Colleges, universities start collating students’ vax data

Colleges, universities start collating students’ vax data

Zeeshan.Jawed@timesgroup.com

Kolkata:24.09.2021

A day after the state decided to vaccinate all eligible students in higher education institutions “with a view of possible resumption of offline instruction in schools and colleges”, several colleges and universities rolled out forms for students.

A section of students in Presidency University, Jadavpur University and Calcutta University had been demanding the authorities vaccinate students and initiate the process of resuming in-person classes. The government has asked all higher education institutions to hold a meeting with stake holders and provide details of those who require vaccination. The institutions have been given the option to either arranging for a camp on campus or allow the government to arrange it in other vaccination centres.

“The students and other stakeholders should be vaccinated before any decision to resume in-person classes in higher education institutions is taken,” said an education department official.

At JU, the authorities have already collected details from students. “Students who cannot come to campus can take the shot from their nearest vaccination centres by providing an university ID,” registrar Snehamanju Basu.

Maulana Azad College has started collecting the details, including of students who have just taken admission in UG courses. “Some of the details we want are the vaccination status, if they have taken a dose and the date of first dose,” said an official.

At Basanti Devi College the last date to submit the information is September 24. “We have received instructions from the higher education department to submit the vaccination details of students,” said a college official.

At Presidency University, the deadline to submit the information was September 23. “As soon as we received the education department nod, we started collecting the information,” said an official.

A higher education department official said if the colleges and universities provide logistical support, like space and manpower, the health department can conduct vaccination on campus.

A schoolteacher gets the jab at a civic vaccination centre

The students and other stakeholders should be vaccinated before any decision to resume in-person classes is taken

An edu dept official

Pensioners get home delivery of ‘life certificates’

Pensioners get home delivery of ‘life certificates’

New Delhi:24.09.2021

To help older pensioners procure ‘life certificates’ (jeevan pramaan) right at their door-step, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is generating and delivering them digitally by using postmen.

With the launch of the service, pensioners will not be required to make a physical visit to the office of pension disbursing agency. The pensioners will be able to generate the life certificate either by visiting the nearest post office or through the ‘Doorstep Banking Service’ offered by IPPB. A few years ago, the postal department had begun a similar service, while also offering the facility at some of their post offices. This service will be offered to all pensioners, irrespective of having an account with IPPB or with any other bank as well. TNN

Noida residents move SC over an ‘alarming’ rise in dog bite cases

Noida residents move SC over an ‘alarming’ rise in dog bite cases

Snehil.Sinha@timesgroup.com

Noida:24.09.2021

A residents’ group from Noida has moved the Supreme Court seeking its intervention in curbing dog bite cases in the city after the Allahabad high court refused to hear their appeal.

The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by a group of eight women residents from Noida’s Sector 137, states that despite the animal birth control programme, started by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) across the country, there has been “an alarming increase in the population of strays and a distressing rise in dog attacks on people”.

The plea also contends that the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001, violates Article 21 (right to life) of the Indian Constitution. There are several laws for the protection of animals, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960 and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001, the petitioners say. However, none of these laws states anything clearly regarding dog bite cases.

“This is a huge issue in a place like Noida where thousands of people live in gated societies. While we need to protect animals, people also need to feel safe within the premises of their homes. Additionally, there is no mention in any law about who would be responsible for the trauma and cost of treatment in dog bite incidents,” Shashank Shukla, the counsel representing the residents’ group in the case, told TOI.

He added that there should also be a specific mechanism in place with the power given to state authorities to take decisions in dog bite cases. “In cities like Noida, we will also suggest that future town planning should involve designated feeding points for stray animals so that the safety of people and animals is taken care of,” Shukla said.

Dr Sujit Kumar Dutta, AWBI secretary, declined to comment. Chetna Joshi, AWBI-nominated member to the Municipal Corporation Monitoring and Implementation Committee, Haryana, however, said, “These are frivolous complaints filed by intolerant people. The court has already given relevant orders acknowledging the intolerance and the resulting failure to implement the ABC Rules 2001 in India by the Centre and states as well as the citizens.”

COUNSEL SAYS

In cities like Noida, we will also suggest that future town planning should involve designated feeding points for stray animals

Jamia to allow scholars with thesis deadline of December 31

Jamia to allow scholars with thesis deadline of December 31

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:24.09.2021

Jamia Millia Islamia on Thursday announced that the campus would reopen for the final-year PhD scholars who are due to submit their thesis by December 31.

The final-year semester students will also be allowed to attend clinical and practical classes in the offline mode from November in a “limited number”, the university said, adding that the Covid-19 protocol had to be adhered to. “The departmental library facility will be available for PhD and final-year semester students on production of their latest negative RT-PCR report or vaccination certificate,” registrar Nazim Hussain Jafri said.

According to a statement, “The campus shall be opened for PhD scholars who are due to submit their thesis on or before December 31. The hostel facilities shall remain suspended.”

The university added that teaching and examinations for all undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma courses would continue to be held online till further orders.

The university circular has advised all students and teachers to get vaccinated. Jamia is “sensitive to... the aspirations of students and at the same time the university is committed to the safety concerns, health and well-being” of its students and staff, it added.

Missed one heartbeat too many? You must see a doc

Missed one heartbeat too many? You must see a doc

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:24.09.2021

Heart palpitations are one of the common health concerns. But, in the majority of cases, we ignore them because they are known to occur when we are stressed or anxious.

However, cardiologists say, if the palpitations continue for a longer period and even when a person is not under stress, it may be a sign of some abnormality that needs medical attention.

Recently, doctors at Delhi PSRI hospital said they came across a 58-year-old man who had been having heart palpitations for three to four years. “The patient came to the hospital only when he started having breathing difficulty also,” Dr Amitabh Yaduvanshi, head of invasive cardiology and electrophysiology at PSRI hospital, said.

Imaging tests showed that instead of the heart beats arising from the upper right chamber and following a certain trajectory to spread to the heart (as is in a healthy person), in this case, there was additional heart beats to the extent that every third of his heartbeat was arising from an abnormal site, the Left Ventricular (LV) Summit.

