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October
18, 2003,
Chandigarh, India
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MDU V-C suspends lecturer
for ‘lese-majeste’ Rohtak, October 17 The Academic Council meeting today was held to discuss the items which remained unattended in its meeting held earlier on October 9. Out of a total 87 items on its agenda, the Academic Council had discussed 51 items in the previous meeting. Today’s meeting has discussed item No 52 and 53, relating to the reports of inspection committees of certain colleges. However, the vice-chancellor and Dr Ratnoo entered into heated exchanges when the member opposed the move to delegate powers to the vice-chancellor to constitute a committee which could decide on granting permission to permanently affiliated colleges for introducing additional courses. Dr Ratnoo and a few other members of the Academic Council opposed the move on the plea that powers of the council could not be delegated to the vice-chancellor. This led to a ruckus and the vice-chancellor ordered Dr Ratnoo to leave the meeting. Dr Ratnoo, who is also secretary of Maharshi Dayanand University Teachers Association (MDUTA), refused to leave the meeting. The vice-chancellor then announced his suspension from service and asked Dr Ratnoo to collect his suspension orders from the vice-chancellor’s office. Later, the vice-chancellor issued the suspension orders on the charge of ‘misconduct’ and delivered the same at the residence of Dr Ratnoo as he did not go to the V-C office. A copy of the suspension order has also been delivered at the office of Dr Ratnoo. The meeting of the Academic Council was again postponed. The next date of the meeting would be notified separately. |
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Conspiracy alleged Faridabad, October 17 The outgoing deputy mayor has alleged that a conspiracy had been hatched against her on the directions of the authorities, who wanted her to keep mum on the victimisation of the elected members of the body. Speaking with mediapersons after tendering her resignation, Mrs Bathla and her husband, who are BJP activists, said that a mud slinging campaign was on at the behest of certain members of the corporation, who had failed to capture the post of mayor and deputy mayor. The duo contended that pressure was being exerted on them to either relinquish the post of the deputy mayor or resign from the BJP. Mrs Bathla said, she was a staunch party worker and would prefer to sacrifice all such posts for party work. She alleged that a group of members, who had no political faith or ideology, had been always conspiring against one member or the other in order to blackmail them for pecuniary gain, and charged that such moves had the blessings of certain officials of the corporation. She claimed that elected members of the corporation were being `harassed’ and victimised for the last four years. In fact, she had come out strongly against the move to strip the elected members of their powers. She added that there had been no allegation of any kind against her. However, if anyone could substantiate any charge, she was ready to resign even from the membership of the houses. Meanwhile, the leader of BJP legislature in State Assembly and MLA from Mewla Maharajpur seat, Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar, has come out in the support of Mrs Bathla. He said Ms Bathla had been a dedicated and honest activist and she had decided to give up the post of deputy mayor in the party’s interest. He described the corporation as a hothouse of corruption and said no elected member was allowed to work in a democratic manner and the majority of members had become `puppets’ in the hand of the state government. He alleged that victimisation was the norm in Chautala’s regime. |
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Flesh racket in five star hotel busted
New Delhi, October 17 The Special Staff of the police, after receiving secret information that some prostitutes and pimps were involved in flesh trade in a five-star hotel, apprehended Khushi Patel, Khushi Negi, Shivani, Payal, Manjeet Kaur and Kajal along with the pimps — Rahul, Manish, Avinash, Gurdas Bilka, Madan and Sonu Sharma — while they were trying to solicit a decoy customer. The accused told the police that the pimps demanded Rs 5,000 for providing a girl and Rs 1,000 per girl as their commission. Three of the six girls, who were from Mumbai, told the police that their monthly income varied between Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 and they visit Mumbai quite often. The hotel was a meeting point for the pimp and the customer.
