Students from other states swamp MBBS in Tamil Nadu

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | A RAGU RAMAN

PublishedDec 7, 2018, 12:49 am IST

There were complaints that students from other states, after illegally obtaining nativity certificates, are applying under state quota.

To keep a check on a number of students from other states joining MBBS under state quota, the directorate of medical education has introduced a new rule this year saying that their parents should have done their schooling in Tamil Nadu.

Chennai: While only four students from government schools in Tamil Nadu were able to join MBBS in government medical colleges this year, a staggering 191 students who studied in other states have joined under the state quota in 22 medical colleges owned by the state, reveals data provided by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME).

When only one student was able to join from government schools in private medical colleges, as many as 70 students from other states joined Tamil Nadu medical colleges, according to the data obtained by RTI application.

The issue created a huge uproar in the state last year as 422 students studied in other states joined the government medical colleges after NEET was made mandatory. After obtaining nativity certificates from revenue department, they competed with the state students for medical seats.

To keep a check on a number of students from other states joining MBBS under state quota, the directorate of medical education has introduced a new rule this year saying that their parents should have done their schooling in Tamil Nadu.

"After implementing a new rule that either one of the parents should have had their schooling in Tamil Nadu, the number of students from outside the state has reduced this year. From over 400 students, it has come down to over 200 students this year," sources said.

"Till 2017, the students studying outside were not able to compete with state board students who will score very high cut-off marks. After NEET, they are scoring better in the entrance test compared to the state board students," sources added.

A case was also filed in the Madras High Court which sought to prevent students who have studied in other states joining Tamil Nadu medical colleges under state quota by providing nativity certificates. However, it is still pending before the court for more than a year.

There were complaints that students from other states, after illegally obtaining nativity certificates, are applying under state quota.

“There are some genuine cases like central government employees who get frequent transfers. While respecting the rights of the natives and residents, the state government should ensure that nativity certificates are not being misused,” said Dr.G.R.

Ravindranath, general secretary, Doctors Association for Social Equality “At present, there is no restriction on these students. We will apprise the government and come up with rules to safeguard the interest of our students,” officials added.

Headmasters from government schools urged the state government to provide separate reservation for students studying in state board and government schools. “These students have other opportunities like all India quota and the quota for their residential states to join MBBS. It is clear that state board students and government school students are not able to compete with other boards. Hence, they should be provided with a special reservation to ensure the equal representation of state board school students,” they said.

Of 2,447 seats in 22 government medical colleges, only around 40 students from government and private schools in state board joined MBBS this year. Meanwhile, 1,277 students from previous years and 611 students from CBSE schools were able to get the seats in government medical colleges.

As per rules, candidates must be domiciled in Tamil Nadu to get seats under state quota. The candidates who have studied from Class 6 to 12 in Tamil Nadu do not need to submit the domicile or nativity certificate while, the candidates who have studied class 6 to 12 partly or completely outside Tamil Nadu, have to produce it.

Can Ramajayam med students study in govt colleges, Madras HC asks government

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedDec 7, 2018, 5:46 am IST

These students belong to the same 2016-2017 batch as that of Annai Medical college students.

Madras HIgh Court

Chennai: The Madras high court on Thursday asked the state government to inform the court as to whether it could accommodate the second year students of defunct Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Medical Sciences in Manamai Nallar in Kancheepuram district, in the Junior Batch of second year students studying in government medical colleges.

After Additional advocate general Narmada Sampath sought time to get instructions on this, Justice T.Raja adjourned to December 12 further hearing of a batch of petitions from SU Archana and 107 other students.

Earlier, AAG Narmada Sampath submitted that since the government medical colleges were overloaded as the students of Annai Medical Colleges were already accommodated in government medical colleges as per the earlier direction of this court, the second year students of Ponnaiyah medical colleges could be accommodated only in 10 self financing medical colleges.

In reply, senior counsels Silambannan, P.Wilson and S.Prabakaran, appearing for the students, relying upon the essentiality certificate issued by the state government, submitted that if anything happens to the self financing medical college, the state government has to take the responsibility and accommodate the students only in government colleges and not in other self financing medical colleges since there was an apprehension that some of the self financing medical colleges may also face the same problem like Ponnaiyah medical college in future and the students will be in trouble again. These students belong to the same 2016-2017 batch as that of Annai Medical college students. But, what these students wish is that they be accommodated in 2017-2018 batch of students in government medical colleges, they added.

