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October 12, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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CAMPUS SCENE New Delhi, October 11 While JNU eagerly awaits the announcement of election dates and nominations, Jamia students are desperately seeking elections. The last students’ union elections in Jamia were held six years back. In 1996-97, due to the growing incidence of union office-bearers being involved in nefarious activities, the process was discontinued. According to university authorities, the union members had been using the process only as a stepping stone to a political career and a means of acquiring clout. After six years of serenity, the issue has resurfaced with a large segment of students demanding representation through a “free and fair process of elections”. An MA student said, “We need a medium for voicing our opinion and communicating our demands without fearing a teacher backlash.” However, the authorities are not willing to relinquish their stand, citing “disciplinary grounds”. One lecturer said: “We have regular weekly meetings where selected student representatives raise their problems. There is no need for politicising the process.” While the tug of war between a section of Jamia students and the teachers/authorities continues, JNU eagerly awaits election dates. The two main players battling it out are the Students Federation of India (SFI), the Leftist union, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The ABVP — fresh from its success in DUSU elections, where it defeated the NSUI — is focussing its attention and energy on JNU, which has traditionally been a Left
stronghold. The SFI has been claiming that it is bound to repeat the ‘sweep of the polls’ witnessed last year, with its candidates winning all posts of the JNU Students Union (JNUSU), but these views are dismissed as ‘jargon’ by the ABVP. The two parties have a long-standing rivalry on the JNU campus, which boiled over in the form of a major confrontation between their supporters at the ‘Gurudakshina’ ceremony in August. Ashok Singhal of the VHP had attended the ceremony, which was organised by ‘shakhas’ of the RSS on the campus. The JNUSU – consisting of SFI members – had protested against the conduction of the ceremony in the Administration Block, which angered the ABVP supporters, leading to violent clashes between the two contingents. The process officially got under way on Wednesday night, when the Election Commission was announced. The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) handed over the responsibility of university administration to the Election Commission (EC), which is being headed by Somesh Patnaik, a PhD student in the Centre for Political Studies. The 26-member commission has the responsibility of conducting “free and fair elections” in JNU and ensuring that the new office-bearers are elected within four weeks of appointment of the EC. The dates for elections will be announced by next week and according to Liya, an EC member, “Elections will most probably be held in the last week of October or first week of November.” Even as JNU prepares itself to be subsumed by political activity for the month, the issue of students’ rights, especially the ‘right to vote and right to be represented’ promises to hold center-stage on the Jamia campus. With both sides – the students and the university authorities – adamant on the ‘righteousness’ of their positions, it remains to be seen whether elections will return to Jamia after a six-year sabbatical. |
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Corporate freebies: Cashing in on basic New Delhi, October 11 Just as the dreaded head of a Mafia family exploited the primeval fear among the human beings, the manufacturers too are appealing to the basic human instinct of greed and passion for acquisition. “ Sell the goods and sell them a dream”, seems to be the new marketing mantra. Almost every consumer product on the shelf these days carries a freebie along with it. Buy a cake of soap and get a small sachet of shampoo free. Buy a particular brand of tea and get a packet of cookies gratis. The examples are numerous. The offers of freebies apart, many manufacturers of popular brands of consumer goods are now coming out with schemes offering anything from a bar of gold (like the recent Hindustan Lever scheme appended to its brand of dish wash soap) to a free car (Donear Khulja Sim Sim – 100 percent win-win offer), or even a free all paid for trip for two to an exotic holiday destination. Marketing honchos, who have been given the credit for these schemes, claim that most of them have been a success and the sale of the products went up remarkably despite the recession and general slowdown in the economy. “ Extensive market researches and surveys had indicated that because of the economic uncertainty, people in general were reluctant to spend money on any thing other than the bare essentials. The manufacturers were concerned as their goods were not moving at all while the overheads and costs were mounting. The strategy was to make ‘‘subliminal appeals to basic instincts,’’ confessed a marketing executive of a consumer