TOP STORIES

Is Cong only good at sermons?
Delhi Govt flouts SC order on payment of salaries to imams 
New Delhi, February 12
Political expediency may have dictated the Congress’ attempts to wean away a sizable section of the minorities by taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s onslaught on madarsas but its own track record with regard to the welfare of minorities is anything but spectacular.

Madarsas: BJP proposes, Cong disposes

New Delhi, February 12 After Education Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan’s radical designs of giving government-run educational institutions a public face was summarily shelved fearing a political backlash, Delhi Waqf Board Chairman and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf claims to have come up with a more politically expedient alternative – that of modernising the madarsas.

Are all Madarsas being tarred with the same brush?

Enlisting of new gurdwara voters within fortnight
New Delhi, February 12
Within a fortnight the enlisting of new voters, who have reached the age of 18 years, would begin for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee general election, which are scheduled to be held on June 16.

Faridabad dairies may move court on relocation bid
Faridabad, February 12
A showdown between the administration and the dairy owners appears imminent with both sides refusing to budge from their respective stand on the move to shift dairies out of the municipal limits.

Models during the fashion show at Pragati Maidan organised by Tex-Styles India 2002, the 8th annual international textile mega-show in the Capital on Tuesday.— Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Gurgaon is banking on rainwater now
Gurgaon, February 12
As a fire-fighting measure to arrest the depleting ground water resources, the Gurgaon administration is in the putting in place a mechanism for harvesting of rain water. The administration has roped in INTACH, a semi-government body which has considerable expertise in rain water harvesting.

Business failures drive family to suicide
New Delhi, February 12
Driven by successive failures in business, four members of a family, including two children, committed suicide in Sector 5, Rohini. The bizarre incident came to light today, four days after they had poisoned themselves. Around 1.30 pm today, the bodies of the four persons, Ram Gopal Kansal (45), wife Kantha (40), daughter Parul (12), and son Anshul (8), were recovered by the police after breaking open the locked door of their rented house.

Liquor sale banned till polling day
Ghaziabad, February 12
The sale of liquor has been banned in the district for 48 hours in view of the elections on Thursday. The ban came into force at 5 pm today and it had been imposed under Section 135-G of the People’s Representative Act, District Magistrate Debasish Panda said today.

Govt official arrested with 10 kg heroin
New Delhi, February 12
The Narcotics Cell of the Delhi Police today claimed to have busted a major network of drug peddlers in the Capital and Haryana with the arrest of a government official. Lust for fast buck forced the official to enter the drug trafficking racket.

COMMUNITY

Ahirwal: A region of neglect
Rewari, February 12
It is unfortunate that the southern parts of Haryana continue to suffer from grave regional disparities and imbalances even 35 years after the state’s formation. Southern Haryana, popularly known as Ahirwal, comprises of the 10 assembly segments of Rewari, Bawo, Jatusana (all three in Rewari district), Kosli region of Salhawas (Rohtak district); Narnaul, Mahendragarh, Ateli (Mahendragarh district); Patandi, Gurgaon and Sohna (Gurgaon district).

Governor gives mantra for peace
Sonepat, February 12
Desire for peace and prosperity without service to humanity is practically impossible. The need of the hour is that people must rise above caste, creed, region and religion and work unitedly for the sake of the suffering humanity. Only then, the efforts could bring the desired results.

Mini effluent plants to keep drains clean
New Delhi, February 12
After directing their energies towards the setting up of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) for checking industrial pollution, the Department of Environment headed by Cabinet Minister Deep Chand Bandhu has drawn up a scheme to curb the pollution of the Yamuna. The scheme envisages the setting up of Mini Effluent Treatment Plants (METPs) at the points where small drains join large drains.

New park invites kids to grow up with fun 

New Delhi, February 12 The Children’s Park at India Gate was reopened today to the public with fresh landscaping, more swings and play areas, a new library, an amphitheatre, a large Jungle Book fountain, a musical fountain and a nature centre. The new-look park was inaugurated by Mrs Shiela Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, at a brief function this evening. Children enjoying at the new-look Children’s Park at India Gate inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday. Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

BJP leader flays Chautala
Rewari, February 12
Senior leader of the Haryana unit of the BJP Ram Bilas Sharma has categorically stated that the rupture between his party and the ruling INLD in the state is now complete and the BJP would now sit in Opposition benches in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Simultaneously, the BJP would firmly oppose all anti-people decisions and policies of the INLD government inside as well as outside the assembly.

