Vikas Vaidya

All Engineering admissions to be completed by July 30  The SC verdict makes it mandatory for universities to commence academic session of Engineering on August 1  Results of Qualifying exam like HSC needs to be declared by June 5 By Vikas Vaidya Following a tough decision by the Supreme Court criticising All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for deviating from its dead-line while granting approval to new colleges, courses or additional intake capacity ignoring academic calendar, now authorities are gearing up to follow the same. Now engineering admissions will be completed by July 30 and new academic session will begin on August 1. AICTE itself has come out with a fresh academic calendar for academic year 2013-14. As per the academic calendar issued by the AICTE, all the colleges, universities and government authorities have to follow the rules for the engineering admissions. Engineering colleges have to seek the approval of AICTE and this procedure has to

Common Management Admission Test begins By Vikas Vaidya All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) conducted Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2013. All MBA Institutes approved by AICTE are expected to accept CMAT Score. The CMAT 2013 Test is scheduled from February 21 to 25 in 62 cities. The candidates will have option of selecting date and city for appearing in the test on first come first served basis depending on availability of the slots in a particular city. Graduates with 50% (Open Category) and 45% (Reserved Category) in any discipline are eligible to take up CMAT Test. CMAT Important Dates CMAT 2013-14 Exam Window  Feb 21 to 25 CMAT Result declaration          March 13, 2013 Print out of Score Cards             March 13 to April 13, 2013 Pattern of examination for CMAT CMAT will be a computer-based test (CBT). A candidate will read the questions on a computer terminal and choose an answer by clicking the correct option. The computer-based CMAT 2013 – 2014

Over Rs 750 crore of scholarship amount of colleges pending with government   Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe in favour of clearing the dues By Vikas Vaidya Most of the private colleges in Maharashtra State are suffering heavily as Maharashtra Government has not yet cleared scholarship amount of over Rs 750 crore. The colleges in Vidarbha are waiting to get clear the dues of over Rs 150 crore. Though, Shivajirao Moghe, Maharashtra’s Minister for Social Justice always throw the ball in the court of finance department, this time he is very positive as far as disbersing the amount. He told The Hitavada that the dues were over Rs 1400 crore. Most of the amount was distributed to the colleges now Rs 750 crore amount remained with the Government. The demand being made by the colleges and from other sectors also to have some income limit for the students of reserved categories which presently is missing. Moghe said that Central Government has kept Rs 44,000/- as annual incom

MMC suspends 11 doctors for violating PCPNDT Act By Vikas Vaidya Taking bold steps, Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) under the Chairmanship of Dr Kishor Taori has suspended 11 doctors of State on charges of violation of Pre conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) Act- 2003. The list of suspended doctors has one each from Wardha, Yavatmal, Sangli, Satara, Solapur and Ahmednagar;  two from Beed and three from Jalgaon. Ten doctors have been warned of not doing this act again. There is likely action on five more doctors in near future. The legal scrutiny and other procedural mechanism in on. The doctors like Dr Shivaji Sanap from Beed and Dr Rahul Kolhe from Jalgaon are in police custody and connected with sex determination scam of Dr Sudam Munde are also in the list of suspended doctors. Six doctors from Wardha, two from Pune, one each from Beed and Yavatmal have been warned of serious consequences if found guilty again. MMC has cited major reas

Govt drops medical college proposals of Mumbai, Nandurbar By Vikas Vaidya Though Maharashtra Government had planned to set up medical colleges at seven places, in a recent decision, it has to drop the plans for Mumbai and Nandurbar. Now medical colleges will be established at Chandrapur, Gondia, Satara, Baramati and Alibag only. Maharashtra Government in recently concluded winter session of State legislature had announced opening of three new medical colleges at Gondia, Chandrapur and Baramati. Government had already announced four medical colleges, they include Satara, Nandurbar, Mumbai and Alibag.  In this session, one more college at Baramati was added. A total of 700 seats will be added in the kitty of state medical seats. With the exclusion of two medical colleges, 200 seats would be reduced. Dr Vijay Kumar Gavit, Maharashtra’s Minister of Medical Education told The Hitavada on phone from Mumbai, “We had planned seven medical colleges. Unfortunately we are not getting land at

