Category Archives: education

community, education, events, law, politics

WURD holds Founder’s Day Gala to recognize contributions of Dr. Walter Lomax

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WURD Radio held its annual gala over the weekend at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, recognizing the contributions of Dr. Walter P. Lomax, the founder of the station. The event celebrated the station’s 13th year of existence and highlighted the impact WURD has had in informing the Black community in Philadelphia.

“I really just want to thank everyone who is here,” said Sara Lomax, president and CEO of WURD Radio. “These are really challenging times for an organization like WURD. We sit at the intersection of media, which is under attack, and Black media empowerment, which is absolutely under attack.” Lomax expressed deep gratitude for the support the station has received from its listeners and the community at large.

At the event, WURD announced the launch of “Freedom Journeys: Celebrating the Lives of 250 Phenomenal Philadelphians,” a multimedia project that will spotlight the work of Black residents—both past and present—who have made a significant impact. The two- to three-minute video presentations will air on WURD leading up to Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday in 2026.

“The point is we’re under attack right now,” said City Council President Kenyatta Johnson during the event. “We know African American history is American history, so this evening is an invitation for all of us to stand and speak truth to power.”

This year’s recipients of the 2025 Community Impact Award included:

– Loree Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance
– Solomon Jones, WURD Radio host and executive director of ManUp PHL
– Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute
– Dolores Robinson, trailblazing talent agent and producer

“At this moment when our nation’s leaders are not demonstrating compassion, our work is even more important,” said Loree Jones Brown. “The weight of these challenges and the scale of the work can be overwhelming—that is why I am grateful not to have to labor alone. Nights like this lighten the burden.”

Jones Brown added that she hoped everyone who attended the event felt encouraged, knowing they are all part of the fight to make Philadelphia, the country, and their communities better places. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done out of love for my people,” she said. “I am honored to be honored by my own, and I am grateful for the platform that I have been given at WURD. I love our folks.”

The Founder’s Day event also included a “Defenders of Democracy” panel discussion featuring attorneys Michael Coard, Keir Bradford-Grey, and Dorothy Robinson. Moderated by WURD host James Peterson, the panel focused on the state of democracy in the United States, legal strategies to protect the civil rights of African Americans, immigration issues, and the military occupation of American cities.

The discussion helped attendees and listeners understand the moment they are living in and connected them to legal resources.

“People often say that things are getting worse in America—that’s not really true,” said Michael Coard. “Racism is more visible in America; we’re figuring out a plan to reignite the civil rights–type litigation of the 50s and 60s.” Coard also emphasized the vital role that Black media has played in Black activism in America, helping to tell the stories of struggles and issues faced by Black communities and the nation as a whole.

Mayor Cherelle Parker, who also spoke at the event, reflected on the significance of the gathering. “What it (the meeting) affirms for me is that all of us, in our own right, have a role,” she said. “There are different ways that we can contribute to the social and economic advancement of African and African American people here in our great city.”

—

**Panel Photo Caption:**
The “Defenders of Democracy” panel featured attorneys Michael Coard (second from left), Keir Bradford-Grey (center), and Dorothy Robinson (right). The discussion was moderated by WURD host James Peterson. — TRIBUNE PHOTO/KYLAN WATSON

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https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/wurd-holds-founders-day-gala-to-recognize-contributions-of-dr-walter-lomax/article_e8442cf1-6886-4520-af6d-55b89c367424.html

community, education, events, law, politics

WURD holds Founder’s Day Gala to recognize contributions of Dr. Walter Lomax

Leave a comment

WURD Radio held its annual gala over the weekend at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, recognizing the contributions of Dr. Walter P. Lomax, the founder of the station. The event celebrated the station’s 13th year of existence and highlighted the significant impact WURD has had in informing Philadelphia’s Black community.

“I really just want to thank everyone who is here,” said Sara Lomax, president and CEO of WURD Radio. “These are really challenging times for an organization like WURD. We sit at the intersection of media, which is under attack, and Black media empowerment, which is absolutely under attack.” Lomax expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing support from listeners and the wider community.

