Doc files plaint over clips of tiff in store

Doc files plaint over clips of tiff in store

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mangaluru:23.05.2021

Dr Bevinje Srinivas Kakkilaya, who recently walked into a supermarket without a mask and argued with staff, filed a complaint against the store owner for allegedly circulating CCTV footage. The clips, which showed the 56-year-old doctor calling the policy “foolish”, went viral.

In his complaint filed at Mangaluru East police station, Kakkilaya said the supermarket owner had illegally and unlawfully circulated CCTV footage of the said incident on Tuesday to social media, which resulted in issuance of several defamatory statements and articles in his name, all over the country and beyond. The “selective” and “illegal leak”, with audio recordings, appears to be a “deliberate attempt to malign me and cause me immense harm”, he said.

Over the past three days, two more audio clips have gone viral, which seem to be of recorded telephone calls made by a person identified as Pai to the owner of the supermarket and another of a purported neighbour of the doctor.

“Pai is heard illegally instigating the person on the other side of the call to file a false complaint against me and put me behind bars. He has also defamed me and my family and my late father BV Kakkilaya, a freedom fighter...,” Kakkilaya said in the complaint. “He is also heard illegally instigating the supposed shop owner to physically attack me. It is evident from another audio clip that he (store owner) is handin-glove with the person who is said to be a neighbour and both...have been following me and my family, thereby hatching a conspiracy to commit an act of threat, intimidation to my life and my reputation,” Kakkilaya’s complaint read.”

16-member joint family beats Covid & how!

16-member joint family beats Covid & how!

Followed Govt Protocol And Healthy Diet

Basavaraj.Kattimani@timesgroup.com

Hubballi:23.05.2021 

The government has been strictly observing movement of people to check the spread of Covid-19 in the state, especially in rural areas. A joint family in Sulla village of Hubballi taluk has set an example for others by successfully battling and recovering from the infection by following the protocols specified by the government.

Sixteen members of Shivallimath family, including four children, had tested positive on May 3. All the members remained in home isolation and followed a diet prescribed by government doctors, and this helped them beat the virus.

Mallikarjun Shivallimath, a lecturer at a private college, told STOI that he and his brother had Covid symptoms like cough, fever, after which they were quarantined for two days. “We gave our swab samples for a Covid test, and the results (which came on April 29) showed we were infected. As per local doctors’ suggestion, 20 members of our family took tests. On May 3, the other 14 members were found to be infected,” he added.

Despite the initial panic, they stayed composed and confident to fight Covid by following government protocols and guidelines. “We home-quarantined ourselves and informed our friends and relatives not to visit us for some days. We took tablets prescribed by doctors, had healthy food and did yoga in the morning and evening,” Mallikarjun explained.

Mallikarjun’s elder brother Manjayya, who works in the education department, was not infected. He took it upon himself to provide food, fruits, tablets and do errands so that the infected ones were in isolation. Among those recovered are three children — 10-month-old Shreya, one-year-old Vaibhavi, two-year-old Vaishnavi and two-year-old Samarth.

Mallayya Shivallimath, 65, said they had asked family members to stay confident and follow the guidelines strictly.

Dr N B Karlwad from Byhatti PHC said all 16 members of Shivallimath family have recovered. “They were home-quarantined for 14 days and treated as per norms. They cooperated with our line of treatment,” he said.

BATTLE WON: The family in Sulla village of Hubballi had tested positive for Covid on May 3. All members were home-quarantined for 14 days

At mass crematorium, victims are just token numbers

At mass crematorium, victims are just token numbers

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.05.2021 

At the mass cremation ground in Kurubarahalli, off Magadi Road in Tavarekere, the dead have no names or identities, just token numbers. Here, 41 pyres can be lit at one go. The ashes are then collected in mud urns which are marked with the token numbers for bereaved kin to collect.

A line of ambulances and hearses ensures there is no let up through the day. Grieving relatives of Covid-19 victims jostle to register for cremation at the makeshift reception, which is equipped with a public address system.

When revenue officer Divakar called out a token number over the system around 2.30pm last Wednesday, an ambulance raced towards the shed with cremation beds. It marked the beginning of the second round of cremations. Local tahsildar Shivappa was busy managing ‘essentials’, including firewood and diesel, to burn the bodies.

“We are doing our best to help ease the situation for grieving relatives,” Shivappa said, adding: “We have set up a waiting area and even provide food to those who come to conduct the last rites of their loved ones. But nothing can replace their loss.”

With BBMP introducing an online system to streamline cremations for the convenience of families, many opt for bookings and are given slots. “Operations are smoother after the online system was introduced and ambulances are given timings,” said panchayat development officer Nagaveni, who manages mass cremations. “It reduces waiting time for relatives. Earlier it was on first-come first-served basis. However, we don’t turn away people who come directly with the bodies.”

Though there are 41 pyres, usually bodies are burnt in batches of 20 to contain the heat. Once Divakar calls out all the token numbers of the batch, ambulances reach the burning beds and funeral workers carry the bodies and arrange them in a row. It’s a routine that usually plays out thrice a day. While Wednesday witnessed 59 cremations, the numbers for Thursday were 48, Friday 32 and Saturday 30. May 7 saw the highest number of cremations (84) at the ground, which is the largest among the four mass crematoria in the city.

“After the pyre is lit by relatives, we pour diesel. It takes up to three hours to turn into ashes. Later, the next round is readied,” said Rajanna, a funeral worker from Nelamangala. Workers collect the ashes in mud pots that are marked with token numbers and date of cremation.

Numerous pots can be seen lined up for delivery. Some date back a week or 10 days. “Some families don’t come to collect it. There is a possibility that they have also caught the virus and are in isolation. We store the remains safely till families return to collect them,” said Suresha, another worker.

