New Delhi, December 24
The petrifying memories of the gory bloodbaths in Assam, Mumbai and Delhi have taken a backseat, as the whole Capital seems to be bracing up to give its citizens a perfect feast on the eve of merry Christmas and New Year round the corner. The environmental set-up and renovations at the majority of the shopping malls, entertainment centres and five star hotels are contextual, thus setting the tempo and rolling down the carpets for celebrations.

Places like East Delhi Mall, Select City Walk, Dilli Haat, Park Hotel and Le Meridien are all dressed up in illuminating colours and innovative patterns of lights. However, the budgetary expenditure at most of the hotels, restaurants and partying places has taken a dip this time.

Sources at the Park Hotel say that the fears of terror and recession are still looming large with the total budgetary spending going down by one-third of the average annual expenditure. “The ongoing financial meltdown and the terror attacks in metros have impacted the hotel’s sales which have gone down by 30 per cent. And this has also led to the scaling down of the spending for ‘Christmas dinner and lunch’,” says an official of the hotel.

But if your wallets are warm enough to afford a wanton ride despite the ongoing recession grip, engineer your festive list as per your tastes and themes. The city malls and shopping outlets are all lined up with a wide array of products and accessories to make your year-end quite memorable.

“Here in Delhi, we have a range of choices to plan out the celebrations. We enjoy Christmas just like any other festival. In fact, everybody at home is charged up as the New Year is also approaching,” says Dakshita Kapoor from Defence Colony, while browsing through the gifts at the Archies Arcade in Lajpat Nagar.

To further the mirth of Christmas, many places like IVY Bar and Dining in New Friends Colony and Manre at City Walk are offering Christmas cookies in mouth-watering flavours like maple crunch, karamel kreme, chocolate, etc.

All the shopping centres like GK-I Archies Arcade and Dilli Haat are ornamented with enticing embellishments, striking showpieces and Christmas stockings. At Dilli Haats of Pitampura as well as INA, the entire make-up and presentation of stalls arrest the mind of every visitor. The majority of stalls are brimming with decorated drums and Christmas Trees, all clad with angel ornaments, glittering bells in silver and gold, twinkling stars, Santa caps—all awaiting the fortunate pick.

Interestingly, the craft section at INA Dilli Haat is decked up with amazing artifacts created by artists from various parts of India. Stall number 19, sparkling with reddish brown sheen of copper, is exhibiting an array of cutlery and decorative items like glasses, mugs, kettles, jewellery boxes—all intricately carved and designed with finesse by the Baba brothers from Kashmir.

“Circumstances compelled us to discontinue our studies and learn and take up this art at an early age, and it’s now 15 years that we have been into this business,” say Abdul Rashid and Khurshid Ahmed Baba, who have matured with tempestuous time and chiselled their skills gradually.

Then, the art connoisseurs and shopaholics can also check out for handicrafts carved out of wood, beads and other indigenous products like papier mache made of waste paper, aata and saresh, metal boxes with Madhubani Art, colourful baskets from Bhadohi, all standing testimony to the superlative craftsmanship of the native artisans and pristine patterning of the culture-rich India.

So, give wings to all your wishes for there are options galore for fun and frolic.

New Delhi, December 24
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today asked discoms to complete the installation of pre-paid meters at the earliest.

According to sources, pre-paid meters would be installed in a phased manner. The meters would be first installed in PWD buildings. These meters are working successfully in government schools and have helped in overcoming wastage of power.

This was the Chief Minister’s first meeting after taking charge.

Dikshit instructed discoms to complete their target of meter installation, as honest consumers had to face unnecessary power cuts.

She also directed discoms to involve the newly elected MLAs to exhort consumers to come forward for getting the meters installed.

Dikshit directed the agencies concerned to revive power conservation drive in an effective way. She requested consumers to switch off the main source of power supply in their houses. This would help in conserving power.

Besides, she directed discoms to get ready for the ensuing summer season. It was reported the peak power demand of 4,030 MW was met in 2007 whereas in 2008 the figures was 4,034 MW, which reflects that peak power demand has somewhat stabilised. The power sector here would be able to meet the peak demand of 4,200 MW easily keeping in view 6 per cent annual anticipated increased power demand.

She also discussed the issue of abnormal billing that was causing problems to consumers. She asked discoms to resolve such cases with immediate effect and designate a senior officer to look into the matter.

Dikshit also inquired about the status of fast running meters. It was reported that out of 1,977 meters, only four were running somewhat fast whereas 14 were slow.

She also took stock of the generation efforts. Dadri-I dedicated NTPC project would supply 400 MW in September 2009 while, Dadri-II would also supply 400 MW in December 2009. Besides, 750 MW from Jhajjar would be available during 2010. The work on Bamnauli project would begin in few months after the receipt of environmental clearance.

