New Delhi, November 21
Two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants fired at employees of a wholesale trader of vegetables in Azadpur Mandi this morning, killing one on the spot.

The police said the other one was injured and had been admitted to a nearby hospital.However, the assailants fled the scene.

The incident occurred at 10 am near traffic signals of New Fruit Mandi when deceased Badar-e-Alam (45) and injured Ravinder (50) was on their way to Azadpur Sabzi Mandi.

While crossing the traffic signals, the assailants came from opposite side and fired at them snatching a bag the victims were carrying.

Instead of nabbing the culprits, the people started running for shelter.

While the victims were in a pool of blood, people called the police that took them to hospital. Badr-e-Alam was declared brought dead while Ravinder was admitted to the hospital.

The police said the motive was robbery as the assailants had information that the victims would be carrying money. But, they had left the bag on the road as it only had account books of the vegetable company.

However, sources said the victims were carrying Rs 45 lakh in the bag. They further said this was not first such incident near this area; it happens once or twice a month.

A wholesale dealer said the market committee of Mandi had not given attention to the rising crimes in the area.

Chairman of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee, Azadpur Mandi, Bansal J K said the incident took place outside the Mandi. The victims were working with Pindi Das, a wholesale vegetable dealer, and were coming from Jahangirpuri.

“I have been the chairman of the market committee for around five years, but have never come across such incidents. This has happened first time in my tenure”, Bansal said.

New Delhi, November 21
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has said by lowering the prices of flour and pulses, the government is trying to mitigate inflationary trends in food items. 

Dikshit said this today while launching the subsidised 10-kg flour packet at Kendriya Bhandar centre in R.K. Ashram Marg. She reiterated the Delhi government’s commitment to provide maximum relief to residents by reducing their financial burden from time to time.

She claimed her government would leave no stone unturned to provide maximum help to the common man. Claiming that the Congress government was committed to serve the needy, Dikshit said initiatives with public distribution system were reflective of the government providing essential food items to all.    

The Chief Minister further said her government had shown concern about the average household as it was quick to announce Rs 40 relief per gas cylinder, thereby becoming the only state government in the country to take the load of the common man’s pocket. 

In the last few months, the wholesale and retail prices of wheat and flour has shown a sharp increase, to combat which the government is providing flour and pulses at lesser rate than the open market. The government is offering 10-kg flour bag at Rs 139 as against Rs 189 in the market. 

Delhi food supplies minister Haroon Yusuf said that providing flour at affordable price would be a big relief to the residents of the national Capital.

New Delhi, November 21
Metro services were hit on Line 3 from Dwarka to Noida today, taking the frequency to one train in 30 minutes.

While queues of passengers waiting to collect tokens extended outside the stations, stations were so crowded that people walked out after waiting for over 20 minutes.

Metro officials said there was a technical snag on one part of the line due to which the services were affected. However, they said the electrification problem was fixed soon.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded on platforms during peak hours in the morning.

“I don’t know what to do. There is no one to provide any information about how long it would take for the train to arrive,” said Bipasha Bhattacharya, who walked out of Dwarka station after waiting for over 20 minutes.

Many who had organised schedules accordingly, panicked as the time passed by. “I had to reach office and I arrived at the station keeping half an hour for this journey, but mismanagement rules here,” said Anubhav, who saw the rush inside the station.

“I thought the city has decided to take Metro ride today considering it’s the newest in Noida,” said Meenakshi who hired a cab to Delhi.

In a press conference organised by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) before opening the Noida line, the Metro officials had asked the passengers to be patient.

They said extension of services was happening on a massive scale as Metro was going to touch 190-km mark by next year and certain technical snags could not be avoided.

“There are various reasons that hit the services at times; these are unavoidable,” director of operations at DMRC Raj Kumar said. Both human beings and machines have bad times, he explained.

“I can understand that there could be technical hitches. It is only the correct information that we want,” said Viraj.

New Delhi, November 21
With an emphasis on strengthening rural healthcare system in India, the Dalai Lama today said there is need to extend amenities of advanced healthcare to the rural regions.

According to him, advanced health services have benefited the masses, but the rural populace is still deprived of accessing the best of set-up that the country has. Besides, the Lama called for inclusion of secular science in the education system.

The Tibetan monk said this after inaugurating the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Institute and Cancer Centre at Max Healthcare, Saket in Delhi. During the interaction session, he pointed out at the belief that Tibetan medicine holds and the faith that it enjoys around the world.

He said the Tibetan medicine is especially helpful in digestive ailments and even the communist officials in China have shown interest in the treatment available in Tibet, and many are coming for treatment to Tibet.

He said during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, this was visible when many Chinese officials resorted to Tibetan medication as a preventive measure.

Nonetheless, the help of modern technologies is important to do away with any risk associated with preventive form of medication, he stressed.

