Fisheries University restrained from publishing results

According to the petitioners, the qualification prescribed in the advertisement and the TNJFU regulations are one and the same in respect of the faculty of Fisheries Sciences.

Published: 11th September 2019 06:12 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday restrained the Registrar, TN Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Nagapattinam, from publishing the results with regard to selection of Assistant Professors in faculty of Fisheries Engineering. Justice M Dhandapani granted the stay when a batch of writ petitions came up before him on Tuesday. The judge, however, allowed the students to attend the interview scheduled for September 12. According to the petitioners, the qualification prescribed in the advertisement and the TNJFU regulations are one and the same in respect of the faculty of Fisheries Sciences. But, there were some discrepancies.

Warm meals with warm smiles

After her stint as an air hostess, and in public relations, Shilpam Rathore found her calling in providing daily food for the needy

Published: 12th September 2019 06:11 AM 

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: For the last four years, Shilpam Rathore has been distributing meals to hospital patients and their attendants through her NGO, the Aranya Foundation. The NGO distributes 300 meals a day at the Outpatient Departments (OPD) in two hospitals in Chennai and one in New Delhi. Thus far, she has distributed 1,75,000 meals to the needy. She talks to CE about Aranya, and her views on charity.

What led to the formation of the Aranya Foundation?

It was a foggy night in December 2015, and I was returning from a wedding in New Delhi. I saw a woman cooking for her sick child on a footpath outside the All India Institute of Medial Sciences (AIIMS). My house was just 200 yards away, so I quickly cooked khichdi for her and when I spoke to her, I found out that there are hundreds like her who come from other cities.
I was moved listening to their stories, and decided to help them out in any way I could — if not through shelter, then at least by giving them food.

How has the foundation grown over the years?

Initially, I used to buy rotis and make a curry at home. My husband funded the entire thing. So, both my kids had to give up on their outings and adjust till things settled. Slowly, word spread and more funding came in. We started giving 100 meals a day for OPD patients at AIIMS. By March 2016, we were registered as the Aranya Foundation.


What’s the meaning behind the name ‘Aranya Foundation’?

The foundation is named after my children. When I started the NGO, my son was 12 years old and my daughter was 16 at that time. They had agreed to go without outside food for a month as we needed funds to prepare the food. Like any mother, I love my children very much, and so I decided to club their names — Arnav and Enya — to form the word Aranya. It also means respite.

When did you bring Aranya to Chennai?

In 2016, we moved to Chennai, and I decided to implement something similar here. It took me about six months to zero in on which demographic needed our help. In April 2017, we started distributing 100 meals daily at the Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore. We give them different meals everyday — idlis, dosas and pongal to pulao. I am particular about the food being warm, just like how it is at home. Although we have shifted sights to Chennai, we are continuing operations at AIIMS side-by-side. Three weeks back, we began distributing 100-120 meals daily at the Adyar Cancer Institute. They already have a kitchen, so we are sponsoring the meals.

Does the Foundation hold any fundraisers?

We host an annual fundraiser. In 2017, we roped in Nizami Bandhu, a renowned Indian musical group, who flew down to the city for the first time. This year, we held our fundraiser on August 28, featuring the Warsi Brothers from Hyderabad.

What were you doing before you began Aranya?

I worked as an air hostess with Cathay Pacific from 1994 to 1998. As my husband works in the police department, I was constantly shifting homes. We were posted in places like Europe, Salem, Madurai, and Tuticorin. I was running a public relations company for charity for some time. As Paulo Coelho says in The Alchemist, ‘You need to go all around the world to find home is only here.’

How do you unwind?

I love listening to music and reading books. I love spending time with my children and try to be free to spend time with them. They are my number one priority. Also, I like to travel and explore different cultures — I am fascinated with Japanese and Korean cultures.

How are you at work vs at home?

At work, I am an extension of the person I am at home. My work is driven by what a person should be. Working for people depends on your value system. Therefore, I truly believe in charity begins at home.

Power shutdown in parts of Chennai on Sept 13

As a part of routine maintenance works, Tangedo will be suspending power supply in areas of Anna Salai, Puzhal and Velachery.

Published: 11th September 2019 06:27 PM

Power shutdown in Chennai owing to maintenance

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: For carrying out maintenance work, power supply will be suspended by Tangedco on Friday (Sept 13) from 9 am to 5 pm in these following areas. According to a statement from Tangedco, power supply will be resumed before 5 pm if work is completed. Here is the list.

ANNASALAI: Wallaja road, Kalaivanar Arangam, T.H. road (one part), Appavo Gramani st, Pachiappan st, Chinnathambi swami, Sivanatha salai, MLA Hostel, Marina, VSNL, Balamuthu, Thayar Sahib, Ellis Mukthurnisa Beuam all st, Unish ali st, Thipu sahib st, Gulam mukthurunisa st, State House Guest, Press club.

