Universities should be our oasis in producing Olympians: Thakur

Universities should be our oasis in producing Olympians: Thakur

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

16.08.2021

Sports minister Anurag Thakur has said that Indian universities should give us Olympians if the country has to improve upon its Tokyo Games performance in future Olympic Games. “We need to involve the varsities.

“University should be our oasis of Olympians. If you look globally, look at Stanford, they won 26 medals this time… In the last Olympics in Rio, they won about 27 medals. So we need to learn from them. And that is why Prime Minister Modi started university sports games that are under the Khelo India programme,” Thakur told Times Now’s Rahul Shivshankar.

“One state-one sport, one corporate-one sport. Why not one district-one sport also? We really need to work in that fashion. You look at the small countries and even universities.

They’re working on specific sports and they put their energies, money and infrastructure to win medals in those respective areas. So India also needs to understand which are the games they can do well in,” Thakur added.

Thakur said corporate houses should come forward and adopt Olympic sports. “We need to involve more corporates into this. We need to hold sports federations more accountable and make sport federations more professional in their working and in their approach as well.

“So, the moment we ask the corporate sector to get involved, each corporation should adopt one Olympic discipline and support it with the best of their capabilities at district, state, whatever level they can… We need corporations and business leaders to think sport, if we want our nation to take sports and sportspersons a lot more seriously."

Giving the example of the cricket board (BCCI) Thakur said: “We created a lot of infrastructure in cricket, where we now have a lot of academies, stadiums. Not a single rupee has been spent by any government, it has been created by the BCCI. We can do the same by involving more corporates into this, they can create infrastructure. Globally, you have seen that stadiums are built by many corporations.

“They build them, they own them and give it to the various federations to run them. That can be done here. City corporations can also do it, like the BMC can step forward for instance.”

Thakur said India should look to be among the top 25 countries in the 2028 Olympics.

“When we are celebrating the 75th year of Independence, let us also target for the next 25 years where we want to reach.

“We should have shortterm, mid-term, and longterm goals. As far as the 2028 Olympics is concerned, India should look to be among the top 25 countries and for the next few years we should target being among the top 10 countries in the world.”

PM giving same speech for 7 yrs, but no impact on ground: Cong

PM giving same speech for 7 yrs, but no impact on ground: Cong

New Delhi:  16.08.2021

Congress on Sunday accused PM Narendra Modi of using his Independence Day speech to make announcements without ever following through on them.

Leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said for seven years India has listened to the “same speeches” by the PM with nothing being done for any aggrieved section, including small farmers.

“He announces new schemes, but these are never implemented or seen on the ground. And now, by bringing the three new farm laws, he has spelled doom for the farmers,” he said.

Kharge also took exception to the PM targeting previous regimes on the issues of small farmers and development, saying the country will not progress by criticising Congress from the ramparts of the Red Fort again and again.

“Congress has done a lot of work like providing irrigation systems for the farmers. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi waived farmers’ debt when the UPA was in power,” he said.

CPM chief Sitaram Yechury said the PM failed to offer an assurance on the Covid situation or the shortage of vaccines.

Congress’s communication chief Randeep Surjewala also took a swipe at the PM over his announcement of Rs 100 lakh crore investment in the infrastructure sector, saying this was merely a repeat of what was announced in 2019. TNN

Govt doc, nurse jailed for taking bribe

Govt doc, nurse jailed for taking bribe

Rajiv.Kalkod@timesgroup.com

Tumakuru:  16.08.2021

A special court in Tumakuru on Friday sentenced a government doctor to seven- year simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 for accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000 from a patient and refusing to discharge her until the amount was paid.

The court also sentenced a nurse, who acted on behalf of the doctor and accepted money from the family members of the patient, to threeyear simple imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000. The orders were passed by VIIth Additional District and Sessions Court and Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act Judge S Sudindranath. Dr K Mamata and HS Gangamma, the nurse, have been sent to Tumakuru district prison.

Lokayukta police had trapped the duo on September 8, 2014 inside Kunigal government hospital while accepting the bribe. The patient’s family members had already paid Rs 6,000, but Mamata demanded Rs 4,000 more while refusing to discharge Jayamma. Mamata had demanded Rs 10,000 to operate Jayamma, a widow and farmer from Kunigal, for uterus-related issues in the first week of September 2014. Jayamma’s daughter Nandini had sold their cow to arrange the amount.

