Latest news with #Amala
HKFP
05-08-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong company barred from hiring non-local labour after rejecting local applicants
A Hong Kong company has been barred from hiring non-local workers after it was found to have rejected local candidates – the first sanction since the government's scheme was launched two years ago. Amala Ltd was banned from joining the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) for one year after it refused to hire a qualified local applicant during the four-week local recruitment under the scheme, 'without reasonable grounds,' the Labour Department said in a statement on Monday. 'An administrative sanction has been imposed on the company,' the department said, adding that the one-year sanction began on Thursday. It also terminated the processing of Amala's application to hire non-local workers. According to Amala's website, the company provides pest control, deep cleaning, and air purification services. The government reminded employers that they must give priority to employing qualified local workers while applying for non-local hiring schemes. The government introduced the ESLS, one of the schemes for imported workers, around two years ago. The ESLS allows Hong Kong employers to hire non-local workers for 26 types of jobs and unskilled or low-skilled posts with an unlimited quota. Those posts, including cleaners, waiters, dishwashers, cashiers and sales assistants, were previously only open to local residents. As of the end of March, Hong Kong had imported more than 54,000 non-local workers under the ESLS, according to government figures, with most of the employees working in the city's catering industry. Earlier in April, the Eating Establishment Employees General Union said that over 200 employees reported being fired and replaced by non-local workers employed through the ESLS, urging the government to review the imported labour scheme. The government rolled out a hotline in June, asking people to call if they suspect employers are replacing local employees with imported workers amid ongoing complaints about the city's non-local labour schemes.
The Hindu
03-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Amala Medical College launches AI system for drug safety
Amala Medical College and Research Centre, Thrissur, has launched an AI-powered initiative in collaboration with Bengaluru-based technology firm aiming at transforming pharmacological safety protocols and antibiotic stewardship in the hospital. The event marked the unveiling of 'SafeRx', an advanced AI system designed to support clinicians in making safer and informed decisions while prescribing medicines. Dr. V.K. Pratheesh, academic coordinator at Amala, said SafeRx will serve as a real-time decision-support tool for doctors, ensuring medication safety, appropriate antibiotic use, and adherence to clinical protocols. The AI system is capable of evaluating a patient's previous history, diagnosis, and comorbidities before providing prescription suggestions. It also flags potential drug interactions and resistance risks, thereby contributing significantly to better clinical outcomes and public health protection, he said.
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Kerala Student Creates Eco-Friendly Pen To Reduce Plastic Waste
Amala Jose, a college student from Idukki, Kerala, has created an innovative biodegradable pen called PenCanvas, aiming to reduce plastic waste caused by everyday items, Onmanorama News. A former Business Management student at St Joseph's College, Moolamattom, Amala developed the idea during her studies. "During my second year, I attended a seminar at the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Kochi, where bioplastics and biopolymers were discussed. That session sparked the idea," Amala told the news portal. With support from her mentors, Dr Sharon Lee Jose from the Management Department and Dr. Robin John from the Physics Department, Amala explored sustainable materials and successfully created an eco-friendly alternative to regular plastic pens. "Sustainable materials are the future. Amala's participation in various events, including industry visits and seminars organised through the Kerala Startup Mission's RINK (Research Innovation Network Kerala) platform, gave her exposure to real-world innovation," said Dr Robin John. Her college's incubation centre, Novation Nexus, played a vital role in turning the idea into a market-ready product. PenCanvas is now gaining attention for its contribution to sustainable innovation. Initiatives like this need to be promoted, as plastic waste has become a massive issue, with microplastics now infiltrating the human body while 2,000 garbage trucks' worth of plastic pollution pours into oceans, rivers, and lakes daily, according to the UN. This global problem threatens ecosystems, livelihoods, and human well-being. Annually, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste contaminate aquatic ecosystems, altering habitats and exacerbating climate change. The environmental, social, economic, and health risks of plastics must be assessed alongside other stressors like climate change and ecosystem degradation. Immediate action is crucial to mitigate the devastating impact of plastic pollution.
Pink Villa
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
5 South celebrity couples and their massive age gap: Did you know Ajith Kumar fell for 8-year-younger Shalini during a mishap on set?
Love knows no bounds, and the power couples of South cinema are proof of that. Yes, we are speaking about unmatched duos who have managed to create a fairytale-like romance in their real lives, despite having a significant age gap between them. Well then, check out these 5 South celeb couples who share a massive age gap. Rajinikanth and Latha have an age gap of 10 years Superstar Rajinikanth boasts a decades-long enigmatic screen presence. He is easily counted as one of the leading stars even today, as Thalaivar weaves magic on-screen. The actor got married to Latha Rangachari in February 1981. The two had met at a time when the latter had interviewed the actor for her college magazine. Interestingly, Rajinikanth and Latha have an age gap of almost 10 years. Despite this, the duo has stayed strong together for so many years and has formed a beautiful family. For the unversed, the duo is parents to their daughters, Aishwaryaa and Soundarya. Mammootty is 10 years older than his wife Sulfath Kutty Mollywood's icon, Mammootty, continues to reign as an unmatched superstar. The actor's screen presence is a treat for his fans who continue to ship him wholeheartedly. While his work front keeps him in the limelight almost every time, his personal life remains quite low-key. The actor married Sulfath Kutty in an arranged marriage in 1979. The duo has a 10-year age gap. They are blessed with a daughter named Surumi and a son, Dulquer Salmaan. Nagarjuna Akkineni found love in 8-year younger Amala Nagarjuna Akkineni ruled the screen with his handsome good looks and impressive performances. However, his on-screen romance seeped into his personal life when, in June 1992, he married actress Amala. For the uninitiated, this marked his second marriage, following his divorce from his first wife, Lakshmi Daggubati. Nagarjuna and Amala are blessed with a son, Akhil Akkineni. Chiranjeevi and Surekha's companionship despite 6-year age gap Another power couple from the Telugu film industry, megastar Chiranjeevi and his wife Surekha, make their fans believe in fairy tales once more. The duo who have been married for so many years now, still never fail to leave everyone gushing with their romance. Well, Chiranjeevi married a 6-year younger Surekha in February 1980. She was the daughter of noted Telugu comedy actor Allu Ramalingaiah. They are blessed with a son, actor Ram Charan, as well as two daughters, Sushmitha and Sreeja. Ajith Kumar fell in love with 8-year-younger Shalini on the sets of his film Ajith Kumar and his wife Shalini's romance is indeed something straight out of a romantic novel. The duo met on the sets of the film Amarkalam in 1999, when the former accidentally cut her wrist while filming a scene. As he began caring for her immediately after, it led to their real-life romance blossoming as well. The two of them tied the knot in April 2000. They share an 8-year age gap and are happily together with their two children, Anoushka and Advik.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Governor R.N. Ravi gifts autorickshaw to woman who was driving a rented one
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Friday handed over an autorickshaw to a woman at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai. During an event on Friday, Mr. Ravi gave the key for the autorickshaw to Amala, who had been driving a rented one so far. Earlier this year, Ms. Amala was felicitated during the Raj Bhavan's Women's Day celebration for her resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit in supporting her family by driving the rented autorickshaw. 'She deeply moved the Governor with her quiet determination. Ms. Amala stands as a torchbearer of the women-led development model of New Bharat, embodying grit, dignity, and transformative potential,' a press release from the Raj Bhavan said.