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MCD admits to ten dengue deaths in Capital New Delhi, October 17 Officials also agree that the actual number of dengue cases in the Capital could be much higher as private medical practitioners are not reporting to the health department. The aforesaid figures have been furnished by the government hospitals only. The Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee, Mr. Ashok Kumar, said that dengue had been declared a notifiable disease by the city government and it was the duty of all medical practitioners to inform the health department of the number of patients being treated by them. Dengue had been declared a notifiable disease under section 2(a)(b) of the DMC Act, 1957 (Amended 1993), and its notification was now mandatory. Any incident of dengue must be reported to the Municipal Health Officer at the fax number 23963208 and 23738132. Mr Kumar warned that offenders could be penalized under the Act. It was important to disclose information about new dengue cases as it would enable the MCD to monitor and control the disease. Such disclosure was also in the larger interest of the public, patients, medical institutions and doctors. The Deputy Chairman said that besides notifying the outbreak of the disease the medical institutions and practitioners should also give details about discharged patients. Most patients were getting proper treatment and were being discharged in due course, but this was not being reported, which in turn was creating needless panic in the city and the neighbouring areas. The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has formed a dengue cell to provide information to citizens about precautions needed to protect oneself from the lethal fever. The cell will also advise patients about medicines they should avoid, if they are suffering from dengue. One can consult the dengue cell on 9810745433, 36000602, 32111883 and 9811086688, all mobile phone numbers. |
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Sonepat also in
grip of dengue Sonepat, October 17 According to a report, at least five positive cases from Jataula and Mandora and one case from Nahri village have been reported and all the patients have been referred to Delhi for further treatment as the Civil Hospital, Sonepat, lacks the facilities and medicines for the treatment of such patients. At least 12 patients suffering from dengue fever are reported to be undergoing treatment in private nursing homes and clinics in the city. Many patients alleged that the local civil hospital had turned into a garbage den and the authorities had failed to improve the sanitary conditions. Three Directors of the Health Department, who had inspected the civil hospital recently, had snubbed the authorities for their failure to remove the garbage and filth from the hospital premises. |
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Women outfits take Advani to task New Delhi, October 17 The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) president, Ms Suhasini Ali, said: “Delhi’s policing is the responsibility of the Centre and the Home Minister has often talked about rapists being awarded the death penalty. The question he has to answer is what is being done to ensure conviction of the criminals under the existing law”. Accusing Mr. Advani of not taking responsibility for the recent crimes against women, Ms Ali, while addressing a dharna outside the Police Headquarters here, said the Home Minister thinks, “Indulging in irresponsible sloganeering can substitute for responsible fulfillment of his constitutional duties”. Echoing Ali’s views, President of the All India Progressive Women’s Association K.Pati asked: “How can Mr Advani talk about ‘Ram Rajya’ when women in the Capital are not safe? What sort of Ram Rajya does he contemplate?” Referring to the rape of a Swiss diplomat outside the Film Festival venue here, National Women’s Federation General Secretary Sahiba Farooqi said the fact that the incident took place when an international event was on underscored the seriousness of the problem. Later, the organisations submitted a joint memorandum to Delhi Police Commissioner R S Gupta, demanding a thorough investigation into all cases of rape and criminal assault and stern action against those found guilty as well as against law enforcement officials for dereliction of duty. |
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Villagers lock up school after molestation Jhajjar, October 17 Livid over the incident, the villagers had stormed the school yesterday, beat up the accused and locked up the school premises. According to information, the girl had complained to her parents, following which the mother of the victim and some others converged at the school and thrashed the teacher. Later, other villagers reportedly gathered there and locked up the school premises. The education department is reportedly considering transferring other staff of the school as well. |
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Probe ordered into Panipat road scam, heads expected to roll Panipat, October 17 According to sources, several heads are likely to roll in the Municipal Council (MC) and the district administration as the Haryana Government has seized certain records of the civic body in which irregularities were alleged by different quarters. The role of the district administration had come under a cloud as it had allegedly tried to hush up the irregularities which were highlighted by NCR Tribune. With the seizure of records by Mr K. C. Jain, Executive Engineer in the Urban Development Department, the anti-corruption campaign launched by the MC chief, Mr Sanjay Bhatia, seems to have entered a decisive phase. Earlier also, the government departments had made half-hearted attempts to stem the corruption rot in the municipality. However, the latest action seems to be more credible since it has come on the orders of the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. Following the detection of the road scam it was alleged sub-standard material was used in the construction of certain roads. A particular road was allegedly shown to have been constructed, though it was never re-laid. Some of the roads developed cracks after a season or two and collusion between the officials and contractor was alleged by Mr Bhatia. Subsequently, two work order books went missing and no entries were made in the tender register. The repeated pleas of Mr Bhatia to collect the samples of at least seven roads and send them for testing to the Government Forensic Laboratory in Madhuban (Karnal) had fallen on deaf ears. Miffed at the authorities’ attitude, Mr Bhatia had demanded a high-level probe into the functioning of the district administration and the MC. He had also alleged that certain administration and MC officials were hand in glove in various acts of omission and commission. The roads were constructed under various central grants to the city for the development works. The seizure of the record is seen as a corollary of the sustained anti-corruption campaign carried out by the MC chief. It is not for the first time that an inquiry is being conducted into the functioning of various departments of the MC. Last year, following repeated complaints from the public that the building branch had become a virtual corruption den a building inspector was suspended. |
Sonepat Sonepat, October 17 According to a report, the fire was caused by the crackers used by three children of the village. On noticing the fire, a large number of residents assembled at the site and started pouring water on it. Some people informed the municipal fire brigade at Sonepat which reached the village within two hours. In the meantime, the villagers had brought the fire under control.