Public prosecutor N Basavaraj said the recorded conversation between Nandini and Mamata played a vital role in establishing the allegations. “Nandini had recorded the conversation with Dr Mamata. In one such call, Mamata shouted at her for the delay in paying the balance amount. She also warned Nandini that she would not discharge her mother until they pay the whole amount,” Basavaraj said.

The doctor had taken Rs 4,000 from a poor patient and refused to discharge her after surgery for failing to pay more

Madras in memories serve a different image to city

Madras in memories serve a different image to city

Being the political and cultural hub, Chennai is the epicentre of development and transformation in Tamil Nadu.

Published: 16th August 2021 12:24 AM 

A tram in Chennai and a movie ticket shared by R Bhaskarendra Rao, Madanapalle. (Photo| EPS)

By Sahana Iyer

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Being a political and cultural hub, Chennai is the epicentre of development and transformation in Tamil Nadu. And while we recognise the city in all its metropolitan, technologically advanced glory, there are many whose memories serve a very different image of Madras.

On Saturday, in a talk hosted by The Grey Connect called 'Chennai to Madras' with architect Thirupurasundari Sevvel and SS Sriram as part of their Kadhai Connect series, we rewound the clock on the Chennai of today to reminisce the Madras of the past through experiences and various elements of the city.

The Grey Connect is a community that aims to create fun, eventful and lively experiences for the senior citizen community. The session was based on the social history trails and documentation of the city by Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai.

The evolution

There are several aspects of the city, as Sevvel elaborated through the talk, which induce a sense of nostalgia in these long-term dwellers of the city. Take transportation, which has seen many phases from hand and cycle rickshaws to trains and short-lived trams to buses and autorickshaws.

There was a time when long bus rides cost merely 10 paise, according to a participant, an amount of no value today. Another recounted their unforgettable experience of being one of the first passengers of the electric trains in 1981.

The roads of the city were also frequented by half-decker buses for a short period in 1953, mentioned Sevvel.

Then there are the PCO, ISD booths that were deemed redundant in the 1990s and 2000s with the advent of landlines and mobile phones. These booths were once imperative to communication within and beyond the city but now have been converted to Xerox and other small stores.

"Many have memories of collecting coins and looking for the nearest booth. Now, everyone can connect within seconds on the Internet but there was a time when you had to wait a long time for a trunk call. A lot of people now don’t know what that is like," said Sevvel. Then, last-minute cancellations were rare due to lack of communication and thus, time-keeping was valued.

How we consume content has changed radically in the past years. While everything is now available on mobile devices, many remember a time when going to the theatre with family was a rather celebrated outing.

Displaying a movie stub, Sevvel said that the film tickets that are online now were earlier presented as yellow or pink slips that had little markings regarding seat, air-conditioning and reservation status.

The Blue Diamond Theatre once played continuous movies 24X7, said one of the members of the audience. Arts and theatrics have always been important to Madras, said Sevvel, showcasing an image representing the banner or poster culture of the city.

Building joys

Several other buildings and elements of Chennai's culture the beaches, theatres and halls, banners and posters, and food establishments inspired many memories that we saw bubble to the surface during the talk.

Sevvel shared stories of jannal kadai and mor thatha. An audience member added, "I miss drive-in hotels where we could go and eat and chat as a family. They were popular family outings in the city."

Throughout the talk, the group Sevvel and the audience members shared the smaller joys of the olden days of Madras, from the once-popular rose milk and milk sweets to the masala dosa at Woodlands drive-in; from the outdoor study sessions under trees to the 1 rupee adventures at the Marina Beach; from Buhari's ice cream and falooda to screenings at Prarthana theatre.

The discussion was summarised by Thirupurasundari aptly, when she thanked the participants and said, "These stories are what Madras is; the people's stories, not what you learn in schools and colleges. This is what the actual history of Madras is."

Late COVID warrior Dr P Shanmugapriya bestowed with Kalpana Chawla award

Late COVID warrior Dr P Shanmugapriya bestowed with Kalpana Chawla award

Dr P Shanmugapriya of Anuppanadi Urban Primary Health Centre was eight months pregnant when she succumbed to COVID-19.

Published: 16th August 2021 07:10 AM |

Dr P Shanmugapriya, who posthumously received Kalpana Chawla Award. (Photo| EPS)

By Lalitha Ranjani

Express News Service

MADURAI: Recognition has come calling to Dr P Shanmugapriya (32) who was at the forefront in the battle against the pandemic as she has been posthumously honoured with Kalpana Chawla Award for courage and daring enterprise.

The Medical Officer at Anuppanadi Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) was eight-months pregnant when she succumbed to COVID-19 on May 8. Her husband, S Shanmugaperumal, received the award from the Chief Minister MK Stalin during the 75th Independence Day celebrations held at Chennai on Sunday.

