NEET-UG 2021: Kerala High Court Seeks NTA's Response In Plea Seeking Retest Citing Delay By Invigilator

NEET-UG 2021: Kerala High Court Seeks NTA's Response In Plea Seeking Retest Citing Delay By Invigilator

Hannah M Varghese

18 Sep 2021 5:07 PM

The Kerala High Court on Friday admitted a plea moved by a NEET (UG) candidate seeking a retest of the Entrance examination citing that her OMR answer sheet was likely to be rejected due to the dereliction of the Invigilator assigned to her exam hall. The Court has sought the response of the National Testing Agency.

Justice P.B Suresh Kumar will hear the matter in the upcoming week.

The petitioner had approached the Court aggrieved by the alleged arbitrary manner in which the National eligibility Cum Entrance Test (UG) 2021 was conducted at her examination centre, Sree Narayana Public School, Poothotta.

The setbacks faced by the petitioner allegedly resulted in her and the other candidates in her examination hall losing half an hour of her time to complete the test, the total duration of which is 3 hours.

Considering the cut-throat competition involved in the test, it was alleged that the confusion created at the examination centre adversely affected the prospects of the petitioner in getting admitted to the MBBS course.

Advocate Santhosh Mathew appeared for the petitioner in the matter.

The Admit Card issued to the candidates required them to present themselves at the examination centre by 11 am for procedural formalities and verification, and to be seated in the examination hall by 12 pm.

The petitioner had duly followed by the said instructions and was in her allotted room by 12 pm.

The plea stated that as per the Information Bulletin issued, the candidates were to be issued with the test booklet including the answer sheets at 1:45 pm and the exam was scheduled to commence from 2 p.m.

This interval of 15 minutes was provided to the candidates for them to carefully fill in their Roll numbers and other details, to blacken the relevant bubbles and to glimpse through the question paper without a rush.

However, the petitioner alleged that the candidates seated in her examination hall were provided with the test booklet only at 2 pm.

The candidates in the said room were not permitted to fill up their details by the invigilator due to some confusion regarding the booklets provided.

Ten minutes later, the test booklets were collected back and another set of booklets were distributed to the candidates in the room, including the petitioner.

However, the booklet received by the petitioner carried the details of another candidate, and the relevant bubbles were already shaded.

Upon informing this to the Invigilator, she was asked to strike off the details of the other candidate and to fill in her details over it.

The petitioner pointed out that the evaluation of the OMR sheet is done by computer software as specifically informed by the detailed instructions issued to the candidates regarding the procedure to be followed while filling the OMR Answer sheets.

The said instructions also disclosed that the software was very sensitive and that it can only read properly filled black coloured bubbles.

It was further instructed that the Answer sheets should not be tampered with or crossed out in any manner and that any alteration can lead to the rejection of the OMR sheets.

This made her quite anxious since she was very well aware of the sensitive nature of the software that evaluates the answer sheets, and was quite informed that any tampering could lead to rejection.

The plea contended that it took nearly 30 minutes for the candidates in the said hall to commence the actual examination.

Due to the confusion caused, the three hours test had to be completed by the petitioner and other candidates within two and a half hours.

It was also submitted that other formalities such as the placing the initials of the Invigilators on the answer sheets were also carried out during the said two and a half hours, where it was supposed to be done between 1:45 to 2 pm. This led to the candidates losing out on more time.

On the aforesaid grounds, the petitioner asserted that grave injustice has been done to students like the petitioner in an entrance examination like NEET (UG) where every mark counts for getting a higher rank.

Such confusion has adversely affected the possibility to get a good score in the examination, which will, in turn, affect her chances of getting admitted to a good college of her choice for MBBS.

Apprehending rejection of her answer sheet, the petitioner had approached the respondent as evidenced by an email where she reported the incident and requested a retest.

The inaction of the respondents has resulted in irreparable examination and hardship to the petitioner.

"The inaction on the part of the invigilators at the test centre in exercising due caution and care has exposed candidates like the petitioner to a possible threat of rejection of their OMR sheets," the plea read.

She prayed that a detailed enquiry be conducted into her grievance by the respondents.

Similarly, it was also prayed that the respondents facilitate the conduct of a retest to the petitioner and similarly situated students who lost half an hour to complete the examination.

The plea has sought interim relief to the effect that the petitioner's OMR answer sheet may be evaluated without rejection pending disposal of the writ petition.

Case Title: Devika R. Mohan v. Union of India & Ors.

Irregular bus services drive Erode schoolgirl to her wit’s end

Irregular bus services drive Erode schoolgirl to her wit’s end

More than 30 students in the village depend on the bus to reach schools. They are forced to walk to school due to shortage of buses.

Published: 18th September 2021 09:02 AM |

The lack of bus services is evident at most of the rural areas.

