தமிழகத்தில் திருமால் வழிபாடும், நவதிருப்பதியும்! :புரட்டாசி சனிக்கிழமை -3

தமிழகத்தில் திருமால் வழிபாடும், நவதிருப்பதியும்! :புரட்டாசி சனிக்கிழமை -3

Updated : அக் 03, 2020 00:59 | Added : அக் 03, 2020 00:54

-'வடவேங்கடம் தென்குமரி ஆயிடைத் தமிழ்கூறு நல்லுலகம்' என்று, தொல்காப்பியர், தமிழகத்தின் நில எல்லையைக் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார். வட வேங்கடம் என்பது, தற்போதைய ஆந்திர மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள திருப்பதி.அதாவது, திருப்பதி முதல் கன்னியாகுமரி வரை, பரந்து விரிந்த நிலப் பகுதியை கொண்டதாக,நம் பண்டைய தமிழகம் இருந்தது. இதில், பல்வேறு மத, இன நம்பிக்கைகளுடன், மக்கள் வாழ்ந்ததற்கான வரலாற்று ஆதாரங்கள், தொல்லியல் தடயங்களாகவும், இலக்கியங்கள் வாயிலாகவும் நமக்கு கிடைகின்றன.

தொல்காப்பியத்தின் அகத்திணையியலில், தமிழக நிலப் பகுதிகள் ஐந்தாகப் பிரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. நிலத்தின் தன்மைக்கு ஏற்ப குறிஞ்சி, முல்லை, மருதம், நெய்தல், பாலை என பிரிக்கப்பட்டு, அவற்றுக்கான தெய்வங்கள் பற்றியும் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளனர்.

முல்லை நிலம்

முல்லை நிலமானது காடும் காட்டைச் சார்ந்த மேய்ச்சல் நிலப் பகுதி. இதற்கான கடவுளாக மாயோன் என்னும் திருமால் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளார்.ஆடு, மாடு மேய்ச்சலை முக்கிய தொழிலாகக் கொண்ட மக்களால், இவர் வணங்கப்பட்டுள்ளார். விஷ்ணுவின் அவதாரங்களில் ஒன்றான கிருஷ்ண அவதாரத்தின், அத்துணை அம்சங்களும் பொருந்துவதாக இவர் திகழ்கிறார்.

மற்றொரு சங்க இலக்கியமான பரிபாடலில், விஷ்ணுவின் அவதாரங்கள் விளக்கமாக குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருப்பது, திருமால் வழிபாட்டின் தொன்மையை விளக்குவதாக உள்ளது.

கலித்தொகையில், 'மால்' என, விஷ்ணு போற்றப்படுகிறார். சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் இருந்து நமக்கு கிடைக்கும் மற்றொரு செய்தியானது, திருமால் வழிபாடு தமிழகத்தில் வேரூன்றிய காரணத்தை விளக்குவதாக உள்ளது.மஹாபாரதப் போர் முடிவுற்ற பல காலத்திற்குப் பின், கிருஷ்ணர் ஆட்சி புரிந்த துவாரகை நகரம், கடல்கோள் என்னும் சுனாமிக்கு உள்ளானது. அங்கிருந்த யாதவ இன மக்களில் ஒரு பகுதியினர், அகத்தியரின் வழிகாட்டுதலின்படி, தென் தமிழகத்தை வந்தடைந்தனர்.

இம்மக்கள் பதினெண்குடி வேளிராக காட்டைத் திருத்தி நாடாக்கி, இங்கு வாழத் துவங்கினர் என்பதே அச்செய்தி. தென் தமிழகத்தில் மிகப் பழமையான விஷ்ணு கோவில்கள் நிறைந்துள்ளன. 108 திவ்யதேசங்களில், 80 சதவீத கோவில்கள் தமிழகத்திலேயே உள்ளன. இவற்றில், திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள ஒன்பது திவ்யதேச கோவில்கள், நவ திருப்பதிகள் என்று அழைக்கப்படுகின்றன. இவை, தொன்மையான பாண்டிய நாட்டின் ஒரு பகுதியாக இருந்துள்ளது.இவ்வழகிய கோவில்கள், தாமிரபரணி ஆற்றின் கரையில் அமைந்துள்ளது மேலும் ஒரு சிறப்பு. இது, திருத்தலங்களின் பெருமாள் பெருமையை மட்டுமல்லாது, இத்தலங்களின் இயற்கை அழகையும், வைணவ ஆழ்வார்கள் தங்கள் பாடலில் வர்ணித்துள்ளனர்.

நவ திருப்பதி

ஸ்ரீவைகுண்டநாதன் பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில் - ஸ்ரீவைகுண்டம்: இக்கோவில் கள்ளபிரான் கோவில் என்றும் தலபுராணத்தின்படி அழைக்கப்படும். இக்கோவில் நவகிரஹங்களில் ஒருவரான சூரிய பகவானுக்கு உகந்த தலம்.மகர நெடுங்குழைக்காதன் எனும் முகில் வண்ணப் பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில் தென் திருப்பேரை: இக்கோவில் ஒன்பது கருட சேவை ஒருங்கே காண்பதற்கு சிறந்த தலம். இக்கோவில், நவகிரஹங்களில் ஒருவரான சுக்கிரனுக்கு உகந்த தலம்.

திருதேவர்பிரான் திருக்கோவில் - திருத்தொலைவில்லிமங்கலம்: இக்கோவில் இரட்டை திருப்பதி என, அழைக்கப்படும் திவ்யதேசத்தில் ஒன்றான ராகு தலம்.திருஅரவிந்தலோச்சனார் திருக்கோவில் - திருத்தொலைவில்லிமங்கலம்: இக்கோவில் இரட்டை திருப்பதி என, அழைக்கப்படும் திவ்யதேசத்தில் ஒன்றான கேது தலம்.திருவைத்தமாநிதி பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில் - திருக்கோளூர்: இக்கோவிலின் சிறப்பாக திருமால் உலகத்திற்கு படி அளப்பவனாக, மரக்காலை தலைக்கு தலையணையாக வைத்த கோலத்தில் சயனித்திருக்கிறார்.

இது,குபேரஷேத்ரம் என்றும் தலபுராணத்தில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.திருஆதிநாதர் திருக்கோவில் எனும் ஆழ்வார்திருநகரி - திருக்குருகூர்: இத்தலம் நம்மாழ்வார் பிறந்த புண்ணிய பூமி. இக்கோவில் நவகிரஹங்களில் ஒருவரான குருவுக்கு உகந்த தலம்.திருகாசினிவேண்டான் பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில் - திருப்புளியன்குடி: இத்தலத்தில் பெருமாளின் நாபிகமலத்தில் இருந்து பிரம்மா தோன்றுவது மிகச் சிறப்பான அம்சம். இக்கோவில் நவகிரஹங்களில் ஒருவரான புதனுக்கு உகந்த தலம்.திருவிஜயசான பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில் எனும் திரு வரகுணமங்கை - நத்தம்: வரகுண பாண்டியனுக்கு பெருமாள் தரிசனம் தந்த இடம் ஆதலால், இந்த இடப் பெயர்  பெற்றதாக நம்பப்படுகிறது.

