Arrear pending since ’90? Anna University lets you clear it

Arrear pending since ’90? Anna University lets you clear it

Anna University has announced a special chance for students admitted since 1990 to clear their pending arrear exams.

Published: 18th April 2021 04:18 AM 

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Anna University has announced a special chance for students admitted since 1990 to clear their pending arrear exams. They will get three chances in August/September 2021, February 2022, and August 2022. The university, in a statement on Friday, advised students to utilise these chances “with utmost care and diligence” since it will be the final opportunity. It said two categories of students will be permitted for these special exams.

“Students of university department of Anna University, Chennai, admitted in the academic year 1990 onwards — both UG and PG under full-time and parttime mode,” is one category. The consideration will also be extended to students of affiliated colleges of Anna University and students admitted to colleges affiliated at the time of admission.

However, the chance will only be provided to students who were admitted since 2002 and those who were pursuing their third semester at least, in 2001. The eligibility criteria includes: “Students of affiliated colleges of Anna University and students admitted in the affiliated colleges at the time of admission i.e. during academic year 2001 (3rd semester onwards) and currently in autonomous ones including distance education offered by Anna University.”

Have an uncleared arrear from 1990? Anna Univ gives a chance

Speaking to Express, M Venkatesan, the controller of examinations of the varsity, said the decision was finalised in the 260th syndicate meeting held on February 16. The varsity had previously given two chances to clear arrears, for students admitted in the university department since 2000. While the first chance was given in November 2019, the second was completed only in April 2021 due to the lockdown and other restrictions.

“Students could not fully avail this because of the lockdown. However, we have extended the consideration all the way back to 1990 for the benefit of students this time,” said a senior official from the varsity. Other details about the special exams will be updated subsequently on Anna University’s web portal, the statement said. A decision on the initiative was taken during the meeting the vice-chancellors held on July 29, 2020 under the chairpersonship of principal secretary, Higher Education Department.

Professors in Tamil Nadu forced to canvass students for college admissions

Professors in Tamil Nadu forced to canvass students for college admissions

Come admissions season, private colleges turn professors into marketing executives to rope in new students every year, letting education take a backseat.

Published: 19th April 2021 03:53 AM 

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Come admissions season, private colleges turn professors into marketing executives to rope in new students every year, letting education take a backseat. From sourcing students’ database illegally from government schools to making cold calls to students, the faculty members allege they are being exploited by managements.

M Kaviyarasan, an assistant professor at a private college on the outskirts of the city, alleged that the staff members were forced to collect class 12 student databases, including their contact numbers, by visiting schools daily. “During the visits, headmasters do not treat us with respect and often do not part with the details.” To overcome these hurdles, a few colleges have been bribing headmasters with cash and furniture to get the students’ details, Kaviyarasan added.

“This poses a big challenge to us every year. Although the government clearly says colleges should not involve professors in other work, they continue to do so,” he rued. Besides fieldwork, professors make cold calls as well. A female professor at a college in the city said that she was made to work as a telemarketer to explain course details, fees, facilities, etc. to over 150 students daily. “Meanwhile, every male professor has been assigned a target of ensuring at least five admissions in a field visit.”

Salaries of a few professors also hinge on their ability to secure admissions. Another faculty member at a private arts and science college said that he would receive his pre-Covid salary of `19,000 only if he achieves his target of three admissions.

A Head of Department at a private college said that admissions were on top of the priority list of his management. “Admission comes first, college work is second, and teaching comes last” he claimed.

Speaking to TNIE, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education Kalaiselvi said that a circular would be issued to private colleges on Monday directing them to not use professors for canvassing students.

ICUs scarce in Kovai

Coimbatore: Beds in ICUs are fast-filling up in the city, an alarming fact which indicates that patients are delaying seeking medical help. Over 50 per cent of ICU beds (50 to 60 beds) in CMCH were occupied. On the other hand, all 14 beds in the ICU at ESI Hospital were occupied. Dean of CMCH A Nirmala said most of the patients reported low oxygen saturation level, and difficulty in breathing.

மத்திய அரசு அதிகாரிகளுக்கு வீட்டில் இருந்தே வேலை

மத்திய அரசு அதிகாரிகளுக்கு வீட்டில் இருந்தே வேலை

Added : ஏப் 19, 2021 04:04

புதுடில்லி: மத்திய அரசின் பல்வேறு அமைச்சகங்கள் மற்றும் துறைகளில், பெரும்பாலான அதிகாரிகளை, வீட்டில் இருந்து வேலை பார்க்கும்படி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

கொரோனா வைரஸ் பரவல் இரண்டாவது அலை மிக தீவிரமாக உள்ளது. நாட்டின் பல்வேறு மாநிலங்களிலும், குறிப்பாக டில்லியில் வைரஸ் பாதிப்பு அதிகமாக உள்ளது.இந்நிலையில், பல்வேறு மத்திய அரசின் அமைச்சகங்கள் மற்றும் துறைகளில், வாய்ப்புள்ள அதிகாரிகளை, வீட்டில் இருந்து வேலை பார்க்கும்படி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அனைத்து துறைகளுக்கும் இது தொடர்பான உத்தரவு எதையும், பணியாளர் நலத் துறை பிறப்பிக்கவில்லை. இருப்பினும், சூழ்நிலையை பொறுத்து, அந்தந்த அமைச்சகங்கள் மற்றும் துறைகள் இந்த முடிவை எடுத்துள்ளதாக தெரிகிறது.சார்பு செயலர் மற்றும் அதற்கு கீழ் நிலையில் உள்ள ஊழியர்கள் மட்டும், வீடுகளில் இருந்து பணியாற்றும்படி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிகிறது.இந்நிலையில், 45 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட்ட அனைத்து ஊழியர்களும், கொரோனா தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக் கொள்ளும்படி, அனைத்து துறைகளுக்கும், சமீபத்தில் சுற்றறிக்கை அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது.

4 airlines face FIR for ‘flouting norms’ on Maha-Delhi route

4 airlines face FIR for ‘flouting norms’ on Maha-Delhi route

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

19.04.2021

The Delhi government on Sunday asked the Delhi police to lodge an FIR against four airlines — Indi-Go, Vistara, SpiceJet and AirAsia India — for flouting the rule of flying in people from Maharastra to the capital with negative RT-PCR report. Airlines, on their part, said they adhere to all norms and had not received any FIR till Sunday evening.

“…it has been observed that a large number of passengers fly from Maharashtra to Delhi without a valid RT-PCR report... written to SHO of IGI Airport to lodge FIRs against four flights (possibly one each by) Indigo, Spice Jet, Vistara and Air Asia… for carrying passengers from Maharashtra without valid RT-PCR tests,” the Delhi government said in a statement on Sunday. This action has been sought under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Delhi requires people flying in from Maharashtra to have a negative RT-PCR report from a test done within 72 hours of departure, and those coming without it must get quarantined for 14 days. States have different requirement in terms of RT-PCR reports and quarantine for those coming from other states.