To the Lama, compassion is an essential component of providing effective healthcare services. Besides, he feels, the role of analytical medicine cannot be ruled out for internal peace and spirituality.

“In fact the modern education system should include the component of secular ethics, and India should be a leader in introducing it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the link of the Dalai Lama to today’s inauguration comes due to the fact that in October 2008, he underwent an operation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for correcting the functioning of gall bladder.

Renowned expert in invasive surgery, Dr Pradeep Chaubey, who was then with Ganga Ram, conducted the operation.

Dr Chaubey said the institute would focus on developing a resource of trained manpower and facilitate the best care through advanced laparoscopic techniques.

New Delhi, November 21
Dry fruit, saffron, pomegranate, handicraft goods and almond oil of Afghanistan are in great demand at India International Trade Fair.

Stalls of dry fruit, fresh fruit and handicraft goods in Afghanistan pavilion are full of visitors. Most of them are interested in making inquiries about these things.

Though carpet was also one of the attractions for the visitors, it was less in demand this year. Last year there was a good sale of carpets, said Fazel M. Wasit, director of Investment Promotion, Afghanistan.

He said, “We have 40 traders and 30 stalls in the pavilion. All are doing good trading. Stocks of dry fruit, saffron, handicraft goods were finished twice. Within nine days we have to bring dry fruit and saffron three times from Kabul. The first lot was finished within two days. Every day 15 flights are landing at IGI Airport from Afghanistan carrying these goods,” Wasit claimed.

“We have 18 types of almonds in Afghanistan, but here in India we have brought only six varieties. Besides, raisin, khurmani, pista, dry plum and fig are also being sold. We have so far sold 14 tons of pomegranates,” he said.

Wasit said, “In the beginning only one kilogram of saffron was brought to sell in the fair. Having seen the demand, we have brought two kg saffron more. Now only a small quantity is left in the stall.”

Afghanistan has been participating in the India International Trader Fair for the last three years. In 2007, it received a gold medal, and in 2008, silver medal on the basis of decoration made in the pavilion.

When asked about carpets, he said that last year Afghan carpet traders had done good business but this year financial crisis could be one of the main reasons for less demand of carpets. Besides, Afghan carpets are costly.

“Two types of our carpets are famous at international level–one is Kilms and the other is Shervan. Kilms is sold between $100 per metre and $400 per metre. The minimum rate of Shervan is $200 per meter and maximum is $1000 per meter.

Khwaja M. Amin, who deals in carpets, said that both Kilms and Shervan are handmade woolen carpets. “We have silk carpets also. But they are not in demand,” he said.

Nadia Yusuf, who deals in handicraft, said that generally uneducated women who cannot go outside for work are engaged in this business. The handicraft items are costly. They are generally exported to foreign countries, he pointed out.

New Delhi, November 21
Trade fair in the Capital opens up a pandora of opportunities for service providers, especially language translators, who cash in the opportunity of making a fast buck every year.

Deepti, who studied languages from Delhi University, said: “I have been working as a Chinese translator at the fair for about six years. This year, I am a translator at the Chinese pavilion at a pearl store. Translators at the intermediate level, including me, make around Rs 3000 to 5000 per day.”

On an average, they earn between Rs 3000 to Rs 10, 000 daily. The translators work for minimum 8 hours daily, recording sales progress wooing traders and customers.

Shobit, a French translator, said: “It is important to eradicate the language barrier and make the dealer feel easy. We need to know about the technicalities involved in a specific product to stratify all queries.”

For facilitating translators to the foreign traders and visitors, the ITPO gives out a list of language and interpretation agencies to the traders that ensure fair hiring prices and work quality.

“Coming from a different country, it is difficult to find good translators. ITPO has been a great help. I am now good friends with my translator Palash,” said Jinqi Yun at the Chinese pavilion.

Maximum translators were required for the Chinese Pavilion this year. Apart from Chinese, French and German, Italian and Spanish translators are also called upon every year.

Bini, a German translator, said: “Learning foreign languages in a closed classroom is different than practical interaction. People from across the country come visit the fair and it prepares us better each year.”

Elaborating on their role at fairs and shows, Madhavi from Bonfix Language Agency said: “Translation and interpretation service in trade shows are important as it enables smooth communication between a foreign trader and his target customers and dealers.”

“Usually traders contact agencies because they are extensively up-to-date with current events,” she added.

New Delhi, November 21
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today announced that eight baarat ghars and three community centres would be upgraded with modern facilities in New Delhi Assembly constituency. 

While inaugurating an upgraded community centre constructed by NDMC at Golf Link, she said the new centre would serve as an important place for social gatherings and community programmes. 

The community hall would have all facilities of organising functions by the local residents. 

This would cater to the needs of residents of the surrounding areas too, she added. 

