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| Sunday,
June 15, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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RED FORT A huge protuberant mast hangs out of the former riverside frontage of the Diwan-e-Khas in what is very obviously a most unprofessional way of spotlighting a national monument. Worse, the marble structure itself has been punctured to hold up arc lights to highlight the white ‘hamam’ that lies to the north of the Hall of Private Audience and large portions of the historic monument are festooned with black cables. The Indian Army is vacating the Red Fort, where the historic trials were held of eminent Indians who had fought under the flag of the Indian National Army (INA) led by Subhash Chandra Bose. Bose tried to evict the British by force from Indian soil before the Indian National Congress, through novel concepts of satyagraha and ahimsa, wrested independence peacefully two years later in 1947. The event is commemorated every year on August 14 with the Prime Minister addressing the nation from the ramparts that overlook the Chandi Chowk and were once an architectural whole with what is now usually known as Old Delhi. The fort was so designed as to allow passage for the royalty by boat down the river. Only recently was that majestic passage rediscovered and is soon to be opened to the public. The Yamuna receded, leaving a huge stretch of desolation between the Red Fort and its new embankment, which was filled after Independence by unauthorised colonies separated from history by the Ring Road. Today, steps have been taken to lay out new lawns where the Yamuna once flowed and, quite sensibly, floodlights have been laid out in a manner so that the whole structure is lit up without touching it in brutal fashion. But even as this beautification is under way, the old abominations hang like outsized warts from an edifice that should have been touched by only the gentlest of archeological techniques. Whoever was responsible for this desecration needs to be penalised for it. It is appalling that it has been there for several years without art lovers and historians objecting to the manner in which an act intended to bring joy to the eyes of tourists was executed. |
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BKU activists to stop Govt vehicles Rohtak, June 14 Mr Hooda told the NCR Tribune that instead of confronting the official machinery directly, the farmers would adopt ‘guerrilla’ tactics. He said the prominent leaders of the union would carry out their operation secretly, avoiding arrest. Elected representatives would be gheraoed by the union activists at different places. The agitation would be launched in Rohtak on June 16 and government vehicles heading towards Chandigarh would be intercepted at various places. Government vehicles, including roadways buses, would not be allowed to ply on the Jind-Chandigarh and Hisar-Chandigarh roads, which would be blocked by the farmers at Kandela, Shimli and Kanhari villages. However, private vehicles would not be stopped. The main objective behind the agitation was the release of their leader, Mr Ghasi Ram Nain; the union would not agree to any dialogue before his release. Mr Hooda alleged that the ruling Indian National Lok Dal had betrayed the farmers. The government had not honoured the Kandela agreement, which was signed by the youth INLD president, Mr Ajay Chautala, and the Haryana Agriculture Minister. The government had adopted suppressive tactics to crush the farmers’ agitation later, he said. Moreover, the government put Mr Nain behind the bars when he raised his voice against the injustice meted out to sugarcane-growers in the region. This policy of repression had forced them to go on the warpath, he added. SP workers protest against disruption Noida: A demonstration was held opposite the City Magistrate’s office on Friday in protest against the acute water and power crisis being faced by residents of Noida. The protesters expressed their ire by breaking pitchers in front of City Magistrate Uchhay Lal’s office in Sector 6. They handed over a memorandum addressed to the UP Governor. The rally, which was part of a state-level protest against the disruption in the water and power supply, started from Jhund Pura and reached Sector 6. |
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Plant a sapling, tom-tom the forestry
scheme, Faridabad, June 14 The department proposes to hand over nine lakh saplings to various state government departments and other bodies, which undertake plantation on their own. They include the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), PWD, Irrigation, Health, Power, DRDA, Municipal Corporation Faridabad, schools and industrial organisations. The Faridabad Industries Association (FIA) claims that it has planted several lakhs of saplings in the past few years. Experts say that even though lakhs of saplings might have been planted each year, the survival rate of these is minimal. As a result, the efforts go waste. It is noticed each year that officials and representatives of various departments try to get media attention by releasing press notes claiming the number of saplings planted, but none of them come out with the record