Experts to study if NEET question in Hindi got lost in translation

Experts to study if NEET question in Hindi got lost in translation

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:26.11.2021

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday agreed before the Supreme Court to set up a committee of three experts to decide the correctness of a Physics question in the Hindi version of NEET (UG) question paper after a discrepancy was pointed out by some candidates who took the exam in the Hindi medium.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nath said only those who are experts in Physics and also well-conversed in both Hindi and English could decide whether there was any discrepancy in the question paper. Some of the medical aspirants who chose the Hindi medium in the MBBS entrance examination alleged that there was an error in question number 2 of the Physics section.

They alleged that in the Hindi version of the question, words “amplitude of current” had been omitted and candidates who attempted the question based on the Hindi translation arrived at a different answer. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for NTA, said the best way to deal with the issue was to take the help of experts and agreed to set up a panel. The bench posted the case for November 30.

“During the course of the hearing, Tushar Mehta, solicitor general, has submitted that in order to allay the apprehensions of students who appeared for NEET (UG) 2021 with Hindi as the medium, the solutions to both the Hindi and English versions of Question No 2 of Section-A in Physics Paper (Code P2) shall be evaluated again by a committee consisting of three experts. After this process is done, it has been submitted that an affidavit would be filed setting out the result of the evaluation of the solutions,” the bench said.

Some of the medical aspirants who chose Hindi medium in the MBBS entrance examination alleged that there was an error in question two of the Physics section

Offered easy money through an app? It could well be a trap

Offered easy money through an app? It could well be a trap

Multi-level marketing scams have donned an online avatar. Instead of pamphlets and posters, scammers use messages, audio and videos to trap people.

Published: 25th November 2021 06:58 AM 

EXPRESS ILLUSTRATION

By Gautham Selvarajan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Multi-level marketing scams have donned an online avatar. Instead of pamphlets and posters, scammers use messages, audio and videos to trap people. For example, there are apps that promise high returns on investments. On registering, you get a referral code to share with your friends. And once they register, you get paid. Then they, in turn, invest and get referral codes to share.

These apps claim your investment goes towards a particular project, and the returns will be given to you. But that doesn’t always happen, explains Srikanth Lakshmanan, a researcher tracking digital payments and fraud. The scammers go to great lengths to make their companies appear legitimate. They pay the first level of people who join or sign up, and through them, attract others. But once more people join and invest, the returns stop, says Lakshmanan.

One such company used the name ‘World Bank’ to cheat people in the guise of angel funding. It created several groups on online messaging platforms, and uploaded pictures of people and pamphlets to convince victims. Once it was found to be a scam, the World Bank had to put out a warning to caution people, he points out.

Recently, a software engineer from Chennai invested in a similar app, received a referral code, and shared it with his friends, who then followed his footsteps. He received returns in his account on the app for each person who used his code. But when he sought to withdraw the money, the app and company stopped responding. Ultimately, he had to pay back the people he led to invest in the app.

Many such apps are available on online app stores, but most of the ones used by scammers can only be downloaded from the links they send, says a senior cyber crime officer, adding that the only way to be immune to such frauds is to stay aware. This means being cautious about apps and links that scammers may ask you to use.

And if you happen to fall prey to such frauds, report it immediately, says the officer. “The quicker you report it to the police, the easier it is to freeze the culprit’s account.” Once an issue is reported, network providers, banks, and cybercrime officials work together to crack the case. “Even if the culprit is not apprehended, at least there’s a chance of tracing the funds,” the officer adds.

(To report any kind of cyber crime, dial 155260)

CM announces ₹240cr grant for cash-starved Pbi varsity

CM announces ₹240cr grant for cash-starved Pbi varsity

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Patiala:25.11.2021

Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday announced to increase the annual grant to the Punjabi University from Rs 114 crore to Rs 240 crore. Channi visited the university, which had been facing a financial crisis for the past several years and demanding a loan debt waiver, along with the finance minister and announced to “take over” the financial laibilities, including its bank loan of Rs 150 crore.

In the budget presented in March this year, the state government had announced a special grant of Rs 90 crore for the university against the demand of Rs 400 crore. In April, the finance committee of Punjabi University had passed a deficit budget of Rs 129 crore approximately for the current financial year (2021-22) whereas last year it passed Rs 296 crore of deficit budget.

“We are implementing a new model of education ‘Navi Soch Navan Punjab’. Each year, the state government will give Rs 240 crore as annual grant to this university. Rs 20 crore is monthly expense of Punjabi University that it needs from the state government, but the government was giving it Rs 9.5 crore monthly grant... It is our responsibility to provide quality education to students and ensure that universities do not face any financial crisis. Thus, we decided to provide Rs 20 crore monthly grant to Punjabi University. Besides, we have taken over Rs 150 crore of bank loans from Punjabi University,” he said.

