Madras HC imposes ₹5L on TN govt for ‘unnecessary’ appeal

Madras HC imposes ₹5L on TN govt for ‘unnecessary’ appeal 

Sureshkumar.k@timesofindia.com 08.03.2025

Chennai : An ‘unnecessary’ appeal in Madras high court has cost Tamil Nadu govt₹5 lakh. Adivision bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice G Arul Murugan imposed the cost on the govt for ‘unnecessarily’ moving an appeal against the appointment of a sanitary worker to a minority-aided college. 

The judges observed that although the state govt had the power to regulate appointments in govt aided colleges, this cannot be done through administrative orders that contradict the existing rules. The issue pertains to a plea moved by St Christopher’s College of Education, Vepery, Chennai, challenging a GO rejecting the approval of the appointment of a sanitary worker for the college.

As a single judge of the court allowed the plea and ruled in favour of the college, the state moved the present appeal. The court said, “This unnecessary appeal by the govt challenges the order of the single judge, which directed approval of the appointment of a sanitary worker in the respondent college, which is admittedly a minority institution.” 

No doubt, the govt has the power to regulate appointments in govt-aided colleges, but that cannot be done through administrative orders that contradict the existing rules. We, therefore, see no merit in the appeal. This writ appeal fails, and it is accordingly dismissed, the judges said. Since we find that this appeal is a re-agitation of a matter settled by the court and approved by the Supreme Court, we impose a cost of ₹5,00,000 on the govt, the court said.

Indian Railways: You can book an entire train! Just know the right procedure

Indian Railways: You can book an entire train! Just know the right procedure

Pritam SantraMarch 06, 2025 - 08:10 AM

Indian Railways: The wedding season has commenced, leading many individuals to reserve train tickets for extended travels. To facilitate this, one has the option to book an entire coach or multiple seats simultaneously. According to railway regulations, any individual is permitted to make such bookings.

Know the process

There are two available methods for this process. You may either visit the ticket counter to secure a seat for the entire journey in one transaction or opt to apply online from the comfort of your home. Indian Railways provides passengers with the opportunity to reserve an entire coach or several coaches at once, which is particularly advantageous for transporting individuals or groups from an organization. To proceed with this, you can access the railway’s official website for bookings or utilize the online platform.

For those interested in reserving an entire train coach, please visit IRCTC’s FTR website at www.ftr.irctc.co.in and log in using your user ID. This platform will present you with options to book coaches and trains. Upon selecting this option, you will need to input travel-related information, including the travel date and coach details. After completing this information, you will proceed to make the payment, thereby securing the entire coach. It is important to note that when booking an entire railway coach, individual details for each passenger are not required; only the information of the person making the booking is necessary. Consequently, the entire coach will be reserved under the name of a single individual, allowing all passengers to travel together.

Book train online

To book a train online, you must reach out to the Digital Commercial Manager or Station Master and provide comprehensive journey details. After calculating the fare, they will facilitate the booking of the entire coach. Please be aware that booking a complete coach will incur an additional charge of 30 to 35 percent over the standard fare, along with a security deposit of Rs. 50,000 for the coach, which will be refunded after the journey concludes.

However, should you wish to reserve an entire train, a separate fare will apply. Usually, there are 18 coaches in a train. So along with all these coaches, you will also have to pay the train engine fare. The reason for this is that when the entire train is booked, the engine goes to the place you have booked.

Thai man finds entire snake frozen inside ice cream bar, internet is horrified

Thai man finds entire snake frozen inside ice cream bar, internet is horrified

By   Mahipal Singh Chouhan

Mar 07, 2025 08:30 PM IST

A Thai man was stunned to discover a whole snake frozen inside an ice cream bar he had bought from a street vendor.

A man in Thailand was left horrified after finding an entire snake frozen inside an ice cream bar he had purchased from a street vendor. The bizarre incident quickly went viral, leaving social media users in shock and disbelief.

A Thai man was shocked to find a snake frozen in his ice cream bar.(Facebook)

The man, identified online as Rayban Naklengboon from Pak Tho in Mueang Ratchaburi, central Thailand, took to Facebook to share photos of his chilling discovery. The images showed the black-and-yellow snake’s head clearly visible, peeking out from the frozen treat.

“Is it dead yet?” – the viral post

Rayban’s post, written in Thai, read: “Such big eyes! Is it dead yet? Black bean, street vendor, real picture because I bought it myself.” His reference to “black bean” is a nod to a type of ice cream commonly sold by street vendors in Thailand.

The post immediately gained traction, attracting thousands of reactions, comments, and shares. Users couldn’t believe their eyes, with many expressing both horror and amusement over the bizarre discovery.

Social media reacts with shock and humour

The comments section quickly turned into a mix of jokes and genuine concern. One user quipped, “This is why I stick to store-bought ice cream.” Another remarked, “Forget black bean, this is clearly a new flavour—snake surprise.”

