RGUHS to honour college founder amid legal dispute

RGUHS to honour college founder amid legal dispute 

Times News Network  BENGALURU 13.06.2026

Bengaluru : Ironically, RGUHS will award honorary doctorate to AC Shanmugam, founder chancellor of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, an institute with which the varsity is having a legal tussle. 

In 2019, the Centre and UGC approved an application to change the college from under the ambit of RGUHS and transfer it to Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, a deemed university in Chennai. 

RGUHS and the state govt opposed the move. They argued it will result in a massive loss of medical seats for Karnataka students and that UGC bypassed mandatory procedures by not consulting the state. 

The case is yet to conclude. The college is currently a constituent college of Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute. 

RGUHS said the name came from the governor’s office and they cannot do anything about it. RGUHS VC Bhagavan BC said, “It was a decision taken by the committee constituted by governor. There are three members, of which former VC Sacchidanand was the university’s nominee. We have no role in this beyond nominating a person to the panel.” 

Sharan Prakash Patil, medical education minister, wasn’t too happy about the choice. “This has come to my notice. We have gone to court against the college and they have got a stay. The legal fight is still on. But govt has no say in the selection process of honorary doctorates. All we can do is to initiate processes so that such things don’t happen in future.” 

Rajarajeshwari medical college official said the college has no issues with RGUHS. Apart from Shanmugam, the other awardees are Nailady Sridhar Shetty, former Dental Council of India president, and Harshangi Veerbhadrappa, paediatrician

Ebola: All int’l arrivals to fill declaration form in India

Ebola: All int’l arrivals to fill declaration form in India 

TRAVELADVISORY 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 08.06.2026

New Delhi : All international arrivals in India, both passengers and airline crew members, will now have to fill a self declaration form in the wake of the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. Passengers who had direct contact with a person suspected/confirmed to have Ebola infection must immediately report to the airport health officer/health desk before immigration clearance. “Are you India-bound? In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease, all travellers and airline crew coming into India are to follow guidelines strictly. 

Your cooperation is essential in helping safeguard public health and ensuring safe travel for all,” the Bureau of Immigration stated in an Ebola travel advisory on X. “All travellers arriving in India are to fill their self-declaration form completely and accurately. Passengers who had direct contact with a person suspected/confirmed to have Ebola infection must immediately report to the airport health officer/health desk before immigration clearance,” the guidelines stated. 

Passengers are required to tell the airline or medical staff if they have experienced symptoms like “fever, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, headache, unexplained bleeding, muscle pain, sore throat post travel. Monitor your health for 21 days after arrival. If symptoms develop, seek medical care instantly and share your travel history,” the bureau stated. This travel advisory expands the scope of the protocol issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for airlines flying passengers to India who have visited Ebola hot zones in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. They were required to fill self declaration forms and undergo thermal screening.

Tatkal booking goes haywire despite Railways app reforms

Tatkal booking goes haywire despite Railways app reforms

From July 2025, Tatkal tickets booked through the IRCTC website and mobile app were made available only to users authenticated with the Aadhaar number.

train

 

Tinisha Rachel Samuel

Updated on:

04 Jun 2026, 6:12 pm

KOLLAM: Nearly a year after the Indian Railways announced key modifications to the Tatkal booking service, passengers continue to face various issues and are unable to get confirmed tickets.

From July 2025, Tatkal tickets booked through the IRCTC website and mobile app were made available only to users authenticated with the Aadhaar number.

Tatkal tickets booked at computerised passenger reservation system (PRS) counters and through authorised agents also require OTP authentication sent to the mobile number provided by the user at the time of booking.

To prevent bulk bookings during the crucial opening period, authorised ticketing agents are not permitted to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window. According to the Indian Railways, around 14 lakh passengers book train tickets through online platforms daily, and for Tatkal, around four lakh users log in between 10 am and 11 am.

"There is an issue between demand and supply, which is the reason why the ticket issue persists," a senior Railways official said.

When TNIE tried booking a Tatkal ticket from Kollam Junction to MGR Chennai Central on train no 12624 through the RailOne app, the facility was not functional during the 11 am time slot. On the other hand, a private app showed TQWL 17 for third AC berths within three minutes of the booking period, at 11.03 am, even as the new rules suggest that private apps can only begin bookings after 11.30 am.

Several users on the social media platform X have raised allegations regarding issues with booking Tatkal tickets.

"I have been trying to book a single Tatkal ticket for the past four days. First, the mobile app kept crashing, then the website too. The system conveniently collapses during the first few crucial minutes when genuine users try to book tickets. Then, magically, after five minutes, the website and app start working perfectly normally, but by then all tickets would be sold out," lamented a user on X.

"One issue we have experienced in recent days is that if you search directly for Premium Tatkal tickets, most of the time there won't be any error, and there is a higher chance of getting a confirmed ticket. But with normal Tatkal, things are different. Many are asking whether this is being done intentionally to push passengers towards higher-cost tickets. Many also allege that normal Tatkal tickets are mainly booked by agents," alleged Ansuman Satapathy, a rail enthusiast. Premium Tatkal at times costs three times the rate of normal tickets.

