Marriage used as conversion tool: UP

Marriage used as conversion tool: UP

Rajesh Kumar Pandey TNN

Prayag raj:27.10.2021

The Uttar Pradesh government has defended its anti-conversion law in its affidavit before the Allahabad high court, stating that “since marriage is being used as an instrument to convert an individual’s religion against his/her will, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 seeks to remedy the malady”.

Following a direction of the high court, the Uttar Pradesh government filed the affidavit in response to a bunch of PILs challenging the Act.

Significantly, while stressing that the community interest will always prevail over the individual interest, the Uttar Pradesh government has added that the law in challenge seeks to protect public interest and maintain public order, and safeguards the interest of the community.

Referring to the cases of a Hindu woman or a man wishing to marry a Muslim man or woman, the affidavit stated: “Even though Hindu woman wishes not to give up her faith, she will have to give up her faith in order to enter into a valid marriage and accept Islam as her faith. This will amount to forceful conversion. The position remains the same if a Hindu boy wants to marry a Muslim girl. Hindu boy will have to accept Islam.”

Canada’s first Hindu minister creates history

Tracking The Diaspora

Canada’s first Hindu minister creates history

WHILE PERSONS OF INDIAN ORIGIN WIN ACCOLADES, SOME RACIST ELEMENTS MAR THE JUBILATION

Toronto:27.10.2021

Canada’s first Hindu cabinet minister Anita Anand made history on Tuesday by becoming the country’s second-ever woman defence minister by replacing fellow Indo-Canadian Harjit Sajjan as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his new cabinet. Sajjan will be the new minister of international affairs.

Another Indo-Canadian woman Kamal Khera, the 32-year-old MP from Brampton West, also took oath as minister for seniors, taking the number of Indo-Canadian women ministers in the Trudeau cabinet to three. The sitting Indo-Canadian woman minister Bardish Chagger, who held the ministry of diversity, inclusion and youth of Canada, has been shuffled out.

These Indo-Canadian women are among six women ministers in the new cabinet. Trudeau demoted Sajjan for failing to address the allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian military and rewarded Anand and Khera for their work during the pandemic. Anand has been praised for her work as procurement minister and Khera, a registered nurse, for going back to work as a health-care provider at the peak of the pandemic. A three-time MP since 2015, Khera has also served as a parliamentary secretary to the ministers of health and international trade.

Anita was born in 1967 in Nova Scotia to Indian parents, who were both medical professionals. Her mother Saroj D Ram came from Punjab and father S V Anand from Tamil Nadu. Anita, who is on leave as a professor of law at the University of Toronto, was picked up as minister of public service and procurement by Trudeau in 2019 after her election as MP from Oakville near Toronto. She assisted the Air India Inquiry Commission with extensive research. The commission investigated the bombing of Air India Kanishka Flight 182 on June 23, 1985, that killed all 329 people on board.

Before Anand, Canada’s only woman defence minister was former Prime Minister Kim Campbell who held the portfolio for six months from January 4 to June 25 in 1993. AGENCIES

Minister of National Defence Anita Anand with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Unvaxxed staff can face jail term: Delhi govt dept

Unvaxxed staff can face jail term: Delhi govt dept

Sidhartha.Roy@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.10.2021

Ten days after nearly two lakh people employed by Delhi government were barred from working without getting at least one shot of an anti-Covid vaccine, various departments have started issuing stern orders to employees. One department “clarified” that non-compliance of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order can attract action, including prison term of up to a year.

The DDMA had issued an order on October 8, mandating employees in departments, autonomous bodies, PSUs, local and educational bodies under the Delhi government, to at least get the first vaccine dose by October15. Unvaccinated employees were not allowed to attend office on October 16 and were told that the period of absence from duty till they get at least one dose, would be treated as “on leave”. The decision was taken in a meeting of the DDMA on September 29, 2021, aimed at ensuring 100% vaccination of all government employees, frontline workers, healthcare workers, teachers etc, who have frequent interaction with the public.

One man infects 8 in Bhopal; probe ordered

ACTIVE CASE TALLY 40

One man infects 8 in Bhopal; probe ordered

Jamal.Ayub@timesgroup.com

Bhopal:27.10.2021

A single Covid patient in Bhopal is said to have infected eight others, leading the health department to probe the role of the private hospital and patient’s relatives. It is alleged that the patient’s Covid status was reported only after four others in the family tested positive.

Overall, 11 new cases were reported in Bhopal on Tuesday, taking the active case tally to 40. Two of them needed hospitalization and the rest are in home isolation.

According to sources, last week a Govindpura resident tested positive for Covid-19 in a private hospital in Ayodhya Nagar. It is alleged that infection control protocols were breached by the patient and the hospital, and his Covid status went unreported.

The health department and district administration connected the dots on Monday when four members of the family were diagnosed with the infection. Health officials swung into action and began testing people in the locality and the family’s close contacts. On Tuesday evening, four of his neighbours also tested positive.

