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Tuesday,
December 18, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Infiltration through Rajasthan border up Entry of vehicles into Parliament complex regulated |
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SC ruling on setting
up of medical college
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Chhota Rajan aide shot
in encounter Fertiliser
samples
fail test
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Scindia’s son joins Congress New Delhi, December 17 The function was held at the AICC lawns, normally reserved for the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, after Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia met her in the morning. Reflecting the hopes the party was placing on Mr Jyotiraditya, who is seen as the heir to political legacy of his father Madhavrao Scindia, Ms Sonia Gandhi signed his membership form. “We hope he would try to emulate his father,” CWC member Mohsina Kidwai said. Paying tributes to his father, Mr Jyotiraditya, 30, said he was joining the Congress both with a feeling of sorrow and enthusiasm. “I wish he was here as I pledge myself to the nation and the Congress,” he said. Mr Jyotiaditya, who has studied in the USA, said he would work for promoting the Congress ideology of secularism, liberalism and social justice. “These very beliefs were foundation of may father’s principles and mine too. My father was my greatest inspiration,” he said. The scion of the Gwalior royal family said Ms Sonia Gandhi had been a pillar of strength to the family. “I would try to come up to the faith and trust she has reposed in me.” Asked what role he saw for himself in Madhya Pradesh where Congress had several stalwarts, he said he would seek support and guidance of all elders and colleagues of his father. “It is most difficult thing to be son of a great man. In the years to come, I hope to serve the nation with same sincerity and dedication,” he said. Though Mr Jyotiraditya did not say if he would be the Congress candidate in the byelection for the Guna Lok Sabha seat, he asserted that Gwalior-Guna regions would be his special focus of attention. Besides supporters and admirers of the Scindia royal family from Gwalior, Guna and several other districts of Madhya Pradesh, Congress workers had come to the AICC from several parts of the country, including Punjab. Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Congress MP from Faridkot, in whose constituency Madhavrao Scindia addressed his last election rally, was present along with several leaders from the district. Welcoming Mr Jyotiraditya’s on his joining the Congress, Punjab PCC spokesman Surinder Singla said he would take foreward his father’s legacy and serve as role model for youth. IYC chief Randeep Singh Surjewala also hailed the inclusion of Mr Jyotiradtiya into the Congress. Those present at the function at the AICC lawns included Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, CWC members Arjun Singh and Natwar Singh, AICC treasuer Motilal Vora and MP PCC chief R. K. Malviya. Several party MPs from Madhya Pradesh and ministers from the state were also present. |
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Infiltration through Rajasthan border up Sriganganagar, December 17 It is pertinent to mention that Rajasthan shares a 1,000 km-long international boundary (IB) with Pakistan with this district alone having more than 205 km of fenced border. While crossings were almost a daily occurrence till the late 80s, these went down after fencing was completed. While intrusions are still occurring in Jammu and Kashmir, this largely silent sector has witnessed a spurt in activity across the IB in the past one month. Ironically, little heed has been paid to the advise of defence experts that intelligence gathering in these areas should be accorded the highest priority in the larger interests of national security. It is a pointer to the state of affairs that hardly any “worthwhile sources are being cultivated or run” to assimilate intelligence. Most of the information forwarded by such agencies are so vague and “virtually useless” to most outfits engaged in carrying out sensitive tasks. Sources said the men in forward posts in Pakistan have been increased and where patrolling was carried out once in a while, such patrols have become an everyday occurrence. The possibility of infiltrators in the uniform of Rangers is not been ruled out. This enables them to carry out reconnaisance of the area besides identifying weak links in the fencing, the sources reveled. The area has assumed importance since the populace in most border villages on our side belong to a particular community and once some one crosses over, it is almost impossible to identify him and in a matter of hours he could be anywhere in the country. A case in point is that one of the infiltrators, who crossed over on the night intervening November 26-27, is still untraced despite the best efforts of the BSF and the state
