24 தனியாா் உயா் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு விருதுகள்: முதல்வா் வழங்கினாா்

By DIN | Published on : 10th January 2020 05:19 AM 

விழாவில் முதல்வர் எடப்பாடி கே.பழனிசாமிக்கு நினைவுப் பரிசு வழங்குகிறார் தி நியூ இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் குழுமத்தின் தலைவர் மற்றும் நிர்வாக இயக்குநர் மனோஜ் குமார் சொந்தாலியா.

தி நியூ இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் குழும தேசியக் கல்வி மாநாட்டில் தமிழகத்தில் சிறந்து விளங்கும் 24 தனியாா் உயா் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு முதல்வா் எடப்பாடி கே.பழனிசாமி விருதுகளை வழங்கி கெளரவித்தாா்.

தி நியூ இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் குழுமம் சாா்பில் சென்னையில் நடத்தப்பட்ட இரண்டு நாள் தேசியக் கல்வி மாநாட்டின் நிறைவு விழா வியாழக்கிழமை நடைபெற்றது. விழாவின் நிறைவாக சிறப்பாக செயல்பட்டு வரும் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு விருதுகள் வழங்கப்பட்டன.

இதில் முதல்வா் எடப்பாடி கே.பழனிசாமி பங்கேற்று, தமிழகத்தில் உயா் கல்வித் துறையில் சிறந்து விளங்கும் 24 தனியாா் பல்கலைக்கழகங்கள் மற்றும் கல்லூரிகளுக்கு தி நியூ இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் குழும கல்வி மாநாடு விருதுகளை வழங்கினாா்.

தேசிய உயா் கல்வி தரவரிசை (என்ஐஆா்எப்), ‘நாக்’ அங்கீகாரம் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு தரவுகளின் கீழ் ஆராய்ந்து, அதன் அடிப்படையில் தோ்வு செய்யப்பட்ட அமிா்தா விஷ்வ வித்ய பீடம், சென்னை லயோலா கல்லூரி, எஸ்.எஸ்.என். பொறியியல் கல்லூரி, தஞ்சை சண்முகா கலை அறிவியல் தொழில்நுட்பம் மற்றும் ஆராய்ச்சி அகாதெமி, ஹிந்துஸ்தான் அறிவியல் தொழில்நுட்ப நிறுவனம், வேலூா் விஐடி, சென்னை எம்.சி.சி., எஸ்.ஆா்.எம்., மதுரை லேடி டோக் கல்லூரி, பி.எஸ்.ஜி. கலை அறிவியல் கல்லூரி, ஜமால் முகமது கல்லூரி, திருச்சி செயின்ட் ஜோசப் கல்லூரி, சவிதா பொறியியல் கல்லூரி, சென்னை பெண்கள் கிருத்தவக் கல்லூரி, ராஜலட்சுமி பொறியியல் கல்லூரி, சத்தியபாமா அறிவியல் தொழில்நுட்ப நிறுவனம், தியாகராஜா் கல்லூரி, டாக்டா் எம்ஜிஆா் கல்வி ஆராய்ச்சி நிறுவனம், எத்திராஜ் மகளிா் கல்லூரி, ஜஸ்டிஸ் பஷீா் அகமது சையது மகளிா் கல்லூரி, வேலம்மாள் பொறியியல் கல்லூரி, எம்.ஓ.பி.வைஷணவ கல்லூரி உள்பட 24 தனியாா் உயா் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு முதல்வா் விருதுகளை வழங்கினாா்.

விழாவில் தமிழக முதல்வர் எடப்பாடி கே.பழனிசாமிக்கு வீணையை நினைவுப் பரிசாக வழங்கிய (இடமிருந்து) சாஸ்த்ரா பல்கலைக்கழக வேந்தர் சேதுராமன், துணைவேந்தர் வைத்திய சுப்பிரமணியம்.

விழாவில் முன்னதாக தி நியூ இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் ஆசிரியா் குழும இயக்குநா் பிரபு சாவ்லா வரவேற்புரை ஆற்றினாா். அப்போது பேசிய அவா், முதல்வா் எடப்பாடி பழனிசாமியின் எளிமை, அனைவரையும் ஒருங்கிணைத்து நிலைத்த ஆட்சியை அளிக்கும் திறன் ஆகியவற்றின் காரணமாகத்தான், நிா்வாகத்தில் தமிழகம் இந்திய அளவில் முதல் மாநிலம் என்ற விருதை பெற்றிருக்கிறது என்றாா் அவா்.

மேலும், முதல்வா் எடப்பாடி பழனிசாமி அரசு செயல்படுத்தி வரும் மக்கள் நலத் திட்டங்கள், பள்ளிக் கல்வி மற்றும் உயா் கல்வி மேம்பாடு திட்டங்கள், நதிநீா்ப் பிரச்னைக்கான தீா்வு என்பன உள்ளிட்ட அரசின் சாதனைகள் விளக்கும் குறும்படம் ஒளி பரப்பப்பட்டது.

தி நியூ இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் குழுமத் தலைவா் மற்றும் மேலாண் இயக்குநா் மனோஜ்குமாா் சொந்தாலியா, மத்திய ஜவுளித் துறை அமைச்சா் ஸ்மிருதி இரானி, உயா் கல்வித் துறை அமைச்சா் கே.பி.அன்பழகன், ‘தினமணி’ ஆசிரியா் கே.வைத்தியநாதன் ஆகியோா் விழாவில் பங்கேற்றனா்.

வழக்கை இழுத்தடிக்க, 'நிர்பயா' குற்றவாளி முயற்சி; தண்டனையை தள்ளிப்போட குறைதீர் மனு

Updated : ஜன 10, 2020 00:28 | Added : ஜன 10, 2020 00:26

புதுடில்லி: 'நிர்பயா' வழக்கில், துாக்கு தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நான்கு பேரில் ஒருவரான வினய் குமார் சர்மா, தண்டனையிலிருந்து தப்பிக்க, கடைசி முயற்சியாக, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில், குறை தீர் மனு தாக்கல் செய்துள்ளார்.

அதிர்ச்சி:

டில்லியில், 2012ல், 23 வயதான மருத்துவ மாணவி, ஓடும் பஸ்சில், ஆறு பேர் கொண்ட கும்பலால் பலாத்காரம் செய்யப்பட்டு, துாக்கி வீசப்பட்டார். உயிருக்கு ஆபத்தான நிலையில், சிங்கப்பூரில் உள்ள மருத்துவமனையில் சேர்க்கப்பட்ட அந்த மாணவி இறந்தார். மருத்துவ மாணவியின் பெயர் வெளியிடப்படாததால், ஊடகங்கள் அவரை, 'நிர்பயா' என பெயரிட்டு அழைத்தன.

நாடு முழுவதும் பெரும் அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்திய இந்த சம்பவம் தொடர்பாக, 16 வயது சிறுவன் உட்பட, ஆறு பேரை, போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர். இதில், சிறுவனுக்கு மட்டும், சிறார் சட்டப்படி, மூன்றாண்டு சிறை தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டது. டில்லி திஹார் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த, மற்ற ஐந்து பேரில், ராம் சிங் என்பவர், துாக்கு மாட்டி தற்கொலை செய்தார். மற்ற நால்வருக்கும், விசாரணை நீதிமன்றம் விதித்த துாக்கு தண்டனையை, டில்லி உயர் நீதிமன்றமும், உச்ச நீதிமன்றமும் உறுதி செய்தன. இதை எதிர்த்து, நான்கு பேரும் தாக்கல் செய்த சீராய்வு மனுக்களை, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் தள்ளுபடி செய்தது.

நான்கு பேருக்கும், வரும், 22ம் தேதி காலை, 7:00 மணிக்கு, திஹார் சிறையில் துாக்கு தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற, டில்லி உயர் நீதிமன்றம் நேற்று முன்தினம் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்தது. இந்நிலையில், துாக்கு தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நான்கு பேரில் ஒருவரான வினய் குமார் சர்மா, தண்டனையிலிருந்து தப்பிக்க, கடைசி முயற்சியாக, 'கியூரேட்டிவ்' மனு எனப்படும், குறை தீர் மனு தாக்கல் செய்துள்ளர்.

அதில், அவர் கூறியிருப்பதாவது: என் குடும்பம், பொருளாதாரத்தில் மிகவும் பின்தங்கிய குடும்பம். என்னை நம்பி, என் வயதான பெற்றோர் உட்பட, பலர் உள்ளனர். சமூகத்தின் எண்ணம், மக்களின் கருத்து ஆகியவற்றை வைத்து, இந்த வழக்கில் தீர்ப்பு வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

சூழ்நிலை:

எங்களது வழக்கில் தீர்ப்பு வழங்கப்பட்ட பின், இதே போன்ற, 17 வழக்குகளில், கீழ் நீதிமன்றங்கள், உயர் நீதிமன்றங்கள் விதித்த துாக்கு தண்டனையை, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் ரத்து செய்து, அதை ஆயுள் தண்டனையாகக் குறைத்துள்ளன. ஆனால், எங்களுக்கு மட்டும் குறைக்கவில்லை. குடும்ப சூழ்நிலையை கருத்தில் கொண்டு, என் துாக்கு தண்டனையை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு, வினய்குமார் சர்மா கூறியுள்ளார்.

செங்கல்பட்டு மருத்துவமனையில் தலைக்காயம் சிகிச்சை பிரிவு

Added : ஜன 09, 2020 22:46


சென்னை: ''செங்கல்பட்டு அரசு மருத்துவமனையில், தலைக்காயம் சிகிச்சை பிரிவு துவக்க, நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது,'' என, சுகாதாரத் துறை அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கர் தெரிவித்தார்.

சட்டசபையில், கேள்வி நேரத்தில் நடந்த விவாதம்:அ.தி.மு.க., - கந்தசாமி: சூலுார் தொகுதி, சுல்தான்பேட்டை ஒன்றியம், மலையடிபாளையத்தில் உள்ள மருந்தகத்தை, 30 படுக்கைகள் வசதி உள்ள மருத்துவமனையாக, தரம் உயர்த்த அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்குமா?அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கர்: தரம் உயர்த்த விதிகளில் இடமில்லாவிட்டாலும், தேவையான வசதிகளை செய்து தர, நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும்.தி.மு.க., - வரலட்சுமி: செங்கல்பட்டு அரசு மருத்துவமனையில், தலைக்காய சிகிச்சை பிரிவு துவக்க வேண்டும். செங்கல்பட்டு, தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலையில் அமைந்துள்ளதால், விபத்தில் சிக்கியவர்கள் சிகிச்சைக்காக அழைத்து வரப்படுகின்றனர். ஆனால், தலைக்காயத்திற்கு சிகிச்சை அளிக்க முடியாததால், சென்னைக்கு அனுப்புகின்றனர். போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலில் சிக்கி, சென்னை வருவதற்குள் உயிரிழப்பு ஏற்படுகிறது. இதைத்தவிர்க்க, தலைக்காய சிகிச்சை பிரிவை, செங்கல்பட்டு அரசு மருத்துவமனையில், உடனடியாக துவக்க வேண்டும். அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியில், நுாலகம் அமைத்து தர வேண்டும்.அமைச்சர்

விஜயபாஸ்கர்: நீங்கள் கூறியது ஏற்புடையது. செங்கல்பட்டு அரசு மருத்துவமனையில், தலைக்காய சிகிச்சை பிரிவு ஏற்படுத்த, நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது; விரைவில் துவக்கப்படும்.இவ்வாறு, விவாதம் நடந்தது.