Taking a trip down the memory lane about the love of his life, Shanmugaperumal who runs a pet store told The New Indian Express, "She was born at Odaipatti village in Theni district. We both were classmates from classes VI to X at a school in Chinnamanur. I dropped out of school after class X while she went on to study MBBS at Madurai Medical College. We were in touch occasionally through mutual friends. When we reconnected two years ago, we fell in love and got married in April 2019."

A resident of S Alangulam, Shanmugaperumal, was quick to add that Shanmugapriya was admired by all for her humility. "There was never an instance in which she would make one feel less worthy. She was kind to all," he said.

P Sakkammal (31), the Urban Health Nurse (UHN) at Anuppanadi UPHC who worked closely with Dr Shanmugapriya recalled, "Her joy knew no bounds when she became pregnant. She told us all that her posting at the UPHC turned out to be a lucky charm. She kept saying that as she desired to spend more time with her newborn, she wanted to work until the later stage of her pregnancy."

A stubborn person she was, Shanmugapriya refused to stay away from COVID-19 duty and did not heed to the request of the family to stay indoors by availing medical leave or maternity leave, said the husband.

"She would never listen. To her, duty comes first. She persuaded us by telling us that she would be careful while on duty, by avoiding direct contact with patients. She made us believe that she did," Shanmugaperumal added.

After working at the UPHC until April 30, Dr Shanmugapriya went on maternity leave from May 1. “However, she was hospitalised at a private medical college hospital on May 1 after she developed severe cough,” the husband said.

She was tested positive for COVID and was later diagnosed with 70% lung infection. The doctor was later shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital where she continued to be in critical condition until she breathed her last on May 8.

Sakkammal said that on her last working day at the UPHC, Shanmugapriya bid us good bye saying that the next time they all would meet her with her newborn. "It came as a shock that she was severely infected. We could not meet her at the hospital due to COVID restrictions and also because we had to be at work as the second wave peaked by then. She kept in touch through messages and calls. She was optimistic that she would recover soon," she said, adding that her demise is an irreplaceable loss.

"We should have cared more for her," a guilt-ridden Sakkammal said. The husband said that patient care was her top priority. "Today, I stand with the award in my hand, aloof, without her, who meant the world to me," he signed off choking with grief.

A happy married life cut short by pandemic

Taking a trip down the memory lane about the love of his life, Shanmugaperumal who runs a pet store told The New Indian Express, "She was born at Odaipatti village in Theni district. We both were classmates from classes VI to X at a school in Chinnamanur. I dropped out of school after class X while she went on to study MBBS at Madurai Medical College. We were in touch occasionally through mutual friends. When we reconnected two years ago, we fell in love and got married in April 2019."

Shanmugaperumal, was quick to add that Shanmugapriya was admired by all for her humility

Past issues of an employee can be recorded only if present charges proven: Madras High Court

Past issues of an employee can be recorded only if present charges proven: Madras High Court

The judge stressed that the Labour Commissioner had come to the conclusion that there was no evidence to support the charges against a TNSTC bus driver.

Published: 16th August 2021 07:28 AM 

Madras High Court (File Photo| PTI)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Past issues of an employee can be recorded in the relevant files only if the present charges are proven, the High Court said while quashing the termination of a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus driver.

Justice S Vaidyanathan gave the ruling, while disposing of an appeal from the management of the TNSTC (Villupuram) in Kancheepuram. The TNSTC had challenged an order of the Special Joint Commissioner of Labour in Teynampet, which quashed the TNSTC's order for terminating services of bus driver R Bakthavatsalam for causing a fatal accident.

The judge stressed that the Labour Commissioner had come to the conclusion that there was no evidence to support the charges against the driver. It had been contended by the Corporation that employee had caused two other accidents and suffered punishment.

"Past records can be looked into, provided present charge is proved. As the present charge is not proved, there is no need to look into the past records at all," the judge said and ordered Bakthavatsalam’s reinstatement from August 16.

மாடம்பாக்கம் தேனுபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில் ஓதுவார் பணிக்கு பெண் நியமனம்: பஞ்ச புராணம், தேவாரப் பாடல்களை பாடி பணியை தொடங்கினார்

மாடம்பாக்கம் தேனுபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில் ஓதுவார் பணிக்கு பெண் நியமனம்: பஞ்ச புராணம், தேவாரப் பாடல்களை பாடி பணியை   தொடங்கினார்

தமிழகத்தில் முதல் பெண் ஓதுவாராக அரசால் நியமிக்கப்பட்ட சுகாஞ்சனா மாடம்பாக்கம் தேனுபுரீஸ்வரர் கோவிலில் நேற்று திருமுறைகளை ஓதி தனது பணியை தொடங்கினார்.

