Latest news with #MaduraiKamarajUniversity
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
MKU prof to receive TN scientist award in biological sciences
Madurai: An associate professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at the School of Biotechnology at Madurai Kamaraj University, Varalakshmi Perumal, has been selected for the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA) 2023 by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology in the discipline of Biological Sciences. According to a statement, Varalakshmi's primary research interests focus on exploring algal metabolites for therapeutic and bioenergy applications. For the past decade, her major research thrust at MKU was on 'Unveiling bioactive metabolites of underexplored algae and their associated bacteria from the coastal regions of South India', particularly investigating their potential against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While current treatments for NCDs largely rely on bioactive molecules derived from terrestrial plants, marine sources remain largely untapped. This has driven her search for multimodal-acting compounds from marine macroalgae, especially brown algae, which are rich in complex bioactive metabolites such as phlorotannins with strong pharmacological potential. So far, Varalakshmi characterised more than 10 novel compounds from marine algae with therapeutic potential against diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, and cervical cancer. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US deports student for fake visa documents; Telangana agent held in forged degree case
A 28-year-old student from Telangana was deported from the US for using fake educational certificates to secure a student visa. The student was arrested at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, on June 1, 2025, upon his return to India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Based on his confession, the police also arrested the managing director of an overseas education consultancy involved in preparing the forged documents. The student, Pakiru Gopal Reddy from Parepalligudem in Nalgonda district, travelled to the US on September 28, 2023. He had obtained a visa using counterfeit BSc Computers certificates purportedly issued by Madurai Kamaraj University. He was pursuing his master's degree at Webster University, Missouri, when he was deported. Fake visa documents lead to deportation Reddy stayed in the US for 15 months initially and returned to India briefly in 2024 for personal reasons. He then went back to the US in May 2025 but was deported from Dallas airport due to an inactive Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status, as stated by V Sreekanth Goud, Assistant Commissioner of Police at RGIA, as reported by the TNN. When questioned by immigration officials upon his arrival at Hyderabad, Reddy admitted that one Katoju Ashok, managing director of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited in Vanasthalipuram, had arranged the forged certificates for him. Reddy was handed over to RGIA police immediately on June 1. Managing director arrested, forged documents seized Following Reddy's confession, the police arrested Ashok on June 2. Ashok reportedly admitted to supplying fake degree certificates to at least 15 students since 2020, charging between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1 lakh each, the TNN reported. A search operation at Ashok's office led to the seizure of 150 forged mark sheets, provisional certificates, and recommendation letters bearing the names of Madurai Kamaraj University and Osmania University. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police also recovered company stamps, four mobile phones, and Rs 10 lakh in cash from his possession. Ongoing investigation to trace others involved Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other students who may have used similar fake documents to secure visas and travel abroad. The police suspect that more individuals could be connected to this forged certificate racket. As reported by the TNN, Ashok confessed to running this operation since 2020, indicating a wider network that facilitated the fraudulent activities. This incident has raised concerns over the verification processes for student visas and the role of unscrupulous education consultancies. With rising cases of fake documents, officials are likely to tighten controls to prevent such fraud in the future.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Telangana student with fake education certificates deported from US, arrested
A 28-year-old student from Telangana's Nalgonda was apprehended at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) after being deported from the United States. Based on his alleged admission to the immigration officials that he had used forged documents to secure a US visa, the managing director of an education consultancy firm in the city was arrested later. The accused student, Pakeeru Gopal Reddy, was arrested on June 1 by the RGIA police. According to the FIR, due to poor academic performance, Reddy had fraudulently obtained fake academic degree certificates through Dhanalaxmi Overseas Consultancy, located in B N Reddy Nagar, Hyderabad. Based on his alleged confession, original passport, travel documents, and the forged degree certificates, the police arrested Katoju Ashok, 29, of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited on Monday, June 2. According to police, Reddy travelled to the US for a two-year master's programme at Webster University, Missouri, about 17 months ago and returned to Hyderabad after a year. 'He completed one year of the course and came back and overstayed here for five months. When he returned to the US, the immigration officials checked the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and it was found to be inactive. They deported him,' V Sreekanth Goud, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shamshabad division, told According to the police, Reddy used fake degree certificates from Madurai Kamaraj University to get a US visa. The immigration officials at the airport said that he allegedly confessed to using fraudulently obtained documents to travel to the US. 'We arrested Ashok and seized 150 forged mark statements, provisional certificates, and recommendation letters of Madurai Kamaraj University and Osmania University, Rs 10 lakh cash, etc. He has confessed to sending 15 students to the US in the last five years by charging around Rs 1 lakh,' a police officer said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Student deported from US for fake documents; arrested at Hyderabad airport
