Deemed Univs Can Now Admit Students As Per New Rule: AICTE

No-maths rule only after a few years

Deemed Univs Can Now Admit Students As Per New Rule: AICTE

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.03.2021 

Engineering admissions counselling based on physics, chemistry and maths marks will continue for a couple of years more, said All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) chairman Anil D Sahasrabudhe on Thursday.

In its approval process handbook for 2021-22, AICTE has made maths and physics at Class XII-level optional to join engineering and technology courses. Students who have studied any three subjects of 14, including physics, maths, chemistry, computer science, electronics, information technology, biology, informatics practices, biotechnology, technical vocational subject, agriculture, engineering graphics, business studies and entrepreneurship are eligible to study engineering courses under the new criteria.

The move has kicked up a huge row across the country as educational institutions feared that it may further weaken the quality of engineering graduates.

“The move aims to provide a window of opportunity to students who have not taken physics, chemistry, maths in Class XI and XII. They will do it during the first year of engineering courses. There are four maths papers, two physics and one chemistry paper in engineering curriculum,” the AICTE chief said, while addressing delegates at the national conference, on ‘Approval process handbook 2021-22 for resetting technical education and implementing National Education Policy 2020’, in Chennai.

He further clarified that entrance exams such as JEE will continue to have maths, physics, chemistry for a few more years. “Some autonomous institutions including deemed universities and private universities may admit students based on the new eligibility criteria and conduct bridge courses for them,” he said.

Calling the move a “futuristic step” and the “beginning of transformation”, Sahasrabudhe said: “When the new education policy is rolled out in the next few years, there will be no distinction like arts and science streams in higher secondary.”

The AICTE boss said that under the new 5 + 3 + 3+ 4 system, the last four years will not be based on streamwise at all. “Students will be allowed to take any combination of arts, commerce and science. Students at the age of 14 are too young to make a decision on what they need to do.”

Explaining the changes to APH 2021-22, he said the caveat of 50% admissions last year to start new courses has been introduced following judgments of the Kerala high court and the Supreme Court.

Citing the Covid-19 pandemic and financial crunch faced by private educational institutions, H Chaturvedi, alternate president of the Education Promotion Society of India, sought a financial package from the Centre similar to the one announced by the US government for institutions of higher education.

G V Selvam, vice-president of Vellore Institute of Technology, said there was a shortage of 33 lakh teachers in higher education in the country and urged the AICTE to focus on producing quality teachers.

The All India Council for Technical Education sparked a huge row after it made Class XIIlevel maths and physics optional for students wishing to take up engineering & technical courses

Baba Farid University moves National Medical Commission over colleges ‘fleecing’ MBBS students

Baba Farid University moves National Medical Commission over colleges ‘fleecing’ MBBS students

Updated At: Mar 16, 2021 11:29 AM

Tribune News Service

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, March 15

Some private medical colleges in the state have collected Rs 1.5 crore from 40 final year MBBS students in the name of “providing them with NOC” and allowing them to do one-year-internship from other medical colleges. However, terming it “fleecing” of students, the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has raised the matter with the National Medical Commission (NMC).

While every medical student owes his one-year internship service to his college after completing the academic part of their MBBS course, the BFUHS has come across many cases where students from private institutions are paying heavy fee to shift to other institutions for their internship.

To give “NOC” to these students for internship in other colleges, some parent colleges have forced students to pay up to Rs 3 lakh per student. These students were also made to pay Rs 60,000 for “NOC” to college where they want to join the internship. Other than paying Rs 3.6 lakh to the parent and receiving colleges, every student has to pay Rs 20,000 to the BFUHS for its approval for shifting of a student for internship.

In a letter to Secretary General, NMC, the BFUHS said many students from private institutions, who got admission on a low percentile, want to shift in top institutions of the state to do their internship. For this shifting of students, some private colleges are forcing them to pay high fee in lieu of NOC, alleges the medical university.

Every internee is paid a monthly stipend by his parent institution, but most of these students don’t get stipend if they opt out of their parent colleges.

“There’s a fixed quota for transfers to and from the colleges for the purpose of internship, so we are not allowing this shifting or migration of students for internship as it is against rules,” said Dr Raj Bahadur, VC, BFUHS.

Surgeon transferred due to charges of sexual harassment

Surgeon transferred due to charges of sexual harassment

15 PG Medicos File Complaints

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.03.2021 

An assistant professor of general surgery facing complaints of sexual harassment by at least 15 post-graduate medical students has been transferred out of Stanley Medical College and Hospital. The directorate of medical education, which has issued the transfer order and issued showcause notice against the professor, however, is yet to file a police complaint.

It was in February that Stanley Medical College dean Dr P Balaji received a letter from the chief minister’s cell asking him to inquire into complaints of harassment filed by at least 15 post-graduate medical students against Dr G Chandrasekar working in the department of surgery.

When contacted, Dr G Chandrasekar told TOI that he received an order stating he was transferred to Royapettah Government Hospital on “administrative grounds.” He was then asked to join duty at the Anna Nagar Peripheral Hospital. “I joined duty. I have not received any show-cause notice. When they conducted an inquiry, I denied all charges. I came to know about the allegation against me from the news in the media,” he said.

A 10-member inquiry committee comprising department heads and senior professors conducted a detailed inquiry, speaking to students and the professor. “The committee was convinced that students did face harassment. The women in the group complained to the members about inappropriate behaviour in ward and inside the operation theatre. They also showed some text messages they received from the professor,” said Stanley resident medical officer Dr Ramesh M. The committee’s report was sent to the directorate of medical education by Dr Balaji.

