Express train loco pilot throws speed caution to the wind

S. Sundar

S. SUNDAR, MAY 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Instead of running it at 30 kmph, he operated it at around 100 kmph

The Madurai Division of Southern Railway has ordered an enquiry into a safety-related incident in which a loco pilot of Chennai-Nagercoil Antyodaya Express failed to slow down the train as per the caution order between Vadipatti and Sholavandan railway stations, thus “endangering” the lives of workers who were involved in track maintenance in Dindigul-Madurai broad gauge section on Tuesday morning.

The train, which was supposed to run at 30 kmph as per the temporary caution order, maintained its high speed of around 100 kmph while crossing km 470/200 between Vadipatti and Sholavandan railway stations.

After the mistake was realised, the guard applied emergency brakes to bring the train to a screeching halt.

However, the train, by that time, had crossed some 300 metres beyond the work spot where the workers were involved in the maintenance job.

A railway official said that through fitting renewal work had been taken up at the spot near Karupatti railway station. After the workers had assembled, some of them had started to replace the elastic rail clips, rubber pads and liners. “Workers ran helter skelter on noticing the speeding train. Fortunately, no one was injured,” a railway official said. The incident occurred around 8.30 a.m.

Three senior officials, headed by Divisional Operations Manager (Coaching), will conduct an inquiry on Wednesday into the incident that violated safety rules. Besides the loco pilot, assistant loco pilot and guard of the train, station master (Vadipatti) and engineering officials and staff have been called for the inquiry.

The caution order is issued not only to safeguard the workers involved in their job, but also for the safety of the train and its passengers as parts of the track would be under repair and unfit for running train at higher speed.

The incident comes close on the heels of an “averted collision” involving two passengers trains that were set on a collision course between Tirumangalam and Kalligudi railway stations on the night of Wednesday last.

Transport Dept. to check buses of educational institutions from May 21

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

COIMBATORE, MAY 15, 2019 00:00 IST

To ensure the safety of school children using vehicles operated by educational institutions, the Transport Department will begin checking the buses for their road worthiness and safety aspects from May 21.

In Coimbatore district, there are six regional transport offices at Pollachi, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore Central, South, North and West and two motor vehicle inspectors’ unit offices at Sulur and Valparai.

The jurisdiction has 340 schools operating about 2,015 buses for transporting children to schools and back home. In Coimbatore city alone, 221 schools operate 1,172 buses.

As per the instructions of Transport Commissioner and District Collector who is the regional transport authority, the inspections would be done from 8 a.m. at the Police Recruit School grounds (1,172 buses), at the RTO office ground in Pollachi (469 buses ), and at a ground near Savitha Hospitals in Mettupalayam (374 buses).

Only buses that were inspected and certified would be allowed to operate on roads, the release from the Collectorate said.

Govt. identifies degrees not meeting TNPSC requirement for jobs

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MAY 15, 2019 00:00 IST

Most of them are offered by universities in the State

The State government has issued an order following its 60th equivalence committee meeting that some of the degrees offered by universities in the State would not be recognised as equivalent to certain other degrees required by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission for employment.

The TNPSC will not recognise Bachelor of Computer Applications awarded by Periyar University as equivalent to B Sc Mathematics. M Sc Applied Microbiology awarded by Bharathiar University, Periyar University, Madurai Kamaraj University and Thiruvalluvar University will not be treated as equivalent to M Sc Zoology.

Degrees such as M Sc Biochemical technology from Madurai Kamaraj University will not be recognised as equivalent to M Sc Biochemistry; M Sc Industrial Biotechnology and M Sc Nano Science and Technology (Physics based) awarded by Bharathiar University will not be recognised as equivalent to M Sc Biochemistry or M Sc Physics.

The B Sc Computer Science and B Sc Mathematics 4-year (Dual degree system) by Annamalai University is not equivalent to B Sc Computer Science for employment in public service.

The M Sc Applied Physics (Computer Electronics) awarded by Bharathidasan University is not equivalent of M Sc Physics and M Sc Statistics and Informatics offered by St. Joseph's College, affiliated to Bharatgidasan University, is not equivalent to M Sc Mathematics.

The committee has taken a similar decision on a large number of degrees offered by Annamalai University: BBA (Double degree) awarded by Annamalai University is not equivalent to BBA; MBA in Marketing Management, MBA International Business, MBA e-Bysubessm MBA Human Resource Management, MBA Global Management, MBA online degree, and MBA Financial Management degrees are not equivalent to MBA degree.

Double degree

The university’s double degree programmes in a number of subjects including History, B Com, BA Economics, BA English, BA Political Science, BA Sociology are not equivalent to degrees offered as normal three-year degree courses.

The BSc Statistics (Double degree) is not equivalent of B Sc Statistics, the B Sc Computer Science (double degree) is not equivalent of B Sc Computer Science; the B Sc Visual Communication (Double degree) is not equivalent of B Sc Visual Communication.

The BA Tamil with Computer Applications awarded by Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is not an equivalent of BA Tamil.

Integrated degree

Similarly, BA Tamil and Economics awarded by Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women is not an equivalent to BA Tamil. BA Tamil Literature and Information Technology awarded by Alagappa University is not equivalent to BA Tamil.

M Sc Mathematics awarded by Bharathiar University is not equivalent to M Sc Statistics.

The B Ed four-year integrated degree awarded by Barkatullah University, Bhopal, is not equivalent to B Ed degree awarded by Bharathiar University.

Student’s TC will not mention caste

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MAY 15, 2019 00:00 IST

The School Education Director has issued a circular to school principals advising them not to mention the caste of the student in Transfer Certificate.

The certificate will instead state “refer community certificate issued by Revenue Authorities” in the column seeking details of the caste of the student.

The circular to the principals pointed out that the decision followed a government order issued earlier that it had recognised as final the caste certificate issued by the Revenue Department.

Model counting centre at Anna University

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, MAY 15, 2019 00:00 IST

To focus on quick declaration of results

The Chennai District Election Office has developed a model counting centre at Anna University for counting of votes in the Velachery Assembly segment of the Chennai South Parliamentary Constituency.

“The model counting centre will get facilities for webstreaming of all 14 counting tables. Expenses for developing the model counting centre is 30% more than a normal counting centre,” said an official. The model counting centre will have facilities to accommodate all candidates, agents, mediapersons and officials. An exhibition of various aspects of the model counting centre in Chennai will be held for officials from various districts.

Officials to visit

On Wednesday, 100 senior officials from other States such as Kerala will visit the centre. “District election officers in many parts of south India will develop counting centres based on the model counting centre in Chennai,” said an official.


The layout will be new, with focus on quick announcement of election results during every round. Previously, the returning officer used to announce the results of every round after a time lag of more than 30 minutes after actual counting. Handling of postal ballot and electronic transferring of postal ballot system will also be based on a new system at the centre.

ACS Times of India Notification 15.05.2019

ACS Times of India Notification 15.05.2019

ACS Times of India Notification 15.05.2019

Vinayaka Missions Faculty required

These poll officials are breaking the internet

Shailvee Sharda & Jamal Ayub TNN

Lucknow/Bhopal  15.05.2019

: Two polling officers have become internet sensations after their photographs, clicked while on duty during the Lok Sabha polls, went viral online. They have been flooded with friends’ request on social media, approached by strangers for selfies and TV cameras have chased them home for interviews.

One of them is Deoriabased Reena Dwivedi, who was on duty in Lucknow. A photograph of her carrying an EVM was clicked by a colleague and drew a torrent of response on internet. In Bhopal, Canara Bank officer Yogeshwari Gohite had a similar experience for her polling day pictures.

Enjoying her fleeting WhatsApp and TikTok moments of fame, Dwivedi said, “I was married early but I had a career for myself. People are liking me and I am enjoying every moment of it. Who doesn’t like getting noticed? I am happy,” the 32-year-old junior assistant in UP state PWD told TOI.

Dwivedi says the best reaction came from her son Aadit, a Class IX student. “He urged me to make a video call to his friends to make them believe that the woman in yellow saree is actually his mother,” said Dwivedi, who joined the PWD in 2013. She has also worked in the insurance sector.

Talking to TOI on Monday, Dwivedi said, “This is not the first time that I was posted on election duty. I have served at different centres in Lucknow in LS 2014 polls and 2017 state elections. But a routine snapshot turned me into a celebrity.”

Reena and her husband Sanjay would be going back home in Deoria to cast their vote in the final phase on May 19. “I am a firm believer in Indian democracy. I have never missed my duty to cast vote,” she said.

Gohite was deputed as polling officer at the ITI polling station in Govindpura. Within moments of her arrival, news photographers zoomed in on her. By afternoon, her photos had gone viral on the internet.

Journalists tried to speak with Gohite, but she denied, pointing out that she was on duty. When TOI caught up with her on Monday, she said she was quite surprised by all the attention. “I dress the way I like. I do not have any fashion role models. A dress should not define a woman. It is our professionalism and work ethics that should matter,” she said.


A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR: Reena Dwivedi (left); Yogeshwari Gohite

Monkey makes off with phone from dist admin office in K’taka

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chikkaballapura:15.05.2019

Monkeys at the Chikkaballapura district office have become a menace not only to the visitors, but also the staff as they are snatching off files and documents.

On Monday, a monkey entered one of the rooms in the records section of the deputy commissioner’s office and took away a telephone from the table of the shirestedar and climbed up the huge pillar of the building.

Efforts to make the monkey come down were futile as it jumped from one pillar to another along with the telephone. As a result, the landlines in the building were damaged and many telephones in the entire building got disconnected.

The building is located in the middle of a mango groove and there are huge trees on either side of the district office. Unable to bear the heat during the day, monkeys make their way into the district office building, said Muniyappa, one of the employees.

The civic authorities in Chikkaballapura have been instructed to take steps to put an end to the monkey menace.

GROWING MENACE

WhatsApp finds bug, asks users to update app

Digbijay.Mishra @timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:15.05.2019

Popular messaging app WhatsApp has asked users to update their apps and mobile operating system (OS) following a suspected ‘spyware’ attack. Indian users will see new updates rolling out in the next 24 hours to 48 hours with a fix on the loophole that allowed the spyware attack to gain ‘remote access’ by just placing a WhatsApp call.

To be sure, such attacks are highly lethal but have a precise focus, in terms of number of targets the attackers are eyeing. The attacks are suspected to be from an Israeli firm as per global reports. In a statement to TOI, a WhatsApp India representative said updating the app and mobile OS will protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices. “We are constantly working alongside industry partners to provide the latest security enhancements to help protect our users,” WhatsApp added in its statement.

Experts say attack has hit rate of 100%

Some iOS users have already started getting a new update on theirs apps, TOI saw.

According to a data security expert, these attacks are termed ‘zero-day’ attack which have a hit rate of 100% and there is no firewall or antivirus. For WhatsApp, India is one of its largest markets with over 200 million monthly users.

Remote access can control a mobile device to extract and change critical information on devices, including call logs and text messages.

