Condolences pour in from film industry figures

Condolences pour in from film industry figures

They remember his ageless voice and humility

26/09/2020

Staff ReporterCHENNAI

“In any small corner of the world, it is possible to find an SPB fan,” said actor and comedian Vivekh. Condolences poured in from several members of the Tamil film industry who remembered their association with singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and his contribution to cinema.

His ageless voice — he has sung for several senior actors as well as the younger actors in the industry spanning five decades — and his humility were remembered by actors, directors, musicians and technicians who have been influenced by his work.

“We’ve sung over 3,000 duets across six languages,” reminisced veteran playback singer P. Susheela. She said Balasubrahmanyam’s death was like the loss of a family member. “He was always ready to help anyone. One of the most memorable songs we’ve sung together is Aayiram nilave vaa,” she said.

Sharing a few lines from the song Engo pogudhu vaanam that Balasubrahmanyam had sung in the Rajinikanth film Kochadaiiyaan, composer A.R. Rahman wrote on Twitter that the singer’s voice was “the Voice of Victory, Love, Devotion and Joy”.

“He has sung over 40,000 songs and performed at numerous stage shows. Despite this fame, we have all learnt humility from him. He always stood grounded,” composer Harris Jayaraj said. The singer had left a legacy and his work and life would be an institution for generations to come, he said.

Actor and politician T. Rajendar said Balasubrahmanyam had given life to several songs he had composed. “Not just for the Tamil film industry, it is a huge loss for the country,” he said. Poet Vairamuthu said Balasubrahmanyam’s voice had been a companion to his writing for over 40 years.

“I had the honour of lip-syncing the songs that you have sung, on screen. We will all never forget your voice,” actor Sathyaraj said.

The South Indian Artists Association or Nadigar Sangam said his death was an irreplaceable loss to the film industry and he was an accomplished actor, besides being a singer. Music composer D. Imman said that for actor Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Annathey, SPB had already recorded a song. “I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to work with him and record one of his last songs. He was such a loving and wonderful person,” he said. Director Bharathiraja, with whom the singer shared a close friendship, said SPB did not belong to a single State but to the entire country.

MSV ticked him off for Telugu accent’

MSV ticked him off for Telugu accent’

Film-maker recalls how SPB got a chance to sing in Shanthi Nilayam

26/09/2020

Chithralaya Gopu

“I sing the notes as they are written but it is the Almighty who comes out as my voice,” was a frequent statement made by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam. His first recorded song was from the film Shanti Nilayam, produced by Gemini Vasan, and the script work was done by me. Englishman Marcus Bartley was the cameraman.

M.S. Viswanathan had tuned a song Iyarkaii Ennum Ilaiyya Kanni and a few months earlier, SPB had frequented his house seeking an opportunity to sing in films. “Get rid of your Telugu accent and improve your Tamil!” MSV told him, and within months, SPB’s Tamil improved. MSV made him sing Iyarkaii Ennum Ilaiyya Kanni and it was an instant hit. He received ₹150 as remuneration for the song.

eanwhile, MGR had an issue with T.M. Soundararajan, and SPB had the opportunity to sing for him — the song Ayiram Nilave Vaa in Adimai Penn. Though Adimai Penn released first, SPB’s first recorded song was from Shanti Nilayam.

SPB loved working with our Chithralaya Unit and before singing Panivizhum Malarvanam, he said, “Gopu sir, Chithralayaa is my mother’s home.”

Baalu, as we fondly called him, was a perfect gentleman. The film industry will not be the same again.

Anand recalls SPB as his sponsor

Anand recalls SPB as his sponsor

26/09/2020

K. KeerthivasanCHENNAI

Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand is a huge fan of playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.

On Twitter, Mr. Anand spoke about SPB sponsoring his team — Chennai Colts — in the national team championship in 1983. “His music gave us such joy,” he said.

Mr. Anand said the national team championship in 1983 was, in a way, a turning point for him.

“We have been waiting for good news [about SPB’s recovery]. Every time there was an update that he seemed to have got better, I was relieved. Then, when news emerged that he was very critical, I began to feel the worst,” he said.

MCI goes, National Medical Commission takes charge

MCI goes, National Medical Commission takes charge

New medical regulator notified I Pvt education to get cheaper

Posted: Sep 25, 2020 06:52 AM Updated: 2 hours ago

New medical regulator notified. 

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 24

India’s new medical education regulator, National Medical Commission (NMC), will come into force from tomorrow with the Centre today abolishing the 87-year-old Medical Council of India, which was marred by corruption in its later years.

The Centre on Thursday night notified the 33-member NMC, saying it will come into force from September 25. With the notification, the MCI board of governors stands dissolved. The board was appointed four years ago to run the MCI affairs while the council was dissolved in 2010. Today, the MCI has been abolished.

NEW GUIDELINES

MBBS final year exam to serve as entrance test for postgraduation and foreign medical graduates

The NMC will make guidelines for a new cadre of non-MBBS mid-level health service providers such as nursing practitioners and pharmacists with limited rights to dispense medicines

PGI’s Jagat Ram is among 11 full-time NMC members

The notification names Suresh Chandra Sharma, ENT HoD, AIIMS, New Delhi, as the chairperson of the NMC which will have four autonomous boards to regulate undergraduate, postgraduate education, medical assessment and ethics and medical registration.

