Govt sets minimun temp for airconditioners at 20°C

Govt sets minimun temp for airconditioners at 20°C

Sanjay Dutta TNN 11.06.2025

New Delhi : All new air-conditioners (ACs) will soon come with a minimum temperature setting of 20°C instead of 16 or 18°C and a maximum of 28°C against 30°C at present, a move that can potentially result in savings of ₹18,000-20,000cr for consumers over three years. 

Power minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday also announced ₹5,400-crore VGF funding for 30GW of battery storage projects and extension of the waiver of inter-state transmission charges for green power till June 28, 2028. These decisions are expected to spur investments of ₹33,000 crore in battery storage projects and prove a boon for ₹1 lakh crore worth of green transmission projects underway. Describing it as a “unique experiment”, Khattar said the new mandate for AC makers will improve efficiency in cooling operations, mitigating the surge in power demand and electricity bills as summers get hotter. 

As and when the new norms are notified, they will apply to ACs used across sectors — from residential places to commercial establishments such as office blocks, malls, hotels and movie theatres, which often run their units at the lowest setting. The ‘experiment’ appears to be inspired by similar moves in Italy and Japan. 

While Rome has fixed the lowest temperature setting for public buildings at 23°C , Japan follows a fixed temperature of 27°C . Govt data indicate that every 1°C increase in temperature setting for cooling reduces power consumption by 6%. They also show that if 6 crore urban households and 12 lakh commercial establishments keep their AC setting between 22 and 24°C, it will save 12-15 billion units of power annually, do away with the need to build 4-5 coal-fired power plants and substantially reduce carbon emissions. Industry bodies representing the manufacturers said the move will raise their R&D expenses but also push up demand for more efficient units, which usually cost more. 

Based on a 2018 Bureau of Energy Efficiency study, the govt had in 2020 mandated a default setting of 24°C for ACs and suggested running units at 26-27°C. In Oct 2023, the International Energy Agency said India’s demand for electricity from household ACs will increase significantly by 2050, potentially exceeding total power consumption in Africa. It also anticipated India witnessing the highest energy demand growth globally over the next three decades, driven by rising incomes and a warming climate. NEW SUMMER SETTING: The ‘experiment’ appears to be in- spired by similar moves in Italy and Japan. While Rome has fixed the lowest temperature setting for public buildings at 23°C, Japan follows a fixed temperature of 27°C

SEP: Recommendation to regulate deemed varsities sparks debate

SEP: Recommendation to regulate deemed varsities sparks debate

 Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 11.06.2025

Chennai : In its recommendations for State Education Policy (SEP), the high-level committee headed by Justice D Murugesan has recommended that deemed universities in the state be regulated. This recommendation has, however, stirred up a debate as academicians said deemed universities were established under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, and state govts cannot regulate them.

As per the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), there are 35 deemed universities functioning in the state. These institutions have an approximate intake of more than 60,000 students in undergraduate courses. There were complaints that a few of them are providing substandard education while some are enrolling students who could not clear engineering exams in affiliated colleges and awarding them degrees.

 “A regulatory body with the powers to regulate ‘deemed to be universities’ should be put in place,” the Justice Murugesan committee said in its 550-page report to the govt. “The regulatory body should have the power to regulate the admission procedure, including admission of a fixed percentage of the total intake of students from Tamil Nadu in each course, fee structure that may be determined by the fee committee, emolument structures for teaching and non-teaching staff as decided by the state, adopting the reservation policy of the state and the allied issues,” it said.

“It is to provide education for the downtrodden, marginalised, and suppressed sections of the society from the state,” the panel said in the report. It also suggested bringing a separate act by the name ‘Tamil Nadu Higher Education Institutions (Private) Registrations Act’ and conditions for the grant of a no objection certificate to deemed universities.

“Deemed universities are functioning like uncontrolled entities. Except for academic autonomy, the state govt should have a say in admissions, fees, and other issues,” a source in the high-level  committee said. 

Academicians say the state govt cannot regulate deemed universities that were established by UGC Act. Representatives from the deemed universities said only UGC can prescribe guidelines to the institutions. “State govt can interfere only with law and order issues. For any academic and regulatory issues, they cannot interfere with the deemed universities,” 

Anna University former vicechancellor E Balagurusamy said. “NBA and NAAC accreditations by deemed universities show they follow certain regulations. State govt has no power to control them,” he added. Madras University former vice-chancellor S P Thyagarajan concurred with this view. “State govt cannot control the deemed universities as far as academic and administrative functions,” he said.