It is rare, occurring in about four per cent of the cases of Ventricular Premature Complexes in which extra heart beats arise from one of the heart’s two lower pumping chambers.

“The extra heartbeat was putting pressure on the heart. If the patient had delayed visiting the hospital any further, it may have led to heart failure,” Dr Yaduvanshi said.

The doctors conducted a procedure in which radiofrequency energy (similar to microwave heat) is used to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing rapid and irregular heartbeats. An advanced electro-anatomical mapping system was used to identify the site of origin of the abnormal beat, Dr Yaduvanshi said.

“The palpitations or missed beats are common symptoms, but in some cases, it may be due to abnormalities in the heart. Abnormal heart beating should not be ignored.”

DOCTOR SAYS

The extra heartbeat was putting pressure on the heart. If the patient had delayed visiting the hospital, it may have led to heart failure

Salon told to pay ₹2cr for ‘botching’ model’s haircut

Salon told to pay ₹2cr for ‘botching’ model’s haircut

Saurabh Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:24.09.2021

If it wasn’t for the sum involved, one could perhaps joke that the salon operator was having a bad hair day. But Rs 2 crore is not a trifling sum and that is what the salon has to pay a model as punitive award for a haircut that allegedly wasn’t what she had hoped for.

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) awarded this sum to the model on Tuesday for allegedly deficient services at a salon in a five-star hotel in Delhi in April 2018.

Justifying the award, NCRDC president RK Agrawal and member S M Kantikar held in their order that “…women are very cautious and careful with their hair. They spend a handsome amount on keeping hair in good condition. They are also emotionally attached with their hair. The complainant was a model for hair products because of her long hair... But due to hair cutting against her instructions, she lost her expected assignments and suffered a huge loss which completely changed her lifestyle and shattered her dream to be a top model.”

The model visited the salon on April 12, 2018, a week before she was to appear for an interview. Her regular hairdresser was unavailable that day and some other stylist apparently took over. The order noted, “According to the complainant, she specifically instructed the hairdresser for long flicks/layers covering her face in the front and at the back and four-inch straight hair trim from the bottom. It is alleged in the complaint that the complainant was wearing high-powered spectacles and was requested by the hairdresser to keep her head constantly down.”

While the model wanted a “simple haircut”, the hairdresser allegedly took over an hour on the task. Told she was getting a “London” haircut. The complainant was left in “utter shock and surprise”, when the hairdresser allegedly “chopped off her entire hair, leaving only four inches from the top”.

The haircare model complained to the salon management and was offered hair extension treatment for the interview or treatment of hair “free of cost.” On May 3, the model returned to the salon, but alleged later that “during treatment, her hair and scalp got completely damaged with excess ammonia and there was lot of irritation in the scalp”.

The NCRDRC order noted that the model “underwent severe mental breakdown and trauma due to negligence in cutting her hair and… finally lost her job”, and directed the hotel to pay her Rs 2 crore within eight weeks of the order.

0 8 WEEKS’ TIME TO SALON TO PAY UP

50k Covid ex gratia for suicides too: Govt to SC

50k Covid ex gratia for suicides too: Govt to SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:24.09.2021

The Centre told the Supreme Court that all deaths, including suicides, within 30 days of persons testing Covid-positive, would be treated as ‘Covid death’ cases, entitling their families to Rs 50,000 ex gratia. Appreciating the government’s decision to extend help to lakhs of families, the court said on Thursday that India overall has managed to do what no other country has done.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices MR Shah and AS Bopanna that the government broadened the definition of ‘Covid death’ to bring within its ambit deaths by suicide and also those who died after prolonged treatment for other ailments triggered by coronavirus infection. He also informed that a decision has been taken to disburse the ex gratia from State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRFs).

Family members of people committing suicide within 30 days from being diagnosed as Covid-19 positive as per ministry of health and family welfare and ICMR guidelines will also be entitled to avail financial help.

Death certs given before rules formed can be rectified: Govt

On Wednesday, the Centre had told the SC that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has fixed Rs 50,000 as ex gratia for the kin of Covid victims, which is payable from the SDRF. On Thursday, it elaborated on the decision to broaden the categories of ‘Covid death’. Any person who dies within 30 days of testing positive, either at home or hospital, whatever be the cause of death, would be certified to have died of Covid, it said.

This would extend the ex gratia relief to kin of almost all of 4.5 lakh people who died of Covid even though many hospitals in the past year and a half attributed the deaths to various reasons other than Covid, ranging from heart to lung failure. It would mean the states cumulatively would have to pay Rs 2,250 crore from the SDRFs.

“To make the scope broader and more inclusive, deaths occurring within 30 days from the date of testing or from the date of being clinically determined as a Covid-19 case, will be treated as ‘deaths due to Covid-19’, even if the death takes place outside the hospital/in-patient facility,” the Centre said in its affidavit.

Family of three held trying to fly to US on forged papers

Family of three held trying to fly to US on forged papers

New Delhi:24.09.2021

A man, his wife and daughter were apprehended at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport by Central Industrial Security Force personnel for trying to travel to the United States using forged documents, officials said on Thursday.

The family, from Mehsana in Gujarat, were intercepted at terminal 3 when they were headed to board a flight via Frankfurt in Germany to Santa Cruz in USA, officials said. CISF officials said that at around 11.30 pm on Wednesday, Ashvin Kumar Shankarbhai Patel, his wife Sudhaben Ashvin Kumar Patel and daughter Ashvinkumar Patel – all holding Indian passports — were in the check-in area of T-3. However, the visas on their passports appreared fake, said an official. After confirmation from the relevant embassies that the visas were fakes, the trio were then handed over to the assistant foreigners regional registration officer at the airport. TNN

Won’t interfere: HC on MP domicile in PG med admission

Won’t interfere: HC on MP domicile in PG med admission

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:24.09.2021

A division bench of MP high court refused to interfere with a decision of the state government which provides for preferential treatment to domicile of MP and MBBS students passing out of medical colleges of Madhya Pradesh in the admission to PG medical courses. The court said that a petition on the issue is pending in the Supreme Court, therefore they can't interfere in the matter.