The contact trace count of patient zero of this cluster is now eight. Two of them are under 25 years of age, and two aged 50 and 58. Among the others are three men and a woman in their late 30s. Their condition is being monitored. Patient zero continues to be hospitalized.

₹8L income bar for EWS not over-inclusive, Centre tells SC

₹8L income bar for EWS not over-inclusive, Centre tells SC

New Delhi:27.10.2021

Facing questions from the SC over the rationality for fixing an income limit of Rs 8 lakh for EWS quota, which is the same for OBCs, the Centre said the determination cannot be a mathematical formula, suggesting the matter be left to the government, reports Amit Anand Choudhary.

Stating that the criteria was on the basis of the Sinho commission report, which had in 2010 suggested that the creamy layer benchmark for OBCs be adopted for EWS, the Centre said setting different limits on the basis of cost of living and per capita income was not feasible.

Checks to ensure only needy avail EWS benefits

Allaying the apprehension that the Rs 8 lakh limit is too high for people from the general category — which does not suffer from social and educational backwardness that are grounds for OBC reservation — and would result in over-inclusiveness, the Centre said there are other checks to ensure only needy people avail the EWS benefits in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions.

Responding to the court’s query on why the same income limit be applied across the country despite a rural-urban divide and different per capita income in different states, the government indicated that a certain subjectivity might be inevitable and said, “The determination has to be made on broad probabilities and it is impossible to achieve perfection/mathematical precision”.

“It is submitted that the principle of fixation of Rs 8 lakh as a criteria for determination of EWS as also for determination of creamy lawyer in the OBC category is rational and in keeping with Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The exercise conducted to determine the creamy layer for the purpose of OBC reservation would be equally applicable for determination of EWS category,” the affidavit said.

Can’t force outside students to learn Kannada, says HC

Can’t force outside students to learn Kannada, says HC

State Gets Time To Reconsider Policy For Degree Course

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:27.10.2021

Students coming from outside Karnataka cannot be compelled to learn Kannada language, be it classical or functional, the high court on Tuesday orally observed, granting time to the state government to reconsider the issue.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi adjourned the hearing to November 10 vis-a-vis a petition challenging two government orders making Kannada a compulsory subject for degree students, following a request from advocate-general Prabhuling K Navadgi.

“With the understanding that the government will reconsider the issue, we adjourn the matter,” the division bench orally said. Earlier, the advocate general said people have to learn Kannada for employment purpose and they need not learn Kannada in a classical sense and he would get more instructions in the matter.

However, the bench queried as to how the state government can compel a student coming from outside to learn Kannada and added that the state government has to reconsider the issue and the court will grant time for the same. Senior advocate SS Naganand, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, told the court that the academic year had already commenced and students will have to make a choice.

Orders take away freedom to choose language: Petitioners

Samskrita taka) Trust Bharati , Bengaluru (Karna , - and three other institutions associated with the promotion of Sanskrit language/ study have filed this petition, challenging the validity of government orders dated August 7, 2021 and September 15, 2021, saying it goes against National Education Policy.

The petitioners have sought declaration to the effect that NEP 2020 does not impose any restriction upon the student to choose any particular language as part of the curricula for higher education. According to the petitioners, it will impede the admissions and rights of minority institutions, students and especially the teachers who are at the risk of losing employment as the options of choosing a language is now restricted.

They claim 1.3 lakh students and 4,000 teachers, who were teaching Sanskrit (600 teachers), Hindi (3,000 teachers), Urdu (300 teachers) and other languages (100 teachers), are going to be affected by this move of the government.

“The said orders take away the freedom to choose a language for study and makes it mandatory for all students in Karnataka to take up Kannada as a language in degree courses offered in all streams of science, commerce and arts. There is a restriction on the freedom of speech and expression enshrined under the Constitution. Though, Article 19(2) of the Constitution enables the state to impose restrictions upon the fundamental rights, the restrictions ought to be reasonable..,” the petitioners contended.

Further, they have argued that equating those students who have not studied Kannada at any point time till plus level with those who have studied Kannada is also equally opposed to Article 14 of the Constitution.

Gujarat to get 8 medical colleges in two years

Gujarat to get 8 medical colleges in two years

Move Will Add 1,200 MBBS Seats

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:27.10.2021

Gujarat government is planning to set up eight new medical colleges in the state in the next two years. They will add 1,200 MBBS seats, representing about 21% of the total number of prevailing seats in Gujarat, said sources in the state’s health department.

Presently, there are about 30 colleges in the state with 5,508 seats for which the Admission Committee for Professional Under Graduate Medical Educational Courses (ACPUGMEC) carries out the admission process. There are another 300 seats in the state under two deemed universities for which the admission is carried out at the college level. ACPUGMEC is not involved in this.

