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Empowered by Business Blaster, Punjab Govt School students rewrite their destiny

July 4, 2025, 10:21 pm

In a powerful story of dreams, determination, and innovation rising from humble beginnings, government school students from across Punjab are set to showcase their entrepreneurial creations at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar on July 5. This isn’t a typical school exhibition. It’s a live demonstration of what happens when the right policy meets raw talent and passion.

Nearly 50 teams of government school students — many from families of daily wage labourers and marginal backgrounds — will pitch their startups before a gathering of industrialists, potential investors, and mentors. The event is part of the Punjab Government’s ambitious ‘Business Blaster Young Entrepreneur’ programme, which has become a launchpad for young innovators in the state’s public education system.

A Seed of Change

Launched in 2022 as a pilot project, the Business Blaster scheme was introduced to instil entrepreneurial thinking in school students, going beyond textbook education. Initially rolled out in just 32 government senior secondary schools across 9 districts, the programme reached 11,041 students in its first year. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, the Punjab School Education Department expanded the initiative statewide.

In the 2024–25 academic session, the programme has now touched 1,920 government schools and engaged over 1.38 lakh Class 12 students, of whom 52,050 have been shortlisted based on their project ideas, feasibility, and innovation. Each selected student received ₹2,000 as seed funding to kick-start their business idea.

A Minister’s Vision

“This programme is not just about business – it’s about confidence, about a mindset shift,” said Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, speaking ahead of the IIT Ropar event. “We are seeing children of masons, farm labourers, and migrant workers dreaming of becoming job creators, not job seekers. That is the real revolution.”

Bains added that 7,500 teams had been selected through a rigorous evaluation process that involved concept pitches, product demonstrations, and community feedback.

To ensure these student ventures are adequately supported, the Education Department has allocated ₹10.40 crore this year, with ₹9.38 crore already disbursed to 46,910 students. The remaining amount is under process.

Stories of Innovation: From Railways to Reality

Among the many projects that will be showcased at IIT Ropar is Protect Plus — a women’s safety device developed by a team of eight boys from GSSS Boys School in Ferozepur, led by Manthan, a Class 12 student. The seed for this innovation was sown back in 2020, when Manthan, then just a schoolboy, was travelling in a train and saw a man harassing a female passenger. The incident left him disturbed and helpless. That moment etched in his memory turned into a mission.

With ₹16,000 in funding from the Business Blaster scheme, Manthan and his teammates — Gurkirat Singh, Amandeep Singh, Sukhman Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Kamaldeep Singh, and Gurmeet Singh — designed a multi-utility safety stick branded as Protect Plus, which includes a provision to deliver an electric shock to a predator. This device is intended to empower women in vulnerable situations and act as a deterrent against harassment. Their product is more than a symbolic gesture — it’s a real, functional safety tool designed with purpose, empathy, and usability in mind.

“We didn’t just want to make something to show. We wanted to create something that could protect someone’s life,” said Manthan.

Wheels of Change: An Electric Dream

Then there’s Arjun Chaudhary, a 12th pass-out from Lamini Government School in Pathankot, who scored 89% in Vocational Electrical. His parents work as daily wage labourers, and until recently, Arjun never imagined he could dream of starting a business. But with the seed money and motivation provided by the Business Blaster programme, Arjun and his team transformed a simple cycle into a fully functional e-cycle.

The e-cycle, which features a battery, motor, controller, LED lights, and a range of up to 70 km at a speed of 25 km/hr, is not just a prototype. With a 5-year battery life and a 10-year motor guarantee, it is a serious product. Already, the team has received 15 confirmed orders for more such cycles — turning a school project into a budding business.

“I always thought only rich people can start companies,” Arjun told The Daily Guardian. “But when the government trusted us with even ₹2,000, we realised someone believes in us. That belief made the real difference.”

Sweet Success: From Fox Nuts to Fragrances

Gagandeep Kaur and her team decided to take a different route. They created healthy alternatives to commercial chocolates, crafting fox nut chocolates and khoya chocolates that not only taste good but promote health and local ingredients.

“We want to give people something they can enjoy without guilt,” said Gagandeep, who feels their business also supports farmers indirectly by using locally-sourced materials.