Bengaluru is our key hub in India: British Airways

10/01/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,BENGALURU

British Airways said it has started flying one of its latest A350 aircraft from India and chosen the Bengaluru-London route to introduce it in the country.

Bengaluru will be the first city in India, and the fourth destination on the airline’s worldwide network, to have received the new A350, said Moran Birger, Head of Sales Asia Pacific and Middle East at British Airways.

Addressing a conference on Thursday, Mr. Birger explained the rationale behind introducing the new flying machine from the city, “London is increasingly becoming a key hub for passengers from Bengaluru who are flying to several European and American destinations.”

British Airways flies from five Indian cities with a weekly operation of 53 flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad to Terminal 5 at London Heathrow. “India is important to British Airways and we have a long history of serving the market. We are focusing on enhancing customer experience onboard our flights from India,” added Mr. Birger.

Pilot’s licence suspended for grass landing

10/01/2020, ADITYA ANAND,MUMBAI

Aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, on Thursday announced suspension of a GoAir expatriate commander for 6 months and the co-pilot’s licence for 3 months after being found to be involved in a case of serious runway excursion at Bengaluru on November 11.

In a report released on Thursday, the DGCA said GoAir flight G8-811 from Nagpur to Bengaluru with 180 passengers on board was involved in a serious incident when the crew lost visual reference at about 50 feet above ground (while landing), but continued to land which was in violation of requirements laid down in civil aviation requirements, meant to be followed by airline for the safety of aircraft operations.

“The crew considered wrong visual reference as runway centreline and manoeuvred the aircraft to the left of Runway 09. The first officer (co-pilot), who did not monitor flight-path deviation in the cockpit instruments, failed to give call-out for deviation,” a senior DGCA official said. The DGCA said it had show-caused both pilots to submit an explanation, and both accepted their mistake.

On November 11, the aircraft, an Airbus A320 Neo aircraft had gone off the runway onto the unpaved area travelling 200 meters over grass. The GoAir flight from Nagpur was then diverted to Hyderabad and officials noticed mud and grass deposits on the main landing gear when it landed there. An inspection by the regional DGCA office, Bengaluru, and Kempegowda International Airport, reported landing gear marks on the unpaved surface.

Education Dept. removes BNU Registrar

He and another staff member are alleged to have misappropriated funds

10/01/2020, STAFF REPORTER,BENGALURU

The Higher Education Department has removed K. Janardhanam from the post of Registrar (Evaluation) of Bengaluru North University (BNU) after allegations of his involvement in misappropriation of funds

Earlier this week, a police complaint was filed at Halasuru Gate Police station by Bengaluru Central University (BCU) where he was working earlier as the head of Canara Bank School of Management Studies.

He, along with a staff member, are alleged to have deposited student fees to the tune of ₹13,73,500 into their personal accounts. This was money collected for the admission fee to the Master in Business Administration (MBA) Evening college students for the 2018-19 academic year. After an enquiry by the university, Janardhanam and the staff member, Shivashankar Bhairava, admitted that they had misappropriated the funds. The university recovered the money.

Vice-chancellor of BNU, T.D. Kempraju said that they had asked the Finance Officer to take care of his responsibilities until a new Registrar is appointed.

Janardhanam said that several stakeholders were tarnishing his image. “I have got a stay from High Court of Karnataka regarding the proceedings of the enquiry committee. Despite this, a complaint was filed against me by the university. I will file contempt case.”

Power shutdown

10/01/2020,MADURAI

There will be a power shutdown in the following areas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday: Gokhale Road, Venkatraman Street, Lajapathi Roy Street, Abdul Gafoor Khan Street, Old Agraharam Street, Sappanikoil Street, Sarojini Street, LDC Road, Vishal de Mall, Ramamoorthi Road, Kamala 2nd Street, Kamarajar Nagar 1st to 4th streets, Bharathi Ula Road, Jawahar Road, Vallabai Road, Besant Road, Jawaharpuram, Athikulam, Kurinji Nagar, Kanagavel Nagar, Balamandhiram school, PTR Mahal, H.A.Khan Road, Armed Reserve quarters, Race Course Colony, DRO Colony, Pudur Vandipathai, Rathinasamy Nadar Road, ITI bus stop to Tallakulam Perumal Temple on Alagarkoil Road.

Get the taste of a rustic Pongal

10/01/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department and the district administration are organising an experiential Pongal celebration for domestic and foreign tourists at Sri Janagai Narayana Perumal Temple in Sholavandan on January 15.

Tourists will be taken from the tourism office to Sholavandan where the villagers will give thema traditional welcome, after which they will get to see and experience a traditional Pongal festival, including making of sweet Pongal. It will be served to them following which cultural programmes, including Bharatnatyam and folk dance performance, will be held.

On January 17, the Tourism Department will take foreign tourists to Alanganallur to watch the jallikattu. They will be seated in the permanent gallery meant for foreign tourists.Tourists should register themselves at the District Tourism Office, No:1, West Veli Street, by submitting a copy of their passport. For details, call 0452 2334757 or mail to touristofficemadurai@gmail.com

DGCA suspends licences of two pilots

10/01/2020,MUMBAI

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday announced the suspension of a GoAir expatriate commander for six months and the co-pilot’s licence for three months after they were found to be involved in a case of serious runway excursion in Bengaluru on November 11. The DGCA said the GoAir flight G8-811 from Nagpur to Bengaluru with 180 passengers on board was involved in a serious incident when the crew lost visual reference at about 50 feet above ground but continued to land in violation of norms.

Plea for 5% reservation in MBBS for students of Tamil medium

10/01/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT, CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Thursday ordered notices to the State government and Directorate of Medical Education (DME) on a public interest litigation petition that sought for reservation of 5% of seats in MBBS in the State for students who had done their schooling in Tamil medium.

Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and R. Hemalatha wanted to know the State’s response by February 20.

N. Murugesan, 50, of Dharmapuri had filed the PIL petition claiming that Tamil medium students do not get seats so easily in medical colleges despite clearing National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Nirbhaya case: 2 convicts file curative pleas
10/01/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Curative petitions were filed in the Supreme Court by two convicts in the Nirbhaya case on Thursday. The petitions come just days after a Delhi sessions court scheduled the execution of the four convicts at Tihar Jail on January 22.

Vinay Sharma and Mukesh, in separate curative petitions, said there had been a sea change in the death penalty jurisprudence. They argued that ignoring the subsequent changes in the law against the death penalty would be a “gross miscarriage of justice”.

A curative petition is a rare remedy devised by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in its judgment in the Rupa Ashok Hurra case in 2002. A party can take only two limited grounds in a curative petition — one, that he was not heard by the court before the adverse judgment was passed, and two, the judge was biased. A curative petition, which follows the dismissal of a review petition, is the last legal avenue open for convicts in the Supreme Court.

Sharma was the first of the four convicts to file a curative petition, arguing that there had been “a change in the law on death sentence in India” since the death penalty was first confirmed for the Nirbhaya convicts in 2017.

Madurai: Actor Vadivelu harassing me for money: Producer

TNN | Jan 9, 2020, 04.19 AM IST

MADURAI: Tamil movie producer G Sathish Kumar, who produced the 2015 film ‘Eli’ starring comedian Vadivelu in the lead, accused the actor of harassing him by sending his men to demand money on Wednesday.

The Madurai-based producer, who is also into real estate business, claimed that Vadivelu sent his men on December 31 to threaten him for money. His manager Govindaraj had lodged a complaint with the K Pudur police. Police booked a man three people, including a woman, on charges of voluntarily causing injuries, threatening with dire consequences, scolding using bad words and criminal trespass. Vadivelu, however, has not been booked by the police.

Manikandan, who is believed that have visited the producer’s residence in Moondrumavadi, on behalf of Vadivelu, is among the persons booked. He allegedly went to Satish Kumar’s house on the pretext of giving a wedding invitation when Sathish Kumar was in Chennai. Manikandan and along with a few people allegedly threatened Govindaraj inquiring his employer’s whereabouts. They also beat him up when he questioned reason behind their visit, Sathish said.

Sathish also said that there had been disputes between him and the actor ever since the movie ‘Eli’ incurred heavy loses. “We had disputes over money for which we took the matter to court and it was to be settled amicably. However, now, these men have come and made death threats,” he said. CCTV footage from outside Sathish Kumar’s residence has also been submitted to the police which provided description of the accused.

Over 2 lakh cardholders get Pongal gift hampers on day 1

TNN | Jan 10, 2020, 04.02 AM IST

Madurai: Long queues were witnessed outside all 1,354 ration shops in the district from early in the morning on Thursday to receive the Pongal gift hampers, with more than two lakh beneficiaries receiving their gifts on the first day.

The Tamil Nadu government is distributing gift hampers of one kg of raw rice, cashewnuts, raisins, sugar, and Rs 1,000 cash to all beneficiaries of the rice card in the state for Pongal festival. While the programme was formally launched last Sunday by the ministers in each district, the distribution for public started on Thursday.

Many shops in the city witnessed squabbles between the people in the queues. While the beneficiaries were told that the names of the people would be displayed on the board outside the shops to prevent overcrowding, however confusion prevailed at many places.

In Villapuram, women and elderly people stood in long queues and were given tokens from as early as 6 am. “I stood in the queue from 6 am but got my gift only at 11 am, so I could not go to work,” said Shanthi, a resident.

It was announced that beneficiaries whose names appear on the ration card can come to the shop and receive the cash and gift hamper by producing the card or their Aadhaar as proof, many of them complained that it got delayed due to the serpentine queues.

“Last year, I went on a Sunday before the Pongal festival and was given only Rs 500, as they said cash, rice and other condiments were not available. So, I came on the first day this year, but have lost half my day’s pay waiting for this,” said Rajeswari of Karupayoorani.

Meanwhile, sources from the district administration said that Pongal gift hampers were issued to 2,23,437 rice cards in Madurai district out of the total 85,00,15, which is about 26%.

Eating from vendors on beaches, streets may become safer soon in Chennai

TNN | Jan 9, 2020, 04.14 AM IST

CHENNAI: Hot bajjis served on beaches or crispy hot dosas had at roadside stalls are set to become safer to eat if regulators in the city have their way.

In the last few weeks, at least 80 street food vendors on Elliot’s beach were taught about the need for food safety, what the Food Safety and Standard Act expects out of every food business unit, violations and punishments. At the end of the day, vendors who attended the camp were given Food Safety Training & Certification (FoSTaC). “If we have at least one certified personnel in every unit we will improve food quality and also emphasise that they follow all rules,” said A Ramakrishnan, designated food safety officer, Chennai.

