Woman to deliver fifth child after HC suggests counselling

TNN | Mar 14, 2020, 04.43 AM IST

Madurai: A woman who sought pregnancy termination after a failed family planning surgery, agreed to deliver her fifth child after the Madras high court suggested counselling to her. The court also directed the Madurai district collector to examine the possibility of disbursing financial support to the woman and providing temporary government job to her husband.

The petitioner, a 35-year-old woman who was married in 2007 had three daughters and a son. On April 14, 2014, she underwent family planning surgery at a primary health centre in Virudhunagar district. Recently, when the petitioner underwent medical examination, she learnt that she was pregnant.

The petitioner moved the high court Madurai bench seeking compensation for medical negligence and also sought termination of pregnancy. Hearing the plea, Justice C V Karthikeyan suggested counselling to the woman.

Pursuant to the counselling, the doctor submitted a report stating that the petitioner had agreed to have her fifth child.

Taking note of the report, the judge observed that the court shall take up the responsibility of her family since the family planning surgery which she underwent voluntarily ended in failure. Since the woman’s family is presently residing in Madurai district, the judge gave the direction to the Madurai collector.

Palaniswami lays stone for Dindigul govt med college

TNN | Mar 15, 2020, 04.20 AM IST

Madurai: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who laid the foundation stone for the Rs 327 crore government medical college in Dindigul, on Saturday took the opportunity to ask the people to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“This virus is said to have spread to 118 countries and we have to take necessary precautions being detailed by the health department through the media and newspapers. Any person with symptoms of cough, fever or breathlessness should report to the nearest hospital,” he said.

Though the government has been discouraging large gatherings and asking people to also avoid unnecessary travel, over 15,000 people gathered at the venue of the government medical college at Adhiyanoothu village panchayat in Odukkam. However, all of them were provided with hand sanitizer and asked to disinfect themselves before entering the venue. Police and other officials wore masks and arrangement was made for health officials to demonstrate how people should wash their hands to remain free of the infection.

Listing out the achievements of the AIADMK government, he said it was their endeavour to excel in all departments of administration. The number of medical seats in Tamil Nadu since Independence up to 2011 was only 1,945. Only as many students could enter the medical education system every year. Late chief minister J Jayalalithaa enhanced it by 885. Last year, his government obtained 350 more seats from the Union government and now 1,650 new seats were to be created in the 11 new medical colleges being established in the districts. The Tamil Nadu government is the only one to have achieved this yeoman task in just one and a half years, he said.

He said 70% of the deliveries in Tamil Nadu happened in government hospitals and 90% of the medical vacancies had been filled in the state. As many as 31,616 vacancies of doctors had also been filled, he said. Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, health minister Dr C Vijaya Baskar, minister Dindigul C Srinivasan, health secretary Dr Beela Rajesh, Dindigul district collector M Vijayalakshmi among others were present.

Honoring Maruthakasi, the legendary Tamil lyricist, in his centenary year

So sang comedian-turned-politician Karunas, the MLA for Thiruvadanai, during a recent session of the State Assembly.

Published: 15th March 2020 05:52 AM 

By K Ezhilarasan

Express News Service

TIRUCHY: Kadavul ennum mudhalali kandedutha thozilali..

Vivasayee!

So sang comedian-turned-politician Karunas, the MLA for Thiruvadanai, during a recent session of the State Assembly. He was praising Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for announcing the Cauvery delta as a protected special agriculture zone. The selection of song could not have been more appropriate as Palaniswami has tried to draw on the legacy of AIADMK founder and filmstar M G Ramachandran and Vivasayee is from a popular MGR film.

The song owes its timelessness — in capturing the lives of farmers and boosting the image of political leaders — to its lyrics, penned by the versatile A Maruthakasi. As his centenary year draws to a close without much fanfare, his verses have gained significance again amidst a political churn, last seen in Tamil Nadu when his associate MGR left the DMK to start the then ADMK. The association was creatively and politically fruitful for both.

MGR’s favourite

Maruthakasi was born on February 13, 1920, in Melakudikadu, a village on the banks of the Kollidam in what is now Ariyalur district. His mother, Milagaayi Ammal, a talented folk singer and father, Ayyamperumal, an agriculturist, had a strong influence on his writing. He started writing lyrics for songs sung in dramas that performed near his village. He got his film break after singer Tiruchy Loganathan performed one of his drama songs at an audition at Salem Modern Theatres. The owner of Modern Theatres, T R Sundaram, intrigued by the lyrics, sent for Maruthakasi to write songs for his films made by him. Thus, he made his debut in Mayavathi in 1949, bringing an authenticity and understanding to lyrics about agriculture rarely seen in film songs before.

