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Delhiites join anti-graft rally
Delhi first city to screen for hepatitis C
Feathered visitors to Delhi zoo
on the decline
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Kashmiri migrants all for
communal harmony
Warm day in Delhi
Shocked by losing kin, Gagan in ICU
Man opposing eve-teasing
shot at
Another roof collapses; 5 hurt
‘Illegal buildings cause of collapses’
8-yr boy dies in mishap
Reshuffle in Cabinet
122 CCTV cameras to help curb crime in G B Nagar
Migratory birds at Brijghat attract tourists
OC digitising CWG records
Roshni turns Prez estate eco-friendly; saves power
Play staged on railway platform
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Delhiites join anti-graft rally
New Delhi, December 4 The rally, which was organised as part of efforts to put more pressure on the government to bring the lower bureaucracy under the lokpal, saw a large number of Anna Hazare’s supporters led by Kiran Bedi and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan. The rally was flagged off from Rajghat at 9 in the morning and concluded at Tughlakabad Maidan after passing through Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, ITO, Tilak Marg, Sher Shah Suri Road, Mathura Road, Defence Colony, Andrews Ganj, August Kranti Marg, Press Enclave and MB Road. Anna planned another protest at Jantar Mantar on December 11. Bedi said keeping the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under their authority would mean that they did not want the corrupt to be exposed. She said people wanted to know whether the government was committed to bring right kind of bill. “They have gone back on whatever the Prime Minister and Parliament had promised. Keeping the CBI under their control they have shown that they are not serious about tackling corruption. It’s a useless lokpal. It seems whatever Anna fasted for has been wasted,” said Bedi. The team Anna has also sought permission from the Delhi police for a fast by Hazare from December 27 to January 5 at the Ramlila Maidan, if the bill is not passed in the ongoing Parliament session. “The draft report on the lokpal bill by the Parliamentary Standing Committee was a betrayal, we will go on an indefinite fast on December 27, if a strong anti-graft law was not passed in the winter session of Parliament,” Bedi added. For the overwhelming response from the public, the leaders of the team said it boosts their confidence and motivation to keep the fight going. “The response of people is awesome. Over 500 cars and bikes participated in the rally. We covered about 25 km from Rajghat to Tughlakabad Maidan. We expect the same enthusiasm during our protest at Jantar Mantar and hunger strike on December 27,” she said. People wearing tattoos of Tricolour and holding the National Flags raised slogans in favour of Anna campaign against corruption. “By participating in these kinds of protests, we can express support for Anna. I support Annaji and want him to continue his campaign against corruption,” said a participant of the rally.
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Delhi first city to screen for hepatitis C
New Delhi, December 4 An initiative of the Delhi Government, the screening is being conducted at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in order to prevent the spread of the deadly virus that manifests after 15 to 20 years as cirrhosis and liver cancer in the infected person. As a preventive measure, hospitals in the city will soon have the latest specific measure — nucleic acid testing (NAT)— of all blood in order to reduce the residual risk of transmission of hepatitis C, state health minister A K Walia said today. He was speaking at a function to mark the 14th World Hepatitis Day organised at ILBS today. “Since there is no vaccine against this life-threatening disease, prevention is the only way left with us. Along with screening and NAT testing we have also decided to provide help of Rs 2.5 lakh to people whose income is below Rs 1 lakh and who will undergo surgery for liver transplant,” he said. Dr S K Sarin, director, ILBS said, “This virus takes 20 years to manifest. Testing blood for the presence of hepatitis C began in 1997. That is why we are also advising people who have undergone unsafe blood transfusion of any kind before the year 1997 to get themselves screened for hepatitis C virus. “A majority of those diagnosed with hepatitis C are those who have undergone surgery or blood transfusion in the past or taken repeated injections. Health care workers, unsafe blood transfusion and babies born to hepatitis C infected mothers and people who have undergone surgery in the past are at high risk of hepatitis C infection,” he said. PTI
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Feathered visitors to Delhi zoo
on the decline
