Few new lots but parking rates raised

Without upgrading infrastructure, civic agencies have increased parking rates in the city. The steep hike—Rs 20 per hour as against Rs 10 for 12 hours earlier—has not gone down well with users.

While New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and South and East Corporations now charge Rs 20 per hour, with a cap of Rs 100 per day, North Corporation has different rates. Four-wheelers pay Rs 20 for the fi rst hour and Rs 10 for each subsequent hour. This has led to parking attendants fl eecing car owners. Though the civic agencies had planned to provide handheld devices connected to their main servers for issuing parking slips, these are yet to materialize. At most places, parking attendants don't use handheld devices to issue slips.

The corporations had been planning to hike rates for the past few years but couldn't due to political compulsions as every time they took it up some election or the other came up.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=parking rates,North Corporation,NDMC,infrastructure,civic agencies

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Metro saw more footfall

From launching a new interchange station at Mandi House to adding more coaches to pushing phase-II work, Delhi Metro had a busy year.

The renovated Mandi House station—part of the extension of the Central Secretariat-Badarpur corridor to Kashmere Gate—now takes away at least one lakh commuters from Rajiv Chowk station every day. Around 40,000 commuters have also moved to Mandi House from Central Secretariat interchange station. The average footfall at Rajiv Chowk was earlier around fi ve lakh while for Central Secretariat, it was two lakhs.

The Metro's overall ridership went up this year, with the peak daily ridership touching 28 lakh—a jump from 23 lakh in 2013. The average daily ridership was 2.57 lakh. DMRC also added 38 coaches to its network, converting 11 trains into eight-coach ones.

The Airport line saw improvements in operation. Speed, frequency and number of trains running during peak hours were improved while the ticket rates were slashed by up to 40%.

However, all was not well. DMRC remained in the news for the tender scam involving Alstom. Britain's Serious Fraud Offi ce (SFO) charged engineering major Alstom Network UK for allegedly bribing offi cials and agents of DMRC to the tune of over 3 million euros to secure contracts. Of the six charges, two relate to the DMRC contract. Back home, work on phase III got delayed on two new corridors because of land acquisition problems.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Mandi House,Kashmere Gate,Delhi Metro,Coaches,Alstom

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rot deep, hospitals and doctors got a prescription

It was a year marked by controversies and reports of medical malpractices in the health sector. The unceremonious removal of IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi from the post of chief vigilance officer and forensic expert Dr Sudhir Gupta's allegation about pressure to manipulate the postmortem report of Sunanda Pushkar, rocked AIIMS and the health ministry.

In Delhi, lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung focused on streamlining health facilities. At least 17 state-run hospitals were asked to start online OPD registration. Cleanliness at government hospitals also improved due to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

However, the state government faced sharp criticism from the opposition after TOI reported about two super-specialty hospitals that have not been operationalized after spending more than Rs 150 crore and 16 years on them. The matter was raised in Parliament and National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the state on the issue.

On the positive side, 2014 saw fewer dengue cases. The threat of Ebola, stated to be the modern world's worst health crisis, kept the health authorities on their toes. One patient travelling from Liberia had to be put in the isolation unit at IGI Airport when he tested positive for the viral infection but the government assured he had not infected others on the flight. Swine fl u was also reported towards the end of the year and one woman died of it.

The issue of medical malpractices gained prominence after Dr Samiran Nundy, a senior Delhi doctor, declared that "corruption is all-pervasive in healthcare in India". Medical practitioners came forward to join the crusade against malpractices.

Issues such as capitation fee in medical colleges, hospitals offering 'incentives' to individual practitioners to refer patients, and diagnostic centres offering kickbacks for sending more patients dominated the discussions. The matter was raised in Parliament when a sting operation showed 12 diagnostic centres in Delhi allegedly paying doctors a cut for referrals.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Rot deep,prescription,National Human Rights Commission,hospitals,doctors

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

World heritage tag proving elusive

The year 2014 was significant on the heritage front as well. The proposal for nomination of Delhi as a world heritage city seemed to have hit a hurdle at the eleventh hour with the Centre questioning the implications of this Unesco inscription.

The dossiers for the nomination tag were prepared by India National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), Delhi chapter. The preliminary dossier was submitted 2013 and the fi nal one submitted in January this year. Following this, a team from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) visited the nominated sites of Shahjahnabad and Lutyens' Bungow Zone in October. Now, all eyes are on Unesco, which is scheduled to announce in June, 2015 whether the city has made the cut or not.

The UD ministry, meanwhile, has its own concerns as fears that a "world heritage city" tag may "restrict urban development in these areas because any new development will have to be in conformity with operational guidelines and accepted conservation guidelines under World Heritage Convention, 1972". Even conservationists have raised questions as to why the Centre is getting the jitters now when the nomination was at such an advanced stage. Ministry offi cials maintained they should be kept apprised of any developments and were concerned about what would be the repercussions for Delhi in the event of getting the tag.

Intach officials said it took years of planning and research for Delhi to reach the current stage. The initial dossiers started with the nine heritage zones listed in DDA's master plan, then it shrunk to four areas and finally, experts decided to stick to just Old and New Delhi.

Delhi's nomination—Shahjanabad and Lutyens' Building zone —highlights the contrasting lifestyles of two different regimes. "It makes a direct comparison between colonial Delhi and Mughal Delhi in terms of architecture, planning, standard of living etc. Nowhere else in the world can one see two contrasting periods co-existing in city,'' said an official.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=World Heritage City,Unesco inscription,Intach,heritage front

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi Metro's Rajiv Chowk station to close at 9 pm

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro will shut down one of its busiest stations in central Delhi Wednesday 9.00 pm. following security concerns on the occasion of New Year's Eve, an official said.

"As advised by Delhi Police, entry or exit at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station will not be available after 9 pm today (Wednesday). However, interchange facility will continue to be available at the station for Line 2 and 3 after 9 p.m.," a Delhi Metro spokesperson said.

Rajiv Chowk, a major intersection station, sees a footfall of nearly five lakh on weekdays.

Joint Commissioner of police MK Meena told IANS: "To prevent over crowding in the Connaught Place area, we have requested the Delhi Metro to shut the Rajiv Chowk Metro station after 9 p.m. today."

"We have also asked them to keep a watch on other stations falling under the New Delhi area. If required, we will ask them to shut other stations as well," Meena added.

Following the Intelligence Bureau inputs of possible terror attacks in metro cities, the Delhi Police have increased vigil in the various markets and prominent places across the national capital.

There will be restrictions imposed on various arterial roads heading towards the Connaught Place area on the occasion of New Year's Eve from 8.30 pm.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Rajiv Chowk Metro station,Delhi Metro,Central Delhi

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mandate muffled, Delhi waits for govt

For a brief while at the start of the year, the common man believed he had the reins of government in hand. But it was all too theatrical to last, with the CM intent on dharnas & durbars.

Shaken and stirred. That has been the state of the capital this year. Arvind Kejriwal had taken charge of Delhi government in the dying moments of 2013.So, it's rather surreal to see him canvassing for votes once again with his trademark muffler wrapped around his neck exactly a year later. In between, except for that tumultuous brief period when the city seemed to be caught in a whirlwind, there has been no government.
How did we come to such a pass?

Blame the voter who didn't give a definite mandate. But also blame the man who despite opting to rule spent most of the time protesting and then walked away in a huff. Aam Aadmi Party's 49-day rule was marked by a lot of drama and theatrics. The new kid on the block - which set out to raise the bar in political conduct - did seem to have its heart in the right place but couldn't shake off its agitational approach to issues.The chaotic but shortlived Janata Darbar, dharna outside Rail Bhavan, Kejriwal's threat to disrupt Repub lic Day celebrations and a mid night raid in Khirki Extension by then law minister Somnath Bharti - all pointed to a party unable to handle the reins of power.

While the corrupt felt the heat and some populist decisions on power and water got the government brownie points, many voters.

let down by the party's signature confrontational stance against the Centre, LG and even well-meaning critics. And then it all ended in a jiffy with Kejriwal submitting his resignation, accusing BJP and Congress of thwarting the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill. Delhi came under President's Rule followed by months of uncertainty over government formation. This finally ended with dissolution of the assembly in October but President's Rule continues as the city awaits declaration of fresh polls and a new government. Now AAP is facing a resurgent BJP and a decimated Congress. The odds are once again the same, if not somewhat weighed against it, howsoever it may try to replace Narendra Modi with Jagdish Mukhi in its campaign posters and pretend that the challenge has been downsized.

Meanwhile, governance has been a casualty though lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has taken on the role of an administrator with aplomb. The bureaucracy has been uncertain and imposition of the code of conduct for Lok Sabha elections only stalled movement of many projects and decisions. It was only after May, when a BJP government took charge at the Centre, that the administration took some action. However, regularization of unauthorized colonies, allotment of EWS flats, policy reforms in transport, traffic management and pollution-related matters can be addressed only when a new government takes charge.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=voters,Mandate muffled,Durbars,Dharnas,Delhi waits for govt

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi gasped, babus sniffed a conspiracy

Delhi received the un flattering title of be ing the world's most polluted city this year, with WHO urban air quality database revealing in May that the city has the highest PM2.5 level--even higher than Beijing.

