TOP STORIES

NDMC throws ASI norms to the winds
Building coming up near Jantar Mantar
New Delhi, November 8
It is a case of bending the rules time and again; and then citing precedents to justify the successive digressions. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has sanctioned and approved the construction of a commercial building on plot number 14 on Janpath Lane, which is “barely 30 meters” away from Jantar Mantar.

Embargo on US goods in Muslim pockets
New Delhi, November 8
The sale of American and British products has declined in areas where there is a predominantly Muslim population, following a fatwa (decree) issued by Darul-Uloom, Deoband, asking Muslims to boycott US and UK goods in protest against the attack on Afghanistan.

A file picture

Demolition bid foiled
New Delhi, November 8
Three policemen received minor injuries today when they tried to prevent some encroachers from demolishing the boundary walls of Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI) in the Chanakyapuri area. Three persons were arrested for “unleashing violence against the policemen on duty”.

Free risk cover for truck drivers
New Delhi, November 8
With Divali round the corner, several schemes to woo the consumers have hit the market. This one is for one of the most neglected communities in the country truck drivers. Petroleum major Bharat Petroleum (BP) has announced free accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh each truck driver valid for a period of six months.

Spare a thought for your animal this Divali New Delhi, November 8 Cats and dogs are readying for carpet bombing. But unlike the war-weary Afghans, they cannot scurry into trenches to drown the deafening decibel levels during Divali. Even though we are yet to see any fireworks in the run-up to Divali, animal protection activists are spreading the message that the decibel levels must be kept low. DPS students join the drive against crackers. — Tribune Photo

COMMUNITY

ONE FOR THE ROAD — Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Sonepat sucked in by single-digit lottery; admn helpless
Sonepat, November 8
The spectre of lottery is haunting this city and elsewhere in the district. The trade has exploded to phenomenal heights in the recent past. Unfortunately, there seems to be no solution.

MCD gifts Rs 1.25 cr to Vasant Kunj; residents sceptic
New Delhi, November 8
What happens when in a rare event residents of Delhi see a host of Municipal Corporation officials come calling. Scream, arguments, lots of unanswered questions and absolute chaos!

Jats clamour for OBC status
Sonepat, November 8
Mr Tara Chand Mor, co-convenor and spokesman of the Haryana Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, today strongly criticised the inordinate delay on the part of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government headed by Mr Om Prakash Chautala in accepting what he called as the just and legitimate demand of the samiti for the inclusion of Jats in the category of other backward classes (OBCs).

Living under perilous roof for a decade
New Delhi, November 8
The renovation of the dispensary-cum-staff quarters of the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) at Jangpura has been completed. That is on paper. In reality, all the problems that had been plaguing the complex which houses 21 staff quarters remain intact.

The renovation of the CGHS dispensary is on paper only as one can see the cracks appearing on the walls. — Tribune photo

FARIDABAD
Plots turn into dustbins
Faridabad, November 8
Plots lying vacant in the urban sectors here have virtually turned into dustbins, thanks to the inefficient waste disposal system in the town. In fact, scarcity of such plots has forced the residents to pay for disposing of the daily household waste.

CRIME

Petrol pump dacoity foiled, six held
New Delhi, November 8
With the arrest of six members of a gang of dacoits, including two Burmese, the West district police today claimed to have foiled a dacoity in a petrol station in Paschim Vihar. The dacoits were arrested while they were reportedly planning to commit a dacoity in the petrol station, Abhishek Motors.

Man posing as CBI SP held
New Delhi, November 8
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police yesterday claimed to have arrested an alleged impersonator who posed himself as a superintendent of police of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and demanded blank certificates of the Bhatnagar International School in Vasant Kunj.

Couple arrested in fraud case
Faridabad, November 8
A district court here has held three persons including a couple for fraud, in a case booked against them in June 1999. The court is likely to deliver the sentence on November 10.

Physician held for patricide
New Delhi, November 8
In a bizarre incident, a physician was arrested today by the West district police on the charge of poisoning to death his 70-year- old a father, Dharamvir Singh.

BUSINESS

Industry seeks abolition of entry tax on vehicles
New Delhi, November 8
The draft Delhi VAT Act has evoked mixed reactions from industry chambers, which want entry tax on motor vehicles to be done away with.

CULTURE

ARTSCAPE
Sohni Mahiwal: Love-legend in paint
The famous love-legend of Sohni Mahiwal, that was born and nurtured in the land of five rivers, Punjab, has found expression in Arpana Caur’s canvas and oils, but with a difference. It contemporises the legendary tradition. Take for example, her Sohni trying to swim across the river to reach Mahiwal. She is asked to stop, not by any water creature, but by traffic lights! She does not stop though and thus the love goes on, irrespective of any barrier, modern or traditional.

Nimble Shagun has magic in her feet
She came, she danced and she stole the show. Shagun Bhutani well-known dance artiste performed Angabalayita, an Orissi performance at India Habitat Center recently and left the audience spellbound by her meticulous steps.

MUSIC ZONE
Penaz: It was old versus pop
The magic of old Hindi film songs has not yet waned. The magic of old numbers still rubs of on the crowd, even when pitted against pop numbers. This was amply demonstrated at a pulsating show organised by the ICCR at Kamani Auditorium a fortnight back.

HEALTH

Hepatitis B awareness
New Delhi, November 8
Shankar Vihar, a social service organisation, Hepatitis Eradication and you (HEY) run by Naryan Das Memorial Charitable Trust along with Lions Club Krishna Nagar and Pharma major Cipla Limited, organised a `Hepatitis B' vaccination and Asthma Camp' at Hargobind Enclave near Karkardooma on Thursday.

Food samples fail test
Faridabad, November 8
Three of the five samples of food products collected at Hodal town of the district recently have failed the tests, according to reports.

SPORTS

Record number of teams for Nehru Hockey
New Delhi, November 8
A record number of 24 teams, including all the top outfits of the country, will take part in the 38th edition of the Nehru-ONGC Hockey Tournament to be held from November 10 to 21 at the newly-laid synthetic turf at the renovated Shivaji Stadium.

Tatas leave their signature on logo
New Delhi, November 8
The Tata Group today unveiled the logo for the Tata Open Tennis Championship, to be played in Chennai for the sixth consecutive year, from December 31 to January 6. Top tennis players like Andrei Pavel, Thomas Johansson, Fabrice Santoro and Dominik Hrbaty are expected to participate in the championship.

Jyoti eyes PGA final
New Delhi, November 8
Jyoti Randhawa, one of India’s most successful players on the Asian PGA Tour with four titles and a second place on the Order of Merit last year, says his sights are now trained on getting into the US PGA Tour.

CRPF beat Delhi Police
New Delhi, November 8
Central Reserve Police Force defeated Delhi Police 25-14, 24-26,9-25, 25-21, 25-23 in the New Delhi YMCA Delhi State Invitational Volleyball Tournament at the YMCA courts, Jai Singh Road, here today.