New Delhi, May 25
Class twelfth (XII) results reached the Capital on Friday, following Chennai and Ajmer. Across the country, girls have outdone boys in the class XII examination and the Capital is no exception.

Delhi region, with a pass rate of 81.93 per cent, took the fourth spot among the six regions in terms of pass percentage.

At the Delhi Public School R.K. Puram, New Delhi, results have been outstanding with 201 students securing over 90%. Girls have beaten boys to it on the whole and the school topper is Radhika Bansal, who has emerged as the school and CBSE topper in commerce with a whopping 97.4% in aggregate.

The Manav Sthali School at Rajender Nagar, New Delhi also has had a record result with Gaurav Puri scoring 99% in maths, Hitesh Kakkar also scoring 99% and Sneha Bajaj and Meenakshi Goel both scoring 99% in maths. Their accounts result is also outstanding with Meenakshi Goel scoring 99% in accounts and Tarun Gupta also scoring 99% in accounts. Another exceptional result is from Manav Sthali where Shivam Kanwar has scored an aggregate of 96%. Sneha Bajaj is yet another student with a record aggregate of 95%.

Yet another school with a good result is the Amity International School where some 25 students have secured over 90% this year and 137 students over 80%. Vipsa Mahipal has secured some 98% in business studies, Prithvish Uppal has secured 99% in accounts, Manya Sibal has managed 97% in economics, Naman Bansal, Ghanshyam and Rhul Guptal have got a record 99% in maths, Abhishek Aggarwal has secured a 98% in biology etc.

On the whole, this year a record of over 80% of the students have passed and the exceptional factor is the performance of girls across the country who have outdone the boys yet again. The pass percentage of girls is 85.02, while it is 77.37 per cent for boys. A record number of 8120 students have scored more than 95 per cent in the CBSE Class 12 exam, that’s almost 3000 more than last year.

Taking the country’s result as a whole, Chennai has recorded the highest pass percentage, Ajmer follows second and Panchkula third with Delhi securing the fourth position. Students of the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas have secured an outstanding result as usual. Results for Chennai and Ajmer were announced on May 23 and in the second phase results for Delhi, Guwhati, Allahabad and Panchkula have been declared.

New Delhi, May 25
This year, the pass percentage in Delhi government-run schools in CBSE Class XII results has been recorded at 82.71 per cent as against the last year’s 78.05 per cent. “This is for the first time in the history of the national Capital when government schools crossed the figure of 80 per cent,” Delhi minister of education Arvinder Singh Lovely said today.

The number of candidates appeared for the senior secondary school examinations this year was 68,977, while last year, it was 60,555.

He said that amongst five CBSE government school regions, Delhi Government schools had secured fifth position. “The results of both private schools and government-aided schools have declined slightly, but government schools have improved,” he claimed.

The minister also said that the gap between private schools and government schools had been reduced from a figure of 10.6 per cent last year to 5.68 per cent this year.

This year, 123 students of Delhi government schools figure in the CBSE merit list. 

Faridabad, May 25
Education in the government-owned schools in the state may not be the same as it has been in the past several decades. Nearly all the primary and secondary-level schools in the district are likely to have the facility of education through satellite—Edusat—from the coming academic session in July..

The system has already been started in some of the secondary-level institutes here. There are about 680 government schools in the district. Haryana has become the first state in the country to introduce such a network.

According to senior officials of the department concerned, while the students of some schools have already started getting the benefit of ‘Edusat’, the process of extending this facility to other schools has been going on and it may take just a month to get the system operational in the majority of the schools.

Out of the total 530 primary schools in the district, as many as 511 schools would be covered under the network. “Work on meeting the basic requirement, which include a room and power connection had been on and about 490 primary schools had been provided with the power supply so far,” claimed an official of the District primary education office here.

The system would be made available for the students of third and fifth standard in the primary section.

He said the remaining work was likely to be over in the next fortnight. It is reported that while the DTH (Direct to Home) telecast would be made available in all the primary and senior secondary schools, the system of Edusat would mainly cover those schools which had Science stream. The DTH would be used to provide classes on Arts and Commerce subjects at Plus one and Plus Two level.

Programme in charge of the Edusat in the district, A.S.Bhati claimed that the system might prove instrumental in providing specialist coaching and help to the science students, whose number had gone down sharply in the government schools over the past years. He said the total number of secondary level institutes covered so far under the network had gone up to 27 in the district. There had been about 86 secondary and 65 senior secondary schools in the district.

