TOP STORIES

Fog sends rail, air traffic for a toss
New Delhi, January 2
The Capital continued to wear a blanket of dense fog. Visibility remained low and chilly winds forced people to remain indoors. Air and surface transport continued to  remain affected. In video(28k, 56k)

A rickshaw makes headway where cars seemed to falter.

Cattle perish in cold wave 
Sonepat, January 2
A large number of cattle in this district are reported to have perished due to the current cold wave sweeping the region. The district has a large cattle population. The temperature has gone down considerably due to the icy winds.

Dig & restore: New mantra for phone companies
New Delhi January 2
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has allowed mobile phone companies and other agencies to dig up roads for laying cables without depositing the mandatory damage charges. A preamble was passed to this effect in a meeting of the House of the corporation recently. Also, the onus for road repair will now be on the phone companies.

BEFORE & AFTER
Official climbdown on Trade Fest
Faridabad, January 2
Despite the chilling weather conditions, the debate on the success and failure of the recently concluded Trade Fest - 2002 at Surajkund is still hot and simmering. The district authorities held a press conference to put forth their claims, which seemed to be at odds with their presentation before the start of the Trade Fest.

On a rath into people’s hearts
Sohna (Gurgaon), January 2
Launching novel ad campaigns to shore up their products is not the forte of business houses. Politicians can do that better. Their sense of timing can also be perfect. Mr Ram Chander Yadav, a local leader of the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP), chose to greet the people on the occasion of New Year by launching a ‘Vikas Rath.’

HC allows Reliance to install antenna in Sainik Farms
New Delhi, January 2
Relaxing its ban on carrying out any type of construction in the controversial unauthorised Sainik Farms colony here, the Delhi High Court today permitted the repair of a road and installation of a Reliance Info Comm Ltd antenna in the area.

The common mongoose is not common anymore
New Delhi, January 2
The latest animal to face the wrath unleashed by man’s avarice is the common mongoose. After the fur and the feathers, it is mongoose hair that has forced wild life protection groups to take up the cause. Students in schools are now being approached to help in saving the species, which is fast dwindling.

Electronic meter is not theft-proof
Bhiwani, January 2
An HBVN vigilance team has unearthed a major scam: large-scale power theft was being committed by an industrialist here. According to sources, the vigilance team from Hisar arrived in the Industrial area on a tip-off and raided the factory. The modus operandi used for stealing power was an eye opener. The factory owner used a high-powered magnate to stop the meter. The department has slapped a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the unit for the theft.

No NOC needed for captive power units
New Delhi, January 2
In a significant development, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has lifted the stipulation for getting No-Objection Certificate from Central or State Pollution Control Boards for setting up Captive Power Plants in the Capital.

Cheetah scare in Mehrauli
New Delhi, January 2
Panic spread in Neb Sarai area of Mehrauli in South district after a cheetah attacked two women and a gardener working in a park this afternoon. An official of the Wild Life Department of the Delhi Government also sustained injuries while trying to capture the animal.

COMMUNITY

Work on Dwarka corridor to begin in February
New Delhi, January 2
Work on the third corridor of Delhi Metro between Barakhamba Road and Dwarka would start in February. The Group of Ministers chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr LK Advani, has approved the 23-kilometre-long corridor. 
In video(28k, 56k)

Budget plan violates DMC Act: Gupta
New Delhi, January 2
The Leader of the Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), MrVijender Kumar Gupta, alleged the Municipal Commissioner had violated Sections 109 and 102 of the DMC Act in his budget proposals of 2003-2004 which mentioned that the budget estimates would allow a cash balance of Rs 1 lakh at the end of the year. But no balance amount is left in the current budget estimates.

Drought relief not adequate: Vidrohi
Sonepat, January 2
President of the Haryana Pradesh Janata Dal (U) Ved Parkash Vidrohi today accused the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government, headed by Mr Om Prakash Chautala, of adopting anti-farmer policies. He alleged that it had utterly failed to allot adequate funds for giving compensation to the drought-hit farmers for their kharif crops damaged during the drought last year.

North-East safer than other districts in Delhi?
Low crime rate despite high population
New Delhi, January 2
Despite being one of the most densely populated areas of Delhi and the fact that most of the residents are from the low income strata, the crime rate in North-East district in 2002 was considerably less as compared to other districts.

3 over-bridges to be built at Sonepat station
Sonepat, January 2
The Northern Railway has decided to build one ticket counter and three over-bridges at the Sonepat railway station during the current year. According to official sources, the first over-bridge would be constructed in front of the office of the Government Railway Police Station, another near Hindu Girls College and the third on platform No 2, which will link the mandi area with the railway station.

