Monthly Archives: September 2025

Arihant Roti Bank Spreads Hope Through Food Distribution and Community Service

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A group of volunteers under the initiative Arihant Roti Bank is quietly working to bring food and comfort to those in need across the city. Though not a registered organization, the effort runs purely on faith, devotion, and the spirit of selfless service.

Every Tuesday, rotis collected from Mulund East are transported to Mahur village in Chembur, where they are combined with rice, pulses, and vegetables before being taken to K.E.M. Hospital. At Gate No. 8 of the hospital, meals are distributed to patients and their families through service tables.

In addition to this, on Fridays, freshly prepared food packets are distributed to nearly 350–400 visually impaired individuals in the Nilam Nagar area of Mulund East. Local volunteers contribute rice, flour, and vegetables to ensure wholesome meals are cooked and served.

The group also extends its efforts to Khadvali Ashram, home to many elderly residents. Volunteers have visited three times so far, serving meals and providing essential items such as medicines whenever needed.

While the initiative does not operate under formal structures or official letterheads, its growing network of volunteers and supporters continues to sustain regular food distribution drives and other charitable activities. Through their compassion and care, the Arihant Roti Bank is touching countless lives every day.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/arihant-roti-bank-spreads-hope-through-food-distribution-and-community-service

UAE Companies To Pour Investments Into India’s Infrastructure, Data Centres, Banking, Startups & Logistics: Commerce & Industry Minister Goyal

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Dubai: UAE companies are exploring multiple sectors in India to boost their investments, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. Sectors of interest include infrastructure, data centres, banking, startups, and logistics.

Goyal emphasized that both countries have reset their investment targets and are actively working to accelerate investments across various industries. Collaborations are also being enhanced in areas such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, retail, and pharmaceuticals.

“Infrastructure is one of the major sectors where the UAE sees huge potential. There is considerable interest in the banking sector and startups. Potential investors are keen on the logistics ecosystem and green energy in India,” Goyal told reporters.

The minister was in Dubai to attend the 13th India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments. He led a 75-member business delegation during the two-day visit, which concluded on September 19.

Goyal highlighted multiple avenues to increase collaboration between Indian and UAE companies, noting the UAE’s unparalleled strength in investments. “The UAE is also investing deeply in high-tech areas, so we could look at serious collaborations in technology sectors,” he added.

He also noted growing interest from bankers to expand their operations in India. “One banker who met me is very keen to set up a new operation in GIFT City,” Goyal said. He pointed out that while the UAE is already among the top five to six investors in India, there is potential for much larger investment flows, given recent developments.

The UAE recognizes India as a key investment destination. “We expect to see much larger pools of capital coming into India, including both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII),” the minister said.

Regarding Bharat Mart, Goyal mentioned that the UAE has allocated land for the project and construction is expected to begin soon, with completion targeted by 2027. So far, about 9,000 companies have expressed interest in Bharat Mart.

India has received USD 24 billion in FDI from the UAE between April 2000 and June 2025.

*Disclaimer: This story is based on a syndicated feed. Only the headline has been changed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/uae-companies-to-pour-investments-into-indias-infrastructure-data-centres-banking-startups-logistics-commerce-industry-minister-goyal

Quota politics of divide and rule

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Across Maharashtra, from small talukas to big districts and cities, streets are now filled with rallies, processions, and even hunger strikes — all demanding one thing: reservation.

The Dhangars have started a protest asking for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Banjara community and the Kolis (fisherfolk), too, want the same. However, these demands are met with stiff resistance and protests by other communities, who fear any new inclusion will reduce their own share.

Sadly, instead of reducing the inequality gap, reservation is spilling into fresh rivalries. The state is witnessing communities locked in battles for their own share of the quota. Such is the situation that villages where communities have lived in peace for generations are now witnessing tensions, with old grudges surfacing solely over reservation. Quota politics is pulling communities apart.