During the event, WURD announced the launch of “Freedom Journeys: Celebrating the Lives of 250 Phenomenal Philadelphians,” a new multimedia project spotlighting the work of Black residents—both past and present—who have made an impact. These two to three-minute video presentations will air on WURD leading up to Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday in 2026.

“The point is we’re under attack right now,” said City Council President Kenyatta Johnson in his remarks. “We know African American history is American history, and so this evening is an invitation for all of us to stand and speak truth to power.”

### Community Impact Award Recipients

This year’s recipients of the 2025 Community Impact Award included:

– Loree Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance
– Solomon Jones, WURD Radio host and executive director of ManUp PHL
– Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute
– Dolores Robinson, trailblazing talent agent and producer

“It’s moments like these, when our nation’s leaders are not demonstrating compassion, that our work becomes even more important,” said Loree Jones Brown. “The weight of these challenges and the scale of the work can be overwhelming. That is why I am grateful not to have to labor alone. Nights like this lighten the burden.”

Jones Brown also shared words of encouragement for all who attended. “We are all in this fight to make Philadelphia, the country, and our communities better places. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done out of love for my people,” she said. “I am honored to be honored by my own, and I am grateful for the platform that I have been given at WURD. I love our folks.”

### “Defenders of Democracy” Panel Discussion

The Founder’s Day event featured a “Defenders of Democracy” panel discussion, moderated by WURD host James Peterson. The panel included attorneys Michael Coard, Keir Bradford-Grey, and Dolores Robinson. They focused on the current state of democracy in the United States, legal strategies to protect the civil rights of African Americans, immigration, and the military occupation of American cities.

“People often say that things are getting worse in America; that’s not really true,” said Michael Coard. “Racism is more visible in America, and we’re figuring out a plan to reignite the civil rights-type litigation of the 50s and 60s.” Coard emphasized the importance of Black media in activism, telling the stories of the struggles and issues that Black communities face across the nation.

Mayor Cherelle Parker, who also spoke at the event, said, “What this meeting affirms for me is that all of us, in our own right, have a role to play. There are many ways we can contribute to the social and economic advancement of African and African American people here in our great city.”

—

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*Photo caption:* The event included a “Defenders of Democracy” panel discussion featuring attorneys Michael Coard (second from left), Keir Bradford-Grey (center), and Dorothy Robinson (right). The discussion was moderated by WURD host James Peterson. — TRIBUNE PHOTO/KYLAN WATSON
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/wurd-holds-founders-day-gala-to-recognize-contributions-of-dr-walter-lomax/article_e8442cf1-6886-4520-af6d-55b89c367424.html

community, education, families, public safety

Firefighters visit Tanner Duckrey School in North Philly to raise awareness

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About 425 students from kindergarten through eighth grade had the exciting opportunity to board a real firetruck, check out fire hoses, and receive free firefighter hats during Fire Prevention Week at the Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey Public School in North Philadelphia on Monday.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeff Thompson attended the event held at 1501 West Diamond St. He emphasized the importance of educating children about fire safety from a young age. “We just try to educate them. It starts when they are younger — and hopefully they will share that message with their friends and family and make themselves safer and make the entire community safer,” Thompson said. “They are going to go home and ask their parents to check the batteries in the smoke alarms and all of those things.”

Duckrey Principal David S. Cohen expressed pride in the students for beating some of the fastest school evacuation records during recent fire drills. Each year, the Philadelphia Fire Department selects a school to kick off Fire Prevention Week with a special assembly.

“They watched the fire drill, made sure all the doors were locked and the lights were turned off, examined the fire evacuation routes, and set the timer, ensuring everyone got out quickly,” Cohen explained. “Our time is a minute and 58 seconds, which is less than most schools.”

The event concluded with a celebration in the schoolyard, where students were informed about best practices for staying safe during fires.

