மாநில செய்திகள்

‛ரங்கா.. கோவிந்தா...' என பக்தர்கள் கோஷம் முழங்க ஸ்ரீரங்கத்தில் சொர்க்கவாசல் திறப்பு



‛ரங்கா.. கோவிந்தா...' என பக்தர்கள் கோஷம் முழங்க ஸ்ரீரங்கத்தில் சொர்க்கவாசல் திறக்கப்பட்டது. #Srirangam

பதிவு: டிசம்பர் 18, 2018 05:33 AM
திருச்சி,

திருச்சி ஸ்ரீரங்கம் ரெங்கநாதர் கோவிலில், வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி உற்சவத்தையொட்டி, நம்பெருமாள் பரமபதவாசலை கடந்து பக்தர்களுக்கு சேவை சாதித்தார்.

பூலோக வைகுண்டம், 108 திவ்ய தேசங்களில் முதன்மையானது என போற்றப்படும் ஸ்ரீரங்கம் ரெங்கநாதர் கோவிலில் வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி விழா கடந்த 7-ந்தேதி திருநெடுந்தாண்டகத்துடன் தொடங்கியது.

இதில் 8-ந்தேதியில் இருந்து பகல் பத்து உற்சவம் நடந்து வருகிறது. இதனையொட்டி உற்சவர் நம்பெருமாள் தினமும் மூலஸ்தானத்தில் இருந்து புறப்பாடாகி அர்ஜுன மண்டபத்தில் எழுந்தருளி சேவை சாதித்து வந்தார். பகல் பத்து உற்சவத்தின் 9-வது நாளான நேற்று முன்தினம் நம்பெருமாள் முத்துக்குறி அலங்காரத்தில் எழுந்தருளி சேவை சாதித்தார்.

நேற்று பகல் பத்து உற்சவத்தின் பத்தாம் திருநாளாகும். இதனையொட்டி காலை 6 மணிக்கு நம்பெருமாள் மோகினி அலங்காரம் எனப்படும் நாச்சியார் திருக்கோலத்தில் மூலஸ்தானத்தில் இருந்து புறப்பட்டார். பின்னர் அவர் காலை 7 மணிக்கு அர்ஜுன மண்டபத்தில் எழுந்தருளினார். காலை 7.30 மணி முதல் 11 மணி வரை அரையர் சேவையுடன் பொது ஜன சேவை நடைபெற்றது. காலை 11.30 மணி முதல் 2.30 மணி வரை ராவணவதம் அரையர் இரண்டாம் சேவை நடைபெற்றது. பிற்பகல் 2.30 மணி முதல் 3 மணி வரை வெள்ளிச்சம்பா அமுது செய்ய திரையிடப்பட்டது.

மாலை 3.30 மணி முதல் 4 மணி வரை உபயகாரர் மரியாதையுடன் பொது ஜன சேவை நடைபெற்றது. மாலை 4 மணி முதல் 4.30 மணி வரை பக்தர்கள் தரிசனத்துக்கு அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டார்கள். மாலை 5 மணிக்கு அர்ஜுன மண்டபத்தில் இருந்து நம்பெருமாள் புறப்பட்டு மாலை 5.30 மணிக்கு ஆர்யபடாள் வாசல் அடைந்து இரவு 7 மணிக்கு திருக்கொட்டார பிரகாரம் வழியாக வலம் வந்து கருடமண்டபம் சேர்ந்தார். இரவு 8.30 மணிக்கு ஆழ்வாராதிகள் மரியாதையாகி கருடமண்டபத்தில் இருந்து புறப்பாடாகி இரவு 9 மணிக்கு மூலஸ்தானம் சென்றடைந்தார்.

இந்நிலையில் ஏகாதிசி உற்சவ நாளான இன்று அதிகாலை 5.30 மணிக்கு, நம்பெருமாள் ரத்தின அங்கி, பாண்டியன் கொண்டை, கிளி மாலை அலங்காரத்தில், சொர்க்க வாசல் எனப்படும் பரமபத வாசலை கடந்து பக்தர்களுக்கு அருள்பாலித்தார்.

நம்பெருமாளுடன் சொர்க்கவாசலை கடந்து சென்றால் பிறவி பலனை அதாவது மோட்சத்தை அடையலாம் என்பது ஐதீகம் என்பதால் சொர்க்கவாசல் திறப்பு நிகழ்ச்சியில் தமிழகத்தில் இருந்து மட்டும் இன்றி பல்வேறு இடங்களில் இருந்தும் லட்சக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் கலந்து கொண்டனர். இதனால் கோவில் வளாகத்தில் விரிவான போலீஸ் பாதுகாப்பு ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டு இருந்தது.

பாதுகாப்பு ஏற்பாடுகள் கேமராக்கள் மூலம் கண்காணிக்கப்பட்டது. தரிசனத்திற்காக வரும் பக்தர்கள் நீண்ட வரிசையில் நிற்பதற்காக சவுக்கு கம்புகளால் தடுப்புகளும் அமைக்கப்பட்டு இருந்தன.

இதே போல சென்னை திருவெல்லிக்கேனி பார்த்தசாரதி கோயிலிலும் வைகுண்ட ஏகாதேசியை முன்னிட்டு பரமபதவாசல் திறக்கப்பட்டது. ஏராளமான பக்தர்கள் கலந்து கொண்டு பெருமாளை தரிசித்தனர்.

மேலும் கோவை காரமடை ரங்கநாதர், புதுச்சேரி சிங்கிரிகுடி லட்சுமி நரசிம்மர், மதுரை தல்லாகுளம் பிரசன்ன வெங்கடாசலபதி மற்றும் மதுரை கூடலழகர் பெருமாள் கோவில்களில் வைகுண்ட வாசல் திறக்கப்பட்டது. ஏராளமானோர் கலந்து கொண்டு பெருமாளை தரிசனம் செய்தனர்.

Mumbai hospital fire: Six dead, 147 injured

Fire brigade got a call around 4 pm about the blaze at the government-run ESIC Kamgar Hospital located at Marol in suburban Andheri after which eight fire tenders were rushed to spot.

Published: 17th December 2018 07:08 PM 

Fire at Mumbai hospital. (Photo | EPS/Deepak Salvi)

By Online Desk

MUMBAI: A massive fire broke out on Monday evening at the government-run Employees State Insurance Corporation(ESIC) Kamgar Hospital located at Marol of the suburban district.

#MumbaiFire | Six persons have lost their lives in the fire accident at Marol in suburban Andheri while more than 140 who were trapped have been rescued from the raging flames.

As per the latest reports, six persons have lost their lives in the fire accident and 147 were injured. While most of around 160 patients admitted to the hospital have been rescued, condition of around 8 people is said to be critical. The fire has been completely doused off by the fire brigade.


The fire started on the fourth floor due to short-circuit, eyewitnesses said adding that the glass facade of the hospital building aggravated its intensity. Many of them also said that the emergency system of the hospital had not been inspected in past two years.

The ill-fated hospital has 325 functional beds of which 166 were occupied on Sunday.

"There were over 160 patients at the ESIC hospital when the fire broke out. 147 of them have been rescued and admitted to nearby hospitals. Condition of around eight of them is believed to be critical," said Maharashtra health minister Dr Deepak Sawant after visiting the hospital.

Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar said that investigation would look into the fire tragedy and strict action would be taken for lapses in keeping the hospital emergency-ready.

The blaze was reported to the fire department at around 4 pm. After initial response it was upgraded to level 4 and several firefighting equipment including 10 fire engines, two quick response vehicles, six tankers along with 15 ambulances were pressed into service.

The fire was completely extinguished by 7.30pm, said the officials from disaster management control room of the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Of the total 147 persons, who were rescued, 19 were admitted to Cooper Hospital at Andheri (West).

Two of them were declared brought dead. At P. Thakrey Hospital (Trauma) of Jogeshwari (East) 39 people were admitted of them 17 were discharged after primary treatment.

