New Delhi, December 17
The regularization of unauthorised colonies is on the cards as city and Union governments have been making concerted efforts in this regard. The cooperation and guidance of resident welfare associations (RWAs) would help provide civic and community services in these colonies, said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit while delivering valedictory address in a workshop held under Bhagidari Scheme.

The RWAs have been asked to submit a plan layout of the unauthorised colonies to the urban development department.

The last date to deposit the plan is December 31.

RWAs have been undertaking development projects as per local requirements under “My Delhi, I Care Fund”.

During last 20 months, 107 development projects have been initiated with an amount of Rs 2.27 crore through My Delhi, I Care Fund.

Dikshit exhorted all RWAs to make full utilization of My Delhi, I Care Fund since it was a most feasible and easy medium to get development works completed at grass-root levels.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister described Bhagidari movement as a silent revolution, which has provided a unique recognition to the Capital-city.

It has helped establish more transparency and accountability during last eight years with citizen-government active partnership in different fields. Women self groups, Vidyalaya Kalyan Samitis and Eco clubs have been constituted to provide extension to Bhagidari initiative.

Bhagidari movement has not only earned a respectable place in the hearts and minds of the people but has provided self-confidence to the common man.

The Chief Minister announced that a special campaign would be launched next year to turn all parks safe and green under Bhagidari initiative keeping in view the health of children and all citizens.

She further stated that civic clubs would be made functional in all schools in Delhi to make children good citizens.

Responsible children would be able to add to the pride of Delhi and help in better hosting of Commonwealth Games. Civic clubs would also help in inculcating good habits and imbibe feeling of responsibility, which would go a long way in development of Delhi and their country.

She described civic clubs as an important extension of scope of Bhagidari, which would provide new recognition to the Bhagidari movement.

This would also facilitate conservation of energy and water in Delhi, added the Chief Minister. 

Ghaziabad, December 17
The Drug Controller General of India has banned sale of 1,356 brands of medicines manufactured by well-known pharmacy companies.

Instead of approaching the Controller General of Drugs, Government of India, these companies are reported to have obtained the licences from the state authorities.

According to chemists, the companies had stopped manufacturing the medicines banned by the Drug Controller General, Government of India, but some of the manufacturers have refused to take back the medicines manufactured prior to the ban on their sale. The chemists complain that they have been made to suffer losses worth crores of rupees due to this ban on popular brands of medicines.

Suresh Gupta, president of UP Federation of Drugs and Chemists (CDSUP) has in a letter to Drugs Controller General complained that FDS authorities in the state are sealing the banned medicines in chemist shops during raids. Thus the chemists and traders are worried without any fault on their part.

Gupta says chemists were not given a prior information about the banned drugs. The president of CDFUP has demanded from the Drug Controller General, M. Venktashver, to direct the state drug controller to stop raids on chemist shops immediately.

The secretary of the federation says the centre should, after talk with both the parties, find out an amicable solution so that none has to suffer losses. Recently 1300 brands of fix dose of different medicines have been banned.

The Drug Controller General however says that manufacturers of banned medicines had not obtained permission from the authorities before supplying the banned medicines to chemist shops in the market. 

New Delhi, December 17
With Buddhist sites high on the agenda, India and Sri Lanka on Monday agreed on a slew of measures to develop and promote these to attract more tourists from the island nation.

The steps to strengthen bilateral relations in the field of tourism were discussed at a 40-minute meeting between tourism and culture minister Ambika Soni and her Sri Lankan counterpart Milinda Moragoda.

Stressing the importance of historical and cultural ties between the two countries, Soni said the Joint Working Group constituted in 2004 for the purpose would discuss and work out the modalities for the promotion of tourism-related projects between the two countries.

“Sri Lanka can participate more and more in travel fairs and marts to promote tourism-related activities between the two countries,” she said.

India is promoting the Buddhist Circuit Tourism in a big way and spots related to Buddhism are being developed not only in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar but also in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and the northeast, she said.

According to provisional estimates of 2006, 1,54,813 tourists arrived from Sri Lanka to India. In 2005, outbound tourist traffic from India to Sri Lanka was 1,13,323. — IANS 

New Delhi, December 17
Twenty five-year-old Shubhra Das’ work is inspired by nature and life both. As nature is multi-dimensional, so are the works which portray different levels of feelings and thoughts.