Some users were more horrified than amused. “I will never buy ice cream from a street vendor again!” one person wrote, while another questioned, “How does something like this even happen? Did no one check before freezing?”

Others couldn’t resist cracking jokes. “Congratulations! You unlocked the ‘wild’ version of ice cream,” someone teased. Another commented, “This gives a whole new meaning to brain freeze.”

Others warned about the potential dangers of consuming street food. “This is why food safety regulations are so important,” one user pointed out. Another quipped, “At least you got more protein with your dessert.”

Reliance Jio introduced recharge plan without data, will get 365 days validity

Reliance Jio introduced recharge plan without data, will get 365 days validity

ByShyamu Maurya

March 6, 2025

Reliance Jio introduced recharge plan without data, will get 365 days validity

A few days ago, TRAI had instructed all telecom companies to offer recharge plans with only calling and SMS, so that users who do not use data can benefit. After this rule, Jio has introduced two voice only recharge plans. In this plan of Jio, only calling and SMS facility will be available.

Jio Recharge Plan: A few days ago, TRAI had instructed all telecom companies to offer cheap recharge plans with only calling and SMS. After this rule of TRAI, Jio has introduced two cheap recharge plans with only calling and SMS. Jio has listed two new voice only plans on its website, in which users will get a long validity of up to 365 days. This plan will benefit those users who do not use data.

This plan of Jio is especially for those users who only use calling and SMS and who do not need data. Both these plans of Jio come with a validity of 84 days for Rs 458 and 365 days for Rs 1958. Users will get a lot of benefits in both these plans of Jio. Let’s know the full details about these plans.

84 day Jio plan

Jio’s new Rs 458 plan comes with a validity of 84 days. In this plan, users get unlimited calling and 1000 free SMS. Apart from this, users also get free access to apps like Jio Cinema and Jio TV. This plan has been brought especially for those users who use only calling and SMS. In this plan, unlimited calls and free national roaming facility is provided on any network across India.

Jio’s 365 days plan

Jio’s new Rs 1958 prepaid plan comes with a long validity of 365 days. In this plan, users get the benefit of unlimited calling on any network across India. Along with this, 3600 free SMS and free national roaming are also included in it. This plan also provides free access to apps like Jio Cinema and Jio TV, so that users can also enjoy entertainment to the fullest.

Jio removed two plans

Jio has now removed two of its old recharge plans from its list. These plans were of Rs 479 and Rs 1899. The Rs 1899 plan offered 24GB data with a validity of 336 days, while the Rs 479 plan offered 6GB data with a validity of 84 days.

Sitting for long hours has the same consequences as smoking, drinking?

Sitting for long hours has the same consequences as smoking, drinking?

etimes.in | Mar 7, 2025, 02.49 PM IST

Prolonged sitting is equivalent to physical inactivity and its health consequences has been a primary concern of health experts. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised to engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week to give the body the minimum amount of movement and activity. Lack of physical activity or in other words long sedentary hours can lead to obesity, a major risk factor of several life threatening diseases.

Health risks associated with sitting for too long

A sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of heart diseases. Research indicates that individuals who sit for more than eight hours a day without physical activity have a risk of dying similar to the risks posed by obesity and smoking.

Prolonged sitting slows down metabolism, affecting the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and to break down body fat. This can lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Extended sitting periods can lead to insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Sedentary behavior has been linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression. The lack of physical activity can affect mental well-being and cognitive function.

If sitting is the new smoking, how can we quit?

A 2016 study on the harmful effects of sitting is one of the studies that estimated the future of the impact of this biological shift and its effect on the global population. The study published in the British Journal of General Practice, highlights the negative of sitting for too long. "The fact that we can’t erase the effects of a lifetime spent sitting at the desk (or on the sofa) with a few weekly trips to the gym is an inconvenient truth at a time when the majority of the population, GPs included, remain wedded to our desks and computers.

So if sitting is the new smoking, how do we quit? One response has been the adoption of standing desks," the researchers say and later add that standing still for extended periods is uncomfortable and may come with its own health implications (varicose veins, foot pain).

Practical tips to follow:

Stand up and move around every 30 minutes. Even short, frequent walking breaks can significantly reduce health risks.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise each week, as recommended by health guidelines.

Limit recreational screen time and incorporate more physical activities into your leisure routine.

When sitting, maintain proper posture to reduce strain on muscles and joints.

AP veterinary students protest low stipends, demand parity with MBBS interns

AP veterinary students protest low stipends, demand parity with MBBS interns

Interns say they have been getting a stipend of Rs 7,000 per month since 2013, while medicos are being paid Rs 25,906.

SVVU students staging a protest in Tirupati (Photo | Express)

S Guru Srikanth

Updated on:

07 Mar 2025, 8:41 am

VIJAYAWADA: For over a month, veterinary science students across Andhra Pradesh, including those at Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) in Tirupati, have been protesting against low stipends.

