IMA to protest ‘mixopathy’ changes today

IMA to protest ‘mixopathy’ changes today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 08.12.2020

Taking part in nation-wide demonstrations against the proposed amalgamation of allopathy with ayurveda, homoeopathy and other medicinal disciplines, members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) will hold demonstrations at three spots in the city on Tuesday.

Dr Mukesh Maheshwari, coordinator of the media committee of IMA Gujarat, said there will be demonstrations at the IMA headquarters on Ashram Road and two other spots from noon to 2pm, where doctors will raise awareness about the issue and demand a rollback of the ‘mixopathy’ due to the proposed amendment in the IMCC Act.

“We are not against ayurveda or any other treatment procedures, but the move will dilute the essence of every discipline. It will not be in the interest of patients and thus we will be protesting against this with all Covid-19 protocols in place,” he said, adding that IMA has also called for closure of non-emergency medical services across India between 6am and 6pm on December 11.

Nurses oppose draft bill, seek removal of some categories

Nurses oppose draft bill, seek removal of some categories

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 08.12.2020

Nurses’ associations in Karnataka have raised objections to the Centre’s draft National Nursing, Midwifery Commission (NNMC) Bill, 2020 and demanded that categories like ‘nursing assistant’, ‘midwifery associate’ and ‘home-based care personnel’ be excluded from its abmit as they are not equivalent to nurses.

December 6 was the last date to file objections to the draft legislation, and the Trained Nurses Association of India, Karnataka chapter, has sent them. Karnataka is among the states with a large number of nursing colleges; at least 50,000 nurses come out of 1,200 institutions per year.

Girijamba Devi, general secretary, Trained Nurses’ Association, Karnataka chapter, said the draft bill has led to various concerns. “A midwife is a nurse, but not a midwifery associate. Similarly, a nursing assistant can’t be called nurse. If the bill continues to have such terms, it misleads the public,” she added.

“By coining these terms, we are afraid the system may end up having cheap labourers hired as nurses. A qualified nurse who deserves a better salary package will not be recruited. This can only dilute the profession,” another nurse told TOI.

These candidates have lower qualification than current nursing levels and bring down the quality of healthcare, nurses said, adding that creating the said cadres of nursing personnel creates confusion and they must be removed. The association members also say the draft bill doesn’t mention the salary package for Indian nurses. “While we are battling in the Supreme Court for a fixed salary of Rs 20,000 in the beginning of a nurse’s career, the draft is silent over the issue. Nurses are working for less than Rs 10,000 in many places,” the nurses said.

The draft bill has seen objections from across the country, including the All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF). “While drafting the bill, the ministry of health and family welfare should have listened to and taken the views of all stakeholders. Nearly 95% of nurses work in clinical, public health domain and their view should not be overlooked in the process of drafting the bill. A few nursing educators can’t decide the future of the whole profession in India,” say AIGNF members.

The federation in its letter of objections mentions that the patient’s welfare and steady growth of the nursing profession are missing in the draft. Though AIGNF is a big stakeholder in the nursing profession, no member was included in the committee for drafting the bill, federation members say.

The nurses added that the proposed National Nursing and Midwifery Commission, which will have no election for its members, will be totally controlled by central government nominees. “No elected members and no representation from clinical nurses and public health nurses means no democracy,” the nurses said, adding it must have elected members.

Girijamba Devi, general secretary, Trained Nurses’ Association, Karnataka chapter, said a midwifery assistant may have done a skill-based course but should not be mistaken for a nurse, who deals with patients in the best interest of public health

Rajinikanth visits city for brother’s blessings

Rajinikanth visits city for brother’s blessings

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 08.12.2020

Superstar Rajinikanth briefly visited Bengaluru on Sunday night to meet his elder brother. Though the actor had plans to stay for a day, swelling crowds in front of his brother’s house prompted him to cut short his trip and leave for Chennai early Monday.

According to sources, the 69-year-old star reached the city by road at 9pm on Sunday and went straight to his elder brother Sathyanarayana Rao’s residence off Mysuru Road near Nayandahalli. A media contingent spotted Rajinikanth in the back seat of a black SUV as he pulled into Rao’s residence.

Rajinikanth waved at people gathered in front of his brother’s house as he walked in. It is said the superstar made the journey from Chennai to meet his brother to seek his blessings before starting his political career. However, there was no independent confirmation of this. It is also said that Rajinikanth had come to seek Rao’s blessings ahead of his 70th birthday (December 12).

Earlier in Chennai, the actor had announced his decision to reveal the name of his political party on December 31and commence party work from January 1.

As the news of Rajinikanth arriving in Bengaluru spread, his fans started gathering outside his brother’s residence. Around 11pm, the actor made a brief appearance on the balcony of the building, much to the delight of the group waiting patiently despite the drizzle.

He left the city by road in the early hours of Monday and returned to Chennai. He is expected to join the sets of his upcoming Tamil film Annaatthe, said sources.

SIBLING BOND: Rajinikanth with his brother Sathyanarayana Rao in Bengaluru on Sunday night

Sources said Rajinikanth had planned to stay here for a day and meet some of his close friends, but later decided to return to Chennai as crowds began to increase through the night. Around 11pm, he made a brief appearance on the balcony of the building

Memu, Demu trains resume, but crowds missing on Day 1

Memu, Demu trains resume, but crowds missing on Day 1

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 08.12.2020

In a move that could benefit thousands of daily passengers travelling between Bengaluru and nearby districts, South Western Railway (SWR) on Monday resumed Memu and Demu train services. However, ridership was low due to reasons like the work-fromhome arrangement, virus scare and poor awareness about timings.

