The Hindu : New Delhi News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Briefly

Dividend cheque presented

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. The Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Overseas Bank, S.C. Gupta, today presented to the Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, a dividend cheque for Rs.26.68 crores representing the earnings of the Union Government on its shareholding in the bank.

According to a spokesman of the bank, it has posted excellent results in 2003-2004 with a record 67 per cent rise in operating profit from Rs.794.13 crores to Rs.1,325.20 crores. "The net profit during the period rose from Rs.416.10 crores to Rs.512.76 crores. The bank's business has crossed Rs.63,600 crores as of date."

Apart from an interim divided of 12 per cent, the bank has paid a final dividend of 8 per cent for 2003-2004. "At the same time, the bank has successfully brought down its net NPA level to 2.85 per cent in March 2004," the spokesman added.

Tamil course in JNU

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will introduce Tamil in its School of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies from the next academic session.

For the purpose, the University also plans to institute two faculty positions, one at the level of professor and the other at the level of associate/assistant professor. The University has decided to earmark the professors positions from among the two positions sanctioned to it by University Grants Commission for the Tenth Plan. The other position of the associate /assistant professor would be supported by an endowment of Rs. 50 lakhs contributed by Tamil Nadu Government, a press release said.

As soon as one of the two or both the persons are in position, the courses outlines would be prepared and admission notice would appear in the newspapers. The teaching of Tamil will not be in traditional form, but research oriented comparative projects of scholars leading to M.Phil and Ph.D degree shall be encouraged along with other special programmes.

Freshers' party

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. Aparna Girls' Hostel for students of Delhi University's North Campus held its fifth freshers' party over the week-end. Former Union Minister Vijay Goel and the Deputy Proctor of Delhi University, Novy Kapadia, were the guests of honour. Several entertainment programmes were presented by freshers and senior students of the hostel.

Van Mahotsav organised

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. The Chairman of the Railway Board, R.K. Singh, was the chief guest at the "Van Mahotsav" organised in the National Rail Museum (NRM) premises on Sunday. On the occasion, five hundred free saplings of seventeen different varieties were distributed among the visitors.

A book review competition for children on various themes on Indian Railways and environment was also organised by the National Book Trust. Over a hundred children including ten physically challenged took part in the competition. Northern Railway Bharat Scouts and Guides also organised a cultural programme on the theme of environment protection.

Disabled get assistive devices

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. On the occasion of 60th birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, on August 20, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, distributed assistive devices to people with disability.

Ms. Gandhi also flagged off a Rajiv Gandhi Mobile Health Care Clinic.

The van would operate in Rajasthan, said a release issued by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, of which she is the chairperson.

At the function organised by the Foundation, Ms. Gandhi distributed as many as 50 motorised vehicles to disabled individuals, including 24 women. She also presented 25 hearing aids to impaired children in the 3-16 year age group.

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