Plane crashes in US shortly after take-off, all 21 on board exit safely

Plane crashes in US shortly after take-off, all 21 on board exit safely

Houston:12.10.2021

A plane crashed at takeoff on Tuesday in Texas, with all 21 passengers and crew on board scrambling to safety before the aircraft burst into flames. Television images showed fire fighters spraying water onto the burning remains of the plane, which came to a halt across a track in a field, surrounded by trees and bushes. The fuselage was reduced to ashes, with only the tail section surviving as black smoke poured from the wreckage.

“Fortunately all 21 passengers including three crew members were reported as safely evacuated from this twin-engine jet before it was fully engulfed in flames,” the Katy fire department said in a statement. The McDonnell Douglas MD-87 plane was taking off from Houston Executive Airport, Brookshire, bound for Boston when it crashed, officials said. Local reports said it was taking fans to watch a play-off baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday evening.

Tim Gibson, director of the Waller Harris county emergency services, said the passengers and crew “were stunned... but they did all self-extricate.” Officials said one passenger was a 10-year old child, and one person was treated for back pain after the crash. AFP

Man gets 1 year’s RI for pulling hand of 8-yr-old neighbour

Man gets 1 year’s RI for pulling hand of 8-yr-old neighbour

Mumbai:12.10.2021

A 31-year-old man was recently sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment (RI) for pulling his 8-year-old neighbour’s arm when drunk during Diwali last year. The court reasoned that while the act of holding hands did not reflect any sexual intent, there is cogent evidence to show that the accused used criminal force by pulling the hand of the girl. “The accused had knowledge that such acts will amount to outraging the modesty of the victim,” the special Pocso court said.

While the accused was also booked for touching the minor’s body inappropriately, he was acquitted on those charges. “As far as the accused touching the chest of victim, there is no cogent evidence on record. There is material variance in the evidence and statement of the victim before the police, Metropolitan Magistrate Court and also in the history narrated at the time of medical examination,” the court said. The court further said that there was no evidence on record to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed sexual assault and caused sexual harassment. The court added that as far as act pulling hand of the victim, there is consistent and cogent evidence and it has gone unchallenged.

The accused was also fined Rs 10,000, out of which Rs 8,000 will be given to the child as compensation. The accused was in jail since November 12, 2020, and his sentence will be set off against the period of detention undergone by him during investigation and trial.

While the maximum sentence for outraging modesty is two years imprisonment, the court said that considering the nature of offence, age of the accused and that his mother is dependent on him, a year’s sentence will meet the ends of justice .Among the four witnesses was the child, her mother, a neighbour and a police officer. The child told the court that the incident took place in November 2020 at 8.30 pm. Referring to the accused as “bewda uncle” (drunkard uncle), she confided in her mother. The father confronted the accused and then went to the cops. The neighbour told the court that on the day of incident he had seen the accused very drunk, hence, asked him to go home. Relying on the witness statements, the court said, “The evidence on record reflects that the accused was in an inebriated state at the time of incident. The accused has pulled the hand of the victim and the victim felt bad and therefore she has immediately informed her mother and the report came to be lodged.” TNN

Rape-accused juvenile given bail with education rider

Rape-accused juvenile given bail with education rider

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:12,10,2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court has granted bail to a juvenile, who was accused of raping a woman older than him, after the legal and probation officer’s report stated that the alleged offence had been committed by him “under the influence of his company”. The court, however, allowed this concession on the condition that his parents would provide him education to enable him to get gainful employment.

The HC also directed the parents to ensure that the boy does not “come in association with a person of criminal antecedents” and is not exposed to any physical, moral and psychological danger. “The parents of the petitioner shall file an affidavit to this effect before the Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Nuh,” observed the HC.

The court, however, made it clear that if the parents failed to comply with these conditions, the bail granted to the boy would be cancelled.

Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul of the HC passed these orders while allowing a revision petition filed by the child from Haryana’s Nuh, seeking release on bail in the rape case. The allegation is that in March 2020, he along with others had allegedly dragged a womaninto a car and raped her.He was arrested in this case and his plea for bail was rejected by the JJB and the district court Nuh after which he had approached the HC.

Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the victim in this case had attained the age of majority and was in a relationship with the petitioner. She had accompanied him of her own accord on the date of the alleged crime. Despite the name of the petitioner having been told to the family by her sister-in-law, they kept quiet and it was only after the prosecutrix (victim) allegedly returned home after two days of the alleged kidnapping, they chose to report the crime to police.

ISCE puts off Boards: ‘Reason beyond control’

ISCE puts off Boards: ‘Reason beyond control’

Kolkata:12.10.2021

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has decided to postpone the first semester ICSE and ISC 2022 exams, which were originally scheduled to start on November 15. A circular announcing this, issued by council chief executive and secretary Gerry Arathoon, reached school principals late on Tuesday, saying the decision was taken due to “reasons beyond our control”. A revised schedule would be announced “in due course”, according to the circular. The decision comes a day after the CBSE on Monday declared its first term offline board examination schedule: from November 30 for Class X and from December 1 for Class XII. TNN

Daughter-in-law flees to Agra with jewellery

Daughter-in-law flees to Agra with jewellery

Jaipur:12.10.2021

A woman has filed an FIR at Bajaj Nagar police station alleging that her daughter-in-law allegedly fled with jewellery and ornaments when the entire family was under quarantine after contracting Covid.