of survival and who would be responsible for their care till these plants grow into self-sustaining trees. It is learnt that many of the trees planted fail to survive even a month in the absence of care and support. Many of the small plants are eaten up by cattle or get uprooted owing to lack of protective fences. In the past, authorities had mooted the idea of providing metal cages and grills around the newly planted trees and even proposed to seek sponsorship from various industries and other organisations. However, the move got only a lukewarm response. Environment experts believe that forest cover in the district must be improved considerably to tackle the problem of growing air pollution and to check further degradation of underground water resources. Faridabad is one of the 10 most polluted cities of the country. Mr Shailender Singh of the Punarjagran Sanstha, a voluntary body, said that planting of fruit and other socially useful trees be given prime importance and each department that plants saplings must be made accountable for their survival and growth. |
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BRAZEN ATTACK Ghaziabad, June 14 The incident happened in the Chirag Shahi mosque in Teliyan Mohalla of Faridnagar, which is adjacent to a forest. About 20 persons were offering namaz last night when about half a dozen armed persons barged into the mosque from the back door and pulled out 30-year-old Usman alias Rana and pumped a number of bullets into him. Rana died on the spot. The assailants warned the others that if any of them stirred, he would meet the same fate. According to eyewitnesses, when 28-year-old Shahid Malik, who was offering prayer next to Usman, tried to get up, he was also shot at. He succumbed to his injuries later. The criminals then reportedly escaped in a Maruti car towards Ishapur village. Irate townsmen demonstrated against the law and order situation and the failure of the police force to nab the offenders. The police resorted to a lathi charge in which six persons were reportedly injured. According to the imam of the mosque, Mohd Gulfam, the assailants knew Usman very well since they were able to pick him among the 20-odd persons assembled there. Usman’s father Munna Malik has lodged a report naming five persons. The murder is being ascribed to police carelessness. The family of the deceased had requested DIG Meerut and SSP Ghaziabad to provide them with security, but their plea apparently fell on deaf ears. The result was this double murder, Faridnagar residents say. |
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Cop stabbed to death Gurgaon, June 14 The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Kuldeep Singh Siag, said that constables Ravinder Kumar and Arvind Kumar, posted with the Farrukhnagar police station, were on night patrol. They were armed with one rifle each. They noticed three youths near a huge dilapidated and abandoned building past midnight. Suspicious, the cops shouted at the youths. The youngsters, in twenties, were startled. Two of them ran towards the building while the other ran in another direction. Ravinder chased the two youths into the building while Arvind ran after their associate. One of the two youths allegedly stabbed Ravinder (22) with a sharp-edged weapon in his chest, resulting in his death on the spot. Arvind, having failed to nab the other youth, returned but there was no trace of his colleague. After scouring the nearby areas, he went to the police station and informed the senior officials about the incident. Later, Ravinder was found lying in a pool of blood. The SSP said that the police had lodged an FIR under Section 302 of the IPC against three unknown youths. No arrest had been made. Ravinder Kumar, a resident of Kanina village in Mahendragarh district, had joined Haryana Police two years back. He was a graduate. |
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KNEE-JERK RESPONSE New Delhi, June 14 After the incident, the police had cancelled the licences of a number of clubs, as they were not adhering to the safety guidelines issued by the licensing authorities. Since the death of the high school student had clearly exposed the negligence of the swimming pool authorities, the police had warned the club owners not to play with the lives of children and beginners at the pool. In a release, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Licensing), Mr G. C. Dwivedi, has asked the managing authorities to “strictly adhere to the rules and regulations on the basis of the licences granted to them”. The authorities have been told not to allow more than 40 persons (beginners) in a shallow area and five persons in each lane of 2.5-metre width in a full-size pool. Also, only 20 persons shall be allowed to swim in the shallow area, with three persons in each lane in smaller pools, the guidelines say. The pools must have life-saving gear to guard against drowning, besides fire-fighting equipment. The lighting arrangements should be adequate and at least two lifeguards
should be present with the beginners. The authorities have been instructed to keep the pools closed from midnight to 5 am. |
