TOP STORIES

Proposed Model Act
UGC denies any hidden agenda
New Delhi, January 21
Even as teachers’ bodies, including the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA), continued to register their protest against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed Model Act and the move for a Combined Entrance Exam, the commission refuted allegations that the Act would herald “commercialisation and privatisation” of higher education.

mystery visitor
Court rejects bail plea of Sheila house intruder
New Delhi, January 21
A city court on Wednesday rejected bail to the man who was arrested for allegedly planting Rs 10,000 at the residence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Special Judge PK Bhasin dismissed the bail plea of accused Rakesh.

Consumers can seek on-the-spot test of electronic meters 
New Delhi, January 21
In order to enhance consumer satisfaction and bring more consumers into the circle of NDPL trust, North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) today announced setting up of a Special Meter Cell, which will be operational from January 22, 2004.

Aged father waylaid, daughter gang-raped 
Rewari, January 21
The police have arrested three youths—Babloo, son of Pooran, Satpal, son of Mahavir, both residents of Mohanpur village under Bawal police station of Rewari district, and Himmat, a resident of Anandpur village, in connection with the gang rape of a young Dalit girl of Kankar village of Alwar district of Rajasthan. Their fourth accomplice, who has been identified as Satish Kumar of Kanti village of Rajasthan, is absconding.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, being briefed by an NCC cadet during his visit to the flag area in the Capital on Wednesday.

Schoolchildren during the Press preview of the tableaux of Ministry of HRD for the Republic Day parade in the Capital on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

All quiet in Noida, except for dharnas
Noida, January 21
The multi-party Joint Action Committee has decided to agitate for a separate district of G B Nagar in a peaceful manner till January 24. In keeping with their resolve, the protestors only blocked the traffic at Kherli mode and Pari chowk, which resulted in serpentine queues on either side of the crossing.

Wind adds sting to  cold

New Delhi: The dull weather of the past week continued on Wednesday, after rains, accompanied with strong winds, added a sting to the cold. The weather office said that the Capital had recorded over five mm rain till 2.30 pm. The day temperature fell following the rains and it was around 13 degrees at noon. However, the minimum temperature at 11.8 degree Celsius continued to be substantially higher than normal. The rain, which came in the wee hours, continued till forenoon. Meanwhile, the fog prevailing in different parts of the country continued to affect train services. As many as six trains were cancelled. TNS

Metro workers huddle around a fire as strong winds lashed the Capital on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

COMMUNITY

BPL families hit hard by black marketing of ration 
Sonepat, January 21
There has been no let up in the diversion of rationed commodities, including levy sugar, wheat, flour and kerosene oil to the black market. In the process, the ration card holders, particularly from the weaker sections of the society (yellow and pink colour ration cardholders) have been deprived of their rations.

BRIGHT AND BREEZY: Dancers from Gujarat during the Press preview of the 'Tableaux' for the Republic Day parade in the Capital on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

‘Feedback response system’ has improved image: Police
New Delhi, January 21
In order to bring a sense of satisfaction and security among the complainants, the South, South-West and West districts have been involved in a new ‘feedback response system’. The system has improved the quality of investigation and instilled public confidence in the police.

Official apathy leads to widespread misuse of LPG cylinders 
Faridabad, January 21
There is perhaps no authority here to check the unauthorised use of the LPG (cooking gas) cylinders in commercial activities, including the dangerous practice of using the LPG cylinders without proper kits in vehicles.

Passengers stranded as train services go for a toss
Sonepat, January 21
Train services on the Delhi-Ambala-Kalka (DUK) section of the Northern Railway continued to remain disrupted today. A number of long-distance trains were running late while some others were cancelled.

SOS honours brave children
New Delhi, January 21
SOS Children’s Villages of India (SOS CVI) organised a function at SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, Faridabad near Delhi today to honour the young brave children of India in the age group of 7-18 years who have been selected by Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) for National Bravery Award 2004.