“This would have a broader impact only when users don’t update their app or OS in the coming days. It could have a mass-level impact in the next three to four months if people continue to use the older versions. This has been the pattern in countries like India, China, Mexico where penetration is very high, but knowledge is very low,” said Hitesh Dharamdasani, director, AnexGate — a firm that helps companies against cyber-attacks with security solutions.

In April, the Facebook owned-WhatsApp first identified the vulnerability that could enable an attacker to insert and execute code on mobile devices. WhatsApp then moved to fix the flaw and late last week it made changes to the infrastructure to deny any ability for this kind of attack to take place. These are highly sophisticated attacks and the Menlo Park-based company is yet to arrive at the scale of the attack’s impact in terms of user base. Due to the nature of the attack, it is believed it could be limited to certain number of users.

Remote access can control a mobile device to extract and change critical information on devices, including call logs and text messages

City girl fights with dad over UG course, lodges complaint

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.05.2019

A girl from Chennai has filed a complaint against her father for not allowing her to pursue an undergraduate college course of her choice after completing Class XII. She wants to take up journalism or law, but her father wants her to study BSc chemistry and become a teacher.

Things came to a head when the father refused to hand over her marksheets and original certificates required to apply to colleges. The girl saw the Childline number (1098) on the back of a textbook and called for help on Tuesday. Childline authorities asked the local police to look into the issue.

The 17-year-old, who lives in Iyyapanthangal, got interested in journalism and law at a young age. She was among her school’s toppers in the Class X board exams, but scored only 65% in Class XII, apparently because she was disturbed by a tiff between her parents during the exams.

“Though he was not on good terms with my mother, my father was very fond of me and was always interested in my academic career,” the girl told TOI. Days before the exam results were out, she opened up about her journalism aspirations to her father. He opposed the idea, telling her it would will not suit her, and advised her to pursue a science course, which had several job opportunities, the girl said.

TOUGH LIFE

Dad agrees to return certificates

Soon after the results were released, her father moved out from her home. While leaving, he took the girl’s certificates so that she wouldn’t act on her own.

“My mother is a housewife and has little idea about college courses. Without much financial support, I’m struggling to buy application forms. My friends have got admission. I feel left out,” she added.

A police officer from Sevvapet station said they have spoken to both the girl and her father. “He has agreed to return the certificates on Wednesday,” the officer said.

The 17-year-old girl wants to pursue journalism or law while her father wants her to study chemistry

TCs need not mention caste or religion

A Ragu Raman TNN

Chennai:15.05.2019

Headmasters in Tamil Nadu have been told not to mention a student’s caste or religion while issuing transfer certificates if the parents make a request.

In a circular to all chief educational officers, V C Rameswaramurugan, director of school education, said headmasters could issue the certificates after getting parents or guardians to submit a letter requesting that caste and religion should not be mentioned.

"The chief educational officers should ensure that these orders were followed by the headmasters while giving transfer certificates for the students who are passing out in 2018-19 academic year," Rameswaramurugan said in the circular.

The directions were issued based on the representations made by Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad state president Sanjeev on January 24, 2019.

Recently, 35-year-old lawyer Sneha Parthibaraja from Tirupattur in Vellore district got a ‘no caste, no religion’ certificate after several years of struggle.

Lock & seal notices to edu institute on 14 bldgs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.05.2019

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has issued lock and seal notices to Sri Muthukumaran group of institutions over construction of 14 unauthorized buildings on their campus at Chikkarayapuram near Mangadu.

CMDA sources said the notices were issued last week. “It was part of a series of action against construction violations by educational institutions. In this case, a few blocks, including a portion of a medical college, have been built without plan permission,” an official said. Data available on the portal of the planning authority reveals some buildings such as medical college, college of nursing, school, and engineering college of Sri Muthukumaran group of institutions falling under the category of institutional building were 'totally unauthorized’.

Sources said the respondents can appeal to the housing and urban development department for remedy.

Big seats, more legroom: Red MTC buses a hit among public

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.05.2019

The new red buses launched by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation in three phases since October 2018, replacing nearly 10% of the aging fleet, are a big hit among commuters in the city.

Despite able to seat eight people fewer than the old buses that have 46 seats, the 300 new buses, with broader seats and better leg space, are drawing more commuters and generating more revenue, shows official data. More than 55% of these buses are operated in south Chennai, particularly along OMR or the IT corridor where there are no train services beyond Thiruvanmiyur/ Taramani. Every day, a new bus on this stretch generates ₹11,500-₹12,000 in revenue through ticket sales while an old one collects ₹1,000 less. In simple terms, a new buse has an average daily footfall of more than 900 against 750 for an old bus.

This data reiterates findings by various studies by transport groups that MTC is the preferred mode of public transport and that more passengers will opt for it if buses are in better shape and more punctual. But is MTC ready to accept the challenge?

Most passengers say the ticket cost is a major issue. Nataraj of Thiruvanmiyur said, “Almost all the new buses are operated as deluxe services (limited bus stops) charging 1.5 times more than ordinary services. It will be better if some are operated as ordinary buses which can pick up and drop passengers in all bus stops.”

MTC authorities in response say it will be economically unviable to operate them as ordinary services but appear optimistic that the arrival of 400 more buses in the near future, more passengers would migrate back to buses.

Migration to trains and share autos happened soon after the state transport department increased bus fares by 67% in January 2017. From 42 lakh, the average daily footfall in MTC buses reduced to 35 lakh, says data. MTC then rationalised operations, focusing on routes where the demand is high and maintaining optimal service level in other areas.

More than 55% of the buses are operated in South Chennai

MCI inspection

Absent during MCI inspection: 33 doctors issued Show Cause Notice

May 13, 2019

State : Bihar

The erring faculty members include three professors, an associate professor, two assistant professors, 11 tutors and 16 resident doctors. One-day salary of these doctors has also been deducted for skipping duty without approval.

Bhagalpur: Doctors and faculty members at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital are set to face stern action for remaining absent during Medical Council of India (MCI) inspection.

As per a recent TOI report, the authorities of the medical institution have served show cause notice to 33 doctors including faculty members for being absent during the inspection team visit of Medical Council of India (MCI) for MBBS and PG medical seats.

Keeping in view of the MCI inspection and Lok Sabha elections, all leaves were cancelled. However, the doctors and the faculty members still took leaves thereby violating the said order.

On 15th April this year, the MCI team visited the Medical College for inspection for permanent recognition and approval for admission of 100 medical students at MBBS and postgraduate medical courses.

The MCI granted 50 MBBS seats to the Medical College while 50 more seats are proposed at the institution. However, the MCI officials found the 33 doctors including three department heads absent during the headcount.

Since they were absent without permission from the medical college, the Principal has now served the erring doctors with show cause notices.

Dr Hemant Kumar Sinha, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Principal informed the TOI, “The erring faculty members include three professors, an associate professor, two assistant professors, 11 tutors and 16 resident doctors. One-day salary of these doctors has also been deducted for skipping duty without approval.”

Read Also: Immediate action ordered against 11 doctors, 44 para-medicos in Shopian Hospital for Absenteeism

The Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the first action against government doctors in Bihar for absenteeism. Eight government doctors were expelled from the service for being absent from the duty for five years. the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Court news

MP: Enrollment number for examination denied to PG Medical Students, HC issues notice

State News

May 14, 2019 State : Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has recently issued notices to MP Medical Education University and Medical Education department for not assigning enrollment to the Post-Graduate, PG Medical students.

The move of the HC came in response to the petition filed by ten PG medical students of Index Medical College for the university allegedly not issuing enrollment numbers to them for the examination despite payment of a requisite fee. They further alleged that they were denied the enrollment number on grounds that their documents reached the university late.

According to a media reports, the students cleared an all India entrance test for PG Medical Courses held in 2016 and were allotted seats under state quota. In the petition, they mentioned that they had not only deposited their thesis but also the requisite fee for the course.

The petitioners alleged that the university had scheduled the examination for May but in April, they were informed that they won’t be getting their enrollment numbers as their documents did not reach on time.

Later, the students were asked to submit an affidavit stating that their admission in the PG course till that date was not valid. But, they were not allowed to appear in the exam despite giving an affidavit to that effect, reports the TOI.

The Advocate on behalf of the petitioner informed the daily that ‘if documents were not received in time by the University, Directorate of Medical Education and the college must be at fault and not the students. Index College was under the jurisdiction of Malwanchal University, which has now been brought under the control of MP Medical University and such problems are arising ever since’.

New Syllabus 2019-20

New MBBS syllabus offers AYUSH as option

The new syllabus received final approval from the BoG last month and will be implemented from August, when the new academic session (2019-20) begins. The 3-month module will be designed by Ayush ministry.

Undergraduate medical students will be given the option of choosing Ayush from 2019-20 academic year.

Updated: Feb 16, 2019 07:37 IST

By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi

Undergraduate medical students will be given the option of choosing Ayush (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy) systems as an elective subject from the 2019-20 academic year, a top functionary of the board of governors that oversees medical colleges said. The initiative is aimed at introducing future doctors to alternative systems of medicine,

The government had in September 2018 dissolved the Medical Council of India and constituted the board of governors (BoG) to supersede the medical regulator. The new syllabus received final approval from the BoG last month and will be implemented from August, when the new academic session (2019-20) begins. The 3-month module will be designed by Ayush ministry.

“It is to give a hang of the alternative systems of medicine to the students of allopathy. Ayush systems can play a great role in promoting preventive health. However, it will not be mandatory for medical students,” said Dr V K Paul, chairman, BoG. “The students will get to visit Ayush hospitals, attend outpatient departments (OPDs), etc,” he added.

Colleges and universities covered under consumer protection Law

Colleges and Universities covered under Consumer Protection Law

June 17, 2013

Colleges and Universities covered under Consumer Protection Law

Colleges and Universities covered under Consumer Protection Law. As education falls in the ambit of service of Consumer protection Act as such colleges and Universities fall under the Consumer Protection law

While expanding the scope of Consumer Law, National Commission opened new doors in “Bhupesh Khurana and others Vishwa Budha Parishad and others” that imparting education falls within the ambit of service as defined under CPA as per the report on consumerprotection.in. It was held that fees are paid for services to be rendered by way of imparting education by educational institutions

Colleges and Universities covered under Consumer Protection LawAny student becomes a consumer when he attends an educational institution & hires the services of that institution upon payment of fees for attending classes and writing examinations. He becomes a consumer when that fee is accepted from him reports CCC

An educational Institution can also be held liable under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Holding of exams, declarations of results are all services under the Act & can be looked into by the consumer courts. Consumer courts have also held that it is not within their jurisdiction to look into whether particular rules in an institutions prospectus are illegal or not.

This is a great move in the direction of Consumer Protection as many Five stars schools & colleges are mushrooming day by day. These claim of false affiliation with well known Universities in India as well as abroad and charge huge sums in the name of fees and other charges, which is unaffordable for the common man. Many of these institutions appoint unqualified staff and faculty to teach a particular stream and sometimes even such aculty is not available. Examinations are not held in time or results are not declared for months or even years, or certificates are not issued to them. Most of such Colleges & Schools are being run by fly- by-night operators with only commercial motives. In the last decade imparting education has become just another business rather than service to the society. To be cheated and lose hard earned money is one thing but more important fact is that the future of many students is at stake.

