Sasikala discharged from hospital

Sasikala discharged from hospital

To Return To Chennai After Feb 7

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

01.02.2021

Former AIADMK leader V K Sasikala was on Sunday discharged from Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru where she was treated for Covid-19. On January 27, while she was in hospital for Covid treatment, Sasikala, was released from the Bengaluru prison where she completed four years of imprisonment following her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.

An AIADMK flag fluttered on the bonnet of the car in which Sasikala left the hospital. She headed to a resort near Nandi Hills, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where she’s expected to recuperate for a week.

Around 11.30am, she walked out of the hospital to cheers and slogans from about 300 supporters. They showered flower petals as she got into the front seat of her car, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which was part of an eight-car convoy.

Sasikala’s release turned on the heat in Tamil Nadu politics, coming as it does ahead of the April-May assembly election in Tamil Nadu. Among the supporters waiting to welcome her was her nephew and AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran. “She will return to Chennai after February 7,” he said. The plan, as of now, is that she’ll go by road to Tamil Nadu in a massive show of strength and support.

Dr Ramesh Krishna K, medical superintendent, Victoria Hospital, said, “Sasikala Natarajan is asymptomatic, is stable in all vital parameters and blood sugar is under control."

FREE TO GO: V K Sasikala walks out of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday after being discharged

AIADMK flag on Sasikala car creates flutter

The AIADMK flag on the car carrying V K Sasikala to a farmhouse in Bengaluru outskirts drew sharp reactions from party leaders in Tamil Nadu. Law minister C Ve Shanmugham warned legal action would be taken against anyone, who is not a member of the party, misusing the flag. Minister D Jayakumar said, “She is not associated with the party in any way. She is not even a primary member of the AIADMK. How can she use the party flag?” AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy said, “I strongly condemned Sasikala for using our party’s flag in her car." TNN

Lax enforcement: Not many takers for masks in trains

Lax enforcement: Not many takers for masks in trains

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.02.2021

Train passengers do not wear masks at railway stations and inside express trains, including air-conditioned coaches, putting at risk the lives of fellow travells in trains.

Many do not carry a mask with them while a few others who board trains with masks remove it soon after they are seated. Though experts have stressed that wearing a mask is important and crucial in overcoming the pandemic, railway officials are lax in enforcing norms.

A railway official said that people were cautious at least in AC coaches soon after services resumed after the lockdown but now behave as if the situation is back to normal.

“On Sunday, many people who travelled by Kollam-Chennai train in its AC coaches were not wearing masks. Peoplewhowerewaiting atthestations were without masks. A few who had masks removed as soon as they settled down on their seats or berths.

The railway staff were wearing masks but they were not enforcing the mask rule on passengers."

Chennai resident Rakesh Kumar*, who was on the train, said, “It looks like people are lowering their guard. People were spotted without masks at most of the stations and the few who had the masks removed them as soon as they boarded the train. I got scared when people sneezed and coughed, that too without masks.”

Kumar saidthattherewere RPF personnel on the train who did not bother to check if people were following the rule.

A senior railway official said that they are taking action when there is a complaint. “We insist that there should be masks. All railway staff wear masks. If people complain that those who are in the nearby berth are not wearing masks, we crackdown on such elements.”

COSTLY ERROR: Passengers, many of them without masks, waiting to board their train at Chennai Egmore railway station

Colleges, offline classes for IX, XI students to start from Feb 8

Colleges, offline classes for IX, XI students to start from Feb 8

Ragu Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.02.2021

The state government on Sunday allowed colleges to reopen and conduct classes for all undergraduate and postgraduate students on February 8. Offline teaching for Classes IX and XI in schools can also start from that date, a statement issued by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday said.

The state, which allowed reopening of colleges for final year students from December 7, 2020, and schools for Classes X and XII from January 19, 2021, has now allowed hostels in educational institutions to function.

Movie theatres, including multiplexes and screens in malls, will be allowed to operate at 100% seating capacity from February 1, the CM said, announcing fresh relaxations from curbs initiated to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

TN has recorded less than 550 fresh cases per day in the past 10 days. “The total number of active cases has come down from more than 50,000 cases to 4,629 cases,” the CM said.

While swimming pools and exhibition halls can be opened by adhering to standard operating procedures, petrol pumps will be allowed to function 24 hours from February 1. Public grievances redressal meetings can also be held.

FULL HOUSE: The state govt allowed cinema theatres to operate with 100% seating capacity. TN theatres reopened in November 2020 with 50% seating capacity

Religious gatherings allowed at 50% capacity

The state has also allowed indoor meetings, including religious gatherings, cultural events, college festivals and entertainment events at either 50% capacity or up to a maximum of 600 people. Devotees will be allowed to take holy dip at Rameswaram temple.

The ban on international flights, except for those allowed by the Union home ministry, will continue.

Officials from colleges and universities said they would conduct practical experiments for all students on rotational basis using the relaxation. “The state government has already said attendance was not mandatory for this semester. So online classes would continue for all students and physical classes will be made optional,” an official from the Madras University said.

Colleges like Loyola are planning to conduct a survey among students to plan the reopening from February 8, while some colleges have convened meetings with their staff members.

It isn’t for leisure or exercise, but for the 80-year-old to earn a living.

