TOP STORIES

Officials fiddle while illegal colonies being carved out 
Greater Noida, March 9
A land mafia is reportedly working overtime in selling plots under the notified area of Greater Noida administration. The officials concerned of Greater Noida are apparently turning a blind eye while the mafia is having a field day.

JAILBIRD
Non-compliant GDA secretary sentenced for 19th time
Ghaziabad, March 9
The Ghaziabad Development Authority secretary, Mr U.N. Thakur, seems to have established a record of sorts. He has been sentenced to six months’ jail term by the District Consumer Forum. 

In full bloom: Visitors at a flower show organised by the Residents Welfare Association of Pushpanjali at Bahubali DDA Park in Anand Vihar. — Photo Anil Sharma

SLEIGHT-OF-HAND
100 examinees caught for copying
Sonepat, March 9
As many as 105 examinees were caught red-handed on the charge of copying by the members of the flying squads who conducted surprise raids on Saturday at various examination centres.

• Board examinee killed in mishap

Mewat NGOs cry foul over stopping of funds 
Nuh (Gurgaon), March 9
The NGOs active in the Mewat area of Gurgaon and Faridabad districts and which have earned plaudits from the UN find themselves hamstrung due to the order to stop funds till the NGOs get their accounts audited.

The ‘Days of St Petersburg’ festival ended in the Capital on Sunday. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

COMMUNITY

Haryana Congress to set up legal cells at the block level
Gurgaon, March 9
The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) will soon set up legal cells at the block level in the state. This was stated here yesterday by the chairperson of the Legal Cell of the HPCC, Mrs Daya Chowdhary.

Baba Harbans Singh Kar Sewa Wale releasing the book, Et Raha, written by Prof Darshan Singh, former Jathedar of Akal Takht at a function organised by the DSGMC in the Capital on Sunday. — Photo Anil Sharma

Delhi Police drive to rehabilitate sex workers
New Delhi, March 9
The Delhi Police have announced that they will take efforts to sensitise police personnel on the issues of gender and women empowerment. The police force is trying to make attempts to rehabilitate the victims of prostitution.

LJP in top gear to ensure maximum participation in rally
Sonepat, March 9
The state unit of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has started gearing up its machinery to ensure maximum participation from the state in the party’s national level “Bharat Bachao Rally” at Ramlila ground in Delhi on March 27.

Incentives to promote floriculture
Panipat, March 9
Keeping in view the suitable conditions like land, climate and irrigation supplies, the Horticulture Department has introduced a number of incentives to promote floriculture in Panipat district.

Delhi Health Minister A. K. Walia at a health camp at Saini Enclave in East Delhi on Sunday. — Photo Anil Sharma

Misappropriation alleged in MCD mid-day meal scheme 
New Delhi, March 9
The Opposition has accused the Municipal Corporation of Delhi of misappropriating money in the reported purchase of coconut biscuits, meant for distribution among the school children as part of the mid-day meal scheme.

NCR BRIEFS
Two killed in tempo-dumper collision
Rewari, March 9
Two persons were killed and two others were seriously injured in a head on collision between a tempo and a dumper, near Gugodh village on Rewari–Kosli road last night. The deceased were identified as Mukesh, son of Daya Ram of Jakhala village and Kalu, son of Manohar Lal of Rohrai village.

• Students boycott classes

• Molestation alleged

• Dispute Settled

DELHI DIGEST
Ignou to offer distance education in agriculture
New Delhi, March 9
Indira Gandhi National Open University has set up a School of Agriculture on its premises, to offer distance education in agriculture and allied sectors. Ignou has appointed the Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Mr Punjab Singh, as its founder professor.

Boy killed, 3 hurt in collision
Sonepat, March 9
A two-year-old boy was killed on the spot and three members of a family were seriously injured when the motorcycle on which they were travelling was hit by a speeding canter on the G.T. Road near Bhigan village, about 10 km from here last evening.

