All welcome delay in reopening schools but... what next?

All welcome delay in reopening schools but... what next?

With no real-time interactions, students who do not have access to technology bear the brunt; stakeholders concerned as lab works and doubts are left behind

Published: 13th November 2020 05:43 AM 

Reopening of schools is deferred for now in Tamil Nadu due to COVID-19. (File Photo | EPS)

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Students and teachers heaved a sigh of relief after the State government postponed its decision to reopen educational institutions. The fear of a second wave of Coronavirus has gripped the State as many Indian cities are witnessing a surge in cases, propelled by the festive season.

However, many have urged the government to make alternate arrangements for online education for the economically disadvantaged students, who have had very little interaction with teachers during the lockdown. The decision to delay reopening was timely, said KM Karthik, founder of All India Private Colleges Employees Association.

“Delhi is witnessing its third wave. We haven’t had the second wave yet. Hence, taking precautionary steps is a wiser option,” he said. The next 20 days will be challenging, said Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System, opining that this is the time public should remain safe, vigilant and follow guidelines.

However, having no real-time interactions with teachers remains a major problem for students who do not have access to technology. The only mode of education that thousands of children from government and smaller private schools have been getting are the recorded videos broadcast on Kalvi TV and those shared to their laptops. “Students will have no clarity of what they are studying if they cannot get doubts cleared. The government should provide internet access to at least class 12 government school students, who already have laptops,” said PK Ilamaran, leader of Tamil Nadu Government Teachers Association. 

He added that the government should also immediately announce priority and optional syllabus so that teachers can prepare students accordingly. Some private school teachers and administrators said the government could have however included certain relaxations. “For example, students have no experience in lab works earmarked for this academic year. Government could have allowed students to come to school once a week on a trial-and-error basis,” said a principal of a CBSE school in Chennai.

She added many parents wanted permission to send their wards for doubt-clearing sessions. “Most schools in the city received this suggestion. It was the popular sentiment and we thought the government would take it up,” she said.

The principal of an Arts and Science College in Thiruvarur said many students in their college hail from neighbouring districts. “The government should open educational institutions in a phased manner so that there are adequate transport facilities to reach college safely.” DMK president MK Stalin said on social media that the government is going back on its word over and over again and that this has left people confused and distressed. However, other opposition leaders have welcomed the decision to delay of reopening.

Serum has 40m doses of Oxford vaccine ready

Serum has 40m doses of Oxford vaccine ready

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:13.11.2020

In order to ensure early availability of its Covid-19 vaccine once approved, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has already manufactured 40 million doses of the candidate developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, under the ‘atrisk’ manufacturing and stockpiling licence from the Indian drug regulator, reports Sushmi Dey.

The company plans to stockpile 200-300 million doses by January and around 50% of its capacity is expected to cater to local requirements, regulatory sources said.

Serum and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday said 1,600 participants have been enrolled in the Phase 3 clinical trials for the vaccine—Covishield— in the country and, based on the Phase 2/3 trial results, SII with the help of ICMR will also pursue early availability of this product for India. P 10

Packing punch with home-made podis, pickles

Packing punch with home-made podis, pickles

Priya.Menon@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.11.2020

When the lockdown happened and he had to shut his restaurant, N S Krishnamoorthy, owner of Prem’s Grama Bhojanam in Adyar, decided to focus on creating healthy fare that customers could get delivered to their homes. The lockdown has now been eased, but his podis and batters continue to be sought after.

“The pandemic had confined people to their homes and they wanted to cook nutritious, immunity-building food for their families while juggling WFH schedules,” says Krishnamoorthy, whose restaurant specialises in millet-based food. “So, I began making podis such as kollu (horsegram) podi, which is supposed to help reduce high BP and sugar levels, and drumstick leaf podi that you can mix with rice and eat or have with idli and dosa.” Millet batter for idli and dosa, ginger thokku, mango ginger pickle, amla pickle, and gongura were other things he came up with for customers.

During the lockdown, many city restaurants turned to making traditional podis, pickles and other fare so that they could continue to have a source of income. And the demand for these has only increased even after the city opened up. So many restaurants are now focussing on expanding their range and launching their brands.

“There is a huge demand for these pickles, podis and homemade batter. People find it’s healthy, tasty and cuts down cooking time,” says Krishnamoorthy.

Nalina Kannan, owner of Thaligai restaurant in Mylapore, launched a new brand, Thaligai Tradition, during the lockdown. “We were selling sambar and rasam podis but during the lockdown we began making coconut, curry leaf and paruppu powder based on my mother and mother-in-law’s recipes,” says Nalina, adding the podis can be used in multiple ways.

“If you mix the curry leaf powder with tamarind paste and water and boil it, you get karuveppilai kozhambu. You can add warm water to the coconut powder to make thenga thogayal, which is a good combo with kootu or else you can add oil to the podi and have it with dosa or idli,” she says, adding they are now delivering it to clients across India. “And if you add the coconut podi to sambar to make arachuvitta sambar.”

Tarun Alexander of Ninan’s Restaurant at Parry’s Corner, which dates to 1956 and specialises in Kerala cuisine, says he began trying his hand at making pickles a few months into lockdown.

“My friend, T Shamini, suggested it and so I began making pork, beef, prawn, and fish pickles. They are all made according to our family recipes. My mom constantly makes them at home, so I learned how to do it myself,” says Tarun, adding that the demand for the pickles have gone up after lockdown. “We now sell fish and prawn pickles at our restaurant, the others are made on request.”

The latest one he has rolled out is a bacon relish. “It’s a little sweet and spicy, and has the consistency of jam. You can use it as a filler or spread, or even have it with rice,” he says, adding that 150g is priced at ₹600. “But a lot of people are buying it.”

IN DEMAND: A photo shared by Ninan’s Restaurant

State Haj panel invites applications

State Haj panel invites applications

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.11.2020

The Tamil Nadu State Haj Committee has invited applications from Muslims residing in the state for the pilgrimage in 2021, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Cochin will be the embarkation point for the pilgrims of Tamil Nadu.

The entire process of application is provisional, subject to final guidelines of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The applicants can fill online forms until December 10 through Haj Committee of India portal, www.hajcommittee.gov.inor through mobile app, Haj Committee of India.

Some features of Haj 2021 include: Age limit for pilgrimage between 18 and 65 years, children below 18 years not allowed, and the journey will be 30-35 days. Accommodation space will be 9sqm per pilgrim, and standardized baggage will be provided by the Haj Committee of India.

The embarkation points for Haj 2021has been reduced from 21 to 10 due to Covid -- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Srinagar. There is no provision of NRIs due to Covid.

