Chennai

 

20-year-old NEET aspirant dies by suicide near Pollachi

20-year-old NEET aspirant dies by suicide near Pollachi

The boy, son of a farmer, allegedly took the extreme step over the fear of not getting a place in government colleges.

Published: 30th October 2021 10:29 AM 

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: A 20-year-old medical aspirant died by suicide near Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district. It is alleged that he ended his life in fear of not securing sufficient score in (The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) NEET to get a seat in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The youngster was identified as Keerthivasan (20), son of a farmer named Kuppusamy from Sangarayapuram in No. 10 Muthur near Kinathukadavu. According to police, after completing his schooling two years ago, he took the NEET in 2019 and scored 128. However, as he wanted to secure a seat in the AIIMS, he aimed to score high and took the test again in 2020. Though he scored 250 in that attempt, the cutoff mark for entry into AIIMS was higher at that time. He again gave the test a try in 2021 and hoped to get sufficient score enough to make it to AIIMS, the police said.

Meanwhile, the answer key for NEET 2021 was released recently. After checking the answers, he was allegedly upset as he thought he would fail to grab a seat in AIIMS this time too, the police said. At around 3.30 pm on Friday when he was alone at home, Keerthivasan allegedly tried to end his life by suicide. Later, he was taken to Pollachi Government Hospital and then to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment. However, he died at CMCH at 11.45 pm without responding to the treatment, the police added.

Kinathukadavu police registered a case under Section of 174 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and initiated a probe. After postmortem, the body of the deceased was handed over to his family on Saturday.

(To overcome suicidal thoughts, contact Tamil Nadu Health Department’s helpline 104, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050, or N Damodaran Centenary Lifeline Number for Suicide Prevention 1800-121-203040 or ‘Vidiyal’ suicide prevention helpline run by Coimbatore police 0422-2300999.)

With losses aplenty, traditional ‘crowd-funding’ feast 'moi virundhu' loses its sheen

With losses aplenty, traditional ‘crowd-funding’ feast 'moi virundhu' loses its sheen

A traditionally-evolved practice, moi virundhu is a feast hosted by a person or group of people who are in dire need of money.

Published: 31st October 2021 03:52 AM 

Moi refers to the cash a person gives as a gift on a birthday, wedding, or other event. (Soumyadeep Sinha)

By Sowmya Mani

Express News Service

PUDUKKOTTAI: Friday evening wasn’t pleasant for Gunasekaran (50), who sat dejected at the construction site of his house, after waiting all day for guests to arrive. His second consecutive moi virundhu, a traditional form of crowd-funding through feasts scheduled for the day, turned a damp squib. The last time he held such a feast was October 13. But, even that didn’t get him the cash gifts that were due.soumyadeep sinha

A traditionally-evolved practice, moi virundhu is a feast hosted by a person or group of people who are in dire need of money. Moi refers to the cash a person gives as a gift on a birthday, wedding, or other event. Guests at such feasts offer cash gifts, which are noted down by the hosts and repaid when the guests organise a similar feast.

Says Tamilarasan, a moi virundhu organiser in Vadakadu, “It originated in Peravurani, Thanjavur, to help people farm. Farmers would repay their guests from their profits. From Peravurani, the practice came to Alangudi and Vadakadu. I started getting people together and organising feasts as people couldn’t individually afford to spend on one.”

Gunasekaran also got into this practice about 20 years ago and has organised four feasts. “It can be done only once in four or five years. In 2011 and 2016, I received good cash gifts and have paid back everything. Now, I need money to build a house. I am disappointed as people are not giving the moi they owe me,” he explains.

On Friday, there was actually no feast, or even tea. It was more like ‘please come and give the cash you owe.’ Moi, says Tamilarasan, is also a matter of honour for many. “If don’t pay back, people will ensure everyone hears about it. It is essentially an interest-free loan,” he says. Often held in the Tamil months of Aadi or Avani (June to August), such feasts usually witness gifts of anywhere between Rs 250 and lakhs of rupees.

So, why has such the traditional form of crowd-funding lost its appeal? Locals cite a wide variety of reasons, from natural calamities like Gaja cyclone to the pandemic-induced lockdowns. “Covid rendered a cruel blow to the business. Earlier, such feasts would help people raise funds to send children abroad or get them married or build a house. Now, people can’t repay the gifts,” says Tamilarasan. Gunasekaran says he is planning to stop this practice now. “I just want to recover my money. Once it’s done, I will no longer continue this.”

Rail passengers irked as display goes defunct in Chennai Central

Rail passengers irked as display goes defunct in Chennai Central

As a result, passengers entering the station at the last minute, have to run to the concourse area to check the train position on the main display board and then proceed to catch the train.

Published: 28th October 2021 06:46 AM 

The stand that once held the digital display board at the western entrance of the Chennai Central Railway Station | Martin Louis

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The dysfunctional information display board at the western entrance of the Chennai Central has been causing a lot of inconvenience for hundreds of passengers every day. Passengers arriving by suburban trains, cars, and two-wheelers use the western entrance to enter the Central station. A large electronic board in this part of the station that displayed information on train position remained dysfunctional for a few weeks before being removed recently.

As a result, passengers entering the station at the last minute, have to run to the concourse area to check the train position on the main display board and then proceed to catch the train. The additional time taken to find the train’s position causes a lot of inconvenience to the elderly, pregnant women and passengers carrying heavy luggage, say travellers.

