NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Sixty more people have been found positive for the H1N1 virus today, taking the total number of swine flu cases in the national capital this year to 420.
With the death two more people yesterday, the number of people succumbing to the virus was nine.
According to hospital sources, there were no deaths today but 60 fresh cases have been reported.
Yesterday, a 52-year-old man had died at Action Balaji hospital while another 83-year-old man who was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital a couple of days back in a serious condition had succumbed.
Top health department officials were monitoring the situation while Delhi Health Minister A K Walia was also keeping a close watch.
Delhi Government has designated 23 hospitals in the city for treatment of the ailment.
The Health Minister has urged people to maintain high standard of personal hygiene to prevent the disease. (PTI)
60 new cases of swine flu, number of patients cross 400
Seminar held
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: A seminar on “How Safe Women Are” was held, in which residents of Trikuta Nagar participated actively and expressed their views.
Most of the speakers stressed on the need to implement strong laws against women abuse and sexual harassment.
They said that there is need that civil society should come forward on such burning issues, so that a check could be kept on such incidents.
Nitish Mahajan, Programme organizer said that such events help the society to come forward and discuss about the preventives, which need to be taken to overcome the evils of the society.
On the occasion, the panelists were Pooja Malhotra, Director, Tawish Group of College, Aruna Narula, Director, First Step School, Dr Bhawana Koul, Senior Consultant, Government Dental College, Advocate Monika Kohli and SK Jain.
Among others present were SP Langer, members, State Kissan Advisory Board, BS Puri, Retd Chief Education Officer, Vinay Abrol, Surinder Singh Lathe, Kuldeep Singh Arora, etc.
Suriya Saptami celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Suriya Saptami was celebrated with full religious fervour and gaiety at Suriya Bhawan, Martand Paloura here today.
A large number of devotees attended the religious function which started with Mahayagya yesterday evening.
The Havan culminated with Puranahuti this afternoon which was followed by serving of Prashad to devotees.
The function was organized by Martand Tirath Trust. The role of the Trust was also highlighted which is organising a free langar for annual Amaranth yatris at Martand Teerath and other local yatris every year in Kashmir.
The speakers on the occasion alleged that the State Government was not paying any attention towards the Trust and it has not taken any interest in developing the Martand Teerath for pilgrimage tourism.
M K Yogi president of the Trust said thousands of yatris visit Martand Teerath every year and he urged the Government to pay attention for the development of the holy shrine.
The Trust members also decided to approach Government once again to impress upon it to provide all facilities at Martand for the pilgrims visiting Kashmir and staying at Martand.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Veer Ji Pandita, general secretary of the Trust.
RSS protests, torches effigy of Malik
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena (RSS) today held a demonstration against the Government for its failure not taking the strong action against the anti nation activities of the JKLF chairman, Yasin Malik.
The demonstration was led by all senior leaders of RSS including Kuldeep Luthra, Vipin Hindu and Ashwani Gupta. They torched the effigy of the Malik and urged the State as well as Central Government to act fast and put the terrorist behind bars.
Accusing Malik of killing minority Hindus, Sikhs, IAF officers and other nationalist people in Valley and all cases against him should be reopened.
They alleged the JKLF is also involved in the killing of Panchs and Sarpanchs in the Valley. The Government should impound his passport and he should be imprisoned for sharing dais with Hafiz Syed and indulging in anti India tirade in Pakistan. A case under treason should also be registered against him, they added.
They also took exception to collection of money in Pakistan on the name of Guru and alleged the same is being used for so called Jehad against India. They said Government has not learnt from terrorist attack on Parliament and Mumbai attack.
Vikas Dewan, Ashwani Gandotra, Ravi Verma, Rajinder Gupta and others RSS leaders also took part in the protest.
Haschke cleaned up documents on chopper scam, Indian team set to leave for Italy
NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Alleged middleman Guido Haschke had “cleaned up” all the documents from his computer related to the VVIP chopper deal mired in allegations of kickbacks, it was revealed today, as an Indian team was set to leave for Italy tomorrow to gather evidence in the bribery case.
But to Haschke’s misfortune the documents were retrieved from his computer hard drive along with other papers he had hidden at his mother’s home.
According to reports in the Italian media, the investigators termed the information found in his computer drives as a “Pandora’s box” where he has noted details of his appointments, his meetings with Indian intermediaries, in Italy and Lugano and several international transactions including that of Finmeccanica.
These documents are being used by the prosecutors in the Italian court Tribunale de Busto Arsizio to build their case in fixing responsibilties of several accused including former Finmeccanica chief Giuseppe Orsi for allegedly paying Rs 360 crore in kickbacks to bag the Rs 3,600 crore deal, reports in Italian daily Republica suggested.
