All posts by Neel Achary

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education has announced a nationwide initiative to strengthen the open schooling framework through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), with the aim of achieving 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2030.

The move aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative focuses on identifying and enrolling out-of-school and dropout children across the country.

According to official data, nearly 2 crore children in the 14–18 age group are currently out of school, while around 11 per cent of children in Classes 3 to 8 remain unenrolled. Additionally, over 50 lakh students fail board examinations annually, highlighting the need for flexible and inclusive education pathways.

Officials said open schooling provides a practical alternative for students unable to attend regular schools due to socio-economic or geographical constraints. NIOS, the world’s largest open schooling board, offers flexible admission, multiple opportunities to clear exams, on-demand examinations, and vocational courses aligned with employability.

To strengthen outreach, the Ministry will launch the “NIOS Mitra” programme, a technology-enabled initiative aimed at identifying, counselling, and enrolling out-of-school children, particularly from marginalised, tribal, migrant, and economically weaker sections. Trained facilitators will support students through enrolment and academic guidance, ensuring last-mile connectivity and measurable outcomes.

The Ministry also plans to expand infrastructure by establishing at least one NIOS Study and Examination Centre in every block. Existing institutions such as PM SHRI schools, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan schools, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti institutions will be leveraged to support this effort.

Officials said the initiative will be implemented in coordination with States and Union Territories, using district-level survey data to identify dropout children and ensure targeted interventions.

The government emphasised that these measures aim to provide inclusive, flexible, and quality education while advancing universal school participation and reducing dropout rates nationwide.

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar on Saturday highlighted India’s rapid expansion in 5G services and outlined an ambitious roadmap to emerge as a global leader in 6G technologies.

Addressing the ET Telecom 5G Summit in New Delhi, the Minister said India is expected to reach nearly one billion 5G users by 2031, underscoring the transformative potential of next-generation connectivity in driving economic growth and digital inclusion.

He attributed the sector’s rapid progress to a series of structural reforms, including the redefinition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), removal of Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC), and rationalisation of bank guarantees, which have improved the financial health of telecom operators and encouraged large-scale investments in network infrastructure.

The Minister also pointed to key policy measures such as streamlined Right of Way (RoW) approvals, improved spectrum management, protection of telecom infrastructure, and simplified licensing processes, all of which have accelerated the rollout of telecom networks across the country.

Emphasising governance reforms, Dr. Pemmasani noted a shift within the Department of Telecommunications towards an outcome-oriented approach, drawing on private sector efficiency. He said the focus is now on speed, accountability, and execution, supported by real-time monitoring and close coordination with stakeholders including service providers, startups, vendors, and state governments.

On rural connectivity, he said nearly 35,000 remote villages are being connected through 4G infrastructure, with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited playing a key role in improving network uptime and strengthening infrastructure in underserved regions.

Highlighting progress under BharatNet, the Minister said the government is investing around USD 17 billion to connect 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband, laying a strong digital foundation for future technologies.

Looking ahead, Dr. Pemmasani said India aims to secure about 10 per cent of global 6G patents and contribute actively to international standard-setting bodies such as 3GPP. He stressed that early participation in global standards is crucial for technological leadership and economic competitiveness.

Citing examples from countries like South Korea, he said early engagement in telecom standards helped companies such as Samsung and LG become global leaders, adding that India aims to replicate similar success.

The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering innovation through a startup-friendly ecosystem, simplified regulations, and faster certification processes. He noted ongoing efforts to enhance service quality, strengthen telecom security frameworks, and promote indigenous technology development.

Concluding his address, Dr. Pemmasani said India has transitioned from being a telecom market to a global technology creator, driven by collaboration between policymakers, industry, and innovators.

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): The 110th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti initiative reviewed several major infrastructure projects aimed at improving multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency across the country.

The meeting, held at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), evaluated six projects, including rail, metro, and highway proposals from key ministries, in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

Among the railway projects, proposals for doubling the Arakkonam–Chengalpattu line in Tamil Nadu and quadrupling the Whitefield–Bangarpet section in Karnataka were assessed. These projects are expected to enhance line capacity, reduce congestion, and improve freight and passenger movement along critical corridors.