GRIM PICTURE: The Tavarekere facility saw the highest number of cremations on May 7. (R) Urns with ashes

Now, village accountants to hand over certificates for pvt cremations, burials

Village accountants will issue cremation certificates for Covid-19 patients cremated/ buried in their private land or farmhouses.

As per a government notification on May 18, family members of the deceased should submit form no 4 or 4A , form no 2 and the cremation certificate issued by the village accountant to the jurisdictional registrar”s office for getting a death certificate. Form no 4 will be issued by a medical institution/ healthcare facility along with death report in form no 2 if the death occurs at the facility. If the death happens at home (domicile deaths), a private doctor needs to medically certify it and issue Form 4A, the notification said.

HC: Reservation for lecturer posts should be subject-wise

HC: Reservation for lecturer posts should be subject-wise

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.05.2021

Reservation should be subject/discipline wise and clubbing of vacancies and operating the roster is contrary to Supreme Court judgments, the high court observed while coming to the rescue of a mathematics lecturer of an aided PU college in Mandya.

MS Rashmi, who has been working as a lecturer since September 2007 at PES College, had challenged the September 22, 2019 notification calling for applications from candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (women) in mathematics. She claimed it is a single-cadre post and fixing reservation for a particular category would be tantamount to 100% reservation, which is impermissible.

Allowing her petition, Justice M Nagaprasanna said the SC, while hearing a plea filed by Vijay Prakash Bharati, approved the view taken by Allahabad HC in the case of Vivekananda Tiwari Vs Union of India that reservation has to be subject-wise.

The judge rejected the contentions put forward by the state government and college management. Both had claimed that as long as government orders are in force, which direct clubbing of vacancies, even a single post can be notified in favour of SC or ST candidates. While granting liberty to the management to undertake a fresh exercise, the judge said till that time, Rashmi’s services should not be disturbed.

In 2013, the college had called for applications from eligible candidates in all subjects. Rashmi and four others challenged the process and the high court stayed it. TNN

Centre’s U-turn: Cos can inoculate employees’ kin

Centre’s U-turn: Cos can inoculate employees’ kin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.05.2021

Reversing its earlier policy, the Centre has allowed private and state entities to vaccinate not just employees but also their dependent family members.

The fresh advisory to states, issued on Friday, came after companies and industry bodies took up the issue with the health ministry, arguing limiting vaccination against Covid-19 to employees was not going to help the process. The companies received the communication on Saturday.

Several companies, both in the public and private sectors, had already lined up vaccination programmes for their employees and their family members.

While the May19 advisory was seen to be holding back the drive, Friday’s letter said the clarifications followed several queries and were aimed at “further accelerating” the inoculation process.

Now, the government has allowed family members and dependents – as defined by the employer – to be covered under the programme at industrial and workplace Covid Vaccination Centres .

Mixing vax feasible, but no proof: Niti

It is possible in theory to mix first and second doses of different vaccines, but there’s no robust scientific evidence for India to make this a permissible practice, said Niti Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul on Saturday. Studies are on and evidence abroad and in India is being evaluated, he said. P 5

Employers advised to procure vax from hosps

This means that the employee, spouse, their children, parents, in-laws and other dependents allowed by companies in their internal policies can be vaccinated at these centres. Employers have been advised to procure the vaccines from hospitals with whom they may have tied up. Further, at government CVCs, beneficiaries who are 45 years or more can be vaccinated for free through the doses supplied by the Centre or the state governments. Beneficiaries in the 18-44 years bracket can be covered through doses directly procured by the states, the health ministry said.

Allowing employers to vaccinate employees was a key feature of the liberalised programme put in place from May.

In fact, companies and industry chambers were surprised by the ban on vaccinating family members as the Centre and state governments had earlier suggested to them to also reach out to communities around their factories or mines. An industry chamber and its members have identified close to 50 lakh such beneficiaries, who can now hope to get vaccinated.

› Centre not inclined for door-to-door vaccination, P 7

Non-starter again: No vax for 18-44 age group, says K’taka

Non-starter again: No vax for 18-44 age group, says K’taka

Only Priority Groups To Be Notified

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:23.05.2021

Karnataka’s flip-flop on the vaccination drive continued, with the health department on Saturday categorically saying vaccine for the 18-44 age group is currently unavailable. Frontline workers and priority groups in the the age bracket, however, would be notified soon.

As vaccination for the18-44 age bracket was kickstarted again on Saturday — after the drive was suspended on May 14 after three days due to shortage of vaccine — 22,788 people were administered shots.

However, the National Health Mission-Karnataka, which oversees immunisation, issued a statement to “provide clarity” on the vaccination plan, citing prevailing confusion among citizens.

With the government signalling stricter implementation of lockdown, police on Saturday seized vehicles and even took motorists to stations for violating curbs. Over 2,000 vehicles were seized in the city Report, P 3

Min: -ve report must for inter-state travel

Karnataka on Saturday tightened border control and made a Covid -ve certificate must for all inter-state travellers. “We’ve barricaded not only major roads but also minor ones as we did last time,” home minister Bommai said. TNN

Black fungus beds full, say B’luru hosps

Major hospitals in Bengaluru which had reserved beds for black fungus patients say they are filled to capacity. While the government estimates 250 cases in the state, doctors say Bengaluru alone could have 400-500 patients. P 2

1 lakh got jab on Sat

U nder for 18 the -44 head years “vaccination age group”, the statement signed by mission director Arundhati Chandrasekhar said, “currently not available”. It went on to add that frontline workers/vulnerable group and priority groups, however, “will be informed of date and time of vaccination by the designated nodal officers”.

