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| Saturday,
November 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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RUSTIC JUSTICE Meerut, November 1 As the police caught hold of the two kidnappers, hundreds of frenzied villagers shouted: either kill them or let us kill them. The police officials seemed helpless and bowed to the demands of the berserk villagers. The mystery of the encounter unfolded when the ‘NCR Tribune’ visited Sarurpur Khurd village late on Friday evening and spoke to some villagers. Sarurpur Khurd village, 30 km away from district headquarters, is surrounded by dense sugarcane fields. A villager Ratan and his adolescent son Vipin reached their sugarcane field in the morning at around 10.15 am. They heard an infant crying in a nearby field. A suspicious character was standing beside the child. Vipin and his father Ratan caught him immediately and raised an alarm. Several villagers working in their fields rushed to the spot and beat up the culprit Baru. Baru told the villagers that he and three of his accomplices had kidnapped the two-year-old son of a ‘gazak’ trader. Meanwhile, Vipin took the child in his lap and called for his father. The second kidnapper was also caught while Baru fled, taking advantage of the dense sugarcane fields. The second kidnapper said that his roommate Satte worked as a domestic in the shop of the child’s father. Vipin rang up his home and confirmed that his son was safe; he also informed Sarurpur police station. Several senior police officials, including SP (RA), Circle Officer Kothwali, Inspector Kotwali Arun Kumar Sharma, SHO Brahampuri, CO Saradhna, SHO Jani and Inspector Saradhna rushed to the spot with a large contingent of police. The police cordoned off the sugarcane fields and the third kidnapper, Sarvendra Tomar, was also caught with the help of hundreds of villagers. Then, several livid villagers armed with licensed firearms ‘ordered’ the police to kill the kidnappers or they would kill them. Police officials tried hard to convince the villagers to spare their lives but they were adamant. The police officials finally yielded to their demands and pumped bullets into the two kidnappers. It was later dubbed an encounter. Speaking to the ‘NCR Tribune’, several villagers, including Brahampal Singh, Ravindra, Ratan and Rajbir praised the police officials. Some villagers also pleaded that their names should not be publicised as the absconding kidnapper could take revenge. Hundreds of villagers also praised Vipin and demanded that he should be rewarded and given a job in the police force. DIG Gurdarshan Singh has ordered that Vipin be given a certificate of honour. |
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Dogged by bad debt, man
sets family of four on fire New Delhi, November 1 The police said the reason behind this extreme step could be the mounting family debt and the persistent demands of the creditors. The man was later identified as Ashok Kumar Sachdeva (50). He died along with his mother Dhan Devi (70) and daughter Ekta (16). His wife, Ravinder Kaur, has been admitted at the GTB hospital while his daughter Deepa is admitted at the Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital. The two of them have suffered serious burn injuries. Ashok had incurred huge losses recently and was under pressure to return the money he had borrowed. The beleaguered man locked his entire family of six in a small room of the first floor house and poured kerosene on himself and others. The police said a call was received last night around 11.58 pm that smoke was emanating from a room of B-241 house in Jhilmil Colony. When fire brigade officials and police opened the door, they found five persons with third degree burns. However, Sachdeva’s 10-year-old son Aman managed to escape as he jumped from a window of the room when his father set the family on fire. The police said Aman was in a state of shock and could not speak much. Ashok Kumar was declared brought dead at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital while Dhan Devi and Ekta breathed their last in the hospital. |
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Students vent spleen at PGIMS Rohtak, November 1 The out-of-order CT scan, the inoperative respiratory ICU and the non-availability of an equipped ambulance infuriated the fellow students. Outraged, they shouted slogans, pelted stones and broke window panes of the PGIMS Director’s bungalow when he allegedly refused to come out and redress their grievances. Since the CT scan was out of order, the patient had to be shifted in a precarious condition to a private CT scan centre in the town. When the patient was brought back, no bed was available in the ICU, which the patient urgently needed. Incidentally, a new CT scan, which cost Rs three crore two years ago, is yet to be installed. Finally the parents decided to shift the boy to a hospital in Delhi. However, the PGIMS ambulance, which was furnished at a cost of Rs 15 lakh two years ago, was not ready for transferring the patient. The livid students then poured their wrath on the director’s bungalow. An ambulance was eventually arranged from Delhi, which ferried the patient to Apollo Hospital. |
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DUSU panel members
