Caste tension in Meerut
Our Correspondent

Meerut, September 28
Tension prevailed in two communities in a village after an alleged incident of kidnapping of a man. The authorities deployed Provincial Armed Constabulary in Pabla village to check any untoward incident in the wake of the abduction. Hundreds of villagers of the Dalit community demonstrated before the SSP office demanding the recovery of the man. They also protested before the Incholi police station and sat on dharna.

The SP, Rural Area, Mr M P Singh, assured them that the law would take its course and the culprits would soon be behind bars. Senior district officials are worried as the incident could trigger a large-scale violence between two communities in the village The tension started when Anil, son of Sewak Ram Dalit, eloped with a girl of a Gurjar community last week.

The girl’s family informed the Incholi police and lodged an FIR against the boy but the police did not take cognisance over the matter and asked the family of the girl to search for the girl themselves and then inform the police. When the pressure mounted on Sawak Ram Dalit, he also started looking for his son and the girl. But he did not return.

The family members of Sewak Ram alleged that he had been kidnapped by the Gurjars when he was closing his bicycle shop. Some eyewitnesses also informed that Sewak Ram was kidnapped in a tractor trolley. But they said that Sewak Ram secured his release from their custody sometime at night. His wife lodged an FIR against eight members of the Gurjar community.

Police even took the father and the uncle of the girl into custody and interrogated them but could not get any clue. The Dalits accused that the police were enjoying the hospitality of the accused and having milk and cold drinks.

They also told that they were feeling insecure due to the working style of the local police and demanded the suspension of the police post incharge of the Rajpura. Meanwhile, senior police officials deployed PAC in the village as the incident could trigger caste clashes in the village. There had been cases of violence between the two communities in the area in the past which resulted in the killing of several people.

The area is dominated by the Dalits and the Gurjars and the villagers are divided on the caste basis.

Kids pay a heavy price for Learning Disability
Smriti Kak
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
The fact that Learning Disability (LD) in children is recognised worldwide as a reason why many with more than average IQ fail to perform, is hardly a consolation for thousands of such children who still suffer because of lack of detection of this disorder.

“Despite repeated attempts, learning disability in children still goes undetected. The parents as well as the teachers still find it hard to acknowledge that a child has LD,” says Dr Reena Puri, working with the Indian Council of Learning Disability.

Statistics reveal that LD affects at least one in 10 schoolchildren. Caused by a difficulty with the nervous system that affects receiving, processing, or communicating information, LD may occasionally be hereditary. Apart from the failure to read and write properly, some children with LD are also hyperactive. They are easily distracted and have a short attention span.

Though child and adolescent psychiatrists point out that learning disabilities are treatable, the teachers and parents are still doubtful when it comes to acknowledging it. “Teachers and the parents start a blame game. While the teachers call a child careless, the parents blame the teachers for neglecting the child. The result is that eventually it is the child who suffers,” adds Dr Puri. However, owing to efforts made by individuals like Ms Anju Bawa whose sons were dyslexic, the Central Board of Secondary Examination has made concessions for those with LD. The CBSE allows the children an extra hour for writing their exams apart from the facility of using a writer.

Medicos as well as counsellors, meanwhile, stress the need for timely intervention. “Both my sons had LD but the younger one was severely dyslexic. I realised it when he was in class V and from then on, I persuaded his teachers to keep passing him. In class X, I had to persuade the CBSE to allow him a writer,” says Ms Bawa.

But apathy to the cause is seen by many as the reason why the disorder is allowed to go undetected. “I have seen people remaining unmoved by the condition of children. I have been trying to focus the attention of the authorities on the fact that there are thousands of children in our schools who need corrective exercises and help. Sadly no one has felt the need for initiating workshops for teachers to identify and rectify the problem,” points out Dr Kiran Aggarwal, Sr. Pediatrician, MCD.

Early detection followed by corrective measures helps these children overcome the disorder. Counsellors advise that parents should look out for signals of learning disabilities like when a child has difficulty understanding and following instructions or has trouble remembering what someone just told him or her; fails to master reading, spelling, writing, math skills, and thus fails schoolwork.

DLF management to play safe
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, September 28
The security arrangement provided in the posh DLF City by the promoters, the DLF management, will continue at least till October 5.

The DLF Qutab Enclave Residents’ Welfare Association is scheduled to have a final meeting with the management authorities on the security issue on October 5.

The DLF management had given the impression that it would withdraw the security from October 1 on the ground that the residents were not paying the charges.

