Fake WhatsApp forwards add to Covid woes

Fake WhatsApp forwards add to Covid woes

Greater Chennai Corporation officials have claimed that the civic body is very active on all social media platforms and have dedicated control rooms to attend Covid-related distress calls.

Published: 27th April 2021 05:48 AM 

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: S Vijay Kumar, an IT employee in Chennai, was frantically scrolling through his contacts and social media to get the much-sought after medicine- Remdesivir - for his father, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city after testing positive for Covid-19. Vijay posted enquiries on social media and within minutes his WhatsApp was flooded with messages providing contact numbers of medicine suppliers claiming to have stock of Remdesivir and oxygen suppliers in the city.

Vijay started calling one number after other and realised that almost 70% of the contact numbers were either wrong or not reachable. After much effort, he finally managed to find at least three vials of Remdesivir through a contact of his friend. His father is now recovering. But the struggle and trauma that Vijay underwent while dialling those wrong numbers just added to his distress.

And this is not the lone case of Vijay. Many people who are in desperate need of medicines, oxygen, and beds in hospital for their loved ones suffering from Covid-19 and inquiring about it in social media, go through similar harrowing experiences due to misinformation.

“When any of your family members are in a serious condition and you are in search of medicines and oxygen for them, then every second counts. I dialled each of the phone numbers with the hope that I will get some good news about Remdesivir, but everytime when the number was wrong or unreachable, my heart sank. And in the process I lost almost one precious hour,” shared Vijay.

While Sandhya P, a wealth management advisor in Chennai, who faced similar trauma, said people may be circulating the messages with an intention to help, but the misinformation is doing more damage than good. “I got a WhatsApp message of a list of private hospitals in the city which have vacant beds to treat Covid-19 patients. Believe me, most of the numbers were incorrect in it,” said Sandhya.“I would genuinely request people to cross-verify such random messages before forwarding them because when a dear one is struggling for life every second matters,” added Sandhya.

Greater Chennai Corporation officials have claimed that the civic body is very active on all social media platforms and have dedicated control rooms to attend Covid-related distress calls. In order to get the correct information, people should reach out to them, it said. “Chennai corporation has a very strong presence on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. We have dedicated teams to handle and immediately reply to the queries of people. I would request people to reach out to us for any information,” said corporation’s innovation officer, M P Azhagu Pandia Raja.

மனதை அழகாக்குவோம்

DINAMALAR

மனதை அழகாக்குவோம்

Added : ஏப் 26, 2021 23:59

'நல்லா இருக்கீங்களா' என்பது தான் நீண்ட இடைவெளிக்குப் பின் நாம் சந்திக்கும் நண்பர்களிடமும் உறவினர்களிடமும் கேட்கின்ற முதல் கேள்வி. சமயங்களில் கேட்க இருக்கிற ஒரே கேள்வியாகவும் அது மட்டும் இருக்கும். சரி அந்தக் கேள்வியாவது ஒருவருக்கு ஒருவர் கேட்டுக் கொள்ள இருக்கிறதே என எடுத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டியதுதான்.

வயதாக ஆக நம் உடல் நலம் குறித்த அக்கறை அதிகரிக்கிறது.சுவர் இருந்தால் தான் சித்திரம் என்பதை உணர்ந்து நடை பயிற்சி, உடற்பயிற்சி, சிறுதானிய உணவு, உணவுக் கட்டுப்பாடு என்றெல்லாம் நம்மில் பலரும் கவனமாகப் பின்பற்றுகிறோம். அதே மாதிரி உடலின் தன்மைக்கு ஏற்ப சர்க்கரை, உப்பு அளவுகளைக் குறைத்தும் உண்கிறோம். அவ்வப்போது மருத்துவரிடம் உடல்நிலையை பரிசோதனை செய்து அதற்கேற்ப மாத்திரைகளை எடுத்துக்கொள்கிறோம். மாத பட்ஜெட்டில் தனியிடம் மருந்துகளுக்கு செல்ல ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. பொடி எழுத்துகளை வாசிக்க தனியாக கண்ணாடி வாங்குகிறோம். தலையில் அதிகரிக்கும் வெள்ளை முடிகளைப் பார்த்து சற்று அதிர்ந்து நாள்பட சமாதானமாகிறோம். வயது நாற்பதைத் தொட்டு நகர்பவர்களின் வாழ்க்கை இப்படித்தான் மாறத்துவங்குகிறது.

உடம்பு என்னும் வீடு

நம் உயிர் இருக்கிற உடம்பு என்னும் வீட்டை பத்திரமாகப் பார்த்துக் கொள்கிறோம். மாத்திரை மருந்துகளை எடுத்துக் கொண்டே ஓடுகிற ஓட்டம் உடலை பாதுகாப்பாக வைத்துக்கொள்ளவே. அதே அளவு கவனம் மனத்திற்கும் நிச்சயம் தேவை.மனம் தெளிந்த வானம் போல இருக்க ஆசைப்படாதவர்கள் இருக்கிறோமா என்ன? சட்டென உடைந்து போகாமல், சுளுவாய் சோர்ந்து போகாமல், நிதானமாய் மனம் இருத்தல் என்பது பெரிய விஷயம். ஆனால் எளிதில் கலங்கிப் போய்விடுமளவு பலவீனமாய் பல நேரங்களில் இருக்கிறோம். கோபம் வெடிக்கையில் எது நம் சமநிலையைக் குலைக்கிறது என ஆராய வேண்டும். யாரோ ஒருவர் அவர் இயல்பை மாற்றி நம்மிடம் நடந்திருக்கக் கூடும். எதுவோ ஒன்று நாம் திட்டமிட்டதற்கு நேர்மாறாய் வந்திருக்கலாம். ஏமாற்றம் தந்த ஒன்றை புன்னகையோடு எதிர்கொள்ள நாம் புத்தர்அல்ல.

