New Delhi, January 12
The Delhi Cabinet met today for the second consecutive day to discuss possible inclusion of suggestions regarding the upcoming Master Plan of the city offered by the MLAs during the special assembly session convened last week.

However, the meeting, which was chaired by the Chief Minister Ms Sheila Dikshit and stretched for around four hours, remained inconclusive with ministers failing to decide on the number of suggestions to be sent to the DDA for incorporation in the Master Plan 2021.

There were various issues on which elected representatives had raised doubts and given recommendations. The Cabinet is finalising the details, as once Master Plan is implemented, they would be able to make no changes in it, sources said.

According to the sources, two more meetings will be held respectively on Saturday and Sunday when the final decision will be made.

After that the suggestions would be sent to the DDA to ensure their inclusion in the Master Plan, they said.

The Cabinet yesterday discussed about conversion charges from unauthorised colonies.

The Union Urban Development Ministry is planning to implement the Master Plan by the end of this month.

In the meanwhile, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is all set to organise a seminar on ‘Master Plan 2021 – Traders’ Vision’ tomorrow. Eminent Master Plan expert Mr R C Gupta will deliver a key note address in context of remedial measures addressing problems of Delhi traders on sealing in the seminar. 

Faridabad, January 12
The Congress government led by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda will provide about 4.5 lakh jobs to the unemployed youths in the government and private sectors in Haryana in the next three years. The ongoing industrialization and the development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state will generate jobs for over 10 lakh persons in the next 10 years. Appointment letters against about 30,000 posts in the government sector would be issued within the next 12 months.

Claiming this, the spokesperson of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), Mr Ved Prakash Vidrohi said here today that the present government was committed to providing maximum jobs in both sectors and there would be no bypassing merit in the selection process in the government sector.

Admitting that the employment potential in the government sector had shrunk sharply in the past few years, he said the government would employ the manpower where it was necessary to provide basic amenities to the people.

Describing the SEZ plan as an important step to uplift the economic standard of the people, he claimed that such a development would usher in a vast employment opportunities for the residents of the state.

He said at least 10 lakh jobs would be generated in the next 10 years as there would be heavy investment in manufacturing and services sector.

According to the party spokesperson, while there would be availability of another 1.25 lakh government jobs in Haryana in the next three years, three lakh persons could be absorbed by the private sector in the state during this period.

He said while the SEZ proposals had been welcomed by various sections of society, the politicians were opposing them just to hide the ‘failures’ of their regime.

He said the government would put the report card of its work performance for two years at the state level rally to be organized at Sirsa on February 25. The party leadership has held around 40 rallies so far to publicise the welfare schemes.

The next rally would be held at Ballabgarh town on January 14, he added.

The party leader said that the serial killings of Gurgaon could not be compared to the Nithari incident of Noida.

New Delhi, January 12
The government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has decided to encourage residents to implement the rainwater harvesting scheme by doubling the financial assistance to Rs 1 lakh from the present
Rs 50,000.

The scheme, which was launched by the Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, in December 2002 has found few takers with only 163 cases approved for grant for the rainwater harvesting system and only 102 cases found fit for the financial assistance so far.

“To encourage more residents and resident welfare associations (RWAs) to take up rainwater harvesting system in their buildings, we have decided to enhance the financial help to implement the system”, said Mr Arun Mathur, CEO of the Delhi Jal Board.

The scheme is applicable to entire Delhi except for a few places in the North-West, West and North-East districts, like Bawana, Khanjhawala, Barwala, Khera Khurd, Khera Kalan, Libaspur, ISBT, Kashmere Gate, Nand Nagari, Gokulpuri, GT Road and Shahdara.

Currently, the DJB is doling out financial assistance of a maximum of 50 per cent of total cost of the rainwater harvesting or Rs 50,000, whichever is less.

According to an official, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD) has identified 600 municipal buildings and parks out of which 200 municipal buildings have been provided with rainwater harvesting facility.

Similarly, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has identified 125 structures. Work has been completed on 41 structures while the Public Works Department (PWD) has completed work on 900 structures and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on 69 sites.

