Lockdown makes lives of elderly more lonely

Lockdown makes lives of elderly more lonely

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:  12.07.2020

Life has never been easy for this octogenarian couple living in a gated community on Karshaka Road since the announcement of lockdown. The couple say that they have been living a lifeless life with hardly any visitors and no outings.

“We are confined to the house. Entertainment is confined to television, internet and reading. Our children live in other cities and we talk to them over phone,” said Gopal Krishna Kurup, who retired from Hindustan Newsprint Ltd.

He said though people are generally helpful, he has difficulties in getting some of his supplies, especially ayurvedic medicines. “We are also not able to go to banks. Shopkeepers and others deliver us provisions and medicines,” he said.

Similar is the situation of another couple in Kaloor. The man is 72-years-old, while his wife is 70.

George Korah, the secretary of Kairali apartments in Panampilly Nagar said they have 72 flats in the complex and 45% of these flats are occupied by senior citizens. They said the elderly people have adjusted to the lockdown and restrictions.

“The problem is senior citizens are forced to depend on others. Other than health workers, we do not allow visitors. The restrictions have affected their well-being. There are very healthy people above the age of

70. Why should they be confined to the house,” he said. However, he agreed that these restrictions are imposed for the safety of elderly people. “I see it in a good spirit though there are inconveniences. We have to take care of ourselves. Medicines and provisions are delivered to them regularly,” he added.

How to stop your child from using offensive language

How to stop your child from using offensive language

If you catch your child using slurs or derogatory terms, talk to them about negative stereotypes and intolerance

12.07.2020

Right from texting and casual conversations to classroom banter, many children indulge in name-calling and verbal abuse. Sometimes your child or his/her friends use terms in a derogatory manner. You can start by explaining the consequences of negative stereotypes, then guide your child’s response if one of their friends uses a slur.

US-based psychologist Lisa Damour says it’s best to start with the simplest point. Stress that it is hurtful and wrong to use a word that describes a person’s gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or national identity as an insult. This is true for words that have longstanding acceptable uses, for former epithets that have gained mainstream status over time (such as gay or queer), and for labels that take on different meanings depending on who uses them (such as b***h).

Hate speech

You could say, “While your friends might think they’re being funny or cool, words can do harm, and repeating slurs is fundamentally degrading to the groups they are used against… You may not use slurs ever, under any condition.”

There are subtler points you will want to discuss with your child. It is true that the same word can operate in one context as hate speech and in another as an affirmation of identity (for example, the N-word). Indeed, it’s not unusual for stigmatised groups to claim for themselves derogatory labels in order to challenge a status quo.

Language of compassion

As parents, we want our children to understand the experiences of people whose lives differ from their own. It’s important to start a conversation that can unfold over time about the uneven distribution of privilege within our society and the demeaning and intensely painful histories behind derogatory words.

Whenever an opportunity presents itself, you will also want to model for your child what it looks like to interrupt intolerance. Take the issue seriously. Treat it as an opening to nurture your child’s understanding, compassion and developing a sense of the kind of person he wants to be.

— THE NEW YORK TIMES

‘Degrees sans exams will impact career of students’

‘Degrees sans exams will impact career of students’

Temples Of Education Can Be Reopened Now: UGC Vice-Chairperson

12.07.2020

Chandan.Chatterjee@timesgroup.com

UGC vice-chairperson Bhushan Patwardhan firmly believes examination is an integral part of the academic system. He told TOI in an online interview that cancelling exams, citing the Covid-19 situation, would have a long-term negative impact on students’ careers. Excerpts:

How should Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) conduct the exams, considering the spurt in Covid-19 cases in Pune?

Not just SPPU but any university, can go for online, offline, a combination of both or open book exam, depending on what suits which course the best. If the university decides to go for offline exam for some subjects, they should ensure all safety protocols, including physical distance and sanitisation norms, prescribed by the UGC.

Now that most hostels of varsities are vacated, what happens if a student in a remote area can’t take the online exam because of connectivity/gadget issues?

The UGC has allowed varsities or colleges to give such students one-time special examination. Such examinations can be proctored or conducted in different cities/ towns with the help of local government bodies.

The Maharashtra government has stressed that it is impossible to conduct the final-year exams by September because of the Covid-19 situation. Your take?

Agreeably, there are real challenges in conducting examinations in the Covid-19 situation. But when there is a will, there is a way. During Unlock-1, liquor shops and salons were reopened and home delivery was allowed. Now, temples are also being opened. Thus, temples of knowledge can also be reopened with all safety measures and precautions.

Why the UGC is firm on conducting the exams when the pandemic is peaking?

Exams are an integral part of the academic life-cycle. Will you trust a doctor who has not appeared in the final exam, or an engineer or a pharmacist for that matter? Awarding academic degree without examination is not acceptable. In the US and the UK, most of the reputed universities have either completed or deferred final-year examinations. Current global picture indicates that 73 countries have postponed/rescheduled, 23 have introduced alternative approaches and 22 have maintained exams, while only 11 countries have cancelled them altogether. This scenario supports the UGC policy regarding the examinations.

What if no exams are conducted?

It will set a wrong example. Such students would be labelled as “Covid Batch”. Sanctity of their degree will remain questionable.

Will the students be affected if there are no exams?