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Unification of Akali factions hailed New Delhi, June 14 The meeting held under the chairmanship of Tehal Singh Taneja, Delhi State President of the panel, noted that the Akali factions should endeavour to sink their differences and unite. Sardar Raja Singh Sethi, National President of the panel appealed to Jathedar of the Akal Takht to urge all the Akali factions in Punjab and other states to unite and work for the country. It was also announced that the students who have secured more than 75 per cent in the examinations conducted by the CBSE will be felicitated on the occasion of Guru Arjun Singh’s martyrdom anniversary. |
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MC fails to decide on house maps as confusion persists Sonepat, June 14 It was not clear whether these were approved or not in the government records at Chandigarh. After hours of long discussions, it was determined that the meeting would be held regularly in the second and fourth week of the months. It was also decided that the officers of the district town planner, public health and Haryana Urban Development Authority as well of Bijli Vitran Nigam would be present in the meetings to give their opinion over the infrastructural facilities and authenticity of the area concerned before the approval of the maps. In this meeting, the officer of the district town planning office reportedly pointed out that it was not clear whether the 94 residential colonies considered as approved by the council, were approved by the authorities at Chandigarh. The cases of these colonies also might be hanging in balance like the cases of other 69 unauthorised colonies. All were of the opinion that the council should get all positions clarified before approving the maps, so that there were no complaints later from any quarters. According to the Executive Officer of the council, Mr S. S. Ahlawat, “there will be regular meetings of the advisory committee in future and the council will ensure that the building maps of all the houses within municipal limits are approved.” “There are around 44,000 houses within the municipal limits of the council and majority of them have not been approved by the council,” he said. He added that the construction of houses as per approved building maps would beautify the town. |
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON REWARI Rewari, June 14 According to information received from a police spokesman, Jaipal Singh allegedly intruded into a house, where he made a bid to rape a sleeping woman on the night of June 12. However, the commotion awakened the inmates of the house, who caught hold of the youth and beat him up. Subsequently, the village elders were able to bring about a compromise and end the matter there. Next day, however, when the injured Jaipal Singh got himself admitted to the local Civil Hospital, the situation took a new turn. The irate elders of the village and members of the family of the victim approached the police, which registered a case of rape on the basis of the statement of the victim. Indian participant at UNHRC seminar Mrs Shashi Yadav, a senior functionary of the All India Woman’s Conference here, will participate in a seminar being held under the auspices of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva from June 16 to 20 . Addressing a press conference here today, she said that she had been selected to participate in the seminar on the basis of her work related to women’s welfare during the past two decades. She also informed that she would present a paper on “Declining Sex Ratio in Haryana” and its adverse impact on women here. Bar Association
election held Mr Satish Yadav has been elected the president of the Rewari District Bar Association for the third time in succession. Unlike in the past, the contest this time was a close one, as he defeated his nearest rival Sunil Rao, a cousin of the deputy leader of the Haryana Congress Legislature Party (HCLP) Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav, by a paltry margin of six votes in a six cornered contest. |
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SEARCH WITHIN A small gathering, at the hallowed monument at Tees January Marg, where Mahatma Gandhi spent his last days, observed the one hundredth anniversary of Indian Opinion, a newspaper launched by the Father of the Nation while in South Africa on June 4, 1903. `Wither Journalism?’ was the topic selected for a panel discussion on the occasion. The absence of the worthies in power and the thin attendance for a function of such significance reflected the indifference with which Gandhian ideals are greeted these days in the country. One felt like asking, ``Does Gandhi matter anymore?’’ However, the few who took part in the deliberations were able to present the contrast between values which prompted Gandhiji to use his journalistic pen 100 years ago and the drives behind the mass circulated newspapers of the day. The panel discussion was jointly organized by the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. Making the key presentation, Rudrangshu Mukherjee of the Telegraph (Kolkata) pointed out that Gandhi launched the Indian Opinion in South Africa to further the cause of truth and non-violence. And fearlessness was a necessary factor in the pursuit of truth because, under the British rule, the dominant impulse was that of fear—the fear of police, the prison, the army, the secret service, fear of laws and fear of unemployment. Gandhi had to battle against such an environment and win. And his journal was a great weapon in his armoury. Satyagraha would not have gained acceptance and victory without Indian Opinion. A journalist has to be fearless against various pressures that emanate from a number of sources like the government, the bureaucracy, politicians, business houses and even at times from the proprietors and the editors. Also a good journalist will have to guard against his own prejudices and biases. It was pointed out that the other two journals, Young India and Navajiban, which Gandhi edited, were designed to aid civil disobedience movements. The Harijan was dedicated to social reforms such as the removal of untouchability. “I have taken up journalism not for its sake but merely as an aid to what I have conceived to be my mission in life,’’ he wrote. For him, the single aim of journalism was service of truth. “I may not write in anger or malice. I may not write idly. I may not write merely to excite passion,’’ he affirmed, indicating the need for objectivity and truthfulness in dealing with various themes. He poured out his soul in his writings week after week in simple lucid prose and without using ostentatious words. Today, the media scenario is vastly different. It is not purpose-driven. Objectivity may still be a desirable ideal. But the values propagated by a man who considered service to society as the end of journalism, are no longer the ones which dominate the media. Gandhi had recognized the power of the Press but he held that it was capable of being misused. The power of the press has only increased manifold since his times. He believed that one of the duties of the newspaper consisted in educating the public. In the columns of Indian Opinion, he used to reproduce biographies of great men and women of the world. His idea was to inspire his fellow countrymen so that they could emulate their examples. He expected subscribers to maintain files of newspaper issues. The biographies were of persons like Tolstoy, Lincoln, Mazzini, Elizabeth Fry, Florence Nightingale and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. But Gandhi was distressed to witness the negative role of some papers during communal riots which moved him to remark that newspaperman has become ``a walking plague.’’ He pointed out that in the East and the West, newspapers were becoming the peoples’ Bible, Koran and Gita- all rolled into one. All that appears in the papers are looked upon as God’s truth. Careless reporting and exaggeration of communal conflicts resulted in disastrous consequences. Yellow journalism is another trend which is spreading though widely condemned at the same time. Former UK prime minister, Harold Macmillan, addressing journalists, once said: ``I think we should ask ourselves whether publicising of pimps, prostitutes or perverts in highly publicised interviews of feature articles is a good thing. I have heard newspapermen say that the public has to be given what it wants. Any prostitute could say the same. But there is some truth in it. The fact is that we get the papers, and for that matter the politicians we deserve.’’ Dr David Aikman, a former senior foreign correspondent of the Time Magazine, who covered international affairs for several decades, writes: ``When journalism as a profession is detached from moral considerations, affecting the human condition as a whole, it will deteriorate into a self-worshipping idolatry.’’ If it lost sight of its role and function in a civilized society, national or global, it will betray the essence of its duty as a component in that society. He says that `truth’ should be the journalist’s best friend. A journalist should be a friend of virtues and he should spread light. The function of light is not only to expose darkness but to expose it and eliminate it. He must take care to ``speak the truth in love.’’ Newspapers, respondents to the discussion opined, have become far more powerful than even what Napoleon had admitted during his reign. They mould public opinion, change peoples’ tastes and fashions, enthrone or dethrone governments and above all help in marketing of a wide range of consumer durables, thus becoming the marketing arm of the corporate houses and multinationals. In short, commercialisation has overtaken any missionary or crusading spirit. Careerism, corruption and collusion with politicians were among the charges leveled against the scribes. Prof K D Gangrade , vice chairman of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti , who presided over the function, spoke of three qualities expected of a journalist: fearlessness, impartiality and unselfishness. Former governor, Bhishma Narain Singh, who was the chief guest, pointed out that Gandhi was a great optimist. Did he not expect victory against the mighty British empire? Y P Anand of the National Gandhi Museum said the Indian Opinion reflected the transformation of Mohandas Karamchand into a Mahatma. His writings are still capable of inspiring the current generation only because his outpourings reflected his message which was lived out in the most momentous of times. M.
