Passengers create ruckus on board Shanti Express over missing belongings

Passengers create ruckus on board Shanti Express over missing belongings 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  07.12.2024

Ahmedabad : Passengers in the First AC coach of the Shanti Express, travelling from Indore to Ahmedabad, were shocked when women travellers discovered that their belongings were missing. A commotion ensued when railway protection force officials declined to record complaints whilst the train was in motion, insisting passengers must alight at a station to do so. Officials were unwilling to stop the train for complaint registration.

The incident occurred around 3.30am, between Nagda and Ujjain, when a woman passenger noticed her purse and bag were missing. She alerted other passengers. Himangini Kalantri, another passenger of the AC coach, stated, “I heard noise outside my compartment. A woman passenger was looking for her stuff, her bag, and purse, as everything went missing. As other passengers started gathering near her seat, an attendant came and informed us that he found a bag in the washroom.” Kalantri added, “Usually, when I travel alone, I prefer the First AC coach as it is safe.” After recovering the items, passengers attempted to report the incident on the railway complaint number. However, the responding officers were uncooperative. The ticket checker and officials instead criticised the passengers for not securing their compartment from inside. 

According to Kalantri, she contacted the railway complaint platform, while the staff insisted on filing complaints at Ahmedabad. But other passengers refused to continue the journey. “I pulled the chain on four oc casions as we wanted action. After 20 minutes of ruckus, a police officer came to register the complaint,” she explained. Additional bags were discovered in the washrooms during the complaint registration process. “We found six bags in different washrooms, which were probably stolen. It is suspected that if it was happening across all coaches, there was a gang active on the train,” Kalantri said.  She expressed concern about single women travellers being targeted and suggested possible staff involvement, either directly or indirectly, in such incidents. 

Ticketless travellers paid ₹8.7cr in fines 

Ahmedabad : The Ahmedabad division of Western Railway collected Rs 13.46 crore between April and Nov in fines from passengers who were caught during a ticket checking drive and were carrying unauthorised luggage. The railway authorities said that to ensure comfortable travel and better services for all legitimate passengers, intensive ticket checking campaigns were conducted. The Ahmedabad division collected over Rs 8.71 crore from more than 94,600 passengers for ticketless travel. Additionally, Rs 4.70 crore in fines were imposed on around 81,500 unauthorized travellers. “Usually, passengers are required to book heavy luggage in the luggage van, but they travel with such heavy luggage in the train, and hence they were also booked,” said a senior railway official. TNN

Now, take your learner’s licence test from home

Now, take your learner’s licence test from home

Himanshu.Kaushik@timesofindia.com 07.12.2024

Ahmedabad : The state transport department has finally decided to facilitate driving tests for learners from the comfort of their homes or offices. Come Jan, candidates, unlike earlier, will not need to visit Regional Transport Offices or authorised centres for the online test. This applies only to those who have an Aadhaar linked to their mobile phone number. The move comes after extensive testing, officials said. 

The current system of going to RTOs, polytechnics or ITIs will continue. Union Govt mandates that the online test should be made compulsory, allowing individuals to take the test from anywhere. Officials stated that biometrics, specifically face recognition, will be conducted using Aadhaar card data. The system will not capture voice and hence answers dictated to the system will not be detected. Officials noted that in 2024, govt brought down the pass limit. Earlier, a candidate was required to answer 11 questions out of 15 correctly. Now, correct answers to nine questions are enough to clear the test. 

According to officials, 19 states have already implemented the system, but Gujarat was testing the system to ensure it was foolproof, following Maharashtra’s model for implementation. The move will reduce the rush at RTOs, polytechnics and ITIs, said senior officials. “Necessary changes were made by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Vahan 4.0 and Sarathi 4.0 systems used for vehicle registration and driving licence issuance across the country,” an offici al said. To take the test from home or office, applicants will have to visit ‘https://parivahan.gov.in’. “Before appearing for the test, candidates will have to watch online videos on road safety. Only then can they apply. Those correctly answering 60% of the questions can print a learner’s licence on their own,” the official explained. Those failing can attempt the test again in a similar manner following rules. 

“Those who don’t want to opt for a test through Aadhaar can take the test using the existing procedure,” the official sai

HC acquits doctor convicted for raping woman colleague

HC acquits doctor convicted for raping woman colleague 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 07.12.2024

Chennai : Madras high court has accorded the benefit of doubt and acquitted a practising doctor convicted by a trial court for raping a woman doctor while they were housed at a city hotel during Covid pandemic. The trial court had on Dec 30, 2022 imposed 10-year RI on Dr Vetriselvan and fined him ₹25,000. However, allowing his appeal on Nov 25, Justice Sunder Mohan held there were many infirmities and said: “This court is of the view that the appellant cannot be convicted on the basis of such evidence and that he will be entitled to benefit of doubt.”

