New Delhi, March 8
The indifferent attitude of people of Delhi leads to crime against women, said Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. "It is a matter of shame that women do not feel secure in the Capital of the country," said Dikshit at a function to celebrate International Women's Day.

She almost snubbed police commissioner BK Gupta when she rejected his claim of improvement in the law and order situation, saying the women in the city were living in an 'atmosphere of insecurity'.

Earlier, in his address Gupta, citing statistics, claimed improvement in the law and order situation and blamed the lack of sensitivity in people for increasing cases of violence against women. However, Gupta said that in the cities like Kolkata, people react very strongly when they see crime against women, but there is no such reaction here.

"It is a matter of shame for each one of us that the capital city of India is considered most unsafe for women. This is not acceptable," said Dikshit rebutting Gupta's argument.

"We invited you here to convey our concern over the feeling of insecurity in the women of the city. Leaving aside the statistics, I want to ask whether we feel safe in the city," Dikshit said.

"You talked about Kolkata. Of course, women are safe in Kolkata. There are two reasons for it. You must remember that the police in Kolkata as well as the civil society are sensitive," the Chief Minister said.

Gupta said the police has increased its vigil in the areas where women are likely to face harassment.

"We have also increased our presence in the areas where students from the northeastern states reside. We are doing everything possible to make the city safe and secure," he said.

The police commissioner also informed that the BPOs have been told to strictly follow the norms prescribed for dropping of women employees who work in offices late at night.

"We have already filed FIRs against 15 violations," he said.

The top cop also said that he had written a letter to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to set up fast track courts for rape cases so that the victims got justice quickly.

New Delhi, March 8
While many couples are heading to countries like Thailand where sex-selection is legal, in India where the discriminatory practice is still a crime, many doctors and private health centres are offering it on demand and the trend goes on.

The erring parties go off scot free which clearly indicates that the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act (PCPNDT), 1994, is far from satisfactory.

"Till date since the existence of the Act, there have been only 10-11 convictions in the country and as many as 600-650 cases related to sex determination and selection are pending with the central health ministry's PCPNDT cell," said Bijayalaxmi Nanda of Campaign for Pre-birth Elimination of Females (CPEF).

In one such complaint, a resident of Rohini, Arun, who used to donate sperms for helping out childless couples, had brought to the notice of the government's said cell that he has been a witness to illegal activity of sex-selection being carried out at a diagnostic clinic at Rohini. It was after consistent requests to the authority concerned that Arun finally reached CPEF.

"Arun had written to the cell that his sperms were used for sex-determination in order to create male foetus. The accused centre has been selling off the sperms to people who prefer sons. Besides, there is a case involving Jaipur Golden Hospital that is still to be sorted out for over three years," Nanda told The Tribune.

Apart from this, there was a supervisory board to be constituted for looking after the cases of sex-selection under the central health ministry, but that is nowhere to be seen. In fact, the cell is almost non-functional and the website is no longer operational, added Nanda.

According to woman right activists, there seems to be a nexus between the government and the doctors engaged in the cruel practice of female foeticide. "Female foeticide is carried in connivance with doctors and criminalised families. In case of a complaint, when the 'form F' is found missing in a centre, the authorities concerned carry the raid and then go on to shut it for a day or two. But the registration remains intact. The main problem is the lack of will to implement the Act due to which the perpetrators run free," pointed out Nanda.

In view of the rising menace of gender-specific abortions, the new draft of surrogacy law is being seen as a threat to the skewed gender ratio.

What is more, the two-child norm in states like Rajasthan and Orissa could result in female foeticide, feel activists. 

New Delhi, March 8
As part of a campaign against female foeticide and for women's security, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today exhorted the women of the city to come forward to fight against the menaces and took part in a signature campaign against female foeticide.

"We have achieved a lot in the past 100 years, but there is still a long way to go. Women have excelled in every walk of life and we will surely establish landmarks of success in the 21st century," said Dikshit at a seminar, Strong Women Strong World, held at FICCI Auditorium here to celebrate the 100th International Women's Day today.

Talking about the rising security problems for women, Dikshit said the responsibility lied with the family of women, community and society at large.

While urging women to launch a massive campaign against female foeticide, Dikshit launched a musical play 'Elan Ek Awaz.. Naya Agaaz' and underlined the urgency to address the problem of discrimination against women and advocated for their equal rights.

