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US presidential candidate <keyword id="19918985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump" source="keywords">Donald Trump</keyword> has gone from suggesting that immigrants were poisoning the blood of the country to saying that he would welcome immigrants from “nice” countries like Denmark, Switzerland and Norway to his most recent plans of automatically granting green cards to <keyword id="22128571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-graduates" source="keywords">foreign graduates</keyword> of US colleges in a rather short duration of time. Feeling a little whiplashed, anyone? Securing a green card in the US is a Herculean task whose difficulty is probably comparable to capturing and bringing back Cerberus. And this legal permanent residence, which can sometimes take decades, is only the first step to becoming a US citizen. Many Indians have tried, whether it’s through residing and working for decades, navigating rather lengthy paperwork or marrying someone who is already a US citizen. Sadly, many have failed too. However, should Donald Trump become the President of the United States again (and decide to keep his word), Indian students might actually have an easier time getting a green card. In a surprising shift from his previous stance on immigration, former President Donald Trump has unveiled a bold plan to automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges if re-elected. This announcement, made during a podcast interview with Silicon Valley investors, marks a departure from Trump's traditionally tough rhetoric on immigration. During the podcast hosted by Chamath Palihapitiya and others, Trump expressed his commitment to retaining talent educated in American universities. He argued passionately for granting green cards as a standard benefit for graduates, regardless of the institution they attended. Trump emphasised that this policy should encompass graduates from renowned institutions like Harvard and MIT as well as from junior colleges across the country. “It’s so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, the greatest schools, and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also,” Trump lamented on the All-In Podcast. “I think you should get, automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country and that includes junior colleges, too.” A green card affords its holder permanent residency rights in the United States and represents a crucial step towards citizenship. Trump's proposal, if enacted, could potentially introduce hundreds of thousands of new applicants for citizenship annually. Adding to the exodus of Indians who have already migrated to the US, over 200,000 Indian nationals are enrolled in institutes across the US in 2024, setting a new record. In fact, the significant surge in Indian students seeking education in the country between 2022-23 represented an unprecedented 35% increase from the year before that. The former US president specifically mentioned India and China, highlighting how talented individuals were unable to stay in the US because of current <keyword id="22151110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa-policies" source="keywords">visa policies</keyword>. We can see how this may show him in a favourable light for green card aspirants. And while we’re not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, it is important to remember that Trump has made his discriminatory nature very public in several instances. Immigration has been a hot topic in the US political arena for decades. However, in recent years, the political right and others have been more divided than ever on this issue. Republicans have been calling for stringent immigration policies and strict border protections. Therefore, even if Trump does deliver what he promises, the packaging will most likely have fine print that might continue to make it difficult for students to attain green cards. In fact, the presidential candidate’s campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has already clarified that Trump's proposal would only apply to thoroughly vetted college graduates who can “make significant contributions” to America and would not undercut American wages or workers. She emphasised that Trump has outlined the most aggressive vetting process in US history to exclude "all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges." Anyhow, Trump’s proposal starkly contrasts with Trump's previous hardline stance on immigration, which had been a cornerstone of his political platform. During his presidency, Trump advocated for stringent immigration policies, including the largest deportation campaign in US history, aimed at undocumented migrants, and building a wall on the southern borders of the country. Trump intensified restrictions on legal immigration amid the pandemic and his final year in office. He proposed halting all immigration to the US and deporting foreign students who didn't attend some in-person classes. A month before the 2020 election, Trump once more moved to tighten regulations on the <keyword id="20773661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H-1B-visa" source="keywords">H-1B visa</keyword> program. He has also criticised the H-1B visa program, which tech companies favour for hiring foreign skilled workers, as detrimental to American prosperity. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa allowing US firms to employ foreigners in specialised occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. At a recent campaign event in Wisconsin, Trump criticised Biden's immigration policies, particularly lambasting a new program allowing undocumented spouses of US citizens to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. Trump characterised immigration under Biden as an "invasion" and argued against discussing amnesty, urging instead for measures to halt what he perceives as an influx of unauthorised migrants. Estimates from the Department of Homeland Security suggest that approximately 11 million migrants currently reside in the US without authorization, a statistic that has been central to Trump's arguments against leniency in immigration policy.

Donald Trump strikes again: Ex-President proposes automatic green cards for foreign graduates of US colleges

