Banks should help students realise their dreams, says HC

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 00:00 IST

Comes down heavily on ‘whimsical approach of banks’


Nationalised banks should assume larger social responsibility towards realisation of legitimate ambition of thousands of poor students who could otherwise ill afford to pursue higher education, observed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday.

The court was hearing the plea filed by a casual labourer who sought a direction to the Madurai branch of Andhra Bank to grant education loan to his daughter. Justice V. Parthiban directed the bank to consider the claim of the petitioner and sanction the loan within two weeks.

The court observed that grant of educational loan to aspiring students could not be perilously dependent on an whimsical approach of nationalised banks. The banks should not be allowed to fish out norms in order to deny educational loan to aspiring students.

“When the State has abdicated its primary responsibility in providing free education to its citizens and allowed a plethora of private players to run professional and other educational institutions, the mushrooming of such institutions has rendered education a costly affair. In such a scenario it is imperative on the part of nationalised banks to grant educational loans as far as possible to help poor students achieve their dream and goal,” Justice Parthiban said.

In the absence of any considered approach by the banks in alleviating the grievances of poor people who found it difficult to provide good education to their children, many deserving students would be denied of a chance to pursue higher education only because of their poverty and non-affordability. Such a situation would not advance the cause of a welfare State. Since the public had invested their money with the banks, the banks must subserve public interest as well, the court said.

The court was hearing the case of K. Alagarsamy of Madurai, a casual labourer, who sought a direction to the bank for the grant of Rs. 4.60 lakh as educational loan for his daughter A. Pavithra, currently pursuing B.Sc. Agriculture. When the petitioner approached the bank seeking the loan, he was denied it as he had defaulted on an agricultural loan obtained from the same bank earlier. The petitioner claimed that he had obtained a loan of Rs. 10,000 which was waived by the State government.

Pay via e-wallets for IOC gas cylinders soon

Deepa H. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 00:00 IST



The need for cash payments will be eliminated with e-wallet payments. 

IOC to train delivery boys

Soon, you can pay for your Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) refill by transferring cash from your e-wallet.

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), which has a customer base of 35 lakh in Chennai region alone, is in the process of providing training to gas delivery boys and distributors to use e-wallets.

According to sources in IOCL, every day around 77,000 refill bookings/deliveries are made in the Chennai region, which comprises Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts. And most customers pay by cash. “Not all customers have the exact change and end up complaining that the gas delivery boy pockets the additional cash. If e-wallets are used, the need for cash is eliminated,” the official explained. However, a distributor, who had tried out payment using a particular e-wallet, said that not many customers were comfortable with the system.

Preference for cash

“They are afraid the app may take more money than necessary. They say it is not a fool-proof system and prefer to pay by cash. But there too, we have issues with gas delivery boys asking for extra money,” he said.

Already, IOCL customers have the option to book and pay for refills online, thus avoiding cash transactions. Just last month, this number rose from 0.6 to 0.8% (462 to 616 bookings), meaning more customers were opting for online transactions, the official said. However, distributors said they were not comfortable with the online system as they had to wait for two or three days for cash to be credited to their account. “But when we place orders, unless we pay cash upfront we will not get the load. We have to appoint someone to track the online transactions that are too small in number. It is not worth the effort,” said a distributor. Another distributor said that in case of holidays, it would take more than 48 hours for the money to be credited to their account.

Ph.D student alleges harassment by guide

R. Sujatha

CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 00:00 IST

However, professor lists complaints against him

A Ph.D student of Presidency College has filed a complaint against his guide with the Anna Square police station alleging harassment.

The student has complained against an English professor of the college under The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, alleging that he was not being allowed to complete his course work. He also alleged that he had been asked to sign a letter that he would withdraw from the Ph.D programme.

The police said they were investigating the case. An officer said an inquiry was conducted with other students and faculty members in the department, besides former students of the professor. The complaint was filed a month ago and the police said investigation was still on.

‘Unacceptable requests’

Sakya Sakthi, an activist, said often SC students were asked to comply with unacceptable requests such as doing chores for their guides. He also complained that the scholarship money was inordinately delayed or denied to such students.

Students from SC/ST communities also had difficulty in understanding and were often asked to give up their studies as they could not meet the academic requirements, he said.

N. Bindu, the professor, said the candidate was a full-time student under her guideship, but had not been regular to college. He was admitted in 2014, and till 2018 he has not even chosen a research topic.

Surprising allegations

“How can he file a six-monthly report without a topic? He did not come to college regularly. I admitted him as he was honest and came with a recommendation. He should have presented a paper in an international seminar and in a national seminar by now,” she said.

The candidate did not appear for the inquiry instituted by the college either. On August 30, he was asked to sign an undertaking that he would make progress in one year. He was also advised to convert to a part-time research scholar, Ms. Bindu said.

Faculty members in other departments said they were surprised at the allegations against the professor as she was considered to be a good teacher.

The candidate could not be reached for comment.

HOW CAN MEDITATION CURE STRESS IN YOUNG ADULTS

times of india 10.09.2018

Stress and depression are the biggest ailments troubling the youth. However, what we need is to develop a capacity to handle negative stress, writes Master Shiv

World Health Organisation’s definition of health, as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, captures the broad tenets of wellness. Globally, stress and depression are the top causes of illness and disability among the youth. Suicide ranks second among the main causes of death in young adults. At its worst, stress and depression can lead to suicide. This is also one of the biggest challenges faced by students in India. Recognising stress and depression at an early stage is critical for reducing mental and physiological breakdown in youth.

The factors that contribute to high risk are lack of sleep, poor eating habits and inadequate exercise. All this encompass an ideal combination for depression to set in. Day-to-day challenges such as managing peer pressure, high cost of education, propensity to land a decent job after education and failed relationships also force youth to remain stressed.