An IndiGo spokesperson said the airline has not “received any FIR against it…” AirAsia India said in a statement it is in “compliance with guidelines and protocols issued by the respective regulatory bodies… we have not received any information from any authority on this matter [FIR].” Comments from Vistara and SpiceJet are awaited.

In this ever-evolving pandemic situation, airlines have had their own issues with RT-PCR test reports. In the past few months, there have been several instances of airlines globally being barred from flying to certain places for bringing in passengers with negative reports who test positive on arrival. This has happened with Indian carriers too in places like UAE and Hong Kong. Tamil Nadu had barred a UAE budget carrier for flying in passengers for some days after a person flew in with a negative report but was positive.

Since RT-PCR tests need to be undertaken 3-4 days before departure, there is a possibility of passengers getting infected sometime after giving nasal swab samples. This discrepancy pin test report and actual Covid status was found to be very high with reports from certain labs in India. After that UAE, for instance, barred airlines from flying people from India with reports from some labs here. The Emirates site says “If you are flying from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh, you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight (to Dubai).”

An airline official said: “We have given strict instructions to check-in staff to follow entry requirements of all states. If someone gives a forged test report or if someone with a negative report tests positive on arrival, what can we do? The last thing we want to do is wilfully defy rules and run foul of the law also.”

INVALID RT-PCR REPORTS?

-ve test report must for train travellers from 5 states, Delhi

-ve test report must for train travellers from 5 states, Delhi

Mumbai:19.04.2021

Maharashtra government on Sunday declared Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi-NCR region and Uttarakhand as places of ‘sensitive origin’. Passengers arriving by train from these five states and union territory will have to carry a RT-PCR negative report and the Covid test must have been done within 48 hours of travel, said the state government order. It will be the joint responsibility of the railway and local disaster management authorities to ensure the curbs and protocol are followed.

On Saturday, the government had held talks with railway authorities about imposing curbs and issuing a protocol for passengers arriving in Maharashtra, especially from THE Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand.

As per the order, passengers found to be Covid positive, or displaying symptoms or refusing to undergo screening will be moved to quarantine centres. Passengers with RT-PCR negative reports who also test negative in the rapid antigen test at the arrival station will be stamped for 15-day home quarantine. Those caught violating the home quarantine rule, except for medical emergency, will be fined Rs 1,000 and moved into institutional quarantine. TNN

MBBS grads can’t skip bond service

MBBS grads can’t skip bond service

State Warns Of Action Against Absentees

Yogita.Rao@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:19.04.2021

MBBS graduates in Maharashtra who have completed their internships before March 31 will have to go through the mandatory bond service this year. The Directorate of Health Services issued a circular to this effect on Friday. The circular for the first time also includes the list of around 2,500 eligible graduates. Even the ones keen on pursuing post-graduation will have to serve the bond till they secure a seat. The circular specifies that penal action will be taken against candidates not reporting to the allotted centre within seven days.

Additionally, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) will be deploying over 7,000 medical interns on Covid duty across the state soon, besides creating a pool of 11,000 graduating nurses available for fresh appointments in hospitals facing a shortage. “Post-graduate entrance exams have been postponed in the country. Whenever students get a seat they can opt out, but till then they will have to complete the bond service. We are in a pandemic and action will be taken against students resisting the bond service. The compulsory bond will ensure we have doctors in district hospitals and rural centres too," said Dr TP Lahane, director, DMER, to which students have to apply. Exemption will be granted only to those who pay Rs 10 lakh as bond, as is the rule.

Medical graduates have been asked to apply to DMER by April 21 in an online process. Offline applications will not be accepted, said the circular. Candidates have been asked to apply for Thane, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Akola, Aurangabad and Latur circles only. Students who tried to apply have sought to know why Mumbai is not available as an option.

While students sign the bond every year during admissions, most do not honour it after graduating. But with the state ramping up facilities, the requirement for manpower will soon go up. DMER is, therefore, making bond service mandatory this year, especially for rural areas. “The process has moved online for the first time, but there is no clarity on several aspects,” said Dwij Mehta, an MBBS graduate. Another student said there are vacancies at jumbo Covid centres in Mumbai too. “The circular says students getting an allotment will have to report to the institute within seven days, failing which penal action will be taken. But without clarity on whether Mumbai will be allowed at a later stage, how do we apply online now?” she asked.

Lahane said students who have already started working at Covid centres will be allowed to continue. Sudha Shenoy, a parent representative said, “If PG aspirants complete a few months of bond service before their admissions, will it be carried forward later?” She added that all these doubts should be clarified in another circular soon.

Hong Kong bars flights from India till May 3

Hong Kong bars flights from India till May 3

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:19.04.2021

Hong Kong has barred passenger flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines for 14 days from April 20 over Covid-19 fears. Passengers who have stayed in these places for more than two hours to board a transit flight to Hong Kong have also been barred for 14 days.

These three countries “will at the same time be specified as extremely high-risk (Covid) specified places… so as to restrict persons who have stayed in these places from boarding for Hong Kong,” a government statement said late on Sunday night.

Hong Kong has a “placespecific” mechanism under which if five or more passengers from a place test positive on flights from there — irrespective of airline — in a seven-day period, that place will have passenger flights barred to land in the country for 14 days.

Hong Kong and China do not have an air bubble with India.

2 members seek annulment of BCU syndicate decisions

LETTER TO GUV

2 members seek annulment of BCU syndicate decisions

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:19.04.2021

Two syndicate members of Bengaluru City University have written to the governor and the state government questioning three decisions recently approved by the syndicate, notwithstanding their dissent.

According to Karan Kumar and Jyothi Vijay, the syndicate approved the campus redevelopment plans of the academic block and sports complex without the authorised agency showing approved plans and estimates on paper. They pointed out that the cost estimate of a building of 45,000 sqft carpet area has been quoted at Rs 31.7 crore, a much inflated figure.

The duo demanded withdrawal of the proposed ‘Master plan of campus redevelopment for BCU’ as it lacked an approved master plan, a detailed project report (DPR) and detailed estimates. They also wanted the decision on allocation of resources for the proposed sports facilities over the academic block in the proposed phase 1 scrapped as it was skewed and not in line with the aspirations of the significant stakeholders of the university. They wanted the proposal to demolish the ‘yet-to-be-used new block’ withdrawn as it was inconsistent with the NEP 2020 goal of having a minimum of 5,000 students in a university, among other reasons.

“We voiced our dissent during the syndicate meeting but were overruled by a majority vote. But if the decisions are wrong and don’t conform to the Act, the government can annul them. We’ve written to the chancellor and the pro-chancellor, apart from the principal secretary of the higher education department, highlighting the errors. If the government does not interfere, I plan to seek legal justice,” said Kumar. The decisions were made at the special syndicate meeting on February 25 and March 20.

