High court issues warrant against former Anna univ VC Kalanidhi

High court issues warrant against former Anna univ VC Kalanidhi

Academic Fails To Appear Before The Court Twice

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 18.02.2021

Incensed by willful failure of former Anna University vice-chancellor A Kalanidhi to appear in court despite orders, the Madras high court has issued a warrant against the academic and ordered authorities to secure and present him before the court on February 25.

A division bench of Justice R Subbiah and Justice Sathi Kumar Sukumara Kurup issued the directions on Tuesday, and said: “Today, when this appeal is taken up for hearing counsel for the appellant (Kalanidhi) submits that Dr Kalanidhi is out of India and therefore he could not appear before this court. On the other hand, counsel for the respondent submit that Dr Kalanidhi is very much available in India, and his non-appearance before this court is willful and wanton.”

Also, when Kalanidhi’s counsel sought to withdraw an appeal filed by the former vice-chancellor, who had challenged a single judge verdict concerning an Anna University premises occupied by Indian Society for Technical Education, the bench said: “We are not inclined to grant such permission to counsel for the appellant (Kalanidhi) to withdraw this appeal.”

On February 2, the bench was informed by the Indian Society for Technical Education that they had not authorized Kalanidhi to file the writ appeal at all. On hearing this, the bench had directed Kalanidhi to appear before the court on February 10.

On February 10, however, his counsel said the February 2 order could not be communicated to Kalanidhi and hence he could not appear before the high court.

Acceding to his request, the bench then fixed February 16 as the date for Kalanidhi to appear before the court. When it was taken up as scheduled, it was submitted that the academic was abroad and could not appear in court.

It was in this context that the bench issued the bailable warrant against the former vice-chancellor and directed the authorities to secure him.

The bench also gave details of his residential address, besides his telephone numbers to authorities concerned.

The high court ordered authorities to secure and present the academician before the court on February 25

Chennai likely to get rain over weekend, but not over 5 mm

Chennai likely to get rain over weekend, but not over 5 mm

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.02.2021

The cricket Tests ended just in time for the city to be treated to some showers. Weathermen have forecast light rain at the end of this week because of the easterlies strengthening in the presence of a cyclonic circulation.

While IMD has forecast light to moderate spells over a few places across the state, private forecasters and bloggers said Chennai and its suburbs may receive some spells at least for two days.

For the next 24 hours, IMD has forecast dry weather over Chennai and the rest of the state. The city and its neighbourhoods may record temperatures at a maximum of 31°C and a minimum of 22°C with partly cloudy skies. But by Friday, the agency has forecast light rain at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu while dry weather may prevail over rest of the state. On Saturday and Sunday, the intensity is likely to increase as light to moderate rain with thunderstorms have been forecast at a few places over the state. Experts said the spells would be due to a cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka ,which is likely to strengthen the incoming easterly winds to the state.

Skymet weather, in an online post, said rain and thundershowers are expected all along the coastline from Chennai to Kanyakumari between Friday and Sunday. “The quantum of rain is not going to exceed 5mm in this wet spell,” the forecaster also said.

Climatologically, the city is comparatively dry during February as it receives an average 3.4mm, which is the lowest amount of rainfall in the year.

Weather blogger Pradeep John in his post said the westerly trough, a region of elongated low pressure in the westerly winds, which usually affects north India may at times move down to south India bringing some weather activity. “Unlike monsoon spells, these rains are difficult to forecast as they do not occur in a widespread area,” he said. After Sunday, a prolonged dry spell till the end of February is likely.

Class XII board exams from May 3; surprised, say schools

Class XII board exams from May 3; surprised, say schools

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.02.2021

The Class XII state board exam schedule took many schools by surprise as they were expecting the exams to be held by the end of May or early June. According to the time-table announced by the directorate of government exams (DGE) on Wednesday, the exams will begin on May 3 and end on May 21.

More than 8 lakh students will appear for the boards this year. Exams will be conducted from 10am to 1.15pm with the first 15 minutes being given to read the question paper and verify particulars in the answer sheet.

Schools said the new time-table gives them just 74 days to complete the syllabus, revise the lessons and hold model exams. Some teachers said they may have to rush through the lessons to finish the syllabus. However, others said the time-table will ensure the next academic year started on time.

Students TOI spoke to said they need more time to prepare and lack writing practice. “We are hoping to get our doubts from online classes cleared. With two to three chapters in each subject still pending, we needed more time. But the board exam schedule gives only around 70 days to prepare,” said Divya, a Class XII student from the city.

Tisha Karen, another student, said a one-day gap between biology and chemistry exams is “not ideal”.

Principals said DGE could have given one more month time considering the pandemic. “We have not completed the portions,” said Agnes Rita, principal of GRT Mahalakshmi Vidhyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ashok Nagar.

“June would have been ideal as schools need more time. Exams before June will have a huge impact on the performance of students,” said N Vijayan, senior principal of Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Tambaram.

But K John, headmaster of Thiru Vi Ka Higher Secondary School in Shenoy Nagar said being an election year, the DGE has come out with a schedule “keeping various aspects in mind”. “Students also need to prepare for exams JEE and NEET and schools have to start next academic year on time,” he said.

FasTags hiccups

 

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மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை பல்கலை நடத்தினால் யு.ஜி.சி., விதிகள் தான் அமலாகும்: ஐகோர்ட்

மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை பல்கலை நடத்தினால் யு.ஜி.சி., விதிகள் தான் அமலாகும்: ஐகோர்ட்

Added : பிப் 17, 2021 00:14

சென்னை:'மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை, அண்ணா பல்கலையிடம் ஒப்படைக்கும் போது, யு.ஜி.சி., விதிமுறைகளையும், மாநில ஒதுக்கீட்டையும் தானே பின்பற்ற முடியும்' என, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

அண்ணா பல்கலையில் நடத்தப்பட்டு வந்த, 'எம்.டெக்., பயோடெக், எம்.டெக்., கம்ப்யூட்டேஷனல் பயாலஜி' என்ற படிப்புகளில், இந்த ஆண்டு மாணவர் சேர்க்கை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டது. இதை எதிர்த்து, மாணவியர் இருவர், உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனுக்கள் தாக்கல் செய்தனர்.இம்மனுக்கள், நீதிபதி புகழேந்தி முன், விசாரணைக்கு வந்தன.

