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Guests run for life after
fire in hotel
Mukhi rebuffs Walia’s remark on MCD funds
Influenza can be transmitted from birds to humans
Govt to start bike ambulances
Police reforms long due: Bedi
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As board exams loom, homes turn into battle zones
Four killed as car skids
into canal
Govt committed to welfare of poor: CM
Artscape
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Guests run for life after
fire in hotel
New Delhi, January 27 “It was a major fire. Luckily, no guest was injured,” Delhi Fire Service chief R.C. Sharma told IANS outside The Grand, as around 100 fire fighters sprayed jets of water into the basement kitchen, where the blaze erupted, and a Japanese restaurant a level above. Although the fire was confined to a limited area, the smoke quickly filled all floors of the 390-room hotel, sparking panic. Two fire service officials suffered minor injuries during the operation, which was not without some anxious moments, when the pressure in the hotel’s sprinklers reduced after a pipe burst. The guests, including a large number of foreigners, complained that there was neither a fire alarm, nor did the hotel administration bother to warn them about the massive fire. Even fire chief Sharma was livid. “The hotel should have called us earlier since the fire broke out at 12:30 pm. We were informed at least 20 minutes later,” he said, adding the fire-fighting arrangements in the hotel were not up to the mark. With guests complaining of no guidance and help from the hotel, many of them along with employees ran in different directions in a desperate bid to find the nearest exit as smoke began to fill up rooms and lobbies. Many streamed out with what little they could carry. Many apparently left behind their passports, cash, credit cards, air tickets and clothes in their rooms. “I was standing close to Enoki, the Japanese restaurant, when I noticed smoke. The staff first asked me to move away. But in five minutes they asked me to run,” said Conchi Jesti from the US. “I rushed to my room and could only manage to pick my expensive laptop,” Jesti told IANS. “Look at us! We are still in our spa clothes,” complained Keshni Decacon, a South African who was at the Jacuzzi with her mother when disaster struck. “We only came to know about the fire, when an attendant started switching off the lights and ordered us to immediately vacate the hotel. We had no chance to even change clothes. “Our passport, money and clothes are in the hotel. The hotel says that our stuff is safe and we do not have to worry. But I have already missed my flight to Chennai.” According to a guest from Israel, who had been staying in the hotel for the past three weeks, several guests were unaware of the fire for a long time. “I was sleeping in my second floor room and was caught unawares. I woke up only after the entire room was filled with smoke and felt suffocated,” he said. “There was no fire alarm, no smoke detector. When I came out of my room, I was struggling to locate the emergency doors. The exit signs did not light up. I just followed other people.” Hotel authorities said that the fire broke out in the basement kitchen of Enoki restaurant. The fire quickly engulfed the restaurant because of the heavy woodwork, and in no time smoke was billowing out of the building. The cause of the fire could not be confirmed. Some alleged that a cooking gas cylinder had burst. General manager Ray McShane insisted that it was because of the hotel’s swift action that no one was injured. “All guests and employees were immediately rescued and taken to safety,” he said. “The guests are being relocated to Shangri-La and Hyatt Regency hotels.” The Grand hotel, he added, had been sealed indefinitely.
— IANS |
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Mukhi rebuffs Walia’s remark on MCD funds
New Delhi, January 27 This has been said in response to the statement given by A. K. Walia yesterday against the functioning of the MCD that is ruled by the BJP. He said that the MCD could not spend total amount of the Plan Outlay sanctioned so far. Mukhi said most of the departments of Delhi government working under him have failed to spend even 50 per cent of the Plan Outlay by December 2007, allocated for the Financial Year 2007-08. Sighting the examples, Mukhi said that SC, ST and OBC Welfare Department of the government could spend only 42 per cent of the Plan Outlay allocated for the welfare of such communities. The Social Welfare Department, which is meant to help the poorest of the poor, has spent only 41 per cent of the Plan Outlay. The Delhi government has spent till date only 17 per cent of the Plan Outlay meant for the welfare of labourers. In the Department of Technical Education, only 35 per cent of the Plan Outlay has been spent. Agriculture and industry are the two most important areas for the growth of Delhi but even in these areas, the government has spent only 35 of the Plan Outlay till date. He said Walia owes an explanation to Delhiites when and how the remaining 65 per cent of the Plan Outlay will be spent in the remaining two months of the current financial year. The MCD has already spent more than 50 per cent on almost all the heads. Mukhi said that Walia is conveniently forgetting that he is bound to allocate Plan money to MCD as per the formulae laid down by the Delhi Finance Commission.
