The Hindu : New Delhi News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 29, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Briefly

Plan to hike pass fee flayed

NEW DELHI JUNE 28. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has condemned the proposed increase in the bus pass charges for students by the Delhi Government.

In a statement, the ABVP described the proposal as "anti-student'' and "anti-poor''. It said the hike would badly affect students coming from far-off places to study.

Further, the ABVP alleged that the University administration and the Government were planning to raise the fees for different courses. Demanding that the proposal be immediately withdrawn, the ABVP warned that it would otherwise resort to an agitation from Tuesday.

Commemorative stamp

NEW DELHI JUNE 28. The Union Communication Ministry will release a commemorative Rs. 5 postage stamp on the occasion of the "nirvan bicentenary'' of the founder of the Jain Terapanth religious sect, Acharya Bhikshu, who was well known for his revolutionary thoughts.

The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, will release the first day cover and the commemorative postage stamp on June 30 at his residence. The Minister of State for Communication, Shakeel Ahmed, will preside over the function. Eminent poets, journalists, social workers and administrative officers will also take part in the function.

`Guru Vandana Week'

NEW DELHI JUNE 28. Starting today, the Osho World Foundation here is celebrating "Guru Vandana Week", highlighting the importance of guru-disciple relationship. On the occasion, Madhup Mudgal, a well-known vocalists who heads the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, will enthral audience with the "Nirgun Bhajans" of Guru Nanak, Kabir and others during the event, being organised at the Foundation's office at Ansal Plaza on Khelgaon Marg. An exhibition of paintings by Hita Datt is also being organised which encapsulates the spirit of "Leela" or cosmic playfulness manifested through Osho's signature art and captured on a medium of glass.

For the welfare of elders

NEW DELHI JUNE 28. Agewell Foundation, a consortium of over 1,500 non-government organisations and 5,000 volunteers spread over 540 districts in the country which works for the welfare of old people, have decided to extend its expertise to various social organisations, residents' welfare associations (RWAs) and local bodies to further strengthen its commitment towards the betterment of senior citizens.

For this, the organisation has chalked out a series of activities that include organising training camps and sessions, optimise use of Agewell helplines, counselling for older persons who are victims or accused of crime, organise visits to senior citizens' residence and sensitise RWAs and social organisation about their safety. It also plans to introduce a project called " Pranam" to encourage citizens to spare some time for older persons living in their neighbourhood.

AIDS awareness programme

NEW DELHI JUNE 28. To create awareness about HIV/AIDS among the employees of the Delhi Transport Corporation, Modicare Foundation -- a non-government organisation - plans to reach out to 30, 000 employees through its HIV/AIDS Workplace Intervention Programme. The programme, which began eight months ago, has already covered 30 DTC depots across the Capital.

The Vice-Chairman of Modicare Foundation, Samir Modi, said: "Our coordinators specialising in HIV are informing the DTC employees about the disease. We are also working with the Delhi Jal Board and the Central Reserve Police Force on this contentious issue."

The phased programme focuses on enhancing awareness about HIV, other sex-related diseases, the need to use condoms and addressing sensitive issues like stigma and discrimination faced by the carriers of this disease among bus drivers, conductors and general staff of DTC. Mr. Modi stressed the need to involve business and corporate houses to combat this life threatening disease.

Record blood collection

NEW DELHI JUNE 28. It is another record of sorts, this time for collecting blood.

The Shah Satnam Ji Green S welfare force has collected as many as 15,432 units of the valuable red liquid in just eight hours at camps organised to mark the remembrance day of Param Pita Shah Satnam Ji. The donors included 5,000 women. The members of the trust in a written statement said that ``we have vowed to serve humanity during natural disasters in any part of the world.''

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