New Delhi, January 15
Ranvijay, 25, a member of the Delhi unit of the Samajwadi Chattra Sabha, attempted self-immolation during a demonstration organised by the Samajwadi Party (SP) against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday celebrations, at Jantar Mantar in the Capital today. The Samajwadi Chattra Sabha is the SP students’ unit.

The incident took place during a demonstration organised by the SP to observe Mayawati’s birthday as ‘Loot Divas’.

“Ranvijay is an emotional person and a committed cadre. He was a strong contender for the next DUSU elections,” said SP leader Sanjay Lathar.

According to sources, Ranvijay poured petrol on his body and set himself afire.

“A note has also been found from his pocket. It states — UP mein loktantra ki hatya bardasht nahin hogi (slaughter of democracy in UP will not be tolerated),” said Sanjay.

Meanwhile, Ranvijay has suffered from 95 per cent burns and is admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here.

He is said to be in a critical state. 

New Delhi, January 15
Delhi power minister Dr. A. K. Walia has reiterated need of stabilization of power distribution system and putting an end to harassment being meted out to honest and law abiding power consumers.

He has also proposed a new amnesty scheme for changing tampered meters.

Dr. Walia has instructed the power department to devise a proposal to this effect and obtain concurrence of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

The minister stated that large number of consumers were not able to get their meters changed after their meters being termed as tampered or faulty. He added that it would be in the best interest of DISTCOMS to give another chance to those customers, hence, a fresh amnesty scheme seems to be justified.

It is proposed to make effective fresh amnesty scheme for two months to be started from February. Under new scheme customers would have to bear only cost of new meter. This would help in making of billing smooth and to customers’ satisfaction.

New Delhi, January 15
Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha Jagdish Mukhi has said that development works in unauthorized colonies had been started during the tenure of the late Sahib Singh Verma.

Reacting to the statement of Delhi minister of urban development Raj Kumar Chauhan and union state minister for urban development Ajay Maken, Mukhi said that Maken was misleading Delhites by saying that he had issued orders for taking up the development works. For the last nine years, the Congress had not regularized the unauthorized colonies. Since the elections were drawing close, the Congress government was making promises to the citizens, he said. 

New Delhi, January 15
If you are consuming drugs to lower your cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl, you can invite trouble for yourself. According to experts, these medicines do not cure the disease, but lead to various side effects.

For instance, statins like lipitor may be one of the most powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs, but they like other drugs can cause side effects like — muscle pain, damage to muscles and liver. Other medicines can block cholesterol absorption and raise levels of blood sugar and uric acid in the body. Some can even lead to formation of gallstones and are a major cause for bloating.

Popping pills has become a trend among youngsters. Experts cite the higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol problems among adults as the reason behind the trend.

Anil Dhal, cardiologist, Max Hospital, says that medication can lower cholesterol levels. Improving upon the regular diet and increasing physical activities can prevent high cholesterol level. “Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol level is a ‘silent’ condition that never warns in the early phase. Most people discover the problem during a routine physical examination or blood test. Often, they find that they are suffering from high blood pressure problem as well,” says Dhal. He suggests a person should not take the aid of medicines right away to lower the cholesterol level, instead he or she should make certain changes in his or her life style.

As most of the body’s cholesterol is made in the liver, it is vital to lower the amount of fat and cholesterol in the daily food intake.

Mridula Mahna, senior dietician, Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hoapital, says, “Be careful about limiting saturated fat (fat in meat and diary products) and trans fat (fat found in commercial food items and deep-fried edibles). Increase the amount of fibre rich diet. Lose weight, if need be”. Fibre is beneficial, so try to include food items like – bread, cereals, fruits and vegetables, in your diet. Doctors also suggest people to include oat in their diet because of the `sponge’ effect it provides in absorbing fat rich cholesterol and aiding digestion.

One should exercise for 30 minutes a day, at least six days a week. Regular exercise helps in raising the level of HDL cholesterol and reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol. It, thus, helps you to stay healthy and fit.

New Delhi, January 15
The reporter of a private TV news channel, who carried out the controversial sting operation here last year, against a teacher allegedly pushing a young schoolgirl into prostitution, has filed a criminal case against the channel and the teacher.

Prakash Singh, the reporter, has alleged that he was being framed wrongly in the case.

In his petition, filed in a city court through his counsel, Singh has alleged that the original CD, which he had given to the TV channel, was not aired. Instead the channel edited the CD as per its needs.