In the urban transport segment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs presented plans for Mumbai Metro Line-11, connecting Anik Depot to the Gateway of India, and extensions of Pune Metro Line-4. These projects aim to ease urban congestion, improve connectivity, and support sustainable public transport systems in rapidly growing cities.

The group also reviewed two major road infrastructure projects. These include the four-laning of the Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla corridor in Madhya Pradesh to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration, and the construction of the Fotu La Tunnel in Ladakh to ensure all-weather connectivity on the strategic Srinagar–Leh route.

According to officials, these projects are expected to reduce travel time, improve logistics efficiency, and generate significant socio-economic benefits for surrounding regions. The focus remains on integrated planning, last-mile connectivity, and a coordinated “whole-of-government” approach under the PM GatiShakti framework.

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted a comprehensive review of the agriculture sector, focusing on crop losses, insurance claims, and timely assistance to farmers affected by adverse weather conditions.

The high-level meeting, held at Krishi Bhavan, examined the impact of heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and other weather-related disruptions across several states. The Minister stressed that the government’s approach goes beyond production and includes scientific assessment of crop damage, proper insurance settlement, and prompt relief measures.

Chouhan directed officials to ensure that crop-cutting experiments are conducted without delay and losses are assessed accurately using scientific methods. He emphasised that affected farmers must receive timely compensation and should not face delays in insurance claim settlements.

Highlighting the need for coordination, the Minister instructed central and state authorities to work closely to strengthen relief mechanisms and improve field-level implementation. He also noted that forecasts by the India Meteorological Department indicate possible further weather disturbances, underlining the urgency of preparedness and advisory services for farmers.

The review also focused on long-term agricultural strategy, including farmer welfare, income stability, and risk management. Chouhan said the sector must prioritise not only production but also farmer security and resilience against climate-related risks.

On procurement, the Minister stated that the government is prepared for the upcoming wheat and paddy procurement season, noting sufficient stock levels. He highlighted a renewed push under the self-reliance mission for pulses, assuring farmers that crops such as tur, urad, and masur will be procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through agencies including NAFED and NCCF.

Emphasising quality alongside quantity, Chouhan called for promotion of superior crop varieties and bio-fortified produce to help farmers secure better market prices. He also reviewed preparations for the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, aimed at delivering scientific advisories and region-specific agricultural guidance to farmers.

The Minister announced that regional agricultural conferences will be held across five zones, with upcoming meetings scheduled in Jaipur, Lucknow, and Odisha, to develop crop-specific and state-specific roadmaps.

Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment, Chouhan said the government is working to ensure that farmers receive comprehensive support from sowing to marketing, with the broader goal of strengthening agricultural growth and rural prosperity.

DALLAS, Texas, March 21, 2026 — At a time when artificial intelligence is raising urgent questions about authenticity and truth, The Invisible Everywhere: Believing Is Seeing demonstrates how emerging AI tools can be used to explore enduring spiritual questions.

The 80-minute documentary might very well be the first feature-length motion picture created entirely by a single filmmaker using consumer-grade artificial intelligence tools on a standard home desktop computer.

The film chronicles former Harvard physics instructor and Emmy Award-winning ABC News Science Editor (1988-2002) Dr. Michael Guillén’s adventurous and surprising journey from atheism to Christianity — and his conclusion that modern science points beyond materialism.

“While AI raises many legitimate concerns about authenticity and truth, The Invisible Everywhere illustrates how AI is enabling ‘the power of one’ — liberating talented filmmakers from traditional Hollywood gatekeepers by democratizing the cinematic arts and sciences,” Guillén said.

As a scientist and committed atheist, Guillén used to believe that reality is limited to what can be observed and measured. His guiding principle was “seeing is believing.”

That conviction began to unravel when he looked to empirical science for answers to life’s biggest questions:

How did the cosmos begin? Where is the mind located?

How did life on Earth begin?

Is there life after death? Are we alone?

Does God exist?

Through physics, cosmology and rigorous inquiry, Guillén reached a conclusion that stunned him: Modern science does not eliminate God; it clearly points to Him.

“Modern science now believes that most of reality is not visible, not logical and not even imaginable,” Guillén said.

This unexpected revelation shattered his atheism and turned his lifelong motto on its head — from “seeing is believing” to “believing is seeing.”

Many documentaries explore the visible universe. The Invisible Everywhere explores what cannot be seen.

