New Delhi, July 26
The Delhi government today constituted a three -member committee to examine the issue of Blueline buses that had been banned by the transport department due to a number of accidents.

The committee comprises chief secretary R. Narayanswami, DTC chairman Anshu Prakash and principal secretary Rakesh Mehta. The committee was constituted after a cabinet. Since the government direction to keep the Blueline buses off roads, daily commuters are facing hardships.

The committee has to submit its report by next week.

The DTC buses are not enough to carry the daily commuters. The Blueline buses were the only mode of public transport in the national capital.

Meanwhile, the commuters continued to be at a receiving end on the fourth consecutive day today even though the authorities claimed that a lot more buses were back on the roads.

There were usual scenes at the bus stops during the rush hours and most of the buses were over crowded. Delhi Chief minister Sheila Dikshit had claimed yesterday that the situation would be normal by next week.

A transport department official said that checking of the Blueline buses was continuing at the depots in various parts of the city. The private bus operators were required to get safety clearance before hitting roads . 

New Delhi, July 26
Policing the National Capital Territory of Delhi with a human face and better traffic management are going to be the priority areas of the city's new police commissioner Y. S. Dadwal.

Dadwal, who formally took over as the police commissioner today, said that the accidents caused by Blueline buses and night-time traffic were an area of concern.

He also promised to ensure redressal of all complaints and safety of women.

Talking to the media after taking over from K. K. Paul as the Capital's top cop, Dadwal said that his focus would be to achieve professional excellence and humane policing, instil confidence in law-abiding citizens and fear in the minds of criminals and those who seek to break the law.

The new police commissioner, whose appointment touched off instant controversy with senior IPS officer Kiran Bedi crying foul, however, sought to steer clear of the issue.

Dadwal said that he planned to improve the delivery system, beat policing and functioning of police stations, enhance quality of investigation, boost intelligence gathering and maintain the pressure over terrorists and criminal gangs.

Another priority area would be the redressal of complaints. Every complainant who comes to a police station will be heard and his problem solved one way or the other.

"Complainant satisfaction would be a primary area of thrust for me," he said.

Admitting that traffic management in the city was a real challenge , Dadwal said that all possible steps like installation of cameras to check traffic violation are being taken by the force to ensure smooth movement of vehicles. He felt that increase in resources has not kept pace with the rise in population and hoped government would help as "it is aware of our problems". They are doing what they can in terms of funds and increase of manpower, he added.

Dadwal said that the Delhi Police will reorganise internally to put more personnel on the roads and utilise the latest technology in the field of traffic management.

With the Capital gearing up to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the new police commissioner said that he wanted to prepare the force for meeting the challenge so that "we can set an example and remain as among the best police force in the country".

"We have a definite plan (for the Commonwealth Games) and we will work according to that," said the 1974 batch officer, who was in charge of security and other arrangements during the 1982 Asian Games.

He said that the Delhi Police have already contracted three private firms for giving a comprehensive training programme for its personnel to improve their communication and other skills in view of the Games.

On allegations that Delhi had become the country's rape capital, he said that they were there to protect women and this too was a priority area. "We have been working on this area. Incidents of rape have come down by 17 per cent," he said.

Other items that figure in the police chief's agenda are welfare of police personnel, including improving the quality of housing and barracks, and safety of elderly people. 

Gurgaon, July 26
Gurgaon has emerged as the second largest business centre in India after Bangalore in the field of information technology and it has played a significant role in the development of technology not only in India but in the whole world.

These remarks were made by Haryana Governor A R Kidwai while speaking at the inaugural function of Kumar Medical Park at Sector 29 Gurgaon. After the inauguration, the Governor went round the hospital set up by a neurosurgeon returned from the USA.

The Governor said that the Indian doctors enjoy good reputation in the world. The medical services in England were controlled by Indian medical professionals and one out of every five doctors in the USA was an Indian. The Indian doctors serving in west Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand have made the countrymen proud.

Dr Kidwai said that earlier when medical doctors went abroad, it was advocated that it caused brain drain and therefore it should be stopped. But, the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru did not concede to the demand as he felt that education and knowledge were universal. Today because of Nehru's policies, India is doubly rewarded because on the one hand, the doctors who went abroad fetched foreign currency to India and on the other, they were returning to their motherland after learning the latest technology.