They demand a revision, citing stark disparities: Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) interns receive Rs 7,000 per month—unchanged since 2013—while MBBS interns earn Rs 25,906. Postgraduate veterinary students get Rs 9,000, compared to Rs 64,000 for medical counterparts, and Ph.D. scholars receive Rs 10,000.

“This is blatant injustice,” said P Naswar Khan, president of the Andhra Pradesh Veterinary Students and Graduates Association. With around 2,000 students across four veterinary colleges, Tirupati, Gannavaram, Proddatur, and Garividi, and 300 final-year interns, including 69 at Garividi, frustration is mounting.

Khan pointed out that BVSc interns, who spend six months at polyclinics and another six at farms, zoos, and laboratories, bear additional expenses for accommodation and transport without extra support. “Our stipends were once on par with MBBS students in 2013, but medical stipends have increased while ours have stagnated,” he said. Students also noted that veterinary fees rise annually, whereas government medical college fees remain fixed while stipends increase.

The Veterinary Council of India (VCI) took up the issue, with its president, Dr Umesh Chandra Sharma, writing to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on February 13, 2025, following a student appeal on February 12. He stressed veterinarians’ role in preventing zoonotic diseases and ensuring food safety, arguing that their stipends should match those of medical students.

SVVU students have formally demanded a stipend hike to Rs 25,906 for undergraduates and Rs 64,000 for postgraduates, with a 15% annual increase. They claim their protests have been ignored for 13 years. Research scholars also report funding shortages due to budget constraints.

SVVU vice-chancellor (in-charge) Prof. JV Ramana told TNIE that the issue was raised with the State government in July and October 2024, with assurances that it is under review. His team, along with parents, is persuading students to halt their protests.

Minister K Atchannaidu has reportedly discussed the matter with the Chief Minister, who proposed a 50% stipend hike. However, students, learning this unofficially, insist on at least Rs 15,000 and vow to continue striking.

The YSRCP has urged the government to act immediately, stressing the need to support veterinary students and safeguard farmers’ interests.

Garividi vet college students’ future hangs in limbo

The future of 69 final-year students at Garividi Veterinary Science College remains uncertain as the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) has yet to recognise their third, fourth, and fifth years. “Without recognition, we can’t intern or apply for PG exams,” said final-year student D Lokesh Sai. Amid a month-long strike, sources say VCI approval is progressing.

Can aspirin prevent cancer from spreading?

Can aspirin prevent cancer from spreading?

etimes.in | Mar 7, 2025, 04.02 PM IST

The findings of a new study can change the course of cancer treatment.

As per the study, the findings of which have been published in the journal Nature, scientists have uncovered the mechanism behind how aspirin could reduce the metastasis of some cancers by stimulating the immune system.

“Despite advances in cancer treatment, many patients with early stage cancers receive treatments, such as surgical removal of the tumour, which have the potential to be curative, but later relapse due to the eventual growth of micrometastases – cancer cells that have seeded other parts of the body but remain in a latent state. Most immunotherapies are developed to treat patients with established metastatic cancer, but when cancer first spreads there’s a unique therapeutic window of opportunity when cancer cells are particularly vulnerable to immune attack. We hope that therapies that target this window of vulnerability will have tremendous scope in preventing recurrence in patients with early cancer at risk of recurrence," said Professor Rahul Roychoudhuri in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge, who led the study.

Aspirin controls cancerous growth by decreasing TXA2

The scientists traced signals in the cell to determine that ARHGEF1 is switched on when T cells are exposed to a clotting factor called thromboxane A2 (TXA2). TXA2 is produced by platelets - a cell in the blood stream that helps blood clot, preventing wounds from bleeding, but occasionally causing heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin reduces the production of TXA2, leading to the anti-clotting effects, which underlies its ability to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

"This new research found that aspirin prevents cancers from spreading by decreasing TXA2 and releasing T cells from suppression. They used a mouse model of melanoma to show that in mice given aspirin, the frequency of metastases was reduced compared to control mice, and this was dependent on releasing T cells from suppression by TXA2," the researchers have said.

“It was a Eureka moment when we found TXA2 was the molecular signal that activates this suppressive effect on T cells. Before this, we had not been aware of the implication of our findings in understanding the anti-metastatic activity of aspirin. It was an entirely unexpected finding which sent us down quite a different path of enquiry than we had anticipated," Dr Jie Yang in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge, first author of the report, said.

Aspirin, a widely used medication, serves multiple therapeutic purposes. It effectively alleviates pain, reduces fever, and addresses inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and pericarditis. Additionally, aspirin is utilized in treating rheumatic fever and Kawasaki disease. In lower doses, it plays a crucial role in preventing cardiovascular events by inhibiting platelet aggregation, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions.