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| Delhi- the emperor’s city NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Not many of even those staying here would know that Delhi’s famous Chandni chowk was so named......more THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 5: For the first time in the long history of Christianity in Kerala, a Church today ...more Computer-guided
surgery MUMBAI, Oct 5: Computer guided surgery or surgical navigation for hip and knee replacement operations has become a...more Indian
Airlines faces flying NEW DELHI, Oct 5: As Indian Airlines celebrates its golden jubilee of flying, its passengers are clearly not satisfied with inflight services. Or at least that’s the impression one gathered recently when the domestic carrier organised an interface with frequent....more |
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Three new jails soon to decongest tihar central jail NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Three new jails will come up soon in the national capital to decongest Tihar central jail which at present accommodates 12,786 .....more Centre to
set up JALANDHAR Oct 5: The Central Government has decided to set up national commission for disable persons to effectively......more Post-Marad
massacre THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 5 : In a significant step towards restoring communal harmony, the Kerala Government....more HWS calls
for equal SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Hindu Welfare Society, an outfit representing Kashmiri Pandits who have not migrated, today.....more |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Not many of even those staying here would know that Delhi’s famous Chandni chowk was so named because of a pool formed by a branch of the Yamuna that would reflect the stars and the moon as the women from the royal family shopped around during the Moghul era. A member of Parliament is the least expected to know. The book, "Delhi, the emperor’s city" by Vijay Goel who represents the Chandni chowk constituency and is minister in the Vajpayee Government, however, is a wonderful collection of photographs, maps and historical information on old Delhi and its famous landmarks. During one of his visits to Jodhpur, Goel saw the neglect and dilapidated condition of one of the "havelis" and wondered about the condition of the Havelis in his own constituency of Chandni chowk. He realised that the main reason behind the steady deterioration of this erstwhile imperial city built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjahan was that its charming Havelis and other edifices were private properties and were drastically altered over a period of time, with unscrupulous builders converting the traditional houses into markets. "The Archaeological Survey of India is a case in point. Instead of adding more to its list of protected monuments, its efforts have often been insufficient in protecting those that are already on the list", Goel says in the preface to the book adding that while NGOs and individuals form a separate group, it would not be unfair to say that the multiplicity of agencies is leading to utter chaos. Chandni chowk was originally built as an open octagonal space located outside Begum Bagh. A branch of Yamuna canal passed down the middle of the street and formed a pool that reflected the moon and so the square came to be named as Chandni chowk, Goel says adding that the area, once the biggest commercial centre of the east is a world in itself-noisy, cluttered yet magical with its bazaars, Galis, Mohallas and Katras (fort markets) anchored in a bygone era. From 1689 AD, when Jehan ara, the favourite daughter of Shahjahan, who laid the foundation of Delhi, to the modern day Delhi, Goel takes the reader on a tour tracing the history of various areas that formed part of the city built by Shahjahan and the present day Delhi. Thus, one comes to know that Dariba Kalan was built by the emperor as a jewellery market for his daughters who were extremely fond of jewellery and that the nai sarak has always been a place for "purani" or old books or that the area Katra Dhuliyan witnessed a heroic chapter in the struggle for Independence when revolutionaries threw a bomb on Lord Hardinge’s procession from the upper floor of a building here. Full of beautiful colour photographs, the coffee table book is divided in chapters that deal with the history, grandeur and style and houses of worship. There is also a chapter on heritage walks giving details of places and buildings of historic importance. Goel, in fact, says that Chandni chowk be declared as a "heritage city" and be allocated special funds and a "separate board" for looking after its day-to-day functioning. "I have decided to make Chandni chowk a pedestrian-friendly city, free of all major problems like traffic congestion and lack of heritage awareness to tangled electrical and phone cables. The physical face of Shahjanabad, its ethos and culture have suffered for want of conservation. The silent fort buildings, Havelis, religious edifices and historical structures are fighting a losing battle. Inspite of this, many irrevocable and extraordinary achievements of Indian architecture remain visible in the remnants that can be seen today, the book says. The author has listed the "Havelis" (mansions) that have lasted the vagaries of weather and man in Shahjanabad. He notes that the Hindu and Muslim mansions had little to differentiate them. "What is perhaps most painful is the denial of the architectural and cultural legacy by the owners/inheritors of what was truly a glorious past", Goel says. (about the book: Delhi, the emperor’s city, rediscovering Chandni chowk and its environs, by Vijay Goel. Published by Roli books, pages 176, price not mentioned) (PTI) |
