Crowdfunding comes to aid of toddler who needed ₹16cr drug

Crowdfunding comes to aid of toddler who needed ₹16cr drug

Gokul.Rajendran@timesgroup.com  12.12.2021

Trichy: Bharathi  , a two-year-old from Thanjavur with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), on Friday got a ₹16-crore imported drug procured through crowdfunding at a Bengaluru hospital.

Doctors at Baptist Hospital administered Zolgensma, imported from the US, to Bharathi on Friday morning, her mother K Ezhilarasi told TOI. “We got six vials of Zolgensma, imported through a dealer in London, on Thursday. The doctors administered all the vials in an hour,” she said.

Born to R Jagadeesh and Ezhilarasi, both bank employees from Nanjikottai, Bharathi was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder by doctors of Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, in August. The disorder cripples the motor ability of the child leaving her unable to stand up and walk. As doctors advised them to arrange the medicine which has to be administered before she turned two, the parents turned to social media for help.

The funding, which started off with contributions from a small number of people, saw more than five lakh pitching in, thanks to efforts of YouTubers and celebrities. Thanjavur collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver opened a bank account on behalf of the district administration in the name of ‘Support Bharathi’. Actor Vijay Sethupathi gave ₹20 lakh and Tenkasi Aakash Friends IAS academy ₹25 lakh.

It was on November 19 that the couple got the entire amount after certain hiccups in crowdfunding. Thereafter, they got customs import duty waived for the medicine. Though Bharathi turned two on November 6, the doctors considered it to be an ideal time to administer the drug, said Ezhilarasi. She would be monitored at the hospital for three months.

REGION DIGEST

REGION DIGEST

12.12.2021

Man uses edited pics to threaten woman, held

A 23-year-old man was arrested for threatening a college student in Tirupur with morphed photos and demanding she make video calls to him in the nude. The Tirupur cybercrime police identified the accused as electrician N Niyaz of Mettukadu. An officer said Niyaz opened Instagram accounts with false names. “He befriended the woman, downloaded her photos and chatted with her for a few months,” he said. Niyaz morphed her photos and threatened to circulate them on social media. “We found recordings of nude calls with a few young women on his mobile. We request all the victims to come forward to lodge complaints against Niyaz,” an officer said.

Univ asked not to hold exams during Pongal: After Pondicherry University announced exams for first-year MBBS students during Pongal holidays, Pondicherry state students’ and parents’ welfare association urged the vice-chancellor to reschedule the tests, set to start on January 17.

Volunteers clear waste near temple: About 50 people came together on Saturday to remove more than 300kg plastic waste dumped by devotees near Marudhamalai Subramania Swamy Temple in an event organized by NGO Kovai Kulangal Padhugappu Amaippu on International Mountain Day.

Tambaram residents want railway station upgraded

Tambaram residents want railway station upgraded

Residents’ Associations Petition Govt

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.12.2021

In addition to civic work, residents of newly formed Tambaram Corporation have started pushing for development of Tambaram railway station and stoppage of Chennai-Madurai Tejas Express at the station.

The residents who have come together under a federation of more than100 residents’ associations have petitioned the state government and railways to introduce stop for the train and improve the station as it is used by several who travel to southern districts. Tejas express had a stop in its original schedule but was not allotted when the service started.

Southern Railway is developing the railway station into a terminal to ensure that more trains can have stoppage and more trains can be operated from the station like Egmore or MGR central railway station. The yard work has been completed and platform work is going on to develop the station. The station handles around 3.5 lakh passengers per day.

M Govindarajan, president, Federation of Residents Welfare Associations (FORWA) said that more trains need to be operated from the station as there was good patronage for services to the southern towns of the state. "As the area is going to be developed as a corporation like Chennai, we need more trains and passing by trains from Egmore needs stops. We have petitioned railways and the state government to ensure that Tambaram railway station can be developed as a hub in the south."

More than 25,000 people are living in the area and a lot of people travel from Tambaram to Trichy, Madurai, Thanjavur and further south.

People from the area have to travel to Egmore by suburban trains to board express trains that do not stop at Tambaram. As the government has decided to develop the area as a corporation, residents want express trains to have stops at the station.

Railways is considering to operate trains from the station to decongest Egmore railway station. A railway official said that the station was being developed into a third terminal for the city. More express trains would be operated and the number of suburban trains also will increase after the doubled line between Tambaram and Chengalpet is commissioned, he added.

A railway official said that Tambaram railway station is being developed and more amenities will be added.

FOR BETTER FACILITIES: Residents want a halt for the Chennai-Madurai Tejas Express at Tambaram station

5 travellers test +ve on arrival at B’luru airport

5 travellers test +ve on arrival at B’luru airport

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:12.12.2021

In December, five of the 5,873 passengers who landed at Bengaluru from ‘at risk’ countries tested positive for Covid on arrival.