Aarohi teaches them how to groom their personality ‘Parikrama’ to regale audience, Jay Fire Cat to show fire performance By Vikas Vaidya ‘Aarohi’ has larger perspective. It is not limited to Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT). Its scope is much wider. It is not only an All India Youth Cultural Festival but also it teaches these volunteer students to groom their personalities. Pratik Murkute, President of Aarohi who got elected unanimously said, “The hierarchy in the system is fixed. The duties of students of every year are fixed and everybody act accordingly. When we were in first year, our seniors used to shout on us now we are on the other side of the table.” Whatever the things take place but one thing is common where Aarohi is running on one principle is that they donate the money of cultural night to any good organisation which is doing good work for the society. Aarohi came into existence in 1988 and 2013 is the silver jubilee year. Pratik said that the t

Oral disease can cause pre-term or low birth weight babies Pregnant women with Periodontitis may suffer from preeclampsia By Vikas Vaidya Oral disease, especially Periodontitis means "inflammation around the tooth" can cause pre-term or low birth weight babies. This finding is an outcome of the research done by Department of Periodontics of VSPM Dental college in association with Department of Gynaecology and Biochemistry of NKPSIMS. Dr Abhay Kolte, Head, Department of Periodontics under whose guidance this study was conducted said, “Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. All periodontal diseases, including periodontitis, are infections which affect the Periodontium. The periodontium are the tissues around a tooth, tissues that support the tooth. With periodontitis, the alveolar bone around the teeth is slowly and progressively lost. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, stick to the surface of the tooth and

Planning commission proposes Geriatric Department at GMCH   States are unaware of such project By Vikas Vaidya   Working Group on Disease Burden for 12th Five Year Plan has proposed to develop a Geriatric department in medical colleges of each states and Union Territories. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur was also chosen which is the lone hospital in Maharashtra. Though planning commission proposed this project it was not informed to either Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) or GMCH itself. It has been proposed to develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of the country in addition to 8 Regional Geriatric Centres being developed during the 11th Plan. The regions and Medical College proposed are, Chandigarh- PGIMER, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh- KGIMS, Lucknow, Jharkhand- Ranchi Medical College, Ranchi, West Bengal- Kolkatta Medical College, Kolkata, Andhra Pradesh- Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad

Now CBSE to teach students how to speak right By Vikas Vaidya Schools teach every subject including language one. But it is not taught in the schools that how the students should speak, they do not emphasize on the pronunciation. Considering that this aspect is ignored, now, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools have decided to teach their students to speak right. It will now skip textbook approach to the English language and will be asking its schools to train their students in speaking and listening skills to improve their communication skills. CBSE has proposed a formal testing of speaking and listening skills in the form of Formative Assessments (FAs), in English at secondary and senior secondary levels from the academic year 2013-14. In its latest circular to all the schools affiliated with the central board, the CBSE has envisaged that all language skills need to be integrated into the school English language curriculum. “In today’s world, where national an

Daga hospital shows preparedness to fight fire incident By Vikas Vaidya In Contrast what is going on in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Indira Gandhi Government Medical Colleged and Hospital (IGGMCH), the authorities at Daga hospital has shown preparedness to fight the fire accidents if take place. After the fire accident that took place at CARE Hospital, Dr Vaishali Khedikar, Superintendent of Daga Hospital took initiative to install the fire fighting equipment. She herself took a round of the hospital and checked where the fire fighting equipment are to be installed. Daga hospital has created fire exits also. At some places the emergency or fire exits were already existed but they were blocked by the hospital material. Dr Khedikar got it cleared and now one ward has at least two fire exits. The hospital is 335-bedded with eight wards. The hospital has been dealing mainly with paediatric and gynaecological cases. The hospital has recently developed new