A smaller LED screen has been installed, but it has been of little use as information relayed is often delayed, complain passengers. Recalling the ordeal, 65-year-old Kumaravel Sami from Villivakkam said, “On October 22, at around 6 am, there was no display in the electronic board. I ran to the main entrance to find the position. To my surprise, the Coimbatore Express, which I was supposed to board, was stationed at platform 10, just a few yards away from the display board. My wife and I boarded the train after a lot of struggle. Had the display board functioned, we would have comfortably walked to the train.”

Similarly, daily travellers from Arakkonam and Katpadi, too face inconvenience. “After parking the bike, when we enter the station, there is no information on train position on the platform. About 20 to 30 per cent of daily travellers reach the station just a few minutes before departure. Every day, we have to run hither and thither to board the train,” said S Krishnan from Katpadi.

A Chennai Division railway official said the electronic display board was removed for maintenance and will soon become functional. “We have now installed LED boards at the western entrance. Announcements on train position are given regularly. The main entrance display board is not too far from the western side.”

Adding to the rush

Since the board (displaying information on train position) at the western entrance of the Central station was not functioning, passengers entering the station in the last minute had to run to the concourse area to check train position and then proceed to catch the train

NEET-PG : Supreme Court Permits OCI Candidate To Attend Counselling In General Category

NEET-PG : Supreme Court Permits OCI Candidate To Attend Counselling In General Category

Shruti Kakkar29 Oct 2021 7:44 PM

The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim relief to an Overseas Indian Citizen(OCI) NEET PG Aspirant to appear in the counselling in the General Category at par with Indian Citizens for the purpose of NEET PG Counselling and admission for 2021-2022.

Observing that the interim relief was limited to academic year 2021-2022 only, the bench of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari in their order said,

"Issue notice. In the meantime, the petitioner is permitted to appear in the counselling in the General Category at par with Indian Citizens for the purpose of NEET PG Counselling and admission for 2021-2022. It is made clear that the aforesaid interim relief is limited to the academic year 2021-2022 only. Tag with Writ Petition (Civil) No 1397 of 2020 and batch."

It is pertinent to mention that the Top Court on September 30, 2021 had passed an interim order allowing Overseas Citizens of India(OCI) candidates to participate for the NEET-UG counselling in the general category for the year 2021-22.

The Top Court also issued notice in the writ petition which further challenged clause 4(ii) of the notification dated March 4, 2021 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs ("impugned clause"). The impugned clause treated Overseas Citizens of India ("OCI's") at par with Non-Resident Indians ("NRI's") with regards to All India Entrance Tests such as NEET, JEE (Mains), JEE (Advanced) or such other tests for the purpose of admissions.

The bench also tagged the petition which had also sought for quashing clause 4.1 of NEET PG Information Bulletin and Counselling Scheme 2021 with the main writ petition (Dr Radhika Thappeta v. Union of India WP (C) 1307 of 2020 ) pending before the Top Court.

The petitioner (Dr Rajitha Savya Reddy) was represented by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan briefed by Dubey Law Associates. The petition was filed through Advocate on Record Charu Mathur.

It was argued that the impugned clause was ultra vires of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India in so far as it failed to accord parity to Indian OCI's with resident Indian citizens in all matters of entry and admission to professional colleges in India (including NEET-PG) from 2021-2022 onwards.

Averment that the Ministry of Home Affairs without providing any sufficient reasoning arbitrarily decided to implement the Impugned Clause from the current academic year, when the information regarding the same was not provided at the time of registration for NEET-PG 2021 examination was also made in the petition.

"With the impugned clause, OCIs are forcibly put at par with NRIs and made eligible for admission only against NRI seats or any supernumerary (i.e., extra) seat. This puts resident OCI students such as the Petitioners at a grave disadvantage. The petitioner has undergone many years of her schooling in India. She has also obtained her MBBS degree from India. However, it's appalling to note that the Impugned clause takes away the valuable right of the Petitioner to be treated with parity with the Indian citizens and is forced to compete for a very small number of seats in the NRI quota. By way of the Impugned Notice she will also be subjected to exorbitant admission fees that accompany the NRI quota seats, which will put her and her family under significant financial duress," petition stated.

The petitioner had further averred that the notification dated March 4, 2021 was a complete reversal of an earlier notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs dated January 5, 2009 ("2009 notification") which placed OCI's on par with Indian citizens in matter of admissions.

In this regards it was also argued in the petition that, "Therefore, the 2009 Notification specified certain rights which the person belonging from the OCI category under Section 7 A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 shall be entitled to including the right of the OCI candidate in appearing for tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of provisions framed thereunder. Thus, OCIs were explicitly excluded from being put on parity with NRIs in appearing for professional entrance exams. The impugned clause in the 04.03.2021 notification, as reproduced earlier, completely reverses this parity granted and puts OCIs in the same category as NRIs for the purpose of admissions to education, when the two have consistently been treated as distinct."

It was also contended that the impugned clause was also an attempt to override the judgment dated December 9, 2020 passed by the Division Bench of the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka which held that the 2009 notification could only be interpreted to allow OCIs admission at par with Indian Citizens.

"A challenge to the judgment of the Division Bench was moved before this Hon'ble Court by way of a Special Leave Petition filed by the State of Karnataka in State of Karnataka v. Pranav Bajpe and Ors. bearing SLP (C) No. 2904/2021. In view of the 04.03.2021 notification, however, SLP (C) No. 2904/2021 was withdrawn by the State of Karnataka and the judgment of the Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court has in that regard attained finality," petition stated further in this regard.