பொங்கும் கோபம்

கோபம் பொங்கிய நொடியில் எதிரில் கேட்பவர் மனம் பொசுங்கும் படியான சொற்களை நம் நாக்கு வெளியேற்றும். நம்மை விட எளியவர் என்று நினைக்கும் போது மட்டுமே இது நடக்கும். வயதிலும் குறைந்தவராக, குறிப்பாக நம் குழந்தைகளாக இருந்தால் கை நீளும். நாம் உயர்ந்தவர் என உயர்த்தி வைத்திருப்பவரிடம் அதே சூழல் வரும் போது நாக்கும், கையும் மவுனமாக இருக்கும். வாய்ப்பேச்சோ, கைகலப்போ, வாய்க்கால் தகராறோ பொதுவாக சண்டை நடக்கும் இடங்களை சற்று கூர்ந்து கவனித்தால் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட இரு தரப்புமே உனக்கு நான் சளைத்தவனில்லை என்கிற எண்ணம் கொண்டவையாக இருக்கும். இருவரில் யார் கை ஓங்கி வெற்றிக் கொடி நாட்டப்படுகிறது என்பதில் பெரிய ஆர்வம், ஆவேசம் பொங்கும். ஆனால் இவனிடம் பேசி ஜெயிக்க முடியாது என உறுதியாகத் தெரிந்தால், எதிர்ப்பைத் தெரிவிக்க மாட்டோம். அதுவும் அவர்களால் காரியம் ஆகவேண்டி இருந்தால் உள்ளே என்ன குமுறினாலும் முகம் புன்னகைப் பூக்கும். அந்த சூழலைக் கடந்தால் போதும் என்பது மட்டும் உள்ளே ஓடும்.

சொல்லாத சொல்

நன்றாக யோசித்தால் கோபத்தை சற்று ஆறப்போட்டால், யாரும் எதுவும் சொல்லாமலே சமாதானமாகி இருப்போம். ஆத்திரத்தில் கட்டுப்பாட்டை இழந்த வாய் நிதானம் இல்லாமல் சொல்லும் சொற்களை, ஆற அமர உட்கார்ந்து யோசிக்கையில் தவிர்த்து இருக்க வேண்டிய சொற்களின் பட்டியல் பெரிதாக மிரட்டும். அதன் பின் சுய பச்சாதாபத்தில் தவிப்போம். சொல்லாத சொல்லுக்கு விலையேதும் இல்லை என்கிற பாடல் வரி நினைவுக்கு வருகிறது.இன்னொன்றும் இருக்கிறது, கோபத்தில் வெளிப்படுத்த வேண்டிய சொற்களை அந்த இடத்தில் சொல்லாமல், மூன்றாவது ஒரு நபரிடம் பகிர்தலும் நிகழும். அந்த நபருக்கு சம்பந்தப்பட்டவர் வேண்டியவர் என்றால் ஒரு மாதிரியும் வேண்டாதவர் என்றால் இன்னொரு மாதிரியும் திரித்து சொல்வார். முடிந்த அளவு சம்பந்தமில்லாத நபரிடம் பகிரலாம். அல்லது நமக்குள்ளேயே அலசி ஆராயலாம். இந்த சொல் சொன்னவரின் நோக்கம் என்ன, அதனால் கிடைக்கக் கூடிய பலன் எது என யோசிக்கலாம். அதே மாதிரி தன் பக்கம் உள்ள தவறு என்ன என்பதையும் கட்டாயம் பார்க்க வேண்டும். இரண்டு பக்கங்களையும் அலசி ஆராய்ந்தால் மட்டுமே நாம் காயம் பட்ட சம்பவத்தின் முழு வடிவமும் கிடைக்கும்.

கோபத்தை ஆள்வோம்

விரும்பத் தகாத சூழலை சரி செய்து, இயல்பாக்குவது நம் நோக்கமாக இருந்தால், முதலில் 'ஈகோ' வை விட்டு ஒழிக்க வேண்டும். நாம் சாதாரண எளிய அன்பான மனிதர்கள் என்பது எப்போதும் நினைவில் இருக்கட்டும். போனது போகட்டும் என பெருந்தன்மையுடன் நடந்து கொள்ளும் முதிர்ச்சி மனதை அழகாக்கும். இரு பக்கமும் நிம்மதி சூழ உதவும்.நியாயமான கோபத்தை அவசியமான இடங்களில் காட்டலாம். அந்த நேரங்களிலும் சரியான வார்த்தைகளைக் கோர்த்து எதிரில் இருப்பவர் புரிந்து கொள்ளும்படி நிதானமாக பேச வேண்டும்.

நல்ல விளைவு மட்டுமே ஏற்படும் என்கிற உறுதி இருந்தால் கோபம் நல்லது தான். ஆனால் அனாவசியம் என தெரிந்தால் கோபத்தைக் கட்டுப்படுத்துவதே சிறந்தது. நிமிடங்களில் வந்து போகிற கோபம் என்கிற ஒற்றை உணர்வுக்கு, நீண்ட காலம் பிரியத்துடன் இருந்தவர்களைப் பகைக்க வேண்டியதில்லை.கட்டுப்படுத்த முடியாமல் கத்தி இருக்கிறோம் என்றால் கோபம் தான் நம்மை ஆள்கிறது. அதற்கு நாம் அடிமை. கோபத்தைக் கட்டுப்படுத்தும் திறனை வசப்படுத்தினால் நாம் கோபத்தை ஆள்வோம். அதன் வழியே நம் சுற்றத்தையும் ஆள்வோம்.

மனநலம் பேணுவோம்

உடல் நலத்தைப் பேணுவதைப் போல மன நலத்தையும் கவனித்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். குழந்தைகளுக்காக, மாணவர்களுக்காக, இளைஞர்களுக்காக, முதியவர்களுக்காக என அக்கறையான பார்வைகள், உரைகளை அடிக்கடிக் கேட்கிறோம்; பார்க்கிறோம். ஆனால், மத்திம வயதில் இருப்பவர்களுக்கு கிடைப்பது என்னவோ பிள்ளைகளைப் பார்த்துக்கோ, பெத்தவங்களைப் பார்த்துக்கோ, நல்லா சம்பாதி போன்ற கடமைகளை நினைவூட்டுதல் மட்டும் தான். ஆனால், நிஜத்தில் உடல் ரீதியாக உள்ளும், புறமும் நிகழும் பெரிய மாற்றங்களை போராட்டங்களோடு எதிர் கொண்டு அவர்களின் நாட்கள் நகர்கின்றன.

அக்கறையும் அன்பும் அதிகம் தேவைப்படுபவர்களாக இருக்கின்றனர். ஆனால் அவர்களிடம் நீ அப்படி இரு, இப்படி இருக்காதே என தொடர்ந்து சொல்வதால் எரிச்சல் சிடுசிடுப்பு எளிதில் வந்து ஒட்டிக்கொள்கிறது.யாரும் யாருக்கும் அறிவுரை சொல்லத் தேவை இல்லை. தேவைப்படுமெனில் ஆலோசனை போதும். ஏற்பதும் ஏற்காததும் அவர்களின் பிரியம். நாம் பக்குவத்துடன் நடந்து கொண்டு நம்மிடம் பழகுபவர்களும் முதிர்ச்சியுடன் நடந்து கொண்டால் மனம் இறகாகும். நம் உடல் நலத்தைப் போலவே மன நலத்தையும் பார்த்துக் கொள்வது அவசியம்.-தீபா நாகராணிஎழுத்தாளர், மதுரை nraniji@gmail.com

PVT BUS WAS COMING AFTER BETROTHAL

PVT BUS WAS COMING AFTER BETROTHAL

5 die, 20 hurt as pvt bus hits govt bus

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.04.2021

Five people died and 20 others injured in a head-on collision between a private and government bus at Veppancheri near Chengalpet on Monday evening.

