VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html On the day Bill Gates wrote thousands of words on how AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic have shocked him; Sam Altman had another ‘nightmare’ for him Yogi Adityanath participates in Snehbandhan programme on Raksha Bandhan LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the Snehbandhan programme in Lucknow on Friday to mark Raksha Bandhan, interacting with schoolgirls who conveyed their greetings to him and shared their happiness at getting an opportunity to participate in the celebrations.During the programme, schoolgirls interacted with the Chief Minister through an online platform and extended their Raksha Bandhan wishes to him. The students expressed their happiness over the opportunity to connect with the Chief Minister and be part of the special occasion.The interaction added a personal touch to the celebrations, with the students sharing their festive greetings and Yogi Adityanath engaging with them during the programme.The Snehbandhan programme was organised on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, a festival traditionally celebrating the bond of affection, trust and protection between brothers and sisters.The celebrations in Lucknow were part of a wider series of Raksha Bandhan programmes being held across the country.In Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini celebrated Raksha Bandhan at Sant Kabir Kutir, where schoolgirls tied rakhis to him. The interaction marked the festive spirit of the occasion and highlighted the participation of young students in public celebrations.Raksha Bandhan was also celebrated in Bhubaneswar, where Brahma Kumari sisters, students and BJD leaders celebrated the festival with Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Indian Army also marked the occasion under its ‘Bharat Raksha Parv’ initiative. Schoolchildren tied Rakhis to Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, highlighting the bond between citizens and the armed forces.The Army said the children’s gesture carried a message of love and gratitude and highlighted the bond of trust and affection between citizens and the Army.Across the country, Raksha Bandhan was marked through family gatherings, community programmes and public events, with celebrations focusing on affection, social harmony and the traditional spirit of the festival.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories10 vintage baby girl names that still sound fresh today5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriage123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash ‘Go and educate yourself’: Anaya Bangar hits back at Marizanne Kapp over cricket return From Suez to Russia’s Arctic: Why India, China are betting on Northern Sea Route & why it matters Ramesh Taurani plans ‘Race’ reboot with Aamir Khan, Sidharth Malhotra and Tiger Shroff: Report At 23, he left banking to chase his passion for the mountains, how Vijay Pratap Singh built a ₹10 crore trekking business Libra Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions Dramatic rescue in Nepal as survivors crawl through mud from flood-hit tunnel – video Flock CEO Garrett Langley’s address leaked online after he urged Americans to ‘compromise’ between privacy and safety The Centre has brought in three senior officers, including an IPS officer at NTA NEW DELHI: The Centre has brought in three senior officers, including an IPS officer, at the National Testing Agency (NTA), giving the embattled examination body fresh administrative muscle as it undergoes one of its biggest personnel and security overhauls following controversies over NEET-UG and UGC-NET.IPS officer Ravi Kumar Singh and IAS officer Prasanna Venkatesh V have been appointed directors at NTA, while Amit Samdariya, a 2016-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer, will join as joint director. The appointments were cleared through separate personnel ministry orders dated August 27.The induction comes days after NTA began a wider revamp that includes removing around 600 experts from its examination panels, onboarding a fresh set of specialists and introducing a four-tier scrutiny mechanism for question papers.The agency is also strengthening examination security, recruiting additional officials and moving to new premises where security is proposed to be reinforced with CISF deployment. The measures were reviewed recently by Union education minister Pralhad Joshi as the government sought to tighten both the academic and operational ends of the examination process.NTA has been under sustained pressure since the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which triggered nationwide protests and intensified scrutiny of how high-stakes examinations are secured and administered. More recently, it was forced to order fresh UGC-NET examinations in English, commerce and sociology after multiple errors and repeated questions were detected in the June papers, adding a question-paper quality problem to its security challenges.Against this backdrop, the appointment of officers drawn from the police, administrative and revenue services marks another step in the attempt to strengthen NTA’s institutional capacity.The personnel ministry has directed all three officers to take charge within three weeks. The orders state that failure to join within the stipulated period would trigger the process of debarment from the Central Staffing Scheme.The staffing changes are unfolding alongside a broader examination-reform exercise. A high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has begun seeking suggestions from students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders on reforms to the public examination system, with the consultation open till September 13.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe task force is examining examination security, institutional processes, technology, infrastructure, accessibility and student well-being, while the changes within NTA are focused on immediately strengthening the agency responsible for conducting some of the country’s largest entrance and eligibility tests.