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Debendra Pradhan, BJP Stalwart and Father of Dharmendra Pradhan, Dies at 84

March 17, 2025, 1:24 pm

Veteran BJP leader and ex Union Minister Debendra Pradhan died on Monday at the age of 84. Officials confirmed that he passed away in New Delhi. He was survived by his son, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other family members.

Debendra Pradhan: Stalwart in Odisha and National Politics

Debendra Pradhan, a popular Odisha politician, was the state BJP president and was instrumental in consolidating the party’s hold. He started his political life in 1980 as BJP’s president of Talcher Mandal. He also represented the erstwhile Deogarh Lok Sabha constituency twice, i.e., in 1998 and 1999.

In the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration, he was a minister of state in the Union Cabinet and held the office of Minister of State for Surface Transport (1998-1999) and then dual portfolios of Surface Transport and Agriculture (1999-2001).

Leaders Remember His Contributions

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi mourned Pradhan’s death as “a popular public leader and an able parliamentarian.”

ପୂର୍ବତନ କେନ୍ଦ୍ରମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଦେବେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତ ପ୍ରଧାନ ଜଣେ ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ଜନନେତା ଓ ଦକ୍ଷ ପାର୍ଲାମେଣ୍ଟାରିଆନ୍ ଥିଲେ। ରାଜ୍ୟ ବିଜେପିର ସଭାପତି ଭାବେ ଦୃଢ଼ ନେତୃତ୍ୱ ନେଇ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଭାରତୀୟ ଜନତା ପାର୍ଟିର ଅଭ୍ୟୁଦୟରେ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତ ପ୍ରଧାନ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅବଦାନ ରଖିଥିଲେ। ସେବା…

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) March 17, 2025

He had worked efficiently as the Union Minister of Transport and Agriculture between 1999 and 2001. As a representative of the public and MP, he had gained the affection of the commoners by performing lots of welfare works,” Majhi added.

He devoted his whole life for the growth of the state with a spirit of service and resolve. The nation and the state have lost a distinguished public servant.” Majhi also met Dharmendra Pradhan to offer his condolence.

Odisha Assembly Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik recalled Pradhan for his “unparalleled organisational skills and amiable personality.” He further said that Odisha had lost “an influential political figure and popular politician” with his death.

ପୂର୍ବତନ କେନ୍ଦ୍ରମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ତଥା ରାଜ୍ୟ ବିଜେପିର ପୂର୍ବତନ ସଭାପତି ଦେବେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପ୍ରଧାନଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଅତୁଳନୀୟ ସାଙ୍ଗଠନିକ ଦକ୍ଷତା ଓ ଅମାୟିକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ୱ ପାଇଁ ସେ ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ହୋଇ ରହିବେ। ତାଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗରେ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ପ୍ରଭାବଶାଳୀ ରାଜନୈତିକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ୱ ତଥା ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ରାଜନେତାଙ୍କୁ ହରାଇଲା। ଏପରି ଦୁଃଖଦ…

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 17, 2025

Tributes Across Party Lines

State BJP president Manmohan Samal and leaders from other political parties also mourned Pradhan’s death. His inputs towards Odisha’s politics and national administration have left an enduring imprint.

The veteran leader’s death has been universally regretted throughout Odisha, and people from all walks of life have recognized his incessant devotion to public service and state development during his entire lifetime. His leadership skills, administrative acumen, and people’s dedication will be remembered for years to come.

NEP Debate Heats Up: Education Minister Clarifies Stance on Language Policy

February 21, 2025, 1:50 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is defending the National Education Policy (NEP) amid the heated language dispute between Tamil Nadu and the central government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his party, the DMK, vigorously reject the three-language policy.

Pradhan Rejects Language Enforcement

Pradhan wrote MK Stalin a letter on Friday saying that the NEP does not mandate any language but seeks to lessen an “over-reliance on foreign languages,” consequently strengthening students’ linguistic foundation.

Writing, “The NEP supports the idea of linguistic freedom and guarantees that students go on learning in the language of their selection,” he said. He slammed the DMK for rejecting the policy on “political grounds” and seeing “progressive reforms as dangers to keep political narratives going.

Re-emphasizing the government’s will to advance Tamil culture and language internationally, the Education Minister also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in Chennai in 2022, “Tamil language is eternal,” and write, “The Modi government is fully committed to promoting and popularising Tamil culture and language globally. I humbly appeal… do not politicise education…”

Highly inappropriate for a State to view NEP 2020 with a myopic vision and use threats to sustain political narratives.

Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji’s govt. is fully committed to promote and popularise the eternal Tamil culture and language globally. I humbly appeal to not… pic.twitter.com/aw06cVCyAP

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 21, 2025

DMK Alleges Hindi Imposition, Stalin Seeks Education Funds

The letter came after Stalin pleaded with PM Modi to release Rs 2,154 crore in funding for the education sector for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. Stalin accused the Center of “blackmailing” Tamil Nadu into agreeing to the three-language arrangement, which included Hindi, by withholding funds.

Stalin confirmed Tamil Nadu’s continued support of its two-language policy, Tamil and English, which followed since 1967. He stated, ”Our policy for the three-language system of the NEP will not be dropped.”

Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin repeated his father’s view that Tamil Nadu was prepared for another “language war.” He cautioned the BJP-controlled government: “this is a Dravidian land… the land of Periyar” and said, “The last time you tried to take away the rights of the Tamil people, they started ‘GoBackModi’. If you try again… this time the voice will be ‘Get out, Modi’… agitation will be done to send you back..”

மாண்புமிகு பிரதமர் @narendramodi அவர்களே…#NEP2020-ஐ முழுமையாக நடைமுறைப்படுத்தி, மும்மொழிக் கொள்கையை ஏற்றால்தான் எங்கள் தமிழ்நாட்டு மாணவர்களுக்கான #SamagraShiksha நிதி ஒதுக்கப்படும் என்பது எவ்விதத்தில் நியாயம்?

