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Stop demolition drive immediately: Mahapanchayat
Semester system to get under way in Haryana
Massive scam in bitumen purchase detected
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SBI burglary case solved, one held
Missing boy found from Bulandshahr
Workshop on development of villages held
DDA plots to be auctioned off as freehold properties
Scuffle between striking workers and police at airport
Five escape from Narela Children’s Home
Two killed in road accidents
Two criminals shot in police encounter
Abacus Olympiad held
Two held for dacoities
Three held for making fake visas
Eight dogs found killed
Doctor gets extortion letter from criminal lodged in jail
Sangeet Niketan celebrates Annual Day
DU workshop on prevention of AIDS
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Stop demolition drive immediately: Mahapanchayat
New Delhi, February 5 The Mahapanchayat appealed to the government to stop the demolition drive immediately and allow the villagers to run business from their houses and other buildings in ‘Lal Dora’ area. It demanded immediate implementation of the Mukesh Sharma Committee’s report for the recognition of areas, 1000 metres around villages as part of the village. It has demanded that if the government did not allow the villagers to do their business to sustain themselves, their acquired land should be returned so that they may run their traditional occupation like farming, cattle rearing, etc. A demand was also made to recognise all unauthorised colonies in Delhi on the pattern of 1976-77 model adopted by the late Prime Minister Indira Addressing the mahapanchayat, DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma demanded that the Central government should form a high-level committee to stop the demolition drive. The DPCC sympathised with the villagers and would spare no time to find a satisfactory solution in consultation with the government, Mr Sharma said. Thousands of villagers gathered at Rajghat with ‘hookah’ to protest against the “bulldozer raj unleashed in the Capital”. They shouted slogans like “bulldozer chief minister, resign, resign”. Besides DPCC president, the panchayat was attended by local MP Sajjan Kumar, MLA Mukesh Sharma, Vijay Singh Lochav, Bhishma Sharma, Kunwar Karan Singh, Anil Bhardwaj, Surender Kumar, Ramvir Singh Vidhuri, Mayor Satbir Singh, Standing Committee Chairman Mukesh Goel, Leader of the House Jeetender Kochar, Mahapanchayat president Meer Singh, and general secretary Yudhvir Singh.
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Semester system to get under way in Haryana
Gurgaon, February 5 This was stated by the Haryana Education Minister, Mr Phool Chand Maulana, after inaugurating a state-level science exhibition put up by students of 74 schools from all the 20 districts of Haryana on the premises of S.C.E.R.T here. The system will be expanded to standard X from the subsequent academic session in the next calendar year. According to Mr Maulana, the present government was committed to improving the education standards in the state. In this context, it has already enhanced the budgetary allocation of funds for education by 50 per cent, he said. He added that the government had liberalised its policy to allow private investors to set up institutes, including university, technical education, medical college and dental college in the state. He revealed that 25 per cent reservations of seats in the institutes will be made available for students of Haryana domicile. The minister said that the process of acquiring land for setting up the proposed Education City in Kundli near Sonipat has begun. Institutes for imparting higher education will be set up in the proposed Education City. Dwelling on the concept, he said that after it is set up, students from the country, especially Haryana, will not have to go abroad to seek quality higher education there. The Education City will be the pride of the whole nation, he said. Talking about the admission process for various institutes, he said that the present government was laying thrust on merit. The credit for the government’s vision on education goes to Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, he added. The Education Minister digressed from his subject of immediate concern to critising the previous INLD government saying that although it espoused the cause of the farmers from public platforms, it rained bullets on them when they raised their demands. Praising his own government, he said that it waived off power tariff dues of the farmers to the tune of Rs 1,600 crore. Also, in order to help the weaker sections of society, the government has decided to give Rs 15,000 to them at the time of marriage of daughters under “Indira Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Yogna”. The welfare schemes include “Ladli” scheme of the government which seeks to eradicate the discrimination between the boys and girls. As per the scheme, the government deposits a sum of Rs 5,000 each year in the name of parents of a girl for five years. This sum adds up along with interest to Rs 1 lakh by the time girls turn 18. This scheme will ensure that the birth of a girl child is not considered curse or financial liability by the parents, he added.
