No gathering on Holi, Eid & Easter as MP fights Covid

No gathering on Holi, Eid & Easter as MP fights Covid

Sunday Shutdown In Betul, Ratlam, Khargone & Chhindwara Too

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:25.03.2021 

Battling a surge in Coronavirus cases, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet on Wednesday banned public gatherings on Holi and extended Sunday lockdown to four more cities — Betul, Ratlam, Khargone and Chhindwara.

“Vigilance is a must in view of the increasing cases of Corona in the state. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the principle of ‘Meri Holi-Mere Ghar’, limiting Holi to our homes,” CM Chouhan said. Not just Holi, large gatherings are prohibited on Shab-e-baraat, Easter and Idul-Fitr as well. The decision came on a day MP recorded 1,712 Covid cases — a new high every day— and the active case count crossed 10k.

Minister for medical education Vishwas Sarang said, “All religious gatherings are prohibited. Every district will appoint a crisis management committee that will hold meetings with religious heads and prominent citizens to advise against crowded celebrations.” “The cabinet decided that Holi this year will be celebrated with a new slogan — ‘Meri Holi Mere Ghar’ (My Holi at My Home). No procession or crowded celebration will be permitted,” Sarang said.

No lockdown in state, says Shivraj

CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday reiterated that the state will not go into lockdown. “Lockdown will not be imposed in the state, but the other necessary restrictions will be imposed,” he said at a discussion with journalists in Barwani. At a public event, he advised the anchor to wear his mask properly and warned people that if they do not wear masks, they will become infected with Coronavirus.

Wedding guests capped at 50

Clubs, swimming pools, gymnasiums and cinemas will remain closed. There will be no sit-and-eat at restaurants. They will be open only for takeaway and home delivery,” the minister added. The number of cities under Sunday lockdown has increased to seven — Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur have already had a Sunday shutdown (10pm Saturday to 6am Monday) following a government order of March 19. However, registry offices and treasury offices will remain open on Sunday March 28. “Schools and colleges will remain closed till March 31,” Sarang said.

After a long discussion, the cabinet capped wedding guests at 50 and those attending a funeral at 20 in towns and cities where more than 20 Covid cases are being reported per day. For mrityubhoj, only 50 people will be allowed. TNN

Govt directs varsities to cancel all irregular appointments

Govt directs varsities to cancel all irregular appointments

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:25.03.2021 

Finding gross irregularities in the recruitment process, the state department has directed all universities to cancel various appointments for posts of academic and non-academic staff made over the past few years.

These recruitments were made in the absence of vacant positions, according to the department. It has issued a circular in this regard to all universities where it has warned of strict disciplinary action against any official who does not adhere to this directive.

“It has come to light that several academic and non-academic staff members were recruited in the absence of any such vacant posts in the past few years,” said sources in the education department. Also, the salary, allowances, and even promotions with hike in payscale were given to these new recruits, sources added. All this has been done in gross violation of the state education department’s guidelines, according to sources. The funds generated after cancellation of these recruitments should immediately be directed to the grants received by the university.

Recruitments were made in absence of vacant positions

GTU degree dropouts can resume studies midway

REJOIN ANY TIME

GTU degree dropouts can resume studies midway

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:25.03.2021 

Gujarat Technology University, the state’s largest varsity, on Wednesday announced that it will allow students, who quit their diploma or degree engineering programs midway from its affiliated colleges, to resume their academic studies.

“Earlier only students with backlog were allowed to rejoin studies, but now any student who had left their degree or diploma studies midway through the academic year, can now rejoin college,” said an official at GTU.

The board of governors at GTU took this decision at a meeting held recently. GTU has 550 affiliated colleges. The varsity released a circular in this  connection on Wednesday.

In the case of diploma studies, students were required to complete the programme within six years while it was eight years in the case of degree studies.

“The new education policy has provisions for candidates to re-enter a programme at any point of time after they quit. Even if a student quit the programme many years ago and wished to rejoin, s/he can do so at any time,” said GTU sources. Such candidates can resume studies after payment of fees of Rs 5,000, according to sources.

The decision is likely to give a new lease of life to several hundred students who left their studies incomplete in the past due to varied reasons, sources added.

Covid -ve certificate required to attend Kumbh Mela: U’khand HC

Covid -ve certificate required to attend Kumbh Mela: U’khand HC

Prashant.Jha@timesgroup.com

Nainital:25.03.2021 

Days after chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat made the statement that no RT-PCR test report is required to attend Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Wednesday directed the state to strictly adhere to the the SOPs issued by both the central and state governments and “implement the guidelines in both letter and spirit.” The order effectively makes the Covid-19 RT-PCR test report mandatory, thereby clearing up the confusion that was prevailing in this regard especially after the CM’s statement made soon after he took over earlier this month.

The bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma which delivered the order said that “the government must insist that no pilgrim is allowed to enter Kumbh Mela areas or to enter the state, until and unless the person carries a medical certificate clearly indicating that he/she is not a Covid-19-positive patient.”

The bench noted that Covid cases are rising in several parts of the country which has forced several states to go into partial lockdown as a result of which, the pandemic remains a cause of concern. “This is a clear indication that we are again entering the phase where the country will face the Covid-19 pandemic.Therefore, the state government is expected to be vigilant and to ensure that the Maha Kumbh mela does not turn into a breeding ground for the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, this court directs the state government to ensure that the SOPs issued by the central and state government are implemented in the strictest sense, both in letter and spirit,” read the court order.

PREVENTIVE MEASURE

FIR against Haryana flyer for travelling despite positive result

Udaipur:  25.03.2021 

In a first in Rajasthan, Udaipur district administration has filed an FIR against a Haryana resident for violating Covid protocol and travelling despite testing positive.