Gurgaon, January 12
Various community-based projects like hospital, auditorium, stadium, solid waste management, sewerage and water projects, being developed by Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), are at different stages of completion in the district.

According to officials, HUDA is constructing a 100-bedded hospital at Sector 10 at a cost of Rs 2,180 lakh. The construction work of the building is at the final stage and the hospital is planned to be ready by July 31.

The district administration has already recommended to the higher authorities for establishing a trauma centre in the hospital. Presently Gurgaon has a 200-bedded civil hospital in the heart of the city, informed the official.

Second in Haryana, HUDA is building an auditorium-cum-convention centre at Sector 29 at a cost of Rs 1,470 lakh. It would have a total seating capacity of 1,200 persons and a conference hall for holding meetings and seminars, etc for around 65 persons. The fully airconditioned auditorium has been designed with a covered area of 5400 square metre, comprising basement, ground floor and balcony. It is scheduled to be completed by July 31, claimed Mr S P Gupta, administrator of HUDA.

HUDA has already developed a sports complex with a total area 46.25 acres in Sector 38, Gurgoan. The state government has recently approved the construction of a multipurpose hall at a cost of Rs 20 crore in the complex. The hall will have a seating capacity of 4,000 spectators. The designing of the building is at the final stage, informed the officer.

It would have the provisions for different games: basket ball, badminton, tennis, table tennis, judo, karate, sepak takraw, taekawondo, volley ball, hand ball, fencing, gymnastics, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, etc, added the officer.

HUDA has recently finalized a site for solid waste management in the district at village Bandhwai, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road in the district.

Biomedical wastes will be disposed of in accordance with the Bio-medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 and hazardous wastes will be managed in accordance with the hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules 1989, as amended from time to time.

The landfill site will be large enough to last 25 years. A buffer zone of no-development will be maintained around landfill site and incorporated in the town planning department’s land-use plans, added the officer.

A water works at village Chandu Bhudhera at the cost of Rs 6,822 lakh for increasing water supply in the city is being constructed at 133 acres of land, informed the officer.

A third water treatment plant of 20 MGD capacity at Water Treatment Plant, Basai, has been approved at a cost of Rs 1,384 lakh. It would be spread on 4.4 acres, informed the officer. An aquarium to entertain children is being developed at Sector 29 at a cost of Rs 90 lakh. It would be ready within a couple of months, Mr Gupta said.

The works for widening and beautification of the road at old Delhi-Gurgaon boarder at the cost of Rs 240 lakh is being carried out at full scale, claimed the officer. The traffic remains jammed at this particular road due to the poor maintenance of the road and the encroachments on the roads by the shopkeepers.

The plan is being implemented for the smooth flow of traffic on the stretch, informed the HUDA administrator, adding that one/two foot bridges or overbridges with escalators are being planned for the area.

An open theatre with a capacity of 1500 persons has already been completed. A golf course spread over 200 acres has also been planned for the city, informed the officer.

New Delhi, January 12
In a strongly worded letter, H. D. S. Rawat, general secretary of the Delhi University Karamchari Union, and Ram Singh Rana, president, both strongly censured the Vice-Chancellor, openly declaring in writing, “It is unfortunate to state that you have shown inimical attitude towards us by not placing our demand of the Upward Movement scheme (8+8) on IGNOU pattern in the Executive Council (EC).”

Rawat further accused that the VC had given an assurance to the members of the Executive Council that the Upward Movement scheme was needed and had asked for a proposal in this regard which was then submitted in October 2006. He further said after two months the Karamchari Union again approached the VC and he informed them their request was not accepted and he would write a letter to the MHRD on the issue.

The Karamchari Union took the issue to DUTA which approached the Vice-Chancellor on January 10 to help resolve the issue and requested the Upward Movement scheme be taken up in meetings with the EC. However, the VC remained adamant and negated DUTA’s steps to help resolve the issue. Following this, the Karamchari Union has decided to extend the present phase of their protest. It will continue the protest movement from January 15 to 19. 