Police said an FIR was registered by one Kalpana Vardani on Sunday. She alleged that the entire family was suffering from the infection and had under quarantined themselves following the doctor’s directions.

OnMay25,shelearnedthat her daughter-in-law Lubhawna left for Agra in a taxi. She also took away keys to two closets with her. The family claimed that when she inquired her as to why she left during a lockdown, she replied that she had to attend a family function and had booked a taxi.

As per the complaint, the family contacted the girl’s father two months later and he replied that his daughter does not want to live with them and allegedly threatened to file a case too. Police said the complainant had alleged that some of her jewellery was missing from the house and suspected that Lubhawna took it with her.

While an FIR under Section 379 (Theft) has been filed, police said they are investigating if there was any family dispute involved. A preliminary investigation has begun based on the family’s FIR. Officials said they have sought details of jewellery and ornaments missing from the house.

A complaint in the case was filed on September 13. “The case is under investigation. We are examining to determine if indeed items were stolen as alleged by the family. There could be some family issues involved too, which can not be ruled out as yet,” the official said, adding that details of items and the keys have been sought. TNN

Study shows how sleeping hours are associated with one’s snacking choices

Study shows how sleeping hours are associated with one’s snacking choices

12.10.2021

A recent study suggests that completing recommended sleeping hours can lead to smarter snacking choices. The study abstract has been published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the research will be presented in a poster session on October 18 at the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in 2021.

The results suggest that people who miss the recommended seven or more hours of sleep at night may take worse snacks than those who follow closed-eyed guidelines.

The analysis of data on nearly 20,000 American adults showed a link between not meeting sleep recommendations and eating more snack-related carbohydrates, with added sugar, fat and caffeine.

It turns out that the preferred non-meal categories – salty snacks and sweets and non-alcoholic beverages – are the same among adults regardless of sleep habits, but those who get less sleep tend to eat more snack calories in a day in general.

The research also revealed what appears to be a popular American habit that is not affected by how much we sleep: snacking at night.

“At night, we drink our calories and eat a lot of convenience foods,” said Christopher Taylor, professor of medical dietetics at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Ohio State University and senior author of the study. “Not only are we not sleeping when we stay up late, but we’re doing all these obesity-related behaviours: lack of physical activity, increased screen time, food choices that we consume as snacks and not as meals. So it creates this greater effect. of meeting or not meeting sleep recommendations,” he added.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society recommends that adults regularly sleep seven hours or longer at night to promote optimal health. Getting less sleep than recommended is associated with a higher risk of a number of health problems, including weight gain and obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. “We know that lack of sleep is associated with obesity on a larger scale, but it’s all these little behaviours that are rooted around how it happens,” Taylor said.

Researchers analysed data from 19,650 US adults between the ages of 20 and 60 who had participated from 2007 to 2018 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study collected 24-hour diet calls from each participant, but when, all food was consumed – and asking people questions about their average amount of night’s sleep during the work week.

The participants were into those who either made or did not meet sleep recommendations based on whether they reported sleeping seven or more hours or less than seven hours each night. The researchers estimated participants’ snack-related nutritional intake and categorised all snacks into food groups. Three snacking times were determined for the analysis: 2: 00-11: 59 am in the morning, noon-5: 59 pm in the afternoon and 6 pm-1: 59 am for the evening. Statistical analysis showed that almost everyone – 95.5 percent – ate at least one snack a day, and over 50 percent of the snacking calories among all participants came from two broad categories that included sodas and energy drinks and chips, pretzels, cookies and pastries.

Although there are plenty of physiological factors that play into the relationship of sleep to health, Taylor said that changing behaviour by avoiding nocturnal nosh could especially help adults not only meet the sleep guidelines but also improve their diet. ANI

Eating breakfast early may prevent risk of diabetes, says study

Eating breakfast early may prevent risk of diabetes, says study

12.10.2021

If you miss your breakfast regularly, the findings of a new study might change your ways. A new study says that people who get up early do not just stay healthy, but also have better blood sugar levels as compared to their counterparts who do not wake up early and do not eat their breakfast on time.

The findings of the study showed that eating early in the morning hours is linked to lower insulin resistance and a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago revealed how they observed that people who started eating earlier in the day have less insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. The results were regardless of whether the individuals restricted their food intake to 10 hours or less than 10 hours in a day.

To draw patterns between-meal timings and levels of blood sugar and insulin, the team of researchers analysed data derived from 10,575 adults from a national survey on health and nutrition. It was found that intermittent fasting or eating during a 10-hour window or less each day was linked to higher insulin resistance. In short, people who fasted were less responsive to insulin and this resistance becomes a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. — Agencies

Vax certificate: Modi, Johnson welcome UK recognition

Vax certificate: Modi, Johnson welcome UK recognition

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:12.10.2021

After India and UK sorted out their differences over issues related to post-Covid travel, PM Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson spoke Monday about recent developments in bilateral ties, including the Roadmap 2030 they had announced earlier this year, with focus on trade, defence and climate change related issues.

