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Maintaining sex ratio: Views veer from absurd to rational
CBI not probing land grab case against Paul
Noida Sector 18 market to be no-traffic zone
Car jacking case worked out,
one person held
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Hospital work suffers due to officials’ spat with contractors
Concern over functioning of ESI hospital
Panelists call for water harvesting
Hypertension most common chronic disorder in adults
Bicycle rally to create health awareness
Seminar focuses on minority rights
DHBVN employees stage dharna
Heritage Walks to be organised
L-G dwells on quality management in teaching
BJP dharna at Town Hall
Book on Quresh community
Godrej showroom opens
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Maintaining sex ratio: Views veer
New Delhi, December 21 At a workshop meant to highlight the problems of declining sex ratio, the feedback of the educationists was a mix of the absurd and the rational. While some teachers were vehemently against the proposed plan to use textbooks for teaching the ills of gender disparity, which leads to the phenomenon of “missing girls”, others put forth that “value education should instead be relied upon”. The workshop was in response to the “positive feedback” that the organisers, Plan India, Population Foundation of India and Population Education Cell, received from their “interaction with adolescents”. “Teachers and educationists being the custodians of the future generation can play an active role in communicating to the students the socio-economic effects on the development of the country as we have 927 girls per 1000 boys,” Health Advisor of Plan India Dr Nalini Abraham said. With the students having indicated a will to change the present scenario, the idea to reach out to students through the curriculum germinated.
Academic bodies, including the NCERT have been roped in the process that aims at teachers’ utilising their position to sensitise children in their formative years about the impact of the evil practice. The process of integration of the issue with the syllabi in a graded and a phased manner has, however, generated a mixed response from the educators. While they agree on the concept of sensitising the youngsters, they submit that, “students being already over-burdened by the vast syllabi should be spared from having to learn the issue through textbooks”. Instead many of them put forth, that the issue could be preached through various co-curricular exercise, which can be a fun. Acknowledging the feedback from the teachers, Senior Advisor, Population Foundation of India, Dr Almas Ali said, “The issue of missing girls is a major problem of our society and has to be tackled by educating people across class, community and age and this is where teachers can make a significant difference.” He said the teachers would first be sensitised and trained and the NGOs would educate them about the rules, guidelines and public vigilance to stamp out the sex selection. Making a case for birth registration, Dr Abraham said it would help stop child marriage and human trafficking.
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In parliament Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 21 During the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, the minister said that there was no CBI probe against Dr Paul for alleged grabbing of land. He said that a case was filed in the Delhi High Court against Dr Paul in 2002 when he was Joint Commissioner of Police for allegedly interfering in the investigation of a case relating to land grabbing. Later, “‘this allegation could not be substantiated, as reported by the Central Bureau of Investigation,” Mr Regupathy said. Health check-up: About health check-up of the security personnel, the government said the Home Ministry had approved the guidelines for an annual medical check-up of Central Police Forces personnel, including the Delhi Police. The guidelines related to health and medical fitness of members of the Central Police Forces, said Minister of State of Home Sriprakas Jaiswal. Atrocities by Delhi Police: Regarding the atrocities by Delhi Police, Mr Regupathy said four police personnel were arrested in separate cases of shooting and non-registration of cases in September this year. While two assistant sub-inspectors, responsible for non-registration of cases at the Tilak Nagar station, were transferred and one constable was arrested for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident. The minister also told the Lok Sabha that to improve the behaviour of the Delhi Police personnel, lectures by senior officers, behavioural experts and representatives of NGOs have been conducted. The police personnel have been motivated to take prompt action on complaints from the public, besides being courteous, polite and responsive, he added. Mr Regupathy also replied to questions regarding the transfer of officers and said that there was no corruption in transfer of police officers below the rank of Assistant Commissioners. “The transfer policy is transparent and detailed guidelines have been laid down in a Standing Order issued in the year 2002,” he said. The minister said the Delhi Police was already following a well-defined policy in transfers and there was a committee headed by a Special Commissioner for preparing panels for posting of Station House Officers and their deputies. Tinted