மத்திய அரசு சார்பில்ஆஜரான வழக்கறிஞர், 'அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கும், மத்திய அரசுக்கும்இடையே உள்ள ஒப்பந்தப்படி, மத்திய நிதி உதவி அளிக்கும் படிப்புகளில், மத்திய அரசு உத்தரவை பின்பற்ற வேண்டும்' என்றார்.மாணவியர் சார்பில், ஆஜரான வழக்கறிஞர் ஏ.சரவணன், ''மாணவர்களுக்கு உதவித் தொகையை, மத்திய அரசு வழங்குகிறது. உள்கட்டமைப்பு வசதிகளை, அண்ணா பல்கலை தான் வழங்குகிறது.

''எந்த ஒதுக்கீட்டை பின்பற்றினாலும், எங்களை பொறுத்தவரை இந்த படிப்புகள் தொடர்ந்து நடக்க வேண்டும்,'' என்றார்.அப்போது, நீதிபதி கூறியதாவது:எப்படி இந்த படிப்புகளை தொடர்ந்து நடத்துவது என்பது பற்றி, தீர்வு காண வேண்டும். இத்தனை ஆண்டுகளாக, மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை மத்திய அரசு நடத்தியது; மத்திய ஒதுக்கீடு பின்பற்றப்பட்டது.

வைரஸ் தொற்று பிரச்னையால், இந்த ஆண்டு மாணவர் சேர்க்கை, அண்ணா பல்கலையிடம் ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டது.மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை அண்ணா பல்கலை நடத்தும் போது, யு.ஜி.சி., விதிமுறைகளையும், மாநில ஒதுக்கீட்டையும் தான் அமல்படுத்த முடியும். அடுத்த ஆண்டில் இருந்து, மத்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டை பின்பற்றிக் கொள்ளலாம்; இந்த ஆண்டுக்கு வழி காண வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதி கூறினார்.விசாரணையை, நாளைக்கு நீதிபதி புகழேந்தி தள்ளி வைத்தார்.

பெருந்துறை கல்லுாரி கட்டணம் குறைகிறது

பெருந்துறை கல்லுாரி கட்டணம் குறைகிறது

Added : பிப் 16, 2021 23:24

சென்னை:'ஈரோடு மாவட்டம், பெருந்துறை அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி கட்டணம், விரைவில் குறைக்கப்படும்' என, சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் கூறினர்.

கடலுார் மாவட்டம், சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை தமிழக அரசு ஏற்றது. அங்கு, மாணவர்கள் நடத்தி வந்த தொடர் போராட்டத்தை அடுத்து, கல்வி கட்டணத்தை, அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு உள்ளது போல, அரசு மாற்றியமைத்தது.இதன்படி, எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., படிப்பிற்கு, 13 ஆயிரத்து, 610; பி.டி.எஸ்., படிப்பிற்கு, 11 ஆயிரத்து, 610; பட்ட மேற்படிப்புக்கு, 30 ஆயிரம்; டிப்ளமா படிப்பிற்கு, 20 ஆயிரம்; பி.எஸ்சி., நர்சிங் படிப்பிற்கு, 5,000 ரூபாய் கட்டணம் நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.

தமிழக போக்குவரத்து துறை நடத்தி வந்த, பெருந்துறை ஐ.ஆர்.டி., மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியையும், தமிழக சுகாதாரத்துறை ஏற்றுள்ளது. ஆனால், மருத்துவ கட்டணம், பழைய நிலையிலேயே வசூலிக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்த கல்லுாரியின் கட்டணத்தையும் குறைக்கக்கோரி, மாணவர்கள் தொடர் போராட்டம் நடத்தி வருகின்றனர்.

இதுகுறித்து, சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:பெருந்துறை மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை, சுகாதாரதுறை ஏற்று நடத்தி வருகிறது. உடனடியாக, கல்வி கட்டணத்தை மாற்றி அமைப்பதில், சில நடைமுறை சிக்கல்கள் உள்ளன. ஆனாலும், கல்வி கட்டணத்தை மாற்றியமைப்பது குறித்து, சட்டசபை கூட்டத்திற்கு முன் அல்லது, சட்டசபையில் முதல்வர் அறிவிப்பார்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

Apply valuation formula of PG to UG courses: HC to RGUHS

Apply valuation formula of PG to UG courses: HC to RGUHS

Quashing the “Amendment to Ordinance Governing Valuation of Answer Scripts of MBBS Course (RS-3 Scheme)” of October 13, 2020, Justice R Devdas passed the order.

Published: 16th February 2021 05:14 AM |

By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court directed the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) to apply the provisions governing valuation of postgraduate courses to undergraduate courses. Quashing the “Amendment to Ordinance Governing Valuation of Answer Scripts of MBBS Course (RS-3 Scheme)” of October 13, 2020, Justice R Devdas passed the order.

Allowing a batch of petitions questioning the amendment, the court directed RGUHS to apply the formula governing PG students, identify all the cases where there is a difference of 15 per cent or more in the four valuations and send them for fifth valuation.

Clarifying that the exercise should be restricted to failed students only, the court directed RGUHS to declare the results as per the provisions governing PG students and issue marks card. “The entire exercise should be completed well before the start of the next year examinations which are tentatively scheduled to commence during first week of March 2021”, it said. It observed that the provision for a third valuation in cases of double valuation method and a fifth valuation in case of four valuation is a safety measure.

PIL seeks CBI probe into wakf properties

The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued notice to the State Government on a PIL filed by a former minister seeking CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in wakf properties and implementation of the Upa Lokayukta Report on the issue. A division bench was hearing the petition filed by S K Kantha, the former minister. Stating that the Karnataka State Minorities Commission had submitted a report on misuse of Wakf properties in Bidar and other districts of Karnataka, the petitioner, Kantha, 83, prayed that the court issue directions to the government to implement the recommendations.

RGGGH doctors perform successful hip surgery

RGGGH doctors perform successful hip surgery

After a pre-operative investigation, it was decided to go ahead with the surgery.

Published: 16th February 2021 04:44 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) successfully performed a right hip joint replacement surgery on a 68-year-old man who had undergone heart transplant three years ago.

The patient met with a road traffic accident on January 8 and suffered fracture on the neck of right hip joint. After evaluating his clinical condition, doctors decided to perform hip joint replacement surgery, but were apprehensive due to his earlier surgery. Plus, he is a diabetic, has high blood pressure and kidney disease.