New Delhi, January 12
Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) staged a dharna today at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College demanding enquiry against the college principal.

Around 300 teachers took part in the dharna, which is a part of the recently chalked out action programme of DUTA against the principal of the college, Dr Jitinder Kaur. Dr Kaur has been accused of corruption and autocratic behaviour.

The association members demanded an enquiry into the functioning of Dr Kaur, pending which she be sent on leave. Besides, they further demanded that the staff council of the college was revived by following the tradition of election officer and the system of secret ballot.

They have urged that Ms Vinod Bala Khajuria is appointed as the teacher in-charge of the English department and due salaries to ad hoc teachers is paid.

Moreover, they have asked that teachers should not be accused of false criminal charges.

DUTA asked the University and college administration to resolve the current crisis, failing which it would intensify its protest.

New Delhi, January 12
Kachchhism, an exhibition showcasing the weaves of Kachchh in fabric and product forms, is being held at Chinmaya Mission Hall, 89, Lodhi Road, here. The show has been put together by Khamir, whose Craft Resource Centre is based in Bhuj, Kachchh, and Dastkar, the well-known Delhi-based crafts NGO.

The key people behind the Kachchhism show are, of course, the weavers of Kachchh. Co-ordinating the Kachchhism show are Meera Goradia and Panka Shah from Khamir. Bringing the event to Delhi is Laila Tyabji of Dastkar.

The weavers of Kachchh have so far held on to the identity of their craft and yet subtly responded to the changes they face, to the reality of the new economic rhythm sweeping India. The Kachchhism show is an attempt towards defining these possibilities and providing an exciting platform to engage with the weavers of Kachchh.

Among the weavers participating in this show are weaver entrepreneurs who have achieved international fame. There are also weavers still trying to understand the new markets and there are those for whom weaving is their sole livelihood, who need to make their first forays into the larger world.

New Delhi, January 12
Delhiites continued to shiver under severe cold wave conditions as they woke up to yet another foggy morning today with the minimum temperature again plunging below five degree Celsius.

A thick blanket of fog enveloped the national Capital, reducing visibility levels, but not affecting air, rail and road traffic. It, however, lifted as the sun rose. The minimum temperature was recorded at 4.8 degree Celsius, down from yesterday’s 5.2 degree and two notches below the normal level. 

New Delhi, January 12
Though we all use the terms “fat” and “obese” casually in conversation, there is a medical definition of the condition, and yes, obesity is considered a health “condition”.

Obesity is rapidly acquiring epidemic proportions in our society. Lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, sedentary work habits and changing leisure activities have resulted in a large segment of population becoming clinically obese. The mushrooming weight loss centres, gyms, and numerous fad diets are evidence of this.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), a person is considered “obese” when he or she weighs 20 per cent or more than his or her ideal body weight. At that point, the person’s weight poses a real health risk.

Obesity becomes “morbid” when it significantly increases the risk of one or more obesity related health condition or serious diseases (also known as co-morbidities). Morbid obesity, sometimes called “clinically severe obesity”, is defined as being 45 kg or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher and experiencing obesity related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, proven failure to maintain health and weight with conventional programmes and medically supervised dieting, besides high risk of obesity related health conditions.

Apart from the social stigma attached to being obese, patients face numerous health problems — diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, osteoarthritis, etc. Treatment options include various lifestyle modifications, regular exercise and diet. But, as many will testify, these are easier said than done. Morbid obesity surgery is emerging as a safe and viable option in the fight against obesity.

There are well-defined guidelines to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for the operation. The risk of not having surgery outweighs the risk of potential complications from having surgery. Weight loss surgery is considered successful when a patient loses 50 per cent or more of excess body weight (the “overweight”) and keeps the weight off for at least five years.

New Delhi, January 12
Twenty per cent of all elderly admissions in a hospital are due to heart failure. If untreated, 45 per cent of heart failure patients, who are symptomatic, would die within one hour. Sudden death is nine times more common in patients with heart failure.