தமிழ் மக்களின் உணர்வுகளுக்கு மதிப்பில்லையா?

இருவேறு… pic.twitter.com/k1pwb9T6dT

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 20, 2025

Historical Opposition in Tamil Nadu Against Hindi

Traditionally, Tamil Nadu has resisted Hindi enforced. Anti-Hindi riots in the 1930s and 1960s helped the state to accept the two-language standard.

Emphasizing that Tamil and English are adequate for pupils, state Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said “Since 1967, Tamil Nadu has had this two-language rule, which we have made rather good way. We make high performers in STEM disciplines, therefore supporting the functioning of our educational system.”

Three-language Initiative by BJP Ahead of 2026 Elections

Seeking to make headway in the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP has stepped up its push for the three-language formula of the NEP in Tamil Nadu. The party is primed to start a state-wide initiative on March 1 to advance the policy.

Rejecting DMK’s opposition as obsolete, BJP Tamil Nadu leader K Annamalai ran with it. “The world is changing fast. He wondered the reason for forcing the youth of Tamil Nadu to follow your 1960s policy.

Though the BJP has tried, they have found it challenging to establish themselves in Tamil Nadu. It fought for all 234 seats in the state election of 2016 but did not win any. It vied for 20 seats in 2021 and won four. The party got no seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 and 2024.

The language policy issue is due to growing tensions to become a significant political flashpoint before the next polls.

NEET UG To Go Online? Dharmendra Pradhan Hints At Imminent Decision

December 17, 2024, 6:03 pm

The Education and Health Ministries are actively deliberating on whether the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) should continue in its current pen-and-paper format or transition to an online mode. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the decision will be finalized soon and communicated to aspirants.

Discussions have already taken place in two rounds with the Health Ministry, led by Union Minister JP Nadda. Currently, NEET UG is conducted in pen-and-paper mode where candidates answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on OMR sheets. Last year, NEET UG saw a record participation of 24 lakh candidates, making it India’s largest entrance exam.

“The administrative ministry of NEET is the Health Ministry, and we are holding discussions with them about whether NEET should be conducted in pen-and-paper mode or online. We’ve already had two rounds of talks. Whatever option is deemed best for conducting the exam, NTA is prepared to implement it,” Pradhan said. He further assured, “What will be NEET’s methodology, what will be the protocol… a decision is expected soon. We will notify it soon.”

Conducted by the NTA annually, NEET UG serves as the gateway to medical admissions, including MBBS, BDS, and courses in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. Of the total 1.08 lakh MBBS seats available, around 56,000 are in government medical colleges, and 52,000 in private institutions.

Also Read: NEET-UG Paper Leak Scandal: CBI Files 5th Chargesheet

The proposal to shift NEET to a computer-based format gained urgency after the recent paper leak controversy, prompting calls for immediate reforms. In response, the government set up a high-level panel in July to enhance the transparency and integrity of NTA-administered exams. Headed by former ISRO Chief R Radhakrishnan, the panel suggested multi-stage testing as a potential reform. Their report emphasized developing “an acceptable framework with thresholds, scoring methods, ranking objectives, and defined test attempts.”

The NEET controversy, alongside UGC-NET’s cancellation due to compromised integrity, has sparked nationwide scrutiny. Both incidents are under investigation by the CBI. As a preventive measure, other exams like CSIR NET and NEET PG were also cancelled.

The reform panel includes prominent figures such as former AIIMS Delhi director Dr. Randeep Guleria, University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor B J Rao, IIT Madras Professor Emeritus K Ramamurthy, IIT Delhi Dean Aditya Mittal, and MoE Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal. Additionally, IIT Kanpur professors Amey Karkare and Debapriya Roy, along with People Strong co-founder Pankaj Bansal, have been appointed to the committee.

The panel’s mandate is to review current exam security protocols, analyze vulnerabilities, and recommend improvements to strengthen the system’s resilience and fairness.

IAS Officer Dharmendra Appointed As New Chief Secretary Of Delhi

August 31, 2024, 12:18 pm

The Centre has appointed Dharmendra, an IAS officer from the 1989 batch, as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi. He takes over from Naresh Kumar, a 1987-batch IAS officer, whose term extension concluded on August 31.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that, with the Competent Authority’s approval, Sh. Dharmendra, IAS (AGMUT:1989), is being transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Delhi and appointed as Chief Secretary of GNCTD, effective September 1, 2024, or from the date of joining, whichever is later,” the order stated.

This is a developing story.

Jairam Ramesh Accuses Dharmendra Pradhan of Misleading RS Over Preamble’s Removal from NCERT Books

August 9, 2024, 12:01 pm

Congress General Secretary and MP Jairam Ramesh has filed a privilege motion against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of misleading the Rajya Sabha about the removal of the Preamble from NCERT textbooks.

In his notice, Ramesh claimed that Pradhan’s statement, which suggested that the Preamble was included in recent editions of Class 6 textbooks, was factually incorrect. Ramesh provided examples of textbooks where the Preamble was omitted, contrary to what Pradhan had stated. He argued that this omission undermines the awareness of constitutional values among students and called for privilege proceedings against Pradhan for allegedly misleading the House.

Earlier, during a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP government for removing the Preamble, calling it an affront to the Constitution and accusing the government of erasing statues of significant figures and tampering with the Constitution. Kharge’s remarks led to a heated exchange, with protests from the Treasury benches and an intervention by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Pradhan responded sharply, accusing the Congress of spreading lies and confusion. He defended the government’s actions, asserting that the Preamble and other key constitutional elements remain included in textbooks and criticized Kharge for making factually incorrect allegations.