In many such cases, which have come before the National Commission, the apex consumer court has clearly held that providing education is a service and has compensated the aggrieved consumer.

In a number of cases the non supply of Roll Number, unexplained delay in deciding the application for admission, misrepresentation in advertisement and prospectus about the recognition of the college, non refund of the initial payment as college fee etc. have been held as deficiency in service

As per the recent citations quoted by legal point, Universities are covered under the Consumer Protection Act.

As per the Judgement – “Ram Kumar Aswani v. M/s A.K. Structural Foam Ltd. 1993 CPC 383” – A student applying for revaluation of his result comes under the definition of a “Consumer”

In another case , Registrar H.P university v Suresh Kumar 2007(2) CPC, the Complainant could not get admission in M.A. class due to mistake of University which wrongly declared him unsuccessful- University directed to pay compensation of Rs. 50,000 with costs to the complainant

Also in the case of Guru Nanak Dev University v. jagjit Singh 2005(1) CPC 490 Pb. , After accepting admission fee from complainant GNDU Amritsar revoked admission due to not having necessary qualification – University directed to refund fee with interest.

Also in one of the cases , Classes were not started after the university received fee for less number of students (as it was not viable to run the course). The University waas directed to refund the amount with cost- (Director, Mahatma Gandhi University v. Gopalkumar. 1999(1) CPC 292).

Also in the past, Consumer courts have held that misleading advertisements by educational institutions can amount to an unfair trade practice and have even directed the institutions to stop such ads in the future. Where the student could not get his roll number for which he had applied to sit for his exams & as a result of this, he lost a year of his studies, the consumer courts have held that it amounted to a deficiency of service.

பேசாத வார்த்தை...பேசிய வார்த்தை...

By எஸ். ஸ்ரீதுரை | Published on : 14th May 2019 01:38 AM 

நீ பேசாத வார்த்தைக்கு நீ எஜமானன், நீ பேசிய வார்த்தை உனக்கு எஜமானன் என்பது எல்லோரும் அறிந்த வாக்கு. ஆனால், இதை இந்தத் தேர்தல் காலத்தில் எந்த அரசியல்வாதியும் நினைவில் கொண்டதாகத் தெரியவில்லை.

இந்தியாவின் 17-ஆவது மக்களவைக்கான தேர்தல் வாக்குப்பதிவு ஏழு கட்டங்களாக நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. இதுவரை 6 கட்டத் தேர்தல் வாக்குப்பதிவுகள் நிறைவடைந்துள்ளன. தேர்தல் பணி மேற்கொண்டுள்ள அதிகாரிகளுக்குக் கடுமையான வேலைப்பளுவையும் ஆயாசத்தையும் கொடுக்கும் மிக நீண்ட காலத் தேர்தல் நடைமுறை இதுவாகும். தேர்தல் பணிப் பொறுப்புகளால் அதிகாரிகள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டதைப் போல, விமர்சனங்கள் நிறைந்த தேர்தல் பிரசாரங்களால் வாக்காளர்களாகிய பொதுமக்களும் அதிர்ந்து போயிருக்கிறார்கள் என்பதே உண்மை.

மக்களவை மற்றும் சட்டப்பேரவைத் தேர்தல் எதுவானாலும் சரி, ஆண்டுகொண்டிருக்கும் கட்சி ஆட்சி அதிகாரத்தைத் தக்கவைக்க முற்படுவதும், ஆட்சியைப் பிடிக்க எதிர்க்கட்சிகள் முயற்சிப்பதும் பொதுவான நடைமுறைதான். ஆனால், இந்தத் தேர்தலுடன் உலகமே அழிந்துவிடும் என்பது போலவும், இந்த முறை ஜெயிக்காவிட்டால் வாழ்க்கையே அஸ்தமித்துவிடும் என்பது போலவும், நம் நாட்டின் அரசியல் தலைவர்கள் இப்போது மேற்கொண்டுவரும் பிரசார பாணி காரணமாக, நாகரிகத்தை எதிர்பார்க்கும் பொதுமக்கள் நம்பிக்கை இழந்துள்ளனர்.
கட்சிகளின் பெருந்தலைவர்கள் முதல் அடிமட்டத் தொண்டர்கள் வரையிலும் இந்தத் தேர்தலை ஏதோ இந்தியா-பாகிஸ்தான் யுத்தமாகக் கருதுவது போன்று அவர்களது பிரசாரங்கள் வெளிப்படுகின்றன. தேர்தல் ஆணையமும், நீதிமன்றங்களும் எவ்வளவு கண்டனம் தெரிவித்தாலும் பரவாயில்லை என்று பரஸ்பரம் சேற்றை வாரி இறைக்கும் வகையில்தான் பிரசாரம் அமைந்துள்ளது.

தேர்தல் காலத்தில் முன்பெல்லாம் ஒரு கட்சியின் மூத்த தலைவர்கள் சற்றேனும் நாகரிகமாகப் பேசுவதும், அந்தக் கட்சியின் மூன்றாவது நான்காவது நிலைப் பேச்சாளர்கள் வாய்க்கு வந்ததைப் பேசுவதும் வழக்கமாக இருந்தது. இப்போது தலைவர்களே தரம் தாழ்ந்து பேசுவதை என்னவென்று சொல்வது?

இந்தத் தருணத்தில் வாய்க்கு வந்ததையெல்லாம் பேசிவிட்டு, பிறகு இவர்களெல்லாம் ஒருவரைவரை ஒருவர் சந்திக்கும் தருணம் வாய்த்தால் இவர்களது மனசாட்சியே இவர்களை உறுத்தாதா? ஆகாய விமானத்திலோ ரயிலிலோ அருகருகில் பயணப்படநேர்ந்தால் முகத்தையா திருப்பிக் கொள்வார்கள்? இத்தனை பேசுகின்ற இவர்கள், இந்தத் தேர்தலில் ஒருவேளை யாருக்கும் பெரும்பான்மை கிடைக்காத நிலையில், ஏற்கெனவே தாங்கள் யாரைத் திட்டித் தீர்த்தார்களோ அவர்களுடனே கூட்டணி அமைத்து பதவியைப் பங்கு போட்டுக்கொள்ள மாட்டார்களா?

ஏதோ ஒரு கட்சியினர் தனிப்பெரும்பான்மையுடன் ஆட்சி அமைப்பதாகவே வைத்துக்கொண்டாலும் கூட, எதிர்க்கட்சியினரின் பூரண ஒத்துழைப்பு இல்லாமல் இந்த நாட்டின் நிர்வாகத்தையோ, நாடாளுமன்ற அமர்வுகளையோ அவர்களால் சுமுகமாக நடத்திவிட முடியுமா? ஏதேனும் ஓர் இயற்கைப் பேரிடரோ, எதிரி நாட்டுடன் யுத்தமோ ஏற்பட்டுவிட்டால் அப்போது எல்லாக் கட்சியினரும் இணைந்து செயல்பட்டால்தானே இந்த நாட்டையும் நாட்டு மக்களையும் பாதுகாக்க முடியும். இப்போது பரஸ்பரம் வசை பாடிவிட்டுப் பிறகு திடீரென்று எப்படி இவர்களுக்கிடையே ஒற்றுமை ஏற்படும்?
தேர்தல் வெற்றிக்காக ஒருவரை ஒருவர் திட்டித் தீர்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தால், எதிர்வரும் நாள்களில் ஏதேனும் ஓர் அரசியல்வாதியின் குடும்பத்தில் ஏற்படக்கூடிய சுக-துக்க நிகழ்வுகளுக்கு மற்ற கட்சியினர்கள் அனைவரும் சென்று வாழ்த்துவதோ, ஆறுதல் கூறுவதோ சாத்தியப்படுமா? அனைவரும் மனிதர்களாகத்தானே பிறந்தோம். யாரும் அவரவர் தாயின் வயிற்றிலிருந்து அரசியல்வாதியாகவே வெளிப்படவில்லையே.

தமிழகத்தில் மக்களவைத் தேர்தல், சட்டப்பேரவைத் தொகுதிகளுக்கான இடைத்தேர்தல் என இரண்டும் நடைபெறுவதால் பிரசாரக் களம் மிகவும் விறுவிறுப்பாக உள்ளது. அவரவருக்குத் தெரிந்த வரையில் அடுக்கு மொழியிலும், கவிதை நடையிலும் ஒருவரை ஒருவர் வசைபாடிக் கொள்கின்றனர்.

இதில் வேடிக்கை என்னவென்றால், தாம் சார்ந்த கட்சிக்காக நன்கு ஜனரஞ்சகமாகப் பிரசாரம் செய்யக்கூடிய மூத்த திரைப்பட நடிகர் ஒருவர், தேர்தல் பிரசாரங்கள் தொடங்கும் முன்பாகவே பொது மேடை ஒன்றில் சக நடிகை ஒருவரை (அடுக்குமொழி வசனம் பேசுவதாக நினைத்துக் கொண்டு) அவதூறாகப் பேசியதால் அவர் மீது கட்சி நடவடிக்கை பாய, அவரால் பிரசாரத்துக்கே போக முடியாத நிலை ஏற்பட்டுவிட்டது.

உலகின் மிகப் பெரிய ஜனநாயக நடைமுறையான நமது மக்களவைத் தேர்தலை குறைசொல்ல வழியில்லாதபடி நடத்தி முடிப்பது தேர்தல் ஆணையத்தின் பொறுப்பு மட்டுமல்ல, நம் அனைவரின் பொறுப்பும் ஆகும். இதனை நமது நாட்டின் அரசியல்கட்சிகள் கண்ணியமாகவும், பரஸ்பர மரியாதையுடனும் எதிர்கொள்வதன் மூலம் உலக அரங்கில் நமது மதிப்பு மேலும் உயரும். ஆனால், நடைமுறையோ வேறுவிதமாக இருக்கிறது.
துக்ளக் ஆசிரியராக இருந்த மறைந்த சோ ராமசாமி சில ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு ஒரு வாசகரின் கேள்விக்குப் பதில் அளித்தபோது, நம் அரசியல்வாதிகள் நாகரிக எல்லையை மீறுவதில்லை; ஆனால் ஒவ்வொரு முறையும் அந்த எல்லையைத் தள்ளி வைக்கின்றனர் என்று கூறினார். அவர் கூறியது இன்றும் அரங்கேறிவருகிறது.

இந்தத் தேர்தலில் செய்யப்பட்ட பிரசாரங்களின் நாகரிக எல்லையைக் கண்டுவிட்டோம். இனிவரும் தேர்தல்களிலாவது அந்த எல்லை மேலும் தள்ளிவைக்கப்படாமல் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே, ஒருவரை ஒருவர் மதிக்கும் பண்பைக் கொண்ட ஏராளமானோரின் ஏக்கம் கலந்த எதிர்பார்ப்பாகும்.