After a pre-operative investigation, it was decided to go ahead with the surgery. A team headed by Orthopaedic Institute Director, Dr N Deen Mohammed Ismail performed the surgery on February 12.

The surgery that would cost anywhere between Rs 6 to Rs 10 lakh in private hospitals was performed free of cost under the CM Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.

Despite relaxed criteria, BFUHS gets 88 applicants against 498 vacant BDS seats

Despite relaxed criteria, BFUHS gets 88 applicants against 498 vacant BDS seats

Under relaxed eligibility criteria, a general category student needs a minimum 113 marks out of total 720 in NEET-2020

Updated At: Feb 16, 2021 07:47 PM Updated: 9 hours ago

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, February 16

A week after Supreme Court lowering the percentile marks by 10 percentile to fill vacant BDS seats, Baba Faridkot University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has got only 88 applications against 498 vacant BDS seats in 12 dental colleges in the state.

A walk-in physical counselling to fill the vacant seats will start here on Wednesday.

After the Supreme Court’s orders on February 8, the relaxed eligibility criteria for admission in BDS for a general category student is a minimum 113 marks out of total 720 marks in NEET-2020. The eligibility marks for a SC/BC and PWD student is 87 and 99 marks, respectively.

Out of 88 new applicants for the BDS seats, 66 applicants have scored less than 150 marks in NEET-2020. Three candidates of SC/BC category have scores as low as 88, 89 and 90 out of total 720 marks.

The apex court has allowed the relaxation in the eligibility with a cutoff percentile by 10 percentile for each category after many dental colleges approached the court.

It is said more than 7,000 BDS seats have remained vacant in the country this time.

Earlier, some dental colleges had approached the Dental Council of India (DCI), demanding relaxation in the eligibility criteria. The DCI had proposed to the Centre that the percentile for admission to BDS course in Dental colleges should be lowered by 20 percentile for each category but the government had declined to the proposal.

The Union government declined to lower the percentile saying that 7.71 lakh candidates were found to be eligible for filling up 82,000 MBBS and 28,000 BDS course seats in the country. For each vacant seat seven candidates were available.

It said there were 2.77 lakh dentists registered with the Dental Council of India. Taking into consideration the availability of 80 per cent of dentists, there is one dentist for every 6,080 persons which is better than the WHO norms of 1:7,500, it said.

However, the dental colleges approached Supreme Court to get this relief, saying the percentile was lowered last year also.

Four senior citizens fall for fake ayurvedic cure offer, lose ₹7 lakh

Four senior citizens fall for fake ayurvedic cure offer, lose ₹7 lakh

 - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:

Four senior citizens have approached Tilaknagar police alleging nine persons, including self-proclaimed ayurveda doctors, cheated them of around Rs 7 lakh on the pretext of curing their ailments.

The complaint has been filed by 72-year-old Ravi BR Anukar, a resident of Malleswaram, Murthy DR, S Eshwar Rao and Lakshmidas. Anukar, a diabetic who was suffering from leg pain, said he met prime accused Ramesh outside an orthopaedic centre in Jayanagar on September 27, 2020.

“Standing outside the centre, we were discussing our health status with others. A man —Ramesh—approached us and said his elder brother Seetaram works with Dhanvantari Ayurvedic in Rajajinagar and claimed our ailments would be cured. The next day, I accompanied him to the clinic and met three doctors; Kalloli Bagalakoti, Shivanand K and Deepak. Ramesh introduced me to the clinic staff,” Anukar stated.

“The doctors said it would cost Rs 2.6 lakh to cure me. When I asked why the amount was so huge, they promised to pay back 80 per cent if I wasn’t satisfied with the treatment. I transferred Rs 2.5 lakh to their account and made a cash payment of Rs 9,860 towards registration fees. They gave me medicines, but I didn’t notice any improvement in my health. When I visited the clinic again, it was closed. I realised I had been cheated along with many others like Murthy who paid Rs 83,000, Rao who paid Rs 3 lakh and Lakshmidas Rs 27,000,” it added.

Police said they have to collect more details about the accused. “They gave some herbal medicines and oils to the victims. They have switched off their mobiles. We have some CCTV footage of their movement near the clinic. Their bank account could help us in tracing them,” an officer said.

College chief, two others get RI for cheating AICTE

College chief, two others get RI for cheating AICTE

The CBI had accused them of forgery

14/02/2021

R. SivaramanCHENNAI

The XII special court for CBI cases on Friday convicted and sentenced three persons, including the chairman of an engineering college, his wife and a lecturer who was working with them, for cheating the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) by submitting forged land documents and fraudulent acts.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation, John Alfred and his wife Jayanthi John were the trustees of St. Alfred Educational Trust and they established J.A. Institute of Engineering and Technology (JAIET) at Koyambedu in Chennai.

The CBI said they had conspired with then AICTE officials and had dishonestly submitted proposals for approval of the AICTE in establishing the JAIET and further extension of approvals for the respective years by endorsing / representing false documents / averments to the AICTE during the period 1996-2009.

The CBI alleged that the accused had cheated the AICTE by submitting forged land documents, forged fixed deposit receipts, forged Ph. D. degree, forged CMDA approvals, forged affiliation letter, forged government approval letter for change of site and established a college in a residential apartment.

T.N. poll officials to be included in priority group for vaccination

T.N. poll officials to be included in priority group for vaccination

16/02/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

With Tamil Nadu all set to go to the polls in a few months, government officials involved in election work would be included in the priority group of frontline workers for COVID-19 vaccination.

Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan on Monday said the officials who were to be deployed for election work would be regarded as frontline workers.

Registrations this week

“The National Expert Group on Vaccination Administration has issued an advisory for their registration, and we will start the registration of those who will be engaged in poll work this week. They will be vaccinated,” he told reporters at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), where he received the second dose of Covaxin.

LPG price increase shocks consumers

LPG price increase shocks consumers

Domestic cylinder now costs ₹785

16/02/2021

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Cooking gas customers on Monday were shocked to see the sudden increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.

In Chennai, the price of a non-subsidised domestic cylinder shot up from ₹735 to ₹785. The subsidy component remained ₹24.9 a cylinder. This is the second increase in LPG price this month. It was ₹735 for a domestic cylinder in the beginning of the month when it went up from last month’s price of ₹710.

