Help pours in for Coimbatore paati who sells idli for ₹1
‘Happy To Get Gas Stove After Using Firewood For 30 Years’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:13.09.2019

Not many entrepreneurs may want to emulate the business model that sustained her for 30 years. But 82-year-old M Kamalathal, who had been selling idlis for ₹1 each at Vadivelampalayam in Coimbatore district, felt she lacked nothing. After videos and news reports about the “idli paati” preparing the dish on a firewood stove went viral, she was flooded with offers of help from across the country.

Sharing a video clip of Kamalathal cooking at her homecum-shop, chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra said he was willing to “invest in her business and buy her an LPG-fuelled stove.”

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Coimbatore, told him that it had already issued Kamalathal an LPG connection. Retweeting this, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union minister of petroleum and natural gas, said, “Salute the spirit and commitment of Kamalathal. Glad to having helped her through local OMC officers in getting an LPG connection. Society must empower such hardworking people who defy all odds.” In addition, a private firm from Mumbai gave her a commercial wet grinder to prepare idli batter.

After all this unfurled on Wednesday, Mahindra on Thursday tweeted that he would be happy to support her LPG costs.

On Tuesday, Coimbatore collector K Rajamani received her at his office and offered to fulfil whatever needs she had. “She had no demands. However, her well-wishers said it would be helpful if the district administration built her a home. She said she has a patta. If she or her children bring the patta, the district administration is ready to build her a home for around ₹2.5 lakh,” he said. “Now everyone who comes to know about her wants to help her in some way. This is a positive thing,” he added.

When contacted, Kamalathal said she was happy that people were helping her. “For the 30 years that I have been running this idli shop, I have been using a firewood stove. Now they have given me a gas stove. I am happy,” she said.

Asked how she managed to sell an idli for ₹1, she said her input costs were low, so she could sell it for a low price. “There is no loss in this. I sell idlis for around ₹600 a day. I get to keep ₹200,” she said.

CROWD FAVOURITE: Seeing videos of Kamalathal, 82, running her business using firewood stove, people have got her an LPG connection

Tanuvas asked to allot seat to Class XII ST topper

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.09.2019

The National Human Rights Commission has directed Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas) to allot a BVSc seat to a scheduled tribe student who had topped the community in the vocational stream.

U Chandran, from Kongkadi in Erode district, studied vocational stream (agriculture) in Class XII. He scored 444 out of 600 in board exams and got 147 out of the 200 cutoff marks. Due to the quirks in the quota system and fewer seats available for vocational stream, Chandran could not join BVSc course despite being the topper among vocational stream students.

Tanuvas reserves 95% of seats available under state quota for academic stream students and only 5% seats for vocational stream students. Of 360 seats available, 18 were available for such students. Under reservation, only 0.18% goesto STcommunities–the reason why Chandran did not get the seat.

During the camp sitting of the NHRC at Chennai, the complaint was taken up by D M Mulay, member of the commission, on Thursday. Tanuvas registrar P.Tensingh Gnanaraj appeared before the commission. Mulay directed Tanuvas to consider 0.18% seat available for ST category under vocational stream as one seat and recommended allotting a BVSc seat to Chandran within 15 days. Earlier, Tanuvas authoritiessaidthey could allot a seat only if the community had 0.5% and above seats as per the norms.

“With the direction of NHRC, there is fresh hope to join the college in this academic year itself. I hope the university will accept the order and allot a seat,” Chandran told TOI after the hearing. The nearest school from his village was 40 km from his home while he was studying. “As the deadline to apply tocolleges wasover,Icould not join any college this year,” he said.

“If he joins the BVSc course, that will motivate tribal families and children in and around his village,” said S C Nataraj, director, Sudar, an NGO working to provide education to children residing in hilly areas.Tanuvas officials were not available for comment. Chandran has also filed a petition at the Madras high court seeking a direction toTanuvas to allot a seat.

Med waste at Egmore hosp raises a stench
Hospital Pins Blame On Visitors For Littering

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.09.2019

Medical waste generated at the Government Hospital for Women and Children in Egmore is piling up in a corner of the campus and is proving to be a health hazard.

On Thursday, the waste pile largely comprised food waste, soiled diapers, clothes, slippers, blood-soaked bandages, syringes and empty medicine bottles. A worker was seen handling the pile without any protective gear.

“I have been experiencing severe breathing problems since the last couple of days due to the stench from this,” said the worker who packs waste from the hospital into garbage bags before placing it in colour-coded dustbins.

The hospital records 80 to 90 deliveries a day, the highest in a government facility in Tamil Nadu. Though it has separate bins to segregate wet and solid waste from biomedical waste, officials at the hospital blamed visitors for not following instructions.

“All biomedical waste is collected in red, white and yellow bags and sent outside, only the general waste is collected here. But if syringes and bottles were found in this pile we shall immediately look into it. Only visitors could have thrown it there,” said Dr S Shobha, director-in-charge of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the hospital. The hospital has outsourced services for waste management to a private firm.

Patients complained that often crows and dogs flock around thegarbage pile. “Crows pick up waste from the pile and drop it everywhere,” said P Thilothama, a visitor. The hospital staff blamed the corporation staff and claimed that they do not turn up regularly to clear the pile. “The corporation van used to come twice a day to clear the waste, but since the last two months they only come once in the evening and sometimes do not even turn up,” the staff said.

“We collect the waste only if it is handed over to us, not when it is strewn all over. Our workers cannot enter the hospital campus and clean it for them,” said an official from the corporation.

HAZARDOUS PILE: Patients complained that crows and dogs flock around the garbage mound and enter the campus

2K VIT students get placed in campus recruitment

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.09.2019

More than 2,000 students of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) have been placed in the ongoing campus recruitment.

A press release said 245 companies have participated in the campus recruitment and 2,026 students have been recruited by these companies. While the placement schedule will continue till October, the release said the process began in July. Companies offering a pay package of more than ₹10 lakh were invited for the first phase of campus recruitment. Amazon, Pay Pal, Cisco and De Shaw were some of the recruiters.

Core engineering placements also have been happening along with the IT placements. MBA and nonengineering placements will start in September, the release added.

SRM students to intern at Harvard

Chennai:13.09.2019

As many as 21 BTech bio-engineering students from SRM Institute of Science and Technology will travel to the prestigious Harvard Medical School in the US on a six-month internship in January.

They received the invitation from Harvard Medical School after expressing their project interests and profiles.

Meghma Mukherjee, one of the students, said, “I will observe the behaviour of cancer cells in response to different treatments and how they interact with our immune system during the internship.”

The university said though some students had benefited from Harvard internships previously, this was the first time a large number of students had received the internship. They will be mentored by Shiladitya Sengupta, head, Laboratory of Cancer Nano Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The hospital is a teaching facility of the Harvard Medical School. TNN

Pongal train tickets hit waitlist in a jiffy

Air Fares Too Skyrocket As Travellers Target Nine-Day Break In Jan 3rd Week

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.09.2019

Sleeper class tickets for Pongal holidays were sold out and reservation status touched waitlist on six trains to southern destinations in less than three hours after bookings opened on Thursday for travel on January 10.

Sleeper class tickets touched waitlist on six trains – Nellai Express, Kanyakumari Express, Rockfort Express, Pearl City Express, Ananthapuri Express and Cheran Express by 11am on Thursday. Reservation for travel on January 11, 12 and 13 will start in the following days.

The Railways is expected to witness maximum bookings for travel on Monday, January 13.

Pongal festival starts on Tuesday, January 14. As January 13 will be the only working day ahead of Pongal in the third week of January 2020, several people have booked tickets on trains and flights to travel on Friday, January 10.

Those who can avail of a leave on January 13 get to enjoy a nine-day break.

There is a suggestion from different quarters that the state government should declare January 13 too a holiday so that people can travel during the festival. An official said that traffic to the southern towns is usually high for festivals like Diwali and Pongal.

Due to the heavy rush in trains, air fares have skyrocketed.

One-way fare for travel on January 10 and 11 on the Chennai-Madurai route is in the range of ₹4,300 to ₹4,800, on the Chennai-Tuticorin route it’s ₹3,200 to ₹4,100, Chennai-Trichy ₹4,300 to ₹4,800, and Chennai-Coimbatore it’s in the range of ₹3,100 to ₹4,000. The fares are likely to rise further, sources said.

Anand Menon of FCM Travel Solutions said, “This time around, Pongal is coinciding with a long weekend. The large workforce and young professionals typically head out for a refreshing weekend break – be it for adventure, spending some family time or a spiritual retreat. Most travellers book in advance as such festive holidays are largely driven by availability of an array of weekend getaways and curated experiences.”

He added, “With travel becoming more frequent than just taking one or two annual leaves, travellers prefer to explore domestic destinations like the Andamans, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Goa. International destinations with easy visa facilities have seen a rise in demand.Popular destinations include Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Bali, Thailand, Mauritius and Vietnam. Given these shorthaul trips are planned in advance, the fluctuation of the US currency has minimal impact.”

New UK Visa

New UK visa to benefit thousands of Indian students, extend stay for 2 yrs

12/09/2019 

Prasun Sonwalkar

prasun.sonwalkar@hindustantimes.com

London/New Delhi : The UK on Wednesday announced the return of the two-year post-study work visa that was popular with self-financing Indian students, reversing a 2012 decision which led to a sharp drop in Indian students coming to Britain.

Indian and other international students at approved UK educational institutes who complete an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any subject in 2021 will be able to stay for two years and take up a job or look for work, with no restrictions on the type or level of employment.

Those who get jobs in the two-year period will be able to switch to skilled work, which is a route to settlement in the UK.

“This is great news for Indian students who are likely to benefit disproportionately from this,” Britain’s deputy high commissioner Jan Thompson said in New Delhi. She said there had been a 42% increase in visas issued to Indian students last year, while the overall number of student visas had doubled in the past three years.

The UK, Thompson said, hopes to attract 600,000 international students by 2030 and sees “India playing a strong part in that”. Britain is creating an immigration system that is open to the “best and brightest”, she said.

This visa route was scrapped by Theresa May when she was home secretary in April 2012 on the ground it was too generous, along with other measures such as closing bogus colleges.

Before its closure, Indian students with loans used the two-year period to find work and recover the expenses of studying in the UK. Scrapping the visa led to a perception the UK was less welcoming, prompting a fall in Indian students from the high of 39,090 in 2010-2011 to 16,550 in 2016-17. Tom Birtwistle, head of the British Council in north India, said the new visa had been welcomed by the UK’s higher education sector, which realised the benefits of having Indian students. It was hailed by student organisations and the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament. Thompson said changes to the Tier 2 skilled worker visa means there is no limit on PhD-level candidates and more of these visas are issued to India than the rest of the world combined. The announcement takes account of the realities of Brexit, including EU citizens not being able to freely take up jobs in the UK after it leaves the EU.

Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis said international students bring £26 billion in economic contributions but the lack of post-study work opportunities had put the UK at a competitive disadvantage.

UGC to announce mentor institutes under ''Paramarsh'' scheme''

New Delhi, Sep 11 The University Grants Commission (UGC) will soon announce the first batch of mentor institutions under its ''Paramarsh'' scheme, an official said on Wednesday.

As part of the scheme that aims to improve the quality standards in higher education system, top institutions will mentor five non-accredited institutes to secure the National Assessment and Accreditation (NAAC) grade certification.

"The UGC has received 167 proposals from the higher educational institutions that have expressed their interest to mentor non-accredited ones to secure the NAAC grade. Apart from these, we have received applications from over 700 higher educational institutions that want to be mentored," an UGC official here told .

The proposals will now be assessed by a committee formed by the UGC and the first batch of mentors will be announced in a week.

"Once the proposals are accepted by the UGC, the institutes can start the mentoring programme," the official added.

The scheme mandates that the mentor institutions should have secured a NAAC score of 3.26 out of 4.

Under the ''Paramarsh'' scheme, leading institutions will provide regular mentoring to help colleges to get accredited by the NAAC.

The official said the UGC will also assess the performance of the institutions that have been mentored to gauge the success of the scheme.

"Assessment will be beneficial to know the extent to which the mentorship would be beneficial for the non-accredited institutes to get accredited," he said.

The official noted that since securing NAAC accreditation has been made mandatory for the open universities too, the top institutions can also mentor such universities applying for NAAC grade for the first time.

The mentor institutions can be provided financial assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh. There is also an option of appointing an expert, who can be paid a fellowship amount of Rs 31,000 per month.

The scheme aims to improve the global rankings of Indian higher educational institutions.

"The scheme will lead to enhancement of the mentee institutions'' quality and its profile as a result of improved quality of research, teaching and learning methodologies. The mentee institution will also have increased exposure and speedier adaptation to best practices," the official added.

The NAAC is an autonomous body that assesses and accredits higher education institutions in the country.

(Pragya Singh can be contacted at pragya.s@ians.in)

pgs/bc

டைம்ஸ் தரவரிசை பட்டியல்: 200 ரேங்குக்குள் இடம்பிடிக்காத இந்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள்

By எம். மார்க் நெல்சன் | Published on : 12th September 2019 05:25 AM

டைம்ஸ் உலக பல்கலைக்கழகங்கள் தரவரிசைப் பட்டியலில் வழக்கம்போல இந்த ஆண்டும் முதல் 200 ரேங்குகளுக்குள் இந்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் எதுவும் இடம்பெறவில்லை.

அத்துடன், பெங்களூரு இந்திய அறிவியல் கழகம் (ஐஐஎஸ்சி) உள்பட பெரும்பாலான இந்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்களும் கடந்த ஆண்டைக் காட்டிலும் பின்னடைவைச் சந்தித்துள்ளன.


சென்னை ஐஐடி தொடர்ந்து அதே இடத்தில் நீடிக்கிறது.
ஆராய்ச்சிக்கான முக்கியத்துவம், ஆராய்ச்சி கட்டுரைகள் வெளியீடு, அறிவுசார் சொத்துரிமை ஆகியவற்றின் அடிப்படையில் உலக அளவில் தலைசிறந்த உயர்கல்வி நிறுவனங்களின் பட்டியலை மாணவர்களின் நலன் கருதி பல்வேறு அமைப்புகள் வெளியிட்டு வருகின்றன. அதுபோல, 2020-ஆம் ஆண்டுக்கான டைம்ஸ் உலக தலைசிறந்த கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் பட்டியல் புதன்கிழமை இரவு 11.30 மணியளவில் வெளியிடப்பட்டது.

இதில் பிரிட்டனின் ஆக்ஸ்போர்டு பல்கலைக்கழகம் முதல் இடத்தைப் பிடித்துள்ளது. அதனைத் தொடர்ந்து அமெரிக்காவின் கலிபோர்னியா பல்கலைக்கழகம் இரண்டாம் இடத்தையும், பிரிட்டனின் கேம்ப்ரிட்ஜ் பல்கலைக்கழகம் மூன்றாமிடத்தையும் பிடித்துள்ளன.
முதல் 10 இடங்களில் 7 அமெரிக்க உயர் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களும், மூன்று பிரிட்டன் பல்கலைக்கழகங்களும் இடம்பிடித்து அசத்தியுள்ளன.

பின்னடைவைச் சந்தித்திருக்கும் இந்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள்: இந்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்களைப் பொருத்தவரை, முன்னணி இந்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் உள்பட பெரும்பாலானவை பின்னடைவைச் சந்தித்துள்ளன.

கடந்த முறை 251-300 க்கு இடைப்பட்ட ரேங்கில் இடம்பெற்று பெங்களூரு இந்திய அறிவியல் கழகம் (ஐ.ஐ.எஸ்சி.) இந்த ஆண்டு 301-350 இடைப்பட்ட தரவரிசைக்கு தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனுடன் ரோபர் ஐஐடி-யும் 301-350 இடைப்பட்ட தரவரிசையில் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கிறது. கடந்த முறை 351-400 க்கு இடைப்பட்ட ரேங்கில் இடம்பெற்றிருந்து இந்தூர் ஐஐடி, இம்முறையும் அதே இடத்தில் நீடிக்கிறது.

மும்பை ஐஐடி, தில்லி ஐஐடி, காரக்பூர் ஐஐடி ஆகியவை 401-500 க்கு இடைப்பட்ட தரவரிசையில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளன.
பட்டியலில் 501-600 க்கு இடைப்பட்ட தரவரிசையில் மும்பை கெமிக்கல் தொழில்நுட்ப நிறுவனம், காந்திநகர் ஐஐடி, ரூர்கி ஐஐடி ஆகியவை இடம்பெற்றுள்ளன.

சென்னை ஐஐடி: சென்னை ஐஐடி-யைப் பொருத்தவரை கடந்த ஆண்டைப் போலவே 601-800 க்கு இடைப்பட்ட ரேங்கில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது. அமிர்தா விஷ்வ வித்யபீடம், கான்பூர் ஐஐடி, ஐஐடி குவாஹாட்டி, ஐஐடி புவனேஸ்வர், ஐஐடி ஹைதராபாத், புணே இந்திய அறிவியல் கல்வி ஆராய்ச்சி நிறுவனம், பனாரஸ் ஹிந்து பல்கலைக்கழகம் ஆகியவையும் 601-800 க்கு இடைப்பட்ட ரேங்கில் இடம்பிடித்துள்ளன.

பட்டியலில் இடம்பிடித்த அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகம்: கடந்த ஆண்டு இந்த தரவரிசைப் பட்டியலில் இடம்பிடிக்காத சென்னை அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகம், இம்முறை இடம்பிடித்துள்ளது. பட்டியலில் 1000-ஆவது தரவரிசையில் அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகம் இடம்பிடித்திருக்கிறது.
மேலும் திருச்சி என்ஐடி, வேலூர் விஐடி, கோவை வேளாண் பல்கலைக்கழகம், பிஎஸ்ஜி, சாஸ்த்ரா பல்கலைக்கழகம், எஸ்ஆர்எம் உள்பட இந்தியாவைச் சேர்ந்த 54 கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் இந்த ஆண்டு டைம்ஸ் தரவரிசைப் பட்டியலில் இடம்பிடித்து அசத்தியிருக்கின்றன.

தஞ்சாவூர் -நாகப்பட்டினம் தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைப் பணிகள்: உயர்நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவு

By DIN | Published on : 12th September 2019 02:52 AM


தஞ்சாவூர்- நாகப்பட்டினம் நெடுஞ்சாலைத் திட்டம் தொடர்பான கோரிக்கையை ஆய்வு செய்து தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை ஆணையம் 4 வாரங்களுக்குள் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க உயர்நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் நாகப்பட்டினத்தைச் சேர்ந்த தமிழ்நாடு நுகர்வோர் பாதுகாப்புக் குழு செயலாளர் ஜி.அரவிந்த் குமார் தாக்கல் செய்த மனு: 

தஞ்சாவூர்-நாகப்பட்டினம் இடையே தற்போது உள்ள சாலை பழுதடைந்து மோசமான சூழலில் உள்ளது. 

இந்த தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை 67-ஐ சீரமைக்க தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணையம் ரூ.601 கோடி செலவில் கடந்த 2015-ஆம் ஆண்டு தனியாருக்கு ஒப்பந்தப்புள்ளி வழங்கியது. ஆனால், இந்தப் பணிகள் பல மாதங்களாக முடங்கியுள்ளது. 

இதனால் இந்த சாலையில் அடிக்கடி விபத்து ஏற்படுகிறது. சாலையை சீரமைக்க கோரி பலமுறை போராட்டங்கள் நடத்தப்பட்ட பின்னரும் பணிகள் கிடப்பில் போடப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த நெடுஞ்சாலை விரிவுப்படுத்தப்பட்டு சீரமைப்புப் பணிகள் முடிவடைந்தால் பயண நேரம் வெகுவாக குறையும். 

மேலும், தஞ்சாவூர், நாகப்பட்டினம் மற்றும் திருவாரூர் மாவட்டங்களின் பொருளாதார வளர்ச்சி மேம்படும். எனவே, இந்த சாலை சீரமைப்புப் பணிகளை விரைவுபடுத்தி பொதுமக்கள் பயன்பாட்டுக்கு கொண்டு வர உரிய நடவடிக்கை தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணையத்துக்கும், மத்திய அரசுக்கும் உத்தரவிட வேண்டும் என கோரியிருந்தார்.
இந்த மனு, நீதிபதிகள் எஸ்.மணிக்குமார், சுப்ரமணியம்பிரசாத் ஆகியோர் அடங்கிய அமர்வு முன் அண்மையில் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. அப்போது மனுதாரர் தரப்பில், இந்த தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை சீரமைப்புப் பணிகள் பல மாதங்களாக முடங்கி கிடக்கிறது. மணல் தட்டுப்பாடு, நிலம் கையகப்படுத்துதல், நிதி ஒதுக்கீடு என பல்வேறு காரணங்களை மத்திய, மாநில அரசுகள் கூறி வருகின்றன. 

