Students illegally staying in hostels, Raj varsity denies

Students illegally staying in hostels, Raj varsity denies

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur:30.06.2021

Despite government shutting down all educational institution in the state, there are a few students allegedly staying in Rajasthan University hostels with the knowledge of the authorities.

Sources alleged 14 to 20 students are living in Aravali and DBN hostels on Rajasthan University campus. These students, who stay in nearby villages, have returned in order to resume studies.

An RU student said, “There are some students who with the help of authorities have started staying in the hostels. Although girls’ hostels are shut down, some students who have good terms with the administration in the university are living without permission.”

Varsity chief warden Rajesh Sharma refuted the claims. “There are no students living in the hostels. We are getting applications of students, but that is not possible to allow without the orders of the government. There are however, some students who have arrived to take their clothes or books back to their homes as they have been stuck there since pandemic. We have just allowed them, but no one is staying for the night.”

Several complaints have also been received by the registrar of the university, K M Dhuria, regarding the staying of boys in the hostels. “I have received these complaints and I will look into the matter,” he said.

GOVT RULES GO FOR A TOSS

‘Think before you click to avoid online fraud’

EXPERT ADVICE

‘Think before you click to avoid online fraud’

Shikha Goel, additional commissioner of police, Crimes & SIT, Hyderabad, answers queries from TOI readers on red flags to watch out for during online transactions, common cyber crimes and what people can do in case they are defrauded

30.06.2021 

n Following an advertisement to rent my apartment, I was approached by a man who claimed to be an Army personnel and said he’d transfer the deposit – of Rs 26,000 – once I scan a QR code. Instead of receiving any money, the person withdrew ₹25,000 from my account. I have complained with my bank and cyber crime cell. Should I raise the issue with any other authority. Also, is scanning QR codes not advisable? —Dheerender Ambati

This is a classic QR code scam. It takes advantage of the victim’s lack of knowledge of how the UPI systems of payments and receipts works. It also exploits the gullible person’s trust.

One may need to scan a QR code only when payment is to be made to someone else. To receive money, the other person (payee) must scan your QR code or directly use your UPI address. When you scanned the fraudster’s QR code, your screen would have clearly indicated: “Proceed to pay,”

rather than ‘’Accept Payment”. However, because victims trust the fraudster, they do not pay adequate attention to what is notified on their own screens and such losses are incurred.

The rapid digitalisation, while making processes convenient in many ways, has also increased the risks of online transactions. What measures must people take to protect themselves from frauds? Also, are cyber crime sleuths taking any measures to create awareness among people? —P R Vittal Rao

You are right in terms of overall increased vulnerability to cyber crime, owing to exponential increase in online transactions. However, cheating, impersonation are age-old crimes. Now, these have infested the internet-connected virtual world as well. Most crimes occur because of either of the following or a combination of the same: Lack of adequate information/ sensitivity on part of victim: There are a large number of first-time users of technology currently in India. While the apps and wallets are quite easy to use and have inbuilt security measures, we must be very careful of how we use them. Sufficient training on how the technology really works will go a long way in reducing instances of such crime. Paying close attention while transacting online is also critical.

Plain old greed: Thousands of victims fall for the ruse of a jackpot or a quick financial gain. We should remember that if some proposition offered by an unknown party on the internet seems too good to be true, it is probably a con job. Do not fall for it.

Shame/fear of loss of reputation: We have seen in matrimonial frauds, WhatsApp video-based sex chat frauds etc., that the fear of loss of reputation leads the victims to fall for blackmail and extortion.

I request all citizens to step up without fear and notify authorities. In such matters, adequate confidentiality is maintained by police.

After lodging a cyber complaint, how often is a victim successful in recovering his/her money? —Anirudh Iyengar

In case of online financial frauds, it only takes a fraction of a second to incur huge losses. Add to that, fraudsters divert their ill-gotten funds within minutes into multiple bank accounts spread all over the country and sometimes abroad. Most times, they withdraw the entire amount immediately leaving limited or no money trail. In such scenarios, it is a Herculean task to catch the suspect. Even when they are caught, the chance of recovering the defrauded amount is minimal.

I frequently receive SMSs/ emails saying that huge amounts of lottery or leftover assets are available. The sender asks for all sorts of details. Are all these frauds? Should we report them? If yes, what’s the procedure? —A S R Sarma

The maxim that there are no free lunches stands true in such cases. One should not believe such messages.

THE REPORTING OPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

When received through SMS, the consumer can register his/ her preference(s) in NCPR by dialing 1909 or by sending SMS to 1909. You can also register using the TRAI DND 2.0 mobile app.

After registering, in case any subscriber receives unsolicited commercial communication after expiry of seven days from the date of his registration in NCPR/DND, he/she may lodge a complaint with the service provider through voice call or SMS to toll free short code 1909 or through DND App within 3 days of receipt of such UCC.

If you receive such potential spam messages on WhatsApp, you can check for reporting options here: https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-andprivacy/staying-safe-onwhatsapp/?lang=en l If you have received an email, especially one that looks like from your bank, all banks have notified phishing reporting email ids where you can send details. You should also block the message in your email tool.

In addition, you can report to the jurisdictional cyber crime police station.

How safe is it to share mobile numbers while transacting with people online? And does it help to block the number later, if it raises any suspicion? —Sunitha Reddy

There is no danger in sharing your mobile number but doing so with unknown persons may pose unforeseen risks in future. So, it is always advisable to err on the side of caution and refrain from sharing your personal mobile number with strangers. Several apps, including some stock apps in leading brands of mobile phones now provide the ability to block a number. You may choose to block a number once you are sure that the caller is pesky or makes you uncomfortable or suspicious in any manner.

