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Dhanteras shoppers choke roads
Gold glitters on Dhanteras
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Atta underpass opens today
Omar pleads for autonomy to J&K govt
Wash hands, cut risk of diarrhoea by 40%
Metro curbs for Divali
Cleanliness around Metro line urged
Rs 5-lakh goods robbed from house
Businessman robbed of
Rs 9 lakh
Man killed for stealing phone
Court dismisses plea on preserving footage of blasts aftermath
Court comes to aid of ‘Khan Chacha’
Right to sell land must vest with farmers: Pilot
Mock drill
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Dhanteras shoppers choke roads
New Delhi, October 15 The rush of shoppers in popular markets in Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Baradari, South Extension, Sarojini Nagar was so huge that commuters were finding it hard to drive through these areas and so had to park vehicles outside the market. However, the rush failed to deter enthusiast shoppers from going to market. Not only Delhiites, but residents of the national capital region (NCR) also thronged city markets for Dhanteras and Divali shoppings as they feel that here things are cheaper and of better quality. Sumitra, a resident of Ghaziabad, said she came to the walled city to buy gold and silver jewellery as here she could get better designs at cheaper rates because making charges of jewellery were comparatively less in Delhi. She said she came to Delhi in a local train that was jam-packed. However, the shoppers also expressed concerns about the security issues created by the huge rush. Anamika Mehta, a resident of Faridabad who was shopping at Sadar Bazar, said pick-pockets were taking benefit of the rush in buses and trains. She said pockets of five passengers were picked on the DTC Roadways bus by which she was traveling. Anil Pandey, a resident of Patparganj in east Delhi, said his residence was just a 10-minute drive from ITO, but today he took about one hour to cross the Yamuna bridge due to traffic jam on Vikas Marg. “It seems all the people living in east Delhi have come out for shopping on Dhanteras,” he said. A senior traffic police officer said traffic jams during festivals was a routine affair. “Instead of going to main markets, people should prefer purchasing goods from markets located nearby their colonies,” he suggested.
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New Delhi, October 15 “Our shops are packed with customers today, who are going in for gold more than other things,” Varun Chawla, the spokesperson of Nathumal Jewellers, said on Thursday. Compared to last year, gold jewellery seller Tanishq’s sales increased since September. “September has seen a healthy growth. It has been estimated that the growth is around 30 per cent in volume and 40 per cent in price. In October, the growth in volume and value is still in double digits and we hope to see a better turnout because of Dhanteras,” said Sandeep Kulhali, vice-president (retail and marketing) of Tanishq. People have been refraining from purchasing the yellow metal, but the festival of light has come as a blessing for retailers as in spite of the high rate of more than Rs 16,000 per 10 grams, sales have gone up. Last year, the rate of gold was fluctuating between Rs 12,400 and Rs 15,500 per 10 grams around this time. According to associate director of the World Gold Council, Keyur Shah, low gold sales were expected to continue even during Divali time because of the steep rates. But surprisingly, the situation changed completely. “There were lesser customers for gold this year as the price is very high. It was presumed that Dhanteras too would not boost gold sales. But we are witnessing an upsurge in gold purchase,” he said. Big jewellery outlets are busy cashing in on the demand. Stores like Khanna Jewellers, Mehrasons, Sil Gold and Gold Souk are seeing a surge of customers ready to shell out those extra bucks to buy the metal. Suparna Das, a housewife said: “Buying gold at this time is difficult, but we cannot do without it on Divali. It is auspicious to buy the metal on Dhanteras.” On the other hand, businessman Rajesh Sehajpal feels the rates seem to just go up, so it’s better to buy now than later. “I have been noticing that mostly the rate of gold goes up only and doesn’t come down. So what’s the point of waiting”he said. People are also not shying away from buying silver and diamond jewellery. However, gold is still the favourite for Dhanteras. — IANS
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Atta underpass opens today
Noida, October 15 Deputy CEO of the Noida Authority N.P. Singh had on October 14 told Noida officials that the underpass would be opened before Divali, which is on October 17. Singh said shortcomings noticed during the trial opening, would be removed subsequently. He also asked the residents to send their suggestions about any improvement. A month-long trial will start from Friday, he added. Chandra said the road from underpass to the Atta Pir crossing would remain closed for repair. Also, road cuts between Centre Stage mall, electric sub-station and opposite Cambridge School will remain closed, Chandra added.
