NEWS TO Day 24.02.2025

 

Kanchi Shankaracharya wants temples freed from govt control

Kanchi Shankaracharya wants temples freed from govt control

Rajeev.Mani@timesofindia.com  24.02.2025

Prayagraj : Kanchi Shankaracharya on Sunday advocated for handing over temples and their properties across India to temple authorities, freeing them from govt control. “Every Kumbh in Prayagraj has raised a demand, which was fulfilled in due course — such as the demand for Ram temple raised in 2013. Now, the call to free all temples from govt control has echoed from Maha Kumbh 2025,” said Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi, the 70th Jagadguru Peethadipathi of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

 He was in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at Sangam and to attend an event at his camp in Maha Kumbh. “I demand that, firstly, all temples should be restored. Secondly, proper puja should be conducted in these temples; and thirdly, all the offerings (income) received by the temples should belong to the temples. Temples, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, along with their land, assets, and other holdings, should be the sole property of the temple concerned,” he said. 

He added that income from these temples should be used to promote Sanatan Dharma, train pupils well versed in Vedas, establish gurukuls, open gaushalas, and support classical music. “There should be a system of PPP — ‘Praja’ (devotees),‘Purohit’ (priest), and ‘Pujari’ (priest). This ‘Triveni’ will surely uplift not only the temples but also Sanatan Dharma,” he said in an exclusive conversation with TOI.

“There should be a pujari in every panchayat and a temple like Tirupati in every village,” he added. On whether youth are moving away from religious practices, he responded, “It is not true that young people are not inclined toward ‘Aastha’ (faith). I have seen many young boys and girls at Maha Kumbh, arriving in large numbers, applying tilak with full devotion. There is still ‘Aastha’ in the country; what we lack is ‘Sanstha’ (organisation) and ‘Vyavastha’ (rules and regulations).” 

He acknowledged problems faced by the country and families but emphasised the need to begin within families.

“By preserving Sanatan Dharma, we can save our democracy... when the country is safe, only then will there be peace in the world,” he said

84 drug batches fail quality test, commonly used antacids, diabetes meds among them

84 drug batches fail quality test, commonly used antacids, diabetes meds among them 

24.02.2025

New Delhi : As many as 84 batches of drugs, including some commonly-prescribed steroids and cholesterol-lowering drugs, were found to be ‘not-of-standard quality’ in the latest round of inspections carried out by the drug control authorities across country. CDSCO, which is the apex body responsible for approval of new drugs & clinical trials, has issued an alert regarding this.

 It issues alerts about nonstandard quality drugs being sold in the market monthly. According to its latest data, for Dec 2024, they found 84 batches of drugs manufactured by various firms to be of ‘not-of-standard quality’ (NSQ). This includes some of the drugs prescribed for common conditions such as acidity, high levels of cholesterol, diabetes and bacterial infections among others. Identification of drug samples as NSQ is done based on failure of the drug sample in one or the other specified quality parameters. 

The failure is specific to the drug products of the batch tested by govt, officials said. “This action of identifying NSQ and spurious medicines is taken on a regular basis in collaboration with state regulators to ensure that these drugs are identified & removed from the market,” they added. Recently, CDSCO introduced new guidelines for inspections. It stated all drug inspectors in the country should collect at least 10 samples in a month; nine samples of drugs and one sample of cosmetics/ medical device. TNN

‘New pilot duty norms with more rest hours from July’

‘New pilot duty norms with more rest hours from July’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  24.02.2025

New Delhi : Directorate General of Civil Aviation has informed Delhi High Court that airlines will implement revised norms on duty and rest hours for pilots in a phased manner beginning July 1. The aviation watchdog also told the court recently that the remaining revised regulations will be implemented from Nov 1. 

Among other aspects, airlines will ensure that there are not more than 168 hours between the end of one weekly rest period and the start of the next under the revised norms. The directorate’s revised civil aviation requirement (CAR) relates to flight duty time limitation and seeks to provide more rest time for pilots amid concerns over pilot fatigue and was originally to be implemented from June 1, 2024. 

