Ashna Butani
@ButaniAshna
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She/her. Reporter @the_hindu. Previously @thequint @indianexpress
Delhi | Calcutta
Joined October 2019
Data across rural India shows that girls are less likely to own smartphones than boys. In Haryana, the fallout of this access gap on young women who dream of studying outside their villages, at a time when forms & study material are moving online - . I report for @the_hindu
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"Right now, I am here for my Muslim friend, Sania. I don't see where this democracy is going," says Saloni who is among those gathered at #Jantarmantar to protest against 'bulldozer raj'.
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Young wrestlers in Haryana, whose eyes have been glued to their phones for the past three days, say that 'Vinesh didi' is the reason for their motivation & that a silver medal is her right. @the_hindu
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Till a few years ago, 15-year-old Arham (name changed) used to carry chicken biryani in his tiffin box to his school in NE Delhi’s Khajoori Khas. Now, when biryani is cooked at home, he carries just the rice. How non-veg food has become a taboo in Delhi schools: . @the_hindu
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Rahmat Ahsan, who ran a general store inside the AIIMS campus, succumbed to Covid without getting a bed anywhere. When the pandemic began, he told docs that he was with them on their fight against Covid, and was even ready to keep his store open 24 x 7.
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Two years in the city and I still get distracted every time I pass doors like these
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For many daily wage earners, even three days of no work, is enough to plunge them into a fresh cycle of debt.
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A PhD scholar writing her thesis on women's access to higher education, quits her course after her sexual harassment complaint against a prof goes unheard. Like her, women across institutes, workplaces fear going to the ICC as it might “complicate things”. Here's why:
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A day after his father's death, Asif, Aarif's older son said that a total of 3.12 lakh was deposited in his account. The family was grateful to all those who contributed. Thanks to @Kissekahaaniyan, @zoo_bear and @IndiasMuslims for raising funds.
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UGC data, released soon after CUET results were announced on Saturday, showed that only 50.5% students from the ST category appeared for the exam. Officials said that lack of access to technology and information could be the possible reason for this. @htTweets
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Life update: .After a wonderful 2.5 years at @IndianExpress, I had my last day a week ago. I join @TheQuint as a Correspondent today, and hope to continue bringing you stories from the ground.
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Day 1 of #CUET, outside a centre at DU's North Campus. Many parents and guardians of students say that their centres were changed last minute. Rashid, brother of Sabia, says they got a call about the centre change at 7:30 yesterday @TheQuint @QuintHindi
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UP police data shows that 1.26 crore people have been “issued warnings” by Anti-Romeo squads since 2017. @samridhitewari and I report on this culture of moral policing, and its impact on the youth who are left without safe public spaces. @the_hindu
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Voices from Majnu Ka Tila residents who relied solely on WeChat to speak to family in Tibet, transfer money to relatives or conduct online business. @IndianExpress.
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Even as the CBSE cracks down on 'dummy' schools, regular schools receive incessant requests to conduct dummy classes in Class 11 and 12 so students can focus on entrance prep. We at @the_hindu explore this rise in demand and the nexus between such schools & coaching institutes.
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Lalita, from Govindpuri, says, "we received a mail but we are not constantly checking our phones so we missed it." .@TheQuint @QuintHindi
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“Since I cannot become a mother, I wanted to help others through methods such as IVF,” said the 25-year-old transwoman who could not pursue an MSc in Reproductive Biology despite ranking 11th on the test. She's now fighting for reservation in the High Court. This is her story.
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Reduced gap between the two attempts, dates clashing with boards; here's why lakhs of #JEEaspirants have been distressed.
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JNU's portrayal in 2 recent films, angers students who fought the same perception at home before enrolling. For teachers & alumni, efforts to portray JNU negatively stem from students' political consciousness, which is "inconvenient for the ruling party". I ✍🏽 for @the_hindu
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Replacing Purana Qila with Indraprastha, removal of a text by historian Prof. Irfan Habib, are among the proposed amendments to a history paper on Delhi. If approved today, this will be the third revision to the paper in 8 years.
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Number of protesters at the Tikri border stage swell as more protesters walk towards it, some on foot, others on tractors, trolleys and autos .@TheQuint
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Rojarani, a tribal girl from a district ravaged by Naxal violence, dreamed of going to college and becoming a doctor. The dream ended when CUET forms were out. The reason? Travel to the centre, and the money it would cost her. This isn't her story alone.
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After a fulfilling 1.5 years at @TheQuint, I have moved to @HindustanTimes where I will be reporting on Education in Delhi. DM with leads at ashna.butani@hindustantimes.com.
