Snake on Tambaram railway platform triggers scare

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedFeb 26, 2019, 1:45 am IST

Passengers and passersby alerted railway officials and the local police who informed the forest department in Tambaram.

Forest officials capturing the snake. (DC)

CHENNAI: Passengers waiting at the Tambaram Sanitorium railway station were in for a fright on Sunday night, when a snake made its way onto the platform.

According to police, passengers crossing platform No. 3 of the Sanitorium station, noticed a two-feet-long snake coiled around a stone bench. It was assumed to be a baby python.

Passengers and passersby alerted railway officials and the local police who informed the forest department in Tambaram. After 30 minutes, the reptile was rescued and sent to the forest office in Velachery.

Sources said, “In the absence of a foot-overbridge between the platforms, passengers were forced to cross the railway lines to reach the other side.”

Passengers accused the railway officials of not clearing bushes near the station and platforms. Passengers using platform-3 had often faced threat of poisonous snakes and other reptiles, as it is always covered by bushes.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mohan, forest Ranger, TN forest department, Velachery, said the snake was a common sand boa, and not a python as it was made out to be. The reptile would be kept under watch for 15 days, he added.

Will improve hostels in Anna University constituent colleges: V-C

The Anna University plans to improve condition of the hostels in its constituent colleges and regional campuses on a priority basis, said varsity authorities.

Published: 25th February 2019 05:17 AM |

Anna University (File | EPS)

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Anna University plans to improve condition of the hostels in its constituent colleges and regional campuses on a priority basis, said varsity authorities. 

Speaking to Express, Vice-Chancellor M K Surappa said they were busy chalking out plans to develop infrastructure of the hostels in the 16 constituent colleges of the university across the state.

Surappa said that the state government recently allocated Rs 100 crore in its budget for infrastructure development in the university and the funds would be utilised for improving condition of the hostels. He has asked the officials of the constituent colleges to submit a detailed proposal on condition of hostels and other infrastructural needs at the earliest. After examining the proposals, adequate funds would be sanctioned to the respective colleges.

“The facilities such as classrooms and laboratories in our constituent colleges and even in our regional campus are inadequate. Especially the hostels are in bad shape in the constituent colleges so I have plans to take care of the issue first,” said Surappa. “To ensure basic comforts and proper facilities to students in the hostels is my duty,” he added.


University officials said the condition of the hostels in constituent colleges was really deplorable. In many places, they are overcrowded and students have to sleep on the floor due to paucity of beds. They further said the V-C had been personally visiting the different constituent colleges and had, time and again, expressed concern over the miserable condition of hostels.

On a priority basis, measures will be taken to provide necessary facilities in all hostels in the constituent colleges, which are mainly engineering colleges. After improving the condition of hostels, authorities will focus on developing the classrooms and equipping the laboratories appropriately.

‘Death penalty can curb corruption’
During the hearing, the judges observed that corruption had become rampant in all government offices in the State.

Published: 26th February 2019 03:30 AM |

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Corruption can be stopped only if officials engaging in the practice are punished with death penalty, opined the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging leakage of the question paper of the written examination conducted for the Assistant Engineer (AE) recruitment by Anna University (AU) in Chennai.

A Bench, comprising justices N Kirubakaran and S S Sundar, made the observation on a PIL filed by one Paranibharathy of Madurai seeking direction to stay the recruitment proceedings and also to conduct fresh written examination for the candidates. Rejecting the contentions of the counsel appearing for AU, that the leaked question paper could have been created and circulated by the candidates after the examination, the judges also ordered interim injunction forbearing the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) from proceeding with the recruitment.



During the hearing, the judges observed that corruption had become rampant in all government offices in the State. Such corrupt practices cannot be stopped unless there are stricter laws, they stated. They opined that officials engaging in corrupt practices should be awarded death penalty.

Irked by ‘suspicious’ husband, woman kills their two kids & commits suicide

On information, Royala Nagar police rushed to the spot and sent the bodies to the SRMC Hospital in Porur for post-mortem.

Published: 25th February 2019 04:56 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Upset with her husband for suspecting her fidelity, a 37-year-old woman killed her two children and self on Saturday. “She has left behind a suicide note,” said the police. Abitha, the deceased, had been married to Senthamarai (42) for 12 years. They had moved to the city from Pudukottai. Senthamarai had a computer sales and service centre in Arumbakkam while Abitha was a home-maker.

Their children - Lakshminarayanan (10) and Mahalakshmi (7) - were class 5 and 3 students. The family is said to have moved to the rented house on the first main road at Royala Nagar a few months ago. Police said there were frequent quarrels between them as Senthamarai suspected her “character.”

“On Friday night, they fought again. Senthamarai left for work on Saturday. He called his wife in the evening and since she did not pick up the calls, Senthamarai rushed home only to find it locked from the inside, said the police. He broke open the door with the help of neighbours and found his wife and two children hanging.

On information, Royala Nagar police rushed to the spot and sent the bodies to the SRMC Hospital in Porur for post-mortem. Police said that in the suicide note, Abitha accused Senthamarai of suspecting her. “She also advised Senthamarai not to trust his brother and wife,” said police.


Senthamarai was taken into police custody for interrogation, he has not yet been arrested. Senthamarai’s brother and his wife have been summoned by the police. Since preliminary post-mortem report showed no signs of poisoning in children’s bodies and police believe that Abitha herself hanged the children doing the same to herself. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on Tamil Nadu’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).

Probe on

Senthamarai was taken into police custody for interrogation. He has not yet been formally arrested. Senthamarai’s brother and his wife have been summoned by the police for inquiry

Battery-operated car for Perundurai Medical College

STAFF REPORTER

ERODE, FEBRUARY 26, 2019 00:00 IST

The battery-operated car at the IRT Perundurai Medical College in Perundurai.

To serve the needs of patients visiting the IRT Perundurai Medical College, a battery-operated car was inducted into service here on Sunday.

Under the MLA Local Area Development Fund, Perundurai MLA Thoppu. N.D. Venkatachalam purchased a car at Rs. 8 lakh that was handed over to the college to mark the 71st birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa here. The key was handed over to Dean M. Rajendran.

Mr. Venkatachalam said that the medical college was one of the premier government medical institutions where hundreds of patients visited every day. Hence, the battery-operated car would help the patients move inside the hospital premises.

Summons issued to 31 advocates in 2009 case

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 26, 2019 00:00 IST

The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Egmore has issued summons to 31 advocates, asking them to appear before it on February 28 in a case registered by the CBI in connection with the clash between police and advocates on the Madras High Court premises on February 19, 2009.

The CBI investigated the case and filed charge sheets naming 32 advocates, about 10 police personnel and one law college student under various provisions of the IPC and Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992.

Departmental action was recommended against 22 police personnel. Several advocates, police personnel, journalists and a High Court Judge Arumuga Perumal Adityan were injured in the clash. A police station and scores of vehicles were damaged in the fire and stone pelting.

The charges against the police and advocates include offences of criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly, causing simple/grievous hurt, causing simple/grievous hurt to deter the public servant from discharge of his duty, mischief by fire, criminal trespass in order to commit offence and causing damage to public/private properties, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Mahendran, an advocate filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court challenging the orders of ACMM Court.

Spain named world’s healthiest country
India Slips One Rank, Trails Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  26.02.2019

Spain and Italy have grabbed the two top spots in the list of the healthiest countries in the world. In South Asia, Sri Lanka at 66, Bangladesh at 91 and Nepal at 110 continued to rank well above India, out of the 169 countries that were evaluated. India slipped from 119 in the 2017 ranking to 120.

China rose three places to 52nd. Life expectancy in China is on track to surpass the US by 2040, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, stated the Bloomberg analysis. This was according to the 2019 edition of the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index which ranked 169 economies according to factors that contribute to overall health, including traditional measures such as mortality by communicable and non-communicable diseases and life expectancy.

US which spends the highest per person on health, $11,000, slipped by one rank to 35 and its life expectancy had been dipping the last three years, while UK which spends $4,000 per person climbed from 23rd rank in 2017 to 19th this time. Cuba too improved it ranking from 31 to 30, well above the US and the only country not classified as “high income” by the World Bank to be ranked that high. The countries that have performed the best are those with universal healthcare where over 70% of healthcare spending is done by the government. These include Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Singapore and Norway in that order in the top ten.

Japan improved its ranking from 7th to 4th while Singapore, the only other Asian nation in the top ten, dropped sharply from 4th rank to 8th. Spain and Italy spend much less on healthcare (roughly $3500 per person) than many of the European countries and yet managed to top the list. India is estimated to spend barely $240 per person and most of it is spend by people from their own resources with little support from the government.

Pakistan (124), Myanmar

(129) and Afghanistan (153) are the only countries from this region with a lower ranking than India. Sri Lanka, facing increasing privatisation of healthcare and shrinking public spending on health slipped by one rank from 65 to 66. South Korea jumped seven places to 17th. Bangladesh improved its ranking by three spots while Nepal’s rank has remained the same.