The incharge deployed at Dabok airport to ensure adherence of pandemic protocol has submitted a written complaint at Dabok police station against Roshan Singh, resident of Gurugram, for travelling by air and putting other's life at risk even after he knew he had contracted the infection.

Udaipur collector Chetan Ram Deora had issued strict orders to airport authorities and airline companies not to permit any traveller to fly to Udaipur without an RT-PCR negative report.

Roshan Singh arrived in Udaipur without the report and tested positive after landing. He was made to stay at a hotel in Pratapnagar here and quarantined for 2 weeks. However, Roshan Singh did not abide by the order and flew back home on March 20. A complaint has been lodged against him under Section 270 of the IPC and sections 51, 52 of the Disaster Management Act. TNN

No risk of thrombosis or blood clotting due to Covishield: Paul

No risk of thrombosis or blood clotting due to Covishield: Paul

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.03.2021 

There is no risk of thrombosis or blood clotting due to use of Covishield, Niti Aayog member-health Dr V K Paul said on Wednesday and urged people to get vaccinated without any fear.

This comes in the wake of concerns about possible adverse events in people vaccinated with Covishield, a vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

“The Indian product Covishield has not been associated with any incidents of thrombosis,” Paul said. “There is no signal whatsoever for this concern. Covishield is safe, please proceed with its scale-up and uptake. We want to assure that there is no risk of blood clotting-related complications that were suspected in some nations with Covishield,” he added. Paul emphasised that both vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — currently in use in India were effective against the Brazil and UK strains.

3 airlines to bar 15 flyers from flying for not wearing masks

3 airlines to bar 15 flyers from flying for not wearing masks

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:25.03.2021

Three Indian carrier have initiated the process of putting 15 domestic travellers on their no fly list for refusing to follow Covid norms on the aircraft. These passengers are likely to be barred from flying for three months, as per DGCA's unruly flyers norms. Of these 15 passengers, three were offloaded before take off for refusing to wear PPE gown as required on their middle seats or masks and the rest were handed over to police on arrival.

The action has been initiated by IndiGo against 9 of its passengers; Alliance Air against four passengers and AirAsia India against two passengers. These violations were reported between March 15 and 23.

“Airlines have informed us that all of the 15 have been deemed unruly and face bar on flying for upto three months. Those who have been handed over to police will additionally face action for intimidating or misbehaving with crew, apart from the flying ban,” said a senior official of the DGCA, which has adopted a strict “zero tolerance” policy for non-compliance of Covid protocol at airports and during flying.

Under unruly flyer norms, the airline on whose flight disruptive behaviour took place can put a person on no fly list for certain time as per the gravity of his or her safety violation after following a due process. Though the offender cannot fly that airline, other carriers are free to bar that unruly person from flying on them too for the same period.

So far whenever Indian airlines have taken such action against someone deemed unruly, they all have collectively barred the person for flying for some time.

The DGCA had directed airlines, airport managements and security agencies to have zero tolerance for Covid norm violations after Delhi High Court Justice C Hari Shankar observed an “alarming situation” while flying from Kolkata to Delhi on March 5. Taking suo motu cognisance, the court passed a landmark order on March 8 to agencies for ensuring strict compliance of Covid norms by flyers. Last October, IndiGo had barred nine electronic media personnel from flying for a fortnight after they violated Covid norms.

Parliament nod for Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill

Parliament nod for Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill

Can Bring Paradigm Shift In Health Professionals’ Situation: Min

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:25.03.2021 

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday cleared the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2021, even as Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said the proposed legislation has the potential to bring a paradigm shift in health professionals' situation.

“Paramedics and allied healthcare workers are a critical part of the medical profession and their contribution is similar to doctors, if not more. The group of allied professionals is large and the bill is trying to regulate this field, by providing dignity to their roles,” Vardhan said.

The bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha, was moved for passage in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Recalling the role played by paramedics and allied health care workers, lab technicians, radiographers, and dieticians during the Coronavirus pandemic, Vardhan said they were as much part of the people's recovery as doctors are. He said the bill aims to establish a statutory body or commission that frames policies and standards, regulate professional conduct and qualifications for allied healthcare professionals besides providing uniformity of service standards across institutions. He also said all standards have been coded by international yardsticks and there will be representations from all States and Union Territories on this commission with each state having statelevel commissions.

“A common regulator has been prepared for all allied professions. This will enable a team-based approach to patient care,” he said.

The bill provides for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals, assessment of institutions, maintenance of a central and a state register and creation of a system to improve research and development and adoption of latest scientific advancement.

Bill amending juvenile justice law passed

New Delhi:

Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved crucial changes to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 to better protect children against crimes and speed up the process of adopting them.

Union women and child minister Smriti Irani congratulated Lok Sabha for arriving at a political consensus, a rarity in recent years, to pass an amendment that will have far-reaching impact on protecting children. She also said the proposed law seeks to make the district magistrate a “synergising officer” for issues related to protection of children. TNN

Paramedics and allied healthcare workers are a critical part of the medical profession and their contribution is similar to doctors. The group of allied professionals is large and the bill is trying to regulate this field, by providing dignity to their roles

10kg plastic bag retrieved from fish

10kg plastic bag retrieved from fish

Deepthi.Sanjiv@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:  25.03.2021 

A plastic bag with material resembling paper wrapped inside and weighing about 10kg was retrieved from a reef cod fish at a shop in Attavar here early this week.

An employee cleaning the fish stumbled upon the plastic deposit on Monday. Shocked, the storeowner decided to make a video and shared it on online platforms to spread awareness on the hazards of unchecked dumping of garbage into the sea.

“We are noticing this for the first time. If people continue to dump plastic into the sea at this rate, then fish breeding will be severely affected,” said the shop owner who did not want to be identified.

Dr A Senthil Vel, professor and dean (fisheries), College of Fisheries, said fish do not eat plastic.