Body identified The Government Railway Police have succeeded in identifying the body of a man found from the railway track near the Sonepat railway station a few days ago. According to a report, the body was identified as Virender, son of Mr Raghbir Singh of Kailash Nagar, Sonepat.
Cultural fest Mr Siri Bhagwan Gupta, vice-chairman of the Hindu Charitable Society inaugurated the three-day inter-college techno-cum-cultural fest ‘Zephyr’ on the premises of Hindu College of Engineering here yesterday. According to Dr N S Bhal, a distinguished engineer from the IIT Kharagpur was the chief guest on the occasion. A number of students, both boys and girls, are taking part in the festival. |
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PHDCCI Entertainment Div to have
film, TV personalities New Delhi, October 17 The endeavour of the division would be to promote the northern region as an attractive destination for the entire gamut of entertainment related activities. With its established network at the state level, the entertainment division of PHDCCI would interact with the state government to promote this sector in all possible ways. Addressing the invitees on the occasion of the launching of the entertainment division of PHDCCI, coinciding with the 34th international films festival at New Delhi, Mr Jaspal Singh Sawhney said that the division would identify the existing gaps hindering the development of the entertainment sector and initiate action to bridge the same and address specific issues relating to the entertainment sector. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sandeep Marwah said that to begin with, PHDCCI would urge all states to formulate an exclusive film policy outlining the incentives and infrastructure support. Entertainment division would also initiate steps to address the problem of both video and audio piracy and on a regular basis interact with the state governments to address state specific issues. |
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MCD drops move to
shift Chor Bazaar near Mata Sundari College New Delhi, October 17 The MCD had proposed that the Chor Bazaar be shifted from its current location near the Red Fort to a vacant site adjacent to the college near Ranjit flyover. The college authorities, apprehending a security problem, took up the issue with the MCD. The chairman of the college, Mr. S B Singh, pointed out that the MCD’s decision to relocate the market would endanger the safety of the girl students. He, along with the college Principal, Ms Satnam Kaur, asked the MCD to choose an alternative site for the weekly bazaar. The MCD has finally provided respite to the college authorities by agreeing to scrap the proposal. In a letter addressed to Mr S B Singh, the chairman of the Stranding Committee, Mr Ram Babu Sharma, said that the “MCD has no plans to relocate the Kabadi Bazaar (Chor Bazaar) near Mata Sundari College”. |
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Admn puts out check-list
on crackers’ sale Panipat, October 17 According to a press note, the sale of the rockets, which explode at a height of four to five metres or above will be banned. Similarly, the sale of other crackers, which has been allowed from October 16 to November 27, will be restricted to specified places. These places are Shivaji Stadium, the HUDA ground and the Circus ground in Panipat, the Dasehra ground in Madlauda and Golden Park in Samalkha. The orders, issued under Rule 142 of the Explosive Rules, 1983, make it mandatory for the cracker sellers to obtain a licence from the municipalities concerned. The inter-distance between the two booths selling crackers should be at least 15 metres and the booths should be made of inflammable material. Besides, none of the booths should face each other and a minimum area of 15 metres should be available around each booth. Strict action would be taken against the persons bursting crackers after 11 pm, the press note warned.
