JEE Advanced 2023: AIR 91 chooses CSE from IIT Delhi over IIT Bombay

In JEE Advanced 2023, she scored 287 out of 360 with 91 out 120 in Mathematics, 96 out of 120 in Chemistry and 100 out of 120 in Physics.

Vani shares that her brother has been the biggest support system in her journey 

JEE Advanced 2023: Vani Gupta secured all India rank 91 in JEE Advanced 2023 and came second amongst girls. Her inspiration is her father who is an IIT Roorkee alumnus and her brother who graduated from IIT Delhi recently. However, while both of them are electrical engineers, she wishes to pursue Computer Science Engineering at IIT Delhi.

A student of Apeejay School, Noida she secured 97.8 per cent in her CBSE board exams. In JEE Advanced 2023, she scored 287 out of 360. Subject-wise, out of 120, she got 91 in Mathematics, 96 in Chemistry and 100 in Physics. In JEE Main 2023, she secured AIR 313 with 99.979 percentile. She spoke to indianexpress.com and shared her journey.

Biggest motivation

As a child I was always interested in Mathematics, so PCM was a clear choice in Class 11. I also have a keen interest in technology and have studied computer science since Class 6. I enjoy programming and coding and know the computer language Python. Due to my family, I knew about IITs and therefore, I always wanted to study in one of them.

My biggest inspirations have to be my father and brother, especially my brother who guided me a lot while preparing for IIT from making notes to organising everything.

What do I want to do in future

I want to invent, especially something that is very futuristic like the recently launched Apple VR headset. I want to develop technology that would help solve problems and improve the daily lives of people.

What was my schedule like?

I would make sure that I study for 8 to 10 hours consistently every day. I won’t study for 8 to 10 hours at a stretch but instead for 3 hours each and then take a break in between to refresh my mind. During the breaks, I would watch TV series, movies or listen to music. I particularly like Bollywood songs.

I had coaching for 3-4 days a week and one separate day for tests. For preparation, I stuck to my coaching material and NCERT, especially for Chemistry.

My favourite subjects

Mathematics is my strongest and most favourite subject. Physics too is nice. I just did not like inorganic chemistry that much.

Advice for students appearing for JEE

It’s a long journey, enjoy what you are studying. Focus on everything that you do, work on your weaknesses and turn it into your strengths. One thing I have realised is that group studies help. I made some great friends in Class 12 during preparation.

No data on student suicides across NEET coaching centres; NEP 2020 lays out guidelines for counselling: Government

'The number of suicide cases of students of all these institutions and various coaching centres including coaching centres for NEET across the country are not maintained,' Sarkar said.

According to NEP 2020, there has to be a counselling system for helping students handle stress in every institute. 

The government Monday clarified that the number of suicide cases of students of all educational institutions and various coaching centres, including coaching centres for NEET, across the country is not maintained. The statement was issued by the Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar in the Parliament.

Sarkar was replying to questions raised by Dr TR Paarivendhar and Ravneet Singh Bittu. The two MPs had questioned the government about data on suicide cases of NEET students and if they have any proposal to frame a standard guideline to run coaching centres/ institutions across the country to save the students from forced suicide.

“Education being a concurrent list subject, Educational Institutions are managed by both Central and State Government. The majority of the Educational Institutions in the country falls in the purview of the State / UT Government. The number of suicide cases of students of all these institutions and various coaching centres including coaching centres for NEET across the country are not maintained. However, as per the Accidental Deaths & Suicide in India (ADSI), 2021, Report of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), there are various causes of suicides like professional / Career problems, sense of isolation, abuse, violence, family problems, mental disorders etc,” Sarkar said.

Talking about the measures the government has adopted to prevent such cases, he informed the Parliament that according to NEP 2020, there has to be a counselling system to help students handle stress in every institute. “It also provides opportunities for students participation in sports, culture/arts clubs, eco-clubs, activity clubs, community service projects, etc,” he added.

