Communities in Dwarka are divided about Holika Dahan

Days before Holi, one can see heaps of wood and other combustible materials stacked on the roadsides and vacant lands of Dwarka. This is because Dwarka residents are preparing for the tradition of Holika Dahan, or burning of Holika that is observed on the eve of Holi.  

However, not everyone is looking forward to the ritual. The environmentally conscious residents of the sub-city are debating the repercussions of this tradition on social media groups.

Suman Malik, a resident of Sector 6, said, “Burning always results in toxic gasses like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The fumes release small particles into the air that causes asthma and skin allergies. To make matters worse, in cities people burn ply boards in the name of Holika. These contain chemicals that release dangerous gases. I strongly oppose burning anything in the name of Holika. We should change our customs according to the need of the times and the environment.”

Anandita Kar Roy a member of the Green Circle Group of Dwarka added, “We should not celebrate the festival by going against nature.”

Holika Dahan or burning of Holika signifies the triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Holika was the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu who had attempted several times to take the life of his pious god-fearing son Prahlad. During one such attempt, Hiranyakashyapu had asked Holika to sit on a bonfire with Prahlad on her lap. The king knew that Holika had a special cloak garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire. However, legend says that as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Holika burnt to death while Prahlad a devotee of Lord Vishnu remained unharmed.

The residential societies of Dwarka look at Holika Dahan as a community activity. Therefore with growing urbanisation of the subcity the numbers of Holika pyres too are multiplying.   

Diwan Singh, convener of Natural Heritage First, an organisation working on environment conservation said, “Holika Dahan is part of our culture and I do not oppose it. However, I oppose the increasing number of pyres. People should come together at one place and observe this ritual.” Diwan also added, “The appalling pollution levels in the environment can largely be attributed to the government. The government is blindly pursuing its mandate of urbanization with no regard for the environment.”

There is a larger section of the community which is in favour of Holika Dahan. They feel that if development policies start incorporating environmental concerns then traditions like these do not have to be questioned at all.

14-year-old who fell off balcony of a Shipra Krishna Vista flat dies

After battling for around 24 hours for her life, 14-year-old Agrima Sharma, who had fallen off the balcony of her sixth-floor flat at Shipra Krishna Vista in Indirapuram, died last night. She breathed her last at 12.27 am last night, confirmed doctors at Max Superspeciality Hospital, where Agrima was undergoing treatment.

She was critically injured on Monday night after mysteriously falling off the balcony of her flat.

The incident comes close on the heels of another heartbreaking accident, where a 4-year-old girl lost her life after accidentally falling off the balcony of another Indirapuram high-rise.

Speaking about Agrima’s death, Mohita Chandra, chief medical officer of Max Hospital, Vaishali, said, “The girl had suffered multiple internal injuries, including several fractures. Her internal organs were badly damaged. The medical team had put external fixations to perform the surgery. She had also suffered severe blood loss and received 30 units of blood during the treatment.”

Sachin Malik, SO of Indirapuram police station, said that the police were investigating the matter and the girl’s body had been sent for post-mortem. "Further investigation will be carried out once the post-mortem report is received," he added.

According to police, the incident took place around 1 am on Monday night. The incident first came to the notice of a security guard posted at the society tower.

The victim lived in the society with her parents, grandmother and younger brother. The family members were at home at the time of the incident. According to sources close to the family, Agrima was studying in her room before the incident. About 10 minutes before the incident, her father had come to her room to say good night, and asked her to go to sleep as it was getting late. He then went back to his room.

A little while later, he received a call from the security guard of the tower, who told him about the incident. This had also alerted first-floor residents, who rushed her to nearby Shanti Gopal Hospital.

Agrima was later shifted to Max Hospital, Vaishali, due to her critical condition.

Other residents of the society who knew Agrima said she was a bright student who not only excelled in studies but in sports as well. “She excelled in chess at her school and received several awards,” a resident said.