They are all at designated hospitals and their genomic sequencing reports are awaited. These include two girls, 17 and 18 years, who travelled from the United Kingdom and a middle-aged man from the UAE who tested positive on arrival since late Friday.

Prior to this, two men, one each from Germany and Sweden had tested positive on December 8. International passengers coming from ‘at risk’ countries who are on quarantine post arrival have been tracked by BBMP. “Four passengers have shown symptoms of Covid while in home quarantine. They too have been shifted to designated hospitals,” said Dr Balasundar AS, chief health officer, BBMP.

A 32-year-old German is currently being treated in a private hospital. “She travelled to Bengaluru on December 4 and was staying in a hotel. She showed symptoms three days later and tested positive. She is currently in a private hospital and her swab sample has been sent for genomic sequencing” said Dr Balasundar.

In another case, a 34-year old man who returned from South Africa on December 1 developed symptoms later. He tested positive on December 3 and his genomic sequencing report is awaited.

Though they had carried Covid negative certificate during their journey and tested negative in the on-arrival Covid test, they may have incubated the virus which has shown symptoms later, health officers said.

Full report on www.toi.in

PRECAUTIONARY MOVE:

Covid test being held at Vidhana Soudha banquet hall on Saturday for secretariat staff

ICMR focus remains on 2-dose vax, is fine with Covishield gap

ICMR focus remains on 2-dose vax, is fine with Covishield gap

Nisha.Nambiar@timesgroup.com

Pune:12.12.2021

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has advised against suddenly introducing a third Covid vaccine dose or recommending any change in the time gap of Covishield shots in the wake of Omicron cases.

Dr Samiran Panda, head of ICMR’s epidemiology department, told TOI that as of now the apex biomedical research body would underscore the importance of attaining greater coverage with two-dose vaccination. “With Omicron cases being mild not only in India but the world over, there should not be any kneejerk reaction like introducing a third dose or recommending any change in the interval of Covishield doses, as demanded by people from different quarters,” he said.

Many states, including Maharashtra, demanded an additional dose or booster dose, besides seeking shorter gap between two shots of Covishield to speed up immunisation.

“A decision on whether a third dose would be required for immunocompromised individuals would be taken later based on scientific evidence and on case-to-case basis. Nothing has been decided on it so far,” Dr Panda said.

He said scientific evidence of booster dose for the Indian terrain was being evaluated and the technical advisory group would make an announcement regarding it. Dr Panda said public health focus should be on double vaccination and completing the adult immunisation programme now because the two-dose vaccine strategy seemed to be working well in the Indian context.

On the demand from states like Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka to reduce the gap between the two Covishield doses, the ICMR scientist said scientific evidence from in-country reality was showing that the interval was fine.

Full report on www.toi.in

Govt begins process of preparing SOP to determine ‘equivalence’ of scores

Govt begins process of preparing SOP to determine ‘equivalence’ of scores

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.12.2021

In order to address the difficulties faced by students related to the ‘equivalence certificates’ issued by their secondary/senior secondary boards for the purpose of admissions in higher education institutions and also for employment, the ministry of education has now entrusted the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) for this.

At present, there is no formal mechanism to determine “equivalence” of scores obtained by students of different education boards.

The SOP will ensure that “the applicant school education board is following the Right to Education (RTE) Act, extant National Curriculum Framework (NCF), and is National Education Policy-compliant and that the teachers in schools affiliated to the board possess qualifications as laid down by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)”.

Equivalence will be granted based on fulfilment of the SOP. The AIU has constituted a 10-member committee comprising representatives from the UGC, AICTE, NCERT, CBSE and NIOS, among others. AIU secretary general Pankaj Mittal said, “There are times when during enrolment in institutions or jobs, the institutions are not sure whether this is a valid board, or whether the certificates issued have equivalence with other boards.

Till now, we (AIU) have been doing the equivalence of foreign boards like the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International with Indian boards. For Indian board, there is an informal arrangement with the COBSE (Council of Boards of School Education in India). But there is no formal arrangement so far. So for the first time this formal arrangement has been made by the ministry of education and AIU has been given the responsibility to do the equivalence. It’s a big task for which are going to develop the SOP on how to determine this equivalence.”

There are more than 60 boards in India and the number is growing. Ashok Ganguly, former CBSE chairperson said there is wide disparity in respect to curriculum design, transaction and evaluation.

“There must be some sort of uniformity so that students moving from one board to other or moving vertically for university admissions,” said Ganguly. “After NEP1986, an attempt was made via the Professor Amrik Singh Committee. The 1992 report made certain path recommendations for improving the functioning of the boards and their equivalency but nothing was put into place after that. COBSE came into being after this as the apex suggestive body.

