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| Sunday,
February 10, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Congress to expose
BJP ‘farce’ New Delhi, February 9 |
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CRIME Faridabad, February 9 Faridabad District Police got 32 marks out of 40 for crime control. The parameters under this head were: murder, rape, abduction, dacoity loot, robbery and drug peddling. The Police registered 68 cases of murder in 2001 as against 78 in 2000. Likewise, 37 cases of rape and 78 cases of kidnapping were registered last year as against 45 and 82, respectively, in 2000. While the cases of dacoity came down from 15 to 7, loot and robbery incidents also decreased to 41 from 48. The second benchmark was the number of visits of gazetted officers to the crime site, number of gangsters arrested, number of bail jumpers and investigation into pending cases; in this category, the district police scored 18 out of 25 points. It is reported that while 498 criminals were arrested last year, the majority of complaints lodged with the office of the SSP were disposed of. The incidence of escape from police custody also dipped from 8 to 4. Narnaul District secured the second spot with 48 points and Jhajjar finished third with 47 points. Jind and Kaithal were both fourth. Rewari, however, finished last in this respect. |
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Haryana to check influx of criminals at border Rohtak, February 9 The surveillance would be intensive and criminals from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi would not be allowed to enter Haryana and create a law and order problem, he said. He told this correspondent that the police chiefs have been advised to launch a campaign to apprehend proclaimed offenders and bail jumpers. They have also been told to investigate pending criminal cases without further delay. Mr. Resham Singh said that a special drive would be launched to keep an eye on the activities of anti-social elements and criminals. Action would be taken against delinquent police officials. |
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Gurgaon civic body gets
its land from HUDA Gurgaon, February 9 |
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Briefly... New Delhi Grandfather shot dead by youth Noida: Irked by his grandfather’s refusal to give him his share, a youth shot dead his 70-year-old relative in Khairpur village, which falls under Bisarkh Police station. The accused is absconding. According to the police, Baburam of Khairpur village had given his land on lease. Last night, Baburam’s grandson, Sanjeev, demanded his share of the lease money. There was some altercation between the two and Sanjeev pulled out his revolver. Efforts of the family members to defuse the row failed as Sanjeev would not heed their pleas. In a fit of anger, he fired at his grandfather who died on the spot. TNS  |
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GETTING AWAY
The den of the tigers – Jim Corbett National Park – is seven hours from Delhi. It was one of the most sought-after hunting grounds during the colonial era. The park has been enchanting wildlife lovers to share solitary moments with nature and, of course, with the big cats. Corbett Tiger reserve even today continues to enthrall the tourists with its scenic charm and richly varied wildlife. The park is famous globally as the ‘Land of the trumpet, roar and song’. Apart from tigers, the land houses other cats as well like leopards, jungle cats and leopard cats. Large herds of elephants are also found near Ramganga. The park has a spectacular bird diversity. There are more than 500 species of resident and migratory birds, 17 types of woodpeckers, raptors like the pallas’ fishing eagle, harries and kites, peafowl, kalij pheasant, the rare chir pheasant, red jungle fowl, minivets, shrikes, cuckoos, drongos and barbets. Peacock, kaleej pheasant, block partridge, pallas’ fishing eagle, white-collared falconet, storkbilled kingfisher, wall creeper, brown fish owl, brown-eared and block bulbul and several species of woodpeckers. The park was originally named the Hailey National Parks Act after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the Governor of the United Provinces, who took a keen interest in its development as a preserve. After Independence, it was renamed the Ramganga National Park, and later it was changed to the Corbett National Park. This last change was not solely in commemoration of the late Jim Corbett, the famous slayer of man-eaters in the sub-Himalayan forests, but also in recognition of his services in determining the location and limits of the proposed national park. Jim Corbett, hunter of man-eating tigers, photographer, conservationist and author was born of English and Irish parentage in Nainital. One of Corbett’s memorable exploits was the killing of the Rudraprayag