“Verdict Rejects Propaganda”: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on SC Ruling on NEET-UG ’24

August 2, 2024, 3:14 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for refusing to cancel the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (UG) held on May 5, affirming that there was no systemic breach in the exam. In a post on X, Pradhan stated that the findings and verdict “outrightly reject the propaganda being peddled.” He emphasized that the Supreme Court’s observation of no systemic breach in the NEET-UG exam vindicates the government’s stance.

“The government stands committed to a ‘Tamper-free, Transparent & Zero-error examination system.’ To ensure this, we shall implement the recommendations of the high-level committee of experts as soon as they are submitted,” Pradhan added. He thanked the Supreme Court for delivering justice and protecting the interests of hardworking students, pledging to implement the Court’s judgment in letter and spirit.

However, Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that the integrity of the NEET test is compromised and that basing admissions on its results is unfair to students due to numerous anomalies. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also called for a reassessment of the examination system, citing several complaints and irregularities, including a Gujarat topper who failed her school exams but excelled in NEET and the misallocation of exam centers for Kerala students.

On July 23, the Supreme Court refused to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 examination held on May 5, citing the absence of evidence indicating a systemic breach. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated that the data on record does not suggest a systemic leak of the NEET-UG question paper. While acknowledging isolated leaks in Hazaribagh and Patna, the Court noted that these incidents did not disrupt the overall sanctity of the exam.

The order came in response to multiple pleas seeking to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct a fresh examination due to alleged paper leaks and malpractices. Aspirants had approached the Supreme Court, raising issues of question paper leakage, compensatory marks, and anomalies in the test. The NEET-UG 2024 was held across 4,750 centers on May 5, with around 24 lakh candidates appearing.

Rahul Gandhi Claims Indian Education System is Corrupt and Buyable; Dharmendra Pradhan Denies Allegations

July 22, 2024, 12:50 pm

On Monday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, sharply criticized the government over the NEET exam paper leak allegations, describing the issue as a “very serious problem” within the country’s examination system. Speaking during the Budget Session in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi questioned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan about what actions are being taken to address the “systemic” flaws in the examination process. He asserted that millions of students believe the examination system is “fraud” and can be bought by those with money.

Gandhi expanded on his criticism, stating that the problem extends beyond just the NEET exam to all major exams in India. He criticized Education Minister Pradhan for not grasping the severity of the situation and claimed that Pradhan had blamed everyone except himself. Gandhi emphasized that many students are troubled by the belief that wealth can influence the examination system, and this sentiment is shared by people in the Opposition as well.

In response, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed Gandhi’s remarks as “lies,” arguing that shouting does not make falsehoods true. He defended the examination system, saying there has been no proven case of paper leaks in the past seven years. Pradhan noted that over 240 exams were conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in that period, involving more than 5 crore students, and emphasized that the current case is under Supreme Court review.

Additionally, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav criticized the government, suggesting it will be remembered for frequent paper leaks and claiming that some centers had more than 2,000 students pass under dubious circumstances.

The Budget Session of Parliament, which started today, will include 16 sittings over 22 days. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju announced that the session will focus mainly on financial matters related to the Union Budget for 2024-25, which will be presented to the Lok Sabha on July 23.

BJP Confident Of Victory In Haryana Assembly Elections, Says Dharmendra Pradhan

June 29, 2024, 6:23 pm

Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan expressed confidence on Saturday in the BJP’s prospects in the upcoming Assembly Elections in Haryana, asserting that the party would emerge victorious due to the lack of a political agenda among the opposition.

Speaking at a press conference in Panchkula, Haryana, Pradhan stated, “The assembly elections in Haryana are scheduled for October, and we firmly believe that the results will favor the BJP.” Reflecting on the recent Lok Sabha elections, he attributed Narendra Modi’s third term as Prime Minister partly to Haryana’s electoral contribution. “In the last two assembly elections, Haryana has consistently placed its trust in the BJP. We are confident that in October, the BJP will retain power,” he added.

Highlighting BJP’s track record in Haryana, Pradhan emphasized, “Over the past decade, we have diligently served the people of Haryana. The PM has articulated the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, and Haryana’s contribution towards this goal is assured.”

Taking aim at the Congress, Pradhan criticized their recent actions in the Rajya Sabha, accusing them of obstructionism rather than constructive opposition. “Their move to contest the Speaker’s post unnecessarily reflects their intent to disrupt rather than contribute positively,” he remarked.

In the upcoming elections, BJP will seek to build on its performance, having secured 40 seats out of 90 in the 2019 Assembly elections, while the Congress won 31 seats. In 2014, BJP secured 47 seats compared to Congress’s 15 seats, marking a significant shift from previous elections where Congress held a stronger position.

“Our analysis suggests that the opposition lacks a clear political agenda, resorting instead to confusion, misinformation, and doubt,” Pradhan concluded, reaffirming BJP’s readiness for the electoral contest in Haryana.

18th Lok Sabha session: Opposition Shouts ‘NEET’ Amid Dharmendra Pradhan’s Oath Ceremony

June 24, 2024, 1:31 pm

The 18th Lok Sabha commenced today with Members of Parliament taking their oaths one by one, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oath. However, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s oath was met with protests and slogans from opposition leaders in Parliament.

As Dharmendra Pradhan approached to take his oath, INDIA bloc leaders jeered with chants of “NEET,” criticizing the NDA government over alleged irregularities in the exam.

Opposition leaders raised these slogans in the Lok Sabha following nationwide outrage over inflated marking and paper leak allegations in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG).

Earlier, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had attacked the Centre over the NEET-UG 2024 exam irregularities and assured students that his party would address the issue in Parliament.

The first session of the Lok Sabha is expected to be contentious, with the Opposition likely to challenge the BJP-led NDA government on the election of the Speaker, and the allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET.

Outrage against the National Testing Agency (NTA) erupted after the agency postponed the NEET-PG exam hours before it was scheduled. Students who had traveled from different states to their exam centers protested, and the decision was criticized by doctor associations and student groups.