I was recently trying to sell used furniture online and realised 9 out of 10 people approaching me were fraud. As soon as I mentioned ‘cash payment’ they withdrew their interest. Is that a sign of a fraudster? Also, is it safe to agree for payment through to GPay or PayTm? —S S Murthy

While we cannot substantiate the percentage, we do agree that a significant number of buyer ids on such websites may belong to potential fraudsters. There are safety guidelines available within the portals themselves which may be closely followed. There is a significantly higher risk of falling prey to cyber crime when the person on the other side insists on only digital payment. However, please understand that you cannot lose money when using a payment tool if you are paying sufficient attention and know how the digital payment networks work.

Now-a-days there are a zillion online trading sites selling everything from clothes to household items to electronic appliances. Many of them are very lucrative as they have great offers. How does one ascertain if an e-commerce platform is genuine or not? —Prakash Kishore

It is difficult to ascertain the genuineness of an e-commerce site. You are already aware of leading e- commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart etc. It is relatively safer to purchase things from such sites owing to their internal policies and support mechanisms against fraud. The safest way to explore new options is through word-of-mouth reference from friends and well-wishers.

Have heard about friends who were defrauded when they clicked on a link sent to them on email, supposedly from their bank seeking some details.

Though they did not furnish any information, just clicking on the link led them to losing money.

How does one save themselves from such high-tech frauds? — Kirthi Parekh

This is rare, but certainly very plausible. If the shared link, when clicked, enables downloading of a malware, then such programme can initiate action on your device without you being aware of it. It is a best practice not to click the links sent by strangers or from seemingly dubious ids. Even though the victim doesn’t knowingly reveal any confidential information, there is a chance that the device/system may get compromised when such links are clicked. Later criminals may take advantage of the same.

Retd 70-yr-old AI employee now a hero on 2 wheels

BEACONS OF HOPE

Retd 70-yr-old AI employee now a hero on 2 wheels

Nirupa.Vatyam@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:30.06.2021

At a time when even the young are hesitant to step out, 70-yearold KR Srinivas Rao has been busy helping others. Even when Covid-19 cases were peaking, Rao was running errands on his bicycle to deliver medicines, ration, and other essentials to those in need.

Rao, a retired Air India employee, also helps Hyderabad Relief Riders in checking whether a request is genuine or not. “I want to do whatever little I can do for the society,” the 70-yearold told TOI. Rao, a resident of West Marredpally, has been attending requests within a six to seven kilometre from his residence, even sponsoring their requirements in some cases.

“Whenever I go to deliver, I make it a point to see their condition and do my bit,” he says, adding that his wife was a little hesitant in the beginning but is now very cooperative. “My children, who are currently living abroad, however, are not completely on board with me stepping out amid pandemic,” he added.

Rao said that he spends about 2 hours every day playing table tennis and mostly uses his cycle to travel. He said that on multiple occasions he came across people trying to misuse their service even when they have a healthy adult at home, who is capable of doing chores. “When I come across such cases, I counsel them and encourage them to step out and shop for their needs,” he added and said that he even served people younger than him in the last couple of months.

Rao’s fellow riders volunteering at Hyderabad Relief Riders said that he is an inspiration to many. “Apart from delivering, he also helps us in verifying requests,” said Ravi Sambari, a cyclist. 82-year-old Nirmal Verma, who lives alone in the city, said that Rao delivered her groceries on Monday after she placed a request with Hyderabad Relief Riders.

Apart from delivering the essentials, Rao also sponsors the supplies for those in need

CBI officer’s assets jump 300% in three years: FIR

CBI officer’s assets jump 300% in three years: FIR

‘2 Flats Bought For ₹2 Crore Without Loans’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  30.06.2021

A deputy superintendent of police with CBI’s anti-corruption unit in Bengaluru has been charged by his own agency with possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. According to the FIR against him, the officer’s assets showed a 300% jump in the last three years.

The officer under scanner is Brajesh Kumar. In the complaint lodged by IPS officer Santosh Hadimani in Delhi, Kumar’s parents Sheo Yogi Singh and Lalitha Singh have also been named as accused.

The FIR said Kumar, who is from Patna, joined CBI in 2008 and was promoted as inspector in 2013. He became a DSP in 2017. Kumar’s father Sheo Yogi Singh retired as assistant registrar of Patna High Court in 2003 and mother Lalitha is a homemaker. The FIR stated that Kumar had amassed wealth in the name of his family members.

According to the FIR, Kumar purchased a flat in his father’s name at Prestige Royale Gardens on Yelahanka-Doddaballapur Road in March 2020 for around Rs 96.4 lakh. A second flat was bought in the same apartment in Lalitha’s name in December 2020 for around Rs 95.3 lakh. Kumar and his parents did not avail any financial assistance or loan for the purchase, said the FIR.

Another flat was purchased in his wife’s name in 2014 on Bannerghatta Road, the FIR stated.

No exam dates, VTU students say time running out at foreign univs

No exam dates, VTU students say time running out at foreign univs

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:30.06.2021

With no clarity on the exam dates for final-year students of Visvesvaraya Technological University, engineering students aspiring to pursue their masters abroad are in a fix as the new academic year begins in many countries in August-September.

While many universities have given conditional offers based on semester marks, some students still need the final semester marks. “The exam schedule has been the primary concern since the whole process of studying abroad has already started. Every decision is coming down to the last minute because of the delay in exams,” said a VTU student who has an offer from University of Birmingham. “A lot of universities abroad are also not able to help because the schedule is not even out yet. Only the first internals have been conducted so far. There are two more to go in addition to seminars, project reports and internship reports.”

Rama N, mother of a student who wants to pursue studies abroad, said: “Without the graduation certificate, admission confirmation and visa-processing becomes difficult. Visas take a long time now, even otherwise. With this delay, students will not be able to attend classes on time. Students who have taken education loan will suffer.”

Firms extend joining date

Manu (name changed) said: “I wanted to study in Australia. The classes were starting from July 26. I was unable to get documents on time. Now, I am joining University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where I have to submit them before the completion of first semester,” said Manu, who had applied for markscard extract on May 19.

“This uncertainty and ambiguity may delay travel plans in a situation where huge amounts of money will have to be spent on flight charges and accommodation that run on first come, first served basis. We cannot proceed in these matters until our university provides a schedule,” he said.