This was stated by Dr K. K. Aggarwal, Chairman, IMA Academy of Medical Specialities and President, Heart Care Foundation of India, Dr Gautam Sharma and Dr Nitish Naik, Assistant Professors, Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, at a medical seminar organised in the city here today. Those who spoke on the occasion were Dr Harshvardhan, Head, Cardiology, RML Hospital, and Dr I. P. S Kalra.

The experts said heart failure could be classified as asymptomatic or symptomatic. 

New Delhi, January 12
It is quite human that every parent wants to bring out the best in their child. However sometimes, the blinding desires of parents to see their child achieve the best can cause parents to push their child a little too hard and in the process completely shatter his psyche.

Dr Samir Parikh, Chief of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Max Healthcare, says, “Everyday, we can witness more parents taking their child’s academics and other activities to a new level of competition The mass suicide cases after the board results can be relatively taken as a scenic incidence; post extreme parental pressure act. Incidents like these, as well as less extreme ones, draw attention to the problem of parents taking their child’s academics and other interests much too seriously, which unknowingly makes them neglect the much needed emotional backup of rendering support and encouragement to further their child’s development.”

Dr Parikh says it becomes the responsibility of a parent to handle situations correctly at the time of examination. Often, what parents do is raise expectations over their kids’ performance. As a result, what follows is a heightened anxiety level of the children on account of anxieties manifested by their parents.

To avoid such situations, the least a parent can do is to make sure that they show confidence in their children and try maintaining a calmer atmosphere at home while making exam time seem as any other day of the year

Such intense competition and pressure of securing an excellent performance tagged result has put many of these little minds on the brink of stress. Test-taking anxiety or stress is very common among students. It can be very distressing and sometimes debilitating. Often, students find they get good course grades, but come exam time, their grades drop. 

New Delhi, January 12
The Amity Institute of Competitive Intelligence and the Amity College of Corporate Warfare organised a one day seminar on “Competitive Intelligence: The Secret to Success” on the Amity University campus at Noida.

The objective of this seminar was to appraise the participants with the need for getting training in the basic techniques of “Competitive Intelligence” and in the art of “Corporate Warfare”, which have emerged as a necessity, as India reinforces its efforts to become a superpower, challenging the global competitors.

The Amity Institute of Competitive Intelligence is a one-of-its-kind institute in the country offering a unique two-year programme in MBA Competitive Intelligence and Corporate Warfare (with additional specialisation in Marketing and Sales).

The chief guest, Mr Vivek Aggarwal, Head of Operations, Competitive Intelligence, Hill & Associates, remarked, “Strategic decisions about an organisation’s future direction are dependent on many factors; the industry landscape, your organisation’s core competencies in relation to landscape, and the expanding global economy, to name a few. Organisations must be able to anticipate and react to changes that occur both inside and outside their industry. This subject, though fairly new, is slowly gaining popularity.”

Dr Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Ritnand Balved Education Foundation, while sharing his views on this seminar, said, “In this age of intelligence, business success will be dependent on knowing how to cultivate intelligence and using it to your advantage. Truly competitive companies will become increasingly sophisticated at collecting and processing information to churn out intelligence. Businesses will learn their greatest assets are the sharp minds of their employees, their analysing skills and their ability to make effective decisions”.

Dr Chauhan said “Competitive Intelligence” was still in its formative stages of evolution. The more obvious techniques had been codified but new developments were constantly taking place. As intelligence gathering became more widespread, so would the techniques for restricting the outflow of information from companies (counter-intelligence). Each side of the equation would need to find methods of circumventing initiatives taken by the other. “Competitive Intelligence” equipped professionals and students with the techniques that would enable them to see the unseen and, thus, provided an organisation and its leadership with an edge over its competitors.

Maj-Gen Ashok Krishna (retd), Director, Amity Institute of Competitive Intelligence, and the Director, Amity College of Corporate Warfare, briefed the corporates on the importance of competitive intelligence in today’s competitive environment.

