Thursday, May 25, 2006
Hunger Strike at AIIMS Continues
New Delhi: More than 100 medical students and residents are sitting in the heat since 14th May morning on hunger strike. Doctors from all over Delhi have come to All India Institute of Medical Science and are holding protests. Students from Indian Institute of Technology's and Indian Institute of Management's have also joined the strike.
"The government cannot hide its inadequacies in providing equal opportunities to the under privileged in rural areas by increasing the reservations", says Dr. Kiran, one of the protester, in talking with www.mediabharti.com.
"The government cannot hide its inadequacies in providing equal opportunities to the under privileged in rural areas by increasing the reservations", says Dr. Kiran, one of the protester, in talking with www.mediabharti.com.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Chartered Accountants Join Reservation Fury
New Delhi: Chartered Accountant community has also joined reservation protest.
Government is adamant on increasing the reservation for SC/ST/OBC to 49.5% in top educational institutes. This leaves very little seats for the talented General Class students, who are already struggling. 93rd Amendment to the constitution gives infinite powers to the state to make any decisions on quota in ‘Educational Institutions’, told Shyam Sharma, a Chartered Accountant, talking with www.mediabharti.com.
According to sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of article 19, It is quite clear that the aforesaid amendment if approved would be an injustice to all and the generations to come will have to pay a heavy price for the same. Meanwhile, the Medicos hold a peaceful march from Mualana Ajad Medical College on May 20, 2006.
Government is adamant on increasing the reservation for SC/ST/OBC to 49.5% in top educational institutes. This leaves very little seats for the talented General Class students, who are already struggling. 93rd Amendment to the constitution gives infinite powers to the state to make any decisions on quota in ‘Educational Institutions’, told Shyam Sharma, a Chartered Accountant, talking with www.mediabharti.com.
According to sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of article 19, It is quite clear that the aforesaid amendment if approved would be an injustice to all and the generations to come will have to pay a heavy price for the same. Meanwhile, the Medicos hold a peaceful march from Mualana Ajad Medical College on May 20, 2006.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Agra's Fatehpur Sikri Undergoing Repairs
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra: Major repairs are being carried out at the world heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri, 16th century fort built by Mughal emperor Akbar near the city of Taj.
Mausoleum of Akbar's spiritual guru Sheikh Salim Chisti is getting a face-lift for the first time. The ceiling, which had developed cracks and was in danger of collapsing, is being replaced with new stones for safty. Supervisor at site said the Archaeological Survey of India had initiated work on the site 6 months ago.
"It will take another 6 months for all the ageing stones to be replaced, as the work is tricky." Entry inside the tomb has been restricted for the moment.
Chisti's tomb is a major attraction round the year for people from across the globe who believe that wishes are fulfilled if one visits the shrine with a pure heart. Presenting chadars (spreads- made also of flowers) and tying kalavas (threads for wish fulfillment) at the shrine are popular with tourists.
Stones being used to chisel and carve out structures are from Dholpur in Rajasthan as the local Fatehpur Sikri stone is not considered of good quality, said masons engaged in repair work. Murari, a mason, said there was no dearth of good craftsmen and given an opportunity people like him could re-create another Taj Mahal. "The Agra Fort has recently been renovated and repaired by people like us," he added.
Meanwhile, concern over illegal mining in the area has been expressed by several environmental groups. Supreme Court, 2 years ago, had completely banned mining in the area as dynamite blasts posed serious threats to the fragile monuments. However, the mining activity continues clandestinely in the cover of night to make money.
Braj Rakshak Dal, an eco-group crusading for environmental conservation in Braj area of the state, has now moved the Rajasthan High Court on the matter. Court has directed the Vasundhara Raje government of Rajasthan to stop mining in Aravali ranges. Bharatpur and Dholpur districts neighboring Fatehpur Sikri are the major focus of mining activity.
Agra: Major repairs are being carried out at the world heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri, 16th century fort built by Mughal emperor Akbar near the city of Taj.
Mausoleum of Akbar's spiritual guru Sheikh Salim Chisti is getting a face-lift for the first time. The ceiling, which had developed cracks and was in danger of collapsing, is being replaced with new stones for safty. Supervisor at site said the Archaeological Survey of India had initiated work on the site 6 months ago.
"It will take another 6 months for all the ageing stones to be replaced, as the work is tricky." Entry inside the tomb has been restricted for the moment.
Chisti's tomb is a major attraction round the year for people from across the globe who believe that wishes are fulfilled if one visits the shrine with a pure heart. Presenting chadars (spreads- made also of flowers) and tying kalavas (threads for wish fulfillment) at the shrine are popular with tourists.
