New Delhi, October 2
With nearly 50 more cases of dengue being reported from across the Capital, the number of those affected with the dreaded disease has risen to 500. A total of 11 persons have died of the fever so far.

However, the Delhi Government still feels the number does not warrant the tag of “epidemic” as the situation was not that bad yet.

The Delhi Health Secretary said the government could not call it an epidemic as it had not reached that proportion.

The Health Department claimed that intensified fogging and door-to-door checking of coolers and other water containers would help control the menace. The Municipal Health Officer said the dengue outbreak was a yearly occurrence in the Capital.

Keeping this in mind, the MCD had launched a drive this year as soon as the monsoon season started to check mosquito breeding in residences, offices and marketplaces. Preventive measures were announced through advertisements, he said.

Thousands of house owners were issued challans. Besides, 10 hospitals, including Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital and Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hospital, had been issued notices for not doing enough to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes on their respective campus.

The notice asked the hospital authorities to take due note of the mosquito breeding grounds on campus and step up surveillance to curb it. The fountains at hospitals were among the favourite breeding places for mosquitoes.

The Municipal Health Officer reminded people that dengue spread through the bite of the female Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean stagnant water.

The Delhi Government claims to have hired 2,400 temporary workers apart from over 3,000 working for the MCD to intensify surveillance of potential breeding grounds and launch fogging of anti-mosquito drugs to control the growing menace of dengue.

Some of the worst affected zones of Delhi were Civil Lines, Karol Bagh, Rohini and Shahdara, the Health Officer said.

The worst case of dengue outbreak was reported from Delhi in 1996 when over 10,000 people were affected. This year, over 448 cases have already been reported even before October, when the outbreak is usually severe.

Over 128 fresh cases of dengue have been reported in Delhi in the past week. Besides the Capital itself, neighbouring satellite towns such as Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and even Moradabad are also reporting hundreds of dengue cases. 

New Delhi, October 2
Even as the number of positive dengue cases in AIIMS rose to 35 on Sunday, of which 18 are either doctors or general staff, the institute announced that it will conduct research to find out whether mosquitoes have become resistant to chemical sprays used to stop their breeding in stagnant, clean water.

“In the past six months, we have done fogging in the institute nine times and used anti-mosquito spray 12 times. But it seems the measure has failed to stop the breeding of mosquitoes,” rued Mr D. K. Sharma, AIIMS Medical Superintendent.

“It could be that the chemical is not effective enough to kill the mosquito. We are planning to conduct a research into this. But we would do it when we are able to contain the problem. There is no knowledge about this subject. It has to be properly researched,” Mr Sharma said.

There are 45 patients in the hospital. Of these, 20 are from the AIIMS campus. In the past 24 hours, 15 new patients have been admitted, of which four are from the institute. Nearly 500 cases have been registered.

Mr Sharma said the water coolers should not only be drained but properly cleaned with a cloth as the eggs of the Aedes mosquito remained hidden. They were capable of transmitting the virus the next time the cooler was used.

Dr Randeep Guleria, Professor at the Department of Medicine in AIIMS, said the virus could persist as the mosquito could breed till early December.

He said an epidemic could be declared if the number of patients touched between 900 and 1,000.

Some AIIMS employees were discharged on Sunday from the wards. Over 70 patients from AIIMS were tested with dengue symptoms. Five tested positive.

According to sources, the last time that a doctor from AIIMS died of dengue was in 2003 when over 500 cases were reported in Delhi. Dr Dibek Mohanty, an assistant professor, died of a similar intra-cranial haemorrhage that year.

Doctors say that only one in a 1,000 dengue positive cases suffer such severe brain damage. Earlier in the week, a 17-year-old girl, a resident of Vasant Kunj, succumbed to the deadly fever while undergoing treatment at the institute.

AIIMS has created a fever cell consisting of four teams of seven resident doctors to tackle the crisis. All patients with fever are being tested and treated for dengue or any other influenza type.

Gurgaon, October 2
Claiming that only 11 confirmed cases of dengue had been reported till today in the district, Gurgaon Civil Surgeon, Dr D V Saharan, today appealed to the public to stay calm, as there was no need to panic.

