
French Ambassador meets Pinarayi, discusses future tie-ups
The French government will consider providing training including language classes to nurses to give them employment opportunities in France, Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India said during a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Thursday. Joint activities will be taken up with the Fisheries department to strengthen activities related to the Blue Economy. Representatives from France will participate in the conclave related to this to be held in September.
He said initiatives like Mane Kancor in Kerala are working well with French cooperation. Investments from French companies will be strengthened. Discussions in this regard have been held with the Industries Minister.
Ties with ISRO
Touching upon his country's strong ties with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he expressed interest in strengthening partnership in the defense and aerospace sectors. Opportunities for working together in the field of climate change will also be examined, he said. Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian and Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak were present.
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Indian Express
37 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Can't think of any postgraduate who hasn't been absorbed into some industry by end of course': asst prof at SPPU's Department of Foreign Languages
Written by Kavyaa Musurkar At the Department of Foreign Languages in Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), learning a new language is no longer just a leisurely pursuit. Over the years, the department has seen a shift in its student profile – from hobbyists to working professionals, students to senior citizens, all looking to boost their employability and global mobility. 'The demand keeps changing – some years it's one language, other years it's another,' said Dr Nandita Wagle, Assistant Professor, who has been teaching French and is associated with the department since 2013. 'During admissions, especially after Class 10 or 12, nearly all languages see demand, except perhaps Russian. However, in Pune, French, German, and Japanese continue to draw the most interest,' she added. The diversity of the department's student body reflects its growing relevance. Wagle mentioned that while most of those undergoing the various courses are students, they also have a substantial number of working professionals; in fact, many of the learners are above 50. 'Most professionals join because they view the course as an opportunity to enhance or even reshape their careers,' she said. In 1995, while working with Datapro Infoworld after completing his Computer Engineering from Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT), Pramod Karanjkar enrolled in the department's Japanese language part-time course. 'I was fortunate to be taught by Dr Hari Damale Sensei, who not only taught us the language but also shared his cultural experiences from Japan. He helped us understand the nuances of the language and the values behind it,' Karanjkar said. During his course, he was offered a position as a Bilingual Engineer in the Japan-focused division of Datamatics Ltd. 'Within six months, I was interacting with a Japanese client who visited India. Soon after, I flew to Japan for a new project. The education I received, both language and culture, helped me take that leap. I eventually got the opportunity to lead a dedicated Japan Offshore Development Centre in Pune,' he added. In the same batch as Karanjkar was Dattatray Sadashiv Warunkar, then in his 40s, who completed all three levels of the Japanese course between 1997 and 1999. He also credited Damale's teaching for shaping his understanding of the Japanese language and values. 'We got the chance to interact with many native Japanese speakers who visited the department. Through conversations with them, I learned so much about their discipline, dedication, humility, and above all, their love for their country. These are qualities I think Indian citizens can benefit from adopting,' he said. Warunkar went on to serve as Vice President of the Japanese Language Teachers' Association of Pune (JALTAP) for 15 years after completing the course. He fondly recalled how being in the classroom with younger students gave him a fresh outlook on life. 'I loved talking with them. They had so much energy and joy. It inspired me to take life lightly, to laugh more, and live happily. I learned as much from the students around me as I did from the curriculum,' he added. The department has adapted its curriculum and teaching methods in step with changing times. 'Our courses are updated regularly,' Wagle said, adding that 'Post-Covid, many classes moved online. We now run hybrid batches. Faculty members are trained in digital teaching tools utilising smart boards, online textbooks, and other resources. Students also have the option of choosing between paper and e-book formats.' She explained that language education today is deeply connected with real-world career needs. 'Earlier, people came to learn a language out of cultural interest. Today, it's seen as a skill that adds value to any career path,' she said, adding that 'for many, it opens doors to opportunities abroad, or adds a global edge to their current profession.' 'Teaching and translation are traditional options, but many also work in management, localisation, verification services, or with embassies and consulates,' Wagle further said. 'With the way the economy has opened up, language learners can find employment in a variety of roles. I can't think of a single postgraduate who hasn't been absorbed into some industry or the other by the end of the course,' she added. (Kavyaa Masurkar is an intern with The Indian Express)


NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
From Bahrain To Qatar, A Look At Key US Military Bases In Middle East
Tehran: Amid tensions spiralling in the Middle East, Iran has warned of "severe consequences" for the United States after the US military joined Israeli forces to strike three nuclear sites in Iran early on Sunday. Iranian state television said "every American citizen or military personnel" in West Asia was now on Tehran's "target" after US airstrikes on Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities. Hossein Shariatmadar, a close aide of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and managing editor of the hard-line Kayhan newspaper, wrote an editorial on Sunday calling on Iranian forces to strike the US naval fleet in Bahrain and close the Strait of Hormuz for American, British, German, and French ships. "It is now our turn to act without delay. As a first step, we must launch a missile strike on the US naval fleet in Bahrain and simultaneously close the Strait of Hormuz to American, British, German, and French ships," he wrote. Shariatmadari's editorial followed a warning from Khamenei himself, who earlier cautioned the United States of "severe consequences" for its military intervention. While Iran plans its next move, NDTV looks at key US military bases in the Middle East that could be on Iranian target as the Pentagon braced for almost-certain retaliation against American forces in the region. Across the Middle East, the US has reportedly stationed over 40,000 troops on American bases and warships in the region-- which fall under the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM). The major concentrations of US forces in the region are in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Key US Bases In The Middle East Bahrain: The US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command are headquartered in Bahrain-- a tiny Gulf kingdom that remains the United States' critical asset in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain's deep-water port can dock some of the largest US military vessels, including aircraft carriers. It is home to America's four anti-mine vessels and two logistical support ships. The US Coast Guard also has vessels in the country, according to The Times OF Israel report. The base has been used by the US Navy since 1948, when the facility was operated by Britain's Royal Navy. Qatar: Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East, is in Qatar. The base reportedly includes the forward components of CENTCOM, as well as its air forces and special operation forces in the region. It also hosts America's rotating combat aircraft, as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. Iraq: The United States has various troop installations in Iraq, including the Al Asad Air Base in Al-Anbar Governorate and Al Harir Air Base in Erbil. Baghdad is not only Washington's close ally since after 2003 war, but also Tehran's arch enemy in the region. The Middle Eastern nation houses some 2,500 US troops as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group. Iran targeted the Al Asad Air Base in 2020 after the killing of Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani. The Al Harir Air Base has also been on the receiving end of Iranian proxy group drone attacks Syria: For years, the US has maintained a military presence at various installations in Syria as part of international efforts against the Islamic State group, which rose out of the country's civil war and overran large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq for years. America's Al Tanf Garrison is housed in southern Syria, near the borders of Iraq and Jordan. Kuwait: Kuwait has several US bases, including Ali al-Salem Air Base, located about 20 miles from the Iraqi border, that houses members of the Air Force's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. The base is the "primary airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces" in the region. It also has Camp Arifjan, the location of the forward headquarters for the US Army component of CENTCOM. The US Army reportedly also stocks prepositioned materiel in the country. UAE: America's Al Dhafra Air Base is located in the United Arab Emirates. The installation is home to the Air Force's 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which operates F-22 Raptor fighter jets and several kinds of surveillance planes and drones, including MQ-9 Reapers. Al Dhafra also hosts the Gulf Air Warfare Centre for air and missile defence training.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'Any attempt to close Strait of Homuz ...': Former Treasury official flags Iran, Houthi reaction
Washington DC: "...Any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz right now will be met with probably unbelievable force from the United States. Now that this has started, it's not that difficult to imagine the French or the Brits coming in to clear the lanes... I see the Iranians as being absolutely suicidal if they go down this route, and I do get a sense that we could be at a pivotal moment here. It doesn't mean that Iran won't try to attack, but I think asymmetrically is much more likely than through conventional means.., "says Jonathan Schanzer, a former US Treasury official and terror finance analyst, when asked about the impact if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Show more Show less