New Delhi, August 15
Elaborate security arrangements were witnessed all over the city today, as the nation celebrated its Independence Day with the unfurling of the National Flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Strong police bandobast was witnessed on roads leading to the Red Fort, the venue for the event with police barricades erected at several points across the city for checking vehicles.

Security arrangement on Ring Road between Nizamuddin and ISBT was especially stringent with a posse of policemen stationed at every 500 metres for checking vehicles and keeping a watch on suspicious objects or people.

The area around the Red Fort, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Ansari Road, Chandni Chowk and old Delhi railway station were marked by unprecedented security.

The traffic police carried out several diversions around the Red Fort with no buses or heavy vehicles being allowed on Ring Road since 0500 hours till 1100 hours as a precautionary measure.

Consequently, visitors to the Red Fort had to walk long distances to reach the venue, as there were no buses operating during those hours.

New Delhi, August 15
Political clout in universities came out to streets here to celebrate the 60th Independence Day.

Where Jamia Millia Islamia celebrated the patriotic spirit on the administrative level, the other two universities saw student organisations giving the day their colour independently.

The Students' Federation of India organised a torch light procession along with the All India Students' Federation in JNU. While, Jan Natya Manch and Dastak presented three street plays.

"This march is a protest against imperialism. We vow to fight against any sort of oppression in the world," said president of JNUSU Dhananjay. "We also salute martyrs of the freedom struggle, who fought against imperialism during that time," he added.

However, Delhi University saw some off league action on the Independence Day. Taking a turn from its aggressive political culture, student organisations adopted a different line. Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a torch light procession to celebrate the national spirit.

"This is a peaceful march for the celebration. We appreciate the integrity of India," said Gargi from ABVP.

New Delhi, August 15
Getting up early to reach the historic Red Fort well before the start of the Independence Day celebrations is never a problem with these schoolchildren who are an integral part of the annual festivities.

Over 4,500 students, including 1,000 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, from 32 government schools were the cynosure of all eyes at the 17th century monument, the venue of the main function.

They sang patriotic songs and clapped loudly at regular intervals as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The students started assembling at the Red Fort from 3 am for the function that started at 7.30 am.

They did not complain about waking up early. "We stayed at the school yesterday and we don't think coming early was a problem. More important is that we are celebrating our Independence," was the general refrain.

The students had been coming to the Red Fort for the past 15 days to rehearse for the function.

Gurgaon, August 15
On the 60th Independence Day anniversary, minister of state for forest and tourism Kiran Chaudhary unfurled the National Flag on Police Lines ground. She also visited the local war memorial and paid tributes to martyrs of the freedom struggle and, to those, who had sacrificed their lives while safeguarding the national frontiers.

Chaudhary also took salute of the parade. ACP (west) Rajesh Kalia led the parade. In her address, the minister said that India got freedom from the British rule after a long struggle and the martyrs had written the glorious history of freedom with their blood.

Besides, the nation was celebrating the 150th anniversary of the revolt of 1857, which is considered the first war of independence. It started from Ambala. Even the British Cantonment near Rewari was destroyed. Chaudhary observed that the contribution of the people of Haryana in the freedom struggle could never be forgotten.

Referring to the development that has taken place in Haryana, in recent years, Chaudhary said the state was progressing at a faster pace under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. She added that Gurgaon was emerging as a new corporate capital of India and had become a 'Show window' of the state.

She credited former Chief Minister Ch Bansi Lal and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had pioneered industrial development in the area durng the 1980s, for this development.

She said that Haryana is the first state to introduce Labour Policy and is the first choice of investors from all over the world.

New Delhi, August 15
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit called upon the residents of the Capital to cooperate in making Delhi a world-class city, with clean and green ambience all over.

Dikshit said this after unfurling the National Flag in the state-level Independence Day function organised by the Directorate of Education at Chhatrsal Stadium today.

Addressing the gathering, Dikshit mentioned the various achievements of her government during the last eight years that had brought Delhi at the forefront of the developed and prosperous states in the country. On the arrival of the CM in the stadium, Vande Matram was recited.

The Chief Minister inspected the parade with the Joint commissioner of Delhi police, Deepak Mishra in a jeep. She took salute from the contingents of Delhi police, home guards, civil defense, Delhi Fire Service, the three wings of the NCC and students of various government and other schools. Delhi police band was playing the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaija whereas, the Delhi Fire Service bagpiper band was playing the tune of Deshon ka sartaj Bharat.

Congratulating people on the 60th anniversary of Independence, Dikshit appraised the younger generation about the challenges faced during the freedom struggle.

"Our countrymen have dispelled fears about the functioning of democracy in the country, which in fact, has been nurtured well. We are proud of sustaining our democratic values since the past six decades. With the elevation of Pratibha Patil as the first woman President of the country, the status and pride of women has increased," the CM added.

Dikshit reiterated that her government was striving hard to provide purposeful education and employment opportunities to all sections of the society. It is bound to develop Delhi as the most advanced hub of educational centre.

