Jhajjar, January 25
With a view to focusing on early detection and intervention for prevention and better management of disabilities, 60 centres will be established at district level across the state under the Jawahar Social Infrastructure Mission.

Out of these, 10 schools for visually impaired, eight schools for hearing and speech impaired, six schools for mentally retarded, three state institutions for blind, deaf and orthopedically handicapped, four homes for senior citizens, six homes for destitute children, two life-long homes for mentally retarded children and 21 vocational education and training centres for all disabilities will be set up with all required facilities.

Disclosing this, Haryana Health, Education and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal here said the Haryana government had implemented Jawahar Social Infrastructure Mission at a cost of Rs 150 crore for the welfare and development of persons with disabilities of all types.

“The main objective of this mission is to create quality and model infrastructure for imparting education, vocational training and rehabilitation in a systematic and professional manner, so that the persons with disabilities may get an opportunity to develop themselves without discrimination and lead lives with dignity and confidence,” said the minister, adding that the government had also implemented a scheme of extending financial assistance to non-school going disabled children.

Under the scheme, a financial assistance of Rs 300 per month was given to each such disabled child in the family of the applicant as was not able to attend formal education, training, etc. due to his disability and was totally dependent on their parents and relatives and need constant supervision and care of his family, she maintained.

“Besides, a scheme of setting up Life Long Home for mentally retarded persons called Gharaunda Scheme had also been initiated by the government last year in collaboration with the National Trust, New Delhi,” informed, adding that under the scheme, facilities of whole life shelter and maintenance was provided to the persons suffering from Autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

She maintained the National Trust also made available Rs 1 crore for setting up life-long home and equal amount was also provided by the state government. Land was also provided by the government for the construction of Group Home Centre, the minister added.

Sonepat, January 25
The district police as well as the Railway police have geared up to keep a vigil to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during and before the Republic Day celebrations in the district which is considered to be a sensitive zone because of its proximity to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

According to Superintendent of Police Mahender Singh Sheoran, as per working plan, police parties have started keeping an eye on hotels, dharamshalas, religious places, bus stands, railway stations, farm houses and other such places where anti-social elements stay. Station housing officers of every police station were inspecting all those places where people from outside the state work and stay and all details about them were being recorded in registers.

Besides deputing police personnel in plain clothes at the public places, police patrolling had been stepped up at identified routes which were often used by anti-social elements from other states and districts, he said, adding 12 special police nakas would be set up a day before January 26 on these routes.

Sheoran also informed that on the Republic Day, all 44 motorcycle riders and 14 PCR teams would keep a vigil in the district and two DSPs, six inspectors, 20 non-gazetted police officers and around 200 head constables and constables, including ‘mahila’ police personnel, would be deputed for providing a foolproof security cover at the Republic Day function site in the local police lines ground.

Meantime, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had also stepped up special checking of trains between Ambala and Delhi. The GRP was also taking the help of home guards for checking at the railway stations.

DV Singh, RPF inspector, informed that directions had been received for keeping a vigil and special checking was being carried out in the trains coming from the Jammu side. Round-the-clock patrolling was being maintained at the railway stations and railway tracks, he added.

Public Health Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala will unfurl the National Flag in the district-level function of the Republic Day at Sonepat.

Rohtak, January 25
In an unexpected move, Arun Kumar (23), armed with B.Tech and M.tech degree from the IIT and CIT California, gave up a lucrative job with an annual income of about 22 lakh for fulfilment of his dream. The dream is to popularise the space science and robotics and to set up an infrastructure for further studies and research in the country itself.

His journey began the day he got selected into the IIT in 2003. Arun hailing from an ordinary family settled at Jamshedpur has recently purchased land in Solan district for setting up an engineering college to teach ‘Space Science and Robotics’. He at present is engaged in a special training course on his pet subjects of Space Science and Robotics in a couple of private schools here.