Many experts see the implementation of the Mandal Commission as a turning point for the reservation issue. The Maratha community’s demand intensified in early 2000 when the Kunbi (an agrarian sub-caste) was officially granted OBC status.

Of the 12 crore-plus population in Maharashtra, 28 percent are Maratha, while 53 percent are OBC. Despite having a ceiling of 50 percent for reservation, in many states, including Maharashtra, the ceiling has been breached. Yet political promises continue to stretch the limits.

Currently, Maharashtra has 52 percent reservation for SC, ST, Vimukt Jati, Nomadic Tribes, and OBC. In addition, a 10 percent reservation for Marathas (socially and economically backward class) takes the total reservation to 62 percent.

Maharashtra has always been referred to as the land of reformers. History reminds us how several stalwart reformists and leaders — including Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar — fought to break the caste system and barriers and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the marginalized. The goal was inclusion, not rivalry.

However, as political parties have changed the definition of reforms, reservation is now seen as one of the major elements that define electoral issues. Even if framed as justice, the bigger motive often becomes, “What about one’s own community?”

Political parties, instead of coming together to find an amicable solution to the problem, are milking the situation as they view this divide among communities as an opportunity to create vote banks.

When the ruling regime — the BJP-led Maharashtra government — called for an all-party meeting on the Maratha reservation issue, the Opposition remained absent from the discussion.

Ideally, one would expect leaders to seek votes on the basis of vision and development. Instead, they are asking for votes in the name of caste.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s reaction clearly speaks about political posturing. Last week, Fadnavis claimed that the government decision had not touched or altered any quota, adding, “But if anyone still wants to play politics over it, what can be said?”

According to media reports, OBC strongman and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal has openly urged the community to teach lessons to Maratha leaders backing quota activist Manoj Jarange. On the other hand, Jarange has instructed all Marathas to ensure the defeat of OBC leaders opposing their demand.

This is a clear indication that society continues to prioritize caste over policy and progress.

For now, such parties may see short-term gains in the form of popularity and electoral votes, but in the long run, this will certainly erode social trust.

Everyone in society needs to be taken into confidence and reminded that reservation is not the only path to progress or a quality life. Creating more employment, education, and job opportunities — along with quota — are also needed if the state wants to see tangible results and real change.

Phule fought for education, Shahu Maharaj sought to break caste monopolies in Kolhapur, and Ambedkar’s cause was to bring equality and dignity.

If Maharashtra wishes to retain its tag as a reformist state, the time has come for all political parties, community leaders, organizations, and civil society to come together.

Along with reservation, making education affordable, improving its quality, and ensuring wide access to everyone are crucial. Additionally, working on upgrading the skills of the youth and addressing unemployment by providing more opportunities are imperative for the state to rediscover its vision and the spirit of reform.

If these steps are ignored, the gap will widen, rivalries between communities will rise, and the social fabric will be torn beyond repair.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/quota-politics-of-divide-and-rule-23594907

“It’s time he retires ngl,” “Not interested” – Fans react to wild speculation about AEW star returning to WWE at Wrestlepalooza

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Ahead of WWE Wrestlepalooza tomorrow night, discussions have begun surrounding an exciting potential return.

Fans are buzzing about the possibility of an AEW star making his comeback during the show, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the event.

Stay tuned as the event unfolds, and more details emerge about this highly anticipated return.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-it-s-time-retires-ngl-not-interested-fans-react-wild-speculation-aew-star-returning-wwe-wrestlepalooza

Patient Crushed By Surgeon’s Vehicle, Dies In MP’s Neemuch

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**Patient Killed After Being Run Over by Civil Surgeon’s Car at Neemuch District Hospital**

Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh): A tragic incident occurred at Neemuch District Hospital on Friday afternoon when a patient seeking treatment was fatally struck by a civil surgeon’s official vehicle.

