Madras HC wants details from MCI on Trigger Point Therapy

Impressed over the 'miraculous' recovery of a nine-year-old boy, a bench headed by Justice N Kirubakaran gave the directive on November 8 last. 

Published: 11th November 2018 01:18 AM 

Madras HC (File | EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A division bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Centre and Medical Council of India (MCI) to answer whether there is any super-specialty diploma or super-specialty course available in Trigger Point Therapy and Musculo-Skeletal Therapy and how many experts in the said techniques are available in the country.

Impressed over the 'miraculous' recovery of a nine-year-old boy, who was till recently in the Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) and whose father had moved the High Court for his mercy killing, a bench headed by Justice N Kirubakaran gave the directive on November 8 last.

Passing further interim orders on the petition from R Thirumeni, father of the boy, the bench said in case no such diploma or course is offered, MCI should consider introducing such a course. Also, if any expertise is needed, the council can get the same from foreign countries by inviting experts for giving

training to Indian students or physiotherapists. The central government and MCI have to come out with their response on the next date of hearing on November 29, the bench added.

"Trigger Point Therapy, which has worked wonders on the child, who was in a PVS, is said to be part of the syllabus prescribed for Physiotherapy course. If most of the physiotherapists are unable to make use of the said therapy for betterment of patients, it can only be said that either they are unaware of the said  therapy or they lack specialisation in the same," the bench said.


The bench noted that after reading newspaper reports, many parents of similarly placed children were approaching Anirudha Medical Organisation Private Limited, where the boy is undergoing treatment, for providing same treatment to their children. But, most of them are living below poverty line and could not
afford. The pressure is so much that the hospital is unable to give treatment to all patients, free of cost.

When the hospital is able to show that the treatment given by it has proved to be a magical one for brain damaged children, its services could be utilised in a proper manner by the Central and State governments. They can provide sponsorships, so that more children can be benefited, the judges said.

The Secretaries of the Union and State Health departments would be summoned, if they fail to respond by November 29 to the queries raised by the court, the bench warned.

Retired government nurse held after Tamil Nadu woman’s death due to post-abortion complexities
Health officials tracked down Saroja after one Uma died on October 27 at a private hospital in Salem.

Published: 12th November 2018 01:59 AM 

Image used for representational purpose.

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: A former government hospital nurse alleged to have been running a clinic in a village in Salem district was arrested on Saturday after a pregnant woman died of complications days after she allegedly underwent an abortion at the clinic last month.

Directorate of Medical Services officials raided the clinic run by Saroja (69) at Vembadithalam and seized large quantities of pills used to induce medical termination of pregnancy. She is suspected of performing sex-selective abortions.

Salem police arrested Saroja for quackery. Health officials said Saroja had run the clinic for over 35 years. “She worked at Government Medical College Hospital, Salem. She took voluntary retirement in the late 1980s and has run the clinic since,” said Dr M Valarmathi, Deputy Director of Medical Rural Health and Family Welfare, Salem.


Health officials tracked down Saroja after one Uma died on October 27 at a private hospital in Salem.

“We received complaints she had undergone an abortion at Saroja’s clinic,” said Dr Valarmathi. The clinic was raided on October 29.

“But she was absconding. When we again went on Saturday, she was attending to a patient. We found abortion pills and equipment (to perform abortion),” she said. Kondalampatty police are investigating

Did not know Uma: Saroja

Saroja told officials she did not know Uma. The private hospital said Uma was referred by an Edappadi hospital which Express could not reach.

Spreading fake information is an organised crime: Prakash Raj

The project titled 'beyond fake news' kickstarted with actor Prakash Raj releasing findings from original research into how and why disinformation is shared.

Published: 12th November 2018 06:43 PM 

Actor Prakash Raj takes part in a panel discussion organised by BBC on challenges posed by fake news in the country.

(Photo|Nakshatra Krishnamoorthy /EPS)

By Sindhu Chandrasekaran

Online Desk

In an attempt to combat the menace of fake news, the BBC on Monday launched a project, titled "beyond fake news" in Chennai.

The project kickstarted with actor Prakash Raj releasing findings from original research into how and why disinformation is shared.

Blaming the ruling BJP, the actor said, "The country has witnessed a rise in crimes such as lynching and other violence triggered by fake news, in the last five years, after the BJP came into power. They have organized teams to "cook up" and spread fake news. Without our knowledge, they are misusing our love for a particular religion, caste, etc," he added.


"Spreading fake information is an organized crime....The biggest problem today is that the government, media houses and various other organisations are a part of this practise," he insisted. 

BBC on Monday launched an event in Chennai titled 'beyond fake news' to combat the menace of disinformation. (Photo | EPS)

When asked how to curb the circulation of fake news, the Gilli actor said as long as there are people who believe everything they hear, without verifying and realizing that it's an effort to distract them from the reality, there is no way this trend can be stopped. People need to understand that they are being tricked into believing something which is not true.

"I won't blame only those who spread false information. Also, those who are ready to believe it without verifying it also deserve to be blamed," he concluded.

Emphasizing on making a clear distinction between fake news and one's bias, he said, "It is a human tendency to believe in fake news. When they hear about something that they like or they know, they obviously tend to believe it."

WhatsApp to delete all chats not saved, updated via Google Drive

Android users can update their copy and configure its update frequency as long as they have a personal account on Google.

