Don’t play football with lives of young doctors: SC to govt

Don’t play football with lives of young doctors: SC to govt

Says Reconsider Move On NEET-SS Question Pattern

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:28.09.2021

The Supreme Court on Monday accused the National Medical Council, National Board of Examinations and the health ministry of “playing football” with the lives of young doctors aspiring to do their specialisation by changing the pattern of questions for the NEET-Super Speciality Examination more than a month after notifying the exam date.

As many as 41 doctors through advocate Javedur Rehman had moved SC alleging that though the examination dates of November13 and14 was notified on July 23, the NMC/NBE issued a notification on August 31, arbitrarily changing the pattern of questions and subject-wise distribution of marks to jeopardise the future of young doctors. Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Shyam Divan said months of preparation for NEET-SS has been affected by the decision of the authorities to change the rules of the game much after the play has begun.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and B V Nagarathna came down heavily on NMC, NBC and the ministries of health as well as social welfare for arbitrarily effecting the change and asked additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, NBE counsel Maninder Singh and NMC counsel Gaurav Sharma to ask all the authorities involved in the change of question pattern to urgently hold a meeting and “put their house in order”.

Justice Chandrachud-led bench said, “We are putting you to notice: If we are not satisfied with the reasons for effecting the change in question pattern mid-way, then we will pass strictures against the authorities.”

When Singh said change was in the offing for a long time and the notification was issued as soon as all necessary clearances were received, the bench said, “The change in pattern could have been made effective from next year. The students have been preparing for months in advance. Why would you change rules of the game mid-way? Tell authorities that we are very dissatisfied with the way they are playing with the lives of young doctors.”

Put your house in order, SC tells Centre on NEET

Don’t treat the young doctors like footballs just because you have the power (to change the examination pattern). Hold a meeting this week and put your house in order. We will not permit you to play with the lives of young doctors,” the Supreme Court bench said, adding, “The pattern of preparation for any examination depends on the pattern of question papers. If you (authorities) change it midway, then it will leave many ruffled.” “Since 2018, a pattern of questions and subject-wise distribution of marks has been followed — 60% of questions from the area of specialisation and 40% from feeder courses. How could you suddenly make it 100% from the general medicine subject?” the bench asked.

The NMC counsel said that it was to ensure that not many seats in the super speciality courses go vacant. The reply, however, did not satisfy the SC, which asked for a better explanation.

SC: Forcible unnatural sex with wife a heinous crime

SC: Forcible unnatural sex with wife a heinous crime

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:28.09.2021

The Supreme Court on Monday said forcible unnatural sex with wife by husband is a heinous offence, especially as it had led her to commit suicide, and refused bail to the man who has been in custody for more than two years for allegedly demanding dowry, domestic violence and committing the offence under Section 377 of Indian Penal Code. A bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli refused bail to one Pradeep, who is said to have tortured his wife by forcibly committing unnatural sex with her after her family failed to meet his dowry demands.

The CJI-led bench said Section 377 is a very serious offence and that the accused husband did not deserve leniency at the stage of investigation. “We do not know what the police are doing. You started demanding dowry. When her family could not meet those demands, you started harassing her. You circulated her private pictures and videos on social media and tried to blackmail her. Above all, you allegedly had forcible unnatural sex with her leading to her suicide. You deserve no leniency as this is a heinous crime.” When the petitioner’s counsel said that the man is a government servant and would lose his job if not granted bail, the bench said, “It is ok if such persons lose their jobs. You better stay in jail.” The petitioner was seeking regular bail in respect of FIR No 595 dated July 23, 2019 lodged by the victim’s brother at Bhiwani Sadar police station in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, under Sections 148, 149, 323, 377 and 306 of the IPC.

The deceased’s brother said the marriage of his sister with Pardeep (petitioner) was solemnised in 2011.

ID Act - Burden Is On Employee To Prove He Was Not Gainfully Employed After Dismissal : Supreme Court

ID Act - Burden Is On Employee To Prove He Was Not Gainfully Employed After Dismissal : Supreme Court: The Supreme Court on September 24 observed that whether a

NEET SS 2021: OCI Cardholder Gets HC Nod to Apply for exam

NEET SS 2021: OCI Cardholder Gets HC Nod to Apply for exam: New Delhi: Taking note of the fact that the petitioner doctor, who is an OCI cardholder, has pursued her MBBS and MS courses from India, the Delhi High Court bench on Thursday allowed her to...

பெண்ணின் நிராகரிப்பை ஆண் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்

பெண்ணின் நிராகரிப்பை ஆண் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்

சிவபாலன் இளங்கோவன்

27.09.2021  THE HINDU TAMIL 

சில நாட்களுக்கு முன்பு தாம்பரம் ரயில் நிலைய வாயிலில் கல்லூரி மாணவி ஒருவரை இளைஞர் ஒருவர் கொலை செய்த சம்பவம் பெரும் அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியது. அவர்கள் இருவரும் சில காலங்கள் பழகியதாகவும், அதற்குப் பிறகு அந்தப் பெண் அவரிடம் பேசுவதைத் தவிர்த்ததாகவும், அதனால் கோபமடைந்த இளைஞன் இப்படிப்பட்ட சம்பவத்தில் ஈடுபட்டதாகவும் செய்திகளில் தெரியவந்தது. சமீப காலங்களில் நாம் தொடர்ச்சியாக இது போன்ற செய்திகளைக் கவனித்துவருகிறோம். ஒரு பெண் தன்னை நிராகரிப்பதை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள முடியாமல், அந்தப் பெண்ணைக் கொலை செய்யும் அளவுக்குத் துணிவது பல கேள்விகளை எழுப்புகிறது.

ஒரு பெண் தனக்குக் கட்டுப்பட வேண்டும், அவளுக்கென்று தனிப்பட்ட விருப்பங்கள் ஏதும் இருக்கக் கூடாது, தன்னைப் பற்றியே சிந்திக்க வேண்டும், தன்னைத் தாண்டி அவளுக்கு வேறு எதுவும் முக்கியமானதாக இருக்கக் கூடாது என்ற மூர்க்கத்தனமான பழமைவாத ஆண்மையச் சிந்தனையின் நீட்சியே ஒருவனை இப்படிப்பட்ட மனநிலையை நோக்கித் தள்ளுகிறது. ஒரு பெண்ணின் விருப்பம் இல்லாமல் அவளைப் பின்தொடர்வதோ அல்லது தன்னைக் காதலிக்குமாறு கட்டாயப்படுத்துவதோ ஒரு கதாநாயக பிம்பமாகத் திரைப்படங்களில் வலிந்து திணிக்கப்படுகிறது. இந்தத் திரை நாயகர்களைத் தங்களின் ஆதர்சமாக எடுத்துக்கொள்ளும் இந்த இளைஞர்கள், இந்தச் செயலைக் கொஞ்சம்கூடக் குற்றவுணர்வின்றிச் செய்யத் தொடங்குகிறார்கள். ஒரு பெண் ஒரு ஆணை நிராகரிக்கிறாள் என்றால், அதற்கு ஆண்களிடம் பல காரணங்கள் இருக்கின்றன, அப்படி எதுவும் இல்லையென்றாலும் அவனை நிராகரிப்பதற்கான முழு உரிமை அந்தப் பெண்ணுக்கு உண்டு; அது எந்த வகையிலும் அந்தப் பெண்ணின் தவறல்ல என்பதை ஆண் உணர்ந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும். இந்தச் சமூகம் அவனுக்குள் அந்த உணர்வை ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும்.