The woman-doctor had alleged that on Aug 5, 2021, while she and Dr Vetriselvan were on Covid duty and lodged at a city hotel, he invited her to his room where he raped her. The defence, however, argued that the allegation of rape was an afterthought because though the incident took place on Aug 5, 2021, a complaint to the dean was given on Sept 21 and FIR filed only on Nov 17. In her complaint to the dean, the woman mentioned only sexual harassment and no rape. “She being a doctor, it cannot be said that she did not know the difference between sexual harassment and rape,” argued senior counsel A Ramesh. 

She also did not subject herself to medical examination and told the magistrate she did not wish to precipitate the matter. Citing all this, Justice Sunder Mohan said, “In the complaint, apart from not referring to any alleged act of rape, the victim would state that the incident took place at her accommodation at the hotel, which is contrary to the prosecution case that the incident took place in the appellant’s room.” While a complaint was given to the dean 43 days after the incident, a police complaint was lodged two months after the complaint in which an improved version was made, said the judge.

The judge then set aside the trial court order and directed the authorities to return the fine amount to the appellant.

Remarks against Vadivelu: HC gags actor Singamuthu

Remarks against Vadivelu: HC gags actor Singamuthu 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 07.12.2024

Chennai : Madras high court directed actor Singamuthu to file an affidavit giving an undertaking that he will not make any defamatory or derogatory statements against actor Vadivelu. Justice G Jayachandran passed the interim order on Friday, on a civil suit m oved by Vadivelu seeking ₹5 crore as damages from Singamuthu for making defamatory statements against him on social media. According to Vadivelu, Singamuthu in interviews given on YouTube channels on Jan 16 and Feb 11, made several derogatory and false statements against personal and professional life. On Mar 19, Vadivelu issued legal notices to Singamuthu and the YouTube channels concerned, demanding an apology and withdrawal of his comments. 

Though the channels expressed their apology, Singamuthu sent a reply stating that under the Constitution, free speech is guaranteed to him. Noting that the reply was nothing but adding salt to his wound, Vadivelu said, “for no cause, he is disgraced in the public by defamatory words of Singamuthu.” Vadivelu submitted that he is a well-known artist and that statements of Singamuthu caused mental agony, pain, and m

isery. Unless he is directed to compensate the plaintiff, the defendant will continue making such cheap and unwarranted utterances against the plaintiff.

TN students in a fix over UGC’s new rules for UG/PG

TN students in a fix over UGC’s new rules for UG/PG

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 07.12.2024

Chennai : Class XII students in Tamil Nadu, where there are no entrance exams for UG/PG courses, are unlikely to be able to take advantage of University Grants Commission’s flexibility of joining any UG degree next year. Academics say TN should continue with the present policy of UG admissions based on Class XII board exam marks, fearing the draft UGC (Minimum Standards of Instructions in the Award of UG and PG Degrees) Regulations 2024 released on Thursday may lead to a decline in quality of degrees and create confusion. 

The draft rules allow any Class XII student to pursue any UG degree after clearing anational level or university level entrance test. It also includes multiple entry and exits in degree programmes, accelerated and extended degrees, and twice-a-year admission, among others. UGC has given time until Dec 23 for all stakeholders to give their feedback on its website. The All India Save Education Committee wants the new rules withdrawn. “Higher educational institutions lack infrastructure, classrooms, and teachers. Whatever discipline there is in the higher education system would be shattered. We demand the immediate withdrawal of these new regulations,” said Biswajit Mitra, treasurer. 

Some fear allowing a student to pursue 50% skill-related courses in UG programmes will create graduates without any deep knowledge. “It will also take away the importance of the core subject,” said S Suresh, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Govt Collegiate Teachers’Association. Admission twice a year will create confusion. Others suggest a bridge course along with the entrance test. Madras Christian College principal Paul Wilson said arts group students keen on taking up science course need a foundational course. “An entrance test alone will not be able to fill the learning gap.” Sastra University vicechancellor S Vaidhyasubramaniam said that while draft regulations provide scope for learner flexibility and multidisciplinary options, the idea of allowing two degrees at the

same time will affect learning outcomes. Madras University Teachers Association General Secretary C Murugan said providing multiple exit options may encourage more dropouts rather than reentry. “Flexibility for students as a broad idea is welcome. However, framing the rules requires careful thought.”