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Influenza can be transmitted from birds to humans
New Delhi, January 27 Normally, avian influenza does not infect species other than birds and pigs. The virus was first reported in humans in Hong Kong in 1997, when the H5N1 strain caused severe respiratory disease in 18 persons of whom 6 died. Later, it was learnt that close contact with live infected poultry was the source of human infection. Studies at the genetic level further revealed that the virus had transferred directly from birds to humans. According to experts, several measures can help minimise the global public health risks that could arise from large outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. These include vaccination of high-risk persons, who are exposed to infected poultry. Workers involved in culling of poultry flocks must use proper clothing and equipment to protect themselves from the infection. They should also receive anti-viral drugs as a prophylactic measure. The WHO recommends the targeted administration of the seasonal influenza vaccine to selected groups at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 virus. Targeted vaccination is one of the measures to reduce the occurrence of such infections in humans. The WHO also indicates that reduced opportunities for dual infections decrease opportunities for re-assortment and for the eventual emergence of the influenza virus with pandemic potential. “Dual infection in humans is serious. Workers involved in the culling process or anyone exposed to the infected environment should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza, to avoid dual infection. In case, the two strains combine within the human body, it can give rise to a new strain that will eventually develop into a pandemic,” says Dr Randeep Guleria, senior consultant, department of medicine, AIIMS. Prof A.K. Prasad, chairman, Influenza Foundation of India warns, “Even though healthcare workers wear protective gear, one cannot be sure of its efficiency. Hence, it is wise to get vaccinated against flu to avoid recombination of an avian influenza A virus and a human influenza A virus by preventing seasonal influenza virus infection within a human host.”
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Govt to start bike ambulances
New Delhi, January 27 The service aims at providing an emergency transport to accident victims, as it can zip through the ever-increasing traffic of the national Capital. The ambulances, with a driver and an attendant, will be deployed across the city for round-the-clock service. The first response vehicles would be run by trained medical staff known as Emergency Medical Technicians, said N Balachandran, special secretary health and project director of the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS). Balachandran said that the two-wheeler service had been planned keeping in mind the dense traffic in Delhi, compounded by the tremendous rise in the number of vehicles. Pointing out Delhi roads were increasingly becoming accident-prone, the official said bike ambulances would enhance the speed and the reaction time, as compared to the existing four-wheeler ambulances. The number of bikes to be used is yet to be decided, as the government is working out issues like trained drivers, increase in traffic volume and awareness among people. The Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), an NGO based in Andhra Pradesh, has sent the proposal to CATS, which runs a fleet of 35 four-wheeler ambulances in the Capital and is planning to increase the number to 150. Sometimes it becomes difficult for an ambulance to reach the spot because of traffic snarls and most of the deaths involving road accidents are due to lack of timely medical aid. Bikes would make their way in through long and congested roads, said Balachandaran. Deepak Raheja, director, Hope Foundation, feels that most of the victims bleed to death, as they do not get timely medical aid. Bike ambulances could help the victims by providing crucial medical aid. |
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Police reforms long due: Bedi
New Delhi, January 27 The programme organized by Delhi Study Group, a prominent NGO, was attended by Mayor of Delhi, Arti Mehra, along with elected MCD councilors, ex-army officers, academicians, diplomats and social workers. A memento was presented to Kiran Bedi by MLA Vijay Jolly and Mayor Arti Mehra as a token of honour on behalf of citizens of Delhi. The Saket MLA at the outset expressed anguish over the shabby treatment meted out to the “Super Performing Female Cop”. If honest police officers and bureaucrats like Kiran Bedi are forced to take VRS, it will be a sad day in the history of democratic India, commented Vijay Jolly. There should be transparency in police appointments, demanded Jolly. Kiran Bedi expressed deep pleasure over the support received. Speaking on the “Police Reforms & Civil Society”, she stated that the two are synonymous and complementary. Police reforms are India’s necessity. Even after 60 years of Independence, the political forces have not implemented police reforms. There is dearth of leaders in the force. The police force is aging whereas the nation is getting younger. There is complete bankruptcy of policing in the country. The need of the hour is immediate internal surgical reforms. The leader should be a day dreamer and a motivator in the Indian Police System. The system needs an overhaul, pointed out Kiran Bedi. She alleged that honest officers were disliked by the political forces. The most important appointments at the Centre are made by the Union home minister and the home secretary and in the state by the Chief Minister. If you are not in their good books, it is then difficult for one to be selected for the top post, stated Kiran Bedi. Bedi stated that the Supreme Court in its judgment on September 22, 2005, had called for the setting up of National Security Commission. This commission was required for all high-level appointments in the Central and State forces. But the Central government cold-shouldered the recommendation. The NSC has not been set up till date. This is a fit case for contempt of court, she added.