good manufacturer, who for some strange reason demanded anonymity. The carefully crafted strategy focussed on the most essential and popular of such consumer goods and the others were tagged on as freebies. “ The result was promising as the goods which hardly seemed to move off the shelves suddenly started disappearing. As a result, a demand was created for them, much to the relief of the manufacturers who walked home with increasing profit margins, even after taking into account the money spent on schemes and promotions. It is obvious that the price of the item is “adjusted” to take into account the cost of the freebie. But despite this, the consumer is happy. Such has been the popularity of these promotional gimmicks that now even the smaller shopkeepers have jumped on the bandwagon. It is common for those organising weekends or festival sales to announce schemes like buy two get one free . Several housewives, who were caught festival shopping, agreed that this marketing strategy was catching on and it was good in a way. “We now have to develop our own strategy and buy only those items with which we get what we normally use at home free”, one of them said. They are now waiting for the new trend to trickle down to the local vegetable seller. Buy two kg of potatoes and get 250 gm of onion free. |
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His Excellency Chautala... Panipat, October 11 However, crossing all sycophantic limits, the district administration has equated these legendary rulers with Mr Chautala, who, like his “ancestors”, shared the “happiness and sorrows” of his subjects. An official press note claims that, following in the footsteps of these legendary men, Mr Chautala has been standing with leaders of all communities through thick and thin, which shows that he treats everybody on an equal footing, irrespective of the community they belonged. To substantiate this rather amusing claim, the press note says that Mr Chautala had visited the residence of Diwan Chand Bhatia, a veteran Congress leader and the pioneer of the handloom industry of Panipat, and offered condolences at his untimely demise. Going a step further, the press note, which sources said had the blessings of senior officials, reminds that Mr Chautala had also visited the bereaved family of former local BJP legislator Fateh Chand Vij. The CM had done this, the press note claims, despite his busy schedule and it showed that Mr Chautala had been fulfilling the responsibilities of the august office in an effective manner. It may be mentioned that the two leaders had made significant contributions towards the development of the area in general and Panipat in particular. By offering condolences to their families, Mr Chautala had not done something great, said a prominent resident of the city. And even as the Opposition parties cry foul over the lack of developmental works and deteriorating law and order situation, the officials claimed that the developmental works were bound to pick up as Mr Chautala had been sharing the “happiness” and “pains” of all sections of the society. |
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Drought puts banks in a spot Sonepat, October 11 According to a report, branches of various banks in Sonepat and neighbouring districts have advanced loans worth several thousands of crores of rupees to hundreds of farmers as term loans. Official sources stated that the banks were worried that the heavy losses on account of the drought might lead to their loans going `bad’ and strain their bottom line. The standing kharif crop in many districts has been ruined due to delayed rainfall and prolonged drought conditions. The farmers are now reluctant to pay the instalments against the loans taken from the banks. Well-placed bank sources said the managements had sent written instructions to the field staff to physically verify the extent of damage to the crops. |
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Schizophrenia: The horrible truth New Delhi, October 11 Schizophrenia affects our ability to be in control of our thoughts and actions. Dr. Parikh adds, “It may feel as though thoughts are being inserted into the mind or being pulled out by some outside, uncontrollable force. The body may feel as if it has been taken over, like a puppet or a robot under outside control. At worst, the whole personality seems to be under the influence of an alien force or spirit. This is a terrifying experience, which the person tries to explain according to education and upbringing”. Broadly, Schizophrenia can be categorised as hallucination, paranoid Schizophrenia, Catatonic Schizophrenia, in which the muscle movement is affected, Undifferentiated Schizophrenia, which includes the above-mentioned features, and Residual Schizophrenia, in which negative symptoms like no speech and actions are visible. “Hallucination is the experience of hearing, smelling, feeling or seeing something, without there actually being anything there to hear, smell, feel or see. Then, there are delusions, which are false and unusual beliefs, which cannot be explained by the believer’s culture or changed by argument. People talk about ‘paranoid’ ideas. Delusions may come