SWR is operating 12 short-distance passenger trains connecting Bengaluru to all directions (Mysuru, Hassan, Hindupur, Hosur, Marikuppam/Bangarpet) till December

17. The services are likely to be extended thenceforth. It’s among the few railway zones in the country to resume unreserved passenger trains after the lockdown. The first train was 06558 Mysuru-Bangarpet Memu which departed from Mysuru at 5.50am, arrived at KSR Bengaluru City station at 8.44am and reached Bangarpet at 10.40am.

The train was received by Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan at City railway station and Kolar MP S Muniswamy at Bangarpet. Tumakuru MP GS Basavaraju flagged off another train from Tumakuru to Yeshwantpur.

Railway officials distributed masks and sanitisers and interacted with passengers to sensitise them about precautions to be taken to prevent spread of Covid-19. SWR is taking preventive measures like conducting thermal screening and ensuring social distancing at stations.

Many passengers welcomed the resumption of train services. “This was long awaited. These trains are cheaper and faster than buses. I could reach Bangarpet in two hours from KSR Bengaluru City. It will take more than three hours by bus,” said Madhav S, a daily-wage worker.

Rajiv R, another passenger, said: “These non-AC coaches are safer than Metro. The service is useful for commuting towards Whitefield. Passengers are screened at stations and seats have markings. They could introduce more trains so more people can benefit.”

Bengaluru divisional railway manager (DRM) Ashok Kumar Verma said: “These are special trains for a short period so season tickets and concessional ones for senior citizens and children will not be issued. Tickets can’t be booked through UTS mobile app.”

Eight of the 12 trains recorded a combined ridership of 817; statistics for the others were not available. While KSR Bengaluru-Hosur Memu had just16 passengers, Marikuppam-KSR Bengaluru Memu ferried 289, according to officials.

First Memu train to Hosur

SWR on Monday operated the first Memu train from Bengaluru to Hosur. 06547 KSR Bengaluru-Hosur Memu left KSR Bengaluru at 7.15am and arrived in Hosur at 8.35am. In the return direction, 06548 Hosur-KSR Bengaluru Memu left Hosur at 8.45am and reached KSR Bengaluru at 10.10am.

Last month, electrification work between Byappanahalli and Hosur (48km) was completed. This will help railways operate Memu trains between Bengaluru and Hosur. Those working on Outer Ring Road and in Sarjapur, Electronics City and Bommasandra are set to benefit. Memu trains are faster, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than Demu trains.

Rail enthusiast Abhishek R, who travelled on the Hosur train, said: “It will help many people. But there were only a few commuters on board because of lack of awareness. We hope ridership will pick up soon.”

AFFORDABLE MODE: Hosur-KSR Bengaluru Memu reached City railway station at 10.10am. Many passengers welcomed resumption of services

AIIMS, WHO teams roped in to probe Eluru mystery fever

AIIMS, WHO teams roped in to probe Eluru mystery fever

U.Sudhakarreddy@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 08.12.2020

City-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) scientists and those from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have been roped in to detect the cause of a mysterious sickness that has hit Eluru, leaving one dead and more than 450 in hospital. Blood samples from patients were sent to CCMB Hyderabad and AIIMS for tests. A central three-member team is arriving on Tuesday to probe the mystery sickness, and a WHO team is also looking into the case.

“We have received the blood samples of the patients from Eluru. Doctors have not yet been able to figure it out. We will explore any infection in the samples,” CCMB director Rakesh Mishra told TOI.

It began on Saturday with 45 people from four different localities in Eluru exhibiting symptoms not connected to any known disease. People complained of seizures, sudden loss of consciousness, frothing and shivering.

“If it is a bacteria or virus or fungus, we can find out and isolate the causative. It may take a few days as the process is complicated,” the CCMB director said, adding that it was unlikely to be due to mass hysteria. “Other than in infectious disease, people don't recover so quickly. It can’t be chemical contamination or excessive use of disinfectant, water or cyclic malaria fever. We can’t conclude without the tests,” he said. Andhra Pradesh health minister Alla Nani said that so far the illness had not spread from person to person. “People from other areas, where Eluru municipality water is not distributed, have also fallen ill. People who drink packaged drinking water daily also got sick. About 22 freshwater samples were tested and the reports were normal,” AP officials said.

IN THE DARK: Patients at the district hospital in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh

Dad gives phone for e-class, teen daughter finds his affair video

Dad gives phone for e-class, teen daughter finds his affair video

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mandya: 08.12.2020

Lending his smartphone to his 17-year-old daughter proved disastrous for a rowdy-sheeter from Mandya district who was clandestinely having an extramarital affair. The girl, who chanced upon an intimate video of her father with another woman— that too a relative— told her mother who now wants to end the 18-year-old marriage.

While the wife has sought a divorce, the man is adamant to be reunited with his family. Cops and voluntary organisations have been trying to broker peace between them but in vain so far. The couple has two daughters aged 15 and 17.

The well-kept secret unravelled in October when the man gave his smartphone to his older daughter, a Class XII student, for her online lessons. While going through the phone’s contents, the teen found the video and told her mother, who approached police and women’s organisations seeking action against her husband. A non-cognizable report was subsequently filed.

Since adultery is no longer an offence, the man cannot be proceeded against on that count, as demanded by the wife, said a police officer. We have to ascertain if he filmed the video without the woman’s consent or if he forwarded it to other devices,” an officer said.

Govt allows buses to operate with 100% seating capacity

Govt allows buses to operate with 100% seating capacity

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 08.12.2020

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday passed an order allowing state transport undertakings and private bus operators to run buses with 100% seating capacity. Till now, occupancy was restricted to 60% of the seating capacity.

This order will be applicable for those operators engaged to transport employees of private companies and schools and colleges as well. State transport undertakings can now operate more number of bus services as well by following all standard operating procedures as mandated in the May 31, 2020 government order. This decision comes after deliberations which indicated that buses need to have more available seats as there is an expected increase in the number of commuters.

Around one-third of its fleet strength has been kept idle by Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) which runs bus services in Chennai. MTC owns 3,300 buses.