Students received valuable safety tips, such as the importance of feeling the door to check for heat in case of a fire—signaling danger on the other side. “If possible, children should try to go to an open window and seek help,” Cohen advised.

Additionally, he highlighted the necessity of testing smoke alarms monthly by holding the test button for five seconds. Free smoke alarms are available from the Philadelphia Fire Department by calling 311. The department installs approximately 8,500 smoke alarms annually to enhance community safety.

“Every season is fire season, and fires are everyone’s fight!” said Philadelphia Fire Department Spokesperson Rachel Cunningham. She noted that in autumn and winter, the use of space heaters and fires for warmth presents obvious dangers. Throughout the rest of the year, fires can be sparked by activities such as cooking and grilling, discarding cigarette butts in dry and windy conditions, faulty electrical cords or wiring, and various other hazards.

Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW!

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https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/firefighters-visit-tanner-duckrey-school-in-north-philly-to-raise-awareness/article_4c172854-8be5-4866-a4db-6ecf5c4633d1.html

aging, culture, education, society, technology

Japan’s Seniors Rediscover the Joy of Learning

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A recent survey revealed that more than 70 percent of people aged 50 and over are interested in reskilling after retirement. This reflects a strong desire among seniors to stay active and engaged in society even after leaving the workforce.

To explore this trend, a reporter visited Takatsuki City, where a local initiative known as the Takatsuki Civic College offers learning opportunities specifically for seniors. The atmosphere in the classroom was lively and focused, with most participants being retirees intently listening to lectures.

Established five years ago, the program aims to help seniors form friendships and participate in their communities. Enrollment has been increasing annually, and today around 300 students are taking part in its 38 courses, all at an affordable cost.

One student explained, “I have two reasons for coming here. First, to prevent dementia, and second, to make new friends — although that part is not always easy.” Formerly a nurse, she said joining the classes allows her to rediscover herself and learn new things.

“There’s still so much I don’t know. Being among other people helps me see myself from a different perspective, and that’s interesting,” she added with a smile.

The story of 76-year-old Hiyo Okada in Takarazuka City offers another inspiring example of lifelong learning. Okada is now a second-year student in the Faculty of Psychology at Koshien University, a private four-year institution typically filled with younger students.

“When I’m at school, I feel so young,” she laughed. “But when I get home and see myself in the mirror, I’m surprised.”

Okada, who had spent over 50 years working as a hairdresser in Saitama, left her job at 70 and moved to Kansai, where her daughter lives. Feeling a long-held regret about not finishing high school, she enrolled in a correspondence high school before deciding to pursue higher education.

“Through my work, I realized how much I enjoy interacting with people,” she said. “When I told my teacher that, they suggested I study psychology, and I thought, why not?”

Although Koshien University offers full tuition and admission fee exemptions for adult learners over 35, Okada did not qualify because she entered through a high school recommendation program, meaning she pays all fees herself.

“Yes, I pay everything out of my own pocket,” she said cheerfully, describing the cost as an investment in herself.

At lunchtime, she often eats in the student cafeteria with classmates decades younger than her. “They call me A-chan,” she said. “That’s what my grandchildren call me at home, so it makes me feel comfortable here too.”

Her younger peers said they were initially surprised to see an older student but quickly grew close.

“When I first saw her, I thought she might be a staff member,” one classmate laughed. “But now, she’s like a bridge connecting everyone. Without her, I wouldn’t have made so many friends.”

Far from being isolated, Okada has become an indispensable presence in her department, organizing study sessions and helping younger students prepare for exams.

“She taught us every day for a week before finals,” said another student. “I wouldn’t have passed without her.”

After classes, Okada returns to her apartment, where her desk is covered with psychology textbooks and English materials.

“English is difficult,” she said, “but I keep trying.”

Her grandson often visits, and the two share warm moments together.

“She’s incredible,” he said proudly. “She’s living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment.”

Okada’s next goal is to become a certified psychological counselor.

“I want to be the kind of grandmother who sits quietly in the corner of an elementary or junior high school, someone children can talk to about anything,” she said. “That’s my dream.”