For instance, street vendors on the beach were taught about the reuse of oil and safe way to dispose cooking oil. They were taught the importance of hand wash, food preservation and how things they use and their surrounding should be clean, he said.

Street food vendors will be given basic guidance including catering services. Under the FoSTaC programme, the regulator plans to train staff in the organised as well as unorganised sector. For street food vendors, anganwadi workers and Amma canteen staff, the authority is raising funds from people for the course. “We will be rolling out day-long training programmes for vendors on Marina and staff of Amma canteens soon,” another senior official said.

The course offers 17 types of competence-based certification programmes — each of 8 to 12-hour hour duration spread over a couple of days. Street vendors and aganwadi workers were given the basic course and training manuals. Most of the staff were also taught about where and how they should source ingredients and how they can check quality of the ingredients difference between edible oil/ghee and the cheap ones that are made for lighting lamps at temples.

Several studies by doctors’ bodies and nutritionists have shown high volumes of Ecoli coliform, salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas, which are major causes of infections such as diarrhoea, typhoid, food poisoning, urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Food safety training teaches the importance of handwash, which keep a majority of these infections at bay, officials said.

Chennai: Property tax rollback not effected online, say residents

TNN | Jan 9, 2020, 04.32 AM IST

CHENNAI: More than 45 days since municipal administration minister S P Velumani announced rollback of the property tax hike in urban local bodies, several Chennai residents say the civic body’s online services are still asking for the hiked rates.
A Chennai Corporation official, however, said they had rolled back the rates online too and if there was any ambiguity, residents could petition the revenue department or their respective zonal offices and get it rectified immediately.

The government had announced on November 19 that it had set up a committee to examine representations against the tax hike and that till its report came, in the old rates would prevail.

Some residents’ associations had even written to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner seeking clarity on the status of property tax.

“The inaction on the part of corporation officials causes confusion and many residents are unable or unwilling to make the payment,” said V S Jayaraman of T Nagar Residents welfare association. Jayaraman acknowledged that the property tax rates had been rolled back to 2017-18 rates in some streets.

Jayaraman pointed out that in certain cases, there had been two increases because of change in usage. A resident of Motilal street in T Nagar was surprised to learn that the civic body had hiked property tax for 2017-18 itself due to the status of his property turning ‘tenanted’.

In September 2019, the property owner wrote to the revenue officials seeking clarity and documentary evidence as he had neither let out nor leased the property to anyone. The issue is pending before the Regional Deputy Commissioner, Jayaraman said.

The tax revision came about from July 2018 without any consultation with residents. Residents were also shocked by the quantum of tax hike -- as against the promise of keeping maximum raise at 50 %, residents of some localities complained that the tax went up by 600%. Residents associations in Nanganallur (Alandur zone), for example, have decided to not pay until the old rates are put up.

Madras high court imposes Rs 15,000 cost on petitioner for filing false case

TNN | Jan 9, 2020, 03.07 PM IST

MADURAI: The Madras high court on Thursday imposed a cost of Rs 15,000 on a petitioner for filing a false case stating that his father, who is a ward councillor in Mudukulathur panchayat union in Ramanathapuram district, had been abducted.

S Raja filed a habeas corpus petition in the high court seeking to rescue his father, Sathaiah. Sathaiah, a DMK member, was recently elected as the councillor of ward eight in Mudukulathur panchayat union. Raja said his father had been abducted to prevent him from casting his vote in the indirect elections in the panchayat union scheduled to be held on January 11.

On Wednesday, the court directed police officials to produce the petitioner’s father before it on January 9, failing which the Ramanathapuram superintendent of police should appear before the court to explain the status of the case.

Police produced Sathaiah in the court on Thursday. Sathaiah informed the court that he had not been abducted and had been living in daughter’s house.

Taking note of the submissions, a division bench of Justice T Raja and Justice B Pugalendhi imposed a cost of Rs 15,000 on the petitioner for wasting the time of the court by filing a false case. The judges directed the petitioner to pay the cost to the high court legal services authority within 10 days.

Pongal holidays: Vandalur zoo makes arrangement to welcome visitors

TNN | Jan 9, 2020, 08.11 PM IST

CHENNAI: Vandalur zoo managers have made arrangements to receive visitors during Pongal holidays, that start on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Chengalpet district collector John Louis visited the zoo and supervised the arrangements.

In view of the Pongal holidays, the zoo will remain open on Tuesday, though it used to be the weekly holiday. For three days from Wednesday, the zoo will be open between 8am and 6pm.

There will be 20 counters for selling tickets. Visitors can also book tickets on website: www.aazp.in or on mobile app ‘Vandalur Zoo’.

Tickets can be booked at the zoo using credit/debit cards and also UPI payment facilities will be available at the counters. Zoo managers have set up CCTV cameras in strategic locations to ensure safety for the visiting public.

As far as parking of vehicles, separate area has been provided for two-wheelers and four-wheelers near the rescue and rehabilitation centre of the zoo.

Those who park their vehicles at the parking area can reach the zoo entrance for which shuttle service will be operated from Tuesday onwards. More than 300 special buses will be operated from Broadway, Marina Beach, Koyambedu, Vadapalani, T Nagar, Adyar, Poonamallee, Tirupporur, Mamallapuram, Tambaram and Chengalpet to the zoo.

The district administration had made arrangements to provide purified drinking water to the visitors. The zoo authorities have assured to provide mobile toilets and two separate rooms will be available on the zoo premises for lactating mothers, the release said.

Every child entering the zoo will be tied with a tag for safety and first aid facilities will be available on the premises. Visitors are advised not to bring banned plastic materials and no liquor, cigarettes and sugar cane will be allowed.

Zoo managers have made the arrangements to coordinate with police, fire, health, TWAD board, electricity and transport departments, the release said.

Chennai Metro Rail adds large vehicle to operate feeder service from Airport to Pammal

TNN | Jan 9, 2020, 08.19 PM IST

CHENNAI: Commuters arriving at Airport metro in big groups could now take a van to Pammal, as Chennai Metro Rail Limited has introduced another feeder service on Thursday to provide commuters with last mile connectivity.

The additional facility is to provide commuters with last mile connectivity to locations are not connected by metro services as well as far away from main localities.

In December 2019, similar vans were introduced from Alandur metro station to Velachery via St Thomas Mount metro and Thillai Ganga Nagar subway. At Alandur, CMRL has been operating vans to DLF Cyber City IT park and Tidel Park and to Ramanujam IT Park in Taramani from Little Mount Station to provide feeder services to IT employees using metro service.

Efforts are also underway to replace share auto and share taxi service at all 32 stations where commuters can book share cabs on a mobile app.

TN most unsafe state for the elderly

TNN | Jan 10, 2020, 04.15 AM IST

Chennai: Tamil Nadu remains one of the most unsafe states for the elderly in the country. According to NCRB data, 152 senior citizens were murdered in Tamil Nadu in 2018, the highest in the country, followed by Maharashtra (135) and Uttar Pardesh (127).
While the numbers are alarming, Tamil Nadu also has a higher percentage of senior citizens, 11.2%, compared to other states. In the overall crime rate against senior citizens, Tamil Nadu is third with 3,162 cases.

Maharashtra, where the elderly population is less than 10%, recorded the maximum number of crimes against senior citizens at 5,961, followed by Madhya Pradesh, which has less than 8% senior citizens, with 3,967 cases.

Tamil Nadu also recorded the highest number of attempt-to-murder cases against senior citizens, 76. There were 182 cases of robbery and 16 extortion cases in which the elderly were targeted.

Activists said the high incidence of robberies, in which 184 senior citizens were targeted, highlighted how criminals found the elderly population an easy target.

Police said they have strengthened patrolling and all city police stations have been directed to collect details of senior citizens living alone.

A senior police officer said personnel on beat patrol have been assigned to enumerate the elderly in their neighbourhoods.

“Those living alone become soft targets of miscreants as they cannot fight back,” said Chandrasekar, a member of Senior Citizens Group Of Besant Nagar and Mylapore.

PIL wants 5% quotafor Tamil medium students in MBBS

TNN | Jan 10, 2020, 04.16 AM IST

Chennai: The Madras high court on Thursday ordered notice to the state government on a PIL seeking 5% reservation in admission to MBBS courses in all government medical colleges for students who did school education in Tamil medium.

Admitting the plea moved by N Murugesan of Dharmapuri, a division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha directed the state to file its reply by February 20.

The petitioner, quoting an RTI response, said that of the 5,400 MBBS seats available in Tamil Nadu medical colleges, only less than 5% seats were secured by students who had studied in Tamil medium. The petitioner said in the academic year 2016-17 only 537 Tamil medium students got seats in MBBS course. In 2017-18 this reduced to 52 students.

Similarly, in the academic year 2018-19 only 106 Tamil medium students got admission to MMBS course in state colleges, which constitutes only 2% of the total seats, he said.

Such circumstance has created a false image among students who are pursuing school education in Tamil that they would not be able to secure a MBBS seat in government run medical college, he said.

The petitioner further added that our neighbouring state – Karnataka is already implementing 5% reservation in medical seats for candidates who have completed school education in Kannada medium.

The Tamil Nadu government which takes several steps for the growth and to safeguard Tamil language should also provide such reservation which would encourage more students to opt for Tamil medium in school education, he said.

Since the government has not responded to a representation made by him on November 4, 2019 and the schedule for NEET exam are nearing for the academic year 2019-20 the petition has moved the high court.

நீட் தோ்வு: ஜன.15 முதல் விண்ணப்பங்களில் திருத்தம் மேற்கொள்ளலாம்

By DIN | Published on : 09th January 2020 02:35 AM |

நீட் தோ்வுக்காக சமா்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட விண்ணப்பங்களில் திருத்தங்கள் மேற்கொள்வதற்கு வரும் 15-ஆம் தேதி முதல் 31-ஆம் தேதி வரை அவகாசம் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மேலும், நீட் தோ்வு கலந்தாய்வு மற்றும் பிற நடைமுறைகள் தொடா்பான தகவல்களுக்கு மாநில மருத்துவக் கல்வி இயக்ககத்தை தொடா்பு கொள்ளலாம் என்று தேசிய தோ்வு முகமை தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

அரசு மற்றும் தனியாா் மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிகளில் உள்ள எம்பிபிஎஸ், பிடிஎஸ், சித்தா, ஆயுா்வேதம், யுனானி, ஹோமியோபதி உள்ளிட்ட இளநிலைப் படிப்புகளுக்கான நீட் தோ்வு மே மாதம் 3-ம் தேதி நடைபெறுகிறது. அதற்கான விண்ணப்பப் பதிவு கடந்த டிசம்பா் 2-ஆம் தேதி தொடங்கியது.

