In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has emphasized equitable menstrual rights, directing the government to provide free sanitary pads for schoolgirls. This ruling is a major step toward health, hygiene, and gender equality in India.

 India: SC's Big Boost to Equitable Menstrual Rights, Free Sanitary Pads for School Girls

Fashion retailer H&M has withdrawn an ad featuring school girls after complaints that the campaign encouraged the sexualisation of under-age girls. Watch in for more details!

H&M pulls down ad after complaints of sexualisation young girls

Celebrating sibling bond on Raksha Bandhan, schoolgirls tied rakhis to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a school in New Delhi. The schoolchildren greeted PM Modi with smiles as he entered the classroom and tied the sacred thread to him.

As the girls stepped up to tie the rakhi, Prime Minister Modi greeted them with an affectionate smile, asking their names and classes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/on-raksha-bandhan-meet-these-bollywood-siblings-who-we-absolutely-love-629932">On Raksha Bandhan, meet these Bollywood siblings we absolutely love</a>

In an adorable moment, one of the girls gave PM Modi a peck on his cheek as he proceeded to bend down and bless her. PM Modi was seen sitting on a chair with the schoolgirls taking turns to tie rakhis.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | School girls tie Rakhi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, as they celebrate the festival of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RakshaBandhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RakshaBandhan</a> with him. <a href="https://t.co/Hhyjx63xgi">pic.twitter.com/Hhyjx63xgi</a>
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Prime Minister also posed for a group photo with schoolgirls and teachers on the occasion. The customised rakhis, which the girls tied on PM Modi’s wrist, had his image on them.

The festival marking the eternal bond between a brother and a sister is being celebrated with signature pomp and fervour across the country. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, schoolgirls tied rakhis to CRPF jawans. In the Samba district of the Valley, BSF jawans celebrated Raksha Bandhan with school children. 
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Celebrating sibling bond on Raksha Bandhan, schoolgirls tied rakhis to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a school in New Delhi. The schoolchildren greeted PM Modi with smiles as he entered the classroom and tied the sacred thread to him.

Celebrating sibling bond on Raksha Bandhan, schoolgirls tied rakhis to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a school in New Delhi. The schoolchildren greeted PM Modi with smiles as he entered the classroom and tied the sacred thread to him. As the girls stepped up to tie the rakhi, Prime Minister Modi greeted them with an affectionate smile, asking their names and classes. Also read | On Raksha Bandhan, meet these Bollywood siblings we absolutely love In an adorable moment, one of the girls gave PM Modi a peck on his cheek as he proceeded to bend down and bless her. PM Modi was seen sitting on a chair with the schoolgirls taking turns to tie rakhis. #WATCH | School girls tie Rakhi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, as they celebrate the festival of #RakshaBandhan with him. pic.twitter.com/Hhyjx63xgi — ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2023 × Prime Minister also posed for a group photo with schoolgirls and teachers on the occasion. The customised rakhis, which the girls tied on PM Modi’s wrist, had his image on them. The festival marking the eternal bond between a brother and a sister is being celebrated with signature pomp and fervour across the country. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, schoolgirls tied rakhis to CRPF jawans. In the Samba district of the Valley, BSF jawans celebrated Raksha Bandhan with school children. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi celebrates Rakshabandhan with school girls

A recent report in Psychology Today suggests that the alleged poisoning of young school girls in Iran may appear to be state terrorism, but might actually be psychogenic in nature. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: The mystery behind the alleged poisoning of children in Iran

A recent report in Psychology Today<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/its-catching/202303/psychology-and-the-mystery-of-the-poisoned-schoolgirls"> </a>suggests&nbsp;that the alleged "poisoning" of young school girls in Iran may appear to be state terrorism, but might actually be&nbsp;psychogenic in nature.&nbsp;It follows&nbsp;a pattern: A mass illness, a media frenzy, and accusations of state terrorism.

The <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/its-catching/202303/psychology-and-the-mystery-of-the-poisoned-schoolgirls">report&nbsp;</a>says that Iran's&nbsp;case of "poisoning" should be taken with a pinch of salt as&nbsp;there is no proof of a poisonous chemical, there have been no fatalities, and almost all sufferers have recovered quickly.

There are startling similarities between the events in Iran, Afghanistan, and the West Bank where female students in Islamic schools have in different time periods&nbsp;exhibited symptoms like&nbsp;headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, and blurred vision, and have fainted&nbsp;and were taken to the hospital.&nbsp;

In line with Iran's "poisoning"&nbsp;case, despite many medical examinations which have included blood testing, Iranian authorities have not made any arrests and been unable to identify a chemical agent.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-discovered-huge-deposits-of-lithium-critical-for-electric-mobility-568617">Iran says it has discovered huge deposits of Lithium critical for electric mobility</a>

Experts&nbsp;say that there is a bigger psychological factor at play. The girls in all three cases - Afghanistan, West Bank and Palestine - were suffering from a mass psychogenic illness, as per&nbsp;Psychology Today.&nbsp;Another study conducted by the World Health Organization that looked at comparable outbreaks at 22 schools nationwide and analysed blood, urine, and water also came to the same conclusion.&nbsp;

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank in March and April 1983, approximately a thousand Palestinian schoolgirls experienced headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, and weakness.

