Excelsior... Nation

CAT issues notice
to Delhi Govt on plea
of 81 teachers

NEW DELHI, June 27: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued notices to the Education Secretary in Delhi Government on a petition filed by. ....more

Plans to restore
grandeur to Chandni
chowk

NEW DELHI, June 27: The over-abused streets of Chandni Chowk, trodden over by all forms of transport, are set to get a reprieve as plans are afoot to ...more

Flood-prone villagers demand boats as dowry

KOLKATA, June 27: For them a boat in dowry is more lucrative a bargain than gold, cash or land....more

Musharraf to unveil
‘Mehrab-e-Yadgar’
at Haveli entrance

NEW DELHI, June 27: When Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf walks down the memory lane leading to his ancestral Haveli in the capital’s walled city area, those....more

Antony exhorts MLAs to study periodic changes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, June 27: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today exhorted the newly-elected MLAs to closely study the periodic changes taking place in different spheres of activity in the world to enable the Government to cater to the needs of the people and uphold democratic traditions. ...more

Naga students allay
fears raised by ceasefire

NEW DELHI, June 27: The Naga Students Union, an organisation of Naga students in the capital, today sought to allay fears created by the June 14 ...more

IB sleuths keeping a watchful eye on Agra

AGRA, June 27: In view of infiltration of militants into Uttar Pradesh, the Agra administration is leaving nothing to chance and has sought para-military .....more

IB sleuths keeping a watchful eye on Agra

AGRA, June 27: In view of infiltration of militants into Uttar Pradesh, the Agra administration is leaving nothing to chance and has sought ...more

Plans to restore grandeur to Chandni chowk

NEW DELHI, June 27: The over-abused streets of Chandni Chowk, trodden over by all forms of transport, are set to get a reprieve as plans are afoot to mark the area a pedestrian zone on August one and two.

The scheme would become a weekly feature if the trial run is successful, Member of Parliament from the sprawling constituency Vijay Goel said here last evening.

If plans to decongest Chandni Chowk succeed, the crowded marketplace that once played host to royalty could well see itself enveloped in the grandeur that charmed Princess Jahanara, daughter of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.

Work is on to restore the numerous havelis that dot the landscape of Shahjahanabad of which Chandni Chowk forms the jewel in the crown.

As part of the programme to make the area a pedestrian zone, rickshaws and roadside vendors would be vacated from Chandni Chowk for the two days.

"The authorities have granted permission and thanks to this, we can clean up the area and also show people from the rest of Delhi around," Mr Goel said.

Eight buses, on the lines of those run in Pragati Maidan, would traverse the roads of this quaint township to ferry people around.

Chandni Chowk is not like any other constituency, said Mr Goel, two-time mp from this area. "For one, most of the landmarks in Delhi fall within it. Be it the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, the new and old Delhi railway stations or the old secretariat. Also, it has the only road in Delhi that houses the places of worship of all religions."

Mr Goel told members at an interactive session organised by the india habitat centre’s walkers’ group that his outfit Lok Abhyaan, would try to ensure that only 200 of the 20,000 rickshaws plying on the roads of the old city be allowed to cater to customer needs.

"The proliferation of rickshaws and the hanging power lines have added to the chaos in Chandni Chowk," he said.

Most of the havelis in the area are in bad shape. But, unless there is documentation, they will not survive the ravages of time, he felt.

"We should list out the havelis. Rules must be brought in to prevent owners from changing the structure. Some of the old houses can even be taken over by the government for preservation," Mr Goel said.

People are shifting from Chandni Chowk due to the over-crowding. "This will be the only constituency that sees its voter size decreasing with every election. If this trend continues, future generations will never be able to see what life in this area was like," he apprehends.

The lawns of the Red Fort have been spruced up too. "Shortly, they will look as good as the ones at India gate, and families can enjoy a cup of ice cream here too," he said.