There is a sense of calm and subtlety in her works along with fragments of contrasting feelings. Her images show the multiple layers of thoughts inside human mind.

There are many symbolic elements in her work that signify belief and desire to be peaceful and showcase a continuous dialogue between forms and shadows.

The solo show tilted ‘Spectrum of Sensuality’ at Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre, aptly portrays sensuous male and female forms on canvas.

Curated by Elizabeth Rogers, the show is being presented by Niten Mehta of YaWeDo International.

The central theme of these works is her perception of different situations and relationships, both with the animate and inanimate world. She states, “I am continuously in dialogue with these relationships that create changes and moments in my life. Some dialogues are very intimate whereas some are social.”

While intimate thoughts make her work in solitude leading to works that are calm, overlapping figures in her paintings suggest the presence of those with whom she has continuous interaction. So much so, that the interplay of colour and shadows almost seem to whisper the truth of life.

Calm, in myriad poses of reflection, these paintings capture gently and sensually the mystery of movement in a woman’s body.

Says Niten Mehta, director, YaWeDo International, “Shubhra Das’ works are creative and undoubtedly visually arresting. She has expressed herself with great intellect by painting images which sometimes appear adorable and noble and sometimes replete with pity and longing.”

Shubhra draws directly on canvas, applying hues to affect a marked textural consonance. Her palette resonates from within itself, with graphic forms merging into a more or less regular sequence, resulting in the memory of the moment of what has been and what shall come.

She tries to portray the emotions and feelings that human beings go through in their daily life. She has mainly focused on sensual and sensitive female figures to portray her emotions through her work.  

Noida, December 17
A three-day national workshop on endoscopic sinus surgery was held at Metro Multi-Specialty hospital here recently to create awareness about the new treatment modalities and impart training.

More than 70 ENT surgeons from all over the country as well as from foreign countries viz Dubai, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Israel, South Africa, the U.A.E. and other parts of the world attended the course for training in specialized endoscopic and sinus surgery techniques.

The international faculty of trainers included Dr. Walter F Thumfart from Austria, Dr. Sanjai Sood from the UK, Dr. Dinesh Mehta from the US, Dr. Phillspe Eloy from Belgium besides a number of other eminent experts.

Dr. R.K. Srivastava, Director, General Health Services of Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare inaugurated the function. The seminar was organized in collaboration with Nasal Research Foundation.

Audio-Visual lectures, surgical demonstrations as well as live surgeries formed an important part of the curriculum of the training programme.

The Chairman of Metro Group of Hospitals Dr. Purshottam Lal, Padma Bhushan and Dr. B.C. Roy Awardee told the gathering that Metro Group of Hospitals believes in academic research and training programmes.

Dr. V.P. Sood, course director, said he plans to extend these advanced endoscopic sinus surgery facility to the poor. 

New Delhi, December 17
The illegal constructions and encroachments in Walled City will not be allowed any longer.

The Union ministry of science and technology has put in place a three Dimensional Geographical Information System (DGIS) and mapped every single building, road and lane in the area to create a satellite database and also put up cameras at critical points to assist in real time monitoring of such activities, an MCD spokesman said.

The DGIS can also be used to rein in property tax defaulters, check water, gas and electricity wastage, and even monitor infrastructure development for the Commonwealth Games 2010.

It can also be used for planning, development of areas in times of disaster management and monitoring of pollution and security surveillance.

This system will not only provide real time monitoring, but will also generate proof that cannot be tampered with. Ignorance will be no excuse for evading responsibility as senior officials will have instant knowledge about any new illegal constructions.

The generated DGIS of the area was put to use with collection of thematic information on the residents, buildings and availability of different utilities. Every data on people, housing and utility was collected and analysed. Data on property tax calculation was also incorporated which resulted in automated property tax calculation, devoid of any ambiguities.

After making the database, in the area of 20 square kilometre, every inch of detail can be seen.

The data from these cameras can be fed to the monitoring stations and the developments can be monitored. 3D GIS can be used to generate a ‘visibility fan’ and by judiciously choosing the number of cameras and its placement, maximum area can be covered and monitored round the clock for surveillance, fire hazards, illegal constructions, complaints of water stagnation etc, the MCD spokesman said.  