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Massive scam in bitumen purchase detected
New Delhi, February 5 According to the complaint filed in 1999, CBI found that the MCD officials in 1998 had allegedly made payments to several private contractors on the basis of fake invoices of oil companies. The complainant, then MCD Additional Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) S K Jain, alleged these fake invoices certified that the supply of bitumen was actually received in their presence by the contractors, whereas in fact the consignments were never received. To date, the prosecuting agency CBI has submitted 12 chargesheets in the case, accusing 92 persons of being involved in the scam, including contractors, besides several MCD employees - Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers, accountants and bill clerks. According to CBI, the accused contractors were awarded work contracts by MCD for carpeting roads, under the terms of which bitumen was to be purchased directly from approved manufacturers (such as Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum). The contractors were also required to submit cash receipts, invoices, gate passes of the refineries, and terminal tax receipts obtained from inter-state borders. Besides submitting forged invoices, CBI alleged the contractors did not purchase bitumen from authorised manufacturers, and “knowingly avoided submitting original documents”. The suspects have been accused of cheating, forgery (under IPC) and criminal misconduct by a public servant (under the Prevention of Corruption Act).
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SBI burglary case solved, one held
New Delhi, February 5 The accused has been identified as Santram (45), a carpenter. Goods worth several lakhs, including silver and gold jewellery, two motorcycles, firearms, live ammunition and crude bombs have been recovered from him, said the police. The SBI’s Tigri branch had on February 3 reported a break-in by cutting of the window grill. A computer, a single-barrel gun, few cartridges, torches and key rings were found missing. Suspecting involvement of a local person, pickets were deployed at strategic points in the area. Local beat officers manning exit route to Haryana, noticed a motorcycle with a tampered number plate. Before they could react, the rider turned his bike and tried to speed off, but slipped and fell. He was nabbed and a loaded countrymade pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from his possession, police officials said. A search on his premises yielded a bag full of tools, including saw blades with fresh marks on it. Key chains bearing the logo of SBI, Tigri Branch and few 12-bore cartridges were also found. “On sustained interrogation, Santram revealed that he had planned and executed two other burglaries in the area,” they said. Ornaments in 24 kg silver and over 6 kg gold, two motorcycles, two colour TV sets, two VCD player and other household goods were recovered at his instance, police said. A .315-bore countrymade pistol, .32-bore countymade revolver, 12-bore countrymade pistol, 40 live cartridges and 4 crude bombs were also recovered from his possession, they added. Police claimed Santram, who hails from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, confessed to having decamped with ornaments from the jewellery shop in Sangam Vihar and also breaking-in into his neighbour’s house in the same area and stealing among other things mattresses, utensils and clothes. The North West district police also arrested an inter-state robber wanted in about 17 cases, including attempt to murder. Pintu Passi, alias Sunil, 25, was arrested on February 2 after police received a tip-off about the criminal’s visit. Passi opened fire on seeing police but was later arrested and a countrymade pistol with one live cartridge recovered from him.
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Missing boy found from Bulandshahr
Noida, February 5 Bulandshahr Police Station, SHO, Rajesh Chaudhary said, “Boy had left the house on his own after some arguments with his family. On reaching the Railway Station, he was noticed by some passengers who informed the police. We informed his family who took him back home.” Railway staff said initially the boy had said that he was kidnapped by some cyclist from the Surajpur area who had planned to take him out to some far-off place via train. When he saw the Railway Police, he plucked up his courage and raised the alarm. The kidnapper escaped leaving him behind as he feared he might be nabbed. He gave his name as Asif, son of a furniture trader, Salim, resident of Surajpur. He also gave the phone numbers of his parents. Police called his parents and informed about the incident. He was brought back home by his parents. Surajpur Police Station SHO, Rajeev Yadav, said, “No missing person or kidnapping report was received from the boy’s parents.”
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Workshop on development of villages held
New Delhi, February 5 Inaugurated by Ms Vibha Puri Das, Principal Secretary, Forests and Rural Development, Government of Uttaranchal, it focussed on various aspects of development of villages. Prof I.J.S. Bansal of Punjab Academy of Sciences highlighted the importance of ensuring sustainable development and maintaining the ecological balance. He commended DIT and put forward the idea of establishing similar academies in all states. Eminent educationists including Prof Hari Bali of Kingston University, UK, talked about taking education to the masses and the importance of right to knowledge being disseminated through TV, radio and internet. In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar, stressed on the importance and relevance of nanotechnology and vital areas where it can be applied like DNA-based computer defence application and diagnostic kits for malaria, TB, HIV, hepatitis etc. To fulfil the objective of taking technical education to the doorstep of rural Indians, a collaboration was entered into with the renowned Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA. DIT is the only private institute in Uttaranchal selected by the World Bank for support. This funding is only provided to institutions that meet the highest standards in basic infrastructure, academic excellence and transparency in management.
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DDA plots to be auctioned off as freehold properties
New Delhi, February 5 Until now, the Delhi Development Authority has been auctioning off its plots on a leasehold basis. Under leasehold, purchasers occupy properties for a fixed term of years subject to many conditions and in return for the payment of rent to land authorities. Conversions from leasehold to freehold are allowed only on built-up structures on DDA land, but the process involves a range of time-consuming official sanctions. This is being done to remove imperfections in land delivery in order to cater to Delhi’s post-liberalisation land market, which continues to expand.