A "Purani Dilli Haat" (traditional marketplace) on the lines of "Dilli Haat" is on the anvil, and the signature dishes of Chandni Chowk — the Parathas, Jalebis and the succulent Kababs — could well find their place in the food court there.

"There is no dearth of ideas. What we lack is coordinated effort. One agency looks after the funding while the rest of the work is done piecemeal. Unless, everyone comes together, the work cannot be carried forward," he said.

Mr Goel has also visualised a museum inside the renovated town hall. He has a solution to prevent outward migration — allowing people to rent out the ground and first floors of homes, while retaining the second and third floors for residential purposes.

"That way, the marketplace will remain and so will the people," he added. (UNI)

Flood-prone villagers demand boats as dowry

KOLKATA, June 27: For them a boat in dowry is more lucrative a bargain than gold, cash or land.

Having faced the fury of flood last year and apprehending another major calamity this year, the people in many areas of north 24 Parganas district in South Bengal are demanding boats as dowry.

No longer do they rely on the District administration’s "false promises". They are investing everything at their disposal—courage, money and even assets of their lifetime.

The flood-prone areas of the district are witnessing a spree in manufacturing of boats and many marriage contracts are sealed with the promise of a boat as a dowry.

Karuna Biswas, a resident of Bangaon sub-division of north 24 Parganas, has invested her life’s saving of Rs 12,000 to manufacture a boat. And when the boat is ready, she is left with no resource to buy a square meal.

"It is still better to compromise with hunger. Last year our house was totally submerged. My son somehow managed to escape from being washed away by the tide. At least this year I want to be prepared with a boat," she said.

However, Karuna’s survival strategy has been adopted by many in her area.

According to the official report, last year’s flood claimed 40 lives from the number one block of Purbasthali sub-division alone. The apprehensive people of this area demand preventive measures.

Except for Sonakuri, no other embankment has been restored by the administration. The 400 metre-long embankment at Madhaipur in the sub-division is still damaged, leaving the residents of Srirampore, Jahannagar and Samudragar villages at the mercy of nature this monsoon, locals said.

Even the district administration was not quite sure of how to prevent a succesive calamity this year. "Chandpur village is already under water and if the water level rises by another foot, the village will be flooded certainly," district official sources said.

Altogether 22 blocks in Burdwan district last year were inundated and in apprehension this season the locals urged for repairing the embankments of the area.

"Our pleas did not reach the deaf ears of the administration and we can see another flood awaiting us this year," said Basudeb Sutradhar, a local boat manufacturer who has made more than 40 boats this year.

"Authorities could not provide us with boats last year. So this time we have taken the initiative ourselves, even if we eat less for that," said Kamal Saha, a farmer.

However, the district authorities are already arranging relief for the different villages, fearing a flood in the area and sending relief personnel to different panchayat areas. "But these measures would not restrict another devastation," said a district official. (UNI)

Musharraf to unveil ‘Mehrab-e-Yadgar’ at Haveli entrance

NEW DELHI, June 27: When Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf walks down the memory lane leading to his ancestral Haveli in the capital’s walled city area, those moments will be frozen in stone - literally.

A grandiose ‘Mehrab-e-Yadgar’ (memorial arch) has been constructed at the entrance of the sprawling Haveli, which will be inaugurated by the visiting dignitary on July 14, Area Legislator Shoaib Iqbal told UNI today.

"We, the residents of the Haveli, welcome you on your visit here and hope that relations between India and Pakistan will improve substantially," would be the message on the Mehrab-e-Yadgar, Mr Iqbal said and exuded confidence that it was going to be a ‘milestone’ of the Pakistani President’s visit for a summit meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

"There is little doubt that the evening of July 14 is going to be a heady one which will be topped by a Mushaira (assemblage of urdu poets). Unbottled emotions are going to overflow and prominent urdu poets will catalyse deep-seated feelings in both countries clamoring for peace and development."