In an affidavit, it disclosed the phased implementation of the roadmap after considering the outcome of the minutes of the meetings among the representatives from the airlines, pilot groups and the civil aviation ministry. The court is hearing petitions filed by Indian Commercial Pilots Associ- ation, Indian Pilots Guild and Federation of Indian Pilots relating to DGCA's revised flight duty time limitations. Several significant changes were brought to the existing norms to tackle fatigue among pilots, the affidavit said, including that the weekly rest periods will be increased from the current 36 hours to 48 hours. “An operator shall ensure that the minimum weekly rest of continuous 48 hours, including two local nights, is provided such that there shall never be more than 168 hours between the end of one weekly rest period and the start of the next,” it said. 

The affidavit went on to add, “The operator shall provide weekly rest at home base/temporary home base. The 168 hours shall be calculated from the end of the preceding weekly rest period.” As per CAR, the maximum flight time and maximum flight duty period for flight operations at night were to be restricted to eight hours and 10 hours, respectively. The number of landings at night was to be confined to two landings compared to the present six. The high court had earlier asked DGCA to have a meeting with the associations, airlines, and the ministry.

HC notices to govt over lack of quality for patho tests, labs

HC notices to govt over lack of quality for patho tests, labs 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.02.2025

Bhopal/Jabalpur : A division bench of the MP high court issued notices to the central and state govt in response to a petition seeking quality standards for chemicals used in pathological tests. The petitioner stated that there are no standards fixed regarding the chemicals used in pathological tests, and the test results could be erratic if the quality of chemicals used is not proper. 

The petitioner in the case, Advocate Amitabh Gupta, said that different chemicals are used in various pathological tests to obtain results, and if the quality of chemicals is not good, the test results would not be accurate. 

In 2009, a commission formed in this connection was asked to fix standards for chemicals to be used to obtain pathological test results, but after a lapse of so many years, the standards have not yet been deci- ded and practised. This makes the credibility of the tests results suspect.

 Besides, only a few pathological labs have affiliation with NABL. Gupta, arguing the case himself, said that he filed the petition in 2015 and requested the court to find out from NABL regarding steps it has taken to make pathological test reports more credible, fix standards for chemicals to be used, and ensure pathology labs obtain NABL affiliation. After preliminary arguments, the bench of Chief Justice S K Kait and Justice Vivek Jain issued notices to the state and central govt.

Panel to hear govt staff demands

Panel to hear govt staff demands 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.01.2025

Chennai : CM M K Stalin has constituted a committee to listen to the grievances of various govt employees’ associations and resolve them. A govt statement said on Sunday that the panel consists of public works department minister E V Velu, finance minister Thangam Thennarasu, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and human resource development minister Kayalvizhi Selvaraj. 

They would meet representatives from govt associations and discuss their demands on Monday at the secretariat. The move comes after a state-wide protest announced by the joint action council of TN teachers organisations and govt employees organisation (Jacto-Geo) pressing its charter of demands on Feb 25.

Boy, 17, driving dad’s minivan mows down 53-yr-old woman Older

Boy, 17, driving dad’s minivan mows down 53-yr-old woman Older 

Man Arrested For Letting Minor Drive

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.02.2025

Chennai : A 17-year-old boy trying to move his father’s minivan parked outside their house in Kancheepuram on Sunday morning accidentally killed a 53-year-old woman. The older man was later arrested for allowing a minor to drive the vehicle. Police said the boy, whose father Rasa prepares snacks at home and delivers them to shops in his minivan, was trying to move the vehicle in front of their house on Gangai Amman Temple Street at 6.30 am when he lost control. The vehicle hit Saraswathi, who was drawing a kolam in front of her house, then collided with a pushcart and a scooter before stopping. 

