Category Archives: education

Using Zoho Office Suite now must for Education Ministry officials

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**Education Ministry Mandates Use of Zoho Office Suite for All Official Work**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 04, 2025, 6:21 PM*

In a significant stride towards digital self-reliance, the Ministry of Education has issued a directive requiring all its officials to use the Zoho Office Suite for managing official documents. This initiative aligns with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent endorsement of Zoho’s messaging app, Arattai, and supports the government’s broader vision of promoting indigenous digital products.

### Embracing Atmanirbhar Bharat through Zoho

The decision reflects the government’s commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign by reducing dependence on foreign software solutions. By adopting Zoho’s homegrown office productivity tools, the Ministry aims to strengthen India’s digital sovereignty and foster the growth of domestic technology companies.

### A Bold Step in the Swadeshi Movement

According to an official memorandum from the Department of Higher Education, this move represents a “bold step in the Swadeshi movement.” The circular emphasizes that embracing Zoho not only supports the nation’s self-reliance goals but also positions India more competitively in the global digital economy. The transition is seen as a critical shift from a service-based economy toward becoming a product-oriented nation.

### What is Zoho Office Suite?

Zoho Office Suite is an integrated online platform developed by Zoho Corporation, offering a comprehensive set of tools including Zoho Writer for documents, Zoho Sheet for spreadsheets, and Zoho Show for presentations. The Ministry has instructed all officers and staff to create, edit, and share official documents exclusively via this platform, integrated seamlessly with NIC (National Informatics Centre) mail.

### Training and Support for Smooth Adoption

To ensure a smooth transition, the circular advises all officials to familiarize themselves with Zoho’s collaborative features. For any technical assistance or onboarding support, staff are encouraged to reach out to the CMIS/NIC division.

The integration of Zoho Office Suite within the NIC mail ecosystem is designed to deliver a secure, user-friendly, and collaborative environment across government departments — marking a milestone in the digital transformation of India’s education sector.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/indian-government-going-all-in-on-zoho-s-tools/story

Clemson Professor Sues University After Being Fired for ‘Play Certain Games, Win Certain Prizes’ Post About Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

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A former Clemson University professor is suing the school, claiming his firing over a Facebook post about the assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk violated his First Amendment rights.

Joshua Bregy, an assistant professor in environmental engineering, was one of several Clemson employees dismissed last month after their social media comments sparked outrage from conservatives. The group demanded accountability for professionals who appeared to be gloating over Kirk’s tragic murder.

The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in federal court, seeks Bregy’s reinstatement, back pay, and damages. It argues that the university bowed to pressure from bullying legislators and an online mob, rather than addressing any internal disruption.

“External pressure, not internal disruption, caused Clemson to fire Bregy,” the lawsuit, obtained by the South Carolina Daily Gazette, states. It continues, “But however challenging it must have been for Clemson to confront bullying legislators or the online mob and its 280-character pitchforks, the First Amendment does not credit Clemson’s impulse to capitulate as a legitimate interest. The Constitution requires a stronger spine than that.”

This is especially ironic given that the “woke left” has spent years pushing for conservatives to be fired and censored online for speech they disagreed with.

Bregy’s post, shared shortly after the shooting, reposted someone else’s comment criticizing Kirk’s past statements on gun rights. Kirk had argued that some gun deaths were a necessary cost for Second Amendment freedoms. The former professor added his own commentary:

“I’ll never advocate for violence in any form, but it sounds to me like karma is sometimes swift and ironic. As Kirk said, play certain games, win certain prizes.”

He further questioned why conservatives weren’t equally outraged over the June 2025 assassination of Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman. While expressing superficial sympathy for Kirk’s family, Bregy refused to allow Kirk to be portrayed as a martyr, calling him “a flawed human being whose rhetoric caused notable damage.”

