HC turns down PIL seeking judicial probe into Hathras gang rape case

Rajesh Kumar Pandey TNN

Prayagraj  05.12.2020

: The Allahabad high court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a judicial inquiry into the alleged gang rape of a 19-yearold dalit woman in Hathras, saying it did not want to multiply the litigation as another one in this regard was pending before its Lucknow bench.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Piyush Agrawal, was hearing the PIL filed by one Babita Upadhyay. The petitioner had also sought directions to the UP government and authorities concerned not to restrain the media or the public at large to meet the family members of the victim.

The court while declining to interfere in the present proceedings, said that a division bench at Lucknow had taken suo motu cognizance of the midnight cremation of the victim’s body. “We are not inclined to multiply the litigation in relation to the issue which is already under consideration,” it observed.

The petitioner had also sought a direction to the state government to formulate proper guidelines and provide adequate and uniform compensation to all the victims of gang rape and murder without any discrimination.

Full report on www.toi.in

The Allahabad high court said it does not want to multiply the litigation as another plea in the alleged Hathras gang rape case was pending before its Lucknow bench

TN ready for vaccination drive, govt tells PM Modi

TN ready for vaccination drive, govt tells PM Modi

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:05.12.2020

At the all-party meeting convened on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DMK urged the Centre to offer Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to all people. The ruling AIADMK said its government is fully geared up to carry out the vaccination process in the state.

“While developed countries are planning to offer 5-10 doses of the vaccine to their people, every Indian should get at least two doses,” DMK treasurer and Sriperumbudur MP T R Baalu said, while urging the Centre to offer the vaccine free of cost to all.

“With an average cost of ₹1,000 per vaccine approximately, the procurement cost of vaccine to cover 130 crore Indians and for two doses would work out to Rs 2.6 lakh crore. The government should not get enamoured by this huge cost,” Baalu said.

“It should be seen, as an investment on Indian human resources. The expense can be met by the Centre and states as well as public sector units and by tapping the CSR funds of the private sector,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in October that all Indians would be given free shots of Covid-19 vaccine.

On its part, the ruling AIADMK said it would offer the vaccine free of cost to all people in the state. “Our state government has already announced that it would provide Covid-19 vaccination free of cost to all the people in Tamil Nadu as and when it becomes available and aligning with the instructions of the Centre and as per the priority indicated,” AIADMK Lok Sabha MP P Ravindhranath said at the meeting. “We have constituted the state steering committee headed by the chief secretary and state task force headed by the health secretary. The steering committee and the task force held their meeting on Thursday, while the district and block-level meetings are in progress,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in October that all Indians would be given free shots of Covid-19 vaccine. On its part, the ruling AIADMK said it would offer the vaccine free of cost to all people in the state

It will be the rule of the Kazhagam in 2021: EPS

It will be the rule of the Kazhagam in 2021: EPS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:05.12.2020

The BJP is yet to formally confirm that electoral ties with the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu would continue for the forthcoming assembly election. But chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday not only indicated his party’s keenness to cement the pact for the 2021 assembly election as well but also asserted his party’s seniority in the alliance.

When reporters in Madurai asked the CM about BJP leaders’ recent statements claiming they would come to power in 2026, he said, “I declared with Amit Shah beside me that it would be the rule of the Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 2021, we do not know who will be there or what will happen in 2026.’’ As for Rajinikanth’s political plans, Palaniswami said he would prefer to wait for the actor to launch his party before offering any comments. “I will comment on actor Rajinikanth’s move to launch a political party after he registers it. Any comments about it made by the deputy chief minister are his own,’’ he told reporters in response to questions in Sivaganga.

The CM was briefing reporters after completing his review of the Covid-19 situation in the district. Asked about DMK leader A Raja’s challenge to debate with him on who was more corrupt, the CM said Raja was convicted and imprisoned for corruption, that too when DMK’s ally, the Congress, was in power at the Centre. “It did not happen when the BJP came to power, we will wait for the appeal in the 2G case,” he said.

It was a case of corruption in tenders wherein they were given to people of their choice without following any rule. But in Tamil Nadu now, all tenders are transparent and anyone can register their names online, he said, adding that DMK president M K Stalin was aware of these facts but still making false allegations.

The CM also said the recommendations to bring seven communities under the common name of Devendrakula Vellalar would be made to the central government. This was a long-pending demand of these seven communities. A committee was constituted to study the demand on March 4, 2019.

CM lays stone for Madurai drinking water project

Madurai: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,296crore project to bring drinking water through pipelines directly from Mullaperiyar dam to Madurai city. When completed by 2023, all 100 wards of the city corporation would have water supply 24x7, he said. TNN

Unease in AIADMK over BJP’s aloofness on alliance

Unease in AIADMK over BJP’s aloofness on alliance

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

With actor Rajinikanth announcing the launch of his party in January, a section in the ruling AIADMK appears jittery about BJP’s “reluctance” to formally cement poll ties with the Dravidian major for the 2021 assembly election. This, notwithstanding the assertion by the party leadership, chief minister and AIADMK joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy CM and party coordinator O Panneerselvam at a government event in Chennai recently that the party’s alliance with the BJP would continue for the 2021assembly poll.

“With Rajinikanth announcing a party, we suspect the game plan of the BJP is to ditch the AIADMK and in the process split the party to get a chunk of leaders to their side, and our allies,” said a senior leader, seeking anonymity. “They may go to any extent, even freezing the two leaves symbol if we do not fall in line,” said the leader. After a bitter power struggle in October, Panneerselvam had agreed to Palaniswami being made the chief ministerial candidate, and the CM agreed to the constitution of the steering committee.

The AIADMK, which is gearing up for its golden jubilee celebrations, is hoping to assert its ‘supremacy’ in the alliance, if it sustained. “Rajinikanth is not equivalent to MGR or Amma. His popularity should not be taken seriously. The BJP should not think otherwise,” said another senior AIADMK leader. But the actor’s entry into politics has dramatically altered the AIADMK-BJP dynamics.

BJP leaders in private say that the party was banking on the popularity of the AIADMK’s two leaves, but there was a possibility of “a change” in the event of the party dumping its ally and forging an alliance with actor Rajinikanth. On Thursday, the actor stated the time had come to change the fate of Tamil Nadu, change of politics and change of government.

“We may join hands with the actor. It all depends on how Rajini wants to keep the show going. A clarity will emerge soon,” said a senior BJP leader.

Meanwhile, former AIADMK MP K C Palanisamy, whose petition in the Delhi high court on two leaves symbol is coming up for hearing on December 18, said tough times were ahead for the ruling AIADMK in the coming weeks. The petition also challenged the amendment to party bylaws, creation of posts and doing away the post of general secretary.