In the petition filed by the Association of Private Medical Universities, legality of section (2) and sub-section (3 & 4) of section 13 (d) was challenged. Under these rules, only domicile of MP, and those students who have done their MBBS from a medical college in the state, would be called for in the first round of counselling for admission into PG medical courses. This amounts to 100 percent reservation and is in violation of the Supreme Court order in the Pradeep Jain case, the petition said.

The state government in response had said that it has the powers to frame rules for admission in the private medical colleges. Half the PG seats in medical colleges are in the central quota. There is no reservation in practice and a domicile of MP and a student who has done his or her MBBS from the state has a greater chance to stay back in the state after completing their education. It further said that the order passed by the Supreme Court in the Pradeep Jain case has been challenged in the apex court and the case is pending.

Expired ghee worth ₹5 lakh seized in Indore

Expired ghee worth ₹5 lakh seized in Indore

Indore:24.09.2021

In a joint operation, crime branch officials along with district administration on Thursday raided a godown in Lasudia and seized 656 kg adulterated and expired ghee worth Rs 3-5 lakh. Sources said that the ghee, which was being produced for use at the crematorium, was being sold in villages with small disclaimers in english.

ASP Guruprasad Parashar said that they had received a tip off about the godown of Tradezo company operational in Lasudia acting on which a team of police officials along with a team from administration was sent to the spot and a raid was conducted. “Ghee of Society company was stocked in godown of Tradezo,” said Parashar. TNN

Now, insulin can be kept without refrigeration

Now, insulin can be kept without refrigeration

Kolkata:24.09.2021

A team of scientists, including two from Kolkata, have developed a “thermostable” variety of insulin, which eliminates the need to keep it refrigerated. The development is being seen as a breakthrough in scientific circles, with portability being the biggest hurdle for insulin-dependent diabetics.

The research has been led by two scientists of the Bose Institute and the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) here and two others from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad.

“You will be able to keep it outside the refrigerator for as long as you want, something that will help diabetes patients across the world because carrying insulin along with them was considered impossible all this while,” said Subhrangsu Chatterjee, a faculty member at Bose Institute. 

57% Indians planning trips abroad in 3 mths: Survey

57% Indians planning trips abroad in 3 mths: Survey

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:24.09.2021

With confidence gained post-vaccination, Indians are slowly making their way back to office, but only on a ‘need basis’, with precautions and safety protocols in place, a survey by a consultancy firm showed.

The anxiety over use of public transport decreased a bit in the current Covid wave compared to the first one, said the survey. In the first wave, 73% voted against use of public transport, but now it’s down to 70%. Then, over the next three , 67% of Indian respondents said they plan to limit their use of ride-hailing services.

Travel is catching up with search enquiries for international destinations on the rise. A total of 57% Indians surveyed said they are planning international travel for leisure in the next three months.

It registered an overall decrease in consumer anxiety to 34% in India, while it saw heightened levels in anxiety in US, Australia and UK.

“With the festive season around the corner and lower Covid-19 cases, Indian consumers are showing lower levels of anxiety, resulting in their willingness to increase spending on more discretionary items,” said the survey adding that consumers are seen actively spending on cable TV, clothing and footwear apart from items like electronics, furnishings, alcohol and restaurants.

Only 30% respondents were concerned about physically interacting with a salesperson, which showed increasing customer confidence, the report said. Moreover, 68% respondents said they would like more locally sourced items and 74% purchased from brands that responded well to the crisis.

No technical concern in Covishield cert process, says UK in sign of conciliation

No technical concern in Covishield cert process, says UK in sign of conciliation

Row Likely To Be Resolved Soon: India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:24.09.2021

Under fire for keeping Covishield-vaccinated travellers from India on a par with the unvaccinated as per the country’s quarantine norms, the UK showed some conciliatory signs on Thursday with the British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeting that neither side raised technical concerns on the certification processes.

“Neither side (India and UK) raised technical concerns with each other’s certification process. An important step forward in our joint aim to facilitate travel and fully protect public health of the UK and India,” Eliis said, in what seemed an attempt to assuage outrage over reports that UK had issues with India’s digital vaccine certification.

The High Commissioner’s tweet came after “excellent technical discussions” with R S Sharma, chairman of the empowered group for Covid-19 vaccine administration and the head of the CoWIN platform. Sharma tweeted: “Echoing his views, this will be instrumental in resuming socio-economic activities between India and UK.” Sharma, however, told TOI, “We have no information to the effect that the UK has some concerns about the certification process of our vaccination programme. Nothing of the sort has been conveyed to me by the British High Commissioner, the UK government or our ministry of external affairs.” The reports that the UK did not have a problem with the WHO-approved Covishield, but with India’s Covid vaccination certification process, intensified the row over the shot being initially out of the list of approved jabs. The India government said it will initiate reciprocal action and commentators pointed out that the CoWIN process was highly reliable with a digital signature and QR code.

It was also pointed out that the UK’s vaccination had faced a security scare over reports that users could “edit” their certificates and that gaps in the application process for EU approval had hit travel to the UK.

The health ministry on Thursday called the UK’s new travel policy “discriminatory” as it does not recognise those vaccinated in India even as Covishield is now on the list of approved jabs. Health secertary Rajesh Bhushan said while the two countries are in dialogue and may reach a resolution soon, India reserves the right to reciprocate in similar manner if the UK fails to recognise vaccinated Indians.

“We’re clear Covishield is not a problem... We have been having detailed technical discussions regarding certification, with the builders of the CoWIN app and the NHS app, about both apps,” Ellis had said in a statement on Wednesday.

INJECTING HOPE

Covid costs add to burden of students headed to UK

Covid costs add to burden of students headed to UK

Himanshi.Dhawan@timesgroup.com

24.09.2021

Delhi-based Aryan D’Rozario, who plans to fly to Oxford University next week, is stressed and confused. This has less to do with joining the new Masters program and more to do with the changes in the UK government advisory for Indians traveling to their country.