The development means that from tomorrow all provisions of the NMC Act, 2019, will roll out, including fee regulation on 50 per cent seats in private medical colleges and deemed universities; end of inspection for college renewals. Final year MBBS exam will now serve three purposes — licentiate exam for MBBS passouts to issue them a licence to practice medicine; entrance exam for postgraduate medical education and entrance exam for foreign medical graduates. Called the National Exit Test, this final year MBBS exam will finally replace the existing National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for PG and Foreign Medical Graduates Test.

Husband, wife set to be elevated as HC judges

Husband, wife set to be elevated as HC judges

25/09/2020

Thamilselvi T. Valayapalayam

Murali Shankar Kuppuraju

Mohamed Imranullah S.CHENNAI

The Supreme Court collegium on Wednesday cleared the names of 10 judicial officers to be elevated as judges of the Madras High Court but what made the news sweeter for the legal fraternity in the State is that two among the 10 officers are a married couple.

Tiruchi Principal District and Sessions Judge Murali Shankar Kuppuraju and the Registrar (Judicial) of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Thamilselvi T. Valayapalayam had tied the knot in 1996 and are now the proud parents of two college going children. Once the collegium recommendation passes through the Union Ministry of Law and Justice as well as the Prime Minister’s Office and culminates into issuance of a warrant by the President, the couple would be sworn in judges of the Madras High Court.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Kuppuraju, hailing from Coimbatore, said he had obtained his degree in law from the government law college in his native in 1990 and joined Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service in the entry level as a District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate in 1995.

Ms. Valayapalayam, hailing from Perundurai in Erode district, had completed her law in Puducherry and joined judicial service in the same post along with him in 1995. They fell in love and tied the knot in 1996. Since then, they have sailed together both professionally and personally.

The couple got promoted to the cadres of sub judge, district judge and then principal district judge at the same time though they ended up being posted in different stations. Their elder daughter too had completed law recently from Sastra University in Thanjavur.

Other eight names that had been cleared for elevation were Kannammal Shanmugasundaram, Sathikumar Sukumara Kurup, Manjula Ramaraju Nalliah, G. Chandrasekharan, A.A. Nakkiran, Sivagnanam Veerasamy, Ilangovan Ganesan and Ananthi Subramanian.

CM requests PM to set up Siddha institute in T.N.

CM requests PM to set up Siddha institute in T.N.

25/09/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to establish the proposed All-India Institute of Siddha in Tamil Nadu.

In his letter, a copy of which was released to the media, Mr. Palaniswami said he had directed the officials concerned to provide all details sought by the Centre. The State government had already briefed the Union Secretary concerned but a reply was awaited, it added.

Mr. Palaniswami said the land required for the institute, with good air, rail and road connectivity, had already been identified near Chennai. He requested Mr. Modi to establish the institute in Tamil Nadu, in the current financial year. “It will be apt to establish the pioneer institute in Tamil Nadu, which is where the Siddha system originated,” he said.

Stalin questions Prime Minister’s praise for T.N. over COVID-19 management

Stalin questions Prime Minister’s praise for T.N. over COVID-19 management

Modi could conduct a discrete assessment by Intelligence Bureau, says DMK chief

25/09/2020

M.K. Stalin

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

DMK president M.K. Stalin on Thursday questioned the basis for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to praise Tamil Nadu’s efforts at combating COVID-19 and said that perhaps a discrete assessment by the Intelligence Bureau would bring out the ground reality.

In a statement issued here, he said Mr. Modi, who on Wednesday praised Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his handling of the pandemic, might get to know the truth about the State’s efforts and “the various scams in the procurement of medical equipment” if he conducted a discrete assessment by the Intelligence Bureau.

People’s welfare

“I hope the Prime Minister is really interested in the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. If that is the case, he should take a broad view of the issue, instead of looking at it through the prism of the BJP’s alliance with the AIADMK, and see the truth for what it is — the State government’s massive failure in handling the pandemic, the doldrums the State’s economy is in, the unemployment in the State, the dissatisfaction of the middle class with the AIADMK government, the State’s fiscal deficit and the maladministration in the government, among other issues,” Mr. Stalin said.

The Leader of the Opposition said he wondered what the Chief Minister had done that warranted a certificate of appreciation from Mr. Modi.

Listing statistics related to the pandemic and the deaths it had caused, Mr. Stalin said he wondered if the Chief Minister had given Mr. Modi the right information.

“Just like how the BJP government at the Centre is a ‘no-data’ government, the Tamil Nadu government is either a ‘no-data’ government or a government that hides the real numbers. Afraid of disclosing the real number of COVID-19 deaths, the State government is providing false data and is hiding the truth from the people,” he said.

Sasikala objects to disclosure of info

Sasikala objects to disclosure of info

Date of her release had been revealed

25/09/2020

Staff ReporterBengaluru

V.K. Sasikala, serving sentence in a corruption case in the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here, has written to the Chief Superintendent of the prison objecting to the prison authorities disclosing information about her release date and other information in response to Right to Information (RTI) application filed by third parties.

A copy of the letter available with The Hindu quotes an earlier precedent where Tihar Jail authorities had turned down an RTI application regarding details of undertrials on the ground of privacy, that was later upheld by the Central Information Commission.

Recently, prison authorities had revealed that the four-year sentence of Sasikala would come to an end by February 2021, and she would be released from prison on payment of ₹10 crore fine stipulated by the court. The date of her release has attained significance in the light of the coming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

ACB probe

Meanwhile, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) is continuing its probe pertaining to allegations of corruption over providing special facilities to Sasikala and her relative in the prison. A copy of the letter ACB has written to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, the competent authority which has to permit the ACB to probe corruption allegations against an officer, on June 28, 2019, is available with The Hindu.

