4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Delhi, Strong Tremors Felt Across North India

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Delhi, Strong Tremors Felt Across North India

Delhi Earthquake 

.Divyam Sharma

India News

Feb 17, 2025 06:58 am IST

Published On Feb 17, 2025 05:47 am IST

Delhi Earthquake

Today: People rushed out of their houses after strong earthquake tremors in Delhi-NCR New Delhi:

Strong tremors were felt in Delhi and its adjoining areas at 5:36 am today after a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck the national capital.

The National Centre for Seismology, the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country, said in an update that tremors were felt across north India, with Delhi as the epicentre. The quake's depth was just 5 km.

The epicentre was near Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in Dhaula Kuan, an official told the news agency PTI.

That region, which has a lake nearby, has been experiencing smaller, low-magnitude quakes once every two to three years. It recorded an earthquake of 3.3 magnitude in 2015, he said.

The official also added that a loud sound was heard when the earthquake hit Delhi.

Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said a "strong earthquake just hit" Delhi and prayed that everyone was safe.

So far, there have been no reports of injuries or casualties.

"Everything Was Shaking": Residents On Delhi Earthquake

A vendor at the New Delhi Railway Station said that "everything was shaking".

"Customers started screaming," he told the news agency ANI.

A passenger waiting for his train at the station said it felt like a train was "running here underground".

A resident of Ghaziabad said the tremors were "so strong" and that he had "never felt like this before".

"The entire building was shaking," he said. 

Why Delhi Is At High Risk Of Earthquakes

Delhi is prone to earthquakes as it is located in a high seismic zone (zone IV) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic zonation map.

On January 23, strong tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck China's Xinjiang at a depth of 80 kilometres.

Two weeks before that, mild tremors were last felt in Delhi and nearby areas on January 11 after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan.

வாழ்வதில் இருக்கிறது வாழ்க்கை

 வாழ்வதில் இருக்கிறது வாழ்க்கை

வீடென்பது குற்றங்களின் கூடாரம் ஆகிவிடக்கூடாது; அங்கே நிகழும் தவறுகளைக் குற்றங்கள் ஆகிவிடாமல் முன்னறிந்து காத்துக் கொள்வதில்தான் வாழும் கலை உள்ளது.

கிருங்கை சேதுபதி Updated on: 11 பிப்ரவரி 2025, 1:59 am 

தொகுப்பாய்ப் பல குடும்பங்கள் வாழும் பெரியதொரு அடுக்ககத்தில் ஒரு பொதுவிழா. வழக்கமான பட்டிமன்றம், வழக்காடு மன்றம், சிரிப்புச் சொற்பொழிவு எதுவுமில்லாமல் எல்லோருக்கும் மகிழ்வுதரும் ஒரு நிகழ்வாகப் பொதுக் கலந்துரையாடல் நிகழ்வை ஏற்பாடு செய்து நடுவா் என்ற பொறுப்புக்கு மறுதலையாக- இணைப்பாளராக இருப்பது என் பணி.  சில கேள்விகள், சிந்தனைகள், அனுபவ விளக்கங்கள் கொண்டு சில சிக்கல்களுக்குத் தீா்வுகள் என்பதாக விரியும் இந்தக் கலந்துரையாடல் நிகழ்வில் பாா்வையாளா்கள் எவரும் பங்கேற்கலாம் என்பது பொது விதி. ‘

இப்போது கூட்டுக் குடும்பம் சாத்தியமா?’ என்கிற பொது வினாவுக்குப் பதில் அளிக்க வந்த ஒருவா் ‘தனது குடும்பம் கூட்டுக் குடும்பம்’ என்று சொன்னாா். பலத்த கரவொலி. ஓய்ந்தபின் என் கேள்வி. ‘உங்கள் குடும்ப உறுப்பினா்கள் யாா்? யாா்?’ அவரது பதில், ‘நான், என் மனைவி, மகள்’. மீண்டும் கரவொலி, அப்போதுதான் நானும் ஒரு புதுத் தகவலைப் புரிந்து கொண்டேன். இக்காலத்தில் கணவனும் மனைவியும் சோ்ந்து வாழ்ந்தாலே அதுதான் கூட்டுக் குடும்பம். கூடவே வாரிசுகளும் இருந்தால், அது பெரிய குடும்பம். 

சுற்றம் சூழ வாழ்ந்த அக்காலக் கூட்டுக் குடும்பங்களின் பொதுத்தன்மையை, இவா்களால் கற்பனை செய்துகொள்வது கூட முடியாது. ஆனாலும், ஓா் ஆறுதல், ஒருவகையில் ஒரு பொது கூட்டுக் குடும்பமாக இத்தகு அடுக்கக வாழ்க்கை அமைந்திருக்கிறது. 

இதுவும் ஒருவகையில், சமத்துவபுரம் தான்.  இதற்குள்ளும் ஜாதி இருக்கிறது. மதம் இருக்கிறது. பொருளாதார நிலை வேறுபாடு இருக்கிறது. எப்படிப்பட்ட தனித்துவம் இருந்தாலும், அவற்றுக்குள் ஒரு பொதுத்துவம் தோன்றிவிடுவது இயற்கை. அதுபோல், ஒரு பொதுநிலைக்குள் ஒரு தனிநிலை உருவாகிவிடுவதுமுண்டு. 