Sources close to the family said Agrima's body will be taken to Garh Mukteshwar Dham for the last rites.

Stray animals can now be treated on the spot, thanks to this initiative

At a time when people are far too harsh on anything that doesn't take human form, comes a sliver of hope for our four-legged friends. A 24x7 free animal dispensary and mobile OPD has been opened for strays in Sector 55, Noida, this Monday. Animals rescued by the dispensary will be admitted at the Animal Hospital and Shelter, Sector 94, Noida, which was formerly known as SPCA.  

The initiative came from House of Stray Animals, a charitable organisation dedicated to the care of strays in the NCR.

The dispensary has been set up on the main road, leading towards Khoda village.

The dispensary has basic facilities such as X-Ray, a mini operation theatre, a mobile OPD and an ambulance. The dispensary will provide free anti-rabies vaccination as well. The organisation has tied up with Dr Lal PathLabs for blood tests.

Sanjay Mohapatra, founder of the House of Stray Animals, told City Spidey that the clinic will be overseen by veterinary doctors and have a mobile OPD to cover strays in different areas. “The facility of emergency operations while on the go will also be available for animals who have suffered serious injuries in accidents,” he added.

House of Stray Animals has been working with strays for the past 10 years, and this dispensary has been a dream come true for Mohapatra.  

“We have got permission to run this dispensary for a year now. We’ll be happy if people come forward and donate to our cause,” he said.

The organisation will also be setting up adoption camps in societies, universities and schools to encourage people and children to adopt strays.

Gurgaon: Smoking in public places will now cost you

The Gurgaon administration has set up a committee to check smoking in public places. The committee comprising of the chief medical officer (of Gurgaon district), deputy commissioner of police, district drug control officer, district education officers, civil surgeon of the municipal corporation, principals from various government colleges, NGO representatives, food safety officer and the district public relations officer will penalise people who smoke in public places.

Applauding the initiative, Suresh Dhankar, a government schoolteacher, said, “Through its vigil, the committee can also check underage smoking.”gurgaon news

The revenue collected from the challans will be utilised for the treatment of those suffering from smoking- or tobacco-related diseases.  

The deputy excise and taxation commissioner, HC Dahiya, said, “Such initiatives will help reduce smoking in a comprehensive manner. Passive smoking is equally dangerous. With zero tolerance for smoking in public places, passive smokers, too, will be benefited.”

One hopes that the committee will ensure a successful implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which falls under the guidelines of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).

Dwarka, Sector 6: Hooligans throw water balloons at girl; assault her

Every year a few weeks before Holi, the entire NCR turns into a pedestrian’s nightmare. For hooligans lurk in almost every residential and commercial street to ambush innocent passer-bys with water balloons. And these inflated balloons that are hurled with all the offender's might, often contain small stones and fragments of construction waste. Dwarka News

The subcity of Dwarka is no exception to this menace that happens in the guise of pre-Holi revelry.  Today, a teenage girl was hit on her stomach by three young men, when she retaliated (verbally) their action of pelting water balloons. The girl aged about 17, was walking near the petrol pump of Sector 6 (that is in the vicinity of Diamond Square Apartments) along with two of her girlfriends.  The hooligans who had arrived on a motorbike had also teased the girls while hitting them with the balloons.  As they were speeding away, the girl started shouting abuses at them. Enraged, the men took a U turn and came back to the spot to hit her.     

Fortunately, onlookers and local residents saved the girl. She was taken to the hospital by a resident of Sector 10, Nidhi Gupta. Speaking to City Spidey, Gupta said, “My husband is an eye witness to the incident.  Her bruises do not seem too serious. However, an ultrasound is being done at the hospital.”

After being hit by the hooligans the girl had fallen down. Her friends then started shouting and immediately local residents and passer-bys gathered around. They also managed to nab the culprits and handed them over to the cops. The vehicle too has been seized. Ashok Kumar, SHO Dwarka South, said, “We have seized the bike and caught the boys. Now after the statement of the girl, we shall start the legal proceedings.”