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As board exams loom, homes turn into battle zones
New Delhi, January 27 Tension seems to escalate whenever a parent starts keeping count of the hours their wards are studying or chides them for watching TV or chatting with friends for long hours. “Study, study, study, is all that my mother can think of these days,” says Shashank Ghosh, a Class X student who puts in about four-five hours of study daily. “I really want the boards to be over and done with,” he says grumbling. Over one million students are expected to take the Class X and XII exams conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination. For the overworked students, studying the entire syllabus for the pre-board exams and, then, again for the final exam, slated to begin early in March for both classes, is a tedious affair that begins to tell on their nerves. While listening to music, playing some outdoor games and reading continue to be ways of relaxation, some new ways of leisure catching on among students are chatting online and multi-player gaming, an addictive fad. Shashank, who was spending a few hours everyday on online multiplayer gaming, has been warned by his parents not to indulge in it till the boards are over. His mother’s “order” has obviously not gone down well with the 16-year- old and led to a number of heated arguments between them. “I had to crack down on him, when I found him playing like crazy with some unknown people in Indonesia. I don’t mind him playing games on the computer, but this online thing is something I don’t like,” his mother, Madhu Ghosh, told IANS. For Aparajita Kumar, another Class X student, her long hours of online chatting have led to many unpleasant fights at home. Her mother, a teacher, says she had to give in to her daughter’s online chatting, when she became withdrawn after they put a keyword lock on the computer. “I just did not know what to do with my child. She started sulking and refused to study or talk, when I put a lock on the computer. I was then forced to give in. I believe there are many children addicted to such chatting,” she said. Says Hansa Gandhi, the mother of a Class XII student preparing for her exams, “In our time we would go for a walk or listen to some music to get over the boredom of studying. Children nowadays are getting more home-bound with their new interest in the computer.” While Class X students can afford to take it a little easy, it is not the case with those preparing for their make or break school leaving exams. Dhananjay Shankar is buried in his books for more than 10 hours a day preparing for the Class XII boards. He takes a break during lunch and dinner, when he watches some television, or when he goes for a short walk in the evening. His father says, “We tell him to play some sport in the evening and take longer breaks, but he says he cannot afford the luxury at this time. Most of his friends are also busy studying long hours.”—IANS
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Four killed as car skids
into canal
New Delhi, January 27 Police have recovered three bodies, while a search was still on for the fourth person. According to the police, the four, Pradeep Srivastva, Bobby, Davendra and Kamal, were going to Noida on the outskirts of the Capital, from the Akshardham Temple when the accident occurred Friday. The police said while crossing the Chilla police post, the driver lost control of the car and skidded into the canal after hitting the barriers. “On hearing the noise, our staff immediately rushed to the site, but by that time the vehicle had sunk completely,” said assistant commissioner of police D.R. Birdi. Fire service officials and divers were immediately summoned but the car could not be recovered till 5 a.m. Saturday. “Bodies of Pradeep Srivastva and Bobby which were tangled inside the car were recovered, while Davendra’s body was found late Saturday evening. We are still searching for the fourth man, but we assume that he has died,” Birdi added. Police said the victims were identified with the help of their driving licences and their families in east Delhi’s Pandav Nagar have been informed. —
IANS |
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Govt committed to welfare of poor: CM
