Fight against heavy schoolbags

Karnal: The Director, Elementary Education, Haryana (DEEH), has directed all District Elementary Education Officers (DEEOs) to take measures to reduce the weight of schoolbags. The decision has been taken on the recommendation of the National Commissioner for Protection of Child (NCPC), New Delhi, in view of the adverse effects heavy schoolbags have on the health of children. In the order issued a few days ago,  it was ordered that weight of schoolbags should not be more than 10 per cent of the weight of achild . Action would be taken against the schools not following the guidelines.  Saroj Gur, DEEO, said:“We will hold a meeting of heads of  schools to discuss measures for reducing the weight of schoolbags to provide relief to children.” The DEEO maintained the circular directed the schools to issue guidelines to students to carry books as per the time table and also suggest suitable ways to carry bags. Schools would also issue directions to all teachers to inform students in advance about necessary books. Parents had also voiced concern at various platforms that heavy schoolbags had an adverse effect on the health of growing children.

Varsity to introduce research on Sant Vilhoji 

REWARI: Indira Gandhi University at Meerpur village will conduct research on the personality, ideology and achievements of Sant Vilhoji. Prof SK Bansal, Vice-Chancellor, said there was need to educate students about Vilhoji’s life who made significant contribution in social, spiritual and cultural progress. Madan Lal, Registrar of the university, said moral education as a subject and research on the contribution of Sant Vilhoji would be introduced in the university on a compulsory basis from the next academic session. 

Madhogarh fort to be developed as tourist destination

MAHENDRAGARH: Deputy Commissioner RN Kaushik has directed PWD officials to complete all formalities regarding the construction of a road to link Mahendragarh, Satnali and Madhogarh villages. The DC issued the directives during a meeting to review ongoing construction work. He said the state government had decided to develop the historical Madhogarh fort as a tourist destination, adding that Rs 50 crore would be spent on the maintenance of the fort.

VC inaugurates workshop on employability skills

Sonepat: Prof Asha Kadiyan, vice-chancellor of BPS Women University, Khanpur Kalan, inaugurated a four-day workshop on  ‘Employability Skills through Life Skill Approach’ jointly organised by the university and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Youth Development, Chandigarh, here on Saturday. She said time had come for women to serve society in a more meaningful way by helping eradicate social evils like female foeticide and gender inequality. The VC urged NSS volunteers to work in the national perspective.   Amanpreet Kaur of Chandigarh institute and Dr Ajai Shatru of Delhi NGO Play and Peace— will be senior trainers at the workshop in which at least 100 NSS girl volunteers from different departments of the university are participating.

(Contributed by Parveen Arora, Ravinder Saini and BS Malik)