Out of the 40 people admitted to Holocross Hospital at Andheri (East), one died during treatment and a baby was shifted to neonatal intensive care unit. Similarly, of the 44 people admitted to Seven Hills hospital at Marol, two were discharged while six are in the ICU.

Three people admitted here died during treatment. Five patients were admitted to Hiranandani Hospital at Powai and Siddharth Hospital at Goregaon, and two at Hiranandani hospital, the disaster management control room officials said.

Doctors from the ESIC hospital have been sent to Seven Hills, Hiranandani and Holy Spirit hospitals to assist medical officers. Two babies rescued from the fire have been admitted in the neonatal ICU, they added.

Doctor duped of Rs36.60L over son’s MBBS admission

TNN | Dec 17, 2018, 03.45 AM IST

Nagpur: Pachpaoli police, on directions of the court, have registered an offence of fraud on Sunday against four people for allegedly duping a doctor of Rs36.60 lakh on the pretext of providing his son admission in a MBBS college.

The police said Dr Mahendra Kaikade, a resident of Palghar, wanted his son Umesh to take admission in a MBBS college and become a doctor. However, Umesh did not receive good enough marks to get admission in a medical college. After looking for other options, Kaikade decided to take admission on management seat for his son. So, he started asking around for agents, following which a friend introduced him to one of the accused.

The accused have been identified as Robin Meshram, Chetan Jambhulkar, Snehal Pawar and Dilip Chubal. The accused promised to get admission for Umesh at a Nashik-based college and asked for money. Kaikade paid the accused Rs36.60 lakh but Umesh did not get admission in the college. The doctor then started demanding money back as the accused had failed to provide admission. They returned only Rs5 lakh to Kaikade.

It is learnt Kaikade and accused had also signed an agreement that if Umesh does not receive admission the accused will return the money. After the accused failed to repay the money, Kaikade approached the court.

Aadhaar to be voluntary for mobiles, bank a/cs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:18.12.2018

The government on Monday decided to move amendments to at least three laws to allow voluntary use of Aadhaar for getting a mobile connection or opening bank accounts. At the same time, consumers will have the option to use any other identity or address proof for availing of these services.

The Union cabinet has proposed amendments to The Telegraph Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Aadhaar Act in what was described as a move to provide convenience to individuals who were willing to share their details. The amendments will once again open the doors for e- KYC, a biometric authentication facility for those who are open to share their Aadhaar details.

The plan will also help telecom companies, banks and financial technology firms, which were worried about massive paperwork after the Supreme Court ordered that Aadhaar could not be mandatory for services other than direct benefit transfer, social welfare schemes or issuing of permanent account number (PAN) by the income tax department. The apex court had said the provision in the law had no legal backing, though it had held constitutional validity of Aadhaar for the distribution of statesponsored welfare subsidies.

The amendments proposed by the government also include aprovision that gives a child the option to withdraw her Aadhaar details and thereby ask the Unique Authority of India (UIDAI) to strike down all the details from its servers once she turns 18. This will mean the UIDAI will have to delete all the data, including biometrics of the person who withdraws from the scheme.

“The amendments will enable use of Aadhaar in state’s interest and it will also ensure privacy of Aadhaar information,” said an official, adding that the changes are in compliance with the SC order. Sources said the government has also accepted some of the recommendations of Justice Srikrishna Committee along with the SC ruling and is proposing to penalize those who do not comply with the norms related to deletion of details or denial of service.

Conceptualized under the previous UPA regime in 2009, the extraordinary Aadhaar programme provides for giving every resident a biometric ID by assigning a unique 12-digit identification number after collecting their biometric data and photographs.

The amendments will once again open the doors for e-KYC, a biometric authentication facility for those who are open to share their Aadhaar details

GO on PG courses leaves 20,000 students in lurch

Sambath.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Trichy:18.12.2018

A government order declaring 33 professional postgraduate courses in arts and science colleges and state-run universities nonequivalent to conventional courses will make thousands of students ineligible for government jobs.

A rough estimate of the number of students of such professional courses would exceed 20,000 in the state, according to sources in Bharathidasan university.

However, for many thousands who are awaiting government teaching jobs fulfilling all the eligibility criteria, the order has come as a bolt from the blue.

The equivalence committee constituted by the higher education department states that for any two degrees to be equivalent, 75% of the syllabi must be similar.

The worst affected will be 13 MSc programmes offered by some of the state-run universities that are similar to MSc computer science.

MCA offered by Bharathidasan University and Annamalai university has been deemed not equivalent to MSc Computer Science. MCom Corporate Secretaryship (CS) and MCom Computer Application offered by Periyar university have also been deemed non-equivalent to MCom apart from MCom international business and MCom Corporate Secretaryship offered by Bharathiar University.

The government order dated August 14 was in recognition of the resolutions passed by the 59th equivalence committee meeting held in May. The state government had approved the recommendations of the committee.

T S Senthil Kumar, a guest faculty of Bharathidasan University College, Perambalur, said the decision would affect candidates like him who fulfilled all eligibility criteria to become teachers in a state-run university.

“Though I did MCA, we were considered students of MSc Computer Science itself. Now when I have completed over 10 years of service as an ad-hoc teacher and am waiting for a job, I am denied opportunity,” he said.

“It may not affect students who are going to industry after their post-graduation as MCA and other related programmes are in demand. But thousands of students who wish to get into the government sector, especially as teachers will be affected,” said a senior faculty from Bharathidasan University.

“This is the cumulative result of many litigation by students on the non-equivalence issue,” said a senior higher education official.

The question of ‘equivalence’ assumed significance only in the last 10 years in the context of mushrooming ‘job-oriented and innovative’ courses introduced by autonomous colleges and state-run universities.

Their attractive ‘nomenclature’ took precedence over the eligibility and purpose. Even warnings from the University Grants Commission were neglected by many educational institutions, say academicians.

The question of ‘equivalence’ assumed significance only in the last 10 years in the context of mushrooming ‘job-oriented and innovative’ courses

Med univ former V-C wants to run for post again

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.12.2018

A former vicechancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has approached the Madras high court seeking direction to the university authorities to include former V-Cs as eligible to participate in ongoing recruitment for the post.

In his petition, Mayilvahanan Natarajan, who served as vice-chancellor of the university for three years, wanted the court to direct the university to consider his application for the current recruitment.

According to the petitioner, the university has prescribed six years of experience in administrative position as eligibility for appointment as the vice chancellor, besides other educational and teaching experience. The petitioner, though has served as V-C for three years, becomes ineligible to apply for reappointment in view of the rule that a candidate should have held an administrative post at least for six years.

Claiming that the three year experience he holds as a V-C would definitely outweigh six years of experience as a registrar, controller of examinations or principal of a college, Natarajan wanted the university to modify the eligibility criteria and permit him to apply, considering his experience as VC.

“The exclusion of past V-Cs is violative of the university Act. The government order prescribing the six-year eligibility is contrary to the act. Now, only those who fulfil such unreasonable qualifications will be eligible. Former vice-chancellors who possess more experience will be denied of the opportunity,” Natarajan said. Pending disposal of the plea, the petitioner wanted the court to direct the university to withhold the results of the selection process.

The exclusion of past V-Cs is violative of the university Act. The government order prescribing the sixyear eligibility is contrary to the act. Now, only those who fulfil such unreasonable qualifications will be eligible. Former V-Cs with more experience will be denied of the opportunity

MAYILVAHANAN NATARAJAN

ex-V-C, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University

Poor monsoon leaves city with 54% deficit

U.Tejonmayam@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.121.2018

The city is staring at a huge rain deficit of 54% with just 13 days left for the northeast monsoon season to end officially. Chennai has got 343.4mm rain since October 1, against the expected 747.1mm.