விண்ணப்பங்களைச் சமா்ப்பிப்பதற்கான அவகாசம் கடந்த டிசம்பா் 31-ஆம் தேதியுடன் நிறைவு பெறும் என முதலில் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. இந்நிலையில், மாணவா்களின் கோரிக்கையை ஏற்று அந்த அவகாசம் ஜனவரி 6-ஆம் தேதி வரை நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டது. அதன்படி, நீட்டிக்கப்பட்ட அவகாச காலத்துக்குள் தமிழகத்தில் ஒன்றரை லட்சம் பேரும், நாடு முழுவதும் 16 லட்சத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்டோரும் விண்ணப்பங்களை சமா்ப்பித்திருப்பதாகத் தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

இந்த நிலையில், சமா்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட விண்ணப்பங்களில் ஏதேனும் திருத்தங்கள் இருந்தால் அதனை வரும் 15-ஆம் தேதி முதல் ஆன்லைன் வாயிலாக மேற்கொள்ளலாம் என்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஜனவரி 31-ஆம் தேதிக்குள் திருத்தங்களை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்றும் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தஞ்சை மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரியின் முன்னாள் மணவர்கள் சந்திப்பு

Added : ஜன 09, 2020 03:27



புதுச்சேரி:தஞ்சை மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரியில் 1965ல் படித்த மாணவர்கள் புதுச்சேரியில் சத்தித்து நினைவுகளை பகிர்ந்து கொண்டனர்.

தஞ்சை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில், 1965ம் ஆண்டில், 135 மாணவ, மாணவியர் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., படித்தனர். இவர்களில் பெரும்பாலானோர் இந்தியாவிலும், வெளிநாடுகளிலும் பணிபுரிந்து வருகின்றனர்.இவர்கள் அனைவரும், கடந்த 2000 ஆண்டில், குடும்பத்துடன் சந்திக்க, புதுச்சேரி மக்கள் நீதி மையம் தலைவர் டாக்டர் எம்.ஏ.எஸ்.சுப்ரமணியன் முடிவு செய்தார்.தன்னுடன் தொடர்பில் இருக்கும் மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி நண்பர்களிடம் தகவல் தெரிவித்ததன்பேரில், அதே ஆண்டு புதுச்சேரியில் முதல் முறையாக முன்னாள் மாணவர்கள் சந்திப்பு நிகழ்ச்சி நடந்தது.அதனை தொடர்ந்து, தஞ்சை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி முன்னாள் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ். மாணவர்கள், தங்கள் பிள்ளைகள் மற்றும் பேரப்பிள்ளைகளுடன், தமிழகம், புதுச்சேரியில் ஏதேனும் ஒரு இடத்தில் ஒன்று அல்லது இரண்டு ஆண்டிற்கு ஒருமுறை கூடி பேசியும், விளையாடி, தங்கள் நினைவுகளை பகிர்ந்து மகிழ்ந்து வருகின்றனர்.

அந்தவகையில், 12வது சந்திப்பு நிகழ்ச்சி, புதுச்சேரி அருகே ஓஷன்ஸ் ஸ்பிரே ஓட்டலில் நடந்தது. வெளிநாடுகளில் குடும்பத்துடன் வசித்துவரும் தற்போது 70 வயதை கடந்துள்ள 50க்கும் மேற்பட்ட முன்னாள் மாணவர்கள் குடும்பத்துடன் கலந்து கொண்டு, தங்கள் நினைவுகளை பரிமாறிக் கொண்டனர்.2021 டிசம்பர் மாதம் மதுரையில் மீண்டும் கூடுவது என, முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டது.

பரிசு பெறும் டாக்டர்கள் மீது என்ன நடவடிக்கை?: மருத்துவ கவுன்சிலுக்கு ஐகோர்ட் கிடுக்கிப்பிடி

Added : ஜன 09, 2020 00:51

சென்னை: 'மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் தடை விதித்தும், மருந்து நிறுவனங்களிடம் இருந்து பரிசு பொருட்கள் பெறும் டாக்டர்களுக்கு எதிராக, என்ன நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது' என, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கேள்வி எழுப்பி உள்ளது.

'போர்ட்ஸ் இந்தியா லேப்' என்ற மருந்து நிறுவனம், ௨௦௧௨ - ௧௩ம் ஆண்டுக்கான வருமான கணக்கை தாக்கல் செய்தது. கணக்கில், ௧௪.௬௯ கோடி ரூபாய் வருமானம் வந்திருப்பதாக தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது.பின், உரிமம் மற்றும் வரிக்கான தொகையாக, ௫.௪௫ கோடி ரூபாய், விற்பனை உயர்வு செலவாக, ௪௨.௮௧ லட்சம் ரூபாயை, வருமானத்தில் கழிக்கும்படி கோரப்பட்டது.விற்பனை அதிகரிப்புக்கான செலவில், டாக்டர்களுக்கு அளிக்கப்பட்ட தொகையும் அடங்கி உள்ளது.

 இதனால், இந்த நிறுவனத்துக்கு எதிராக, வருமான வரித்துறை, உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனு தாக்கல் செய்தது.விசாரித்த, நீதிபதிகள்கிருபாகரன், வேல்முருகன் அடங்கிய, 'டிவிஷன் பெஞ்ச்' பிறப்பித்த இடைக்கால உத்தரவு:பரிந்துரைஅதிக விலைக்கு மருந்துகள் விற்கப்படுவதாகவும், மருந்து நிறுவனங்களின் துாண்டுதலின்படி, கமிஷன் தொகைக்காக, தேவையற்ற பரிசோதனைகளை, மருந்துகளை டாக்டர்கள் சிலர் பரிந்துரைப்பதாகவும் புகார் கூறப்படுகிறது.சந்தையில் தங்கள் மருந்துகளை விற்பதற்காக, டாக்டர்களுக்கு பரிசு பொருட்கள், வெளிநாட்டு சுற்றுலா என, வாரி வழங்குகின்றன.

டாக்டர்களின் பரிந்துரையால், மருந்துகளை வாங்க வேண்டிய கட்டாயத்துக்கு, நோயாளிகள் தள்ளப்படுகின்றனர். பணம், உபசரிப்பு, பரிசுப் பொருட்கள், பயண சலுகையை, மருந்து நிறுவனங்களிடம் இருந்து டாக்டர்கள் பெற, மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் தடை விதித்துள்ளது.சட்டத்தில் தடை இருந்தும், டாக்டர்களுக்கு பரிசுப் பொருட்கள், பயண ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்து, மருந்து நிறுவனங்கள், தங்கள் தயாரிப்புகளை விற்கின்றன. சட்டவிரோதமாக, அதிக விலைக்கு மருந்துகள் விற்பனை செய்வதும் நிரூபிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

விற்பனையை அதிகப்படுத்த மேற்கொண்ட செலவுக்கு, வருமான வரியில் கழிவு கோருவது அதிர்ச்சி அளிக்கிறது.டாக்டர்களுக்கு பணம் கொடுப்பது; அதிக விலைக்கு மருந்துகளை விற்பதால், மக்கள் நேரடியாக பாதிக்கப்படுகின்றனர்.கேள்விகள்எனவே, இந்த வழக்கில், மத்திய சுகாதாரத் துறை, ரசாயனத் துறை, தேசிய மருந்து விலை நிர்ணய ஆணையம், மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் ஆகியோர் சேர்க்கப்படுகின்றனர்.மத்திய அரசு சார்பில், உதவி சொலிசிட்டர் ஜெனரல் ஜி.கார்த்திகேயன், மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் சார்பில், வழக்கறிஞர் வி.பி.ராமன் ஆகியோர், கீழ்கண்ட கேள்விகளுக்கு, பதில் அளிக்க வேண்டும்.

பரிசுப் பொருள், பயண செலவு வாங்கும் டாக்டர்களுக்கு எதிராக, இந்திய மருத்துவ கவுன்சில் என்ன நடவடிக்கை எடுத்துள்ளது; கவுன்சில் விதிமுறைகளை மீறியதற்காக, ஏழு ஆண்டுகளில், எத்தனை டாக்டர்கள் மீது சட்டப்பூர்வ நடவடிக்கைஎடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது?

போர்ட்ஸ் இந்தியா நிறுவனத்திடம் இருந்து, அன்பளிப்பு பெற்ற டாக்டர்கள் யார் யார்; அவர்களுக்கு எதிராக எடுக்கப்பட்ட நடவடிக்கை என்ன?

ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளில், எத்தனை மருந்து நிறுவனங்களுக்கு எதிராக நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டது; அதிக விலை விற்பனையை தடுக்க, அரசு தரப்பில் எடுக்கப்பட்ட நடவடிக்கை என்ன?

டாக்டர்களுக்கு பரிசுப் பொருள் வழங்கிய விதத்தில், வருமான வரி கழிப்பு, எத்தனை மருந்து நிறுவனங்கள் கோரி உள்ளன; அதிக விலைக்கு மருந்து விற்பனை செய்ததது தொடர்பாக, எத்தனை புகார்கள் வந்துள்ளன?

மருந்து மற்றும் மருந்து உபகரணங்களுக்கான தனி அமைச்சரவை, எப்போது ஏற்படுத்தப்படும்.இவ்வாறு கேள்விகள் எழுப்பிய நீதிபதிகள், வரும், ௨௦ம் தேதிக்கு வழக்கை தள்ளி வைத்தனர்.

Nirbhaya rape case: This is how convicts will be hanged in Tihar jail The prison rules also categorically mention that the execution should take place early in the morning before it gets bright.

Published: 08th January 2020 04:15 PM 

By ANI

NEW DELHI: Four rapists, who were on Tuesday issued a black warrant by a Delhi court for brutally raping and murdering a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, are expected to be hanged according to directives prescribed under the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018.

Since the death sentence was awarded to the convicts named Pawan, Akshay, Vinay and Mukesh years ago, the issuance of black warrant or death warrant by the court merely confirmed the date and time of their hanging.

More than seven years after the horrendous rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student inside a moving bus in Delhi by six persons, four of them are now scheduled to be executed on January 22 at 7 am in New Delhi's Tihar jail.

What procedure will the prison authorities follow to hang them?

Firstly, they will be kept in isolation cells until the date of their execution. According to the manual, if desired by the prisoner, jail authorities have to inform their relatives and facilitate their last meeting.

The convict facing the gallows is also allowed to prepare his will.

Days before the execution is slated to be carried out, the Superintendent of the prison will inspect the gallows and the rope which is to be put around their neck for execution.

The official is also entrusted to see if the rope, made of either cotton yarn or manila, is carefully tested.

"As a rule, a dummy or a bag of sand weighing 1 and 1/2 times the weight of the prisoner to be hanged and dropped between 1,830 and 2.440 meters will afford a safe test of the rope," the rules states.

The rules also go into great detail about the weight of the prisoner and the corresponding height from which he should be hanged.

For example, if a prisoner weighs less than 45.360 kilograms, he should be given a drop of 2,440 meters so that the rope does not break during the execution. "If he weighs more than 90.720 kilograms, a drop should be of 1,830 meters."

The extreme limits of 1,830 meters and 2,440 meters are adhered to as per the physical peculiarity of the prisoner. Wax or butter is also applied to soften the ropes.

The rope for the execution of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru in February 2013 was brought from Bihar's Buxar jail.

The prison rules also categorically mention that the execution should take place early in the morning before it gets bright.