“The new medical colleges in Morbi, Godhra and Porbandar are expected to start in 2021-22. The inspection process by National Medical Commission (NMC) has been completed. The new medical colleges will add about 150 seats each,” said an official in the health department.

The state health department aims to start new medical colleges in Rajpipla, Navsari, Jam Khambhaliya, Botad and Veraval in the next academic year, he added.

State health minister Rushikesh Patel did not respond to calls and messages on his phone.

Gujarat government is working on a plan to ensure that there is one medical college in every district of the state. For this, the department will have to set up about seven additional medical colleges in districts that do not have a single college, said sources.

The proposal is in line with the Centre’s vision to have one college in every district of the country in the next 5 years.

The Centre has given nod to 157 new medical colleges in India since 2014 and has invested Rs 17,691.08 crore on these projects, the Union health ministry said recently.

On completion, nearly 16,000 under graduate medical seats would be added, it said. Of these, 6,500 seats have already been created with the functioning of 64 new medical colleges, said the government.

NMC, under the ministry of health and family welfare, is working on a plan to increase the total number of under graduate medical seats from about 82,500 to 1 lakh seats by next year , said sources. There are close to 550 medical colleges in the country offering MBBS courses of which 49% are government run and remaining are selffinanced and on public-private-partnership basis.

15.6% of global mgmt master’s degree holders are from India

15.6% of global mgmt master’s degree holders are from India

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.10.2021

Of the estimated 15 million people across the world, who are aged 20 to 34 and graduate management education (GME) master’s degree holders, 23.4 lakh (15.6%) are from India.

India is also among the top 10 countries, which include the US, China (Mainland), Brazil and UK, with the largest pool of GME master’s degree holders within this student-age population.

As per the first-ever global study of diversity in GME, conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and exclusively accessed by TOI, approximately 26% of all bachelor’s degreeholders worldwide studied in the fields of business, administration, or law.

In India, 28.5% of all bachelor’s degree-holders studied in these fields, of which the percentage of females (31.5%) in significantly higher as compared to males (24.5%). At master’s level too, these areas of studies remained more preferred choices with more than a quarter of graduates coming from business, administration, or law. The percentage of females (27%), however, is significantly lower than males (32.5%).

As per the study, India is the leader among its regional peers in the number of GME degree-holders and is also ahead in the number of students pursuing online management courses.

Full report on www.toi.in

Income cap for OBCs, EWS same, but components vary

Income cap for OBCs, EWS same, but components vary

New Delhi:27.10.2021

The ₹8-lakh income ceiling for OBC ‘creamy layer’ as well as the cap to qualify as economically weaker sections (EWS) for forward caste quotas is same on the face of it, yet different in substance by way of what sources of income are included in the calculations . But, while projecting this substantive distinction between the two caps may help the government duck the charge that “unequals are being made equals”, the BJP regime is actively working to bring them at par.

The court’s query to the Centre on how it arrived at ₹8 lakh for EWS quota has prised open a tricky debate, the primary being if gradually, a parity is being drawn between the OBC category, which has social backwardness as a parameter, and the EWS that comprises the forward communities with only poverty as criteria. TNN

HC: Open BArch counselling for JEE-pass students

HC: Open BArch counselling for JEE-pass students

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.10.2021

Madras high court has directed the Anna University to permit candidates who have cleared JEE (Main) also to participate in counselling for B Arch course 2021-22.

This year, candidates who have cleared the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) only were allowed to participate in the counselling.

Passing the interim order, Justice N Anand Venkatesh has made it clear that the selection would be subject to the outcome of the pleas challenging the rule.

The court passed the order while hearing two pleas seeking direction to the university and commissioner of TN engineering admissions to permit students to participate in the admission to B.Arch course based on JEE (Main) scores.

When the pleas came up for admission, the petitioner submitted that it is seen from records that till the academic year 2020-21, candidates who qualify in the aptitude test conducted by NATA as well as candidates who qualify in the aptitude test conducted by JEE were considered eligible to participate in the admissions to B.Arch in Tamil Nadu.

However, when the prospectus was issued for the academic year 2021-22, all of a sudden the NATA examination marks alone were taken into consideration for the B.Arch course, they said.

“This goes completely against the information bulletin published by the National Testing Agency, which makes it very clear that the JEE (Main) Examination Paper II is conducted for admission to B.Arch and B.Planning courses in the entire country,” they added.

Therefore, Tamil Nadu cannot wriggle out of the obligation by not permitting the students who have undergone JEE (Main) Test to participate in the admission, they said.

Taking into account that the counselling commences from October 26, the judge directed Anna University and the Commissioner of TN Engineering Admissions to permit students who have taken both NATA as well as JEE (Main) to participate in the counselling.

