Delhi's Airport Metro A Thrilling Experience

New Delhi: Mohammad Kamil, a 42-year-old non-resident Indian returning from Saudi Arabia, is in complete awe of the Metro Express that takes one from the New Delhi railway station to the international airport in just 20 minutes.

"I can't differentiate between Saudi Arabia and India right now. The speed, comfort and the time and money I save by using it - it's just fantastic value. With such developments, I feel proud to be an Indian," Kamil told IANS.

As more and more people get to use the new Metro line, they are loving the ambience, the speed, and its super efficiency. Proud residents say the Delhi Airport Metro Express will play a pivotal role in transforming Delhi into a world class city.

According to officials of the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL), around 7,000 travellers are using the service on a daily basis.

The airport express line commenced operations Feb 23 and is Delhi Metro's first public-private partnership project. Delhi Metro is responsible for the civil work and Reliance Infrastructure will operate the line for 30 years and share the revenues.

The 20-km journey takes 20 minutes and LCD screens display flight information inside the train coaches. The distance otherwise takes over an hour to cover by road.

"I took the Metro from the New Delhi railway station and it should have taken 20 minutes to reach here, but the journey was completed in just 19 minutes," said an amazed Nazir Iqbal, who had come to drop his sister at the airport.

According to Sharad Sahni, the new Metro line is a wonderful alternative to other modes of transport like taxis and uncomfortable auto-rickshaws.

"You have the luxury to travel air-conditioned at half the price of other public transport and minus the jams, heat and smoke," said the second-time traveller.

"The speed at which it is travelling - I read it is 105 km per hour - you get the feel of an aircraft and with the superb amenities at the stations, our air journey begins the minute we enter the Metro station!" Sahni added.

However, some travellers opined that the tickets could have been cheaper and direct baggage check-in from the station should be introduced as soon as possible. Officials say this will be possible in a few months. The travel from the New Delhi railway station to the airport costs Rs.80 and the full journey up to Dwarka Sector-21 costs Rs.100.

"The prices could be slashed a bit once the footfall increases," said Rakesh Bhoj, a businessman from Gujarat who visits the capital twice a month.

"I am travelling for the first time after reading about it in the newspapers and I must say I am very impressed," Bhoj told IANS.

"At present, this line is just perfect and I hope they don't spoil it by introducing the 'women reservation' coaches here too," Bhoj quipped.

A Reliance Infrastructure official said direct baggage check-in was likely to begin next week.

According to DAMEPL officials, the numbers are expected to grow further once the direct baggage check-in and the Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Aero city stations are opened soon.

With a combination of elevated, at-grade and underground lines in its 190 km network, the Delhi Metro has revolutionised the way people travel in congested Delhi since 2002. An economical, comfortable and efficient mode of travel, the Metro is used by 1.5 million people everyday. The city is much better connected within and also to neighbouring sub-urban towns like Noida and Gurgaon, with more places to be connected soon.

Source: IANS

Politicians Beware! You Are On Camera

Candidates beware! EC has found new ways of watching you

By Anurag Kashyap

Guwahati: The Election Commission has decided to set up call centres across the five poll-bound states -- Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry -- which will operate round the clock. These centres will receive complaints, if any, about the violation of the model code of conduct by various poll candidates and their supporters.

The announcement was made by Chief Election Commissioner Dr S Y Quraishi during his visit to Assam to monitor preparations for the forthcoming polls.

Cameras in remote constituencies

In another unique initiative, the EC plans to put up cameras at polling booths in remote constituencies and broadcast the polling process to the state chief election officer's office to ensure that the process goes on smoothly.

The EC will also record election meetings of various political parties and candidates that will be watched by poll expenditure monitoring committees.

 

'The media is our ally'

Quraishi urged the media to help the EC monitor cases of violation of the model code of conduct.

"We consider the media as our ally and friend during elections. We will see through your eyes," he said. The poll panel will take up such media exposes as a formal complaint and take necessary action, he said.

 

'Panels to keep a tab on media'

The EC is also setting up district-level media watch committees to monitor the phenomenon of paid news.

"Such committees will have, among others, a senior journalist nominated by the Press Council of India. These committees will keep a tab on print as well as electronic media," he said.

Earth Headed For 'Moonageddon' in 2 Weeks?

Melbourne: In two weeks, the Earth could be headed for a big showdown according to some, for the Moon will be at its closest point to Earth in 18 years, an event that is known as a "lunar perigee".

One astronomer, who has titled the event ''SuperMoon'' has predicted that it may bring worrying disruptions to the Earth''s climate patterns.

