MGR university to get genome lab

MGR university to get genome lab

To Track Virus Causing Covid-19

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.06.2021 

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, which has a nationally accredited microbiology and immunology lab, will soon get a whole genome sequencing lab, said health minister Ma Subramanian on Tuesday. The lab, which will soon be functional, will track mutation of SARSCoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, he said.

After a review meeting with the senior officials including the vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan, the minister said the university has accredited labs for diagnosis and research on diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and leptospirosis and has been carrying out RT-PCR tests for Covid-19. “It has now been decided that this university will soon have a whole genome sequencing facility,” he told reporters. University officials told the health department that they had all the necessary equipment and would be able to start work if they were provided with consumables.

Scientists predict that new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 may increase chances of infection and make treatment and prevention more complex. As the virus multiplies, tiny changes or mutations accumulate in the genetic code. The Directorate of Public Health had proposed to set up a whole genome sequencing lab to keep a close track of the mutations.

Tamil Nadu sends samples to the Bengaluru-based Instem as per recommendations of the Centre. Instem is a part of INSACOG (a consortium of labs that track the presence of variants in Covid samples). The state categorised samples from across the state in categories – family clusters, community clusters, Covid in children, young adults with severe lung infection, breakthrough infections (infected 14 days after two vaccinations), samples from deceased and travellers. "These categories will give us more information about what kind of variants are seen in each of these categories. But having a lab of our own will give us better advantages,” he said.

Variants of concern The state had sent 1,159 samples to Instem. The lab results of 1,100 of the samples with 814 (74%) testing positive for Delta and four testing positive for Delta plus variants. The remaining samples contained other variants including Alpha and Beta.

The National Institute of Virology, Pune, which tested samples sent by National Institute of Epidemiology found six more samples positive for the delta plus. “At least five people in Chennai, three in Tiruvallur, one each in Kancheepuram and Madurai carried the Delta plus strain. While all of them had recovered, the 34-year-old patient from Madurai died,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan. “Scientists told us that most people carried the Delta variant in the second wave,” he said.

Scientists predict that new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 may increase chances of infection and make treatment and prevention more complex

HC asks TN if it took SC nod while appointing NEET panel

HC asks TN if it took SC nod while appointing NEET panel

Admissions Must Be Based Only On NEET: SC In 2017

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:30.06.2021

The Madras high court on Tuesday questioned the Tamil Nadu government over its decision to set up a committee to look into the impact of NEET on medical admissions, asking it whether it had obtained the permission of the Supreme Court and whether the move would not violate the apex court ruling.

When Tamil Nadu advocategeneral R Shunmugasundaram, responding to a PIL against the Justice A K Rajan Commission, said it was a policy decision backed by the demand of people and election promise of the ruling party, the first bench remarked: “May be. But if it is contrary to the Supreme Court order, then it cannot be permitted.”

The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy later adjourned the hearing to July 5 with a direction to the state to file its response. It will also be open to the Union government to indicate its stand, the judges added. The PIL was filed by BJP’s Tamil Nadu secretary K Nagarajan, who wanted the court to quash the June 10 order constituting a committee headed by Justice Rajan to study the impact of NEET on socially backward students.

Setting up of NEET panel is an exercise in futility: Advocate

Advocate V Ragavachari, representing the petitioner, submitted that the setting up of the committee was an exercise in futility since any recommendation that such committee might make could not be implemented in the light of the view taken by the Supreme Court on NEET. Citing the Supreme Court order on NEET dated August 22, 2017, Raghvachari said the apex court had recorded in the judgement that ‘Tamil Nadu shall not make any kind of distinction or discrimination between the examinations conducted by various boards; and admissions shall be effected as per the result of the NEET examination.’ Therefore, there can be little room for the state to set up any committee for the purpose of ascertaining whether the NEET based admission process has prejudicially affected socially backward students, he added. “Tamil Nadu government ought to have noted that NEET is introduced in national interest, and any attempt to alter the same would derail the object and purpose of introduction of NEET,” the petitioner said.

TN government ought to have noted that NEET is introduced in national interest, and any attempt to alter the same would derail the purpose of introduction of NEET, the petitioner said

Govt sets max monthly limit for vax stock in pvt hospitals

Govt sets max monthly limit for vax stock in pvt hospitals

Ceiling Linked To Daily Use; No Direct Purchase

Sumitra DebRoy@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:30.06.2021

Private hospitals have to place orders for vaccines on CoWin and cannot directly procure it from manufacturers, July 1 onwards. The Centre has also devised a formula to decide the ‘maximum monthly limit’ of stocks that a private vaccination centre can purchase to ensure a level-playing field.

According to an SOP document circulated among Mumbai hospitals on Tuesday, the maximum vaccine stock a private hospital can procure is double their average daily consumption for a particular week in the previous month. Hospitals can pick a week of their choice to derive the daily average and place orders. The details will be taken from the CoWin site.

For instance, if a private vaccination centre submits the order for July by selecting the June 10-16 week when 630 doses were administered, then daily average doses would be 90 (630/7 = 90). The hospital, therefore, can place a maximum order of 5,400 doses for July (90 x 30 x 2 = 5,400). The document says maximum limit for a month can be revised in the second half, based on consumption during the first 15 days.

For hospitals that plan to join the vaccination drive now and do not have a prior consumption record, maximum limit will be worked out based on number of hospital beds available. A 50-bed hospital can order a maximum of 3,000 doses, a 50-300 bed hospital can order up to 6,000 doses and a hospital with more than 300 beds can order up to 10,000 doses.

The SOP document says private vaccination centres can place orders in four instalments in a month.

“There will be no need for approval by any government authority. Successful submission of the procurement order on CoWIN shall be sufficient,” it says. Once the demand is submitted, CoWIN will aggregate the numbers district- and state-wise before passing it on to manufacturers. The private centres will have to make payments on the National Health Authority (NHA) portal.

Dr Dilip Patil, state immunisation officer, confirmed that the SOP for procurement of vaccines by private hospitals was released on Tuesday though clarity on distribution is still awaited. “We are not sure if private hospitals will directly get it from the manufactures or it will come to state or respective corporations as was the system before May 1,” he said.

Mumbai hospitals welcomed the new formula. Joy Chakraborty, COO of PD Hinduja Hospital, said this strategy will prevent hoarding. “All categories of hospitals, big or small, can log on to CoWin and place their demands. They needn’t have direct contacts with manufacturers which was a hindrance for many,” he said.