Unfortunately, despite attempts to create awareness, societal stigma is associated with stress and depression in the youth. This dissuades the youth or the family members to accept it as a medical problem, thereby debarring them from looking for solutions or going in for counselling to eradicate this extremely crippling phenomenon.

IMPLICATIONS OF STRESS

A survey shows that globally, a substantial percentage of today’s youth is suffering from some form of stress and depression. A Yale University research says stress and depression reduce the area of our brain responsible for self-control, thus reducing our coping ability. This affects the cardiovascular system leading to hypertension, which dramatically increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure that is proven by crippling illnesses among the youth. Moreover, it also impacts the digestive system causing bowel problems. However, the effect is reversed once stress and depression is handled.

WHAT IS MINDFUL MEDITATION

Mindful Meditation is a unique technique where one is not directed at being different from how we already are. Instead, it helps us become aware of what is real and true, moment by moment. It teaches us how to be unconditionally present; in other words, it helps us to connect with whatever is happening around us.

If breathing is good, which it is, then paying attention to the breathing pattern as a phenomenon has unprecedented powers and how that can be attained by youth is what should be the focus. This is proven after extensive research into investigating the benefits of Mindful Meditation — a practice in which one sits quietly while focussing on one’s breathing and body. The technique helps us to analyse the past, foresee the future and plan the present while addressing the physiological and psychological aspects of individuals initially and in advanced stages. Focussed, rhythmic monosyllabic vibrations, when internalised, can create the rise of positive energy, thereby reducing toxins.

(The author is a practising lifestyle and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach)

> For the complete story visit

educationtimes.com

New law says seeking sexual favour ‘a bribe’

New Delhi: times 10.09.2018

Seeking and accepting sexual favours can be considered a bribe under the new anti-corruption law with the accused getting up to seven years jail term, a senior government official said on Sunday.

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, incorporates the umbrella term “undue advantage”, which means any gratification other than legal remuneration and also includes expensive club memberships and hospitality, the official explained.

The word “gratification” is not limited to pecuniary gratifications or to gratifications estimable in money, says the amended anti-corruption law.

The act had been notified in late July by the central government after getting assent from President Ram Nath Kovind.

The 2018 law amends the 30-year-old Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, that covers instances of corruption by public servants. The amended law also has the provision to punish bribe givers with a jail term of maximum of seven years. Before this, bribe-givers were not covered in any domestic legislation to check corruption. PTI

CRACKING DOWN

Loco pilot walks off, train blocks crossing for 14 hrs

Vincent.Arockiaraj@timesgroup.com

Trichy: 10.09.2018

Scores of people in Kumbakonam, especially those in Sakkottai and Nachiyarkoil, were unable to pass through the manned level crossing adjoining the station for over 14 hours on Saturday as a goods train lay there blocking their passage. Railway sources said the loco pilot abandoned the train after informing his superior that his duty hours had come to an end and he was unable to continue. However, functionaries of the railway union have blamed the crew controllers’ wrong planning for the incident.

Kumbakonam and nearby areas in Thanjavur district are known to have a number of modern rice mills. Hence, loading or unloading of paddy bags at the goods yard located adjacent to the Kumbakonam railway station is routine. According to sources, as usual, a goods train piloted by N Velmurugan arrived at the yard in Kumbakonam and the process of loading paddy bags commenced. When the process got over, it was 3 am on Saturday by which time the crew’s duty hours were over.

Velmurugan had driven the loco up to Kumbakonam railway station and brought the engine to a halt on the third platform. Subsequently, he had informed the crew control at Trichy railway junction of his inability to continue as he had already crossed his duty time of 12 hours. Railway sources said that the goods train was bound for Pollachi. As the pilot could not be convinced to continue his duty further, the crew control authorities relieved him. Meanwhile, since the train comprised 41 goods wagons, it had extended beyond a manned level crossing (MLC).

Members of the public said the train was found halted at the station from 3 am till around 5.30pm on Saturday when it finally started chugging towards Trichy.

TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE

For UGC nod, Madras univ shifts staff to dist edu centre

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 10.09.2018

The regular departments of the University of Madras have lost 12 faculty members, two contract lecturers from constituent college and another contract lecturer, to the Institute of Distance Education (IDE) last week. The university syndicate unanimously gave its nod to the transfer in order to get the recognition of University Grants Commission to run some 50 courses sought after by 28,000 students during the previous academic year. Earlier, the UGC declined recognition on the grounds that there were insufficient faculty members.

As the UGC demands that there must be at least two fulltime faculty members at associate and assistant professor level per discipline for open and distance learning courses, some members from the regular departments — commerce, computer science, English, Tamil, mathematics, criminology, economics, history and psychology have been ‘temporarily’ shifted out. Two of four faculty members from English, two of six from Tamil, two of eight from mathematics and two of five from criminology departments were transferred. History department has only two teaching staff on its roll, hence contract lecturers from constituent college were shifted.

“Having five lecturers itself was insufficient and there is a need to increase the present strength. If the regular staff are asked to handle IDE, we will struggle. We have hired guest faculty to cope with the shortage,” said criminology professor and head, M Srinivasan. The department heads were kept in the dark and informed of the transfer, before an order copy was issued to the faculty.

Students of Tamil language and literature department are perturbed. “Our semester just started, and we have lost two lecturers. Research scholars are roped in to take classes,” said a first year PG student. The onemonth deadline by UGC to “rectify the deficiency” in IDE ends on September 16.

Vice-chancellor P Duraisamy said the move was temporary. “We will start the recruitment process. It will take at least one month to complete IDE admissions. By then, we will appoint staff, and they (regular staff) will return to parent departments,” Duraisamy said. The IDE director in-charge had an interface with the UGC on Friday to get recognition.