New Delhi, December 24
With the anti-sealing Special Provision Law coming to an end on December 31, political scuffle between the BJP and the Congress in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) over the issue of sealing has kicked off once again.

The BJP leaders refused to accept the provisional certificates of the unauthorized colonies to protect them from sealing. Since

the legal status of the provisional certificate is still in the court, the BJP is trying not to give political mileage to the Congress by ensuring that the sealing, if it happens, will also be carried out in authorized colonies.

“Provisional certificate would not ensure any protection for the residents of unauthorized colonies when it comes to sealing,” said Vijender Gupta, chairman, Standing Committee. These certificates were issued to the residents of non-regularized colonies by the Congress to save its vote bank.

But the BJP today said that the certificates will not be eligible to provide them exemption from sealing. “The government would have to take immediate steps to regularize these colonies, else they will have to face sealing,” he said.

However, MCD commissioner KS Mehra, refused to comment on the issue before taking a legal advice. “It would be difficult to say anything without considering legal aspects in the matter,” said Mr Mehra.

While, the Opposition Congress defied the BJP’s argument on the authenticity of provisional certificates. “They are very much valid and will represent the colony as regularized and authorized,” said Jai Kishan Sharma, Leader of Opposition.

The second ordinance was passed by the Central government in May this year as per which no sealing activity will be carried out in the city till December 31, 2008. With the time period of the ordinance coming to an end, the leaders are mulling over the possible action to be taken in the matter.

The Congress government had issued the provisional certificates to the house owners of Sangam Vihar, the biggest illegal colony of the Capital just before the assembly elections. The move has been seen as one of the key factors behind the party bouncing back to power for the third record time.

Gurgaon, December 24
In order to keep vigil on the anti-social elements in the district, district magistrate, Deepti Umashankar, has issued orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, making it mandatory for the owners/managers of hotels, guest houses and dharmshalas to install CCTV cameras at the entrance and reception.

In the orders issued here on Monday, the district magistrate has directed the hoteliers to install CCTV cameras having recording memory of at least 15 days. The owners of hotels and guest houses have also been directed to provide accommodation to the visitors only after ascertaining their proper identity.

The hoteliers should also keep the proof of identity and full address of the visitors in their record, the orders state.

The DM has also issued instructions to get door-frame metal detectors installed at the entrance of the hotels and guest houses and to allow the entry of visitors only after their proper frisking as well as screening of their luggage. Not only this, the hoteliers have also been asked to allow parking of vehicles in their parking lots only after a thorough checking with some electronic gadget. They have been instructed not to allow the parking of any unauthorised or unchecked vehicle in their parking lots.

“Action will be taken under Section 188 of the IPC against those found violating the above orders,” the DM asserted. 

It may be pertinent to mention here that a little earlier; the DM had issued orders under Section 144 of the CrPC to the bankers and owners of shopping malls and petrol pumps, directing them to install CCTV cameras at vulnerable points in their establishments for keeping track on the movement of anti-social elements.

In pursuance of these orders, the joint commissioner of police, Manjit Singh Ahlawat, recently called a meeting of bankers and asked them to comply with the said orders of the DM. Those found violating the orders would be strictly dealt with, he warned.

New Delhi, December 24
The Delhi Metro completed six years of operations on Wednesday and the average number of commuters now stands at 7,29,000 every day, an official said.

“The first section of the Metro between Shahdara and Tis Hazari, a distance of 8.5 km, was inaugurated on this day in 2002. Commercial operations began a day later on Christmas and got an overwhelming response from the people of Delhi.

“Over the next years, seven more sections were added as part of phase-I which covers 65.1 km and was completed in 7 years and 3 months, two years and nine months ahead of schedule,” said Anuj Dayal, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson.

Between December 2007 and December 2008, the ridership has increased by 20 per cent in terms of the number of commuters. The average number of commuters has gone up from 6,12,000 to 729,000 every day, he said.

The DMRC also recorded its highest single-day ridership of 9,51,000 on November 24, 2008.

“In 2008, the DMRC became the first railway project in the world to be registered by the United Nations to claim carbon credits and received an award from the ministry of power for adopting special measures which have resulted in energy conservation,” Dayal added.

The DMRC also recently launched a Citizens’ Forum to instill better behaviour, etiquette and discipline among Metro commuters and authorised station personnel to impose fines for offences such as squatting, littering and nuisance.

Construction activities on various sections of Phase-II, which will cover 125 km, gathered pace this year.

The Vishwavidyalaya-Jahangirpuri section, where trial runs have begun, is likely to be opened in January 2009 as against the original target of October 2009.

The Indraprastha-New Ashok Nagar-NOIDA section is slated for opening in June and the Yamuna Bank-Anand Vihar ISBT line in December 2009. — IANS

New Delhi, December 24
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said President Pratibha Patil would decide about the punishment to Parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru.

She said this yesterday while replying to the opposition’s questions in the Vidhan Sabha.