As they discussed the “shared fight'' against Covid-19 and the importance of cautiously opening up international travel, according to a UK readout of the conversation, the two leaders agreed UK’s recognition of Indian vaccine certification was a welcome development to that end. The recognition means that fully vaccinated Indian travellers will no longer be allowed to undergo a 10-day mandatory quarantine on arrival.

Apart from trade and climate exchange, the two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the need to develop a common international perspective on issues regarding extremism and terrorism, as well as human rights and rights of women and minorities.

According to a press release issued by the government of India, they also reviewed the progress of the Enhanced Trade Partnership and agreed on the potential of rapidly expanding trade and investment linkages between both countries.

Court upholds blacklisting of firm for backing out of tender bid

Court upholds blacklisting of firm for backing out of tender bid

Following this, it was given the selection letter 20 days after the opening of the tender.

Published: 20th October 2021 05:24 AM 

Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A division bench of the Madras High Court upheld blacklisting and forfeiture of earnest money deposit (EMD) of Muthoot Exim Private Limited for backing out of its bid for supplying gold coins to be distributed to beneficiaries of the State government’s welfare schemes. The division bench of Justices Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Krishnan Ramasamy upheld the order of a single judge who dismissed the petitions of Muthoot, and stated that a judicial review cannot be invoked.

The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare department had floated a tender on 31 July, 2018 for supply of 1.11 lakh gold coins weighing eight grams of 22 carat for distribution to beneficiaries of five major welfare schemes. Muthoot Exim Private Limited participated in the tender and agreed to supply 20,000 gold coins.

Following this, it was given the selection letter 20 days after the opening of the tender. Citing steep rise in the price of gold during the intervening period, the firm requested the Social Welfare department to consider fixing the current gold rate or that it be allowed to withdraw its bid.

However, the department initiated proceedings for confiscating the EMD amount of Rs 53 lakh for not adhering to the firm order as per the rules the of Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Rules, 2000 and clause 7 (e) of the tender document. Subsequently, the firm was blacklisted on 5 February, 2019 from entering into any government tenders.

Fever cases rising in Salem amid Covid fear

Fever cases rising in Salem amid Covid fear

Government hospitals across the district reported 1,034 fever cases in the month of September and 629 cases as of October 12.

Published: 20th October 2021 10:12 AM 

By M Sabari

Express News Service

SALEM: Fever cases are on the rise in the district which has recorded widespread rain in the last few weeks. Most hospitals and clinics reported an increase in footfall of patients, children, in particular, complaining of fever.

Government hospitals across the district reported 1,034 fever cases in the month of September and 629 cases as of October 12.

Since fever is a symptom of Covid-19, people are rushing to health care centres to confirm if it is viral fever or Covid.

V Swami (58), a resident of Gorimedu, said he was down with fever and cough last week and rushed to a clinic. “ I saw more than 20 people waiting to see the doctor and all were fever cases. Doctors are asking us to take blood tests. With Covid-19 not yet eradicated, this creates additional fear,” he added.

Malar of Angammal Colony said her four-year-old daughter had to be hospitalised for fever. “Over 50 parents brought their children to the hospital while I was there and everybody complained of fever,” she said.

A paediatrician in the city said the people were rushing to hospitals due to Covid-19 fear. “Not all fever are symptoms of Covid-19. However, people should not ignore fever or flu-like symptoms and should visit a doctor immediately,” he said. Parents must monitor if children are active and eat well, he added.

Health officials said most of the fever cases were mosquito-borne and that they had deployed domestic breeding checkers to visit every household and check for water stagnation. “Water distributed to the residents in Salem is double chlorinated. People should wash the water tanks at houses before storing water as it would remove larvae,” the officials said.

Salem City Municipal Corporation (SCMC) Commissioner T Chirsturaj said they would soon conduct mass camps and raise awareness and remove mosquito breeding sources. District Deputy Director for Health Services Nalini was unavailable for comments.

Six daughters and all of them doctors: A heart-warming story from Kerala's Kozhikode

Six daughters and all of them doctors: A heart-warming story from Kerala's Kozhikode

Interestingly, the spouses of Fathima, Hajra, Ayesha, and Faiza are also doctors. Kumhamed Kutty and his wife were also against dowry

Published: 20th October 2021 06:12 PM 

Zaina (third from right) flanked by her doctor family. (Photo | Special Arrangement)

By Gladwin Emmanuel

Online Desk

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. This is true in the case of Ahamed Kunhamed Kutty and his wife Zaina Ahmed of Nadapuram in Kozhikode district of Kerala.

When Zaina Ahamed gave birth to six daughters, Ahamed and his wife didn't despair. Rather they were happy. Ahamed was a progressive thinker. He envisioned a life for his daughters in which they would serve society better and be role models for others.