Based on the recommendations of the committee, director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu transferred the assistant professor to Royapettah Government Hospital on March11. “He has been asked to show-cause why disciplinary action should not be initiated against him for the complaints. It is the normal procedure followed in government service. If the reply is not satisfactory, we will initiate further action which may include suspension,” he said.

Now, some post-graduate students have urged the health department to file a police complaint under the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. However, Dr Narayanababu said any action will be initiated only after giving him time to explain his stand.

Few flights to Malaysia, Singapore; tickets cost double pre-Covid rates

Few flights to Malaysia, Singapore; tickets cost double pre-Covid rates

Air India’s Vande Bharat Flights With Fixed Fares Are Only Option

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.03.2021 

Travel between Chennai and southeast Asian countries continues to be a hassle as only Air India’s Vande Bharat flights are allowed with fixed fare, which is double the pre-Covid-19 rate.

Air India will fly six flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai and 13 flights from Kuala Lumpur to Trichy on different days till April-end. However, the tickets are priced at ₹16,000 and ₹17,000, and people are not allowed to book online and agents are not allowed to book tickets unlike to the Middle East. Travel and tour operators have been urging the Union government to allow airlines to resume flights to southeast Asian countries — Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand — and also to Hong Kong and Philippines.

“Air India is scheduling flights from Chennai and Trichy but these flights may not be enough. It will be hassle-free if passengers are allowed to book online and agents are allowed to book on different airlines. People hesitate to travel because of the curbs. People are worried if they will be able to return on time after reaching Chennai,” said Basheer Ahmed of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI).

People are stuck in Malaysia and Singapore because they do not have the confidence to travel for fear of losing their jobs there if they do not return on time. There is no guarantee when the next set of flights will be and whether seats will be available. People awaiting to travel are posting messages in social media forums looking for flights to return. Those who want to return have to take a circuitous route. Those who work in Malaysia and have come to Chennai on emergencies are forced to travel via Dubai. “They have to take a UAE visa, stay in Dubai for a day or two and board another flight to Kuala Lumpur. This costs them a lot of money. This is the way people travel to Singapore, Hong Kong and Philippines as there are no direct flights from Chennai and other cities. Transit is not allowed at Dubai airport,” said an airport official.

“The gateway airports in Southeast Asia – Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok --need to be opened for travellers with precautions. Singapore is still hesitating because of high number of Covid-19 cases but Malaysia has been hinting that it will open for leisure travellers,” said Ahmed.

HIKE IN PRICES: The airline fares are double the pre-Covid-19 rates

Words said in anger can’t be abetment to suicide: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal/Jabalpur:18.03.2021 

A singlejudge bench of Madhya Pradesh high court has ruled that words spoken in anger can’t be treated as abetment to suicide and ordered dismissal of a case against a woman. The petitioner, Kamrunisha, had challenged a case registered against her under IPC 306 (abetment to suicide) after the person with whom she had an alleged extra-marital affair killed himself.

According to police, she was forcing her paramour to marry her. On January 17, 2020, she went to stay with him in his house and allegedly threatened to lodge an FIR against him and his family if he refused to marry her. She left after his family members intervened, but went back to his house on January 26 that year and allegedly repeated the threat. The man killed himself on January 28, 2020, and police registered an FIR against her. Kamrunisha moved high court. The man committed suicide because of his circumstances and not because of her, the judge said, while ordering dismissal of the case against her pending in district court.

Baby born on IndiGo flight with help of doc on board

Baby born on IndiGo flight with help of doc on board

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:18.03.2021 

A baby girl was delivered onboard IndiGo’s Bengaluru-Jaipur flight (6E 469) on Wednesday. A doctor passenger on board this flight, assisted by the cabin crew, helped the woman who went in labour during the journey deliver the baby.

“Jaipur airport was immediately informed to arrange for a doctor and an ambulance on arrival. Both the baby and mother are stable,” said the airline in a statement.

“Dr Subahana Nazir, who helped deliver the baby, was welcomed into the arrival hall and a thank you card was handed over by our Jaipur staff. Great teamwork by all our staff concerned,” the airline added.

Last October, a baby was delivered on IndiGo’s Delhi-Bengaluru flight with the help of a doctor who happened to be on board, ably assisted by the cabin crew.

Some airlines abroad have in the past given a lifetime of free travel for babies born on their flight. It remains to be seen if Indian carriers do the same.

BABY AND MOM STABLE

Indore flights to Pune & Chandigarh from Mar 28

Indore flights to Pune & Chandigarh from Mar 28

Indore: 17.03.2021 

Indoreans travelling to Pune and Chandigarh are all set to have regular flight connectivity options from March 28. IndiGo airline has announced plans to start daily flight on Indore-Pune and Indore-Chandigarh routes.

The flight between Indore and Pune will start from Pune and reach Indore at 11.55am. In return, the flight will depart from Indore at 12.25pm, and reach Pune at 01.35pm. Similarly, the flight from Chandigarh will reach Indore at 08.35am. In return, the flight will depart from Indore at 12.05pm and reach there at 01.55pm.

“These two flights would be an addition to the regular flight operations to and from Indore. Both Pune and Chandigarh sectors are in demand since a large number of people travel on these two routes for business, studies and other purposes,” Hemendra Singh Jadon, chairman of Travel Agents Association of India (MP&CG Chapter) told TOI. TNN