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Walled city protests power tariff hike
BJP seeks probe into DJB tubewell scam
Retired JNU don gets interest on pay arrears
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400 global experts to
brainstorm road safety
Museum study, conservation— newage career options
Where westerners teach yoga and meditation to Indians
Blood donation for blast victims
Chatterati
Second quake in 10 days scares Delhi
Rains likely
Two held for killing murder witness’ cousin
Labourer killed in wall collapse
3 vehicle thieves nabbed
Four held for robbery bid
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Walled city protests power tariff hike
New Delhi, September 18 The residents of Old Delhi said that they will meet the Chief Minister and stress the need to conduct an audit of power distribution companies by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). "We will meet Sheila Dikshit as well as the area MP and MLA, asking them to intervene so that the hike is withdrawn immediately. We will urge them to save the general public and businessmen from further trouble. We will ask them to increase the tariff only after the audit of private distribution companies is done by the CAG," said many residents. According to them, the sharp increase in the power rates has added to the woes of public as they are already burdened by the hike in prices of gas and petroleum. The RWAs accused the government of not ensuring proper management of power transmission. "Instead of hiking electricity rates, the government should focus on bringing efficiency in the working of power transmission and distribution companies as their inefficiency is the major cause of losses. The Delhi government should take concrete steps to check line losses," said Syed Mujibur Rahman, president, Aman Committee, Jama Masjid. The residents said that increase in tariff would lead to power theft and dismissed the claims of discoms that they had controlled the problem. "Power companies say they have controlled theft in entire Delhi, then why the electricity rates are not coming down. The recent power hike will increase theft and line losses. It is a proven fact that the raise in the tariff always leads to increase in the incidence of power theft," said Salman Akhtar, presdient, Matia Mahal, RWA. "The increase by the DERC has hit the consumers hard. The main aim of private companies seems to be to maximize profit without caring to replace faulty meters, check pilferage of power supply by industrialists and huge transmission losses,"
he said. |
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BJP seeks probe into DJB tubewell scam
New Delhi, September 18 The agency had registered cases against ten DJB officials and five contractors in connection with the alleged irregularities in a project for installing tubewells in several localities of the city. The BJP Delhi Pradesh president Vijender Gupta has said that the party had demanded a high-level judicial enquiry into the DJB tubewell bungling and all the purchases made in the past 13 years. The party claimed that state government's own party MLA is involved in the scam. He questioned the authority of the engineers who made full payment worth crores of rupees without the completion of work by the tubewell companies and without the knowledge and consent of ministers and senior leaders of the ruling party. "It is sure that high-profile officials are involved in this bungling. Dikshit must be in the know of this scam," he said. The party demanded an audit by the CAG into the whole affair. "We have demanded that all the contracts awarded to the Delhi Jal Board during the tenure of Diskhit should be audited by a special team of CAG. Only the CAG can demolish this centre of corruption," said Gupta. |
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Retired JNU don gets interest on pay arrears
New Delhi, September 18 Justice S Muralidhar has allowed a petition filed by K S Jawatkar in 1992 and directed JNU to release the arrears with the interest within eight weeks. "The writ petition is disposed of with a direction that JNU will, within a period of eight weeks, pay the petitioner (Jawatkar) simple interest at the rate of 9 per cent per annum on the arrears of the revised pay scale with effect from January 1, 1986 to the date of payment. "Any delay in making such payment of interest will entail the JNU having to pay penal simple interest at 12 per cent per annum for the period of delay," the court said. In a recent judgement, Justice Muralidhar clarified saying, "The petitioner's prayer concerning grant of revised pay scale, salary and allowances, including arrears with effect from January 1, 1986 was already ordered by this court in July 1992. The only issue decided was about interest on the said amounts..." In a petition, Jawatkar claimed that with the court's intervention, he was granted promotion to the post of Associate Professor in the School of International Studies (ISI) in 1993 under the Merit Promotion Scheme (MPS) with effect from 1986. The court subsequently had directed JNU to release his revised salary and other allowances, the petitioner also said. During the pendency of his plea in the high court, Jawatkar got retired in June
2000. — PTI |
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400 global experts to
brainstorm road safety
New Delhi, September 18 More than 120 companies with expertise on traffic safety, intelligent transport system (ITS), traffic management, road infrastructure, safety and parking from the world over will showcase their products and technologies at a three-day exhibition to be held at Pragati Maidan. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will inaugurate the expo. 