According to residents of the subcity, of late such incidents have particularly increased near government schools. People are sharing their views about this rising menace on social media groups and appealing to the police to increase patrolling before and during Holi.

Mishaps in high-rises can be averted...president of FedAoA talks to City Spidey

Barely a week after a four -year-old girl lost her life after accidentally falling off the balcony of an Indirapuram high rise, a fourteen -year-old girl mysteriously fell from a sixth-floor balcony of another high rise in Indirapuram. According to sources, this girl is now in a critical condition.  

Indirapuram News

Needless to say these incidents have unleashed anxiety and apprehension among the residents of high rise apartments across NCR.  Alok Kumar, president of FedAoA, Ghaziabad  met our City Spidey edit team to discuss the precautionary measures, which can prevent such fatal mishaps. 

Supertech Capetown takes the first step towards its first AOA

Supertech Capetown, in Sector 74, Noida, is set to soon get its first AOA. The society was operating without one for the past three years. However, in a recent meeting held with the builder, March 25 has been fixed as the date for selecting the election committee. The committee, which will have four members and a chairman, will be responsible for holding fair elections at the society.

The last date to fill the nominations for the election committee has been fixed at March 5.

As per the amendments in the UP Apartment Act, 2010, a builder has to call the first general body meeting of residents to elect an AOA in a project that has at least 60 per cent of its flats registered. After the election, the builder has to transfer the maintenance of common areas to the AOA, so residents can handle society civic work on their own.

Arun Singh Chauhan, a member of the builder’s facility management team, told City Spidey the election committee members will not eligible to contest in AOA election.

"The committee members will not align with or provide support to any of the candidates,” he added. “It will also not influence the election process in any way. If any member of the committee is found to be doing of this, the committee will be dissolved and a new committee will be formed."

The nomination forms will be available with the maintenance manager. Residents have to attach self-attested photocopies of their possession letter and ID proof at the time of filing nomination.

Bhupendra Routela, a resident, said residents were happy that the builder was fulfilling a long-pending demand.

Pluto goes missing; complaint lodged after almost a month

In yet another pet abduction in Gurgaon, a German shepherd has allegedly been taken from the Badshahpur area. Pluto, as the dog was called, was allegedly dragged inside a car by unknown men around 10 pm on February 9. However, a case was registered by the dog’s owner, Dr Inderjit Singh Yadav, only yesterday at the Badshapur police station under Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the complaint, Pluto had been with Yadav for the past one and a half years. Yadav said he had even examined a CCTV footage that showed the dog being dragged into the car by some people around 10 pm. However, the footage, submitted to the police, is too grainy to be able to throw any light on the abduction. Yadav said he tried to look for Pluto himself on February 10 and 11 but failed to find him. However, other sources say he went out of town.

But what will undoubtedly strike every pet owner as strange is why Yadav waited almost a month to lodge a police complaint about his abducted pet. No one can even throw light on what the dog was doing alone on the streets at night, when it was abducted.

The police, on the other hand, say they have launched a search operation for the vehicle and the dog, but one wonders on what basis they are investigating the case, when they have neither CCTV clues, nor a photo of the pet. However, giving a stock reply, Deepak Kumar, the investigating officer in the case, said, “We are in the process of getting more information. We have not traced the vehicle yet, but we are investigating the case.”

Given this lax approach of both the owner and the police — and the many cases involving the dog meat trade that emerged last year — we can only hope Pluto is safe.

Breaking News: Now, a 14-year-old falls from the balcony of I’puram high-rise

Only a week after a 4-year-old girl lost her life after accidentally falling off the balcony of an Indirapuram high rise, a 14-year-old girl was critically injured after mysteriously falling off the balcony of a sixth-floor flat of Shipra Krishna Vista in Ghaziabad township last night.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 1 am last night. The incident first came to the notice of a security guard posted at the tower. The guard heard a loud thud and ran to the spot; he also alerted the residents of the first floor of the tower. Indirapuram News

Agrima Sharma, the victim, lived in the society with her parents and a younger brother.