MBBS/BDS admission prospectus keeps students, parents guessing

MBBS/BDS admission prospectus keeps students, parents guessing

 Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 11.06.2025

Chennai : The prospectus for MBBS/BDS admissions for 2025, available on the selection committee's official webpage, is riddled with errors, leading to confusion on several issues such as the application fee, admission process, and penalties for violations. 

For instance, on page 8 of the management quota application form, it states the application fee is ₹500, but on page 16, the fee mentioned is ₹1,000. 

For registrations, pages 28 and 31 say fresh registration is permitted in round 2 and round 3, while page 43 says registration is not allowed before round 2 but allowed in round 1, round 3, and the stray round. 

Page 9 says the security deposit will be forfeited if the candidate discontinues the allotted course in any round, but the tabular column on page 50 says there will be no forfeiture if the student discontinues in round 1. 

"There are so many contradictions that it is difficult to understand the process," said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam, who compiled a six-page document of errors in the prospectus. 

"It is good the state started the admission process ahead of NEET results to give students time, but they had a whole year to review and edit the prospectus. It’s sad to see so many glaring errors," he said. Parents and students have also complained about inconsistencies in the admission process. 

While page 24 states that the signature file should be between 4KB and 20KB, the online application asks for a file size of 10KB to 40KB. "We’ve called the help desk at least 12 times to get these clarified. The person at the desk also gives different versions every time we call," said Kumeresan K, whose son is aspiring for a medical seat this year.

 "The entire admission process is going to be online. At least in face-to-face counselling, we can seek clarification. If the prospectus is so unclear, how do we make smart choices?" he said. Students also said that it’s not clear if they are allowed to reject the offer in round 2 without penalties.

 "While some pages (9 and 45) say candidates exiting round 2 must forfeit the security deposit, the instructions on other pages (30 and 50) say round two has a free exit," said a  candidate aspiring for a medical seat this year. "The entire admission process is going to be online. At least in face-to-face counselling, we can seek clarification. If the prospectus is so unclear, how do we make smart choices?" he said. 

The state has also given two different timelines on when they would refund the security deposit. While page 15 says the security deposit will be refunded within two months after the completion of counselling, pages 7 and 47 say it will take three months. But what have students and parents worried are redundant rules. 

The prospectus states that in case candidates get equal marks, the rank of such candidates may be determined on the basis of seniority in age. When NTA gives an allIndia ranking – a unique rank for all candidates – this becomes redundant, experts said.

Work on final section of Vikravandi-Thanjavur NH to begin next month

Work on final section of Vikravandi-Thanjavur NH to begin next month

A view of the just completed Cholapuram-Sethiyathope four-lane highway section of Vikravandi-Thanjavur National Highway.

Fresh contract awarded for the third package of the project just as the work on Cholapuram- Sethiyathope section of the highway has been completed by National Highways Authority of India

S.Ganesan

TIRUCHI  11.06.2025

Construction of the long-delayed third and final section of the four-lane Vikravandi-Thanjavur National Highway, between Sethiyathope and Vikravandi, is set to commence next month.

The project is being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in three packages — from Thanjavur to Cholapuram; Cholapuram to Sethiyathope; and Sethiyathope to Vikravandi.

The NHAI has just completed work on the second package of the highway, covering the stretch from Sethiyathope and Cholapuram. Although motorists are already using the section, it would formally open to traffic with the commencement of user fee collection at the Manambadi Toll Plaza from June 12.

The 50-km long section, developed at an estimated cost of ₹2,357 crore (including land acquisition and utility shifting), includes three bypasses and four major bridges. A new bridge has been built across the Kollidam river at Anaikkarai.

In January this year, the Cholapuram-Thanjavur section of the highway was opened for traffic. Service organisations in the delta region had been pressing for the early commencement of the Sethiyathope-Vikravandi package, as the NHAI had terminated the contract awarded for the section and decided to go for a fresh tender.

“The tender for developing the Vikravandi-Sethiyathope section into a four lane highway has been awarded recently. The land acquisition for the 66-km long section has been completed and the work will begin in July. The project is expected to be completed in two years,” sources in NHAI told The Hindu.

Two new bypass pass roads would come up at Vadalur and Panruti, running for a total distance of 18 km, on the section which would entail an investment of about ₹2,000 crore approximately.

The entire project, originally scheduled for completion by September 2020, had run into a long delay due to various factors, including Cyclone Gaja, the COVID-19 pandemic and issues in land acquisition. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari’s had inspected the progress of the project in September 2024.

Once completed, the four-lane highway is expected to give a big push to the development of the central region, especially Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur districts. Besides reducing the travel time between Thanjavur and Chennai, it would even help reduce the traffic on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway as those bound to southern destinations such as Karaikudi, Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram could take the NH 36 (Vikravandi-Manamadurai), the sources said.