'Intertraffic 2011' will be jointly organized by the International Road Federation (IRF) and Amsterdam RAI. It will feature the latest and most innovative road safety solutions from both the local and international exhibitors. "About 400 road safety experts from across the world will take part in the three-day global conference on 'Road safety strategy in India-Action Plan'. The expo will showcase advanced technologies, control systems, communication and navigation devices, driver training systems and will give a complete idea of the modern road safety industry and its development prospects," said KK Kapila, chairman, International Road Federation (IRF) The expo will also help promote high-end technologies and modern safety devices, traffic control systems and facilities for the purpose of reducing the number of accidents and death rate. The problem of road safety is becoming more acute as Delhi accounts for major fatalities in accidents. Every day hundreds of people perish and thousands receive serious injuries leading to lifelong disabilities. "Reckless driving, parking woes and driving under the influence of alcohol are the causes of these tragedies," said a senior Delhi government official. About 120 companies from 20 countries including Austria, the US, Germany, the UK, France, Canada, China, Norway, Russia, Sweden and many others will take part in the exhibition, in addition to those from India. The major highlight will be the display of the latest state-of-the-art parking technologies. The latest road safety technologies that will be displayed during the exhibition include barriers, speed cameras, licence plate recognition, vehicle classification, fibre optics, road signs, highway infrastructure, etc. |
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Museum study, conservation— newage career options
New Delhi, September 18 Museums are moving out of the confines of centralised institutions to connect to people, entrepreneurs are investing in art galleries and the government is stepping up initiative to preserve heritage. In the last decade, heritage studies have become increasingly popular with rising awareness about museology, the study of museums, said C.V. Ananda Bose, vice-chancellor of the National Museum Institute (NMI), a premier heritage education centre here. "Two factors have been responsible for the popularity of heritage studies-the arrival of new information technology tools and museums re-inventing themselves in ways so that youngsters can understand them," Bose told IANS. The concept of new museology has contributed to the growth of heritage studies, he said. "The new museums are no longer places of cloistered knowledge. Archives are emerging as centres of cultural activities, rekindling the interest of viewers. New kinds of museums like people's museum, panchayati raj museum, campus museums, community museums and private museums are coming up in India. Museums need more workforce," Bose said. The art auctions and art galleries around the world also need museology, art conservation and art history experts. Many students also set up their own "conservation and heritage documentation studios" after completing their education, he said. NMI, attached to the National Museum, offers post-graduate and doctoral modules in museology, history of art and conservation. The courses are taught in four semesters, capped by a six-month internship programme. "Museology was introduced in India as a university module in 1952 at the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara (Baroda)," said Manvi Seth, head of the department of museology at NMI.
— IANS |
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Where westerners teach yoga and meditation to Indians
Gurgaon, September 18 In the eight years since 2003, when they stepped into Gurgaon, the dominantly American disciples of the late Paramhansa Yogananda have made a mark with their devotion to the Sanatan Dharma. Over the years, more and more Indians have become full-time activists of Ananda Sangha, reducing the number of Westerners. But the expatriates are still there - with no desire to be in the media spotlight. "What we are trying is to make relevant and practical the ancient traditions of India in the search for god," said John Helin, a tall well-built American known as Nayaswami Jaya Helin. "We are engaged in spreading Sanatan Dharma using the writings and teachings of Yogananda," Helin, 65, said. The Bengal-born Yogananda's "Autobiography of a Yogi" is considered a gem in spiritual literature. It has sold millions since its publication in 1946. It is in that classic that Yogananda revealed how the long-lost Kriya Yoga was rediscovered in 1861 -- and has since been embraced by those searching for salvation. Kriya Yoga places emphasis on spiritual growth through Kriya Kundalini Pranayama, combining deep breathing and meditation. Yogananada, who died in the US in 1952, also wrote and lectured extensively on god and spirituality, encompassing aspects of life and death. "These are universal principles, whatever the religion," Helin added. "After all 'moksha' is for everyone! Sanatan Dharma transcends religion." It was Ananda head Swami Kriyananda, an 85-year-old American and one of the few surviving disciples of Yogananda, who introduced Helin to spirituality some 40 years ago. Kriyananda will visit India next month. Canadian Michael Taylor, like Helin, explains how surprised many Indians are to see Westerners like him. "When they realise how practical our approach is, and not simply theoretical or philosophical, they are very pleased and receptive," he said. "Indians have been most gracious, responsive and welcoming." His wife and fellow teacher Diana, now known as Daya, added that she was only doing "God's will". "Our focus is more on quality than on quantity," she explained. "Krishna said that out of a thousand seekers only one finds him. Not many have the very, very good karma it takes to be on a serious spiritual path." Yet, thousands have benefited from these teachers at Ananda, which has slowly expanded to New Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Pune. Indians who come to the Ananda Centre are mostly from the middle class. They include housewives, students, corporate executives, doctors, teachers, artists and a range of other professionals. Besides yoga and meditation, Ananda lays emphasis on group prayers, spiritual healing techniques, readings of the Gita, energisation exercises and devotional songs. All the Westerners admit that the early years were a real challenge, when they had no local support and when almost every task involving authorities appeared a Himalayan task. Since then, a few Indians who came to learn have ended up becoming teachers themselves. "When I first came, I found it strange that I was learning all this from an African-American woman," said Ashis Chakravarty, referring to Dhyanaji. "It was a novelty. I loved it." The 39-year-old geophysicist, who last year quit a multinational to join Ananda Sangha, explained what attracted him most. "Their (Western teachers') energy level fascinates me. They are always positive. And they have nothing bad to say about any religion or religious masters."
