New Delhi, August 17
Driven by its guiding principle that "even wastes are not to be wasted", Sulabh International has achieved a major breakthrough by developing a new technology that can extract clean water from human waste.

Elated over the breakthrough, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International, a pioneer in the field of sanitation, said the new technology can have major implications for cleaning the Ganga and the Yamuna, the two most polluted rivers of the country.

"The pioneering technology will not only save the rivers from pollution but would also help tackle the problem of water shortage to some extent," Dr Pathak told a press conference here today where he demonstrated the refined water.

The charcoal-based ultra violet water filter, developed by the in-house research team of Sulabh International, treats waste water effluents from biogas plants running on human excreta.

"The treated water is colourless, odourless and pathogen-free. Its bio-chemical oxygen demand is less than 10 mg per litre, which is quite safe for pisciculture, irrigation and horticulture," he said.

A recipient of Padma Shri and several national and international awards, Dr Pathak said such waste water, which is collected in this process, can be discharged in any water body, including rivers, without causing any pollution.

"Such a decentralised treatment system is an appropriate and affordable way to overcome the problem of waste water pollution in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. More importantly, it is indigenously developed."

Dr Pathak, who was recently honoured by the European Parliament at Brussels, hoped that the new technology would give a boost to the dream project of late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who launched the ambitious Ganga action plan way back in 1986. "In addition to nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate, this water contains all micro-nutrients required for the growth of plants," he said, adding that "it has advantages of inorganic fertiliser in many ways as it improves soil texture and does not cause acidity or alkinity of the soil."

He also informed that Sulabh owed its success in developing the new technology to a suggestion from famous nuclear scientist Raja Ramanna.

"We were finding it difficult to retain the nitrogen content of water extracted from human waste. Without nitrogen content, water is of little use for irrigation," he noted.

Dr Ramanna then suggested to using a charcoal-based ultra violet water purifier, and it worked wonders for the Sulabh International.

Dr Pathak said the new technology has generated tremendous interest in African countries, China and Bangladesh.

New Delhi, August 17
Most of us seem to overlook the fact that when we pray for rains, we are inadvertently inviting a host of health problems at the same time.

The rains are known to trigger several urban health problems referred to as monsoon ailments.

These include the water-borne gastrointestinal infections like typhoid fever, acute diarrhea diseases such as cholera and non-cholera gastroenteritis, dysentery, jaundice due to hepatitis A&E. Contamination of drinking water due to unhygienic conditions in the cities is often the cause of many monsoon ailments.

Though monsoon brings relief from the scorching summer, it compels people to find safe drinking water solutions.

While boiling is considered the easiest way, the method is not only laborious but also does not ensure the level of purity.

Another option available is bottled water but for how long one can rely on it.

According to research, most tap and well water now are not safe for drinking due to heavy industrial and environmental pollution. We have reached a point that all sources of our drinking water, including municipal water systems, wells, lakes, rivers and even glaciers contain some level of contamination.

While many contaminants are found at levels not enough to cause immediate discomfort or sickness, it is proven that even low-level exposure to many common contaminants will, over time, cause severe illnesses such as liver damage and cancer. Even the chemicals commonly used to treat municipal water supplies like chlorine and fluoride are toxic and known to have significant adverse effects on the human body.

According to Dr P. C. Rishi, a senior medical consultant with a renowned hospital in South Delhi, "Water makes up more than two-thirds of the weight of the human body, and without it, humans would die in a few days.

The human brain is made up of 95% water; blood with 82% and lungs have 90% A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths and difficulty focusing on smaller print such as a computer screen."

"In the monsoon, particularly in cities there is a sudden spurt of water-borne diseases like cholera, jaundice, malaria and dengue. The reason is one, that is, quality of water in these cities goes from bad to worse. So it is highly important to intake clean and safe water," added Dr Rishi.

What if the water one is getting is unsafe for drinking? Most people today no matter where they live face such a situation. So in order to avert water-related problems, the only solution, it seems, is an efficient "water purifier".

There are a number of water purifier companies providing different kinds of water treatment systems. Water purifiers use iodinated resin, reverse osmosis and ultra filtration membrane technologies, activated carbon or ozonation and ultra violet radiation to purify water.