Daughter says no to marriage proposal, parents end life

Daughter says no to marriage proposal, parents end life

Darshan BH@timesgroup.com

Hassan:16.02.2021 

Shattered by the decision of their daughter to back out of a marriage proposal a day before her engagement, a couple hanged themselves in their house in Ballurupura village of Hassan district’s Alur taluk early Monday.

Police sources said the deceased have been identified as Puttaraju, 58, and Kanthamma, 52. The childless farmercouple had adopted their nephew and niece nearly two decades ago.

According to police, after performing the marriage of their son, the parents were looking for an alliance for their daughter, who is doing an undergraduate course in Holenarsipur taluk of Hassan district. When they found a groom from neighbouring Arkalgud taluk, the date for engagement was set for Sunday.

Family sources said the bride-to-be reportedly expressed unwillingness about getting married and conveyed decision to her parents. An officer said the parents, their son Siddegowda, 36, and daughterin-law tried to convince her, but she stood her ground.

During arguments, the girl in her early 20s reportedly walked out of the house on Saturday and stayed at her friend’s place. By evening, she was brought home. Siddegowda said his parents tried to talk her out of the decision and the discussiosn went on till 2am on Monday with no resolution. “When I woke up in the morning, I found my parents hanging from the roof of the cattleshed attached to our building,” he added.

The daughter backed out of the wedding proposal a day before her engagement

Apply PG norms for revaluation of failed MBBS students: HC

RGUHS EXAM

Apply PG norms for revaluation of failed MBBS students: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:16.02.2021 

The high court has directed Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS ) to apply the formula as provided in the ordinance governing PG students, while undertaking revaluation of answerscripts, declaration of results and issuance of marks cards pertaining to failed MBBS students.

The PG guildelines stipulate where there is a difference of 15% or more in the four valuations, the answerscript has to be sent for a fifth valuation.

The court has also quashed and set aside the amendment to the ordinance governing valuation of answerscripts of MBBS course (RS-3 Scheme), notified on October 13, 2020. “The special powers conferred on the vice-chancellor under section 13(2) cannot extend to taking over the power of the syndicate to promulgate ordinances under section 35 of the RGUHS Act, 1994. At any rate, by invoking section 13(2) of the RGUHS Act, the vice-chancellor is definitely not entitled to take over the consultation process of an expert body viz., Academic Council, which is required to give its expert opinion under section 35(3)(b), essential for promulgating an ordinance,” Justice R Devdas observed .

Allowing the petitions filed by KB Basanth and others, the judge also directed the health university to complete the entire exercise before commencement of the next year examinations, which is tentatively scheduled to start in the first week of March 2021.

The amendment ordinance under challenge required all answerscripts of UG course to be subjected to digital valuation by four evaluators, 50% of them by internal examiners and 50% by external examiners of different universities other than RGUHS and preferably by evaluators from outside the state as prescribed by MCI.

It further provided that the average of total marks awarded by the four evaluators for the paper, which is rounded off to the nearest value, should be considered for computation of results and that the marks awarded and the results declared after general valuation should be final and under no circumstances, further valuation should be entertained.

No takers for 700 dental seats in K’taka

No takers for 700 dental seats in K’taka

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Beng aluru:16.02.2021 

At least 700 dental seats in Karnataka’s private medical colleges are likely to remain unfilled this year even after the Supreme Court relaxed admission criteria in early February.

There are 2,880 BDS seats in 44 dental colleges of the state. The colleges have so far filled 70% of the seats. While 167 had registered for the new round of counselling with the Karnataka Examinations Authority, 15 of them failed to pay fees.

In 2019, the number of seats that were vacant in the state was 291. Even if all the 150 new candidates take admission this year, around 700 seats are likely to go vacant, almost double of last year, sources said. February 18 is the last date for admissions.

On February 9, the SC ruled that reducing cutoff marks will not lower the quality of education and directed that the qualifying marks be lowered by 10 percentile. The qualifying mark for BDS became 40 percentile for general category and 30 percentile for SC/ST quota. The decision was taken in order to fill 7,000 vacant seats in the country for the academic year 2020-21.

“There could be two reasons for the increase in vacant seats this year,” said Dr Shivsharan, a Dental Council of India member. “One, there has been an addition of around 20,000 medical seats this year nationally. Also, with the next NEET in a few months, those students who did not do well and missed medical seats by a small difference in marks have another chance soon,” he said.

Dr Girish B Giraddi, dean and director, Government Dental College and Research Institute, said apart from the fear that the field has become saturated in cities, Covid played a major role in the large number of vacant seats.

Many AIADMK ministers will end up in jail: Stalin

Many AIADMK ministers will end up in jail: Stalin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy/Ariyalur:16.02.2021 

The AIADMK was misleading people by its poll promises made during 2011 and 2016 assembly elections, said DMK leader M K Stalin in Pudukottai district on Monday. Stalin also alleged that chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was committing irregularities in floating tenders for big projects. He was addressing the party’s ‘Ungal Ooril Stalin’ campaign at Thirumayam in Pudukottai and Kollapuram near Ariyalur. He said the 10-year rule of the AIADMK had pushed back the state by 50 years and the DMK would reverse it and set the state on a growth trajectory, if elected to power.

Recalling the AIADMK’s election manifesto for the 2011 assembly polls, he said it made a series of promises to farmers, from starting a second green revolution, increasing farmers’ income by twoto-three-fold, free agriculture equipment, minimum support price for crops such as sugarcane and setting up drip irrigation free of cost. But the promises were not fulfilled, he said. Similarly, its promises in 2016, such as supply of free cell phones to ration card holders, waiver of education loans, free Wi-Fi at public places, Amma bank cards and one litreof milk at ₹25were notimplemented.

Stalin said the first six years of the AIADMK rule in the state went in handling the disproportionate assets case against former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Then, the incumbent chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami spent the next four years trying to retain his post. “They have no time to think about people but claim that Tamil Nadu is progressing. The progress is only for the state ministers who indulge in corruption,” he said. Many of the ruling party ministers would be put behind bars on corruption charges if the DMK was voted to power, he said. Claiming that health minister C Vijaya Baskar hid the data of Covid-19 infected people and deaths in the state, Stalin accused him of mismanaging the fight against the pandemic by not taking early steps to contain the spread of the virus, leading to many deaths. At the campaign for the four assembly segments in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts at Kollapuram, he alleged that the chief minister was floating tenders in a hurry for projects that would take three to four years to finish.