Petrol and tomato are more expensive than beer in Goa

Petrol and tomato are more expensive than beer in Goa

Newton.Sequeira@timesgroup.com

Panaji:12.12.2021

Tomatoes are making many Goans cry into their beer this past week. Unseasonal rain pushed through the roof the price of this vegetable, but alcohol prices in Goa have remained largely stable, allowing tipplers to savour the delicious irony of gold being lighter on the wallet than red.

While the popular Goa Kings pilsner retails at ₹60, a kg of tomatoes is competing with petrol—at around ₹100/ kg. It is true some tomatoes are available for around ₹70/ kg (still costlier than a pint of Kings), but these are, according to an angry shopper, “positively hopeless and not worth buying”.

While tomatoes disappear from chilli fry and omelettes, some families are purchasing the red fruit in lesser quantities, hoping its price will stabilise soon. For those with deeper pockets, shelling out a crisp ₹100 note for a kg of tomatoes is the new normal.

It’s not just the local beers that the tomato has beaten hollow. Even 750ml of Kingfisher or Tuborg, at ₹85 a bottle, is cheaper than a kilo of the kitchen staple. Fuel prices have also been on a high, with petrol and diesel retailing at ₹96 and ₹87 a litre each.

Goa has among the lowest alcohol taxes in the country, resulting in cheap booze. But it depends on its neighbours for vegetables, sourcing around 150 tonne of tomatoes every day from Hubbali and Belagavi in Karnataka.

Guv says Kerala govt pushing political agenda

ROW OVER CHOOSING VCs

Guv says Kerala govt pushing political agenda

Thiruvananthapuram:  12.12.2021

Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday reiterated his observations that political interference plagues the higher education sector as the political agenda of the state government outweighs academic merit while choosing vice-chancellors of universities in the state.

Khan who shot a strongly worded letter to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday, expressing his willingness to step aside as the chancellor of state universities, told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday that he was forced to write the letter as he had run out of options to ensure autonomy and integrity of universities. He said he tried to best to avoid a confrontation with the government, but the latter refuses to get along. When it comes to the matter of selection of candidates to the post of university vice-chancellors, the government tries to tie the governor’s hands in order to push political agenda, he said.

“The chief minister has nothing to do with universities. While the school education in the state if fine, higher education has gone to the dogs. Even appointments are made against the rules,” Khan said. The governor said he did really mean it when he advised the chief minister to bring in an ordinance to assume the role of chancellor by himself. TNN

Disclose immovable assets by Jan 2022: CS

Disclose immovable assets by Jan 2022: CS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.12.2021

Chief secretary V Irai Anbu directed all IAS officers of TN cadre to submit their asset details in the form of immovable property returns (IPR) to the Union government by January 2022.

The Centre had introduced online filing of IPR for IAS officers in January 2017. Officers can submit the IPR either electronically or upload a scanned copy of the manually filled-in IPR. The online filing option for calendar year 2021 closes automatically after the January 31, 2022, deadline.

In a circular to all IAS officer on Thursday, the chief secretary recalled a communication he received a fortnight ago from the establishment officer and additional secretary of the department of personnel and training of the Union ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions. “Failure on the part of the members of service to comply with the requirements constitutes good and sufficient reason for institution of disciplinary proceedings,” Anbu said in the communication.

HC stays notice of ₹5 crore service tax to Periyar varsity

HC stays notice of ₹5 crore service tax to Periyar varsity

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  12.12.2021

The Madras high court has stayed an order issued by the GST and Central Excise department demanding service tax of ₹5 crore from Periyar University, Salem for granting affiliation to colleges under the university.

Justice C Saravanan passed the interim order on the plea moved by the university challenging the demand.

Senior advocate Isacc Mohanlal representing the university said granting affiliation to colleges will not come within the ambit of service and no service tax can be levied on that basis particularly when the university is a state university.

The petitioner said the university’s roles as stated in the Periyar University Act, 1997 include devising curriculum, prescribing training modules, regulating admission of faculties, prescribing standards and infrastructure norms for colleges to be affiliated and granting of recognition and affiliation to courses conducted by the affiliated colleges.

“The authorities ought to have seen services provided by an educational institution to its students, faculty and staff are exempted. The fact that the provision includes faculty and staff too and not just the students, makes it clear that the objective behind the provision is not only to exempt purely the activity of providing education to the students, but to include all kinds of services provided by an institution to its faculty and staff as well, apart from the students,” the petitioner said.

Doctors oppose animal use in PG pharmacology and physiology courses, write to NMC

Doctors oppose animal use in PG pharmacology and physiology courses, write to NMC: New Delhi: Claiming that using animals is unnecessary for routine teaching and training of PG pharmacology and physiology courses, more than 60 doctors have approached the National Medical...

NMC to relook at draft PG regulations, allow improvement of NEXT score every year

NMC to relook at draft PG regulations, allow improvement of NEXT score every year: New Delhi: The upcoming National Exit Test (NEXT), the gateway to PG medical admissions as envisaged by the National Medical Commission (NMC) will allow candidates to appear for improvement...