இதனால் போக்குவரத்து நெரிசல், விபத்துகள் உள்ளிட்டவற்றை தவிர்க்க முடியவில்லை. எனவே, இந்தப் பணிகளை விரைவாக முடிக்க உத்தரவிட வேண்டும் என வாதிடப்பட்டது. 

அப்போது, மத்திய அரசு தரப்பில் ஆஜரான உதவி சொலிசிட்டர் ஜெனரல் ஜி.கார்த்திகேயன், இதுதொடர்பாக மத்திய சாலை போக்குவரத்து துறை அமைச்சகத்துக்கு அனுப்பிய மனுக்கள் பரிசீலிக்கப்பட்டு உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. 

இந்தப் பணிகளை விரைவாக முடிக்க தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணையத்துக்கு உத்தரவிடப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவித்தார்.
இதனையடுத்து வழக்கை விசாரித்த நீதிபதிகள், இதுதொடர்பாக மனுதாரர் அனுப்பிய கோரிக்கையை ஆய்வு செய்து தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத் துறை ஆணையம் 4 வாரங்களுக்குள் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். 

அந்த நடவடிக்கை விவரங்களை மனுதாரருக்கும் தெரியப்படுத்த வேண்டும் என உத்தரவிட்டு வழக்கை முடித்து வைத்தனர்.

கூண்டுக்குள் சிக்காத சட்ட மேதை!

By எஸ்.குருமூர்த்தி | Published on : 12th September 2019 03:19 AM 

குரைக்கும் நாய்களுக்கெல்லாம் நான் பதில் செல்ல வேண்டியதில்லைபிரபல வழக்குரைஞர் ராம் ஜேத்மலானியை மோசமாக விமர்சித்து முன்னாள் பிரதமர் ராஜீவ் காந்தி சொன்ன வார்த்தைகள் இவை. 1987-ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூன் மாதம் 17-ஆம் தேதி இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் பத்திரிகை உள்ளிட்ட அனைத்து முக்கிய பத்திரிகைகளிலும் இது வெளியானது. 

போஃபர்ஸ் பீரங்கி பேர ஊழல் விவகாரத்தில் இந்திய அரசியல்வாதிகளுக்கு தொடர்பு இருப்பதாக ஸ்வீடன் நாட்டு வானொலி தெரிவித்த செய்தியின் பின்னணியில்தான் ராஜீவ் காந்தி மேற்கண்டவாறு விமர்சித்திருந்தார். இந்தச் செய்தி விஷமத்தனமானது மட்டுமல்ல, அதற்கு அடிப்படை ஆதாரம் ஏதும் இல்லை என்றும் கூறியிருந்தார். தமது புகழைக் குறைக்கவும், தமது அரசை நிலைகுலையச் செய்யவும் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ள செய்தி என்றும் கருத்துக் கூறியிருந்தார்.

அந்தக் காலத்தில் அதிகார பலம் வாய்ந்த ராஜீவ் காந்தி அரசின் ஊழல்களை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் தொடர்ந்து அம்பலப்படுத்தி வந்தது. அதைத் தொடர்ந்து எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நிறுவனம் மீது அதிரடி சோதனை மற்றும் கைது நடவடிக்கைக்கு ராஜீவ் காந்தி உத்தரவிட்டார். அரசைக் கவிழ்க்க முயற்சி செய்வதாகவும் அவர் குற்றஞ்சாட்டியிருந்தார்.
போஃபர்ஸ் ஊழல் புகார்களை ராஜீவ் காந்தி மறுத்ததை அடுத்து, நீங்கள் உண்மையிலேயே நேர்மையானவர் என்றால், இந்த ஊழலில் எங்களுக்குத் தொடர்பில்லை, இது பற்றி முழுவிசாரணை நடத்தி யாருக்காவது இதில் தொடர்பு இருப்பதாக உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டால் தகுந்த தண்டனை வழங்கப்படும் என்று கூறுவதுதானே என்று ஜேத்மலானி கேட்டார். ஜேத்மலானியின் கேள்விக்கு உங்கள் பதில் என்ன என்று ஒரு எம்.பி., ராஜீவிடம் துருவித் துருவிக் கேட்டபோது அவர் தெரிவித்த காட்டமான வார்த்தைகள்தான் மேற்கூறப்பட்டவை.
1987-ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூன் 17-ஆம் தேதி நானும், ராம்நாத்ஜியும் காலை நடைப் பயிற்சியை முடித்துக்கொண்டு கரோல் பாக் ஹனுமன் கோயிலுக்குச் சென்றுவிட்டு நேராக ராம் ஜேத்மலானி வீட்டுக்குச் சென்றோம். ராமநாத்ஜி ஜேத்மலானியிடம், ராம் இன்று பத்திரிகையை படித்தீர்களா? பிரதமர் ராஜீவ் உங்களை குரைக்கும் நாய் என்று விமர்சித்திருக்கிறாரே, அதற்கு உங்கள் பதில் என்ன என்று கேட்டபோது, அது தொடர்பான கடிதத்தைத்தான் தயார் செய்துகொண்டிருக்கிறேன் என்று கூறிவிட்டு, கடிதத்தின் முதல் வரியையும் படித்துக் காட்டினார். பிரதமர் அவர்களே! நீங்கள் அதிர்ஷ்டக்காரர். நான் குரைக்கும் நாய்தான். ரத்த வெறி பிடித்த வேட்டை நாயல்ல. ஆனால், ஒன்றை நீங்கள் நினைவில் வைத்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். திருடனைக் கண்டால்தான் நாய் குரைக்கும். நான் இன்று முதல் அடுத்த 30 நாள்களுக்கு உங்களிடம் தினமும் 10 கேள்விகள் எழுப்பப் போகிறேன். ஒன்று, அதற்கு நீங்கள் பதிலளிக்க வேண்டும்; அல்லது பதவியை ராஜிநாமா செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தார் ஜேத்மலானி. ராஜீவுக்கு எதிராக அவர் போர் தொடுக்கத் தொடங்கிவிட்டதைக் கண்டு நாங்கள் ஆச்சர்யம் அடைந்தோம். 

அடுத்த நாள் இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் பத்திரிகையில், திருடனைப் பார்த்து நாய் குரைக்கத் தொடங்கி விட்டது - சொல்கிறார் ஜேத்மலானி என்று தலைப்பிட்டு செய்தி வெளியானது. இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் தொடர்ந்து வெளியிட்ட அந்தக் கேள்விகள் அனைத்துப் பிராந்திய மொழி பத்திரிகைகளிலும் வெளியாயின.

அரசியலில் தூய்மையானவர் என்று எல்லோராலும் கருதப்பட்ட ராஜீவ் காந்தி, ஜேத்மலானியின் கேள்விக்கணைகளுக்குப் பதில் சொல்ல முடியாமல் திக்குமுக்காடியபோது, ராஜீவின் நேர்மை மீது மக்களுக்குச் சந்தேகம் எழும் வகையில் அவரது அரசின் ஊழல்களை தோலுரித்துக் காட்டினார்.

1975-இல் நெருக்கடி நிலை அமல்படுத்தப்படுவதற்கு முன்பிருந்தே ராம் ஜேத்மலானிக்கும், இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நிறுவனத்துக்கும் நெருங்கிய தொடர்பு இருந்தது. எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நிறுவனத்துக்கு எதிராக இந்திரா காந்தி பதிவு செய்த பல வழக்குகளில் ஜேத்மலானிதான் ஆஜராகி வாதிட்டார். பிகார் இயக்கத்துக்கு ஜெயப்பிரகாஷ் நாராயணனும், நானாஜி தேஷ்முக்கும் தலைமை வகித்தபோது அதற்கு ராம்நாத்ஜி ஆதரவாக இருந்தார். அப்போது அவர்கள் அரசை சீர்குலைக்க முயல்வதாக இந்திரா காந்தி குற்றஞ்சாட்டியதுடன் நெருக்கடி நிலையை அறிவித்தார். ராம்நாத் கோயங்கா இந்தியாவில் இருந்தபடியும், ராம் ஜேத்மலானி வெளிநாட்டில் இருந்தபடியும் நெருக்கடி நிலையை எதிர்த்துப் போராடி வந்தனர்.

1980-களில் அம்பானி குழுமம், பிரபலமான எல் அண்ட் டி நிறுவனத்தை கபளீகரம் செய்ய முயன்றபோது எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் பக்கம் நின்று அம்பானியின் முயற்சியை தடுத்து நிறுத்தினார். இதைத் தொடர்ந்து அப்போதைய குடியரசுத் தலைவர் ஜைல் சிங், பிரதமர் ராஜீவ் காந்திக்கு எழுதிய கடிதத்தின் நகலை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் வெளியிட்டதால் பரபரப்பு ஏற்பட்டது. அரசின் ரகசிய காப்புச் சட்டத்தை மீறிவிட்டதாக என் மீதும், கோயங்கா மீதும் வழக்குப் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டது. நான் கைது செய்யப்பட்டேன். பின்னர் ராஜீவுக்கு ஜைல் சிங் எழுதிய கடிதங்கள் போலியானவை என்பதை தோலுரித்துக் காட்டியதை அடுத்து எங்கள் மீதான நடவடிக்கையை அரசு கைவிட்டது.

ராஜீவ் ஆட்சியில் சிபிஐ அதிகாரிகள் இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் அலுவலகத்தில் பலமுறை சோதனை நடத்தியும் 300-க்கும் மேலான வழக்குகளை போட்டபோதிலும் ராம் ஜேத்மலானியும், ராம்நாத் கோயங்காவும் கொஞ்சம்கூட அசரவில்லை. எத்தனை வழக்குகள் வந்தாலும் அதை சந்திக்கத் தயாராக இருப்பதாகவே தெரிவித்தனர்.
ஒரு சிறந்த வழக்குரைஞரான ராம்ஜேத் மலானி எதற்கும் அஞ்சாதவர். எந்தச் சூழ்நிலையிலும் நீதியை நிலைநாட்ட கடைசிவரை தனது தரப்பினருக்காக வாதாடுபவர். இந்திரா காந்தி கொலையாளிகள் தரப்புக்காக அவர் வாதாட முன்வந்தபோது அவருக்கு எதிராக பலத்த குரல்கள் எழுந்தன. அந்த காரணத்துக்காகவே அவர் பா.ஜ.க.விலிருந்து நீக்கப்பட்டார். ஆனாலும் அதற்காக அவர் கவலைப்படவில்லை.
அவரது வாதத் திறமையால் குற்றவாளிகளில் ஒருவர் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டபோது அவரைப் பலரும் பாராட்டினர். பா.ஜ.க.வும் மீண்டும் அவரை கட்சியில் சேர்த்துக் கொண்டது. ஒரு வழக்கில் குற்றவாளி எனத் தீர்ப்பளிக்கப்பட்டவர் தரப்பில் நியாயம் இருக்கிறது என்று தெரியவந்தால், நீதியை நிலைநாட்ட அவருக்கு ஆதரவாக வாதாடுவதில் தவறில்லை என்பது அவரது கருத்து. இதே போன்று, ராஜீவ் கொலையாளிகளுக்கு ஆதரவாக அவர் ஆஜராக முன்வந்தபோது அவரின் செயல்மீது யாரும் கேள்வி எழுப்பவில்லை. அவரது துணிச்சல் பாராட்டுக்குரியது.

