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Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Spl camps, help desks to boost enrolment for higher education
Madurai: School heads and education department officials are stepping up measures to push up enrolment of Class XII pass-out govt school students in higher education institutions. Special grievance camps and help desks/special cells organised by district administrations offer direct guidance and support for these students, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds. Last year, Madurai district achieved around 69% enrolment in higher education. District chief education officer A Renuka told TOI that 'Kalluri Kanavu' programme held recently had a good reach. "Teachers are monitoring students who completed Class XII and are helping them in applying for colleges and universities. A special cell/help desk has also been set up at Madurai collectorate and students who face difficulties can approach them. In case of financial issues, we are connecting with banks to provide guidance and solutions," she added. School education department officials said digitization of records helps track students better and ensure no one is missed out. "All students now have an EMIS number assigned during school. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Dark Truth Nobody Talks About! Expertinspector Click Here Undo When they enroll in higher education institutions, they are now assigned unique UMIS numbers which will confirm their enrolment," said the official. In Dindigul, district collector S Saravanan presided over a special grievance camp on Wednesday exclusively for govt school students attempting to go for higher education. "Such special grievance camps will be conducted once in 15 days till October. Students can get guidance on applying for higher education and on availing education loans or solutions to any issues that may hinder them," he said. A total of 245 petitions were submitted at Wednesday's special grievance camp in Dindigul. Nadhiya, a Class XII student from Vellodu who scored 355 marks, said the income her mother gets as an anganwadi cook was far from enough for pursuing higher education. "I applied to study DPharm, a paramedical course, at a private college but the fees was Rs 65,000 a year. The collector examined my petition and assured to help me get a full scholarship," she added. Virudhunagar district, which achieved a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of around 95% last year and topped the state, is organizing a special grievance camp on May 31.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Madurai GRH doctors raise alarm over unauthorised personnel collecting abandoned babies
MADURAI: Doctors at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), Madurai, have raised serious concerns over the increasing instances of unauthorised personnel being sent by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) to collect abandoned babies after treatment. According to hospital sources, babies rescued by the DCPU are brought to GRH for examination and treatment before being transferred to care homes. However, in recent months, DCPU officials have reportedly been sending contract workers-often new faces-without proper identification or authorisation, leaving doctors in a difficult position. Speaking to TNIE, Dr S Saravanan, Regional Medical Officer (RMO) at GRH, said, 'Abandoned babies are treated with utmost care in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Department. Once they are medically fit, we inform the DCPU. But instead of sending designated legal or protection officers, they have been sending contract staff, some without proper documentation. This is a serious concern-it's not just about having a letter, it's a matter of a child's life.' He further added that, 'Recently, DCPU counsellor arrived with an unverified letter to collect a baby abandoned in Dindigul. 'The letter had no name, no ID number, no seal or valid signature. We had to contact DCPU officials to confirm the identity, which caused unnecessary delays and discomfort,' he said. A pediatrician at the hospital added, 'Every time a new person comes with just a letter, we have no way of verifying their identity. This has been happening repeatedly, and we were left with no option but to escalate the matter to the RMO and other senior hospital officials.' Responding to the issue, DCPU officer Dharmaseelan said only legal and protection officers are authorised to collect the babies post-treatment. 'In rare situations, we have sent staff from our team or the Childline Division, along with an authorised letter and ID proof. Going forward, we will ensure that only designated officers visit the hospital to take custody of the children,' he assured TNIE. Doctors have urged the DCPU to strictly follow the protocol and prioritise the safety and identity verification process involved in handling abandoned infants.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kodaikanal flower show to begin from May 24
1 2 Kodaikanal: The 62nd annual flower show at Bryant Park in Kodaikanal will be held from May 24 to June 1. The nine-day summer festival will also begin on the same day, with various cultural and recreational events planned to attract tourists during the summer vacation. Dindigul district collector S Saravanan on Sunday inspected arrangements at Bryant Park and the Rose Garden along with officials from the horticulture department and other govt agencies. The collector also held a review meeting with Kodaikanal municipality officials. During the meeting, the collector said that the summer festival will include a flower exhibition, sports competitions, boat races, and cultural programmes. Rural development minister I Periyasamy, agriculture and farmers welfare minister M R K Panneerselvam, and tourism minister K Ramachandran are expected to participate in the inaugural events. A kite festival on the theme "Beat Plastic Pollution" will also be organised near the Mannavanur lake from May 22 to May 25 by the district administration to promote environmental awareness among tourists. Addressing the reporters later, the collector said that the Pepper falls in Kodaikanal is being developed as a new regulated tourist site. Safety assessments are underway at five more waterfalls in the region to allow tourists' entry, he added.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kodaikanal village to get road after four centuries
Dindigul: It was a historic moment for Vellakavi villagers in the Kodaikanal hills as their village was finally set to be connected with a road. On Wednesday, Palani MLA I P Senthilkumar and Dindigul collector S Saravanan laid the foundation stone for the Rs22 crore road work at Vattakanal, eight kilometres from the village. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Vellakavi, with a population of 350 people, has existed for over 400 years without a road. The nearest road at Vattakanal could only be reached through trekking. Villagers turned emotional when the groundbreaking ceremony for the road was held . The villagers carry their farm produce on their shoulders or on ponies and have to undertake the eight-kilometre trek to Vattakanal for all their needs. Things become difficult when someone falls sick as they have to be carried on dollies to Vattakanal, from where they can take a vehicle or ambulance. Finally, the state govt has taken up the road construction from Vattakanal to Vellakavi with the help of Nabard. In the first phase, it will be laid for three kilometre from Vattakanal, while administrative sanction will be sought for the next three kilometres this year, said the district collector. On the civil supplies minister's instruction, PDS items are delivered at the doorsteps of Vellakavi people since last month. The collector said they are making efforts to redress the problems of hill villages on the orders of the chief minister. Addressing the villagers, Senthilkumar, MLA, said they also laid the foundation stone for a Rs10 crore road project from Koppaikadu to Sembirankulam in Vadakavunji panchayat. Vadakavunji has been provided with a three-phase electrical supply.
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- New Indian Express
Collector walks 8 km from Kodaikanal to inspect tribal villages in TN's Vellagavi
Along an eight-kilometre-long rough and rocky trail -- from Kodaikanal city to Vellagavi village -- around 20 district officials, led by Collector S Saravanan, on Sunday travelled on foot to visit the tribal villages on the way and received petitions directly from the residents. During their journey that began on Sunday morning, through a terrain lacking proper road connectivity, the collector and the officials inspected the basic amenities for the settlements in remote locations and inquired the villagers about drainage facilities, power and water supply. Several villagers submitted petitions seeking free patta, and some urged the district administration to build toilets near their houses, according to a press note from the collectorate. District forest officer (Kodaikanal) Yogeshkumar Meena accompanied the collector. Once the officials reached Vellagavi, the villagers appreciated the administration's recent efforts to deliver Public Distribution System (PDS) goods on horseback to their doorstep. During the interaction, the collector gave assurance to take steps to construct a bridge connecting two villages -- Chennur and Periyur. On their way back, the officials walked for approximately eight more kilometres through Adukkam village to reach Periyakulam in Theni district in the evening, added the press note.