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Omar pleads for autonomy to J&K govt
Noida, October 15 In view of this, Centre should show magnanimity and grant more autonomy to the state. “The state government should be allowed to independently handle all departments, except defence, communication and post and telegraph,” said Omar. Omar Abdullah was addressing a seminar at Amity University in Sector-125. The Chief Minister announced that 32 private universities were being permitted to promote education in Jammu and Kashmir. To provide legal framework for the functioning of these universities, the state assembly would soon pass an act, he promised Abdullah further said the central government had sanctioned the opening of IIMs, NIFTs and IIMs in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Wash hands, cut risk of diarrhoea by 40%
New Delhi, October 15 Worldwide diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections are responsible for the deaths of more than 3.5 million children below five years of age each year. The second annual Global Handwashing Day, being observed today, shines a spotlight on the importance of washing hands with soap and water as one of the most effective preventions against such diseases. According to health experts, water alone is not enough. Washing hands with soap and water, especially at critical times— after using toilet and before handling food— helps reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases by more than 40 per cent and respiratory infections by 25 per cent. Further, washing hands with soap is also recommended to prevent the spread of Influenza H1N1, commonly known as swine flu. UNICEF figures prove that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrhoeal deaths in children by 40 per cent and is one of the most inexpensive ways to prevent them. Proper handling and safe storage of water reduce incidences of diarrhea by nearly 50 per cent. Use of toilets can reduce presence of diarrhoea causing agents, but the figures claim that toilet usage in India is still very low. “In 2006, toilet usage in India was 28 per cent, but this is showing an upward movement because of government’s flagship program – Total Sanitation Campaign. Nirmal Gram Purashkar has led to more than 18,020 village panchyats being declared free of open defecation,” the UNICEF report observed. Although soap is available in most households, rates of handwashing with soap at critical moments range from 0 to 34 per cent. It also observed that unsafe water and inadequate sanitation were among the major causes of children missing schools and adults staying away from work.
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Metro curbs for Divali
New Delhi, October 15 Sources said the train services would run as usual for rest of the day on Saturday from 6 am onwards. Metro Feeder Bus service would also be available from 6 am to 8.30 pm only on Divali. In view of the expected rise in the number of commuters using the Metro on Monday that is ‘Bhai Duj’, the DMRC would operate its trains at peak frequency from 8 am to 8.30 pm that day. During this period, trains would be available every four minutes on line 1 from Dilshad Garden to Rithala, every three minutes, 25 seconds, on line 2 from Central Secretariat to Jahangir Puri and every four minutes, 15 seconds, on line 3 from Yamuna Bank to Dwarka, Sector 9. Normally, trains operate at this frequency from 8 am to 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm. During the non-peak hours, the headway between trains goes up to six to10 minutes. Metro services would be available from 6 am to 10 pm as usual. As a result of increase in frequency, 1,417 train trips would be run on Monday, which is an addition of 89 train trips. Metro will also open extra ticket counters and deploy additional staff at important stations on this day. The number of passengers had increased by 46 per cent last year on Bhai Duj.