Govt defends ₹8 lakh income limit for EWS quota in SC

Govt defends ₹8 lakh income limit for EWS quota in SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:27.10.2021

Facing questions from the Supreme Court on the rationale for fixing income limit of ₹8 lakh for EWS (economically weaker sections) quota, which is similar to that of OBCs, the Centre said the determination cannot be a mathematical formula, and the matter be left to the government.

Stating that the income criteria was on the basis of the Maj Gen Sinho commission report which had in 2010 suggested that creamy layer benchmark for OBCs be adopted for EWS, the Centre said setting different income limits for regions on the basis of cost of living and per capita income was simply not feasible.

₹8 lakh criteria for EWS rational: Affidavit

Allaying the apprehension that ₹8 lakh limit is too high for people from general category — which does not suffer from social and educational backwardness that are grounds for OBC reservation — and would result in over-inclusiveness, the Centre said there are other checks to ensure only needy people avail of the EWS benefits in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions.

Responding to court’s query on why the same income limit be applied across the country despite a rural-urban divide and different per capita income in different states, the government indicated that a certain subjectivity might be inevitable and said, “The determination has to be made on broad probabilities and it is impossible to achieve perfection/mathematical precision”.

“It is submitted that the principle of fixation of ₹8 lakh as a criteria for determination of EWS as also for determination of creamy lawyer in the OBC category is rational and in keeping with Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The exercise conducted to determine the creamy layer for the purpose of OBC reservation would be equally applicable for determination of EWS category since the fundamental premise is that if a person/his family have a substantial economic standing, he/she may not require the benefits of reservation at the cost of others....In any event, the office memorandum provides further exclusionary criteria,” the affidavit said.

“To provide further check as to ensure that that only the needy get the benefit of the reservation , the office memorandum provides further exclusions which are not applicable for determination of creamy lawyer for OBCs,” the affidavit said and mentioned that a person would not be entitled to EWS quota if along with her family she owns 5 acres of agriculture land or a residential flat of 1,000 sq ft or a residential plot of 100 sq yard or 200 sq yard in notified municipalities.

Full report on www.toi.in

Covaxin: WHO wants ‘addl clarifications’

Covaxin: WHO wants ‘addl clarifications’

27.10.2021

The World Health Organisation’s technical advisory group on Tuesday sought “additional clarifications” from Bharat Biotech for its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to conduct a final “risk-benefit assessment” for Emergency Use Listing of the vaccine. Hyderabadbased Bharat Biotech, which has developed Covaxin, had submitted EOI to the WHO on April 19 for the vaccine’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL). The TAG may get these clarifications by the end of this week, and aims to meet on November 3 for the final risk-benefit assessment.

Planning US visit from Nov 8? Be fully jabbed against Covid

Planning US visit from Nov 8? Be fully jabbed against Covid

Must Be Inoculated With WHO-Approved Vax & Carry Report Of Covid Test Done Within 72 Hrs Of Departure

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

27.10.2021

Come November 8 and foreign travellers who are fully vaccinated with WHO-approved jabs and have a negative Covid report from a test taken within 72 hours of departure can enter the US. For travellers from India, it means the lifting of restrictions imposed on May 4 at the height of India’s second Covid wave. The existing country-bycountry restrictions will be replaced by a consistent approach worldwide under the new international air travel policy that will be effective from November 8, the US department of state said.

For the purpose of allowing entry, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has accepted vaccines that are FDA approved or authorised and those with an emergency use listing from the WHO. So, the wait for those who got Covaxin continues. “Both US citizens and foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated should travel with proof of their vaccination status to provide to their airline prior to departure to the US. That proof of vaccination should be a paper or digital record issued by an official source and should include the traveller’s name and date of birth, as well as the vaccine product and date(s) of administration for all doses the traveller received,” the state department website said. “The entry into US by air travel of non-citizens who are non-immigrants and who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 is suspended and limited (with some exceptions),” a presidential proclamation said.

Children under 18 are excepted from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travellers. Those between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test. If travelling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can test three days prior to departure. An unvaccinated child travelling alone or with unvaccinated adults, will have to test within one day of departure, the White House said in a fact sheet. Air passengers will have to certify the validity of vaccination and testing, and confirm that their contact information is complete and accurate. Falsifying any information could result in criminal penalties and/or fines.

The new system incorporates a contact tracing order to respond to Covid variants. “The order requires that airlines collect contact information for all international inbound travellers to the US – including full name, as well as a phone number, email and address at which they can be reached while staying in the US. Airlines will have to keep this information on hand and promptly turn it over to the CDC when requested,” the state department website said. Fully vaccinated air travellers will continue to be required to show documentation of a pre-departure negative viral test from a sample taken within three days of travel to the US before boarding. This condition applies to all travellers, whether US citizens, lawful permanent residents, or foreign nationals. “To further strengthen protections, unvaccinated travellers – whether US citizens, LPRs, or the small number of excepted unvaccinated foreign nationals – will now need to show documentation of a negative viral test from a sample taken within one day of travel to the US,” it added.