Gurgaon had reported 43 suspected cases of dengue, out of which 8 were found negative, while the report of the remaining 24 cases was awaited from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Delhi, he added.

All confirmed patients of dengue have been treated and discharged from different government and private hospitals. No confirmed patient of dengue was serious, Dr Saharan claimed.

The Civil Surgeon also urged the masses not to spread ‘rumour’ about the disease, and help the district administration check the spread of the disease by taking precautions.

He informed that dengue fever was caused by a virus spread to humans by a mosquito known as Aedes aegypti which bites during daylight hours.

He suggested that the best way to reduce the risk of dengue fever was to eliminate mosquito hatching grounds by emptying sources of standing water such as old tires, tin cans, barrels, jars, birdbaths and flower pot bases, etc.

Dengue fever is usually treated with fever-reducing agents, fluids and bed rest. Aspirin should not be taken to relieve dengue fever symptoms, added the doctor. 

New Delhi, October 2
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today launched the Delhi State Health Mission to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti during a simple function organised at the Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) auditorium here.

Ms Dikshit said the Delhi State Health Mission would not only give a thrust to basic healthcare issues, but also confer equal importance on aspects of preventive health and hygiene. She was also present on the occasion of Leprosy Half Marathon at MAMC. The marathon was flagged off from Chhattarsal Stadium earlier. Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri presided over the function.

Ms Dikshit, while congratulating the citizens of Delhi on the occasion of the 137th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, said Bapu, while leading us through our battle for Independence, lay emphasis on the advantages of good health. It was a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It became a prerequisite for reaping the benefits of our freedom.

Ms Dikshit further said, “The Delhi State Health Mission is being launched to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery, ensure an affordable, accountable and reliable primary healthcare service and effectively handle the increased allocation for public health.”

The Mission was influenced in concept, strategy and plan by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Certain amendments, however, had been made in view of the Capital’s unique features, its health systems, health infrastructure, its health demand and urban character.

The Mission would have the Delhi State Health Society as its executive arm, which would receive the funds under the NHRM from the Government of India. Several programme committees specific to various health programmes for controlling diseases such as leprosy, TB, blindness, AIDS and vector-borne diseases would be part of the society to provide technical and other inputs. The society would have a governing-cum-executive body under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare.

The Delhi State Health Mission would have the Chief Minister as Chairperson, the Minister of Health as Co-Chairperson, the Principal Secretary, Health, as Convener apart from official members, nominated public representatives and non-official members and experts. The Delhi State Health Mission would be the conduit for central funds, besides facilitating inter-sectoral convergence and merger of existing health societies. It is expected that the Mission would render constructive cooperation in reduction of the infant mortality rate, the maternal mortality ratio, the total fertility rate, the control and reduction of fatality due to malaria, Kala Azar, filaria, dengue and diarrhoeal diseases, reduction in blindness due to cataract, reduction of prevalence rates of leprosy and tuberculosis, good quality hospital services, increased utilisation of hospitals and first referral units.

The Mission would also concentrate on improvement in health services in urban slums. Slums are characterised by the absence of proper housing, lack of basic amenities and lack of demand for basic amenities.

Lack of safe drinking water, a clean, sanitary environment and adequate garbage disposal pose health risks to slum dwellers, especially women and children, as they spend most of their time in and around the unhygienic environment.

The Delhi State Health Mission intends to intervene and improve the health of people living in these difficult areas through integrated district health societies under the Mission. Accredited social health activists (ASHA) would also be deployed in these difficult areas.

The Chief Minister also launched an NGO under the School Health Scheme with the objective of providing healthcare facilities to the target population of 12 lakh.

The NGO will carry out medical examination of each and every student as per the health card and ensure referral and follow-up of the students who require further treatment. It will provide OPD and emergency services, immunisation and health education along with medical examination to treat the minor ailments of students during the working hours of the school.