At the bottom of the pile are mostly Sub-Saharan African countries, accounting for 27 of the 30 unhealthiest. Haiti, Afghanistan and Yemen were the others. Bloomberg evaluated health variables and risks ranging from those of behavioral nature to environmental characteristics. Final index only included nations with at least 0.3 million population and sufficient data.

Soon, meals in trains to come with barcodes

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:26.02.2019

Soon, the food packets prepared by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will get barcodes. Passengers can scan the barcode using their mobile phones to see the live footage of the kitchen, where the food was prepared, railway minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. He added that it would help passengers to decide whether to eat the food or not.

“My ultimate thought is that each food packet will get a barcode. You can scan the barcode using your phone and can see the kitchen. You can see and decide whether you want to eat the food or not. The food packets will mention the kitchen number and the time and date of packing. If the food is bad, you can file a complaint quoting the kitchen number and other details,” Goyal told reporters after launching “raildrishti,” a website aimed at making maximum railway related information and date in public domain.

On asked how soon the initiative will be rolled out, Goyal said they work is underway to get the backend operation in place. Claiming that “raildrishti” will bring total transparency and put information in public domain for scrutiny, Goyal said the focus of Narendra Modi government has been “accountability to people.”

He added that since government has put most of the information in public domain, “perhaps there are hardly any RTI applications” and there is “no scope for RTI.”

The “raildrishti” portal also provides live information about the train status, numbers of housing keeping staff and can key in details for PNR inquiry and complaint inquiry.

The website dashboard will display the number of tickers sold, income generated (per day, per week, per month and per year) from both tickets and freight. Companies and traders can use it for tender inquiry and freight related inquiries. The website dashboard also provides the facility to view live feeds from the cameras installed in various IRCTC base kitchens.

IN THE PIPELINE: One can scan the barcode to see the live footage of the kitchen where the food was prepared

Can’t bar poll candidates for having more than 2 kids: SC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi  26.02.2019

: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking to bar those with more than two children from government jobs and disqualifying them from contesting elections.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Sanjiv Khanna said a constitutional court could not pass such an order and dismissed the plea. The petition was filed by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay pleading the court to intervene and pass order to deal with the menace of population explosion in the country.

“This court has held that the problem of population explosion is a national and global issue for which priority in policy-oriented legislation, wherever needed, is necessary. Legislative measures to check the menace of growing population is valid. A provision that a person who has more than two children is not qualified to hold office in a local authority was, therefore, held to be valid by the apex court,” the petitioner said..

“The two-child norm for contesting local body elections has been adopted by some states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Haryana, which has yielded very positive results in reducing population growth in those states. Therefore, such norm should be adopted by all the states to implement the population control policy to bring fruitful results,” the petitioner said.

Why not rename MKU as Kamaraj univ, HC asks govt

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:26.02.2019

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Monday sought a response from the state government regarding the removal of the prefix ‘Madurai’ from the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), renaming it as Kamaraj University.

A division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice S S Sundar was hearing a petition from Muthu Subramanian, a resident of Udumalpet in Tirupur district.

In his petition, Subramanian said MKU was originally known as Madurai University in 1978 and the name was changed to Madurai Kamaraj University to honour the former chief minister. The petitioner stated that when the name of the university is written on the name board, the Tamil consonant ‘ik’ is omitted due to which there would be no grammatical relation between the words Madurai and Kamaraj.

Similarly, when the name of the university is translated in English language, the name Kamarajar is reduced to Kamaraj. The petitioner mentioned that when he sent a representation in this regard to the director of Tamil development department, Chennai, in 2016, he received a reply which said the name board of the university should be corrected by adding an ‘ik’ suffix to the ‘Madurai’ in Tamil and to correct the English name of the university to Madurai Kamarajar University.

The petitioner claimed that even though he has submitted several representations to the officials, no steps were taken. Hence, the petitioner prayed before the court seeking for a direction to change the name board with the ‘ik’ suffixed to ‘Madurai’ in Tamil and also change it as Madurai Kamarajar University instead of Madurai Kamaraj University.

Hearing the petition, the judges observed that in an attempt to honour great leaders like Kamaraj, universities in the state are named after the leaders. “Unlike other universities in the state, the name Madurai Kamaraj University is like limiting the relationship of the leader only to Madurai. It would be a great respect to the leader if Madurai is removed from the name of the university,” observed the judges.

Hence, the bench sought the state’s response with regard to changing the name of the university to Kamaraj University instead of Madurai Kamaraj University.

The name Madurai Kamaraj University is like limiting the former CM’s relationship only to Madurai, the court observed

Mad rush: BPL families scamper to apply for ₹2k dole

Devanathan.Veerappan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:26.02.2019

A mad rush has begun to get applications for the special financial assistance of ₹2,000 to be disbursed by the state for families living below poverty line (BPL).

The Madurai Corporation is consolidating the list of families eligible to receive the assistance in its corporation limits. The last time when the corporation conducted such enumeration for BPL families was in 2004. At that time, there were1.19 lakh BPL families in all the four zones. When the corporation officials went to check the present status of the families, they could manage to trace just 30% of them.

For instance, there were around 25,000 BPL families in zone two of Madurai Corporation, but the officials managed to trace only 7,000 families. They are now conducting a door-to-door search for the eligible families. Meanwhile, residents have started running from pillar to post seeking applications due to lack of communication from the corporation on how the eligible families are to be shortlisted.

Syed Ahamed Basha from Yagappa Nagar said, “We do not know how the eligible families are going to be chosen. In our area, a former ruling party councillor is issuing applications. We are confused as to whom we should approach and submit the application.”

Residents said the 2004 enumeration itself was flawed as it was not done professionally. K Thilagar, a former councillor, said the government should have given adequate time to conduct fresh enumeration to find out the real beneficiaries. “In some areas, the ruling partymen have already started influencing the process,” he claimed. An official from the corporation clarified that the BPL families’ present status is being reviewed. He clarified that people can submit applications in ward offices.

PIL seeks to stop scheme before polls

Madurai:

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has adjourned a case which sought to stop the distribution of ₹2,000 to BPL families in the state till completion of Lok Sabha elections. A Dineshbabu, of Madurai, had filed the petition. The bench adjourned the case after seeking the order copy of a similar petition dismissed recently. TNN

FEAR OF BACKLASH

Parents of HIV+ kid refuse treatment at CMCH

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Tirupur:26.02.2019

Fearing backlash from authorities of Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH), parents of the twoyear-old child infected with HIV from an unidentified source, sought proper treatment for the toddler in Tirupur district.

The couple, who reside in Palladam taluk in Tirupur, don’t want to take their child to the CMCH again.

“I firmly suspect that the blood transfused to our daughter at CMCH on July 12, 2018, is the source of infection. If the blood was uninfected, why did doctors remove it when not even half of it was transfused,” the 27-year-old father of the victim said.

“After doctors confirmed the HIV infection on February 7, we took up the issue with CMCH dean Dr B Asokan, but he refuted our claims. So, we tried to lodge a complaint with the Race Course police. But police refused to take up the case saying the issue cannot be solved in police station,” he said.

“The doctors were, however, preparing to discharge our child saying the disease could be cured. We urged them to provide treatment at the hospital itself. The baby was given medicines. On February 21, we discontinued the treatment fearing backlash as the issue was escalating. We left the hospital without informing the doctors,” he said.

The powerloom worker, who earns ₹10,000 a month, said, “We do not want to go back to CMCH. All we want is that our daughter be given proper treatment. I am the only breadwinner in my family. The government should help us with the treatment.”

Saying he was aware of the issue, Tirupur collector K S Palanisamy said, “I will direct the village health nurse concerned to keep track of the girl’s health and provide proper treatment.”

Coaches with panoramic view soon for Nilgiri Rly

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.02.2019

In a few days, passengers travelling on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) — on the UNESCO world heritage site — in Ooty, will be able to enjoy a wider view of the scenic route.

Integral coach factory (ICF) on Sunday despatched four new swankier coaches which will have larger windows that will enable a panoramic view.

The coaches that are currently being used on NMR are more than four decades old and have been refurbished and retrofitted time and again.

For the first time, ICF has taken up the task of designing and developing new age steel-bodied coaches for the NMR railway system.

A total of 15 coaches are being planned to be manufactured by ICF for the NMR. Of these, 12 coaches will make three rakes — each comprising of one first class, two second class seater and one luggage-cum-passenger car formation. The remaining three coaches will be spare coaches, an ICF official said. The first formation of one rake comprising four new stainless steel coaches for the NMR has just been rolled out from ICF and they are now being taken to Mettupalayam by rail.

NEW AVATAR

Coaches with panoramic view soon for Nilgiri Rly

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.02.2019

In a few days, passengers travelling on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) — on the UNESCO world heritage site — in Ooty, will be able to enjoy a wider view of the scenic route.