This is the third time in recent weeks that the government has changed its stand on vaccinating those under 44 years of age. On Thursday, health minister K Sudhakar said vaccination for the age group will begin on May 22 and frontline workers along with priority groups will be vaccinated first. The government admitted that Covaxin was not available to be administered as first dose for those above 45. “We are currently not in a position to give it to senior citizens who prefer it,” a health department official said.

For those above 45 years and seeking the second dose of Covaxin, the department said an SMS will be sent to the beneficiary and the latter should visit the designated vaccination centre mentioned in it. But the move lacks clarity as several people had registered themselves from others’ mobiles. As for Covishield shots to those aged 45 and above, the first dose is available through online appointments in urban areas and onsite registration in rural areas. Walk-ins are allowed for second dose. In all, just over 1 lakh people were vaccinated in Karnataka on Saturday.

› Many house helps may not get govt’s cash assistance, P 2

Dilapidated clinic run by activist shut down

Dilapidated clinic run by activist shut down

Chennai:23.05.2021

Chengalpet district authorities on Saturday sealed a clinic run by nuclear safety activist Dr V Pugazhendhi at Sadras near Kalpakkam for treating patients in a dilapidated structure under unhygienic conditions. Chengalpet collector A John Louis said that the clinic was functioning in pathetic conditions. It was sealed and the deputy director of health directed to conduct an inquiry. Located 70 km south of Chennai off East Coast Road, the clinic had four beds in two rooms below a roof that was falling apart. The backyard of the building was used for dumping waste. TNN

FALLING APART: The clinic at Sadras near Kalpakkam was run by nuclear safety activist Dr V Pugazhendi

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

Markets, stores may turn super spreaders

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Even before the government announced an extension and complete week-long lockdown from Monday (May 24), many city residents thronged markets and other stores ignoring Covid-appropriate behaviour amid officials seemingly reluctant to clamp down on violators.

As news of the complete lockdown spread, residents once again rushed to nearby grocery stores to stock up for the week. “While a total lockdown seems to be the need of the hour, the announcement could have been done at least a week ago. This is what the previous government did last year and it is tiring to see the authorities not learning from experience,” said K Balagopal of Adyar.

Officials say public cooperation has been abysmal. On Saturday morning, there was crowding at several markets, including MGR Nagar market, Marundeeswarar market in Thiruvanmiyur, Zam Bazaar, Kothaval chavadi and Chintadripet among others. “We have been at work for several months, appealing to public to not crowd, but they do not seem to understand the gravity of the situation,” said a sub-inspector attached to the Velachery police station.

Chennai corporation regional deputy commissioner (South) Raja Gopal Sunkara tweeted a picture of crowding at Marundeeswarar market in the morning, which was cleared up within minutes after intervention from police and revenue authorities.

A senior official said most corporation staff have been directed towards Covid duty for most of 2020 and 2021. On Saturday evening, Covid-19 response teams were patrolling the city, advising the public to maintain physical distancing. “Please maintain social distancing. If one among you is carrying the virus, he can spread it to up to 40 people and then to another 400,” a police officer said over a public announcement system at a market near K K Nagar.

Shopkeepers say that they too are in a fix as they cannot possibly turn away a customer when their business has been hit hard. “Officials pin the responsibility on us and impose fines. If a market area is crowded, it is up to the authorities concerned to shift the same to open spaces. They did it last year. What is the hesitancy to follow the same this year,” asked a representative of Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association Several residents TOI spoke to said the move was detrimental to whatever the government achieved in the lockdown so far. “The scenes near my locality resembled chaos. Today’s effect will show only after two weeks. At least a week’s time should have been given with proper communication,” said S Manikandan of Madipakkam.

NCTE postpones start of 4-yr integrated teacher edu course

NCTE postpones start of 4-yr integrated teacher edu course

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.05.2021

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has put off by a year the plan to start a four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University (TNTEU) is among the institutes that applied to NCTE to start the course from the 2021-22 academic year.

The ITEP course seeks to integrate BEd degree with basic BA or BSc degrees that can help students wishing to pursue BEd after their bachelor degree save one year. The NCTE planned to introduce it only in state and central institutions on a pilot basis from the coming academic year.

At a recent general body meeting, the NCTE decided to postpone the start of the programme to 2022-23 due to lack of consultation among the stakeholders.

The council also approved the proposal to conduct a national level common entrance test for the ITEP course, which will be offered at multi-disciplinary colleges and universities.

“In order to maintain uniform standard for teacher education, the admission to pre-service teacher preparation programme shall be through suitable aptitude test. There shall be a National Common Entrance Test to be conducted for a 4-year integrated BEd course by NTA” the council said in its note prepared for the general body. The council gave in principle approval for conducting the common entrance test.

“It is not clear whether the students will have an exit option after three years in the proposed integrated programme. The curriculum should be designed in such a way that they would get basic degree even if they want to exit the course in three years and should be allowed to continue the final year at later stage in a different place if they want to,” said professor N Ramakrishnan, head, department of educational technology at TNTEU. He was also chairman of the board of studies for the fouryear integrated BSc BEd programme at the university.

“Unlike professional courses like MBBS or BE, BTech, students will not travel to study for a BEd degree. Most prefer to study BEd closer to their native place. So, a national level entrance test is not advisable,” he added.

The TNTEU gave permission to start four-year integrated BSc BEd and BA BEd degree programmes to private colleges in the state.

The ITEP course seeks to integrate BEd degree with basic BA or BSc degrees that can help students wishing to pursue BEd after their bachelor degree save one year. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has now decided to postpone the start of the programme to 2022-23 due to lack of consultation among stakeholders

When docs need a healing touch

When docs need a healing touch

Health Workers Resort To Meditation, Movement Therapy, Spirituality, To Find Their Ground

Saranya.Chakrapani@timesgroup.com  23,05.2021 

Dr Lavanya Rajaraman remembers her first day of Covid-19 duty like it was yesterday. "It was after my maternity break. The paediatrics department, where I work, offered extra hands in the Covid ward at MGM Healthcare," she says.