Dr Prince Surana, CEO of Surana Group of Hospitals, said it was a good idea to link procurement with consumption. Dr Sunil Agrawal, head of Malad-based Sanjeevani Hospital, said he has managed only 25,000 doses since May 1. “And that too after making dozens of phone calls and going back and forth with manufacturers for weeks,” he said. “The online system sounds promising.”

BEATING LOCKDOWN BLUES: With Covid curbs eased, tourists make a beeline for Rajdari waterfall in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli

TN to get its first lab for genome sequencing at Dr MGR Medical varsity

TN to get its first lab for genome sequencing at Dr MGR Medical varsity

The university already has a lab to study zika, chikungunya, dengue, AIDS and other viruses. It also conducts RT-PCR tests.

Published: 30th June 2021 04:39 AM 

A medic at the Spicehealth Genome Sequencing Laboratory. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav, EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will soon have its first laboratory for genome sequencing analysis of coronavirus, at the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University campus, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Tuesday. Speaking to the press at the university, he explained that the existing lab on the campus would be developed to study variants of the coronavirus, especially the Delta Plus variant. This will be the State’s first lab for research on coronavirus variants.

The university already has a lab to study zika, chikungunya, dengue, AIDS and other viruses. It also conducts RT-PCR tests. As of now, coronavirus samples are sent to InSTEM, Bengaluru for genome sequencing. The Health Minister, along with Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, inspected the lab at the university on Tuesday.

‘AIADMK should clarify its stand on NEET’

Regarding a writ petition filed by the BJP in the Madras High Court against the nine-member committee headed by former Judge AK Rajan, formed by the State government to study the impact of NEET on students from socially-backward classes, Subramanian said the AIADMK government, which is an ally with the BJP, should clarify its stand on NEET in Tamil Nadu.

The writ petition filed by the BJP only shows its double stand on NEET. Former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami asks if the present government is for or against NEET, so he should now clarify his party’s stand. The DMK always opposed NEET, and now, the committee has been formed to study its impact on students. The AK Rajan committee has so far received over 86,000 complaints, the minister said. The committee will soon submit its report to Chief Minister MK Stalin. The State is also against the EXIT exam for undergraduate doctors, the minister added.

No privacy in Omandurar Medical College, even to relieve oneself

No privacy in Omandurar Medical College, even to relieve oneself

As the number of Covid cases has been reducing, the male and female units have been merged, both in the general Covid ward and the Covid ICU, patients said.

Published: 30th June 2021 04:35 AM |

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: 70-year-old Valarmathi (name changed) who is bedridden due to a Covid-related illness at the Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital, has been relieving herself in front of other patients and their attendants, including men, for the past week.

As the number of Covid cases has been reducing, the male and female units have been merged, both in the general Covid ward and the Covid ICU, patients said. The hospital’s dean, Dr R Jayanthi, said male and female patients are lodged separately, but photos from patients suggest otherwise.

“Only two screens are provided to cover the patient. So, at least one person can see the patient at all times. This is the case in both ICU and general Covid ward. This adds to the emotional trauma and suffering,” said Valarmathi’s attendant.

Only two screens are provided to cover the patient, so at least one person can see  the patient at all times, said an attendant;

Besides, attendants are again being allowed in Covid wards though the government has prohibited this. Photos shared by patients in the Covid ward show attendants sitting on the beds along with patients.

Valarmathi’s attendant added that the body of a patient who died was only taken away one-and-a-half hours later.

P Ravi, whose father was admitted to the hospital, said the washrooms are seldom cleaned. “There is an unbearable stench, and this adds to the patients’ suffering. When the patient beside my father died, my father started panicking as his body remained there. Though the doctors are doing a great job, the facilities are poor.”

Another patient, on condition of anonymity, said the oxygen concentrators were not working. “They had to check three or four concentrators before finding one that works. But even them the flowmeter knob was not working. Before the number of cases rises again, the government should repair the equipment,” he said.

The dean said she would assess and address the situation.

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Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Removal Of 'Health' From State List And Its Exclusive Inclusion In Union List

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'ரஜினிக்கு மட்டும் என்ன ஸ்பெஷல்?'

'ரஜினிக்கு மட்டும் என்ன ஸ்பெஷல்?'

Updated : ஜூன் 29, 2021 07:08 |

சென்னை : 'அமெரிக்கா செல்ல இந்தியர்களுக்கு தடையுள்ள நிலையில், ரஜினி மட்டும் சிகிச்சைக்காக சென்றது மர்மமாக உள்ளது' என, நடிகை கஸ்துாரி கூறியுள்ளார்.

அண்ணாத்த படப்பிடிப்பை முடித்து, அமெரிக்காவுக்கு சென்று சிகிச்சை மேற்கொள்ள திட்டமிட்ட ரஜினி, இதற்காக மத்திய அரசிடம் அனுமதி கேட்டிருந்தார். அனுமதி கிடைத்த நிலையில், கடந்த வாரம் ரஜினிக்கு சிகிச்சை நல்லபடியாக முடிந்துள்ளது. சில வாரம் ஓய்வுக்கு பின், இந்தியா திரும்ப உள்ளார்.

இந்நிலையில், ரஜினி அமெரிக்கா சென்றது குறித்து, நடிகை கஸ்துாரி, 'டுவிட்டரில்' கேள்வி எழுப்பியுள்ளார். அவர் கூறியுள்ளதாவது: கொரோனா காரணமாக, இந்தியர்கள், மே மாதம் முதல் நேரடியாக அமெரிக்கா செல்ல தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. மருத்துவ விதிவிலக்குகள் எதுவும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை.

பின், எப்படி இந்த நேரத்தில் ரஜினி பயணம் செய்தார்? அவர் அரசியலில் இருந்து விலகியது உள்ளிட்ட எதுவும் சரியாகப் படவில்லை. இதை ரஜினி தான் தெளிவுபடுத்த வேண்டும். அமெரிக்காவில் பணிபுரியும் இந்தியர்கள் அல்லது படிப்பவர்கள் மட்டும், அமெரிக்கா திரும்ப அனுமதிக்கப்படுகிறது. அதுவும் மற்ற நாடுகளின் வழியே தான் அனுமதி கிடைக்கிறது.

ரஜினி, இந்திய அரசிடமிருந்து மருத்துவ விலக்கு பெற்று பயணித்து இருக்கலாம். இந்தியாவில் சிறந்த மருத்துவமனைகள் உள்ள நிலையில், ரஜினிக்கு சிகிச்சை தர முடியாத அளவுக்கு என்ன பாதிப்பு உள்ளது என்பதையும் அவர் தெளிவுபடுத்த வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறியுள்ளார்.