Experts note that the rise of such learning initiatives highlights a changing role for seniors in Japanese society.

“In the past, grandparents held important positions within extended families and communities,” one commentator said. “Now, as families become more nuclear, these new forms of community involvement give seniors a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.”

As Japan’s population continues to age, stories like Okada’s suggest that reskilling and lifelong learning may become key not only to personal fulfillment but also to strengthening the fabric of local communities.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147173.php

activism, crime, education, environment, justice

‘Will stay in jail until judicial inquiry launched’: Sonam Wangchuk

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**Will Stay in Jail Until Judicial Inquiry Launched: Sonam Wangchuk**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 05, 2025, 02:14 PM*

Sonam Wangchuk, the detained climate activist and education reformer, has announced that he will remain in Jodhpur Central Jail until an independent judicial inquiry is launched into the recent killings in Ladakh.

### Background

Wangchuk was detained last month under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests demanding Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh. The protests tragically resulted in four deaths due to police firing.

### Message from Prison

On Friday, Wangchuk’s lawyer, Mustafa Haji, and his elder brother, Ka Tsetan Dorjey Ley, met with him and conveyed his message to the people of Ladakh and India. Wangchuk expressed gratitude for the widespread concern and prayers, assuring everyone that he is doing well both physically and mentally.

He also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent violence in Leh.

### Call for Independent Inquiry

Sonam Wangchuk has called for a transparent and independent judicial probe into the killings. He emphasized his readiness to continue staying in jail until such an inquiry is initiated and completed.

Reiterating his support for the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance’s (KDA) demands, Wangchuk voiced his strong backing for Sixth Schedule status and full statehood for Ladakh. He stated, “Whatever actions Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them wholeheartedly.”

### Controversy Surrounding Detention

Wangchuk’s detention has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups. The Ladakh police have accused him of having links to Pakistan, and the Home Ministry has canceled his NGO’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license.

Additionally, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry is currently pending against him.

Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has raised concerns that she has not been allowed to meet or speak with her husband since his detention.

—

*Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/will-stay-behind-bars-until-sonam-wangchuk-from-jodhpur-jail/story

activism, crime, education, environment, justice

‘Will stay in jail until judicial inquiry launched’: Sonam Wangchuk

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**Will Stay in Jail Until Judicial Inquiry Launched: Sonam Wangchuk**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 05, 2025 | 02:14 pm*

Sonam Wangchuk, the detained climate activist and education reformer, has declared that he will remain in Jodhpur Central Jail until an independent judicial inquiry is launched into the recent killings in Ladakh.

Last month, Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests demanding Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh. These protests turned deadly, resulting in four deaths due to police firing.

**Message from Prison**

Wangchuk’s lawyer, Mustafa Haji, and his elder brother, Ka Tsetan Dorjey Ley, met him on Friday and conveyed his message to the people of Ladakh and India. Wangchuk expressed gratitude for the widespread concern and prayers, assuring that he is doing well both physically and mentally.

He also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent violence in Leh.

**Call for Inquiry**

Wangchuk has called for an independent judicial probe into the killings. He emphasized that he is willing to stay in jail until the inquiry is initiated.

Additionally, Wangchuk reiterated his support for the demands of the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which seek Sixth Schedule status and full statehood for Ladakh.

“Whatever actions Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them wholeheartedly,” he said.

**Detention Controversy**

Wangchuk’s detention has sparked significant criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups. The Ladakh police have accused him of having links to Pakistan, and the Home Ministry has canceled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of his NGO.

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry is currently pending against him.

Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has alleged that she has not been allowed to meet or speak with her husband since his detention.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/will-stay-behind-bars-until-sonam-wangchuk-from-jodhpur-jail/story

activism, crime, education, environment, justice

‘Will stay in jail until judicial inquiry launched’: Sonam Wangchuk

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**Will Stay in Jail Until Judicial Inquiry Launched: Sonam Wangchuk**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 05, 2025, 02:14 PM*

Sonam Wangchuk, the detained climate activist and education reformer, has declared that he will remain in Jodhpur Central Jail until an independent judicial inquiry is launched into the recent killings in Ladakh.

