The Hindu : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Briefly

Dharna against demolition

NEW DELHI MARCH 17. The Jhuggi-Jhompri Cell of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar here today to protest against the recent demolition of slums in the New Delhi Parliamentary constituency.

The DPCC President, Chaudhary Prem Singh, led the protesters comprising a large number of people from the JJ clusters whose slums were razed. Mr.Singh alleged that the purpose behind the demolition was to deny the genuine voters a chance to cast their vote. ``Why was the demolition of JJ slums being carried out now?'' he asked .

Awareness drive about rights

NEW DELHI MARCH 17. The All India Women's Conference (AIWC) has decided to join hands with various other social organisations to create awareness among the downtrodden women about their rights. The was announced today at a seminar on ``Gender Equality and Women Empowerment'' organised by the Sulabh Mahila Avom Bal Kalyan Sansthan.

Well-known women activist and AIWC's in-charge, Kalpakkam Yechuri, stressed the need to have a collective movement for the all-round development of women.

The founder of the Sulabh movement, Bindreshwar Pathak, extended full cooperation to AIWC in launching programmes aimed at empowering woment.

NCC conference begins

NEW DELHI MARCH 17. The two-day conference of the NCC Deputy Directors Generals began here today. The conference is aimed at improving the NCC's training and organisational abilities.

In his address, the Minister of State for Defence, Chaman Lal Gupta, praised the NCC's role in nation building and for inculcating the values of patriotism among the younger generation. He also lauded the NCC's role at the time of natural calamities.

During the conference, the Rashtra Bhasha trophies were awarded for implementation of official languages. The NCC Directorate of Uttar Pradesh was awarded the Rashtra Bhasha trophy in the Hindi speaking belt, while the NCC Directorate of Kerala and Lakshwadeep were given the trophies in the non-Hindi speaking belt.

Court notice on Humayun tomb

NEW DELHI MARCH 17. The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the Centre and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a PIL seeking removal of all unauthorised structures around the three protected medieval monuments, including Humayun's Tomb, threatening its delisting as a World Heritage Site.

Perturbed over the mushrooming of illegal constructions and plastic waste thrown within the prohibited area around Humayun's Tomb, Barapula Bridge built by Mughal Emperor Jehangir's Chief eunuch Mir Banu Agha rpt Jehangir's Chief eunuch Mir Banu Agha and Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khana, a Bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice B D Ahmed directed the ASI and Centre to file their replies within two weeks.

The direction came on the PIL filed by an NGO, Heritage and Culture Forum, which apprehended that if necessary steps were not taken the listing of Humayun's Tomb as World Heritage Site may be withdrawn and the other two protected monuments may also be delisted.

The Court asked the NGO's counsel Bahar-e-Barqi to file a separate petition incorporating the environmental threat looming large on these monuments after he submitted that hazardous plastic wastes were being thrown there.

According to the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, no construction activities can be carried out within 100 metres of any protected monument while such activities within next 200 metres are to be regulated.

Board exam papers leaked

Etah MARCH 17. Five people were arrested in connection with the theft of nine question papers of Class XII of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Board Examinations from a centre here following which the Chemistry examination scheduled today was cancelled.

The District Magistrate, R.P. Shukla, here today said nine question papers including Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and English were stolen from Mahendra Pal Amauria Inter College here yesterday. He said following the crime, college manager Mukul Amauria, employees Amarpal, Santosh, Amar Singh and Bhojraj have been arrested on charges of conspiring in the leakage.

He said the Chemistry examination scheduled for today had been cancelled and steps would be taken to cancel other examinations, whose papers were stolen.

The DM said the examination centre had also been cancelled and the rest of the examinations would be held in the Christian Agriculture Inter college.

An inquiry had been ordered into the incident, Mr. Shukla added.

Training camp for priests

Jodhpur MARCH 17. In an innovative effort, Rajasthan Government is holding a training camp for priests for the first time in the State.

Over 70 priests are attending the three-day camp, organised by Devsthan Department, where they will provided training in temple services.

"The camp is being held to ensure that Hindu traditions are followed adequately," Commissioner Devsthan Department, Fateh Krishna Kalla said.

Temple priests are learning about various aspects of their jobs like decoration of idols, special puja, and various type of bhogs (offerings) at the camp which was inaugurated yesterday.

The priests are also being taught about maintaining traditions of the particular temples they were serving.

Heat wave grips Rajasthan

Jaipur MARCH 17. Unusual heat wave gripped most parts of Rajasthan with mercury soaring above 40 degreee Celsius, weather office said today.

It is for the first time that day temperature rose to 40 degree Celsius and above in different areas in the month of March, the weathermen said.

Highest maximum temperature of 41 degree Celsius was recorded at Jodhpur, Bikaner and Dabok today. It was around 40 degree Celsius elsewhere.

There had been rise in temperature by eight to nine degree Celsius in Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions during the last 48 hours causing heat wave conditions, they said.

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