glass vehicles: About crimes occurring in Delhi due to the tinted glass vehicles, Mr Regupathy said only one crime was reported in a vehicle having dark screen glasses registered in the national Capital during the last three years. However, 16,641 vehicles were penalised for using dark screen up to November this year, he added. During the Question Hour, the minister also said the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police unearthed 11 units engaged in the manufacturing of take CDs and seized pirated CDs/VCDs/MP3s worth Rs 45 crore. As many as 74 cases were registered during the year. Illegal Bangladeshis: The Border Security Force had asked all state governments, including Delhi, to resume the dispatch of illegal Bangladesh migrants, the Lok Sabha was informed. Union Minister of State for Home S. Reghupathy told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that all state governments, including Delhi, was asked to resume the process from December 1. He also said that the Delhi Police was asked to defer the process on November 10. MCD RAIDS: The CBI conducted raids in four cases against officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi this year of which one was found to be in possession of assets disproportionate to the known source of his income, Mr Reghupathy said in another reply. The investigation in the case is on and action against the concerned official depended on the outcome of the investigation, he added. DELHI METRO SHOPS: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has offered 130 shops for allotment at various Metro Stations, Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told the House in another reply. The shops, a maximum of 35 on Shahdara station followed by 23 at Pulbangash, would be allotted to the highest bidder on the basis of open tenders. GAS REFILL: There is a gap of three to four days between the refill booking and delivery of LPG cylinders to customers in Delhi markets, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Mani Shanker Aiyer told the Rajya Sabha. He said only two established cases of supply of under weight cylinders during the last two years were found and necessary action against erring distributors had been taken in terms of Marketing Discipline Guidelines.
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Noida Sector 18 market to be no-traffic zone
Noida, December 21 Under the first phase of this scheme, all the lanes of this huge market will be closed, except for one entrance and exit. The authority has already started erecting barriers in front of these earmarked lanes. The barriers have already been erected near Atta Chowk, Centre Stag Mall, Som Dutt Tower, Ebony and the Standard Chartered Bank building. The rest of the barriers will be put up by the end of this month. But traders of this market are angry with this decision. The president of the District Business Forum, Mr. Sunil Gupta, said that their consent had not been taken when the Noida Development Authority took such an important decision. A meeting in this connection had been convened about two weeks back in which apart from the trade representatives, MLA of Garh Mukteshwar ,Mr. Madan Chauhan, SSP of Noida Mr. Piyush Mordia and representatives of Noida Development Authority and district administration also participated. It had been decided in that meeting that before taking any such decision, traders’ consent would be taken.“There are more than 500 small and big shops and offices in this market. Despite much media hype, we are facing a hard time because of the dearth
of customers. Around fifty shopkeepers and office bearers had to down their shutters in
the last few months because of lack of business. “After the implementation of the new traffic arrangement, our customers will have to face problems of parking and we shall lose business further. The Noida Authority has not yet decided on new parking lots” a trader claimed. A senior officer of the Noida Development Authority said that the opposition of the traders was baseless. ‘‘The Sector 18 market is the heart of the city and it is popularly known as the South Extension of Noida. So, we are trying to rectify all shortcomings related to this market, including that of traffic congestion,” he said.
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Car jacking case worked out,
one person held
New Delhi, December 21 According to the police, on December 16, two assailants armed with a country-made pistol signalled a TATA Indica taxi at Badarpur area to stop. They were drunk and coming from the lottery bazaar on Badarpur border. One passenger was already present in the vehicle at that time. He got down at Harkesh Nagar after paying Rs 10 to the driver. Subsequently, the two assailants overpowered the driver and after reaching near Jungpura flyover, the assailants threw him out and escaped with the vehicle. Thereafter, the duo planned to dispose it of to one of their friends in Rewari district in Haryana. As they reached at Jaipur Highway, the taxi met with an accident. They abandoned it and fled from there. The police have recovered the vehicle and one country-made pistol from their possession. Surprisingly, they covered
almost 4 km journey from Harkesh Nagar Jungpura flyover where they threw the driver off the vehicle and not a single policeman noticed it. The victim alleged that no police PCR or policeman had been seen throughout the entire route.