However, expect a bit of rain over the weekend after a dry spell for the next three days. This is because the energy left in the ocean and the atmosphere after cyclone Phethai, as a trough or low atmospheric pressure over an elongated region, could help.

“It’s called easterly wave, but it’s not a strong system like a low pressure or depression or a cyclone that brings very heavy rainfall. It will, however, give sustained rainfall over two or three days, which may bring 80mm-100mm and cut the deficit. But we will still be looking at a 40% deficit,” said Prof Sridhar Balasubramaniam, a climate expert from IIT Bombay.

Experts said such a trough is a common phenomenon after a tropical cyclone hits the coast. As the Bay of Bengal retains enough moisture after a cyclone, and the temperature over the sea is also higher, it leads to a convection process.

“Chennai received rainfall in the last week of November, a few days after Gaja, which was due to an easterly wave. This weekend too, Chennai will see a similar system,” Balasubramanian said. For the next three days, the city will have dry weather.

Cheer as rain forecast for city this weekend

IMD deputy director-general S Balachandran said, “There may be some rainfall at the end of this week. But we have to wait and see.”

The regional meteorological centre faltered twice in predicting the onset of the northeast monsoon. The first announcement with a red alert on October 7 and triggered a scare before private weather bloggers allayed fears of heavy rain. The city did not get rain and the met officials retracted the red alert and said that the monsoon did not set in because of a change in wind direction. The met department later said that the monsoon would set in around October 26.

When cyclone Gaja was first forecast to cross between Cuddalore and Chennai, there were hopes of rain for the city. However, the cyclone shifted course and Chennai missed rain.

With Phethai too there were hopes of rain for Chennai. “The outer band of the system was only 40km from Chennai before it moved northwards to the Andhra coast. We expected that band to touch north coastal Tamil Nadu and bring rains,” said Pradeep John, weather blogger.

In 2017, the city had recorded 554.2mm rain in November first week itself. It was 74% of the long term average of 750mm rain received annually from the rainy season.


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எஸ்.மகேஷ்



சென்னையில் சிக்கிய நைஜீரியாவைச் சேர்ந்த போதைக் கும்பலிடம் உள்ள போதை மாத்திரைகளில் ஒன்றைச் சாப்பிட்டால்போதும் 12 மணி நேரத்துக்குச் சந்தோஷமாக இருக்கலாம் என்ற தகவல் வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

சென்னை நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டல்கள், கேளிக்கை விடுதிகளில் தடைச் செய்யப்பட்ட போதை மாத்திரைகள் கிடைப்பதாக எஸ்.ஆர்.எம்.சி போலீஸாருக்கு ரகசிய தகவல் கிடைத்தது. இதனால் போதைக் கும்பலைப் பிடிக்க அம்பத்தூர் துணை கமிஷனர் ஈஸ்வரன் உத்தரவின்பேரில் எஸ்.ஆர்.எம்.சி உதவி கமிஷனர் சந்திரசேகர் மேற்பார்வையில் இன்ஸ்பெக்டர் சங்கரநாராயணன் தலைமையில் எஸ்.ஐக்கள் ராஜா, சுரேஷ் மற்றும் காவலர்கள் வினோத், ஜெயராஜ் ஆகியோர் கொண்ட தனிப்படை அமைக்கப்பட்டது. தனிப்படை போலீஸார் போதைக் கடத்தல் கும்பலை ரகசியமாகக் கண்காணித்தனர்.

இந்தநிலையில் நைஜிரியைச் சேர்ந்த ஒருவர் போதைப் பொருள்களுடன் மதுரவாயல் பைபாஸ் டோல்கேட் பகுதிக்கு வரும் ரகசிய தகவல் போலீஸாருக்கு கிடைத்தது. உடனடியாக சம்பவ இடத்துக்குத் தனிப்படை போலீஸார் சென்றனர். அப்போது, நைஜீரியாவைச் சேர்ந்தவரும் அதை வாங்க வந்த சென்னையைச் சேர்ந்த 2 பேர் என மூன்று பேர் சந்தித்துப் பேசினர். அவர்களை போலீஸார் மடக்கிப் பிடித்து போலீஸ் நிலையத்துக்கு அழைத்து வந்தனர். அவர்களிடம் விசாரித்தபோது திடுக்கிடும் தகவல்கள் வெளியாகின.

இதுகுறித்து போலீஸார் கூறுகையில், ``எங்களுக்குக் கிடைத்த தகவலின்படி மதுரவாயல் பைபாஸ் பகுதியில் கண்காணிப்பில் ஈடுபட்டோம். அப்போது நைஜிரீயாவசைச் சேர்ந்த சுக்வா சைமன் ஓபினா என்பவரை சென்னையைச் சேர்ந்த குமரேசன், அருண் திவாகர் ஆகியோர் சந்தித்தனர். சுக்வா, கொடுத்த போதை மாத்திரைகளை அவர்கள் வாங்கியபோது மடக்கிப் பிடித்தோம். சுக்வாவிடமிருந்து 500 போதை மாத்திரைகள் (Ecstasy tablets), 18 கிராம் கோகைன் இன்னும் சில போதைப் பொருள்கள், லேப்டாப், செல்போன்கள், வாகனங்கள் ஆகியவற்றை பறிமுதல் செய்தோம். அதன்மதிப்பு பலலட்சம் ரூபாயாகும்.



ஒரு போதை மாத்திரையின் விலை 2,000 ரூபாய் முதல் 3,000 ரூபாய்க்கு விற்கப்படுகிறது. தமிழில் இந்த மாத்திரைக்குப் போதையின் பேரானந்தம் என்று சொல்லப்படுகிறது. கூகுளில் தேடினால் அந்த மாத்திரை குறித்த விவரங்கள் வருகின்றன. கோவா மூலம் பெங்களூருக்கு முதலில் இந்த மாத்திரை கடத்தப்படுகிறது. பிறகு, அங்கிருந்து சென்னைக்கு சப்ளை செய்யப்படுகிறது. இந்த மாத்திரைகள், கேளிக்கை விடுதிகள், நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டல்களில் ரகசியமாக சப்ளை செய்யப்படுகிறது. குறிப்பாக, வார விடுமுறை நாள்களில் கேளிக்கை விடுதிகளுக்குச் செல்லும் தம்பதியினரில் சிலரும் இந்த மாத்திரையைப் பயன்படுத்துவதுண்டு. ஆணுக்கோ பெண்ணுக்கோ ஒரு மாத்திரையைக் குளிர்பானங்களில் கலந்து கொடுத்தால் போதும். அதன்போதை 10 மணி முதல் 12 மணி நேரம் வரை இருக்கும். மேலும், இந்த மாத்திரை செக்ஸ் உணர்வைத் தூண்டும். இதனால், இந்த மாத்திரைகள் ரகசியமாகப் படுஜோராக விற்பனை செய்யப்படுகின்றன. விலை அதிகம் என்றாலும் அதுபற்றி யாரும் கவலைப்படுவதில்லை.



இந்தப் போதைக்கு அடிமையானவர்கள் மூலமே மற்றவர்களுக்கு விநியோகம் செய்யப்படுவதாகத் தகவல் கிடைத்துள்ளது. அதாவது, போலீஸாரிடம் சிக்கிக்கொள்ளாமலிருக்க முன்எச்சரிக்கையுடன் இந்தக் போதைக் கடத்தல் கும்பல் செயல்படுகிறது. ஒருவர் மீது நம்பிக்கை ஏற்பட்டால் மட்டுமே மாத்திரைகள் சப்ளை செய்யப்படும். இந்தப் போதை மாத்திரையைச் சாப்பிடுபவர்களின் பட்டியல் பரம ரகசியமாக உள்ளது.