A few of their neighbours rushed to help when the minivan trapped Saraswathi underneath. They lifted the vehicle off her, but she died on the spot. A team of the Sivakanchi police arrived, took the boy into custody for questioning and sent Saraswathi’s body to the Kancheepuram Govt Hospital for a postmortem examination. Investigations revealed that neither Rasa nor his son knew how to drive and hired a driver to deliver snacks. 

“The son occasionally tried operating the vehicle to learn driving,” said a police officer. Police suspect that in panic, the boy accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. They registered a case against Rasa for negligence and for allowing his minor son to operate the vehicle. Investigations continue. “We have been creating awareness about dangers involved in underage driving. But people continue to flout norms,” said the officer.

Fake faculty row: Anna univ to inspect all 440 colleges

Fake faculty row: Anna univ to inspect all 440 colleges 

Before Nod For Affiliation This Academic Year

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 24.02.2025

Chennai : In the wake of last year’s fake faculty row, Anna University has decided to inspect all 440 engineering colleges in the state for granting affiliation for 2025-26. During the check, it will look into the permanently affiliated courses to rule out any malpractices. It will check various parameters including qualifications of the principal, faculty members, library, classrooms, labs, and admissions. Last year, top colleges were exempted from physical inspection. 

In a recent circular, the university asked colleges to submit biometric details of faculty members after authenticating them with Aadhaar through the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency and Unique Identification Authority of India. It also asked them to verify all certificates, including PAN and Aadhaar details, with originals. College chairpersons or secretaries of trusts were directed to submit an affidavit stating that all details submitted are true. It also mandated AICTE Faculty ID for all members. “Faculty qualifications, experience, scale of pay, and cadre ratio should be strictly followed as per AICTE norms to grant affiliation,” the circular from registrar J Prakash said. “Those pro grammes which have not fulfilled the stipulated affiliation requirements will be suspended or withdrawn without any further notice.” For the first time, the university sought details of all permanently affiliated courses to verify them.

“Anna University used to give permanent affiliation to courses if the college is offering the course for 10 years with better admission record and no prior punishment. However, it was found that some colleges misused the permanent affiliation and showed them as faculty members in other departments. So, it was decided to verify these courses also,” a source said. The last date for submission of applications for affiliation with a late fee for 2025-26 is Feb 28. AICTE Approval Process Handbook for 2025-26 allowed institutions to appoint up to 20% of faculty as Professors of Practice (PoP) — industry professionals with varying qualifications, including PhDs or BTech with significant industry experience. The university is yet to act against 2,500 faculty members found faking identities and working in multiple colleges at the same time. Some 30 colleges were involved. “There is a court case regarding POP qualifications. University is yet to action against the faculty members and colleges. Then only the physical inspection for 2025-26 will commence,” a source added.

Runaway bride: Woman doc elopes with female friend on wedding day, family ‘fakes death’

Runaway bride: Woman doc elopes with female friend on wedding day,

 family ‘fakes death’

TNN Feb 19, 2025, 23:38 IST

Agra: The wedding bells were supposed to ring, and guests had gathered in UP's Muzaffarnagar on Tuesday. On what should have been a night of celebration, the bride-to-be vanished—just hours before the ceremony. The 26-year-old homeopathic doctor had stepped into a beauty parlour to get ready but never returned. What followed was a desperate cover-up, a fabricated death, and a search that led to Jhansi.

"To avoid embarrassment", family members allegedly told guests that she had died of a heart attack while being taken to Meerut for treatment and called off the wedding.

However, upon reviewing CCTV footage from the parlour, police found that the woman had left with her female friend on Tuesday. The next day, both were tracked down and detained in Jhansi.

New Mandi deputy superintendent of police Rupali Rao said that an FIR had been registered under BNS section 137 (kidnapping) based on the complaint filed by the bride's father on Tuesday. "Two dedicated teams were assigned to the case, and the woman was safely located on Wednesday. Her statement is now being recorded in court, and further legal action will be taken based on her testimony," Rao said.