Ms Dikshit also gave away prizes to winners of the Leprosy Half Marathon. She gave Rs 10,000 to the winner, Rs 5,000 to the runners-up and Rs 2,000 to the second runners-up.

New Delhi, October 2
Expressing dismay at the lack of professionalism among police personnel in investigating road accident cases, the Delhi High Court has given several directions to the government to ensure that the accused in such cases do not go scotfree.

Among other things, the court suggested that the investigating officials must bring on record photographs of the accident site, mechanical inspection reports of the involved vehicles, medical report of the erring driver and the prevailing weather conditions.

The court passed these directions while acquitting one Abdul Subhan who was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment by the trial court for causing the death of a motorcyclist on Mathura Road due to ‘rash and negligent’ driving.

The court acquitted Subhan after holding the view that driving the vehicle at a ‘high speed’ did not necessarily mean that the accused had driven the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner to invite sections 279 and 304A of the IPC under which a person can be convicted for a maximum period of two years.

According to the prosecution, Subhan, who was driving a tempo, caused the death of Gajendra Singh on October 23, 1995 on Mathura Road.

He was convicted and given 15 months’ imprisonment by the Metropolitan Magistrate. His appeal against the conviction was turned down by the Additional Sessions Judge, following which he moved a revision application in the High Court. — PTI

New Delhi, October 2
The Delhi High Court has directed the government to ensure that officials of the revenue courts were not burdened with additional work like election duties so as to avoid protracted delay in the adjudication of civil suits.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul passed the directions on a writ petition filed by Jagraon Dal Mills complaining about the alleged failure of a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM)-cum- Settlement Officer in deciding a property suit matter despite the case coming to a final hearing as far back as in 1995.

The company through its counsel R K Kapoor complained that suit property involving it and another party had come up for a final decision in 1995.

However, since then the matter had been adjourned by the Magistrate on innumerable occasions citing his pre-occupation with election related works or other additional assignments.

It was complained by the petitioner that the delay in the adjudication of the matter had caused irreparable suffering to the company as the rival claimants to the property had illegally constructed certain structures at the site during the pendency of the suit. — PTI

Gurgaon, October 2
The Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice J. S. Kher, yesterday visited the court complex to review the security measures being taken on the premises.

The Committee members, including the chief architect of Haryana Government and the Home Secretary of the state, also accompanied Justice Kher during the visit.

According to the president of District (Gurgaon) Bar Association, Mr R.S. Raghav, the Committee members had made the visit as a follow up measures with regard to closing down of some gates at the outer periphery wall of the court as well as to inspect a site for setting up of the proposed judicial complex.

At the time when the outer boundary wall was being set up, the Committee had decided to allow only two gates — entry and exit. But seven gates stand today. The Committee may recommend closure of the five gates which were not in the original plan.

However, the lawyers through the District Bar Association expressed reservation at the closure of the five gates on the ground that it would cause inconvenience to their clients. Justice Kher then agreed with an alternative to fence the judicial complex (round building which houses judges chamber) allowing only two gates in it.

The alternative will be considered by the Association during its meeting on October 4. A separate entry and exit for judges and undertrials would remain as they are.

Source say that the alternative has to be accepted by the Association, as some lawyers’ chambers will have to be dislocated due to the fencing. The area where fencing is proposed falls between the outer boundary wall and the judicial complex.

The need for making the judicial complex fool proof from the security point of view arises in the wake of recent violence in and out of the court complex.

On the proposed new judicial complex, Mr Raghav said that a proper site for the building was yet to be identified. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, now dismantled, located along the national highway and near Rajiv Chowk with an area of about 40 acres of land, is being considered as a suitable site for the proposed complex. The proposed complex will have a multi-storey parking place, judicial complex and lawyers’ chambers.

The government also has a proposal to set up another bus stand in one portion of the Kendra. The area is adjacent to the existing judicial complex.

New Delhi, October 2
Traders in the national Capital today celebrated Dasehra in a unique way by burning the effigies of ‘Sealing’ and ‘Demolition’ along with mythological demons Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnad from the epic ‘Ramayana’.

