The Hindu : New Delhi News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Briefly

Yoga workshop for bankers

NEW DELHI JUNE 21. The Standard Chartered Bank in association with the Dhyan Foundation conducted a half-day yoga workshop titled "Journey of the Spirit" involving asana, pranayam and short meditations for its privileged customers here this past Sunday.

The underlying objective behind this workshop that was conducted by senior and experienced members of the Dhyan Foundation was to extend value added services for the select group of the bank's customers.

According to press release issued here, the Dhyan Foundation is a spiritual and charitable organisation -- that under the guidance of Yogi Ashwiniji -- is dedicated to physical, emotional and spiritual evolution. "It is very important for the modern day manager and executive to understand his roots," said Yogi Ashwiniji.

All the participants were made to go through a complete regime of asana, pranayam and short meditations. Yogi Ashwiniji has assimilated techniques from ancient Hindu philosophies and customised them for the modern day man to practice and benefit from them.

Rajdhani Express diverted

NEW DELHI JUNE 21. Due to imposition of speed restrictions on the Konkan Railway, the 2432/2431 Hazrat Nizamuddin -Thiruvanatapuram Rajdhani Express has been diverted to run through Bhopal, Itarasi, Ballharshah, Renigunta, Sorannure and Ernakulam stations with immediate effect, according to a Northern Railway press release.

`Quit smoking before 35'

NEW DELHI JUNE 21. The Heart Care Foundation of India has urged smokers to quit smoking before the age of 35. At a public discussion organised here on Sunday, the president of the Foundation, K.K Aggarwal, said by quitting smoking before 35 one could live as long and be as healthy as a non-smoker.

However, Mr. Aggarwal warned that it could take up to 15 years to reduce the chances of cancer completely. He also said smokers live fewer years than non-smokers and lose more years of a healthy life. Mr. Aggarwal added that the focus of the anti-tobacco message should change from "smoking kills" to "smoking hampers quality of life". He felt that the message of "smoking kills'' had become common and no longer had an impact on readers.

Music scholarship

NEW DELHI JUNE 21. Gayathri Fine Arts will shortly be launching a scholarship for vocal Carnatic music to aspirants in the age group of 17-25 years. Details can be had from GFA on phone 27564882.

Call to repeal POTA

NEW DELHI JUNE 21. Participants at a panel discussion on "Repeal POTA and other black laws" held here recently demanded not only a repeal of all black laws but also a review of cases registered under Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA). The discussion was organised by Jan Hastakshep.

Noted human rights activist Nandita Haksar urged the democratic section of society to fight for expanding the democratic space. Discussing her experience while dealing with the case of the Delhi University faculty member, S.A.R. Geelani -- who was one of the accused for the December 13 attack on Parliament -- Ms. Haksar said: "Once a person is charged an atmosphere of prejudice and denial of basic rights is built around him."

Former MP, Surendra Mohan, said lots of atrocities were being committed in the North-East and Jammu and Kashmir under the Armed Forces Special Power Act and Disturbed Area Act.

The editor of "Hans", Rajendra Yadav, demanded a high-level enquiry into the recent encounter by the Gujarat police at Ahmedabad in which a college girl was also killed. He said: "Today State terrorism is targeted against the oppressed sections of society".

High Court directive on missing child

NEW DELHI JUNE 21. The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the city police on a petition seeking direction to the police to trace a 12-year-old child missing since June last year from Trilokpuri.

A Division Bench of Justice M.B. Lokur and Justice B.N. Chaturvedi asked the police to file its reply to the petition filed by Hum Aap Ke (an NGO) which urged the court to issue a writ of habeas corpus directing the police to produce the child -- Saddam Hussein -- dead or alive.

The petitioner also sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the parents of the missing child on the ground that the indifference of the police has caused unbearable mental pain and agony to parents.

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