Bus passengers pay toll plaza

Bus passengers pay toll plaza

09/09/2020

Special CorrespondentKrishnagiri

Passengers came to the aid of three State Transport Corporation buses that were denied passage through the toll plaza for non-payment of toll fare here on Tuesday. The Hosur-bound bus carrying passengers from Vellore was stopped at the toll plaza. The bus conductors were apparently told that they will not have to pay any fare at the toll plaza. However, according to the toll plaza sources, there was no such exemption and the buses were asked to pay up.

Following this, two buses were pulled off the roads and the passengers were shifted to another bus. However, passengers of three other buses pooled up their own resources and paid the toll gate fare, much to their dismay, choosing not to be delayed for their destinations.

HC questions petitioner on warning letter

HC questions petitioner on warning letter

09/09/2020

Special Correspondent Bengaluru

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked a petitioner to explain on what authority he wrote a letter warning a private channel that airing a documentary on “Cauvery Calling” project would amount to contempt of court.

A Division Bench issued the direction while hearing a PIL petition filed by A.V. Amaranathan, a city-based advocate. ISHA Outreach, which manages the “Cauvery Calling” project, had complained that the petitioner sent an email to Discovery Channel warning that telecasting the documentary would amount to contempt of court.

Kodaikanal will welcome tourists from today: Collector

Kodaikanal will welcome tourists from today: Collector

‘Those applying for e-pass can now click on tourist category’

09/09/2020

Initially, only Bryant Park, Rose Garden and Chettiar Park will open for tourists.G. KARTHIKEYAN

Special Correspondent Dindigul

Tourists from other districts can visit Kodaikanal from Wednesday, Dindigul Collector M. Vijayalakshmi said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Collector said that following representations from applicants intending to visit the hill station and various trade and tourist associations, the district administration had proposed to permit people from other districts to enter Kodaikanal from Wednesday.

The Collector said from now, those applying for e-passes to Kodaikanal could click on the “tourist” category that was not provided earlier on the online application. The government had earlier accorded permission only for marriages, deaths and return of stranded persons to return. Health authorities in Kodaikanal said that initially, only three tourist spots — Bryant Park, Rose Garden and Chettiar Park — would open for tourists. Other locations, including Berijam Lake and Green Valley View, among others, would open in a phased manner after consultation with Forest Departments officials and others.

Similarly, for residents from Dindigul district, a valid identity card (preferably Aadhaar card) would be sufficient for entering the hill station, officials said, and added that based on the arrival of tourists and the level of cooperation from them, the next phase of relaxations would be considered.

Kodaikanal Hotel Owners’ Association president Abdul Gani Raja welcomed the move. “After five months, we are now hopeful of revival. People started enquiring from September 1, but tourists were unable to get e-passes then,” he said. The association, he said, would cooperate with officials.

However, eco-conscious people and residents expressed reservations and described the move as hasty.

Honoured for honesty

Honoured for honesty

09/09/2020

Special Correspondent THENI

Superintendent of Police Sai Charan Tejaswi and his team of officers honoured five people on Monday for their honesty.

On August 31, when Sundarapandi and his friend Mahendran of Varushanadu found ₹ one lakh cash left unclaimed in an ATM outlet in Cumbum, they handed it over to the Inspector of Police, Cumbum. The money was handed over to the rightful owner later.

On Sept. 6, Ketan Patel of Sivananda Nagar here went to an ATM on Periyakulam Road. He found two bundles of ₹ 2000 notes left behind the ATM’s chest. He took ₹ 4 lakh and handed it over to the Theni police station. CCTV footage revealed that bank employees had left behind the cash by mistake after refilling the machine. The bank manager took possession of the cash. Two days ago, Abdul Khader and Abdul Hakeem found four gram gold ring left on the road in Cumbum. When they handed it over to the police, it was found that a local resident had lost the valuable while riding his two-wheeler.

The SP presented them with a reward and thanked them for their gesture.

GRH rises to the occasion

GRH rises to the occasion

09/09/2020

Staff Reporter MADURAI

A 46-year-old woman from Tirumangalam, who was positive for COVID-19 and suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, was successfully operated upon at the Government Rajaji Hospital here on September 2. Dean J. Sangumani said her problem was discovered at a private hospital two months ago. Since she contracted COVID-19, she was brought to the GRH. Neurosurgeons R. Manimaran and V. Prasad, under the guidance of department head R. Veerapandian, performed a procedure. The patient continues to be on ventilator support in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit but is recovering.

Positive woman delivers baby

A 23-year-old woman, who was COVID-19 positive, with pregnancy-induced hypertension and jaundice, delivered a healthy baby at the Government Rajaji Hospital. In a press release, the Dean said the woman was brought to the COVID-19 speciality hospital wing on August 11 in a critical stage. Doctors from different departments including urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology monitored her health and ensured delivery through C-section. The mother and the baby have made a complete recovery and have been discharged.

TNSTC increases bus services

TNSTC increases bus services

09/09/2020

Special Correspondent TIRUNELVELI

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation increased the bus services to the nearby districts on Tuesday.

As operation of buses to the nearby districts resumed on Monday, buses, which plied to Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Madurai, Nagercoil, Kovilpatti, Rajapalayam and Tiruchendur, attracted huge crowd. Since the passengers ignored physical distancing even as they travelled to these destinations, the TNSTC management increased the number of buses operated to these places on Tuesday.

“Based on inputs provided by our officials, we are operating around 70% buses,” the authorities said.

Complex jaw surgery done in city hospital

Complex jaw surgery done in city hospital

09/09/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

A 75-year-old chronic tobacco user, diagnosed with Stage IV head and neck cancer, recently underwent a complex single-stage jaw implant reconstructive surgery at MGM Healthcare.

Senior consultant and head of the Institute of ENT at the hospital Sanjeev Mohanty said the cancer had metastasised to the lymph nodes in his neck. They removed the right half of his jaw bone and part of the eft half before reconstructing it.

Senior consultant maxillofacial and dental surgeon Abhilash Ayalur Bhaskaran and his team performed the procedure.

Dr. Mohanty said the surgery had to be done in one sitting to prevent the patient from contracting COVID-19 during hospital visits.

“ The patient was counselled and educated about the procedure so that he could be prepared for it and the follow-up,” he said.

The patient was discharged on the tenth day after surgery. The patient is able to swallow and his breathing functions are intact, Dr. Mohanty added.