He said that with globalization of world economy, India was emerging as a technical giant. Now our economic growth has reached at 9.4 per cent and the economists expect that after some time, our growth rate will be 10 to 11 per cent. If it continues at the same rate, India would become a developed country by 2020 and if this growth continues further till 2045, India would be a part of three major economic powers in the world. The other two being China and the USA.

At the same time, the Governor cautioned not to be swayed by the predictions of economists rather all the countrymen should contribute through their efforts to make India a super power. The Government can do so by liberalization of policies and by promoting industrialization.

He said that this was challenge not only for the Government but for education institutions, teachers, students and people from all walks of life. This is the time when country should stand united and all over efforts be made to boost economic growth, Dr Kidwai observed.

He said that because of climatic advantage, there were great opportunities for bio-technological and genetic research. Similarly development of medical tourism also offers opportunities. If the countrymen worked to utilize the opportunities then India can become super economic power in the years to come. Dr Kidwai said that doctors settled abroad should act as a bridge for development of medicine here and the process has started. People have started coming to India for treatment.

Faridabad, July 26
The PWD Department has proposed to adopt the BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) system to widen, strengthen and maintain two prominent roads in the district, connecting Faridabad with Gurgaon district. The deputy commissioner has been asked to submit the suggestion in this regard by the end of this month. A total of five roads have been included in this list in the entire state. The National Highway number two passing through the district has been one such road where the travellers have to pay toll tax near Hodal town for using the passage under the BOT system.

The state government had declared to widen the Faridabad-Gurgaon road passing through the Aravalli Hills stretch up to four lanes and it was announced that this work would be done by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). This 30 km-long-road at present is three-laned and is a vital link between the city and Gurgaon.

The other passage under the proposal has been the road connecting the city with Gurgaon via Ballabgarh-Dhauj and Sohna towns. This passage is about 35 kms long. The commissioner, PWD department, in his letter to the deputy commissioner, has asked to submit suggestions if the BOT proposal is viable.

It may be recalled that the city and the region have witnessed a speedy and sharp development in the past two years, with a large number of projects worth several hundred crores of rupees being either launched or completed. "Several projects have been taken up in the city by HUDA to decongest traffic which include construction of four-lane bypass road and some flyovers," claimed J.S Ahlawat, administrator, HUDA, here. While the business and industry has shown a growing trend, the demand of a smooth and easy passage between Faridabad and other satellite towns of the NCR, including Delhi and Gurgaon, has picked up.

Thousands of residents travel daily from Faridabad to Gurgaon and the need of a wide and smooth road is consistent, as it would save both time and money of the commuters, claimed Sanjiv, a local resident. He said four-laning of the roads between Gurgaon and Faridabad was the need of the hour and it should be completed as soon as possible. 

Noida, July 26
New Noida Authority chief executive officer Balwinder Kumar, on the very first day, put three engineers under suspension for dereliction of duty. This act had a salutary effect on the officials and employees of the Noida Authority.

In another significant decision, he announced that he would be available to public daily.

Balwinder Kumar also issued a show-cause notice to the architects of Noida authority for delay of over two months in approving building plans. He ordered a probe into it which will be conducted by the Deputy CEO.

To develop a good corporate culture, the Authority's system and structure will be changed, he said. All the departments will be made on-line to facilitate the public in their dealings with the Authority.

No dereliction of duty in Noida Authority will be tolerated now, said the new CEO making his intention quite clear. The new CEO has ordered the officials concerned to daily approve at least 10 building plans each of industrial, institutional, residential, commercial and group housing sectors. The Noida Authority should take the minimum time in approving the building plans, he added.

The CEO appears to be very focused on ensuring the basic facilities like water, power, roads, traffic, security, etc. All the announcements made in the past will soon be translated into reality, Balwinder Kumar said.

New Delhi, July 26
With the arrest of Rakesh, the South district police has claimed to have solved a murder case of Rohit. The police team has also found a knife used in the commission of murder.

The deceased Rohit and his two friends Rakesh and Pramod had come to attend a party in the house of a common friend at Sanwal Nagar, yesterday night. All of them consumed alcohol and they were returning home on foot when they hot arguments over some petty issue. There was a scuffle during which Rakesh took out a knife and allegedly stabbed Rohit on the left abdomen. The victim fell down on the road side and Rakesh fled the spot.