மனு சர்மா என்பவர் தனது காதலியை துண்டு துண்டாக வெட்டிக் கொலை செய்த வழக்கில் அவருக்காக ஜேத்மலானி வாதாடினார். இதை அவரது நண்பர்களே விரும்பவில்லை. ஆனாலும் அவர் தொழில் தர்மத்தை விட்டுக் கொடுக்கவில்லை.
அரசியலில் ஊழலை எதிர்க்கிறீர்கள். ஆனால், நீதிமன்றத்தில் ஊழல்பேர்வழிகளுக்கு ஆதரவாக ஆஜராகிறீர்கள். அது எப்படி என்று கேட்டபோது, ஊழல் செய்து சட்டவிரோதமாக பணம் சேர்த்தவர்களில் பலர் காங்கிரஸ்காரர்களாக இருப்பார்கள் அல்லது அவர்களுக்கு கூட்டாளிகளாக இருப்பார்கள். பணக்காரர்களிடம் அதிக கட்டணம் வாங்கிக் கொண்டு அவர்களுக்காக வாதாடுவது எனது தொழில். அதே நேரத்தில் ஊழல் ஒழிக்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்பது எனது கொள்கை என்று பதில் சொன்னார் ராம் ஜேத்மலானி.

ராம்நாத்ஜிக்காக பல வழக்குகளில் அவர் வாதாடியபோதும் அதற்காக அவர் கட்டணம் ஏதும் வாங்கிக்கொள்ளவில்லை. ராம்நாத்ஜி அவரிடம் ஒரு முறை வழக்குக்காக உங்களை (ஜேத்மலானி) நாடி வருபவர்களிடம் கட்டணத்தை எப்படி நிர்ணயிக்கிறீர்கள் என்று கேட்டபோது, அது எனது வாடிக்கையாளரின் பர்ஸ் கனமாக இருப்பதையும், அவரது பிரச்னைகளையும் பொருத்தது என்று சிரித்துக்கொண்டே கூறினார்.
வழக்குரைஞர் என்ற வகையில் அவர் சட்ட அறிவு நிறைந்தவர். அவரது ஞாபக சக்தியும் அலாதியானது. வழக்கின் தன்மையை அறிந்துகொண்டு, அதிலுள்ள சட்ட நுணுக்கங்களை முழுமையாகத் தெரிந்துகொண்டு தன் கட்சிக்காரருக்கு அளிக்கப்பட்ட தண்டனை தவறானது என்று நிரூபித்து அவரை விடுவிப்பது அவருக்கே கைவந்த கலை.

ஜனநாயகவாதியான ஜேத்மலானி, சர்வாதிகாரம் எந்த உருவத்தில் வந்தாலும் அதனை எதிர்த்துக் குரல்கொடுக்கத் தயங்கியதில்லை. 2013-ஆம் ஆண்டு, கட்சி மேலிடத்தை எதிர்த்து போர்க்கொடி தூக்கியதற்காக அவர் பா.ஜ.க.விலிருந்து நீக்கப்பட்டார். ஆனால், எதற்கும் அசராத ஜேத்மலானி, தான் கட்சியிலிருந்து நீக்கப்பட்டது சட்ட விரோதமானது, ஜனநாயகத்துக்கு எதிரானது என்று கூறி வழக்கு தொடுத்தார். இறுதியில் அவரது இடைநீக்கத்தை பா.ஜ.க. திரும்பப் பெற வேண்டியதாயிற்று.
போலித்தனம் என்பது அவரது அகராதியில் இல்லை. தனக்கு மனதில் பட்டதை செயல்படுத்த அவர் ஒருபோதும் தயங்கியதில்லை. வாழ்க்கையில் தனக்கென சில நியதிகளை வகுத்துக்கொண்டு அதை இம்மியும் பிசகாமல் கடைப்பிடித்து வந்தார். அவர் சாதாரண மனிதர் அல்லர், உன்னதமானவர். சட்டம் மற்றும் அரசியல் உலகில் அவரைப் போன்ற ஒருவரை இனி காண்பது அரிது.

கட்டுரையாளர்:
ஆசிரியர், துக்ளக்

எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., 'சீட்' மோசடி

Added : செப் 12, 2019 00:50

மதுரை : மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவக்கல்லுாரியில் மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கு போலி உத்தரவு தயாரித்துக்கொடுத்த கும்பல் குறித்து விசாரணை நடக்கிறது.

ஆந்திராவை சேர்ந்த மாணவர் ரியாஸ். நேற்று முன்தினம் மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி டீன் வனிதாவை சந்தித்தார். தனக்கு மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரியில் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடம் கிடைத்திருப்பதாக சான்றிதழை காட்டினார். அதை ஆய்வு செய்த போது போலியானது என தெரிந்தது. ரியாசிடம் போலீசார் விசாரித்தனர்.அவர் 'நீட்' தேர்வில் தோல்வி அடைந்தவர். அவரை தொடர்புகொண்ட மோசடி நபர் ஒருவர் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., சீட் வாங்கி தருவதாக ரூ.6 லட்சம் பெற்றுள்ளார். மதுரை கல்லுாரியில் இடம் கிடைத்திருப்பதாக சான்றிதழையும் அனுப்பியுள்ளார்.

அதை 'உண்மை' என நம்பி கல்லுாரியில் சேர வந்தபோது தான் போலி என ரியாசுக்கு தெரிந்தது. அவரிடம் போலீசார் தொடர்ந்து விசாரிக்கின்றனர். இந்த மோசடி பின்னணியில் கும்பல் ஒன்று இருக்கலாம் என போலீசார் சந்தேகிக்கின்றனர்.

துணைவேந்தர் பதவிக்கு 147 பேர் போட்டா போட்டி

Added : செப் 12, 2019 01:05

கோவை : கோவை, பாரதியார் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் பதவிக்கு விண்ணப்பித்த, 147 பேரின்விபரங்கள், பல்கலை இணையதளத்தில் நேற்றுவெளியிடப்பட்டன.பாரதியார் பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் பணியிடம், இரண்டு ஆண்டுகளாக காலியாக உள்ளது.

பதிவாளர், தேர்வு கட்டுப்பாட்டு அதிகாரி, இயக்குனர் உட்பட அனைத்து முக்கிய பணியிடங்களும், பொறுப்பு பேராசிரியர்கள் வசம் ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதனால், நிர்வாக முடிவுகள் மேற்கொள்வதில், சிக்கல்கள் உள்ளன.நீண்ட இழுபறிக்கு பின், துணைவேந்தர் பதவிக்கு விண்ணப்பம் பெறும் பணி, கடந்த மாதம் துவங்கியது. செப்., 9ல், விண்ணப்ப செயல்பாடுகள் நிறைவு பெற்றன. விண்ணப்பித்தவர்கள் பட்டியல், நேற்று வெளியானது. பாரதியார் பல்கலையில், தற்போது பொறுப்பில் உள்ளவர்கள், முன்னாள் பொறுப்பாளர்கள், 20க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர், இப்பதவிக்கு விண்ணப்பித்துள்ளனர்.

தேடல் குழு உறுப்பினர், சுப்பிரமணியம்கூறியதாவது:துணைவேந்தர் பதவிக்கு, 147 பேர் விண்ணப்பித்துள்ளனர். இவர்களது விபரங்களை, பல்கலை இணையதளத்தில் வெளியிட்டுள்ளோம். தொடர்ந்து, சான்றிதழ்கள், கொடுக்கப்பட்ட தகவல்களின் உண்மைத் தன்மையை ஆய்வு செய்ய உள்ளோம். நல்ல மனிதராகவும், நல்ல கல்வியாளராகவும் உள்ள ஒருவரை, வெளிப்படையான முறையில், விரைவில் தேர்வுசெய்வோம்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

பொங்கல் ரயில் பயணம் முன்பதிவு நாளை துவக்கம்

Added : செப் 11, 2019 23:30

பொங்கல் பண்டிகைக்கு, ரயிலில் சொந்த ஊர் செல்ல திட்டமிட்டுள்ளவர்கள், நாளை முன்பதிவு செய்யலாம்.ரயிலில் பயணம் செய்ய, 120 நாட்களுக்கு முன், முன்பதிவு செய்யும் வசதி உள்ளது.

அடுத்தாண்டு பொங்கல் பண்டிகை, ஜன., 15ல் கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. பொங்கல் பண்டிகைக்கு, இன்றுடன் சேர்த்து, இன்னும், 125 நாட்கள் உள்ளன. வரும், 2020 ஜன., 11, 12, சனி, ஞாயிறு விடுமுறை. ஜன., 13, 14 என, திங்கள், செவ்வாய், இரண்டு நாட்கள் வேலை நாட்கள். அடுத்து, 15ம் தேதி புதன் அன்று பொங்கல்; 16ம் தேதி வியாழன் மாட்டு பொங்கல்; 17ம் தேதி, வெள்ளியன்று காணும் பொங்கல் கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது.அடுத்து, சனி, ஞாயிறு என, இரண்டு நாட்களும் விடுமுறை நாட்கள். ஜன., 13, 14ல், இரண்டு நாட்கள் விடுப்பு எடுத்தால், ஒன்பது நாட்கள் விடுமுறையை அனுபவிக்கலாம்.

இந்நிலையில், பொங்கல் பண்டிகைக்கு அதிகம் பேர் சொந்த ஊர் செல்வர் என்பதால், ரயில்களில் பயணியர் கூட்டம் அதிகம் இருக்கும்.ஜன., 10 வெள்ளிக்கிழமைக்கு ரயிலில் பயணிக்க, நாளை முன்பதிவு துவங்குகிறது. ஜன., 11ல் பயணிக்க, வரும், 14ம் தேதி; ஜன., 14 போகியன்று பயணிக்க, வரும், 17ம் தேதியும் முன்பதிவு செய்யலாம்.இந்த தேதிகளில் முந்தினால், படுக்கை வசதியுடன் டிக்கெட் பெறலாம்.

