Mamata warns against irregularities in college admissions
Kolkata, July 2: Amid allegations of extortion of money from students in the name of admissions in Kolkata colleges, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday paid a surprise visit to Asutosh College here and warned of "strong action" against anyone indulging in irregularities during the admission process.
"I was also into student politics. I have spent nearly six-seven years of my student politics in this college. That's why I have come here to know the situation. So far, I have not received any complaint from the students or their guardians," said Banerjee, who was a student of the South Kolkata college.
Banerjee said the students' unions should be "helping hands" for the students and make sure that those from poor families also get a chance to pursue higher education.
"Some students come from economically weak background but that is not their fault. They should be given chance to pursue higher education. If some people are demanding money in lieu of admissions, this is absolutely wrong. I will ask them not to do it. Otherwise, the government will take strong action according to law," Banerjee said.
"I appeal to all student unions and college staff and principals to keep an eye on the situation and help out aspiring students, who should be able to get admission according to merit; money should not become a deciding factor here," she added.
Education Minister Partha Chatterjee also paid a surprise visit to north Kolkata's Seth Anandram Jaipuria College on Monday afternoon and said he had asked the college authorities to check any financial irregularities during the admission process.
He said a section of the media was blowing the issue out of proportion and appealed to the students and their families to lodge a police complaint if they face any issues.
"I think a section of the media is playing to the gallery. I request the students and those who have such complaints to directly approach the police. Appropriate action will be taken if anyone is found guilty," Chatterjee said.
The Minister, however, said that the government is not considering making the college admission process a centralised one as there are certain infrastructural shortcomings.
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IAF's Surya Kiran Aerobatics team dazzles Bidar with spectacular air show
Bidar: The Indian Air Force's Bidar, training station hosted the air show, which started at 4 p.m. and had the audience spellbound for 25 minutes with the pilots. Originally scheduled on August 30 and August 31, the event was organized by the Air Force in collaboration with the Bidar district administration. However, the inclement weather prevented the show from happening on the second day. The new date was set for September 21.
The IAF's Surya Kiran aerobatics squad painted the tricolor over the skies of Bidar on Saturday. People on the ground at the old Bahamani Fort cheered as the nine planes, led by group Captain Gurpreet Singh Dhillon, flew in various formations with precise maneuvers in the skies.
The aerobatics team was formed in 1996 and is credited to have held over 600 air shows in India apart from demonstration in air shows in China, Sri Lanka, Maynmar, Thailand, Singaporeand the UAE.
In attendance were Bidar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma, Air Commodore Parag Lall of the Indian Air Force, Chief Executive Officer Girish Badole of Zilla Panchayat, Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shivakumar Sheelavantha, and President of the Bidar City Municipal Council, Mohammed Gous.