IGNOU to take education to naxal area using mobile van By Vikas Vaidya Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has decided to penetrate the hitherto impregnable area using modern technology and impart quality education to sections for whom modern education remained a distant dream. Demonstrating its resolve to take education to the doorsteps of socially and educationally most backward area of Gadchiroli (which is hotbed of naxal activity as well), the IGNOU has come out with  an innovative idea of using mobile van. Dr P Sivaswaroop, Regional Director of IGNOU Nagpur Centre said, “The places like Alapalli, Etapalli, Aheri, in Gadchiroli region are away from the education. IGNOU has decided to reach students who are unable to access quality education and reside in remote places. We will be taking well-equipped mobile van to these areas. This is probably first of its kind initiative taken by any university in the country.” The teachers of IGNOU will go with the van to th

                                                                                                       Prof Ved Prakash addressing. UGC Chairman for redefining role and focus of education By Vikas Vaidya Expressing a deep concern over dwindling number of qualified teachers, institutions with ideal infrastructure and lack of robust academic discussions in campuses, the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Ved Prakash on Saturday advocated need to redefine role and focus of education in the country. Delivering convocation address during 98th convocation of Rashtrsant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Prof Ved Prakash pointed out fast changing nature of society, mind-boggling scientific changes, sea change in value system, redefined roles of materialism and spirituality requires equally profound change in the education system. Dr Vilas Sapkal, Vice-Chancellor of RTMNU presided over the graceful function held at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Campus. Prof Ved Prakash threw lig

Government machinery geared for emergency response to eradicate Polio By Vikas Vaidya This is one success story that involves collective participation which in India is taken with a pinch of salt, where focus always is on individual success. But as country prepares to banish polio from its front, one cannot but applaud the work of government machinery, NGOs, health volunteers and individuals. Now as official figures reveal, there is just a single case of polio reported in country during the current year. However last year situation seemed worst after almost 39 cases surfaced, giving a jolt to all those who are working in tandem to give boot to polio. Though crestfallen, all worked with renewed vigour, changed profile, as mentioned below, and success is for all to savour. The efforts that went into implementation of drive against polio are now showing results. No case of type 3 polio has come up for over a year. Closest ever to eradicating polio, the Ministry of Health and Family W

NU- biggest land-owner, drawing very little from its vast properties By Vikas Vaidya Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University seems to be the biggest landowner but little precious has been done to utilise their properties at prime locations within city limits and on the city outskirts. Ironically, the University has miserably failed to protect and get back its own 70.09 acre land adjoining Amravati road campus and appears to be clueless about existence of vast properties situated elsewhere. Most of the properties are lying either unused or encroached. The issue came for the discussion before Senate when an alert member Ambadas Mohite pointed it out. It was also came to the fore that university owns the land not only in the state but in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and that too at city of Hyderabad. Raobahadur D Laxminarayan had donated 25.31 acre land with his main bungalow where vaious educational, administrative buildings and hostel buildings are located. Apart from th

Panel confirms cancellation of 353 medical, dental admissions - Giving another blow to medical college barons, Pravesh Niyantran Samiti asks Govt to seek SC nod to fill vacancies from among meritorious students. -From next academic year, all admissions only through CAP route to rule out open auctioning of medical seats By Vikas Vaidya In another blow to private unaided medical and dental colleges, the Pravesh Niyantran Samiti has rejected feeble justification forwarded by colleges and maintained its earlier decision to cancel 353 medical and dental admissions across Maharashtra. The Samiti headed by ex-High Court judge D K Deshmukh unequivocally held that admission process adopted by these private medical and dental colleges violated “basic principles of transparency, fairness and reasonability and in many case reservation norms were overlooked nor it was merit-based.” Considering the number of resultant vacancies, Samiti has suggested Maharashtra Government to approach Supreme

T his American girl came to Nagpur for her treatment.                             T he filth in government hospital continued,  Dr Abhay Gajbhiye, Superintendent of Mental Hospital who brought so many improvements in this hospital GMCH suffers from PMSSY fever, BoT injection to IGGMCH Implementation of PCPNDT Act, some aggressive steps by Suresh Shetty keep Doctors on move Acts like MTP, sex determination experienced curb   By Vikas Vaidya Public health institutions are in disarray and needs rejuvenation. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) which handles thousands of patients every day, needs renovation, but barring cosmetic changes, precious little has been done. Much-delayed modernisation of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) has failed to take off even during 2012 and yet again it may lose 40 MBBS seats. A routine announcement was made during winter session about IGGMCH modernisation, but going by the past experience, this i