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Saying it with the designer’s signature 

Almost a decade ago, it was almost a taboo to have the name of the designer displayed on the outside of the dress we wore. But that was in the past. Today, not only is the designer's name flaunted, albeit discreetly, but there are some brand conscious, rather crazy individuals, who wouldn't mind wearing a clothes inside out to display the name they have paid a fortune for. "When we began offering Satya Paul saris, people would turn the other way if they spotted Satya Paul written on the fabric. Now, they turn the other way if they don't find the name," recalls Mr Aroop, the owner of L`affaire. A designer dress from L`affaire.

Japanese Rock for Delhi Valentine Day Tips

Show on romance On an award-winning spree

NCR BRIEFS
Rain brings hopes of a bumper crop
Sonepat, February 12
Widespread rains during the past two days have enthused the farmers in this district as they hope to get a bumper yield this rabi season. A hurried visit to the adjoining villages, which are known for the production of wheat, gram and mustard seeds besides vegetables on a large scale, showed that the rain has improved the prospects of the standing rabi crops.

Water mission HUDA auction Effigy burnt Four hurt in clash Booked for rape Licences cancelled

Gayatri yajna Power arrears Charas seized Declamation contest Liquor seized Principal awarded

CRIME

Illegal shop sealed, drugs seized 
Faridabad, February 12
The Drug Control authorities today sealed an illegal drug shop operating in Hathin sub-division of the district and seized a large quantity of drugs seized following a raid. The owner of the shop was booked.

Youth stabbed to death by friend
New Delhi, February 12
In a bizarre incident, Ashok (25), resident of Uttam Nagar in West Delhi, was stabbed to death by his friend. His body was recovered from a deserted place in the area. The police did not disclose the name of his friend, who has absconded. Ashok was working in a private company as an accountant, the police said.

EDUCATION

Education survey to cover challenged children
New Delhi, February 12
The special schools for challenged children and alternative and innovative educational systems would for the first time come under the ambit of the seventh All India School Educational Survey. The NCERT Director, Prof J. S Rajput, said that the survey would provide the policy planners wider coverage of educational status and better inputs in the planning process.

DELHI DIGEST
New Act to curb corporal punishment
New Delhi, February 12
The Department of Education of the Government of NCT of Delhi has drafted a new Act and Rules that lay emphasis on counselling of students over corporal punishment.

• Kisan mela in April

SPORTS

Players of J.M.I. Delhi(Green)and N.A.S. College, Meerut (Yellow), in action in the final of the 9th Nehru -ONGC College Hockey at the Shivaji Stadium in the Capital. —Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Ronak Pandit shoots six golds in Europe
New Delhi, February 12
Junior shooter Ronak Pandit shot six gold, two silver and three bronze medals in the recent tour of various cities in Europe like Luxembourg, Munich, Denmark and The Netherlands. Many top shooters from Europe had participated in these shooting meets.

Naman Khanna shines in Frank Anthony’s win
New Delhi, February 12
A brilliant all-round performance by Naman Khanna (4/26 and 72 not out), the Delhi Under-14 player, helped Frank Anthony Public School beat Madan Lal Academy by four wickets to lift the third R G Williams Memorial Cricket Tournament (Under-14) at the Frank Anthony School ground.

• Exhibition soccer match

• Sidharth, Tony star for Chand Khanna

SRCC honours ex-students

New Delhi, February 12 The Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) honoured its distinguished alumni at the annual get-together in the Capital. The Alumni Association gives away the prestigious Alumni Awards to its old students who have excelled in their chosen field of activity, bringing glory to themselves and their alma mater. DDCA vice-president C K Khanna (right) and Ravi Gupta with the SRCC Alumi Awards.

• Rajeev helps Railways win

ADMINISTRATION

DM orders demolition of Railways’ boundary wall
Sonepat, February 12
The District Magistrate of Sonepat, Mr S. N. Roy, has promulgated the ban orders under Section 144 of the CrPC authorising the Executive Officer of the Sonepat Municipal Council to demolish the boundary wall constructed by the Railway authorities along the Sonepat-Rohtak road from the railway crossing near Hindu College to the Lord Shiva temple at the Mission Chowk (about 1,000 feet long).