Office-bearers of Institute of Company Secretaries elected 
New Delhi, January 21
Mahesh Anant Athavale has been elected the president and R Ravi the vice-president of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) with effect from January 19 2004. Mr Mahesh Anant Athavale, 42, (M.Com, LL.B, FCS) is presently practicing company secretary at Pune.

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji gets doctorates for world peace efforts
New Delhi, January 21
For the first time in the history of Sant Mat, a spiritual leader, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, received two honorary doctorates in Peru, a country on the west coast of South America.

DELHI DIGEST
BJP drive to highlight NDA work
New Delhi, January 21
The Delhi Pradesh BJP will launch a month-long people’s awareness campaign to highlight the achievements of the BJP-led NDA Government. BJP president Vankaiah Naidu will flag off the campaign on Friday noon from the Vithal Bhai Patel House.

ncr briefs
Man beaten up, dumped in pit along railway track
Sonepat, January 21
Unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants are reported to have thrown one Rajbir of Garhibala village in a pit along the railway track near Ramjas School here last night and fled.

Farmers warn distillery officials Electricity metres removed

Spate of thefts alarms Bhiwani

CRIME

Inter-state gang of autolifters smashed
New Delhi, January 21
The Crime Inter-State Cell in coordination with the Kolkata police today claimed to have busted an inter-state gang of autolifters who used to steal luxury vehicles in Delhi and dispose them of in East, North-East part of the country and Nepal.

EDUCATION

School embroiled in grant controversy 
Gurgaon, January 21
The Haryana government has been giving grant to the local Arya Vidya Mandir School, managed and run by Arya Samaj, New Colony, including the salary of teachers who have either died or quit several years ago.

‘Personality cell’ in all Haryana colleges set up
Sonepat, January 21
In a bid to develop the personality of the college students and prepare them for taking high jobs, the Department of Higher Education, Haryana, has set up the ‘Personality Development Cell’ in all the colleges of the state.

campus
Nation-wide induction programme at IGNOU

The Indira Gandhi National Open University held a nation-wide induction programme for new learners enrolled in the academic programme for January 2004 session through two-day teleconferencing on January 17 and 18. The nation-wide induction programme by IGNOU is expected to benefit new learners.

Sat Paul Mittal  lecture Seminar on teaching tools Greeting card & web competition

National meet on  globalisation Inlaks overseas  scholarships Borderless regime

SPORTS

Sarvodaya School post comfortable victory
New Delhi, January 21
Sarvodaya Government Co-Education School, Nanakpura, scored a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hanuman Sanskrit School in an under-17 age group of the Kangaroo Cup Football Tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday.

Armaan to represent India in karting final
New Delhi, January 21
Armaan Ebrahim of JK Tyres will be taking part in the Junior World Cup Karting Championship to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from January 21 to 24. This is the first time that a racer from India is participating in a world final.

Top amateurs for PSPB Inter-Unit Golf
New Delhi, January 21
Top amateurs of the country will participate in the PSPB Inter-Unit Golf Tournament, to be played at the Karnataka Golf Association course from January 21 to 24. The two-day main event will be played on a stroke-play format with each team comprising a minimum of three and a maximum of five members.

DLTA celebrates Annual Day
New Delhi, January 21
The Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) celebrated its Annual Day at the Centre Court of the R K Khanna Stadium at the DLTA complex on Africa Avenue on Wednesday.

Rajat, Sonu star for Indian Airlines
New Delhi, January 21
Rajat Bhatia played an all-round role (3 for 26 and 44) and left-arm spinner Sonu Sharma produced a deadly bowling spell of 3 for 24 to help Indian Airlines defeat Rajdhani Sports by four wickets in the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Cricket Tournament at the Guru Gobind Singh College ground, Pitampura. Rajat was declared the man of the match.

Vikas Sharma slams ton
New Delhi, January 21
Vikas Sharma slammed a strokeful century to help Anand Sports defeat Rajani Gandha Club by 32 runs in an A-II Division League match at the Mohan Meakin ground.