'No masks, running out of food': Tamil Nadu medicos in China narrate nightmare
Speaking to Express, a handful of Tamil students at the University said the Chinese government had imposed a complete shutdown in Wuhan.

Published: 25th January 2020 05:33 AM 

Employees work to prevent a new coronavirus as a screen warming about Wuhan coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. (Photo | AP)

By Sowmya Mani

Express News Service

TIRUCHY: Students from Tamil Nadu pursuing medicine from the Wuhan University in China are too scared to leave their rooms. They have been staying indoors for the past two days, fearing the coronavirus.

Reports say close to 900 have contracted the virus, of whom at least 26 have succumbed. While most of the cases are being reported from Wuhan in Hubei Province, the World Health Organization is seized on the matter. In India, at least 10 incoming passengers have been put under observation.

Speaking to Express, a handful of Tamil students at the University said the Chinese government had imposed a complete shutdown in Wuhan, as a result of which food and mask prices have skyrocketed. The students said they were in dire need of food and basic amenities, and wanted to be moved out to another city till the outbreak is contained.

Spicejet to start Chennai-Vizag-Kolkata cargo flight

SpiceJet is likely to start an exclusive Chennai-Vizag-Kolkata cargo flight, which can carry up to 20 tonnes on a daily basis, from mid February.

Published: 25th January 2020 11:35 AM 

For representational purposes. (File Photo | PTI)

By Express News Service

VISAKHAPATNAM: SpiceJet is likely to start an exclusive Chennai-Vizag-Kolkata cargo flight, which can carry up to 20 tonnes on a daily basis, from mid February.

The airlines may start first cargo flight Boeing 737 from Visakhapatnam, if it gets required permission, according to a release from Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers' Association here on Friday.

APATA representatives K Kumar Raja, O Naresh Kumar and DS Varma said the Air India chairperson and MD responded positively to bring down Air India cargo rates at Vizag immediately, which were higher than Hyderabad, and issue instructions at the earliest.

Exams: CBSE warns against rumours
26/01/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,NEW DELHI

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has warned “mischievous” elements against spreading rumours about the upcoming board exams and has advised students and parents not to panic.

“It is being noticed that that certain unscrupulous elements intend to spread rumours by hosting fake videos and messages on news platforms and social media platforms to cause confusion and panic among students, parents, schools and general public. The mischievous elements are advised to refrain from such activities. In case, any such information comes to the notice of the CBSE, immediate measures as per provisions of the law will be taken by the CBSE,” board secretary Anurag Tripathi said in an advisory.

College withdraws ban on wearing burqa

A misunderstanding, say authorities

26/01/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,PATNA

Students wearing burqa arrive at J.D. Women’s College in Patna on Saturday. PTI

A college for women here on Saturday withdrew its ban on wearing of burqa in its premises after it had prohibited it as part of the institute’s new dress code.

Acknowledging that the prohibition was due to a misunderstanding, the college authorities said that it has “no intention to disturb or harass students of any community”.

“Students are informed that they have to come to college in the prescribed dress code every day, except on Saturday. Besides, the use of burqa is prohibited both inside the classroom and the college premises. A fine of ₹250 will be imposed if anyone is found violating the code,” the notice by J.D. Women’s College said.

College principal Shyama Roy confirmed that the ban on wearing of burqa in the institute’s premises has been withdrawn and said that the college has issued a second notice specifying that there is no such ban.

“There is a dress code of the college which specifies that a student has to wear a maroon colour kurta, white salwar and white dupatta. There is a misunderstanding in the notice ... We sincerely apologise for it,” Rekha Mishra, a teacher, said.

J.D. Women’s College is affiliated to Patliputra University.

“Many students used to come to classes in their home dresses in burqa, which was opposed by some others. Following the objections, college authorities issued notice asking students to strictly comply with the dress code,” another teacher said.

The students who had objected to the ban expressed happiness over the decision.

