New Delhi, August 14
The Delhi BJP today staged a massive protest at Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's residence, demanding to control the rising prices of onion, other vegetables and commodities. The protest march started from BJP Headquarters at Ashoka Road.

Addressing a large gathering of the cadres and common people, state party president Vijay Goel said the Congress had mismanaged the onion crisis completely.

"The Congress has failed to ensure adequate supply and distribution of onion and all the other vegetables in the city, causing great distress to each and every household of Delhi," he said.

Much to the discomfort of consumers, onion price today touched Rs 80 per kg in most retail markets in the national Capital despite normal supply in the wholesale markets. Wholesale price of onion have increased by Rs 5 to Rs 50-55 per kg in Azadpur Mandi. Onion supply to the city, which comes from Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, is normal at 12,000 quintals in Azadpur

"While there has been some dip in production in the country, but high prices of onion is largely due to mismanagement by the government, which has turned a blind eye to people's woes," Goel said.

The march was participated by former Delhi BJP president Dr. Harshavardhan, former Mayor Arti Mehra, BJP general secretaries Shikha Rai and Jai Prakash along with a large number of party activists.

Dr. Harshavardhan said, "The wholesale markets are governed by the government, but it has done nothing to ensure enough supply of onion to the city markets and thereby check skyrocketing prices of the vegetables. This is an insensitive government which is not bothered about the hardships faced by the common people. The people of Delhi are fed up with the complete absence of governance."

New Delhi, August 14
Officers and men of security forces and investigating agencies have been conferred with President's Police Medal for distinguished services and Police Medal for Meritorious Services by the President on the occasion of Independence Day.

President's Police Medals for Distinguished Service have been awarded to two CBI officers -Additional Superintendent of Police Tapan Jyoti Ghosh and Kadayam Subramanian Nageswaran, while Police Medals for Meritorious Service to 18 other officers.

Two Delhi Police officers -Additional Commissioner of Police (south-west district) Anil Kumar Ojha and Assistant Commissioner Police Harisingh Rawat - have been conferred with President's Police Medal for Distinguished Services while Inspector Jitender Singh; Sub-Inspector Ritambra Prakash and Assistant Sub-Inspector Sheela Wati are among those who have been awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

Fifty-six medals were conferred to the BSF officers and men which include three police medal for gallantry, six President's Police Medals for Distinguished Services.

SSB was conferred one President Police Medal to Dr Narendra Kumar Yaduvanshi and 12 Indian Police Medals.

The CRPF has been conferred with one President's Police Medal for Gallantry and 33 Police Medals for Gallantry.

Five officers and men conferred with President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 58 officers and men were awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. Three officers of the CISF have been awarded President's Police Medal for distinguished services, 22 officers and men Police Medal for meritorious services and three fire service medals for meritorious services.

New Delhi, August 14
In the wake of concerns raised by teachers of Delhi University over the content of the foundation courses, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dinesh Singh today reasserted the "time-tested" benefits of the new four-year undergraduate programme, especially its foundation courses marked by its multidisciplinary approach. 

To make sure he not only delivered an over hour-long motivational lecture with inspirational references to historic innovations, such as INS Vikrant - India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, but also announced abroad trips for training to the best five teachers of each of the seven foundation courses to be taught as a part of an academic exchange programme. — TNS