The White House confirmed that children under 18 are exempt from the new vaccine requirements as are people with some medical issues. Those between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test

Chinese city of 4m under lockdown

China placed a city of four million people under lockdown on Tuesday, ordering them not to leave home except in emergencies, in a bid to eradicate a Covid cluster of just a few dozen cases. The fresh restrictions came as China reported 29 new domestic infections, including six in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province in the country’s northwest. The latest outbreak has been linked to the highly contagious Delta variant, with the tally hitting 198 cases since October 17. Thirty-nine have been in Lanzhou. While the rest of the world opens up and tries to find ways to live with the virus, China has maintained a zero-Covid approach. In Beijing — which reported three new cases Tuesday — access to tourist sites has been limited. Mass testing is under way in 11 provinces. AFP

FDA advisers weigh Pfizer jab for kids

An expert panel will weigh authorisation of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for US children aged 5 to 11 on Tuesday as it prepares to vote on a recommendation for the FDA. An authorisation is an important regulatory step toward reaching about 28 million children of these ages, most of them back in school for in-person learning. The FDA need not follow the advice, but usually does. The dose for younger children would be one-third of the strength given to people 12 and older, with two shots given three weeks apart. Only a few other nations, including China, Cuba and UAE, have cleared vaccines for this age group. AP

Kanchi bus terminus turns crime hotspot

Kanchi bus terminus turns crime hotspot

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.10.2021

The Kancheepuram bus terminus which witnesses large numbers of passengers throughout day and night, is turning into the most unsafe zone for the passengers, especially women in the night.

In the past two days alone, three snatching incidents have been reported leaving the passengers in panic.

At 9.30pm on Monday, an unidentified man snatched cell phones of an elderly couple, Srinivasan and Banu, while two other women lost their expensive mobile phones to miscreants on Sunday. On Tuesday, a woman was relieved of ₹7,000 cash.

Passengers complain that anti-social elements lurk there as many of the shops remain closed and consume liquor besides committing crimes.

Commuters say, the main bus stand, though has lights, is not an ideal place for women and it inconveniences them to a great extent. Absence of CCTV cameras has come handy for the miscreants to to have afree run.

They said that more than half of the shops have yet to start functioning. “Since many shops are closed, antisocial elements have taken up space to consume alcohol in public,” says Prathiba, a commuter who takes bus from the terminus to Uthiramerur regularly.

"Except for two or three shops with CCTV cameras, no surveillance is provided by the police for safety. We can see men openly consuming liquor and creating ruckus. They attack people who try to question them," she said.

Even if a crime happens, police will be left clueless about the identity of the miscreants, she added.

Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam district president Bethraj who recently submitted a petition to the police highlighting the problems haunting the bus depot said that people are scared even during day time.

"We have sought them to increase the policing to keep the miscreants at bay, as it is one of the main bus stops," said Bethraj.

SORE POINT: The terminus witnessed three snatching incidents in the past two days alone leaving the passengers in panic. Passengers complain about lack of CCTV cameras and proper policing

Have no faith in commission probing Jaya death, Apollo tells apex court

Have no faith in commission probing Jaya death, Apollo tells apex court

Says Won’t Be Able To Appear Before Panel

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.10.2021

Alleging bias and arbitrariness in the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission probing the circumstances surrounding the death of former chief minister Jayalalithaa, the Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals has said it would not be able to appear before the commission for inquiry.

The Supreme Court had in April 2019 stayed the commission proceedings, after Apollo Hospitals took the case to the apex court saying the commission was not in a position to understand its submissions as it did not have a doctor or an expert familiar medical procedures and protocols.

Though many political leaders, including former chief minister O Panneerselvam, were yet to appear before the commission for inquiry, the doctors who treated Jayalalitha were made to appear before it repeatedly, said the hospital.

Selective leak of testimony given by doctors resulted in the hospital’s image being tarnished in public eye, Apollo said, adding that the commission was straying beyond its terms of reference. Noting that it was ready to take party in any court proceedings, Apollo said it had no faith in the commission.

The hospital also said that the then AIADMK government had directed the hospital to remove the CCTV on the floor where Jayalalitha was being treated, saying it was a privacy issue.

After a 75-day stay at Apollo, Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016. Justice Arumughaswamy commission was set up in September 2017.

FOR A FAIR PROBE: Apollo Hospitals alleges bias and arbitrariness against the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission probing the circumstances surrounding the death of former CM Jayalalithaa

Selective leak of testimony given by doctors resulted in the hospital’s image being tarnished, Apollo said

Inspection of four medical colleges over

Inspection of four medical colleges over

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.10.2021

The National Medical Commission has completed virtual inspections for approval of seats in four proposed medical colleges, said state health minister Ma Subramanian.