Man held with pistol
The North district police have arrested a person who was allegedly involved in a number of crimes. The victim has been identified as Mohammed Israr, alias Mohammed Yusuf (22). The police claimed to have recovered a country-made pistol from his possession. The accused had been arrested earlier also by the DBG police and Mansarover police under Arms Act.
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Hospital work suffers due to officials’
New Delhi, December 21 The matter has turned so serious that the contractors and workers associated with this project have recently staged a dharna in front of the building and threatened to go on fast unto death if their dues were not cleared immediately. When contacted, the chairman of the Trans-Yamuna Development Board Dr Narendra Nath, said that the board has sufficient funds for the project. “This situation has developed because of some differences between the officials concerned and the contractors of this project. We hope it will be resolved soon and the work will resume as usual,” he said. The local councillor, Mr Ravi Bansal, said that it is the constituency of Dr Narendra Nath. Despite this, such apathy is witnessed here. “The hospital would have been completed one year back if the work was carried out properly and on priority basis.” According to the medical officer of this hospital Dr G. Brahm, after the completion of extension work of this hospital, it will have almost all health care facilities, including computerised laboratory and X-ray and ultrasound facilities. “But serious and complicated cases will still have to be referred to nearby government-run hospitals like Swami Dayanand and Guru Teg Bahadur hospitals,” he said.
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Concern over functioning of ESI hospital
Gurgaon, December 21 The anxiety among the employees covered under the ESI scheme is said to be widespread in the state. The problem, however, stands out in Gurgaon and Faridabad on account of the expanding industrial base and the swelling number of the work force. A large section of industrial labour as well as the overall employees covered under the ESI scheme allege that the medical facilities in the dispensaries jointly organised by the ESIC and the state government is wobbly. Although there are a number of dispensaries to cater to those covered under the ESI scheme, they lack proper infrastructure. The problem in Gurgaon is said be conspicuous as it has more than one lakhs employees insured under the ESI scheme. According some employees, the problem lies in the dual management of the medical stations/dispensaries jointly run by both the state government and the ESIC. While the ESIC contributes a percentage of the fund collected from the employees on this count in the government kitty for the purpose, the government runs the hospitals and dispensaries. Unlike places, for example, in the bordering state of Delhi, where the ESIC runs its own medical stations. The employees feel that the medical facilities offered in the ESIC dispensaries are far superior to that provided in Haryana. The general feeling is that on account of dual control, there is no accountability in the running of the hospitals and dispensaries of the ESI. Consequently, a large number of industrial workforce and the employees covered under the ESI scheme have lost their confidence in the effectiveness of the dispensaries. There is also a strong feeling in several quarters that the government diverts the requisite fund on other heads. It is in this context that the NCR Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken up the issue with the Union Ministry of Labour. It has urged the government to revamp the functioning of the ESI hospitals and dispensaries by unburdening the state government of their administration. The administration and functioning of the medical stations must be given to the corporation. Till such time, the employees and the industrial workforce may be allowed to avail of facilities in the medical stations in Delhi. It has suggested that the handing over of the hospitals and dispensaries in Haryana to the ESIC may be done in phases starting with Gurgaon, at the earliest.