The change in the management stand is said to have come about following a meeting with the office-bearers of the Resident Welfare Association and the Vice-Chairman of DLF Universal Ltd, Mr Rajiv Singh, a few days ago.

A functionary of the management confirmed the meeting, but refused to divulge the details.

He, however, said that the members of the association were trying to impress upon the management that they were ready to ensure collection of the charges for the security provided in the plotted areas of the city.

According to the association, it has been temporarily agreed in the meeting that a joint committee consisting of its members and the management would study the present arrangement so that it could be rationalised.

The security personnel of the three private agencies employed by the management were not accountable to the residents even though they paid for their upkeep. The personnel were only accountable to the functionaries of the management.

The committee will go into all aspects as well as the cost structure of the entire set-up. The residents would justly be given a sense of authority on the security personnel. The association feels that a number of personnel pressed into service by the security agencies were redundant, kicking up the cost of the security set-up.

The association debunked the charge that non-payment of the charges was the reason for the contemplated withdrawal of the security arrangements by the management. Its version is that the Director, Town and Country Planning, a wing of the Haryana government, had issued a public order a few years ago, prohibiting the management from collecting the ‘maintenance charges’ from the residents.

Significantly, the charges for the security were also collected along with the maintenance charges.

The public order also said that the management would have to deposit the entire amount of the maintenance charges, collected so far, to the government's coffer. The amount ran into several crores.

The management moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the order. The management lost the case in the verdict in May.

The association said that after the verdict, the management was hesitant to collect the security charges even though it was technically not part of the maintenance charges. Some of the members said that it was the ploy of the management to raise the bogey of withdrawal of the security arrangement so that the residents and their representatives, suo motu, approached it with offers to pay the charges.

They said that the residents had never backed out from paying the charges for security.

Earlier, the management charged ‘no construction charges’ from such owners of vacant plots. After the court’s verdict, they now cannot do so.

Some of the association members lamented that although the attitude of the top echelons of the management was constructive, the functionaries at the lower level were apparently having ego problems and trying to create hurdles in working out an acceptable formula.

They expressed the hope that things would be sorted out in the October 5 meeting.

Women’s heart no stronger than men’s
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
We somehow tend to create stereotypes, especially based on gender. So, whereas heart disease is considered a man's problem, women are generally thought to be more susceptible to cancer. Now, a new research at Delhi-based Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has contradicted the notion pertaining to cardiac problems.

The study included more than 1,500 patients undergoing bypass surgery at Dharma Vira Heart Centre, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. It was found that women constitute an alarming 25 per cent of total bypass surgeries. Further, it was discovered that nearly 10 per cent of women needing bypass were in the relatively younger ‘pre-menopausal’ age group of 40-49 years, thus flouting the misconception that heart attacks occur only in old age.

Many women believe that cancer is more of a threat than any other disease. But empirical statistics indicate that nearly twice as many women die of heart disease and related stroke as of all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.

The study also suggests a high correlation between diabetes, high BP and heart attacks in women. From among the women undergoing bypass during the research, as many as 65 per cent were diabetic and nearly 61 per cent had high blood pressure.

Commenting on the alarming incidence of heart problems in women, Dr O. P. Yadava, Chairman of Dharma Vira Heart Centre, says, “This study provides substantive evidence to prove that cardiac problems cannot be viewed as a predominantly male disorder. Nearly as many women are prone to the same heart problems. Sudden cardiac deaths in women have shot up by 30 per cent in recent times. In fact, otherwise also, I feel that the disease merits more attention in women than in men as 42 per cent of women suffering a heart attack die within one year itself, as compared to only 24 per cent of their male counterparts."

Dr Yadava also emphasised managing the high incidence of secondary effects of the disease. Quoting the research findings, he said that nearly 30 per cent female cases also had evidence of multi-organ involvement in the form of cholesterol in the arteries of brain or kidney, or both. He warned that short-statured women need to especially guard themselves against a higher potential threat of heart problems. These women also fare relatively worse in balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery and even on drug treatment.

A marked increase in proportion of overweight and obese young ladies, an upward trend in cigarette smoking, switching to potentially dangerous weight loss practices and crash diets plus a casual approach towards screening and timely treatment of heart disease have contributed to a steep rise in sudden cardiac deaths in women.

Depression is considered an important independent risk factor in heart diseases in women.

Another significant difference in the manifestation of heart problems in men and women relates to the early symptoms. Women may experience symptoms that often go unrecognised.