New Delhi, December 4 “Hundreds of migratory birds from Siberia, South-East Asia and other parts of India congregate at the park during winters, but the number has plummeted this year,” Delhi zoo curator Riyaz Khan told PTI. He listed a number of factors for the decline, including climatic changes which have disrupted their migratory pattern, the delayed onset of winter in the capital this year and the ban on hunting in countries en route to the city. “The decline is not a recent trend. In the early 1990s, over 5,000 birds used to come. However, over the last few years, only as many as 1,000 of about six to seven species have been coming. While there are umpteen reasons for this, the main factor is global warming, which has disrupted their migratory pattern,” said Khan. However, close to 100 avians from Siberia and South-East Asia, called the ‘true migratory’ birds as they do not nest away from their home location, have already arrived at the park. The other winter visitors, which have flown from the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, have already started nesting and breeding, he said. Among the 100 ‘true migratory’ birds that have arrived so far are the dabchick, shoveller duck, northern pintail, common teal, red lapwing and coot, in addition to 40 other varieties. The white ibis, painted stork, night heron, tailor bird, green pigeon, blue-throated crystal and spot billed duck are among the local winter visitors that have flapped their way from the country’s hilly regions, informed Khan. Meanwhile, zoo officials have added an additional 60 kg of fish to the daily ration to cater to the winged visitors. “However, this is insufficient as each bird consumes around 300 gm of fish. With more birds coming in, the ration will have to be increased further,” said Khan. — PTI |
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Kashmiri migrants all for
communal harmony
New Delhi, December 4 Since then, hundreds of such families have been carrying the burden of lost roots, identity and more than that the trauma of lost sense of belonging with a hope to return to their native land. Their heart-felt urge found voice through a bunch of migrant Kashmiri children who performed a musical play “Mouj Kashmir” which depicted the mirth and celebration surrounding Kashmiri marriages. While the colourful composition reflected the central Asian influences on Kashmiri music, the artists were articulate in reaching out to the audience with their message of communal harmony characterised by “Kashmiriyat”. Right from day one, the festival with a host of presentation, comprising folk dances, songs, theatre performances, Kashmiri cuisine, celebrated the amazing blend and exotic diversity of cultures of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Other attractions of the day were mushaira, where eminent poets recited their verses, sufiana kalams, characterised with “maqam” and santoor, Ladakhi mask dances, an integral component of monastery festivities, brought alive the Tibetan-Buddhist culture. All this gave the audience the spectacular delight of their land, helping them to relive their lovely memories. In fact, such captivating was the performance that the union minister for new and renewable energy, Farooq Abdullah, who was the chief guest on the closing day, started singing with the performers “Hum honge kamyab ek din,…”. “We look forward to that day when the rich valley will have the composite culture that it had 22 years ago. Many of these performers, who are migrants, have not seen their land, its singing tunes and cultural riches,” said Dr Abdullah. Hoping to see better days when the Kashmiri pandits will be able to return to their homeland, he added, “The days are not far when the valley will again sing the age-old sagas of brotherhood and communal amity when hearts will open to each other.” Applauding the work of artists and organisers, he said such festivals symbolised unity in diversity and served as common platform to people irrespective of cast, creed and colour, enabling them to share their culture and traditions. |
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Warm day in Delhi
New Delhi, December 4 The minimum temperature for today was recorded at 12° C which is three notches above normal whereas the maximum settled at 27.6° C, which again three degrees above normal, said an official at the IMD department. The department has predicted a clear sky with shallow fog for tomorrow morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures will remain at 27° and 11° C, respectively. Humidity is likely to swing between 45 and 90 per cent. |
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Shocked by losing kin, Gagan in ICU
New Delhi, December 4 A day after the collapse, killing four people, the bereaved relatives congregated to mourn the deceased. Gagan Sharma lost his wife Richa, mother Roopa Rani and two-year-old son Jai in the building collapse. Unable to bear this loss, he went into a trauma and was admitted at the ICU ward of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospital. The deceased included the landlord of the building, Ramesh Sharma's wife, Savita. The disaster occurred at about 12 pm yesterday, when the owners of 'Metro Restaurant' were excavating a hole at their plot. The extensive digging weakened the foundation of the adjacent building, causing it to collapse. During that moment, Richa, Roopa and Jai were present inside the building. Richa's sister, Manisha, said, "Some people informed Richa that her building was about to collapse, due to the digging. She was about to leave with her mother-in-law and son, but within five minutes the disaster struck." Gagan is now left with his only child, 3-year-old, Vanshika, who was lucky not to be present at home on that fateful day. He found it difficult to answer Vanshika when she asked about her mother. Richa's maternal grandmother wept and was anxious about who would take care of Vanshika, now that her mother is no more. Two arrested
Two people were arrested today for the collapse of the building, the police said. “Davendra