பொதுவாகவே, ஒரு குடும்ப அமைப்புக்கே குழந்தைகளுக்கு அறநெறிகளை ஊட்டி வளர்க்க வேண்டிய பொறுப்பு இருக்கிறது. சக மனிதர்களை மதிப்பது முதல் சமூகத்தின் மீதான நன்மதிப்புகளை உருவாக்கிக்கொள்வது வரை ஒருவர் அவரது குடும்பத்திலிருந்தே அத்தனையையும் பெற வேண்டும். ஆனால், அதைச் சொல்லிக்கொடுக்கும் இடத்தில் நமது குடும்ப அமைப்புகள் இருக்கின்றனவா? சாதி முதல் அத்தனை பாகுபாடுகளையும் அதன் இறுக்கம் குறையாமல் பாதுகாக்கும் அமைப்பாகவே பெரும்பாலான குடும்பங்கள் இங்கு இருக்கின்றன. ஆண்-பெண் பாகுபாடுகளையும் குடும்ப அமைப்புகள் சமரசமின்றிப் பாதுகாக்கின்றன. ஒரு ஆணுக்கு இலகுவானதாக இருக்கும் நமது குடும்ப அமைப்பு, பெண் என்றால் வலிந்து கட்டுப்பாடுகளை உருவாக்கிக்கொள்கிறது. சிறு வயதிலிருந்தே ஆண் குழந்தையை வளர்ப்பதிலும் பெண் குழந்தைகளை வளர்ப்பதிலும் பல பாகுபாடுகளைக் கொண்டுள்ளதாக நமது குடும்பங்கள் இருக்கின்றன. இதைப் பார்த்து வளரும் ஆண் சிறு வயதிலிருந்தே பெண் என்பவள் தனக்குக் கீழானவள் என்ற எண்ணத்துடனே வளர்கிறான். அதனால், ஒரு பெண் மீது பிரயோகிக்கப்படும் வன்முறைகள் அவனுக்குத் தவறானதாகத் தெரியவில்லை. சில நேரங்களில் அது கொண்டாடவும் படுகிறது “ஒரு பொண்ணு உனக்கே இவ்வளவு இருந்தா... ஆம்பள எனக்கு எவ்வளவு இருக்கும்” என்ற வீர வசனங்களை சினிமாவிலிருந்து மட்டுமல்ல, தனது சொந்த வீட்டிலிருந்துமே ஒருவன் பெறுகிறான்.

அறநெறிகளைப் பற்றியோ சக மனிதர்களின் மீதான மாண்பைப் பற்றியோ துளியும் கவலையில்லாமல் ஒருவன் வளரும்போது அதைக் குடும்பமும் சமூகமும் ஆரம்பத்திலேயே கவனித்து, அவனது நடவடிக்கைகளைச் சீர்ப்படுத்த வேண்டும். ஒரு குற்றச் செயலில் அவன் ஈடுபடும்போது அதைத் தவறென்று சுட்டிக்காட்ட வேண்டும், வன்முறையோ வெறுப்போ எத்தனை ஆபத்தானது என்பதை அவனுக்குப் புரிய வைக்க வேண்டும். தோல்விகளை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும் மனநிலையை வளர்க்க வேண்டும். நமது கல்வி முறையின் முதன்மை நோக்கமாக மாணவர்களை இப்படிப் பண்படுத்துவதும் அவர்களுக்குள் அறநெறிகளை வளர்ப்பதுமாக இருக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால், மதிப்பெண்களைப் பிரதானமாகக் கருதும் கல்வி முறையில் அறநெறிகள் பின்தள்ளப்பட்டு வெகுகாலமாகின்றன. நல்ல மதிப்பெண் வாங்கும் மாணவர் தனிப்பட்ட வாழ்வில் எந்த அறநெறிகளும் இல்லாமலும் இருக்கலாம்; அதைப் பற்றி யாரும் கவலை கொள்வதில்லை.

ஆண்-பெண் பாகுபாடில்லாமல் குழந்தைகளை வளர்ப்பது, பெண்களைக் குடும்பத்தில் சமமாக நடத்துவது, அவர்களின் முடிவுகளை மதிப்பது, அவர்களின் சுதந்திரத்தை அனுமதிப்பது, ஆண் மையச் சொல்லாடல்களைக் கவனமாகத் தவிர்ப்பது போன்றவற்றையெல்லாம் குடும்ப அமைப்பு கடைப்பிடிக்க வேண்டும். வெறும் வார்த்தைகளால் மட்டுமில்லாமல், தங்களது நடவடிக்கைகளிலேயே குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்கள் அதை வெளிப்படுத்த வேண்டும். அதைப் பார்த்து வளரும் ஒரு சிறுவன் இயல்பாகவே பெண்களை மதிக்கக்கூடியவனாகவும், அவர்களின் உணர்வுகளைப் புரிந்துகொள்ளக் கூடியவனாகவும் வளர்வான். ஒரு பெண்ணோடு பழகும்போதும் அல்லது பிரியும்போதும் முழுமையாக அவளின் நிலையை உணர்ந்துகொள்ளும் பக்குவத்தை, அவளின் முடிவை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும் நிதானத்தை இப்படி வளரும் ஆண்களே கொண்டிருப்பார்கள்.

சமூக வலைதளங்களின் வரவுக்குப் பிறகு, நவீன கால இளைஞர்களுக்கிடையே ஆழமான உறவு என்பதே குறைந்திருக்கிறதாக நினைக்கிறேன். ஒரு உறவின் மீதான பிணைப்பைவிடத் தனிப்பட்ட சுயநலன்களைப் பெரிதாகக் கொண்ட தலைமுறை உருவாகிவருகிறது. ஆண்-பெண் இருவருக்கிடையேயான உறவில் பரஸ்பர அன்பைவிட, பரஸ்பர அங்கீகாரங்களைவிட சுய தேவைகளை நிறைவேற்றிக்கொள்வது பிரதானமாக இருப்பதை இந்தக் காலத்து இளைய தலைமுறையினரிடம் உணர்கிறேன். இந்த சுய பிம்பம் கேள்வி கேட்கப்படும்போதோ அல்லது நிராகரிக்கப்படும்போதோ அது அவர்களைப் பதற்றப்படுத்துகிறது; அதன் வழியாக அவர்கள் நிதானம் இழக்கிறார்கள்.