This 80-year-old cycles 20 kms daily, has plenty of ‘fans’ but only one supporter - his wife

Kunji thapatham and his wife Vasantha (76) have been making and selling palm-leaf hand-fans for the past 40 years.

Published: 31st January 2021 05:02 AM 

Kunjithapatham and his wife Vasantha make palm-leaf hand-fans outside their house in T Palur village of Ariyalur district. They sell each for about `15 |

 EXPRESS

By P Thiruselvam

Express News Service

ARIYALUR: Every morning begins with a 20-km cycle ride for R Kunjithapatham, of T Palur village near Jayamkondam. It isn’t for leisure or exercise, but for the 80-year-old to earn a living. Kunji thapatham and his wife Vasantha (76) have been making and selling palm-leaf hand-fans for the past 40 years.

He first rides his cycle to source the palm leaves, and then to places such as Udayarpalayam, Jayakondam, Ariyalur and Kumbakonam to sell the fans. He usually receives Rs 15 for each.

“I used to work as a daily-wage labourer, and since I couldn’t afford a fan, I used a hand-made one. That’s when I realised I could make them for a living,” Kunjithapatham recalled. He learned to make palmleaf hand-fans at his cousin’s house, and it eventually became his primary source of income for more than four decades.

“After collecting the palm leaves, I dry them, and make fans with the help of my wife. They are still popular in many places. Due to our age, we can only make 10-15 fans a day, and I sell them only once or twice a week.”

The couple have no children or family to depend on, and live in a thatched hut, for which they pay a rent of Rs 500 per month. The bicycle Kunjithapatham rides is often damaged but he can’t afford a new one.

“We receive senior citizens’ pension. Despite that and selling these fans, I find it hard to make ends meet. We were severely affected during the lockdown last year, and once it was relaxed, I went from village to village on my bicycle seeking to earn an income. My wife is my strength and gives me the motivation to continue to work hard,” said Kunjithapatham.

Given anesthesia at private hospital, five-year-old dies

Given anesthesia at private hospital, five-year-old dies

As the boy, Naveen, was suffering from foot-corn issues, his parents sought medical care from V-Cure Hospital in Pallikaranai, police said.

Published: 30th January 2021 06:01 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The father of a five-year-old boy has filed a complaint against a private hospital in Pallikaranai for allegedly providing wrong treatment and causing the death of his son. However, the hospital management has denied the al legat ion and blamed the parents for allegedly breaking the preoperative fasting rule and concealing the information.

As the boy, Naveen, was suffering from foot-corn issues, his parents sought medical care from V-Cure Hospital in Pallikaranai, police said. As part of the treatment, a surgery was scheduled by doctors on Thursday evening. After administering anesthesia, the boy went into an unconscious state, his father Sridhar claimed in the complaint.

When taken to another hospital, he was declared brought dead, said Sridhar, a college lecturer and a resident of Pallikaranai. Police sources said that based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code (suspicious death) and an investigation is on.

A staff of the hospital told Express that the parents were clearly instructed to keep the child in preoperative fasting four hours before the surgery. “But, they fed the child and failed to inform us. Had we been informed, we would have dropped the surgery plan,” the staff said. The body was sent to a government hospital for postmortem examination.

Chennai's Stanley Hospital provides free orthotics equipment to differently abled kids

Chennai's Stanley Hospital provides free orthotics equipment to differently abled kids

Children from poor backgrounds who may need this equipment can reach out to the hospital’s District Early Intervention Centre, said Dr J Ganesh

Published: 30th January 2021 02:07 PM 

In the first phase, ten pieces of equipment worth Rs 50,000 were distributed to the children in the presence of their parents on Saturday (Photo | Special arrangement)

By Omjasvin MD

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Stanley Government Medical College Hospital would be providing up to 40 pieces of orthotics equipment to physically challenged children free of cost in a phased manner.

Orthotics are externally worn devices, custom-made for individuals, which help them to correct biomechanical foot issues and walk, stand and run.

On Saturday, in the first phase, Dean of the hospital Dr P Balaji distributed 10 pieces of equipment worth Rs 50,000 for differently abled children. The initiative is being done in association with NGO Masusa Foundation.

“We have decided to provide free orthotics to children who may need it. It would take some days to measure the leg of the child and place orders. We will be providing up to 40 pieces in a phased manner,” said Dr J Ganesh, Director of Institute of Social Pediatrics.

He said that children from poor backgrounds who may need this equipment can reach out to the hospital’s District Early Intervention Centre.

Set up under the National Health Mission, the DEIC aims to identify children with birth defects and deficiencies and provides treatment for them.

Chennai book fair to be held from Feb 24

Chennai book fair to be held from Feb 24

“We will ensure all Covid protocols are in place including creating wider pathways.

Published: 31st January 2021 06:00 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Much to the joy of book lovers in the city, the annual Chennai Book Fair will be held from February 24 until March 9 at the YMCA grounds, according to members of the Book Sellers’ and Publishers’ Association of South India (BAPASI), that holds the event every year.

The fair will go on from 11 am until 8pm. Confirming the announcement, K Nagarajan, Vice President of BAPASI said, “We will ensure all Covid protocols are in place including creating wider pathways. Other than that, everything including the ticket system will be the same.”

The announcement comes amidst rumours that the event may not be held this year due to the Covid situation since the fair is usually held in January. However, though there has been a delay, organisers have decided to go ahead with the event.