சினிமா நட்சத்திரங்கள், ஐ.டி நிறுவனத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் என சமூகத்தில் உயர் பதவியில் இருப்பவர்களைக் குறி வைத்தே இந்தப் போதை கும்பல் மாத்திரைகளை விற்பனை செய்கிறது. எங்களிடம் சிக்கிய குமரேசனும் அருண் திவாகரனும் கோவாக்குச் சென்றபோதுதான் இந்தப் போதைக் கும்பலின் அறிமுகம் கிடைத்துள்ளது. அங்கு இருவரும் அந்த மாத்திரையைச் சாப்பிட்டுள்ளனர். அவர்கள் மூலம் சென்னைக்கு சப்ளை செய்யத்தான் சுக்வா வந்துள்ளார். அப்போதுதான் மூவரையும் பிடித்துள்ளோம். இன்டர்நேஷனல் போதை மாஃபியா கும்பலுடன் தொடர்புள்ளதாக எங்களுக்குத் தகவல் கிடைத்துள்ளது. அதுதொடர்பாக விசாரித்துவருகிறோம்" என்றனர்.

சுக்வா, உயரமாக பருமனாகவும் இருக்கிறார். அவரை போலீஸ் நிலையத்துக்கு அழைத்து வந்த போலீஸாரோ சுக்வாவின் தோள்பட்டைக்கு கீழே இருந்துள்ளனர். அதைப்பார்த்த போலீஸ் உயரதிகாரி ஒருவர் இவரையா நீங்கள் பிடித்தீர்கள் என்று ஆச்சர்யத்துடன் கேட்டுள்ளார். அதோடு தனிப்படை போலீஸாரையும் அவர் வெகுவாகப் பாராட்டியுள்ளார்.

மதுரையில் எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை - நீண்ட இடைவெளிக்குப்பின் மத்திய அமைச்சரவை ஒப்புதல்!
கலிலுல்லா.ச

மதுரையில் எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமைக்கப்படும் என ஏற்கெனவே அறிவிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையில், மத்திய அமைச்சரவை இதற்கான ஒப்புதலை வழங்கியுள்ளது.



மத்திய அரசு 2015-16-ம் ஆண்டு பட்ஜெட்டில் தமிழகத்தில் எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமைப்பதாக அறிவித்தது. அதைத்தொடர்ந்து காஞ்சிபுரம், ஈரோடு, தஞ்சாவூர், புதுக்கோட்டை, மதுரை என 5 மாவட்டங்களில் எய்ம்ஸ் அமைப்பதற்கான இடம் பார்க்கப்பட்டது. அந்தந்த மாவட்ட நிர்வாகங்கள் கைகாட்டிய இடங்களைப் பார்வையிட்ட மத்திய சுகாதாரத்துறை குழுவினர் அங்கிருக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு வசதிகளுக்கும் மதிப்பெண் அளித்தார்கள்.



இதையடுத்து மதுரை தோப்பூரில் 200 ஏக்கர் பரப்பளவில் 1,500 கோடி ரூபாய் செலவில் எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமைக்கப்படும் என தமிழக முதலமைச்சர் எடப்பாடி பழனிசாமி அறிவித்தார். கடந்த செப்டம்பர் மாதம் மதுரையைச் சேர்ந்த ஹக்கிம் என்பவர் தகவல் அறியும் உரிமைச் சட்டத்தில் கேட்ட கேள்விக்கு எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனைக்கு மத்திய அமைச்சரவை ஒப்புதல் வழங்கவில்லை என தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. இந்தத் தகவல் அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்த, தமிழக சுகாதாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கர், `எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமைய படிப்படியாக நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும்” என்றார். இந்த நிலையில், தற்போது தோப்பூரில் எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனை அமைய மத்திய அமைச்சரவை சார்பில் ஒப்புதல் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இது தொடர்பாக மத்திய அமைச்சர் நிர்மலா சீதாராமன் தனது ட்விட்டர் பக்கத்தில், பிரதமர் மோடிக்கு நன்றி தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

Uterus removal can affect memory: study

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | SHWETA TRIPATHI

PublishedDec 15, 2018, 1:50 am IST

The study says that removing the uterus, a surgical procedure known as hysterectomy – has a definite impact on spatial memory.

The author said that the surgical removal of the uterus had a unique and negative effect on working memory. (Photo: Pixabay)

Chennai: Uterus interacts with the brain and affects memory, finds a new study published in the journal Endocrinology, by Arizona State University.

The study says that removing the uterus, a surgical procedure known as hysterectomy – has a definite impact on spatial memory. The study said that women who underwent hysterectomy but maintained their ovaries had an increased risk for dementia if the surgery occurred before natural menopause.

The study conducted in an animal model states that uterus is associated with the neurological and neuropsychological functioning of the brain and affects memory.

Besides the basic role of reproduction and pregnancy, uterus interacts with the brain and is more than being in a dormant state when a woman is not pregnant.

The study on the rat model by Professor Heather Bimonte-Nelson demonstrated that removing the uterus impacts spatial memory, also causing serious outcomes such as dementia as it influences cognitive processes.

The authors of the study said that the autonomic nervous system, which regulates various functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and sexual arousal, is linked to uterus and brain. Based on this, the researchers investigated the impact of removal of uterus on cognitive functioning.

Dividing females rats in a group of four, of which one underwent removal of uterus, while second underwent removal of ovaries, in the third group both the organs were removed and fourth group had all organs intact.

After six weeks of the procedure, they were trained to navigate through a complex maze structure to test the memories of the rats.

It was found that the group of rats that underwent removal of uterus found it most difficult to pass through the structure, while the spatial memories of other groups were unaffected.

The author said that the surgical removal of the uterus had a unique and negative effect on working memory, or how much information the rats were able to manage simultaneously, an effect we saw after the rats learned the rules of the maze.

Increase in incidence of uterine diseases

Abnormal uterine bleeding, ovarian cysts and fibroids have become more common in the present scenario, mainly because of lifestyle changes and are some of the common complaints brought to gynecologists. These problems often lead to psychological, medical, and sexual problems requiring pharmacologic and surgical interventions, with hysterectomy being the most common surgery. Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) have historically been viewed as important chiefly as the major indication for hysterectomy. As new therapies are developed, the heterogeneity of this disease becomes therapeutically relevant. The incidence of fibroid in pregnancy is about 1 in 1,000 in India as per International Journal of Applied Research in 2017.

Removal of uterus and ovaries effects cognitive functions

Medicos say that various hormones are released from the uterus that are secreted in the ovary and therefore, removal of ovary is more likely to affect the cognitive functions. The removal of uterus leads to bodily changes and is a cause of depression in many cases.

“Doctors try to avoid removal of ovaries until and unless there is a high risk of malignancy or ovarian cancer, as various hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and androgen are released from the ovary and are essential for the female body. Ovary removal acts like meno-pause and leads to aging in females. Usually memory related problems are associated with aging and removal of ovaries adds to it, affecting the cognitive functioning of the brain,” said Dr Mala Raj, gynecologist, Mint Hospitals.

Hormones affect both brain and other body systems, and a change in the hormone secreations could impact cognitive aging and could create different health risks. Agreeing to the same senior neurologist Dr Deepak Arjundas says that removal of uterus cannot lead to dementia as it is caused to do the accumulation of a protein inside neuron that affects the functioning of the brain. Neurologists say that though removal of uterus can have psychological affects, serious memory related issues such as dementia are not common. Depression, weight gain and mood swings are common due to the removal of uterus but neurological issues such as dementia are less likely.”

At IIT Madras, separate mess entry for veg, non-veg students spark row

PTI

Published Dec 15, 2018, 10:24 am IST

When contacted, official in mess monitoring and control committee of IIT-M said he was unaware of the posters.

A student said posters had been put up near two entrances of north Indian mess located on second floor of Himalaya Mess Complex, specifying separate entry points and wash basins for non-vegetarian and vegetarian students. (Photo: Twitter | @ChintaBAR)

Chennai: Posters earmarking separate entry and exit points and wash basins for vegetarian and non-vegetarian students have been allegedly pasted at a mess of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras, kicking up a row with a section of students alleging discrimination.