The deceased were identified as Vettairayan, 48, Alamelu, 50, Annapoorani, 51, Muniayammal, 53 of Melmaruvathur and Ayyappan, 40 bus driver from Cuddalore.

The ones who died were all travelling on a private bus which was hired for a betrothal. The passengers were returning home to Melmaruvathur after the ceremony at Kalpakkam when the accident took place at 5.40pm at Veppancheri.

A government bus on its way to Puducherry collided head on with the private bus. In the impact, Vettairayan, Alamelu, Annapoorani, Muniayammal, died on the spot. Ayyappan, the government bus driver was rushed to Chengalpattu government hospital, where he died. The condition of 20 others is stable.

TOI initiative for newspaper vendors

TOI initiative for newspaper vendors

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.04.2021

The Times of India, Chennai, from today will start an initiative to provide Covid-19 vaccination to newspaper vendors in the city and its suburbs.

TOI has signed up with a few private medical institutions in this hour of crisis when the city has reported a shortage in availability of vaccines. This is being done because newspaper vendors are the ones who deliver papers to thousands of customers every day through the year. They are a kind of frontline essential services workers.

The drive will start on Tuesday from Tambaram where TOI has tied up with Bharat Medical College which will provide vaccines free of cost to vendors in the southern part of the city.

The next such drive will be in the western part of the city where ACS College in Thiruverkadu will provide free vaccines to vendors in Anna Nagar-Ambattur-Thiruverkadu areas. TOI has also tied up with institutions like Rela Hospital and Balaji Medical College to vaccinate vendors in different parts of the city.

Some residents don’t mask up, many wear it improperly

Some residents don’t mask up, many wear it improperly

Civic Body Collects Over ₹72L In Fine In 15 Days

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:27.04.2021

The number of Covid-19 cases continues to surge, but residents continue to be lax in wearing masks. Greater Chennai Corporation in the last 15 days collected about ₹72.8 lakh in fines and closed down more than 50 shops and restaurants for protocol violation.

Most people cover just their mouths with a mask, while many in the working class do not even wear one saying it gets wet in no time. Several with cloth/ surgical masks don’t wear them in small workplace gatherings, increasing risk of infections.

At a courier agency TOI visited on Monday, the employees said it was too hot to wear a mask, while those at a departmental store wore it only when customers insisted. Roadside vendors had handkerchiefs around the face and shops at T Nagar and Pondy Bazaar were overcrowded.

The highest collection of fines in the last 15 days is from Teynampet zone (₹10.8 lakh), followed by Royapuram (₹7.2 lakh), Tondiarpet (₹6.5 lakh) and Kodambakkam (₹5.2 lakh), which includes Pondy Bazaar and T Nagar. The lowest (₹3 lakh) was from Thiruvottiyur despite very few commercial establishments and more industries.

Corporation deputy commissioner (works) Meghnath Reddy said there is compliance but many aren't following rules. “People need to understand that wearing a mask not just protects them but others too.”

V Santhanam, an activist from suburban Chromepet, said the city was better than others in mask compliance, but “unless they wear it properly, it will not serve any purpose.”

Kovilambakkam resident Sajid Hussain said many people pull their masks down when they want to talk. “Masks are mostly on the chin,” he said.

Dr V Sridhar of Mylapore said there was a misconception that a mask completely protects the wearer. “The primary purpose is to prevent the virus spreading from the wearer's body by getting trapped in the mask. If everyone wears a mask, everyone else is protected. Wearing a mask amounts to social responsibility, not personal protection.”

RULES? WHAT RULES? A handful of people wears a mask properly and some either keep their noses exposed or rest it below their chin and most don’t give a hoot for the most important Covid protocol. A recent file photo of ever-busy Ranganathan Street in T Nagar shows the prevailing reality on the ground

105-yr-old & his 95-yr-old wife win Covid battle after nine days in ICU

105-yr-old & his 95-yr-old wife win Covid battle after nine days in ICU

Bhavika.Jain1@timesgroup.com

Mumbai: 27.04.2021

When Suresh Chavan was looking for a hospital to admit his Covid-positive parents, his neighbours in Katgaon Tanda village, Latur, had cautioned him, saying anyone that old who goes to a Covid hospital never comes back home. His 105-year-old father, Dhenu Chavan, and 95-year-old mother Motabai proved everyone wrong.

The couple spent nine days in the ICU of Vilasrao Deshmukh Institute of Medical Sciences in Latur battling the virus, and came out victorious. Doctors who treated the centenarian couple said early diagnosis and timing treatment helped them beat the virus.

FIGHTING FIT: Dhenu Chavan and wife Motabai proved the villagers wrong  ‘Timely treatment will ensure complete recovery’

A total of five members of the Chavan family had tested positive on March 24. “We live a joint family. Other than my parents, the three children had tested positive too. My parents were running high temperatures and my father had a severe stomachache as well and so I decided to admit them both to a hospital,” said Suresh.

He found a bed at the government medical college, which is three hours away from this village. “My parents were very scared and so was I, but I knew that keeping them at home would be the wrong decision,” said Suresh. This decision on his behalf proved helpful. “They had a CT (computed tomography) score of 15/25, which was a concern due to their age. They were on oxygen support and were also given five doses of the antiviral remdesivir injections,” said Dr Gajanan Halkanche who treated the couple.

Dhenu Chavan was discharged on April 5 while Motabai took two more days to recover.

“They were brought to us in time and there was no delay in seeking treatment and that made a significant difference,” said Dr Halkanche. Latur district is currently seeing an average of 1,000 cases daily and several patients are not getting tested in time and coming in the hospital with very severe symptoms. “We are appealing to the public to ensure they get tested as soon as they see any symptoms. Timely detection and treatment will ensure complete recovery,” said Dr Halkanche.

Suresh said he would go to the hospital every day and see his parents from a small glass window. “He would always ask me if they would ever get better and would see our village again. And every day I kept telling them they will be discharged tomorrow,” said Suresh.