“The channel had edited the CD with the purpose of increasing the TRPs and crossed all barriers of investigating journalism,” said Murari Tiwari, Singh’s counsel.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Alok Aggarwal while accepting the petition posted the matter for hearing on January 18.

“We have demanded criminal action against Uma Khurana (the accused teacher) and the CEO along with four associates of the channel,” Tiwari said.

He also stated that his client is constantly getting threat calls from the channel to accept money, which has been recorded.

Uma Khurana was on July 30 shown on a television news channel being purportedly involved in pushing a young girl student into prostitution. She was later given a clean chit in the case by the court.

Singh, a reporter of Live India that aired the sting operation, was arrested, after it reportedly turned out that the girl who appeared in it making allegations against Khurana was not a student but an aspiring journalist. — IANS

New Delhi, January 15
In face of stiff global competition, the Indian Railways have exported four 2,300 HP metre gauge diesel electric engines, one to Senegal and three to Mali, through rites recently, official sources said today.

A ministry official said that the Varanasi-based Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), a production unit of the railways, had grabbed an export order for four locomotives in these countries. ‘In a stiff bidding, the DLW grabbed the order and succeeded in executing it within the stipulated time,’’ he pointed out.

These locomotives having 12 cylinders v-engine are provided with dual cabs, air-brake system, parking brake and electric AC-DC transmission.

Due to the high level of performance and warranty support, the demand for the DLW’s locomotives has been surging in the world market.

By manufacturing the state-of-the-art locomotives, suitable to the geographical background and climatic conditions of the purchaser countries, the DLW has been receiving export order from various countries.

In 2005, the DLW had exported three diesel locomotives to Sudan. This was the first time that a locomotive was sent to Sudan Railway Corporation. — UNI

New Delhi, January 15
The jinx of yearend Bollywood releases falling flat at the box-office has been broken after five long years by Aamir Khan’s directorial debut film ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and Anees Bazmi’s ‘Welcome’.

Technically, Anurag Kashyap’s animation film ‘Return of Hanuman’ marked the yearend. But according to trade pundits, in multi-starrer feature films category ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and ‘Welcome’ raked in the moolah.

‘Kaante’ and ‘Chalo Ishq Ladaayen’ were the last releases of the year, in 2002. Both turned turtle. In 2003, Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ - the second last release of the year - sparked hope, but the year closed with ‘LOC: Kargil’ that proved to be a dud. The end of 2004 saw biggies like – ‘Swades’, ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyon’ and ‘Dil Maange More’, sinking without a trace, while the 2005 yearend disappointments were ‘Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi’ and ‘Anjaane - The Unknown’ and in 2006 ‘Bhagam Bhag’ and ‘I See You’ met with an equally sad fate.

TZP narrates the story of a dyslexic child and has grossed about Rs 20 million. ‘Welcome’ treats the audiences to a wacky comedy that loosely borrows from Hollywood caper ‘Mickey Blue Eyes’ and has crossed the Rs 43-million mark two weeks after its release.

Film critics believe that if the content is good, the film does well, unaffected by the quarter of the year it is released in.

“I think the jinx factor is in our minds. It is an excuse. Why these films did well was because of their quality content. ‘Welcome’ is a perfect entertainer while TZP is an emotional one,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh told IANS.

“Good content always wins. Consumers want good content, if you give them that, it does not matter whether the film releases at yearend or not,” added Gautam Dutt, CEO of cine media PVR Ltd.

Movie buff Ashutosh Singh agreed, saying, “To me, it does not make a difference whether a movie is released in the starting, mid or the end of the year. As a movie buff, if the film is good, I would watch it unfazed by the time of its release.”

Putting light on another facet, film critic Harish Chandra Yadav said that apart from content, marketing strategy plays a very important role in the success of a film.

“Marketing strategy and film promotion contributes largely to the success of a film. For instance, like TZP, Kaushik Roy’s ‘Apna Aasman’ was also based on a similar subject. Since he is a newcomer and because of lack of promotion, the movie went unnoticed,” explained Yadav. — IANS

New Delhi, January 15
From the sensual “Aaiye meherban…” from the film ‘Howrah Bridge’ (1958) to romantic ones like “Ude jab jab zulfein teri…” (‘Naya Daur’, 1957) and “Yeh chand sa roshan chehra…” (‘Kashmir ki Kali’, 1964), O.P. Nayyar, whose 81st birth anniversary falls on Wednesday, has bestowed on Bollywood some of the best known and reminisced songs.