Although the Centre's monitoring agencies smelt conspiracy--"WHO has overestimated India's data and underestimated Beijing's, said one--the findings made air pollution and its health hazards in the capital a hot topic among common people and also alerted the authorities.

A high-powered committee of the Delhi government, which was formed in May to come up with shortand long-term measures to tackle air pollution, suggested a slew of steps in June, including restriction on sale of fuel if PUC is not valid, no-tolerance zones for parking, introduction of Euro 5 fuel norms at the earliest, and developing a public transport plan.

"This needs to be taken up on a mission mode by all government agencies," declared lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung. But there is little or no progress till now.Just weeks after deciding to make PUC mandatory for refuelling from December 1, the government deferred it for three months.

With Diwali and the winter, alarming air pollution levels once again made headlines. In November, experts and doctors said even healthy people should not go for walks during early morning hours. Data showed that Delhi experiences extreme peaks of poor air quality when levels are eight to 10 higher than the safe limit.

National Green Tribunal, which was already hearing a petition against air pollution and its health impacts, swung into action immediately . On November 27, the bench headed by chairperson Swatanter Kumar ordered a complete ban on vehicles more than 15 years old in the city, no parking on tarred roads, and ban on open burning of plastic, leaves and other materials among others. It also asked the government to consider parking charge hike and congestion tax.

This year politicians harped a lot on how the Yamuna can be made "navigable" or whether a riverfront on the lines of the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad can be developed for the river.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=WHO urban air quality,Delhi gasped,babus sniffed a conspiracy,air quality database

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Raahgiri shows capital new raah to fun, fitness

Raahgiri Day revolutionized the way Delhiites understood their roads and their right to use them. And once people realized that they could not just walk freely but also run, skip, jump and skate on their neighbourhood roads, it became a mass movement.

Modelled on the weekly Ciclovia festival in Bogota, Colombia, Raahgiri aims to promote safe public transport and encourages people to lead a healthy lifestyle by making a stretch of road traffic-free. It's organized every Sunday morning and is an NDMC, Delhi Police and Embarq India initiative supported by The Times of India. The three-hour event engages people of all ages in outdoor activities of their choice. After it made its Delhi debut in July at Connaught Place, thousands of people started coming to the Inner Circle for fun and fitness.

The success prompted the organizers to take it to other parts of the city. In December, DDA came forward to take Raahgiri to Dwarka.The success was instant--the first event had 25,000 people; the second had over 35,000.Now, there's a demand to have the event at colonies too.

It's safe to say that Raahgiri has ended the year on a high note, becoming part of Delhi's social discourse.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Raahgiri,NDMC,Delhiites,Delhi Police

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fog impacts air, train traffic: 14 flights, 74 trains cancelled

NEW DELHI: Tuesday was yet another day of dense fog observed in many parts of north and east India. The national capital Delhi as usual woke up to foggy conditions, with the Palam airport experiencing nil visibility. Other places in the capital like Dwarka, Faridabad, Laxminagar and Indirapuram observed dense fog with visibility recording close to 100 meters. The conditions at Noida expressway and Model Town in north Delhi was a shade better with shallow fog being reported.

Meanwhile, Amritsar in Punjab also witnessed very dense fog with visibility dropping to nil. Punjab is a pocket where fog makes a regular occurrence. At the start of the winter season in November, Punjab was the first place to experience fog.

Moving on to east India, Patna observed very dense fog as visibility dropped to 100 meters. The situation in the Capital of Uttar Pradesh was similar with very dense fog pulling down the visibility to 100 meters. The situation in Gaya was a little better with dense fog being observed and visibility recording 200 meters. Other places in the region to have reported foggy conditions are Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Agra. Gorakhpur has been the worst hit pocket in the region due to fog.

Meanwhile, thirteen flights were reported to be cancelled and over 80 were delayed in Delhi out of which 21 were to depart from the Palam airport.

Rail traffic was also hit hard with several trains running late. 74 trains had to be cancelled due to fog and at least 176 trains were delayed.

Following trains were affected due to fog:

Amritsar Janshatabdi express (running late by 15 hrs)
Vaishali Superfast Express (running late by 5 hrs)
Magadh express (running late by 4 hrs)
New Delhi Dibrugarh Rajdhani (running late by 6 hrs)
Kolkata Rajdhani (running late by 21 hrs)
Seealdah Rajdhani (running late by 21 hrs)
Poorva express (running late by 16 hrs)

Cold wave causes havoc in north India, 16 dead

Severe cold wave continued to wreak havoc across north India claiming 16 more lives in Uttar Pradesh alone, taking the death toll to 140.

Most casualties were owing to cold-related deaths and accidents due to fog.

(Source: Skymetweather.com)



(Source: enquiry.indianrail.gov.in)

Read this in Hindi: कोहरे से बुरा हाल, 176 ट्रेनें चल रही हैं लेट

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=IGI,30 delayed at IGI,12 flights cancelled

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fog impacts air, train traffic: 13 flights, 74 trains cancelled

NEW DELHI: Tuesday was yet another day of dense fog observed in many parts of north and east India. The national capital Delhi as usual woke up to foggy conditions, with the Palam airport experiencing nil visibility. Other places in the capital like Dwarka, Faridabad, Laxminagar and Indirapuram observed dense fog with visibility recording close to 100 meters. The conditions at Noida expressway and Model Town in north Delhi was a shade better with shallow fog being reported.

Meanwhile, Amritsar in Punjab also witnessed very dense fog with visibility dropping to nil. Punjab is a pocket where fog makes a regular occurrence. At the start of the winter season in November, Punjab was the first place to experience fog.

Moving on to east India, Patna observed very dense fog as visibility dropped to 100 meters. The situation in the Capital of Uttar Pradesh was similar with very dense fog pulling down the visibility to 100 meters. The situation in Gaya was a little better with dense fog being observed and visibility recording 200 meters. Other places in the region to have reported foggy conditions are Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Agra. Gorakhpur has been the worst hit pocket in the region due to fog.

Meanwhile, thirteen flights were reported to be cancelled and over 80 were delayed in Delhi out of which 21 were to depart from the Palam airport.

Rail traffic was also hit hard with several trains running late. 74 trains had to be cancelled due to fog and at least 176 trains were delayed.

Following trains were affected due to fog:

Amritsar Janshatabdi express (running late by 15 hrs)
Vaishali Superfast Express (running late by 5 hrs)
Magadh express (running late by 4 hrs)
New Delhi Dibrugarh Rajdhani (running late by 6 hrs)
Kolkata Rajdhani (running late by 21 hrs)
Seealdah Rajdhani (running late by 21 hrs)
Poorva express (running late by 16 hrs)

Cold wave causes havoc in north India, 16 dead

Severe cold wave continued to wreak havoc across north India claiming 16 more lives in Uttar Pradesh alone, taking the death toll to 140.

Most casualties were owing to cold-related deaths and accidents due to fog.

(Source: Skymetweather.com)



(Source: enquiry.indianrail.gov.in)

Read this in Hindi: कोहरे से बुरा हाल, 176 ट्रेनें चल रही हैं लेट

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=IGI,30 delayed at IGI,12 flights cancelled

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cabinet clears June 1, 2014 as new cutoff date for regularization of unauthorized Delhi colonies

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Monday cleared an ordinance to extend the cutoff date for regularization of unauthorized colonies in Delhi from March 31 2002 to June 1 2014.

The move will benefit 60 lakh population in 895 colonies.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Union Cabinet,unauthorized colonies in Delhi

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cold wave in capital kills 3 homeless

NEW DELHI: Three homeless people were found dead in the capital on Monday even as lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung asked the authorities to ensure shelters for all those spending nights under the open sky .
Holistic Development, an NGO which works for the homeless, said officials have been informed about the deaths.

One of the bodies was found on the premises of GTB Hospital in the morning, the hospital authorities said. "He had been staying near the mortuary since the last couple of days and was found dead today in a park near Gate No. 3," an official said. "It seems that he died due to hypothermia."

The other deaths were reported from Kirti Nagar and Bapa Nagar. The identities of the deceased, aged 50-60 years, are not confirmed yet .

The government has set up 223 night shelters but many people are still seen out in the open. Officials said 12 more shelters would be made operational in the next few days as DDA had provided 10 of its buildings for the purpose.

Jung directed all senior officers of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to inspect the shelters.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=shelters,Najeeb Jung,Lieutenant Governor,homeless people,DDA

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cold wave in Delhi kills 3 homeless

NEW DELHI: Three homeless people were found dead in the capital on Monday even as lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung asked the authorities to ensure shelters for all those spending nights under the open sky .
Holistic Development, an NGO which works for the homeless, said officials have been informed about the deaths.

One of the bodies was found on the premises of GTB Hospital in the morning, the hospital authorities said. "He had been staying near the mortuary since the last couple of days and was found dead today in a park near Gate No. 3," an official said. "It seems that he died due to hypothermia."

The other deaths were reported from Kirti Nagar and Bapa Nagar. The identities of the deceased, aged 50-60 years, are not confirmed yet .

The government has set up 223 night shelters but many people are still seen out in the open. Officials said 12 more shelters would be made operational in the next few days as DDA had provided 10 of its buildings for the purpose.