இளைஞர்களிடம் சமீப காலங்களில் அதிகரித்துவரும் பரஸ்பர வெறுப்பும், வன்முறைப் போக்குகளுமேகூட இப்படிப்பட்ட சம்பவங்களுக்குக் காரணமாக இருக்கின்றன. எந்த ஒரு விஷயத்திலும் ஆழமான புரிதல் இல்லாமல் மேலோட்டமாக இருப்பது, எளிதில் உணர்ச்சி வசப்படுபவர்களாகவும் அரசியல் தெளிவற்றவர்களாகவும் இருப்பது, சமூக வலைதளங்களின் அங்கீகாரத்துக்காக நிஜ உலகில் யாருடனும் பிணைப்பில்லாமல் தனிமையில் உழல்வது, இதனால் தன்னிச்சையாக எழும் தாழ்வுமனப்பான்மையும், சக மனிதர்களின் மீதான பொறாமையையும் எப்போதும் மனதில் கொண்டிருப்பது போன்றவையெல்லாம் பெருவாரியான இன்றைய இளைஞர்களிடம் காண முடிகிறது. இவற்றின் காரணமாக ஒரு குற்றச் செயலில் ஈடுபடும் மனநிலையை அவர்கள் மிக சுலபமாகப் பெற்றுவிடுகிறார்கள் அது சார்ந்த குற்றவுணர்ச்சியும், சமூகப் பொறுப்பும் இல்லாத நிலையில் அவர்கள் அந்தக் குற்றத்தையும் கண நேரத்தில் செய்துவிடுகிறார்கள்.

ஒரு முதிர்ச்சியான சமூகமாக இது போன்ற சம்பவங்கள் நடக்காமல் தடுப்பதில் நம் எல்லோருக்கும் ஏதோ ஒரு வகையில் பங்கு இருக்கிறது. நம் இளைஞர்களின் எதிர்காலத்தை வளமானதாக மாற்றுவதில், இது போன்ற வன்முறைச் சம்பவங்களிலிருந்து அவர்களைப் பாதுகாப்பதில், மனித நேயத்துடன், மனிதர்களின் மீதான மாண்பு குறையாமல் அவர்களை வளர்ப்பதில் நாம் எங்கே தவறிழைக்கிறோம் என்பதைத் திறந்த மனதுடன் அணுகாமல், நாம் இதற்கான தீர்வை எப்போதும் அடைய முடியாது.

- சிவபாலன் இளங்கோவன், மனநல மருத்துவர், எழுத்தாளர்.தொடர்புக்கு: sivabalanela@gmail.com

Telangana hospitals see rush for death proof

Telangana hospitals see rush for death proof

27/09/2021

Government hospitals in Telangana have been witnessing a steady flow of applications for the death summary of those who succumbed to COVID-19. With the National Disaster Management Authority recommending an ex gratia of ₹50,000 to the kin of COVID-19 victims, the rush for the document is expected to intensify. In the procedures currently in place, the cause of death is only mentioned in the ‘Death Summary’ issued by a government hospital upon application.

Laparoscopic surgery is the best option to treat cancers: experts

Laparoscopic surgery is the best option to treat cancers: experts

‘It’s quicker, ensures faster recovery’

27/09/2021

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Laparoscopic surgery is the best option to treat cancerous tumours as it reduces the need for large incisions and is less painful, say experts.

At a wellness webinar hosted jointly by GEM Hospital and The Hindu, experts felt keyhole surgery was quicker and ensured faster recovery.

Ho-Seong Han, professor in the Department of Surgery in Seoul National University’s College of Medicine, said studies had shown that “keyhole surgery results may be better in cancer than even open surgery”.

Chairman of GEM Hospital C. Palanivelu referred to studies done in Asia that pointed out that laparoscopic and robotics surgeries can increase the chance of survival of patients.

“In open oesophageal cancer surgeries, there is a 60% higher possibility of complication. Anastomotic leak and lung infection could delay recovery and patients need longer hospital stay. Such complications are ruled out in keyhole surgery, he said.

Laparoscope provides better vision than the naked eye of the tissues. Use of laparoscopes to remove cancerous tumours ensures no spillage happens, explained P. Senthilnathan, head of the Department of HPB Surgery, Department of Minimal Access Surgery and Liver Transplantation, GEM Hospital.

M. Vijayakumar, Vice-Chancellor, Yenepoya Deemed University, Mangaluru, said if people came early for treatment, the outcome would be better.

‘Early withdrawal of joint FD only if there is mandate’

‘Early withdrawal of joint FD only if there is mandate’

27/09/2021

Sanjay VijayakumarCHENNAI

Banks will allow premature withdrawal by the surviving depositor in the case of joint fixed deposit and term deposit accounts in the event of the death of one of the two, only if there is a joint mandate from the depositors to do so as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, which not many customers are aware of.

Consumer activist T. Sadagopan said there had been recent instances where the surviving depositors had approached banks for early withdrawal of fixed deposit accounts due to the death of the other account holder and their requests had been rejected by banks citing the RBI guidelines. In the case of joint fixed deposit and term deposit accounts, the joint holders choose between two mandates, “Either or Survivor” and “Former or Survivor”. In case of “Either or Survivor”, both the holders can operate the account while in the case of “Former or Survivor”, the former alone can operate the account when both are alive.

In both cases, banks are permitted to allow premature withdrawal of the deposit by the surviving joint depositor on the death of the other, only if there was a joint mandate from the depositors to this effect, according to the master circular on customer service by banks issued by RBI in 2015.

In the absence of a joint mandate, no pre-payment of the deposits would be allowed if the concurrence of the deceased joint holder had not been obtained as per the guidelines. If the operating instruction was “Either or Survivor” and one of the depositors died, no pre-payment of the fixed/term deposit may be allowed without the concurrence of the legal heirs of the deceased depositor. This would not stand in the way of making payment to the survivor on maturity, it said. In the case of “Former or Survivor” mandate, premature withdrawal would require the consent of both the parties, when both of them were alive, and that of the surviving depositor and the legal heirs of the deceased in the case of death of one of the depositors, the circular said.

KMCH opens free paediatric oncology ward

KMCH opens free paediatric oncology ward

27/09/2021

Staff Reporter COIMBATORE

Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH), Coimbatore, opened a free paediatric oncology ward on Sunday. M.S. Muthusmay, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Coimbatore range), inaugurated the facility at the KMCH Medical College General Hospital in the presence of V. Booma, professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and Thavamani Devi Palaniswami, vice-chairman of KMCH.

A release issued by the hospital said the paediatric oncology ward will cater to the needs of children with cancer who cannot afford appropriate therapy.

Children with potentially treatable cancers who cannot afford treatment would be treated in the unit, completely free of cost, it said. According to the hospital, the exclusive unit has both in-patient and day care services and it follows latest protocols for the kids with cancer.

KMCH executive director Arun N. Palaniswami said the ward will help the needy children with treatable cancer to overcome it.