On March 19, the moon will be just 356,577 km (as opposed to 384,399 km on average ) away from Earth, an event that has Internet theorists talking about the possibility of extreme weather, earthquakes and volcanoes.

However, scientists have rubbished the theories.

"There will be no earthquakes or volcanoes unless they are to happen anyway," news.com.au quoted Pete Wheeler of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy, as saying.

"(The Earth will experience) just a lower than usual low tide and a higher than usual high tide around the time of the event, but nothing to get excited about."

But astronomer and lecturer David Reneke claims there''s more cause for alarm about the extent of human paranoia than any sort of impending apocalypse.

"If you try hard enough you can chronologically associate almost any natural disaster/event to anything in the night sky ... comet, planet, sun," he said.

"Remember in the past, planetary alignments were going to pull the sun apart. It didn''t. Astrologers draw a very long bow most times. Normal king tides are about all I would expect out of this SuperMoon prediction."

On the other hand, Dr Victor Gostin, Planetary and Environmental Geoscientist at Adelaide University said there may be some correlation between near-equatorial large scale earthquakes and new and full moon situations.

"This is because the Earth-tides (analogous to ocean tides) may be the final trigger that sets off the earthquake," he said.

Source: ANI

Mizoram Manhunt 2011 Soon in Aizawl

Aizawl, Mar 9 : In sync with the numbers of reality show in India, for the first time in the history of Mizoram, a Manhunt Mizoram 2011 Reality TV Show will be held during March-April 2011 in Aizawl.

'Creative Explorers Universe (CEU)', Aizawl is going to organise the first ever MANHUNT MIZORAM 2011 TV Reality Show. This MANHUNT contest is the first selection of complete man the first time not only in Mizoram but may also be in northeast India.

In this Manhunt Mizoram, the contestants should be 18 to 35 years old in age'.

'Glamour & Handsome', 'Gentleman', 'Smart with Brain', 'Free from alcoholic and tobacco abuse', 'Innocent in terms of Crime', 'Having Some Contributions or Good Potential for the Nation', these points would be some of the judging points. Judgment should not be based on body-build (muscular body).

V.R. Ralte, the chief organiser while informing NNN about the eligible criteria said, ‘The contestants should be able to show any of their talents eg, music playing, singing, dancing, magic show, etc. During the contest, selected singers (Mizo, English & Hindi), dancers will perform.’  Ralte also said, ‘In the Mizo society, it seems to be the first choice for parents to have male child, but these days there are many bachelors who are lazy, uncivilized and having no contribution for the development of the society while there are some bachelors who have strong will and talents for the development of the society’.

The Manhunt Mizoram is to be organised through TV Reality Show, the organisers have been on war footing preparing to bring out a spectacular event. It is scheduled to be concluded within the month of March or April.

Mr. Friendship, Mr. Photogenic, Mr. Physique, Mr. Personality, Best Mizo Costume, Best in Swimwear, Best Groomed, Best Model, Mr. Popularity would be selected from the contestants and there will be a fat prize money for this Contest. The winner of this contest would be selected for the Star Actor in the First Mizo National Commercial Movie named ‘LOVE IN MIZORAM’, and he would be engaged as model in various commercial advertisements.

'Creative Explorers Universe'(CEU) is an organisation which is taking activities to explore and promote man of intellect, talented, who have strong will to be self-sufficient, self-sacrificed for others. The Manhunt Mizoram is planned to be broadcasted live from LPS Vision (Local Cable TV Network).

Source: Newmai News Network

All Tribal Students of India Show Unity Under 'Quota Umbrella'

By Ninglun Hanghal

India Tribal students at Jantar Mantar,New Delhi demanding Jobs Quota

New Delhi, Mar 9 : Scheduled tribe students from all over the country gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi today to demand the restoration of the 7.5 percent reservation in different post and services in the NCT of Delhi.

Most of the demonstrators comprise of students in large numbers from North East India, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, among others.

Under the banner of All India Scheduled Tribes Student Action Forum , it alleged that reservation of STs in services and educational institution in Govt of NCT of Delhi was operational uninterruptedly since 1955, but was unreasonably stopped since the Supreme Court judgement in Civil Appeal No.5092 of 2009 (Subhash Chandra & Others Vs Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board & Others) declaring that the dicta in Pushpa (Case Appeal Civil No.6-7 of 1998 S.Pushpa & Others Vs Siva Chanmugavelu & Others) is an arbiter and not lay down any binding ratio.

Students demanded that the Centre Government should direct the Delhi Government to follow the norms of reservation by Union Public Service Commission, which was also a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1950.Students also stated in its release that the Govt of India should issue a constitutional order under article 342 (1) of the Indian Constitution.

A memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister , Union Home Minister, Law Minister, UPA chairperson, Union Tribal Affairs Ministers, citing grievances and urging the Govt of India to notify all STs as had been notified as ST in all the States / UTs from time and time , declaring them deemed to be Schedule Tribes in relation to the Govt of NCT of Delhi, so as to restore reservation in services and educational institutions under the Delhi government as it has always taken place since the past 55 years.

ZSP ( Zomi Sangnaupang Pawlpi) student leader Khaibiaklian told this correspondent that there are several cases of results being withheld.

" candidates who went to inquire about their status of result for the post of nurse ( in medical department) were told that there is no such ST reservation " said the student leader.

He added " at times they were asked to pay bribe" .

An applicant for the post of Library in the Delhi Service Selection Board in 2009, Ms Lunching informed that in the list of the successful candidates for the main written examination that came out in 2010 do not have ST list, while it include general and OBC.

The said post was advertised in 2007 stating that 40 post were reserved for ST.

She sat for the preliminary exam in 2009, and was subsequently one of the successful candidate.

On the question of whether she had approach authorities, she said that many of the ST students do not know where to approach.

"We discussed with legal practitioners, but they were not willing to take such cases" said Lun Ching.

India's Widows Of Gun Violence Fight For Rights

By Emma Batha

Women from Manipur protest in New Delhi against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in 2008. The Act gives troops the right to shoot at suspected rebels. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Four years ago Renu Takhellambam and her husband Mung were celebrating their wedding anniversary in a picturesque region of Northeast India. Mung popped out to buy a roll of camera film. That was the last time his wife ever saw him.  He was shot dead in the street by government security forces.

Renu, in her early 20s, was left with a baby son. Her parents had disowned her for marrying someone from a different religious background and caste. On top of that, she had been branded the wife of a terrorist. Life couldn’t have looked much bleaker.

But Renu, now 28, has transformed herself into a community leader, setting up an association for the widows of victims of armed violence.

Renu lives in the Indian state of Manipur, where a multitude of armed groups are fighting troops, and sometimes each other. Some are battling for independence and others for political autonomy.

Her story is told by Manipuri filmmaker Chandam Netraj in his documentary April 6th. The film was one of the finalists in Oxfam’s Shooting Poverty competition aimed at exposing the impact of armed violence on poor communities.

“April 6 is our wedding anniversary,” Renu says in the film. “Exactly two years after our wedding my husband was killed. We came together and we parted on April 6. This day is a landmark for me because it gave me the push to organise this important association for victims of armed violence and to create strength to fight for the peace and justice we deserve.”

Some 300 to 400 women are widowed every year in Manipur as a result of the armed violence, says Netraj, 35, who talked to about 50 widows while researching his film.

“I wanted to share the issues and problems the widows are facing here and let the rest of the world know what’s happening in Manipur,” he told TrustLaw.

“One main problem is that the security forces - the state - kill innocent people and then brand them as terrorists. And these widows cannot get any state benefits from the government because their husbands have been branded terrorists.

“They are not eligible for any grants, any money. That’s the big problem. These widows are struggling to earn a living and provide an education for their children.”

Most of the women are in their 20s and 30s. Netraj says many try to make ends meet by running small cottage industries such as washing clothes, making soap or weaving.

RIGHTS ABUSES

Renu set up Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families' Association, Manipur (EEVFAM), with the help of Human Rights Alert, to help women like her deal with the emotional and practical problems of widowhood.

Among other things, the organisation tries to find the truth behind extra-judicial killings and seek justice and compensation for victims’ families, including education for their children.

EEVFAM is also campaigning for an end to India’s draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act which gives members of the military sweeping powers and legal immunity. The act has been in force across Manipur for more than 30 years.

The government says the law is necessary but civil society groups say it has led to gross human rights violations by the army.

Human Rights Alert says more than 500 people are executed in Manipur every year in the name of counter insurgency measures. And many, like Mung, leave behind young families.

Renu says her husband, who ran a clothes business, had nothing to do with armed groups. He was on his scooter when he failed to obey a police order to stop. She believes he probably didn’t hear them. Renu heard the shot that killed her husband from their home.

The widows have tried unsuccessfully to register EEVFAM with the government.

“The government says if they want to register they have to remove the words “extrajudicial killing” from the name,” Netraj says. “But the women will never do that.”

His film also highlights how the international arms trade is contributing to the violence in Manipur.