P. K Kutty |
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Engineers
to redress power consumers’ grievances Sonepat, June 14 This was stated by the chairman of the nigams, Major-General (Retd) Bhoop Singh Rathi while addressing public meetings at Rai and Pritam Pura villages in the district under his ‘public contact programme’ today. He pointed out that a large number of electricity consumers were not in a position to pay the outstanding dues in one instalment and if the consumers were interested to pay in instalments, then the nigam would empower the superintendent engineers to finalise such instalments. Expressing concern over the outstanding dues of the nigams, he disclosed that out of the total outstanding amount of Rs 1,450 crore, around Rs 900 crore was pending against the rural consumers. He sought public cooperation to overcome the problem of power theft which was estimated around 20 to 25 per cent of the total supplies, and warned that the authorities would take stern action against the nigam officials involving in power thefts. When a villager at Pritampura meeting complained that there were delays in replacing the burnt transformers, the chairman said that the powers for ordering replacement of the burnt transformers were at present with the director of the nigam with the aim to streamline the distribution of the transformers. However, the nigam would think of delegating these powers to the superintendent engineers when the supply of transformers was improved. After the meetings, he held discussions with the villagers and apprised himself of the problems faced by them. |
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Shourie
for rollback of Nehruvian model Noida, June 14 Advocating the disinvestment move, the minister said the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are at a disadvantage when it comes to running large industrial units and administering them. They lack such culture, he said. Citing the example of a sick PSU, Paradip Phosphate, Orissa, he said the unit was losing Rs 30 crore every year which was eroding its net worth. The production of this unit has now gone up by three times and that, with the same workers and without any additional recruitment. Even Maruti, which had turned into a loss-making unit after competition in the auto industry increased, will now be managed by people, he said. Beltek’s profits of Rs 1,000 crore would help in financing expansion, which will, in turn, generate employment, Mr Shourie said. The minister also cited examples of IPCL, the share price of which increased to Rs 232 from Rs 62 after being taken over by the Ambanis and the BSNL, the profits of which have increased substantially. If the PSUs were the dreams of night, they must change with the new realities of daybreak, Mr Shourie said. |
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Another
opportunity for making photo identity card Sonepat, June 14 Disclosing this, the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, Mr Balwan Singh, told mediapersons here today that this opportunity was being provided to the electorate on the directive of the Election Commission. The photography work, he said, would be completed before the Lok Sabha elections. He said that the administration has fixed the following dates for the electorate of each Assembly constituency for getting themselves photographed: Sonepat (from July 3 to July 11), Rai (from July 21 to July 26), Kailana (from July 28 to August 2), Baroda-R (from August 4 to 7), Gohana (from August 8 to August 13). The date for the Rohat Assembly constituency is yet to be announced. According to the DC, special staff has been deputed for this purpose and notices would be served to those electorate who are yet to be photographed. The staff has also been directed to identify the electorate who had left their houses or died so that their names could be deleted from the voter’s lists. He also disclosed that if any voter who wanted to get a duplicate photo identity card should deposit Rs 25 with the district election office between July 3 and August 13. If the electorate had already deposited this amount in June 2002, he would be photographed free of cost. It may be recalled that the Chief Election Commissioner has made it mandatory for the electorate to have a photo identity card if they want to cast their vote in the next Lok Sabha elections. |
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Burglary
at house; cash, goods looted Sonepat, June 14 According to a report, the owner of the house with his son were asleep outside the house when the theft occurred. The stolen property include Rs 45,000 and 10 tola gold ornaments. The house owner has lodged an FIR with the Bahalgarh police post. According to a report, three more thefts were reported from different parts of the city last night. Thieves are reported to have decamped with stolen property worth several thousands of rupees. The increasing incidence of thefts has caused panic among the residents and shopkeepers and they are demanding intensive patrolling by the police at night.
Police fail to vacate land A team of the officials armed with police and the duty magistrate returned disappointed and failed to evict the occupants of 50 acres acquired by the HSIDC for developing the industrial complex at Kundli village about 25 km from here yesterday. According to a report, a large number of residents assembled there and showed stiff resistance. They did not allow the officials to vacate the land. On seeing stiff resistance, the officials had no alternative than to return without taking any action against the occupants of the land.