The NEET-UG exam, conducted in May, had its results declared on June 4. Due to grace markings at several centers, the scores of hundreds of students were inflated. This year, 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720/720 in the medical entrance test.

Amid these irregularities, the Centre formed a seven-member committee to investigate the NTA’s functioning and suggest examination reforms. The government also replaced NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh.

The investigation into NEET-UG irregularities and paper leak allegations has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

NEET-UG Exam: 1,563 Candidates To Come For The Retest At 7 Centers

June 22, 2024, 1:27 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to hold the NEET-UG retest for 1,563 candidates tomorrow June 23, 2024.

The officials of Union education ministry will also be present at the exam centre, said senior NTA official on Friday.

The retest is being conducted following the removal of grace marks to students, which were given as compensation for the delay in starting the exam at six centres- Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Chandigarh.

As a result, six students acquired perfect 720 score. Thus, triggering the allegations of inflating marks. The retest will be conducted at seven centres and out of 7, six of them are new.

Speaking about new exam centre senior NTA official said,

‘While all other examination centres have changed, the one in Chandigarh, where only two candidates will appear, will remain the same.’

In addition, both the officials of agency and Union education ministry will there at these centres.

‘Besides, officials from the agency and the Union education ministry will also be present at these centres. The step has been taken to ensure smooth conduct of the re-exam.’ said official.

Earlier on Thursday, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had clarified on the possibility of cancelling NEET exams, saying cannot put student’s life at stake, who rightfully cleared the exam.

UGC-NET Paper Leaked? Paper Found On Darknet, Telegram Announced Dharmendra Pradhan

June 21, 2024, 9:48 am

In the aftermath of canceling the UGC-NET paper based on inputs provided by the national anti-cybercrime agency, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced, that exam papers were leaked ‘in the darknet’ on Thursday.

As per education minister, cancelling UGC-NET paper within 24 hours wasn’t a ‘knee-jerk reaction.

Speaking about alleged paper leak, Pradhan said, ‘Based on information from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), prima facie it was found that there were question papers in the darknet. Papers were also being circulated on Telegram (messaging platform).’

He also revealed that the leaked question paper matched with the authentic one. That’s why the exams were cancelled.

Earlier, the joint secretary of education ministry Govind Jaiswal, had announced, that fresh exam will be held, but the timeline hasn’t been revealed yet.

Meanwhile, this development coincided with recent allegations made by students, which alleged, that the NEET-UG 2024 paper had been leaked.

Additionally, 1,500 students were initially awarded grace marks. However, following protests, these grace marks were removed, and students were offered the option to take a re-test. Which will take place on June 23.

But the education minister has consistently denied any claims of a leaked paper. Meanwhile the case has taken a new turn with the arrest of four men, who confessed, that the paper was leaked night before the exam.

The names of the arrested men are aspirant Anurag Yadav, his uncle Sikandar – who is a junior engineer at Danapur municipal council, Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand.

It remains to be seen, when the exams of UGC-NET will be conducted.

NEET Exam Paper Leak Case: Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Students Of Transparent Investigation

June 14, 2024, 11:43 pm

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET Exam), Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday reassured students and parents of a transparent investigation into the alleged irregularities. Pradhan emphasized that there would be no injustice towards the students, urging them not to worry.

Earlier in the day, Pradhan held a meeting with several students who appeared for the NEET exam, along with their parents. Addressing their concerns, he affirmed, “The government assures the students that full transparency will be adopted in the probe into alleged irregularities and re-conducting the NEET exams. The students do not need to worry.”

He added, “Students who wanted to meet us today, I called them, their parents also came, I met them. I heard their side and I made them feel better. The government is committed, and all students should have this assurance that a transparent process will be followed. 24 lakh students were the applicants, and 23.30 lakh students have taken the exam, this is natural, whatever doubts come to their minds, some issues came to mind that some irregularities in the centre were noticed, due to lack of time for grace marks, some objections were raised in the formula used for giving grace marks, that was also rectified.”

Addressing concerns over exam irregularities, Pradhan clarified on Thursday that there had been “no paper leak” in the NEET-UG examination, and the government is prepared to provide answers to the Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing the petitions related to the exam. “I want to assure the students and their parents that the Government of India and NTA are committed to providing justice to them. Twenty-four lakh students have successfully taken the NEET examination. There is no paper leak, no proof has been found yet. A court-recommended model was adopted for around 1560 students and a panel of academicians has been formed for the same…We will accept the verdict of the Court,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that the scorecards of 1,563 candidates who received “grace marks” in the 2024 NEET-UG exam will be annulled, giving those candidates a chance to reappear for the exam. The NTA stated that a committee had been established to review the results of these candidates who were awarded grace marks to compensate for lost time during the exam. “The Committee has decided to cancel the scorecards of 1563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who were given grace marks and these students will be given the option to take a re-test,” NTA stated. The re-exam is scheduled for June 23, with results expected before June 30.

The Supreme Court has reiterated that NEET-UG counselling will proceed as planned and will not be halted. “Counselling will go on and we will not stop it. If the exam goes, then everything goes in totality, so there is nothing to fear,” said the Supreme Court, which will hear the related petitions on July 8.

Multiple petitions have been filed in the apex court seeking a recall of the NEET-UG 2024 results and a fresh examination, citing allegations of paper leaks and malpractices during the test held on May 5. The May 5 exam, administered by the NTA across 4,750 centres for nearly 24 lakh students, has come under scrutiny over these allegations. An unprecedented 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720, further fuelling concerns.

Opposition parties have also been vocal, with Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge criticizing the central government over the alleged “scam” in the NEET-UG examinations. Kharge claimed that beyond grace marks, there have been issues of rigging and corruption, with exam centres and coaching centres allegedly involved in malpractice. “The future of 24 lakh students appearing in the NEET examination is at stake due to the actions of the Modi government,” Kharge wrote on ‘X’. He demanded a Supreme Court-supervised investigation into the entire NEET issue and compensation for affected students.