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 5: For the first time in the long history of Christianity in Kerala, a Church today organized the Vidyarambham ceremony, the Hindu custom of initiating children into the world of letters, on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dasami. About 30 children underwent the ceremony at the St Goerge Orthodox Cathedral of Malankara Orthodox Church in the city. As befitting tradition, priests and elders made the children write the Malayalam words ‘Daivame Sthuthi" (praise the lord), helping the tiny tots run their fingers on rice-filled platters. The ritual was conducted on a podium set up in the cathedral compound, with a glowing portrait of Jesus Christ serving as the backdrop. Two big Nilavilakkus (traditional lamps) and a couple of candles were lit, with the Bible kept open beside a golden cross in the middle. The ceremony began with an invocation of the holy trinity by the patron saint. "The ritual has been organized with the full support and blessings of the entire Church," said the Parish Vicar, Fr. Geeverghese Erakath. "We are holding the programme without in any way denting the Christian faith. Throughout its history, the Christian community in India has held imparting of learning as one of it’s basic duties," Fr Erakath said. "This is a sublime instance of how well the Church has imbibed the Indian values," senior civil servant Jiji Thomson said. Traditional Christian homes in Kerala are not unfamiliar to Ezhuthiniruthu (as Vidyarambham is known in Malayalam). But it was for the first time that a Church was taking the initiative to conduct the ceremony, an activist of the St George Orthodox Youth Movement told PTI. The Cathedral authorities said they had also the support of other major Christian denominations, as well other communities, in conducting the programme. (PTI) |
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Computer-guided surgery becomes a reality in India MUMBAI, Oct 5: Computer guided surgery or surgical navigation for hip and knee replacement operations has become a reality in India under which surgeries are performed with the precision of a satellite being placed in orbit. Even if there is the slightest error, it could be corrected immediately, following the commissioning of the first ever computer-aided surgery for knee and hip joints in south Asia at the computer-assisted joint replacement centre in the Breach Candy Hospital and Research Centre. Dr C J Thakkar, a prominent joint replacements surgeon, who has brought the Rs 1.5 crore machine from Germany, said the possibility of human error is ruled out as the entire operation is guided by the computer. Talking to UNI at his small hospital at Bandra in northwest Mumbai, Dr Thakkar, who has already performed 30 odd knee replacements including at least six patients from abroad, said joint replacement surgery is an exercise in mechanical engineering. The surgeons measure the angles in which the leg is deformed, take the dimensions of the bones, the diseased or damaged area, assess the tightness of ligaments and plan the steps of the operation. Till today, all this was done manually, with the factor of human error creeping in from time to time, he said. However, with the introduction of computers, the chances of such errors are eliminated, he added. The surgeon can now plan his surgery including selection of correct fitting parts for each of his patient and simulate the steps of operation even before going in to the operation theatre, thereby reducing the human error factor. Showing the video of one operation, Dr Thakkar said the computer navigates the path of instruments in such a way that the parts are fitted in the most optimum position. It also helps in adjusting the ligament tension so that the operated joint is neither too tight restricting the movements, nor too loose resulting in fear of falling while walking. Explaining the technical aspects of machine, manufactured by the munich-based Brainlab company, Dr Thakkar said the system is called a "navigator" as it not only guides the steps of surgery, but also warns the surgeon of any error at each stage of the operation. The system comprises a machine no bigger than a household refrigerator with a computer console, touch screen monitor, infrared camera and a set of dedicated instruments, each fitted with special reflective markers. In the absence of this technology, the surgeons sometimes has had to take help of X-rays during surgery with inherent dangers of radiation to self and the patient. Dr Thakkar said he had first installed the machine at his small hospital, but later shifted to the Breach Candy Hospital where a special operation theatre has been created the operations. The doctors operate a patient wearing special space suits which prevents any infection to the patient during the surgery. Although the machine is very costly, the surgeries are being performed between Rs 1.40 lakh to Rs 2.50 lakh depending on the patient’s condition. The implant itself costs Rs 75,000, Dr Thakkar said. While the machine at present is being used only for the knee and hip joint replacements, it could also be utilised in accident cases, Dr Thakkar said. However, it would need to be equipped with the software to take care of such cases. At present, the software installed deals specifically with arthritis patients requiring replacement of knee or hip joints. All the patients who have undergone operations including a 65-year-old wife of a doctor in Bihar have expressed their satisfaction with the surgery, he said. In fact, the patient from Bihar came with curved legs and had to be supported by two people when she entered the Breach Candy hospital. "I was surprised when she walked into my hospital within ten days of the operation," he added. (UNI) |