“The Ministry has undertaken various steps such as peer-assisted learning, introduction of technical education in regional languages for students to ease academic stress. The Government of India initiative, named MANODARPAN, covers a wide range of activities to provide psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being during the COVID outbreak and beyond. The Ministry has also advised the institutions to make the system more robust that would include prevention, detection and remedial measures for addressing possible cause of suicides,” Sarkar explained.

He also added that all higher education institutes (HEIs) have been instructed to conduct workshops/ seminars on happiness and wellness, regular sessions on Yoga, induction programmes, extracurricular activities including sports and cultural activities, and more.

From a Zomato delivery boy to cracking NIACL exam, this engineer is now a govt officer

For 26-year-old Vigneesh, clearing the NIACL AO exam meant earning social respect for him and his family. He believes with this, he will be able to provide a comfortable life to his aging parents.

Vignesh DM at his new workplace.

Vigneesh DM was working in a private firm (2019) when his father suffered from a heart attack. He turned to his company for help but they refused stating that to avail insurance benefits, employees have to be with the company for three years. That moment was etched in Vigneesh’s memory and led him to switch to the banking sector.

Today, he is an Administrative Officer (AO) at ‘The New India Assurance Company Limited.’ But his journey hasn’t been as smooth. Hailing from Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, he was born to parents who weren’t educated but encouraged him to study. He was able to secure a seat at Rajalakshmi Engineering College in Chennai. After graduating in 2017, he worked with a private company for two years till his father’s health deteriorated.

After quitting his job, he took care of his father and once everything fell back on track, Vigneesh decided to apply for a government job. Even as a child, his parents wanted him to pursue a government job as they had witnessed the kind of respect government officials got. He studied hard and joined Veranda Race coaching to prepare for banking exams.

Interestingly, Vigneesh and his parents had no bank account till 2015. His father used to travel from his village every month and give him money for his expenses. It was during his college years that Vigneesh got introduced to the banking system and understood its importance. This piqued interest in banking helped him decide which government exam he wanted to appear for. He began preparing in 2019 but then the Covid wave took over and everything got temporarily shut. The 26-year-old had to return to his hometown for some time.

In 2022, he came back to Chennai to appear for government tests for banking and insurance as his hometown doesn’t have any centres for exams. Since there were multiple exams, he chose to stay in Chennai for a couple of months. In the meantime, he picked up a job as a part-time Zomato delivery partner to manage his expenses. He earned somewhere between R 3,000 a week to Rs 10,000 a month depending upon the hours he worked for.

Sharing his Zomato experience he recalls how some people used to be really kind to him while there were times when he had to climb 12 floors to deliver an order as the elevator wasn’t functioning. He, however, ensures that he goes down to collect a Zomato order so that the delivery partner is spared some hassle.

Puducherry to give govt school students 10% quota in UG medical courses

A cabinet meeting, held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Rangasamy, decided to introduce the 10 per cent horizontal reservation for the students of the government schools.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy, decided to introduce the 10 per cent horizontal reservation for the students of the government schools. 

The N Rangasamy dispensation here has decided to give a 10 per cent horizontal reservation to students of government schools for admission to undergraduate medical courses in the Union Territory.

A cabinet meeting, held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Rangasamy, decided to introduce the 10 per cent horizontal reservation for the students of the government schools.

Later, Rangasamy told reporters that formal approval of the Lieutenant Governor has been sought in the matter.

There have been demands from various quarters that the government introduce a 10 per cent horizontal reservation in medical education for the benefit of the students passing out of the government schools here.

The AIADMK had presented a memorandum to the chief minister recently seeking the horizontal reservation for the benefit of students in rural areas and also from the poorer sections of society.

"East India Company, Indian Mujahideen": PM Modi's Attack On Opposition Front

The Prime Minister described the opposition as "defeated, tired, hopeless, with a single-point agenda - opposing Modi." 

