New Delhi, December 1
Security at the Jethro Tull and Anoushka Shankar concert was lax, complained many of those who thronged Pragati Maidan for the show, a day after the Mumbai terror trauma ended.

At the VIP Diamond Pass entrance on Sunday evening, handbags were checked but security men did not frisk individual card-holders and those with media and sponsor passes, triggering fears that the porous entry process could jeopardise lives as it could facilitate the entry of “subversive elements” going by the recent turn of events in Mumbai.

“As the concert was sold out and there was such a rush at the gate, security should have been tighter. The fear psychosis is such that one cannot breathe easy anywhere,” said 40-year-old Aslam Sher Ali Khan, a Delhi-based businessman who came to the concert with his two children, wife, sister and brother-in-law.

There were barely four security personnel — men and women — at the VIP enclosure though several volunteers were posted at the entrance.

The other entry points were no better, those who attended the concert said.

A senior Delhi-based journalist, who attended the concert with friends, said security was “shockingly lax”.

“There was almost no security at all. We stood in the queue to enter the stadium, but when we finally came to the entrance, the search was barely customary. There was no frisking at all. They looked at my bag for a split second,” said the journalist, a die-hard Jethro Tull fan.

Entry was divided into three categories- Diamond, Platinum and Gold cards.

The organisers, Seagram’s 100 Pipers Pure Music, could not be contacted for comment. — IANS

New Delhi, December 1
The Delhi Metro has now secured a place in libraries and homes, and that is in the form of a book — ‘A Journey to Remember’, which was launched today in the Capital.

This book priced at Rs 210 chronicles the Metro revolution that transformed the city’s look and catapulted its tempo altogether. It encompasses the mood on the first day of the Delhi Metro’s operation as the city’s lifeline, when about 12 lakh people queued up at six stations to go on a dream ride. .

The book also carries photographs that are of historical significance, while enumerating out the genesis of the Delhi Metro, which took 32 long years when the mass Rapid Transit Network was first recommended for Delhi for a fast and effective mode of transport.

The DMRC has published two books earlier too, namely a souvenir to commemorate the first day of operations — ‘A Dream Revisited’ and a photo compiliation — ‘Images of an Urban Transformation’.

Meanwhile, Delhiites can purchase the book at the customer care counters of all Metro stations and the DMRC corporate office at Barakhamba Road. 

New Delhi, December 1
A Delhi court has ruled that if an insured dies due to heart attack during an accident, then insurance cover can be claimed.

Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission presided over by Justice J.D. Kapoor ruled, “If any person meets with an accident, including vehicular accident, and if death occurs due to myocardial infarction consequent to coronary artery disease, precipitated during vehicular accident, it amounts to accidental death and entitles the insured for accidental claim benefit.”

The court’s intervention came while dealing with the case of Jagdish Lal, who was covered under the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) policy for a sum of Rs 50,000.

As per the policy, the insured was entitled for double the sum assured and not exceeding Rs 5,00,000 in case of death due to accident.

The insured met with a vehicular accident on January 10, 2004, and died.

The LIC took the plea that the accident was caused due to his own negligence as during the accident, he first hit a rickshaw and then hit a pole.

Rejecting this plea, Justice Kapoor said that it was an accident and asked the insurance company to compensate Rs 50,000 as the insurance cover along with Rs 10,000 for the mental agony and harassment and Rs 3,000 as cost of litigation.

Explaining the meaning of accident, Justice Kapoor said, “Accident means an unfortunate event, especially one causing physical harm or damage, brought about unfortunately.”

“Even if we accept the version of the rickshaw puller, which even otherwise neither is fortified by any further evidence as any person who suffers injury due to some vehicular accident will lodge a report with the police and such a report cannot take the accuser from outside the ambit of accident.” — IANS

New Delhi, December 1
The anguish-stricken family at lane no 42, Beadon Pura which lost 10 members in the September 13 serial blasts in Delhi said on Sunday they had relived the horror of ‘Bloody Saturday’ as they watched images of the Mumbai terror attack on television.

“The memories of that day come to haunt us time and again. Even as I saw the terror strike in Mumbai, I could empathise with those affected,” said Rama, 55, who lost his daughter, two brothers and other family members in the blasts, in which 25 people were killed and at least 100 injured.

Rama’s wife Krishna feels that the compensation provided by the government to the victims and their kin helps in dealing with medical expenses of her head and eye injury, but “the fear and pain still remain”.

Other family members who watched the terror drama unfold in Mumbai, also feel that the compensation cannot take the misery away.