“Fish are selective in what they eat. But the challenge is that the bottom of the coast is flooded with plastic and fishermen say 40%-50% of what trawlers pick is plastic. In this case, the fish caught by a trawler may have eaten plastic on the sea floor. Fish normally consume microplastic that toxifies their body. Most plastic waste flows into the sea through rivers and drains, and the administration should build a cost-effective grid that prevents the flow of waste from joining the sea,” he said.

Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, coordinator, ocean plastic recycling, Hasiru Dala, said, “We can’t ask fish not to eat plastic, but we can stop dumping waste.”

Hasiru Dala and Anti-Pollution Drive Foundation, with support from other organisations with similar ecological concern, have lifted 32 tonnes of waste dumped by the public near Netravati bridge in the past three Sundays. Of this, at least 15-20 tonnes are dry waste and, mostly, plastic.

“Up to 50-75 tonnes of waste is still needed to be lifted. Despite conducting the drive, it is unfortunate poultry waste was dumped recently. The administration assured us that CCTV cameras will be installed at the spot,” he added.

CAUGHT UNAWARES: A Mangaluru shop employee cleaning the reef cod fish stumbled upon the plastic

BIRYANI the hit for all seasons

BIRYANI the hit for all seasons

New Avatar: After Pasta & Ice Cream, Biryani-Flavoured Popcorn Is Now A Sizzling Hit

Kamini.Mathai@timesgroup.com

25.03.2021 

Whether the smoky dark Dindigul version or the veiled spiciness of the Ambur spin-off, biryani is a dish that’s local in flavour but clearly universal in appeal. Bizarrely so, in fact. Earlier this year, it adapted itself into a flavour of popcorn as well. Vishal Gurusami of Chennai-based Binge Pop began offering the biryani-flavoured popcorn, and found that within days of its launch it had become a bestseller. “We do our own seasoning for the popcorn. Clearly, people like biryani in any form,” he says.

The popcorn joins the bandwagon of recent out-of-the-box fusions of the staple such as biryani-scented attar and biryani pasta. And not to mention the biryani flavoured ice cream (which apparently comes with caramelized onion shavings for garnish!) Clearly, it’s the flavour of every season.

Giving an idea of just how much it’s in demand, Swiggy’s 5th Annual StatEATstics report 2020 reveals biryani was ordered more than once every second. In fact, during the lockdown, a large number of users made their debut on the food-ordering app by placing an order for chicken biryani. And now with the elections around the corner, the one-pot meal takes centre stage again at rallies as the surefire route to a voter’s heart — a packet of biryani, the carb-protein dish perfectly poised to raise flagging energy levels.

At its most basic level, biryani is just a meal of meat and rice, says sociocultural anthropologist Dr S Sumathi. “But that little plate holds within it the complexities of Tamil culture and that’s what makes it so popular,” she says.

In the state, the concept of hospitality or ‘Virunthombal’ is all-important, explains Sumathi. “Both food and culture are interlinked so deeply, one does not exist without the other. At a typical feast, for instance, even the very action of how you close a leaf, towards or away from you, signifies whether the experience was mournful or joyous,” she says.

In some villages, food serves as a traditional fundraiser. People who are bankrupt take a loan and throw a feast, says Sumathi. “Well-wishers enjoy the meal and place money under the leaf. So the man in debt raises money without loss of face. Food is the common denominator in times of crisis and occasions of joy.”

“There is a saying in Tamil, veetilai kai nanachitta, vaaku maara kudathu (once you come to the house and eat, you cannot go back on your word), which shows just how closely food and honour are connected. Also what makes food an integral part of TN politics,” says Sumathi. With almost 98% of the state being non-vegetarian, the easy-going and hearty biryani is the perfect way to cement a bond.

When food vlogger Irfan (of the popular social media handle Irfan’sView) got started three years ago, among the first videos he put up was of him relishing a plate of Dindigul style biryani. Almost instantly, it got him 1.6 million views and helped his digital trajectory get off to an explosive start. “When my vlogging was taking off, I would do biryani episodes at least once every two weeks because I found they got the most views,” says Irfan, a 27-year-old BPO employeeturned-popular vlogger. “Biryani is a universal dish but can be customized to local tastes. I realised viewers are on the lookout for what’s new on the biryani scene.”

Biryani is a versatile meal, says Krish Ashok, author of ‘Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking’. “It can be minimalist or extravagant, depending on the ingredients. It can be made sinfully expensive with ingredients like rose water, dry fruits and saffron, or cheap by using lower quality rice and cuts of meat. But whichever way you cook it, biryani brings with it the aroma and aura of a feast,” he says.

Though it traces its origins to Persia and is believed to have been brought to India by the Mughals, today, every part of the country has its own signature version, says Krish. “For instance, the Malabar style incorporates pineapple, while the Bengalis add potato.”

“The Madurai style uses the more meaty seeraga samba rice, while in Chennai it’s the lighter basmati rice that is used. Just the type of rice can change the taste.” Though biryani merely combines the most widely eaten staple rice with meat, it is truly a canvas that adapts itself across class and situation, says Krish. “It’s perfect for people in a rush, for those who have all the time in the world, for the poor and the rich. It’s infinitely variable,” he says. Which is why, election season or not, it’s always got the vote of the masses.

‘My aunt said she was stepping aside for now, told me to take up poll fight’

TALKING TO TOI ELECTIONS 2021

‘My aunt said she was stepping aside for now, told me to take up poll fight’

AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran says the decision to step aside from politics by his aunt V K Sasikala was her own and that no one forced her to take the call. He denied the BJP had forced her to step aside or tried to bring the AIADMK and the AMMK together. In an interview to D Govardan amid his campaign in Tiruvannamalai on Wednesday, Dhinakaran exuded confidence that the AMMK-led alliance will triumph in the assembly election on the back of people’s yearning for a real change.