His wish did not take long to turn into reality. All the six daughters of the couple did well in their studies and would go on to be doctors. Wait, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

Four daughters namely, Fathima Ahamed 39, Hajra Ahamed 33, Ayesha Ahamed 30, and Faiza Ahamed are already practicing doctors. Raihana Ahamed 23 is doing her final year MBBS in Chennai while the youngest Ameera Ahamed is in the first year of her MBBS course in Mangalore.

Interestingly, the spouses of Fathima, Hajra, Ayesha, and Faiza, namely, Dr Rishad Rasheed, Dr Ajnas Mohammed Ali, Dr Abdurahman Padiyath Manapat, and Dr Ajas Haroon respectively are also doctors.

Zaina was only 12 years old when she was married off to her cousin Ahamed. At the time, he was running a business in Chennai. After the birth of their first daughter, Ahamed went to Qatar with his wife and daughter where he was employed in a refinery.

Hajra, who did a BDS course while all the others opted for MBBS, recalls the evenings in Qatar when their parents used to infuse them with the importance of doing well in their studies and serving society.

Once they returned from school, there used to be a family gathering when their parents chatted with their daughters about several things, particularly their studies and future.

Ahamed Kunhamed Kutty and his wife Zaina Ahmed

"My Uppa liked medicine. When he couldn't become a doctor he dreamt of making his brother a doctor. But his brother went on to become a teacher and he's known as Soofi teacher in our place," Hajra said.

So, naturally, Ahamed wished that one of his daughters would fulfill his dreams. Fathima opted for MBBS and she took to the course like a duck to water. The positive feedback from Fathima inspired her other sisters also to go in for medicine. Behind it, all was the advice of their parents.

In fact, one of the sisters, Ayesha was interested in doing law. But her parents told her she can pursue it after completing her MBBS course.

Similarly, when it came to the marriage of their daughters, Ahamed and his wife were specific that their daughters should marry someone from the same profession so that it would help the young couple understand each other better. They were also against the practice of dowry. They didn't want to "sell off" their daughters but marry them off to a person who understood and loved them.

After working in Qatar for nearly 35 years, the couple with their daughters returned to Kerala. About two years later, Ahamed suffered chest pain and passed away. At the time, only two of the daughters were married off. Thereafter, Zaina encouraged and inspired her daughters to pursue their courses and married off two other daughters.

Fathima is presently working in a military hospital in Abu Dhabi. Hajra said she had returned from abroad and is planning to do her PG course.

Ayesha is serving in a hospital in Kodungallur while Faiza and her husband work in Kochi.

This story would read like a dream. But, as they say, Rome was not built in a day. The six women doctors and their mother would testify.

The sisters don't have a photograph taken together with their Uppa. They carry an image of him in their hearts.

National Medical Commission Public Notice 14.10.2021

 

HC asks Muslim man to give maintenance to divorced wife

HC asks Muslim man to give maintenance to divorced wife

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:12.10.2021

“A Muslim marriage is not a sacrament, (and) does not repel certain rights and obligations arising from its dissolution,” the Karnataka high court has said, rejecting a man’s plea and coming to the rescue of his ex-wife, who has been battling for enforcement of the trial court’s maintenance decree for the past decade.

Contracting another marriage after pronouncing talaq upon his first wife, a Muslim man cannot say he has to maintain the new wife and their child, and cite the same as a ground for not discharging maintenance, Justice Krishna S Dixit said.

The petitioner, Ezazur Rehman, had pleaded that he could not pay maintenance to his ex-wife, Saira Banu, as he had remarried and had to provide for his wife and their child. The judge, in his order, said Rehman ought to have known his responsibility towards his ex-wife, who does not have anything to fall back on. The responsibility of paying maintenance arises from his own act of talaq, and prior to marrying another woman, the court said.

Quoting the Quran and Hadith, the judge said the right of a divorced woman for maintenance is conditioned on three cumulative factors — insignificant mehr amount, inability of the woman to sustain herself, and if she does not remarry. A Muslim marriage “dissolved by divorce, per se does not annihilate all the duties and obligations of parties by lock, stock and barrel”, the judge noted in the order passed on October 7.

The judge also said Rehman’s contention is repugnant to law, morality and ethics and that if such a contention is countenanced, it would only encourage talaq which the law shuns.

Citing various conventions on human and particularly women’s rights, the judge pointed out that divorce brings hardship to women, and more so to divorced Muslim women. Divorced women’s tears are “hidden in their veils”, he noted, and it is not that unscrupulous men do not know this. Justice Dixit imposed Rs 25,000 cost on Rehman and requested the trial court judge to execute the same on a war footing and report compliance to the registrar general of the HC within three months.

The responsibility of paying maintenance arises from his own act of talaq, and prior to marrying another woman, the court said

‘Superior court can set aside bail if key factors ignored’

‘Superior court can set aside bail if key factors ignored’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:12.10.2021

The Supreme Court has reiterated that if all relevant factors were not taken into consideration while granting bail then the superior court can set it aside.