Full report on www.toi.in

Meet the centenarian medical superintendent of Madurai corporation

Meet the centenarian medical superintendent of Madurai corporation

Padmini.Sivarajah@timesgroup.com

27.04.2021

The first woman medical superintendent of the Madurai corporation, Dr R S Padmavathy, turned 100 on Monday. Her entry to the medical field shattered preconceived notions about women and helped more women to come forward to seek medical consultation.

Born on April 26, 1921, Padmavathy was the eldest daughter of a government doctor at the Erskine Hospital, the present-day Government Rajaji Hospital. A woman becoming a professional, more so a doctor was unheard of in her community — the Rajus. It was her father Dr R Sundarajan’s vision that helped her break barriers, not just for herself, but for all his women patients. Dr Sundarajan realised that women were apprehensive of consulting male doctors and were losing their lives. He decided to make his first born, Padmavathy, a doctor.

After completing her intermediate studies at the American College in Madurai, she went to study medicine at the Madras Medical College. Facing up to community pressure with her books being thrown or hidden by elders, she later inspired five of her sisters to follow in her footsteps. After graduating in 1948, Dr Padmavathy was appointed as a government doctor in Kodaikanal. A year later, she felt the women in Madurai needed her service more. That’s when her father made her quit her government job and join the Madurai municipality as a doctor. The municipality had three women doctors then, the others were from other states, she was the only one from southern Tamil Nadu who knew the region.

She was promoted as the medical superintendent of maternity centres, in the Madurai municipality in 1955, and held the same post till her retirement in 1977. Those were the days when institutionalized delivery wasn’t common. To make childbirth as safe as possible at home, Dr Padmavathy implemented the system where the corporation staff followed up on cases regularly and assisted deliveries at homes.

In 1969, when the World Health Organisation (WHO) conducted an advanced training in maternity and childcare at Warsaw, Poland, Dr Padmavathy was one of the three doctors chosen by the Indian government to attend it. Returning with a hoard of information, she implemented vacuum assisted deliveries in the Madurai corporation. Sign boards and placards were made to adorn the walls of her clinic to inspire young doctors who came there for training.

It was her vision that child healthcare became an important part of the maternity system, which led to the two being integrated in the medical system in hospitals. Carrying forward her legacy, one of her three sons Gurusundar and daughter Geethalakshmi are doctors.

PIONEERING SPIRIT: Dr R S Padmavathy, was instrumental in giving shape to child care and maternity healthcare in the 1960s and 70s; (above, fourth from left) at a health conference in Warsaw, Poland, representing India in 1969

SHRC seeks report on abusive employee at Nagapattinam hosp

SHRC seeks report on abusive employee at Nagapattinam hosp

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.04.2021

State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about a female employee at a government hospital in Nagapattinam district manhandling a patient for not giving money after delivering a male child at the hospital. The commission has sought a detailed report from the director, medical health and rural services and the joint director of health services, Nagapattinam in connection with the incident.

According to the report M Murugavalli, 20, of Thittacheri Devangudi village was admitted to the government hospital. On April 19, she delivered a boy. The mother and child were isolated in the Covid ward at the hospital until results returned negative. On April 21, Murugavalli’s Covid results returned negative after which she was allowed to be shifted to the general ward. When a female employee at the hospital was shifting Murugavalli on a wheel chair to the general ward, she demanded money from the family members for having a male child.

When the family refused, the employee allegedly abused the woman and her relatives and pushed her off the wheel chair, according to the news report. A video of the incident was circulated on social media by the family members. The commission has sought a report from the health department officials within two weeks and in case of any default, the commission will take action as it deems fit.

It’s curtains for int’l travel, foreign arrivals this season

It’s curtains for int’l travel, foreign arrivals this season

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.04.2021

After UAE, Maldives has also restricted entry of Indian tourists, effectively striking off the only international leisure travel option left for Chennaiites this season.

Industry sources said there was little chance that the travel ban will be lifted any time soon. Maldives and UAE were the popular destinations for people from Chennai and travel was reviving after restrictions eased in the last three months.

With cases growing and flight restrictions still in force, the city will not get foreign travellers either. Foreign tourists usually arrive in June-July. VFS has also suspended issuing visas for almost all major countries while the US has closed its consulate for appointments till May 15.

Travel and tour operators say this will impact the confidence level of travellers and it may be three to four months before people ventured out. The sector is now staring at a repeat of 2020.

Ramji Natarajan of Travel Masters India said "We were banking on the April-May season. This is gone now with almost all destinations out of reach. Domestic holidays too are not happening because of the high number of Covid-19 cases and shutdowns. It is going to be worse than last year as the few countries that were allowing us to fly too are blocking. It will take a long time for the people to have confidence to travel. People have started to rethink essential travel too."

With the prospects of revival looking bleak, travel and tour operators suggest that the government should step in.

Basheer Ahmed of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) said, “It looks like there may not be much movement in terms of passengers for three to six months. This is the time for the government to step in and help tourism to survive.”

S Shaktivadivel, honorary secretary, southern region, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said government and industry should take steps to boost confidence to encourage travel post-Covid-19. “The domestic epass system should be standardized, private charter should be allowed on domestic and international routes, a vaccine passport should be worked out, airlines should step up safety measures like leaving the middle seat empty,” he said. There should also be some relief measure from the government, added.

Ramji said that “It’s time for the government to form a highpowered committee involving senior travel professionals and gather feedback and formulate a strategy or stimulus.”

Jabs for 18-45 may hit blood donations

Jabs for 18-45 may hit blood donations

Banks Call For Help From Youth

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:27.04.2021

Voluntary blood donations in the state may take a hit in the coming weeks with the government allowing those in the 18-45 age group to get vaccinated.

Since the majority of the voluntary donations are made by those in this age group and one having to wait for 28 days after the second Covid jab to donate, blood banks have appealed to youth to donate it before getting vaccinated.

If not enough turn up, road accident victims, cancer patients (for chemotherapy, etc) and people with HIV could suffer as their treatment involves multiple blood transfusions, say doctors.

At present, however, there is no acute shortage, with official data showing that the 90 National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)-controlled blood banks in Tamil Nadu having around 35,000 units of blood. “Though there is nothing to panic as of now, we are taking adequate steps to increase voluntary blood donations in the coming days to avoid trouble,” said Deepak Jacob, member secretary of Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (Tansacs).

T Raja, an oncologist from Chennai, said his hospital transfused at least 600 units of red blood cells and 600 units of platelets every month.

“So far we are managing with our large access to donors. But we foresee difficulties as those who get vaccinated or infected might not be able to donate.