Though patronage has been improving, officials said many services, especially on uneconomical routes run half-empty even during peak hours.

The transport corporation was operating 600 extra buses to ensure that the standard operating procedures could be followed.

Now, with all seats allowed to be filled, it is likely that the number of services may increase.

This order will be applicable for those operators engaged to transport employees of private companies and schools and colleges as well

Phone seller delivers empty box, arrested

Phone seller delivers empty box, arrested

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 08.12.2020

An 18-year-old student of an arts college was arrested for cheating a woman while selling a phone. The boy had handed over the woman an empty box and collected cash.

Police said Padmapriya, 45, a resident of Taylors Road, Kodambakkam, was browsing the internet for phones at a cheaper price.

Padmapriya came across an advertisement and contacted the seller. She gave her address and asked the person to deliver her the phone. The seller said he would collect the money after delivering the phone, said an investigating officer.

On Sunday morning, a youth came to her house, handed over a box and took ₹20,000. When Padmapriya opened the box, she found it empty. She raised alarm and her neighbours caught hold of the man. They bashed him up and handed him over to the police.

Police identified the man as Nithesh Kumar of Kottur. He was arrested and produced before a magistrate who sent him to judicial custody.

Tejas Exp rolls into Egmore stn with severed leg

Tejas Exp rolls into Egmore stn with severed leg

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 08.12.2020

A leg, severed from the thigh of a man’s body, was recovered from the undercarriage of a compartment of a Tejas Express train which arrived at Egmore railway station on Monday morning.

The government railway police from the station sent the leg to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for an autopsy. The GRP officials sent a message to all railway police stations seeking information about any death on the railway tracks in the state.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that a man, aged about 40, was found dead near the Dindigul railway station and a GRP team recovered the body. Police informed the Chennai GRP team that one leg was missing from the body.

The Tejas express train started from Madurai on Sunday night and it dragged the leg from Dindigul to Chennai Egmore for about 431km, said police.

The police team has taken samples from the leg which has been preserved. Doctors will check if it was severed from the body recovered from Dindigul.

The government railway police have registered a case.

Chennai may get light rain for two days

Chennai may get light rain for two days

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:08.12.2020

After two storms and the second highest rainfall recorded at the Nungambakkam weather station since 2015, the city’s weather may still not be calm. It rained on Monday night in some areas and weathermen have forecast light spells of rain for at least the next 48 hours.

Private forecasters and bloggerssaidthestate may see a break in monsoon for about eightdaysstarting from December 9.

On Monday, IMD said the low pressure area over the Gulf of Mannar, which has weakened in stages from Cyclone Burevi, has become less marked. “However, the associated cyclonic circulation persists over the same area and now extends up to 3.1km above mean sea level,” said IMD’s bulletin.

For the next 48 hours, the agency has forecast light rain in some areasof thecity with partly cloudy skies. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 30o C and 24 o C. As for the rest of the state, the agency has forecast light to moderate rain to occur at a few places for the next two days.

As of Monday, Nungambakkam had recorded 1003.7mm since October 1, which is 249.7mm excess for the season so far. The previous highest was in 2015 when the city weather station registered around 1663mm that resulted in floods. Meenambakkam has so far recorded 896.3mm since October 1 which is 211mm in excess. Other locations which recorded high rainfall includes DGP office with 1451.5mm, Red Hills 986.2mm, Tambaram 905.9mm, Chembarambakkam 706.5mm, Mahabalipuram 955.4mm and Kelambakkam 787.8mm.

As of Monday 8.30am, Nungambakkam recorded 3.8mm and Meenambakkam 7.7mm. Weathermen said the city has been receiving some morning spells and while the rest of the day is relatively dry due to the incoming easterly winds converging closer to the coast during the day and moving to interior regions later in the day. “This is likely to continue for the next two days,” an official said.

WET WEATHER TO REMAIN: It will continue to rain in Chennai

‘Are new govt medical college buildings following norms?’

‘Are new govt medical college buildings following norms?’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:08.12.2020

Wondering whether guidelines of the National Medical Commission (NMC) are being followed while constructing medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, the Madras high court has directed the state health secretary to file a detailed report on the compliance of building norms.

A division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha passed the interim order on a public interest writ petition moved by N Rajasekaran of Tiruvarur for a direction to the state to constitute a committee to supervise and find out whether such norms are followed while constructing new government medical colleges.

Admitting the plea, the bench directed the health secretary to file his response by February 11, 2021.

According to the petitioner, the NMC has prescribed norms for construction of buildings for medical college, hospital and even auditorium in such institutions which have been published in the gazette of India as early as April 1999.

The rules provide for the requirement of built-up area in consonance with the sanctioned strength of students in the medical college. It clearly states the extent in which the administrative block, residential quarters and hostel have to be constructed for establishing a new medical college hospital, the petitioner said.

While so, the state government is constructing new medical colleges in the state in violation of such rules and to the whims and fancies of the PWD contractors wasting several hundred crores of public money, he added.

Claiming that his representation made to the authorities concerned in connection with the issue has not has not been responded to, the petitioner wanted the court to interfere and restrain the state from violating the building rules.

The state government is constructing new medical colleges as per the whims and fancies of PWD contractors wasting public money, the petitioner said

Ordering probe against Surappa unfair, says guv in letter to TN

Ordering probe against Surappa unfair, says guv in letter to TN

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:08.12.2020

Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit has written a letter to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami expressing displeasure over his government setting up a committee, headed by a retired judge, to probe the alleged “financial irregularities and abuse of power” by Anna University vice chancellor M K Surappa, multiple sources told TOI.

The governor had certified the good conduct of the vice-chancellor, who was appointed by him in April 2018, to run the premier institution. “In his letter to the chief minister last week, the governor said the inquiry is not correct and needs to be closed. The state government neither acknowledged nor has it replied yet,” sources said.