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Cut off by their employers, domestic helps in Noida struggle to make ends meet. My story for @IndianExpress
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Vendors in North campus are just as elated as students about offline classes restarting. After two years, their business sees signs of revival. Dinesh, a tea seller, said, "I've had 15-20 customers since morning. By this time yesterday, I had only 1 or 2 customers." .@TheQuint
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The survey, showing a high prevalence of sexual violence against gay & bisexual men, comes amid growing concerns about safety, with BNS replacing the IPC, which unlike the latter, does not have a Section dealing with the rape of men or transgender people. @the_hindu
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Khatera Hashmi was assaulted by the Taliban in 2020. Her eyes were removed because she saw their faces. Protesting outside the UNHCR office in Delhi, she says, “I do not want the same to happen to my children. I want to go back to them, or I want them to come here…” @ieDelhi
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After almost two years of quiet, north campus is buzzing with activity on Day 1 of #DUreopening. For most, this is the first time in college and for quite a few, it's their first time in Delhi. Students have 4-5 classes today, similar to their online schedules. @TheQuint
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A motivation speech was taking place in the Mundka building when a fire broke out. Shazia Parveen, who was there at the time, said, "sir was asking us what we can do for the future of the company and motivating us to do something big. ".@TheQuint
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When I met Rajkumari Markam two weeks ago, she was alone in a shelter home with a capacity of 50. The others were sent home in buses and trains, but none were leaving for her hometown in Chhattisgarh.
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Sheds of residents being demolished at Grand Omaxe in Noida Sector 93. This happens over a month after Shrikant Tyagi was arrested for abusing and assaulting a woman over an argument regarding encroachments. @TheQuint
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She added, "Sania was scared about coming here alone today. I'm not doing anything great by being here to support her. We should all do the same.".
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According to the Safai Karmachari Andolan, 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020 and 26 were recorded this year. @ieDelhi
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Got a Covid test after my flatmate and I found out that someone we came in contact with tested positive. Breaking down my experience for anyone who might need more info on where and how to get tested without panicking. A thread.
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In NE Delhi, some residents say that the gap between the two communities has become more pronounced with saffron flags adorning most rooftops. Many, however, say that the density of flags in the area, will not necessarily translate into BJP votes. @the_hindu
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Taxi drivers say that their yellow #Ambassador cars will touch the 15-year-mark very soon -- rendering them unusable. Does this mark the end of the road for the city's beloved Ambassadors? @TheQuint.Story here:
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As workers struggle to get back on their feet, many are forced to accept work at lower rates than before. If they don't, someone else takes the job and they are stuck in a loop of unemployment. Contractors and employers, aware of their desperation, use this to justify lower pay.
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Eyewitness account: Pushpa Panwar who was in the building in Mundka that caught fire yesterday. "We could not get out from the main gate so we had to jump in order to save our lives," she said. @TheQuint
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Delhi University is now in the process of dropping an elective course taught by the History Department. The course comprises a number of historical writings on the topics of caste, gender, tribes and the Constitution. @TheQuint.
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Following a 16-day protest by students for a caste census, Ashoka University agrees to conduct a socio-economic survey. Protests are temporarily halted but dialogue over remaining demands will continue. @the_hindu.
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From job insecurity and salaries that haven't kept pace with inflation, to unmet promises by the government, here's why anganwadi workers and helpers in Delhi have pledged to boycott all political parties in LS elections. @the_hindu
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Tikri border brimming with protesters who mark one year since they set foot at the borders. They say that the protests won't die down until all their demands are met. @TheQuint
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Looking forward to my first reporting assignment in my state, but need a tiny favour: if you are, or know anyone working in the field of child rights and education in and around Kolkata, please reach out to me or @DebayanDuttaa. We will be really grateful 🌼.
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Ravinshu, a third year DU student from Agra, says many of his outstation friends from have not come down to Delhi yet and will start reaching the city on Monday. However, being back feels surreal, he says. "We left as freshers and we've come back as the senior most.".@TheQuint
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The toll that constant delays & cancellations take on first-generation learners who have already fought against the odds to appear for centralised exams -
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Update: Asif got a job as a Civil Defence Volunteer in the area and will start working soon. @CyrusPoonawalla group reached out and donated Rs 3 lakh to the family. The family now says they will manage daily expenses for quite some time. Thanks for all the help, all.
A day after his father's death, Asif, Aarif's older son said that a total of 3.12 lakh was deposited in his account. The family was grateful to all those who contributed. Thanks to @Kissekahaaniyan, @zoo_bear and @IndiasMuslims for raising funds.