detained New Delhi, November 1 The police also resorted to force to control the agitation of Jubilee Hall residents outside the V-C’s office, which began last night and turned violent. The police led a lathi-charge and lobbed teargas shells to ensure the dispersion of the Jubilee Hall residents, agitating against the ‘dubious’ policies of the hostel authorities. Around 125 Jubilee Hall residents had marched to the V-C’s office at 3 pm after concluding their protest against the resident tutor early morning today. They were demanding the resignations of the provost, warden and resident tutor of Jubilee Hall. They wanted to meet the dean, but he was unavailable. The residents’ tempers flared up when the Dean of Students Welfare put her hands up and decided to walk out. They ran amok and started breaking windows requiring police intervention in the form of a lathi-charge. The central issue of discontentment among the residents is the ‘nomination’ of the student representatives on the hotel and mess committees. As per protocol, the student representatives are required to be elected. The residents allege that the hostel authorities appoint students to ensure that the irregularities are not detected. Also, the past week has witnessed the expulsion of four residents by the authorities for “indiscipline”. The residents allege that the four expulsions were an outcome of the detection of financial irregularities. A hostel resident said, “The student representatives are also the students of the provost, which enable him to dictate terms to them. The representation of residents on the committees is a farce.” The Jubilee Hall residents had been agitating outside the Resident Tutor’s residence since last night accusing the provost, warden and resident tutor of dubious policies. The perennial issues of contention between the residents and the authorities resurfaced, which include the vacancy of rooms in the hostel – almost 120 rooms remained vacant for almost one and a half years and even now 60 remain vacant. The authorities had asked the residents to pay extra fee of Rs 800 to cover the deficit incurred by the Jubilee Hall due to the rooms remaining vacant. |
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Bomb scare at Regal
cinema New Delhi, November 1 The call was received by the control room at 1.35 pm when the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Mukesh Meena, was discussing the law and order situation and deliberating on the deployment of personnel on the occasion of Divali with his subordinates in his office. This is the fourth hoax bomb call in the Capital. The operation cell has formed a special team to keep a vigil at the airport, so that no untoward incident takes place. Two calls, saying that bombs were planted on planes, were received. The third one warned about militants being on board. However, all these calls were declared hoax. The DCP said that a posse of police, accompanied by the Bomb Disposal and the Dog Squad, was rushed to the Regal theatre and the cinema hall was evacuated. When the call was received, 37 persons were watching the movie, ‘Mummy.’ The area was cordoned off and a thorough search was conducted under the supervision of the DCP. The call was later traced to a PCO at New Delhi railway station (number 3746246). However, no arrest had been made, the DCP said. |
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Rendezvous with Rama, the ASEAN way New Delhi, November 1 “Realizing Rama,” an exemplary display of music, dance and theatrical creativity, testifies to the permeating nature of culture and tradition, which transcend all boundaries. The flagship project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information presents not only the Indian epic in an innovative style but also projects the aesthetic beauty of 10 South East Asian nations. The South East Asian culture owes a great deal to ‘Ramayana,’ as it has played a pivotal role in inspiring various South East Asian performing and visual arts. The world premier of the unique artistic endeavour was held in Hanoi in December 1998 during the South ASEAN Summit, which was followed with repeat performances in other countries of South East Asia. After gaining tremendous popularity in the region, the “Realizing Rama” troupe staged the grandiose project in European theatres in 2001. Being the first artistic collaboration of the region, the performance has seen the convergence of artists from varied backgrounds, who brought with them their own individual cultures, thereby adding to the existing richness of the text. The traditional story of Rama – the great leader and authoritarian – who exemplifies sacrifice, purity, wisdom, compassion and service, values that constitute a true leader, was adapted to bring forth a contemporary feel. While imbibing the local flavour of the region by enriching it with details from the local versions of the text, the production closely follows the milieu of the traditional Ramayana. It begins with Lord Rama competing for the hand of Sita and, moving through several lavish scenes, spills into “Rama Realized,” the epilogue in which Rama bolstered by his inner strength assumes the position of the true king of Ayodhya. The production essays the Asian culture in an innovative manner, which symbolises the “Heart of Asia.” The objective of artistically illustrating the tenets of Asian culture within Asia and creating awareness for the same outside Asia clearly comes across in a performance, which keeps the audience engrossed till the very end. The most remarkable aspects of the production are the set design and music by Bayu Radjikin (Malaysia) and Rahayu Supanggah (Indonesia), respectively. Nestor Jardine, the Project Director from Phillipines, believes that “Realizing Rama” has helped crystallise the common experiences of South East Asia and serves as a testament to the unity of the entire region. It has been hailed by many as “an intelligent masterpiece that strikes at the heart of being Asia.” The production has been brought to the Indian audiences by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Indian Airlines. It was felt by both that the Indian audience, in spite of Ramayana’s Indian antiquity, will relish the unique style of its presentation. |