Herbal Soaps with organic frangrances

Then there’s JhanviDhami, an 18-year-old student from School of Eminence, Amloh, who launched her startup named ‘Herbal Heaven’. With a team of two and ₹16,000 in funding, Jhanvi began producing handmade herbal soaps using rose, neem, aloe vera, and turmeric. Their soaps, which have already seen over 160 units sold, are not only fragrant but also therapeutic.

“Herbal Heaven is not just a business to us — it’s a cause,” Jhanvi said. “We want people to feel proud of using Indian ingredients that heal, not harm.”

According to officials from the Punjab Education Department, the Business Blaster initiative is not about producing the next unicorn startup overnight. Instead, it is about building entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence in young students.

“These students learn real-world lessons — from budgeting, product development, marketing to teamwork and public speaking,” said a senior officer involved in programme implementation. “This learning is priceless, especially for children who never imagined they could take such bold steps.”

Another key outcome is financial literacy. Students manage their seed money, track profits and losses, and learn reinvestment principles — often for the first time in their lives.

The event at IIT Ropar is expected to bring industry stakeholders, startup mentors, and angel investors into direct contact with these young innovators. “If even a few products catch the eye of industry leaders, we’ll see students being incubated, mentored, and taken forward — and that’s exactly what we aim for,” Bains added.

The Punjab government is also considering institutionalising the Business Blaster programme by creating incubation spaces in selected government schools, partnering with higher education institutions, and creating a state-backed fund for student entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, the excitement among the students is palpable. From designing promotional posters to rehearsing their product pitches, the participants are treating the IIT event as a real business opportunity, not just an academic exercise.

“I used to think only people in Delhi or Bengaluru could do startups,” said Manthan. “But now I know — even a boy from Ferozepur, who once just watched helplessly, can build something that matters.”

IN A NUTSHELL

 Empowering Students: Punjab’s Business Blaster Young Entrepreneurprogramme is transforming government school students into budding entrepreneurs by nurturing innovation and self-belief.

 Massive Participation: From just 32 schools in 2022, the programme now spans 1,920 schools, engaging over 1.38 lakh Class 12 students across Punjab.

 Seed Funding Support: Each selected student received ₹2,000 to develop their startup idea. This year, ₹9.38 crore has already been disbursed to over 46,000 students.

 Pitch at IIT Ropar: Nearly 50 student-led startup teams will pitch live at IIT Ropar on July 5 to industrialists, investors, and mentors — a real opportunity beyond the classroom.

 Protect Plus Innovation: A team from Ferozepur designed a women’s safety stick that can deliver an electric shock to deter attackers, inspired by a disturbing real-life incident.

 Electric Cycle Venture: Arjun Chaudhary, son of daily wage labourers, built a working e-cycle with a 70 km range and has already received 15 orders.

 Healthy Chocolates Startup:Gagandeep Kaur’s team created fox nut and khoya chocolates, offering healthy, local alternatives to mass-market treats.

 Herbal Heaven Soaps:JhanviDhami developed handmade soaps using neem, rose, aloe vera, and turmeric. Over 160 units have been sold so far.

 Real-World Learning: Students gain hands-on experience in budgeting, product design, marketing, teamwork, and public speaking — vital entrepreneurial skills.

 Financial Literacy: Managing seed funds, tracking profits and reinvestments gives students, often first-generation learners, a practical grasp of money management.

 Policy with Purpose: Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains highlights the programme’s aim — shifting mindsets from job-seeking to job-creating, especially for students from marginalised backgrounds.

 Future Vision: The Punjab government plans to institutionalise the initiative through school-based incubation hubs, higher education partnerships, and a dedicated entrepreneurship fund.

Over 40 Bihar Students Prove Their Mettle Again in JEE Mains 2025

April 21, 2025, 7:12 pm

Over 40 students from Patwa Toli, a village in Bihar’s Gaya district famous for churning out IITians, have made it to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains Session 2 in 2025. Their achievement is keeping the tradition of this village alive, which is popularly referred to as Bihar’s “IIT factory.

The results announced on April 19 make the students eligible for the May 18 JEE Advanced examination. Of this year’s achievers, 28 are from Vriksha Sansthan, a free coaching program for economically backward children, especially weaver family children.

Vriksha Sansthan’s Role in Nurturing Talent

Vriksha Sansthan, founded in 2013 by ex-IITians, has played a significant role in mentoring low-income students from Patwa Toli to top engineering colleges. The center offers free coaching for competitive exams such as JEE, allowing many poor students to aspire big.