Case Title: Dr Rajitha Savya Reddy v Union of India and Others| WP(C) No 1186/2021

Employee Can't Claim Change Of Date Of Birth As A Matter Of Right : Supreme Court

Employee Can't Claim Change Of Date Of Birth As A Matter Of Right : Supreme Court

Shruti Kakkar  30 Oct 2021 9:01 PM

The Supreme Court has observed that application for change of date of birth by an employee can only be as per the relevant provisions/regulations applicable. The Court reiterated change of date of birth cannot be claimed as a matter of right.

The bench of Justices MR Shah and AS Bopanna in the present matter (Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited V. T.P. Nataraja & Ors.) was considering an appeal filed by Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited ("Corporation") assailing the Karnataka High Court's order directing the Corporation to reconsider the decision of its employee with respect to change of date of birth in service records.

The Top Court while allowing the appeal observed that, "application can be rejected on the ground of delay and latches also more particularly when it is made at the fag end of service and/or when the employee is about to retire on attaining the age of superannuation."

Factual Background

TP Nataraja ("Respondent No 1") was appointed in 1984 with Corporation. In his service record his date of birth was reflected as January 4, 1960 as per the SSLC Marks Card. After 24 years, Nataraja requested for change of date of birth from January 4, 1960 to January 24, 1961.

Nataraja thereafter filed a suit for declaration before Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge at Bangalore to declare that his date of birth as January 24, 1961.

The corporation relied on the Karnataka State Servants (Determination of Age) Act, 1974 (Act, 1974) and resolution dated May 17, 1991 by which the corporation adopted Karnataka Civil Service Rules. As per the rules request for change of date of birth in the service record could be made within a period of three years from the date of joining or within one year from commencement of the Act,1974.

The Trial Court, while relying on section 5(2) of the Act, 1974 dismissed the suit on July 28, 2013.

Aggrieved, Nataraja approached the High Court by way of Regular First Appeal. Observing that it was highly impossible for the plaintiff to avail the remedy within three years from the date of joining of service and that the resolution dated May 17, 1991 was not brought to plaintiff's notice, the High Court on March 11, 2019 allowed the appeal.

Aggrieved, the Corporation approached the Top Court.

Submissions Of Counsels

Senior Advocate Gurudas S Kannur appearing for the Corporation submitted that the High Court had committed a grave error in decreeing the suit and granting declaratory relief.

Reliance was also placed on section 5(2) of the Act, 1974 as per which no such alteration to the date of birth to the advantage of a State servant could be made unless the employee had made an application for the purpose within three years from the date on which his age and date of birth was accepted and recorded in the service register or book or any other record of service or within one year from the date of commencement of the Act, 1974, whichever was later.

It was also his contention that the High Court ought to have appreciated that the ignorance of law cannot be an excuse and that being an employee in fact he was supposed to know the rules and regulations applicable to the employees of the corporation.

For allowing the present appeal assailing the High Court's order, he relied on Home Deptt. v. R.Kirubakaran, 1994 Supp (1) SCC 155; State of M.P. v. Premlal Shrivas, (2011) 9 SCC 664; Life Insurance Corporation of India & Others v. R.Basavaraju (2016) 15 SCC 781 and Bharat Coking Coal Limited and Ors. v. Shyam Kishore Singh (2020) 3 SCC 411.

Advocate Ashok Bannidinni appearing for Nataraja submitted that the High Court's order had been implemented in 2019 and that he had attained the age of superannuation treating and considering his date of birth January 24, 1961. Contending that there was nothing else required to be done in the present appeal, counsel submitted that the same had become infructuous.

Supreme Court's Analysis

Since the issue pertained to change of date of birth in the service record, the bench in its judgement authored by Justice MR Shah relied on Top Court's decisions on the issue of correction of the date of birth.

Relying on Home Deptt. v. R.Kirubakaran, 1994 Supp (1) SCC 155; State of M.P. v. Premlal Shrivas, (2011) 9 SCC 664; Life Insurance Corporation of India & Others v. R.Basavaraju (2016) 15 SCC 781 and Bharat Coking Coal Limited and Ors. v. Shyam Kishore Singh (2020) 3 SCC 411, the Top Court summarised the law on the change of date of birth as under:

(i) application for change of date of birth can only be as per the relevant provisions/regulations applicable;

(ii) even if there is cogent evidence, the same cannot be claimed as a matter of right;

(iii) application can be rejected on the ground of delay and latches also more particularly when it is made at the fag end of service and/or when the employee is about to retire on attaining the age of superannuation.

Negating the respondent's contention on the aspect of employee not being aware of the applicability of the Act, 1974 bench observed that,

"Therefore, applying the law laid down by this court in the aforesaid decisions, the application of the respondent for change of date of birth was liable to be rejected on the ground of delay and laches also and therefore as such respondent employee was not entitled to the decree of declaration and therefore the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court is unsustainable and not tenable at law."

The Top Court also said that Nataraja was not entitled to any relief or change of date of birth on the ground of delay and laches as the request for change of date of birth was made after lapse of 24 years since he joined the service.

"Being the employee of the corporation, he was supposed to know the rules and regulations applicable to the employees of the corporation. Ignorance of law cannot be an excuse to get out of the applicability of the statutory provisions," Court further said.

Case Title: Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited v. T.P. Nataraja & Ors.| Civil Appeal No.5720 Of 2021

Coram: Justices MR Shah and AS Bopanna

Citation : LL 2021 SC 612

PG Medical Admissions : Madras HC Issues Notice On Plea Challenging 'Grossly Disproportionate' Reservation For In-Service Doctors

PG Medical Admissions : Madras HC Issues Notice On Plea Challenging 'Grossly Disproportionate' Reservation For In-Service Doctors

Aaratrika Bhaumik29 Oct 2021 10:03 PM

The Madras High Court on Wednesday issued notice in a petition challenging the extent of reservation granted to in-service doctors under the prospectus for admission to post-graduate degree or diploma courses in Tamil Nadu government medical colleges and government sets in self-financing medical colleges affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University for the 2021-22 session.

