Moderately tough NEET could push cut-off down

Moderately tough NEET could push cut-off down

Experts: Many Students Fail To Complete Questions

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.09.2021

Expecting an easy question paper like last year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, medical aspirants from the state said they were surprised by the tough physics questions in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2021 conducted on Sunday. Candidates said biology was easier and chemistry moderately difficult. Experts predict a slight dip in scores compared to the previous year.

Around one lakh candidates from 18 cities in the state took the test at 224 centres that adhered to strict Covid-19 protocols.

In Chennai, of 17,992 registered students, 800 were absent (attendance 96%). Likewise, Salem (96.1%), Trichy (96%) and Coimbatore

(98.7%) recorded good attendance while Madurai city had 88%.

J S Dharani from Chennai said the physics paper was the toughest so far in NEET. "NTA has not considered the pandemic situation. Out of 45 questions in physics, 35 were tough as they were based on calculations. The choices were also very close and tough," she said.

Kushal Seervi from Chennai, who is writing the exam for the second time, said he left a few questions in physics fearing negative marks. "It will be very difficult to score full marks," he said.

B K Lokesh said the additional options were tricky and so students needed more time.

Students said the biology section was easier as the options were vastly different and students can identify correct answers easily.

M Jayashree, from a government school in the city, said biology questions were easier as they were direct. "Physics questions were largely based on calculations and choices were similar. Fearing negative marks, I skipped some questions," she said.

N Prasanth from Madurai said the arrangements for the exam were smooth. “Covid-19 safety was a bit of a concern for my family but the safety measures in place were reassuring. The exam also went on without any disruptions and instructions were clearly explained. Wearing masks for hours was a bit tough but still it was manageable and I was able to concentrate,” he added.

B Pavan Kumar, deputy director of FIITJEE, Chennai, said the question paper was lengthy and many students could not answer all the questions. "Due to the tough paper, students can expect better rank compared to last year. For example, a student with 650 marks out of 720 in NEET got a rank around 2,000 last year. This year students will get 1,600 rank for the same mark," he said.

P Prameela, academics director, Narayana Educational Institutions, said the paper was not like the NEET 2020 paper, which was easier. "It was a concept-based paper and lengthier. We are not expecting full marks this year and a score above 650 may get below 100 rank this year," she said.

NEET politics simmers after TN youth kills self

NEET politics simmers after TN youth kills self

Senthil.Kumaran@timesgroup.com

Salem:13.09.2021

Under pressure to seek NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu, the state government faced harsh criticism from the opposition after a 20-year-old ended his life by hanging, hours before he was to take the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test. Police said S Dhanush of Koolaiyur village in Salem district took the extreme step, “apprehensive about taking NEET” held on Sunday afternoon across the country.

Chief minister M K Stalin, while condoling the youth’s death, said, “Our legal battle against NEET begins now.” He assured that a bill would be passed in the state assembly on Monday, the last day of the budget session, to get “permanent exemption” from NEET.

Stalin said he would write a letter to all the state CMs to get their support for NEET exemption, which was “a national issue". He said some students like Dhanush ended their lives due to fear of facing the exam.

Police said Dhanush had been preparing for NEET for the past two years. He had taken the examination twice earlier and failed in both attempts. According to preliminary inquiries, Dhanush told his parents that he would fail this examination too.

Physics questions tough: Candidates

About one lakh candidates took NEET at 224 centres in TN amid strict Covid protocols. Chennai recorded an attendance rate of 96%. Students, who expected an easy paper like last year, had to face tough physics questions. They said biology was easier and chemistry moderately difficult. P2

Now, screening facility for newborns at AIIMS

Now, screening facility for newborns at AIIMS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:12.09.2021

A facility for screening hemoglobinopathies in newborns was inaugurated at AIIMS Bhopal here on Saturday. It is to be noted that Madhya Pradesh has a high prevelance of sickle cell disorders, thalasemias and other hemoglobinopathies.