Among them is Sagar Kumar, who achieved 94.8 percentile. He explained how Vriksha Sansthan helped him after losing his father at birth.

I wish to work for the nation by becoming an engineer. I received help from Vriksha Sansthan, which labors for weaver children of Patwa Toli. I studied there and succeeded,” Sagar informed ETV Bharat.

Another success story, Pratik, whose father is a gatekeeper at IIM Bodh Gaya, attained 96.35 percentile, whereas Asmita Kumari got 91.82 percentile under economic difficulties.

Shubham Kumar from Jamui shifted to Patwa Toli in preparation for the exam. By persistent hard work and devotion, he too passed JEE Mains.

Patwa Toli Top Scorers

Below are top village scorers in JEE Mains 2025:

Sharanya – 99.64 percentile
Alok – 97.7 percentile
Shaurya – 97.53 percentile
Yash Raj – 97.38 percentile
Shubham – 96.7 percentile
Pratik – 96.35 percentile
Ketan – 96.00 percentile
Nivas – 95.7 percentile
Gaurika Yadav – 95.1 percentile
Sagar Kumar – 94.8 percentile

From Weaving Looms to Engineering Dreams

Patwa Toli was once famous mostly for its colorful handloom business and was popularly referred to as the “Manchester of Bihar.” That changed in 1991, when Jitendra Patwa became the first villager to get into IIT. His success ignited a revolution in the aspirations of the community.

Jitendra is now based in the United States and still contributes to his community through his non-profit organization, Vriksh We The Change, which helps mold the future of young dreamers from his village.

The IIT dream has reached almost every family since then. With a population of approximately 20,000, the village now churns out dozens of engineers annually, cementing its image as an academic powerhouse.

Delhi: AIIMS, IIT, UCL Announce Trilaterial Partnership to Advance MedTech Innovation

November 22, 2024, 8:29 pm

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and University College London (UCL) have announced a pioneering partnership aimed at advancing innovation in medical technology. This trilateral collaboration, launched on November 22, 2024, will combine the expertise of these leading institutions to create transformative solutions in healthcare.

Partnership Focus: Tackling Global Health Challenges

The partnership is designed to address some of the world’s most significant health and societal challenges, including air pollution, climate change, and rising healthcare needs. Through this collaboration, the institutions will focus on advancing medical technology in areas such as detection, diagnostics, imaging, medical devices, assistive technologies, and digital health. The partnership will also look to integrate artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum computing, and advanced surgical interventions to improve patient care and health outcomes globally.

The collaboration will leverage the institutions’ combined strengths in medicine, engineering, and global policy to develop interdisciplinary solutions that address both the technological and socio-economic aspects of healthcare. AIIMS, IIT Delhi, and UCL will also work on joint research programs, workshops, conferences, and publications, fostering greater international collaboration in the medical technology field.

Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership

Professor M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, hailed the partnership as a transformative step in tackling the world’s pressing health challenges. He emphasized that combining expertise in medical science, engineering, and policy would provide a robust platform for MedTech innovation. “We aim to set new benchmarks in medical technology and interdisciplinary research while improving patient care delivery,” said Professor Srinivas.

Dr. Michael Spence, President and Provost of UCL, expressed excitement over the partnership, highlighting the power of international collaboration to address global challenges. “We are honoured to work with AIIMS and IIT Delhi to create impactful solutions that will make a real difference in people’s lives,” he said.

The collaboration was formalized with a signing ceremony and a visit to the mPRAGATI facility at IIT Delhi, a national centre focused on the development of medical devices and technologies. This partnership, while UCL has had bilateral collaborations with both AIIMS and IIT Delhi in the past, marks the first time the three institutions are working together.

The partnership will also include staff and student exchanges and joint programs to further bolster research and development in the field of medical technology.

The collaboration aims to contribute significantly to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professors from AIIMS and IIT Delhi recently featured on UCL’s podcast “Unlocking the SDGs: A Blueprint for the Future,” where they discussed innovative projects aimed at tackling SDG challenges with community-based approaches.

This trilateral partnership underscores the growing role of international cooperation in solving complex global issues, particularly in the field of healthcare and technology.

