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West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Inaugurates Gangasagar Mela, Ushers in Sustainable Initiatives

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 10, 2025, Kolkata — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the annual Gangasagar Mela at Outram Ghat, continuing the state’s tradition of hosting this prominent event. She commenced the ceremony by paying homage to Swami Vivekananda, offering a wreath at his portrait to honor his legacy.


In a significant step towards sustainable development, the Chief Minister launched ‘Dheu,’ India’s first NG (Natural Gas) electric ferry vessel. This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance the water transport system by offering a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable commuting experience, thereby addressing environmental concerns and boosting economic efficiency.

To further bolster the state’s firefighting and emergency response capabilities, 25 fire engines equipped with 5,000-liter mounted pumps, 25 medium-sized fire engines with 2,500-liter capacity, and a new fire station in Jangipur, Murshidabad, were commissioned during the event. These additions represent a commitment to ensuring public safety and preparedness for emergencies.

The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the arrangements for the Gangasagar Mela, emphasizing the meticulous planning undertaken by the government. “From health to security, transportation to administration, everything has been well-coordinated,” she stated. She urged pilgrims to adhere to the guidelines and participate in the holy bath responsibly, underscoring the government’s dedication to round-the-clock service for the event’s success.

The inauguration highlights the administration’s focus on both tradition and progress, blending cultural reverence with innovative advancements to benefit the community.
Economy

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Announces Rs 350 Crore Assistance for 9 Lakh Farmers Under ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ Scheme

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 9, 2025, Kolkata : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fulfilled her promise to assist Bengal’s farmers by announcing a financial aid of Rs 350 crore under the ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ scheme. Today, the Chief Minister shared this message of support on her official X handle, confirming that 9 lakh farmers in the state would directly benefit from the financial assistance.

This year, the state faced severe weather challenges, including frequent floods that caused significant damage to crops. The floodwaters submerged large agricultural areas in South Bengal, particularly in districts such as Howrah, Hooghly, East Burdwan, West Medinipur, and Bankura. Paddy fields and other seasonal crops were devastated, resulting in substantial financial losses for farmers. The farmers in North Bengal also faced similar hardships.

Standing by the farmers, Mamata Banerjee announced that the state government would provide financial relief, ensuring that those whose crops were affected by adverse weather conditions in the current Kharif season would receive compensation. Notably, under the ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ scheme, farmers are not required to pay any premiums, as the state government covers the entire cost for crops, including potatoes and sugarcane.

In her tweet, Mamata Banerjee expressed her satisfaction in delivering this assistance, stating, “I am very happy to inform you that under the ‘Bangla Crop Insurance’ scheme, we have started providing financial assistance of Rs 350 crore directly to 9 lakh farmers of Bengal through their bank accounts. This assistance is being provided to all the farmers whose crops were damaged due to adverse weather conditions in the current Kharif season.”

She further highlighted the success of the initiative, sharing that since the scheme’s inception in 2019, the state government has provided a total of Rs 3,562 crore to 1.12 crore affected farmers. This ongoing commitment underscores the government’s dedication to supporting the agricultural community and alleviating the challenges faced by farmers in Bengal.

Education, West Bengal

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Highlights Educational Progress and Youth Empowerment at Students’ Week Event

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 9, 2025, Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the Students’ Week program at Dhandhanya Auditorium, where she presented job appointment letters to the Santosh Trophy winners. During her address, the Chief Minister reflected on her own journey from her student days to her current political role, emphasizing the state’s educational initiatives and the transformative impact they have had on the youth.

Mamata Banerjee underscored the success of the state’s Utkarsh Bangla project, which has already trained 47 lakh students, with 10 lakh of them securing employment. The project’s goal is to equip young people with the skills needed in various industrial sectors, and the Chief Minister assured that companies seeking employees could rely on the trained candidates from Utkarsh Bangla. Additionally, she highlighted the establishment of 500 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics across the state, aimed at providing students with high-quality training and preparing them for the workforce.

During her speech, Mamata Banerjee also shared personal anecdotes from her own educational experience, noting that she completed her MA from Calcutta University and studied law, despite having no public recognition at the time. She humorously addressed speculation about her age, admitting to increasing her age by five years, and reflected on how her identity had evolved. “Even my name is not my choice. But whatever happens, happens,” she remarked, adding, “When I walk, my brain works. And when I don’t walk, I feel like I am not doing anything.”

Her words resonated with the audience, highlighting the Chief Minister’s continuous drive for progress and the empowerment of the state’s youth through educational initiatives that provide both skills and opportunities for the future. 