“Where a court considering an application for bail fails to consider relevant factors, an appellate court may justifiably set aside the order granting bail. An appellate court is thus required to consider whether the order granting bail suffers from a non-application of mind or is not borne out from a prima facie view of the evidence on record. It is thus necessary for this Court to assess whether, on the basis of the evidentiary record, there existed a prima facie or reasonable ground to believe that the accused had committed the crime, also taking into account the seriousness of the crime and the severity of the punishment…” a bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said while quoting apex court judgement passed in 2020 in Mahipal v. Rajesh Kumar.

It passed the order while quashing anticipatory bail granted to an accused. “The court has to determine whether on the basis of the material available at this stage, the High Court has applied the correct principles in allowing the applications for anticipatory bail.

The offence is of a serious nature in which Vikas Singh was murdered.

The FIR and the statements under Sections 161 and 164 of the CrPC indicate a specific role to Jogendra Singh and Suryabhan Singh in the crime. The order granting anticipatory bail has ignored material aspects, including the nature and gravity of the offence, and the specific allegations against Jogendra Singh and Suryabhan Singh. Hence, a sufficient case has been made out for cancelling the anticipatory bail granted by the High Court,” it said.

The court has to determine whether on the basis of the material available at this stage, the High Court has applied the correct principles in allowing the applications for anticipatory bail

MU gets A++ rating till 2028

MU gets A++ rating till 2028

Mumbai:12.10.2021

Mumbai University’s rating from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) will be valid for seven years — as opposed to five — till 2028. High-performing institutions are given an extension by the council based on scores. MU recently bagged A++, with a score of 3.65 CGPA (cumulative grade point average), and became one of the highest rated public universities in the state, so far. As per the New Education Policy, MU will also be recognised as a research university. TNN

Airline industry goes private but ‘VIP culture’ seems set to stay

Airline industry goes private but ‘VIP culture’ seems set to stay

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.10.2021

India has moved on to an era of private airlines (except for Alliance Air, which will also be sold off soon) and an increasing number of airports under the private-public partnership model, but ‘VIP culture’ seems set to remain firmly in place.

A letter from the Union aviation ministry on September 21 (before Air India was taken over by the Tatas) asked all airlines, airport operators and the aviation security regulator to ensure compliance with the “protocol/courtesy/ support to members of Parliament at airports”. Pointing out that these instructions had been issued from time to time, it said “some issues of negligence... have come to the notice of this ministry”. It requested “all concerned... to comply with the same in letter and spirit”.

While the letter listed the protocol that Air India had to follow and did not specifically name private airlines, the directive is applicable to them too. Among other things, the protocol said the duty manager, senior staff should facilitate MPs in completion of check-in formalities, make efforts to reserve seats in the front row for them; airport operators should provide MPs access to reserved lounges along with free tea, coffee or water.

TWIST IN THE TAIL

Guv’s tips for good NAAC grade to univ

 Guv’s tips for good NAAC grade to univ

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:12.10.2021

Governor Anandiben Patel directed officials of Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) to take students’ views before deciding the curriculum.

She gave suggestions on what the university should do to get a good grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) while viewing the university’s presentation of the self-assessment report for NAAC evaluation at Raj Bhavan on Monday.

The governor, also the chancellor of all state universities, advised university officials that to get a good NAAC grade, it was necessary to analyze the progress of the arrangements and discuss the same with the committees formed for NAAC. Work progress should be reviewed by dividing the tasks among responsible committees so that the work can be completed at a faster pace.

During the presentation, the governor also suggested that improving the facilities of the university according to NAAC standards is essential.

The university must have sports facilities for the differently-abled, she said.

Every UP dist will get a medical college, says Yogi

Every UP dist will get a medical college, says Yogi

Issues Ayushman Bharat Cards To Beneficiaries

Neha.Lalchandani@timesgroup.com

Lucknow:12.10.2021

Having promised to extend health benefits to those below the poverty line ahead of the 2022 elections, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued Ayushman Bharat cards to Antyodaya card holders in Lucknow on Monday.

The CM had earlier set targets for all district administrations to identify beneficiaries under various welfare schemes and link them at the earliest. On Monday, as the government extended the Ayushman Bharat health cover to 1 lakh beneficiaries, he promised that before the end of his tenure, there would be one medical college sanctioned for all 75 districts of the state.

“Despite having the highest population in the country and 40 lakh migrant workers who returned to the state during the pandemic, UP arrested the spread of the pandemic through sustained, organised and coordinated efforts, coupled with micro planning and alertness,” Yogi said, adding that the state was serving as a model for others in controlling the spread of the coronavirus like it had earlier managed to prevent Japanese Encephalitis deaths in eastern UP.

Highlighting the efforts made by the government to expand healthcare facilities in the state, Yogi said that between 1947 and 2016, only 15 medical colleges were set up in UP while work on 49 medical colleges was underway.

CM Yogi Adityanath issued Ayushman Bharat cards to Antyodaya card holders in city

CM: Work taking place on 22 AIIMS

On the completion of his government’s five years in power, each district will have a medical college, the CM said.

