New Delhi, January 11
The New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) is in a fix with regard to the ongoing renovation and construction of subways in Connaught Place’s (CP) outer circle.

The civic agency in a meeting called by the Lieutenant Governor today decided to re-consider the project and said that the final decision would be submitted on Friday.

At the meeting, which was also attended by commissioner of the traffic police, chairman of the NDMC and members of the New Delhi Traders Union, discussions were done about the possibility of reducing the number of subways to be constructed.

“Constructing lesser than the planned number of subways is one of the ways to curtail the harassment of the commuters passing through CP,” said a senior NDMC official.

“Presently, the proposal includes the construction of eight subways. But we can identify some major points on the outer circle which requires subways on urgent basis. Instead of building eight subways, we can build five or six on these major crossings,” he said.

However, the official said that the option would be further discussed in meetings throughout the week.

The various ways that could be worked out to enable the construction work without hampering the traffic was also discussed at the meeting, said the official.

“We talked about the possible ways that can be adopted for carrying out the construction and renovation work without troubling the commuters,” said a senior NDMC official.

The second possible option that was discussed was to barricade only the area around the construction site and not the whole outer road. “If we block only the area around the under-construction subways and leave rest of the road open for the commuters, it may help in bringing smoothness in traffic movement,” he said.

The NDMC officers will also revisit the subways to get a better idea of the situation.

“The alternatives will be discussed in the series of meeting,” he said.

At the meet, it was also decided to divert the routes of the buses entering the outer circle to decongest the traffic.

Meanwhile, the two entries to the inner circle of the Connaught Place and three exits have been kept open for vehicles.

New Delhi, January 11
A Delhi court today granted bail to Vivek Singh, son of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) leader Chander Bir Singh, who allegedly opened fire at an upscale south Delhi bar following an argument with the manager.

Accepting the bail application, additional sessions judge S. K. Sarvaria asked Vivek to furnish a personal and a surety bond of Rs 30,000 each as pre-condition of his release.

Appearing before the court, Ramesh Gupta, counsel for Vivek, said the probe in the case was over and ‘confining Singh in jail would serve no purpose’.

Earlier on December 24, metropolitan magistrate Geetanjali Goyal had sent Vivek to Tihar Jail till January 6 on the grounds that the police did not seek his custodial interrogation after he handed over his licensed gun used in the alleged firing.

Singh has been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act dealing with attempt to murder and use of firearm.

Vivek, 27, was arrested on December 23 for allegedly firing from his pistol following a heated argument with the manager of Mocha bar at Satyam Cineplex in Nehru Place.

The accused had gone to the bar to recover his sister’s handbag which was lost on the night of December 22 when she was partying with her friends there.

He allegedly fled the spot after the firing incident but surrendered later.

New Delhi, January 11
A section of teachers of St Stephen’s College today said that it was alarming that college treasurer Nirmal Andrews had offered to step down from his post.

Andrews reportedly made this announcement through the media. He had offered to resign from his post yesterday to facilitate an impartial inquiry ordered by the Supreme Council into the college affairs.

In a press statement issued today, the teachers said, “the so-called inquiry was a ploy on Andrews’ part to coerce the principal to accept a bursar of his choice.”

When that failed the ‘inquiry’ was sprung on the principal and teachers, said the statement. To ensure transparency of the inquiry, the teachers suggested it should be conducted by a “suitable” judge chosen by a committee of three nominees of the bishop, with unspecified terms of reference.

“It is clear that the purpose of the inquiry is to ease out the principal,” said Nandita Narain, spokesperson, St Stephen’s college. She alleged that various strategies were being made to indict the principal, who was otherwise given a green signal by Delhi University (DU).

The teachers called Andrews’ alleged plot as shocking at a time when there the Delhi High Court had put a stay on the services terminating of the principal.

The proposed inquiry was merely a pretext for bypassing the stay and shows utter contempt of law, said Narain.

The press statement said that the teachers were alarmed that “Andrews’ such cavalier fashion suggests the stepping down of the principal and the chairman.”

They said the college could not work without its administration.