One of MGR’s favourite lyricists, he dominated the industry for the three decades. “As far as I know only two Tamil film heroes completely understood the power of songs. One was N S Krishnan and the other one was M G Ramachandran. We have heard of the instances of MGR waiting for months for songs with attractive lyrics in his films,” lyricist Yuga Barathi said. To such a star, the versatile Maruthakasi was invaluable. So much so that when Maruthakasi quit the profession and returned to his village between 1963 and 1967, it was MGR — recovering from a gunshot wound — who ensured his comeback.

“One telling instance of MGR’s fondness towards Maruthakasi is what happened during the filming of Ninaithathai Mudippavan. In the film, MGR played dual roles. He was not satisfied with the lyrics written by Kannadhasan for one song and sent for Maruthakasi. The lyricist gave him the popular Kannai nambathey unnai yemattrum,” Yuga Barathi said.

Versatile writer

“Maruthakasi was gifted with the ability to instantly write for a range of situations and genres. Some lyricists are only comfortable writing love songs while some prefer philosophical songs and others songs of a particular genre. Maruthakasi was an all-rounder,” said lyricist Piraisoodan.For instance, his lullaby song Neelavanna Kanna Vaada was popular. For a cremation scene in the movie Rambaiyin Kadhal, he penned the evergreen – Samarasam ulavum idamey – in which he described the crematorium as a place of equality, where people regardless of caste or class were cremated. In fact, a significant number of Tamil film songs from 1950 to 1960, were written by Maruthakasi. By the time he retired, he had written close to 4,000 songs and worked with some 50 music composers.

People’s language

According to Piraisoodan, before Maruthakasi’s entry into the industry, lyrics were not much understood by common people.“It was Maruthakasi who brought the people’s language into film songs. If you read his lyrics even without music they are clear and meaningful,” he said. It was Maruthakasi who wrote songs for the first colour Tamil movie Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, starring MGR. Maasila unmai kaadhale marumo selvam vantha pothiley was a hit love song from the film. In another song - Azhagana ponnu than athukketha kannu than - in the same movie, the woman would respond, in the next line, with ‘I have nothing but self-respect’.

Even in love songs, Maruthakasi injected social messages. In the film Aadavantha Deivam there is a song featuring a couple stuck in a hut with a leaky roof amidst a downpour. The lyricist wrote a song for the situation, Sottu sottunu sottuthu paru ingey, in which he compares the drops of rain to the sweat dripping from the forehead of a toiling poor man. In the same song, he compares the downpour to the harsh words used by some wealthy people against the people of the lower classes.“A majority of his songs bear social messages. Similarly, almost all his songs reflect the lives of the common people,” said Maruthabarani, the lyricist’s son.

Son of the soil

As evidenced by Karunas’ performance, Maruthakasi’s songs on agriculture remain popular among the farmers. Another of his famous songs about farmers is Yer munaikku ner inga yethuvume ilai (Nothing in the world is equal to the tip of a plough). Many present-day lyricists express wonder at his turn of phrase and believe none but Maruthakasi could write such songs about farming. “Many confuse some of Maruthakasi’s songs with Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram songs. Given that Kalyanasundaram was known as a leftist, Maruthakasi songs were equally rational and progressive,” Madhukkur Ramalingam, CPM functionary and writer, said.

Admirers cite his song - Manapparai maadukatti Mayavaram yeru pootti - in the Sivaji-starer Makkalai Petra Maharasi, to highlight Maruthakasi’s knowledge of farming. “In this song, he mentions the names of places across Tamil Nadu known for specific farming activities. If you analyse the lyrics, you learn of Manapparai bull, Mayavaram plough, Athur kichadi samba rice, Madurai harvesters, Pollachi market and Virudhunagar traders,” Ramalingam pointed out.“This listing of several places in a song was first attempted by Maruthakasi. Later on, lyricist Vairamuthu tried something similar with Thanjavur mannu eduthu, Thamiraparani thanni vittu,” Ramalingam said.

The Tamil Nadu government nationalized his works in 2007, 18 years after his death.Now, his admirers and family urge the government to install his statue and institute an annual award for best song in his name. Such a gesture in Maruthakasi’s centenary year would lead to future generations not only singing and appreciating his timeless songs but also remembering the name of the man who penned them.

New trend: Drugs come by courier

A 23-yr-old college student was arrested under NDPS for his alleged involvement in the case

Published: 14th March 2020 06:33 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: An innocuous-looking parcel from The Netherlands that claimed to contain wedding cards had blue ‘punisher’ pills, a mega-dose Ecstasy pills which is apparently three times stronger than most others pills used in rave parties. Addressed to a person in Mysuru, Postal Intelligence officers of Air Customs detained the parcel at Foreign Post Office at Meenambakkam after they found it contained some blue-coloured tablets.

Chennai Air Customs Commissioner Rajan Chaudhary said the tablets were tested with narcotics testing kit and it was found to be methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), a narcotic substance.“We found 384 gm of tablets suspected to be MDMA, valued at Rs 30 lakh, and they were seized under NDPS Act 1985,” he said, adding it is one of the major seizures by customs in recent times.

