Power shutdown from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today 

Special Correspondent 
 
MADURAI, May 09, 2018 00:00 IST

There will be power shutdown in the following areas between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday as TANGEDCO plans to undertake maintenance work at its Subramaniapuram, Makalipatti, Anuppanadi and Teppakulam sub-stations:

South Veli Street, South Masi Street, South Marret Street, Sappanikoil Street, Kazimar Street, Kaja Street, South Krishnankoil Street, Pandia Velalar Street, West Gate, Perumal Temple Street, Tirupparankundram Road, West Vadampokki Street, Katrapalayam, West Veli Street, Immayil Nanmaitharuvar Temple Street, West Perumal Maistry Street, South Avanimoola Street, Rathinapuram, Sundararajapuram, MK Puram, Periyar Bus Stand, Shopping Complex, RMS Road, Keeraithurai, Makalipatti Road, Nallamuthu Pillai Road, Chinthamani Road, South Veli Street, Pillaiyarpalayam, Chinnakkadai Street, Manjanakkara Street, Pandadi, Mahal, Maravar Chavadi, Kamarajapuram, Vazhai Thoppu, East Veli Street, Amman Sannidhi, East Marrest Street and Sungam Pallivaasal Street.

Rajiv Nagar, Pagalavan Nagar, Tamizhan Street, Teachers’ Colony, Aravind Eye Hospital, Aavin Milk Project, Iravathanallur, Babu Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Raja Nagar, Velan Street, Krupananda Variar Nagar, Kallambal, Chinthamani, Ayyanarpuram, Panaiyur, Samanatham, Periyar Nagar, Thai Nagar, Ganga Nagar, TNHB Apartments, Kannan Colony, Azhagapuri and Rajaman Nagar.

Teppakulam, Adaikkalam Pillai Colony, New Ramanathapuram Road, Pankajam Colony, Anuppanadi-Teppakulam Road, Anuppanadi, Kamarajar Salai, Thangam Nagar, Vadivel Nagar, Azhagar Nagar, Kuruvikkaran Salai, Meenakshi Nagar, New Meenakshi Nagar, CMR Road, Kondithozhu, Srinivasa Perumal Temple Street, Chinnakanmoi, Balarengapuram, Shanmuga Nagar, Navarathinapuram, Indira Nagar, Old Kuyavarpalayam Road, Lakshmipuram, Khanpalayam, Pachaharisikkara Street, Myna Teppam, Krishnapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Street, NMR Puram, AA Road, BB Road, DD Road, Meenakshi Avenue and Tirumagal Nagar.

Heavy rain in Madurai 

Staff Reporter 
 
MADURAI, May 09, 2018 00:00 IST

The city witnessed considerable rain on Tuesday evening, bringing respite for the public reeling under scorching summer for the past few weeks.

The rain was spread across most parts of the city with thunders for around two hours, resulting in brief power cuts in a few areas.

Waterlogging was reported in several low-lying areas, making it difficult for motorists and pedestrians.

The sky remained overcast over the past few days, raising the hopes of the residents for a rain.

Dos, dont’s for schools planning tours 
 
Special Correspondent 
 
Chennai, May 09, 2018 00:00 IST

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Directorate of Matriculation Schools (DMS) said the correspondent and principal of the school will be held responsible for the death of any student during an educational tour.

The DMS has released a long list of instructions following the drowning of three students of ECI Matriculation School during a trip to Pune.

Schools planning trips should discuss it with the Parents-Teachers Association and get its unanimous consent, the Director of Matriculation Schools said.

In a five-page release, the DMS has spelled out a list of dos and dont’s for schools, including taking two months’ time to plan trips. Once the trip is finalised, details of the number of days, place, mode of travel must be shared in writing with the parents and students, the direcorate said.

Students should be made aware about conducting themselves during the trip. They should should keep the school principal informed of the places visited. The students should also be given orientation on how to take care of themselves in the event of an untoward incident.

The DMS advised the schools that trips should not exceed four days and that buses used for the purpose must have the relevant documents and necessary fitness certificates.

It has prescribed a teacher-student ratio and made it clear that if there were girls in the group, a female teacher should accompany them. The students should also undertake medical check-ups and must have a doctor’s certificate to attest their health status, the DMS has said.

Pre-University colleges cannot offer integrated courses

Department warns of disaffiliation as no college has permission to run such courses, asks parents to file complaints.

Published: 09th May 2018 05:40 AM  


By Rashmi Belur

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Department of Pre-University Education (PUE) has come out with strict instructions to colleges which are offering integrated courses along with regular Pre-University courses. As per the admission guidelines released by the department for the academic year 2018-19, the PU colleges offering integrated courses will get disaffiliated as they have no permission from the department to run such courses on the college premises.