“I took Covishield because it was on the WHO’s approved list of vaccines and thought that this would help me when I travel. Instead, I will be treated as unvaccinated by the UK,” said D’Rozario, who is among the 65,000 Indians who have got a UK student visa this year, up 30% from last year.

On September 22, the UK added Indian-made Covishield to the list of recognised vaccines, but it doesn’t recognise the vaccine certificate issued by India. Despite being double vaccinated and undergoing an RT-PCR test before flying, Indians have to go through a 10-day quarantine and take two tests (on day 2 and day 8) before they can continue their trip. While it puts tourist and business travel plans awry, the rules have hit students badly as the quarantine and tests regimen is an additional burden to an already rather expensive course of study.

D’Rozario has been allowed by his university to isolate in his hostel room but has to pay extra for food and lodging for the 10 days. He estimates his expenses will be upwards of 350-400 pounds (about Rs 40,000). “I am just very angry. I find this very unfair that the vaccine administered in India is not being treated at par with that of Europe or the US,” he said.

Ruthvika Bhandari, who is hoping to fly out next week to Greenwich University, has been scrambling for temporary accommodation. The Hyderabad-based doctor was told by the apartment landlord that she could only move in after she finished her quarantine. “The landlord does not want to take a chance so I will have to spend an additional 1,000 pounds (Rs 10,000) for my stay and the three tests,” she said. She is already spending Rs 30 lakh for her course in public health.

Students also complain that testing for Covid has been outsourced to private agencies that are charging heavily. NISAU-UK, an Indian students’ body, said that changes in rules have been the top most worry for the students joining in the August-September session. NISAUUK’s chairperson Sanam Arora said, “Students feel they are being treated like cash cows. They have issues like arranging for dual accommodation and forking out up to 300 pounds (Rs 30,000) for tests. The UK is not a racist country but this policy has not been well thought out at all.” Indian students contribute heavily to the UK economy and the fact that they make the second largest student body — international students contribute 28.8 billion pounds to the country’s economy — seem to have played a part in the British government walking back from its earlier advisory. The advisory did not recognise Indians who had received two doses of Covishield as vaccinated at all. The move was criticised by the Indian government as “discriminatory.”

NOT A SMOOTH TAKE OFF?

On September 22, the UK added Covishield to the list of recognised vaccines, but it doesn’t recognise the vaccine certificate issued by India. Despite being double vaccinated and undergoing an RT-PCR test before flying, Indians have to go through a 10-day quarantine and take two tests before they can continue their trip

₹50k Covid ex gratia for suicides too: Govt to SC

₹50k Covid ex gratia for suicides too: Govt to SC

Cause Of Death Doesn’t Matter, Say Guidelines

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:24.09.2021

The Centre told the Supreme Court that all deaths, including suicides, within 30 days of persons testing Covid-positive, would be treated as ‘Covid death’ cases, entitling their families to Rs 50,000 ex gratia.

Appreciating the government’s decision to extend its helping hand to lakhs of families, the court said on Thursday that India overall has managed to do what no other country has done.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices MR Shah and AS Bopanna that the government broadened the definition of ‘Covid death’ to bring within its ambit deaths by suicide and also those who died after prolonged treatment for other ailments triggered by coronavirus infection. He also informed that a decision has been taken to disburse the ex gratia from State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRFs).

“Family members of people committing suicide within 30 days from being diagnosed as Covid-19 positive as per ministry of health and family welfare and Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines will also be entitled to avail financial help as granted under SDRF in accordance with the September 3 guidelines issued by National Disaster Management Authority,” the government said.

Death certs given before rules formed can be rectified: Govt

On Wednesday, the Centre had told the SC that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has fixed Rs 50,000 as ex gratia for the kin of Covid victims, which is payable from the SDRF. On Thursday, it elaborated on the decision to broaden the categories of ‘Covid death’. Any person who dies within 30 days of testing positive, either at home or hospital, whatever be the cause of death, would be certified to have died of Covid, it said.

This would extend the ex gratia relief to kin of almost all of 4.5 lakh people who died of Covid even though many hospitals in the past year and a half attributed the deaths to various reasons other than Covid, ranging from heart to lung failure. It would mean the states cumulatively would have to pay Rs 2,250 crore from the SDRFs.

“To make the scope broader and more inclusive, deaths occurring within 30 days from the date of testing or from the date of being clinically determined as a Covid-19 case, will be treated as ‘deaths due to Covid-19’, even if the death takes place outside the hospital/in-patient facility,” the Centre said in its affidavit. “Also, a Covid-19 case, while admitted in the hospital/inpatient facility, and who continued to be admitted beyond 30 days, and died subsequently, shall be treated as a Covid-19 death.” The bench appreciated the Centre’s efforts to deal with the pandemic despite facing many constraints like huge population and financial limitations.

“Under the guidelines any certificate of death issued by hospitals/government authority prior to coming into force of the September 3 guidelines, can be reviewed and rectified and consequently freshly issued. Liberty would be granted to the next of kin of the deceased to raise a grievance before the concerned district level committee that the cause of death of his/her kin was Covid related as per the parameters prescribed in the September 3 guidelines, however, the death certificate issued do no recognises it as ‘death due to Covis-19’ and mentions some other incidental cause in the death certificate issued as the cause of death,” the government said.

It said on such an application, the district level committee would examine the contemporaneous medical records and if it came to a conclusion that the death could be termed as Covid death as per the guidelines, then a fresh Covid death certificate would be issued to entitle the kin to receive the ex gratia. The Centre said that states have been asked to set up district level committees within 30 days.

Reserving its order on the Centre’s proposal, Justice Shah at the end of the hearing said that he had read somewhere the AIIMS director’s statement that the third wave of pandemic is over now and asked the solicitor general whether it was true. As Mehta said that he was not aware about it, the bench said such statements should not be made particularly when many cases were still being detected on a daily basis. It said that people would think that the threat was over and they would not follow the protocol which could be problematic.