CRACKS EMERGE: The AIADMK, which is gearing up for its golden jubilee celebrations, is hoping to assert its ‘supremacy’ in the alliance, if it sustained

Flights at Chennai airport can now use defence airspace, save time, fuel

Flights at Chennai airport can now use defence airspace, save time, fuel

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

Flying in and out of the city will now be hassle-free for pilots and help airlines save fuel and time as Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the defence ministry have set up a mechanism to use defence airspace for commercial flights.

Until now, at Chennai airport, part of the airspace was controlled by the Indian Air Force (IAF) station at Tambaram and INS Rajali in Arakkonam, where civilian aircraft were usually not allowed.

On Wednesday, as part of a national initiative under National High-Level Airspace Policy Body (NHLAPB) to promote flexi use of airspace; the AAI established at Chennai airport a Regional Airspace Management Cell (RAMC) comprising AAI and defence air traffic controllers.

It will be operational on a 12-hour basis on all working days except for public holidays, said an AAI official.

The quick coordination will result in dynamic flight planning for airline operators, reduced fuel consumption and operating cost, with consequent reduction in carbon footprint, he said. It will help the airport manage air congestion efficiently, with flights not requiring to take detours to avoid defence airspace.

AAI had planned to implement flexi use of airspace on a dozen domestic routes to help reduce travelling distance ranging from five nautical miles to 98 nautical miles. Similarly, the travelling time for passengers will also come down by up to 15 minutes, said the official.

A National Airspace Management Cell (NAMC) was set up in Delhi some time ago with a plan to have many RAMCs. The cell in Chennai is the second regional cell after the NAMC and RAMC in Delhi.

It was inaugurated by R Madhavan, regional executive director, southern region, AAI, in the presence of senior officials from AAI, IAF and other civil and military agencies.

Anna varsity to conduct arrear exams after direction from HC

Anna varsity to conduct arrear exams after direction from HC

Opens Portal For Students To Register

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

Following a Madras high court direction, Anna University has decided to conduct arrear exams with semester exams for its students. It also opened its web portal for students to register for arrear exams.

After hearing a batch of petitions challenging the government order cancelling arrears exams, the Madras high court restrained universities from declaring all pass without conducting the tests.

While most universities implemented the GO, Anna University, which had not taken any decision, will hold arrear exams in online mode. “The registration of students in the current semester has already been completed. Similarly, the registration for the arrear courses is to be carried out by colleges for November/December examinations. The web portal is open and colleges are requested to complete the registration on or before December 10," a circular from controller of examinations said.

The university plans to conduct a 60-minute proctored online test for all students for upcoming semester exams following the government’s nod.

Across the state, there are more than 5 lakh students with arrears ranging from one paper to 66 papers including 30,000 students at the university’s four campuses including College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) and Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), Chromepet.

It was estimated that an additional two lakh students would have graduated from Anna University this year had the GO been implemented.

Some principals have asked the university to give an extra opportunity for students to clear arrears. “Barring those in the final year, all students have been promoted, with the former having appeared for the exams in September for the April/ May semester. However, students with arrears are getting only one chance this year. The university should give them an additional chance,” said B Chidambararajan, principal of SRM Valliammai Engineering College.

“As per the court order, all state universities should conduct arrear exams for students and declare results. Other state universities also should conduct arrear exams without any delay,” Anna University former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy said.

Vaikunta Ekadasi: Strict measures in place at Srirangam temple

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:05.12.2020

The Trichy district administration has suggested the Srirangam Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy Temple administration opt for token system and online booking to allow darshan for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival scheduled from December 14. With Covid-19 still active in the region, restrictions such as physical distancing and promoting edarshan through live streaming were suggested.

District collector S Sivarasu, on Thursday, conducted a review meeting involving all the stakeholders. The temple management was instructed to print passes in different colours, each allowing darshan for a one-hour time slot. The pass system is intended to minimise the footfall of devotees. Devotees will not be allowed inside the temple after 8pm.

Directions to apply online for reserving passes will be publicised by the temple management a week before the festival. Senior citizens aged above 65 years and those with comorbidities will not be allowed. The temple management has been instructed to facilitate shelters with seating arrangements outside the temple for devotees waiting for their turns. “People without face masks will not be allowed inside the temple and screening and hand sanitisation are must at the entrance. Floors and temple corridors will be frequently sanitised,” an official said.

HR&CE officials said, this year the 22 day-long annual festival will conclude on January 4, 2021, with Nammalvar Motcham. The most auspicious event involving the opening of Paramapathavasal gates will be held in the early hours of December 25.

Burevi dissipates, but Chennai may get more rain today

RAIN SURPLUS

Burevi dissipates, but Chennai may get more rain today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:05.12.2020

The city and its suburbs which have an excess of 37% rainfall so far this northeast monsoon season are likely to get more showers on Saturday from the rain bands of the system near Ramanathapuram.

On Friday evening, the system had weakened into a depression. Weathermen said the convective cloud bands scattered over the state after Cyclone Burevi weakened will bring rainfall to northern and western districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

For the next 48 hours, the scattered cloud bands from the system are likely to bring thunderstorms with moderate rain and occasional heavy spells with generally overcast weather over the city and suburbs.

On Friday evening, Cyclone Burevi which had weakened into a deep depression further weakened into a depression at 5.30pm while staying at around 40km southwest of Ramanathapuram the whole of Friday. IMD officials said the system is likely to further weaken and move to south Kerala by Saturday evening. But the cloud bands from the storm, which moved over central and northern parts of the state due to land friction, bringing heavy spells on Thursday will continue to bring rain on Saturday too.

N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD said the system had remained stationary near Ramanathapuram district for many hours as it had weakened and did not have strong winds around it required to move it. Further, two anticyclones nearby also stalled the weather system. Anticyclones have winds circling in the counterclockwise direction (winds of a cyclone circle clockwise) around a high atmospheric pressure region can leave opposing winds stopping the system from moving further.

Weather blogger Pradeep John said, “After Saturday, the city may still get some spells due to easterlies till December

6. From December 8 to17, there may be a break from monsoon spells.”

PM: 1st vaccine doses may be available in a matter of weeks

PM: 1st vaccine doses may be available in a matter of weeks

Urges Oppn To Help Dispel Rumours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:05.12.2020

Going by expert opinion, India will not have to wait for a vaccine against Covid-19 for long and the first shots could be available in a matter of weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an allparty meeting called on Friday to discuss the pandemic situation.

The PM said the pricing of the vaccine would be finalised keeping public health interests in mind and after deliberations with state governments. He urged political leaders attending the meeting to dispel rumours about the vaccine and said unfounded claims would hurt the fight against the virus. His reference seemed to be the recent controversy over an adverse event during a vaccine trial and concerns over “vaccine hesitancy” in the wider public.