IPS officer D. Roopa, who was DIG (Prisons) then, had in 2017 alleged that Sasikala had been given special facilities in the prison and also alleged ₹2 crore exchanging hands for the same, triggering a series of actions by the Karnataka government. A committee led by retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar probed alleged irregularities at the prison, submitted its findings and recommended ACB probe. Based on directions from the State government, the ACB registered a case against the officer and the probe is still under way.

There were allegations that CCTV footage showed Sasikala returning to jail from outside in civil clothes carrying shopping bags.

 

50-yr-old dentist ends life over poor financial health -

50-yr-old dentist ends life over poor financial health -

The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Surat:

A 50-year-old dentist allegedly committed suicide by slitting his throat with a surgical blade in his clinic in Kaskiwad locality on Tuesday night.

Preliminary investigation suggested that Dr Azim Patrawala took the drastic step due to financial crisis that had worsened during the lockdown.

He ran the clinic wit his wife Sarah who is also a dentist.

At around 10pm on Tuesday, his elder daughter went to check at his clinic as Dr Patrawala did not return home at his usual time of 7pm.

She found him lying in a pool of blood.

“The cut on the throat was two inches deep and roughly three inches long. Postmortem and forensic experts confirmed that he committed suicide,” said a police officer at Lalgate police station.

“The family members told us that Dr Patrawala was upset due to worsening financial condition. Police are also trying to find out if he was under debt,” said a police official.

Dr Patrwala have two daughters, one aged 17 years and other 12.

Dr Patrwala was also a sailing enthusiast and actively promoted this sport, which is rare in this region. He used to guide and support in organizing sailing competition organised at Magdalla every year.

He also started Surat Sailing Club and visited multiple locations abroad to participate in sailing expeditions.

“He was a sportsman and sailing enthusiast. I cannot believe that he could commit suicide. It is a shocker for many of his friends,” said a businessman who used to exercise with Dr Patrawala at a city club in the past.

Asymptomatic student writes exam in ambulance -

Asymptomatic student writes exam in ambulance -

The Times Of India

AnanthaNarayanan.K@timesgroup.com

Kochi:24.09.2020

A college girl of Vadakkekara panchayat wrote her semester exam in an ambulance at the exam centre after she had tested Covid-19 positive. The health department and college authorities made the arrangements upon the request of her parents.

The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a student of Higher Diploma in Co-Operation and Business Management (HDC & BM) course at Cooperative Training College, Thrissur. She tested positive a few days before Wednesday's exams. However, as she was asymptomatic, the parents approached the health department through her college to give her permission to write the exam in isolation at a centre near her house.

The authorities made the arrangements at the Cooperative Training College at Mattupuram in North Paravur where the exam for the same course are conducted. “As she is asymptomatic, there was no difficulty in making the arrangements. Once all the other students were inside the classroom, the vehicle entered the premises and parked outside the building. The ambulance driver collected the question paper from us and the student wrote the exam. After completion of the exam, her answer sheet was sealed in a separate cover and the ambulance returned with her before other students were allowed to go,” said Shantha Kumari, principal, CTC, North Paravur.

The student is expected to write the remaining exams in the same manner. “Other students were scared. But the authorities helped her to write the exam without causing any trouble to others,” said the girl’s father.

Arrangements were made for the college student to write her semester exam on the premises of the centre at North

HC notice to state over pay cut -

HC notice to state over pay cut - 

The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jodhpur:24.09.2020

The high court on Wednesday issued notice to the state government while hearing a petition challenging the order to deduct two days’ salary of the employees.

Challenging this order of the government dated September 8, petitioner Gopal Sandu argued that it was illegal and the government was not authorised to issue such order either under Disaster Management Act or any other act or ordinance. Terming the order an arbitrary one, Sandu argued that the state government could not deduct the salary of its employees in such a manner.

It may be noted that state government, through a circular dated September 8, 2020, had ordered all the departmental heads and district magistrates to deduct two days’ salary of all the employees from the gross salary of September payable in October citing economic condition of the state arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This deducted amount was to be deposited in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for relief to the coronavirus infected persons of the state.

This order was applicable on all the corporations, boards, commissions, autonomous bodies, cooperative committees and government undertakings etc., except the employees from judicial and medical & health departments along with the constables of police department and class 4 employees.

Only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry: PM Modi at Covid-19 review meet

Only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry: PM Modi at Covid-19 review meet

ANI | Sep 23, 2020, 09.12 PM IST

Only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry: PM Modi at Covid-19 review meet

NEW DELHI: Only 60 districts in seven states of the country are a cause of worry, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday while chairing a Covid-19 review meeting.

The Prime Minister chaired a high-level virtual meeting with chief ministers and health ministers of seven high burden Covid-19 States/Union Territory to review Covid-19 response and management.

The seven states/UTs are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "There are more than 700 districts in the country but only 60 districts in seven states are a cause of worry. I suggest that chief ministers hold a virtual conference with people at district/block level for seven days. We have to learn the best practices from across the states."

As a step to contain the spread of coronavirus cases in these states, PM Modi suggested increasing the focus on effective testing, tracing, treatment, surveillance and clear messaging.

"We need to increase our focus on effective testing, tracing, treatment, surveillance and clear messaging," said Modi.

For asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, he said, "Effective messaging is also necessary because most Covid-19 infections are without symptoms. In such a situation, rumours may arise. It might raise doubts in the minds of the people that testing is bad. Some people also make the mistake of underestimating the severity of the infection."

He said, "India has ensured the supply of life-saving medicines all over the world even in difficult times. We have to work together to see that the medicines easily reach from one state to another."