Career / Jobs, Education, West Bengal

SC to Hear Pleas on WB School Recruitment Case Regarding Staff Appointment Cancellations on January 15

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear on January 15 pleas of the West Bengal government challenging the April 22, 2024 High Court order that invalidated and cancelled the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in the state government run and aided schools.

PARMOD KUMAR | SNS | New Delhi | January 7, 2025 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear on January 15 pleas of the West Bengal government challenging the April 22, 2024 High Court order that invalidated and cancelled the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in the state government run and aided schools.

At the outset of the hearing today, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna heading a bench also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K V Viswanathan, said that there are two options before it — either a three-judge bench re-hears the case all over again or it be listed it before a two-judge bench that had begun hearing the final arguments on December 19, 2024, – the last date of hearing.

Noting the submissions advanced by the advocates, the Chief Justice Khanna said that the matter will be heard by a two-judge bench comprising him and Justice Sanjay Kumar and posted the matter for hearing on January 15, 2025, at 02.00 pm.

On December 19, 2024, a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had a detailed but inconclusive hearing on a batch of petitions including one by the West Bengal government challenging the High Court order invalidating and canceling the recruitment of teachers and the non-teaching staff for the government-run and aided schools.

During the last (December 19, 2024) hearing, the top court had highlighted the need to examine the authenticity of the electronic data stored in the database of the School Service Commission (SSC) in order to understand whether there can be a distinction made between ‘tainted’ and ‘untainted’ candidates.

On May 7, the Supreme Court had partially stayed the April 22, 2024, Calcutta HC order cancelling the appointment of 25,753 assistant teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal state run/aided schools, subject to the final outcome of the hearing, of the petitions challenging the High Court order.

By the May 7, 2024, order, while extending its November 9, 2023, interim order, the top court bench comprising then Chief Justice Chandrachud (since retired), Justice Pardiwala and Justice Misra in Achinta Kumar Mondal vs Laxmi Tunga case had first granted protection to the teaching and non-teaching staff whose services were to be terminated by an interim order of the High Court.

The November 9, 2023, order was continued by May 7, 2024, order, subject to the condition that “any person who is found to have been appointed illegally and is continued as a consequence of the present order shall undertake to refund the entire amount of the salary which may be paid between the date of this order and the final judgment of this Court.”

Protecting the services of the staff that were ordered to be terminated by an interim order of the High Court, the Supreme Court by its November 9, 2023, order had said, “the direction of the High Court for the termination of the services of candidates at the interim stage, even before the final disposal of the petitions, ought to have been avoided.”

The appointments which are being described as tainted and whose legality is being questioned were made in pursuance to the 2016 State-level test conducted by the School Service Commission. Results were declared on March 3, 2018 and the merit list came on August 28, 2018. The actual joining took place in January-February 2019.

The West Bengal government had on April 24, moved the top court against the High Court’s order invalidating and cancelling the appointment of 25,753 teachers and the non-teaching staff belonging to Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ categories made by the State’s School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run schools. Besides the plea by the West Bengal government, there are other petitions challenging the High Court order.
National, West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Slams Odisha Government Over Tiger Zeenat’s Relocation to Bengal

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews,  January 8, 2025, Kolkata : 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her displeasure on Monday over the ongoing tiger relocation issues, specifically the case of Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress that had wandered through three states, covering 300 kilometers, before entering West Bengal from Odisha. The tigress, who had escaped from Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on December 8, was sedated and captured in a forest near Gosaindihi village in Bankura district on December 29 after causing significant disruptions across West Bengal.

Zeenat’s journey through Odisha, Jharkhand, and finally into West Bengal caused considerable distress to local communities. According to Banerjee, the Bengal Forest Department’s efforts to safely capture and repatriate the tigress to its original habitat were exemplary. “The way we handled the situation, without causing any harm to the tigress, is a model for tiger management,” Banerjee stated. She criticized the Odisha government for not acknowledging Bengal’s humane approach to the crisis, while also accusing them of failing to protect their own wildlife.

The Chief Minister particularly expressed frustration over the disruption caused by Zeenat’s entry into Bengal. “Five districts of West Bengal were practically locked down at that time. People could not leave their homes, and schools had to be closed. We endured the ordeal, and later, they asked us to return the tiger,” she remarked, highlighting the challenges faced by local authorities and residents.

Zeenat, who had been relocated to Similipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in November 2024 to help strengthen the gene pool of the reserve, managed to escape on December 8. Her journey through Jharkhand and West Bengal, where she was sighted and eventually captured, has raised concerns over the handling of tiger relocation and the safety of residents in the affected areas.