Integral coach factory (ICF) on Sunday despatched four new swankier coaches which will have larger windows that will enable a panoramic view.

The coaches that are currently being used on NMR are more than four decades old and have been refurbished and retrofitted time and again.

For the first time, ICF has taken up the task of designing and developing new age steel-bodied coaches for the NMR railway system.

A total of 15 coaches are being planned to be manufactured by ICF for the NMR. Of these, 12 coaches will make three rakes — each comprising of one first class, two second class seater and one luggage-cum-passenger car formation. The remaining three coaches will be spare coaches, an ICF official said. The first formation of one rake comprising four new stainless steel coaches for the NMR has just been rolled out from ICF and they are now being taken to Mettupalayam by rail.

NEW AVATAR

Univ women’s hostel a horror house
But Warden Talks Of Good Facilities Here
Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:26.02.2019

Unhygienic toilets, poor drinking water facilities, unsafe living conditions and a constant threat of disciplinary action if any demand is made. These are some of the many woes nagging the students residing at the Mother Teresa Hostel for Women at the University of Madras.

“It has become increasingly difficult to live here. But since the authorities know we have no other place to go, they are taking advantage of our situation,” said a student on condition of anonymity.

The university hostel, located in Chepauk, houses nearly 250 students pursuing their post graduate and PhD courses. The hostel has 13 wings, each with eight rooms. A common bathroom and toilet is available at the end of each wing. To reach the rooms or the bathroom, however, students require a torchlight.

“I joined the campus around August last year, since then I have never seen the wings illuminated,” the student said.

Students added that campus maintenance was poor. The cook who abruptly left a few weeks ago prompted authorities to close the hostel mess till a replacement was found. “We had no food. When we complained, we were asked to eat outside. This went on for a month, but we were still charged for food,” said another student.

Students said the hostel has no emergency medical facility and is home to a drinking water cooler that doesn’t work, forcing students to buy water cans instead. The electrical wiring is poor and also prone to cause shocks, they added. Last month, the girls protested after they did not receive water supply for a whole day. “Around midnight a water lorry was sent to the hostel. We were asked to get our buckets and fill water from the lorry directly,” a student said.

Hostel warden S Sumathi, who is also the head of the department of anthropology at the university, did not take the students’ complaints seriously, they said. “You don’t know who I am connected to, so watch what you say,” a student quoted Sumathi as saying.

When contacted, Sumathi said she had put in her resignation papers six months ago, and is holding charge of the hostel till a new warden takes over. “Students must be thankful that they are getting such good facilities here,” she said.

Asked about the hostel lacking a cook, she said, “They get low pay, hence they leave. And everyday we spend ₹61 on food for the girls. What more do they want? And once we receive government funds we will repair other facilities. But the hostel is very clean and well maintained. Everyone including the vice-chancellor appreciates my efforts, only a few girls are spreading such false stories.”

SEEKING BETTER AMENITIES: After a whole day without water, students were told to fill their buckets with water from a tanker around midnight

Now, school kids to get free breakfast

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.02.2019

Akshaya Patra Foundation and the Greater Chennai Corporation on Monday rolled out Kaalai Unavu Thittam, under which students in corporation schools will be served free breakfast daily ahead of classes.

According to corporation officials from the education department, the scheme has been planned to initially cover 5,000 students from across 23 corporation-run schools.

On Monday, Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit and state minister for fisheries and personnel and administrative reforms, D Jayakumar, inaugurated the scheme for 1,000 students studying at Chennai primary school and Chennai higher secondary school in Thiruvanmiyur, and Chennai primary school in Thiruvanmiyur Kuppam.

Either upma, idli, or pongal will be served to the students every day, said a representative of Akshaya Patra Foundation.

“By end of next month, 5,000 students will be covered under this scheme. Within the next academic year, we plan to roll out the scheme to 20,000 students studying in several corporation-run schools. Akshaya Patra Foundation will cook and deliver the food at these schools at our own cost.

“The plan is to bring all corporation school students under this scheme so that they are well fed before their classes begin," said Sudama Vipra Dasa of Akshaya Patra Foundation.

There are 281corporationrun schools in Chennai.

The idea of a breakfast programme is said to be of R Rajagopal, additional chief secretary to the governor, taking the cue from the midday meal programme that was pioneered in Tamil Nadu, and later emulated across the country.

ON A HEALTHY NOTE: Governor Banwarilal Purohit and minister D Jayakumar launching the scheme at a city school on Monday

Fire dept toothless against violating bldgs
Licencing Body Not Sealing Structures, Say Activists

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:26.02.2019

Delhi Fire Services has cancelled licenses of 105 hotels in the national capital in the aftermath of a fire accident in a hotel that claimed 17 lives. Their counterparts in Chennai, meanwhile, remain toothless, failing to act against buildings compromising on fire safety. On last official count, 2,684 commercial buildings in Chennai and its suburbs are functioning without fire safety — or without the mandatory ‘no objection cerificate (NOC)’and fire licence from the fire and rescue services. At least 10 hotels figure in the list of unsafe structures in the city. While Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services says it doesn’t have powers, activists hold the licensing authority guilty of not locking and sealing the buildings.

Two district fire officers in the city told TOI that locking and sealing were beyond their powers. “The local bodies should be doing it. We can only update the Greater Chennai Corporation about buildings operating without fire safety norms,” said a district fire officer. He could not say how many buildings did not have the mandatory papers showing fire safety.

The fire service, headed by a director in the rank of DGP, has a strength of 7,058 personnel. It has 315 services stations across the state. Of these, 40 fire and rescue stations are in Chennai and 15% of the personnel are based in the city. In 2018-2019, the state government allocated ₹347.59 crore to the fire services.

Secretary of T Nagar Residents Welfare Association B Kannan said fire and rescue services should be act against violating buildings. “While several buildings function without certificates, some get the paperwork done without the mandatory inspection by the department. The licensing authority is responsible to lock and seal the buildings when they are violating the norms,” he said.

Fire services officials denied the charges. “Necessary inspections are being done before issuing NOC and fire license. But we are shortstaffed and we cannot divert our manpower engaged to attend emergencies at fire stations for other purposes,” said an official.

Director of Fire and Rescue Services K P Maghendhran did not respond to calls and messages.

The local bodies should be doing it (locking and sealing the buildings). We can only update the corporation about buildings operating without safety norms

district fire officer

Salem sizzles at 39°C, hottest in TN
Temp In City To Be Around 33°C, Rain Unlikely

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.02.2019

Barely three months into the year and a virtual heat wave has started to hit the state. Five places recorded temperatures close to 40°C on Monday.

Salem was the hottest, recording 39°C, while Dharmapuri registered 38°C and Coimbatore registered 37.2°C. In an indication that summer days are edging closer in Chennai, Tiruttani, about 90km from the city, recorded 38°C.

An India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said the temperatures showed that summer was setting in. “These regions usually heat up first and is an indication that maximum temperature will be going up in the coming days."

The temperature will go up in the hilly areas further in the coming days. As a result, he added, the temperature in the plains including Chennai would also increase.

The maximum temperature will be around 33°C and no rain is likely.

‘Over 50% chance of normal monsoon’

There’s more than 50% chance of normal monsoon this year, private weather agency Skymet said in a “preliminary” forecast on Monday. The forecast is driven by the prediction that El Nino conditions will recede in the coming months, Skymet said on Monday. P 12

Mornings in Chennai likely to be nippy for a few more days

The official said, “This is a usual phenomenon every season. There will be respite only when normal convective action brings rain. But that will be for a day or two.”

The met department has not forecast a substantial increase in temperature in the city. The maximum temperature will be around 33°C and no rain is likely.

There was not much of an increase in the maximum temperature in Chennai in the last few days, hovering in the range of 32°C to 33°C.

An official said as the maximum temperature increased, the nights would get warmer. However, the mornings were expected to be nippy for a few more days in Chennai because the sky was clear and there was no cloud to mask the cold temperatures of upper atmosphere from percolating down.

The met department had forecast dry weather on Monday but forecast light rain in some parts of the state for the next two days. But dry weather may start again on Thursday.

The forecast for the city for Tuesday and Wednesday says: “The sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33°C and 24°Celsius.”

The met department has forecast light rain in some parts of the state for the next two days. But dry weather may start again on Thursday

Failed a semester thrice? Redo course with juniors: Anna univ
Current Batch Can Appear For Arrears Till Sixth Semester

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:26.02.2019

Engineering students of colleges affiliated to Anna University who fail to clear the first semester in three attempts will no longer be able to enter the third year (fifth semester) and will have to redo the failed course with regular students (juniors).

The same applies to students before the sixth, seventh and eight semesters, say exam regulations released by Anna University on Monday.

The new rules will cover those joining from 2019-20 as well as those in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 batches. But current students were given a one-year exemption after they protested saying they were not informed of the regulations during admission.

