New Delhi, May 12
The controversial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor in South Delhi saw another accident when a speeding Blueline bus on Monday crushed a Class 10 student to death in Madangir area.

The corridor, which is yet to kick off formally, has already witnessed half-a-dozen accidents in the past 10 days.

The accident occurred near Ambedkar Nagar bus stop when a Blueline bus, plying on route no. 512 between Ambedkar Nagar and Sarojini Nagar, knocked down Suresh Kumar while he was crossing the road around 8.30 a.m.

Suresh Kumar, an Open School student, was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where doctors pronounced him dead.

Locals tried to nab the bus driver but he managed to escape. He was arrested later.

The police said a case of rash and negligent driving has been registered at the Ambedkar Nagar police station and the bus impounded.

A pedestrian suffered grave injuries on Friday when a speeding Blueline knocked him down while he was crossing the road on the BRT stretch. — IANS

Ghaziabad, May 12
A gang engaged in trafficking of children has been unearthed in Gajraula with the arrest of a woman. At the time of her arrest, the woman was allegedly striking a deal for the sale of three children for Rs 1.50 lakh.

Some police teams have been sent to Ghaziabad villages in search of children. But police has refrained from confirming anything officially yet.

Some parents, whose children have gone missing in the recent past, are hoping that their kids might be restored to them now.

According to police ASP, the role of a woman, Salma, who had been arrested, appears to be dubious. Salma has been sent with a police team to Mhow village in search of a child Munni. The police are monitoring the whole case and results are expected soon, officials said.

The woman is expected to provide some details of a huge network of abducting children and then selling them off.

According to sources, Salma while negotiating with some ‘dari’ and carpet traders had all of a sudden ran out when her cell phone rang while she was talking to some women. As she had mentioned the ‘age’ of the ‘commodity’, her cell phone number was conveyed to police.

When the police dialled the cell phone, a conversation about the sale and purchase of three kids was heard. After the deal was finalized, Salma was called to have a look at the “goods”. It was at that moment that she was arrested. Then it came to light that Munni, abducted from Bagpat Road, 10 km from Loni, was later sold in Mhow village.

The police is trying to recover her, it is learnt.

New Delhi, May 12
A woman tried to commit suicide by setting herself ablaze around 6 p.m. today near the heavily guarded Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The incident took place on Dalhousie Road near the presidential estate when Sangeeta, 30, poured kerosene over her and set herself ablaze. She has been admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital. Her condition is said to be stable.

According to police officials, the woman was apparently under depression due to strained relationship with her husband. “Sangeeta was depressed due to her estranged relations with her husband. This might have forced her to take the extreme step,” said assistant commissioner of police (Parliament Street) Gurdeep Singh.

According to onlookers, security officials on duty rushed to extinguish the flames even before fire service could move into action.

New Delhi, May 12
In view of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, US-based firm Penn Wood Corporation has decided to give a new look to the roads of NCT of Delhi.

The firm would use road smoothening technology under Z-products. The products being introduced are Z-Course, Z-Base, Z-Fill. These would bring effectiveness and sustainability to roads.

“We are looking forward to use the technology before the Commonwealth Games,” said Ashok Sudhakar, managing director, Penn Woods Corporation.

An IIT alumnus, Sudhakar added that good and effective transportation and communication were important to achieve the desired economic growth. Good, sufficient and sustainable road network is of utmost importance to achieve the purpose.

Besides Delhi the company plans to make the technology’s presentation before the Rajasthan government. 

New Delhi, May 12
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Monday suspended six canteen employees and sacked two others employed with a private agency for alleged theft of canteen material.

Senior professor and AIIMS spokesperson Y.K. Gupta said the institute had set up an inquiry committee after media reports about alleged pilferage in the main kitchen.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. Six employees have been put under suspension and two employees of private agencies have been removed,” Gupta said.

He said that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has filed a police complaint against the employees.

A TV news channel reported that some canteen staff were involved in selling kitchen material to outsiders instead of giving it to patients. — IANS

New Delhi, May 12
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) today assured the government that the congestion at the airport here would be eased by June-end though it sought more employees to supervise security and immigration checks.