New Delhi, January 11
The spell of extreme cold weather continued in the Capital today, with chilly winds making the situation worse for the city residents. However, some relief has arrived for children, as the schools in the Capital will remain shut for a week.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today announced that its schools will remain shut till January 17 due to the cold weather and dense fog conditions.

“All MCD as well as aided schools will remain close from January 12 to January 17 due to extreme cold conditions. The schools will reopen on January 18,” said Mayor Kanwar Sain.

The teachers will, however, come to school during the period, added Prithvi Raj Sawhney, chairman, education committee, MCD.

“The morning hours are the worst. It is very difficult for children to get ready and report in school on time. The decision will definitely provide some relief,” said Pratibha, a school teacher.

Some private schools have already declared holidays.

Meanwhile, the spine chilling winds today led to a considerable drop in Capital’s minimum temperature that stood at 6.5 degree Celsius.

The maximum temperature also refused to budge and was recorded at the 12.5 degree Celsius mark. According to Meteorological department officials, shallow fog is likely to appear tomorrow as well. However, the bad news is that Delhi can expect light rain tomorrow evening.

“The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 14 and eight degrees, respectively,” said a Met department official.

The metrological department attributed the continuous cold conditions in the city to the icy winds blowing from snow-capped mountains in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

The winds were accompanied with shallow fog in the morning hours. This brought down the visibility to 800 meters.

Traffic on city roads remained slow in the morning, however, there were no disruptions in flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Noticeably, yesterday, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degree Celsius while the maximum settled at 12 degrees, which was eight degrees below normal for this time of the season.

New Delhi, January 11
Four more homeless died in the Capital today. The deaths have been reported from Nepali Park in Yamuna Pushta, Yamuna Bazaar near ISBT, Agrasen Park at ISBT and Ring Road trauma centre.

Only one of the deceased, who died at the Ring Road trauma centre, had been identified while the rest were still unknown, said a worker of Shahri Adhikaar Manch, an NGO.

Shailender Singh, co-convenor, Shahri Adhikaar Manch, said, “This man was lying at the Nepali Park in a very bad condition. The police was taking him to the trauma centre at the Ring Road when he died.”

The victim had been staying alone at the Nepali park for the past two years. He did not have a family.

With these four deaths, the death toll of homeless people due to the cold conditions in the city has gone up to seven. Earlier, Bhima, a balloon seller died at Pusa Road roundabout just a few days after the temporary shelter there was demolished by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The other victims were Naveen and Rajinder, both rickshaw pullers.

With the night shelters provided by the government being full to their capacities, the homeless of the city are left to brave the chill without a roof over their heads.

“With the mercury continuing to plummet, the coming days will be even worse for the more than thousands of the homeless people across the Capital, said Bipin Kumar Rai from the Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), blaming the government for the deaths.

If taken a ride in the night hours towards the Nizzamuddin Bridge, one can see hundreds of such rickshaw pullers, rag pickers, beggars, maids lying on the roadside shivering in the cold.

Even after the Delhi High Court took suo motto cognisance of the media reports regarding the death of the homeless balloon seller a few days ago and pulled up the MCD for demolishing the temporary night shelter at the Pusa Road roundabout, the government still seems to be unmoved by the deaths of these people.

Expressing shock over the death of the two persons at Nepali Park, Rajni, a rag picker, says, “The cold winds are an annual feature in North India and so are the deaths of the homeless people here. There is no choice for us than to brave the chilling winds.”

Ghaziabad, January 11
Two employees of an apparel store in a Sahibabad mall in Ghaziabad district were robbed of Rs 18 lakh by a group of robbers who threw chilli powder in their eyes, the police said on Monday.

According to the police, Kuldeep Sharma, an assistant manager with Chunmun Stores inside Pacific Mall, and his colleague Rajeev Sharma were going on a motorcycle to deposit the store’s cash amounting to Rs 18 lakh in Punjab National Bank branch at Kaushambi near Anand Vihar.

“As they reached the Metro line, three youth, seemingly waiting for them, asked them to stop. As they did, the three flung chilli powder at them,” Indirapuram police station inspector Rajesh Dwivedi said.