Kalra, the owner of a plot adjacent to the building and his partner Tarun Chawla were arrested while Dayal
Chawla, Shiv Sodi and Kishan Sodhi are absconding,” said a senior police officer. |
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Man opposing eve-teasing
shot at
New Delhi, December 4 Ajay Kumar Anand, 38, a resident of Bhajanpura, was hit by a bullet in stomach at around 9.45 pm. “He noticed that two motorbike-borne men stopped near a bus stop seeing a single girl. They were harassing her and were forcing her to come along with them,” said a police official. Anand, who was standing near a betel shop, intervened and asked the men not to harass the girl. But the two started abusing Anand. When they saw other on-lookers gathering near the spot, they fired two bullets — one in air and one at Anand. The bullet hit Anand’s stomach and he fell to the ground. The assailants fled the spot and the girl also left the spot in haste, said the police official. “Anand was rushed to hospital where he is undergoing treatment,” the official added. — IANS |
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Another roof collapses; 5 hurt
New Delhi, December 4 The injured include two children and a woman. They were rushed to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, where four of them were discharged after receiving treatment for their injuries. Sources said that one of the children is in a critical condition. Two children, a woman and two labourers were trapped under the debris when the roof of a shop was being constructed. “Two cranes were rushed to the spot after the incident and the victims were rescued from the debris,” an official at the fire department said. A case of negligence has been registered against the owner of the shop, said a police official.
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‘Illegal buildings cause of collapses’
New Delhi, December 4 The main reason behind is the politics played by the municipal leaders when it comes to take action against the illegal colonies. "Whenever strong action is taken against unauthorized constructions, politicians come forward in opposition to show sympathy towards the affected persons which makes it difficult to take action," MCD Works Committee Chairman Jagdish Mamgain. Several resident welfare associations have also expressed concern at frequent collapse of buildings due to illegal constructions and have demanded CBI probe in all illegal construction coming up in various parts. |
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8-yr boy dies in mishap
New Delhi, December 4 The accident took place around 9 pm near the Ghazipur police post. Neeraj Joshi, 8, along with his mother, was coming home at Mayur Vihar Phase III to change his clothes for the function when the accident took place. He was crossing the road when he was hit by the speeding Santro car. The boy sustained critical injuries and was taken to Metro Hospital in Noida. — IANS |
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Reshuffle in Cabinet
New Delhi, December 4 Labour and industries mnister Ramakant Goswami has been given additional charge of the parliamentary and law and justice departments, which were earlier with the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. |
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122 CCTV cameras to help curb crime in G B Nagar
Noida, December 4 In the surveillance drive started about a week ago, the police has already cracked down on encroachers, thereby regulating traffic on congested stretches. On an average, there are 65 road accidents in a month with at least one death in each accident on the expressway. In one month the traffic police has challaned 4,734 vehicles in the city, collecting Rs 2,83,350 as fines and penalties. The additional director general of police (traffic), Uttar Pradesh, Surya Kumar Shukla, had launched the surveillance drive in Gautam Buddha Nagar, the first ventured of its kind in the state. The cameras are being monitored at the police control room located opposite Sector 14 A. “The 48 movable cameras have pan, tilt and zoom features which provide a 360 degree view of an area where the camera is perched,” said superintendent of police (traffic) Avadesh Kumar Vijeta. After instructions from the Uttar Pradesh police headquarters, a survey was conducted for the placement of 41 cameras at strategic and sensitive locations across the city. “The CCTV cameras have been installed at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and educational hubs of the city,” said Vijeta. Some of the locations include sector 18, Atta Peer crossing, cross road of sectors 8, 10, 11 and 12, Metro Hospital sector 12, Reliance-Adobe crossing, sector 12-22 crossing, DM residence crossing, T-point of Botanical Garden Metro station, crossroad at Rajnigandha, NTPC crossing and sector 57 crossing. Fifteen police officials have been stationed at the control room to keep an eye on the CCTV footage. Strict monitoring of the traffic as well as incidents of illegal activities like chain snatching and robbery will be scrutinised. Apart from traffic violators, the police has also issued a warning to eve-teasers, those drinking at public places and other anti-social elements roaming in the city. “Once the control room sends out information about any violation, the nearest PCR van in the area will be alerted and sent to the spot for immediate action,” said Vijeta.