“All the family members were at home. According to what her father told me, Agrima was studying in her room before the incident. Around ten minutes before the incident, her father had come to say goodnight to her, and asked her to go to sleep, as it was getting late. He then went back to his room. A little while later, he received a call from the security guard of the tower! He had also alerted the first-floor residents, who rushed her to the nearby Shanti Gopal Hospital,” confirmed Mohit Mittal, AOA general secretary.

Agrima had to be shifted to Max Hospital, Vaishali, due to her critical condition. “Doctors at Shanti Gopal said that the patient’s condition was critical and she needed to be immediately shifted to a super-speciality hospital. We later shifted her to Max Hospital, Vaishali. Doctors told us that her condition was critical,” Mittal further said.

Other residents of the society who knew Agrima said that she was a bright student who not only excelled in studies, but sports too. “She excelled in chess in her school and had also received several awards,” a resident said.

Officials of Indirapuram police station confirmed that the condition of the child was critical. “According to her parents, she was studying before she fell from the balcony. We are investigating the matter,” said Samar Bahadur Singh, in charge of Niti Khand police post.

PVVNL to instal 79 transformers across Noida this summer

This summer, residents of Noida can breathe easy and keep cool — literally. To reduce the burden on overloaded transformers in Noida, Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL) has started work on installing 79 transformers across the city to bring down the frequency of powercuts.

The work is expected to be completed by April first week.

The transformers, of 400 kVA capacity each, will replace lower-capacity transformers. This will not only increase the electricity voltage supplied to consumers, but will also take care of transformers bursting due to overloading.
Noida News
Rakesh Rana, PVVNL superintending engineer, said, “Currently, 17 transformers of 400 kVA each have already been installed in areas such as Sector 22, Wazidpur, Sector 63, 63 A, Mamura, Bahlolpur, Chhajrasi and others. Noida Authority is doing the work.”

An official of Noida Authority said, “We have installed two 400-kVA transformers in Sector 22 to replace the existing 250-kVA transformers.  The existing ones are running up to 65-70 per cent of their capacity. As the power demand increases in summer, they get further overloaded. But with the provision of new transformers, the load on the existing transformers will be reduced.”

Lauding the efforts of PVVNL, Rajesh Singh, a resident of Sector 22, said, “If this summer goes smooth without powercuts, we’ll be the happiest! We are really excited at the initiative.”

Resident Speak: 'Can systemic changes reduce food wastage by 50 per cent?'

Recently, Overseas Apartments in Sector 50 of Noida started a pilot on providing consolidated food waste to external vendor for compost generation. The society generates 70 kg of food waste every day, or 500gm per family per day.

More than 50 flats have signed up for keeping separate bins at home.

The housekeeping staff has been trained on the new collection and separation process. The vendor machine comes at around 1pm and takes away the food waste.

Initially the waste management of the society lacked standard practises — garbage was often sorted in the open, in the stilt area of the blocks. This was not only a health hazard for the staff, but also for the residents.

But eventually, a more scientific waste management programme was put in place, with help from the RWA. The following steps were introduced:

Garbage bins placed in key areas of society to minimise littering by residents (also signboards at entry points)

      2. Segregation of waste at source level (homes), with separate bins for dry and wet waste

      3. Monthly cleaning drives to involve residents in cleaning of common areas

      4. Education, training and continuous monitoring of the initiative

Now, the question is can  — with systemic changes and co-operation from residents — food waste be reduced by 50 per cent to 250 gm per flat per day?

Not impossible, right?

There are not enough cops to curb crime in Gurgaon!

