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Startling pictures of cheating in HP school examinations
KANGRA – Not long ago, like rest of India, people in Himachal were laughing and expressing concern for completely degraded educational standards of Bihar. Some pictures showing blatant cheating in examinations went viral on social media. Soon they reached mainstream media channels.
People were hanging precariously from window sills, perching on narrow ledges in order to pass cheating sheets & notes to students sitting inside examination halls.
Now, it’s their turn to laugh at Himachal for exactly the same reason. Some pictures have appeared in some dailies like Amar Ujala showing similar pictures of a Govt. School in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh.
According to the statement of the principle and other witnesses, over 50 people, which included friends and relatives of students, were wandering around the examination centre at Govt. Senior Secondary School Jwali in Kangra.
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The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOS) was conducting examination for compartment in English, Maths, Physics, Economics, and Accountancy.
Parents, relatives, and friends were seen exchanging cheating sheets through open windows.
Surprisingly, the principle of the school, GS Bagga, had already submitted a written application for security at the school as he was expecting it. However, the DSP provided only one homegaurd for security at this centre where 600 students were taking exams.
The DSP Jwali Dharm Chand Verma excused himself by saying that the school did not inform him about the severity of the situation on time. Otherwise, he would have definitely sent extra security to the school, claimed the DSP.
On the other hand, the HPSOB Secretary denied any report or complaint of cheating.
Most of the people will blame the students. But the students are not solely responsible. The standard of education at Himachal’s government schools has degraded to such an extent that students are forced to take the wrong path to pass examinations.
According to the annual Status of Education Report-2012 (ASER) for Himachal Pradesh:
The class V students, who could read class II level test, had gone down from 82.3 per cent in 2007 to 72.8 per cent in 2012. In the same period, the percentage of students in Class V, who could solve three digit problems, declined from 66.9 per cent to 48.7 per cent.
In April 2015, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) revealed:
In a state with 82.8 percent literacy, 20 per cent of Class 3 students in Himachal Pradesh’s government schools cannot identify alphabets or numbers. Moreover, 74 per cent of eighth standard students don’t have class-appropriate competence, says a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Additionally, 31 percent of schools in the state, catering to 118,036 students, are running from either one or two-room structures.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had put the blame on the decision of introducing grade system and abolish the examination culture. An article in Hindustan Times reported following statement from the CM:
In order to check the falling standards of education, the state has proposed to conduct examination of Classes 5 and 8 till continuous comprehensive evaluation (CCE) is implemented strictly in the state.
The HP Govt. is already facing criticism for startling drop in enrollment rate in Himachal’s Govt. Schools. The SSA report had also highlighted:
The number of children enrolled in government primary schools in the state has dropped by 2.5 lakh between 2004-05 and 2014-15, while there has been an increase of 1.75 lakh in enrolment in private schools.
The students with a weak base in subjects at primary and high school level are likely to find it hard to push through senior secondary examinations. So, it’ll not be justified to blame the students only. The government shares credit for such a shameful situation for the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Images: Amar Ujala
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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