Of course. The transcript of universities on report cards can spoil their career. If only “Pass” is written as result, many students will find it difficult to pursue higher studies. A few years down the line, there can be hardships on career progression and the job front too.

Is there a possibility of average students gaining from no exams?

No way. An average student might have prepared very well for the final exam/semester. If the exam is conducted, that particular student’s grades can improve. And, meritorious students will naturally have the chance of bettering their grades.

Then why students are clamouring against exams?

It’s a wrong conception. I know many students who want the exams to be conducted. They may not be as vocal. We have done a great disservice by keeping them waiting so long for the exams, triggering anxiety. Teachers and parents need to tell them that such shortcuts may be very detrimental in the long run.

Several faculty members claimed that many universities would not be able to conduct exams by September 30 because there is too little time to prepare.

On April 29, the UGC had told the varsities to conduct the final exams by July-end. Had the universities acted in time, many problems faced today could have been avoided. Now, we have extended the deadline till September 30. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.

Didi urges PM to restore UGC’s April guideline on final-yr exam

Didi urges PM to restore UGC’s April guideline on final-yr exam

New Schedule Would Adversely Affect Students, CM Says In Letter

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata:  12.07.2020

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to get the revised UGC guideline on holding of final-year examinations “re-examined” and restore the advisory it had issued in April.

“I would request you to get the matter re-examined immediately and restore the earlier advisory of UGC issued on April 29. This will facilitate state governments to implement their decisions taken on the basis of the UGC April guideline to protect the interests of the students at national/international levels,” Banerjee wrote.

The Bengal CM, while intimating the PM about the state advisory, said state universities haven’t dumped the UGC advisory making it compulsory for universities to hold formal examinations for final-year students. UGC wanted it with an eye on “academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students globally”.

Banerjee stated that state universities will hold a special examination for students willing to take it after the public health situation becomes normal across the country. For others, state universities have devised an alternate evaluation method providing “due weightage to internal assessment and performance of the candidate in the previous semesters”, Banerjee wrote.

The CM threw her weight behind the state plan while writing to the PM two days after education secretary Manish Jain made the “reexamination” appeal to the MHRD, sending out signals that Bengal isn’t quite confident about the Centre’s stance on the issue.

Banerjee wrote to the PM a day after Bengal vice chancellors approved the state plan on Friday. “It may be noted that state-aided universities have taken steps based on the state higher education department advisory. Students, their parents and stakeholders have overwhelmingly appreciated the June 27 state advisory. In fact, I am now receiving hundreds of emails from students and the teaching community raising concern over holding examinations according to revised UGC guidelines,” she said.

Banerjee held that in the prevailing situation, the revised UGC guideline would “adversely affect” students. The Bengal CM also made a mention that some states have “raised concern and voiced their disagreement” on the revised UGC guideline. They include Maharashtra and Punjab. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has announced that he would write to the Prime Minister and the Union home minister seeking cancellation of final-year examinations in universities and colleges in view of the rising Covid-19 graph. Singh also asked for scrapping of the MHA orders dated July 6.

A section of the academia and bureaucracy feels shaky over the “stepping up” of stance in the UGC-versusstate “standoff”. A senior state official pointed out that UGC should have consulted states before coming up with its revised guideline.

An administrator in the education front, however, put forward another view. “UGC is the degree-giving authority. There is no point confronting UGC that might put careers of students at stake,” he said. An official pointed out that higher education is in the Concurrent List. “States should have been consulted before UGC came up with a revised guideline,” the official added.

I would request you to get the matter re-examined immediately and restore the earlier advisory of UGC issued on April 29. This will facilitate state governments to implement their decisions taken on the basis of UGC’s April guideline to protect the interests of the students at national/international levels

MAMATA BANERJEE

Bengal chief minister

V-Cs write to guv for clarity as state and UGC differ on exams

V-Cs write to guv for clarity as state and UGC differ on exams

Hemali.Chhapia@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:  12.07.2020

On the question of whether to hold the final semester exams in the state or not, vice-chancellors of all state universities have dispatched a note to the chancellor seeking his advice on moving forward on the sticky issue.

After several twists and turns, vice-chancellors decided to step up and write to the governor about the timeline of the events around the exam issue, the abrupt stalling of the academic year, the pending exams, the mandate they received from the state government from time to time and the guidelines from the UGC.

“We realised that he [governor] was not being involved in this entire process,” a stakeholder, who requested anonymity, said. “After all, he is the chancellor, the supreme boss for us, and it is important that we keep him in the loop and follow what he asks us to do. While the state is asking us not to hold exams, the fresh UGC guidelines and the letter from home affairs make it mandatory to hold exams. We are confused and we want to seek his guidance.”

There is also the possibility of people approaching the courts for justice.

“The ATKT formula is irrational,” another stakeholder, also requesting anonymity, said. “It may push someone with backlogs ahead of a candidate who has cleared all subjects on merit. Moreover, professional apex bodies have stated that they will not award practising licence to students who are not assessed before they graduate. The state has not given universities anything in writing. To move forward with the decision of not holding exams and graduating everyone with ATKT, an ordinance will have to be passed and will have to be signed by the governor.”

The vice-chancellors seemed unhappy with the manner in which higher education minister Uday Samant has been “mandating” them to draw up various formulae to clear final year students, as also graduate those with backlogs. “After forcing V-Cs and directors into all this, he held a press briefing and made it all look like it was all our unanimous decision to not hold exams and to clear candidates who have backlogs,” a stakeholder said.