### Background

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) last month following violent protests in Ladakh demanding Sixth Schedule protections. These protests turned deadly when police firing resulted in four deaths.

### Message from Prison

On Friday, Wangchuk’s lawyer Mustafa Haji and his elder brother Ka Tsetan Dorjey Ley visited him and conveyed his message to the people of Ladakh and India. Wangchuk expressed gratitude for the widespread concern and prayers and assured that he was doing well both physically and mentally.

He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the recent violence in Leh.

### Call for Judicial Inquiry

Wangchuk has demanded an independent judicial probe into the killings and emphasized his willingness to stay in jail until such an inquiry is initiated. He reiterated his strong support for the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance’s (KDA) demands for Sixth Schedule status and full statehood for Ladakh.

“Whatever actions Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them wholeheartedly,” he affirmed.

### Controversy Surrounding Detention

Wangchuk’s detention has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups. Ladakh police have accused him of having links to Pakistan, and the Home Ministry has revoked his NGO’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license.

Additionally, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against him is currently pending.

Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has alleged that she has not been permitted to meet or communicate with her husband since his detention.

—

*This ongoing situation continues to attract national attention as calls for transparency and justice grow louder.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/will-stay-behind-bars-until-sonam-wangchuk-from-jodhpur-jail/story

art, business, culture, education

Viewers as curators

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Curators are sprouting like weeds in Pakistan’s art world. A gallery manager, a recent graduate, a mid-career practitioner, an art teacher, an eager writer—even an occasional collector—can suddenly transform into a curator. Most of them are temporary or amateur. These days, it is rare to receive an exhibition invitation that does not bear a curator’s name.

A curator cannot be easily compared with another, but the rise of this title has made the public acknowledge and respect the role of those who are neither makers, buyers, nor gallery owners, but mediators guiding viewers to look at the work (not always new) through a different lens.

What happens when viewers themselves become curators, finding links in the work on display? It is like connecting dots to form a coherent picture: a challenging task, but a rewarding one, leaving behind a sense of achievement. Unaware of how viewers may respond, the designer of the puzzle allows for multiple possibilities. The work is open to anyone who engages and interprets.

A similar experience could be found at *The Shape of Seeing*, curated by Ammar Aziz. The exhibition, held from September 20 to October 5, also marked the opening of ZQ Gallery, a new space in Lahore. Not only because of its location—a narrow street lined with small houses, luxury car showrooms, and lanes of automobile workshops—but also because of the group of artists chosen for its inaugural show, the exhibition has surprised spectators.

Names not usually seen together on a single list appear side by side. The work varies in content, date, technique, medium, genre, and scale. Adding further to the diversity, some are internationally acclaimed figures, while others are relatively unknown or less widely circulated. In that sense, the exhibition lives up to its title, *The Shape of Seeing*.

It offers a rare chance to view art in a hybrid setting: a residential-type space adjoining a white cube gallery. This blend, perhaps born of practical necessity, also raises questions about the disjunction between art created in a studio, displayed in a gallery, and ultimately housed in a corporate building or grand residence.

Some of the work in the show actively responds to the surroundings. Masooma Syed’s *Leaning Shadows*, for instance, occupies a corner that amplifies the lustrous presence of her chandelier-like suspended sculpture. Similarly, Hamra Abbass’ small, minimal marble relief is set in a dimly lit, intimate space, heightening its quiet impact.

In terms of thematic connection, the exhibition invites viewers to search for their own clues; each individual, one assumes, constructs a personal version. Yet a common thread runs through the work. Risham Hosain Syed’s *Texts and Contexts* series from 1996 (painted at the Royal College of Art, London) sits alongside Ayaz Jokhio’s cubit titled *Mugshots* (2024, Back to Basic, Articulate Studios, Lahore), which depicts the unfolding sides of an ordinary teacup.