The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is a crucial step for students seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across India.

NEET Paper Leak Allegations Denied by Education Minister

June 13, 2024, 4:54 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has firmly dismissed claims of a NEET paper leak. Speaking to reporters, Pradhan emphasized that no concrete evidence supports the allegations. He also clarified that grace marks were awarded to students to make up for the time lost due to an error during the examination.

He explained the situation, stating, ‘During the exam, held across 4,500 centers in 13 languages, incorrect question papers were mistakenly sent to six centers. This affected around 1,563 students’. Although the correct papers were later provided, the delay caused a loss of time. In line with the Supreme Court’s standing order, the National Testing Agency (NTA) constituted an expert committee to assess the situation. The committee decided to award grace marks to the affected students rather than conducting a re-examination. This decision, however, sparked controversy when it was discovered that some students received perfect scores.

The Central Government has now informed the Supreme Court that the decision to award grace marks has been reversed. Instead, the 1,563 affected students will have the option to retake the exam on June 23, with results to be announced by June 30. The counselling process for admissions into various medical courses will begin on July 6.

The NEET-UG exam, conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers, saw participation from approximately 24 lakh candidates. The results, initially slated for release on June 4, were delayed following the completion of the answer sheet evaluation process. Allegations of NEET paper leak and the awarding of grace marks led to protests and legal actions in multiple high courts and the Supreme Court. A particularly contentious issue arose when 67 students achieved perfect scores of 720, an unprecedented event in the NTA’s history. Notably, six of these students were from a single center in Faridabad, Haryana, prompting concerns about possible irregularities.

Student demonstrations erupted in Delhi on June 10, with many demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged anomalies. Some protesters suggested that the grace marks might have contributed to the unusually high number of top scorers. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Supreme Court’s decisions and the upcoming retake of the NEET-UG exam. The education sector is keenly observing how these developments will impact the credibility and fairness of one of India’s most crucial entrance exams.

Rahul Gandhi called out by BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan

April 15, 2024, 3:21 pm

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP, was called out by Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan in a recent comment, which downplayed his role in Indian politics and public opinion. In response to Gandhi’s critique of the BJP’s election manifesto—which focused on the manifesto’s lack of concrete pledges for unemployment and inflation—Pradhan made his remarks.

Speaking to ANI, Pradhan referred to Gandhi as “Yuvraj” and said that the Congress party and he are not relevant in today’s political environment. He highlighted the trust that the Modi administration had garnered in the last ten years, particularly among the underprivileged population.

In his words, “Congress party and its leader, ‘Yuvraj’ Rahul Gandhi himself, are nowhere in Indian politics or in people’s mind. In these 10 years of the Modi government, we have won the trust of the poor,”

In comparison to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Union Minister predicted that the Congress party’s electoral performance will continue to deteriorate. He blamed the Congress’s inevitable downfall on what he described as its historical failures while in power and its subsequent relegation to the opposition.

Odisha’s Dharmendra Pradhan, who is scheduled to run from the Sambalpur seat, noted that the BJP has a history of winning 303 seats in general elections while the Congress has only managed to win 52 seats.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier expressed confidence that the youth would back the Congress and lead a “employment revolution” in the nation, criticizing the BJP’s agenda for failing to address important concerns like unemployment and inflation.

PM Modi wishes Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

January 9, 2024, 10:18 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his wishes to the Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, acknowledging their commitment to preserving the nation’s rich heritage and strengthening global connections. He praised them for embodying India’s spirit worldwide, fostering unity and diversity.

PM Modi expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, “Greetings on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. This is a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Indian diaspora worldwide. Their dedication towards preserving our rich heritage and strengthening global ties is commendable. They embody the spirit of India across the globe, fostering a sense of unity and diversity.”

In alignment with these sentiments, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar also extended his greetings, recognizing the Indian diaspora’s significant accomplishments and their pivotal role in enhancing India’s global standing. He shared his message on social media, stating, “On Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, greetings to the Indian Diaspora across the world. We take immense pride in your achievements. Your outstanding contributions play a crucial role in enhancing India’s global standing.”

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined in conveying his greetings, praising the diaspora as ambassadors of Indian culture and values. He noted their lasting impact worldwide, with their talent and hard work contributing not only to the countries they reside in but also elevating India’s global prominence. Minister Pradhan shared his wishes on social media, saying, “Greetings to the vibrant Indian diaspora across the globe on #PravasiBharatiyaDivas. As ambassadors of our rich culture and values, they have made a lasting impact worldwide. Their talent and hard work have not only enriched the countries they reside in but have also been a driving force behind India’s global prominence.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also extended his wishes on the occasion, expressing happiness on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. He commended the expatriates for strengthening the Indian culture of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” worldwide and wished for their continued significant role in India’s all-round development. Speaker Birla shared his wishes on social media, stating, “Happy Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to the expatriate brothers and sisters who are strengthening the Indian culture of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ all over the world. Despite living away from the country, India resides in his heart. It is our wish that they continue to play an important role in the all-round development of India.”

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, celebrated on January 9 every year, commemorates the Overseas Indian community’s contribution to India’s development. The date holds significance as Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. The event is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Dharmendra Pradhan predicted that by 2040, India’s economy would lead the world

December 31, 2023, 5:42 pm

Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan declared on Sunday that the nation’s economy will top all others in the world by 2040.

“India’s economy stands at the fifth position in the world…By 2040, India will become the number 1 economy in the world…This is not possible without planning and preparation,” Pradhan said while speaking to reporters.
He said that in order to achieve the target of becoming the world’s number one economy, “Skilled Hub’ has been conceived.
Earlier today, Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off the “Skills on Wheels” initiative with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) from Odisha’s Sambalpur.
Under the collaboration, a customised bus with retrofitted tools will promote the ‘Skill India Mission’ initiative through ‘Skills on Wheels’ and will travel across the length and breadth of aspirational and backward districts.