IGGMCH gets 40 seats back, admission to be made today By Vikas Vaidya Like past several years, Medical Council of India (MCI) has once again showed mercy to Nagpur’s Indira Gandhi Government Medical  College and Hospital (IGGMCH) and gave recognition to increased 40 seats. Dr Pravin Shingare, Director of Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra State has confirmed this development while talking to The Hitavada. Earlier as usual, MCI on notice had reduced intake of IGGMCH to 60 seats from original intake of 100 seats. But everybody was so confident that eventually MCI would restore the curtailed 40 seats, that this time no special efforts were being made to honour the solemn commitment given to High Court and Union Health Ministry during last couple of years. According to sources, IGGMCH Dean Dr Prakash Wakode and Director of Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Research Dr Pravin Shingare took efforts and personally went to Delhi and requested the authorities to get back the sea

Again MLAs want Gavit to postpone GMCH review meeting By Vikas Vaidya After canceling December 29 visit to review functioning of public health institutions on the request made by public representatives in Nagpur, Dr Vijay Kumar Gavit, Minister of Medical Education has bluntly said no to postpone January 6 meeting to further date to accommodate some legislators. Why should such important meetings be postponed again and again ? asked Dr Gavit. It is quite easy to blame the Government for problems faced by public healthcare institutions like Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), but last time it was elected representatives who sought postponement. However, many voluntary groups are not happy with Dr Gavit as well and claimed that during last one and half years, the decision making process has come to a standstill and Dr Gavit did not pay enough attention towards GMCH and other hospitals. During winter session, the legislators from city quite forcefully raised the matter an

State Board changes dates of Chemistry, Biology of HSC  Board results may go beyond June 5 By Vikas Vaidya Taking student-centric decision, Maharashtra’s Minister of School Education Rajendra Darda has changed dates of Biology and Chemistry of HSC examination being conducted by Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Darda in Mumbai has made it clear that the changes have been made in HSC Science on the lines of CBSE because of which time gap was demanded especially for Biology and Chemistry. Now Biology paper will be held on March 17 instead of on March 4 while the Chemistry paper will be conducted on March 26 instead of February 27. No change has been made in other subjects and faculties too. The Hsc examination will be conducted as per schedule between February 21 and March 26. Though Board is gearing up to declare HSC results earlier than the set deadline of last week of May but contrary to the new guidelines issued by the Supreme Court (SC) and

Court issues non-bailable warrant against 4 directors of Retox builders   By Vikas Vaidya The 25th Joint Civil Judge Junior Division and Joint Magistrate First Class, Nagpur has issued non-bailable arrest warrant against four directors of Retox Builders and Developers Private Limited for deceiving city trader. The names of the accused against whom warrant was issued include Atul Shirodkar, Shubhangi Shirodkar, Prakash Koranne, Akhilesh Bhargav and Retox Builders and Developers Private Limited. The main accused Atul Shirodkar is absconding. Punit Grover, one of the partners, Ajanta Hardware got a contract for providing steel to Retox. Ajanta has provided steel with a price Rs 40,000 per tonne. Ajanata was supposed to get payment by Post Dated Cheque (PDC). The company provided steel worth Rs 1.30 crore to Retox. Retox made some payment to Ajanta but Rs 47,60,000/- were remained with it. After repeated requests finally Retox had given Grover a cheque of Rs 20 lakh which was PDC. But

Non-transplant organ retrieval centres to boost organ donation   ZTCC fails to spread awareness even among doctors By Vikas Vaidya After around a year of formation, Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC) has failed to create awareness among doctors. In Nagpur, there are at least five cases in every hospital where one may find five patients who are brain-dead. But the counseling of their relatives is not being done for the donation of their organs. After the sad demise of Vilasrao Deshmukh, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, State government took decisions regarding organ donation. Unfortunately its implementation has not done properly. The Government of Maharashtra has recently issued directions for boosting cadaver organ donation in the State. Organ transplant in the country is governed by Transplantation of Human Organ Act, 1994 (amendments in 2011). Government has made it clear that registering hospitals which are not conducting organ transplant, but can help in p