First batch of Amarnath pilgrims leave for Kashmir
Jammu, June 27 : A total of 2,995 pilgrims escorted by the security forces left Jammu on Wednesday in two batches who will start their Amarnath Yatra that begins from Thursday.
According to the police, the first group of 1,091 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas at 4.45 a.m. and were proceeding to the Baltal base camp.
While the other group of 1,904 'yatris' left at 5.40 a.m. and were proceeding towards the Pahalgam base camp.
Vijay Kumar, advisor to governor and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam flagged off the convoys to the valley from the yatri niwas, an official said.
With additional 213 companies of paramilitary forces augmenting the strength of the existing security forces in the state, nearly one lakh security personnel have been deployed to guard the 2018 Yatra.
The 60-day Yatra will end on August 26, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