police. The cops have now announced a cash award. Not only this, the police is said to have arrested two persons, one from Jaipur and another from Jodhpur, who had been living in the country undetected for some time. They are reportedly being interrogated. The sources disclosed that of the 1000 km of the IB, more than 800 km lies in the arid wastes of Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer districts. During summers, hot winds blow and shifting sand dunes make it impossible to make out the IB markers and pillars. This makes crossing easy and given the constraints of the BSF, the onus of detecting the possibility of aliens in the state falls on the state intelligence. This is reportedly the Achilles heel of the department. During terrorism in Punjab, the intelligence wing was completely revamped and state-of-the-art communication equipment and vehicles were allotted to them. Elaborate security measures were imitated and several nakas and posts were set up in the areas which were more prone to infiltration. These posts were in addition to the one manned by the BSF, the sources pointed out. The measures were initiated since the population in forward villages had a lot in common with those living across the border. Once some one crossed over, it was almost impossible for the BSF to detect them. The former, in those were days, were actively helped by intelligence personnel and many such persons were arrested over the years. Things have come to such a pass that today even if infiltration is detected, the department has no vehicles to follow or scour the countryside for the intruders, the sources pointed out. Not only this, to ensure greater vigilance the state government had then created a post of SP. It was also agreed, as mooted by the BSF, that there was a need to have a security buffer zone along the border besides decreasing the distance between the border observation posts. All these suggestions were then accepted by the government. Besides this, the government also created a post of SP, with headquarters in Sriganganagar, to ensure better coordination between various agencies working on the border. More staff was posted to the intelligence wing. But all this was dismantled once terrorism was contained in 1995. The staff was redeployed elsewhere, the vehicles taken back and even the post of the SP shifted back to Jaipur. Now there is no senior officer in the forward area to effectively deal with such instances and collect intelligence. |
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Entry of vehicles into Parliament complex regulated
New Delhi, December 17 “The exit of all vehicles will be through gate No 2, towards Parliament Street,” a Lok Sabha Secretariat statement said. “In case of all electronic media (cameramen or photographers accredited to the Press Information Bureau and also of all officers of and below the rank of Under Secretary in the Lok Sabha, the (Rajya Sabha), their vehicles will enter Parliament House from gate No 8 (near Reception Office) and exit through gate No 2,” the statement said.
Earlier, vehicles having Parliament entry passes were allowed entry from any of the three gates (No 1, 2 and 8) and the security men checked identity cards at random. |
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Eye lens regenerated in mice Bikaner, December 17 The experiment is significant because if replicated in humans, it
would be highly economical to treat blindness since the tissues from a single donated human eye could be used to treat 10-15 blind persons. India has one of the highest number of blind in the world and eye donation is considered taboo in many religions here. The problem is further compounded by the fact that doctors and biologists have paid little attention to this field. A team led by Dr O.P. Jangir of
Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, worked on the project for more than 17 years before they tasted victory. Regeneration is a challenging field for research in developmental biology. The last 30 years have witnessed revolution in the work being done on retiniods (vitamin A and its derivates), pattern formation in the regenerating amphibian limbs and various other developing systems in chordates (those with spinal columns). In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, Dr Jangir explained that man belonged to class Mammalia which, during evolution, had lost its regenerating capacity. In the course of experiments, it had been observed that regeneration was possible in lower animals like tadpoles, albino mice and guinea pigs with the help of vitamin A. The team successfully induced lens regeneration in denucleated (lens removed from the eyeball) eyes of tadpoles, chick embroys and mice, (newly born, adult and very old) besides guinea pigs. He, however, said that he had not conducted trials on humans but had approached the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in this regard. He believes that the results in humans will be successful since trials on mice and other mammals in the past had replicated
themselves in humans. The operated animals were divided into two groups — controlled and treated. The former were not treated with Vitamin A while the latter were injected with vitamin intraperitoneally. It was observed that a new lens developed in more than 90 percent of the treated mice whereas no progress was observed in the untreated mice. Dr Jangir said the regeneration began with the appearance of depigmented cells at the dorsal irispupillary margin. Gradually, these cells differentiated into the lens vesicle which further differentiated into complete lens. It took about 45 - 60 days for the formation of the well differentiated lens. He claimed that this newly developed lens was found similar to the intact lens in morphology, histology and biochemical respects. The second part of the research is more important. This was also done on albino mice to prove that the dorsal iris cells of the eye are fully capable of regeneration. One or two drops of cytolysed iris cells (iris taken out from the donor mice and then homogenised in a saline solution) were implanted into the host ‘s denucleated eye and then the recipient animal was treated with vitamin A. It was observed that the implanted iris cells transformed into lens within 45-60 days. This lens too was found similar to normal lens in all respects. In almost all cases, two lenses developed — one from its ownaris and the other from transplanted tissues. This confirmed the fact that iris cells could transform into new lens, he pointed out. Other members of the team are Dr Digvijay Singh, Dr Swati Ohja, Mr Prakash Acharya, Mr Kailash Swami, Ms Vandana Goswami, Ms Renu Sharma, Mr Pawan Suthar, Mr Ghanshayam Kacchawa, Ms Manshi Sharma, Ms Manju Sharma and Ms Ritu Chhimpa, besides other students. |
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SC ruling on setting up of medical college New Delhi, December 17 Its decision to set up a government run medical college, the court said, tantamounts to an approval or permission as contemplated under Section 64 of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Act, 1998. It also amounts to grant of essentiality certificate to the extent of location of the proposed medical college which is required to be furnished under Para 3 of the regulations, the court added. The ruling was handed down recently by a Bench of Mr Justice V.N Khare and Mr Justice B. N. Agrawal while allowing an appeal by the State of Maharashtra against a judgement of the Bombay High Court. The high court by the impugned judgement had allowed a public interest petition by the Indian Medical Association and others against a decision of the state government dated August 30 last year to set up a government medical college at Kolhapur. In its judgement, the apex court said the defined meaning of ‘management’ could not be assigned to the expression ‘management’ occurring in Section 64 of the state Act. The expression ‘management’ occurring in Section 64 did not include the state government, the court added. The court said when the state government resolved to set up a medical college at a proposed location it was not required to submit any application to itself for permission to establish the medical college. The court pointed out that any perspective plan prepared by the university was not strictly binding on the state government.
UNI |
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Id celebrated with gaiety New Delhi, December 17 The main prayers were held at the historic Jama Masjid near Red Fort, Fatehpuri Masjid in Chandni Chowk and Idgah grounds near Sadar Bazar where Muslims — young and old —attired in their traditional best had assembled since morning. While Shahi Imam Syed Abdullah Bukhari led the prayers at the Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid Shahi Imam Mufti Mohammed Mukaram Ahmed held the prayers at the Chandni Chowk masjid. President K.R. Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee have greeted the people on the occasion. Security was tight at all vital locations, including bazars, with heavy deployment of police and para-military personnel.
PTI |
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Chhota Rajan aide shot
in encounter Mumbai, December 17 Acting on a tip-off that Mohan Pathankar would be arriving near Nateshwar Sports Club in the area, a trap was laid in the area, the police said. On spotting the gangster, the police squad ordered him to surrender. However, the opened fire which was retaliated by the police. Pathankar, who sustained bullet injuries, was rushed to nearby Rajawadi hospital where he was declared dead before admission, the police said. A country-made revolver has been recovered from the spot, police said, adding Pathankar was wanted in several cases at
Ghatkopar.
PTI |
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Fertiliser
samples
fail test Hanumangarh, December 17 Sources in the department said during the period 175 samples of various insecticides taken from various places in the district were sent to the laboratory. Of this, reports of 122 samples were sent to the department, out of which 13 samples failed the test. They said in the current financial year 214 samples of seeds of various crops were sent for testing. Reports of 72 samples were yet to come and out of the reports that had come one sample failed the test. They said the department took 112 samples of urea and other fertilisers. Reports of 47 samples had been received, of which two samples failed the test. It may be mentioned that the target was of taking 301 samples of fertilisers in the current financial year, but only 112 samples were taken.
Goa church
set on fire Panaji, December 17 |
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Film actor’s gesture Chennai, December 17 |
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