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Textbook in India depicts mosque as noise pollutant, ignites controversy

Hamza Rao 02:52 PM | 2 Jul, 2017
Textbook in India depicts mosque as noise pollutant, ignites controversy
NEW DELHI - An image in a class six textbook taught in Indian schools showing a mosque as a source of noise pollution has sparked controversy.

The outrage on social media, however, has prompted the published to tender an apology and promise that the picture would be removed in subsequent editions.

Gerry Arathoon, chief executive and secretary of the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations, told news agency PTI, "If any book with objectionable content is being taught at certain schools, it is for the schools and the publisher to ensure such a thing does not happen."

Hemant Gupta of Selina Publishers, in their apology, said the picture consisted of "a structure resembling a portion of a fort and other noise producing objects in a noisy city".

"We do apologise if it has hurt the sentiments of anyone," he said.

Singer Sonu Nigam had stoked a debate recently when he said he was woken up by the sound of "azaan" -- early morning calls for prayers from mosques -- amplified by loudspeakers.

In the last few months, objectionable content has made its way to several Indian textbooks raising serious concerns about what students are being exposed to. Just last month, controversy erupted after a Class 9 Hindi textbook referred to Jesus Christ as a demon.

In April, a Class 12 textbook on physical education suggested feminine proportions of 36-24-36 as being ideal. A Class 4 Environmental Studies textbook, while educating students on the importance of breathing, gives a practical example that shows how children can suffocate a cat to death. Another book said that meat-eaters cheat, lie and commit sex crimes.

Hamza Rao
Hamza Rao

Hamza Rao is a member of the staff at Daily Pakistan. He can be reached at raohamzafree@gmail.com. He tweets at @HamzaRaoxxx

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USD to PKR: Pakistani rupee remains stable against dollar amid ongoing talks with IMF

KARACHI – Pakistani rupee, which is facing blows in the open market, remained stable against the US dollar, in the inter-bank market on Wednesday.

The local currency moved slightly upward during the opening hours of trading in the inter-bank market. Before noon, PKR was hovering around 285.22, with a slight increase of Rs0.13.

As the situation remained under control in the interbank market, the rupee hits a fresh record low in the open market and was selling at 315 per dollar.

In a recent development, the IMF mission chief shared positive news, confirming that talks are underway with Pakistani authorities. The resumption of the IMF programme remains important for the crisis-hit country.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/31-May-2023/today-s-currency-exchange-rates-in-pakistan-dollar-euro-pound-riyal-rates-on-may-31-2023

Today's gold rates in Pakistan – May 31 2023

KARACHI - The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 232,300 on Wednesday.The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs199,160.   

Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs163,624 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 190,880.

Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Karachi PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Islamabad PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Peshawar PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Quetta PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Sialkot PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Attock PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Gujranwala PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Jehlum PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Multan PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Bahawalpur PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Gujrat PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Nawabshah PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Chakwal PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Hyderabad PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Nowshehra PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Sargodha PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Faisalabad PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485
Mirpur PKR 232,300 PKR 2,485

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