Tributes paid to BSF
Commandant Rich tributes were paid to Ranbir Singh, a BSF Commandant, who died on duty in the 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal four days back, at his native village, Karhans, on Thursday. However, the exact cause of the death of the martyr, who was posted at a border post, could not be ascertained as he was found dead in the morning. Hundreds of persons paid their last respects to the martyr, who is survived by his wife Nirmala, two daughters and a son. Even as the BSP and state police jawans reversed their arms the last bugle was sounded. The son of the martyr lit the pyre. |
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Replace damaged transformers promptly, DC tells UHBVN men Sonepat, October 17 According to a report, he also directed the authorities of the UHBVN to take immediate steps to replace the burnt or damaged electricity transformers in the villages immediately after receiving complaints from the residents so that they did not take the law into their hands and shunned an agitational approach like staging demonstrations and blocking traffic on the national and the state highways. The DC also directed the authorities of the Health Department to take effective steps for checking cases of dengue and malaria in the urban and rural areas of the district. He also asked them to improve the sanitary conditions both in the rural and urban areas. The DC also expressed his unhappiness at the slow recovery of house tax and other taxes by the Sonepat Municipal Council and the municipal committees of
Gohana, Kharkhauda and Ganaur. He directed the authorities concerned to take immediate and effective steps to recover the arrears of house tax outstanding against the defaulters. Such defaulters, he observed, should be sternly dealt with. Meanwhile, the UHBVN has already commissioned 132 KV grid power sub-stations at Harsana Kalan,
Kharkhauda, Murthal and Khewra for improving the power supply in these areas. Similarly, a 4 MVA transformer has been installed in the 33 KV sub-station at Sonepat. Work for the construction of 33KV sub-stations at Khanpur Kalan and Butana has been speeded up and will be completed shortly. |
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Special Focus on jhajjar/Bahadurgarh Jhajjar, October 17 There are about 200 families, who are known as Prajapats, that are engaged in the work of making clay pots. These families have been pursuing this traditional vocation to earn their livelihood. However, their fortunes underwent a change for the good about seven to eight years back when traders from big cities like Delhi and Mumbai spotted their work and decided to bring it to the notice of people who take interest in traditional pottery. Soon, these items of clay modelling, which are specially made and designed for Divali, occupied a pride of place in the market. With the increasing demand for these Divali articles, their creators also started getting financial returns for the hard labour put in by them. Although most of the Prajapat families export their
clay items to big cities, there is one family whose designer items are in big demand in the market where they are displayed in big showrooms and at exhibitions. Inderpal Khohal, a 34-year-old youth, has magic in his fingers. He can gave shape to clay beyond anybody’s imagination. He revealed various items worth about Rs 50,000 had been supplied by him. The special items included various types of earthen lamps like tree diya, paan diya, Ganesh diya, Ganesh thali, nariyal kalash, lobandani. These were in great demand. He said about 50 lakh pieces of different items had been sent to Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmadabad, Jalgaon etc from here. He said earlier pottery items like matka, surahi etc were in demand. But about eight years ago traders asked them to make earthen lamps. Although simple diyas are in big demand, a chunk of consumers took interest in designer items. Inderpal, who received two years’ training in art pottery, started giving shape to his imagination which produced unique items like flower pots, table lamps, baby chair, decorative lamp, monkey and a book which is hollow from inside and can be filled with dry fruit as a gift item. The artisans spoken to said although they got an honourable price for the items ranging from Rs 20 per piece of thali for pooja on the eve of Divali to Rs 100, the middleman and trader got a margin five to seven times higher to the price per item. They said demand for their products had decreased a bit this time as these items were also being supplied from other towns this time. They were not taking it as a serious challenge to their market space in the cities. Taking about the cost incurred by them on a piece, they said not much money was involved in making these items. This work demanded hard labour. They said an efficient artist could make maximum 18 thalis in a day. |