“As Kuldeep and Rajeev lost their balance, the assailants snatched away the bag containing the cash from them and also took away their bike and fled,” he added.

Dwivedi said the stolen motorcycle had been found abandoned near the Anand Vihar border with Delhi.

“We have taken the statements of the victims and now have the description of the assailants. Four to five persons have been detained for questioning. Investigations are on,” senior superintendent of police Akhil Kumar said. — IANS

New Delhi, January 11
The enthusiasm of friends of social networking site Facebook beat the cold as many of them gathered at their second meet in New Delhi last night.

The Facebook friends depicted that ‘virtual’ friendship has no less affection than a ‘real’ one.

Giving company to friends from Delhi were people from such far away places as Italy and China, Kerala and Firozepur. While Gabriela from Italy sang song in her melodious voice, the Facebook friends from China astonished everyone as they greeted all in Hindi. They wished to hold such a meeting in Beijing as well.

Radio jockey from Assam, Nupur Aggarwal, specially came to Delhi to host the evening and entertained the gathering with her wit.

James Wilson and Brijesh Sharma from Kerala and Firozpur, respectively, also came to Delhi all the way to meet their virtual friends.

In this age of Internet, when people spend more time chatting with online friends than even meeting close relatives due to hectic lifestyles, getting to interact with virtual friends in reality came with much enthusiasm.

The event was organised by the Team Face to Face which is a group of Facebook friends comprising doctors, chartered accountants, journalists, businessmen, advocates, IT professionals and other sections of society.

Expressing concern on issues related to society, the members took a by launching the issue on the Internet and drawing momentum and support among netizens.

New Delhi, January 11
The prevalence of HIV/ AIDS is 4.6 per cent in the trucker community, which is 12 times higher than the general population. Taking this on view, the Transport Corporation of India (TCI) Ltd organised a sensitisation camp at Auto Expo 2010 in the Capital.

The initiative, an attempt to sensitise the high-risk group of truckers along with urging the corporate world for to start a fight against HIV/ AIDS, was a part of project ‘Kavach’ under the corporate social responsibility wing of the TCI (TCI Foundation).

TCI Foundation project director Shekhar said, “Truckers have a difficult life, with job insecurity, rigorous working conditions and dangers around every bend. They constantly face segregation from society and, therefore, it is not rare to find that they turn to alcohol, drugs and resort to unsafe commercial sex to seek relief from their itinerant and monotonous life, which makes them susceptible to HIV/ AIDS.”

The Auto Expo that concluded today at Pragati Maidan served as a platform for involving the corporate sector in crusade against HIV/ AIDS, taking the sensitisation campaign to the next level of building an empowered community.

Given the fact that India is home to about five million truckers, the project ‘Kavach’ has been designed to sensitise the industry partners about the vulnerability of truck drivers to HIV/ AIDS. Shekhar said that the situation warrants collective effort.

Counselling sessions were also held for truck drivers during the fair.

It apprised them about safe sexual practices, correct and consistent use of condoms to avoid being victims to sexually-transmitted diseases.

New Delhi, January 11
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) today signed an agreement for cooperation with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to conduct courses in an array of subjects ranging from journalism and media studies to science education and teacher training.

The agreement aims to identify special programmes and activities for co-branding. It also aims at developing strategic cooperation through academic exchange and collaboration.

UNESCO director general Irina G. Bokova delivered a lecture on ‘Building Inclusive Knowledge Societies in a Globalised World: Opportunities and Risks’ on the university campus today and signed the agreement with IGNOU vice-chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai.

New Delhi, January 11
Brushing through the pages of history, Shrabani Basu’s new book ‘Victoria and Abdul- The story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant’ narrates the tale of Queen Victoria and the handsome 24-year-old Indian, Abdul Karim.

‘Victoria and Abdul’ examines how a young Indian Muslim came to play a central role in the Empire and his influence over the Queen at a time when independence movements in the sub-continents were growing in force. Yet, at heart, it is a tender love story between an ordinary Indian and his elderly Queen.