According to Dr Yadava, women are more inclined to experience pain in jaw, neck or shoulder, and also general symptoms as nausea, vomiting, fatigue or indigestion. Further, they may get pain in the back rather than in the chest or arm, thus confusing diagnosis and leading to delay in seeking medical attention, he fears.

Higher dose of oral contraceptives has also been found to increase the risk of heart diseases, especially if combined with cigarette smoking. There is evidence that oestrogen, a hormone produced by the female body, offers protection against heart disease. Loss of oestrogen after natural menopause or due to surgical removal of uterus or ovaries may heighten this risk sharply.

Ancient Gumati gets the kiss of life
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
Restoration work carried out by the DDA in association with INTACH on the Gumati, an unprotected Lodhi period tomb in South Delhi, has given a fresh lease of life to the ancient structure. Neglect and apathy were responsible for the decline in the state of monument. It was being misused as a garbage landfill until the restoration work was carried out. The expenditure incurred on the cost of restoration is Rs 18 lakh.

Urban Development Ministry secretary M Shankar here inaugurated the restored site today. DDA Vice-Chairman P K Hota was also present on the occasion. The major work carried out on the tomb, included consolidation of dome masonry, reconstruction of its minarets, replacement of missing tiles consolidation of arches and introduction of water sprouts.

Besides, an acre around the site has been landscaped by architectural, engineering and horticultural expertise. Adequate lighting has also been provided to illuminate the monument. The tomb was lying unprotected for years and the local residents had been using the surrounding area as a dump yard. 

Population influx causes polio cases
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
The Government of NCT of Delhi on Saturday said continuous influx of population from neighbouring states was the main reason for the increasing number of polio cases in the NCT.

After launching the first phase of Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme (PPIP), Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit asked the neighbouring states to step up the programme to make the nation polio-free by 2005.

Ms Dikshit said a total of 509 polio cases had so far been reported countrywide out of which 405 belonged to Uttar Pradesh and only seven to the NCT of Delhi.

Health Minister A K Walia said 7,000 polio kendras had been set up that would function from 9 am to 4 pm in the first phase of the immunisation programme on Sunday.

He said various media and publicity outlets, besides NGOs and other social and medical agencies were extending active co-operation to the programme. 

V-C calls council meeting on October 1
Sanjog Gupta

New Delhi, September 28
The Vice-Chancellor, under pressure from DUTA, declared that the Academic Council would convene on October 1 to decide upon the report of the Workload Committee. The Workload Committee submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor on Friday after prolonged discussions in an urgent meeting called at the behest of the V-C.

The V-C, facing the threat of an indefinite hunger strike by DUTA members, had advanced the meeting from its scheduled date next week. The Workload Committee report entails several aspects, some of which are outside its purview according to DUTA, which has convened an Executive Body meeting today to decide how to deal with the excessive indulgence of the committee in delving into issues, which “do not require its attention”.

Annual fair on communal love begins
Tribune News Service

Pankha of “Phool Walon ki Sair” being presented to Lt-Governor Vijai Kapoor in the Capital on Saturday. — Photo by Anil Sharma

How effective would be cleanliness drive?
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, September 28
Although the district administration is all set to launch a fortnight-long cleanliness drive here from October 2 to 16 as part of the campaign announced by the state government but would it be able to make the civic authorities more responsive and caring towards the need for a clean place to reside? This is the question plaguing the minds of many here.

The local authorities have announced that the cleanliness drive is being launched to increase the level of awareness among people and involve them in keeping their surroundings clean.

Several teams of officials have been deputed to supervise the work of the safai karamcharis and workers of the Municipal Corporation, Faridabad, (MCF) and other agencies.

It is claimed that it was a part of the statewide campaign and the people would be told about the proper use of polythene bags and items. While the sale, stocking and use of polythene bags and plastic items used for carrying items had been banned, the administration would remind the people that the use of such items was illegal and should be stopped immediately for the sake of their health and clean surroundings. At least 25 officers have been assigned the duty of supervision during the drive. But the drive is seen as another government scheme which is hardly practical or would prove to be useful in solving the problem on a long-term basis.

Mr Raj Kumar Gaur, a Janata Dal leader here, said such a campaign was hardly of any use as it was only for 15 days. He said cleanliness was the need for 365 days around the year and bodies like the MCF had been set up for this purpose only. Alleging that the civic body had failed to deliver the goods, he said instead of improving the functioning of the civic authorities the government had been taking short-term measures as part of its publicity campaign.