After completing his engineering from IIT Kharagpur, he went ahead to complete his Masters from California while doing job with one of the MNC’s there. But Arun wished to fulfil his dream. “I wanted to do something different and perhaps the best thing was to provide awareness and training in the new fields of Space Science and Robotics in the country and do away the misconceptions surrounding such topics with industry and research as my passion,” he said.

“The main motive of my organisation is to provide infrastructure and education in the field that include setting up of planetariums and robotics labs,” he said. Under this campaign mini-planetariums had been set up in at least half a dozen schools of the region so far. One of such schools has been located at Ambala in Haryana. “The total cost of setting up a mini-planetarium and a robotic lab is around Rs 3.5 to 5 lakh,” he claimed. 

Hisar, January 25
Bollywood actor Yashpal Sharma never misses an opportunity to perform in his hometown Hisar. He was here to stage a play "Karoron Mein Ek" at the local Tulsi Auditorium of the Jindal industrial conglomerate.

This was the second time in four months that Yashpal Sharma has performed in his hometown. Earlier, he had performed in lyricist Gulzar's play "Lakeeron Mein Lucky". Gulzar was here for the play with Sharma.

"It is always a uniquely satisfying experience to perform in your hometown where you learnt the nitty gritty of life", Yashpal Sharma said, adding that he wanted Hisar to become a cradle of theatre and good actors.

An alumni of the National School of Drama Yashpal Sharma remained in a repertoire for about two years before moving to Mumbai in 1997. He considers veteran actors Pankaj Kapur and Naseerudin Shah as his ideals who, like him, started from theatre and never gave it up even after making it big in films.

His forthcoming films include Lamha. He is also playing an important role in a film based on the stories of Shivani Bhatnagar and Madhumita Shukla. Other titles are: Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai, Shyam Benegal's Well Done Abba and Rajpal Yadav's Ata Pata Laapta and Gitanjali.

Yahpal Sharma said he would like to be more involved with theatre even though his film commitments in Bollywood were increasing. "But, I will ensure that I devote a great deal of time to theatre", he added.

Sharma's latest play has been written and directed by noted playwright and actor Makrand Deshpande who said Karoron Mein Ek was based on an organisation called Kutumb. The play demanded complete concentration of the actors.

Deshpande said a play was completely different from a movie. "A play is basically heard whereas a movie was watched. A movie is a recorded medium but a play is a live medium. This distinction alone required much more from the actors than a film", he said.

The playwright said he staged a play "Kavita Bhag Gayi" on the Marathi Manoos controversy some time ago and he had nothing more to say on the issue. 

Gurgaon, January 25
Which road is overcrowded, where is your favourite game on, which is the nearest house offering bed and breakfast? To know these things are important for a Commonwealth Games spectator during the mega event coming this October.

The real-time status of these will be available on cellphones and online using Geographic Information System (GIS), says Girish Kumar, project director, Delhi State SPATIAL Data Infrastructure Project. He was in the city for 'The Map India 2010' - the 13th Annual International Conference and Exhibition on the Geospatial Information Technology (GT) and Applications which began at Apparel House over here.

The three-day event was inaugurated by Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (independent charge) for Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences recently.

While talking to The Tribune, Kumar said: "A geospatial mapping of Delhi has already been done. Real-time data will be continuously fed to update with the latest status".

"This would mean one would get to know which road has more traffic so that he can take a different route. Besides, which are the eateries available in the vicinity or which bus would come in the next five minutes can also be easily known through this technology," he says, adding, from the police and the administration point of view also this mapping would be crucial as the authorities would know where is the mess and intervene accordingly.

"The GIS can integrate with other technologies to monitor key assets and prevent or respond to threats and intrusions into sensitive areas. Before the event, the GIS enables decision-makers at all levels to understand where and when a crisis can potentially strike and what the consequences may be if protective measures fail," add various GT experts who are participating in the event.

