Ph. D scholar presents petition to Governor during convocation

Ph. D scholar presents petition to Governor during convocation

The Hindu Bureau 30.10.2024 

TIRUCHI 30.10.2024 

A Ph.D research scholar F. Israel Inbaraj, 51, presented a petition, complaining about the treatment meted out to research scholars, to Governor R.N. Ravi on the dais during the Bharathidasan University convocation on Tuesday. Mr. Inbaraj presented the petition to the Governor while receiving the degree from him, causing a flutter.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, the Chennai-based management professional said he had a passion for teaching and had earned six degrees. “I applied for a Ph. D in Human Resource Management at BDU in 2017, but was able to get my degree only after six years. There are many others like me who have been suffering. I decided to present a petition to the Governor-Chancellor to inform him about the treatment meted out to research scholars at the university,” Mr. Inbaraj told The Hindu.

He said that paperwork delays by the university had created many procedural problems.

He had petitioned the Governor for a more humane treatment of research scholars and clear guidelines on submissions. He had complained about the arbitrary rejection of journal publications because of frequent changes in the University Grants Commission-Consortium for Academic Research and Ethics (UGC-CARE) list.

“My petition was made on behalf of all the aspiring research scholars,” he said.

‘Indian doctors and healthcare professionals are a class apart’

‘Indian doctors and healthcare  professionals are a class apart’

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi handing over a degree to a graduand at the convocation held on Thursday.B. Velankanni Raj

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI 25.10.2024 

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Thursday distributed medical degrees to graduands at the 37th convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in Chennai.

A total of 35,793 candidates, both in person and in absentia, were awarded post-doctoral, doctoral, postgraduate, and undergraduate degrees and diplomas in the medical, dental, AYUSH, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and allied health science courses.

Speaking at the function, Vivek Lal, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, stressed the importance of commitment in medical practice.

“This degree is the result of a big asset that all of you have. That is the commitment. It comes before equipment. Medicine is all about committed healthcare professionals. Equipment and technology do play a part. But if you want to exploit technology, you have to be committed.”

He said Indian doctors and healthcare professionals are the best in the world. “In the United States, the second largest [health] care-givers to U.S. citizens are Indians... Our healthcare professionals and doctors are a class apart.” Because of doctors’ commitment, the country was able to bounce back from COVID-19, though India has a rudimentary infrastructure, compared with the Western countries, he added.

“In our ecosystem, our patients think of us [doctors] as Gods. Not so in the West. They think that if a doctor cures a patient, it is his duty. The relationship between a doctor and a patient is through insurance and everything ends there. In India, if a doctor cures a patient, he becomes a family member of that patient,” he said. K. Narayanasamy, Vice-Chancellor of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, former Vice-Chancellors, faculty members, and parents were among others present. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian, whose name was on the invitation, was not present.

Guv welcomed with ‘Dravida nal thirunadu’ posters

Guv welcomed with ‘Dravida nal thirunadu’ posters 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.10.2024

Dindigul : Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi awarded degrees to graduates at the 31st convocation ceremony of Mother Teresa Women’s University on Wednesday and interacted with students at Sankara Vidyalaya in Kodaikanal. However, his visit to the hill station was marked by protests over a recent controversy involving omission of ‘Dravida Nadu’ from the ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ at an event he attended. 

At the convocation, the governor awarded degrees to 6,587 graduates, including 373 in attendance. Among them, 70 received doctoral degrees, and 16 were awarded gold and silver medals. Vice-chancellor Kala Sethupathi highlighted the institution’s achievements for the academic year 2023-24. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, delivered the convocation address, emphasizing the importance of societal contribution over economic success. 

“Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise, and education equips you with the skills to be adapt able and resilient,” she told the graduates, stressing the role of women as catalysts for change. During his visit to Kodaikanal, Ravi also engaged with students at Sankara Vidyalaya School, encouraging them to uphold virtues like honesty, integrity, and cleanliness, and to pursue a healthy lifestyle. He urged them to read more books for knowledge, beyond just social media. Meanwhile, members of the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam held a black flag protest at Munjikkal in Kodaikanal, criticizing the governor for allegedly disrespecting Tamil culture. The protest was linked to the recent controversy over the omission of ‘Dravida Nadu’ from the ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu.’ Posters featuring a line from the song were also displayed.

Governor confers degrees on graduands at MKU’s convocation

Governor confers degrees on graduands at MKU’s convocation

Governor R.N. Ravi conferring degree on a graduand at the convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University on Tuesday. R. ASHOK

The Hindu Bureau  MADURAI  23.10.2024 

Governor R.N. Ravi conferred degrees on graduands at the 56th annual convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University on Tuesday.

A total of 54,714 candidates received their degrees. It includes 353 Ph.D degrees, 1 D.Litt degree and 26,306 male and 28,408 female candidates. Further, 77 were honoured with endowment prizes and medals for their performance.

Dr. Sudha Seshayyan, Vice-Chairperson, Central Institute of Classical Tamil, delivering the chief guest address, said that though technological development had reached greater heights, it had become a tool of fear and oppression.

“As technology is a boon to achieve higher goals, it is equally true that technology is a bane that has gone beyond our control,” she noted.

“As we have gone deep into new digital innovations, we have lost human contacts and communication. Gadgets have eaten much into our lives. Correspondence by hand–written letters, exchange through postal system and shopping by manual presence have all become obsolete,” Dr. Sudha Seshayyan said. She urged the students to hold on to the Indian perspective of knowledge and learning.

“The Indian tradition has always emphasised life-long learning. However, it is not a plain emphasis on continuous learning but a clear and categorical expression that learning can never be complete,” she added.

E. Sundaravalli, Commissioner of Collegiate Education, welcomed. Minister for Higher Education Govi Chezhiaan, Pro-Chancellor of the university, was not present at the convocation.

S. Pushparaj, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Econometrics, MKU, sent a letter to the State government stating that he was boycotting the convocation as Mr. Ravi, who was the Chancellor, was acting against the norms of the State and its tradition.

By removing certain words from the ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ he had insulted the State, he said.