Mr Kailash Sharma, a resident of Sector 10 here, said the government should try to make civic bodies more accountable with regard to the work assigned to them on permanent basis. He charged that MCF officials had given the cleanliness work to a private body on contract and failed to ensure that the work was being done properly. He said

when there was corruption and inefficiency in civic bodies’ offices then such short-term drives could hardly be effective. He said things would be back to square one after the period of the drive was over. Mr Krishan Lal Gera, a social activist, also feels that measures should be on long-term basis with involvement of various resident welfare associations (RWA) who should be assigned the

work of supervision and provision of strict action against the employees or officials found shirking their duties.

GETTING AWAY
Tourists become wild about Bandhavgarh park
Tribune News Service

THE Vindhyas in Madhya Pradesh nurse a wild coterie in Bandhavgarh, a national park with the highest known density of tiger population in the country.

Alternately known as the White Tiger territory, the place is haven for those wishing to get an insight into the den of the rulers of the jungle apart from the gaur or Indian bison, the sambar, the barking deer and the nilgai.

The park can be explored on elephant back or in a vehicle. Jeep safaris are best undertaken, from dawn till about 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. till dusk, as the animals are quite active during these periods.

SEARCH WITHIN
Child-like faith that overcomes the world

EVERYONE born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1John 5:4)

That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is the spirit. The flesh with all its frailties drags you down. It is the Spirit, which revives and enlivens; the flesh profiteth nothing. Regeneration is accomplished in the human spirit by the Holy Spirit of God. And to be regenerated is to have the divine, eternal life as the new source and new element of a new person. It is this revived spirit that helps one to overcome the world.

One of the songs that has been translated into many languages is the one that was composed by Martin Luther King and used very effectively in the civil rights movement launched by him while fighting for the rights of his Black brethren in the United States. Today it is sung with great gusto by the children at all kinds of rallies and celebrations in all kinds of languages.

What accounts for the popularity of the song? The man’s need to overcome. He is up against obstacles of all sorts when he wants to progress. In a caste-ridden society like ours, birth in a lower caste might impose disadvantages; a person with disabilities such as blindness certainly is at a great disadvantage on the question of making a living. Another who did not have the benefit of a good education finds himself handicapped in the job market.

Imagine yourself seated in the front row at a function celebrating the anniversary of a school for the blind. There on the stage are finely attired boys and girls of the school singing, “We shall overcome some day…!’’ If you are a sensitive individual you will be moved to tears knowing well that in this world of competition, the blind boy or girl will have to face numerous hurdles.

The reason why books on success formulae are among the best sellers is because ordinary people face many obstacles in their path towards success and they want to overcome them. Even people “successful’’ in worldly terms find themselves helpless in certain situations like a terminal illness, a broken relationship, death of a dear one and so on. What can guard a person against the onset of such misery?

Then there are other enemies to happiness which play havoc with your life — for instance your worrying nature, the hatred and anger that overpower you against your will, your lack of self-discipline, which dissipates your energies and the fears that make you diffident in the very attempt to succeed and so on.

If you are a spiritual person, you are constantly aware of the temptations that beset you in living the good life. On all sides there is the pressure of worldly standards and motives. There are the fascinations of the wrong things. From within and without there come the temptations which are part of the human situation in a society which is not interested in, and which is sometimes hostile to, God.

In the most celebrated book of the world, the Bible, the authors did not present a success formula that is easy to practise. “In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, ‘’ declared Jesus. (John 16:33) The world did its worst to Him. It slandered Him, hounded Him, branded Him a sinner and friend of sinners. It judged Him, crucified Him and then buried Him. But then the defeat and shame of crucifixion was followed by the glory of resurrection.

And He had declared: “If you have as much faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you!’ (Luke 17:6)

What is the kind of faith that can move trees and mountains? There is an oft-repeated but absurd adage that ‘it is no difference what a man believes if he only be sincere.’ History has numerous examples to prove that the more sincerely a man believes falsehood, the more destructive it is to all his interests and for time and eternity.

Neither is faith another name for self-confidence. Look at the life of a small child. It can not buy a loaf of bread; but believes father can. That child could not provide for itself the garments, but it has an implicit faith in the father’s power to provide. Its life is a life of perfect faith in its parents.

Faith gives us a strong aspiration to obey God’s commandments; to live and walk daily in righteousness and holiness. Obedience, again is a sign of both faith and love. And love renders the rigorous life of faith easy. But love is no smooth-flowing sentimental thing.