The government had appointed Madras high court retired judge justice Kalaiyarasan on November 11 to head the probe committee after it found prima-facie all the allegations against the vicechancellor, including the ₹200 crore corruption charges, were serious in nature. The higher education department issued the order for a committee after the chief minister gave the go-ahead.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit & Anna Univ VC M K Surappa

Guv upset that state govt formed committee without his knowledge

Chennai: “The governor, who is also chancellor of the universities, is upset because the state government constituted the committee without his knowledge,” said another source. Academicians say if the government could start an inquiry against the vice-chancellor based on anonymous petitions, the governor could grant sanction to prosecute the ministers based on complaints received from the public.

Incidentally, Purohit has still not cleared the bills to bifurcate Anna University, despite lapse of three months of its unanimous passage in the legislative assembly. He took more than a month to give assent to 7.5% NEET quota bill and not before the state government issued an order.

On a public interest litigation seeking to quash the government order on setting up the inquiry committee, the Madras high court on Friday added chancellor Banwarilal Purohit as a party in the case and adjourned it to December 9 for further hearing. The state government earlier objected to the vice-chancellor seeking to get impleaded in the case.

Three months since bill to bifurcate Anna University was passed in the state assembly, the governor is yet to clear it

No permission for medical colleges to reopen in Telangana

No permission for medical colleges to reopen in Telangana

To this effect, Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), Warangal, has directed the medical colleges to reopen only after the government releases orders with specific guidelines.

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By TelanganaToday | Published: 3rd Dec 2020 8:28 pm

Hyderabad: In view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the State government on Thursday has decided not to allow medical colleges to reopen in Telangana.

To this effect, Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), Warangal, has directed the medical colleges to reopen only after the government releases orders with specific guidelines.

On November 25, the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Rajesh Bhushan in a letter to Chief Secretary, Somesh Kumar urged the State government to take necessary measures and open medical colleges for undergraduate MBBS students of 2021-22 academic year in Telangana on or before December 1.

The MOHFW had permitted reopening of medical colleges following the recommendations by National Medical Commission (NMC) which also released academic schedule and advised that sufficient number of non-Covid beds be made available in teaching hospitals to facilitate undergraduate medical training.

However, certain Covid guidelines and conditions that were issued by the NMC made it difficult for medical colleges in the State to follow. Moreover, parents of MBBS students in the State had favoured sending their children to colleges after a vaccine was available. As a result, the State government decided not allow medical colleges to reopen.

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Sasikala may not be eligible for early prison release

Sasikala may not be eligible for early prison release

“As per the guidelines, convicts in cases that are investigated by the CBI or NIA are not eligible for a premature release.

Published: 07th December 2020 05:16 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI/BENGALURU: Counsel for VK Sasikala, close aide of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, said on Sunday that the prison officials are yet to respond to the remission plea, seeking her early release, even as sources in the Karnataka Prison Department maintained that she is not eligible to avail that provision.

“As per the guidelines, convicts in cases that are investigated by the CBI or NIA are not eligible for a premature release. Also, the case in which she was involved in, was a disproportionat e assets case, and there is no provision for an early release in corruption cases as well,” said an official from the prison department. But there has not been any official rejection of the remission plea yet.

However, Sasikala’s lawyer, Raja Sendoor Pandian, told Express, “It was me, on behalf of her, that submitted a petition for her early release citing the 129-days remission period. I expect the jail authorities to respond within a week.” He added, there were many false reports doing the rounds around the issue.

Sasikala is currently serving a four-year sentence in a disproportionate assets case, and her term ends in January 2021. She has also reportedly deposited the Rs 10-crore fine, imposed by the court.

Teen girl mistakes rat posion for toothpaste, dies

Teen girl mistakes rat posion for toothpaste, dies

In a tragic incident, 17-year-old Swathi died after mistaking rat poison for toothpaste at Kariyamanikam in Puducherry.

Published: 07th December 2020 05:20 AM 

By Express News Service

PUDUCHERRY: In a tragic incident, 17-year-old Swathi died after mistaking rat poison for toothpaste at Kariyamanikam in Puducherry. The daughter of J Kalpanath, from Bihar, who works as a supervisor in a private steel factory in Eripakkam, was waiting to join college.

On December 1, there was a power cut in the area and as usual she went to brush her teeth before bed. Mistaking the rat poison in a tube similar to a toothpaste, the girl started brushing with it.

On realising her mistake, she immediately washed her mouth and brushed with the toothpaste. She went about her business that night without any problems. The next day she developed stomachache and began vomiting. She was rushed to a hospital in Madagadipattu.

As her condition worsened, Swathi was shifted to the Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai, where she died on Saturday night. Residents of Nettapakkam held a protest claiming that there are frequent power cuts in the area and now this has led to the death of a girl.

No end in sight for flood tales in Mudichur, Varadharajapuram

No end in sight for flood tales in Mudichur, Varadharajapuram

Mudichur and Varadharajapuram, which were among the most affected areas during the 2015 floods, have again been inundated by the recent rains.

Published: 07th December 2020 05:50 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Mudichur and Varadharajapuram, which were among the most affected areas during the 2015 floods, have again been inundated by the recent rains. Residents say the authorities learnt no lessons from the past, as this time too there was knee- deep water in their localities after cyclone Burevi brought more rains. “Knee-deep water is nothing uncommon in our area.

Whenever it rains, our areas get flooded, forcing us to move out,” says Stanley, a Varadharajapuram resident. According to him, the main reason for the flooding, especially when water is released from Chembarambakkam lake into Adyar river, is the unscientific construction of the bund there.

“The bund is very high in some places and very low in some. Due to this, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Bhuvaneshwari Nagar and Shanti Niketan Nagar often get flooded,” he added.