Effigies symbolising sealing and demolition carried out by the ‘insensitive administration’ were erected at grounds across the Capital by traders, who have been opposing the court-ordered twin drives for the past several months.

“For lakhs of traders in the Capital, sealing and demolition are no less than demons. This is a symbolic way of protest,” said Mr Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders.

A delegation of traders had yesterday submitted a memorandum to Delhi Government seeking protection from the sealing drive, saying that it would harm the economic health of the Capital.

Faridabad, October 2
Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today called upon the people to be a part of the campaign against social evils to being peace and brotherhood in the society.

Speaking just before setting fire to effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumkaran at New Ramlila Ground in sector 16 A, Mr Hooda said the ritual of burning effigies was a reminder to people that there was a need to remain alert and cautious about evil forces threatening the love and co-existence.

He added that the day
had assumed more significance as today was also
the birthday of the Father
of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The achievements of
both the great personalities were still a source of inspiration and guidance, he said, adding that ‘Gandhigiri’ had become more relevant now and people should try to put the good morals and principals in use so that the evils dogging the society could be tackled properly. 

Gurgaon, October 2
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today reiterated his government’s pledge to catapult the state in the front rank in all spheres, including sports.

Mr Hooda, who was here as chief guest on the conclusion of 27th Haryana State Senior Hockey Championship, said that it was important that sports in Haryana also touched new heights along with its rapid modernisation.

On the discipline of hockey as sports, he pointed out that once Haryana was on the international map. He referred to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who was from Haryana. He said that in spite of the best efforts, hockey as a discipline was not coming up in the state.

However, he asserted that the state would keep up its drive in the sports field.

On the occasion, he announced the installation of floodlights in Nehru stadium here. Incidentally, the government has already installed floodlights, the first in north India, in Devi Lal Sports Stadium for the ongoing Santosh Trophy national football championship.

Noida, October 2
Half a dozen assailants shot a scrap dealer in Mohalla Nai Abadi, Dadri on Friday. Five assailants have been named in the murder report.

A large number of irate people attacked the houses of the accused and damaged the furniture. Later, they also tried to torch the houses of the accused. But the police foiled their attempt.

Hundreds of protestors then marched to Kotwali demanding arrest of the accused.

Former UP Revenue Minister Ravi Gautam also remained in the police station for five hours in this connection along with hundreds of people.

Junk dealer Shankat, son of Qutubi, had just reached his shop after offering ‘namaz’ when Arshad along with five others reached there in a Santro car and rained bullets on Shaukat.

Shaukat was shot with two bullets in chest and one each in stomach and shoulder.

As Sahukat slumped in a pool of blood, assailants sped away. This created a panic in the locality.

Shaukat was declared dead by doctors at Ghaziabad’s Yashoda Hospital.

Hundreds of people who had attacked the houses of Arshad and Shahid, also jammed the road for four hours. Arshad, Abdul, Washd, Hanif, Hamid and Nizam were named in the murder report.

New Delhi, October 2
More than 30 students from Benaras Hindu University (BHU) went on a 24-hour fast at Raj Ghat here this afternoon, demanding immediate elections to the students’ union and action against the Proctor who, they alleged, was responsible for the police action against them.

The students’ protest at the Mahatma’s samadhi came after they alleged that the Union Government did not act even after they had given representations regarding the police action taken against protesters.

They also demanded the removal of Proctor S. N. Sinha alleging that he instigated the police to attack the students, injuring many of them.

New Delhi, October 2
Siddhartha and Shriharsha Shukla produce art of a rare quality. Their canvases are alive with colour and life. A unique harmony peers out of their paintings and animations. Yet, the world they inhabit is a silent one and maybe, this is what attunes them to the sense of harmony and vibrancy that emits from their work.

The duo are both hearing impaired and from childhood have been associated with ‘Very Special Arts’ (VSAI), an NGO, that works to advance the integration of the challenged children and youth through the medium of the visual and performing arts.

Another case is that of Mukesh, a mentally challenged young adult who joined the VSAI some 6 years back and had been trained in candle making through this period. Today, he has become an expert trainer and runs the entire candle department in VSAI. The candles produced by this unit are pieces of art and are supplied to major stores and retail outlets across the city.