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash ‘It’s been lonely, it’s been brutal’: Anaya Bangar opens up on trans journey as Cricket Australia clears path back to cricket Amrish Puri’s son Rajeev denies the Govinda SLAP story; says ‘He was never the type to lose his temper’ 10 vintage baby girl names that still sound fresh today More delay: AMCA programme timeline reset as ADA grants more time for proposals In 2024, a Colorado county paid $34 million for a 650-acre ranch privately owned for more than a century; 2 years later, 530 acres are being transferred into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Evening news wrap MEA says 320 Indians remain missing after Nepal’s devastating floods.Penguin Random House India denies dropping Sonia Gandhi’s memoir over editorial changes.ICIMOD had warned of rising Himalayan glacier disaster risks months before the floods.Jio Platforms gets Sebi approval for its $3.8 billion IPO.Annamalai questions CBFC’s clearance of Yash’s Toxic over violence and portrayal of women.Here are the top news stories of the day:320 Indians still missing as Nepal flood death toll rises to 547The MEA said 320 Indian nationals remain uncontactable after devastating flash floods in Nepal, while 21 stranded Indians have returned to Delhi and 63 workers at the Trishuli One hydropower project have been rescued. Another 96 Indians who were stranded on the Chinese side have crossed into Nepal. Meanwhile, Nepal’s flood death toll has risen to 547, with authorities warning of fresh flooding as water levels rise in the Bhotekoshi River. Follow live updatesPenguin Random House India clarifies it is not publishing Sonia Gandhi’s memoirPenguin Random House India said it is not the Indian publisher of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India, rejecting reports that it dropped the book over editorial disagreements. The publisher said it remained willing to publish the memoir and that fact-checking and editorial recommendations are routine. Read full storyICIMOD warned of Himalayan glacier risks months before Nepal-Tibet floodsMonths before the devastating Nepal-Tibet floods, two ICIMOD reports warned that rapidly melting Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers were increasing the risk of catastrophic floods and ice-related disasters. The reports found glacier ice loss had doubled since 2000, with HKH glaciers losing 12% of their area between 1990 and 2020. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRead full storyJio Platforms gets Sebi nod for $3.8 billion IPOJio Platforms has received Sebi approval for its proposed $3.8 billion IPO, potentially paving the way for India’s biggest-ever listing. The Reliance Industries digital arm plans to issue up to 27 crore fresh shares and use most of the proceeds to reduce debt at Reliance Jio Infocomm. Read full storyAnnamalai questions CBFC clearance for Yash’s ToxicFormer BJP leader K Annamalai criticised the CBFC for clearing Yash’s latest film Toxic, raising concerns over its portrayal of women and excessive violence. He called for stricter censorship, warning that such content could negatively influence children and teenagers. Read full storyGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash ‘DC was completely different 10 years ago’: Siddharth was almost cast in Arun Matheswaran’s ‘DC’ before Lokesh Kanagaraj, reveals DOP Mukesh Valmiki scam: Karnataka minister B Nagendra resigns; breaks down on camera Rashmika Mandanna finalised for MS Subbulakshmi biopic? The long-awaited announcement expected on THIS date Virgo Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions Alliance Air flight from Delhi suffers tyre burst while landing in Bilaspur, passengers evacuated A Texas farmer’s family has worked 6,000 acres for over a century; after his landlord sold 600 rented acres for a Google data center, he was given 60 days to leave Aug 28, 2026, 18:36 IST Yash and ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ makers face second review controversy; send legal notice to reviewer over negative review after blocking audience reviews from ticketing platform Aries Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions In 1856, one of Northern California’s oldest cattle ranches was established; 170 years later, its 14,177 acres are being bought for $15.5 million and opened to the public Japan killed more than 14,000 bears between April 2025 and January 2026 after record attacks on people; despite the cull, 6 people have been killed this year and the government plans to remove another 8,800 bears NEET UG 2026 Round 2 counselling dates announced: Registration from September 3, check schedule and fees Guru Randhawa BACKS Nora Fatehi amid backlash over podcast comments: ‘They can’t take the queen title from you’ Leo Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions India’s Javelin buy: What US anti-tank missile adds to army’s arsenal ‘Engine issue at 31,000 feet’: New Jersey-bound United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Nevada Amit Malviya takes dig at Sonia Gandhi’s memoir NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Friday took a dig at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over Penguin Random House India’s decision to “fact-check her memoir”, questioning whether the exercise was meant to verify the author’s memories or address what he described as “the blurred line between fact and fiction”.Malviya said it was “rather amusing” that the publisher felt the need to fact-check a memoir written by Sonia Gandhi herself.”It is rather amusing that Penguin Random House India felt the need to fact-check Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, a book authored by Sonia Gandhi herself. The publisher says fact-checking is a normal part of the publishing process and that it remained “willing and keen” to publish the book. Fair enough,” Malviya said in a post on X.”But if a publisher has to fact-check a memoir written by its own author, perhaps the obvious question is: what exactly needed fact-checking – the author’s memories, or the blurred line between fact and fiction?” he added.The remarks came after Penguin Random House India clarified on Friday that it is not the publisher of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love in India. The publishing house also rejected reports that it had decided against publishing the book because Sonia Gandhi declined to accept editorial changes.In a statement posted on X, the publishing house said it had remained “willing and keen to publish” the memoir and stressed that fact-checking and providing editorial recommendations are a routine part of the publishing process.The clarification comes weeks after US publisher Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced that Belonging would be released on November 10. However, the memoir’s publisher or distributor in India remains unclear.