“Several companies have been considerate in extending their joining date. Some of them have also said they could give leave before the exams. But I have been requesting firms to extend the date as students will not be able to put in their best at work or in their exams,” said Savitha Rani M, head, training and placement department, at Ramaiah Institute of Technology.

“Some have started working virtually. The firms had onboarded them as paid interns and after the exams, they will be taken as full-time staff,” said Usha Rani, placement officer at Cambridge Institute of Technology.

First, we need nod from govt to reopen colleges. We’re hoping to have exams by July-end and results by mid-August. We’re aware of students’ conditions and hope to complete it soon. All colleges have started vaccination drives and are progressing very well… As for placements, we have requested companies to postpone the joining dates

Karisiddappa VTU V-C

சுரப்பா மீதான விசாரணை நிறைவு

சுரப்பா மீதான விசாரணை நிறைவு

Added : ஜூன் 29, 2021 21:44

சென்னை:அண்ணா பல்கலை முன்னாள் துணை வேந்தர் சுரப்பா மீதான ஊழல் குற்றச்சாட்டு குறித்த விசாரணையை, கமிஷன் நிறைவு செய்துள்ளது. விரைவில் முதல்வரிடம், அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட உள்ளது.

அ.தி.மு.க., ஆட்சியில் அண்ணா பல்கலை துணை வேந்தராக இருந்த சுரப்பா, 280 கோடி ரூபாய் அளவிற்கு, முறைகேடு செய்ததாக, குற்றச்சாட்டு எழுந்தது. இது குறித்து விசாரிக்க, ஓய்வுபெற்ற நீதிபதி கலையரசன் தலைமையில் விசாரணை கமிஷனை, தமிழக அரசு அமைத்தது. கமிஷன் விசாரணையை முடித்து, மூன்று மாதங்களுக்குள் அறிக்கை அளிக்க வேண்டும்.கலையரன் கமிஷன், உடனடியாக விசாரணையை துவக்கியது.

பல்கலை தேர்வு கட்டுப்பாட்டு அலுவலர் வெங்கடேசன், முன்னாள் பதிவாளர் கருணாமூர்த்தி உட்பட பல்வேறு அலுவலர்களிடம் விசாரணை நடத்தப்பட்டது.இறுதியாக சுரப்பாவிற்கு, முறைகேடு தொடர்பாக பல்வேறு கேள்விகளை அனுப்பி, எழுத்துப்பூர்வமாக பதில் அனுப்பும் படி 'நோட்டீஸ்' அனுப்பப்பட்டது. அதை ஏற்று, சூரப்பாவும் பதில் அனுப்பியதாக தகவல் வெளியானது.

கடந்த எட்டு மாதங்களாக நடந்த விசாரணை, தற்போது நிறைவடைந்துள்ளது. விரைவில் விசாரணை அறிக்கையை, நீதிபதி கலையரசன், முதல்வரிடம் சமர்பிக்க உள்ளார்.

Regularise service of doc who became an instructor: HC

Regularise service of doc who became an instructor: HC

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:30.06.2021

Observing that it a rarest of rare case where a man who had completed MBBS degree and was selected to the post of civil assistant surgeon by the TNPSC had willingly opted to take up a job as a part time vocational instructor, the Madras high court granted relief to him by directing the state to regularise his services as a full time instructor.

A C Kumar, who had completed BSc Chemistry in 1970 and subsequently completed MBBS in 1978, registered his name in the Tamil Nadu Medical Council. Though Kumar was selected for the post of civil assistant surgeon, he had applied for the post of part time vocational instructor in a school and was appointed in1984.

Before his retirement in 2009, Kumar had submitted several representations seeking to regularise his services as a full-time instructor and to provide monetary benefits. However, the authorities in 2009 had rejected his application on the ground that the qualification for the post was BSc nursing and the petitioner had qualification of BSc chemistry and MBBS. It was also further stated that the MBBS degree was obtained from Andhra University and the same was not equivalent to the MBBS from Madras University.

Kumar has filed a petition before the HC Madurai bench in 2010, challenging the rejection order and a single judge in 2016 had directed to regularise his services and grant him monetary benefits. Challenging the order, the government had preferred the present appeal.

A division bench of justices T S Sivagnanam and S Ananthi observed, “We are pleasantly surprised as it is one of the rarest of rare cases where a person who has completed his MBBS degree thought fit to serve in a post which is much inferior to which he was eligible.” The judges dismissed the appeal and directed the state to implement the order of the single judge within three months.

Madras HC Seeks State's Response On BJP Leader's Plea Challenging TN Govt's Move To Assess NEET Impact On Socially Backward

Madras HC Seeks State's Response On BJP Leader's Plea Challenging TN Govt's Move To Assess NEET Impact On Socially Backward: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Governmentto fil

MGR university to get genome lab

MGR university to get genome lab

To Track Virus Causing Covid-19

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.06.2021 

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, which has a nationally accredited microbiology and immunology lab, will soon get a whole genome sequencing lab, said health minister Ma Subramanian on Tuesday. The lab, which will soon be functional, will track mutation of SARSCoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, he said.

After a review meeting with the senior officials including the vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan, the minister said the university has accredited labs for diagnosis and research on diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and leptospirosis and has been carrying out RT-PCR tests for Covid-19. “It has now been decided that this university will soon have a whole genome sequencing facility,” he told reporters. University officials told the health department that they had all the necessary equipment and would be able to start work if they were provided with consumables.

Scientists predict that new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 may increase chances of infection and make treatment and prevention more complex. As the virus multiplies, tiny changes or mutations accumulate in the genetic code. The Directorate of Public Health had proposed to set up a whole genome sequencing lab to keep a close track of the mutations.