The facility, which comes under the department of pediatrics, is supported by National Health Mission (NHM). Importance of genetic counselling and screening of high risk population is stressed. Patient information brochure for advocacy and awareness about newborn screening was also released during the event.

Newborn screening (NBS) is a simple test which requires only 2-3 drops of blood to be collected by a heelprick from newborns on day two or three of birth. Such facility will help ease the burden of one similar existing in Bhopal’s Gandhi Medical College.

Dr Seema Kapoor, director professor of genetics at Delhi’s Maulana Azad Medical College, delivered a guest lecture stressing the need for universal newborn screening and increasing awareness about NBS amongst healthcare professionals and the community. Also present on the occasion were representatives from AIIMS Bhopal and NHM.

The facility will help in early diagnosis of these disorders in the newborn period, and early initiation of treatment helps to prevent the long term complications and improve the quality of life of these patients. It will also help to provide opportunities for prenatal diagnosis in subsequent pregnancies, according to a press release.

Dr Bhavna Dhingra, nodal officer of the programme, informed that it is proposed to include screening for metabolic disorders as well in the near future and to scaleup the programme to cover the entire state in a phased manner.

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E-tender ‘scam’ probe: EOW in a spot over accused’s proof-copy demand

E-tender ‘scam’ probe: EOW in a spot over accused’s proof-copy demand

P.Naveen@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:12.09.2021

The accused in the alleged Rs 3000-cr e-tender scam in MP have put EOW in a fix by asking for a copy of the electronic evidence.

The agency says it is voluminous 9TB data which cannot be shared with the accused without segregation, and that itself is a Herculean task. On other hand the Bhopal court is trying to conclude the trial at the earliest to meet Supreme Court’s deadline.

The SC had ordered last month that the trial be completed and the verdict pronounced within 12 months. The apex court dismissed a special leave petition for bail filed by one of the accused, who had been in jail for the last two years. Order was issued last month.

A breach in the e-tender process led to the alleged Rs 3,000 crore scam, forcing the government to revoke nine of its major tenders. In 2018, EOW approached CERT-In to pay a visit to MP State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) to get a mirror image of the data related to the case. CERT-In is yet to share its inputs on the retrieved data. EOW has been sending reminders to the central agency for this so that it can wrap up the investigation Officers also say that it is not feasible to share the entire data with the accused as it may have an adverse impact on pending cases. The trial court has asked EOW to hand over the digital evidence in compliance with the SC ruling to conclude its trial at the earliest.

The SC order goes thus: “We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment passed by the high court. Consequently, the special leave petition is dismissed. However, the trial court is directed to conclude the trial and pronounce the judgment within a year from the date of receipt of the copy of this order.”

E-tendering ‘biggest scam’ EOW has probed

On April 11, 2019, a day after registering an FIR into the Rs 3000-crore e-tendering scam, EOW had rounded up three software professionals and raided a company jointly operated by them for allegedly hacking the government portal and ‘modifying contents’.

IP addresses of the systems used to breach the e-tendering software of Madhya Pradesh state electronic development corporation (MPSEDC) were allegedly traced to the desktop and mobile phones of the company and its directors. Unauthorized accesses were made into the portal using encryption keys via internet connections used by this company, say officials.

In his statement to EOW, the company’s proprietor has denied his role in any of the tenders floated by MPSEDC. According to him, his company, which has a licensed load runner, was contracted to conduct performance testing of the e-tender portal, and the work was cancelled within two days of its award.

E-tendering is said to be the biggest ever ‘scam’ that the agency ever investigated. The probe began in mid-June 2019 on the orders of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The then chief secretary BP Singh asked EOW to begin an investigation based on an interim report submitted by a former director of MPSED after the cancellation of nine tenders. The FIR mentions directors of seven private companies, and unnamed bureaucrats and politicians. TNN

The agency says it is voluminous 9TB data and its segregation itself is a Herculean task

‘Third wave knocking at the door, but may not be severe’

‘Third wave knocking at the door, but may not be severe’

Amarjeet.Singh1@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:12.09.2021

The number of active Covid-19 patients in Madhya Pradesh has increased by more than 38% in the 11 days of September, leading experts to warn that the third wave may be around the corner. However, it may not be as severe as the second one, they feel.