The members also expressed displeasure over two more tenders — e-Document Generation System and the Rs 1-crore tender on e-governance in exam — approved by the syndicate, which they fear will be a den of corruption.

BNU exams to begin today

Bengaluru North University has announced its new schedule for exams that were postponed due to the transport strike. They will be held from Monday (April 19). Details are available on website www.bnu.ac.in. This includes BA, BSc, BEd, MA, MSc, MCA, MCom, MA, MFA, MSW, MBA and MTTM programmes. Meanwhile, some students have raised concerns about the university conducting offline exams in the middle of the pandemic. “...We’re dealing with the most unresponsive and apathetic education system. We want the exams to be cancelled. It’s not plausible to gather in a hall together to write exams while the country averages 2 lakh positive cases every day,” read a tweet.

5 pvt univs get nod in K’taka; 6 in pipeline

5 pvt univs get nod in K’taka; 6 in pipeline

Sandeep.Moudgal@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:19.04.2021

Five entrants have joined the growing league of private/deemed universities in Karnataka, with the state government giving the go-ahead in a notification issued on April 16.

The five universities — St Joseph’s, New Horizon, Sri Jagadguru Murugarajendra, Vidyashilp and Atria — will now be allowed to expand their campuses and launch new courses. Murugarajendra University will be based out of Chitradurga, about 200km from here, and the other four will be in Bengaluru.

The addition of five varsities will take the state’s total of such universities to 30. A senior officer said that at least 6-7 colleges and education institutions are seeking the university status, and the tally may breach the 40 mark in the next two years. Deputy CM CN Ashwath Narayan, who holds the higher education portfolio, told TOI that there is an increasing need to bring more private universities.

Govt strengthening public varsities: Min

With the decision raising a debate on whether Karnataka would “privatise” higher education over the next few years, the state government said the way forward is to increase the number of private universities and also consolidate the strengths of the public varsities in the state.

“Most of these institutions, which are being given the university status, are not-for-profit organisations. With our economy being more knowledge-driven, we need to strengthen our education system with investments,” said deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan.

He also said the state is strengthening its existing public universities and institutions. “We are integrating technology to support our universities to match the needs of the industry. From corporate social responsibility funds to setting up our own source code for the learning management system, the government is investing in our institution as well,” he said.

The Karnataka State Higher Education Council said the government will give emphasis to public universities and colleges as well. “Our intention is to increase the number of public institutions with more researchoriented focus. However, when people apply for a university status, we will examine the infrastructure and necessary requirements,” said KSHEC vice-chairman P Thimmegowda.

A member of the KSHEC said when the state doesn’t have funds to ramp up the quality of education in public varsities, it is obvious private ones will mushroom to drive the market.

Applicant needs 25 acres, 3,000 students

As per the law, any private/deemed university applicant needs 25 acres of land and at least 3,000 students on its campus. With the new National Education Policy, these requirements may be diluted due to the growing cost of land and increased need of practical courses.

Rlys to run ‘Oxygen Express’

Rlys to run ‘Oxygen Express’

New Delhi:  19.04.2021 

Indian Railways will run ‘Oxygen Express’ for faster movement of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in cryogenic road tankers. The railway ministry said green corridors were being created to facilitate fast movement of these trains.

It said the technical feasibility of transportation of LMO tankers was explored at the request of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra governments.

On Friday, the railway board had approved the request of Maharashtra government to allow transportation of LMO road tankers through Roll On-Roll Off (RORO) service and had directed all its zonal general managers to make necessary preparations.

“Due to restrictions of the height of road overbridges (ROBs) and overhead equipment (OHE) at certain locations, out of the various specifications of road tankers, the model of road tanker T-1618 with height of 3,320 mm was found feasible to be placed on flat wagons with height of 1,290 mm,” the board said.

Inox Air Products, a manufacturer of industrial and medical gases, which joined the Indian Railways’ Oxygen Express trial, said the transportation innovation would help state governments avail oxygen in remote areas from surplus areas in a shorter time. TNN

College, varsity staff to visit campus once in three days

College, varsity staff to visit campus once in three days

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:19.04.2021

Colleges and universities in Gujarat have now decided to call faculty and other staff members once every three days to campus for office work.

On other days they can switch to work from home, said a Gujarat University official aware of the development.

The state government had recently directed all colleges and universities to work with 50% staff on campus due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the state.

“Many colleges in the state decided to call half the staff on alternate days with the other half working from home,” the official said.

He added, “This has however raised concerns about the people being infected with Covid-19 as many employees would be asymptomatic and it would take a couple of days to know that they are Covid positive.”

The risk of spreading Covid-19 is higher if employees are to visit workplace every alternate day as compared to calling them once in three days, said the official.

It is for states to decide on lockdown: Shah

It is for states to decide on lockdown: Shah

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

19.04.2021

Amit Shah added, “The speed at which the virus isspreading today iscertainly problematic but I have full faith that we will win the second fight against the pandemic.” He also highlighted that most of the worst affected states were those which had large diaspora populations. “Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi... it is these states which have a larger international travel,” he said.

On the possibility of a lockdown, Shah said it was for states to decide. “For the last three months,we have allowed states to impose restrictionsas per their analysis. Every state is fighting a different battle. Evaluation will have to be done by state governments, and they have the right to impose restrictions. It is up to states to decide what needs to be done to curb the spread. If the situation is normal in Assam even after the elections, what is the need to impose lockdown there?” he said.

When asked about political parties carrying on with their campaign amid surging infections, the minister said the issue fell within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. “The EC spoke with all parties, and it was decided to reduce campaigning by one day andtofinishtheday’scampaign by 7 pm. Political parties were urged to provide masks and sanitisers at rallies and my party has,starting withthe PM’s rally on April 17, provided5croremasks.Butwhatisto be done about an election which is under way can only be decided by the EC,” he said.

Shah was bullish about BJP’s prospects in the Bengal polls and said the party’s strong performancein the2019 Lok Sabha elections had dispelled people’s doubts about its electoral viability and it was set to win more than 200 seats. “I have enough experience of participating in elections. I can guarantee you that BJP will form the government with more than 200 seats,” he said.

On the Sitalkuchi incident, he repeated his allegation that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee first engineered the incident by inciting people to gherao paramilitary personneland then tried to exploit the deaths of those who were killed in the firing that ensued.

Full report on www.toi.in

CASTING A SPELL: Union home minister Amit Shah at a rally in East Bardhaman in West Bengal on Sunday

JEE(M) deferred, fresh dates 15 days before test

JEE(M) deferred, fresh dates 15 days before test

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:19.04.2021 

Ending the uncertainty for over 6.7 lakh aspirants, education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Sunday announced postponement of the JEE-Main exam scheduled to be held from April 27-30 in view of the Covid-19 situation.