— IANS |
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Photographic contest brings the cream
of talents
New Delhi, September 18 The star-studded event took off with Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan flagging off the marathon in the Capital today. The marathon also took off simultaneously in Mumbai and Bangaluru. Speaking to the media, the actor was visibly worried about her father's health who is currently admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. However, Khan said that she was excited to be at the event as it gave the opportunity to aspiring photographers. The Canon Photo Marathon, now in its third year, is a one-day theme-based contest, aimed to bring together photographic talents. This contest that tested the skills, creativity and the ability to perform under pressure was open to all camera users and attracted more than 2,000 entries. The format of the marathon involved each contestant being judged on the theme-based competition held from 9 to 5 pm. The contestants were given about two hours to create photographic masterpieces in line with the assigned three themes. The highlight of the event was the grand prize of an 8-day photo tour to Australia in the guidance of renowned photographer Triston Yeo. Speaking on the occasion, Kensaku Konishi, president and CEO, Canon India, said, "Photo marathon is Canon's flagship endeavour to add to the excitement and challenge of photography enthusiasts. This year's marathon proves massive increase in the number of participants. Indians are getting more familiar with photography and enjoy it as a medium of creative expression." |
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Short story contest for women writers
New Delhi, September 18 The theme of the competition is "Relationship within families" and the length of the story should not exceed 3,000 words. The last date for the submission of entries is November 15, 2011, a release said. The three best entries will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 each. Each entry should be an original, unpublished work which is not being considered for any other competition at the time of submission of the short story. The entries are to be submitted in English and the IWPC reserves the right to publish a selection of the entries in an anthology. Two copies of each entry should be submitted, typed in double space with the title of the story and the name and address of the author on a separate sheet of paper. Entries for the competition should be sent in a sealed envelop, addressed to the Indian Women's Press Corps (Short Story Competition), 5 Windsor Place, New Delhi - 110001, the release said. |
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Blood donation for blast victims
New Delhi, September 18 The North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) today organized a blood donation camp of its employees in its distribution network of north and northwest Delhi in association with Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. The camp was an effort by NDPL employees to extend support to the victims who are currently undergoing treatment at RML Hospital. Over 40 employees donated blood at the camp. "The camp was organized to express our solidarity and compassion for the victims of bomb blast which occurred in the Delhi High Court recently. The loss of life suffered in the ghastly incident cannot be compensated, but the effort will meet the requirement of blood for those who are still battling for life," said a NDPL spokesperson. "NDPL regularly undertakes work for the betterment of the less privileged section of society. We organize various activities such as health camps, drug de-addiction camps, vocational training programmes in the jhuggi jhompri clusters and other regions in north and northwest Delhi," he added. |
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Families enjoy rally with decorated cars
New Delhi, September 18 The cars showcased various shades of Delhi--from Green Delhi to Old Delhi--depicting 100 years of the city's glorious history. The Delhi Traffic Police also joined the rally as part of its campaign to educate the people on safe driving. Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police, coined the slogan "Drive carefully to live joyfully" for this rally. The unique feature of this rally was that it brought together fun-loving families on a common platform where they could showcase their adventurous spirit. To make it interesting, all the participants were asked to decorate their cars to be judged as the "Best Decorated Car". They were also asked to dress up in order to contest for the "Best Dressed Family. Speaking about the rally, Mukesh Jain, director, Rashi Entertainment, said that Delhiites have always participated in the car rally with great enthusiasm. |
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Chatterati
After many wrong decisions by many senior Congress ministers, the Congress High Command is in a hurry to undo the blunders. The Prime Minister is feeling more relaxed and the Union ministers and general secretaries of the Congress have heaved a sigh of relief. Sonia attended the CEC meeting on UP, ending all the speculations of her being weak. The state elections are approaching and all the UP leaders are silently trying to get their own candidates. Many Congresswalas are planning to do special pujas during the Navratris for Sonia's health and prosperity of all Congresswalas. Never have the party members felt so orphaned than now when Sonia was away. Must say even the opposition was missing her presence. Sonia's health is being monitored here by the doctor who also flew with her for surgery abroad. The Congresswalas are a bit more charged now than in the last month which was clearly a month of disasters for them. Some even claim how the health of the Congress party is linked to Mrs Gandhi's health! A VIP show!