Jung directed all senior officers of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to inspect the shelters.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=shelters,Najeeb Jung,Lieutenant Governor,homeless people,DDA

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Spend 10 minutes in a park and your BP will go down

NEW DELHI: Two new studies from Australia have again shown that if city dwellers visit parks more often, they will boost their physical and mental health, including lowering the risk of developing heart disease, stress, anxiety and depression.

Dr Richard Fuller of Australia's National Environmental Research Program's (NERP) and University of Queensland says that research worldwide continues to discover the health benefits of being in nature. "For example, spending ten minutes in a park every day - even when we're not exercising in it - has been shown to lower our blood pressure."

New research from NERP shows that despite the abundance of parks in Australian cities, only 60 per cent of the urban population are using these facilities in any week.

This means that 40 per cent of us are missing out on the vast array of health benefits that parks offer, says Dr Danielle Shanahan of NERP and the University of Queensland.

Another study based in China found that a person's stress was significantly reduced after they exercise in a forest, compared with indoors. Related research in Switzerland also showed that exercising in parks reduces stress-induced headaches - the effect was the same if the person exercised in a forest.

People who visit local parks also feel more connected to their community, Dr Shanahan says.

"With all these health benefits, parks have enormous potential to reduce Australia's healthcare costs," she says. "Depression alone costs Australia more than $12.6 billion each year as well as the massive human cost - if visiting parks can help reduce depression even by one percent, that's a huge gain for Australians.

"This is why we're urging more people to spend more time outdoors - having 40 per cent of the urban population missing out is significant, especially when parks are widely available in our cities."

The Brisbane-based study reveals that frequent park visitors make longer visits, spend much more time in their yards, and often travel further to green spaces than less frequent park users. They are also slightly younger and have a higher level of formal education.

"Research in other countries has shown that people who live in disadvantaged areas often have less access to parks, and this could be one of the reasons some people visit them less. But that's not the case in Australia," says Dr Shanahan. "We actually found that the affinity of Australians towards nature, instead of just the availability of parks, determines how much time we spend with nature."

"Our children especially benefit from spending more time outdoors. Kids who grow up experiencing natural environments may benefit developmentally and have a heightened environmental awareness as adults than those who don't."

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Section of doctors boycott work at Ambedkar hospital

NEW DELHI: Medical services in Rohini's Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospital were partially affected on Monday after a section of senior resident doctors boycotted work demanding enhanced security on the campus following a scuffle between them and a group of villagers.

Around 130 resident doctors have been boycotting work since Sunday in protest against the alleged misbehaviour by two groups of people from Ghevra village, who were brought by the police for medical examination, with the doctors, hospital authorities said.

Though services in various wards of the hospital were partially affected, but emergency and ICU services, however, remained unaffected, they said.

According to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Jayant Kumar, two groups from Ghevra village, who clashed with each other, were brought to the hospital for medical examination.

"Members of the groups started fighting inside the hospital and even outsiders joined the fight, creating a ruckus in the hospital.

"When the senior doctors and others present there intervened and tried to pacify them, the groups misbehaved with them. Senior residents are now demanding an enhancement in security," said Kumar, adding that he would be holding a meeting with the agitating senior resident doctors to so that they call off their strike.

The hospital authorities have lodged an FIR at the North Rohini police station.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

AAP collects 47L at fundraisers

NEW DELHI: Two fundraising events, a lunch in Panchshila Park organized by AAP's Greater Kailash team and a dinner organized by the Rajinder Nagar team, saw the party collect around Rs 47 lakh on Sunday.

AAP has set a target of Rs 30 crore to fight elections in Delhi. Till Monday, the party managed to collect Rs 2.56 crore in donations.

"This figure does not include the amount collected on Sunday. The record will be updated in a day or so. Meanwhile, after the success of these events, AAP will have more meetings with senior party members including Arvind Kejriwal. The passes for Sunday's events were priced at Rs 20,000 per person. We collected Rs 47 lakh with a combined attendance of about 200 people at the two events. We are considering a more reasonably priced high tea where other senior members will interact with donors," said an AAP member.

Interestingly, despite having its strongest presence in Delhi, AAP has managed to get more donations from Maharashtra. The state accounts for 34.5% of the party's donations between November 1 and December 22, followed by Delhi with 32.1%.

Karnataka is third, accounting for 7.7% of the donations. However, the number of donors in Delhi exceeds that of Maharashtra. AAP's records reveal that 17,877 people from Delhi have donated an average of Rs 3,751 as against 15,876 from Maharashtra having donated an average of Rs 6,692 per person.

"The comparison is not fair because Delhi is a city and Maharashtra is a state. However, Mumbai of course forms a chunk of these donations. In the fundraising event held in Mumbai, the party collected close to Rs 1 crore. This may have to do with the presence of a large business community in the city. In Delhi, people have donated as little as Re 1 but there have been more people who are associated with AAP," said a party source.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Centre to celebrate 'Good Governance Day' on Christmas

NEW DELHI: The department of electronics and information technology (DeitY) of the government of India has announced an event to mark "Good Governance Day" on Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's birthday on December 25, even as the Centre is yet to firm up its overall plans for the day.

A senior IAS officer indicated that DeitY has sent out a communication to government officials regarding the event titled "Good Governance through e-Governance', which will comprise the main function with minister for communications & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad as the chief guest, and a day-long exhibition (from 10.45 am to 5.00 pm). The mail invites the officers to participate by offering suggestions on e-governance and visiting the exhibition. However, the officer said the participation is meant to be voluntary.

The "Good Governance Day" will coincide with Christmas, a gazetted holiday. Recently, a circular from the HRD ministry asking schools to observe Good Governance Day by organizing various events like debates had kicked up a storm, with the Opposition parties criticizing the alleged move to keep schools open on Christmas holiday. The government had, however, denied any plans to make the day a working day for schools and other educational institutions.

Incidentally, the DoPT has not put out any circular yet indicating how Good Governance Day is to be celebrated by various government ministries and departments.

There is speculation that government employees may have to report to work on Christmas holiday to be part of government's Good Governance Day celebrations. "So far, no formal communication to this effect has been put out by the DoPT," a senior officer said, keeping his fingers crossed.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Ravi Shankar Prasad,Good Governance through e-Governance,Good Governance Day,e-governance,deity

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Khirki raid: NHRC to hear Bharti's plea

NEW DELHI: Days after he approached the Delhi high court, former Delhi law minister, Somnath Bharti on Monday won partial relief from the National Human Rights Commission which agreed to hear him in the matter related to human rights violation of some African women in a raid in Khirki Extension.

NHRC also ordered Delhi government to defer payment of compensation to victims for two months, another aspect challenged by Bharti in HC. The Commission has now fixed January 13 as the date for hearing Bharti, who argued that the commission shouldn't have come to a decision without hearing him.

In a related development, the HC on Monday sought from Bharti an affidavit giving details of proceedings before NHRC in connection with the same raid. Justice VK Shali directed Bharti to clarify if he has received the documents sought from the commission on the ground that he was not given the relevant documents and a chance to respond. In response NHRC agreed to furnish him the documents.

In his plea through advocate Deepak Khosla, the former law minister has challenged the NHRC's September 29 order holding him guilty of "racial prejudice and unlawful acts" against 12 African women during his controversial midnight raid. During the day's hearing, Khosla alleged that the whole thing is a "charade" created by Delhi Police for political reasons. He also claimed that Delhi Police has sent the African women back to their native country.

The NHRC proceedings were illegal as not even a single independent witness was produced before the commission, his counsel submitted. It has also said NHRC had prematurely directed the Delhi government to pay Rs 25,000 compensation each to the 12 women, who had allegedly suffered racial abuse, illegal detention, intimidation, abuse, assault and indignity by the AAP leader.

The plea has also questioned whether NHRC has the jurisdiction to award compensation based on mere 'prima facie' findings, without taking the proceedings before it to their full logical conclusion.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

An ad for an ad: BJP attacks AAP on radio

NEW DELHI: BJP has attacked AAP on radio for misleading people and quitting from government. This is in response to a series of radio ads by AAP where it highlights the work done by the Kejriwal government in 49 days.

BJP's ads were aired on Monday in which people were heard accusing AAP of fooling them and asking Delhiites to punish the party for its irresponsible behaviour. "Dhokha diya hai...gair zimmedari ka badla lenge," an old woman says in the ad. Three or four such ads have been prepared where the achievements of the Modi government in the last seven months are also being highlighted.

AAP's aggressive campaign has been a cause of concern for BJP, as the party had booked a large number of authorized hoarding sites in the city and radio spots. Recently, BJP leaders had raised questions on AAP's funding, as it was spending a lot of money on radio and outdoor campaigns. Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana had also accused the party of "money-laundering".

BJP's decision to directly attack AAP on radio has come as a surprise to many, as BJP had initially dismissed AAP as its chief opponent in the assembly elections. But BJP members say there is a need to expose AAP. "Our aim is to put facts before the public. AAP is trying to fool people by making false claims. They had formed the government by taking support from Congress. But they decided to quit without any valid reason. They have cheated the people of Delhi," said Ashish Sood, general secretary of Delhi BJP.

The party is going all out to make a dent in AAP's strongholds, specifically slums and unauthorized colonies. Party members said Centre's move on illegal colonies in Delhi will help woo voters in such areas.