According to the South Carolina Daily Gazette, Bregy’s Facebook settings usually allowed only friends to see his posts. However, because the original post he shared was public, his repost was also publicly viewable, per the lawsuit. After a few hours, Bregy made the post private and then deleted it entirely the next morning at the request of university officials.

Allen Chaney, Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, said in a statement: “The First Amendment protects the rights of public employees to speak in their personal capacity on important public topics. When it comes to free speech, Clemson isn’t allowed to cave to the whims of a political mob. Fortunately for us all, the Constitution is made of sterner stuff than that.”

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and a leading voice in conservative activism, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The brazen act of political violence shocked the world.

In the immediate aftermath, conservatives mobilized and secured the firing or disciplining of dozens of educators across the country for posts that mocked or downplayed the assassination.

The South Carolina Daily Gazette reports that Clemson released a statement on September 12 expressing disagreement with the statements made by the professors but recognized their First Amendment rights to free speech.

However, the next day, GOP leaders in both state legislature chambers—including the lead budget writers in each—sent a letter to Clemson’s Board of Trustees calling for immediate and appropriate action.

While the letter did not specify what action should be taken, the lawsuit alleges the message was clear. The choice of signatories, combined with their authority over Clemson’s budget, conveyed this warning: fire Joshua Bregy and fellow professor Melvin Villaver, or face potential funding cuts.

An hour before an emergency board meeting on September 15, Clemson announced it had suspended Bregy and another professor from teaching duties and fired a third employee.

In his termination letter, Bregy was informed that he had engaged in “blatantly unprofessional conduct” and conduct “seriously prejudicial to the University.” The letter stated, “You did not show due restraint or respect, and you made no effort when you reposted to state that your views did not represent the views of Clemson University.”

To date, Clemson University has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/clemson-professor-sues-university-after-being-fired-play/

Bhopal News: 182 Students Awarded Degrees Via Blockchain At IIIT’s 4th Convocation

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**IIIT Bhopal Awards B.Tech Degrees via Blockchain at Fourth Convocation**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Nearly 182 students of the 2025 batch were awarded their B.Tech degrees through blockchain technology at the fourth convocation of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) held here on Saturday.

Of these graduates, 47 students were from Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE), 66 from Information Technology (IT), and 69 from Computer Science and Engineering (CSE).

Gold medals were awarded to Gaurav Mahesh (ECE), Manjeet Pathak (IT), and Pranjal Dubey (CSE). Pranjal Dubey, who achieved the highest CGPA in the batch, received an additional gold medal in recognition of his outstanding academic performance. Silver medals went to Kundan Kumar Gupta (ECE), Jia Rathore (IT), and Ishan Kumar (CSE).

This was the institute’s second time awarding degrees using blockchain technology, underscoring its commitment to adopting cutting-edge innovations in digital credentialing.

Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, the chief guest at the event, inspired the graduating students with a personal message: “Tempo high hai.” He highlighted examples of notable personalities such as Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell, and Steve Jobs, who succeeded in building major companies despite not having formal degrees. He emphasized that while degrees provide a solid foundation, true success comes from one’s actions and determination.

Professor Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Director of IIIT Bhopal, announced that new land has been allocated to the college for the construction of state-of-the-art laboratories, promising enhanced facilities for future students.

The Chairperson of the Administrative Council, Kavita Khanna, addressed the students and guests, motivating them to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavors.

*Story by Staff Reporter*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-182-students-awarded-degrees-via-blockchain-at-iiits-4th-convocation

Fujitsu and Nvidia Expand Partnership to Accelerate AI Implementation

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Tokyo University of Technology unveiled its new supercomputer, named Seiran, on October 2nd, marking the start of full-scale operations. Equipped with the latest GPUs from U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, the system is designed specifically for generative AI and stands as the largest of its kind among Japan’s private universities.

In other news, Fujitsu and U.S. semiconductor giant Nvidia have announced plans to expand their collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence. Their joint efforts aim to accelerate the practical use of AI across various industries, driving innovation and efficiency.