“Rollout of the vaccine will begin as soon as scientists wave the green flag,” Modi said.

Govt may classify severity of ailments

The government is considering a separate classification to assess the severity of co-morbid conditions for people below 50 to qualify for the priority inoculation list. People with a mild kidney ailment or moderately high BP may not be considered in the first phase.

Cong, Sena demand free shots for people

While Congress and Shiv Sena demanded that the vaccine be provided free to large sections of people, the point of view of the former was articulated outside the all-party meet by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who wasn’t able to speak during the deliberations.

Eight vaccines currently being developed in India, says PM

He added that there were eight vaccines being developed that would be manufactured in India and referred to three home-grown initiatives. He expressed confidence that progress on the vaccine front had strengthened India’s fight against the disease but emphasised that given the resurgence of Covid-19 in parts of the world, the need to use masks and observe hygiene would remain.

He broadly confirmed reports on India’s prioritisation plan for the vaccine, saying health and frontline workers and elderly people who are vulnerable to the virus would receive the shots first. He said India’s policies were shaped by scientific and expert advice and this had yielded good results in terms of disease control, treatment and lower mortalities. This will continue to be the case, he added.

Modi said the Centre and state teams were working in close coordination on vaccine strategy. “India has vaccine distribution expertise and capacity. We are far better than several other countries in this regard. We have a vast and experienced vaccination network and the country will capitalise on these advantages,” he added.

The PM said some additional cold chain equipment and other logistics would be required, which would be evaluated with the help of state governments.

NEET 2020: Supreme Court Directs NTA To Consider Requests Of Candidates To Furnish Original OMR Sheets

NEET 2020: Supreme Court Directs NTA To Consider Requests Of Candidates To Furnish Original OMR Sheets 

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

3 Dec 2020 8:33 PM 

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, while refusing to entertain a writ petition filed by some aspirants for admission for undergraduate medical courses seeking quashing of the NEET 2020 results, directed the National Testing Agency to consider representation preferred by them for furnishing the original OMR sheets. 

Nineteen candidates had approached the Court by filing a writ petition under Article 32 contending that the OMR sheets uploaded by the NTA do not tally with the actual answers given by them. 

They prayed for issuance of several directions including appointment of a High-Powered Committee to examine the complaint regarding the tampering of the OMR sheets. They also challenged the prescribed procedure for challenging the answer key and OMR sheets and for quashing the NEET results. They contended that the errors and absurdities render the NEET examination unequal discriminatory and arbitrary and hence violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. 

"More than 15 lakh students have taken the undergraduate examination for the academic year 2020-2021 and even the second round of counselling has been completed. The grievances of individual students cannot be addressed by us in a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.", the bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi said. 

Any further grievance of the petitioners relating to the procedure prescribed for challenging the answer key and the OMR sheets can be raised by filing a Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the bench added. 

Case: MUSKAN SABHARWAL vs. NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY

Coram: Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi

Counsel: Sr. Adv Sidharth Luthra ,Sr.Adv. Gopal Shankar Narayanan, Tanwi Dubey, AOR Manju Jetley

NEET 2020: Supreme Court Directs NTA To Consider Requests Of Candidates To Furnish Original OMR Sheets

NEET 2020: Supreme Court Directs NTA To Consider Requests Of Candidates To Furnish Original OMR Sheets: The Supreme Court, on Thursday, while refusing to entertain a writ petition filed by some aspirants for admission for undergraduate medical courses seeking quashing of the NEET 2020 results,...

Bar Council Of India Misusing Its Dominant Position: Plea in CCI Against Maximum Age Limit For LLB Course

Bar Council Of India Misusing Its Dominant Position: Plea in CCI Against Maximum Age Limit For LLB Course 

Akshita Saxena

3 Dec 2020 9:38 PM 

"The Bar Council of India, misusing its dominant position in controlling the legal education in India, through Clause No. 28 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008 is creating indirect entry barriers to the new entrants into the profession of legal service by imposing maximum age restrictions to enter into the legal education," a complaint filed before the Competition Commission of India alleges. 

The complaint has been filed before the Vijayawada Bench of the Commission, by a 52-yr-old resident of Andhra Pradesh, Thupili Raveendra Babu, keen on pursuing legal education. 

The complainant has alleged that the upper age limit of 30 years for general candidates to pursue legal education stipulated under Clause 28 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008, prescribed by the BCI amounts to an "abuse of the dominant position" by Council in contravention to the Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. 

It is submitted that by indulging in such "colourable exercise of power", the BCI deprives thousands of aspirants who dream of pursuing legal education in India, and reduces the competition to its electors. 

It is therefore urged to immediately declare the impugned provision, i.e. Clause No. 28 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008 of the BCI as "illegal and void ab initio" and to levy maximum possible penalty on the BCI for the "wilful violation" of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. 

As an interim relief, the Complainant has urged the Commission to suspend the operation of this provision until the matter attains finality. 

In his complaint, Thupili disclosed that he was working as an Executive Engineer in CPWD under the Central Ministry of Urban Development. He stated that in order to pursue his childhood dream of pursuing law, he opted for voluntary retirement. Subsequently, he appeared for the three-year LLB entrance exam in Andhra Pradesh and emerged as the state first rank holder, only to discover about the 'entry barrier' as discussed above. 

He submitted that he could not pursue legal education earlier because of financial constraints and now, he was being deprived of this dream because of the indirect entry barrier created by the Bar Council. 

He submitted, 

"The Bar Council of India which is an elected body of the advocates in India is also regulating the legal practice as well as the legal education in India. It is enjoying the dominant position in controlling the legal education as well as the legal practice in India. 

The Bar Council of India, misusing its dominant position in controlling the legal education in India. through Clause No. 28 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008 is creating indirect entry barriers to the new entrants into the profession of legal service by imposing maximum age restrictions to enter into the legal education. 

These Rules were first notified in March, 2009. This action of the Bar Council of India is in violation of the Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 of India." 

History 

In 2016, the Bar Council of India issued a circular by which Clause 28 in Schedule III of Rule 11 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008 (that was earlier withdrawn in 2013), was introduced for providing a maximum age limit of as low as 20 years for taking admission in the integrated bachelor of law degree programme. 

The decision was challenged by two law aspirants in the year 2017, following which the Council increased the age limit from 20 to 22 years for 5-year law course and from 30 to 45 years for 3-year graduate course, as an interim measure. 

It was stated therein that the interim measure was only for the academic year of 2017, and that the future course of action shall be decided by the Legal Education Committee, in consultation with all stakeholders. 

Presently, the upper limit of admission to a 3-year LLB course is 30 years and to the 5-year course is 20 years. 

This position was recently challenged before the Supreme Court by a 77-year old woman desirous of pursuing a law degree.