out of the blue or may start as an explanation for hallucinations or the sensation of being taken over”, points out Dr. Parikh. He elucidates: “Negative symptoms affect interest, energy and emotional life…’’ As a result, the person may not bother to get up or go out, may not wash or tidy up, and may never get excited or enthusiastic about anything any more. Sometimes, schizophrenia interferes with a person’s train of thought, so it may be difficult to follow what they say”. Early identification of the disease makes the prognosis easy. “The peak onset of the disease in men is between 15 to 25 while in women it is between 25-35. Schizophrenics attempt suicide at least once. Nearly 10-15 per cent of those who have had the disease for more than 20 years commit suicide and 30 –35 per cent are prone to substance abuse”. Though the reasons that trigger the disease are not clearly known, medical experts point out: “Approximately one in ten people with schizophrenia have a parent who suffers from the illness. This is more than the general population, where the risk is one in a hundred. This is likely to be due to heredity (genes), not upbringing. But the gene or combination of genes, responsible has yet to be discovered”. New ways of producing pictures of the brain show that some people with schizophrenia have larger spaces in the brain than people who don’t suffer from the illness. This suggests that parts of the brain may not have developed quite normally. Stress, arising from sudden events like a car accident, bereavement or moving home, often occurs shortly before an episode of schizophrenia, and, though it cannot be the cause, it may help to bring the illness on. |
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4,000 Bawana plots are up
for grabs New Delhi, October 11 |
Crackers: Sitting on a powder keg and sipping tea Faridabad, October 11 The town has already witnessed two major incidents of fire due to crackers in which two teenaged boys died in the past one week. However, the authorities seem to have been least bothered about the danger posed by the unscrupulous sale of crackers in the town. It is reported that crackers worth several crores of rupees are lying as stocks with wholesale and retail agents. Besides, shopkeepers in every nook and corner of the town have started storing crackers in ample quantity, without ensuring safety precautions to be taken when handling such dangerous items. Several grocery shops, magazine stalls and even tea stalls have started the sale on a sly. While these are not displayed openly, any one, especially children, could get any type of cracker on demand. This is when authorities do not allow sale of crackers by shops located in congested and busy residential and commercial areas. To enable the residents to buy crackers, the district administration allows special cracker markets to be set up in the designated areas in various parts of the town and other subdivisional towns a few days before Diwali. Several fire incidents in the past leading loss of lives had prompted the authorities to take such measures in the past. Recently, two boys (both brothers), aged 18 and 15 years, were killed after the stock of crackers kept in their house at Tigoan town near here caught fire. Several house hold items were also destroyed in the fire. The crackers had been purchased for the occasion of the birthday of one of the victims. Another incident took place in NH-I locality of the NIT area a few days ago in which household items worth several thousands of rupees were gutted. Again, the fire started when the crackers stocked in a room exploded. According to experts, these incidents are a clear warning to the authorities that storing, stocking and selling crackers had been going on illegally and had been posing a major risk to the residents in several areas. A social organisation here has demanded strict action against the shopkeepers or persons selling or stocking crackers illegally.  |
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Women’s group plans mass drive against dowry Rohtak, October 11 The JMS leaders gave startling figures to substantiate the gravity of the problem. They said that two-third of the violence against women was related to dowry. In every passing hour, there was one dowry death and 7,000 dowry deaths took place in a year in India. The state president of the JMS, Ms Jagmati Sangwan, said that the practice of dowry was assuming horrible proportions cutting across social and caste barriers and that the trend of giving and receiving dowry had intensified and spread in all its forms, especially in the wake of the process of globalisation. She attributed the drastically declining female sex ratio and marginalisation of women as integrally related to the fast aggravating social cancer of dowry. The JMS state secretary, Ms Manjeet Rathi, highlighted various dimensions of the dowry prevalent in Haryana based on a survey report of five districts of Rohtak, Jind, Hisar, Bhiwani and Kaithal comprising 400 respondents from among disparate age groups and socio-economic background. According to her, a substantial part of family income among all sections was often incurred towards arranging the dowry on the