Students of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 batches can appear for arrears till the sixth semester but can move to the final year (seventh semester) only on completing all courses enrolled in the first semester.

The internal marks secured will be carried over for the above mentioned three consecutive semesters. For lab courses, they can reappear for failed courses when offered next by the college concerned.

Until now, students could reappear for arrears any number of times with many clearing the backlog only in their final year. From now, those not completing the engineering course in seven years will not be awarded the degree.

The aim, Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa said, was to improve quality. “Students can’t appear for arrears continuously. If one is unable to clear arrears in one plus three attempts, then he/she is not fit to be an engineer,” he said.

However, there will be no ceiling on the number of arrears a student can appear for in a particular semester. The old rules restricted the number of arrears in a semester.

Each semester, a student can take seven core/elective subjects (worth three/four credits each) along with labs or employment enhancement courses (worth two credit points). The most credits a student can register in a particular subject can’t exceed 36. Of this, 24 are consumed by current semester courses and students get only 12 points (maximum three arrears) for reappearance.

Those failing in even semesters (March/April) could reappear for backlogs only in next March/April. The same applied to odd semester exams.

These two regulations have been removed now.

போரூர்: எரிந்த 200க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கார்களில் 15 கார்களுக்கு தான் காப்பீடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாம்..! 

By DIN  |   Published on : 24th February 2019 07:40 PM  |

சென்னை போரூர் அருகே உள்ள தனியார் கார் குடோனில் ஏற்பட்ட பயங்கர தீ விபத்தில் 200க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கார்கள் எரிந்து நாசமானது. எரிந்த கார்களில் 15 கார்களுக்கு மட்டும் காப்பீடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தகவல் வெளியாகி உள்ளது. 

சென்னை போரூரில் உள்ள தனியார் கார் குடோனில் பெரும் தீ விபத்து ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. கார் குடோனில் உள்ள காலியிடத்தில் 500க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கார்கள் நிறுத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த இடத்தின் அருகில் இருந்த குப்பைக்கிடங்கில் தீப்பற்றி, பின்னர் அது கார் குடோனிற்கு பரவியதாக கூறப்படுகிறது. இந்த தீ விபத்தில் கார் குடோனில் காலியிடத்தில் நிறுத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த கார்களில் 200க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கார்கள் முற்றிலும் எரிந்து நாசமானது. 

தகவல் அறிந்து சம்பவ இடத்திற்கு 4 தீயணைப்பு வாகனங்களுடன் விரைந்து வந்த தீயணைப்பு வீரர்கள் கொழுந்துவிட்டு எரிந்து வந்த தீயை கடுமைாயாக போராடி கட்டுக்குள் கொண்டுவந்துள்ளனர். 

கார் எரியும் பகுதியில் கரும்புகை மூட்டம் சூழ்ந்ததை அடுத்து அப்பகுதி மக்கள் சம்மந்த இடத்தில் சூழ்ந்தனர். இதையடுத்து அங்கு பரபரப்பு நிலவியது. போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலும் ஏற்பட்டது. 

இந்நிலையில், இந்த பயங்கர தீ விபத்தில் சிக்கிய 200க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கார்களில் 20 முதல் 25 கார்கள் மட்மே தீயிலிருந்து தப்பித்துள்ளன. எரிந்த கார்களில் 15 கார்களுக்கு மட்டும் காப்பீடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தகவல் வெளியாகி உள்ளது. 

பெங்களூரு, எலஹங்காவில் உள்ள விமானப் படைத்தளத்தில் சனிக்கிழமை நடைபெற்ற ன்னாட்டு இந்திய விமானத் தொழில் கண்காட்சியின் போது ஏற்பட்ட திடீர் தீ விபத்தில் 300 கார்கள் எரிந்து நாசமானது. இந்த நிலையில் தற்போது சென்னையில் அதேபோல ஒரு விபத்து ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. 

"புன்னகைப் பூக்கள்' மலரட்டும்!

By இரா. கதிரவன் | Published on : 25th February 2019 03:40 AM

புன்னகைப்பதும், ஆனந்தமாக இருப்பதும் மனிதனின் பிறப்போடு கூடிய இயல்பு; ஆனால், பின்னர் மகிழ்ச்சியைத் தேடி, கவலைகளைச் சுமந்து, புன்னகையைப் பெரும்பாலானோர் மறந்தே விடுகின்றனர். அலுவலகங்களில் சிலர், தங்களது சக அதிகாரிகள், ஊழியர்கள் ஆகியோரிடம் புன்னகைக்கவே மாட்டார்கள்.சிறிது புன்னகையோடு பேசினால், தனக்குக் கீழ் பணிபுரிபவர், தனது உத்தரவுகளைச் சரிவரச் செயல்படுத்த மாட்டார், எதிர் கருத்துக்களைக் கூறுவார்கள் என்ற அச்ச உணர்வு காரணமாக இருக்கக் கூடும்.

ஆனால், புன்னைகையோடு உள்ள அதிகாரி, அதிகார தோரணை காட்டும் அதிகாரியைவிட அதிகமாக, சக அதிகாரி அல்லது ஊழியரிடமிருந்து நல்ல மனமுவந்த ஒத்துழைப்பினைப் பெறுகிறார்; அதிகமாகச் சாதிக்கிறார். சில அரசு அலுவலகங்களில், அலுவல் நிமித்தமாக வரும் பொது மக்களிடம் நேர்பார்வையுடன் பேசுவது-புன்னகைப்பது பெரும் குற்றம் என எண்ணிப் பணிபுரிவோர் ஏராளம் .

வாழ்வில் எவ்வளவு பேரைப் பார்த்தாலும் பேசினாலும், அவர்களில் பலரை மறந்து விடுகிறோம்; ஆனால் புன்னகையை முக விலாசமாகக் கொண்டவர்கள் நம் நெஞ்சில் நிரந்தரமாய்ப் பதிந்து விடுகிறார்கள். ஏனெனில், அகம் புறம் என இரு தளங்களிலும் மாற்றங்களை ஏற்படுத்த வல்லது புன்னகை. ஓர் இலகுவான சூழலை ஏற்படுத்தும். மனச்சோர்வினை அகற்றும் தன்மை கொண்டது. மேலும், அவர் தன்னம்பிக்கை உடையவர் என்ற தோற்றத்தினை ஏற்படுத்தும். சலிப்பு ,கோபம், ஆத்திரம், மன உளைச்சல் உள்ளிட்ட பல எதிர்மறை எண்ணங்களுக்கு மாற்று மருந்து புன்னகை. சில சமயங்களில், நூறு கடும்

சொற்கள் சாதிக்க முடியாததை, ஏற்படுத்த முடியாத தாக்கத்தினை, புன்னகையுடன் கூடிய ஒரு சில சொற்கள் ஏற்படுத்த முடியும்.

பொதுவாக உள்ளத்தில் மகிழ்ச்சி இருக்கும்போதெல்லாம் முகத்தில் புன்னகை தோன்றும்; இதன் இன்னொரு பிரதிபலிப்பாக , 'முகத்தில் புன்னகைத்தோற்றம் இருக்குமானால், மனதில் மகிழ்ச்சி ஏற்படும்' என்று சொல்வோரும் உண்டு. எனவே, சிலர் "முதலில் பொய்க்காகவாவது புன்னகையுங்கள்; நாளடைவில் அது உங்கள் முகத்தில் நிரந்தரமாகக் குடியேறும்' என்பர்.

தமிழில், ஒரு சொல் பல பொருள்களைத் தருவதைப் போல, புன்னகையும் ஒவ்வொருவருக்கு ஒரு பொருளைத் தர வல்லது; கண்டிப்பான மேலதிகாரியின் புன்னகை சில ஊழியருக்கு வெகுமதி ; அக்கம்பக்கத்தாரின் புன்னகை , தனித்திருக்கும் முதியவருக்கு பெரும் ஆறுதல்; நல்லாசிரியரின் புன்னகை ஒரு மாணவனுக்கு அங்கீகாரம்; ஒரு தந்தையின் புன்னகை மகனுக்கு பெரும் ஊக்கம்; பெற்றெடுத்த குழந்தையின் புன்னகை தாய்க்குப் பரவசம் எனப் பல்வேறு பொருள்களைத் தருகிறது.

எவர் எப்படியிருப்பினும் குழந்தைகள் மட்டுமே, எவ்வித எதிர்ப்பார்ப்புமின்றி புன்னகைப்பர். ஆனால், சில குழந்தைகள் புன்னகைக்கவே முடியாது என்பது வருத்தம் தருவது ஆகும். இந்தியாவில் பிறக்கும் குழந்தைகளில்,ஆயிரத்தில் ஒரு குழந்தை, "பிளவுபட்ட உதடுகள்' என்ற குறைபாட்டுடன் பிறக்கின்றன. இந்தக் குழந்தைகள் , பிறர்போல் சாதாரணமாகப் புன்னகைக்கவே முடியாது ; அதனினும் கொடுமையாக இவர்கள் தாய்ப்பால் அருந்துவதற்கும், உணவு உண்பதற்கும், பேசுவதற்கும் கூட பெரும் சிரமப்படுவர்.