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Rewari Rewari, October 17 An announcement to this effect was made by Mr Pappu Yadav, MP and general secretary of the NFDF at a largely attended panchayat of the youth and farmers of South Haryana held at Ateli Mandi, 38 km from here, on Monday. He also declared the yatra would be led by Mr Naresh Yadav, national president of the youth wing of the NFDF who is also the president of the Haryana Yuva Kisan Sangharsh Samiti. He further announced the NFDF, which comprised four prominent independent members of Parliament, Mr Pappu Yadav himself (from Bihar), Mr Mohammad Anwar-Ul-Haq (Bihar), Mr Mohan S. Delkar (Dadra and Nagar Haweli) and Mr P.C. Thomas (from Kerala, who is now the Union Law Minister) would be extending full support to the ongoing struggle of Mr Naresh Yadav and his supporters inside as well as outside Parliament. Furnishing further details of the yatra, Mr Naresh Yadav told the panchayat that the yatra would start on Haryana Day (November 1) from Nangal Chaudhary and would then cover about 1,100 towns and villages of South Haryana after which it would enter Delhi where they would gherao Parliament and march to Rashtrapati Bhavan where the charter of demands would be submitted to the President of India. Mr Yadav went on to say that they had constituted Yuva Shakti (youth brigade) which would comprise 10,000 youth activists who would be the backbone of the entire gamut of the ongoing struggle. He further informed that as many as 4,000 youth activists had already been issued identity cards while the enrolment of the remaining 6,000 activists was in progress. Flaying the successive governments of Haryana for the stepmotherly treatment meted out to South Haryana in the matter of the distribution of canal water, Mr Yadav bemoaned that the then Devi Lal government in 1977-78 had struck a severe blow in this regard to South Haryana when the water of the Beas river, meant for South Haryana, was diverted to Sirsa, Hisar, Narwana and Kaithal as a result of which the farmers of those areas were now painfully suffering the devastating pangs of waterlogging whereas fields in South Haryana had been lying parched and dry. Emphasising the urgency of the acceptance of their legitimate demand, Mr Yadav said it was all the more painful that successive chief ministers of the state had ruthlessly tried to crush the people’s struggle in South Haryana for equitable distribution of canal water through police brutalities on the one hand and persistent endeavours to placate the farmers of the region with the promise of the SYL canal, which, he deplored, had virtually become a mirage notwithstanding the recent favourable verdict of the apex court. Mr. Yadav also said that their other demands pertained to the opening of a university and establishment of a medical college along with a modern hospital and a sainik school in South Haryana. |
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Jamboree of scouts and guides New Delhi, October 17 Known as Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet, the annual event is held in the third week of October every year. The Jamboree allows the scouts and guides to share experiences and contribute to the World Brotherhood of scouting and guiding. This year’s event will be held in National Headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides at Indraprastha Estate, where more than 400 scouts and guides from Delhi and nearby states are expected to join in. The Jota /Joti will be inaugurated by Mr L M Jain, National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides. |
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NCR Briefs Rohtak, October 17 A spokesman for the PGIMS administration, said such conference was being organised in Haryana after 27 years. He said the present-day anaesthesia had developed to an extent that it contributed minimally to operative mortality. He said the techniques that the anaesthesiologist employs daily in the operating room, including airway management, ventilation, cardio-respiratory monitoring makes an anaesthesiologist a competent critical care physician, where they treat critically ill patients like that of poisoning, snake bite, trauma, overwhelming infection, high risk post-operative patients. Anaesthetists are now an essential part of accident and emergency, critical care units, labour rooms, radiology suites, apart from the operation theatres, he added. The conference would give an opportunity to the participants to share views, experience and update knowledge in different aspects of anaesthesia and critical care.
Quiz contest Maharaja Agarsen college for women, Jhajjar, bagged the first prize in the district level quiz contest on the ‘Role of Haryana in Freedom Movement’, organised by the Maharshi Dayanand University at Government College, Bahadurgarh on Thursday. Vaish Arya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Bahadurgarh and Government College, Badli got second and third prizes, respectively. As many as six teams from different towns had participated in the quiz contest. Dr R C Marwaha, Principal, Government College, Bahadurgarh said Ms K K Rao, a retired professor was the chief guest and Dr Satpal Wadhwa was the convenor in the quiz programme.
Lecture on environment The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies of Maharshi Dayanand University will organise an extension lecture on ‘The Emerging Strategic Environment of India’ on October 20. A spokesman for the university administration said today that the extension lecture would be delivered by Dr R N Mishra, a retired professor of Defence Studies of Punjabi University, Patiala.
Kisan Credit Cards Sonepat: The Punjab National Bank organised a camp at Murthal village about 8 km from here yesterday for the preparation of Kisan Credit Cards of the farmers belonging to 24 villages in this area. According to a report, at least 11 Kisan Credit Cards for Rs 8.80 lakh were prepared in this camp. Mr Sujan Singh Yadav, SDM, Mr Suraj Mal MLA and some bank officials were present on this occasion.