RG Kar doc’s parents yet to receive death certificate

RG Kar doc’s parents yet to receive death certificate

Feb 23, 2025, 0:05 IST

Kolkata: Parents of the post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, who was found raped and murdered on Aug 9, 2024, are yet to receive her death certificate.

Though Panihati Municipality issued a cremation certificate, the parents said they were still waiting for a death certificate to be issued by Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).

Parents said that when they approached KMC, they were told RG Kar would issue the death certificate.But the hospital authorities claimed the opposite and said the death certificate had to be issued by KMC.

According to civic health department officials, while KMC does issue death certificate for normal as well as unnatural deaths in most cases, for persons dying in a govt hospital within its jurisdiction, the death certificate is issued by the hospital concerned.

But the deceased doctor's parents said RG Kar officials had insisted that KMC must provide death certificates for all deaths occurring within hospital premises, including for "brought-dead" cases.

Upset over thrashing by teacher, 14-year-old jumps to death from 4th floor of school building in Hyderabad

Upset over thrashing by teacher, 14-year-old jumps to death from 4th floor of school building in Hyderabad

23.02.2025

A 14-year-old student died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of his school in Hyderabad, following alleged corporal punishment by a teacher. The incident led to protests from the boy's family and student organizations. The police have registered a case against the teacher and the school management for abetment to suicide.

HYDERABAD: A 14-year-old student died by suicide after he jumped from the fourth floor of his school building in Uppal on Saturday morning. The boy took the extreme step after being allegedly struck by a school teacher.

Uppal police said that the 14-year-old jumped from the fourth floor of the Sagar Grammar School building during school hours. On hearing a thud, the school staff rushed out and found the boy in a pool of blood. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The incident led to a protest, with family members and a few student organisations demanding action against the school teacher.

The boy's mother blamed the school's physical training (PT) teacher for her son taking the extreme step.

At around 9.30 am, the student was found playing with a CCTV camera on the school campus. On seeing this, the teacher got upset and allegedly smacked him besides reprimanding him. "Later, the boy, under the pretext of going to the washroom, went to the fourth floor of the building and jumped to death," Uppal inspector Election Reddy told TOI.

The alleged incident of corporal punishment took place in front of other students. "Perhaps, he felt humiliated since he was smacked in front of others," sub-inspector V Chiranjeevi said. Before taking the extreme step, the 14-year-old wrote a note in his notebook, expressing his apology to his parents. Police have recovered the material.

Based on the complaint given by the family members of the deceased, a criminal case was registered against the teacher and the management of the school on the charge of abetment to suicide.

HC stays order on compassionate appointment to man

HC stays order on compassionate appointment to man

Kaushik Kannan

Feb 23, 2025, 0:26 IST

HC stays order on compassionate appointment to man

Madurai: Compassionate appointment cannot be considered a mode of recruitment, it is only to tide over the immediate financial distress of the family of the deceased employee, which occurred due to the sudden demise of the sole breadwinner, Madras high court has observed. The court said this while setting aside an order of a single bench which directed the authorities to grant compassionate appointment to the son of a deceased govt employee from Karur district.

The court was hearing an appeal preferred by the Karur district collector and block development officer of Krishnarayapuram, challenging the order of the single bench.

P Jeyaraman was employed as a panchayat assistant in Pappakkapatti village. He died during service in 2015, leaving behind his mother, wife, son J Mahendiran, and his sister as his legal heirs. At the time of his death, Mahendiran was 15 years old, and his sister was 12 years old. The family was in a precarious financial situation, as Jeyaraman was the sole breadwinner.

Mahendiran submitted an application seeking compassionate employment. The application was rejected since the petitioner was a minor at the time of application. After attaining majority, Mahendiran submitted an application in 2021. However, it was also rejected on the basis that it was made three years after his father's death. Hence, Mahendiran filed a petition before the court seeking relief.