A new form of cyberattack, known as “Clickfix,” is rapidly spreading by exploiting the familiar pop-up that asks users to confirm they are not robots. First detected in 2024, this attack has expanded quickly through 2025, prompting police in Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture to issue urgent warnings to the public.

Provably fair gaming has quickly become one of the most pivotal factors players look for when gaming on crypto-based platforms. This technology ensures transparency and trust, making it increasingly important in the digital gaming world.

OpenAI has unveiled its latest video generation AI, Sora2, capable of producing realistic footage in about three minutes. The system can create a wide range of content, including Japanese anime-style clips and composite videos featuring real individuals, opening new possibilities in video production.

A recent survey released by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance revealed that more than 60 percent of parents with young children expressed interest in using artificial intelligence to support childcare. This highlights the growing acceptance and potential of AI technologies in daily family life.

Meanwhile, with the rapid development of the cryptocurrency market, Wall Street tycoons are flocking to the space, increasing competition. As a result, retail investors are facing unprecedented pressure in this evolving financial landscape.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147141.php

Maharashtra SSC Timetable 2026 To Be Released Soon At mahahsscboard.in; Check Details Here

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Maharashtra SSC Timetable 2026

The Maharashtra SSC Timetable 2026 will be released online by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE). Students can find more information on the official website: mahahsscboard.in.

It is anticipated that the Maha 10th Board Exam dates for 2026 will begin in mid-February and continue through March. The detailed Maha 10th Board Test Time Table 2026 PDF, which includes subject-specific exam dates and timings, will be made available to students as soon as it is announced.

Last year, the MSBSHSE SSC Board Time Table was released on November 25. Considering the release timeline of the CBSE datesheet, it is expected that the Maharashtra Board Class 10 timetable for 2026 will also be published ahead of schedule.

How to Check Maharashtra SSC Timetable 2026

  1. Visit the official website: mahahsscboard.in
  2. Click on the link for “MSBSHSE SSC, HSC Datesheet 2026 PDF”.
  3. A PDF containing the examination schedule for both SSC and HSC exams will be available for download.
  4. Download and save the 2026 MSBSHSE SSC, HSC datesheet PDF and print a copy for reference.

Maharashtra SSC Timetable 2026: Admit Card

The Maharashtra Board SSC and HSC admit cards for 2026 will be released 3 to 4 days prior to the start of the exams. Once available, students can download their admit cards from the official website, mahahsscboard.in.

Steps to Download Maharashtra SSC Admit Card 2026

  1. Go to the official website: mahahsscboard.in
  2. Click on the “MSBSHSE SSC, HSC Admit Card 2026” link.
  3. Enter your application number and date of birth as required for login.
  4. The admit card PDF will be generated and available for download.
  5. Save and print the admit card for exam day use.

For the latest updates and further information, students are advised to regularly visit the official website.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/maharashtra-ssc-timetable-2026-to-be-released-soon-at-mahahsscboardin-check-details-here

UP Govt Plans Festive Bonanza: Bonus & DA Hike For 15 Lakh Employees, Teachers

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**Uttar Pradesh Government to Announce Major Festive Relief Package for Employees and Teachers**

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to announce a significant festive relief package aimed at benefiting its employees and teachers ahead of Diwali. Nearly 1.5 million non-gazetted staff and educators in the state are expected to receive both bonuses and an increased dearness allowance (DA), following the Centre’s recent decision to enhance benefits for its workforce.

Officials have confirmed that the bonus amount could reach up to ₹7,000, bringing much-needed cheer to employees across various departments. This move will cover state government staff, teachers, and teaching-support personnel, ensuring a broader reach of financial relief during the festive season.

In addition to the bonus, the DA rate for employees under the 7th Pay Commission will be revised upward from 55% to 58%. This revision will lead to higher payouts in monthly salaries, benefiting serving employees significantly. The relief package will also extend to pensioners, with nearly 1.2 million retirees in Uttar Pradesh expected to benefit from an increased rate of dearness relief, consistent with the hike granted to active employees.