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Panelists call for water harvesting
Faridabad, December 21 While the experts from the Central Ground Water Board tried to explain the process of water harvesting and the measures that can be taken to conserve water, especially during the rainy season, nearly all the speakers expressed their concern over the wastage of water and the lack of proper awareness among the people. The seminar was told that on an average 29 per cent of an individual’s daily requirement of water was for personal use while 30 and 10 per cent, respectively, was consumed in the bathroom and in washing of clothes. Only four per cent was used for drinking and eight per cent for cooking of food. An average consumer residing in an urban area uses another nine per cent in the garden. It was explained in the seminar how a user could strike a balance in the proper use of water and check the wastage. The problem of water shortage could get further aggravated and create more problems in the time to come, if no strategy is adopted and implemented to conserve the water, as it is a very important resource for all living things. The experts also called for launching of a massive campaign to make ‘rain harvesting’ compulsory in all the urban and rural areas. It is claimed that this technique has proved very useful in restoring the depleting water table in various areas in the country. It may be recalled that the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has made a rain harvesting system mandatory in every house that is built in its sectors; only then, it will give a ‘completion certificate’ to the flat allottee. It was suggested at the seminar that the campaign could have become a greater success, if the HUDA had itself built an underground tank in each plot, before putting it on sale. The Deputy Commissioner and the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, who were present at the seminar, gave no assurance on the issues. Besides, the panelists also discussed the stray cattle problem. The civic body is still to take adequate steps to tackle this problem in the town, which often results in accidents and inconvenience to the vehicles, especially during the night.
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Hypertension most common chronic
New Delhi, December 21 Hypertension is one of the most common chronic disorders in adult population in India. The prevalence increases with age and the lifetime risk of developing hypertension approaches 70-80 per cent. Earlier, studies conducted in Northern India have shown that the incidence of hypertension has increased from 3.98 per cent in 1963 to 26.78 per cent in 2000 amongst men and from 6.647 per cent to 27.65 per cent amongst women. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. Hypertension is cause of chronic kidney failure in 15-30 per cent cases in different countries. This percentage is proportional to the control of blood pressure. Not only high blood pressure causes kidney failure, an uncontrolled blood pressure is also responsible for rapid deterioration of already damaged kidney. Hypertension causes heart attack and strokes. It is a non-communicable disorder but a silent killer. In winter, the blood vessels tend to construct and are under tension. Blood also tends to thicken, especially if cholesterol content is high. This results in clotting of blood which is dangerous. According to Dr Purshotam Lal, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Metro Hospitals “Heart attack is a result of fluctuations in the blood pressure. It is very important to avoid the triggering factors which lead to hypertension and consequently heart attack. Diet, cholesterol, physical activity and stress are some of the triggering factors. A regular monitoring of blood pressure is essential for all, especially the elderly. It is not only heart attack and strokes that blood pressure fluctuations can cause. Such fluctuations are also said to cause kidney dysfunctions. Adds Dr Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal, Senior Nephrologist, AIIMS, “Despite widespread public and professional education regarding the risks of hypertension and the benefits of its treatment and despite the ready availability of effective therapies, only approximately 50 per cent of adults with hypertension are receiving treatment, and in only 20-30 per cent individuals, hypertension is controlled. According to Dr P N Renjen, Senior Neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, “There are more cases of strokes and heart attack in winters. Problems with the nervous system and arterial system rise during the cold season. The nerves and arteries tend to turn hard and constrict. Therefore, there can be difficulties in proper blood flow into the heart and other parts of the body. The blood may also clot, thus blocking the tubes and restricting smooth blood flow. So, these patients have to be careful. BP monitoring should be a regular exercise. BP apparatus such as the one introduced by Dr Morepen should be installed at every house. Heart and stroke patients should stay away from the triggering factors and be in touch with the doctor.
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Bicycle rally to create health awareness
New Delhi, December 21 Students between the age group of 14 and 19 years from all schools and colleges would be participating in the rally. There would be a hovering overhead helicopter to keep an eye on the rally. This is the first rally being organised in the NCR region. The organisers believe that such rallies would be beneficial for
the health and would also reduce the pollution and wastage of hydrocarbon fuels.
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Seminar focuses on minority rights
New Delhi, December 21 The day reminds us that those rights that accrue to a minority by virtue of its numerical strength must be protected. These rights are inalienable and as essential for the existence of a minority as air, food and water. These include civil, political, economic, social, religious and cultural rights. Human Rights are nothing but a means to an end – thy help in harnessing a human being’s full potential. It is each person’s duty to contribute to protection of human rights of minorities. On the occasion, the Chief Secretary of Delhi, Mr S Ragunathan, distributed certificates to partner NGOs and lauded the steps initiated by the Delhi Minorities Commission.
