Volume No 17 Issue No 4 February 20, 2017 LAB JOURNAL OF THE ASIAN COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM People want No VC causes What does V-Day OPS as CM career trouble mean to you? Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

SSaasikasla iis knowa Prilsoaner Noumuber t92,3 4P in Baenglaalurun jaili; TsN Gwoveranorm asks iP aliannisw aami tso fo rmC GMovt. SURBHI GUPTA the Disproportionate Assets case. MLAs are being held hostage . The crisis in the ruling They are being coerced into 'No one can After a weeklong crisis in the AIADMK erupted after supporting Sasikala’s nominee. ruling AIADMK, Edapaddi K. Panneerselvam declared that he had Addressing the media after replace Amma' Palaniswami has been sworn in as been forced to resign to make way visiting former Chief Minister the 29th Chief Minister of Tamil for Sasikala to take over as Chief Jayalalithaa’s memorial, VARUN DIKSHIT Nadu. All ministers from the Minister. But Sasikala was Panneerselvam said, “The Tamil previous cabinet, except O. convicted and jailed. Before she Nadu government sworn-in today Residents of RK Nagar, former Panneerselvam and Ma Foi K. went to jail in Bengaluru, Sasikala is anti-people... We have taken a Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's Pandiarajan, were retained in the 31 nominated Palaniswami as the vow at Amma’s memorial to make constituency in North Chennai, member ministry. leader of the AIADMK party. people aware of the situation in the have welcomed the conviction of Palaniswami won the vote of Sasikala had revoked the party and ways to bring the party AIDMK interim General Secretary, confidence in the Assembly on suspension of her nephews, T.T.V out of it.” VK Sasikala, in the February 18 after the DMK Dinakaran and S. Venkatesh, Meanwhile in Delhi, eight Lok Disproportionate Assets case and members were expelled from the readmitted them as members and Sabha and two Rajya Sabha said that “none can replace Amma.” House after they dirupted the made Dinakaran deputy general Members of Parliament of “Sasikala is not even an elected proceddings in the House.. The secretary of the party. AIADMK met the Election MLA. It is good that she has been DMK wanted the vote postponed This has led to allegations that Commission (EC) and submitted a convicted as people of Tamil Nadu but the Speaker P Dhanapal the Sasikala camp was having a letter stating that Sasikala's would have never accepted her as reejcted the demand. stranglehold on the party and the appointment as interim general the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” The party’s interm General state administration. secretary of the party was illegal. said Sanjay Gandhi, a medical Secretary VK Sasikala handpicked Palaniswami is confident of The commission has issued a notice representative. Palaniswami, a four-time MLA passing the floor test with the to Sasikala. Jayalalithaa won from the RK from Salem, after she was support of 124 MLAs, However Soon after the swearing in Nagar constituency in 2011 and convicted by the Supreme Court in there have been allegations that the ceremony, supporters of 2016 with a thumping majority. Her Panneerselvam and the newly- demise has left a huge political void inducted Minister C.V in R K Nagar. Shanmugam, clashed in front of the “I voted for Jayalalithaa and not ministers’ bungalow on Greenways for Sasikala. No one can replace Road. One man and a policeman VK Sasikala at Jayalalithaa’s memorial after conviction | REUTERS Amma in our life," said Devraj, a were injured and the situation was local businessman. brought under control by the police. "Sasikala is responsible for The Hindu, also reported Amma’s death,” he said angrily. tensions at Bodinayakkanur town People in the R K Nagar were in Dindigul as supporters of ignorant that along with Sasikala Sasikala and Panneerselvam. the Supreme Court had also upheld Panneerselvam’s office was Sasikala and others the trial court’s conviction of attacked and banners were torn. In Jayalalithaa, who was Accused No turn, his supporters pelted stones at 1 in the disproportionate assets the supporters of Balamurugan, case. Some even cited Sasikala's AIADMK secretary of the town; 'bad influence' as the reason behind they damaged his car too. There has convicted in DA case “Amma” getting mired in cases. been a heavy deployment of police “It is because of Sasikala that Edappadi K Palaniswami | IANS in the area. Amma's name cropped up in the Case Jayalalithaa abated due to death [DA] case," said Vallikumar S, who owns a small accessory shop in R SUMEDHA GROVER The apex court sentenced her High Court. K Nagar. and two other relatives to “Though it is clear from the Vallikumar was not satisfied with AIADMK interim General four years imprisonment and judgment that had she been alive the punishment given to Sasikala Secretary VK Sasikala, has been ordered them to pay a fine of Rs 10 she would have been rendered the “ Ideally she should be locked in ‘India, China differ on lodged in the Parappana Agrahara crore each. same verdict,” he added. the jail for lifetime as after 4 years jail in Bengaluru following her The court also upheld the Sasikala visited Jayalalithaa’s she will come back and rule conviction by the Supreme Court charges against former Chief memorial on her way to Bengaluru AIADMK and will again indulge in in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate Minister Jayalalithaa, but said the to surrender before the Bengaluru corrupt practices.” threat perceptions’ assets case. case against her had abated due to Trial Court. While offering Most of the people in the area TSHERING DORJI Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. The judgment bars her from her death. The Rs. 100 crore fine prayers, Sasikala hit the memorial wanted O Panneerselvam to China does not view India as a threat because it is China was also demonstrating sensitivity in dealing contesting elections for ten years imposed by the Bengaluru court, thrice and took a vow which was become Chief Minister. economically weak and lacks comprehensive with India’s neighbouring nations. This was driven effectively preventing her from though, still has to be recovered by later clarified by the AIADMK in a Ameer Hamza, a helmet shop power at the international level, according to Dr. by a perception different from the Chinese view becoming the Chief Minister of the Tamil Nadu government. tweet which stated, “I will owner said “We have neutral David Brewster of the National Security College, towards East Asia. Tamil Nadu in the near future. “The