The news on the award of the contract has brought cheer to the locals.

“We welcome the award of the fresh contract and hope the NHAI would closely monitor the project and complete it expeditiously,” said V. Sathiyanarayanan, secretary, All Traders Associations of Kumbakonam.

இளைஞா்களின் வாழ்வு சிறக்க...

இளைஞா்களின் வாழ்வு சிறக்க...

தற்போதைய படித்த இளைஞா்களிடம் ஏராளமான திறமையும், நேரமும் இருந்தாலும் சரியான வேலை கிடைக்காமல் இருப்பதைப் பற்றி...

இளைஞா்களின் வாழ்வு சிறக்க.. முனைவர் என். பத்ரி Updated on: 09 ஜூன் 2025, 4:00 am 

தற்போதைய படித்த இளைஞா்களிடம் ஏராளமான திறமையும், நேரமும் இருக்கிறது. ஆனால், பணம் இருப்பதில்லை. காரணம், வருமானத்தைக் கொண்டுவரும் வேலை அவா்களுக்கு காலத்தில் கிடைப்பதில்லை. எனவே, நாட்டிலுள்ள வறுமைக்கு அவா்களின் வேலைவாய்ப்பின்மையே ஒரு முக்கியக் காரணமாகத் தெரிகிறது.

பொருளாதார சிக்கல்கள், உள்நாட்டுத் தேவையில் சரிவு, அதீத மக்கள்தொகை பெருக்கம், கல்வி வசதிகள் பெருகிய அளவுக்கு வேலைவாய்ப்புகள் நாட்டில் பெருகாதது, நாட்டின் மெதுவான பொருளாதார வளா்ச்சி, பெருகிவரும் தொழில்நுட்ப வளா்ச்சி, மோசமான சந்தைக் கொள்கைகள், குறைந்த முதலீடு, தொழில்முனைவோருக்கு குறைவான வாய்ப்புகள் போன்றவை இளைஞா்களிடையே காணப்படும் வேலைவாய்ப்பின்மைக்கு முக்கியக் காரணங்களாகக் கூறப்படுகின்றன.

தமிழ்நாடு அரசு நலத் திட்டங்களை மக்களுக்கு முறையாக கொண்டுசோ்க்க பல்வேறு சேவைகளை வழங்கி வருகிறது. இதற்காக அரசு ஊழியா்களும், ஆசிரியா்களும் பணியாற்றி வருகின்றனா். தலைமைச் செயலா் தொடங்கி, அலுவலக உதவியாளா் வரை உள்ள பல்வேறு துறை ஊழியா்கள் இதில் அடங்குவா். இந்த ஊழியா்கள் 60 வயதை நிறைவு செய்யும் நாளன்று ஓய்வு பெறுவது வழக்கம். தற்போதைய நிலையில் தமிழக அரசின் பல்வேறு துறைகளில் 9 லட்சத்து 42 ஆயிரத்து 941 ஊழியா்கள் பணியாற்றி வருகின்றனா்; சுமாா் 7 லட்சத்து 33 ஆயிரம் ஊழியா்கள் ஓய்வூதியம் பெற்று வருகின்றனா்.

இந்நிலையில் தமிழக அரசின் பல்வேறு துறைகளில் பணியாற்றி வந்த ஆசிரியா்கள், அரசு ஊழியா்கள் 8,144 போ் அண்மையில் ஒரே நாளில் ஓய்வு பெற்றுள்ளனா். இதில் மாநில அரசின் குரூப்-ஏ பணியிடங்களில் 424 பேரும், குரூப்-பி பணியிடங்களில் 4,399 பேரும், குரூப்-சி பணியிடங்களில் 2,185 பேரும், குரூப்-டி பணியிடங்களில் 1,136 பேரும் அடங்குவா். இந்த எண்ணிக்கை மொத்த அரசு ஊழியா்களில் 0.86 சதவீதம் ஆகும்.

சென்னை தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில் மட்டும் கடந்த ஆண்டு 22 போ் ஓய்வுபெற்ற நிலையில், இந்த ஆண்டு 30 பேரும், திண்டுக்கல் மாவட்ட காவல் துறையில் பணியாற்றிய 18 பேரும் ஒரே நாளில் ஓய்வு பெற்றுள்ளனா்.

ஏற்கெனவே தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் பல்வேறு துறைகளில் காலிப் பணியிடங்கள் அதிகமாக உள்ளதாகக் கூறப்படுகிறது. இந்நிலையில் ஏறக்குறைய சுமாா் ஒரு சதவீத அரசு ஊழியா்கள் அண்மையில் ஓய்வு பெற்றுள்ளது அனைவரது கவனத்தையும் ஈா்த்துள்ளது. ஓய்வு பெற்றவா்கள் தமக்கு கிடைக்கும் ஓய்வூதிய பணப் பலன்களை முறையாகப் பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும்.