Meet The IIT Engineer Who Jumped From Indian Railways To SpaceX: LinkedIn Buzz

October 15, 2024, 4:29 pm

The internet has found inspiration in Sanjeev Sharma, a mechanical engineer and IIT Roorkee graduate, whose career path from a government job in Indian Railways to a key position at Elon Musk’s SpaceX—has captured attention on LinkedIn. His incredible journey showcases not just professional growth but a testament to hard work, continuous learning, and bold career shifts.

From Indian Railways to Higher Education

Sanjeev Sharma began his career with Indian Railways after graduating from IIT Roorkee. He served as a Divisional Mechanical Engineer for four years before being promoted to Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1994. Sharma worked for a little over 11 years in this role before seeking new challenges. In 2002, he decided to pursue further education and enrolled in a one-year MS program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, which he completed in 2003.

A Shift to Tech and Aerospace

After his studies, Sharma transitioned to the private sector, joining Seagate Technology as a Staff Mechanical Engineer. He rose to the position of Senior Mechanical Engineer in 2008, while also earning an MS in Management of Technology from the University of Minnesota. He worked at Seagate for five years, gaining invaluable experience before his next major career leap—joining SpaceX.

In 2013, Sharma began his journey with SpaceX as a Dynamics Engineer, where he played a crucial role in structural dynamics, working closely with teams in aerodynamics, propulsion, and thermal engineering. His contributions were key to the recovery and reusability of the first-stage booster from the Falcon 9 flight F9-005 to F9-0059.

Leading in Drone Technology and Returning to SpaceX

In 2018, Sharma moved to Matternet Inc., a leader in commercial drone delivery systems, where he led vehicle engineering and later headed the technology division. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the company’s technological direction. After two years, Sharma returned to SpaceX in 2022, this time as a Principal Engineer for Starship Dynamics, based in Hawthorne, California.

Inspiring Career of Growth and Innovation

Sanjeev Sharma’s career, spanning across sectors from railways to aerospace, is a testament to his adaptability, expertise, and leadership. His LinkedIn profile highlights his experience in diverse hardware teams and electro-mechanical systems design, making him an inspiration to many in the engineering and tech world.

With a background rooted in hard work and ambition, Sharma’s journey from Indian Railways to working on reusable rockets for SpaceX has set a benchmark for aspiring professionals, showing that career evolution knows no limits.

Watch: Teen Discovers He’s Talkin To IITians After Giving Academic Advice For 12 Minutes Straight, Video Goes Viral

September 28, 2024, 1:42 pm

An unsuspecting schoolboy received a surprise when he discovered that the students he had been advising for 12 minutes were actually from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. A video of this interaction, which took place on a random chat service called Ome TV, has gone viral on the Reddit community JEENEETarts. This subreddit is dedicated to India’s popular entrance exams, JEE and NEET, offering both serious guidance and lighthearted discussions.

The interaction began with the boy discussing the challenges faced by the students, whom he believed to be in class 10. He mentioned that they found trigonometry difficult and noted that their syllabus was less challenging than that of class 11. He advised the students to memorize the NCERT Exemplar for Mathematics and suggested that pretending to be one’s own teacher was an effective learning strategy, all while the undergraduate students struggled to hold back their laughter.

Watch the viral video:

IIT Guwahati Students trolling a 2026tard
byu/Sufficient_Ear7484 inJEENEETards

Eventually, the IIT students decided to hint at their true identities. It wasn’t until one of them introduced himself as Tarun, who achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 125 in JEE Main 2022, that the schoolboy looked him up and realized he was from IIT Guwahati. Upon realizing he had been tricked, the schoolboy promptly exited the chat.

In the video’s comments section, one Reddit user remarked, “Why the kid is acting like India’s got latent contestant Naman Arora? Too much cringe tbh.” Another user added, “Worst baat ye hai ki ye mere school ka junior h.”

115 IIT Students Died Over 20 Years, Madras Records Highest Toll With 26, Bombay 10

May 2, 2024, 2:42 pm

Information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by Dheeraj Singh, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and founder of the Global IIT Alumni Support Group, has revealed that at least 115 students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have died by suicide since 2005. Among these, 98 deaths occurred on campus, with 56 being by hanging, while 17 were off campus.