Univ bags 2 patents in 2 months

Univ bags 2 patents in 2 months

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:29.06.2021

Bharathiar University has bagged two patents for its innovative projects in the last two months.

While a patent is for identifying and isolating compounds with anti-diabetic potentials from wild jamun fruit tree, the other is for standardizing a method for recovery of metals from metal bearing solid wastes.

According to a statement from the university, patent application for the former project was filed on September 9, 2015 and after the screening process by the patent committee, the patent was granted on June 25 (Friday). Similarly, the patent application for the latter project was filed on October 1, 2020 and patent was granted on May 18, 2021.

Patent officer and professor T Parimelazhagan said this is the first time that compounds with anti-diabetic properties are found in wild jamun fruit tree, scientifically known as Syzygium mundagam, in the Western Ghats. A professor in the department of botany, Parimelazhagan started to explore the scientific biological properties of the tree. The research in this field was carried out by research scholar Rahul Chandran, who is currently working as a research coordinator in Laser Research centre at the University of Johannesburg.

Parimelazhagan said, “We have identified four compounds that are rich in anti-diabetic properties from the paste of the tree’s bark. We have standardized the process as well.”

The statement said it could be a natural medication with less side effects for treating diabetic patients, cost effective and would benefit a lot of people. Farmers can also gain benefit by cultivating the plant based on the demand and therefore in turn can improve their socioeconomic status.

Another research was done by K Ramachandran, associate professor, department of physics, along with his research scholars R Saravanakumar and PV Anathapadmanabhan.

The statement said their research involved reduction of metal oxides and recovery of metals from the heterogeneous waste of complex oxide mixture containing elements like aluminium, magnesium and iron. It is typical composition of the chromium bearing solid waste dumped in Ranipet district.

“This process is superior and efficient when compared to the conventional bio, hydro and other pyrometallurgical processing of metal bearing wastes. It is fast, environment-friendly and single step process. This process could be used to recover metals such as iron, chromium, nickel, cobal, zinc, manganese and silicon from metal beating wastes,” the statement added.

INNOVATION AT WORK: Bharathiar University got a patent for identifying and isolating compounds with anti-diabetic potentials from wild jamun fruit tree, and another for standardizing a method for recovery of metals from solid wastes

Saveetha installs GPS-like system for complex surgeries

Saveetha installs GPS-like system for complex surgeries

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.06.2021

Saveetha Dental College has installed a dynamic navigation system that guides surgeons in faster planning of complex surgeries with high precision and also minimise complications for patients. The college signed an MoU with the University of Glasgow, UK, to conduct research and gather scientific data on the performance of the device.

Dr Abdul Wahab, head of OMFS, Saveetha Dental College said the device, which looks like an ultrasound machine, helps surgeons in the removal of a tumor or a bullet lodges deep into the layers of the face that require a bigger incision. “It works like a GPS for vehicle navigation. Using the machine requires a smaller incision and a monitor will show the movement of the probe in the form of a CT scan,” he said. The device can be used for maxillofacial surgical procedures, endodontic procedures and for dental implant procedures.

The probe, which goes into the patient’s body, is attached with a sensor to link it to another device mounted on the patient’s head.

Rly plans to link passengers’ identity card to IRCTC site

Rly plans to link passengers’ identity card to IRCTC site

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.06.2021

The railways is speeding up implementation of tech-oriented initiatives to make travel hassle-free and safe when services return to normal.

It plans to link passengers’ identity cards to tickets to crack down on touts; expand the centralised CCTV camera network so that live footage from stations and trains can be monitored in zones and at railway board level under a good surveillance and response mechanism; and create an app for railway staff and passengers to upload complaints on board trains.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is looking at the possibility of linking government issued identity cards like Aadhaar card or PAN cards to IRCTC site for online booking to ensure only genuine passengers travel and to crack down on touts.

Work is also on to have centralised CCTV surveillance of all stations at zonal level and also at railway board level, said RPF director general Arun Kumar.

The railways is working to create a network for linking the cards with the ticketing site. As part of the initiative to increase surveillance at stations and on trains, CCTV networks are being expanded with a central monitoring system at all railway zones, he added.

In Southern Railway, work began long ago and the CCTV network in 43 stations is linked to a central monitoring facility in Chennai where staff watch the footage for better response to needs of passengers and to prevent crime.

The monitoring facility at zonal level has been set up at MGR Central railway station. The initiative started with 33 stations including Thirumailai, Pazhavanthangal, St Thomas Mount, Chengalpet, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Kovilpatti Tuticorin, Tirupur, Salem and Erode in TN and others in neighbouring states.

An official said it would be expanded in the coming months.

The surveillance will be complemented with an easy-to-use app for passengers to register complaints with railway staff and RPF on trains.

The rail suraksha app will soon be launched using which TTE or RPF or railway police will be able to upload the complaint of passengers for registering at the appropriate location.

This is aimed at eliminating hassles faced by passengers in filing complaints, leading to crime going undetected, Arunkumar.

As part of the initiative to increase surveillance at stations and on trains, CCTV networks are being expanded with a central monitoring system at all railway zones, he added.said RPF director general Arun Kumar

RT-PCR test report before boarding puts flyers in spot

RT-PCR test report before boarding puts flyers in spot

Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.06.2021

State governments insisting on RT-PCR test report at the time of boarding flights is creating a hassle for passengers when the flight gets cancelled or rescheduled to another day.

Recently, passengers of a Chennai-Mumbai flight scheduled to depart on Sunday that got cancelled had to take the test again spending ₹1,500 as the airline said the earlier test will not be valid for the flight that was rescheduled for Monday.

Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Goa and Andaman and Nicobar Islands want arriving passengers to have an RT-PCR test report with them when they arrive by flights. However, a few say do not board passengers at origin airports while a few test the people who arrive without a report. The rules and timeline for the test are not standard which creates confusion among passengers.

Maharashtra has instructed airlines that they should not board passengers if they do not have RT-PCR negative report issued from up to a maximum of 48 Hours before the time of arrival into Mumbai. Other states say that swabs should be taken 48hours before. Chandigarh says that swabs should be taken 72 hours before arrival at the destination.

Srinivasan Jambunathan, said that "My wife and child had to spend again for an RT-PCR test. The flight was on Sunday. They had given swab samples on Friday evening and a negative report was issued on Saturday morning. But the flight got cancelled and the next flight was on Monday but the airline said that a fresh report needed to be presented. We spent ₹3,100 again for the test for two people."