The SC bench appreciated the Centre’s efforts to deal with the pandemic despite facing many constraints

No decision yet on Classes I to VIII opening: Minister

No decision yet on Classes I to VIII opening: Minister

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24.09.2021

In sign that the state government was not in a hurry to resume physical classes for primary and middle school students, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that no decision has been taken yet in this regard.

“Private schools have been requesting the government to allow resumption of physical classes for classes1 to  8. But there is Covid scare among parents. Hence, the resumption of classes is still at discussion stage,’’ he said during a meeting with private school representatives in Coimbatore organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore chapter.

He said that the demand by private schools for resumption of classes would be conveyed to the chief minister. “Resuming school for classes 1 to 8 would depend on Covid situation,’’ he said. Poyyamozhi said that as and when the Covid situation is reviewed by the state government with health experts, a decision on resuming the classes would also be taken.

The education minister also underlined that schools should not compel students of classes 9 to12, for whom physical sessions have resumed, to attend schools.

Private school representatives who participated in the meeting submitted a memorandum to the minister on issues faced by school managements, which impacted students, parents and academicians. Some of the issues were difficulties faced in online schooling, inability to provide physical education for children, regulatory approvals including building tax and RTO related approvals. He assured that many of these issues are already in deliberation with senior officials as well as the chief minister.

Poyyamozhi urged government and private schools to function in tandem towards providing an equitable education to all students.

Applications invited for UG, PG courses in optometry

Applications invited for UG, PG courses in optometry

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:24.09.2021

Dr. Agarwal’s Institute of Optometry has invited applications for Its UG and PG courses in Optometry. The last date for submitting applications for B Sc and M Sc optometry programmes conducted under Alagappa University(UG) is October 31, a release said. Students can visit https:// www.dragarwal.com/study/ or call9167398613 for more details.

PM CARES isn’t GoI fund, PMO tells HC

PM CARES isn’t GoI fund, PMO tells HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:24.09.2021

The PM CARES Fund is not a government of India fund and the amount collected by it does not go to the Consolidated Fund of India, the Centre has informed the Delhi HC. An affidavit filed by an undersecretary at the PMO attached to the PM Cares Trust on an honorary basis says the trust functions with transparency and its funds are audited by a chartered accountant drawn from the panel prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The affidavit was filed in response to a plea seeking direction to declare the PM CARES Fund a “State”’ under the Constitution to ensure transparency in its functioning.

‘Trust functions on principles of transparency’

“To ensure transparency, the audited report is put on the official website of the trust along with the details of utilisation of funds received by the trust,” says the affidavit filed by Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, undersecretary at the PMO.

Irrespective of whether the trust is a “State” or other authority within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution, or whether it is a “public authority” within the meaning of provisions of the Right to Information Act (RTI), it is not permissible to disclose third-party information, the affidavit states.

It added that all donations received by the trust are received via online payments, cheques or demand drafts, and the amount received is audited. The audited report and the expenditure of the trust fund is displayed on the website, it said.

“The trust functions on the principles of transparency and public good in larger public interest, like any other charitable trust and, therefore, cannot have any objection in uploading all its resolutions on its website to ensure transparency,” it said.

The court was hearing a PIL that claimed the PM CARES Fund is a “State”’ as it was formed by the Prime Minister on March 27, 2020 to extend assistance to the citizens of India in the wake of a public health emergency — the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the plea had sought a direction for periodic auditing of the PM CARES website and the disclosure of details of donations received by it.

Youth stabs college girl, 20, to death near Tambaram station

Youth stabs college girl, 20, to death near Tambaram station

Chennai:24.09.2021

A 20-year-old student of the Madras Christian College was stabbed to death by a youth as she walked away from him towards the nearby Tambaram railway station around 1.45pm on Thursday.

Witnesses said Shwetha and Ramachandran, 25, were arguing on the crowded road to the station opposite the college when he whipped out a knife, held it to his throat and threatened to kill himself. She turned and was walking away when he suddenly stabbed her in the neck and six times in the stomach before shocked passersby could react.

As one of Shwetha’s friends cried out, Ramachandran turned the knife on himself, but onlookers prevented him from killing himself and handed him over to police. TNN

UNENDING TRAGEDY: Ramachandra (kneeling) near Shwetha’s dead body at Tambaram

Cops: Couple had fallen out 2 months ago

Police said the two had got together three years ago after twice meeting accidentally on a train to Nagapattinam. They had fallen out a couple of months ago as Ramachandran got angry with Shwetha saying her phone was busy whenever he called. Since the Covid lockdowns, they had been keeping in touch mostly over the phone.

Police said the couple had decided to meet on Thursday to sort things out. While Ramachandran was keen on a patch-up, Shwetha preferred to break up with him as she was upset that he was suspicious about her.

Shwetha, of Chromepet, was doing her second year diploma in medical laboratory technology (DMLT) course at MCC’s School of Continuing Education.

Ramachandran, an engineering graduate and native of Thirukkuvalai in Nagapattinam, had been working at a car manufacturing unit in Chengalpet. He had rented a house at Maraimalai Nagar.

According to eyewitnesses at the spot, the two were seen talking and walking near the railway quarters in Tambaram around 1.45pm. That’s when Ramachandran attacked her.

Shwetha, who was bleeding profusely was taken to Chromepet Government Hospital, where she was declared brought dead by the doctors. Ramachandran is undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital. The Selaiyur police have registered a murder case and began further inquiry.

IP University PG Medicos demand more time to submit thesis, allege non-compliance of NMC advisory

IP University PG Medicos demand more time to submit thesis, allege non-compliance of NMC advisory: New Delhi: The postgraduate students pursuing their MD/MS or DM/MCh degrees from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University are facing troubles as the University has asked them to submit their...

DU gets new VC; post was vacant since Oct

DU gets new VC; post was vacant since Oct

Delhi Tech University VC Moved To Chair

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:

Professor Yogesh Singh, vice-chancellor of Delhi Technological University (DTU), has been appointed the VC of Delhi University. Apart from Singh, President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the DU Visitor, appointed professor Neelima Gupta as the VC of Dr Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyala, Sagar, another central University. She is currently the VC of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bihar. The letters were issued by Union ministry of education on Wednesday.