The financial impact of this double benefit package is expected to be substantial. Estimates suggest that the bonus payout alone will impose a burden of nearly ₹1,000 crore on the state treasury. However, officials have maintained that this decision aligns with the festive season customs when governments traditionally provide economic relief to their staff.

Sources indicate that the official announcement is likely to be made within the first week of October, well ahead of the Diwali holidays. It is important to note that employees covered under the 5th and 6th Pay Commissions may see their DA hikes implemented at a later stage after the current package is rolled out to 7th Pay Commission beneficiaries.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh has around 14.81 lakh non-gazetted staff, work-charge employees, and daily wage earners who are eligible for bonus payments. This decision is expected to have a widespread positive impact, directly benefiting households across the state during the festive period.

This initiative follows the Centre’s recent move to grant both bonus and DA hikes to central employees, setting a precedent that state governments often emulate. With the upcoming festive season, the Uttar Pradesh government’s announcement is anticipated to provide a major boost for employees and pensioners alike.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-govt-plans-festive-bonanza-bonus-da-hike-for-15-lakh-employees-teachers

UP Govt Plans Festive Bonanza: Bonus & DA Hike For 15 Lakh Employees, Teachers

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Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to announce a major festive relief package for its employees and teachers. Nearly 1.5 million non-gazetted staff and educators in the state are likely to receive both bonuses and increased dearness allowance (DA) ahead of Diwali, following the Centre’s recent decision to enhance benefits for its workforce.

Officials confirmed that the bonus amount could reach up to ₹7,000, bringing cheer to employees across departments. The move will cover state government staff, teachers, and teaching-support personnel. Alongside this, the DA rate for employees under the 7th Pay Commission will be revised upward from 55% to 58%, ensuring higher payouts in monthly salaries.

The relief is also set to extend to pensioners. Nearly 1.2 million retirees in Uttar Pradesh are expected to benefit from the increased rate of dearness relief, in line with the hike for serving employees.

The financial impact of this double benefit package will be significant. Estimates suggest that the bonus payout alone will burden the state treasury by nearly ₹1,000 crore. However, officials maintained that the decision aligns with the festive season, a time when governments traditionally extend economic relief to their staff.

Sources indicate that the announcement is likely to be made within the first week of October, well before the Diwali holidays. Employees covered under the 5th and 6th Pay Commissions may see their DA hikes implemented at a later date, after the current package is rolled out to 7th Pay Commission beneficiaries.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh has around 14.81 lakh non-gazetted staff, work-charge employees, and daily wage earners eligible for bonus payments. The decision is expected to have a widespread impact, directly benefiting households across the state during the festive period.

This step follows the Centre’s move to grant both bonus and DA hikes to central employees, setting a precedent that state governments often follow. With the upcoming festive season, the Uttar Pradesh government’s announcement is anticipated to be a major boost for employees and pensioners alike.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-govt-plans-festive-bonanza-bonus-da-hike-for-15-lakh-employees-teachers

LLB, B.Ed, M.Ed Admissions: CET Cell Extends Form Correction Deadline To Oct 5

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Acknowledging the impact of heavy rains and floods in several parts of Maharashtra, the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) cell has extended the correction window for various exam admissions. Many students were unable to complete their admission cap round forms due to these unforeseen circumstances.

The dates for application form corrections and college option choice filling for the extended institutional level round have now been extended from October 3 to October 5. This extension applies to the following courses:

– 3-year LLB
– B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education)
– M.Ed. (Master of Education)
– B.P.Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education)
– M.P.Ed (Master of Physical Education)
– B.Sc. Nursing

This will be the final opportunity for students to apply. Candidates who have entered incorrect marks for their Class 12, graduation, or post-graduation qualifications in the application form will be allowed to make corrections within this window.

In addition, the Indian Nursing Council has extended the cut-off date for admissions to October 31. This move aims to accommodate students affected by the recent adverse weather conditions.