“If I still lived by the motto ‘seeing is believing,’ I’d be blind to most of what’s real,” Guillén said. “Today, because of what I’ve learned on my long, winding journey, I now can see the invisible creator — everywhere. It’s a journey that changed my life forever.”

The Invisible Everywhere premieres worldwide April 8 exclusively at www.theinvisibleeverywhere.com.

“Modern science is not the enemy of God,” Guillén added. “It might very well be His strongest ally.”

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): The Government of India is actively promoting the integration of traditional Ayush systems with modern medicine through a series of coordinated national initiatives, the Ministry of Ayush informed in Parliament.

The government has adopted a co-location strategy, placing Ayush facilities alongside Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs), enabling patients to access multiple systems of healthcare under one roof.

Support for staffing and training of Ayush practitioners is being provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Health Mission (NHM), while infrastructure, equipment, and medicines are funded by the Ministry of Ayush through the National Ayush Mission (NAM).

As part of institutional strengthening, an Ayush vertical has been established under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to oversee planning, monitoring, and implementation of Ayush-related public health programmes. Integrated Ayush departments have also been set up in central government hospitals, including Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, to promote integrative healthcare practices.

Under NAM, the government is supporting a wide range of initiatives, including the operationalisation of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres, upgrading existing hospitals and dispensaries, establishing integrated Ayush hospitals, and supplying essential medicines. Awareness campaigns through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities are also being carried out to promote preventive healthcare practices based on Ayush systems.

The Ministry is also expanding international cooperation through a dedicated scheme aimed at promoting Ayush globally. This includes support for exports, academic collaborations, and the establishment of Ayush chairs in foreign institutions. To date, multiple memorandums of understanding have been signed at country and institutional levels to strengthen global outreach.

The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during which the two leaders exchanged greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and discussed key regional developments.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed warm wishes to the King and the people of Bahrain, marking the festive occasion. The leaders also reviewed the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with a focus on security challenges.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister strongly condemned recent attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure, highlighting their wider implications on global food, fuel, and fertilizer security. He emphasized that such disruptions pose significant risks to economic stability and supply chains worldwide.

Modi further underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and maintaining the safety and openness of international shipping routes, particularly in strategically sensitive regions.

The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation to King Hamad for his continued support towards the welfare of the Indian community residing in Bahrain.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, Modi described the interaction as “fruitful” and reiterated the shared concerns over regional stability and infrastructure security.

LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2026 — In a world where anyone can publish, attention spans are finite and platforms control distribution, talent is no longer the differentiator, explains writer and creative executive Daniel Cubillo, who has spent decades shaping stories for entertainment brands such as Top Chef, Fear Factor and Real Housewives.

“About 4 out of every 10 people on earth, between the ages of 14 and 35, want to be content creators, without knowing any details,” Cubillo said. “And, not surprisingly, most independent creators don’t last.”

In his new book, The Creative Mastermind Mind: From Roadrunner to Showrunner, Cubillo reveals the creative systems, behind-the-scenes insights and strategic frameworks that show how creators, storytellers and entertainment professionals can lead, adapt and endure in a landscape ruled by algorithms, audiences and rapid innovation.

Cubillo’s career spans nearly 2,000 hours of produced content across broadcast, cable, streaming and social platforms, including NBCUniversal, Discovery, MTV, Facebook Watch, Netflix and the Zeus Network. His unique experience in storytelling that performs across formats has positioned him at the intersection of legacy media and the emerging creator economy.

In The Creative Mastermind Mind, he distills decades of experience into actionable insights: mastering creative reinvention, understanding the inner workings of the industry and building resilience. Blending mentorship with candid behind-the-scenes stories, the book offers practical frameworks, real-world scenario analysis and a roadmap for anyone determined to make a living — and find meaning — through storytelling.

Readers will discover how to:

• Adapt and evolve in an industry defined by rapid change
• Balance creativity, strategy and resilience in high-stakes environments
• Navigate the realities of show business with honesty and professionalism
• Build a lasting career as a storyteller

“Whether you’re an aspiring creator, a content professional or a seasoned showrunner, this book is a guide to not just surviving — but thriving — in the content arena,” Cubillo said.