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US X-37B and China's Shenlong are unmanned spacecraft that play secretive roles in space.</li><li>Space-based technology has long given the US military an edge.</li></ul>Just before the start of 2024, the United States and China <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/x-37-chinese-space-plane-launch/">launched</a> what may be their most secretive spacecraft into orbit to little fanfare.Commonly referred to as space planes, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/missions-experiments-for-space-force-mysterious-x-37b-space-plane-2020-5">American X-37B</a> and the Chinese Shenlong are unmanned spacecraft so secretive that their launches were marked with little more than vague general statements from their governments.The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-launched-a-top-secret-military-spaceplane-into-orbit-2023-12">launches</a> are the seventh and third missions for the respective spacecraft, and although they are highly classified, observers have had limited success in tracking some of their movements.The missions demonstrate exceptional leaps in the development of space planes, and come at a time when both the Chinese and US militaries have ramped up their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-must-control-space-in-future-wars-top-marine-general-2023-12">space operations</a> — a new frontier that can determine the course of war.Space-based technology has long given the US military an edge. It can track the movements of enemy weapons with powerful <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/manned-orbiting-laboratory-crewed-us-spy-satellite-never-sent-to-space-2024-1">spy lenses</a> and provide the navigation and communications systems ships, aircraft, and troops in the field depend upon.Enter the space plane. From one vantage, they could be robot keepers who keep these large networks fueled and functional, but from another, they could be orbiting spies and saboteurs.What's clear is that their missions are getting more complex, as is their centrality to the strategies of the two countries that fly them.<div type="image" title="The uncrewed X-37B, seen here after its 2019 landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility, is believed to be about 30 feet long." height="1333" width="2000" msid="112761598" hostid="261" sizebytes="82008"></div><h2 id="3dc83e63-5cf2-42d5-8174-a6f3d2577c69">X-37B</h2>A space plane is a reusable spacefaring craft that can maneuver in space independently and also fly and glide within Earth's atmosphere. They are sent into space via a detachable <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-launch-secret-spy-satellites-space-force-government-2022-8">rocket booster</a>, and contain a cargo bay to deploy satellites and other objects for use and experimentation.After completing their mission, they independently return to Earth's atmosphere, land at a designated landing site on their own power, and prepare for their next mission. The most well-known space planes are the American <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/challenger-video-nasa-space-shuttle-program-2016-1">Space Shuttle</a> and the Soviet <a target="_blank" href="https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/soviet-buran-shuttle-one-flight-long-history">Buran</a>. But in contrast to the Space Shuttle, the X-37B is owned and operated by the military.The X-37B's origin begins in 1999, when the civilian space agency NASA awarded Boeing a contract to develop a small unmanned spacecraft capable of fitting inside the Space Shuttle. What they created was a small space plane measuring approximately 30 feet long and with a wingspan of 15 feet — roughly one-fourth the size of the now-retired Space Shuttle.It also contains a cargo bay measuring about 7 feet by 4 feet, which, in addition to housing satellites and other space cargo also holds a solar panel enabling the space plane to recharge. Boeing says the plane's avionics automate its descent from orbit and landing.In 2004, before a working prototype had even been built, the project was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/337-nasa-transfers-37-project-darpa.html">transferred</a> to the US Defense Department, specifically the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Glide tests on the first testing prototypes (known as the X-37A), <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/1226-rutan-white-knight-carries-37-space-plane-aloft.html">began in 2005</a>, with the first fully successful free glide occurring in 2006.That same year, the project was transferred from DARPA to the United States Air Force Space Command, which then built another model, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/details-about-air-force-space-plane-that-spent-2-years-in-space-2017-5">the X-37B</a>. Also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), two X-37Bs have been built.They have flown seven flights so far, with each being <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unmanned-craft-us-space-force-lands-2-5-years-orbit-2022-11">longer</a> than the previous one. Though most of the details of the flights and their results remain classified, some information has been released to the public.<div type="image" title="The X-37B launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in 2017." height="1333" width="2000" msid="112761595" hostid="261" sizebytes="88120"></div>The first flight began on April 22, 2010, and saw the first X-37B remain in orbit for a total of 224 days. The second flight, which was the second X-37B's inaugural mission, began on March 5, 2011, and was extended well beyond its original 270-day limit to a total of 468 days. The third flight, beginning on December 11, 2012, marked the first time an X-37B had been reused, and lasted 674 days.The fourth flight began on May 20, 2015. Over the course of 717 days, the space plane tested new propulsion technology for satellites as well as the effects of radiation on certain objects.The X-37B's fifth flight on September 7, 2017 was launched atop Space X's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9/">Falcon 9</a> rocket (all previous launches were with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/atlas-v">Atlas V</a> rocket). Over the course of 780 days — a little over two years — the space plane performed a number of activities and experiments, including the deployment of multiple <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/topics/cubesats">CubeSat</a> satellites, which NASA foresees as an orbiting sensory network that can solve complex tasks with a "powerful central spacecraft."The sixth flight began on May 17, 2020, and lasted <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unmanned-craft-us-space-force-lands-2-5-years-orbit-2022-11">908 days</a>. It was the first mission conducted under the command of the newly formed U.S. Space Force and may have been one of the busiest missions yet. It exposed select materials to space, tested the effects of space radiation on seeds, and deployed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usafa.edu/research/research-centers/space-systems-research-center/">FalconSat-8</a>, a satellite built by US. Air Force Academy cadets to conduct five experiments.The X-37B's most recent and current flight began on December 28, 2023. Its mission is classified, with the Space Force <a target="_blank" href="https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3583347/department-of-the-air-force-scheduled-to-launch-seventh-x-37b-mission/">stating</a> only that it will be "operating the reusable space plane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA."The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-force-guardian-nick-hague-spacex-rocket-iss-2024-2">Space Force</a> has not given the X-37B's flight path, but because it was launched atop SpaceX's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-spacex-falcon-heavy-launchpad-blasted-lightning-rocket-spaceflight-musk-2023-5">Falcon Heavy rocket</a>, there has been speculation that the space plane could be headed for a much higher orbit than previous missions, as the rocket is one of the most powerful in the world.