By Subashini Vijayakumar

Express News Service

ERODE: A class X student in Vallipurathanpalayam tried to kill herself on Thursday allegedly after being told by her father to stop attending school because bus services to the village had not resumed fully post easing of lockdown restrictions.

The girl (15) studied in the government school at Sengodampalayam, which is 6.5 km away from her village and used to travel by bus daily. Since the bus service was irregular, the girl’s father dropped her at school on Wednesday before heading to work in Perundurai. After classes got over for the day at 3.30 pm, she waited for a bus to return home.

Since it got late, she took a bus going towards Perundurai and got off at Vepampalayam. From there, she walked three kilometres to her village. Upon knowing the incident, her father scolded her and told her to discontinue studies at least until bus services resumed. The girl got upset and on Thursday, tried to kill herself. Her parents and neighbours broke open the door of her room and rescued her.

Rattled by the girl’s action, residents of Vallipurathanpalayam appealed to the government to restore the bus services fully for the benefit of students. The village has a middle school and students have to travel to Sengodampalayam, Thindal or Pallipalayam to pursue education.

Two buses were operated between Vallipurathanpalayam and Bhavani through Erode bus stand. “The buses ply through Thindal, Sengodampalayam, Kumalankuttai, Collector Office, GH, PS Park, Erode bus stand. When there were two buses, the services were regular between 7am and 9pm. However, following the lockdown, only one bus is operated and the evening service has been irregular,” Sekar (name changed), a resident of the village, said.

More than 30 students in the village depend on the bus to reach schools. They are forced to walk to school due to shortage of buses. If the situation persisted, girls would be forced to dropout, they added. The residents said they urged the transport department to restore buses as schools had reopened, but there was no action.

Upon knowing the girl’s action, District Collector H Krishnanunni reportedly assured that bus services to the village would be restored.

Erode: Get vaccinated against Covid, get two cents of land free

Erode: Get vaccinated against Covid, get two cents of land free

Tahsildar Muthukrishnan said the names will be selected by drawing chits and they would be given prizes, including two cents of land, one gram gold coin, silver lamps and clothes.

Published: 19th September 2021 04:06 AM 

By Express News Service

ERODE: In order to encourage people to get vaccinated, Tahsildar of Bhavani in the district has announced that 10 persons from underprivileged backgrounds, who come to get vaccinated on Sunday would be chosen and provided two cents of land.

Tahsildar Muthukrishnan said the names will be selected by drawing chits and they would be given prizes, including two cents of land, one gram gold coin, silver lamps and clothes. “The main aim is to achieve full vaccination.

In order to entice people, I have announced these prizes with help from volunteers,” he said. As the moral code of conduct is in place, residents of Andikumar, Ocheri, Chinnapuliyur, Odathurai panchayats in Bhavani and Ammapettai unions will not be eligible for the benefits, he said.

TN govt systems under cyber attack, probe on

TN govt systems under cyber attack, probe on

The Tamil Nadu government’s Public Department is said to have come under a ransomware attack, wherein a malware was used to encrypt computer files.

Published: 19th September 2021 04:35 AM 

By C Shivakumar And T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government’s Public Department is said to have come under a ransomware attack, wherein a malware was used to encrypt computer files. It is learnt the suspect reportedly demanded a payment of $1,950 in cryptocurrency as ransom for handing over the decryption code.

The department functions directly under the Chief Secretary and deals with important matters concerning the general administration of the State. It also handles protocol arrangements relating to visits of VVIPs, VIPs, and other dignitaries, and matters of common interest between the Central and State governments, besides handling law and order issues.

While officials maintained that none of the confidential files were lost as they were handled manually, they refused to confirm or divulge the sum demanded by the hacker, and said it was immaterial. A top official from the Information Technology department confirmed the attack, and said, “We are at it and trying to get back the access.” Cyber security experts from the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC) and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) are trying to retrieve the documents.

Meanwhile, the public department has lodged a complaint with the cyber cell. “Something happened to the computers in the Special-B section,” an official said, adding that no file has been lost due to the attack. “This department maintains confidential files only in papers. For government records, normally we will be taking a backup,” he added.

Explaining how confidential files are maintained, the official said, “e-Governance or e-Office will not apply to the confidential section. Even approvals are given manually. Computers are used to key-in and take prints, and to save them in files,” he said.

‘We fear this is just the beginning’

Securin, a Chennai-based cyber security company, which investigated the attack, found one vulnerability (environment.tn.gov.in) to have been exploited by one WannaCry ransomware. It also found that over 400 public facing assets linked to the domain are vulnerable. Commenting on the investigation, Ram Movva, co-founder and chairman of cyber security works and CEO of Securin, said, “Our investigation shows very poor cyber hygiene in the State’s Public Department.

Our analysis has revealed vulnerabilities exploited by WannaCry. Over 80 assets have vulnerabilities that have Remote Code Execution and Privilege Execution capabilities.” “We fear this is just the beginning.