Body found on track The Government Railway Police recovered the body of an unidentified man lying on the railway track near the railway station here last night. According to a report, the body remains unidentified and it has been sent for a post-mortem.
Housewife succumbs to burn injuries A young housewife Mrs Meena (28) sustained serious burns in her house at Rohat village about 5 km from here last evening. According to a report, she was rushed to the local civil hospital where she was declared brought dead. The police have registered the case and investigations are on. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Sarpanch gets the sack The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balwan Singh, has removed Mr Rajinder, a sarpanch of Khanda village from his post with immediate effect. According to a report, this action followed after the receipt of information that the sarpanch had sold 300 quintals of wheat meant for “work for food” programme in the village. It is alleged that the sarpanch had sold this wheat in black instead of giving it to the labourers. |
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NDMC fines five litterbugs New Delhi, June 14 The anti-littering campaign was undertaken to create awareness amongst the visitors to give up the habit of leaving behind waste papers, plastic bags, etc in the gardens. The Special Municipal Magistrate, Mr
R.K. Mehta, fined the defaulters under the provisions of the NDMC Act 1994. The civic body has decided to set up a special court to remind Delhiites of their civic duties in parks.
Desh Bandhu Gupta remembered Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today paid tribute to great freedom fighter Lala Desh Bandhu Gupta on the occasion of his birth anniversary. He was a dedicated parliamentarian and had full faith in the parliamentary system of the government. He felt that the Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly is the best and well considered document for the people. His devotion to journalism and freedom struggle will always be remembered and will inspire people in future. |
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NCR BRIEFS Rohtak, June 14 AIDSO flays fee hike The state committee of All India Democratic Students’ Organisation
(AIDSO) has condemned the ‘enormous’ hike made in the fee structure of higher education by the state government and announced to stage demonstrations at different universities in the state. Mr Ramesh Chandra, state secretary of AIDSO today alleged that nearly ten times’ hike in the fee for different courses had clearly exposed the ‘indifferent’ attitude of the government towards providing education to the common man.
Body found hanging Sonepat: The Mohana police found the body of one Suraj Mal hanging in his house at Pinana village, about 20 km from here on Thursday evening. According to a report, the police believe it to be a case of suicide and have sent the body for the post-mortem examination. A family quarrel is stated to be the main cause of the suspected suicide. |
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Unclaimed ashes immersed in Hardwar
New Delhi, June 14 The urns were collected from over 20 crematoriums where they had been awaiting immersion. The chairman of the AIPVM, Mr Kuldeep Singh, organised a kirtan and Antim Ardas and offered prayers for the departed souls. A kirpan and saropa was also given to the Sandhy Vir Arjun family for their endeavour in collecting and immersing these unclaimed ashes.
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ORF’s new premises unveiled in the Capital New Delhi, June 14 Delivering the inaugural address at the ORF auditorium in the Capital at Rouse Avenue, Mr Mishra outlined the country’s national security concerns in his 30 minutes lecture on ‘India National Security Concerns: Research Priorities’. ORF chairman R K Mishra welcomed the chief guest and president of ORF Institute of Security Studies Gen (Retd) V. P. Malik made the introductory remarks on the security environment in country. A distinguished audience, including national security and foreign policy experts, attended the meeting. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Ravi Shankar Prasad was also present. ORF Academic Council member Lalit Bhasin moved the vote of thanks. |
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Six held under Railway Act Sonepat, June 14 Building
bundhs The central government has so far failed to release grants amounting to Rs 5 crore under the Gram Vikas Yojna to this district. This has resulted in the non-execution of development schemes. According to a report, work on the construction of ring bundhs in at least 40 villages has also been held up and these villages are likely to be flooded during the monsoon. |
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Co-operatives Bill in special session New Delhi: The new Delhi Co-operatives Bill will be passed in a special session of the Assembly soon after getting clearance from the Union Government, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced here today. Addressing the state-level conference of weavers organised by the Delhi State Co-operative Union here, Mrs Dikshit said the Bill had been pending with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for a long time.
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New Delhi, June 14