<div type="image" title="A Long March-2F rocket blasted off in October carrying a manned spaceship from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The Shenlong was launched on December 14 from the same center without images or fanfare." height="1333" width="2000" msid="112761594" hostid="261" sizebytes="201664"></div><h2 id="ef23e953-67f4-4399-8bc9-c452d0019685">Shenlong</h2>Named after the most important dragon god in Chinese mythology and first revealed in 2007, the Shenlong is thought to be a direct Chinese response to the X-37B.The program is surrounded in such extreme secrecy that there are no known images of the space plane in its current form. Images of what is believed to be a Shenlong test prototype <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/18410-china-space-plane-project-mystery.html">mounted under the fuselage of an H-6 strategic bomber</a> in 2007 indicate that the craft is likely to be similar in appearance to the X-37B.Though its specific capabilities remain classified, it is known that, like the X-37B, the Shenlong is unmanned, that it is deployed via a rocket, that it is capable of adjusting its position and maneuvering in space, and that it can carry and deploy satellites and other space objects.Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Shenlong is the speed of its development. Though the exact start date is unknown, academic models of a Chinese space plane were reported as far back as 2000.Years of modelling, wind tunnel testing, and prototype test fights via deployment from H-6 bombers followed, and in 2011, the Shenlong reportedly made its first suborbital flight.On September 4, 2020, the Shenlong made its <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/chinese-reusable-experimental-spacecraft-releases-object-before-returning-to-earth/">first orbital flight</a>, which lasted two days and saw it release an object into orbit before returning to China on its own power. A second orbital flight began on August 4, 2022, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-lands-secretive-space-plane-after-months-in-orbit-2023-5">lasted</a> nine months.<div type="image" title="The X-37B launched on its sixth flight in May 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station." height="1280" width="2000" msid="112761596" hostid="261" sizebytes="165564"></div>In addition to being considerably longer, the Shenlong's second flight was far more eventful. About two months into its flight, the space plane <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/chinas-spaceplane-conducted-proximity-and-capture-maneuvers-with-subsatellite-data-suggests/">deployed a subsatellite and then practiced recovering it</a> at least two (and possibly even three) times, a capability for so-called proximity operations that may allow it to snatch an enemy's satellite.The Shenlong embarked on its third and current flight on December 14, 2023, just seven months after its second mission. In May, the Shenlong <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/chinas-secretive-spaceplane-conducts-proximity-operations-with-small-spacecraft/">released an object from its cargo hold, and began proximity operations</a>, possibly even recapturing it.How much longer the Shenlong will remain in orbit, as well as its future plans more broadly, remain secrets that the Chinese government has shown little appetite for divulging. The government has only <a target="_blank" href="https://app.xinhuanet.com/news/article.html?articleId=b9141bb29a221c45ac2ad0d44dc87fc6">said</a> that the space plane will eventually land in China, and that "reusable technology verification and space science experiments will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space."The vague wording resembles previous statements, like those of its builder, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, which has previously said that the Shenlong "will provide a more convenient and inexpensive way to access space for the peaceful use of space in the future."<div type="image" title="The satellite networks of the US and its allies could be targeted by enemy spaceplanes." height="1280" width="1920" msid="112761592" hostid="261" sizebytes="362914"></div><h2 id="2f25d6b5-fe78-4384-a750-e76f8663eacb">Satellite threat</h2>Given the immense secrecy of the crafts and what is known about their capabilities, it's easy to understand speculation that the two space planes could be orbiting weapons platforms.The very fact that the US Department of Defense is in charge of the X-37B instead of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/nasa">NASA</a> confirms that the US government believes that there is a military application for the space plane. Similarly, the fact that the Chinese government has been so silent on the Shenlong's activities despite its penchant for boasting about its other space accomplishments may be a tacit indication that there is more to the Shenlong than the 'peaceful use of space.'One of the most impactful possible uses of the space planes is as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-condemns-irresponsible-russian-anti-satellite-test-threatening-space-station-2021-11">anti-satellite assets</a>. Both have deployed satellites from their cargo bays, and the Shenlong's proximity operations may be training runs for attacks on hostile satellites in orbit.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-inspector-satellite-chasing-secret-us-military-satellite-cat-mouse-2023-4">Proximity operations</a> are murky. They could be dress rehearsals for disrupting or eavesdropping on an enemy's satellite, just as they could be drills for missions to refuel and repair one of the country's own satellites.Satellites are among the most important assets for any first-rate military, as they are essential for secure communications, navigation, and intelligence gathering via orbital imaging and communication intercepts. They are even sometimes used to guide smart munitions to hostile targets as well.Neutralizing an enemy's satellites would be one of the most important objectives in any potential conflict between the world's foremost military powers. <a target="_blank" href="https://swfound.org/media/9550/chinese_asat_fact_sheet_updated_2012.pdf">China</a>, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thespacereview.com/article/4198/1">US</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2019/04/indias-asat-test-an-incomplete-success?lang=en">India</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2021/11/the-dangerous-fallout-of-russias-anti-satellite-missile-test?lang=en">Russia</a> have each demonstrated a capability to destroy satellites in orbit with anti-satellite missiles, but each of those tests resulted in the creation of large debris fields in orbit that took sometimes took years to disappear. Such debris fields could also pose a very severe threat to friendly satellites as well. China's anti-satellite missile test in 2007 triggered a space debris cloud that was an <a target="_blank" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/hollywood-space-disaster-gravity-uses-kessler-syndrome-for-scares">inspiration</a> for the blockbuster film "Gravity."Having a way to neutralize or even capture satellites, then, could be a better alternative. Tapping into enemy satellites to eavesdrop or shut down their data streams and communications could also serve as a better alternative, and may also be possible with the assistance of space plane (similar to the tapping of underwater cables by submarines).With the militarization of space <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/there-path-counter-russias-space-weapons">seemingly fast becoming</a> reality and with China's space program demonstrating that it can <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/chinas-shijian-21-spacecraft-docked-with-and-towed-a-dead-satellite/">tow away satellites</a>, it is likely that space planes will only become more important in the years ahead.Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point.