Tamil Nadu sends samples to the Bengaluru-based Instem as per recommendations of the Centre. Instem is a part of INSACOG (a consortium of labs that track the presence of variants in Covid samples). The state categorised samples from across the state in categories – family clusters, community clusters, Covid in children, young adults with severe lung infection, breakthrough infections (infected 14 days after two vaccinations), samples from deceased and travellers. "These categories will give us more information about what kind of variants are seen in each of these categories. But having a lab of our own will give us better advantages,” he said.

Variants of concern The state had sent 1,159 samples to Instem. The lab results of 1,100 of the samples with 814 (74%) testing positive for Delta and four testing positive for Delta plus variants. The remaining samples contained other variants including Alpha and Beta.

The National Institute of Virology, Pune, which tested samples sent by National Institute of Epidemiology found six more samples positive for the delta plus. “At least five people in Chennai, three in Tiruvallur, one each in Kancheepuram and Madurai carried the Delta plus strain. While all of them had recovered, the 34-year-old patient from Madurai died,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan. “Scientists told us that most people carried the Delta variant in the second wave,” he said.

Scientists predict that new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 may increase chances of infection and make treatment and prevention more complex

HC asks TN if it took SC nod while appointing NEET panel

HC asks TN if it took SC nod while appointing NEET panel

Admissions Must Be Based Only On NEET: SC In 2017

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:30.06.2021

The Madras high court on Tuesday questioned the Tamil Nadu government over its decision to set up a committee to look into the impact of NEET on medical admissions, asking it whether it had obtained the permission of the Supreme Court and whether the move would not violate the apex court ruling.

When Tamil Nadu advocategeneral R Shunmugasundaram, responding to a PIL against the Justice A K Rajan Commission, said it was a policy decision backed by the demand of people and election promise of the ruling party, the first bench remarked: “May be. But if it is contrary to the Supreme Court order, then it cannot be permitted.”

The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy later adjourned the hearing to July 5 with a direction to the state to file its response. It will also be open to the Union government to indicate its stand, the judges added. The PIL was filed by BJP’s Tamil Nadu secretary K Nagarajan, who wanted the court to quash the June 10 order constituting a committee headed by Justice Rajan to study the impact of NEET on socially backward students.

Setting up of NEET panel is an exercise in futility: Advocate

Advocate V Ragavachari, representing the petitioner, submitted that the setting up of the committee was an exercise in futility since any recommendation that such committee might make could not be implemented in the light of the view taken by the Supreme Court on NEET. Citing the Supreme Court order on NEET dated August 22, 2017, Raghvachari said the apex court had recorded in the judgement that ‘Tamil Nadu shall not make any kind of distinction or discrimination between the examinations conducted by various boards; and admissions shall be effected as per the result of the NEET examination.’ Therefore, there can be little room for the state to set up any committee for the purpose of ascertaining whether the NEET based admission process has prejudicially affected socially backward students, he added. “Tamil Nadu government ought to have noted that NEET is introduced in national interest, and any attempt to alter the same would derail the object and purpose of introduction of NEET,” the petitioner said.

TN government ought to have noted that NEET is introduced in national interest, and any attempt to alter the same would derail the purpose of introduction of NEET, the petitioner said

Govt sets max monthly limit for vax stock in pvt hospitals

Govt sets max monthly limit for vax stock in pvt hospitals

Ceiling Linked To Daily Use; No Direct Purchase

Sumitra DebRoy@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:30.06.2021

Private hospitals have to place orders for vaccines on CoWin and cannot directly procure it from manufacturers, July 1 onwards. The Centre has also devised a formula to decide the ‘maximum monthly limit’ of stocks that a private vaccination centre can purchase to ensure a level-playing field.

According to an SOP document circulated among Mumbai hospitals on Tuesday, the maximum vaccine stock a private hospital can procure is double their average daily consumption for a particular week in the previous month. Hospitals can pick a week of their choice to derive the daily average and place orders. The details will be taken from the CoWin site.

For instance, if a private vaccination centre submits the order for July by selecting the June 10-16 week when 630 doses were administered, then daily average doses would be 90 (630/7 = 90). The hospital, therefore, can place a maximum order of 5,400 doses for July (90 x 30 x 2 = 5,400). The document says maximum limit for a month can be revised in the second half, based on consumption during the first 15 days.

For hospitals that plan to join the vaccination drive now and do not have a prior consumption record, maximum limit will be worked out based on number of hospital beds available. A 50-bed hospital can order a maximum of 3,000 doses, a 50-300 bed hospital can order up to 6,000 doses and a hospital with more than 300 beds can order up to 10,000 doses.

The SOP document says private vaccination centres can place orders in four instalments in a month.

“There will be no need for approval by any government authority. Successful submission of the procurement order on CoWIN shall be sufficient,” it says. Once the demand is submitted, CoWIN will aggregate the numbers district- and state-wise before passing it on to manufacturers. The private centres will have to make payments on the National Health Authority (NHA) portal.

Dr Dilip Patil, state immunisation officer, confirmed that the SOP for procurement of vaccines by private hospitals was released on Tuesday though clarity on distribution is still awaited. “We are not sure if private hospitals will directly get it from the manufactures or it will come to state or respective corporations as was the system before May 1,” he said.

Mumbai hospitals welcomed the new formula. Joy Chakraborty, COO of PD Hinduja Hospital, said this strategy will prevent hoarding. “All categories of hospitals, big or small, can log on to CoWin and place their demands. They needn’t have direct contacts with manufacturers which was a hindrance for many,” he said.

Dr Prince Surana, CEO of Surana Group of Hospitals, said it was a good idea to link procurement with consumption. Dr Sunil Agrawal, head of Malad-based Sanjeevani Hospital, said he has managed only 25,000 doses since May 1. “And that too after making dozens of phone calls and going back and forth with manufacturers for weeks,” he said. “The online system sounds promising.”

BEATING LOCKDOWN BLUES: With Covid curbs eased, tourists make a beeline for Rajdari waterfall in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli

TN to get its first lab for genome sequencing at Dr MGR Medical varsity

TN to get its first lab for genome sequencing at Dr MGR Medical varsity

The university already has a lab to study zika, chikungunya, dengue, AIDS and other viruses. It also conducts RT-PCR tests.