Speaking on the development, Dileep Sardesai, IAS, Commissioner of the State Common Entrance Examination Cell, said,
“Due to heavy rains and floods in the state, many students could not register for admission in the B.Sc. Nursing course. To ensure that these students also get a fair chance, the registration deadline has been extended till October 5, along with the revised eligibility criteria.”

Students are encouraged to utilize this extended window to complete their applications and make necessary corrections to avoid missing out on admissions this year.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/llb-bed-med-admissions-cet-cell-extends-form-correction-deadline-to-oct-5

University of Pittsburgh establishes world’s 1st Horror Studies Center

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**University of Pittsburgh Establishes World’s First Horror Studies Center**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | Oct 01, 2025, 04:53 PM*

The University of Pittsburgh has announced the creation of the world’s first-ever Horror Studies Center. Housed within the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, this innovative initiative aims to consolidate and expand existing projects, including the Horror Studies Collection, which preserves the papers and works of acclaimed filmmaker George A. Romero.

### Leadership and Vision

The new center will be led by Adam Lowenstein, a professor of English and Film and Media Studies at Pitt. Lowenstein is an internationally recognized expert in horror studies and has been a faculty member since 1999. Expressing his excitement about the venture, Lowenstein said, “A center like this is something I’ve always dreamed of.”

### Research Focus: Horror as a Social Force

The Horror Studies Center sets out to explore horror’s significant role as a social force. Among its key initiatives is the *Horror Genre as a Social Force* scholar community. Other programs include the Global Horror Studies Archival and Research Network (GHSARN), the Horror Studies Working Group, and the George A. Romero Foundation.

These programs aim to investigate how horror intersects with a wide range of disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and literature, highlighting horror’s complex cultural impact.

### Shifting Perceptions of Horror in Academia

Despite horror’s increasing popularity, Lowenstein acknowledges that the genre is still often regarded as unworthy of serious academic study. He believes the new center will help change this mindset.

“There’s a general perception that horror and art are allergic to each other. I don’t believe in this at all, and I think that the Horror Studies Center will work overtime to make sure that perception gets changed,” Lowenstein noted.

### A Global and Cultural Perspective on Horror

Lowenstein views horror as existing along a spectrum—from “loud” horror, which is characterized by gore and fantastical elements, to “quiet” horror, which is more disturbing and haunting. He believes both extremes offer much to learn.

Additionally, Lowenstein highlights the presence of horror in unexpected places, such as surrealism. In his 2014 book *Dreaming of Cinema*, he argues that surrealism has roots in horror.

The center also plans to strengthen global connections through the GHSARN’s existing ties with countries including Canada, Australia, the UK, and Japan, fostering an international dialogue around horror studies.

—

The establishment of the University of Pittsburgh’s Horror Studies Center marks a groundbreaking step in legitimizing horror as a vital academic field and cultural phenomenon. Through its interdisciplinary research and global collaborations, the center promises to deepen our understanding of horror’s complex role in society.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/world-s-first-horror-research-center-launched-at-university-of-pittsburgh/story

Indonesia school collapse: 91 students still trapped in debris after two days

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At least 91 students remain trapped in concrete rubble almost two days after an Islamic school building collapsed on them, authorities said after reviewing attendance records and reports from anxious families of those missing.

More than 300 rescue workers desperately worked to free survivors Wednesday morning, following the collapse of the structure that fell on top of hundreds of people—mostly teen boys—who had been performing afternoon prayers on Monday in a prayer hall at the century-old al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java province. The building was undergoing an unauthorised expansion at the time of the collapse.

At least three students have been confirmed dead, and 100 others were injured. The National Disaster Management Agency revised the number of people presumed buried in the rubble to 91 late Tuesday, up from the previous count of 38.

This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the text. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

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https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/at-least-91-students-remain-buried-in-rubble-2-days-after-school-collapse-in-indonesia-23596635