chit chat

“I thought I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t go to work”
Janhvi Kapoor, daughter of late superstar, Sridevi, and Boney Kapoor, talks about coping with grief and expectations

Rahul Gangwani  23.09.2018  TOI

Q. Pressure and expectations – currently these must be the most tossed around words around you. Right?

Yes, questions around these are asked. Like how do you feel with all these expectations being a star kid? ‘Pressure’ and ‘expectations’ float in my dreams as well. (Smiles) Main toh bindaas kaam kar rahi thi… abhi pata chala there’s no scope for silver. You’ve got to be gold in the first go. But I got this opportunity. That’s big deal for me. If this is a by-product of that chance, I’ll take it. I’ll work harder if I must the next time…if there’s a next time.

Q. Reportedly, your parents were taken aback when you told them you wanted to join the movies...

They thought I’d lead the lazy life. They were protective about me. Their attitude was that they’ve worked hard so I should have it easy. But I wanted a fulfilling experience from my life. I wanted to prove myself. My parents have made me so proud and happy. Now, I wanted to make them proud.

Q. You seem quite sorted for your age.

That’s another thing I’m particular about. I don’t want to take myself too seriously. There are people doing many more important things in life. I’m getting to do what I love – I’m lucky. I can’t act important. Kya ukhaad rahi hoon main yahan baith ke (what great work am I doing)?

Q. Please go on...

I like someone bringing me back to earth. During a film’s promotions, everyone makes you feel like you’re the most important person. They want to know what you’re eating, when you’re sleeping, what you’re thinking. But it’s all khokla (meaningless). It doesn’t mean anything. Your work is what matters. This just comes with the hype of the film. If it does well, maybe it’ll last longer. If not, then you need to go out and prove yourself again.

Q. Were you nervous when your mom attended the first day of your shoot?

I wasn’t nervous at all in front of Shashank (Khaitan) or the crew. But when Mom was on set, I was nervous. I was doing this to make her proud and didn’t want to give her any reason to say that you should’ve done it this way. She gave the first clap. She saw the take and was happy with it. She said a lot of wonderful things after seeing the rushes. The only advice she gave me was not to wear any make-up in the second half. She also asked me to put my chin down because sometimes it looks like I have a double chin.

Q. People on the set mention they saw two Janhvis during the shoot – before and after the unfortunate demise of your mother…

I guess I could understand the emotions in my character better. I had been through something emotional. It just gave me a new perspective. There’s a sense of responsibility now. I have my father, my sisters (Khushi and Anshula) and my brother (Arjun Kapoor) but there’s a sense of having to fend for myself. Because the way mom was, we never had to think for ourselves. She would think for us. I always knew someone was thinking of me. She did it more than a normal mother would. She was so hands-on.

Q. Are you emotionally settled now?

No. I haven’t got around the acceptance stage yet. It’s just that there hasn’t been time or I haven’t allowed myself the time to come to terms with everything. There’s a stage of denial that we’re all going through. I wanted to shoot the next day (after the cremation). But the shoot got cancelled. I was like, “No, I must go back, I need to be on the set.” I thought I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t do that.

Q. What are the things that you miss about her the most?

I’ve so many random memories of her. Every morning, we had this tradition. Dad, mom and I’d sit in the living room and discuss random things. Khushi would always be sleeping. Papa would bully mom and she would pull his leg... She’d force Papa to have around 10 juices.

I remember in our Chennai house, she’d play old AR Rahman songs. She’d place flowers all around the house. She’d go to Papa’s study and sit on his lap. She’d feed him. She’d make sure he ate well – things like prawn biryani and then she’d crib about his weight. She’d always be there to see off Khushi and me. She’d go to the fish market and buy fresh fish for us. I miss… these small things.

Q. Are things different at home now?

There’s a new family dynamic at home. We were always close to one another. But now we’re closer. Dad has been the mother in these last few months. He’s been so hands-on. It’s not just him, there’s a new family dynamic with Arjun bhaiya (Kapoor) and Anshula didi. They’ve been an immense source of strength and support. As a family unit, we’ve become much stronger. Even though we’re in a confused space, we’re protective of one another.