“From 1947 to 2000, there was only one AIIMS. Between 2000 and 2004, then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee started work on six AIIMS. Currently, work is taking place on 22 AIIMS,” the CM said.

The Ayushman health insurance cards will be distributed to over 40 lakh Antyodaya ration card holder families across districts over the next few days. Under the scheme, over 1.30 crore people will be provided with a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year.

Dr VK Paul, member of the Centre’s core team for Covid-19 pandemic response, praised the UP government for its work on the pandemic.

“There could have been more than 70,000 cases per day in UP during the second wave, but due to the proactive measures implemented by the state government, the spread was controlled in the densely populated state,” he said.

‘Sense of purpose is associated with better memory, says study

‘Sense of purpose is associated with better memory, says study

12.10.2021

Times of India Hyderabad

A new study, led by Florida State University researchers, has shown a link between an individual’s sense of purpose and their ability to recall vivid details.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Memory. The researchers found that while both a sense of purpose and cognitive function made memories easier to recall, only a sense of purpose bestowed the benefits of vividness and coherence.The study focused on memories related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 800 study participants reported on their sense of purpose and completed tasks that measured their cognitive processing speed in January and February 2020, before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic took hold in the US Researchers then measured participants’ ability to retrieve and describe personal memories about the pandemic in July 2020, several months into the public health crisis.

Participants with a stronger sense of purpose in life reported that their memories were more accessible, coherent and vivid than participants with less purpose. Those with a higher sense of purpose also reported many sensory details, spoke about their memories more from a first-person perspective and reported more positive feelings and less negative feelings when asked to retrieve a memory.

The researchers also found that depressive symptoms had little effect on the ability to recall vivid details in memories, suggesting that the connection between life purpose and memory recall is not due to the fewer depressive symptoms among individuals higher in purpose.

— IANS

Govt clears Akasa airline, to take flight by summer

Govt clears Akasa airline, to take flight by summer

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:12.10.2021

The government has given the go ahead to the billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed startup airline Akasa. The aviation ministry has issued it the no objection certificate (NOC), following which it will now apply for air operator permit from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and hopes to start flying next summer.

The proposed ultra lowcost carrier (LCC) SNV Aviation, which will fly under the brand name Akasa Air, is piloted by aviation veteran Vinay Dube, who is its CEO. Jhunjhunwala had recently met PM Narendra Modi in Delhi.

The airline is likely to place an order for about 100 Boeing 737 Max, with Airbus best selling A320 neo family of planes having a long waiting period for those placing orders now.

The DGCA has recently allowed modified B737 Max to fly in India. In a statement, the upcoming airline said it “plans to offer flights across India starting in the summer of 2022 with an endeavour to be the nation’s most dependable, affordable and greenest airline”.

Dube said, “We are extremely happy and grateful to the aviation ministry for their support and for the grant of the NOC. We will continue to work with the regulatory authorities on all additional compliances required to successfully launch Akasa Air… we believe having a robust air transportation system is critical for our nation’s progress.” “It is this belief that has motivated us to create a modern, efficient, quality conscious airline. Moreover, Akasa Air will serve all Indians regardless of their socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds with warmth, inclusiveness and respect. Because at the end of the day, it is these qualities that connect people and cultures and help Indians realise their dreams,” Dube, who has held top positions in Indian carriers like Jet Airways and Go-Air, added.

Next year will be one of the most exciting times Indian aviation has seen in recent times with Air India and Air India Express will then be flying as Tata Group airlines; Akasa would have taken birth and possibly Jet Airways 2.0 may have reincarnated.

HC notices to NMC, Kaloji on MBBS first year exam pattern

HC notices to NMC, Kaloji on MBBS first year exam pattern

SagarKumar.Mutha@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:12.10.2021

Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili of the high court has issued notices to the Union health ministry, the National Medical Commission, the Kaloji Health University and the state health department asking them to explain their stand on a petition filed by Kaitha Geethika and 30 other fellow MBBS students who challenged the examination pattern set by Kaloji University for first year and instant examinations.

Contending that they were conducted contrary to the manner that was prescribed in the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education (Amendment) Act, 2019, these students were seeking directions to the authorities to conduct a fresh supplementary examination for them this time in tune with the prescribed format.

According to their counsel Unnam Muralidhar Rao, the question paper set by the university was a complete mismatch to the guidelines framed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Scores of students failed in the main examination and also in the instant examination because the format was entirely different from the mode of training they received, the counsel added.

He explained to the court that the Medical Council of India (the predecessor of NMC) had introduced competency-based undergraduate curriculum (CBA) and brought in the 2019 statutory regulations for the new assessment method. The recent annual and the instant examination pertaining to MBBS first year were done contrary to this assessment mode and hence a huge number of students failed in their first-year examinations and were detained.

When students all over the country were failing in huge numbers, the central and state authorities must take corrective steps, he said. He also sought a direction to the university and medical colleges to allow the failed students to attend second year classes. The judge sought counters from authorities and medical colleges in which the petitioners were pursuing MBBS. The judge also asked G Pujitha, counsel for NMC, to ascertain their views and posted the case to October 21.

