New Delhi, September 28
If you plan to watch any match of the Commonwealth Games , it will be wise not to carry the prohibited items printed at the back of your ticket.

After the recent ban on carrying coins into the world cup hockey tournament matches, the Delhi police would once again ensure that no body carries coin into the stadiums during the mega sports event.

When asked about the logic behind banning coins inside stadiums, a senior Delhi police officer said the norm is followed at all sporting events across the world, including the recent football world cup in South Africa.

"These days, coins are being banned all over the world. Imagine a situation where ten friends go in with about say two coins each in their pockets. Pull out a handkerchief, put all the coins in it and make an iron ball hard enough to hit anyone," said the officer, adding that such incidents had been reported during some events in Europe and South America.

The officer also pointed out that there would be no re-entry on the same ticket, and hence, the spectators need to be careful about what they are carrying in their pockets. "Since re-entry is not allowed, people should ensure that they are carrying items in accordance with the directions given by the Delhi police. Also, there would be no storage facility for personal belongings at the venues," said the officer.

The security officials would also ensure that no food or beverages are carried inside the stadium. "Except baby food and medication, with appropriate doctor's prescription to support it, no eatables will be allowed in," confirmed the officer.

Apart from the prohibited item list, the police would also not allow "ungentlemanly behaviour" from the spectators and rowdies will be strictly dealt with.

"Any threatening, racial, abusive, indecent acts, slogans or violent behaviour is strictly forbidden and will result in detention or ejection from the venue," maintained the officer.

New Delhi, September 28
The commuters in Delhi and the National Capital Region today had a harrowing time in various parts of the city with several traffic snarls reported on the roads marked for lanes dedicated to the Commonwealth Games.

The problem was aggravated when caving in of portions of roads was reported from Motibagh flyover on Rao Tula Ram Marg, Seelampur and near Shishganj Gurudwara in Chandni Chowk where a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) van got stuck.

The traffic movement was also hampered in Greater Noida and Noida with closing of Noida-Greater Noida expressway for four hours between 10 am and 2.30 pm because of cycling trials. As a result, slow traffic movement with major jams remained the norm of the day, while traffic policeman on duty on these stretches tried hard to bring some order to the mess.

According to the traffic police, heavy traffic jams were seen on key roads connecting Games sites such as National Highway-8, Sardar Patel Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Bhisham Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road, NH-24, Bhairon Road, Ring Road and August Kranti Marg.

The traffic police suggested to the motorists to take NH-8 for moving between Delhi and Gurgaon. Panchsheel Marg and Kamal Ataturk Marg--where half of the total road space has been taken by the dedicated Games lane-- have Kautilya Marg-Teen Murti Marg-Akbar Road and Aurobindo Marg-Tughlaq Road-Akbar Road respectively as options.

According to advisories issued by the Delhi police, Vikas Marg and DND flyway can be used in place of NH-24, while the commuters can take IP Marg and Bhagwan Das Road to avoid lane restrictions on Bhairon Road and Purana Quila Road.

For the traffic going to airport, the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road has been suggested. The Rajokari Border-Shiv Murti-Dwarka Road underpass has also been put as an alternative to NH-8 that is frequented by the air travellers.

Soon the Airport Metro Corridor will be introduced connecting New Delhi Railway Station to Indira Gandhi International Airport via Dhaula Kuan. It will ferry the travellers to the airport from the heart of the city in fewer than 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro has seen an increase in footfalls as more people are opting for Metro services. 

New Delhi, September 28
Through the dark clouds of controversy, Delhi residents have begun to see a silver lining. Starting with a world-class new airport and an extended and efficient Metro service, significant parts of the Capital suddenly seem to have cleaner roads, gleaming bus stops, greener sidewalks, better signages and even ornamental street furniture, thanks to the Commonwealth Games.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and public works department (PWD) have been managing what has been called the 'beautification drive' in the city even though the going has been tough in the harsh glare of the media, a wet monsoon and diseases. The civic bodies have also installed information kiosks, toilet complexes, giant billboards to guide people on routes and basic services in the city that will play host to international athletes, delegates and tourists during the October 3-14 Games.

"After all the negative publicity the Games have drawn, it is actually great to see the city ready for it. It is about India's pride," Delhi resident Dheeraj Sahni said.

"It is a delight to see chaos-free roads in Connaught Place. Cordoned-off streets and grass-laden lanes were never there before. It was only rubble that I saw here," said Geetanjali Gulati, who works in the central business district.

Connaught Place had been reeling under heaps of debris. It has taken the civic agencies around two years to give it a makeover, with the removal of roadside shops and widening of inner lanes. Subways in the Outer Circle, however, are still under construction.