இக்கோவில் நவகிரஹங்களில் ஒருவரான சந்திரனுக்கு உகந்த தலம்.திருவேங்கடவாணன் திருக்கோவில் - திருகுலந்தை பெருங்குளம்: இக்கோவில் உற்சவர் பெயரால் மாயக்கூத்த பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில் என்றும் அறியப்படுகிறது. இக்கோவில் நவகிரஹங்களில் ஒருவரான சனி பகவானுக்கு உகந்த தலம்.

இக்கோவில்களின் தலபுராணங்கள் இக்கோவிலின் காலத்தை பல யுகங்களுக்கு முன் தோன்றியதாக குறிப்பிடுகின்றன. மேலே குறிப்பிட்டது போல, தமிழகத்தில் திருமால் வழிபாடு தொன்றுதொட்டு வளர்ந்துள்ளதற்கு, இக்கோவில்களும் ஒரு சாட்சி.இக்கோவில்கள் ஆழ்வார்களால் பாடல் பெற்ற தலங்களாக விளங்குவதால், அவர்கள் வாழ்ந்த, 6 முதல், 9ம் நுாற்றாண்டுக்கு முற்பட்டது எனக் கொள்ளலாம்.

இக்கோவில்களின் கட்டடக்கலை அமைப்பும், இங்கு கிடைக்கும் கல்வெட்டுகளும், 6 முதல், 16ம் நுாற்றாண்டு வரையிலான காலகட்டத்தை சேர்ந்ததாக உள்ளன.இக்கோவில்கள் அனைத்தும் 100 முதல், 12 கிலோ மீட்டர் சுற்றுப்பகுதியில் அமைந்துள்ளதால், நாம் விரைந்து தரிசிக்க ஒரு நாள் போதுமானதாக இருக்கும்.

ஆனால், பாண்டிய மன்னர்களால் கட்டப்பட்டு, பின்னர் மதுரை நாயக்கர்களால் பராமரிக்கப்பட்டு, பல திருப்பணிகள் செய்யப்பட்டு விளங்கும் இக்கோவில்களின் அமைப்பும், அழகும் வார்த்தைகளால் 

விவரிக்க  முடியாதவை.இக்கோவில்களின் தலபுராணங்களும், விழாக்களும், ஆடல் பாடல்களும், மிகச் சிறப்பாக சிற்பங்களாகவும், ஓவியங்களாகவும் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதை காண கண்கோடி வேண்டும். 

முனைவர் கோ.பாலாஜிஉதவி பேராசிரியர்,சி.பி.ரா., இந்தியவியல் ஆய்வு மையம், சென்னை.

'ஆம்னி பஸ்களை ஒப்படைப்போம்'

'ஆம்னி பஸ்களை ஒப்படைப்போம்'

Added : அக் 02, 2020 23:54

சென்னை:''ஆம்னி பஸ்களை, கோட்டையில் முதல்வரிடம் ஒப்படைப்போம்,'' என, தமிழ்நாடு அனைத்து ஆம்னி பஸ் உரிமையாளர்கள் சங்க செயலர், அன்பழகன் கூறினார்.

துகுறித்து, அவர் கூறியதாவது:ஆறு மாதங்களாக, 4,000 ஆம்னி பஸ்கள் நிறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதனால், இத்தொழிலைச் சேர்ந்த, இரண்டு லட்சம் குடும்பங்களின் வாழ்வாதாரம் பாதிக்கப் பட்டு உள்ளது. எங்களின் கோரிக்கை மனுவை, போக்குவரத்து துறை அமைச்சரிடம் வழங்கி உள்ளோம்; முதல்வரை சந்திக்க முடியவில்லை.

ஆறு மாதங்களாக பஸ்களை இயக்காத நிலையில், 2.5 லட்சம் ரூபாய், சாலை வரியாக செலுத்த வேண்டியுள்ளது. பஸ்களை பராமரித்து இயக்க, ஒரு பஸ்சுக்கு, 5 லட்சம் ரூபாய் தேவை. இந்த தொழிலில், 14 ஆயிரம் கோடி ரூபாய் முதலீடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஆம்னி பஸ்களால், 300 கோடி ரூபாய் டீசல் விற்பனை வழியாக, அரசுக்கு கலால் வரி கிடைக்கிறது. வங்கி கடனுக்கான தவணையை செலுத்தும் அவகாசம் முடிந்து விட்டதால், நெருக்கடி தொடர்ந்துள்ளது.

இதனால், பஸ்கள் ஓடாத இரண்டு காலாண்டுக்கான, 20 கோடி ரூபாய் சாலை வரியை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும் என, கோரினோம்; வழக்கும் தொடர்ந்தோம்; இதுவரை சாதகமான பதில் இல்லை. பல மாநிலங்களில், சாலை வரி தள்ளுபடி செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. இம்மாதம், ௫ம் தேதிக்குள் சாதகமான பதில் கிடைக்காவிட்டால், அனைத்து ஆம்னி பஸ்களையும், கோட்டையில் நிறுத்தி, முதல்வரிடம் ஒப்படைக்க உள்ளோம்.இவ்வாறு, அன்பழகன் கூறினார்.

வங்கி முறைகேடு வழக்கு 'மாஜி' அதிகாரிக்கு சிக்கல்

வங்கி முறைகேடு வழக்கு 'மாஜி' அதிகாரிக்கு சிக்கல்

Added : அக் 02, 2020 22:22

புதுடில்லி:வங்கி கடன் மோசடி வழக்கில் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட, பஞ்சாப் நேஷனல் வங்கியின் முன்னாள் துணை மேலாளருக்கு எதிராக, சி.பி.ஐ., குற்றப்பத்திரிகை தாக்கல் செய்துள்ளது.

மஹாராஷ்டிரா மாநிலம், மும்பையில் உள்ள பஞ்சாப் நேஷனல் வங்கியில், 14 ஆயிரம் கோடி ரூபாய் கடன் வாங்கி, வைர வியாபாரி நிரவ் மோடி, மோசடி செய்தார். இந்த வழக்கை, சி.பி.ஐ., விசாரித்து வருகிறது. இந்த வழக்கில், நிரவ் மோடி கடன் பெற, சட்ட விரோதமாக உதவி செய்து, வருமானத்துக்கு அதிகமாக சொத்துக்களை குவித்ததாக, பஞ்சாப் நேஷனல் வங்கியின் முன்னாள் துணை மேலாளர் கோகுல்நாத் ஷெட்டி கைது செய்யப்பட்டார்.