How is the response from the people to your campaign?

The response has been very good. The ground reality is reflecting the people’s yearning for change. They have understood that the present government has betrayed the public as well as those who anointed them to the position of power. On the other, the DMK has created an illusion, as it does in every election, that it is coming to power. But the people are ready to demolish that illusion. People are looking for a real change and the AMMK has formed a formidable alliance with the DMDK, SDPI and Owaisi’s AIMIM as well as several smaller local parties, besides several organisations and fronts too have extended their support. Moreover, people are wholeheartedly supporting us and will ensure that our alliance wins with a clear majority.

DMK president M K Stalin says his alliance will win all 234 seats, while AIADMK minister S P Velumani has said their alliance will win more than 200. How many seats have they left for your alliance?

Had Velumani said his party will lose more than 200 seats, it would be closer to reality. The DMK always creates a hype that it will emerge the winner right from the days of Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) and the best example was the 1980 assembly election, where the DMK had even printed victory posters and had kept them ready for his birthday. But the people re-elected MGR as the CM. The DMK cannot aspire to get people’s votes, beyond those of the allied parties. I am sure people will repose faith in the AMMK.

Your aunt V K Sasikala was given a rousing welcome on her return. So, why did she step aside from politics?

There were a lot of expectations. But not from us. After returning from Bengaluru, she wanted to get into politics full-time. But the repeated statements by AIADMK leaders that she is not welcome, hurt her. Did she say that she wanted to rejoin the AIADMK? It is one thing that someone wants to join and another if the party leaders make statements on their own. It was these people, who had elected her as their general secretary and fell at her feet to accept that post. Watching these developments, she expressed her anguish and told me that she was stepping aside for the present and asked me to go ahead with my electoral fight.

There were reports that the BJP had forced her to step aside.

No. It is not true. No one from the BJP spoke either to me or her. No one coerced her to step aside.

There were reports that I too have been forced to step away from politics. But I informed the media that no one can coerce me and that the first list of candidates will be released on March 10 and I did that. Some vested interests created such rumours.

Who are these vested interests?

Our political enemies and our betrayers, besides the media which supports them and the agents who participate in political debates on television channels. The state is also involved in spreading such rumours. It is definitely an act of those, whose poll prospects will be affected by the AMMK.

There were also reports that the BJP intervened to bring the AIADMK and the AMMK together.

No. There were no talks like that. I also saw such media reports. But no one, especially from the BJP, spoke to me.

There were reports that O Panneerselvam was in touch with you.

It is a blatant lie. We never spoke to each other. In the past people had even spread rumours about Amma (J Jayalalithaa) having a daughter.

Such rumours are the handiwork of our enemy – the DMK or the betrayers – Palaniswami and Company.

But why is Edappadi Palaniswami so cut up with you?

It is because of the fear of losing. To reclaim the AIADMK democratically is our aim. That is why the AMMK was formed and he now fears that our party will defeat them. They are only banking on purchasing votes. But they know they will not succeed. People also know that it is their money that is coming back to them and they will take it. But we will do an RK Nagar across the state.

On Tuesday, O Panneerselvam told a news channel that he never doubted Sasikala in the death of Jayalalithaa and the party is open to examine her re-entry to the party. What do you think made him take such a stand now?

I also saw that. There is opposition building against him in his constituency and the fear of losing could have force him to say such a thing now. He started a ‘dharmayudh’ against our family and the world knows what he had said about us then. If he is changing his stand, it must be due to belated realisation of his folly. You have to pose the question to him. But since this is happening closer to the election, one has to doubt his realisation.

While you attack both the DMK and the AIADMK, you seem to be silent on the BJP in your campaign.

In 2019, it was the Lok Sabha election and hence I had to attack the BJP.

This is an assembly election and the fight is only between the AMMK, the DMK and the AIADMK. Whenever a move is made by the BJP against the interests of Tamil people, I attack it.

Contesting elections is an expensive affair. With your aunt backing out, how will you manage without her financial support?

We are heading into the election based on the strength of our cadres and the personal financial strength of our candidates. Is Chinnamma (Sasikala) running a finance company to fund me? What support can she provide, when she herself has come out of prison after four years.

If as predicted by opinion polls, the DMK wins, is there a possibility of the AIADMK and the AMMK coming together?

First, the cadres will come together. The AIADMK leaders with moneybags and all those who spoke ill about us will look for alternative pastures out of fear. If by chance, please note, only by chance, the DMK comes to power, everyone will know where these leaders, with skeletons in their cupboards, will be. All those who are not at fault or don’t have any dirty baggage will come together as Amma’s cadres.

Will it be a unified AIADMK then?

Only the cadres will decide when that happens.

Email your feedback to southpole. toi@ timesgroup.com

Star constituency to see a battle royale between doctor & actor

GROUND ZERO THOUSAND LIGHTS

Star constituency to see a battle royale between doctor & actor

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  25.03.2021 

Thousand Lights constituency, where DMK supremo M K Stalin recorded a hat-trick, is now the venue of a doctor-versus-actor tussle.

While actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar’s ‘Lotus’ dance to popularise her poll symbol has gone viral on social media, her opponent Dr Ezhilan is sticking to door-to-door canvassing. In terms of star value, this constituency is next only to Chepauk. Khushbu’s eleventhhour nomination by the BJP took everybody by surprise, as the national party had only a few months ago received into its fold the DMK’s sitting MLA Ku Ka Selvam. Earlier there were rumours that Khushbu might be fielded against Udhayanidhi in Chepauk, and visuals of Khushbu’s roadshow in that constituency only added fuel to the story.