That was in February.

Today, as Lavanya works closely with a multiplying number of scared and anxious Covid positive children, thoughts invariably arise of her own toddler son, whom she hasn’t held or seen in over a month.

To make sense of this emotional conflict – as a frontline worker, doctor and mother – Lavanya has a mandatory half-hour slot set aside every morning for a session of chakra meditation, taught by a friend and energy practitioner. This pursuit for balance amidst chaos resonates with medical professionals across the country, who are resorting to a short activity of choice every day to breathe, and rest their nerves, as they find themselves in the eye of a relentless storm for more than a year since the Covid-19 outbreak.

"I was willing to try anything that could help me non-invasively,” says Lavanya. “I even did a session of spiritual healing.”

For those medical professionals who had a workout or self-care regimen in place previously, the second wave has been disruptive, and forced them to find flexible alternatives.

Before March 2020, Dr Vidya Devarajan, the infectious diseases expert at Dr Rela Institute, couldn't imagine missing Bharatanatyam classes with her daughter. Now, as she begins her day in a ward of 150 Covid patients, she remains committed to the yoga classes she has signed up for with a teacher from Coorg.

"I tested positive twice, and, after the second time, I was determined to go back to yoga as I knew it would help me bounce back," says Vidya. "It was also a powerful lesson against self-neglect. At a time when our role is central to getting people back on their feet, I must keep well ---physically, psychologically --- to be on the top of my game."

Personal time becomes all the more important when you’re waking up to a hard, unchanging reality every day, says Dr Rameshwar R, senior resident, department of internal medicine, Savitha Medical College. “During my early morning walk I process what I need to do and prepare to meet the uncertainties that may arise during the day,” he says. “This has become especially important, as each of us meet 50 to 100 patients on a daily basis, whose statuses and requirements we must remember.”

In the period following the pandemic, mental health experts are finding that an inexplicable guilt has been overwhelming doctors who return home after administering precious oxygen to a few, while witnessing some others lose the battle to both resources and the disease.

"Doctors have turned weary, watching patients gasping for breath and pass away. It has led to tremendous mental, emotional and physical turmoil that has resulted in extreme hypertension and body pain," says Tripura Kashyap of Creative Movement Therapy Association of India (CMTAI), who has been running free-of-cost dance movement therapy sessions for frontline workers. "Many of them found verbally expressing what they're going through much easier after they expressed it through movement. It gives them a vent, a break, to pause, reflect and embrace what they're feeling, and find a release."

Many found verbally expressing what they're going through much easier after they expressed it through movement

Tripura Kashyap | DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPIST

India and SA seek 3-year Covid vax, technology patent waiver

India and SA seek 3-year Covid vax, technology patent waiver

Sidhartha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021

India and South Africa, along with several poor and developing countries from Africa and Latin America, have proposed a three-year patent waiver for Covid-19-related health products and technologies, including drugs and vaccines, along with “their material or components and their methods and means to manufacture”.

The submission made on Friday goes beyond drugs and vaccines to include diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices and personal protective equipment with the coverage proposed to include “the prevention, treatment or containment of Covid-19”.

Trade experts said that the proposal — which will form the basis for negotiations — has clearly provided a window for technology and know-how sharing, which is a major concern with suggestions that patent waiver alone will not result in production of vaccines or drugs.

Govt, Biotech to meet for faster WHO nod

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla will hold a meeting with Bharat Biotech on Monday to expedite WHO approval to Covaxin so that those vaccinated with the drug are not denied entry into some countries that have said they won’t allow people, especially students, who have taken Covaxin doses.P 8

TRIPS waiver: Beijing seen to be coming out in favour of proposal

Besides, by including material and components, the idea is to ensure that there is access to the entire value chain.

While India and South Africa were the original proponents of waiver of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which also includes relaxations in rules related to copyrights and designs, they now claim the support of over 120 countries, including Pakistan and Indonesia.

China is seen to be coming out in support of the proposal and the government is trying to get Brazil on board.

Separately, the United States, which recently announced its support to negotiations for a waiver for vaccines, has also reached out to countries such as Japan and Switzerland with the European Union too willing to engage in discussions.

Full report on www.toi.in

‘Cancel exam’ trends on Twitter, govt calls meet on CBSE boards

‘Cancel exam’ trends on Twitter, govt calls meet on CBSE boards

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.05.2021 

With the Covid-19 pandemic raging across the country, the CBSE has been mulling various options for Class XII Board exams, including conducting it only for the “major subjects”, either in the usual format or schools holding it for their own students in a shorter format and duration. A high-level meeting has been called on Sunday to discuss various options for conducting the Class XII Board and entrance examinations.

CBSE sources, however, said conducting exams in the present scenario doesn’t seem feasible while ‘#cancelboardexams’ became the top trend on Twitter soon after Sunday’s meeting was announced.

Announcing the meeting, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said: “The Prime Minister has desired that any decision affecting the career of students has to be taken in wide consultations with all state governments & stakeholders.”

He said Sunday’s meeting will be chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh and also attended by Union minister Prakash Javadekar and Smriti Irani.

“All the state education ministers and sSecretaries have been requested to attend this meeting and share their views with regard to the upcoming examinations. This virtual meeting will take place at 11.30am, ” he said. A senior CBSE official said a final call would be taken in the first week of June after reviewing the situation and based on inputs from the ministry of education.

‘Definition of major subject is a tricky one’

ACBSE source said, “The Board has been holding discussions on Class XII exams which were postponed in April due to the pandemic. However,since the situation is still far from normal, the Board is mulling various options which include conducting the exam for the major subjects as well as cancellation. However, no decisions have been reached yet as the definition of major subject is a tricky one. For example, for a student with one vocational subject in the five compulsory ones, that would be a major subject.”