The petition moved by twelve doctors challenging Clause 29 (c) of the October 6, 2021 prospectus which provide that 50 percent of seats in the State Government will be exclusively allotted to in-service candidates. Additionally, the provision also allows in-service candidates to apply in the remaining "open-category" in State government seats i.e. the 50 percent of the 50 percent government seats.

Furthermore, while applying for the aforementioned "open-category", in-service candidates can also avail of advantages accorded to them if they have served in remote or difficult or hilly areas as defined by a State-appointed committee.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh issued a notice in the matter on Wednesday and directed the government counsel to take written instructions and report back to the Court on the next date of hearing which is slated to take place on November 1.

The petitioners, represented by Advocate Suhrith Parthasarathy, contended that the extent of reservation stipulated under Clause 29 (c) dilutes any concept of merit in admissions and is also 'unjust, unfair, arbitrary and discriminatory and, ultra vires the Constitution of India.'

"In not exclusively ear-marking the selection for admission in the open category to non-service candidates and in granting weightage in the form of incentive marks to in-service candidates in the open category as well, the Respondent No. 1 to 3 have acted in an arbitrary, unreasonable, and disproportionate manner .... In permitting in-service candidates to apply in the 'open category' and further awarding incentive marks to those in-service candidates, the Respondents have taken away the very spirit and essence of an 'open category'," the plea averred.

Reliance was also placed by the petitioners on the Supreme Court judgment in State of TN v. T Dhilipkumar wherein the Apex Court had directed State to conduct a study and assess what the extent of reservation should be each year for in-service candidates and to reduce it to below 50 percent, if appropriate.

However, the petitioners pointed out that no such assessment was conducted by the State authorities till date. The State has continued to provide such reservation without determining on a yearly basis whether such reservation of 50 percent was in fact necessary to achieve the purported objective of the measure, the petitioners alleged.

"To the Petitioners' best knowledge, it is submitted that the State of Tamil Nadu is the only State in the country to have such an arbitrary policy of reserving 50% seats for in-service candidates and of further awarding those in-service candidates who apply in the 'open category' incentive marks, without so much as assigning any reason to justify the introduction of such a policy", it was contended further.

It was further submitted that although the power of state governments to grant reservations to in-service doctors has been confirmed by the Supreme Court in Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association v. Union of India, such power has not been exercised by the State in a 'just, fair, and reasonable manner'.

"The allocation of the said 50% is also grossly disproportionate and in violation of well settled principles of constitutional law", the plea highlighted.

The petitioners further pointed out that as per the present Prospectus, "the Open category, will be open to both service and non-service candidates and that seats will be filled up based on the marks already defined or such criteria to be defined by the 1st Respondent from time to time as per the decision of the Committee headed by Hon'ble Thiru. A. Selvam, High Court Judge (Retd.)."

However, it was asserted that the category-wise list published in 2019 by the State government following the constitution of this Committee is also defective.

"It fails to consider a host of factors such as social and economic conditions, geographical location, accessibility and similar other relevant considerations, and accordingly, several PHCs and Government Hospitals listed under the category of Difficult Areas in Hills, Difficult Areas in Plains, Remote Area and Rural Areas in Annexures I to IV of the GO have been wrongly included," the petitioners submitted further.

Accordingly, the Court was urged to quash clause 29 (c) of the Prospectus under challenge.

Case Title: Dr. Parkaviyan R. and Ors v. State of Tamil Nadu

WC fever: Big screens set up for India-NZ match today

WC fever: Big screens set up for India-NZ match today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:31.10.2021

The do-or-die match of the World Cup between India and New Zealand on Sunday evening will be screened on big screens at various places in Bhopal. A special selfie point with cricket accessories has been developed by MPT at the Drive-in-Cinema of a hotel.

Several hotels and other places have made arrangements for the live telecast. Manager of Drive-in-Cinema, Vipin Katare said that last week’s match between India-Pakistan was well received by the people. “Since then, cricket lovers have been inquiring about booking the match tomorrow. As such, we have decided to screen the match from 7pm,” said Katare.

To add to the excitement, drums and music will be played on every fours and sixes hit during the match, he said. “You will also be able to order your favourite food which will be served in their car,” said Katare.

Doc: He walked into my clinic before the ‘sudden death’

Doc: He walked into my clinic before the ‘sudden death’

BV Shivashankar & Santosh Kumar RB | TNN

Bengaluru:31.10.2021

Puneeth Rajkumar had a regular workout regime and additional boxing session followed by a steam session before he felt exhausted on Friday, said his family doctor and cardiologist Dr Ramana Rao.

While he said Puneeth looked normal when he walked into his clinic, Dr Rao surmised the medical condition called ‘sudden death’ caused by a massive cardiac arrest was the cause. He added that the excessive workout may have ruptured the coronary arteries causing a blood clot that eventually resulted in the cardiac arrest.

“He looked so normal when he walked in with his wife Ashwini around 11.15am. He said he had worked out at the gym as usual, but done extra boxing and a little excessive steaming. While he complained of no pain, his heartbeat and blood pressure were normal,” said Dr Rao.