Khusbu seems to be in no mood to miss out on this opportunity. Right from the day of her nomination, her rallies have attracted crowds. But the larger question is whether or not it will be converted into votes. The BJP is confident that her popularity and star value will be of great help here. Besides, they also pin hope on that the fact that the minority population at Thounsand Lights area might support Khushbu. Around 10% of the voters are Muslims.

Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Mehdi Khan, Chief Qazi at the Thounsand Lights Mosque, however, said, “Though there has been no major disturbance to communal harmony here so far, we are skeptical about some of the changes proposed by parties in power now.”

It is a loaded statement, indicating that it would take Khushbu much more than a dance-andcharm campaign to breach the DMK bastion. The DMK has won nine of the 15 assembly elections here and Stalin three elections between 1996 and 2006.

The party’s present candidate Dr Ezhilan is the son of N Naganathan, renowned academic and former vice-chairman of the state planning commission. Ezhilan, who gained prominence through his relief work during the 2015 floods, Covid outbreak and protests against NEET and NRC, has assured the electorate that he would improve the living standard of every resident by developing housing board settlements, schools, hospitals and decongesting roads. “There is an urgent need to develop entrepreneurial skills of youngsters at Thousand Lights constituency, which has hundreds of small-scale enterprises like textile shops and printing presses,” he said. Resident welfare associations here say that MLA Ku Ka Selvam’s limited availability and absence of corporation ward councillors made their lives more difficult.

For instance, Greater Chennai Corporation had proposed to construct an elevated corridor from Sterling Road junction to Nelson Manickam Road to reduce congestion on Choolaimedu’ High Road. But till date, it hasn’t materialised and there letters sent to all stakeholders went unanswered, said Kasturi Rangan from Choolaimedu Exnora.

There’s no permanent CM, says OPS

There’s no permanent CM, says OPS

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

25.03.2021 

The divisions within the AIADMK came into the open when deputy chief minister and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam asserted that there was no “dual leadership” in the party nor “a permanent chief minister”. The AIADMK leader said he had a lot of respect for former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s closeaide V K Sasikala and that he remained a loyal friend to her nephew and AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran.

“The administration is run by a single leadership. And, there is no dual leadership in the party. He (EPS) steers the government and I extend support to him. Similarly, I am the coordinator of the party and he supports me. This is our mutual relationship,” Panneerselvam said in an interview to a Tamil television channel telecast on Tuesday.

Panneerselvam’s remarks come against the backdrop of a caste backlash in the mukkulathor-dominated Bodinayakkanur constituency where he is contesting as the AIADMK candidate. The Edappadi K Palaniswami government had announced internal reservation for the vanniyar community within the 20% MBC quota minutes before the Election Commission issued the poll notification for the April 6 assembly election. The mukkulathor caste is a sub-sect of the thevar community to which both Sasikala and OPS belong.

But Panneerselvam’s pro-Sasikala remarks have upset the EPS camp that has stoutly opposed her reinduction into the party as well as a merger of the AIADMK and AMMK. “EPS was quite upset and met OPS at a private hotel in Salem on Wednesday morning and was closeted with him for 15 minutes,” said a source privy to the meeting. “EPS requested OPS to refrain from making statements that may jeopardize the electoral prospects of the party. The leaders also discussed election strategies,” said the source. Panneerselvam reached Salem on Tuesday night to campaign in Salem and Edappadi, while Palaniswami took a break from electioneering on Tuesday and was at his Salem residence. EPS is the AIADMK’s candidate in Edappadi.

In the interview, Panneerselvam said he had “no suspicion about Sasikala in Jayalalithaa’s death” nor did he have anything against her. The AIADMK, he said, could consider taking her back on humanitarian basis, if she accepted the “present set-up” of the party.

“OPS has expressed his views going by his conscience. He is known to speak responsibly after giving much thought. If he says something it must be true only,” AIADMK spokesman Kovai K Selvaraj said. A section, however, feels the comments were unwarranted when the party is fighting a tough poll battle.

“Today, he (EPS) is the chief minister. No one knows who will become CM after him. Only those who possess qualification and ability will get an opportunity,” OPS said in the interview.

INSTANT FEEDBACK: Following his deputy O Panneerselvam’s remarks on Tuesday, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami met with OPS in a hotel in Salem on Wednesday and urged him to refrain from making such comments

IN THE INTERVIEW, PANNEERSELVAM SAID HE HAD “NO SUSPICION ABOUT SASIKALA IN JAYALALITHAA’S DEATH” NOR DID HE HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST HER. THE AIADMK, HE SAID, COULD CONSIDER TAKING HER BACK ON HUMANITARIAN BASIS, IF SHE ACCEPTED THE PRESENT PARTY SET-UP

With 53,364 cases, India sees its biggest one-day spike in 5 mths

With 53,364 cases, India sees its biggest one-day spike in 5 mths

25.03.2021 

For Second Day In A Row, Toll Crosses 200

India recorded its highest single-day Covid-19 count in over five months on Wednesday with 53,364 patients testing positive for the virus. The last time the country had surpassed this tally was on October 23 when 54,350 cases were recorded.

However, unlike in the second half of October, when the first wave was receding after having peaked on September 17, this time around the pandemic is surging rapidly. On September 17, the peak of the first wave in India, the daily count was just around 2,000 cases short of the one-lakh mark.

For the second consecutive day, the daily Covid toll breached the 200-mark with 248 victims succumbing to the virus on Wednesday. The toll was lower than the previous day’s figure of 276. On October 23 – when the cases were just about 1,000 more than March 24 – the daily casualties were 665. TNN

52 students of TN med college test +ve

At least 52 first-year medical students of Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute at Enathur in Kancheepuram district have tested positive for Covid-19. The management closed the hostel and shifted classes for first and second year MBBS students to online mode. P 4

Active Covid cases up by one lakh in last six days

However, active cases on October 23 stood at 6,75,394 and during the second half of October they were decreasing rapidly with each passing day as the number of patients getting discharged was outnumbering the new cases. In contrast, active cases now have been rising at a very fast pace and stood at 3,96,889 on March 24. Last six days have seen an increase in active cases by a whopping one lakh.