Several rail users have also alleged that some railway staff at ticket counters help travel agents with bookings. A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that such allegations are often raised.

"In several cases, server glitches occur on the RailOne app while booking Tatkal tickets. The app keeps loading for nearly five minutes even after payment is completed. By then, tickets would have been sold out. Most Tatkal bookings are made during emergencies, and refunds also take time," said Vishakh Kochiyil, a travel agent from Malappuram.

Chennai Airport advises passengers to use coloured ribbons on luggage; here is why

Chennai Airport advises passengers to use coloured ribbons on luggage; here is why 

With most modern suitcases appearing similar in size, shape, and colour, travellers often struggle to identify their bags from others, particularly after long flights.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) has advised passengers to identify their suitcases by tying coloured ribbons

Online Desk Updated on: 04 Jun 2026, 1:26 pm

CHENNAI: In a move aimed at reducing baggage-related confusion at airports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has advised passengers to identify their suitcases by tying coloured ribbons to them before travel.

The advisory comes amid frequent incidents at airports, including Chennai, where passengers mistakenly collect the wrong luggage from baggage conveyor belts.

With most modern suitcases appearing similar in size, shape, and colour, travellers often struggle to identify their bags from others, particularly after long flights.

Although airlines attach baggage tags to every checked-in suitcase and provide passengers with matching tag details on their boarding passes, many travellers fail to verify the tag numbers while collecting their luggage.

Airport officials attribute this to travel fatigue, the desire to leave the terminal quickly, and the small print on baggage tags.

Such mistakes can cause significant disturbances and occasionally lead to disputes between passengers when luggage is wrongly taken from the carousel.

To address the issue, AAI has recommended that passengers tie ribbons or other easily recognisable markers in different colours to their suitcases.

Officials say the simple measure will help travellers quickly identify their bags on conveyor belts and reduce the chances of accidental mix-ups.

“Coloured ribbons can serve as an immediate visual identifier, enabling passengers to spot their luggage easily and avoid confusion,” airport officials said.

Why are passengers seeking better crowd management at baggage claim areas ? Meanwhile, passengers at Chennai Airport have also called for better crowd management around baggage claim areas.

Travellers point out that at many international airports, passengers typically wait at a designated distance from the conveyor belt and approach only when their luggage arrives. This practice helps people gain easier access to their baggage.

However, at most Indian airports, including Chennai, passengers often gather close to the conveyor belts with their trolleys.

This creates congestion, obstructing other passengers from retrieving their luggage and causing delays. In some cases, travellers are forced to wait longer for their bags to complete another round on the carousel because they are unable to reach them through the crowd.

Passengers urge airport authorities to introduce counter measures that encourage people to stand back from the conveyor belt until their luggage arrives. They believe such a system would improve passenger flow, reduce crowding, and make baggage collection more efficient and easier.

Airport officials maintain that a combination of better baggage identification practices and improved discipline around baggage carousels could significantly enhance the overall passenger experience at Chennai Airport and other airports across the country.

FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive:

FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive: 

Medicos urge NMC, Health Minister's intervention 

Written By : Adity SahaPublished On 4 June 2026 2:30 PM | Updated On 4 June 2026 2:30 PM

Chennai: Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Tamil Nadu are allegedly waiting for up to two years to secure a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) seat.

The situation is reportedly so difficult that some FMGs have taken up food delivery jobs while waiting for internship opportunities, according to a message shared by the All FMGs Association (AFA), which has urged authorities to take immediate action.

Under the National Medical Commission regulations, FMGs are required to complete their foreign medical degree, clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, complete the mandatory internship/CRMI in India and obtain permanent registration to practice in India.

Without completing the mandatory internship, FMGs cannot obtain permanent medical registration and are therefore unable to legally practice medicine in India. As a result, delays in internship allotment can leave qualified FMGs waiting for months or even years before they can start their careers.

Also read- NMC extends FMG internship in non-teaching hospitals till May 2028: All FMGs Association

Raising concerns over the issue, the All FMGs Association (AFA) has urged Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to address long-pending issues related to internship allotment, registration and stipend payments.

In a post on X, the association shared a message allegedly received from an FMG in Tamil Nadu, who described the condition of the graduates there and requested action.

On this, AFA said, "This is the message we received from FMGs in Tamil Nadu, and honestly, it shattered my heart. This is the reality of FMGs in India… even after clearing one of the toughest exams in the country, FMGE. On one side, NMC officials proudly meet foreign delegates, sign MoUs, and promote MBBS abroad to “strengthen bilateral relations.” But on the other side, the same NMC is unable to ensure that State Medical Councils follow its own rules."

Many FMGs facing similar issues across the country have alleged that, despite clear NMC instructions, several State Medical Councils are refusing to allot them internship seats on time.

Medical Dialogues, a week ago, reported that around 104 medical graduates, despite clearing the screening test, i.e., the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), have been waiting for an internship program for the past two years, which is mandatory for FMGs to obtain their medical registration to practice. Frustrated by the delay, they have appealed to the West Bengal Chief Minister, seeking urgent intervention to ensure allocation of internship seats and implementation of the full National Medical Commission (NMC)-approved internship seat matrix in the state.