Since Puneeth was sweating profusely, he decided to do an ECG. “That’s where the indicator was found. The ECG showed massive stains and I took Ashwini to a different room, explained the situation and told her Puneeth should be shifted to a hospital immediately,” Dr Rao said.

Ashwini immediately decided to rush him to hospital. “We put Puneeth in his car when he complained of dizziness. I asked him to lie down. We reached Vikram Hospital in about five minutes and I followed them,” he said.

Dr Rao said Puneeth had no history of heart complaints and had no symptoms of blood pressure or diabetes. “He was the picture of perfection with no health issues and extremely fit body,” he added.

Before going to the doctor, Puneeth spoke to his gunman Chalapathy who said he’d been working with ‘yajamanaru’ (Puneeth) for the past nine years. “In the morning, he came out with Akka and I opened the car door for them. I thought they were going to the temple and tried to get into the car. But he told me: ‘Anna, neevu ille iri, naanu hogi barthini’. (Brother, you stay here, I’ll come back). Later, Akka called me from Dr Ramana Rao’s place and told us to come as Sir was not feeling well. We were wondering who was sick and went there to learn that our boss had collapsed. When we reached Vikram Hospital, I was shocked to see him on Akka’s lap. He was a fit, happy person; he didn’t have any problems.”

The previous night (Thursday), Puneeth attended a party hosted by music composer Gurukiran and did not show any signs of discomfort. “There wasn’t an iota of exhaustion. He was bubbly and cheerful as usual when he talked about various things,” said Gurukiran.

RESTING PLACE: Preparations were on for the final rites at Kanteerava Studio in Bengaluru

Thousands of fans turn up for last glimpse of Puneeth

Thousands of fans turn up for last glimpse of Puneeth

Last Rites To Be Held Today; CM Urges Actor’s Fans To Cooperate

Chethan.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:31.10.2021

Around five lakh fans from across Karnataka, some raising slogans that ‘Raajakumara’ would live in their hearts forever, some wailing and some holding back tears, joined a slew of celebrities and actors from neighbouring states to bid adieu to Puneeth Rajkumar, whose mortal remains were kept at Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.

Thousands of fans had begun trickling into the stadium since Friday evening to catch a final glimpse of the ‘Power Star’ as the final rites were expected to be conducted on Saturday. With the government postponing the funeral to Sunday, many more made it to the stadium to pay their tributes to the 46-year-old actor who passed away after a massive cardiac arrest.

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said the funeral procession would take place between 5.30am and 6am on Sunday and the general public will not be allowed during the last rites. He urged the actor’s fans and admirers to cooperate with the administration to maintain law and order as they have in the past two days.

Puneeth Rajkumar’s elder daughter Drithi, who is studying in the US, flew home in the evening and paid her respects. Behind are her mother Ashwini, sister Vanditha (in glasses) and cousin Yuva, Raghavendra Rajkumar’s son

A STAR IS GONE

Condolences and tributes to Puneeth flooded social media

Puneeth’s maternal uncle and former Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president, SA Chinne Gowda, who was at Kanteerava Studio overseeing preparations for the final rites, said: “...Even today, people have been pouring in from across the state, from far off districts like Kalaburagi, Raichur, Belagavi and many other places. It has been decided that the final rites will be performed tomorrow (Sunday). I request people to cooperate and maintain peace.”

Puneeth’s elder daughter, Drithi, who is studying in New York, took an AI flight from JFK and landed at Bengaluru at 4.10pm, via Delhi. Earlier in the day, Puneeth’s brother Raghavendra said the family was waiting for Drithi to arrive and appealed to fans to remain calm. “You have all cooperated and maintained peace so far, we request you to do the same. All fans will be allowed to pay their respects as we’ve pushed the final rites to tomorrow morning,” he said.

Drithi reached the family’s Sadhashivanagar home around 5pm and arrived at the Kanteerava Stadium by 6pm. Joined by her mother Ashwini and sister Vanditha, touched her father’s head one last time and wept, sending a wave of grief through the crowd in the stadium.

Among celebrities and VIPs who called on the family through the day were former Andhra Pradesh CM and thespian NTR’s son Balakrishna, Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi, actors Venkatesh, Junior NTR, Ali, Rana Duggabati, Srikanth and Sharath Kumar. Kannada stars Arjun Sarja, Divya Spandana (Ramya), Rakshitha, Pooja Gandhi, Sudeep, Yash, Upendra and senior artistes Umashree, B Jayashree and music director Gurukiran also paid their respects.

Karnataka governor Thawar Chand Gehlot arrived in the morning to pay tributes.

Police said the throng of fans in the stadium remained all day, while a few hundreds more thronged Kanteerava Studio. Police commissioner Kamal Pant said: “Our officers estimate around 5 lakh people arrived by midday. Many more people kept pouring in even after that. There will be bigger crowds by night and up to morning tomorrow.” Despite the huge numbers, no untoward incident was reported though fans had to brave a brief spell of rain at 4pm.

Online, condolences and tributes to Puneeth flooded social media. A video of a fan (Ajmal Mughal) from Pakistan’s Lahore crooning the actor’s ‘Bombe Heluthaithe’ even went viral.