VELACHERY: Old Taramani, Mahathma Gandhi nagar, Anbazhagan nagar, Thiruvallur salai, Natarajan street, Seethapathy nagar, Jayanthi street, Gandhi salai, Thiruveethi amman koil st, Vellalar street.

PUZHAL: Gandhi st, Mariammal nagar, VOC st, Gurushanthi nagar, Polytechnic area, Meenakshi nagar, Kavankarai, Thandalkazhani, Jeeva st, Sakthivel nagar, Suraper, Puthagaram, JP Nagar, Ezhil nagar,  Shanmugapuram, Madanakuppam, Brindavan nagar, Indira nagar,Bharathidasan nagar, Sivaprakasam nagar.

Chennai to get a new biweekly train to Hubbali from September 17

The biweekly express will be operated via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Cuddapah, Guntakal, Ballari, Hosepet and Gadag.

Published: 12th September 2019 12:49 AM |

For representational purposes (Photo| EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Train connectivity between Chennai and northern parts of Karnataka is set to get better with railways introducing a biweekly express between Chennai and Hubbali.

The regular service of new bi-weekly express will commence from Hubbali on September 17 and from Chennai on September 18.

An inaugural service will be flagged off on Saturday (September 14) in Hubbali, according to official documents.

The train has been introduced by South Western Railway based on the request by Union Minister Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, who is a Member of Parliament from Dharwad constituency in Karnataka.


The biweekly train will leave Chennai at 3 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays and reach Hubbali at 5.15 am on the next day. Similarly, on return direction, the train will leave Hubbali at Tuesdays and Fridays  at 9.05 pm and reach Chennai at 10.50 am on the next day.

The biweekly express will be operated via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Cuddapah, Guntakal, Ballari, Hosepet and Gadag.

The new train is expected to fulfill one of the long-pending demands of rail passengers from northern districts of Karnataka to have direct night train to Chennai. Besides providing connectivity to Ballari,
Gadag and Hosepet from Chennai, the train is also expected to benefit the passengers heading to Guntakal as well.

Presently, the Chennai - Hubbali section is being catered by two weekly trains. The Chennai - Hubbali weekly express is being operated on Sundays, while Chennai - Vasco Da Gama express run on Fridays.

Both trains run via Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Krishnarajapuram, Yesvantpur, Tumakuru, Tiptur and Davangere.

Official railway sources said in-spite of huge demand for train frequency of Chennai - Hubbali weekly express could not be increased owing to track constraints. “The advance reservation for new trains  has been thrown open in IRCTC,” said sources.

After seven years, MTC buses ply on original routes in Chennai's Anna Salai
A total of 52 routes operated by MTC has started running as per its original routes after two-way traffic system restored in the road on completion of Metro rail work.

Published: 12th September 2019 01:04 AM |

Anna Salai

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a relief to MTC bus passengers, MTC buses from Wednesday started plying on both directions in Chennai's famed arterial road, Anna Salai. This is after a seven years gap since the traffic flow in the portion of the road between LIC and Anand theatre bus stops was made one-way in 2012 for Metrorail construction.

This means a total of 2,963 trips the MTC buses will make every day on the Anna Salai as per their original routes.

“About 256 buses (in 52 routes) are operated via Anna Salai. All the buses being restored to the older routes,” said a senior official from MTC.

In March 2012, to facilitate Metrorail construction the traffic on the six-lane road was made as one way between LIC and Anand theatre bus stops. To divert the traffic, West Cott road - White road up to Anna Salai portion was also converted as one way traffic. Since then the MTC buses were diverted via General Patters road and White roads. Similarly, buses from Royapettah tower clock also diverted via Whites
road.


With the restoration of the MTC buses to their original routes, this Anna Salai stretch, one of the top business hubs in the city, will get bus connectivity to different parts of the city. With the Metrorail
too now operating services between AG-DMS and Washermenpet along this road, it is expected to make public transport much easier for people commuting to work.

D Raman, a regular commuter from Broadway said the restoration will enable the bus services to Anand theatre bus stop from where can easily access British Council and Devaneya Pavanar libraries. “So far  I got down at whites road and take a long walk to enter the library," he said.

The move expected to provide huge relief for bus commuters from the usual trafffic pile up at GP road junction during peak hours.

Anna Univ’s IoE tag: TN to ask MHRD to bear 75% funding

The officials said when Anna University applied for the IoE status at that time, no such norm was in place for half amount to be borne by state government.