America's X-37B vs. China's Shenlong: Top space planes and their shadowy role in orbital war

<ul><li>Indian companies are snapping up graduates from premier B-schools like <keyword id="53914" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Institutes-of-Management">Indian Institutes of Management</keyword> (IIMs), <keyword id="6357275" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-school-of-business">Indian School of Business</keyword> (ISB), Xaviers Institute of Management (XLRI) with higher salaries. </li><li>This year, some of the most promising job offers came from consulting, banking and finance sectors. The salaries are much above the average packages offered across the country. </li><li>Check out the placements and salaries offered at the top management institutes in India.</li></ul>If you are a student of a top-tier B-school, you do not have to worry about your job, slowdown or even your salary. Indian companies are snapping up graduates from premier B-schools like Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian School of Business (ISB), Xaviers Institute of Management (XLRI) with higher salaries. This year, some of the most promising job offers came from consulting, banking and finance sectors. The salaries too, remained above the average packages offered in the country. Here are the top B-schools and the jobs and salaries they were offered.

These are the starting salaries offered to B-school students in India

The summer holidays are just around the corner and it's going to be back-to-school season in just a few months. With the pandemic almost on its way out, kids will be able to physically go to school again. Whatever class your child is in, you will need a school bag that can comfortably carry books, stationery, and a snack box. At the same time, the bag needs to be weatherproof and durable. We've got some great options for you across budgets. Here's a look. <bulletContentEmbed name="B07BNNKJ7J" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07BNNKJ7J_head"> <div type="image" title="Soft Material" msid="91984004" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07BNNKJ7J</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07BNNKJ7J_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07BNNKJ7J_6307638895409888"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">DZert Pikachu Kids Bags</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This school bag from DZert comes in various design options. The Pikachu design might attract the kids. It comes with two zipper pockets for carrying belongings. Made up of soft material, the bag provides comfort for the kids and is easy to wash. Also, the shoulder straps make it convenient to carry.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07BNNKJ7J_5044002300100749"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The lightweight design and soft material make it comfortable to use.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07PXFWVF7" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07PXFWVF7_head"> <div type="image" title="Lightweight Design" msid="91984028" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07PXFWVF7</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07PXFWVF7_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07PXFWVF7_8894509599831415"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">FunBlast Unicorn Soft Bag</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Another school bag option for kids is this unicorn bag from FunBlast. It is made of light and breathable material to ensure comfortable usage. It comes with an adjustable padded shoulder strap for convenient carrying. The unicorn design and attractive colour of the bag might attract kids.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07PXFWVF7_2435175358868197"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The bag offers ample storage space to carry belongings.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B091757GK4" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B091757GK4_head"> <div type="image" title="Comfortable to carry" msid="90424344" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B091757GK4</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B091757GK4_body"><bulletContentRow name="B091757GK4_1060343199100761"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Frantic Velvet Kids School Bag</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Ideal for kids in kindergarten or preschool, this bag is soft, durable, and extremely charming. It's a velvet bag available in a number of animal shapes. The bag is small enough for your child to carry and big enough for you to put in the essentials comfortably - snacks, crayons, water bottles, and small activity books.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B091757GK4_8011363984297238"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This bag is best suited for children who go to preschool or kindergarten as it’s small in size.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><bulletContentEmbed name="B08678P2T7" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08678P2T7_head"> <div type="image" title="Secure design" msid="90424385" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B08678P2T7</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08678P2T7_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08678P2T7_0720160785526780"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Northzone Lightweight School Bag</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">A basic, elegant bag that kids in high school and college will love. There are 2 large compartments, 1 small compartment, and an anti-theft organizer in the front. Additionally, there's a water bottle mesh, padded shoulders, and adjustable straps that make the bag a good buy.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08678P2T7_8138195367018707"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The front of this bag comes with an anti-theft design which makes it secure.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><bulletContentEmbed name="B07F1QWH2W" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07F1QWH2W_head"> <div type="image" title="Good padding" msid="90930412" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07F1QWH2W</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07F1QWH2W_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07F1QWH2W_2479949831527520"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Auxter Polyester School Bag</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This is a lovely dark pink and black bag that's chic and extremely handy. The shoulder pads make it comfortable to carry and there's an 8mm padded back that prevents the contents from hurting your back. There are 2 major compartments for books and snack boxes, a side mesh pocket for a water bottle, and few front pockets for small items.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07F1QWH2W_5177339267470317"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This bag has plenty of pockets and compartments to cover up for your storage needs.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B08B4SPK33" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08B4SPK33_head"> <div type="image" title="Adjustable Strap" msid="91984048" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B08B4SPK33</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08B4SPK33_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08B4SPK33_8432623716459267"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Tinytot School Backpack</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">All kids are fascinated by designs and colours so this bag from Tinytot might be a perfect option to buy. The multi-coloured small flower print makes the bag look stylish and beautiful. The bag offers 26L storage space and features 4 compartments to comfortably carry things. Also, it is designed with adjustable shoulder straps for convenient carrying.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08B4SPK33_2386101143777411"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The bag comes with an additional bottle cover.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><bulletContentEmbed name="B08CHYSLXZ" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08CHYSLXZ_head"> <div type="image" title="Durable" msid="90424284" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B08CHYSLXZ</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08CHYSLXZ_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08CHYSLXZ_1518994640905015"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Priority School Bag</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Here's a school bag that has a number of Marvel, DC, and Disney character designs to choose from. Perfect for kids who are in lower grades, this 25-litre polyester school bag is comfortable and adorable. There are 3 main compartments for all school essentials, and for the water bottle, there's a mesh pocket at the side. It's lightweight, durable, and the print is high-quality.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08CHYSLXZ_8628493019002109"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This bag comes with a 25L storage capacity and does not compromise on the design.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed>

Best school bags for kids

Over time, the <keyword id="718183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-beverages" source="Orion">Food &amp; Beverages</keyword> industry has grown significantly, shaping the sector for the future. According to an IMARC report, the <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>n F&amp;B industry will grow at a CAGR of 12.5 per cent during the fiscal years 2022-2027 accounting for 3 per cent of India's GDP in the retail market. In India, the industry has always been considered a highly competitive market. Nowadays, as technology advancements are emerging with new trends, the industry is evolving with new products and services. The average cooking time is about 15-20 minutes for quick snacks, brands will not be able to reduce that, since consumers expect fresh food and this will always be the imperative factor for any cloud kitchen or restaurant. 10-min Delivery- A New Concept Upcoming trends and technological advancements have a significant impact on the, as the number of digital users grows, so does the demand for online ordering. However, with the perks come challenges, such as on-time <keyword id="6355447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delivery" source="Orion">delivery</keyword> and quality of food. To overcome the problem, brands are adopting new models and technologies that allow customers to place online orders easily as well as get deliveries swiftly. Hence, the new model of a 10-minute delivery will indeed benefit businesses. 10-minute delivery refers to a hyperlocal model born from the need to innovate in this fiercely competitive world. The model will be a boon to the packaging industry, giving rise to the sale of pre-cooked meals that only need to be heated and served. The new model will undoubtedly change certain aspects of taste-and this will not be a barter for the superfast, but for lightning-fast delivery! The Indian food and beverage packaging market is expected to reach USD 156.25 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 29.88 percent during the forecast period (2021-2026), according to Mordor Intelligence. India has seen sustainable packaging growth in food and beverages due to increased intake in packaged food consumption, awareness, and demand for quality products. Concerns for the industry According to many experts, the model will help to surpass the packaging industry from others, but it will raise many concerns for the food industry, such as: can food be prepared and delivered in under 10 minutes? Do the customers value this? Is food delivery under 10 minutes as urgent as an unmet need? Furthermore, how will the riders track and navigate through the cities, considering traffic and their safety? However, when it comes to food, the problems can multiply, and only time will tell how the expert's predictions for the future will fare in meeting expectations and rising above all with the increasing competition in the <keyword id="8776" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="f-b" source="Orion">F &amp; B</keyword> industry. Increasing Competition with the New Trend As new trends emerge, businesses across industries automatically ramp up their innovations to meet the demands of the moment, thereby outpacing competitors. Digitalization has become an important factor in the F &amp; B industry's ability to innovate in today's competitive environment. With the changing landscape, many food brands have turned to social media to promote and gain sources to increase the reach of their brand. As a result, taking advantage of the growing trend of social media will benefit others. To compete with a new model, the primary goal of food aggregators is to increase the number of menu items that fall into this category while maintaining taste and freshness. This new chapter in the food and beverage industry is still being debated by many industry experts. Aside from good food, optimizing good services is also important in gaining market traction. The new model, which shortens delivery times and produces fresh food quickly, is becoming a part of revolutionising the industry while also creating new ways for brands to stand out. Bottom Line! With the advent of digitalisation, many industries across sectors, including food and beverage, are leveraging technological advancements. With the shift to the new era, this model will provide a greater reach to market share by serving customers without making them wait longer. When this journey begins-I am sure the entire F&amp;B industry, delivery aggregators, and the market will have significant learnings. This might just be applicable to short distances and critical items. Is this a demand tailwind-only time will tell? (Nidhi Singh, is the <keyword id="14451102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="co-founder-of-samosa" source="Orion">Co-Founder of Samosa</keyword> Singh) SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/india-is-the-best-in-sending-girls-to-primary-schools-universities-but-fails-with-high-schools/articleshow/92868812.cms">India is the best in sending girls to primary schools, universities but fails with high schools</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/gauri-khan-says-bollywood-glamour-becomes-baggage-for-a-businesswoman-like-her/articleshow/92868683.cms">Gauri Khan says Bollywood glamour becomes a baggage for business women like her</a>