For further details, contact 022-22107070

Rain to continue in Chennai, weather may hold up on Diwali

Rain to continue in Chennai, weather may hold up on Diwali

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.11.2020

The light morning spells and the occasional heavy showers in many parts of the city and suburbs on Wednesday may continue for the next two days due to a trough or an elongated area of low pressure closer to the coast, according to weathermen.

Private forecasters and weather bloggers said the intensity of rainfall may reduce on Diwali which falls on November 14 but may gather strength again the following day.

IMD has forecast thunderstorms with intermittent spells, heavy at times, over some areas with the sky condition that would be generally cloudy in the city for the next 48 hours. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 28o C and 24o C.

The agency has also issued a warning for heavy rainfall with thunderstorm on November 13 (today) for Chennai, its neighbours Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengelpet, and other districts such Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai.

IMD deputy director general S Balachandran said the rainfall activity was due to a trough of low over southwest Bay of Bengal extending from Sri Lanka to north Tamil Nadu coast. He said for the next two days, many places in coastal districts and a few places in the interior regions may receive moderate rainfall while rainfall activity may continue over Chennai and suburbs with heavy spells at times.

On Wednesday morning, many parts of the city and suburbs received continuous light spells and a downpour at times. This left 18.3mm of rain in Nungambakkam and15.6mm in Meenambakkam till 8.30am and as the monsoon spells continued, the two stations registered another 29.6mm and 26.8mm between 8.30am and 5.30pm. A few localities in the city including Aminjikarai and Choolaimedu received light spells later in the evening around 8.30pm.

Skymet Weather, in its update, has forecast heavy to moderate rain over Tamil Nadu with light to moderate spells at many places. Interior districts too may receive rainfall in the next 24 hours.

Weather blogger Pradeep John said, “There may be rainfall in the city in the early morning on Diwali day, but the intensity could reduce as the day progresses. We can expect heavy rainfall again on November 15 and16.”

SHORT BURSTS: Some areas got heavy rain on Thursday

After parents’ opposition, govt drops move to reopen schools

After parents’ opposition, govt drops move to reopen schools

Colleges For PG Students From Dec 2

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.11.2020

The state government on Thursday decided to postpone the reopening of schools for Classes IX to XII after most parents opposed the decision fearing the pandemic. Scrapping its earlier order allowing schools and hostels to reopen from November 16, the state government said it will announce the reopening date later depending on the situation.

The government had conducted parents’ meet in more than 12,000 schools across the state on November 9 to get their opinion on reopening of schools.

“In some schools, parents wanted to reopen the schools, while in others, they wanted to postpone it considering the safety of their children. Considering both the views, the order allowing schools and hostels to reopen from November 16 stands cancelled ,” a release from the state government said. The state government has also suspended the move to reopen colleges on November 16.

Parents meet was held in 12,000 schools across TN on November 9

Free breakfast in Pondy schools

Puducherry government on Thursday launched a free breakfast scheme for school students named after former TN chief minister M Karunanidhi. The scheme will benefit more than 80,000 students in 419 government and aided schools in the UT. It will initially cover nearly 10,000 students in 106 schools that have reopened. P 8

Online classes to continue for college students: Govt

Based on UGC guidelines, it allowed classes to resume for research scholars and final-year PG students of science and technology courses in colleges and universities starting December 2.

Hostels will be allowed in these colleges. The date for reopening of colleges for other classes will be announced later. Online classes would continue for other students, it said Welcoming the decision to postpone the reopening of schools, school managements asked the state government to immediately release the details of prioritized and optional syllabus for state board students. “It is a good decision respecting the parents’ views. But the school education department should release the 40% portions omitted this year so we can focus on lessons that would be valid for the exams,” said B Purushothaman, senior principal, Everwin Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kolathur. He pointed out that CBSE had released the details of the lessons dropped for Class X and XII.

Instead of chopping the portions, the school education departmentsplitthesyllabusfrom ClassItoXIIintotwo prioritized syllabus and optional syllabus. Students have to self-study portions under optional category.

“Teachers are struggling to complete the portions for lower classes due to just two online classes per day,” said N Vijayan, senior principal, Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Tambaram. Many schools have completed around 70% of lessons through online classes. “But, conducting assessment is a big problem. The state government should allow schools to reopen in a phased manner starting with Class XII in December,” said GJ Manohar, principal, MCC Higher Secondary School in Chetpet.

Colleges also welcomed the move to reopen with research scholars and postgraduate students. “Postgraduate students need to come to college for practicals and conducting experiments. We plan to conduct semester examsfrom December 5. After that, we will accommodate the students,” said Thomas Amirtham of Loyola College.

“Our college has 300 to 400 students and it will not be a problem to maintain social distance among PG students and research scholars,” said MG Ragunathan of Guru Nanak College.

விதிகளை மீறி அரசு சலுகைகளை பெற்ற அரசு ஊழியர்களை பணிநீக்கம் செய்ய வேண்டும்: ஐகோர்ட் கிளை அதிரடி உத்தரவு

விதிகளை மீறி அரசு சலுகைகளை பெற்ற அரசு ஊழியர்களை பணிநீக்கம் செய்ய வேண்டும்: ஐகோர்ட் கிளை அதிரடி உத்தரவு

2020-11-12@ 00:06:02

மதுரை: சிவகங்கை மாவட்டத்தை சேர்ந்த ராஜா, ஐகோர்ட் மதுரை கிளையில் தாக்கல் செய்த மனுவில், ‘‘அரசு சார்பில் எனக்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட இலவச வீட்டுமனை பட்டா இடத்தில் இருந்து, என்னை வெளியேற்ற நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பதை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும்’’ என கோரியிருந்தார். இந்த மனு ஏற்கனவே விசாரணைக்கு வந்தபோது கூடுதல் அட்வகேட் ஜெனரல் செல்லப்பாண்டியன் ஆஜராகி, ‘‘மனுதாரர் அரசு பள்ளியில் ஆசிரியராக உள்ளார். மனுதாரரின் மகன் அரசு மருத்துவராக உள்ளார். இவர் மற்றும் இவரது குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்கள் பெயரில் பட்டா வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அரசு ஊழியர் என்பதை மறைத்து அரசின் இலவச பட்டாவை பெற்றுள்ளனர்’’ என தெரிவித்திருந்தார். இதையடுத்து நீதிமன்றம் ஆசிரியர் மற்றும் மருத்துவர் மீது உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்தது. இந்நிலையில், ராஜா தரப்பில் மனுவை திரும்பப் பெறுவதாக கூறி ஐகோர்ட்டில் மனு செய்யப்பட்டிருந்தது. இந்த மனு நீதிபதிகள் கிருபாகரன், புகழேந்தி முன்பு நேற்று மீண்டும் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது.

