Chennai: DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging an immediate change in the dates of the UGC NET exam, scheduled for January 15 and 16, which coincides with Pongal.
In her letter, Kanimozhi criticised the decision, calling it insensitive to the cultural sentiments of Tamil Nadu. She also pointed out that this is not the first instance, citing a similar clash with CA exams earlier. "This lack of consideration is becoming a pattern," she remarked.
Kanimozhi took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her letter, stating that Pongal is more than a festival, it represents Tamil pride and identity. She accused the Union Government of neglecting Tamil Nadu's cultural values and demanded an immediate rescheduling of the exam.
She further wrote, "Once again, the Union Government has exposed its blatant disregard for our state and its people. Students should not be forced to choose between their education and tradition."
தமிழ்நாட்டின் பாரம்பரியத் திருவிழாவான பொங்கல் (ஜன 15,16) நாளில் பல்கலைக்கழக மானியக் குழுவின் (UGC) - பேராசிரியர் தகுதித் தேர்வு (NET) நடத்துவதற்கான முடிவைத் திரும்பப் பெற வேண்டும் என்று ஒன்றிய கல்வித்துறை அமைச்சர் @dpradhanbjp அவர்களுக்குக் கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளேன்.
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) December 22, 2024
சமீபத்தில்தான்,… pic.twitter.com/SxMwpasXXp
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Shivamogga: A leopard was killed after being hit by a motorcycle near Mandagadde in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district.
According to reports, the biker was travelling from Shivamogga towards Thirthahalli when the leopard suddenly came onto the road from a nearby forest area near Mandagadde. The rider is said to have lost control of the bike and crashed into the animal.
The leopard suffered severe injuries in the impact and died on the spot. The biker also fell onto the road along with the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. He was shifted to a hospital in Shivamogga for further treatment.
After receiving information about the incident, forest department officials, including Gajanur RFO Vinay Kumar, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
