New Delhi, February 13
Four armed robbers made a daring, albeit, unsuccessful attempt to rob Oriental Bank of Commerce situated on Minto Road in the morning today.

However, the robbers had to flee empty-handed as a bank official managed to sound off the security alarm alerting the police.

According to the police, four armed robbers entered the Minto Road branch of Oriental Bank of Commerce at 10.05 am, even as the bank staff were still trooping in. After entering the bank premises, one of the robbers fired a shot in the air and ordered the staff to gather at one place with their hands above their heads. However, to the robbers’ bad luck, they had asked the staff to stand in the corner near the toilets. With the security alarms fitted in the toilets as well, one of the bank clerks Raj Kumar sneaked into the toilet and after locking the door from inside sounded the alarm.

According to information, as the alarm went off in the entire bank building and outside the premises, the robbers lost their nerve and fled even before they could get the keys of the cash room.

Police team led by sub-inspector Dinesh Mishra, to the surprise of people and staff, reached the bank building by 10.22 am, but the robbers had fled by then.

According to SI Mishra, the robbers had come in a white-coloured Innova car. “We are verifying the registration numbers and checking all white Innova cars for any lead in the case. No one remembers the registration number of the car and so we have to carry out this exercise,” said Mishra, adding that his team would soon apprehend the criminals.

When asked about the security guard posted at the bank, he said that the lone guard Pawan was shown a gun by the robbers.

“He told us that they threatened to kill him if he did anything and so he got scared. But when the robbers were fleeing, Pawan did fire two shots,” said the official. 

New Delhi, February 13
In an Urgent General Body Meeting (UGBM) that went on till early morning today, students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) unanimously decided to observe complete strike till Tuesday.

The decision was taken as part of the ongoing agitation of JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) against the “rampant commercialisation” of the university campus.

“All the student organisations will together ensure total university strike starting from today under the banner of JNUSU. Also, if the university administration does not decide to sit with us for negotiations till Tuesday, we have decided to paralyze the administrative bloc completely,” said Anand, president, Students’ Federation of India (SFI).

The UGBM was called by the JNUSU to decide on the strategy of agitation against the increased prospectus prices, introduction of individual electricity meters in new Koyna hostel and commercialisation of the university campus.

Out of all the resolutions placed by different student organisations, Progressive Students’ Union’s (PSU) resolution was passed unanimously. AISA’s resolution for initiating an indefinite hunger strike was defeated by the students.

They maintained that an action like an indefinite hunger strike undermined the urgency of their demands.

“We are not ready to go back on any of our demands. The administration would have to accept our demands,” said Vibha from PSU.

The students also condemned the role of the JNU vice-chancellor.

“The mandate of the UGBM reflected the popular sentiment of the students against the present vice-chancellor. JNU has never before seen a vice-chancellor who is so autocratic,” said Vibha.

Mandate received by the JNUSU would have far-reaching implications. In case the administration decides against talks with students, JNUSU will stop the sale of admission forms and prospectus from Tuesday onwards affecting the admission process that is at its peak right now.

“We have decided to close the entry and exit to the administrative block of JNU. This would also include stopping the sale of the new prospectus till the time the prices are not reduced,” said Anand.

The students said the university administration would be held responsible for the repercussions.

“They have to find out a mechanism. We know for sure that JNU was making profit from the sale of university prospectus even at last year’s prices. The administration’s claim that the cost for organising the entrance exams has increased is bogus,” said Vibha.

Meanwhile, the right wing student organisations at JNU do not seem quite as thrilled with the direction of agitation.

“We blame both AISA and SFI for what is happening on campus. Nobody besides the JNUSU office-bearers knew what decisions were taken in the meetings of Academic Council. They never raised any voice against the same decisions when they were being passed,” said Sony Kunjappan from National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).

Moving a step ahead, Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was on its way to part ways with the agitation.

“We are unhappy with the way the JNUSU is functioning. The UGBMs go on till five in the morning and none of the decisions passed are implemented. The common students of the university are disgruntled. Students all over the country are buying the prospectus and forms of JNU at higher prices. If we want the administration to revise the prices of the forms then we had to take some immediate action and stop the further sale of forms,” said Manoj from ABVP.

He added, “My organisation might decide to go its own way addressing the present crisis in the university.”

The university administration, on its part, maintained that the JNUSU was distorting facts.

New Delhi, February 13
Reacting to the statements made by the Sri Ram Sene chief about punishing couples found celebrating Valentine’s Day, student leaders across universities in the Capital want their opposition registered loud and clear.

Maintaining that they do not want anyone dictating them on what to celebrate and what not, students across political spectrums fell heavily on Sene chief Pramod Muthali.

“We are completely against any kind of moral policing. In a country where couples are killed for deciding to get married, Sri Ram Sene has come up with another bogus campaign making life difficult for youngsters, who exercise their right to choice,” said Rohini Raman from Students Federation of India (SFI).

She added, “Our organisation also demands that the Karnataka state government take strict action against the Sene activists, who are releasing threat statements against couples celebrating Valentine’s Day.”

