a death. It's a pure failure of the SSC, which did not prepare decent documents despite getting enough time to do so," Das added.

"I never wanted people to lose their jobs. Their fight was my fight as well. This decision is not acceptable to me because many others who were on the panel were also qualified. Owing to some carelessness on the part of the govt and SSC, it was not feasible to distinguish between the qualified and the ineligible," Das said.

Das was admitted to the Birbhum school following an April 18, 2022, order passed by the then HC judge Ganguly. She has to spend a lot of money on her follow-up treatment, which is still going on. "This is the only work for me and my family to live because my brother is still studying for govt jobs. Being a lower middle-class family, a govt job is the only way for us to live," she added further.

"Among us, there are two teachers who are listed here. Between them, the physical science teacher is the sole teacher in school teaching that subject. In such a case, the school will be faced with challenges in undertaking science classes."

In an important step towards preventing child marriage, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the Odisha government to actively identify vulnerable children and take preventive steps before Akshaya Tritiya on April 30—a day traditionally marked by a spurt in child marriages.

For this purpose, the commission has instructed the district education officers to prepare school-wise, detailed reports of students with irregular attendance, school dropouts, and out-of-school children. District collectors are to receive the reports by April 4, so that focused intervention strategies may be adopted.

Based on this information, NCPCR has suggested that the state government screen vulnerable children and direct child marriage prevention officers to guide their parents. This will help to stop child marriage by creating awareness and involving families in intervention activities before the situation gets out of control.

While girl child marriages have declined marginally in Odisha, the trend is still troubling—especially where child bridegrooms are concerned. Based on National Family Health Survey (NFHS) trends, the rate of girl child marriages has come down marginally from 21.3% in NFHS-4 to 20.5% in NFHS-5. Incidentally, however, the prevalence of boys getting married before they turn 21 legally has frighteningly gone up from 11% in NFHS-4 to 13.3% in NFHS-5.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, NCPCR has identified 50 high-risk panchayats in Odisha where child marriages are common. The commission plans to set up an early warning system in these areas, ensuring timely intervention to stop child marriages and reduce their long-term socio-economic impacts.

Through this initiative, NCPCR highlights the necessity of a multi-pronged strategy involving education, awareness generation, and policy-driven interventions to safeguard children from the vicious cycle of early marriage and its long-term consequences.

In changing India, where millions of youth shape the country towards development through their dreams, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has emphasized that youths should be listened to in the policy-making process. Emphasizing the importance of youth engagement, Sisodia said, "If we want to change the country, we have to hear the voice of the youth."

His words signal an emerging perception that India's vast population of youth is not merely a statistical fact but a force of change. With more than 65% of the country's population between 35 and under, India is poised at the tipping point where its young people can shape its leadership, innovations, and progress.

Youth: The Engine of India's Transformation

Sisodia's focus on youth engagement is aligned with international thinking on sustainable development. The United Nations has, time and again, emphasized the contribution of youth to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and said that their creativity, energy, and new perspectives can be harnessed to address some of the world's most critical challenges. Whether it is climate action or economic change, India's young minds can define policies and solutions that fuel sustained progress.

But for this promise to be really realized, experts highlight the need for enhanced institutional support. Policymakers, educators, and business executives must actively offer spaces for youth to engage, be heard, and be involved in governance. Without real participation, the country risks losing one of its finest assets.

Bridging the Gap: From Promise to Participation

While India's youth have demonstrated the potential to create change—be it through the prism of technology, social entrepreneurship, or activism—there is still a disconnect between their desires and what is presented before them. Most youth continue to face unemployment, lack of access to quality education, and institutionalized exclusion that denies them a voice and a place at the decision-making tables.

Sisodia's call to action, thus, is a cold wake-up call: India won't be revolutionized by policy but by an collective effort to engage and empower the next generation. If India can tap into the potential and energy of its youth, it can unleash unprecedent growth and innovation and build a future that is dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking.

The word is out—India's youth are not only leaders of tomorrow but tomorrow's change-makers. It is time to hear them, invest in them, and provide them with the space they deserve to chart the country's future.

While the mercury keeps on rising, Maharashtra's government has made a bold move to safeguard its students from the blistering heat. The state's education department, in a recent order, directed all schools to hold classes between 7 am and 11:15 am so that the heatwave's impact on young brains is kept to a bare minimum.

