The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Delhi and neighbourhood

	Blueline massacres 2 more New Delhi, October 9 The Capital’s Blueline buses on Tuesday continued their killer run and claimed two more lives, taking the toll in such accidents to 96 this year even as angry citizens held protest demonstrations. Sunil Kumar, 24, was crushed under the wheels of a Blueline bus plying on Route No 427 between Mehrauli and Nizamuddin railway station while he was crossing the road near a traffic signal in Ambedkar Nagar. The accident took place opposite Pushp Vihar Bhavan at around 2.30 p.m. According to police, Kumar, a resident of the locality, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where doctors declared him brought dead. Kumar became the 96th victim of privately run city buses this year. Police said the driver and the conductor of the bus fled after the accident. The bus was impounded. Earlier in the day, a 23-year-old man was crushed to death in Noida under the wheels of a Blueline bus that hit his motorcycle from behind. According to police, the victim, identified as Rajiv Kumar Shukla, was making a wrong manoeuvre and came directly in contact with the speeding bus. He was hit from behind and the bus dragged him for a few metres. Shukla, a resident of Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi, died on the spot. The driver and the conductor of the bus managed to flee the spot. After the accident, an agitated mob damaged the bus and tried to set fire to it but police prevented them from doing so. Senior Superintendent of Police (Noida) A. Satish Ganesh told IANS that a drive was launched against law-flouting Blueline buses in Noida, on the outskirts of the Capital. “We have increased the traffic police strength which will keep a strict vigil over Blueline buses entering Noida. Permits and licences of the drivers will be inspected minutely,” he said. Tuesday’s death come amid public uproar over reckless driving by Blueline bus drivers, especially in the aftermath of Sunday’s accident in which seven people - five women, a four-year-old toddler and a man - were killed and eight sustained injuries. After a speeding Blueline mowed them down in south Delhi, the Delhi High Court came down heavily on the state government Monday and directed it to file a report by Thursday. Delhi Police also launched a renewed drive to tame errant drivers. Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said: “From now on, the Blueline bus drivers found driving rashly will be charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) besides the Motor Vehicles Act. The buses will be impounded too. “In the near future, we are going to deploy the full strength of traffic police at nights to check all the heavy vehicles entering Delhi,” he said, adding that over 50 police control room (PCR) vans with specially trained officials will patrol city roads.But the Delhiites see no respite from the Blueline mayhem. Citizens groups on Tuesday staged demonstrations in west Delhi’s Raja Garden area and at the busy ITO traffic signal in central Delhi, demanding immediate resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and transport minister Haroon Yusuf. The protesters also torched their effigies and shouted slogans against the government: “Sheila Dikshit istifa do, Blueline ko sadko se hatao” (Sheila Dikshit resign, take Blueline buses off the roads). “The government has gone blind. Nearly 100 people have been crushed to death under Blueline buses this year. How many more innocent people the government wants to be killed,” asked Paramjeet Kaur, Blueline victims of ‘Haroon and Sheila’ form association — IANS
	Schoolkids to show safety plan in disasters Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Thousands of schoolchildren and teachers living in some of India's most disaster-prone states will put their school safety and evacuation plans into practice on Wednesday, which happens to be the International Day of Disaster Reduction. They will demonstrate how people of all ages can prepare for disasters like floods and earthquakes. "We have seen that when people know what to do if disaster strikes, lives are saved," says United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative in India, Maxine Olson. The theme this year for the International Day of Disaster Reduction is: 'Disaster risk reduction begins at school.' The school drills and other more long-term work in the education sector like building safer schools and teaching lessons about disasters are just one aspect of a major government and UNDP initiative aimed at helping millions of people in India reduce the impact of disasters on their lives. Across 17 states, communities, civil society and government have raised awareness about disasters, found ways to make their environment safer and drawn up local response plans. These efforts are now saving lives. For example in Orissa, during the recent floods, self-help groups trained under the initiative joined the relief response in their areas-collecting clean water, food and medical supplies and floating these to stranded villagers, sustaining them until more help could reach them. Meanwhile in Srinagar, this initiative is training local religious leaders. Now, during Friday prayers, more and more people are learning what they can do to protect themselves before, during and after earthquakes. Over the past decade, cyclones, floods, earthquakes and other disasters have affected nearly six per cent of India's people, destroying homes, incomes and lives. "As population grows it's more critical than ever before for people of all ages and backgrounds to know how to protect themselves before, during and after disasters. This kind of knowledge and preparation saves lives. We commend the children's efforts on this International Day of Disaster Reduction, and encourage more people to get involved," Dr Olson says. The Government's Vulnerability Reduction through Disaster Risk Management Programme works in 169 of India's most hazard-prone districts (in 17 states). It has been running since 2002. UNDP provides technical assistance and funding to this Programme. Other funding comes from: the European Union, the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid, USAID, UK Department for International Development, Government of Japan, Australian Agency for International Development. The 17 states where the programme works are: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