While pictures of the posters bearing the name of a local caterer and pasted near the doors of the mess were circulated by some students on the social media, an official pleaded ignorance about them and said if found to be true the handbills will be removed.

A student said the posters had been put up near two entrances of the north Indian mess located on the second floor of Himalaya Mess Complex, specifying separate entry points and wash basins for non-vegetarian and vegetarian students.

One of the pictures of the poster circulated on social media read "Hand Wash Vegetarian Students" while another said "Winter vacation mess - food arrangements. Entry/exit non vegetarian food students."

(Photo: Twitter | @ChintaBAR)



(Photo: Twitter | @ChintaBAR)

When contacted, an official in the mess monitoring and control committee of IIT-M told PTI that he was unaware of the posters.

He also said arrangements were made for preparing Jain food (without onion or garlic) and he was unaware of any discriminatory arrangements based on vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

A research scholar alleged that what started as a demand for a mess catering to 'pure' vegetarians last year had now become full-fledged untouchability'.

"This is the first time a mess has two separate entrances for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Not just that, even separate wash basins and separate utensils as well," the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

According to some students, there has been demand from a section of students for a separate vegetarian mess ever since the 'beef festival' incident in May last year.

A research scholar was allegedly thrashed for taking part in the 'beef festival' by some students claimed to be Sangh Parivar supporters.

Study by CMC doctors identifies rare bacteria

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | SHWETA TRIPATHI

PublishedDec 16, 2018, 2:39 am IST

The study also determined the association of mortality rate with hypermucoviscous strains are determined.

A rare strain of hypervirulent bacteria that can cause blindness, meningitis and other severe infections (Representational image)

Chennai: Doctors at the department of clinical microbiology, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, have identified a rare strain of hypervirulent bacteria that can cause blindness, meningitis and other severe infections.

The study by doctors was published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India revealed that the bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, led to high mortality rate affecting 27 out of 86 patients treated at the hospital.

Carbapenem is a class of highly effective antibiotic agents used to treat high-risk bacterial infections. Infections caused by carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae, isolated from various sources, are increasing and associated with high mortality rates.

However, there is limited data on the prevalence of these strains among carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae from invasive infections in India and its association with mortality. The study investigated the prevalence of highly infectious strains amongst carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae isolated from blood culture. The study also determined the association of mortality rate with hypermucoviscous strains are determined.

String test was performed to detect hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae that resulted in mortality rate of 84.2 percent. String test, aids prediction of disease severity, and is independently associated with increased mortality in invasive carbapenem resistant K.pneumoniae health care-acquired infections. The bacteria usually occur in patients who have a weak defense system such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis and meningitis. Authors of the study said that it is important to monitor prevalence of carbapenem resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae among invasive isolates especially in places with a high prevalence of infections such as hospitals.

Activist plans to take TN government to court for not following compulsory ID cards order
He says that wearing identity badges, will lead people to the right officials and in a way, decrease corruption in the government offices.

Published: 16th December 2018 04:36 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Despite a government as well as a Madras High Court order that calls for all government employees in the State to wear identity cards during their working hours, the same is not being adhered to, alleges M Valli Narayanan, a resident of Erode, who filed the public interest litigation (PIL) at the Madras High Court and got the order recently. The activist is now planning to file a contempt petition regarding the same.

Speaking to Express, Narayanan said, “A letter to the chief secretary of the government on November 20, demanding for the July 16 orders of the Madras High Court to be implemented, did not yield any response. They all have been tossed to the wind.”

The letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, cited instances of district collectorate premises and also in the Thingalur sub-registrar office, where Narayanan alleged that the government officials never wore an identity card of any form. He says that wearing identity badges, will lead people to the right officials and in a way, decrease corruption in the government offices.

On June 26, the High Court took up a suo motu public interest litigation petition on the basis of a letter written by Narayanan, to then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee. The judge issued the order on July 16 based on the letter filed by the activist.


The government during its submission to the High court, said all the government employees are being provided with computerised identity cards that contain all the details including their photographs.

Arrangements in full swing for Vaikunta Ekadasi

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi scheduled for December 18 and 19.

Published: 15th December 2018 05:21 AM |

By Express News Service

TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi scheduled for December 18 and 19.TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal has said that micro-level planning with regard to meeting the requirements of the pilgrims had been done. Temporary sheds have been erected around the Mada Streets, Alwar Tank and Narayanagiri Gardens with defined entry and exit gates.

The EO along with Tirumala JEO KS Srinivasa Raju and CVSO Gopinath Jatti inspected the ongoing works in four mada streets and Narayanagiri gardens on Friday.Speaking to mediapersons, JEO Srinivasa Raju said that after Garuda Seva among the major religious events in Tirumala temple, pilgrims throng in large numbers on this auspicious day of Vaikunta Ekadasi to have Uttara Dwara Darshan. “We had provided darshan to nearly 1.7 lakh pilgrims on Vaikunta Ekadasi and Dwadasi in 2017,” he added.



He said pilgrims would be allowed to enter the compartments of Vaikuntam Queue Complex (VQC) 2 through MBC 26 gate from 10 am onwards on December 17, a day before Vaikunta Ekadasi. After the compartments of VQC 2 and then VQC 1 get filled, the pilgrims will be allowed to enter into the sheds constructed in Narayanagiri Gardens to wait before darshan.


If all compartments of Vaikuntam and sheds in Narayanagiri Gardens gets filled, the sheds put up in the four mada streets would be thrown open for the waiting pilgrims. Arrangements were made for nearly 40,000 pilgrims in the temporary sheds.

The JEO said Srivari Seva volunteers will ensure continuous supply of food and water to devotees. He said over two lakh devotees are expected to have Uttara Dwara Darshan during these two days. Continuous announcements through radio and broadcasting will be given about the entry points in different languages for the benefit of pilgrims, he added.

Srinivasa Raju said Sarva Darshan would begin on December 18 by 5.30 am and lasts up to midnight of December 19 with a break of less than an hour for Naivedyam.He called upon the staff to provide best services to pilgrims. A training programme was held for the employees at SVETA building in Tirupati on Friday evening.

CE Chandrasekhar Reddy, FACAO Balaji, GM Sesha Reddy, CAO Sesha Sailendra, Health Officer Dr. Shermista, Annaprasadam special officer Venugopal and others were present.

Half-yearly question papers leaked on WhatsApp

Pon Vasanth B.A.

MADURAI, DECEMBER 17, 2018 00:00 IST

Question papers for the ongoing common half-yearly examinations for State board and matriculation schools across Tamil Nadu for various classes, particularly Class XII, are allegedly being leaked through mobile messaging platforms like WhatsApp.

When a security breach was reported last week at a government-aided school in Devakottai, Sivaganga district — one of the designated custodian points for storing question papers — officials claimed the leak was plugged.

Enquiries with officials from the School Education Department (SED) revealed they were unsure about the source of the widespread leaks and no action, like postponing the exams or modifying question papers, had been taken.

A student of Class XII from a matriculation school in Madurai city said he and his classmates received entire question papers for Mathematics and Computer Science examinations that happened last week on WhatsApp.

Another student of Class XII from a different matriculation school in Madurai said: “We are not receiving all question papers at once. The papers are leaked just a day or two before a particular exam.”

A teacher running a tuition centre in the city claimed that the leak happened for Class X and XI as well. “Most of my students had the question papers in advance,” he said.

Acknowledging that a breach was reported in N.S.M.V.P.S Higher Secondary School in Devakottai, A. Palumuthu, Chief Educational Officer (CEO), Sivaganga, said no physical copies of question papers, however, were leaked. He said further investigations were being held by the police. “We have asked all custodian points to install surveillance cameras and ensure round-the-clock security,” he added.