Of the three blast sites, Gaffar Market at Karol Bagh was the worst hit — 20 people were killed and 59 injured. Rama’s extended family lost 10 members, including two children in that blast.

“We saw the Mumbai attack on TV and were happy to see the ordeal end,” said Pappu, another member of the family. He, along with others, had watched the coverage of the terror attack that was telecast on various news channels, at a nearby shop.

Pappu’s aunt and Rama’s sister-in-law, Sondeyi, 55, lost her husband Harichand, son Ashok, daughter Saroj and grandson Kusum, leaving her to take care of her crippled daughter Yashoda, 17, and son Raj, 13.

“We live in fear,” she said, adding her hope that something would be done to “wipe off terrorism entirely”.

The family claimed that security provisions in the area were non-existent, even after the blasts. “The metal detectors are disconnected. Some policemen come every now and then but that too is a rare sight”, said Pappu. — IANS

New Delhi, December 1
Former top cop Kiran Bedi today stressed that carrying out joint security exercises and conducting drills at landmark sites across the country were important to tackle terrorism and avoid crisis situations like the terror strikes in Mumbai.

Bedi, the first Indian Police Service (IPS) woman officer, said that the armed forces should work together and conduct security drills during peace time and added that good control rooms must be established to avoid or handle terror attacks.

“There must be coordination and operation rules between forces like joint exercises, simulation and working together. The higher authorities like the Chief Minister, home minister, DGP (director general of police), chief of the Army and naval staff should take the responsibility of the simulation. Every wing should join hands,” Bedi told reporters at a function to promote her new show ‘Aap Ki Kachehri, Kiran Ke Saath’ that will be aired on Star Plus from today onwards.

“The forces should practice together in peace time and there should be regular rehearsal pooling and drills, including both for media and communities. We need to identify targets for example — India Gate, Metro Rail, Rashtrapati Bhavan and nuclear power plants that could be attacked by amphibious techniques,” said Bedi, who took voluntary retirement last year.

The Magsaysay Award winner stressed that apart from basic strategies required, good control-room operations were necessary in times of crisis. She also raised the need for better war gear and good policing.

“We should have strong legal processes to show that India is a strong power. We (the forces) should be equipped individually. Everybody should be able-bodied. Better weapons and better training should be given.”

“We need good police at the moment so that it protects the whole community. Everyone needs security as it is a fundamental right and it is the government’s responsibility to provide good policing,” Bedi said. — IANS

New Delhi, December 1
US-based cosmetics brand Colorbar has formed a Colorbar AIDS Fund and has launched its diva collection. The money accumulated from this collection will be given to NGOs for fighting the disease.

“It is our initiative towards making a difference and giving something back to the society. We are shortlisting the NGOs but one thing is sure that we will not stick to just one. We want to fund various NGOs,” Colorbar’s managing director Samir Modi said.

December 1 is celebrated as the World’s AIDS day. Modi said he has been trying to initiate this funding scheme for a long time now and believes that it is the perfect day to launch this collection.

“Today AIDS/HIV is the biggest problem and we all have to join hands to fight against this disease. We are contributing in our own small manner,” he said.

“It will definitely hamper our sales rates but there is no gain without pain and if some people and society are benefited by this gesture then there is no harm in it. This initiative gives us immense pleasure and happiness,” he added.

Launched in February 2006, Colorbar is retailed by the K.K. Modi group of companies in India.

The product range is available in over 2,000 retail outlets like Pantaloon, Big Bazaar, Central, Health and Glow, and Vishal Mega Mart.

Colorbar consists of lipsticks, lip-glosses, nail paints, blushers, eyeliners and compact powder and it goes for the diva collection as well. — IANS

New Delhi, December 1
Even after a significant number of foreigners were targeted in the Mumbai terrorist attacks, tourists in Delhi stayed calm and said they were not hurrying to return.

An Australian, on the condition of anonymity said, “I am concerned and feel that terrorists would target Delhi again. But you cannot live your life in fear and stop going to five-star hotels and eating at restaurants and traveling because of these attacks.”

India is considered as one of the world’s 20 most dangerous places to visit.

Some of the foreigners living in the city expressed, “Certainly, it has captured our attention. Terrorist attacks in India have been random and unorganised toward westerners. It has made a difference in our attitudes,” said Andrew Murphy, an American elementary school teacher who has been living and working in Delhi for four months.

But, he was quick to add, “I don’t think there is really much you can do to plan such things. You just have to live your life and have to be a little more aware. I don’t see us making any drastic changes.”