Calling the situation unfair, AFA said that many FMGs continue to struggle even after clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), one of the mandatory requirements for practising medicine in India.

Highlighting the challenges faced by FMGs, AFA claimed that several states are not allotting internship seats despite vacancies being available. It also alleged that in some states, graduates are forced to wait for nearly two years to begin their internships.

Further, the association stated that many FMGs who have already completed their internships are still awaiting permanent registration. It also alleged that certain states are requiring graduates to undergo additional years of internship, despite NMC advisories and public notices on the matter.

And in most states, the association said that FMGs are working without a stipend, surviving on hope alone.

Tagging the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission in its post, AFA said that these issues have been going on since the COVID-19 pandemic and require urgent attention.

"How long will FMGs keep suffering like this? We are not asking for privilege. We are not asking for shortcuts. We are only asking for basic fairness. Don’t punish FMGs for choosing MBBS abroad. We only want to serve our country, support our parents, and build a dignified life," the association added.

Commenting on this, Dr Samar Kumar, Vice President, AIMSA FMSW & AFA, told Medical Dialogues, "Every month, only two to three FMGs are being allotted internships, while many others have been waiting for 1.5 to 2 years. The major concern is that the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has sufficient internship seats available but is not utilizing non-teaching hospitals for FMG internships. Despite the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines and notifications permitting non-teaching hospitals to conduct internships, TNMC continues to allot FMGs primarily to private medical colleges. This has created several problems."

He said, "Many private medical colleges charge FMGs for internship training, which is against NMC guidelines. Furthermore, most of these institutions do not provide stipends to FMG interns. As a result, many FMGs in Tamil Nadu are facing significant financial and mental stress. Some are even compelled to work as delivery personnel for companies such as Zomato and Swiggy to support themselves and their families while waiting for internship opportunities. We have repeatedly sought clarification and intervention from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council and the Health Ministry of Tamil Nadu. However, no adequate response or effective action has been taken so far."

The association has urged the Tamil Nadu Medical Council to utilize non-teaching hospitals for FMG internships and ensure the timely allotment of internships to all eligible FMGs.

Along with this, the association also requested NMC to kindly issue appropriate directions to TNMC to address this issue and ensure compliance with NMC guidelines.

Germany waives transit visa for Indians

Germany waives transit visa for Indians 

03.06.2026

New Delhi : Indians will no longer need a transit visa when travelling to another country with a layover at a German airport, the country’s embassy said here on Tuesday. 

The decision will come into effect on June 3. “The lifting of the airport transit visa for Indian citizens was announced in the Federal Law Gazette on June 2, and takes effect on June 3,” the German embassy said in a statement. “It underlines the federal govt’s commitment to deepening German-Indian relations, facilitating the movement of people, and further strengthening economic ties,” it said. 

This comes as a result of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India in Jan, the embassy said. In April, the ministry of external affairs said the visa-free transit for Indians transiting through France had been operationalised by the French govt. PTI

Father & son who missed Chicago flight win ₹1.4L compensation

Father & son who missed Chicago flight win ₹1.4L compensation 

DIVERSION DRAMA - COUNSUMER AS KING

 Vindhya.Pabolu@timesofindia.com   14.05.2026

Bengaluru : What began as a routine trip to Chicago soon spiralled into an overnight nightmare for two Jayanagar residents, eventually leading to a legal battle. The episode dates back to Jan 4, 2024, when 68-year-old Satish Nagarajan Iyengar and his 38- year-old son, Rupesh, booked Air India round-trip tickets between Bengaluru and Chicago for Rs 2.9 lakh. 

Their onward journey was scheduled for Jan 18, with the return flight planned for Jan 22. On Jan 18, the duo checked in at Bengaluru airport and received two boarding passes each, while their baggage was tagged directly to Chica- go. Their flight departed Bengaluru at 9.10pm and was slated to arrive in Delhi at 11.55pm, where they were to board a connecting flight to Chicago at 2.35am. 

The flight was normal until it entered Delhi airspace, when the captain announced a diversion to Jaipur, citing low visibility. However, the duo contended that Delhi’s CAT IIIB-compliant runways were operational and the aircraft was equipped for landing in low visibility, alleging the diversion occurred due to pilots lacking CAT IIIB certification. 

The aircraft landed in Jaipur, where passengers waited for more than an hour while a CAT IIIB-certified crew was flown in. The flight then reached Delhi at 1.52am, leaving less than 45 minutes for the connection. Despite assurances that they would make the connection, they were met with placards and escorted through a priority channel. However, they were made to wait more than 30 minutes, their baggage was returned and the Chicago leg was cancelled, citing late arrival of AI 808. 

Air India’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) later confirmed seats were available but said boarding had closed. For Satish, a senior citizen, the situation turned distressing. No food, water, seating or hotel accommodation was provided, nor any timeline for resolution. 