(With inputs from RB Santosh Kumar, Rajiv Kalkod, Petlee Peter)

› Reluctant actor to astute bizman, his arc grew, P 4 › Two fans die in Belagavi, P 4

2 Delhi colleges to be named after Savarkar, Sushma

2 Delhi colleges to be named after Savarkar, Sushma

31.10.2021

The Delhi University’s executive council was informed on Friday that two names finalised for naming two upcoming colleges were Veer Savarkar and Sushma Swaraj. In an EC meet in August, a proposal was passed through which the VC was given authority to select names. The other names on the list include Swami Vivekananda, Sardar Patel & AB Vajpayee. TNN

Why carrying credit card debt is not healthy, wealthy and wise

Why carrying credit card debt is not healthy, wealthy and wise

Ann Carrns

31.10.2021

Carrying credit card debt isn’t just bad for your budget. It may also affect your health. The stress of carrying card debt through adulthood is linked to poor health, including joint pain or stiffness that interferes with daily activities, a recent study from the University of Missouri found. Beyond the worries about repaying debt, one reason for poor health may be that people with high debt have little money left to pay for resources that protect their health, the study said. The findings come at a time of increased financial insecurity for many Americans as a result of the pandemic, though the study noted that the level of unsecured debt, like credit cards, payday loans or medical bills, has been rising more quickly than income over the past several decades.

The new research tapped department of labour data to analyse the financial health of almost 7,900 baby boomers over more than a decade, from age 28 to 40, as well as their physical health at age 50. It found that people who carried consistently high levels of unsecured debt were 76% more likely to have pain that interfered with their daily life than people with no unsecured debt. People who carried debt over time reported worse physical health late in life, said Adrianne Frech, a medical sociologist and associate professor at the university’s School of Health Professions who is the study’s lead author. And the effects lingered even if the debt had been repaid, she said. People who had paid down their debt over time were still 50% more likely to have pain that impeded regular activities.

The study builds on earlier research that found that unsecured debt is more burdensome than other kinds of debt because it has higher interest rates and is often borrowed during times of desperation. “Unsecured debt is stressful to repay,” Frech said. Poor health and high debt can feed a cycle that’s hard to break, she said. People take on debt, and the stress affects their health, which, in turn, may limit their ability to work and pay off the high-interest debt. Simply telling people to manage their money better isn’t enough, Frech said. “We must address the systemic inequalities that create these desperate circumstances in the first place,” she said.

The study period predates the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic-induced economic downturn. It didn’t include student debt, which many borrowers are having trouble repaying well into their 30s and 40s. After growing for years, credit card debt fell in early 2020, as Americans cut back on spending and paid down balances during the pandemic. Delinquent accounts fell because of federal stimulus programmes as well as voluntary forbearance offered by banks to struggling borrowers. The average credit card balance was $5,525 this year, down from about $6,500 in 2019, according to credit bureau Experian.

Some answers about managing credit card debt:

What is the best way to pay down credit card balances?

Because credit cards typically charge double-digit interest rates, most financial advisers agree that you’ll save the most money if you focus on paying down the card with the highest interest rate first. “I prefer the avalanche method,” said Benjamin Jacobs, a fee-only financial planner in Athens, Georgia, using a common name for this approach. Here’s how it works: Make the minimum payment on all of your cards to avoid late fees, but put any extra money you have toward the highest-interest balance. When that balance is paid off, move on to the next card and so on. But some people may be more motivated by paying off the card with the smallest balance, regardless of its interest rate. The mechanics of this approach, sometimes called the “snowball” method, are the same: Pay the minimum on all cards, but put extra cash to the smallest balance until it’s gone, then move to the next card. “I like the snowball, because you have instant success,” said Melinda Opperman, president of Credit.org, a nonprofit financial counseling agency in Riverside, California. If you feel overwhelmed and are falling behind on payments, you may consider seeking help from a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Those agencies can help assess your situation and negotiate a plan with your card companies to allow you to pay off balances over time — typically two to five years.

How can I avoid overspending during the holidays?

Shoppers expect to spend almost $1,000 this season on gifts, food, decorations and other holiday-related purchases, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2021 forecast. But Opperman said that many clients have told her they are still paying off credit card bills from last year. She suggests focusing on enjoying time spent with loved ones during the holiday season rather than buying pricey gifts. She said she asks clients: “Do you remember what gift your sister or brother bought you last year?” Often, she said, they don’t recall. But they do remember playing a fun game or sharing a meal. “It’s more about the memories of the time spent with family and friends.” Jacobs recommends breaking out the credit card only for items you know you can pay off within a month. He also suggested starting to build an emergency fund, if possible, of three to six months of living expenses. That way, you’ll be less likely to rely on high-interest card debt if you have an unexpected bill.

A basic step to avoid overspending is to make a plan before shopping for how much you will spend, said Abigail Sussman, an associate professor of marketing. “Setting a low spending goal can be helpful,” she said. NYT

The stress of carrying card debt through adulthood is linked to poor health, including joint pain or stiffness that interferes with daily activities, a recent study from the University of Missouri found

HC notices to MSU, VC on promotion grievances

DELAY ROW

HC notices to MSU, VC on promotion grievances

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vadodara:31.10.2021

The Gujarat High Court has issued notices to MS University and its vice-chancellor (VC) professor Parimal Vyas in connection to a petition filed by a teacher of Faculty of Management Studies (FMS). The HC has issued notices in connection to a special civil application filed by Dr Sunita Sharma, who is currently serving as associate professor at FMS.

Sharma has filed a petition in the HC raising the grievance that though she is eligible to be considered for promotion under the career advancement scheme (CAS), yet her case is not being considered.

Justice Nikhil Kariel has issued the oral order asking the university and the VC to submit their reply on December 8. In her petition, Sharma, an associate professor since 1995, has stated that she is awaiting her promotion as professor under CAS which is due since 2010. She has claimed that although she is the senior most teacher at FMS, Prof Magan Parmar, who teaches in Faculty of Social Work, has been appointed as officer on special duty (dean) at the FMS.