The guideline clearly says, "Any Pre-University college associated with agencies or coaching centres and allowing them to conduct classes on the premises and coaching students for NEET, CET, JEE or any other competitive examinations is strictly not allowed, and such colleges will face disaffiliation."

Meanwhile, as there is no clarity in the rules about integrated courses, the department has decided bring out clear and comprehensive policy regarding this soon. Speaking to TNIE, C Shikha, director PUE department, said, "We have already acted against one such college which was offering integrated course in city and cancelled the recognition. However, we are bringing out a more comprehensive policy soon to control such colleges."

She clearly stated that the department gives permission to run only PU course and not to run integrated course. So, no college in the state is allowed to run integrated course on the premises.

However, the department is receiving lots of complaints against colleges across the state about offering integrated courses and collecting a higher fee for that coaching. There are colleges which have associated with external agencies which are basically coaching centres and tied up with them for coaching for CET, NEET, JEE and other competitive exams.

"We advise parents to submit their complaints along with documents like receipts provided by colleges so that we can act against the colleges," said a senior official of the department.

Though the fee for PU courses is less, unaided PU colleges are charging up to `3 lakh in the name of integrated coaching. Students are also forced to stay back after class hours for the coaching. Students are asked to reach the college at 6 am and stay back till 8pm.

There are some coaching centres, which have tied up with PU colleges for the purpose of admissions and students who get admission in that particular college need not attend classes at the college, but will attend classes only at coaching institute. However, colleges grant attendance to students, an official pointed out.

Boy writes examination with injured spinal cord, hip bone, scores 89 per cent

All the pain that the 16-year-old accident victim underwent to write his Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination by lying down on the floor has finally paid dividends.

Published: 08th May 2018 05:58 AM 


Ruman Shariff, after the accident, had written the SSLC exams by lying down on the floor, with the help of a scribe

By Rashmi Belur

Express News Service

BENGALURU: All the pain that the 16-year-old accident victim underwent to write his Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination by lying down on the floor has finally paid dividends. Ruman Shariff, a student of MES Kishore Kendra in Malleswaram, who was knocked down by an auto and was severely injured in the spinal cord and hip bone, has secured 89 per cent.

Ruman is yet to recover from the injuries. Elated after his results, he said his marks is helping him recover quickly. Speaking with The New Indian Express, Ruman said, “I did not expect to score this much. I don’t know how to express my happiness. I thank my parents, teachers, department officials and my scribe who helped me write the exams.”

“It was my first board exams and it was my dream to make it a big success. But, unfortunately, I met with an accident and thought I had to wait for a year to write the exams. But, somehow, I managed to overcome the pain and now, looking at my scores, I don’t feel any pain at all,” he said. According to his mother, Ruman never wanted to become a doctor. But, after undergoing this ordeal, he has now decided to become one.

“He never wanted to become a doctor. But, after the accident, he understood the need of the doctors in the society. Now, he has decided to take up science and become a doctor,” said his mother. Ruman was very particular about handwriting and this is why he was not willing to take scribe’s help during exams. But, when he realised that he cannot manage on his own, he agreed.

What happened?

Ruman Shariff met with an accident on February 27 when he was returning home after writing his preparatory exams. He was knocked down by an autorickshaw when he was waiting near the median to cross the road. He was immediately shifted to KC General hospital where doctors said his hip bone is cracked and that he has suffered some injuries in the spinal cord. Ruman is, thus, unable to sit or walk.

After the incident, his parents approached the authorities of Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB), requesting special permission to allow him to write the exams on the floor. Considering it as a special case on humanitarian grounds, the Board allowed him to write the exams by lying down and also provided him with a separate classroom. He wrote his board exams lying down on the floor, with the help of a scribe. The board also provided 15 extra minutes.

CBI probe into DSP’s suicide withdrawn

The several twists and turns in the suicide case of former Namakkal Deputy Superintendent of Police R Vishnupriya, who investigated into the alleged honour killing of Dalit Youth.

Published: 08th May 2018 04:27 AM

 By Prabhakar T

Express News Service

COIMBATORE: The several twists and turns in the suicide case of former Namakkal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) R Vishnupriya, who investigated into the alleged honour killing of Dalit Youth Gokulraj in Namakkal, has almost come to an end. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), that has been investigating into the case for nearly two years, has filed a report with the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Coimbatore that it is withdrawing the case as no further development has been found.

According to judicial sources, a couple of months back, CBI officials have submitted a report to the Chief Judicial Magistrate KR Madhurasekaran that there is no suspicion found in the suicide of the DSP Vishnupriya and hence the case can be withdrawn. On receiving it, Chief Judicial Magistrate has summoned Vishnupriya’s father M Ravi on April 24 to appear before the Court on Wednesday to file his statement, if he has any objection with it.