தேர்தல் நடத்தை நெறிமுறைகள் மே 27 வரை அமலில் இருக்கும்: தலைமைத் தேர்தல் அதிகாரி

By DIN | Published on : 14th May 2019 04:20 AM |


தமிழகத்தில் தேர்தல் நடத்தை நெறிமுறைகள் வரும் 27-ஆம் தேதி வரை அமலில் இருக்கும் என்று தலைமைத் தேர்தல் அதிகாரி சத்யபிரத சாகு தெரிவித்தார்.

இதுகுறித்து, அவர் திங்கள்கிழமை வெளியிட்ட செய்தி:-

தமிழகத்தில் 39 மக்களவைத் தொகுதிகளுக்கான பொதுத் தேர்தல், 18 சட்டப் பேரவைத் தொகுதிகளுக்கான இடைத் தேர்தலுக்காக கடந்த மார்ச் 10-ஆம் தேதி அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்பட்டது. அன்றைய தினத்தில் இருந்து தேர்தல் நடத்தை நெறிமுறைகள் நடைமுறைக்கு வந்தன.

வேலூர் மக்களவைத் தொகுதியில் தேர்தல் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டதால், 38 மக்களவைத் தொகுதிகள் மற்றும் 18 சட்டப் பேரவைத் தொகுதிகளுக்கான வாக்குப் பதிவு கடந்த ஏப்ரல் 18-ஆம் தேதி முடிவடைந்தது. இந்த நிலையில், நான்கு சட்டப் பேரவைத் தொகுதிகளுக்கான இடைத் தேர்தல் வரும் 19-இல் நடக்கவுள்ளது.

இதைத் தொடர்ந்து, தேர்தலில் பதிவான வாக்குகள் அனைத்தும் மே 23-இல் எண்ணப்பட உள்ளன. வாக்கு எண்ணிக்கை முடிந்தாலும், இந்த தேர்தல் நடத்தை நெறிமுறைகள் வரும் 27-ஆம் தேதி வரை அமலில் இருக்கும் என தேர்தல் ஆணையம் ஏற்கெனவே அறிவித்திருந்தது. இந்த அறிவிப்பின்படி, மாநிலம் முழுவதும் தேர்தல் நடத்தை நெறிமுறைகள் வரும் 27-ஆம் தேதி வரை நடைமுறையில் இருக்கும் என்று தேர்தல் ஆணையம் அறிவித்துள்ளதாக தலைமைத் தேர்தல் அதிகாரி சத்யபிரத சாகு தெரிவித்தார்.

சேலத்தில் குழந்தை விற்பனை சி.பி.சி.ஐ.டி., போலீஸ் விசாரணை

Added : மே 14, 2019 01:03

சேலம், சேலம் அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் கடந்த ஆண்டு நடந்த குழந்தை விற்பனை குறித்து சி.பி.சி.ஐ.டி. போலீசார் ரகசிய விசாரணை நடத்திவருகின்றனர்.சேலம் மேச்சேரியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் ராணி 32. இவரது முதல் கணவர் இறந்து விட்டார்.இவருக்கு மூன்று பெண் குழந்தைகள் உள்ளன. இரண்டாவதாக பாலு 35 என்பவரை திருமணம் செய்தார். இரண்டாவது கணவர் மூலம் 2018 மே மாதம் சேலம் அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் பெண் குழந்தை பிறந்தது.ஏற்கனவே மூன்று பெண் குழந்தைகள் உள்ளதால் நான்காவதாக பிறந்த பெண் குழந்தையை விற்பனை செய்ய முடிவு செய்தார். அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் துப்புரவுபணி மேற்கொண்ட ஜெயா 42 என்பவரிடம் தெரிவித்தார்.பிறந்த ஐந்தாவது நாளில் பெண் குழந்தை ராமநாதபுரத்தில் உள்ள டாக்டருக்கு பல லட்சம் ரூபாய்க்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டது.10 நாட்களுக்கு பின் ராணி மீண்டும் அரசு மருத்துவமனைக்கு வந்து விற்ற குழந்தையை பார்க்க வேண்டும் என ஜெயாவிடம் கூறி உள்ளார்.ஜெயா 'குழந்தையை வாங்கிச் சென்றது யார் என தெரியாது' எனக் கூறி விட்டார். இதனால் கோபமடைந்த ராணி மருத்துவமனை புறக்காவல் நிலையத்தில் புகார் அளித்தார்.இதையடுத்து குழந்தையை உடனடியாக ஒப்படைத்ததால் வழக்கு பதிவு செய்யவில்லை. ஜெயாவை பணியில் இருந்து தனியார் நிறுவனம் நீக்கியது.நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம் ராசிபுரம் குழந்தைவிற்பனை கும்பல் தொடர்பான வழக்கை விசாரித்து வரும் சி.பி.சி.ஐ.டி. போலீசார் சேலம் அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் மேலும் குழந்தைகள் விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டனவா என ரகசியமாக விசாரணை நடத்திவருகின்றனர்.

மின்தடை இறப்பில் டாக்டர்கள் கூறுவது பொய்டாக்டர்கள் சங்க மாநில தலைவர் குற்றச்சாட்டு

Added : மே 14, 2019 00:59

சிவகாசி, ''மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் மின்தடையால் நோயாளிகள் இறப்பு குறித்து டாக்டர்கள் சொல்லும் காரணம் முற்றிலும் பொய்யானது,'' என டாக்டர்கள் சங்க மாநில பொதுச்செயலர் ரவீந்தரநாத் கூறினார்அவர் கூறியதாவது:மதுரை மருத்துவமனையில் 5 பேர் இறந்தது தொடர்பாக அரசு உரிய விசாரணை நடத்த வேண்டும். அரசின் தவறுதலால்தான் இந்த விபத்து ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. இன்வெர்ட்டர் செயல்படவில்லை. மருத்துவமனையில் பணிபுரியும் எலக்ட்ரீசியன் தகுதியானவர் இல்லை. அரசு முழு பூசணிக்காயை சோற்றில் மறைக்க முயற்சிக்கிறது.அரசு மருத்துவமனைகள் சரியாக செயல்படவில்லை. மருந்து, குடிநீர் தட்டுப்பாடு உள்ளது. மருத்துவமனை பொருட்களை பராமரிப்பதில்லை. இதை வலியுறுத்தி சென்னையில் மே 15 ல் போராட்டம் நடக்கும், என்றார்.நிவாரணம் கோரி மனுமதுரை அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் உயிரிழந்த விருதுநகர் மாவட்டம் அயன்கரிசல்குளத்தை சேர்ந்த லாரி டிரைவர் ரவீந்திரன் மனைவி மயிலேஸ்வரி நிவாரணம் கோரி விருதுநகர் கலெக்டரின் நேர்முக உதவியாளர் செந்தில்குமாரியிடம் மனு அளித்தார்.அதில், '5 பேர் உயிர் பறிபோனதற்கு மருத்துவமனை நிர்வாகம்தான் காரணம். எங்களது குடும்பம் ஏழ்மையில் உள்ளது. மகள் படிப்புக்கும், குடும்ப செலவுக்கும் பணமின்றி சிரமப்படுகிறோம். நிவாரண தொகை வழங்க வேண்டும்' என தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

இரவு பயணத்தில் அதிக நகை வேண்டாம்: ரயில்வே

Added : மே 14, 2019 01:14



திருப்பூர், 'ரயிலில் பயணிக்கும் பெண்கள் அதிக நகைகளை அணிந்து வரக்கூடாது; கவனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும்' என ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷன்களில் எச்சரிக்கை அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்படுகிறது.கடந்த 3 மற்றும் 4ம் தேதி இரவு ஈரோடு - சேலம் வழித்தடத்தில் மகுடஞ்சாவடி - மாவேலிபாளையம் இடையே சென்னை நோக்கி சென்ற ரயிலில் பெண்களிடம் 31 சவரன் நகை கொள்ளை அடிக்கப்பட்டது.தண்டவாள பராமரிப்பு பணி காரணமாக ரயில்கள் 20 கி.மீ. வேகத்தில் செல்வதால் எளிதில் பெட்டியில் ஏறும் கும்பல் கொள்ளையில் ஈடுபட்டு தப்பியது. ரயில்வே போலீசாரின் விசாரணையில் நகை பறிப்பில் ஈடுபட்டது உ.பி.யைச் சேர்ந்த கொள்ளை கும்பல் என்பது தெரிந்தது. அவர்களை தேடி வருகின்றனர்.இந்நிலையில் சேலம் கோட்டத்துக்கு உட்பட்ட ஈரோடு திருப்பூர் கோவை ஸ்டேஷன்களில் பெண் பயணியரை எச்சரிக்கும் விதமாக அறிவிப்பு ஒன்று வெளியிடப்படுகிறது.ரயில் வரும் நேரங்களில் 'அதிக நகைகளை அணிந்து வரக் கூடாது; கவனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும். துாங்கும் போது நகைகளை பாதுகாப்பாக வைத்து கொள்ளவும். இரவு நேர ரயிலில் தனியே பயணிக்கும் போது பாதுகாப்பு இல்லாத சூழல் நிலவினால் போலீஸ் உதவியை உடனே நாடலாம்' என்ற அறிவிப்பும் வெளியாகிறது.

பாலிடெக்னிக்குகளுக்கு 38 நாள் விடுமுறை

Added : மே 14, 2019 00:07

சென்னை தமிழகத்தில், அரசு மற்றும் தனியார் பாலிடெக்னிக் கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு, 38 நாட்கள் கோடை விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.அரசு மற்றும் தனியார் பாலிடெக்னிக் கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு, 'செமஸ்டர்' தேர்வுகள் முடிந்துள்ளன. மே, 10ம் தேதி முதல், அனைத்து பாலிடெக்னிக் கல்லுாரிகளுக்கும் கோடை விடுமுறை என, தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி இயக்குனரகம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.மொத்தம், 38 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை முடிந்து, ஜூன், 17ல் மீண்டும் கல்லுாரிகள் திறக்கப்படும். இடைப்பட்ட நாட்களில், பாலிடெக்னிக் கல்லுாரி பேராசிரியர்கள், விடைத்தாள் திருத்தப் பணிகளில் ஈடுபடுவர்.அதேபோல், இன்ஜினியரிங் மாணவர் சேர்க்கை பணிகளுக்கு நியமிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள், அதில் ஈடுபட வேண்டும் என, தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி இயக்குனரகம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

Read more at Medical Dialogues: MCI Gazette spells out Mandatory Information to be uploaded on Each Medical College 

Website https://medicaldialogues.in/mci-gazette-spells-out-mandatory-information-to-be-uploaded-on-each-medical-college-website/

வெளிநாட்டு நிதி: இன்போசிஸ்' பதிவு ரத்து

Added : மே 14, 2019 06:27

புதுடில்லி: நாட்டில் உள்ள அனைத்து தன்னார்வ தொண்டு நிறுவனங்களும், வெளிநாடுகளில் இருந்து நிதி பெறுவதற்கு, வெளிநாட்டு பங்களிப்பு ஒழுங்குமுறை சட்டத்தின் கீழ், பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டு இருக்க வேண்டும். வெளிநாடுகளில் இருந்து பெறப்பட்ட நிதிக்கு, ஆண்டுதோறும், வரவு - செலவு கணக்குகளை, மத்திய உள்துறை அமைச்சகத்தில் சமர்ப்பிக்க வேண்டும்.முன்னணி தகவல் தொழில்நுட்ப நிறுவனமான, 'இன்போசிஸ்' நிறுவனத்துக்கு சொந்தமான, 'இன்போசிஸ் பவுண்டேஷன்' என்ற தன்னார்வ தொண்டு நிறுவனம், கடந்த ஆறு ஆண்டுகளாக, வரவு - செலவு கணக்கை தாக்கல் செய்யவில்லை. இது குறித்து பலமுறை நினைவூட்டியும், கணக்கு தாக்கல் செய்யாததால், அவர்கள் வெளிநாட்டில் இருந்து, நிதி பெறுவதற்கான பதிவு ரத்து செய்யப்படுவதாக, உள்துறை அமைச்சகம் அறிவித்துள்ளது.