A senior CBSE official said a final call would be taken in the first week of June after reviewing the situation and based on inputs from the ministry of education.

“Another option is to conduct the exams for the major subjects in a shorter format of 90 minutes with short answers and the centres would be the home schools of candidates,” said the official. He said in either situation, the Board would need two to three months to complete the process.

As soon as the announcement of the high-level meeting was done, students took to twitter tagging the Prime Minister, CBSE, Pokhriyal and others with over 3.5 lkah tweets recorded till 8pm on Saturday.

Full lockdown in TN till May 31, grocery, veggie shops too shut

Full lockdown in TN till May 31, grocery, veggie shops too shut

All Shops To Remain Open Till 9pm Today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced total lockdown with no relaxations for a week beginning May 24 as the Covid-19 case count crossed 36,000 a day in the state. Shops selling groceries and vegetables too will remain shut during the lockdown period. A team of medical experts constituted by the state government had suggested intensifying Covid-19 control measures.

Stalin also chaired a meeting with the committee of MLAs representing various parties before announcing the decision. “In view of the total lockdown, the government has permitted all shops open till 9pm on Saturday (May 22) and between 6am and 9pm on Sunday (May 23). All public and private buses will be allowed to ply on Saturday and Sunday,” Stalin said. Malls will not be allowed to open during the total lockdown. Vegetables and fruits will be supplied by horticulture department through vehicles during the lockdown period.

Earlier, speaking at the meeting of MLAs representing various parties, Stalin said the Covid-19 spread had not been brought under control yet. “The government announced relaxations for people to buy groceries and vegetables, but some of them have taken it for granted and started roaming on the streets. They did not obey lockdown norms despite instructions from police”, the chief ministersaid.

‘People’s words reflect fear of Covid, but not actions’

Chennai: “Total lockdown was for people’s benefit and to save their lives. It was saddening when people treat lockdown as a holiday and not as an emergency caused by Covid,” Stalin said.

To bring the pandemic under control, every individual had to take an oath that he or she would not spread the infection, he said. “Fear of coronavirus is evident while members of the public speak about the disease, but it does not reflect in their actions,” Stalin said, recalling how Covid-19 took away many lives and put the future of many families in question.

Former health minister C Vijayabaskar said the chain of transmission could be broken only if total lockdown was imposed. He said the government should focus on early intervention and diagnosis and take up a multi-disciplinary approach on a warfooting by setting up additional Covid care centres, hospitals and screening centres in districts to avoid crowding in specialty hospitals. “Top-most priority should be given to oxygen supply. Post-Covid recovery clinics should also be set up and infrastructure should be ramped up to face the third wave,” the AIADMK leader said.

Earlier, BJP floor leader and former minister Nainar Nagendran said the government should pay adequate attention to rural areas, ensuring isolation and adequate food supply.

Can vaccines be mixed? Need more studies on it, says govt

Can vaccines be mixed? Need more studies on it, says govt

No Scientific Evidence Yet To Make It A Permissible Practice: VK Paul

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.05.2021

It is feasible in theory that it is alright to mix first and second doses of different vaccines, but robust scientific evidence is still lacking for India to make this a permissible practice, said leading government health expert Dr V K Paul on Saturday.

It is scientifically plausible and studies are going on to evaluate such a possibility, said Dr Paul, who is Niti Aayog Member (Health). He said the evidence abroad and in India is being evaluated.

“It is scientifically plausible but there need to be more studies. It can’t be said definitively that mixing of doses can be practised. There is no robust scientific evidence. Only time will tell whether it will be done in future. It will depend on international studies, World Health Organisation findings etc. Our experts are also continuously studying,” Dr Paul said. “One shot of one type produces antibodies and the second shot from another will increase that. Scientifically, there is no problem but we need evidence-based data to see that happening,” he added.

Of late, some emerging studies have shown that mixing different vaccines may in fact help better protect against Covid-19. For instance, researchers in Spain found vaccinating people with both Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is safe and produces a potent immune response. Findings of the study are yet to be published in any journal.

India is currently administering Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik-V and there has to be some study or evidence from mixing of these doses before such an advisory can be considered by the government here.

Sofar,the governmenthas maintained that one should take two doses of the same brand of Covid vaccine.

Studies have also shown that Covishield’s first dose offers more protection than Covaxin’s first dose and hence the second dose of Covishield can be delayed to 12 to 16 weeks.

Ceiling for charges under CM health scheme raised

Ceiling for charges under CM health scheme raised

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

The state health department has raised the ceiling for charges for Covid-19 treatment at the private hospitals under the CM health insurance scheme.

The state fixed a rate of not more than ₹5,000 a day for people admitted without oxygen support and ₹15,000 a day for people requiring oxygen support in the moderate illness category. In case people require critical care, hospitals can charge between ₹3,000 and ₹35,000 a day. The previous ceiling was ₹15,000.

All card holders can now get admitted at empanelled private hospitals for Covid treatment.

If hospitals charge more than what is prescribed, patients can file a complaint with the state (18004253993/104) and action will be initiated under Clinical Establishment Act and Disaster Management Act, said health secretary J Radhakrishanan said.

‘Double’ degrees without UGC nod invalid, says HC

EMPLOYER NOT OBLIGED TO RECOGNISE SUCH DEGREES

‘Double’ degrees without UGC nod invalid, says HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Two degrees — one through regular mode and the other through distance mode — obtained simultaneously by students in the same academic year are not valid unless approved by the University Grants Commission, the Madras high court has ruled.