“Given the current Covid-19 situation, I have advised the DG of National Testing Agency to postpone the JEE (Main) April session. I would like to reiterate that safety of our students and their academic career are the prime concerns right now,” Pokhriyal tweeted.

The NTA order said, “Looking at the present situation of Covid-19 pandemic and also taking into account the safety and well-being of candidates and examination functionaries, it has been decided to postpone JEE (Main) April session. The revised dates will be announced later and at least 15 days before the examination.”

Candidates and parents had been demanding postponement of the exam due to the surge in Covid-19 cases. Starting this year, the exam will be conducted four times annually to offer flexibility to students and a chance to improve their score.

The first phase was conducted in February, followed by the second phase in March. The next phases were scheduled in April and May.

No. of fatty liver cases up since lockdown was induced: Docs

WORLD LIVER DAY

No. of fatty liver cases up since lockdown was induced: Docs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:19.04.2021

Lockdown-induced lifestyle changes and unchecked intake of antibiotics and vitamin tablets can lead to fatty liver, and there is a necessity to spread awareness about issues in the ‘new normal’, say doctors on the eve of World liver day (April 19).

Fatty liver is the accumulation of fat in the liver, which if left unattended can even lead to liver cirrhosis, causing liver failure.

Dr Joy Varghese, director of hepatology and transplant hepatology at Gleneagles Global Health City, said, in the past year, there has been a considerable increase in patients doing master health check-ups finding they have a fatty liver. “About 2-3 years ago, 30% of our patients were diagnosed with fatty liver. In the past year, 90% were diagnosed with fatty liver,” Dr Joy Varghese said.

Doctors said it is reflective of the sedentary lifestyle of a major chunk of the population since March last year, either due to movement restrictions. “It is basically a lifestyle disease. People should watch what they eat and should not eat the same way they ate before lockdown, excessive calorie diet should be avoided,” said Dr Joy Varghese. Another aspect public should be mindful of is consumption of multivitamin tablets without medical advice, as an overdose of such tablets can also lead to fatty liver.

Schedules of over 1,000 night buses to change

TRAVEL CURBS

Schedules of over 1,000 night buses to change

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.04.2021

With the new travel restrictions, the state transport department is likely to alter services of roughly 1,000 long-distance buses. Most of these buses, run after 7pm, will be operated in the mornings. With hotter days ahead, day-time travel for 300km or more in buses will be difficult and uncomfortable, say operators.

State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) will also be facing logistical issues while running such services in the morning as the bus crews ending trips by 10 pm will not be able to find a bus or other options to get back home. Government transport employees are not sure about the rationality behind allowing only trains in the night.

Similarly, private bus operators too are confused about how they can reschedule their services. Of the 4,000 omni buses, more than 90% are operated in the night hours from Chennai to southern and western parts of the state.

Bus operators claim that the industry, with over two lakh employees, was already struggling to handle the ₹480 crore loss incurred during the restrictions imposed during Covid-19 first wave.

“Future looks very bleak now. Most passengers will cancel trips if we were to travel only in the morning hours,” said Karvendan, a private omni bus proprietor.

Besides buses, taxi operators too are worried since the new restrictions will push them deeper in debt.

K Anbalagan from TN Taxi Drivers Association said, “We managed start getting 10 or 12 bookings a day only now. A majority of them were trips to the city’s outskirts post 8pm and only such bookings bring us profit. If not for them, earning even ₹400 or ₹500 a day becomes difficult”.

TN imposes night curfew, Sunday lockdown, puts off Class XII exam

TN imposes night curfew, Sunday lockdown, puts off Class XII exam

Curbs From April 20 Till Further Orders

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.04.2021

With the second Covid-19 wave causing record infections, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced fresh restrictions, including night curfew and Sunday lockdowns, across the state from April  20.

While the Class 12 state board exams have been postponed indefinitely, practical exams will be held as per schedule. Colleges and universities will continue to hold online classes and examinations. Summer education camps are banned.

The new set of restrictions would be in force until further orders, said a statement issued after a review meeting with senior officials by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at his camp office in the city. The CM directed the state industries department to issue temporary licences to TN firms planning to produce oxygen.

The new norms will be in addition to the general Covid-19 restrictions already in force in the state till the end of the month. The Sunday lockdown will not cover May 2 which is the date fixed by the Election Commission of India for counting of votes for the assembly election held on April 6. During night curfew, which will be in force from 10pm to 4am, public and private transport services, autos and cabs and movement of private vehicles will not be permitted

.

35% of TN’s 70k active cases from Chennai

Tamil Nadu’s active case count crossed the 70,000-mark on Sunday with the state adding10,723 new infections to its Covid tally. The 42 new deaths pushed the toll to13,113, the third highest in the country. Hotspot Chennai accounted for 35% of TN’s active cases. The city added 3,304 new cases on Sunday. Amid complaints of vaccine shortage, health minister C Vijayabaskar said TN had 8.8 lakh doses as of Sunday morning. Vaccinations took a steep fall on Sunday with just 25,670 people getting their shots compared to more than one lakh on Saturday. P 2

Curbs as active cases up by 50,000 in 20 days

Inter-state and intra-state movement of public and private vehicles will not be allowed. The latest restrictions have been imposed due to the laxity shown by the people in wearing masks and maintaining social distancing norms, that has resulted in active infections increasing to 65,635 on April 17 against 13,070 on March 28 in the state, the release said.

Movement of vehicles for medical emergencies, plying of autos and cabs destined to reach airports and railway stations as well as private transport will be permitted during night curfew. Movement of essential services including milk distribution and newspaper vendors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, ambulances, commercial goods carriers as well as petroleum and LPG tankers will be allowed. Fuel outlets can remain open throughout the night. Continuous process industries and those manufacturing essential goods will be allowed to function during night curfew.

As for the Sunday curfew, meat shops, fish markets, vegetable shops, cinema theatres, malls and all commercial shops will remain closed. All essential services will be available.

On Sundays, restaurants will be permitted to offer only takeaways and food delivery platforms can function between 6am – 10am, 12-3pm and 6-9pm. Movement of other online platforms deliveries will not be permitted on Sundays.

Weddings, funerals are allowed on Sundays as long as they have a maximum 100 attendees and 50 attendees.

All tourist spots will be outof-bounds the public from April 20. Software and IT companies should ask at least 50% of employees to work from home. All retail outlets, restaurants can work at 50% capacity up to 9pm.

Temples already permitted to conduct festivals and consecrations can go ahead with maximum of 50 people.

Hospitals with required infrastructure can align with hotels to operate Covid care centres. Other guests cannot stay in those hotels.

HC dismisses MKU plea over contract issue

HC dismisses MKU plea over contract issue

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:19.04.2021

The Madras high court has dismissed the plea moved by Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) challenging the order passed by Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council seeking its explanation about the amount pending disbursal to a private company.

