Report on Reading Inspiration Day - 2025

 

The Learning and Information Resource Centre of St. Francis Institute of Technology celebrated Reading Inspiration Day on 15th October 2025 in remembrance of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, our beloved former President and visionary scientist, fondly known as The Missile Man of India. The event aimed to honor Dr. Kalam’s inspiring legacy by spreading the light of knowledge and the joy of reading among students and faculty members.

Overview of Activities

The celebration was organized over four days, featuring a variety of engaging and educational activities designed to promote reading habits and creativity:

In-House Book Exhibition (13th October 2025): The event commenced with an exhibition showcasing a diverse collection of books available in  English and Marathi languages. Students were encouraged to explore new titles and genres, fostering curiosity and a love for reading.

Digital Library Treasure Hunt (14th October 2025): Participants enthusiastically took part in an interactive treasure hunt within the digital library system, aimed at creating an awareness on the seamless access to a treasure trove of information on e books, e journals from Knimbus M Library portal and a plethora of books in Indian languages from AICTE E KUMBH.

Best Library User Award (2024–2025) (15th October 2025): To recognize dedication and consistent engagement with library resources, the “Best Library User Award” was presented to the most active readers of the academic year 2024-2025. Congratulations to Dr. Sunil R. Pansare (HOD, Department of Mechanical Engineering), Mohsin Dalvi (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Varsha Thandasarry (Department of Electrical Engineering), Dhammapal Gaikwad (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Owais Shaikh, Student at Department of Information Technology at SFIT, RAJAN Zagade Student at Department of Electrical Engineering), Om Kate, Student at Department of Electronics and Telecommunications.

Old Book Sale (16th October 2025): The celebration concluded with a sale of old books at nominal prices, encouraging participants to take home books and continue nurturing the joy of reading.

The celebration of Reading Inspiration Day successfully honored Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s vision of a knowledgeable and enlightened society. The series of activities encouraged students to read, learn, and lead towards a brighter tomorrow. The event not only paid tribute to a great leader but also reinforced the institute’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning and intellectual growth among its members.

Marathi to be made compulsory in all schools from next academic year: Education minister

Mumbai government mandates Marathi as a core subject in all schools from 2025-26, enforcing compliance and evaluating students on a marks-based system.

Mumbai: The state government is determined to enforce Marathi as a mandatory core subject in all schools, irrespective of board or medium, starting from the academic year 2025-26. The announcement, made on Tuesday by school education minister Dadaji Bhuse, signals the end of previous concessions that allowed schools to treat Marathi as a graded subject due to pandemic-related disruptions.

Marathi to be made compulsory in all schools from next academic year: Education minister


“Schools must ensure that Marathi is taught and evaluated as a core subject. Any reluctance to comply with this mandate will not be tolerated,” Bhuse said. To ensure strict adherence, the government clarified that the policy applies to all private, CBSE, ICSE, and other English medium schools in the state as well.

A government resolution (GR) that was issued in September had outlined a revised framework for Marathi language instruction. Under the new policy, students will be evaluated on a marks-based system, in the place of grading approach that is being used. The marks-based approach will also apply in schools across boards, reinforcing Marathi’s importance in state’s educational framework.

Bhuse also noted how schools often attempt to bypass regulations mandating Marathi instruction, particularly English medium institutions. To address this, the School Education Department will closely monitor compliance. Parents are also encouraged to report schools reluctant to implement the policy.


As it is necessary for the teachers who teach Marathi to be proficient in the language, the school education department is considering testing teachers in the Marathi language subject, including those who do not have an educational background in Marathi.

“While English proficiency is important, the significance of Marathi in Maharashtra cannot be undermined. The language has now been granted classical language status by the Centre, and we are committed to upholding its legacy through education,” Bhuse asserted.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/marathi-to-be-made-compulsory-in-all-schools-from-next-academic-year-education-minister-101736277511460.html

Soon, Mumbai University to offer engineering in Marathi

MUMBAI: Engineering will soon be offered in Marathi. Undergraduate commerce subjects will have credits for research. Emerging subjects such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning will figure in the course offerings of Mumbai University (MU).

MU’s academic council, which met on Tuesday, cleared the decks for a host of new initiatives. It also declared the new academic calendar open from June 14 with the first term ending on October 30 and keeping in mind festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Diwali. The second term would begin on November 15 and close on May 1, with a break during Christmas. The academic session of 2022-23 will start from June 12, 2022.

Earlier, the All India Council for Technical Education approved a proposal to teach engineering in regional languages. “There will be radical changes in teaching of engineering under the faculty of science and technology. AICTE’s recommendation to teach engineering in regional languages was also approved in today’s meeting. Therefore, engineering will soon be offered in Marathi in affiliated colleges of MU. At the same time, courses in emerging new subjects have been introduced in eight areas of engineering keeping in view the industrial needs,” said an academic council member. These include artificial intelligence and data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cyber security, internet of things, data engineering, computer science and engineering (data science), computer science and engineering (internet of things and cyber security, including blockchain technology).

For the first time, research field case studies will be included in the university to enhance student skills and improve their proficiency in a particular field. “Case studies will be introduced in the fourth semester of BMS (bachelors in management studies), BAF (bachelors in accounting and finance) and BBI (bachelors in banking and insurance) courses under commerce. For this, 30 hours have been set aside and two credits will be awarded. Field case studies will also be conducted for botany, zoology and chemistry under science and for economics, geography, sociology and anthropology,” said a dean.

For administration, the concept of schools has been approved and would be implemented to bring various subjects under one umbrella. Students will be able to pick subjects under various disciplines. The academic council approved establishment of various schools such as those for Indian and foreign languages, social sciences and performing arts. To create awareness about National Cadet Corps, nod has been given to introduce it as an optional subject. There are NCC units in 68 colleges. 

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/soon-mumbai-university-to-offer-engg-in-marathi/articleshowprint/83968185.cms