Banerjee, in her address, also called on the Odisha government to take more responsibility, urging them to send rescue teams to ensure such incidents do not recur. “The life of people in Bengal has been disrupted again due to this big cat entering the state. The Odisha government, unable to protect its wildlife like tigers, should take a proactive role in preventing such situations,” she said.

The Chief Minister’s comments underscore the ongoing tension between neighboring states regarding wildlife management and tiger conservation. While Bengal has implemented strategies to safeguard both the animals and public safety, Banerjee’s remarks reflect her frustration with the lack of coordination from Odisha’s forest authorities in managing the movement of wildlife across state borders.

As Bengal continues to work towards the safety of its residents, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting both wildlife and human life, stating that no further disturbances will be tolerated. “We love wild animals, but human life must also be safeguarded,” Banerjee concluded.

Crime, West Bengal

Fraudulent Scheme Unveiled: Young Man Arrested for Using Forged Number Plate to Evade Traffic Fines

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews,  January 8, 2025, Kolkata : In an unusual case of fraud, a young man has been arrested for using a forged number plate to exploit the online traffic fine system. The police have also seized a bike involved in the scheme. According to police sources, the incident unfolded during a routine naka checking on the night of January 4 at the Rajarhat intersection.


At the checkpoint, the police seized a bike, which was then issued an online fine for a traffic violation. A fine notice was promptly sent to the phone linked to the vehicle’s registration number. However, the message was inadvertently sent to a person named Dipanjan Kar, whose registered vehicle also bore the same number. Dipanjan, who owns a four-wheeler Maruti car, was taken aback by the fine message, as his car was currently in the garage for repairs at that time.

Shocked by the notification, Dipanjan immediately contacted the Rajarhat police station. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the vehicle associated with the fine was linked to his Maruti car, which is registered at the Barasat RTO. Further probing uncovered that the bike in question had the same number plate as Dipanjan’s car, and the registration details were found to be associated with a different individual – one Bhaskarat Krishna Mandal, a resident of the Shashan area.

The police began an investigation into how the fraudulent registration and forged number plate were created. Initial findings suggest that a Blue Book for the bike was forged, potentially indicating a larger scam involving the RTO. Investigators are looking into whether a gang might be behind this operation and whether there was any corruption or malfeasance within the RTO.

The arrested individual, Bhaskarat Krishna Mandal, will be produced in court today. Authorities are continuing to probe the case to uncover the full extent of the fraud and any other individuals or networks that may be involved.

This incident highlights the growing concerns regarding the misuse of forged documents and online systems, prompting calls for stricter verification processes to prevent such fraudulent activities.
Economy, Politics, West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Returns to Kolkata, Plans Key Meeting on World Bengal Trade Conference and Infrastructure Development

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, January 8, 2025 : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata today after her visit to the Gangasagar Fair, where she took stock of the arrangements for the annual event. Upon her return, the Chief Minister has called for an emergency meeting at Nabanna, scheduled for tomorrow, January 9, to discuss important matters, including the upcoming World Bengal Trade Conference, slated for February 5-6. The conference is expected to be a major platform for showcasing Bengal’s industrial potential ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.


Sources within the administration revealed that the meeting will involve detailed discussions with administrative officials on the planning and execution of the trade conference. Chief Minister Banerjee has been proactive in organizing the event, holding multiple meetings with administrative officials to ensure its success. The World Bengal Trade Conference is seen as a significant initiative to attract global attention to the state’s industrial capabilities, especially as the Chief Minister aims to present Bengal as a key investment hub.

In this crucial meeting, the Chief Minister is expected to receive a comprehensive report from state officials, including Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, on the progress made so far. Last week, a high-level meeting was held under the Chief Secretary’s leadership, and this upcoming session will provide an opportunity for further review and fine-tuning of the plans. Once the Chief Minister gives her approval, the work on the conference will begin in earnest.

Banerjee has placed a strong emphasis on industrial development and attracting investment to West Bengal. She has previously undertaken foreign tours to bring in investments and now intends to leverage this trade conference as a platform to bring the state’s potential to the people. Her vision is to generate employment for Bengal’s educated youth by showcasing the state as an ideal destination for industries. Representatives from the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) will also be present to update the Chief Minister on the progress of various industrial and infrastructure development initiatives.