These are displayed next to Ali Kazim’s two delicate dry pigments on mylar: *Untitled (Cloud Series)* and *Untitled (Lightning Series)*, both from 2019, and Anwar Saeed’s emotive digital piece *Undie ID* (2012). Together, they affirm the timelessness of art.

Read one way, the inaugural show at ZQ Gallery (part of the Zeenat Qureshi Institute of Digital and Regional Arts and Culture) seems to aim at transcending the limitations of time, while also discarding the conventional classification of artists by style, status, or stance.

This is reinforced by the presence of two artworks by Masooma Syed. One is an installation fashioned from old glassware, bottles, beads, chandelier parts, an iron frame, and warm lights. Nearby hangs her large mixed-media work on paper, created primarily with Indian newspapers, its strokes suggesting a European couple rendered in the colonial period. This echo of history is also present in Risham Hosain Syed’s diptych: one panel patterned with the motif of disappearing Victorian lace, the other containing a small but insistent frame within a frame, depicting two men on a motorbike looking at the roadside aftermath of a political protest—a crossroads of vernacular setting and imported turmoil.

Curators are sprouting like weeds in Pakistan’s art world. Those who are neither makers nor buyers nor gallery owners are guiding viewers to look at the work through a different lens.

The presence of the indigenous feels most evident in the exhibits grouped together as *The Shape of Seeing*, even if neither the makers nor, perhaps, the curator consciously intended it. In their materials, concerns, imagery, and issues, many of the artworks seem to narrate the stories of this land. Yet these are not tales buried in the cellars of the soil; rather, they remain in dialogue with narratives from across the world, contributing to an inclusive, diverse, and expansive human account of experiences and emotions.

Consider *Kalila wa-Dimna*, a collection of fables whose animal protagonists trace their origins to the Panchatantra, yet whose content also echoes in Aesop’s fables and, centuries later, in twentieth-century cartoons: Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Universal’s Woody Woodpecker, MGM’s Tom and Jerry, and a long line of other animated characters. Where or when a story began, or how it continues to be retold, matters less. Creative overlaps demonstrate how artistic expressions stick to one another, often without the intention or awareness of their makers.

In this light, Ali Kazim’s brooding skies with a solitary cloud or streak of lightning; Muhammad Ashraf’s scar-like, red impasto surfaces; Imran Ahmed Khan’s paintings and sculptures inspired by the Indus Valley Civilisation, particularly Mehrgarh; and Hamra Abbass’ *Waterfall Drawings*, born of her intensive research into Mughal pietra dura motifs and transformed into a language of geometry and modern art—all point back to this land, its history, its climate, and its shifting realities.

Geography is never complete without its inhabitants. The two often intermingle, as can be seen in the work of Sajjad Ahmed, Shahid Mirza, and Sumera Jawad. Many other artists too have drawn attention to the plight of people trapped in their environment—a community struggling to negotiate questions of identity, individual choice, gender preference, and psychological pressure, perhaps all intertwined.

Anwar Saeed and Mohsin Shafi, in their imagery, explore society’s fixation with the body; its paranoia over power; and its perverse pleasure in subjugation. Rabeya Jalil’s jittery lines, seismic marks, and impulsive layers of paint respond to these very pressures. They suggest how external forces compel human beings to act in prescribed ways: what begins in anguish eventually hardens into habit, even into pleasure, until the two opposing sensations become indistinguishable.

In Jalil’s paintings, the misery of her characters is rendered with an almost playful delight. The scenario is grasped at first glance, yet its echoes can be traced, in different forms, throughout the other works in the exhibition.

In truth, this is the leitmotif of art in our present place and time. Whether one exhibition presents a clear curatorial vision or another appears indifferent to such agendas, both reflect the same reality. They are two sides of the same coin—the currency of art in Pakistan, and perhaps beyond.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1348308-viewers-as-curators

education, employment, government

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam City Slip 2025 Released At rrb.gov.in; Exam On October 13

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RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam City Slip 2025

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the notification slip for the RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam 2025 city allotment. Candidates who are scheduled to appear for the second stage computer-based test (CBT 2) can now download their exam city slip from the official website of their respective regional RRBs.