In the minutes of the statelevel meeting of vice-chancellors and directors, university bosses mentioned that all the points were prior to any fresh guidelines from the UGC. “We all knew that the UGC was slated to release fresh directions,” a vice-chancellor said.

On Thursday, Samant held a press conference and reiterated that exams could not be held till September. He claimed that the university heads had drawn a formula to clear almost 3.9 lakh final year students who had backlogs.

In that scenario, the class of 2020 may find it tough to find jobs, said experts. Some regulatory professional bodies may not allow such graduates to practice, as has been informed to the state. Academic honchos were shocked at the minister’s revelations in which he announced that all decisions were unanimously taken by vicechancellors and directors and not by the state.

Students heave sigh of relief as NIOS exams are cancelled

Students heave sigh of relief as NIOS exams are cancelled

Mumbai:  12.07.2020

Exams for secondary (X) and senior secondary (XII) courses conducted by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), postponed twice earlier, have been cancelled, bringing relief to thousands of students. The decision was taken based on recommendations of the board’s result committee.

The board, in a circular on Saturday, said while results will be declared soon for vertical mobility of students, a one-time chance to appear for next public exams to improve performance will be given later, when the situation is conducive.

The board will consider best three scores of students, if they took four papers and cleared them, and best two if they took three subjects. If students have not taken exams their tutor marked assignments or practical marks will be considered for results. The circular with a detailed assessment scheme has been uploaded on NIOS’s site. TNN

Hyd students protest UGC guidelines on examinations

Hyd students protest UGC guidelines on examinations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad:12.07.2020

Students of University of Hyderabad (UoH) and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (Manuu) have joined the nationwide agitation against University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recent guidelines on university exams by participating in online protests.

The UGC guidelines effectively extended the period for conducting final year/semester cohort exams (online, offline or combined mode) until September-end. It further allows students, who miss the September exam, to appear for a special exam “as and when feasible”.

Students from Hyderabad have termed the guidelines ‘anti-student’. As part of a larger nationwide protest, UoH and Manuu students will participate in various movements such as signature campaigns, mailing the Union HRD ministry over the next three days.

“Students should be promoted based on their past performance. Only those keen to improve their marks should be given an option to appear for exams. Already, students are under mental agony due to this pandemic. By setting a deadline for the exams, UGC is only making matters worse,” said UoH student union president, Abhishek Nandan.

Despite Covid-19, UoH sees 20% rise in foreign students applying for admission

Despite Covid-19, UoH sees 20% rise in foreign students applying for admission

Preeti.Biswas@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 12.07.2020

Notwithstanding the uncertainty over movement of people between countries in these pandemic times, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has witnessed a 20% rise in number of applications from foreign students for the 2020-21academic year .

According to the figures shared by UoH with TOI, this year the university has received 258 application from international students as against 203 last year. Officials have observed a spike in number of applicants through Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), seeking admission in various courses.

“This year the number of applications received from ICCR was more than 200 against 175 in the previous year. Also, from overseas citizens of India (OCI) cardholders who are holding foreign passports, we received 38 applications as compared to 30 last year,” director, international affairs, N Siva Kumar, adding that 18 applications were received for various courses in the integrated masters programme.

Majority applications were received from countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sudan, Gambia, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania and Guyana. Officials have attributed the spike in applications from international students to the Institute of Eminence(IoE) status that was awarded to UoH by the ministry of human resource development last year.

“We are happy that even in this pandemic-ridden situation, applications from foreign nationals significantly increased to over 200 compared to previous years, with support from ICCR and MHRD. With the memorandum of understanding already signed and those in the pipeline, we see bright prospects for UoH to become a choice destination in several subjects for the foreign nationals,” said Appa Rao Podile, vice-chancellor of UoH.

Emirates flights to five Indian cities from July 12

REPATRIATION OF STRANDED INDIANS

Emirates flights to five Indian cities from July 12

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  12.07.2020

Emirates on Saturday announced it will operate special repatriation flights to five Indian cities from July 12 to July 26, 2020, “to assist stranded Indians get home and for residents of UAE currently in India to return to the UAE.” The flights will be operated to Delhi, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Flights planned to Bengaluru and Mumbai are "subject to state government approval”. While Bengaluru, Delhi and Kochi will have double daily; Mumbai will have thrice daily and Thiruvananthapuram will be once a day.

“Flights can be booked on emirates.com, through travel agents, Emirates’ sales offices and contact centre. Passengers must meet all the entry requirements of the destination to be allowed to board the flights,” Emirates said in a statement. “Only Indian citizens stranded in the UAE will be allowed to fly from Dubai to the five Indian destinations. Flights from India to Dubai will be available for UAE nationals and residents with prior entry approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA) for residents of Dubai and ICA approval for residents of other emirates of the UAE. All passengers travelling from airports in India to Dubai are also required to carry a negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) certificate issued by a laboratory authorised by the government of India to be accepted on the flight. Certificates must be issued no more than 96 hours before departure,” it added.