After a sleepless night at the airport, they booked a hotel at their own expense. The next morning, Air India issued tickets to Bengaluru and said reimbursement would be provided. On Jan 21, they filed a refund request. On Feb 5, Air India confirmed a full refund within 7-14 days. However, by March 5, only Rs 2.4 lakh was credited, leaving Rs 55,328 pending. Despite acknowledgement and follow-ups, payment was not made. The issue was escalated to the ministry of civil aviation on July 26, but they received no response. 

The duo filed a consumer complaint on July 17, 2025. In its defence, Air India cited operational and safety requirements for the diversion, stating low visibility procedures were mandatory. It argued boarding had closed by the time they arrived at the gate, making acceptance impossible. It also said an alternative routing via London was offered but declined, contending that passengers who opted for a refund could not later claim additional damages. On refunds, Air India stated that out of the total fare of Rs 1.5 lakh per ticket, in addition Rs 11,145 had been refunded for one ticket, while Rs 27,664 and Rs 16,519, respectively, remained under process or pending approval. 

The airline maintained that the delay in crediting the balance amounts was due to routine reconciliation and settlement procedures and not due to any mala fide intent. The commission observed that the flight diversion was not due to weather alone but stemmed from the crew’s lack of CAT IIIB certification, an internal lapse that could not be treated as force majeure to escape liability. 

It held that DGCA exemption clauses could not justify leaving a senior citizen stranded overnight without food, water, rest or accommodation. The partial refund of Rs 2,43,774 was treated as acknowledgement of liability, making the withholding of Rs 55,328 indefensible. It also upheld Rs 33,186 as legitimate damages and concluded that Air India’s actions constituted a clear deficiency in service. 

The bench, comprising president Ramachandra MS and members Nandini H Kumbhar and Savitha Airani, on April 29 ordered Air India to refund Rs 55,328 and pay Rs 33,186 for damages incurred at an interest at 6%. It directed the airline to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, Rs 25,000 for pain and suffering, and Rs 10,000 in litigationcosts.

Passengers can’t fly Air India to Singapore from June to Aug

Passengers can’t fly Air India to Singapore from June to Aug

 Venkadesan.S@timesofindia.com 14.015.2026

Chennai : Air India will suspend its twice daily direct flights from Chennai to Singapore as part of a wider rationalisation drive in view of soaring fuel costs and operational pressures. It is not clear if the 14 connecting flights to Singapore via Mumbai and Delhi have also been curtailed. A fresh timetable is expected in some time. The Tata Group-owned carrier on Wednesday announced that operations would be curtailed on other international routes as well. 

These include Delhi-Shanghai, Mumbai-Dhaka and DelhiMale through Aug, and reduced frequency of flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Colombo and Dhaka. 

The impact extends to Europe, North America and Australia as well. Air India has suspended the Delhi-Chicago route temporarily and reduced frequencies to San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, Copenhagen, Milan, Zurich, Rome, Melbourne and Sydney, among others. Despite the temporary cuts, the airline said it would continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across fi-ve continents, including 158 weekly flights to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC destinations. 

The Chennai-Singapore flights cater to leisure travellers, business passengers, students and transit flyers connecting to Southeast Asia, the Far East and Australia. International carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Scoot Airways too operate direct flights between Chennai and Singapore. 

A Sankar, president of Indian Air Passengers’Association, said that move will encourage other carriers to raise fares. “Airlines reducing the operations despite the Union govt releasing ₹5,000 crore emergency credit to them shows their incapability to manage the crisis,” he said. Sankar said Chennai-Singapore is one of the busiest sectors, with people from all walks of life often travelling between these countries for business, work as well as for leisure.

 Air India said affected passengers would be offered alternative flights where feasible, along with 1 options for free date changes or full refunds. The airline added that it is working with regulators and airport authorities to restore full capacity once operating conditions get better.

C JOSEPH VIJAY

Academicians draw CM Vijay’s attention to higher education

Academicians draw CM Vijay’s attention to higher education

 Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com  11,05.2026

Chennai : Educationists drew chief minister Joseph Vijay’s attention to the pressing challenges faced by higher education in the state, including declining academic standards, huge faculty vacancies, and the absence of vice-chancellors in state universities. 

They urged him to immediately take steps to appoint vice-chancellors to all state universities. The new state govt also has to take a decision on whether to accept the National Education Policy (NEP) or implement State Education Policy (SEP) in higher education. 

Due to a tussle between the then Governor R N Ravi and state govt on including UGC’s nominee on V-C search panels, as many as 15 state universities out of 22 have been functioning without vice hancellors for a period ranging from one year to three years. 

E Balagurusamy, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, said the prolonged vacancies in key leadership positions are adversely affecting academic governance, policy decisions, institution growth and overall quality of higher education. “CM Vijay must initiate comprehensive reforms such as curriculum modernisation, faculty development, industry-academia collaboration and research enhancement to prevent further deterioration,” he said. 

University of Madras former vice-chancellor S P Thyagarajan said the CM should ensure financial stability for all state universities. “Students from economically weaker sections and poor families depend on the govt-run institutions for higher education. So, the state govt should not increase the fees of degree programmes. A high-power committee must be formed to find solutions,” he said. 

