Latest news with #UMSU
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
20 ‘jaundice' cases reported from 4 city localities
1 2 Bhubaneswar: At least 20 suspected jaundice cases have been reported from four localities in the city, with authorities also trying to contain the spread of dengue. The urban metropolitan surveillance unit (UMSU), formed at Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters with a nodal officer in the rank of additional director of public health, is monitoring the situation. "Blood samples have been collected based on symptoms. After reports come, we will be able to confirm whether they are jaundice cases," said a BMC officer. "The cases have been reported from Badagada, Uparasahi, Karuna Basti and Kalinga Basti," he added. At three locations, awareness campaigns were held to sensitise residents on the use of clean water. They were educated on how to flag concerns based on symptoms and avoid transmission and asked to take preventive steps. "We are fully alert and prepared. Multiple surveillance teams are working to ensure early detection of cases," the officer said. City health officer Deepak Bisoyi said so far 35 dengue cases have been detected. In view of incessant rain, chemical fogging to kill larvae and mosquitoes has not started. However, 220 workers have been engaged to destroy mosquito breeding sources. "This year, the dengue spread is slow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live by the Beach at Sunteck's 2/3BHK Homes starts @₹98L+ Sunteck Realty Learn More Undo But cases have been detected a bit early because the monsoon arrived before the normal date," Bisoyi added. "BMC has been observing every Friday as 'dry day' to carry out mosquito source destruction exercises in various wards," he said. "Stagnant water sources at the big, colony, mini and neighbourhood parks in the city become mosquito breeding ground that people often fail to notice," Bisoyi said. Officials said many people who go to the parks between 4 pm and 5 pm and early morning (before sunrise) get bitten by the Aedes mosquito, which causes dengue. The city has 77 colony (neighbourhood) and 64 big parks that contribute to the green cover. They are also hangout places, fitness centres, places for thinkers and poets, playing areas for children, and relaxing platforms for the elderly. But after some people claimed they contracted dengue after sitting in parks, these places have come under scrutiny. BMC said various govt and private offices and schools have been directed to inspect mosquito breeding sources and destroy them. There are open stockyards in offices and schools, which have abandoned items that turn into places for mosquito breeding, officials said.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
UM student union urges withdrawal of policy on venue approval
UMSU said a new policy requiring all clubs and societies to appoint advisers from the student affairs department, and to obtain approval before booking venues, undermines student autonomy and adds unnecessary bureaucracy. PETALING JAYA : The Universiti Malaya Students' Union (UMSU) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a new policy requiring all student clubs and societies to appoint advisers from the student affairs department (HEP) and obtain HEP's approval before booking venues. At a press conference today, UMSU said the policy undermined student autonomy and added unnecessary bureaucracy, replacing the previous procedure where UMSU directly handled approvals. 'Before this, we could approve proposals within three days and students could proceed with bookings smoothly,' said Yap Jei Shin, UMSU secretary for clubs and societies. 'Now, even after our approval, they still need to go through HEP, and that can take weeks.' The student union said the policy had already disrupted campus activities. Suara Siswa UM's event, 'Pelantikan Azam Baki: Wajar Atau Tidak?' was cancelled just a day before it was scheduled, despite prior approval. 'I received a call at 5.24pm saying the event was considered 'controversial' and required HEP clearance. Just two hours later, my booking was cancelled without a chance to appeal,' said Abishek Prasad, the event's organiser. Eryad, president of AIESEC UM, shared a similar experience. 'We were only told of the new requirement after our booking was revoked. We had just three days left before our event, and most venues were already full. Yet, we were still blamed for 'poor planning',' he said. 'This policy does nothing but impose unnecessary restrictions on student rights.' UMSU vice-president Lim Jing Jet called the policy a blatant attempt to suppress student expression. 'Solid evidence of this lies in the official letter regarding the appointment of (HEP) advisers, which states that their role is to ensure that all student activities are in line with the aspirations of the government,' he said. A total of 49 individuals and student organisations have endorsed a memorandum demanding the immediate retraction of the policy, improvements to the UM Point booking system, and more accessible venues, especially at Kompleks Perdana Siswa and faculty buildings. UMSU said the policy was introduced without consultation and urged the university to prioritise student needs over administrative control.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students drop claim of Israeli genocide in Gaza
An accusation that Israel has committed genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza has been dropped by students at the University of Manchester following a backlash. The 2,000-word motion, which expresses solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war, was withdrawn earlier this week. It was lodged with the university's student union (UMSU) by a student from the university's Friends of Palestine group several months ago. The motion accuses Israel 'in its entirety' of being 'an apartheid settler-colonial state committing ongoing genocide against Palestinians' and recognises that 'as an occupied nation, the people of Palestine have the right to armed resistance under international law.' It also urged full support for the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement against Israel. In addition, the motion argues that a two-state solution has become 'impossible' due to the 'continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine' and advocates for a 'single, free, multi-faith Palestinian