"Technology convergence and information fusion are realisable and can be a powerful factor in the protection of the country. In the event of any anti-national attack, this integrated geospatial security will provide a coordinated, comprehensive response and counterattack with swift and effective recovery efforts," informs Ajay Kumar, technical director, Remote Sensing GIS Division, NIC.

"The GIS can help security personnel plan for different scenarios and types of events and create action plans needed to deploy personnel, vehicles, heavy equipment, fencing and other important materials or resources. It can also help manage data in real time allowing security personnel to make important decisions," Kaushik Chakraborty, VP Asia Pacific - Leica Geosystems (BU ERDAS), said, and added that with the help of the GT, untoward incidents like stampede could be prevented.

"The GT can be used for planning purposes. Through the GT, the authorities can know about the data related to the capacity of each ghat and then plan managing the crowd accordingly. They can put checks and allow only the exact number pertaining to the capacity of the ghat to enter that place, which will prevent incidents like stampedes that are a regular feature during fairs," he affirmed.

"With the help of the GT, the capacity of hotels in the vicinity of the ghats could also be known and pilgrims can make their arrangements well in advance. The technology can also help in knowing the best way possible to the desired places during the fairs. All this can be used by the authorities for proper management of the affairs," Dr Mukund Rao, president & COO, ESRI, India, said.

The experts added that through The Map India 2010, they would be trying to assimilate the developments within the domain and steer the future direction that geospatial technologies could provide to various vertical in the country.

"We are trying to provide information to the decision-makers which will help in the development process. We give information to plan better and manage better," they said.

Rewari, January 25
A state-level function was held jointly by the Maharana Pratap Jayanti Samiti and the Rewari District Rajput Sabha to commemorate the 413th death anniversary of Maharana Pratap, the legendary hero of Mewar, at Maharana Pratap Chowk here.

Besides painting-cum-poetic recitation competitions, a Samman Samaroh for distinguished citizens and sportsmen was also held in the adjoining Shishshala complex in the second phase of the programme.

While Swami Sharnanand presided over the main function, former union minister Ram Singh, former state BJP president Om Prakash Grover, Haryana Rajput Pratinidhi Sabha chief Hukam Singh Rana, HPCC spokesman Ved Prakash Vidrohi, former Orissa DGP Drigpal Singh Chauhan, octogenarian freedom fighter Hari Ram Arya and a host of other distinguished citizens participated in it.

Along with floral tributes paid by the dignitaries at the statue of Maharana Pratap, Swami Sharnanand, Col Ram Singh , Naresh Chauhan, president of the samiti, and other prominent speakers paid homage to the legendary hero, asserting that Maharana Pratap was an indomitable crusader of freedom whose sacrifices could never be forgotten.

A havan was also organised. At another programme in the Shishushala complex, paintings depicting vital memoirs of Maharana Pratap were displayed while school students recited patriotic poems.

Besides veteran freedom fighter and writer Hari Ram Arya, Prof. Mahabir Singh Tanwar, Satpal Singh Chauhan, Brijpal Singh Chauhan, Rajpal Singh Chauhan, Thakur Kushalpal Singh, Drigpal Singh Chauhan and several other distinguished citizens were honoured for their meritorious services in various walks of life.

Similarly, Miss Sandhiya Chauhan, who was recently commissioned in Indian Navy, Miss Poonam Tanwar, who bagged a gold medal in her recent L.L.M. Examination, Miss Banty Chauhan, a junior national volleyball player, and a number of other talented NCC officers and meritorious athletes of the region were also honoured. The Rs. 5000 Thakur Mitroo Singh Memorial Scholarship was presented to a meritorious and needy student Ghanshyam Chauhan.

Ambala, January 25
Chaman Vatika Public School, Ambala City, organised the Republic Day Utsav to remember great patriots and martyrs who laid down their lives for the sovereignty of the country. Parents of the children also participated in the utsav.

Children presented a colourful cultural show crammed with national integration on the occasion. Classical and folk dance focusing Indian culture was the main attraction of the utsav. Students showed their exuberance in the preparation of art and craft materials in science and geographical exhibition.