When the case came up for hearing on Thursday, after the judge allowed the request of senior counsel Wilson to permit a student to explain the exact position, a girl student appeared before the judge and explained that there were two batch of students in the second year. One batch was a senior batch and they had already started doing their second year. The second batch was a junior batch and they started doing their second year only from October 2018 onwards. Though they belong to the same 2016-2017 batch as that of Annai Medical College students, who were already accommodated in the senior batch of second year students in government medical colleges, they may be permitted to join the junior batch of second year students, she added.

Question paper leak: Anna University re-exams on December 12

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedDec 8, 2018, 1:04 am IST

The maths-2 arrear examination was conducted on December 3. Over 80,000 students appeared for the exam.

Anna University

Chennai: After cancelling the maths 2 exam due to question paper leak, Anna University has announced that re-exam for affiliated colleges will be conducted on December 12.

The maths-2 arrear examination was conducted on December 3. Over 80,000 students appeared for the exam.

But, during the exam, Anna University was alerted by anonymous students that the question paper for one of the most difficult papers in engineering stream was already leaked.

After an initial inquiry, the university was shocked to learn that the question paper was indeed leaked before the exam.

On the same day, M.K. Surappa, vice-chancellor of the university has cancelled the exam.

"The re-examination for maths-2 will be conducted on December 12.

B.E/B.Tech students from all branches (except marine engineering) can appear for the exam. The hall tickets already sent for semester examinations may be used by the students," Anna University said in an announcement on Friday.

The university has conducted an in-house enquiry about the question paper leak.

"The inquiry was inconclusive as to how the question paper was leaked. In all likelihood, the case will be handed over to the police to nab the culprits," sources in the university said.

In a separate notification, the controller of examinations office also released the rescheduled exam dates for cyclone-affected Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts.

The exams scheduled on November 22, 23 and 24 were cancelled after the cyclone wreaked havoc in the delta districts. As per the rescheduled date, the exam will be held on December 18, 19 and 20.

Tamil Nadu: Honour killing survivor Gowsalya remarries in self-respect wedding ceremony

At the self-respect marriage ceremony, the couple took an oath to continue to fight against caste killings and to annihilate caste in society.

Published: 09th December 2018 11:59 AM 

Social activist and crusader against caste killings, Gowsalya married Parai musician Sakthi at the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam head office in Coimbatore's Gandhipuram on 9 December 2018. (Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Caste killing survivor and anti-caste activist Gowsalya Shankar married Parai artiste Sakthi at the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam office in Gandhipuram on Sunday. At the self-respect marriage ceremony, the couple took an oath to continue to fight against caste killings and to annihilate caste in society.

They also said the doors to their house would remain open to provide refuge for inter-caste couples and those who married for love. “Periyarist, Ambedkerist and Marxist people working for the welfare of the society can always come to our house to work for the people,” they vowed.

Gowsalya, who belongs to the socially dominant Thevar community, had married Shankar, a Dalit youth of Udumalpet in Tirupur district, in 2015. On March 13, 2016, the couple was brutally attacked by a three-member gang near Udumalpet town bus stand. Shankar, only 22 at the time, succumbed to his injuries while 19-year-old Gowsalya survived. On December 12, 2017, a Tirupur court convicted her father Chinnasamy and sentenced him to death for masterminding the attack against the couple.


Gowsalya, by then an anti-caste crusader had started the Shankar Social Justice Trust and was living with Shankar’s family. She testified against him at court.

Gowsalya wed Sakthi, who runs the Nimirvu Kazhaiyagam, in the presence of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam founder Kolathur Mani, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam’s K Ramakrishnan, VCK’s Vanniyarasu and ‘Evidence’ Kathir. Shankar’s family attended the wedding. The couple vowed not to become a part of each other’s organisations. Sakthi, an MBA graduate from Vellalore, has been teaching Parai for eight years.

He trained Gowsalya too. Gowsalya gives Parai lessons in Shankar’s village. “I would never interrupt her political career and would guide her as a father at a crisis,” Sakthi vowed. Gowsalya said she would support his dream to make Parai globally known. She later told media she would continue to fight for a separate law against ‘honour’ killings. Sakthi belongs to the same community as Gowsalya but his parents objected to wedding and did not attend.

“Shankar wanted to build a house in his village and wanted his brothers to pursue higher studies. Gowsalya built the house and still works for the development of the village,” Kathir said.

69-year-old Mysuru doctor saves patient's life on Air France flight

This selfless deed, which occurred on incident November 13, earned him appreciation from Air France, with the company writing to him to express their gratitude.

Published: 08th December 2018 08:17 PM |

An Air France plane for representational purpose (File | AP)

By K Shiva Kumar

Express News Service

MYSURU: Prabhulingaswamy Sanganalmath, a 69-year-old physician from Mysuru, saved a life recently on board an Air France flight with his timely intervention and treatment of a cardiac patient.