Mr Iqbal said he had already written a letter to the Pakistan High Commission through the External Affairs Ministry for organising the Mushaira and was quite hopeful of it being granted permission. "We are considering names of all the prominent Urdu poets for their participation in the Mushaira, and the list will be finalised by tomorrow. We want to present the most sophisticated facets of Indian culture before the visiting dignitary."

Meanwhile, the renovation and beautification work of the 150-year-old haveli, spread over 2000 yards, was going on in a full swing, he said, adding that the entire work would be completed in a week’s time.

Mr Iqbal, who had allocated Rs 12 lakh from his Local Area Development (LAD) fund for the beautification of the area, said it was going to be a historic summit and people of both the countries had pinned high hopes on its outcome.

Echoing similar sentiments, residents of the two-storeyed Haveli said Gen. Musharraf’s visit would herald "a new chapter of peace and prosperity" in bilateral relations.

The Haveli is at present occupied by the Jain and Dhal families.

Rama Dhal, one of the owners, said the Pakistani President’s visit would "end a chapter of distress and animosity" between the two countries.

Savita, Rama Dhal’s daughter, was however apprehensive about security arrangements of the high-profile dignitary. "The Pakistani President’s visit to this densely populated area is a cause of concern for them as it may pose security threat," she said, adding that immaculate security arrangements should be mounted to ensure that everything went without a glitch.

Sourav Jain and Suchi Jain, who are also occupants of the Haveli, said they were eagerly awaiting Gen. Musharraf’s visit to his ancestral mansion so that they could congratulate him personally on his elevation to the Pakistani presidency.

"We earnestly hope that his visit to the Haveli, which is going to be full of nostalgic moments for him, lays down firm foundations of Indo-Pak relations," they added.

Mr Shoaib Iqbal said the summit meeting would be a great success if it led to greater economic interaction between India and Pakistan. "A number of Indian goods, especially Khadi clothes, pan (betel leaf), banarasi sarees and makhana ( a dry fruit) are in great demand in Pakistan. Similarly, medical costs of treating heart, skin and eye diseases are very expensive. India can provide these facilities at an affordable cost." (UNI)

Antony exhorts MLAs to study periodic changes

Inaugurating an orientation course for the new entrants to the assembly, he said the world was changing and developing at a very fast pace and the legislators had to be more studious to understand the changes for reflecting people’s feelings in the assembly. "Assembly is not only the sanctum sanctorum of democracy, but is also a very powerful tool in the hands of the people who always want to be on par with their fellow beings. There should be open thinking, open eyes and open ears", he said.

Mr Antony said in the 70’s, men like him took cue from the legislature secretary, elders and friends. This type of facility to familiarise new MLAs with the functioning in the Assembly came much later. He reminded them to be cautious about maintaining the warmth of friendship and respect of each other while strongly opposing or supporting the other.

Kerala Assembly had set many precedents, new reforms and legislations, for the first time in the country. "We don’t need Tughlaq model reforms brought in by one man or the other, but reforms after transparent discussions of the same in the Assembly and among the people", he said.

Presiding over the function, Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman reiterated his intention to limit the number of submissions to three or four and to send the rest to the Government, seeking reply, to save time and to have more purposeful discussions.

He also indicated the time limit, from 0830 hrs to 1330 hrs, as mentioned in the Assembly procedures. Both would be subject to approval of the business advisory committee. Though there was no clause for submissions, it was he who had provided such a facility when he was the speaker earlier, he said.

He wanted the freshers to carefully study the Clauses 36, 281 and 284 in particular to make it easy to maintain the decorum of the house.

The Speaker said he had felt the urgent need to give an orientation course on the very first day, on June five, when the members took oath. Stating that some may not like his style of functioning, he guaranteed an impartial approach to all legislators.

Mr M M Hassan, the first Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Kerala, welcoming, said the Kerala Assembly had many firsts to its credit, including the first subjects committee. Participating in the Assembly proceedings without a break would prove more educative than any classes, he said.