He also said searches were carried out at Mysuru address of the consignee. “The 23-year-old youth, who is a graduate of JSS Science and Technology University in Mysuru was arrested under NDPS for his alleged involvement in the case. He is said to have told officials that the pills are in high demand in parties held frequently in Bengaluru and Mysuru,” said Chaudhary.

Ecstasy and Molly, a party drug that alters mood and perception are chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens and produce feelings of increased energy and pleasure. The seized blue tablets are known blue ‘punisher pills’ bearing skull mark and contain 250-300 mg of MDMA which is a high dosage. This pill has caused numerous deaths in the UK, the commissioner said.

A narcotic substance

The tablets were tested with narcotics testing kit and it was found to be a narcotic substance, one of the major seizures by customs

Coronavirus: Around 100 flights cancelled in 40 days from Chennai airport

Similarly, 62 flights have been cancelled in March.

Published: 15th March 2020 05:42 AM 

Information on flights being displayed at the Chennai airport on Saturday | Martin Louis

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: There are very few takers for the freebies airlines are offering these days. Given the current situation, nearly 100 flights have been cancelled at Chennai over the last 40 days. According to information obtained by Express, 37 flights were cancelled in February alone, which included 9 from Indigo, 6 from Malaysian Airlines, 2 from Batik Air, 2 from Singapore Airlines, 4 from Lufthansa and 14 from Cathay Pacific.

Similarly, 62 flights have been cancelled in March. These include 6 from Kuwait Airlines, 4 from Sri Lankan Airlines, 6 from Thai Airways, 29 from Indigo and 17 from Air India. After the travel ban advisory, a total of 21 services, 10 arrivals and 11 departures, have been cancelled and sources predict more cancellations. According to Chennai airport, 10 flights, including two to domestic destinations have been cancelled. Eleven departures stood cancelled. However, details pertaining to how many foreigners flew out of Chennai following deadline on visa clamp could not be gathered. 

On March 5, IATA estimated that the crisis could wipe out $113 billion of revenue. Airlines will need emergency measures to get through the crisis. “Air transport is vital, but without a lifeline from governments, we will have a sectoral financial crisis piled on top of the public health emergency,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

SCs, OBCs fear losing benefits under new scholarship plan

15/03/2020

D. Ravikumar, MP from Villupuram, who raised the issue in the Lok Sabha on Friday, found fault with the changes being mooted by the Central government. The inclusion of the criterion of merit might render “a large number of deserving Dalit students ineligible” to get the scholarship, which was, after all, being given only to those who pursued higher studies. Mr. Bharathan said that given the relative disadvantage that the SC students would be faving vis-a-vis OBC students, there was a chance of the latter eating into the share of the former. [However, as per a document of the Central government, out of the annual 62 lakh student-beneficiaries, SCs will account for 42 lakh].

“Let the Central government frame a separate scheme for OBC students. We have no objection,” he said.

While Mr. Ravikumar wants the Centre to retain the post-matric scheme and give it a higher allocation, Mr. Bharathan suggests that the State government absorb the full cost of the scheme. Even now, it has allocated about ₹1,950 crore for 2020-21 towards the scheme.

“If the outlay can be increased ₹2,000 crore, there would not be much problem,” he adds.

A senior official of the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department says the State government is formulating its response to the Centre’s proposal.

COVID-19 victim cremated after initial refusal

We had to seek permission from North Delhi Municipal Corporation: authorities

15/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER ,NEW DELHI

The body of a 68-year-old woman from Delhi, who succumbed to COVID-19, was cremated at Nigambhod Ghat on Saturday after initially being denied permission by the crematorium, said her family.

“We reached the crematorium by 10.30 a.m., but the authorities refused to cremate the body. They said they did not have any guidelines from the Health Department about coronavirus victims. We refused to go back and had to wait for about two-and-a-half hours for the cremation,” said Sanjeev Arora, the deceased’s relative.

“There was some confusion initially and the body was later cremated at the CNG crematorium,” said Ashok Rawat, a North Delhi Municipal Corporation health officer.

The family said that the government should have made better arrangements. “The government knew about the death. We had come to the crematorium in an RML Hospital ambulance and had to wait for hours,” Mr. Arora said.

Suman Gupta, the coordinator of an NGO, which runs the crematorium, said that the delay was because they had to seek permission from the north civic body. “This was a special case and we had to seek permission. As soon as we were granted the permission, we made arrangements for the cremation,” he said.

‘Safety gears’

Mr. Rawat said that the “initial confusion” was because it is a “new disease”. “The confusion was cleared and safety precautions were also taken. Two persons from the crematorium who helped the hospital staff in the cremation were also provided headgears, goggles, gloves, and shoes,” he said.