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BSNL making ‘big strides’
in Noida Noida, November 1 Internet telephony was another service started with paid cards. This service was not restricted to any area, he said. It could be used anywhere in the country. By using the Internet through a PC, one could dial international numbers at drastically reduced charges. For example, a call to the USA costs Rs 21 per minute on the normal route, but through Internet it will cost just Rs 4.5 per minute. Another area highlighted by Mr Garg was about the new exchanges and their capacity. There were 30 exchanges in Gautam Budh Nagar with a total capacity of 1.35 lakh connections, out of which 1.3 lakh were working connections, he said. New exchanges were being opened in Sector 2 with 4,000 lines and Sector 62 with 3,000 lines. These would become operational this month itself. Telephone bill collection centres were being set up in Greater Noida and Kokode. These would be opened this month. At present, the consumers have to go to Noida or some post office for depositing their bills, which is not a very convenient system for consumers. Two telephone exchanges were being set up in Lohahli and Bisarakh in the rural areas with a capacity of 1,000 lines each. By the middle of December, all BSNL services, including roaming facility with the introduction of Dolphin services, would be introduced in Western UP. |
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SPEAKING OUT It is good that some human beings have become so humane to animals and beasts that they have set up ‘animal protection societies' in the non-government sectors. This apart, there is a legally viable ‘Wild Animals Protection Act’ to save the wild animals and endangered species from the inhuman acts. But what about the ambivalent attitude of the Government of Haryana when human beings themselves are endangered? The lynching of 5 Dalits in Jhajjar in Haryana for skinning a cow is a grave instance of human brutality. Where is the `Government at your doorstep: Sarkar Apke Dwar?' The government may say that the law will take its own course. But, what a tardy law! It involves discontentment and frustration for the effected families because the guilty have not been booked so far. Simple assurance by the Haryana Chief Minister that stringent actions will be taken against the guilty, won't heal their injury. The tragedy needs a judicial inquiry. Inquiry by the Commissioner of Rohtak does not inspire confidence among the aggrieved. Neither can the paltry compensation heal them. The other grave incident-the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl of Dongra Ahir village in Narnaul district of Haryana on October 18, is a gruesome crime. Beside the one mentioned above, there have been two other similar crimes in Narnaul. Why don't the Human Rights Commission, Department of Social Welfare and Empowerment of Women and National Minority Commission question the Haryana Government? UJJAL PAL SINGH,
Dina Nath Public School, Faridabad Infrastructure
lacking A few days ago, I had an opportunity to visit DSIDC, Narela Industrial Park, Narela, Delhi. I was indeed shocked to find that this vast industrial complex lacks basic infrastructure. It is leading to hardship and frustration among the factory owners and the labour community of the area. The roads in the entire industrial stretch are in a woeful condition. There is no proper drainage or sewerage system leading to water-logging in the entire area. Moreover, the streetlights in the area are does not function. This may lead to serious accidents and law and order problem during the night. The other major problem confronting the area is the non-availability of safe drinking water. There is no MCD water supply available in the area. Surprisingly, while the DSIDC Narela Industrial Park is situated next to the GT Road, there is no bus facility for the labourers coming here to work. If the Delhi Government is seriously interested to boost up the industrial output and implement labour welfare measures in the national Capital, it will have to create basic infrastructure in the newly developing industrial areas. Non-redressal of problems and absence of minimum basic infrastructure may also lead to constant friction and labour unrest. Developing infrastructure for harvesting rainwater is yet another priority area where the government agencies and factory owners can join hands. TISH MALHOTRA,
Rohini, Delhi Commuters’ woes The actual distance between Delhi/New Delhi and Amritsar is less than 444 km (277 miles) as per the old timetable. It has been increased to fit in the 451-460 fare slab. In case of Delhi-Beas, even though the actual distance is 399 km (390-400 fare slab) one is charged in the fare slab of 401-410 km. Will the railway authorities elucidate? A.JAIB SINGH CHAHAL,