Varsity won’t consider postdoctoral work at foreign institutes for jobs

Retired professor writes to Chancellor-Governor seeking review of decision

26/01/2020, R. SUJATHA,CHENNAI

The University of Madras has cited UGC norms.R. RaguR. Ragu

Citing University Grants Commission Regulations, the University of Madras has decided not to recognise post-doctoral research experience from foreign institutions and research laboratories while recruiting faculty.

However, a former professor has questioned the decision.

Retired professor G. Shanmugam has written to the Chancellor-Governor stating that the university called for applications for 32 faculty positions, including assistant and associate professors by January 27.

While the university has, in its guidelines, asked candidates to furnish all details regarding teaching/research and post-doctoral research experience obtained from universities/research institutions in different countries, it also stated that research work done abroad would not be counted for deciding the minimum teaching/research experience required for the post.

‘Untenable’

Prof. Shanmugam contended the rule prevented “many bright candidates involved in post-doctoral research work” from applying. He termed it as “untenable” and urged the university to re-examine its decision so that candidates doing research abroad could also apply.

A senior university official said information on work experience as a post-doctoral fellow is sought to judge how the candidates spent their time after their Ph.D.

“People take up post-doctoral work either in India or abroad, but the UGC does not say that it can be counted as teaching experience. A post-doctoral fellow would have worked in the best institutions abroad out of their own interest,” he said. Vice-Chancellor P. Duraisamy said: “The UGC Regulation 2018 Section 10.0, which is uploaded on the university website, provides detailed regulations relating to counting of past services relating to research experience for new recruitment. We have clarified and also uploaded this regulation as part of our application procedure. We follow the above regulation relating to counting of past services for essential qualification requirement. There is nothing wrong in getting information on research experience at doctoral or post-doctoral level. There is no confusion in the call for applications,” he said.

VC to raise issue with Syndicate

26/01/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University M. Krishnan said that the administration will raise the issue of an unauthorised personnel accessing the university’s consolidated marksheets at the Controller of Examination’s room at the Syndicate meeting scheduled on January 29.

The VC entered confronted the Controller of Examination O. Ravi after an individual owning a distance education centre in Periyakulam in Theni district was found handling the marksheets on Thursday evening.

The VC told The Hindu, “The case has already been presented to all members of the Syndicate. I will formally raise it at the meeting.”

TNPSC scam: three candidates, middleman arrested by CB-CID

Sleuths seize answer scripts, pens with evaporating ink

26/01/2020, S. VIJAY KUMAR ,CHENNAI

Three candidates who scored high marks by fraudulent means and figured in the top 100 in the rank list of the TNPSC Group-IV Services examination and a middleman who provided logistics were arrested by the Crime Branch CID of the Tamil Nadu police on Saturday.

According to agency sources, the candidates, M. Thiruvelmurugan, 31, of Thiruvadanai, R. Rajasekhar, 26, of Panruti and M. Kalosha, 29, of Avadi, and the middleman, T. Venkatraman, 38, of Avadi, were arrested after prima facie offence was established.

Pens seized

Investigators seized pens with evaporating ink that were used by the candidates to write the examination. A few answer scripts were also obtained from the TNPSC.

"We are referring the pens and answer scripts to the cyber forensic laboratory for analysis. It appears that the ink was procured locally," a CB-CID official said.

Review meeting

At a review meeting with the investigating team, Director-General of Police M.S. Jaffar Sait directed that the photograph of the prime suspect, Jayaraj of Anna Nagar in Chennai, be sent to all CB-CID units in the State.

Special teams launched a manhunt to apprehend Jayaraj and a few other brokers who helped in transacting money, preparing answer keys etc.

99 candidates

Police were in the process of collecting the names of all the 99 candidates who paid agents to pass the Group-IV Services examination.

Not ruling out the possibility of more arrests in a day or two, the official said inquiries were still on with the two tahsildars who played a key role in the scam.

Parrying questions on a similar modus operandi in earlier examinations conducted by the TNPSC, he said police had gone in search of a tout who was allegedly involved in fixing candidates for an examination held in 2017, and any further action would be based on his statement.

The Group-IV examination to fill 6,491 vacancies was conducted on September 1, 2019.

As many as 16,29,865 candidates appeared for the exam in 5,575 centres across the State.