DMK’s scams still not forgotten: OPS

Chennai:

Hours after DMK chief MK Stalin announced on Sunday that the party's second list of charges against the ruling AIADMK was ready, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said evil forces cannot prevent the sprouting of two leaves again. In a series of tweets on Sunday night, Panneerselvam said, “Never forget that the people of Tamil Nadu joined hands with us to remove the stained DMK government and pack you (Stalin) home. People are aware that corruption and the DMK are no different.” OPS alleged that the DMK was the only party in the political history of India that was dissolved for corruption, and the party was known for several scams, including 2G scam, Veernam scam and a pesticide scam, bringing shame to the country and Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK coordinator said that Stalin was daydreaming that people have forgotten about the DMK’s scams. TNN

Engg colleges seek relaxation of rules to begin new courses

Engg colleges seek relaxation of rules to begin new courses

They Need 50% Admissions To Obtain NBA Accreditation

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:16.02.2021 

Engineering colleges in the state have asked the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to relax rules to start courses in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data science and cyber security.

Now, colleges should have accreditation to start the new courses or they have to reduce intake in existing courses. "To get accreditation, engineering colleges should have 50% admissions against sanctioned intake. With admission to traditional courses dipping in the last few years, colleges have not been able to go for accreditation. They can survive only if they get courses such as AI and data science. Hence we have asked for simplification of the rules,” a representative from the consortium of self-financing professional, arts and science colleges said.

Of 461 colleges that took part in online engineering counselling last year, only around 130 were able to fill more than 50% of seats. Based on AICTE's direction, Anna University allowed around 50 engineering colleges to start BTech AI and Data Science courses in 2020-21. The courses saw 63.5% seats filled in the first year, while response was poor for traditional courses such as civil engineering,

(23.5%), mechanical engineering (27.8%) and electrical and electronics engineering (34%).

Top colleges, which have accredited their courses, want minimum fees fixed to meet the expenditure on implementing the seventh pay commission award. "A professor's salary would come closer to ₹2lakh. We expect AICTE to fix a minimum fee for engineering courses,” said R M Kishore, vicechairman of RMK Engineering College in Chennai.

Some principals want top colleges categorised to allow them to collect more fees. "It would encourage colleges to go for accreditation. They should categorize colleges into two or three groups and fix their fees accordingly. AICTE should also think of renewing approval for top colleges once in three years instead of annually," said B Chidambararajan, principal of SRM Valliammai Engineering College. Deemed universities want AICTE to fix the intake cap for the total number of students and not separately for degree programmes. “AICTE can grant approval by default on submission of data for top 100 universities in NIRF ranking,” said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of SASTRA.

And, professors have asked AICTE to evolve a mechanism to verify salaries. "Some engineering colleges have sacked senior faculty to avoid paying high salaries. AICTE should ensure cadre ratio in all departments," said a professor at a private engineering college.

Deemed univs to reopen next week

Deemed univs to reopen next week

Institutes Want Govt To Relax One Student Per Room Rule

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:17.02.2021

Deemed universities across the state have begun preparations to accommodate more students, including those from other states, starting next week. A few institutions suggested that the government consider relaxing quarantine norms that allows only one student per room in the hostel.

Faced with the possibility of more students entering campuses, particularly hostels, many institutions have split the hostel mess, moving canteens to an open space and providing Wi-Fi in hostel rooms so students can attend online classes as they wait out the quarantine period. Schedules for physical classes, online classes and allowing students in turns are also being considered.

“SRM Institute of Science and Technology is planning to reopen for students in a phased manner from February 22,” said S Ponnusamy, registrar (in-charge). SRMIST campus in Kattankulathur is is among the largest.

SASTRA is planning staggered start to physical classes for first year students from February 24. “First year students will have optional doubt clarification and lab exposure sessions so that those requiring quarantine can stay in hostels. The exams for first semester students will start on March 8,” said vice-chancellor S Vaidhyasubramaniam.

After these exams, second semester classes will begin and go on till May. Meanwhile, students belonging to other years will attend classes online. After first year students leave campus, second, third and final year students will come in for practical classes and exams.

Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) has begun physical classes for third year students. “Only 50% of hostel students have been called back. We will follow a rotation system,” said chancellor Ishari K Ganesh.

A Azad, registrar of BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, said, “Though we have sufficient number of rooms and large halls to follow all the Covid-19 protocols, we will split the classes to have only 50% of students in theory and practical classes at a time.”

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science is planning to invite students in a staggered manner from March. “At present, we have reopened only for outgoing students to conduct practical classes. The hostels are being prepared for reopening,” said pro-vice-chancellor R W Alexander Jesudasan.

Deemed universities urged the UGC to revise its guidelines to allow hostels to operate at 50% capacity. “With just one student per hostel room, it would be difficult to finish the practicals and exams for students on time. Asking the students to stay at a relative’s or friend’s place is not possible,” said Vaidhyasubramaniam, adding that it would be difficult to conduct both physical and online classes for the same batch of students.

Sandeep Sancheti, former vice-chancellor of SRMIST, said quarantining hostel students for 14 days would be a challenge. “Students are very keen to return. Hostel students will return in big numbers if the quarantine rule is relaxed,” he said.

With more students to enter hostels, many institutions have split the hostel mess, moving canteens to an open space and are providing Wi-Fi in hostel rooms so students can attend online classes during the quarantine period

Groom disappears on day of wedding, bride’s family protests, files complaint

Groom disappears on day of wedding, bride’s family protests, files complaint

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.02.2021

A bride protested in front of the Thirumangalam police station on Monday demanding action against the groom for disappearing on the day of the wedding.

The bride’s family was all set to head to the Lord Murugan temple in Thiruporur for the wedding. However, when they tried to reach the groom, his phone was switched off.

Dellibabu alias Anandan, 32, of Anna Nagar and the 25-year-old girl from Puzhal were engaged two months ago. The reception, arranged by the bride’s family, was scheduled to take place the same evening in Korattur.

Anandan’s parents had filed a missing man complaint at the Thirumangalam police station. The bride’s family called off the wedding, filed a cheating complaint against the man’s family at the Thirumangalam allwomen police and family blocked a road.