The victim, identified as Raju (45) from Rampura, had visited the hospital to receive medical care. After being given his prescription, he reportedly felt dizzy and decided to lie down near the hospital gate. Moments later, he was hit by the civil surgeon Dr. Mahendra Patil’s car (vehicle number MP13 ZV 4590) inside the hospital premises.

According to reports, the vehicle was driven by the surgeon’s driver and allegedly went out of control. Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the hospital, Raju could not be saved.

The incident ignited chaos and outrage within the hospital. Bhim Army district president, along with the victim’s family, staged a protest on the hospital grounds, demanding strict action and the registration of an FIR. Protesters also voiced concerns over patient safety within the hospital campus.

Cantonment police station in-charge Pushpa Chauhan confirmed the accident, stating that the vehicle belonged to the Civil Surgeon and was being driven by his driver at the time of the incident. The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem, and further investigations are currently underway.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/patient-crushed-by-surgeons-vehicle-dies-in-mps-neemuch

“Don’t think we’ve seen the end of this” – Insider believes LeBron James’ beef with Drake could end up with them revealing each other’s secrets

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LeBron James addressed questions about the status of his relationship with rapper Drake during an interview with Speedy Morman on Thursday. The LA Lakers superstar expressed that he wishes nothing but the best for Drake but noted, “He’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine.” Despite the apparent rift between them, James emphasized that “it’s always love” for the artist.

Van Lathan, host of the podcast *Higher Learning*, reacted to LeBron’s comments during an episode with co-host Rachel Lindsay. Lathan said, “I don’t think we’ve seen the end of this back-and-forth. I honestly hope that no lines are crossed in this that significantly injure the perception the public has of the other guy.” He added, “The bad version about this is it goes crazy because a lot of persons in this town stay cordial because of what they know about each other.”

Lindsay noted that LeBron seems to have moved on from his beef with Drake, but the rapper appears unwilling to let go. Lathan even predicted that Drake’s next album might be titled *Wish Him The Best*.

The tension reportedly escalated after LeBron James sided with Kendrick Lamar, who engaged in a fiery dissing contest with Drake. Following this, Drake appeared to cut ties with James, taking subtle shots at the four-time MVP in his lyrics. In a notable move, the rapper removed a tattoo of LeBron James and replaced it with an image of Oklahoma City Thunder superstar and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

How the relationship between LeBron James and Drake will evolve after this latest interview remains uncertain.

### Relationship Dynamics: “Mini-Support Group,” Says Van Lathan

Van Lathan offered insight into the unique bond between LeBron and Drake, describing it less as a traditional friendship and more as a “mini-support group.” According to the former TMZ Live producer, both men have faced intense scrutiny in their remarkable careers, which fostered a connection grounded in mutual understanding.

He elaborated, “Them being pals, it more seemed like it was a mini-support group than it was a friendship. Like, they be on the phone, ‘Hey, man, I score 40, won the championship, and said it was a bubble champ. What you got?’ ‘Ni**a, I went No. 1 again and they telling me some f**king Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Tupac, B. What the f**k? Aye, man, let’s go party together.’ Okay, cool.”

The Academy Award winner continued, explaining that “somebody from that partnership jumped out of the deal, breaking the building block of the relationship.” He expressed hope that LeBron and Drake will continue to stay cordial in order to limit unnecessary damage.

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As fans await further developments, it remains to be seen whether LeBron James and Drake can mend their relationship or if this chapter marks a permanent shift in their dynamic.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-don-t-think-seen-end-this-insider-believes-lebron-james-beef-drake-end-revealing-other-s-secrets

‘Not Our Employee’: HDFC Bank On Viral Audio Of Woman Abusing CRPF Jawan For Loan Recovery

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**Mumbai: HDFC Bank Issues Clarification After Viral Audio of Woman Abusing CRPF Jawan Sparks Outrage**

A viral audio clip featuring a woman allegedly abusing a CRPF jawan during a loan-related phone call has triggered widespread outrage on social media. In response, HDFC Bank issued a clarification on Friday, stating that the woman heard in the recording was wrongly identified as one of its employees. The bank emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and does not represent its values.