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DHBVN employees stage dharna
Faridabad, December 21 The demands include regularisation of the part-time employees, promotion of the class three and four staff, re-instatement of the ex gratia employment, withdrawal of the chargesheets and ending the contractual system of recruitment in the department. According to a spokesman of the All Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union, several employee leaders, including Subhash Lamba, Lajja Ram, and Parmal Singh, took part in the one-day hunger strike on the occasion.
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Heritage Walks to be organised
New Delhi, December 21 They will make a task force to undertake conservation of listed buildings of Chandni Chowk owned by the government, trust and some private agencies. The building departments will be directed not to make any alteration in the building before taking permission from the Heritage Society or any other statutory committee. The MCD has exempted the heritage buildings from the house tax. The Heritage Society will frame guidelines to implement policies for conservation of built and natural heritage in the NCT of Delhi which needs to be protected, nourished maintained by all citizens, Municipal Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said.
CRPF Band
New Delhi, December 21 Timings of band display at Qutub Minar: 1 pm to 4 pm and Red Fort and India Gate at 3 pm to 6
pm. — TNS
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L-G dwells on quality management in teaching
New Delhi, December 21 He was delivering the valedictory address at the 34th ISTE Convention and National Seminar at Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology, Dwarka. Present on the occasion were Prof R.S. Nirjar, president of ISTE; Mr R.S. Sethi, principal secretary (technical education); Prof P.B. Sharma, principal of Delhi College of Engineering; and Prof Ranjit Singh, director of NSIT. The Lieutenant-Governor said that managers were not able to create enough challenge and monitor the success of their subordinates. He said that an organisation should solicit the ideas of its employees about its new services and products. Mr Joshi said that management was about responsibility and that though personal accountability could not be delegated, subordinates should be made accountable for their results. During the three-day national convention, professionals from the disciplines of engineering, technology, architecture and management deliberated effectively on “managing talent for competitive edge”. The Lieutenant-Governor also gave away prizes to the award-winning delegates.
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BJP dharna at Town Hall
New Delhi, December 21 Vijay Jolly, MLA from Saket, who initiated the move, has raised the issue in Delhi Assembly recently and demanded a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Family members of the deceased children also participated in the dharna. She stated that the MCD had a budget of Rs 1.69 lakh to cover the drains of Devli village and adjoining colonies, but the officials did nothing. The area is flooded with sludge water and there is every possibility of outbreak of waterborne diseases like dengue, malaria, jaundice, hepatitis, etc. She warned the MCD of such tragedies in future if the drains are not covered.
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Book on Quresh community
New Delhi, December 21 The author has recounted the history of Quresh community liking it with the family of Prophet Mohammad. The book was released at a function and the function was presided over by Mr Nayyar Qureshi Gangohi, retired judge from Gujarat High Court. Mr Justice Abdul Sattar Qureshi, Professor Qaiser Hayat, Ex-Dean of Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University and Abdul Waheed Qureshi, Ex MLA were the chief guests on the occasion. The programme was compared by advocate Bahar Barqi. Besides, Sarfaraz Ahmed Siddiqui and advocate Satya Saddiqui were convenors of the programme.
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Godrej showroom opens
Noida, December 21 The showroom, which spreads over an area of around 4,000 square feet, offers customers a chance to see the complete display of the company’s diversified product range under one roof in a warm and colourful ambience. “We at Godrej are laying a special thrust on direct interaction with our customers. And through these showrooms we plan to take another step forward in this direction,” said Mr B. N. Doongaji, Godrej, Vice-President, while opening the showroom. Godrej currently has 33 showrooms in major cities across the country. The company plans to invest Rs four crore to give these showrooms a modern, colourful and lively ambience making shopping in them a pleasurable buying experience for the customer, Doongaji said. The new retail showroom would house the entire range of products on offer from Godrej & Boyce including refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioners, home and office furniture, locks and security equipment. Godrej has new introductions like bedroom sets, sofa sets, dining sets, coffee tables in its
range. — OC
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