"We will have to tell people about all these decisions of our government to people living in Delhi, especially in slums and unauthorized colonies. And radio is an effective medium,'' said a senior BJP functionary.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Intelligence Bureau cautions people about fake advertisements

NEW DELHI: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has cautioned the public about fraudulent advertisements inviting applications for various IB posts, and asked aspirants to only apply for such jobs online through the portals of UPSC, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) or Union home ministry.

A notice issued "in public interest" by controller of examinations, IB, stated that some unscrupulous elements were fraudulently inviting applications for various IB posts, through publications with names similar to the official job advertiser "Employment News' or fake websites claiming to provide information about vacancies and competitive examinations.

"Such elements are alluring the aspirants appearing in various written examinations conducted by IB for providing assistance during the examination and are issuing fake appointment letters to some of aspirants," warned the IB.
Asking the prospective candidates or job aspirants not to be duped by elements working for their own personal gain, the IB underlined that recruitment in the intelligence agency was done only through UPSC and SSC by holding all-India recruitment examinations for some posts.

In all recruitment processes, said IB, the applications are invited online through the portals of UPSC, SSC and MHA. "There is no provision of offline or paper applications. The advertisements inviting online applications are also published in the Employment News and on the websites of UPSC, SSC and MHA," its clarified.

The public notice asked prospective candidates, applicants and job aspirants not to fall for advertisements published in fake publications or on fake websites.

"The applications received against fraudulent advertisements or offline applications would neither be entertained nor will this office in any way be responsible for any such fraudulent activities," stated the IB.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=UPSC,staff selection commission,SSC,MHA,Intelligence Bureau

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Amit Shah to lead poll charge in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Miffed with infighting and lack of coordination among Delhi BJP personnel, party president Amit Shah has decided to take charge of the election machinery in the capital from December 25, said a top source.

Once the results of the Jharkhand and Kashmir elections are out on Tuesday, he will shift focus to Delhi and dedicate at least two months to it before the assembly polls, likely to be held in February. "Delhi BJP needs guidance from a single authority. At present, everyone is acting like he is the captain of the ship, resulting in utter confusion," the source said.

AAP's presence in the capital has prompted Shah to keep an eye on the political developments in Delhi since becoming the party president in July, added the source. BJP has remained out of power in the city for the past 15 years.

"He knows that Delhi is not like other states where the contest is between BJP and Congress. The anti-Congress mood across the nation has helped BJP everywhere but in Delhi, it's AAP that is the main opponent of BJP," the source point ed out. "Therefore, BJP needs to put in much more effort but Shah knows that the party is struggling with infighting and poor coordination."

Though allegations of infighting have been levelled earlier as well, this time the cracks are showing. A couple of weeks ago, a BJP member in charge of an event openly chided a spokesperson for talking to the media about the preparations.

Shah is also annoyed that the Delhi unit had failed to manage the MPs' meetings properly. "Their management has been sloppy and hence the MPs lost interest," said the source.

Shah said to have set a 60seat goal in Delhi. In a meeting on Thursday , he had asked workers in Delhi to focus at the ground level. However, no major reshuffle is likely before the polls, said sources.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Party President,Delhi BJP personnel,December 25,Amit Shah,AAP

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pepper spray sale doubles after Uber cab incident

Each time a high-visibility crime against a woman hits the headlines, the sales of pepper spray - negligible till the Nirbhaya episode - shoot up in the NCR, retailers say

Recently, the Delhi Police decided to give free pepper spray to girls in the city. The cops clearly think that pepper spray, a non lethal weapon, is a good self-defence tool for women who travel alone. Following this announcement by the police, DT decided to explore the pepper spray market in the NCR. The manufacturers and sellers of these sprays tell us that every time a major incident of crime against women happens, the sale shoots up.

Sale has doubled

Rana Singh, owner of Cobra Sprays, which was launched in 2002, says, "Sale of pepper spray was next to negligible till the Nirbhaya incident. But after that incident, there was sudden increase in demand in the market."
Explaining the market trend, Singh adds, "Whenever any case of crime against women makes the headlines in the media, the pepper spray sale increases by almost 50%. After the recent Uber cab incident, our average sale, which was earlier 7,500 cans a month, has doubled in NCR." He adds, "We also get online queries for our product and a large number of people buy them online too."

Ajay Pal Gupta, vice president, Retailers and Distributors Chemist Association (RDCA), Delhi, also says that the retail market has witnessed an increase in demand for pepper sprays recently. He tells us, "There are around 6,000 pharmaceutical shops in the city, out of which only around 3,500 are registered retail outlets. Pepper sprays are sold at only 15-20% of these 3,500 shops. But the number of customers coming over to buy pepper spray at these shops has increased by 30%."

Companies are bulk ordering

"Mostly it's women who have field jobs who buy pepper sprays. We are also receiving bulk orders from BPOs, the aviation sector, banks, sales-related offices, real estate firms and media houses in the NCR," said Hitesh Srivastava, who owns a medical shop in Lajpat Nagar.

And it is not just private companies who are concerned about women's safety. Amber Dassan, the managing director of another pepper spray company, Kounter Spray, which has collaborated with the Delhi Police, said, "We are also entering into a deal with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF)."

Different varieties available

There are different types of pepper sprays available in the market - varying in price and size. One can buy these sprays in the price bracket of `150 to `500, depending on the size, which may vary from 10gm to 55gm.
Rajesh Sinha, owner of a pharmaceutical shop in Mayur Vihar, says, "Girls generally go for the smaller bottles as they are easy to carry. It can be kept in the pocket and is handy."

There are also different types of sprays available in the market. Meghana Saxena, a sales executive had done thorough online research before buying a foam pepper spray. She says, "There are four varieties of pepper spray in the market - stream spray, which are more like water pistol; forced cone spray, which sprays in a circular pattern and covers a width of around two feet; foggers, which have finer droplets and covers a wider area and foam spray, which accumulates on the face of the attacker and is almost impossible to wipe off without help."

What the law says

According to Sections 96, 97, 102, 105 and 106 of the IPC, the use of pepper spray, a non-lethal weapon, is legal. However, it is not for sale to minors.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Uber cab incident,Pepper spray

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Metro museum coming up in northeast Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Museum, touted as South Asia's 'first modern Metro Museum', will get a dedicated complex at northeast Delhi's Shastri Park that would serve the twin purpose of "entertainment and education".

DMRC has been alloted 12,000 sq metre of land right next to the Shastri Park Metro station for this purpose, due to its proximity to the station.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shastri Park Metro station,northeast Delhi,Metro Museum,DMRC

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fog disrupts trains, flights in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The national capital experienced a chilly, cloudy Monday morning while dense fog affected flights and trains.

READ ALSO: Chilly Sunday is coldest December day in 11 years

According to reports, a total of about 70 trains have been delayed due to dense fog, causing inconvenience to passengers.

While the Rajdhani trains coming from Bhubaneswar, Sealdah and Ranchi were running late by about three to four hours, service of other Delhi-bound trains are also being severely affected due to adverse weather, said a senior Northern Railway official, PTI reported.

Magadh Express is running 18 hours late while Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express is behind schedule by 18 hours. Northeast Express and Mahananda Express are running 12 hours late.

"We have made arrangements for informing passengers about the train position on regular basis besides setting up helplines for public," said the official, adding "departures of affected trains have been rescheduled."

Train drivers have been instructed to drive at a slow speed during the foggy condition.

The fog also hit international, domestic flights. According to TV reports, at least 25 flights have been delayed while one was cancelled as a thick blanket of fog enveloped Delhi. The flight that was cancelled, an Air India flight to Kullu, happened due to bad weather at the destination. No diversions were reported.

Visibility on Delhi roads are also very low. However, visibility improved to 150 metres by 9am.

Met officials said that similar cold day conditions prevailed in other parts of northwest India as well, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and northwest Rajasthan. Among the coldest cities in the plains was Amritsar, where the maximum on Saturday stood at 8.7 degrees C, a whopping 12 degrees below normal.

Giving the forecast for the coming days, a Met official said: "Fog may occur at many places over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan. No significant change will is expected in minimum temperatures over the region during next 24 hours and a slight rise may occur thereafter over the plains of northwest India. Cold day conditions may occur at isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan."

With a burst of moist winds approaching the Himalayas from the northwest — better known simply as a western disturbance — minimum temperatures are expected to rise for a short while due to a change in wind direction. From December 24, however, night temperature is likely to fall again, followed by development of dense and long duration fog which could last at least for a couple of days, Met officials said.

Read this story in Hindi: कोहरे के चलते कई ट्रेन और उड़ानें रद्द

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Fog in Delhi,fog disrupts trains,flights in Delhi,cloudy,chilly

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Xmas, New Year party buffs need excise department nod in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Holding a New Year or Christmas party without the permission of the excise department may land you in jail with the Delhi government forming various teams to check violations of excise rules.

According to the department, Excise Intellegence Bureau (EIB), headed by the excise commissioner, will keep vigil on such parties where booze is served.

"Ahead of Christmas and New Year celeberations, we have formed teams to crack down on such parties. EIB has been asked to keep tight vigil on these parties," said a senior official of the excise department.