More information for returning UAE residents can be found at https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/flyingto-and-from-dubai/

Apply for PG courses online by Jul 16

Apply for PG courses online by Jul 16

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Panaji:  12.07.2020

The admission process for postgraduate programmes at Goa University and affiliated colleges for 2020-21 will be held online, the university said on Saturday. The Goa University Admissions Ranking Test (GU-ART) Round I and II were conducted earlier this year and based on this, the admissions have begun, with the GU portal already accepting admission forms. The university has said that applications for admission will be accepted online till 6pm on July 16 and has asked students not to visit the campus.

“Based on the GU-ART Round-I and Round-II, selected candidates have confirmed their seats as per their rankings for various programmes,” GU said.

Admissions to the PG programmes are based entirely on GU-ART and marks obtained by students at graduation will only be used to ascertain their eligibility for the programme, the university said. As the final year exams for graduate programmes in the state are yet to be conducted due to the lockdown, the university has reiterated that ‘candidates who have completed their graduation or are in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply’ for PG seats.

“Selected candidates, who are in the final year of graduation, shall be granted provisional admission. Their admission will be confirmed after the results are declared based on the eligibility. In case a candidate fails to clear the graduation examination, the admission shall be cancelled and the fees shall be refunded,” the circular states.

The university said that in their own interest, students are advised to apply for admissions much before the closing date and ‘not to wait till the last date for applying or payment of application fee to avoid possibility of disconnection, inability or failure to log on to the website as there might be heavy load on the internet or website’.

“Goa University does not assume any responsibility for the candidates not being able to submit their application within the last date on account of aforesaid reasons or for any other reason beyond the control of Goa University. The printout of the application form is not to be sent to the university,” the circular states.

Capt urges Modi to review UGC guidelines on exams

Capt urges Modi to review UGC guidelines on exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:  12.07.2020

Punjab has sought permission to adhere to its July 3 decision on cancellation of university and college examinations in view of the exponentially rising Covid-19 cases. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging to advise the Union ministry of human resource development (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to reconsider its decision on mandatory conduct of final term exams by September.

“UGC may be asked to reiterate its earlier issued guidelines of April 29, wherein it had been clearly mentioned that the guidelines were advisory in nature and each state/university would chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to Covid-19 pandemic,” he urged the Prime Minister.

Amarinder noted that the state government, after due deliberation and taking into account the Covid-19 situation and attendant issues of safety of students and staff, had on July 3, decided to cancel all pending UG and PG final term examinations and to promote students on the basis of performance in previous years/ semesters.

“In addition, we have also allowed conduct of examination for the purpose of improvement of grades for interested students, once the situation becomes conducive,” Captain Amarinder pointed out, stressing that “This would ensure academic credibility, career opportunities, future prospects and fair and equal opportunity for students in both urban and rural areas.”

“In view of this rising trend of cases, I am not sure whether the situation will be conducive for conducting offline physical examinations by September,” he said, adding that conducting physical examination will also involve huge logistical and operational challenges. On the other hand, Amarinder said, “Conducting online examinations for such a large number of students, majority of whom reside in rural areas without assured access to computers/laptops and internet, is also not possible in the state.”

Ahmedabad restricts visitors from Surat and south Gujarat

Ahmedabad restricts visitors from Surat and south Gujarat

Surat Has Been Leading Daily Covid Positive Cases Count

TNN & AGENCIES

Gandhinagar: 12.07.2020

Following a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in Surat, the Ahmedabad civic authorities and the Gujarat transport services have decided to restrict the entry of visitors from the Diamond City and South Gujarat to Ahmedabad.

The Gujarat State Roads and Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has decided to put a curb on visitors to Ahmedabad city coming from South Gujarat, especially from Surat. Bus services to Ahmedabad from Surat have been stopped. Buses coming from south Gujarat to other parts of the state will not be allowed in Ahmedabad and they will have to bypass the city.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has started screening all the vehicles from south Gujarat entering Ahmedabad, at toll plazas on the Express Highway.

On Friday, out of 574 persons from south Gujarat, wanting to enter Ahmedabad, 23 were found to be positive for coronavirus. The testing was carried out through the Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) method at the special booths set up by the AMC officials at the toll plaza.

Maharashtra & NE cities extend lockdown

Several cities and towns — from Maharashtra in the west to Guwahati and Shillong in the Northeast – on Saturday got either an extension or a return to lockdown. After Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Thane city, Kalyan-Dombivli and Mira-Bhayander on Friday, more urban and rural pockets of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region joined the list of places where the lockdown will continue.

In the Northeast, the Assam government extended the ongoing 14-day lockdown in Guwahati and other pockets of Kamrup (Metro) district by another week till July 19. For the Meghalaya capital of Shillong, the Covid-induced total lockdown will make a comeback for two days, beginning Monday. The decision was taken after 47 new cases were reported.

So cute: 53 babies born to +ve patients are healthy

MAJOR MISSTEPS

So cute: 53 babies born to +ve patients are healthy

Govt Loses Track After Containing Infections During Lockdown Months

More Politicians Contract Infection

S Ramesh | TNN

12.07.2020

Mysuru: Fifty-three babies born to women with coronavirus infection in Karnataka are in good health, and there has been no mother-to-child transmission in these cases, according to the health and family welfare department. The newborns include three sets of twins.

Fifty Covid-19 patients have given birth in the state, including five in Mysuru.