Modi also urged the state governments to focus on micro-containment.

He also suggested implementation of local lockdowns of a day or two and accordingly review the situation suitable in the respective state/Union Territory.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that on September 25, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) will be completing two years.

"Within two years, the scheme has benefited over 1.25 crore poor people/patients in the country. I appreciate all the medical staff who has made this a success," he said.

He said a major decision has been taken on the usage of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He said the decision has been taken to increase the usage of funds from 35 per cent to 50 per cent."

The Prime Minister also emphasised on the wearing of facial masks to contain the spread of virus in public places.

"Mask is important to contain the spread of Covid-19 virus," he added.

India's Covid-19 count surged to 56,46,011 on Wednesday, after reporting a spike of 83,347 new cases and 1,085 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry.

FCRA bill to curb role of foreign funds in politics, says Centre

FCRA bill to curb role of foreign funds in politics, says Centre

- The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:24.09.2020

With the opposition continuing its boycott proceedings over suspension of eight MPs, Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, that was earlier passed by Lok Sabha with the government saying the legislation was intended to curb the role of foreign funds in Indian politics.

The bill, which will now be sent to the President for assent, makes furnishing of Aadhaar by office-bearers of NGOs mandatory for registration. In case of a foreigner, a copy of the passport or an Overseas Citizen of India card will be sought. It provides for closer scrutiny of contributions and more stringent conditions for the use of such funds.

Rejecting the view that the law was against NGOs, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said the amendments were essential for national and internal security. “Its main motive is to ensure that foreign funds don’t dominate the political and social discourse of India,” he added. While emphasising that these amendments would ensure transparency, Rai said there were earlier instances where NGOs did not disclose foreign funding and did not furnish proper audit of expenditure.

He quoted former finance minister P Chidambaram, who had told Parliament that “about Rs 20,000 crore funding was received by NGOs but nobody knew where Rs 10,000 crore out of it went”.

The minister said the amendments provided for reduction in administrative expenses of NGOs receiving foreign funding, from 50% to 20% of annual funds to ensure spending on their main objectives.

Students of foreign varsities cope with sleep disruptions

Students of foreign varsities cope with sleep disruptions

- The Times Of India

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:24.09.2020

Sadhika Rao, an alumnus of Greenwood High, enrolled as a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, for an economics course. However, with the pandemic forcing universities to go online, Sadhika now takes her classes from her home in Bengaluru. But she has an extra challenge to overcome— the time difference. Her college runs 12.5 hours behind Indian Standard Time.

“My classes are from 8am to 2pm, which is around 8.30pm-2.30am IST,” Sadhika said. “After classes, we have webinars, interviews, clubs and other activities that I don’t want to miss. So, I end up sleeping only after breakfast at 8am. My body clock has changed. Even on weekends, I follow the same schedule so as not to throw my body clock out of gear. I catch up on school work and assignments on weekend nights.”

Like Sadhika, many students from Bengaluru who are enrolled in universities abroad, especially in the US, Canada and Australia, are trying to cope up with their new schedule as their universities run on different time zones. Almost a month into classes now, most have acclimatised to the new normal.

“I have turned completely nocturnal,” said Anuj Pahuja, a pre-medical student at Case Western Reserve University, Ohio. “Although there are no distractions, it’s extremely hard to focus at that time of the night. My exams last week were at 2am and I struggled to be at my best.”

Students say even their eating habits have changed. “I have my breakfast at 2pm, lunch at 10pm and dinner at 4am. My mom puts my food in the fridge. One advantage is that we save $8,000-$9,000 on food and accommodation,” Anuj added.

Ananya Chaudhary, a graduate of Inventure Academy and a computer science student at Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, said, “I literally do not see the sun these days. My mother worries that I’m not getting enough sunlight and exercise. I also do not meet my family as much. But it’s also nice to study at night: it’s quiet and there are no distractions. I tried learning through recorded videos, but I was not satisfied. I prefer synchronous classes.”

Assignment deadlines and project collaboration work also need to be adjusted keeping in mind the time difference. “Deadlines are usually US time midnight. We have to make sure our assignments are completed the night before,” said Apurva, a neuroscience student at Ohio State University from Bengaluru.

Some students have picked courses that suit their timings and do not go much into the night. “I do not have live lectures. But the interaction with professors happens at night. Even while lectures are going on well, I feel we miss the personal connect with the professors,” said Siddarth Chakravarthy, a student at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana.

Picture

TURNING NOCTURNAL

UoH VC gets one year extension

UoH VC gets one year extension

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad:23.09.2020

The Union ministry of education extended the tenure of incumbent vicechancellor (VC) of University of Hyderabad (UoH) Prof Appa Rao Podile  for a year or until a new VC is appointed, whichever is earlier.

His tenure was scheduled to end on Tuesday. Podile was embroiled in a controversy following the death of research scholar Rohith Vemula who died by suicide in January, 2016 following suspension from the hostel and alleged caste discrimination by the VC. His death had triggered nationwide protest against the central government as the UoH students had demanded resignation of the VC.

In 2019, under Prof Appa Rao Podile’s vice-chancellorship, UoH was recognised as an institution of eminence by the central government. Recently, it was also ranked among the world’s top universities by the QS World University Rankings 2021under his leadership.

New session of colleges, univs to start from Nov 1 -

New session of colleges, univs to start from Nov 1 - 

The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.09.2020

The 2020-21 academic session for freshers in universities and colleges, delayed due to the pandemic, will commence from November 1, the University Grants Commission has said.