Bar Council Of India Misusing Its Dominant Position: Plea in CCI Against Maximum Age Limit For LLB Course

Bar Council Of India Misusing Its Dominant Position: Plea in CCI Against Maximum Age Limit For LLB Course: ' The Bar Council of India, misusing its dominant positionin controlling the legal education i

10ம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண் சான்றிதழில் பெற்றோர் பெயர் பிரச்னை

10ம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண் சான்றிதழில் பெற்றோர் பெயர் பிரச்னை

Added : டிச 04, 2020 01:20

மதுரை:தமிழகத்தில் பத்தாம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண் சான்றிதழில் மாணவர்களின் பெற்றோர் பெயர் பிரச்னையால் குழப்பம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

தேர்வுத்துறை சார்பில் இந்தாண்டு வழங்கப்பட்ட பத்தாம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண் சான்றிதழில் புதிய முயற்சியாக மாணவர்களின் பெற்றோர் அல்லது பாதுகாவலர் பெயர் தமிழ் மற்றும் ஆங்கிலத்தில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ளன. இதில் எழுத்துப் பிழைகள் மற்றும் பிற ஆவணங்களில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ள பெயரில் இருந்து எழுத்துக்கள் மாறி உள்ளதால் குழப்பம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

பெற்றோர் கூறியதாவது:மதிப்பெண் சான்றிதழில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ள பெயரும், ரேஷன் கார்டு, ஆதார் எண், பான் கார்டு போன்ற பிற ஆவணங்களில் இடம் பெற்ற பெயரும் ஒரே மாதிரியாக இல்லை. பலருக்கு 'வீட்டில் அழைக்கப்படும்' பெயர் சான்றிதழில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ளன. இந்த எழுத்து பிழைகள் தேவையில்லாத குழப்பத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது. எவ்வாறு திருத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும் என தெரியவில்லை. வரும் ஆண்டுகளில் இதை தவிர்க்க வேண்டும் என்றனர்.

ரஜினி அரசியல் பாதை...

ரஜினி அரசியல் பாதை...

Added : டிச 03, 2020 23:09

* 1995: முத்து படத்தில், 'நான் எப்ப வருவேன்; எப்படி வருவேன்னு யாருக்கும் தெரியாது. ஆனா, வர வேண்டிய நேரத்தில் வருவேன்' என, பஞ்ச் டயலாக் பேசி, முதன்முதலாக தன் அரசியல் ஆசையை வெளிப்படுத்தினார் ரஜினி.

* 2017 மே: சென்னையில், ரசிகர் மன்ற நிர்வாகிகளை சந்தித்தார்.

* டிச., 31: அரசியலுக்கு வருவது உறுதி. தனிக்கட்சி துவங்கி, 234 தொகுதிகளிலும் போட்டி என அறிவிப்பு.

* 2019: லோக்சபா தேர்தலின் போது, 'சொன்னதை செய்வேன். எங்களின் இலக்கு சட்டசபை தேர்தல் தான்' என்றார்.

* 2020 மார்ச், 5: மாவட்ட செயலர்களுடன் நடத்திய கூட்டத்துக்கு பின் பேசிய இவர், 'என் முடிவை எவ்வளவு சீக்கிரம் முடியுமோ, அவ்வளவு சீக்கிரம் அறிவிப்பேன்' என்றார்.

* மார்ச், 12: 'கட்சிக்கு ஒரு தலைமை; ஆட்சிக்கு ஒரு தலைமை' என்ற முடிவில் இருப்பதாக தெரிவித்தார்.

* அக்., 29: தன் உடல்நிலை குறித்து வெளியானதகவலுக்கு பதிலளித்த ரஜினி, அது, என்னுடைய அறிக்கை அல்ல; ஆனால், அதிலுள்ள தகவல் உண்மை என்றார்.

* நவ., 30: மாவட்ட செயலர்களுடன் ஆலோசனை.

* டிச., 3: ஜனவரியில் கட்சி துவங்குவதாகவும், டிச., 31ல் தேதி அறிவிப்பதாகவும் தெரிவித்தார்.

பா.ஜ.,வில் இருந்து அர்ஜுன மூர்த்தி விடுவிப்பு!

நடிகர் ரஜினி துவக்க உள்ள கட்சியின், தலைமை ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள அர்ஜுன மூர்த்தி, பா.ஜ., பொறுப்புகளில் இருந்து விடுவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.தமிழக பா.ஜ., அறிவுசார் பிரிவின் மாநில தலைவராக இருந்தவர், அர்ஜுன மூர்த்தி. தற்போது, ரஜினி துவங்க உள்ள கட்சியின், தலைமை ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

பா.ஜ.,வில் இருந்து விலகுவதாக, கட்சி தலைமைக்கு கடிதம் கொடுத்திருந்தார்.அதை, பா.ஜ., தலைமை ஏற்றது. 'கட்சியின் அனைத்து பொறுப்புகளில் இருந்தும், அடிப்படை உறுப்பினர் பதவியில் இருந்தும், அவர் நிரந்தரமாக விடுவிக்கப்படுகிறார். கட்சி நிர்வாகிகள் மற்றும் தொண்டர்கள், அவரிடம் எவ்வித தொடர்பும் வைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டாம்' என, பா.ஜ., பொதுச்செயலர் கரு.நாகராஜன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

கவுன்சிலிங்கிற்கு வராதோருக்கு வாய்ப்பு

கவுன்சிலிங்கிற்கு வராதோருக்கு வாய்ப்பு

Added : டிச 03, 2020 23:18

சென்னை:''புரெவி புயலால், மருத்துவ படிப்பு கவுன்சிலிங்கில் பங்கேற்க முடியாத மாணவர்கள், அடுத்த நாள் சேர்க்கையின் போது பங்கேற்கலாம்,'' என, மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை செயலர் செல்வராஜன் கூறினார்.

தமிழகத்தில், எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., - பி.டிஎஸ்., படிப்பிற்கான மாணவர் சேர்க்கை, சென்னை, நேரு உள் விளையாட்டரங்கில் நடந்து வருகிறது. பொது பிரிவினருக்கான சேர்க்கைக்கு, நேற்று, 450 மாணவர்கள் அழைக்கப்பட்டதில், 436 பேர் பங்கேற்றனர். அவர்களில், 363 பேர், அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளிலும், 51 பேர் சுய நிதி கல்லுாரிகளிலும், எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., இடங்களை பெற்றனர்.அரசு பல் மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியில், நான்கு பேர் பி.டி.எஸ்., இடங்களை பெற்றனர்.