Case registered

T. Jayachandran, Superintendent of Police, Sivaganga, said that a case had been registered and few students were being enquired. “We recovered the physical copies that were taken out. Our enquiry so far had shown that nobody took pictures. Circulation of papers on WhatApp, particularly for other subjects, cannot be related to this incident,” he said. M.K.C. Subashini, CEO, Madurai, said senior officials from the SED had been informed about the alleged leaks and a decision on postponement or modification of question papers must be taken at the State-level.

V.C. Rameswara Murugan, Director of School Education, could not be reached for a comment.

We have asked all custodian points to install surveillance cameras and ensure round-the-clock security

A. Palumuthu

Infant dies after hot sambar spills on her

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 17, 2018 00:00 IST

A 18-month-old girl died of burns on Sunday morning after hot sambar fell on her at her house on Stringer Street in Esplanade police station limits on Saturday.

According to the police, around 10 a.m on Saturday, the vessel with the hot sambar was kept on the floor of the kitchen.

“Bhumika was playing and by mistake, she tripped on the vessel. The sambar fell on her and she sustained burns on her stomach, back and other parts,” the policeman said.

She was rushed to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, and doctors informed the parents that she had sustained 51% burns.

Around 8 a.m. on Sunday, the girl died. A case has been registered, and further investigation is on.

Bhumika is the youngest daughter of Murugan, 30, and Surya, 25. “They are part of a joint family and food is cooked for nearly seven people,” said the police.

Vellore trust sanctions aid to 971 students

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 17, 2018 00:00 IST

VIT chancellor wants the district to be a model in education

As many as 971 students received financial assistance of Rs. 53 lakh for pursuing their higher education, in Vellore on Saturday. The financial assistance has been extended to them by Universal Higher Education Trust.

The trust has been extending financial assistance to poor young men and women since 2012 for pursuing higher education.

Speaking at the function held at the Vellore Institute of Technology, G. Viswanathan, Chancellor of VIT, said the trust was working towards making Vellore district a model in offering higher education in the country.

Mr. Viswanathan said the trust had been helping thousands of poor students to help them pursue their college education.

Two-thirds of those who received the aid were women and that it was everyone’s responsibility to ensure that women complete their education.

Placements look up

Pointing to the remarkable improvement in higher education in the State, Mr. Viswanathan said through the Placement Cell of VIT, 108 students had secured jobs in Bank of America.

Mr. Viswanathan stressed on the need for initiatives by the government to ensure that every single youth received quality higher education.

S.V. Balasubramaniam, Chairman of Bannari Amman Group of Companies, said the country should pay more attention to technical education.

Only 10% of people in India received higher education and this number should increase, he said.

Mylswamy Annadurai in race for Madurai Kamaraj varsity V-C post

R. Sujatha

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 17, 2018 00:00 IST


196 candidates include eminent scientists


Mylswamy Annadurai, former director of Indian Space Research Organisation, is one of the 196 candidates who have applied for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University.

The list, which The Hindu has accessed, includes eminent scientists, whose applications were overlooked despite their credentials for the post for other State universities.

Scholars and eminent professors from other parts of the country and abroad have applied. A professor of Indian origin employed in Malaysia features on the list. Professors from Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh have applied.

The university has been without a Vice-Chancellor after P.P. Chellathurai was removed from the post following a court ruling in June. He was appointed by Governor-Chancellor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao in May 2017 despite protests from the teachers’ associations. Prior to his appointment, the university was without a V-C for over two years.

Mired in controversy

Even the constitution of the V-C search panel, both before his appointment and following his removal from office, had been mired in controversy and legal wrangles.

The last date for applying was Friday.

The search panel released the list on Saturday.

The search panel includes Anna University former Vice-Chancellor M. Anandakrishnan and former IGNOU V-C Nageshwar Rao and D.K. Oza, former Vice-Chancellor of Gandhigram Rural Institute.

The panel was reconstituted on November 30 and it has three months’ time to submit its panel of names to the Governor-Chancellor Banwarilal Purohit.

HR & CE official arrested in idol theft case

R. Sivaraman

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 17, 2018 00:00 IST

Thirumagal was taken to Kumbakonam for remand

N. Thirumagal, Additional Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) department, was arrested by the Idol Wing CID police on Sunday in connection with the alleged offence of swapping of idols at the Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore.

According to sources, Ms. Thirumagal was summoned for inquiry to the office of the Idol Wing in Guindy. She was arrested and taken to the special court in Kumbakonam for remand.

SC bail conditions

On December 13, the Supreme Court, passing an order on her anticipatory bail application, said, “In the meanwhile, in the event of petitioner’s arrest, she may be released on bail on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the trial court.” Her advocate Sudha Ramalingam said, “As the Supreme Court has granted interim anticipatory bail, it was unnecessary to arrest Ms. Thirumagal and take her all the way to Kumbakonam. It is a waste of manpower and other resources. “Publication of such arrest as breaking news only brings down the morale of honest officers.”

On July 23, Rangarajan Narasimhan of Srirangam lodged a complaint against three individuals, archakas and temple officials with regard to the swap and theft of idols of Parvathi in the form of peacock and two more idols at the Kapaleeswarar temple.

The complaint was investigated by the Idol Wing and it came to light that three idols — Parvathi in the form of peacock, Raahu and Kethu — were swapped at the time of kumbabhisekam of the temple held in 2004 and subsequently stolen.

‘Records destroyed’

The Idol Wing alleged that such events had taken place with her knowledge and connivance when she was the Deputy Commissioner of the temple during that period.

The police also claimed that records were destroyed recently without following the relevant rules.

However, Ms. Thirumagal contended before the Madras High Court that she had nothing to do with the alleged offence and was being falsely implicated in the case.

HC rejects plea

Her petition was rejected by the Madras High Court in November.

Meanwhile, Ms. Thirumagal was produced at the residence of the additional chief judicial magistrate at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district on Sunday night.

The magistrate directed the Idol Wing CID police to produce her before the court on Monday.

Subsequently, Ms. Thirumagal was taken to the Kumbakonam all-women police station, police sources added.

(With inputs from R. Rajaram in Tiruchi)

Panjab University relaxes hostel rules

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 17, 2018 00:00 IST

The 48-day-long struggle by a group of Panjab University students demanding round-the-clock freedom of movement in girls’ hostels has finally yielded results. The university’s Senate has decided to allow unrestricted movement in hostels for girls, with a condition that students going out after 11 p.m. will have to make an entry in a register.

57-yr-old dies after cutting his genitals

Bengaluru:17.12.2018

A 57-year-old man succumbed to injuries after he cut his genitals on Saturday morning at his residence in Soladevanahalli. He was under the influence of alcohol.

Nanjappa, a labourer and a resident of Tirumalapura, Soladevanahalli in north Bengaluru, was an alcohol addict, according to his son. The man consumed alcohol after waking up on Saturday morning. When his son returned from work around 10.30pm, neighbours told him that they heard his father screaming inside the house.

When the son entered the house, he found his father had cut his genitals and was bleeding profusely. Nanjappa died within the next 10 minutes even as his son was making arrangements to shift him to a hospital. The son said he did not know why his father did it, adding that Nanjappa used a kitchen knife to cut his genitals. Police said they haven’t come across any such incident and hence no complaint was filed. TNN

Cops block transsexuals from visiting Sabarimala

They Complain Of Harassment By Police

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kottayam:17.12.2018

Police on Sunday stopped four members of transsexual community from heading to the Sabarimala shrine. After being stopped at Erumeli, they returned to Kottayam where they met district police chief Harisankar, with whom they lodged a complaint that they were ill-treated by police at the Erumeli station.

Regarding their demand to visit Sabarimala, Harisankar advised them to approach the three-member committee appointed by the high court. They reached the state capital by Sunday evening and they said they were given appointment to meet the panel at 10am on Monday.

It was Avantika, 24, Ananya, 26, Trupthy, 33 and Renjumol, 30, all based in Ernakulam, who were sent back by police. Renjumol said they were under police surveillance ever since they had decided to visit Sabarimala.