5, Ansari Road, New Delhi Misleading information Please refer to the photograph dated 16.09.2002 with the clipping, “An ambitious project to provide underground parking facilities to thousands of devotees who visit the historical Bangla Sahib Gurdwara everyday was initiated by the previous Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. The project has now been put on hold by the new committee under Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna till the terms of the contract are reviewed". This is misleading and a false information. DSGMC is at a loss to understand which contract is referred to in the report. After the scrutiny of all the records available in the office of DSGMC, the truth is that there is no contract between DSGMC and NDMC or any other authorities. You will be surprised to note that even the preliminary formalities had not been completed before the commencement of the work at the site by the then office-bearers of the DSGMC. However, to misguide the Sikh Sangat in order to take advantage during the election, the work was started. The decision to stop the work had been taken by the outgoing office-bearers on 17.07.2002 in their meeting with M/S Rajrewal and Associates, architect of the project, and Baba Harbans Singh Ji Kar Sewa Wale (letter no. 2471 BC dated 22.07.2002 is enclosed herewith), which is before the new management committee took over on 24.07.2002. It also needs to be mentioned that a notice (No. CA 347-348/UC/N dated 08.07.02) was also served on DSGMC by the NDMC to stop the work before the decision to stop the work was taken. (Copy of the notice enclosed). BHAJAN SINGH WALIA,
General Secretary, DSGMC, Delhi Adulteration
menace Every citizen has right to life with purposeful existence, which is not possible without good health care. Insidiously, anti social elements in their greed to make profit, adulterate haldi with chromate, dhania with cow dung, milk with urea, rice with stones and cooking oil with inferior oil. These adulteration are very harmful and cause serious disorders such as diarrhoea, asthma, ulcers, food poisoning, swelling of lungs, loss of eyesight, damage to lever, heart and kidney, sometimes resulting in death. The Health Department has authorised Chief Medical Officers, Senior Medical Officers and government food inspectors to streamline action against defaulters by collecting sample of food articles to check adulteration. They have been vested with powers to file cases against culprits. Problems like food adulteration can be eradicated if the officials assigned with job of collecting samples are alert and perform their duties conscientiously and honestly. Unfortunately, officials with the job of collecting samples, strike deals with unscrupulous traders involved in debasing food items by admixture. Most often, officials do not dare enforce the Adulteration Act judiciously and fairly in their bid to extract money from unscrupulous traders. Recently, a government food inspector in Faridabad was suspended for his alleged involvement in extracting money in the name of collecting samples of food items. Will the consumer ever find themselves safe from the unholy alliance between traders and officials of the Health Department involved in collecting food samples. TRILOK CHAND GUPTA,
Palwal, Faridabad Train
halt Shahdara Railway Jn., is one of the most busy railway station of the Northern Railways. More than 50,000 commuters use the Shahdara Railway Station daily for their journey to Meerut, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Faridabad, Sonepat etc. Unfortunately, the amenities provided to the passengers here is inadequate. Moreover, some of the important trains passing through Shahdara, such as ‘Garhwal Express’, do not have a halt here. It causes great inconvenience to people who have to travel to Uttaranchal. Will the authorities of the Railway Board look into the matter and provide a stoppage for ‘Garhwal Express’ at the Shahdara Railway Station. M.B.DUBEY
BIJNORI,
Secretary, Dainik Yatri Sangh, Delhi Check
on rash driving It was pleasing to learn that on the direction of the Delhi High Court, the Delhi Government has decided to ban the plying of those heavy, medium and light goods vehicle in the National Capital Region (NCR) which have not installed speed governor. It is a welcome step. Many accidents have taken place mainly due to rash driving. Rash drivers not only put themselves in trouble, but others too become victims of their rash driving. It is necessary that other states also follow this direction. SUBHASH C
TANEJA, MDU, Rohtak Model city? We face traffic jams and painful delays at the Sikanderpur village everyday while going to work and returning in the evenings. It has seriously affected our jobs, whether it is going for an interview or taking a serious patient to the hospital. I believe a bypass under construction will take quite sometime to be functional. I suggest and request your help in putting prominent yellow lines at a reasonable distance on the roads from the shops on both sides so that no vehicles are parked beyond this zone. This will facilitate smooth flow of traffic and must be continued even after the bypass road is completed. At the point of entry to DLF Phase-I from Sikanderpur Village to Sectors 55 and 56, one is welcomed by a huge heap of garbage and dirty polythene bags, which are not only an eyesore to the residents but also a source of serious diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and hepatitis. It is requested that the concerned authorities may be instructed to take care of this health hazard immediately. Moreover, something needs to be done to the increasing beggar problem at the traffic lights. The menace of stray cattle, pigs, dogs and monkeys is another health hazard and should be given top priority for the safety of residents of Gurgaon, a city which is being presented as a model city not only of Haryana but of the country. DR
H.S.WASIR,
Chief Cardiologist
& Medical Advisor, Batra Hospital, New Delhi PGIMS clarifies This is with reference to the news item published in NCR Tribune, "PGIMS Expensive Gadgets Lying Unused". Two generators of 250 KVA capacity each were purchased and installed in PGIMS, Rohtak, during the month of April 2001. These were purchased for the smooth running of SOT, GOT. Eye and ENT OT, Emergency OT during power failure. Mr Jatinder Sharma has wrongly reported that the generators have not been given the first trial run. Both the generators are working from day one and are supplying electricity to SOT, GOT, Eye and ENT OT.