occasion of the marriages of their daughters. These women leaders expressed great concern over the trend of glorification of dowry by displaying it publicly and considering it as a status symbol. This pernicious practice was leading to fast ‘commodification’ of women, thanks to the ever-increasing consumer value system in the society. Ms Jagmati Sangwan said that the JMS had chalked out district-level conventions of women activists during the first leg of their campaign to apprise the activists of the multi-dimensional dowry problem. Then they would seek to involve other sections of the society, viz the youth, students, socio-cultural organisations, employees, intellectuals and teachers, to launch an all-out offensive against the dowry system. She said that the state committee of the JMS had visualised the entire anti-dowry campaign as a social reform movement, which the women’s organisation considered necessary towards eliminating social obstructions on the path of achieving a civil society. Ms Amita Malik, another JMS leader, said that half-hearted criticism and piecemeal opposition of this dangerous custom had failed to contain it. Therefore, a mass movement was the need of the hour to eradicate this
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Huda forcing allottees to pay donations: CPM Rohtak, October 11 In a statement issued here today, the party alleged that building plans of plot-holders were not approved until they paid the `donation' to the `gaushala’. Describing the action of Huda authorities as unconstitutional and illegal, the CPM demanded a thorough inquiry into the arbitrary collection of donations. The party described it as "cheating" and demanded immediate ban on such collections in the name of religion or `gaushalas'. The statement further alleged that the Huda officials here were taking donations from sector residents for even petty works. The party urged the Deputy Commissioner to inquire into this illegal actions of the Huda officials and take appropriate action against the guilty. It said that the receipts issued by the Huda officials against the donations were unsigned. |
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First-ever synod of Delhi Archdiocese begins today New Delhi, October 11 This will be the first time ever that a diocesan synod of the Archdiocese of Delhi would meet since it came into existence in 1959, Delhi Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao, who will inaugurate the synod at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Central Delhi, told reporters here today. As many as 322 prominent Catholic leaders from 50 churches and 100 institutions from Delhi and neighbouring areas will participate in the synod (council). The other important issues, which will come up for deliberations at the full strength meeting of the archdiocese, include setting up homes for the aged, the importance of family life in the changing times and the role of the laity (common people) in the administration of the Church. He said Pope John Paul II had released ‘’Ecclesia in Asia’’, a document on Special Synod for Asia, in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in November 1999. ‘’Synods and councils are often held at various times on various levels in the Church to revitalise it and to make it more relevant to contemporary societal need. But for Delhi, this is going to be the first-ever synod, and we are quite expectant about its positive outcome.’’ Bishop Anil Couto, convenor of the diocesan synod, said the preparations for the meeting began more than a year ago when suggestions for discussions on issues were solicited from individuals and institutions belonging to all Catholic churches and institutions of the Delhi archdiocese. He said the response was collated and then sent back for discussions to respective institutions. ‘’A consolidated report of these is now ready, which will form the basis of workshops during this synod, leading to eventual formulation of diocesan policies.’’ |
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Planned cities need of the hour: Fernandes New Delhi, October 11 Mr Fernandes said Chandigarh was the only city in the country where the planners had taken proper care for locating residential colonies, industries and other infrastructure. ‘’Barring Chandigarh, we lack planned cities in the country,’’ he said. Now that the population of the metros is growing at a quick pace, stress should be given on developing new cities with perfect planning as it would not only keep the density of population under check but would also take care of a number of problems like power and water supply, he stressed. The flyover, named after Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan , would be about two kilometres long, the longest in the Capital, and would be connected with a four and a half kilometre proposed road between Dwarka and south Delhi. Dwarka, a township developed by the Delhi Development Authority close to Indira Gandhi International Airport, has a population of about ten lakh. The flyover, to be built by construction giant L&T at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore in 30 months, would improve the sub-city’s connectivity