With the plan to open Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Bhimrao University in rural Delhi, in the near future and commissioning of two new government engineering colleges in the rural areas, the Capital is likely to become a centre of excellence in the field of higher education.

Besides, her government is committed to provide best education and training facilities to students so that they become competent in acquiring employment.

Government schools here are much ahead than the other well-established public schools in the country. Recently, ISO certification has been granted to two schools.

Dikshit added that Indian doctors and engineers are manning many international companies throughout the world. This has established the supremacy of the Indian skill the world over.

To mark the 60th year of Independence, Delhi government has produced a colourful cultural extravaganza with help of the Union Ministry of Culture.

On this occasion Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ram Babu Sharma said that the need of the hour was to carry forward the developmental work initiated by the Congress led UPA government at the Centre and fight the forces of disruption and terror.

New Delhi, August 15
Taking exception to the act of a policeman for falsely implicating two persons under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Delhi High Court has summoned the head of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the narcotic cell in-charge, Kamla Market police station.

Terming the matter as serious, justice S N Dhingra, in an order yesterday, asked them to appear before him and explain how two persons were booked for alleged possession of heroin when two CFSL reports stated that the packet contained only paracetamol.

Turning down the anticipatory bail plea of sub-inspector Ranbir Singh, the investigating officer who had conducted the probe against Gyanender and Santosh, the court said when the investigating team was equipped with the field testing kit to test the contraband, how did they identify paracetamol powder as heroin.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Singh seeking quashing of FIR against him following the chief metropolitan magistrate's (CMM) order for falsely implicating two persons.

The CMM had passed the order after the additional sessions judge Sujata Kohli had written a letter bringing to the court's notice as to how two undertrials were languishing in jail due to wrong findings of the investigating officer Singh in an NDPS case.

In March last year, Gyanender and Santosh were arrested for alleged possession of heroin, but the powder recovered from the accused and sent for testing was paracetamol.

New Delhi, August 15
Gone are the days when those facial wrinkles were the cause of major concern virtually forcing many to become introverts.

But thanks to advances in medicine and cosmetic surgery, now 'young at heart' can also appear to be young notwithstanding the number of candles they lit on their last birthday.

An application of a simple procedure called the lipoinjection is all that it takes these days for you to combat the signs of aging, says Dr Devansh, Sr Consultant, Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon, Max Healthcare

Lipoinjection, also known as Autologous Fat Transplantation, is another state-of-the-art technique that is effectively used for treating deep lines and wrinkles, hallowed cheeks to facial features and thin drawn lips.

The procedure actually involves the removal of bodily fat from an area of excess to the area of requirement.

As the process of fat transplantation is done out of the patient's own natural cells, consequences of allergic reaction becomes least prevalent.

The procedure is completed in 90 minutes. Since the fat cells are harvested from a donor site, normally from the abdomen or hip area and as the amount of fat needed is very minimal, the shape of the donor area doesn't really change.

The extracted cells are then spun in a centrifuge-this is to separate the cells so that only the fat is used. Once the cells have been purified, the next step is to implant fat in a series of injections along the treatment area using a very small needle. Your body will slowly metabolize the fat.

Afterwards, sutures in your donor site will be removed in about a week. The area that received the 'fat transfer' may be a little swollen or bruised.

The swelling will greatly dissipate in about a day and a half and the bruising will be easily covered by make-up. You'll need a couple of days off from work, but most people are back to work by the third or fourth day.

Fat transfer can also be combined with laser peels and chemical peels to help revitalize healthy looking skin. Fat transfer can be combined with face, neck or eyebrow lifts to help fill in deep creases.

"Certain parts of the face seem to retain the fat transfer results longer than others-lasting up to two or three years," remarks Dr Devansh.

New Delhi, August 15
Environmentalists, holding a 'satyagraha' for the revival and safety of Yamuna, have now written to the Commonwealth Games associations of member countries to draw their attention towards the site selected for the Games Village of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the Capital.

The letter addressed to 72 members of Commonwealth states that a "wrong, risky, disturbed and dangerous site in the riverbed has been chosen for the Games Village for reasons best known to relevant authorities."

It adds the selected site will compromise the riverbed's ability to recharge ground water, which meets a major portion of water's need in the city.

Delhi is to host the XIX Commonwealth Games in 2010. Environmentalists have been protesting against the proposed village, saying that any further construction on the riverbed would cause irreversible harm to the river, its fragile eco-system, the water table in the region and people living in the area.

The satyagraha, led by eminent water conservationist Rajendra Singh and Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan convener Manoj Misra today entered its 15th day.

Meanwhile, the letter states the other options available in the city for locating the Games Village, for which there is still time.

"Our efforts to make the authorities concerned and IOA choose an alternative site has not succeeded. As time is fleeting, it is necessary to bring these facts to your notice so that you could take appropriate action in time," it adds.

Citing reasons and doubts, environmentalists say the site for Games Village, including high rise residential accommodation as well as training facilities, has been chosen against the expert advice in the bed of Yamuna, which is the lifeline of Delhi.

