Nodia, December 26
An engineering student has been allegedly shot at by his three friends here after he refused to hang out with them, according to the police.

Anuj Gautam, a mechanical engineering student, was shot on the right side of his chest Tuesday night, police said. He was admitted to a nearby hospital, where his condition was reported to be critical.

Three accused in the shooting belong to Gautam’s hometown Aligarh and the four were schoolmates.

“Gautam was reportedly bullied by the three constantly and he had begun to distance himself from them,” said a police official.

The three friends had resented this and allegedly shot at Gautam after an argument late Tuesday night.

The police have registered a case of attempt to murder and sent a search team to Aligarh to trace the trio.

“It’s really unfortunate. This is the second such incident in the last 15 days. I think the education system is only responsible for this. We are not able to provide moral education to our kids and the result is in front of us,” said Gita Kumar, a counsellor.

Recently, a Class VIII student of a leading Gurgaon school was shot dead when two of his classmates pumped three bullets into him in revenge for the latter’s bullying habits. — IANS

New Delhi, December 26
The winter session of the Delhi assembly was adjourned twice on the issue of power scam raised by the BJP-led opposition which demanded an order by the government for CBI inquiry into the case.

The leader of opposition, Jagdish Mukhi demanded from the Speaker, Chaudhary Prem Singh to send the case to the CBI which should probe the alleged scam of Rs 12,500 crore when the Delhi Vidyut Board was privatised. “Senior politicians of the Congress party and officers of the Delhi government were involved in the scam,” he alleged.

The Speaker adjourned the House twice when opposition benches caused disturbance and chanted slogans against the Chief Minister and demanded for the inquiry.

In response to power minister A. K. Walia’s statement that the Central Vigilance Commission in its report clearly stated that official involvement is suspected into the case, the opposition leader said the government was misguiding the entire House as “our demand was for CBI inquiry not for CVC”.

Even Comptroller General of India’s report and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports had confirmed that a scam of Rs 12,500 crore was committed while privatising the power distribution in the national Capital.

In the last assembly session, the Chief Minister assured the House of CBI inquiry into the case but so far nothing had happened. This is breach of privilege and contempt of House, Jagdish Mukhi said.

He said that the PAC report was unanimously adopted by the House and directed the Delhi government to send this case for investigation to the CBI but the Chief Minister did not comply. The Lt. Governor of Delhi has also been informed of the scam but no action has been taken.

Mukhi also raised the issue of cess of 25 paisa on diesel. The government has increased 25 paisa on diesel to discourage the people from using a diesel vehicle as this increases pollution.

Pollution cannot be controlled by increasing rates of diesel. Instead of doing this, the government should make policies to enforce its existing machineries for using CNG in vehicles, he advised.

New Delhi, December 26
A 25-year-old woman was found dead in her house at Shahdara in east Delhi Wednesday. The police have arrested her in-laws, suspecting harassment for dowry.

Police officials said Vasudha Sharma was found dead by her in-laws in her house in Mahalaxmi Enclave in Karawal Nagar.

She was married to Pawan Kumar for the past five years, and had two sons aged four and two years.

“Vasudha was taken by her in-laws to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead by the doctor. He later informed the police about the incident,” said a police officer.

“From initial investigations, it seems that she was strangulated as there were injury marks on her neck,” the officer added.

The police have registered a case of dowry harassment and arrested Pawan, her mother-in-law Raj Bala, her brother-in-law Sanjay and sister-in-law Rekha.

The woman’s parents alleged that Pawan used to harass Vasuda for dowry.

The body has been sent to Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital for post-mortem examination. — IANS

New Delhi, December 26
The government of the National Capital territory of Delhi should stress on phasing out diesel-run vehicles with a time bound strategy to curb air pollution rather than impose another cess and putting Aam Aadmi’ under huge burden, an industry body said today.

Reacting to the Delhi government’s move to impose a cess of 25 paisa per liter on diesel, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) pointed out that if pollution levels in the Capital have increased, diesel run vehicles alone are not responsible for this and the proposed cess is not a viable solution as it won’t discourage use of diesel run vehicles in and around the city.

The chamber is of the view that the ministry of petroleum and natural gas in the last 6-7 years has been consistently asking the state owned oil companies in the downstream sector such as IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and even refining companies in the private sector to completely eliminate sulphur element in diesel.