Nayyar, who was born January 16, 1926, in Lahore, made a mark in the world of Hindi film music with his unique style during his career that spanned nearly six decades.

In those days, nearly every successful composer like — S.D. Burman, Naushad, Jaidev and Madan Mohan were classically trained. However, Nayyar, who passed away January 28, 2007, had no formal training in classical music.

“Nayyar sahab was a genius who churned out the soul stirring ‘original’ music every time. His music was distinct and eternal. Even if you listen to his songs today, they touch your heart,” noted singer Suchitra Krishnamurthy.

It was in 1949 that Nayyar, known to friends as “O.P.”, moved to Mumbai to try his luck in Bollywood. He got his break in the film ‘Kaneez’ in 1949.

He first tasted success in Guru Dutt’s ‘Aar Paar’ (1954). It was followed by the runaway musical hit ‘C.I.D.’ in 1956.

His other works include the Shammi Kapoor starrer ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha’ (1957) and Madhubala starrer ‘Howrah Bridge’.

Nayyar continued to notch up more success with his lilting, peppy numbers and unforgettable numbers in the years that followed.

During his career he worked extensively with Asha Bhonsle, Geeta Dutt and Mohammad Rafi, but never with melody queen Lata Mangeshkar.

Asha was his “singing sensation” until the last days. In fact, the Nayyar-Asha duo scaled unprecedented heights and gave a string of hits like in ‘Naya Daur’, for which he bagged the Filmfare award in 1957, ‘Kismet’, ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’, ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha’, ‘Phagun’ and many more.

The composer introduced the musical instrument sarangi to the Indian film industry.

He mostly used Punjabi rhythm in his evergreen tunes, “Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana…”, “Yeh desh hai veer jawanon ka…”, and “Leke pehla pehla pyar…”

“He is a legend in true sense. He doled out some of the most monumental songs,” said composer-singer Shibani Kashyap.

“Nayyar-ji’s music is simple but heart touching, a treat for any music lover,” she added.

His dignity and poise, apart from his signature hat, made him a striking picture of elegance and charm.

The maestro faded from the Bollywood scene in the 1970s, but made a surprise comeback in the 1990s with ‘Nishchaiy’ and ‘Zid’.

During his retirement, Nayyar estranged himself from his family and lived with his friend at Thane. He kept in touch with only a few of his friends. However, he frequently appeared on music talent hunt reality shows.

“Nayyar’s compositions exude exuberance, sensuality and liveliness and will continue to inspire generations,” said a fan.

“Almost all of us have grown up listening to Nayyar-ji’s compositions. The kind of simplicity and originality his music has, proves a source of inspiration for many,” said singer Remo Fernandes. — IANS

New Delhi, January 15
With Indians becoming increasingly style conscious, its nascent fashion industry is certainly on a growth trajectory, but one of its biggest challenges this year, will be the influx of overseas labels, experts and industry, insiders believe.

Registering a growth of at least 10 per cent per annum, the industry’s internal expansion might portray a rosy picture. However, with the Indian market steadily becoming a hot destination for international labels, external threat is a subject to ponder in the coming months.

“The biggest challenge the domestic fashion industry would face this year is because of the entry of global players,” Ritu Kumar, president of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the country’s apex fashion body, told IANS.

“These brands possess deep pockets and easily cope with high retail prices and would give tough competition to Indian designers,” Kumar added.

Fashion designer Raghuvendra Rathore said, “With more and more international players coming in, it is going to be a crucial year for people like us. Retail prices are going up and it would be harder to get retail space, especially for newcomers.”

“For instance, earlier a square feet of space in a mall was available at Rs 43, which has now escalated to Rs 250 per sq ft. Selling clothes will be harder, as opportunities of renting or buying retail space is shrinking. Half of them have gone to the global labels,” he added.

Kumar explained that since the rupee was becoming stronger, they were bound to get less profit from exporting their clothes.

“The landscape of the economy is changing. The consumer is fashion conscious and is willing to purchase products of high quality. This year brings a lot of challenge for the fashion industry,” said Rathi Vinay Jha, director general, FDCI.

“There would be a demarcation between the good and the bad creative experts. This year prices would also become more realistic and fair,” said style guru Puja Arya.

Experts feel that because of a large number of players in the market the business would grow but become scattered. — IANS