Prabhulingaswamy along with a European nurse were on their toes during the eight-hour journey closely monitoring the patient who had no pulse due to low blood pressure.

This selfless deed, which occurred on incident November 13, earned him appreciation from Air France, with the company writing to him to express their gratitude.


For the doctor, however, who travels abroad frequently to visit his children, a hug given by the patient after recovering from the cardiac episode was the best part of the incident.

Recounting his travel, Prabhulingaswamy said that he was travelling from New York to Bengaluru. Two hours after the Air France flight took off from Paris a European co-passenger who was more than 6 ft tall, collapsed when he went to drink water. As his pulse was weak, the flight cabin crew tried their best to help him recover.

"When the Pilot announced a medical emergency and sought the help of a doctor or nurses among the passengers, I walked up and saw the passenger lying on the floor. As there was no pulse I gave him cardiac massage for four minutes. When he responded, I instructed a nurse who had also joined me nurse to put him on oxygen, and on fluids," he said.

"As the patients BP was low we saw to it that fluids were given for the next six hours of the journey and we put him on the emergency bed. When the patient fully recovered, he was given coffee and juice and was taken for further investigation on a wheelchair ."

The doctor added that after treating the patient, he was surprised when he was asked for his contact details. "The pilot and crew asked for my ID, mail ID, phone number and other details. I thought it would be another medico-legal case. However, the pilot clarified that the airline would like to get in touch with a letter of appreciation by the management. " I would have done the same to any patient and anywhere in case of emergency," he said.

Students told to take competitive examinations

STAFF REPORTER

MADURAI, DECEMBER 10, 2018 00:00 IST

Graduation Day under way at Sethu Institute of Technology at Pulloor near Kariapatti i on Saturday.G. MoorthyG_Moorthy

Students should take competitive exams, join government service and contribute to the economic growth of the country, said B. Anand, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Development of Science and Technology.

Speaking at the 19th convocation of Sethu Institute of Technology at Pulloor near Kariapatti in Virudhunagar district on Saturday, he said there was a huge disparity between number of students appearing for competitive exams from south Indian states and north Indian ones. More representation must be made from the South as students here were equally competent.

As engineers could find their niche in all spheres and help create a functional environment, they must become entrepreneurs, Mr. Anand said and elaborated how the present technological boom would provide engineers several opportunities to begin successful businesses.

H. Devaraj, former vice-chairman, University Grants Commission, encouraged students cultivate the virtue of patience to go a long way in life. Students must also focus on improving skills, he said.

College founder and chairman S. Mohamed Jaleel, Principal A.Senthil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer S. M Seeni Mohaideen, Joint Chief Executive Officer S.M Seeni Mohamed Aliar and heads of departments participated in the function.

A total of 503 students from various streams received their degree certificates.

TOI EXCLUSIVE

I didn’t steal, instead infused ₹4K cr of my money to save airline: Mallya

Times of India 10.12.2018

Naomi Canton talks to fugitive Indian businessman Vijay Mallya whose extradition case in the UK is to be decided in the high court today