During their journey, police were in contact with them and as they reached Erumeli they were asked to report at Erumeli police station by around 3am. Renjumol said that they were treated badly at the station and were asked to return. Avantika in a Facebook post said that police questioned their identity. “They asked us to change from the sari we were wearing to another dress (trousers and shirts) if we were to proceed to Sabarimala. We wanted to trek up to Sabarimala in our own identity,” she said.

Police took a stand that the transgender members in the attire of women could not be allowed to proceed to Sabarimala. However, the TS members took a stand that since they have observed all the rituals and customs required to visit Sabarimala and since they don’t have any restrictions being a TS community member they will not back out from their pilgrimage.

“We had given letters to the district police chief and district collector seeking protection for visiting the hill shrine,” Renjumol said. Harisankar said a final decision on allowing them to trek will be taken after getting the legal advice of the high court-appointed three-member panel.

A a decision could be made only after getting legal clarity on the SC verdict, he said, adding that he would look into the harassment complaint.


SEEKING JUSTICE: The transsexual community members at Kottayam SP’s office on Sunday

Govts alone can’t help Gaja victims, says Kamal Haasan

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:17.12.2018

Stating that the state and Union governments have an important role in helping the Cyclone Gaja victims in the battered delta region, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan said the governments alone cannot help the distressed, it has come from all quarters.

Talking to reporters at the Madurai airport on Sunday, he said that Cyclone Gaja cannot be treated like a disaster on a par with Chennai floods. “First aid alone is not enough. Due to Gaja, livelihood of people is affected and they should be saved. The MNM is engaged in relief works in affected areas.”

Responding to a question on the Union government’s claim in the court that the state had delayed in submitting the report on the extent of damages, he said that it was a mistake that should be corrected. “We will put pressure on the state government and they in turn should put pressure on the Centre,” he added.

“It is not enough if we keep talking. People need help and we should start helping them. The MNM has plans to help them. But the governments have a much bigger role that we cannot match.” Responding to a question on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi not visiting the affected areas, he said the compliant holds good.

Meanwhile, when reporters asked him about the skipping of the unveiling of former chief minister M Karunanidhi’s statue event in Chennai on Sunday, Haasan said there was no need for him to prove his respect he had for the leader. “I have been taking part in events that were organised to honour him and will continue to participate in more such events,” he said.

On NGT’s order ragarding he Sterlite issue, he said it was unacceptable. “We have once seen the consequences of a protest,” he said, citing the police firing to control the mob on the 100th day of the anti-Sterlite protest in Tuticorin on May 22. He said the order would not have come if the state government had initiated the legal battle. Kamal Haasan was on his way to Kodaikanal to initiate relief works in the areas affected by Cyclone Gaja.

Adoptive father cannot replace biological dad on birth cert: Court

Saeed Khan TNN

Ahmedabad:17.12.2018

A local court here has refused to replace the name of a child’s biological father with that of the adoptive parent on a birth certificate, saying that it was the “legal right of a child to preserve his or her identity — including nationality, name and family relations — as recognized by law”.

The adoptive parents had sought a change in the father’s name on the child’s birth certificate after the mother divorced her first husband and remarried. When the case went to the sessions court, it said: “It is not legal and valid to replace the name of the biological father or mother with that of adoptive parents… .”

During the course of hearing, the sessions court quoted the Madras high court, which had in a similar case observed, “Assuming (God forbid) that there is yet another marriage, as it happens without much ado in western societies, is it possible to change the name of the parents every time there is a divorce followed by a fresh marriage?”

The court had, in fact, two different cases of this nature before it. In the first case, residents of Ranip in Gujarat Jagdish Patel and his wife Vaibhavi wanted to remove the name of the biological father, Kamleshkumar Jain, from the birth certificate of their daughter Priyanshi. Vaibhavi had married Jagdish after divorcing Jain. The stepfather formally adopted the girl as his daughter and approached the court for the declaration and to replace the biological father’s name with his. Vaibhavi also wanted to correct her name, which was written as Vaishali, in the column for the mother’s name. The court flatly refused to order the change in names.

In the second case, Bopal residents Bhanuprasad Chaudhary and his wife Shilpa wanted to remove the latter’s first husband Ghanshyam Patel’s name from the birth certificate of their daughter Manali and replace it with Bhanuprasad’s. Shilpa had remarried after her first husband had died. In this case too, the court turned down their request.

For full report, www.toi-.in

The court said that it was the “legal right of a child to preserve his or her identity — including nationality, name and family relations — as recognized by law

HC fines man ₹10,000 for frivolous plea

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:17.12.2018

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has fined a petitioner — who holds a PhD in chemistry — who sought to quash a notification calling for an interview of assistant professors in a college, as wilfully causing hindrance in the appointment of teaching faculty in a college. A fine of ₹10,000 was imposed.

The petitioner, M Chandra Mohan, had applied for the post of assistant professor in A Veeraya Vandayar Memorial Sri Pushpam College at Poondi in Thanjavur district, in response to an advertisement in 2017. Chandra Mohan had attended the interview and was not considered for the post. Subsequently, Chandra Mohan challenged the notification on the ground that it was not in consonance with Section 11 of the Private Colleges Regulation Act 1976 as well as UGC norms.

200 RGUHS students to pay hefty fine for flouting rules

STAFF REPORTER

BENGALURU, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST



The students’ results will be announced only after they pay a fine ranging between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 5,000, said the Registrar of the university.File photo

They wrote names of gods, symbols, mantras on their answer scripts

As many as 200 students from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) will have to pay a hefty price for ignoring the rules and writing the names of gods and mantras on their answer scripts. The university has withheld their scores and will release the results only after the students pay the fine.

Prior to the exams held in October, the RGUHS had issued a circular warning students not to jot down signs, symbols, names of gods, mantras, etc. on their answer scripts. At the time, the authorities had said the new rules were necessary as there were cases where words like ‘Om’ and names of gods had been written in pre-assigned spots to help the evaluator identify the student whose answer script was to be evaluated.

Despite this, around 200 medical and allied health sciences students, who wrote the examinations in October flouted the rules. “The list of these students was submitted to the malpractice committee which met last week. It has been decided that their results will be announced after collecting a fine ranging between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 5,000,” said M.K. Ramesh, Registrar (Evaluation) of the university.

The rules also prohibited students from writing the register number, their name, the letters ‘P.T.O.’ at the end of the pages, other irrelevant messages, any word, number, or sentence that was extraneous to the questions asked. Students were also prohibited from answering questions out of context and tampering with their booklets.

“Not all students wrote this to commit malpractice. Some students did it out of sheer carelessness. So we decided that we should fine them so that they do not have to write the same paper again,” said a professor.

Nurse jumps off third floor of hospital, dies

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

NAGERCOIL, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

She was questioned after an inmate’s gold ornament went missing

A nurse working with a private eye hospital here allegedly jumped off the third floor of the hospital on Thursday evening, and died on Friday.

Police said N. Anisha, 20, of Viyanur in Kanniyakumari district, who was working in the eye hospital, was staying in the hostel run by the hospital. She sustained multiple injuries when she jumped off the hospital building. She was admitted to a private hospital in a critical condition and succumbed to her injuries on Friday. Nesamoni Nagar police, who sent the body to Government Kanniyakumari Medical College Hospital at Asaripallam for a post-mortem, registered a case in this connection. The police said Anisha was questioned by the hostel authorities recently after a gold ornament of another nurse went missing. Upset over this, Anisha might have taken the extreme step. Accusing the hospital administration of having driven Anisha to end her life, her relatives staged a dharna in front of the hospital for a while. The police pacified them with the assurance that a proper investigation would be conducted.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling State’s health helpline 104 or Chennai-based Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.

