1.47 lakh students, including 60 COVID-19 positive, appear for CET in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Sixty COVID-19 positive students were among the 1.47 lakh who appeared for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test for engineering and other courses which began on Thursday with precautionary measures such as social distancing, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan said.
Out of the 1.94 lakh students who had enrolled for it, a total of 1.47 lakh appeared on the first day of the three-day test at 497 centers across the state, marking about 75 percent attendance, Narayan, who holds the higher education portfolio, told a press conference here.
He said 60 of the students, including 12 from the city, were infected by the coronavirus and special arrangements, including separate seating, had been made for them.
Taking a cue from the smooth conduct of the SSLC and the pre-university examinations by the Department of Public Instruction, the state government proceeded with holding the CET for admission to engineering, agriculture, and pharma courses.
"Elaborate arrangements were made for the COVID-19 infected students to appear for the exam. They were brought to the examination centers and dropped back to their respective places in the department's ambulance," the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Separate sitting arrangements have been made for the COVID-19 students and they faced the examination courageously, he said.
As part of precautionary measures, usage of masks and sanitizers were made mandatory.
To maintain social distancing, a maximum of 24 students are allowed in one exam hall, he said.
Earlier in the day, he said: "We are abiding by the guidelines issued by the high court. Masks, sanitizers, and social distancing are mandatory for the students. There are no shortcomings in the arrangements by the government. Students can happily appear for the exam."
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday rejected a plea for a stay on the exams by petitioners who expressed concern that conduct of the test would push the candidates to the risk of COVID-19 and laid down guidelines to ensure the safety of the students.
Narayan said this year the counseling for the allotment of seats will be entirely done online.
Meanwhile, at Government Dental College at Ballari, an invigilator appeared in personal protection equipment covering himself completely.
Five COVID infected students, who appeared for the exam, expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements made in the college.
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Indian deputy chief of mission meets lawmakers; India-US ties discussed
Washington, Mar 26 (PTI): India’s Deputy Chief of Mission in the US Namgya Khampa met Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth to discuss further strengthening collaboration in defence, trade and investment.
Khampa met the Democrat Congresswoman from Maryland, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, here on Wednesday.
“They discussed recent global developments and ways to further strengthen India-US collaboration in defence, trade & investment, and people-to-people ties,” the Indian Embassy here said in a post on X.
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On Tuesday, the deputy chief of mission met Congresswoman Suzan DelBene from Washington state and thanked her for her support to the India-US partnership.
“They discussed issues of bilateral interest -- trade, technology, defence partnership, and recognised the contributions of the Indian-American community in the relationship,” the Embassy said.