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Cleanliness around Metro line urged
New Delhi, October 15 Delhiites feel that the DMRC has not been able to maintain its high standards and proper cleanliness. Dr Walia has asked the DMRC to take care of the central verge and maintain it as per the determined standards to enable it to give a soothing view to the passers-by and develop greenery on the central verge. |
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Rs 5-lakh goods robbed from house
New Delhi, October 15 The police said the incident took place around 1 am in house number H-67 in Jagriti Enclave, Anand Vihar. “The robbers, who were seven-eight in number, barged into the house of income tax lawyer Surender Gambhir after breaking the window of the house. Hearing the commotion, Surender and his son woke up and tried to resist the robbers who beat them up along with other family members and kept them hostage on gunpoint for around one hour,” said the police. “Surender and his family members, including son and daughter-in-law, were taken to a nearby hospital from where they were discharged after primary medication. A team of police officials along with fingerprint experts visited the spot and have collected some evidences, but we are still trying to ascertain the value of looted articles,” stated the police. However, sources said that the assailants decamped with jewellery worth Rs 3.5 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh in cash and other valuables like mobile phones. The police has registered a case and a hunt is on to nab the attackers. |
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Businessman robbed of
Rs 9 lakh
New Delhi, October 15 “The robbers hit Sajid’s car twice and it seemed they were looking for an altercation. However, Sajid tried to avoid them, but one of them pointed gun at Sajid’s head and took away the bag containing Rs 9 lakh,” the police said. A case of robbery has been registered at the Madhu Vihar police station. Rape A 19-year-old girl has been allegedly raped by her neighbour in the Sultanpuri area of outer Delhi. The accused has been arrested after the medical examination of the victim. According to information, the incident came to light yesterday evening when Deepa (name changed) told her father about being raped by Santosh, who stays across their house in P Block of Sultanpuri. The girl was alone in the house when Santosh raped her. “Victim’s father Prem Prakash complained to the police. Thereafter, medical examination of the girl was conducted at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, hence, the accused was arrested” said the police. Suicide A 21-year-old man jumped to death from the sixth floor of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital last evening. According to information, deceased Ravi Sarin was depressed after his mother Usha attempted suicide by consuming pesticides earlier in the day. The police said Ravi had earlier jumped from the second floor of his house in Inderpuri area and was brought to the hospital for treatment. “Ravi was being taken by an attendant for x-ray around 8 pm when he jumped and died,” it said, adding that the property dispute between Ravi and his brother Rajeev was the reason behind taking this step. “The two brothers had fought over division of property, thus, their mother Usha tried to kill herself. She was taken to a nearby hospital and is recovering. However, dejected by mother’s condition and brother’s attitude, he jumped and killed himself,” the police added. |
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Man killed for stealing phone
New Delhi, October 15 According to the police, the incident took place on October 13 around 10 pm. “Dinesh was murdered by Ramprasad and his sons— Ashok and Manoj. He was strangled to death inside Ramprasad’s cycle shop with a brake wire,” a senior police officer said. “The argument started over a mobile phone which Dinesh had allegedly stolen from the accused. The phone was recovered from the victim. After this, the three men started beating Dinesh and took him to their cycle shop, where he was killed,” the police officer added. |
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Court dismisses plea on preserving footage of blasts aftermath
New Delhi, October 15 Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja dismissed the plea of M.S. Khan, counsel for accused Zia-Ur-Rehman, who demanded that the footage of TV channels can play as very crucial evidence. The records sought to be preserved include video clippings, statements of witnesses and other material telecast between September 13 and September 19, 2008. The Batla House gunbattle took place on September 19, leading to the arrest of prime accused Mohd Saif and Zeeshan Ahmed, and others a day later. Meanwhile, the court allowed the plea of Rehman and co-accused Mohd Shakeel seeking a copy of the compact disc containing the data and images allegedly retrieved from the laptop and mobile phones of accused Atif Ameen, who was killed in the Batla House gun battle. Twelve people have been arrested by the Delhi police so far in the five cases registered in connection with the serial blasts that claimed 26 lives and left over 135 injured. — IANS
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Court comes to aid of ‘Khan Chacha’
New Delhi, October 15 Passing an injunction order, Justice Rajiv Shakdher restrained Rajeev Goel, of Goel Foods, from using the name “Khan Chacha” till further orders. Goel was asked to file his response. The court slated the next hearing for January 25, 2010. “Khan Chacha”, the 37-year-old landmark eatery, was closed down recently due to a property dispute. However, Haji Banda Hasan and his sons approached the court after they found that Goel, the landlord, had recently opened an air-conditioned 700 square feet franchise outlet with proper seating in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan, under the name “Khan Chacha”.
— IANS |
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Right to sell land must vest with farmers: Pilot
Noida, October 15 He was in the Gautam Budh Nagar district yesterday. He said the Bahujan Samaj Party-ruled Uttar Pradesh had been mired in terror and suppression of farmers in the last two years."Crores are being spent by UP CM Mayawati on self glorification and on construction of memorials and statues," Pilot added. Pilot said the state government had only point agenda to suppress the farmers and buy land at cheap rates to benefit the private builders and fill up individual pockets. |
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in the national Capital were full of shoppers today on the occasion of Dhanteras celebrated two days before the festival of lights, Divali. People could be seen purchasing gold and silver jewellery and utensils.