judgment doesn’t provide overcome hurdle(s), treachery and feelings towards Panneerselvam as Australian National University, Canberra. Whenever China perceived India’s actions as Upholding the 2014 judgment ample justification for abating the (the) plotting (against me).” he hasn’t done anything wrong thus Brewster made it clear that China’s interest in harming its interests, it responded with retaliation. of the Bengaluru Trial Court, charges yet retaining the fine. Most AIADMK supporters of far and since Amma wanted him to the Indian Ocean was to protect its Sea Lines of In 2015, a few days after the Chinese Prime the Supreme Court directed There seems to be some O Panneerselvam’s camp be the Chief Minister ideally he Communication (SLOCs) and ensure the security President Xi Jinping visited India, a Chinese Sasikala to complete the remainder incongruity in that. There seems to welcomed the verdict but refused should have been the Chief and safety of Chinese nationals and assets in the submarine unexpectedly sailed into Sri Lanka, of her four year sentence. She be only the moral finding of guilt to acknowledge that former party Minister of state.” region. which is seen as India’s backyard. had already served six-months in against her,” said Suhrith chief Jayalalithaa had also Some residents were tired of the Speaking about India and China’s strategic Brewster said India’s increasing ties with the jail earlier. Parthasarathy, Advocate, Madras been convicted. never ending cycle of events set in ambition in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, China’s traditional neighbours like Vietnam, motion by the AIADMK crisis and Dr. Brewster observed that while India viewed Singapore, Japan and Taiwan, made China jittery. TIMELINE wanted some closure. China as the primary threat to its national security Dr. Lawrence Prabhakar, Professor of “Since Amma’s death, the city the Chinese did not have a similar perception about International Relations, Madras Christian College 1996 : BJP member Subramanian Swamy, then Trial Court on the grounds that a fair trial was not has been in a state of turmoil. First India. This created an asymmetry of threat however doubted the operational robustness of the Janata Party chief, filed a case against J Jayalalithaa possible in Tamil Nadu with her as Chief Minister. cyclone Vardah wreaked havoc, perceptions complicating the dynamics and Chinese Navy. which alleged that during her tenure as Tamil Nadu 2014: The Special Court convicted Jayalalithaa, then mystery shrouded Amma’s interaction between the two countries, he added. Prabhakar pointed out that the Chinese Navy had Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996, she amassed Sasikala and the others on charges of illegal death followed by the Jallikatu Brewster said the United States’ dominance was not fought a war since 1969. He also dismissed the properties worth Rs 66.65 crore which was property acquisition and awarded four years' prison protests that rocked Chennai. Now, eroding with the rise of China and the emergence of possibility of a full-fledged war between India and disproportionate to her known sources of income. term. Jayalalithaa was fined Rs. 100 crore while the the fight for power within India as major regional powers. The relationship China citing the role of nuclear deterrence. He said 1997: Prosecution was launched against her and others were fined Rs. 10 crore each. AIADMK...” said Sivalingam, a car between India and China was critical because of that there was scope for a limited war particularly three others, including VK Sasikala and her 2015 : All the four were later acquitted by a single accessories shop owner . the competition between the two countries. The one targeting the cyberspace. relatives J Ilavarasi and VN Sudhakaran. judge bench of the Karnataka High Court. The There were a few staunch maritime region has significant elements of Prabhakar highlighted the strategic competition The accused were charged under the Prevention Karnataka Government appealed in the Supreme AIADMK loyalists like Sreedhar competition and there was the potential to make the between both countries in regions stretching from of Corruption Act, 1988. Madras High Court Court against the acquittal. too. relationship more competitive. the Pacific to West Asia. He noted that a Chinese dismisses petitions by Jayalalithaa including one 2016: Supreme Court reserves verdict on appeals "I will vote for the AIADMK, Brewster pointed out that China was closely railroad linking the Xinjiang with Tehran was challenging the sanction granted by the Governor in DA case. Jayalalithaa dies in December. irrespective of who becomes the studying India’s activities in South Asia including China’s response to India’s project to construct the for prosecuting her. 2017 : The Supreme Court on February 14 upheld Chief Minister.If the party its growing relationship with Association of Chabahar port in Iran. 2003: The case was transferred to the Bengaluru the trial court’s conviction. leadership projects someone, we will accept the candidate," he said. Normalcy restored at Marina weeks after TN oil spill TANNU JAIN with the skin. was slow in India. According to a report by As much as 20 tonnes of oil However, Corporation The News Minute, some Almost three weeks after two had been cleaned by officials stated that around 300 fishing hamlets have claimed cargo ships collided causing a volunteers from around the workers from Greater Chennai that the oil has been dumped major oil spill in Chennai, the city. Students of marine Corporation had been working in sand pits. These pits they Marina beach looked just as it engineering from GKM at the beaches. allege are so close to the water always did earlier. The beach, College had also been The sludge has taken a toll that high tides would take the with the clean-up process involved in the clean-up. on marine life as well and oil back into the water. complete for the day, showed Some of them alleged that affected fishing business. Experts from the no signs of the oil spill. they had not been provided However, with the completion International Tanker Owners Tourists flocked the beach with any protective gear by the of the clean up, normalcy has Pollution Federation (ITOPF) wading into water unaware of Corporation. They were forced been restored. Most stalls on have said that if not cleaned the harm any residual oil to clean the beach using sacks the beach have also reopened. properly, the oil could seep might have. Some skin experts as makeshift gloves. Even though the cleanup into power plants and had revealed that the sludge Many mariners and has been completed, a new desalination plants leading could cause diseases like environmentalists noted that issue has emerged with the to contamination of the Oil spill cleanup on the Marina Beach kept tourists away for three weeks | UTSAV T cancer if put in direct contact the response to such disasters disposal of the oil collected. piping systems. THE WORD 2 AIADMK CRISIS CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 20, 2017 OPS: Hope still on “No matter what, we will always be by his side,” say supporters of OPS VAISHALI V.