We have seen many government entities become targets of ransomware attacks since last year, and have warned CERT-In about the exposures that we have seen in the dark web. Continuous vulnerability scanning and an automated Attack Surface Management programme is the need of the hour for all government entities,” said Movva.

‘Very poor cyber hygiene’

Our probe shows very poor cyber hygiene in the Public Department, says Ram Movva

WannaCry under scanner

Securin, a Chennai-based cyber security company, which investigated the attack, found one vulnerability (environment.tn.gov.in) to have been exploited by one WannaCry ransomware

Andhra education department employees with 5 years of service at one station to be transferred

Andhra education department employees with 5 years of service at one station to be transferred

All transfers will be made by way of counselling through transfer committees constituted by the competent authority i.e., Commissioner of Intermediate Education, Guntur.

Published: 18th September 2021 08:38 AM |

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Audimulapu Suresh 

By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: The Department of Higher Education issued revised transfer guidelines for the Intermediate Education Department on Friday. According to Minister for Education Audimulapu Suresh, these transfer guidelines are applicable to all the employees working in the department.

All transfers will be made by way of counselling through transfer committees constituted by the competent authority i.e., Commissioner of Intermediate Education, Guntur. The employees who worked in any category in any station and proceeded on long leave (more than 90 days) shall only be posted to the same station except for the cases when they are liable to be transferred otherwise.

Those who completed five years of service at a station as of June 1, 2020, are invariably liable for transfer. Those who completed two years of service at a station as June 1, 2020, are eligible to apply for transfer on a request basis.

The Commissioner of Intermediate Education will draw a schedule for effecting transfers. The appointing authorities i.e., RJDIE’s in respect of junior lecturers, physical directors, librarians and non-teaching staff and the commissioner in respect of Principals and dy. D.V.E.O./A.O. and superintendent working in mufssil shall issue transfer orders based on the recommendations of the Committees constituted for the purpose and outcome of the counselling.

Apps Just A Click Away For Daily Help In Mental Illness

Apps Just A Click Away For Daily Help In Mental Illness

Developed By AIIMS & IIIT-D, Public Launch Likely In January

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.09.2021

A person suffering from mental illness in India might find treatment, but it would be near impossible to find guidance for managing functional problems in daily life. Disha and Saksham, two apps developed by the psychiatry division of AIIMS in collaboration with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, aim to change this. While Disha is focused on helping newly diagnosed patients of schizophrenia and other severe psychotic disorders, Saksham is meant to help those suffering from chronic illness.

The apps have been used successfully by 25 patients and, the researchers reported, they plan to roll them out for the public by January 2022. “The computer engineers involved in the project are currently working to ensure the safety of patient data,” said Dr Mamta Sood, professor of psychiatry at AIIMS, who is also one of the project developers.

These apps will be available in English and Hindi. Once individuals download the app and fill in the details about their illness, it will display information about the nature and course of the disease and the treatment and management of its side-effects. The app will also have the option to update details about compliance on medication and daily self-care tasks, Sood added.

In the movie A Beautiful Mind, actor Russel Crowe plays the role of mathematician John Nash who suffered from schizophrenia and had delusions and hallucinations. Constant engagement with doctors, support from family members and at the place of work help the mathematician recover considerably. While this is ideal, the AIIMS doctor revealed there weren’t enough mental health professionals in India, resulting in a treatment gap.

According to the World Mental Health Atlas Report, 2017, there are only 0.29 psychiatrists per 100,000 population in India. Child psychiatrists are rarer. The availability of psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and other paid mental health workers that form the backbone of mental healthcare in western countries is also scarce, according to experts.

The patients and their caregivers still trawl the internet for information on disease management. But online sources are often not reliable, caution researchers. Also, caregivers too need encouragement. The mobile apps developed by AIIMS and IIIT Delhi experts will have features to motivate them, one example of this being pop-up messages of encouragement to caregivers and questions seeking to know their well-being.

The apps provide an opportunity to consider the physical health of a patient, an aspect that is often neglected. “The apps have options to feed data on the weight, blood pressure and other key parameters in addition to suggestions such as eating healthy and leading an active life,” disclosed Sood.

Don’t ignore the danger of dizziness

Don’t ignore the danger of dizziness

20.09.2021

When you get out of bed too quickly, do you occasionally feel dizzy and have to sit down again? That light-headedness is called postural hypotension (PHoT) — literally an abnormal drop in blood pressure when you stand.

It is worth noting because it can raise the risk of falls, heart disease, depression, dementia and death.

What to do

When getting out of bed, change position in stages (from lying to sitting to standing), rather than standing in one swift movement. While sitting, count to ten before standing.

The golden rule to treating PHoT is to avoid its triggers. Avoid alcohol, large meals, very warm environments or hot showers. Sleep with the head of the bed raised. Exercise every day to normalise your blood pressure and when you stand, tense the muscles in your legs and buttocks.

— DAILY MIRROR