Leopard, which accounted for 125 human lives between 1918 and 1926. The bold pard would steal its victims from amidst the human habitation. Chowgarh Tigress, the Talla Des and the Mohan man-eaters were also done to death by the famous hunter. On April 1, 1973, Project Tiger was inaugurated here. This project aims at saving and reviving the alarmingly dwindled Indian Tiger by setting up specially selected reserves in which not only the tiger but also other animals and the wild flora, would be totally conserved. Corbett Tiger Reserve is spread over 1318.54 sq. kms, which includes Corbett National Park and additional areas of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest buffer zone. The reserve is the home of 580 species of birds. A fine reservoir on the river formed with the building of a dam at Kalagarh now attracts diverse species of water birds - both local and migratory. Dhikala at the heart of the core area is picturesquely located at the edge of a grassy plateau, perched high above the Ramganga reservoir and set into a bend in the river. This is a favourite viewing area. The Chaur and the surrounding forest support the highest density of tigers in the country – about one every 5 sq. km. Splendid herds of chital, hog deer and elephants are also seen here. There is a viewing tower as well as elephant rides for visitors, every morning and evening. This is perhaps the best way to see wildlife. It is possible to go deep into the park on elephants and get close to the animals in an unobtrusive manner.
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MCD turning a deaf ear to pipeline complaints New Delhi, February 9 The residents of South Delhi’s Friends Colony have been writing letters to the MCD for almost two years about a leak in a gas pipeline, running along the residential colony. However, it has not been fixed. The pipeline comes from the nearby Okhla Bio-Gas Plant. Apart from the foul smell, the gas is poisonous, the residents said. The leak is also dangerous as it can start a fire. A number of cars are parked all over the colony and the leak could also cause explosion. The Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of the Friends Colony, after innumerable verbal complaints, submitted their complaints in writing. The first one, dated April 14, 2001, was handed over to the MCD Commissioner, in which they mentioned about the leak in the pipeline in front of the bungalows C-45, C-46 and on the side of C-66 and C-53 of the colony. In the letter, the residents also mentioned of promises made by the junior engineer to rectify the problem. The residents again wrote a letter, dated September 29, 2001, to the Commissioner, which read: “We regret to point out that no action has been taken in the matter. In fact, your department did not acknowledge receiving the complaint.” Another letter, dated December 15, 2001, went out to the MCD Commissioner, saying that no one from the department had taken note of the earlier complaint letters and a fatal accident could take place anytime if the corporation did not act soon. Finally, the residents wrote to the Mayor of Delhi on December 21, 2001, about the ‘apathy’ of the MCD, which sat on their complaints for two years. Even the Mayor did not respond. So, the residents of the Friends Colony have now begun to get used to the smell and the danger. “We have no other choice. Have we?” asked B S Chawla, the President of the Friends Colony RWA. “So many complaints and so many letters, but the Government refuses to work. So, much has been said against them that I don’t even feel like uttering a word about the MCD,” he helplessly said. However, an MCD official defended the governmental agency, saying that the corporation had fixed the leakage a few months ago and they did not receive any complaint after that. “If there is a problem we have to be told about it. When we got the complaints, we fixed the leakage. If it is still leaking, the residents should come and complain. We will do our job.” The official, requesting anonymity, said that they would fix the leakage at the earliest, adding: “It is our job. People just have fixed notions that we don’t want to do our job. I am not saying that there cannot be a goof-up. There are some flaws. But our intentions are not to give trouble to the residents.” The residents said that the pipeline must be repaired immediately to avoid any mishappening. Sushil P Chaudhry, Secretary of the RWA said, “It is sad that all our governmental agencies work only after a tragedy has taken place. They just don’t believe in the saying that ‘prevention is better than cure’.” Mr Chaudhry added that the MCD did not realise the seriousness of the matter in case of the leaking gas pipeline. “They should at least inspect the area. There is a constant foul smell. It is more when the bio-gas plant is running. And the gas has been leaking in front of our house for two years,” he said.