In Gurgaon, incidents of crime have been spiraling in the last few years. Car thefts, robberies, rapes and incidents of chain snatching have multiplied while the police have been struggling to restore law and order. This struggle can be attributed to the existing manpower crunch in the police force.

In 2011 the head count of the Gurgaon Police stood at 3,387. At that time the city had a population of 15.14 lakh. Today seventeen years later, the population of the city stands at 25 lakh. The head count of the police force however is only 4,335. This means less than 1,000 additional cops have been inducted into the force in all these years. Consequently, their presence is very limited in some sectors.   Gurgaon News

Ajay Sharma, a resident of Sector 70 said, “The roads are so deserted in our locality that travelling after dark is dangerous. Even people from courier services do not cater to our locality after 3 pm.”

Upcoming sectors like 69, 70, 82 and 110 are devoid of police stations and patrolling too is very scanty. With just three police stations in the vicinity (at Rajinder Nagar, Kherki Dhaula and Sector 37) people feel unsafe in these sectors.

“To make matters worse, these sectors have a challenge of public transport. We have to travel in cabs and shared autos, which can be risky,” said Anjali Chauhan a resident of Sector 82.

Places like Suncity Township on the Golf Course Road are other unsafe stretches.

“Though burglaries have been rampant here the policing has not been increased,” said VMK Singh, Secretary RWA.

Though people living in condominiums and societies of the township enjoy a relative security cover within their premises (since there are guards manning the premises) the roads outside are prone to theft and more serious crime.

Speaking about the issue, Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar, said, “Yes we are understaffed. However, recently some manpower has been sanctioned. These people are undergoing training now. Once they are part of the active force, the situation should improve.  Proposals for new units and additional manpower have also been made.”

Will the fresh set of exit and entry points at Sirhaul toll improve traffic?

According to a traffic advisory, traffic movements will be streamlined at the Sirhaul toll area, through clearly defined entry and exit points.

All NH8 traffic coming from IFFCO Chowk will have to take the first exit point after getting down from the Shankar Chowk flyover. After that they would have to take the second and third entry points.

Commuters travelling to Rajokri, Udyog Vihar, Ambience Island, DLF Phase III need to take the exit point that comes immediately after crossing the flyover as the next exit will be at a distance of 3 kms (Kapashera exit in Delhi). The exit point right after the flyover is also the prescribed route for all commercial vehicles.

On the other hand, for traffic coming from Udyog Vihar, Cyber City and Shankar Chowk the  first exit will not be applicable.

Here are the highpoints of the advisory:

First Carriageway (Extreme right on NH48): Non-commercial vehicles coming from Jaipur to Delhi, should go straight on the first carriageway.

Second Carriageway (Shankar Chowk service lane to Delhi): This stretch is dedicated  to non-commercial vehicles. They can take it after crossing around 250 meters from the Shankar Chowk flyover.

Third Carriageway: This stretch is dedicated only to commercial vehicles that have to pay MCD toll. The toll is around 250 metres from end of Shankar Chowk flyover.

Fourth Carriageway: Vehicles going towards Ambience mall, Udyog Vihar (from the left side), DLF Phase-III and Jaipur to use this carriageway by taking a U-turn from under the Rajokri flyover. Vehicles going towards Kapashera and Rajokri should also use this carriageway.

Vehicles from Udyog Vihar and old Delhi Road going towards New Delhi will join NH48 from the entry point earmarked after the Rajokri flyover.

Carriageway 1, 2 and 3 are only for Delhi and do not have any exit before Dwarka Link Road.

Can Ashiana Upvan become a zero-waste society? Only if people change

Converting Ashiana Upvan, an Indirapuram high-rise, into a zero-waste zone is proving to be a tougher deal than anticipated. And the biggest roadblock faced by the RWA? Well, unchanging habits of people.  

Topping it, the agency that was initially roped in for recycling the waste has also backed out of the project. Auctus, a Greater Noida-based agency, was hired in January to recycle both wet and dry waste. But they were only interested in dry and electronic waste.