She said as far as Delhi’s statehood was concerned, the Congress manifesto did not promise it. Delhi could not be given full statehood status due to the security concern of the diplomats visiting the Capital.

Embassies of all countries are located in the Capital. Instead of full statehood, Delhi should be given the status of a special state for which the Congress government had been trying, she said.

She said that her government was confident about the BRT project and would not halt it.

Talking about the hike in power tariff, she said demands of power companies would not be accepted easily. Power supply had improved a lot ever since the Congress had come to power in Delhi. When the BJP was there in Delhi, power generation was only 1900 MW. Now it has reached 4,000 MW and within few years, it will shoot up to 6,000 MW.

New Delhi, December 24
With a message of peace and cross-border harmony, famous Pakistani theatre group Ajoka performed extracts from their play ‘Bullah’ at Jawaharlal Nehru University last night.

The evening, organised by the Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Federation (AISF), was aimed at “defeating terrorism and war-mongering” on both sides of the border.

“There is a lot of tension between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attacks. However, people in both the countries want peace. The JNU community has always stood for peace and democracy; we are not going to give in to the politics of war-mongering,” said Roshan, secretary, JNU-SFI.

Ajoka was the first theatre group to have performed in India 20 years ago. This year, Ajoka came to India on the invitation of Kerela government to participate in international theatre festival.

“We have been coming to India for the last 20 years. When Indian street theatre activist Safdar Hashmi was murdered, we came to Delhi to extend our solidarity with the theatre activists here. Cultural activists on both the sides of border have always maintained the people-to-people dialogue,” said Madeeha Gauhar, eminent theatre activist and director of Ajoka.

Gauhar said the Pakistani people wanted peace just like the Indian people. “Pakistan is also going through tough times. We saw peace marches and candle-light vigils in our country after the Mumbai attacks,” she said.

Talking about the common cultural legacy of the two countries, Gauhar said, “We are all part of a Sufi culture that preached humanism above any communal and regional sentiments.”

Welcoming the Pakistani group that included three Indian actors, JNU professor Anuradha Mitr Chenoy said, “There is so much aggression both in India and Pakistan to launch a war. Instead of initiating peace talks, the governments are hostile. At times like this, we feel honoured that cultural activists from Pakistan are with us for peace.”

Ajoka’s performance included qawalis from their play written by Bulleh Shah and small Punjabi excerpts from their play ‘Bullah’.

Emotions were at peak during the conclusion of the performance, when the artistes started crying, following the standing ovation from the audience.

“We hope the voice for peace is stronger than the voice for war,” said Kamala Bhasin from women’s group Sangat.

Greater Noida, December 24
On the second day also, Greater Noida Authority conducted the residential draw when 618 lucky applicants got a residential plot each.

In two days luck smiled on some 1,088 candidates while 45,608 applicants had to return home disappointed.

There were some 34,479 applicants vying for 523 plots. For farmers’ quota, only 95 farmers were in the field for 95 plots, so all of them got a plot.

All the chits containing numbers of the successful bidders were taken out by lunch-time. The schoolkids took out the chits in the draw.

Later, officials took out the chits containing plot number in Sector-3 to match the names of the successful applicants.

Adequate security arrangements were made and to avoid any problem later, the whole draw was video-graphed.

Greater Noida, December 24
Rajinder Naggar, a resident of Bhangehel and supervisor in Parag Dairy, was shot at at noon today by four assailants in an Indica car. Rajinder Naggar and Mahesh, another supervisor in Parag Dairy, had just come on the road on their bike. They were on the way to Oriental Bank near District Court, Gautam Budh Nagar, to deposit Rs 3 lakh in the bank.

An Indica car bumped into their bike from behind. As the two fell down, four armed criminals came out of the car, fired gunshot at the two and snatched the bag containing the cash.

Rajinder Naggar on the pillion was shot in the shoulder, the bullet grazing his ear. Mahesh was also shot at, but was not seriously wounded. The criminals abandoned their car, which was having a fake registration number allotted to a two- wheeler. The injured were rushed to Pragya Hospital where they are stated to be stable.

The police is trying to trace the assailants.

Greater Noida, December 24
A trawler truck was hijacked from Tughlakabad area in Delhi and its driver killed in Greater Noida after the criminals had looted the goods in the truck.

The body of the truck driver was thrown in Dankore Kotwali area.

The victim was identified by the police on the basis of a chit recovered from his pocket with his mobile phone number written on it. The police has sent the body for postmortem.

On Tuesday when some people were passing near Chiti village by the side of the canal, they saw the body of a 30-year-old man. Soon a crowd collected there and police from Dankore Kotwali also reached the spot. The feet of the victim were tied with a rope.

When police dialed the cell phone number found on the chit, it was answered by someone in M & S Transport Company in Tughlakabad, Delhi.

The proprietor of the transport company identified the driver as Pappu, a resident of Chhapra in Bihar.