Kerala schools to have "water breaks" as temperature soars
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): With temperatures soaring by the day in the state, the Kerala government is planning to implement "water-bell" system at schools with an aim to ensure that students drink adequate water to keep the body hydrated during summers.
Kerala is the first state to introduce this system in the country, state General Education Minister's office said on Saturday.
"We implemented it for the first time in 2019 in schools in certain areas, due to the high temperature levels there. Drawing lessons from us, states like Karnataka and Telangana implemented it later. Now, we are implementing it in schools across the state considering the rising mercury levels," the office told PTI.
Under the new initiative, the bell would be rung twice at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm in all schools to remind children to drink water.
Climatic change is resulting in the unprecedented increase in temperatures in the state and so it is necessary to make sure children consume sufficient water during school hours, the education department sources said.
"Under these circumstances, the water bell system is being introduced in schools. It will be implemented in schools from February 20," they said.
Students would get a break lasting for five minutes each to drink water.
This would help avoid dehydration and other subsequent health issues among children.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued an alert indicating above normal maximum temperature in four districts-Kannur, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Alappuzha- on Saturday.
The agency also advised people against exposing the body to direct sunlight due to the risk of sunstrokes.
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BCI urges CJI to take action against Andhra HC judge for sending young lawyer to 24-hour custody
New Delhi (PTI): The Bar Council of India on Wednesday sought the urgent intervention of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant following a "deeply disturbing" incident where a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court reportedly sent a young advocate to
24-hour judicial custody over a procedural lapse.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, in a formal representation, termed the conduct of Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao "grossly inappropriate" and "damaging to the confidence of the Bar".
“I most respectfully request your Lordship to kindly take immediate institutional cognizance of the matter and call for the video recording of the proceedings, the order passed, and the surrounding circumstances.
“I further request that appropriate administrative action may kindly be considered, including withdrawal of judicial work from the learned Judge pending review, his immediate transfer to some far off High Court, and his nomination for appropriate judicial training/orientation on court management, judicial temperament, Bar-Bench relations, and proportional exercise of contempt/judicial authority,” Mishra wrote.
This representation is made to preserve the “dignity, moral authority and public confidence of the judiciary”, he said, adding, “Judges command the highest respect not by fear, but by fairness, patience, restraint and constitutional humility”.
The communication urged the CJI to intervene at the earliest to ensure that the faith of Bar, particularly young advocates, in the protective and corrective role of the judiciary is restored.
The controversy stems from proceedings on May 5.
According to the BCI, a video circulating online shows Justice Rao rebuking a young advocate who was unable to produce a specific order copy during a hearing.
The letter said that despite the advocate "repeatedly seeking pardon and mercy" and claiming he was in physical pain, the judge remained "unmoved".
The judge allegedly told the lawyer, "now you will learn," and mocked his experience before directing the Registrar and police personnel to take him into custody for 24 hours.
The BCI chairperson said that the judge’s actions lacked proportionality and fairness.
"The dignity of the court is not enhanced when a lawyer is made to beg for grace in open court and is still sent to custody for a procedural lapse," the letter said.
"A young lawyer... is an officer of the Court, still learning, still growing, and entitled to correction without humiliation," it added.
The bar body said that such actions create a "chilling effect" on the legal fraternity, particularly among junior members, and undermine the mutual respect required between the Bench and the Bar.
