QWrap: Centre Dials Back Hindi Imposition, IAF Aircraft Search On

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced free bus and metro transport for women.

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(Photo: Arnica Kala)

After Backlash on Hindi Imposition, Centre Tweaks Education Policy

Following a severe backlash over the draft education policy, which favoured the study of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, the Centre has carefully dialed back its policy and removed references to specific languages like Hindi.

However, it has still sought to propound the three-language formula.

Social media is abuzz with trending hashtags like #StopHindiImposition. Meanwhile, with the DMK in Tamil Nadu issuing a resolution saying that the “patience of Tamil people should not be tested”, newly-appointed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter to clarify that it was only a draft report and that the “GoI respects all languages”. “No language will be imposed,” he added.

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Woman Ties Rakhi to BJP MLA Who Assaulted Her in Public

What started with a slap and kick ended with the tying of a rakhi.

Balram Thawani, a BJP MLA from Naroda, in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, was caught on camera assaulting a woman, identified as NCP worker Nitu Tejwani.

Tejwani, who had approached the MLA to protest against inadequate water supply in the area, was slapped and kicked in full public view.

Thawani later apologised, saying he "got swayed by emotions". Later, in a press conference, he also got a rakhi tied by Tejwani.

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Delhi Govt to Make Public Transport Free For Women: Kejriwal

With Delhi Assembly elections due next year, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government on Monday announced its decision to make public transport free for women in Delhi.

Having drawn a blank in Delhi in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the Delhi CM said that the move to allow free travel in buses and metro was to encourage women to use public transport.

He said that the government could implement the decision in the next two-three months.

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Ajit Doval Reappointed as NSA, Given Cabinet Rank

Ajit Doval was reappointed as National Security Advisor (NSA) for five more years on Monday. He was also given a Cabinet rank "in recognition of his contribution in the national security domain".

Doval was reported to be at the Ministry of Home Affairs, where Amit Shah recently took charge as Home Minister. Doval has served as NSA since May 2014 and is the first to get a second term.

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Search for Missing IAF Aircraft Continues

An Indian Air Force AN-31 aircraft was reported to be missing around 1 pm with 13 people onboard. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam, at 12:25 pm and last contacted ground services at 1 pm.

Newly appointed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, meanwhile, tweeted saying he was in touch with Air Marshall Rakesh Singh Bhadauria.

The year 2019 has been an especially bad one for the IAF, with 11 crashes in just the first five months.

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