Old Delhi, famous for its food and charm, has also got a much-needed facelift. Roadside pavements have been cleared, giving visitors respite from narrow and choked lanes.

The Delhi University area, where accommodation is being provided to players and visitors during the Games, wears a new look. In hostels, dilapidated furniture has been replaced with new furniture. "Colleges would remain closed, but it is great to see the entire North Campus go through this overhaul. Thanks to Games, the university looks great," said Archana Tiwari, a student of Miranda House.

The city of 16 million people has also hidden away many an eyesore behind giant panels and billboards.

"We have wanted to give this look to Delhi since a long time. The Commonwealth Games gave us the perfect platform," said Deep Mathur, spokesperson, MCD.

Giving Delhi a new look has come at a cost of `16,000 crore, including the construction of some Games venues. Of this, `270 crore has gone into the public works department (PWD) revamping 80 km of roads. The work includes streetscaping and beautification of areas near the venues of the Games, construction of flyovers and foot overbridges and widening of roads.

The last four days have been crucial for the authorities, as after many days of continuous downpour, there were no rains, enabling a last-minute clean up.

The swanky T3 terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport, which became operational in July, has been a pleasant surpirse for visitors, with its plush lounges, intricate landscaping and smoother operations.

The Metro which is serving as a lifeline for residents amid traffic restrictions on Delhi's roads has connected all the 11 prominent Games venues. It is also extending operations ahead of the Games, aiming to open the Central Secretariat-Badarpur link.

History too is set to beckon tourism, with at least 46 old monuments revamped to showcase the rich heritage of this ancient city. Cafeterias and souvenir kiosks have come up at Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb and Purana Qila. — IANS

New Delhi, September 28
Tourist information cafes opened in the Capital to provide details about the city to visitors during the Commonwealth Games (CWG) are getting a good response, said a professional associated with the project.

Forty such cafes are to be opened across the city. These would be a one-point information hub for tourists coming to Delhi during the October 3-14 sporting event.

Besides having counters for providing details in eight languages on accommodation, bus routes, food, shopping destinations and culture, the cafes have facilities for food and beverages as well as souvenirs.

The cafes have been conceived by Delhi-based artist Ved Pohoja and his associates. They are built on land provided by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NMDC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

"As of now, the cafes have been opened at the Red Fort, Connaught Place and Birla Mandir. By the month-end, all 40 kiosks would become operational. The cafes remain open from 8 am to 8 pm," said Saurabh Chauhan, who is associated with the project.

Chauhan said the cafes are getting a good public response.

"Lots of people are visiting the kiosks seeking information. Most of the people are from Delhi, but as we get close to the Games we are looking forward to cater to foreign and other tourists," he said.-- IANS

New Delhi, September 28
Striving to get justice for their minor daughter, Sakku and her husband have been running from one cabin to the other in the police station. They just want to know if the man who ravished their 6-year-old daughter a few days ago has been arrested or not.

Sakku, who lives in Motia Khan shelter with her husband and five children, is from Karnataka. The family had been staying near Rachna Golchakkar for the past 20 years, but shifted to Motia Khan in March as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) asked homeless people to vacate the area. The MCD had said that a park would be built on the area as a part of the beautification drive for the Commonwealth Games (CWG).

On the evening of September 8, the victim along with her aunt had gone to Rachna Golchakkar. While her aunt was busy selling balloons to passersby, the victim saw her friends there and started playing with them. In the meantime, two policemen came and started beating the children, asking them to go away. Scared, the children left the place. The victim being a small forgot the way and got lost, said the victim's mother Sakku.

The victim girl's aunt looked for her but could not find her. She came to the girl's home and told Sakku about it. The family started a search for the child.

"We went to the Prasad Nagar police station and requested the official concerned to file a missing report, but he said the report would be lodged only after the child was found," alleged the victim's father Yashwant Chauhan.

The hapless parents then went to the Rajinder Nagar police station where the report was lodged. The next day around 5 am, Yashwant Chauhan found his daughter without clothes on a heap of garbage near Siddharth Hotel, Pusa Road.

"I took off my shirt and covered my child. She was unconscious. We brought her home and asked her what had happened. She told us that four or five men ravished her in a car," said Chauhan.

The Prasad Nagar police station lodged an FIR, after her medical report confirmed rape.

The victim's family members have been going to the police station to ask about any development in the case. Sakku said, "Whenever we go to meet the officials, they insult us and ask us to leave. Such incidents ruin life. But if it happens to poor people, it becomes an additional curse."

Yesterday, the victim was produced before a city court where she could not speak anything. "The court too has given us eight days. It has said if she does not speak, a case could not be filed," said Chauhan.