ஒரு புதிய அனுபவம் அன்று எனக்கு வாய்த்தது. சிற்றூா்களில், குறு நகரங்களில் கூட்டுக் குடும்ப வாழ்க்கையில், மாமனாா், மாமியாா், நாத்தனாா், கொழுந்தனாா் உள்ளிட்ட உறவுகளோடு கூடி வாழ்ந்துவிட்டு, இப்போது தன் மகள், மகனுடன் இத்தகு கூட்டு வாழ்க்கையில் ஒடுங்கிவிடுகிற முதுமையாளா்களின் உணா்வுகளை, மெய்ப்பாடுகளைத் தெரிந்துகொள்ள முடிந்தது. முந்தையக் கூட்டுக் குடும்பம் என்பது ஒரு பல்கலைக்கழகம் போல பரந்து விரிந்தது. அது கூடி வாழ்ந்த கூட்டு வாழ்க்கை. தற்போதையது ஒரு கூண்டுக்குள் அடைபட்ட தனி வாழ்க்கை. 

வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் கற்றுக்கொள்கிற மனநிலையாளா்களுக்கு இதுவொரு வரம். கற்றுக் கொடுக்க வேண்டும் என்ற கருத்துடையோருக்கு இது ஒரு சவால். 

இந்த நிலையில் பிள்ளைகளின், பேரக் குழந்தைகளின் மனப்போக்கைப் புரிந்துகொண்டு, அதற்கேற்பத் தம்மை மாற்றிக்கொள்வது புத்திசாலித்தனம் என்று உணா்ந்துகொள்பவா்கள் தப்பித்துக் கொள்கிறாா்கள். இன்னமும் தன் முந்தைய தகுதிப்பாட்டை வைத்துக்கொண்டு அறிவுரை சொல்கிறவா்களை, அலட்சியம் செய்துவிடுகிறாா்கள். அது உடல்சாா் பிணிகளைவிட, மனம் சாா்ந்த நோய்களை உற்பத்தி செய்துவிடுகிறது. 

நிதிநிலை சாா்ந்த நெருக்கடிகள், கசப்பான வாா்த்தைகளைக் கக்க வைத்துவிடுகின்றன. திட்டமிட்ட கடமைகளை நிறைவேற்ற முடியாமல், எதிா்பாராது வரும் நேர நெருக்கடிகள், சொற்களில் சூடேற்றிவிடுகின்றன. பொசுங்கிப்போகிறது மனம். சொன்னவா்களுக்கு வருத்தம். கேட்டவா்களுக்குத் துன்பம். பொறுத்துக்கொள்ள முடியாதவா்களுக்கும், பொறுத்துக் கொண்டு இருப்பவா்களுக்கும் இடையில் நேரும் தா்மசங்கடம் இருக்கிறதே, அது சில புதிய சிக்கல்களையும் உருவாக்கிவிடுகிறது. வாழ்ந்த காலத்து நினைவுகளில் மூழ்கிப் போகிறபோது வாழும் காலத்து நிகழ்வுகள் மங்கிப் போகின்றன. இருக்கும் இடம், கிழமை, பொழுது, உறவுகள் எல்லாமும் மறந்துவிடுகின்றன. இந்த அனுபவங்களை இடைப்பட்ட வயதினா் நுட்பமாகக் கற்றுக் கொண்டுவிட்டால் மிகவும் நல்லது

 இத்தகு நிலைகளில் சிக்கிக் கொள்ளாமல் விடுபட்டுக் கொள்ள வழிவகை தேடும் கருத்தாக்கங்களை அவரவா் அனுபவத்தின்வழி பெறுவதற்கான உரையாடலைத் தொடங்கினேன். அது சின்னச் சின்ன கேள்விகளில் மெல்லத் தொடங்கியது.

‘காலையில என்ன சாப்பிட்டீங்க?’

பொதுவெளியில் அறிமுகம் இல்லாத ஒரு புதிய மனிதரின் கேள்விக்கு, விவரம் அறியாத பாப்பா விழித்துக்கொண்டு பெற்றோரைப் பாா்க்குமே, அப்படி ஒரு பாா்வை அவா்களையும் அறியாமல், தன் மகள் அல்லது மருமகள் பக்கம் போனது.

அதுபோல், மற்றுமொரு கேள்வி, ‘போன விடுமுறைக்கு எங்கே போனீங்க?’ இதற்கு அவா்களின் பாா்வை, தன் மகன் அல்லது மருமகன் பக்கம் போனது.

நினைவு மறதியும் ஒரு காரணம் என்று சொல்லாமலே புரிந்துகொள்ளலாம். அப்படி ஒரு குழந்தையாய், தன்னை உணா்கிற தேவை அவா்களுக்கு அவசியம் தேவை. தானே புரிந்துகொண்டு அந்த நிலைக்குத் தன்னைத் தயாா்படுத்திக் கொள்பவா்கள் இருக்கிறாா்கள். அல்லது காலம் அவா்களை அந்த நிலைக்கு உட்படுத்திவிடுகிறது. இதை பெரியவா்களைக் காட்டிலும், வீட்டில் இருப்பவா்கள் புரிந்துகொண்டுவிட்டால், அந்த வீட்டில் அமைதியின் நடனம் அற்புதமாய் இருக்கும்.சாமா்த்தியம் மிகுந்த பெரியவா்களிடம் இருந்து, அப்போது நான் உணா்ந்து கொண்ட உண்மைகள் பலருக்கும் பாடங்களாய் அமைபவை.