The mature politician
P. Chidambaram went to the site of the blast and made sure there was no security with him. There were MPs like Varun Gandhi who came, donated blood quietly and went back home. No fanfare or media attention. Delhites are feeling insecure and worried. What has saddened them is how in hospitals after every tragedy, they have to run from pillar to post for the treatment of their injured loved ones. Bodies are also difficult to get after postmortem unless they make a hue and cry. But the Aam Admi rushed to donate blood to hospitals which was an amazing response. It was heartening to see that there is sensitivity and care left, especially the youngsters of India make no show of it. Aiyar’s cheeky remarks
Aiyar, who had to sign right after Natwar, wrote, "Why blame the college." Aiyar's sense of humour can lighten up any evening. His sharp tongue has made him many enemies over the years and his friends have learnt to live with it. His latest response to Lalit Maken about Hans Raj College has not won Aiyar many friends Stephanians, according to the other college boys of north campus, are a bit arrogant. Some Stephanians are Kapil Sibal, Virbhadra Singh and Sandeep Dikshit. |
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Second quake in 10 days scares Delhi
New Delhi, September 18 Unlike the last time in Delhi, the tremors today were comparatively light. They were reported in Delhi and the NCR region. However, no damage was reported from any part. "The quake was very mild compared to the last time when it actually made the beds and almirahs in the room tremble along. However, it is still scary that this is Delhi's second tremor over the last 10 days," said Shirali Chaturvedi, a city resident. |
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Rains likely
New Delhi, September 18 The maximum temperature was recorded at 34.2 degree Celsius, normal for this time of the year. The meteorological department has forecast spells of rains within the next 24 hours. "The sky will remain partly cloudy tomorrow morning as well. Light rains are expected in some parts of the city in the early morning hours and later at night," said an official of the India Meteorological Department
(IMD). The maximum and minimum temperatures tomorrow are likely to oscillate between 35 and 24 degree Celsius, added the IMD official. |
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Two held for killing murder witness’ cousin
New Delhi, September 18 The third accomplice, Surender, is presently lodged in Bhondsi (Haryana) Jail while the two men who carried out the murder are on the run. According to BS Jaiswal, DCP (Outer Delhi), victim Arun Kumar was allegedly murdered because his cousin was a witness in a court case against Vedprakash's son. And Kumar was not allowing his cousin to withdraw himself from the case. Arun was shot near his house around 9 pm by two bike-borne men. He was rushed to Jaipur Golden Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries later. A murder case in this regard was registered at the Kanjhawala police station on September 5. According to Jaiswal, Sandeep and Vedprakash were arrested from Rasool Pur. Their phone call details showed that Sandeep was in contact with Surender, who is presently in Bhondsi Jail. "On interrogation, Sandeep and Vedpraksh disclosed that they contacted Surender in Bhondsi Jail and paid him Rs 5 lakh to get Kumar murdered," said Jaiswal. He added that Surender revealed that had asked Naveen to carry out the. Naveen along with Rakesh murdered Kumar. |
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Labourer killed in wall collapse
New Delhi, September 18 "The labourers were putting up a lintel when one of the walls collapsed. Seven of them came under its impact and were rescued with the help of locals and fire officials. They were sent to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where one was declared 'brought dead," said a police official. The official could not confirm the name of the deceased. |
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3 vehicle thieves nabbed
New Delhi, September 18 According to BS Jaiswal, DCP (outer), the accused were arrested today from near Avantika Market, Sector-1, Rohini. "At the time of the arrest, the men were riding stolen vehicles," said Jaiswal. The other seven motor cycles were seized at their instance. |
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Four held for robbery bid
New Delhi, September 18 Dheeraj (28), Rajinder (30), Kishan (30) and Amit (24) were arrested last night when they tried to rob the CNG station in Paschim Vihar in West Delhi, a senior police official said today. The gang was overpowered by police personnel but one Sonu managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness. "During the interrogation of the accused, it was found that they gathered in the District park for making a plan to rob the CNG pump situated near the Peeragarhi Chowk," he
said. — PTI |
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With the UPA president back, the Congress party is feeling better. The Congressmen are a bit upset that they are not allowed to meet her and inquire about her health.
It is a sad situation to see that the Congress felt crippled without the UPA chief's guidance.
Not even Rahul Gandhi could step into her shoes.
After the bomb blast at the High Court, the VIPs as usual visited the government hospitals to see the injured. The insensitive VIPs who made a show of their visit were booed and sent back home.
Mani Shankar Aiyar is a sharp-witted member of Parliament. He is someone you would like to be always on the right side. You never know when he may say what. Aiyar and Natwar Singh are both from St. Stephens. On an annual day, Natwar Singh wrote in the College Alumni Book that "Whatever I am today is thanks to this college."