இந்தக் குறைபாடு நீக்கப்பட முடியாதவர்கள் பலர், வளரும்போது தங்களது உடற்கூறு குறைபாட்டுடன் , மனதளவிலும் பாதிக்கப்படுவர். இவர்களில் கணிசமானோர் இருபது வயதுக்குள் உயிழப்பதாகவும் புள்ளிவிவரங்கள் கூறுகின்றன. மருத்துவ உலகமும், பல அரசு சாரா நிறுவனங்களும் இந்தக் குறையினைச் சீர் செய்ய உதவி செய்கின்றன.

நமது நாட்டில் நடைபெறும் சில சமூக விரோதச் செயல்களில் ,சிறுவர்-சிறுமியர் கடத்தல் என்பதும் ஒன்றாகும்; பெற்றோர் -குழந்தைகள் என இரு சாராரும் தங்களது நிம்மதியைத் தொலைக்க வைக்கும் செயல் இது; நம் மத்திய அரசு , இந்தப் பெற்றோர்கள்-சிறுவர்கள் முகத்தில் புன்னகையை மீண்டும் அரும்பச் செய்யும் வகையில், "புன்னகையை மீட்டெடுப்போம்' என்ற இலக்குடன், சில திட்டங்களைச் செயல்படுத்துகிறது. பெற்றோரிடமிருந்து பிரிக்கப்பட்டு , நடைபாதை , ரயில் நிலையங்கள் எனப் பொது இடங்களில் தங்கியிருக்கும் சிறார்களையும், தவறான வழிகளில் ஈடுபடுத்தப்படும் சிறுமியரையும் கண்டுபிடித்து மீட்டு அவர்களது பெற்றோரிடம் சேர்க்கும் பணியினைத் தீவிரமாகச் செய்கிறது.

ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும், ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட மாதத்தினை "புன்னகை மீட்டெடுப்பு மாதமாக' அறிவித்து, காவல் துறையின் மூலம் நடத்துகிறது; இந்த ஒரு மாதம் முழுவதும், பல மாநிலங்களிலும் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட காவல் துறையினருக்கு, பிற மாநில காவல் துறை, சிறார் சீர்திருத்தப் பள்ளி ஆகியவற்றோடு ஒருங்கிணைப்புத் தொடர்பான சிறப்புப் பயிற்சி அளிக்கப் படுகிறது.

கடந்த ஆண்டில் மட்டும் சுமார் 10 ஆயிரம் பேர் மீட்கப் பட்டிருக்கின்றனர்; அதன் மூலம் அவர்களது மட்டுமல்ல, அவர்கள் பெற்றோர் முகத்திலும் புன்னகையை திரும்பச் சேர்த்திருக்கிறது என்பது பாராட்டுக்குரியது.

உண்மையில் புன்னகை ஒன்றே உலகப் பொதுமொழி என்று கூறலாம்; நிற-மத -நாடு -மொழி-கல்வி வேறுபாடுகளைக் கடந்தும் பரிமாறிக்கொள்ளக் கூடிய ஒரே மொழி புன்னகை மட்டுமே. இந்தப் பின்னணியில், புன்னகை என்னும் மொழி தெரிந்த நாம், சிறு புன்னகையின் மதிப்பினை உணர்ந்து, "புன்னகைப் பூக்களை' ஏராளமாக மலரச் செய்வோம்.

'டிவி' சானல் விவகாரம் : 'டிராய்' புதிய உத்தரவு

Added : பிப் 24, 2019 23:58

புதுடில்லி: 'குறிப்பிட்ட, 'டிவி' சானல்கள், அதற்கான பிரிவின் கீழ் மட்டுமே இருக்க வேண்டும்; மேலும் ஒரு இடத்தில் மட்டுமே இருக்க வேண்டும்' என, சானல் வினியோகஸ்தர்களுக்கு, 'டிராய்' எனப்படும், தொலை தொடர்பு ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.விரும்பிய சானல்களுக்கு மட்டுமே கட்டணம் செலுத்தும் முறையை, பிப்., 1 முதல் அறிமுகம் செய்வதாக, டிராய் உத்தரவிட்டிருந்தது.நாட்டில் மொத்தமுள்ள, 17 கோடி, 'டிவி' இணைப்புகளில், ஒன்பது கோடி இணைப்புகள் மட்டுமே புதிய நடைமுறைக்கு மாறின. மற்றவர்களுக்கும் வாய்ப்பு அளிக்கும் வகையில், வரும், மார்ச், 31 வரை அவகாசம் நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.இந்நிலையில், டிராய், நேற்று வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கையில் கூறியுள்ளதாவது:'டிவி' சானல்களை கட்டுப்படுத்தும் வகையிலான நடைமுறைகள், 2018 ஜூலை முதல் நடைமுறைக்கு வந்துள்ளன. அதன்படி, ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட, 'டிவி' சானல், எந்தப் பிரிவைச் சேர்ந்தது என்பதை அவர்களே குறிப்பிட வேண்டும். குறிப்பிட்ட பிரிவைச் சேர்ந்த சானல்கள் தொகுப்பாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.மேலும் ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட சானல், ஒரு இடத்தில் மட்டுமே இருக்க வேண்டும்.ஆனால், 'டிவி' சானல்கள் இணைப்புகளைத் தரும் வினியோகஸ்தர்கள் இதை கடைப்பிடிப்ப தில்லை என புகார்கள் எழுந்துள்ளன. ஏற்கனவே அளித்துள்ள உத்தரவை மீறும் வினியோகஸ்தர்கள் மீது, சட்டப்படி நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்.இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

நடுவானில் பயணம்; தூங்கி வழிந்த விமானி

Added : பிப் 25, 2019 05:06

தைபே : சீனாவின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் உள்ள, கிழக்கு ஆசிய நாடான தைவானைச் சேர்ந்த, சீன விமான நிறுவனத்தின் விமானம், நடுவானில் பறந்தபோது, அதன் விமானி தூங்கி வழிந்த வீடியோ, சமூக வலைதளங்களில் வேகமாக பரவி வருகிறது. தூங்கி வழிந்த விமானி, வாங்க் ஜியாகி மீது தகுந்த நடவடிக்கை எடுத்துள்ளதாக, சீன விமான நிறுவனம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. மேலும், இந்த வீடியோ எடுத்த, சக விமானி மீதும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக, தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஆனால், எந்த பயணத்தின்போது, விமானி தூங்கி வழிந்தார் என்ற தகவல் தெரிவிக்கப்படவில்லை.

Government likely to ease medical college norms

Under the Indian Medical Council (MCI) Act, 1956, licences to run a medical college or add seats are denied when institutions do not meet the minimal requirements for infrastructure, faculty and clinical work, among others.

INDIA 

Updated: Feb 24, 2019 10:42 IST

Rhythma Kaul 

New Delhi

Government may ease medical college norms(HT File Photo)

In a move likely to dilute the norms for setting up medical colleges, the Union health ministry is set to notify a regulation giving institutions the licence to function with fewer students if they do not meet the eligibility criteria for clinical work and faculty strength.

Ministry officials privy to the matter said the new norms, expected to be notified within 10 days, propose to grant such medical colleges the approval to function with the condition that the number of students can be increased when the institution meets infrastructure requirements.

Under the Indian Medical Council (MCI) Act, 1956, licences to run a medical college or add seats are denied when institutions do not meet the minimal requirements for infrastructure, faculty and clinical work, among others.

Dr VK Paul, chairman, board of governors, MCI, confirmed the proposed change in norms. “We have modified the rules. It can be called ease of business, as we aren’t flouting norms but only asking colleges falling short at, say, one level to admit students in proportion to their standards. We are allowing them to function the same year, rather than asking them to come back again the next year,” he said.

Several private medical colleges are found to be deficient in clinical requirements, having an inadequate number of patients visiting the out-patient department (OPD) and not enough occupied beds in the associated hospital where students get mandatory hands-on skill training in treatment and care.

“While private colleges struggle to get adequate number of patients, government colleges get rejected mostly because of faculty shortfall. But around 90% of licences rejected are for private colleges because they apply hoping that by the time of inspection, they would have things in place,” said a health ministry official requesting anonymity.

“Last year, only 21 of 80 applications were approved as the others didn’t meet the required criteria of proportion of patients treated in the attached hospital to the number of students they wanted to admit,” said another senior health ministry official not authorised to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

Once the new norms are notified, colleges with adequate infrastructure to run the first-year undergraduate course will get approval for one year. Approval for the remaining years will come once they have added the required infrastructure.