There were 83 active patients in the state on September 1, which has now increased to 136. The numbers seem low, fueled mainly by a spurt in Jabalpur, but the trend is worrying.

“Given the recent rise, it could be the beginning of the third wave. Unless there is 100% vaccination, there will always be the possibility of another wave,” AIIMS-Bhopal director Dr Sarman Singh told TOI.

‘Covid-appropriate behaviour way out’

It may still happen, despite 100% vaccination, but even if a vaccinated patient gets infected, the symptoms will not be severe. Covid-appropriate behavior – wearing face masks and maintaining social distance – is the only way out,” Dr Sarman Singh told TOI. There has been one death this month, and four since August 1. On the positive side, 45 districts are not reporting new cases, and the recent cases are confined mostly to Jabalpur, Bhopal and Indore. Jabalpur is causing concern because it accounts for 56 (41%) of the state’s 136 active patients. On Saturday, it had half of MP’s 16 new cases.

Asked why cases are being reported from a few pockets only, Singh said, “Even during the second wave, there were several villages and pockets that had remained out of the purview of Covid-19 infection. Thus, this spurt could definitely be considered the start of the third wave”. “But we can say that this time, the infection will probably not be as severe, unless a new version of the virus is there,” Dr Singh added. TNN

5-yr RI for man who threw iron flute at judge

5-yr RI for man who threw iron flute at judge

12.09.2021

A 60-year-old Mumbai resident who, dressed up as a lawyer, shouted, “Lord Krishna, aaj Krishna ka janam hua hai” and threw an iron flute at a jugde in the Dindoshi sessions court last January has been given 5-year RI. A stenographer was hurt in the incident which took place during his brother’s murder trial. He claimed he was stressed, but the court refused any leniency.

Buy or wait? Your guide to smartphone upgrades

Buy or wait? Your guide to smartphone upgrades

It’s that time of year when tech companies launch glitzy campaigns to persuade people to trade in their old phones for newer models

We all know that after a few years, our phones might not be able to run the latest apps. It can feel sluggish. Some components, like touchscreens, may begin to fail.

At some point, it does become practical to get a new phone — like when too many negatives add up or the cost of fixing a broken part is too high — but before you splurge on an upgrade, consider these questions.

Am I unhappy with my phone?

If there are elements that make you unhappy, drill down on the problems. A lot of what makes us displeased with our phones can be easily fixed. Here are two of the most common frustrations and their remedies: If the device feels slow or doesn’t last throughout the day, one of the simplest and most affordable solutions is to replace the battery. This greatly elongates a device’s life and speeds it up. Because batteries have a finite life, it’s recommended to replace them every two to three years anyway, said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a US company that publishes instructions on repairing gadgets.

Another common issue is running out of data storage. A quick fix is to purge apps that you no longer use. On iPhones, Apple offers the iPhone Storage tool, which shows a list of apps that take up the most data and when they were last used. On Android devices, Google offers a similar tool, Files.

There are some problems, however, that can’t be easily remedied, like a broken touch-screen. When the repair is more than half the cost of a new phone, it may be smarter to trade in your beat-up gadget for a new one.

Can I get software updates?

Phone manufacturers regularly publish software updates that include new features. They also address security vulnerabilities, so it’s important to stay on top of installing them. A good rule of thumb is to consider an upgrade when you can no longer get software updates.

Apple phones get software updates for five to six years. (Apple’s iOS 15 software will be compatible with phones dating back to the iPhone 6S from 2015.) Android devices get them for a shorter period — about two to three years.

How would a new phone change my life?

It is important to imagine what your life would look like with a new phone. If you have a newborn on the way and your phone takes blurry shots, an upgrade with a better camera would probably be a good investment.

But if you mostly use a phone just for basic tasks like making calls, messaging and browsing the web, a newer, faster one won’t make a big difference.

— THE NEW YORK TIMES