Category: Education

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the sale, circulation, and display of celebrated author Arundhati Roy’s book “Mother Mary Comes to Me” on the grounds that its cover portrays her smoking a bidi or cigarette, allegedly violating tobacco control laws.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi rejected the appeal filed by one Rajasimhan challenging the Kerala High Court’s order, which had already dismissed the PIL on similar grounds.

“She is a renowned author. She has not promoted such a thing. There is a warning in the book, and she is a prominent person as well. Why do such a thing for publicity? There is no hoarding in the city with the picture of the book. It is only for someone who purchases and reads the book. Her picture does not portray any promotion,” the CJI observed.

‘No Violation of Tobacco Act’

The bench held that neither the author nor the publisher, Penguin Hamish Hamilton, had violated Section 5 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.

Section 5 explicitly prohibits:

• advertisement,
• promotion,
• sponsorship of cigarettes and tobacco products,
• direct or surrogate advertising,
• promotional displays in media or public spaces.

However, it allows health warnings on packages and limited displays at retail points.

“We see no reason to interfere with the High Court’s order,” the bench ruled.

Petitioner’s Argument Rejected

The petitioner’s counsel argued that Roy is shown smoking what could be a “ganja bidi” or a normal bidi, and that the book carries only a small disclaimer instead of a prominent health warning.

Rejecting the contention, the CJI said:

“The book, publisher or author has nothing to do with advertising cigarettes. This is not an advertisement. You may disagree with the views of the author, but that does not mean such a case can lie.”

The book is a memoir authored by Arundhati Roy

Nisa Unnirajan – The 40-Year-Old Mother Who Beat Odds and Hearing Loss to Crack UPSC

In a world where most give up after one or two failures, 40-year-old Nisa Unnirajan from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, turned her seventh attempt into a triumph — clearing one of India’s toughest exams, the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, with an All India Rank of 1000.

A mother of two young daughters and a hearing-impaired candidate, Nisa’s story stands as a resounding testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and self-belief.

Seven Attempts, One Dream

For Nisa, the UPSC journey wasn’t a straight road. It began when she was already well into her 30s, juggling her duties as an Assistant Audit Officer in the Accountant General’s office and managing her home and children.

“Every attempt taught me something new — about the exam and about myself,” she said in an interview after her results. “It wasn’t about competing with others anymore; it was about not giving up on myself.”

Her seventh attempt in 2024 finally brought the breakthrough she had waited nearly a decade for.

Turning Disability Into Strength

Nisa’s hearing impairment — nearly 40% hearing loss — made conventional preparation methods especially challenging. Online lectures, discussions, and mock interviews were not easy to follow.

Instead, she crafted her own strategy: reading intensively, summarizing newspaper editorials, and revising notes during every free moment — from office breaks to late nights after putting her children to sleep.

“I had to find my rhythm. I couldn’t hear everything, but I could understand and retain what I read deeply,” she shared.

Her discipline and quiet determination soon turned her limitation into a form of strength — sharpening her concentration and focus.

Balancing Roles: Officer, Mother, and Dreamer

Between office deadlines and parenting duties, Nisa’s study schedule often began after midnight. Her husband and parents played a crucial role in supporting her dream — managing household responsibilities and encouraging her to keep trying.

Her daughters, Nandana and Thanvi, often studied beside her, unaware that their mother was chasing one of India’s most competitive dreams. “I wanted them to see that persistence matters — that even failure can be part of success,” she said.

Inspiration and Impact

Her achievement has inspired thousands across India, especially women who believe that age, family responsibilities, or physical challenges limit their aspirations.

Even Shashi Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, took to social media to celebrate her journey, writing:

“It’s never too late — an inspiring story! A 40-year-old disabled mother from Thiruvananthapuram cracked the IAS while raising two kids.”

Her success has become a beacon for differently-abled aspirants and late starters who dream of a place in the country’s top civil services.

A New Chapter Begins

With her selection, Nisa Unnirajan is set to enter the Indian Administrative Service under the hearing-impaired quota. But beyond the rank and the title, her story speaks to something larger — the victory of resilience over circumstance.

In her own words:

“There were days I doubted everything. But every time I thought of giving up, I remembered why I started.”

For thousands of UPSC aspirants across the nation, that reminder might be all they need to keep going.

When most young professionals chase promotions and pay hikes in the corporate world, S. Aswathy dared to take a different route. Once a software engineer with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), she left behind the comfort of a stable IT job to prepare for India’s toughest exam—the UPSC. Today, she proudly serves as an IAS officer, proving that courage and persistence can turn even the boldest dreams into reality.
From Coding to Public Service
S. Aswathy decision to switch careers was more than just a professional move—it was about finding purpose. “Corporate life gave me stability, but my heart was never there. I wanted to work with people and make a difference in their lives,” she says.
Balancing a demanding IT schedule with late-night study sessions soon became overwhelming. She eventually took the tough call to resign and dedicate herself fully to UPSC preparation.https://himalayanexpress.in/
The Road Wasn’t Easy
Her journey wasn’t smooth. She faced failures, doubts, and the pressure that every aspirant knows too well. But instead of giving up, she treated each setback as a lesson. “Every attempt taught me something new—about the exam, about resilience, and about myself,” Aswathy reflects.
With a focused strategy—fixed study hours, disciplined revision, and rigorous mock tests—she slowly built her confidence. The support of her family and peers played a vital role in keeping her motivated.
A Story of Grit and Determination
Today, S. Aswathy stands as a shining example for UPSC aspirants across the country. Her journey from writing code to serving the Constitution is a reminder that passion, patience, and perseverance can overcome the toughest challenges.https://himalayanexpress.in/

At least 54 state private universities have been declared defaulters by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for not submitting mandatory information under section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956, and making public disclosures on their website, according to officials.

Citing several reminders through e-mails and online meetings, the UGC said the universities had been directed to submit detailed information for inspection purposes, along with supporting documents duly attested by the registrar.

“They were also directed to upload the filled-in format and appendices on their website by giving a link on the home page so that the information is accessible to the students and the general public. The above was followed by several reminders through e-mails and online meetings,” UGC Secretary Manish Joshi said.

According to the guidelines on public self-disclosure, the higher education institutions must maintain a functional website for imparting information to stakeholders. “The information disclosed on the website should be easily accessible to everyone, on the home page, without any need for registration or login.

Additionally, there should be a ‘search’ facility available for easy navigation,” the guideline stated. Madhya Pradesh at 10 had the maximum number of defaulter universities, followed by Gujarat, Sikkim and Uttarakhand at eight, five, and four such institutions.

The UGC circulated the list of defaulting universities and warned them to take corrective steps immediately. According to UGC officials, further action could follow if the institutions continue to ignore the instructions.

The higher education regulator has tightened its monitoring of private universities in recent months. In July, it had warned 23 institutions for not appointing ombudspersons. (Agencies)