CRIME

Body found in heap of paddy husk
Sonepat, March 9
The police have recovered the body of one Dalip of Bhawar village from the heap of paddy husk on the premises of the house of one of his relatives in Rewli village last evening. The body, which was half burnt, was found wrapped in a gunny bag.

Rice merchant robbed of cash, jewellery
New Delhi, March 9
Four unidentified youths, armed with country-made revolvers, robbed a rice merchant in Ghonda area of North East district of Rs 1.11 lakh in cash and jewellery worth lakhs of rupees.

BUSINESS

SHOWCASE
Now, an opportunity for girls to own the toy of their dreams
Mattel India has launched a new Barbie doll for its 2003 collection called `Sleeping Beauty’. This is the first doll from Barbie’s range of ‘Princess Dolls’ for this year. The story of the `Sleeping Beauty’ revolves around a beauty princess, who falls into a deep sleep and can only be awakened by a kiss from the handsome prince.

EDUCATION

SCHOOL BUZZ
Heritage, the first school to launch educational portal
Heritage School, Rohini, becomes the first school in India to provide e-learning to its students by opening a computer division in collaboration with a multimedia educational portal.

• Shemrock Showcase

• Annual Day

• School magazine launched

• Sports Day

• A day with disabled kids

PRINCIPALSPEAK
Examination challenge: Gain the cool edge
The Board Examinations have begun on a promising note - the papers were simple and manageable and students came out of the hall smiling and exchanging notes cheerfully.

Conversion of regional centre into Devi Lal University condemned 
Rohtak, March 9
Akhil Bhartiya Berojgar Sansad has condemned the recent conversion of the regional centre located at Sirsa into Devi Lal University. In a statement here today, Mr Deepak Rathi, national president of the sansad alleged that it was a clear case of misuse of government funds.

COURTS

MTNL directed to pay for deficient service
New Delhi, March 9
A Delhi consumer forum has directed MTNL to pay Rs 300 as compensation to a subscriber whose complaint was not attended to by the department for a month.

HEALTH

SPECIAL FOCUS ON  SONEPAT
If you go to Civil Hospital, buy your own medicines 
Sonepat, March 9
The patients, especially those admitted in the emergency ward, in the 100-bed Civil Hospital here are being asked to buy their own medicines as the hospital cannot afford them.

SPORTS

Radhey Shyam, Mohd Saif star for ONGC
New Delhi, March 9
Dashing knocks by Radhey Shyam (88, 11x4, 74b) and Mohd Saif (77 2x6, 10x4, 58b) helped Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) defeat hosts Roshanara Club by eight wickets and enter the semi-final of the fourth Roshanara Cup Cricket Tournament at the Roshanara Club ground.

Suhail bowls Pahari Dhiraj to victory
New Delhi, March 9
A devastating bowling performance by left-arm spinner Suhail Dhand, who claimed four wickets for 20 runs, and a quickfire knock of 45 by Naveen Kumar helped Pahari Dhiraj Club beat Central Bank of India by three wickets in an A-I Division match of the DDCA League at the Shanti Sports Complex ground.

Kunjarani back in form
New Delhi, March 9
Kunjarani Devi of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is back in form as her medal victory in the National Championship at Lucknow has proved. Kunjarani Devi, who has accumulated over 50 medals from various international competitions.

Gillette beat Morepen in Challenger Cup
New Delhi, March 9
Gillette defeated Dr Morepen by 97 runs in a Group B match of the ESPN Star Sports Challenger Cup Cricket Tournament.

Goyal pips Sikka to title
New Delhi, March 9
Somesh Goyal beat Harinder Sikka on count back to win the DHL Challenge Cup. The count-back was necessitated after the two golfers finished at 45 stableford points each.

ADMINISTRATION

MC schemes to beautify Gohana
Sonepat, March 9
The Gohana Municipal Committee has planned a number of schemes for the beautification of and maintaining cleanliness in the town. The schemes include shifting of dairies and meat shops to the outskirts of the town, construction of a slaughterhouse, setting up of milk booths at different sites and handing over maintenance of streetlights to private parties.