The book was released today by Shashi Tharoor, minister of state for external affairs, at the British Council. The launch was attended by the intellectual lot from the Capital.

The book, Shrabani says, explores the journey of an assistant clerk at Agra Central Jail who suddenly finds himself as a personal attendant to the empress of India. Within a year, he had become a powerful figure in the court, becoming Queen’s teacher and instructing her in Indian affairs.

“He symbolised India for her. He talked about India and its different aspects to the Queen. She liked him being around and slowly he became the closest confidant she had. Others in the courtroom were jealous of him”, she said.

“Devastated by the death of John Brown, her Scottish gillie, the Queen had at last found his replacement. But her intense and controversial relationships with him nearly led to a revolt in the royal household,” Shrabani added.

As he took the podium, Shashi Tharoor congratulated Shrabani and said, “Even though I have just read some of the excerpts of the book so far, the parts that I read very truly absorbing. Soon after the Queen’s death, her son ordered burning down of all her letters to Abdul, and hence Shrabani had to rely on other sources for information, which is commendable. And the end product looks quite intriguing.”

Talking about her research, Shrabani says,” Archives from Windsor Palace, several letters written by the Queen herself to the then viceroy and other dignitaries, excerpts from those in the household, diaries that her doctor maintained, news journals and many more sources contributed to the characterisation of Abdul.”

A well-known journalist, Sharabni, says she had always been interested in those characters in history which were very less known. With zeal to explore Abdul, she then went on a grilling research of three years.

Shrabani had previously authored books like ‘Curry- Story of Nations Favourite Dish’ and the critically acclaimed biography, ‘Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan’.

New Delhi, January 11
The north-west district police today claimed to have solved a murder case and three cases of robbery with the arrest of four criminals named Mukesh, Sajan, Shyam Lal and Karan.

While working on secret information, the police arrested Mukesh. On interrogation, he disclosed that he along with Karan had stabbed a person near Jahangir Puri Metro station and robbed him of his money and mobile.

The police then arrested Karan and Sajan. On interrogation, the duo disclosed that on December 14, 2009, they had stabbed two persons and robbed them of cash and other belongings.

“The gang was headed by Mukesh, who is also involved in three other criminal cases. They used to target victims on deserted roads near Metro stations, Sabzi Mandi gate, outer Ring Road and flyovers and rob them of cash and other belongings, including mobile phones, by threatening them with knife, said a police official.

After committing robberies, they would escape in a Maruti car and spend the booty on liquor, officials added.

The police said that all the accused were unmarried, unemployed and school dropouts.

The police has recovered a mobile phone, a knife and a Maruti car from them. A bag of one of their victims containing LIC receipts was also seized from them.

Greater Noida, January 11
Two bike-borne men yesterday night robbed a factory supervisor of Rs 15,000 and mobile phone in Bisrakh. In another incident reported from the Surajpur area, bikers robbed three factory workers, but were caught by alert factory guards and handed over to the police.

“I was returning home from factory and was carrying Rs 15,000. I was going to the main road to catch bus. Suddenly, a bike stopped near me. The pillion rider kept a pistol on my back and asked me to handover whatever I had. They snatched the money and my phone and drove away,” said Trilok Nath Jha, the factory supervisor.

“An FIR has been registered and manhunt launched to arrest the robbers, but till late Monday evening they were not traceable,” said Brij Mohan Singh, station house officer (SHO), Bisrakh.

The second incident took place outside the Moser Baer factory, yesterday evening. Bikers robbed three factory workers. But when other workers raised the alarm, the factory guards reached the spot and snatched the country-made pistol of the robbers.

Other workers and passers-by chased the robbers and nabbed them. They handed over the robbers to the police.

“The robbers have been identified as Sachin Kumar, Sudip Kumar and Hardip Singh. The money robbed from the workers was recovered from them. They confessed to have committed several snatchings in the area in the past few months,” said Mritunjay Singh, SHO, Surajpur.

In another incident, Vikas Gupta, a Delhi resident, has lodged a complaint that someone stole Rs 7,000 and a mobile phone from his car parked in Omicron area last evening.