NCDC Alumni Secure Teaching Jobs, Another Achievement for the Council

Srinagar: The National Child Development Council (NCDC) has once again made it proud by its alumni securing teaching positions in educational institutions, both domestically and abroad.

The recent selected students are Femena K K of the 61st Batch, as well as Remya Mohandas and Aswathi M D of the 71st Batch. They have now been placed in educational institutions in different places, after completing the NCDC’s Montessori Teacher Training Course.

As per an official statement of the NCDC, the graduates received training under the guidance of seasoned Evaluator Incharges like Shakkila Wahab and Bindu S, making them better suited for their careers in teaching.

The National Child Development Council, one of the central organizations for the empowerment of women and children, continues to play a major role in the development of quality education in India.

For further details regarding the Montessori teacher training course and application process, eligible candidates may log on to the NCDC website at https://ncdconline.g/courses or call the Faculty Incharge at +917356607191.

Uneasy calm ends as flood threat eases in J&K

Weather improves, water levels recede at most places; MeT forecasts intermittent rains till Sept 6

Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 28 (KNO): After an uneasy calm over the flood threat for the last two days across Jammu & Kashmir, the situation has eased in both regions on Thursday, as the water levels in almost all rivers and streams have receded to a large extent, settling below the alert mark at most places.

People in Jammu as well as in Kashmir, especially those living close to water bodies, had sleepless nights over the last two days, fearing a 2014-like situation when the whole valley flooded, causing extensive losses across J&K.

According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), after receiving the highest-ever 380 mm of rainfall in 24 hours until yesterday morning, Jammu has shown improvement in weather conditions, with only 5.6 mm of rainfall recorded till this morning, and no precipitation recorded until the evening today.

Other stations, including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, also recorded no precipitation since this morning, allowing water levels to recede and thereby eliminating the threat of floods across the region.

An independent weather forecaster, Faizan Airf Keng, told KNO that the water level has receded significantly, settling below the alert level. He said that the water level in Jammu is near normal, adding that in Kashmir, it remains above normal.

The water level in the Jhelum at Pampore is still above the flood declaration mark. It was recorded at 1587.674 m, while the flood declaration mark is 1587.184 m.

Similarly, at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water was flowing at 18.21 ft, which is 0.21 ft above the flood declaration mark. However, the water level has been constantly receding at both locations.

Moreover, at other stations, including Sangam and Asham, water levels are well below the flood declaration mark, eliminating the flood threat across the valley.

Earlier in the day, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said the administration is on full alert, with all departments working together to ensure the safety of people amid monsoon rains.

He said the public has shown remarkable patience over the last few days. “Teams from the Army, Police, SDRF, and civil administration are deployed on the ground. The Flood Control Department is keeping a strict watch on the Jhelum and its tributaries,” Garg said.

Notably, while the flood threat is nearly over in Kashmir, the weather forecast predicts intermittent rains till September 6.

Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that a brief spell of rain and thunder is expected at a few places, mainly late afternoon and late night tomorrow.

“From August 30 to September 1, a spell of light to moderate rain, scattered to fairly widespread, with the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, is expected in a few districts of Jammu division,” he said. “From September 2 to 6, a brief spell of rain and thunderstorms is forecast at a few places.”

The MeT has issued an advisory, warning of the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms at a few places in the Jammu division from the early morning of August 30 to late night of September 1, and again early morning on September 2.

It also warns of potential landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, etc., at vulnerable locations, advising people to stay away from water bodies, nallas, river embankments, and loose structures—(KNO)

National Child Development Council Demands Collective Action to End Dowry System

New Delhi – The National Child Development Council (NCDC) held a top-level Core Committee meeting during the week, making a strong call for action to end India’s time-honored and deadly dowry tradition. At the meeting, NCDC women’s empowerment leaders, educators, and social activists came together to focus on recent dowry tragedies and stress the urgency for cultural as well as legal change.

Central to the debate was the sad history of Rithanya, a young woman from Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, who ended her life just 72 days after marriage, reportedly on account of constant demands for higher dowry and incessant harassment, sexual as well as emotional abuse from her spouse. Though her parents had given a big dowry at the time of marriage, the demands continued to mount, driving her to despair.

“She left a voice message for her parents prior to her death stating that she could no longer tolerate the physical and mental torture. Her agony is a reflection of thousands untold tales from India,” one of the committee members stated during the session.

Dowry System Persists Despite Legal Ban

Though dowry has been prohibited in India by virtue of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, members observed that the practice persists, thinly veiled under the guise of “gifts,” “property,” or “security.” The issue is not limited to illiterate or economically backward sections now; it exists in all levels of society, including educated and financially prosperous groups.

A number of members also raised concerns that parents of brides are complicit, willing to give dowry under social compulsion or to arrange so-called “prestigious” matches. The result, they cautioned, is a normalization of a exploitative custom.

Social and Psychological Burden

Apart from economic strain, the committee highlighted related problems such as:

Body shaming and discrimination against women who do not fit societal beauty norms, which is often followed by increased dowry demands.

Mental effects like anxiety, depression, and suicide in women trapped in abusive marriages.

A lack of desire to get married among educated women who see such trends prevailing in society.

“Even now, girls are being asked to ‘adjust’ instead of leaving abusive marriages. Parents are more scared of social stigma than the agony of their daughter,” noted a speaker.

NCDC Recommendations

In a series of resolutions adopted at the meeting, the NCDC laid out a holistic plan to address dowry:

1. Dowry Laws Must Be Stricter: Families demanding or taking dowry should face immediate legal action with hastened judicial procedures.

2. Education in Schools: Education about dowry awareness and gender equality has to be included in school curriculum to transform attitudes at a young age.

3. Community and Family Involvement: Parents should stand behind their daughters after marriage and should never insist that they stay in abusive situations for family honor.

4. Empowerment of Women: Women should be encouraged to seek education, jobs, and financial independence to prevent dependency and exploitation.

5. Emphasizing Positive Role Models: The council provided instances of marriages arranged without dowry and encouraged them to be role models for society.

“Saying ‘no’ to dowry isn’t sufficient. We should say ‘yes’ to empowerment, to equality, and to a new cultural norm,” stated one top official.

Not Just a Legal Issue — A Cultural One

The Council highlighted that government action is needed, but the actual transformation must come from society. The craze for money, gold, and lavish weddings needs to give way to human values, respect for each other, and equality in marriage.

“Do not sell our daughters. Marriage is a union of hearts—not wallets,” retorted a flustered protester.

Conclusion

With over 77,000 cases related to dowry being filed each year—and countless others going unreported—the NCDC called for collective responsibility from families, communities, and the government. The system of dowry, they added, is a moral crisis, and if not taken seriously, will continue to take the lives and dignity of India’s women.

The Council summed up in a national call to action: “Ban dowry in practice, not just in law. Value life—not gold.”