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Migratory birds at Brijghat attract tourists
Ghaziabad, December 4 A large number of them, which include ruddy shelducks from China and Ladakh, have come to Garhmukteshwar, where the shovelers from Siberia have also flocked to the Ganga. As a result, Brijghat is witnessing an increasing number of birdwatchers and pilgrims. Even the travellers of Delhi-Lucknow road are taking time out to halt for a while and have a glimpse of the migratory birds. Vijaypal Baghel, an ecologist and is an expert on the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, said, “Garhmukteshwar is part of a new district now and is getting all the attention for its eco-tourism. There is more protection for the migratory birds now,” he said. Pilgrims to Brijghat are particularly having a good time. They throw puffed rice into the river from the boats for birds. “The birds eat that, even though they feed on aquatic plants and fish. It is encouraging to see that another site is coming up at the Ganga,” said Anand Arya, a bird watcher. Attempts are being made to protect the birds from poachers said a Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary official. “Shopkeepers and priests at Brijghat are very protective about the birds and dolphins here,” he said. Garhmukteshwar was a part of Ghaziabad until this year when it was included in Panchshilnagar. The Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is located here and this part of the Ganga is a protected zone. It is also protected on priority under the Ramsar Wetlands Agreement. This stretch has substantial river dolphin population and birds like cranes, storks and ducks.
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OC digitising CWG records
New Delhi, December 4 OC officials said 90 per cent of the work has been completed and the rest will be done by this year-end. “There are several files in the OC headquarters. We have decided to digitally preserve all the files and keep them in a well-indexed way,” CEO of the Games Organising body Jarnail Singh told PTI. He said these records will be made available to domestic or international sports federations for conducting any event. — PTI |
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Roshni turns Prez estate eco-friendly; saves power
New Delhi, December 4 The brainchild of President Pratibha Patil is also being adopted by Governors’ houses across the country. According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan official, the programme was instrumental in reducing consumption of electricity in the President’s Estate, spread in about 200 acres. In 2010, there was a reduction of 22.3 per cent in electricity consumption and reduction of 16.8 per cent in the total number of units (Kwh) consumed, as compared to 2009. “As a result, savings on electricity consumption were approximately Rs 1.64 crore and about 26 lakh units (Kwh),” the official said. The ISO certified project was inaugurated by Patil in 2008 which was aimed at building a sustainable habitat through waste management, rain water harvesting, environment protection and pollution control, energy audit, usage and promotion of new and renewable sources of energy and by replacement of LPG by piped natural gas. Five self-help groups are engaged in activities like vermin composting and organic composting, masala grinding, beauty culture and production of paper bags under Roshni. — PTI |
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Play staged on railway platform
New Delhi, December 4 A large number of passengers enjoyed the nukad natak (street play) staged at the busy station, according to a Northern Railway release. The play was staged by the Mitra Cultural Society under leadership of its director Anil Sharma. The next railway station for such a programme will be the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station where the street play will be staged on December 6 and 7. — PTI |
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New Delhi, December 4
New Delhi, December 4