The official also said that any person, who wants to hold a party where liquor is to be served, is required to get Permit 10 from the department, failing which, he may have to pay a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and serve a jail sentence of up to six months.

The department will also be keeping an eye on hotels, banquet halls holding organised parties.

"We have issued strict directions to licenced hotels, restaurants and clubs that if they want to hold organised parties on temporary basis on a specific day, they will have to take Permit 13," he also said.

According to the government, if the managers of these entities fail to comply with rules, they may be imposed a fine of upto Rs one lakh or imprisoned for six months.

He added there is also rule to stock liquor and beer. According to Delhi excise rules, no individual can stock more than 18 litres of wine or beer, nine litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at home.

"If any person wants to stock beyond this permissible limit at his home, they will be required to get licence 30 from the department and if found violating rules, they will have to be dealt strictly," he further added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Xmas,New year party,Excise Intellegence Bureau,Delhi Government

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

30 trains to Delhi delayed due to fog

NEW DELHI: It was a cold, foggy Saturday morning here, delaying over 30 trains. The Met Office has forecast clear day ahead.

Garib Rath from Bhagalpur to Delhi was running late by 22 hours while Mahananda Express from Alipore Duar to Delhi was running behind schedule by 18 hours. Seemanchal Express too was running late by 18 hours, authorities said.

The day's minimum temperature settled a level below the season's average at 7.4 degrees Celsius.

"There was dense fog in the morning and sky was partly cloudy. However, during the day the sky will be clear. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 17 degrees Celsius," said an official of the India Meteorological Department.

Humidity at 8.30am was 89 percent.

Friday was similar with the maximum temperature settling six notches below the season's average at 16.4 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was 7.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below average.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Met office,India Meteorological Department

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

HC clears decks for Munak link in Dwarka

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday cleared the decks for removal of habitation on the proposed channel to route water from Munak Canal to a water treatment plant located in Dwarka.

A bench of Justices B D Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul ordered the Delhi government, DDA and DJB to immediately implement an in-principle decision taken by LG Najeeb Jung in July to conduct a survey of two urban villages--Bhagya Vihar in Madanpur Dabas and Aman Vihar near Dwarka.

The LG asked for a survey to remove the villagers who will be relocated and settled in EWS flats built for them in Dwarka. It would ensure free flow of water released by Haryana to Munak Canal and from there to the treatment plant, making it operational.

HC's direction came after DDA pleaded helplessness in operating the Dwarka water treatment plant since landneeds to be first freed up to connect the canal to the treatment plant.

To get clarity from the Centre, the court made ministry of water resources a party to the proceedings and issued a notice to it for February 6.

No water for 12 hours

Delhi will start drawing water from Munak Canal in the next few weeks with arrangements in place to connect the new channel to the pumping station at the Nangloi water treatment plant on Saturday.

Due to the interconnection, water supply will not be available from 8am to 8pm on Sunday in CT-2 Dwarka underground reservoir and its command areas.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

11 months on, driver held for Rohini murder

NEW DELHI: Eleven months after an 80year-old woman was found murdered at her Rohini apartment, her flat ransacked and son-in-law bundled up in their car, crime branch officials have cracked the case and have arrested the mastermind.

The accused Rajesh Kumar, a plumber, used to double up as a driver for the family. Delhi police commissioner B S Bassi had declared a reward of Rs 50,000 on him.

Additional CP (crime) Ashok Chand said Rajesh had fled to Rajasthan, but was tracked down using local intelligence and surveillance upon his return recently.

The woman, Krishna, used to live with her daughter, Sandhya, and son-in-law, Shailesh, at Balaji apartments at Rohini.Sandhya teaches at a government school and Shailendra has his own business.

On January 29, the couple had left for their offices at 7.30am. Subsequently, Shailesh went to deposit money in a bank. On not getting any alert message from the bank till 10am, Sandhya called up her husband who did not reply.

Later, another family driver Raman received her call and said Shailesh was busy with his friends. She asked Raman to come to her school and pick her up, but he did not turn up. On returning home at 1.30pm, she found her mother lying dead on floor and household articles scattered. The locks of almirahs were broken and Rs 5 lakh and some jewellery were missing. The entire CCTV system was also missing from the house.

"Shailesh and his car were not trace able. Later that evening, Shailesh was found in semi-conscious state inside his car at an isolated stretch behind M2K market, Rohini. He said he had a few drinks in presence of Rajesh and Raman and doesn't remember anything after that," DCP (crime) Dinesh Gupta said.

The case, which had had cops on their toes for almost a year, was finally solved after the police got a tip-off that Rajesh would be returning to Delhi to meet his girlfriend and arrange for finances. "A team led by inspector Pu ran Pant and others laid a trap and ar rested the accused. He confessed to the crime," DCP Gupta said.

The accused revealed that they had served liquor spiked with drugs to Shailendra in the car that morning and had abducted him after he fell unconscious.

After taking house's keys from him, they sneaked into the house and overpowered Krishna. They thrashed her mercilessly and then strangled her.

The hunt is on for Rajesh's associate, Raman.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Not the first time he's cried wolf

NEW DELHI: Criminal, nut or incurable prankster? The jury is out on Sunny Sharma, the 29-year-old who left entire NCR in panic by making a hoax call about bombs planted at busy locations in Gurgaon a day after Taliban massacred 132 students in Peshawar. Sharma was arrested on Thursday when he made another hoax call about a bomb at Unitech Arcadia in Gurgaon, where he works.

TOI met Sharma's family and neighbours in northwest Delhi's Karala Village on Friday and found they have been victims of his pranks for years. None of them was amused by his tricks, but that didn't deter him from messing with even police and fire brigade. Manju (name changed), Sharma's neighbour for seven years, said, he once called the fire brigade by reporting a fire at his house. The firemen were furious when they found it was a prank and the family had to pay a fine. "His father gave them Rs 5,000 and scolded him severely," she said, adding, "The rest of the family is good but Sunny is a little different".

Shiv Kumar, another neighbour, said, "He once dialled 100 and asked police to rescue him from some people threatening to beat him. When they came, he apologized and said he was just checking their response". Sandhya, Sharma's wife of three years, is relieved that he's been caught at last and hopes the punishment will reform him. Neither she nor anyone else in the family knew about the mischief he had been up to with an Odisha-registered SIM card he had found in a washroom at Vyapar Kendra in Gurgaon.

Sandhya said she had cautioned him often to desist from pranks and concentrate on bringing up their two-year-old daughter and three-month-old son. "I'm fed up with his habit.It's good that he has been taught a lesson at last." Sandhya realized her husband had a twisted sense of humour a few months after marriage. "He told relatives that my father had died of a heart attack. I was deluged with condolence calls." His sister-inlaw, Anu Sharma, said, "He has never behaved his age".

A neighbour said Sharma once sold off the family's gas cylinder and spent the money on a party. He added that Sharma became wayward after his mother died when he was 13 or 14 years old.

What makes a person lie and trouble others despite the risks? Dr Samir Parikh, director, mental health and behavioral sciences at Fortis Healthcare, said such people get a kick out of fooling others. Making hoax calls and affecting a large number of people gives them a sense of being powerful. "They don't have any sense of remorse and take everything for fun."

Dr Jitendra Nagpal, senior psychiatrist at Moolchand Hospital, said, sometimes such traits arise in childhood.Sudden loss of a loving family member (in this case, Sharma's mother) can make them attention seekers. "A person who is helpless and depressed does things to get mass attention." They feel gratified by grabbing attention and bringing others' life to a standstill, Dr Nagpal added.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Selfie with Mufflerman' by AAP to raise funds for Delhi polls

BENGALURU: Karnataka unit of Aam Admi Party on Saturday announced the launch of a new fund raising campaign called "Selfie with Mufflerman" to collect donations for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.

Out of participating donors in the campaign, 25 would be selected through a lucky draw, who will get an opportunity to join party chief Arvind Kejriwal over a high tea when he is in the city on January 11, 2015, and take a selfie with him. "...we are trying to see innovative ways of raising money for Aam Admi Party in a more open and transparent way. In continuation of the process, now we are coming with a new programme called Selfie with Mufflerman," AAP functionary and the party's unsuccessful candidate from Bangalore Central in the Parliamentary election V Balakrishnan said.

He said "you all know about Batman and Superman, now the biggest thing in this country is Mufflerman. Mufflerman is there to remove corruption and make sure there is transparency in politics in this country."

"Mufflerman is trending in Twitter for last 19 days; there is lot of buzz around that word, so we said we will run a campaign where anybody who wants to donate Rs 500, can come to our website and donate the money. We are running this programme till January 7th," he added.

#Mufflerman' campaign on social media is inspired by Kejriwal who was often seen with a muffler during campaigning last year and as Delhi chief minister for 49 days.

Giving out the details of the 'Selfie with Mufflerman' campaign, Balakrishnan said, "January 11 Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Bangalore, so whoever contributes Rs 500 and above can participate in this programme."

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal raises hands (right) with former BJP leader Umesh Verma who along with his supporters joined Aam Aadmi Party. (PTI Photo)

Balakrishnan, former CFO of IT major Infosys, was also coordinator of a group called "Well wishers of AAP" that had organised Rs 20,000-per person fund-raising dinner with Kejriwal in the city before Lok Sabha polls.