Published: 30th June 2021 04:39 AM 

A medic at the Spicehealth Genome Sequencing Laboratory. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will soon have its first laboratory for genome sequencing analysis of coronavirus, at the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University campus, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Tuesday. Speaking to the press at the university, he explained that the existing lab on the campus would be developed to study variants of the coronavirus, especially the Delta Plus variant. This will be the State’s first lab for research on coronavirus variants.

The university already has a lab to study zika, chikungunya, dengue, AIDS and other viruses. It also conducts RT-PCR tests. As of now, coronavirus samples are sent to InSTEM, Bengaluru for genome sequencing. The Health Minister, along with Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, inspected the lab at the university on Tuesday.

‘AIADMK should clarify its stand on NEET’

Regarding a writ petition filed by the BJP in the Madras High Court against the nine-member committee headed by former Judge AK Rajan, formed by the State government to study the impact of NEET on students from socially-backward classes, Subramanian said the AIADMK government, which is an ally with the BJP, should clarify its stand on NEET in Tamil Nadu.

The writ petition filed by the BJP only shows its double stand on NEET. Former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami asks if the present government is for or against NEET, so he should now clarify his party’s stand. The DMK always opposed NEET, and now, the committee has been formed to study its impact on students. The AK Rajan committee has so far received over 86,000 complaints, the minister said. The committee will soon submit its report to Chief Minister MK Stalin. The State is also against the EXIT exam for undergraduate doctors, the minister added.

No privacy in Omandurar Medical College, even to relieve oneself

No privacy in Omandurar Medical College, even to relieve oneself

As the number of Covid cases has been reducing, the male and female units have been merged, both in the general Covid ward and the Covid ICU, patients said.

Published: 30th June 2021 04:35 AM |

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: 70-year-old Valarmathi (name changed) who is bedridden due to a Covid-related illness at the Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital, has been relieving herself in front of other patients and their attendants, including men, for the past week.

As the number of Covid cases has been reducing, the male and female units have been merged, both in the general Covid ward and the Covid ICU, patients said. The hospital’s dean, Dr R Jayanthi, said male and female patients are lodged separately, but photos from patients suggest otherwise.

“Only two screens are provided to cover the patient. So, at least one person can see the patient at all times. This is the case in both ICU and general Covid ward. This adds to the emotional trauma and suffering,” said Valarmathi’s attendant.

Only two screens are provided to cover the patient, so at least one person can see  the patient at all times, said an attendant;

Besides, attendants are again being allowed in Covid wards though the government has prohibited this. Photos shared by patients in the Covid ward show attendants sitting on the beds along with patients.

Valarmathi’s attendant added that the body of a patient who died was only taken away one-and-a-half hours later.

P Ravi, whose father was admitted to the hospital, said the washrooms are seldom cleaned. “There is an unbearable stench, and this adds to the patients’ suffering. When the patient beside my father died, my father started panicking as his body remained there. Though the doctors are doing a great job, the facilities are poor.”

Another patient, on condition of anonymity, said the oxygen concentrators were not working. “They had to check three or four concentrators before finding one that works. But even them the flowmeter knob was not working. Before the number of cases rises again, the government should repair the equipment,” he said.

The dean said she would assess and address the situation.

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'ரஜினிக்கு மட்டும் என்ன ஸ்பெஷல்?'

'ரஜினிக்கு மட்டும் என்ன ஸ்பெஷல்?'

Updated : ஜூன் 29, 2021 07:08 |

சென்னை : 'அமெரிக்கா செல்ல இந்தியர்களுக்கு தடையுள்ள நிலையில், ரஜினி மட்டும் சிகிச்சைக்காக சென்றது மர்மமாக உள்ளது' என, நடிகை கஸ்துாரி கூறியுள்ளார்.

அண்ணாத்த படப்பிடிப்பை முடித்து, அமெரிக்காவுக்கு சென்று சிகிச்சை மேற்கொள்ள திட்டமிட்ட ரஜினி, இதற்காக மத்திய அரசிடம் அனுமதி கேட்டிருந்தார். அனுமதி கிடைத்த நிலையில், கடந்த வாரம் ரஜினிக்கு சிகிச்சை நல்லபடியாக முடிந்துள்ளது. சில வாரம் ஓய்வுக்கு பின், இந்தியா திரும்ப உள்ளார்.

இந்நிலையில், ரஜினி அமெரிக்கா சென்றது குறித்து, நடிகை கஸ்துாரி, 'டுவிட்டரில்' கேள்வி எழுப்பியுள்ளார். அவர் கூறியுள்ளதாவது: கொரோனா காரணமாக, இந்தியர்கள், மே மாதம் முதல் நேரடியாக அமெரிக்கா செல்ல தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மருத்துவ விதிவிலக்குகள் எதுவும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை.

பின், எப்படி இந்த நேரத்தில் ரஜினி பயணம் செய்தார்? அவர் அரசியலில் இருந்து விலகியது உள்ளிட்ட எதுவும் சரியாகப் படவில்லை. இதை ரஜினி தான் தெளிவுபடுத்த வேண்டும். அமெரிக்காவில் பணிபுரியும் இந்தியர்கள் அல்லது படிப்பவர்கள் மட்டும், அமெரிக்கா திரும்ப அனுமதிக்கப்படுகிறது. அதுவும் மற்ற நாடுகளின் வழியே தான் அனுமதி கிடைக்கிறது.

ரஜினி, இந்திய அரசிடமிருந்து மருத்துவ விலக்கு பெற்று பயணித்து இருக்கலாம். இந்தியாவில் சிறந்த மருத்துவமனைகள் உள்ள நிலையில், ரஜினிக்கு சிகிச்சை தர முடியாத அளவுக்கு என்ன பாதிப்பு உள்ளது என்பதையும் அவர் தெளிவுபடுத்த வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறியுள்ளார்.