In addition, the directorate of medical education has submitted a compliance report to enhance seats from 100 to 150 in four other new medical colleges. If the commission gives its nod, the state will add at least 600 more MBBS seats in addition to the 850 additional seats approved for admissions in the current academic year.

“We have been told the inspection committee is satisfied with our compliance. I will be visiting Delhi with senior officials on Wednesday. We will request the Centre to give us permission to admit students to all11 new medical colleges from the current academic year,” Subramanian said. In addition, the state has urged the centre to allow the Government Medical College in Coimbatore to increase seats from 150 to 200.

HC to medical council: Protect doctors’ interests

HC to medical council: Protect doctors’ interests

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.10.2021

While it is the responsibility of the Medical Council to act against doctors found violating code of ethics, the council also owes a duty to protect the medical practitioners, who are rendering yeomen service for the betterment of the general public, from the onslaught of frivolous complaints, Madras high court has said.

Justice R Mahadevan has also suggested a series of guidelines to be included in the new regulation to be framed under National Medical Commission Act.

The suggestion includes altering rules mandating preservation of medical documents for 3 years to 10 years by digitising the documents and disposal of complaints filed against doctors in six months.

The court made the observations while allowing a plea moved by Dr P Basumani against termination of his licence by the Tamil Nadu medical council in a hasty manner.

“The medical council is expected to act in such a manner that every area connected with the complaints can be meted out, which will pave the way for reasonable as well as legally based decisions to be arrived at,” the court said.

Justice Mahadevan has also suggested the council to constitute three experts to inquire into each complaint.

The experts shall be from the field of medicine with which the medical practitioner is associated.

The principles of natural justice, as required in quasi-judicial proceedings, will have to necessarily be followed as the proceedings may end in punishments which would entail civil consequences to either party, the court said.

In order to make the disciplinary proceedings free from any loopholes and to avoid multiplicity of proceedings, the report of the inquiry committee is to be made final and binding on the disciplinary board of the state medical council and Medical Registration Board, the judge added.

The court added that the disciplinary board of the state medical council will have a permanent tenure, fixed three-member body (constituted by election by the commission from amongst its members) will function as the disciplinary authority for the purpose of professional misconduct by registered medical practitioners under the Code/Regulation.

The court ruled on a plea moved by a doctor against hasty termination of his licence by the TN medical council

KGMU medicos showcase talent, help Shahjahan ‘sell’ Taj Mahal

KGMU medicos showcase talent, help Shahjahan ‘sell’ Taj Mahal

Cultural Fest Rhapsody Kicks Off

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:26.10.2021

Keeping aside their aprons and stethoscopes, medical students of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) on Monday showcased their talents in extra-curricular activities — from music and dance to poetry and acting — on the opening day of the three-day annual cultural festival Rhapsody.

Around 600 students and faculty members are participating in the event that was rolled out with a ‘Kathak’ performance followed by singing, skits, plays, medi-quiz, mask-designing and poster making event.

Most of the events had a social theme, besides entertainment.

The comedy play ‘Taj Mahal Ka Tender’ depicted the problems emperor Shahjahan would have faced if he lived today and had to sell the monument.

Kavi Sammelan in the evening witnessed teachers exhibiting their poetic talent. Faculty at surgery department Dr Vinod Jain captured the audience with his poem ‘Jab Sparsh Abhi Tak Ghula tha.’ Festival coordinator and faculty at the pathology department, Dr Rakesh Dixit recited his poem, ‘24 Karat Gold Georgian’ while author Jyoti Sinha read out her poem ‘Rah Me Ishq ki Aisi Arzoo’ and MBBS student Priyanka recited ‘I Am a Cigarette’.

Earlier, the festival was inaugurated by vice-chancellor, Lt Gen (retd) Prof Bipin Puri.

The VC and his wife Dr Anita Puri answered queries related to their personal and professional lives asked by teachers and students in the event called ‘Coffee with VC’.

Students during the cultural fest on the campus on Monday

Full vax certificate must for Chhath Puja at Jhulelal ghat

Full vax certificate must for Chhath Puja at Jhulelal ghat

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:26.10.2021

Devotees observing the 36-hour fast of Chhath will have to show their double dose vaccination certificate before entering the Jhulelal Ghat and standing in knee-deep water to offer ‘arghya’.

Akhil Bharatiya Bhojpuri Samaj president Prabhunath Rai, who is also the organiser of the festival at Jhulelal Ghat, took part in a cleanliness drive along with cabinet minister Brijesh Pathak on Monday.

Several volunteers also took part in the cleanliness drive ahead of Chhath festivities from November 8-11.

Over 180 Bhojpuri artists from Delhi, Lucknow Bihar, Mumbai will perform at the ghat during Chhath.

“The confirmation of a few guests is awaited. The performance will go on for 18 hours. Devotees coming to offer prayers will have to undergo temperature check, wear masks and show their certificate of full vaccination. We will ensure norms are followed,” said Rai.