Justice Ramasubramanian is new CJ of Himachal Pradesh High Court

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | J STALIN

PublishedMay 14, 2019, 2:52 am IST

Known for his concern for the common man, the underdog, in delivering his path-breaking judgements.

Justice V Ramasubramanian

Chennai: The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Justice V Ramasubramanian, senior-most judge from the Madras High Court now functioning on transfer in the Telangana High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

The SC Collegium comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, S A Bobde and N V Ramana has made the recommendation elevating Justice Ramasubramanian as CJ of the Himachal Pradesh High Court since that post would be falling vacant “very shortly” due to the elevation of incumbent, Justice Surya Kant, to the Supreme Court “in terms of a recommendation made by the Collegium on 8th May, 2019”.

While making the recommendation elevating Justice Ramasubramanian, the SC Collegium has also “taken into consideration the fact that at present there is only one Chief Justice from Madras High Court”.

Known for his concern for the common man, the underdog, in delivering his path-breaking judgements, Justice Ramasubramanian had done yeomen service to the justice-delivery system while trying best to clean up the system. His pro-active measures and stinging orders to discipline the lawyer community, particularly to prevent ‘fakes’ from donning the black robes, have created lasting impact.

Justice Ramasubramanian is also an erudite scholar and a connoisseur of Indian classical music.

Chennai: Hospitals struggling to find space for unclaimed bodies

Some bodies shifted from KMC to GMSSH; docs want cops to remove corpses regularly

Published: 14th May 2019 06:28 AM


Representational Image. (File | EPS)

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The government medical college hospitals in the city are struggling to find space for preserving unclaimed bodies piling up in these institutions for months. According to officials, delay in police clearance to dispose of the bodies is the reason for this struggle.

On Monday, arrangements were made to shift some of these bodies from the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital to the Government Multi Super-Specialty Hospital (GMSSH), Omandurar Estate after the air-conditioner in the mortuary of the KMCH became almost dysfunctional.

According to officials, there are 60 unclaimed bodies in the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, 25 in Government Stanley Medical College Hospital and 24 in Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. “At the KMCH the bodies have been lying there for over a month,” said a senior doctor.


“The cold storage unit in the mortuary is not functioning properly for the last one week. So, we spoke to the police and have made arrangements to dispose of the unclaimed bodies. But we are diverting incoming bodies to GMSSH, Omandurar Estate from Monday,” said Dr P Vasanthamani, Dean, Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. The senior doctor said, “There are 44 storage racks in the KMCH, and there are 24 unclaimed bodies. So, storage is becoming a big problem”.

Meanwhile, speaking to Express, Dr A Edwin Joe, Director of Medical Education, said, “The storage capacity in the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital is over 60. But there are 60 unclaimed bodies. There is an order that unclaimed bodies should be disposed of in three to 10 days. But, in many places the order is not being followed. It should be monitored strictly”.

A doctor in the forensic department of a medical college hospital said, “All these medico-legal case bodies would be stored without doing postmortem. Police claim three days’ time is not enough for them to complete their procedures. There should be some system that these bodies should be disposed of once in 10 days. There is still confusion over the days that the police can keep the body.”

‘Cops should dispose bodies’

A police officer, who has handled many such cases, said, “After police find an unclaimed body, they should register FIR and keep it in the mortuary. Then, they should publish notices in newspapers along with the person’s photograph and description. If it remains unclaimed, then they should conduct postmortem, and bury the body with the help of Corporation officials. But due to over workload, many police don’t follow it up.”

Sri Krishnadevaraya University convocation today

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

BALLARI, MAY 14, 2019 00:00 IST

Vijayanagar Sri Krishnadevaraya University Vice-ChancellorM.S. Subhas addressing presspersons in Ballari on Monday.B.M. Siddalingaswamy

The seventh annual convocation of the Vijayanagar Sri Krishnadevaraya University will be held on Tuesday. As many as 26 students would be conferred with Ph.D and 72 students will be given gold medals.

Disclosing this to presspersons here on Monday, University Vice-Chancellor M.S. Subhas said that the degrees and gold medals would be conferred on students by Governor Vajubhai Vala, who is the Chancellor of the university.

Honorary doctorate will be conferred on Rajayogini Dadi Hrudaya Mohini, Mount Abu, Rajasthan, in recognition of her contribution towards spreading the message of values, spirituality and social service, he said.

G.T. Deve Gowda, Minister for Higher Education and pro-chancellor, will be present.

The convocation address would be delivered by Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi. This convocation will have 26 Ph.D students, 1,660 post-graduates and 7,992 undergruaduate students. The pass percentage of undergraduate courses is 75 and post-graduate courses is 93. In undergraduate courses, 80 students and 121 in post-graduate courses, have secured ranks; of them, 18 undergraduates and 45 post-graduates have bagged gold medals.

Mr. Subhas said that the university, having jurisdiction over Ballari and Koppal districts, had a total student strength of 14,500 registering a growth rate of 32.65 % in undergraduate courses and 145 % in post-graduate courses, besides the 228 students registering for Ph.D. programmes. With the expert committee from University Grants Commission visiting the university in April this year, he expressed the confidence of getting recognition. He also said that he was hopeful of getting National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation. “NAAC and 12B recognition will provide a new direction for the development of the university,” he said.

B.K. Tulasimala and Ramesh, both Registrars (Administration) and Registrar (Evaluation), respectively, were present.

Over 900 Manakula Vinayagar engineering students get offer letters

MAY 14, 2019 00:00 IST

UPDATED: MAY 14, 2019 04:59 IST

A student receiving an offer letter during ‘Jubilation 2019’.

TCS, L&T, Zoho, Wipro, HCL are among the recruiters

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College hosted ‘Jubilation 2019’ to distribute offer letters to over 900 students who recently got placed in a host of reputed companies.

The offer letters from companies including TCS, L&T, Zoho , Wipro, HCL,CTS, Infoview, City Union Bank and Aspire Systems were given. Director-cum-principal V.S.K.Venkatachalapathy welcomed the gathering. Chairman and managing director of the college M.Dhanasekaran presided over the function.

Sriram Joshi, CBO Unit-Business, HR head, TCS, in his special address, urged the recruits to work hard and make learning a life-long process.

He also emphasised the importance of understanding and living with technology.

The placement report was presented by N.S.N.Cailassame. Assistant placement officer J.Madhusudhanan spoke.

Cetafest’19

Christ College of Engineering and Technology recently celebrated its annual day CETAFEST’19.

S. Pradeep Devaneyan, dean, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, delivered the welcome address. Director- cum-principal of the college A. Ravichandran read out the annual report in which he outlined the special features of the college.

Managing Director S.R.S. Paul, in his presidential address, complimented the college for its academic record.

The college magazine was released at the function.

Actors Vigneshkanth and Chutti Aravind, who were special guests, addressed the students.

On the occasion, 25 students of Christ College were given cheques worth Rs. 25,000 each from the college-run Helping Drops scheme.

Cultural programmes including dance, skit, and mimicry were performed by the students.

Certificates of appreciation and mementos were given to the toppers of 2017-2018 academic years.

Principals of all the sister concerns, vice-principal of the college T. Somassoundaram, deans, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, students and a large number of parents were present during the function.

A. Saranyan, final year EEE department student delivered a vote of thanks.

College Day

Sabari College of Nursing celebrated college day last week. G. Gopinarayanan, chairman of the college, gave a special address. Principal of the college P. Genesta Mary Gysel also addressed the students.

A. Kaliyamurthy, former Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi, was chief guest.

Staff and students were given cash awards for various achievements in academic activities and cultural events.

Pudukkottai doctors remove bullet from man’s foot using imaging device

STAFF REPORTER

PUDUKOTTAI, MAY 14, 2019 00:00 IST



Gunshot victim, Rajendran, with the team of doctors of Government Medical College, Pudukkottai

Using high-end technology, doctors at Government Medical College and Hospital, Pudukkottai, surgically removed a bullet lodged inside a man’s foot.

Rajendran, a 45-year-old resident of Thirukkattalai village in Pudukkottai, was shot at by a friend during a quarrel on May 11. “The man used a single-barrel gun and shot at Rajendran’s left foot. After admission, the doctors attempted to remove the bullet without surgery but it was lodged deep inside the left leg bone,” said AL. Meenakshi Sundaram, Dean, Government Medical College, Pudukkottai.

The patient was then immediately rushed to the operation theatre. “Using a high-end C Arm machine, which is a medical imaging device that is based on X-ray technology but can be used flexibly, the pellet could be traced. It would have been difficult to locate otherwise and it could have penetrated the bone causing further damage,” Dr. Sundaram said.

A three-member team led by Ravi Kumar, c

HC allows TNPSC candidate to attend interview

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, MAY 14, 2019 00:00 IST

His application was rejected for entering wrong date of birth

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court allowed a candidate, whose application was rejected for entering wrong date of birth, to attend interview for the post of Horticulture Officer. The court considered the fact that the error was inadvertent and the candidate had cleared his written examination.

The petitioner, M. Sundaramahalingam, sought a direction to rectify the error in the online application form. It was during certificate verification that his candidature was rejected after it was ascertained that he had wrongly entered his date of birth. Unable to attend the interview, despite clearing the examination, he sought a direction to rectify the error and consider him for the post.

During the course of hearing, it was submitted that if false or erroneous particulars were entered in the application, the application was liable to be rejected as per the instructions given to candidates.

Justice G.R. Swaminathan directed the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to permit the petitioner to attend the interview.

மழலைச் செல்வம் விற்பனைக்கு அல்ல!

