Ajit Pawar’s legacy
Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, affectionately called Dada died on Wednesday in a plane crash, cutting short a career defined by ambition, calculation and unmatched political acumen. For decades, he operated in the shadow of his uncle, Sharad Pawar, yet he spent his life carefully building a power base of his own. From Baramati to Mantralaya, he became a master of coalition arithmetic and administrative authority, emerging as a pragmatic powerbroker who could shape outcomes across party lines. His career was defined not by the offices he held but by his singular achievement, stepping out of the shadow of one of India’s most formidable political patriarchs to become a leader in his own right. Ajit Pawar’s singular political achievement was not the offices he held or the budgets he delivered, but something far rarer in Maharashtra politics. He emerged as a powerful leader in his own right after a long, restless struggle to step out of his uncle Sharad Pawar’s shadow.
Jayanthy Subramaniam, Mumbai
Decline of Congress
More and more Congress leaders are publicly expressing their dissatisfaction with the party and the latest being Shakeel Ahmad Khan from Bihar, who resigned last November. To say the Congress party is in decline is an understatement—it is a party that lacks direction and leadership. With each passing election, the Congress seems to lose ground, as dissent is crushed and well-meaning leaders who challenge the anti-democratic tactics of the high command are silenced. Rahul Gandhi, in particular, remains an enigma in Indian politics. He often makes bold promises, only to fizzle out without any meaningful impact. In politics, there are no inherently dull issues—only disengaged minds. If the Congress party’s “young scion” is uninterested in navigating the political maze, Sonia Gandhi might consider letting him step aside—it’s not too late for that decision.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Bambolim college cluster
Goa University’s executive council has approved the transfer of 1.3 lakh sqm of its land at Bambolim Plateau to the State Directorate of Higher Education. There is a proposal to shift six select govt colleges – Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa College of Fine Art, Goa College of Architecture, Goa College of Home Science and Goa College of Music (all in Panaji) and Goa College of Education (in Porvorim). The transferred land being insufficient, in the first phase some colleges would be shifted. Later additional land would be sought for the remaining colleges.
It is a good move to cluster the professional colleges at a single location and they could share resources and recreational facilities. Auxiliary services such as restaurants, stationery shops, banks and others would come up which would create jobs and also cater to the staff and students. Paying guests and renting of flats and houses would increase and bring economic prosperity. But the govt needs to improve the transport system by enhancing the number and frequency of buses. The shifting of the colleges in reality would free prime realties in Panaji and Porvorim and these would be up for grabs by the highest bidders. Let us wait for some moving experiences.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
CBSE counselling initiative
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a commendable step by making the appointment of full-time mental health and career counsellors mandatory in its affiliated schools. Students today face immense stress due to academic pressure, and it is heartening that the CBSE has acknowledged the mental and emotional challenges they experience. In a highly competitive environment, students are constantly expected to perform at their best. In striving to meet expectations and achieve ambitious targets, many succumb to mental burnout. A tightly scheduled curriculum with little scope for relaxation can make learning feel arduous and overwhelming. After excelling in board examinations, students often face the added pressure of cracking medical and engineering entrance tests, compounding their stress. The CBSE’s initiative aims to provide much-needed relief and help students maintain mental equilibrium. The guidelines mandate one counsellor for every 500 students, and mental health support has been made a non-negotiable requirement for school affiliation. However, the programme’s success will depend on key factors such as the counsellors’ qualifications, expertise, and experience, and their ability to effectively address students’ mental health concerns. With proper implementation, this initiative could play a significant role in supporting students’ well-being and ensuring that academic achievement does not come at the cost of mental health.
Venu G S, Kollam
CBSE counselling initiative
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a commendable step by making the appointment of full-time mental health and career counsellors mandatory in its affiliated schools. Students today face immense stress due to academic pressure, and it is heartening that the CBSE has acknowledged the mental and emotional challenges they experience. In a highly competitive environment, students are constantly expected to perform at their best. In striving to meet expectations and achieve ambitious targets, many succumb to mental burnout. A tightly scheduled curriculum with little scope for relaxation can make learning feel arduous and overwhelming. After excelling in board examinations, students often face the added pressure of cracking medical and engineering entrance tests, compounding their stress.
Venu G S, Kollam