தற்போது அதிகமான ஊழியா்கள் ஓய்வு பெறுவது அரசுப் பணி நிா்வாகத்தில் முக்கியத் தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தும். இதனால் ஏற்படும் காலிப் பணியிடங்களை உடனே நிரப்ப வேண்டும் என அரசு ஊழியா் சங்கங்கள் ஏற்கெனவே கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. இவா்கள் ஓய்வு பெறுவதால் ஏற்படும் காலிப் பணியிடங்களை அரசு உடனே நிரப்புவது நல்லது. இதன் காரணமாக வேலையில்லாத பல இளைஞா்களுக்கு வருமானத்துக்கு ஒரு நல்ல வழிபிறக்கும்.

பல்வேறு கல்வி நிறுவனங்களில் சோ்வதற்கான சான்றிதழ்களான வருமானச் சான்றிதழ், ஜாதிச் சான்றிதழ் போன்றவற்றை மாணவா்களுக்கு வருவாய்த் துறை அதிகாரிகளே வழங்க முடியும். அதேபோன்று பிற துறைகளின் அன்றாடப் பணிகளும் சாமானிய மக்களின் தினசரி வாழ்க்கையுடன் பின்னிப் பிணைந்தவை. எனவே, காலியான இடங்களில் தகுதியுள்ள நபா்களை அரசு அமா்த்துவதற்கான முனைப்புகளை எடுப்பது மிகவும் நல்லது.

இதற்கிடையே ஓய்வு பெற்ற பேராசிரியா்களை ஒப்பந்த முறையில் கல்லூரிகளில் உள்ள காலிப் பணியிடங்களில் பணியமா்த்தப் போவதாக தமிழக அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. அவா்களின் அனுபவ அறிவை தேவைப்படும்போது வேண்டுமானால் அரசு பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ளலாம். வாழ்நாளின் இறுதிப் பகுதியைக் குடும்பத்தினருடன் அவா்கள் கழிப்பதற்கு அவா்களுக்கு முன்னுரிமை தருவது நல்லது. அதற்கு ஏதுவாக அவா்களை ஒப்பந்த முறையில் பணியில் அமா்த்துவதை அரசு மறுபரிசீலனை செய்ய வேண்டும்.

ஏற்கெனவே உடல் வலிமையும், மன வலிமையும் குறைந்துவிட்ட இவா்கள், 58 வயதில் ஓய்வு பெறாமல் 60 வயதில் ஓய்வு பெறுகிறாா்கள். இந்த நிலையில் அவா்களுக்கு ஓய்வு மிகவும் முக்கியம். அறிவும், திறமையும் பெற்ற ஏராளமான இளைஞா்களைக் கொண்டு இந்தப் பணியிடங்களை அரசு முறைப்படி நிரப்புவதன் மூலம் அந்த இளைஞா்களின் வாழ்வில் ஒளி ஏற்ற முடியும்.

முதியவா்களைவிட அரசு நிா்வாகப் பணிகளை இளைஞா்களால் விரைந்து செய்ய முடியும். இளைஞா்களிடம் இருக்கும் சக்தி ஆக்க சக்தியாக மட்டுமே பயன்பட வேண்டும். வேலைவாய்ப்பின்மையால் அது ஒரு அழிவு சக்தியாக மாறிவருவது வேதனைக்குரியது. அதனால் சமுதாயத்தில் குற்றங்கள் தினமும் பெருகி வருகின்றன. இளைஞா்களின் அறிவும், திறனும் முறையாக சமுதாய வளா்ச்சிக்குப் பயன்படுவதை உறுதிசெய்யும் பொறுப்பு அரசுக்கு உள்ளது.

படித்த உடனேயே ஏதோ ஒரு பணியில் இளைஞா்கள் சோ்ந்து பணியாற்றி வருமானத்தைப் பாா்ப்பது அவா்களுக்கும், வீட்டுக்கும், நாட்டுக்கும் நல்லது. இந்தியாவின் எதிா்காலமும், நம்பிக்கையும் இளைஞா்கள்தான். அவா்களின் வாழ்வு சிறக்கும் வகையில் அவா்களுக்கு வேலைவாய்ப்பை அளித்து அரசு செயல்பட வேண்டும்.

news today 5 and 6.06.2025

 

Onco-physiotherapy: embedding exercise into cancer care

Onco-physiotherapy: embedding exercise into cancer care

Srinivasan Vijay

M.S. Satish  06.06.2025

“Movement is Medicine” is the mantra of physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is the field where a trained professional is dedicated to evaluating, assisting, and strengthening physical function and movement. It is grounded in the science of structured physical activity to enhance health and quality of life. “Onco-physiotherapy” is a dedicated branch of physiotherapy, with focussed programmes to assist cancer patients during all the stages of cancer care.