அப்போது, நீதிபதிகள் கூறியதாவது:- நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவின் பேரில் இருவரும் சஸ்பெண்ட் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர். இவர்களது குடும்பத்தினர் பெயரிலும் 5 பட்டாக்கள் பெற்றுள்ளனர். ஏழை, எளிய மக்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் அரசின் சலுகையை இந்த குடும்பத்தினர் ஏமாற்றி பெற்றுள்ளனர். இது குறித்து தாசில்தார் உரிய விளக்கம் அளிக்க வேண்டும். இதுபோன்ற அரசு ஊழியர்களின் நடவடிக்கையால் ஊழல் வழக்குகள் அதிகரிக்கின்றன. அரசு ஊழியர் என்பவர், பொதுமக்களுக்கு முன்னுதாரணமாக இருக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால் மனுதாரர் தவறான முன்னுதாரணமாக உள்ளார். எனவே இந்த வழக்கில் வருவாய்த்துறை செயலாளர், சமூக நலத்துறை செயலாளர், லஞ்ச ஒழிப்புத்துறை இயக்குனர் ஆகியோரை எதிர் மனுதாரராக இந்த நீதிமன்றம் தாமாக முன்வந்து சேர்க்கிறது.

மனுதாரர் மற்றும் அவரது குடும்பத்தினர் வாங்கியுள்ள சொத்துக்கள் தொடர்பாக லஞ்ச ஒழிப்புத்துறை உடனடியாக விசாரணை நடத்த வேண்டும். இதுபோல் எத்தனை பேர் இலவச வீட்டுமனை பட்டா பெற்றுள்ளனர் என்பது குறித்து அரசு தரப்பில் அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்ய வேண்டும். அரசுப்பணியில் இருந்து விதிமுறைகளை மீறி அரசின் சலுகைகளை பெற்று இருப்பவர்கள் மீது உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுத்து பணியில் இருந்து நீக்க வேண்டும். மேலும் இவர்கள் மீது குற்றவியல் நடவடிக்கையும் மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும். இதுகுறித்து லஞ்ச ஒழிப்புத்துறை இயக்குனர் அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்ய வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

வரிசை கட்டும் பண்டிகை எதிரொலி விமான கட்டணம் அதிரடியாக உயர்வு: குறைந்த டிக்கெட் கட்டண புக்கிங் நிறுத்தம்

2020-11-12@ 00:32:25

சென்னை: தீபாவளியை முன்னிட்டு விமான கட்டணம் திடீரென உயர்ந்ததால் சொந்த ஊருக்கு விமானங்களில் செல்ல இருந்த பயணிகள் அதிர்ச்சியடைந்துள்ளனர். இதற்கு வரிசை கட்டும் பண்டிகையே காரணம் என தெரிகிறது. தீபாவளி நாடு முழுவதும் வரும் 14ம் தேதி கொண்டாடப்பட உள்ளது. கொரோனா வைரஸ் ஊரடங்கு நீடித்தபோதிலும் சொந்த ஊரில் குடும்பத்தினருடன் தீபாவளியை கொண்டாட பலர் ஆர்வமாக உள்ளனர். பஸ், ரயிலில் டிக்கெட் கிடைக்காதவர்கள், முன்னதாகவே செல்ல விடுமுறை கிடைக்காதவர்களின் தேர்வாக விமான பயணம் உள்ளது. இதனால் விமான நிறுவனங்கள் நேற்றில் இருந்து சென்னை உள்நாட்டு விமான சேவைகள் 180ல் இருந்து 200 ஆக அதிகரித்துள்ளது.

மத்திய அரசு அதிகப்பட்சமாக 60% உள்நாட்டு விமானங்களை இயக்க அனுமதியளித்துள்ளது. அதன்படி இந்த எண்ணிக்கை 120+120 வீதம் 240 ஆக அதிகரிக்க வாய்ப்பு உள்ளது. அதே நேரத்தில் மக்களின் தீபாவளி பயணம் ஆர்வத்தை விமான நிறுவனங்கள் பயன்படுத்தி தீபாவளிக்கு முந்தைய நாட்களில் குறிப்பாக வரும் 13ம் தேதி வெள்ளிக்கிழமை வரை பயண டிக்கெட்களின் கட்டணங்களை கணிசமாக அதிகரித்துள்ளன. சென்னையிலிருந்து மதுரை செல்ல வழக்கமாக 3,500 க்குள் இருக்கும்.ஆனால் தற்போது தீபாவளியையோட்டி அந்த கட்டணம் 6 ஆயிரத்தையும் கடந்துள்ளது. அதுவே பிசினஸ் கிளாஸ் என்ற உயர் வகுப்பாக இருந்தால் 20 ஆயிரமாக அதிகரித்துள்ளது. அதைப்போல் தூத்துக்குடிக்கு சாதாரண நாட்களில் ₹3 ஆயிரம் டிக்கெட் கட்டணம். ஆனால் தற்போது 5 ஆயிரத்திலிருந்து 7 ஆயிரம் வரை வசூலிக்கப்படுகிறது.

திருச்சிக்கு 2,500 என்ற குறைந்தப்பட்ட டிக்கெட் கட்டணம். தற்போது 3,500 லிருந்து 7ஆயிரம் வரை வசூலிக்கப்படுகிறது. சேலத்திற்கு 2,300 குறைந்தப்பட்ச கட்டணம் தற்போது 3,900 வரை வசூலிக்கப்படுகிறது. தீபாவளிக்கு முந்தைய தினமான 13ம் தேதி வரைதான் இந்த கூடுதல் கட்டணம் இணையதளத்தில் காட்டுகிறது. தீபாவளி தினமான 14ம் தேதியிலிருந்து மீண்டும் பழைய குறைந்த கட்டணமே இணையதளத்தில் காட்டுகிறது. இதைப்போல் பயணிகளிடம் கூடுதல் கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பது தனியார் விமான நிறுவனங்கள் மட்டுமின்றி, அரசு பொதுத்துறை நிறுவனமான ஏர் இந்தியாவும் வசூலிக்கிறது.

Karnataka HC Extends Interim Relief To PG Doctors Till Nov 23

Karnataka HC Extends Interim Relief To PG Doctors Till Nov 23: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday extended till November 23, the interim relief granted earlier directing state government not to insist the appellants before the court (281 PG Doctors)

அஞ்சலக சேமிப்புக் கணக்கு: குறைந்தபட்ச இருப்புத் தொகையை உயர்த்த டிச.11 கடைசி

அஞ்சலக சேமிப்புக் கணக்கு: குறைந்தபட்ச இருப்புத் தொகையை உயர்த்த டிச.11 கடைசி

வங்கி சேவையில் ஈடுபட்டு வரும் அஞ்சலகங்களில் சேமிப்பு கணக்குகளின் குறைந்தபட்ச இருப்புத் தொகை ரூ.50ஆக இருந்தது. இதை ரூ.500ஆக உயர்த்தி மத்திய அரசு உத்தரவிட்டது.