Some said that the media sensationalised the news on foreign casualties in the Mumbai attacks.

In the words of one British citizen, who has lived and worked in India for 25 years, “The focus on foreigners is simply because that makes better news,” he said.

Two young American women who arrived in Delhi on Saturday said they considered canceling their trip to India.

“It scared me a lot before I left, but you cannot be scared for 13 hours on a plane. I feel okay now,” said one woman, who was reading a Delhi guidebook at Connaught Place.

She added, “If anything happened, we would want to get out.” 

New Delhi, December 1
The BJP said that the resignation of union home minister Shivraj Patil on the terrorist issue was only to save the UPA government.

Delhi unit chief of the BJP, Harsh Vardhan said that Mumbai attack was an indicator of complete failure of the union government. The government did not do surveillance at sea. In 1994, the militants had smuggled RDX through the sea routes and they did this again. If there had been strict surveillance, Mumbai attacks would not have happened, he pointed out.

The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narender Modi had sought permission from the union government to frame stern law for Gujarat. But the permission was not given for the reasons better known to the authorities concerned. As security agencies disclosed, the terrorists came directly from Karachi and the government had no information. Where were the Navy, coastguard and marine police, Vardhan questioned.

Along with the union home minister, the state home minister should also be removed. It is a major security lapse, the Delhi BJP chief said.

He said that the BJP had been demanding for the last one year that a new law should be framed against terrorism and a competent investigating agency should be established but the Congress had been playing the game of votes on terrorism, Vardhan added. 

New Delhi, December 1
Young girls giggled nervously as they trooped aboard the Red Ribbon Express (RRE), the train carrying the message of HIV/AIDS awareness across the country and attempt to remove the stigma faced by victims of the disease that affects 2.5 million people in India alone.

Phoolkumari, a teenager, was one in a crowd of 10 other women and youngsters visiting the train’s interactive display on Sunday. The group was from Netaji Nagar, a low-income housing locality near Safdarjung railway station here.

The teenager had come earlier in the week with her aunt but came back with her sister and other relatives because she felt “the information was relevant and the interactive quiz on the touch-screen monitor were fun.”

An elderly woman in the group found the message of the project “important as it dispelled myths”.

“AIDS does not spread through touch or physical contact,” Gita announced after attending a counselling session.

A senior volunteer taking her group through the graphic display even told them of an instance when a boy refused to perform the last rites of his father fearing that his AIDS-afflicted father would transmit the disease to him.

A group of over 30 eunuchs backed by the NGO, Deepshikha Samiti also got on the RRE. Though many joked along the way, they became serious during the counselling session as “they learnt more with each step”

The RRE has travelled 27,000 km across the length and breadth of the country and halted at 180 stations in the past year. The train has reached out directly to more than 6,20,000 people in 24 states with information on HIV/AIDS.

Safdarjung railway station here is its final destination as the journey culminates here on Monday evening, on the occasion of World AIDS day. The project, a mass-mobilisation campaign was initiated last year on the same occasion.

Conceptualised by Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, the RRE project was implemented by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in partnership with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), UNICEF, railway ministry and State AIDS Control Societies (SACS).

“The RRE project is an innovative broad based, multi-media, mass-mobilisation campaign to create enabling environment to fight HIV/AIDS,” said Mayank Agrawal, joint director IEC, NACO.

The train has three coaches housing the exhibition and a coach each for training volunteers and counselling. After halting at various stations, the message was taken to the various regions in the district.

The social outreach programmes on use of condoms and stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS affected persons were communicated via folk and vernacular drama — six groups performing four times in a day.

“Other than women and youngsters, our core target was drug users and sex workers,” Agrawal added.

There was a staff of 20 people on board and 60 circulating members, of which two stayed on throughout the journey.

Mohnish Kumar, monitoring and evaluation officer RRE, was one of them. He said the most favourable response had been felt in Kerala and Delhi.

Expressing pride at having been part of the project — the ‘biggest initiative of its kind’, he said despite the train having come to a halt at its final destination, he felt it was the beginning. — IANS

New Delhi, December 1
DPS RK Puram hosted a two-day computer symposium, Exun 2008, which ended on Sunday. The computer symposium was sponsored by Mangalayatan University and the gaming event by Extreme Gaming.

The symposium involved some 41 registered schools with over 600 participants. The two-day event began with Jainder Singh, secretary, department of information technology, government of India, as the chief guest. He gave the audience an in-depth lecture on the IT industry.