Police found Anandan in Chengalpet and brought him to the station for a discussion. His family promised to pay a portion of the wedding expenditure to the bride’s family.

84,649 MBBS seats in 562 Medical Colleges in India as per NMC data: Minister

84,649 MBBS seats in 562 Medical Colleges in India as per NMC data: Minister: New Delhi: There are a total of 84,649 MBBS seats in 562 Medical Colleges including 286 government and 276 private institutes across the country for the academic year 2020-21, the MoS Health...

[BREAKING] Author of controversial POCSO judgment, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala not made permanent, to continue as Additional Judge for another year

[BREAKING] Author of controversial POCSO judgment, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala not made permanent, to continue as Additional Judge for another year

A notification was issued by the Law Ministry on Friday confirming that she will continue as Additional Judge.

Bombay High Court Nagpur bench, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala

Neha Joshi

Published on :

12 Feb, 2021 , 9:20 pm

Bombay High Court judge, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala who had authored a slew of controversial judgments on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, will continue as Additional judge of the High Court for one more year.

The Ministry of Law and Justice accepted the Supreme Court Collegium's revised decision to not make her a permanent judge.

A notification was issued by the Law Ministry on Friday confirming that she will continue as Additional Judge.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution, the President of India is pleased to appoint Smt. Pushpa Ganediwala to be an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court for a period of one year with effect from February 13, 2021," the notification said

This comes after Supreme Court Collegium, which had earlier recommended Justice Ganediwala to be made permanent, withdrew its recommendation after the contentious judgments authored by the judge came to light.

Justice Ganediwala had handed down three acquittals under the POCSO Act in three separate cases, all within a week.

The most controversial among them was a judgment delivered on January 19 in which she ruled that the act of pressing the breast of a child aged 12 years without removing her top will not fall within the definition of ‘sexual assault’ under Section 7 of POCSO (Satish Ragde v. State of Maharashtra).

This third ruling had caused an uproar with the Supreme Court staying the judgment on a mentioning made by Attorney General KK Venugopal.

Aside from that, in a judgment delivered on January 14, she reversed a conviction order after noting that there was nothing supporting the prosecution's case for rape (Jageshwar Wasudeo Kawle v. State of Maharashtra).

On January 15, she held that the act of holding hands of a minor or the zip of the pants of the accused being open at the relevant time, does not amount to sexual assault as defined under Section 7 of the POCSO Act (Libnus v. State of Maharashtra).

These rulings had prompted the Supreme Court Collegium to recall its recommendation of January 20 by which it had agreed to make Justice Ganediwala a permanent judge of the Bombay High Court.

Justice Ganediwala was appointed additional judge of Bombay High Court on February 8, 2019. She started her judicial career in 2007 when she was appointed District Judge.

She has held postings as City Civil Court, Mumbai; District Court and Family Court at Nagpur; Joint Director of Maharashtra Judicial Academy (MJA); Principal District & Sessions Judge, Nagpur; Registrar General, High Court of Judicature at Bombay and also Principal Judge at City Civil Court, Mumbai.

Gorakhpur AIIMS: Relief from the exempted medical students from the Supreme Court, said - Examination should be allowed

Gorakhpur AIIMS: Relief from the exempted medical students from the Supreme Court, said - Examination should be allowed

Shweta Singh "Journalist"Feb 12, 2021 - 17:50

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hearing of the case of students deprived of the examination was held in the Supreme Court on Friday. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said that in AIIMS Gorakhpur, MBBS first year students of short attendance should be allowed to appear in the examination.

The Supreme Court will issue a detailed order on Monday after hearing the petition in detail. He instructed AIIMS Gorakhpur to conduct exams for first year students, who have less attendance. The court asked the petitioner to give the total number of students whose attendance is less.

During the hearing, the counsel for one of the petitioners, Nedumpar, said that his client had sufficient attendance and should be allowed to appear in the examination. AIIMS lawyer Uditya Banerjee said that student attendance was 60 per cent before Corona and after Kovid he appeared in 4 classes. The student argues that he cannot do the class only because he comes from a remote area. If he could attend 4 online classes, he could also attend the second class.

Court asked, what option do students have now

Justice Rao asked the AIIMS counsel that if you are attending the hearing today, can you all join Suvanai? Every day there is some technical problem. The Supreme Court asked what option the student has now. The advocate of AIIMS said that the student is first year, so now he should appear in the first year examination to be held in October.

Supreme Court seeks opinion from MCI

The Supreme Court asked that this is a matter related to the future of 10 students, is it just a matter of attendance, is there anything else? The Supreme Court has sought the opinion of MCI (Medical Council of India) during the hearing. MCI lawyer Gaurav Sharma said that AIIMS does not come under MCI, but we are of the opinion that students should not be wasted for a year.

வரதட்சணை கொடுமை கணவருக்கு 5 ஆண்டு

வரதட்சணை கொடுமை கணவருக்கு 5 ஆண்டு

Added : பிப் 12, 2021 23:31

சென்னை: வரதட்சணை கொடுமையில், மனைவி இறந்த வழக்கில், கணவர் மற்றும் மாமியாருக்கு, 5 ஆண்டுகள் சிறை தண்டனை விதித்து, சென்னை மகளிர் நீதிமன்றம் தீர்ப்பளித்துள்ளது.

தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் யோகராஜ், 31. இவர், சென்னை, தேனாம்பேட்டையில் வசித்தபடி, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தில், கணக்காளராக பணியாற்றி வருகிறார். இவருக்கும், கும்பகோணத்தைச் சேர்ந்த மனோன்மணி என்பவருக்கும், 2014ல் திருமணம் நடந்தது. வரதட்சணை கொடுக்கவில்லை என, யோகராஜும், அவர் தாயும், மருமகளை கொடுமைப் படுத்தியதில், மனோன்மணி துாக்கிட்டு தற்கொலை செய்தார்.

தேனாம்பேட்டை போலீசார் வழக்குப் பதிவு செய்தனர்.சென்னை மகளிர் நீதிமன்ற, நீதிபதி எம்.ராஜலட்சுமி விசாரணை நடத்தி, யோகராஜ் மற்றும் அவரது தாய்க்கு, தலா, 5 ஆண்டுகள் சிறை தண்டனையும், தலா, 15 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் அபராதமும் விதித்து தீர்ப்பளித்தார்.