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How hopes of a faster train are shadowed by apprehensions over cost for daily commuters who live in Meerut and work in Delhi. @htTweets
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Acknowledging that Kamala’s win marks many firsts — first female Vice President, first Indian-American Vice President and the first African-American Vice President in the US — her uncle said, “She believes in equality for all. I know that she will make her mark.” @IndianExpress
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For this 17-year-old, Monday was extra special — she was attacked with acid in December 2022, and for several months, she and her family were not sure whether she could even make it to college. Now, she is the first in her immediate family to go to college. @htTweets
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Every time, a student walked into the cybercafe in Delhi’s Munirka seeking help with the CUET form, Mohammad Masood (17), would immediately assist. What most students didn’t know, however, was that Masood would be sitting for the test too. @TheQuint.
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Thanks to @bhatt1619 and @Kissekahaaniyan, who reached out to me after I wrote this story, three children now have smartphones and have started attending their classes online.
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Food, rent, new mobile phones and recharge; priorities for parents of schoolgoing children.@ieDelhi
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When 11-year-old Pooja Kumar stopped attending school five years ago, she thought she would never get to study again. Her fortunes changed when she found out about a school started by farmers at Tikri border. @ieDelhi.
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"I donated plasma twice, only because I thought I would be saving someone's life," said Syed Yusuf. But when he tried desperately to get his mother admitted, the same system failed him. Two days and six hospitals later, she passed away at home. @ieDelhi.
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A ray of hope for Delhi's student-dependent workers and vendors. Read more here:
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Family of Narendra, who has been missing has been waiting at the hospital since Friday night. His uncle said, "my sister was shown a few bodies but they were so charred that she could not identify them." .@TheQuint @QuintHindi
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A fire broke out at dawn in Lajpat Rai Market, Chandni Chowk today. While there were no casualties, over 100 shops have been burnt to the ground. @TheQuint
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My work space has been conquered and apparently my laptop is a very comfortable bed
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According to the Delhi govt, 14 people have died from heat strokes in hospitals. The number is significantly higher among homeless people in Delhi - 192 in just 8 days. Many are daily wagers who do not have the support, amenities to even reach hospitals. @the_hindu
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64-year-old lady traveling from Singapore to Delhi stuck at Delhi airport since the morning. She has a number of ailments and requires a wheelchair but authorities are not helping her. @DelhiAirport @airindiain @SatyendarJain @MoHFW_INDIA @DrHVoffice .#delhiairport #Covid_19
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The lanes of a small village in West Bengal’s Mohapur, are lined with tapestry frames, with colourful sarees stretched out in front of them. And behind most of them, sit young girls who could have been in school instead.
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"In all these years, I’ve never been able to mount my tricycle on the footpath," wheelchair user Kamla Prasad Upadhyay who runs a tea shop near Civil Lines, told @al_lakshman. Do read his first report for The Hindu.
MCDs are on a mission to clear encroachments in Delhi but these road stretches clearly haven't figured into their daily "bulldozer" schedule. @the_hindu @THNewDelhi
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Every evening, patients with Covid/Covid-like symptoms visit Ghitorni's 'Chaupal OPD' under a Banyan tree. The OPD sprung up at the height of the second wave to dispel fears. Volunteers and doctors provide free medications, consultation and oxygen.
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Eager spectators watching the tractor march from Ghazipur to Apsara border.
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"In the midst of the pandemic, I was fired without a show-cause notice. The principal then hurled casteist remarks at me," said the ad hoc DU prof who had alleged caste discrimination. Two years on, a case was registered against the principal. @TheQuint.
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Student, trader and translator among those who took metro as it reopened. Apprehensions faded away as passengers acquainted themselves with new rules such as cashless transactions, limited passenger entry and alternate seating. More details: @IndianExpress.
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On JNU polling day, Swati Singh, the general secretary candidate from the United Left Panel receives a notice regarding cancellation of her nomination. This comes days after ABVP had written a complaint to authorities regarding the same.
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“Worshippers and office goers stop here for tea after praying. Many are pleasantly surprised to see a Hindu family running a stall in a mosque,” says Gupta. “Magar hum sab hamesha se bhaichare se reh rahe hai," say occupants of Sunehri Bagh masjid.
"The best thing about the mosque is that we can have a puja on Diwali while people offer namaz on the floor above. They hug us on Diwali and we hug them on Eid," he said.
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The piercing sound of the power press, a haunting memory of the incident – it all comes rushing back to Ranjan every time he looks at his right hand, which now has only one finger. This labour day, we bring you stories of three such auto workers. @TheQuint
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If you are or know someone who had invested in property in #supertech twin towers in Noida, please reach out. It's for a story. Thanks!.