University’s ‘no dowry’ demand from students draws criticism

University’s ‘no dowry’ demand from students draws criticism

Students asked to sign undertaking in University of Calicut

27/09/2021

K.S. SudhiKOCHI

The University of Calicut has come under fire for seeking an undertaking from its students that their admissions and degrees shall be cancelled or withdrawn if they breach the provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

The university, following a proposal from Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, had asked the students to sign an undertaking stating that they would not demand or accept dowry, directly or indirectly.

B.G. Harindranath, former Kerala Law Secretary, felt that the order was legally unsustainable if challenged before a court of law. Though accepting or demanding dowry was punishable under the Act, the cancellation of a degree certificate was not contemplated under the Act, he said.

T. Asaf Ali, former director-general of prosecution, too, criticised the move, terming it illegal, unconstitutional, arbitrary and whimsical. A mere complaint to the police was sufficient for the university to deprive a candidate of his/her degree certificate, which could violate his/her constitutional right to life and livelihood. The withdrawal of a degree for an unrelated offence would deprive a person of his/her livelihood, which was unconstitutional, he said.

Kaleeswaram Raj, a Supreme Court lawyer, said the directive was irrational and unconstitutional. The awarding of a degree was based on educational parameters and could not be linked to an extraneous act. Creating awareness against dowry was one thing. But it was absurd to seek an undertaking that he/she would not engage in a penal act, he said.

M.K. Jayaraj, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the intention was to create awareness among students against dowry.

Why Applied Mathematics has fewer applicants

Why Applied Mathematics has fewer applicants

Unavailability of NCERT books, fewer teachers and limited knowledge about job prospects are worrying students

c-Jagriti.Kumari@timesgroup.com

27.09.2021

To help students develop an understanding of basic mathematical and statistical tools and their applications in various fields including business, Economics and social sciences, the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced Applied Mathematics as an elective for class XI from the academic year 2020-21. The introduction of the new subject is for students who opted for Basic Mathematics instead of the standard version in class X boards. In 2020, out of around 19 lakh students, as many as 6 lakh students opted for Basic Mathematics in class X boards while around 13 lakh students appeared for the standard version of the question paper.

Few takers

Achala Verma, PGT Mathematics at Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, explains that lack of awareness about the subject led to fewer takers. “There were no takers for the subject as an elective, in my school last year. This year also, only a handful of students have opted for it,” says Verma. On why this was the case, Verma reasons that students are clueless about the career prospects after studying Applied Mathematics. “Most students opt for subjects that offer a lucrative career opportunity. Hence, students need to be apprised about the future of Applied Mathematics,” says Verma.

Besides, the subject was introduced by the Board when Covid-19 pandemic kept schools closed, says Vivek Choudhary, PGT Mathematics at a Faridabad-based school. “Closure of schools took a huge toll as students and teachers both were clueless about the syllabus. Communication with students and parents was another challenge during the virtual mode of education. Having detailed information might have helped us in spreading awareness about the subject,” says Choudhary.

Challenges

Unavailability of textbooks is a major challenge for both teachers and students, says Choudhary. “Majority of us rely on NCERT textbooks for the board exams and other competitive examinations. But no dedicated books for Applied Math has been published yet,” says Choudhary, adding that study materials provided by the CBSE on its website is good, but more study material is needed.

When contacted, a source on condition of anonymity at NCERT says, “We have been frequently getting queries from parents and students for Applied Mathematics books. The books are not getting published as the government is yet to send the proposal for the publication of the books.

Syllabus

Applied Mathematics includes topics such as Number Theory, Interpretation of Data, Analysis of Data, Commercial Mathematics, Set Theory, Relation and Function, Algebra, Trigonometry, Fundamentals of Calculus, Logical Reasoning, Commercial Mathematics, Probability, Linear Programming, Analysis of time-based Data etc

Students who lost parents to Covid need not pay exam fee

Students who lost parents to Covid need not pay exam fee

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

27.09.2021

In a rare gesture of compassion and support, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to exempt students who lost both their parents or their only surviving parent to Covid-19 from paying the CBSE examination fees. This was notified by the Board on Tuesday evening.

The CBSE affiliated schools in the country are already in the process of collecting fees and finalising the list of candidates for the class X and XII board examinations. A student to be included in the list of candidates (LOC), will have to pay the examination fees. The process of LOC started on September 17 and must be completed before September 30, the board had notified in an earlier statement.

The basic fee for five subjects is Rs 1,500 for class X and XII, and Rs 1,200 for SC/ST candidates of Delhi government schools. Along with the additional amount for each practical and additional or optional subject, the total fee would amount to around Rs 2,500 for many class XII students whose subjects have the practical component.

ADMISSION ALERTS

ADMISSION ALERTS

27.09.2021

BITSoM, the BITS School of Management, Mumbai invites online applications for admission to its two-year full-time residential MBA programme for the academic year 2022-24.

Eligibility: Candidates must have a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised Indian institution or international university or be in the final year.

Deadline: November 21

Link: https://www.bitsom.edu.in/

Vidyasagar University in Midnapore, West Bengal invites online applications for admission to MA in Bengali, English, History and MSc in Chemistry, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics and Zoology.

Eligibility: Candidates must have BA degrees with honors or pass in Bengali, English and History for applying for admission to MA and for applying to MSc candidates must have BSc with honors or pass in Chemistry, Zoology, Nutrition and BMLT.

Deadline: October 7

Link: http://onlineadmission.vidyasagar.ac.in/

Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi invites online applications for admission to certificate, diploma and online postgraduate programmes

Eligibility: For certificate courses, candidates need to have a secondary school certificate (class X) or equivalent from a recognised board and for diploma courses candidates would be required to have a 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board or university.

Deadline: September 30

Link: https://jmi.ucanapply.com/univer/public/secure?app_id=UElZMDAwMDAzNA==

National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad invites applications for admission to PG Diploma in Agri-Warehousing Management.

Eligibility: Candidate must have a bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised Indian university.

Deadline: September 30

Link: https://www.manage.gov.in/pgdawm/pgdawm-moocs.asp

You’ve got mail

You’ve got mail

Click on this link and lose all your money, says new Nigerian pal

Shinie Antony

27.09.2021

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of a new computer, must be in want of a virus. Can you keep a PC, however branded and dusted, from catching a bug? In the current era of continuous online shopping, more criminals are going digital. Cybercrime saw a growth of almost 12% last year, according to latest NCRB data, making it a viable career option during Covid times. Revenge porn, identity theft, extortion …. Actors who send nudes on phone might as well post them on the net. A link clicked and your wallet’s empty. You are sleeping like a baby in Delhi when phone pings; your credit card was used in Dublin. You can be bankrupted with a remote.

Time was when people only had to worry about the straightforward burglary. Robbers snuck into homes to loot and plunder, grabbed gold god idols and any loose change. But thieves are hi-tech now, addressing you as ‘my dear’ or ‘dearest’ in SMS or email. Their spellings are iffy and names exotic. They all have large fortunes to give away and only you to give them to. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend stranded in Timbuctoo asking for money; you don’t reply, hoping they have other friends.