The initiative aims to raise grassroots awareness of free skill training programs that provide youth with robust skill training and enable them to significantly alter the course of their lives. This partnership with IndusInd Bank is in line with this mission, as it aims to empower the country’s youth through the ‘Skills on Wheels’ project. By providing the essential oversight, coordination, and synergy, Skills on Wheels aims to empower a large number of young people to pursue industry-relevant skill training, which will enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge and help them secure a better livelihood.

Dharmendra Pradhan Urges Odisha CM to Implement PM-USHA Scheme, Writes Letter

December 7, 2023, 5:08 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has addressed a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, urging the state’s participation in the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme. This move is aimed at ensuring that Odisha avails itself of the scheme’s benefits.

The PM-USHA initiative, which will continue until March 2026 with a total outlay of Rs 12,926.10 crore, necessitates states to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education for its implementation.

In his communication to CM Patnaik, Pradhan highlighted the scheme’s significance in realizing the objectives set forth in the National Education Policy, 2020. It focuses on improving access, equity, and excellence in higher education, particularly in underserved and unserved areas, including districts with low Gross Enrollment Ratios (GER), SC/ST populations, and regions affected by left-wing extremism.

Additionally, the scheme aims to establish new educational institutions and transform existing ones to enhance the quality of higher education.

Pradhan emphasized the importance of aligning Odisha’s proposals with key reforms such as multiple entry-exit, the academic bank of credits, the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF), and Indian knowledge systems. He highlighted that this alignment would foster better integration between government policies and schemes to enhance higher education across the country.

The Education Minister noted that the submission process for proposals to receive grant-in-aid under the scheme has already commenced through a dedicated portal.

Pradhan personally appealed to CM Patnaik to oversee the matter to ensure that Odisha fully embraces the opportunities presented by the PM-Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, emphasizing the potential benefits it holds for the state’s higher education sector.

President Droupadi Murmu to Commence Visit to Odisha, Inaugurates Developmental Projects

November 20, 2023, 11:46 am

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that President Droupadi Murmu is set to begin her visit to Odisha. During her visit, the President will lay the foundation stone for the Central Government’s Eklavya School and embark on a visit to her native village. Additionally, she will inaugurate various developmental projects in the state.

President Murmu will attend the first session of the 36th Annual Conference and Literary Festival of the All India Santali Writers’ Association in Baripada on the first day of her visit. The next day, she will open a skill training facility in Pahadpur village, as well as visit Badampahar Railway Station, where she will light off three new trains and officially open the Rairangpur Postal Division. President Murmu will also lay the groundwork for the renovation of Badampahar Railway Station.

Later on the same day, she will attend the 15th annual convocation of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology in Burla.

President Murmu will begin the National Education Campaign, New Education for New India, at Sambalpur on November 22. After that, she will go to Puttaparthi to attend the 42nd convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.

The President’s visit to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh is scheduled from November 20 to 22, encompassing various events and initiatives aimed at promoting education and development in the region.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praises new education policy as a model for emerging economies

November 17, 2023, 5:39 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan asserted on Friday that India’s New Education Policy (NEP 2020) could serve as a blueprint for emerging economies in formulating comprehensive strategies for human resource development. Speaking at the 2nd Voice of the Global South Summit, Pradhan emphasised the transformative reforms introduced by NEP 2020 in the Indian educational landscape.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is implementing the aspirational National Education Policy 2020, which has brought transformative reforms to our educational ecosystem. Built on five foundational pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability,” stated Pradhan.

He underscored that NEP 2020 aspires to create an educational system rooted in Indian ethos while aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Pradhan urged nations to collaborate on shared aspirations and formulate strategies focusing on education and skill development.

“NEP 2020 can act as a template for emerging economies towards developing comprehensive strategies for human resource development,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated DAKSHIN, a global centre for excellence for the Global South countries, during the Second Voice of the Global South Summit. The summit, held in virtual mode, aims to share key outcomes from various G20 meetings during India’s presidency.

Dharmendra Pradhan Explores Hub71, a Global Tech Startup Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi

November 2, 2023, 4:55 pm

Union Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, embarked on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, during which he explored various areas of mutual interest. As part of his visit, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made a significant visit to Hub71, a prominent global tech ecosystem situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Hub71, a leading tech startup ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, serves as a thriving platform for startups. It offers co-working spaces, mentorship, funding opportunities, and various resources to empower startups and catalyze their growth. Currently hosting more than 1,000 startups from over 60 different countries, Hub71 has successfully attracted over USD 1 billion in funding for its startup ventures.

During his visit to Hub71, Minister Pradhan gained insight into the ecosystem’s distinctive model, which fosters innovation by uniting entrepreneurs and technology sector investors. Expressing his impressions of the visit, Minister Pradhan posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), “A vibrant community of innovators, entrepreneurs and investors working together to shape a sustainable and prosperous future. At Hub71, industry partners, corporates, investors, mentors as well as govt regulators provide all the necessary support to nurture the spirit of enterprise and help start-ups scale exponentially,” he wrote.

An insightful visit to HUB71 in Abu Dhabi.

A vibrant community of innovators, entrepreneurs and investors working together to shape a sustainable and prosperous future. At @hub71ad industry partners, corporates, investors, mentors as well as govt regulators provide all the… pic.twitter.com/1WCvNi0i5E

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 2, 2023

He highlighted the collaborative spirit at Hub71, where industry partners, corporations, investors, mentors, and government regulators join forces to provide comprehensive support, nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and propelling startups toward exponential growth.

The visit to Hub71 represents a strong commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation, emphasizing the importance of whole-of-society ecosystems in unlocking a country’s full entrepreneurial and innovative potential.