Alagappa University former vice-chancellor S Subbiah said students are affected by the lack of vice-chancellors in state universities. “Students do not get their degree certificates on time. The state universities are crippled due to a lack of academic leadership,” he said. 

Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University’s former vice-chancellor G Visvanathan said the new govt should allow the universities to fill their own vacancies. Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB)  is in the process of recruiting about 2,700 assistant professors to govt arts and science colleges in the state. Professors asked the new govt to expedite the appointments to ensure new faculty members join the colleges before the next academic year.

ACADEMICS PIN HOPES ON NEW GOVRNMENT

ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை

 ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை

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ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமையென்பது சக்தி. 

ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையென்பது மனசைத் தூசு தட்டி வைக்கும் துப்புரவு நாள்

இங்கே பலருக்கு ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையென்பதே இல்லை.

பலருக்கு வாழ்க்கையே விடுமுறையாய் இருப்பதனால் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையின் பெருமையே தெரிவதில்லை.

சனிக்கிழமை சாயங்காலத்தில் உயிரோடிருக்கிற ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை, பிறக்கும்போது இறந்தே பிறக்கிறது.

ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையென்பது ஒய்வுகளின் உன்னத மண்டபம், ஆனால் சோ்த்துச் சோ்த்து வைக்கிற சில்லரை வேலைகளெல்லாம் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை நோக்கி நகா்த்தப் படுவதால் பொறுப்புகளின் சுமை தாங்காமல் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையே நடுங்குகிறது.

மிகை ஊதியம் கிடைத்தால் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையை விற்பதற்கு நாம் தயாா்.

அதற்கு வாய்ப்பில்லாதவா்கள் மட்டுமே ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையை கட்டாயக் கல்யாணம் செய்து கொள்கிறாா்கள்.

தனக்கு சோக கீதம் வாசித்துக் கொண்டே ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை விடிகிறது

ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையென்பது உறக்கமல்ல: விழிப்பு.

பூமி விழிக்கு முன்பே புலன்கள் விழித்துவிட வேண்டும்.

பித்தளை பாத்திரங்களை மாதம் ஒருமுறை புளி போட்டத் துலக்குவது மாதிரி, புலன்களை வாரம் ஒருமுறை புடம் போட்டுத் துலக்க வேண்டும்,

ஆனால் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையென்றால் பதினொரு மணிக்குப் பல் துலக்குவது என்றுதான் இங்கு பல இல்லற அகராதிகளில் எழுதப் பட்டிருக்கிறது.

ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை சாலைகளை வாசிக்கிறேன்.

ஒவ்வொரு ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையும் இந்தியாவுக்கு 'பாரத் பந்த்' தாகவே இருக்கிறது.

ஜன்னல்களையும் புலன்களையும் சாத்திக் கொள்வதா ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை?

புலன்களை வலிக்க வைக்கும் பொழுதுபோக்குச் சாதனங்களுக்குள் புதைந்து போவதா ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை?

இந்தியாவுக்கு கிடைத்த சுதந்திரத்தைப் போலவே இந்தியனுக்குக் கிடைத்த ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமையும் தப்பாகப் பயன்படுத்தப் படுகிறது.

வாரத்தில் ஆறு நாட்கள் வயிற்றுக்காக வாழ்ந்து விட்டோமே ஒரு நாளாவது இதயத்திற்காக வாழ வேண்டாமா?

வாரெமெல்லாம் மனிதா்களோடு மன்றாடிக் கொண்டிருக்கிற மனிதா்களே!

ஞாயிறகறுக் கிழமையாவது தாவரஙககளோடு பேசுங்கள்.

ஒரு செடிக்குப் பக்கத்தில் நாற்காலி போட்டு பூ மலரும் வரை பொறுத்திருங்கள்.

வானத்தில் வசிப்பதற்குப் பழகுங்கள்.

நாற்பது வயதுக்குப் பிறகு கால்சியத்தை கிரகித்துக் கொள்ள முடியாத மனித எலும்புகள் மாதிரி -மனிதா்கள் ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட காலத்திற்கு மேல் படிப்பதை நிறுத்தி விடுகிறாா்கள்.

ஒரு வீட்டில் சமையலறையைவிட நூலகம் முக்கியம் என்று சட்டம் போட வேண்டும்.

ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை நல்ல புத்தகங்களுக்கும் நமக்குமுள்ள சிநேகநாள் என்று செய்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

திருமணத்திற்குப் பிறகு இந்தியப் பெண்களுக்கு, தாலிக்குப் போட்ட முடிச்சு மாதிரியே இல்லற வாழ்க்கையும்  இறுகிக் கிடப்பதனால் அவா்களில் பலா் மனநோயாளியாகவே மாறிவிட்டாா்கள்.

நம் ரசனையும் கலாசார அகலங்களையும் மனசின் பரப்பையும் விரிவுபடுத்தும் வேலையைத்தான் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை செய்ய வேண்டும்.

இரைப்பையை நிரப்பிக் கொள்ளத்தான் எல்லா நாட்களும்.

இதயத்தை நிரப்பிக் கொள்ள ஒரே நாள்தான்.