The initiative was started as a pilot project to stop the society’s garbage from ending up at landfill sites.

Indirapuram News

According to experts, the secret to controlling the growth of huge landfill sites is separating wet and dry waste at the level of household, or source, and utilising it. “We had started the initiative as a pilot project to set an example, but a major roadblock that stands before us is implementing waste segregation at the household level. Despite all the communication from the AOA over the last one month, only 10 per cent of the total households of the society have taken to segregating waste at homes. But even that’s a success — though small,” conceded Anil Sharma, AOA president.

He added, “The agency which was basically an e-waste based agency was more interested in dry and electronic waste, and the project was not feasible for them.”

However, the RWA ensured the process did not halt.

It has now roped in another Ghaziabad-based waste recycling agency to take care of the society’s waste and ensure that waste is properly used and recycled.

“Residents normally pack both wet and dry waste together, and dump it via the garbage disposal chute of the society. The wet waste has to be disposed separately. For now, we are looking for disposable or bio-degradable bags that can be used by residents for waste disposal. These bags will be provided to residents free of cost and will be covered under the monthly maintenance charge,” Sharma further said.

According to Sharma, his society alone generates around 700 kilograms of mixed waste every day.

Two major garbage dumps are coming up in the vicinity of the the society. While one is located near the Indirapuram sewerage treatment plant, the other — a considerably larger one — is located in near Pratap Vihar.

DM of GB Nagar receives twelve point agenda for curbing pollution

On Thursday, the Prime Minister Office’s sent an ‘Air Pollution Abatement Action Plan’ to BN Singh, District Magistrate (DM) of Gautam Budh Nagar. The Prime Minister has also appointed BN Singh as the nodal officer for the action plan. On the seventh of every month, the DM will compile his reports and send to the Prime Minister’s office.

Last autumn, air pollution in Delhi-NCR had spiralled to the severe category. Therefore NGT has ordered all civic bodies to take suitable action to curb pollution levels in their respective jurisdictions. Responding to the seriousness of the issue, the ministry of environment, forest, water and climate change created this twelve point ‘Air Pollution Abatement Action Plan’ and sent it to the Prime Minister’s office for approval and subsequent implementation. Now the Prime Minister’s office is sending this plan to all the authorities in Delhi-NCR.

BN Singh, told City Spidey that he will ensure a strict implementation of this plan in the entire district. “JP Mourya, an officer of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) shall provide me all data related to air pollution in Noida on a weekly basis. Similarly for Greater Noida, Utsav Sharma, another officer of UPPCB will be my source. I shall combine both the reports and send it to the PMO on the seventh of every month,” Singh said.

Noida news

Singh also added that this action plan has been sent to all the three authorities (Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Authority) for implementation.

Here are the twelve areas that the plan addresses:

1. Monitoring of crop stubble burning and interstate coordination:

The chief secretary of UP, Punjab and Haryana have to enforce measures to prevent crop stubble burning. They also need to collaborate between them and with the department of science and technology to ensure that independent data on crop stubble burning is available in real time.

2. Pollution monitoring and source attribution:

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has to collaborate with all the nodal officers of NCR (who are in-charge of implementing/supervising this plan) to maintain a proper network of air quality monitoring stations. Anti-pollution help lines have to be set up in all districts of NCR to register complaints of specific violations. A pollution app should also be prepared wherein citizens can take a picture of violations and upload these for quick remedial action.

3. Reducing pollution from power plants and industries:

Strict action should be taken regarding brick kilns operating in NCR without environmental clearances. Brick-kilns should migrate to zig-zag technology (a technology through which bricks are arranged in a manner where hot air can travel in a zigzag path. This reduces coal consumption to about 20%).

4. Solid waste management:

Another mandate of the ‘Air Pollution Abatement Action Plan’ is increasing decentralized processing of bio-degradable waste and diminishing the gap between waste collected and processed. The plan states that an independent verification mechanism should be set up to check whether 100% solid waste is actually being collected-- with specific focus on poor communities such as slums.