Earlier today, in a separate event, the Chief Minister inaugurated 30 projects and laid the foundation stones for 19 more in South 24 Parganas district, with an estimated financial value of ₹153 crore for completed projects and ₹61 crore for ongoing ones. Notable initiatives include the construction of 17 Anganwadi centers in Sagar block, 12 jetties across Patharpratima, Gosaba, and Namkhana blocks, and the upgrading of the Canning bus terminus. Three bridges over the Moni, Sundarika-Dwarika, and Piyali rivers were also inaugurated. These projects, aimed at improving the quality of life for approximately 19 lakh residents, are seen as vital to the region’s infrastructure and economic development.

In her address, the Chief Minister also emphasized her deep emotional connection with Sagar Island and the Gangasagar Mela, stating that the fair had created a special bond of love between her and the people of the region. To ensure the convenience of pilgrims attending the fair, the government has put in place a range of services, including a stretched power line over the Muriganga river, three permanent helipads, 2,250 government buses, and 250 private buses. Additionally, 100 launches, 21 jetties, and over 12,000 toilets will be made available for the smooth conduct of the fair. A new initiative this year includes providing biodegradable carry bags for devotees to promote an eco-friendly and sustainable fair.

Banerjee also assured that government officials, along with many volunteers, will be working tirelessly around the clock to ensure the welfare of all those attending the fair. She expressed her heartfelt wishes for the well-being of the pilgrims, saying, “With a pious heart, bid farewell to all the unhappy and become a part of this pious bath – this is my prayer to the Almighty.” She urged everyone to participate in the religious event with devotion and unity.

The Chief Minister’s initiatives reflect her ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, attract investment, and ensure the welfare of the people in both urban and rural areas across the state.
National, Politics

Modi Government to Build Memorial for Former President Pranab Mukherjee at Rajghat

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews,  Delhi, January 8, 2025 : The Narendra Modi-led government has announced plans to construct a memorial for the late President Pranab Mukherjee at the heart of New Delhi. The Union Ministry of Urban Development has earmarked land at Rajghat, the iconic national memorial area, as the site for the tribute.

Sharmistha Mukherjee, the daughter of the late President and a former Congress spokesperson, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to express her gratitude after receiving official communication from the government regarding the memorial’s establishment.

Despite having ideological differences with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pranab Mukherjee maintained cordial personal relationships with several BJP leaders throughout his political career. Notably, he shared a close bond with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with whom he was neighbors and often went for morning walks. Pranab also had a longstanding relationship with Narendra Modi, which began well before the latter assumed the role of Prime Minister. The two leaders shared a mutual respect, with Modi even seeking Pranab’s guidance shortly after his election.

In an early interaction following Modi’s swearing-in as Prime Minister, the two engaged in a long conversation at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, Modi assured Pranab that if any issues arose, he would be available at any time to offer assistance. This camaraderie between the two political figures did not sit well with some members of the Congress party. Furthermore, the relationship faced additional scrutiny following Pranab’s speech at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, which was criticized by his daughter Sharmistha, though Pranab did not take the criticism to heart. He believed in maintaining open channels of dialogue, even with those who held differing ideological stances.

Pranab Mukherjee’s contributions to the nation were further recognized when he was awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Modi government. The decision to allocate land for his memorial reflects the government’s acknowledgment of his legacy and his role in shaping India’s political landscape.

The memorial, once completed, will serve as a lasting tribute to one of India’s most respected political figures, marking a moment of reconciliation and mutual respect between differing political ideologies.

International

At Least 36 Killed, 38 Injured in Tibet After 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake

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Agencies, January 7, 2025: At least 36 people have died and 38 others have been injured after a powerful earthquake struck Tibet early Tuesday morning. The 7.1 magnitude quake jolted Dingri County, located in the Xigaze city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, near the Nepal border. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:05 AM local time (01:05 GMT), was followed by multiple aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 4.4. While Reuters and Chinese news agencies confirmed that 32 people had died and 38 others were injured in the Tibet earthquake.


According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the epicenter of the quake was located at 28.5 degrees North latitude and 87.45 degrees East longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). While China’s earthquake monitoring agency recorded the quake’s magnitude as 6.8, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported it as 7.1.

The tremors were felt in surrounding regions, including Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, which lies approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) away. Videos shared on social media showed widespread damage, with crumbled buildings, fallen debris, and shattered roads. In Tibet’s Dingri County, several structures near the epicenter collapsed, causing severe destruction. State broadcaster CCTV also aired footage showing destroyed houses, with walls torn apart and rubble strewn across the area.