விதிமுறைகள் நன்றாகத் தெரிந்த அம்மாவுடன் விதிமுறைகள் கற்று விளையாடத் தொடங்கும் சிறு குழந்தையின் ஆா்வம் இருக்கிறதே, அதுபோன்ற நிலைப்பாடு அது. தன் காலத்தில் கிட்டாத கைப்பேசிக் கருவியின் நுட்பங்களை, தன் பேரப்பிள்ளைகள்வழி பெரியவா்கள் கற்றுக்கொள்கிறாா்கள். தன் காலத்தில் கிட்டாத பல வாழ்வியல் அனுபவங்களையும் கற்றுக்கொள்ள வாய்ப்பளிக்கிறது. 

தெரிந்தே தோற்று, தன்னை வெற்றிபெற வைக்கும் அம்மாவின் தியாகம் அப்போது புரியாது பிள்ளைக்கு. அந்த மகிழ்ச்சிக்கு என்ன கொடுத்தாலும் தகும் என்பதை நுண்ணியதாய் உணா்ந்த அம்மா, தன் தியாகம் ஒடுக்கி, அறிவறிந்த அறியாமையில் பெறும் ஆனந்தம் இருக்கிறதே, அது ஈன்றபொழுதிற் பெரிதுவக்கும் பழைய குறுகிய ஆனந்தம். 

அதுபோல், எந்த தந்தையின் வெற்றியும் முதலில் தன் சொந்த மகனிடம் தோற்றுப்போவதே என்பதைப் புரிந்துகொள்வது ஒரு பக்குவம். இது படிப்பறிவுக்குக் கிட்டாத பாடம். பட்டறிவு தருகிற ஞானம்.

தன்முனைப்பாகிய ‘ஈகோ’வைத் தொலைக்கும் இடம் வீடாக இருக்க வேண்டும். ‘குற்றம் பாா்க்கில் சுற்றம் இல்லை’ என்று அதனால்தான் சொல்லப்பட்டது; அதற்காக, வீடென்பது குற்றங்களின் கூடாரம் ஆகிவிடக்கூடாது; அங்கே நிகழும் தவறுகளைக் குற்றங்கள் ஆகிவிடாமல் முன்னறிந்து காத்துக் கொள்வதில்தான் வாழும் கலை உள்ளது.

ஒவ்வொரு வீடும், ஒரு நாட்டிற்கான குறும்படைப்புத்தான். அதற்கென்று அரசன், அரசி, அமைச்சன், பணியாள், பரிவாரங்கள் உண்டு. தனித்துவம் கெடாமல் கூடி வாழும் கலையைக் கற்றுக் கொடுக்கும் கூடாரம் வீடு.

தன் வீட்டில் தனக்கான இடம் எது என்பதைக் கற்றுக்கொள்வது முதற்பாடம். அது புறத்தேவைகளுக்கான இடம் மட்டுமன்று. அகத்தளவில் அவ்வீட்டில் தான் யாராக இருக்கிறோம் என்பதை முதலில் உணா்ந்துகொள்வதையும், அதனை முதலில் உணா்த்திவிடுவதிலும் இருக்கிறது தொடக்கநிலைக் கல்வி.

தன்னளவில் யாரும் மன்னா்தான். மகாராணிதான். பொதுவாழ்வில் அவா்கள் சில இடங்களில் மந்திரிகளாக இருக்கலாம். தளபதிகளாய்த் திகழலாம். தொண்டா்களாய் வாழலாம். ஆனால், குடிமக்கள் என்பதில் உறுதியாய் இருக்க வேண்டும். இந்த நிலைப்பாடுகளைச் சரியான வகையில் நியதிப்படுத்தத் தெரியாத நேரங்களில், இடங்களில்தான் சிக்கல்கள் நேருகின்றன.

தன் அலுவலகத்தில் எத்தகு உயா்பதவியில் ஒருவா் இருந்தாலும், ஓடும் பேருந்தில் ஏறிப் பயணிக்கும்போது, நடத்துநருக்கு முன் அவா் ஒரு பயணி. அவ்வளவுதானே? மருத்துவருக்கு முன் ஒரு நோயாளி. ஆசிரியருக்கு முன் ஒரு மாணவன். தந்தைக்கு முன் பிள்ளை. இப்படிச் சூழலுக்கு ஏற்ப, அமையும் பாத்திரத்தன்மைகளை உணா்ந்து அதற்கான நியதிகளைக் கடைப்பிடிக்கக் கற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்பதை, சைவ உணவு உண்ணும் மூத்தவா், கிராமத்துப் பெரியவா், ‘பாம்பு தின்கிற ஊருக்குப் போனால் நடுத்துண்டம் நமக்கு என்று உட்காா்ந்துவிட வேண்டும்’ என்றாா்.

 சிறு வயதில் கிடைக்கும் சலுகைகளை, வசதிகளைக் கடைசி வரைக்கும் எதிா்பாா்க்கும் உள்ளம் சவலைத் தன்மை உடையது. அதிலிருந்து பெரியவா்கள் தன்னை விடுவித்துக் கொள்ளவேண்டியது 

இப்போது, பெரியவா்களுக்கான நிலைப்பாட்டை, சிறுவா் சிறுமியா் எடுத்துக் கொள்கிறாா்கள். ‘அது அப்படியில்லே தாத்தா’, ‘இது இப்படித்தான் பாட்டி’ என்று மழலை மொழியில் புதிய வாழ்க்கைப் பாடம் நடத்துகிறாா்கள். 