Besides this, accessing hospitals will also be a problem for many due to fear of getting infected. Why would they come out when there is so much risk?”

A senior Tamil Nadu Accident and Emergency Care Initiative (TAEI) doctor said they were requesting help from relative donors but this could change in the coming days.

The accident rate may also come down if stringent lockdown norms are introduced like last year. A majority of accidents last year were minor ones and roughly 5% needed blood transfusions, he said.

Tamil Nadu last year reported roughly 4,000 accidents every month.

Arun Kesav of PPP Foundations, a not-for-profit organisation in the field of blood donation, said finding donors becomes tough when a negative type is involved.

“For every 25 requests made from hospitals in and around Madurai, we used to find at least 15 donors. We are struggling to find even five now,” he said.

R Ravi, a blood bank incharge at a private hospital in Madurai, said the number of voluntary donors dropped from 100 a day in 2019 to 50 last month. On Sunday, just one donor turned up.

Elective surgeries are being also postponed, but the number of deliveries, requiring blood, remains unchanged.

Velachery flyover’s 1 arm to be open for public by May-end

Velachery flyover’s 1 arm to be open for public by May-end

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:27.04.2021

One arm of the Taramani-Velachery flyover is expected to be thrown open to road users by next month, while the 2km-long flyover in Medavakkam, the longest in the city, is expected to be ready by July end.

A senior state highways department official said that the arm of the Velachery flyover beginning on Taramani Link Road needed a slab placed that could be completed in two days. To install LED lights, the department has deposited the required amount with Greater Chennai Corporation which will award the contract only after the model code of conduct for the assembly election ends after counting of votes on May 2.

The lighting work is expected to last close to a month, said the official. The Taramani arm is Level 2, while Level 1, linking Velacherry Bypass Road, will take a few more months to complete.

At the Medavakkam flyover, where one arm has been thrown open and work on the longer arm is on, the main issue is relocating Metrowater pipes carrying desalinated water from the Nemmeli plant. The delay in procuring and bringing to the site the required equipment and material to shift the pipeline affected the project. The relocation of the pipelines is expected to be completed by the first week of May before the highways department takes up construction of the retaining walls.

This work is expected to be completed by July-end, said the official.

Once the flyovers at Velachery, built at a cost of Rs 186 crore, and Medavakkam, costing ₹51.5 crore, are complete, congestion is expected to reduce to a great extent at both places, the official said.

The arm of the flyover beginning on Taramani Link Road needed a slab placed that could be over in two days

‘Download fee for TNPSC's exam answer sheets too high’

‘Download fee for TNPSC's exam answer sheets too high’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.04.2021

The move to allow candidates to download their answer scripts by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) faced a flak from candidates as many felt that fee for the service is very high.

Following scams in Group IV and II-A exams, the TNPSC introduced several reforms including giving candidates an additional option and getting a thumb impression of candidates on the OMR sheets. As part of the reforms, the recruitment agency announced that candidates appearing for Group I main examination in July 2019 can download the scanned copy of evaluated answer scripts.

However, the commission has fixed ₹500 as fee to download the answer script for each paper. "If we want to see our answer scripts, we need to pay ₹1,500 to see all the three papers of the main exam. The fee is very high as the candidates are paying around ₹100 per exam. The amount is not affordable to many aspirants," a candidate from the city said.

Some candidates found several inconsistencies in the evaluation of answer scripts of the main exam.

"In the paper two in Tamil culture subject, the difference of marks for two evaluators is varying hugely. One evaluator gave 10 out of 15 marks and the second evaluator gave only two marks. I don't know how such a huge variation is possible and missed the opportunity to qualify for an interview very narrowly," another candidate who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

However, the candidate said the move had made her understand where she made mistakes and will help to correct them in future.

"The fee to get an answer sheets copy is very high. Even to get the answer sheets copy under RTI act costs around ₹360 for all the three papers," said U Sivabalan, academic head, TNPSC exams, Shankar IAS Academy.

TNPSC officials were not available for comments.

TN sells remdesivir at KMC to keep in check illegal sale of drug

TN sells remdesivir at KMC to keep in check illegal sale of drug

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  27.04.2021 

Bogged down by complaints of patients being forced to buy the anti-viral remdesivir for a high price in the black market, the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation, on Monday opened a counter at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for sale of the drug at ₹1,565 (including GST) per dose. The move would also help check unwarranted use of the drug.

Attenders or relatives of Covid-19 patients can buy the drug from the counter after showing four documents – patient’s Aadhaar card, RTPCR positive report, a copy of the chest CT report and a doctor’s prescription for the drug.

Patients requiring oxygen support are prescribed six doses of the injection as part of Covid-19 management. By afternoon on Monday, at least 40 doses of the drug were sold at the counter.

Other than the public, hospitals too can purchase the drug from TNMSC by producing patient records and other relevant documents. “Government hospitals have stock of the drug. Since there is a shortage, we are selling the drugs to hospitals on a case-tocase basis, based on the medical condition of patients. We tell hospitals not to inflate the medicine cost on patient bills,” said TNMSC medical director Dr P Umanath. “ICMR guideline says remdesivir is to be given to oxygen-dependent patients, whose lungs are affected. People meeting the conditions can buy the drug,” he said.

The injectable antiviral, used to treat Ebola virus, is now widely used to prevent replication of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Ten days ago, many hospitals called the corporation with requests for remdesivir as they ran out of stock. Earlier this month, the Centre banned export of remdesivir and its active pharmaceutical ingredient until further orders. The drug controller general (India), V G Somani, has asked all manufacturers of the antiviral to send stocks to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat immediately “in light of concerns regarding availability in major states dealing with Covid 19 cases.”

State health minister C Vijayabaskar said this diversion led to delay of stocks to many states including Tamil Nadu. He also said the state will help hospitals and patients on a case-to-case basis.

KEEPING THINGS IN LINE

Admin not liable for WhatsApp content: HC

Admin not liable for WhatsApp content: HC

Vaibhav.Ganjapure@timesgroup.com

Nagpur:27.04.2021 

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has ruled that WhatsApp group admins can’t be held liable for objectionable content posted by a member unless it is proved there was common intention or a pre-arranged plan between them.

“In the absence of a specific penal provision creating vicarious liability, the administrator can’t be held liable for objectionable content posted by a member. Common intention can’t be established in the case of WhatsApp service users merely acting as administrators,” the division bench of Justices Zaka Haq and Amir Borkar said.