DIAL authorities, who met Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, also gave a presentation on the new infrastructure coming up at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, including a terminal and parking places which, it said, would be functional by June-end.

“The DIAL has assured us that the congestion would ease by June-end and that there would be significant improvement before the winter,” Ahluwalia said.

“Such problems persist worldwide, where expansion works are carried out at the existing airports. That is what is happening here.”

He said that the government would look into the DIAL demand for more manpower.

Over 12,000 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel provide security to over 54 domestic and international airports across the country.

Of these, nearly 2,300 CISF personnel are posted at the Delhi airport’s domestic and international sections, which handle about 20.4 million passengers annually. The number is expected to rise to 37 million by 2010 and 100 million by 2030.

DIAL deputy chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi said that the airport was handling passengers beyond its annual capacity of 12 million.

According to the data available, there was an almost 29 percent growth in passenger traffic last year. At present, the international terminal has a capacity of five million passengers but handles eight million.

“We are doing everything to ease the congestion at the airport. We will start the third runway by August this year, six months before the schedule of February,” he said.

Grandhi said that the Haj terminal would be upgraded by October this year and will be used for international operations from January next year.

He also said that the new Terminal-3, which would be an integrated terminal, would handle about 34 million passengers.

“This would come up by 2010,” said Grandhi. Besides, an international terminal (Terminal-2) would be revamped by July, while the new domestic terminal would be complete by November this year.

Regarding hi-tech equipment and systems being installed at the airport, he said that six inline baggage check systems would start functioning by June this year.

“This would ease overcrowding at the manual x-ray machines. These machines would be replaced once the inline baggage systems are in place,” the DIAL official said.

The number of immigration counters is being doubled from 28 to 56, while check-in counters are being increased from 78 to 100. — IANS

New Delhi, May 12
The state cabinet today approved creation of a Power Stabilisation Fund that will be operated by the Delhi Power Company Limited.

“Power Stabilisation Fund would be used for granting subsidy as per government notification, providing short-term loan to power utilities to meet power purchase gap,” said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. “Requirement arising out of increase in spot gas price and high cost power purchase during the peak months of winter and summer would be fulfilled.”

A committee comprising officers from power department, finance department, power finance corporation, planning commission and Union power ministry recommended the Fund.

Besides, the cabinet has also given a nod to the setting up of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurvedic Sansthan in the city.

“The cabinet has decided to regularise services of 20 contractual teachers and 10 ad hoc GDMOs of homeopathy stream, who have rendered about 8 to 10 years of service,” said Dikshit. “This will provide relief to 30 teachers, who have been working on ad hoc or contract basis,” she added.

New Delhi, May 12
Against the popular speculation, the Delhi government today rejected the proposal to reduce legal drinking age from 25 to 21 years. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Contrary to the decision, it was being expected that the Delhi cabinet would clear the Delhi Excise Bill 2008, which include provision of lowering drinking age from 25 to 21 years to woo young voters.

The Delhi Excise Bill 2008, which was framed in earnest is more liberal and in tune with the times allowing women to serve liquor in bars. Though the courts permitted it last year, the Bill was expected to bring the law on gender equality as far as serving liquor is concerned.

However, the Bill is strict when it comes to lawbreakers.

Under the provision of the Bill, boot legging has been made a non-bailable offence while, drinking in public place could lead to six months jail.

With the matter at rest, at least as of now Delhi would continue with the Punjab Excise Act. 

New Delhi, May 12
The Democratic Teachers’ Front has expressed serious concern over the questionnaires sent to the universities and colleges by the UGC Pay Review Committee asking them to respond by May 31.

A spokesman of the DTF said that they were concerned that on a varied range of issues bearing on the problem of flight of talent from the teaching profession, the UGC Pay Review Committee has sought the views of university and college administrations only. The views of the academia do not get duly represented by those in the administration. The exercise may, therefore, lead to wrong and disastrous conclusions.

The DTF urges the UGC Pay Review Committee to discuss with the teachers’ association and seek their views on the same.