The third person Pramod, immediately rushed back to the place of party and informed others about the incident. From there people came to the spot and took the victim to the AIIMS, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Noida, July 26
SSP, Noida, A.S. Ganesh has suspended three cops for beating a Delhi University student, and detaining him illegally. The youth, Sudhir Sharma, a resident of Balbir Nagar, Shahdara, Delhi, discovered to his chagrin that mere talking to a girl would be construed as an indecent and illegal act by the Noida cops.

Sudhir, who had come to see off his class-fellow and girl friend, in Sector-55 Noida yesterday, was pounced upon by three cops. When the girl opposed their act, they reportedly insulted her, accusing her of indulging in indecent acts. This provoked strong reaction from the people near DAV School who had also opposed cops' high-handedness and informed the senior police officers.

Head constable Nahar Singh, and cops Jograj and Devendra had forced Sudhir Sharma into their Gypsy and assaulted him.

SO Devendra Kumar of Sector-58 police station and SP City had soon reached the spot on being informed by public. The student was then taken to government hospital in Sector 30 for treatment.

SSP Ganesh said it seemed to be a case of high-handedness. We shall not tolerate this and law would take its course against the policemen, he added.

New Delhi, July 26
Working 18 hours a day under stress, having a low phase in love relationships, aggrieved at the death of a family member? Not to worry, the solution lies in self-help books. From suggestions on how to achieve success, to tips on personality development, rules on safeguarding marriage to techniques of influencing people, it's raining self-help books in the bookstores.

"We have a huge demand for self-help books which also happen to be the bestsellers; out of total sales 70% books sold are motivational and inspirational in nature. Shiv Khera's 'You can win' rules the chart followed by 'Who moved my cheese', '7 habits of highly effective people' and 'How to win friends and influence people'," says Sumit, incharge of Amrit Book stores.

One tends to get lost in the hustle bustle of city, facing different challenges every day which drains out all the energies at home and work front, leaving no time to cope with daily stress, thus reading motivational books helps in boosting self-esteem.

"Today people no longer find their role models in humans, books therefore become great healers. Self-help books according to me are the knowledge of ages in a capsule form. Today everybody wants to be successful in life but do not find the right direction. Reading with conviction can change and has in fact changed many lives," says Shiv Khera whose 2 million titles have been sold worldwide.

However, psychiatrist Samir Parikh feels these books help just a segment of population and not applicable to everyone. "Self-help books do not make a difference in the lives of more than 5% of the population, because one book does not necessarily suit the individual personalities of millions. It might have a high readership, but it does not mean all are really beneficial reading them," he points out.

So what is the inspiration behind the inspirational books? Arindham Choudhary the famous writer of 'Count your chickens before they hatch' is inspired by Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi. He feels we Indians muffle the Bhagwad Gita in a red cloth and worship but seldom read and practise. While Khera says tough experiences of his own life had become an inspiration for him.

Morals and virtues apply to everyone, hence people of all ages feel satiated after reading motivational books. "Some years ago, people use to read self-help books on handling life turning 40, but today the trend has changed, we have from teenagers to elder citizens demanding these books. In fact these books are often given as gifts," says Vaishalik Jain of Jain Book Agency in the Capital which has a sellout of 25% of self-help books out of the total sales

"Motivational books do not speak of supernatural or superstition but the simple solutions of day-to-day problems. One can connect to the human side of these books; while some titles appear repetitive, a few of them are really convincible," says Simmi, a schoolteacher.

Priced reasonably, ranging from Rs 96 to Rs 350, self-help books is a great source of wisdom, affordable to everyone.

New Delhi, July 26
Longer the waistline, shorter the lifeline. Cricketer Virender Sehwag released this slogan of the MTNL Perfect Health Mela here yesterday.

He also released the campaign 35/32 to remind men and women to keep their abdominal circumference lower than 35 inches and 32 inches, respectively.

The Mela will be held from October 27 to November 4 at Sanjay Lake Park, Laxmi Bai Nagar here. The theme for the nine- day mela will be "Obesity and its consequences".

The event is being organised by the Heart Care Foundation of India with the New Delhi Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Department of Health, Delhi and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd.

DR K K Aggarwal, president, Perfect Health Mela, said that obesity requires proper management under medical supervision.

He said that during the Mela, check-ups, training sessions and weight losing facilities would be available to people. The Delhi health department, will create awareness about national programmes and focus on Commonwealth Games.

Folk artiste from 30 states will present performances .There will be competitions in poster making, painting, slogan writing, cartoon and collage making on health related issues. Magic shows, nukkad nataks, kavi sammelans will also be held.