By கலைச்செல்வி சரவணன் | Published on : 13th May 2019 02:58 AM

 நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம் ராசிபுரத்தில் அண்மையில் செவிலியர் ஒருவர் குழந்தைகளை விற்பனை செய்வதற்காக பேரம் பேசிய உரையாடல் வெளியாகி பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது. பணத்துக்காக மகத்துவம் மிக்க மருத்துவத் துறையில் உள்ளவர்களே இந்த முறையற்ற செயலில் ஈடுபட்டிருப்பது நம்மை அதிர்ச்சியடைய வைத்துள்ளது.
உணவு முறை, கெட்ட பழக்கவழக்கம் போன்றவற்றால் தற்போது பெரும்பாலான தம்பதிகளுக்கு குழந்தை பிறப்பதில் சிக்கல் எழுகிறது. எனவே, குடும்பப் பிரச்னைகளைச் சமாளிக்க குழந்தையைத் தத்தெடுக்கும் முடிவுக்கு வருகிறார்கள். ஆனால், சட்டப்படி இதனைச் செய்யும்போது பலகட்ட நெறிமுறைகளுக்கும், ஆய்வுகளுக்கும் உள்ளாக நேரிடும். அதற்காக அலைய வேண்டியிருக்கும், கால அவகாசம் அதிகமாகும் என்பதால் அதிகப் பணம் கொடுத்து, பின் விளைவுகளைப் பற்றிச் சிந்திக்காமல், தவறானவர்களிடமிருந்து குழந்தையை வாங்கி விடுகிறார்கள்.

இதனால், ஆயுள் முழுவதும் அவர்கள் அச்சத்துடன்தான் வாழ வேண்டி வரும். எதிர்காலத்தில், அவர்களின் சொத்துக்களுக்கோ, உடைமைகளுக்கோ, அந்தக் குழந்தைக்கோ, விற்றவர்கள் உரிமை கொண்டாட வரலாம். வாங்கிய பிறப்புச் சான்றிதழும் போலி என்று நிரூபிக்கப்பட்டால், அவர்களின் பணத்துக்குக்கும், வாங்கி வளர்த்த குழந்தையின் பாசத்துக்கும் உத்தரவாதமில்லை.
எனவே, தத்தெடுக்க விரும்புவர்கள், அரசின் விதிமுறைகளுக்குட்பட்டு குழந்தையைத் தத்தெடுத்தால் இறுதி வரை எந்தப் பிரச்னையும் வர வாய்ப்பில்லை. மாறாக, முறைகேடாக குழந்தையை வாங்க நினைத்தால் அவர்கள் மீது சட்ட நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என அரசு எச்சரித்திருக்கிறது.

இப்படிப்பட்டவர்களின் தேவைகளைப் பயன்படுத்திக்கொண்டுதான், பல கும்பல்கள், இதை ஒரு தொழிலாகவே செய்கின்றன. குழந்தை பிறந்தவுடன் உடனுக்குடன் தகவல்களைப் பரிமாறிக்கொள்ள நலவாழ்வு மையங்களில் பணியாற்றுவோர், தொடர்புடைய செவிலியர்கள், அவசர ஊர்தி ஓட்டுநர் என ஒரு குழுவே செயல்படுகிறது. அவர்கள் இந்தச் செயல்களுக்காக, முதலில் குறிவைப்பது, வறுமைக்கோட்டுக்குக் கீழே உள்ளவர்களைத்தான்.

கொல்லிமலை போன்ற மலைவாழ் கிராம மக்களையும், வறுமையில் வாடும் கூலித் தொழிலாளர்களையும், அவர்களின் வறுமையைப் பயன்படுத்தி பேரம் பேசுகிறார்கள். அவர்களிடம் குழந்தைகளை குறைந்த விலைக்கு வாங்கும் இடைத்தரகர்கள் பல லட்சம் ரூபாய் வரை லாபம் பார்க்கின்றனர். இவர்களின் ஆசை வார்த்தையில் மயங்கும் பெற்றோர்கள், செல்லும் இடத்தில் சீரும் சிறப்புடனும் தங்கள் குழந்தை வாழும் என்று நம்பி விற்று விடுகிறார்கள்.
வேலையின்மை, வறுமை, அதிக குழந்தை பிறப்பு போன்றவற்றால் வளர்க்க முடியவில்லையெனில் அரசின் தொட்டில் குழந்தை திட்டத்தின்படி, குழந்தையை தொட்டிலில் போடலாம். அரசு அதற்கான இல்லத்தில் உரிய அங்கீகாரத்துடன் வளர்க்கும் என்ற போதுமான விழிப்புணர்வு அவர்களுக்கு இல்லாததே இதற்குக் காரணம். அதுமட்டுமல்ல, இந்தக் கும்பல்களால் வாங்கப்படும் குழந்தைகள், தத்து கொடுக்க மட்டுமே என்பதற்கு எவ்வித உறுதியும் பெற்றோர்களுக்குக் கொடுப்பதில்லை.

மேலும், பிச்சையெடுக்க வைத்தல், குழந்தைத் தொழிலாளர்களாகவும், கொத்தடிமைகளாகவும் பயன்படுத்துதல், பாலியல் தொழிலில் ஈடுபடுத்துவது, உடலுறுப்புகளைத் திருடி விற்பது போன்றவற்றுக்குப் பயன்படுத்தவும் வாய்ப்புகள் இருக்கின்றன. தெரிந்து வாங்குவது மட்டுமல்லாமல், பெற்றோர் அறியாமல் குழந்தைகள் கடத்தப்படவும் செய்கின்றன.

ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் குறைந்தபட்சம் 5 குழந்தைகளாவது காணாமல் போகின்றன என்று புள்ளிவிவரங்கள் கூறுகின்றன. தமிழகத்தில், கடந்த ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளில் மட்டும் 15,200 குழந்தைகள் காணாமல் போயிருக்கின்றன. குழந்தைகள் கடத்தப்படும் விவகாரத்தில் இந்திய அளவில் தமிழகம் எட்டாவது இடத்தில் இருப்பதாக ஆவணங்கள் கூறுகின்றன. தொலைந்துபோகும் குழந்தைகளில் மூன்றில் ஒரு பங்கு குழந்தைகளை மட்டுமே காவல் துறையினரால் கண்டுபிடிக்க முடிகிறது.

கடந்த 2014-ஆம் ஆண்டு 441 குழந்தைகளும், 2015-ஆம் ஆண்டு 656 குழந்தைகளும் திருடப்பட்டிருப்பதாக புள்ளிவிவரங்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன. கடத்தப்படும் குழந்தைகளில் 10 முதல் 20 சதவீதம் மட்டுமே மீட்கப்படுகின்றனர். எனவே, குழந்தைகள் கடத்தலைப் பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வை மக்களுக்கு ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும். எங்கு சென்றாலும் குழந்தைகளின் மீது கவனமாய் இருக்க வேண்டும்.

விவரம் தெரிந்த குழந்தைகளாக இருந்தால், அவர்கள் அசாதாரணமான சூழ்நிலைகளில் மாட்டிக் கொண்டால் எப்படி நடந்து கொள்வது, குறிப்பிட்ட கடவுச்சொல்லை குழந்தைகளுக்கு முன்கூட்டியே சொல்லித் தருவது மற்றும் முன்பின் தெரியாதவர்கள் அழைக்கும் நிலையில் அதே கடவுச்சொல்லை அத்தகையோர் சரியாகக் கூறுகிறார்களா எனக் குழந்தை அறிந்து கொள்வதற்குப் பயிற்சி அளிப்பது அவசியம். மேலும், நமது முகவரி, பெற்றோரின் பெயர் ஆகியவற்றை அவர்களுக்கு சொல்லிக் கொடுக்க வேண்டும்.

குழந்தை கடத்தல் கும்பலின் செயல்களைத் தடுக்க தமிழகத்தில், பெண்கள், குழந்தைகள் பாதுகாப்புக்கென தனி அமைச்சகமும், மாவட்டவாரியாக கண்காணிப்புக் குழுவும் அமைக்க வேண்டும். சட்டங்கள் இன்னும் கடுமையாக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.

"குழல்இனிது யாழ்இனிது என்பதம் மக்கள்
மழலைச்சொல் கேளா தவர்'
என்றார் திருவள்ளுவர்.

ஏராளமாக பணமிருந்தும், இப்படி மழலைச் சொல்லைக் கேட்பதற்காக தவம் இருப்போர் ஒருபக்கம், காது குளிர அந்தச் சொற்களைக் கேட்க வாய்ப்பிருந்தும் வறுமையால் தவற விடுவோர் ஒருபக்கம், தங்களின் அஜாக்கிரதையால் குழந்தைகளைப் பறிகொடுத்துவிட்டு தவிப்போர் ஒருபக்கம் எனத் தடுமாறுகின்றனர். இவற்றைப் பயன்படுத்திக் கொண்டுதான் இப்படிப்பட்ட கும்பல்கள் பணம் பார்க்கின்றன. இதற்குள் சிக்காமல், நமக்கு கிடைத்திருக்கும் குழந்தைச் செல்வங்களைப் பொக்கிஷமாய் பாதுகாப்போம்.

கோடை விடுமுறை கொண்டாட ஒகேனக்கல்லில் திரண்ட மக்கள்

Added : மே 13, 2019 01:51



பென்னாகரம் : கோடை விடுமுறை மற்றும் கடும் வெயில் காரணமாக, நேற்று, 50 ஆயிரத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட சுற்றுலா பயணியர் ஒகேனக்கல்லில் திரண்டனர்.தர்மபுரி மாவட்டத்தின், சிறந்த சுற்றுலா தலமாக ஒகேனக்கல் உள்ளது. இங்கு, தமிழகத்தின் பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் இருந்தும், கேரளா, கர்நாடகா, ஆந்திரா மாநிலங்களில் இருந்தும், ஏராளமான சுற்றுலா பயணியர் வருகை தருகின்றனர்.நேற்று, வார விடுமுறை மற்றும் பள்ளி, கல்லுாரி கோடை விடுமுறையால் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான சுற்றுலா பயணியர் குடும்பத்துடன் வந்தனர்.

அவர்கள் வந்த வாகனங்கள், சாலையின் இரு புறங்களிலும் நிறுத்த இடமின்றி, 2 கி.மீ.,க்கு அணிவகுத்து நின்றன. சுற்றுலா பயணியர் மசாஜ் செய்தும், மெயின் அருவி மற்றும் காவிரியாற்றில் குளித்தும் மகிழ்ந்தனர்.ரோகு, கட்லா, ஆரால், கல்பாசை, ஜிலேபி, பாறை உள்ளிட்ட மீன்கள் அதிகளவில் விற்பனையாகின. ஒரு கிலோ மீன், 100 ரூபாய் முதல், 250 ரூபாய் வரை விற்பனையானது.சுற்றுலா பயணியர் குடும்பத்தோடு, காவிரியாற்றில் பாறைகளுக்கு இடையே பரிசல் சவாரி செய்து, காவிரியாற்றின் எழில்மிகு அழகை கண்டு ரசித்தனர்.கூட்டம் அதிகமாக இருந்ததால் லைப் ஜாக்கெட் பற்றாக்குறையால், ஒரு மணி நேரத்துக்கும் மேலாக, சுற்றுலா பயணியர் காத்திருந்து பரிசல் சவாரி செய்தனர். நடைபாதை மீது, சுற்றுலா பயணியர் கூட்டம் அலை மோதியது.