MMC to get new infrastructure

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

Minister for Cooperation Sellur K. Raju performing a bhoomi puja for construction of new buildings on Madurai Medical College campus on Friday.S. JamesS_James

Foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of new buildings at a cost of Rs. 37.25 crore happened inside Madurai Medical College premises here on Friday.

S. Shanmugasundaram, Dean (in charge), Madurai Medical College and Government Rajaji Hospital, said that two buildings will be constructed on the college premises.

“One is a seven-storey building with facilities to accommodate classrooms and other infrastructure needed for six departments in the college. The other building, which will have four floors, will be residential quarters for non-teaching staff at the college,” he said. Minister for Cooperation ‘Sellur’ K. Raju and Madurai North MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa laid the foundation stone for the buildings in the presence of Collector S. Natarajan and Dr. Shanmugasundaram.

A number of projects augments the infrastructure are underway at GRH and MMC, including an operation theatre complex supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), super-speciality block under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), and a new building to host paediatric and other departments, are underway in various stages. The projects have also faced criticism for prolonged delays in completion.

Banks asked to pay for negligence in service

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

In a case of cheque box tampering and manipulation

Madurai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on Friday directed ICICI Bank, Madurai, and Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai, to jointly and severally compensate a complainant after it found the banks guilty of negligence in a case of cheque box tampering and manipulation.

The forum was hearing the case of T. D. Subramanian of Madurai, who was having a bank account with the ICICI Bank.

He said that he had received a cheque for Rs. 83,825 from his customer, Kumaran Textiles, Chennai, though an Indian Overseas Bank cheque.

The complainant is said to have dropped the cheque for collection with a challan dated April 2012 in the security drop box of the ICICI Bank. However, the money was not credited into his account. It was brought to his notice that the security drop box was broken open and various cheques dropped into the box were taken away by culprits.

A complaint was made to the Banking Ombudsman, RBI, Chennai, who, after conducting an inquiry, found out that the complainant’s cheque was manipulated, forged and presented through Federal Bank, Madurai, in another person’s name. The Banking Ombudsman had found ICICI Bank at fault for not safeguarding safety and security of the drop box and the Indian Overseas Bank for not properly scrutinising the cheque before payment.

The forum comprising president V. Balasundarakumar and members C. Packialakshmi and M. Maraikamalai directed both the banks to jointly and severally pay the cheque amount of Rs. 83,825, a compensation of Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 3000 as cost to the complainant.

Charges to be framed against Sasikala in FERA violation cases

R. Sivaraman

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

As per HC order, questioning will be done via video-conferencing

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate is set to frame charges against jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala through video-conferencing in cases booked by Enforcement Directorate.

According to the prosecution, Sasikala, as chairperson-cum-director of JJTV Private Limited, had authorised the company’s managing director and her nephew V. Bhaskaran to negotiate and enter into a contract with any foreign supplier with a transponder facility for launching a Tamil satellite TV channel in the early 1990s.

In pursuit of this, payments were made to firms in U.S. and Singapore dollars for hiring transponders and uplink facilities for JJ TV without getting the permission of the Reserve Bank of India.

Sasikala and Bhaskaran were cited as accused in these cases registered in 1996 and 2001.

Last year, the trial court began the proceedings by questioning her on the charges she faced through video-conferencing facility from Parappana Agrahara prison, Bengaluru.

After transfer of the then presiding officer of the court, the case was taken by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate-II(ACMM-II) S. Malarmathi.

Procedural lapses

With the prosecution pointing out certain procedural lapses, the ACMM-II ordered the production of Sasikala before the court. Her order was challenged in the Madras High Court. The High Court found from the records that she had denied the charges, but, however her signature was not found.

It was only for this purpose, the trial court wanted to question her again on the charges so that the irregularity could be rectified.

Order set aside

The High Court set aside the order for the production of Sasikala but directed to proceed further by questioning her on the charges through video conferencing.

On Friday, counsel for Sasikala submitted the High Court order. After perusing the order, ACMM-II Ms. Malarmathi adjourned the matter for framing charges and questioning Sasikala through video-conferencing on December 20.

Govt. letter contradicts former CS

Deepu Sebastian Edmond

CHENNAI, DECEMBER 15, 2018 00:00 IST

Girija Vaidyanathan  

No separate report about Jayalalithaa’s treatment was submitted in Oct. 2016, says Girija Vaidyanathan

The Tamil Nadu government has contradicted its former Chief Secretary by telling the Commission of Inquiry looking into the death of Jayalalithaa that an October 2016 meeting of its cabinet did not discuss the treatment being provided to the former Chief Minister, who was still hospitalised.

In an October 31, 2018 letter to the Justice (Retd.) A. Arumughaswamy Commission, Chief Secretary (CS) Girija Vaidyanathan said that the cabinet meeting of October 19 only passed a resolution praying for Jayalalithaa’s speedy recovery: there was no agenda item regarding the then Chief Minister’s treatment.

Two letters

P. Rama Mohana Rao, Chief Secretary during Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation, had told the Commission on October 24 that he had prepared a note about shifting Jayalalithaa abroad and placed it before an “October-end, 2016” meeting of the State Cabinet.

Ms. Vaidyanathan’s letter was one of the two from the State government to the Commission, the other was received on October 29, 2018. They were in responses to two letters from the Commission asking a number of questions to the government.

In her second letter, the incumbent Chief Secretary also said that, even after a survey of the files of the Public and Health Department, the government was unable to find any reports by Mr. Rao to O. Panneerselvam about him signing the Apollo Hospital procedure records along with V.K. Sasikala. At the time, Mr. Panneerselvam was also handling the hospitalised Chief Minister’s portfolios.

The government has also informed the Commission that Apollo Hospitals’ Chairman Dr. Prathap C. Reddy and doctors of the Critical Care Unit “regularly, on a daily basis” briefed a group of individuals from the government. There is also an indication that these briefings took place in the mornings: all ministers who visited the hospital daily would normally attend, while senior ministers would join in at times.

Others who were briefed include: Chief Secretary, advisor to the Chief Minister Sheela Balakrishnan, available Secretaries to the Chief Minister, Health Secretary and his Minister and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai.

Ms. Vaidyanathan also informed the Commission that because of these briefings, the then-Chief Secretary did not have to submit a separate report about the health status of Jayalalithaa.

More inquiries

Tamil Nadu government's Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan on Friday told the Commission that incumbent deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had never approached him with concerns of the treatment provided to the former Chief Minister during the two months he was himself CM after her death.

After being sworn in on the same night as Jayalalithaa's death, Mr. Panneerselvam resigned on February 5, 2017. Sources said that Mr. Radhakrishnan, had also said that — to the best of his knowledge — Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has not yet raised doubts about the nature of Jayalalithaa’s death.

The statements of the Principal Secretary (Health) about the incumbent Chief Minister and his deputy were extracted during a cross-examination by V.K. Sasikala’s lawyer N. Raja Senthoor Pandian.

The Commission has also asked Mr. Radhakrishnan to return on December 18; counsel for both Sasikala and Apollo Hospitals are to complete their cross-examination.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said that Jayalalithaa did not require to be taken abroad for treatment. He added that the former Chief Minister was provided treatment that conformed to international standards.

He said that it would have been a shame for Indian doctors if the leader was shifted abroad, as they are capable of providing the same level of care.

On Friday, the Commission also examined three servants who had been employed by Jayalalithaa. Devika, Sivayogam and Bhoomika were identified by a team led by Police Inspector Kanagasabhapathi, who has been appointed to aide the Commission.

Servants questioned

One of the three women recollected that she had seen Jayalalithaa lean on Sasikala’s shoulder at home the night of her hospitalisation. Another told the Commission that a modified elevator was put in place to welcome the former Chief Minister; her aides were preparing for Jayalalithaa to be discharged mid-December.

A source said when the Commission had asked the women if they had heard or seen a commotion at the house the night of Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation — they replied in the negative.

Jayalalithaa did not require to be taken abroad for treatment

J. Radhakrishnan

Health Secretary