NEW DELHI, Jan 11:
To prevent any mishap due to low visibility during winter, Northern Railway has installed fog safety devices in about 350 trains including goods services.
Jammu Rajdhani, Shalimar Express and Shatabdi services for Kalka, Chandigarh and Amritsar are among the total 350 trains which are equipped with fog safety devices, Divisional Railway Manager A Sachan said here today.
While 250 mail and express trains, mostly north-bound are being fitted with the device, about 100 locomotives of goods trains are also having the facility.
“We had tried the fog safety device in some trains last year on a pilot basis. Since the device was found to be a great help to loco pilots, this year we went ahead with the system in about 350 trains,” Sachan said.
The fog safety device is a GPS-based system which is placed in the driver’s cabin. The device alerts the driver about the approaching signal on the track during the fog. The foggy weather affects the visibility of signals.
It cost about Rs 35,000 to install the device in a train.
“We will install the devices in 300 more train in the next fiscal,” he said.
About the effectiveness of the device, DRM said “there has not been any accident due to the fog as it helps the driver to see the signal in the dense fog condition.”
Foggy weather condition pose a great challenge to the Railways, especially in Northern region of the country in terms of operations.
Northern Railways have cancelled the services of 16 trains and partially cancelled four trains till February 15.
Trained staff are being deployed during this period along with opening of two more additional counters at New Delhi and one each at Old Delhi, Anand Vihar and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations to cater to the needs of passengers. (PTI)
Fog safety devices in 350 trains
No Govt at the Centre without SP next time : Mulayam
JHANSI, Jan 11:
Making a pitch for his prime ministerial aspirations, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav today said it was up to the people of the state to make him the Prime Minister.
“We were ridiculed by the media when we had formed the party and now the same is being said about the Prime Minister ambition.It is up to the people to realise this,” he said while addressing a ‘desh banao, desh bachao’ rally here at GIC ground in Jhansi.
Mr Yadav said it had become clear that Congress and Bharatiya Janata party would not be able to achieve majority in the coming Lok Sabha elections hence a potent alternative was just a posibility. “It is beyond any doubt that the next Government at the Centre cannot be formed without the role of Samajwadi Party, ” he asserted.
Exhorting the large gathering at the rally, the SP chief said it was the time for them to make their choices clear and favour the pro-people party like his. “Their endeavour will help the country and the state to keep the communal forces at bay and get rid of ‘insensitive’ rule of the Congress at the Centre,” he added.
The country had already suffered a lot due to rampant corruption in the Congress Government and the poor economic policies which led to spiral price rise and it was the time for a welcome change, he said adding the Congress indulged in conspiracies only and the CBI cases against him was just an example. (UNI)
National Youth Day celebrated
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: NSS Unit of Luthra College of Education celebrated National Youth Day by organizing a symposium and colourful cultural programme, here today.
A number of students participated in the symposium on the topic “Erosion of Values and Role of Parents in Imbibing Values”.
Ishali Bambroo claimed first position, Norboo Dolma secured second and the third position was bagged by Komal Manhas, while the consolation prize winners included Shivani Bhat and Pooja Sharma.
An impressive programme consisting of Bhajans, Punjabi Group Dance, Punjabi Group Song, Kashmiri Group Dance and Ladakhi Group Dance enthralled the audience.
Students spoke on life as well as ideals of Swami Vivekananda.
On this Occasion, Principal of the College, Vijay Laxmi impressed upon the students that they must hold up good values as they are the builders of Nation.
Chairperson, Rajeev Luthra stressed upon the students that they must follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda.
Chief guest, Anil Gupta, president of JKDF also enlightened the audience with his views, while Upasana Sharma, NSS Officer of the College presented the vote of thanks.
We will be stronger next season: Rasool
Vadodara, Jan 11:
Their fairytale run in the Ranji Trophy came to an end with a crushing quarterfinal loss today but Jammu and Kashmir captain Parvez Rasool said his team is not the least bit disheartened and will emerge stronger next season.
J&K lost by a 100 runs against Punjab in the last-eight stage match here today but Rasool chose to focus on the positives.
“We are not disappointed and will work hard to improve our performance during Ranji Trophy next season,” the off-spinning all-rounder said after the match.
Reflecting on the loss, Rasool said the team needed some good partnerships while chasing 324.
“We needed some partnerships today, but VRV Singh bowled well today and unfortunately, we couldn’t put up a stand,” Rasool said.
“Once our set batsmen, Hardeep Singh, got injured, we didn’t play well against VRV. One batsman should have stood with paaji. A 300-plus target is not easy to chase, but we fought well,” he added. (PTI)
Tributes paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri on death anniversary
NEW DELHI, Jan 11:
The nation today paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 48th death anniversary.
Vice President Hamid Ansari, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Assembly Speaker MS Dhir were the first to pay floral tributes to the late leader at his memorial Vijay Ghat. Devotional songs were also played at the venue.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India and a prominent figure in the independence movement.
Shastri died of a heart attack in Tashkent in 1966 after signing a declaration of ceasefire with Pakistani President M Ayub Khan to end the 1965 war. (PTI)
CBI unearths major recruitment scam in IMA, books 3 Lt Cols
DEHRADUN, Jan 11:
Unearthing a major recruitment scam in the Indian Military Academy here, the CBI has booked three serving Lieutenant Colonels in connection with the case.
