Pakistan using terrorism as instrument of statecraft: Indian delegation in Sierra Leone

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Freetown, May 30 (IANS) The high-level all-party Parliamentary delegation from India led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde on Friday interacted with several foreign diplomats in Sierra Leone to galvanise international action against terrorism and decisively counter the tactics of those who perpetrate, support, and sponsor cross-border terror activities against India.

The delegation led by Shinde also includes Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Sasmit Patra, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, S.S. Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy.

Patra, during an interview with a local TV channel, also launched a scathing attack on Pakistan’s use of terrorism as an instrument of statecraft.

“The need for Pakistan to abandon terror tactics in favour of peace and prosperity resonates across millions of Sierra Leoneans,” Patra was quoted as saying by the High Commission of India in the West African nation.

The delegation also held extensive discussions with Abdulai Caulker, the National Security Coordinator of Sierra Leone, aiming at enhancing security cooperation between both countries.

“Under my leadership, all-party delegation met with Abdulai Caulker, the National Security Coordinator of Sierra Leone. During this significant meeting, we held in-depth discussions aimed at strengthening security cooperation between India and Sierra Leone,” Shinde posted on X on Friday

“Key topics included joint strategies to combat cross-border terrorism, controlling the financing of terrorism, enhancing security systems, and establishing rapid alert mechanisms in the context of cybersecurity. We reached a mutual consensus on deepening the trust and cooperation between our two nations. I am confident that this collaboration will play a decisive role in the effective implementation of future security strategies,” the post added.

Earlier, during a meeting with the delegation, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Brima Koroma, said, “Whatever India is going through, it is not just your problem, it is our problem too… Though not permanent, we are members of the UN Security Council”.

Additionally, in an extraordinary gesture reflecting strong relations between both countries, the parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday observed a moment of silence in honour of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Indian delegation thanked the Speaker and Parliamentarians of the country for their special gesture of friendship and solidarity in India’s fight against terrorism.

“While leading the Indian all-party delegation, I had the opportunity to meet Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, along with Members of Parliament and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. During the meeting, we held detailed discussions on enhancing mutual cooperation to strengthen global peace and security, as well as on jointly combating terrorism through multilateral platforms,” Shinde said in a post on X.

It also met Deputy Defence Minister Muana Brima Massaquoi of Sierra Leone, briefing him about India’s strategic restraints in its counter terrorism operations and reaffirming zero tolerance for terrorism.

“India and Sierra Leone enjoy warm and friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values, South-South cooperation, and a common vision for a secure and prosperous future. This visit is expected to further consolidate bilateral relations and foster deeper strategic understanding between the two nations,” read a statement issued by the High Commission of India in Freetown.

The delegates are a part of India’s global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism

–IANS

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ASER report 2024: Grade 3 students see improvement in reading and arithmetic skills

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) for 2024 was released on Tuesday, unveiling a remarkable recovery in foundational learning among Grade 3 students in the country.

According to the findings of the Survey, the Grade 3 students have recorded significant improvement in both reading and arithmetic skills in government schools, signalling a watershed moment for education reform in government schools.

“In 2024, the percentage of Grade 3 students able to read Grade 2-level text rose by an impressive 43 per cent, from 16.3 per cent in 2022 to 23.4 per cent. This recovery follows a prolonged decline due to learning loss during COVID, with basic reading levels at 20.9 per cent in 2018 before slipping further,” said an official statement.

“Arithmetic skills have shown a 30 per cent improvement: the proportion of Grade 3 children capable of performing basic subtraction rose from 25.9 per cent in 2021 to 33.7 per cent in 2024,” it further said.

The government’s ambitious NIPUN Bharat Mission (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy), launched in 2021, is understood to be the reason behind this transitional shift.

The objective of this mission is to ensure that all children are able to achieve grade-level reading and numeracy skills by the end of Grade 2.

The focus is evident in the policy’s guidelines, which says, “Our highest priority must be to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) in primary school and beyond by 2026-27. ”

The mission has also catalysed significant financial investments. Between 2021 and 2025, ₹9,235 crores were disbursed under the Samagra Shiksha framework, with over ₹2,000 crores allocated annually for teacher training, assessments, and high-quality learning materials. The budgetary support in ensuring quality interventions across the schools proved instrumental in bridging gaps in improving teaching and learning practices for children.

Over the last three years, NIPUN Bharat has enabled sweeping changes in classroom practices and resource allocation which include implementation of FLN activities for Grades 1-3, equipping schools with teaching and learning materials funds, distribution of textbooks in schools and distribution of school readiness programs for students entering Grade I.