நேற்றைய கவுன்சிலிங்கில் மொத்தம், 418 இடங்கள் நிரம்பின.தற்போது, அரசு கல்லுாரிகளில், 859 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., - 146 பி.டி.எஸ்., இடங்கள்; சுய நிதி கல்லுாரிகளில், 945 எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., - 985 பி.டி.எஸ்., இடங்கள் உள்ளன. இந்நிலையில், 'புரெவி' புயல் பாதிப்பு உள்ள மாவட்டங்களை சேர்ந்த மாணவர்கள், சென்னைக்கு வந்து கவுன்சிலிங்கில் பங்கேற்பதில் பல்வேறு சிரமங்கள் உள்ளன.

இதுகுறித்து, மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கை செயலர் செல்வராஜன் கூறுகையில், ''கவுன்சிலிங்கில் குறிப்பிட்ட நேரத்தில் பங்கேற்க முடியாத மாணவர்கள், உரிய காரணங்களுடன், அடுத்த நாள் சேர்க்கையில் பங்கேற்கலாம். அதற்கான வாய்ப்பு மாணவர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும்,'' என்றார்.

நலம் நலமறிய ஆவல்: டிச.7 தேசிய கடிதம் எழுதல் தினம்

நலம் நலமறிய ஆவல்: டிச.7 தேசிய கடிதம் எழுதல் தினம்

Added : டிச 03, 2020 23:48

கடிதம். எத்தனை மனிதர்களை உணர்வுபூர்வமாக கட்டிப்போட்ட சொல் இது. கடிதத்தை மட்டுமல்ல கடிதத்தை கொண்டு வரும் தபால்காரரையும் கொண்டாடிய சமூகம் நம்முடையது. ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் டிசம்பர் 7 தேசிய கடிதம் எழுதும் தினமாக கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. ஆஸ்திரேலியாவைச் சேர்ந்த புகழ் பெற்ற புகைப்படக் கலைஞர் ரிச்சர்டு சிம்ப்கின் என்பவர் கையால் கடிதம் எழுதுவதை விரும்பி காதலித்தார். அவர் மூலம் தான் கடித தினம் உலகிற்கு அறிமுகப்படுத்தப் பட்டது.பழங்காலத்தில் பனை ஓலைகளில் எழுதி பின்பு காகிதத்துக்கு மாறிப்போனோம். தற்போது காகிதத்துக்கும் தேவையின்றி மின்னணு பரிமாற்றங்களிலேயே பெரும்பாலான தகவல்கள் கடத்தப்படுகிறது.

தனிக்கலை

கடிதம். எழுதுவதென்பது தனிக்கலை. கடிதம் எழுதுகையில் ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் ஒரு எழுத்தாளரான மிடுக்கு வரும். நலம் நலமறிய ஆவல் என்ற ஒரு வாக்கியம் சம்பிரதாயமாக இருந்தாலும் அது ஏற்படுத்திய நலம் சார்ந்த விருப்பம் சிறப்பானதாகவே இருந்திருக்கிறது.இன்றைய தகவல்தொழில் நுட்பத்தின் அசுர வளர்ச்சியில் நினைத்த மாத்திரத்தில் தகவல்களை பகிர்ந்து கொள்கிறோம். இந்த நலம் குறித்த விசாரிப்புகள் கடிதம் வழி ஏற்படுத்திய தாக்கம் என்பது அதிகம். மின்னஞ்சல், முகநுால், போன்ற எண்ணற்ற வசதிகள் வந்த பின்னும், கால் நுாற்றாண்டு முன்பு வரை இந்த உலகம் அறிந்த தகவல் பரிமாற்ற வழி கடிதம் மட்டுமே.

இன்றைய தேதியில் நமக்கு கடிதம் வந்திருக்கிறது என்றால் நம் புருவங்கள் உயரக்கூடும். அப்படி ஒருவர் நமக்காக கடிதம் எழுதும் பட்சத்தில் அது ஒரு பொக்கிஷமான பரிசாக கொண்டாடப்பட வேண்டும்.ஒவ்வொரு காகிதமும் சிவப்பு வண்ண பெட்டியின் கர்ப்பத்தில் சுவாசித்து, தபால்காரரிடம் தொப்புள் கொடி அறுபட்டு, காணக் கிழிப்பவரின் உதட்டோர புன்னகையில் உயிர் பெறுகிறது கடிதமாய். நலம் விளம்பி, நலமறிய அவா கிளப்பி, கசிந்துருக்கி, கண்ணீர் பெருக்கி, காதல் போர்த்தி, வாழ்த்து ஏந்தி, வருகை பதிந்து, சமயத்தில் வன்மம் தோய்ந்து, நிச்சயம் தெரிவித்து, நிர்கதிநிலை அறிவித்து என எத்தனை அவதாரம் எடுத்து நம்மையெல்லாம் நெகிழ்ச்சிபடுத்தியுள்ளன கடிதங்கள்! கைப்பக்குவம் கணக்காய் கடித பக்குவமும் வாய்த்திருந்தது பலருக்கு.

எத்தனை வசதிகள்

கடிதத்தில் தான் எத்தனை வசதிகள். உச்சி முகரலாம். நெஞ்சோடு அணைக்கலாம் இதழ் பதிக்கலாம், வர்ணனை ரசிக்கலாம், கையெழுத்தைப் பார்த்து மனம் குளிரலாம், எழுதியவரின் வாசனை முகரலாம்.கோபம் வரின் கையோடு கடிதத்தை கசக்கலாம். இன்றைய குறுந்தகவல்களின் பரிமாற்றம் எல்லாம் எழுத முனைந்த மெனக்கெடலுக்கு முன் ஈடாகவே ஆகாது. காலாவதியான மாத்திரைகளை விசிறி எறிவதாய் கடிதத்தையும் வழியனுப்பிவிட்டது காலம். நமக்கு வந்த கடிதத்தை படிப்பது என்றாலே மூளைக்குள் ஒரு கிறுகிறுப்பு தோன்றும். நம் உள்ளுணர்வை உயிர்ப்பித்து மாய நதிகளை மனதுக்குள் கிளைபரப்பி பாய விட்ட அற்புத தருணங்களை நமக்கு வசமாக்கித் தந்திருக்கிறது கடிதங்கள். ஒரு காலத்தில் ஒவ்வொரு இல்லத்திலும் வளைக்கப்பட்ட 'Z' வடிவ கோர்வைகளில் கடிதங்கள் எல்லாம் தொங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கும். அன்புள்ள மகளுக்கு அம்மா ஆசிர்வாதத்துடன் எழுதுவது என்ற துவக்க வரிகள் எத்தனை முறை கண்களில் ஆனந்தக்கண்ணீரை வரவழைத்துள்ளது. பாராட்டுக் கடிதங்கள், நட்புக் கடிதங்கள், காதல் கடிதங்கள், அலுவலகக் கடிதங்கள், பரிந்துரைக் கடிதங்கள், அரசியல் கடிதங்கள், உணர்ச்சிக் கடிதங்கள், வேண்டுகோள் கடிதங்கள், இலக்கியக் கடிதங்கள், வணிகக் கடிதங்கள் என எத்தனை வகைப்பாடுகளில் கருத்துக்களை சுமந்து பயணித்திருக்கிறது.