நெரிசலில் கொடைக்கானல்

Added : மே 12, 2019 23:38

கொடைக்கானல் : கொடைக்கானலில் சுற்றுலா பயணிகள் குவிந்து வருவதால் வாகன நெரிசலில் மக்கள் சிக்கி தவிக்கின்றனர். விடுதிகளில் அதிக கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பதால் வாகனங்களிலேயே பயணிகள் தங்கி வருகின்றனர்.கொடைக்கானலில் அக்னி நட்சத்திர தாக்கம் இருந்த போதும் மாலை நேரத்தில் இடியுடன் அவ்வப்போது மிதமான மழை பெய்து வருகிறது. இதமான சூழலில் குளு, குளு சீதோஷ்ணநிலை ரசிக்கும்படியாக உள்ளது.கோடை விடுமுறையை அடுத்து உள்ளுர் மற்றும் வெளி மாநில சுற்றுலா பயணிகள் வருகின்றனர்.

கடந்த இரு தினங்களாக சுற்றுலா பயணிகள் வரத்து அதிகரித்தது. பெருமாள்மலை-வெள்ளி நீர்வீழ்ச்சி, மூஞ்சிக்கல், கோக்கர்ஸ்வாக், ஏரிச்சாலை, அப்சர்வேட்டரி, வனச்சுற்றுலா தலங்கள் என நகரின் பிரதான ரோடுகள் போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலில்தள்ளாடியது.ஒரு வழிப்பாதை நடைமுறைப்படுத்தப்பட்டு கூடுதல் போலீசார் நியமித்தப் போதும் வாகனங்கள் ஊர்ந்து செல்லும் நிலையே உள்ளது. இன்ப சுற்றுலா வருவோர் நெரிசலின் பிடியில் மனம் இறுக்கமடைந்தனர். தங்கும் விடுதி தட்டுப்பாடு மற்றும் அதிக கட்டணத்தால் சுற்றுலா பயணிகள் தங்களது வாகனங்களில் உறங்கும் பரிதாப நிலையே நீடிக்கிறது.

உணவு விடுதிகளில் விலை பட்டியல் இல்லாமல் அதிக விலைக்கு உணவுகள் விற்கப்படுவதால் பயணிகள் மன உளைச்சலுக்கு ஆளாகின்றனர். வெள்ளி நீர்வீழ்ச்சி, பிரையன்ட் பூங்கா, கோக்கர்ஸ்வாக், குணா குகை, மோயர் சதுக்கம் உள்ளிட்ட சுற்றுலா தலங்களில் பயணிகளின் வருகையால் களைகட்டியது.

மதுரை மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிக்கு 100 'சீட்'

Added : மே 13, 2019 00:42

மதுரை : 'மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிக்கு கூடுதலாக 100 இடங்கள் ஒதுக்கும் அறிவிப்பு 10 நாட்களில் வெளியாகும்,'' என சுகாதாரத்துறை செயலர் பீலா ராஜேஷ் தெரிவித்தார். இக்கல்லுாரியில் 150 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் உள்ளன. கூடுதலாக 100 இடங்களை உருவாக்கி ஆண்டுதோறும் 250 மாணவர்கள் படிக்க அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுத்தது. இதற்காக இந்திய மருத்துவ கவுன்சிலிடம் அனுமதி கோரியது.'இடங்களை அதிகரிக்க போதிய கட்டட வசதிகள் இருக்க வேண்டும்' என கவுன்சில் தெரிவித்தது.

தேவையான கட்டடங்களை கட்ட 66 கோடி ரூபாயை அரசு ஒதுக்கியது. அதன் மூலம் வகுப்பறைகள், விரிவுரை கூடங்கள், நிர்வாக அலுவலகங்கள், மாணவருக்கான விடுதிகள் கட்டும் பணி நடக்கிறது.திருநெல்வேலி அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிக்கும் கூடுதல் இடங்களை அரசு கோரியிருந்தது. இக்கோரிக்கையை ஏற்று சில நாட்களுக்கு முன் கூடுதலாக 100 இடங்களை ஒதுக்கி மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் உத்தரவிட்டது. மதுரை கல்லுாரிக்கு கூடுதல் இடங்கள் குறித்து அறிவிப்பை வெளியிடவில்லை. இதனால் மாணவர்கள் ஏமாற்றம் அடைந்தனர்.

இது குறித்து சுகாதாரத்துறை செயலர் பீலா ராஜேஷ் கூறுகையில், ''மதுரை மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரிக்கும் கூடுதலாக 100 இடங்கள் ஒதுக்கப்பட உள்ளன. இதற்கான அறிவிப்பு 10 நாளில் வெளியாகும். இதுகுறித்த கூட்டம் டில்லியில் நடக்கவுள்ளது. நடப்பு ஆண்டில் கூடுதல் இடங்கள் கிடைக்கும்'' என்றார்.

Government Authorities Cannot Approach The Court As And When They Please: SC Pulls Up Bihar Govt. Over Delay [Read Order]

Government Authorities Cannot Approach The Court As And When They Please: SC Pulls Up Bihar Govt. Over Delay [Read Order]: “We are of the view that a clear signal has to sent to the Government Authorities that they cannot approach the Court as and when they please, on account of gross incompetence of their officers and...

Crime

30 infants sold in TN by trafficking gang, govt suspects number could be higher
 
This number was arrived upon, according to the police and government, based on the survey being conducted by the Health Department.

Priyanka Thirumurthy 
 
Sunday, May 12, 2019 - 16:54

Amongst the areas focused on for the survey are Namakkal, Kodaikanal, Valparai, Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri. Kalrayan hills. Villages were the first priority, then areas which were remote and had spare population and finally children born with the help of infertility clinics. Records from the last three years were scrutinised.

Investigating officials probing the Namakkal baby trade have said that 30 babies have been sold by the eight accused involved in the case in almost three years. According to the police and government, this number was arrived upon based on the survey being conducted by the Health Department.

Of the 30 babies sold so far, 24 are girls, while six are boys. The CBCID that is investigating the case made another arrest on Friday, of a woman broker named Santhi who played an important role in the trade. She was nabbed based on the information from the other accused. She was a nursing assistant at a primary health care centre at Sarkar Kollapatty. With this arrest, the total number of accused in the case has risen to 9. The gang used to make vulnerable parents sell their infants for a price and then re-sell the babies to other couples. While investigating officials had initially told TNM that they suspected the total number of babies sold to be around 14, the Health Department confirms that data provided based on discrepancies in birth records has brought the number to 30.

Speaking to TNM, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh, confirmed that her department was continuously updating the police on information found in their survey. Amongst the areas focused on for the survey are Namakkal, Kodaikanal, Valparai, Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri. Kalrayan hills. Villages were the first priority, then areas which were remote and had spare population and finally children born with the help of infertility clinics. Records from the last three years were scrutinised.

"The situation currently is such that it is nearly impossible to obtain a birth certificate using false information. This is because the Revenue district official handles this matter and whenever there is a late registration of birth there is a thorough check and even an inquiry conducted with neighbours. So the only way for these people to get a birth certificate is to produce a false one," says Director of Public Health K Kolandasamy. "However our certificates have bar codes that cannot be duplicated. That is one way we found the other children who were missing. In addition to this, we have been checking maternal records, death certificates for children and other details. Whatever information we had till now we have given to the CB CID which has helped them arrive at this number," he adds.

However, the Director believes the numbers are likely to go up.

"The survey is yet to be completed the number of children is likely to go up as we move to other districts. We would be happy if it doesn't," he says. "The next step we have to see where these children are and what the means of adoption was. The police, social welfare department and health department are working together on this," he adds.

Of the men and women arrested, most are health care professionals with three of them linked to government hospitals.

"We are working on how to stop this menace of selling children," says the Director. "Irrespective of whether they are government staff or not, stringent punishments will be given to stop this completely."

Railways to pay Rs 10,000 to passenger

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMay 13, 2019, 1:11 am IST

Consumer forum’s verdict in 2-yr-old case.

In the petition V Paul Raj of Tirunelveli, submitted that he traveled in the Sapthagiri Express from Tirupathi to Chennai on July 24, 2017 in an unreserved coach. He said for over two and half hours there was no electricity in the crowded coach.

Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum Chennai (North) directed the Southern Railways to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a passenger for facing hardship during his travel in Sapthagiri Express from Tirupathi to Chennai two years ago.

In the petition V Paul Raj of Tirunelveli, submitted that he traveled in the Sapthagiri Express from Tirupathi to Chennai on July 24, 2017 in an unreserved coach. He said for over two and half hours there was no electricity in the crowded coach.

The coach in the train ran without electricity from 5.50 pm till 8.25 pm. There was no water also. The issue was rectified only when the train reached Arakkonam station.

He said he faced severe mental agony and sought a compensation of Rs 3 lakh from the Southern Railways.

However, the Southern Railway denied the allegation and stated that there was a sudden power failure and the generator also stopped working due to dropping of belts in the train.

The unforeseen fault was caused by external factors like cattle run over and other foreign objects. It was attended at the nearest station by the maintenance staff.

The bench presided by Lakshmikantham said that the Southern Railway officials admitted the fault was due to a belt drop. The bench directed Southern Railways to pay the petitioner a compensation of Rs 10,000.

Tamil Nadu: Trains timings to be affected for four days

To improve safety of train operations, Southern Railway has begun work to replace the 6.5 km existing old tracks between Chitteri and Mahendravadi in Arakkonam-Katpadi section.

Published: 13th May 2019 06:40 AM |


Workers fix the new pre-fabricated tracks using cranes between Chitteri and Mahendravadi in Arakkonam–Katpadi section on Saturday (Photo| EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: To improve the safety of train operations, Southern Railway has begun work to replace the 6.5 km existing old tracks between Chitteri and Mahendravadi in Arakkonam-Katpadi section. As a result, the trains will be delayed in the section on May 13, 14, 16 and 17. The tracks are to be renewed using SQRS (Simplex Quick Relaying System) method which is cost-effective and time-saving.

Time chart

May 13
According to a release, Howrah-Yeswantpur Duronto express leaving Renigunta at 10.15 am on May 13 will be stopped at Chitteri for 85 minutes and Arakkonam-Vellore Passenger leaving Arakkonam at 1.05 pm will be delayed at Arakkonam for 20 minutes

May 14
Bilaspur-Ernakulam Superfast express and Howrah-Yeswantpur AC Express will be delayed enroute at Chitteri for 150 minutes and 85 minutes respectively. 