In 2019, Sharma had applied for the post of professor in the open category but was declared ineligible by the university officials. She has even claimed that in 1995, though she was selected for the lecturer post, Vyas was rejected for the post. But in 2012, Vyas was appointed as dual professor at FMS. She has alleged that since Vyas wants to become professor and head at FMS after his term as MSU VC ends, she is denied the promotion.

Ex-VC Adesh Pal forced to retire

Ex-VC Adesh Pal forced to retire

Palanpur:31.10.2021

Adesh Pal, professor and head of the English department at the Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University and ex-VC of Gujarat University was forcibly retired after the syndicate passed a resolution against him on Saturday. The action is based on the Lokayukta report which states that Pal had failed to give a satisfactory reply to charges of corruption levelled against him. The government’s nod to retire Pal had come last Thursday.

The charges of corruption relate to his tenure in GU during 2011 when the GU campus library was said to have been defrauded of Rs 1.7 crore. The Lokayukta took up the case after the education department filed a formal complaint. On October 14, deputy secretary of the education department, Moulik Shah wrote a letter to North Gujarat university to take action which resulted in the syndicate forcibly retiring him from Nov 1, 2021.

He will get post retirement benefits as per government rules. TNN

US curbs eased, but visa wait time gets longer for Indians

US curbs eased, but visa wait time gets longer for Indians

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:31.10.2021

The lifting of US restrictions on fully-vaccinated travellers from India from November 8 has seen the processing time for visas rise significantly. The US embassy in India on Saturday warned of “significant appointment wait times for some nonimmigrant visa categories.” During pandemic, a long waiting time for visa-processing of countries that open their doors to travellers from abroad is a phenomenon seen regularly. “From November 8, an estimated 30 lakh visa holders from India, with proof of vaccination, will be able to travel to the United States under the new international air travel policy. Facilitating legitimate travel to support our strong and growing bilateral ties is our top priority. As we build back from covid-19 related interruptions, we expect significant appointment wait times for some nonimmigrant visa categories at our embassy and consulates. Thank you for your patience while we work to increase our capacity and maintain the safety of our applicants and staff,” the US embassy website states.

Describing the vaccination requirements for travellers, it adds: “Starting on November 8, foreign national air travellers to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding to fly to the US, with only limited exceptions. The CDC has determined that for the purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include those FDA approved or authorised, as well as vaccines with an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO).”

“From November 8, an estimated 30 lakh visa holders from India, with proof of vaccination, will be able to travel to the United States under the new international air travel policy”

Couple gets death penalty for killing parents over property

Couple gets death penalty for killing parents over property

Passed Off Murder As Fire Mishap Due To Air Conditioner Blast

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.10.2021

A husband and wife who conspired together and murdered the parents and younger brother of the man to gain ownership of the family property, by throwing petrol bombs inside the house in Tindivanam, Villupuram district have been sentenced to death by a special court for bomb blast cases. The accused had passed off the murder as an accident by claiming that air conditioner explosion led to the fire. They have been found guilty under sections of the explosive substances act.

According to prosecution, M Govardanan, a private school teacher and his wife, Deepika Gayatri were living along with Govardanan’s family at Subarayan street in Kaveripakkam, Tindivanam. Investigations revealed that Govardanan, after his marriage in 2018, demanded money from his parents to start a business, but was denied as he had already spent lavishly. Besides, the main accused was also holding a grudge against his parents as they continuously insulted him. Subsequently, to settle his loans, Govardanan pledged his wife’s jewellery and then again demanded money from his parents. His father agreed to arrange Rs 30 lakh as his share from the ancestral property. Since there was delay, heconfronted his parents on May 14, 2019.

Aggrieved over their evasive responses, on May 15, Govardanan prepared petrol bombs (molotov cocktail) and threw them in rooms , where his parents and brother were sleeping. His mother, Kalaiselvi died in the room. When his brother Gowthaman tried to escape, another petrol bomb was thrown at him, leading to his death due to severe burns. When his father, Raju tried to escape through the kitchen door, Govardanan kicked him and stabbed him with a butcher knife. The couple later raised an alarm to make it seem like their family members have died due to explosion in the air conditioner.

P Velmurugan, Sessions Judge, special court for exclusive trial of bomb blast cases held that the prosecution proved their arguments with documentary evidence. “The crime committed is diabolic, gruesome, barbaric and inhuman. If the accused are awarded lesser punishment on the premise that there is a chance for reformation, it would amount to misplaced sympathy and society will not accept the same and will degrade the image of the Indian criminal justice administrative system,” the court said.

“The crime committed is diabolic, gruesome, barbaric and inhuman. If the accused are awarded lesser punishment on the premise that there is a chance for reformation, it would amount to misplaced sympathy and society will not accept the same.”

Police seek complaints against Siva Shankar Baba

Police seek complaints against Siva Shankar Baba

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.10.2021

CB-CID sleuths have sought complaints, if any, from public against Siva Shankar Baba who was arrested and detained in jail for sexually assaulting school students. Anyone can approach police on mobile numbers of CB-CID officers.

Siva Sankar Baba who was first arrested on June 16 from Delhi for sexual harassment charges, has been lodged in Puzhal prison. Police are seeking the common public to come forward and lodge formal complaints against the self-styled ‘godman’, as their preliminary inquiries revealed that he had been abusing several girl students of a residential school he founded on the city’s outskirts.

In a press release, the investigating agency said that people can reach deputy superintendent of police Velmurugan at 9498104461, inspector of police Renuga Devi at 9498104695, inspector of police Gomathi at 9498107303, or inspector of police Valarmathi at 9840643610.