“What is the point of wasting resources? We have a shortage of colleges, so if a college is functional, we should give it a chance to improve while it’s running. The norms, however, will apply only if the college agrees to it,” said Dr Paul. Reacting to the proposal, Dr KK Talwar, former chairman of the board of governors, MCI, said, “It’s not a bad move as it makes efficient use of the existing system, but the evaluation process has to be thorough and transparent.”

First Published: Feb 24, 2019 09:39 IST

WATCH | Fire breaks out at Chennai parking lot, 176 cars gutted

After two hours of struggle, the fire was completely doused and the dry grass present inside the lot was the reason for the fire to spread through the complex.

Published: 24th February 2019 06:00 PM 

Cars gutted in fire in Chennai. (Photo| P Jawahar/ EPS)
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: As many as 176 cars were gutted in a major fire in the parking lot of a private taxi operator in Porur on Sunday. According to an eyewitness, the fire broke out at 2 pm and was brought under control by 4.15 pm.

Six fire tenders from Poonamallee, Virugambakkam, Maduravoyal, Ashok Nagar, Guindy, and Avadi and a Chennai Corporation Metro Water tanker were used to douse the fire at the 32-acre lot across the Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital.

The entire property was engulfed in flames, making it difficult for the firemen to enter. Further, the Metro Water tanker broke down near the entrance, blocking the entry of the fire tenders.
District Fire Officer P Saravanan said that around 250 cars were parked in the lot owned by C Sivasankaran, who runs the taxi service. “Most of the cars, parked on the lot for more than six months, were in faulty condition. The man in charge should have taken care of the land by cleaning it regularly.”

“The lot is littered with more than three-feet of dry leaves and woods. According to preliminary investigations, the fire began in the dry woods near the last row of cars and spread across other rows,” Saravanan said.

Some locals alleged that the fire engine didn’t enter the yard for nearly 30 minutes and by that time, fire had engulfed the entire yard. Refuting this allegation, Saravanan said that since smoke engulfed the entire area, it was difficult for the firemen to identify the spot and moreover, the Metro Water tanker lorry blocked the way and delayed the process.

Yet the fire service team managed to save 32 cars, he added. According to records, 176 cars were gutted completely while 42 cars had minor burns and 32 had no scratch.
C Sivasankaran, who also happens to be the founder of telecom company Aircel, started the cab service ‘UTOO’ in Chennai in 2016. According to sources, for the past one year, the service has not been doing well, and only 30 cabs were running across the city. The others were kept in the lot for maintenance.

Joint Commissioner of Police (West) B Vijayakumari, who reached the spot, said an enquiry was on to ascertain the reason for the fire. “Only one security guard was present at the entrance and some other men were inside when the incident happened.” The SRMC police have registered a case and are investigating.
“The lot has seen minor fires in the bushes and dry trees more than five times in the past six months,” said A Raja, a resident of Iyyappanthangal.

The police said that they were inquiring with the 50-year-old security guard about the cause of the fire and had summoned Sivasankaran. They suspect if the fire was intentionally set up to claim insurance money since the service was not functioning for a long time.

Silambu express becomes tri-weekly

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

KARAIKUDI, FEBRUARY 25, 2019 00:00 IST

The Karaikudi Chamber of Commerce and Industries has welcomed increasing the frequency of Chennai Egmore - Sengottai – Chennai Egmore Silambu express trains from bi-weekly to tri-weekly with effect from February 25.

Chamber president Samy Thiravidamani thanked Southern Railway and Madurai division of Southern Railway for conceding the long pending demand of the chamber.

‘Great help’

Increasing the frequency would be of great help to passengers and traders who travelled on the train in the stretch, Mr. Thiravidamani said.

The additional service would start on February 25 from Chennai Egmore and the next day from Sengottai, a Southern Railway order said.

Train no. 16181 Chennai Egmore Sengottai Silambu express would be operated thrice in a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and Train no. 16182 Sengottai – Chennai Egmore Silambu express would be operated on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, it said.

There would be no change in the composition, existing timings and stoppages of the trains, the order said.

Leading the way in overseas education and immigration

25.02.2019

THE IMMACULATE was established in the year 2005 by an enthusiastic professional, Debie Avilaa Westcott, MBA B.Ed., and is known throughout the academic community for ably combining the disciplines of teaching English, Soft skills, Foreign Education Exam coaching, Cambridge Certification Exams, Behavioural training, Placement Training, Corporate Training & Career guidance to students all over the world.

They are also a consultant for organizing Training and Development in schools, colleges and companies.

Courses offered at THE IMMACULATE are :

English fluency, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GMAT, SAT, GRE, CMAT, XAT, Soft skills, BEC, BULATS, CPE, RRB, TNPSC, Bank Exams, Corporate Training, etc.

They honour the teaching fraternity with THE IMMACULATE Teachers Excellence Awards from various schools, colleges and universities every year on Teachers Day.

THE IMMACULATE represents a number of colleges and universities abroad UK USA Canada Australia NZ Europe Malaysia & Singapore, etc) for UG, PG and Diploma courses for all the subjects.

Our counsellors and visa processing staff are well trained and our visa success rate is very high.

We promote higher education abroad by conducting education fairs, online promotions, boards, TV ads, college and school seminars, emails, advertisements in all online advertisement portals such as Sulekha, Just Dial, Urban Pro, etc.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

Authorized Input Node of IDP:IELTS Australia – Test Centres

Professional Partners for Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)

ELTAI Member

CLIENT LIST

Asst Commissioners-Customs Officers at NACEN

TCS, Chennai .

Cognizant Technological Solutions, Chennai.

Tech Passion Technologies

Raj Impex

We have faculty with specialized expertise to deliver training programs in multinational companies, schools, colleges & universities.

One of the pioneers in Soft skills, Foreign entrance exams, Cambridge Certification Examinations & Behavioural training since 2005 and have trained many trainers in the industry.

For more details, contact: No 7, Saikiran Apartments, 3D Third floor, Kasturibai Nagar 1st Main Road, Adyar, Chennai-600020, 044 24462116 Mob : 9841633116 Doshi Gardens, D3, Second flr, Arcot Road, Vadapalani, Chennai -600026, 04423632116 Mob: 9840403116 theimmaculatecoaching@gmail.com; www.ticse.org; www.tiabroad.com;enquiry@ticse.org

NEET 2019 preparation tips

25.02.2019

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET undergraduate) examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the courses like Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

NEET-UG has replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and all other medical exams that were conducted by states or colleges solely. Though many colleges and institutes continue to conduct private examinations for admission to their MBBS and BDS courses.

Eligibility Criteria

The minimum eligibility for any student to sit in the NEET entrances is a minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from an authorized educational board.

Examination Pattern

The mode of NEET exam is offline which is 3 hours Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) based. It consists of a total of 720 marks with +4 for every correct answer and negative marking of -1 for a wrong one.

Preparation Tips

The NEET examination is scheduled to be held on May 5, 2019. The medical aspirants who have applied for the NEET UG 2019 Examination can follow the preparation tips given below for better results:

Focus largely on the CBSE books (NCERT) of classes XI & XII for the preparation and analyze the topics well.

In the Biology Section, it is easy to make a wrong choice in the answers if the analysis isn’t done well, so learn the diagrams, dates, and names carefully.

In the Physics Section, revise the formulas very well and focus on topics like- thermodynamics, conductors, waves etc s these are scoring places.

If the problem appears to be lengthy do not waste time-solving it and skip to the next question, leaving the former one for later.

Both Conceptual and Factual questions are important and should be focused on.

Fill the OMR sheet simultaneously after every 20 minutes while practicing and even during the exam, rather than marking the answers on question paper first and later filling the OMR sheet later, as it may result in less time left and wrong attempts in hurry.

Yet another important thing is to follow the dress code to prevent any chance from getting disqualified in the exam.

The Velammal Group – The real Solution to Education

25.02.2019

Twenty first century marks the beginning of a Paradigm shift in the educational system throughout the global scenario, more so in the developing countries like our great India. Learning must be for learning sake and must replace the existing conditioning often prevalent in most learning institutions. Pedagogy of the 21st century should focus on classroom as learning labs where the individual learner expands the learning boundary for application and further learning under the supervision of the classroom teacher playing the role of a catalyst. Pedagogy must ensure the honing of the holistic personality in the learner encompassing intelligent quotient, emotional quotient, social quotient, time quotient, endurance quotient and bandwidth quotient.

Velammal Group is a co-educational learning solution from K to 12, Engineering and Medical that believes in the 21st century needs. The groups’ schooling segment is popular in the society of southern India with all the schooling verticals in the country, the Global curriculum, CBSE, Samacheer and the ECE program. The Indian values and survival skills particularly, the learning skills, the career skills, life skills and the futuristic skills form the complementary objective of classroom transactions.