The prison rules state that Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, medical officer-in-charge and a resident medical officer should be present at all executions. If so desired by the person to be hanged, a priest of his faith is allowed to be present at the place of hanging.

No other person, especially relatives of the prisoner, should be allowed to witness the execution. The jail authorities may, however, permit social scientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, etc. to conduct the research there.

ALSO READ: Nirbhaya case - Convict Vinay Sharma’s mother defends her son

On the morning of the execution, the Superintendent has to make sure if any communication is awaiting him regarding the execution. He should then visit the prisoner in his cell and get any document requiring his attestation, such as a will, signed by him.

Next, the hands of the prisoner are pinioned behind the backs after which he is escorted to the scaffold guarded by the head warder and six warders, two walking in front, two behind and two holding arms.

On arrival of the prisoner near the scaffold, the Superintendent confirms his identity to the Magistrate. He then reads the warrant to the prisoner in a language he understands.

A cotton cap, with a flap, is then put on the face just before he is taken to the gallows-enclosures.

The prisoner should not be allowed to see the gallows. According to the manual, after entering the gallows, "the prisoner shall mount the scaffold and be placed directly under the beam to which the rope is attached, the warder still holding him by the arms".

The executioner then straps the prisoner's legs tightly together and adjusts the noose around his neck. The Hangman is paid by the government of Delhi for the execution of each prisoner. The person to execute the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case is being brought from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district.

Subsequently, the Superintendent should make sure that the rope around the neck of the prisoner is adjusted properly and the knot is placed in a proper position.

"The warders holding the prisoner's arms shall now withdraw and at a signal from the Superintendent, the executioner shall draw the bolt"

The operations should be done simultaneously and as quick as possible. "On completion of all these operations, the Superintendent shall give a signal, on which the executioner in-charge shall push the lever to release the trap-door," the manual stated.

When the trap-door is opened, the prisoner falls through and dies. After the execution, the body remains suspended for half an hour before being taken down or until the Resident Medical Officer has certified that "the life is extinct".

The Supreme Court in Shatrughan Chauhan judgment in January 2014 made it mandatory to conduct a post-mortem after the hanging.

It is then disposed of according to the requirement of the religion the deceased belong to.

The body can also be handed over to the relatives if they give an undertaking that they will not make a public demonstration of the cremation of the executed prisoner.

"The body of the executed prisoner shall be taken out of the prisoner with solemnity. A municipal hearse or ambulance shall be used for the transportation of the body to the cremation or burial ground," the rules state.

Ready to hang Nirbhaya convicts as desperately need money for daughter's wedding: Pawan Jallad Pawan Jallad thanks God for being tasked by UP jail administration for executing the death sentence of all four convicts of Nirbhaya rape and murder case.

Published: 08th January 2020 08:59 PM

By IANS

MEERUT: With folded hands, Pawan Jallad thanks God for being tasked by UP jail administration for executing the death sentence of all four convicts of Nirbhaya rape and murder case.

"I am almost broke. If I hang all these four convicts (in Tihar), I will be awarded Rs 1 lakh by the government... I need this money for my daughter's marriage," says Pawan Jallad, 57, adding: "For months I have been waiting for this opportunity...Bhagwan ne meri sun hi li (God finally heard my prayers)."

In a one room set house allotted to him by the Meerut administration under the Kanshiram Awas Yojna, the hangman reveals that UP jail officials have alerted him not to move out of the district.

ALSO READ: Nirbhaya rape case: This is how convicts will be hanged in Tihar jail

"I am preparing myself for 22 (January). They (officials) have told me, in any of these coming days, maybe, by the day after tomorrow or so, they would take me from here to Tihar. I have to reach much earlier as we have to do a lot of rehearsals to ensure everything goes smoothly on the day of hanging," said Pawan, the fourth generation Jallad of the Laxman Kumar family in Meerut's Bhumiyapull area.

Even before any questions are asked to him, he recounts his poor financial condition. "The UP jail administration pays me only Rs 5,000 (per month). I have no other source of earning. Sirf fansi se jeevan chal sakta hai (only by executing the death penalty can I earn my living)," Pawan told IANS.

"My daughter is grown up. But I have no money to marry her off. My ancestral house is in dilapidated condition but I have no funds for repairs. I am already in debt and hounded by lenders. Believe me, this money (Rs 1 lakh) gives me a new lease of life."

ALSO READ: Nirbhaya case - Independent India to see first multiple execution

Asked about the payment by the government for hanging the convicts of Nirbhaya case, Pawan Jallad explains: "For every execution, a hangman gets Rs 25,000. As there are four death row convicts (in Nirbhaya case) so I would get Rs 1 lakh. It's a big reward. Earlier my grandfather Kaluram (aka Kallu) used to be paid only Rs 200 per hanging. I remember in 1989, I went to Agra Central Jail to execute the death row convict of a rape and murder case. I tied the feet of the convict while my grandfather pulled the rope. We got only Rs 200 for this execution."

Pawan's father Mammu Jallad was also a well-known hangman in north India, he claims.

He says that his father and grandfather executed the hanging of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, convicted in assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and also recalls names of several other infamous death row convicts whose hanging was executed by Kallu or Mammu.

Pawan also clarified that the common perception about hangmen being alcoholics is wrong. "Believe me, I have never taken alcohol. I do not drink though people say that before executing any hanging we first get drunk. It's a lie. We are sober and restrained when we pull the ropes. It's our job," he said.

State cannot deprive citizens of their property without sanction of law: Supreme Court

The top court ruled that to forcibly dispossess citizens of their private property, without following the due process of law, would be to violate a human right.

Published: 08th January 2020 11:23 PM

By PTI

NEW DELHI: In a democratic polity governed by the rule of law, the State cannot deprive citizens of their property without the sanction of law, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held.

The top court ruled that to forcibly dispossess citizens of their private property, without following the due process of law, would be to violate a human right, as also the constitutional right under Article 300A of the Constitution.

A bench of Justices Indu Malhotra and Ajay Rastogi in its verdict said the State being a welfare State governed by the rule of law cannot arrogate to itself a status beyond what is provided by the Constitution.

"In a democratic polity governed by the rule of law, the State could not have deprived a citizen of their property without the sanction of law," the court said.

The bench referred to an earlier verdict to say it has been held that the right to property is now considered to be not only a constitutional or statutory right but also a human right.

The court directed Himachal Pradesh government to pay the compensation to an illiterate widow in eight weeks with all statutory benefits, whose land it had acquired in 1967-68 for construction of a road between Nadaun-Sujanpur Road in Hamir Pur district without following the acquisition proceedings.

The bench also deprecated the state for claiming adverse possession as it has been in continuous possession of the land for over 42 years.

"The State being a welfare State, cannot be permitted to take the plea of adverse possession, which allows a trespasser i.e. a person guilty of a tort, or even a crime, to gain legal title over such property for over 12 years," it said.

The bench added that the State cannot be permitted to perfect its title over the land by invoking the doctrine of adverse possession "to grab the property of its own citizens, as has been done in the present case".

It said the State cannot dispossess a citizen of his property except in accordance with the procedure established by law.

The court said the petitioner woman could not have been forcibly dispossessed of her property without any legal sanction, and without following due process of law, and depriving her payment of just compensation.

"In the present case, the appellant being an illiterate person, who is a widow coming from a rural area has been deprived of her private property by the State without resorting to the procedure prescribed by law.

The Appellant has been divested of her right to property without being paid any compensation whatsoever for over half a century," the court said.

The top court exercised its extraordinary jurisdiction under Articles 136 and 142 of the Constitution, and direct the State to pay the compensation to the woman.

Three Bills introduced by govt, discussions in Assembly on Thursday

Amendments to Cooperative Societies Act, Fisheries University Act in have been proposed

Published: 09th January 2020 05:32 AM 

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami responding to questions of Assembly members on Wednesday | special arrangement

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The government on Wednesday introduced three bills – two are amendments and one for replacing an ordinance promulgated recently. The DMK opposed all at introductory stage itself. These will be taken up for discussion on Thursday.

The Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, introduced by Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju, provides for placing under suspension, the president and or vice president of a registered cooperative society who is alleged to have committed misappropriation or breach of trust or gross mismanagement of the affairs of the society.

Similarly, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar introduced a Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University Act which provides for giving power of inspection and inquiry to the State in the affairs of the university since it is a State-funded institution. Besides, the Bill also provides for including a government nominee in the panel for selection of persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

Agriculture Minister R Doraikkanu then introduced a Bill to replace the Ordinance promulgated by the Governor, to extend tenure of the office of the special officers for a further period of six months beyond November 29, 2019, or till reconstitution of the agricultural produce marketing committees.

AIADMK will perform better in 9 dists

Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday expressed the hope that the AIADMK will get more seats in the rural local body elections (RLB) in the remaining nine districts. His reply came after a doubt was raised by KR Ramasamy, Congress floor leader, who wanted to know who the winner in the recently-held RLB was, as both Dravidian majors claimed they were the winners. The chief minister said the people turned the DMK alliance down in the local body elections contrary to LS poll results.

How did Returning Officer assume court’s role, HC pulls up State govt The district collector submitted that the returning officer/Block Development Officer had issued Form 25 mistakenly, in a hurry, without preparing the result sheet.

Published: 09th January 2020 05:32 AM

Madras High Court (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Irked over the State’s explanation for cancelling the winning certificate (Form 25) given to a Sivaganga panchayat president candidate and issuance of the same to another candidate, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court pulled up the State asking, “Under what powers did the returning officer assume the role of district court?”

Hearing a petition filed by M Devi, an independent candidate whose Form 25 was cancelled by the returning officer of Sankarapuram village panchayat, a Division Bench of Justices M Duraiswamy and T Ravindran questioned, “Is there any provision to conduct counting or recounting of votes after issuance of Form 25?”

The judges rejected the Additional Advocate General (AAG) K Chellapandian’s contentions that the petitioner ought to approach the district court under Section 258 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994.

“If the returning officer had found that some of the votes had not been counted, they should have advised the aggrieved candidate to approach the district court to seek recounting,” they opined. They adjourned the case to January 13 for further hearing, adding that the stay against oath taking of other candidate Priyadharshini, would continue till then.

The district collector submitted that the returning officer/Block Development Officer had issued Form 25 mistakenly, in a hurry, without preparing the result sheet. The grounds raised by the petitioner citing rule 66 of Panchayat Election Rules that recounting cannot be done after declaration of results cannot be sustained, as the rule will not come into play till ‘all’ the votes (as per under rule 64) are counted, he claimed.

Top doctors perform live eye surgeries

The Live Surgery 360 Degree which covered the gamut of ophthalmology was useful for practising ophthalmologists and postgraduate students across the country, the release said.

Published: 09th January 2020 06:53 AM 

For representational purposes

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Rajan Eye Care Hospital, a super specialty eye hospital and a postgraduate institute of ophthalmology, organised a one-day conference ‘Live Surgery 360 degree’ at Hotel Accord Metropolitan recently. Twenty-one top surgeons from across India performed live ophthalmic surgeries that were broadcast from the operation theatre at Rajan Eye Care Hospital using fibre optic cable to Hotel Accord Metropolitan, said a press release.