ஜோஸ் ஆலுக்காஸ் காதலர் தின சலுகை

ஜோஸ் ஆலுக்காஸ் காதலர் தின சலுகை

Added : பிப் 13, 2021 01:10

சென்னை:காதலர் தின கலக்கல் சலுகையாக, சிறந்த வேலைபாடுகள் நிறைந்த, 'ஹார்ட்ஸ்' வகை நகைகளை, சிறப்பு தள்ளுபடி விலையில், ஜோஸ் ஆலுக்காஸ் அறிமுகப்படுத்துகிறது.

ஜோஸ் ஆலுக்காஸ் குழுமம், பண்டிகை காலங்களில், புதிய வகை அணிகலன்கள் மற்றும் வேலைபாடுகள் நிறைந்த நகைகளை அறிமுகப்படுத்துவது வழக்கம். இந்த வகையில், பிப்., 14ம் தேதி, காதலர் தினத்தை முன்னிட்டு, சிறந்த வேலைபாடுகள் கொண்ட, 'ஹார்ட்ஸ்' வகை நகைகளை அறிமுகப்படுத்துகிறது.

இவை, அதிக எடையின்றி, தினசரி அணியக்கூடிய வகையில் வடிவமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. வைர காதணிகள் முதல் நெக்லஸ் வரை, ஆரம்ப விலையாக, 5,200 ரூபாயில் இருந்து கிடைக்கிறது. காதலர் தின கொண்டாட்டத்தின் உச்சமாக, 50 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய்க்கு மேல் வைர நகைகள் வாங்குபவர்களுக்கு, ஒரு தங்க காசு இலவசமாக வழங்கப்படும்.தவிர, வைர நகைகளுக்கு, 20 சதவீதமும், பிளாட்டின நகைகளுக்கு, ஏழு சதவீதமும், சிறப்பு தள்ளுபடி அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த சிறப்பு சலுகைகள், தென்னிந்தியாவின், அனைத்து ஜோஸ் ஆலுக்காஸ் ஷோ ரூம்களிலும் கிடைக்கும்.

ஆதார் பதிவு, திருத்தம் செய்ய அஞ்சல் துறை சிறப்பு முகாம்

ஆதார் பதிவு, திருத்தம் செய்ய அஞ்சல் துறை சிறப்பு முகாம்

Added : பிப் 13, 2021 00:02

சென்னை: அஞ்சல் துறையில் ஆதார் பதிவு, திருத்தம் செய்வதற்கான சிறப்பு முகாம், இன்று நடக்கிறது.

இந்திய அஞ்சல் துறையில் ஆதார் பதிவு, திருத்தம் செய்வதற்கான சிறப்பு முகாம், இன்று காலை, 10:00 மணி முதல் மாலை, 4:00 மணி வரை அஞ்சலகங்களில் நடக்கிறது. பொது இடங்களில் சிறப்பு ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.இந்த முகாமில் புதிதாக ஆதார் பதிவு, முகவரி, புகைப்படம், பெயர், பாலினம், பிறந்த தேதி, மொபைல் போன் எண், மின்னஞ்சல் திருத்தம், 5 மற்றும் 15வது வயதில் பயோ மெட்ரிக் புதுப்பித்தல் ஆகிய சேவைகள் வழங்கப்படுகின்றன.

ஆதார் திருத்தங்களுக்காக, 50 ரூபாய் சேவை கட்டணமாக பெறப்படும். புதிதாக ஆதார் பதிவு செய்யும் சேவைக்கு கட்டணம் இல்லை.இவ்வாறு அஞ்சல் துறை அறிவித்துள்ளது.

Justice Pushpa Ganediwala, Author Of Controversial POCSO Judgment, Not Made Permanent Judge; To Continue As Additional Judge Of Bombay HC

Justice Pushpa Ganediwala, Author Of Controversial POCSO Judgment, Not Made Permanent Judge; To Continue As Additional Judge Of Bombay HC: Accepting the revised recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium to not make Justice Pushpa V Ganediwala of the Bombay High Court a permanent judge, the Ministry of Law and Justice has...

As Corona cases dip, more Bhopalis let down guard

As Corona cases dip, more Bhopalis let down guard

Ashutosh.Shukla@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:13.02.2021 

Friday afternoon: A restaurant in Bittan Market. There is sanitiser on the stand on the door for guests to sanitise their hands before they get into the restaurant. All the waiters are masked and so is the man at the counter. But, none of the five to six guests in the restaurant — waiting for their order to be served — are wearing masks.

This phenomenon is not limited to one restaurant, market, office, temple or a superstore, but can be found everywhere in the city. While many of the superstores, shops, restaurants, hotels and offices are still sticking to guidelines issued for them at the time of Unlock, visitors at those places have “forgotten” about them.

When the person at the restaurant counter was asked why he allowed people without masks to come in, he thought it was a policeman or an administrative or BMC official asking him the question and started explaining, “Can’t you see sir? None of them are wearing masks nor have any of them used the sanitiser while coming in. What can I do? Earlier, it was still possible to persuade people to observe the guidelines, but now nobody cares and if you ask them to do it, they will not take it kindly,” he said.

The restaurant in question didn’t have provision for thermal screening, but Birla temple still allows devotees after thermal screening. ‘Prasad’ is still not accepted. The temple’s outer wall has a notice telling people that they should put the ‘prasad’ and ‘phool-mala’ on the slab outside because it won’t be accepted and if they so wish, they can take it back while returning. There were not many devotees at the temple for ‘darshan’ but only some of them were wearing masks because the guard taking their body temperature was not asking them about the mask.

Many of those who used to keep their mask tied to their chin, perhaps to put it on their face, if there is checking somewhere have completely given up on them since police, administration and BMC staff are no longer fining people without masks.

District collector Avinash Lavania, admitted that with receding cases of coronavirus in the city, people definitely seem to have become slack in observing Covid-19 protocol. Also, checks by police, administration and BMC to see that people comply with the coronavirus guidelines may also not be vigorous as before, “but we shall catch up with it,” he said.

UNMASKED: Shoppers without masks in New Market

17 killed in TN cracker unit blast

17 killed in TN cracker unit blast

M K Ananth & Kaushik Kannan TNN

Virudhunagar:13.02.2021 

In one of the worst fireworks tragedies in recent years in Tamil Nadu, 17 people, including seven women, were killed and 35 others injured in a blast at a cracker unit in Achankulam near Sattur town on Friday afternoon. The condition of many of the injured is said to be critical. The accident took place on the premises of Sri Mariamman Fireworks around 1 pm where workers were engaged in filling chemicals in fancy fireworks.