“ Dad has been the mother in these last few months. He’s been so hands-on. It’s not just him, there’s a new family dynamic with Arjun bhaiya (Kapoor) and Anshula didi

Main toh bindaas kaam kar rahi thi… abhi pata chala

There’s no scope for silver. You’ve got to be gold in the first go

Regular bedtime may boost your heart, metabolic health

TIMES OF INDIA 23.09.2018
Ever thought why a good night’ s sleep is incredibly important for your health? A new study has found that regular bedtime and wake time may help you revive yourself and boost your heart and metabolic health.

The study found that people with irregular sleep patterns weighed more, had higher blood sugar, higher blood pressure and a higher projected risk of having a heart attack or stroke within 10 years than those who slept and woke at the same times every day.

People with irregularity in sleeping pattern were also more likely to report depression and stress than regular sleepers, suggests the study, published in the journal Scientific Report.

“From our study, we can’t conclude that sleep irregularity results in health risks, or whether health conditions affect sleep. Perhaps all of these things are impacting each other,” said lead author Jessica Lunsford-Avery, assistant professor at the Duke Health in Durham.

For the study, the research team involved 1,978 older adults aged between 54 and 93. They used devices that tracked sleep schedules to learn whether even subtle changes — going to bed at 10:10 pm instead of the usual 10pm — were linked to the health of participants.

The study also tracked the duration of participants’ sleep and preferred timing — whether someone turned in early or was a night owl.

According to these measures, people with hypertension tended to sleep more hours, and people with obesity tended to stay up till late.

The team also found that people with irregular sleeping habit experienced more sleepiness during the day and were less active — perhaps because they were tired.

The researchers are planning to conduct more studies over longer periods in hopes of determining how biology causes changes in sleep regularity and vice-versa.

IANS

Diabetics can have fruits, tablets during NET: UGC notification
But Will Not Be Allowed To Carry Packed Food

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.09.2018

Diabetics taking up the National Eligibility Test (NET) can have fruits, water and sugar tablets in the exam hall, a recent University Grants Commission (UGC) notification has stated.

The UGC notification on NET 2018 states that diabetic students will be allowed to carry sugar tablets, fruits like banana, apple and orange, and transparent water bottles to the exam hall. “However, they will not be allowed to carry packed food like chocolate, sandwich and candy,” read the notification.

The NET exam is mandatory for aspiring assistant professors and junior research scholars. The test is slated go online this time and will be held in December. For the first time, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting NET on behalf of the UGC this year.

Candidates applying for the exam were surprised to see one of the entries that read, “Are you diabetic?” Taken aback, some of the students even wondered if they should get themselves tested for diabetes before filling up the application.

Prior to this, since 2016, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been allowing diabetic JEE applicants to carry fruits, water and sugar tablets to the exam hall to make sure candidates on insulin needn’t worry about a sudden drop in their sugar levels while writing the exam.

Given that there are chances of diabetic candidates suffering from a sudden drop in sugar levels, thus hampering their concentration and performance in exams, this notification by UGC will help such candidates overcome their limitations.

Welcoming the move, Dr Satish Kumar, endocrinologist, founder of Ameya Healthcare, who has long been advocating to make educational institutions diabeticfriendly, said UGC had taken a very important step.

“Many patients battling diabetes do not want to disclose their illness. Sometimes they suffer from low sugar levels when they are away from home, and this can turn out to be problematic. This step by the UGC is very positive. It might even encourage many diabetic candidates to appear for tough competitive exams. It should ideally be replicated by all examination boards,” he added.

Applications for NET 2018 can be filed only online; September 30 is the last date. The test is scheduled to be conducted between December 9 and 23, officials said.

The examination will be conducted in two shifts, from 9.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm. The exact date and shifts will be available by October 21on the NTA website.

Candidates applying for the exam were surprised to see one of the entries that read, “Are you diabetic?”

IIT Madras suicide: Student did not seek professional counselling

‘Combination Of Several Factors Led To His Death’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.09.2018

The one thing Shahal Kormath should have done about his angst has to have walked into the counsellor clinic on the IIT-M campus.