with the rest of the capital. In the function, Defence Minister and Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma were involved in a spat over entrusting the construction of a flyover connecting Dwarka, a sub-city in South-West Delhi, with South Delhi to the multinational construction giant. Mr Verma, who spoke ahead of Mr Fernandes at the laying of foundation stone of the flyover at Palam, attacked the Delhi Development Authority for entrusting the work to Larsen and Toubro, saying “Their record of completing projects within the timeframe is very dismal”. “Larsen and Toubro was given a work in my constituency and they are yet to start their construction six months after the foundation stone was laid,” Mr Verma said, adding, “I am very apprehensive of allotting them works in the Capital”. Coming to the company’s rescue and terming Mr Verma’s comments as “unfortunate”, Mr Fernandes said, “ I have full faith in Larsen and Toubro. They have overseen construction of numerous defence projects too and have a good track record. There is no cause for apprehension”. Even before Mr Fernandes completed his speech Mr Verma left the venue. The Defence Minister said L and T was progressing “ahead of the deadline” on a naval project, ‘Seabird’, in Karnataka and also in the construction of national highways across India. Speaking at the function, the Union Minister for Urban Development, Mr Ananth Kumar, claimed credit for the speedy progress of the Metro Rail project in the Capital and said the Centre was committed to playing a bigger role in speeding up the development of Delhi. “From now every week there will be one foundation stone laying and a project inauguration. The Centre will play a greater role in enhancing the growth rate of the capital”, Mr Kumar said. Between 1982-1998, only 12 flyovers were constructed, but during the past four years 25 new flyovers were to be added, the minister said and announced that another 20 flyovers would be constructed during the next two years. The proposed two-km flyover, expected to be completed within two and half years, will bridge the missing link between Delhi and Dwarka, the sub-city envisaged in the Master Plan-2001 for a population of one million. |
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DELHI DIGEST New Delhi, October 11 The fashion show will be held in the Italian Embassy and will showcase the recent collections of famous designers in the range of high fashion and ‘Pret- a- Porter’. Creations of nearly 160 designers like Valentino, Versace, Trussadi and Lancetti will be on display. . Sikh
preachers’ directory The Shiromani Gurdwara Sewadar Committee has decided to publish a directory of Ragi Jaths, Katha vachaks and preachers of Sikh community, keeping in mind the great need for preaching and expanding the Sikh religion. Adopting a new approach for preaching Sikhism, the committee has started the work of making a directory of Ragi Jaths, Katha Vachaks and preachers of Sikh religion, living in the country and abroad. PTI union chief begins strike The President of the PTI Employees Union, Mr Vinod Kumar, today began his indefinite strike at Jantar Mantar in protest against the continuing victimisation of workmen, the management’s indifferent attitude, the non-fulfilment of several demands, including enhanced bonus, third promotion within 14 years of service and job to one of the family members of an employee in special circumstances. The union said the management would be solely responsible for the strike and its consequences. The President of the Delhi Union of Journalists, Mr S.K. Pandey, today vowed to take agitation of the PTI Employees Union to a logical conclusion, a press release said. PNB opens 156th branch Mr S.S. Kohli, Chairman and Managing Director of PNB, inaugurated the 156th branch at Scope Minar, Lakshmi Nagar district centre. Addressing the gathering, he reiterated the bank’s commitment towards delivering efficient and quality services. |
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BRIEFS Rewari, October 11 A shradhanjali samaroh to pay respects to him was held in Radha Krishan Temple in Model Town here on Friday, according to his nephew and President of the BJP unit of Rewari, Mr Jagdish Sapra. Bomb scare at bank Sonepat According to a report, the rumour followed the recovery of an unclaimed box, which had been kept outside the bank. People thought that it contained a bomb. Thereupon, the people of the area assembled in large numbers and informed the police about it. On receipt of information, police officials arrived on the scene. The situation was brought under control after the crowd that had gathered there was dispersed. Assaulted in court Mr Harish Chander, a resident of Farmana village, was allegedly assaulted and roughed up by some persons of the same village on the premises of the judicial courts here on Thursday. According to a report, Mr Harish Chander sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the local Civil Hospital for treatment. Mr Harish Chander had come to attend court regarding a case relating to some land dispute. The alleged assailants, however, managed to escape immediately after the assault. The police are still investigating. No arrest has been made in this connection. |