Channi said, “The incumbent VC (Prof Arvind) and his predecessor (Prof B S Ghumman) too had approached me (during his term) for financial assistance. But actually decisions are taken by those running the government and not under the chief minister. So I am thankful to the finance minister who came here along with me to resolve this issue of financial crisis.”

Addressing the gathering at the university, Channi said it was set up to promote of Punjabi language. “I thank those who established this university and gave Punjab this good institution that is serving both Punjabi language and its people. We should take pride in our mother tongue Punjabi and both this institution and state government.”

Later, he inaugurated the Centre for Rural Entrepreneur and Skill Training and Centre for Restoration of Ecosystem of Punjab, saying it speaks volumes about the untiring efforts of the university to explore new avenues in entrepreneurship to generate employment, especially in the Malwa region.

CM Charanjit Singh Channi with finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal with VC Dr Arvind at Punjabi University in Patiala

VC-MLA ROW

Congress MLA from Ghanaur assembly segment in Patiala district, Madan Lal Jalalpur refused to share a seat with the university vice-chancellor, alleging he was appointed on the behest of RSS during Capt Amarinder Singh’s term as CM. The VC was about to sit along with the chief minister and others for a press conference but Jalalpur refused to join them. “I am planning to file a defamation case against MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur, who publicly misbehaved and levelled baseless allegations. I am an international scientist and do not want to engage with him at his level,” the VC said.

CM ON ‘FAKE KEJRIWAL’

Replying to a media query over AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘fake Kejriwal’ remark, Channi said, “When pain intensifies, then such replies are expected from them. Now they have gone hallucinating and gone off the track. They themselves are fake. They want people to go out of the track by uttering such things to provoke others, but now their this system has failed. We are carrying forward a positive and good thinking for Punjab and moving on this track. I would not blame anyone for copying me or criticizing them (our rivals). We are improving ourselves and bringing all that which is requirement of people of Punjab. ” On guarantees announced by Kejriwal in Punjab, Channi said, “We are not just giving guarantees, but doing the work in reality.

IGI was busier than Dubai airport in Nov

IGI was busier than Dubai airport in Nov

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:25.11.2021

The pandemic has flipped the pecking order of world airports. This month, Delhi’s IGI Airport was busier than Dubai International Airport in terms of combined domestic and international seat capacity deployed by airlines.

At close to 30.9 lakh, IGIA is the seventh busiest airport globally this month, ahead of Dubai at a little over 30.7 lakh, according to UK-based air consultancy firm OAG. In pre-pandemic November 2019, Dubai was at number 3 and IGIA at number 10.

While Dubai remains the world’s busiest international airport by seats, IGIA does not figure in the list of top 10 international airports due to continued restrictions on scheduled foreign flights by India. The revival of domestic air travel in India has led to a revival of footfall at airports, making IGIA overtake Dubai in overall seat capacity.

Decision on resuming int’l flights soon: Govt

India will soon decide on resuming scheduled international flights. While there are chances that it could happen before the yearend, the worsening Covid situation in Europe has led to a rethink. Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said: “I am working on the issue with other ministries.”

Only half of current Top 10 airports were in 2019 list

In pre-pandemic times, nearly 60% of the international traffic between India and the rest of the world flew foreign airlines. Of them, Gulf carriers took the lion’s share in terms of both point to point and connecting traffic. “If India is able to take steps to lower the steep operating cost structures for its airlines and the latter are able to mount more nonstops to the rest of the world, including distant continents, then the blow to airlines of nearby hubs will be big. Transit traffic to and from India is a big source of filling the planes of these airlines,” said an airline official.

Thanks to traffic recovery, India’s busiest and second busiest airport, Delhi’s IGI and Mumbai airport, respectively, are now using all their terminals. Meanwhile, the 10 busiest airports overall this month, according to OAG, are Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Guangzhou, Denver, Los Angeles International, Delhi IGIA, Dubai DXB, Tokyo Haneda and Shenzhen. The 10 busiest airports by international seat capacity alone this month are Dubai DXB, London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Doha, Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas, New York JFK and Dublin.

“Only half of the current Top 10 airports were in the Top 10 in November 2019. Still missing are Singapore (23), Hong Kong (27), Incheon (45) and Bangkok (63) as recovery in Asia continues to falter,” says OAG.