They come in a wide range of convenient, compact and user-friendly devices to provide all segments with safe drinking water.

With a multiple range of water purifiers available, the question is of choosing the most appropriate kind.

According to Mahesh Gupta, MD, Kent RO Systems Ltd, "Having a water purifier does not solve the problem but the real solution lies in selecting one which fulfills the required conditions."

He states that a water purifier must be suitable for all types of raw water like tap water, borewell water and stored tank water.

It should remove all kinds of impurities like suspended particles, microbiological impurities (bacteria, viruses & pyrogens) and excess dissolved salts. It should also ensure minimum mineral contents in the water.

Various companies involved in water purification and water treatment are aggressively marketing their products.

The differentiating factor among them is the kind of technology being used.

Up to now, the UV technology, used by major companies and several other smaller players, has been the dominant technology.

However, ultra filtration membrane technology and reverse osmosis are now being used increasingly.

New Delhi, August 17
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today claimed to have arrested another person in connection with the alleged fraudulent sale of land meant for slum dwellers in the Capital.

The person was identified as R. S. Sandhu who works as the manager of the Delhi Assembly canteen run by alleged scam mastermind, Ashok Malhotra.

Sources said that Sandhu was picked up from his residence late last night.

Later, the CBI today conducted raids at 12 places in various parts of the Capital and adjoining towns. A fresh First Information Report (FIR) naming some Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials was also registered today.

The arrest and raids are the fallout of the investigations into the multi-crore scam involving Ashok Malhotra, who is at present in CBI custody.

Malhotra had allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with some Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials to fraudulently acquire and sell land earmarked for the resettlement of slum dwellers.

Noida, August 17
A Kachha Banyan gang burgled dozen houses in Mohammedpur Kehri village under Kakode police station and decamped with valuables worth lakhs on Thursday night.

The gang had descended on the village after looting some houses in neighbouring villages. The police reached four hours after they were informed have not registered a case so far. The SO police station, Vishal Srivastava, said that since they had not received any written complaint from the villagers so no case has been registered.

The gang took away Rs24000 cash and jewellery from the house of Chatar Singh; 10 kg of Desi ghee, utensils, clothes and some jewellery from the house of Kaushal and a rifle, 20 cartridges and some valuables from Shripal's house.

They took to their heels at Rajpal's house as the family raised an alarm. The gang fled towards Aruniya Kamalpur. Here also they looted a few houses.

New Delhi, August 17
BJP Delhi Pradesh president Harsh Vardhan has alleged that the CBI is trying to save the accused in the case of bungling in plots meant for residents of JJ colonies.

The enquiry should be conducted under the supervision of a judge so that truth may come out and the guilty may be punished, he demanded.

The BJP had expressed its apprehensions on the very first day that the Congress government would try to cover up this case.

The CBI officers enquiring into it are indicating that the Congress leaders and Ashok Malhotra are not involved in this case.

The CBI has tried to cover up the case by manipulating the papers recovered from Ashok Malhotra, Delhi BJP president said.

Vardhan alleged, "Ashok Malhotra was allotted the Legislative Assembly canteen first of all under the influence of senior Congress leaders. He continued to remain the operator of the canteen due to the influences of various political quarters. The canteen was allotted to him in violation of the rules during the Congress rule."

Delhi BJP president said the CAG has also objected to this allotment. However, Congress leaders allowed Ashok Malhotra to progress under their patronage. Papers pertaining to more than 6,000 jhuggi plots were recovered from him.

Vardhan said, "Money was transferred to the various politicians from the bank account of Malhotra.

However, no leader has been interrogated and no one has been taken into custody by the CBI. The BJP has no trust in the CBI enquiry. The truth will come out only after judicial enquiry."

Noida, August 17
A tutor-cum-journalist who was taken away near Morna village by some car-borne assailants has been found in the Prayag Hospital in critical condition.

The Noida police has detained hospital director Dr VP Singh for questioning. Mahesh Vats, a resident of D-19/15 sector 71 had just set out from his house at 9.30 a.m on Thursday on his bike.

According to an eyewitness, a white Ambassador car had hit his bike from the rear, throwing him sprawling on the road. The three persons had come out of the car, assaulted him and forced him into the car and sped away.