In an attempt to send clear message to the right wing fundamentalists, the All-India Students Association (AISA) has decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day for ‘The right to love and freedom to live’ in Delhi University to “reclaim their freedom to celebrate any day peacefully”.

“The right wing fundamentalists have been trying to force their regressive ideology on other citizens of the country. Right now they are adopting violent ways of being in news as the elections are nearing. There should be massive campaigns against the Sri Ram Sene across the universities of the country and even outside,” said Shephalika, vice-president, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU).

Joining the campaign, there are also reports of celebrated author Arundhati Roy reading out progressive poems in Delhi University on Valentine’s Day.

“If they believe that celebrating a day that stands for peace and love is wrong, they must be supporting violence and terrorism. The right wing forces support globalisation and liberalisation, but they would call everything that comes from outside the country, western. These people should just stop using anything or even eating the food that comes from outside the country. Celebrating a day of love is good, violence is not,” said Amrita Bahari, former Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) president.

“Pink Chaddi Campaign”, a campaign that kicked off from social networking web site Facebook has gained much popularity amongst the youth. The campaign aims at sending thousands of pink underwear to the Sene chief in Hubli.

The campaign ran across the country on the internet and had 27,698 members on its blog.

New Delhi, February 13
All those who have planned something special to celebrate the festival of love, but are apprehensive about organisations like Ram and Laxman Sena spoiling the celebrations can put their worries aside.

Delhi police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal has assured that no couple will be harassed on Valentine’s Day.

Addressing a press conference earlier this week, Dadwal had warned hooligans and had assured that attacks like the one in a Mangalore pub would not be tolerated. “Incidents like assaulting women in a Mangalore pub will not be tolerated in the national Capital. Strict action will be taken against those who create any kind of drama on Valentine’s Day,” Dadwal had warned.

The Delhi police has tightened vigil to dispel fear from people’s mind. A police official said that security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident. Patrolling has been enhanced from today morning itself.

Additional forces have been deployed in parks, hotels and pubs, markets like Connaught Place, Kamla Nagar, Greater Kailash, Saket, PVRs, and Delhi University. A reserve contingent has also been deputed for the purpose.

According to sources, the home ministry has issued instructions to the Delhi police to deal sternly with troublemakers as the Sri Rama Sena plans to scour the celebrations. It has warned couples not to display their affection in public places. It has also threatened to marry of couples found in public places tomorrow.

However, the police has assured that it will not let something like this to take place. “Adequate police force has been deployed and anyone celebrating the Valentine’s Day within the ambit of law will have full police protection. Troublemaker would be firmly dealt with,” assured Delhi police PRO Rajan Bhagat. 

New Delhi, February 13
When oldies like me nearing their seventies can feel rejuvenated by making preparations for Valentine’s Day, why can’t others? Time is a scarce commodity in today’s busy world, at least during our last days of life we can actually enjoy life, forgetting all the pains that we suffered, say Amrit and Jitendra Malik (name changed), a couple living in Anand Niketan Vridh Sewa Ashram, an old age home in Noida.

Love lasts forever, this statement shows, even if one grows old, hair turns silver or teeth get broken, the feelings shared when young remain the same.

“I am very happy that these people are celebrating Valentine’s Day. We are holding a small party for all of them with melodious old songs,” says manager of Gharaunda, old age home near Mehrauli.

Asha (name changed) is 73 years old. Her husband was murdered a year back. After the incident, her only son disrespected her in many ways and finally forced her to leave the house. Then, Asha became a part of the Elders Home Society, an old age home in Rohini.

Remembering her good times, Asha says, “During our days, culture was too rigid, so we could not express our love by celebrating these days. But I remember after our 50th anniversary, we celebrated our first Valentine’s Day. My husband brought me a ‘gajra’. Since then he always did the same. This year I am going to miss that gajra but I have decided to buy one and put it for his sake.”

Asha is a widow now but the love for her husband inside her heart is still alive.

While many senior citizens in such homes are happy to celebrate the occasion, some do miss their families.

Nisha, an NGO worker, says, “Valentine’s Day is all about spreading love. People living in the old age homes also deserve to be loved. To bring a change, we must start the day by presenting a love note or a rose to the eldest person of our family to say that we care for you, we love you.”

A retired professor from Hindu College of Moradabad, staying at old age home in Delhi, says, “I don’t like such days as very painful memories are connected with these days. While everybody finds love and cheer up. We have the same day, the same people and the same routine. Nothing changes for us. There are celebrations, but then too we miss our loved ones, for they can forget us, but how can we?”

Rajat Sahni was a businessman in Etawah. Living in an old age home near Kondli, he expresses, “Celebration of love on Valentine’s Day gives a ray of hope that there still exists an emotion that can conquer society’s negative forces and make us forget kidney rackets, Nithari killings, north-Indian bashing in Mumbai, racial killings, murders of senior citizens, and the like.”

New Delhi, February 13
The Delhi government has not yet submitted the proposal for the construction of Wazirabad signature bridge to the Urban Arts Commission.

As per the rule, the design for any building, flyover or bridge has to be approved by the Urban Arts Commission before construction starts. No construction work can resume before the approval of the zonal o-zone plan.