Justice V Parthiban said a writ court is not a proper forum to settle a dispute of this nature involving interpretation of contractual terms and agreement and adjudication of the rival claims.

MKU had in 2014 entered into an agreement with Coimbatore-based Set Infotect for creation of an e-learning portal and development of digital content for the directorate of distance education. On completion of the project stage-wise, the company forwarded the bills which were settled by the university.

In December 2020, the company issued a legal notice alleging non-payment of bills to the tune of ₹5.35 crore and also non-refund of earnest money deposit amount of ₹15 lakh. The university sent a detailed reply to the notice in January 2021. Pressing its claim, the company moved the MSEF council for adjudication of the dispute.

Anna univ semester exam to be open book

Anna univ semester exam to be open book

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.04.2021

The semester exams in May for students of Anna University’s four campuses including College of Engineering, Guindy and Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet will be an open book-type proctored test online.

All students except those in the final year will write the test and will be allowed to refer to course material in physical form as well as on the web. Group discussions will be considered malpractice, the university.

The university had earlier conducted a 60-minute online proctored test with multiple choice based questions. “During that test, students tried to form WhatsApp groups and groups in Telegram to outsmart the online proctored test. Hence, the university has decided to move to descriptive type tests,” sources said.

According to the new format, the question paper will have Part A that will comprise five two-mark questions and Part B which will include five eight-mark questions. One question will be asked from each of the five units and there will be no choices for the Part B section.

“All questions in the exam will be of analytical type with no direct answers from the textbooks or reference books. Students can refer to course material in physical form as well as from the web. However, getting answers from others in any way or form and group discussions will be considered a malpractice,” said a circular from the Centre for Academic Courses at Anna University.

Students can use a maximum of 12 pages for writing the answers. They have to scan and upload answer sheets after completing the exam. The exams will be conducted for a total of 50 marks and will be for 90 minutes.

For the final year students, the end semester exams will be conducted in a multiple choice-based questions pattern as it was conducted earlier. The final year students need to appear for exams immediately so the university will conduct MCQ type exams.

“This decision was taken as a ‘one-time measure’ in view of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the circular said.

A professor from Anna University said that with MCQ-type questions, students will get either one mark or zero. “In the case of descriptive-type questions, the students can at least score minimum marks,” he said. The university will have three sets of question papers and the questions will be jumbled so students will not have the same questions or question paper.

No med college in TN treats infertility

No med college in TN treats infertility

Padmini.Sivarajah@timesgroup.com

Madurai:19.04.2021

The skylines of many cities in the state are dotted with advertisements of private infertility treatment centres, a multicrore industry which fleeces childless couples, but the government seems to be in no hurry to establish the facility in any of its 30 medical college hospitals. It had initiated discussions in this regard in 2016, and in 2019 even announced plans to set up infertility treatment facilities in Madurai, Coimbatore and Kilpauk medical college hospitals.

However, according to a reply received by women’s health expert and activist A Veronica Mary to an RTI petition, none of the government hospitals has infertility treatment facilities at present. In 2018, she had filed a petition before the Madurai bench of the high court seeking to establish such centres in government hospitals for the benefit of the poor. It was to know the status of the action taken that she filed the RTI petition.

The government had set up the ₹50 crore CEmONC - Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn care Services Centre at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai a few years ago with facilities for high-end treatment for gynaecology and obstetrics. However, if facilities like PGD-IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), laser hatching, PGD sperm bank, egg bank, embryo bank, time lapse, fibroid clinic and laparoscopic surgery are established here, it would help thousands of couples from the economically poorer sections.

Even for middle class and upper middle class people, infertility treatment at private centres is way beyond their means. K Shanmugavalli (name changed), 29, had spent ₹5 lakh on treatment in Madurai for two years, but failed. ``I then contacted a centre in Chennai and am now pregnant but it cost me ₹9 lakh,’’ she said.

Veronica says the infertility treatment industry is worth ₹1,830 crore now which is expected to go up to ₹5,000 crore by 2023. ``AIIMs in New Delhi started infertility treatment way back in 2007, and Karnataka and Kerala in government hospitals in 2019, I do not know why Tamil Nadu has not done it,’’ she said. Sources at Government Rajaji Hospital said the facility would have started in Madurai but for the Covid crisis. Now they say they do not know when it will be established.

Even for middle class and upper middle class people, infertility treatment at private centres is way beyond their means

Doctors wary about certifying home deaths

Doctors wary about certifying home deaths

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.04.2021

Issuing death certificates during the pandemic is becoming a major issue in the city. On April 16, when a woman at a housing complex on Santhome High Road expired, no doctor including from private hospitals was ready to certify the death. Even calls to 108 proved futile. A day later, when a senior citizen died in KK Nagar, it took the family about the hours and calls to almost five hospitals to get the death certified.

The corporation says a doctor who can come to a conclusion about a patient after his/ her clinical history is known or established by records/interrogation can issue certificate. Otherwise, the body has to be sent to a hospital for a postmortem. But, with burial grounds and crematoriums requiring a doctor’s certificate and the white coats hesitant, residents are forced to run from pillar to post.

Gayathri*, a resident of the housing complex on Santhome High Road, told TOI there were more than 10 doctors in the complex and all refused. “It was a 52-year-old breast cancer patient who died of cancer. Even the doctors of the private hospital where she was admitted for a few days last week refused to come home to certify. And since only her 80-year old mother was with her, she couldn’t take the body to a hospital,” she said and called for figuring out a process so that families don’t go through hassle.

At KK Nagar, a neighbour of the deceased, said influence was used to get a private hospital doctor to the home to certify the death.

V Santhanam, a social activist, suggested that when a person dies at home, the death can be declared by a corporation official based on written statement from witnesses such as family members and neighbours. Corporation health officer M Jagadeesan said no doctor was stopped from declaring deaths.

A startup solution to ICU bed shortage

A startup solution to ICU bed shortage

In the last two weeks alone, over 15 hospitals have signed up with Dozee across India, and currently, over 4,000 Covid High Dependency Unit beds are being monitored.

Published: 17th April 2021 05:09 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: As the Covid situation turns grim and hospitals across the country are struggling with a shortage of ICU beds, a start-up providing contactless remote patient monitoring (RPM) solutions, Dozee, is trying to ease the pressure.

Dozee is helping to convert any bed into a step-down ICU in under two minutes and enables RPM. In the last two weeks alone, over 15 hospitals have signed up with Dozee across India, and currently, over 4,000 Covid High Dependency Unit beds are being monitored.

With the second wave spreading on a larger scale, hospitals are now adopting RPM and new AI technologies. RPM significantly reduces the risks of in-person contact, managing staff shortages, and providing people with an alternative to the traditional forms of medical consultations. We are committed to providing our technology and closely working with hospitals,” said Mudit Dandwate, CEO & co-founder, Dozee.