Dog-bite victim denied admission, left on floor in government hospital premises

Dog-bite victim denied admission, left on floor in government hospital premises

Durai, who lives alone in Triplicane, said he received first aid but was denied admission because he did not have an attender, adding his pleas for proper care fell on deaf ears.

Published: 11th December 2021 06:49 AM |

By R Satish Babu

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Scenes of patients lying on the floor in government hospitals are nothing new. One such incident was witnessed by a TNIE photojournalist at the Royapettah Government Hospital on Friday. Based on a tip-off from a source, the photojournalist rushed to the hospital and found Durai (68) lying on the floor near a bathroom on the premises.

When asked how he ended up there, Durai broke down and said he had presented to the hospital on Wednesday evening to get treated for a dog bite. Upon closer inspection, the photojournalist realised that the deep wound on his left leg was not fresh and was probably infested. Other people in the premises gathered around on hearing his cries.

Durai, who lives alone in Triplicane, said he received first aid but was denied admission because he did not have an attender, adding his pleas for proper care fell on deaf ears and he had been lying near the toilet ever since. On seeing the large crowd, a lady police official arrived on the scene and enquired about what was going on.

After seeing the large crowd, a nurse informed the hospital staff about the situation. Later, they shifted Durai to the casualty in a wheelchair and his wound was cleaned and dressed. The staff then promised the policewoman that Durai would be taken care of. While a senior official said he was not aware of the incident, another did not respond to calls from TNIE.

University appointments row: Governor hits out at Kerala government, says his hands are tied

University appointments row: Governor hits out at Kerala government, says his hands are tied

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Kerala would be bereft of higher education going by the present state of affairs.

Published: 11th December 2021 12:55 PM 

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. 

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's letter to the Kerala government expressing his willingness to relinquish the post of Chancellor became public, the Governor hit out openly against the ruling dispensation for its illegal interference in university affairs.

Speaking to the reporters in Delhi on Saturday, the Governor said attempts were being made to tie his hands in university affairs. Terming political interference in institutions of higher learning as intolerable, the Governor expressed his anguish over the government ignoring his repeated warnings against favouritism in university appointments.

Khan said he had tried his best to cooperate with the government for the smooth functioning of universities but the cooperation was not reciprocated. The post of Chancellor has been given to the Governor to ensure transparency in the functioning of universities. However the Chancellor is not able to function freely, he said. Khan said it was in this context that he wrote to the Chief Minister urging him to take up the post.

The Governor said the state would be bereft of higher education going by the present state of affairs. He said instances of illegal appointments in universities were pointed out many times by his office but no action was taken by the government. Such an attitude is unacceptable, he said.

The Governor pointed out that the government recommending a single name to the post of Vice Chancellor in Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit constituted a gross violation of existing regulations. If a selection committee had shortlisted probables as per norms, then the most suitable person could have been selected judiciously, he said. Khan warned of serious consequences in the higher education sector if the present situation continues.

Now, cough up 18% GST to get your certificates

Now, cough up 18% GST to get your certificates

All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) State Secretary S Sugubala said if the government allows universities to collect GST, it will become an additional burden on the parents.

Published: 11th December 2021 06:13 AM 

For representational purposes. (File Photo)

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Anna University’s move to collect 18 per cent GST for issuing certificates has not gone down well with educationalists and students. They claim imparting education is the responsibility of the State and Central governments.

The Controller of Examinations of Anna University in a circular dated November 25 said 18 per cent GST will be collected for issuing certificates, including a correction in consolidated mark statements, degree certificates, and provisional certificates.

Saying that education is not a commodity to be sold, Platform for Common School System’s (SPCSS) General Secretary PB Prince Gajendra Babu said imposing taxes by educational institutions is not good for democracy.

All University Teachers Association (AUT) President P Thirunavukkarasu said Bharathiyar University is collecting GST for affiliation of courses from the colleges not from the students. All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) State Secretary S Sugubala said if the government allows universities to collect GST, it will become an additional burden on the parents.

“If GST is collected on getting certificates, it automatically will affect the students from poor financial backgrounds,” she said. Responding to the issue, Anna University Vice-Chancellor R Velraj said the varsity has just sent a circular and has not yet implemented it. “The Minister for Higher Education assured us to get exemption from both State and Central governments. GST will apply only for the students at the entry-level. Plus, it will also apply when the students seek additional certificates like migration, duplicate provisional and the like. AU has not asked the current students to pay GST,” he added.

Meanwhile, Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) Controller of Examinations (i/c) M Dharmaraj said the university is collecting 18 per cent GST only for issuing migration certificates. “Last year, all the State run universities were asked to collect GST for issuing all certificates. However, we did not collect it,” he added.

TNIE came to know that Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University has been collecting 18 per cent GST for UG, PG and PG diploma course fees under e-Consortium Fees (One time Fee) head from 2018-19 academic year itself.