கோகுல் ஷெட்டிக்கு எதிராக, சி.பி.ஐ., அதிகாரிகள், மும்பை நீதிமன்றத்தில் குற்றப்பத்திரிகை தாக்கல் செய்துள்ளனர். அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது:நிரவ் மோடிக்கு, வங்கி உத்தரவாதக் கடிதங்களை, கோகுல்நாத் ஷெட்டி அளித்துள்ளார். அந்தக் கடிதங்களை வைத்து, வெளி நாடுகளில் உள்ள இந்திய வங்கிகளின் கிளைகளில், நிரவ் மோடி கடன் பெற்றுள்ளார்.இதற்காக, அவர் நிரவ் மோடியிடம் கோடிக்கணக்கில் லஞ்சம் பெற்றுள்ளார்.

பஞ்சாப் நேஷனல் வங்கியில் அவர் அதிகாரியாகப் பணியாற்றிய ஆறு ஆண்டுகளில், வருமானத்துக்கு அதிகமாக, 2.63 கோடி ரூபாய்க்கு மேல் சொத்து சேர்த்தது தெரியவந்துள்ளது. இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

'டெபிட், கிரெடிட்' கார்டு பயன்படுத்தி ஆன்லைனில் பொருள் வாங்க முடியாதா?

'டெபிட், கிரெடிட்' கார்டு பயன்படுத்தி ஆன்லைனில் பொருள் வாங்க முடியாதா?

Added : அக் 02, 2020 23:12

சென்னை:'டெபிட் மற்றும் கிரெடிட் கார்டுகளை பயன்படுத்தி, ஆன்லைனில் பொருட்கள் வாங்கலாம்; அதற்காக வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் பயப்பட தேவையில்லை' என, வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்து உள்ளனர். 

 

வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:வாடிக்கையாளர்களின் பண பாதுகாப்பை உறுதி செய்வதற்காக, இந்திய ரிசர்வ் வங்கி, புதிய நடைமுறைகளை கொண்டு வந்துள்ளது. இதன்படி, புதிதாக வழங்கப்படும், டெபிட், கிரெடிட் கார்டுகளை பயன்படுத்தி, ஆன்லைன் வாயிலாக பொருட்கள் வாங்க முடியாது.இதனால், இந்த கார்டுகளை ஒட்டுமொத்தமாக பயன்படுத்த முடியாதா என, பயப்பட தேவைஇல்லை.

வாடிக்கையாளர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் கார்டுகளில், அனைத்துசேவைகளும் இடம் பெற்று இருக்கும். ஆனால், அதன் செயல்பாடுகள் நிறுத்தி வைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும். வாடிக்கையாளர்கள் தங்களுக்கு தேவையான சேவைகளை, தேவைப்படும் போது செயல்படுத்திக் கொண்டு, இதர நேரங்களில், அதை, நிறுத்தி வைத்து கொள்ளலாம்.

இதற்கு, ஏ.டி.எம்., இயந்திரத்தில், இதர சேவைகள் என்ற பிரிவுக்குள் சென்று, நிறுத்தி வைக்கப் பட்டுஉள்ள சேவைகளை, மீண்டும் செயல்படுத்தி கொள்ளலாம்.தேவையில்லாத நேரங்களில், அதை நிறுத்தி வைத்துக் கொள்ளலாம்.அவ்வாறு நிறுத்தி வைக்கும் போது, கார்டுகள் தொலைந்து போனால், அதை, மற்றவர்களால் பயன்படுத்த முடியாது.இதன் வாயிலாக, வாடிக்கையாளர்களின் பணத்தை, தொழில் நுட்ப ரீதியில் திருடுவது தவிர்க்கப்படும்.

இந்த வசதி, ஆன்லைன் வங்கி சேவையிலும் இடம் பெற்றிருக்கும். அதிலும், தேவையான சேவைகளை மட்டும் செயல்படுத்திக் கொள்ளலாம். ஏற்கனவே வைத்துள்ள கார்டுகள் பழைய முறைப்படி செயல்படும்; அதில், மாற்றம் இல்லை.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

'கொரோனா வைரஸ் பரவும் திறன் 10 நாள் மட்டுமே'

'கொரோனா வைரஸ் பரவும் திறன் 10 நாள் மட்டுமே'

Updated : அக் 03, 2020 05:19 | Added : அக் 03, 2020 05:18

கோவை: 'கொரோனா வைரஸின் பரவும் திறன் ஒருவரது உடலில் 10 நாட்களுக்கு மட்டுமே இருக்கும்' என்று அமெரிக்க மருத்துவ ஆராய்ச்சி அமைப்பு தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

உலகை அச்சுறுத்தும் கொரோனா வைரஸ் மனித உடலில் எவ்வளவு நாட்கள் இருக்கும் என்பது பற்றி அமெரிக்காவின் அட்லாண்டா நகரை சேர்ந்த முன்னணி மருத்துவ அமைப்பு ஆய்வு நடத்தி முடிவை தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

இது குறித்து இந்திய மருத்துவ சங்கத்தின் தமிழ்நாடு கிளை செயலர் டாக்டர் ரவிக்குமார் கூறியதாவது: கொரோனா வைரஸ் மனித உடலில் 90 நாட்கள் வரை இருக்கும் என்பது தவறான புரிதல். இந்த வைரஸ் மற்றவர்களுக்கு பரவும் திறனுடன் 10 நாட்கள் மட்டுமே மனித உடலில் இருக்கும். கடும் நோய் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்கள் நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தி குறைந்தவர்களது உடலில் பரவும் திறனுடன் இந்த வைரஸ் அதிகபட்சம் 20 நாட்கள் வரை இருக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது.

அதற்கு மேல் மனித உடலில் வைரஸ் சிதறல்கள் இருந்தாலும் அவை செயலற்றதாகவே இருக்கும்.இந்த காலகட்டத்தில் நோய் பரிசோதனை செய்தால் 'பாசிட்டிவ்' என்று கூட முடிவு வரலாம். அதில் பயப்பட எதுவுமில்லை. மருத்துவர் அறிவுரைப்படி 14 நாட்கள் மட்டும் தனிமையில் இருந்தாலே வைரஸ் மற்றவர்களுக்கு பரவாமல் தடுத்து விட முடியும். இவ்வாறு டாக்டர் தெரிவித்தார்.

Gang rented bikes to carry out snatchings

Gang rented bikes to carry out snatchings

Nexus With Auto Thieves Busted, 14 Arrested

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:03.10.2020

With the arrest of 14 men, police claimed to have unearthed a huge nexus between auto lifters and snatchers in the capital. Auto lifters used to lend two-wheelers to snatchers in exchange of a daily rent and a share in the booty, police said.

The syndicate was run by Vikram, a 35-year-old man who alone is involved in close to 100 cases of auto thefts. Vikram, a resident of Sultanpuri, had Rashid (41) of Raj Park as his right-hand man who has 14 cases of auto thefts. The gang was busted under a special operation called “Eagle Eye”.

The nexus came to light after police teams from outer Delhi recently arrested several snatchers. Following their interrogation, the police suspected the role of a syndicate in all these crimes. It was also learnt that some middlemen used to make the deals between the two groups.