A contactless vitals monitor, Dozee Pro, equipped with sensor, communication pod and cloud-based patient monitoring tool, captures real-time body vitals, and provides round the clock monitoring. Dozee has also set up a patient monitoring cell within hospitals to ensure 24X7 on-ground support and alert escalation.

பயணியர் குறைவால் பஸ் குறைப்பு குடும்பத்துடன் கண்டக்டர் தர்ணா!

பயணியர் குறைவால் பஸ் குறைப்பு குடும்பத்துடன் கண்டக்டர் தர்ணா!

Added : ஏப் 17, 2021 22:43

சென்னை:கொரோனா பரவலால், பயணியர் வருகை சரிந்ததால், அரசு பஸ்கள் குறைக்கப் பட்டு வருகின்றன. இதனால், வருவாய் இழந்த கண்டக்டர், பணிமனையில் குடும்பத்துடன் தர்ணாவில் ஈடுபட்டார்.

கொரோனா பரவல் காரணமாக, எந்த நேரத்திலும் ஊரடங்கு பிறப்பிக்கப்படலாம் என்ற அச்சத்தால், வெளியூர் பயணத்தை பொதுமக்கள் தவிர்த்து வருகின்றனர். பஸ்களில் பயணிக்கவும், பலர் தயக்கம் காட்டுகின்றனர். தென் மாவட்டங்களில் இருந்து சென்னைக்கு வரும் அரசு பஸ்களில், 25 சதவீத இருக்கைகளே நிரம்புகின்றன.

சென்னை உள்ளிட்ட தொழில் நகரங்களிலும்,பல நிறுவனங்கள், தங்கள் பணியாளர்களை வீட்டில் இருந்தே பணி செய்ய அனுமதி அளித்துள்ளதால், மாநகர பஸ்களிலும் கூட்டம் இல்லை. இதனால், ஓட்டுனர், நடத்துனர்களுக்கு பணி கிடைக்காமல் அல்லாடுகின்றனர்.

குடும்பத்துடன் தர்ணா'

தனக்கு கிடைக்கும், 22 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் சம்பளத்திலும், பணி இல்லாத நாட்களுக்கு சம்பளம் பிடிக்கப்படுவதால், வீட்டு வாடகை, வங்கிக் கடன், குடும்ப செலவுகளை சமாளிக்க முடிய வில்லை' எனக்கூறி, சென்னை, வடபழநி பணிமனையின் நடத்துனர் நந்தகுமார், குடும்பத்துடன் தர்ணாவில் ஈடுபட்டார்.

இது குறித்து, ஆம் ஆத்மி தொழிற்சங்க நிர்வாகிகள் கூறியதாவது:எம்.டி.சி.,யில், ஒரு பஸ்சுக்கு, 9,000 ரூபாய்க்கு டீசல் போட்டால், 22 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் வரை வசூல் வந்தது. தற்போது, 6,000 ரூபாய் கூட வசூலாவதில்லை. இதனால், ஏற்படும் நஷ்டத்தைக் குறைக்க, பஸ்கள் இயக்கத்தை குறைத்து விட்டனர். வேலை இல்லாத நாட்களுக்கு வருகை பதிவு வழங்க நடவடிக்கை எடுத்தால், இதுபோன்ற தர்ணாக்கள் நடக்காது.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

விவேகமானவர்... விவரமானவர்...விருப்பமானவர்!

விவேகமானவர்... விவரமானவர்...விருப்பமானவர்!

Dhinamalar 

Added : ஏப் 18, 2021 00:51

தமிழ் நகைச்சுவை நடிகர்களில் விவேக்கிற்கு தனி இடம் உண்டு. சிரிப்பலையை ஏற்படுத்திய இவர், சிந்திக்கவும் வைத்தார். ஊழல், மக்கள்தொகை பெருக்கம், மூடநம்பிக்கை ஒழிப்பு போன்ற சமூக சீர்திருந்த கருத்துகளை நகைச்சுவை கலந்து கொடுத்ததால், 'சின்ன கலைவாணர்' என அழைக்கப்பட்டார். லட்சக்கணக்கான மரங்களை நட்டு பசுமை நாயகனாக ஜொலித்தார். மண்ணுலகை விட்டு ளின் மனங்களில் என்றும் நிலைத்திருப்பார்.

பயோடேட்டா

பெயர் :விவேக்

முழுபெயர் :விவேகானந்தன்

பிறப்பு :1961 நவ. 19, பெருங்கோட்டூர் சங்கரன்கோவில்

பெற்றோர் : அங்கையா - மணியம்மாள்

படிப்பு :எம்.காம்.,

மனைவி : அருள்செல்வி,

மகள்கள் : அம்ரிதா நந்தினி, தேஜஸ்வினி

பெருமை

''இந்திய இளைஞர்களின் ஒரே 'சூப்பர்ஸ்டார்' ஜனாதிபதி அப்துல் கலாம். என்னிடம் திரைப்படங்களில் மரம் வளர்ப்பின் அவசியம் குறித்து பேசுங்கள். வெப்பமயமாதலை தடுக்க மரம் நடுவதை ஊக்குவிப்பு செய்யுங்கள் என்றார். இது எனக்கு கிடைத்த பெருமையாக பார்க்கிறேன். இதுவரை 33 லட்சம் மரக்கன்றுகளை நட்டிருக்கிறேன்.''

அறிமுகம் எப்படி

மதுரை அமெரிக்கன் கல்லுாரியில் படித்த பின் டி.என்.பி.எஸ்.சி., தேர்வில் வெற்றி பெற்று சென்னை தலைமை செயலகத்தில் பணியாற்றினார் விவேக். சென்னையில் நடந்த பரதநாட்டிய இறுதிப் போட்டியில் பங்கேற்ற போது, கலாகேந்திரா கோவிந்தராஜன் மூலம் இயக்குநர் பாலசந்தர் அறிமுகம் கிடைத்தது. 1987ல் வெளியான 'மனதில் உறுதி வேண்டும்' படத்தில் விவேக்கை அறிமுகம் செய்தார்.

விவேகானந்தர் பிரியர்

சுவாமி விவேகானந்தரை விவேக்கிற்கு மிகவும் பிடிக்கும். இந்திய விஞ்ஞானத்தின் பெருமையை தொழில் அதிபர் ஜே.ஆர்.டி டாடாவுக்கு எடுத்துச் சொன்னவர் விவேகானந்தர் என்றும், அமெரிக்காவின் சிகாகோவில் 'சகோதர...சகோதரிகளே' என விவேகானந்தர் ஆற்றிய உரையையும் அடிக்கடி நினைவு கூறுவார்.

வடிவேலுவுடன்...

விவேக் - வடிவேலு இணைந்து விரலுக்கேத்த வீக்கம், கூடி வாழ்ந்தால் கோடி நன்மை, பொங்கலோ பொங்கல், மனதை திருடி விட்டாய், மிடில் கிளாஸ் மாதவன் என பல படங்களில் நடித்துள்ளனர்.

