தலையங்கம்

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‘ஆணுக்குப்பெண் இளைப்பில்லை காண் இங்கு’ என்றவகையில் இன்றைய காலக்கட்டத்தில் ஆண்களுக்கு சரிசமமாக பெண்கள் எல்லா துறைகளிலும் அழியாத முத்திரை பதித்துவருகிறார்கள்.

அக்டோபர் 03 2018, 04:00

‘ஆணுக்குப்பெண் இளைப்பில்லை காண் இங்கு’ என்றவகையில் இன்றைய காலக்கட்டத்தில் ஆண்களுக்கு சரிசமமாக பெண்கள் எல்லா துறைகளிலும் அழியாத முத்திரை பதித்துவருகிறார்கள். ஆனால் இடையிலேயே சில ஆண்டுகளாக தடுக்கப்பட்டிருந்த பெண் சிசு கொலை மீண்டும் தலையெடுப்பதைக்கண்டு தமிழக மக்கள் வேதனைப்படுகிறார்கள்.

சில நாட்களுக்கு முன்பு உசிலம்பட்டி அருகே உத்தப்புரத்தில் ராமுத்தாய் என்ற 5 மாத கர்ப்பிணி கருக்கலைப்பு செய்ய தனியார் மருத்துவமனையில் செவிலியராக பணிபுரியும் ஜோதிலட்சுமி என்ற பெண்ணை நாடி இருக்கிறார். ஏற்கனவே 3 பெண் குழந்தைகள் பெற்றெடுத்த ராமுத்தாய் தன்வயிற்றில் உள்ள குழந்தையும் பெண் குழந்தையாக இருக்குமோ? என்று எண்ணி கருக்கலைப்புக்கு முயன்றபோது, மிகப்பரிதாபமாக உயிரிழந்தார். பெண் குழந்தை என்று நினைத்து கருக்கலைப்புக்கு முற்பட்டு உயிரிழந்த ராமுத்தாய் வயிற்றில் ஆண் குழந்தைதான் இருந்திருக்கிறது. கிராமங்களில் இன்னும் வயிறு பெரிதாக இருந்தால் பெண் குழந்தையாக இருக்கும் என்ற மூடநம்பிக்கை நிலவுவதன் எதிரொலியா, அல்லது ஏதாவது ஸ்கேன் சென்டரில் பரிசோதனை செய்து தவறாக பெண் குழந்தை என்று தெரியப்படுத்திவிட்டார்களா? என்று தெரியவில்லை. இதேபோல ஒரு சம்பவம் 1991–ம்ஆண்டு சேலம் மாவட்டம் தொப்பூர் காமராஜபுரத்தை சேர்ந்த ராஜேஸ்வரி என்ற 19 வயது பெண்ணுக்கும் நடந்துள்ளது. அந்த பெண் 7 மாத கர்ப்பிணியாக இருந்தாள். அவள் வயிற்றில் உள்ள குழந்தை பெண் குழந்தை என்று ஒரு ஸ்கேன் சென்டரில் தெரியவந்ததால், அவரது மாமனார்–மாமியார் இந்த கருவை கலைத்துவிடு என்று வற்புறுத்திய நேரத்தில், அதை மறுத்து அந்தபெண் கிணற்றில் விழுந்து தற்கொலை செய்துகொண்டார். அந்த செய்தி ‘தினத்தந்தி’யில் வெளியானது.