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Post-Marad massacre issues settled in Kerala THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 5 : In a significant step towards restoring communal harmony, the Kerala Government today decided to consider the demand of Sangh Parivar outfits for a partial CBI probe into the Marad massacre, thus paving the way for a peaceful rehabilitation of the 400-odd minority community families in the affected region. Announcing the decisions after the second round of discussions with the representatives of Hindu and Muslim organisations here, Chief Minister A K Antony said the next meeting of the State Cabinet would take a decision on the question of recommending a CBI inquiry into the conspiracy and inter-state links of the accused in the May 2 incident in which 9 people were killed by an armed gang. The Government had also decided to enhance the solatium for the families of those who were massacred to Rs 10 lakh from the present Rs 1 lakh which was returned by them recently. Similarly, those who were seriously injured would be given Rs 5 lakh and other injured would be given Rs 3 lakh. One dependent each of those killed would be given a Government job. The minority community families who left the Beach area after the incident fearing retaliation, were staying in relief camps during the past five month due to stiff protest from Sangh Parivar outfits. They said the ongoing Crime Branch inquiry was not sufficient for exposing the inter-state links of the accused and hence demanded for a CBI inquiry. Stating that the rehabilitation of the families would be taken up soon, Mr Antony said he appreciated the role of Hindu-Muslim leaders to evolve a mutually acceptable formula to settle the five-month-old dispute. "It will be a model for the entire country," he added. BJP state general secretary P P Mukundan expressing "full satisfaction" over the outcome of the meeting, said the rehabilitation would be taken up in a phased manner. Referring to the opposition to CBI inquiry by CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and PKCC president K Muraleedharan, he alleged that both the leaders were trying to sabotage communal harmony in the state. Though the representatives of Hindu-Muslim organisations, mediated by the Gandhian organisations, discussed the issue for more than five hours yesterday, it was decided to go for another round of discussions today to finalise the details. Indian Union Muslim Leage State General Secretary and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, PWD Minister M K Muneer, BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai, BJP state general secretary P P Mukundan, Araya Samajam leaders T Suresh, Hindu Ayikyavedi general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan, were among those who attended the meeting. (UNI) |
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HWS calls for equal treatement for Pandits left behind SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Hindu Welfare Society, an outfit representing Kashmiri Pandits who have not migrated, today demanded that they be treated at par with members of the community who migrated after the start of militancy in the Valley and be given the same benefits. "We have told the central leaders that we should be treated at par with migrants and given same benefits as the migrants are enjoying," HWS spokesman Chuni Lal Bhat told reporters here after a havan organised by the outfit on the occasion of Mahanavmi and for peace in Kashmir. Elaborating on the details of the discussion an HWS delegation had with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani recently, he said we told Advani that unless you rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits staying back home you cannot instil security among the migrant Pandits. He also said that their demand for clusterization of the members of minority community staying back home was not conceded by the Government yet. "We want that the Pandits living in Kashmir should be shifted to safe clusters in district headquarters. But this does not mean that the Government will isolate us in safe clusters. We want clusters at a place where Muslims are also living," HWS general secretary S K Tiku said. Nearly 5000 Pandits, mostly those who are living in Kashmir, attended the havan for peace, which was held by the Pandits for the first time. Keeping with age-old tradition, Muslims also thronged the Temple and helped their Hindu brethren to organise the havan at the Ram Mandir Barbar Shah Temple. "We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from Muslims in organizing this havan. We have prayed for the peace and prosperity of Kashmir. Hindu-Muslim brotherhood is a key to peace and we have prayed for strengthening this age old bond between the two communities," Bhat said. It was for the first time that Pandits have organized a havan in Kashmir. The Pandits had decided to organize such havan on the occasion of Ramnamvi but it was postponed because of the massacre of 24 Pandits at Nadimarg in Pulwama district of south Kashmir in March this year. Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims once again proved today that Kashmiriayat is alive here, a Pandit devotee said. (PTI) Making designer wear affordable NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Stepping out of confines of exclusivity, Indian designer wear is all set to become popular, following efforts to make it affordable and accessible. Targetting the middle class more, designer Raghavendra Rathore has innovated with his Inde Pret Jodhpur collection, offering commercial clothing with style at prices that do not pinch the pocket. In addition, this is one of the first brands that promises uniformity in quality as Rathore has tied up with Vishal Singh of orient craft, one of India’s leading garment exporters, to produce his designs. "The partnership, the first of its kind, finally introduces corporatisation of design wear in India, liberating the designer from the day to day hassles of production and is probably also one of the first steps towards organising the fashion industry," Rathore told UNI. Production is a tough job for the designers, haggling for fabrics, worrying about consignments, detailing local tailors, and at times takes away the creative edge. However, infusion of corporate infrastructure and in-house production would do away with such problems, Rathore says. It would also cut production cost by 70-80 per cent and help to keep a check on quality. Hi-tech imported machines would ensure uniformity of all garments that had been missing in the Indian designer wear till now, according to Rathore. Reduction of production costs has made Rathore’s Pret line affordable. With prices ranging from Rs 900 to Rs 2800, Inde Pret aims to enter the corporate Pret Bastion dominated by brands such as Allen Solly, Wills Sport and Raymonds. However, Inde Pret had an edge over corporate Pret as it offers exclusivity, designer fabrics and trendier outfits, Rathore says. "We would be churning out around 300-400 designs every month and would be faster to catch on with international trends, unlike corporate houses." The collection, inspired and designed according to international standards has world-class styling, cut and finest fabrics imported from the luxurious ateliers of the Rathore brand. Despite being ready-to-wear pret, the collection draws inspiration from Rajasthani desert Motifs, a Hallmark of the Rathore house. "The effort has been to simplify the designs, each garment has just one design element that makes it stand out." Steering away from women’s wear at present, Inde Pret offers shirts for every occasion, ranging from formal to casual to even travel wear. However, plans are afoot to expand into women’s wear, maternity wear and even accessories in the near future. "The Indian middle class is bigger than the total population of the us, but even then designers tend to ignore this segment, creating a huge vacuum, which we intend to fill," Vishal Singh says. Fashion consciousness and increasing affordability of the Indian middle class, coupled with more hangar and display space with the advent of the mall culture in metros has created a demand for affordable desiner wear in the country which the venture intends to cash on. (UNI) No romance, seafarers sail with
more problems MUMBAI, Oct 5: Though shipping boasts of a history and tradition that few others can match, today the romance of the sea is over for seafarers due to vast changes in maritime industry and advancement of technology over the last 30 years. According to the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Director Capt T D Hazari the problems of fatigue and stress has become more prominent in recent years. "Upto the 1970s, about 40 to 45 people were there on board with fair normal working hours. A seaman could enjoy good port stay and there was plenty of opportunity for seafarers to enjoy a diverse and interesting life," Capt Hazari said. Today, there are only 20 people on board with long working hours and intense work pressure. A seaman usually gets a lonely place during off-duty hours and he has to carry out intense activity during short port stay. With high commercial pressure and no shore leave, the seamen today are a stressed lot, Capt Hazari added. "There was a saying that a seaman will be having wives at all port of call, now a seamen hardly get time to breath at short port stay," Capt Hazari said in a lighter vein. According to shipping experts, the legacy that seafarers hand down is one of pride in a job well done, of attention to detail, of skills diligently learnt and painstakingly applied, in short, of seamaship. Capt. Hazari said, "the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code by July 2004 would further add to the workload and the consequential fatigue and stress factors." "Why people go on making mistakes is a question which our data cannot possibly answer. However, the evidence is that even properly trained personnel can become careless and even reckless when responding to excessive commercial pressure or suffering from fatigue, discomfort, boredom or stress," said an analysis of major claims by UK P I Club who are considered as leading underwriters of Maritime industry, he added. There is no question that the workload of bridge crews and particularly masters, has increased dramatically in recent years. Masters frequently complain about their administrative burden. They are physically tired and mentally