It is never an easy thing to love the people whom we do not like, the people who insult or hurt our feelings. The truth is God empowers the believer to by His Spirit to obey His commandments like the commandment to love.

Your clues to success that in turn lead you to happiness consist in dying to selfishness, dying to hatred and anger and in saying no to greed and covetousness. And true faith in a living God brings into you this success as surely as light banishing darkness from a room.

M P K Kutty

THE ACHIEVERS
A rare honour for PGIMS Professor of Medicine
Vipin Sharma

Rohtak, September 28
Dr P.S. Ghalaut, Professor of Medicine at Pt. B. D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, is the first person in Haryana who has been recently selected for this year’s prestigious ‘Unichem Lectureship in Hematology–2002’ national award by the Association of Physicians of India (API).

The award is presented every year to a senior doctor for excellence and outstanding research in the field of Hematology. Dr. Ghalaut came out with cost effective and less toxic treatment for the patients suffering from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML).

He told ‘NCR Tribune’ that in his research done on 655 male and female patients suffering from blood cancer in the institute during the last two decades, he concluded that such patients could be cured by administering injections and giving tablets. He said the treatment cost through this technique was nearly Rs one lakh whereas the other option of bone marrow transplant used to cost Rs 8 to 10 lakh, which is beyond the reach of the common man.

Commenting on the disease, he said it is common in males and females of all age groups.

He said this type of cancer was found in about 52 per cent cases of blood cancer patients who approached the PGIMS during last two decades.

He informed that treatment through medicines was available at the PGIMS here and the survival period of such patients was almost similar to those treated by bone marrow transplant.

He suggested that the patients suffering from CML type of blood cancer could be treated at nominal charges if the government or some non-government organisation provided medicines free of cost to them.

Prof. B. B. Thakur, president, API, congratulated Dr Ghalaut stating that his contribution in teaching and research of blood cancer and blood related diseases had been of immense value for the physicians and for the management of such patients.

Earlier, Dr Ghalaut was awarded the Commonwealth Medical Fellowship in Hematology in U K in 1990-91.

Dr Ghalaut has published nearly 70 papers in various national and international journals and was awarded the best paper award in Hematology at Bangalore in 1998 by the API.

Osho Commune to hold exhibition
Our Correspondent

Gurgaon, September 28
Meditation means the absence of activity and absolute passivity, said Swami Bharat Bharati of Osho Commune International, Pune. Swami Bharat Bharati is here to participate in a two-day exhibition of books and cassettes (audio and video) based on the discourses of Osho.

Swami Bharat Bharati will also participate in a four-day meditation camp being organised here.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Dr Sushil Indora, the Member of Parliament, was candid enough to accept that most of the politicians visit religious places for political purpose. Dr Indora observed that politicians have yet to learn the true meaning of dharma.

Speaking to mediapersons, Swami Bharat Bharati explained that Osho had guided his disciples to prefix the word ‘Swami’ before their names.

Osho had expressed the need for the creation of a new man. The new man can be created only by meditation, said Swami Bharati.

Swami Bodhi Vimal said that thousands of hours of Osho’s speech had been recorded both in Hindi and English. He said 650 books containing Osho’s speech had been translated in 18 national and international languages.

He said more than 150 persons had already enrolled themselves for the four-day meditation camp in Gurgaon.

95th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
Purusharth, a social and cultural organisation in East Delhi, held a function at Veer Abhimanyu Park in Shahadra to commemorate the 95th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Prem Chopra who acted in the film Shaheed, former Asian Games gold medalist, Praveen Kumar and president of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front, M.S. Bitta graced the occasion.

Prem Chopra thrilled the crowd at the function with his dialogues on the life of Bhagat Singh. He played the role of Sukhdev in the film.

Praveen Kumar, who is now known for his role of Bheem in TV serial, Mahabharat, said personality of Shaheed-e-Azam, Bhagat Singh, had always inspired him to do something special for the Motherland. Mr M. S. Bitta and Dr Jai Prakash Laldhagewale, the coordinator of the programme, gave away the Purusharth awards to 10 people for doing significant work in their fields. Agam Nigam, a noted play back singer, entertained the audience with some nationalist songs from the Hindi films.

Sonepat Habitat Club opens
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, September 28
Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, INLD MLA and the President of the Haryana Olympic Association, inaugurated the newly constructed Habitat Club on the premises of the mini secretariat here last evening. The club has been built at a cost of Rs 80 lakh.