சித்திரங்கள் வழியே

சித்திரங்கள் வழி கடிதங்கள் வரைவது ஒரு மேம்பட்ட கலை. பறவை, விளக்கு, நினைவுச்சின்னம், விலங்குகள் போன்றவற்றை வரைந்து அதன் உள்ளே வரிகளை அழகாக நேர்த்தியுடன் வடிவமைத்து எழுதுவதே சித்திரகடிதங்கள். அவற்றை படிப்பதோடு கண்டு ரசிக்கவும் செய்யலாம். பார்த்தவுடன் மனதை கொள்ளை கொள்ளும் இந்த சித்திரக்கடிதங்கள் எழுதுவோரை தற்போது விரல்விட்டு எண்ணிவிடலாம்.. புகார், வாழ்த்து, கோரிக்கை என கருப்பொருளை வரைந்து எழுத்துகளால் கடிதம் எழுதி கவனம் ஈர்ப்போரும் உண்டு பல தலைவர்கள் வெவ்வேறு காலகட்டங்களில் எழுதிய கடிதங்கள் இன்று வரலாறு. நேரு சிறைவாசத்தின் போது மகள் இந்திரா பிரியதர்ஷினிக்கு எழுதிய கடிதங்கள் புகழ் பெற்றவை. பாரதியின் கடிதங்களில் மொழிப்பற்றும் புரட்சிகர சிந்தனைகளும் காணக்கிடைக்கின்றன. மு.வ.,அன்னைக்கு, தம்பிக்கு, தங்கைக்கு, நண்பர்க்கு எனும் தலைப்பில் எழுதிய அனைத்தும் கடித இலக்கியம்.

புரட்சிக்கு காரணம்

வரலாற்றில் முக்கிய நிகழ்வுகளுக்கும் சில புரட்சிகளுக்கும் காரணமாக சில கடிதங்கள் இருந்திருக்கின்றன. 1939 ஆகஸ்ட் 2ல் அமெரிக்க ஜனாதிபதி பிராங்க்ளின் ரூஸ்வெல்ட்டிற்கு ஐன்ஸ்டீன் அனுப்பிய கடிதத்தில் ஜெர்மனியின் நாசி படையினர் அணு ஆயுதங்களை போரில் உபயோகிக்க போகின்றனர். ஓர் சிறிய படகில் ஏற்றி வந்து நமது துறைமுகத்தில் வெடிக்க செய்தால் கூட ஒட்டுமொத்த துறைமுகமும் சின்னாபின்னமாகிவிடும். எனவே, நீங்கள் முந்திக்கொண்டு செயல்பட வேண்டியது அவசியம் என்று குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தார். இந்த கடிதத்தின் மூலமாக அமெரிக்கா நாசி படையினருக்கு முன்பே அணுகுண்டுகளை கையாள முனைந்தது.1960ல் கிரேஸ் டேபெல் எனும் 11 வயது சிறுமி அமெரிக்க ஜனாதி பதியான ஆபிரகாம் லிங்கனுக்கு கடிதம் எழுதினாள். அதில் 'பெண்களுக்கு தாடி வைத்திருப்பவர்களை பிடிக்கும். உங்கள் முகம் தாடி இருப்பதால் தான் நன்றாக இருக்கிறது.

இதனாலேயே பெண்கள் அவர்கள் கணவர்களையும் உங்களுக்கு ஓட்டு போட கட்டாயப்படுத்தினர். இதனால் தான் உங்களால் ஜனாதிபதியாக முடிந்தது' என்று குறும்பாக எழுதியிருந்தார். இதன் காரணமாக நிரந்தரமாக தாடி வைத்துக் கொண்டார் லிங்கன்.இந்திய விடுதலைக்காக காந்தி எழுதிய கடிதம், மூன்றாம் கிங் ஹென்றியின் புரட்சிகரமான காதல் கடிதம், முதலாம் உலகப்போரில் அமெரிக்காவை இணைத்த கடிதம் என காலத்தால் அழிக்க முடியாத நினைவுச் சின்னமாக கடிதங்கள் திகழ்கிறது. நீங்களும் உங்கள் இணைக்கோ, உடன்பிறப்புக்கோ, உறவுகளுக்கோ, நண்பர்களுக்கோ ஒருமுறை கடிதம் எழுதித்தான் பாருங்களேன்.-பவித்ரா நந்தகுமார், எழுத்தாளர் ஆரணி. 94430 06882

Court on custodial death: Dead person equally entitled to justice

Court on custodial death: Dead person equally entitled to justice

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:  04.12.2020

The legitimacy of the state suffers a big dent in cases of custodial deaths, and it can be set right only by ensuring transparent investigation, the Madras high court has said. Transferring investigation into the alleged custodial torture case of a man to the CB-CID, the court issued directions to follow during postmortem.

“The foundations of any democratic government rest on popular acceptance. Though the state primarily functions through its coercive apparatus, its actions must be perceived as proper by the people. What the government does must inspire the confidence of the people,” Justice G R Swaminathan observed.

“Every time a custodial death occurs, the legitimacy of the state suffers a big dent. A dead person is equally entitled to justice,” observed the judge. The judge said whenever someone suffers an unnatural death, the circumstances that led to it will have to be unearthed, else, there would be no closure.

The court was hearing a petition filed by K Santhosh, who stated that the Saptur police had taken his younger brother Ramesh in custody in September. Later, Ramesh was found hanging in a tree in a hillock near his house.

The judge said the judicial magistrate conducting the inquiry shall ensure that the family of the deceased are given access to see the bodyand are also allowed to take video and photos before postmortem begins. The autopsy shall be carried out by a team of two doctors with a master’s degree in forensic medicine and attached to a medical college hospital in TN. The whole body shall be X-rayed and the entire autopsy should be videographed.

414 students gain MBBS admission

414 students gain MBBS admission

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 04.12.2020

The selection committee in TN allotted MBBS seats to 414 students and BDS seats to four students during the single window counselling on Thursday.

The committee had invited candidates who had NEET scores between 574 and 562 marks. When the counselling began at 9am, the committee displayed 1,222 MBBS seats in government colleges and 996 seats in self-financing colleges.

Of these, 363 students were allotted seats in government medical colleges and 51 in self-financing colleges. Four were admitted to government dental college.

At the end of the day there were 859 MBBS seats in government medical colleges and 945 seats in self-financing colleges. On Friday, counselling will be held for students who have NEET scores between 574 and 562. Visit https://tnhealth.tn.gov.in/for details.