“The issue of whether students can be permitted to pursue two-degree courses simultaneously in the same academic year has been vexed with the UGC for several years… Indisputably, most of the students obtain their second degree through distance education and students are not permitted to undergo a second degree programme formally in the same academic year,” the court said.

A full bench comprising Justice V Bharathidasan, Justice M Dhandapani and Justice P T Asha passed the order while answering a reference as to whether two degrees obtained simultaneously during the same academic year could be considered for employment.

The bench also held that there is no obligation on the part of the employer to recognise such degrees till they are approved by UGC.

In such circumstances, unless simultaneous degrees obtained are recognised by the UGC with the prior approval of the central government, such degrees cannot be considered as recognised degrees as per the provisions of the UGC Act, the bench added. “As of now, the UGC has not recognised pursuing dual degree courses simultaneously during the same academic year. Therefore, till dual degree courses are recognised by the UGC, such degrees conferred by the universities cannot be construed as valid per the provisions of the act,” the judges said.

The reference was made to the full bench following conflicting judgments passed by two division benches on the issue. While a division bench held that the two degrees obtained simultaneously in the same academic year was not recognised, another division bench held that there were no strict rules prohibiting the students to pursue two-degree simultaneously.

C V Krishnaswamy, senior city diabetologist, passes away at 84

C V Krishnaswamy, senior city diabetologist, passes away at 84

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Senior diabetologist Dr C V Krishnaswamy, who pushed medical boundaries to combine modern medicine with Ayurveda, paida lajin, and other streams to make it a “holistic” therapy for patients, passed away on Friday. He was 84.

On Saturday, condolence messages poured in from patients and their families to the Voluntary Health Services, where he had served for more than 50 years. Besides organising free insulin for more than 800 children with type-1 diabetes, he was known for love and passion towards treating his patients.

“He was a doyen. He would say many things that stunned doctors. He would talk about acupuncture mediated metaphysical therapy at a medical conference. And in the same conference he would ask doctors to explain side effects of antidiabetes medication. He would then ask them why they put pre-diabetes patients on anti glycaemic drugs. His views were strong, but he practised them,” said Dr S Suresh, secretary VHS. “And his patients loved him.”

He would ask his patients to tap at different points on the body as part of paida lajin – a Chinese therapy under which paida involves patting and slapping one’s skin while lajin involves assuming various postures to stretch one’s muscles.

“I have been his patient for several years now. He is the only doctor I go to and I have managed to live and handle diabetes for more than 40 years,” said S Muthukumar, one of his patients, who runs a grocery shop. He met him at the Stanley Medical College out-patient department when he was 10 years old. “My parents did not understand what diabetes was. But he guided us all through. He gave us not just medicine, he gave us hope,” he said. He continued to visit Dr CVK even after he retired from VHS three years ago. “I used to see him at his clinic in Alwarpet,” he said.

Many leading diabetologists and doctors praised him for his teaching skills. Senior diabetologist Dr V Mohan remembers him as a walking encyclopaedia. “A tall man who was a brilliant clinician inspiring most of his patients to lead a healthy and happy life,” he said.

Dr CVK was known to push boundaries to combine modern medicine with Ayurveda, paida lajin (Chinese therapy) and other streams to make it a “holistic” therapy for patients

13 TN institutes shortlisted for AICTE award

NEWS DIGEST

23.05.2021 

13 TN institutes shortlisted for AICTE award

As many as 13 technical institutes, including five deemed universities, from Tamil Nadu have been shortlisted for the final round of clean and smart campus award 2020. The All India Council for Technical Educaiton (AICTE) will conduct the final round online. The deemed universities shortlisted for the award include SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Amritha Vishwa Vidhyapeetham (Coimbatore campus). Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Thiagarajar College of Engineering and Sri Krishna College of Technology have been shortlisted among the colleges. Besides, three polytechnic colleges have also been shortlisted from the state. Of the 29 institutes which have been shortlisted for the award, 13 are from Tamil Nadu.

2 held under Goondas Act for remdesivir sale:

Two men, who were arrested for selling remdesivir medicine in the black market, were detained under the Goondas Act. Commissioner Shankar Jiwal also issued a stern warning to those selling the drug illegally at high prices. An officer said Bhuvaneshwar, 36, owner of Medistar Healthcare Ltd, and Nishith Bandari, 32, of Navkar Distributors, were arrested by the Mylapore special team. The team seized 145 remdesivir and ninavir vials. Nishith Bandari sold the vials to Bhuvaneswar without valid documents. While the city police has so far registered 14 cases of illegal sale of remdesivir and arrested 34 men, this is the first time that the force has slapped the Goondas Act against the accused. So far, 269 vials have been seized.

சென்னை:முதல் மனைவி இறந்ததால், இரண்டாவதாக திருமணம் செய்த பெண்ணின் பெயரை, ஓய்வு பெற்ற தொழிலாளியின் பணி ஆவணங்களில் சேர்க்கும்படி, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

DINAMALAR

சென்னை:முதல் மனைவி இறந்ததால், இரண்டாவதாக திருமணம் செய்த பெண்ணின் பெயரை, ஓய்வு பெற்ற தொழிலாளியின் பணி ஆவணங்களில் சேர்க்கும்படி, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

விழுப்புரம் போக்குவரத்து கழகத்தில், கலியமூர்த்தி என்பவர் பணியாற்றி ஓய்வு பெற்றார். இவரது மனைவி ராஜலட்சுமி, 1999ம் ஆண்டில் இறந்தார்.