We first learnt of the web’s third eye when we told our boss we were on our deathbed only to be seen doing the Macarena on social media. Go to your mail and it always says ‘open in six other places’ – and you have only one ex! Deferential to future hackers, I periodically clean my browser history. Am I vitamin deficient, how to tell your suspicious BFF no one will romance her husband even if he pays for it, how many m in ‘recommend’ …. Occasionally to impress them I google brain surgery.

No use thinking up eccentric passwords – everything can be breached. Either they create a website just for you for spoofing or indulge in outright phishing. Don’t be surprised if you cannot access your files, ransomware bars you via encryption. Of course, if you pay, they may still keep your gibberish. Through the Internet of Things, one is connected to the outside world even through a toaster! The next time you get a call from your own number, don’t dismiss it as a technical glitch. It is not your alter ego or a you from the future, it is just your personal hacker saying hi.

Apply for GATE 2022 by Sept 28

Apply for GATE 2022 by Sept 28

27.09.2021

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, the organising Institute for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE-2022) has extended the application deadline till September 28. Earlier, it was supposed to be closed on September 24. “Due to technical problems, the application deadline has been extended upto September 28, 2021 with no additional fees. Candidates can register themselves through the official website, gate.iitkgp.ac.in,” reads a notification issued by the IIT Kharagpur. Leh (Ladakh) has been added as a new GATE 2022 examination city. The exam fee for general candidates is Rs 1500 and with late fee it is Rs 2,000. For reserved category students, the regular application fee is Rs 750 and with late fee it is Rs 1,250.

Online PhD submission will make the evaluators accountable

Online PhD submission will make the evaluators accountable

c-Puniti.Pandey@timesgroup.com

27.09.2021

The University of Delhi (DU) will soon move the thesis submission and evaluation process for PhD to online mode. The decision has been taken to smoothen the procedure and reduce the long delays that take place in the existing model.

“It is a student-friendly move aimed at decreasing the delay in the evaluation process that follows after the students submit their thesis. After the launch of the online portal and the implementation of the new mode, the evaluators will be compelled to take immediate action on the research papers. This will further put a stop to file blockage,” says PC Joshi, former vicechancellor, DU.

Explaining the need to introduce the online portal for PhD, D S Rawat, dean of examination, DU says, “Offline mode had several challenges, as the students and the university authorities had to wait for the examiners' response over the copy. Under the new setup, the thesis will be immediately mailed to the concerned examiner. The authorities will also keep reminding them to revert on the thesis shared. An alert will be flagged in case they exceed the time limit on one thesis.” The university has also altered the current ordinance to further improve the evaluation process. Under current norms, the examiner can submit the list for the viva process within a month of the thesis submission. Under the new setup, the supervisors will be required to submit the list of viva-voce before or on the day of the thesis submission. This will again reduce the long delays that were caused in allotting supervisors to each student, he explains.

The online submission of PhD thesis requires strict monitoring to maintain data security, notes Sanjeev Bansal, dean, Faculty of Management Studies, Amity University. Just as strict confidentiality is maintained at the time of submitting the hard copy of the thesis, the authorities would need to take measures to avoid any kind of threat to data in online mode. “Amity had been following the online mode of PhD for a long time. We had been holding seminars for PhD students for over a decade. During the pandemic induced lockdown, they were also allowed to submit the thesis online,” he adds.

The students should not suffer the adverse consequences of long delays in getting their PhD degrees, says D Narayana Rao, pro vice-chancellor, SRM University, Andhra Pradesh (SRMAP). Many of them lose job opportunities that demand the submission of PhD degrees within a stipulated time. The online submission of PhD thesis will help in reducing delays and save the expenditure incurred on printing multiple heavy copies of the research papers.

Madras High Court comes to the aid of law graduate denied enrolment citing criminal cases for anti-Sterlite protest

Madras High Court comes to the aid of law graduate denied enrolment citing criminal cases for anti-Sterlite protest

There is a "colossal difference between complaining that a person is acting against the Government and that person is protesting the Policies of the Government", the Court observed in its order.

Lawyers

Meera Emmanuel

Published on :

24 Sep, 2021, 7:33 pm

The Madras High Court recently came to the aid of a law graduate who was denied enrolment as an advocate on account of 85 cases lodged against him for his alleged involvement in various protests, including public demonstrations for the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi (K Siva v. The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and ors)

A Bench of Justices M Duraiswamy and Murali Shankar also took the opportunity to empahsise that there is a "colossal difference between complaining that a person is acting against the government and that person is protesting the policies of the government."

Referring to a demonstration in which the law graduate allegedly participated without prior permission and whereby protest was raised against a government ban on beef sale, the Court said:

"The right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peaceably and without arms are fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19(1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of India ... every citizen is having right to comment on the policies of Governments and to have their own views with respect to the such policies."

Referring to another protest wherein slogans were raised not to crush anti-Sterlite protests and whereby a road roko was allegedly created, the Court added:

"We would like to point out that the protest or demonstration organized by the group of students including the petitioner was actually towards fulfilment of their fundamental duty under Article 48 A of the Constitution of India. It is not the case of the Police that the petitioner and other students had indulged in any violent activities at that time."

The Court was dealing with a petition moved by K Siva, a law graduate (petitioner) who was aggrieved after he was denied enrolment as an advocate by the State Bar Council.

The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had informed the petitioner that it would not enroll him as an advocate without a court direction, the Bench was told.

This was on account of finding that 85 criminal cases were lodged against the petitioner between 2017 and 2019 following a police verification report. In this regard, the Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli had submitted a report stating that since the petitioner had 85 cases against him and since he was a person "acting against the government", no recommendation would be given on his conduct.

The High Court expressed shock at the sheer number of cases lodged against the petitioner. On a closer look, the Court found that the bulk of those cases were filed with respect to anti-Sterlite protests that took place on May 22, 2018.

"On a cursory look at the particulars of the cases registered against the petitioner, we were shocked to notice that as many as 85 criminal cases came to be registered against the petitioner. But a close perusal of the same would reveal that 81 cases out of 85 cases, came to be registered for the incidents alleged to have been occurred on May 22, 2018," the Court observed.

It went on to question how the petitioner has been made an accused with respect to incidents that took place at various locations on the same day.

"In the absence of any charge for criminal conspiracy, is it possible for a person to be present and involved in the commission of offences at 88 various places on the same day?", the Court asked.

The Court also noted that the petitioner's name was missing from the final reports as well as the several FIRs lodged over anti-Sterlite protests.

"Admittedly, the petitioner's name does not find place in any of the above said 88 FIRs registered for the incidents allegedly occurred on 22.05.2018. Though the Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District, in his status report, has shown the rank of the petitioner in those cases, they have not furnished any particulars as to how and on what basis, the petitioner was implicated in the above 88 cases," the Court said.