The seminar was also attended by the chairperson of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Smriti Irani.

Referring to the murder of a student of Ram Lal Anand College Radhika Tanwar, today, Irani said, "We are celebrating Women's Day and a girl is murdered on the road in the Capital city. Only ceremonial celebrations won't work."

Further, she raised concerns on the security of women, both within and outside their homes.

"The women are secure neither in their mother's womb nor on the road. The women must understand the problems faced by the women community and unite to fight against them," said Irani.

"The women should keep their moral and self-esteem high to fight against the discriminations against them," said chief trustee of the All-India Terapanth Mahila Mandal Shushila Patwari, reading out the message of Shir Acharyaji. 

New Delhi, March 8
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today dedicated a newly developed park in the walled city to all the women of the city on the occasion of International Women's Day.

The park called Desh Bandhu Gupta Park at Ajmeri Gate will be exclusively open for women from 2 pm to 6 pm.

It was inaugurated by Promilla Sibal, wife of Kapil Sibal, Union human resource minister. During the inauguration, she exhorted the women to be in the forefront of all the fields.

Giving details of the developmental work, Krishan Murari Jatav, MCD councillor, said that various services such as toilets, benches, dustbins and a walkway have been provided in the park.

Talking about the security of women, he said the MCD would arrange for more self-defence courses.

New Delhi, March 8
Women entrepreneurs in the Capital today celebrated the International Women's Day under the banner of the Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs (FIWE). A seminar was held on the occasion. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the seminar was dedicated to young achievers and success-oriented women.

Dikshit honoured beauty expert Shahnaz Husain with the FIWE 'Unleashing Women Power Award' for being a globally recognised face of Indian women entrepreneurs and taking the Indian herbal heritage worldwide.

The event shared knowledge on harnessing the entrepreneurial potential of women towards economic growth as well as opportunities and challenges in the field. "I always encourage housewives to open salons in their homes so that they can achieve financial independence. I have seen shy housewives blossom into successful entrepreneurs," said Husain.

New Delhi, March 8
The Delhi High Court today reserved its judgment on the release of a new tariff order of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) for financial year 2010-11.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said: "The judgment is reserved."

The order came while hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Nand Kishore Garg against the non-issuance of the tariff order.

The bench pulled up the Delhi government for its interference in the functioning of the DERC, a quasi-judicial panel.

It also questioned how the government could ask the DERC not to issue the tariff order.

"Your (government's) interdiction was very bad. You have given rise to such a situation where a problem like this arises," said the judges.

In another related case, the court deferred the hearing on the plea by the United Residents Welfare Associations Joint Action to April 5.

The petitioner has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged financial irregularities by private power distribution companies and auditing of their accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

The bench earlier pulled up the Delhi government and the DERC after perusing a file relating to the appointment of members of the electricity regulator. "It is not a happy state of affairs," it said. -- IANS

New Delhi, March 8
The murder of a second year Delhi University student in broad daylight in the Capital today has left the city shell-shocked. Leading social activists and the student community of the city have strongly condemned the incident.

The 21-year-old Radhika Tanwar was attacked by an unidentified man near a footover-bridge outside Ramlal Anand College in Dhaula Kuan's Shantiniketan area around 10:20 this morning.

"It's an irony that this incident has occurred on International Women's Day. Even after so much of concerns expressed by the people of Delhi, such instances continue to occur. Whenever such an incident occurs, everyone tries to make a politically correct statement, still much more needs to be done for a comprehensive plan for women's safety in the Capital," said Ranjana Kumari, director, Centre for Social Research.

Earlier today, speaking at a function on women's day, the Chief Minister snubbed the Delhi police's claims about the improving law and order conditions in the Capital and said, "It is a matter of shame for each one of us that the capital city of India is considered most unsafe for women. This is not acceptable."

Just a week back, a woman was found dead and abandoned near the railway station tracks. On the New Year's Eve, a student of Maulana Azad Medical College was found dead in Dwarka. Both the girls were murdered by their jilted lovers.

Last year, the infamous Dhaula Kuan rape case of a call centre employee had also led to serious concerns about the safety of northeast girls in the Capital.