Even though former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam seems to have lost the race to form the Government again, people continue to support. Outside his residence on Greenways Road, R Pattammal, draped in a saree with a design of an AIADMK flag in it, kept shouting “We want OPS, We want OPS”. Pattamal, a resident of Chennai, has been there at Panneerselvam’s residence for a week to extend her support to him. “Some of my relatives from Andhra Pradesh have motivated me to participate in the campaign for our M. G. Ramachandran lookalike outside O.Panneerselvam’s house | UTSAV TIWARI OPS. I am representing my entire family,” says Pattamal. A lot of women cheering for OPS were among the crowd outside his residence. Some people were selling snacks and some were selling photos former Chief Chennai welcomes Minister Jayalalithaa, AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran and OPS. Some women had tattooed Jayalalithaa’s image with OPS’s name written below it. PSRUDaHVI VsEGiESkNA alParobati onaDry offiAcer at t hev State whro wdorks ias ca mtaid said, “I “We have gathered here to Bank of India Ambattur said, came here to give support support OPS. We want OPS and Cycle Kumar and MGR Jayaram in support of O.Panneerselvam| VAISHALI V. The Supreme Court’s decision to “Sasikala and her family tried to to Panneerselvam after watching Jayalaithaa’s niece Deepa uphold the conviction of AIADMK convert the AIADMK party into a the judgement on the news Jayakumar to come together and J. Jayalalithaa’s death and believe Umayyal. autorickshaws to campaign for J. interim General Secretary VK family party.” Following the channels. Amma’s blessings are form the government because we that he alone could hold the party Pamphlets made by V. Srinivasan, Jayalalithaa. They say they will do Sasikala in the disproportionate judgement, a sea of supporters here to save Panneerselvam and think that the future of women together. Panneerselvam alleged Youth Camp Secretary, were being the same for OPS. assets case has been welcomed by thronged former Chief Minister O defeat Sasikala.” would be better in their hands,” that he was humiliated and forced distributed with “OPS-Original “We have extended our loyalty many. Sekhar Babu, a shopkeeper Panneerselvam’s Greenways Road P.Nanda Kumar, an advocate says K. Shakila, a resident of to resign as Chief Minister by the Public Service” written on them. to OPS and completely believe in from Kotturpuram said, “I am very residence and raised slogans from Thiruvarur district said, Virugambakkam. Sasikala camp. Two people from the crowd, Cycle him. He was chosen by J. happy with the judgement. This against Sasikala. Panneerselvam “Sasikala is a traitor. Sasikala wrote The women believe that OPS are “We do not want the government Kumar and MGR Jayaram had a Jayalalithaa, and we respect the judgement is a slap on the face of had revolted after he alleged that he a letter to Amma saying that she the heir of Jayalalithaa because she to go into wrong hands. We are different way of showing their decision. This has been our sole the ‘Mannargudi Mafia’ which is had been forced to resign to make would not enter politics. But now had chosen only him as Chief confident that the people want OPS loyalty. They were dressed up in occupation and our entire family is trying to control the State. Finally, way for Sasikala to take over as the she and her family members are Minister during her absence. They to be the CM because he alone can fancy costumes and their daily job hard core AIADMK supporters,” the truth has prevailed.” Chief Minister. cheating Amma by entering into regret the way he was treated after lead the party well,” says, B. earlier was to drive around in they said. M.Jambukeshwaran, a R.Valarmathi from Mylapore politics.” Jayalalithaa’s death, still a mystery? DMK slams lack UTSAV TIWARI saying the late Chief Minister was on “wrong diabetes medicines” be - of governance It has been more than two fore being hospitalised in Septem - B. TILAK CHANDAR retired Government servant said months since Tamil Nadu Chief ber. that Tamil Nadu would not progress Minister J. Jayalalithaa died on De - A report published Feb 04, 2012 DMK’s Working President M.K. with such politics. Water problems cember 5, 2016, yet rumours rela - in Tehelka said, “Jayalalithaa was Stalin has criticised the ruling and environmental degradation ted to circumstances surrounding allegedly given sedatives and che - AIADMK for engaging in power were important issues which the her death still remains. mical substances that had small battle at the time of drought. ruling party should have addressed. A day after Tamil Nadu Chief quantities of poison by a nurse ap - Addressing DMK members at a Bhaskaran, a businessman and Minister O.Panneerselvam tende - pointed by Sasikala.” meeting held at the party DMK supporter, said, “The people red his resignation on February 5 Manoj Pandian, a former Rajya headquarters, Stalin said “Tamil were earlier left in the dark over 2017, doctors from Apollo Hospi - Sabha MP and an AIADMK leader Nadu is facing water problem former Chief Minister tal held a press conference facilita - held a press conference and said and farmers are committing Jayalalithaa’s health and now there ted by the Tamil Nadu government that, “We believe Amma (Jayalalit - suicide, but the ruling party has was this political uncertainty. DMK to end all the rumours. haa) was poisoned. It is the truth. chosen to ignore the crisis and had the chance to win the next Dr. Richard Beale, intensivist AIADMK cadres have not accep - engage itself in power battle.” elections.” DMK Cadre and from the London Bridge Hospital, ted Sasikala as their leader.” There was complete lack of Advocate Hemanth Annadurai, said who was treating Jayalalithaa, ruled “In fact, V. K. Sasikala is just the governance, said Stalin. He added that the governor had delayed the out any conspiracy behind her temporary general secretary