Concurring, another resident said the bridge connecting Mahalakshmi Nagar and Rayappa Nagar was also built in an unscientific manner. The height of the bund is different on either side. They also suspect the bund was not built in some areas due to the construction of several illegal residential buildings near the lake. “Since this was agricultural land a few years ago and realtors illegally encroached it over the years, the areas often get flooded.

Amudan Nagar, Nemi Nathan Nagar and SK Avenue at Mudichur are the worst affected,” said K Padmini, a Mudichur resident. Responding to the allegations, an official said they implemented a lot of flood relief measures this year and ensured excess water was cleared within 48 hours. “We will also build a bund over there soon,” he added.

All medical colleges in Tamil Nadu to reopen today

 All medical colleges in Tamil Nadu to reopen today

Colleges have been directed to prepare a plan to handle inflow of students and staff

Published: 07th December 2020 05:53 AM  |

Health staff posed at isolation ward at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. (PHOTO | EPS). (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar/EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: All medical colleges in the State will reopen, and in-person classes will resume for final-year undergraduate students of arts and science, engineering, agriculture, fisheries and veterinary programmes in all colleges and universities, on Monday.

The government on Saturday issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the reopening of universities, colleges and hostels.

Colleges have been directed to prepare a plan to handle the inflow of students and staff while monitoring safety measures, including disinfection and strategising containment measures, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

While research scholars and final-year postgraduate students already resumed classes and laboratory work last Wednesday, the extension is part of the phased reopening of educational institutions to prevent a new wave of rapid spread of Covid-19. Extracurricular activities for which physical distancing is not possible are to be avoided, and hygienic conditions are to be maintained on campus.

‘Don’t hoist events of Route thala culture’

Chennai: Police have warned against hosting events related to ‘route thala’ culture as colleges prepare to reopen on Monday for final year undergraduate and medical students. “Students or anti-social elements posing as students are advised not to create nuisance by travelling on rooftops of buses or footboards. This is a warning,” North Zone Joint Commissioner of Police V Balakrishnan said in a video message.  police said, ‘route thala’ culture is one of the reasons for gang rivalries among students of different colleges. In a message, he added, “Thala culture is out of syllabus for students in Chennai.”

சூரப்பா விவகாரத்தில் உண்மை நிலை தெரியாமல் பேசிக் கொண்டிருக்கும் கமல்: அமைச்சர் சாடல்

சூரப்பா விவகாரத்தில் உண்மை நிலை தெரியாமல் பேசிக் கொண்டிருக்கும் கமல்: அமைச்சர் சாடல்

சென்னை: அண்ணா பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் சூரப்பா விவகாரத்தில் உண்மை நிலை தெரியாமல் கமல் பேசிக் கொண்டிருப்பதாக, தமிழக உயர்கல்வித்துறை அமைச்சர் அன்பழகன் கருத்து தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

பேராசிரியர்கள் பணி நியமனத்தில் முறைகேட்டில் ஈடுபட்டதாக அண்ணா பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் சூரப்பா மீது தமிழக அரசு ஒரு நபர் விசாரணை ஆணையத்தை நியமித்துள்ளது.

இந்த விவகாரம் தொடர்பாக மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் கட்சித் தலைவர் கமல்ஹாசன் சனிக்கிழமையன்று தனது ட்விட்டர் பக்கத்தில் வெளியிட்ட விடியோ ஒன்றில், 'அமைச்சர் அன்பழகன் மீதான லஞ்ச குற்றச்சாட்டை தமிழக அரசு விசாரித்ததா என்று கேள்வி எழுப்பியதோடு, நேர்மைக்காக ஒருவர் வேட்டையாடப்பட்டால் அதைப் பார்த்துக் கொண்டு நான் சும்மா இருக்க மாட்டேன்' என்றும் கருத்துத் தெரிவித்திருந்தார்.

இந்நிலையில் அண்ணா பல்கலை துணைவேந்தர் சூரப்பா விவகாரத்தில் உண்மை நிலை தெரியாமல் கமல் பேசிக் கொண்டிருப்பதாக, தமிழக உயர்கல்வித்துறை அமைச்சர் அன்பழகன் கருத்து தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

இதுதொடர்பாக அமைச்சர் கே.பி.அன்பழகன் ஞாயிறன்று செய்தியாளர்களிடம் கூறுகையில், 'சூரப்பா விவகாரத்தில் உண்மை நிலை தெரியாமல் கமல் பேசிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார். கட்சி தொடங்கி தேர்தலை சந்திக்கப் போகிறோம் என்பதற்காக எதை எதையோ பேசிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார்' என்று தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

Dailyhunt

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திறப்பு! கல்லூரி இறுதியாண்டு வகுப்புகள் இன்று...: மருத்துவ படிப்பில் அனைத்து வகுப்பும் உண்டு

திறப்பு! கல்லூரி இறுதியாண்டு வகுப்புகள் இன்று...: மருத்துவ படிப்பில் அனைத்து வகுப்பும் உண்டு

Updated : டிச 07, 2020 00:03 | Added : டிச 06, 2020 22:51

சென்னை:கொரோனா தொற்று பரவலால், பல மாதங்களாக மூடப்பட்டிருந்த கல்லுாரிகள், பல்கலைகள் அனைத்தும், இன்று முதல் திறக்கப்பட்டு, இறுதியாண்டு மாணவர்களுக்கு நேரடி வகுப்புகள் நடத்தப்பட உள்ளன. மருத்துவம், மருத்துவம் சார்ந்த கல்லுாரிகளில் மட்டும், இளநிலை, முதுநிலை என, அனைத்து வகுப்புகளும் இன்று துவங்கப்படுகின்றன.