Added to this, the Court noted that the petitioner's name does not find a place in any of the charge sheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to whom the investigation of cases pertaining to anti-Sterlite protests and the death of thirteen protesters was transferred.

In this backdrop, the Court remarked that it was "at a loss to understand" how the Bar Council authorities has declined to give the petitioner enrollment without getting any report from the CBI or resorting to any further enquiry.

Commenting further that there was no whisper of any allegation that the petitioner was involved in any heinous crime or anti-national or anti-social activities, the Court proceeded to order that he be enrolled in the next enrolment session.

"This Court has no hesitation to hold that the enrollment of the petitioner as an Advocate is unjustly being denied to the petitioner and therefore, necessary directions are to be issued to the respondents 1 and 2 to enroll the petitioner as an Advocate on the Roll of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry," the Court said.

Advocate G Prabhu Rajadurai appeared for the petitioner. Advocate KR Laxman appeared for the Bar Council authorities. Government Pleader Thilak Kumar appeared for the Superintendant of Police, Tirunelveli.

Marriage Of Minor Becomes Valid If Not Declared Void Till Age Of 18, Dissolution U/S 13B Of Hindu Marriage Act Allowed: P&H High Court

Marriage Of Minor Becomes Valid If Not Declared Void Till Age Of 18, Dissolution U/S 13B Of Hindu Marriage Act Allowed: P&H High Court: The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently held that if a girl marries before att

அக்டோபரில் மட்டும் வங்கிகளுக்கு 21 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை

அக்டோபரில் மட்டும் வங்கிகளுக்கு 21 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை

Updated : செப் 26, 2021 06:41 |

புதுடில்லி-பண்டிகைகள் நிறைந்த அக்., மாதத்தில் வங்கிகளுக்கு 21 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை என்பதால் பொதுமக்கள் தங்கள் வங்கிப் பணிகளை முன்கூட்டியே திட்டமிட வேண்டிய அவசியம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

நாடு முழுதும் வங்கிகளுக்கு இரண்டாவது மற்றும் நான்காவது சனிக் கிழமைகளில் முழு விடுமுறை அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. இதன்படி இந்தாண்டு அக்., 9, 23 ஆகிய இரண்டு நாட்களும் முழு விடுமுறை. அக்., 2 சனிக்கிழமையன்று காந்தி ஜெயந்தியை முன்னிட்டு விடுமுறை. அக்., 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 ஆகிய ஐந்து நாட்களும் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை. இது தவிர அக்., 14, 15ல் ஆயுத பூஜை மற்றும் விஜயதசமி விடுமுறை. அக்., 19ல் மிலாடி நபி விடுமுறை. மேற்கண்ட 11 நாட்களும் நாடு முழுதும் வங்கிகளுக்கு முழு விடுமுறை. மேலும், 10 நாட்கள் சில குறிப்பிட்ட மாநிலங்களுக்கு மட்டும் உள்ளூர் விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதன் விபரம்:புதுடில்லி, செப். 26-பண்டிகைகள் நிறைந்த அக்., மாதத்தில் வங்கிகளுக்கு 21 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை என்பதால் பொதுமக்கள் தங்கள் வங்கிப் பணிகளை முன்கூட்டியே திட்டமிட வேண்டிய அவசியம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

நாடு முழுதும் வங்கிகளுக்கு இரண்டாவது மற்றும் நான்காவது சனிக் கிழமைகளில் முழு விடுமுறை அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. இதன்படி இந்தாண்டு அக்., 9,10 ஆகிய இரண்டு நாட்களும் முழு விடுமுறை. அக்., 2 சனிக்கிழமையன்று காந்தி ஜெயந்தியை முன்னிட்டு விடுமுறை. அக்., 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 ஆகிய ஐந்து நாட்களும் ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமை. இது தவிர அக்., 14, 15ல் ஆயுத பூஜை மற்றும் விஜயதசமி விடுமுறை. அக்., 19ல் மிலாடி நபி விடுமுறை. மேற்கண்ட 11 நாட்களும் நாடு முழுதும் வங்கிகளுக்கு முழு விடுமுறை. மேலும், 10 நாட்கள் சில குறிப்பிட்ட மாநிலங்களுக்கு மட்டும் உள்ளூர் விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அதன் விபரம்:அக்., 1 அரையாண்டு கணக்கு முடிவு சிக்கிம்அக்., 6 மஹாளய அமாவாசை திரிபுரா, கர்நாடகா, மேற்கு வங்கம்அக்., 7 மேரா சவுரென் ஹவுபா லெய்னினங்தோ சனமஹி மணிப்பூர்அக்., 12 மஹா சப்தமி திரிபுரா, கர்நாடகாஅக்., 13 மஹா அஷ்டமி திரிபுரா, ஒடிசா, சிக்கிம், அசாம், மணிப்பூர், மேற்கு வங்கம், பீஹார், ஜார்க்கண்ட்.அக்., 16 துர்கா பூஜா சிக்கிம்அக்., 18 கதி பிஹு அசாம்அக்., 20 மகரிஷி வால்மிகி ஜெயந்தி திரிபுரா, கர்நாடகா, சண்டிகர், மேற்கு வங்கம், ஹிமாச்சல பிரதேசம்அக்., 22 மிலாடிநபியை தொடர்ந்து வரும் வெள்ளி ஜம்மு - காஷ்மீர்அக்.,26 அக்செஷன் டே ஜம்மு - காஷ்மீர்இந்த அறிவிப்பை ரிசர்வ் வங்கி வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

Teachers arrested for making plans to leak question paper

Teachers arrested for making plans to leak question paper

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaisalmer:26.09.2021

Balotara police in Barmer district busted an inter-state gang of 20 members who were planning to leak REET question paper and make dummy candidates appear in the exam. Among those arrested are two government school teachers.

Six government school teachers and a police constable, who are also part of the gang, managed to escape.

The gang used to make dummy candidates sit in competitive exams organised in the state and also leaked question papers for a hefty price. Rs 9.50 lakh cash was recovered from the two arrested government teachers.

Barmer SP Anand Sharma said on September 24, Balotara SHO Babulal Raigar received information that two members of an inter-state gang were planning to provide REET paper for Rs 12 lakh before the exams and charge Rs 15 lakh for dummy candidates to appear in the exam.

He said a team was formed under the SHO and it raided a house on mega highway and arrested two culprits, Ramesh Kumar (36) a resident of Balotara and a government teacher, and Suresh Kumar (35), a resident of Jalore.

SP said the documents and applications of candidates from many districts and other forged documents were also recovered from the culprits. Police claimed Ramesh Kumar accepted providing question papers five hours before an exam and revealed that e-mitra owner Mohan Lal, resident of Dedwa in Sanchore, used to help in photo editing of the applications.