"The city saw devastating floods in 1978, 1988 and 1995. The flood for this decade is still due. To make matters worse, the impact of climate change has globally made floods more devastating," they added.

Moreover, Delhi is located in Zone IV of the seismic map of the country. Added to this, the riverbed where the Games Village is planned, has the most unstable substrata, and therefore, is most susceptible to damage in an earthquake.

Referring to the observations from a published report (Cherian, D. 2004: Strategy Framework for Delhi beyond the Commonwealth Game), environmentalists have likened the Games Village in the riverbed to "Crafting a Disaster".

The CWG village site lies within the 25-year-old floodplain belt of Yamuna. The rectangular land lies to the west of the first girdle of East Delhi's development, and thus, closer to the river than any previous construction in its floodplain.

The site is bound by embankments on its four sides, and lies more than six meters below the adjacent roads and four meters below the infamous 1978 flood's water level.

The CWG Village sits over an unstable base of deep sediment layer. The first stable layer of consolidated clay begins at 40 meters BGL, whose bedrock begins at depths around 100 meters BGL.

Ground motions are substantially amplified near the ground surface with thick sedimentary cover' (Mine, 1898). The site lies in the most seismically vulnerable part, with the highest ground acceleration expected in the city.

The high water table and poor drainage add to the perilous condition. Damage may intensify as a result of liquefaction, or flow of water-saturated sand or silt. The liquefied soil may flow like a mudslide towards the Yamuna uprooting all structures in its path.

"The site, thus, is prone to tremendous damage even from the mild tremors that may disturb the progressively abused and precarious geo-hydraulic balance," the letter states.

Misra said the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is proclaiming its readiness to meet any disaster during the games. This is an early preparatory statement, he pointed out.

"They are doing least to remedy the situation by changing the site, when time is still in their favour," he added.

The government will provide reservation of jobs in police department to the players who have brought laurels to the state at national and international level.

The players were felicitated at a function organised by a local social organisation.

New Delhi, August 15
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) executive committee in its meeting held on Monday decided to start a signature campaign to focus upon the JNUTA demands and faculty issues.

The campaign is a part of highlighting the problems faced by the JNU faculty, particularly with regard to PF, housing, health care and banking, said the JNUTA spokesman.

The JNUTA executive committee decided to hold a dharna on September 5, if the problems are not resolved by then.

The JNUTA executive committee also adopted resolutions on social issues like greeting the nation and JNU community on the 60th anniversary of Independence.

It demanded Pt Jawaharlal Nehru's speech "Tryst with Destiny" delivered in the Parliament in the midnight of August 14, 1947, be engraved and put on to display near the statue of Pt Nehru at the JNU campus.

Besides, it condemned the attack on Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen at Hyderabad by some fundamentalists.

The JNUTA feels that if some people have objection to someone's writings, it should be countered only through writings and not by physical assaults on the writer.

Noida, August 15
While inaugurating the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system at ICD Dadri on Monday, the chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), S K Shingal highlighted the phenomenal growth in revenue from a modest collection of Rs 151 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 1,300 crore in 2006-07.

He stated that the ports at Dadri were catering to all the EXIM cargo of the important importers and exporters in the adjoining areas.

Briefing about the salient features of the EDI system, he stated that with its implementation, electronic filing of bills of entry and the shipping bill would be possible.

This will consequently reduce the processing time and the transaction cost of the clearance of the goods.

Shingal also stated that the improved version of the EDI has a unique feature of being compatible with multi-locational application, using the centralized server and all the CFS in the vicinity of the container depot Dadri namely CFSs of M/s Star Trek Terminals (P) Ltd., M/s Trident Terminals Private Ltd, M/s Albatross (P) Ltd and M/s CMA CGM Logistics Park (P) Ltd have been linked through RF Link with the server at ICD Dadri.

Shingal expected that with the implementation of the EDI, there would be a surge in the imports and exports at the facilities at Dadri.

New Delhi, August 15
Expressing concern over the growing number of broad daylight crimes in the city, the Delhi High Court has turned down the bail plea of a man who allegedly snatched the cash bag from a private company employee, Akhilesh Singh.

Citing the recent acid attack on a woman in Greater Kailash, justice S N Dhingra observed in an order yesterday that the criminals had become so bold that they poured kerosene and burnt a woman in broad daylight at her doorstep and ran away.

"Chain snatching is done openly and killing on roads in trivial matters has become rampant. I consider that a person, who is caught red-handed after snatching the bag, does not deserve to be released on bail," justice Dhingra said and rejected the bail application filed by Manoj.

Ghaziabad, August 15
An FIR was quashed against a 92-year-old freedom fighter and soldier of the Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Bulandshahr district today.

The FIR was registered against Captain Abbas Ali for the theft of a sword of Mysore's Nawab Haider Ali, district magistrate of Bulandshashr Dr M K S Sundaram said. Haider ali's nephew Bahauddin had settled near Chhatari.

Ali was the managing trustee of the committee of the museum that housed the sword. The FIR was registered at Chhatari, said Sundaram. — PTI