Pioneer In Short

MEA distances from Eiffel Tower row

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said the controversy over a BAPS delegation’s visit to the Eiffel Tower was a matter between the organisations directly involved. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was aware of the inauguration of a BAPS Hindu temple near Paris but declined to comment on the specific dispute at the landmark. The controversy followed reports that female Eiffel Tower employees were moved from their regular work areas during a visit by around 100 people associated with Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). French unions protested the reported arrangements, under which some duties were temporarily assigned to male employees. The Eiffel Tower was closed for a day before reopening.

The landmark’s operator, Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, later acknowledged that the delegation had requested limited interaction with female employees, saying such arrangements should not have been allowed. BAPS expressed regret and apologised to anyone affected, saying the visit had been coordinated with tower staff and designed to minimise disruption. The incident drew criticism from senior French politicians, including Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire, National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and Gender Equality Minister Aurore Berge.

Himachal records 99.55% literacy

Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday received a national award on International Literacy Day for achieving a 99.55 per cent literacy rate under the New India Literacy Programme (ULLAS). Education Minister Rohit Thakur received the honour in Delhi and credited teachers, students and government officials for the achievement. Himachal, declared fully literate on September 8, 2025, with a literacy rate of 99.3 per cent, now ranks second nationally behind Goa, which has 99.7 per cent literacy. Thakur said ULLAS, launched nationally in 2022-23 and implemented in Himachal Pradesh from 2023-24, has covered all 12 districts. As many as 94,930 learners have been identified and registered on the ULLAS portal, while 19,232 volunteer teachers have been registered and trained.

The state will now focus on sustaining literacy while promoting lifelong learning, digital literacy and vocational skills, Thakur said. The government has set a target of achieving 100 per cent literacy during 2026-27.