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SPEAKING
OUT
DR Wazir Singh Nehra, Vice-President, All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation, "has expressed concern over the questionable procedures with regard to the appointment of vice-chancellors in different universities... and stressed that a proper procedure be adopted for appointment to such coveted posts.’’ (NCR Tribune October 8, 2002). The procedures for the appointment of vice-chancellors, as recommended by Dr Radhakrishanan Commission (1948-49), Dr D S Kothari Education Commission (1964-66), Dr P B Gajendragadkar Committee (1971) and by a UGC Committee (1991-1993) are marvellous and not questionable. Yes, questionability is in the implementation of these recommendations by the appointing authorities in India. Here, I would like to say that our Constitution or the Acts (for example: the UGC Act, 1956, Kurukshetra University Act, 1956, and the Maharshi Dayanand University Act, 1975) enacted by our Parliament/State Legislature are good enough, but the implementation is not good. For instance, it is often said that our policies are good but their implementation very bad. Here, without elaborating on the procedures recommended by the aforesaid committees, I would like to cite a few recommendations contained in the latest UGC Committee (1991-1993) report: "The selection of vice-chancellor should be through proper identification by a Search Committee. The Search Committee may comprise: a) a nominee of the Visitor/Chancellor, who should be the Chairman of the Committee and should be selected in consultation with the Government concerned; b) a nominee of the Chairman, UGC; c) a nominee of the Executive Council of the university; and d) a nominee of the Academic Council of the university. The nominees of the above authorities shall be persons of eminence in the sphere of education and shall not be connected in any manner with the university concerned or its colleges or any constituent parts. The Visitor/Chancellor should appoint the vice-chancellor out of the panel". Here, I would like to submit for the kind information of the academicians that, firstly, the appointing authorities -- the chancellors -- do not constitute the Search Committee. Secondly, even if they are on the committees, such panels become the committees of the chief ministers and not that of the chancellors. This is because we do not find a member on the Search Committee duly nominated by the UGC, we do not find one member duly nominated by the Executive Council (i.e. the Syndicate) and the Academic Council. The Academic Council consists of about 100-150 academicians. Almost all the professors of university teaching departments, a good number of principals of maintained/affiliated (government/non-government) colleges of the university and several elected lecturers of the university teaching departments/affiliated colleges are the members of the Academic Council. In case a nominee of the Academic Council of the concerned university is on the Search Committee, how can the academicians point their fingers at the appointed vice-chancellors. Thirdly, most of the time, the nominated members on the Search Committee are not eminent personalities. In one case, a Reader (not even a Professor) was put on the Search Committee by the appointing authority of the vice-chancellor. He was Dr S G Debhankar, Reader in Business Studies at Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, to select the vice-chancellor of Dr B R Ambedkar University, Ahmedabad. Professor Kapil KUmar, President of Fedcuta, had sent a letter dated 16th June, 2000 to Dr Hari Gautam, the then Chairman, UGC, and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), Government of India. The relevant contents of the lettr are as follows: "We find this shocking. How can a Reader be a member of the Search Committee of vice-chancellor? This is just to keep you updated on what is happening in our education field." Without going into the details, it is submitted that vice-chancellors be appointed after following the above mentioned UGC procedures in letter and spirit. No deviation. Om Parkash Wadhwa
PoW faux pas Former Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh has very rightly stated that releasing 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war after the 1971 war was a blunder, which has cost the nation dear. The Indian government was in a commanding position and quite competent to settle the Kashmir issue once and for all, before releasing the 90000 prisoners. But a golden chance was lost immediately as the prisoners were let off unconditionally. The result is for all to see. Pakistan is creating hell in J and K, and there has been turmoil in Punjab. Subhash C Taneja Majesty of law The majesty of law is tested only when the offender is a man with clout, as is the case with Salman Khan. Otherwise, how could he walk away, flinging a bail of Rs. 950 in the face of the law? People are rightly demanding that he should be booked under a more stringent provision of the law than Section 304-A of the IPC (rash and negligent driving). But, surprisingly, even the legal-minded are not