Every year hundreds of devotees flock to the river banks with their families to perform Chhath rituals and offer prayers. Many people make artificial ponds at their homes or in parks for performing puja.

The festival will begin with the ‘Nahaye-Khaye’ ritual on November 8 and culminate on November 11.

UP law minister Brajesh Pathak cleans the Jhulelal ghat on Monday

B.Sc student hangs self at Bikaner hostel

B.Sc student hangs self at Bikaner hostel

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bikaner:26.10.2021

A B.Sc nursing student hanged herself in the hostel of Sardar Patel Medical College (SPMC) on Monday.

The deceased student has been identified as Aayoush Dondwal, 22, a 4th year student, a resident of Kotputli in Jaipur district.

Mahavir Prasad Vishnoi, SHO of Jai Narayan Vyas Colony police station said that the deceased was staying with her room mate at the nursing hostel in SPMC and was brought dead by the hostel staff around 3.30pm to the trauma centre of PBM Hospital.

According to police, the hostel staff stated that they examined her room but did not find any suicide note.

The police have recovered her mobile phone and sealed the room, which will be re-examined in the presence of her parents, who are on their way to Bikaner.

A case in this regard has been registered at JNVC police station.

SC: Dependent mother-in-law can get payout for man’s death

SC: Dependent mother-in-law can get payout for man’s death

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:26.10.2021

Holding that Motor Vehicles (MV) Act should be given a wider interpretation and all dependents of a deceased be allowed to claim compensation, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a dependent mother-in-law is also entitled to claim in case of death of her son-in-law.

“In our view, the term ‘legal representative’ should be given a wider interpretation for the purpose of Chapter XII of MV Act and it should not be confined only to mean the spouse, parents and children of the deceased. As noticed above, MV Act is a benevolent legislation enacted for the object of providing monetary relief to the victims or their families. Therefore, the MV Act calls for a liberal and wider interpretation to serve the real purpose underlying the enactment and fulfil its legislative intent,” a bench of Justices S Abdul Nazeer adn Krishna Murari said.

“We are also of the view that in order to maintain a claim petition, it is sufficient for the claimant to establish his loss of dependency,” it said.

Don’t give OTC meds to toddlers: Docs

Don’t give OTC meds to toddlers: Docs

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:26.10.2021

The prevalence of fever, cough and cold during this time of the year has led to increase in the use of over the counter (OTC) medicines. However, the use of OTC medicines which are unsuitable for kids has also seen parents rushing their toddlers to emergency wards.

In one instance, a fivemonth-old had to be taken to hospital after turning blue a day after being given an OTC cough syrup. The baby had choked on milk after becoming drowsy due to the cough syrup. A resuscitation was required to save the baby. In a similar incident, an eightmonth-old fell off the bed and received serious injuries after becoming drowsy due to a cough syrup.

“While it is not very common, we do need to be aware this is a possibility and that cough syrups, paracetamol and antibiotics are not harmless. Cough syrups contain dextromethorphan which has a potential for addiction and lot of teenagers are getting hooked on to these. In case of infants, they can even become unconscious, land in a coma and have a stroke as cough syrups have a vasoconstriction effect,” said Dr Sudhir Kumar, consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospital.

Experts said it was also alarming that kids may be unknowingly developing antibiotic resistance. “In rare cases, it can lead to liver failure, unconsciousness, drowsiness and reduced attention. This can happen with overuse of cough syrups, paracetamol syrups and drops. Although very few kids land in emergency, some may experience unpleasant side-effects and develop antibiotic resistance early on in life,” said consultant for paediatrics and pulmonology at Ankura Hospitals, Dr Srinivas Jakka.

In case of cough and cold, some OTC medicines suppress secretions but can have a much severe rebound.

“There will be a reboundwith copious flow of secretions from the nose when you stop these medicines. Prolonged usage can result in something called rhinitis medicamentosa wherein the medicines themselves cause persistent cold. These medicines are definitely not recommended for toddlers,” explained Dr Shivranjani Santosh, chief paediatrician at Magna Centres.

ALARMING TREND

Marriage recognised only between man & woman, says Centre

Marriage recognised only between man & woman, says Centre

Abhinav.Garg@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:26.10.2021

Marriage is recognised only between “a biological man and a biological woman” under the Indian law, the Centre on Monday told Delhi High Court, reiterating its stand.

“The law as it stands...personal laws are settled, and marriage, which is contemplated, is between a biological man and a biological woman,” solicitor general Tushar Mehta submitted before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, opposing a clutch of petitions seeking recognition/registration of samesex marriages.

Mehta echoed the government’s earlier stand disclosed in an affidavit that a “spouse” means either a husband or a wife and “marriage” is a term associated with heterosexual couples.