New Delhi, December 17
Mayor Arti Mehra today unveiled the statue of late freedom fighter Ram Charan Aggarwal, installed by the MCD, at Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk near Bahadurshah Zafar Marg. Paying tributes to the late freedom fighter, Mehra described him as a true Gandhiwadi.

The late freedom fighter had entered into India’s struggle for freedom at the age of 16 years. He first went to jail in 1939, when he was only 20 years old. He along with Aruna Asaf Ali participated in the Quit India Movement. He went to jail in 1942 and 1945. He stressed on cleaning the Yamuna. He always struggled for the emancipation of the poor in the society.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Jai Prakash Aggarwal, former Mayor Farhad Suri, MLA Ramakant Goswami and Jai Kishan Sharma, leader of opposition in the MCD were also present. 

New Delhi, December 17
Everyone knows him as a first-rate model, an evolving actor and a youth icon. But there is more to John Abraham, who turned 35 on Monday.

He is deeply involved in social work and wants more youngsters to join his Habitat for Humanity brigade.

“I keep a break between my films and during those breaks I work for social causes I address. I love animals and I work for PETA. I have my own brigade called John’ brigade for Habitat For Humanity,” John told IANS.

“This year, we have built 5,000 houses in impoverished villages all over India. Next year, we plan to build 8,000 houses. Habitat for Humanity is a Jimmy Carter foundation project.

“Do people know that, no! But now I have to talk about my work because I need the youth to join me. I need youngsters to come there and actually build the houses. I build houses for the people. I go up on the roof and put in screws. The youth connect with me. They feel that if John can do it, so can we. If John can build houses, we can build houses too,” he added.

Although critics have panned his latest two releases “No Smoking” and “Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal”, John is unperturbed and looking out for more substantial roles.

“You have to take criticism positively. Criticism is where someone will tell you both bad and good points. I object to cynicism where people just tell you the bad things. So criticism is always welcome,” he said.

“I make sure that I get the right role and the money is also important. But I’m not consciously trying to do non-commercial films. ‘Zinda’ was different but it worked.

“I’m being offered unconventional roles because directors have realised that I am open to different kinds of films whereas other actors are probably interested in doing safe films. I’m happy doing different films and when I get an offer to do a film like ‘Zinda’ or ‘Taxi No. 9211’ I get excited.

“When people suggested that I do commercially safe films with big star cast, I did that. But my two commercial big star cast films didn’t work, but ‘Zinda’ and ‘Taxi...’ worked.”

He forayed in filmdom in 2003 with hit film “Jism”. Although John was raw at that time, people liked him and he started getting offers. He was seen in “Saaya” and “Paap” the same year. However, both films bombed and critics shunned him saying models can’t act.

It was Sanjay Gadhvi who gave him the tailormade role in “Dhoom”. The film was a phenomenal success and John became a star. “Garam Masala”, “Zinda” and “Taxi No. 9211” followed.

“See my expectations from a film don’t matter commercially. If 10 people don’t see my film it’s fine, but if one person sees it and says you have done a great job, that’s important.”

His future projects are as diverse has his last releases - “Water”, “No Smoking” and “Goal”.

He is doing Deep Mehta’s “Luna”, Shriram Raghvan’s “Happy Birthday” and Karan Johar’s romantic-comedy.

“Karan’s film is a laugh riot and people are going to love it. I have no doubt about that. ‘Happy birthday’ is a working title. That’s the film starting now. It is again a beautiful romantic film and romance has never seen the backdrop it has. So it’s a surreal love story, the best way to put it. ‘Luna’ will happen during August-September next year.”

Commenting on the working style of the Hollywood, John said: “They are very organised. I hate to say that they are far more efficient. We are getting there.”

“But I still love working in the Indian set up. It’s special. At the end of the day I’m Indian and my audience is Indian.”

He is very keen to do another bike film like “Dhoom”. — IANS 

New Delhi, December 17
Unlike other Bollywood stars, the Deols have never been very generous in endorsing products. However, Bobby Deol says now he has understood that endorsements are a part of being an actor.