New Delhi, January 12
Cancer is a disease, which if not diagnosed at an early stage, is fatal. Hence, early diagnosis plays a vital role in treatment. Until recently, cancer could only be diagnosed with the help of CT scans and MRIs, but now going one step ahead with the technology is the advent of PET or Positron Emission Topography, the super-efficient imaging device which is unique in a way as it shows the chemical functioning of organs and tissues, which is useful in detecting cancer early.

PET is the first device that allows a detailed measurement and the functioning of distinct areas of human brain while the patient is comfortable, conscious and alert.

According to Dr Ajay Aggarwal, Senior Consultant Radiologist, Diwan Chand Satyapal Aggarwal Imaging Research Centre, PET is diagnostic examination that produces powerful images of the human body’s biological functions and reveals the mystery of health and disease. By conducting a complete diagnostic examination that involves the acquisition of images based on the detection of radiation from the emission of positrons, tiny particles emitted from a radioactive substance are administered to the patient. The subsequent images of the human body developed with the technique are used to evaluate a variety of diseases. 

New Delhi, January 12
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Ram Babu Sharma extended his good wishes to the people of Delhi on the eve of the festivals of Lohri and Makar Sakranti.

Mr Ram Babu Sharma said the festival of Lohri was one of the most popular festivals celebrated not only in Delhi, but also in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal as well, as it was an important festival, particularly of the Punjabi community.

He said such festivals fostered brotherhood and harmony and brought people together.

People celebrated this festival with great fervour and while singing songs of the bravery of Dulla Bhatti greeted each other.

Mr Sharma said Makar Sankranti, which fell on January 14, was celebrated all over the country by all sections of people, irrespective of caste and creed.

Noida, January 12
Bhasin Group is going to epitomise the romance of Venice through a mall in Greater Noida. The theme of this mall is romance and it is being designed to bring the eternal beauty of Venice in the area through the vision of a world famous architect Hafeez Contractor.

At a press conference, the brain behind this project Mr J S Bhasin observed that due to its European concept, the mall Grand Venezia would set a new paradigm in that field. “While lifestyle club, high-tech virtual games, bowling alley will ensure that adults have a good time, there will also be a special kids zone, surrounded by live cartoon characters and fun shows,” observed Mr Bhasin.

“To balance and rejuvenate mind and body, the mall will offer a programme on traditional spa therapies, treatments and rituals. Like Venice, the city of canals and gondolas, all kinds of natural nourishment will be created,” he informed. 

Bulandshahr, January 12
Consumption of country liquor has claimed four lives in Dholana village.

Women of the village hold the illicit liquor being fermented in the village responsible for the tragedy. Reportedly, country liquor caused many deaths in the area, but the police personnel were apathetic to the complaints made by the villagers.

A group of women reached the office of the District Magistrate and informed him of the matter. Following which the Additional District Magistrate ordered a probe.

These women alleged that an influential person was openly making and selling illicit liquor in the village. According to these women, the illegal trade is flourishing in the nearby areas too. Moreover, they alleged that the police were also involved in the trade.

However, the ADM has assured that action will be taken against the guilty. 

New Delhi, January 12
The police today claimed to have apprehended two robbers red-handed namely Nadeem (18) and Santosh (22) from Connaught Place area.

Nadeem is a resident of Bulandshahar in Utttar Pradesh, while Santosh hails from Katihar in Bihar.

One Ravi Shanker, a resident of Shahdara in East Delhi, was on his way to home from his Connaught Place office in the late evening, he was intercepted by three youth from the opposite side near Scindia House.

They started beating him and robbed his purse containing Rs 3,000 in cash. For help, he shouted at the top of his voice.

Hearing his voice, a beat constable immediately rushed to the spot and started chasing the youths.

After a brief chase, two of them were overpowered.

Their third accomplice managed to escape taking the cover of darkness, said a police officer. 

New Delhi, January 12
Genesis Publishing, a unit of A H Wheelers and Company, known for its 129-year of presence through almost all major railway stations in the country, organised a book release function here today.

Three books ‘Letter to My Baby’, ‘War at Lambidhar’ and ‘The Life and Love of Mike Taraance’ were released at the function by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Kapil Sibal.