அதன் பெயா்

ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை.

ஞாயிறு போற்றதும்.

வைரமுத்து.

Biriyani stands, malls make a killing even as rest of Chennai city deserted

Biriyani stands, malls make a killing even as rest of Chennai city deserted

 Vivek.Narayanan@timesofindia.com 24.04.2026

Chennai : Empty roads, brisk biriyani sales, crowded juice stalls where youngsters boasted their inked fingers, cab drivers fleecing passengers — this was Chennai on April 23, when the city went to vote. 

As voting commenced, the characteristic hustle and bustle that defines the city disappeared. Public transport moved with lighter loads, cinema theatres opened only in the evening, shop shutters remained half-closed, traffic on arterial roads, including NSC Bose Road, Anna Salai, T Nagar was sparse as people made their way to nearby polling stations. 

“It’s always like this on election days,” said Rajesh, a vegetable vendor in Mylapore, with fewer customers than on regular mornings. “People are either at the booths or staying indoors. Business doesn’t pick up until evening.”

 Biriyani stands and street vendors, on the other hand, saw an unexpected surge. “The sale today was much higher than that of normal weekdays,” said Ezhilarasi, who runs a biriyani stall in R K Nagar. “People come after voting. Some orders were pre-booked." “We’ve never seen such brisk afternoon sales on an election day before,” said a restaurant manager on NSC Bose Road. “Families seem to be celebrating their civic duty with a meal out.” 

As the evening descended and polling booths began shutting down, the city’s commercial landscape transformed dramatically. Shopping malls across Chennai witnessed an unexpected surge in footfall. “We had delayed opening of malls to help the staff cast their vote. But most of them were open by noon,” said Aslam Packeer Mohamed, managing director, Marina Mall. Meanwhile, Tirupur Subramaniam from the Tamil Nadu Theatres Association said that film shows were allowed to commence only after 6pm, when polling ended.

India needs socially responsible doctors, says NMC chairman

India needs socially responsible doctors, says NMC chairman

Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, Chairman, National Medical Commission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, presents a degree certificate to a student at SRIHER on Friday. M. SRINATH

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 18.04.2026

India’s healthcare system faces both immense challenges and extraordinary opportunities. From bridging rural healthcare gaps to addressing emerging diseases, the nation needs doctors who are not only competent but also compassionate and socially responsible, said Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, Chairman, National Medical Commission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, here on Friday.

Delivering the address at the 41st convocation of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Dr. Sheth told graduating doctors that they may choose diverse paths, but regardless of what they choose, they must remember that their work contributes to the well-being of society.

“Many of you will serve in settings where resources are limited but the need [for healthcare] is great. In such circumstances, your dedication, empathy, and integrity will matter far more than technology,” he said.

Dr. Sheth reflected on the “three pillars” that must guide every doctor’s career — compassionate patient care, continuous upgradation of skills, and unwavering ethical values.

“Never forget that behind every case sheet is a human being, with a story, a family, and hopes for recovery. Technology will continue to transform healthcare, but empathy will always remain the timeless essence of good medical practice,” he said.

He added that the field of medicine was evolving at an unprecedented pace. “What you learn today may be refined or replaced by new evidence tomorrow. Advances in genomics, artificial intelligence, minimally invasive procedures, and precision medicine are continuously redefining healthcare,” he said.

He urged the graduating doctors to commit themselves to continuous professional development, to attend conferences, engage in research, embrace innovation, and constantly refine their clinical skills.

On the regulatory framework in the country, he said the responsibility for maintaining professional standards rests with the State Medical Councils, where they will register as practitioners. He said the regulations were not mere formalities; they safeguard patients, uphold professional integrity, and ensure uniform standards of care.

SRIHER’s Pro-Chancellor R.V. Sengutuvan and Vice-Chancellor Uma Sekar were present.

Consider service period of regularised PG doctors for super-specialty admissions’: Madras HC

Consider service period of regularised PG doctors for super-specialty admissions’: Madras HC

Justice M Dhandapani issued the direction on a petition by Dr G Arulvel, who was appointed as assistant surgeon on a temporary basis in 2021.

Madras High Court.

Express News Service

Updated on:

15 Apr 2026, 8:46 am

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Selection Committee of the state health department to consider the applications of those post-graduate doctors, who were appointed in regular posts on temporary basis and subsequently regularised, for admission to super-specialty courses in medicine under the in-service quota by considering their entire service period as qualifying service.

Justice M Dhandapani issued the direction on a petition by Dr G Arulvel, who was appointed as assistant surgeon on a temporary basis in 2021 in the regular sanctioned post and was regularised on March 6, 2026, after clearing the special qualifying examination for regularisation.

The petitioner approached the court seeking the issuance of directions to consider his application for the super-specialty course for the 2025-26 academic year as in-service candidate in the Round-II counselling.

“There shall be a direction to the respondents to consider the application of the petitioner and the other similarly placed persons for admission to super-specialty courses for 2025-26 as in-service candidates by considering the period of service rendered by them in the temporary post, which is borne out of the cadre in the time scale of pay, as qualifying service for the purpose of fulfilment of the conditions laid down under clause 7 and 8 of the prospectus,” the judge in a recent order said.