                     "East India Company, Indian Mujahideen": PM Modi's Attack On Opposition Front 

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed the opposition as "directionless" and cited the "Indian Mujahideen" and "Popular Front of India" as he derided the opposition alliance for its new name, INDIA.

"I have never seen such a directionless opposition," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted the Prime Minister as saying at the weekly meeting of the BJP parliamentary party.

PM Modi also attacked the opposition grouping on the name it gave itself at a meeting of 26 parties in Bengaluru last week to discuss strategy for the 2024 national election - INDIA, an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

"They keep praising themselves for the name INDIA. Indian National Congress. East India company. Indian Mujahideen. Popular Front of India - these are also INDIA. Just using the name INDIA does not mean anything," Mr Prasad quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

People cannot be misled merely by the use of the country's name, he said.

The sharp comments come in the middle of a standoff in parliament over the Manipur crisis and repeated disruptions over the opposition's demand for a statement by PM Modi on issues like a viral video of two women paraded naked by a mob and assaulted in May.

The Prime Minister described the opposition as "defeated, tired, hopeless, with a single-point agenda - opposing Modi". Their conduct showed they had made up their mind to remain the opposition, PM Modi reportedly said.

He expressed confidence that the BJP would win the 2024 polls easily with people's support.

Hours later, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, one of the leaders involved in naming the opposition alliance, responded to the PM's comments. "Call us whatever you want, Mr. Modi. We are INDIA. We will help heal Manipur and wipe the tears of every woman and child. We will bring back love and peace for all her people. We will rebuild the idea of India in Manipur," he posted on Twitter.

The row over Manipur has stalled the government's plans to push key legislation in parliament. Both houses of parliament have been adjourned repeatedly without much business since the monsoon session started last Thursday, a day after the Manipur horror video emerged.

In his remarks before the session, PM Modi said his heart was filled with anguish and anger. "I want to assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Action will be taken according to the law. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," he said.

The opposition, debuting in this session as the "INDIA" coalition, said the Prime Minister must make a comprehensive statement in both house of parliament. The government, which has offered a discussion on Manipur in both houses, accuses the opposition of deliberately blocking legislation with its protests.

Miraculous escape for 22 children as school bus overturns in Telangana's Mahabubabad

Kesamudaram Sub-Inspector (SI) K Thirupati informed the media that all the schoolchildren escaped without any injuries and were safely handed over to their parents. 

Locals gather to click pictures of the bus that overturned on the bypass road in Kesamudaram on Monday

MAHABUBABAD: Twenty-two children travelling from Kesamudaram to Beriwada village had a miraculous escape after their school bus overturned on Monday evening. The incident occurred on a bypass road in Kesamudaram.

Upon witnessing the accident, local villagers immediately informed authorities and the police promptly reached the scene. The accident resulted in a traffic jam that stretched over 2 km but the cops took measures to control it at once.

Driver talking on phone while driving: Students

As soon as the parents of the children learnt about the incident, they rushed to the spot. According to the schoolchildren, the accident happened because the bus driver was talking on his mobile phone while driving, causing him to lose control of the steering. Consequently, the school bus overturned on the outskirts of Kesamudaram village. The locals quickly came to the rescue, pulled the trapped schoolchildren out of the bus, and promptly alerted the Kesamudaram police station.

Kesamudaram Sub-Inspector (SI) K Thirupati informed the media that all the schoolchildren escaped without any injuries and were safely handed over to their parents. He explained that the children were returning home after finishing school when the incident occurred due to the negligence of the school bus driver, O Srikanth.

The children complained that the driver was talking on his mobile phone while driving.
The bus driver fled from the scene, and authorities are actively searching for him, he added.
A case has been registered, and a thorough investigation is underway, stated Thirupati.