நவீன வாழ்க்கையை நவீன முறையில் எதிா்கொள்வது நவீன மனிதா்களால்தானே முடியும்? மிகுதியும் இயந்திரங்களோடு பழகி, இயந்திரமயமாகிப் போன வாழ்வில் இதயங்கள் கொண்ட மனிதா்களாக இருப்பதில் பல சிக்கல்கள் இருக்கத்தான் செய்கின்றன என்பதை இதயபூா்வமாக உணா்ந்துகொண்டால் எல்லாம் எளிதாக-இனிமையாக இருக்கும் என்பது தெளிவானது.

எழுதுவதிலும், பேசுவதிலும், பாா்ப்பதிலும் இல்லாத வாழ்க்கை, வாழ்வதில் இருக்கிறது. உலகம் பலவிதம். அதில் ஒவ்வொருவரும் ஒரு தனி ரகம். ‘ஒரு மனிதன் ஒரு வீடு ஒரு உலகம்’ என்று எழுத்தாளா் ஜெயகாந்தனும், ‘லீலை இவ்வுலகு’ என்று மகாகவி பாரதியும் சும்மாவா சொன்னாா்கள்?

கட்டுரையாளா்:

எழுத்தாளா்.

NEWS TODAY 16.02.2025

 

For now, take affidavit route to register name change: HC

For now, take affidavit route to register name change: HC 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 16.02.2025

Bengaluru : The high court has said until adequate amendments are made to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act and the Rules regarding change of name of children, the authorities can adopt a procedure calling upon applicant-parents to give a sworn affidavit to the effect that they have changed the name of their ward on their own accord and request that the entries in the birth register be changed accordingly.

Justice NS Sanjay Gowda gave this direction while allowing a petition filed by a three-year-old boy, represented by his mother Deepika Bhat of Udupi. “It is, however, made clear that in case of deaths, the question of changing the name would not arise and hence, these directions would be inapplicable,” the judge added.

The petitioner had requested the registrar of births and deaths, Udupi, that his name be changed from Adhrith Bhat to Shrijith Bhat as the former was astrologically not proper. However, on Nov 4, 2023, an endorsement was issued rejecting the request, citing that neither the Act nor the Rules provide for the same. The endorsement was challenged before the high court. 

Justice Gowda noted that since there is no provision under the Act or the Rules for a change of name, a piquant situation has arisen which requires resolution in such a manner that neither authorities nor the applicants are prejudiced. In the absence of legislation prescribing a procedure for changing the name of a person and until a relevant law is enacted, parents could give a sworn affidavit to the effect that they have changed the name of the child on their own accord and the entries in the birth register be changed accordingly. 

“The authorities should verify the identity of the parents and proceed to incorpo rate the changed name in the register of births. The authorities, in order to ensure that there is no attempt to create a record for ulterior purposes, should make a remark in the register stating that the name of the child was changed subsequently pursuant to a request made by the parents,” the judge said, adding that the register would mention both the original and new names. “In fact, even in respect of an adult who seeks a change of name, the same procedure can be adopted,” Justice Gowda said, directing that the procedure he laid out be followed and name change be permitted in the register of births and deaths. 

With regard to the petitioner, the judge directed for entry in the register of births and also in the birth certificate to the effect that Adhrith Bhat is changed to Shrijith Bhat.

How pure are your daily food items? This kit can tell you in 5 minutes

How pure are your daily food items? This kit can tell you in 5 minutes

 Parth.Shastri@timesofindia.com  16.02.2025

Ahmedabad : Concerned about the quality of your daily food intake? A new rapid testing kit (RTK) developed by researchers at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) enables quick detection of harmful additives and contaminants through strip and reagent based analysis within two to five minutes. These kits, designed for household application, are available at prices ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 500, according to officials.

Jayrajsinh Sarvaiya, associate professor at the School of Engineering and Technology at NFSU, said that while there are several kits available in the market, the development of RTK, which started about two years ago, was aimed at making a reliable kit applicable for a market like India. "Our focus was on segments such as milk and spices. The team has got a patent for liposomebased technique for one of the kits,” said Sarvaiya. “For example, urea is added to milk to improve the solids content and hydrogen peroxide to improve raw milk quality. While it may also occur in normal milk, its quantity is within permissible limits. Similarly, poorly-handled spices have aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) whereas some spices — especially turmeric and chilli powder – have addition of prohibited food dyes,” said Sarvaiya. 

The kit can be used both by industry and citizens’ 

The kits are designed to catch these frequently observed impurities. Similarly, if the food is claimed to be organic, it can be tested for urea concentrate,” Jayrajsinh Sarvaiya, associate 

professor at the School of Engineering and Technology at NFSU. Prof S O Junare, the campus director of NFSU Gandhinagar, said that the testing kits are regularly exhibited at food festivals and science fairs organized in Gujarat by the university. “It is affordable and easy to use. In the past few months, we have produced hundreds of such kits for various calibrations that can be used both by the industry and common citizens,” he said. “The kits come with a manual that provides the user guidance on how to use it. For example, in the milk testing kit, the user has to put four drops at the given points on the strip. If the strip changes colour — grey for starch, yellow for urea, orange for hydrogen peroxide — one can ascertain its presence,” said Sarvaiya. City-based physicians said that prolonged consumption of adulterated food items leads to health complications such as gastrointestinal issues, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity among others.