Singh was serving his second term as DTU VC since April this year. He would be the 23rd DU VC succeeding professor Yogesh Tyagi, who was suspended last October over allegations of irregularities and dereliction of duty. Pro-VC PC Joshi was holding the charge since then.

Before joining DTU in 2017, Singh served as director of Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology from 2014-2017, VC of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda between 2011 and 2014, and as dean of information technology at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University from 2001 to 2006. He is also a member of the executive committee of National Assessment and Accreditation Council since October 3, 2019.

After doing an MTech in electronics and communication engineering, Singh completed a PhD in computer engineering from National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana.

Some of the big challenges to be faced by Singh include implementation of various schemes under National Education Policy, 2020, such as the four-year undergraduate with multiple entry-exit programme as well as completing teachers’ appointments. A section of teachers and students have been opposing the four-year programme as well as NEP.

Singh told TOI: “It’s a matter of pride to be appointed the VC of such a great seat of learning. We will take all necessary steps required for the growth and development of such a big institution.”

Teachers hopeful of ‘positive direction’

Welcoming the long-due appointment of a new vice-chancellor, teachers and principals at Delhi University on Wednesday hoped that Yogesh Singh would work with all stakeholders for DU’s growth and development. As Singh is the VC of Delhi Technological University, a state university, his joining may take some time.

Manoj Sinha, principal of Aryabhatta College, a member of DU Principals’ Association, said, “DUPA welcomes the new VC. He has got vast experience and one is sure that with his experience the university will get enriched and move in a positive direction.”

Stating that Singh was well known as an administrator, Rajib Ray, president of Delhi University Teachers’ Association, said, “We hope that he has a successful term that is pro-employee and pro-students.”

New format for ICSE Eng language Nov exam

MCQ PAPER

New format for ICSE Eng language Nov exam

Jhimli.Mukherjeepandey@timesgroup.com

Kolkata:23.09.2021

The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations has brought in a fresh question-and-answer format for the English language paper for the November semester examination. It has revised the earlier format and fine-tuned it further to make it conducive to the MCQ format. A sample question paper has been sent to schools and a national workshop will be held on Thursday for all English language teachers to adapt to the changed format.

While the earlier paper had short answers to comprehension passages, the new sample paper indicates one word answers and, in some cases, three-word simple sentences from which the candidate will make his/her choice. English language teachers in city schools welcomed the new slim question paper pattern and said this would help students pinpoint answers better and chances of making mistakes would be reduced.

They also said that since they would have to tackle so many questions within the span of an hour, the new format will help them pick up speed while writing the answers. The marks allotted to each section have also been reformatted and scaled down so that chances of losing marks are reduced. Many questions have been redesigned to carry a weightage of one mark.

“There are hundreds of children who will access the question paper on mobiles since they don’t own laptops. Naturally on that small screen big format question papers will only help to confuse. So the Council decided to make it a slim paper without compromising on the quality,” said a teacher who is an ICSE English examiner.

அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளோருக்கு ஆதரவாக ராஜன் கமிட்டி அறிக்கை: 'நீட்' தேர்வின் பலன்கள் குறித்து பாலகுருசாமி விளக்கம்

அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளோருக்கு ஆதரவாக ராஜன் கமிட்டி அறிக்கை: 'நீட்' தேர்வின் பலன்கள் குறித்து பாலகுருசாமி விளக்கம்

Added : செப் 23, 2021 00:20

சென்னை:'அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளோரின் விருப்பத்துக்கு ஏற்ப, ஓய்வு பெற்ற நீதிபதி ராஜன் கமிட்டி, நீட் தேர்வு தொடர்பான அறிக்கையை தயாரித்துள்ளது' என, கல்வியாளர் பாலகுருசாமி தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

தமிழக அரசு அமைத்த ஓய்வுபெற்ற நீதிபதி ராஜன் கமிட்டியின் அறிக்கை, சமீபத்தில் வெளியானது. அதன் அம்சங்கள் குறித்து, அண்ணா பல்கலையின் முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர் பாலகுருசாமி வெளியிட்ட அறிக்கை:ஏ.கே.ராஜன் கமிட்டியின் அறிக்கை, ஏற்ற இறக்கமான புள்ளி விபரங்களின் அடிப்படையில் உருவான, பாரபட்சமான அறிக்கையாக தெரிகிறது.

அதிகாரத்தில் இருப்பவர்களின் விருப்பத்துக்கும், அவர்களின் எண்ணங்களுக்கும் ஏற்ற வகையில் எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது. நீட் தேர்வு தொடர்பாக, முதலில் பரிந்துரைகளை எழுதி விட்டு, அதற்கு ஆதரவாக அறிக்கையை உருவாக்கியுள்ளது போல் தெரிகிறது. அறிக்கையில் பல்வேறு ஆச்சர்யத்தக்க விஷயங்கள் உள்ளன.அதாவது, 'மாநிலங்கள் நடத்தும் கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு, மத்திய அரசால், நுழைவு தேர்வை நடத்த முடியாது. பல்கலைகளை உருவாக்க, மத்திய அரசுக்கு அதிகாரம் இல்லை.'நிகர்நிலை பல்கலைகளை கட்டுப்பாட்டில் எடுக்க மாநில அரசு சட்டம் ஒன்றை கொண்டு வர வேண்டும்' என, அறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

பலன்கள் புரியவில்லை

'நீட் தேர்வு இன்னும் சில ஆண்டுகளுக்கு தொடர்ந்தால், தமிழக சுகாதாரத்துறை மிக மோசமாக பாதிக்கப்படும். ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களில், டாக்டர்கள் இருக்க மாட்டார்கள். தமிழகம் சுதந்திரத்துக்கு முந்தைய காலத்துக்கு செல்லலாம்' என, நகைப்புக்குரிய கருத்தும் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த கமிட்டியானது நீட் தேர்வின் முக்கியத்துவம், அதனால் மாணவர்களுக்கும், பொதுமக்களும் கிடைக்கும் பலன்கள் குறித்து புரிந்து கொள்ளவில்லை என, இதில் இருந்தே தெரிகிறது.