கொரோனா தொற்றுநோய் பரவலால், மார்ச்சில் பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் மூடப்பட்டன. இதையடுத்து, புதிய கல்வி ஆண்டு துவங்கிய பிறகும், பள்ளி, கல்லுாரிகள் திறக்கப்படவில்லை. ஆன்லைனில் பாடங்கள் நடத்தப்பட்டு வந்தன. இந்நிலையில், ஊரடங்கு விதிகள் தளர்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளதால், கல்லுாரிகள், பல்கலைகளை திறக்க, தமிழக அரசு அனுமதி அளித்து உள்ளது.

இதன்படி, அறிவியல் மற்றும் தொழில்நுட்ப கல்லுாரிகளில், முதுநிலை படிப்பில், இறுதியாண்டு மற்றும் ஆராய்ச்சி படிப்பு மேற்கொள்ளும் மாணவர்களுக்கு, டிச., 2 முதல் நேரடி வகுப்புகள் துவங்கின. இதையடுத்து, அனைத்து வகை கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் பல்கலைகளில், இளநிலை மற்றும் முதுநிலை இறுதியாண்டு படிக்கும் மாணவர்களுக்கு, இன்று முதல் நேரடி வகுப்புகள் துவங்க உள்ளன.

எந்தெந்த கல்லுாரிகள்?

கலை, அறிவியல், தொழில்நுட்பம், இன்ஜினியரிங், வேளாண்மை, மீன் வளம், கால்நடை மருத்துவ அறிவியல் கல்லுாரிகளில், இறுதியாண்டு மாணவர்களுக்கு நேரடி வகுப்புகள் துவங்கப்படுகின்றன. ஹோட்டல் மேனேஜ்மென்ட் மற்றும் பாலிடெக்னிக் கல்லுாரி இறுதியாண்டு மாணவர்களுக்கும், நேரடி வகுப்புகளுக்கான அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இவை தவிர, மருத்துவம் மற்றும் அனைத்து மருத்துவம் சார்ந்த கல்லுாரிகளில், இளநிலை மற்றும் முதுநிலை வகுப்புகள், இன்று முதல் துவங்கப்படுகின்றன. மருத்துவத்தில் மட்டும், அனைத்து வகுப்பு மாணவர்களும், இன்று முதல் கல்லுாரிக்கு வர வேண்டும் என, உத்தரவிடப் பட்டுஉள்ளது. நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில் புதிதாக சேரும் மருத்துவ மாணவர்களுக்கு மட்டும், பிப்., 1 முதல் வகுப்புகள் துவங்கப்படும் என, அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மாணவர்களுக்கான விடுதி களையும், இன்று முதல் திறக்கலாம் என, அனுமதி அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. நீண்ட காலத்திற்கு பின், கல்லுாரி, பல்கலைகள் திறக்கப்படுவதால், மாணவர்கள் குஷியடைந்துள்ளனர்.

வழிமுறைகள் என்ன?

னைத்து வகை கல்லுாரிகளும் திறக்கப்படும் நிலையில், மாணவர்கள், ஆசிரியர்கள், கொரோனா தடுப்பு பாதுகாப்பு வழிமுறைகளை கட்டாயம் கடைபிடிக்கும்படி, அரசு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.இது தொடர்பான பாதுகாப்பு வழிமுறைகளும் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

வழிமுறைகள் என்ன?

* வகுப்புகளில் நெருக்கமாக மாணவர்கள் அமரவோ, நிற்கவோ கூடாது. சமூக இடைவெளிக்கு வாய்ப்பில்லாத நிலையில், பாட திட்டம் சாராத இணை கல்வி நடவடிக்கைகளுக்கு அனுமதிக்க வேண்டாம்

* வெளியாட்கள், செயல்முறை வகுப்பு எடுக்கவும், வேறு பணிகளுக்கு வருவதையும் அனுமதிக்க வேண்டாம்

* மாணவர்கள் கட்டாயம் முக கவசம் அணிய வேண்டும். சானிடைசர் மற்றும் சோப்பால், கைகளை சுத்தம் செய்ய, ஏற்பாடுகள் மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும்

* கல்லுாரிக்கு வர இயலாத மாணவர்களுக்கு, ஆன்லைனில் பாடம் நடத்த வேண்டும். வெளிநாட்டு மாணவர்களுக்கும், ஆன்லைனில் பாடம் நடத்த வேண்டும்சுழற்சி வகுப்புகள்

* இட பற்றாக்குறை இருந்தால், 50 சதவீத மாணவர்களை வைத்து, சுழற்சி முறையில் பாடம் நடத்தலாம். வாரம் ஆறு நாட்களும் கல்லுாரிகள், பல்கலைகள் இயங்க வேண்டும்

* பேராசிரியர்கள், பணியாளர்களும், கொரோனா தடுப்பு முறைகளில் அக்கறை காட்ட வேண்டும்

* விடுதிகளில் தங்கியுள்ள மாணவர்கள், உணவை பார்சலாக பெற்று செல்ல அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும். உணவறையில் கூட்டம் கூடக் கூடாது. உணவு வழங்கும் நேரத்தை அதிகரிக்க வேண்டும்

* நுழைவு வாயிலில், மாணவர்களின் உடல் வெப்பநிலை சோதித்த பின் அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும். கொரோனா பாதித்து, சிகிச்சை பெற்று வரும் மாணவர்களிடம், பாரபட்சமாக நடந்து கொள்ளக் கூடாது

* தொற்று அறிகுறி உள்ளவர்களை அருகில் உள்ள மருத்துவமனைக்கு பரிந்துரைக்க வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு, பல்வேறு வழிகாட்டு முறைகள் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளன.

பள்ளிகள் திறப்பு இன்று ஆலோசனை

பள்ளிகளை திறந்து, பொது தேர்வு மாணவர்களுக்கு, நேரடி வகுப்புகள் நடத்துவது குறித்து, அமைச்சர் செங்கோட்டையன், இன்று ஆலோசனை நடத்த உள்ளனர். கல்லுாரிகள் இன்று திறக்கப்படும் நிலையில், அனைத்து வகை பள்ளிகளையும் திறக்க வேண்டும் என, தனியார் பள்ளிகள் தரப்பில், கோரிக்கை வலுத்து வருகிறது.

