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Mystery of empty stands solved
High security for hockey, cycling troubles Delhiites
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Festive mood at Indo-Pak hockey encounter
Fans with vuvuzelas not
allowed to enter venue
DD rates for CWG ceremony zoom
Cycling, an event that comes free of cost
3 held for betting on Games
Paranthas, Punjabi dishes a hit at Village
Hot, sunny day in Delhi
A delight for musical film lovers
Sonia, Rahul cheer for Sushil
Man nabbed for robbery, murder on train
Despite tight security, engineer made captive, robbed
French man held for crushing beggar
1 killed in accident
Chatterati
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Mystery of empty stands solved
New Delhi, October 10 A large number of a total of 17 lakh tickets reached Delhi a day after the opening ceremony and organisers could not reach the counters in time. Many of them got redundant and found their way to scrap dealers. Organising committee officials said they had ordered the printing of tampering-proof tickets at a highly secure Nasik press, a town in Mahrashtra, which is incidentally the home state of OC president Suresh Kalmadi. Like all other works of the OC, the printing of tickets too did not work out the way it was anticipated to and the tickets arrived much later than the deadline. "It would be wrong to blame us. We had outsourced it to a press which we believed would provide us tamper-proof tickets. But they did not do it in time," an official said. He said close to 40 ticket counters could not be given their lots of tickets in time. "This was the primary reason behind the tickets' unavailability during the first couple of days. Things are on track now and I do not think the problem will reoccur," official sources said, however, admitting that the damage had been done. Meanwhile, Kalmadi in his usual all-is-well style has attributed the lack of tickets to technical glitches. A probe in the matter was ordered only when CWG Federation president Mike Fennel stepped in and termed it a matter of concern. Organisers said many sports associations and sponsors also could also not get tickets.
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High security for hockey, cycling troubles Delhiites
New Delhi, October 10 Hundreds of security personnel laid a strict cordon around the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium today as arch rivals Indian and Pakistan fought out a key match which would seal semifinal birth for one of them. The stadium hosting the hockey matches was already among the most fortified Games venues and vigil was further stepped up for this match whose tickets were sold out weeks before. Police officials completing the final security supervision around the stadium and on the roads leading to the venue said a host of VIPs, including top politicians and officials of many embassies, were expected to watch the event. "Anything related to Pakistan is on the top of the security agenda. It is also a much-publicised event with all the tickets sold out. We have to sanitise a huge area and keep a close watch on spectators to ensure that the match passes off peacefully," a senior police official said. Traffic movement was restricted and residents of the nearby areas complained that they were not allowed to move in the area. "I had just stepped out of my house to fetch some provisions. I forgot to carry any identity card. Cops manning a barricade asked me to return," Arun Goel, who lives in KG Marg, said. Apart from restrictions around Major Dhyan Chand stadium, major arterial roads in central Delhi were closed to the public today for the cycling events of the Games. Though there was not much traffic on the roads due to it being a Sunday, many people not aware of the traffic restrictions, had to take longer detour to reach their destinations. What was of more inconvenience to the masses was the closure of Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat Metro stations between 8 am and 6 pm. A few gates at the Rajiv Gandhi Metro station, the busiest in city, were also closed. Large number of people who came to these otherwise busy stations returned disappointed as they were not aware about the closure.
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Festive mood at Indo-Pak hockey encounter
New Delhi, October 10 India and Pakistan slugging it out in a do-or-die battle was almost irresistible for people and a large number of them turned up at the venue hoping to get tickets even as they were sold out long before. "This is an electrifying match. It arouses the feeling of patriotism. It is a pride to cheer for India on the occasion of such an exciting match," said Gyan Abhishek, who had come with a group of friends to watch the match. For the hockey fans, it was a treat never to be missed. "India-Pakistan matches always have that extra edge," said an overwhelmed spectator Shaurya Shrivastav. "I enjoyed the enthralling atmosphere while cheering for India. We had great fun," said Deepa K. Malik, another spectator. The last time the two teams met at this venue was in March early this year during the hockey world cup when India won by 4-1. However, for the fans inside the stadium, the track record of the teams was hardly a consideration. "This is the final match for all of us. It does not matter whether India losses or wins the following matches. We want India to win this one at any cost," said Diju Sudharshan, another hockey fan.