Device to treat pain in cancer patients AT RGGGH

Device to treat pain in cancer patients AT RGGGH 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  16.02.2025

Chennai : A radiofrequency ablation (RFA) device, used to treat chronic pain in the neck, back, and joints, particularly in cancer patients, was inaugurated at Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital. Funded by a donation from the administrator general and official trustee (AGOT), it was dedicated to the public by Justice S S Sundar. 

RFA therapy uses heat to destroy nerve tissue, thereby interrupting pain signals to the brain. “RFA is considered when other methods of treatment, such as pain medication and physical therapy, are not successful,” said health minister Ma Subramanian. The procedure involves inserting a needle-like probe into the target area, where radiofrequency waves generate heat to destroy the nerve tissue. “This therapy can cost up to ₹1 lakh in private hospitals. Patients at RGGH who found no relief from drugs such as morphine will now benefit from this,” he added. 

RGGH dean Dr E Thera-nirajan said the hospital submitted a request and made a presentation to the govt seeking funds for the RFA device. The AGOT board granted ₹42 lakh for the purchase. “RFA is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat a variety of conditions. Patients are likely to be pain-free for at least one year,” he said. The equipment can also be used to shrink or destroy tumours in vital organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys. Additionally, i t is used to treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) by destroying small areas of heart tissue-causing the irregularities. “It is performed under local anaesthesia, and patients can usually go home the same day,” he said.

5-yr bar on PhD admissions at Raj univ; ‘high enrolment’ complaints

5-yr bar on PhD admissions at Raj univ; ‘high enrolment’ complaints

Yogita.Rao@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Mumbai : A university in Rajasthan, popular among Mumbai college teachers for securing PhDs, has been debarred by the University Grants Commission (UGC) from enrolling students in their PhD programmes for the next five years, starting 2025-26. Shri Jagdish prasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University (JJTU) has also been asked to discontinue enrolling PhD students immediately. The private university from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu is governed by laws of the Rajasthan state govt and was founded by Mumbai-based Shri Rajasthani Seva Sangh in 2009. 

The trust, which runs schools and colleges in Andheri, plans to appeal. One of the complaints against the university is they “awarded an unusually high number of PhDs during the period from 2016 to 2020”. The university awarded 1,830 PhD degrees in this period and 408 in 20-20. Another complaint alleged it appoints outside faculty as PhD guides. Teachers said several of its PhD guides earlier were from Mumbai colleges. 

The debarment notice came two days ago following the recommendation of UGC’s standing committee, which found that JJTU did not follow provisions of the commission’s PhD regulations. The university was given an opportunity to explain why it failed to comply with provisions of the UGC PhD regulations; however, the responses received from JJTU were not found satisfactory’. The  committee constituted to monitor whether universities are following the procedure and awarding PhD regulations is also to suggest corrective measures and recommend action to be taken against erring universities. A trustee, though, said there is always misconception about private universities. 

“The UGC has never capped the total number of students who enrol in PhD programmes; what it mentions is the research scholar per guide ratio, which is four for assistant professor, six for associate professor, and eight for professor. JJTU has been adhering to this norm. The only oversight on our part is that we did not submit the Rajasthan govt-appointed committee’s report from 2023 in the submissions to the UGC. The committee was given the list of guides from outside the university along with the in-house ones, and they raised no objection to the appointment of outside faculty,” said the trustee, adding they would submit the committee’s report and appeal to the UGC to reconsider the ban in the coming week. 

The Rajasthan govt set up the committee in 2023 after receiving complaints against the university for appointing higher numbers of PhD guides from outside the university, which was against UGC norms. The committee closed the complaints after an inquiry. JJTU is sought by aspiring college teachers and even those seeking promotions or better placement. 

A senior teacher said the university rose to popularity as there is higher demand from aspirants in Mumbai colleges. “Earlier, Mumbai University’s selection process and approvals from the research and recognition committees (RRC) used to take a longer time, and there were fewer guides for commerce subjects, and JJTU was seen as an easier alternative,” said the teacher, adding the university claims to follow all UGC norms. PhDs from JJTU, on some occasions, were not considered for Maharashtra’s career advancement schemes, said a Mumbai University official.

Deposits up to ₹5L safe, RBI assures New India customers

Deposits up to ₹5L safe, RBI assures New India customers 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.02.2025

Mumbai : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shreekant, former chief general manager of State Bank of India (SBI) as ‘Administrator’ to manage the affairs of the New India Cooperative bank during the moratorium while restrictions are in force on withdrawals by account holders. It has also appointed a Committee of Advisors, which includes Ravindra Sapra (former general manager, SBI) and Abhijeet Deshmukh (chartered accountant), to assist the administrator during the transition. RBI has assured small savings account holders that their investments are safe. It said, “eligible depositors would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of their deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5,00,000 per deposit from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), as applicable under the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961.” Deposits coming under the Rs 5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors (see graphic). The likelihood of depositors getting their full money would depend on the extent of losses reported by the bank for March 2025. 

The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. 

The bank reduced its accumulated losses from Rs 30.7 crore in FY23 to Rs 22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by Rs 155 crore (11.7%) to Rs 1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by Rs 30.5 crore (1.3%) to Rs 2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at Rs 1175 crore, working capital was Rs 2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were Rs 292.9 crore.  Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI's directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI's prior approval.