of the that because of instability in the formation of the new Government deah. AIADMK. Only 2,500 people who government the people of Tamil as the Supreme Court judgement in Beale said: "I am not from here. came to the general council ap - Nadu were suffering. the disproportionate case against There was no conspiracy. She pointed her.” The AIADMK members were Sasikala had been pending. He had (Jayalalithaa) had severe infection. The rumors still surface on so - fighting among themselves over the right to prolong the situation She had supportive care.” cial media and people don’t have a who should become the Chief and call for floor test when Dr. Shivani Upadhya, a physi - clear idea about what to believe. Minister instead of focussing on the necessary. V. Kannadasan, DMK cian, said “All their statements are "From her actions, we can tell Sa - severe drought and the suffering Joint Secretary State Legal Wing very reasonable. If she was admit - sikala’s intentions. We get a lot of farmers.Reacting to AIADMK and Advocate said ,”People’s crisis ted with respiratory failure due to forwards on Whatsapp, but we interim General Secretary V K was forgotten in the number games. sepsis then this chain of events is PICTURE COURTESY: THE HINDU aren’t clear ourselves," said N. Jee - Sasikala blaming the DMK for the Necessary action should be taken if totally expected. It’s not surprising to examine if there was any foul ved 'dramatically' after he treated rumors, and even we don’t know varatnam from Velacherry. crisis in her party, Stalin said it was the MLA’s were taken hostage.” that her heart failed.” play leading to Jayalalithaa’s death. her.” about the whole story. Maybe if N.Nallakannuan, an AIADMK ridiculous and a waste of time to Mark.P, a retired police However, Paneerselvam, who Jayalalithaa’s doctor and an ac - Demanding a probe into her Panneerselvam comes up, he will supporter said, "It’s definitely Sasi - consider her reaction. constable and DMK supporter, accused AIADMK interim General cupuncture specialist, Dr. M N San - death, he said that she would have make an effort to bring out the kala who did it. She did it to take Stalin added that the power said, “People were confused over secretary V. K. Sasikala of forcing kar said in an interview to India been alive in his care. truth.” away her assets. She didn’t let struggle was rather to determine the situation and this would give him to resign as Chief Minister, Today that, “she was suffering from G. Ratnam, an AIADMK mem - According to a leaked email the anyone in the hospital as she didn’t who will be more corrupt. DMK the chance to win the next demanded a Supreme Court probe multiple medical issues, but impro - ber, said "They talk about a lot of Apollo management was quoted want us to see Amma’s state." DMK supporter Vijayan, a assembly elections.” Power tussle trickles to social media SC Judgement SURBHI GUPTA Minister, but run by a loyalist. However later, it became the ‘Will surely listen to the collective voice of my voters & de facto handle of Camp OPS. Both the handles became decide in a way to uphold the dignity of Amma's memory & a lesson: Stalin Social media was abuzz as the power struggle erupted in popular among the users so much, that the party’s official unity of AIADMK!’ The response was overwhelming as B. TILAK CHANDAR been convicted by a court of law, the AIADMK and was . flooded with trolls, memes, jokes handle @AIADMKOfficial had to put out a tweet that hundreds of netizens praised his decision. In a week’s time, Justice delayed is justice denied DMK Working President and comments by everyday users. @CMOTamilnadu was not the official handle of the chief 12,900 new users followed him on twitter. but at least even after 20 years there M.K.Stalin reacting to the verdict On AIADMK interim General Secretary V K Sasikala’s minister of Tamil Nadu. However, the mobile phones of other MLAs were ringing is a closure to this case, said DMK said that after 21 years justice had rise, the reaction of people was more of shock and Some hashtags popular and trending on social media non-stop, which prompted them to switch off their phones spokesperson Manu Sundaram re - been served and praised the trial amusement than a positive and encouraging one. One of the were #OPSvsSasikala, #OPSvsEPS. or not take calls. ferring to the Supreme Court’s ver - court judgement.“It is an important most used hashtags on the microblogging site, Twitter was The sacked deputy of the party’s IT wing, Hari An audio clip of a woman voter from Srirangam was dict upholding the trial court’s and landmark judgement. This jud - #RIPTN. Prabhakaran and team also posted the names and phone doing the rounds on WhatsApp. She called her constituency conviction of AIADMK interim gement has set the precedent for A joke on the former Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam numbers of MLAs supporting Sasikala and asked the people MLA and Minister S. Valarmathi, urged her to take a “good General Secretary V K Sasikala in how politicians should conduct (OPS) that became viral was: “OPS is the guy who likes to call the legislators and voice their opinion. This post went decision”. the Disproportionate Assets case. themselves in public life,” he said. sitting on the ladies seat of the MTC bus. Whenever a lady viral. “The party and symbol are important. OPS became a Sundaram said the trial court Stalin added that the judgement comes, he stands and if and when she leaves, he will sit.” Trolls targeted the legislators who also received hundreds traitor once he lost the Chief Minister’s post,” was the Judge John Michael D’Cunha’s showed that even if there was a This referred to the previous three stints where O. of phone calls, demanding that they take the ‘right Minister’s purported response. But the woman persisted: “I order spoke volumes about the cor - delay, corrupt politicians could not Panneerselvam became the Chief Minister after J. decision’. voted for you and I am pleading with you madam, not to ruption indulged by former Chief get away and it was a lesson for po - Jayalalithaa stepped down when she was convicted. The effect was so monumental that then School take the wrong decision”. The MLA then cut the call. MinisterJayalalitha and Sasikala. liticians. After the revolt of Panneerselvam, the AIADMK Education Minister and Avadi MLA K. Pandiarajan Meanwhile, the ‘I support OPS’ campaign asking people “Jayalalitha may be dead and her Stalin said, “One must not forget leadership sacked the head and deputy head of its IT wing, tweeted: “How ethical is this