EDUCATION

DUTA warns of indefinite closure of university
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 26
With the rise in the mercury, things in the Delhi University also seem to be heating up. The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) has threatened to proceed on a week’s relay hunger strike and the indefinite closure of the University in the new session if their demands are not met with.

The decisions were taken in the extended DUTA executive meeting held on March 25. The members expressed concern over the non-response from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) and the UGC over the withdrawal of the proposed ‘Model Act’.

The teacher’s body also criticised the ban on teaching and non-fulfillment of agreement made with the teachers at the time of pay revision by the MHRD and the UGC.

In a statement issued here, DUTA members alleged that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deepak Nayar, has been illegally and irregularly taking decisions.

They cited the example of the changes made in the selection committees by the Vice-Chancellor to buttress their allegation.

The agitated members have announced the decision to hold a dharna outside the MHRD following the constitution of the new government at the Centre and also hold demonstration outside the VC’s office and residence.

COURTS

Seven years RI for rape

Sonepat: The Additional Sessions Judge of Sonepat, Mr J. S. Jangra, yesterday convicted an accused, Rajbir of Qumashpur village, under Section 376 IPC and sentenced him to seven years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10,000 on the charge of kidnapping and raping a girl of the same village. According to the prosecution story, the father of the girl, Mr Sultan Singh, had lodged a complaint with the Murthal police against Rajbir alleging that he had abducted his daughter and raped her. The police had found them from Rohini (Delhi). — OC

CULTURE

Khusrau festival to take Sufi music lovers to pinnacle of ecstasy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 26
A Sufi music lover’s dream come true, the Jahan-e-Khusrau festival began in the Capital today. Strains of Sufi music combined with the ambience of the Humayun’s Tomb, the combination is just perfect sight and sound.

Organised by the Delhi Tourism in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and ‘Dwar Pe Rozi Society’, the two-day festival will have celebrated names from the world of music, taking the audience to the pinnacle of ecstasy.

Shubha Mudgal, Illa Arun, Astad Deboo and Muzzafar Ali will be presenting their best. The audience on the first day got a glimpse of the creative genius in Ali and Deboo. With Ali’s composition and Deboo’s movements, the ballet, which included vocals by Archana Shah and Rohit Anand on the flute, expressed the ability of dance to conjoin with the mysticism of the Sufi style.

Shye Ben Tzur from Israel also drew a round of applause for his performance. Accompanied by qawwal groups from Ajmer and two members of the Israeli ensemble ‘Shave’, Tzur combined Indian music with Hebrew singing.

The festival, which has been dubbed as ‘Realm of the Heart’ by Muzzafar Ali, who is also its creative director, aims to bring together artists from across the world to share their passion for music.