"What is the purpose of celebrating the women's day with such shameful instances coming to light every other day? Our moral values have fallen. Youngsters today need to be taught to control their anger and frustration. Parents have to sit up and think twice before granting unlimited freedom to their children. Moreover, stringent laws have to be put in place," said Mohini Giri, chairperson, Guild for Service.

Angry with the murder, a large number of students on Delhi University south campus staged a demonstration against the lack of security for students and blocked Ring Road. Some locals also joined the protest. The Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) and student unions of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia strongly condemned the incident.

"Every time, it's women who are blamed in all such instances. The way we dress, talk, socialize and behave is always brought in scrutiny even if someone teases us. Delhi is still unsafe. More patrolling near college campuses is a must. Colleges in east and west Delhi do not have such strict patrolling," said DUSU secretary Neetu Dabbas.

New Delhi, March 8
Amidst cheers, the Aman Caravan Cycle Rally, consisting of 19 students and seven faculty members returned to Jamia Millia Islamia after a successful tour of the Indo-Pakistan border at Wagah.

The rally was received today by the commissioner of police, Delhi, B K Gupta, IPS, Sandeep Dixit, Member of Parliament, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, former captain of Indian cricket team and Zafar Iqbal, Olympian.

The rally was flagged off on February 28 after the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Swarn Jayanti Gate, Wagah Border. The DIG Amritsar Border Range, Sanjiv Bhanot, flagged off the rally.

The enthusiastic students witnessed the impressive Beating Retreat ceremony and interacted with the BSF personnel posted at the venue. On their way, the students stopped at various roadside dhabas and other market places to interact with the local residents on peace and universal brotherhood.

The students had also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and visited Jalianwala Bagh, Amritsar, before starting off for Wagah Border.

A student said, "The rally was truly a learning experience for me. I visited Wagah Border and Jallianwala Bagh as well as the Golden Temple. The entire experience was exhilarating and it also helped foster a spirit of brotherhood."

The students also passed through several historical, cultural and religious landmarks on their journey towards Delhi.

Starting from Amritsar on to Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sirhind, Karnal, Panipat and Rai, the rally reached Delhi today after covering approximately 550 km on the Grand Trunk Road.

The theme of the rally this year is 'Peace and Universal Brotherhood'. The team was led by Prof Zubair Meenai and Q Wahidi.

Allahabad, March 8
The fate of slain teenager Aarushi Talwar's mother Nupur Talwar will be decided on March 18 by the Allahabad High Court, which today put off its decision on her plea challenging her being named a co-accused in the case.

Reserving its verdict on her plea against being summoned by the lower court as a co-accused along with her dentist husband and key accused Rajesh Talwar, the court completed its hearing on arguments by the teenager's parents as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Nupur Talwar's counsel, senior advocate Gopal Chaturvedi, said since she was never summoned by the trial court in Ghaziabad earlier and the CBI's closure report never named her as a suspect, she could not be named as a co-accused at this juncture by the lower court.

The CBI claimed that it had "sufficient circumstantial evidence" to establish that Aarushi was killed by Rajesh Talwar.

The investigation agency sought to charge Nupur Talwar with assisting her husband in "destroying all evidences".

Fourteen-year-old Aarushi, a Class IX student of Delhi Public School at Noida, was found murdered at her parents' apartment in Noida on May 16, 2008.

The family's servant Hemraj was initially suspected for the killing but his body was found on the flat's terrace a day later.

The CBI filed a closure report in December 2010. The Ghaziabad court on February 9 ordered that the Talwars be charged with murder, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy. -- IANS

New Delhi, March 8
A Delhi court today deferred framing of charges against 13 accused in the 2008 Delhi serial blasts in which 26 people were killed.

"As the matter is being heard by the Supreme Court today regarding clubbing of all blast cases in Delhi, we fix March 24 for the formal framing of charges against all accused," said additional sessions judge Santosh Snehi Mann.

The court issued fresh production warrant against 11 of the 13 accused lodged in Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat. Two other accused are in Tihar Jail in Delhi. All the accused are facing charges under penal provisions, including murder, attempt to murder and waging war against the nation, under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act.

Four blasts at Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and Greater Kailash shook Delhi on September 13, 2008. The accused allegedly belong to the Indian Mujahideen terror group which claimed responsibility for the bombing. -- IANS