Motorcyclist killed A motorcyclist was killed on the spot when he was hit by a truck loaded with bricks near Badli village about 40 km from here yesterday. According to a report, the victim was identified as Rajinder, a resident of Ward No. 4 in Kharkhauda town and he was returning home on the motorcycle. The police have registered the case and sent the body of the victim for a postmortem examination. |
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DELHI DIGEST New Delhi, October 17 Two women commit
suicide Two suicide cases were reported from South Delhi on Thursday. In the first case, Neelam, 28, committed suicide by setting herself ablaze in her house in Vaishali Vihar. She had an argument with her husband over the issue of shopping for the celebrations of Divali. After the argument, she poured kerosene and set herself ablaze. While dousing the fire, her husband, Shekhar, who worked with a security agency, sustained 50 per cent burn injuries. Both were admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Neelam succumbed to her injuries in the hospital while Shekhar was under treatment, police said. In the second case, Premwati, 32, took poison to commit suicide after an argument with her husband. She was admitted to Batra Hospital where she died in the afternoon. An enquiry has been ordered in both the cases, the police said. |
Apropos news item titled "Foundation laid for stadium yet to be conceived" published in NCR Tribune dated October 16 by Mr Deepender, is not based on facts. The facts are that the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, visited Salhawas during his tour of Salhawas Assembly Constituency under the ‘Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar Programme’, phase-III on August 18. During the visit, the Gram Panchayat of village Salhawas demanded the construction of a mini sports stadium in their village. The Chief Minister announced that if the Gram Panchayat, Salhawas, passed a resolution to provide 4 acres of land in their village and deposited Rs 75,000, a mini sports stadium will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 lakh. He further said that if they provide 8 acres of land and deposit Rs 7.50 lakh then a bigger stadium will be constructed by spending Rs 30 lakh. Accordingly, the Gram Panchayat, Salhawas, passed a resolution to provide 4 acres of land and deposited Rs 75,000 for the construction of the mini sports stadium in their village. Mr Abhay Singh Chautala, president, Haryana Olympic Association and senior vice-president, Indian Olympic Association, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the mini sports stadium in village Salhawas on October 13. Subsequently, the case for the construction of the mini sports stadium at a cost of Rs 3 lakh was forwarded to the Haryana Government. However, during the foundation laying ceremony, the people of Salhawas area requested that the stadium be upgraded into a big stadium for which they were ready to make the necessary allotment of 8 acre of land and the remaining amount of Rs 6.75 lakh to the government. Though the required land is available at the site, the resolution of the Gram Panchayat and the deposit of the remaining amount, ie 6.75 lakh is awaited. The proposal for the development of a big sports stadium will be sent to the government on receipt of the remaining amount, ie Rs 6.75 lakh and the resolution providing for the necessary 8 acres of land. In effect, the district administration has not committed any irregularities by laying the foundation of the stadium in village Salhawas. K.R. KANDARA, Lion-hearted Jugraj, an inspiration for the team Jugraj Singh, the lion-hearted from Punjab was seriously injured in a car accident. Inspite of his serious condition, his spirit is high. When the Indian team members went to visit him, he expressed his desire that they win the Asia Cup for him. He knew that this was the best way to inspire the Indian hockey team. Clearly, his determination will see him through the present injury and we will soon see him on the international hockey circuit. Indians from all walks of life prayed for his recovery and extended their support and good wishes to him. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam talked to him on the phone and extended his good wishes for a speedy recovery. The Union Minister for Sports, Mr Vikram, assured him of all possible support from the government. Similarly, the Punjab Government, the Indian Hockey Federation and the Sahara Group also extended their support to Jugraj. They assured him that if necessary he would be sent to Europe for better treatment. The love and affection shown by Indians has proved that we care for our hockey stars. I saw Jugraj playing against Pakistan in Champions Trophy league match. He displayed his talent, endurance, agility and skills. His drag flicks while executing the short corners were extremely explosive. His lion-hearted effort was able to reduce the effect of the drag flicks of Sohail Abbas. He took a number of the shots on his body. Indian Hockey fans are eagerly awaiting his recovery so that they can see him in action once again. Saurabh Duggal, Tackling the menace of copying Every year tall claims are made by the government and the authorities of the Education Board about its efforts to check the menace of copying in the board examinations. However, everything goes on as usual during the examinations. The scene outside the examination centres shows only half the picture of this malady. In many of the centres where copying is done in a ‘systematic way’ with the help of teachers, the scene outside is conspicuous by a total absence of any disturbance. Irrespective of the efforts