Dr CP Nanjaraj, dean and director of the Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute, said the risk of mothers passing on the infection to the child appeared to be low, going by the current case studies. So far, there has been no evidence of foetal abnormalities or effects due to maternal infection.

Five babies born at Mysuru’s VV Puram Maternity Hospital, which has been converted into a special centre to treat pregnant Covid-19 patients, are all healthy, Dr Nanjaraj added. Doctors from Cheluvamba Hospital performed the caesarean section. Positive patients’ newborns are kept in a separate ward while the former recover. Many new mothers have returned home with their bundle of joy after beating the virus. Those who make full recovery are tested multiple times before being discharged.

To date, authorities have not received reports of coronavirus infection in the said infants after discharge. “Currently, five pregnant patients are undergoing treatment at VV Puram hospital. Considering the recent case studies, there is no need for them to worry,” Dr Nanjaraj said.

According to the World Health Organization’s guidelines and advice of other experts, the baby should be separated from the Covid-19 patient for at least 14 days or till she completely overcomes the infection. The patients can breastfeed, provided they practise respiratory hygiene and wear a mask, wash hands before and after touching the baby, says the WHO’s guidance. US CDC also says it’s safe to breastfeed.

PG seats: 64 vacant in dental, 425 in medical

PG seats: 64 vacant in dental, 425 in medical

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 12.07.2020

After the second round of admissions by the Admission Committee for Professional Postgraduate Medical Education Courses (ACPPGMEC), as many as 425 seats remain vacant in PG medical courses and 64 in PG dental programmes.

Students who were selected for the admission had to confirm their admissions till July 11.

For the 1,550 seats for MD, MS and diploma programmes, 1,125 students have confirmed admissions, ACPPGMEC said on Saturday.

For 205 seats in MDS programmes, 141 students have confirmed admission by registering at help centres, it added.

The Dental Council of India (DCI) recently relaxed the minimum admission qualification criteria.

According to the revised criteria, candidates in the general category who ranked in the 31st percentile or better in the PG NEET entrance exam will now be eligible for college admission. Earlier it was the 50th percentile.

Students who qualify for admission have been instructed to re-register by the admission committee, sources said.

There is speculation that the Medical Council of India (MCI) may take a similar decision, sources in the state admission committee said.

If this happens, the registration process for PG medical students will also have to be re-initiated, sources added.

UG nursing: Exams only for final year

UG nursing: Exams only for final year

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:  12.07.2020

In what will bring relief to undergraduate nursing students at Gujarat University-affiliated colleges, the varsity is planning to hold exams only for final-year students.

The decision, expected to be announced soon, will end days of uncertainty over exams for undergraduate students, sources said.

This is according to the fresh guidelines issued by the Indian Nursing Council, which said exams should be held only for final-year students till the Covid-19 situation returns to normal.

There are 150 colleges across Gujarat with close to 25,000 undergraduate nursing seats.

Students in intermediate years will be graded on internal marks and performance in the previous year.

Following the announcement, sources at GU said a similar decision is likely to be taken for the undergraduate physiotherapy programme. The Indian Nursing Council clarified that exams are to be held for both first and second year PG students.

Admission Notification

Kejriwal urges Modi to cancel exams at DU

Kejriwal urges Modi to cancel exams at DU

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 12.07.2020

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to cancel final-year exams of Delhi University and other central universities. In his letter, Kejriwal asked the PM to intervene and direct University Grants Commission and the human resources ministry to cancel the final-year exams.

“For the sake of our youth, I urge the honourable Prime Minister to personally intervene and cancel final-year exams of DU and other central government universities and save the future,” the letter said.

The chief minister requested the UGC to amend its guidelines in the larger interest of students.

“If institutes like IIT and NLU have already awarded degrees to their students on the basis of internal assessment, then why can’t other universities do the same?” Kejriwal asked, adding that “even global universities have awarded degrees on the basis of internal assessment in the time of pandemic.”

Earlier during the day, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had announced cancellation of all exams at state-run universities in the capital and said that Kejriwal would be writing a letter to Modi requesting him to cancel the exams at central universities too.

Arvind Kejriwal

Bachchan, son Abhishek in hospital with coronavirus

Bachchan, son Abhishek in hospital with coronavirus

Mumbai: India’s leading actor Amitabh Bachchan used the social media late on Saturday to announce he is Covid-19 positive. His actor-son Abhishek tweeted he too had tested positive.

Rumours began around 9.30 pm about Bachchan being admitted to Nanavati Hospital, which is close to his Juhu home. While Nanavati is now mainly a Covid hospital, Bachchan has been visiting it over the years for his routine checkups; his family doctor is a consultant in the hospital. “I have tested Covid positive ... shifted to Hospital... hospital informing authorities... family and staff undergone tests, results awaited…,” read Bachchan’s tweet at 10.52 pm.

Former cricketer Chetan Chauhan, now a politician, has also tested positive for Covid 19, according to reports. He was tested on Friday. TNN

Big B asks his contacts of last 10 days to get tested

Amitabh Bachchan has requested “all that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days’’ to get themselves tested for the viral fever. Abhishek too announced his Covid-positive status via a tweet. “Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for Covid-19,” he tweeted. He said both have mild symptoms and are in hospital. “We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic,” he added.