This action is a relief welcome by students, parents, and teachers alike. The action recognizes the susceptibility of children to extreme heat and cold and takes a proactive step towards safeguarding their safety and well-being. By changing the school timings, the government is seeking to minimize the exposure of students to the scorching sun, thus lowering the risk of heat-related diseases.

The directive also focuses on the need to educate students about heatwave safety precautions. Schools have been directed to educate children on how to protect themselves from the heat, highlighting the need for hydration, nutrition, and appropriate clothing. This forward-thinking approach will enable students to take care of themselves during the hot summer season.

In addition, the government has also required schools to provide classrooms with working fans in order to offer a conducive environment for learning among students. Furthermore, schools have been prompted to encourage good dietary habits, motivating students to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables to hydrate and keep them energized.

Maharashtra's timely decision to protect its students is a beacon of responsible governance. As the nation struggles with the adversity of climate change, it is necessary that we put the health and safety of our children first. By taking proactive steps to counteract heatwaves, we can ensure that our students are healthy, happy, and diligent in their pursuit of education.

For the first time in over a decade, Indian students now constitute the largest group of international students, surpassing all other nationalities. With 1.33 million Indian students studying abroad at foreign universities—surpassing even China's 1 million—this is a stunning reversal of global education trends.

With the emerging economic and technological dominance of India, quality education has a pivotal role to play in the emergence of future-fit professionals. The beginning of digital revolution, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation has led to a higher demand for quality graduates, particularly from the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The overseas universities not only provide top-class academic education but also provide industry exposure, global networking, and practical exposure, all of which are now essential for career growth.

According to Ian Crichton, CEO of Study Group, an international degree develops global skills, and thus graduates are immensely employable in the globalized world of today.

What Makes International Graduates Stand Out

For Indian students, a world degree is not just an intellectual exercise—it's a passport to a successful career worldwide. In a recent India-UK Higher Education Conference, government ministers and vice chancellors of universities quoted the importance of industry-focused education to make degrees relevant to evolving employment demands.

World-class institutions focus on experiential learning, including internships, research projects, and industry engagement in the curriculum. This enhances students' ability to adapt and get employed.

Multinational employer firms seek beyond academic achievements. The greatest skills that characterize international graduates are:

• Superb English and other world language speaking skills
• Cultural adaptability and the ability to operate in multicultural environments
• Self-assurance to convey ideas and operate globally
• Persistence, problem-solving, and creativity in high-risk environments

Closing the Gap: Transitioning to International Education

Smooth transition into international studies is succeeded by readiness. Indians for the most part take up foundation programs, pathway studies, and language preparation to fill knowledge gaps and familiarize themselves with diversified learning approaches. 

Academic English competence: English competence facilitates comprehension, interest, and overall achievement.

Independent learning skills: Western education places more stress upon analytical and critical learning.

Exposure to diverse pedagogies: Interactive conversation, problem-solving, and independent learning are central ingredients of international curricula. 

The Global Edge: How International Exposure Defines Careers

Global study puts students out of their comfort zones, making them strong, independent, and leaders. Adapting, networking, and innovating are the major skills which set them apart in a highly competitive job market. 

International graduates have a unique set of skills to offer the labor market:

1. Globally accepted qualifications
2. Multicultural exposure and adaptability
3. Problem-solving experience in real-life situations
4. Temperament in dealing with multicultural work environments

The Future of Indian Students' International Studies

The global education market is changing fast. Although the USA and UK continue to be favorites, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern universities are emerging as prominent replacement options to offer quality education at affordable prices.

As the economies get more globalized and technology-based, global graduates can drive innovation, solve complex issues, and be the key drivers of world economies. But ideals must be balanced with reality—a degree alone will not suffice. Instead, long-term career success relies on lifelong learning, networking, and adaptability.

The Winning Formula for a Global Career

• Solid academic credentials from top institutions
• Global work experience in internships
• Strong professional network
• Personal resilience and adaptability

International education is not a qualification—it's an experience that changes your life, fostering leadership, problem-solving, and cultural sensitivity. With more Indian students choosing this global path, not only are they shaping their own lives but also India's emerging position in the global scene.

During an era where organizations look for people who are capable of thinking internationally and acting strategically, foreign-trained graduates have the potential to be game-changers within global organizations.