### Controversy Over Viral Audio Clip

The controversy began when the audio clip circulated widely online, with several users claiming that the woman, identified as a banker, worked for HDFC Bank. In the recording, the woman can be heard mocking the soldier’s profession and using abusive language during what appeared to be a dispute over loan disbursement.

### HDFC Bank Responds

HDFC Bank quickly addressed the situation with a public statement posted on X, saying:
*”This is with reference to an audio clip circulating on social and online media, where a lady is heard speaking disrespectfully to a CRPF personnel. Multiple posts have incorrectly identified her as an employee of HDFC Bank. We would like to clarify that this individual is not an employee of HDFC Bank. The conduct heard in the clip is neither acceptable nor does it reflect our values as an organisation.”*

### Details From the Viral Audio

The audio revealed deeply derogatory remarks directed at the CRPF jawan. The woman allegedly insulted the soldier by calling him “uneducated” and mocking his service. She further claimed that his financial struggles were a reflection of his poor background. At one point, she reportedly said, *“You are uneducated, that’s why you have been sent to the border. That’s why your children are born disabled.”*

She also belittled the jawan for living on loans, derided his service to the nation, and provocatively dared him to take any action against her, boasting about her own links to an Armed Forces family.

### Public Reaction and Next Steps

The harsh language sparked sharp criticism from netizens, who demanded strict action against the woman and called on the bank to clarify the situation. While the identity of the soldier has not been disclosed, authorities are investigating the origin of the call and whether the woman is affiliated with any financial institution.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/not-our-employee-hdfc-bank-on-viral-audio-of-woman-abusing-crpf-jawan-for-loan-recovery

Tamaraws, Eagles take first step in road to redemption

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Far Eastern University and Ateneo will square off to usher in the start of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.

One team is hoping to shrug off the massive loss of its star player, while the other aims to bounce back from a rare absence in the Final Four.

Their highly anticipated game is set to kick off the season with excitement and determination from both sides.
https://sports.inquirer.net/640870/tamaraws-eagles-take-first-step-in-road-to-redemption

International treaty protecting world’s oceans to take effect

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**Multinational Treaty to Protect Vast Expanses of the World’s Oceans Set to Become Law in January 2026**

*United Nations* — A groundbreaking multinational treaty aimed at protecting vast expanses of the world’s oceans is finally set to become law in January 2026. Environmentalists hailed the announcement made this Friday as a crucial step toward safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems.

The move by Morocco and Sierra Leone to join the UN treaty on the high seas pushed the number of ratifications past the required threshold of 60, enabling the treaty to be enacted as international law.

### Protecting Valuable, Fragile Marine Areas

The treaty seeks to protect biodiverse areas in international waters—those beyond countries’ exclusive economic zones. These high seas, covering more than two-thirds of the ocean, are teeming with plant and animal life vital to the planet’s health.

Conservationists emphasize the oceans’ critical role in creating half of the globe’s oxygen supply and combating climate change by absorbing a significant portion of carbon dioxide emissions produced by human activities.

Despite their importance, these waters face multiple threats, including pollution, overfishing, and the emerging challenges posed by deep-sea mining. This new industry is exploring previously untouched seabeds for valuable minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper.

### Binding Rules to Conserve Marine Biodiversity

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “Covering more than two-thirds of the ocean, the agreement sets binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity.”

Currently, only about one percent of high seas waters have legal protections. The new treaty aims to change that by establishing comprehensive safeguards for roughly 60 percent of the world’s oceans that lie outside any national jurisdiction.

The treaty is expected to take effect in 120 days. However, Lisa Speer, director of the International Oceans Program at the US-based Natural Resources Defense Council, noted that it may take until late 2028 or 2029 before the first marine protected areas are officially established.