Do you believe the UK will extradite you to India?
• I cannot predict nor comment before the extradition judgment tomorrow (today, Monday).
If you lose, then what? Do you want to sit down with the government of India and sort this out?
• Extradition is a legal process that is not subject to bilateral negotiation. Whatever the judgment, my legal team will study it in detail and then decide on any future course of action.
If you win then what, is the offer still on the table? Can you summarise what your settlement is at Karnataka high court and what the status of the offer is? Are the banks willing to accept it? Where is the money for your offer of full settlement of your creditors’ dues coming from?
• As I have repeatedly said, I have been making settlement offers since 2016. These settlement offers have absolutely nothing to do with my extradition case. I have placed assets worth in excess of Rs 14,000 crore before the Karnataka high court with a request that these be sold under judicial supervision and the court can then decide on payment to all creditors and employees. There is more than enough on the table.
Why have you suddenly now offered to pay the entire principal amount you owe to banks in India?
• Nothing sudden about it. My assets are largely in the form of quoted shares which have increased in value over time since 2016. The same banks filed a complaint before the CBI and ED who attached the assets. Effectively the ED and banks are fighting over the same assets. The PMLA tribunal have ruled that they will pass final orders on merit if the Karnataka high court decides to proceed with my settlement offer.
Has this offer not already been turned down by the government?
• It is obvious that the government have told the banks not to accept any offer and on the other hand have told the ED to attach and/or confiscate my assets. That is why I approached the Karnataka high court in June this year. I want to finally correct the narrative that I stole public money and ran away. I did not steal and, on the contrary, infused Rs 4,000 crore of my money to save the airline.
Are you awaiting the elections to determine whether you want to return to India? Do you want to go back and settle in India and restart a business in India?
• As I said in 2016, I have semiretired and publicly stated my intention to spend more time with my kids all of whom are overseas.
Your lawyer has spoken consistently about the poor track record of the CBI. If exonerated, do you feel your brand and business have been permanently damaged? Are you concerned your legal troubles have dented your brand and business?
• The witch-hunt by the government and the manner in which I have become a poster boy and political football has (sic) certainly damaged by reputation beyond repair. Even so, I want to settle with banks, employees and other creditors.
Do you believe that you became a target once you sold off your businesses and therefore politicians and the system had nothing more to get out of you? Did you become the victim of a vendetta?
• It’s blindingly obvious. All of them were my friends over the past 30 years when I ran my alcohol businesses.
How have the last couple of years been for you whilst facing attempts to extradite you?
• Stressful and at great damage to my reputation.
What is your biggest fear about returning to India?
• Politically motivated lack of fair trial and the ability of the politicians to create numerous new allegations which provide for pre-trial detention.
Do you not trust the Indian legal system?
• I trust the legal system.
Have you been in touch with banks or politicians since you last left the country? If yes, what have you talked to them about?
• Settle, settle, settle.
You have often spoken about feeling targeted. Why is that? Do you feel you are a victim of a political witch-hunt?
• Very obvious that because of my image and media presence I became a poster boy for bank default.
Do you think prison conditions in India are fine, and what do you think of the recent decision that the Tihar prison complex poses no bar to Sanjeev Chawla’s extradition?
• Cannot comment.
Are you satisfied with the conditions of Arthur Road jail, and would you be willing to go to prison?
• This is for courts to decide in due course.
Might the infighting between top CBI officers in recent weeks help your case? Do you plan to use the CBI mudslinging in your appeal?
• My view of the CBI has already been stated.
What has led to your flurry of tweets in the last few days?
• My settlement application hearing is coming up. I want people to know that I am keen to settle and that such offers have nothing to do with my extradition case.
Will you pay the outstanding salaries owed to Kingfisher Airlines staff?
• Of course. What people do not talk about is that we applied to courts in 2014 and 2015 to withdraw deposits in courts specifically to pay employees and have not got a decision. I am very happy to pay employees first if the high court takes my settlement offer further. Between the ED on one side and the banks on the other, I am stuck in the middle, which only a court of law can resolve.
Do you feel you would have been better off staying in India and negotiating a settlement rather than leaving when the investigations ramped up?
• It would have made no difference. But I would not put it past the CBI and ED, to whom the banks complained, to put me in prison and throw away the keys till I accepted all their demands without a fair trial.
Why did you not leave India earlier than you did?
• I have lived in the UK and travelled to India and other countries — not the other way around. I have been an NRI since 1988 and have been travelling in and out ever since.
There are bigger loan defaulters than you, but do you think your opulent lifestyle, withholding Kingfisher salaries and PFs, and splashing out on cricketers in the Royal Challengers has spoiled your case?
• Maybe, but it only proves my point — that I am a poster boy who is begging to pay back. I ran other very successful large businesses and no Kingfisher Airlines money was used.

Have been making settlement offers since 2016, says Vijay Mallya

Extradition judgment likely today

Naomi Canton | TNN

London:The judgment as to whether Vijay Mallya — who stands accused by the CBI and ED of fraudulently obtaining Rs 10,000 crore in loans from Indian banks for his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and of money laundering — should be extradited to India will be delivered by a UK court on Monday.

Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot has trawled through thousands of pages of evidence in the high-profile trial in which Mallya’s barrister, Clare Montgomery QC, launched attacks on the prosecution evidence, the CBI and India’s Supreme Court.

Her job is to make a decision on whether Mallya’s conduct amounts to an extradition offence. The extradition treaty between the UK and India that a suspect can be extradited from one country to stand trial for breaking a second country’s laws only if a similar law exists in the extraditing country.

Arbuthnot also has to consider if none of the bars to extradition apply, that there is prima facie evidence of guilt and whether extradition would breach the person’s human rights.

The judgment expected at Westminster magistrates’ court on Monday afternoon comes nearly two years after the Indian government first handed over the extradition request to the British high commission in New Delhi in February 2017. The trial took place in December 2017.

CBI joint director leaves for UK to attend hearing: A team of officials led by the CBI’s Joint Director, S Sai Manohar, left for London on Sunday to attend a crucial hearing in the extradition case of embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Monday, sources said.