 “The Bank has shifted its Virar Branch to nearby location after obtaining necessary permission from RBI. The Bank has merged its Shanti Park, Mira Road Branch with Poonam Gar den, Mira Road Branch and Wakad, Pune Branch with Bibwewadi Branch to curtail rent & other administrative cost to improve profitability of the Bank,” said vice chairman, Gauri Bhanu in her letter to members last year. 

Senior citizens throng branches, say retirement funds lie locked 

Mumbai : Worried depositors thronged New India Cooperative Bank’s branches on Friday to inquire if their deposits were safe. New India branches had put up banners with a message from the “Acting CEO” saying amounts up to Rs 5 lakh were insured with Depositor Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation and would be released “in around 90 days.” But frustration was writ large on the faces of those gathered. There were questions regarding the fate of those with more than Rs 5 lakh parked. Cops were present at some outlets to keep the situation under control. Somashekhar Nair, a retired resident of Virar, said, "I have had an account with this bank for the last 20 years. I also receive some funds from LIC and other sources here. Now there is no one who can answer our queries. What is the govt doing? There is no one to speak to us from the bank. I need money for my medicines and other expenses, why should I beg from others when I have my own funds.” Ashok Bhosale, who retired from the BMC's Fire Brigade department, said he was deeply worried  because he had fixed deposits of 15 lakh in the Mulund branch. Outside the Vasai west branch, senior citizen Chandrashekar Pethe said the restrictions imposed on the bank will hurt the common man. “This is a social issue concerning all.” Another senior Shashikant Karambekar said he was confident of getting his money back as it was insured.

 In Thane, a school teacher who had a savings account, said she had some money in the New India account. Though her salary account was shifted to another bank, she had chosen to keep the account active. 

METAANALYSIS: The number of Urban Cooperative Banks declined to 1,472 in March 2024 from 1,502 a year ago. They had deposits of Rs 5,56,962 crore, of which Rs 3.71 lakh crore were covered under insurance. The rest were held by individuals above the limit. Cooperative banks account for 2.5% of total deposits in the country

NEWS TODAY 15.02.2025

 

No rooms in Prayagraj hotels even as mega event nears end

No rooms in Prayagraj hotels even as mega event nears end

Kapil.Dixit@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Prayagraj : Even after completion of five major snans, including three amrit snans of Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami at the ongoing Maha Kumbh there seems to be no space available for occupants in hotels. The coinciding of the ongoing Maha Kumbh and wedding season has puzzled the occupants who are running from pillar to post to get hotel rooms booked. Apart from pre-booking for the Maha Kumbh and wedding season, the majority of hotel room seekers are trying to get space within the city limits, assuming that traffic jams or other problems could play spoilsport in their celebrations if they book hotels in trans-Ganga and trans-Yamunabased hotels or marriage pandals. There are some families who have postponed marriage or other marriage related events till next month. 

For instance, one Sanjay Kumar is taking rounds of hotels to get rooms booked for his son’s marriage. Apart from the availability, the tariffs of hotels, including luxury or budget, guest houses, and paying guest facilities are also giving sleepless nights to seekers. Currently, the tariffs of rooms in hotels located in posh Civil Lines, SP Marg, MG Marg, or the railway station, are quite high since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh, and the majority of rooms in all luxury and budget hotels are booked in advance. 

On Friday, one Rahul and his family from Lucknow were searching for a hotel room with basic amenities and security in all of the city for Feb 22 as they planned to revisit the Maha Kumbh. After an online and offline search, the family found that the rooms were priced high until March 11. He said, “We are looking for affordable rooms as many of our relatives and friends have planned to visit Kumbh. We found the majority of hotel rooms booked in advance and fewer chances of getting affordable rooms.”

KGMU docs remove woman’s oral tumour

KGMU docs remove woman’s oral tumour 

15.02.2025

Lucknow : Doctors from the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at KGMU’s faculty of dentistry performed surgery on a woman suffering from a tumour in her mouth. The tumour was located on her lip, making it difficult for her to eat, drink and breathe. After the surgery, she fully recovered. Sufiya Bano, 37, a resident of Indrauli, Sitapur, initially developed a small pimple on her upper lip two years ago. She ignored it at first, but within 2-3 months, it grew into a tumour. 

Her family took her to a local hospital, where doctors performed surgery. However, about a year later, the tumour began growing at double the speed, eventually closing her mouth completely. Eating and drinking became difficult, and breathing, especially at night, was extremely challenging. 

As her condition worsened, her family brought her to KGMU. On Friday, Prof Hariram and his team removed the tumour. He expressed hope that the tumour would not recur. The patient is now able to breathe normally. The surgical team included Dr Ranjita, Dr Nirmal Chaurasia, Dr Krishna, Dr Sania Zia, Prof Shefali Gautam from the anaesthesia department and nurse Maya Rajput.

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees

VTU directs colleges to refund students’ fees 

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Bengaluru : Following complaints about refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal of admissions, Visvesvaraya Technological University warned of action if colleges do not follow the directions of apex bodies on this matter. In a circular dated Feb 11, the university said it received many petitions and requests regarding refund of fees to students in case of withdrawal or cancellation of admissions.