SC teen found murdered, kin allege honour killing in Tirunelveli district

“Muthaiah was working in a private company in Sanganakulam and was in love with a colleague. The girl had visited our house once and on July 23, she came to our house again.

According to the complaint filed by Muthaiah’s father P Kanniappan, his son was found murdered on the outskirts of Appuvilai village with stab wounds to his stomach, back and neck.

TIRUNELVELI: A 19-year-old Scheduled Caste youth was found murdered at Appuvilai village near Thisayanvilai in Tirunelveli district late on Sunday night. While his parents said the murder of their son, K Muthaiah, was a case of honour killing by his lover’s relatives who belong to a dominant caste, district superintendent of police N Silambarasan rejected the charge.

Thisayanvilai police have registered an FIR under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code and 3 (2) (v) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to the complaint filed by Muthaiah’s father P Kanniappan, his son was found murdered on the outskirts of Appuvilai village with stab wounds to his stomach, back and neck.

“Muthaiah was working in a private company in Sanganakulam and was in love with a colleague. The girl had visited our house once and on July 23, she came to our house again. Meanwhile, a relative of the girl, who works in the same company, attempted to attack my son at the workplace on the same day. Muthaiah later dropped the girl at Thisayanvilai bus stand and came home around 4.30pm. He once again went out to see his friend at 8.30pm but did not return home.

As we could not reach him on his phone, we started searching for him. Late on Sunday, we found his body with multiple injuries. Some casteist persons from his lover’s family had murdered my son,” Kanniappan said in his complaint. The Thisayanvilai police have sent Muthaiah’s body to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for postmortem.

Meanwhile, police arrested about 30 people, including a few women, for attempting to stage a protest in front of the district police office in Tirunelveli on Monday demanding arrest of the murderers.

Kanniappan also filed a petition with SP Silambarasan on Monday afternoon. When contacted by TNIE, Silambarasan said Muthaiah’s murder was not a case of honour killing.

BJP functionaries among 18 arrested over attack on Meghalaya CM's office

Eighteen people, including two women, have been arrested for vandalism and arson at Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma's office in Tura on Monday night.

5 police personnel were injured when a mob pelted stones targeting Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma’s office in Tura. 

SHILLONG: At least 18 people, including two BJP Mahila Morcha functionaries, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on chief minister's office in Tura town in western Meghalaya, which left five policemen injured, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

Police have also launched a manhunt for two Trinamool Congress leaders for allegedly instigating a mob to attack the building on Monday night.

The attack, resulting in arson and vandalism, took place when Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was holding a meeting with leaders of Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) and Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC), who were fasting to press for their demand to make Tura the winter capital of the northeastern state.

The CM, who was inside the building, was not injured in the violence.

"Eighteen people, including two women, have been arrested for vandalism and arson at the CM's office in Tura on Monday night. At least 21 vehicles were damaged. Cases were filed against the accused," the officer told PTI.

The two BJP Mahila Morcha functionaries were identified as Belina M Marak and Dilche Ch Marak, he said.

A manhunt has been launched for two TMC leaders for allegedly instigating the mob to turn violent, the officer said.

The CM has announced a relief of Rs 50,000 for the injured policemen, who were admitted to a hospital and are currently out of danger.

Police said that while the protesters were ostensibly seeking winter capital, a large number of outsiders mingled with them and started throwing stones at the chief minister's office, following which law enforcers used tear gas shells and lathi-charge to disperse the mob.

District Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani imposed a night curfew in Tura town on Monday night after the incident and the district administration is currently reviewing the law and order situation, another official said.

He said educational institutions in Tura municipal area were also directed to remain closed during the day as a precautionary measure in view of the situation.

However, shops opened and vehicles were seen plying the roads.

"Two women paraded naked are in deep trauma and are yet to receive any counselling", DCW chief says after meeting the kin

The survivors of the violence went through the worst hell imaginable and it is deeply distressing to know that neither the chief minister nor any government functionary has meet them, she alleged.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal meets the kin of victims in Manipur.