Issuing the guidelines on academic calendar for the first year of undergraduate and PG students, UGC said that as a one-time measure, students will get full refund of fees on account of all cancellation of admissions/ migration of students, up to November 30 in view of the pandemic.

The guidelines have been recommended by an expect committee, set up for revising the academic calendar, and accepted by UGC.

The teaching process may continue in offline/online/blended mode. If there is delay in declaration of results of the qualifying examinations, universities may plan and start the academic session by November 18, UGC said.

As per the suggested academic calendar, first week of March 2021 will be a preparatory break and first semester exams will be conducted between March 8 and March 26, 2021. Thereafter there will be a nine-day semester break. The second semester exams will be conducted in August, 2021 and the new 2021-22 academic session will start from August 30, 2021. The new calendar has not made any provision for summer and winter breaks.

Full report on www.toi.in

‘Release compartment result expeditiously’

The UGC and CBSE have been directed to have a coordination meeting for the release of CBSE class 10 and 12 compartment exams which began on Tuesday, education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said. The directive came following concerns of delay in results hampering the prospects of undergraduate admissions for students. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court suggested that the CBSE declare the results of the compartment examinations expeditiously.

College students sit for exam in groups, share the answers -

College students sit for exam in groups, share the answers -

The Times Of India

Sambath.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Trichy:23.09.2020

Students appearing for online end-semester examination in groups and sharing answers among themselves are posing a big challenge to colleges in conducting the examination in a fair manner. Bharathidasan University, which admits that it has no mechanism in place to monitor it, has warned of serious consequences if students are caught resorting to such unfair means.

When the examinations started on Monday, students of the same class had gathered in groups of 10-12 at several places in Trichy city as well as rural areas.

As soon as the examination started, they downloaded the question paper and split questions among themselves. After searching for the right answers from internet and text books, they shared the answers among themselves through WhatsApp and wrote them down in their answer scripts. This was confirmed by some teachers as well.

“Students are not supposed to appear for the exam in groups which was clearly mentioned in the examination guidelines,” said BDU controller of examination S Srinivasa Raghavan. He clarified that it isn’t an open book examination and action will be initiated against such students found to be resorting to unfair means.

Students say they were apprehensive about writing the exam in isolation and came together to write the exam but eventually ended up indulging in this practice fearing low marks. Being the last examination in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, they see it as an opportunity to boost their overall percentage in the degree programme.

S Kishore, who secured an average 55% marks in the last five semesters of his undergraduate programme, wants to ensure that he secures not less than 60% marks. “With no academic activity over the last five months, we have lost track of the subject and it was difficult to recall everything without classroom revision,” he said.

The controller of examination of an autonomous arts and science college in Trichy city said they are giving priority to the safety of students by asking them to isolate themselves athomefor the exam. “We asked our students to appear for the examination in an honest and fair manner though there is no mechanism in place to monitor it. We wanted to utilize the web cam of the computer or front camera of the mobile phone for this, but it was ruled out as it consumes additional data and not all students can afford it,” said the controller.

As soon as the examination started, the students downloaded the question paper and split questions among themselves. After searching for the right answers from the internet and text books, they shared it through WhatsApp and wrote them down in their answer scripts

Nurses protest against action in body mix-up

Nurses protest against action in body mix-up

23/09/2020

Staff Reporter PALAKKAD

Nurses at the District Hospital here staged a protest on Tuesday demanding revocation of the punitive action against the nursing staff in connection with a recent mix-up of two women’s bodies at the hospital morgue.

They said some others, including the resident medical officer in charge of the morgue, were being saved by taking action against the nursing staff.

The body of a tribeswoman who died in mysterious circumstances at Attappady was brought to the District Hospital for postmortem.

The hospital staff mistakenly released the tribeswoman’s body to the relatives of an elderly woman who had died of COVID-19. The relatives cremated the body as per the pandemic protocol.

Deputy directors told to prepare micro plan for COVID-19 vaccination

Deputy directors told to prepare micro plan for COVID-19 vaccination

It will have age, gender-wise distribution of population and other logistical details

23/09/2020

The circular said the Central government would introduce a vaccine against COVID-19 in the future. File photo

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

The Director of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has instructed all Deputy Directors of Health Services to prepare a micro plan, at the level of health sub-centres (HSC), primary health centres (PHC) and districts, for carrying out vaccination against COVID-19 in the near future.

In a circular to all Deputy Directors of Health Services, the DPH said the Government of India was planning to introduce a vaccine against COVID-19 in the near future. In this connection, the Deputy Directors were instructed to advise the respective staff to prepare an HSC/PHC/district-level micro plan for vaccination.

According to official sources, any immunisation programme, usually, would have a micro plan, starting at the PHC level. The micro plan would contain the age and gender-wise distribution of population, requirement of vaccines and other logistics involved. Now, the DPH has instructed that such a micro plan be made for vaccination against COVID-19.

A public health official said work for preparing a micro plan had started. They also had a discussion with the Government of India on planning estimated requirements, storage, transport and human resources required.

Specific format

The micro plan should be prepared in a specified format, at the district-level, PHC-level and HSC-level health unit. It should include a list of Health Department staff, both government and private sector, staff of the Police Department, Revenue Department and local bodies.

The staff would include technical, non-technical and ministerial workers.

Ante-natal mothers, mediapersons, persons with diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other co-morbidities should be prepared. It also includes age-wise details of persons — 1-10 years, 11-19 years, 20-25 years, 26-35 years, 36-45 years, 46-60 years and above 60 years. The district-level consolidated micro plan should be sent to the Directorate on or before October 15.