‘தினத்தந்தி’யை காலையிலேயே படித்த மறைந்த முதல்–அமைச்சர் ஜெயலலிதா, அப்போது சமூகநலத்துறை அமைச்சராக இருந்த இந்திரகுமாரியை அழைத்து, ‘வயிற்றில் இருக்கும் கரு, பெண் குழந்தை என்று யாரும் கருக்கலைப்பு செய்யவேண்டாம், அந்த குழந்தையை வளர்க்க முடியாவிட்டால் அல்லது விருப்பப்படாவிட்டால் அரசிடம் ஒப்படைத்துவிடுங்கள், அரசே அந்த குழந்தைகளை தன் செல்ல குழந்தைகளாக வளர்க்கும்’ என்று அறிவித்து, அதன் தொடர்ச்சியாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட திட்டம்தான் ‘‘தொட்டில் குழந்தை’’ திட்டம். கடந்த மார்ச் மாதம் வரை 4,414 பெண் குழந்தைகளும், 1,017 ஆண் குழந்தைகளும் இந்தத்திட்டத்தின் மூலம் சாவின்பிடியில் இருந்து தப்பி உயிர்பெற்று இன்று பல இல்லங்களில் செல்லக்குழந்தைகளாக வாழ்கிறார்கள். இப்போது இந்தத்திட்டத்தில் ஒருதொய்வு விழுந்துவிட்டதோ என்று சந்தேகப்படும்வகையில் இந்தத்திட்டம் குறித்த விழிப்புணர்வு மக்களிடையே மங்கிவருகிறது. சமூகநலத்துறை உடனடியாக அனைத்து ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களிலும் குழந்தைகள் நலமையங்களிலும் தொட்டில் குழந்தை திட்டம் குறித்த விளம்பரபோர்டுகளை வைக்கவேண்டும். கிராம செவிலியர்கள் மூலமாக அந்தந்த கிராமங்களில் எந்த பெண் கர்ப்பம் அடைந்திருக்கிறார் என்று பார்த்து, அரசு பெண் குழந்தைகள் நலனுக்காக செய்யும் உதவிகளை எடுத்துக்கூறி, அப்படியும் வேண்டாம் என்றால் தொட்டில் குழந்தை திட்டத்தில் அந்த குழந்தைகளை விட்டுவிட்டு செல்லும்படி ஒரு விழிப்புணர்வை ஏற்படுத்தவேண்டும். எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் மேலாக உடனடியாக அனைத்து நாளிதழ்களிலும், தொலைக்காட்சிகளிலும் இந்தத்திட்டம் குறித்து விளம்பரப்படுத்தவேண்டும்.

People entitled to question government about expenditure of taxpayers’ money: Madras HC

The court said that once the elected government started functioning, their action, policy decision and expenditure must be beyond its political ideologies and beyond any pale of doubt.

Published: 02nd October 2018 04:43 AM 

Madras High Court (File | EPS)

By Siva Sekaran

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The government must be accountable in respect of the actions and policies taken and the citizens are entitled to question the expenditure of taxpayers’ money and its correctness for the welfare of the people at large as the Constitution itself is constituted by “We the People of India”, the Madras High Court has observed.


Justice S M Subramaniam made the observation on Monday while allowing a plea from the DMK to withdraw its writ petitions challenging the punitive action initiated by Justice R Regupathy Commission of Inquiry, constituted by the AIADMK government to probe the alleged irregularities committed by the previous DMK government, headed by the late M Karunanidhi, in the construction of the State Assembly and Secretariat in Omandoorar government estate in 2011.

The building for the new Secretariat was constructed by spending the taxpayers’ money of about Rs 400 crore. However, the (subsequent) government took the decision not to use the building for the new Secretariat and converted it into a multi-specialty hospital. The taxpayers’ money spent on beautification and for other facilities for construction of the new Secretariat became a national waste, the judge observed. Even for conversion of the new Secretariat building into a specialty hospital, another few crores were spent by the State.

However, in respect of the conversions of buildings, the government decision is upheld by the courts. “Thus, no further actions are required regarding conversions,” the judge pointed out. The DMK had challenged the Justice Regupathy Commission of Inquiry, which was non-functional for about three years. It had also spent about Rs 4.50 crore and the reports were not submitted even at the time when the writ petitions were heard by this court. Ultimately, nearly about Rs 5 crore was spent for the Commission.

However, nothing became useful for the welfare of the State as well as in the interest of the public at large.
In respect of construction of new secretariat building and the allegations of corruption, substandard building materials and related issues have not been even concluded till today, the judge said. “Such a situation is not only painful but certainly a national concern about spending of taxpayers’ money detrimental to the interest of the public at large, the judge added.

Beyond political stand

The court said that once the elected government started functioning, their action, policy decision and expenditure must be beyond its political ideologies and beyond any pale of doubt. Its expenditures must be in accordance with the constitutional principles and the interest of the public, the court said

Most colleges, universities in Tamil Nadu did not observe ‘Surgical Strike Day’
Most colleges in Tamil Nadu did not observe September 29 as ‘Surgical Strike Day’, as directed by University Grants Commission (UGC).

Published: 03rd October 2018 04:58 AM 

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Most colleges in Tamil Nadu, did not observe September 29 as ‘Surgical Strike Day’, as directed by University Grants Commission (UGC).The controversial circular issued by the commission was termed a move to “militarise” university and college campuses.

By a recent circular, the UGC directed varsities and higher educational institutions in the country that students pledge their support to the armed forces and host talk-sessions by ex-servicemen, special parades and sending greetings.

However, most universities, including Anna University, University of Madras and Bharathiar University did not have any special programme on that day. While a few colleges seemed to have deliberately boycotted observing surgical strike day, many simply did not make any effort.

The UGC circular will militarise higher educational institutions, said E Balaguruswamy, a former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University. “UGC should not indirectly coerce students into signing such a blind support,” he said adding that UGC was merely a funding body and should not interfere with such things. He said that colleges did the right thing by not observing surgical strike day.