Arakkonam-Vellore Passenger leaving Arakkonam at 1.05 pm will be delayed at Arakkonam for 20 minutes


May 16
Jaipur-Coimbatore Superfast express and Howrah-Yeswantpur Duronto Express will be stopped at Chitteri for 105 minutes and 85 minutes respectively. Arakkonam-Vellore Passenger leaving Arakkonam at 1.05 pm, will start after 20 minutes delay

May 17
Kamakya-Yeswantpur AC Express will be stopped at Chitteri for 15 minutes and Arakkonam-Vellore Passenger train leaving Arakkonam at 1.05 pm will be delayed
for 15 minutes

Chennai: Burglary at retired IAS officer’s home

Around 20 sovereigns of jewellery were burgled from retired IAS officer Leena Nair’s house at Padi on Saturday night.

Published: 13th May 2019 06:36 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Around 20 sovereigns of jewellery were burgled from retired IAS officer Leena Nair’s house at Padi on Saturday night.

Nair is currently serving as an administrative member of the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Appellate Tribunal

Police said she was sleeping on the first floor of her house. “Miscreants entered the house through the back-door and decamped with around 20-sovereign gold and Rs 5,000 in cash from the cupboard kept on the ground floor,” said police personnel. The incident came to light on Sunday morning when the worker at the house spotted the cupboard broken open.


In another incident reported on Friday night, Varma, 62, a resident of KGP Nagar of Tiruvallur had come to the city for his wife’s treatment. “On Saturday when he went back home to collect money for the treatment, he found diamonds, 60 sovereigns of gold and Rs 3 lakh in cash missing from the house,” said a police officer. A probe is on into the incident.

Vadapalani flyover to be extended to Ashok Pillar

Currently, the existing traffic at this junction is 11,335 passenger car units during peak hour.

Published: 12th May 2019 05:13 AM |

A file photo of Vadapalani flyover | Express

By C Shivakumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State highways department has decided to extend the Vadapalani flyover, covering a distance of 1.7 km, to Ashok Pillar at a cost of Rs 114.12 crore, according to a detailed feasibility report.

This comes after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s announcement in the Assembly following a demand to extend the flyover beyond Lakshman Sruthi junction.

Currently, the existing traffic at this junction is 11,335 passenger car units during peak hour.


It is learnt that the 600-metre bi-directional Vadapalani flyover at the intersection of Jawarharlal Nehru Road and Arcot Road that runs parallel below the viaduct of Chennai Metro Rail near Vadapalani station is to ease traffic on the stretch. However, traffic is clogged at times causing great hardship for the public, sources said.

The stretch is part of the Inner Ring Road, which is an important arterial road of Chennai city that connects southern part of Chennai with Koyambedu Mofussil Bus Terminus and Madhavaram Mofussil Bus Terminus.It also connects northern part of Chennai with Chennai Airport and the road is a lifeline connecting the Central Business District.

The feasibility study analysed three junctions -- Lakshman Sruthi junction, Gokulam park junction and Ashok pillar junction -- from Ashok pillar to Vadapalani of Inner Ring Road . The consultant found that a viable point for grade separator is Lakshman Sruthi junction and other intersections are to be improved by effective traffic management and providing a foot overbridge at Ashok Pillar.

It is learnt that three options were studied. The first option was to have a four-lane grade separator which starts next to Gokulam park signal and ends ahead of the existing Vadapalani grade separator, but this was ruled out as this requires more land acquisition and the construction cost is higher. It is learnt that the construction cost in the first phase is expected to be Rs 145.87 crore and land acquisition alone would cost Rs 50.50 crore.

The second option considered was a four-lane grade separator that starts next to Gokulam park signal and ends before the existing Vadapalani grade separator which could cost the exchequer Rs 142.95 crore and land acquisition cost of nearly Rs 50 crore. This option was also not considered feasible as construction cost and land acquisition cost was high.

The third option which was considered was a four-lane grade separator that starts next to Gokulam Park signal and ends before the existing Vadapalani grade separator with 3.5 pc gradient on both sides with a weaving length of 95 metres on Vadapalani side.

The third option is cheaper than the earlier two options and will cost the exchequer Rs 114.12 crore with the land acquisition also working out to be cheaper at Rs 34 crore.

VC consoles family of girl killed in wall collapse

STAFF REPORTER

TIRUNELVELI, MAY 13, 2019 00:00 IST

After the collapse of a parapet wall at the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University College in Sankarankovil killed a student, the Vice-Chancellor called on her family to offer his condolences on Sunday.

Vice-Chancellor K. Pitchumani, Registrar S. Santhosh Baboo and Principal L. Kumaragurubaran visited the family of Mahalakshmi.

After handing out initial compensation to the family, they said that they would offer material help after discussion. They also assured them that compensation through insurance and Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund would also be given.

All upcoming examinations at the college would be held at a different venue, while classes for the upcoming academic year would be held at another building that is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.1 crore.

Where do we go? ask tourists at Tirupparankundram

Sanjana GaneshB. Tilak Chandar

MADURAI, MAY 13, 2019 00:00 IST

People find it difficult to move around Subramaniaswamy Temple in Tirupparankundram due to unregulated parking and encroachments.R. AshokR_ASHOK

Apart from the temple, first-time tourists are unaware of other attractions around the hillock

Imposing rocks, ornate sculptures and several waterbodies make Tirupparankundram a definite pit stop for tourists visiting south Tamil Nadu. Devotees line up at the Subramaniaswamy Temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, waiting to reach the sannithi of the rock-cut temple.

Despite the consistent flow of tourists, residents, tour guides and authorities feel that its potential lies untapped. Without proper signboards, parking facility, information centre and sanitation facilities, Tirupparankundram falls behind other eminent tourist destinations situated nearby.

Candidates in the fray for the May 19 by-election have been promising development of tourism infrastructure to augment income of locals. Residents wait to see tall promises getting executed.

No signboards

First-time tourists arriving at Tirupparankundram may find it difficult to navigate through the area as there are no signboards pointing to key tourist spots.

They end up asking, “Where do I go?”

Apart from Subramaniaswamy Temple, K. P. Bharathi, Programme Leader, DHAN Foundation, says that there is another cave temple, Jain beds and a well-maintained eco park for the tourists.

Despite having enough potential, the monuments are barely maintained. They also do not enjoy as much popularity as the temple.

The Archaeological Survey of India-maintained cave temple has plastic pots and pans left inside. An official from the Tourism department says that only about 40 to 50 people visit this spot daily.

The temple also does not have enough facilities for tourists. There is a dearth of drinking water in the girivalam path. Though the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department says that water is available at three locations along the path, the drums are often found empty. Toilets are also inadequate according to Munusu Senthil, a resident of Tirupparankundram and a volunteer at the temple. The temple tank has plastic floating on the surface.

Subramaniaswamy Temple does not have an information centre to enlighten the public on its rich history and religious importance. Mr. Senthil says that there has been a rise in the number of foreign tourists visiting the abode. Yet, there is a lack of local tour guides to explain intricate details of the temple. Packaged tours do not provide sufficient information about the history of the place and barely show them the other sites apart from the temple.

Tirupparankundram also has a small shed maintained by the HR and CE department to feed peacocks and monkeys living in and around the hillock. Several peacocks, including rare white birds, come in the morning and evening to feed on rice and drink water from pots. The space maintained by the HR and CE department is cluttered with waste metal from the temple. The sheds are broken and there is no proper waterhole for the birds.

“Most people are completely unaware of the presence of these additional tourist attraction. Tirupparankundram could take an entire day in a tourist’s agenda,” Mr. Senthil says.

Parking woes

Apart from general tourist facilities, this area lacks a proper parking spot for scores of vehicles arriving daily.

“Navigating through Tirupparankundram on a full moon night is an impossible task. The roads are choked with two-wheelers and four-wheelers, waiting to line up outside the temple to drop off devotees. Devotees do not arrive in twos or threes. They arrive in hundreds,” says M. Thiagarajan, a long-time resident.

For outsiders, Tirupparankundram seems like a quaint village, cut off from the Bypass Road and self-sufficient. Residents, however, say that they find it impossible to move around the small, narrow streets. Sannidhi Street, which leads directly to the temple, is chocked on several days, particularly on full moon nights, auspicious days and festivals.

Mr. Thiagarajan says that he finds it impossible to move through the roads because of the unregulated parking around the temple. He adds that encroachments are also a problem as they extend between three and five feet into the main road, preventing movement of pedestrians.

On wedding days, it is impossible for people to walk to the temple because of the traffic as there are at least 40 small mandapams around the temple.

Solution

An official in the HR and CE department suggests plying small government-owned ‘hop-on-hop-off’ style buses between various tourist spots.

“The buses can also connect the railway station and bus stand,” he says. He adds that about 10 years ago, the State government had advertised for training tour guides. Since there was poor response, the programme was shelved.

On the parking problem, he says, “The temple has identified two spots for parking. However, lack of traffic regulation prevents people from using these spots and instead they park on the lanes outside the temple. The HR and CE department should ban movement of vehicles in streets adjacent to the temple, similar to the regulation on Chithirai streets around Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.” It should solve the traffic woes, he says.

We can ply government-owned ‘hop-on-hop-off’ style buses between various tourist spots

Official

HR and CE department

Keep your mobile phone away to focus and excel

Aspiring to be a techpreneur ISC topper Dewang Agarwal believes in organised smart work

c-Sheetal.Banchariya@timesgroup.com

13.05.2019

In a first, Kolkata boy Dewang Agarwal of La Martiniere School topped the Indian School Certificate (ISC) exam with a perfect score. He scored 100% marks along with another topper Vibha Swaminathan from Bangalore.

While CBSE results saw a rise of toppers from the Humanities stream, Dewang topped the exam with Science subjects. Streams do not matter, says Dewang. “It all boils down to one’s personal interest towards the subjects.” “Science stream is as tough as Humanities. Students excel when they follow their inclination towards certain subjects as it aligns personal curiosity with academics,” he says.

Though he comes from a business family, Dewang has a keen interest in becoming a social entrepreneur. “Problem-solving of any sort, be it Mathematical problems or social issues, interests me. In the future, I would work towards developing tools and products using technology to make an impact in the lives of common people. Creating a tech-based startup is one of my goals,” says the 17-year old tech enthusiast.

“Before starting the journey of impact, I want to pursue BTech in Computer Science as it will provide me academic stability to be able to take risks later in life.

I will be applying to reputed institutes across the nation and abroad,” adds Dewang, who says he is not stuck on joining IITs and would want to explore other options including universities abroad. Like other students preparing for the exams, Dewang too faced several challenges and keeping away from the mobile phone was a major one. “Mobile phones play an important role in our lives and the habit of continuously being on the phone is nurtured quite early these days but self-control is crucial for time management during preparation,” he adds.

The perfect scorer did not shut down social media completely, he did try staying in touch with his close friends who constantly motivated him. “I have a close-knit group of friends and we constantly interacted on social media platforms that helped me cope with demotivation. Apart from regular chit-chat, we also helped each other in clearing doubts and engaged in a mutual process of learning throughout,” adds Dewang, who believes entertainment is a must to deal with exam stress.

Dewang Agarwal