Meanwhile, officials said the trial for the Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, was likely to start soon.

About 300 volunteers were being enrolled for the clinical trials of the vaccine in Chennai.

IOB shifts staff as man alleges Hindi angle to loan denial

IOB shifts staff as man alleges Hindi angle to loan denial

23/09/2020

Special CorrespondentARIYALUR

The manager of the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) branch at Jayamkondam was transferred to its regional office in Tiruchi on Monday, following an allegation by a retired senior civil surgeon that the former refused to entertain his loan application as he couldn’t speak Hindi. The incident triggered strong reactions from leaders of political parties in Tamil Nadu, who condemned the alleged actions of the manager Vishal Kamble.

However, the bank authorities claimed that the loan application was rejected in view of the advanced age of the customer.

According to sources, Dr. C. Balasubramanian, 76, had approached Mr. Kamble a few days ago, seeking a loan for building a shopping complex near the bus stand in Jayamkondam. He had submitted the requisite documents.

Dr. Balasubramanian, who said he was a long-standing customer of the bank, showed some property documents to the manager for consideration of surety for the loan. However, the manager reportedly asked him whether he knew Hindi and allegedly refused to entertain his application, citing the “language problem”.

Kerala moots new proposals for salary cut, repayment

Kerala moots new proposals for salary cut, repayment

Aim is to raise funds in the wake of COVID-induced crisis

23/09/2020

T.M. Thomas Isaac

Special Correspondent THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Kerala government has come up with new proposals on salary deduction and repayment of deducted salary of government employees and teachers to raise funds in the wake of COVID-19-induced financial crisis.

Three proposals were put forward by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac at a meeting of office-bearers of employees and teachers unions through videoconferencing on Tuesday.

Instead of depositing the deducted salary from April to August this year in the Provident Fund account on April 1, 2021, the employees will be allowed to take loan for the deducted amount from banks and financial institutions in October. The government will repay the loan amount with interest and offer guarantee to the loan, provided they agreed to the new deduction proposal.

The other proposal was to deduct five days’ salary every month for six months from September. Those availing themselves of the offer will get more time for repayment of Provident Fund loan taken by them and Onam festival advance of ₹15,000.

Deducting one month’s salary through three days every month from September to March 2021 was the third proposal.

In the salary cut initiative from September, to be known as COVID-19 Income Support Scheme, the employees and teachers will get 9% annual interest till it is deposited in the PF on April 1, 2021.

Pro-UDF unions said they would go on strike if the government moved ahead with the salary cut.

இந்தியாவில் ஆப்பிள் ஆன்லைன் ஸ்டோர் தொடக்கம்

இந்தியாவில் ஆப்பிள் ஆன்லைன் ஸ்டோர் தொடக்கம்

24.09.2020

ஆப்பிள் நிறுவனம் தனது இணைய விற்பனையகத்தை இந்தியாவில் புதன்கிழமை தொடங்கியது.

இந்தியாவில் தீபாவளி போன்ற பண்டிகைகள் வரவிருக்கும் நிலையில் ஆப்பிள் நிறுவனம் தனது விற்பனையகத்தை தொடங்கிவுள்ளது. இதன்மூலம் விற்பனை மற்றும் சேவைகளை தனது வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு நேரடியாக வழங்கும்.

ஆப்பிள் ஆர்பாடில் ஆங்கிலம், குஜராத்தி, ஹிந்தி, கன்னடம், மலையாளம், தமிழ் மற்றும் தெலுங்கு முதலிய எழுத்துகள் பயன்படுமாறு தயார் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

பொருள்களை விநியோகம் செய்ய புளு டார்ட் நிறுவனத்துடன் ஒப்பந்தம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. தற்போதுள்ள கரோனா தொற்றின் காரணமாக பொருள்களை பாதுகாப்பாக விநியோகம் செய்ய இணையத்தில் வாங்கியதிலிருந்து 24 முதல் 72 மணிநேரமாகும் என தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

விநியோகத்தின் போது தொடர்பில்லா பணப்பரிசர்த்தனையும் செய்வதற்கான ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஆப்பிள் தயாரிப்புகளை வாங்குவோர் பரிசு தர விரும்பினால், அந்த பொருளில் பரிசு காகிதம் ஒட்டித் தரவும் ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளனர்.

உலகளவில் 38வது இணைய விற்பனையகமாக இந்திய விற்பனையகம் தொடங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஆப்பிள் நிறுவன தயாரிப்புகளில் உள்ள சந்தேககங்களை தெரிந்து கொள்ள ஆப்பிள் நிறுவனத்தின் நேரடி இணையத்தளம் மற்றும் தொலைபேசி எண் மூலம் ஆங்கிலம் மற்றும் ஹிந்தியில் வழிகாட்டுதல்களை பெற்றுக் கொள்ளலாம்.

ஆப்பிள் தயாரிப்புகளை வாங்கும் வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் அதைப் பற்றி தெரிந்து கொள்ள 30 நிமிடங்கள் நிறுவன ஊழியர்களின் இணைய பயிற்சியில் ஈடுபட்டுக் கொள்ளலாம்.

ஆப்பிள் இணைய விற்பனையகம் எளிதில் உபயோகிக்கும் வகையில் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. கடன் உதவி தேவைப்படுபவர்களுக்கான திட்டமும் உள்ளது.