Quashing a police complaint against a man from Maharashtra’s Gondia for alleged sexual harassment under Section 354-A(1)(iv), read along with Sections 509 and 107 of the IPC and Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000, the bench said a group admin doesn’t have the power to regulate, moderate or censor the content before it is posted.

“The administrators are the ones who create the group by adding/deleting the members. Every group has one or more administrators, who control members’ participation. A group administrator has limited power of removing/adding the members. Once the group is created, the administrators’ and members’ functions are at par with each other, except addition/deletion powers. But, if amember posts any objectionable content, s/he can be held liable under relevant provisions of law,” the court said.

Petitioner Kishor Tarone had moved court after a woman accused him, the admin of a WhatsApp group, of not removing another member who had used obscene language against her. She also alleged that the petitioner failed to ask the member to apologise and instead expressed helplessness.

The judges, however, made it clear that when a person creates a WhatsApp group, they can’t be expected to presume or to have advance knowledge of any illegal intent of a member.

BIG RELIEF: Common intention can’t be established in case of users acting as admins, the Bombay high court said

High court proposes May 1, 2 lockdown in Tamil Nadu, Pondy

High court proposes May 1, 2 lockdown in Tamil Nadu, Pondy

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:27.04.2021

Why not two-day lock down – on May 1 and 2 --during counting of votes in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, asked Madras high court on Monday.

Noting that movement of vehicles needed only for the purpose of counting of votes and emergency services be allowed, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said: “If an appropriate announcement in such regard is made well in advance, say by April 28, ordinary citizen may have sufficient notice and may complete the weekend purchases by Friday and abide by the restricted movement norms as was evident in course of the lockdown observed on Sunday, April 25.”

The court then directed the governments to take measures to indicate basic norms not exceeding eight or 10 bullet points that may be circulated over the electronic media or published by the print media seeking to guide citizens, instead of citizens panicking and rushing to hospitals.

“It would also do well for the state and the Union territory to completely eschew the VIP-culture and ensure that facilities are available to citizens without consideration of status or the like of the patient or their relatives,” the court added.

“The situation in both the state and the union territory will continue to be monitored by this bench during the next several weeks, irrespective of the court going into summer vacation from May 1,” the court said.

The bench made the observations while hearing a suo motu plea initiated by the court to check the preparedness of the state and the availability of Remdesivir, oxygen, ventilators and beds required to handle the second wave of Covid-19.

As to the suggestion made for restricting vehicular and other movement, reducing trade and commerce and requiring testing to be mandatorily introduced at airports and at entry points into the s, the bench said, “…a protocol in such regard must immediately be put in place.”

The court further added that the prices of drugs, bedrates charged for admission into private hospitals and the prices of oxygen and vaccination should be monitored and controlled by the state government.

The court said if an appropriate announcement is made well in advance citizens may complete purchases by Friday and abide by restricted movement norms

‘Irresponsible’ EC should face murder charges: Madras HC

‘Irresponsible’ EC should face murder charges: Madras HC

Threatens To Stop Counting If Covid Protocol Not Followed

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:27.04.2021

Lambasting the Election Commission for failure to maintain Covid protocol during poll campaigns, the Madras high court on Monday said the EC “should be put up on murder charges…for being the most irresponsible institution.”

“Now we assure you we will stop counting if we do not find before May 2 a blueprint on how proper maintenance of Covid protocol will be maintained so that this state does not succumb to your idiosyncrasies any further,” the judges said in the course of their oral observations.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy even threatened to stop the counting of assembly poll votes slated for May 2. They made the observations while hearing a public interest writ petition filed by TN minister M R Vijayabhaskar, who sought directions to the ECI to ensure fair counting of votes.

“You (ECI) are the only institution responsible for the situation that we are in today. You have been singularly lacking any kind of exercise of authority…You have not taken measures against political parties holding rallies despite every order of this court saying ‘maintain Covid protocol, maintain Covid protocol’ like a broken record,” the bench said.

“The significance of adhering to such protocol may have been lost on the EC going by the puerile silence on the part of the commission as campaigns and rallies were conducted without distancing norms being maintained and in wanton disregard of the other items of the protocol,” it added.

Weigh words before using them: Nadda

Responding to HC observation, BJP’s J P Nadda said, “...People in high and respectable positions should weigh words before using them.” Meanwhile, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee welcomed the observation, which “clearly said the EC cannot escape its responsibility”. P 7

HC: Counting result shouldn’t add to surge

A bit of the observations found mention in the order as well, when the bench said: “At no cost should the counting result in being a catalyst for a further surge – politics or no politics, and whether the counting takes place in a staggered manner or is deferred.”

“Public health is of paramount importance and it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to be reminded in such regard. It is only when citizens survive they enjoy the other rights that this democratic republic guarantees unto them. The situation is now one of survival and protection,” the court said. The judges made the observations while hearing a public interest writ petition filed by Tamil Nadu transport minister M R Vijayabhaskar, who is AIADMK’s candidate in Karur constituency.

Wear mask inside home too & don’t invite visitors: Centre

Wear mask inside home too & don’t invite visitors: Centre

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.04.2021

Amid a rapid spread of Covid-19 cases, the Centre on Monday advised people to wear masks even inside homes, especially when using a common space and also said that it is best not to invite visitors.

NITI Aayog member and head of the government’s group on vaccinations, Dr V K Paul said, “It is time people start wearing masks inside their homes as well, especially when everyone is sitting together.” He said mask protocol should definitely be followed if there is a person isolated due to Covid at home to reduce risk of infection.

“In this situation, masks are absolutely necessary, so do not go out unnecessarily. Stay with family. And also, even within the family, please wear masks. Do not invite people inside homes. There is a transmissibility angle. We must protect ourselves and our family members to the best of our ability,” Dr Paul said at the weekly briefing on Covid on Monday.

The government also highlighted improper use of masks and lack of physical distancing can increase the risk of transmission by 90%. It cited studies to show such a risk with two individuals not wearing a mask and failing to maintain adequate social distancing. The risk gets reduced to 30% if the unaffected person is wearing a mask.

The government said studies show an infected patient can end up passing the infection to 406 people in 30 days in the absence of physical distancing. The risk comes down to infecting 2.5 persons in 30 days if he follows physical distancing measures. The government also said in the current circumstances, people with symptoms of Covid-19 should be treated as positive cases even if their RT-PCR status is negative or not available.

India on Sunday recorded 3.52 lakh Covid-19 cases. This was the fifth day in a row when over three lakh cases were registered. Amid concerns about RT-PCR test results showing negative despite symptoms of Covid, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria said: “Often it can happen that RT-PCR test is negative because the sensitivity of the test is not100%.”