According to the release, live surgeries including Femto cataract, robotic cataract surgery, phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation — multifocal, trifocal, extended range of vision lenses, corneal transplant surgery, squint surgery and anti-glaucoma surgery were performed. Another unique feature of the conference was the 3D live surgeries for cataract, which were performed. Over 350 delegates from across India attended the conference, which has been credited with 15 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit points by the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University.The Live Surgery 360 Degree which covered the gamut of ophthalmology was useful for practising ophthalmologists and postgraduate students across the country, the release said.

Naidu, others taken into custody 

Police detain former Andhra Pradesh CM as he tried to embark on a bus yatra 

09/01/2020 , Staff Reporter, VIJAYAWADA


 
Obstacle course: TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with other leaders being taken in a bus after being detained by police in Vijayawada on Wednesday. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, MLC Nara Lokesh and MLAs K. Atchannaidu and Nimmala Rama Naidu, CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna and several activists of Amaravati Parirakshana Samiti (APS) were taken into custody by the police at Benz Circle here on Wednesday night as they tried to embark on a bus yatra to the districts to garner support for the agitation against the proposed development of three capital cities.

Trouble broke out when Mr. Naidu and others were prevented from staging a march to Auto Nagar, where the buses were parked to branch out to districts on a bus yatra for garnering support for the agitation against the proposed development of three capital cities.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu inaugurated the APS office at the busy junction in the presence of a huge gathering.

Heated arguments and a scuffle ensued between the police and protesters, and it led to Mr. Naidu and his party cadres and APS activists squatting on the road.

Vehicular traffic came to a standstill and the police made Mr. Naidu and others board a department vehicle, but it could not make a headway due to the blockade for sometime.

Tension prevailed as the protesters refused to yield and accused the police of high-handedness.

Amidst the chaos, the keys of the police vehicle were apparently lost and the driver tried to start the engine with alternative keys and finally succeeded.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy pushed the State into uncertainty by proposing to shift the capital out of Amaravati on partisan grounds.

He demanded that the Chief Minister rethink and not treat the State, particularly the capital region, as his fiefdom.

Mr. Naidu expressed regret that some farmers who gave their lands for the capital had died, and the agony of thousands more was continuing as the government appeared determined to shift the capital.

Later, the police shifted Mr. Naidu to his residence along with other protesters.

‘University campuses have been turned into battlefields’ 

Delhi University students take out a march in solidarity with JNU

09/01/2020 , Shinjini Ghosh, Elisha Vermani, New Delhi 


 
Delhi University students during a march in North Campus on Wednesday. special arrangement

Thousands of Delhi University (DU) students took to the streets on Wednesday in solidarity with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students and faculty who were attacked by a mob that had barged into the university campus on January 5.

Braving incessant drizzle, the students raised slogans against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens (NRC), National Population Register (NPR), and the New Education Policy (NEP), while demanding that universities should be safe places for expression.

Students and faculty from various colleges affiliated to DU assembled at the Arts Faculty and took out a protest march in North Campus.

Several of the students were taking part in a protest for the first time. Rishika Rampal, a second-year student of Jesus and Mary College (JMC) said, “I decided to join the march to raise my voice against the atrocities that the current government is unleashing on people. Right from CAA to the recent violence in JNU... it has become too much now and cannot be tolerated any more.”

Anagha Pavitran, a student of Indraprastha College for Women, said: “The political scenario in this country is worsening by the day. Students are being attacked, the police is firing on unarmed citizens and we all know what is happening in Uttar Pradesh. As citizens of this country we can’t just keep watching all this unfold.”

‘Protecting Constitution’

Students shouted “Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna” and “Inquilab Zindabad” while carrying placards like “Ready to die but not ready to accept CAA” and “Stop crushing the anti-fee hike movement”.

Kanika Dasauni, a student of Miranda House, said she joined the protest to ensure equality and safeguard the Constitution.

Utkarsh Bharadwaj, a student of Amedkar University, said: “This fascist government has turned our campuses into battlefields by giving a free reign to the BJP affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the police to curb any dissent.”

Students of several colleges, including St. Stephens College, Delhi School of Economics and JMC, conducted protests within their campuses earlier in the day.

The march culminated inside the Arts Faculty with several speakers, including film maker Rahul Roy, lawyer Gautam Bhatia and others addressing the gathering.

Students of St Stephen’s College also boycotted classes on Wednesday. They also assembled in the college lawns and read out the Preamble.

Re-register scholar in PhD, court tells JNU 

She alleged harassment by professors

09/01/2020 , Staff Reporter, New Delhi

The Delhi High Court has directed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to re-register in a PhD programme a research scholar who had made sexual harassment allegations against two professors.

Justice Pratibha M. Singh also directed the university to provide her with hostel facilities in the winter session commencing on January, 2020.

The judge said the manner in which the re-registration request of the scholar was being examined was “unsatisfactory” despite the Internal Complaints Committee’s (ICC) recommendations being in her favour. “Her continuation in the PhD. programme shall be as per the rules governing the said programme,” the High Court added.

On January 9, 2018, the research scholar had filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment, before the ICC of JNU.

After an enquiry that lasted nearly eight months, on August 2, 2018, the ICC submitted its report which recommended that her request for registration be considered.

The ICC had in August 2018 recommended that the scholar’s request for registration in the PhD programme be considered by the varsity and should not be rejected merely on ground of delay.

The ICC also recommended that one of the professors should be censured for creating uncertainty by not giving a No Objection Certificate to the complainant as well as directing her to de-register against her will. It recommended censuring the other professor for failing to place the application of the complainant for changing the supervisor before the faculty meeting that was a “lapse” on his part.

Plea in SC on minority institutions’ appointments 

 09/01/2020 , legal correspondent, NEW DELHI

Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde on Wednesday agreed to examine next week a plea to stay a January 6 judgment by the Supreme Court , which declared that the State is well within its rights to regulate the appointment of teachers to minority-run institutions in the “national interest”.

The judgment, delivered by a Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and U.U. Lalit in S.K. Mohd Raffique versus Managing Committee, Contai Rehmania High Madrasah and Others, gave the State an absolute right to impose regulations on minority established and administered institutions in the appointment of teachers, saying the step was necessary to achieve excellence in education in these institutions.

Govt. introduces three Bills in Assembly 

Amendment proposed to the Cooperative Societies Act, 1983

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The AIADMK government introduced three Bills in the Assembly on Wednesday.

While one sought to empower the government to take action against president or vice-president of registered cooperative societies, another sought to provide more powers to government in appointing the Vice-Chancellor to Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University.

While Cooperation Minister Sellur K. Raju was introducing the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the House, DMK MLA K. Pitchandi (Kilpennathur) opposed it.

At present, the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983, has no provision to place the president or vice-president of a registered cooperative society under suspension in the event of misappropriation of funds or breach of trust or gross mismanagement of the affairs of the society. Hence, the Bill was introduced in the House.

Soon after Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar introduced the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the House, DMK legislator U. Mathivanan (Kilvelur) opposed it.

The Bill seeks to provide powers to the State government to monitor the usage of government funds by the university and with power of inspection and inquiry. It has been decided to include a government nominee in the panel for selection of persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

While Agriculture Minister R. Doraikkannu was introducing the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020, DMK member S. Austin (Kanniyakumari) opposed it in the initial stage itself.

The proposed legislation sought to replace the Ordinance promulgated earlier to extend the tenure of the special officers appointed to manage the affairs of the market committee pending the constitution of a new market committee by another six months beyond November 2019.

The Bills are likely to be taken up for consideration in the House later during the ongoing session.

We have always opposed NEET in State, says Minister 

Vijayabaskar rebuts charge of AIADMK softening on test

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

C. Vijayabaskar

The AIADMK government maintained in the Assembly on Wednesday that it was still strong in its stand against implementing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions in Tamil Nadu.

Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said the State government continued its stand against NEET in the State and was taking “multi-dimensional efforts” against the entrance test that include political pressure as well as legal option.

Dr. Vijayabaskar was replying to DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin, who raised the issue in the House during zero hour and questioned the State government on the status of the case by it in the Supreme Court last week.

The DMK leader sought to know from the government whether it was planning to take steps for another resolution against NEET since the earlier resolution passed by the Assembly was withheld by the President. Mr. Stalin said the action of the AIADMK government was the “biggest betrayal to social justice and students from rural areas.”

‘Opportunity lost’

The Health Minister took a dig at the DMK for having “sowed seeds of betrayal” as early as December 2010 when the idea of NEET came about during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), in which the DMK was an ally.

He said the State government was committed to fight against NEET and hence it had moved the Supreme Court seeking to challenge a provision governing the Indian Medical Council Act.

When Mr. Stalin said it was his party which moved the court against NEET and got a stay, Dr. Vijayabaskar said the then Medical Council of India under the UPA regime moved a review plea in the case despite the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urging against it.

DMK’s Deputy Leader Duraimurugan intervened to say that the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was “stubborn” in her stand against NEET but since her death, the ruling party could not prevent holding of the entrance test in the State.

A defensive Dr. Vijayabaskar listed the efforts taken by the AIADMK government against NEET through the years and said the DMK lost the opportunity to stop the entrance test while it had a chance and was now questioning the AIADMK.

SR announces special trains for Pongal 

Measure aimed at clearing extra rush
 
09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, MADURAI

Southern Railway will run the following special trains to clear extra rush during Pongal.

Train No. 82601 Chennai Egmore–Tirunelveli Suvidha Special will leave Chennai Egmore at 6.50 p.m. on January 10 and reach Tirunelveli at 6 a.m. the next day. Train No. 06002 Tirunelveli–Tambaram Special will leave Tirunelveli at 6.15 p.m. on January 11 and arrive at Tambaram at 5 a.m. the next day.

These trains will stop at Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vridhachalam, Tiruchi, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sattur and Kovilpatti.

Train No. 82603 Tambaram– Tirunelveli Suvidha Special will leave Tambaram at 7.20 p.m. on January 12 and reach Tirunelveli at 6 a.m. the next day. Train No. 82604 Tirunelveli–Tambaram Suvidha Special will leave Tirunelveli at 6.15 p.m. on January 18 and arrive at Tambaram at 5 a.m. the next day.

The trains will stop at Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vridhachalam, Tiruchi, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sattur and Kovilpatti.

Train No. 82606 Nagercoil– Tambaram Suvidha Special will leave Nagercoil at 5 p.m. on January 19 and reach Tambaram at 5 a.m. the next day.

Train No. 06075 Tambaram– Nagercoil Special will leave Tambaram at 11.20 hrs. on January 20 and arrive at Nagercoil at 2 a.m. the next day.

The trains will stop at Valliyur, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchi, Vridhachalam, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, according to a press release.

Special Sub-Inspector shot dead at check-post 

Wilson was checking an SUV

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, KANNIYAKUMARI

Unidentified persons shot dead a Special Sub-Inspector of Police, Wilson, 56, posted at Padanthalumoodu check-post near the Kerala border, while he was conducting a check on a car going towards Nagercoil from Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday night.

