Swimming test for Plus One admissions draws flak
The Hindu
Teachers fear violation of pandemic protocol with applicants thronging venues
The State government recently directed District Sports Councils to conduct swimming tests and issue certificates to students who seek admissions to Plus One courses. The students get two bonus points if they produce the certificate showing their swimming skills during the admissions. Teachers, however, are apprehensive if it will lead to violation of the pandemic protocol with a large number of applicants thronging swimming pools across districts. For instance, a notice by O. Rajagopal, president of the Kozhikode District Sports Council, says that those who want the certificate can reach the swimming pool located at East Nadakkave in Kozhikode city with two passport size photographs, a copy of the Aadhaar card, and a fee of ₹25. If they show their swimming skills, the certificate will be given. The timings are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.A crowd comprising farmers, researchers, professors, students, and horticulture enthusiasts thronged the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru, on Friday for the inaugural ceremony of the Triphal Diversity Show which showcased 300 mango, 100 jackfruit, and 100 banana genotypes in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli.
The State government on Friday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Director-General of Police, Manish Kharbikar of the Economic Offences division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the alleged multi-crore scam in the government-run Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.