Party functionaries said among different starts, Karnataka had raised the maximum funds during the Lok Sabha polls, and the state stood third in the funds collected for the last Delhi Assembly polls. They also said that the party will come out with more such innovative programme to raise money in "an open and transparent" way.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Selfie with Mufflerman,Mufflerman,Arvind Kejriwal,Aam Admi Party

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

No cabs? PCR van hai na!

Some girls in the city found a cheaper and safer alternative to taking cabs at night - the PCR van!

A Delhi girl who's stuck late at night somewhere and can't manage to arrange safe transport back home has one option that she's often unaware of: calling up the Women's Helpline and having a PCR vehicle ensure she gets back safe. A police officer explains, "If a girl travelling late at night gets caught in a potentially threatening situation like not getting a cab, or having a vehicle breakdown, she can call us. Our PCR van will help her get a cab or auto and ensure she reaches home safely . We can even drop her to her doorstep in a worst-case scenario."

The unfamiliarity of the average commuter with this option is clear from the fact that data available with the police's women helpline indicates that the facility has only been used once or twice, when a girl was in an isolated area and sought help to get home.

However, while the regular Delhiite appears largely unaware of this option, the cops recently encountered a group that was very well clued into it - perhaps more than what they had anticipated.A police officer, who handled the call on the Women's Helpline a while back, recalls, "I received this call for help from a girl who told me that she was in a lonely area and was unable to get a cab, and requested us to help her get home. We sent a PCR van."

When the police arrived, they found that the girl wasn't on her own, but with a group of friends, who had just got over an evening at a club. The group had planned to take a cab back but found that the night charges made that option a tad expensive - so they decided to arrange a ride home from the cops instead! When the police offered to get them a cab instead, the girls got into an argument about not dropping them home safely and asked. "Agar humein cab kar ke zyada paise hi dene the, toh hum apni already hired cab kyun chhodte?" (Why would we leave our hired cab if we had to shell more money by booking another cab?)

The outsmarted cops finally agreed to drop them home. A second such incident happened recently when some girls wanted to return to their homes in Gurgaon and requested the Delhi Police to escort them. When the police said they were not allowed to cross the Delhi-Gurgaon border, the girls accused the cops of not doing their job. And while the girls eventually had to get a cab at the border, they did manage to hitch a ride till there.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Elections not before April? Kejri jibe at BJP sparks row

NEW DELHI: With the election commission yet to notify a date for fresh polls in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal's tweet on Thursday, questioning if the polls will be held in April, has stirred controversy.

While political parties have so far been more or less consistent in their prediction for February, Kejriwal has given voice to a growing sense that the election might be postponed. He tweeted: "Are Delhi elections being pushed to April? BJP so scared?"

While BJP refused to take the bait with spokesperson Harish Khurana saying that it was for the election commission to declare dates, AAP sources said that its growing popularity is worrying BJP. "We are almost at the end of December and no date has been announced. If the polls are to be held in February, will only four-odd weeks be given for campaigning? If not February, then it will be not be March either since that is the month for school exams and pulling out teachers for poll duty will be extremely difficult," said party sources.

AAP also said that BJP was highly unprepared and, if it was planning to ride to victory on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shoulders, it should prepare for a tough fight. "This is not something we are presuming but have got clear indications from within BJP that it is highly worried. At BJP's jan sabhas barely a handful of people are showing up. But AAP events, especially those where Kejriwal has been present, have received a phenomenal response. BJP has no confidence, no structure and no preparations for elections," said AAP's candidate from Patparganj, Manish Sisodia.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=BJP,Arvind Kejriwal,Aam Aadmi Party

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Register properties in illegal colonies’

NEW DELHI: In a bid to woo the unauthorized colony vote bank, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay has asked the Delhi government to lift the ban on registry of properties in such colonies.

In a letter to chief secretary D M Spolia, Upadhyay has said people should not suffer due to failure of government agencies.

"I have received several requests from people asking for lifting the ban as they are not able to buy or sell properties in unauthorized colonies. Now, Parliament has given relief from demolition to properties in these areas till December 2017. The government has made it clear that it will start the regularization process in the next three years. There is no reason to continue the ban,'' said Upadhyay.

The complete ban on registration of properties in these colonies was imposed by the previous Congress-led Delhi government.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Satish Upadhyay,illegal colonies,D M Spolia

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Poor drug quality may have caused sterilisation deaths: Minister in LS

NEW DELHI: Infection and sub-standard quality of drugs used could have been the cause of deaths at a recent sterilisation camp in Chhattisgarh, the government told Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Last month, botched sterilisation surgeries at government organised health camps had left many women dead in Chhattisgarh. "The suspected cause of death of women in Chhattisgarh sterilisation camp, could be infection/quality of the drugs," chemicals and fertilisers minister Ananth Kumar said in a written reply.

He said all state drug controllers have been asked to ensure strict regulatory control over manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs. Samples of 12 suspected spurious drugs were sent from Chhattisgarh to Kolkata-based Central Drugs Laboratory. So far this laboratory has issued 11 reports. Four were found to be 'not of standard quality' while seven were found to be 'spurious' he said.

The Controller, FDA, Chhattisgarh also sent suspected drugs to Delhi-based Shri Ram Institute of Industrial Research.

As a result, the manufacturing licences for those drugs given to two companies- Mahawar Pharma Pvt Ltd, Raipur and Technical Lab and Pharma Pvt Ltd, Haridwar- were suspended by State Drugs Controller of Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand. Drugs that were found to be contaminated were Ciprocin-500 (made by Mahawar Pharma) and Ibuprofen-400 mg (made by Technical Lab).

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sterilisation camp,Chhattisgarh

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sugar Cure a handbook of Diabetes book released

NEW DELHI: A handbook on self management of diabetes in English called 'Sugar Cure' has been released. The book written by diabetic expert Dr Vinod K Gujral. The book which has been written in a very simple language can be handy for those diagnosed with diabetes and are trying to bring the sugar level well within their control.

"I have tried to put real practice case stories of my three decades of clinical practice" said Gujral, head, Department of Diabetes, National Heart Institute, New Delhi.

This book will also benefit a lot of general practitioners (GP's) who treat diabetic patients in India. This is because more than 70% of the diabetic patients get themselves treated by a general practitioner at any stage of the disease. "The GP's need to be empowered to treat diabetes by way of two tier literature ie. text reference books and Practical training books like Sugar Cure," said Gujral.

The release of Sugar Cure, is preceded by Chini kum a hindi handbook which was released in September 2014. Sugar Cure is the sixth book in last 15 years written by Gujral.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sugar Cure,real practice case,handbook on self management,diabetic expert,diabetes

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schools mourn Pakistan deaths

NEW DELHI: Schools in Delhi observed two minutes of silence on Wednesday to pay homage to the children killed in the Peshawar terror attack.

Students of the Air Force School in Delhi Cantonment took part in a special prayer meeting after observing the two-minute silence.

"A mock security drill was also held to check emergency response situation," said Deepika T Singh, principal of the school.

Students at Tagore International School organized a signature campaign to show solidarity with Pakistan at the moment of crisis. Many government-run schools also paid homage to the Pakistani children killed in the attack.

On Tuesday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to all schools in the country to observe two minutes of silence for the "senseless act of unspeakable brutality" in Peshawar.

Meanwhile, police dispersed members of the Nagarik Ekta Manch who were holding a 'silent protest' on Wednesday evening at India Gate against the Taliban attack in Peshawar.

Social activist Swami Agnivesh also took part in the demonstration.

The protesters held placards that said "India with Pakistan" and "Killing children will not make you win war".

Police stopped them saying, they did not have permission from relevant authorities to hold such a demonstration. "They do not have the permission to conduct any kind of protest or a vigil in front of India Gate. They have been allotted a place for doing all this— Jantar Mantar," said a police officer.

"We support the parents of the kids who died in the attack. We cannot forgive the Talibans, we want everyone to condemn it. Islam does not support this," said Agnivesh.

When the police asked them to leave the place, the protesters did not move from the spot initially. The police had to use force to disperse them. Altogether 21 people were detained.

"They have created a mess out of a very small thing. The security of people is a big issue right now in the country and we cannot allow such an act," said another senior police officer.

Meanwhile, students from government-run will gather at the Central Park in Connaught Place on Thursday to pay their condolences to the victims. The NDMC will place pots with white flowers in memory of the innocent lives lost.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sarita Vihar underpass to open on Friday

NEW DELHI: After missing five deadlines, the much awaited Sarita Vihar underpass is finally scheduled to be opened on Friday.

TOI had reported earlier that the underpass, which is expected to reduce the travel time between Okhla and Noida from 45 to around 10 minutes, would be ready in December.

The project, which had received a lot of flak for its repeated delays, was recently inspected by the lieutenant governor. It is now scheduled to be inaugurated at 9am on Friday, following which it will be thrown open for the public.

DDA officials claimed the final phase was completed in record time. Close to Rs 245 crore have been spent on the 1.2km tunnel.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mother's care in childhood plays role in making adult personality

NEW DELHI: The kind of care given to a child in the first three years of its life has a big role in determining not just academic performance but also social competence extending up to adulthood, a new study has found. Tracking 243 individuals from birth, the researchers periodically recorded observations on their interaction with mothers in the first three years of their life and followed their academic careers and social interactions - including romantic experiences - till they reached the age of 32 years.