The single bench stated that Mahendiran's application was rejected on the sole ground that he was a minor on the date of his father's death. However, the order did not address the indigenous circumstances of the family of the deceased employee. Hence, the single bench directed the authorities to grant compassionate appointment to Mahendiran. Challenging the order, the present appeal was preferred by the authorities.

A division bench of justice J. Nisha Banu and justice S Srimathy observed that the full bench of the Madras high court held that the legal heir is entitled to compassionate appointment if the application is submitted within three years from the date of the employee's death. If the legal heir is a minor at the time of submitting the application, then the heir is not entitled to compassionate appointment. It was further held that any application submitted after attaining majority, but by the time the three-year period had lapsed, the legal heir is not entitled to compassionate appointment.

The judges observed that in the case at hand, the applicant's father died in 2015. The three-year period was over in Oct 2018, and the applicant attained majority in 2019. Therefore, the petitioner was not entitled to compassionate appointment. The mother of the petitioner was entitled to compassionate appointment, but she did not choose to apply for the same.

"The compassionate appointment post cannot be kept endlessly vacant for the family of the deceased employee," the judges observed and set aside the order.

NEWS TODAY 23.02.2025

 

‘Tough’ CBSE physics paper has students on tenterhooks

‘Tough’ CBSE physics paper has students on tenterhooks 

Even 1-Mark MCQs Too Complex, Say Students, Feel Out Of Depth & Time

Ramendra.Singh@timesofindia.com 23.02.2025 

Bhopal : This was the board exam or JEE-Mains? That was the feeling among the majority of students after the CBSE class 12 physics paper on Friday. And on Saturday, social media was buzzing with complaints of how tough and lengthy it was. Students complained that the paper was far too heavy on numericals and broke from the pattern of a balanced distribution of topics and complexity.

 “It is not a competitive exam, but a qualifying exam. All three sets were lengthy, complex and needed strong problem-solving skills. How many children in India can solve such a paper without private coaching? How many CBSE students in villages can afford coaching?” asked a school teacher, requesting not to be named. 

Several teachers told TOI that even the section containing one-mark questions included very complex theoretical concepts that required a deeper understanding and far more investment of time than the weightage merited. Students faced ‘unforeseen components’ and numerical problems that demanded extensive calculations, requiring careful time management. Many struggled to finish the paper in time. Most of those who could, didn’t get time to revise. 

“The examination pattern deviated slightly from previous years, catching students off guard,” said a teacher. Derivations got far less weitage that previous years. “The numerical questions, especially those carrying two marks, proved exceptionally difficult. Several MCQs were extremely complicated,” said a student, Samarth Kumar. Some students said that one of the MCQs was drawn from topics excluded from the syllabus. Education experts suggested that the paper's structure could have been more balanced. They emphasised that while challenging questions are necessary to differentiate between students’ 

capabilities, the overall difficulty level should have been more moderate. Some teachers felt that the paper reflected the need of the times and would help acquaint students with the toughness of competitive examinations.

Doc leaves mop in woman’s stomach during C-section

Doc leaves mop in woman’s stomach during C-section 

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE? 23.02.2025

BANGALORE 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK In an alleged case of medical negligence, a doctor at a Puttur hospital in Dakshin Kannada left a surgical mop inside a woman’s stomach during a C-section, putting her life in danger and requiring an emergency surgery at another hospital two months later, after a CT scan exposed the doctor’s carelessness. She is still not able to breastfeed her newborn. 

“We have posted the issue on National Consumer Grievance portal and department of consumer affairs. We have spent lakhs on her treatment,” the woman’s husband said. Dakshina Kannada district health and family welfare officer Dr Thimmaiah HR said a thorough probe will be conducted. The husband posted on X that his wife underwent a Csection on Nov 27 at a private hospital, but a week after she was discharged on Dec 2, she developed high fever and had to be readmitted. Concerned about an unusual sensation on one side of her stomach, the couple insisted on an ultrasound scan, which revealed a 10cm mass. However, the radiologist allegedly refused to disclose its details or communicate with the doctor in their presence. 