The rapid surge on Wednesday by over 6,000 cases against Tuesday’s 47,281infections was led by Maharashtra, which reported its highest ever count at 31,855. Mumbai, too, recorded its highest ever infections, aided by a massive jump in cases — from 3,514 the previous day to 5,190 on Wednesday. Active cases in Maharashtra are inching closer to the 2.5 lakh-mark. Daily toll in Maharashtra was lower at 95 against 134 casualties on Tuesday.

Maharashtra government’s Covid-19 task force called for a stringent check on people’s movement in Mumbai, including shutting down of popular spots such as the Juhu beach for a few weeks, restrictions on post-7pm movement of people and early closure of non-essential shops.

Gujarat, too, recorded its highest ever count with 1,790 cases on Wednesday.

Use of Aadhaar data by BJP to woo voters: HC seeks EC report

Use of Aadhaar data by BJP to woo voters: HC seeks EC report

Chennai:26.03.2021 

The Madras high court on Wednesday chided the Election Commission over its failure to probe complaints about the Puducherry unit of the BJP illegally accessing Aadhaar data and using it to reach voters in the Union territory and asked it to file a report by March 26, reports Sureshkumar K.

“A matter of serious concern has been reported by the petitioner that a prominent political party has access to personal records of citizens to undertake a political campaign. It will not do for the ECI to say cyber crimes division is conducting an investigation. When the commission is up and about in all other matters and asserts its primacy and authority, it has to look into this allegation immediately and with the degree of seriousness that it deserves,” a bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said.

‘952 groups created using Aadhaar data’

AAnand, president of the Democratic Youth Foundation of India’s Puducherry unit, said in his petition that local BJP candidates had obtained the mobile phone numbers of voters that are linked with Aadhaar and were using them to create WhatsApp groups in their respective constituencies for campaigning.

“Multiple WhatsApp groups have been formed in the Union territory using the same phone number specifically targeting voters in respective booths and constituencies through messages,” said advocate M N Sumathy, who is representing the petitioner.

When the petitioner tried to reach the administrator of one such group, he came to know there were 952 WhatsApp groups created with voter details obtained from Aadhaar data, Sumathy added.

The petitioner also said that voters have been receiving calls from the BJP seeking votes with accurate details such as names, election booths and constituencies from which they will be voting.

52 students of Kanchi med college test +ve

52 students of Kanchi med college test +ve

Chennai:25.03.2021 

At least 52 first year medical students of Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute at Enathur in Kancheepuram district have tested positive for Covid-19. The management closed the hostel and shifted classes for first and second year MBBS students to online mode.

Dean Dr K V Rajasekhar said the college had ordered RTPCR tests after six students tested positive two days ago. “Simultaneously, we asked all their primary and secondary contacts on campus to get themselves tested. Besides 228 students, hostel and mess staff and faculty members were tested. In this group, 46 students tested positive,” he said.

Students who tested positive for the viral infection are being kept in an isolation ward of the hospital attached to the medical college. District public health officer Dr V K Palani said the condition of all students was stable. “We have advised home quarantine for students who tested negative,” he said. Barring 40 final year students who are writing their exams, all others were asked to vacate the campus. TNN

‘Covid bus’ on tour of temple towns

‘Covid bus’ on tour of temple towns

Ishita.Mishra@timesgroup.com

Dehradun:24.03.2021 

Twenty-two passengers of a bus, travelling from Gujarat, tested positive for Covid-19 in Rishikesh on Monday night. The bus, on a 15-day North India trip, boarded mostly by elderly women, travelled to Jaipur, Pushkar, Mathura and Haridwar before reaching Rishikesh where the health department conducted their tests after a few showed symptoms of the virus.

Not only that, the health department officials said they were finding it difficult to trace the tourists in question as they had all provided wrong phone numbers. As a result, there is no information on whether they have been hospitalised or isolated.

Tehri additional chief medical officer Jagdish Joshi said the bus was stopped near Muni Ki Reti on March 18 where a health team screened the passengers.

When TOI contacted Mahesh Bhai, owner of the travel agency that booked the 50 passengers from various villages of Gujarat, he said, “We started on March 7, covered Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, Jaipur, Pushkar and Mathura. We reached Haridwar on March 18, where the tourists wanted to take a holy dip in Ganga. We were scheduled to return on March 20, but with two days still in our hands we visited Neelkanth Mahadev temple in Rishikesh,” said Mahesh, and added that he had personally called all the 22 people and asked them to either go to hospital or get themselves isolated at homes.

He also claimed that every passenger had a Covid-negative certificate when they began the journey.

₹2,000 old-age pension for estranged wife not enough: HC

MAINTENANCE DISPUTE

₹2,000 old-age pension for estranged wife not enough: HC

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:24.03.2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court while deciding a dispute between an estranged elderly couple — the man is 75 years old and his wife is 67 years old — over maintenance allowance made it clear that an old-age pension of ₹2,000 is inadequate.

Upholding that ₹9,000 as monthly maintenance allowance allowed by the family court to the aged woman cannot be termed on the higher side, considering that the husband receives ₹50,000 as pension, the high court said that the old-age pension was not enough even to meet medical expenses.

The petitioner’s main plea against the maintenance amount of ₹9,000 awarded by the family court to his estranged wife was that the amount was on the higher side, as his wife has been living in a house provided by him and gets ₹2,000 as old-age pension.

