Latest news with #Anandi
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Chairman' out for gender neutrality, Kerala govt circular mandates ‘chairperson' in offices
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'Chairman' is out. From now, it's only 'chairperson'. Continuing with its efforts towards addressing gender discrimination, the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Official Language) Department has issued a circular directing use of 'chairperson' instead of 'chairman' in administrative fields. The decision was taken based on the recommendation by a panel of language experts. Welcoming the move, gender experts said it was part of an ongoing effort to ensure gender neutral terms. Demands to use such terms mostly came from women occupying the chairperson posts in different local self-government administrative bodies. In the past, the government had introduced the term to denote female applicants along with male applicants in all forms. 'Since then, we have been talking about bringing in gender neutral terms. The term 'chairperson' was suggested by women elected as people's representatives. Even now, they are called 'chairman'. It's high time we change it. Now, women are in power; they occupy positions with decision making capacity, and ought to be accorded respect,' said T K Anandi, the gender consultant of the state government. She said such a change should come in legislation too, including the POSH Act. 'One thing we can suggest is to introduce a 'He/She' or 'Her/His' wherever possible,' she said. Amendment under govt consideration Anandi said: 'In the case of the Domestic Workers Bill, we know the majority of domestic workers are women. So they should be given priority. An amendment is being brought in now. Here, we bring in not just 'He/She', but it should be 'She/He', as women get priority. The amendment is now under the government's consideration.'
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Gender seminar at Ente Keralam stresses on need for shift in mindset at family-level
Changing gender attitudes must begin at home and awareness programmes on women's contributions in family should not be given to them alone, but should be extended to broader society, said gender expert T.K. Anandi. She was delivering a keynote address at a seminar 'Kudumbashree's Interventions for Gender Equality: Possibilities' held as part of the Ente Keralam Exhibition in Thrissur on Wednesday. Dr. Anandi emphasised the need to move away from the current norm of limiting gender awareness programmes to women. 'True equality begins when the next generation is raised with fairness and democracy in the household,' she said. She criticised the unscientific beliefs and superstitions often passed down through generations and stressed the importance of instilling scientific temper among women. Kudumbashree workers, she said, have a crucial role in this transformation. United stand Calling for a united stand against dowry and extravagant weddings, Dr. Anandi praised Kudumbashree members for breaking stereotypes, 'Kudumbashree has proven that women are not incapable of hard work—that they are capable change makers.' The seminar was presided over by Kudumbashree District Mission coordinator U. Salil and inaugurated by Thrissur district panchayat vice-president Latha Chandran. Rhythm Band by a group of differently-abled children stole hearts at the Ente Keralam venue with a stunning display of music and dance. Triumphing over challenges through art, these young performers proved that joy and expression know no boundaries. 'Anuyathra Rhythm' The event, titled 'Anuyathra Rhythm,' was organised under the joint initiative of the District Social Justice department and the Kerala Social Security Mission's State Initiative on Disabilities (SID). Social Justice and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu felicitated the artistes, praising their courage and creativity. Performers from across the districts graced the stage with vibrant cultural displays. The artistes were selected through the Talent Fest for Youth with Disabilities screening process, specifically from the category of individuals with more than 40% disabilities.
The Star
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Check if medicines are real
PETALING JAYA: School teacher S. Anandi bought a supplement from an online platform because it was RM20 cheaper than the retail price at a pharmacy. The supplement turned out to be counterfeit although it looked identical to the original product. She said the supplement bought online even came with a fake hologram. She used an app called FarmaChecker which can scan product holograms on health-related products. The FarmaTag hologram on genuine supplements is a stamp from the Health Ministry as proof that a product has been registered and approved by the local health authorities. The app Anandi used could not read the hologram sticker on the supplement. This means the hologram is fake and not approved by the Health Ministry. 'I bought the supplement because it was cheaper online. But upon scanning it, I discovered that the product was fake,' she said. The online health supplement market is flooded with counterfeit products. Sellers even create replicas of the hologram, said industry sources. Despite the Health Ministry having moved from the Meditag to the FarmaTag hologram which has better security features, the sale of counterfeit and illicit pharmaceutical products is showing no sign of slowing down. 'Holograms can be duplicated and we have seen them over the years, even from the Meditag days. Some illegal health product sellers even use a replica of the old Meditag hologram. 'Recently, there is a trend where sellers would mix their own supplement powders and pills. Some of these powders are filled with sugar and that is worrying. 'To the Health Ministry's credit, it has been carrying out crackdowns on many unregistered and illicit products over the years,' said a source, adding that the illegal trade is still flourishing. 'Many consumers are unaware of an app to check whether the health supplements are genuine or not. 'In fact, some people don't even bother to check whether the product they have purchased is authentic. They get swayed by claims that it works. 'More awareness and education campaigns should be carried out on the use of holograms and National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) registration numbers. 'Maybe the authorities should think of a new authentication method such as QR code,' the source said. Consumers can download the NPRA Product Status app to check the status of Pharmaceutical Product Registration and Cosmetic Notification Status. The Health Ministry used the Meditag hologram supplied by Syarikat Mediharta Sdn Bhd from 2005 until Aug 31, 2019. The hologram was supplied to manufacturers and importers licensed by the ministry to ensure there was no abuse. It was later replaced with FarmaTag produced by Syarikat Techno Secure Print Sdn Bhd. Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild honorary secretary Rachel Gan advised the public to use the FarmaChecker app to check the authenticity of a product if they feel suspicious about it. 'Always buy from legitimate sellers like pharmacies or clinics, instead of unknown sellers on e-commerce platforms,' she added. Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association president Datuk Dr M. Rajen said there are concerns over the authenticity, safety, shelf life and possible side effects of the supplements sold on online platforms. 'As an industry, we welcome the use of holograms. But there have been concerns on their viability to prevent abuse. Often, while the companies are paying for the holograms, some consumers are unaware about the benefits of the holograms,' he added. He called for a ban on the sale of health supplements online as what is done for certain medicines. 'You cannot buy your pharmaceuticals online but you can buy your supplements online,' he said, adding that this is a regulation loophole that needs to be looked into. General practitioner Dr Roland Victor said fake medications or supplements often contain ineffective ingredients that pose a danger to health or unsuitable for local consumption. 'We have seen cases of certain coffee powders being promoted as a natural supplement for men's health but were found to contain controlled substances like sildenafil, the active ingredient in erectile dysfunction drugs,' he said. 'Sellers of counterfeit supplements may exploit the image of genuine doctors in their advertisements and claim that they are endorsing their products.'