The accused in police custody at Balotara on Saturday

Court says girl can tell a stalker from passerby, gives man 2-yr RI

Court says girl can tell a stalker from passerby, gives man 2-yr RI

Rebecca.Samervel@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:26.09.2021

Observing that a girl is aware about who is following her and who is just a passerby, a Pocso court convicted and sentenced a 33-yearold man to two years’ rigorous imprisonment for stalking a 17-year-old girl on her way home from tuitions in 2019. Observing that sexually harassing minors when they are pursuing their education creates fear, judge Bharti Kale said leniency cannot be shown.

“The accused has not justified his reason for going after the victim every day. Therefore, the contention that he was not following the victim but only heading to work from the road in front of the victim’s building does not appear to be truthful,” said the court. The accused, Jamil Shaikh, was also fined Rs 5,000.

The minor refuted the defence’s argument that she was meeting her boyfriend in the building and when she was caught, she falsely implicated the accused. “Now, if the victim was meeting her boyfriend regularly and her parents grew suspicious, they would not have allowed her to go out of the house every day between 8.00pm and 9.30pm. Except bare suggestions that she was going to meet her boyfriend, there is nothing on record to prove the same,” the court said.

The prosecution, however, could not prove that the accused had held the girl’s hand just before he was nabbed. The court said the police has not recorded the statements of any independent witnesses from the spot even though the incident occurred at a public place.

Shaikh has been in jail since his arrest on November 26, 2019. The court said his sentence will be set off against time already spent in jail.

The accused has not justified his reason for going after the victim every day. Therefore, the contention that he was not following the victim but only heading to work from the road in front of the victim’s building does not appear to be truthful, the court said

Univ working on transcripts in 24 hours

Univ working on transcripts in 24 hours

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune:26.09.2021

Talking about the pendency in getting transcripts and lack of tracking mechanism for documents sought by students, SPPU vice-chancellor Nitin Karmalkar said a committee is developing a system, where the marksheet and transcripts could be given together. The university was coming up with a mechanism to ensure delivery of transcripts within 24 hours of the application.

PhD viva voce at recognized research institutes

Talking about conducting viva voce of the PhD students of the pharmacy faculty in their own research institutes, Karmalkar said, “Due to the restrictions, all viva voce are online. We will soon come out with a circular stating that even in the future, all viva voce would be held at their own research centres,” Karmalkar said.

No change in vax gap, interval working well, says NTAGI chief

No change in vax gap, interval working well, says NTAGI chief

Nisha.Nambiar@timesgroup.com

Pune:26.09.2021

Dr N K Arora, chairman, Covid-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), on Saturday ruled out any changes in the gap between two doses of Covishield, citing scientific studies suggesting the vaccine’s higher efficacy when the interval between the shots was longer.

“Any further changes would be based only on scientific evidence and not on random demands,” Arora told TOI on Saturday, stressing that the current interval had been working well.

Several states, including Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, are keen to reduce the gap between the two doses of Covishield from the current 84 days.

Arora said data from the vaccine tracker platform indicated that the way the Covishield doses were currently being administered was fine. Therefore, there was no need to change it as of now, he said, adding that the vaccine’s effectiveness in the current interval was being monitored constantly.

Virologist T Jacob John differed a bit. He told TOI the Covishield doses’ gap could be reduced to four weeks for individuals at high risk and senior citizens. “They (authorities) should at least think about it,” he said. Explaining his thought, the retired professor and the head of department of clinical virology and microbiology of Christian Medical College (Vellore) said, “If someone wants early immunity, give the second dose at four weeks. But if you want the maximum possible immunity, wait for 84 days. Two doses save lives. So, for individuals at high risk of severe disease and death, four weeks’ interval is the best. For them, protection delayed could mean protection denied. For all others between 18 and 60 years, the 84-day interval is logical.”

Dr Anish T S, associate professor at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, also said a shorter gap could be considered for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and people with comorbidities. “The effectiveness of a single dose may not be sufficient to protect them from clinically severe diseases in the context of the Delta variant,” he said.

Dr M K Sudarshan, chairman of the Karnataka government Covid-19 technical advisory committee, told TOI they had recommended that the Karnataka health minister reduce the time gap of Covishield doses to about six weeks because there were sufficient vaccines but not enough second dose takers. “There is enough scientific evidence that one to two months’ gap is efficacious,” he said.

Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, member, National Indian Medical Task Force on Corona Epidemic, told TOI a longer gap was better for long-term protection. “At present, it is best to have a longer gap to protect people from severe disease,” he added.

Vaccine effectiveness monitored constantly, said NTAGI’s Dr N K Arora

‘No vax for children before schools open; parents, teachers need jabs’

There was no need to vaccinate children for reopening schools, said NTAGI task force chairman Dr N K Arora on Saturday. “What is important is to vaccinate parents, teachers and school staffers before the resumption of physical classes,” he said.

Vaccination of healthy children would commence next year, but the immunization of kids with comorbidities would start next month, Dr Arora said. He said they were finalising the list of comorbidities in this age group and it would be ready in the next 8-10 days.

Virologist Dr T Jacob John said the priority of vaccination for children was not high and schools should reopen before the immunisation programme was rolled out. TNN

After 7.5% quota, panel seeks school dropout database

After 7.5% quota, panel seeks school dropout database

Also recommends that skills of students be identified at schools

Published: 26th September 2021 05:34 AM 

The counselling process underway at the Government Central Polytechnic College at Taramani in Chennai. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Justice D Murugesan committee, formed to analyse the reasons for fewer enrolment of government school students in engineering and other professional courses, has recommended the creation of a database on school dropouts.

“Creating a database of school dropouts is crucial. Unless we create a database, we will never know how many students dropped out to become labourers or victims of child marriage,” said Prince Gajendra Babu, an educationist.

It was based on the recommendations of the committee report that the State government introduced the 7.5 per cent horizontal reservation for government school students in admissions to professional courses. The report also wanted the skills of the students to be identified at school-level itself on the basis of their flair and aptitude. Further, it recommended a revision of the school syllabus to meet the requirements of modern technology, and suggested a mechanism to establish permanent training centres for teachers to update them on the proper utilisation of modern education technology and on the subjects they teach.

“In the pandemic period, teaching has no longer been the same. There have been behavioural changes in students, with their patience and attention levels dropping. Add the introduction of digital technology to it, and our government school teachers will need continuous training,” said M Sashidharan, a retired government college teacher.

“If we genuinely intend to give our government school students their due in professional courses, then all these points, which focus on holistic improvement of our schools, need to be followed,” added Sashidharan. The report also wants the government to focus more on improving the quality of schools. “Government systems generally focus on expansion, which too is a must. But, the schemes which aim to improve quality often get ignored at implementation stage albeit finding a prominent mention in the policies,” mentions the report.

An analysis in the report shows that only 12,659 government school students had joined engineering courses during the academic year 2019-20, representing a paltry 5.59 per cent of the available 2,26,385 seats during the year. In 2020-21, the number was 13,082, just 6.14 per cent of a total of 212932 seats available. The percentage of first generation government school students joining engineering courses stood at 2.41 per cent and 3.22 per cent during academic year 2019-2020 and 2020-21 respectively.