harassment of every AIADMK to give a missed call to a particular number received over sentence stands abated but she is that Jayalalitha was also convicted which is in charge of the party’s social media outreach. MLA thro trolling & spurious telecalls for the past 48 five lakh calls last week. not absolved of her crimes,” said in the case. She was the accused The public battle went virtual with the two twitter handles hours? We have a right to our freedom!”Twitterati objected Panneerselvam thanked his supporters in a 38-second Manu Sundaram. Referring to the number one and Sasikala was the @CMOTamilnadu and @AIADMKofficial, representing to his addressing Sasikala as ‘Chinnamma’ and ‘Amma’ and recorded message sent over a phone call. "Me, your OPS telecom scam in which members of second accused. She and Sasikala OPS and Sasikala respectively. many asked him to join the OPS camp. calling you," he began and said that his public service would the DMK have been accused, Sun - amassed wealth when Jayalalitha The first was not an official handle of the former Chief Before joining the OPS camp, Pandiarajan later tweeted: continue on the path shown by Jayalalithaa. daram said members of the DMK was the Chief Minister and Sasi - were facing cases filed against kala was behind the mask of Jaya - them, but no DMK ‘leader’ had lalitha. THE WORD CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 20, 2017 CITY TIMES 3 AU students’ Engineering students to improve Railway safety VARUN DIXIT SfOMDuYUTI tDATTuA RAYr e at stake Final year students of S.A. Engineering College have The empty Vice Chancellor’s seat developed a robot to detect cracks in Anna University will put the on railway tracks and send safety career of recent graduates in warning through text messages. jeopardy if they cannot produce a Kulandayan, a final year valid degree certificate signed by Electronics and Communication the Vice Chancellor in time. department student who was a part Former Vice Chancellor R of the three man team that built the Radhakrishnan -- was sentenced to robot, said “the number of train five-year imprisonment in accidents has resulted in many November in a bribery case. The deaths over the decades and we post has been lying vacant since have designed this model so that then. As such, there is no one to we can assist in making Indian sign the degree certificates either. railway more safe and secure.” Although provisional certificates Kulandayan said “The working were given to students, they are of our module is not at all intricate; valid for only six months. Students a light-sensing module becomes with job offers, and few who have active as soon as the crack is already started working, are being detected by a microcontroller and a asked to submit their degree message is sent to the local station certificate. through a mobile application which “I graduated last year and started is a part of model. “ working immediately. I had “Professors of the Electronics requested an extension for my and Communication department degree certificate, but our assisted us in this project and the Joints are where cracks are most likely to develop | DEPOSITPHOTOS organisation is now pressuring me project wouldn’t have been a to submit it soon,” said Malini Ray, Anna university campus | ANNA UNIVERSITY success without the support of Southern Railway tied up with to use by the Indian Railways. “ We focus on academics in the an alumna. industry experts who visited the IIT-Madras to develop an Principal of S.A. Engineering first two years of the college but A few of her classmates were certificate expires in two months. graduated. Distribution of the college frequently,” Kulandayan ultrasound equipment to detect rail college Dr. P.K. Nagarajan said once the student adapts to the equally stressed, she added. What if they pull my offer if I can’t degree certificates has been put on added. fracture. This crack detection “For real time implementation a curriculum of the course we Twenty-two year-old Nikhil S is give them a degree certificate?” he hold too until further notice. Southern Railway boasts of a model developed by S.A. detailed report will be prepared by encourage them to do such facing a similar dilemma. After wondered. “I let go of a job offer because of large train network and most of the Engineering college can prove to the Head of the department of innovative activities as our months of job-hunting, he has Anna University, which usually the university’s uncertainty,” said tracks in the network are old and be a valuable addition for Southern Electronics and Communication institution believes in nurturing finally received a job offer from a hosts its annual convocation in Kalyan (23). “They were expecting outdated which act as an obstacle to Railway. and then we will take a proposal to talent and for that we are having lot Delhi-based software firm. “I don’t December, has not announced any me to submit all the documents and the smooth operation of trains and However the equipment has to the Southern Railway for its of programs in the college,” he feel relieved yet. The provisional dates yet for the batch that start immediately,” he added. often results in speed restrictions. pass different stages before it is put approval”. added. Health Thiruvottiyur drowned Encroachments plague in water crisis drive in U.M. ABHIJITH Kodambakkam road U.M. ABHIJITH Residents of Thiruvottiyur are facing water shortage even though A plea has been entered in the city water tanks damaged by the Madras High Court for a direction Cyclone Vardah in December have to the Corporation of Greater been repaired. Chennai to remove all A number of houses are yet to encroachments on the schools receive water connection. Even in Kodambakkam High Road. TANNU JAIN the houses which have a The road is crowded with connection, the supply is not vehicles almost the entire part of The second phase of deworming regular. The Chennai Metro Water the day. among school children conducted Supply and Sewerage Board But the width of the road is by the Ministry of Health and provided water only once in three insufficient to accommodate these Family Welfare, the Education days, alleged Kalavati, a resident of much vehicles. On either sides Department, ICDS and the Neidhal Nagar in Thiruvottiyur. there are shops, many of them Department of Rural Development While several houses receive encroaching into the road. ended on 15 february. water through pipeline connection On many parts of the road, A crowded road at Kodambakkam | U.M. ABHIJIT Started in 2015 the program aims the others