RICU, Ward No. 12 (Orthopaedic) A and E Block, gas plant and Emergency OT, all indoor galleries and corridors of the hospital, one X-ray machine installed in Radio-diagnosis department, one X-ray machine installed in A and E Department and are working well during power failure. It is not possible to issue hundred per cent medicines to all the patients. However, available medicine are being issued to poor and needy patients as per list attached in OPD as well as Indoor Wards to all patients. Public Relations Officer,
PGIMS, Rohtak Inconvenience to commuters I would like to bring to the attention of the railway authorities the serious problem faced by the residents of adjoining areas of Ateli,a who are unable to use the service of Chetak Express running between Sarai Rohilla and Udaipur city. The daily passengers have been severely affected. It is amazing that the train haults at Pataudi Road and Dabla, even though the two railway stations are separated by only 20 km. The distance between Ateli and Rewari (next halt after Ateli) is more than 35 km. I would also request Dr Sudha Yadav, M.P. and Mrs Santosh Yadav to help solve this problem of the residents of the area. I hope the railway authorities would take prompt action in this regard. RAO ANIL ATALI, Ateli Mandi, Haryana |
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Army officer dies as he alights from plane in
Leh Sonepat, November 1 Transferred from the plains of Pune, Maharashtra, he left home (in Bhatgaon) on October 28 for the place of his new posting at Partap Garh in Leh, which is freezing at this time of the year. He is reported to have died at the Partap Garh post on October 29. According to the information, as soon as he got down from the aircraft in the area, which was under sub-zero temperature, he fell down and died. The death of the official has cast a pall of gloom in the village. The residents of the village mourned the death of the officials by holding a mass prayer. |
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Divali stalls eat into
thoroughfares Faridabad, November 1 While this has become a common scene even at small market places, the ‘encroachments’, though temporary, have resulted in inconvenience to the common man. “At many places, the movement of traffic on the main roads has been adversely affected. One cannot pass through the main roads at NH-I market, Sector 15 market, Sector 7-10 market or even in Old Faridabad and Ballabgarh towns without getting stuck,” said Krishan Lal, a resident of the NIT area. He said the special gift shops and stalls erected by the shopkeepers in front of their shops had not left enough space for even pedestrians. Chances of accidents and brawls among people had gone up sharply. “The people who come for shopping in the busy markets do not have space to park their vehicles,” said another resident. Meanwhile, students of DAV Public School, Sector 14, here took out a ‘No Crackers’ rally here on Thursday. The children not only promised not to buy crackers but also appealed to others to remain away from causing noise and air pollution. |
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Govt sat pretty as drought hit farmers:
HPCC Faridabad, November 1 In a statement issued here today, Mr Hooda said the government had been playing with the sentiments of people by making misleading statements on various issues. He said while the farmers had suffered a loss worth several crores of rupees due to severe drought in several districts of the state this year, the Chautala government had failed to release even a single penny as compensation to the affected. The government had been trying to divert the attention from the drought issue and charged that it did not want to pay any compensation as it did not consider it a serious problem. Claiming that the farmers and other sections of society had been a disillusioned lot, he said that the Kandela firing incident at Jind in June this year and Dulina case, in which five Dalits were lynched, spoke of the misrule and poor performance of the present government. He said that the attempt of Haryana government to hush up the Dulina incident had been thwarted by the Congress. The Congress leaders and activists virtually forced the Chief Minister to visit the victims’ families and announce a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. He said the recent statement of the Union Home Minister of State, Mr I D Swamy, that the Dulina massacre was due to the police inaction was sufficient proof of the law and order situation in Haryana. He said the enquiry ordered through the divisional commissioner would not serve any purpose as it was only a face-saving measure and the government wanted to underplay the issue from the beginning. Describing the allegations levelled recently by Mr Abhey Singh Chautala against the HPCC chief, Mr Bhajan Lal, as absurd and baseless, he said Mr Bhajan Lal had been exposing the ‘false promises’ and ‘misdeeds’ of the Chautala government which had perturbed the state government, he said. |
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Dissidence brewing against Faridabad BJP
chief Faridabad, November 1 While party leaders refuse to admit that there are any serious differences, it is reliably learnt that the party leadership here has been divided into three or four groups. The show cause notice issued by the district BJP chief to the party legislator from the NIT Assembly constituency here left several workers amazed. The notice was issued in connection with the alleged “indecent remarks” made against the MLA from Mewla Maharajpur constituency, Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar. Mr Gurjar is also the leader of the BJP Legislature Party in the state Assembly. The district president of the party has also issued similar notices to the district unit chief of the Yuva Morcha and a prominent woman leader of the party here, Ms Meera Goyal. It is reported that resentment has been brewing against the district party chief and it had led to the resignation of about 46 members of the Ballabgarh mandal unit of the BJP so far. While 35 members had resigned on October 11, 11 others resigned on Wednesday, according to party sources. It is an open secret that the BJP MLA from NIT, Mr Chander Bhatia, has good relations with the Chief Minister and the INLD supremo, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and the BJP leader hardly fails to attend any programme of the CM held here. On other hand, other BJP leaders, including Mr Gurjar, are the most vocal opponents of the Chautala government and do not spare any opportunity to criticise it. While the BJP leadership and activists have to face quite an embarrassing situation on many occasions on this account, this `relationship’ has also led to `bitterness’ between at least two party MLAs, says party insiders. They admit that there is no strong leader who could end the internal fighting going on at present. |