A truly child centric philosophy that hones all the necessary skills for a successful living will be the hallmark of the school. Hence all activities and focus are pioneered to ensure the realisation of this objective of the schools since the last 30 plus years. The school is being preferred due to the school’s primary objective of learning for life. Academic transactions are aided through smart classroom pedagogy where learning gets converted to application in real life situations.

Teachers are oriented to challenge the gifted and handhold the special. It is always learning by doing in Velammal Group of Schools. And the additional offering, the dreams of the present-day parent to provide everything their cultural backing exposed them to, to be given to their children will prompt them to enrol into the GPS program in the schools. The school has structured an activity/training event every day after school for the students during the 5 working days in a week. This is being offered to the students as an option. This will include a performing art, a game sport, a martial art, theatre & debate and talent promotion skills’ expose. There is also the program as an option to prepare for entrance exams to pursue the most coveted courses in the best of institutions.

Operations Highlight

The co-curricular and extra-curricular will focus on student becoming fitting global citizen, who thinks, behaves, works, eats and lives like the native of the place and country where he/she find avocation or the country where he/she interface as part of avocation in life.

The schools facilitate the required and necessary academic transaction of the students in a regular classroom atmosphere.

The holistic skill development is attempted by the renowned experts in the field who will be the school’s, full time faculty. The much needed and the future requisite of global citizen, the culture and etiquette of countries of the world will be imbibed through near stimulus environment and physical exchange in the afterclass program, the GPS. All this is designed to be accomplished through time tested Indian ethical standards as in and through class room and campus experience.

The schools wish to evolve to pioneer a new concept in schooling. It provides the student in the school, an exposure to everything a fitting Global citizen need. This is realised in Velammal Group of Schools as in school and after school learning activities.

For more details contact: ‘Velammal New-Gen Park’ Ambattur Red-hills Road, Surapet, Chennai – 600 066 TOLL FREE: +91 7855005555 admissions@velammal.edu.in Visit : http://www.velammal.org/

College students develop an app to fight fake news

WhatsFarzi, a new app aims at detecting fake news on social media to help the end users

c-Jagriti.Kumari@timesgroup.com

25.02.2019

In order to fight fake news, a group of students from Delhi have launched an app which allows users to analyse authenticity of a message in text or image format.

Three BTech students from Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi or IIIT-D) – Madhur Tandon, Suryatej Reddy Vyalla and Dhruv Kuchhal – have developed this app, which will help end users to check the authenticity of news spreading on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.

The newly developed app named ‘WhatsFarzi’, which enables people to check the authenticity of the content, message or an image on social media. This was made under the supervision of Ponnurangam Kumaraguru, associate professor, department of Computer Science, IIIT-Delhi. To check the authenticity of a viral text or image getting, one needs to copy and paste it in the designated space in the app. The app will then rate the content on the scale of fake to authentic through a coloured bar.

The team combined the knowledge of graphics, natural language processing, machine learning /AI and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to analyse the authenticity of news content and images. The app, however, is not equipped to check the authenticity of video messages.

“It will help the end users by equipping them with a tool to check the authenticity of content circulated on WhatsApp,” said Ponnurangam Kumaraguru, the principal investigator of the project.

Before WhatsFarzi, a similar initiative to analyse the authenticity of news on Twitter and Facebook was tested by the PhD students of the college.

“We analysed Hurricane Sandy and Boston blasts in detail; using this understanding, we developed TweetCred, a Chrome browser extension and a REST API. Building upon the success of TweetCred, a PhD student who graduated in 2017, extended TweetCred for Facebook,” said Ponnurangam while talking to Education Times.

“Collecting enormous data in the form of fake content and image analysis were among the major challenges faced by the team while developing the app,” he added.

“We also analysed Paris attacks in 2015 based on the visual theme, embedded text, and the sentiment of images,” he added. “We have received a good response after launch of the app on February 11. We hope this app will help the users to differentiate between the genuine and fake information floating on the internet,” said Ponnurangam.

Unrecognised nursing courses in Tamil Nadu a public health hazard

Treatment by nurses with unrecognised nursing degrees have in the past caused medical complications or even death

TIMES NEWS NETWORK
25.02.2019

The Tamil Nadu Nursing Council has urged the government to cancel thousands of nursing courses offered in the state that are unrecognised by the national or state councils. Around 10,000 candidates or more who passed out of these unrecognised six-month certification or one year diploma programmes, offered by institutions, including quasi-government agencies and doctors’ bodies, will not be permitted to work as nurses.

According to the state nursing council registrar S Ani Grace Kalaimathi, the candidates should not be allowed to do sutures, scans, tests on patients as they neither have adequate knowledge nor the exposure. She emphasised that there were defined job profiles for nurses who have cleared four-year UG nursing degree, three-year diploma course and the two-year auxiliary nursing and midwife courses. However, there were no job profiles for nursing or bed assistants who pursue six-month and one-year courses.

Dr R Thigarajan, member of council member said that nurses with inadequate knowledge can be a public health hazard as some of them have low-paying jobs in rural hospitals where negligence or violation of medical code will not lead to the initiation of disciplinary action against them as they do not come under the council’s purview.

As per investigations, some of these nurses turn into quacks when they fail to get jobs in reputed private or government hospitals. Public health officials said that in the past, treatment by such quacks have led to complications and deaths during dengue outbreaks.

Many of the unrecognised colleges have said that the short courses were approved by the National Council on Vocational Training (NCVT) — an advisory body set up by the Government of India in 1956, the Barath Sevak Samaj — a national development agency, by the Indian Medical Association or some deemed universities. But the fact remains, there are no agencies authorised to approve these courses.

Unrecognised nursing courses in Tamil Nadu a public health hazard

Treatment by nurses with unrecognised nursing degrees have in the past caused medical complications or even death

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

The Tamil Nadu Nursing Council has urged the government to cancel thousands of nursing courses offered in the state that are unrecognised by the national or state councils. Around 10,000 candidates or more who passed out of these unrecognised six-month certification or oneyear diploma programmes, offered by institutions, including quasi-government agencies and doctors’ bodies, will not be permitted to work as nurses.

According to the state nursing council registrar S Ani Grace Kalaimathi, the candidates should not be allowed to do sutures, scans, tests on patients as they neither have adequate knowledge nor the exposure. She emphasised that there were defined job profiles for nurses who have cleared four-year UG nursing degree, three-year diploma course and the two-year auxiliary nursing and midwife courses. However, there were no job profiles for nursing or bed assistants who pursue six-month and one-year courses.

Dr R Thigarajan, member of council member said that nurses with inadequate knowledge can be a public health hazard as some of them have low-paying jobs in rural hospitals where negligence or violation of medical code will not lead to the initiation of disciplinary action against them as they do not come under the council’s purview.

As per investigations, some of these nurses turn into quacks when they fail to get jobs in reputed private or government hospitals. Public health officials said that in the past, treatment by such quacks have led to complications and deaths during dengue outbreaks.

Many of the unrecognised colleges have said that the short courses were approved by the National Council on Vocational Training (NCVT) — an advisory body set up by the Government of India in 1956, the Barath Sevak Samaj — a national development agency, by the Indian Medical Association or some deemed universities. But the fact remains, there are no agencies authorised to approve these courses.

Why we need more medical technologists

Blood bank and clinical lab technology have significant roles in the medical sector. Though we have many jobs, there is limited awareness about the courses available, writes Aruna Singh

Times of India 25.02.2019

Blood bank technology and clinical lab technology have significant roles in the medical sector. With advancing healthcare facilities , medical technologies have a crucial role to play. However, youngsters have limited knowledge of the growing job opportunities in this sector. Doctors depend on medical technologists, who provide precise data , collect and store samples and help the patients at the time of crisis.

Blood bank technicians are usually trained as phlebotomists and they work with patients to collect various settings, blood and labelling. The technicians usually work in medical laboratories and blood banks where they store blood of the donors for transfusion and transmission. Apart from this, they make sure that the type of blood and the collected blood is safe and also examines the level of healthy molecules in the blood.

National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) offers a course in Blood Bank Technology, and one can look at several options after finishing the course. The technicians can also start their own venture, through the Prime Minister’s Skill India Mission.

NATURE OF WORK

Blood bank technicians work in hospital laboratories and independent blood banks. Examining the donor’s blood, analysing the type , and particularly identifying the safety of the blood is important for any technician. The technicians are also expected to maintain a record. Any discrepancy in the record of the sample can lead to severe confusion amounting to change in the line of treatment or patient getting infected with a deadly disease. Those aspiring to pursue a career in this field must have the flexibility to work independently and should also have good analytical skills, besides sharp management abilities.

COURSE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The diploma and certificate course for Blood Bank Technology is required to be passed from any recognised institute that is approved from an accredited board after passing class XII. The duration of the course is 1-2 years (the duration varies in each institute).

Most of the courses consist of practical training, along with the theoretical knowledge of human physiology and biochemistry. The practical training offers them hands-on experience to test the types of blood samples, aberrations, and chemical properties of blood is explained.