Railways' e-bike rental sees good response

Railways' e-bike rental sees good response

According to sources, several passengers also enquired whether the facility is available only for railway passengers.

Published: 11th December 2021 06:19 AM 

E-Bike rental service outside Tiruchy Railway Station

By Jose K Joseph

Express News Service 11.12.2021

TIRUCHY: The e-bike rental service, which was inaugurated at the Tiruchy railway station on Thursday, received plenty of enquiries from passengers visiting the station on Friday. Officials said Tiruchy division is the first in Southern Railway to come up with such a facility and they are expecting good response from people.

At present, the facility is available from 9 am to 9 pm and is the only e-bike rental facility in the district. Sources said the railway has plans to make the facility available round the clock. “So many people have approached us to get the details of various packages. Some of them also enquired about the price of e-bikes and charges. At present, we are offering hourly, day rental, weekly and business packages. We are charging about Rs 50 for the hourly package. But, customers have to pay a refundable security deposit of Rs 1,000 for taking the bike. We also need a copy of their Aadhaar and driving licence,” an employee of the e-bike centre said.

Passengers have appreciated the initiative and said the railway should come up with such facilities at more stations. Selvaraj, a railway passenger, said, “It is a good initiative. However, the railway should consider avoiding security deposits. Though the security deposit is refundable, many people might avoid using the facility as they have to pay Rs 1,000 as deposit. Therefore, they should consider reducing the amount.”

According to sources, several passengers also enquired whether the facility is available only for railway passengers.“Anyone can use this facility by submitting the documents and security deposit. All the bikes have an in-built GPS facility and we are able to track its location. We would give the bike with sufficient charge and it can travel a maximum of 110 to 130 km (depending on speed and other factors). But, the customers can use this bike only in Tiruchy and they cannot travel to other districts. If the bike faces any technical issue, they can inform us and we will pick it up from the spot,” an e-bike centre employee clarified.

Meanwhile, a section of students opined that the railway should consider offering some packages for them. “Many of us would like to use this facility as it is very convenient. But, the railway should consider coming up with a package for students as the existing deposit fee is not affordable for us,” said Rahul Raj, a college student and railway passenger.

Bennett, King’s Canada in tie-up for exchange progs

Bennett, King’s Canada in tie-up for exchange progs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:12.11.2021

Bennett University (BU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with King’s University College, Canada to give an opportunity to students and faculty members for exchange programmes, semester abroad, summer immersion programmes and joint faculty research.

The ceremony was attended by president of King’s University College, Dr David C Malloy, Bennett University executive director Revati Jain, Bennett University vice-chancellor Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal and others.

BU chancellor Vineet Jain said, “The liberal arts programme at BU is rich with12 majors and allows flexibility to students to chart their pathways by choosing relevant electives. It also helps them understand the diverse perspectives and thought processes of an international and environmentally responsible citizen.”

Jain hoped that this association with King’s would further accelerate the quality and growth of Bennett’s liberal arts offerings.

“Bennett’s vision is to be at the forefront of higher education and advocate interdisciplinary education as the next frontier for knowledge. The pedagogy at Bennett is based on a student-centric learning development model, strong foundational knowledge and hands-on experience with real-world challenges that align with its constantly expanding international network,” said the chancellor.

Aggarwal hoped that such collaborations would assist students in becoming responsible and effective leaders in their careers, regardless of the disciplines they selected.

“The school of liberal arts holds immense importance for us as it nurtures students with life and work skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communications, and creativity. This partnership with King’s University College strengthens the overall teaching-learning pedagogy at Bennett,” said Agarwal.

Dr Malloy addressed the BU fraternity on “leading with values in a pandemic”, wherein he stressed on the typology and logic of values and its implication during the pandemic.

“This collaboration presents opportunities that allow students access to diverse experiences, providing professional advantage. Student and faculty exchange programmes, expansion-centric activities to encompass semester abroad and summer immersion programmes and joint faculty research initiatives are added bonuses for both institutions,” said Dr Malloy.

Flyer caught with gold paste in waistband

Flyer caught with gold paste in waistband

Bengaluru:  12.11.2021

A passenger from Sharjah was caught at Kempegowda International Airport this week with gold paste worth Rs 29.5 lakh hidden in custom-made trousers and underwear.

Sources with the air intelligence unit of Bengaluru Customs said the incident took place on December 6 when sleuths caught the middle-aged passenger who claimed to be a worker returning from the Gulf.

When his answers didn’t convince the sleuths, they frisked him and noticed his waist was bulky. They found he was wearing a band stitched to the buckle area of his trousers and a pouch-like thing fixed to his underwear. The officers opened them and found the gold paste, weighing 603 grams. TNN

Junior medicos to be hired to ease residents’ burden

Junior medicos to be hired to ease residents’ burden

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 12.11.2021

The state health department has allowed junior doctors to be hired to reduce the burden of resident doctors in their second year of post graduate courses at government-run medical colleges. Resident doctors had gone on strike recently, claiming that shortage of manpower in civil hospitals due to the delay in new admissions to post graduate courses has significantly increased their workload.