Information provided will be kept confidential.

The Mamallapuram all-women police, based on three complaints, booked Siva Sankar Baba on June 12. The case was transferred to the CB-CID on June 13. Police apprehended him from a lodge at Chittaranjan Park in Delhi on June 16. Police also registered a case against a former student of the school, Sushmitha, for “brainwashing” other students into getting the ‘blessings’ of Baba at his ashram, police said.

People can reach out to DSP Velmurugan at 9498104461, inspector Renuga Devi at 9498104695, inspector Gomathi at 9498107303, and inspector Valarmathi at 9840643610

Airport to get separate travellers’ helpdesk

FOR MEET AND GREET

Airport to get separate travellers’ helpdesk

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.10.2021

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to set up a facility to guide passengers who arrive and depart the city.

The meet-and-greet counter and its staff, popular in other airports, will assist departing passengers to fasttrack check-in formalities while assisting those who arrive with baggage, transport options to the city.

A tender has been floated to identify a company which will be able to carry out the work. The work is likely to be awarded next month.

An AAI official said a meet-and-greet facility is available at all airports and there has been a demand for the service for some time, especially from passengers who arrive for the first time and those who travel on business.

Passengers will have to pay a fee to use the service, but many have expressed that the absence of the service was an inconvenience, especially because of the ongoing construction work that makes alighting from vehicles and boarding cars a hassle. The service will be of use for business class passengers and is crucial as scheduled international flights may resume mid next month.

Barricading, movement of heavy vehicles, workers and equipment to build integrated terminals and two multi-level car parks is causing a hassle for passengers. As travel has resumed in a big way and the domestic terminal alone has started to see 20,000 passengers per day, there is congestion at check in counters and at security check in.

The assistance facility including a helpdesk is likely to be of help in this scenario, said an airline official. The airport is also not able to install enough signage on the city side due to construction work.

Chennai airport had a meet-and-greet facility a few years ago but it was not a success as the staff of the firm were not allowed access to the security check area and meet the passengers at the aerobridge or arrival gates. Sources said there was no need for assistance for passengers if it cannot be provided from the aerobridge or arrival gate and assistance all the way till the boarding gates in the case of departing passengers.

As the staff were not allowed into the security check area, passengers who needed assistance were forced to depend on ground staff or baggage handlers to help them carry out the formalities inside terminals. The airport does not have adequate staff to assist business class passengers also as it has only one ground handling company serving international flights.

After month in jail, Aryan Khan returns home to much fanfare

After month in jail, Aryan Khan returns home to much fanfare

Mohua Das & Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai:31.10.2021

Aryan Khan finally returned home on Saturday morning to a hero’s welcome, two days after the Bombay high court granted him bail and almost a month of being lodged at Arthur Road Jail following his arrest in the drugson-cruise case.

Jail officials unlocked the bail box at 5.30am on Saturday to collect Aryan’s release order to initiate the process that had missed its deadline on Friday. While his father, actor Shah Rukh Khan, left home at 8am and managed to dodge the media glare—stationed inside his white Range Rover parked close to the prison ahead of his son’s release—the crowd of onlookers that grew by the minute cheered excitedly at a fleeting glimpse of Aryan, 23, as he emerged from a mini gate at 11.02am with SRK’s bodyguard Ravi Singh briskly escorting him into the SUV, ready to drive back home.

FREE AT LAST: Aryan Khan, 23, left Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai around 11am on Saturday, two days after he was granted bail

‘If we’ve been there for SRK in good times, we need to be with him now’

Fans also gathered outside Mannat, the Khans’ sea-facing bungalow. “If we’ve been there for Shah Rukh in the good times, it’s our responsibility to be here for him in the bad times,” said Aparna Agnihotri from Andheri, member of a fan club.

Fans burst crackers, waving banners that read ‘Stay Strong Prince Aryan’ and chants of “We love Shah Rukh”, even as security guards and a posse of policemen jostled to provide the actor’s car a safe passage back into the building.

If the crowd lined up on pavements outside Arthur Road jail kept the police on their toes, with barricades and ropes to keep onlookers within limits and an eye on suspected pickpockets following reports of at least seven mobile phone thefts outside the jail on Friday, it was a busy day for some of SRK’s biggest fans too.

As the wait for the star son’s arrival grew longer, a man kept the crowd intrigued with his “bhavishya vani” or fortune-telling for the Khan family while two others stopped by to regale fans with the quintessential SRK song ‘Tujhe dekha toh yeh jaana sanam’ on their shehnai and dafli.

“Aaj bahut din baad khushi ka mahaul hai,” said Lateef Khan, a 20-year-old from Kurla and member of Team Shah Rukh Khan, a fan club with more than 2 million followers. Upset at not being able to welcome back “Prince Khan” on Friday, he refused to go home and camped with a friend instead in order to board the 6am train for Aryan’s grand arrival.

Full report on www.toi.in

FAN FRENZY: Cops and guards struggled to control the crowd in a lane leading to Mannat, Shah Rukh Khan’s home, in Mumbai on Saturday

Embassy warns of long visa wait as US eases curbs

31.10.2021

As the US opens for Indians from November 8, the country’s embassy on Saturday has warned of “significant appointment wait times for some non-immigrant visa categories”. “From November 8, an estimated 30 lakh visa holders from India, with proof of vaccination, will be able to travel to the US under the new air travel policy. Vaccines accepted will include those approved or authorised by the FDA and vaccines with an EUL from the WHO,” it said.