The judge also directed the authorities to receive the applications from all the eligible temporary assistant surgeons who have been under temporary appointment on a post borne out of cadre, and process their application for selection to the super-specialty courses which are yet to be filled under the in-service quota and admit them on the basis of their inter se merit in the relevant courses for 2025-26.

Deemed univs to rake in Rs 2,000 cr thanks to lowering of 2025 NEET PG cut-offs

Deemed univs to rake in Rs 2,000 cr thanks to lowering of 2025 NEET PG cut-offs

Rema NagarajanTNN

Apr 14, 2026, 23:47 IST

Candidates who became eligible after the qualifying cutoff of NEET PG 2025 was lowered took seats worth almost Rs 2,000 crore in 48 medical colleges that are deemed universities. This is an indication of just how important lowering of cutoff was for these private colleges. 

The government slashed the cutoff just before the third round of counselling saying that this would help fill up 18,000 seats lying vacant after the first two rounds especially in pre-clinical and para-clinical specialties. The data for the results of centralised counselling is available only for all-India quota seats and for all postgraduate seats in deemed university private medical colleges. The all-India quota is made up of 50% PG seats in about 300 government colleges. The remaining 50% is filled through counselling that happens at the state level, for which consolidated data is not available. 

TOI analysed the data from allotment of seats in round 3 and the stray round of the centralised counselling, looking at only fresh allotments in the third round and all allotments in the stray round. Candidates are not allowed to change or upgrade their preference after allotment in round 3 and leaving an allotted seat would mean being barred from further participation in counselling and forfeiture of the security deposit (Rs 25,000 for all-India quota seat and Rs 2 lakh for a deemed university seat). Joining a seat and then resigning could attract a seat-leaving penalty also. The analysis showed that the annual tuition fees of the clinical seats filled in the third round by those with lowered cut off in deemed universities amounted to roughly Rs 550 crore. There are two category of seats in these colleges -- management seats and NRI seats. Since PG courses are for three years, that would amount to about Rs 1,650 crore revenue lost if the seat went empty. 

Tuition fees are highest for clinical specialties, especially for so-called high-demand ones like radiology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynaecology and general medicine. In these, the annual fees could be as high as Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1 crore or more. In the stray vacancy round, these colleges filled clinical specialty seats worth Rs 115 crore annually, or Rs 345 crore over the whole course. In the all-India quota, none of the candidates who became eligible due to lowered cutoff got admission to clinical specialties, except those who came through the disability quota. 

In comparison, 970 candidates who became eligible through lowering of the cutoff got clinical specialties in the deemed university colleges in the third and stray rounds. While the outrage over the reduction in cutoff was all about the reserved category getting its cutoff slashed to zero percentile, the allotment data from the two rounds shows that about 38% of over 1,200 all-India seats bagged by those with reduced cutoff were from the general category compared to 24% of OBCs, 25% SC and 14% ST. In the deemed university colleges, of the 1,770 seats bagged by those made eligible by lowering of the cut off, over two-thirds (1,224) were from the general category, while just 4.2% (75) and 0.2% (4) were from the SC and ST categories respectively. 

The skew is even sharper in clinical seats in deemed university colleges, which have the highest tuition fees. Of the 973 clinical seats allotted in the last two rounds that went to those made eligible by the lowered cutoff, 78% (759) were bagged by general category candidates, 19% by OBCs, 2.7% by SCs and 0.3% by STs. In comparison, of the 160 plus clinical seats from the all-India quota, 42% went to the general category, 40% to OBCs, 17% to SCs and 2% to STs. Clearly, more general category candidates benefitted from the lowered cutoff than those from the reserved categories.

Delay in issuing pattas: Residents may sit out poll

Delay in issuing pattas: Residents may sit out poll

Apr 11, 2026, 04.09 AM IST

Chennai: Residents of Kamarajar Nagar in Perungudi have threatened to boycott the upcoming Assembly election in Sholinganallur constituency, protesting prolonged delays in the issuance of computerised subdivision pattas. In a representation to the chief electoral officer, the Kamarajar Nagar residents association, representing around 250 families, alleged apathy by authorities in resolving the issue despite repeated appeals. According to the residents, the plots were purchased through registered sale deeds between 1983 and 1985, and houses were constructed with due approvals . They said they have been in peaceful possession of the properties and have been paying all statutory taxes and charges. However, applications for computerised pattas have remained pending since 2009, the association said. TNN

Chennai faces worsening LPG crisis as wait for refill stretches to 50 days

Chennai faces worsening LPG crisis as wait for refill stretches to 50 days

The supply of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers has been impacted for the past three weeks due to the Gulf war, and the situation has now escalated, severely affecting thousands of households.

A LPG delivery person putting a lock to the empty cyclinders kept on the roadside at patravakkam in Chennai.Photo | P Ravikumar

B Anbuselvan

Updated on:

08 Apr 2026, 9:29 am

CHENNAI: The waiting period for getting a domestic LPG refill has increased unofficially, as the gap between getting refills widening to nearly 50 days in a few parts of the city - this includes the compulsory 25-30 days booking gap between deliveries followed by the delivery time of 15-20 days.