looking beyond the pale of Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) whereas the plain truth is that the crime falls squarely within the definition of murder. One of the definitions of this capital crime, as given in Section 300 of the IPC, is: "Culpable homicide is murder.......if the person committing the act knows that it is so imminently dangerous that it must, in all probability, cause death or such bodily injury as is likely to cause death, and commits such act without any excuse for incurring the risk of causing death or such injury as aforesaid." An illustration under the Section reads: "A without any excuse fires a loaded cannon into a crowd of persons and kills one of them. A is guilty of murder, although he may not have had a premeditated design to kill any particular individual." Thus, under the law, Salman Khan is prima facie guilty of murder and the supremacy of the law must be upheld, and he be booked under Section 302
IPC. Ram Saran Bhatia Plot on turn This is with reference to a letter published in your esteemed newspaper on August 13, ‘Neither plot, nor refund in 21 years’, by Mr Rakesh Kumar. The Lands Department has informed that Mr Rakesh Kumar, who is registered under Rohini Residential Scheme, has been assigned Priority No 21402 for allotment of LIG plot, measuring 48/32 square metres. The DDA has allotted plots up to Priority No 1741/6394, for plots measuring 48/32 sq m. respectively. Mr Kumar will be allotted a plot in Rohini on his turn. Neemo Dhar Breach of trust Spare the rod and spoil the child was conventional wisdom. The sole purpose was to reform wayward children. But to apply the wisdom on elected corporators of Faridabad Municipal Corporation has few precedents. To supersede the corporation, simply because the councillors did not toe the government line and tie up with the ruling party in Haryana, has strange connotations. Some political parties call it `murder of democracy'. One can coin several other invectives to describe the action. But one thing is clear. It is ridiculous action. Even the Birtish rulers did not act in this manner. They made an allowance for dissent when the Congress or the Muslim League councillors won the people's mandate at the municipal level in pre-independent era. To do what the British never did will give democracy watchers the world over a wrong impression. The four-tier democratic framework should be duly respected. Implicit in this is respect for people and their mandate. Intervention is justified, if there is a breach of people's trust. Or skeletons are found in their cupboards. However, every opportunity ought to be given to the elected representatives to defend themselves before an appropriate enquiry officer. Otherwise, let the elected representatives decide their own fate. Under the circumstances, it will not be wrong if elected representatives invoke the people's mandate in every pulpit. Let the people's mandate triumph! Ujjal Pal Singh Free birds In the twilight zone senior citizens find it difficult to do any kind of writing, let alone maintain files, keep records and fill umpteen forms, required by each and every department. Most of them cannot afford the services of accountants either. But while every one offers lip sympathy, no one exempts the senior citizens from all kinds of taxes. As a gesture, can’t the government exempt them of such encumbrances for a couple of years, so that they might live longer? Automatically, thereafter, the government will get the due taxes from the heirs, or confiscate the properties and the bank balances held by the deceased, in case there is no legal heir. Such a gesture, declaring the senior citizens free birds, that is free of all obligations, will demonstrate that the government is committed to providing them a welfare-oriented carefree life. And there is no chance of the government losing much. Is it then fair to expect trembling hands and wavering memories to go through all the hassles? R L Pathak |
3 held for running fake education board New Delhi, October 11 The accused, Suresh Chand Vagish, resident of Uttam Nagar, Maheshwar Prasad, resident of Tilak Nagar, and Arjun Kumar Mahajan, resident of Vikas Puri, were nabbed after the Crime Branch team raided the premises of the fake education trust on October 8 in Uttam Nagar and seized 25 forged certificates of high school and 40 intermediate school certificates from their possession. Fake switches Members of a gang who were supplying fake Anchor switches in the market were arrested by the North district police. The accused, Sandeep Arora, alias Bobby, resident of Sarai Rohilla, and Sanjay Arora, resident of Shalimar Bagh, were arrested. The team raided two premises and seized six moulding machines, one grinding machine, one butting machine, three thermostat controllers and other things from the hideout. Drugs seized The Crime Branch Economic Offences Wing has apprehended a person, Rajesh Saxena, and seized fake ayurvedic drugs after raiding the premises in Shahdara. The accused used the original labels of ‘Rasayan Vati,’ manufactured by Rajvaidya Shital Prasad and Sons on the fake drug bottles. |