Published: 12th September 2019 06:20 AM

College of Engineering at Anna University campus | Express

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government will soon write to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), requesting it to provide grants to the extent of 70% to 75% of the sum required for Anna University to be declared as the Institution of Eminence (IoE).

Higher Education secretary, Mangat Ram Sharma told Express that he will request the MHRD to provide at least 70% to 75% of the funds and the remaining 25% would be borne by the State. “We don’t want to lose the opportunity of getting the IoE status for Anna University. An attempt will be made to request the MHRD to lower the amount of the state government’s share. If we don’t receive any positive response on the matter from them, then we will take a final call on the issue,” said Sharma to Express.

Anna University was recommended by the UGC empowered committee, for getting the IoE status with a rider that the Tamil Nadu government should give up to 50% of the grant along with the Centre, that the varsity will receive under the scheme over five years.


Officials in the higher education department said it would be difficult to bear the 50% share for the state government. The officials said when Anna University applied for the IoE status at that time, no such norm was in place for half amount to be borne by state government.

New iPhones to come to India from September 27 for Rs 64,900 onwards; old versions get price cuts

The Cupertino-based tech giant has also revised prices of its older generation iPhone models in India with the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) now available at Rs 29,900.

Published: 11th September 2019 11:46 PM 

Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the latest iPhone during an event to announce new products Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in Cupertino, Calif. | AP

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Apple enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on the latest line-up of iPhones -- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max -- priced Rs 64,900 onwards from September 27.

The Cupertino-based tech giant has also revised prices of its older generation iPhone models in India with the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) now available at Rs 29,900.

"iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are the most powerful and advanced smartphones we have ever made.

They are packed with sophisticated technology that pros can count on to get their work done, and for anyone who wants the best device made, even if they are not a pro," Apple Senior Vice-President (Worldwide Marketing) Phil Schiller had said.


iPhone 11 -- the base model -- will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants priced at Rs 64,900 onwards.

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB variants starting at Rs 99,900 and Rs 1,09,900, respectively.

The iPhone 11 Pro introduces a triple-camera system with ultrawide, wide and telephoto cameras, deeply integrated into its iOS (operating system).

The iOS 13 will be available on September 19 as a free software update for iPhone 6s and later versions.

After the revision of the prices of older generation phones, the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) at Rs 29,900 is probably the most affordable device available in the country from the premium smartphone maker's stable.

There may be older version phones available with certain retailers.

According to Apple India's website, the iPhone 8 (64GB) is now retailing at Rs 39,900 (from Rs 59,900 earlier), while iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XR (64GB) are available for Rs 49,900.

The iPhone XS (64GB) at Rs 89,900, while the 256GB variant will retail for Rs 1,03,900.

India is key market for phone makers globally.

Smartphone shipment in India registered a healthy 9.9 per cent year-on-year growth at 36.9 million units in the June 2019 quarter with premium category growing at an even faster pace.

Apple competes in the premium category with players such as Samsung and OnePlus.

Recently, Apple had said the Indian market "bounced back" in the June quarter as the company logged strong double-digit growth in the country.

Apple, which announced its third-quarter numbers in July, clocked 1 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue at USD 53.8 billion for the quarter ended June.

International sales accounted for 59 per cent of the quarter's topline.

The company, however, does not give out country-specific numbers.

The company follows October-September fiscal year.

The firm has also stated that it is keen on offering online and in-store experiences to Indian users at par with its global standards and aims to open its maiden retail store in India.

Apart from iPhones, Apple has also introduced the new seventh-generation iPad that has more screen area and support for the full-sized Smart Keyboard to its popular and affordable iPad stable.

In India, the new iPad will be available at a starting price of Rs 29,900.

It has also launched Series 5 of the Apple Watch, debuting an "Always-On" retina display that "never sleeps, so it's easy to see the time and other important information, without raising or tapping the display".

The Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS version) starts at Rs 40,900 and Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS plus Cellular models) starts at Rs 49,900.

The third-generation Apple Watch, with built-in GPS, optical heart rate sensor and water resistance, will start at a new lower price of Rs 20,900 and at Rs 29,900 for the GPS and cellular versions.

Besides, Apple also announced the 'Apple TV+' -- an all-original video subscription service -- that will launch on November 1 in over 100 countries and regions, including India.

The service -- which will compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos -- will offer a full line-up of original shows, movies and documentaries, including 'Servant', a thriller from Indian-American filmmaker M Night Shyamalan.

Apple TV+ will be available on the Apple TV app for Rs 99 per month with a seven-day free trial starting November 1 on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3rd generation), iPod touch and Mac.

It will also be available on the Apple TV app on select 2018, 2019 and newer Samsung smart TVs, and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and VIZIO platforms in the future.