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When he was in Class VI, Bunty lost his father, forcing him to drop out of school and earn for his family. Life has come full circle for Bunty, now 34 and unemployed, as he waits for ration outside the same school. A few voices from ration lines on Day 1:
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In 14 months, Shahana Parveen went from working in six houses, to working in two and now in just one, where she earns Rs 2000. Stuck in a cycle of unemployment and low pay, most domestic helps struggle to make ends meet. My story @ieDelhi.
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He added that they don't have to worry about rent and daily expenses for a while now. A long-term solution however, is to work again. The brothers are looking for factory/mechanical jobs in Seelampur.
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We returned to the district along with the minor girl who was brutally beaten up by her employers in Gurugram. She was not alone -- four other girls who were trafficked to the city, returned to Simdega with her. @TheQuint.@somyalakhani.(1/5).
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"All our goods have turned to ash,".said shopkeepers who were already reeling under losses from the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. They said that it would take them years to recover from all their losses.
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Police deployment right outside the #IPCollege gate as students conduct a protest march inside the campus. This is three days after the trespassing incident where men scaled the walls and allegedly harassed students. @TheQuint
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In her grad speech, Sudeeksha spoke about how girls in her village don't go to college for the fear of eveteasing. She topped her batch, won a scholarship and paved the path for others in the village. On Aug 10, she died in an accident, her kin alleged harrassment. @ieDelhi
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"My father used to say that between 1966 and 1974, that is after The Beatles visited, even broken sitars in the shop sold like hot cakes," said Sharma, who now helms the 103-year-old store. (Worked hard to not slip into song lyrics while writing this. Do read.)
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In light of the incident on the day of the Diwali Fest, I'm hoping to speak to current and former students of #MirandaHouse and other girls colleges about harassment by outsiders. If you're willing to speak to us about this, please DM me. Thanks!.
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Days after a video of two brothers reuniting after 74 years went viral, the Pak High Commission issued a visa to Sikka Khan to visit his brother. The story of how Sikka's family was divided during partition and the brothers' reunion years later: @TheQuint.
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Two days on, Praveen Kumar Mishra, brother of Soni Kumari, still does not know if she managed to escape or got trapped in the fire. She had called her husband at the time and told him that she was trying to escape. @TheQuint @QuintHindi
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The 'rich people stories only' newspaper that gives him space every single day, does so for precisely THIS gaze.
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In Jan last year, #anganwadiworkers took to the streets to protest for better wages. But soon after this, 884 workers were terminated for protesting. We documented the plight of three such workers terminated from the same family. Watch: . @TheQuint.
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For some weird reason, health officials kept saying that there's nothing to worry about because "corona khatam ho gaya hai." Wonder if they're briefed to do so. But otherwise, I had a pretty positive experience with both pvt and govt tests (nope, the irony isn't lost on me).
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Every day, father of a nine-year-old, hopes she will return to school. His daughter was "stripped" by her teachers in a govt school in Hapur. “If a teacher can do such a terrible thing, which child would want to go to school?” he asked. @TheQuint
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Voices of women protesters at Tikri border, who have been turning the wheels of the protest, making the movement what it is today. My first story for @TheQuint .
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DPS GBN asked parents to refrain from sending non-veg food with their children in an attempt to ensure that “all students feel respected”. Meanwhile, parents' associations said the move can lead to segregation & discrimination.
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Jamia PhD scholars alleged that their supervisor made sexual comments over phone calls, derogatory comments in the classroom, leading one scholar to quit her course. Admin says ICC proceedings, on hold due to admin changes, will begin soon. @the_hindu.
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When I first met Shreya, her heart was set on college. But over the course of the next few months, she was presented with new challenges each day. She has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. Follow her journey here:
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The Noida Authority had issued a notice 48 hours before the anti-encroachment drive. Resident Sunaina Sarup said, "The sheds in front of buildings were built for security purposes right in front. They are temporary sheds. How are they encroachments?"
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For Rahul* a student from the ST category, who got an unconditional offer for a PhD in the UK to conduct research in the field of social sciences, the NOS was his only hope to be able to afford the education. Read more here. @TheQuint.
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"I go for work daily, but I don’t see the verification drives happening in the posh colonies in this area," says a resident of Bengali Basti, a slum cluster housing migrant workers, amid a verification drive to trace illegal immigrants. @the_hindu
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Social distancing at DUSIB shelter homes. "The worst part about the situation is staying away from my children and not being able to speak to them," said Sitaram, a daily wager who lost his phone in the shelter. #COVID2019 #migrantworkers
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Zena recently came out to the world with her identity. Her journey was riddled with a number of challenges -- facing transphobia daily, a financial crunch, and a lonely fight for amenities such as a room in the women's hostel. Read:
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