New Delhi, January 27 “A revised PDS is being implemented to ensure adequate essential commodities to BPL families. Poor families in Delhi would soon be getting subsidized electricity supply,” said the Chief Minister, addressing a public meeting after inaugurating three chaupals for poor families. —
TNS |
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Artscape
New Delhi, January 27 Some of the top names in the Indian classical music will perform on that day. Performance by
Geeta Chandran
Visions of Inner Space is a solo performance by classical dancer Geeta Chandran for the Habitat World’s new centre on February 1. EPI-CENTRE is located at Apparel House, Sector 44, (Opp. Power Grid Residential Complex) in Gurgaon. In Visions of Inner Space, Bharatanatyam dancer Geeta Chandran presents precious concepts of time, space and memory weaving a fascinating narrative that blends mythology, contemporary perspectives and eternal values. The performance presents two journeys—the one that encompasses the viewer with its precision and glamour, its rhythms and emotions; and the other journey, the one that carries the viewer to the innermost recesses of the mind.
Celebrated artiste and a star-performer, Geeta Chandran is synonymous with the Indian classical dance: Bharatanatyam. She began learning Bharatanatyam from the tender age of 5 years under the tutelage of Swarna Saraswathy, who hailed from the traditional Thanjavoor dasi parampara. Subsequently, Geeta continued learning diverse aspects of the classical dance from a galaxy of eminent gurus. Geeta is celebrated not only for her deep and composite understanding of the art of Bharatanatyam, but also for her Carnatic music (she is a trained and accomplished vocalist), her work in television, video and film, theatre, choreography, dance education, dance activism and dance-issue journalism. “Awakening of the Spirit”
The Art gallery here is hosting an exhibition of paintings by some of the distinguished artists at the Lalit Kala Akademi galleries from January 24 to January 31. Entitled, “Awakening of the Spirit”, the exhibition will be inaugurated by Padamshree Keshav Malik, well-known art critic and writer. Memories of
different periods
The Vadehra Art Gallery is hosting a solo show of creations of artist Ram Kumar, from January 23 to February 15. The Vadehra Art Gallery is reopening its Defence Colony gallery space with 12 brilliant landscapes by Ram Kumar – one of the most celebrated modernist artists of India. This exhibition with his 12 recent oils on canvas delves into the creative process which commenced a few decades earlier. Though he abandoned figuration and started painting abstract landscapes after his journey to Benaras in 1960, the works displayed in this show are not mere ‘re-presentations’ of Benaras. These works come as the scattered memories of different periods and spaces in the entire journey of life of the artist. Vichitravarna
presented
Noted Odissi danseuse and choreographer, Alpana Nayak is presenting Vichitravarna, an interpretation of womanhood in Odissi style at the main auditorium of the India International Centre here on January 27. N. N. Vohra, IAS (Retd) has consented to be the chief guest while Abhijit Sengupta, secretary (Culture), government of India, will be the distinguished guest. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Culture here. Evening of
fusion music
The American Center here is presenting an evening of fusion music – From Maine to the Himalayas by the famous Maine’s Nordica Trio and student musicians from Colby College and Kalimpong’s Gandhi Ashram on January 28 here. Exhibition of Sahjahan’s works
The Chawla Art Gallery here is presenting an exhibition of the works of artist S. K. Sahajahan from January 30 to February 10. The artist who is generally inspired by the day to day events uses mixed media with abundance. The paintings are at best social messages and express the artist’s concern for the society. Photos by master
photographers
“The Photograph: Painted, Posed and the Moment”, an exhibition of some of the rare photographs by master photographers is being held at the National Gallery of Modern Art here from January 27 to February 13. The exhibition has been jointly sponsored by the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Ministry of Culture and the French Embassy here. |
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