The authorities concerned believe that Edusat and the DTH facility would not only help in bringing a massive change in the quality of education in the government schools, but would also lead in the overall result of the government schools.

“The system had the ability to bring a new life in the government schools and it could take the government education to a new height, if the teachers and the authorities concerned took genuine interest and there was proper monitoring, claimed Mrs Rani Chaudhary, an office-bearer of the government teachers association here.

However, she suggested some incentive for the teachers so that they take their job seriously.

The Faridabad Abhibhawak Ekta Manch has also described the move as novel step towards improving the education in government schools and asked to ensure proper implementation of the system at all levels.

Meanwhile, it is reported that about 844 guest teachers have been appointed in the district to make up for the shortage of staff.

New Delhi, May 25
To protest against the decision of both the Union Government and Delhi Government to introduce sex education at school level from the current academic session, hundreds of students and other protestors held a demonstration before Parliament today.

The demonstration was organised jointly the Delhi State Committee of All India Democratic Student Organisation (AIDSO), All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangthan (AIMS) and All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO).

The activists associated with these organisations assembled at Jantar Mantar and marched towards Parliament raising slogans and showing placards against the introduction of sex education at school level. When stopped by the police, they held a meeting at Parliament Street.

Gurgaon, May 25
President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam today enunciated a model of economic development and prosperity, which premised on the axiomatic truth that national “economic development is powered by competitiveness”.

The model was put forward by Kalam during his address to the employees of Maruti Udyog Ltd during his visit to a plant of the firm here. Gurgaon was the last place on his schedule of Haryana visit.

According to many, the model put forward by the President has post-modern colour and was apriori streak.

The growth model, after laying the proposition that nations’ economic development is powered by competitiveness, it goes to the second step saying that the competitiveness is powered by ‘knowledge power’, which is by powered by ‘technology and innovation’. The technology and innovation is powered by ‘resources investment’ which on its part is engined ‘revenue and return on investment’. This is motored by ‘volume’ and ‘repeat sales’ through customer loyalty. Customer loyalty is muscled by ‘quality’ and value of products which is powered by ‘employee productivity’ and ‘innovation’ which is driven by employee’s loyalty, employee satisfaction and working environment. The working environment is pumped by ‘management stewardship’, which is propelled by ‘creative leadership’.

Kalam then stated the truism that creative leaders were needed for the success in all missions. According to him, creative leadership meant exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the ‘commander to the coach’, ‘manager to mentor’, from ‘director to delegator’ and from ‘one who demands respect to one who facilitated self-respect’.

Earlier, he praised the Maruti Udyog Ltd for its ‘pioneering action’ in introducing the people’s car, which had become affordable for the large sections of Indian population. The firm receives praise from the President in the context of its contribution in the midst of stiff competition.

From the study of Maruti profile, the firm was now generating a profit of around Rs 1,560 crore in the financial year 2006-2007. The firm was producing over 6.7 lakh vehicles per annum using a plant which designed to produce 3.5 lakh vehicles annually, he added and appreciated that price of Maruti models had virtually remained unchanged during the period 2001-2007. Rather in some cases, the prices had come down, he added.

He used the occasion to remind the industrial sector to have safe-guards regarding environmental pollution as accepted safe levels of carbon-dioxide and particulate matter had crossed many times in many cities. The President with regard to automobile industry suggested, inter alia, for maintaining safety systems. While Indian automobile industry was growing at an impressive rate of 17 per cent, there was growing concern regarding the increase in number of accidents.

New Delhi, May 25
In separate cases, the Special Court of Electricity in Patparganj has sent four persons to Tihar jail for indulging in power theft. While three of those sentenced were stealing electricity in Gazipur village, close to Mayur Vihar in East Delhi, the fourth accused, along with his wife was caught stealing electricity in Karol Bagh.

In August 2006, a BSES enforcement team conducted raid at 5 A/205, Gali No 4, Sant Nagar, Karol Bagh and caught Sumit and his wife indulging in power theft by directly hooking from BSES service lines. The accused was using 8 KW of stolen electricity for industrial purposes. A penalty of Rs 2.65 lakh was imposed on the couple. Later, when the couple did not pay the penalty amount by the stipulated date, a complaint was lodged against them.

Subsequently, the case was heard in the Special Court of Electricity.

The Special Court also sentenced Pratap Chaudhary and Sanjay Kapoor, occupants of No 71, Gazipur village to 14 days of imprisonment.