குறிப்பாக, பொது தேர்வு எழுதும் மாணவர்களுக்கு மட்டுமாவது, நேரடி வகுப்புகளை விரைவில் துவங்க வேண்டும் என, பெற்றோர் கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளனர். இதுதொடர்பாக, தமிழக பள்ளி கல்வி முதன்மை செயலர் தீரஜ்குமார் தலைமையில், பள்ளி கல்வி துறை அதிகாரிகள் ஆலோசனை நடத்த உள்ளனர். முதற்கட்டமாக அதிகாரிகளும், பின் அமைச்சர் செங்கோட்டையன் தலைமையிலும், ஆலோசனை நடத்த திட்டமிட்டுள்ளனர்.

இதில், பள்ளிகளை மீண்டும் திறப்பது, அதற்கான அனுமதியை அரசிடம் பெறுவது, பொது தேர்வு மாணவர்களுக்கு சமூக இடைவெளியுடன் நேரடி வகுப்புகளை நடத்துவது குறித்த, திட்ட அறிக்கை சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட உள்ளதாக, பள்ளி கல்வி வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்துள்ளன.

Home nurses, bed-ridden patients find going tough

 Home nurses, bed-ridden patients find going tough

Greeshma.GopalGiri@timesgroup.com

Kochi:07.12.2020

Satheesan K, a resident of Alappuzha district, works as a male home nurse and attends to bedridden patients. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, he finds it difficult to find job.

“Both home nurses and families of patients are a worried lot. Friends and family members visit bedridden elderly citizens. We cannot ask them whether they are Covid negative or not. When visitors test positive, both the patients and care givers are in trouble. If a home nurse or patient turns positive or becomes a primary contact, then the family will find it difficult to find a replacement for the home nurse,” Satheesan said.

Home nurses express their unwillingness to work for a long period of time. They say that families employing them are reluctant to send them home for a break due to the fear of turning Covid-19 positive.

Mary Albert, a home nurse from Palluruthy says, “This is a strenuous work, especially when dealing with paralyzed patients. Family members do not want us to take a break and go home. They think that our interactions with public and our family members would lead to us getting infected. Though I need work and money, I choose to stay away from working as home nurse for the time being.”

Meanwhile, people say that getting experienced home nurses and care providers has become difficult since the outbreak of the pandemic. When a home nurse leaves, getting a replacement is a tedious process.

S Seena, a teacher, who has sought services of a home nurse for her mother-in-law, said, “In the last three months, I had to employ five people. Nobody was willing to stay even for a month. I checked with agencies in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki to get a female home nurse. I have been noticing this pattern since the outbreak of Covid-19.”

Even private agencies who provide such services are finding it difficult to rope in trained people.

“Its mostly people who are in desperate need of money opt to take up the work. There are many instances where they leave the work and come back within few weeks. There are also cases of families reporting about Covid-infected home nurses,” said a manger of elderly care service providing centre in Kochi.

Getting experienced home nurses and care providers has become difficult since the outbreak of the pandemic

Twin blast: 9 sets of siblings join MBBS courses in Gujarat

Twin blast: 9 sets of siblings join MBBS courses in Gujarat

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad: 07.12.2020

There has been a rush of twins into MBBS courses in Gujarat this year, with as many as nine sets of them taking admission in various medical colleges. Last year the number was seven.

Rahil Talati refused to seek admission in the coveted government-run medical colleges in the state despite a high score of 641 marks (out of 720) in NEET 2020. He chose Ahmedabad-based NHL Municipal Medical College because his twin brother Rushil secured 570 marks and could get a seat there. Having studied together all through, Rahil did not want to part ways with his brother in their academic life.

“Rahil and Rushil have always had healthy competition between them. They have always been there to solve each other’s problems. This is perhaps the first time that there is such a big gap in their marks. Usually there is a difference of one percentile or so,” said father of the twins Dr Ashish Talati, who is a practising radiologist. Their mother Dr Hetal is a pathologist.

The father said he introduced his two sons to architects, engineers, CAs and persons known to him from different fields. “I did not want them to feel pressured to follow in their parents’ footsteps. But in the end, both chose medicine,” said Dr Talati. Like the Talati twins, Divya Prajapati, with a NEET score of 536, and Disha Prajapati, with 529, have secured admission in GMERS Medical College, Himmatnagar.

The rest seven sets of twins haven’t been as lucky as the Prajapatis or Talatis to get admission in the same college. Take the case of twin brothers Pinkesh and Prince Bapodariya. While Pinkesh has got admission in Surat Medical College after scoring 630 marks, Prince has got into GMERS Medical College, Patan. For their proud father Jayesh Bapodariya, the going hasn’t been easy though. A diamond polisher in Surat, this father had to sell the family’s jewellery to fund the twins’ coaching class fee.

After timetable botch-up, M’lore university conducts re-exam

STUDENTS SHOCKED

After timetable botch-up, M’lore university conducts re-exam

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru  07.12.2020

Imagine reaching an examination hall well-prepared only to realise the exams have already been conducted. This was the shock Mangalore University (MU) interior design students hoping to clear their backlog examination got on September 24.

The incident came to light over two months after the examination was conducted. Students who approached TOI said the university failed to conduct examination as per the schedule mentioned on their admit cards and later quietly held the re-exam.

Sources said the botch-up occurred because colleges had informed students of the tentative — not the firmed up, revised — timetable.

Students of BSc (interior design and decoration) said the first-semester human rights paper was scheduled on September 24 between 2pm and 5pm. When students reached the examination hall, they found that the test was already conducted in the morning. They were forced to appear for a re-exam on October 15.