“He thought he had deleted everything, buried every track on the big business on behalf of Finmeccanica. He had ‘cleaned up’ all his computer and he felt calm,” the daily said quoting the Italian investigators’ report.
It said the prosecutors in the court Busto Arsizio recovered the “computer hard drives of Haschke where the intermediary had recorded the whole story about the sale of helicopters and other business”.
“Documents and files that are now on the table of the Prosecutor of Busto Arsizio, Eugenio Fusco, who is trying to rebuild any responsibilities and roles of the protagonists of this ‘affair’,” it said.
The report said the “fate of Orsi is entrusted to its reading of the documents found in a suitcase that Haschke had hidden in his mother’s house and found those files in his computer that he thought he had cleared and reset.”
Haschke is alleged to have been appointed by former Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi, who has been arrested, for clinching the deal for AgustaWestland in which 51 million euros were allegedly paid as kickbacks. Orsi has denied any kind of involvement in paying bribes for bagging the deal.
A team of CBI and Defence Ministry officials is leaving for Italy tomorrow to verify allegations of kickbacks.
Official sources said the team comprises a CBI DIG, a law officer of the agency, a Joint Secretary-level officer of Defence Ministry and an official of the External Affairs Ministry.
The team’s departure was delayed by a day due to some last-minute formalities which required to be fulfilled before travelling abroad for the purpose of investigation, they said, adding the team would try to meet Italian prosecutors to ascertain the details of the case.
The CBI’s decision came after it virtually drew a blank from the Defence Ministry in getting some official inputs regarding alleged kickbacks of Rs 362 crore in the case.
The CBI also engaged a lawyer in Italy to represent India’s case with the Italian government and the local courts to find out the role of Indians in the alleged kickbacks in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP helicopter deal.
Official sources said the assistance of a lawyer was taken to help understand the Italian law and expedite getting documents from the helicopter company.
The lawyer, if necessary, would be approaching the court in Italy for procurement of documents, they said.
The CBI was handed over a letter from the Defence Ministry seeking a probe by it in the case which has triggered a storm in the country. Attached with the letter were some Indian and Italian press clippings, which the CBI said, could not form the basis for registering a case.
CBI had sought help of Indian Mission in Rome which too has not been able to provide any authenticated court documents to the agency, the sources said.
This was followed by CBI seeking help of Interpol which also expressed inability to provide any help in the absence of any regular case not having been registered by the agency, they said.
The Defence Ministry had yesterday sent a team led by Joint Secretary and an Air Commodore of Indian Air Force, who gave a presentation to the CBI about the tendering procedures and various stages while finalising the helicopter deal with AgustaWestland.
However, when pressed by the CBI officials about the kickback allegations, the team could not provide any answers to the sleuths, the sources said. (PTI)
Bhalla launches Rs 15 lakh development works
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Reiterating Government’s determination to provide better basic amenities to the people of the State, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that several innovative measures have been taken for raising the living standard of the people, including those residing in peripheral areas of the urban centers.
The Minister was interacting with the people after launching various works like upgradation of lanes and drains at Rani Talab and Preet Nagar besides construction of parking slot at Digiana Camp involving estimated cost of Rs. 15 lakh, here today.
The Minister stressed upon the concerned engineers and officers to redouble their efforts and accelerate pace of all ongoing works in the area for completion before March 15, 2013. He directed them to ensure use of quality material in execution of the works, adding that the objective of the Government was to create durable basic infrastructure across the State for providing better facilities to the people.
Mr. Bhalla said to connect rural areas with urban pockets, the execution of several ambitious road projects worth crores of rupees are apace across the State. He said focused attention was being paid towards increasing power generation in the State, adding several macro, micro and mini power projects have been taken up for which besides State, the Centre is providing liberal financial assistance to the State.
Mr. Bhalla called upon the people to extend whole hearted cooperation to the Government for maintaining peace and prosperity in the State. He said ,’it is the duty of every citizen to cooperate with the Government in making the Jammu and Kashmir as a model State, adding that several projects are under pipelines for the benefit of general masses across the State.
Australia clinch Women’s World Cup for sixth time
Mumbai, Feb 17:
Australia clinched their sixth Women’s World Cup title after they comfortably defeated the West Indies by a huge margin of 114 runs in the final at the Brabourne Stadium here today.
Needing 260 to win, the Caribbeans were bundled out for 145 runs in 43.1 overs, miserably failing to recover from Elysse Perry’s early three-wicket burst.
Batting first, Australia rode on Jessica Cameron’s quick-fire 75 and a half-century by Rachael Haynes to post a challenging 259 for seven.
Cameron’s almost run-a-ball knock, which was studded with eight fours and two sixes, coupled with some lacklustre fielding by the Windies, allowed the five-time champions to record the highest ever total in a Women’s World Cup final.
The previous best was 215 for four by the same side in 2005 against India.