பெயர் நீக்கம்

அடுத்த ஆண்டில், உஷாராணி என்பவரை, இரண்டாவதாக திருமணம் செய்தார். பணி பதிவேட்டில் உஷாராணியின் பெயரை சேர்க்கும்படி கோரினார்; எந்த நடவடிக்கையும் இல்லை.இதையடுத்து, பணி பதிவேட்டில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ள முதல் மனைவியின் பெயரை நீக்கி விட்டு, இரண்டாவது மனைவி உஷாராணியின் பெயரை சேர்க்கவும், தன் இறப்புக்கு பின், அவருக்கு ஓய்வூதியம் வழங்கவும் கோரி, உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் கலியமூர்த்தி வழக்கு தொடர்ந்தார்.

மனு, நீதிபதி எஸ்.வைத்தியநாதன் முன், விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. மனுதாரர் சார்பில், வழக்கறிஞர் அஜய் கோஷ் ஆஜரானார்.உத்தரவுநீதிபதி வைத்தியநாதன் பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு: முதல் மனைவி இறப்புக்கு பின், இரண்டாவதாக திருமணம் செய்துள்ளார்.சட்டப்பூர்வமான மனைவிக்கு, கணவனின் பணி ஆவணங்களில் இடம் பெற உரிமை உள்ளது.அதனால், உஷாராணியை சேர்த்து,அலுவலக ஆவணங்களில் மாற்றம் செய்ய, எந்த தடங்கலும் இல்லை.

எனவே, மனுதாரரின் இறப்புக்கு பின், ஓய்வூதியம் மற்றும் இதர பலன்களை பெற ஏதுவாக, பணி ஆவணங்களில் உரிய மாற்றம் செய்யும்படி, நிர்வாகத்துக்கு உத்தரவிடப்படுகிறது. இவ்வாறு நீதிபதி உத்தரவிட்டார்.

ஒரே ஆண்டில் இரு பட்டம் பெற அங்கீகாரம் இல்லை: ஐகோர்ட்

DINAMALAR

கோர்ட் செய்தி

தமிழ்நாடு

ஒரே ஆண்டில் இரு பட்டம் பெற அங்கீகாரம் இல்லை: ஐகோர்ட்

Added : மே 21, 2021 22:21

சென்னை:'ஒரே ஆண்டில், ஒரே நேரத்தில் இரண்டு பட்டங்கள் பெறுவதை, அரசு அனுமதிக்காத வரை, அவற்றை அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட பட்டங்களாக கருத முடியாது' என, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

முதுநிலை பட்டதாரி ஆசிரியர் பணிக்கு, ஜெகதீஸ்வரி என்பவர் விண்ணப்பித்தார். ஒரே கல்வியாண்டில், பி.ஏ., மற்றும் பி.எட்., படிப்பை முடித்தார். ஒன்றை ரெகுலரிலும்,மற்றொன்றை திறந்தவெளி பல்கலையிலும் படித்தார். ஒரே ஆண்டில், ஒரே நேரத்தில் பட்டம் பெற்றதால், இவரது விண்ணப்பம் நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டது.

இதை எதிர்த்து தொடர்ந்த வழக்கை, உயர் நீதிமன்ற தனி நீதிபதி தள்ளுபடி செய்தார். அதை எதிர்த்து, மேல்முறையீடு செய்தார். அதையும் தள்ளுபடி செய்த இரு நீதிபதிகள் அமர்வு, 'ஒரே கல்வியாண்டில், ஒரே நேரத்தில், இரண்டு பட்டங்கள் பெறுவதை பல்கலை அங்கீகரிக்காததால், ஆசிரியர் பணிக்கு தேர்வு செய்யும்படி கோர முடியாது' என உத்தரவிட்டது.

உத்தரவு

இதேபோன்ற மற்றொரு வழக்கை விசாரித்த உயர் நீதிமன்றம், மாறுபட்ட உத்தரவை பிறப்பித்தது.இரண்டு அமர்வுகள், வெவ்வேறு உத்தரவுகளை பிறப்பித்ததால், இந்தப் பிரச்னைக்கு தீர்வு காண, மூன்று நீதிபதிகள் அமர்வின் விசாரணைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டது. நீதிபதிகள் வி.பாரதிதாசன், எம்.தண்டபாணி, பி.டி.ஆஷா ஆகியோர் அடங்கிய அமர்வு, வழக்கை விசாரித்து பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு:

ஒரே நேரத்தில், இரண்டு பட்டங்கள் பெறுவதற்கு சாதகமான பரிந்துரைகளை, பல்கலை மானிய குழுவான, யு.ஜி.சி.,க்கு, நிபுணர் குழு அனுப்பி உள்ளது. அதற்கு, யு.ஜி.சி.,யும் ஒப்புதல் அளித்து, மத்திய மனிதவள மேம்பாட்டு அமைச்சகத்துக்கு அனுப்பி உள்ளது.அமைச்சகத்தின் ஒப்புதலுக்காக நிலுவையில் உள்ளது. ஒப்புதல் வரும் வரை, யு.ஜி.சி.,யால் முறையான அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட முடியாது.

சிறப்பு விதிகள்

எனவே, ஒரு படிப்பை கல்லுாரியில் சேர்ந்தும், மற்றொரு படிப்பை தொலைதுார முறையிலும் என, இரண்டு படிப்பை, ஒரே கல்வியாண்டில் தொடர, பல்கலை மானிய குழுவான, யு.ஜி.சி., இதுவரை அங்கீகரிக்கவில்லை. யு.ஜி.சி., விதிமுறைகளில், இதற்கு ஒப்புதல் இல்லை.

ஒரே நேரத்தில், இரண்டு பட்டங்கள் பெறுவதை, யு.ஜி.சி., அங்கீகரிக்காத நிலையில், மத்திய அரசும் ஒப்புதல் வழங்காத நிலையில், அவற்றை அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட பட்டங்களாக கருத முடியாது. இப்போது வரை, ஒரே கல்வியாண்டில், ஒரே நேரத்தில், இரண்டு படிப்புகளை படிக்க, யு.ஜி.சி., அங்கீகரிக்கவில்லை.