Cutouts and pictures of historical places like Red Fort, India Gate, Qutab Minar, Golden Temple and Taj Mahal were placed in the entire campus of the school so that the function could give a look on the national integrity.

Rajinder Nath, chairman of the School Management Committee, inaugurated the utsav by lightening a lamp before the statue of Lord Ganesha. NK Jain, a well-known industrialist of Ambala, was the chief guest. Prominent personalities who were present on the occasion include AD Gandhi, MS Tandon, VP Nagpal and NK Sardana.

While addressing the students, Rajinder said days of national importance like Independence Day and Republic Day should be organised in educational institutions with great enthusiasm. He said the lives of patriots should be included in the school syllabus.

The chief guest said every student had hidden skills and it was the duty of teachers and parents to provide the child such atmosphere where he could communicate his feelings comfortably.

Karnail Singh, principal of the school, while presenting the report of the school, said students had brought the state and the national-level allures in academic as well as in other activities, too.

On the occasion, a show of parents was also organised in which a team of judges selected the best well-dressed grandfather, well-dressed grandmother, well-dressed father and the best well-dressed mother among the guardians of the students. Later, the chief guest honoured the winners.

Gurgaon, January 25
A city-based NGO has said that Gurgaon, the millennium city sharing border with the national Capital, is not ready to handle terror attacks.

"The city is not ready to handle any sort of untoward incident, especially those that could be inflicted by the actions of terror," a study by the Centre for Transforming India said.

There are serious gaps and shortfalls in the areas of terror-inflicted disaster mitigation and management preparedness, it said.

The study is based on a survey across five high density and high footfall areas, Cyber Greens, DLF Cyber City, Udyog Vihar, Sector 14 Market, Sadar Bazaar, including peripheral areas like Jacompura and Sushant Lok Vyapar Kendra.

It is pertinent to mention here that security establishment was caught off-guard in November 2008, when 10 terrorists attacked different places in Mumbai, including the Taj Hotel, killing over 180 persons.

While talking to The Tribune Pankaj Sharma, the chief trustee of the NGO, said: "The major drawbacks highlighted in the study were the lack of commitment from private builders, government agencies and citizens and low investment in putting and maintaining surveillance and intrusion devices both by private builders and government agencies".

He said: "There is also a lack of system for faster mobilisation of health services, presence of unsecured parking spaces, absence of a second line of disaster management system, untrained manpower, lack of faster systems for mobilisation of local-level support systems like those of fire and trauma".

As per the study, there were no surveillance devices in the areas covered by the survey. It also found the manpower deployment as inefficient when if it has to deal with any untoward incident.

"A city like Gurgaon with a large floating population is always an easy target for anonymous attacks. The only way to avert them or reduce their impact is through development of a robust disaster management and mitigation system," Sharma added.

The NGO said: "It is important to have an integrated view towards the issues of mass concern and the government, citizens and market bodies must come together for the purpose".

A greater investment in the adoption of technology, investment in surveillance devices and development of a second line of disaster management is imperative, it said.

On the other hand, Alok Mittal, Joint Commissioner of Police, said they have adequate staff to handle any kind of terror activity. "It is a dynamic situation and our manpower is trained accordingly," he affirmed.

Gurgaon, January 25
Rahul Kumar, the 15-year-old boy who played the character of "Millimetre" in the latest Hindi blockbuster "3 Idiots", is one of the very few artistes who are as lovable in real life as they seem to be on the screen.

The budding actor comes from a lower-middle class locality of Gurgaon, far from the madding crowds and glazing buildings of the millennium city. He is a student of class IX.

Basically from Almora district in Uttarakhand, Rahul's father Suresh Kumar shifted to Gurgaon in search of employment. At present, he is serving at Chancellor Club while Rahul's mother Geeta is a beautician.

