-The Indian Express Chandigarh: Punjab has given one last extension of deadline for private schools to register with the government for the implementation of the Right to Education Act (RTE). The Act that came into force across the country on April 1, 2010, becomes binding on April 1, as three years were given to states to implement the Act. The Punjab government, however, is still struggling to get all private schools on...

-Frontline The 64th Republic Day was a special occasion for the Dalits of Kokkampatti in Karur district. It was poetic justice that on this historic day, the caste Hindu residents of the village signed an accord with them to end the centuries-old practices of un-touchability and dis-crimination against Dalits, in the presence of the local authorities. Through the agreement the caste Hindus have promised to live in harmony with members of...

-Outlook Paradip (Odisha): Land acquisition for the proposed mega steel plant of Posco is likely to resume tomorrow despite a day-long opposition by local residents, officials said. Odisha government halted land acquisition activities for Posco's proposed Rs 52,000 crore mega steel plant project for a day today in view of stiff opposition from locals. "The process is on though we have halted the land acquisition activities for one day," Jagatsinghpur district collector S...

-The Hindu The case of the juvenile offender in the Delhi gang rape is a wake-up call for investing more in a protection scheme that will stop children from turning to crime During the 11 years I worked with the emergency helpline service Childline, I have had the opportunity to befriend many children who live on the edge of society. Among them was 11-year-old Arif, who lived with a gang of boys...

-The Times of India While the HRD ministry cries foul over budget cuts an independent report on education points out that despite significant rise in public spending, parents continue to opt for private schools with government educational institutions failing to offer quality education. Central contribution to elementary education increased by 90% from Rs 203 billion in 2007-08 to Rs 383 billion in 2012-13, while secondary school allocation rose by 271% to Rs...