The explosion was triggered by friction when workers were handling chemicals in one of the working sheds. Under its impact, the fire spread to several sheds in the cracker unit, making firefighting difficult for a long time. While nine people died on the spot, the numbers climbed to 17 by evening. Virudhunagar district collector R Kannan told TOI that the deceased include seven women and five men. “We have identified five men and five women. Two women are yet to be identified while the gender of the three other bodies is yet to be ascertained,” he said.

The injured -- 14 women and 21 men -- were being treated at various hospitals in Sattur, Sivakasi and Kovilpatti. Chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami has announced Rs 3 lakh relief to the relatives of each of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to those injured.PM Narendra Modi mourned the tragedy and announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured. Sources said several violations were identified in the cracker unit. As many as 70 people were employed in the unit which was way above the stipulated number.

The explosion was triggered by friction when workers were handling chemicals in one of the working sheds

How birds die fighting their own image on windows

How birds die fighting their own image on windows

Jasjeev.Gandhiok@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:13.02.2021 

Reflective glass panes may up the style of a building, but it is dangerous for birds, especially for nonurban avian species. For one, their own reflection in the window confuses the birds and causes them to peck aggressively at the glass to attack the ‘enemy’ bird, particularly during nesting season. The birds injure themselves, even die at times. Ornithologists say this phenomenon is becoming common as more buildings now use reflective windows that allow one-way view of the outside.

Faiyaz Khudsar, scientist in charge at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, said that many birds perceive the reflections in the windows as hostile birds. “At the Biodiversity Park itself, we see a lot of babblers pecking at their own reflections in the windows,” said Khudsar. “However, more than regular windows, reflective windows and those using glass films pose a higher risk to the birds.”

A 2014 study established that one billion birds died from window strikes every year in the United States. The study had analysed the behaviour of the golden-winged warbler, painted bunting, Canada warbler, wood thrush and the Kentucky warbler.

Experts explained that birds establishing their territory or nesting show these aggressive characteristics, and mistake their own reflections for other avians that need to be driven away from the spot. Dr Surya Prakash, zoologist at Jawaharlal Nehru University, pointed out that while birds like pigeons and crows are less affected by the reflections, species living in denser forested patches adjoining urban settlements often mistake the images for enemy birds.

“This is often the case with jungle babblers, woodpeckers and drongos. In some cases, they have died trying to defend their territory,” said Prakash. “They are especially territorial during the nesting season. Males are protective of their territory and defend the female and the chicks from the presumed male in the reflection. Similarly, female birds may think it’s another female bird trying to harm the chicks.”

The capacity to adapt varies from species to species. “We have seen a peregrine falcon nesting atop a reflective building near Okhla Bird Sanctuary for several years,” revealed Prakash.

Nadeem Shehzad, who runs a veterinary hospital for raptors in north Delhi, disclosed having received many birds injured in head-on collisions with glass panes. “It used to be common abroad, but with more people installing reflective windows, cases are rising here too,” said Shehzad. “Shikras, in particular, fly low and often injure themselves in this manner. Birds can actually die from the head-on collisions.”

DANGEROUS ONE VIEW: Their own reflection confuses birds, and causes them to peck aggressivel

CRICKET

 

Delay in healing is not doctor’s negligence: Court

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

Delay in healing is not doctor’s negligence: Court

Melvyn.ReggieThomas@timesgroup.com

Surat:  13.02.2021 

The Surat District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum rejected a Rs 19.5 lakh compensation case filed against an orthopaedic surgeon who was accused of negligence in operation for multiple fractures and dislocation of his left shoulder. The forum chaired by Justice A M Dave observed there could be a long delay in healing of the bone fracture and that it should not be considered as the negligence of the surgeon.

Dilip Lilawala, a resident of Surat, had met with an accident on March 2, 2015, and suffered multiple fractures and dislocated on his left shoulder. Lilawala consulted Dr Vijay Patel, an orthopaedic surgeon of a private hospital.

The x-ray showed damage in the humerus which had broken into four pieces. After taking the valid consent of the patient, the doctor performed the surgery of the left shoulder and he was discharged from the hospital on March 7, 2015. The doctor had told the patient that if the fracture is not healed within six months, he may have to undergo a second surgery as humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow and consist of three sections.

However, Lilawala approached the consumer forum on January 1, 2016, nine months after he was first operated upon, accusing Dr Patel of negligence as he did not heal completely.

Lilawal submitted that after operation, he had severe pain in the shoulders for more than 20 days. So, he decided to consult another orthopaedic surgeon in Surat. He was advised to visit Mumbai for further consultation.

In December 2015, he was operated in the Mumbai hospital after which he got some relief. Therefore, he decided to file a compensation case against Dr Patel. Shreyas Desai, the advocate who appeared on behalf of Dr Patel said, “The doctor had performed open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery for joining the humerus bone that had broken into four pieces.”

“However, the complainant lodged a case in the forum demanding compensation and accusing the doctor of negligence,” he added.

IRCTC to run tourist train to SoU on Feb 27

IRCTC to run tourist train to SoU on Feb 27

New Delhi:13.02.2021 

In line with the Government of India’s initiative ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ to promote domestic tourism, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will run a deluxe train for “Jyotirlinga and Statue of Unity” tour on February 27.

The train will depart from Delhi Safdarjung on February 27 and will cover two prominent Jyotirling temples Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain) and Omkareshwar along with the tallest statue in the world ‘Statue of Unity’ near Kevadia, Gujarat.

Tourists can board the train at Delhi Safdarjung, Mathura, Agra and Gwalior stations.

When it comes to facilities, the train features two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions and foot massagers.

The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation such as the first AC and second AC. Besides CCTV cameras, the train will have a deployment of private security guards for enhanced security.

Besides the train fare, IRCTC is also offering onboard and offboard meals, hotel stay at respective destinations, guided excursions in air-conditioned buses and travel insurance for the passengers in the tour package.

Situated near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district, the 'Statue of Unity' is the world's tallest statue and monumental tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, independent India's first home minister as well as deputy prime minister.

The statue was inaugurated in October 2018 by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of Patel's 143rd birth anniversary. AGENCIES