	‘Kreeda’ through Bharatnatyam Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Born on May 22, 1935 Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar is one of India’s seniormost Bharatnatyam dancers and was trained at the internationally renowned Kalakshetra in Chennai under the tutelage and mentorship of Rukmani Devi Arundale. He has imbibed from his mentor the best of Indian art, culture and aesthetics. He along with his dancer wife, Jaya Chandrasekhar, established Nrityashree, an institution that involves teaching, choreographing and performing. He comes to the annual Ananya Dance Festival at the Purana Qila from October 11 with his troupe and would be performing the classical Indian dance form in a different style. He along with his group would be putting up ‘Kreeda’, a choreographed Bharatnatyam show which, is likely to enthrall the audience with its unique style. Kreeda has won high acclaim in many Indian cities and also in the U.S. and Australia. Ananya festival would be Kreeda’s debut in the Capital. Kreeda, literally meaning “the Play” and is an attempt to spontaneously communicate this experience through the simplicity and joy of playing games which have been a part of every child’s growing up. Stylizing the alphabets of Bharatanatyam through games, which are universally played by the young as well as the adult, is the aim of this production, which has been choreographed by Prof. Chandrasekhar and his wife. It is also a message to the young with an attempt to pull them away from the computer games, out into the open to encourage them into physical activity and also understand the values of tradition through the language of dance. The technique of Bharatanatyam with its richness of Nrta and Abhinaya is judiciously employed in making the choreography easily accessible even to a lay audience. Whirling skirts, captain – captain, jumping horse, gulli danda, skipping, cart wheel, juggling balls, spinning tops, knuckle stones, flying kites & chess (shatranj) are some of the games presented through Kreeda. The choreography deliberately avoids lyrics but uses musical phrases and mnemonics for a universal appeal. Prof Chandrasekhar is a multi-faceted personality being a dancer, choreographer, researcher, musician, academician, composer and highly acclaimed teacher of Bharatanatyam. He has a number of music and dance compositions to his credit and his dance dramas have been very highly acclaimed for their individuality and innovative approach. His choreographic works include Kalidasa’s Ritu Samharam and Meghadootham, Aparajitha, Pancha Maha Bhootam, Arohanam, Bhoomija, Brahmarageeth and many others. He has many prestigious awards to his credit such as the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the academy awards of the states of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and Nrithya Choodamani form Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. Apart from national workshops has also conducted workshops for dancers in the US and Japan. Presently he is a member of the Executive Board of Sangeet Natak Akademi, of the Advisory Board of Kathak Kendra, and of the Empanelment Committee of ICCR.
	Sheila, Haroon should quit: BJYM Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) marched towards New Secretariat in the Capital today. They were protesting against the government’s failure to protect citizens from the ‘killer’ Blueline buses. A Bluline bus claimed one more life in the Capital today. They demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and transport minister Haroon Yusuf. BJP Delhi Pradesh president Harsh Vardhan, Anil Sharma and BJYM general secretary Ravinder Gupta led the march. Harsh Vardhan assured that the party would fight a decisive battle to provide safe transport system to the residents of the Capital. The repeated incidents have exposed the government’s failure. Vardhan alleged that the government was in connivance with private bus operators, as the CM and the transport minister had shown their helplessness to provide an alternative to ‘killer’ buses. He alleged that the CM was insensitive towards the issue, as she had disregarded the directions of the High Court and the Lieutenant Governor. He said that the CM and the transport minister, along with the Blueline buses, were responsible for the untimely deaths of people. The CM is supporting the ‘killer’ buses and does not like to meet the family members of the deceased. The government’s failure is proved, as the High Court has proposed to monitor these cases and the Lieutenant Governor has talked about the deployment of army to monitor the buses. The BJYM general secretary Ravinder Gupta said that the government should provide an alternative of the Blueline buses, or else, it should resign. On one hand, the Chief Minister talks of making Delhi like Shanghai and Paris, while on the other hand, everyday a citizen is killed by a Blueline bus on the roads of the Capital. Effigies of the ‘killer’ buses, Chief Minister and transport minister were set afire. Many workers were arrested.