The DTF said that the questionnaires sent separately to the universities and colleges have a common part titled “General Questions”.

Greater Noida, May 12
Sharp rise in prices of building material appears to have put quite a few development projects in cold storage in Greater Noida. The current prices of cement and steel have become a big problem for the construction companies.

The cost of construction has reportedly increased by 30 per cent during past three months, stalling work on numerous projects. In Greater Noida alone, projects worth crores of rupees have been put into cold storage. Prices of cement, steel, diesel, petrol and other materials have been hiked, which in turn have adversely impacted a number of projects.

According to the secretary of NCR Construction Management Association, Kuldip Singh, six months ago the construction cost per sq ft was at Rs 700 which had risen to Rs 830 per sq ft by March 2008 and now it stands at Rs 910 per sq ft. It has made completion of works, the tenders for which were procured three to six months ago, an impossible task. Construction companies have been forced to suspend the work and await the fall in prices of construction material.

The MD of a construction company said the value of the government tenders cannot be hiked, while the prices of construction material like steel, cement, etc have continuously been on the upswing for the last six months. Six months ago a 50 kg cement bag used to cost Rs 170 which is today selling at Rs 260. Similarly the rate of 10, 12, 14, 16 m iron rods (sarya) was Rs 28,000 per tonne which has now touched Rs 38,000 per tonne. The increased prices have adversely impacted the projects under construction.

The worst effect is being felt by the real estate business. The prices of houses, flats and apartments are fixed before these are allotted. The rates fixed six months ago have now increased by about 30 per cent.

The agencies, at their level, have adopted the route of stocking material to tackle the situation. High consumption and imbalance in production have resulted in continuous increase in prices.

The Central government is understood have proposed reduction in the steel prices by Rs 4,000 per tonnes and for a cement bag by Rs 20. But according to sources, the nominal reduction in rates is not likely to improve the situation much.

Faridabad, May 12
The District Congress Committee (Rural) today claimed that the Congress was sure to win assembly by-elections in Gohana and Indri and the party was giving a tough fight to former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal who is a nominee of Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) in Adamapur constituency.

The president of the District Congress Committee (Rural), Harindra Pal Singh said that his party nominee in Gohana was far ahead of other nominees in the fray.

According to him, the development works done by the present government was appreciated by the public. He asserted that the equitable

distribution of water done by the present government has benefited the farmers of Sonipat district. The earlier governments were not giving several areas of the state its due share from the pool of available water.

Incidentally, the District Congress Committee (Rural) has been assigned election duties in Gohana. The team of Congress leaders led by it have just returned from campaigning in Gohana.

Harindra Pal Singh also asserted that the general public was not happy with Dharam Pal Malik, who is nominee of Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) as he turned rebel of the Congress resulting in his disqualification and the by-election.

With regard to Indri, he said that the Congress nominee was ahead of the nominee of Haryana Janhit Congress (BL), Rakesh Kamboj. Kamboj also erred like Dharam Pal Malik and the

people of the constituency had to suffer because of his anti-Congress activities, he added.

In Adampur, considered to be pocket borough of Bhajan Lal, Harindra Pal Singh said that the Congress nominee was giving him a tough fight.

New Delhi, May 12
They are an eclectic mix — doctors, housewives, bank officials, educationists and college students — all brought together by their love of theatre.

The group consisting of professional and amateur theatre artistes is to resurrect the Three Arts Club, one of the oldest amateur theatre groups in the Capital, after an almost 25-year hiatus.

The club has launched a three-day theatre festival here from Sunday. Club members meet after office hours, or on weekends, for rehearsals. The club has been revived by Anuradha Dar whose father R.M Kaul was one of its founders. Dar runs a preparatory school here.

“Since my father was always an active theatre artiste, throughout my childhood I used to see people rehearse and act. I always felt that I should do something that he loved too,” Dar told IANS.

She plans to hold the theatre event annually. As part of the event, being held at Kamani Auditorium, the group is staging three plays - “Paisa Bolta Hai”, “Under Secretary” and “Bade Admi”.