The club is located in an area of 205 acres. It is equipped with all modern facilities and has been described as the best not only in and around Delhi but in the entire northern part of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chautala praised the work done by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S. N. Roy, who is the founder Chairman of this club, for not only giving a face-lift to the city but also gifting this club on the occasion of Tourism Day.

He also hoped that similar clubs would also be opened in other parts of the state.

Mr Roy gave a brief account of the project and said that the building of the club had been completed in a record time of about four months. This club was going to be a dream, long imagined but realised now for the residents of Sonepat, who will be enrolled as its members. This club would provide entertainment and leisure to the satisfaction of all, he added.

Later, a cultural evening, which included ghazals, was organised on this occasion. Mr Ashok Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak, Mr Resham Singh, Inspector-General of Police, Rohtak Range, Mr Paramjit Singh Ahlawat, Superintendent of Police, Sonepat, Mr R. P. Bhardwaj, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Dinesh Yadav, SDM, Mr Dev Raj Diwan, Mr Suraj Mal Antil and Mr Padam Singh Dahiya, all MLAs, Mr Ved Singh Malik, a former Minister, Mr Raj Singh Dahiya, Chairman, Sonepat Zila Parishad, Mr Satpal Goel, Chairman, Sonepat Municipal Council, Mr Dalip Singh, Chairman, Sonepat Market Committee, and Mr Ranbir Dahiya, president of the district unit of the INLD, were among those who were present along with other prominent citizens of Sonepat on this occasion.

The programme of ghazals charmed the audience and others presented on this occasion. The entire building of the club had been illuminated and attracted the people.

NCR BRIEFS
Economic policies attacked by SFI
Our Correspondent

Panipat, September, 28
The employment and retrenchment policies of the Centre and the Haryana Government came in for severe criticism on the concluding day of the ‘Yuva Chhattra Samelan’ organised by the SFI and the DYFI here today. Various delegates said that while on the one hand the jobs were becoming scare, on the other hand, both the Centre and the state government were resorting to large-scale retrenchment, spreading discontent among the youth.

Meanwhile, Mr Prem Singh and Mr Sunil Dutt were elected president and general secretary of the Haryana unit of the DYFI.

Coming down heavily on the capitalist and communal forces, the West Bengal Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Mr Mohammad Salim, warned that these forces were out to divide the country.

He alleged that the new industrial policy of the NDA government, dictated by the capitalist countries, had played havoc with the Indian industry and agriculture.

40 students injured in mishap

Gurgaon: In an accident here toady, 40 students were injured when the vehicle in which they were travelling met with an accident. Four are reported to be serious. The students were on their way to school when the accident took place near Sikanderpur village. They were being driven to school in a multi-utility vehicle, belonging to one of the students since the state transport bus they were to take failed to turn up.

The driver of the vehicle lost control and the accident occurred. The children were taken to a hospital where except for the four seriously injured, the others were discharged after first-aid.

Police officer’s son killed

Ghaziabad: The son of a DSP was killed in a road accident on the Meerut road near Shiv Mandir here. He was going on his scooter when a truck coming at a high speed hit him from behind. Though the police have seized the truck, the drive managed to escape from the accident site. The family of the police officer, Mr N. K. Sharma, who is posted in Bareilly, lives in Sector-2 of Rajender Nagar under Sahibabad police station.

The 27-year-old son was employed in a Noida firm and was on his way to his office on his scooter when truck (No. RJ02/G-3140) hit him from behind. The police said that Praveen was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The police are trying to trace the drive.

Woman shot at

Noida: A woman, who tried to cool tempers during a dispute between two factions of a family in Katehra village in Dadri, was shot and seriously injured in the head. The members of a family were divided over the marriage of a youth in the family.

There was heated discussion in the family yesterday on this issue again and soon a member of the family took out a country-made revolver.

While a lady from neighbourhood, Kusum Lata, was trying to pacify everybody, she was shot at and the bullets hit her in the head. She was rushed to Yashoda hospital in Ghaziabad in a serious condition.

DELHI DIGEST
Liberalisation policy criticised
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Saturday accused the Government of NCT of Delhi of pursuing a policy of indiscriminate liberalisation and privatisation and threatened to intensify its agitation if its demands were not met.

The CITU held a demonstration and protested against the government’s policies that it alleged favoured multinational companies (MNCs) and industrialists at the expense of the interests of workers.