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAn e-commerce listing has shown an e-book edition of Belonging available for pre-order at Rs 2,615, with William Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins UK, listed as the publisher.According to Alfred A Knopf, the memoir by 79-year-old Sonia Gandhi will offer a personal account of her life, spanning her childhood in post-war Italy, her marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family and the assassination of her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.The book will also chronicle her entry into the “public world of politics” following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and her decision to decline the post of prime minister in 2004.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Amrish Puri’s son Rajiv denies the Govinda SLAP story; says ‘He was never the type to lose his temper’ Cancer Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions Hundreds of AI agents coordinated to hack Hugging Face; researchers discover they can act like ‘digital swarm’ US judge blocks Trump admin’s Anthropic sanctions, calls them unlawful NEW DELHI: From colleges to schools. From Gen Z to Gen Alpha. From Jantar Mantar to cities and villages in states. The students’ protest has continued; only the stage has shifted. The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) “School Thik Karo” campaign has put the spotlight on the sorry condition of government schools in many states. Gen Z showed the way from Jantar Mantar when they forced the NDA government to make Dharmendra Pradhan resign over NEET paper leaks. Gen Alpha took the cue and brought the protests to villages and towns across states, demanding better school infrastructure and government accountability.The CJP campaign asking for school audits in villages got a huge response. The pictures and videos of schools uploaded on CJP’s X timeline exposed the sorry state of government schools across states. This was followed by ground inspections by CJP teams, which led to confrontation and a strong pushback by some state governments.Two days after the CJP launched its campaign and announced that schools in Rajasthan would be on its radar, the state education department issued new guidelines regulating the entry of outsiders, including media personnel, into government schools.Under the directives, photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming involving students or school activities on campus needed prior permission from the school principal or head of the institution. The Rajasthan order went on to threaten action under applicable laws in case of any breach.So, when a CJP team went to inspect a government school on August 21, it was attacked and forcibly pushed back, allegedly by the locals. Videos of the incident showed a large number of people engaging in a heated exchange with the CJP team, pushing and shoving its members as they tried to enter the village. Some clips also showed stone-pelting and smashed windows of cars. Locals said the village did not need outside political groups to intervene in the school’s affairs.This perhaps became the July 20 Jantar Mantar moment (when Delhi Police used force to stop Gen Z protesters from their Sansad march) of the CJP school campaign as the violent confrontation propelled the issue to the national centre stage.School students protest in UPMeanwhile in Uttar Pradesh, Gen Alpha students of a government school staged a protest twice, in a span of four days. over shortage of subject teachers. They briefly blocked traffic also.Students of a government school in Kannauj boycotted classes and held protests against the principal for alleged caste discrimination and ordering the felling of trees inside the school campus.The students of PM Shri Composite School in Gugarapur surrounded the vehicle of the in-charge principal at the school gate as he was leaving and raised slogans against him.Protests also happened in Fatehpur, Hamirpur against lack of facilities in schools. In Hamirpur, ‘Gen Alpha’ children laid siege to the collectorate to demand the construction of a paved road to their school.In Unnao, hundreds of students of a government-run residential school staged a protest over alleged poor-quality food, inadequate drinking water, shortage of teachers and the behaviour of the principal, briefly disrupting traffic at a city crossing.’Ministers’ dogs got better facilities than students’In Maharashtra, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke conducted a social audit of government-run and municipal schools in Latur district. He led a team at a Zilla Parishad school at Ujani village in Latur’s Ausa tehsil.After his audit, Dipke said schools in the state were in a pitiable condition, and even “ministers’ dogs got better facilities” than students. He sought the resignation of Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse. Later, Maharashtra police registered a case against the CJP convenor and others for allegedly entering a government school without permission, disrupting official work and threatening teachers.The state governments cited rules to browbeat the CJP teams away from its schools. But at the same time, they were forced to act to nullify the impact of the CJP campaign. So, while some states announced new measures to improve the condition of schools, others increased the pace of work already underway to ensure that results were seen on the ground quickly.CJP claims creditThe CJP was quick to claim credit for govt actions and basked in glory.“The impact we’ve been able to make with such a small team in such a short span of time is just unreal. Multiple state governments have had to bow down. Authorities had to listen to Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids and give them their due,” it said in a post on X.