Amitabh, whose various hospitalisations in July 1982 and December 2005 have been closely followed by his fans, has been vocal about his ailments, including tuberculosis and Hepatitis B. On Saturday, Nanavati Hospital spokesperson confirmed that Bachchan got admitted late in the evening. “He is undergoing a series of tests,” he said. Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said the actor is asymptomatic and stable.

Chennai case count falling, so are tests at fever camps

Chennai case count falling, so are tests at fever camps

40% Dip In No. Of People Reporting At Fever Camps

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  12.07.2020

As Chennai’s Covid-19 positive count drops steadily, public health experts and epidemiologists insist it’s too early to cheer as the number of people turning up at the fever camps in the city has dipped by nearly 40% over the last 10 days. They point out that the infection can spike again if more people aren’t screened and those with symptoms isolated.

The Greater Chennai Corporation and state health department say they test between 9,000 and 10,000 people a day. But what has dropped is the number of people being screened for symptoms. On June 30, for instance, 34,880 people were screened at 537 fever camps and the swab samples of 2,536 were tested. But on July 10, just 2,745 people were screened at 498 camps and 1,508 were tested.

“Good fever surveillance will help us keep active cases low for a fortnight. If we do that, we will be able to flatten the epidemic curve,” said former city health officer Dr P Kuganandam.

Drop in cases good only if testing figures don’t change, says expert

Chennai: “The number has come down because people have started going to work and aren’t at home,” said a health worker who has been assigned to visit at least100 houses in Virugambakkam, where a fever camp was organised on Saturday. “Even during the door-todoor survey we only ask if everyone in the family is healthy. We don’t record the temperature of every family member anymore,” she said.

With the reduction in screening and testing at the fever camps, several zones have reported a drastic drop in the positivity rate. Officials at zone 4, Tondiarpet, said 8% of people in the zone tested in camps were positive on July 8 compared to15% on June 30.

“Drop in positivity rate is a goodsign only when thetesting numbers and targets don’t change. Reduction in symptomatic people indicates that we could be missing out on potential cases. We can’t drop our guard now,” said National Institute of Epidemiology deputy director Dr Prabhdeep Kaur.

“There should be more screening of people in camps now than before,” said senior general practitioner Dr T N Ravishankar of Sundar Hospitals. With change in weather, infectious diseases experts say thereis a spikein the number of people with cold, sore throat andfever. “Many people areout of their homes, and hence there is more chance of infection.Only a testcan ruleoutCovid-19,” he said.

Chennai corporation joint commissioner (health) Madhusudhan Reddy said the civic agency was planning to conduct fever camps in commercial and industrial areas. “These are mobile camps that can go anywhere. We are drawing up a schedule to ramp up testing atfever clinics,” hesaid.

The final-year exam fiasco ByAjit Ranade / Updated: Jul 11,

Read more at:

https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/ajit-ranade/the-final-year-exam-fiasco/articleshow/76903025.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Doctor skipping service for higher education asked to finish course and return

Doctor skipping service for higher education asked to finish course and return

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court permitted a doctor, who did not complete her compulsory service, to pursue higher studies without furnishing bank guarantee.

Published: 12th July 2020 06:06 AM 

Madras High Court  Madras 

By Express News Service

MADURAI:  12.07.2020

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court permitted a doctor, who did not complete her compulsory service, to pursue higher studies without furnishing bank guarantee. Justice C Saravanan, instead, directed her to furnish post-dated cheques, which should include a Rs 10 lakh worth cheque, a cheque amount to her seven-month stipend and also 24 post-dated cheques each worth Rs 15,000 (per month), in favour of the Director of Medical Education (DME).

After completing the course, she should return her original certificates and re-join the service, the judge directed, adding that if she is unable to re-join service due to absence of vacancy, she should be discharged from liabilities and that the amount paid by her should be refunded. The order was passed on a petition by an Assistant Surgeon Elanthendral.

The petitioner, who has served only seven months of her compulsory service, got an opportunity to do a post diploma course in Pediatrics. However, she stated that due to her family’s poor financial situation, she could not furnish a `20 lakh bank guarantee as mandated by the government in such cases through a G.O. dated April 13, 2020. Hence, she approached the court seeking exemption.

States Vs Centre Over Exam Guidelines Amid COVID-19 Crisis

States Vs Centre Over Exam Guidelines Amid COVID-19 Crisis

The revised UGC guidelines which say that universities must conduct exams for terminal semesters or year by September 30 has caused problem for several states which had already announced cancellation of degree exams.

Edited by Anisha Kumari 

Updated: Jul 11, 2020 9:20 pm IST

UGC's revised guidelines on terminal year exams have put several states in a fix

New Delhi: Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' , on July 11, said that University exams are essential to reflect students' potential, performance and their reliability which is essential for acceptance in global programmes. "Keeping in view the educational interests of a large number of students, the UGC has issued a guideline to conduct all the examinations of the terminal semester by September 30, 2020," he said.

However, the revised UGC guidelines which say that universities must conduct exams for terminal semesters or year by September 30 has caused problem for several states which had already announced cancellation of degree exams.

Delhi Cancels Exams In State Universities

Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, on June 11, announced that degree examinations in all state-run universities stand cancelled. This, however, did not bring relief to students of Delhi University which is a central university.

Addressing the concerns about students' safety, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the matter.