Australian pace spearhead Perry, who was back in the side after suffering an ankle injury, ripped through the West Indies top-order and had them reeling at 41 for three.
The pacer struggled to get her run up right twice for her first delivery but drew first blood when she trapped Kycia Knight leg before in the last ball of her first over.
She then struck in her second and third over to get rid off Stafanie Taylor and opener Natasha Mclean. Perry, who thought she had dismissed Taylor in the first ball of her second over when the ball just bounced before carrying to first slip fielder Meghann Lanning, struck three balls later.
Perry’s figures after her first three overs read 3-2-2-3, and her devastating first spell ended with three wickets for eight runs in six overs.
She was introduced two overs later when Deandra Dottin, known for her hitting prowess, was batting after Kyshona Knight retired hurt.
Offie Lisa Sthalekar castled captain Merissa Aguilleira (23) to break the fourth wicket partnership of 47 runs.
Aguilleira had hit two fours and a six in her brief knock. Dottin, who hit a four a two sixes in her 28-ball 22, was also bowled by the all-rounder.
After being reduced to 109 for five, things nosedived for the West Indies as they soon found themselves reeling at 114 for eight. Anisa Mohammed tried hard to fight back and shared a 27-run partnership for the ninth wicket. (PTI)
Children performing cultural activity during Annual Function at Shemrock International School on Sunday.
Children performing cultural activity during Annual Function at Shemrock International School on Sunday.
South Africa take series after Pakistan collapse
Cape Town, Feb 17:
South Africa reinforced their status as the world’s number one Test team when they beat Pakistan by four wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands here today.
The victory, with a day to spare, gave South Africa a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series. It came after a dramatic Pakistan collapse in their second innings.
Pakistan were bowled out for 169 after starting the day on a relatively comfortable 100 for three. They lost their last six wickets for 22 runs on either side of lunch. At one stage four wickets fell in 13 balls, including three off successive deliveries.
The collapse was engineered by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson and opening bowler Vernon Philander, who took three wickets each before Dale Steyn finished off the Pakistan innings.
Peterson finished with three for 73 and Philander took four for 40.
The result was a disappointment for Pakistan, who had seemed on top after two days before a strong fightback by South Africa’s lower order batsmen yesterday.
Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took four for 51 in South Africa’s run chase to finish with match figures of ten for 147. (PTI)
PM appeals to Trade Unions to call off strike, offers talks
NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appealed to protesting central Trade Unions to withdraw their proposed two-day strike from February 20 saying it would cause loss to economy besides inconvenience to people and offered talks.
Protesting against Government’s “inaction” on price rise and alleged violation of labour laws, 11 central trade unions and workers’ federation have called for a two-day nationwide strike starting from February 20.
“I appeal to the Central Trade Unions to withdraw their call for countrywide general strike on February 20 and 21. Such a strike would lead to avoidable loss to our economy and inconvenience to the public through disruption of services,” the Prime Minster said in his message.
Singh also pointed out that some of the issues raised by the Trade Unions are “already being acted upon” and others are at “various stages of consideration”.
While issuing the appeal to the Unions to withdraw their strike call, the Prime Minister said that he has requested his senior Cabinet colleagues A K Antony, Sharad Pawar, P Chidambaram and Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge to hold discussions with them.
“I am confident that these discussions would result in a course of action that is acceptable both to the Trade Unions and the Government,” he said.
AITUC General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta had yesterday said that it was for the first time all trade unions have come together for the two-day strike as “Government has not taken any action to look into the problems of sky rise inflation, disinvestment in public sector units and non-implementation of labour laws”.
The strike has been called jointly by the Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), All India Trade union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and other such organisations.
The Independent Federation of Workers and Employees too have joined the protest.
Opposing the contract labour policy, the Unions have also demanded regular employment for jobs of perennial nature.
They are also demanding pensions for everyone along with removal of ceiling on bonus and provident fund.
A statement issued by the Trade Unions yesterday also claimed that federations of road transport, port and dock, petroleum, coal, steel and building and construction will also be on strike.
“Banking, insurance and other financial sector workers will also remain on strike,” it had said.
Dasgupta had yesterday said that the unions decided to go on strike as the government was not interested in listening to their demands and has not responded despite their protest call.
“The last minute meeting called by Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on February 13 resulted in further strengthening of resolve for strike as Government could not come forward to resolve any of the issues concerning Labour Ministry,” he had said.
He had claimed that over 100 million workers will participate in the strike.
National Secretary of AITUC Amarjeet Kaur, had said that said if the Government did not act after the strike, the Unions will intensify their agitation.
“If the Government still does not listen, there will be intensification…. We want Government to take concrete steps like stopping the deregulation of petrol and diesel prices. They should have price fixation policy. They should have universal ration system, they should control hoarding and black marketing also,” she had said. (PTI)