According to the data, from 2005 to 2024, IIT Madras had the highest number of recorded deaths at 26, followed by 18 at IIT Kanpur, 13 at IIT Kharagpur, and 10 at IIT Bombay. Five deaths have been recorded this year.

Singh filed an RTI application after the passing of Darshan Solanki, an IIT Bombay student on February 12, 2023. The application sought data regarding the deaths of IIT students nationwide over the previous two decades. “The higher education department, which comes under the Union Ministry of Education, initially rejected my application and asked me to file separate RTIs for individual institutes,” Singh stated. “After an appeal, the ministry instructed all IITs to share the data.”

During eight months, Singh received data from only 13 out of the 23 IITs. “I received some data from the RTI response,” he stated. “I also collected data from authentic sources in the public domain, which included National Crime Record Bureau statistics and answers to questions posed in Parliament.”

Numerous suicides by IIT students, which have garnered significant attention and raised widespread concern, have occurred over the past year. “I just want to highlight the huge pressure on students in the premier institutes of the country,” Singh emphasized the need for substantial measures to address the academic and social pressures faced by IIT students. “There is an urgent need to reform IIT education to make it less stressful for students, faculty, and parents.”

Following Solanki’s death, internal surveys conducted by several IIT student organizations revealed that 61% of respondents attributed student deaths to academic stress. This was trailed by job insecurity (12%), family problems (10%), and harassment (6%). Eleven percent of students selected the ‘Other Reasons’ category.

After Solanki’s death, the University Grants Commission (UGC) initiated various measures and urged universities to prioritize the health, welfare, and psychological well-being of students on campus by promoting physical fitness and sports. Additionally, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government introduced the Manodarpan program to provide psychological support for the mental and emotional well-being of students, teachers, and families.

The government has recommended institutions to “robust” their systems, encompassing prevention, detection, and remedial measures to tackle potential causes of suicides. However, emails sent by HT to the joint secretary (IITs) and secretary in the department of higher education remained unanswered.

IIT-Bombay implemented a preventive measure by eliminating one subject per year for first-year students following a decision made during the IIT-Bombay senate meeting last year, which occurred after Solanki’s tragic suicide. Officials at IIT-Bombay stated that this action aims to alleviate pressure on incoming students and provide them with additional leisure time to acclimate to campus life.

A senior professor at IIT highlighted that while students secure admission to the IITs through intense competition, they subsequently encounter substantial pressures from both the institution and society. “Whether they come from impoverished or affluent backgrounds, students encounter similar societal pressures of doing well,” he stated. “We must address sensitive issues at both institutional and societal levels that can help alleviate the mental strain on students.”

A former professor at IIT-B observed that students who gained admission to the IITs were effectively trained to excel in the Joint Entrance Exam. “But once they reach IIT, there is no spoon-feeding and they have to be good learners,” he stated. “After some unfortunate incidents, IIT decided to cut down academic pressure and chalk out mental health programs.”

The professor also highlighted the global economic downturn and diminished job placement prospects. “In the last few years, placements at all IITs are not on par,” he stated. “Final-year students also succumb to the stress and pressure of placements.”

Farooq Abdullah hails PM Modi for launching electric train in J&K

February 20, 2024, 2:51 pm

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the inaugural electric train in the Kashmir Valley and initiated the train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah expressed gratitude for the initiative. He acknowledged the significance of the rail connection for tourism and local residents, underscoring its positive impact on transportation and the supply chain. Farooq Abdullah conveyed congratulations to the Railway Ministry and PM Modi, underscoring the importance of this step for regional progress.

During his visit to Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects with a total worth exceeding Rs 32,000 crore. The Prime Minister officially unveiled the IIT Jammu complex, equipped with 52 labs, 104 faculty offices, and 27 lecture halls, including hostel facilities for approximately 1,450 students. Additionally, he inaugurated 20 new buildings for Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and 13 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) across the country, significantly contributing to meeting educational needs.

The dedicated projects encompassed the permanent campuses of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIITDM Kurnool, and the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Kanpur. Furthermore, two campuses of Central Sanskrit University in Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and Agartala (Tripura) were inaugurated. The combined value of these educational initiatives dedicated by PM Modi amounts to Rs 13,375 crore.

In continuation of these events, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also slated to inaugurate the campus of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu on Tuesday.