அதன்படி இந்த விதிமுறை கடந்த டிசம்பர் 12-ஆம் தேதி நடைமுறைக்கு வந்தது. ஏற்கனவே, சேமிப்பு கணக்கு தொடங்கியவர்கள் குறைந்தபட்ச இருப்புத் தொகையை ரூ.500 ஆக உயர்த்திக் கொள்ள வரும் டிசம்பர் 11 ஆம் தேதி வரை கால அவகாசம் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இருப்புத் தொகையை ரூ.500 ஆக உயர்த்தாத பட்சத்தில் மார்ச் மாதம் முதல் அபராதக் கட்டணமாக வாடிக்கையாளர் கணக்கில் இருந்து ரூ.100, ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் கழிக்கப்பட்டு இருப்புத் தொகை குறைக்கப்பட்டு, கணக்கு காலாவதியாகிவிடும்.

எனவே, அஞ்சலகங்களில் சேமிப்புக் கணக்கு வைத்துள்ளவர்கள், சேமிப்பு கணக்கில் குறைந்தபட்ச இருப்புத் தொகையை ரூ.500 ஆக வரும் டிசம்பர் 11 ஆம் தேதிக்குள் உயர்த்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்று சென்னை மத்திய கோட்டத்தின் அஞ்சலக முதுநிலை கோட்ட கண்காணிப்பாளர் வெளியிட்டுள்ள செய்திக் குறிப்பில் கேட்டுக் கொண்டுள்ளார்.

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மேற்கு வங்கத்தில் 8 மாத கரோனா பொதுமுடக்கத்திற்கு பிறகு புறநகர் ரயில் சேவை மீண்டும் தொடங்கப்பட்ட நிலையில் சமூக இடைவெளி கடைபிடிக்காமல் மக்கள் செல்வதால் கரோனா பரவல் அச்சுறுத்தல் எற்பட்டுள்ளது.

மேற்குவங்க புறநகர் ரயில் சேவை: சமூக இடைவெளியை கடைபிடிக்காத மக்கள்

மேற்கு வங்கத்தில் 8 மாத கரோனா பொதுமுடக்கத்திற்கு பிறகு புறநகர் ரயில் சேவை மீண்டும் தொடங்கப்பட்ட நிலையில் சமூக இடைவெளி கடைபிடிக்காமல் மக்கள் செல்வதால் கரோனா பரவல் அச்சுறுத்தல் எற்பட்டுள்ளது.

கரோனா பெருந்தொற்றால் நிறுத்திவைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த 696 புறநகர் ரயில்கள் மீண்டும் இயக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. எனினும் தொற்று அபாயத்தால் ரயில்களில் கரோனா தடுப்பு வழிகாட்டுதல் நெறிமுறைகள் முழுமையாக கடைப்பிடிக்கப்படும் என அறிவித்திருந்தனர்.

பிதன் நகர் ரயில் நிலையம், கொல்கத்தா

இந்நிலையில் புதன்கிழமை இயக்கப்பட்ட ரயில் நிலையங்களில் பயணிகள் கூட்டம் கூட்டமாக சமூக இடைவெளி இல்லாமலும், ரயில் படிக்கட்டுகளில் தொங்கியபடியும் பயணம் செய்தனர்.

பிதன் நகர் ரயில் நிலையம், கொல்கத்தா

இதனால், கரோனா வேகமாக பரவும் சூழல் உருவாகியுள்ளது.

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டிசம்பருக்கு பிறகு பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளைத் திறக்கலாம்: உயா்நீதிமன்றம் கருத்து

12.11.2020

மதுரை: தமிழகத்தில் டிசம்பருக்கு பிறகு பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளைத் திறக்கலாம் என சென்னை உயா்நீதிமன்ற மதுரைக்கிளை புதன்கிழமை கருத்துத் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

தேனியைச் சோந்த ராம்பிரசாத் தாக்கல் செய்த மனு:

கரோனா நோய்த் தொற்றுக்கு தடுப்பு மருந்து கண்டுபிடிக்கப்படவில்லை. இந்நிலையில் நவம்பா் 16 ஆம் தேதி முதல் அனைத்துப் பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளும் திறக்கலாம் என தமிழக அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகள் திறக்கப்பட்டால் மாணவா்கள் சமூக இடைவெளியைப் பின்பற்றுவதை உறுதி செய்ய முடியாது. போக்குவரத்து முழுமையாக இல்லாத நிலையில் மாணவா்கள் வேறு மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ள கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு செல்வதில் சிரமம் ஏற்படும்.

பல்வேறு கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் கரோனா நோயாளிகளைத் தனிமைப்படுத்தும் மையமாக செயல்படுத்தப்பட்டன. அந்தக் கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் முழுமையாகத் தூய்மைப்படுத்தப்படாமல் அவசரகதியில் திறக்கப்பட்டால் கரோனா பரவல் அதிகரிக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது.

கரோனா பரவலைத் தடுக்க பல கட்டங்களாகப் பொது முடக்கம் அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டது பலனின்றிப் போய்விடும். எனவே நவம்பா் 16 ஆம் தேதி முதல் பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளைத் திறப்பது தொடா்பான அரசின் அறிவிப்பை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும் எனக் குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தாா்.

இந்த மனு நீதிபதிகள் என்.கிருபாகரன், பி.புகழேந்தி ஆகியோா் அடங்கிய அமா்வு முன் புதன்கிழமை விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. அப்போது நீதிபதிகள், ஆந்திரம் உள்ளிட்டப் பல மாநிலங்களில் பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகள் திறக்கப்பட்ட நிலையில் கரோனா பரவல் அதிகரித்துள்ளது. பல நாடுகளில் கரோனாவின் இரண்டாம் கட்ட அலை பரவி வருகிறது.

நீதிபதிகள் உள்பட பலரும் கரோனாவால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு வரும் சூழலில் குழந்தைகள், மாணவா்கள் பாதிக்கப்பட்டால் சிரமம் அதிகமாக இருக்கும். எனவே டிசம்பருக்கு பிறகு பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளைத் திறக்கலாம் என நீதிமன்றம் கருதுகிறது. மேலும் பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளைத் திறப்பதில் பிற மாநிலங்களில் நடைபெற்ற நிகழ்வுகளைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டு தமிழக அரசு முடிவெடுக்க வேண்டும் எனக் கூறி விசாரணையை நவம்பா் 20 ஆம் தேதிக்கு ஒத்திவைத்தனா்.