He said the airline staff told the swab samples should be given 48hours before.

Gurmukh Singh Bawa of Air Travellers Association said passengers face inconvenience due to these rules. "I have seen this happen on international flights too where airline staff will say that your certification is 10 minutes late etc. There should be standardised rules. We have written to the government to make the rules standard and that there should be a common platform online where domestic passengers will be able to see all the information on travel rules."

An AAI official said the issue has not come out much in Chennai because flight cancellations are rare as services are fewer and airlines schedule services carefully.

How vaccine misinformation keeps growing in India

How vaccine misinformation keeps growing in India

Using multiple platforms and tricks to beat moderators, anti-vaxxers are spreading rumours about people turning impotent or magnetic after jabs

Sonam.Joshi@timesgroup.com

28.06.2021 

On June 9, Nashik resident Jayant Sonar saw the video of a man in Delhi who claimed to have acquired magnetic powers after getting vaccinated. Sonar stuck some coins, steel spoons and plates on his 72-year-old father Arvind, who had got his second jab a week earlier, though the same trick didn’t work on his vaccinated mother. The video went viral even though several experts pointed out that it was simple surface tension on moist skin that was causing some objects to stick.

In many ways, Sonar’s case is a classic example of how misinformation can grow around a kernel of truth and spawn a whole tide of untruths that finds its way into people’s minds through social media videos and forwards. According to recent research by BBC Monitoring, anti-vaccination pages in India grew by 50% in 2020, faster than 2018 and 2019.

TOI found a Google document, Twitter handle and Telegram channel counting ‘Covid-19 vaccine deaths in India’ from anecdotal and unverified sources. Vaccine-related misinformation is often closely intertwined with a range of conspiracy theories about “a new world order” and hidden “agenda”. It can vary from claims that vaccines don’t work to fear-provoking videos about vaccines containing tracking devices or altering our DNA. “Negative social media posts about vaccines have brought a troubling escalation of the anti-vaccine movement,” says Syed Nazakat, founder, Health Analytics Asia. He points out that the problem is not just that people believe these false claims. “It’s also making them less likely to accept truthful information,” he says.

Anti-vax messages are also being given a dangerous religious spin. A series of false online posts claimed that Covaxin contained cow blood based on an RTI filed by a person named Vikas Patni. On his social media channels, 30-year-old Patni describes himself as a ‘gausewak’. He has shared several vaccine conspiracy posts in the past, such as vaccines being a part of Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ depopulation agenda. The government was forced to issue clarifications on the RTI and the Covaxin manufacturing process.

To beat moderation algorithms, some YouTubers resort to code words like ‘CV’ instead of coronavirus or ‘vaxx’ in place of vaccine. Anti-vaccine groups and pages often have backup accounts, and even if one gets banned, another one pops up. Similarly, if a video is removed from YouTube, it can still be circulated on Facebook and Telegram groups.

Many manipulate news reports, headlines and photos without context. In one video, a YouTuber ‘Abbey The Great!’ with over 28,000 followers attributes a popular Tamil actor’s death to taking a Covid vaccine the day before without mentioning the fact that he had a heart problem.

Ironically, Nashik’s Sonar says he didn’t want to spread an anti-vaccine message but just find out why this was happening to his father. In fact, he credits vaccines for protecting his parents, when the family got Covid during the second wave in April, and his wife and child had to be hospitalised. “We appeal that people should take the vaccine and it is safe,” he says.

The magnet theory that Sonar fell for has its roots abroad, which isn’t unusual. Indian anti-vaxxer pages and groups frequently share vaccine misinformation from international groups. TOI also found videos from Kamalpreet Singh, a South Asian anti-vaxxer in Canada who claims to be a nutritionist and influenza care specialist. Singh makes videos in Hindi, English and Punjabi which allege that the Covid vaccines lack long-term safety data and may have side effects in the future.

“Misinformation doesn’t respect geographical, cultural or national boundaries,” points out Nazakat. “A rumour can start in Europe or in Africa and can instantly reach India and become viral here or it can happen the other way around.” For example, Microsoft’s Gates is central to many vaccine conspiracies around the world and in India.

However, misinformation can also be steeped in local insecurities. According to Anoushka Jha of Digital Empowerment Foundation, which has been running vaccination drives at over 1,000 digital rural centres across India, population control fears are rife. “People believe that the government wants to control the population, so they are forcing them to get vaccinated,” she says, adding that WhatsApp and Facebook are often sources of such rumours.

In the village of Bansa in Uttar Pradesh, similar conspiracies have been doing the rounds. Jatin Lalit Singh, founder of Bansa Community Library, which has been helping villagers enrol for vaccination, says that some believe that the fever caused as a short-term side-effect of the vaccines will cause their death. “Others fear they might become impotent or blind in the future,” he says.

Nazakat says that this misinformation has been fuelled by information deficit. Unscientific claims and statements by prominent people also created distrust. “During the second wave, people were desperately looking for accurate information, but there was an information vacuum and rumours took over,” he says.

RUMOUR MILL: Nashik-based Arvind Sonar’s family tried sticking spoons on him after seeing a similar video online

To beat moderation algorithms, anti-vaxxers use code words like ‘CV’ instead of coronavirus or ‘vaxx’ in place of vaccine. They also have backup accounts, so if one gets banned, another one pops up

Airfares for Aug-Oct drop as carriers eye early bookings

Airfares for Aug-Oct drop as carriers eye early bookings

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:28.06.2021 

Conventionally, airfares cool in June and July. This year, fares are high as government hiked its lowest fare cap by around 15% for travel in June-July. The drop in Covid cases brought about a spike in demand for air travel, and what you have is the cheapest fare, say on the Mumbai-Delhi route, priced over Rs 10,000, even for travel late next month. But for August, the cheapest return fare on a Mumbai-Delhi flight is Rs 4,600. A similar fare drop can be seen across most domestic sectors.

On sale or not, most airlines have put out cheap fares for travel in August-October to rake in much-needed forward booking revenue.

Among routes on which fares dropped considerably from August, compared to June-July, are those from Mumbai to Kolkata, Srinagar, Chennai, Kochi, Varanasi and Lucknow. The cheapest return fare to fly from Mumbai to Srinagar is over Rs 15,000 for the next five weeks, but for August, the fare starts at Rs 8,300. Alliance Air, Vistara and SpiceJet offered monsoon sale schemes last week, though airfares for August-October are low across most airlines.