சிங்கப்பூர் பெண்ணுடன் சென்னிமலை வாலிபர், 'டும்டும்!'

Added : செப் 11, 2019 22:10

சென்னிமலை : சிங்கப்பூரைச் சேர்ந்த தமிழ் பெண்ணை, சென்னிமலை வாலிபர் திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டார்.

ஈரோடு மாவட்டம், சென்னிமலை அருகே, பசுவப்பட்டி பிரிவைச் சேர்ந்தவர் மோகன்குமார், 31; பிஎச்.டி., பட்டதாரி. இவர், சிங்கப்பூரில் காற்றாலை மின்சார உற்பத்தி பிரிவில், சீனியர் ஆராய்ச்சி இன்ஜினியராக பணிபுரிகிறார்.நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம், பரமத்தி வேலுார், ராசாம்பாளையத்தை பூர்வீகமாக கொண்ட குடும்பத்தினர், மூன்று தலைமுறைகளுக்கு முன், சிங்கப்பூர் சென்று, வாழ்ந்து வருகின்றனர்.அந்த குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த தனலட்சுமி, 26, என்பவரும், மோகன்குமாரும் காதலித்து வந்தனர். இரு வீட்டு பெற்றோருடன் பேசி, தமிழ் கலாச்சார முறைப்படி திருமணம் செய்ய முடிவு செய்தனர்.

சிங்கப்பூரில் இருந்து மணமகள் குடும்பத்தினர், ஒரு வாரத்துக்கு முன், கோவை வந்து தங்கினர்.நேற்று, காங்கேயம் நால்ரோடு அருகேயுள்ள, மண்டபத்தில் இருவருக்கும் திருமணம் நடந்தது. மணமகன், பட்டு வேட்டி,- சட்டையிலும், மணமகள் பட்டு புடவையிலும் இருந்தனர். சிவாச்சாரியார்கள் மந்திரம் ஓத, உற்றார், உறவினர்கள் வாழ்த்த, திருமணம் நடந்தது.விழாவில் கலந்து கொண்ட அனைவருக்கும் மரக்கன்றுகள், டாக்டர், எம்.எஸ்., உதயமூர்த்தி எழுதிய, 'எண்ணங்கள்' புத்தகம், இலவசமாக வழங்கப்பட்டது.

மணமகள் தனலட்சுமி கூறுகையில், ''நான், சிங்கப்பூரிலேயே பிறந்து வளர்ந்தேன். தமிழ் கலாச்சாரத்தை படித்துள்ளேன். இதுவரை தமிழகம் வந்தது இல்லை.''இங்குள்ள மருதாணி, பாரம்பரிய இசை, மக்களின் அன்பான அணுகு முறை, உபசரிப்பு போன்றவை, மிகவும் பிடித்துஉள்ளது,'' என்றார்.

Chennai: Cobra causes flutter at State secretariat

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | D SEKAR

PublishedSep 12, 2019, 2:29 am IST

Luckily, we have not encountered any snake coming for these rats, so far”, said a Secretariat staffer.

A four feet long cobra at the VIP gate of secretariat in Fort St George on Wednesday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: A young cobra about four feet long caused panic at the VIP gate of State secretariat in Fort St George on Wednesday. The women constables on duty nearby raised alarm when they saw the snake trying to go up the steps and gain entry to the office from the Assembly/Press Room side.

“We immediately alerted our superior officers and also the fire service. The snake by then had curled up in a corner, perhaps wanting to get out the reach of the disturbing humans”, said a policewoman, sounding very excited.

She said the security personnel and others gathered at the place were “very scared and quite concerned that the snake might enter the office and disappear into the scattered furniture and files”. If such a ‘calamity’ happened, it would have been net to impossible to trap the reptile.

“We usually find many rats, some of them as huge as bandicoots, running here and there, and making noise as they ran over the false ceilings in the secretariat departments. Luckily, we have not encountered any snake coming for these rats, so far”, said a Secretariat staffer. He pointed out that the offices were almost empty since it was a government holiday owing to Muharram.

A police officer on frequent guard duty at the main entrance said there “are many snakes in the wild plant growth around the Fort St George” and neither the Army, which owns and controls the area, nor the government that has occupied most of the space for its many departments, have cared to keep the surroundings free of rodents and hunting snakes.

Chennai: 21 SRM students chosen for Harvard internship

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedSep 12, 2019, 2:37 am IST

It was this loss which further strengthened her resolve to find a cure for cancer.

Meghna Mukherjee

Chennai: When Meghma Mukherjee’s sister succumbed to cancer a few years back, the tragedy not only shook her world but also became a turning point in her life.

It was this loss which further strengthened her resolve to find a cure for cancer.

Her dream will soon become a reality with her becoming one of 21 select students from SRM Institute of Science and Technology chosen to pursue a six-month-long internship at the prestigious Harvard Medical School.

“The internship at the Lab is perfect for me as I will get to observe the behaviour of cancer cells in response to different treatments and how they interact with our immune system,” says an excited Meghma.

The internship will commence in January next year and the students will be mentored by Shiladitya Sengupta, Head, Laboratory of Cancer NanoMedicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States.

For many of these students, this Harvard internship is a once in a lifetime opportunity and they say they hope to make the best out of it.

SRM students have been selected for Harvard internships in the past, but this happens to be the first time that such a high number of students are being admitted for their internship programme.

Kitchen licence of Murugan Idli Shop suspended in Chennai

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedSep 12, 2019, 3:34 am IST

Fails to address issues raised by food safety officials.

Notice issued by food safety officials regarding the unhygienic kitchen conditions at the outlet located in Ambattur. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: The kitchen licence of popular food joint Murugan Idli Shop has been temporarily suspended after the restaurant failed to rectify the shortcomings cited by the food safety officials during an earlier visit. Food safety officials from Tiruvallur district cancelled the licence of the restaurant’s central kitchen, located in Ambattur Industrial Estate on Tuesday and an announcement regarding the suspension of license was displayed on the restaurant’s door.

The central kitchen supplies food to 23 other branches around the city.

In an earlier inspection conducted by the officials last month on August 7, the department had expressed concern over the unhygienic kitchen conditions. The officials had also pointed out 10 major defects in the working conditions of the kitchen including damaged flooring in the kitchen, improper temperature control of storage refrigerators and unclean washing area. Reportedly, the restaurant did not follow pest control methods and the medical certificates of the food handlers were also not submitted. Further, hair caps and hand gloves were also not provided to workers.

The food safety officials had then given a 50-day ultimatum to the restaurant to rectify the shortcomings.

However, the restaurant’s failure to respond to their notices prompted the officials to issue a showcause notice, which too was met with a similar response.

Following this, the officials temporarily suspended the kitchen licence of the restaurant. The restaurant can rectify the defects and can app-eal to revoke the suspension. Notably, the Parry’s outlet of the restaurant was in news lately after a customer found worms in his meals. He had then filed a complaint with the food safety department through their WhatsApp complaint number. However, a few branches of the shop were fully functional on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu government plans common online counselling for all colleges and universities
The proposal is to replicate the admission system followed for engineering courses to other streams also.

Published: 12th September 2019 12:53 AM

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government is contemplating to implement online admission system for all colleges and universities in the state similar to the system already in place for the engineering courses.

The officials in the higher education department said the move is aimed to bring transparency in the admission process and make it more streamlined. The new system may be implemented from the next academic year. However, the modalities of the system are yet to be chalked out.

Mangat Ram Sharma, Higher education secretary, told Express, "There are so many private colleges and universities in the state and it will be difficult to implement the system for all institutions in one go.

Hence, we have plans to implement the online admission process in government and government-aided colleges first.”

“Like engineering courses, the admission in different colleges are also based on the marks obtained in Class XII, so there will be no problem in implementing the online admission process at all,” he
added.

The department is yet to draw a concrete roadmap about implementation of the online admission system. Officials in the higher education department said further meetings will be conducted to discuss about  the best possible ways to implement the admission system in the most effective manner.

The idea for introducing online admission process for colleges, similar to the one in operation for engineering colleges in the state, was proposed recently in a review meeting of the higher education
department which was headed by the chief secretary K Shanmugam. The chief secretary had accepted the proposal and requested concerned authorities to initiate the process.

Sources in the department said the idea was mooted to enhance automation and strengthen the technical capacity in the institutions. “The online admission system will definitely help in better monitoring  of the admission system. The system will serve many purposes. Firstly, the students will not have to apply separately for each college and secondly it will also avoid the alleged corruption in the process,”  said a senior official of the department.

However, some academicians feel implementation of the ambitious project will be quite cumbersome.

“Only few government colleges in the state are in demand among students. In the online process, if all  students will opt for these good colleges and not choose other institutes then what would be their fate. Then we will face a situation like the one we are seeing in the engineering colleges,” said a faculty member of University of Madras.

Power cuts on September 12 in parts of Chennai including Adyar, Thirumangalam
Here's a list of Chennai localities that is to have a power cut on Thursday.

Published: 10th September 2019 11:56 PM |

For representational purposes

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: For carrying out maintenance work, power supply will be suspended by Tangedco on Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm in these following areas. According to a statement from Tangedco, power supply will be resumed before 5 pm if work is completed ahead of schedule. Here is the list.

MANGADU AREA : Mangadu town panchayat, Rangunathapuram, Kollumanivakkam, Sivanthangal, Chikkarayapuram, Pattur, Bathirimedu, Then colony, Srinivasa nagar, Nellithopu, Mahalakshimi nagar, chakra nagar, Sadhik nagar, Sakthi nagar, KK Nagar, Melma Nagar.

THIRUMANGALAM AREA : Sathiya sai nagar, Metrozone, V.R.Shopping Mall, Golden Juble flats, Ambedkar nagar, Balaji nagar.

ADYAR INDIRA NAGAR AREA : Srinivasa moorthy avenue, Krishnamachari avenue, KB Nagar 1 st st, LB road one part, Thiruvenkadam st, Anna avenue.


MANALI SATHANGADU AREA: Kamaraj salai, Padasalai, Chinasekkadu, Parthasarathy st, Rajasekar nagar, Padavettamman st, Baljipalayam.

Fisheries University restrained from publishing results

According to the petitioners, the qualification prescribed in the advertisement and the TNJFU regulations are one and the same in respect of the faculty of Fisheries Sciences.

Published: 11th September 2019 06:12 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday restrained the Registrar, TN Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Nagapattinam, from publishing the results with regard to selection of Assistant Professors in faculty of Fisheries Engineering. Justice M Dhandapani granted the stay when a batch of writ petitions came up before him on Tuesday. The judge, however, allowed the students to attend the interview scheduled for September 12. According to the petitioners, the qualification prescribed in the advertisement and the TNJFU regulations are one and the same in respect of the faculty of Fisheries Sciences. But, there were some discrepancies.