They are also taught how to handle emergency situation, particularly during major accident and natural calamities.

After the successful completion of the course, one can also opt for government jobs, by applying for government posts through Staff Selection Commission. The main aim of the Diploma in Blood Bank Technology (DBBT) is to train students and turn them into skilled technicians to manage and work under pressure.

OPPORTUNITIES

After taking the diploma in this course, every state will open many new job opportunities in the government and non-government sectors. Apart from this, the candidate can also work in private hospitals or private laboratories. There is a requirement of blood bank technicians as there is a scarcity of trained staff in most medical labs. Several major pharma companies have set up their own laboratories and banks in most cities. However, they are still unable to manage it accurately only because of the lack of experienced and trained technicians. Both private and government hospitals need a well-equipped blood bank that is managed by seasoned staff.

REQUIREMENT

Those who are planning to enter in this industry need to have the following qualities: Carry out routine laboratory tests by using Standard Operating Procedures such as keeping the details of blood group (forward and reverse), crossmatch and coombs (direct and indirect) Check the expiry dates of stock and working reagents, blood and blood components Have knowledge of the temperature of reagent, blood bank, and deep freezers The question is,are we giving proper education to our students? A look at the prominent job portals will reveal a big number of vacancies for blood bank technicians. Aspiring students should be careful to pick an institute that must have well-equipped laboratories, libraries and experienced faculty. The programme should offer elaborate information on blood, components, collection, separation, preservation, storage, donation and blood transfusion.

SCOPE OF RESEARCH

The field of the medical technologist is fast growing. However, there is very limited research work undertaken by the students. After diploma and certification in blood bank, blood transfusion and laboratory technicians, one must look at higher education including research.

(The author is principal of Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute, New Delhi)



SHUTTERSTOCK

MAJOR INSTITUTES

• Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute, New Delhi www.dpmiindia.com

• Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala, Haryana www.mmumullana.org

• Shivalik Institute of Paramedical Technology, Chandigarh www.shivalikinstitute.org

• Indian Medical Institute of Nursing, Jalandhar, Punjab www.iminursing.in

Modi washes the feet of five sanitary workers, hails them as ‘karma yogis’
Kapil.Dixit@timesgroup.com

Allahabad:25.02.2019

In an unprecedented gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday washed the feet of five sanitary workers, including two women — hailing them as ‘karma yogis’ — and then wiped them dry to express his gratitude for their service and lauded their role in maintaining cleanliness on Kumbh Mela campus.

The five sanitary workers — Pyare Lal, Naresh Kumar and Chaubi, all from Banda, Hori Lal of Sambhal and Jyoti of Korba (Chhattisgarh) — were in awe after the experience.

“We were told that we will be honoured and were made to sit on chairs. We were speechless when we saw the PM approaching us. He was very soft spoken. He then washed and wiped our feet and felicitated us with ‘angavastram’. He also asked us about our problems and the experience of working at Kumbh,” said Pyare Lal.

Modi addressed and felicitated sanitary workers, policemen, firemen and others for their contribution to making the Kumbh Mela safe, secure and clean.

Applauding the sanitary workers and ‘swachhagrahis’ (volunteers who urge people to keep surroundings clean) for making the world’s biggest religious congregation clean, Modi hailed them as ‘karma yogis’ who have proved through their effort that nothing is impossible in this world.

Amid applause, Modi said that the sanitary workers were his brothers and sisters. “They have been waking up early and sleeping late to ensure cleanliness of the Kumbh Mela area. They do not want any praise, but are doing their job without any fuss,” he added.

For full report, www.toi.in

PRAYER FOR PEACE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a dip during the Kumbh Mela at Sangam in Allahabad on Sunday

Madurai temple serves mutton biryani as prasadam at fest organized by hoteliers

Devanathan.Veerappan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:25.02.2019

Ever since Gurusamy Naidu from Vadakkampatti village near Kalligudi village in Madurai district started a successful hotel at Karaikudi in Sivaganga district in 1937, his villagers have been following suit and tasting success. Naidu was followed by his close friend Sundar Reddiar who established hotels at Kalligudi and Virudhunagar.

While many of the villagers have been turning hoteliers, they ensure two things — to offer tasty non-vegetarian food and name the hotel after their local deity Muniyandi. Today, there are more than 1,500 Muniyandi Vilas hotels in south India and a few have come up in other places too. So, what spurred these villagers to foray into the food business? Crop failure. The villagers who were facing a grim future in the fields looked for greener pastures and ventured into the hotel industry. “Our men used to work in the hotels run by their relatives. Once they learn the business, they go out to establish one themselves. Their relatives help them out to start the venture,” said S Rajaguru, who runs a hotel in Chennai. More than 500 hoteliers from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry apart from Tamil Nadu took part in a two-day temple festival of their deity which concluded at Vadakkampatti in Madurai on Saturday.

Although both Naidu and Reddiar communities jointly hosted the temple festival till 1970s, a dispute resulted in the two celebrating it separately. More than 8,000 people took part in the festival the highlight of which was the distribution of mutton biryani as prasadham on Saturday morning.

“The festival is the time to give back to the society. All hoteliers from the community contribute for the festival. For this purpose, we keep aside the money we get from the first customer every day,” said N P Ramasamy, who runs Rajavilas Hotel at Poonamallee, Chennai. He could not name his hotel after the local deity since his fellow villager already runs one by the same name there.

MOUTH WATERING

குறுக்கே புகுந்த மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்: திடீர் பிரேக் போட்டதில் ஆட்டோவிலிருந்து விழுந்த 3 மாத குழந்தை பலி

Published : 23 Feb 2019 18:56 IST
 
 


காட்சிப்படம்

சென்னை அயனாவரத்தில் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள் குறுக்கே புகுந்ததால் மோதாமல் ஆட்டோவை திருப்பியபோது பெற்றோர் கண்முன்னே ஆட்டோவிலிருந்து கீழே விழுந்த 3 மாத ஆண்குழந்தை பலியானது.

வில்லிவாக்கம், சிட்கோநகரில் வசிப்பவர் வேலன் (35). ஆட்டோ ஓட்டுனராக உள்ளார். இவரது மனைவி அர்ச்சனா (27). இவர்களுக்கு மூன்று மாதத்தில் யோகேஷ்ராஜ் என்கிற குழந்தை உள்ளது.

அயனாவரத்தில் உள்ள சகோதரியைப் பார்க்க அர்ச்சனா தனது குழந்தையுடன் சென்றுள்ளார். அவரை அழைத்துச் செல்ல அவரது கணவர் அயனாவரம் வந்துள்ளார். பின்னர் இரவு கணவருடன் ஆட்டோவில் வீடு திரும்பியுள்ளார்.

கொன்னூர் நெடுஞ்சாலையில் தாகூர் நகர் அருகே, இரவு, 10 மணியளவில், ஆட்டோ சென்றுக் கொண்டிருந்தபோது அவரது ஆட்டோவின் குறுக்கே மோட்டார் சைக்கிளில் வந்த ஒருவர் தடுமாறி விழுந்துள்ளார். அவர் மீது மோதுவதை தவிர்க்க வேலன் ஆட்டோவை வேகமாக திருப்பியுள்ளார்.

அப்போது ஆட்டோ வேகமாக குழுங்கியுள்ளது. ஆட்டோவின் பின்பக்கம் அமர்ந்திருந்த அர்ச்சனாவின் கையிலிருந்த குழந்தை யோகேஷ்ராஜ் தவறி சாலையில் விழுந்துள்ளது. இதில் குழந்தையின் தலையில் பலத்த காயம் ஏற்பட்டது. தாய் அர்ச்சனா லேசான காயங்களுடன் தப்பினார்.

குழந்தையின் தலையில் ஏற்பட்ட காயத்தைப் பார்த்த பெற்றோர் அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தனர். உடனடியாக குழந்தையை அக்கம் பக்கத்தினர் உதவியுடன் எழும்பூரில் உள்ள, அரசு குழந்தைகள் நல மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சைக்காக அனுமதித்தனர்.

அங்கு குழந்தை யோகேஷ்ராஜிக்கு தீவிர சிகிச்சை அளிக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால் சிகிச்சை பலனின்றி குழந்தை யோகேஷ்வராஜ் நள்ளிரவு பரிதாபமாக உயிரிழந்தது. விபத்து குறித்து கீழ்ப்பாக்கம் போக்குவரத்து புலானாய்வு போலீஸார் வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்து விசாரணை நடத்தி வருகின்றனர்.

சாதாரண எதிர்பாரா சிறிய சம்பவத்தில் குழந்தை தவறி விழுந்து மரணமடைந்தது பெற்றோரையும் அப்பகுதியில் உள்ள பொதுமக்களையும் துன்பத்தில் ஆழ்த்தியுள்ளது.