மேக் அல்லது ஐ-பாட் வாங்கும் மாணவர்களுக்கு சிறப்புத் தள்ளுபடிகள், பாகங்களுக்கான தல்ளுபடிகள் மற்றும் ஆப்பிள் கேர்+ மூலம் 2 ஆண்டுகள் தொழில்நுட்ப ஆதரவு மற்றும் தற்செயலான சேதத்தை சரி செய்து தரப்படும்.

இந்தியாவில் ஆப்பிள் நிறுவனத்தின் முதல் கடையை மும்பையில் 2021ஆம் ஆண்டு திறக்க திட்டமிடப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவித்தனர்.

ஆப்பிள் நிறுவனம் இந்தியாவில் 20 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக இயங்கி வருகிறது, மேலும் ஆப்பிள் நிறுவனம் செய்யவிருக்கும் புதிய முதலீடுகள் மற்றும் கண்டுபிடிப்புகள் மூலம் 9 லட்சம் வேலை வாய்ப்புகள் வேலைகள் உருவாகவுள்ளது என தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

Dailyhunt

வங்கி மேலாளர் உட்பட மூவருக்கு சிறை: கடன் மோசடி வழக்கில் தீர்ப்பு

வங்கி மேலாளர் உட்பட மூவருக்கு சிறை: கடன் மோசடி வழக்கில் தீர்ப்பு

Added : செப் 24, 2020 00:04

கோவை:வங்கி கடன் மோசடி வழக்கில், மேலாளர் உட்பட மூவருக்கு, சிறை தண்டனை விதித்து, கோவை சி.பி.ஐ., கோர்ட்டில் தீர்ப்பளிக்கப்பட்டது.கோவை, கவுண்டம்பாளையத்தில் ராகவ் பாலாஜி,44, ஜெய்சங்கர்,62, மீனாம்பிகை ஆகியோர் கட்டுமான நிறுவனம் நடத்தி வந்தனர். காரமடை அருகே மத்தம்பாளையத்தில், இடம் வாங்கி மனைகளாக பிரித்து விற்றனர்.மனை வாங்கியவர்களில், பி.எஸ்.என்.எல்., மற்றும் சுகாதார துறையில் பணியாற்றுவோருக்கு, வீடு கட்டி கொடுப்பதாக கூறி, கவுண்டம்பாளையம், கனரா வங்கியில் கடன் கேட்டு, 2005ல் விண்ணப்பித்தனர்.அதன்படி, 26 பேர் பெயரில், வீடு கட்டுவதற்கு, 1.23 கோடி ரூபாய் கடன் வழங்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால், கடன் தொகை திருப்பி செலுத்தப்படாமல் நிலுவையில் இருந்தது. வங்கி உயர் அதிகாரிகள் ஆய்வு செய்த போது, வீடு கட்டாமல், போலியான சம்பள சான்றிதழ், ஆவணங்கள் சமர்ப்பித்து, கடன் பெற்று மோசடியில் ஈடுபட்டதும், வங்கி முதுநிலை மேலாளர் சஜீஷ்,54, உடந்தையாக இருந்ததும் தெரிய வந்தது.சி.பி.ஐ., லஞ்ச ஒழிப்பு பிரிவினர், நான்கு பேர் மீதும் கோவை சி.பி.ஐ., நீதிமன்றத்தில், 2009ல் வழக்கு தாக்கல் செய்தனர்.விசாரித்த நீதிபதி நாகராஜன், குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட வங்கி மேலாளர் சஜீஷூக்கு, இரண்டு ஆண்டு சிறை, இரண்டு லட்சம் ரூபாய் அபராதம், ராகவ் பாலாஜி, ஜெய்சங்கருக்கு மூன்றாண்டு சிறை, தலா மூன்று லட்சம் ரூபாய் அபராதம் விதித்து, நேற்று தீர்ப்பளித்தார். மீனாம்பிகை விடுதலை செய்யப்பட்டார்

மாஜி துணைவேந்தர் மீது சி.பி.ஐ., வழக்கு பதிவு

மாஜி துணைவேந்தர் மீது சி.பி.ஐ., வழக்கு பதிவு

Added : செப் 23, 2020 22:57

கோல்கட்டா:விஸ்வபாரதி பல்கலை., முன்னாள் துணை வேந்தர், சுஷாந்தா குப்தா மீது, சி.பி.ஐ., வழக்கு பதிவு செய்துள்ளது.

சுஷாந்தா குப்தா, வேறு ஒரு பணி வாயிலாக வரும் ஓய்வூதிய விபரத்தை தெரிவிக்காமல், பல்கலை., துணை வேந்தருக்கான ஊதியத்தை பெற்று வந்துள்ளார்.இந்த முறைகேடு தொடர்பாக, 2016ல், மூன்று நபர் குழு அளித்த பரிந்துரைப்படி, அப்போதைய ஜனாதிபதி, பிரணாப் முகர்ஜி, சுஷாந்தாகுப்தாவை பணி நீக்கம் செய்து உத்தரவிட்டார்.

இந்தியாவில் முதன் முறையாக, ஒரு பல்கலை., துணை வேந்தர் மீது, இத்தகைய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.சுஷாந்தா குப்தா மீது ஏற்கனவே பல குற்றச்சாட்டுகள் சுமத்தப் பட்டுள்ளன. அவர், தனக்கு அதிகாரம் இல்லாத போதிலும், புதிய பணியிடங்களை உருவாக்கி, ஏராளமானோரை பணியில் நியமித்துள்ளார்.இந்த குற்றங்கள் உட்பட பல்வேறு நிதி முறைகேடுகள் தொடர்பாக, சுஷாந்தா குப்தா மீது, சி.பி.ஐ., வழக்கு பதிவு செய்துள்ளது.