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மருத்துவ பல்கலை சான்று கவுன்சிலிங்கில் அளிக்கலாம்

 மருத்துவ பல்கலை சான்று கவுன்சிலிங்கில் அளிக்கலாம்

 Added : நவ 11, 2020  22:34

சென்னை:'மேல்நிலை வகுப்புகளை, மாநில திட்டத்தில் பயிலாத மாணவர்கள், மருத்துவ படிப்புகளுக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்கும்போதோ, கவுன்சிலிங் போதோ, தங்களது தகுதி சான்றிதழ்களை சமர்ப்பிக்கலாம்' என, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்ககம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

மாநில வழியில் பயிலாமல், பிற பாடத் திட்டத்தில் பயிலும் மாணவர்களில், யாரெல்லாம் மருத்துவ படிப்புகளில் சேரலாம் என்பதற்கான தகுதிச் சான்றிதழ், தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டர் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., மருத்துவ பல்கலையில் இருந்து பெற வேண்டும்.அந்த சான்றிதழ், விண்ணப்பத்துடன் இணைத்து சமர்ப்பிக்கப்படுவது வழக்கமான நடைமுறை. அதன்படியே, மருத்துவ படிப்புகளுக்கு விண்ணப்பிப்பதற்கான வழிகாட்டுதல்கள் வெளியிடப்பட்டன.

இந்தாண்டு கொரோனா பாதிப்பு காரணமாக, மாணவர்கள் பலர், தகுதி சான்றிதழ் பெற, பல்கலையை நாடுவதால், பல்வேறு அசவுரியங்கள்உருவாகி வருவதாக தெரிகிறது. இதைத் தவிர்க்க, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்ககம், புதிய அறிவிப்பை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது. அதன்படி, எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., மருத்துவப் பல்கலையின் தகுதி சான்றிதழை, விண்ணப்ப பதிவின்போதோ அல்லது கவுன்சிலிங் வரும் நாட்களிலோ சமர்ப்பித்தால் போதுமானது என, அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Diwali vacation cancelled for medical teachers

Diwali vacation cancelled for medical teachers

Ahmedabad:12.11.2020

The state government on Wednesday cancelled the Diwali vacation for Class I and II employees of all medical colleges in the state due to the Covid-19 situation.

BJ Medical College had already cancelled the vacation. The Medical Teachers Association requested the state health department to grant Diwali vacations to doctor-teachers because they have been working tirelessly for more than seven months and need a break now. A meeting was convened on Wednesday involving the deans of all medical institutes across the state and they discussed how Covid-19 and non-Covid services would continue unhampered during Diwali times. The decision to cancel the vacation was conveyed to the heads of all institutes and they have been asked to remain prepared for round-the-clock health services. TNN

Take lessons from AP, say docs

Take lessons from AP, say docs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:12.11.2020

As Gujarat is all set to reopen the schools after Diwali for senior classes, medical experts provide a word of caution for the schools and administration. They pointed at the Andhra Pradesh experience where the schools had opened in the first week of November, and soon a large number of teachers and students had tested positive.

Dr Chetan Trivedi, executive board member of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), said that the second wave of Covid-19 infections is already predicted by the experts in view of the festivities and change in season.

“In such a scenario, the onus is on the family and school to ensure that the child doesn’t become a super-spreader. The children don’t show severe symptoms in a majority of the cases, and thus they are not tested. But they can surely become carriers for others,” he said.

Dr Pragnesh Vachharajani, secretary of Ahmedabad Family Physicians Association (AFPA), said that it’s going to be very difficult for the schools to ensure the safety norms and mask protocols for school hours. “We are not sure about the timings, but it is difficult to expect school students to wear masks for more than four hours. Would they be maintaining social distancing outside the classrooms? I am not sure,” he said, adding that the AP experience is an indication of what can go wrong and we need to come out with a successful model to open the schools.

‘Final-year students to attend’

‘Final-year students to attend’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:12.11.2020

While the government has allowed medical, paramedical and postgraduate students to attend physical classes, in the case of undergraduate courses, including engineering, only final-year students will be allowed to attend classes. The move is to minimize the risk of Covid-19 infection as it will immensely reduce the class strength and help in taking social distancing precautions.

Himanshu Pandya, vicechancellor of Gujarat University said they are planning to take written consent from parents before allowing the students to attend college.

“After careful consideration we have taken the decision to reopen undergraduate level colleges only for final-year students. In case of PG courses, the number students are anyway very less in comparison, so social distancing measures can be taken care of,” said Anju Sharma, principal secretary, higher education.

Sudhir Nanavaty, president of Gujarat State Higher Education in Colleges said that when all other activities have slowly opened up, it was time for educational institutions to re-open.

“For undergraduate courses, the classroom strength can be reduced to one-third as only final year students are allowed to attend,” Nanavati said.

Schools, colleges to reopen from November 23 in Gujarat

Schools, colleges to reopen from November 23 in Gujarat

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:12.11.2020

After being closed for about eight months, schools and colleges are set to reopen in the state from November 23 amid Covid-19 pandemic.

A decision to reopen secondary and higher secondary schools as well as colleges in the state after Diwali vacation was taken on Wednesday by the state cabinet chaired by CM Vijay Rupani.

The state will resume classroom studies from class 9 to 12 from November 23 for schools. In case of colleges and universities, the government will reopen them in a phased manner, starting with medical, paramedical and post graduate programmes. For undergraduate courses, the government has decided to resume classroom studies only for final year students initially.

The decision comes at a time when many other states have had to revoke similar decisions and again shut down educational institutions after facing a rising number of Covid-19 infection cases in school going students.

Before taking the final decision in the matter, the government held discussions with various stakeholders including department of education, school, college, university administrators and academicians, said education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama.

Tirumala employee sends porn link to devotee, dismissed

Tirumala employee sends porn link to devotee, dismissed

Sandeep.Raghavan@timesgroup.com

Tirupati:12.11.2020

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams on Wednesday dismissed an employee working for Sri Venkateswara Bhakti channel (SVBC), following an internal inquiry that confirmed he sent a porn link to a devotee, instead of religious material. The incident came to light after the devotee, who received the porn link from the official email handle of SVBC, lodged a plaint with TTD top brass. An inquiry was ordered.

According to an official statement, an employee of the channel allegedly sent the porn link to a Hyderabadbased devotee. The staffer, who has access to the official e-mail of a particular programme on SVBC, was reportedly in a highly inebriated state when he emailed the porn link to the devotee.

The temple body, which engaged the services of IT experts from its vigilance and security wing, was even more shocked when it was found that nearly 30 staffers of SVBC regularly watched TV serials and porn sites on office computers during office hours. When the inquiry officials checked the search history of SVBC office computers, links to several pornographic websites were noticed.

The inquiry team, which has already seized the office computers, is in the process of compiling a preliminary report for submission to SVBC and TTD managements for action against the guilty.