The supply of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers has been impacted for the past three weeks due to the Gulf war, and the situation has now escalated, severely affecting thousands of households.

As a result, many consumers who booked their cylinders 15-20 days ago are flocking to agency offices to collect cylinders directly. Home delivery has been disrupted in areas including Padi, Korattur, Kolathur, Ambattur and Madhavaram.

A section of consumers who interacted with TNIE said they have been buying food from hotels because of the delay in receiving cylinders and have fallen ill as a result. “The gap between two cylinders is now nearly 50 to 55 days.

For a family of four, one cylinder lasts a maximum of 30 to 35 days. For the last 15 days, I have been buying food from hotels for my son who underwent a surgery recently, and I have fallen sick,” said K Rajeshwari of Korattur TNHB colony.

However, officials from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), which is the state level coordinator for the oil industry in the state dismissed the complaints as an exceptional incident and claimed there is no major disruption in domestic LPG supply.

A Sathish Kumar from Padi said he has not received his refill even after 15 days. “I went to the agency office to inquire about the delivery and found more than 40 people waiting with empty cylinders to exchange for new ones. When asked, I was told that those who booked before March 16 (19 days before) had still not received their cylinders and were being given supplies directly from the agency office. There was insufficient stock for home delivery.”

Another consumer, S Visalakashi (55) from Ambattur, a housemaid, said, “When I tried to book, the system only allowed bookings 29 days after the delivery of the previous cylinder. Subsequently, I booked my cylinder on March 15. When I checked with the agency, the booking was only accepted on March 22, and I was told I would receive it only around April 10. If necessary, I was asked to collect the cylinder from the agency office by handing over the empty one.”

However, in some areas like Kilpauk, residents said that they had received delivery of cylinders five days after booking through the Triplicane Urban Co-operative Society (TUCS) distributor.

LPG dealer offices have been crowded throughout the day, as many consumers who have not updated their mobile numbers, addresses, or e-KYC details are facing difficulties in booking cylinders. “If a booking made 15-20 days ago is accepted, we issue a receipt immediately and ask consumers to purchase from the office. Door delivery may take another 15 days,” said a gas agency staff member.

V Vetriselvakkumar, chief GM (corporate communications), IOCL, assured to look into the issue. “We are in a crisis situation. Home delivery of cylinders has not been stopped anywhere. In fact, in a few places, consumers receive their deliveries within a few days,” he said.

In relief to car owners, hypothecation removal now to be fully online

In relief to car owners, hypothecation removal now to be fully online

Dipak.Dash@timesofindia.com  04.03.2026

New Delhi : In a major relief, the removal of hypothecation from vehicles will now happen automatically through an online system once a loan is repaid, saving people from the hassle of multiple visits to transport offices and reaching out to banks.

The road transport ministry has rolled out this new system, starting March 1 (Monday), initially with one nationalised bank and five non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Officials said the system operated using RBI’s Unified Lending Interface (ULI), which enables secure and realtime data exchange between lenders and govt platforms.

 “The online interface interacts among banks, ULI and the Vahan system. So, the entire process, including the verification, happens without any human intervention. Once the process is complete, the owner gets an SMS from Vahan informing him/ her about the removal of hypothecation,” said an official. After the owner repays the loan, the bank will send a ‘no objection certificate’. At present, SBI and five NBFCs, including Cholamandalam, Shriram Finance and Sundaram Finance, have started implementing this system. Officials said more banks and financial institutions will be onboarded in phases.

Section of Anna University PhD scholars excluded from convocation

Section of Anna University PhD scholars excluded from convocation

Scholars who completed their viva after this date will be awarded degrees at a separate function later in February, the date of which is yet to be announced.

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:

03 Feb 2026, 8:31 am

CHENNAI: A section of PhD scholars from Anna University who completed their viva-voce after June 2025 have expressed strong disappointment over the university’s decision to hold a separate degree-awarding function for them in February, instead of including them in the 46th annual convocation scheduled for February 4.

According to a circular issued by the university, only scholars who successfully defended their PhD viva-voce on or before June 30, 2025, will be permitted to receive their degrees in person at the main convocation ceremony. Scholars who completed their viva after this date will be awarded degrees at a separate function later in February, the date of which is yet to be announced.

The decision has left many scholars upset, as the February event will feature a chief guest or the governor, who is traditionally the chancellor of the university. “For many of us, convocation is the most memorable day of our academic life. We worked for years with the hope of receiving the degree on stage in a grand event in front of a chief guest. A separate, low-key function takes away the emotion and recognition associated with that moment,” said a PhD scholar who completed her viva in July 2025.

University officials, however, defended the move, citing logistical constraints. A senior varsity official said the last convocation was held in 2024 and the number of eligible scholars this year has risen sharply. “We can accommodate only about 750 candidates in a single convocation ceremony. Given the large backlog and venue limitations, it is not feasible to include everyone on the same day. Hence, a separate function is being planned to ensure all scholars receive their degrees in person,” the official said.