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rajasthan's housing minister launches three residential projects in Jaipur, five in other cities
JAIPUR : Rajasthan 's UDH minister Jhabar Singh Kharra Monday launched three new JDA residential projects alongside five RHB residential schemes. The announcement follows an enthusiastic response to three residential schemes announced by JDA in Dec last year. JDA officials said the Ganga Vihar Housing Scheme, situated near Bassi railway station, will feature 233 plots priced at Rs 14,000 per sqm as the reserve rate. Near Chaksu, the Yamuna Vihar Housing Scheme will offer 232 plots with Rs 15,500 per sqm as the reserve rate. Similarly, the Saraswati Vihar Awasiya Yojna in Daulatpura will offer 300 plots at Rs 15,500 per sqm reserve rate. JDA commissioner Anandi, said, "We are going to invite online applications for these 765 plots in the three residential schemes of Ganga Vihar, Yamuna Vihar, and Saraswati Vihar from May 13 to June 12. The plots will be allotted through lottery." Alongside the JDA projects, Kharra introduced five RHB residential schemes. RHB commissioner Rashmi Sharma said, "A total of 427 houses or flats will be built under these five schemes of RHB. Besides two projects in Jaipur, there are schemes in Baran, Bundi, and Dholpur." In Jaipur, RHB's projects include Gulmohar Apartment in Mansarovar, offering 160 HIG flats, and Ganga Apartment in Pratapnagar with 80 HIG flats. The properties are priced at Rs 90.4 lakh and Rs 61.2 lakh, respectively. The Gajanpura Yojna in Baran will construct 52 independent houses across income groups, starting at Rs 8 lakh. Lakheri Yojna in Bundi plans 122 independent houses beginning at Rs 27.1 lakh, while Bari Road Yojna in Dholpur will build 13 independent houses starting from Rs 50 lakh.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UDH minister launches three residential projects in Jaipur, 5 by RHB in other cities
Jaipur: Rajasthan's UDH minister Jhabar Singh Kharra Monday launched three new JDA residential projects alongside five RHB residential schemes. The announcement follows an enthusiastic response to three residential schemes announced by JDA in Dec last year. JDA officials said the Ganga Vihar Housing Scheme, situated near Bassi railway station, will feature 233 plots priced at Rs 14,000 per sqm as the reserve rate. Near Chaksu, the Yamuna Vihar Housing Scheme will offer 232 plots with Rs 15,500 per sqm as the reserve rate. Similarly, the Saraswati Vihar Awasiya Yojna in Daulatpura will offer 300 plots at Rs 15,500 per sqm reserve rate. JDA commissioner Anandi, said, "We are going to invite online applications for these 765 plots in the three residential schemes of Ganga Vihar, Yamuna Vihar, and Saraswati Vihar from May 13 to June 12. The plots will be allotted through lottery."Alongside the JDA projects, Kharra introduced five RHB residential schemes. RHB commissioner Rashmi Sharma said, "A total of 427 houses or flats will be built under these five schemes of RHB. Besides two projects in Jaipur, there are schemes in Baran, Bundi, and Dholpur."In Jaipur, RHB's projects include Gulmohar Apartment in Mansarovar, offering 160 HIG flats, and Ganga Apartment in Pratapnagar with 80 HIG flats. The properties are priced at Rs 90.4 lakh and Rs 61.2 lakh, Gajanpura Yojna in Baran will construct 52 independent houses across income groups, starting at Rs 8 lakh. Lakheri Yojna in Bundi plans 122 independent houses beginning at Rs 27.1 lakh, while Bari Road Yojna in Dholpur will build 13 independent houses starting from Rs 50 lakh.
