TOP STORIES

Delhi Govt giving its schools a ‘public’ face

• Taking a leaf out of the book

Delhi Govt misses date on DVB privatisation
New Delhi, February 1
The much-hyped privatisation of the Delhi Vidyut Board’s distribution sector has received a setback with the state government failing to keep up its promise of closing the bids from the private entrepreneurs by January 31.

Now, Huda giving Gurgaon a sporty look
Gurgaon, February 1
The Haryana Urban development Authority (Huda) has come a long way: A builder of townships has transformed into an agency with a social perspective, for the authority is today adopting villages in the hinterland.

Sikh census begins in Tilak Nagar
New Delhi, February 1
The much-awaited Sikh census began in Tilak Nagar municipal ward today despite an appeal by the Census Commissioner and Registrar General of India not to go ahead with the headcount process.

When damsel in distress is a cop!
Noida, February 1
An FIR has been lodged against two employees of Noida in Sector-20 police station for teasing a lady constable.

COMMUNITY

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee activists hold a demonstration outside the office of the Election Commissioner, demanding MCD elections before February 28. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

A vice den in Nizammuddin West 
New Delhi, February 1
For the residents of Nizammuddin West, it is quite a task to continue with their normal lifestyle in the face of growing lawlessness in the area. A basti in the vicinity has become a crime den virtually. In fact, the whole area around Nizammuddin West has become a haven for all sorts of anti-social activities, particularly after sunset.

Project to set up 10 bio-gas plants
Sonepat, February 1
The Haryana Agriculture Department has launched a project for setting up bio-gas plants at Akbarpur Barota village in the district.

Two minor fires in the Capital 
New Delhi, February 1
Two cases of minor fire were reported today in the city but no casualty was reported. Authorities of the fire department swung into action immediately and brought the situation under control within minutes.

Firemen dousing a blaze at Shram Shakti Bhawan in the Capital. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Haryana sets speed limits on highways 
Sonepat, February 1
The Haryana Government today launched a statewide campaign against vehicle operators violating the speed limits on the national highways passing through the municipal limits.

PNB honours its founder, Lala Lajpat Rai
New Delhi, February 1
Mr Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, Union Minister of State for Finance, today lauded the efforts of Punjab National Bank for extending loans to the poor and downtrodden under the Priority Sector Schemes.

Mr Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, Union Minister of State for Finance, and Mr S. S. Kohli, CMD of PNB, at the unveiling of Lala Lajpat Rai’s bust in the Capital.

Mother refuses money to visit gurdwara, girl commits suicide
New Delhi, February 1
A 16-year-old girl was found hanging from the wooden girder of the roof of her house in Kalyan Puri yesterday night. According to the police, Meenu, daughter of Mr Gurmukh Singh, resident of Kalyan Puri, was a class IX student and reportedly committed suicide as her mother refused to give her money to go to Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. The incident occurred late last night.

NCR BRIEFS

CRIME

Inter-state gang busted, three held
New Delhi, February 1
A team of Special Cell officers busted a notorious inter-state gang involved in more than 12 cases of murder, kidnapping, extortion, criminal intimidation, rape and offences under the Arms Act with the arrest of three persons yesterday. However, the gang leader, Dharmender, managed to escape after firing at the police party.

Girl, brother kidnapped
Sonepat, February 1
The Murthal police have registered a case of alleged kidnapping of a girl, Hem Lata (16), and her brother, Mohit (11), against a youth, Neeraj Kumar of Tajpur village, on the complaint lodged by the victims’ father.

HEALTH

Free eye operations held
New Delhi, February 1
The weekly free eye operation camp was held at Lok Kalyan Samiti today. A total of 40 patients had been registered for the operation. Of them, three patients absented themselves, four were rejected on medical ground while 34 operated upon. Seven patients have been implanted Intra Ocular Lens.

N. P. Thareja, speaking at the eye camp, organised by the Human Care Charitable Trust in the Capital.

SPORTS

Baichung to feature in Star Sports
New Delhi, February 1
Indian soccer star Baichung Bhutia will be featured in the Harsha Online, the interactive one-hour programme, pioneered by ESPN Star Sports and presented by Harsha Bhogle, on February 4 at 8 pm.

Vandana Murali crashes out of ITF tourney
New Delhi, February 1
Top-seeded Vandana Murali of India went down to fifth-seeded Yekaterina Morozova of Kazakhstan 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to sail into the semi-final of the ITF South and Central Asian Under-14 Tennis Tournament at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) court in the Capital on Friday.

Vijay Singh’s brother for Honda Masters
New Delhi, February 1
While Jeev Milkha Singh remains the favourite to win the Hero Honda Masters 2002, another Singh is determined to make his mark.

Aryavart Dabas lifts archery title
New Delhi, February 1
Aryavart Dabas of Noida College of Physical Education emerged the individual champion in the Ch. Charan Singh University Inter-College Archery (Indian Round) Men’s Championship at the Ch. Charan Singh University ground, Meerut.

Digvijay ties with Uttam Mundy
New Delhi, February 1
Digvijay Singh put together some brilliant iron-play in his closing holes to tie with Uttam Singh Mundy in the lead at a tally of three-under 213 after the penultimate round of the Rs 10 lakh Telegraph Open Golf Championship. The final day's play of the 18th leg of the season's Golf Tour, is headed for a thrilling finish with Delhi's Gaurav Ghei placed just three strokes behind the leaders.

Chinnappa stars for Bechtel in Teri Cup
New Delhi, February 1
A fine all-round performance by N N Chinnappa (3/19 and 46 n o) helped Bechtel beat Max New York by seven wickets in the ninth Teri Cup Cricket Tournament organised by TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute) at the Central Secretariat ground.

National Judo Championship
New Delhi, February 1
The Judo Federation of India (JFI) will conduct the Junior National Judo Championship from February 24 to 28 at the Chhotta Nehru Stadium, Indore (Madhya Pradesh). Over 450 judokas from 30 affiliated State associations/units are expected to participate in the Nationals.

Zakir Hussain, Tabu to play ESPN Super Selectors

Shailaja takes over as CS
New Delhi, February 1
Ms Shailaja Chandra today took over the charge as the Chief Secretary of the Government of NCT of Delhi. She succeeds Mr P. S. Bhatnagar who retired yesterday.