Jammu and Kashmir: Security Increased Ahead Of PM Modi’s Visit

February 20, 2024, 11:07 am

Security in Jammu and Kashmir was heightened on Tuesday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit.

PM Modi is set to launch, dedicate, and lay the groundwork for several infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 30,500 crore, including those in education, railway, aviation, and roads.

Earlier, Dr. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu, said that the Prime Minister would officially open the IIT Jammu facility.
He stated that the academic facility has 52 laboratories, 104 faculty offices, and 27 lecture halls.

“On Tuesday, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the complex in virtual mode. The academic complex has 52 labs, 104 faculty offices…and 27 lecture halls…The campus has hostel facilities for around 1,450 students…More than 1,400 students have been registered in various programmes currently,” IIT Jammu Director told ANI on Monday.

PM Modi is expected to inaugurate and lay the groundwork for numerous development projects totaling more than Rs 32,000 crore when he arrives at Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium.

He will launch three new IIM campuses throughout the country: IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, and IIM Visakhapatnam.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi will also inaugurate 20 new Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) buildings and 13 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) around the country.

“Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for five Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses, one Navodaya Vidyalaya campus and five Multipurpose Hall for Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. These newly constructed KVs and NVs buildings will play an important role in meeting the educational needs of students across the country,” PMO said in a statement.

The nation’s projects include permanent campuses of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, and IIITDM Kurnool; the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS), a pioneer skill training institute for advanced technologies, located in Kanpur; and two Central Sanskrit University campuses in Devprayag (Uttarakhand) and Agartala (Tripura).

Prime Minister Modi will devote a total of Rs 13,375 crore to educational projects.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also open the campus of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu on Tuesday.

Education as tool for emotion understanding: CM Yogi

May 30, 2023, 5:03 pm

During an interaction with students from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, Kerala and Lakshadweep, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed that education serves as a pathway to comprehend emotions.

As many as 45 students from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, Kerala, and Lakshadweep met CM Yogi Adityanath for the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam’ at his official residence, 5 Kalidas Marg.

According to an official statement, out of the total 45 students present, 10 of them hail from Lakshadweep while the remaining 35 are from Kerala. The statement further mentioned that among the attendees, there were 25 boys and 20 girls.

During his interaction with students, CM Yogi addressed all the concerns of students and said that with the inspiration of PM Modi, the Ministry of Education has started this novel experiment. “Shankaracharya, who is also from Kerala, where you are from, arrived here many years ago and established four ‘maths’,” said CM Yogi.

Ensuring holistic growth with rise in higher education institutions: Centre

April 22, 2023, 7:56 pm

By encouraging the construction of universities, IITs, IIMs, and other akin institutions around the nation, the Centre has taken important steps to improve gateways to education for the youth.

In the past nine years, the number of institutions in the nation has significantly increased, according to a formal announcement made on Saturday. In 2023, there will be 1,113 institutions, up from 723 in 2014. Similar to how there were 16 IITs and 13 IIMs in 2014, there will be 23 and 20 IITs and IIMs, respectively, in 2023.

“Furthermore, 5,298 colleges have been built in the last 9 years (up from 38,498 in 2014 to 43,796 in 2023), which has led to increased access to education for students across the country,” the official release said. “It is noteworthy that 43 per cent of universities and 61.4 per cent of colleges are located in Rural Areas” an official with the Ministry of Education stated.

He further said that the government has also expanded the number of IITs and IIMs across the country. With 7 IITs and 7 IIMs built in the last 9 years, the government has ensured enhanced opportunities for students to pursue higher education.

“Overall, the progressive institutional structure has played a vital role in the development of India’s education system. Their focus on high-quality education, research and innovation has helped to position India as a global player in various fields” he added.