“The issue here is whether marriage is permissible between homosexual couples. Your lordships have to see that. There are some misconceptions regarding the Navtej Singh Johar case. It merely decriminalises consensual homosexual act. It does not talk about marriage,” Mehta contended, adding that there is no need for the Centre to file any specific reply regarding Citizenship Act, which has also been invoked by certain petitioners. During a short hearing, the bench also heard the counsel for the petitioners. Advocate Karuna Nandy, appearing for one of the couples, said they got married in New York and the laws applicable in their case were Citizenship Act, Foreign Marriage Act (FMA) and Special Marriage Act.

She pointed out that Centre had not yet filed a reply to her clients’ plea that highlighted how Citizenship Act was silent on the gender and sexuality of the spouse and it provided that a person married to an overseas citizen of India (OCI) whose marriage was registered and subsisting for two years should be declared eligible to apply as a spouse for an OCI card.

Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, representing another set of petitioners, said the SC verdict on homosexuality might not have expressly allowed same-sex marriage, but constitutional jurisprudence required interpretation and the verdict favoured recognising it.

T medical staff still shy away from Covid jab

T medical staff still shy away from Covid jab

Sribala.Vadlapatla@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:26.10.2021

An internal analysis of the health department has revealed how medical personnel in large numbers are refusing to take Covid-19 vaccine saying there is no need for it when there isn’t any spike in the cases.

With many districts still lagging in achieving the 100 per cent vaccination target, authorities are clearly worried.

In Medchal-Malkakgiri, a large portion of which falls within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the number of those who have not received even a single dose remains high.

Concerns over the vaccine’s effectiveness have also been cited as a reason for high hesitancy among the frontline workers.

According to sources, nursing professionals and paramedics in districts like Medchal and Nalgonda are unwilling to take the jab. "It is quite strange that many individuals believe taking precautions to protect themselves from Covid-19 is preferable to taking a vaccine," an official said.

Vaccine must in festive season: Expert

Social media is flooded with footage of people fleeing from health workers attempting to administer vaccines to them, particularly in rural areas.

“Despite massive awareness campaigns, it is unfortunate that many people, including health staff, are harbouring these myths,” a top official said.

Experts said it was incorrect to assume that vaccine should be taken when only if there is an increase in the number of cases.

Many health and science research organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have long said that taking two doses of the vaccine help in decreasing the severity of infection and reducing the death rate.

"After the completion of two doses of vaccine, it will take at least 40 days before antibodies are produced. It would mean that vaccine doses are crucial,”Dr Kiran Madala, an Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) certified researcher told TOI.

Madala said, “Since the festive season will last through January, it is best to get vaccinated.”

Many health and science research organizations, including World Health Organization (WHO), have said taking two doses helps in decreasing the severity of infection

Panel to probe med varsity scam: Govt informs HC

Panel to probe med varsity scam: Govt informs HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal/Jabalpur:26.10.2021

The state government informed a division bench of the MP high court that in compliance to its order, a five-member committee headed by a retired judge of the high court, Justice K K Trivedi, has been constituted to probe the marksheet scam and allegations of financial irregularities in the MP Medical University. The committee will present its report in a month.

In response to three petitions relating to the marksheet scam, corruption and other irregularities in MP Medical University, the court had directed the state government to appoint a committee headed by a retired judge of the high court to probe the matter, while dissolving the eight-member committee formed by the state government led by an additional collector. It was pointed out to the court that in-charge registrar of the university, Dr J K Gupta, had probed the allegations of manipulation of marksheets by the company, which was given contract by the university to organise exams on its behalf and prepare the marksheets. He had found the allegations prima facie right and subsequently the contract with the company- M/s Mind Logic Company- was suspended.

It was also pointed out that the past record of the company has been dubious and Agra Medical University had lodged an FIR against the company in a similar scam. The petitioners contended that Dr J P Gupta was later removed and vice-chancellor of the university Dr T N Dubey also resigned in the wake of the marksheet scam, but exam controller Dr Vrinda Gupta continues to occupy the post.

No substantial action was taken against the company in question either. In the reply presented in the court on behalf of the chief secretary, the court was informed that a committee headed by an ADM was looking into allegations of marksheet scam and other irregularities but the court ordered dissolution of the committee and constitution of a committee headed by a retired high court judge to probe the allegations.

BU convocation ceremony at Minto Hall today

BU convocation ceremony at Minto Hall today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:26.10.2021

For the first time, Barkatullah University (BU) will organise the convocation at Minto Hall. The function will be organised on Tuesday.

BU officials said that the degree will be given to the registered students by the Governor and Chancellor of the university, Mangu Bhai Patel.

Preparations of the function are being monitored by vice-chancellor professor R J Rao, registrar Dr I K Mansoori deputy registrar Ajit Srivastava, chairman and members of various committees.

Around 140 students will be receiving their degrees while 50 students will get PhD degrees. Other students’ UG and PG degrees too will be awarded in this convocation. Gold medals will also be given to 25 students, said the officials.