The arrested men told police that usually the stolen bikes were rented out for Rs 2,000 a day. The vehicles were also given in exchange of 30-40% share in the booty.

Deputy commissioner of police (outer) A Koan said a dedicated team, Eagle Squad from Raj Park and Mangolpuri police stations, were tasked with identifying and arresting the syndicate members. “Following regular surveillance through Zipnet and local intelligence, our teams received information about two bikes, stolen from Rohini and Tilak Nagar, lying in Mangolpuri Phase 1.”

A trap was laid and four men were arrested when they reached there to take away the motorcycles, said Koan. “They were identified as Suraj, Manish, Deepak and Nikhil. A countrymade pistol was seized.” The DCP added that the four men gave police addresses of 10 gang members, including mastermind Vikram, the middlemen and the snatchers.

The arrested men said the auto lifters used to provide the stolen bikes to them through some middlemen to avoid any direct contact. It was also revealed that these criminals used to park these vehicles away from their houses to avoid being tracked.

Usually the stolen bikes were rented out for ₹2,000 a day

September high: 1 lakh new cases, 15 lakh tests

September high: 1 lakh new cases, 15 lakh tests

Sidhartha.Roy@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.10.2020

In September, Delhi recorded more than one lakh Covid-19 cases, the highest in a month since March when the city saw its first Covid-19 case. The major reason behind this spike is also the record number of tests being carried out last month — 15.2 lakh, around 50,000 a day.

On Friday, Delhi recorded 2,920 fresh Covid-19 cases. In all, 56,258 tests were carried out, with a positivity rate of 5.1%. The number of deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the Delhi government’s health bulletin, was 37, taking the overall Covid toll to 5,438. The death rate, based on the last 10 days’ data, is 1.1%.

Friday’s figure of new cases took the tally of total positive cases to 2.85 lakh. In the last 24 hours, 3,171 patients have recovered, discharged or migrated, taking the total recovery figure to 2.5 lakh, with an overall recovery rate of 88.8%. The cumulative case fatality rate stands at 1.9%. From more than 30,000 at a point of time in September, the number of active Covid cases in Delhi has come down to 26,450.

Of the total 56,258 tests carried out in the last 24 hours, 11,105 were RT-PCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat and 45,153 rapid antigen. With nearly 32 lakh Covid tests conducted since the outbreak in March, the tests per million carried out in Delhi stands at 1,67,981. Of all the tests carried out till date, nearly half were carried out in September. However, the lion’s share of these tests was rapid antigen tests, which are not as reliable as RT-PCR ones.

Out of the total 15,844 Covid beds in Delhi’s hospitals, 6,071 are occupied and 9,773 are vacant. The 8,137 beds in the dedicated Covid care centres have 5,937 beds vacant and 1,291 occupied but the vacant beds include 909 beds occupied by people under quarantine, including travellers who came by Vande Bharat Mission and bubble flights. Out of the 527 beds in the dedicated Covid health centres, 316 are occupied and 211 vacant. The number of Covid-19 patients recuperating in home isolation is 15,852.

Last month, Delhi saw 1,05,692 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest for a month since the city saw its first corona case. September also saw 917 deaths and 93,885 patients recovering from the disease.

In August, Delhi recorded 40,344 new cases and July 46,914 cases, which is less than the number of cases in September even when combined. June, which had seen the last peak of Covid-19 cases, had recorded 68,968 fresh cases. However, compared to the 917 deaths in September, the fatality count stood at 2,269 in June.

While September saw more than 15.2 lakh Covid tests being carried out, the number of tests carried out in earlier months was much lower. More than 5.5 lakh tests were carried out in August, 4.9 lakh in July and 3.3 lakh in June. The number of tests carried out before June was even lower and records are not available in the public domain.

While the number of new cases recorded in September is the highest, the positivity rate is the lowest since June. The overall positivity rate in June was 20.6%, with the rate even going beyond 30% during the peak. In July, the positivity rate dipped to 9.3%, and in August, it came down further to 7.2% and was 6.9% in September. The cumulative positivity rate in Delhi till date is 8.9%.

By the end of August, as the number of Covid-19 cases started rising, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that Covid-19 tests in the capital would be doubled to 40,000 a day, compared with about 20,000 tests a day being carried out till then.

In September, on average 50,000 tests were carried out every day, though a huge number of these were rapid antigen tests, which provides results within half an hour but are not as reliable as the RT-PCR tests.

While September saw more than 15.2 lakh Covid tests being carried out, over 5.5 lakh tests were carried out in August, 4.9 lakh in July and 3.3 lakh in June

Why viral load is tough to detect

Why viral load is tough to detect

Experts Say RT-PCR Test May Not Give Exact Idea Of Covid Infection Intensity

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.10.2020

Covid-19 patients have been flooding laboratories with requests to know the cycle threshold (CT) value of their RT-PCR test. Many believe that the CT value, which refers to the number of cycles needed in RT-PCR test to amplify the viral RNA to reach a detectable level, can help in knowing infectiousness and severity of the disease.

However, microbiologists said there weren’t enough reliable studies to show a definitive and direct correlation between the two. “RT-PCR is a qualitative and not a quantitative test where viral load can be defined clearly,” said Dr Arvind Lal, executive chairman, Dr Lal Path Labs.

RT-PCR, the gold standard for Covid-19 testing, detects the presence of infection in a clinical sample by targeting specific gene sequences of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19, which is usually found inside the nasal cells.

A swab sample taken from a person is put in a viral transport medium and then RNA is extracted from it. The RNA is then amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction, which can run up to 40 cycles. However, depending on the viral load of a patient, the RNA of the virus could be detected in 15, 20 or even 30 cycles.

Dr Pratibha Kale, associate professor, clinical microbiology at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, said the CT value was considered inversely proportional to the viral load. “If RNA is detectable in just 15 cycles, it will mean the viral load of the person is very high. However, there are many factors at play. For example, if the swab sample hasn’t been collected properly, the CT value would be high, but the viral load would also be high,” she added.

In many other illnesses, for example Hepatitis C, quantitative tests are available, which can tell the viral load in a patient. “In the case of Covid-19, quantitative testing is difficult because it requires tissue culture and a biosafety level-III lab, which isn’t readily available. It’s time consuming and could be dangerous given the high transmissibility of the virus,” Kale said.

Dr Navin Dang, founder and chairman of Dr Dang’s Lab, said they were flooded with requests for knowing the CT value. “We try to explain to patients that CT value doesn’t help much in knowing the infectiousness or severity of the disease, but they insist on it. Indian Council of Medical Research and Society of Clinical Microbiologists have also clarified this,” he added.

Dr Rommel Tickoo, associate director, internal medicine at Max Saket, said a high viral load didn’t necessarily lead to the infection. “Almost half the people who get Covid-19 stay healthy even after having a similar amount of the virus compared with patients who fall ill. As a physician, CT value is not the only thing I will use to decide the course of treatment,” he added.

