'Holi in the heart of Washington DC,' Indian Embassy in US extends wishes

The task force formed under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary and Director of Education will recommend the implementation of the National Education Policy. Project Directors of the School and Mass Education, Panchayati Raj, Women and Child Development, Finance, Skill  Development, Sports, Higher Education, and OSEPA are the task force members. 

Nodal Officer of the National Education Policy 2020, Director of the SCERT, and the Principal of the Regional Institutes of Education have also been nominated as members. The Additional Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department is the coordinator. 

Invited members from organisations such as UNICEF, Central Square Foundation, Akshar Foundation, Language Learning Foundation and Pratham who will advise the task force. The government has also reconstituted a six-member thematic sub-committee for the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. 

All these committees will prepare a draft policy for the implementation of the National Education Policy. The sub-committee is headed by the Director of the Department of Women and Child Development.

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Speaking to the media persons in Begusarai on Thursday, Union Minister Singh outlined his itinerary, which includes stops in districts of the Seemanchal region, known for their Muslim-majority populations.

His Yatra will go from Bhagalpur to Katihar via Naugachia on Saturday, then proceed to Purnea on October 20, Araria on October 21, and conclude in Kishanganj on October 22.

His decision to travel through these specific districts has sparked controversy due to the religious demographics of the region. Union Minister Singh, however, has emphasised that the focus of the Yatra is to promote Hindu unity and pride, positioning it as a response to what he views as the need to consolidate the Hindu community in these areas. 

The Yatra is likely to trigger political debate and reactions, especially in the context of Bihar's communal dynamics, as the region is often seen as a flashpoint for religious and political tensions. The scheduled Yatra has drawn criticism from opposition parties while the BJP has distanced itself from the programme. 

Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal has clarified that the Yatra is not being conducted under the party's banner.

JD-U leader and MLC Neeraj Kumar, along with leaders from the RJD, Congress, and the Left parties, have condemned the Yatra.

Union Minister Singh, while defending the purpose of his Yatra, said: "The Hindu community must unite to avoid a fate similar to that of Hindus in Kashmir, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. My Yatra aims to awaken Hindus to the potential dangers of disunity." 

"If Hindus lose their status in the country, Indian democracy itself would be endangered," he added. 

Union Minister Singh sought to reassure critics by asserting that his Yatra is not promoting any illegal activities but is a means to protect the identity and survival of Hindus. 

He also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of wanting a civil war in India through provocative statements and a disregard for the law. 

Additionally, Union Minister Singh said that the Waqf Board is an "illegitimate child of the Congress" and accused the Congress of unquestioningly supporting the Board’s decisions. 

The Union Minister's strong and controversial remarks have intensified the political friction surrounding the Yatra, particularly in the communally sensitive Seemanchal region. 

--IANS

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In the 2023 T20 World Cup final, South Africa lost to Australia by 19 runs to miss out on their maiden ICC silverware. However, this time they overcame the Aussie hurdle and will eye to clinch the title on Sunday. The second semifinal will be played between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday.

Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl first. South African bowlers backed their skipper's decision and bowled economically to restrict Australia to 134/5 in 20 overs with Beth Mooney playing a knock of 44 runs while Ellyse Perry contributed 31.

Chasing a below-par 135, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave a cautious start to South Africa in the powerplay before Annabel Sutherland drew first blood for Australia in the fifth over. She removed Brits for 15 as Anneke Bosch joined her captain in the middle. The senior duo lived up to the occasion and stitched a 96-run match-setting stand for the second wicket. Bosch played the role of aggressor and hit eight fours and a six in a 74-run knock while Wolvaardt struck 37-ball 42 including three fours and a maximum before Sutherland got her second for the night in the 15th over.

It was too late for Australia to further dent South Africa's chase as new batter Chloe Tryon only contributed one run with Bosch finishing in fashion to take her side over the line in the 18th over.

Before the start of the match, South Africa have never defeated Australia in the women's T20I. On the other hand, Australia will not play the T20 World Cup final for the first time since 2009. In the tournament's history, Australia have won six titles and finished runners-up once.

Earlier, Australia managed to score 134 runs in front of economical Proteas bowlers. Grace Harris, who had previously scored 40 as a makeshift opener against India, was dismissed for just three off Ayobonga Khaka, giving South Africa their first breakthrough of the match. The Aussies also lost Georgia Wareham early on, but Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath steadied the innings with a solid 50-run partnership for the third wicket.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba broke the partnership by dismissing McGrath for 27. Mooney continued until the 17th over, scoring 44 runs off 42 balls before being run out. Ellyse Perry then came in with an attacking mindset, boosting the innings with a quickfire 31 runs off 23 balls.

Phoebe Litchfield, who had a useful cameo against India, followed up with 16 runs off nine deliveries. Khaka stood out among South Africa's bowlers with figures of 2-24 in four overs. Marizanne Kapp and Mlaba bagged one wicket each while Chloe Tryon finished with the figures of 0-25 in her four overs.

Brief scores: Australia 134/5 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 44, Ellyse Perry 31; Ayabonga Khaka 2-24) lost to South Africa 135/2 in 17.2 overs (Anneke Bosch 74*, Laura Wolvaardt 42; Annabel Sutherland 2-26) by eight wickets.

--IANS

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