The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Minnesota, the University of Delaware, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign and is published in the journal Child Development.

"The study indicates that the quality of children's early caregiving experiences has an enduring and ongoing role in promoting successful social and academic development into the years of maturity," notes Lee Raby, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware, who led the study.

Sensitive caregiving is defined as the extent to which a parent responds to a child's signals appropriately and promptly, is positively involved during interactions with the child, and provides a secure base for the child's exploration of the environment.

The researchers used information from 243 individuals who were born into poverty, came from a range of racial/ethnic backgrounds, and had been followed from birth into adulthood (age 32) as part of the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation. Observations of interactions between mothers and their children were collected four times during the children's first three years of life. At multiple ages during childhood and adolescence, teachers reported on children's functioning in their peer groups and children completed standardized tests of academic achievement. During their 20s and early 30s, participants completed interviews in which they discussed their experiences with romantic relationships and reported their educational attainment.

Individuals who experienced more sensitive caregiving early in life consistently functioned better socially and academically during the first three decades of life, the study found. The associations were larger for individuals' academic outcomes than for their functioning in peer and romantic relationships. Moreover, early caregiving experiences continued to predict individuals' academic, but not social, functioning after accounting for early socioeconomic factors as well as children's gender and ethnicity. Although families' economic resources were important predictors of children's development, these variables didn't fully account for the persistent and long-term influence of early caregiving experiences on individuals' academic success.

"Altogether, the study suggests that children's experiences with parents during the first few years of life have a unique role in promoting social and academic functioning—not merely during the first two decades of life, but also during adulthood," according to Raby. "This suggests that investments in early parent-child relationships may result in long-term returns that accumulate across individuals' lives. Because individuals' success in relationships and academics represents the foundation for a healthy society, programs and initiatives that equip parents to interact with their children in a sensitive manner during the first few years of their children's life can have long-term benefits for individuals, families, and society at large."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Urbana-Campaign,University of Minnesota,University of Illinois,University of Delaware,Minnesota Longitudinal study

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mother's care in childhood plays role in making adult personality

NEW DELHI: The kind of care given to a child in the first three years of its life has a big role in determining not just academic performance but also social competence extending up to adulthood, a new study has found. Tracking 243 individuals from birth, the researchers periodically recorded observations on their interaction with mothers in the first three years of their life and followed their academic careers and social interactions - including romantic experiences - till they reached the age of 32 years.

The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Minnesota, the University of Delaware, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign and is published in the journal Child Development.

"The study indicates that the quality of children's early caregiving experiences has an enduring and ongoing role in promoting successful social and academic development into the years of maturity," notes Lee Raby, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware, who led the study.

Sensitive caregiving is defined as the extent to which a parent responds to a child's signals appropriately and promptly, is positively involved during interactions with the child, and provides a secure base for the child's exploration of the environment.

The researchers used information from 243 individuals who were born into poverty, came from a range of racial/ethnic backgrounds, and had been followed from birth into adulthood (age 32) as part of the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation. Observations of interactions between mothers and their children were collected four times during the children's first three years of life. At multiple ages during childhood and adolescence, teachers reported on children's functioning in their peer groups and children completed standardized tests of academic achievement. During their 20s and early 30s, participants completed interviews in which they discussed their experiences with romantic relationships and reported their educational attainment.

Individuals who experienced more sensitive caregiving early in life consistently functioned better socially and academically during the first three decades of life, the study found. The associations were larger for individuals' academic outcomes than for their functioning in peer and romantic relationships. Moreover, early caregiving experiences continued to predict individuals' academic, but not social, functioning after accounting for early socioeconomic factors as well as children's gender and ethnicity. Although families' economic resources were important predictors of children's development, these variables didn't fully account for the persistent and long-term influence of early caregiving experiences on individuals' academic success.

"Altogether, the study suggests that children's experiences with parents during the first few years of life have a unique role in promoting social and academic functioning—not merely during the first two decades of life, but also during adulthood," according to Raby. "This suggests that investments in early parent-child relationships may result in long-term returns that accumulate across individuals' lives. Because individuals' success in relationships and academics represents the foundation for a healthy society, programs and initiatives that equip parents to interact with their children in a sensitive manner during the first few years of their children's life can have long-term benefits for individuals, families, and society at large."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Urbana-Campaign,University of Minnesota,University of Illinois,University of Delaware,Minnesota Longitudinal study

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flights delayed due to fog in Delhi

NEW DELHI: It was a cold and foggy morning in Delhi on Thursday. The minimum temperature was 7.4 degrees celsius, a notch below the season's average.

Shallow fog was reported from the airport early this morning causing delays in operations of 24 flights. Six flights were cancelled, however five of those six flights were operated by SpiceJet and have been cancelled due to operational reasons, and one due to bad weather in Amritsar. Unlike zero visibility conditions that prevailed at the airport for three hours in the morning, on Thursday visibility later hovered around 50 meters. CAT III operations were used to guide flights coming in and leaving the airport.

"There was fog in the morning, but the day will be clear. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 20 degrees celsius," said an official of the India Meteorological Department.

(With inputs from IANS)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=foggy morning,cold and foggy morning

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nursery admission dates differ, parents worried

NEW DELHI: Problems have arisen with nursery admissions as the schedule is not common in all schools. This has made parents a worried lot. Several schools, including The Indian School (Josip Broz Tito Marg), Mount Abu Public School (Rohini) and Kulachi Hansraj Model School (Ashok Vihar) are starting admissions on December 20, while Cambridge Primary School (New Friends Colony) is starting on December 26. Gyan Bharati, Saket, is starting the process on January 21, 2015.

"The directorate of education's guidelines gives parents a month to apply for refund. But here a school is starting admissions a month after others," says Sumit Vohra of admissionsnursery.com.

Declaration of the schedule doesn't mean the criteria have been made public. Some schools have even told parents to check with the school reception instead of posting the points distribution system online. The Indian School, however, has finalized it and pared the suggested criteria down to just three—distance (50 for those within 8km, 40 for those beyond 8km but between 12 and 20 points for those living beyond that); sibling (30 points) and first child (20).

Kulachi Hansraj, on the other hand has gone beyond the recommendations of the school bodies. In addition to distance, sibling, girl/first child and alumni, they also have categories like "sister concern school" (10 points) and "army/airforce/navy serviceman or martyrs" (10).

Even as schools gear up for admissions, the DoE is still deciding on issuing guidelines and what it will cover. They are also yet to decide on taking the matter to the Supreme Court. Social Jurist, the education lawyer-activist group, is, however, concerned about what the differing schedules will do to EWS admissions.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=nursery admission,Mount Abu Public School,Kulachi Hansraj Model School

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

50 flights late, nine diverted due to fog

NEW DELHI: It was a day of disappointments for flyers at IGI. Over 50 flights were delayed due to fog and nine flights diverted, including an international flight from Frankfurt. Four flights of Jet Airways, meant to take off to domestic locations, were also cancelled although airline officials could not confirm the reason for the cancellations.

While Met officials ascribed the cause of diversion to the first spell of fog this season, the airport operator said they were for "airline operational reasons only". "Either the aircraft attempting to land at IGI early morning were not CAT-IIIB compliant or pilots of these flights were not trained in CAT-IIIB," said an official for DIAL, the airport operator.

R K Jenamani, director-in-charge of IGI Met, said the densest spell of fog arrived at the capital between 7.30 and 10am.

"Winds picked up by 11 clearing the fog. But there may be a fresh spell on Wednesday morning," he added.Trouble was also in store for passengers of Jet Airways as their flights to Indore, Bhopal, Jaipur and Udaipur were reportedly cancelled on Tuesday. Airline officials said that the number of cancellations on Tuesday was three. Customers said they had a hard time dealing with the unexpected cancellations.

"We were informed at about 2 in the afternoon that our flight to Indore won't fly, and that there were no flights tomorrow as well. While we have arranged to stay at a friend's place till then there were people who'd come from elsewhere who had no place to stay who were severely inconvenienced," said Tanushree, a passenger.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

11 interceptors launched in Delhi to check speeding vehicles

NEW DELHI: To rein in the menace of overspeeding in the national capital, Delhi Traffic Police on Wednesday launched eleven new interceptor vans which can track speeding vehicles through laser-based cameras not just during the day but also in the night.

With these interceptors which can also operate in the night unlike its predecessors, the police hope to double the number of challans in the national capital and also bring down road fatalities. As many as 1.2 lakh challans have been issued for overspeeding this year so far.

Flagging off these interceptors at the India Gate lawns, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi expressed confidence that the new system will make the city roads safer.

The laser-based cameras fitted in these vehicles can generate a challan per two seconds and identify a speeding vehicle in a lane full of cars.

They can work in all light conditions and produce a photograph of the speeding vehicle's registration number plate with its GPS coordinates, time and place.

A police team which will be deployed 200 metres ahead of the interceptor will get the picture and the erring vehicle will be stopped and challaned. If the driver manages to escape, the challan will be dispatched to the vehicle owner's residence.

Joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Anil Shukla said a number of people indulge in overspeeding and rash driving especially during nights when the routes are deserted.

Overspeeding is a big reason for road accidents whether it is bikes, cars or any bigger vehicle. Till now, we had 10 interceptors which work only during the day while overspeeding is an issue which increases in evening and night, he said.

Explaining the new system and the need for it, he said, "The specialty of it is that it is a laser-based system which can work day and night. It will instantly identify the speeding vehicle even among 10 vehicles and provide its photograph which can even be produced as evidence in the court. The GPS coordinates, date and the place where the challan was issued will be mentioned in it."

"We have issued 1.2 lakh challans this year for overspeeding and with the new system this is expected to double as we would now be able to challan in the night as well. We have chosen some high-speed corridors where we would deploy them and control the menace of overspeeding corridors," Shukla said.

I am sure that we would be able to send this message to people that if you overspeed, you would be caught, he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Delhi Traffic Police,Anil Shukla

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Government school kids to participate in prayer meeting for Peshawar victims at CP on Thursday

NEW DELHI: Students from Delhi's government schools will pay their condolences to the victims of the school attack in Peshawar on Thursday afternoon. They'll gather at the flag at Rajiv Chowk at 1pm. The government expects over a 1,000 students to participate.

"Two minutes of silence (will be observed) and Ram Dhun to be played at site, 132 white flowers to be placed in the memory of the innocent lives," says a statement issued by the government.

"In view of the sad incident of 132 innocent school children having lost their lives to terrorism in Pakistan, government of NCT of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Corporation is organizing a condolence and prayer meeting tomorrow at the Monumental Flag, Connaught Place," says the announcement. "The NDMC is placing flower pots with 132 white flowers in Memory of the innocent lives lost to the dastardly act," says the statement.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Prayer meeting,Peshawar victims,participate,Government school kids,CP

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drunk robber found dozing in ATM kiosk

NEW DELHI: Five drunk robbers set out to rob an ATM in the middle of the night in Kirari, outer Delhi, on Saturday. Early Sunday morning, a watchman found one of the robbers sound asleep in the kiosk, parts of the half-open ATM scattered around him.

Awakened by cops, 21-year-old Deepak recalled his friends fleeing after his hand got stuck in the ATM. He had freed himself but was too tired to go through with the robbery.

Cops found sleeping thief

The Aman Vihar police were informed by the watchman around 3am about a robbery in an IDBI ATM in Astha Vihar. When they reached the spot, though, they were in for a surprise - no robbery had taken place, and the robber was sleeping in the very kiosk, surrounded by proof of his crime.

The man, Deepak, told police that he and four of his accomplices had come to loot the ATM around midnight after having a few drinks. They ripped open the front console of the teller machines but could not reach the cash box as it was sealed immediately. Deepak had thrust his hand in to remove an electrical circuit but it got stuck. His drunk friends tried to help him but ended up making such a ruckus that they were sure cops would arrive anytime. Desperate to save themselves, the four abandoned the 21-year-old and fled.

Deepak struggled for a while and managed to free his hand but by then, was too tired to go any further. He made room for himself by pushing aside the broken pieces of machine and lay down to sleep. Police jolted him awake and took him to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where doctors discharged him after preliminary treatment.

A case of trespassing and attempt to commit robbery had been registered against Deepak, whose version of events was being verified with footage from CCTV cameras installed in the area. The CCTV in the ATM kiosk itself did not have a real-time recorder, officers said; nor did the ATM have a guard for the night despite warnings from the local cops. The bank officials were informed on Sunday morning and the amount stored in the ATM is being verified.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Kirari,IDBI ATM,Drunk robber,ATM kiosk,Astha Vihar

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sunday coldest day so far in Delhi, fog to follow

NEW DELHI: The skies that were overcast since Saturday opened up on Sunday afternoon, plunging the maximum temperature in the capital to a chilling 16 degrees Celsius, seven degrees below normal. The city recorded 3.8mm rain till 5.30pm while parts of east Delhi reported a hail storm. This was officially the coldest day in Delhi this season.

While the rain may cease by Monday morning, the Met office has predicted shallow to dense fog on Monday night.

Afternoon to be cloudy, sky to clear up by night

Though Sunday's showers lasted only 15 minutes or so, many parts of central and east Delhi reported waterlogging. Commuters were stopped in their tracks as the wind picked up speed and darkness fell just before it began to rain. "The rainfall is a result of an active western disturbance that is over the western Himalayan region. This has brought snow in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and rainfall over most parts of the northern plains," said a Met official.

In Delhi, it became cloudy on Saturday and a light drizzle was reported from some areas. However, due to the continuous clouding, the temperature on Sunday fell sharply and the city also recorded moderate rainfall in some areas. The chill is also because of snowfall in the hills and the drop in temperature over there.

On Sunday, the minimum temperature in the city was 14.4 degrees, six degrees above normal, a phenomenon attributed to the dense cloud cover in the morning which did not allow the earth's heat to escape. Visibility in the afternoon remained between 800m and 1,200m due to mist and low clouds.

"Monday afternoon may be only partly cloudy and the sky may clear up by night. There are chances of shallow to moderate dog on Monday morning and dense fog on Monday night. The maximum and minimum temperatures will remain the range of 17 to 11 degrees Celsius," said a Met official.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=waterlogging,Met official,Jammu and kashmir,Himachal Pradesh,hail storm

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Government guides homeless to warmth

NEW DELHI: A dirty blanket and a plastic sack were all 75-year-old Ramdev had to shield himself from the cold, wet air. Clearly, these were not enough. But he didn't know that there was a shelter close by at Nizamuddin that could comfort him for the night.

When told about it, Ramdev was keen to move in. But the night shelter was packed. So he had to be accommodated in a corridor aligning the main dormitory. There were 182 men sleeping inside the facility already that could at the most take in 130. There was barely any space to walk.

With the Delhi administration charged with the task by the Centre to get every homeless to a night shelter, and senior officials assigned the job by LG Najeeb Jung to step out during day and night for inspections, TOI joined one such spot inspection at Nizamuddin.

Ashish Joshi of DUSIB led social workers from Society for Promotion of Youth & Masses (SPYM), an NGO, in an outreach drive to guide homeless to night shelters and to find out why many of them do not use them at all.

Just like Ramdev, two women, one of them speech-impaired, were convinced to use a women's shelter at the other end of the road where a flyover links Nizamuddin to India Gate. But not everyone was willing to move.

Gopal (35) lay under a blanket on a footpath with his wife, two children and a dog, along with all their belongings. He refused to move. On prodding further, he said there was no shelter the whole family could go together to, and he was not prepared to leave his wife and children alone at a women's shelter. He also feared moving too far from the spot where he slept as this was where he eked out a living through his makeshift tea stall nearby.

Similar cases emerged on the way. Mohd Azal Hussain, a disabled man shared his story amid sobs. He has been living under the flyover ever since the Nangla Machi slum, where he lived and ran a tea stall, was demolished. He had papers to show that he was promised relocation and rehabilitation by way of a plot by authorities 14 years ago, but instead he was reduced to living on the streets. "Hum kaisey jayein shelter mein? Kaun humein upar lekar jayega (How do we go to a shelter? Who will take us up)?" he said.

At the end of the drive, Joshi said a facility exclusively for families certainly required. "We are in the process of acquiring nearly 30 more tents through an open tender shortly. On Monday, we will work out ways to provide relief to these families and the disabled people under the flyover. The inspections are planned daily so that need-based planning can be done and problems identified," Joshi said.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sunday coldest day so far in Delhi, fog to follow

NEW DELHI: The skies that were overcast since Saturday opened up on Sunday afternoon, plunging the maximum temperature in the capital to a chilling 16 degrees Celsius, seven degrees below normal. The city recorded 3.8mm rain till 5.30pm while parts of east Delhi reported a hail storm. This was officially the coldest day in Delhi this season.

While the rain may cease by Monday morning, the Met office has predicted shallow to dense fog on Monday night.

Afternoon to be cloudy, sky to clear up by night

Though Sunday's showers lasted only 15 minutes or so, many parts of central and east Delhi reported waterlogging. Commuters were stopped in their tracks as the wind picked up speed and darkness fell just before it began to rain. "The rainfall is a result of an active western disturbance that is over the western Himalayan region. This has brought snow in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and rainfall over most parts of the northern plains," said a Met official.

In Delhi, it became cloudy on Saturday and a light drizzle was reported from some areas. However, due to the continuous clouding, the temperature on Sunday fell sharply and the city also recorded moderate rainfall in some areas. The chill is also because of snowfall in the hills and the drop in temperature over there.

On Sunday, the minimum temperature in the city was 14.4 degrees, six degrees above normal, a phenomenon attributed to the dense cloud cover in the morning which did not allow the earth's heat to escape. Visibility in the afternoon remained between 800m and 1,200m due to mist and low clouds.

"Monday afternoon may be only partly cloudy and the sky may clear up by night. There are chances of shallow to moderate dog on Monday morning and dense fog on Monday night. The maximum and minimum temperatures will remain the range of 17 to 11 degrees Celsius," said a Met official.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=waterlogging,Met official,Jammu and kashmir,Himachal Pradesh,hail storm

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

22.10 | 0 komentar | Read More