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Brainstorming session zeros in on media’s role Gurgaon, November 1 The topic was for the media personalities: how they can help make the world a better place, especially in the context of present conflicts. The sitting was essentially a one-day brainstorming session-cum- workshop organised at the sprawling Om Shanti Retreat Centre, a northern India complex of Brahma Kumaris Education Society. The Society is a project of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyala, having branches in 75 countries, with headquarters at Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Incidentally, Brahma Kumaris, a non-profit organisation, holds a Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is the recipient of seven UN Peace Messenger Awards. Sister Gayatri, who is a representative of the Brahmakumaris at the UN Social, and Sister Aasha, head of the Om Shanti Retreat Centre, conducted the sessions. The thrust of the meet under the concept: Images and Voices of Hope was ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ (AI) employed by professionals. According to Sister Rodgers, AI is about co-evolutionary search for the best in people, their organisations, and the relevant world around them. In its broadest focus, it involves systematic discovery of what gives life to a living system when it is most alive, most effective, and capable in economic, ecological, and human terms. It involves, in a central way, the art and practice of asking questions that strengthens a system’s capacity to apprehend, anticipate, and heighten positive potential. With regard to the Images and Voices of Hope, the basic premise behind its principles is that one reports and narrates as one sees. One sees and comprehends according to one’s inner world. If the inner world of human being is in positive order, it would create images of the outside world in the same order. Hence, it was important for all, especially those in the reporting business to first develop harmony and positive order within themselves to form a balanced view of the events happening around them. The reason being that media is collectively so powerful, and it has tremendous capacity to act as a catalyst of positive change. Sister Rodgers said that several media and important personalities across the world have associated themselves with the Images and Voices concept. A number of such meetings and workshops have been held at various centres throughout the world, she added. |
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Sonepat Gita Bhawan road to be
widened Sonepat, November 1 Mr S N Roy, Deputy Commissioner told mediapersons here today that the work would cost the state exchequer Rs 14 lakh and it would be completed within a month or so by the PWD (B and R). He claimed that all the main roads have already been widened and the main crossings in the thickly populated areas have been given a new look during the past one year as the administration has not only removed congestion but ensured a free flow of traffic. He said that the main crossings which give new look include the general Bus Stand Chowk, Mamoon Bhanja Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Railway Crossing Chowk near the Hindu College, Kakroi Road Chowk, Mehlana Road Chowk and the Shani Mandir Chowk. He said that the work for widening the road between Suri Petrol Pump and the Kakroi Road is in progress and all encroachments have been removed on both sides of the road. Similarly, the work for the beautification of Murthal Adda Chowk has also been completed. This Chowk, he said, has been widened for free flow of traffic. The district administration has not removed the statue of a veteran freedom fighter Pandit Siri Ram Sharma from this chowk on the persistent demand of the people. According to the DC, the district administration has now decided to develop the existing parks in different parts of the city. It has developed a modern park in 1.5 acre in front of Shanni Mandir for meeting the long-standing demand of the people living in the old section of the city. A sum of Rs 30 lakh had been spent on this park which would be a unique one and provide all sorts of recreation facilities to the children. He said that the land of this park has been vacated from the unauthorised occupants who had built shops illegally a few years ago. This land also belonged to the Municipal Council of Sonepat and the demolishing of the shops was ordered by the Supreme Court. The DC also disclosed that the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) has also launched a project to modernise parks in Sectors 14 and 15 in order to give recreation facilities to the residents, particularly children. |
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NCR BRIEFS Ghaziabad, November 1 Five mobikes stolen Faridabad: At least five motorcycles have been stolen from the town in the past three days. A case of chain snatching has also been reported on Thursday. According to information, a mobike of one Pankaj (HR 29-J-9079) was stolen from Garg Colony yesterday. Earlier, four motorcycles were reported to have gone missing in separate cases on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dowry harassment case Jhajjar: The district police have registered a case of dowry harassment against the husband and his family members on the complaint of a woman’s father in Gudha village. According to the police here today, Roop Singh said that his daughter Mukesh was married to Bhoop Singh on February 2 this year. He alleged that her husband and in-laws started harassing his daughter for more dowry. He also alleged that Bhoop Singh and his relatives tried to kill his daughter by administering her sulphas tablets, but she survived. The police registered a case under Sections 498-A and 328 of the Dowry Act and started investigation. Mystery disease Panipat: A mystery disease is suspected to have claimed another life in the district on