“The festival is a tribute to my father as well as to Ramesh Mehta, who used to direct the plays of the club earlier. What better way to recognise his work?” she said. Ramesh Mehta, 85, was recently conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for acting by President Pratibha Patil.

Saurabh Bhatnagar, a bank official and an actor in “Bade Aadmi”, started dabbling in theatre in 1989 during his college days. He feels theatre was earlier losing its sheen due to television soap operas, but now there is a resurgence in interest.

“I think people are fed up with soaps and are again beginning to enjoy stage performances,” he said.

His sister Sadhana Bhatnagar, who acted in the original play directed by Mehta, has directed “Bade Admi”.

Another actor, Govind Swarup Bajpai, an official with the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), has a 30 years’ association with theatre. Bajpai said that it was his sheer love for acting that made him part of the new Three Arts Club.

Three Arts Club was formed in 1943 by Om Sharma, R.M Kaul and Devi Chand Kayasth. Its plays dealt with themes affecting people. Characters like clerks, servants and hawkers — whom one meets in daily life — peopled their plays.

The club successfully functioned for 40 years until Kaul’s death in 1983, compelling theatre actor-director Ramesh Mehta to wind it up. — IANS

New Delhi, May 12
Children’s entertainment on television is set to get livelier this summer. Nick, one of the country’s leading entertainment channels in India, is set to woo children aged between four and 14 with ‘Mighty Masked Cat Niyander’, a new episode of the channel’s hit series, ‘Ninja Hattori’ and ‘Perman’.

‘Mighty...’ is about the heroic deeds of a superman cat, the mighty Niyander who rescues people in trouble like Superman Clark Kent. The cat, like the Superman, dons a cloak.

The channel has also added several interactive programmes like Mother’s Day Contest and Nick Fundoo Supertar, which will give children an opportunity to become television superstars. In June, the channel will unveil its Father’s Day capsule with a Daddy Cool contest.

The winners will share the screen with Nick Fundoo’s brand ambassador Mandira Bedi and their favourite Nick Toon characters in a performance choreographed by Saroj Khan. The promotion week that began on May 5 will end on June 8. The Supertsar contest will reach its grand finale with the release of the kids’ music video in July.

“Kids just need to be themselves to take part in the contest. There is no stress of competition. Apart from the four winners who will feature in the Nick Fundoo music video, thousands of other kids will also win prizes like bicycles and mobiles. The video will be titled ‘Mauja Hi Mauja’,” said Nina Elavia Jaipuria, vice-president and general manager of Nick India.

The Superstar team comprising four children, a host of live Toon characters and Mandira Bedi, have hit the road as part of a three-city campaign trail in Indore, Lucknow and Kolkata. The channel is planning a comprehensive campaign that will include “multi-city ground activation, cinema, radio, outdoor and cross channel television promos”, Jaipuria said.

“We believe in giving children what they want. Nick Fundoo Supertsar has been designed keeping in mind the aspiration of every child to become a superstar,” Jaipuria said.

“This is the first time I am doing something for the kids. It is a summer campaign and I have felt so mad, wild and carefree. I wanted to reinvent television entertainment for children, to do something I have never done,” said Mandira Bedi, who is teaming up with Saroj Khan after 13 years after ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ in 1995.

The actress feels, “Indian television channels are offering quite a lot to the child in terms of entertainment, education and promoting Indian value system as well.”

“We grew up reading Amar Chitra Katha (picture comics) but today’s kids are lucky. There so many mythological serials on television, it is a great way to learn,” Bedi told IANS. But policing, the actress said should be left to parents. “They must monitor the content their children are viewing.”

The contribution of kids’ channels has not seen a significant growth last year, said Jaipuria. “It grew up by only 10 per cent in the 4 to 14 slice,” she said, quoting figures by TAM, the nodal agency that provides TRP count.

“If you place Nick in this perspective, then we have seen a phenomenal growth. In the last 12 months we have grown by 63 per cent and nearly doubled our market share from 10 per cent in the last quarter of 2007 to 18 per cent in the first of 2008,” Jaipuria said. — IANS