 “The university had advised/instructed colleges to follow the norms of apex bodies. Despite that, the university is receiving such complaints. Hence, once again, it is hereby informed to heads of institutions to follow the directions of UGC, AICTE and VTU in this regard, failing which the university will be forced to initiate action against the college and will also report to AICTE, UGC and the state govt,” said the circular. As per UGC regulations for 2024-25, full refund of fees should be made in case of cancellation of admissions/migrations of students up to Sept 30, 2024, and with a deduction of not more than Rs 1,000 as processing fee up to Oct 31, 2024. For any admission schedule extending this date, the rules will be as follows: Students will get 100% if cancellation is 15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission; students should get 90% for withdrawing less than 15 days before notified last date of admission; 80% for 15 days or less after last date of admission; 50% for 30 days or less, but mo re than 15 days after last date of admission, and no refund if cancellation is more than 30 days after formally notified last date of admission. “Students often struggle to get refund from colleges.

Not only do colleges not refund, but they also threaten to not return the original certificates. Some of them go to the extent of asking for full course fees,” said Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje, founder of National Pre-University Students,  Parents and Teachers Association. “Students can email their complaint to UGC fee samadhan portal along with fees paid receipt, admission cancellation intimation, etc., marking the email ID of the college too,” he said

RBI freeze on co-op bank hits depositors TIMES NEWS NETWORK Mumbai : Funds of lakhs of depositors and several cooperative housing societies are stuck with New India Cooperative Bank after it was placed under moratorium by RBI on Thursday. RBI said the restrictions were imposed “due to supervisory concerns” over “recent material developments in the bank, and to protect the interest of depositors...” The action follows a spot inspection and a complaint filed by the bank’s chief compliance officer with the Economic Offences Wing over alleged fund misappropriation by staff. A police source said a bank official would be called to record his statement. RBI has dissolved the bank’s board for mismanagement and appointed an administrator and a committee of advisors to restore operations and revive the bank. Bankers speculate that operations are likely to be taken over by another cooperative bank. Anxious depositors thronged branches across the Mumbai region. They were greeted by banners in the name of the “Acting CEO” that said deposits up to ₹5 lakh were insured and would be released “in around 90 days”. Deposits coming under the ₹5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors. However, no bank staff were available to answer queries. Pandurang Kamble, an account holder in the Virar branch for the last 22 years, said, “I have ₹5 lakh in fixed deposits. My salary is also credited in this account. If there is no refund after 90 days then what? My wife is a cardiac patient, what will happen to her once I break this news? Govt should step in and help us.” The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. The bank reduced its accumulated losses from ₹30.7 crore in FY23 to ₹22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by ₹155 crore (11.7%) to ₹1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by ₹ 30.5 crore (1.3%) to ₹2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at ₹1175 crore, working capital was ₹2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were ₹292.9 crore. Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI’s directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI’s prior approval.

RBI freeze on co-op bank hits depositors TIMES NEWS NETWORK Mumbai : Funds of lakhs of depositors and several cooperative housing societies are stuck with New India Cooperative Bank after it was placed under moratorium by RBI on Thursday. RBI said the restrictions were imposed “due to supervisory concerns” over “recent material developments in the bank, and to protect the interest of depositors...” The action follows a spot inspection and a complaint filed by the bank’s chief compliance officer with the Economic Offences Wing over alleged fund misappropriation by staff. A police source said a bank official would be called to record his statement. RBI has dissolved the bank’s board for mismanagement and appointed an administrator and a committee of advisors to restore operations and revive the bank. Bankers speculate that operations are likely to be taken over by another cooperative bank. Anxious depositors thronged branches across the Mumbai region. They were greeted by banners in the name of the “Acting CEO” that said deposits up to ₹5 lakh were insured and would be released “in around 90 days”. Deposits coming under the ₹5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors. However, no bank staff were available to answer queries. Pandurang Kamble, an account holder in the Virar branch for the last 22 years, said, “I have ₹5 lakh in fixed deposits. My salary is also credited in this account. If there is no refund after 90 days then what? My wife is a cardiac patient, what will happen to her once I break this news? Govt should step in and help us.” The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. The bank reduced its accumulated losses from ₹30.7 crore in FY23 to ₹22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by ₹155 crore (11.7%) to ₹1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by ₹ 30.5 crore (1.3%) to ₹2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at ₹1175 crore, working capital was ₹2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were ₹292.9 crore. Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI’s directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI’s prior approval.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  15.02.2025

Mumbai : Funds of lakhs of depositors and several cooperative housing societies are stuck with New India Cooperative Bank after it was placed under moratorium by RBI on Thursday. RBI said the restrictions were imposed “due to supervisory concerns” over “recent material developments in the bank, and to protect the interest of depositors...” The action follows a spot inspection and a complaint filed by the bank’s chief compliance officer with the Economic Offences Wing over alleged fund misappropriation by staff. A police source said a bank official would be called to record his statement. 

RBI has dissolved the bank’s board for mismanagement and appointed an administrator and a committee of advisors to restore operations and revive the bank. Bankers speculate that operations are likely to be taken over by another cooperative bank. Anxious depositors thronged branches across the Mumbai region. They were greeted by banners in the name of the “Acting CEO” that said deposits up to ₹5 lakh were insured and would be released “in around 90 days”. Deposits coming under the ₹5 lakh insurance cover over 90% of the bank’s 1.3 lakh depositors. However, no bank staff were available to answer queries. Pandurang Kamble, an account holder in the Virar branch for the last 22 years, said, “I have ₹5 lakh in fixed deposits. My salary is also credited in this account. If there is no refund after 90 days then what? My wife is a cardiac patient, what will happen to her once I break this news? Govt should step in and help us.” The bank has 28 branches in Maharashtra and Gujarat. New India Cooperative Bank was founded as Bombay Labour Co-operative Bank in 1968 by late parliamentarian George Fernandes. It was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank after the Emergency. 