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Fans with vuvuzelas not
allowed to enter venue
New Delhi, October 10 As Sharma and his friends argued how vuvuzela could be banned when it was being sold as Games merchandise, security personnel told them that it was in the list of prohibited items. The group was even pushed outside by security staff when the argument rose further. "What kind of a rule is this? They sell us an item and then ban it at venues. It is ridiculous. Vuvuzelas are costly and we can't leave them outside," Navin said. Left with no option, one of Sharma's friends waited outside with the instruments while others went inside to watch the game. Many spectators have had a similar grouse with the "ridiculous" security restrictions, more so as no arrangement has been made to allow spectators to collect their belongings after coming out of venues. Many women have had to abandon their handbags because they were larger than what cops believe are of reasonable size. Many foreign nationals had to leave behind their expensive coins and never got them back because there were no alternative provisions. Organising committee sources admitted that they have got many complaints in this regard. One is from a group of women whose expensive make-up kits were damaged by security staff at the Games Village during checking. "I have no problems with such rules. But many spectators are from abroad and have no idea about the names of some banned items. They should have made some arrangement to ensure that spectators get back their expensive items while returning," Martina Ray, an English citizen, said. The list of banned items includes bottle, even if it carries water or cold beverages, coins and even umbrellas. Downplaying the criticism, a police official said their biggest priority is security and not people's comfort. " |
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DD rates for CWG ceremony zoom
New Delhi, October 10 The spot buy rates have been hiked from Rs 90,000 to Rs 250,000 for a 10 second slot and these be may enhanced further, Aruna Sharma, director-general, Doordarshan, told IANS. Doordarshan's own initial assessment based on the estimates of audience measurement agencies had put the number of TV homes in the country that watched the opening ceremony on October 3 at over 87 million. Sharma said the CWG sports events were also drawing advertisers as audience ratings were very good. "Advertisers have come to Games other than cricket. Doordarshan has done a yeoman's service in getting them attracted," Sharma said. She said the advertisers who had put their publicity plans on hold due to negative coverage in the media and had missed out on the opening ceremony had now started coming. The closing ceremony, which would have a display of martial arts, will use a helicopter for shots outside the stadium, she said. There will be 38 cameras panning all across the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, including those on the aerostat. She said the advertisement revenue from the Games will "definitely cross" Doordarshan's initial estimate of Rs.100 crore. Sharma rejected criticism of the opening ceremony telecast being staggered due to advertisements. "That is the practice. The film awards, reality shows, all have advertisements.Doordarshan is being singled out as it is a public broadcaster,” she said. —
IANS |
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Cycling, an event that comes free of cost
Noida, October 10 The area has been divided into 13 zones. Helicopters will carry out aerial surveillance of the area throughout the cycling event on October 14, SSP Noida said. The general public will also be allowed to witness the cycle race free of cost, but they are allowed entry only in the designated stands. SSP Noida A.K. Singh said while the carriageway connecting Noida to Greater Noida has been shut from Sunday, the other carriageway linking Greater Noida to Noida will be closed infinitely from tomorrow. The Expressway will remain closed to normal traffic till the time-trial and CWG cycling event are over. SP (traffic) Ajay Sahdev said that parking arrangement for around 5,000 vehicles has been made near Maha Maya Flyover. The vehicles can also be parked in parking lots on the road. Each parking lot has a capacity of 500 vehicles each. Sahdev said that the public can go to the Expressway from sector 37 and 44 slip roads. The Delhi Metro has made arrangements for DTC buses which will take people free of cost from Botanical Garden Metro Station in sector 38.