“The standard of living of workers is continuously going down as their wages have not been revised for years together,” they lamented and demanded implementation of a 25 per cent hike in minimum wages as per the Supreme Court’s direction.

They submitted a 16-point charter of demands that included abolition of contract labour, extension of social security and provident fund to all household employees, construction workers and rickshaw-pullers.

Two killed in road accident

Two youths were killed and another was seriously injured when their two-wheeler was hit by a container-truck near Air Force station in Mehrauli-Badarpur Road today afternoon.

Police said that Samai Singh (21), Vinay Kumar (25) and Praveen (25), were on a motorcycle and a truck hit them from behind around 2.30 pm. While Samai and Vinay died on the spot, Praveen with serious injuries has been admitted in the AIIMS.

The truck driver escaped from the spot immediately after the incident, leaving behind his vehicle. Police have registered a case of causing death due to rash driving and are looking for the driver.

August Moon Festival launched with a bang
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
It truly felt like a `Trip to Beijing’. The launch party of the August Moon Festival at ‘Trip to Beijing’, Rajouri Garden, kicked off the 14-day festival with a bang.

The festival, which is on till September 29, is a true depiction of the Chinese festivity, cuisine and spirit.

According to the Taiwanese legend, an emperor discovered a potion that would make him immortal. But to save the world from her husband’s tyranny, the empress drank the potion herself and ascended into heaven and in the moon, they beheld the face of the empress.

The ambience was completely Chinese with Chinese inscriptions, paintings adorning the walls, light Chinese instrumental music to regale the audience and a Chinese dragon symbolising the Chinese festivity.

The invites were pleasantly greeted by hostesses and presented a bouquet on arrival. The cuisine was lavish with unique Chinese dishes being served to the guests.

Mr Deepak Menon and Mr Pankaj Maniktala of Dream Event Management Pvt. Ltd. played the perfect hosts along with Mr Nitin Chawla, the proprietor of ‘Trip to Beijing’.

And celebrities arrived in plenty. Gracing the occasion were the Chinese Cultural Counsellor Yang Linhai with a few dignitaries from the Chinese embassy, popular pop singer Shankar Sawhney, Ms India International Kanwal Toor, Gladrags Model Simran Sachdeva, model Shweta Arya, singer Bobby Cash and DJ Jazzy Joe.

Book fair in Faridabad from Oct 1
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, September 28
A six-day long book fair will be held at the Sports Complex, Sector 12 here from October 1. Known as `Faridabad Book Fair’, it will be organised by the Sahitya Upkram, a literary body based in Delhi. Stating this, Mr V.Rai, who is associated with the organisation, said that the fair was first of its kind to be held at Faridabad.

Supported by the National Book Trust (NBT), at least 40 publishers with about 20,000 titles, mainly in Hindi literature will participate in the book fair. He said the theme of the fair was `Entertainment through literature’, and the organisers have tried to keep the prices of the books at reasonable level. Several publishers including the NBT, Children Book Trust, Raj Kamal, Vaani and Devi are likely to participate in the book fair.

Special literary events including seminars, discussions, poetry recitation and dramas will also be held in the evening. The fair will be inaugurated by Ms Varsha Dass, director, NBT, and eminent writers.

Criminal shot dead in Ghaziabad
Our Correspondent

Ghaziabad, September 28
A few people from Bhaya village in Dholana block in the district beat up a criminal, after allegedly mistaking him for a terrorist, and later shot him dead.

In the presence of the police, angry villagers thrust the barrel of a country-made revolver into the criminal’s mouth and shot him dead on the spot. The police are maintaining a studied silence in the matter.

The SSP, Mr Chander Prakash, said the criminal was killed when he along with his companions robbed some women and an old man who had gone to the fields to bring fodder early in the morning. He was nabbed by some villagers, who killed him.

The village pradhan, Mr Inder Singh, informed the police that Bachan Singh along with Shyamo and Kiranpal Singh’s wife Shiksha were on the way to their farm to get fodder. As they got busy cutting fodder, some criminal elements came along and starting snatching the women’s jewellery at pistol-point.

When the women raised the alarm, some farmers from the neighbouring fields came running. As villagers tried to surround and overpower the criminals they fired at them and made a bid to escape.

Soon, some villagers also reached there with firearms. They fired back at the criminals. In the firing one of the criminals was shot dead while two others succeeding in fleeing.

The police had registered a case of murder and looting against the criminals on the written report of the village pradhan, the SSP said.