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Sonepat thirsting for potable water Sonepat, February 9 Whether it is winter or summer or rainy season, thousands of residents continue to face the water crisis as the keymen and the operators of tubewells at the main water-works, Murthal and the boosting stations in the city, hold the residents to ransom. They release water whenever they want violating the timings fixed by the department. Many residents alleged that the officials of the department lacked control on the key men and this was the reason for the disruption of water supply in the city. The officials too are indifferent towards the complaints of the residents. Several residents also point out that they did not receive the water supply in the evening for days together and the officials of the department never give them prior information about the non-supply of water. This caused great inconvenience to them as they have to fetch water from the distant places. Meanwhile, the representatives of various political parties, social and voluntary organisations and trade unions held a joint meeting here last evening and protested against the insufficient supply of water in the city. The meeting also expressed concern over the unsatisfactory working of the Public Health Department and blamed the authorities for the water crisis in different parts of the city. The meeting urged the state government to order a high-level probe and initiate action against the officials found responsible for the crisis. It also expressed anguish at the absence of the officials from their offices during the duty hours as well as on Saturdays and Sundays from their residences and warned that if the steps were not taken to improve the supply, they would launch an agitation. |
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Jhajjar officials making light of students’ exams Jhajjar, February 9 The shortage causes problems to the common people in general and students in particular, who are facing the exams and are all set to burn the midnight’s oil. Fed up with the prolonged power cuts, ranging from four to six hours and frequent voltage fluctuation, the residents of several villages have expressed resentment by coming out on the road. They disrupted the traffic, but managed to get only a passing promise of uninterrupted supply of electricity from the district officials. The residents of more than half a dozen villages had called upon the Deputy Commissioner this week to express anguish over the miserable power situation. Some villagers in Silani and Machhruli protested by blocking roads. The district police and HVPN officials promised enough supply to them but in vain. The residents regretted that due to unavailability of electricity, they could not get water from the power-operated tubewells, as almost the entire district depend on these tubewells for drinking water and irrigation. Scanty rainfall during the monsoon has just worsened their problem. Worst affected are the students who need electricity particularity late in the evening. However, the delegations from Nourangpur, Dadri Toe, Nangal, Kutani and some other villages had called upon the Deputy Commissioner and asked him to ensure proper supply. These villagers contended that when they were paying their power bill regularly, why they should bear the burnt for the fault of others, who never bother to foot their power bills for several years. Some villagers ridiculed the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash’s claims on power generation in excess of the demands in the state, saying that perhaps he supplied power to other states. The village sources confirmed that the situation is more or less similar in bordering villages of Patodha, Bahu Jholari and in many villages of Beri and Matenhale blocks, where the availability of power is eight hours a day on an average. Manoj Kadian, a student of BCA in Beri villages, said, “When the annual examinations are just ahead, the deteriorating power situation left us with no option than to wait or bend over the books in dim candle light which exhaust us very early.” Contrarily, the DC, Mr Ashok Khemka, while terming the power situation absolutely satisfactory, claimed that the power was being supplied as per schedule, that is, 24 hours in the town areas and 15 to 20 hours in the rural areas as per the timings, except cuts in the cases due to load shedding. However, he admitted that the quality of power supply, in terms of low voltage and fluctuation is not as good in some parts the rural areas. He informed that power is supplied during 11 pm to 5 am, 7 am to 8 am and 4 pm to 5 pm (three phase) and 6 am to 7 am and 5 pm to 11 pm(two phase) in group-1 and for equal duration on different timings in group-2. The official sources informed that Jhajjar sub-division is getting around 6.50 lakh units daily which is not enough. Moreover, these sources added that the problem of power theft and frequent cuts, are the major hurdles in the smooth power supply. |