படம்: எம்.முத்துகணேஷ்

மாடம்பாக்கம்

தாம்பரம் அருகே மாடம்பாக்கத்தில் உள்ள பழமை வாய்ந்த தேனுபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயிலுக்கு பெண் ஒருவர் ஓதுவார் பணிக்கு நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார். இந்த நிகழ்வு பெண்களிடையே பெரும் வரவேற்பைப் பெற்றுள்ளது.

தமிழக கோயில்களில் ‘அன்னைதமிழில் அர்ச்சனை திட்டம்’ தொடங்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில் அனைத்து சாதியினரும் அர்ச்சகராகும் திட்டத்தை முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் நேற்று முன்தினம் தொடங்கி வைத்தார். 58 பேருக்கு அர்ச்சகர்களாக பணி ஆணை வழங்கப்பட்டது. இதில் கரூர் மாவட்டத்தை சேர்ந்த கோபிநாத் என்பவரது மனைவி சுகாஞ்சனா என்ற பெண், ஓதுவாராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

இவர் தற்போது தாம்பரம் சேலையூரில் வசித்து வருகிறார். இவரது கணவர் கோபிநாத் டிசைனிங் இன்ஜினியராக பணி புரிந்துவருகிறார். ஒரு பெண் குழந்தை உள்ளது. தற்போது இவர் இந்துசமய அறநிலையத் துறையின்கட்டுப்பாட்டில் உள்ள மாடம்பாக்கம் தேனுபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயிலுக்கு ஓதுவாராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

சிறுவயதில் பாடல்களை நன்றாக பாடுவார் என்பதால் இவரது பெற்றோர் கரூர் மாவட்ட அரசு இசைப் பள்ளியில் சேர்த்துள்ளனர். பள்ளியில் பாடல்களை சிறப்பாக பாடி பயிற்சியை சிறப்பாக முடித்துள்ளார். தமிழகத்தில் முதன்முறையாக பெண் ஓதுவாராக இவர் நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில் பலரும் பாராட்டுகளை தெரிவித்து வருகின்றனர்.

நேற்று முதல் பணியில் சேர்ந்த சுகாஞ்சனா காலையில் பஞ்ச புராணம், தேவாரம், திருவிசைப்பா, திருப்பல்லாண்டு, பெரியபுராணப் பாடல்களை பாடினார். இதைத் தொடர்ந்து மாலையும் பூஜைகள் முடிந்த பிறகு பாடல்களைப் பாடி பக்தர்களை பக்தியில் ஆழ்த்தினார். பெண் ஒருவர் ஓதுவாராக மாடம்பாக்கம் கோயிலில் நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள செய்தி வேகமாகப் பரவியது. இதனால் ஏராளமான பக்தர்கள் இவர் பாடுவதைக் கேட்டு பக்திப் பரவசம் அடைந்து செல்கின்றனர்.

இதுகுறித்து சுகாஞ்சனா கூறும்போது, "கரூரில் அரசு இசைப் பள்ளியில் பயிற்சி பெற்றுஒரு பள்ளியில் இசை ஆசிரியராக பணிபுரிந்து வந்தேன். சமீபத்தில் பத்திரிகைகளில் விளம்பரத்தைக் கண்டு ஓதுவார் பணிக்கு விண்ணப்பித்தேன்; பணி ஆணையை பெற்றுள்ளேன். எனக்கு வாய்ப்பளித்த தமிழக அரசுக்கு நன்றியை தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். இந்த பணி எனக்கு மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது. இதன்மூலம் இறைவன் முன்பு பாடல்களைப் பாடும் வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்துள்ளது.

ஒரு வீட்டில் பெண் படித்து இருந்தால் அந்த குடும்பமே முன்னேறும் என்பார்கள். அதுபோல் பெண் பக்தி நெறியில் சிறந்து இருந்தால், அந்த குடும்பத்தினரும் பக்தி நெறியில் வளருவார்கள். இதனால் சமுதாயத்தில் நல்ல அந்தஸ்து கிடைக்கும். வாய்ப்பு கிடைக்கும் போது குழந்தைகளுக்கு இறை பாடல்கள் பாட பயிற்சி அளிப்பேன்" என்றார்.