These companies have succeeded a great deal in doing so and if further pressure is built on them, the oil companies have the potential to produce absolutely sulphur free diesel, so that it does not add to air pollution.

Assocham has therefore recommended that the Delhi government in consultation with union petroleum and natural gas ministry should strive to motivate the oil companies to produce sulphur free diesel for which certain budgetary allocations could be made to them to effectively undertake the job with technological upgradation in their refineries and gradually introduce sulphur free diesel throughout the country.

The other alternative would be to introduce CNG facilities to all vehicles plying on the city roads at mass level as the compressed natural gas was completely devoid of pollutant contents.

The only problem that the consumer has been facing is its non-availability which the government should make available.

The chamber has therefore suggested that the decision to impose 25 paisa per liter cess on diesel would more serve the ad-hoc purpose and bring in wide scale criticism .’’The government should immediately withdraw it in its own interest as well in the interest of public welfare,’’ Assocham secretary general D S Rawat said in a release.

The release pointed out that not only the Delhi government but the union government also in the past have imposed several cess, including that of education cess.

New Delhi, December 26
Delhi University recently introduced significant changes to their examination system in an attempt to avoid errors in marksheet computing and subsequent delays in its examination system.

Starting with this academic session, undergraduate students will have to fill up Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheets before their exams, which will be electronically scanned to give students computerized marksheets.

“More than 70,000 students taking up exams in three regular bachelor’s and honours programmes in all three streams would need to fill in the OMR sheets in coordination with the specific subject codes we have provided to each of the papers,” said Singla, the Dean examinations DU in an interaction with the press.

With the introduction of OMR sheets in the examination system, the publishing of results is expected to be easier and faster.

“Introducing OMR sheets is one of the first steps in making the examination system simple and technology-oriented. Looking at how this process goes, we will get the computerised marksheets, either this year or next year. These marksheets would also be redesigned as the abbreviations would be replaced by the expanded nomenclatures of the course,” Singla added.

The varsity has also prepared a 70-page code book comprising subject codes for all papers of the six programmes to help students fill in the OMR sheets.

The sheets have to be filled up by every student whether regular or pursuing programmes from the School of Open Learning (SOL), non-formal and non-collegiate cells.

Singla informed that all formalities have already been completed for introducing the system and all colleges have also been provided with the OMR sheets.

The deadline has been extended till January 15 and professors in almost all colleges have been asked to assist with the smooth extension of this new system.

The board has also given an additional 15 minutes to students to ‘cool off’ and to read and comprehend the question paper.

New Delhi, December 26
With alleged attacks on Christian institutions in Orissa since Monday, the community fears a repeat of an infamous spate of violence in Gujarat’s Dangs district during Christmas in 1998.

It could be a repeat of the series of attacks on Christians and their property in December 1998 in Dangs, which was followed by burning alive of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons in January 1999 (in Keonjhar district) in Orissa, said Dominic Emmanuel from the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese.

Dangs witnessed a 10-day spate of violence from December 25, 1998 to January 3, 1999 following a massive rally where the Hindu Jagran Manch allegedly made provocative speeches against Christians.

Emmanuel said that the Christian community was shocked that their members were attacked during their most important festival.

“How can the peace-loving Christian community be a threat to anyone?” he asked.

Christian leaders from different denominations have urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister Wednesday, the Christian leaders have said that at least 14 churches, four convents, three houses of priests, and eight hostels have been fully or partially destroyed besides injuries sustained by Christians in Kandhamal district’s Baliguda sub-division.

Baliguda has been tense since eve of the Christmas when a mob allegedly led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) attacked Christians and vandalised their shops to protest the celebrations by the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Brahmani village.

Rabi Sudhasundar, the priest of the church, alleged that a Hindu leader did not want Christians to openly celebrate Christmas.

“The leader instigated local residents and led a mob of more than 100 people carrying sticks and guns to attack the Christians indiscriminately,” he told IANS, adding that later, when the leader was returning to launch more attacks, Christians tried to stop him which led to a clash between the two groups.

Sudhasundar said there were more than 200 Catholic families in Bamunigam area where Brahmani village is situated, and that the church had taken permission from authorities for holding a Christmas programme.

Meanwhile, VHP’s state general secretary Gauri Prasad Rath denied that his organisation had any role in the arson and attacks in the area.

“We only observed a peaceful four-hour bandh on December 25 to protest the attack on Swami Laxmananda Saraswati,” he claimed.