VSAI is ideologically affiliated to the JF Kennedy Foundation, which works with disabled children through visual and creative mediums in over 80 nations of the world.

The VSAI was founded in 1983 and operates at three levels. At the international level, the VSAI provides a mechanism for an exchange of ideas on this subject and provides trainers in different art forms like pure art, theatre and textile printing. It also teaches through workshops.

“At the national level, we have put together an art foundation that has a data-base of over a 1000 artists with disabilities and we provide a platform for their work.

This is accomplished through art contests which are organised disability-wise as we want to be completely fair,” says Ambita Verdi, project director with VSAI.

“We also organise art camps for serious artists, these are mostly organised for disabled young adults and we provide them much needed interaction with renowned artists and give with exposure to art as a profession. We also exhibit at art galleries whenever it is possible,” she added.

In addition, trainers in music, dance, drama and art are also sent out to special schools spread across Delhi, especially ones that cannot afford such facilities like government schools and Mother Teresa homes. On a monthly basis, festivals are organised at the IIC or the center. Over 50 disabled kids are currently enrolled with the VSAI and children from orphanages and lower income groups are favoured. Over 150 normal street children are also enrolled at the centre, in an afternoon school that caters to the slums and street children. Basic vocational training and education is provided to these children who are taught regular school subjects and vocations like tailoring. 

New Delhi, October 2
Fulfilling the long-standing aspirations of the Malayalees in the Capital, the Delhi Malayalee Association (DMA) marked the completion of the construction of the first phase of its cultural centre today with colourful cultural programmes and Vijayadasami festivities.

The construction of the Rs 1.35-crore complex, consisting of an auditorium, modern library, learning centres of dance and music and a health centre, was started in November last year.

Mr T. K. A. Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, UGC Vice-Chairman V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai and DMA Patron Lilly George were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

The grand cultural programme included Mohiniyattam and Theyyam. — TNS

New Delhi, October 2
The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) booked an entire cinema hall for its employees working with liquor shops to see the noon show of the movie ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ today.

DSIIDC Managing Director Jalal Shrivastava said, “There was no better way for us as a large group to remember collectively what Mahatma Gandhi stood for, to enjoy the film on the 100th anniversary of the Satyagraha movement. He said it was an opportunity for employees to remember the immortal teachings of Mahatma Gandhi in today’s context. — TNS

New Delhi, October 2
The Delhi Police today arrested a 30-year-old man for the murder of his wife in Bawana in North-East Delhi.

Vijeyndra was arrested this morning for the murder of his wife, Suman (22).

After murdering his wife, Vijeyndra allegedly ransacked his house to mislead the police into believing that the murder was the act of an outsider who had come to the house with the intention of robbery.

The police claim during interrogation he confessed to killing his wife in frustration as their relationship was not working.

New Delhi, October 2
A man was bludgeoned to death by his son in Mangolpuri in West Delhi last night.

The police said 57-year-old Mangal Ram, an alcoholic, used to beat up his wife, Rajani, everyday, which was resented by his son.

Last night also, he came home drunk and started assaulting his wife. This enraged his son, Omprakash, who hit him with a brick, killing him on the spot.

Omprakash has been arrested. A case of murder has been booked. 

New Delhi, October 2
One person died and five others sustained burns when a house in the Nangloi area of North-West Delhi caught fire this evening.

Fire Department sources said the fire occurred when a few containers filled with oil and crackers accidentally caught fire at about 4 pm. Two fire engines were sent to douse the fire, which was brought under control within one hour. — OC

New Delhi, October 2
Mainly dry weather prevailed in the Capital today even as a cool breeze brought some relief from the humidity.

Despite the sun, the maximum temperature dropped to 36 degree Celsius, from 36.7 degree C yesterday.

With the South-West Monsoon withdrawing from most parts of North-West India on September 28, dry weather has prevailed in Delhi during the last few days. The dry spell followed a short burst of moderate showers in the Capital on September 22. — TNS