In January actor-turned politician Prudhvi Raj resigned from the chairmanship of SVBC after an audio clip of his ‘intimate’ talks with a woman staffer of the channel went viral. Following Prudhvi Raj’s episode, the temple body revamped the SVBC board and appointed additional EO A V Dharma Reddy as the channel’s managing director.

The official statement said a team of 25 software engineers carried out computer security audit in SVBC and a cyber cell team has been constituted. “During inquiry it was found that a few more employees are also involved in such wilful, indecent conduct. If proved guilty, action will be initiated against them too,” the statement said.

Full report on www.toi.in

Beware of post-Covid pneumonia, say docs

NOV 12: WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY

Beware of post-Covid pneumonia, say docs

Kamini.Mathai@timesgroup.com

Chennai:

Around 15% of those who have recovered from a Covid-19 infection return to the hospital with pneumonia a couple of weeks later, say doctors.

“That’s why the convalescent period for Covid-19 is important and the patient needs to be monitored at home for weeks after the treatment,” says Dr K Rajkumar, pulmonologist, Fortis Malar Hospital. “If patients return with a secondary bacterial infection, recovery is difficult because the lung has already been weakened by the coronavirus. Mortality can go as high as 30% in those who have returned with pneumonia,” says Dr Rajkumar.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by viruses and bacteria. “Most viruses produce pneumonia that is confined to a small part of the lung, but if it extends to a larger part of the lung, then it can cause hypoxia, a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen,” says Dr Raj B Singh, pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals.

The first phase of Covid-19 is virus replication, explains Dr Singh. The second phase of the disease is the immune response. “We have found cortico steroids and anticoagulants (as the blood tends to clot easily at this time) to be effective in this phase.”

When the Covid-19 infection is not severe, people can recover fast, says Dr Singh, but two weeks later it can develop into a widespread systemic inflammation or pneumonia, one that can cause damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidney.

“This is dangerous and sometimes lethal,” he says.

Doctors say they are still unsure as to who is likely to get the post-Covid pneumonia. “People think it is the elderly, or those who are immunecompromised, but it is difficult to predict,” says Dr Rajkumar.

Doctors suggest that those who have recovered remain cautious and report even the mildest symptoms, which can include a low grade fever, cough with or without yellowish sputum, fatigue and tightness in the chest.

Dr Singh says it is best that those who have recovered from Covid 19 continue to monitor themselves for temperature and oxygen saturation. “Get enough rest and adequate fluids. Do not overexert and be ambitious about getting back to work. Try to exercise only when the strength returns, don’t force it. It can take one to two months for a full recovery.”

This is where timely intervention helps, says emergency medicine consultant Dr M Sai Surendar from the Rela Institute and Medical Centre. “We have found that people who seek medical help in the earlier stages of Covid-19 infection are likely to recover better. If they come in when the infection is at a severe level, they are likely to return with pneumonia a few weeks after discharge.”

Get enough rest and adequate fluids. Do not overexert and be ambitious about getting back to work. Try to exercise only when the strength returns, don’t force it

DR RAJ B SINGH

pulmonologist Apollo Hospitals

HC not happy with Marina closure; will pass orders, say judges

HC not happy with Marina closure; will pass orders, say judges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.11.2020

Irked at continued closure of Marina and other beaches for public, the Madras high court has warned the authorities concerned that it would order their opening if the government did not take a decision.

A division bench of Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice M S Ramesh made the observation on Wednesday when the the corporation authorities said beaches might not be opened for public till November-end.

Wondering why the Marina beach alone was still out of bounds for the public when everything else, including cinemas, have been opened, the judges said: “If Chennai Corporation does not take a decision, then we would have to pass direction to open the beach.”

The bench also expressed its disappointment over the submission made by additional advocate general S R Rajagopal that the beach might not be opened for public till the end of November.

The issue pertains to a plea for regularisation of vending on the beach, its proper maintenance and eviction of fish venders from the Loop Road.

When the plea came up for hearing on Wednesday, Rajagopal filed an additional report on behalf of the corporation and submitted that the corporation commissioner and the city police commissioner are frequently inspecting the beach and Loop Road, as per directions of the court.

As to the maintenance of the beach, the corporation is using 8 tractor-driven beach cleaning machines regularly from 6am to 2pm, the AAG said. As to the tender for procurement of 900 uniform smart carts to be distributed to licenced vendors in Marina, the AAG submitted that the tender was scheduled to be opened on November 10 at 3 pm but the same could not be proceeded in view of a stay issued by a single judge of the court. The stay has been ordered on a plea moved by one of the bidders, he added.

Recording the submissions, the bench directed the registry to tag the petition challenging the tender with the current PIL and adjourned the hearing to November 18.

Travelling to Mahabs? Pay toll at one more point now

Travelling to Mahabs? Pay toll at one more point now

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.11.2020

Get ready to pay toll fee at one more point while travelling to Chennai’s most prominent and preferred weekend getaway — Mammallapuram.

The state municipal administration department has allowed the local panchayat to levy tolls on all vehicles entering or crossing the tourist destination.

“Though local tenders were floated in the past to collect user fees from tourists at an informal checkpost setup at Mammallapuram entrance, there was no accountability, So, government has issued orders in October to regularise this income,” said a Mahabalipuram town panchayat official.

Accordingly, private cars, vans and buses will pay ₹75, ₹100 and ₹125 each. Also, this is the only toll in the Chennai region to demand fees (₹15) from twowheelers. On an average, 700 two-wheelers, cars and vans arrive at Mahabalipuram on weekdays and the number almost doubles during weekends or festival holidays.

Therefore, if a family decides to take out a car for spending their weekend at Mammallapuram, they will have to pay at least₹175 for crossing three toll plazas (IT corridor along OMR, ECR Uthandi toll plaza and the new one at Mammallapuram entrance) for one-way trip. Another ₹100 should be spent on tolls in case they are staying there for a day. Similar toll fee collection points have been set up at Mangadu and other tourist locations in and around Chennai.

More than the toll fee, it is the long queues at tolls plazas and traffic congestion are what irks a section of the public. “Even after paying toll, we don’t see any facilities available to make the commute better,” said S Nirmal, of Thoraipakkam. Leave aside restrooms or emergency services, Mammallapuram doesn’t even have a toll booth. It is just a bunch of men blocking vehicles in the middle of the road and demanding money, he added. “Only now Covid lockdown norms have been relaxed and tourists are coming back. Levying tolls will definitely affect tourism,” said Senthil Velan, a hotelier from Mammallapuram.

A temporary worker of the panchayat collects toll fee from a vehicle at the entry point to Mammallapuram

Fund crunch halts restoration of Chitlapakkam lake

Fund crunch halts restoration of Chitlapakkam lake

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.11.2020

The state government’s ₹25crore eco-restoration of the Chitlapakkam lake has been halted due to fund crunch. The public works department had proposed the project last year after residents began de-silting and restoring the lake on their own.