made by the government and the board authorities, this menace cannot be checked or abolished without changing the mindset of the teachers, the students and the parents. If teachers are willing and determined, they can certainly prevent the students indulging in this shameless practice. However, in order to confidently undertake such ‘risky’ work they should first feel secure and safe. The sad truth is that this security and safety is not provided to the teachers on duty. Sushila, a lady teacher on an examination duty, was murdered a few years ago because she did not allow copying in examinations of the Haryana Board. Moreover, a nexus between the board employees and the management of certain private schools has been going on for a long time. It has been acknowledged by the authorities of the Haryana Education Board recently. But this nexus is likely to continue in the future because private schools, which charge hefty fees from their students, are always looking for ‘methods’ to bring their students in the merit list by all means. These school authorities even approach the marking centres so as to achieve their nefarious goals. Though the teachers in the government schools cannot compete in ‘this game’ with the private schools due to the lack of financial resources, they try to make up for the deficiency by collecting money from the students. In a corruption-ridden society where fake diplomas and degrees are common, medical and engineering entrance test papers are regularly leaked, the million-dollar question is whether this menace can ever be checked? KARAN BAWWA, A historical attraction Jewellery exhibitions have become a regular feature, particularly during the festival season. Top models wearing tastefully designed jewellery and ornaments, accompanied by slick ads and pullouts, are a common feature. Historically, Indians have been fond of jewellery. In Hindi/Sanskrit dictionary, there is a description of 12 different ornaments, viz nupur, churi, haar, kangan, angoothi, bazubandi, pati, hasli, baysar, teeka, shisha-phul, tagri, biria and kanth-sheri. Abhushan ornaments are one of the 16 types of ‘Shingar’, popularly known as ‘Solah Shingar’. The manufacture of jewellery has been present in India since the Indus Valley Civilisation. Both men and women were fond of finger rings, necklaces, armlets, ear rings and girdles in the Indus Valley Civilisation (about 2500 B.C.). These were made of gold, silver, precious stones, ivory, shells and bones. During the Vedic period (about 2,500 B.C), the Aryans adorned themselves with gold and silver ornaments. In the Mauryan period (322 B.C.-185 B.C), the art of jewellery had become highly advanced. The jewellery exhibited a high degree of technical skill and proficiency and was exported to other countries. Images, paintings and literary works of the Gupta period (320 A.D.-540 A.D.) clearly indicates that both men and women were fond of ornaments. The women wore several kinds of artistic ornaments such as armlets, rings, bangles, ear rings, etc. Moreover, they adorned the sides of their abdomen and legs with gauged ornaments studded with pearls/precious stones. The men wore ornamental garlands and rings. O.P.SHARMA & Jumbo Cabinet Even though Mulayam Singh Yadav had been a critic of large sized Cabinet in the past, he has taken recourse to the same method to keep himself in power. In fact, he has surpassed all previous ‘record’ as far as the size of his Cabinet is concerned. It has been once again proved beyond doubt that MLAs who change their party affiliation have only one aim: to get a ministerial post accompanied by an official car with ‘Lal Batti’. Quite clearly, there is no place for ‘Reeti, Neeti and Adarsh’ anymore in politics. Election times have become a convenient time for the politicians to make false promises. In reality, they hardly care either for the people or the party on whose platform they are elected to the office. An amendment is urgently required in the Constitution so that the ministry is limited to 10 per cent of the total membership of the House, whether in the state or at the Centre. SUBHASH C. TANEJA, Onion as our national vegetable Apropos the news report, "Does Sheila know her onions better than BJP?" (NCR Tribune, October 10), it is clear that onions have come to play an important role in our election process. The Delhi CM visited the wholesale vegetable market in Azadpur in the aftermath of allegations that onions had become scares and the prices had skyrocketed. Perhaps, the trip was undertaken by the CM as during the Delhi Assembly elections in 1998, the ‘ominous onion’ brought tears to candidates who were defeated due to the scarcity and high price of onions at that time. I would like to suggest that just as we have a national animal, a national bird and a national flower, it is time that we declared onion as our national vegetable, because of its countrywide political importance in influencing such major events. ANUP KUMAR, Enthusiastic approach to life Apropos Madhu Chandra’s write-up, "Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm", (NCR Tribune September 1), it is clear that enthusiasm is the fountainhead of all achievements. It is the motivational force that inspires us to reach the zenith of our potential. In this connection, I wish to observe that enthusiasm is the most important asset for any young man or woman. Someone has aptly remarked: "Enthusiasm is the thing that makes the world go round. Without its driving power, nothing worth doing has been ever done. It alleviates the pains of poverty and boredom of riches. To waste it is folly, to misuse it, disastrous". RITU SHARMA,  |
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