get it from the water there are no footpaths, as there are to de-worm all children in the age supplied through lorries. buildings immediately close to Manoharan, who has been ago with the approval from group of 1 to 19 years in order to CMWSSB’s Area Engineer for the road. running a small hotel for the past Corporation. If they are going to reduce the incidence infections due Thiruvottiyur, Tamim Iqbal said Neeraj, a student who travels 40 years, said that his livelihood demolish even part of it, proper to Soil Transmitted Helminths that water was provided through daily through this road said, “With would be affected if the compensation should be paid.” (STH). pipelines for two hours in a day. no proper footpath in some parts corporation was forced to act by S Parthiban of Saidapet filed As per WHO directives, the “There are several households of the road, it becomes difficult the high court. Public Interest Litigation as the students were given Albendazole where the pipelines could not be Water tank at Thiruvottiyur |U.M. ABHIJIT for the pedestrians like us.” According to a Krishna Das, a Corporation was taking no action (400 mg) tablets to reduce worm laid. We provide them water The lack of proper width for the bakery owner, “The Corporation despite repeated complaints. infestation. The tablet has no side through tanker lorries,” he said. of corporation water and do not use desalination plant. “This is safer to road, in accordance with the has been talking about widening The PIL came up for a hearing effects, but if adulterated medicines But Sundaram, a resident of it for drinking. They buy water drink than the water that people number of vehicles passing by, of road for many years, but no last week before the First Bench are given the children might be in Saraswati Nagar in Thiruvottiyur, cans. Balakrishnan, a bakery owner buy,” he added. has led to many accidents. action has been taken so far.” He comprising Chief Justice SK Kaul danger of diseases like diarrhea, said, “Water in tankers do not come said, “I buy drinking water in 10 About the damage caused to the Several small scale shops are is planning to reduce the size of and Justice M Sundar who said Dr Sanjay Jain, a Delhi based on a regular basis. Sometimes we litre cans. Corporation water is not water tanks by Cyclone Vardah, situated on the road. Some of the the shop if the road is widened. ordered notice returnable by physician. will have to wait for hours. We fit for drinking.” Tamim said, “There was a shops will be removed if the Venkatesh, who has given his March 2. Studies have shown that the cannot rely solely on that Many But Tamim said that the water disruption in supply for a few days Corporation clears these building for rent, said. “I Greater Chennai Corporation is diseases transmitted due to worms residents are skeptical of the quality came directly from the Minjur but we managed to restore it soon.” encroachments. constructed this building 30 years yet to take an action on this issue. are the biggest cause for anemia and malnourishment among school going children.The headmistress of Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School, J Lalitha said “420 kids were given the tablets.” The drive also aims to give students guidelines regarding CVAISHuALI V ltureiss ueso. Policef stat ions are siomlehoew nce and pre-conditiopnrimary iassnault. Tghe vic tim gets cleanliness. Instructions on using still in a denial mode and do not lost in the system between the toilets, washing hands and The recent sexual assault on and want to understand the depth of this public prosecutor and the accused,” vegetables and fruits were given by the murder of 7-year-old Hasini at issue,” said Andrew Sesuraj. says Ms Vidya Reddy, executive the teachers at the school. Mugalivakkam has triggered fear Some commonly committed director of Tulir, Centre for the At the Arignar Anna among parents over the safety of mistakes after reporting the crime Prevention and Healing Child Government Higher Secondary their children. had be avoided. The perpetrator Sexual Abuse. School, the tablets were Andrew Sesuraj, State Convener, should not be allowed to talk to the Most child abusers were viewers administered to 320 children. K Tamil Nadu Child Rights victim after the crime, the victim of child pornography and about 95 Gauri who is in charge said, “I Observatory said that the state had cannot be examined physically by per cent of them chose their myself instructed the students progressed only a little in dealing the police and the crime should be landscape before committing a regarding cleanliness.” with child abuse compared to the reported immediately to the child sexual offence. One reason for the drive magnitude of the problem. welfare number, he added. “People think that child sexual focusing on cleanliness is that the Although there were many Experts said that support from abuse prosecutions involve Soil-transmitted helminth nongovernmental organizations parents and a conducive physical evidence but very few infections are transmitted by eggs working for children they could environment were crucial. cases involve eye witness present in the human feces which only propose models and not The minute parents tried to testimony. With technological contaminate soil in poorly sanitized replace the government’s role. suppress the thoughts of child, he development, most abusers contact areas. The government had to involve or she got psychologically their victim through social media,” “This is a huge problem in India them and make sure that all the disturbed for the rest of their lives she added. and a major contributor to issues concerning children were leaving a scar on their self Andrew Sesuraj said “A criminal malnutrition and anemia. Tamil properly recognized, he added. confidence. The awareness must has to be punished and an offender Nadu is a high prevalence state,” However, reporting of child reach the urban as well as rural has to be corrected. Some amount said health advisor, Dr Jaya abuse is still considered a shame pockets of society equally. All of counseling should be given to Shreedhar. especially when it is committed by schools must be open to conducting both the perpetrator and the victim. As per the fourth National own family members. workshops on prevention of child Mental well being is the least Health Family Survey, 50.7% of “The process of coming out abuse. considered and discussed part with children aged 6 to 59 months and continues to be a struggle Most of the child abuse cases respect to this issue. It has to be 55.1% of the