The doctor, in turn, dismissed their concerns, claiming it was hematoma rather than a foreign object. As the discomfort persisted, the couple requested a CT scan, but the doctor reportedly disregarded it, insisting the condition would resolve over time. Although the woman’s fever subsided, follow-up ultrasounds showed no reduction in the mass. Meanwhile, she began experiencing severe joint, wrist and leg pain, making it difficult for her to walk, stand or even lift her baby to feed. 

A CT scan later confirmed the presence of a surgical mop inside her stomach. By then, the infection had spread to her lungs, blood, putting her life at grave risk, her husband alleged. When they confronted the doctor who had performed the C-section, he allegedly refused to take responsibility.  Ultimately, an emergency surgery was performed at another private hospital on Jan 25 to remove the mop. She was discharged on Feb 15.

Biometrics block Aadhaar update, man moves HC

Biometrics block Aadhaar update, man moves HC

BIOMETRIC DATA TAKEN 12 YEARS AGO DO NOT MATCH, HIGH COURT SEEKS REPLY FROM UIDAI OFFICIALS

23.01.2025

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad : The Gujarat high court has sought a response from the ministry of electronics and information technology’s Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) over a petition from an individual facing difficulties in updating his Aadhaar card. The issue stems from his current biometrics not matching those recorded during his childhood. Mohammed Mansuri, 22, participated in a 2011 Aadhaar registration camp held in his locality at Raikhad in Ahmedabad when he was eight years old.

Along with other residents, he queued up for biometric recording and subsequently received his Aadhaar card. When attempting to update his Aadhaar in Sep 2023, particularly to replace his childhood photograph and for correction in his birthdate, he submitted an application to UIDAI but encountered no success. Officials informed him about the biometric mismatch with their recorded data. He made another attempt unsuccessfully in April 2024, Mansuri mentioned in his petition.

Through his lawyer Aziz Alvi, Mansuri presented two possibilities to the HC: either incorrect biometrics were recorded in his Aadhaar in 2011, or his biometrics have altered over time. Seeking the HC’s directive to UIDAI for updating his Aadhaar, Mansuri stated in his petition, “The petitioner is in need to update his Aadhaar card but due to the nonmatching of the biometrics, the respondent authority has not updated the Aadhaar card because they are dependent upon the matching of the biometrics.” Justice Aniruddha Mayee, after an initial hearing, has issued a notice asking for UIDAI’s response by Feb 28

Board exams: Secure answer sheets with white thread only or face action

Board exams: Secure answer sheets with white thread only or face action

TESTING TIMES 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 23.02.2025

Ahmedabad : A new rule has been implemented for the upcoming board exams: students are now required to use only the white thread provided by the Board to secure additional answer sheets. The use of any alternative thread types is strictly forbidden, and any violation of this regulation will be treated as a case of cheating, subject to severe penalties. 

The final exams for Class 10 and Class 12 students will begin on Feb 27. The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has released detailed instructions to ensure a fair exam process for all students. To assist students in adhering to the correct answering format, the board has provided specific guidelines within the question papers. Essential instructions will be printed on the second page of each answer sheet, and failure to comply with these directives may result in disciplinary action. Students must verify that the seat number printed on the first page of their answer sheet matches the seat number on the barcode sticker. Any discrepancies should be immediately reported to the invigilator. The barcode sticker must be affixed correctly, without any folds or damage, and students should refrain from making any unnecessary markings on it. 

Students are required to write their seat number both in figures and words at the top of the answer sheet and complete the roll number section on page two. A signature is mandatory after the barcode sticker has been attached. Answers must be written exclusively in blue or black ink. The use of other colours for underlining is not permitted. Students are prohibited from removing pages from their answer sheets or making corrections through overwriting. 

Any alterations in the answer sequence must be properly indexed. Lastly, students are instructed not to leave any blank pages in their answer sheets; any unused pages should be marked with a cross.