In the report, CBI has told the Court that they have inquired with the senior police officials including the then Namakkal Superintendent of Police SR Senthilkumar and other senior police officials, sources privy to the report told Express. The CBI has also inquired with two friends of Vishnupriya, with whom the DSP spoke over the telephone on the day of committing suicide.

In 2015, DSP Vishnupriya was investigating the murder case of Gokulraj, who was reportedly murdered by a caste outfit leader Yuvaraj and his accomplices for speaking to a Caste Hindu girl. Before the arrest of the prime accused Yuvaraj, on September 18, 2015, Vishnupriya was found dead by hanging at her official quarters in Namakkal district. In the aftermath of her suicide, DSP’s father M Ravi and her friend K Mageshwari had alleged that she committed suicide because of the pressure from top officials.

Midnight cravings? Chennai serves up varieties to delve into at night

Kulfis to buttermilk, shops open till late night offer a variety. Pocket-friendly rates and quality ensure a loyal patronage.

Published: 09th May 2018 04:40 AM 

Mor thatha sells buttermilk in Thiruvanmiyur till 11.30 pm

By Vaishali Vijaykumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Every night, as the city settles down for slumber, lanterns continue to burn in a few pushcarts and kiosks across the city and go on well into the night. Thronged by people from IT sector in their night shifts, lorry and bus drivers who have long journeys, passengers and night-show movie goers, these places form an important part of the city’s nightlife. “It’s very helpful to have a few shops open at midnight. Since most of the restaurants close by 11 pm, only tea and bun serves our appetite. Now there are a lot of varieties available too,” shares Kishore, an IT employee. Let’s hop through a few city favourites.

Mouthful of kulfi

 

A small pushcart selling only kulfis can be spotted at Marina beach behind the Avvaiyar statue. Nagaraj anna is busy on his phone guiding people to his place, while his hands busy serve kulfis. “I hardly have time to breathe during the weekends. Customers wait even if the stock finishes, till its refilled,” he says. He has been traditionally making these kulfis in the ice house area and sells about 500 kulfis a day. The kulfis are served in palm leaves and there is a bin to dispose the waste to prevent littering. He has been following his father’s business for 30 years now.

One of the customers who has been visiting his place for 15 years tell us, “The kulfi is made out of perfectly boiled fresh milk, creamy, filled with rich nuts and chocolate. The consistency and quality is what attracts the crowd and people never stop with just one,” he says. Time: 8 pm to 1 am. Price: From `30

‘Mor’ please

As you walk down the Thiruvanmiyur-Kottivakam beach road, you will find two cycles selling buttermilk near the bus stand. With the number of cars parked and bursts of laughter among groups of people, we can easily say that its mor thatha’s spot. Ramajeyam, fondly known as mor thatha, started out with a tea business in T Nagar.

He has been doing this business for 14 years and recently switched over to buttermilk a few years ago. “My wife makes the buttermilk thick and churned to perfection. It is not watery like other places serve. I add a few slices of raw mango and boondi which adds to the tangy flavour,” shares Ramajeyam with an ever-present wide smile on his face. His son assists him to manage the crowd. “We also sell masala milk. Despite wrapping up by 11 30, there are regulars who drop by our home to buy buttermilk,” his son says. Two to three cans of buttermilk get sold per night.
Time: 10 pm to 11.30 pm Price: `30.

Bun, butter, jam

There is one place near the Gemini flyover where people have to fight for parking even at 4 am in the morning. On a TVS 50 scooter, fresh jam buns are stacked inside a box along with hot and fluffy puffs. While the masala chai and butter milk are the more sought after choices, the accompaniments also get sold out within minutes. Grape and lemon drinks are also available. Cheta, who owns the place, is from Kerala. He started this business seven years ago. “Our thick masala buttermilk is famous. We’re open from 10 pm and youngsters seem to be very fond of this place. Every night you can find group of friends having a nice time,” he says while delivering glasses of boost and horlicks to kids inside a car.
Time: 10 pm to 4 am. Price: From `30

For the love of chai

Anbu anna hardly gets time to sleep because he closes his stall at 11 30 pm and opens again at 3 am. Located near the Ambattur Estate bus stand, the tea shop is brimming with people at all times. The customers are mostly passerby lorry drivers, bus drivers and conductors who take a break, IT employees during night shift and the passengers waiting for their buses. “Tea helps people stay awake during long hours in the night. The crowd usually picks up in the evening after 6.30 pm,” says Anbu who has been doing this business for ten years in the same place. They also serve piping hot bajjis, bondas and  vadais. Time: 3 am till 11.30 pm Price: From `10.

What’s so special

● Patrons are loyal and don’t mind travelling long distances to their favourite midnight snack
● The places are pocket-friendly with fresh stocks everyday
● They offer minimal variety but in good quantity
● These are family businesses passed on over generations
● The peak hours during weekdays and weekend differs