The post A 19-year-old medical aspirant dies by suicide ahead of NEET entrance exam appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>After much delay due to the second wave of COVID-19, and amid campaigns for a further postponement, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2021) for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India will be conducted today in 202 test cities.
The medical aspirant, identified as Dhanush, was the son of farm labourer and was found dead hours before the NEET exam was to take place. He had failed to clear the last two attempts at NEET.
Soon after his death, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appealed to students to not lose hope and assured that a bill against NEET will be brought out tomorrow.
He said the youngster’s death reinforces the need to bring back education to the state’s list.
“The Union government’s indifference and adamant attitude over NEET continues to be the reason for suicide by promising students,” Mr Stalin said.
Several politicians and students have protested against the go-ahead given to NEET exam this year, given the ongoing pandemic and pleas by many students to reschedule it as the NEET date clashed with other exams, including those for compartment exams for CBSE students.
However, the centre had said it does not have any plans to suspend NEET and other common entrance examinations.
“We will pass a bill against NEET and I am confident we would win the support of all chief ministers,” Mr Stalin added.
“I appeal to students to not take any drastic decisions,” the chief minister said.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, had recently received approval from the Supreme Court of India to conduct it as per schedule. The court rejected a plea filed by some students saying NEET was clashing with other exams.
Tamil Nadu had abolished NEET exams for nearly a decade, saying that it favours affluent as even brilliant poor students and those in rural areas are unable to afford private coaching. Over the last few years, 15 medical aspirants have died by suicide in the state.
NEET was introduced during the UPA regime when Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was part of it. Then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi had managed to get presidential approval for exemption from NEET for the state. However, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government could not get a similar exemption from its BJP ally when it came to power, even though the state assembly had passed a Bill against NEET.
The ruling DMK recently constituted a commission under retired justice AK Rajan to study the impact of NEET in medical admissions. Armed with the commission’s report, the state government is hopeful of getting an exemption once again. This was also a key poll promise made by the party.
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]]>The post As Tamil Nadu Announces More Lockdown Relaxations, Movie Theatres will Reopen on August 23 appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>All colleges will reopen on September 1, while cinemas will be able to operate with 50% occupancy starting August 23, beaches would be available to the public, and public transportation in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will resume.
Schools will reopen on a rotational basis for Classes IX, X, XI, and XII beginning September 1. There will be a noon meal program implemented. After deliberation, an announcement regarding the resumption of classes for Classes I through VII will be made. From September 1, all colleges will operate on a rotational basis. Vaccination should have been required for all teaching and non-teaching staff.
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]]>The post MK Stalin seeks support of nine Chief Ministers in opposing the Draft Indian Ports Bill 2021 appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>In his letter dated June 21, Stalin said the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, which has framed a new ‘Draft Indian Ports Bill 2021’ to modify the current management model of minor ports, has convened a meeting of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) with the state ministers on June 24 to discuss the bill. As per the existing Indian Ports Act,1908, the powers to plan, develop, regulate and control the minor ports vests with the state governments.
But the Indian Ports Bill proposes to change this and transfer many of these powers to MSDC, which has so far been only an advisory body. Further, many powers exercised by the state governments would be taken over by the Centre, even though the present system led to good development of minor ports under the states.
The move by the Centre to bring a new bill would have long term adverse impact on the management of minor ports since the state governments would not have any major role in managing them if the bill gets approved, Stalin said. Stalin calls for joint action in letter to CMs
He urged the chief ministers to take joint action to prevent any move to dilute the powers vested with the states in administering these ports.
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]]>The post Tamil Nadu CM greets Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Mr. Stalin tweeted “Wishing my beloved brother @RahulGandhi on his birthday and I join others in praising his selfless, untiring work to establish an egalitarian India in every aspect.”
“His commitment to the ethos of the Congress Party has been exemplary,” the DMK President added.
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