Three rounds fired

Sources in the police said Wilson was checking the sports utility vehicle, bearing registration number TN 57 AW 1559, which entered Kanniyakumari district around 10 p.m., when suddenly, the unidentified occupants of the car opened three rounds of fire at the police officer, inflicting bullet injuries on his forehead, abdomen and leg.

Even before other policemen at the check-post could react, the car fled from the spot.

A profusely bleeding Wilson was rushed to Kuzhithurai Government Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The body was sent to Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem. An intense hunt has been launched in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts to nab the assailants.

High alert

All check-posts in these districts and also in Kerala have been put on high alert following the killing of a police officer.

Parents of govt. staff may get health cover

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The State government will consider pleas to include ageing parents of government employees and those in local bodies under the purview of the health insurance scheme meant for pensioners in the State, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

During his reply to DMK MLA G. Anbalagan (Kumbakonam) during the question hour, Mr. Panneerselvam (handling the Finance portfolio) said the request would be considered and a decision taken after consulting the Chief Minister.

The Deputy Chief Minister said he would consider another request by DMK MLA K. Pitchandi (Kilpennathur) to speed up monthly board meetings that reviews the requests from patients who need kidney transplantation.

With a premium of ₹350 each, the scheme covered 7.30 lakh pensioners and family pensioners with a network of 988 hospitals.

In 2019-20, ₹297.68 crore premium was paid to the insurance companies and 2.01 lakh pensioners benefited with treatment cost totalling ₹578 crore.

Here is the list of areas in Chennai facing power shutdown on January 09

According to a statement from Tangedco, the power supply will be resumed before 5 pm if work is completed.

Published: 07th January 2020 08:50 PM |

Power shutdown in Chennai owing to maintenance

By Express News Service

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

MATHUR: Vadaperumbakkam, V.S Mani Nagar, Kanniamman Nagar, MRH Road, Manjambakkam, Ranga Garden, Vinayagapuram, Anbu valarmathy Nagar, Chinna Thoppu, Kandasamy Nagar, 200ft ring road, Manjambakkam.

IIT AREA: Rengarajapuram, Sri Nagar colony, South Avenue, North Mada Street, Anna university.

NOLAMBUR: NNS, HIG, MIG, Chinna Nolambur, Adayalampet, Kongu Nagar, Mugappair West Block 1 to 8 th Block, Rajan Garden, Panneer Nagar, Mohanaram Nagar, Jaswanth Nagar, Reddy Palayam area AIBEA Nagar, Vellalar Street, Eri Scheme, Gangai Amman Nagar, Ponniamman Nagar, Keel ayanambakk

750 stalls, 13 days, unlimited books

With a `10 note, you can buy a tiny Dairy Milk bar or even two `5 ballpoint pens.

Published: 08th January 2020 06:23 AM 

By Shwetha Surendran

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With a `10 note, you can buy a tiny Dairy Milk bar or even two `5 ballpoint pens. But the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) offer you a far better deal. This month only, for 13 days between January 9 and 21, can a measly ten rupees unlock a world of literary wonder and authors extraordinaire. Featuring over 750 stalls crammed with books, both in regional and foreign languages, the YMCA Ground at Nandanam will play host to the 43rd Chennai Book Fair. One of the largest of its kind in the continent, this year’s event is bound to excite adults and children alike.

With a special focus on Tamil Literature this year, as BAPASI aims to revive and revitalise it, it is no surprise to see a stellar author and speaker line-up at their ‘Eluthalar Mutram’ boasting the likes of Balakumaran, Perumal Murugan and Bama. Keeping in line with the underlying theme of showcasing the state’s heritage, be sure not to miss Odia artist Sudarshan Pattanaik’s sand rendition of Thiruvalluvar and an exclusive display titled ‘Keeladi-Eeradi’ with artifacts from the Sangam period, courtesy of the Department of Archaeology’s dig at Keeladi.

But be sure to know that this year, it is more than just books. Short films and documentaries will be screened at the venue. Oratorical, drawing and writing competitions have also been weaved into the schedule to encourage young local talent. “In the past, we used to do more than just look into our phones. We had a rich culture of reading in the state and we aim to inculcate this enthusiasm in the younger generations,” says RS Shunmugam, president, BAPSI.The 43rd Chennai Book Fair will be open from January 9 to January 21 at the YMCA Ground, Nandanam. On weekdays between 3 pm to 9 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 9 pm. Entrance fee at `10 per head.

At the fair

This year there will be a special focus on Tamil Literature. Short films and documentaries will be screened at the venue. Oratorical, drawing and writing competitions have also been weaved into the schedule to encourage young local talent.

Does high standard of living bring happiness?

In many countries, modern life has improved people’s standard of living, but people seem nevertheless generally not more happy with their lives.

Published: 08th January 2020 06:30 AM | 

By Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In many countries, modern life has improved people’s standard of living, but people seem nevertheless generally not more happy with their lives. This can be regarded as a surprise with the level of prosperity at a historic high. There is no doubt in it that every human being has the right to live and, therefore, the right to find the wherewithal to feed, to clothe and to house himself as well as his dependents.

Besides these three, one has to fulfil some other needs as well, the aim being to avoid pain and to have a reasonably comfortable life. But the trouble starts when one adopts that economic philosophy which states that multiplication and fulfilment of wants leads to higher standard of living and greater happiness, and one, then sets to accumulate whatever and as much as one can by fair as well as foul means. This economic philosophy is basically erroneous and self-defeating and is the cause of many social, economic, political and moral maladies of our times.

To begin, happiness is hard to define as different people may have very different concepts of happiness, but directly correlating standard of living with happiness is likely oversimplifying their relationship. While good life conditions certainly contribute to happiness, people in poor countries frequently express a surprisingly high levels of happiness in opinion polls. For some people, fulfilling work and social relationships probably add more to happiness than being able to afford luxury goods. We should also understand one thing that happiness is not the same as pleasure. Happiness depends more on the mental state of a person than on the fulfilment of desires and the gratification of senses.

So, there may be a man whose hands are full but whose soul is empty. Also, it would be wrong to measure one’s standard of living on scale of luxury goods. It would also be wrong to dissociate this term from the intellectual, moral and cultural aspects of a person. There may, for instance, be a person with high moral character who leads a life of voluntary non-possession or minimum possessions. He may be an intellectual of a high order, contented in mind and refined in the cultural sense.

Hence, it would be wrong to say that his ‘standard of living is not high’. We should remember that just as food sustains the body so does the mind find sustenance in happiness. So, the saying goes: there is no food as good as happiness. And, to be happy, you have to be contented. Just as, for bodily well-being, man seeks food, so should he maintain the state of contentment to ensure happiness of mind.

As Alfred Nobel rightly said that ‘Contentment is the only real wealth’, we should therefore not run after securing another kind of wealth to lose the wealth of contentment because contentment is as good as a means of happiness as wealth is considered to be. Hence, it can safely be concluded that, beyond a limit, the multiplication of wants and their satisfaction does not promote happiness and certainly not in that proportion.

Precaution before pilgrimage for diabetics

It is the Sabarimala season. Male devotees of Lord Ayappa prepare themselves to visit His heavenly abode.

Published: 08th January 2020 06:31 AM

By Veena Mani

Express News Service

CHENNAI : It is the Sabarimala season. Male devotees of Lord Ayappa prepare themselves to visit His heavenly abode. The preparation for this trip begins with a 45-day fast. Throughout this period, those observing the fast remain barefoot till they visit the temple and are back. Understanding the rigour of this ritual, diabetologists urge diabetics to take extra care before undertaking a fast and deciding to walk barefoot.

Doctors advise people with diabetes to consult their physician first. “Devotees who are diabetic can opt for footwear made of cloth. They should not go barefoot at all. Exposure to extremely hot or cold weather can worsen the condition as most of them are prone to getting diabetic foot where there is a loss of sensation. In extreme cases the patient might end up having to amputate their foot or toes,” says Dr SK Wangnoo of Apollo Hospitals.

Dr V Mohan of Mohan’s Diabetes Centre says that though diabetes patients should never walk barefoot, he has seen very few patients who have come from a trip to Sabrimala with major problems. For religious reasons, if someone wishes to fast, be it during Ramzan or before a trip to Sabrimala, they should consult a doctor if they are diabetic, so as to rework their insulin dosage. “Since the food pattern becomes different, the insulin intake will also vary. They should consult their specialist to learn how to deal with that. They must prepare for the trip by doing breathing exercises and training to walk long distances. They should jog regularly for a few months before they going to these religious spots,” says Dr Mohan.

He adds that anyone with diabetes should report any kind of pricks or injuries to their doctor the moment they come back from their pilgrimage because any kind of infection or injury can be dangerous. Those with uncontrolled diabetes are prone to infection and the foot is the easiest part of the body to contract infections, especially fungal, when they walk through water. “There is something miraculous about Sabrimala that most patients who have gone on pilgrimage there have not complained about any serious problems,” says Dr Mohan. However, he recommends his patients to wear socks and carry antibiotics when they go on their pilgrimage.

HR&CE accountant forges signatures, pockets bonus money

The accountant of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) was arrested by the police, allegedly for swindling lakhs of rupees from the staff, over the last one year, from Chen

Published: 08th January 2020 06:33 AM | 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The accountant of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) was arrested by the police, allegedly for swindling lakhs of rupees from the staff, over the last one year, from Chennai.According to the police, Prabhakaran, a resident of NGO Nagar in Ponneri, was working as the accountant for the HR&CE.”Every year, the staff get one month’s salary as bonus. However, they did not receive the bonus from 2018, and one Radhamani (52) had informed the higher officials of the HR&CE about the matter,” said the police.

After a probe, the department officials found that Prabhakaran had taken the salary all for himself, forging the signature of all the staff. The police did not reveal as to how much exactly Prabhakaran swindled in a year. The complaint was lodged at the Elephant Gate police station and the police arrested Prabhakaran on charges of impersonation, cheating, breach of trust and forgery.

Banking services likely to be hit on Wednesday

Banking transactions in the state may be affected on Wednesday as five bank unions said they will take part in the nation-wide ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by ten central trade unions.

Published: 08th January 2020 06:34 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Banking transactions in the state may be affected on Wednesday as five bank unions said they will take part in the nation-wide ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by ten central trade unions. However, employees of India’s largest bank, the State Bank of India (SBI), are not taking part in the strike. Bus services may also be partially affected since transport workers unions affiliated to opposition parties have declared that they will be taking part in the strike.

However, a prominent government school teachers’ union has declared that they will not be participating in the strike, after the State government warned its employees to stay away from the protest.M Duraipandian, general seceratry, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers Coordination Committee, told Express that around 1.5 lakh central government employees from 47 organisations in the state are likely to participate in the strike backed by 11 central trade unions except Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

Senior officials from transport department said the MTC and other mofussil buses would run as usual as they did not receive any strike notice. “The state transport corporations requires about 50 percent workers to put its full fleet into operation,” added the official.