state'. Manchester University's Friends of Israel Society was outraged by the motion and wrote to the UMSU, setting out why the proposal and the procedure for considering it were unlawful. It said the statement contained 'false and one-sided allegations'. In March, a debate took place, and Jewish students put forward nine amendments to the motion, but these were rejected. These included one that would have recognised Hamas as a terrorist organisation and another calling on Hamas to release the remaining hostages it still holds captive. A third urged the student union to refrain from 'glorifying' violence against Israeli civilians. Jewish students held a silent protest outside the building where the meeting took place, holding pictures of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were held hostage in Gaza by Hamas. Commenting on the motion being withdrawn, Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UK Lawyers for Israel (UKFLI), who worked with the Friends of Israel Society on getting the motion dropped, said: 'We are very pleased with this outcome, which clearly results from drawing attention to the student union's legal obligations. 'Student unions must conduct political debates fairly, must not discriminate against Jewish or Israeli students, and must not engage in political campaigns outside their charitable objects. 'We congratulate Naomi Brookarsh, president of the Israel Society at Manchester University, on her work resisting this attempt to misuse the student union to intimidate Jewish students and other students who support Israel.' A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), who also wrote to the union and university to express concerns, told The Telegraph: 'Manchester University Students' Union disregarded the concerns of Jewish students and regulations for charities when it tried to advance this reckless and divisive motion. 'Whether or not it is meant as such here, the phrase 'armed resistance' is commonly used in this context as a euphemism for terrorism and the destruction of the Jewish state. 'At a minimum, this motion aspired to deprive the Jewish people of their right to self-determination. 'These motions do nothing to change things in the Middle East but contribute to the ostracisation of Jewish students on campus. 'This motion never should have been even drafted, let alone put forward. Jewish students have the same right to feel safe on their campus as any other group. 'We wrote to the students' union and are pleased to see that the motion has been withdrawn, even if there was no remorse in the withdrawal statement. 'We will continue to tackle extremism and antisemitism on university campuses wherever we find it.' In a statement, the UMSU apologised for the length of time it took to consider the motion and said: 'We will be reviewing our democratic processes as a result.' It added: 'We stand in full solidarity with the Palestinian resistance to ongoing genocide in Gaza. 'The double standards held over colonised people compared to those doing the colonising are absurd. 'Those in support of Palestinian liberation are required to constantly qualify their support of basic human rights, whilst Israel continues its extermination, starvation and 'conquest' of Palestinians undeterred.' It went on to criticise charity law, which it said prevented students' unions from taking 'principled positions and resourcing campaigns on the most pressing issues of our day'. In a statement issued previously, the University of Manchester said it considered 'aspects of this motion to be wholly unacceptable'. It added that it had raised 'serious concerns with the students' union regarding its wording, particularly where it risks undermining the principles of equality, safety, and wellbeing.' The University of Manchester has been approached for further comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
BMC to deploy volunteers to counter dengue menace
1 2 Bhubaneswar: BMC on Friday decided to engage 100 volunteers for three months for dengue surveillance. These volunteers will focus on generating awareness and carrying out mosquito breeding source reduction exercises as part of a plan to tackle dengue menace ahead of the monsoon. BMC officials said each volunteer will be paid Rs 400 daily. The deployment will be in 20 teams, with each team conducting door-to-door surveillance, covering 40 houses daily. The urban malaria surveillance unit (UMSU) will oversee this initiative and compile regular reports, according to a BMC officer. BMC sources said mayor Sulochana Das is slated to convene a meeting with all corporators to ensure wider publicity of prevention activities. Medical officers, district education officers, and child development project officers will undergo specialised training to better coordinate prevention efforts. "Our primary focus is on educating the community about dengue fever, its symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures," BMC officials said. "We're implementing a grassroots approach that will reach every household in the capital city," they added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here To Read More - micro segmentation software Expertinspector Click Here Undo BMC is also launching a comprehensive media campaign utilising various platforms, including radio jingles, FM talks, and social media outreach. Also, waste collection vehicles will be used to spread awareness messages across the city, officials said. A novel 'Zero Dengue Day' will be observed in each ward, featuring rallies led by local corporators with the participation of health workers, ASHA workers, Swachha Sathi, and Residential Welfare Associations. The corporation has also decided to coordinate with IDCO/MSME and other departments and market associations to ensure dengue prevention measures are implemented in their respective premises. "Special attention will be paid to hotspot areas through intensive fogging and anti-larval activities under the supervision of BMC health officer," BMC officials said. BMC said various govt and private offices and schools will also be directed to inspect mosquito breeding sources and destroy them. There are open stockyards in both offices and schools, which have abandoned articles that become mosquito breeding sources. In the second phase, residents will be educated on how to check household articles and spaces around them to ensure there is no stagnant water.