At about 10 am his friend UK Bhardwaj lodged a report with the police against Prayag hospital director and three other unknown assailants.

The police found Mahesh admitted to the Prayag Hospital ICU. The police later shifted Mahesh to the Metro Hospital, Noida.

According to Bhardwaj, Mahesh had fractured his leg in an accident in 2003 when he was admitted to the Prayag Hospital for treatment.

There was a dispute between him and hosptal director Dr V.P. Singh over the hospital bill of Rs 27570.

Mahesh had paid only Rs11,000. Accoding to SP city Paresh Pandya, Mahesh had recently got a threat call directing him to stay off Dr V. P. Singh.

Fibroids in a woman can be diagnosed by conducting her pelvic examination, ultrasonography or MRI in selected cases. Dr Jaya says that there are treatments available for curing fibroids.

New Delhi, August 17
Union minister for labour and employment Oscar Fernandes launched the Indian enterpreneurship movement.

Life Development Foundation, a public charitable trust, promoted the movement to create employment opportunities through entrepreneurship development across the country.

Appreciating the efforts of the Child Development Foundation, Fernandes promised support and cooperation for the success of the movement.

Dr Chandrapal, secretary, Central ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises, also promised support to the movement.

Dr Bhure Lal, member of the UPSC said that care should be taken to build entrepreneurial environment with an independent attitude to fight hurdles and resist challenges.

New Delhi, August 17
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that government schools here are striving to acquire excellence to impart purposeful education.

Dikshit announced that the state government would spend Rs 150 crore on the construction of 200 schools here.

She announced this at the Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Narela, where she inaugurated a school building costing Rs 9 crore.

The school contains 104 classrooms and lift facilities. Education minister Arvinder Singh, East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit, MLA Charan Singh Kandera and senior officers from the Directorate of Education were also present.

Dikshit said the hard work and commitment of teachers have enabled government schools here to earn recognition in the country.

These schools have also been listed among the country's best schools. She added that government would open more schools in different parts of the Capital for the benefit of students.

She stated her government's commitment to provide modern facilities in schools so that they excel in imparting quality education.

"Education lays the foundationstone for a nation's progress, that is why we will try that every school gets sufficient staff and teachers, so that education does not suffer", Dikshit said.

Delhi government has established a Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya at Narela. MP Sandeep Dikshit expressed his gratitude towards the government for opening new schools under the East Delhi parliamentary constituency.

He said that the site had directed emails from the concerned citizens to their elected representatives.

Khan added that users can post the latest news and articles on the site to generate awareness about political affairs. The site registers an average 2000 hits per day.

New Delhi, August 17
With party MP Rahul Gandhi as its mascot, the Youth Congress yesterday laun-ched membership drive which aims to enrol 2.5 crore members across the country.

Parliamentary affairs minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi launched the membership drive at a function held here this evening.

He asked the Youth Congress activists to reach out to all sections of society from the landless labourers to the intelligentsia.

IYC chief Ashok Tanwar said his organisation would form committees in over 7.5 lakh election booths across the country.

He said the party was introducing 33 per cent representation for women at every level besides giving adequate representation to the weaker sections.

Punjab Youth Congress chief Vijay Inder Singla said that membership drive in the state will be launched from August 29. He laid stress on inducting 'quality members'.

Union minister of labour Oscar Fernandes was also present. The new membership form of the Youth Congress has a prominent photograph of Rahul Gandhi on the front. The IYC has been demanding a more prominent role for Rahul Gandhi in the party organisation.

New Delhi, August 17
Sushila Gramodyog Sansthan, Ghaziabad ,organised a function to mark the golden jubilee of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

The function was held under the chairmanship of Mayor Damyanti Goel. Sansthan's secretary and member of Central Zone Deepak Tyagi and CEO of KVIC, Mumbai, J.S. Mishra felicitated spinners and weavers, working in rural areas with charkhas and looms for the uplift of the unemployed.

Tyagi said that on the golden jubilee year of the KVIC, the organisation aims at conducting a function that generates more employment through the usage of Khadi and enhances the productivity and earnings of spinners and weavers working in rural areas.