women 15 to 49 in considering the future of the child, don’t get reported and the child brought to the surface and people Tamil Nadu are anemic. The city family honor and the fear of knows the abuser and if carefully should come out of their shells of medical officer, Dr Sheela embarrassment in society. This can noticed , these abusers show a conservativeness.” Gobinath however refused to end only if the system becomes pattern in behavior. CHILDLINE India Foundation: comment citing sensitivity of the more sensitive towards these “Bad intention is worse than | PAMIR TIMES 1098. issue. THE WORD 4 VARIETY CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 20, 2017 State on top SCOUMYhAJIT MaANDALnging face of V-dalove oyn a single day when they should be doing so every day of the With a soothing romantic me - year,? in NPTEL lody playing in the background, a Vijay N. said, ‘With our busy TSHERING DORJI numbers,” according to its report. couple holds hands and peers into work schedules and hectic For instance, Basic development shop windows decked in customary lifestyles, it’s easier to have a Tamil Nadu remains on the top in Circuit, Sustainable River Basin Valentine’s day colours of red, whole day dedicated to your loved the field of online study platforms Management, Programming, data white and pink at Phoenix Market one.’ as many as NPTEL (National structures and algorithms and City Mall in Velachery. Should Indians be celebrating Programme on Technology What was once seen as a what is mostly a Western practice? Enhanced Learnin -g) applicants primarily Western phenomenon, Arjun said, ‘India being a secular were from the State in 2016-2017 has slowly taken over the country should be tolerant of all Science students, science “It provides a tool imagination of the Indian middle religions and religious practices, be teachers and IT professionals from classes. Restaurants are decorated it Hindu, Muslim or Christian.’ across the state are taking up to a better with ribbons and flowers while Arjun said, ‘Even if Valentines courses relevant to their field of understanding of malls go to the great extent of day is not a religious celebration itt study to enhance their knowledge making huge displays made with is still important to have a day to and expertise. the subject aside heart shaped balloons. show your loved one that you care.’ “It provides a tool to a better But the day wasn’t always about Recently a Pakistan court understanding of the subject aside from the class splurging away and showering gifts banned the observance of from the class room learning,” said room learning,” on your loved one. Valentine’s Day in the country Lijith Nambiar,, an M.Tech at The day has its roots in the labelling it an indecent and IITM (Indian Institute of Roman celebration of Lupercalia. It immoral celebration. Technology Madras). was an ancient possibly pre-Roman In India, Right-wing activists Nambiar said that an practical English, Learning and pastoral festival, observed in the have come out in protest of the introductory course in intellectual Teaching were among the 130 middle of February, to purify the Valentines day celebration, calling property for engineers and courses. city, releasing fertility and health it a symbol of Western vulgarity technologists has given him a “I took practical English, while averting evil spirits. On that Heart shaped photo frames for valentined day |SONAKSHI A and decadence. better understanding of how to learning and teaching course. It has day men between the age of 20 and Despite theses obstacles, preserve property rights. bolstered my teaching skills,” said 40, sacrificed goats and dogs, came to be associated with the lovers have been assigned to them. is hard to keep track of. When Valentine’s Day has slowly evolved According to a report in The Sakees Tensing, an English tutor fashioned whips and thongs from celebration as Emperor Claudius II Finally it was Chaucer who set asked how she thinks Valentine’s into a gargantuan celebration Times of India, NPTEL has who gives private lessons. the freshly flayed skin of the in the 3rd century A.D., according the date as February 14, with his Day started, Shweta Tiwari recalls fuelled by booming sales, and completed 130 courses this year, Ravi Tega, a Civil engineering animals and ran through the streets to legend, executed a few men all poem ‘The Parliament of Fowls.’ what she had seen in a movie, ‘I soaring prices. where 40 percent of applicants student of Anna University, said “It whipping anyone that came in their named Valentine on the same day, In it, birds declare their love for thought it all started when Saint But all that is unlikely to drive were from the state. is useful. I have been going through way, including women. To be February 14. each other on this date. Valentine, was beheaded because away determined lovers, hell-bent “A faculty crunch in several whatever courses I need.” struck by the whip was considered Despite our ignorance about the With so many origins, it was against the law for a soldier on professing their love more to the engineering colleges in interior Experts from various colleges as a sign of fertility. men, except their names, tall tales alterations, additions and to marry a woman. world than to their better halves. parts of TN is a big factor including IITM have been creating However the name Valentine of unrequited love and estranged substitutions, the origin of the day Why should people show their contributing to these kinds of videos and web content courses. On the beach TN mulls ban A rural-urban festivity on cab-sharing SOMDYUTI DATTA RAY who frequently opts for taxi- pooling. The ongoing Ola and Uber strike Taxi-pooling is not only 20-40 in Delhi-NCR has left commuters percent cheaper than individual here distressed with reports earlier rides, it also helps in reducing the this month hinting that the Tamil traffic congestion and pollution. Nadu Government might ban of “A personal cab to my workplace Ola and Uber’s ride-sharing ser - usually charges Rs. 200; it costs me vice. However there is no official around Rs. 140 when I take Uber confirmation yet, of the ban. Pool,” says Shalini Mishra. After Karnataka banned the “Individual rides are not always popular car-pooling service last month, the Tamil Nadu Transport Department was thinking about discontinuing it. Under Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Act (1989), contract carriages like omnibuses, auto rickshaws and taxis are not permitted to pick up or drop passengers at different locations during a trip, as done by