In October 10, 2006, a BSES enforcement team caught the duo stealing over 35 KW of electricity. While Sanjay Kapoor was caught directly stealing electricity from the BSES service line, Pratap Chaudhary, operating from the same premises, was caught stealing electricity, both by bypassing one of the two installed electricity meters and by hooking from the nearby BSES service line. The stolen electricity was being used for industrial purposes.

A cumulative penalty of around Rs 12 lakh was slapped on the duo. When the accused failed to deposit the same, BSES lodged an FIR (No 336/2007) at the Kalyan Puri Police Station. They were subsequently arrested by the police and produced before the Special Court.

In another case, the Special Court of Electricity sentenced another resident of Gazipur village (B 14/AB, Road No 4, Gazipur Dairy Farm) – Bal Kishan Sharma to Tihar for 14 days.

On June 9, 2006, a BSES enforcement team had caught Bal Kishan stealing over 4 KW of electricity, by way of bypassing the meter. Subsequently, a penalty bill of Rs 1.58 lakh was imposed on the accused. Later, when the person failed to deposit the amount by the stipulated date, an FIR was registered with the police and a case filed in the Special Court.

New Delhi, May 25
If Delhi Jal Board (DJB) controls the water leakage and illegal water supply, the problem of shortage of potable water in the national Capital can be worked out to a great extent.

DJB member Ramveer Singh Bidhuri said that leakage and illegal water supply were the major hurdles in providing adequate water supply. “But authorities concerned do not have any plan to control it. A long time back, cement pipes were laid in villages. These pipes are leaking from various joints. They are needed to be changed,” he claimed.

Bidhuri said the pipelines passing through various unauthorised colonies and slum clusters were reported to have been damaged from various places. However, the DJB did not have any record of this, he added.

“Residents of these areas do not pay to the authorities for water supply, causing a direct loss to the government’s exchequer. Water taps in slum clusters can be seen running throughout the day. If this illegal usage of water is prevented, the DJB may get major relief,” he claimed.

In most of the villages, pipelines were laid 18 to 20 feet deep in ground and the condition of the pipes and leakage was not visible, he said, adding that these pipelines should be changed forthwith.

He said water went waste while tankers were filled up. “Besides, when people take water in their buckets and other storage utensils, water is spilled on the ground in large quantity. Instead of using tankers, the government should lay down pipelines,” he emphasised.

Wastage of raw water could be seen in treatment plants where water comes through canals, Bidhuri claimed.

The DJB spokesperson Sanjan Cheema also admitted that there was no head in the budget for repairing of pipes. “The amount of money, which needs to be spent for repairing the pipes, depends on proposals move by the department concerned or members of the board. Water leakage happens everywhere in the world. The DJB is not the only example. The water leakage here is only 15 to 20 per cent that is not much,” she said.

New Delhi, May 25
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has claimed that her government was working to make available electricity at cheaper rates to the residents of slum colonies.

Taking a round of ‘Safai Abhiyan’ organised at Ambedkar Camp, Shahdara under a new initiative of ‘Sanjha Prayas’ started as part of ‘Bhagidari’ movement, the Chief Minister reiterated her government’s commitment to provide all amenities to poor people.

She added that residents of these colonies would get adequate water and power supply. ‘Stree Shakti’ camps would also be organised in these colonies on priority, she said. Dikshit further said the residents of JJ clusters would also be able to apply for ration cards with effect from next month to enable them to derive all benefits under public distribution system. The government is working on a scheme to provide multi-storeyed flats to the residents of JJ clusters.

A detail action plan has already been prepared and land has also been acquired for this purpose.

The government would not leave any stone unturned in removing difficulties of the poor and vulnerable sections of the society, she claimed.

New Delhi, May 25
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today announced an ex gratia amount to the next of kin of those four persons who were crushed to death while sleeping on the pavement. An MCD crane had lost control and dropped a big stone on them.

An amount of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 in case of minor victims would be given to the kin of the victims.

Dikshit also announced that an ex gratia of Rs 20,000 to be given to the seriously injured person. Those who died were identified as Kamla Devi (40), Soni (6), Ajay (10) and Nandura (15), while Chaggu Devi (65) survived with severe knee injuries.

New Delhi, May 25
Amity Centre for Science Olympiad (ACSO), in collaboration with Sriniwasa Ramanujan Institute for Mathematics Olympiad, Sastra, Kumbhkonam together with Amity Institute of Competitive Examinations, successfully concluded the Mathematics Olympiad Workshop at Amity University Campus, Noida.