According to sources, the Commonwealth Games village will be the last construction at the riverbank.

It can be recalled that in 2007 PWD minister Rajkumar Chauhan had tabled a proposal before the Delhi assembly for the construction of signature bridge at Wazirabad. The bridge will be the first of its kind in the country. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had laid stone of this bridge on February 18, 2007. At that time an estimated sum of Rs 459 crore was to be spent on its construction. Now, it has increased to Rs 887 crore, as the prices of raw material have risen.

Chauhan had told in the house that the bridge would be completed by 2011-12.

He had apprised the house with the fact that the proposal consisted of two parts – approach road and signature bridge. As far as the approach road is concerned, its tender has been passed and the construction has started. While it is not yet decided that who would construct the signature bridge – the PWD or the tourism department. The cabinet has to take a decision in this regard.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sahab Singh Chauhan, who represents Ghonda constituency, alleged that the Congress government in Delhi worked only during the election time. He said that during the assembly elections the government had installed boards indicating the approach roads.

Now, in wake of the parliamentary elections, the government has started constructing roads. 

Faridabad, February 13
The Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) has decided to intensify its campaign against the ruling Congress in the state, which would include bringing out a paper on the “misdeeds” of the government, before the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a gathering at village Sururpur near here, president of the Haryana Janhit Congress Kuldip Bishnoi said that the paper would expose the “omissions and commissions” carried out by the Congress during about four years of its rule in the state.

Bishnoi was here in connection with ‘Kuldip Bishnoi Aapke Chaupal’ programme, a party campaign under which Bishnoi visits chaupals in villages and listens to the grievances of the people against the government. He also visited villages Dhauj, Saharan and Dabua colony in Faridabad city and addressed gatherings at chaupals.

Bishnoi said that the proposed paper would also include the notices that were issued by the government under Section 4 to acquire land in the state, but were later withdrawn.

He was also critical of the state’s decision to purchase power at a higher rate from Himachal Pradesh. According to him, the Haryana government should have explored other cheaper sources for purchasing power.

Kuldip asserted that his party would come out with flying colours in the coming Lok Sabha elections and the subsequent assembly elections in the state. 

New Delhi, February 13
In a major effort to push forward the case of women as managers in higher education and carry forward a countrywide movement for women, Jamia Millia Islamia is all set to host a UGC workshop on Capacity Building for Women Managers in Higher Education from February 17 to 20.

The UGC has been emphasising gender equity, and this is clearly articulated in the XIth Plan of the UGC.

In order to achieve this objective, one area of concern is the need to increase the number of women in decision-making positions in higher education and develop a gender-friendly environment.

JMI has deputed participants for the workshop. The nominated women academicians or administrators can come from any stream, including arts, medicine, technology, agriculture, fisheries, pharmacy, architecture and science.

New Delhi, February 13
With modernisation creeping into our day-to-day lives at such a fast pace, books have taken a backseat to the Internet and television. Gone are the days when reading books used to be a passion or even hobby as nowadays young children find more fun with videogames.

Nupur Awasthi, noted storyteller, on Wednesday performed a captivating storytelling session at Oxford Book Store in the Capital, courtesy Katha Publications. The storytelling session was followed by story writing and reading workshop, in which young children of pre-school as well as those till the age of eight were apprised of the basics of story-writing.

Kids listened with interest, the fast-paced adventures of Kuttan, a cat, who is the central character of the new series of Kuttan—a set of four picture books which was released before the session. All were amazed by the vivid and colourful illustrations of the four books: Kuttan follows a butterfly, Kuttan meets a furry friend, Kuttan finds happiness and Kuttan and the shooting stars, all of which depicted a cat in its growing years.

Children from around eight schools, including Bloom Public School, Army Public School, Shri Ram School, General Raj’s School, Mt Abu Public School etc. attended the session and seemed to be basking in the fun-filled atmosphere.

During the lively session, Nupur introduced kids to the fascinating traits of cats, their unique habits and behaviour. She said, “Cats may express affection towards their human companions, especially if they imprint on them at a very young age and are treated with consistent affection. Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of play. As cats are the most popular pets in the world, and the books are based on them, children could easily connect.”

The new Kuttan series is authored by Serene Kasim and designed by Sonal Panse. Sunita Murthy, a senior librarian of the Library of Congress, releasing the book said that children inculcate the habit of reading storybooks as well as text books as it enhances the borders of their imagination, besides expanding their horizon of knowledge.

At a time when working parents do not have sufficient time for their young children, such storytelling sessions are most welcome, said the mother of Pratiksha, 4.

Such session would go a long way in developing expressions and moulding young children’s mental make-up, stated Pramila Srivastava, a teacher of Bloom Public School.

Katha has involved public schools, MCD and Sarvodaya schools in promoting reading habits by conducting such sessions for children, and the Katha team informed that “Grasslands” and “A-mazing worm”, among others, would be the forthcoming highlights for the kids.

An eight-year-old Parth from Bloom Public School, said that during the session he was so engrossed that he did not have the time to fight or argue with his friends. The session was fun-filled and so he simply loved it as there were lots of interesting activities to keep him creatively engaged.