Warm meals with warm smiles

After her stint as an air hostess, and in public relations, Shilpam Rathore found her calling in providing daily food for the needy

Published: 12th September 2019 06:11 AM 

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: For the last four years, Shilpam Rathore has been distributing meals to hospital patients and their attendants through her NGO, the Aranya Foundation. The NGO distributes 300 meals a day at the Outpatient Departments (OPD) in two hospitals in Chennai and one in New Delhi. Thus far, she has distributed 1,75,000 meals to the needy. She talks to CE about Aranya, and her views on charity.

What led to the formation of the Aranya Foundation?

It was a foggy night in December 2015, and I was returning from a wedding in New Delhi. I saw a woman cooking for her sick child on a footpath outside the All India Institute of Medial Sciences (AIIMS). My house was just 200 yards away, so I quickly cooked khichdi for her and when I spoke to her, I found out that there are hundreds like her who come from other cities.
I was moved listening to their stories, and decided to help them out in any way I could — if not through shelter, then at least by giving them food.

How has the foundation grown over the years?

Initially, I used to buy rotis and make a curry at home. My husband funded the entire thing. So, both my kids had to give up on their outings and adjust till things settled. Slowly, word spread and more funding came in. We started giving 100 meals a day for OPD patients at AIIMS. By March 2016, we were registered as the Aranya Foundation.


What’s the meaning behind the name ‘Aranya Foundation’?

The foundation is named after my children. When I started the NGO, my son was 12 years old and my daughter was 16 at that time. They had agreed to go without outside food for a month as we needed funds to prepare the food. Like any mother, I love my children very much, and so I decided to club their names — Arnav and Enya — to form the word Aranya. It also means respite.

When did you bring Aranya to Chennai?

In 2016, we moved to Chennai, and I decided to implement something similar here. It took me about six months to zero in on which demographic needed our help. In April 2017, we started distributing 100 meals daily at the Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore. We give them different meals everyday — idlis, dosas and pongal to pulao. I am particular about the food being warm, just like how it is at home. Although we have shifted sights to Chennai, we are continuing operations at AIIMS side-by-side. Three weeks back, we began distributing 100-120 meals daily at the Adyar Cancer Institute. They already have a kitchen, so we are sponsoring the meals.

Does the Foundation hold any fundraisers?

We host an annual fundraiser. In 2017, we roped in Nizami Bandhu, a renowned Indian musical group, who flew down to the city for the first time. This year, we held our fundraiser on August 28, featuring the Warsi Brothers from Hyderabad.

What were you doing before you began Aranya?

I worked as an air hostess with Cathay Pacific from 1994 to 1998. As my husband works in the police department, I was constantly shifting homes. We were posted in places like Europe, Salem, Madurai, and Tuticorin. I was running a public relations company for charity for some time. As Paulo Coelho says in The Alchemist, ‘You need to go all around the world to find home is only here.’

How do you unwind?

I love listening to music and reading books. I love spending time with my children and try to be free to spend time with them. They are my number one priority. Also, I like to travel and explore different cultures — I am fascinated with Japanese and Korean cultures.

How are you at work vs at home?

At work, I am an extension of the person I am at home. My work is driven by what a person should be. Working for people depends on your value system. Therefore, I truly believe in charity begins at home.

Power shutdown in parts of Chennai on Sept 13

As a part of routine maintenance works, Tangedo will be suspending power supply in areas of Anna Salai, Puzhal and Velachery.

Published: 11th September 2019 06:27 PM

Power shutdown in Chennai owing to maintenance

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: For carrying out maintenance work, power supply will be suspended by Tangedco on Friday (Sept 13) from 9 am to 5 pm in these following areas. According to a statement from Tangedco, power supply will be resumed before 5 pm if work is completed. Here is the list.

ANNASALAI: Wallaja road, Kalaivanar Arangam, T.H. road (one part), Appavo Gramani st, Pachiappan st, Chinnathambi swami, Sivanatha salai, MLA Hostel, Marina, VSNL, Balamuthu, Thayar Sahib, Ellis Mukthurnisa Beuam all st, Unish ali st, Thipu sahib st, Gulam mukthurunisa st, State House Guest, Press club.

VELACHERY: Old Taramani, Mahathma Gandhi nagar, Anbazhagan nagar, Thiruvallur salai, Natarajan street, Seethapathy nagar, Jayanthi street, Gandhi salai, Thiruveethi amman koil st, Vellalar street.

PUZHAL: Gandhi st, Mariammal nagar, VOC st, Gurushanthi nagar, Polytechnic area, Meenakshi nagar, Kavankarai, Thandalkazhani, Jeeva st, Sakthivel nagar, Suraper, Puthagaram, JP Nagar, Ezhil nagar,  Shanmugapuram, Madanakuppam, Brindavan nagar, Indira nagar,Bharathidasan nagar, Sivaprakasam nagar.

Chennai to get a new biweekly train to Hubbali from September 17

The biweekly express will be operated via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Cuddapah, Guntakal, Ballari, Hosepet and Gadag.

Published: 12th September 2019 12:49 AM |

For representational purposes (Photo| EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Train connectivity between Chennai and northern parts of Karnataka is set to get better with railways introducing a biweekly express between Chennai and Hubbali.

The regular service of new bi-weekly express will commence from Hubbali on September 17 and from Chennai on September 18.

An inaugural service will be flagged off on Saturday (September 14) in Hubbali, according to official documents.

The train has been introduced by South Western Railway based on the request by Union Minister Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, who is a Member of Parliament from Dharwad constituency in Karnataka.


The biweekly train will leave Chennai at 3 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays and reach Hubbali at 5.15 am on the next day. Similarly, on return direction, the train will leave Hubbali at Tuesdays and Fridays  at 9.05 pm and reach Chennai at 10.50 am on the next day.

The biweekly express will be operated via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Cuddapah, Guntakal, Ballari, Hosepet and Gadag.

The new train is expected to fulfill one of the long-pending demands of rail passengers from northern districts of Karnataka to have direct night train to Chennai. Besides providing connectivity to Ballari,
Gadag and Hosepet from Chennai, the train is also expected to benefit the passengers heading to Guntakal as well.

Presently, the Chennai - Hubbali section is being catered by two weekly trains. The Chennai - Hubbali weekly express is being operated on Sundays, while Chennai - Vasco Da Gama express run on Fridays.

Both trains run via Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Krishnarajapuram, Yesvantpur, Tumakuru, Tiptur and Davangere.

Official railway sources said in-spite of huge demand for train frequency of Chennai - Hubbali weekly express could not be increased owing to track constraints. “The advance reservation for new trains  has been thrown open in IRCTC,” said sources.

After seven years, MTC buses ply on original routes in Chennai's Anna Salai
A total of 52 routes operated by MTC has started running as per its original routes after two-way traffic system restored in the road on completion of Metro rail work.

Published: 12th September 2019 01:04 AM |

Anna Salai

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a relief to MTC bus passengers, MTC buses from Wednesday started plying on both directions in Chennai's famed arterial road, Anna Salai. This is after a seven years gap since the traffic flow in the portion of the road between LIC and Anand theatre bus stops was made one-way in 2012 for Metrorail construction.

This means a total of 2,963 trips the MTC buses will make every day on the Anna Salai as per their original routes.

“About 256 buses (in 52 routes) are operated via Anna Salai. All the buses being restored to the older routes,” said a senior official from MTC.

In March 2012, to facilitate Metrorail construction the traffic on the six-lane road was made as one way between LIC and Anand theatre bus stops. To divert the traffic, West Cott road - White road up to Anna Salai portion was also converted as one way traffic. Since then the MTC buses were diverted via General Patters road and White roads. Similarly, buses from Royapettah tower clock also diverted via Whites
road.


With the restoration of the MTC buses to their original routes, this Anna Salai stretch, one of the top business hubs in the city, will get bus connectivity to different parts of the city. With the Metrorail
too now operating services between AG-DMS and Washermenpet along this road, it is expected to make public transport much easier for people commuting to work.

D Raman, a regular commuter from Broadway said the restoration will enable the bus services to Anand theatre bus stop from where can easily access British Council and Devaneya Pavanar libraries. “So far  I got down at whites road and take a long walk to enter the library," he said.

The move expected to provide huge relief for bus commuters from the usual trafffic pile up at GP road junction during peak hours.

Anna Univ’s IoE tag: TN to ask MHRD to bear 75% funding

The officials said when Anna University applied for the IoE status at that time, no such norm was in place for half amount to be borne by state government.

Published: 12th September 2019 06:20 AM

College of Engineering at Anna University campus | Express

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government will soon write to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), requesting it to provide grants to the extent of 70% to 75% of the sum required for Anna University to be declared as the Institution of Eminence (IoE).

Higher Education secretary, Mangat Ram Sharma told Express that he will request the MHRD to provide at least 70% to 75% of the funds and the remaining 25% would be borne by the State. “We don’t want to lose the opportunity of getting the IoE status for Anna University. An attempt will be made to request the MHRD to lower the amount of the state government’s share. If we don’t receive any positive response on the matter from them, then we will take a final call on the issue,” said Sharma to Express.

Anna University was recommended by the UGC empowered committee, for getting the IoE status with a rider that the Tamil Nadu government should give up to 50% of the grant along with the Centre, that the varsity will receive under the scheme over five years.


Officials in the higher education department said it would be difficult to bear the 50% share for the state government. The officials said when Anna University applied for the IoE status at that time, no such norm was in place for half amount to be borne by state government.

New iPhones to come to India from September 27 for Rs 64,900 onwards; old versions get price cuts

The Cupertino-based tech giant has also revised prices of its older generation iPhone models in India with the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) now available at Rs 29,900.

Published: 11th September 2019 11:46 PM 

Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the latest iPhone during an event to announce new products Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in Cupertino, Calif. | AP

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Apple enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on the latest line-up of iPhones -- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max -- priced Rs 64,900 onwards from September 27.

The Cupertino-based tech giant has also revised prices of its older generation iPhone models in India with the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) now available at Rs 29,900.

"iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are the most powerful and advanced smartphones we have ever made.

They are packed with sophisticated technology that pros can count on to get their work done, and for anyone who wants the best device made, even if they are not a pro," Apple Senior Vice-President (Worldwide Marketing) Phil Schiller had said.


iPhone 11 -- the base model -- will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants priced at Rs 64,900 onwards.

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB variants starting at Rs 99,900 and Rs 1,09,900, respectively.