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Scuffle between striking workers and police at airport
New Delhi, February 5 The Airports Authority of India employees claimed that the police initially allowed them to hold a meeting but later asked them to disperse, saying the gathering was too large. However, the police maintained that they were only following High Court directions. After a meeting of the employees’ union with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, there were indications that the unions would call-off the three-day-old stir protesting the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports. Although the agitating employees started gathering at the airport early today, police kept them off the 500 metre limit around the airport.
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Melatonin treatment for blood pressure
New Delhi, February 5 Melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates sleep, available as a pill, at bedtime enhances the drop in blood pressure that occurs at night, thereby protecting the heart from damage. The normal decline in blood pressure at night is related to the rise of melatonin levels in the body. Treatment with melatonin lower blood pressure further. Quoting a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India and Delhi Medical Association, said that melatonin treatment decreases night-time blood pressure. As a result, the day-night blood pressure difference is more pronounced during melatonin use.
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Exhibition to capture irrepressible spirit of Sikh community, its inherent strength
Ravi Bhatia Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 5 It is being curated by well-known art critic and curator, Dr Alka Raghuvanshi. The exhibition, documenting the entire gamut of Sikh traditions, culture, life style, sects, major gurdwaras and pilgrimage centres, festivals, education, diaspora and Sikhs in the armed forces, is an attempt to capture the irrepressible spirit of the community and bare its inherent strength. The exhibition will have on display 70 photographs, each one unfolding a tale of life lived to the brim. The exhibition will also have on view for the first time photographs from some of the most important gurdwaras, including those in Pakistan. The collection also boasts of some extremely rare photographs from Nankana Sahib, the birth place of the founder of the religion Guru Nanak Dev. A trained photographer, Malkiat Singh, has spent four relentless years in the pursuit of the subjects and in the process has travelled extensively. And what is amazing is that all this started from a simple and affectionate desire to photograph his grandparents! Craftsmanship at its best
From February 6, Sasha, with its producer partners, is organizing a display-cum-sales event at the ‘Aga Khan Hall’, here to showcase the excellent creativity and enterprise of the marginalized producers– weavers, potters, artisans and women craft producers. The product range on display will include exquisite items of textiles, leather, natural fibres, ceramics, metal crafts, decorative items, home accessories and natural products, viz. cosmetics and food products—the range reflects a fine blend of contemporary designs and authentic craftsmanship. The proceeds from the event will go back to the communities for further strengthening their production capacities, working environment and socio-economic development.. The programme will be inaugurated on February 6 at 12 noon. Craftsmen from various parts of the country will be present during the programme to demonstrate their works and special skills. These are the people who have risen above the financial hardships to uphold the values and beliefs of Sasha Network in indigenous skills, transparent transactions, fair wages, gender equity, sensitivity to children and responsibility to ecological sustainability. Your presence and support will be a source of inspiration and exposure to the artisans of Sasha network. Sarba Shanti Ayog (SSA), a not-for-profit organization and its business wing Sasha Association for Craft Producers (SACP)– collectively known as “SASHA”–are working with small artisans, crafts persons and other marginalized producers. Capacity building, i.e. skill development, design intervention, technical inputs and market access are integral part of Sasha functioning. Sasha today works with nearly 150 producer groups/communities of Bengal, Orissa, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattishgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka, reaching out to about 5000 persons. More than 70 per cent of the producers Sasha works with are women. Sasha is a “Fair Trade” organization and a member of the International Federation of Alternative Trade, the apex body for the global fair trade movement. Sasha is also a promoter member of the Asia Fair Trade Forum and the Fair Trade Forum India.
Sangeet Sammelan held
The ITC Sangeet Research Academy, a public charitable trust set up in 1978, organized the 34th ITC Sangeet Sammelan at the FICCI auditorium here on February 4 and February 5. The two-day sammelan showcased veterans from the field of Indian classical music and scholars from the ITC Sangeet Research Academy to the delight of the audience. Among those who performed in the sammelan were Meena Faterpekar (vocal), Onkar Shrikant Dadarkar (vocal), Prattyush Bannerjee (Sarod) and Pandit Jasraj (vocal). R. Ganesh and R. Kurnaresh (violin duet), Shruti Sadolikar Karkar (vocal), Nayan Ghosh (sitar) amd Ajoy Chakrabarty (vocal) kept the audience rapt on the second day. Gaansaraswati, Mrs Saraswatibai Rane was conferred the prestigious ITC award at the function.