Hathras SP, 4 others suspended; village sealed off for second day SIT Wants Narco Test, Polygraph Of Cops, Accused & Complainants

Hathras SP, 4 others suspended; village sealed off for second day

SIT Wants Narco Test, Polygraph Of Cops, Accused & Complainants

Anuja.Jaiswal @timesgroup.com

Hathras:03.10.2020

The village in UP’s Hathras where the 19-year old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped before she died was off limits to the media and politicians for the second day in a row. Many who tried to enter and reach out to the bereaved family were manhandled, pushed to the ground and forced off on Friday.

Later in the evening, based on what the SIT suggested in its preliminary report, chief minister Yogi Adityanath suspended Hathras SP Vikrant Veer, three cops posted at Chanda police station at the time of the incident — Sadabad circle officer Ram Shabd, station house officer Dinesh Kumar Verma and sub-inspector Jagveer Singh — along with head moharrir (clerk) Mahesh Pal. Shamli SP Vineet Jaiswal will take over as Hathras police chief.

The SIT also recommended that polygraph and narco tests be conducted on everyone involved in the case — police, the accused and members of the victim’s family.

There is one main access point to the village and a tertiary route from behind farmlands leading up to a cluster of Dalit houses. Both had been barricaded, with six cops at one and 15 at another.

Police stopped a TOI team from entering the village around 11am, warning against “moving any further” and saying they had “strict instructions from higher authorities” to not let anyone pass.

Jipmer gets 49 more MBBS seats this yr

Jipmer gets 49 more MBBS seats this yr

Puducherry:03.10.2020

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) has increased the number of MBBS seats from 200 to 249 from the academic year 2020-2021 following approval from the competent authorities. The number of seats in the institute’s Puducherry campus was increased from 150 to 187 and Karaikal campus from 50 to 62.

Forty-eight of 187 seats in Puducherry campus and 16 of the 62 seats in Karaikal campus have been reserved for students from the UT. Admission into the MBBS programme will be based on Neet 2020 score. Jipmer conducted entrance examinations separately until last academic year. For more information, visit https://www.mcc.nic.in . TNN

Online classes valid, med body clears air

Online classes valid, med body clears air

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.10.2020

The National Medical Commission which has replaced Medical Council of India (MCI) has clarified that online classes conducted for medical courses in view of the pandemic are valid and approved by the commission.

The commission made the clarification in response to media reports that MCI has informed a group of medical students that such classes are not valid. “It is clarified that in view of the pandemic medical colleges are conducting online theory classes for MBBS students. Online classes are valid and are approved for teaching during the pandemic only," a statement released by the commission said.

Such online theory classes are required to be supplemented by practical and clinical training as per the current curriculum in all MBBS subjects when the colleges are reopened, it added.

It further clarified that the media reports appeared to have relied upon reply given by the erstwhile MCI in response to a RTI query regarding medical courses conducted by foreign universities through online medium only.

On September 28, a group of medical students who approached the Madras high court seeking wavier in fee due to lockdown informed the court that the MCI has informed them that such classes are not recognised.

Informing the Madras high court about the stand of the MCI, senior advocate R Vaigai representing the students said, “The MCI has informed the students that it does not recognise online teaching for medical courses. Students are worried about their future now.”

Vaigai made the submission on the batch of pleas moved by parents of medical students of SRM challenging the college’s demand to pay full fee even for the lockdown period.

Recording the submission, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said, if the MCI is not going to recognise online classes, then the whole point in conducting such classes goes.The court then directed the MCI to clarify its stand by October 5.

Not having valid driver’s licence costs 10% of compensation

Not having valid driver’s licence costs 10% of compensation

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.10.2020

Not possessing a valid driving licence has cost an accident victim’s family 10% of the compensation money awarded to him. An accident claims tribunal held that a percentage of compensation money ought to be deducted for contributory negligence. The victim, a retiree, was killed after a truck mowed down the motorcycle he was driving.

According to a petition moved by B Jayalakshmi of Ambattur, her husband Boopalan was killed in the accident on August 24, 2017, when he was riding along Redhills-Ambattur Road. The petition stated that the truck driver had driven in a rash and negligent manner and rammed into the motorcycle, leading to the Boopalan’s death.

The truck’s insurer disputed the claims and also contended that the victim was not in possession of a valid driving licence and that the two-wheeler was not insured at the time.

Tribunal judge P Revathy, after perusing documents and evidence submitted, noted that while the deceased did not have a valid driving licence, it was clear that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the truck driver and held that the insurer was liable to pay compensation.

According to the petition, the victim had sought voluntary retirement from a biscuit manufacturing company and was running a grocery store. Based on various factors including loss of dependency, the tribunal arrived at an amount of ₹5.3 lakh as compensation. After deducting 10% for contributory negligence, the tribunal directed the insurance firm to pay ₹4.8 lakh to the victim’s family within two months. Of ₹4.8 lakh, the wife is to get ₹1.75 lakh and three daughters ₹1lakh each.

Cars left idle during quarantine keep mechanics busy

Cars left idle during quarantine keep mechanics busy

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.10.2020

Long queues were spotted at most car service centres across the city as vehicles which were parked idle at one place for several weeks due to the lockdown are now being taken out for services.

"During the lockdown, we were getting three or maximum four service calls. But now we are getting around 15 orders every day," said Dhanapathy from Maruti Suzuki Service Centre in Adyar.

Most of them had complaints pertaining to their car batteries, brakes, lights and in some cases wires were bitten by rats, he added. Calls made to Hyundai and Honda service centres in Chennai too suggested similar trends.

In order to avoid crowding at service centres, operators have offered more pickup and drop services by deploying more parttime drivers.

Manikandan, a call-taxi driver who lost his job during lockdown, is now earning ₹500 for working four hours a day at Solai Cars in Madipakkam. "Companies provide us with jump starters because in most cases batteries are dead. Some car owners search for hacks on YouTube and damage the battery further".

This can be corroborated by a simple YouTube search. Most of the videos about dead batteries have obtained considerable view counts and user interactions. Some of them in Tamil have attracted more traffic.

"Only in the worst cases we have sought help from recovery vehicles," Manikandan said. Seconding him, Ranjith Kumar from OMR Towing Service in Perungudi said that they get at least two calls from such breakdowns every day in addition to usual accident calls. But they charge only ₹350 from these car owners as it involves lesser work compared to car crashes, he added.

In case of vehicles parked at public parking lots, tyres had gone flat. This meant bigger trouble for users as towing the vehicle (with hooks) too becomes impossible and they have to go for larger vehicles.

Experts say that the better option to keep battery safe is to engage a local mechanic to remove the battery and store them in cool and dry places or smear grease on wire ends to prevent rusting. Disengaging handbrakes is important to prevent brake pad damage. Bricks or wooden blocks is a better option, said Rajmurugan, an automobile engineering professor.