The iPhone 11 Pro introduces a triple-camera system with ultrawide, wide and telephoto cameras, deeply integrated into its iOS (operating system).

The iOS 13 will be available on September 19 as a free software update for iPhone 6s and later versions.

After the revision of the prices of older generation phones, the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) at Rs 29,900 is probably the most affordable device available in the country from the premium smartphone maker's stable.

There may be older version phones available with certain retailers.

According to Apple India's website, the iPhone 8 (64GB) is now retailing at Rs 39,900 (from Rs 59,900 earlier), while iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XR (64GB) are available for Rs 49,900.

The iPhone XS (64GB) at Rs 89,900, while the 256GB variant will retail for Rs 1,03,900.

India is key market for phone makers globally.

Smartphone shipment in India registered a healthy 9.9 per cent year-on-year growth at 36.9 million units in the June 2019 quarter with premium category growing at an even faster pace.

Apple competes in the premium category with players such as Samsung and OnePlus.

Recently, Apple had said the Indian market "bounced back" in the June quarter as the company logged strong double-digit growth in the country.

Apple, which announced its third-quarter numbers in July, clocked 1 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue at USD 53.8 billion for the quarter ended June.

International sales accounted for 59 per cent of the quarter's topline.

The company, however, does not give out country-specific numbers.

The company follows October-September fiscal year.

The firm has also stated that it is keen on offering online and in-store experiences to Indian users at par with its global standards and aims to open its maiden retail store in India.

Apart from iPhones, Apple has also introduced the new seventh-generation iPad that has more screen area and support for the full-sized Smart Keyboard to its popular and affordable iPad stable.

In India, the new iPad will be available at a starting price of Rs 29,900.

It has also launched Series 5 of the Apple Watch, debuting an "Always-On" retina display that "never sleeps, so it's easy to see the time and other important information, without raising or tapping the display".

The Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS version) starts at Rs 40,900 and Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS plus Cellular models) starts at Rs 49,900.

The third-generation Apple Watch, with built-in GPS, optical heart rate sensor and water resistance, will start at a new lower price of Rs 20,900 and at Rs 29,900 for the GPS and cellular versions.

Besides, Apple also announced the 'Apple TV+' -- an all-original video subscription service -- that will launch on November 1 in over 100 countries and regions, including India.

The service -- which will compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos -- will offer a full line-up of original shows, movies and documentaries, including 'Servant', a thriller from Indian-American filmmaker M Night Shyamalan.

Apple TV+ will be available on the Apple TV app for Rs 99 per month with a seven-day free trial starting November 1 on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3rd generation), iPod touch and Mac.

It will also be available on the Apple TV app on select 2018, 2019 and newer Samsung smart TVs, and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and VIZIO platforms in the future.

More Rajdhani services from tomorrow

12/09/2019,AJEET MAHALE MUMBAI

The Central Railway (CR) will increase the frequency of the Rajdhani Express, which runs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi.

The service, which runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will now run on Mondays and Fridays too.

Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the additional service at CSMT on Friday, along with other amenities.

Scolded over video game, boy ends life

12/09/2019, STAFF REPORTER,VISAKHAPATNAM

A 15-year-old boy allegedly ended his life after his parents scolded him for spending too much time playing PUBG in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Inspector Pydapu Naidu said Lohith’s parents reportedly reprimanded him over his addiction to the game. “Lohith was spending too much time on his mobile phone playing PUBG. His parents were worried about his addiction and they confiscated his mobile phone recently. Lohith went into depression and allegedly consumed pesticide on August 21. He was undergoing treatment at King George Hospital and succumbed on Wednesday,” Mr. Naidu said.

A case has been registered under Section 174 CrPC (unnatural death), Mr. Naidu said.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has gained a reputation for being a wildly addictive game, and has stoked a debate across the country on whether it should be banned. Calls for a ban increased in the wake of a number of teenagers and adolescents ending their lives after being confronted by their families over their addiction to the game.

There have also been incidents of youngsters killing their family members after their phones were confiscated in a bid to stop their addiction to the game. The incident has sent shockwaves in Visakhapatnam as is the first time that it witnessed a case of suicide related to gaming addiction.

Those battling suicidal thoughts are urged to contact police helpline 100 for counselling.

Narrow escape for 40 as boat capsizes in Kollidam river

12/09/2019, C. JAISANKAR ,ARIYALUR

As many as 40 persons had a narrow escape after a boat capsized in the Kollidam river near Melaramanallur in Ariyalur district on Wednesday.

The group, including 14 women of a few villages in Thanjavur district, had gone to Melaramanallur, an islet in the Kollidam river, to attend a temple function.

A motorised boat that ferried them on their way back developed a technical snag and subsequently the boat capsized in the river in full flow after about 20,000 cusecs of surplus water was released from the Mukkombu Upper Anicut.

While the male passengers of the boat managed to swim to safety, women passengers struggled for a while before residents of neighbouring Karuppur village rescued them despite darkness setting in. The Fire and Rescue Service personnel also joined them in the rescue operation. A Senior police officer told The Hindu that all aboard the boat were rescued.

Married in the presence of their Amma

AIADMK functionary arranges son’s wedding at former CM Jayalalithaa’s memorial

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Steeped in symbolism: Floral arrangements were made to resemble the party’s Two Leaves symbol.

The burial site of late All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader and former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa on the Marina beachfront here was decorated with flowers on Wednesday morning. However, this time, no leader was visiting to announce a major decision of his career. Instead, a young couple arrived to get married.

The bridegroom’s father and AIADMK functionary, S. Bavani Sankar, said, “I have been an ardent fan of our Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (Jayalalithaa). I badly wanted her to come for my son’s wedding but fate took her away from this world rather soon! Still, we didn’t want to give up, so we arranged the wedding there [at the memorial] to get her blessings,”

During the auspicious time of 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the bridegroom, S. B. Sambasivaraman alias Sathish, married R. Deepika in the presence of senior AIADMK functionaries, including Tamil Magan Hussain and former Minister S. Gokula Indira, at Jayalalithaa’s memorial. The floral arrangements were made to resemble the party’s Two Leaves symbol, and Jayalalithaa’s portrait was garlanded.

“I will never forget this day. Even if we had arranged the wedding in a hall, it would not have been this special. We felt as if Amma has personally blessed our children. We have also arranged for a reception in the evening,” said Mr. Sankar, who recalled having been a strong supporter of Jayalalithaa since his youth. “I was so upset when Amma announced she was quitting politics, and happy when she returned.”

Other party leaders were unable to attend as they were away. AIADMK co-coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami was in Salem to attend a private function, and party coordinator O. Panneerselvam could not make it, though their names figured in the wedding invitation.

“I hope they will attend the reception,” Mr. Sankar said.

Rain creates new falls in Yercaud forests

Forest officials warn people against bathing at such spots

12/09/2019, STAFF REPORTER ,SALEM

One of the newly-formed waterfalls in Yercaud.E. Lakshmi Narayanan

Heavy rain in Yercaud has led to new waterfalls forming at various places in the foothills. Sensing that tourists might make a beeline to such spots, Forest Department officials have warned the public against trespassing into forest areas and bathing at such falls.

The mini falls are located deep inside the forests, and people find these places ideal picnic spots. As these falls are located at least three to four kilometres inside the forests, people have to trek to these spots. Forest officials said people could not get to these areas without obtaining proper permission from the department.

District Forest Officer A. Periasamy discouraged the public from taking out trips to these places as they were located in the reserve forest areas. Entering these places without permission would amount to trespass and would attract action, he said.

Chidambaram moves Delhi High Court for bail
He has been under detention for 21 days in INX Media case

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

P. Chidambaram

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who has been under detention for 21 days in connection with the INX Media case, approached the Delhi High Court on Wednesday seeking regular bail.

Mr. Chidambaram, in his petitions that also challenged a trial court order remanding him in judicial custody till September 19, has said that he is being prosecuted for his being a political opponent of the party in power.

The 74-year-old said he is a senior spokesperson of the Congress and has been vocal, both in his speeches and writings, in his opposition to the BJP-led coalition government.

“...the instant criminal proceeding is mala fide and is born out of political vendetta, and that the investigating agency is acting at the behest of the Central government, which wants to malign the untainted and unimpeachable reputation of the petitioner,” the plea said. It is scheduled to come up for hearing before Justice Suresh Kumar Kait on Thursday.

Mr. Chidambaram was first arrested on August 21 from his residence in Delhi by the CBI.

The case relates to a first information report (FIR) registered by the CBI on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance provided to INX Media for receiving overseas funds of ₹305 crore in 2007, when Mr. Chidambaram was Finance Minister. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating the alleged offence of money laundering arising out of the FIR.

“As far as FIPB cases were concerned, the petitioner (Chidambaram) approved only those cases that were recommended by the FIPB and put up to the petitioner by the Secretary, Economic Affairs,” the petition said.

Mr. Chidambaram said that during the period when he was in CBI custody, he was confronted with five officers of the Finance Ministry, who were involved in the processing of the FIPB file pertaining to INX Media.

“All of the aforesaid persons have affirmed the correctness of the approval granted to INX Media. Neither of them has alleged any illegality in the approval,” his petition said.

He said the CBI and ED had not found “even an iota of evidence of any payment by INX Media or INX News to the Petitioner or to his son Karti P. Chidambaram, co-accused in the subject FIR.”

Mr. Chidambaram said there was no likelihood of him absconding and not being available for trial.

SC asks man to prove bona fide after conversion

He had changed religion for marriage

12/09/2019, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked a man, who converted from Islam to Hinduism to marry a Hindu girl, to prove his bona fide.

Noting that he must be “a loyal husband and not only a great lover”, a Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M.R. Shah explained that the court has asked him to prove his good intentions by filing an affidavit only in order to secure the girl’s future and safety.

“We want to know whether he has converted for marriage or otherwise... We are not averse to this kind of living together. We are all for inter-faith and inter-caste marriages,” the Bench remarked orally.

The case was heard on an appeal filed by the girl’s parents for their daughter. They moved the court after the Chhattisgarh High Court recorded the 24-year-old girl’s willingness to live with her ‘husband.’

The girl’s father, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, submitted that the marriage was a sham. The man had changed his name merely for the purpose of marriage. He had returned to the fold of Islam.

Mr. Rohatgi said “around 70 policemen came and took her (the girl) away.”

“Have you changed your name? Have you taken all legal steps to change the name?” the Bench asked the boy’s counsel and senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi.

Mr. Dwivedi said the court cannot intervene in the choice of a woman to decide whom to live her life with. The lawyer quoted the Hadiya case decision of the Supreme Court, which said the right to choice of partner is part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21.

