New Delhi, April 8
Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption seems to have caught the nation on its right nerves as massive support pours in cutting across caste and religion. However, there were quite a few people using the opportunity to their advantage while several others, ignorant of the whole cause, had gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar today.

It seemed to be a mockery when representatives from groups like Jat Arakshan Andolan, hardly aware of the ground of movement, and several celebrities making a starry appearance during the day in the Capital.

People like Baba Ramdev, Swami Agnivesh and eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani also rendered their celebrated support, which put the crowd in high spirits which shouted slogans against the PM Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. For almost the entire day, the yoga guru shared the stage with high-spirited Hazare, who today said, "I was an Indian jawan (fighter) earlier, I'd remain a jawan even when I die."

Nonetheless, the movement to bring in a Lokpal legislation, which remains stalled for 42 years due to the lack of political will, has emerged as a people's revolution and a testimony to it is the overwhelming support pouring in from all sections of society. Such is the reach of the protest that Indians even from abroad are flying back home to join the Gandhian's fast-onto-death, with the protest entering into its fifth day today.

"I saw it over television and seeing the response in the country, I decided to come over the weekend. If a 72-year-old Hazare can do it, why can't I almost half his age. It is a scene that the country has seen never before and it is really amazing to see children from schools and youth coming forward," said Ravi Krishnamoorty, finance professional who hails from Chennai and has been working in Dubai for 13 years.

The spot has become the centrestage bubbling with action while many NGOs are cashing in on the occasion.

Still the dominant picture of the entire nation rising up to the occasion gave goose bumps to many, who believe that the entire movement is quite timely as the whole country simmers in an unnerving uproar.

"The government's behavior is no different from Libya's and it is indeed inspiring to see the energy and the verve visible among people," added Krishnamoorty.

"The Congress is playing with people and now it is left with no choice than relenting to the aspirations of the people. It is better it realises that the government is not superior. There is no stopping the people's voice," said wing commander C K Sharma and commander Beniwal of the ex-servicemen movement.

"The laws are only for the politicians and the common man continues to suffer. It is only during elections that they come to ask for votes," said Victor Vijay, a freelance photographer, who has been posting images on the Facebook to mobilise people against the government's attempt to sabotage the anti-corruption law.

New Delhi, April 8
"Corruption has become a way of life whether it is 2-G Spectrum or something else. Political will is required to check such a malady," says Justice Manmohan Sarin, Delhi Lokayukta in a talk on the "Role of Lokayukta and Corruption", organized by Delhi Study Circle today.

He said that in the last 10 years, the Delhi Lokayukta had received 540 complaints while in the last two years itself, it had received 581 complaints that indicated that awareness about Lokayukta was spreading. However, some of them are of the nature which should be registered with the public grievances cell.

Without naming the politicians, the Lokayukta said that he received complaints against 60 councillors about unauthorized construction.

The complaints were submitted by a woman corporator. The councillors were summoned to appear before the Lokayukta. Thirty of them submitted affidavits that they would themselves remove all the illegal structures in their properties.

Speaking on the corruption issue, he held people responsible for electing candidates who have criminal background. There are 135 politicians against whom cases are registered. It's people's responsibility to see the background of the candidate before casting their ballot in the elections.

As far as the Lokpal Bill is concerned, it has been tabled before Parliament eight times but it has not been passed so far.

"When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former President of India Abdul Kalam say that they should be in jurisdiction of Lokayukta, what is the problem in approving the Bill in Parliament," he questioned.

He said that the movement launched by Anna Hazare against corruption and the approval of Lokpal Bill by Parliament are gaining strength day by day.

New Delhi, April 8
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today urged the Central government to not react on the Delhi government's proposal to divide the corporation into five parts.

The chairman of the Standing Committee, Yogender Chandolia said today that the recommendations of the Delhi government could not be implemented unless they were ratified by Parliament.

"If it is done on the basis of the administrative order, it will be an insult to the public mandate. The number of statuary committees, special committees and ad hoc committees will be five times the present number calling for an additional expenditure of Rs 500 crore," said Chandolia.

He added that the funds for buildings and their maintenance would require one time investment of Rs 1,000 crore. "All these expenditure will be met out of the hard earned money of common man. It will lead to untold financial burden upon them. If this much fund is given to the MCD, it will completely transform the city," he said.

He accused the government of supplying bacteria in the drinking water which could not be killed with any medicine.

"Such government has no right to call MCD inefficient and unwieldy. "After the division of the MCD, the largest municipal body in the world will be reduced to local panchayat status. Smaller corporations will have no option but to act as puppets in the hands of bureaucrats," he added.

Ghaziabad, April 8
Four bike-borne criminals snatched Rs 8.50 lakh from two accountants at Attal Chowk of Vasundhra. The accountants were on their way to deposit the amount in a bank. When an eyewitness tried to throw a flowerpot at the bandits, they fired shots at him and sped away with cash.

SHO Indirapuram police station Rajesh Diwedi said the criminals would be apprehended soon.

S.P. Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad Arya Nagar, is a vegetable and fruit agent in Sahibabad market.

Around 12 pm on Wednesday, Sandeep and Sunil Kumar, S.P. Singh's accountants, carrying Rs 9 lakh in a bag, started on a bike towards ICICI Bank in Vasundhra Sector 13.

