Call to solve Siliguri pollution problems
Concerned about the rising pollution levels in Siliguri, a voluntary organisation on Tuesday sought measures to be taken against the same. Members of the Green Forum also demanded that authorities concerned
Statesman (Kolkata)
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Peta-friendly science syllabus from Board
Students of class VI will dissect cockroaches and catfish instead of rats, birds and toads during life science experiments. The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education decided to modify the experiments after repeated appeals from the animal rights activists, led by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta). Peta protested that certain portions in the syllabus encouraged students to do cruel activities against animals. For instance, in order to understand the importance of air, students were asked do experiments like suffocating a guinea pig. In a similar experiment, students were asked not to give water to birds to understand the necessity of water for sustaining life. The Board has informed publishers to omit such experiments. While discussing such topics, examples of common pests like cockroaches and common air breathing fish (catfish) should be cited instead of rats, birds and toads. Mr Swapan Sarkar, Board secretary said letters in this regard have been issued to the publishers more than a month back. "The publishers have to make the necessary changes before the publication of new books for the next academic year.' Peta had approached both Mr Arjun Singh, Union human resource development minister and Mr Partha De, state school education minister to make the necessary changes in the life science syllabus over a year back. The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education had gotten rid of dissection of toads in practical examination of class XI and XII in 2005. Instead students have to distinguish between a male and female cockroach, rohu fish and grasshopper. n SNS
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SHGs fight over mid-day meal order
MIDNAPORE: The midday meal programme in Murari SC High School in Belpahari block in Midnapore West had to be closed by the school authorities indefinitely a day after it was introduced following an or
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ADB wants water meters in place
The Centre as well as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) seems to be unhappy with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
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State fails to curb chicken transport
The highly pathogenic avian influenza could reach new areas in the state after the state animal husbandry department officials received reports that poultry owners of the notified areas in Malda have
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CPM cashes in on Asim Budget sops
Desperate to regain lost ground in the wake of the Nandigram fiasco and widespread resistance by the rural population against the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-government's industrialisation overdrive, th
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Agriculture minister on farmer's suicide
: State agriculture minister, Mr Naren Dey today said that though a potato farmer had committed suicide in the state, it is yet to be established whether financial distress, due to a bumper potato pro
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Nandigram wants industry through consensus
State government's attempt to acquire land at Nandigram for a proposed Chemical hub may have witnessed enough bloodshed forcing the chief minister to abandon land acquisition plans there, but the Asse
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Leprosy vaccine stalled, President intervenes
They have proof that they had successfully cultured the leprosy bacteria for the first time in the world. Their work on a possible vaccine for leprosy, however, is stalled due to the Centre's
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Puja organisers flout wildlife rules
Animals are stealing the show this Diwali. Flouting the law with impunity, some Kali Puja organisers are keeping animals at their pandals to draw crowds.This is a punishable offence, says the
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Malaria in CMCH backward?
Calcutta Medical College and Hospital could soon have a severe problem on its hands - that of malaria. Within its premises there are more than 100 unused tanks, filled with water, a happy breeding