But if there is one reason to not book now, it’s uncertainty over the third Covid wave. Airlines have considered that. “In the monsoon sale, most airlines are offering one date change free depending on the sector and fare category, due to lockdown,” said Jay Bhatia, vicepresident of Travel Agents’ Association of India. “It’s always easy to change bookings and obtain refunds when the ticket is booked through travel agents. Travellers are tired of staying home and are ready to holiday or commence business flights on completion of two shots of the vaccine,’’ he said. Another incentive is that airfares from August are not yet capped.

Passengers undergo Covid-19 tests upon arrival at the Birsa Munda International Airport in Ranchi on Saturday

Bonded doctors challenge govt’s FIR diktat

Bonded doctors challenge govt’s FIR diktat

Move HC Against Covid Duty Call

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:28.06.2021

A group of 251 postgraduate and super-specialty doctors practising in Gujarat have approached the Gujarat high court challenging the state government’s decision to join them in Covid-19 duty and filing FIRs against them for not responding to the call of duty.

These doctors are bonded doctors, who studied in government medical colleges and were under obligation to serve in rural areas for few years after completion of their studies or else they should surrender the bond amount in lieu of the rural service.

The high court is likely to hear their case on Monday.

On May 4, following the surge in Covid-19 cases and falling short of human resource in dealing with the crisis, the state government took a decision to recruit bonded doctors as medical specialist Class –1 in Covid facilities from May 7. There were 1,415 such doctors who were called for Covid duty and nearly 1,000 doctors failed to report. The state health commissioner on June 20 ordered chief district health officers and the medical officers in corporations to file FIRs under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 against 799 doctors who did not respond to the government’s call and for their failure to discharge their moral obligation to serve the society after having taken the benefit of the subsidised education in government medical colleges.

On June 21, the state government decided that the bonds submitted by the bonded doctors would not be received. Moreover, the health authorities were asked to issue show-cause notices to the doctors.

The petitioners have urged the HC to quashed the order for registration of FIRs against bonded doctors, to junk the order to assign Covid-19 duty to them and show-cause notices issued by the authorities. They have also demanded that the National Medical Council should formulate a pan-India policy regarding compulsory service bonds.

In a petition filed through advocates Angesh and Amit Panchal, the bonded doctors have contended that they are unable to meet the additional obligations under the bond and therefore requested to submit the bond amount, but the government refused to accept it.

The bonded doctors have raised a contention that both the state government and petitioners are bound by the terms of the bond. There is no clause in the contract that the state government would refuse to accept the bond amount. The refusal is unreasonable. By threatening criminal action, the attempt to enforce the contract for personal service is a violation of Article 23 of the Constitution.

The bonded doctors have also questioned why the state government chose to assign Covid-19 duty to only those medical professionals who studied medicine in the government colleges. Two more petitions have been filed by the doctors.

There were 1,415 such doctors who were called for Covid duty and nearly 1,000 doctors failed to turn up. The government reacted with an order to lodge FIRs

FOREIGN DEGREES OF UNCERTAINTY COLLEGE EXAMS AWAITED

FOREIGN DEGREES OF UNCERTAINTY COLLEGE EXAMS AWAITED

Overseas studies, mark-sheet turbulence

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:28.06.2021

With universities planning to hold college exams for final year students from the first week of July, students planning to go overseas are a worried lot as colleges there will open in September.

Rohan Sheth, a final year IT student from Silver Oaks College of Engineering and Technology, Ahmedabad, has finalized his plans for New Jersey in US for a postgraduate in computer science. He has enrolled in a college . But his visa procedure is stuck and cannot be completed before August it seems.

“To get my visa, I need my final semester mark-sheet. The exams will be held in July and the marksheet will come later. My plans depend on timely holding of the exams,” said Sheth.

Maulin Joshi, who runs a consultancy firm said the delay in college exams due to Covid-19 is impacting the overseas plans of many students.

“Especially those students whose academic performance depends on their final semester results are in a lot of stress. For students who wish to go overseas before the academic session starts in September, all the preparations including visa approvals should be in place by July 15,” said Joshi.

Most of the universities in Gujarat have planned to conduct final year exams for undergraduate and postgraduate students from July 6 to July 15. It would take another 15-20 days for the results to be prepared and given to the students. Many students have received inprinciple approval from overseas colleges and universities for further studies, but a final call is taken only after the final semester results are declared and mark-sheets produced.

Mili Vakil, a student of integrated BA-LLB at GLS Law College, is looking at a stressful timeline between appearing for her final sixth semester exam slated on July 6 and getting her student visa for her master’s in law course from University of Birmingham, UK.

Her course starts from September. Vakil says she has her fingers crossed to complete theexhaustive paperwork needed to start her foreign studies.

“There is a long journey ahead which includes appearing for the exam in July, getting marksheet, receiving transcript, provisional degree certificate, other documents, and confirmation from the university for student visa,” said Vakil.

Vakil’s friend Tanzim Surani who is also headed to the UK says she is hoping she can start her foreign studies in September.

Doctor sends legal notice to govt opposing mandatory vax

Doctor sends legal notice to govt opposing mandatory vax

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

28.06.2021 

A Mangaluru-based physician has sent a legal notice to the state government, seeking that vaccination of students, faculty and other staff should not be made mandatory or a pre-requisite for resuming physical classes in schools and colleges. Dr B Srinivas Kakkilaya argued that “imposing” vaccine would be a violation of fundamental rights of individuals.

Last month, Kakkilaya was booked under Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act for refusing to wear a mask in a supermarket and arguing with staff when they insisted. He said he had been treating Covid patients and that the government had made “foolish rules”.

Advocate Chidanand Kedilaya sent the notice on behalf of Kakkilaya and three others, including a BA student and parents of children studying in class 10. The notice, sent to the chief minister, chief secretary, health secretary, deputy CM Dr Ashwath Narayana and education minister Suresh Kumar, requested them to take emergent steps for reopening of schools and colleges without any further delay. It warned of initiating proceedings against the government in case it goes ahead with the vaccination mandate with students.

“There are several reports which clearly suggest that majority of citizens, be it in India or abroad, have already been infected by Covid and most of them without showing any symptoms have recovered. Reports also suggested that a person once infected will develop immunity against infection from coronavirus,” the notice said. “The state government is contemplating to impose vaccination as a prerequisite for the opening of schools and colleges, (it) is not in the interest of students nor any such decisions could have any legal sanction. It is a violation of the fundamental right of the individual (be it students, teaching or non-teaching staff)...’’