10-min deliveries can exist only for pre-cooked meals says a new report

Top 5 B-schools in India according to FT Global MBA Ranking 2021

School bags allow you to keep all the essential items under them. They are a necessary item to have as they help carry things with convenience and <keyword id="6394098" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="comfort">comfort</keyword>. School bags come in different sizes, shapes and designs by making them look attractive and help you with their functionality. The build of the bags helps to minimise the burden on the <keyword id="712404" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shoulders">shoulders</keyword> and make the experience comfortable. To help you out choosing the <keyword id="11517783" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="best-school-bags-for-girls">best school bags for girls</keyword>, we have curated a list. <bulletContentEmbed name="B074G3YQYG" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B074G3YQYG_head"><div type="image" title="Durable Build" msid="83866866" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B074G3YQYG</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B074G3YQYG_body"><bulletContentRow name="B074G3YQYG_6560636703698020"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">POLESTAR Hero 32 Lt Pink/Black Casual Backpack</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Carry all your essentials for school in this modern look bag by Polestar. The polyester material is said to make the bag resistant to water and durable. This bag provides you ample space of two zippered compartments to carry your things with convenience and comfort. The strap shoulders are said to be padded and adjustable, which should make it easy to carry.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B074G3YQYG_3518541921589188"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This bag helps you to carry your essentials with style.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07VWWW9KJ" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07VWWW9KJ_head"><div type="image" title="Lightweight" msid="83866893" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07VWWW9KJ</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07VWWW9KJ_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07VWWW9KJ_6639430270122339"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Priority Disney Princess Polyester School Bag</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This sturdy looking Disney print bag from Priority has two zippered compartments which can help you carry your books and essential items for school easily. The two mesh pockets provide you with space to carry a water bottle or any extra item. Lightweight and padded shoulder straps should allow you to carry with ease.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07VWWW9KJ_0086611626334893"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Two mesh pockets allow you to keep extra items or water bottle.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07KNSTFN1" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07KNSTFN1_head"><div type="image" title="Multi-compartment" msid="83866938" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07KNSTFN1</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07KNSTFN1_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07KNSTFN1_0638122975650901"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Tinytot School Backpack</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This multi colour school bag from Tinytot has a multi-compartment design that should provide you with ample space to carry your essential items to school. The ergonomic design and padded shoulder straps are said to distribute the weight evenly, making them comfortable to carry. The polyester material claims to make the bag durable and resistant to water with easy cleaning.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07KNSTFN1_4775619132285426"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The multi-compartment design should help you keep things organized.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B08F7Z2875" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08F7Z2875_head"><div type="image" title="Padded Back" msid="83866989" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B08F7Z2875</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08F7Z2875_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08F7Z2875_0973923421396821"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">DIVING DEEP Women Backpack Latest School Bag for <keyword id="6355116" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Girls">Girls</keyword></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Style with functionality with this school bag by Diving Deep. Zip closure with adjustable straps should make the bag comfortable to use. The ample compartments and pockets should allow you to carry your books and other essential items in an organized manner with no hassle. The padded shoulder straps and padded back panel makes you feel less burden. Polyester and inner fabric ensure high durability.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08F7Z2875_3767985408750382"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The padded shoulder straps allows you to carry bag easily.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07Q8SFQLP" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07Q8SFQLP_head"><div type="image" title="Ergonomic Straps" msid="83867037" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07Q8SFQLP</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07Q8SFQLP_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07Q8SFQLP_9347723275573280"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Genie Primrose Yellow School Backpack for Girls</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This school bag by Genie comes with three spacious compartments and a multi-level organiser inside, allowing it to carry school essentials comfortably. This attractive design should give the bag a trendy look and comes with a small extra storage pouch to keep ID or any loose items. The nylon twill fabric claims to make the bag lightweight and durable with being soft in touch. Padded back and ergonomic shoulder straps should help to minimise the load.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07Q8SFQLP_1070498461644187"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The nylon twill makes the bag long lasting and durable.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B082SZV6F1" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B082SZV6F1_head"><div type="image" title="Abrasion-resistant" msid="83867066" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B082SZV6F1</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B082SZV6F1_body"><bulletContentRow name="B082SZV6F1_4188706720535549"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">TYPIFY Women's Preppy Style Ribbon Backpack</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This bag from Typify claims to be made of 100% eco-friendly polyester with high-quality cotton lining that makes it long-lasting and resistant to abrasion. This bag provides you with good storage space to carry all your school essentials with no discomfort. The metal zippers make them durable and convenient to use.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B082SZV6F1_4468568726521206"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Sufficient storage capacity allows you to carry things easily in the bag.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed>