	Gurpurb celebrated New Delhi, October 9 The birth anniversary of Guru Ram Dass was celebrated at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara here with pomp and show. Devotees participated in the function to reiterate the guru’s message of love and brotherhood. Bibi Ravinder Kaur, president (ladies), All India Shiromani Gurdwara Committee appealed for the unity and integrity of the country—TNS
	Victims form body New Delhi, October 9 Frustrated at the local government’s inaction against the rogue Blueline buses that have killed nearly a hundred commuters in the Capital this year, angry families of victims and activists have formed an ‘Association of victims of Haroon and Sheila’ to fight for justice. “We think Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and transport minister Haroon Yusuf are responsible for the death of innocent people. The killer buses continue to spill blood on roads, but the state government is not ready to phase them out,” said Sanjay Kaul, who floated the idea of the association. The association is modelled on the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy that has been fighting to bring justice to family members of the 59 people, who had lost their lives at the cinem hall fire a decade ago.— IANS
	Dengue report sought New Delhi, October 9 The MCD yesterday sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Maulana Azad Medical College after two students fell ill with suspected dengue and another tested positive for it. We have asked for an ATR from the MAMC administration after three students staying in the college hostel were admitted with suspected dengue, N K Yadav, chief medical officer, MCD said. Three suspected dengue cases were reported from the MAMC and among these one has been tested positive. We are expecting a reply soon from the MAMC administration on the status of dengue in the institute, he said. MAMC will also apprise the MCD about precautions and steps taken by them to check the spread of mosquito-borne disease. About 124 dengue cases have been reported so far from the Capital.—PTI
	Eradicating dengue No weekly off for health staff Syed Ali Ahmed Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 The Delhi government has cancelled the weekly off of health department employees officials to take proper action against increasing number of dengue cases in various areas of the national Capital. So far a total number 166 dengue cases have been reported. One doctor of Maulana Azad Medical College is also suffering from the dreaded fever. Health minister Dr. Yoganand Shastri has directed the senior officers to intensify their drive against the breeding of aedes mosquito. Biting of the mosquito causes dengue fever. He also sought residents’ cooperation in this regard. A total number 3400 employees have been deployed to check mosquito breeding. They will visit residents’ homes to check water tanks and other water containers. Citizens will be challaned if mosquito breeding is detected in their houses. As cases from neighbouring states also come to Delhi hospitals, the minister called a meeting of health officers of Sonepat in Haryana, Noida and Ghaziabad in UP along with Delhi government, MCD and NDMC officers and directed them to take preventive measures in their areas . This year a total number 166 cases of dengue were reported in Delhi in comparison 866 last year. Of them 30 were from neighbouring states. The minister said that the government had made proper arrangement for dengue treatment in 36 hospitals. The health employees have checked 186 lakh places. Of them mosquito breeding was found in 15000 places.
	Students create awareness on oral health Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 In an unusual display of enthusiasm for hygiene and cleanliness and with an eye to creating a world record, over 1,45,000 students from more than 350 schools brushed up their teeth simultaneously in 23 cities across the country in an initiative to promote good habits for oral health. As part of the event, jointly organised by the Indian Dental Association (IDA) in collaboration with Colgate Palmolive (India) Limited, 5,000 students from seven schools in the Capital came together and brushed their teeth at the playground of Kalka Public School here on Tuesday morning. In Delhi, a total of over 15,000 students from 31 schools took part in the 'Brush Up Challenge'. “Up to 90 per cent people in our country have some or the other oral problem. Most of us do not even brush our teeth properly and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups is a far cry,” the IDA secretary general Ashok Dhoble announced to the press at the function. The IDA president M.C. Mohan added, “If we take care of our oral hygiene, 95 per cent of oral diseases are preventable. Through this initiative, we want to create awareness among people about oral health and hygiene.” Interestingly, the event is set to break the existing Guinness World Record. “The current record is of 41,038 people, held by the Philippines. India is ready to smash the record by miles,” said Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who is also the brand ambassador of Colgate MaxFresh. Participants received dental health packs containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, bottled water and a container for rinsing. Dental professionals associated with IDA guided them about the right way to brush. The month of October is observed as the Oral Health Month (OHM) with the theme of 'Mission Zero Tooth Decay'. Over 8,000 dentists are expected to participate in the fourth edition of the initiative, which will cover 175 cities and 250 villages across the country.
	IGNOU to help students improve marks Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is soon going to introduce a provision for improvement of marks in the bachelor and masters degree courses. The students who did not get first or second class and missed it by a few marks would be able to appear in a test to improve their marks. “Many students were deprived of first and second divisions just because they were falling short by a few marks. Now, those students, falling short by two per cent marks from first and second divisions, will get a chance for improvement. The provision will be introduced very soon. The move would benefit students in their professional and academic career,” said IGNOU registrar (SRE), Srikant Mahapatra. It is a fact that students without first or second divisions face problem in their professional and academic career. An opportunity is now being provided to students to improve on their scores. Among other initiatives, IGNOU has already started giving a two per cent grace marks to those students who fail in an examination. The varsity has also introduced a provision for early declaration of results.
	Pragati-III to be set up Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 The Delhi government has decided to set up a 1,500 MW combined cycle gas turbine power project, Pragati-III at Bawana in North-West Delhi. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said this was being done in order to meet the growing demand of power and ensuing Commonwealth Games 2010, Gas sale agreements between Pragati Power Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Gas Authority of India Limited and Indian Oil Corporation Limited were signed today for the Bawana project. The agreements have been signed for the supply of six million standard cubic meter gas per day for the Pragati-III project.Each of the three companies are committed to supply 2 MMSCMD gas which is sufficient to operate the power station to its capacity. The gas supply has been tied up and will be arranged by Petronet LNG Limited by importing the gas. The gas will be supplied through the existing pipeline which would be required to be upgraded and additional pipelines will be laid from Dadri to Bawana for which GAIL will incur an expenditure of around Rs.5000 crore. All spade work for the project has been completed. All necessary clearances ,including that of environment ,have been obtained. Tender for setting up the project on turnkey basis has been floated through the international bidding. The bid will be received up to October31, 2007.