A little away from the bank, four bandits on a black bike stopped the accountants and tried to snatch the bag. In the struggle, Sunil who was driving the motorcycle lost his balance and fell on road. One of the bandits then fired a shot at Sunil who was resisting the loot. Hearing the commotion, one private security official S.K. Singh threw a flowerpot at them from the balcony of his house, but as one of them fired a gunshot at him, Singh too let them go.

Police circle officer Kamlesh Bahadur and the Indirapuram police reached the spot and made enquiries.

Greater Noida, April 8
A woman in Khatana village under Jarcha police station is reported to have been raped at gunpoint. The alleged rapist had been harassing the woman for quite sometime.

The police has registered a case and sent the victim for medical examination. The accused has not been arrested so far. The victim, wife of a villager, had gone to collect fodder in the field. She encountered a youth there who reportedly raped her at gunpoint. Later, the accused Jagat fled threatening her if she told anybody about the incident.

Her family members were on their way to Jarcha Kotwali to lodge a report, when Jagat's relatives tried to settle the issue amicably.

After the victim lodged a report, police circle officer Ambesh Chand Tyagi said the woman has been sent for medical examination and the police would soon apprehend the accused.

Greater Noida, April 8
More than a dozen persons were rushed to hospital after eating puris and pakoras made of kuttu flour in Greater Noida on the fourth day of Navratra.

Over 20 persons had broken their fast after eating kuttu flour pakoras yesterday evening.

Within half an hour of eating the food, they were all taken ill--vomiting, loose motions and giddiness.

As their condition deteriorated, they were rushed to hospital.

According to Dr Anil Kumar of Navin Hospital,where the victims were taken,all of them fell ill due to food poisoning. Many were rushed to Yatharth Wellness hospital. They had all consumed kuttu flour pakoras.

New Delhi, April 8
A walkathon was organised on the World Autism Awareness Day today by Tamana, a city-based NGO for especially abled individuals. A number of mainstream schools from all over Delhi joined hands with Tamana students on the occasion.

The visitors were first given an orientation to autism and then invited to come and volunteer at Tamana and become friends with the autistic. The March began from School of Hope (Vasant Vihar) to Basant Lok Market. The march was flagged off by Bharkha Singh, local MLA and Shayama Chona, founder of Tamana.

The students of Tamana avidly participated in the walkathon and wore hangers with array of slogans quoted on it like "Include me in your world", "We may be different but aren't we all", "I am not sick, I am special", I deserve acceptance and respect as I am", and more.

"It is a walk for autism, for creating more awareness about this condition, as it is not a disease or a mental illness. In fact, it is a condition, a neuro developmental disorder", says Dr Shayama Chona.

She remembered that 26 years ago when she wanted to setup a special school in Vasant Vihar, lots of protests were made by the residents of the colony who did not want mentally-ill (pagal) children among them. She described her journey on how she fought to change perceptions of the society.

A short presentation "what is autism?" was organised in School of Hope as well. Tamana teachers performed 'nukkad natak' at Basant Lok Market to create awareness about autism. This was done not only to sensitise the students, but also the general public about autism.

Autism is complex developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.

Dr Chona said, "These children are as much a part of this society as others. This effort of ours is to make this fact known and to acknowledge their presence in the society."

New Delhi, April 8
The Commissioner of Police, BK Gupta, today granted out-of-turn promotion to three head constables to the rank of assistant sub-inspector and five constables to the rank of head constables in recognition of their "exceptional devotion, commitment, courage, steadfastness and intelligence gathering" which resulted in arrest of dreaded criminals.

The beneficiary head constables are Islamuddin, Hukam Chand and Pradeep Kumar while the promoted constables are Lav Kumar, Kishore Singh, Vinay Kumar, Asgar Ali and Ashok Yadav.

Islamudin, Hukam Chand and Lav Kumar, Kishore Singh, Asgar Ali and Vinay Kumar have been granted one rank promotion for displaying outstanding detective acumen, extraordinary act of gallantry and extreme devotion during the sensational BPO employee rape case of Dhaula Kuan.

"They had camped in Mewat, known for its notoriety and attacks on policemen, to gather information regarding the criminals . Their efforts led to the arrest of all five criminals and recovery of the vehicle used in the crime," said a senior police official.

Pradeep Kumar and Ashok Yadav have been granted one rank promotion for displaying high standard of detective ability and devotion to duty in arresting proclaimed offenders. While Pradeep Kumar apprehended more than 77 proclaimed offenders from April 2007 to November 2007, Ashok Yadav apprehended more than 79 proclaimed offender, including 25 of heinous crime, from April 2009 to January 2010.

Gupta put the rank on personnel in a simple investiture ceremony held at the Police Headquarters.

New Delhi, April 8
Some burglars decamped with imported watches and perfumes worth around Rs 1.7 lakh from the residence of an advocate in the Shahdara area of east district this morning.

According to the police, the occupants of the house F-17, New Shahdara, were asleep when the incidence took place. "The victim, Gaurav Bakshi, his wife Jyoti, brother Saurav and father SK Bakshi, also an advocate, were asleep while the thieves decamped with valuables. The incident came to light around 6 am, when Gaurav found imported watches worth around Rs 1.4 lakh and perfumes worth around Rs 30,000 were missing from the house," said a police official. The burglars entered through a window.

Gaurav practices at Karkarduma Court while Saurav is a businessman.