Best school bags for girls in India

<ul><li>In recent years, Bhumi has stepped onto a bigger stage – one where the spotlight shines on environmental and climate awareness. </li><li>Acknowledging her efforts, the <keyword id="19984049" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNDP" source="keywords">UNDP</keyword> named her as India's first National Advocate for <keyword id="19950641" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-development-goals" source="keywords">Sustainable Development Goals</keyword> (SDGs).</li><li>In an exclusive interview with <keyword id="21390875" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Business Insider India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Business Insider India">Business Insider India</keyword>, <keyword id="19939209" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhumi-Pednekar" source="keywords">Bhumi Pednekar</keyword> spoke about her struggles with eco-anxiety and her take on the <keyword id="20000756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-action" source="keywords">climate action</keyword>.</li></ul> Lights, camera, Earth! When we first saw Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha in 2015, we witnessed her impressive acting skills and her ability to connect with the audience. With time, she grew into a formidable presence on the Indian cinema landscape, paving the way for socially-aware, yet entertaining filmography. In recent years, this Bollywood superstar has stepped onto a bigger stage – one where the spotlight shines on environmental and climate awareness. In a world where the spotlight often blinds stars to the sufferings of the planet and its people, Bhumi reminds us that every person on this planet needs to keep that spark for eco-consciousness alive. In an exclusive interview with Business Insider India, Bhumi Pednekar spoke about her struggles with eco-anxiety during her early years, her efforts to strike a balance between her professional career and environmental responsibilities, her advice for the younger audience, and her take on the climate action across the globe. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDxplE0_Os4" data-type="tilCustomLink">Catch the full interview here!</a> <div type="image" title="Actress Bhumi Pednekar" agency="Business Insider India" msid="109502773" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actress Bhumi Pednekar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “When I started my climate journey, it was a very lonely path for me, Every time I spoke about it, people made fun of me. Eventually, through the years, I met like-minded people, and I realised that this is a real problem. Even today, I get really worried, I have bouts of anxiety and go into a spiral that you know, what will happen now and so on. In such times, what truly helps me is to actually do something towards dealing with the problem,” says Bhumi. Acknowledging her efforts to spread awareness on these critical topics, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) named her as India's first National Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Just last month, the World Economic Forum (WEF) recognised her as a Young Global Leader (YGL). On <keyword id="21293562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Earth-Day" source="keywords">Earth Day</keyword> 2024, she also joined UNDP’s global initiative called the ‘The Weather Kids’ — a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and drive the world towards taking meaningful climate action. Talking about the campaign Bhumi Pednekar stated, "I’m deeply disturbed by Climate Change and the impact that it is having the world over. I have dedicated my life to working on this and helping raise awareness… I have always been committed to using my platform to raise awareness about the urgency of climate action and to empower individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable and resilient world for future generations.” Further, Bhumi’s role as a <keyword id="21390874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-warrior" source="keywords">climate warrior</keyword> has also seen her collaborating with activists and institutions nationwide, amplifying their voices and supporting initiatives focused on environmental preservation and climate action. As an ardent advocate for environmental and climate action, she has effectively utilised her fame to champion causes like waste segregation, rainwater harvesting, recycling, and conscious fashion choices. <div type="image" title="Actress Bhumi Pednekar" agency="Business Insider India" msid="109503174" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actress Bhumi Pednekar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “Climate Warrior, which is our nonprofit, is an advocacy platform I started in 2019. The idea was to bring all the work of creating awareness under one umbrella. And then we started the Bhumi Foundation, through which we are again just trying to streamline everything that we do, we have not opened it up for others to come in and work,” said Bhumi, encouraging younger generations to also find their own tribe to influence and drive change. The theme for today’s World Earth Day 2024 is Planet Vs Plastic, and it is time for all of us to gauge our individual and collective impact on our environment and try to reduce it. “One big thing that we can do is to look for and support businesses that are trying to go green and create a positive impact on our planet. If investors support such businesses, and consumers pick such products, our carbon footprint can be lesser,” explains Bhumi. “Every day is Earth Day. This is our only home, there is no alternative, and there is no plan B! The way we show empathy and sympathy towards our loved ones, we should show empathy towards everybody else that we share this planet with. It really breaks my heart when you see on the news that a major city like Bangalore is still witnessing a water crisis and our capital city Delhi has winter days where schools are canceled because of the pollution. We are all in this together, we all are a part of the problem. And we all need to be a part of the solution as well,” concludes Bhumi. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The excerpts has been partly edited for length and clarity.

Earth Day 2024: Actress Bhumi talks about 'Pednekar ke ped', ostrich mentality, climate anxiety and more