Medical institutes not apt authority to certify fitness standards for recruiting forces: HC

Medical institutes not apt authority to certify fitness standards for recruiting forces: HC

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:12.10.2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court has held that medical institutes like Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, are not the appropriate authority to certify standards required to be observed for medical examination for the armed forces.HC was of the view that the medical examination by such institutes cannot be taken into consideration for recruitment into the forces.

Justice Rajbir Sehrawat passed these orders while dismissing a plea filed by a Navy aspirant. The petitioner, Kuldeep Singh, had challenged the order dated May 4, passed by the Navy authorities though he was declared medically unfit for enrolment in the force. The petitioner had mainly argued that he was also examined by PGIMS, Rohtak, and that the institution has not found the problem as being reported by the Navy medical authorities.

“The medical examination by PGIMS, Rohtak, is of no relevance qua the requirements of the recruiting force. Hence, the same cannot be taken into consideration,” the judge held while dismissing the plea.

The petitioner had approached the HC seeking directions for re-examination by some independent medical board. His main emphasis was that since he got himself examined from PGIMS, Rohtak, and Medical Centre, Agroha, in which no such disease as pointed out by Navy authorities was reported. He had sought directions to give him some time to file an appeal against his rejection by the Navy authorities or to reexamine him by some independent medical board.

Responding to the petition, the Navy authorities informed the HC that the petitioner was examined by the graded specialist (ENT) and classified specialist (dermatology). On such examination, he was found to be fit qua his problem of ‘left tympanic membrane perforation (healed)’. However, the Appeal Medical Board found the petitioner on account of another problem — ‘keloid tendency (forearms)/hypertrophic scars’ and ‘hypopigmentation over hands/verruca valgaris’. The said problem has been graded as a reason for unfitness according to the standards of medical examination.

After hearing all the parties, the HC held that the petitioner could not be enrolled in the force, and hence, has been rightly declared to be medically unfit.

Dismissing a plea filed by a Navy aspirant, the Punjab and Haryana high court observed that the medical examination by such institutes cannot be taken into consideration for recruitment into the armed forces. “The medical examination by PGIMS, Rohtak, is of no relevance qua the requirements of the recruiting force,” the judge held

HC to examine if Hry employees selected in 2003 entitled to old pension scheme

HC to examine if Hry employees selected in 2003 entitled to old pension scheme

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:12.10.2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court would now examine whether an employee is entitled to seniority and pensionary benefits from the date of joining or from the date when other such employees, who were selected through the same selection process, had joined service.

Justice Arun Monga issued a notice to the Haryana government and has sought its response on the issue. He had taken cognizance of a petition filed by some drivers of the Haryana Roadways department, who had sought seniority and benefits of the old pension scheme on the ground that they were selected prior to the closure of the old pension scheme. However, they were allowed to join their duties after a gap of five years. The petitioners, Jagtar Singh and others, have been working in Sonipat, Palwal, and Faridabad depots of the state’s roadways department.

According to the petitioners, the Haryana government had decided to recruit 500 drivers in 2003. Tentative vacancies for the post of drivers in Faridabad depot were shown to be 40. Out of these, 20 posts were of the general category.

The selection list was published on July 30, 2003. In this list, the petitioners were selected for the post of driver. Some of the candidates were permitted to join on the posts on December 12, 2003, from the general category and some were permitted to join in December 2004. However, the petitioners, who were also selected as a part of the same process, were permitted to join the department in 2008 only after the intervention of the HC.

The petitioners had approached the transport department with a request that they had been selected after an advertisement issued in April 2003 along with the similarly situated persons, who were permitted to join the service immediately on their selection. Those who joined prior to the petitioners have been given benefits from 2003 but the petitioners were given the benefits from 2008.

The counsel for the petitioners, advocate Rajender Singh Malik argued that the petitioners were entitled to seniority from the same advertisement when they were selected but the seniority in the service to the petitioners has been awarded from the date of joining instead of the date of selection along with other similarsituated persons, who were selected under the same advertisement and under the same process.

“Seniority has to be assigned on the basis of the ranking given by the selection board and not on the basis of joining reports. Seniority fixed on the basis of joining reports is illegal,” Malik argued, citing some Supreme Court judgments.

The counsel sought the directions for quashing the order dated August 23 through which their claim regarding grant of ante-date seniority along with consequential benefits-- pensionary benefits under the old scheme.

Directions have also been sought for benefits under the old pension scheme by giving the petitioners deemed appointment from the date of joining of similarly situated persons by giving the notional benefits from the period December 12, 2003 to June 17, 2008, along with consequential benefits.

After hearing the plea, the HC has issued notice to the principal secretary, department of transport, Haryana and the director of the state’s transport department seeking their replies on the issue by February 3.