PM Modi hails Tamil Nadu’s handling of Covid situation

PM Modi hails Tamil Nadu’s handling of Covid situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appreciated the way in which the Tamil Nadu government has been handling the Covid situation and in preventing the spread of infection.

Published: 24th September 2020 05:46 AM |

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo | ANI)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appreciated the way in which the Tamil Nadu government has been handling the Covid situation and in preventing the spread of infection. “The role played by the people of Tamil Nadu and the State government is appreciable.

It is worth taking note that Tamil Nadu has been an example for other States in preventing the infection. The State has taken many steps for contact tracing as well as diagnosing the symptoms. These steps could be emulated by other States,” the Prime Minister said during his discussions with Chief Ministers of several States. 

Stating that the RT-PCR test was being done to diagnose Covid, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the mortality rate would further come down in the State since it has been taking many steps for that.

However, he advised the State government to pay special attention to the seven districts where the infection continued to be high. Modi said Tamil Nadu was at the forefront in utilising the Ayush Sanjeevani mobile app to extending telemedicine facilities to the people and that Tamil Nadu would be an example for other States in this regard.

Medical panel orders hospital to pay Rs 1 lakh

Medical panel orders hospital to pay Rs 1 lakh

TNN | Sep 17, 2020, 04.26 AM IST

KOLKATA: In an interim order, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) has directed a private hospital in Park Circus to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the family of an 81-year-old patient who had died later in another hospital.

The patient from Serampore, suffering from various age related ailments, was referred to the neuroscience specialty hospital from another private hospital on January 13. The family alleged the patient had been kept in the emergency for six hours with only a white sheet, due to which he had developed pneumonia. They also complained that the patient also suffered vessel injury during extubation.The octogenarian was shifted later to a local nursing home in Serampore after seven days, where he died later.

“While we have forwarded the case of medical negligence to the West Bengal Medical Council, we have asked the hospital to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh as an interim directive. We have asked the patient party to come back to us with the medical council’s verdict, after which we will take the final call,” said justice (retired) Ashim Kumar Banerjee, chairman WBCERC. The commission also asked a nursing home in Entally to refund Rs 10,000 to the parents of an infant who was treated in the hospital in January for 10 days.

Why does this Ariyalur village panchayat president still live in a hut?

Why does this Ariyalur village panchayat president still live in a hut?

'I know poverty, I wanted to be elected only so I could serve the people,' says Kadugur Panchayat President S Dharmalingam.

Published: 20th September 2020 10:09 PM 

Kadugur Panchayat President S Dharmalingam

By P Thiruselvam

Express News Service

ARIYALUR: Despite the change in his relative fortunes, Kadugur panchayat president, 70-year-old S Dharmalingam, is happy to live where he always has: in a hut. For the former agricultural labourer, electoral success was only a means to help other people.

"I know poverty. I was an agricultural labourer. So I have never sought a life of luxury. I just wanted to protect nature and serve the people in our area,” he said. With the goal of service, he unsuccessfully contested for the post of Kadugur panchayat president in Ariyalur district four times, winning only in his fifth attempt, last year.


Immediately after he won, the resident of Thalayari Kudikadu village planted 500 palm seeds and arranged for light and water facilities at various places in the panchayat. Yet his humble abode remained unchanged, much to the surprise of villagers.

"During the election, I did not give people money, biryani or liquor to get their votes. Our election campaign was limited to me visiting people door-to-door with my family. I gave them hope and they gave me votes," he said.

His 55-year-old wife Chellamani lives in the hut with him. His son Udhaya Suriyan, aged 24, is doing his BEd at a private college in Perambalur while his 20-year-old daughter Yoga Ilavarasi is a Class 12 student in a government school in Ariyalur.

Rueing that the Covid-19 pandemic had limited his panchayat’s access to funds, he said that once funds are available he plans to arrange for better roads, lighting and water supply to the people of the seven villages that come under the panchayat.

Biotech and beyond

Biotech and beyond

Interactive classes and many extracurricular activities make life at RNTU both exciting and enthralling

21/09/2020

When I was looking for universities to apply for an undergraduate programme, I heard about Rabindranath Tagore University (RNTU) and decided to visit the campus. I was astonished to see all the facilities offered here. Since the educational institutions in and around Vidisha don’t offer similar facilities, I moved to Bhopal to join RNTU for a programme in Biotechnology.

This subject is used in different fields, including agriculture, environment and medicine and is slowly gaining popularity in India, especially in relation to agriculture, organic crops as well as cross breeding.

Infrastructure

At RNTU, we have access to excellent labs and equipment required for research, such as an in-house DNA fingerprinting lab and this makes the educational experience really engrossing.

Also, the teachers are supportive and helpful in creating an interactive learning experience. Presentations and audiovisual lessons and use of technology make the classes compelling.

The exposure to practical learning, as well as extracurricular activities, has improved my management and leadership skills. It has enabled me come out of my shell and explore the world as well as my own capabilities. One of my best experiences was representing my university at a national level debate competition organised by the Amity University, Lucknow.

In addition to participating in competitions, I was also a part of the volunteering committee at ‘Vishwa Rang’, the Tagore International Literature and Arts Festival during which I met and interacted with many artists and writers.

I was also a member of the organising team for the annual college festival Rhythm. We decided each act, divided the responsibilities and mapped of various activities with deadlines proper execution.

Even during the lockdown, we are constantly getting various internship opportunities so that our future is not adversely affected by the pandemic.