Univ bags 2 patents in 2 months

Univ bags 2 patents in 2 months

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:29.06.2021

Bharathiar University has bagged two patents for its innovative projects in the last two months.

While a patent is for identifying and isolating compounds with anti-diabetic potentials from wild jamun fruit tree, the other is for standardizing a method for recovery of metals from metal bearing solid wastes.

According to a statement from the university, patent application for the former project was filed on September 9, 2015 and after the screening process by the patent committee, the patent was granted on June 25 (Friday). Similarly, the patent application for the latter project was filed on October 1, 2020 and patent was granted on May 18, 2021.

Patent officer and professor T Parimelazhagan said this is the first time that compounds with anti-diabetic properties are found in wild jamun fruit tree, scientifically known as Syzygium mundagam, in the Western Ghats. A professor in the department of botany, Parimelazhagan started to explore the scientific biological properties of the tree. The research in this field was carried out by research scholar Rahul Chandran, who is currently working as a research coordinator in Laser Research centre at the University of Johannesburg.

Parimelazhagan said, “We have identified four compounds that are rich in anti-diabetic properties from the paste of the tree’s bark. We have standardized the process as well.”

The statement said it could be a natural medication with less side effects for treating diabetic patients, cost effective and would benefit a lot of people. Farmers can also gain benefit by cultivating the plant based on the demand and therefore in turn can improve their socioeconomic status.

Another research was done by K Ramachandran, associate professor, department of physics, along with his research scholars R Saravanakumar and PV Anathapadmanabhan.

The statement said their research involved reduction of metal oxides and recovery of metals from the heterogeneous waste of complex oxide mixture containing elements like aluminium, magnesium and iron. It is typical composition of the chromium bearing solid waste dumped in Ranipet district.

“This process is superior and efficient when compared to the conventional bio, hydro and other pyrometallurgical processing of metal bearing wastes. It is fast, environment-friendly and single step process. This process could be used to recover metals such as iron, chromium, nickel, cobal, zinc, manganese and silicon from metal beating wastes,” the statement added.

INNOVATION AT WORK: Bharathiar University got a patent for identifying and isolating compounds with anti-diabetic potentials from wild jamun fruit tree, and another for standardizing a method for recovery of metals from solid wastes

Saveetha installs GPS-like system for complex surgeries

Saveetha installs GPS-like system for complex surgeries

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.06.2021

Saveetha Dental College has installed a dynamic navigation system that guides surgeons in faster planning of complex surgeries with high precision and also minimise complications for patients. The college signed an MoU with the University of Glasgow, UK, to conduct research and gather scientific data on the performance of the device.

Dr Abdul Wahab, head of OMFS, Saveetha Dental College said the device, which looks like an ultrasound machine, helps surgeons in the removal of a tumor or a bullet lodges deep into the layers of the face that require a bigger incision. “It works like a GPS for vehicle navigation. Using the machine requires a smaller incision and a monitor will show the movement of the probe in the form of a CT scan,” he said. The device can be used for maxillofacial surgical procedures, endodontic procedures and for dental implant procedures.

The probe, which goes into the patient’s body, is attached with a sensor to link it to another device mounted on the patient’s head.

Rly plans to link passengers’ identity card to IRCTC site

Rly plans to link passengers’ identity card to IRCTC site

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.06.2021

The railways is speeding up implementation of tech-oriented initiatives to make travel hassle-free and safe when services return to normal.

It plans to link passengers’ identity cards to tickets to crack down on touts; expand the centralised CCTV camera network so that live footage from stations and trains can be monitored in zones and at railway board level under a good surveillance and response mechanism; and create an app for railway staff and passengers to upload complaints on board trains.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is looking at the possibility of linking government issued identity cards like Aadhaar card or PAN cards to IRCTC site for online booking to ensure only genuine passengers travel and to crack down on touts.

Work is also on to have centralised CCTV surveillance of all stations at zonal level and also at railway board level, said RPF director general Arun Kumar.

The railways is working to create a network for linking the cards with the ticketing site. As part of the initiative to increase surveillance at stations and on trains, CCTV networks are being expanded with a central monitoring system at all railway zones, he added.

In Southern Railway, work began long ago and the CCTV network in 43 stations is linked to a central monitoring facility in Chennai where staff watch the footage for better response to needs of passengers and to prevent crime.

The monitoring facility at zonal level has been set up at MGR Central railway station. The initiative started with 33 stations including Thirumailai, Pazhavanthangal, St Thomas Mount, Chengalpet, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Kovilpatti Tuticorin, Tirupur, Salem and Erode in TN and others in neighbouring states.

An official said it would be expanded in the coming months.

The surveillance will be complemented with an easy-to-use app for passengers to register complaints with railway staff and RPF on trains.

The rail suraksha app will soon be launched using which TTE or RPF or railway police will be able to upload the complaint of passengers for registering at the appropriate location.

This is aimed at eliminating hassles faced by passengers in filing complaints, leading to crime going undetected, Arunkumar.

As part of the initiative to increase surveillance at stations and on trains, CCTV networks are being expanded with a central monitoring system at all railway zones, he added.said RPF director general Arun Kumar

RT-PCR test report before boarding puts flyers in spot

RT-PCR test report before boarding puts flyers in spot

Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.06.2021

State governments insisting on RT-PCR test report at the time of boarding flights is creating a hassle for passengers when the flight gets cancelled or rescheduled to another day.

Recently, passengers of a Chennai-Mumbai flight scheduled to depart on Sunday that got cancelled had to take the test again spending ₹1,500 as the airline said the earlier test will not be valid for the flight that was rescheduled for Monday.

Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Goa and Andaman and Nicobar Islands want arriving passengers to have an RT-PCR test report with them when they arrive by flights. However, a few say do not board passengers at origin airports while a few test the people who arrive without a report. The rules and timeline for the test are not standard which creates confusion among passengers.