Stones being used to chisel and carve out structures are from Dholpur in Rajasthan as the local Fatehpur Sikri stone is not considered of good quality, said masons engaged in repair work. Murari, a mason, said there was no dearth of good craftsmen and given an opportunity people like him could re-create another Taj Mahal. "The Agra Fort has recently been renovated and repaired by people like us," he added.
Meanwhile, concern over illegal mining in the area has been expressed by several environmental groups. Supreme Court, 2 years ago, had completely banned mining in the area as dynamite blasts posed serious threats to the fragile monuments. However, the mining activity continues clandestinely in the cover of night to make money.
Braj Rakshak Dal, an eco-group crusading for environmental conservation in Braj area of the state, has now moved the Rajasthan High Court on the matter. Court has directed the Vasundhara Raje government of Rajasthan to stop mining in Aravali ranges. Bharatpur and Dholpur districts neighboring Fatehpur Sikri are the major focus of mining activity.
Taj Mahal Falling Victim to Heat and Dust
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra: Taj Mahal appears to be losing its shine as it battles pollution, dust-laden winds from western desert and sand from dry Yamuna river bed. What's more, the heat is affecting tourism.
Rising suspended particulate matter (SPM) level in city and effluents released by industries have made the Agra environment unfit as much for stone monuments as for humans.
Firoz Khan and Aftab, photographers at Taj, said the sun was too bright and Taj looked pale yellow in the afternoons, particularly with clouds of dust rising in the background from Yamuna. "Since there is no water in river, the dust keeps rising and hitting the monument's surface which almost seems to have pockmarks," Aftab said.
"Dry Yamuna remains a major threat to the Taj from the point of view of aesthetics as well as architecturally as the foundation rests on wells," says noted Mughal historian Ram Nath.
Mercury too has been above 40 degrees Celsius on most days this month and crossed 46 degrees Sunday.
"Temperature in May seldom goes that high and many of the tourists who had come never anticipated what they were in for," said Gyanesh Verma, a travel agent.
At the white marble monument to love, foreign visitors in particular have had a harrowing time walking through the burning hot red stone pavements that are totally exposed to the elements. A couple of years ago, in May, for instance, the Taj attracted 154,710 domestic tourists and 14,364 foreign tourists. But this year, the number of foreign visitors to Taj has already drastically declined in the past few days. Several tourists have been victims of a heat stroke.
Archaeological Survey of India has made some arrangements for shoe covers and cool water for tourists at Taj but Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and Etmauddaula have no such facilities. Nasir Hussain, a local visitor who recently toured Sikri, cursed and abused the staff there for ignoring tourist interests. "It is such an ordeal in this hot weather to go to the Sikri complex. Water coolers are not working and once you go out of the complex to fetch a bottle of water, they won't let you in without a ticket," Hussain complained.
Over the years, as a result of large-scale mining activity in Aravali ranges and denudation, dust-laden winds from the neighboring deserts of Rajasthan directly enter Agra causing the SPM levels to shoot up. "The dusty winds which were earlier blocked by Aravalis manage to reach Agra through the gaps that have been created by miners. Several studies and satellite pictures have confirmed this," says Vinay Paliwal of the NGO Agra Rural Development Association.
S.K. Saha, officer in charge of Central Pollution Control Board office here, admitted that the SPM level in Agra remains alarmingly high, though there has been some decline in the percentage of noxious gases.
Agra: Taj Mahal appears to be losing its shine as it battles pollution, dust-laden winds from western desert and sand from dry Yamuna river bed. What's more, the heat is affecting tourism.
Rising suspended particulate matter (SPM) level in city and effluents released by industries have made the Agra environment unfit as much for stone monuments as for humans.
Firoz Khan and Aftab, photographers at Taj, said the sun was too bright and Taj looked pale yellow in the afternoons, particularly with clouds of dust rising in the background from Yamuna. "Since there is no water in river, the dust keeps rising and hitting the monument's surface which almost seems to have pockmarks," Aftab said.
"Dry Yamuna remains a major threat to the Taj from the point of view of aesthetics as well as architecturally as the foundation rests on wells," says noted Mughal historian Ram Nath.
Mercury too has been above 40 degrees Celsius on most days this month and crossed 46 degrees Sunday.
"Temperature in May seldom goes that high and many of the tourists who had come never anticipated what they were in for," said Gyanesh Verma, a travel agent.