நிா்பயா குற்றவாளிகள் நால்வருக்கு 22-இல் தூக்கு: தில்லி நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவு
By DIN | Published on : 08th January 2020 02:25 AM |

கடந்த 2012-ஆம் ஆண்டில் துணை மருத்துவ மாணவி ‘நிா்பயா’ கூட்டுப் பாலியல் பலாத்காரம், மற்றும் கொலை செய்யப்பட்ட வழக்கில் குற்றவாளிகள் என தீா்ப்பளிக்கப்பட்ட நால்வருக்கும் ஜனவரி 22-ஆம் தேதி காலை 7 மணிக்கு தூக்குத் தண்டனை நிறைவேற்ற தில்லி நீதிமன்றம் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை உத்தரவிட்டது.

இந்த விவகாரம் தொடா்புடைய வழக்கை விசாரித்த தில்லி கூடுதல் செஷன்ஸ் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி சதீஷ் குமாா் அரோரா, ‘ இந்த வழக்கின் குற்றவாளிகள் முகேஷ் (32), பவன் குப்தா (25), வினய் சா்மா (26), அக்ஷய் குமாா் சிங் (31) ஆகிய நால்வருக்கும் திகாா் சிறையில் ஜனவரி 22-ஆம் தேதி காலை 7 மணிக்கு தூக்குத் தண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்பட வேண்டும்’ என உத்தரவிட்டாா்.

நிா்பயா வழக்கில் தூக்குத் தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள குற்றவாளிகள் நால்வருக்கும் தூக்குத் தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற உத்தரவிடக் கோரி தில்லி அரசு மற்றும் நிா்பயாவின் பெற்றோா் சாா்பில் தில்லி நீதிமன்றத்தில் முறையீட்டு மனுக்கள் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்டிருந்தன. இந்த மனுக்கள் மீதான முந்தைய விசாரணையின் போது, நீதிமன்றம் திகாா் சிறை நிா்வாகத்திற்குப் பிறப்பித்திருந்த உத்தரவில், குற்றவாளிகள் நால்வரும் தங்களது தூக்குத் தண்டனை நிறைவேற்றத்துக்கு எதிராக இந்தியக் குடியரசுத் தலைவரிடம் கருணை மனு அளித்திருக்கிறாா்களா என்பதை ஒரு வாரத்திற்குள் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும் என தெரிவித்திருந்தது.

இந்நிலையில், இந்த மனுக்கள் மீதான விசாரணை தில்லி நீதிமன்றத்தில் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை நடைபெற்றது. அப்போது, அரசுத் தரப்பில் ஆஜரான வழக்குரைஞா், ‘இந்த விவகாரம் தொடா்பாக எந்த நீதிமன்றத்திலும் மனுக்கள் நிலுவையில் இல்லை அல்லது குடியரசுத் தலைவரிடமும் குற்றவாளிகளில் யாரும் கருணை மனு அளித்திருக்கவில்லை. குற்றவாளிகள் அனைவரின் மறு ஆய்வு மனுக்களை ஏற்கெனவே உச்சநீதிமன்றம் தள்ளுபடி செய்துவிட்டது. ஆகவே, நால்வருக்கும் தூக்குத் தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற உத்தரவிட வேண்டும்’ என கேட்டுக் கொண்டாா்.

மேலும், நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவுக்கும் தூக்குத் தண்டனை உத்தரவை நிறைவேற்றுவதற்குமான இடைப்பட்ட காலத்தில் குற்றவாளிகள் சீராய்வு மனுக்களை தாக்கல் செய்ய விரும்பினால் அதை செய்யவும் முடியும் என கூறப்பட்டது. குற்றவாளிகள் முகேஷ், வினய் ஆகியோா் தரப்பில் ஆஜரான வழக்குரைஞா், இந்த விவகாரம் தொடா்பாக உச்சநீதிமன்றத்தில் சீராய்வு மனு தாக்கல் செய்யும் நடைமுறைகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருவதாகத் தெரிவித்தாா்.

இது தொடா்பான விசாரணை தில்லி நீதிமன்றத்தில் செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை தொடங்கிய போது, வழக்குரைஞா் எம்.எல். சா்மா ஆஜராகி தாம் குற்றவாளிகளில் ஒருவரான முகேஷ் தரப்பில் ஆஜராவதாகக் கூறினாா். எனினும், முகேஷிற்காக ஆஜராக நீதிமன்றத்தின் நண்பனாக நியமிக்கப்பட்ட விருந்தா குரோவா், ‘தாம் நீதிமன்றத்தால் நியமிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதால், முகேஷ் சாா்பில் ஆஜராக எம்.எல். சா்மாவுக்கு அதிகாரம் இல்லை’ என்றாா்.

இரு தரப்பின் வாதங்களைக் கேட்ட பிறகு நீதிமன்றம், வழக்குரைஞா் எம்.எல். சா்மாவிடம் வழக்கு விசாரணையில் ஆஜராக முகேஷ் அங்கீகரிக்கும் வக்காலத்து ஆவணத்தை சமா்ப்பிக்குமாறு கேட்டுக் கொண்டது. இதைத் தொடா்ந்து, தூக்குத் தண்டனை உத்தரவு பிறப்பிப்பது தொடா்பான உத்தரவை மதியம் 3.30 மணி வரை நீதிமன்றம் ஒத்திவைத்தது.

நீதிமன்ற அறையில் இருந்த முகேஷின் தாய், தனது மகனுக்கு கருணை காட்டுமாறு கதறி அழுதாா். ஆனால், அவரது கோரிக்கையை நீதிமன்றம் ஏற்க மறுத்துவிட்டது.

இதையடுத்து, நீதிமன்றத்திற்கு வெளியே செய்தியாளா்களிடம் முகேஷின் தாய் கூறுகையில், ‘எனது மகன் ஏழை என்பதால் அவன் மீது குற்றம்சாட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது’ என்றாா்.

முன்னதாக, விசாரணையின் போது, திகாா் சிறையில் உள்ள குற்றவாளிகள் நால்வரிடமும் நீதிபதி காணொலிக்காட்சி மூலம் பேசினாா். காணொலிக்காட்சி அறையில் ஊடகத்தினா் அனுமதிக்கப்படவில்லை. நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்த பிறகு குற்றவாளியின் வழக்குரைஞா்களும், குடும்ப உறுப்பினா்களும் நீதிமன்றத்திலிருந்து வெளியே வந்து நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவு குறித்து ஊடகங்களிடம் தகவல் தெரிவித்தனா்.

முன்னதாக, தூக்குத் தண்டனையை மறுஆய்வு செய்யக் கோரி குற்றவாளிகளில் ஒருவரான அக்ஷய் குமாா் தாக்கல் செய்த மனுவை கடந்த டிசம்பா் 18-ஆம் தேதி உச்சநீதிமன்றம் தள்ளுபடி செய்து, தூக்குத் தண்டனையை உறுதி செய்து உத்தரவிட்டது. நிா்பயா பாலியல் பலாத்கார குற்றவாளிக்கு தூக்கு தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டவா்களில் முகேஷ், பவன் குப்தா, வினய் சா்மா ஆகியோா் உச்சநீதிமன்றத்தில் தூக்குத் தண்டனையை மறு ஆய்வு செய்யக் கோரி மேல்முறையீடு மனு தாக்கல் செய்திருந்தனா். இந்த மனுவை விசாரித்த உச்ச நீதிமன்றம், மனுவை கடந்த ஆண்டு ஜூலை 9-இல் தள்ளுபடி செய்து உத்தரவிட்டது. மேலும், இந்த வழக்கில் 2017-இல் வழங்கப்பட்ட தீா்ப்பை மறு ஆய்வு செய்வதற்கான தகுதி ஏதுமில்லை என்றும் உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் தெரிவித்திருந்தது.

2012, டிசம்பா் 16 நள்ளிரவில் ஓடும் பேருந்தில் ‘நிா்பயா’ என்ற துணை மருத்துவ மாணவி 6 பேரால் பாலியல் பலாத்காரத்துக்கு உள்ளாக்கப்பட்டு பேருந்திலிருந்து சாலையில் தூக்கி வீசப்பட்டாா். இச்சம்பவத்தில் பலத்த காயமடைந்த ‘நிா்பயா’, சிங்கப்பூா் மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிப்பட்டு உயிரிழந்தாா். இந்த வழக்கில் குற்றம்சாட்டப்பட்ட 6 போ்களில் ராம் சிங் என்பவா் தில்லி திகாா் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தாா். இந்நிலையில், அவா் அங்கு தூக்கிட்டு தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டாா். வழக்கில் தொடா்புடைய மற்றொருவா் சிறாா் பிரிவின் கீழ் வந்ததால், அவா் தொடா்பான வழக்கு சிறாா் நீதிமன்றத்தில் நடத்தப்பட்டது. அந்த வழக்கில் அவா் தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டு கூா்நோக்கு இல்லத்திற்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டாா். அங்கு மூன்றாண்டு வைக்கப்பட்டு பின்னா் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டாா்.

பெற்றோா் மகிழ்ச்சி

பாதிக்கப்பட்ட துணை மருத்துவ மாணவி நிா்பயாவின் பெற்றோா் கூறுகையில், ‘ நீதிமன்றத்தின் உத்தரவு மகிழ்ச்சி அளிப்பதாகவும், திருப்தி தருவதாகவும் உள்ளது. இந்த தீா்ப்பின் மூலம் என் மகளுக்கு நீதி கிடைத்துள்ளது. நான்கு பேரும் தூக்கிலிடுவதன் மூலம் நாட்டின் பெண்கள் அதிகாரம் பெறுவா்.

இந்த முடிவானது நீதித்துறை அமைப்புமுறையில் மக்கள் நம்பிக்கையை வலுப்படுத்தும். மேலும், இதுபோன்ற குற்றங்களில் ஈடுபடுவதைத் தடுக்கும் வகையில் மனத்தில் பயத்தை ஏற்படுத்தும்’ என்றனா்.

தூக்குத் தண்டனை எங்கே?

திகாா் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிா்பயா வழக்கு குற்றவாளிகள் நால்வருக்கும் தூக்குத் தண்டனை, சிறையில் உள்ள மூன்றாம் எண்ணில் நிறைவேற்றப்பட உள்ளதாக திகாா் சிறையின் அதிகாரி செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை தெரிவித்தாா்.

இந்த விவகாரத்தில் தொடா்புடைய நால்வருக்கும் ஜனவரி 22-ஆம் தேதி காலை 7 மணிக்கு திகாா் சிறையில் தூக்குத் தண்டனை நிறைவேற்றப்பட வேண்டும் என தில்லி நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டது. இந்நிலையில், திஹாா் சிறை நிா்வாக வட்டாரங்கள் கூறுகையில், ‘திகாா் சிறையில் உள்ள 2-ஆம் எண்ணில் குற்றவாளிகளில் மூவரும், நான்காம் எண் சிறையில் மற்றொருவரும் அடைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனா். இவா்களுக்கான தண்டனையை நிறைவேற்ற மீரட்டில் உள்ள தூக்கிடும் நபரை (ஹேங்மேன்) சிறை நிா்வாகம் தொடா்பு கொள்ளவிருப்பதாகவும் அந்த வட்டாரங்கள் மேலும் தெரிவித்தன.