கல்வி பணிகளை பொறுத்தவரை, பல்வேறு சிறப்பு விதிகள் உள்ளன. வெவ்வேறு பணிகளுக்கு என, கல்வித் தகுதி நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஒரே கல்வியாண்டில், இரண்டு பட்டங்கள் பெறுவது, இணையான பட்டப்படிப்பாக, பணி விதிகளில் கருதப்படவில்லை.எனவே, எந்த விதிகளும் இல்லாத நிலையில், ஒரே நேரத்தில், இரண்டு பட்டங்கள் பெறுவதை, யு.ஜி.சி., அங்கீகரிக்கும் வரை, அவற்றை பல்கலையோ, தேர்வு நிறுவனங்களோ அங்கீகரிக்க வேண்டியதில்லை.இவ்வாறு நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

Vaccine shortage irks youngsters, senior citizens too sent away

Vaccine shortage irks youngsters, senior citizens too sent away

Deepak.Karthik@timesgroup.com

22.05.2021 

A day after the vaccination drive against Covid-19 for the 18-44 years age group was launched, youths in several parts of the state are racing to book a slot in the CoWin portal, the official website to register for the jab. But the vaccination slots in private hospitals remain unavailable. And, the urban primary health centres (UPHCs) are not vaccinating them, citing vaccine shortage. They say officials are awaiting further instructions. Senior citizens and people waiting for the second dose too were sent away and asked to come back later. The news about the inauguration of vaccination camps for the 18 + group by chief minister M K Stalin at Tirupur on Thursday seemed to have triggered a rush among the young population in the state to book slots on the CoWin website. Soon, youngsters took to social media platforms to express their frustration over the denial of vaccination.

While UPHCs and government hospitals refused to vaccinate them, a few private hospitals obliged some of the young people in Trichy and Madurai cities.

“Since Thursday, the web portal is displaying booked status and there are no slots available in private hospitals. UPHCs too declined to vaccinate, pointing to limited vaccine stocks,” said Trichy youth Balaji Uthira Kumar. Meanwhile, the surge in Covid infections and mortalities in recent weeks sent panicstricken senior citizens to approach the vaccination centres.

Due to the apprehensions in visiting the government hospitals where Covid screening is underway, the vulnerable population preferred UPHCs. But the senior citizens were turned away and asked to return later. “My parents were scared of visiting government hospitals, so we headed out to an UPHC. But the health staff said they will inform us once the vaccines arrive. People waiting for their second dose too were sent back,” said Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Uyyakondan Thirumalai.

(With inputs from Pratiksha Ramkumar & Padmini Sivarajah)

Covid-19 patient ends life in Salem

Covid-19 patient ends life in Salem

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Salem:22.05.2021

A day after an 80-year-old man hung himself to death in Coimbatore fearing that he might have contracted the virus, a 67-yearold Covid patient in Salem jumped off the fourth floor of a private hospital, where he was undergoing treatment, on Friday, killing himself.

An official source said Govindan was undergoing treatment in the hospital for the past four days, after he tested positive for Covid. “He was in a state of depression. His relatives were not allowed to meet him since it was an isolation ward and Govindan chose not to interact with the hospital staff too. On Friday around 9am, he went out of the ward on the fourth floor and jumped out. He suffered multiple fractures and died on the spot.”

A few days ago, a 65-yearold man undergoing treatment for Covid-19 had committed suicide by hanging in the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital after his son succumbed to the virus in Dharmapuri government hospital.

Stalin orders probe into death of patient

Stalin orders probe into death of patient

Kin Allege Oxygen Was Stopped

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Cuddalore:22.05.2021

The government has ordered the directorate of medical and rural health services to conduct a full-fledged inquiry into the death of a patient in Cuddalore government general hospital after the deceased man's wife and relatives alleged that he died because the healthcare workers removed his oxygen support. Health minister Ma Subramanian, in a statement released on Friday, said chief minister M K Stalin has ordered the directorate to hold the inquiry and submit a report at the earliest.

A 49-year-old man was admitted to Cuddalore GH on May 5 with complaints of breathlessness. A CT scan revealed that 80-90% of his lungs were affected and an RTPCR test of his swab samples performed on May 8 returned negative for Covid-19 infection.The patient was on the support of a non-rebreather mask (NRM), a medical device that helps deliver oxygen in emergency situations since the day he was admitted to the hospital. The device can deliver 10-15 litres of oxygen per minute.

The minister said the patient's oxygen level dropped to 60% on May 18 following which he was kept under high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) support. However, his condition did not improve and he was extended continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy the next day. His oxygen level improved to 78-80% after the therapy.

The patient removed the oxygen support on Thursday morning to have breakfast. At that time a 40-year-old patient with just 30% oxygen level was referred to the GH for advanced treatment from a private hospital. Healthcare workers could not extend CPAP therapy to him as the machine pin did not match.

They took the CPAP machine near the first patient's bed on the first floor as he was having breakfast after removing the mask and replaced it with the machine taken from the ground floor. The machine was kept ready for his immediate use after breakfast.

The minister said the swift and timely interchanging of the machines to extend CPAP therapy to Manikandan saved his life.

"As he was having his breakfast when a medical team visited him later and the replaced CPAP machine near his bed was kept ready for his use. He suffered a heart attack while eating and died despite the medical team's effort to revive him," said the minister.

EPS wants action against hosp staff

Chennai:

Leader of opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday demanded that the Tamil Nadu government take legal action against those who had removed oxygen and ventilator support for a Covid-19 patient in Cuddalore government hospital, which the family alleged resulted in his death. In a statement, Palaniswami said it was heart-wrenching to see a video of the patient lying dead that was widely circulated in social media. TNN