While Anna University did not overtly oppose observing such a day, they simply decided not to, said MK Surappa, Vice Chancellor of the university. “A widespread criticism from media rose after UGC made the announcement. They later clarified that it was not mandatory. So, we did not observe the day,” he said.

“The surgical strike was a tactical political move by the government. Universities are apolitical spaces and should not celebrate every small military expedition. While the country remains divided on its opinion on the surgical strike, students should not be brainwashed into praising it,” said a faculty from Madras University, who works closely with the varsity’s National Cadet Corps (NCC). However, a few schools and colleges organised parades, but the programmes that followed were restricted to NCC cadets.

Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Medical sciences wants centre to facilitate its closure

This information has been submitted in a counter-affidavit filed in the Madras High Court on Monday.

Published: 03rd October 2018 03:43 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The management of Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Medical Sciences at Manamainallur in Kancheepuram district has moved to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi to facilitate its plea for ‘progressive’ closure.

This information has been submitted in a counter-affidavit filed in the Madras High Court on Monday. Originally, following a submission from advocate H Rajasekar, Justice S S Sundar had issued notices to the authorities concerned in the last week of October on a writ petition from S U Archana of Maduravoyal and 102 others. The petitioners, studying in second-year MBBS course, prayed for a directive to the State government to transfer them to other medical colleges.

In his counter, institute chairman submitted he had initiated steps for the progressive closure of the college and applied to the Union Health Ministry. Of the sanctioned strength of 150 seats, as on date, it has only 110 students in second-year MBBS course. Because of the continuous rejection of renewal, the college was put to heavy financial losses and had requested the State government to take necessary action to re-allocate the existing 110 students to some other medical colleges and also gave an undertaking that it would make all efforts to have alternative arrangements for better utilisation of the existing infrastructure, the chairman said. The matter will be taken up on October 5.

Need to celebrate Tamirabharani maha pushkaram as State function

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUNELVELI, OCTOBER 03, 2018 00:00 IST



Accusing the State Government of attempting to impose “unrealistic restrictions” on the celebrations associated with Hinduism, Bharatiya Janata Party State president Tamilisai Soundararajan has said that the Tamirabharani maha pushkaram that is to be observed between October 11 and 22, should be celebrated as a ‘State function’.

During an informal chat with the reporters after participating in cleaning of places close to the ‘Thai Poosa Mandapam’ on the bank of the Tamirabharani near the Collectorate on Tuesday, Dr. Tamilisai said the district administration, citing safety reasons had banned bathing at Kurukkuthurai and near the ‘Thai poosa mandapam’, which could not be accepted.

After strengthening the weak structures in these two places, the district administration should take steps for ensuring safe bathing of the devotees at Kurukkuthurai and near ‘Thai Poosa Mandapam’.

Moreover, the district administration should take steps for getting financial assistance from the State Government for strengthening all bathing ghats and the mandapams along the Tamirabharani watercourse before the start of the event.

The BJP president also informed that her party was striving hard to ensure the operation of special trains to Tirunelveli in view of the Tamirabharnai maha pushkaram.

Medicos hold cleaning campaign

STAFF REPORTER

THOOTHUKUDI, OCTOBER 03, 2018 00:00 IST


The Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital students staged plays and organised a cleaning activity at the Muthunugar Beach to promote anti-plastic awareness on Tuesday.

Around 60 students and hospital staff participated in the programme held on the hospital premises.

Later, the students held a cleaning campaign at the Muthunagar beach. They also staged a drama and dance to promote the cause. Assistant Collector (training) Anu kicked off a signature campaign.

Medical Superintendent Ramasubramanian, Vice-Principal Lucy Nirmal Madona, Resident Medical Officer Silas Jayamani, Assistant Resident Medical Officers U. Insuvai and Jayapandian were present.

Humsafar Express begins maiden run

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

RAMANATHAPURAM, OCTOBER 03, 2018 00:00 IST


The new Ajmer - Rameswaram - Hamsafar Express at Rameswaram railway station on Tuesday.L. BalachandarL_Balachandar

The Humsafar weekly express train between Rameswaram and Ajmer commenced its maiden run from Rameswarsam railway station on Tuesday night.

After Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan flagged off the express train at Indore five days ago, Train No.19604 Rameswaram – Ajmer Express left Rameswaram at 10.15 p.m. The train will leave on Tuesdays and reach Ajmer at 11.25 p.m. on Thursdays.

In the return direction, Train No.19603 Ajmer – Rameswaram Express will leave Ajmer at 9.40 p.m. on Saturdays and arrive at Rameswaram at 03.15 a.m. on Tuesdays, Railway officials said.