OUT AGAIN: Vehicles parked outside a car service centre on 200 Feet Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road on Friday

Essential services staff can go by spl workmen trains

Essential services staff can go by spl workmen trains

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:3.10.2020

In response to the request from the Tamil Nadu government, Southern Railway has decided to permit essential services staff authorised by the state government to travel in limited number of suburban trains -- run as workmen specials by the Chennai division of Southern Railway -- from October 5. Details of these train services would be displayed at the stations, an official release said. The government has nominated an official as the nodal officer for this purpose, who will authorise and issue specific travel permission to essential services staff to travel in the workmen special trains.

The specific travel permission shall have details such as name, designation, department /office and others. This travel permission in original would be accepted by the railways only when presented along with the photo ID card of the person issued by his/her office, the release stated.

There will be two levels of checks of passengers at stations. First check will be done by the personnel of GRP/RPF at the entry of a railway station and the second check at the entry to the platforms by the railway ticket checking staff.

Sanitization of rakes at appropriate frequency will be done by railways. Passengers are requested to pay attention to the regular announcements made at stations regarding the train services and follow Covid-19 precautions such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing travelling on trains and also at stations. Tickets will be issued only to essential services staff authorised by the nodal officer.

Both single journey and season tickets will be issued at the booking counters at all suburban stations through UTS (unreserved ticketing system). The essential services staff should carry the specific travel permission issued by the nodal officer in original as well as their photo ID card while entering the station and also while travelling.

At stations with more than one booking counter, one counter will be earmarked for season tickets. And at stations with only one counter, only single journey tickets will be issued during peak hours. Season tickets will be issued after peak hours.

Containment zones are back; corpn barricades 10 streets

Containment zones are back; corpn barricades 10 streets

Officials Carry Out Preventive Measures

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.10.2020

Containment zones are back in the city, just 10 days after they were removed.

On September 29, 7th Cross Street at Nolambur in Valasaravakkam zone recorded 10 fresh cases making it a containment street. On September 16, four streets in Madhavaram reported fresh cases. It was the last time containment zones were reported.

As per a press release by Greater Chennai Corporation on Friday, about 10 streets in the Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur and Sholinganallur zones have been made containment zones after they reported between four and 14 fresh Covid-19 cases. Three streets in Kodambakkam reported 6, 8 and 14 cases, four streets in Alandur recorded 7, 9, 4 and 5 cases and two streets in Sholinganallur reported six cases each apart from Nolambur 7th Cross Treet in Valasaravakkam zone. Corporation officials are now carrying out regular Covid-19 containment work.

An area is barricaded and declared a containment zone when more than five cases are reported. All people there are tested and are advised to be under home quarantine. Focus volunteers and door-to-door surveillance workers help them for all their essential needs. They are regularly monitored until the cases come down to below three.

Last month, corporation removed containment zones and stopped barricading houses having Covid-19 positive cases. However, the number of cases has been started steadily increasing in many areas where economic activity began. Alandur is the only zone to have reported less growth in the number of cases but it has reported the highest number of containment streets in the last two days. “People are extremely cooperative and we are doing focused testing and especially ensuring that the elderly are safe. New cases are being reported in the wards located in the peripheral locations of the zone. However there are no new clusters,” said zonal officer P V Srinivasan.

Civic body officials said they were focusing on workplaces now as they were fears of them becoming new clusters. They also conduct tests at markets and ensure that people wear masks and following social distancing norms in public places.

Counselling for 12K paramedical seats goes online

Counselling for 12K paramedical seats goes online

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:3.10.2020

The medical selection committee attached to the directorate of medical education has started the process of online admission to paramedical and allied health sciences courses for academic year 2020.

“This time the admission process has started before medical and dental admissions. And the entire single window counselling for the nearly 12,500 seats in 17 courses will be done online,” said selection committee secretary G Selvarajan. Admission to management quota seats will be done by respective institutions.

“Online counselling schedule will be available only on the selection committee website and candidates should lock their choices of colleges and courses as per the schedule,” he said. The decision to go online was made in view of the pandemic, he added.

Like every other year, admissions to these courses will be based on Class XII marks and rule of reservation. The committee will moderate scores of different boards to ensure there is a level-playing field, officials said.

The online sale of applications for nursing and allied health courses in colleges affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University began on October 1 and students have been asked to send the filled in forms before 5pm of October 17. The application form can be downloaded until 5pm on October 15 from www.tnhealth.tn.gov.in / www.tnmedicalselection.org. A copy of the filled in application should be sent to the selection committee office after which the committee will publish the merit list.

The fees for the online application process is Rs.400/- and should be paid through netbanking. The processing fee of Rs 250 should be paid online to participate in the counselling.

Candidates can track their online applications on the websites by entering their online application number or Class XII (equivalent examination) registration number of first appearance with the year, officials said. Meanwhile, the admission process to the deemed universities is being done by the respective universities.

Hathras Case : Presence Of Sperm Not Necessary To Prove Rape; UP Police Claim Contrary To Law

Hathras Case : Presence Of Sperm Not Necessary To Prove Rape; UP Police Claim Contrary To Law: The Uttar Pradesh Police has claimed that no rape happened with the 19-year old Dalit woman of Hathras, who succumbed to her injuries yesterday.A senior UP Police official told the press that the...

Breaking: Allahabad HC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Hathras Case; Says 'Incidents Have Shocked Our Conscience' [Read Order]

Breaking: Allahabad HC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Hathras Case; Says 'Incidents Have Shocked Our Conscience' [Read Order]: ' The State must respecta dead person by allowing the body of person to be trea

Make way for Veeralakshmi, India's first female ambulance driver

Make way for Veeralakshmi, India's first female ambulance driver

Hello, I have just been assigned a case. Can I call back when I break for lunch?” asks M Veeralakshmi hurriedly.

Published: 01st October 2020 05:41 AM 

Born and raised in Theni, Veeralakshmi came to Chennai along with her husband almost a decade ago

By Anushree Madhavan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Hello, I have just been assigned a case. Can I call back when I break for lunch?” asks M Veeralakshmi hurriedly. Feeling guilty about interrupting an ambulance pilot’s busy schedule, I hang up and wait for her to call back.

Hours later, I answer her call only to know that “Today was hectic, I couldn’t catch a break. Let’s talk tomorrow.” This is but a usual day for Veeralakshmi — India’s first female ambulance pilot. Born and raised in Theni, Veeralakshmi came to Chennai along with her husband almost a decade ago. “My husband was already working as a driver here. I used to go with him sometimes, and by observing him, I learned all about the profession and even the mechanics of it,” says the 30-year-old.

Photos: Ashwin Prasath

Driving her dreams

It was only four years ago when Veeralakshmi approached ANEW, a women’s welfare association in Anna Nagar, for work. “They were providing vocational training for women and helping them get jobs. I enrolled myself into their driving course. Since I had the experience of watching my husband drive, I was confident that I could do this,” she says.

Soon, at the Professional Driver Training Academy in Red Hills, she was wowing the driving instructors with her driving skills. “My trainers, Ramesh Kumar and Muthu Kumar, have been my guiding force. They noticed that I was good behind the wheel, and suggested that I lease a vehicle and work as a private driver,” she shares. In her three years of snaking in and out of the nooks and crannies of the city, Veeralakshmi gained the trust of her customers.

