Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir project awarded ‘Sword of Honour’ by British Safety Council

Ayodhya's Ram Mandir project awarded 'Sword of Honour' by British Safety Council

The iconic Ram Temple in Ayodhya has reached a major milestone, earning the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ from the British Safety Council. Announced on December 15, 2024, by Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, this accolade recognizes the project’s outstanding safety and environmental management during its monumental construction.  

The Ram Temple, a symbol of faith and devotion for millions, now stands as a model of modern construction excellence. Travelers visiting Ayodhya can marvel at its cultural grandeur and the safety standards upheld throughout its development.  

Adding to its accolades, construction giant Larsen & Toubro received a ‘Golden Trophy’ from the National Safety Council of India. This award highlights the exceptional safety protocols maintained during the temple’s construction. Together, these honors underscore the project’s unwavering commitment to safety while preserving its heritage value.  

The architectural journey of the Ram Temple is as awe-inspiring as its spiritual legacy. Slated for completion by June 2025, its first and second floors, along with the magnificent Shikhar (spire), are nearing completion. Built from Bansi Paharpur stone, known for its durability and timeless beauty, the temple will feature nearly 15 lakh cubic feet of intricately carved stone, accentuated with opulent marble cladding.

Student-Centric Leadership: Dr. Shruti Sharma’s Vision for Nurturing Future Leaders

“Leadership isn’t about dictating paths but lighting the way for others. At Brindavan, we believe every student holds the potential to lead, and it’s our duty to nurture that spark with empathy and purpose.” – Dr. Shruti Sharma

Education shapes young minds and builds futures, and Dr. Shruti Sharma has crafted a distinct approach to leadership at Brindavan Group of Institutions, redefining the landscape of modern education.

Dr. Sharma advocates for student-centred leadership that prioritises engagement, critical thinking, and collaborative projects over traditional memorisation techniques and instructor-led lessons. To achieve this aim, she has implemented many significant initiatives at the Brindavan Group of Institutions:

  • Personalised Learning Paths: According to Dr. Sharma, personalised learning paths are vital; she acknowledges that each student is unique and deserves a unique learning journey.
  • Mentorship Programs:Comprehensive mentoring programs connect students with practitioners and alumni, offering guidance beyond academics while fostering professional development.
  • Focus on Emotional Intelligence (EI): Workshops, seminars, and practical activities help students develop self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills that comprise emotional intelligence.
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Brindavan tries to encourage holistic learning by blending disciplines such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Commerce and Managementto foster critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Community Engagement and Social Responsibility: Dr. Sharma believes great leadership requires a commitment to social responsibility, and under her guidance, community participation at Brindavan Group has surged, with students actively engaging in social service and development initiatives.
  • Technology and Innovation: Recognising the impact of digital transformation, Dr. Sharma advocates for integrating technology into education, from virtual classrooms to AI-driven personalised learning, enhancing accessibility and engagement for students.

Under Dr. Shruti Sharma’s visionary leadership, a new generation of changemakers and problem-solvers is emerging, poised to redefine the future.

U.S. Economy Grows at 3% in Q2, Driven by Consumer Spending and Investment

The US economy grew at a robust 3% annual rate last quarter, owing to strong consumer spending and business investment, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. This is an improvement above the prior forecast of 2.8% and a considerable increase over the 1.4% growth rate in the first quarter of 2024.

Consumer expenditure, which accounts for 70% of economic activity, rose by 2.9%, while business investment increased by 7.5%, mainly in equipment.

Despite rising interest rates, the economy has remained robust. According to the Conference Board and the University of Michigan, consumer confidence has increased as inflation has fallen from a four-decade high. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, increased by 2.5% last quarter, down from 3.4% in the first quarter, although core PCE inflation also fell.

Comerica Bank economist Bill Adams predicted that strong consumer spending will continue to underpin growth in the second half of the year. The Federal Reserve, which raised interest rates 11 times in 2022 and 2023 to combat inflation, is now considering rate cuts to achieve a “soft landing” without causing a recession.

With inflation approaching the Fed’s 2% target, lower interest rates might help stabilise the economy and assist the employment market, which has shown symptoms of weakness.

Dressel Wins 50m Freestyle to Secure Paris Title Defense

Seven-time Olympian Caeleb Dressel won the US Olympic trials in Indianapolis, securing his place to defend his 50-meter freestyle championship in Paris. Dressel thrilled the Lucas Oil Stadium audience by winning the 50 metres in 21.41 seconds, although he was unable to retain his 100-meter freestyle title due to his third-place finish.

In the 100 free, Chris Guiliano came in first and will swim in the 50 metres in Paris, only missing second place by 0.001 seconds over Matt King. Regan Smith won her third solo event at the trials after dominating the 200 backstroke, adding to her workload in Paris. Smith, who won the 200 butterfly on Thursday and established the world record for the 100 backstroke on Tuesday, finished the 200 backstroke in 2:05.16, more than a second

faster than Phoebe Bacon.

Smith highlighted the differences between her experience in Tokyo and now as she acknowledged her happiness with her performance. “It’s a night and day difference between 2021 (the Tokyo Olympics) and now,” she stated. Carson Foster completed the individual medley double by defeating Shaine Casas in the last freestyle leg to win the 200 IM, the evening’s final event, in 1:55.65. Casas earned his first Olympic berth after coming in second.