"UGC and MHRD have refused to overturn their decision on the university exams. It seems that your intervention may resolve the issue. I humbly request you to review the centre and UGC's decision in the best interest of students and cancel the final semester exams, so that student's future could be saved," he wrote.

West Bengal Objects To UGC's Guidelines

West Bengal government has also objected to the UGC's guidelines. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also written a letter to Prime Minister Modi asking him to restore UGC's previous guideline which was advisory in nature and based on which the state government had cancelled exams in state-run universities.

The vice-chancellors of state-run universities have also decided to write to the University Grants Commission (UGC), stating the reasons for not following the July 6 guidelines that mandated final semester examinations by September 30.

Punjab CM Writes To Prime Minister Modi To Cancel Exams

Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, has also written to Prime Minister Modi seeking his intervention. "UGC may be asked to reiterate its earlier issued guidelines of 29th April 2020 wherein it had been clearly mentioned that the guidelines were advisory in nature and each State/University would chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to Covid-19 pandemic," he wrote.

Tamil Nadu CM Says UGC Guidelines 'Not Feasible'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that conducting examinations is "not feasible" as most educational institutions have been turned into quarantine centres for COVID-19 patients. He added that it will be difficult for students to commute to the exam centre as most of them belong to other states or abroad.

Odisha Writes To MHRD To Review UGC Guidelines

Odisha Government has written a letter to Education Ministry regarding the revised UGC guidelines on University exams. The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Odisha tweeted that the state government has requested to be allowed to adhere to its decision of cancelling the University exams.

"State Government has today sent a letter to MHRD requesting to reconsider the revised guidelines of UGC and not to make conduct of UG & PG final term exams mandatory. MHRD has been requested to allow the State Government to adhere to its decision of cancellation of these exams," DHE Odisha tweeted from its social media handle.

Rajasthan To Consult Universities On Conducting Exams

Rajasthan Government had announced its decision to cancel university exams for terminal semesters on July 4. It has now said that it will consult state universities and then take a decision on conducting exams.

Maharashtra Objects To 'Mandatory' Exams

Maharashtra government had cancelled terminal semester exams for all professional and non-professional courses. Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant said that the revised UGC guidelines on exam and academic calendar should be "advisory" not "mandatory".

Some States Gear Up For University Exams

Himachal Pradesh has decided to hold final year or sixth semester examinations for degree courses in August. Karnataka has also notified that the final semester exams would be held before the end of September 30. In Kerala, university exams are being held as per the timeline suggested by UGC in its April guidelines.

Pharmacies say ‘no’ to fever medicines

Pharmacies say ‘no’ to fever medicines

12/07/2020

Residents across the city complain that the rule necessitating a doctor’s prescription for getting medicines for cold, cough or fever from pharmacies has affected those who have an urgent need for these medicines.

D. Murugesan, president of Madurai Mavatta Marunthu Vanigargal Sangam, said based on instructions from the government, all pharmacies have displayed boards for the past three months stating that doctor’s prescription was necessary for getting medicines for cold, cough or fever. “This is to ensure that people do not self-medicate in case they are infected with COVID-19 virus,” he said.

M. Mariam Begam, a resident of Mahaboopalayam, said she endured an ordeal recently when she had a cold, sore throat and wanted to get medicines from a pharmacy. “All pharmacies refused to give the medicines and asked me to get tested for COVID-19. But results indicated that I tested negative for COVID-19 and was suffering from mild typhoid,” she said.

Ms. Begam added that if she had the medicines earlier, she would have recovered quicker. “Getting tested for COVID-19 is not an easy task. It would be better if pharmacies give medicines for those who are in urgent need after they collect personal details including the house address of customers. This will help field workers to follow upon the customers personally,” she said. C. Anand Raj, a health rights activist, said that intense door-to-door screening of residents through mobile fever camps will be helpful. “Compared to urban areas, there are very few PHCs in rural areas. So, medical staff can screen them and accordingly give them medications,” he added.

A senior official from the State Drug Control Department said it was a complicated situation and need for prescription was essential to combat COVID-19 pandemic. “We will emphasise that pharmacies can give medicines with prescriptions after they collect personal details of the customers,” the official added.

Let States decide on semester exams’

Let States decide on semester exams’

12/07/2020

Testing times: The move will go a long way in rendering justice and fairness to parents and students, the CM said.

B_JOTHI RAMALINGAM

“This would go a long way in rendering justice and fairness to parents and students during these distressful times,” he said.

Mr. Palaniswami made it clear that the States would not be in a position to conduct examinations even after waiting till September 2020, since most of the government and private arts and science and engineering colleges, polytechnics and other institutions of higher learning (including their hostels, classrooms etc.) in the State had been converted into COVID Care Centres for housing asymptomatic patients under quarantine, and may continue to remain that way for quite some time.

The Chief Minister said the new guidelines mandating the State governments to conduct the examinations in September entailed many constraints and difficulties, especially with regard to the ability of students to reach the examination centres, as many of them were residing outside their respective districts, States or even the country.

“It is also not feasible to conduct online examinations, considering the various issues relating to digital access among students,” he said

UGC to take action if States cancel exams: Govt.

UGC to take action if States cancel exams: Govt.

12/07/2020

As Delhi became the latest State to cancel final year university examinations in defiance of University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, both the Centre and the regulatory agency reiterated that guidelines were legally binding on the States and must be followed.