“I will file affidavit on bona fide within three days,” Mr. Dwivedi responded.

‘Mazumder no longer with Dental Council’

Health Ministry says DCI president has crossed age limit

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Dibyendu Mazumder

Noting that the Dental Council of India (DCI) membership of Dibyendu Mazumder came to an end on the day he attained 65 years of age, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has written to the DCI to take necessary action to ensure that he did not access official files or discharge any of the functions of the DCI. Action taken may be intimated to the Ministry immediately, the letter said.

Shaji K. Joseph, president of the Kerala Dental Council and a member of the DCI, had written to the MoHFW on July 15 this year, seeking Dr. Mazumder’s removal as DCI president and member. This was after he completed 65 years of age on July 10, and as per regulations, the maximum age limit for a faculty member is 65 years.

In the complaint, Dr. Joseph said Dr. Mazumder was flouting rules and regulations, and continuing as the DCI’s president. “Based on my complaint, the Ministry asked the DCI for clarifications,” he said. He also wanted a Commission of Inquiry to look into irregularities in the DCI.

Referring to a complaint against Dr. Mazumder, the Union Ministry, in a letter dated September 11 to the DCI secretary, noted that as per the Dentists Act, 1948, one member from the dental faculty of each university is elected as a member of the DCI. Under the provisions of the MDS Courses Regulations, 2017, the maximum age limit up to which a person can be appointed or granted extension or re-employment in service for the posts of dental teachers or Dean or Principal is 65 years.

On the day an elected member ceases to be member of such faculty, his/her DCI membership will also come to an end. Noting the DCI had intimated that Dr. Mazumder had attained the age of 65 years, he could not be treated as dental teacher/faculty though the University had designated him an honorary professor/professor emeritus, the Ministry said.

Traffic fines may be cut in Karnataka

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,BENGALURU

In the wake of Gujarat reducing hefty traffic fines, Karnataka is set to do the same.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday directed Transport Department officials to examine the Gujarat government’s order on a drastic cut in fines for traffic violations under the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act and take immediate action to reduce the penalties in Karnataka.

Addressing reporters, he said: “I have directed officials to get the order [of the Gujarat government] and take immediate action after examining the order.”

Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who holds the Transport portfolio, said a decision would be taken in three or four days on reducing the penalty.

Govt. yet to respond to GRH proposal for rebuilding paediatrics department

If you look at the building even today, the entire place is broken: senior doctor

12/09/2019, SANJANA GANESH,MADURAI

The Institute of Child Health and Research Centre at Government Rajaji Hospital that is awaiting a new lease of lifeR. Ashok

The paediatrics department at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), which has been in a dilapidated condition for years now, is yet to be rebuilt.

Although a proposal to improve hospital infrastructure was submitted to the State government a year ago, no steps have been taken so far, doctors allege.

Everyday, the GRH sees a footfall of at least 10,000 patients and as many attenders.

According to a senior doctor at the paediatrics department, the State government allocated funds to tear down and rebuild any building at GRH that needed stability. “If you look at the building even today, the entire place is broken. The wards too are in a really bad condition,” he said.

In order to ensure that the department and its sub specialities will function in better hygienic conditions, the hospital administration decided to tear down the block and build a seven-storey building, which will also house the oncology department.

Architects appointed by the government inspected the site and discussed plans with the administration. Eight months have passed since then. The Directorate of Medical Education and the government are yet to take the project forward, the doctors point out.

Staff nurses, who do not wish to be named, say the sanitation in the department is particularly bad.

A former employee of GRH says toilets at the department constantly leak near the surgical ward, which must be immunised at all times.

S. Sitalakshmi, who brought her newborn for consultation, says the wards too are not properly maintained. “I have come here since the days of my delivery. Nothing much has changed,” she rues.

Water too is not supplied properly here. Administrative delays should not make wards prone to diseases inside the hospital, says a former employee.

According to GRH Dean K. Vanitha, the proposal has been submitted to the government and its response is being awaited.

Health Secretary Beela Rajesh says she will check the details and look into the matter.

NRI from Kerala stabs wife to death in UAE
Incident followed a heated argument

12/09/2019, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ,DUBAI

An Indian national in the United Arab Emirates allegedly stabbed his wife to death, a media report said. The 43-year-old man, identified as U.C, killed his wife C. Vidhya Chandran, 39, after a heated argument in a car park at Al Quoz here on Monday, Khaleej Times reported. The couple’s daughters, aged 16 and 5, live in Kerala with the victim’s parents.

The woman’s brother Vinayachandran said his sister was supposed to come home for Onam. He said the family came to know about the incident through the victim’s colleague, who told them that “he [the husband] stabbed her in a car park and he is now in police custody. We don’t know what happened exactly.” Mr. Vinayachandran alleged that his sister was in an abusive relationship. “The man has been abusing my sister for long. Last year, she even filed a police complaint against him for domestic abuse. They appeared for counselling and things got a little better,” he said.

“Vidhya’s husband had taken a huge loan, and they were under financial pressure. That is why Vidhya quit her job in Thiruvananthapuram and joined her husband in Dubai,” he said.

Vidhya was working in a private company at Al Quoz.

“We knew she was going through a difficult time. We decided to keep the children with us because of his abuse. But we did not expect that he would kill her,” he said.

Non-functional street lights put Pammal residents to hardship
Officials failed to act despite numerous complaints: activist

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

An official of the municipality said they lacked funds to repair the LED lights installed by a private builder.File Photo

The residents of Shankar Nagar Second Street in Pammal have to navigate their way in darkness as the street lights have stopped working.

The street is an important access road for several residential areas in Pammal including a multi-storey apartment building with over 650 flats. Pedestrians and motorists have been facing difficulties due to poor illumination.

R. Sridhar, a resident, said officials of the Pammal municipality had not taken any steps to repair the lights.

‘Feel unsafe’

Mariappan, a social activist from Pammal, said the residents felt unsafe walking down the streets in the dark and added they have made multiple representations to the officials which have had no effect.

A senior municipal official said LED lights were installed in a few streets by the builder who had constructed the multi-storey apartment and that the civic body does not have the financial means to replace the defunct ones.

“We have requested the builder to repair them and the firm has assured that they would replace the street lights within next week,” the municipality official said.

VIT placement drive: over 2,000 land jobs

12/09/2019, STAFF REPORTER,VELLORE

The placement drive at Vellore Institute of Technology saw as many as 719 companies visiting the campus making a total of 4,397 offers.

Campus recruitments at VIT for the batch of 2020 started on May 1, 2019, with postgraduate internship placements. As many as 150 companies recruited 788 students from M.Tech and MCA courses.

Microsoft recruited 14 students offering a cost to company (CTC) of ₹39.5 lakh per annum, from the batch graduating in 2019. From the batch graduating in 2020, Microsoft has recruited seven students with a CTC of ₹41.6 lakh per annum, the highest offer so far.

This year, 245 companies have so far visited the campus and 2,026 students have been recruited by different companies. The placement schedule is packed till the end of October.

Companies offering CTC of more than ₹10 lakh were invited for the first phase of campus recruitments for the batch graduating in 2020. Amazon (17), Pay Pal (3), Cisco (21) and De Shaw (2) were the slot 1 recruiters. As per data, 92 companies have visited VIT.

Post-study work visa back in the U.K.

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

From next year, international students in the United Kingdom — including Indians — will be able to stay on after graduation for a period of two years to work or look for work using a new post-study work visa.

Announcing the new graduate immigration route on Wednesday, the British government said the move would help to attract “the best and the brightest” to the U.K. and expand opportunities for international students to build successful careers within the country. Graduates may apply without leaving the U.K.

It could also help to increase the number of Indian students heading to the U.K., which dropped drastically after a similar visa was withdrawn in 2012.

மகள் திருமணத்திற்கு பிரதமர் மோடிக்கு அழைப்பு அனுப்பிய வேலூர் தந்தைக்கு கிடைத்த இன்ப அதிர்ச்சி!

By RKV | Published on : 09th September 2019 02:35 PM




மகள் திருமணத்திற்கு பிரதமர் நரேந்திர மோடிக்கு அழைப்பு அனுப்பி எதிர்பாராத நேரத்தில் இன்ப அதிர்ச்சியாக மோடியிடம் இருந்து வாழ்த்துச் செய்தியைப் பெற்றிருக்கிறார் வேலூரைச் சேர்ந்த டி ராஜசேகரன் எனும் ஓய்வு பெற்ற பிராந்திய மருத்துவ ஆராய்ச்சியாளர் மற்றும் மேற்பார்வையாளர்.

ராஜசேகரன் மகள் மருத்துவர் ராஜஸ்ரீக்கும் மருத்துவரான மணமகன் சுத்ரசனுக்கும் வரும் செப்டம்பர் 11 ஆம் நாள் திருமணம் நடைபெறவிருக்கிறது.. அதற்கான அழைப்பத்தான் ராஜசேகர் முன்கூட்டியே பிரதமருக்கு அனுப்பியிருந்தார்.


மோடியின் வெளிநாட்டுப் பயணங்கள் மற்றும் அவரிருக்கும் பிஸியான வேலைப்பளுவுக்கு இடையில் அவரால் தங்கள் வீட்டுத் திருமணத்திற்கெல்லாம் வர முடியாது என்பதை அறிந்தே இருந்த போதும் ராஜசேகரன், தனக்கு மோடி மீது மிகுந்த அபிமானம் இருந்த காரணத்தால் மகள் திருமணத்திற்கு ஆசை ஆசையாகப் பிரதமருக்கு அழைப்பிதழ் அனுப்பி வைத்துவிட்டு திருமண வேலைகளில் மூழ்கிப் போனார். ஆனால், கடந்த சனிக்கிழமை அன்று, திடீரென பிரதமர் அலுவலகத்தில் இருந்து வாழ்த்துக் கடிதம் வந்ததும் மொத்த திருமண வீடும் இன்ப அதிர்ச்சியில் துள்ளியது.

ஆம், ஒரு நாட்டின் பிரதமர், தன்னை மதித்து, தனது அழைப்பிதழை மதித்து தம் மகளின் திருமணத்திற்கு வாழ்த்துச் செய்தி அனுப்பியிருப்பது கண்டு சாமான்யரான இந்த தந்தையின் மனம் வெகுவாக நெகிழ்ந்து போனது. மோடி அனுப்பிய வாழ்த்துக் கடிதத்தை அப்படியே லாமினேட் செய்து தன் வீட்டின் வரவேற்பறையில் எல்லோரது பார்வையும் பதியும் இடத்தில் மாட்டி வைக்கப்போவதாக ராஜசேகரன் தெரிவித்தார்.