“To meet the shortage, the government has decided to look into the demands to hire junior doctors. Also, patients have to suffer due to shortage of resident doctors. We will hire doctors for a period of three months or till the new batch joins, whichever is earlier,” stated a notification issued by the department on Friday. The junior doctors will be paid a fixed monthly salary of Rs 63,000 which is inclusive of all other entitlements.

NEET-PG exams for MD/MS admissions are usually held in January, but were held in September due to Covid. While counselling was to commence on October 25, petitions challenging a central government notification stalled the process.

Senior resident doctors (final year students from the 2018 batch) were relieved a few months ago. As a result, hospitals have been managing with only two batches, instead of three. The resident doctors of Gujarat, who recently joined a recent nationwide protest over delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, have been demanding that they be provided with medical officers to assist them till the new batch joins.

32 Omicron cases in 5 states, all have mild symptoms: Govt

32 Omicron cases in 5 states, all have mild symptoms: Govt

New Delhi:  12,11,2021

A total of 32 Covid-19 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected from five states so far, accounting for less than 0.04% of the total variants detected, and the patients have so far reported mild symptoms.

While the health ministry had received reports of 25 cases, seven more cases were reported from Maharashtra later in the evening on Friday.

While Maharashtra (17) and Rajasthan (9) have reported the maximum number of Omicron cases so far, Gujarat has three, Karnataka two and Delhi has one such case.

"All detected cases have mild symptoms," Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said while underlining the need to maintain increased compliance of public health measures and ramp up coverage of full vaccination. TNN

Chennai Collector hands over Veda Nilayam to legal heirs of Jayalalithaa following court order

Chennai Collector hands over Veda Nilayam to legal heirs of Jayalalithaa following court order

11/12/2021

New owner: Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa paying her respects to the former Chief Minister during her visit to Veda Nilayam in Chennai on Friday.R. Ragu

Special correspondent CHENNAI

Former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s niece and nephew, J. Deepa and J. Deepak, received the keys of Veda Nilayam, her Poes Garden residence, from Chennai District Collector J. Vijaya Rani on Friday, following a court order.

Ms. Deepa and her husband visited Veda Nilayam on Friday. She later spoke to presspersons about the house needing repair and renovation as it was in a dilapidated condition.

Revealing her desire to live in the house, she also mentioned that they had to clear all the income tax cases first.

“This is the first time I am visiting the house in the absence of my aunt. I was not allowed to visit the house after my aunt died,” Ms. Deepa said, and added that she was surprised by the condition of the house.

“All the furniture used by my aunt has been removed. The interior used to be beautiful. It seems barren and empty. Many elements in the home are missing,” she said, and added that though she used to frequent the place, she had not visited it in the last 10-12 years.

COVID-19 cases could rise next year: expert

COVID-19 cases could rise next year: expert

The nature of Omicron mutations suggests increased efficiency of infection and evasion of antibodies

11/12/2021

The Hindu

There have been many calls for India to devise a policy for booster doses.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI

Coronavirus cases in India are expected to rise by early next year following the experience of Israel and the United Kingdom (U.K.) with the Omicron variant, an expert said at an online discussion on Friday organised by the Ashoka University, Sonepat, Haryana.

India is currently adding a little under 10,000 cases a day and has about 88,000 active cases.

Omicron cases in the U.K. could exceed 1 million by the end of the month on the current trajectory, U.K. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this week in a statement delivered to the House of Commons.

The online discussion was between Shahid Jameel, Director, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University and Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University.

“Before the emergence of the troubling variant of SARS-CoV-2 named Omicron, it was expected that people in India may be able to return to a life similar to pre-pandemic days by early next year, but this possibility now seems distant,” said Dr. Jameel. “The nature of Omicron mutations suggests increased efficiency of infection, transmission and evasion of antibodies and interferon, an early innate antiviral response.” Early lab results from South Africa and Pfizer show a 40-fold and 25-fold drop in virus neutralisation ability of the Pfizer vaccine.

According to various studies, booster shots have shown to increase the number of antibodies and cut reinfection rates. Given these results, it is now time that India devises policies on booster shots and vaccination for children, Dr. Jameel added. “The news of emergence of the new Omicron variant from South Africa is worrying. We will know more in the coming weeks, but what we know so far is that this variant spreads more efficiently and can evade immunity even from an earlier infection of COVID-19 and vaccination.

“There are some positive indications, such as the severity of the illness being possibly less than that caused by Delta variant, but this requires confirmation. In India, it is essential for us to now step up the vaccination programme to vaccinate around 15% of India’s totally unvaccinated adults and also administer the second dose to the remaining population,” Dr. Jameel said.

Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a prayer song, not anthem: HC

Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a prayer song, not anthem: HC

‘There is no law requiring people to stand when it is sung’

The Hindu

11/12/2021

B. Tilak Chandar Madurai

Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a prayer song and not an anthem. There is no Statutory or Executive Order requiring attendees to stand up when it is sung. But the highest reverence and respect ought to be shown to the song, observed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

Justice G.R. Swaminathan took into account the fact that a Government Order (G.O.) issued in 1970 stated that the song, written by P. Sundaram Pillai, should be sung as a prayer song at the commencement (and not at the end) of all functions organised by government departments, local bodies and educational institutions.

In 2018, the then Governor Banwarilal Purohit released a Tamil-Sanskrit dictionary at a function held in Music Academy, Chennai, in the presence of the pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Shri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. When Tamil Thai Vazhthu was played, the pontiff remained seated. This had triggered considerable outrage.

The judge observed, “I cannot help asking as to whether the whole controversy was justified in the first place”, while taking cognisance of the government order issued in 1970. A memo was also released in the same year, directing that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung in Raaga Mohanam and in Thisra Thaalam as composed by musician M.S. Viswanathan. Thus, it is a prayer song and not an anthem.

“It is true that members of the audience conventionally stand up whenever Tamil Thai Vazhthu is sung. But the question is whether this is the only mode in which respect can be shown. When we celebrate pluralism and diversity, insisting that there can be only one way of showing respect reeks of hypocrisy. One should not forget that a sanyasi occupies a special place in our social and cultural life,” the judge said. Further the judge observed, “On becoming a sanyasi, the person suffers a civil death. He must be taken to have a rebirth. A sanyasi primarily leads a life of piety. When in prayer, he is invariably found in a meditative posture. Since Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a prayer song, a sanyasi is certainly justified in sitting in a state of meditation. In the instant case, the pontiff is seen sitting in a dhyana posture with his eyes closed. It was his way of expressing his reverence and respect for Mother Tamil.”

The court was hearing a petition filed by Kan. Ilango, who sought the quashing of an FIR registered against him. Following the incident in 2018, Mr. Ilango and a dozen other people assembled before the branch of the Kanchi Mutt in Rameswaram and raised provocative slogans. They had allegedly entered the mutt wearing footwear and intimidated the manager. An FIR was registered by the Rameswaram police based on a complaint by the manager.

The judge took note of the fact that the petitioner was ready to make amends for his conduct and had approached the complainant with a letter expressing his regret. Considering the fact that the petitioner and the complainant have reconciled, no purpose would be served by continuing with the prosecution, the judge said, and quashed the FIR.

Applications invited for MKU VC post

Applications invited for MKU VC post

11/12/2021

Staff ReporterCHENNAI

The Search Committee constituted for recommending three names to the Governor for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University has invited applications from interested academicians.

Those interested in applying can download the application from https://mkuniversity.ac.in. The duly filled-in form in the prescribed format should be sent via email (mkuvcsc@gmail.com) or by post to J. Prakash, Nodal Officer of the Search Committee, who is at the Department of Instrumentation Engineering on Anna University’s MIT Campus.

A release by E. Balagurusamy, former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University and the Convenor of the Search Committee, said the application should not be sent directly to the members of the committee.

The release said that canvassing in any form for the post would result in disqualification of the candidate.

The application should be submitted before 5 p.m. on December 27, the release added.

VIT team wins ₹20 lakh in MEITY contest

VIT team wins ₹20 lakh in MEITY contest

11/12/2021

Staff ReporterCHENNAI

Quinproc, a team from Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, finished fourth and received ₹20 lakh in the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge organised by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) in Delhi earlier this month.

The scope of the challenge, according to a release by VIT Chennai, was to create innovative solutions around home-grown processors like SAKTHI of IIT Madras, and VEGA of the the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.

The team proposed a wireless maternal health monitoring system, which can enable personnel to remotely monitor vital parameters of pregnant women. The team comprised A.R. Mirunalini, S. Shwetha, S. Varsha Sri and A. Annis Fathima from the School of Electronics Engineering and was led by John Sahaya Rani Alex from the Centre for Healthcare Advancement, Innovation and Research. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, was present during the finals of the event.

Staff Reporter CHENNAI

Staff Reporter  CHENNAI

11.12.2021

The Hindu

The traditional systems of medicine practised in India had merit and they need not be dismissed as pseudoscience, Governor R.N. Ravi said here on Friday.

Delivering the convocation address at the 33rd convocation of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), he said that there was a tendency among a section of doctors and people from other disciplines as well to reject anything that was not scientifically established.

He laid stress on the need to be open minded and acknowledged that there were serious illnesses and problems such as high infant mortality rates (IMR) and maternal mortality rates (MMR) that required the intervention of modern medicine.