“People in the United States may never have heard of Manipur but its M16s are a favourite with our insurgent groups,” says Binalakshmi Nepram, Secretary General of the Control Arms Foundation of India and founder of the Manipuri Women Gun Survivor Network.

Many of the guns and grenades seized by police come from neighbouring Myanmar, which shares a porous border with Manipur. But these weapons are not made in Myanmar.

Nepram says 88 percent of the world’s weapons are produced by the permanent five members of the U.N. Security Council – United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

“It’s these governments that are responsible for this irresponsible arms trade and it’s there that we should make the difference,” she adds.

“Women like Renu and countless others in Manipur and in different parts of the world are suffering as a result of the fact that nobody at the international level is taking any steps to control this.”

Netraj’s next project is a film about Irom Sharmil, a Manipuri poet and human rights activist dubbed the “Iron Lady”, who is on hunger strike to demand India repeal the Special Powers Act.

Source: trustlaw

Girl From Northeast India Harassed in Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 9 : Even as the world celebrated International Women’s Day Tuesday, a report highlighted the everyday tribulations undergone by women from northeast India in the national capital.

According to the Northeast Support Centre and Helpline, at least 96 cases of crime, including rape, molestation and harassment, against people from the northeast community were recorded in Delhi last year.

“The centre and the ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) must issue directive to implement existing laws, policies and plan of actions to end racial discrimination, sexual violence and human trafficking challenges faced by northeast communities in the cities,” the centre said a report released here Tuesday.

“The North East MP Forum must take note of the plight faced by their communities and take up the matter with concerned law-enforcing agencies and governments,” it added.

“Delhi has become an unsafe city for women with increasing crimes against them. According to Delhi Police, every 18 hours, a woman is raped and every 14 hours a woman is molested in Delhi,” said the report.

The report said youngsters migrating from their homes in the northeast, come to Delhi for better educational and employment opportunities.

According to the report, over 200,000 northeastern migrants come to Delhi -- which is 48.21 percent of the total migrant population from the region, which comprises Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

However, Delhi has emerged to be an increasingly unsafe place for the community, especially the women, the report said.

Quoting a study by Jagori, an NGO, in 2009, the report said around 70 percent women were reported harassed on roads while around 60 percent men and 71 percent common witnesses reported that they have seen women being harassed.

The report said 78 percent of the northeast community in Delhi faced racial discrimination in different forms in 2010, which is slightly less compared to 86 percent in 2009.

“However, it’s still a big number,” it added.

But it’s not just the women who face problems.

The report said 83 percent of northeast men face racial discrimination in Delhi.

It said over 414,850 people from the northeast migrated to other mega cities of India during 2005-2010.

In 2005, the population of the community which migrated was 34,000. The average rate of migration annually is 13.62 percent.

The report also explores the reasons for the high migration rate -- lack of good education and employment opportunities. Socio-political unrest is another reason.

Former Assam CM Mahanta To Contest From Barhampur

By K Anurag

Guwahati, Mar 9 : The Asom Gana Parishad on Monday announced the second list of 35 poll candidates which included names of 17 MLAs including the former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. The former chief minister is contesting from his home ground of Barhampur in Nagaon district. The AGP earlier announced names of 40 poll candidates.

Announcing the list of party poll candidates, the regional party's president Chandra Mohan Patowary admitted that its efforts to forge a 'grand alliance' of all opposition political parties in Assam for the forthcoming Assembly election could not bear fruit because the Left parties and All India  United Democratic Front, a conglomerate of minority groups, were averse to be part of any alliance that will have BJP as one of the constituents.

He said the regional party floated the idea of a grand alliance on the basis of the reality that whenever Congress came to power in the state it could poll a vote share on around 30 per cent as against the combined opposition vote share of around 70 per cent.

The Communist Party of India and CPM and the AIUDF see the Bharatiya Janata Party  as a communal party and don't want to be part of any alliance with the saffron party thereby dooming the AGP's attempt for a 'grand anti-Congress alliance', to failure.

However, in tune with its spirit of the 'grand alliance', the AGP has decided not the field candidates against the stalwarts of the CPI, CPM, AIUDF and the BJP in Nazira, Sarbhog, Jamunamukh and Bihali respectively.

Veteran CPI leader Dhrupad Borgohain is contesting from Nazira, CPM's Manoranjan Talukdar is contesting from Saorbhog while AIUDF chief Sirajuddin Ajmal is in the fray from Jamunamukh. The state BJP president Ranjit Dutta is contesting from Bihali constituency.

Meanwhile, the AGP lodged a complaint with the visiting chief election commissioner against the ruling Congress accusing the latter of violating the model code of conduct.