The scratch that can kill: India's silent Rabies crisis
#Rabies #Gujarat #BrajeshSolanki #TamilNadu #Vaccine #IndiaNews
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
‘Mass expulsions in Russian University killed our medical dreams': Indian students allege ‘financial gain' by university
Around 200 Indian students who went to Russia's Bashkir State Medical University to study medicine are now returning to India with their dreams shattered and their options limited. Mass expulsions by the university, citing issues like attendance and subject backlogs, are driven by 'financial greed', students and parents alleged. A university notice, written in Russian on June 9, states that foreign students will not be allowed to appear for exams due to 'failure to fulfil their obligations to conscientiously master the educational program and complete the curriculum'. It lists 234 names across five-years of the medical course, a majority of which are Indian students. The All Foreign Medical Graduates' Association (AFA) said on X that the college is 'deliberately expelling' Indian students, especially those in their second and third years, knowing that as per National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, they cannot transfer to other universities. A third-year student originally from Maharashtra who is taking a flight to India on Saturday (July 5, 2025) night, said on the condition of anonymity, 'I am now returning to India because I do not have any other option. The university admitted around 1000 students, over their capacity, and are now expelling us over minor issues.' The student added, 'We are now asked to take admission from the first year. We have already spent lakhs of rupees and cannot give up now. We will be forced to spend lakhs of rupees again and waste three years.' The NMC mandates that Indian students complete their entire medical education, training, and internship in the same foreign institution where they started. The student said that the university 'targets Indians to exploits this'. Expulsion notices The student said that his grounds for attendance was 'low attendance', even after informing the university that he was returning to India due to a family emergency. Another student said, 'Despite having genuine reasons for missing a few lectures — visa processes, medical appointments — I made sure to clear my absences before exams.' The student said that his 'medical dreams have been shattered'. The Hindu reached out to the Dean and International students office but did not receive a response. Messages to an unofficial head for Indian students, Ambika, did not warrant a response either. One such expulsion notice read that he did not clear 'academic debt in the discipline 'Biochemistry''. It went on to stipulate the process for acquiring an Exit Visa. The student from Maharashtra said, 'I was forced to sign a 'self-expulsion' notice and threatened that I will not even have the option of returning if I did not.' 'Spent lakhs of rupees' A parent, who did not wish to be identified, said, 'After the Ukraine-Russia war, consultants began recommending Russian Universities. We sent our children with high hopes, taking loans. Many are now returning, quitting on their dreams to become doctors. It is traumatic and unfair.' The parent said that the family has already spent ₹25 lakh, and if their daughter were to be re-admitted, this would cost them another ₹15 lakh. Students said that the annual expenses amount to around ₹4 lakh, which is still less than private universities in India, and hence, it becomes a top choice for those who did not get into public universities. Multiple students that The Hindu spoke to said that consultants and agents highly recommended the university. The students have reached out to the Indian embassy and have written multiple emails to the Indian Government, but have not received any responses. A mail to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that universities admit far more students than they can accommodate and later, expel them under various pretexts. It added that the universities, promising to teach in English, switch to Russian after the Third year, complicating things further for foreign students. The Indian embassy in Russia had conducted a visit to the university in June and shared photos with students on their official website. Students, however, alleged that they were threatened with expulsion even in front of officials. Officials were contacted but did not respond until the time of printing.
India Today
7 hours ago
- India Today
The scratch that can kill: India's silent Rabies crisis
Rabies kills 5,700 Indians every year — yet awareness and access to treatment remain alarmingly low. In Gujarat, state-level kabaddi player Brajesh Solanki died a slow death weeks after rescuing a puppy that turned out to be rabid. In Tamil Nadu, a 35-year-old man bitten by a stray suffered violent symptoms before dying in isolation. Experts warn: it's not the bite, but the delay that kills. Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) — essential in severe cases — is still hard to access in many rural areas. #Rabies #Gujarat #BrajeshSolanki #TamilNadu #Vaccine #IndiaNews
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Infosys HR sends 'detailed warning email' to employees: We must work….'
India's second-largest IT services company Infosys has begun sending personalized warning emails to employees who exceed standard working hours, directly contradicting founder N.R. Narayana Murthy 's recent advocacy for a 70-hour workweek. The Bengaluru-based firm has implemented an automated monitoring system that triggers alerts when employees work beyond 9 hours and 15 minutes daily. "We must work for 9.15 hours a day for five days a week, and if we overshoot this while working remotely, it prompts a trigger," an employee told The Economic Times. The company's HR department now tracks remote working hours monthly, sending detailed notifications to staff members who exceed prescribed durations. Infosys monitors remote work hours to prevent burnout The monitoring system was introduced following hybrid working arrangements for Infosys's 323,500 employees. When excessive hours are detected, HR sends comprehensive notifications including information about remote working days, total hours worked, and daily averages. The company's workplace policy, implemented in November 2023, requires staff to be present in office for minimum 10 days monthly. "While we appreciate your commitment, we also believe that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for both your well-being and long-term professional success," states the HR communication reviewed by financial dailies. The emails emphasize that prioritizing health and work-life balance benefits both personal wellbeing and professional success. Health concerns drive policy shift in Indian IT sector This initiative emerges amid growing concerns about young tech professionals facing health challenges, particularly cardiac issues attributed to irregular dietary and rest patterns. The company's guidance includes specific recommendations: "Take regular breaks during your workday; Let your manager know if you are feeling overwhelmed or need support with reviewing priorities." The policy represents a significant departure from Murthy's recent statements calling for Indians to work 70 hours weekly to accelerate economic growth. The move reflects evolving workplace norms in Indian IT, where employee mental health and sustainable productivity are gaining prominence over extended working hours.