Her commitment to picking them up and dropping them, despite rain or sunshine, fetched her a whole lot of goodwill and loyalty. “I have had to traverse some difficult paths, some dingy areas, but I always made sure that the customers were dropped off right outside their gates. Their safety was also important. They thought I was brave for doing so because even some male drivers used to ask them to alight at some dark, unsafe roads, and walk home ” she shares.

In response to her care and concern , Veeralakshmi received love and encouragement from her passengers, who asked her to enhance her skills. It was following such advice from a good Samaritan that she applied for a government job. “But to get a government job, I was told that I needed to have a certificate. So I did a Diploma in Automobile Technology from Annamalai University in Chidambaram in 2018-19,” she shares.

Making a mark

Life continued as usual, until the lockdown happened when she looked for timely and meaningful opportunities to use her professional skills to help the corona warriors. If not now, then when, she contemplated. As if listening to her heart’s desire, the universe rewarded her with a possibility when GVK’s 108 Ambulance announced recruitment for ambulance pilots in June.

Friends and family reminded her that this is a male-dominated profession, but Veeralakshmi’s confidence remained steady. For the officials, it was a first — to consider a woman’s application. “I told them about my experience as a driver and asked them to let me take a test. I was asked to meet them with all the necessary documents for an on-road test.

I was warned that I would be monitored closely. During the test, they seemed happy with my driving, and that gave me confidence,” she narrates. Such has been her passion for learning that even though the ambulance pilot training was for a month, Veeralakshmi completed it within a few days. “When I was driving cabs, I used to attend any workshop that was related to my job. I did courses on first aid, fire safety, etc., which were also taught during the ambulance pilot training,” she shares.

The plan was to join the fleet in June itself, but the call didn’t come through. Little did she know that her hard work and dedication would be well worth the wait. “I learned from GVK that I was the first female ambulance driver in India, and that at a launch function for ambulances, CM Edapaddi K Palaniswami would announce about my recruitment.

Till then I had doubts, but to my surprise, the officials told me that it was a matter of pride for them to have a female driver in their fleet,” she opens up. After a wait for almost two months, at the launch event on August 31, the chief minister announced her induction — a cherished moment for Veeralakshmi. “The ministers present at the event encouraged me; the deputy chief minister was glad that a woman would be joining the fleet. I was also asked to drive the ambulance in their presence, during the flagoff,” she says, with a hint of shy-pride.

Seeking satisfaction

It was also important for Veeralakshmi to ensure that her family, especially her children Dharinishree and Harish Karthikeyan, stayed aware of the risks involved in her job during this pandemic. Every job, she explained to her family members, comes with risks but if you love something, then these risks cannot stop you. A resident of Thiruverkadu, Veeralakshmi has been assigned the Government Hospital in Avadi. Her work starts at 8 am and ends at 8 pm. “Initially, I had three-four cases a day.

Some days, I get around seven cases. We are assigned cases based on where we are located. We have been provided with the necessary kits. If it is a noncorona case, I wear only gloves and mask. But, when it is a corona case, I wear the entire kit,” she shares. At the end of each day, upon returning home, Veeralakshmi follows all precautions necessary — taking a bath and washing all her clothes. Drinking hot water, twice a day, she believes, helps her stay healthy.

While she had to settle for lesser pay, compared to her previous job as a cab driver, it is the sense of fulfilment that matters, she says. “When the family of a patient, who I have never met before, holds my hands and thanks me for coming on time and saving their loved ones’ lives, or the elders bless me, I feel good that I have impacted their lives in some way. This is a different feeling,” she notes.

Future goals

Putting to rest the stereotypes of misogynistic attitude in this profession, Veeralakshmi’s male counterparts have been affable to the extent of constantly advising her to be safe. While this has been welcoming, Veeralakshmi’s main concern is the lack of restrooms for women. “All drivers, especially women, face this issue. We have to stop at a private hotel or a petrol bunk to relieve ourselves. Since I am attached to a hospital, I use the facilities there.

This is one of the reasons that we don’t see many women in this field,” she rues. On days when she is not driving the ambulance, Veeralakshmi is busy being an instructor at the NSCC Silambam Academy. “I have been a statelevel silambam player and have won two gold medals,” she shares. A diligent student of a teacher called life, Veeralakshmi pursued a Bachelors degree in Commerce after her marriage. “Now I want to do an MBA… and something related to my field.

I am interested in Psychology,” says the multi-tasker, for whom the sky seems to be the limit. She believes that women can do anything if they have clarity about their goals. “If you believe in something, give it a shot. You can do anything you set your mind to…all you need is practice and guidance,” says Veeralakshmi, standing true to her name – a brave warrior, who we need in these uncertain times, reminding us to follow our dreams.

‘Decision to clear arrears against UGC guidelines’

‘Decision to clear arrears against UGC guidelines’

According to E Vijay Anand, counsel for Balagurusamy, only universities have such powers and not the State government. 

Published: 01st October 2020 05:44 AM 

AICTE. (Photo | aicte-india.org)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has informed the Madras High Court that the exemption awarded to college students in Tamil Nadu from taking their arrear exams by the State government is not in accordance with the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC). M Sundaresan, south regional officer of the council, in his reply, submitted, “The council has not issued any exemption for students appearing in exams and those pursuing their studies next year without being assessed through exams.

Degree cannot be awarded to a student who has failed to clear a large number of arrears. This is not acceptable in the industry too.” The AICTE replied to the submissions made by former Vice-Chancellor E Balagurusamy and advocate Ramkumar Adityan, who challenged the State government’s move to cancel the exams. According to E Vijay Anand, counsel for Balagurusamy, only universities have such powers and not the State government. 

The petitioner further said that the government’s decision will lower the educational standard of students and the university. “It will badly affect the reputation, credibility, and prospects of meritorious students and the quality of education,” he added. Denying the submissions made by the State, AICTE said, the government order cancelling arrear exams declaring all students who paid the exam fees to have passed, claimed to be made as per the guidelines of the council, is not true.

Earlier, the State government argued that the order was passed under the Disaster Management Act, exercising the powers vested with the State Disaster Management Authority under the legislation. Even the apex court has upheld such rights and powers of the State authority under the Act, if it does not fall in conflict with the UGC guidelines, said Advocate General Vijay Narayanan. The court is likely to hear the case tomorrow based on the submissions made by AICTE.

TNSTC buses packed to the rafters as private ones stay off road in State

TNSTC buses packed to the rafters as private ones stay off road in State

The owners also demanded that full occupancy must be allowed in buses against the 50 per cent currently allowed.

Published: 01st October 2020 04:34 AM 

 (File Photo | Nakshatra Krishnamoorthy/EPS)

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Even as authorities are appealing to the public to maintain social distancing, people are forced to travel in crowed TNSTC buses, especially during rush hour. This is because private buses continue to stay off the roads as the owners are waiting for the government to meet their demands.