Thursday. With this, three persons have died of similar symptoms. There are reports that the symptoms are similar to that of Japanese encephalitis. Five-year-old Akash from nearby Saudapur village died at the civil hospital here while another child has been admitted to the hospital in a serious condition. According to family members, Akash was diagnosed to have been suffering from this disease though the blood test report was awaited. Similarly, 10-year-old Lakha, a resident of Brahman Majra village, has been admitted to the hospital in a serious condition. With this, panic has gripped some villages, particularly in the Israna area, from where two deaths were reported earlier. CBI probe sought Terming the Commissioner-level inquiry into the Dulina case as eyewash, the BSP’s in charge of Haryana affairs, Mr Narinder Kashyap, today demanded a CBI probe to bring out the truth in the matter. Talking to reporters here, Mr Kashyap said the party planned to enrol two lakh members within the next two months. |
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DELHI DIGEST New Delhi, November 1 Ram Bhaj, MLA and vice-chairperson, NDMC, administered the oath and faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India to Mrs Singh, whose appointment was cleared by the Union Home Ministry. Prior to this appointment, Mrs Singh was serving the Delhi Government as commissioner, Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, with the additional charge of chairperson, Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board. She also served as commissioner, Excise and Transport, chief managing director of DTTDC and as an additional commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Mrs Singh, in her address to the members and officers after taking the oath, said: “I am quite aware of the problems of the citizens of Delhi and I have experience of this too but I am sure that without the full co-operation of my colleagues, these problems cannot be sorted out.” Coffee-house in Jama Masjid area Soon, residents near Jama Masjid and tourists and pilgrims would find a modern coffee-house in the historical area. The Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Vijay Goel, while visiting Meena Bazar in the Jama Masjid area today, stressed the need for the coffee-house, besides directing the officials to streamline the traffic. The minister also reviewed the status of the supply of electricity and water and cleanliness in the area and directed the officials concerned to take immediate action to rectify the problems. MCD releases arrears The Municipal Corporation of Delhi today released Rs 50 crore for payment of arrears to safai karamcharis who were regularised in the year 1994-95. The decision was taken at a meeting of senior officers of the corporation and representatives of the Delhi Pradesh Balmiki Mazdoor Sangh. The meeting was held under the leadership of Ram Babu Sharma, Chairman of the Standing Committee, a press release said. Gasohol launched Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Santosh Gangwar on Tuesday launched the production and marketing of Gasohol in Najibabad in Uttar Pradesh. Launched by the oil industry, Gasohol is ‘petrol doped with ethanol’. |
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CM opens park named after Devi
Lal Gurgaon, November 1 The nine-storey Udyog Minar has been set up at Vanijya Nikunj, Udyog Vihar Phase V by the Haryana Industrial Development Corporation at a cost of more than Rs 10 crore. The Vanijya Kunj is spread over 72,000 sq m and is divided into eight zones. One of the zones includes the Udyog Minar. The minar is an imposing building fitted with modern facilities. The setting up of the minar was stated to be with the aim of further helping industrialisation in Gurgaon. |
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Govt to observe Nov 13 as Kalyan
Diwas New Delhi, November 1 To be hosted by the Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with EMPI Business School and certain non-government organisations (NGOs), the Kalyan Saptaah would be dedicated to the destitute, the physically and mentally challenged and the shelter-less. “The objective,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told mediapersons recently, “is to promote awareness about the welfare activities of the Government of NCT of Delhi and make Delhiites a partner in the Bhagidari (citizen-government partnership) programme for expressing solidarity with the marginalised sections of society.” The Kalyan Saptaah will also host events for the benefit of senior citizens and women. Seminars and workshops on the problems of senior citizens, how to rehabilitate beggars etc would be organised during the week. The week would culminate with a cultural evening through which the department would raise funds for the recently launched sponsorship programmes under the Juvenile Justice Funds. |
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NDPL registers 15 pc increase in
collections New Delhi, November 1 The NDPL began distributing electricity to North and North-West Delhi on July 1 on which date the Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) stood unbundled. Three private distribution companies, one generation company, one transmission company and one holding company came into being instead. NDPL’s Chief Executive Officer Anil K. Sardana told mediapersons that the energy audit conducted by the company for three months ending September 30, 70 per cent of the theft of electricity had been detected in the more affluent residential areas. The company conducted 2,662 raids and realised Rs 2.6 crore from the defaulters. That amount, Mr Sardana said, was excluding the billing amount due on the defaulters. The company has an estimated 7.5 lakh registered consumers. Mr Sardana said the company would be focusing on improving the streetlights, reducing litigation, instilling transparency in its working and interacting with its consumers. The NDPL, he said, was collaborating with certain institutions to develop radio frequency-operated switching for streetlights.
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Woman tries to attack ex-minister Narnaul, November 1 Lajwanti, her husband Sunder Prashad Sharma, residents of Gopal Krishan Colony, Nasibpur and some musclemen allegedly tried to attack Mr Kailash Sharma in the presence of Bar members and litigants. He was finally rescued with the intervention of other advocates.