Paul: Can’t let pace of Covid vaccination decline in face of emerging situation

He added, “In such situations, if clinical symptoms are classical and there is a close contact who is positive, you should assume you have Covid.” He added that many hospitals have now created a Covid suspect ward for such patients who are awaiting a positive report but have symptoms.

The Centre also stressed the need to ramp up vaccination. “We cannot let the pace of Covid-19 vaccination decline or slacken in the face of the emerging situation. In fact, it should be escalated and with that intent the government of India brought a revised (vaccination) policy. We believe and are confident that will bring in more acceleration,” NITI Aayog member Dr V K Paul said.

Given 24 hrs to live, 75-yr-old recovers in 13 days

Given 24 hrs to live, 75-yr-old recovers in 13 days

Mumbai:  26.04.2021 

A 75-year-old woman, whose family was told she may not have more than 24 hours to live after being diagnosed with severe Covid, went home last week after putting up a fierce fight for 13 days, reports Sumitra Deb Roy.

As Shailaja Nakwe walked out of Ghatkopar’s Sonagra Medical and Surgical Centre on Wednesday, doctors and nurses there celebrated her discharge by cutting a cake with her CT (computed tomography) score of 25/25—the most severe count— iced on it. “Her recovery was a sweet victory against the virus we are all so desperately fighting. She was a diabetic who came to us with near 100% lung involvement, went on to need complete ventilator support and came out of it,” said Dr Rajaram Sonagra, her treating doctor.

The Dombivli resident had been suffering from fever for 3-4 days before one of her sons visited her and found that her oxygen saturation was 69%. The family rushed her to the Ghatkopar hospital that had an oxygen bed available.

Shailaja Nakwe had a 25/25 CT score, the most severe count

‘My mother says she has touched death and come back’

Hours after admission on April 8, she had to be put on a non-invasive ventilator. “Her oxygen dependence went up from 80% to 100%. All five lobes of the lung had over 75% involvement. She was breathing with great difficulty,” said the doctor. A CT score of 25/25 is a textbook case for referral to a higher centre, but Shailaja refused to be moved.

The doctors started treating her with Remdesivir and a group of antibiotics.

Shailaja’s son Prashant Nakwe said he will never forget the struggle to arrange for six doses of Remdesivir. The family could finally source it from Kalyan. “When we were told she may have just 24 hours to live, my mind had stopped working but my heart said she was a fighter. None of us gave up,” Prashant told TOI.

Prashant said her condition started to turn around after five days when her oxygen dependence started falling. Dr Sonagra said she was taken off Bipap after 12 days, but she needed regular oxygen support. She currently needs 2 litre oxygen at home and could take upto six months for complete recovery. “My mother says she has touched death and come back,” the son added.

Intensivist Dr Rahul Pandit said a CT score of 25/25 can be treated with good ICU support and provided the patient has come on time and doesn’t have any comorbidities.

1,242 fresh MBBS grads get corona duty

1,242 fresh MBBS grads get corona duty

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:  26.04.2021 

The state health department on Sunday issued an order for 1,242 fresh MBBS graduates from various government and GMERS Trustrun medical colleges to report to the respective district collectors or municipal commissioners on Monday for Covid duties.

The order by state health commissioner Jai Prakash Shivahare mentioned that if the doctors fail to report by Monday, an action can be initiated against them under provisions of Epidemics Act. The order is issued for 513 graduates of state-run medical colleges, 136 graduates on bond period from the state-run medical colleges and 593 graduates from GMERS medical colleges.

“The state, and country at large, is reeling under unprecedented medical emergency and there is dire requirement of manpower to run the newlyconstructed facilities. While physical infrastructure can be created within days, it is not enough without experienced medical professionals. Thus, it’s also an appeal to the students to give their best in these testing times,” said a senior health department official. “We have also brought in doctors under bond period for the Covid duty in 2020.”

Officials added that as the students would be getting double the bond period for their Covid duty, they can complete one year period within six months.

Remembering Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar Through His Judgments

Remembering Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar Through His Judgments: Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan Mallikarajanagouda Shantanagoudar passed away on April 24, at the age of 62 years.Elevated to the Supreme Court in February 2017, he had a tenure till May 5,

Critical air hostess airlifted on word from Sonu Sood

Critical air hostess airlifted on word from Sonu Sood

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:26.04.2021

A 26-year-old Indi-Go airlines air hostess, suffering from an acute infection of Covid-19, was airlifted from Nagpur to Hyderabad by a Bengaluru-based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) air ambulance team, which reportedly carried out the expensive flight for free on word from actor Sonu Sood.

The Bollywood star, who himself tested positive at the time of the incident, ensured the young girl from Maharashtra received timely treatment. Her condition is stable.

Sources say the staff on IndiGo’s domestic sector, from a village near Nagpur, tested positive on April 15. She comes from a lower middle class family and her father is a retired railway staff.

“As the condition of the air hostess deteriorated, she was brought to Wockhardt Hospital in Nagpur on April 18. The infection had badly damaged her lungs and she was put on ventilator support. Staff of the hospital had contacted actor Sonu Sood who got in touch with us,” said Dr Shalini Nalwad, cofounder of International Critical Care Air Transfer Team (ICATT) Foundation and Air Ambulance services, based in Bengaluru.

Realising that the woman came from an economically poor background, Nalwad along with the co-founder of ICATT, Dr Rahul Singh Sardar, took the call to provide the air ambulance service and mobile ECMO treatment worth ₹17 lakh for free. “Our team with a flying ECMO unit reached Wockhardt Hospital on Wednesday. The girl was stabilized and with assistance from ECMO equipment, she was transported by road to the Nagpur airport on Thursday morning. She was then airlifted to Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad,” Dr Nalwad said.

No problem in taking jab during periods, say docs

No problem in taking jab during periods, say docs

Chaitanya.Deshpande@timesgroup.com

Nagpur: 26.04.2021

As the country is fast getting ready to vaccinate its 18+ citizens from May 1, the spreading of misconceptions and fake news about anti-Covid inoculations too are picking up speed on social media.

Apart from the regular WhatsApp forwards holding the vaccine responsible for impotency, DNA alteration and cardiac arrest, the latest and most circulated one is about vaccination for women during their menstrual cycle. Experts have debunked all these theories.

The message reads: “Don’t take vaccine before and after 5 days of your periods because immunity will be very less during periods. Doses of vaccine first decrease immunity later it builds immunity. So, there is a high risk of attack for one who is vaccinated during periods.” Gynecologists are getting a lot of queries because of this post.