The incident generated worrying allegations of widespread poisonings and made international news. It gave rise to accusations that the girls had been poisoned by Israeli operatives or extremist civilians.

The outbreak's original instance, which happened at a school, was ultimately linked to a lavatory odour.

However, it was determined by two different studies published in The Lancet that the sickness was psychological. Another examination, which was reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry, concluded that the outbreak was significantly influenced by an Israeli newspaper article in which a writer falsely claimed that some of the sufferers had become blind.

<h2>What happened in Iran?</h2>

Dozens of schoolgirls in Iran were taken to the hospital on Tuesday following a mysterious poisoning, the most recent in a string of such 'attacks', as reported by AFP.&nbsp;

There have been hundreds of cases of respiratory distress among Iranian schoolgirls in the last three months, mostly in the city of Qom, south of Tehran, with some requiring hospitalisation.

Iran's supreme leader Ali&nbsp;Khamenei said on Monday that poisoning of Iranian schoolgirls in recent months is an "unforgivable" crime amid the spread of suspected poisoning across the country with hundreds of girls hospitalised.

"Authorities should seriously pursue the issue of students' poisoning. This is an unforgivable crime... the perpetrators of this crime should be severely punished," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media.

According to a government official who spoke to the Guardian, the attacks were likely a calculated attempt to compel the closure of girls' schools.

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A recent report in Psychology Today suggests that the alleged "poisoning" of young school girls in Iran may appear to be state terrorism, but might actually be psychogenic in nature.

A recent report in Psychology Today suggests that the alleged "poisoning" of young school girls in Iran may appear to be state terrorism, but might actually be psychogenic in nature. It follows a pattern: A mass illness, a media frenzy, and accusations of state terrorism. The report says that Iran's case of "poisoning" should be taken with a pinch of salt as there is no proof of a poisonous chemical, there have been no fatalities, and almost all sufferers have recovered quickly. There are startling similarities between the events in Iran, Afghanistan, and the West Bank where female students in Islamic schools have in different time periods exhibited symptoms like headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, and blurred vision, and have fainted and were taken to the hospital. In line with Iran's "poisoning" case, despite many medical examinations which have included blood testing, Iranian authorities have not made any arrests and been unable to identify a chemical agent. ALSO READ | Iran says it has discovered huge deposits of Lithium critical for electric mobility Experts say that there is a bigger psychological factor at play. The girls in all three cases - Afghanistan, West Bank and Palestine - were suffering from a mass psychogenic illness, as per Psychology Today. Another study conducted by the World Health Organization that looked at comparable outbreaks at 22 schools nationwide and analysed blood, urine, and water also came to the same conclusion. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank in March and April 1983, approximately a thousand Palestinian schoolgirls experienced headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, and weakness. The incident generated worrying allegations of widespread poisonings and made international news. It gave rise to accusations that the girls had been poisoned by Israeli operatives or extremist civilians. The outbreak's original instance, which happened at a school, was ultimately linked to a lavatory odour. However, it was determined by two different studies published in The Lancet that the sickness was psychological. Another examination, which was reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry, concluded that the outbreak was significantly influenced by an Israeli newspaper article in which a writer falsely claimed that some of the sufferers had become blind. What happened in Iran? Dozens of schoolgirls in Iran were taken to the hospital on Tuesday following a mysterious poisoning, the most recent in a string of such 'attacks', as reported by AFP. There have been hundreds of cases of respiratory distress among Iranian schoolgirls in the last three months, mostly in the city of Qom, south of Tehran, with some requiring hospitalisation. Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday that poisoning of Iranian schoolgirls in recent months is an "unforgivable" crime amid the spread of suspected poisoning across the country with hundreds of girls hospitalised. "Authorities should seriously pursue the issue of students' poisoning. This is an unforgivable crime... the perpetrators of this crime should be severely punished," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media. According to a government official who spoke to the Guardian, the attacks were likely a calculated attempt to compel the closure of girls' schools. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Mystery of the 'poisoned' schoolgirls in Iran: A case of  mass psychogenic illness?

The latest controversy that this country saw last week was in the form of a comment by West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee who blasted a supposedly lesbian behaviour from a group of students. The comments came after a strong statement from the school which allegedly forced the girls to write a confession saying they were involved in homosexual activities within the premises and threatened to expel them on the ground that they were displaying lesbian behaviour.

