Latest news with #Jayakumar
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
States must reclaim control over education: former NUALS V-C N.K. Jayakumar
Former Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) N.K. Jayakumar has asserted that the University Acts, enacted by State Assemblies, take precedence over regulations framed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Delivering a keynote address on 'University Laws and Dissenting Opinions' at a seminar organised by the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad here on Saturday, Prof. Jayakumar urged States to push for the restoration of education to the State List of the Constitution from its present position in the Concurrent List. He questioned the Supreme Court's stance which accorded primacy to the UGC regulations over State-enacted University Acts. He termed the justification that such regulations, once tabled in Parliament, gain the status of Central laws as surprising. Took exception The senior academic also took strong exception to the trend of Governors referring State Assembly-passed Bills, particularly those aimed at removing the Governor as Chancellor of universities, to the President. 'There is no constitutional dispute involved in these amendments, and they do not contravene any existing Central law. Only such factors would warrant referring Bills,' he observed Weighing in on the raging controversy surrounding the suspension of Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar, Prof. Jayakumar accused the Vice-Chancellor of overstepping his authority. He maintained that while the University Acts permits the Vice-Chancellor to take disciplinary action, this extends only up to the level of Deputy Registrar. The suspension, therefore, exceeded his mandate. He also decried the recent remarks by Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal that described Vice-Chancellors as the chief executives and academic heads of universities. Governing authorities 'Vice-Chancellors are officers of the university, not its authority. The statutory bodies, including the Syndicate, senate and academic council, are the real governing authorities. In emergencies, a Vice-Chancellor may act on behalf of these bodies, but such actions must be ratified at the next meeting of the appropriate authority,' Prof. Jayakumar clarified. Kerala Council for Historical Research chairperson K.N. Ganesh, who spoke on 'Challenges in higher education and the path forward,' expressed deep concern over the four-year undergraduate programme implemented in State universities. The curriculum, he cautioned, focussed on employment and was disconnected with local needs of society. He added the students were provided limited options under the programme. Educationist R.V.G. Menon and former Education Minister C. Raveendranath also spoke.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Haritha Karma Sena of Edakkattuvayal panchayat becomes a model in solid waste management
Kochi: Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) members of Edakkattuvayal panchayat have become a model in solid waste management. Over the last fiscal year, they collected and processed 35 tonnes of waste from households and institutions in the panchayat, earning approximately Rs 80,000 in the process. Collection of inorganic waste is carried out by 23 HKSs across 14 wards in the panchayat. They spend 15 days each month collecting waste from homes and businesses, and remaining 15 days are dedicated to processing the collected waste. Waste collected through door-to-door collection is brought to a mini material collection facility and then handed over to Clean Kerala Company. Responsibilities of HKS extend beyond waste collection. They manage the swap shop initiated by the panchayat, where items like soap powder, chilli powder and coconut oil are made available to public at reduced rates. Additionally, inoculants for composting waste are available. Haritha Mitram app has been fully implemented. Panchayat president K R Jayakumar stated that efforts are ongoing to further activate green action force. Uniforms, badges and gloves have been distributed to them. Activities of green action force have been extended to all wards in the panchayat. Furthermore, an electric vehicle has been provided for the force. Jayakumar also mentioned that achieving 100% success in waste management is the goal. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- The Hindu
Forest officials rescue spotted deer from open well
A six-month old spotted deer was successfully rescued from an open well at Gendurvarpatti in Kosukurichi panchayat near Natham in Dindigul district on Sunday. Forest officials said they received a call from a private farm watchman saying that a deer had fallen into the well. Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Natham rushed to the spot and rescued the animal from the well after an hour. After the animal was examined in the presence of senior officers, it was let off inside the reserve forest. In another incident, an Indian gaur was killed when a speeding car proceeding towards Chengalpattu hit the animal near Karayar Pass near Natham on Sunday. Police said the impact was so high that a portion of the car was badly damaged. Two occupants of the car identified as Jayakumar, 28, son of Samuel Prabhakaran of Alagappan Nagar, Chengalpattu, and Veena, 28, daughter of Franklin were admitted in Thuvarankurichi Government Hospital and, subsequently, referred to a private hospital in Tiruchi for treatment. Natham police are investigating.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- The Hindu
Man gets 7 years imprisonment for attempt to murder tailor
The Assistant Sessions Court at Padmanabhapuram has awarded 7 years rigorous imprisonment to a man for attempting to murder a tailor. According to prosecution, G. Gopan alais Babu of Nagalcode Padanilam under Kulasekaram police station limits had illegally occupied a portion of the land belonging to neighbour K. Jayakumar, 64, and built a compound wall on the encroached property 10 years ago. As Mr. Jayakumar opposed it, there was an enmity between them. When Mr. Jayakumar was in his tailor shop on January 2, 2013, Babu and his wife Ambili trespassed into the shop around 7 p.m. and verbally abused him. Moreover, Babu attacked Mr. Jayakumar with a knife he was carrying, in which the victim sustained bleeding injuries on the head and left shoulder. Subsequently, the Kulasekaram police registered case against Babu and Ambili for trespassing into the shop and attempting to murder Mr. Jayakumar. The couple was arrested. While acquitting Ambili, Padmanabhapuram Assistant Sessions Judge K. Mariappan on Wednesday awarded 2 years imprisonment to Babu for trespassing into the shop and causing injury and imposed a fine of ₹ 2,000. The judge also awarded 7 years rigorous imprisonment to him for attempting to murder Mr. Jayakumar and slapped a fine of Rs. 3,000.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Hermann Gundert Award presented
K. Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary and former Vice-Chancellor of Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, said German missionary and linguist Hermann Gundert did not reject local beliefs, but rather explained the scientific principles behind them. Speaking about Gundert's social contributions at a seminar organised by the Hermann Gundert Educational Foundation at the Chavara Cultural Centre in Kozhikode on Friday (June 13, 2025), Mr. Jayakumar said the linguist had been a bridge between Eastern and Western knowledge systems. 'Be like Gundert; be intellectually free; be curious,' he added. Mr. Jayakumar also presented the Hermann Gundert Award, instituted by the foundation, to writer Vallikavu Mohandas for his book Missionaries' Kerala (Missionarykalude Keralam). The foundation's vice-chairman Chacko Kalamparambil presided over the session.