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Two nabbed, kidnapped child recovered New Delhi, October 11 The prime accused, Sangeeta, who did not bear a child even after 11 years of married life, desperately looked for a child since doctors said that she was not in a position to give birth to a child. During this time, she came into contact with another person, Prabhakar, who told her about the child of Vijay Kant Upadhyaya, alias Pintoo, resident of Sarita Vihar, a vegetable vendor. Sangeeta, regularly used to visit the house of the vendor and used to play with the child. She also befriended the vendor’s wife, Guddi. On October 1, she went to the child’s house and asked his father to get some lemons and chillies from the mandi. When Pintoo left the house, Sangeeta took the child along with her to Prabhakar who was waiting astride a scooter nearby. They took the child to Prabhakar’s house in Hari Nagar part-II and kept him there for five days. The police identified the house and the child’s mother also identified Sangeeta. |
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SI who demanded bribe absconding Noida, October 11 A businessman, Irshad of Muradnagar, used to ply his truck via this check post to Delhi. The police had demanded Rs 250 from the driver to allow the truck to ply. When he refused to pay up, he was allegedly beaten up. When Irshad himself arrived on the spot, he was not allowed to take the truck by paying just Rs 250. The SI then reported to have demanded Rs 70,000 from Irshad as a one-time bribe, for allowing his trucks to proceed to Delhi. This was reported by Irshad to the SSP on September 3. On confirmation of the allegation in an inquiry, the SSP asked Sector 39 police to register a case against the accused SI. The accused is said to have absconded after the filing of the case against him.
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Wife’s lover held for abetting suicide Rewari, October 11 The report, it is pinpointed, has revealed that Anil Kumar had been poisoned to death. However, his body had been recovered from a well here by the police. Following the receipt of the above report as well as a complaint lodged by Rakesh Kumar, brother of the deceased, the Model Town police here on October 5 registered a case of abetment of suicide under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC against Krishan Kumar and
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Arhtias evading market fee Sonepat, October 11 Some officials of the market committee are said to be in league with these arhtias and are receiving huge money as `nazrana' regularly from them. In return, these officials show less arrivals and sale of vegetables and fruits in their registers. It is reported that if any arhtia received 15 truckloads of vegetables or fruits in a day, the officials of the market committee must make entries against the same quantity. However, those officials who take `nazrana' from the arhtia would show it as 1 plus 5. In this way, the arhtia is allowed to evade the market fee, thus denying the market committee its rightful revenue. It is also alleged that such arhtias never present their account books and the officials feel helpless to probe into the public complaints against them. Meanwhile, the Retailers Welfare Association has sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, demanding a high-level probe into the scandal and stern action against the arhtias and the officials of the market committee who are allegedly involved in this racket. They also urged the Deputy Commissioner to order immediate transfer of the staff posted in the vegetable and fruit market to ensure an independent and impartial probe. Meanwhile, enquiries made by this correspondent have revealed that the income of the market committees of Sonepat, Ganaur and Gohana towns had declined considerably on account of the evasion of the market fee by unscrupulous arhtias, backed by some powerful ruling party politicians. |
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All things beautiful, at less cost New Delhi, October 11 Started in about 1915, the ashram belongs to Radhasoamis who keep themselves occupied in chanting, leading a spiritual life and spreading the message of peace among people. DayalBagh, which literary means ‘Garden of the Merciful’, are established all over world, including North America, Europe and Sri Lanka. Satsang bhavans have been constructed at different places, enabling the devotees residing outside to assemble for congregational prayers and other religious and social activities. The people in the ashram have set up small-scale industries that are not only advantageous for the residents but also provide employment to many unemployed. Ranjan Chopra, Chairman, Exhibition Committee, said, “Our main purpose in holding this exhibition is to make people realise how the organization works, how we manage our day-to day living and still indulge in social activities to serve mankind. We have exhibited good quality products at cheaper rates. These products make possible the existence of thousands. We want their efforts to be successful. We also have educational institutions, small industries, hospital, ayurvedic centres and sabhas.” |
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