“But this does not end here. We need to keep going until even the remotest regions of the nation, even the most deprived communities, have access to the highest standard of educational facilities. They may use force, they may file cases, they may do whatever they can to crush this, but we will remain committed to the same demand,” the post read.Politial parties take a cue from CJPWhile it can be debated whether or not the CJP campaign forced the governments into action, what can be said with certainty is that the CJP has managed to do what many political parties could not – inspire the youth to come to the streets and seek accountability from power.The two CJP campaigns also point to an interesting shift – which should be a learning lesson, especially for parties in the opposition space. We have seen the opposition parties raise the pitch against government on issues like caste and religion as these have greater potential for voter mobilisation. Rarely do we see campaigns by the opposition parties centred around health or education reforms. But that seems to have changed.Youth outreachThe Congress has taken a cue and is trying to stay focused on students’ connect and raise issues that concern the youth. In Rajasthan, the state Congress unit is also on the streets to highlight gaps in state government school infrastructure.And it’s not just the opposition that is course-correcting; the ruling BJP has also drawn a roadmap to engage with the youth and understand their concerns. In the middle of the Gen Z protest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi debuted on Instagram and tried to communicate directly with the youth who were on the streets. The BJP has in fact formed a dedicated team to spearhead its Gen Z outreach.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesNews agency ANI reported that this team includes BJP chief Nitin Nabin, national general secretaries Smriti Irani and Vinod Tawde, Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chhattisgarh minister OP Choudhary, along with several other leaders.Clearly, the CJP has managed to change the political discourse and has put the focus on the youth as potential game-changers in electoral politics. As we gear up for the next rounds of assembly elections in the run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha challenge, we may see youth outreach taking centre stage like never before.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Hrehaan Roshan makes singing debut with ‘This Heavenly Place’; Hrithik Roshan says ‘I trust’ son’s instincts’, Sussanne Khan and Saba Azad shower love Taurus Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions ‘Students forced Delhi zamindars to bow’: Abhishek Banerjee takes dig at Centre over CJP protest Green Party leader Zack Polanski calls for data centre freeze in England; says they ‘guzzle’ energy, water | World News 21 Indians reach Delhi, 320 still uncontactable NEW DELHI: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu who had arrived in Kathmandu from the flood-affected area on Thursday were brought back to Delhi on Friday.External affairs minister S Jaishankar received the group of 21 pilgrims, who had been rescued from the floods in Nepal.”First good news, 21 Indian nationals who had arrived yesterday in Kathmandu from the area that was affected by this flood have today landed in Delhi. These 21 Indian nationals are from Tamil Nadu. Yesterday, our ambassador met them in Kathmandu and inquired about their well-being,” Jaiswal said. Watch 469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsHe added that 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli One hydropower project were also rescued on Thursday.”In addition to these 21 Indian nationals, yesterday we gave you an update about 63 Indian nationals who are working at the Trishuli One hydropower project. They were also rescued yesterday,” he added.He said the government was currently unable to establish contact with 320 Indian nationals, who are being treated as missing or uncontactable.”As far as the number of people whom we are not able to contact or who are missing, the figure at this point in time is 320. There are also around 100 persons of Indian origin who remain uncontactable. These are people of Indian origin who may have gone for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, but they hold other nationalities,” Jaiswal said.Jaiswal said around 400 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side of the Nepal-China border are safe, with the Indian Embassy in Beijing and local authorities working to facilitate their evacuation.“On the Chinese side, we have 400 Indian nationals. They are safe. They have been in touch with their family,” Jaiswal said. He added that the embassy had been in contact with several of them, while their relatives had also reached out through helpline numbers operated by the mission in Beijing.“Our embassy is in touch with local authorities in China, and they are working out as to how these people who are there can be evacuated,” he said.Jaiswal also said India began sending humanitarian assistance to Nepal on August 26, with the first aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of relief material, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.A second aircraft departed on August 27 carrying 37.5 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food items.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“We are considering the third flight, expected to leave this evening,” Jaiswal said. The aircraft is expected to carry around 12-13 tonnes of supplies, including portable generators, dignity kits, food, water-purification tablets and medicines requested by the Nepali authorities.A glacier collapse in Tibet triggered severe flash floods and mudslides along the China-Nepal border, killing at least 475 people and leaving several others missing, according to authorities in the two countries. The casualty figures differ between agencies due to variations in data collection, verification and coordination.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash Namibia 22/0 in 2.4 Overs Jio Platforms gets Sebi nod for $3.8 billion IPO, potentially India’s biggest listing MAH BBA CAP 2026 Round 3 seat allotment list released: Check steps to download and other details here Climate Change Impact On Children: 61% of children in India exposed to one more month of heat stress due to climate change: Study | India News Riddhima Kapoor Sahni shares UNSEEN childhood photo with Ranbir Kapoor on Raksha Bandhan; Neetu Kapoor calls them ‘My loves’ ‘I love them, but something feels off’: 5 relationship doubts we rarely say out loud Gemini Horoscope Tomorrow, August 29, 2026: Career, Money, Love and Health Predictions