<ul><li>The stress among <keyword id="6359766" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="private-schools" source="Orion">private schools</keyword> is emerging mainly due to poor fee collections, which is not just affecting their cash flows but also impeding their ability to pay loan dues. </li><li>Many of them fear that a third wave of COVID-19 infections, and a subsequent lockdown, if any, may even force them to shut down forever. </li><li>The worst-hit have been pre-primary to middle-level schools, especially those catering to low-income families in rural and semi-urban areas. </li></ul><keyword id="4363300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="private-schools-in-india" source="Orion">Private schools in India</keyword> have been struggling to pay their bills and loan dues to banks and other lenders due to poor student turnout amid the pandemic. Many of them fear that a third wave of COVID-19 infections, and a subsequent lockdown, if any, may even force them to shut down forever. The worst-hit have been those that focus on pre-primary to middle-level education, and cater to low-income families in rural and semi-urban areas. Aside from causing a disastrous loss in the form of lack of access to education for children, this could lead to a lot of unpaid loans for banks and other lenders, and loss of livelihood for teachers and support staff. Take Kerala High School, located in Karimnagar in Telangana, for instance. The budget private school that runs classes from Nursery to Xth standard has a strength of 550 students, with most hailing from the neighbouring villages. For the past 18 months, it has been surviving on near-zero cash flows as most of the fees it collected got exhausted in paying salaries to its staff, repaying loan installments, and running online classes. The fee collection, at close to 20% for the last academic year, has been poor mainly because parents either lost their livelihoods during the pandemic or were unwilling to pay school fees due to absence of offline classes. Further, even the attendance for online classes has remained low at just 20-30%, said Rajendra B, chairman and principal at Kerala High School for the past decade, as most students did not have smartphones and internet connections. But if a third Covid wave happens and lockdown curbs are announced again, the 27-year old school may not even survive. “We had to take loans from family and friends to pay our loan installments during the pandemic as debt kept piling up,” said Rajendra. “If a third wave strikes and there is a lockdown again, I may have to sell half of my 1,000 sq. ft school land to repay the dues,” he said. Further, many students studying in private schools have already switched to government schools over the past three years, as per the<a href="https://www.pratham.org/about/"> Annual Status of Education Report 2020</a> that surveyed 16,761 schools across India. The study, conducted by non-government body<a href="https://www.pratham.org/about/"> Pratham</a> in Sep. 2020, said that the reasons for the switch “may include financial distress in households and/or permanent school shutdowns among the private schools.” Pain Points Private schools that operate in pre-primary, primary and middle education categories (classes Nursery to Class VIIth), according to Vivek Iyer, partner and national leader-financial services risk advisory at Grant Thornton Bharat, have been the worst-affected as they have remained shut the longest for close to 17-18 months. The Covid impact, he said, has also been higher on schools catering to children from low-income families and rural areas “Lower the school fees and the category of the school, worse the Covid impact. That way, private schools catering to the most vulnerable segments have been the worst-hit, while their quality of education has also suffered due to poor transition to digital learning models,” he said. Steve Hardgrave, co-founder and chief executive of Varthana, a Bengaluru-based non-bank lender that focuses on loans to affordable private schools that charge fees of up to Rs 3,000 a month, is dreading the expected third wave of the pandemic. “Of the 4,000 schools that we have funded, close to 5% (or 200 schools) have cited issues with continuing their business, but that number is expected to go up to 25% if the third wave strikes. Also, owners that were running schools on leased land and property are finding it difficult to sustain,” he said. “In some cases, schools had to be sold to a third-party to facilitate clearing off their loan dues.” And Hardgrave is not alone. Even as schools have reopened in most parts of the country, classroom attendance remains thin at about 20-30% as parents are afraid to send their children to schools due to lack of vaccination for children below 18 years of age, said V L Ramakrishnan, managing director and chief executive at Shikha Finance, a Tamil Nadu-based lender that focuses primarily on school financing. “Even though schools have reopened, it is an abstract factor, because parents are still reluctant in sending their children, especially those studying between Nursery and class VIIIth, back to schools,” he said. “About 3-5% of school entrepreneurs, or roughly 20 schools, in our portfolio, have expressed that they will not be able to continue their business. If a third wave strikes, that number would go up,” he said. Mounting Debt It is clear that the stress among private schools is emerging mainly due to poor fee collections, which is not just affecting their cash flows but also impeding their ability to pay loan dues. Chirag Jagdish Chandra Pathak, who has been running Mother Care School that offers education for kindergarten to Class XIIth students in Kheda, Gujarat, had taken a ₹6 crore loan in March 2018 to construct a new school building. As the pandemic struck in March last year, the school’s cash flows fell to near-zero in the following five months. Pathak, however, took quick action and gave teachers at his school smartphones and internet connection to impart online education. But a 25% fee cut by the state government and unwillingness of parents to pay school fees as they did not consider online education at par with classroom learning, led Pathak to avail a loan moratorium during the first wave. Later, he also applied for loan restructuring as his school’s cash flow remained deficient by 30-50%. “Despite schools getting reopened again, our loan repayment ability has reduced by at least 30%. The biggest reason for that is uneven cash flow as fee collection has still not stabilized, while our leverage has gone up due to accumulation of interest,” he said. Like Mother Care, <keyword id="9434367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="many-private-schools" source="Orion">many private schools</keyword> in the country are dealing with mounting debt as most either opted for a loan moratorium or restructuring, in anticipation that their cash flows would improve eventually. But fee collections still remain inadequate, while interest on their loans have either gone up or their loan repayment period extended. “Schools are over-leveraged by at least 2-3 times as their revenue took a beating of anywhere between 20% to even 80%, depending on the fee category of the school. Restructuring was granted to schools as their cash flows were expected to improve, but if a third wave strikes, it will be difficult for many to manage their debt as fee collection would drop again,” said Anuj Pandey, chief risk officer at non-banking financial company U GRO Capital. So far, U Gro Capital that has ₹136 crore in assets under management across 75 schools as of June 30, has restructured close to 12% of its loan portfolio in school financing. Varthana Finance, which has ₹1,000 crore in AUM towards school loans, has also restructured about 15% of its portfolio. Shiksha Finance restructured close to 10% of its ₹185 crore loan book dedicated to 2,200 schools. “Restructuring has not been much of a solace. Most schools continue demanding for extended repayment terms and moratorium, as their situation has barely improved,” said Ramakrishnan. Agreed, Hardgrave. “Of the 70% schools that had applied, only 15% could be offered restructuring. Even among the most vulnerable schools, we could only restructure loans for those that showed clear signs of business continuity,’ he said. The lack of restructuring options for schools, Hardgrave said, was mainly because there was no provision made by the government or the Reserve Bank of India for non-banking financial companies (NBFC) catering to schools. “There were no special liquidity provisions announced for NBFCs catering to schools and no benefits offered for higher restructuring of school loans, which also affected our ability to do so,” he said. To be sure, the RBI had announced a one-time restructuring scheme last year to aid borrowers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme was to be invoked by December 31, 2020 and implemented within 180 days for corporate borrowers. This year, the scheme was further extended for retail and small business borrowers to September 30. “The government did not just reduce school fees but actively encouraged parents to not pay up, even when we were doing our best to provide online education. On top of that, there was no loan waiver and our debt kept piling up,” said Pathak. A Systemic Issue Not just schools, but specialized non-bank lenders catering to the school segment have also seen their asset quality deteriorate during the pandemic. While Shiksha Finance saw its gross non-performing assets rise from 8.3% of its gross advances, as of June 30, to nearly 17% by August-end, Varthana’s gross NPA rose from a little over 6% by June-end to its highest-ever at almost 8%, as of Aug. 31. But U GRO, which lends to small and medium sized schools, managed to keep its gross NPAs at less than 1%. This, Pandey said, may be because most schools that it lent to were located in urban centres and catered to the middle-class population strata. And a third wave is likely to make matters worse. “While restructuring has helped with immediate cash flow issues, many schools may get pushed to the brink of shutting down if a third wave leads to a fresh set of lockdowns in the country. Even those with better cash flow management may face issues with running their enterprises,” said Pandey. Iyer, however, sees the outcome a bit differently. More than permanent shutdowns, the pandemic would lead to further consolidation among private schools, he said. “Many large school chains backed by deep-pocketed investors are seeing distressed schools in rural and semi-urban areas as good acquisition opportunities for their own expansion.” Be it closure or distressed sale, it is clear that the fate of already stressed private schools hangs in balance. A third wave may also mean the end of the road for many. But Rajendra remains hopeful. In September, Kerala High School reopened following the state government’s directions. The attendance, however, has been low at about 30%, as school buses— the only mode of transportation for over half of its students, are yet to ply. “Once our buses get repaired, we may even touch 70% attendance in the coming weeks. And, if a third wave does not happen, we expect to return to normal fee collections over the next six months,” he said.

EXCLUSIVE: Many private schools in India are on the brink of bankruptcy and fear that a third wave of COVID-19 could be their end