Speaking to IANS, Tehmina Arora, general secretary of the Christian Legal Association, pointed out that in spite of various incidents of violence against Christians in the state, there is no state chapter of the minorities’ commission. “It is shameful, as it reflects the apathy of the state towards grievances of the minorities.”

According to the 2001 Census, there are 897,861 Christians out of the total population of more than 36 million in the state. — IANS

New Delhi, December 26
Reacting to the attack on churches, the All India Christian Association will demonstrate in front of Orissa Bhawan tomorrow.

Three persons of Christian community were shot by the suspects. Member of the Delhi Minority Commission, Arnold James, demanded from the National Minority Commission to take up the issue as this was very sensitive and action should be taken against the suspects.

“Our is a secular country. Everybody has right to follow his religion and celebrate religious functions. If there is any misunderstanding, it should be worked out amicably,” he said.

A delegation of Christian leaders from Phulbani, Orissa, met the District Collector to insist on safety measures for the Christian minority.

“Report against the Hindutwa forces were rejected by the police on duty,” said regional secretary of the All India Christian Council, Madhu Chandra.

Government officials of Orissa have misused the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1968 to harass Christians in the state, he claimed.

Udit Raj, president of the Indian Justice Party condemned the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal actions which led to the burning of more than 12 churches and attacking of Christians on the eve of Chrismas in Orissa.

“This was an organised crime and tacit support of Navin Patnaik government. Had there not been the direct or indirect support of the state machinery, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal lumpens would not have dared to burn police station and blocked the roads for hours together.”

The Christian missionaries are educating these poor tribals and making them aware of health and human rights.

The so-called castiest forces have never liked that SC/ST should get equal rights and dignity, Udit Raj said.

New Delhi, December 26
Once again the big party time is round the corner. “The New Year Party” is the biggest occasion in the party calendars of all of us, especially those who are staying in metros.

Hotels, pubs, restaurants and tourist spots – you name it and everything is booked. To ensure that you ring in the New Year in a healthy manner, medical experts have suggested certain precautions so that you may enjoy the part to the maximum.

Doctors and psychologists observe that after the celebration on the 31st night, the New Year may start on a very depressing note. The reason—many unwanted things normally happen in the New Year party.

Dr Garish Vaishnav, Head, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital and Dr Sameer Parekh, Head, Psychology, Fortis Hospital give the following tips that will help the party goers not only to end the year on a high note but also to start the new year next morning on a very pleasant note.

According to Dr Vaishnav, it is observed that the enthusiasm of people is sky high in the New Year party. Even the ones, who are advised not to drink by their doctors, find a nice excuse to drink on the New Year. Ultimately many of these party-goers end up drinking more than what their capacity is. It is observed that even those people who normally do not drink also end up drinking.

However, if the following steps are kept in mind, the New Year party can be a very memorable experience:

Throughout the day we should drink a lot of water, so that the body remains hydrated.

After every drink, half a glass of water is compulsory. This will help the body to wash out (in urine form) the liquor from the body.

It’s a long party. Therefore, it’s advisable to drink as slowly as possible. Enjoy your drink rather than getting into the competition of finishing your drinks fast.

Before you start drinking, do make it a point that your stomach is not empty.

Avoid snacks that are very oily and sweet. Indeed it is advisable to eat green salads along with the snacks. And treat the snack as snack only, do not eat it like the main course.

Bottoms up- strict no.

Listen to your body. Do not force the drink on your body. If the body signals no, stop. Despite all precautions, it is possible that you are completely drunk. Go to the washroom and throw up. Then drink a glass of lemon water (only with salt, no sugar) and relax for a while. Do not leave the party till the time normalcy is not restored.

Dr Sameer Parekh claims that he has observed over the last few years that many times the New Year party ends on very sour note, since after drinking people tend to indulge in hooliganism. From security point of view, it’s very important to sound the warning bells before the new year party, because any such unwanted incident is not only unwelcome in a new year party, but also it can go to the extent of people losing their life. Mainly it is extremely dangerous when people mix up drinking and driving. To avoid any unwanted situation, one should remember the following points:

The most susceptible group is of those who are post-adolescent and pre-adulthood. People in this group tend to be experimental and over enthusiastic. They tend to get carried away by the situation very easily. Therefore, the family members should specially counsel them on where to draw the line.