ரசிக்க வைத்த வசனங்கள்

* இன்னைக்கு செத்தா நாளைக்கு பால்

* எப்படி இருந்த நான் இப்படி ஆயிட்டேன்

* கோபால்... கோபால்...

* எனக்கு ஐ.ஜி.,-யைத் தெரியும்!… ஆனா அவருக்கு என்ன தெரியாது.

விருது

* பத்மஸ்ரீ - 2009

* பிலிம்பேர் சவுத் - மூன்று முறை (ரன், சாமி, பேரழகன்)

* தமிழக அரசு விருது - ஐந்து முறை (உன்னருகே நான் இருந்தால், ரன்,

பார்த்திபன் கனவு, அந்நியன், சிவாஜி)

கலாம் 'சலாம்'

ஜனாதிபதி அப்துல் கலாம் மீது விவேக்கிற்கு அன்பு அதிகம். 2015ல் ஷில்லாங்கில் மாணவர்களிடம் உரையாற்றும் போது கலாம் மாரடைப்பால் எதிர் பாராதவிதமாக மரணமடைந்தார். இதே போன்று விவேக்கும் மாரடைப்பால் திடீரென மரணத்தை

சந்தித்தார். கலாமிடம் ஒருமுறை விவேக் எடுத்த பேட்டியின் முக்கிய அம்சம்.

*கல்வியில் நிறைய பட்டம், பரிசு வாங்கி இருக்கிறீர்கள். சின்ன வயதில் பட்டம் விட்டிருக்கிறீர்களா?

பத்து வயதில் என் உயரத்தில், பாதி அளவுக்கு பெரிய பட்டம் தயார் செய்து, நண்பர்களுடன் ராமேஸ்வரம் கடற்கரையில் பறக்க விட்டிருக்கிறேன்.

*கவிதை மீது உங்களுக்கு ஈர்ப்பு வர யார் காரணம்

முதலில் எனக்கு பிடித்த உங்களது இரண்டு வரி கவிதையை சொல்கிறேன். 'காலையில் நாம் சீரியல் சாப்பிடுகிறோம். மாலையில் சீரியல் நம்மை சாப்பிடுகிறது'. இன்ப எண்ணங்களுடன், துன்ப எண்ணங்கள் இணையும் போது, கவிதை வெளிப்படுகிறது.

*வீணை வாசிக்க கற்று இருக்கிறீர்கள். இசை எப்படி உங்களுடன் இணைந்தது.

ராமநாதபுரத்தில் எட்டாம் வகுப்பு படித்த போது, தமிழாசிரியர் வகுப்பில் நுழைந்ததும் ஒரு பாடல் பாட சொல்வார். அது எனக்கு பிடித்த பாரதியார் பாட்டு. 'ஆடுவோமே பள்ளு பாடுவோமே ஆனந்த சுதந்திரம் அடைந்து விட்டோமென்று' இது 1910ல் பாரதியார் பாடினார். சுதந்திரத்துக்கு முன் 1946ல் நாங்கள் பாடினோம்.

தடுப்பூசி விழிப்புணர்வு

கடைசி பத்திரிகையாளர் சந்திப்பிலும் சமூக அக்கறையுடன் பேசினார் விவேக். சென்னை ஓமந்துாரார் அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் கொரோனா தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திக் கொண்ட பின் கூறுகையில், "தடுப்பூசியால் எவ்வித ஆபத்தும் இல்லையென பொதுமக்களுக்குத் தெரிவிக்கவே அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திக் கொண்டேன். அனைவரும் தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திக் கொண்ட பின் உயிரிழப்புகள் போன்ற பெரிய பாதிப்பு இருக்காது. ஏதாவது ஒரு தடுப்பூசியை செலுத்திக் கொள்ளுங்கள். இரண்டாவது டோஸ் எடுத்துக் கொண்ட பிறகு, இரண்டு வாரத்திற்கு பின் தான் பாதுகாப்பு வரும். தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திக்கொண்ட பின்னரும் முக கவசம், கை கழுவுதல், சமூக இடைவெளியை பின்பற்ற வேண்டும்,''என்றார்.

நிறைவேறா ஆசை

'கமலுடன் நடிக்க வேண்டும் என்ற கனவு 'இந்தியன் 2' வின் மூலம் நனவாக போகிறது. அவருடன் நானும் நடிக்கிறேன்' என்று சமூக வலைதளத்தில் விவேக் குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தார். ஆனால் அவரது ஆசை நிறைவேறவில்லை.

மகன் சோகம்

விவேக் மகன் பிரசன்னா 13, மூளைக்காய்ச்சலால் 2015ல் உயிரிழந்தார். மகனை நினைத்து இவர் எழுதிய கண்ணீர் கடிதம் மறக்க முடியாதது. மகன் மறைவால் மனதளவில் உடைந்து போன போதும், விரைவில் மீண்டு சமூகப்பணியில் அக்கறை செலுத்தினார்.

முன்னணி நடிகர்களுடன்...

ரஜினி, அஜித், விஜய், பிரசாந்த், சூர்யா, அர்ஜூன், விக்ரம், மாதவன், தனுஷுடன் நடித்துள்ளார்.

பிளாஸ்டிக் ஒழிப்பு

பிளாஸ்டிக் ஒழிப்பு திட்டம், டெங்கு, கொரோனா விழிப்புணர்வு நிகழ்ச்சிகளில் நடித்துள்ளார்.

'ஹீரோ'

விவேக் முதலில் 'ஹீரோ'வாக நடித்த 'சொல்லி அடிப்பேன்' படம் வெளிவரவில்லை. பின் 'நான் தான் பாலா', 'பாலக்காட்டு மாதவன்', 'வெள்ளைப்பூக்கள்' படங்களில் 'ஹீரோ' அந்தஸ்தில் அசத்தினார்.

சினிமா துறையில் 34 ஆண்டு பயணத்தில் விவேக் 234க்கும் மேற்பட்ட படங்களில் நடித்துள்ளார்.

நுாறாவது படம் 'சூப்பர் குடும்பம்'. 2020

மார்ச் 13ல் வெளியான 'தாராள பிரபு' கடைசி படம்.

சென்னைக்கு வாரமிருமுறை நவீன எல்.எச்.பி., பெட்டிகளுடன் அதிவிரைவு சிறப்பு ரயில்

சென்னைக்கு வாரமிருமுறை நவீன எல்.எச்.பி., பெட்டிகளுடன் அதிவிரைவு சிறப்பு ரயில்

Added : ஏப் 18, 2021 00:48

மதுரை:மதுரையிலிருந்து சென்னை எழும்பூருக்கு வாரமிருமுறை அதிவிரைவு சிறப்பு ரயில் நவீன எல்.எச்.பி., பெட்டிகளுடன் (கூடுதல் வசதிகள் இருக்கும் ) இயக்கப்படுகிறது.

மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை வியாழன், சனி இரவு 8:50 மணிக்கு மதுரையில் புறப்படும் இந்த சிறப்பு ரயில் (06158) மறுநாள் அதிகாலை 6:55 மணிக்கு சென்னை எழும்பூர் செல்லும். மறுமார்க்கத்தில் சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இன்று (ஏப்., 18) முதல் வெள்ளி,ஞாயிறு இரவு 10:05 மணிக்கு புறப்பட்டு மறுநாள் காலை 8:10 மணிக்கு மதுரை வரும்.

இந்த ரயில்கள் திண்டுக்கல், திருச்சி, தஞ்சாவூர், கும்பகோணம், மயிலாடுதுறை, சிதம்பரம், விழுப்புரம், செங்கல்பட்டு ஸ்டேஷன்களில் நின்று செல்லும். நேற்றிரவு மதுரையிலிருந்து இந்த சிறப்பு ரயில் சென்னை சென்றது.

Varsities ditch black gowns, to go traditional

Varsities ditch black gowns, to go traditional

Sangamesh.Menasinakai@timesgroup.com

Hubballi:  18.04.2021 

The sea of black caps and gowns at convocation ceremonies is set to recede, with several universities opting for khadi and regional wear following a UGC directive and the governor’s order in November last year.

The Karnataka Folklore University (Haveri), Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Gadag) and the University of Horticultural Sciences (Bagalkot) have already incorporated local traditional attire in their convocation functions.

The University Grants Commission had issued a directive in 2019, asking universities to go traditional for special occasions and convocation ceremonies. “Using handloom garments would give a sense of pride of being Indian,” the commission said, seeking an “action-taken report” from universities. On November 9 last year, governor Vajubhai R Vala issued an order asking varsities to implement the UGC directive and submit action-taken reports.

KM Indiresh, vice-chancellor of the University of Horticultural Sciences, said graduates wore traditional clothes, mostly in white, for the convocation this year. “Black gowns and caps were worn by only guests and academic council members. However, we have decided to make white kurta and pyjama for men and sarees for women common for all from next year’s convocation, as per the governor’s order,” he said.

KB Gudasi, VC of Karnatak University, Dharwad, said wearing khadi once a week is already mandatory on campus. “We decided to make khadi attire compulsory from the next convocation and on special occasions,” he said.

The trend is expected to gain momentum once offline classes and campus activities resume. Following the outbreak of Covid-19, convocations have been low-key affairs or have gone virtual, leaving little opportunity for students to gather and celebrate their graduation.

Dr Sanjeev Kulkarni, a gynaecologist and president of Gandhi Peace Foundation Centre in Dharwad, said mandating khadi on special occasions is not enough. Kulkarni has made khadi mandatory twice a week at his Bal Balaga School for the past 25 years. “Professors and students should not think they are just following orders. Khadi economy is a sustainable one as it gives equal share to the grower, spinner and buyer. It will instil pride and promote selfsufficiency,” he said.

Man loses ₹90L to conmen who promise to ‘legalise’ his PhD

Man loses ₹90L to conmen who promise to ‘legalise’ his PhD

Santoshkumar.B@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:18.04.2021

A 36-year-old aerospace design engineer from T Dasarahalli lost over $1,20,000 (Rs 90 lakh) to a gang of cybercriminals, who promised to legalise his PhD degree obtained through distance education in 2015, when he was working with a private firm in Germany.

Sumanth (name changed) approached North CEN crime police on April 8, and filed a cheating and cybercrime case.

Sumanth said he completed his BE in aerospace design engineering and joined a private company in 2014. He was deployed to Germany and had been searching for study opportunities online or through distance education to utilise his free time.

“I found a PhD opportunity through online study from Must University, which claims to be based in the US. I enrolled there and completed the course in aerospace design by 2015. After completing two years of work in Germany, I returned to Bengaluru,” Sumanth said.

Sumanth said that he received a call from a stranger in 2018 and was informed that his PhD was not genuine as he got it from an unaided university. The caller said the PhD could be transferred to an aided university in the US to legitimise it. Sumanth ignored the call then.

“But in November 2019, I received a call from another number and this time the caller claimed he was from the US embassy office in Delhi. He threatened that I would be jailed if I don’t cancel my PhD or get it legalised,” Sumanth explained.

Sumanth said he agreed to cancel his PhD and paid $2,000 to a bank account provided by the stranger to cancel the degree. Within a few weeks, another stranger contacted him on phone and informed him that there was no provision to cancel his PhD and promised that he’d help Sumanth transfer his PhD to an aided university and get a legal degree. The fraudsters sent fake acceptance letters in the name of California State University.

Sumanth said the strangers posed as police and attorneys from the US. “They threatened me saying I have to follow their instructions or face legal consequences. I was scared and paid more than $1,20,000 to the callers in multiple transactions. They promised me that the money would be reimbursed once all procedures were completed,” he added.

Sumanth suspected something foul as the miscreants started demanding more money in the name of various charges and discussed the developments with his friend. He approached CEN crime police based on a suggestion from his friend and learnt that he had been cheated.

The aerospace design engineer had done PhD through distance mode in 2015. He got a call from a stranger in 2018 who said his PhD was not genuine but could be legitimised. He received another call in 2019, with the caller threatening Sumanth would be jailed if he didn’t cancel the PhD or get it legalised

Girl says she was denied entry to exam hall for wearing headscarf

SULLIA LAW COLLEGE

Girl says she was denied entry to exam hall for wearing headscarf

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mangaluru:  18.04.2021 

An uneasy calm prevailed at KVG Law College in Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, on Saturday after a student was allegedly not allowed to appear for an examination while wearing a headscarf.

Sabna, a first-year law student, demanded that she be allowed to write the examination while wearing a headscarf. She urged the authorities to allow her to do so after conducting a thorough check, if necessary. Her parents, along with leaders from the Campus Front of India (CFI), discussed the issue with the principal. Later, the student blamed the college for not allowing her to write the exam.

Mohammed Sadik, state president, CFI, said initially the principal refused and the girl couldn’t appear for two exams. “We arranged a protest and the media was also informed, after which the principal said she can wear a headscarf. The college was not strict with the rules, ever since classes began about three months ago, he said.

Udaya Krishna, principal, said students have to wear uniform, and at the time of admission, they also sign an undertaking that they will follow the dress code. This year, due to the pandemic, and since classes resumed only after January, the dress code rules were not implemented strictly.

“On Friday, three students came to my chamber, seeking permission to wear their headscarf. Two of them agreed to write without headscarf, but one girl refused to do so. On Saturday, despite asking her to take the hall ticket and write the exam, she walked out along with her parents, and is now blaming the college of denying permission to appear for the exam,” he said.

Despite asking her to appear for the exam, she walked out, and is now blaming the college, the principal said