Lieutenant Colonels Akhilesh Mishra, Jagdish Bishnoi and Ambarish Tiwari have been accused of issuing fake experience certificates to candidates in recruitments to group C and D cadres of the prestigious institute in 2011-2012, CBI sources said here today.
A regular case was filed by the apex investigating agency against the trio earlier this week, they said.
The accused, charged with forgery, conspiracy and issuing fake certificates to candidates, are likely to be interrogated soon, they said, adding some arrests in connection with the case may also be made.
The accused officers had allegedly issued forged documents to pave the way for recruitment of 34 candidates and helped in replacing the original answer sheets of 16 others to help them clear the written test, they said. (PTI)
Lodge FIR against CE, OC GREF: DC
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Jan 11: Taking serious note of dilapidated condition of Drabshalla – Kandni road, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Baseer Ahmed Khan today directed the concerned SHO to lodge FIR against Chief Engineer Beacon and OC GREF 188 RCC Kishtwar for non compliance of directions and dereliction of duty.
“The matter regarding dilapidated condition of road from Drabshalla to Kandni was brought to the notice of Chief Engineer GREF and OC GREF time and again with specific instructions to improve the condition of road and install side barriers from Drabshalla to Kandni”, the order said, adding “despite repeated reminders no effort has been made on the ground as a result of which the public is ventilating serious concern and there is every apprehension of traffic accidents on this road”.
“It was intimated sometimes back by the OC GREF that a contractor is not executing the work. However, instead of taking action against the contractor, the OC GREF has sought intervention of Deputy Commissioner’s office for directing the contractor to execute the work although the GREF authorities can immediately take recourse to the condition as stipulated in the contract agreement”, the order further said, adding “it appears that the GREF authorities are not serious in carrying the necessary work on this stretch”.
Taking serious note of this, the Deputy Commissioner has directed the concerned SHO to lodge FIR against the Chief Engineer Beacon C/o 56 APO and OC GREF 188 RCC Kishtwar, who have remained oblivious to the directions issued in the interest of public and safety of passengers.
“In case of any mishap/accident on this stretch the responsibility should be fixed on GREF authorities”, the order said.
Swaraj makes light of favourable pre-poll surveys on AAP
NAGPUR, Jan 11:
Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today pooh-poohed surveys which have projected 50-60 Lok Sabha seats for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) thus creating a hurdle in her party’s bid to capture power at the Centre.
These surveys will not come true, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha told reporters at the airport here without elaborating.
She was asked to comment on pre-poll surveys which have projected the Arvind Kejriwal-led fledgling party bagging 50-60 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The one-year-old outfit’s stunning electoral debut in Delhi spoilt BJP’s chance of ruling the city-state despite emerging as the single largest party in the December Assembly polls. (PTI)
LDCA, SCCL register emphatic victories
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Ludhiana District Cricket Association and Sandhu Cricket Club Ludhiana registered victories over their rivals to advance in the on going 4th Police Martyrs’ Memorial North Zone T-20 Cricket Championship at District Sports Stadium Kathua today.
The first match was played between Kings President XI Sunderbani and Ludhiana District Cricket Association (LDCA). Kings President XI Sunderbani won the toss and decided to bat first. Playing first Kings President XI Sunderbani set a target of 106 runs in 20 overs for the loss of all Wickets. The highest scorer was Himanshu , who made 39 runs from 40 balls with the help of 2 fours and 1 six. Anil from LDCA took 5 wickets for 14 runs in 4 overs.
In reply, LDCA chased the target in the last over by losing 8 wickets, thus won the match by 2 wickets. The highest scorer from LDCA was Anil, who scored 40 runs from 48 balls. The man of match trophy was awarded to Anil who took 5 wickets and was also not out scoring 40 runs. He was also awarded with a cash reward of Rs. 1500 and man of match trophy by Additional SP Kathua, Yogesh Sharma.
The second match was played between Stadium XI Kathua and Sandhu Cricket Club Ludhiana (SCCL). Stadium XI Kathua won the toss and decided to bat first.
Batting first, Stadium XI Kathua set a target of 127 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Ankush scored 40 runs from 33 balls. For SCCL, Gupreet and Gourav took 2 wickets each.
SCCL, in reply to 127 runs easily chased the target in 17.2 overs with 6 wickets in hand.
Prince of SCCL continued his form in this match also and scored 58 runs in 43 balls with the help of 6 fours and 2 sixes.
Ankush took 2 wickets. Prince of SCCL was declared man of the match and was awarded with trophy and cash prize of Rs 2100 by Sr General Manager CTM, OP Sharam.
Shinde would be happy to see ‘guru’ Pawar become PM
SOLAPUR, Jan 11:
In remarks that could raise the hackles of many in Congress, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today said he would be happy to see NCP chief Sharad Pawar become the prime minister, describing the Maratha strongman as his “political guru”.
“I would be happy if Pawar becomes the PM. He is my political guru. I entered politics because of him,” Shinde said in an interaction with editors of a Marathi newspaper here.
“Everone has ambition. He has been trying since 1992,” he said.
Shinde’s remarks came ahead of Congress’ crucial session on January 17, amid reports that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi could be named its Prime Ministerial candidate at the meet.
“There is no reason for (having) two views on this. I have said this many times, even on national platform,” Shinde said.
Pawar has been trying to become PM since 1992, but was a “victim of Delhi politics” he said.
Pawar, who broke away from Congress on the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin in 1999 to form NCP, has made it clear that he would not contest the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and instead intends to take the Rajya Sabha route to Parliament. (PTI)