The Creative Mastermind Mind: From Roadrunner to Showrunner

Release Date: December 31, 2025

ISBN-13: 979-8993586809 (Hardcover)

ISBN-13: 979-8993586816 (Paperback) Available from: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Mastermind-Mind-Showrunner-Showbusiness/dp/B0GBNLCDPK and https://thecreativemastermind.com/

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 21, 2026 — Barrie Zucal is a powerlifter in more ways than one. Besides breaking records in the deadlift and bench press, she is a fierce advocate for women’s voices and rights, a global feminist, a former marriage and family therapist, and an executive coach to women in 75 countries. Now, she’s making a daring entrance into the self-help space with BOLD: How Women Play BIG by Leading Instead of Pleasing — a rallying cry against what she calls “debilitating goodness,” the quiet force that keeps many women from realizing their ambitions.

“Women worldwide are constrained by their conditioned conviction that they should serve others even at their own expense; as a result, they end up pleasing, performing, and perfecting instead of leading, living, and developing,” Zucal said.

A lifeline for women everywhere, BOLD blends inspirational stories, self-reflective exercises, and practical steps to help readers tap into their passion, trust their instincts, act on their behalf, and lead with courage and clarity. BOLD isn’t a diatribe; it’s a solution-driven antidote to the deeply rooted beliefs that have kept women playing small for generations.

“I want this book to inspire women everywhere,” Zucal said. “We were born for this moment. It’s time for women to claim their right to develop themselves and use their talents to create a rich future for themselves, their families, and their world.

More than a book, BOLD is a wakeup call — motivating women to explore who they exist for, why they exist, and how they will exist.

“The world needs more women leading unapologetically,” writes author and CEO of Few & Far, Sarah Dusek, in the book’s introduction. “Step into this book with courage, and I promise you will emerge with a stronger, bolder, more empowered version of yourself.”

Releasing in April 2026, BOLD arrives at a moment when women’s leadership is urgently needed — in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities worldwide.

PLANTATION, Fla., March 21, 2026 – Inspected, a Florida-based, tech-enabled private provider offering alternative plan review and remote virtual inspections for residential and commercial contractors, celebrates the Florida Legislature’s unanimous passage of amendments to the state’s private provider statute. HB 803 will now reduce bureaucratic barriers that stall or drastically slow renovation and building projects, which have a crippling effect on the state’s building industry. 

Homeowners and builders will see immediate benefits, as the amended legislation requires local enforcement agencies to reduce permit fees by 25-50% when private providers are used to review plans or inspect buildings on commercial projects. The bill also establishes strict deadlines for permit approvals, mandates local agencies must accept electronic document submissions, and allows counties, municipalities and school districts to use private providers on public work projects. 

Additional changes include banning building departments and local governments from charging additional fees and documentation requirements when using a private provider during building code inspections and calls on the Florida’s Building Commission to create uniform commercial and uniform residential permit applications. 

“These statutory improvements represent a major victory for contractors and property owners across Florida,” said Ian Cohen, CEO of Inspected. “We worked closely with legislators and industry partners to create clarity where confusion existed and ensure that contractors maintain their right to choose the inspection services that work best for their projects and the people of Florida.” 

The Florida House passed the measure 109-0, while the Senate approved it 37-0, demonstrating broad bipartisan support for inspection reform that will benefit contractors and property owners across the state. With Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature, the changes could take effect as early as July 1, 2026. 

Inspected worked with the Florida Home Builders Association to push these amendments forward and remove statutory ambiguity while establishing clear processes between contractors, fee owners, private providers, and building departments. While most Florida building departments operated in compliance with F.S. 553.791, the changes will force persistent non-compliance issues in certain jurisdictions like Miami-Dade that willfully misinterpreted statutes to make immediate changes. 

For example, building departments that refused to modernize legacy practices despite state requirements, or created unauthorized processes that obstructed private inspection services and delayed project completion for contractors and property owners will need to change immediately. 

“The growth opportunities for virtual and remote inspections just expanded significantly with this legislative victory,” said Marty Hebert, Director of Growth at Inspected. “These changes will help contractors in every corner of Florida access faster, more efficient permit processing and inspection services while maintaining the highest safety standards.” 

The amended legislation strengthens existing contractor rights while providing building departments with clearer guidance on working with private providers. Contractors and fee owners throughout Florida can now move forward with greater confidence that their choice to work with qualified private providers will be honored and supported by local building departments without delays or additional barriers.