A 28-year-old student from Telangana was arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, on June 1 after being deported from the United States for using fake educational certificates to obtain a student visa. Based on his confession, police also arrested the managing director of an overseas education consultancy involved in preparing the forged documents, according to a report by the Times of India. The student, Pakiru Gopal Reddy from Parepalligudem, had traveled to the US on September 28, 2023, using counterfeit BSc Computers certificates allegedly issued by Madurai Kamaraj University. He was pursuing his master's degree at Webster University, Missouri . 'He went to the US with fake documents and stayed there for 15 months. After a short visit to India in 2024, he returned to the US in May. However, he was deported from Dallas airport due to an inactive Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status,' said V Sreekanth Goud, Assistant Commissioner of Police, RGIA to TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Hurghada Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Upon his arrival in Hyderabad, immigration officials questioned Reddy, during which he claimed that one Katoju Ashok of Sri Dhanalakshmi Overseas Private Limited in Vanasthalipuram had arranged the forged certificates for him. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Reddy was handed over to RGIA police on June 1. The next day, police arrested Ashok, who reportedly admitted to supplying fake degree certificates to at least 15 students since 2020. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ Since Jan 2025, 1080 Indians have been deported; 62% have come on commercial flights: MEA on US deportations 1 million people to be deported by the Trump administration soon - these 4 countries to bear the brunt « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT 'Ashok confessed to police that since 2020 he has supplied fake degree certificates to 15 students and sent them abroad by charging between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1 lakh each,' said a police official to TOI. During a search operation, police seized 150 forged mark sheets, provisional certificates, and recommendation letters bearing the names of Madurai Kamaraj University and Osmania University. They also recovered company stamps, four mobile phones, and Rs 10 lakh in cash from Ashok's possession. Authorities are continuing the investigation to trace other students who may have used similar fake documents.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
When every rock tells an artistic story
MADURAI: Ancient art is not simply limited to engravings found on Egypt's walls with tales of Pharaohs, or primitive pictographs of Palaeolithic humans hunting animals found in the Peruvian caves. Civilisations across the globe have used art to leave a legacy that breathes on for centuries. While it might look backwards or primitive to the layman, art historians like KT Gandhirajan find these pictographs intricate and nuanced. 'It is amazing to see rock art paintings in caves where tribes lived almost 2,000 years ago. They have documented their culture, heritage, fauna, social interactions, etc. These paintings are a treasure trove of knowledge, and documenting them gives me joy and motivates me to pursue my journey. Rock art varies from place to place and is paired with meticulous changes such as types of colours and materials used. Every subtlety has a story to tell,' he said. Gandhirajan has discovered and documented over 1,000 images of rock art in 80 sites, including tribal and non-tribal areas across the state. The art historian and researcher from Usilampatti in Madurai, with over two decades of experience, takes up rocky paths in his stride, fueled by his passion for rock art works. The researcher, currently with the Tamil Virtual Academy, says, 'After Class 12, my father tried to enrol me in an engineering college, but I was not able to make it through. I later got admitted to PMT college in Usilampatti for BSc Chemistry. I later pursued an MA in Art History at Madurai Kamaraj University.' Gandhirajan's love for rock paintings piqued when he moved to the University of Madras in 1995 for his PhD titled 'Painting Traditions in the Nayak Period'. As part of his five-year research, he got a chance to visit 40 temples, including the Srirangam Aranganathaswamy Temple and others in Kumbakonam. Fascinated by temple paintings, he used to click photographs, and write about them for his thesis. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete his PhD, owing to various challenges. 'This is when I accidentally met Government Fine Arts College Principal Alphonso Arul Doss, and he invited me to take part-time classes for college students. With his support, I started my journey to discover the world of cave rock art. Though I couldn't finish my PhD, my experiences allowed me to forge an interest in the study of rock art,' he said.