The bank reduced its accumulated losses from ₹30.7 crore in FY23 to ₹22.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. However, its advances portfolio decreased by ₹155 crore (11.7%) to ₹1174.8 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Deposits increased by ₹ 30.5 crore (1.3%) to ₹2,436 crore as of Mar 31, 2024. Advances portfolio stood at ₹1175 crore, working capital was ₹2,997 crore, and total reserve funds were ₹292.9 crore. Under RBI directions, the bank is restricted from allowing withdrawals from savings or current accounts but can set off loans against deposits under certain conditions. Essential expenditures such as salaries, rent, and electricity bills are permitted as per RBI’s directions. It cannot also grant or renew loans and advances, make investments, incur liabilities (including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits), disburse payments, enter into compromises, or dispose of properties or assets without RBI’s prior approval.

Over 75,000 to appear for CBSE board exams

Over 75,000 to appear for CBSE board exams

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.02.2025

Ahmedabad : Final exams for Classes 10 and 12 under the Central Board of Secondary Education

(CBSE) will begin on Saturday.

From Gujarat, 75,000 students have registered for these exams, of which nearly 43,000 students are

from Class 10 and around 32,000 are from Class 12. As many as 14,281 students are from  Ahmedabad city, of which 7,909 students are from Class 10 and 6,372 are from Class 12.

According to officials, Class 10 students will take the English exam and Class 12 students will take  the entrepreneurship exam on Sa turday. The Class 10 exams will conclude on March 18 while  Class 12 exams will continue till April 4.

The exam will be conducted at 21 centres in Ahmedabad. The board has made it clear that in

addition to their admit card and school ID card, students are allowed to carry a transparent pouch, geometry box, transparent water bottle, metro cards, bus passes and money.

The CBSE has also made it clear that regular students appearing for the CBSE board exams must wear their school uniform.

Last year, more than 69,000 students from Classes 10 and 12 in the state took the CBSE board exam

HC stays order on returning ‘thaali’ to Lankan woman

 HC stays order on returning ‘thaali’ to Lankan woman 

CUSTOMS SLEUTHS FILE APPEAL 

Sureshkumar.k@timesofindia.com 15.02.2025

Chennai : A newly wed Sri Lankan woman, whose ‘thaali’ was seized by Chennai Customs officials a t airport citing rules concerning personal gold j ewellery, will have to wait for the return of the mangalsutra for some more time, as adivision bench stayed a single judge order asking Customs to return it to her. In his order on Jan 31, a single judge ordered the return of 133 grams of gold jewellery, including the ‘thaali’, seized from Thanushika, a Sri Lankan, at the Chennai airport. On Friday, however, a division bench of Justice S S Sundar and Justice C Saravanan stayed the single judge order, on an appeal moved by the customs department. The single judge had justified the order by observing that, as per our customs, it is normal for a newly married person to wear jewellery in such quantity. 

He added that the officers, while conducting searches, must respect the customs of every religion in this country and that it was unfair on the part of the customs officials to remove the ‘thaali’ from the petitioner. In another order, the single judge ordered the return of 135 grams of bangles seized from one Sabeena Mohammed Moidenn on the ground that she wore the bangles on her hands without any secrecy or concealment. 

Aggrieved, the customs preferred an appeal against the orders. When both the appeals came up for hearing, the customs contended that, as per rules, articles valued over ₹50,000 carried through the airports are taxed. They added that an order exempting jewellery worn by persons from the purview of such tax would affect the economy of the country. Concurring with the submissions, the court granted an interim stay against the orders of the single judge

Amid PG med admission chaos, aspirants at a loss

Amid PG med admission chaos, aspirants at a loss

Yogita.Rao@timesofindia.com  14.02.2025

Mumbai : The woes of postgraduate medical aspirants continue this admission season. While they appeared for NEET-PG last Aug, many are still waiting to secure seats. The counselling process eventually commenced in Nov, but many are still frustrated with the delays and confusion. Even as the Directorate General of Health Services’ (DGHS) medical counselling committee (MCC) set a deadline of Feb 15 to close the admissions across the country in the third round, the state is yet to start the third round, creating confusion for aspirants. A fresh set of eligibility guidelines released by the MCC for the stray vacancy round on Wednesday, which contradicts the state’s pro cess, has stumped a few. Since the state is yet to declare the allotment list in the third round, candidates who may have a chance in the state are unable to secure seats in other states, said parent representative Sudha Shenoy. 

“If astudent secures a seat in the third round somewhere else, and his/her name appears in the Maharashtra state list in the third round, they will lose aseat in their home state. If they let go of the other seat and they do not even get a seat in Maharashtra counselling, they will be out of the process. Due to the delay in Maharashtra, they are unable to take a definitive call,” she said. In the circular released by MCC, the authority specified that the candidates who did not join their allotted seats through the central process in round three are ‘not eligible’ to participate in the upcoming stray vacancy round, but it said that the ‘not reported’ candidates are eligible for state counselling. Parent Brijesh Sutaria, though, said that the state considers only the allotment list for making students ineligible. A CET cell official said the same circular mentions the candidates can contact the state counselling authorities for information on state quota seats and therefore the state guidelines will be followed. The official also said the state’s third list allotment will be released in a day or two  and they are awaiting an updated merit list from the National Board of Examinations. The state has written to MCC explaining the situation and to seek a deadline extension.