After realizing its mix-up, MU released ‘a clash examination’ list on September 28 and students appeared for the exam on October 15 accordingly. TOI has a copy of the clash examination list.

Ordeal for many

A wheelchair-bound student, assisted by his wife, travelled from Payyanur in Kerala to write the examination. “Travel during Covid-19 crisis is a challenge. We reached Mangaluru one day in advance, stayed in a hotel. On reaching the examination centre in the afternoon, we were told the test was conducted in morning. We returned for the re-exam on October 15,” said the student’s wife. The student was admitted for the 2014-17 batch, but could not complete the course due to an accident. Several other students faced a similar situation.

Sources said the goof-up occurred because officials failed to upload the updated admit cards well in advance.

Mangalore University registrar (evaluation) PL Dharma said, “The university sends a tentative timetable and admit cards to institutions, it invites subject-related clash or objections from the colleges. In this case, colleges have downloaded and issued a tentative timetable and failed to notice the final timetable issued by MU.”

‘3 students took re-exam’

On asked why the examination was rescheduled if there was no mistake by the university, Dharma said, “This was done to help the students. Three candidates appeared for the re-examination.”

He clarified that this decision does not require approval from Mangalore University syndicate.

Sources said the goof-up occurred because officials failed to upload the updated admit cards well in advance

Nine pairs of twins triumph in NEET

SPECIAL BONDS

Nine pairs of twins triumph in NEET

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad: 07.12.2020

The medical colleges of Gujarat have seen not one or two but nine ‘judwaa jodis’ making entry for MBBS studies this year.

For twin brothers Pinkesh Bapodariya and Prince Bapodariya, as well as for their parents, it was a dream come true.

While Pinkesh has got admission in Surat Medical College after scoring 630 marks in NEET exams, his brother Prince has got admission at GMERS Medical College, Patan.

For their proud father Jayesh Bapodariya, the going hasn’t been easy though. A diamond polisher in Surat, he had to sell family jewellery to pay for their coaching class fees to crack NEET exams.

With a monthly income of about Rs 10,000 Bapodariya says he had to borrow from friends and relatives to pay the Rs 3 lakh fees for securing his son’s admission in the medical college at Patan. The twins completed their schooling from Jeevan Bharati Education School, Surat.

“Prince wanted to become a software engineer. I told him to choose a career in medicine looking at his excellent academic performance in the past. The other son always wanted to be a doctor,” said the father of the twins.

The number of twins getting entry in medical colleges together has risen in the last few years. About two years ago, there were barely a couple of such cases. Last year seven twins secured admission in medical colleges in Gujarat.

Like these twin brothers, the twin sisters Krina Dobariya (NEET score: 631 marks) and Kenvi Dobariya (NEET score: 574 marks) have got admission in MBBS studies at Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Medical College, Rajkot and GMERS Medical College, Gotri.

Their father Sanjay Dobariya, a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) doctor could not be more proud.

“I missed making it to MBBS course by a few marks. My twin daughters have fulfilled my dream,” he said.

The two sisters, who went to Rajkot’s Premier School, constantly supported each other in their studies.

“My sister is very clever and has a better grasping power than me. She can memorize rather quickly,” said Kenvi.

Take the case of Janvi Mithapara and Janki Mithapara who hail from Gondal. While Janki (Neet score: 516 marks) bagged a medical seat at GMERS Medical College at Vadnagar, Janvi (NEET score: 563 marks) has got admission in M P Shah Government Medical College at Jamnagar. The sisters have not attended any coaching class or taken tuitions. Instead they relied on each other to solve problems for cracking NEET.

Their father, Sailesh Mithapara is a diamond polisher who says he is determined to make his daughters complete their study and pursue postgraduation, even if it meant putting in extra hours of work for him.

Sailesh Mithapara, who has four children in all, said he took a loan for paying his daughter fees for Vadnagar medical college.

For Jayesh Khatra, a labour contractor from a humble background, his daughter Devanshi (NEET score: 523 marks) was always brighter than her twin brother Devansh (NEET score: 500 marks). But his joy knew no bounds he says when they both made it to medical colleges. Devanshi has got admission in GCS Medical College while Devansh has secured admission in K Shah Medical College and Research Centre, Ahmedabad. Their father says he is looking to get benefit from some government schemes to fund his twin children’s college education.

Rahil Talati took admission at NHL Municipal Medical College despite scoring 641 marks which made him eligible to get entry into government-run medical colleges. But he chose NHL for this is where his twin brother Rushil (NEET score: 570 marks) had bagged a medical seat.

Similar to the Talati twins, Divya Prajapati, with a NEET score of 536 marks and Disha Prajapati, with a score of 529 marks, have secured admission in the same college – GMERS Medical College, Himmatnagar.

Kenvi and Krina Dobariya

Prince Bapodariya

Pinkesh Bapodariya

There are multiple cases this year, of one twin giving up a seat in a more preferred college just to be with his or her other twin sibling and study together in the same institution

Irresponsibility virus: 21L paid fines

₹93 CRORE COLLECTED

Irresponsibility virus: 21L paid fines

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:

Cops are stunned by the price people have paid for irresponsible behavior: from June till December, 21.40 lakh Gujarat citizens have coughed up Rs 93.56 crore in fines for breaching corona norms.

Even last week, when courts became strict about adherence to Covid guidelines, 56,144 people across Gujarat paid fines to the tune of Rs 5.57 crore. These offenders were caught without masks or nabbed for spitting in public. So far in the period concerned, 4.92lakh vehicleshavebeen seized in the state for corona-code violations; last week, 5,367 vehicles were impounded.

In all, from June to December, 60,400 cases have been filed under Section 188 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) for disregarding notifications. The figure for last week was 2,713. A police official said that despite the crackdown, many people are not following Coved-protocol. That statement is borne out by the number of offenders.