Exam Date: The CBT 2 exam is expected to be conducted on October 13, 2025.

Vacancy Details for RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam 2025

  • Total Vacancies: 8,113 (Graduate Level Posts)
  • Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor – 1,736 vacancies
  • Station Master – 994 vacancies
  • Goods Train Manager – 3,144 vacancies
  • Junior Account Assistant cum Typist – 1,507 vacancies
  • Senior Clerk cum Typist – 732 vacancies

How to Download the RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam City Slip 2025

Follow these simple steps to download your exam city slip:

  1. Visit the official website of your regional Railway Recruitment Board (RRB).
  2. On the homepage, find and click on the link titled RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam 2025 city intimation slip.
  3. Enter your login credentials (such as registration number and date of birth) on the new page that opens.
  4. Click the Submit button.
  5. Your exam city notification slip will be displayed on the screen.
  6. Download and carefully review the slip for all exam-related details.
  7. Take a printout of the slip and keep it safe for future reference on the exam day.

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam Pattern

  • Total Number of Questions: 120
  • Exam Duration: 90 minutes
  • Marking Scheme: Each question carries 1 mark
  • Sections:
    • General Awareness
    • Mathematics
    • General Intelligence and Reasoning
  • Negative Marking: One-third (1/3) mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer

For further information and updates, candidates are advised to regularly check the official website of their respective RRB.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/rrb-ntpc-graduate-level-cbt-2-exam-city-slip-2025-released-at-rrbgovin-exam-on-october-13

consumer protection, education, government, law

CCPA Fines Drishti IAS ₹5 Lakh For Misleading Ads On UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 Results

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New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd) for publishing misleading advertisements regarding the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022.

According to a statement from the Consumer Affairs Ministry, Drishti IAS claimed in its advertisement that it had “216+ selections in UPSC CSE 2022,” along with displaying the names and photographs of successful candidates. However, the CCPA’s investigation found this claim to be misleading, as it concealed crucial information about the type and duration of courses these candidates had opted for.

The probe revealed that out of the 216 candidates claimed by Drishti IAS, 162 candidates (75 percent) had only taken the free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP) offered by the institute, having independently cleared the Preliminary and Mains stages of the UPSC CSE. Only 54 students were enrolled in IGP and other paid courses.

This deliberate concealment misled aspirants and parents into believing that Drishti IAS was responsible for the candidates’ success at all stages of the examination. Such advertisement falls under the category of misleading advertisements as defined under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

This is the second time the CCPA has imposed a penalty on Drishti IAS for similar misconduct. In September 2024, the authority had penalized the institute Rs 3 lakh for misleading claims of “150+ selections in UPSC CSE 2021.” At that time, Drishti IAS submitted details of 161 candidates, exceeding its claim. However, out of these, 148 were enrolled only in the IGP, seven in the Mains Mentorship Program, four in the GS Foundation Program, one in the Optional Course, and details of one candidate were not mentioned.

Despite previous penalties and warnings, Drishti IAS repeated the same practice for the 2022 results by increasing its claim to “216+ selections,” demonstrating repeated non-compliance and disregard for consumer protection norms. The concealment of such vital information deprived students and parents of their right to make informed choices, as protected under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The ministry highlighted that such misleading advertisements create false expectations and unfairly influence consumer decisions, especially when large claims are made without transparent disclosure of facts.

So far, the CCPA has issued 54 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. Penalties totaling over Rs 90.6 lakh have been imposed on 26 coaching institutes, along with directions to discontinue such misleading claims.

The authority emphasized that all coaching institutes must strictly ensure truthful disclosure in their advertisements to enable students to make fair and informed decisions about their academic choices.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/ccpa-fines-drishti-ias-5-lakh-for-misleading-ads-on-upsc-civil-services-examination-2022-results