TOP STORIES

Voters cool to Akali rhetoric on poll day
53 per cent turnout in incident-free poll
New Delhi, June 30
Barring a few minor incidents, the general elections to the 46-member Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) today passed off peacefully. The elections to the DSGMC, which would control the religious and educational institutions of the Sikh community, are taking place after seven years, almost three years behind schedule.

A first-time voter, who turned 18 this year, exercising her franchise in the DSGMC elections on Sunday. (Right) Despite physical constraints, some insisted on casting their vote. — Tribune Photos Mukesh Aggarwal

ANALYSIS
A reflection of a sense of disenchantment
New Delhi, June 30
The low to average turnout in today’s general elections to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), which controls the gurdwaras and institutions of the community in the Capital, is indicative of the general disenchantment of the average Sikh with the leadership and the growing spectre of internal factionalism.

HRD Ministry project leaves Delhi out in the cold
New Delhi, June 30
The Human Resource and Development (HRD) Ministry has just launched a comprehensive programme for universalisation of elementary education for all children within the age group of 6-14.The project, termed Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), is an effort towards universalising elementary education through community ownership of the school system.

Farmers roped in under ‘green Haryana’ plan

Rewari, June 30 Haryana is not only going the IT way, it is also going green. Ambitious as most plans on environmental issues are, the state government has decided to plant 4.50 crore saplings throughout Haryana this year under a comprehensive campaign being launched to usher in a “balanced and pollution-free environment”. This time, the government seems to have worked some novel ways to nurse the saplings.

Tax evasion in crores by Jindal Pipes detected
Ghaziabad, June 30
During a raid, the Special Investigation Branch of the Trade Tax department has unearthed tax evasion worth crores by a pipe factory in its stock transfers. In another raid, the mobile team of the department has seized goods which were being ferried without payment of trade tax.

COMMUNITY

Unions planning stir against closure
Rohtak, June 30
Reacting against the recent government decision to close down the Haryana State Minor Irrigation and Tubewell Corporation (HSMITC), which rendered 3,916 employees jobless, both the major employees’ unions in the state -– the Haryana Karamchari Maha Sangh and Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana — have convened separate emergency meetings to chalk out a state-wide agitational programme on July 1..

MOVING FINGER
Parallel colleges the only hope of varsity castaways

I have before me a leaflet that came with the morning newspaper. It has an attractive name at the top and announces: “After having successfully passed out many batches in Ghaziabad for last seven years, it now comes to your Gurgaon. Contact immediately for CBSE and ICSE Board Class V to X. All the subjects. Assessment made on the basis of weekly tests. Printer assignments and notes. Board question papers of previous years solved under the watchful eyes of guide. Contact for both classes and home tuitions. For details, rush to ……..” Not many get a chance to study in universities or recognised colleges.

Zero power cut? One too many

Balraj Bowry Snake rescue service

Stop polluting Yamuna in religion’s name: Acord
New Delhi, June 30
Polluting a river in the name of religion? It should certainly stop. That is what certain volunteers engaged in Clean Yamuna Campaign have implored the NCT government of Delhi in general and people in particular.

Railways, Haryana Roadways staff attend spiritual retreat
Rewari, June 30
Mr D. R. Kartikeyan, former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has asserted that practical application of spiritual exercises in daily life was highly essential to ensure immunisation against hatred, tension and other causes of irrational behaviour.

Narendra Nath appointed chairman 
New Delhi, June 30
The former Industries and Education Minister, Mr Narendra Nath, was appointed chairman of the Trans-Yamuna Area Development Board on Sunday. The appointment was made by the Lieutenant Governor, Mr Vijai Kapoor, on the recommendation of the Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit. Mr Nath will take over from the Health and Urban Development Minister, Mr A.K. Walia.

CRIME

Delhi cop murders kin in police station
New Delhi, June 30
A police constable posted at the Mayur Vihar police station in East Delhi reportedly shot dead his relative and injured a lady colleague when he fired at them inside the police station.

Auto thief gang busted, five vehicles recovered 
New Delhi, June 30
A gang of six auto thieves was busted and five stolen vehicles were recovered by the joint team of the Naraina police and the Inder Puri South-West police. The police cracked down on the auto thieves following an increase in the number of auto theft cases in the area.

BUSINESS

All under one roof for Bawana plot holders
New Delhi, June 30
Plot holders in Bawana Industrial Estate can look forward to a less harrowing time after taking possession of their plots. The facilitation centre set up by the Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC) in Wazirpur promises a host of services under one roof – from securing electricity and water connection to getting the plan approved by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD.)

SHOWCASE
The small screen that provides a virtual home cinema experience
Philips has launched the 55” rear production TV for the first time in India. The 55 PP 925 is part of the international match line European designer series with the state-of-art features like magnabrite lens, multipoint digital convergence and virtual Dolby surround sound for a home cinema experience.

Signature watches Multi-symptom relief Hi-tech radials Magic flow Assam flavour Ayurvedic cream Zero gravity trousers

Summer mega offer Smart wear Juicy Crystals Gretor’s Walkabout Global joggers Anti-ageing trousers

EDUCATION

SCHOOL BUZZ
Teachers get lessons in reducing stress among students
Birla Vidya Niketan organised a three-day orientation programme for teachers from June 27 to June 29. The exercise was conducted to understand and address the changing behavioural patterns as well as needs of the students and the increasing stress levels experienced by both the teachers and the students.

Carnival for kids Construction toys Lessons in CD ROMS

Splash in rain Punjabi concert

Principal speak
Begin your school not with a groan but with a merry laugh
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who had everything that one could dream of. She lived in a magnificent castle, had maids who served her hand and foot and dined on delicacies served in gold plates. She had beautiful clothes, jewellery and all the possible means of amusement. 

L-G to preside over Reddy Memorial Lecture 
New Delhi, June 30
Mr Vijay Kapoor, Lt-Governor of Delhi will preside over the Seventh Annual Prof G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture, organised by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) here on July 2.

MDU’s ‘shock’ treatment to BEd entrance examinees 
Rohtak, June 30
Thousands of examinees appearing in the entrance test for admission to BEd course conducted by Maharshi Dayanand University had to face undue hardships due to the ‘casual attitude’ of the university administration today.

COURTS

Health Dept Accountant sent to jail 
Ghaziabad, June 30
A former accountant of the Health Department, Mohd Anees, was sent to jail by a city court for siphoning of Rs 24 lakh. An inquiry by a former District Magistrate found the Health Department official guilty of committing a number of illegalities. A case was registered in the Sihani Gate police station.

SPORTS

Sachin joins the Star bandwagon

New Delhi, June 30 Sachin Tendulkar will do another kind of cricket talk, this time not with his willow, when he joins the ESPN and Star Sports commentary team in the television box. Sachin, the accomplished batting maestro, has signed a contract with sports channels ESPN and Star Sports, to voice his opinion on cricket. Sachin Tendulkar autographs a bat for Manu Sawhney of ESPN Star Sports after signing a big contract with the sports channel.

200 kids take part in Roller Skating Beginners Meet in Faridabad
Faridabad, June 30
The District Roller Skating Association (DRSA) held the Beginners Meet in Roller Skating at Community Centre of Sector 15 here on Saturday. About 200 children in the age group of four to 16 years participated in the competition.

Q-School Golf Tournament in Jaipur
New Delhi, June 30
The Qualifying School Golf Tournament for the 2002-03 season’s tour, will be held at the Rambagh Golf Club course in Jaipur from July 2 to 12. The tournament is being organised by the Professional Golfers’ Association of India.