Published: 13th November 2018 06:52 AM |

For representational purposes (File | Reuters)

By IANS

MADRID: The world's most popular freeware instant messaging app confirmed its prior announcement that, as of Monday, any users who have not backed up their stored data and chats on Google Drive will lose their chat histories.

WhatsApp, which is owned by tech giant Facebook, had reached an agreement with Google last August to store user content on the Google Drive cloud storage service without said data affecting the user's maximum memory limit, Efe reported.

Furthermore, WhatsApp warned that any backups that hadn't been updated in over a year would also be automatically removed from the Google Drive storage.

This will also allow users to easily reload their data on different or new Android smartphones.


Android users can update their copy and configure its update frequency as long as they have a personal account on Google.

Earlier this year, WhatsApp's CEO and co-founder, Jan Koum, announced he was leaving Facebook

MTC cut down on 40 routes affects last-mile connectivity in Chennai

Many parts of Chennai and outskirts have lost bus connectivity in the last few years with no buses or skeletal services.

Published: 12th November 2018 02:14 AM 

Image for representational purpose for MTC buses. (EPS file photo)

By B Anbuselvan 

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Many parts of Chennai and outskirts have lost bus connectivity in the last few years with no buses or skeletal services. Data collected by Express from regular commuters and bus enthusiasts reveal that Metropolitan Transport Corporation abolished over 40 routes across the city in the last few years.

Buses on select routes which were patronised by regular commuters got slowly reduced and were abolished in the next few months.

The worst affected areas are Pattabiram, Thoraipakam, Kolathur Lakshmi Nagar, KK Nagar, Kodungaiyur, Perambur, Ayanavaram, G K M Colony, Broadway, Poonamallee and T Nagar. Besides, many new developed areas also have lost bus connectivity.


“The Perambur - Thoraipakkam (no 129) which was introduced a few years ago was patronised well among locals. It provided direct connectivity to SRP tools, Tidel park and Kanthachavadi. The buses vanished in the last few months and now we have to board two buses to reach Thoraipakkam,” said K Krishnan of Kumaran Nagar.

The ordeal of commuters who regularly travel between Poonamallee and Sholinganallur is no different. Buses on route number 66 S Sholinganallur - Poonmallee, which provided direct connectivity between two destinations on the city’s outskirts were also withdrawn.

“Areas on southern outskirts of Chennai including Sholiganallur and Pallikaranai fully depend on bus services to reach Porur and beyond. The bus which was operated to full capacity was suddenly withdrawn without any alternative service,” rued another commuter S Rajesh, a bus enthusiast from Karaiyanchavadi.

The MTC claims that it operates over 3600 buses on 833 routes catering for about 38 lakh commuters a day. The corporation which has over 70 per cent of over-aged buses is unable to expand its services to the newly developed areas.

When contacted, Renganathan, General Manager (operations) MTC said the buses which were withdrawn may be put on new routes or existing routes that have a huge transportation demand.

Prakash Raj says fake news is spread by organised criminals

TNN | Nov 12, 2018, 09.22 PM IST

CHENNAI: Speakers at a seminar on 'Fake news' raised concern over spreading fake news having an adverse impact on the society.

Participating in a panel discussion on Beyond 'fake news' organised by BBC Tamil here on Monday, actor Prakash Raj said fake news is spread by organised criminals. "It is used as a weapon, which is terrific," he said adding that fake news is aimed at diversion. Noting that 'fake news' spreads like a wildfire, he said, masses fall prey for it.

Later, taking part in another discussion on solutions for fake news Congress National spokesperson Khushbu Sundar said that fake news was the result of individuals curiosity to break a news at a spur of moment to make it sensational.

"People do not understand the adverse impact of forwards as it does not concern them. Will they forward any negative message about their family members?" she asked.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP state spokesperson Narayanan said fake news has political overtones and obscene messages. "We are of the view that stringent action must be taken against those spreading fake news. But, when action is being initiated against the violators, there is a hue and cry over curtailing freedom of speech and expression," he said.

Exam fraud: Anna University cancels affiliation of college

TNN | Nov 13, 2018, 06.32 AM IST

CHENNAI: As part of its crackdown on fraud in the conduct of examinations, Anna University has cancelled the affiliation of Chendhuran College of Engineering and Technology in Pudukottai.

A senior official from the university said, "The college owner's son used a proxy candidate to write his semester exams. The university syndicate (top most decision making body) withdrew affiliation in its previous meeting".

Three other colleges were also pulled up for mass malpractice in the semester exams held last November-December. These colleges had allowed students to copy from textbooks, bits of paper with information and from other students' answer scripts.

Multiple sources confirmed that the Controller of Examinations had recommended action against these colleges and an internal enquiry committee was preparing its final report. "One among them is likely to lose affiliation as the violation seems to be gross," said another official, requesting anonymity.

Soon after the malpractices came to light, teachers working in these colleges were not allowed to act as exam hall supervisors.

It was made mandatory for colleges to involve at least of 50% of teaching faculty from other colleges in the exam hall invigilation process. As many as 1,400 students had been caught for malpractice in university semester exams in the last one year, according to an affidavit filed by Anna University in the Madras High Court last month.

Besides this, a slew of examination reforms were introduced by the varsity in the aftermath of the re-evaluation scam, which hit the headlines a few months ago.

Answer keys were provided for all the subject question papers and students were instructed to strike out blank pages so that they could not be manipulated at the evaluation centres, the affidavit added.