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3 held for betting on Games
Ghaziabad, October 10 Gang leader Yogesh Kumar Gupta and Ravi Kumar, both residents of Muzaffarnagar, and Rahul, of Meerut, were arrested from Aditya Mega City. The police raided a residential complex where the three men ran the betting racket. Rs 46,500 and several cheques were seized. Laptops, memory sticks, data cards, some documents and seven mobile phones were also found, said a police official. — IANS
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Paranthas, Punjabi dishes a hit at Village
New Delhi, October 10 "Foreign athletes have taken a fancy for parathas ... it serves everybody's palate well. The approximate consumption of paranthas is 600 per day," Uppal said. Around 300 kg spinach, 150 kg potato and 100 kg rice are used at the Games Village every day. "The Navratra festival has begun and some players and delegates have turned vegetarian. Even the demand of lentils has increased and we are cooking 100 kg daily," he said. Even Punjabi dishes, cooked in less oil and spices, are liked by all. "We have tweaked the recipe of some dishes to make them less oily and spicy, and everybody is liking it, he added. The 24x7 dining area in the Village offers six different types of cuisines - American, Asian, African, Oceanian, Indian and Continental. The menu offers 120 items that changes every six days. A workforce of 2,500, which includes 250 chefs, is working round the clock to make a variety of delicacies. The huge dinning area is expected to serve 36,000 meals to 7,000 players during the Oct ober 3 to 14 event. Catering at the Village is managed by the US-based Delaware North. — IANS
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Hot, sunny day in Delhi
New Delhi, October 10 According to an official of the Met department, the minimum temperature settled at 22 degree Celsius, two notches above average for this point of the season. The maximum humidity was 90 per cent while the minimum was 33 per cent, the official said. The weatherman said there will be mainly clear sky in Delhi on Monday with the maximum temperature expected to settle at 34 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature will be around 22 degree Celsius. — IANS
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A delight for musical film lovers
New Delhi, October 10 The festival titled 'Little Europe 2010' will be held from October 20 to 27. The festival has been organised by the department of Slavonic and Fino-Ugrian studies at DU and the embassy of the Czech Republic. The festival will begin with the screening of famous Czech musical film 'Sakali Let' or 'Big Beat' directed by award winning director Jan Hrebejk. The film is about a young man, Baby, who arrives in a suburb of Prague in the summer of 1959. He with his guitar brings a rock n roll revolution. The film is centered around generation gap. On October 21, Polish film 'Chopin: Desire for Love’, will be screened. The film is based on famous Polish composer and pianist Frederick Chopin's life and his search for love which is hauntingly captured in his music. The film is directed by Jerzy Antczak. The film shows the affair between Chopin and feminist writer George Sand. Chopin's music is integral to the film, with the pianist Janusz Olejniczak playing more than 77 compositions. The film starts when Chopin is young, living with his parents and two sisters in Warsaw where he frequently plays the piano and composes music. Thereafter, Chopin's father urges him to leave for Paris. In Paris, he meets novelist George Sand, whom he is drawn to. The film explores this passionate, difficult relationship, to the time Chopin is diagnosed with tuberchlosis and has to cope with declining health. Another famous film which is slated to be screened at the festival is the Croatian film 'Sleep, Sweet, My Darling’, by director Neven Hitrek. The film is a sentimental comedy, ranging in tone from engagingly humurous to tragicomic. The film revolves around a suburb of Zagreb and spans a dozen years following the end of the Second World War. The film depicts the dreary times when people find refuge in humour and song. It is essentially a love story and has children as protagonists in the first part and young men and women in the second. The film is full of humour and emotions and a yearning for happiness and beauty, despite the changing fortunes of the times. Other musical films to be screened in the weeklong festival are the Bulgarian film 'Fly by Rociante' by director Jacky Stoev, then the Hungarian film 'Made in Hungary' by the director Gergely Fonyo and Russian film 'We are Jazzmen' by director Karen Shakhnazarov. All film screenings will be followed by a discussion on the film.