It’s a big occasion for the anti-social persons to create nuisance. If such a person/group tries to instigate you, immediately inform the club authority/police.

The traffic police have a major role to play to avoid unwanted situation on roads. Drunken driving is not only dangerous for the driver himself, but also for the other people on the road. Drinking and driving should not be tolerated at all.

For a pleasant New Year party, the responsibility should be owned up both at the individual and organisation level. Pubs/bars/restaurants should not serve liquor to the underaged. They should keep a strict eye on the in-house movement of people. Any doubtful situation should be checked immediately.

For youngsters, especially those going in a group, they should not succumb to the peer pressure. The true macho man is one who can handle his drinks properly. And not the one who can drink more.

New Delhi, December 26
The Special Cell of Delhi Police today nabbed Shakeel, alias Mulla, a wanted criminal with a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, along with an accomplice Shabab from the Wazirabad area of the Capital.

According to police, the duo were caught after exchange of fire between the police party and the criminals.

Shakeel was wanted in several cases of kidnapping, extortion and murder in the Capital and was hiding in Hapur (UP).

According to Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, ACP (NDR) they had received information regarding Shakeel through a criminal who was arrested last week by the Special Cell.

“We had apprehended Mohd. Arif, a wanted criminal a few days back and it was after his interrogation that we developed information regarding the movement of Shakeel,” said Yadav.

Police had received specific information that Shakeel would be coming to Delhi to meet one of his accomplices here and accordingly laid a trap at Waziarabad Road near T-point Gagan Cinema.

New Delhi, December 26
Charity by industrial houses is not a new concept but how better it can be used for overall development and empowerment of the most underprivileged sections is exemplified with the setting up of “Ahimsa Gram” at Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh with all basic facilities.

Set up with a modest budget of Rs 1.25 crore by Chetainya Kashyap Foundation, the owner of Ratlam’s sodium silicon plant that meets 60 per cent demand of ‘sorbitol’, a sweetener product used in cough syrups and toothpaste, 100 families of poorest section have been provided two-room houses with all modern facilities and open space in the Ahimsa Gram, an outskirts of Ratlam.

But the free-of-cost houses to the poor have come with a rider that the couple applying for it should be of 35-40 years of age, adhere to family planning norms, have discarded habits of smoking and drinking and any other form of drug abuse and follow vegetarian habits strictly.

But in the process of selecting eligible couple for allotment in the colony, the foundation had taken care of giving the houses almost in equal proportion to all sections of society—Hindus, Muslims, Christians.

Among Hindus care has even been taken that allotments are made to people from all castes, foundation’s chairman Chetainya Kumar Kashyap, told The Tribune during a recent visit to the Capital. The purpose behind it is to promote secularism and casteless society.

The idea of the project hit the Foundation in 2004 when it found that the 10 per cent students from poor sections given free admission by it in its school, were lagging behind in studies due to lack of basic living environment in the slum clusters. Besides, there was a high dropout rate.

“Unless a healthy environment is proved to a child at home, all talks of his or her development will be futile. This was the basic reason for the foundation deciding to set up a colony for poor couple who really want their children to grow in a healthy environment.”

Under the scheme, houses will be provided for them without cost, initially for 10 years’ lease. Women will be provided vocational training facilities to supplement the income of their husbands and become financially independent.

The 10 years’ lease is not a strict condition as the foundation will assess their economic development on eighth year or on completion of deadline and if they require some more time, it will be given, but only to those who have made sincere efforts to be financially self-sufficient.

“But I am sure that none will lag behind. After their settlement in the village, protected by a boundary wall to save its children from outside pollution. Every women today is earning between Rs 1,000 and 1,500 per month on selling household products like papad, aachar, garments, embroider and tailoring works,” he said.

The foundation’s concept of empowerment of the poor has been widely appreciated and several NGOs and industrial houses now want to adopt it.

Kashyap said BJP MP Satya Narain Jaitya and Modern Woolens of Rajasthan are already implementing such projects in their areas while several others are studying its success to follow suit.

“If any other industrial house or organisation comes forward to follow our model of empowerment, we will provide them a financial support of Rs 10 lakh so that it can be developed into a big chain.”

Asked how he could raise a colony of 100 houses with a modest budget of Rs 1.25 crore as similar projects in government sector would have cost much more, Kashyap said, “Every body is aware of pilferage of government funds. If you maintain a strict financial discipline, better results can be achieved. Our quality of work is far superior than any government project.”