NEW DELHI: The two women paraded naked in Manipur are yet to receive any counselling or compensation from the state and are in deep trauma, DCW chief Swati Maliwal, who met the families of the two survivors, said on Tuesday while slamming the state government for the violence.

Maliwal, who is on a tour of the northeastern state, said she was informed by the families that neither the state chief minister, nor any cabinet minister, nor a senior officer from the state bothered to meet the DCW members.

Maliwal along with member Vandana Singh travelled to Churachandpur in Manipur on Monday and met the mother and husband of the sexual assault survivors whose assault video had gone viral, the Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) said in a statement She travelled to Churachandpur, Moirang and Imphal districts and visited relief camps and interacted with the survivors of violence.

The panel alleged that the Manipur government did not extend any support to Maliwal to travel there or meet with the survivors of violence.

Maliwal met the mother and husband of the two victims who had been paraded naked, molested and one of them was gangraped.

The mother of the woman who was gangraped also lost her husband and son who were trying to save the victim from the sexual assault, the statement said.

The husband of the woman, who was paraded naked and molested, had fought for the country in the Kargil war, it said.

They informed that the victims are in deep trauma and are constantly reliving the horrific moments.

"The survivors are yet to get any counselling, legal aid, or compensation from the government so far. They were angry that no action has been taken against any police officer in their case," the panel alleged.

Maliwal also interacted with other women in the state affected by violence. At the Churachandpur relief camp, she met a 70-year-old woman hailing from Langchink village whose only son was killed in the violence.

Maliwal also met a 34-year-old woman who had just delivered a girl in Imphal when a mob surrounded her. Her husband and brother-in-law were killed and she somehow managed to escape with the baby. In Imphal, several women affected with violence approached Maliwal.

Talking about her visit, the DCW chief alleged she did not receive any support from the government to enter Manipur and went there at great personal risk.

"The viral video shook me to the core and I wanted to meet the survivors at all cost.

I was informed by locals that it is very difficult to travel Churachandpur to meet the families of the survivors. Yet I decided to go there without any security amidst heavy firing. Somehow, I managed to meet them," she said.

The survivors of the violence went through the worst hell imaginable and it is deeply distressing to know that neither the chief minister nor any government functionary has meet them, she alleged.

"The violence in Manipur is extremely troubling and everywhere I am going, there are horror stories which are mind-numbing. People have lost their homes and loved ones and the government has completely failed in protecting them. I think that the Centre should urgently seek the resignation of the Manipur chief minister," she said.

She reiterated her demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should visit Manipur along with Home Minister Amit Shah and WCD Minister Smriti Irani urgently.

Four UP fishermen catch dolphin from Yamuna river, eat it; booked

A dolphin got trapped in a net when four fishermen from Naseerpur village were fishing in Yamuna in the morning on July 22.

Fishermen caught a dolphin from the Yamuna river and cooked and ate it. 

KAUSHAMBI: Four fishermen have been booked for allegedly illegally catching a dolphin from the Yamuna river here and eating it, the police said on Monday.

One of the fishermen was arrested after the police took cognisance of a purported video of the incident that went viral on social media on Sunday, they added.

According to a complaint lodged by Chail forest ranger Ravindra Kumar on Monday, a dolphin got trapped in a net when four fishermen from Naseerpur village here were fishing in Yamuna in the morning on July 22, Pipri SHO Shravan Kumar Singh said.

They brought out the dolphin from the river and carried it on their shoulder to a house, where they cooked and ate it, Singh said.

The forest ranger, in his complaint, added that some passersby filmed the fishermen while they were carrying away the dolphin, the SHO said.

Based on the forest ranger's complaint, a case has been registered against Ranjeet Kumar, Sanjay, Deevan and Baba under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), the police said.

Ranjeet Kumar has been arrested and is being interrogated, the SHO said, adding that efforts are on to nab the remaining accused.