Cancer (diagnosis and treatment) can have a global impact on the patient and the family. The treatment comprises a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. This multi-modality treatment approach is the key to potential cure and better outcomes. However, the disease and the treatment can be debilitating. The journey to recovery post-treatment is not always smooth; it may be pervaded with pain, weakness, stiffness, fatigue, muscle wasting and reduced mobility. “We need more than just treatment to combat cancer; a dedicated field such as “onco-physiotherapy” works as a vital counter balance and perfect partner to negate some treatment side-effects and strengthen the body and mind of our patients,” stated V. Sridevi, senior surgical oncologist. At Cancer Institute hospital, we administer one-on-one physiotherapy sessions to our in-patients.

A vital aspect

Physiotherapy plays a vital role across the entire spectrum of cancer care, supporting patients through each phase of their journey. Before treatment (Prehabilitation), it enhances physical resilience, preparing patients to better tolerate cancer treatment and assist recovery. During and after treatment (Rehabilitation & Survivorship), targeted exercises help manage symptoms, reduce side effects, increase stamina and energy levels, restoring physical function, and enable a return to everyday life. After care (Palliative support) where physiotherapy supports comfort, mobility, and dignity, even within palliative care settings.

Prehabilitation is an essential phase before surgery and cancer treatment, helps strengthen patients both physically and mentally. Physiotherapy is a key component, offering customised exercises to boost fitness, strength, and flexibility, thereby minimising complications.

“A physiotherapy-driven approach reduces the length of hospital stay and readmissions, and improves surgical outcomes; all of which emphasises a proactive, patient-centered approach,” mentioned C. Punitha, anaesthesiologist.

“Physiotherapy not only focusses on cardiac fitness and mobility exercises, but also on breathing exercises. This is crucial in reducing post-treatment respiratory related complications such as pneumonia,” added S. Keerthika, physiotherapist.

Post-treatment, when patients return for their follow-up care to meet their doctors, they also come back to see their physiotherapists to work on improving their fitness and attend to any physical challenge.

“Cancer survivors are almost three times more likely to report fair or poor overall health, twice as likely to experience psychosocial disabilities and functional limitations compared to those without cancer or chronic illness. We have adopted globally established framework, such as The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. This helps our physiotherapists to assess and address the multifaceted impacts of cancer. Such objective tools for assessment ensure a holistic rehabilitation approach,” remarked Anitha D., senior physiotherapist.

Patient’s mental health

For a majority of cancer patients, healing is not merely a physical process, it is also a deep wound at the psychological level. “Research has proven that exercise has a profound impact on mental well-being of cancer patients; from alleviation of depressive and anxiety symptoms to enhanced self-esteem and improved sleep,” remarks Surendran Veeriah, head of psycho-oncology department. Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, natural chemicals in the body that make you feel well and help reduce pain and boost mood/energy. Regular moderate exercise can increase motivation and provide a natural, non-pharmacological way to cope with stress during and after cancer treatment.

Cancer-related fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue is frequently reported as the most debilitating and persistent symptom of cancer treatment. Guidelines recommend regular fatigue screening during all phases of treatment and survivorship.

Fatigue is not just a side effect, it is often the most distressing symptom reported by cancer patients. It can persist for months or even years post-treatment, hence regular exercise is crucial in the long-term.

Advances in cancer care have resulted in improved survival rates and an increase in survivors. A significant percentage of these survivors are young and in the working age group. Thus, it is imperative to focus on optimising their new normal via physiotherapy so we preserve their quality of life and their ability to resume work.

The benefits of regular physical exercise are overarching on global health (such as: improved cardiovascular parameters, respiratory function and mental health, reduction in obesity, diabetes and cancer, improved sleep and psychosocial well-being). Logically, “movement” should be the health mantra, not just for cancer patients, but for the general public as well. Sadly, we live in an era where there is a reduction in overall physical activity especially with the advent of smart devices.

Embedding exercise and gyms into our daily routines, workspaces should perhaps be the universal prescription for lasting health and well-being!

(Dr. Srinivasan Vijay is chief physiotherapist, and head, department of physiotherapy, Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar. Dr. M.S. Satish is chief physiotherapist and Scientist D at the institute)