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SEARCH WITHIN “The discipline which corrects the baseness of worldly passions, fortifies the heart with virtuous principles, enlightens the mind with useful knowledge and furnishes it with enjoyment from within itself, is of more consequence to real felicity than all the provisions we can make of the goods of fortune,” wrote Blair, a Scottish divine. Chapter 2 of the Bhagwad Gita deals with man’s great business of reining in the mind with its passions with the help of the intellect so that he could be at peace with the world and himself. A vast gathering overflowing the FICCI auditorium in Delhi for four days from February 3, listened to Swami Parthasarathi, well-known Vedic teacher, expounding the great themes of the chapter. The discourse, an annual feature, has been arranged under the auspices of the Lakshmipat Singhania Foundation. Among other things, he touched upon the concept of Stitha Pragya, the quality of equanimity which enables a man to live above his circumstances unaffected by success or failure, joy or sorrow, good fortune or misfortune. And the scripture (verse 70) portrays such a one as an ocean that remains calm even when turbulent waters pour into it from all sides. The Sthit Pragya remains peaceful even as all desires converge within him. A man of steady wisdom remains unaffected by the objects of his senses; they cannot make him happy or sad; they cannot allure him from the path of truth; they cannot bind or hinder him in any manner. The theme is so relevant to the situation in which modern man finds himself. He is continuously swayed by one purpose or the other, now grabbing one prize or seeking yet another. There seems to be no end to such pursuits, hoping thereby to procure unending bliss. Just as a strong wind carries away a boat that is afloat, so also man is continuously swayed hither and thither by his desires, hungers and instincts. The rat race for power, wealth and fame has claimed its victims since the beginning of history. Generally speaking, these objects of desire, impel man to go in for more of them and their pursuit is self-destructive. And the waywardness of youth has been a perennial theme in societies troubled by their rebellion. Man’s inventive genius to satisfy his thirst or passion of the moment has filled the world with indulgences of all kinds, yet none of them yields enduring satisfaction. He does not learn that “the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear with hearing.” Like the drug addict seeking a higher dose of stimulus every time, the natural man is seeking new experiences to excite him. In spite of it all, he finds himself dissatisfied, bored and unhappy in the end. Philosophers and moralists have been seeking in vain to deflect mankind from the pursuit of materialistic ends, but without much success. The major part of mankind is still aiming at material progress, neglecting the truth that man is a spiritual being. He has not yet come to terms with the fact that the abiding element in the human personality is his soul (Atman) and not merely his body. Twentieth century’s “counterfeit hopes” such as democracy, freedom or a steadily rising gross national product, have not made human kind happier; on the other hand, mindless exploitation of earth’s resources has endangered man’s very existence. And to quote an observer of the modern scene, all that is mean and contemptible in the world has come out of man’s quest for happiness! Swami Parthasarathy does not equate self-control with self-denial or renunciation. What is stressed is that sensual proclivities, not under check, could play havoc. Even Viswamitra, the indomitable sage, fell to the charms of Menaka. The event is recorded in the Puranas only to warn ordinary mortals how sensual appetites could uproot even the enlightened. Men could be drawn away to disaster in the same way a moth, circling a candle light, meets its doom in a short while. “As a man thinketh, so is he,’’ goes an old dictum. All strong temptations begin with a single thought. Intensity of the thought causes ‘attachment’ and that in turn leads to the birth of desire. Any interruption or thwarting of desire leads to anger. Anger gives place to delusion and loss of memory. That is followed by loss of the power of discrimination. And that surely is an invitation for disaster, Swami Parthasarathi explained, charting the pattern of the fall of man. Scientifically speaking, there are mysteries about the mind which are still unknown to man. But mankind has gained enough experience to restate that without self-control, peace is not possible. Without self-control, even the most accomplished of men could end up as failures. Success had eluded many a youth, who, yielding to the passions of the moment, had lost sight of their main purpose. All their entertainment and excitements of the moment later gave them sufficient cause for mourning. “No discovery of modern psychology,” wrote Henry C. Link, once director of the Psychological Service Centre in New York, “in my opinion, is so important as its scientific proof of the necessity of self-sacrifice or discipline to self-realisation and happiness.’’ M.P.K. KUTTY
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NCR BRIEFS Sonepat, February 9 According to a report, the injured were immediately hospitalised and stated to be serious. The police have registered a case against the truck driver and further investigations were in progress. The INLD leaders were going to Baraut town in UP for a campaign in favour of the party candidates there. According to sources, one person was seriously injured when he was hit by a vehicle on the Sonepat-Bahalgarh Road near the civil hospital here yesterday. The injured person was immediately hospitalised. He is stated to be out of danger.