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had visited the lake and sanctioned the project. Work began in February but was stopped due to Covid. In June, the contractor started work again but then stopped it.

“We held a meeting last week and presented before the state government the developments. The government has sanctioned ₹2 crore now and we have given the cheque to the contractor. Work will begin after Diwali. By March next year, it will be complete,” said an official.

Under the project, the PWD plans to strengthen of the bund, desilt and deepen the tank, remove garbage, lay a footpath, build macro drains and stop sewage inflow among others. “We are on the right track. Earlier, instead of removing the legacy waste we had planned to cover it with grass. However, after residents protested, we decided to remove the garbage,” said an official.

Residents contented that desilting has yet to be completed and sewage inlets have not been plugged. They said work was had made little progress.

“The drain constructed has already cracked. They haven’t completed desilting and with the monsoon on, we are worried that water will not percolate. This may create water scarcity in the summer. Had they stopped sewage inflow and completed desilting and deepening of the lake, water would have filled it,” said Sunil Jayaram from Chitlapakkam Rising, the movement behind the restoration project. “Sembakkam lake is filled with sewage and not rainwater. We do not want the same in Chitlapakkam lake.”

An official said the PWD understood concerns of the residents. “But engineering work cannot be completed overnight. We have removed a portion of the legacy waste. And we need to fill that area with sand and debris. We are awaiting permission from the government to remove the remaining waste. We have explained all this to the residents,” the official said.

MTC MD held in ₹2cr job scam case

MTC MD held in ₹2cr job scam case

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.11.2020

Officials of the Central Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested K Ganesan, managing director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai, in an alleged ₹2-crore job fraud case involving former transport minister V Senthil Balaji. The officer was remanded in judicial custody till November 25.

According to a complaint filed in 2015, the then transport minister K Senthil Balaji and a few others had cheated 81 people of nearly ₹2 crore between 2014 and 2015 by promising them government jobs. The CCB started investigation in November last year after the Madras high court ordered a probe.

Ganesan arrested on charges of cheating, criminal intimidation

K Senthil Balaji, who was AIADMK minister, had joined the DMK and is currently the party’s Aravakurichi MLA.

After police searched 17 places in January, Senthil Balaji got an anticipatory bail in February. In September, police raided the houses of K Ganesan in Anna Nagar West, and houses belonging to Senthil Balaji in Mandaveli and a few others in Karur and Madurai.

K Ganesan, who was working in Coimbatore, was transferred to Chennai as deputy manager (commercial) and was later given additional charge as deputy manager (personnel).

Later, he was promoted as general manager and worked in Villupuram before he came back to Chennai as MD in 2019.

On Wednesday, he was arrested on charges of IPC sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 506  (i) (criminal intimidation).

Centre tightens rules for NGOs to get foreign funds

Centre tightens rules for NGOs to get foreign funds

Such Bodies Must Have Existed For At Least 3 Years: Govt

New Delhi:12.11.2020

The NGOs that intend to receive foreign funding will now face tougher rules with the Union home ministry making it clear that such organisations must have existed for at least three years and spent ₹15 lakh in voluntary activities to be eligible to receive money from abroad.

In a notification, the home ministry also said office bearers of the NGOs seeking registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act must submit a specific commitment letter from the donor indicating the amount of foreign contribution and the purpose for which it is proposed to be given.

The FCRA rules were issued about two months after the central government had amended the law under which providing Aadhaar numbers of the office bearers of the NGOs was made mandatory, office expenses were brought down to 20 percent of such amount and election candidates, government servants, members of any legislature and political parties were prohibited from accepting foreign funding.

“A person seeking registration under clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 12 of the Act shall meet the following conditions, namely:– (i) it shall be in existence for three years and have spent a minimum amount of rupees fifteen lakh on its core activities for the benefit of society during the last three financial years,” the notification said.

According to the rules, any NGO or person making an application for obtaining prior permission to receive foreign funds shall have an FCRA account.

The home ministry said “a person seeking prior permission for receipt of a specific amount from a specific donor for carrying out specific activities or projects shall meet certain criteria that include submission of a specific commitment letter from the donor indicating the amount of foreign contribution and the purpose for which it is proposed to be given”.

For the Indian recipient persons and foreign donor organisations having common members, prior permission shall be granted to the Indian person/entity if it satisfies the conditions that the chief functionary of the recipient shall not be a part of the donor organisation, and 75 percent of the office-bearers or members of the governing body of the recipient shall not be members or employees of the foreign donor organisation.

In case of foreign donor organisation being a single individual, that individual shall not be the chief functionary or office bearer of the recipient group and in case of a single foreign donor, 75 percent of the office bearers or members of the governing body of the recipient shall not be the family members or close relatives of the donor, the home ministry said. PTI

According to the new government rules, such organisations must have spent ₹15 lakh in voluntary activities to be eligible to receive money from abroad

CM surprises disabled woman in Tuticorin with job order in two hours

CM surprises disabled woman in Tuticorin with job order in two hours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Tuticorin:12.11.2020

Moved by the plight of a disabled young woman who was waiting in a wheelchair to see him outside the Tuticorin Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami stopped his car, spoke to her and got her a job in less than two hours.

The CM was in Tuticorin to attend a review meeting on Covid-19 and developmental works and inaugurate various projects. As he was leaving the hospital and heading to the collectorate for the review meeting, he noticed the disabled woman and stopped his convoy. The woman, Mareeswari, explained that her husband is a daily wager, now virtually jobless, and they had a five-year-old daughter. The CM instructed revenue department officials to bring her to the collectorate where after discussing with collector Sandeep Nanduri, he surprised the woman by handing over an appointment order.

According to the order, the woman, a Tamil MA holder, will be deployed at the ward for those getting treated under the chief minister’s comprehensive health insurance scheme on a monthly salary of ₹15,000 through an outsourced agency. The CM also handed over a cheque for ₹50 lakh and appointment order as teacher to Bhuvaneswari, widow of police constable Subramanian, 28, who was killed in action on August 18. The policeman was hot on pursuit of a history sheeter in the Vallanadu forest when the accused hurled a country bomb on his head, killing Subramanian instantly.

Earlier , EPS inaugurated a linear accelerator for cancer treatment at Tuticorin hospital.

HELPING HAND: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami interacts with Mareeswari

Families to hit the road to spend Diwali weekend

Families to hit the road to spend Diwali weekend

Pratiksha.Ramkumar@timesgroup.com

Coimbatore:12.11.2020

With Diwali falling on Saturday and most offices and schools declaring Friday off, many families in the city have decided to drive to nearby hill stations or resorts to make the best use of the long weekend. Pointing to the restrictions on bursting firecrackers and large social and family gatherings, they say there is no point in staying home to “celebrate the festival”.