<ul><li>Recruiters across sectors — automobile, banking and finance, and telecom — are banking on internships to assess potential candidates. </li><li>Management has been the hottest sector to enroll in, for internships, at nearly 47%, according to online training and internship platform Internshala. </li><li>Top business schools such as <keyword id="481185" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Management-Development-Institute">Management Development Institute</keyword>, Gurgaon, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode have seen a rise in the number of internships and average stipend. </li><li>Only 60% of students of a total of 360,000 who enroll in post-graduate courses land a management job, according to the All India Management Association (AIMA).</li></ul>Recruiters across sectors — automobile, banking and finance, and telecom — are depending on internships to assess potential candidates, to hire for full-time roles later on. E-commerce startups such as Grofers and Flipkart are leading the market for summer internships. Management has been the hottest sector to enroll for internships, at nearly 47%. This is more relevant than ever as companies seek people with real-time experience, according to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/internships-in-india-on-the-rise-with-startups-leading-the-way/articleshow/67655265.cms">online training and internship platform Internshala.</a> Management graduates from top business schools such as Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode saw a rise in the number of internships and average stipend as compared to last year. Management Development Institute, Gurgaon saw a 10% rise in average stipend at ₹231,000 for two-months. “Summers are important opportunities to spot future talent, so companies don’t risk missing out even if the overall sentiment is sluggish,” Kanwal Kapil, dean of placements at MDI Gurgaon <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/ecommerce-is-coolest-place-for-summer-internship/articleshow/71485727.cms?from=mdr">told </a>ET. According to the ET report, the average stipend for two-month summer internship increased from ₹204,000 to ₹208,000 at TISS, Mumbai while it decreased to ₹168,000 compared to 171,000 last year at IIM, Kozikhode. Highest paymasters FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and e-commerce companies are the top paying sectors for internships. While L’Oreal was the highest paying employer at ₹ 320,000 at MDI, e-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, and Grofers rolled out the maximum internship offers across these management schools. “The focus is to bring the best talent. We see any softening of hiring by our traditional on-campus competitors as an opportunity to further strengthen our talent pool,” said Rahul Guha, Managing Director of the <keyword id="136162" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boston-Consulting-Group">Boston Consulting Group</keyword>, which plans to hire over 100 interns across locations in India. According to the All India Management Association (AIMA), only 60% of students of a total of 360,000 who enroll in post-graduate courses land a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/warning-do-not-apply-to-b-schools-that-dont-offer-access-to-internships/articleshow/70476474.cms">management job</a>. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/warning-do-not-apply-to-b-schools-that-dont-offer-access-to-internships/articleshow/70476474.cms">Warning! Do not apply to B-schools that don't offer access to internships</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/aicte-awards-for-top-colleges-and-organisations-with-best-internships/articleshow/70834885.cms">The top Indian colleges and organisations for internships, awarded by AICTE</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/coursera-launches-campus-product-to-integrate-online-learning-with-university-lessons/articleshow/71433652.cms">Coursera launches campus product to integrate online learning with university lessons</a>

India’s top b-school graduates are being paid over ₹2 lakh for summer internships

<ul><li>B-schools should have access to internships and placement opportunities for students. </li><li>Of the total 360,000 students enrolling in postgraduate courses in India, only 60% land a management job. </li><li>Management has been the hottest sector to enroll in, for internships, at nearly 47%.</li></ul>Indian employers want MBA graduates who are ready to lead, and provide fresh ideas. However, fresh graduates are walking into campus placements with nothing but bookish knowledge. This is because many B-schools are unable to provide their students with a basic internship programme. And, that is affecting their employability too. “Companies want to hire ready-to-lead managers whereas most of the B-Schools lack access to meaningful internships and placement opportunities,” ET <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/employability-of-graduates-from-new-and-lower-tier-b-schools-a-challenge-aima-director-general/articleshow/70468701.cms?from=mdr">reported</a> citing Rekha Sethi, director general, AIMA. Only 60% of students of a total of 360,000 who enroll in post-graduate courses land a management job. Tier 2 and Tier 3 management schools are struggling to place their students, according to the All India Management Association (AIMA). Practical Exposure B-school graduates in India lack practical exposure and relevant digital skills. “Internships are finally becoming mainstream phenomenon and are no longer restricted to select few campuses and companies,” Sarvesh Agrawal, CEO of <keyword id="1998561" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Internshala">Internshala</keyword> earlier told Business Insider India. Management has been the hottest sector to enroll in, for internships, at nearly 47%. This is more relevant than ever as companies seek people with real-time experience, according to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/internships-in-india-on-the-rise-with-startups-leading-the-way/articleshow/67655265.cms">online training and internship platform Internshala.</a> Internships, as a whole, have been a way to capitalize on theoretical concepts with practical implementation. Overall, India had 80% more internship applications — with 2.2 million applications received in 2018, as compared to 1.27 million last year, according to the data by Internshala. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/how-to-apply-for-niti-aayog-internships-register-niti-gov-in/articleshow/70394658.cms">How to get an internship at Niti Aayog</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/soft-skills-can-save-your-job-from-the-machines-but-young-professionals-are-severely-short-of-it/articleshow/70243130.cms">Soft skills can save your job from the machines but young professionals are severely short of it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/most-demanded-skiils-by-employers-in-india/articleshow/69085603.cms">These are the most popular e-learning subjects for millenials</a>

Warning! Do not apply to B-schools that don't offer access to internships

Best laptop for students in India in 2023

The Ministry of Human ResourceDevelopment, on Monday, <a href="https://www.nirfindia.org/2019/Ranking2019.html#">released</a> its annual list of rankings of the educational institutions in India under the national institutional ranking framework 2019. The rankings are based on a number of parameters including teaching, learning &amp; resources, research, placement metrics, and outreach &amp; women participation. Here are the top 10: 1. Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore Score: 81.34 Total number of students enrolled: 830 Placement Record: 399 out of 407 admitted students placed in 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹2.2 million. 2. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad Score: 80.65 Total number of students enrolled: 881 Placement Record: 427 students out of 442 admitted students placed in 2017-18 year with an average Salary of ₹2.28 million. 3. Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta Score: 79.05 Total number of students enrolled: 1,016 Placement Record: 483 students out of 514 admitted students placed in 2017-18 year with an average Salary of ₹2.2 million. 4. Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow Score: 67.09 Total number of students enrolled: 952 Placement Record: 443 students out of 463 admitted students placed in 2017-18 year with an average Salary of ₹1.87 million 5. Indian Institute of Management, Indore Score: 67.01 Total number of students enrolled: 1,246 Placement Record: 619 students out of 635 admitted students placed in 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹1.74 million 6. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur Score: 66.64 Total number of students enrolled: 345 Placement Record: 159 students out of 164 admitted students placed in year 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹1.47 million 7. Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur Score: 65.33 Total number of students enrolled: 725 Placement Record: 358 students out of 360 admitted students placed in year 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹2.1 million 8. Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode Score: 64.82 Total number of students enrolled: 756 Placement Record: 382 students out of 394 admitted students placed in year 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹1.6 million 9. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Score: 62.89 Total number of students enrolled: 204 Placement Record: 90 students out of 91 admitted students placed in year 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹1.65 million 10. Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay Score: 62.74 Total number of students enrolled: 267 Placement Record: 105 students out of 120 admitted students placed in year 2017-18 with an average salary of ₹1.7 million

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