100 acres inundated, wheat damaged
Rohtak, January 2
More than 100 acres of agricultural and residential area was inundated due to a nearly 30-ft-wide breach in the Dulhera minor near Ismaila village last morning. Certain areas near the minor were submerged under almost 6-ft-deep water. Floodwater also entered into more than 100 houses.

SPECIAL FOCUS ON ROHTAK
HIDDEN TREASURE
This don’s patents can earn big bucks
Rohtak, January 2
Another startling revelation from the reports submitted by Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) to NAAC is the pioneering work being done by Prof Anil Kumar Madan, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Two returned unopposed in Kharkhauda MC poll
Sonepat, January 2
Two candidates have been returned unopposed to the Municipal Committee of Kharkhauda town in this district. According to a report, the victorious candidates are Ms Shanti Bareja from Ward No. 8 and Mr Ramji Dass Chugh from Ward No. 13.

• SDEOs suspended

CRIME

Harassed newlywed files case against in-laws
Noida, January 2
A newlywed woman has filed a report against six persons, including the person who played the mediator for a wedding, with the Javer police for harassing her as she had not brought a colour TV set. According to the police, Indu of Yakub Nagar village in Bulandshahr was married to Vinode of Javer town with fairly good dowry, in keeping with the status of Indu’s parents.

Woman, child charred to death
New Delhi, January 2
A woman and her five-year-old child were charred to death in a fire which broke out in a shop in South-West Delhi today. The fire broke out early in the morning around 4 am in Poochan Puri village.

EDUCATION

MDU to introduce MPharm course
Rohtak, January 2
Maharishi Dayanand University has decided to introduce Master of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy from the coming academic session. The Vice-Chancellor, Maj-Gen B.S. Suhag (retd) said a proposal had already been submitted to the AICTE for approval.

CULTURE

ARTSCAPE She sketches in quest of inner universe An exhibition of paintings, ‘Music of the Spheres’, by well-known artist, Shobha Broota, is on display at the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre till January 6. The simplicity of her work and the techniques used transports the viewer to an altogether different world, from molecular formation in nature to cosmic formations. The artist has performed a number of solo shows across the country and abroad. A painting by Shobha Broota.

History of India Works from Chhattisgarh

Multifarious work World within & without

HEALTH

Magic shows spread message of pulse polio
Noida, January 2
An unprecedented awareness campaign has been launched to make the pulse polio movement a great success. Pulse polio campaign is being launched from January 5 in the state.

SPORTS

Punjab Police  record big victory
New Delhi, January 2
Punjab Police scored a crushing 9-2 victory against Tamilnadu XI in a Pool A match of the fifth Chhattrapati Shivaji All-India Hockey Tournament for the Dhyan Chand Cup at the Shivaji Stadium on Thursday. Punjab Police, in an one-sided match, slotted in seven goals before half time.

New Era edge out Bengal School
New Delhi, January 2
Hosts New Era Public School, Mayapuri, edged past B D Memorial School, Bengal 2-1 in a girls under-16 tie of the fourth Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) National Badminton Tournament at the New Era School courts.

Hadlee to feature on online programme
New Delhi, January 2
Sir Richard Hadlee, one of the greatest all-rounders of cricket, will feature on the Harsha Online on ESPN Star Sports on January 7 at midnight (12 am). Sir Richard Hadlee, son of former New Zealand captain Walter Hadlee, was known for his superb control of pace, swing and cut.

Aman Arora stars for Sumit Dogra Academy
New Delhi, January 2
A fine all-round performance by Aman Arora (54 n o and 2 for 16) enabled Sumit Dogra Academy defeat K N Colts by five wickets in the third Shakuntala Devi Dogra Memorial Under-19 Cricket Tournament at the East Point school ground, Vasundhara. Aman Arora was named the Man of the Match.

• Varun helps West Delhi win

Darling down Madras Club 
New Delhi, January 2
Darling Club scored a 33-run victory against Madras Club in an A-I Division match of the DDCA League at the Yamuna Sports Complex ground. Scores: Darling Club: 168 for 9 in 40 overs (Anil Chaudhary 40, N S Negi 35, Nitin Kumar 28 n o, Mohit Chaturvedi 3 for 39).

• Bal Bharti School advance

United Academy beat Bharat Academy
New Delhi, January 2
United Cricket Academy defeated hosts Bharat National Cricket Academy by nine runs in the second Mata Durga Devi Cricket (Under-12) Tournament at the Bharat Nagar School ground. Kunal Nagpal, who played an all-round role for the winners, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

• Turf Sports Tournament