The 23-year-old, who ended his life in his hostel room on Saturday, had been doing a dual degree in naval architecture and had passed seven semesters without much trouble. But when his performance dropped in the eighth semester, he requested professors not to inform his parents. In the next semester, he did not improve and fell short of attendance. “Most students who join IIT clear very tough entrances. Most of the time there is a strong reason for performances to drop. His friends and he did not realise they wouldn’t be able to handle problems without professional help,” said director Baskar Ramamurthi.

When a system-generated mail about his poor attendance was sent to his parents with a copy marked to him earlier this week, he panicked. “We did not suspect anything because he has been speaking to his friends and brother,” Ramamurthi said.

Students said they were told not to speak to the media. “It is not one isolated incident that led to his death. It is a combination of many things including academic pressure, personal and family issues. Such deaths are extremely difficult to handle for his hostel mates and friends,” said a second year student, speakingon condition of anonymity.

Psychiatrists warn that suicides on campuses often happen in clusters.

“We call it copycat syndrome. One suicide can trigger many others...,” said Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, who was part of the task force appointed to investigate suicides in IITs and centrally-funded educational institutions. At least four students ended their lives at IIT-M in 2015-16. “Administrators should ensure it doesn’t happen again,” she said.

The first step to prevention, she said, was being open about the facts. When an incident is truthfully described there is less room for rumours.

And this should be followed with meetings where students are asked what they would do in similar situations. “This will give them the confidence to deal with problems or at least seek professional help.”

An IIT-M professor said they would hold a condolence meet where his friends and others would speak on how they would deal with the issue.

“We will also speak to his close friends individually. But overall, we will be telling students that they should not be scared or shy to ask for help,” he said.



Jamuna hostel where 23-year-old Shahal Kormath ended his life on Saturday

Plagiarising TN varsity students to lose degrees, profs guideship

Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com
Chennai:23.09.2018

A student of the University of Madras or any of its affiliated colleges found guilty of plagiarism after completion of degree may, from the coming academic year, lose it for a certain period or have the registration cancelled if found resorting to the practice during a programme. Professors found guilty of the offence would lose their guideship for a period of three years and have two annual increments lopped off. Repeat offenders could face suspension or termination.

These are some of the guidelines adopted by the university syndicate at a meeting earlier this week, more than a month after the University Grants Commission (UGC) gazetted its academic integrity regulations in August.

Vice-chancellor P Duraisamy told TOI that the syndicate resolution would also be placed before the academic council later this month and before the senate next month for ratification.

The UGC had recommended graded penalties for similarities up to 10%, 10%-40%, 40%-60% and above 60%.

TRUE SPIRIT: Madras University syndicate adopts guideline

Univ guidelines mandate a panel to probe plagiarism

University of Madras, however, has decided that for all science disciplines, 20% similarity would be acceptable. For humanities and mathematics, up to 30% similarity would be acceptable.

The rest of the graded penalty levels would be applicable as per the guidelines as mandate by the UGC. For instance, a student found to have plagiarised a report or thesis up to 40% will be allowed to submit a revised script within six months. If it is between 40% and 60%, he/ she would be debarred from submitting a revised script for a year.

For professors, it’s more stringent. A plagiarism level of 40%-60% would mean losing an annual increment and guideship for two years. A manuscript that is found to have been copied by up to 40% would be withdrawn. The plagiarism percentage is checked by the Urkund software that has been in place at the university for more than a year now.

The guidelines mandate that the university form a departmental Academic Integrity Panel (DAIP) which will consist of heads of department, a senior academician and a subject expert. This would investigate allegations of plagiarism against a student, researcher, faculty or staff. The DAIP would have powers to assess the level of plagiarism and recommend penalties, within a period of 45 days from receipt of complaint.

The university will also form a Institutional Academic Integrity Panel (IAIP) headed by a dean or the vice-chancellor which shall consider the recommendations of DAIP, acting as an appellate authority.

Professors say this guideline would give the university teeth in acting against academically corrupt professors and students. In the case of Professor T Santhanam, a former principal of DG Vaishnav College who was found guilty of plagiarism last year, the university had to send his thesis to an external subject expert for verification. Now, it can be checked within the university.