நீட் தேர்வால் ஏற்படும் பலன்களை, ராஜன் கமிட்டி எடுத்துக்காட்ட தவறிவிட்டது. மேலும், ராஜன் கமிட்டி அறிக்கையில், பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண்கள் அடிப்படையில், மருத்துவ சேர்க்கை நடத்த வேண்டும் என கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. பல்வேறு பாட திட்டத்தில் மாணவர்கள் படித்து வரும் நிலையில், பிளஸ் 2 மதிப்பெண் அடிப்படையில், மாணவர்களை சேர்ப்பது எப்படி பொதுவானதாக இருக்கும்.

பல பாட திட்ட மாணவர்களுக்கு பொதுவான தேர்வு நடத்துவதே சரியானது.முற்றுப்புள்ளி நீட் தேர்வு வரும் முன், பல்வேறு மாநிலங்களும், மத்திய கல்வி நிறுவனங்களும், நிகர்நிலை பல்கலைகளும் தனித்தனியாக நுழைவு தேர்வுகள் நடத்தின. நீட் தேர்வு வந்த பின், எல்லாம் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டு, ஒரே தேர்வாக மாறியுள்ளது.

நீட் தேர்வின் மதிப்பெண்ணை கொண்டு, எல்லா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளுக்கும் மாணவர் சேர்க்கை பெற முடிகிறது. இதன் காரணமாக, பல்வேறு நிறுவன நுழைவு தேர்வுக்காக தனித் தனியே பயிற்சி எடுப்பது, கட்டணம் செலுத்துவது, நேரத்தை செலவிடுவதும் குறைந்து உள்ளதோடு, மாணவர்களுக்கான அழுத்தமும், கவலையும் குறைந்துள்ளது. நியாயமான, வெளிப்படையான அணுகுமுறையை நீட் தேர்வு ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.

தமிழக அரசின் மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டை தவிர மற்ற இடங்கள் அனைத்தும், தமிழக மாணவர்களுக்கே கிடைக்கிறது. நீட் மதிப்பெண்ணை பயன்படுத்தி, மத்திய அரசின் கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் மற்றும் பிற மாநில கல்வி நிறுவனங்களிலும் மருத்துவ படிப்பில் சேர முடிகிறது. வெளிநாட்டு மருத்துவ கல்வி நிறுவனங்களிலும் சேர முடிகிறது.

ஊழல் ஒழிந்தது

சில தனியார் பல்கலைகள் மற்றும் கல்லுாரிகளில், மாணவர்களிடம் மறைமுகமாக நன்கொடை வசூலித்து, மருத்துவ சேர்க்கை வழங்கும் நடைமுறை இருந்தது. இதற்கு நீட் தேர்வு முற்றுப்புள்ளி வைத்துள்ளது. மருத்துவ படிப்பு மாணவர் சேர்க்கையில் ஊழல் ஒழிக்கப் பட்டு உள்ளது. நீட் தேர்வின் வழியே, இந்திய மருத்துவ படிப்புக்கு, சர்வதேச அளவிலான அங்கீகாரம் கிடைக்கிறது. இதை மக்கள் புரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டில், 27 சதவீதம் மிக பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட மாணவர்களுக்கும்; 10 சதவீதம் பொருளாதாரத்தில் பின்தங்கிய மாணவர்களுக்கும் சேர்க்கை வழங்கப்படும் என, மத்திய அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. இந்த அறிவிப்பால், ஏராளமான ஏழை மற்றும் கிராமப்புற மாணவர்கள் பலன் அடைவர். எனவே, ஒரு சார்பான அறிக்கையின்படி, தமிழக அரசு நீட் எதிர்ப்பு மசோதா நிறைவேற்றியிருப்பது துரதிர்ஷ்ட வசமானது.இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Sans teaching faculty, colleges reduce, even skip classes

Sans teaching faculty, colleges reduce, even skip classes

It's hardly been almost three weeks since colleges reopened but several subjects are being skipped, class hours reduced and online classes cut.

Published: 22nd September 2021 10:24 AM 

Image used for representational purpose only. (File photo | EPS)

By Aadhithya MS

Express News Service

TIRUCHY: It's hardly been almost three weeks since colleges reopened but several subjects are being skipped, class hours reduced and online classes cut. The reason? A shortage of staff from termination or resignation during the pandemic, citing salary issues. Many self-financing colleges saw teaching staff fired and strength reducing by half, while some managed to buck the trend and retain.

A senior lecturer from a self-financing college said, "The college management was unable to collect full fees for the last two years and hence did not pay the teachers properly. Also, this year, there was a 10 per cent drop in admissions."

A commerce teacher told TNIE, "Many of the teachers were fired and some quit after their salary was halved. They were paid only `5,000 and told it would not be increased anytime soon. We do not have teachers to handle few subjects and hence do not conduct online classes for those subjects."

A senior lecturer from another college said, "As much as 35 per cent of the college staff were sent off. We are not taking classes for first-year students yet, but will start to do so soon. Finding teachers to handle subjects like commerce, computer science and applications is easy compared to finding for science courses. We are not conducting online classes because of this."

The colleges have reduced the timing of physical classes to around 20 hours a week.

A second-year student of a self-financing college in Tiruchy said that the second- and third-year students have classes on alternate weeks. On days without physical class, their WhatsApp group remains silent.

This was, however, not the case with some popular self-financing colleges, as well as government and aided colleges as they had retained enough teachers.

Rajan Committee report lopsided, charges ex Anna University V-C

Rajan Committee report lopsided, charges ex Anna University V-C

Balagurusamy says the report was made to suit whims of DMK

Published: 23rd September 2021 06:54 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: After the AK Rajan Committee report was made public, the buzz regarding NEET refuses to die down. Now, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, E Balagurusamy, has objected to it.

He alleged that the report is based on skewed statistics and scripted in order to suit the whims and fancies of the ruling party. Balagurusamy believes even getting the President’s assent for the bill that was recently passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, seeking exemption from NEET, will not be easy.