The valedictory function started with the traditional lightning of lamp by Malti Goel, advisor (head STAC), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, along with N. K. Sehgal, former advisor, NCSTC, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and J.B. Sharma, Department of Physics, Gaimergille State College, Georgia, USA.

This was the third Mathematics Olympiad Workshop both on Science as well as in Mathematics held from May 16 to 23. During the workshop, students of IX to XII standard took part in day and night training, problems solving, tests, home assignments and group discussions.

The eminent mathematics faculty were drawn from Sriniwasa Ramanujan Centre, Kumbakonam and faculty for consultation on the methodologies of training was taken from S. Swaminathan, Dean-Sponsored Research and Director CeNTAB and Director, HBCSE.

Distributing the awards during the valedictory function, Malti Goel said, “Our country had produced many great mathematicians like Aryabhatt, Bhaskaracharya, Govindswami, Ramanujan, Sarvapally Radhakrishnan and it feels happy to see the inclination of students towards a subject like mathematics.”

“Success in competitive exams is the product of well-organised and planned mind who is very focused and ready to compete against all in right direction. Today, it’s a challenge in education to find subject centric students who have the capacity to analyse and are capable of accepting tough tasks,” Goel said.

“Through Maths Olympiad, institutions can identify outstanding students and train them for international level competitions. She lauded the efforts of Amity in pioneering this Mathematics Olympiad Workshop and offered help in providing expertise to Amity,” she said.

Sharing his thoughts with young participants, Ashok K. Chauhan, founder president, Amity University, said, “It is a great moment for Amity to organise Mathematics Olympiad Workshop in collaboration with SASTRA University. The aim of this Mathematics Olympiad is not only encourage young students to strive for excellence in Mathematics, but also to promote friendships among students, teachers and scientists from different part in India and the world. Amity, takes this Olympiad as a mission, prosperity and excellence for India”.

Amita Chauhan, chairperson, Amity Institute for Competitive Examinations, remarked, “By organising such workshops, students will not only get prepared for Mathematics Olympiad but will also get knowledge about different dimensions of Mathematics. Every year, these Olympiads will be held in May and October.”

Sharing her future plans, Chauhan said that Amity would also conduct workshops in Physics, Biology and Chemistry, including laboratory practicals, so that bright students were trained to compete the National level and International level Olympiad to fetch gold medals.

As many as 26 students from 21 schools including DPS, R.K. Puram, Cambridge School, Sriniwaspuri, Convent of Jesus and Mary, DPS Vasundhara, DPS Noida, Amity International School, East Delhi, Amity International School, Noida, Satya Prakash Public School, Jabalpur, Bhatnagar Intl. School, Vasant Kunj, Somerville School, Noida, Amity International School, Saket participated in the Olympiad.

New Delhi, May 25
The police today claimed to have arrested 13 criminals in two separate incidents while they were conspiring to commit robbery in running buses.

Out of them, five criminals – Raju, Rahul, Sunil, Idu and Vijay were arrested near Scope Tower, Laxmi Nagar in East Delhi area. Two button-activated knives, chilly powder, two surgical blades have allegedly been recovered from them.

During interrogation, it was revealed that Raju was the gang leader. They had committed half a dozen robberies in running buses in Delhi and its adjoining areas. They were conspiring to rob passengers in buses plying on Vikas Marg, the police claimed. In another incident, eight criminals – Mohd Sabbir, Mohd Shakir, Mohd Ismail, Shamshad Ali, Ram Avtar, Ali Sher, Yashin and Anil were arrested near Indraprastha Park on Ring Road. They were allegedly planning to rob passengers of buses plying on route number 355 from Noida to Anand Parbat. Three button-activated knives have allegedly been recovered from them. A pair of gold ear rings, two gold chains, a pair of silver pajeb also recovered from their possession, which they had looted in the morning from bus number 740 plying between Hari Nagar to ISBT Anand Vihar.

According to the police, after boarding the bus in a group of around 20, they used to encircle passengers having two-three suitcases. Interestingly, the gang used to hire robbers on a rental of Rs 200 per day. 

New Delhi, May 25
Following leads into cricketer Maninder Singh drug abuse case, the police has arrested another supplier of the contraband from Jangpura area of South Delhi.

Sunder Murthi, a small time drug peddler, was arrested yesterday from Jangpura along with 125 grams of ‘hashish’, said DCP (narcotics and crime prevention cell) A S Cheema.

“The arrest was made as a consequence to the interrogation of Saim Siddique, the alleged supplier of former test cricketer Maninder Singh,” he added.

Murthi is being produced before a local court here for police remand to interrogate him further.