While schools have been taking strict action over indiscipline, handling a thing like this in a stern manner comes as a shocker. The girls, who might not even be aware of the illegal act and its consequences - if they were involved in it at all - have been allegedly tagged with title 'lesbians'. It is also a setback to the young girls, who are still coming to terms with their sexuality which is developing.

What's even more appalling is the comment by the minister, who holds a responsible position and oversees the 'overall development of each child'. Holding such an honourable position demands to understand the development of a child in all aspects, be it academic, social, physical or psychological.

It is important for the entire society, including the parents, schools and even the education minister, to understand that the girls had just entered the new phase of adolescent life which is bound with an ample number of changes.

Adolescence is a phase of life where major biological and psychological developments take place. An adolescent goes through various physical, mental and emotional changes which are often a burden to understand and handle. Puberty is reached which is a major landmark in the development of self-awareness about sexuality and one's sexual orientation. It is important to understand that biological, psychological and social factors play a major role in the development of sexuality at this stage. While the displayable biological changes are the result of genetic factors, an individual's sexual character is developed due to the neuro-endocrinal factors. In addition to this, the attitude of social surroundings toward sexuality, parenting style, peer relationship also influences the sexual learnings and the sexual attitude of the teens.

While confronting the developing sexual interests, the teens might feel attracted towards the same sex, without being aware that it is against the order of nature as well as not permitted by the Indian law. Confusion about sexual orientation is a usual thing among adolescents, which is often stressful teens feel guilty and anxious over their unusual interests. But the elders have a responsibility in such a scenario - to explain what is acceptable to the society and what is not. Instead of treating 'homosexual' behaviour among teens as a mental illness, they should be taught the acceptable behaviours of the society. It is important that adolescents are facilitated with gender and sex-centric counselling, instead of penalising them threats of 'expulsion from school'. It will generate a fear of being ostracised from the society. This will make the teens frightened, isolated and terrified of what the society thinks of them. Such reactions will have an adverse impact on the psychological development of the adolescents.&nbsp

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

It is important that adolescents are facilitated with gender and sex-centric counselling, instead of penalising them threats of 'expulsion from school'

The latest controversy that this country saw last week was in the form of a comment by West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee who blasted a supposedly lesbian behaviour from a group of students. The comments came after a strong statement from the school which allegedly forced the girls to write a confession saying they were involved in homosexual activities within the premises and threatened to expel them on the ground that they were displaying lesbian behaviour. While schools have been taking strict action over indiscipline, handling a thing like this in a stern manner comes as a shocker. The girls, who might not even be aware of the illegal act and its consequences - if they were involved in it at all - have been allegedly tagged with title 'lesbians'. It is also a setback to the young girls, who are still coming to terms with their sexuality which is developing. What's even more appalling is the comment by the minister, who holds a responsible position and oversees the 'overall development of each child'. Holding such an honourable position demands to understand the development of a child in all aspects, be it academic, social, physical or psychological. It is important for the entire society, including the parents, schools and even the education minister, to understand that the girls had just entered the new phase of adolescent life which is bound with an ample number of changes. Adolescence is a phase of life where major biological and psychological developments take place. An adolescent goes through various physical, mental and emotional changes which are often a burden to understand and handle. Puberty is reached which is a major landmark in the development of self-awareness about sexuality and one's sexual orientation. It is important to understand that biological, psychological and social factors play a major role in the development of sexuality at this stage. While the displayable biological changes are the result of genetic factors, an individual's sexual character is developed due to the neuro-endocrinal factors. In addition to this, the attitude of social surroundings toward sexuality, parenting style, peer relationship also influences the sexual learnings and the sexual attitude of the teens. While confronting the developing sexual interests, the teens might feel attracted towards the same sex, without being aware that it is against the order of nature as well as not permitted by the Indian law. Confusion about sexual orientation is a usual thing among adolescents, which is often stressful teens feel guilty and anxious over their unusual interests. But the elders have a responsibility in such a scenario - to explain what is acceptable to the society and what is not. Instead of treating 'homosexual' behaviour among teens as a mental illness, they should be taught the acceptable behaviours of the society. It is important that adolescents are facilitated with gender and sex-centric counselling, instead of penalising them threats of 'expulsion from school'. It will generate a fear of being ostracised from the society. This will make the teens frightened, isolated and terrified of what the society thinks of them. Such reactions will have an adverse impact on the psychological development of the adolescents. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Give them confidence, don't brand them 'lesbians' Mr Minister

The latest controversy that this country saw last week was in the form of a comment by West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee who blasted a supposedly lesbian behaviour from a group of students. The comments came after a strong statement from the school which allegedly forced the girls to write a confession saying they were involved in homosexual activities within the premises and threatened to expel them on the ground that they were displaying lesbian behaviour.