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Policemen take oath to serve
society Rohtak, November 1 It may be recalled that the Haryana police have launched ‘vigilance campaign’ till November 15. During the fortnight, the police in Haryana would work unstintingly. While taking oath, the policemen said: “Shall remain vigilant and work towards the growth and reputation of our organisation through our collective efforts; shall bring pride to our organisations and provide value-based service to our countrymen. We shall do our duty conscientiously and act without fear or favour.” The policemen in the state would put up posters and banners at public places appealing to the public to refrain from corruption. The police will also organise seminars in educational institutions against corruption. The participants would be suitably awarded, Mr Resham Singh said. During the fortnight, special drive would be launched to prosecute peddlers in the NDPS Act and apprehend bail-jumpers and hardened criminals, he said. |
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Meet to honour Jain monk on Nov 17 New Delhi, November 1 Sadhus and sadhavis of all four sects of Jain religion and vice-president B S Shekhwat are expected on the occasion. Shri Sahaj Muni Maharaj was born on November 18, 1933, in the house of Mr Babu Ram Aggarwal in Sangrur district of Punjab. He was initiated into sainthood by attaining ‘deeksha’ at the age of 20. He once survived only on water for 365 days in Bangalore. He took to regular fasting for peace and self-purification. Several Jain saints, including Shri Manohar Muniji, Vani Bhushan, Shri Amar Muni, Shri Om Muni, Shri Paras Muni, Dr Shri Shuvrat Muni, Shri Upendra Muni and Shri Rajesh Muni, will address the congregation. This was stated by one of the devotees of Shri Sahaj Muni Maharaj ji, Mr Bimal Jain. His mother, Ms Sunahri Devi holds a record of fasting for 58 days in Chandigarh. |
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Holiday bonanza for govt staff Faridabad The government employees will reap a windfall, starting today which was Haryana Day. While Saturday and Sunday are weekly offs, Monday and Tuesday have been declared holidays for Divali.
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Sex racket run by beauty parlours smashed New Delhi, November 1 The girls, who were allegedly involved in the sex racket, were arrested from the three beauty parlours. The owner of Zypsy, Sanjay, and an employee of Cosmo, Mohammad Rustam, were also arrested while the owner of Beauty College Centre, Rahul, is absconding. A special team has been constituted to trace him. The police said that the suspects were arrested after deals were struck and the money was exchanged between the decoy customers and the alleged prostitutes.
Robbed of 2.75 kg gold Three unidentified scooter-borne assailants reportedly robbed two employees of a jewellery showroom of 2.75 kg gold at gunpoint on Desh Bandhu Gupta Road last night. The employees, Kapil Chadha and Baljeet Singh, of Vikas Jain and Company, a wholesale jewellery showroom in Beedanpura, were on their way to Raigarpura with the gold pieces wrapped in a piece of cloth to get jewellery items made. When they reached the Ramjas Road Roundabout around 9 pm, three persons accosted them and threatened them with a country-made weapon to hand them over the gold. Since this is the festival time, there is an increasing demand for jewellery items and perhaps the criminals followed the employees from the starting point itself. When they reached the deserted stretch, they took advantage of the darkness and managed to escape with the booty. Soon after the incident, the employees informed their employers and the matter was reported to the police. The police say that they had identified the criminals.
Liquor vend staff held The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi Government arrested Assistant Manager, in charge of a government-run liquor shop in Uttam Nagar, and his staff members for allegedly charging more money than the printed prices for the bottles of liquor. The suspects were identified as Vinod Kumar Sharma, Assistant Manager, and Suresh Yadav and Sanjeev Kumar, both salesmen. One Raj Kumar, who was reportedly appointed by the Assistant Manager, was also arrested. |
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Old Delhi traders begin strike against I-T raids New Delhi, November 1 The Delhi Kirana Committee and Traders Association announced the strike here today and most of the dry fruit shops in Khari Baoli pulled their shutters down. The traders had gone on a similar strike last month after they alleged that the I-T staff had misbehaved with their employees. The traders have decided to hold meetings to work a way out of the situation. With the festive season on, they are incurring loses because of the strike. The traders’ associations have alleged that these raids are being conducted during the festive season by the I-T sleuths with a motive of making money. They allege that the shopkeepers are being coerced into paying bribes to escape being harassed. The traders have pointed out that the raids and harassment have been continuing for the last many days and that these have continued unabated despite complaints. They also pointed out that a cloth merchant suffered a heart attack because of the harassment at the hands of these raiding parties. It was brought to the notice that when the income tax officials fail to get any proof against the traders, they call in their counterparts from the Sales Tax Department and vice versa, indicating that the officials from the two departments are hand in glove with each other. The traders have now got together to find a resolution to this impending predicament and have threatened that if a solution is not found at the earliest, more traders will join in the protest. |
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