The centre at Golf Link was constructed in 1970, which has now been upgraded with an additional floor, multi-purpose halls, gymnasium, office-cum-library, pantry and caretaker room. 

The complex is now centrally air-conditioned and both floors have been connected with a lift and staircase.

New Delhi, November 21
To the advantage of passengers travelling by air, the city sky has remained clear even as the temperature takes a dip in the Capital.

Giving a green signal to the runways, the weatherman predicted mainly clear sky with considerable sunshine in the next few days also.

The residents are, however, advised not to be deceived. “The sunshine doesn’t mean that weather is hot. One has to be covered as temperature is going down,” said a weather official.

The city recorded two degrees fall from the normal in the minimum temperature at 8.6 degree Celsius.

The maximum temperature also took a dip of four degrees from normal at 24.2 degree Celsius.

The weather trends would continue for the next two days with minimum temperatures at 8 and 9 degree Celsius for tomorrow and day after respectively. 

New Delhi, November 21
With an objective to mainstream the cause of HIV/AIDS, a toll-free calling service for augmenting awareness and affecting behavioural change towards reduction of stigma associated with the disease was initiated here today.

The initiative was taken by Confederation of Indian Industries as a part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Project director, Delhi State Aids Control Society, F.O. Hashmi, stressed on the need to create a network for dissemination of information about the disease, voluntary counselling and diagnostic services. He had also asked for a partnership between the government and private sectors.

He said quality participation would result effectively that would act as a potent tool for reversing the effects of the viral infection by discouraging people from practising discriminative behaviour.

The national policy on HIV/AIDS released by the ministry of labour is a testimony to right to work for those suffering from the disease. The corporates must undertake HIV/AIDS awareness programmes within the organisation and broaden its domains by reaching out to its community at large.

Training and advocacy officer, International Labour Organisation, P Joshina said as 90 per cent HIV infections in India had spread during the most productive age of 15-49 years, HIV patients should not be asked to leave workplace.

Calling for stronger mobilisation among business houses, member CSR sub-committee, CII, Meenakshi Dhanda, said it is imperative to gain information on challenges, opportunities on strengthening business response to the disease.

The service on HIV/AIDS would be available in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi and BSNL/MTNL users can call on 1800-180-2008, while other networks can dial 0172-266217 to seek advice from counsellors pertaining to the subject.

Naveen said discrimination exists within the society and even the educated segment is no exception. Hence, support groups must be formed and the right to work for the infected persons must be ensured, he added.

Faridabad, November 21
Two employees of provident fund department died in an accident on Faridabad-Gurgaon road when the motorcycle they were travelling on collided with a truck.

The two were stationed at Gurgaon unit of the department and used to go to office from here on a motorcycle. They were returning home from duty when the incident took place.

The two have been identified as Manmohan and Sunil Bhardwaj. Both of them died on the spot.

The accident occurred late last evening near Manger police chowki. The truck driver escaped after the incident.

The residents of the area rushed them to a hospital where they were declared brought dead.

This is not the first time that a fatal accident has taken place on Faridabad-Gurgaon road. There is Palli stone crusher zone in the vicinity.

A large number of trucks carrying stones and other construction material do business on this road. The ‘helpers’ in the truck often turn drivers.

The trucks are generally loaded with stones. They lose balance resulting in accidents at an alarming rate.

It is an open secret that the police has failed to control the unauthorised driving of heavy vehicles. The road is prone to accidents.

Noida, November 21
The transport month being observed by the traffic police in Noida does not appear to have made any impact on the drivers who continue to break traffic rules with impunity. It is the vehicles without number plates which are involved in hit and run cases. Most of the accidents took place on Thursday.

Two persons lost their lives on the spot in five accidents while five others, including a woman, were seriously injured.

In one of the accidents, a private bus, without a number plate crushed an IT professional. In another accident, a biker was crushed by an unidentified vehicle. In another accident on Expressway, a car being driven at high speed capsized seriously injuring two persons.

Vipin Bajrangi, 25, a resident of Ghaziabad Patel Marg, was coming to his office on his bike. A private bus without a number plate knocked him down near Labour Chowk in Sector-62, Noida. Vipin died on the spot.

The Sector-58 police was alerted by people about the accident. They chased the bus and caught it in Sector-59. But the bus driver managed to give the police the slip.

The second accident also occurred under Sector-58 Kotwali near Model Town police post. An unidentified car knocked down a Ghaziabad resident, Niranjan Das who was going to Faridabad on his bike. Seriously injured Das was rushed to Fortis hospital where he died the next day morning.

In another accident on Model Town crossing, a pedestrian Neetu was knocked down by an unidentified vehicle which had jumped a red light. She was rushed to Fortis hospital where she died the next day. As all the accidents happened in Sector-58 Kotwali, cops are trying to trace the errant drivers.