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Sonia, Rahul cheer for Sushil
New Delhi, October 10 Enthusiasm and excitement took over the stadium as people danced to Bollywood numbers and Games mascot Shera hugged the winners and shook a leg with Dikshit. Soon after the announcement for the final match in the 66 kg category was made, Dikshit, organising commiittee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Harayana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda arrived in the stadium. The crowd stood on toes, waving to the Delhi CM. As soon as the crowd settled a bit, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi entered the stadium. Dressed in an orange t-shirt, Gandhi sat in the spectators' stand. Cameras soon caught him and people in the nearby stands rushed towards him. However, volunteers and cops soon rushed to his aid and urged people to settle down and not disturb the fight. Rahul has been watching the matches for the past two days and his presence has been an encouragement for spectators as well as the Indian players. Close on the heels of Rahul, walked in Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who sat along with Rahul in the spectators' stands. In high spirits due to the presence of VIPs, the spectators had a gala time watching their favourite stars play. Deafening roars, shrill sound of vuvuzelas and non-stop cheering greeted every move that Sushil made to pin down his opponent. Sushil did not give his opponent chance to score even a single point and won gold with the scoreboard reading 7-0. Soon after, Sushil, wrapped in an Indian flag, took a round of the stadium as the audience gave him a standing ovation. He then made his way to the VIP stand where he sought blessings from Dikshit and Hooda. He then emerged on the other side of the stadium to meet Rahul Gandhi. People celebrated as A.R. Rahman's "Jai Ho" played in the stadium and many could be seen dancing and singing along. "It was complete fun affair at the stadium today. It was no less than a cricket match. Apart from the spectacular sport, it was inspiring to see so many people cheering for wrestling. Of course, the VIPs also added to the limelight. We had a great evening today," said Partha Ghosh, who came with his family to watch the match.
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Man nabbed for robbery, murder on train
New Delhi, October 10 The police said Vikram Singh of Shadatpur had lodged a complaint on June 7 that his son Sunil Kumar had gone missing. Kumar, 32, worked as a commission agent and did not return home on June 6, Singh said. The police recovered his bike in an abandoned state on July 14, but his whereabouts remained unknown. After the local police remained unsuccessful in solving the mystery of Kumar's disappearance, the case was transferred to the special staff of the northeast district. Investigating officials interrogated his colleagues, but did not get any clue. Things took a turn when the police learnt that the Bagpat police had found Kumar's body on June 7, the same day his father had lodged the missing report. The body bore strangulation marks on neck. The police got a tip-off that Vikas from Muzaffarnagar who had a criminal background, could be involved in robbing and killing Kumar. Vikas told the police that he had met Kumar in a train from Delhi to Shamli and tried to rob him. However, he resisted and so he killed him. The police has recovered some of Kumar’s belongings from Vikas. During interrogation, Vikas said he had been stealing goods on moving trains across India. |
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Despite tight security, engineer made captive, robbed
Noida, October 10 A software engineer was allegedly kidnapped outside his office by three unidentified men in a cab. The accused allegedly beat him up and robbed him. The victim Ganeshwar, who has suffered fractures on his hands, is admitted to a private hospital. The accused took Ganeshwar to an ATM booth and forced him to withdraw Rs 10,000 using his ATM card. Ganeshwar was allegedly dumped in sector 71 at 11 pm on Saturday. It is the duty of the police to carry out night patrolling in the area, but not a single policeman was seen there at that time. Ganeshwar was rushed to a private hospital by his friends. Ganeshwar works as a software engineer with Dev Mahindra Company in Sector 58. He had left office at 12 in the night, after completing evening shift. He stopped a cab for going to his house in sector 22. The three accused were already sitting in the cab. Ganeshwar told the police that as soon as he sat in the cab, the men covered his mouth and overpowered him. They allegedly beat him with iron rods and made him withdraw Rs 10,000 from an ATM at gunpoint. After taking him around in the cab for hours, the accused allegedly dumped Ganeshwar in sector 71. |
French man held for crushing beggar
New Delhi, October 10 The police declined to give the identity of the accused, but said he was apprehended soon after the accident. The beggar was crossing the road when the car hit him. He suffered injuries and was declared dead in a hospital. The police said eyewitnesses' accounts have borne out accused's claims that the victim was negligent and did not look around while crossing the road. "We have booked him under sections 304(a) and 279 of the Indian Penal Code and are probing the matter," a police official said. However, both the sections under which the accused has been arrested, first dealing with death caused by negligence and another with rash driving, are bailable, which means that the accused would not have to spend time behind bards.