Be Careful, India

Be Careful, India

US and Western Europe are a cautionary tale of Covid dangers despite brisk vaccination

25.11.2021

The Covid surge in Western Europe and the US, including in some countries where around 70% of the population is fully vaccinated, sends a message to India – be very careful. India cannot be swayed by comforting assumptions. It must focus on upping disease surveillance and expediting vaccination. Just 30% of Indians are fully vaccinated; and decisions on child immunisation as well as booster shots for 2.5 crore senior citizens and healthcare workers who received second doses over six months ago are still awaited. Reopening educational institutions have triggered a few Covid clusters, evidence that the virus is transmitting even when unable to wreak much damage.

The national serosurvey in July had revealed Covid antibodies in 67% of the population even when single-dose coverage was just 28%. Subsequent serosurveys in Delhi, Kerala and Haryana had revealed over 90%, 80% and 70% seropositivity respectively in the general population. But as the Kerala seven-day Covid trajectory of over 5,000 daily cases, despite 95% single-dose adult vaccination, indicates, only speedy universal full vaccination can mitigate infection risks. High seroprevalence is a comforting prospect but in a situation where immunity is waning, India’s propensity for rapid infection transmission – evident during the Delta second wave in April-June – poses a nightmarish scenario to be avoided at all costs.

Scientific studies to glean actionable intelligence are needed. Regular serosurveys could signal the duration of seroprevalence by vaccine type besides societal-level protection. Hospitalisation data can reveal concrete evidence of waning immunity based on vaccination status, age, sex and location. NTAGI, the apex technical advisory group having the mandate to recommend the booster dose, should requisition all-out support from research bodies under ICMR to pursue studies that further our understanding of vaccines. Mix-and-match trials of vaccines to establish safety and immunogenicity are also necessary: Those wishing to switch out of Covishield or Covaxin must get that option with booster doses.

Concurrently, NEGVAC, the expert group on Covid vaccine administration, must debate the merits of rolling out booster doses in the private sector for those receiving medical advice to take the third dose, while governments steadfastly focus on the community medicine aspect of accelerating first and second doses. From 61% three months ago, the UK’s fully vaccinated population has inched up to just 68% now. With over 20 crore doses lying unused and nearly 10 crore people overdue for their second doses, the vaccination effort is entering a complicated stage in India too. Scientific rigour and state capacity are on test.

Why colleges may continue with online classes for now

Why colleges may continue with online classes for now

New Delhi:25.11.2021

While colleges and other educational institutions have been allowed to reopen, they are likely to continue holding classes in the online mode for now. Ensuring 50% capacity may be difficult for them, said officials.

Yogesh Singh, vice-chancellor of Delhi University, said, “Our concern is with the DDMA guidelines that allow 50% capacity. It is difficult to ensure that, so we are working on something concrete. However, that will take some time. For the final year students' practicals, the project work is already ongoing offline. We will soon have a meeting with the principals and decide for the first-and second-year students as well”.

For first-year students, the online classes at DU began on November 22.

At Delhi Technological University (DTU), the concern is about providing the students with hostel facilities. An official said, “First-year classes will begin from December 27 in the online mode. If offline classes are to be done in 50% attendance, the issue becomes that many of our students are outstation ones and there aren’t sufficient hostels. We may start with offline practical classes and continue theory classes online.”BR Ambedkar University Delhi will take a decision on reopening in a few days’ time. Anu Lather, vice-chancellor of the university, said, “We will have a consultation with the deans and take a call. Reopening is long-awaited and a welcome step. In between also, we tried to open 50% of the capacity of classrooms.” TNN

6k half-empty vials of Covid vaccines found in garbage pit

6k half-empty vials of Covid vaccines found in garbage pit

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:25.11.2021

As many as 5,500 half-empty vials of Covishield vaccine and 550 halfempty vials of Covaxin were found in a garbage pit in Mauganj community health centre of Rewa district on Wednesday.

Pictures of these vials went viral, triggering an allout administrative response. The district’s chief medical and health officer, Dr BL Mishra, set up a probe team and sent it the town, around 65km from Rewa HQ. He too rushed to the spot at night, and said the vials contained unused doses.

“Not even one of these vials of Covishield and Covaxin was sealed. These are actually last doses that were left over as patients did not turn up. Suppose, a vial is opened and only seven patients show up, then the remaining three doses are not used the next day. The only irresponsibility in this case pertains to improper disposal of medical waste,” the CMHO told TOI.

“Before the new waste disposal norms were put in place in the state a few years ago, medical wasted used to be dumped in garbage pits. This is one of the same garbage pits. Notices will be issued to all concerned over improper disposal,” he added.

Pictures of the vials in a garbage pit went viral on Wednesday