He said, “It is really unfortunate that Tamil Nadu government has passed the anti-NEET bill based on this squinted report. The report is lopsided. It seems the committee wrote recommendations first and then drafted contents to support it.”

Balagurusamy further said the national-level test gives an opportunity to the students of the state to get admission into Central institutions, Central universities, all deemed universities, as well as 15% in all other medical colleges in India. “These seats are much more than the seats available in TN medical colleges. Also, NEET scores will help students in securing admissions abroad,” he added.

Balagurusamy pointed out that in July, an announcement was made by Centre of 27% reservation for OBC and 10% EWS in All India Quota, which will benefit a large number of poor and rural students get seats in medical colleges, but the AK Rajan Committee has not mentioned anything about it in its report.

The committee has mentioned that NEET is not ideal for the state and has recommended banning it in TN.

A retired professor of University of Madras, on condition of anonymity, has expressed concerns over the committee’s recommendation that admission into medical colleges should be solely done on basis of Class 12 scores. “The committee says the move will ensure equality in opportunity to students from different boards of education, but it is not correct.

Allotting medical seats on the basis of Class 12 marks is not wise as all top scorers don’t qualify to become good doctors. We need to have an entrance test to check the aptitude, intellect of the students and filter out the right candidates from the top scorer lot,” he said.

On the basis of the AK Rajan committee report, the Tamil Nadu Assembly on September 13 passed a bill seeking exemption from the centralised exam, and making Class 12 exam marks the basis for medical admissions for undergraduate medical and dental courses.

Can’t assume act forced: HC clears man of ‘raping’ his 17-year-old lover

Can’t assume act forced: HC clears man of ‘raping’ his 17-year-old lover

Subrata Chattoraj TNN

Kolkata:23.09.2021

The Calcutta high court on Tuesday acquitted a man convicted and jailed for raping a 17-year-old girl he had had a relationship with on the ground that the accused being a male wasn’t “enough to presume that sex between two sufficiently mature persons was forced and not consensual”.

The legal definition of rape or sexual abuse of children “has to be construed as a unilateral act on the part of the accused”, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya said.

He observed that rather than automatically charging the accused under Pocso (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act), it was essential to ascertain “whether the act was unilateral or participatory, along with the level of maturity and psyche of the victim as well as the accused, before convicting the accused under such serious allegations of rape and penetrative sexual assault, which might ruin an otherwise bright career at the bud”.

In November 2015, the accused had been accused of rape by the girl he had been in a relationship with for two-and-a-half years. The girl alleged that the man cajoled her into a sexual relationship by promising marriage. Since the girl was underage when the alleged incident took place, the police slapped both charges under Pocso on the accused. In 2017, a trial court convicted the youth and sent him to prison.

College students race against time to get mandatory shots

College students race against time to get mandatory shots

Ramendra.Singh@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:23.09.2021

After the higher education department has made it compulsory to submit the vaccination certificate to gain entry to the campus, students above 18 years of age are rushing to vaccination centres to get their jabs.

First year classes is to start from October 1. The higher education department has issued guidelines to colleges and universities across the state to ensure that students with first dose of vaccination attend the offline classes. Students and college staff have been asked to submit their certificates of first dose of vaccination without which they will not be able to continue their offline classes.

“I have been sitting home and depending on online classes for almost two years now. I do not want to miss my actual classes on any condition now,” said Sujoy Gupta, a first-year student adding that he is waiting for the second dose date for his second shot. There were even students who took both doses to avoid any problem in attending classes. “I was little casual after first dose of vaccination. However, I have now completed both doses as in its absence it won’t be possible for me to enter the campus,” said second year student Vineet Sharma.

Students even hailed the decision of taking vaccination certificates by the colleges. “It is a good initiative. Even those students who were avoiding vaccination will also have to take it,” said a student Anant Shastri.

Higher education minister Mohan Yadav said that the academic activities of all the universities and colleges of the state have started from September 15, 2021 with physical presence of the students.

“Classes are being conducted with 50% attendance of students,” he said. Yadav added that it will be mandatory for the academic and non-educational staff and students of the college to submit the certificate of first dose vaccination of Covid-19.

A college student gets her Covid-19 vaccine at Katju Hospital in Bhopal

4 convicted in Vyapam police entry scam

4 convicted in Vyapam police entry scam

Bhopal:23.09.2021

A special CBI court on Wednesday convicted four persons in a Vyapam-related case, and sentenced them to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment.

Those convicted have been identified as Pushpendra Singh Jadon, O K Yadav, Manoj Singh Kushwaha and impersonator Shrinivas Singhal. CBI had registered the case on August 5, 2015, in compliance with an SC order after taking over the Vyapam probe from MP STF.

It was alleged that selection of police constables in the 2012 recruitment test, conducted by Vyapam, was done through unfair means. CBI filed the chargesheet on July 28, 2018, in the court of ninth additional sessions judge, CBI Vyapam cases. Those accused included candidates who had allegedly managed their selection in the recruitment test through unfair means and by using impersonators. The court found them guilty and sentenced them. TNN

After two days, daily cases in India cross 30,000 again

After two days, daily cases in India cross 30,000 again

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

23.09.2021

After remaining below 30,000 for the first two days of the week, cases again crossed that mark on Wednesday. Despite this expected increase in cases that happens in the middle of the week, India’s Covid situation has remained quite stable in the past week.

The seven-day average of cases has remained stable for the country as well as for the worst-affected states. Overall, compared to September 15, the average saw a 2.4% increase on Wednesday. From 29,575 cases last Wednesday, the average marginally increased to 30,289.

Kerala saw its seven-day average dip by 3.6% while the decline was 21.6% for Maharashtra. Last Wednesday, the average was 20,079 for Kerala, which reduced to 19,365 this week. The corresponding figures were 3,589 and 2,814 for Maharashtra.

The state that saw the highest spike in the average is Mizoram. From last Wednesday’s 1,023 cases, the average spiked to 1,250 cases – an increase of 22.2%. India reported 31,995 fresh infections and 281 deaths on Wednesday.