‘Victim-blaming’ news reports upset family of murdered Madras Christian College student

‘Victim-blaming’ news reports upset family of murdered Madras Christian College student

Police officials said the family was disappointed with the media coverage of the crime as they felt some sections of the media blamed the victim.

Published: 25th September 2021 07:03 AM 

A shamiana put up outside the house of Swetha on Friday, a day after she was murdered near the Tambaram Railway Station | R Satish Babu

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A day after a 25-year-old man murdered a student of the Madras Christian College (MCC) near the Tambaram Railway Station, grief filled the locality where the family of the victim, Swetha, resides. Police officials said the family was disappointed with the media coverage of the crime as they felt some sections of the media blamed the victim.

Meanwhile, the accused Ramachandran’s father allegedly attempted to beat his son at the hospital as he was agitated by the youngster’s act, police sources said. In his statement to the police, Ramachandran said he bought a knife to kill himself in front of Swetha as a sign of protest since she broke up with him, but ended up murdering her in a fit of rage after an argument. On realising the people around would nab him and hand him to the police, he inflicted an injury on his throat, but the attempt to commit suicide was stopped by the public, the police said.

On Friday morning, the police handed over Swetha’s body to her family after an autopsy. Their neighbourhood in Chromepet was filled with grief as several people visited the house to express condolences. Ramachandran was on Friday remanded in judicial custody after being discharged from hospital. Quoting him, the police said he had asked Swetha to meet him in front of the Tambaram Railway Station, and Ramachandran bought the knife before boarding the train at Maraimalai Nagar.

One of Swetha’s friends told the police the victim had said her troubles would end after meeting Ramachandran and she would be able to carry on with her life. Ramachandran, a native of Nagapattinam, was working in Maraimalai Nagar, and is said to have known the victim for three years.

Pilot study in RGGGH on chronic kidney disease

Pilot study in RGGGH on chronic kidney disease

The Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) has started a pilot study to identify chronic kidney disease among the rural population.

Published: 26th September 2021 06:39 AM 

By Omjasvin MD

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) has started a pilot study to identify chronic kidney disease among the rural population. Doctors said the drive began on Saturday and would cover up to 1,500 people.

“We have had eight patients with kidney diseases from Sengadu in Kancheepuram in the past and some were from the same street. So we wanted to know why the prevalence of kidney issues is high in this village,” Dr N Gopalakrishnan, Director of Institute of Nephrology told TNIE.

In the project, 40 doctors and more than 20 technicians are involved. Gopalakrishnan said the pilot study primarily focuses on identifying the illness early and providing treatment. “The village has 387 families and 1,500 people,” he said, adding most patients were in their 20s and 30s.

Hospital Dean, Dr E Theranirajan, said unknown factors could have caused the illness but after early detection and treatment, they would study the cause as well. “Early detection can save these lives and prevent the illness from going critical,” he said.

Doctors believe water salinity and contamination can contribute to early kidney disease. “The community medicine department had been assigned for outreach but this is the first time the nephrology department is doing an outreach programme,” the dean said.

Aadhaar authentication of taxpayers must for GST refund

Aadhaar authentication of taxpayers must for GST refund

New Delhi:26.09.2021

The government has made Aadhaar authentication of taxpayers mandatory for claiming Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended GST rules bringing in various anti-evasion measures, including disbursal of refunds only in the bank account which is linked with the same PAN on which GST registration has been obtained.

The notification also states that from January 1, 2022 businesses that have defaulted in filing summary return and paying monthly GST will not be able to file GSTR-1 sales return of the succeeding month.

The notification follows the decisions taken at the GST Council meeting on September 17. PTI

Now, Aadhaar of taxpayers must for GST refund

Now, Aadhaar of taxpayers must for GST refund

26.09.2021

New Delhi:

The government has made Aadhaar authentication of taxpayers mandatory for claiming Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended GST rules bringing in various anti-evasion measures, including disbursal of refunds only in the bank account which is linked with the same PAN on which GST registration has been obtained. The notification also states that from January 1, 2022 businesses that have defaulted in filing summary return and paying monthly GST will not be able to file GSTR-1 sales return of the succeeding month. PTI

No change in Covishield dose gap: NTAGI

No change in Covishield dose gap: NTAGI

Nisha.Nambiar@timesgroup.com

Pune:26.09.2021

Dr NK Arora, chairman of the Covid-19 working group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), on Saturday ruled out any change in the gap between two doses of Covishield, saying scientific studies suggest higher efficacy when the interval is longer.

“Any further changes would be based only on scientific evidence and not on random demands,” Arora said. Several states, including Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, are keen to reduce the interval, which is currently 84 days.

Arora said data from the vaccine tracker platform indicated that the way the Covishield doses are being administered is fine.

‘Consider cutting Covishield gap for some’

Therefore, there was no need to change it as of now, he said, adding that the vaccine’s effectiveness in the current interval is being monitored constanty. Virologist T Jacob John differed a little, saying the Covishield dose gap could be reduced to four weeks for senior citizens and individuals at high risk. “They (authorities) should at least think about it,” he said.

Explaining his thought, the retired professor and the head department of clinical virology and microbiology of Christian Medical College (Vellore) said, “If someone wants early immunity, give the second dose at four weeks. But if you want the maximum possible immunity, wait for 84 days. Two doses save lives. So, for individuals at high risk of severe disease and death, four weeks’ interval is the best. For them, protection delayed could mean protection denied. For all others aged between 18 and 60, the 84-day interval is logical.”

Dr MK Sudarshan, chairman of the Karnataka government’s Covid-19 technical advisory committee, said they had recommended the Karnataka health minister to reduce the time gap of Covishield doses to about six weeks because there were sufficient vaccines but not enough second dose takers. “There is enough scientific evidence that one to two months’ gap is effective,” he said.

Theatres & auditoriums to reopen in Maha from Oct 22

A day after the Maharashtra government announced reopening of schools and religious places, CM Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday approved the reopening of cinema halls and auditoriums in the state from October 22. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is still being compiled and will be issued by the government in the next few days. The decision was taken following a meeting of Thackeray with filmmakers, members of the state Covid task force and senior state officials. Cinema and theatre professionals welcomed the CM’s announcement to restart halls on October 22. Stage artistes were especially pleased that their reopening was advanced from the earlier appointed date of November 5.

No need to vaccinate children for reopening schools, says Dr Arora

There was no need to vaccinate children for reopening schools, said NTAGI task force chairman Dr NK Arora. “What is important is to vaccinate parents, teachers and school staffers before the resumption of physical classes,” he said.

The vaccination of healthy children would commence next year, but the immunization of children with comorbidities would start next month, Dr Arora said. He said they were finalising the list of comorbidities in this age group and it would be ready in the next 8-10 days. Virologist Dr T Jacob John said the priority of vaccination for children was not high and schools should reopen before the immunization programme was rolled out.