### Coordinated Global Efforts and Ongoing Challenges

Once the treaty is in force, a dedicated decision-making body will collaborate with existing regional and global organizations that oversee various ocean activities. These include regional fisheries bodies and the International Seabed Authority—a key forum where nations are negotiating rules for the deep-sea mining industry.

While no commercial mining licenses have yet been issued for high seas waters, some countries have begun or are preparing to explore mineral resources within their own exclusive economic zones.

The treaty also introduces principles for sharing the benefits derived from marine genetic resources collected in international waters. This issue had been a major sticking point during years of complex negotiations.

Developing countries, which often lack funding for research expeditions, advocated strongly for fair benefit-sharing to avoid being sidelined in what is considered a lucrative future market, particularly for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

### Toward Global Ratification

As of mid-September, 143 countries had joined the treaty. Ocean conservationists are now urging more nations to ratify it to ensure the treaty’s effectiveness.

Rebecca Hubbard, head of the High Seas Alliance coalition, stressed, “It’s really important that we move towards global or universal ratification for the treaty to be as effective as possible.” She encouraged small island states, developing countries, and even landlocked nations to participate.

### Potential Obstacles

Ratification efforts may face resistance from major maritime and industrial powers. For instance, Russia has neither signed nor ratified the treaty, citing objections to certain provisions. Meanwhile, the United States signed the treaty under President Joe Biden, but it remains unlikely that the administration under former President Donald Trump would seek to ratify it.

### Conclusion

The enactment of this treaty marks a significant leap toward the sustainable and equitable management of the world’s oceans. Protecting the high seas is essential not only for marine biodiversity but also for the health and well-being of the global community.

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*Follow us on social media for more updates on environmental news and ocean conservation.*
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/international-treaty-protecting-worlds-oceans-to-take-effect/articleshow/124009294.cms

We have EdTech, but is it the right one?

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To prepare for the future, investing in human capital is key, and early childhood education (ECE) can offer the highest returns. Betting on this, non-profits across India are decentralising education using technology and innovation.

Indian children born today will enter the workforce as young adults by 2047. By that time, India will have largely won the battle for universal school enrolment. The challenge that beckons next is universal school learning—imparting high-quality education that creates opportunity for all and provides the human capital needed for a developed India by 2047.

Economics Nobel Laureate James Heckman’s work on human capital emphasises the high return on investment in early childhood education. Early interventions enhance cognitive and non-cognitive skills critical to long-term success. The well-known Heckman Curve shows that, across all stages of education, the highest economic returns come from the earliest investments in children.

To raise the collective intelligence of the nation, there is a strong case for investing heavily in ECE by increasing its share of the Samagra Shiksha budget to 5% (up from around 2% currently).

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### Leveraging Technology to Scale Quality Education

The ubiquity of smartphones in India today offers a never-before-seen opportunity to rapidly scale high-quality educational inputs to children across the country, regardless of their socio-economic status. A recent survey reported smartphone ownership of 1.5 per household in urban India and 1.3 in rural India.

This simple idea holds great power, and educational non-profits have begun work precisely on this front, with efforts that are only set to expand.

For instance, Rocket Learning, a non-profit launched in 2020, has developed interactive and highly engaging educational content delivered over WhatsApp to teachers, parents, and children. Every day, micro-WhatsApp groups send low-income teachers and parents contextualised content in the local language. This content can be used for play-based activities with children in classrooms or at home.

These activities take less than 20 minutes and involve readily available materials. Research shows that greater parental involvement in children’s education leads to improved academic performance. Rocket Learning reinforces this sense of participation by encouraging parents and educators to share images and videos back to the WhatsApp groups, creating a shared learning community.

Chimple is another example—an Android app developed in India that uses games to instil foundational literacy and numeracy through a teacher-directed, at-home learning model. Using the app, teachers can remotely assign content for children to practise based on the week’s teaching plan.