While schools have been taking strict action over indiscipline, handling a thing like this in a stern manner comes as a shocker. The girls, who might not even be aware of the illegal act and its consequences - if they were involved in it at all - have been allegedly tagged with tittle &#39;lesbians&#39;. It is also a setback to the young girls, who are still coming to terms with their sexuality which is developing.

What&#39;s even more appalling is the comment by the minister, who holds a responsible position and oversees the &#39;overall development of each child&#39;. Holding such an honourable position demands to understand the development of a child on all aspects, be it academic, social, physical or psychological.

It is important for the entire society, including the parents, schools and even the education minister, to understand that the girls had just entered the new phase of adolescent life which is bound with an ample number of changes.

Adolescence is a phase of life where major biological and psychological developments take place. An adolescent goes through various physical, mental and emotional changes which are often a burden to understand and handle. Puberty is reached which is a major landmark in the development of self-awareness about sexuality and one&#39;s sexual orientation. It is important to understand that biological, psychological and social factors play a major role during the development of sexuality at this stage. While the displayable biological changes are the result of genetic factors, an individual&#39;s sexual character is developed due to the neuro-endocrinal factors. In addition to this, the attitude of social surroundings toward sexuality, parenting style, peer relationship also influences the sexual learnings and the sexual attitude of the teens.

While confronting the developing sexual interests, the teens might feel attracted towards the same sex, without being aware that it is against the order of nature as well as not permitted by the Indian law. Confusion about sexual orientation is a usual thing among adolescents, which is often stressful; teens feel guilty and anxious over their unusual interests. But the elders have a responsibility in such a scenario - to explain what is acceptable to the society and what is not. Instead of treating &#39;homosexual&#39; behaviour among teens as a mental illness, they should be taught the acceptable behaviours of the society. It is important that adolescents are facilitated with gender and sex-centric counselling, instead of penalising them threats of &#39;expulsion from school&#39;. It will generate a fear of being ostracised from the society. This will make the teens frightened, isolated and terrified of what the society thinks of them. Such reactions will have an adverse impact on the psychological development of the adolescents.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

It is important that adolescents are facilitated with gender and sex-centric counselling, instead of penalising them threats of 'expulsion from school'.

The latest controversy that this country saw last week was in the form of a comment by West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee who blasted a supposedly lesbian behaviour from a group of students. The comments came after a strong statement from the school which allegedly forced the girls to write a confession saying they were involved in homosexual activities within the premises and threatened to expel them on the ground that they were displaying lesbian behaviour. While schools have been taking strict action over indiscipline, handling a thing like this in a stern manner comes as a shocker. The girls, who might not even be aware of the illegal act and its consequences - if they were involved in it at all - have been allegedly tagged with tittle 'lesbians'. It is also a setback to the young girls, who are still coming to terms with their sexuality which is developing. What's even more appalling is the comment by the minister, who holds a responsible position and oversees the 'overall development of each child'. Holding such an honourable position demands to understand the development of a child on all aspects, be it academic, social, physical or psychological. It is important for the entire society, including the parents, schools and even the education minister, to understand that the girls had just entered the new phase of adolescent life which is bound with an ample number of changes. Adolescence is a phase of life where major biological and psychological developments take place. An adolescent goes through various physical, mental and emotional changes which are often a burden to understand and handle. Puberty is reached which is a major landmark in the development of self-awareness about sexuality and one's sexual orientation. It is important to understand that biological, psychological and social factors play a major role during the development of sexuality at this stage. While the displayable biological changes are the result of genetic factors, an individual's sexual character is developed due to the neuro-endocrinal factors. In addition to this, the attitude of social surroundings toward sexuality, parenting style, peer relationship also influences the sexual learnings and the sexual attitude of the teens. While confronting the developing sexual interests, the teens might feel attracted towards the same sex, without being aware that it is against the order of nature as well as not permitted by the Indian law. Confusion about sexual orientation is a usual thing among adolescents, which is often stressful; teens feel guilty and anxious over their unusual interests. But the elders have a responsibility in such a scenario - to explain what is acceptable to the society and what is not. Instead of treating 'homosexual' behaviour among teens as a mental illness, they should be taught the acceptable behaviours of the society. It is important that adolescents are facilitated with gender and sex-centric counselling, instead of penalising them threats of 'expulsion from school'. It will generate a fear of being ostracised from the society. This will make the teens frightened, isolated and terrified of what the society thinks of them. Such reactions will have an adverse impact on the psychological development of the adolescents. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Give them confidence, don't brand them 'lesbians' Mr. Minister

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