"3 Idiots" is Rahul's third movie, the first two being "Blue Umbrella" and "Omkara". He gives all credit regarding his foray into the film line to Literacy India, an NGO committed to empowering underprivileged women and children by making them self-sufficient.

For Capt Indraani Singh, who conceived and founded Literacy India, it is a dream come true. "It's really satisfying to see our children going places and leaving a mark. Their success reflects that our efforts have started bearing fruit," she observes.

Nonetheless, for Rahul, it is just the beginning. And, he has not let the success get to his head. As of now, he is focusing on his studies and has even turned down an offer of a TV serial meant for a popular channel.

"I wish to do pursue an advance course in acting from the FTII, Pune, and then venture into the film world with full preparedness," says the boy, whose education has already been sponsored by the production house of "3 Idiots" producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Rahul is all praise for the team of the film and asserts that he has found extremely good elders, mentors and advisers in Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, Boman Irani, Sharman Joshi and R.Madhavan.

"I was excited, but also nervous on the first day of my shoot. However, when I completed the first shot of the movie, the entire crew, led by director Rajkumar Hirani, clapped for me in applause. It was the happiest moment of my life," he recollects.

Notably, the glitz and glamour of award ceremonies and hangover of success notwithstanding, the young boy has his feet firmly on ground and has not lost touch with the ground realities.

"When I grow up and achieve something in life, I want to do something worthwhile for the poor," maintains Rahul. And we know he really means it as he promptly adds: "We have seen poverty from close quarters and I know what it's like".

Gurgaon, January 25
“Good morning sir, welcome sir, may I help you, thank you,” are a few English words one can now expect to hear from taxi drivers in and around the city. Courtesy, the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) that has taken an initiative to teach etiquettes and manners to taxi and auto drivers, besides their personality development before the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi this year.

Drivers in Delhi are known for their rudeness. They drive rashly, haggle rudely and at times, refuse to take passengers. This is the reason why more than 5,000 drivers have been roped in for a three-day training programme in spoken English, courtesy, manners, first-aid and other things.

The drivers are being taught not just English but also functional behaviour. Yoga is also part of their training as this will help them overcome stress and short temper.

Currently, 80 drivers are receiving training at HIPA every week in two batches. These drivers operate to and fro from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

While talking to The Tribune, Naveen Kumar, taxi driver and a trainee, said, “I was hesitant in speaking English earlier, but the training has given me confidence. Now I can speak a little in English and hope to improve further.”

“Earlier, I never used to help anyone, but here we are taught how to help others in emergency and also in case of accident, I will be able to give first-aid to the victims,” he added.

Another driver, Naresh Kumar is also happy to attend this workshop. He said he had been benefitted with the training and learnt how to do yoga while sitting in the taxi. “This will relax our mind,” he said.

While sharing his experience, another taxi driver Rajesh Kumar said, “What I liked about the training is that we all are getting due respect and this has taught us to behave properly with others.”

Vibhas Kumar, another taxi driver, echoed the feelings of his colleagues, and said, “Now, we feel like responsible citizens and we are the first one to meet anyone coming from abroad so we need to prove that Indian people know how to respect others.”

Rajni Sekhri Sibal, director, HIPA, said, “After the training is over, the drivers will be given stars according to their performance and will also be called up again before the games.” “These drivers are paid Rs 200 per day to compensate their loss of wages during the training period. It is a question of national prestige that HIPA has come forward to discharge its social responsibility as a training institute of Haryana.

The taxi drivers are in a way ambassadors of the country whom visitors from abroad come in contact first after landing at the airport,” she said and added, “The names, mobile numbers and taxi or auto rickshaw numbers of the trained drivers will be put on the website of the Ministry of Tourism and the Delhi Police so that they can be called whenever required”.

“We will be training DTC bus drivers and conductors from February 1, who will be associated with players, coaches and special visitors. We have a target to train about 3,500 taxi and about 8,000 auto drivers before the Commonwealth Games,” Sibal affirmed.