Governor’s
visit Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand is arriving here tomorrow on an official visit. According to a report, the Governor will distribute financial assistance, stationery and other articles among the students of a school on the Karkroi Road in this city. The function is being organised by Dr B R Ambedkar Sewa Samiti of Dr Ambedkar Nagar.
Infant drowns A three-year-old girl, Shaloo, drowned in a water tank at the cold storage of HSIDC complex near Kundli village about 25 km from here yesterday. According to a report, she was playing near the water tank when his father was engaged in the work there. The police have sent the body for an autopsy. Fire
breaks out Chemical oil worth lakhs of rupees was burnt in a fire which broke out in a factory near Ferozpur Bangar village about 27 km from here yesterday. According to a report, the municipal fire-brigade rushed to the site and brought the fire under control within two hours. A short-circuit is said to be the main cause of the fire. The residents of Kharkhauda town demanded the setting up of a fire station for controlling the fire incidents.
Open
darbar As many as 30 complaints were received by the SDM, Dr Sultan Singh, in the monthly ‘open darbar’ held by him in the Panchayat Bhawan here yesterday. According to official sources, most of the complaints were related to promised financial aid to the families of the martyr, who laid down their lives in the Indo-China conflict in 1962, erratic supply of water and electricity, encroachments on panchayat lands and failure of the police to curb the activities of the anti-social elements. The SDM directed the authorities concerned to dispose of all the complaints on priority basis. |
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CM pledges help to Haj pilgrims New Delhi, February 9 Meeting the pilgrims at the Haj Manzil, which can house about 11,000 people, Mrs Dikshit said that more civic facilities would be provided for the convenience of the pilgrims, who use Delhi as their point of embark. The Haj Manzil is a facilitation and retiring centre of the Delhi Haj Committee, which caters to the Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal besides Delhi and Chandigarh. It is equipped with round-the-clock medical services, including vaccination facilities. The Government of Delhi provides the pilgrims transportation to the airport. |
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New Delhi-Beijing flight hailed by Buddhist society Faridabad, February 9 In a letter to the newly appointed Ambassador of China to India, Dr Lal Singh, has congratulated him on his sincere efforts in this direction. According to Dr Singh, “The facility will not only promote better understanding between the two nations, but would also help improving the economic and political relations.” He said that the society had also taken up the issue during his last visit to China with cultural secretary and ambassador of China in 1999. He hoped that the Buddhist pilgrimage sites including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kasi Nagar would also be connected from the Capital. |
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Pirated VCDs seized, three held New Delhi, February 9 On getting a tip-off, the police raided the shops in Palika Bazar and arrested Dharma Kumar, Parkas and Mehender Pal, owners of the shops No. 464,479 and a shop at Old Lajpat Rai Market respectively. Another accused Sunil Kumar was also arrested and the VCDs were recovered from his possession, but the shop owner Ashish Jain is absconding. All the four were booked under Copyright Act and remanded in judicial custody. In another case, the Anti-Forgery section of the Economic Offences Wing arrested two persons, involved in forgery of registration certificates of Directorate of Health Services, Delhi, for carrying on medical practice in Delhi. The team under the supervision of ACP, Harish Joshi, arrested Santosh Kumar, hailing from Bihar who prepared forged certificate for Dr Anand Kumar, to practice anywhere in Delhi and outside Delhi. The preliminary investigations revealed that Santosh had prepared these certificates. |
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