THE Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is going to introduce a ranking system for Kendriya Vidyalayas in June next year, according to media reports. While the stated objective for the reported move is to “improve quality”, the ploy is to cut down on government spending and privatise school education. Educationists have warned against such a move. If private schools are later included in the ranking system, schools run and aided by governments may be left behind, which will ultimately encourage people to send their wards to private schools.

Protesting against the ruination of the Indian economy and the livelihood conditions of the vast majority of our people due to demonetisation, the Left parties observed a `Protest Day’ across the country against the economic policies pursued by the BJP governments at the centre and the states, on November 8. Above is the photo of the protest held in New Delhi.

FOR quite some time, corruption and black money has been agitating the public mind in this country. This was particularly more so, in the urban landscape.  This was elevated to an unprecedented height in the run-up to the last general elections in 2014. The background music was provided by the anti-corruption campaign under the banner of India against corruption led by the `Gandhian icon’ Anna Hazare.

KERALA Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was accorded a hero’s welcome in Madurai in Tamil Nadu. His visit to Tamil Nadu came days after the LDF government decided to appoint people from the Scheduled Castes and other socially-backward communities as priests in government-managed temples, realisation of a dream of social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy.

The Second National Convention of the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch was held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu from November 4-6. The conference venue was named as Rohith Vemula Hall. From 21 states, 452 delegates including 55 women attended the convention.The convention began with an inaugural session on November 4 in the evening at 4.00 pm. The Venmani Jyoti (torchlight) against the Venmani killings was received by A Lazar and P Suganthi and the torchv against Honour Killings was received by S Bala and P Uchimahali.