stressed, particularly in pilotage waters, said international marine pilots association president Captain Hein Mehrkens. "The highly motivated and competent brigge team not overwhelmed by fatigue tends to be rare. Put another way, it is almost the fabled exception among the merchant seafarers suffering from widespread demotivation and frustration throughout the world," Capt Mehrkens added. Interestingly, the International Safety Management Code of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) says, "the cornerstone of good safety management is commitment from the top. In matters of safety and pollution prevention it is the commitment, copetence, attitudes and motivation of individuals at all levels that determines the end result. The theme of World Maritime Day adopted by IMO this year was "IMO - committed people working for safe, secure and clean seas". "Though the number of Maritime fatalities are declining, there is a strong need to carry out an in-depth study to find out the factors leading to fatigue and stress and thereafter to find suitable solutios," Capt Hazari added. (UNI) Stage set for Abu Salem’s extradition NEW DELHI, Oct 5: With the legal process entering its last leg, CBI is all set to get extradited to India underworld Don and main accused in the 1993 bomb blast case, Abu Salem, even as the Portuguese Government has dropped one of the charges against him. Highly-placed CBI sources said a decision on Salem’s extradition was expected within this month as the paper work during the trial has been completed. According to Portuguese law, the trial has to be concluded within 45 working days of the Court. This time period would end within this month as the Court would be meeting after a long vacation. The CBI has also hired a local legal consultant firm "Moraos Leitao and J Galvio tales" in Lisbon to assist the Prosecutor General’s office of Portugal in preparing the case as according to the law, no separate counsel could represent the agency in that country. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Government has dropped one of the three charges against Salem - of marrying a local girl to get a resident permit. However, the two other charges — obstructing Government officials in performing their duty and entering Portugal with forged documents — remain. CBI is also hopeful of a favourable order on its petition for extradition moved in a higher Court against Salem’s girlfriend, Monica Bedi, after the trial Court had ordered that she could be tried in Portugal as the offence committed by her in India and that country was same. (PTI) India looking at US laws for witness protection NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Realising the importance of protection to witnesses to tackle organised crimes, the Union Government is evaluating the usefulness of American laws where a gang member after turning approver is given a new name and relocated at a new place. Responding to the Supreme Court notice issued to it in the Best Bakery case where the Gujarat Government was severely reprimanded for not doing its best to protect the witnesses, the Union Government said the concept of federal crime had to be introduced first in the seventh schedule and the resultant heavy financial burden had to be kept in mind. The Home Ministry in its affidavit said that in America, the federal witness programme was created in response to the dangers faced by witnesses who testified against organized crime. "Such witnesses, who are former mobsters or gangsters, live under the witness protection programme with an assumed identity....The programme has widely been recognised as a unique and valuable tool in the American Government’s war against major criminal conspirators and organised crime," the ministry said. "In a high-threat environment, including pre-trial conferences, trial testimonials and other Court appearances, a round-the-clock protection is provided to all witnesses through the United States Marshall service," the ministry said. The Attorney General of the USA may provide for the relocation and other protection to a witness or a potential witness for a federal government or for a State Government in official proceedings, organised criminal activity and other serious offences, the Home Ministry said. However, it said that though such a scheme could be useful in the Indian scenario, it was impeded by the fact that law and order was in the concurrent list and huge cost would be incurred in its implementation. As regards enactment of law for witness protection programme in India, it said complex issues in the witness protection programme, as experienced in the United States of America, have to be considered, examined and resolved indigenously as criminal law and criminal procedure are on the concurrent list. "As part of fight against complex crimes, the Union Government has been endeavouring for a consensus on federal law, federal crimes and federal investigative agency at successive conferences of the Chief Ministers but no consensus could be arrived at so far," it said. "Further, the enormous financial resources required for operationalising of the protection of witness in India and the efficacy of the scheme itself have to be assessed with reference to socio-economic, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic angles as giving a new and assumed identity to a witness to protect him from the retribution...Is far more difficult here than in the USA, Canada and west Europe," it added. (PTI) |
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