Ola and Uber sharing services. According to the Act, they can only pick up passengers from one point and drop them at another. | FEWINGS CARTOONS A committee was set up to frame affordable,” she adds. Dance performance at Urur-Olcott Kuppam fest |SONAKSHI A a set of rules, and send them to But cab drivers are of different Union Ministry of Road Transport opinion. According to Saravana SONAKSHI AWASTHI - The organizers of the event set music performed by Kurangan. and Highways for approval of the Kumar, an Uber driver, his earnings the ball rolling by leading a Archana, one of the organizers, ban. Until then, Ola Share and Uber have fallen since the share-service Taking Carnatic music to depri - percussion procession into the said, “There are different art forms Pool will continue to operate in the was introduced. “I get more share ved classes, the Urur Olcott Kup - narrow lanes of the village. Around and there is a distinction between State. passengers than individual ones. It pam Vizha celebrated its third. 30 people marched behind the art and folk. We want to bring a But this brings little respite to the may be pocket-friendly to them, but Urur Olcott Kuppam is a kanjira and shehnai players as connection between the two so that users of Chennai, especially since not enough for me to pay off my car fishermen village located at the far people watched them. The musical all are able to access the art. This Ola and Uber drivers in Delhi-NCR loan,” he says. end of the Elliot’s Beach. On procession came to an end on the is to equalize all kinds of places have been protesting for a week Kerala and Odisha have also February 10 and 11, the village beach. and art forms.” demanding price-hike and halt to been considering banning it in their witnessed a Carnatic music concert Red, green and blue lights Referring to the village and its sharing-service. states. by T.M. Krishna. brought the stage to life on the people, Vandana, one of the “When the drivers themselves Although Karnataka “The idea is how to make moonlit beach. The event included organizers, said, “The fishermen are demanding a ban on Ola and implemented the ban, Uber Pool marginal life and non-marginal fisherfolk melodies by children of find themselves alienated from the A balloon seller gets snapped on the beach at Besant Uber share, what choice do we continues to operate in most of the lives meet on an equal platform,” the village, Kuchipudi dance art and we want to bring art out of Nagar | UTSAV T have left?” asks A. Viswanathan, areas of Bengaluru.. said T.M. Krishna. performances and Tamil rock the confined places.” Local city bus services on a decline Bhim struggles SOUMYAJIT MANDAL number. As opposed to other e- SUMEDHA GROVER There is no direct connectivity and wallet services, its simpler and I end up waiting for 20-25 minutes The Central Government’s newly more convenient. The number of Metropolitan everyday.” launched Bhim (Bharat Interface However, your mobile number Transport Corporation (MTC) MTC monitors the number of for Money) app which was geared needs to be registered with your buses plying on a certain route is passengers on each bus on a daily to make online transactions fast and existing bank account, otherwise adjusted depending the floating and weekly basis. easy is not widely known or the system fails to detect your population in the area. This has This data helps in determining trusted. account. led to a decline in bus services in which routes need additional Consumers and businesses alike, Abhineet Sharma, an IT certain areas in South Chennai. services. are reluctant to embrace the app, professional based in Delhi says he According to residents of Besant “We can’t add more buses to the some due to lack of awareness, has used the app and is more than Nagar the frequency of buses has fleet. For that government funding others due to dependence on satisfied with it. “It’s very simple seen a continuous over the last few is required. So we reallocate the alternative e-wallet services. and easy to use. You don’t need to months. number of buses plying on certain Vishal, a bookshop owner, says fill too many fields. Just enter your “We have to go to the Besant routes depending upon the his customers haven’t even heard of mobile number and it directly links Nagar Bus Depot to catch a bus demand,” added Rajan. the app. “What is the use of having your account. For an app developed because very few bus routes pass There are just over 4000 buses it if others don’t even know about by the government it’s really through the area. Even there we for 32 depots across Chennai which it? None of my customers use the brilliant. So what if it has a few have to wait for 10-15 minutes on include single decker (1806), semi app” he says. bugs or glitches here and there. For average,” says Anisha Reddy who low floor (1538) and small buses Rajshri, an interior designer says a government app it fulfils it’s travels to Mount Road for work (210) among others. she has heard of the app, but hasn’t purpose,” he says. most days. The most populated depots are found the need to use it. She says, Recently the app was launched Only 29 buses ply from the Buses lined up at Thiruvanmiyur depot | SUMEDHA GROVER CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus “Most of my transactions are on the iOS platform, giving access Depot compared to the 91 which Terminus) with over 2000 buses through card, cash or other e-wallet to iPhone users. Though the ply from the nearby Adyar Bus not. There is nowhere else people Assistant Manager, Planning ago and I am already looking for a plying daily, services. I don’t really see the need number of people owning an Terminus and about 140 from the go from there. and -- Development Department, house in a different area. Broadway which is a stop on to instal it on my phone.” iPhone in India is small, the group Thiruvanmiyur Bus Depot. Thiruvanmiyur on the other hand MTC. Travelling anywhere from here almost 500 bus routes and The Bhim app is unique as it is highly coveted as they spend “Besant Nagar is what we call a is a junction of sorts which explains Shekhar Bharat, who works at a is difficult if you don’t have your Tambaram (including seven bus allows the user to directly link their more. dead end. It is a residential area and the higher number of buses in the firm in Pallavaram, said “I moved own vehicle because public depots) which falls on 287 route. bank account through their mobile acts as an end point more often than area,” said T. Bennet Rajan, to Besant Nagar only two months transport is too time consuming.