Court takes cognisance of a plea by some drivers of the Haryana Roadways dept, who were allowed to join after a gap of 5 years and had sought seniority and benefits of the old pension scheme on the ground that they were selected prior to the closure of the old pension scheme

Govt: MedEd AIQ doesn’t violate anyone’s rights

Govt: MedEd AIQ doesn’t violate anyone’s rights

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.10.2021

Justifying its decision to implement 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% for Economically Weaker Sections in the All-India Quota (AIQ) for admission in medical and dental colleges, the Centre has told the Supreme Court that grievances of the general category students who challenged the decision is “unfounded and misconceived” as it does not violate their fundamental rights.

The scheme was introduced in 1986 at the Supreme Court’s instance to provide domicile-free merit-based opportunities to students from any state to get admission in a good medical college in another state. AIQ at present consists of 15% of total available undergraduate seats and 50% of total available PG seats in government medical colleges. There was no reservation in AIQ up to 2007 when the SC permitted 15% reservation for Scheduled Castes and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes. Similarly, OBC and EWS quotas have also been extended to AIQ.

Govt decision has hurt general category students: Petitioners

A batch of MBBS doctors, who are aspiring to pursue higher education in medicine, approached the apex court through advocate Vivek Singh, seeking interim stay on the Centre's notification issued on July 29 for enforcing OBC and EWS quota in AIQ. They contended that the Centre's decision was contrary to the law laid down by the apex court and leaves only a miniscule number of seats for the general category students.

Countering the petitioners, the Centre in its reply said the decision was taken to bring equality of opportunities and without cost to the candidates from the unreserved category as the number of available seats has gone up. It said that in the last six years, MBBS seats in the country increased by 56 % from 54,348 seats in 2014 to 84,649 in 2020 and the number of PG seats increased by 80 % from 30,191 in 2014 to 54,275 seats in 2020. In the same period, 279 new colleges have been established and now the country has 558 medical colleges, the affidavit said.

"It is submitted that reservation, both to the backward category as well as EWS category, is on the broader considerations of equality of opportunities and the equality mandate viewed in the perspective of social justice. The government of India has therefore decided to provide for 27% reservation for OBC and 10% reservation for EWS in the AIQ scheme. The OBC students from across the country will now be able to take benefit of this reservation in the AIQ scheme to compete in any state. TNN

SC reduces sentence of person convicted of raping minor

SC reduces sentence of person convicted of raping minor

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:12.10.2021

In relief to a person convicted for raping a minor, the Supreme Court has reduced his sentence to eight-years imprisonment which he had already undergone. He was convicted for gang rape by trial court and was awarded a 20-year jail term.

A bench of Justices M R Shah and A R Bopanna upheld his conviction under Section 376 and not under Section 376D(gang rape) as done by trial court and Allahabad high court. The court also acquitted other accused in the case. The court said that the charge of gang rape has not been established with convincing evidence. “However, having already noted that the incident of rape alleged had been established, it would be a case to convict the appellant under Section 376 of IPC,” the Supreme Court bench said.

Denied hall ticket, SSLC girl tops supplementary

Denied hall ticket, SSLC girl tops supplementary

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:12.10.2021

Greeshma Nayak, the girl who was denied a hall ticket for SSLC exam over non-payment of fees, has topped the supplementary exam scoring 599 on 625.

Results of the SSLC supplementary exam held on September 27 and 29 were announced on Monday. Some 55.5% of the 53,115 candidates have cleared the exam.

The topper wants to be a doctor and is exploring PU colleges for admission. “I was prepared 100% for the main exam which I could not attend. With the supplementary, I got some more time to prepare. However, I made silly mistakes because of tension in the exam hall. Else, I could have scored better. I was so disappointed after the exams,” she said.

In mid-July this year, Greeshma was denied a hall ticket by her residential school in Daskhina Kannada district over fees. Her father, a farmer in Hanumanthapura village from Koratagere taluk in Tumakuru district, suffered losses during the pandemic and could not pay her Class 9 fees. Therefore, she was not allowed to join Class 10.

Have mixed emotions: Girl

Following media reports about the girl's plight, then education minister S Suresh Kumar visited her house. He promised her an opportunity in the supplementary exam. Along with Greeshma’s case, instances of several students who were denied hall tickets due to nonpayment of fees were raised.

On Monday, Greeshma said she has mixed emotions. “I was unhappy earlier because my batchmates were moving ahead while I was left behind as I couldn’t write the main exams. Now, I’m both happy and sad: Happy because I did very well; sad because all this happened. There are many students like me who have talent but no opportunity,” she said. “Education is everyone’s right,” she said.

Since she was denied admission to Class 10, Greeshma was taught by her 19-yearold sister, a BSc (agriculture) student. “For one full year, my sister taught me core subjects in front of a board in simulation of classroom experience and asked me to learn languages on my own. I started learning them three months before the exam,” she said. After the results were out, the girl called Kumar to thank him.

‘Midday meals from Oct 21’

BC Nagesh, minister for primary and secondary education, said midday meals will be resumed in schools from October 21 when they reopen after Dasara holidays. “Parents’ associations have had discussions with education officials on forming a fee regulatory committee in schools. We will look at how the model works in other states,” he said.