Vijay stares down DMK, winks at VCK

Vijay stares down DMK, winks at VCK 

TVK Leader Turns Ambedkar Book Launch Into Political Stage 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 07.12.2024

Chennai : Actor-turned-Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Friday turned the launch of a book on B R Ambedkar into a political stage, attacking the BJP govt at Centre and the DMK govt in Tamil Nadu, besides making political overtures to VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, a DMK ally who was invited but stayed away from the event. Speaking at his first social event after TVK’s debut public meeting in Vikravandi on Oct 28, Vijay accused the Union govt of inaction on the Manipur violence and the state govt of failing to act on the Vengaivayal incident when a water tank used by dalits was contaminated with human waste. “If Ambedkar sees it today, he will hang his head in shame,” Vijay said to loud cheers from TVK cadres who had occupied much of the seats at Chennai Trade Centre. 

“A permanent solution is simple: We need to elect a govt that truly loves the people.” Calling it “anti-people”, Vijay said DMK is unable to ensure even basic social justice and security, but has expressed confidence of winning the 2026 election. 

Thiruma’s heart is here, says Vijay  The people will turn all your alliance calculations, which you have been protecting in many ways for your own selfish interests, into minuses in 2026,” Vijay said. “Thirumavalavan could not participate in the function due to pressure from the DMK alliance. But I can say that his heart is here.” The TVK founder urged Centre to appoint election commission members by consensus and declare April 14, Ambedkar’s birthday, Democratic Rights Day. He released the book ‘Ellarukkumana Thalaivar Ambedkar’ (Everyone’s Leader Ambedkar’), a compilation of articles and interviews, including one from Thirumavalavan. Anand Teltumbde, who is married to Ambedkar’s granddaughter, received the first copy, followed by former Madras high court judge Justice K Chandru. VCK deputy general secretary Aadhav Arjuna is the copublisher of the book brought out by Vikatan Group. Vijay honoured the Vengaivayal villagers who exposed the crime, and dalit teen Chinnadurai and his sister Chandraselvi, who were attacked by students of other castes, besides dalit women panchayat leaders Vidya and Shanth

Airfares shoot through sky for yearend travel

Airfares shoot through sky for yearend travel 

Cheapest Fares Have Inconvenient Flight Timing 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Mumbai : Airfares for yearend domestic travel from Mumbai are sky-high, but largely only to leisure destinations such as Srinagar, Dehradun, Cochin, Port Blair, and such. Fares for travel in the last week of December on non-stop flights between metros such as those from Mumbai to Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru aren't that high this time around, as the cheapest return fares are still priced between ₹9,000 and ₹13,000. The last weekend of the year, comprising Dec 28 (Saturday), and Dec 29, are particularly high in demand for travel out of metros with the most expensive fares. Even on the Mumbai-Kolkata route, which typically sees perennially high fares priced at around ₹10,000 for one-way travel, is at present selling at ₹17,000, which isn’t bad given it is a return fare on non-stop flights. The ones who are hit the most, as usual, are passengers who need to travel for emergency purposes and buy 24-hour advance purchase fares. 

One-way fares on flights from Mumbai to places such as Ranchi (₹20,000), Patna (₹18,000), and Kochi (₹12,000) are high, though not so high to places like Lucknow, Nagpur, and Raipur, which are for now selling for around ₹8,000. Then there are other cities where even 24-hour advance, one-way fares on non-stop flights are not too high, such as Indore (₹5,000), Delhi (₹6,000), Hyderabad (₹4,000), and Bengaluru (₹7,700). The catch, as always, is that the cheapest fares are on flights with inconvenient flight times. The bad boys are all fares to leisure destinations for travel between December 23 and January 1 (see box). Nishant Pitti, CEO and cofounder of EaseMyTrip, says, “Indian travellers are experiencing a complex airfare landscape this year-end season, with significant variations across domestic and  international routes. For domestic routes, the data reveals mixed fare patterns. The Delhi-Goa route, a perennial favourite, shows a modest 2% increase with average fares at ₹9,301. 

He added: “However, some routes like Pune-Benga- luru have seen dramatic fare surges, with prices jumping 80% to ₹10,000-11,000, compelling travellers to reconsider their holiday plans.” “In terms of top destinations, domestic travellers are gravitating towards Goa, Delhi, and Bengaluru, with Goa maintaining its status as the premier year-end celebration destination,” he said.