Full report on www.toi.in

Size, number of clusters on the rise in city, say officials

Size, number of clusters on the rise in city, say officials

Pushpa.Narayan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.03.2021 

With 532 new cases being reported in Chennai on Tuesday, highest since November 17, health officials said the city is witnessing a spike in both the number of clusters and their size. On March13,15 people from four families had tested positive, while on March17, there were 28 positive cases from eight clusters. On Monday, officials found 40 positive cases from three branches of AGS Health Private limited and 25 cases from other clusters. Last week, nearly a dozen people from a private bank tested positive for the viral infection.

States allowed to impose local curbs

Keeping in view the fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country, the new home ministry guidelines valid through April mandate the states and UTS to strictly enforce the ‘test-track-treat’ protocol and allow states to impose local restrictions at district, sub-district, city and ward level. The Centre has asked states to ensure observance of Covid appropriate behaviour including by imposing fines, and scaling up vaccination drive. INSIDE FLAP

‘Clusters can become huge when people take infection to offices’

We continue to see clusters at homes after luncheons, parties, weddings and funerals. But when people take infection to their workplaces, the cluster can become huge,” said director of public health Dr TS Selvavinayagam.

“When people sit in a closed environment, particularly air-conditioned rooms for long hours in close proximity, the chances of infection spreading is high. Masks and social distance can reduce the burden,” he said.

The rising clusters have led to spike in average number of fresh cases reported in the city over the past few weeks. Between February 12 and 18, the city reported an average of 144 cases a day, and the following week the number rose to 152. In the week between March 12 and March 18, there were about 362 fresh cases a day. During that week, the city added 2,288 new cases and reported 17 deaths.

In the last five days, the city has already surpassed last week’s total. Between March 19 and March 23, the city has reported 2,373 cases and 15 deaths.

The trend reminded officials of Covid-19 cases in May last year, when teams were tracking clusters from several streets in North Chennai and the city was under a strict lockdown.

On an average, the city corporation tracks down at least 30 close contacts of every positive patient.

“If there is one person tested positive, we speak to family, colleagues and friends who have been in close contact with them. If clusters and cases are large, it means the health staff must track down more people and ensure they are tested,” said a senior health department official of the Greater Chennai Corporation.

“We test about 30 people for every positive case. Active cases have increased in almost all zones,” he said.

On Tuesday, zonal health officials have asked commercial establishments and factories to do thermal scanning for all staff.

Those showing symptoms of viral infection should be asked to go for a test. The company should ask their staff to always wear masks and maintain social distance.

“Staff, who are eligible for vaccination, should be encouraged to take the shot. Unlike last year, we have an effective vaccine that can prevent complications and deaths. We must use it,” Dr Selva Vinayagam said.

The rising clusters have led to spike in average number of fresh cases reported in the city over the past few weeks. In the last five days, the city has already surpassed last week’s total

Railway Board says no stop for Tejas Exp at Tambaram, passengers disappointed

Railway Board says no stop for Tejas Exp at Tambaram, passengers disappointed

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.03.2021 

Residents demanding a stop at Tambaram railway station for the Chennai-Madurai Tejas Express are disappointed as the the Railway Board, according to an RTI reply, has not approved the proposal.

The train which originates at Egmore, with annual footfalls of 4.5 crore, will, however, stop at Dindigul. Tambaram records footfalls of nearly 7 crore annually, next only to Chennai Beach station, with footfalls of 9.5 crore every year, on the city’s suburban station network.

Southern Railway, in a series of RTI replies, said that in June 2019 the chief passenger transport manager wrote to M S Bhatia, Railway Board executive director (coaching), saying the member (traffic) of the Railway Board had during a visit to the city suggested a halt for the train at Tambaram. The Southern Railway general manager then submitted a recommendation, saying there would be an increase of only 5 minutes in the onward journey, but there would be no delay in the overall running time.

But as per an RTI reply dated March 18, 2021, from M S Bhatia, the railways’ apex body did not approve it. “It only approved the stoppage at Dindigul but not at Tambaram,” said Dayanand Krishnan, a resident of Chitlapakkam. “I sent many RTI applications, seeking information on the recommendations and whether meetings were held to discuss the issue. They replied that no meetings were held. We have no idea why the stoppage was not approved. ”

Several residents have been demanding the halt for more than a year since the service began. Varathan Ananthappan, a resident of Madipakkam said, “There is huge patronage for this train. Now, we need to book cabs that cost us Rs 1,000 more than the ticket fare. In New Delhi, the Tejas Express stops at Ghaziabad, just 13km away, and in Mumbai, it stops at Thane, 35km away. Then why not here?”

A Southern Railway said the reason for the Railway Board not approving the proposal could not be ascertained. Another official said the issue would be taken up again after the state assembly election process was over.

No tuition fee for girl PG students in Haryana government colleges with family income less than Rs 1.8 lakh

No tuition fee for girl PG students in Haryana government colleges with family income less than Rs 1.8 lakh

The Director-General of Higher Education Department, Haryana, has forwarded a letter in this regard to principals of all government and government-aided colleges in the state.

Published: 23rd March 2021 12:31 AM 

By PTI

CHANDIGARH: Girl students with annual family income less than Rs 1.80 lakh and pursuing post-graduation in government colleges and government-aided facilities of Haryana will not be charged tuition fee, according to an official statement on Monday.

The Director-General of Higher Education Department, Haryana, has forwarded a letter in this regard to principals of all government and government-aided colleges in the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Haryana Board of School Education, Bhiwani, Jagbir Singh said examination of classes nine and 11 will be conducted from 10 am to 12:30 pm in place of the earlier scheduled time of 8:30 am to 11 am.

He said the examination of class 11 students be held from March 26 to April 23, and for Class nine it will be from March 30 to April 17.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, all candidates should ensure social distancing and wear mask at the examination centre according to government guidelines, the official said.

Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK candidate impresses voters by washing cloths to indicate manifesto assurance

Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK candidate impresses voters by washing cloths to indicate manifesto assurance

Kathiravan is AIADMK’s Nagapattinam town secretary. The 50-year-old candidate contests his first assembly elections after being rewarded with a ticket for his active party work.

Published: 22nd March 2021 09:34 PM |

AIADMK's Nagapattinam candidate T Kathjravan canvasses votes by washing clothes in public near Nagore on Monday. (Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

NAGAPATTINAM: AIADMK’s candidate for Nagapattinam assembly constituency made heads turn on Monday as he washed clothes of a woman in public while he was canvassing votes in the public.

T Kathjravan, prominently known as Thanga Kathiravan, AIADMK’s candidate for Nagapattinam assembly constituency, made quite a buzz when he went canvassing votes near Nagore Monday. As he and other party functionaries were canvassing votes door-to-door in Vandipettai, he saw a woman washing the clothes of her family members. Kathjravan approached the woman and offered to wash a few clothes. After initial reluctance and awkwardness, the woman gave a few cloths.

Kathiravan sat down and washed them for a few minutes. He also washed a few vessels kept next to him. The residents were awed and impressed by the stunt the Kathjravan pulled on the spot.

When TNIE sought why he chose to wash clothes where he had went for canvassing, Kathjravan said, “Our Amma’s government will give washing machines as assured once it comes to power again. Women and homemakers may never have to hurt their hands when they get their washing machines. The government would take care of it. I washed clothes just to indicate and prove my point.”

Kathiravan is AIADMK’s Nagapattinam town secretary. The 50-year-old candidate contests his first assembly elections after being rewarded with a ticket for his active party work.

Can you eat meat, drink or smoke after getting the jab?

Can you eat meat, drink or smoke after getting the jab?

As the vaccination drive gains popularity, manifold post-vaccine care instructions, scientific and otherwise, are fed to the people.

Published: 22nd March 2021 03:21 AM 

Health workers advising people before taking swab samples at Rajiv Gandhi GH | DEBADATTA MALLICK

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: As the vaccination drive gains popularity, manifold post-vaccine care instructions, scientific and otherwise, are fed to the people. Given that many of these instructions seem extremely common, separating disinformation from official guidelines has become hard.

Rajendran, a 62-year-old farmer who got his first jab of vaccination at a rural Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Chengalpattu, a week ago was advised not to drink after he got his second jab. “I was told the vaccine won’t work if I drink,” he said. Meanwhile, in the heart of Chennai, Kalyan*, a journalist in his thirties was informed by the nurse administering the vaccine that he should not drink, smoke or eat meat for 48 hours. His friend, who was vaccinated at an affluent private hospital, was advised to not drink or “eat any non-vegetarian food,” for a week.

So, which advice is right and what should people follow? First things first, there are no dietary restrictions advised by the government along with the vaccine so far. “There are no tangible scientific studies that have shown that non-vegetarian food makes the vaccine ineffective. So people need not stop eating meat to get the vaccine,” said State Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan. Also, there are no approved scientific studies that quantifies the effect of alcohol or smoking on vaccination either.

However, this does not mean it is advisable to get drunk to celebrate getting the first jab. Here’s why: Vaccinations often cause mild flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headache and nausea. Alcohol tends to aggravate and worsen these symptoms making the experience unpleasant for those getting vaccinated. “Alcohol also affects the body’s immune system negatively and there is a chance that the immune response to the vaccine may not be as effective if there is excessive alcohol in the system,” said Dr P Kuganantham, senior epidemiologist and a member of the State Special Task Force against Covid-19.

“One may feel less sick if they avoid drinking and smoking a week before and after getting the vaccine,” he recommended. The same is true of tobacco consumption. It tends to affect the immune system and therefore may render the vaccine relatively less effective. While the correlation has not been scientifically studied, it is known that smoking does worsen the risk associated with Covid-19 itself.

Kuganantham said that scientifically, there is few pre- and post-vaccination care some people should take. “People on steroids and blood thinners can stop their medications for two days before and two days after the jab to prevent adverse side-effects. If someone has had an anapholatic shock to a vaccine, they should inform their physician and be more careful,” he said. He added that the most important thing to do post-vaccination is to continue wearing masks, maintaining social distance and avoid touching surfaces.

Delhi lowers drinking age to 21, govt to exit business

Delhi lowers drinking age to 21, govt to exit business

AlokKNMishra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.03.2021 

In a major reform, the Delhi government has reduced the drinking age in the city from 25 to 21, removing an anomaly in its excise policy. Delhi was among a few states and Union territories that had a higher age bar even as the rest of the country had moved on. In what can prove to be a major game-changer, the government has also announced that it will exit the liquor business.

These two are among a host of decisions, including checking the liquor mafia, ensuring quality control, transforming the liquor buying experience of customers and, finally, increasing the excise revenue by 20% in the first year, announced by the AAP government as part of its new excise policy on Monday.

In 2019-20, the state government earned Rs 6,574 crore from liquor, which is about 9.5% of the total estimated revenue, as mentioned in the budget, of Rs 69,000 crore.

The policy was approved by the Arvind Kejriwal government on Monday and will come into effect after it is notified in a couple of days.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who announced the new policy, said the government will not run liquor shops anymore (currently it runs around 60% of these outlets) because it is not the job of the government to sell liquor. No new liquor shops will be opened, Sisodia said, pointing out that since 2016, no new outlet has been opened in the city.

"The excise reforms announced today will be a major blow to the liquor mafia in Delhi. The liquor mafia runs around 2,000 illegal shops which results in tax evasion of Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 2,000 crore," said Sisodia.

Full report on www.toi.in

Delhi was among a few states and Union territories that had a higher age bar even as the rest of the country had moved on