“Till the State government does not issue a separate SOP meeting our demands, it is not feasible for private buses to operate. Two cases in the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court, on the extension of the loan repayment moratorium period and the waiver from road tax too are being delayed,” said Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association president A Afzal.“How can we pay road tax for March to September, when we did not ply at all? Our families are struggling and the government is asking us to pay for something which we have not even used. Even worse, some officials are demanding fine,” a private bus owner, R Anbalagan said.

The owners also demanded that full occupancy must be allowed in buses against the 50 per cent currently allowed. Meanwhile, the TNSTC buses ply heavily crowded during rush hour. “I even noticed people travelling on footboards. Currently, very few trains operate and buses are the only pocket friendly option for inter-district travel. However, it is not possible for people to maintain social distancing on the vehicles and some passengers do not even were masks,” said M Aravind, a regular commuter.As of yet, there is no clear information from the government on meeting the private bus owners’ demands.

Advocate moves Madras HC against removal of 'thali' and 'metti' during NEET exams

Advocate moves Madras HC against removal of 'thali' and 'metti' during NEET exams

When examination halls are fitted with CCTV cameras and invigilators are always present to ensure the proper conduct of the exams, there is no necessity for such frisking, said the petition

Published: 30th September 2020 07:26 PM | Last Updated: 30th September 2020 07:26 PM 

NEET exam hallMedical aspirants and their parents waiting outside a NEET examination hall in Chennai. (File photo | Express)By Harish MuraliExpress News Service

CHENNAI: An advocate has moved the Madras High Court seeking to restrain the National Testing Agency and Medical Council of India from forcing the removal of sacred ornaments such as 'thali' and 'metti' of candidates who are taking part in the NEET. The petitioner stated that the rules are in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The petitioner said, "According to Hindu customs, it should be removed only after the death of the husband. That is the reason even in all international airports all over the world, 'thali' is not required to be removed during the security check as it is a religious symbol for the sacramental bond."

In the name of ensuring fairness in the examination, the students are put to all kinds of stress due to the dress they wear, said S Aravind Raj.

When examination halls are fitted with CCTV cameras and invigilators are always present to ensure the proper conduct of the exams, there is no necessity for such frisking, said the petition.

Chapter 8 of the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2020 relating to wearing of metal or ornaments is in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India. Hence it is liable to be declared as unconstitutional and unreasonable, he added.

Students miss NEET: Three teachers suspended in MP

Students miss NEET: Three teachers suspended in MP

TNN | Sep 29, 2020, 12.03 PM IST

KHARGONE: Khargone district education officer (DEO) has suspended three teachers in the case of nine students failing to appear in NEET. Apart from this, a proposal has been sent to stop the increments of two officers.

As per official information, Khargone DEO KK Dongre has suspended Dasnaval primary teacher Prince Gupta, Segav middle school teacher Durgavati Gupta and Kelly primary teacher Geeta Bhatnagar with immediate effect.

A proposal has been sent to divisional commissioner to stop two increments of Segav block education officer ML Verma and Segav excellence school principal Sandeep Kapadnik.

Due to negligence in duty, nine students could not attend NEET held on September 13.

They were entrusted with the responsibility of arranging a bus to ferry students to the exam centre in Indore and bring them back.

Khargone collector Anugraha P, taking cognizance of the case, had directed action against the guilty after meeting with the deprived students, their parents and government officials. She had also instructed to arrange coaching for the students.

Univ sits on proposal to set up Ambedkar studies department - The Times Of India

Univ sits on proposal to set up Ambedkar studies department - The Times Of India

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:1.10.2020 

Thirteen long years have passed since the Thiruvalluvar University (TU) got the nod to establish the department of Dr B R Ambedkar Studies and a chair in Ambedkar’s name.Theuniversity,however, is yet to set them up.

The proposal to establish the department of Dr Ambedkar Studies was placed before the university in December 2006. The syndicate discussed and approved the proposal following which it was sent to the governor. The governor’s nod came in February 2007. Things stand there till now.

Meanwhile, the assent of Dr Ambedkar Foundation under the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment to create Dr B R Ambedkar Chair with a seedfundof ₹50lakhhad been pending since 2005 as the university made no efforts to set it up. “Since 2005, we have been reminding every vicechancellor to establish the chair and starting the department (Dr Ambedkar Studies)but not much has been done,” said I Elangovan, former syndicate member of the university and president of Thiruvalluvar University Employees’ Union.

The previous vice-chancellor, K Murugan, constituted a seven-member board of studies to frame the syllabus and come up with other requirements. But the task was not accomplished, he said.

He added that apart from the seed money, Dr Ambedkar Foundation was ready to provide additional financial support to sustain the activities if the university was ready to allocate a separate building or a wing of a building to run the chair. “Till 2010, the university was functioning on the premises of Vellore Fort and did not have sufficient infrastructure. However, no steps were taken after the university moved to a new campus at Serkadu,” he said.

Professor K Anthony Baskaran, one of the serving syndicate members, had raised the issue in the first meeting held after the new VC Thamaraiselvi Somasundaram took over last year. She had assured to take necessary steps. “Though the present VC launched a number of new courses, she did not take this department forward,” Baskaran said.

Thamaraiselvi, when contacted,saidshewasunawareof the board of studies formed by the former VC. She said, “We will form a committee soon and take necessary steps to establish the department of Ambedkar Studies and the chair. Getting the approval is easy but funding is a difficult task.”

HC stays G.O. requiring deemed varsities to obtain NOC for agriculture courses

HC stays G.O. requiring deemed varsities to obtain NOC for agriculture courses

30/09/2020

Mohamed Imranullah S. CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed the operation of a Government Order issued on July 28 directing all deemed universities to obtain no objection certificates (NOCs) from the government within six months for conducting agriculture or allied courses and not to admit new students until such NOC was obtained.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh granted the interim stay on petitions filed by SRM Institute of Science and Technology and Vellore Institute of Technology challenging the G.O. on the ground that the State government had no authority to force the deemed universities to obtain NOCs from it.

Senior counsel G. Masilamani and Chitra Sampath told the court the G.O. had been passed by referring to the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations of 2004 and 2016, though all deemed to be universities across the country were now actually governed by the UGC (Institutions deemed to be universities) Regulations of 2019.

Mr. Masilamani contended that the regulations in vogue do not require the deemed universities to obtain NOCs from the State government. Central Government Senior Panel Counsel B. Rabu Manohar, representing the UGC, also told the court that there was no necessity for institutions deemed to be universities to obtain clearance from the State governments.

He brought it to the attention of the court that an association of self-financing agricultural colleges had already filed a writ petition seeking a direction to the government to implement the G.O. and prevent all nine deemed universities, that were offering agriculture and allied courses, from admitting students this year. The UGC had prepared a counter affidavit to that petition taking a stand that the government had no role to play in conduct of agriculture and allied courses by deemed universities, he said.