“As per the UGC Act, State governments cannot take this decision. Unlike school education, which is on the State list, higher education is on the concurrent list. UGC and AICTE [All India Council for Technical Education] directives have to be implemented. It is there in the Act,” Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare told The Hindu. “It is not permissible for States to do like this. UGC does have the power to take action. First we will try to take States on board.”

On Monday, the UGC had directed that final year examinations must be conducted by September-end in online or offline mode.

‘UGC guidelines on examinations binding on states’

‘UGC guidelines on examinations binding on states’ 

At least four states — West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra and Punjab — have objected to the UGC’s guidelines since and expressed their inability to comply. 

Written by Ritika Chopra | New Delhi | Published: July 11, 2020 5:08:37 am 

On Friday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the chorus of protest and said “exams should be cancelled and students promoted on the basis of past performance”. 

The UGC guidelines on final year examinations are binding in nature, a senior official of the HRD Ministry told The Indian Express, even as four states have written to the Union government in protest. 

On July 6, the higher education regulator advised all institutions to hold examinations for terminal semester or final year by September-end. 

At least four states — West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra and Punjab — have objected to the UGC’s guidelines since and expressed their inability to comply. On Friday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the chorus of protest and said “exams should be cancelled and students promoted on the basis of past performance”. 

The Union government, however, is unlikely to withdraw the exam-related guidelines. In fact, the UGC will insist these are adopted by all universities and colleges. 

“Without examination, the degrees will not hold any value and will affect the employability of this batch. Should we adopt a populist approach and promote everyone en masse or keep the future of these students in mind?” the senior HRD Ministry official said. 

The official added that the state governments cannot decide the fate of the examinations since the UGC is empowered by law to issue guidelines on the conduct of examinations. 

“Section 12 of the UGC Act 1956 clearly states that the UGC can take all such steps as it may think fit for the promotion and coordination of University education and for the determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in Universities,” a UGC official said. And under the 2003 UGC Regulation on grant of first degree, universities have to adopt exam-related guidelines issued by the commission from time to time, the official added. 

The commission and the HRD Ministry haven’t replied to the letters written by the state governments yet. 

Asked how universities will conduct exams if their buildings are being used for quarantine, the UGC official said, “Universities have time till September to conduct exams and they have the autonomy to decide how they want to do it. And not all educational institutions are being used for quarantine.” 

On Friday, the Congress launched a social media campaign with several top leaders putting out video messages slamming the UGC and asking it to reconsider its decision. 

In his message, Rahul said, “Covid has harmed a lot of people. Our students in schools, colleges and universities had to face many hardships. The IITs and colleges have promoted students after cancelling the examinations. The UGC is creating confusion. The UGC should also cancel the examinations and promote students based on their past performance.”

Interns at private medical college stage protest

Interns at private medical college stage protest

We were asked to report for COVID duty at short notice, they allege

11/07/2020

Interns of a city-based private medical college staged a protest on their campus on Friday after some of them were posted for COVID-19 duty without any briefing.

Some of the interns of M.S. Ramaiah Medical College told The Hindu that they were asked to report at short notice and not given any instructions. Many of them who are already working in fever clinics said they were not given adequate precautionary measures.

List of demands

After completing their duty on Friday, they gathered at the medical college, staged a protest and said they had a long list of demands but they first wanted the management to come out with a protocol on how they would be tested if they fall sick. They want the management to spell out the approach of how they would be quarantined, if they would be provided attendance and stipend.

The Hindu had reported on Friday that many interns across different private colleges in Karnataka had alleged that they have been asked to make their own arrangements for accommodation, pay for their treatment if tested positive for COVID-19, and also pay for their COVID-19 tests if they have to be tested more than once.

‘No assurance’

Following talks with the college management, the students said they did not get an assurance. The management authorities were unavailable for comment.

Exams only for final semester UG, PG

Exams only for final semester UG, PG

11/07/2020

The Karnataka government has decided to conduct the final semester examinations for undergraduate and postgraduate students in September. However, students from intermediate semesters will be promoted based on a comprehensive evaluation parameter, and will not have to sit for any examination. Individual universities will have to take a call on the examination schedule. This is not applicable for students pursuing courses in deemed universities.

Govt. scraps honorarium

Govt. scraps honorarium

11/07/2020

The State government has decided not to pay honorarium to serving government employees nominated to various Committees/Boards/Panels/Commissions, as it was noticed several claims for honorariums were being made even though they were attending panel meetings only in official capacities.

Government servants, who were nominated to various panels “by virtue of their official capacity”, were granted an honorarium when the Tamil Nadu Fundamental Rules 46 (b) clearly provided for granting honorarium to them as remuneration for work performed, which was “occasional or intermittent in character and either so laborious or of such special merit” as to justify a special reward, a G.O. issued in this regard on July 8 stated. The practice is not in consonance with the provisions of fundamental rules, it pointed out. “In view of the FR 46(b) and the financial crisis arising out of COVID-19, honorarium should not be paid to serving government employees nominated to various Committees/Boards/Panels/Commissions, etc.,” it stated.

The payment of honorarium already made need not be recovered wherever it was paid under a valid G.O., it added. When contacted, a senior official told The Hindu, “It is not part of the austerity measures but more of a matter of propriety.”