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1 killed in accident
Noida, October 10 In another incident, a man named Narinder Kumar sustained injuries after his motor cycle was hit by a dumper truck at Barolla crossing. Kumar was going to Ghaziabad. He has been admitted to a private hospital. His father Murari Lal has filed a report in the sector 49 police station against the unknown truck driver. |
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Chatterati Delhi, it seems, is easily swayed by international ways of life. The middle class is lured by the Internet to buy expensive brands that are a rage the world over. In America you can rent a Fendi bag or a dress which is overexpensive. The times are financially tough. So, for the upwardly mobile, renting a lifestyle cannot only save money but also become a face saver. For a dinner at home, you can rent an M.F. Husain painting, a dinner set and even a smart friend for conversation. Among the youth, it is usually men who rent bags, shoes and jewellery for their wives. You have professionals in town who can rent you a posh lifestyle. Most NRIs who come to get married in India and don't have many relatives here, rent people dressed in traditional and western attires for the event. For some, it is a smart solution where money can be saved and a dream can be lived, for others, it can signify emotional discontent, especially if they are hiring friends. Each to his own! After all it's a rat race all over. It may sound shallow, but it's true. Bihar poll scene hots up
On the other hand, the Congress is gearing up its workers. If Rahul Gandhi went on a Bihar tour, how could others remain far behind? Gandhi had sent his men ahead to make sure that his trip was a success. Ram Vilas Paswan has decided to reconnect with the masses in Bihar. He is providing a healing touch to everyone, virtually. Paswan has taken the emotional route. He visited the family of a minor girl, who was harassed by two Patna police constables. Then, he visited a woman whose kidney had allegedly been removed by a doctor at the Patna Medical College and Hospital. Paswan has also lent support to the ongoing agitation of Patna students against coaching institutes. Obviously, keeping in mind the youth voters. His party has undertaken a tour across the state with the asthi kalash of a college student who was allegedly killed in a firing incident. But when he was in power, there was no touch either way -- emotional or workwise. He has just remembered now. Krishna to quit politics
He is the US-educated 78-year-old external affairs minister, S.M. Krishna. His quitting has nothing to do with his age. But he is objecting to the muscle, money and state power often used to perpetuate oneself in power. One does wonder what took him so long to understand Indian politics. Krishna has been a chief minister and a governor. He did not fight the last election, but managed to get a Rajya Sabha seat. He is the member of the council of ministers in Manmohan Singh's regime. Rising early is Moily's
writing mantra
His cabinet colleagues are curious to know how Moily finds time to write, given his busy schedule. The minister has a piece of advice for his colleagues -- get up early in the morning and devote some time to writing. He says his mother used to wake him at 4:30 am since he was in class IV. To this, one of his colleagues quipped, "There are better things to do than tamper with history." |
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New Delhi, October 10
It was a power-packed show on the final day of the wrestling event today as politicians, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila
Dikshit, turned up in good numbers at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex to watch ace Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar fight South Africa's Heinrich Barnes for gold.
Lalu Yadav, who is rarely seen nowadays, has predicted the fall of his rival in the Bihar elections. Yadav has said that in Nitish Kumar's regime, development has been nil. There are no education and medical facilities and Kumar is to be blamed for not taking an interest in the aam aadmi's needs. 
The only cabinet minister who is a scholar and has taught international law at George Washington University Law School has decided not to contest the next election. 
One wonders why law minister Veerappa Moily took five years to research and then another five years to write his version of the Ramayana in Kannada.