Law and Revenue Minister K M Mani and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty were among the "tutors". (UNI)

Naga students allay fears raised by ceasefire

NEW DELHI, June 27: The Naga Students Union, an organisation of Naga students in the capital, today sought to allay fears created by the June 14 Nagaland ceasefire extension ‘without territorial limits’ and said Nagas were not demanding "even an inch of land" from meiteis or other communities in Manipur or any other neighbouring states.

"Let it be known to the meiteis and all concerned that the nagas are not demanding even an inch of land from the meiteis or any other community. The nagas have a well-defined contiguous territory on which they have been living since time immemorial. Therefore, the meiteis need not loose an inch of their land. We wish that their lands are preserved and protected. We duly respect their right over their land," the Naga Students Union of Delhi (NSUD) said in statement issued here.

The joint statement issued by NSUD president Molarshing Monsang and general secretary Manekho K Poji said the extension of the ceasefire between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) on June 14 without territorial limits meant cessation of hostilities between the Indian Army and the NSCN (IM) to facilitate a congenial atmosphere for political dialogue for finding a lasting solution to the Naga conflict.

"The ceasefire does not intend to take away anybody’s land but the Nagas are only asserting their territorial rights."

Urging the communities to be vigilant against the designs of power hungry politicians and vested interests who were trying to mislead people and gain political mileage out of the issue, the students union said it looked forward to "interactive and proactive dialogue between the communities concerned."

It appealed to various Naga organisations to initiate confidence-building measures for mutual understanding.

The statement said the stand of the meiteis that the nagas could not aspire to live as one people, was a clear indication that they wanted to perpetrate their dominance over the Nagas.

It said the Nagas believed in good neighbourly relations. But the basis of good relations should be mutual respect for the rights of each community. "We will do our best for the unity and solidarity of the northeast people," it added.

Expressing "deep sorrow" over the loss of 14 people in Manipur on June 18 during violent protests over the ceasefire extension the NSUD said the Nagas too had the cherished goal of living together as one people.

Rejecting the meiteis claim about the "historically established state of Manipur" the statement said that at no point of time Nagas had entered into any kind of agreement with Manipur.

Even during the British rule, some Naga territories were kept under different administrative units of Assam, British-Manipur administrative unit being one. Another one third of Naga territory came under Burma (now Myanmar).

"This was arbitrarily done without the consent of the Nagas. Independent India too follows the same same territorial arrangement of the British even today." (UNI)

IB sleuths keeping a watchful eye on Agra

AGRA, June 27: In view of infiltration of militants into Uttar Pradesh, the Agra administration is leaving nothing to chance and has sought para-military assistance to foil any possible sabotage of the summit talks here between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Our first priority is the safety of the dignitaries hence the security aspects are being thoroughly worked out by the Special Protection Group with National Security Guards backed by intelligence agencies," Agra commissioner S N Jha told PTI.

Asked about the recent encounters between the security forces and the militants in the state, Jha said "we have para-military assistance available with us and they will take care of that aspect of the security."

Local the security and intelligence agencies during the summit talks and stay of the dignitaries in Agra on June 15.

About other arrangements, the Commissioner said the District Administration is making all arrangements to make the city clean and beautiful.

"The SPG personnel have already made one recce of the possible routes and places to be used by the dignitaries and they will again shortly come and discuss elaborately all the issues," he said.

"They have assessed the situation and after discussions will prepare a plan which will be discussed at an appropriate level," Jha said.

Asked whether the local population would be allowed to meet President Musharraf, Jha said "these niceties have to be considered by the Ministry of External Affairs. But we have received no request from any local in this regard."

Apart from the security, what poses a formidable challenge to the administration is the monsoon, the first heavy rains of which left almost the whole city water logged.

And there is hardly any time left for the administration to set the city’s drainage system right.

"We will deploy manpower armed with pumps and generators to pump out the water from the roads in case it rains heavily and the drainage system gets choked," the Commissioner said. (PTI)