Maha & Kerala travellers can show vax cert to enter Karnataka

Maha & Kerala travellers can show vax cert to enter Karnataka

Bengaluru:28.06.2021 

Travellers from Maharashtra and Kerala, who had to furnish a negative RT-PCR report to enter Karnataka, can alternatively produce a vaccination certificate. The state will soon issue an additional order, in view of increasing vaccination in both states.

“We are trying to curb the virus spread and have taken a decision that an RT-PCR negative certificate for travellers from these states is mandatory. However, any person who has received at least one dose can produce his or her certificate issued via Co-Win and enter the state,” said chief secretary P Ravi Kumar. TNN

ENTRY INTO K’TAKA

BBMP desks set up at KIA, bus and railway stations

The order is expected in a day or two, Ravi told TOI on Sunday. Border checks were strengthened in view of rising Delta and Delta plus Covid cases in the neighbouring states.

Earlier in the day, BBMP chief commissioner and member of the Covid-19 task force Gaurav Gupta said either of the documents must be furnished to enter the state. Since there is unrestricted movement of people from Maharashtra to Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura etc the government has decided to enforce this rule to control the spread of the virus,” he said. In Bengaluru, Gupta said the BBMP has set up special desks at the airport (KIA), Kempegowda bus station and Sangolli Rayanna railway station to conduct tests and keep track of those who enter the city.

Tamil Nadu continues to report declining trend in new Covid-19 cases

Tamil Nadu continues to report declining trend in new Covid-19 cases

PTI | Jun 27, 2021, 09.15 PM IST

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu continued to register a steady decline in daily Covid-19 cases as only 5,127 were added afresh on Sunday, pushing the aggregate to 24.65 lakh.

On May 30, the state saw fresh cases dropping below 30,000 mark while on June 7 the numbers were under 20,000 and on June 17 they were less than 10,000.

The toll mounted to 32,290 with 91 additional deaths in the last 24 hours. As many as 7,159 people got discharged today, aggregating to 23,90,783 leaving 42,801 active infections, a medical bulletin said.

Coimbatore and Erode reported an excess of 500 cases each while 21 districts logged new infections in double digits.

Chennai posted 308 cases aggregating to 5,31,732 till date.

The number of Covid-19 related fatalities in the State capital also reached 8,161.

The testing of RT-PCR samples stood at 1,66,203 in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined so far to 3.23 crore.

Among the 91 deaths, 19 had no co-morbidity or pre- existing illness.

பாரீஸ் - சென்னை விமானத்திற்கு வரவேற்பு

பாரீஸ் - சென்னை விமானத்திற்கு வரவேற்பு

Added : ஜூன் 27, 2021 23:33

சென்னை-பாரீஸ் நகரில் இருந்து, முதல் நேரடி விமான சேவையாக, சென்னை வந்த, 'ஏர் பிரான்ஸ்' விமானம் மற்றும் விமான குழுவினருக்கு, சென்னை விமான நிலையத்தில் சிறப்பான வரவேற்பு அளிக்கப்பட்டது.

பிரான்ஸ் மற்றும் இந்திய அரசுகள், சென்னைக்கு நேரடி விமான சேவையை துவங்க, 'ஏர் பபுள்' என்ற, ஒப்பந்தம் செய்து கொண்டன. இதையடுத்து, பிரான்ஸ் நாட்டின் தலைநகர் பாரீசில் உள்ள, 'சார்லஸ் டி கோலே' விமான நிலையத்தில் இருந்து, சென்னைக்கு நேரடி விமான சேவை துவங்க முடிவானது.அதன்படி, பாரீஸ் நகரிலிருந்து, 'ஏர் பிரான்ஸ் - போயிங் 787 - 900' ரக விமானம், நேற்று முன்தினம் காலை 11:35 மணிக்கு, 111 பயணியர், 19 விமான ஊழியர்களுடன் புறப்பட்டது.

இந்த விமானம், சென்னைக்கு நேற்று முன்தினம் இரவு 12:25க்கு வந்தது. இந்தியா மற்றும் பிரான்ஸ் தேசிய கொடிகளுடன் வந்திறங்கிய விமானத்தை, சென்னை விமான நிலைய அதிகாரிகள் வரவேற்றனர். 'ஏர் பிரான்ஸ்' விமானத்தின், பைலட்டுகள், பணிப் பெண்கள், பொறியாளர்களுக்கு மலர் மாலை அணிவித்தும், பூங்கொத்து கொடுத்தும் வரவேற்றனர். இந்த விமானம் நேற்று அதிகாலை 1:20 மணிக்கு, பாரீஸ் நகருக்கு புறப்பட்டுச் சென்றது.

ரூ.100 தர மறுத்த பல்கலைகழக முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர் படுகொலை

ரூ.100 தர மறுத்த பல்கலைகழக முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர் படுகொலை

Updated : ஜூன் 27, 2021 20:29 | Added : ஜூன் 27, 2021 20:28 |

ஜார்சுகுடா: 100 ரூபாய் தர மறுத்த சம்பல்பூர் பல்கலைகழக முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர் டாக்டர் துருபராஜ் நாய்க் கோடாரியால் வெட்டி படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டார்.

படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட துர்பா ராஜ் நாய்க், ஒடிசா மாநிலம் சம்பல்பூர் பல்கலைகழக துணை வேந்தராக பணி ஓய்வுபெற்ற பின், தொலைவில் உள்ள கிராமத்தை தேர்வு செய்து அங்கு வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். மேலும் பழங்குடி மக்களின் வாழ்வாதாரத்திற்காக தனது வட்டாரத்தில், காடு வளர்ப்பு மற்றும் சுற்றுச்சூழல் முன்னேற்றத்தை ஊக்குவிப்பதற்கான பணிகளை செய்து வந்தார்.சுற்றுச்சூழலுக்கு அவர் செய்த பங்களிப்புக்காக ,அவருக்கு பிரகிருதி மித்ரா விருது வழங்கப்பட்டது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

இது குறித்து ஜார்சுகுடா மாவட்ட எஸ்பி தாஸ் கூறியதாவது: துர்பா ராஜ் நாய்க்கின் வீட்டிற்குள் நுழைந்த மர்மநபர், அவரிடம் 100 ரூபாய் கேட்டுள்ளான். அவர் தர மறுத்ததால், கோடாரியால் வெட்டிவிட்டு தப்பிஓடிவிட்டான். தகவல் அறிந்து சம்பவ இடத்திற்கு சென்று பார்த்தபோது துர்பா ராஜ் நாய்க்கை வெட்டிய கோடாரி அங்கே கிடந்தது. இது குறித்து மேலும் விசாரணை செய்து வருகிறோம் என்றார்.

பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண் கணக்கீடு: பெற்றோர் குழப்பம்

பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண் கணக்கீடு: பெற்றோர் குழப்பம்

Updated : ஜூன் 28, 2021 06:44 | Added : ஜூன் 28, 2021 06:41

பிளஸ் 2 மாணவர்களுக்கு மதிப்பெண் வழங்க, தமிழக அரசு வெளியிட்ட வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைகள், பல பெற்றோர்களை குழப்பியுள்ளதோடு, சந்தேகங்களையும் ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண்ணை கணிப்பதில், 30: 20: 50 என்ற விகிதம் பின்பற்றப்பட உள்ளது. பிளஸ் 2 வகுப்புக்கு 30, பிளஸ் 1 வகுப்புக்கு 20, பத்தாம் வகுப்புக்கு 50 சதவீதம் முக்கியத்துவம் வழங்கப்படும். இதில், கூடுதல் முக்கியத்துவம், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண்ணுக்கே. அந்தவகுப்பு வரை, மாணவர்கள் கல்வியிலும் எதிர்காலத்திலும் போதிய ஆர்வம் காட்டாமல் இருப்பர். அதனால், பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண்ணை முடிவு செய்வதில், பத்தாம் வகுப்பு மதிப்பெண்ணுக்கு 50 சதவீத முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுப்பது எப்படி நியாயம்?

பத்தாம் வகுப்பில், அதிக மதிப்பெண் பெற்ற, மூன்று பாடங்களின் சராசரியில் 50 சதவீதத்தை கணக்கில் எடுக்க சொல்கிறது அரசின் அறிவிப்பு. இதற்கு மாறாக, மொழிப் பாடங்களை தவிர்த்து, அறிவியல், கணிதம், சமூக அறிவியல் பாடங்களில் பெற்ற மதிப்பெண்களின் சராசரியில் 50 சதவீதத்தை எடுக்கலாம். அதன் வாயிலாக, மாணவர்களுடைய உண்மையான தகுதியை ஓரளவு வகைப்படுத்தி இருக்க முடியும்.தமிழகத்தில் ௧௦ம் வகுப்பு வரை சி.பி.எஸ்.இ., பாடத்திட்டத்தில் படித்து விட்டு, பிளஸ் 1, பிளஸ் 2 படிப்பதற்கு, தமிழக பாடத்திட்டத்துக்கு மாறும் மாணவர்களும் உண்டு.

சி.பி.எஸ்.இ.,யில், அதிக மதிப்பெண் பெற முடியாது. அதனால் 50 சதவீத சராசரி மதிப்பெண் கணக்கீட்டில், சி.பி.எஸ்.சி., மாணவர்கள் பின்தங்கி விட வாய்ப்புண்டு.பிளஸ் 2வில் மாணவர்களுடைய அறிவுத் திறன் நன்கு வளர்ந்திருக்கும். ஆர்வமும், ஈடுபாடும் பெருகியிருக்கும். எதிர்கால கனவுகள் அரும்பத் துவங்கியிருக்கும். அப்போது, அவர்கள் வாங்கும் மதிப்பெண்களும் முற்றிலும் வேறு மாதிரி இருக்கும்.இதைப் பார்க்கும் போது, பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண்களுக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுக்கப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும் என்றே, பல கல்வியாளர்கள் கருதுகின்றனர். பிளஸ் 2, பிளஸ் 1 மற்றும் பத்தாம் வகுப்பு என்ற வரிசையில், மதிப்பெண்ணுக்கான முக்கியத்துவம் அமைந்திருக்கலாம்.

சி.பி.எஸ்.இ., பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண் மதிப்பீட்டில், 40:30:30 என்ற முறை பின்பற்றப்படுகிறது. பிளஸ் 2 தேர்வுகளில், 40 சதவீதம், பிளஸ் 1ல் இருந்து 30 சதவீதம், பத்தாம் வகுப்பில் இருந்து 30 சதவீத மதிப்பெண்கள் எடுத்துக் கொள்ளப்படும்.தமிழக அரசு பள்ளிகளிலேயே படித்து, ஒவ்வொரு வகுப்பிலும் தொடர்ந்து எல்லா பாடங்களிலும் நல்ல மதிப்பெண் எடுத்த மாணவர்களுக்கு மட்டுமே, அரசு அறிவித்துள்ள மதிப்பெண் முறை சாதகம்.பிளஸ் 1, பிளஸ் 2வில் முட்டி மோதி கூடுதல் மதிப்பெண் பெற்று, முந்தி விடலாம் என்று நினைப்பவர்களுக்கு வாய்ப்பில்லாமல் போய்விட்டது என்ற, வருத்தமும் பெற்றோரிடம் இருக்கிறது.

என் மகள் சராசரி மாணவி தான். ௧௦ம் வகுப்பில் 500க்கு 370 வாங்கினாள். பிளஸ் 1ல் 700க்கு 360 வாங்கினாள். இந்த புதிய சிஸ்டத்துல என் மகளுக்கு, 375 அல்லது 380 மார்க் வரும். நேரடி தேர்வு எழுதியிருந்தா 400 மார்க்குக்கு மேல வந்திருக்கும். இன்னும் நல்லா படிக்கற மாணவர்களுக்கு, இன்னும் நிறைய மார்க் வரும்ங்கறது உண்மை தான்.

ராமு, கள்ளக்குறிச்சி,

பெற்றோர்.எப்படி மார்க் போட போறாங்க என்பதே புரியல. 'பேஸ்புக்'குல விதவிதமாக கணக்குபோட்டு காண்பிக்கிறாங்க. பள்ளி கல்வித்துறை என்ன செய்யப் போகுதோ? இது, சரியா படிக்காத பசங்களுக்கு ஓகே. என் மகன்கிட்ட நல்லா படின்னு சொன்னேன். தேர்வு வெச்சிருந்தா, நல்லா மார்க் வாங்கியிருப்பான். இப்போ கடவுள் விட்ட வழி.

வெங்கடேஷ், திருவல்லிக்கேணி, பெற்றோர்.

- நமது நிருபர் -

College opens centre for Covid telecounselling

College opens centre for Covid telecounselling

Chennai:28.06.2021 

Madras Christian College in collaboration with the Chengalpet collectorate will launch a Covid-19 telecounselling centre on Monday. Health minister Ma Subramanian will inaugurate the centre, which will also act as a referral centre that links and refers people to the nearest hospital and other resources. It will also follow up with patients who are quarantined at home.