‘Suicide’ at IIT Bombay: Probe transferred to Crime Branch as kin allege foul play

February 28, 2023, 12:24 pm

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 28 : According to the investigation into the suicide of an 18-year-old IIT-Bombay student, who jumped to her death from her hostel’s seventh floor on February 12, was transferred to Special Investigation Team (SIT), Mumbai Crime Branch on Monday.
The team will be led by Lakhmi Gautam, joint commissioner of police, Mumbai Crime Branch. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Krishnakant Upadhyay and Assistant Commissioner of Police Jai Prakash Bhosale are also part of the team, Mumbai Police said. “The suicide case of an 18-year-old student of IIT Bombay transferred to SIT Crime Branch. Jt Commissioner of Police (crime) Lakhmi Gautam to lead the team. The student had jumped off the 7th floor of his hostel earlier this month. His family had alleged caste-based harassment,” Mumbai Police said in a statement.
On February 12, the student, identified as 18-year-old Darshan Solanki jumped to death from the seventh floor of his hostel.
Powai police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in the matter and launched for further investigation.
Hailing from Ahmedabad, Darshan was pursuing BTech at the IIT Bombay in Mumbai.
As soon as the information about the suicide was received, the police reached the spot and took him to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead.
Darshan’s family claimed that he faced caste discrimination at IIT Bombay and they suspected some foul play behind his death. Later, his family demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
IIT Bombay issued a statement strongly refuting news reports that said the first-year B-Tech student was subjected to caste discrimination on the day the student was found dead.
“It is wrong to make such accusations when the police are still investigating the case. Based on initial inputs from friends, there is no indication that the student faced any such discrimination. We request that such unfounded allegations not be spread,” the institute said in the statement.
Solanki, Darshan’s father claimed that his son could not have taken his own life.
“He must have been harassed and I fear that he was killed,” he added.
He alleged that darshan had complained about caste discrimination, but no one listened to him.
Darshan’s sister Jahnvi also said the family is “100 per cent sure that he was murdered”.
“First, they told us that Darshan met with an accident When our relatives reached Mumbai, they were told that he fell down the stairs. Later, we were told that he jumped off the 7th floor of his hostel. How can there be three different versions on his death?” Jahnvi said.
She said some students might have hit him on the head, which resulted in his death.
“We are 100 per cent sure he was murdered,” she said, claiming that the police and the IIT Bombay management were making up a suicide story to shield the culprits.

IIT Jodhpur researchers develop catalytic materials to produce high-purity hydrogen

November 28, 2022, 3:29 pm

To create high-purity hydrogen through artificial photosynthesis, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur have created perovskite nanocomposite materials based on lanthanides. In the patented process, the scientists employed solar energy to transform water into hydrogen and oxygen while using a highly recyclable catalyst built on a straightforward, inexpensive transition metal.
“In the patented method, the researchers used natural sunlight to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen using a highly recyclable catalyst based on low-cost, simple transition metal. Dr Rakesh K Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Jodhpur, is the Principal Investigator of this project,” as per IIT Jodhpur. “The team has now developed a series of catalysts which can efficiently produce hydrogen under ambient conditions. The end application of this research lies in the industries, automobile and energy sectors” IIT Jodhpur said in a Statement.
The statement further said that Hydrogen-based energy is the only viable source for a green and sustainable future.
Hydrogen is expensive and out of the reach of the average person because more than 90% of its source comes from petroleum feedstock. The research group at IIT Jodhpur is looking for a reliable source for producing hydrogen. The IIT Jodhpur team’s invention just requires sunlight as an external energy source.
Highlighting the significance of the research, Dr Rakesh K Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Jodhpur, said, “Development of indigenous sustainable catalyst for large scale green hydrogen production is benchmark innovation for next generation happiness.”

IIT Kanpur condoles death of Ph.D. student Prasant Singh

September 7, 2022, 4:17 pm

The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur condoled the death of Ph.D. student Prasant Singh on Wednesday.

“IIT Kanpur condoles untimely and unfortunate demise of Ph.D. student Prasant Singh. At about 8.30 pm on Sept 6, he was found hanging from his room’s ceiling; pronounced dead when taken to Institute’s health center; police probe awaited to determine likely reason for suicide,” IIT Kanpur said.

A resident of Hall 8 called the institute security section when Prashant Singh’s room was locked from the inside and was unresponsive to knocks.

In a statement, IIT said, “When the Institute’s administrators forcibly opened the door, they discovered Prasant Singh hanging from the ceiling with the help of a bedsheet.”

Moreover, Prasant Singh was taken to the health center of the institute but all the physicians called him dead.

“The police forensic team came that same evening and began their investigations. Prasant Singh’s body was taken to the Mortuary of Hallet Hospital,” the institute stated.

However, Prasant Singh was a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and was enrolled at IIT Kanpur in 2019. The institute statement also said a talented student and aspiring scientist is lost.