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Five escape from Narela Children’s Home
New Delhi, February 5 Police are verifying whether the children were being tortured in the children’s home. While the investigations are in progress, the police have detained the gateman of the home. A manhunt has been launched as of now and the local police at all the railway stations, interstate bus terminals have been alerted. The supervisor lodged a report with the police after a rollcall this morning showed them missing.
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Two killed in road accidents
Noida, February 5 Rajan Bajaj along with wife Renu Bajaj had come to Elevate night club in sector 18. When he was returning, he unknowingly took the Expressway instead of right turn towards Delhi. As there was no U turn on the entire Expressway, he reached Greater Noida and took a turn back to Noida. When he reached near Mayoor School, a Maruti car suddenly came from the front in wrong direction. To save the accident, he applied brakes. The car turned turtle. The couple were critically injured and rushed to private hospital. Renu Bajaj died within hours while Rajan Bajaj suffered injuries. In another road mishap, Chandrasen died while he was repairing his vehicle near Kot Chowki in Dadri area.
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Two criminals shot in police encounter
Khurja, February 5 Through electronic surveillance, Khurja Police got a tip-off and motorcycle number of two hired killers who were alleged to have been coming to Khurja to kill some transport company owner. Khurja Police Station incharge S.K.S.Pratap, along with police
team, launched the search operation and intercepted the youths who tried to escape. Police team chased them. Youths fired at police team. Constable Hansraj suffered bullet injuries. Thereafter police retaliated and fired several round. After firing was silenced from the other end, the police team combed the bushes and recovered the bodies of two criminals. They could not be identified till today evening.
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Abacus Olympiad held
New Delhi, February 5 Participants in the initial rounds, sat clutching their abacuses, flipped the answer sheets, calculated with the abacus and scribbled down the answers diligently within three minutes. Sunday’s world at St Columbus, the venue for the competition consisted over 3000 participants between five and 14 years in bright green T-shirts. “The students are from our 250 academies in 18 states, which impart training to almost 15000 students,” said Mr Ashok Subramanium, Executive Director, Brainobrain. Young achievers from Brainobrain also gave a live demonstration to display their numerical abilities and the mathematical processes involved with an abacus. On the completion of the tests, the awards were given out to the best mathematical minds by the Chief Guest Dr Kiran Bedi, IPS (Director General - Home Guards and Director - Civil
Defence). — TNS
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Two held for dacoities
New Delhi, February 5 Mahender Singh and Shyam Karan, both 28 years old, were arrested by a police team following a tip-off. A countrymade revolver, a button-activated knife and a stolen motorcycle were seized from them. The arrest would help solve a number of dacoity cases, a police spokesman said. In another case, police arrested Pintu Passi, a man wanted in 17 cases of robbery and other crimes after a chase at Rithala in North-West Delhi. A countrymade pistol with a live cartridge was recovered from him.
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Three held for making fake visas
New Delhi, February 5 They were residents of Sri Ram Colony, Nehru Vihar and Sangam Vihar and had been charging up to Rs 1 lakh from visa seekers, police said. Umar and Shahid were arrested from Anand Vihar where they had come to deliver five passports to a Nepali citizen. The third person was arrested following his interrogation.
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Eight dogs found killed
Bagpat, February 5 Villagers Anis, Akbar and others said on Friday night that they heard barking of dogs. When they looked out, they found a wild animal over 3 feet high. Seeing torchlight, the animal went into the jungle area. On Saturday morning, amazingly, 8 dogs were found dead while several others were crawling. Villagers were frightened as the animal could attack them too and kill their children. The District Forest Officer launched the hunt for the animal.
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Doctor gets extortion letter from criminal lodged in jail
Bulandshashr, February 5 Sikandrabad doctor runs his clinic at the city and do practice at Faridabad,
Bhondsi and other places too. Four days ago, the doctor received a registered letter from one Narinder, alias Neeraj Jat. In the letter, he stated that he had been lodged in Bhondsi jail for several murder cases. He also stated that his gang is active in Bulandshahr too. The doctor was asked to arrange for Rs 5 lakh in a week and meet him at jail where he will inform whom to deliver the cash. He also threatened to kill him and his family members if he did not acceded to his demand.
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Sangeet Niketan celebrates Annual Day
New Delhi, February 5 The students of the institute presented many colourful programmes based on classical music and dance on the occasion. Later, the participants were given awards and degrees by the principal Chakarvarty Ram Mohan Rai.
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DU workshop on prevention of AIDS
New Delhi, February 5 The programmed ended with cultural programme filled with the essence of rich northeast culture. More than 200 students participated in the
programme. — TNS
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