Entrepreneur couple Amritha and Dinesh Kumar from Nav India are heading to a home stay at Top Slip with their two children and their siblings’ families to celebrate Diwali. They plan to spend the festival morning on a twohour trek. Amritha says, “Living in apartments, we don’t want to stay cooped up for this festive weekend too. We have decided to show our children a new place and a different experience, instead.”

Most of the families have chosen destinations that are less than six hours away and opted for a two to three-night stay. Popular destinations include Ooty and Coonoor in the Nilgiris, Kochi and Kumarakom in Kerala and Coorg and Kabini in Karnataka.

Anahita Mukherjee, who is travelling to Coorg with her husband for the weekend, says, “Earlier, Diwali was a happening occasion with gettogethers and marathon cards sessions. Now that they are not advisable, there is no point in staying back home.”

Meanwhile, for many homestays and hotels, the upcoming weekend would be the busiest one since the lockdown came into force in March. Ritesh Choudhary, general manager of Savoy - IHCL SeleQtions in Ooty, says, “We have hit 90% occupancy. Coimbatore is our second highest source of guests, after Bengaluru.”

Except for a room, Coco Lagoon at Pollachi is also full for the weekend.

This is despite many hotels charging up to 15% premium for the weekend after seeing the traction. Rooms at such hotels cost anywhere between 8,000 and 13,000, inclusive of taxes, a night. “We see more people wanting to travel now just to take a break in a safe place, giving safety a priority over all other considerations,” says Ritesh.

Pointing out they are seeing an exponential increase in people travelling with their pets for vacation, he says, “We are pet friendly with our pawcation initiative.”

There is also demand for small homestays with limited rooms but a lot of open space.

Ambereena, who manages Serendipity group of hotels, says, “At least two of our properties - 180 Mc Iver and Ambereena - are full with large families booking three to four rooms in a single property.”

Bikers go on a trip to make best use of the holiday season

Telangana guv urges students to stay well committed to all endeavours

Telangana guv urges students to stay well committed to all endeavours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.11.2020

Governor of Telangana Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan urged students to have more commitment in whatever they do in life and not give excuses. “When you are committed, you will do things even if you don’t like them,” the governor said.

She addressed students after virtually inaugurating the new ladies hostel blocks (Marie Curie Block and Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Block) and a vermicomposting unit at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, on Wednesday.

Dr Tamilisai said students should have confidence and courage in life and should not get depressed.

Chancellor of VIT Dr G Viswanathan, in his presidential address, said the government should provide free higher education to all, if not possible, at least for girls. Free higher education to girls will prevent child marriages and also increase the percentage of women in workforce. “Around 30 other countries offer free education and I want India too to provide it,” Viswanathan said.

Covid Diwali: More people want houses professionally cleaned

Covid Diwali: More people want houses professionally cleaned

Mamtha.A@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.11.2020

In the run up to Diwali, bookings from users for house cleaning services are up by 30%. Though, house cleaning is a regular practice before Diwali among Indians, service providers say hygiene conscious first-time users who want to safeguard their kids and elderly family members are driving the demand much higher this year. Besides, being holed up inside homes during the pandemic has added to the fatigue, making them seek outsourced services.

Thirty-eight-year-old Himanshu Sharma, a resident of Sowcarpet, has availed a full-house deep cleaning a week before Diwali. “It is an annual practice for us to clean and redecorate our home before Diwali. Unlike earlier times, we have opted for professional help for a fullhouse fumigation and deep clean after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic,” said Sharma.

Home Service startup Urban Company has seen overall bookings up by 30% at an all-time high of 1,15,000 bookings in October, as compared to 80,000 in September, 2020. The company has doubled its cleaning team staff to meet the demand.

Its director of marketing Pratik Mukherjee said, “Bookings have jumped 20% in Chennai for November, as compared to October. Bookings from new users have tripled in the past three months.” It expects bookings to touch 1,50,000 mark before mid-November.

Another home service provider Housejoy, which has operations in Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, saw demand for home cleaning service go up by 30-35% in the past two months. Housejoy CEO and founder Sanchit Gaurav said, “We only see this demand going upward in the coming months. There is around 40% overall increase in demand due to Diwali.” The company has plans to enter tier 2 cities such as Mysore, Pune and Vijayawada.

For 52-year-old Parimala Murugan, of Besant Nagar, deep cleaning was agonising that she signed up with a service provider. “We were worried about taking care of my father-in-law, who is in his mid-eighties, amid this pandemic. Festive offers have brought down the service charges by a lot.”

Service providers added that since the pandemic scare, there are more inquiries for full house cleaning, compared to kitchen/ living space cleaning earlier.

SAFE & SOUND FESTIVAL

10 EWS seats to ESI college caught in state-Centre row

10 EWS seats to ESI college caught in state-Centre row

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.11.2020

Addition of 25 MBBS seats at ESIC Medical College in KK Nagar, on a condition that 10 are supernumerary seats meant for economically weaker section (EWS) among forward castes, is now turning into a quota policy tussle between Tamil Nadu and the Centre.

ESIC College, affiliated to the Tamil Dr MGR Medical University, was established in 2011-12 with100 medical seats. In October this year, National Medical Commission increased the college intake from 100 to 125 because the administration agreed to the EWS quota.

As of now, the college will have 125 seats of which 19 have been surrendered for the All India Quota (AIQ) pool, which will be managed by the Centre’s director-general of health services. Another 25 seats are meant for the wards of ESI-contributing employees. While the DGHS will allot students for these 44 seats, it is Tamil Nadu’s responsibility to admit students for the 81 remaining seats through single window counselling.

However, the state selection committee in Tamil Nadu, which should admit students to the 81 state quota seats, says there will be no EWS category in its seat matrix as the state has no EWS policy.

Who, then, will allot 10 EWS seats? While DGHS will allot five seats, the remaining five have to be allotted through Tamil Nadu government’s single window scheme.

But state selection committee secretary Dr G Selvarajan said Tamil Nadu has a policy decision not to implement EWS quota. “We don’t have the category in the seat matrix. For the seats surrendered by the college, admission will be done based on merit in NEET and 69% rule of reservation,” he said.

ESIC dean Dr Sowmya Sampath refused to comment, but a senior official in the college said the administration had no role in seat allotments. “We have surrendered seats to respective agencies. Allotment has to be done by them,” the official said. Officials on the Medical Counseling Committee say they will not be able to allot more than 5 seats as it would be illegal to increase the EWS share in the respective quotas.

While seats were added on condition that 10 seats were allotted to economically weaker section (EWS) among forward castes, state authorities said they can’t comply as TN has no EWS policy