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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
President inaugurates Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan on 67th birthday
Dehradun: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday inaugurated part of the Presidential Retreat in Dehradun, now renamed Rashtrapati Niketan, on her 67th birthday and Rashtrapati Tapovan which will be open for public viewing from June 24. The president, who is on a three-day visit to Uttarakhand that began Thursday, also laid the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre public garden at Rashtrapati Niketan. She also visited the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) and was moved to tears when a group of visually impaired children sang for her on her birthday. Union Minister for social justice and empowerment, Virendra Kumar was also present on the occasion. "The progress of a country or society can be judged by the way it treats persons with disabilities," she said. "India's history is full of inspiring incidents of sensitivity and inclusiveness. Elements of human compassion and love have always been present in our culture and civilisation. Through the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which focuses on creating an accessible physical, transport, information, and communication ecosystem, the govt is striving for empowerment and equal participation of the divyangjan. " She added, "Today's era is one of science and technology. With the help of advanced tools, even people with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the mainstream. Society must support and encourage them in every sphere." Later, Murmu inaugurated the Rashtrapati Niketan in the presence of Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) and chief minister Dhami. She also released a postage stamp marking 125 years of the Raj Bhavan in Nainital. The 172-acre Presidential Estate has been transformed from an exclusive retreat into a public space celebrating biodiversity, heritage, and sustainability. Established in 1838 as a camp for the Governor General's Bodyguard, the estate later served as a private retreat for India's presidents. For decades, its serene orchards, colonial stables, and forest trails remained off-limits to the public till the creation of Rashtrapati Niketan, Rashtrapati Tapovan, and Rashtrapati Udyan. Spread across 21 acres, Niketan blends natural beauty with heritage. It now features a 200-seat amphitheatre and visitor amenities designed to foster cultural engagement and reflection. Its corridors showcase curated archival photographs from the Presidential Archives, offering glimpses into key moments of India's history and the evolving role of the presidency. The presidential rooms have been adorned with Uttarakhand's traditional art including Pahari miniatures, Aipan designs, and local crafts reflecting the region's cultural richness. Rashtrapati Tapovan, developed in collaboration with the Uttarakhand forest department, is a serene forest zone inspired by India's ancient tradition of learning in nature. It features silent zones, forest trails, meditation huts, shaded pergolas, and hosts 117 plant species, 52 butterflies, 41 bird species, and seven wild mammals, including protected species. Natural bamboo groves and undisturbed woodland ecosystems enrich the landscape. While Tapovan will open to the public on June 24 while Niketan will open on July 1. Biodiversity conservation lies at the core of the experience. Visitors can join expert-led walks to explore native medicinal plants, understand forest ecology, and learn from local ecological knowledge. Rashtrapati Udyan, for which the president laid a foundation stone, is a 132-acre sustainable public park designed through public consultation. It will include walking and cycling tracks, butterfly domes, an 800-seat amphitheatre, an aviary, and boating zones. Intended as a green lung for Dehradun, it also aims to serve as a national symbol of environmental responsibility. Officials said biodiversity restoration is central across all three zones. Native trees have been replanted, degraded grasslands left untouched to encourage pollinators, and wetlands revived to support amphibians, birds, and aquatic life. Interpretive boards throughout the estate explain these efforts: how the estate's microclimate supports the Doon Valley watershed, why native bees are vital for agriculture, and how small ecological interventions can have lasting impact. Heritage and ecology come together here to create a space that is intellectually enriching, emotionally grounding, and environmentally conscious. A book documenting the biodiversity of Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan, and Udyan was also released on the occasion. It catalogues over 300 species of flora and 170 species of fauna, including butterflies, birds, and mammals found across the estate.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
NCERT to revise curriculum to improve access for children with disabilities
In a move to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has signed a tripartite agreement with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).The agreement, signed on Wednesday in the presence of Union Ministers Virendra Kumar and Dharmendra Pradhan, aims to create a more accessible and inclusive education system in line with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) part of the collaboration, NIOS will begin recognising special schools run by NGOs under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) as Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Disabled (SAIEDs). These schools will offer a range of academic and vocational courses, including open basic education and senior secondary programmes. NIOS will manage all aspects related to admissions, exams, study materials, and exam accommodations for these support this initiative, NCERT will work on reviewing and adapting textbooks and curriculum content to make them more inclusive and accessible for students with disabilities. The changes will ensure that the learning materials align with NEP 2020 Minister Virendra Kumar said that every child, regardless of ability, deserves a chance at education. "This agreement reflects the government's vision that inclusive education is a right for all children," he Minister Dharmendra Pradhan echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of education in building a fair and aware society. He added that improving school infrastructure, including accessible toilets, will be a key focus area to reduce dropout rates amongst children with Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal underlined the government's efforts to widen access to quality education for students with disabilities, even in top institutions like IITs and also appreciated NIOS's recent move to introduce Indian Sign Language as a subject at the secondary Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, stressed the need to ensure that every child with a disability completes their ensure smooth implementation of this initiative, a Joint Coordination Committee comprising members from DEPwD, NIOS, and NCERT will be formed.(With PTI inputs)Must Watch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre signs MoU to advance inclusive education for children with disabilities
