Campus Watch
St. Bede’s International Biodiversity Conference: Experts debate current scenario and future strategies

SHIMLA- Department of Zoology and Botany of St. Bede’s College, Shimla has organized a three day International Conference from October 6-8 on the topic ‘Biodiversity Current Scenario and Future Strategies’. The conference is sponsored by the State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Himachal Pradesh.
On the first day of the conference, Ajay Kumar Lal, Director Environment, Science and Technology made the audience aware about the diverse ecosystem. The key note speaker P.L Gautam, Vice Chancellor, Career Point University, Hamirpur presented a PPT on Biodiversity explaining its value, importance and conservation. He said that India was a storehouse of biodiversity and we must protect and preserve it.
In the second session, the Panel discussion began in afternoon wherein the experts from various fields of diversity shared their views. The panelists for the discussion were Dr. B.K Tyagi, Dr. S.P. Bhardwaj, Dr. Nivedita Sharma, Dr Kamlesh Asotra and Dr. A.D Ahluwalia.
The chairperson was Dr. S.P. Bhardwaj, Founder, secretary and editor Pest Management. The rapporteur for the discussion was Dr. Vinod Kumari. Dr. S.P. Bhardwaj gave a PPT on Insect Biodiversity. He emphasized on the importance of pollination. Dr. B.K. Tyagi gave his presentation on Insect Biodiversity and Conservation Policy in India.
Then, Dr. Nivedita Sharma spoke about microbes, being integral part of the biodiversity. The next panelist was Dr. A.D Ahluwalia who put forth few pertinent, concise points on biodiversity. Dr. Kamlesh Asotra further gave interesting examples of how humans are using insects as a biocontrol. The panel discussion came to an end with Dr. Shramja Munjal inviting the dignitaries to be felicitated.
In the first technical session, Dr. A.D Ahluwalia and Dr. Prakash Lohar as the Resource persons invited talk. The Chairman of the session was Dr. B.K Tyagi and the rapporteur was Dr. Meenakshi Nandal. Dr.
Ahluwalia spoke on ‘A palaeontological perspective of excitement and challenges of story of life on earth’. He focused on beauty, grandeur, mysteries and history of life on mother earth. He said that the earth does not belong to us but we belong to the earth.
The precious species are becoming extinct. Dr. Prakash Lohar explained ‘the importance of molecular markers in the calibration of species diversity among freshwater fish of Northern Maharashtra’. He talked about different types of markers, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and electrophoresis.S
Second technical session dealt with oral and poster presentations by the delegates on biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and forestry and desertification.
The chief guest for the first day inaugural session was Tarun Kapoor, Principal Secretary, Environment, Science and Technology.
Campus Watch
Proposed HPBOSE Date-Sheets for 8th, 10th, 12th Exams 2021 Issued, Objections Invited till Feb 10

Shimla-Date-sheets for Class 10, 12, and 8 yearly examinations for the 2020-21 session have been released by the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education yesterday. These schedules would apply to both regular and State Open School (SOS) students.
These are proposed date-sheets, which have been uploaded on the official HPBOSE website and objections have been invited from teachers, students, and parents. Objections can be mailed on www.hpbose2011@gmail.com till 10 February 2021.
According to the proposed HPBOSE date-sheets, examinations for 10th class would be held from May 5 to May 20, 2021. For 12th class, exams would be held from May 4 to May 29. Exams for 8th class would be held from May 5 to May 19. While timings for class 10th and 8th would be 8:45 to 12 PM, class 12th exams would be conducted from 1:45 PM to 5 PM.
The Board has already decided that yearly examinations of HPBOSE for Class 10th and 12th for the session 2020-21 would not be conducted online. The decision was taken considering the fact that several regions of the state do not have Internet connectivity due to which students face difficulties.
HPBOSE Class 12 Date-Sheet 2021
HPBOSE Class 10 Date-Sheet 2021
HPBOSE Class 8 Date-Sheet 2021
Campus Watch
Class 10th and 12th Yearly Exams Will Not be Conducted Online Due to Lack of Uniform Internet Connectivity in State: HPBOSE

Dharamshala-Yearly examinations of Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) for Class 10th and 12th for the session 2020-21 will not be conducted online, informed Dr Suresh Kumar Soni, Chairman, HPBOSE. The decision was taken considering the fact that several regions of the state do not have Internet connectivity due to which students face difficulties, he said.
It was decided after the Chairman held a video conference with Deputy Directors and school principals/headmasters to discuss the matter relating to the conduction of examinations.
He also informed that due to the pandemic schools remained closed and the Board could not conduct online practical exams and said that it is considering to allow the schools to conduct them at their level. Further, to avoid crowding at schools, exams would be conducted in morning and evening sessions and more examination centres would be created. He informed that the Board is also considering to provide question papers for 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th classes to maintain uniformity in examinations across the state.
Various aspects related to various classes are under consideration and would be forwarded to the Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur, he said. In accordance with Minister’s directions, the Board would try to resume regular examinations, the Chairman added.
Further, he informed that the Board is conducting examinations for 12th class (Science) in March 2020 and has invited applications from candidates. The candidates can apply online through nearest SOS centre between 28th December to 28th January.
HP SOS Examination Eligibility Criteria
Campus Watch
Himachal Shuts Down All Educational Institutes A Week After Re-Opening

Shimla-A week after re-opening for regular classes, the Himachal Pradesh Government had to shut down all government and private schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, engineering colleges and coaching institutes from 11th to 25th November 2020, for students, teaching and non-teaching staff amid alarming surge in COVID-19 cases and fatalities.
The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting held on November 10, 2020. It’s pertinent to mention that the state government had re-opened the school for the students of 9th to 12th from November 2. However, during the past few days, hundreds of teachers and several students tested positive in various schools, especially in Mandi district.
Meanwhile, the unpreparedness of the state government came to light as the largest medical facility – IGMC Shimla- ran out of space in isolation wards for COVID-19 patients. It’s packed to full capacity. Reportedly, another dedicated COVID-19 hospital – DDU Shimla- was also running out of space. The government has also failed to establish make-shift hospitals, which it had been promising for the past couple of months. However, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur had been maintaining in media statements that the government was prepared for all eventualities.
Questions have also been raised over the quality of protective gear provided to health staff as several officials tested positive at a COVID-19 hospital in Mandi district.
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