–IANS

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WBSSC recruitment case: Undeterred by baton charge, teachers gherao Bikash Bhawan again

Kolkata, May 16 (IANS) A day after being baton-charged by police, the protesting teachers have assembled again, surrounding Bikash Bhavan, the West Bengal Education Department’s headquarters, on Friday morning.

Some of the protesting teachers with severe head and body injuries were also seen joining the protests.

Some of the protesters attempted to get inside the Bikash Bhavan premises by removing the barricades raised by police around the building at Salt Lake in Kolkata.

A police contingent from Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate has already reached the spot and is trying to control the situation.

The protesting teachers claimed that even if they face police assault again, they would continue with their protests till their last breath until their demands in the matter are fulfilled.

Their main demand is that the state government and West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) should immediately publish lists segregating the “untainted” or “genuine” candidates from the “tainted” ones, who had paid money for getting school jobs.

They also alleged that the state government and WBSSC are “deliberately refraining from publishing the segregated lists to protect the untainted candidates”.

The protesting “genuine” teachers started a gherao agitation on Thursday morning, cordoning off Bikash Bhavan from all sides. At around 10 p.m. on Thursday, a huge police contingent reached the spot and resorted to a massive baton charge to disperse the protesters, in which several protesting teachers were severely injured.

Although the “gherao” demonstration was dispersed, the protesting teachers assembled at a distance from Bikash Bhavan, continuing with their sit-in demonstration.

On April 3, the Supreme Court’s division bench of erstwhile Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had upheld a previous order by the Calcutta High Court’s division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi cancelling 25,753 school jobs in West Bengal.

The Apex Court also accepted the observation of the Calcutta High Court that the entire panel of 25,753 candidates had to be cancelled because of the failure of the state government and the commission to segregate the “untainted| candidates from the “tainted” ones.

The state government and West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) had already filed review petitions at the Apex Court on this issue.

–IANS

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BJP hails Delhi govt’s Rs 1 lakh crore Budget as ‘historic’, AAP unimpressed

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the Rs 1 lakh crore budget for FY26 on Tuesday, outlining 10 key focus areas, including electricity, roads, water, and connectivity.

The Budget was hailed by BJP leaders as “historic,” while the AAP congratulated the Chief Minister and expressed hope that the government would work for the welfare of the people.

Talking to IANS, BJP leader Harish Khurana described the budget as historic, noting that it was the first time Delhi had received an allocation exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore. He emphasised that the BJP was working to fulfill its manifesto promises, including a Rs 2,500 allocation for various schemes. “Atal Canteen” also featured in the Budget, highlighting the party’s focus on welfare initiatives.

Khurana said, “We are trying to allocate the budget in almost every sector, including education, roads, health, and transport. Our aim is to develop Delhi and improve its basic infrastructure.”

BJP leader Kailash Gahlot also praised the Budget, stating, “This is a good budget. I want to congratulate the people of Delhi, as I believe this budget will meet all the needs of Delhites.”

BJP MLA Ajay Mahawar also termed the budget ‘very good’ in all categories. He highlighted that the people of Delhi had been calling for improvements in basic infrastructure, and the budget addresses those concerns.

“A lot of money is being spent on infrastructure, and all our promises to the people of Delhi are being fulfilled,” Mahawar said.

He also pointed out that various groups, including women, traders, farmers, and villagers, would benefit from the budget. “From education to health, this budget takes everyone into account,” he added.

Mahawar further mentioned that the government had allocated Rs 5,100 crore for women’s welfare and expressed confidence in the implementation of key initiatives such as water conservation and the restoration of the sewage treatment plant.

He also questioned the performance of the AAP-led government in Punjab, urging them to deliver on their promises in that state.

However, AAP leader Imran Hussain took a more cautious approach, questioning the absence of an economic survey report alongside the budget.

“Let’s wait and see what they do. I want to congratulate Rekha Gupta for presenting the budget, and I hope they will work for the benefit of the people,” Hussain said.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented her first budget as part of the newly elected BJP government in the capital.

Terming the Rs 1 lakh crore allocation as historic, the Chief Minister highlighted that it is the largest Budget in Delhi’s history.

“This is a historic day, as this is not just any Budget. The people of Delhi and the country have been eagerly waiting to see how the government, elected with a historic mandate, would present its first Budget,” said the Chief Minister in her address.

She further explained that the budget was not just a presentation of government expenses but a blueprint for transforming the city.

“This budget is focused on bringing Delhi to the path of becoming a Viksit (developed) city, aligning it with a glorious history and a bright future,” she added.

–IANS

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