At the white marble monument to love, foreign visitors in particular have had a harrowing time walking through the burning hot red stone pavements that are totally exposed to the elements. A couple of years ago, in May, for instance, the Taj attracted 154,710 domestic tourists and 14,364 foreign tourists. But this year, the number of foreign visitors to Taj has already drastically declined in the past few days. Several tourists have been victims of a heat stroke.
Archaeological Survey of India has made some arrangements for shoe covers and cool water for tourists at Taj but Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and Etmauddaula have no such facilities. Nasir Hussain, a local visitor who recently toured Sikri, cursed and abused the staff there for ignoring tourist interests. "It is such an ordeal in this hot weather to go to the Sikri complex. Water coolers are not working and once you go out of the complex to fetch a bottle of water, they won't let you in without a ticket," Hussain complained.
Over the years, as a result of large-scale mining activity in Aravali ranges and denudation, dust-laden winds from the neighboring deserts of Rajasthan directly enter Agra causing the SPM levels to shoot up. "The dusty winds which were earlier blocked by Aravalis manage to reach Agra through the gaps that have been created by miners. Several studies and satellite pictures have confirmed this," says Vinay Paliwal of the NGO Agra Rural Development Association.
S.K. Saha, officer in charge of Central Pollution Control Board office here, admitted that the SPM level in Agra remains alarmingly high, though there has been some decline in the percentage of noxious gases.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Bombay High Court Rejects 'The Hindu' Plea for 'Deccan Chronicle'
Mumbai: Bombay High Court has rejected the plea by 'The Hindu' to restrain the Audit Bureau of Circulation from issuing certificate for the circulation of Chennai edition of 'Deccan Chronicle' for the period July-December 2005. Plea was made by M/s Kasturi and Sons, publishers of 'The Hindu', and was rejected by an order dated April 25, 2006, signed by Justice Nishita Mhatre.
In a revealing comment, the publishers of 'The Hindu' admitted in their plea that such a certificate issued to 'Deccan Chronicle' "would adversely affect the circulation and advertising revenues of The Hindu "and would"also adversely affect the business interests of 'The Hindu', which has a dominant market share in Chennai."
Publisher added that "there is every possibility that their advertising market would be hampered" and claimed damages "on account of losses and hardships they suffered."
In an affidavit, Hormuzd Masani, ABC secretary-general, told the court that ABC believed in integrity and objectivity and had done surprise checks to verify the circulation of 'Deccan Chronicle'. Masani noted that "during the first surprise audit in January 2006, we were satisfied with the maintenance of publishers' books and records and had accordingly issued the Yellow Incoming Certificate containing the certified circulation figures of 'Deccan Chronicle', Chennai, for the audit period July-December 2005 based on audit of the second defendant's books and records".
ABC told the Bombay high court that all relevant documents will be placed before the ABC council of management, which will decide as to whether a certificate should be granted to 'Deccan Chronicle' for Chennai for July-December 2005. The council of management of the ABC will decide the issue in accordance with the rules governing ABC, including the notifications issued by it from time to time. "In view of this matter there is no need to grant ad interim relief. Hence ad interim relief is refused," Justice Mhatre said. Court has given 4 weeks from April 25 for a reply and a rejoinder, if any, is to be filed within 2 weeks thereafter. The motion is made returnable after 8 weeks.
In a revealing comment, the publishers of 'The Hindu' admitted in their plea that such a certificate issued to 'Deccan Chronicle' "would adversely affect the circulation and advertising revenues of The Hindu "and would"also adversely affect the business interests of 'The Hindu', which has a dominant market share in Chennai."
Publisher added that "there is every possibility that their advertising market would be hampered" and claimed damages "on account of losses and hardships they suffered."
In an affidavit, Hormuzd Masani, ABC secretary-general, told the court that ABC believed in integrity and objectivity and had done surprise checks to verify the circulation of 'Deccan Chronicle'. Masani noted that "during the first surprise audit in January 2006, we were satisfied with the maintenance of publishers' books and records and had accordingly issued the Yellow Incoming Certificate containing the certified circulation figures of 'Deccan Chronicle', Chennai, for the audit period July-December 2005 based on audit of the second defendant's books and records".
ABC told the Bombay high court that all relevant documents will be placed before the ABC council of management, which will decide as to whether a certificate should be granted to 'Deccan Chronicle' for Chennai for July-December 2005. The council of management of the ABC will decide the issue in accordance with the rules governing ABC, including the notifications issued by it from time to time. "In view of this matter there is no need to grant ad interim relief. Hence ad interim relief is refused," Justice Mhatre said. Court has given 4 weeks from April 25 for a reply and a rejoinder, if any, is to be filed within 2 weeks thereafter. The motion is made returnable after 8 weeks.
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