Med colleges in TN gear up for reopening on Monday

Med colleges in TN gear up for reopening on Monday

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.12.2020

Eight months since they shut doors, government medical colleges across Tamil Nadu will reopen to students on Monday.

The directorate of medical education has asked college administrations to ask students from second to final year to report to campus with RT-PCR negative report. “Arrangements have been made to test students who have symptoms of the viral infection or those who come without the test reports,” said director of medical education Dr Narayanababu R.

All colleges have set up teams to receive students on campus and at hostels. Students will not be allowed to leave hostels to ensure that they don’t risk catching the infection. “We are asking students to wear masks and maintain social distance at all times. We have ensured facilities for hand wash and sensitisation,” Kilpauk Medical College hospital dean Dr P Vasanthamani said. “With our experience, we know that most students will be asymptomatic even if they have the infection. Their recovery rate is high too.”

Earlier, the National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex body that monitors medical education, issued an advisory to chief secretaries of states advising the reopening of medical colleges from December 1. The guidelines for reopening were also issued. “We have given adequate time for students to prepare themselves for the return. Life on campus will be different, but we will ensure they are safe when learning, including when practical sessions commence,” said Stanley Medical College dean Dr Balaji.

250 docs skip mandatory govt service

250 docs skip mandatory govt service

Violate Service Bond Signed When Joining TN Colleges

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.12.2020

Over the past four years, more than 250 doctors including cardiologists, nephrologists, vascular and neurosurgeons who completed their super speciality courses in Tamil Nadu have not joined government service, a gross violation of the two-year service bond they signed during admission at state-run medical colleges.

At the time of admission, all doctors sign a service bond. While in-service doctors commit to remain in service till superannuation, those outside government service promise to serve the government for at least two years or pay a fine of ₹50 lakh. “The state can post non-service candidates to any of its hospitals within two years of course completion. But only 30% of them join duty. None of them have paid the fine,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayanababu.

State medical education department officials say a majority prefer to study at government medical colleges as the annual tuition fee is around ₹30,000 compared to ₹25 lakh in the private sector. The government also pays students a monthly stipend of ₹40,000 as super speciality students, who are post-graduates, also work at the medical college hospital while they learn.

PG students also have better chances of getting a higher speciality medical seat in Tamil Nadu as the state offers the maximum number of seats after Delhi. According to the National Medical Commission, nearly 14% of the 4,238 super speciality seats in the country are in Tamil Nadu. Of the 594 seats, the state shared 50% with the Centre for admission through All-India quota. The state selection committee handles the remaining 50% admission through single window counselling.

In the past few years, several non-service candidates who completed their course failed to join duty despite several reminders and revision in posting. Some went “missing” even before posting, while other took the post orders but went incommunicado soon after. Officials in the directorate of medical education said the state has so far refrained from initiating legal action as the aim was to get these doctors to serve in GHs.

TN needs super speciality medical officers to run the 26 government medical college and hospital, where treatment including highend organ transplants and cochlear implants are done free of cost. The government has also gotten approval for 11 new medical colleges in districts and will need specialists to start more super speciality courses. “This is one of the reasons why we want to reserve at least 50% of seats for our in-service doctors. If we do that we will be able to strengthen our healthcare system and offer quality medical care free of cost to people across the state. If all doctors serve GHs, we will be able to break the urban-rural divide in tertiary care,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

But officials are now discussing serving legal notice to candidates who did not join duty. “We want to show we mean business. They have to join duty or pay the fine. It may lead to legal battles, but we are confident we will be able to prove ourselves right in the court,” said a senior official at the directorate of medical education.

Couple take oath as judges of high court

Couple take oath as judges of high court

HC Now Has 13 Women Judges, Most In Country

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.12.2020

History was repeated when a judge-couple -- Justice Murali Shankar Kuppuraju and Justice Thamilselvi T Valayapalayam -- were sworn in judges of the Madras high court on Thursday. It is only the second instance in the history of Indian judiciary that a husband-wife couple have taken oath together.

The first such couple to be appointed high court judges on the same day were Justice Vivek Puri and Justice Archana Puri, who were sworn in judges of the Punjab and Haryana high court last year.

On Thursday, the Madras high court saw a total of 10 people being sworn in additional judges of the court.

In yet another feat, the Madras high court became the HC with the highest number of women judges in the country, 13, when four more women judges joined on Thursday.

Besides the couple, G Chandrasekharan, A A Nakkiran, Sivagnanam Veerasamy, Ilangovan Ganesan, Ananthi Subramanian, Kannammal Shanmuga Sundaram, Sathikumar Sukumara Kurup, and Manjula Ramaraju took oath on the occasion.

All the 10 judges have been elevated from the subordinate judiciary of Tamil Nadu.

With these appointments, the sitting strength of judges in the court increased from 53 to 63, as against the sanctioned strength of 75.

Noting that he is delighted to welcome the newly sworn in judges on behalf of the Bar, advocate-general Vijay Narayanan said, with the appointments the vacancy in the HC has reduced to 12.

He expressed hope that the remaining vacancies would also be filled up soon so that at least for one day in his lifetime he can see the full complement of judges in the chartered high court.

Of the new appointees, Justice Murali Shankar and Thamilselvi are the youngest and they would serve the high court for 10 years if appointed as permanent judges after two years.

WELCOME ABOARD: The 10 judges sworn on Thursday. (Inset) Judge couple Justice Murali Shankar Kuppuraju and Justice Thamilselvi T Valayapalayam

In fake CBI raid, gang tries to extract money from college official, arrested

In fake CBI raid, gang tries to extract money from college official, arrested

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.12.2020

Four men posing as CBI officers barged into the house of an administrator of a dental college and demanded ₹10lakh to remove his name from an idol smuggling case booked against him at Maduravoyal in wee hours on Thursday.

Police said the incident happened when Rakesh was chatting with his friend Ramasubramani. Inquiries revealed Ramasubramani had tipped the gang off to extort money from Rakesh. Suspecting something wrong, Rakesh alerted the city police control room.

Soon, a police team arrived at the spot and nabbed Narendra Nath, 40, Stalin, 41, Ramasubramani, 45, Sankar, 42, and Yuvan, 41. Spotting police, two other accomplices waiting outside Rakesh’s house fled.

Ramasubramani told police he fell in the hands of the gang in his attempt to get some iridium which he claimed has power to attract rice. The gang took a few lakh rupees from him. When the four demanded more he led them to Rakesh’s house.

Deputy commissioner of police of Anna Nagar G Jawahar said, “We will inquire with Ramasubramani and the four conmen and confirm the veracity of his claim. If needed, we will take the suspects in custody to know more.”