The centre will be headed by college principal P Wilson and monitored by department of social work HOD Miriam Samuel. The counselling team will have four teams with leaders and volunteers working roundthe-clock. TNN

HC upholds 10 years RI for man who raped girl

HC upholds 10 years RI for man who raped girl

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:28.06.2021 

Observing that sexual assault of a girl child is the most heinous, barbaric and savage act, Madras high court upheld the conviction and sentence awarded to a man by a trial court in a case in which he sexually assaulted a minor girl in Pudukottai in 2010. The court was hearing the criminal appeal filed by the accused challenging the order of the Pudukottai mahila court which had convicted and sentenced him to 10 years rigorous imprisonment in 2016.

The man had sexually assaulted the girl when her parents had gone to attend a condolence meeting. Justice K Murali Shankar observed that the right of the girl child is always at peril. Despite stringent laws and punishment, it is shocking and disturbing to note the increase in the number of cases where children are sexually assaulted by known people. Such brutal acts create a deep impact in the minds of the child, traumatising her for a long period or her entire life, affecting her physically as well as psychologically.

The judge observed that the accused/appellant deserves stringent punishment and that awarded by the trial court cannot be found fault with. On considering the entire evidence, the trial court had found the accused guilty for offence under Section 376(2)(i) of IPC, which this court is in complete agreement with. Hence the judge dismissed the appeal and confirmed the conviction and sentence. The judge also directed the trial court to take necessary steps to secure the accused to undergo the remaining period of sentence,if any.

The court was hearing the criminal appeal filed by the accused challenging the order of the Pudukottai mahila court which had sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment in 2016. The man had sexually assaulted the girl when her parents were not home

Danger lurks in form of open drain on Poonamallee High Rd

Danger lurks in form of open drain on Poonamallee High Rd

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:28.06.2021

Motorists and pedestrians, beware! In Arumbakkam, along Poonamallee High Road, is a wide unfinished storm water drain canal with protruding iron rods and sharp concrete edges.

Road users say the highways department failed to secure the drain properly and, instead, put up barricades at some places.

This has been the case for six months and requests to either finish the work or close up the space with temporary slabs have gone unnoticed, said residents.

The largest open area is right between two apartment complexes near Panjaliamman temple and there are similar open structures without barricades along the stretch too.

With no reflectors on the barricades, motorists take a huge risk using this stretch at night.

“It is not even properly barricaded. The authorities have set up makeshift barricades using wooden logs on one side while the side near the entry of an apartment complex is open. Those unaware of the trench such as food delivery and e-commerce delivery agents stand risk of falling into it at night,” said L Karthikeyan, a resident.

Around 500 families reside in just the two apartment complexes and there is the risk of unattended children getting hurt because of the open drain.

“It is a busy stretch and with no clear warning signs, motorists run risk of accident,” said M Paramesh of Arumbakkam.

About six months ago, a woman and her daughter died after their bike fell into an open drain along the service road off Irumbuliyur-Maduravoural Bypass Road.

The stretch is a state-controlled national highway.

“The work was stalled due to pandemic and the unavailability of workers. We have to recover an encroachment on the other side of the Poonamalee High Road and connect the storm water drain to the culvert near Panchaliamman koil. Work will begin next week,” said a senior engineer with the construction and maintenance department, Tamil Nadu highways.

RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK: Locals said the the area is not properly protected and could lead to accidents particularly at night as the existing barricades don’t have reflectors

Presently absent or absently present?

CITY LIGHTS

Presently absent or absently present?

“Present, Miss” said a new voice when the attendance was called out. The surprised teacher asked the student where he had been for the last three weeks of school. "This is the first time you have attended class since we opened school in the first week of June," said the miffed teacher. To which the student squeaked, "Miss, I have been attending my old school for the last three weeks. I didn’t know that my parents had switched me to a new school for Class XI. And I promise I've been present every day but over there.” The mystified ‘Miss’ had nothing to say. Clearly, another of the travails of remote learning. And to think the school year has just begun!

— Kamini Mathai

Casual sexism meets veggie shopping

A mobile vendor selling vegetables and fruits recently had a crash course on casual sexism as it seems many expect only women to do the shopping. The vendor in question drove into an apartment complex in Nungambakkam and called out the customary ‘Vaanga ma vaanga’. A few minutes later, he drove to another building nearby when a woman came running behind him with a basket in hand. She said, “Why do you always say ‘vaanga ma vaanga’ and call only the women? My husband uses this as a silly excuse to refuse to go out and buy vegetables. I have to take care of my children and by the time I come out after looking for a mask, you are gone.” The visibly awkward vendor said, “I will wait for a few more minutes in every block hereafter, madam.”

— U Tejonmayam

A short-lived respite

Many residents are going through lockdown fatigue. But not those in a certain neighbourhood in Thilaiganga Nagar and Jeevan Nagar. For them, the lockdown has offered some peace of mind as the restrictions made the giant piling machines working to build the metro fall silent for almost two months. Early this year, they rejoiced when work started on the MRTS after more than a decade’s wait. However, the joy soon turned sour when huge, noisy, piling machines started boring the earth, disturbing their peace. Then the lockdown began, restoring the serenity of the neighbourhood. But now restrictions have eased, and with the state government allowing construction work, they looked with trepidation as workers arrived to move the piling machines and brought more loads of steel bars for concreting. Till the next lockdown, life is going to be jarring for good.

— V Ayyappan

Council matters

On June 21, governor Banwarilal Purohit in his address to the state assembly announced a five-member Economic Advisory Council, surprising people across the country. The names included Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and prof Jean Dreze, besides former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, former economic adviser to the Centre Arvind Subramanian and former Union finance secretary S Narayan. Naturally, everyone was curious whose idea it was to form a council with such high-profile economists. “The idea did not come from the bureaucracy. It came from the political executive. It came right from the top,” a senior state government official told this journalist. "Given his background, the finance minister, PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, would have reached out to connect with them too," said the official.

— D Govardan

Lockdown woes

When this reporter had to move into a new house and needed the help of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, little did she know it would be a huge challenge. She had to scout for more than two weeks to find them. And then it turned out that most of these workers either did not have the necessary equipment or charged double the usual price. With the pandemic and numerous lockdowns, most had moved to smaller cities or sectors that give more job security. Paying rent for accommodation in the city is very difficult, especially during extended lockdown, said a carpenter. Though the state has eased rules and let these workers move around, the demand for their services has dropped significantly.

— Mamtha Asokan