“There is no scientific basis to support this. Don’t fall for rumours. There is no reason not to get vaccinated during periods. No guidelines list menstruation as a reason to put off the vaccine,” said Dr Vaidehi Marathe, former president of Nagpur Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (NOGS).

“This change of immunity with menstruation is very theoretical and never proved. The link that is being circulated with this message is not even a scientific journal and written by a freelance journalist and not a doctor or a research scientist,” she clarified.

President of NOGS, Dr Warsha Dhawale said, “It takes a huge amount of work for arranging vaccination, especially in remote areas. Such controversial messages may hamper the vaccination program if women refuse jabs just because of being in periods.”

Many teachers lose jobs

Many teachers lose jobs

26.04.2021

Madurai:

While teachers in private schools have been struggling to get their salaries as schools remain shut due to Covid-19, for teachers who teach co-curricular subjects like music, dance, karate, arts and crafts etc., their livelihood has been lost for the past year. Across Tamil Nadu, more than 50,000 co-curricular special teachers, including a large section of women teachers, are employed in private schools. Since the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed in March last year, several special teachers were either asked to quit or told they won’t be paid till schools reopen. TNN

Lost vision: HC refuses to quash FIR against doc

Lost vision: HC refuses to quash FIR against doc

Madurai:  26.04.2021

Refusing to quash an FIR registered against a doctor in a case in which a woman lost vision in her left eye after alleged transfusion of old stock blood in Sivaganga district in 2016, Madras high court directed the police to conduct a thorough investigation in the case. The court was hearing the petition filed by Dr Rammohanrao in 2017, seeking to quash the FIR registered against him by Karaikudi North police.

Selvam had admitted his wife Parvatham, who was complaining of severe stomach ache, to Padmini Rammohanrao Hospital at Karaikudi in 2016. The petitioner, who was the chief doctor, examined the woman and said there was a stone in the kidney to remove which she required surgery. One unit blood was transfused to the woman which was allegedly found to be of old stock. Due to this reason, the woman complained about loss of vision in her left eye. The petitioner had allegedly offered ₹2 lakh as compensation and asked Selvam to give an undertaking that the hospital was not responsible for the loss of his wife’s vision. Selvam refused to take the money and asked the petitioner to treat his wife to regain her eyesight. Thereafter, some people allegedly threatened Selvam following which he lodged a complaint based on which a case was registered against Rammohanrao. TNN

One killed, 5 injured as bees attack them while cleaning tank

One killed, 5 injured as bees attack them while cleaning tank

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.04.2021

A 34-year-old man died and five others suffered injuries after they were attacked by a swarm of honey bees while cleaning a huge water tank in Padi on Saturday.

While police identified the deceased as P S Sundar, a resident of Kodungaiyur, a fire and rescue services department employee who rushed in to help is being treated at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. G Sellakumar, 24, N Vinoth Kumar, 25, of Villivakkam, D Gopinath, 25, of Kodungaiyur, G Raghunath, 28, of Nagapattinam and V Michael, 46, of Mogappair are also being treated there.

While a honeybee sting is painful but is usually harmless, with people experiencing swelling, itching and redness in the affected area, it can be life threatening if stung multiple times by a swarm of bees and also if a person is allergic to the venom and develops nausea, say doctors.

Police said Sundar and five others, hired by Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to clean the water tank at Millennium Park, were climbing down a spiral staircase by the side when they came under attack by the swarm. Sundar rushed down the stairs despite being stung, while the others rushed back to the top of the tank and got stuck there.

Soon, a team of fire fighters from JJ Nagar and Kilpauk arrived. “Since they could not locate the beehive, they climbed the stairs wearing protective gear to bring down those stuck there and were also stung,” said an official. A few residents brought fire torches to chase away the bees, but failed.

People struggle to reach home from railway stn

People struggle to reach home from railway stn

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:26.04.2021

The first Sunday shutdown left stranded people who arrived in the city by early morning trains at Egmore and Central. They came out to deserted roads, with hardly any cabs or autorickshaws in sight. The few drivers around kept an eye out for the cops.

At Egmore railway station, families were seen waiting with bags at around 7.45am. There were no autos available at the pre-paid counter. People who had to go to Sowcarpet managed to get some vehicles arranged by their relatives after a wait of around half an hour. Some people who had to go to Ekkattuthangal were seen bargaining with a few auto drivers who were hesitating to drop them fearing police crackdown.

A TOI photojournalist saw around 15 groups of people including families waiting outside the station for vehicles. A few who lived nearby decided to walk. A woman and two children waiting with heavy bags said "We are coming from Madurai and expected autos to be available at the pre-paid counter.” The woman said she had called her husband who would bring his motorcycle and was try to arrange another vehicle. The three finally had to travel on the bike with bags after they could not arrange another vehicle.

A few autos that drove by quoted exorbitant fares while a few others refused to ride. "I do not want to take a risk because I do not have an excuse to tell the police when I return after dropping the passengers,” said an auto driver.

A railway official said, “We have asked the state government to exempt vehicles coming to the railway stations from the restrictions.”

The official said there was a shortage only early in the morning and that autos and cabs were available at Egmore and Central later in the day.

STRANDED: People wait for transport with their luggage outside MGR Central railway station

Metro and suburban train services ease travel woes

Chennai:

Metro rail and suburban train services came in handy for commuters who had to travel for emergency purposes on Sunday when buses, autos and cabs stayed off the roads during the complete lockdown.

Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) operated trains every one hour, while suburban trains ran every two hours so that medical professionals, paramedical staff, Greater Chennai Corporation staff and other frontline workers could travel. T K Pandian, a regular commuter, said people working in hospitals and in restaurants were mostly found taking the train. “But the footfalls were less. I could see only a handful of people in the station at Anna Nagar Tower in the evening,” he said.

A few metro stations received 50 to 70 people through the day, while suburban trains had some more people as railway staff too used the trains to come to work apart from health services staff.

Railways has scaled down the number of suburban services and have been running around 459 services per day instead of the 700 trains due to the restrictions announced by the state government. But will be adding more trains following demand on weekdays. Railways will add around 21 suburban trains on different routes from Monday to Saturday. An additional train has been added in the coming days on Avadi-Tiruvallur, Avadi-Arakkonam, MMC-Avadi, MMC-Arakkonam, Chennai Beach-Tiruvallur, MMC-Tiruvallur, Arakkonam-Chennai Beach, Avadi-MMC and Tiruvallur-MMC routes. Five trains have been added to the Chennai Beach-Avadi route, three to Avadi-Chennai Beach, and two each on Tiruvallur-Chennai Beach and Tiruvallur-Avadi. TNN