The Governor acknowledged the need for validating traditional systems of medicine.

Mr. Ravi pointed out that the National Education Policy (NEP) tried to integrate modern and traditional medicines and added that one should be cognisant of the other and not be dismissive.

Appealing to the graduating doctors to be ethical, he said ethics was an area that did not get adequate attention.

The Governor stressed on the need for doctors to guard against commercialisation. He urged the doctors to listen to the patients more.

Lauding SRIHER for its vision towards 2040, he said that it was in line with the Prime Minister’s long-term vision.

While the Governor awarded the medals to top performers, Chancellor of SRIHER, V.R. Venkatachalam, conferred degrees to the students. Vice-Chancellor P.V. Vijayaraghavan presented the annual report.

‘Do not play recorded invocation song’

‘Do not play recorded invocation song’

11/12/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

The Tamil Development Department had, a few weeks ago, communicated to the Public Department to avoid using a recording of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu and the national anthem in government functions and instead, employ trained singers.

The unofficial note from the Tamil Development Department issued in September this year noted that in the recent times it was observed that only recording of the song and anthem were being played in government functions. It said those in the audience were mechanically standing for the invocation song and the national anthem without realising the national or Tamil fervour, and the very intention of singing the Tamil Thai Vazhthu and the national anthem was being defeated, a senior official told The Hindu. The organizers were told to arrange for trained singers.

'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' is prayer song, not National Anthem: Madras High Court

'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' is prayer song, not National Anthem: Madras High Court

When the invocation song to Mother Tamil, 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu' was played, the seer remained seated and this triggered considerable outrage and debate.

Published: 10th December 2021 01:03 PM |

By PTI

MADURAI: The 'Tamil Thai Vaazhthu', an invocation, is only a prayer song and not a National Anthem and hence, there is no need for every one to remain in standing posture when it is rendered, the Madras High Court bench here has ruled.

Justice G R Swaminathan gave the ruling recently while quashing an FIR registered against "Nam Tamilar Katchi" (NTK) functionaries by the Remeswaram police in Ramanathapuram district, in 2018.

The then Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit released a Tamil-Sanskrit dictionary at a function held in Music Academy, Chennai in the presence of the Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi on January 24, 2018.

When the invocation song to Mother Tamil, "Tamil Thai Vaazhthu" was played, the seer remained seated and this triggered considerable outrage and debate.

Kan Ilango, now associated with NTK and then part of "Tamilar Desiya Munnani", and his men entered the branch of the Kanchi Mutt in Rameswaram, shouting slogans, condemning the Shankaracharya.

They allegedly entered the Mutt premises wearing footwear. When the Mutt manager protested, he was criminally intimidated. Hence, a case was registered against them for offences under various sections of the IPC including rioting and criminal intimidation.

Hence, the present criminal original petition from Ilango, challenging the FIR. Justice Swaminathan noted that Sec. 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 states whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the National Anthem or causes disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Article 51A(a) of the Constitution mandates it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to respect the National Flag and the National Anthem.

When three school children who were adherents of Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian denomination, refused to sing the National Anthem, they were expelled from the school, in Kerala.

The matter reached the Supreme Court, which struck down the expulsion and directed their re-admission in the school.

The Supreme Court had held that the children while refusing to sing had stood up respectfully, the judge said. It was noted there is no provision of law that obliges anyone to sing the National Anthem.

The Supreme Court judges did not think it is disrespectful to the National Anthem if a person who stands up respectfully when the National Anthem is sung, does not join the singing.

After a discussion regarding the right to freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion the court concluded "our tradition teaches tolerance; our philosophy preaches tolerance; our Constitution practices tolerance; let us not dilute it."

Allowing the petition, the Madras HC also pointed out that there is no statutory or executive order requiring the attendees to stand up when Tamil Thai Vazhthu is sung. It was not a National Anthem.

But highest reverence and respect ought to be shown to Tamil Thai Vaazhthu. It is true that the members of the audience conventionally stand up whenever Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is sung.

But the question is whether this is the only mode in which respect can be shown. When we celebrate pluralism and diversity, insisting there can be only one way of showing respect, it reeks of hypocrisy.

One should not forget that a Sanyasi occupies a special place in social and cultural life. Emperors and Kings have prostrated before Sanyasis and Fakirs.

In the epics whenever a Sanyasi entered the royal court, the King will step down from his throne and pay his respects. On becoming a Sanyasi, the person suffers a civil death.

He must be taken to have a re-birth. A Sanyasi primarily leads a life of piety. When in prayer, he is invariably found in a meditative posture. Since Tamil invocation is a prayer song, a Sanyasi is certainly justified in sitting in a state of meditation.

In the instant case, the pontiff is seen sitting in a Dhyana (meditative) posture with his eyes closed. It was his way of expressing his reverence and respect for Mother Tamil, the judge said and also set aside the case pending before the Rameswaram police station.