Maharashtra has instructed airlines that they should not board passengers if they do not have RT-PCR negative report issued from up to a maximum of 48 Hours before the time of arrival into Mumbai. Other states say that swabs should be taken 48hours before. Chandigarh says that swabs should be taken 72 hours before arrival at the destination.

Srinivasan Jambunathan, said that "My wife and child had to spend again for an RT-PCR test. The flight was on Sunday. They had given swab samples on Friday evening and a negative report was issued on Saturday morning. But the flight got cancelled and the next flight was on Monday but the airline said that a fresh report needed to be presented. We spent ₹3,100 again for the test for two people."

He said the airline staff told the swab samples should be given 48hours before.

Gurmukh Singh Bawa of Air Travellers Association said passengers face inconvenience due to these rules. "I have seen this happen on international flights too where airline staff will say that your certification is 10 minutes late etc. There should be standardised rules. We have written to the government to make the rules standard and that there should be a common platform online where domestic passengers will be able to see all the information on travel rules."

An AAI official said the issue has not come out much in Chennai because flight cancellations are rare as services are fewer and airlines schedule services carefully.

How vaccine misinformation keeps growing in India

How vaccine misinformation keeps growing in India

Using multiple platforms and tricks to beat moderators, anti-vaxxers are spreading rumours about people turning impotent or magnetic after jabs

Sonam.Joshi@timesgroup.com

28.06.2021 

On June 9, Nashik resident Jayant Sonar saw the video of a man in Delhi who claimed to have acquired magnetic powers after getting vaccinated. Sonar stuck some coins, steel spoons and plates on his 72-year-old father Arvind, who had got his second jab a week earlier, though the same trick didn’t work on his vaccinated mother. The video went viral even though several experts pointed out that it was simple surface tension on moist skin that was causing some objects to stick.

In many ways, Sonar’s case is a classic example of how misinformation can grow around a kernel of truth and spawn a whole tide of untruths that finds its way into people’s minds through social media videos and forwards. According to recent research by BBC Monitoring, anti-vaccination pages in India grew by 50% in 2020, faster than 2018 and 2019.

TOI found a Google document, Twitter handle and Telegram channel counting ‘Covid-19 vaccine deaths in India’ from anecdotal and unverified sources. Vaccine-related misinformation is often closely intertwined with a range of conspiracy theories about “a new world order” and hidden “agenda”. It can vary from claims that vaccines don’t work to fear-provoking videos about vaccines containing tracking devices or altering our DNA. “Negative social media posts about vaccines have brought a troubling escalation of the anti-vaccine movement,” says Syed Nazakat, founder, Health Analytics Asia. He points out that the problem is not just that people believe these false claims. “It’s also making them less likely to accept truthful information,” he says.

Anti-vax messages are also being given a dangerous religious spin. A series of false online posts claimed that Covaxin contained cow blood based on an RTI filed by a person named Vikas Patni. On his social media channels, 30-year-old Patni describes himself as a ‘gausewak’. He has shared several vaccine conspiracy posts in the past, such as vaccines being a part of Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ depopulation agenda. The government was forced to issue clarifications on the RTI and the Covaxin manufacturing process.

To beat moderation algorithms, some YouTubers resort to code words like ‘CV’ instead of coronavirus or ‘vaxx’ in place of vaccine. Anti-vaccine groups and pages often have backup accounts, and even if one gets banned, another one pops up. Similarly, if a video is removed from YouTube, it can still be circulated on Facebook and Telegram groups.

Many manipulate news reports, headlines and photos without context. In one video, a YouTuber ‘Abbey The Great!’ with over 28,000 followers attributes a popular Tamil actor’s death to taking a Covid vaccine the day before without mentioning the fact that he had a heart problem.

Ironically, Nashik’s Sonar says he didn’t want to spread an anti-vaccine message but just find out why this was happening to his father. In fact, he credits vaccines for protecting his parents, when the family got Covid during the second wave in April, and his wife and child had to be hospitalised. “We appeal that people should take the vaccine and it is safe,” he says.

The magnet theory that Sonar fell for has its roots abroad, which isn’t unusual. Indian anti-vaxxer pages and groups frequently share vaccine misinformation from international groups. TOI also found videos from Kamalpreet Singh, a South Asian anti-vaxxer in Canada who claims to be a nutritionist and influenza care specialist. Singh makes videos in Hindi, English and Punjabi which allege that the Covid vaccines lack long-term safety data and may have side effects in the future.

“Misinformation doesn’t respect geographical, cultural or national boundaries,” points out Nazakat. “A rumour can start in Europe or in Africa and can instantly reach India and become viral here or it can happen the other way around.” For example, Microsoft’s Gates is central to many vaccine conspiracies around the world and in India.

However, misinformation can also be steeped in local insecurities. According to Anoushka Jha of Digital Empowerment Foundation, which has been running vaccination drives at over 1,000 digital rural centres across India, population control fears are rife. “People believe that the government wants to control the population, so they are forcing them to get vaccinated,” she says, adding that WhatsApp and Facebook are often sources of such rumours.

In the village of Bansa in Uttar Pradesh, similar conspiracies have been doing the rounds. Jatin Lalit Singh, founder of Bansa Community Library, which has been helping villagers enrol for vaccination, says that some believe that the fever caused as a short-term side-effect of the vaccines will cause their death. “Others fear they might become impotent or blind in the future,” he says.

Nazakat says that this misinformation has been fuelled by information deficit. Unscientific claims and statements by prominent people also created distrust. “During the second wave, people were desperately looking for accurate information, but there was an information vacuum and rumours took over,” he says.

RUMOUR MILL: Nashik-based Arvind Sonar’s family tried sticking spoons on him after seeing a similar video online

To beat moderation algorithms, anti-vaxxers use code words like ‘CV’ instead of coronavirus or ‘vaxx’ in place of vaccine. They also have backup accounts, so if one gets banned, another one pops up

Airfares for Aug-Oct drop as carriers eye early bookings

Airfares for Aug-Oct drop as carriers eye early bookings

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:28.06.2021 

Conventionally, airfares cool in June and July. This year, fares are high as government hiked its lowest fare cap by around 15% for travel in June-July. The drop in Covid cases brought about a spike in demand for air travel, and what you have is the cheapest fare, say on the Mumbai-Delhi route, priced over Rs 10,000, even for travel late next month. But for August, the cheapest return fare on a Mumbai-Delhi flight is Rs 4,600. A similar fare drop can be seen across most domestic sectors.