NEW DELHI: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday signed a tripartite agreement with the NIOS and the NCERT to strengthen inclusive education for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presided over the signing ceremony held here, a statement issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said. The collaboration seeks to review and adapt curriculum and textbooks to ensure alignment with the principles and pedagogical approaches of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on relevance, accessibility and inclusivity for learners with disabilities. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) comes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. As part of the agreement, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) will recognise special schools run by NGOs under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) as Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Disabled (SAIEDs). These institutions will offer a variety of academic and vocational programmes, from open basic education to senior secondary courses, with the NIOS handling admissions, examinations, study material distribution and provision of examination-related accommodations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will support the initiative by reviewing and adapting the curriculum and textbooks to enhance accessibility and inclusivity, in line with the NEP 2020 guidelines. "Children with disabilities have immense potential. Prime Minister Modi's vision is to ensure no child is left behind when it comes to education," said Kumar. "This MoU reinforces the idea that inclusive education is a right, not a privilege," he said. Pradhan emphasised the role of education in building a just society. "It is our responsibility to build a more sensitive and aware society. The NEP 2020 is a step in that direction. Accessible toilets in schools will also be a focus area in the coming year to prevent dropouts due to inadequate infrastructure," he said. DEPwD Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said the initiative reflects a commitment to expand opportunities for students with disabilities, including in science education and higher institutions like IITs and IIMs. He lauded the NIOS for introducing Indian sign language as a secondary-level subject. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, stressed that the ultimate goal is to ensure that every child with disability completes school. To oversee the implementation of the MoU, a Joint Coordination Committee comprising members from DEPwD, NIOS and NCERT will be established, the statement said. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Centre, NIOS, NCERT sign agreement to boost inclusive education for children with disabilities
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday signed a tripartite agreement with the NIOS and the NCERT to strengthen inclusive education for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presided over the signing ceremony held here, a statement issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said. The collaboration seeks to review and adapt curriculum and textbooks to ensure alignment with the principles and pedagogical approaches of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on relevance, accessibility and inclusivity for learners with disabilities. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) comes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. As part of the agreement, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) will recognise special schools run by NGOs under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) as Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Disabled (SAIEDs). These institutions will offer a variety of academic and vocational programmes, from open basic education to senior secondary courses, with the NIOS handling admissions, examinations, study material distribution and provision of examination-related accommodations. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will support the initiative by reviewing and adapting the curriculum and textbooks to enhance accessibility and inclusivity, in line with the NEP 2020 guidelines. 'Children with disabilities have immense potential. Prime Minister Modi's vision is to ensure no child is left behind when it comes to education,' said Kumar. 'This MoU reinforces the idea that inclusive education is a right, not a privilege,' he said. Pradhan emphasised the role of education in building a just society. 'It is our responsibility to build a more sensitive and aware society. The NEP 2020 is a step in that direction. Accessible toilets in schools will also be a focus area in the coming year to prevent dropouts due to inadequate infrastructure,' he said. DEPwD Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said the initiative reflects a commitment to expand opportunities for students with disabilities, including in science education and higher institutions like IITs and IIMs. He lauded the NIOS for introducing Indian sign language as a secondary-level subject. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, stressed that the ultimate goal is to ensure that every child with disability completes school. To oversee the implementation of the MoU, a Joint Coordination Committee comprising members from DEPwD, NIOS and NCERT will be established, the statement said.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Government to bring new national policy on senior citizens
A new national policy on senior citizens is in the draft stages with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, government officials said, adding that some details of it were discussed on Monday (May 2, 2025) at a meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens, chaired by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar. The Social Justice Ministry said discussions focused on how the draft policy should 'reflect the demographic realities' of India as it heads into the future. A statement from the Ministry said population projections estimated that 20% of the country would be senior citizens by 2047. According to the 2011 Census, senior citizens accounted for 8.23% of the nation's population at the time. According to the government's projections, they will account for about 12.16% of the country's population in 2026. The government on Wednesday (May 4, 2025) said the forthcoming Census' reference period for a headcount would be March of 2027. A government official told The Hindu, 'The policy is in a draft stage now. Suggestions have already come in from relevant stakeholders and some of these suggestions were put forth at the meeting on Wednesday.' They added that one of the suggestions was to consider that India will have a higher proportion of senior citizens by 2047. This was the fourth meeting of the National Council for Senior Citizens, the government said in its statement. Digital inclusion At the meeting, the council also deliberated on 'digital inclusion' of senior citizens, the government said. It further discussed institutionalising NGOs and senior citizen associations in policy formulation, implementation, and feedback mechanisms. Deliberations also went into areas of trying to establish a grievance redress mechanism to address elder abuse and neglect; implementing minimum standards for 'old age homes' and senior care institutions; and 'promoting community engagement and intergenerational bonding'. The council also undertook a detailed review of the progress under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), Senior Citizen Portal in terms of enhancing quality and post-distribution follow-up of assisted living devices, the statement added. The government said that under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, more than five lakh senior citizens had been given 'free assisted living devices'. Through the IPSrC, the Ministry is currently supporting 708 NGOs that are operating 'continuous care homes, physiotherapy centres, old age homes, and mobile medicare units'. These schemes are covered under the Social Justice Ministry's umbrella programme known as 'National Action Plan for Welfare of Senior Citizens'. This National Action Plan was formulated and put out in April 2020. The National Policy on Older Persons was first announced by the Government of India in 1999. Following that a Commission headed by Mohini Giri had in 2011 put out a National Policy for Senior Citizens, which was in place till the National Action Plan of the Union government came out in April 2020.