Impact and Rescue Efforts
The earthquake’s impact was most severe in Dingri County, which is situated on the southern slopes of Mount Everest, and is home to approximately 62,000 residents. Temperatures in the area, currently around minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6°F), are expected to drop further, posing additional challenges for rescue operations. Local authorities have initiated efforts to reach out to townships in the affected areas to assess the full extent of the damage.

The earthquake also caused strong tremors in nearby towns such as Lhatse, where images from the scene showed significant structural damage. Villages in the region, particularly in the higher altitudes, were hit hard, and rescue teams have been working around the clock to retrieve survivors from the rubble.

The region is known for its seismic activity due to its proximity to the Himalayan tectonic plate boundary. While earthquakes are common, this was the strongest quake recorded in the last five years within a 200-kilometer radius of the epicenter.

Global Tremors Felt
In addition to Nepal, where residents were awakened by the tremors, the quake was also felt in parts of India, particularly in Bihar state, though no injuries have been reported from these regions. The tremors also reached the high-altitude region around Lobuche, near Everest, where government official Jagat Prasad Bhusal reported strong shaking but no significant damage or casualties.

Previous Earthquake History
This earthquake is a stark reminder of the devastating seismic risks in the region. In 2015, Nepal was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured over 22,000, while also destroying more than half a million homes. Though the magnitude of this latest earthquake is slightly lower, the impact on Tibet’s mountainous regions, combined with the harsh weather conditions, has made recovery efforts difficult.

In recent years, the region has also seen several other significant earthquakes, including a deadly 7.0-magnitude quake along the China-Kyrgyzstan border in January 2024, which killed three people and injured dozens. In December 2023, a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Gansu province, China, resulted in 148 deaths and displaced thousands of people, with sub-zero temperatures complicating the relief efforts.

The current death toll from the Tibet earthquake is expected to rise as rescue operations continue and the full extent of the damage is assessed. Local authorities, along with the Ministry of Emergency Management, are coordinating efforts to provide aid to the affected communities, with search and rescue teams deployed to the worst-hit areas.
Education, West Bengal

Report Highlights Worsening Education Crisis in Bengal: Increased Dropout Rates and School Closures

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Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, January 7, 2025: A recent report by the central government paints a grim picture of the state of education in Bengal, highlighting alarming trends that differ sharply from the situation in other parts of India. The dropout rate in classes nine and ten has surged by more than 12 percent, showing a sharp increase in students leaving school in these crucial years. In comparison, states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have reported lower dropout rates, underlining the severity of the issue in Bengal.


The report also reveals that over 6,000 schools in the state are functioning with just one teacher, making it increasingly difficult to deliver quality education. In many cases, a single teacher is responsible for managing multiple grades and subjects, which compromises the learning experience for students. This situation has been exacerbated by the state’s ongoing struggle with regular teacher recruitment, leaving vacancies unfilled in schools, especially in rural areas, for years. As a result, students often lose interest in their education due to a lack of adequate guidance and support, contributing further to the rising dropout rates.

The situation is also dire for many schools, with over 1,500 institutions facing the threat of closure due to a lack of student enrollment, exacerbating the crisis. The report paints a stark picture of Bengal’s education system, where even basic infrastructure and resources are lacking.

Experts offer insights into the causes behind these worrying trends. According to their analysis, of every 100 students progressing from ninth to tenth grade, 12 drop out of the education system altogether. This leads to the pressing question: where do these students go? Experts suggest that many of these dropouts are being forced into child labor as they seek to contribute to their families’ incomes. Additionally, a number of students are migrating to other states in search of better opportunities.

The root cause of this rising dropout rate, according to experts, can be traced to several systemic issues within the education system. A significant factor is the absence of a pass-fail policy up to the eighth grade. This often leads to students progressing through the system without gaining sufficient knowledge or skills, making it harder for them to continue their education beyond a certain point. Moreover, the removal of the mid-day meal scheme for students in class nine has been cited as another contributing factor. The mid-day meal program, which has been crucial for keeping students engaged in school, has been discontinued for higher classes, making education less appealing for many students.

Another challenge faced by families is the rising cost of education. For many households, continuing education beyond class eight becomes a financial burden, as parents are required to spend considerable amounts on additional resources like books, uniforms, and tuition. This is pushing many students out of the education system in favor of earning money to support their families.

The report calls for urgent reforms to address these challenges, including measures to reduce dropout rates, improve school infrastructure, and provide better financial support for students and their families. Without these changes, experts warn that Bengal’s education system may continue to face a downward spiral, leaving many children deprived of the opportunities education can provide.


Also Read: https://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2025/01/bengal-achieves-zero-per-cent-dropout.html