The officer said Rakesh acted smart before the gang and walked into the next room and asked his brother to inform police under the pretext of sourcing money from some acquaintance. Police said Ramasubramani and Rakesh have been friends for more than a decade. Rakesh said his friend didn’t inform him about the visit. He initially claimed he was not involved in any idol smuggling case and was not informed about it earlier. However, the suspects showed documents and demanded to arrest him formally to inquire further.

Once again, all roads lead to Poes Garden

Once again, all roads lead to Poes Garden

Like Jaya, Rajini Too Lives In The Tony Colony

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.12.2020

Poes Garden is back in the news. Or rather newspersons are back in Poes Garden.

For the last four years, ever since chief minister J Jayalalithaa passed away, the OB vans of TV channels and the hordes of lensmen had vanished from the upscale locality. Sensing a chance to keep the crowds out, some residents even opposed the state government’s plans to turn Jayalalitha’s home, Veda Nilayam, into a memorial.

But now another illustrious neighbour has decided to take the political plunge. All of Thursday, the press corps was camped outside superstar Rajinikanth’s home in Poes Garden. The crowd is unlikely to go away anytime soon. In fact, it will only swell.

Jayalalithaa managed to keep crowds of adoring party workers away from her home, except for rare occasions when the neighbourhood became a sea of people. But residents still had to deal with the tight security arrangements and a constant stream of VIP visitors and an accompanying horde of press photographers and reporters.

Though Jayalalithaa bought her house in 1967, the trouble for the residents started only in the 1980s, when she joined politics. Rajinikanth was among the residents who had to face these inconveniences. So will he be different? He’s launching a party in less than a month. And you can’t have a party without people.

Gayatri, a resident of Poes Garden, said, "Rajnikanth’s political entry is going to affect the residential character of the neighbourhood. Both turning Veda Nilayam into a memorial and Rajini entering politics will affect the place. It’s a deadend-neighbourhood. They should find a larger place better suited for a political party."

Ramu Manivannan, professor and head, department of politics and public administration, Madras University, said "Poes Garden was a cosmopolitan area and did not have any political significance. It was a socially upmarket area like Banjara Hills of Hyderabad. It acquired political importance after Jayalalithaa joined politics and became a leader and later a general secretary of the party."

Retired IAS officer M G Devasahayam said "There was hardly anything in Poes Garden in the late 1950s and 1960s. I used to go for walks in the area when I was studying in Loyola College. Stella Maris College was being built. The college and the star hotel on Cathedral Road may have contributed to the development of the neighbourhood. A known actor like Jayalalithaa buying a house also may have helped. It became one of the posh localities of the city in the 1980s along with Haddows Road, Harrington Road, and the Boat Club area."

BACK IN NEWS: A file photo shows party workers near former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s house in upscale Poes Garden

VANDUTTENNU SOLLU

VANDUTTENNU SOLLU

Rajini Has Announced His Entry, But The Script Will Not Be In His Hands For All Cadres Are Fans, But All Fans May Not Be Cadres

04.12.2020

Jaya.Menon@timesgroup.com

In 1973, when M G Ramachandran rebelled against M Karunanidhi and formed ADMK, he took with him a chunk of the DMK’s frontline leaders and grassroot workers. But his fan clubs, the Mandrams, named after his films ‘Urimai Kural’ and ‘Naalai Namadhe’ formed the backbone of his new party. Three years later, ADMK swept the 1977 assembly election. Will actor Rajinikanth, who will turn 70 soon, repeat the MGR magic? Or even replicate the success of N T Rama Rao, who floated Telugu Desam in 1982 and defeated the Congress within a year?

The actor’s fans, friends and associates are confident that Rajinikanth’s yet-to-be-named new party would storm the Dravidian arena and sweep the April 2021 assembly election. But that’s easier said than done as it is a David versus Goliath battle. With barely five months to go for the election, Rajini and his band of ‘rasigars’ are pitted against the two Dravidian giants, the ruling AIADMK and the DMK, who have been preparing for the 2021 election ever since the outcome of the last one.

Now that the actor has taken the political dive, the real challenges are yet to come. Rolling out a political party is no easy task and contesting an election five months later much less.

The Rajini Makkal Mandram, a loosely put-together outfit, a precursor to a formal political party, is packed with politically inexperienced fans. While confidantes affirm that the structure, from top to bottom, has been constructed with a few dedicated wings in place, appointment of toplevel officebearers are yet to get underway. Those already appointed in the lower rungs are mostly Rajni’s film fans, who have little knowledge of the ways of politics. “But we anticipate the erosion of rival parties to begin soon. We will get senior leaders from other parties too, those with good reputation and integrity,” said a close associate, seeking anonymity.

While the making of a political party could prove a daunting task, there’s more. For any party, the booth committees form the backbone of its election machinery. While his associates claim that 80% of the work has been completed, Rajini’s fans, who constitute these committees, have little political experience. The actor is expected to rope in political experts and strategists, but his dithering over the years has cut into precious time required for the massive task of transforming fans into cadres.

RSS ideologue and Rajini’s closest advisor S Gurumurthy dismisses the potential hurdles saying his mere entry into politics would create a groundswell of support among people. “After Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, politics shifted from personalities to party. Now the focus would be on Rajini,” said Gurumurthy. “He’s an honest man wanting to do good for the people and a spiritual leader…these are features not seen in any leader in TN today,” he said.

With the pandemic proving a major dampener, Rajini, who has health issues, will have to depend on 3D Holographic projection technology to reach people. How effective such a campaign would be remains to be seen. “But imagine 20 Rajnikanths walking on the streets of TN,” said Gurumurthy gleefully.

There’s the biggest challenge yet – choosing the ideal partners to face the election. Pressure from the BJP has been immense not just for him to enter politics but to team up with it to break the Dravidian stranglehold over Tamil Nadu. Close associates have emphasized the actor’s apprehension in teaming up with the BJP for fear of losing minority votes. Which path he chooses could define the actor’s political fate.

Salem police station India’s 2nd best

04.12.2020

An all-woman police station at Suramangalam in Salem city has been rated as the second best-performing police station in the country for 2020. Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district of Manipur occupied the top slot on the list released by the Union home ministry.

Home minister Amit Shah said a vast majority of the shortlisted police stations are located in small towns and rural areas. “This indicates that while availability of resources is important, what matters more is the dedication and sincerity of our police personnel to prevent and control crime and serve the nation,” he said.

The rating of police stations was done on the basis of data analysis, direct observation and public feedback. The parameters for short-listing the police stations in the initial stage of the survey included property offences; crimes against women; crimes against weaker sections; and missing persons, unidentified found persons and unidentified bodies. The last parameter was introduced this year.

Kharsang police station in insurgency-hit Changlang district of Manipur came third. TNN