In a pilot study involving Class 1 and 2 students in Haryana, the treatment group saw a 50% improvement in test scores over the year with just 10 minutes of daily Chimple usage. Similar improvements were recorded in English, with low-performing learners benefiting even more.

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### The Emerging Role of Generative AI in Education

As students advance to higher grades, new learning opportunities can be reinforced by generative AI, a powerful tool for Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL).

Conventional classrooms often offer rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches. PAL, however, allows students to learn at their own pace and in their own space, making engaging, immersive, and interactive learning accessible, even in the remotest locales.

Children from elite backgrounds have an edge due to access to individual high-quality coaches who quickly resolve their problems. PAL can universalise such access.

Educational non-profit Central Square Foundation (CSF) is working with Khan Academy to contextualise Khanmigo—India’s AI-powered personal tutor designed for low-income contexts. State governments are beginning to integrate PAL into their school systems. Andhra Pradesh, for example, has pioneered PAL as part of its World Bank-aided Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) programme.

The use of PAL to bridge educational divides will only grow in the future.

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### Broad AI Applications Beyond PAL

PAL is not the only AI use case in education. AI can generate learning content itself—scripts, rhymes, worksheets, and illustrations created using large language models (LLMs) save time and boost creativity.

AI can translate and dub across languages, simplify animation, and personalise audio with voice cloning. It can also drive data analysis by using incoming messages to draw nuanced insights into the effectiveness of specific educational programmes.

CSF has partnered to build an AI-powered Teacher Coach for government school teachers that provides actionable feedback and identifies effective levers for measurable improvement in classroom practice.

AI tools also reduce teachers’ workloads by grading large volumes of student work rapidly—what once took five minutes can now be done in 20 seconds. They provide nuanced understanding of student performance and actionable insights, enabling teachers to engage more students effectively.

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### Ensuring Quality and Inclusiveness in EdTech

India’s EdTech sector is already large and bound to grow further. But it is critical to identify which solutions are relevant, useful, and able to evolve from serving the privileged few to becoming universally enabling.

To evaluate the many available EdTech options, CSF has developed, jointly with IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi, an evaluation index that helps governments and other users make quality-led, evidence-informed choices regarding EdTech procurement—especially for schools serving low-income students.

This index, called **EdTech Tulna**, defines quality standards for good EdTech. It creates exhaustive toolkits and training for decision-makers to apply these standards when evaluating EdTech products and publishes product reviews to drive demand and shape supply.

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### Governance and Regulatory Innovations to Elevate Education Quality

Beyond EdTech innovations, governance and regulatory reforms can dramatically uplift quality.

Currently, school regulation is heavily input-focused. The priority must shift towards measuring educational outcomes, which should be reported transparently, publicly, and regularly.

Such transparent data allows parents to choose the best schools for their children and “vote with their feet,” creating pressure to improve quality. It also allows the best schools to emerge as exemplars, whose best practices can be replicated elsewhere.

Countries such as the UK (Office for Standards in Education – Ofsted), Dubai (Knowledge and Human Development Authority – KHDA), and Chile (Sistema de Medición de la Calidad de la Educación – SIMCE) have successfully implemented such transparency models to improve school quality.

India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020) proposes the creation of a **State School Standards Authority (SSSA)** to set standards and publicise each school’s level based on these standards.

For SSSAs to be effective, they must operate independently of education departments and other government bodies, impartially assessing quality in all schools—public or private. NEP 2020 recommends shifting school regulation from being overly restrictive (especially on private schools) to a “light but tight” approach.

SSSAs should regularly report school quality and make this data publicly accessible.

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### Towards a Brighter Educational Future

Every child in India deserves the chance to reach their full potential. With new technologies and enabling reforms, India is well on its way to fulfilling that dream.

*The writer is founder-CEO of The Convergence Foundation and founder chairperson of Central Square Foundation.*

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-have-edtech-but-is-it-the-right-one/articleshow/124009353.cms