The Exun symposium had on offer an array of events for interested students, such as quizzing (senior and junior quiz), programming, group discussion, crossword, gaming, swat the bug (a programming event) and a surprise event. The closing ceremony had Yashwant Deshmukh, one of the founder members of Mangalayatan University, as chief guest and D.R. Saini, vice-principal, D.P.S. R.K. Puram.

Deshmukh spoke at length and praised the tech-savvy participants.

The ceremony went off smoothly with D.P.S. R.K. Puram emerging as the overall winners. As it was the host school, the overall trophy was handed over to D.P.S. Vasant Kunj, who had the second highest points. Second and third positions were bagged by Mothers International School and St Xaviers School respectively. All the winners were given a game CD by the sponsor, Extreme Gaming. The results of the events were updated immediately after each event on Exun’s website ‘exunclan.com’. 

Noida, December 1
An accountant in a garment export company in Sector-64, Noida, was arrested for encashing a number of cheques which he had stolen from his company and then resigned from the service.

Fraud was detected by the new accountant who apprised the proprietors of it. On their complaint police has arrested the accountant, Prem Kumar, resident of Rabupura. He worked as accountant in the garment export company for about a year.

According to the proprietor, Aruna Mann, Prem Kumar withdrew Rs 7.10 lakh from various banks by stealing six cheques from March 1 to October 11, 2008. He committed this fraud in such a manner that none of the company managers could get an inkling of it. After having withdrawn the money, he suddenly resigned from the company service giving a lame excuse, Aruna Mann said.

But the new accountant did not take long to detect the fraud and he furnished full details of the money illegally withdrawn by Prem Kumar. Aruna Mann did not lose time in lodging a complaint in Sector-58 Kotwali, Noida. The police arrested the accused from Bishanpura village and was grilling him on other frauds committed by him.

Gurgaon, December 1 
The terror in Mumbai has come to an end by now but the thieves created fright in the city on Monday morning by breaking windowpanes of seven cars of the same locality in just one night.

They took away the stereos, amplifier and woofers from the cars. Even two tyres of cars were stolen in the same locality.

Narinder Chiller, president, Resident Welfare Association, told The Tribune that due to lack of police patrolling, such incidents happen here and if the police starts carrying on searches, this won’t happen.

He added that one security guard that they had employed was not enough.

The police official said that this was for the first time that such an incident occurred in this area and they would definitely take action and see to it that this did not happen again.

According to Pankaj Ahaluwalia, the glasses of his Accent car were broken. Stereo and some other belongings were also stolen.

He said that he heard some sound around 4 am but ignored it and never thought that it could be thieves.

In another incident, two tyres of Accent car have been stolen. It owner Manjeet Singh Jaildar stated, “This all happened after 2:30 in the morning as he came from a party and had parked the car outside his house. Everything was fine by that time.”

New Delhi, December 1
A 50-year-old Japanese woman was found dead and her French husband unconscious in a Central Delhi hotel on Monday, the police said, suspecting a drug overdose may have caused the death.

According to the police, Agase Jean Marry called the hotel Suncity’s reception desk around 9 am asking them to arrange a doctor for his wife Okoru Odda, 50, who had collapsed.

“The hotel staff who went to check on the woman found both of them unconscious inside the room. Odda, they later found, was already dead,” said an investigating police officer.

“We suspect Odda has either died of drug abuse or suffered cardiac arrest. Her face was reddish when we saw her body,” the official added.

“Marry was rushed to the Lady Hardinge Hospital where his condition was described as critical.”

The police said that Marry might have also collapsed due to the same reason. The body of Odda has been sent for an autopsy.

“We would record Marry’s statement to ascertain the reason. We will register a case only after the autopsy and viscera reports of Odda have been received,” the officer added.

The police said the couple had checked in on November 3. — IANS

Noida, December 1
A Bangladeshi national illegally living in Noida for a long time and working as a junk dealer has been arrested.

The arrested Bangladeshi, Mohd Rafiqual Rehman, disclosed that Kotwali Sector-49 police had arrested his parents too two years ago for the same reasons. They were dropped at Indo-Bangladesh border.

According to the police, Rafiqual Rehman was found loitering suspiciously near D-48 at Sector-30 here. A dagger was seized from him. He had identified himself as Shamim, a resident of Murshidabad in West Bengal.

But when the police checked his antecedents, he was found to be Mohd Rafiqual Rehman from Bangerhat district in Bangladesh. He revealed that he had been staying in Noida for a couple of years and had been working as a junk dealer.