Ghaziabad, September 28
Surendra Koli, prime accused in the 2005-06 Nithari serial killings in Uttar Pradesh, was sentenced to death by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court here on Tuesday for a minor girl's murder. This is his third death penalty.

Special CBI Judge A.K. Singh sent Koli to the gallows for murdering eight-year-old Rachna, daughter of labourer Pappu Lal. The court had earlier sentenced Koli, an employee of Noida businessman Maninder Singh Pandher, to death in Rimpa Haldar and Arti murder cases.

On Tuesday, Koli was present in the court when the judge delivered the verdict. He appeared calm and his face showed no emotion when the judge announced his decision.

After the proceedings, police took Koli away from the rear gate of the court.

CBI's special public prosecutor, J.P. Sharma, said that in the Rachna murder case the court punished Koli for murder, abduction, rape and destruction of evidence.

He was awarded death sentence for murder. Varying jail terms ranging from life imprisonment to seven years were handed down for other offences. Fines ranging from Rs 3,000-1,000 were also slapped on him for different crimes.

The court convicted Koli in the case on September 27 after a trial spanning over 122 days. A total of 47 prosecution witnesses testified in the case. The driver of Pandher was the sole defence witness, the prosecutor said.

Rachna went out of her house to buy groceries from a local shop but did not come back on April 10, 2006. After this, her father lodged a complaint with the police. The matter was subsequently transferred to the CBI.

The investigating agency made Koli the sole accused in Rachna's killing. Pandher was left out of the chargesheet by the CBI.

The death penalty for Koli in Rachna murder case is his third in the serial killings. Pandher was also awarded death sentence in the Rimpa Haldar murder case, but was acquitted by the Allahabad High Court.

The death sentence awarded to Koli was maintained by the high court in the Rimpa Haldar and Arti murder cases.

Millions across the country and abroad were horrified when the Noida police on December 29, 2006 began uncovering the remains of children and young women from a drain next to Pandher's (D-5) bungalow in Noida's Sector 31. Koli and Pandher were arrested thereafter.

Of the 19 cases of abduction, rape and murder of four women and 15 children, mostly girls, the CBI has filed chargesheets in 16 cases. All the cases are being heard separately.

While Koli has been charged with rape, abduction and murder in all the cases, Pandher is co-accused in six cases.-- IANS

New Delhi, September 28
After an alleged assault of a junior resident (JR) doctor by a Grade D sanitation worker outside the Swarna Jayanti Auditorium of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) last night, around 250 residents doctors and over 1,000 undergraduate students today went on 'mass leave', demanding the suspension of the worker concerned.

The incident happened during the LHMC's annual students' party--Cobweb, when a junior resident doctor was thrashed by a sanitation worker last night and the worker, as said by the resident doctors, had been untraceable.

However, the employees union's general secretary Bishemdar Dayal said, "There is CCTV footage to suggest the truth and the doctor was drunk. Instead of finding a solution through mutual understanding, the doctors preferred to hamper the hospital services."

The president of RDA, Dr Rajiv Kumar said, "Emergency services have not been paralysed and about 30 doctors from the resident doctors were on duty in the casualty of various specialties."

While several rounds of negotiations to resolve the tiff between the Lady Hardinge Medical College's resident doctors and Employee Union, comprising Grade B, C and D workers, continued till late evening, patients in the in-patient departments and those visiting the OPDs of Smt Sucheta Kriplani Hospital (SKH) and Kalawati Saran Hospital (both associated to LHMC), had a tough time.

Doctors did manage to secure a verbal assurance from the hospital's director Dr G.K.Kapoor regarding the suspension of the worker (name withheld).

New Delhi, September 28
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport police has arrested one Ketan Patel, allegedly involved in a high-profile human trafficking from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi.

Six different cases were registered against him in Delhi and Mumbai, and in all these cases passengers disclosed that they had travelled on fake Indian passports arranged by Patel.

According to O P Mishra, DCP (IGI Airports), Ketan Patel is native of Gujarat and after completing his B.Com., he started exporting spices. He met with heavy losses in the business and shifted to Mumbai. Soon he started the business of importing readymade garments from Bangkok.

"During this period, he came in contact with one Salim at Sahar airport. Salim offered him a proposal to act as an agent for sending passengers to Bangkok and he gave Patel Rs 1.25 lakh for each passenger. Patel carried eight to ten passengers to Bangkok and later three to four passengers were deported back. Cases against him were registered at Sahar police station in Mumbai," said Mishra, adding that a 'Look Out Circular' was released against him and Patel was arrested.

Some of the local agents have been identified and investigation of the cases is in progress.