On sale or not, most airlines have put out cheap fares for travel in August-October to rake in much-needed forward booking revenue.

Among routes on which fares dropped considerably from August, compared to June-July, are those from Mumbai to Kolkata, Srinagar, Chennai, Kochi, Varanasi and Lucknow. The cheapest return fare to fly from Mumbai to Srinagar is over Rs 15,000 for the next five weeks, but for August, the fare starts at Rs 8,300. Alliance Air, Vistara and SpiceJet offered monsoon sale schemes last week, though airfares for August-October are low across most airlines.

But if there is one reason to not book now, it’s uncertainty over the third Covid wave. Airlines have considered that. “In the monsoon sale, most airlines are offering one date change free depending on the sector and fare category, due to lockdown,” said Jay Bhatia, vicepresident of Travel Agents’ Association of India. “It’s always easy to change bookings and obtain refunds when the ticket is booked through travel agents. Travellers are tired of staying home and are ready to holiday or commence business flights on completion of two shots of the vaccine,’’ he said. Another incentive is that airfares from August are not yet capped.

Passengers undergo Covid-19 tests upon arrival at the Birsa Munda International Airport in Ranchi on Saturday

Bonded doctors challenge govt’s FIR diktat

Bonded doctors challenge govt’s FIR diktat

Move HC Against Covid Duty Call

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:28.06.2021

A group of 251 postgraduate and super-specialty doctors practising in Gujarat have approached the Gujarat high court challenging the state government’s decision to join them in Covid-19 duty and filing FIRs against them for not responding to the call of duty.

These doctors are bonded doctors, who studied in government medical colleges and were under obligation to serve in rural areas for few years after completion of their studies or else they should surrender the bond amount in lieu of the rural service.

The high court is likely to hear their case on Monday.

On May 4, following the surge in Covid-19 cases and falling short of human resource in dealing with the crisis, the state government took a decision to recruit bonded doctors as medical specialist Class –1 in Covid facilities from May 7. There were 1,415 such doctors who were called for Covid duty and nearly 1,000 doctors failed to report. The state health commissioner on June 20 ordered chief district health officers and the medical officers in corporations to file FIRs under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 against 799 doctors who did not respond to the government’s call and for their failure to discharge their moral obligation to serve the society after having taken the benefit of the subsidised education in government medical colleges.

On June 21, the state government decided that the bonds submitted by the bonded doctors would not be received. Moreover, the health authorities were asked to issue show-cause notices to the doctors.

The petitioners have urged the HC to quashed the order for registration of FIRs against bonded doctors, to junk the order to assign Covid-19 duty to them and show-cause notices issued by the authorities. They have also demanded that the National Medical Council should formulate a pan-India policy regarding compulsory service bonds.

In a petition filed through advocates Angesh and Amit Panchal, the bonded doctors have contended that they are unable to meet the additional obligations under the bond and therefore requested to submit the bond amount, but the government refused to accept it.

The bonded doctors have raised a contention that both the state government and petitioners are bound by the terms of the bond. There is no clause in the contract that the state government would refuse to accept the bond amount. The refusal is unreasonable. By threatening criminal action, the attempt to enforce the contract for personal service is a violation of Article 23 of the Constitution.

The bonded doctors have also questioned why the state government chose to assign Covid-19 duty to only those medical professionals who studied medicine in the government colleges. Two more petitions have been filed by the doctors.

There were 1,415 such doctors who were called for Covid duty and nearly 1,000 doctors failed to turn up. The government reacted with an order to lodge FIRs

FOREIGN DEGREES OF UNCERTAINTY COLLEGE EXAMS AWAITED

FOREIGN DEGREES OF UNCERTAINTY COLLEGE EXAMS AWAITED

Overseas studies, mark-sheet turbulence

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:28.06.2021

With universities planning to hold college exams for final year students from the first week of July, students planning to go overseas are a worried lot as colleges there will open in September.

Rohan Sheth, a final year IT student from Silver Oaks College of Engineering and Technology, Ahmedabad, has finalized his plans for New Jersey in US for a postgraduate in computer science. He has enrolled in a college . But his visa procedure is stuck and cannot be completed before August it seems.

“To get my visa, I need my final semester mark-sheet. The exams will be held in July and the marksheet will come later. My plans depend on timely holding of the exams,” said Sheth.

Maulin Joshi, who runs a consultancy firm said the delay in college exams due to Covid-19 is impacting the overseas plans of many students.

“Especially those students whose academic performance depends on their final semester results are in a lot of stress. For students who wish to go overseas before the academic session starts in September, all the preparations including visa approvals should be in place by July 15,” said Joshi.

Most of the universities in Gujarat have planned to conduct final year exams for undergraduate and postgraduate students from July 6 to July 15. It would take another 15-20 days for the results to be prepared and given to the students. Many students have received inprinciple approval from overseas colleges and universities for further studies, but a final call is taken only after the final semester results are declared and mark-sheets produced.

Mili Vakil, a student of integrated BA-LLB at GLS Law College, is looking at a stressful timeline between appearing for her final sixth semester exam slated on July 6 and getting her student visa for her master’s in law course from University of Birmingham, UK.

Her course starts from September. Vakil says she has her fingers crossed to complete theexhaustive paperwork needed to start her foreign studies.

“There is a long journey ahead which includes appearing for the exam in July, getting marksheet, receiving transcript, provisional degree certificate, other documents, and confirmation from the university for student visa,” said Vakil.

Vakil’s friend Tanzim Surani who is also headed to the UK says she is hoping she can start her foreign studies in September.