“I wasn’t picking up any endorsements because I never understood why an actor have to endorse a brand?” Bobby told IANS.

“An actor’s job is to act. However, now I have understood that it is a part ‘n’ parcel of being an actor,” he added.

Bobby, who is the brand ambassador of fashion outlet Pantaloons, was recently in the Capital to showcase its winter collection. He was elated about his first endorsement.

“It is my first ad. I am doing it all for the first time and it really feels different.”

The actor, whose last releases “Naqaab” and “Nanhe Jaisalmer” fell flat at the box-office, said that like everybody else he also loves shopping.

“I love shopping. And I think the retail therapy works for me. I remember when I had once broken my leg and I was admitted to a hospital abroad.

“There (abroad) they allow you to go out on a wheelchair with your family member. I went outside the hospital for coffee and saw a pair of sunglass shinning in a shop near the café, which I really liked. I thought as soon as I will be all right I will come and buy the shades. Shopping actually de-stresses,” he added.

“But I do not shop like women, who spend hours on it. I shop like men. I am fond of good clothes and pick up whatever I like at the first glance.”

The actor is also sporting a new look these days. “This time I have cut my hair really short. I keep changing my look according to the character I play.”

“This new look is for my next movie “Champu”. It is a home production and Kabir Kaushik is directing the film. I am upbeat about my forthcoming movie as Kabir is a great director and I always wanted to work with him.”

Bobby also has director Sangeeth Sivan’s “Ek- the power of one” in his
kitty. — IANS 

New Delhi, December 17
The South District Police today arrested five members of an inter-state autolifters gang — Lokesh Malik, Sominder Dhankar, Anil Kumar, Anand Kumar and Ashok Kumar.

Eighteen vehicles including, 16 cars have been recovered from their possession. Some mechanical instruments, fake papers and rubber stamps were also found from them.

In view of the increasing cases of autolifting in Kalkaji and the surrounding areas, the Kalkaji police had deployed police personnel to nab the autolifters, active in the area. Acting on a tip off, Lokesh and Somender, who were coming in a car from Nehru Place were apprehended, when they failed to produce the documents related to the car. The duo admitted that the car was stolen from Mehrauli.

They revealed that they had been stealing vehicles for quite a long time. They further disclosed that they had stolen more than 50 vehicles from different parts of the Capital and the NCR.

On Lokesh’s instance, Anand Kumar, Anil and Ashok were arrested. The police team also recovered 15 cars and two motorcycles from Faridabad. They used to sell the vehicles for about Rs 25,000 to 50,000, depending upon their condition.

The members of the gang used to conduct a reccee of targeted areas like — uncovered colonies, temples and busy markets in Delhi and NCR. They sped away with the vehicles mostly during the night. 

Greater Noida, December 17
Some 40 educational institutes in Knowledge Park, sprawling over 1200 hectares in Greater Noida are home to over 35,000 students, including girls from all parts of the country. They are pursuing postgraduate professional courses in management, engineering, software, etc by spending the life savings of their parents.

Incidents of loot and assault are a daily occurrence with students. Since most of the colleges/institutes don’t provide hostel facilities of their own, the students have to fend for themselves and arrange rented accommodation out side their campuses.

Incidents of loot, include snatching of bikes, cash, watches and cell phones while assaults, brawls and crimes by criminals are common in the area as police patrolling is almost nil in the whole area. Whenever girl students have to go out to market, incidents of teasing and even molestation take place. Even computers and lap tops are stolen from students’ rooms.

The students do report the matters to police, but rarely effective police action follows these complaints. The sprawling Knowledge Park is without a police post, to say nothing of a police station which, according to students, abets criminal elements.

For lack of suitable transport system, the students have to walk two to three km daily. It is harder on girl students who are the target of anti-social elements. About a dozen incidents of loot and assault have taken place with students in past six months. Most of the students living outside in rented accommodation have to walk through long and lonely stretches where anti-social elements are active.

Special security management should be made for thousands of students studying in Knowledge Park, say girl student, Sugandh Sinha and her mates. Apart from the risk of loot, the girls have to face vulgar comments and lewd gestures from anti-social elements. There is nothing for security in Knowledge Park, says 3rd year student, Rashmi Singh.