Minister Pradhan’s visit to the UAE has already seen significant developments in the education and skill development sector. He met with the UAE’s Minister of Education, Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening educational cooperation, including initiatives to enhance student and faculty mobility, ANI reported.

Furthermore, Minister Pradhan explored the potential for student and workforce mobility between the two countries, affirming their commitment to strengthening institutional mechanisms. He also interacted with members of the Odia Community in the UAE, receiving a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora during his visit. This collaborative effort seeks to foster greater synergy and collaboration in critical areas of mutual interest within the education and skill domain.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will visit poll-bound Rajasthan today

October 8, 2023, 5:36 pm

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will visit Jaipur today as Rajasthan prepares for its State Assembly Elections later this year. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s divisional meeting will take place while the Union Education Minister is in the state for a day. The BJP and the opposition are both working tirelessly to win the state of Rajasthan as voting momentum builds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the state, which is headed to the polls, just one week ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Rajasthan Congress during his state visit to the region, claiming that the people have already decided to reject the Ashok Gehlot administration and reinstate the BJP.

“The Congress deserves to score a big zero for the way they ran government here. The people of Rajasthan have made up their minds to remove the Gehlot government and bring the BJP back,” PM Modi said in Rajasthan.

Dharmendra Pradhan and Anurag Thakur honor Fakir Mohan Senapati and Upendra Bhanja

October 3, 2023, 1:28 pm

On Tuesday, Union Ministers Anurag Thakur and Dharmendra Pradhan presented floral tributes to poet Upendra Bhanja and writer Fakir Mohan Senapati.
To pay homage, the two Union Ministers arrived on the campus of Utkal University.
Anurag was spotted wearing a golden shawl, a pink Nehru jacket, and a white kurta. Dharmendra, on the other hand, sported a white kurta with a crimson and cream shawl.

Utkala Byasa Kabi, another name for Fakir Mohan Senapati, was an Indian author. The father of contemporary Odia literature and Odia nationalism is largely regarded as being Senapati.
His four works, which he wrote between 1897 and 1915, depict the social and cultural conditions in Odisha in the 18th and 19th centuries. While “Chha Maana Atha Guntha,” “Mamu,” and “Prayaschita,” are three books that investigate the truth of social life in all of its parts.

Dharmendra Pradhan on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ row : “Reality of some people has now come out”

September 3, 2023, 2:40 pm

On Sunday, Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said that Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan disagreed, saying that the “reality of some people in Tamil Nadu has now come out.” He continued by saying that since “Sanatana” is eternal, nothing with regard to his political remarks would change.

“The reality of some people in Tamil Nadu has now come out. Just a few days ago, we organised Kashi Tamil Sangamam, and Lord Vishwanath is commemorated in every village in Tamil Nadu. ‘Sanatana’ is eternal, nothing is going to happen with these political remarks. This is their frustration and agitation, it will not be of any use,” he said.
Meanwhile, seeking to steer the Congress away from the statement of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, equating Sanatan Dharma with “mosquitoes, dengue, malaria, and corona”, the party’s Maharashtra chief Nana Patole on Sunday said the partner in the DMK-led ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu doesn’t believe in hurting any religious sentiments.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, attacked Sanatan Dharma on Saturday while speaking at a conference in Chennai, declaring that “Few things cannot be opposed, they should only be abolished.” We must eradicate dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, and coronavirus because we cannot fight them. In a similar manner, we must destroy Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana should be eliminated rather than merely opposed.

Dharmendra Pradhan states: NCERT obtains university-level status.

September 1, 2023, 2:38 pm

According to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been given the status of deemed university.
At a celebration in the nation’s capital honoring NCERT’s 63rd founding anniversary, the minister made the statement. He said, “Today, I would want to announce that NCERT has been designated as being recognized as a university.

In order to assist and advise the government on issues pertaining to school education, NCERT was founded in 1961 under the Society Act.
On the recommendation of the UGC, the Central Government may designate a higher education institution that is not a university as an institution “deemed to be a university” if it performs at a very high level in a particular field of study.

NCERT will grant its own graduation, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees with the declared university status.
Pradhan opened three labs, two of which focused on teacher training facilities and virtual reality education.

Dharmendra Pradhan launches DBT in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

August 12, 2023, 3:17 pm

On 12 August, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, launched Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), as per the official release.

This measure marks a key milestone towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making skilling a self-seeking endeavour, along with promoting the concept of earning while learning, as pictured in the National Education Policy (NEP).

Approximately Rs. 15 crore were expended to one lakh learners as part of the DBT launch. This initiative is anticipated to drive greater participation from both industries and young individuals in apprenticeship training on a nationwide scale.

A total of 25 lakh youth have enrolled in apprenticeship programs under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme since its inception in 2016 until July 31, 2023.

In its release, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “The initiative has garnered momentum, leading to a remarkable increase in the number of active establishments participating in apprenticeship training, growing from 6,755 in 2018-19 to an impressive 40,655 in 2023-24.”

At the event launch, Dharmendra Pradhan talked with industry clusters and enthusiastic apprentices from various states including Telangana, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh.

The launch was inaugurated by a Chintan Shivir on “Enhancing Apprenticeship Engagement,” which focused on enhancing the adoption of apprenticeship programs across all sectors.

The release further said, “The key achievements of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme include the successful completion of training by approximately 2.6 lakh apprentices in the fiscal year 2023-24. The number of women apprentices has notably increased, rising from 22,427 in 2018-19 to 1.48 lakh in FY 2022-23, reflecting a nearly 7-fold increase over five years.”

Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister, meets students,teachers in Singapore

May 30, 2023, 10:36 am

In order to understand more about the teaching-learning environment, pedagogy, and other topics, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Spectra Secondary School while on a three-day visit to Singapore. He spoke with students and teachers.”Happy to know that the school prioritises skills-based education and also focuses on encouraging learning at the pace suitable for every learner to prepare them for future workplaces,” Pradhan tweeted. On Monday, Pradhan met Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on strengthening the existing cooperation between India and Singapore with a focus on deepening engagements in skill development.
“Pleasure meeting DPM and Minister for Finance, Singapore, @LawrenceWongST. Fruitful discussions on strengthening the existing cooperation between India and Singapore and deepening engagements in skill development as well as technical and vocational education,” Union Minister tweeted.
He further added, “The emerging future is a world of unlimited opportunities. Both DPM @LawrenceWongST and I agreed to work together for mutual benefit, create opportunities for lifelong learning, build a future-ready workforce and also to make knowledge and skill development a key pillar of our strategic partnership.”
“During the meeting it was agreed to work together, aiming to create opportunities for lifelong learning, building a future-ready workforce, and making knowledge & skill development a key pillar of strategic partnership” Ministry said.The National Education Policy (NEP), according to Pradhan, was introduced by the Indian government in 2020 under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In particular, NEP 2020 is concentrating on giving middle school students early exposure to vocational education, assuring the marketability of training, and increasing the capability of our institutions to offer technical and vocational education.
He added that the government is investing in creating short- and long-term training programmes to offer chances for skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling, as well as working to integrate the higher education qualification framework with the skills qualifications framework.The minister emphasised the importance of cooperating, adapting Singapore’s best practises to India’s needs, and learning from their best practises.
The Minister of Trade and Industry for Singapore, Gan Kim Yong, and Dharmendra Pradhan had a thoughtful conversation. In order to build a seamless architecture for skilling and lifetime learning, the Ministers had fruitful discussions about how to deepen the connections between our skill development and vocational training. They also discussed ways in which India can use the talents and experience of Singapore to address shared challenges and improve the Indian skills ecosystem, building on the conclusions of the G20 Future of Work meeting in Bhubaneswar.

‘Sangams have been given great glory’, says PM Modi

November 19, 2022, 5:16 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Kashil Tamil Sangamam’ in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, referring to Tamil Nadu PM Modi said their century-old shared bond, Sangam, is as holy as of Ganga and Yamuna.

Addressing the people of Kashi PM Modi said, “On the one hand, Kashi is our cultural capital, covering the whole of India, and on the other hand, there is Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture, the center of India’s antiquity and pride.”

Talking about the ‘Sangams’ in our country PM Modi stated, “Sangams have been given great glory and importance in our country. From the Sangams of rivers to thoughts-ideologies, knowledge-science, and societies-cultures, we have celebrated every Sangam”.

During the inauguration, Uttar Pradesh’s Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were also present.

Besides inaugurating the month-long Kashil Tamil Sangamam, PM Modi will also release Tirukkural and Kashil-Tamil culture books on Saturday.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government officials, Tamil literature, education, culture, and cuisine will be showcased in the month-long Sangamam.

Meanwhile, till 16 December in the Kashil Tamil Sangamam 75 stalls will be set up which will show the culture, literature, food, handloom, handicraft, agriculture, and folk art of South India.

Moreover, nine prominent religious leaders of Tamil Nadu will be honored by PM Modi in which Shrimad Manikkavachak Tambiran, Swami Shivkar Desikar, Srilashree Satya Gyan Mahadev Deshik Paramcharya Swamigal, Shiv Prakash Desik Satya Gyan Pandar Sannadi, Sri Sivaganan Balaya Swamigal, Gyanprakash Desikar, Shivalingeshwar Swami Kandaswamy, Mayakrishnan Swamy and Muthu Sivaramaswami.

The opportunity will be given to scholars, philosophers, artists, researchers, students, traders, and artisans of both states.

However, this Sangamam is reflecting ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ which celebrates, reaffirms, and rediscovers the age-old links between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

Furthermore, to participate in the seminars, and site visits 2500 delegates will be arriving in Varanasi from Tamil Nadu. The two regions’ handlooms, handicrafts, ODOP (One district, one product) products, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history, and tourist places will be put in Kashi.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Union minister greets participants

November 19, 2022, 4:36 pm

The attendees of the month-long “Kashi Tamil Sangamam,” who arrived on a special train from Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) on Friday night, were greeted by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

As many as 216 people arrived on the train for the Sangamam, officials said. “Tamil Nadu & Kashi have age-old relations, there is no village in Tamil Nadu where Lord Shiva is not worshipped. This is Tamil Kartik month when all worshippers visit Shiv temples,” the union minister said while speaking to the media.
“Tamil Kashi Sangam Yatra has been organised to rejuvenate the relation,” he said.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are jointly organising the event.

The event, which began on November 17 and runs until December 16, aims to rekindle the connection between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. At this month-long conference, hundreds of delegates from Tamil Nadu are anticipated to attend.

“Kashi and Rameswaram are closely related. People can share their knowledge and culture. “To learn more about that antiquated culture,” a participant said.

“Amazing experience. We are very excited to be here. We thank IIT, Madras, IIT-BHU, and the Modi government for arranging everything,” another participant said.

Odisha: Home Minister Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan take part in ‘Tiranga Yatra’

August 8, 2022, 3:25 pm

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took part in ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Cuttack on Monday.

Moreover, Shah also offered prayers at the Shree Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar. After that Union Minister Shah visited the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Odia Bazar.

Earlier today, Shah and Pardhan both arrived at Bhubaneswar temple and were welcomed by locals and BJP workers.

Meanwhile, BJP leader will also attend the 75-anniversary event of the ‘Prajatantra’.

Earlier on Sunday, Home Minister Amit Shah attended the 7th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

The meeting includes issues related to agriculture, health, and the economy. This meeting of the council is held regularly.

However, the 7th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog is expected to pave the way for synergy between the Center and the States and Union Territories towards a new era of cooperation.