However, Bachan Singh said when he informed the villagers about the presence of criminals in his field the criminals were surrounded from all sides. A person hiding in the fields was overpowered. After he was beaten up, during interrogation he admitted that he was a resident of Sultanpur village, near Meerut. He said that 25 of his companions were operating in this area. They had created panic in the whole region with their criminal activities. The villagers, Bachan went on to reveal, had thrust a pistol barrel in his mouth and shot him dead.

Youth stabbed to death

Noida: A youth was stabbed to death by his friend as he objected to playing a joke on an elderly person at Dhenora village on Friday night.

But the real reason behind the murder, according to some villagers, was that the two youths were vying for the affections of a young girl.

According to the Kakode police, Bhupinder and another youth of the village were good friends. An elderly person, popularly known as “Tau”, was the butt of jokes. He would not mind the jokes cracked at his cost.

But on Friday night when Bhupinder and his friend were sitting at the chaupal Bhupinder said something to Tau in a lighter vein.

When his friend objected to it, Bhupinder said everybody in the village cut jokes directed at Tau.

This gave way to an altercation. Soon, his friend came back from his house with a knife in his hand. He stabbed Bhupinder with it.

Profusely bleeding, Bhupinder was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

The police have sent Bhupinder’s body for an autopsy and registered a case against the accused, who is absconding.

Undertrial commits suicide
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, September 28
Om Parkash, an under trial prisoner and a resident of Bhatal Jatan village in Hansi tehsil of Hisar district, was reported to have committed suicide by hanging himself with some pieces of cloth in the district jail here on Thursday night. His body was found hanging in barrack no 16 yesterday. According to a report, the jail administration has sent the body for a post-mortem examination. The District Magistrate has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. It is stated that the culprit was involved in a case of looting and he was sent to this jail on July 4 last. He took this extreme step when all prisoners of the barrack retired for the night on Thursday. When they woke up last morning they raised a hue and cry when they noticed the body of Om Parkash.

According to another report, Mr Ishwar Singh, an aged man, committed suicide by hanging himself in his house at Sirsadh village, about 40 km from here, last night. It is stated that he took this extreme step following a family quarrel. The police are still investigating. Three youths robbed Five armed robbers are reported to have robbed three youths travelling on a motor cycle near Sayyakhera village, about 20 km from here, last night.

According to a report, three youths, namely Surinder, Subhash and Dilbagh were returning home to Shekhpura village on a motor cycle from Rohtak when they were stopped near Sayyakhera village at pistol-point. The robbers snatched Rs 4,500 from Surinder and Rs 400 from Dilbagh. The culprits managed to escape under cover of darkness after snatching the motor cycle too.

The Ganaur police have registered a case of looting against five persons, including Charan Singh and Joginder of Sayyakhera village, and further investigations were in progress. A massive hunt is on to apprehend them.

Gang printing fake CST forms busted in Uttam Nagar
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
The West district police today claimed to have busted a gang operating in the Uttam Nagar area, which indulged in printing and selling of fake Central Sales Tax (CST) forms of various states. The suspects were identified as Surinder Goel and his accomplices were identified as Radhe Shyam and Abdul Hakim.

The suspects were arrested along with fake CST forms of various states in different categories.

Secret information was received that CST forms were printed and sold in Om Vihar area, the police said.

When the police team raided a house (B-27) in Om Vihar, they found Surinder Goel working on a screen-printing.

His interrogation led to the recovery of approximately 1,500 forms of Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala and Chandigarh.

Apart from this, 400 printing sheets, screen printing frames, films, chemical and colour were recovered.

During interrogation, Surinder disclosed that he along with Radhe Shyam and Abdul Hakim had planned the racket.

The CST form is a government document and are printed only in government press on the orders of Commissioner, Sales Tax.

Surinder Goel, a technical man in printing, sold these forms at Rs 250 each. The forms were supplied through conduits, the police said.

Attempt to murder

Meena (38), a widow, who was set ablaze by one of her friends, Dinesh (40), was admitted to JPN Hospital with 95 per cent burns last night.

Dinesh committed the crime after an argument on a trivial issue at the residence of the victim at Burari. He poured kerosene and set her ablaze. The suspect is absconding, the police said.

Desperado arrested

Special Cell of the Delhi Police today arrested a desperado who was involved in more than eight cases of robbery, dacoity, attempt to murder and Arms Act. He was arrested from Shastri Park in North-East district where he had gone to meet a friend. A loaded country-made revolver along with one live cartridge was recovered from his possession, the police said.