For professors, it’s more stringent. A plagiarism level of 40%-60% would mean losing an annual increment and guideship for two years

IIT-M student ends life, but hasn’t left any suicide note

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.09.2018

A 23-year-old student of IIT-Madras was found dead in his hostel room on Saturday morning. Police said he had hanged himself, but did not leave a suicide note. Shahal Kormath, who hailed from Manjeri in Kerala’s Malappuram district, was a final year student of the B Tech-M Tech (Dual Degree) naval architecture programme. A friend raised the alarm around 8am when Shahal did not answer the door. He alerted hostel warden Raguram Reddy who informed police.

Kotturpuram police broke open room 121 to find Shahal hanging from a noose tied to the ceiling fan. Police have sent the body to Government Royapettah Hospital for an autopsy.

Sources, requesting anonymity, told TOI that Shahal had been facing problems due to attendance shortage. IIT director Baskar Ramamurthi said “Kormath was not a topper but he did not have backlogs for the first seven semesters.”

‘Student’s performance dropped last semester’

The institute’s director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said, “His performance dropped in the last semester.We advised him to go for counselling but he decided to take help from his friends. That did not work.”

The IIT administration had informed his parents that he was short of attendance this semester. Subsequently, his brother in Bengaluru called and chided him. On Friday alone, Shahal apparently received several calls from his brother Fazil Kormath. Fazil told the Kotturpuram police that his brother had refused to answer when he called later to apologise for yelling at him.

“Most students who join IIT clear very tough entrances. Most of the time there is a strong reason for performances to drop. He and his friends did not realise that they will not be able to handle their problems without professional help,” added Ramamurthi.

› RELATED REPORT, P 4

சர்ச்சை பேச்சு: கருணாஸ் கைது

Updated : செப் 23, 2018 07:28 | Added : செப் 23, 2018 05:57 




  சென்னை : தமிழக முதல்வரையும், போலீசாரையும் தரக்குறைவாக பேசியது மற்றும் கலவரத்தை தூண்டும் வகையில் பேசியது தொடர்பாக வழக்கு பதிவு செய்திருந்த போலீசார் நடிகர் கருணாசை இன்று (23 ம் தேதி) காலையில் கைது செய்தனர்.

சென்னை வள்ளுவர் கோட்டத்தில் கடந்த 16ம் தேதி நடைபெற்ற கூட்டத்தில் நடிகரும், எம்.எல்.ஏ.வுமான கருணாஸ் பேசுகையில்; முதல்வர் பழனிசாமி, தன்னை பார்த்து பயப்படுகிறார். இந்த அரசு அமைய தான் முக்கிய பங்கு வகித்தேன் என கருணாஸ் கூறியிருந்தார். அதோடு மட்டுமல்லாது, காவல்துறை அதிகாரியிடமும், யூனிபார்மை கழற்றிவிட்டு வந்து மோத தயாரா என்ற சவாலும் விடுத்திருந்தார்.

இதுதொடர்பாக, கலவரத்தை தூண்டுதல் மற்றும் கொலை மிரட்டல், கொலை முயற்சி உள்ளிட்ட 8 பிரிவுகளின் கீழ் போலீசார் வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்திருந்தனர். இதனிடையே, சாலிகிராமம் வீட்டில் இருந்த கருணாசை இன்று காலையில் போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர்.

சட்டப்படி சந்திப்னே் : கருணாஸ்

முன்னதாக அவரது வீட்டின் முன்பு நூற்றுக்கணக்கான போலீசார் குவிக்கப்பட்டனர். போலீசார் வேனில் ஏற்றும் முன்பு நிருபர்களிடம் பேசிய கருணாஸ் :

என்னை கைது செய்ய சபாநாயகர் அனுமதி பெற்றார்களா என்று எனக்கு தெரியவில்லை. நாங்கள் சிறை செல்லவே பிறந்தவர்கள். சீவலப்பேரி பாண்டி வழி வந்தவர்கள். பேச்சுரிமைக்கு பங்கம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. சட்டப்படி சந்திப்பேன். என்றார்.