5. Managing sanitary landfills:

Steps must be taken to ensure that there are no fires at sanitary landfills. Municipal bodies must have special expertise to douse landfill fires.

6. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste:

Large construction agencies like NBCC and CPWD that are working in the NCR should set up their own facilities for processing construction and demolition waste and reuse the products in their own projects.

7. Mechanized road sweeping and managing road dust:

Currently about 15% of road sweeping in Delhi is mechanized. This should increase to at least 40% within the next four months.

8. Improving public transport:

Additional public transport (buses) need to be procured to improve the last mile connectivity. There should be adequate check-posts to stop trucks from using the NCR as a bypass route.

9. Environmental clearances:

Real estate developers should have environmental clearances before embarking on construction activity, particularly when mega commercial and residential projects are concerned.

10. Increasing green cover:

The green cover beside all roads of NCR to be increased by planting saplings.

11. Encouraging electric vehicles and promoting shared transport:

Transport policies of states should encourage electric vehicles and promote shared transport.

12. Reducing traffic congestion and removing encroachment from roads:

Lastly the plan reiterates the necessity of reducing traffic congestion and removing encroachments from roads.

If you are near Noida Sector 21 A, step into the flower show at Ramleela Grounds

The 32nd edition of Noida Vasant Utsav (spring festival) started yesterday at the Ramleela Grounds of Sector 21A. This three day long annual event has been organised by Noida Floriculture Society and Noida Authority. Noida news

While Petunia is the cardinal flower that is being exhibited, visitors to the show are also being greeted by a breathtaking array of eco-friendly plants that consume toxins from the environment. “This year, lectures by experts on techniques of water conservation is another highlight of the show. Recharging ground water is the need of the hour,” said Deepa Pasricha from the Floriculture Society.

Speaking to City Spidey, Omveer Singh, horticulture director of Noida Authority said that around 1,000 shrubs and saplings are being distributed to children in the course of the event. “We want to encourage them to become green enthusiasts that in turn will replenish Noida’s green cover,” said Singh.

Leading garden designers are also displaying their artistic concepts in the show. These are being judged by experts and the winner will be felicitated with the Chairman’s Trophy. Besides this, there are prizes in 40 different categories that will be distributed on Sunday.

There is no entry fee and visitors can enter from gate number 6.

  Here are few glimpses from the show:  

Pink petunias in earthen pots. 

Artistically arranged vibrant gazanias. This is a tropical herbaceous plant of the daisy family.

These orange roses probably attracted the maximum number of spectators.  

G-towners, craving for some Purani Dilli grub? Your weekend just got made!

Craving some Chicken Changezi, or butter-lathered Purani Dilli-style parathas? Well, your prayers have just been answered. The second edition of ‘Purani Dilli Ka Khana’ will be held this weekend at DLF Garden City Sports Complex in Sector 91, Gurgaon.

The event will feature some of the best names of Purani Dilli, including Lotan Matar Kulche, Pandit Ji Paranthe Wale, JB Kachori Wala and Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi Wale, among others.

Anita Yadav, a resident of Sector 90, gushed, “I am really looking forward to having Purani Dilli ka Khana [Old Delhi cuisine]. I would almost regularly visit Purani Dilli when I lived in the capital. However, since I shifted to Gurgaon, it has become difficult to visit my favourite food haunts. This festival offers a great opportunity for a foodie like me to sample such wonderful variety of food under one roof.”

For Anil Kumar, a resident of DLF Phase III, wolfing down Mohan Lal Ki Kulfi would be the high point of the event.

“The thought behind coming up with such a festival was to bring the flavours of old Delhi to Gurgaon,” said Harinder Dhillon, vice-president, Sales, DLF, Gardencity.

The festival will also host cultural performances and a flea market.

NGT brings MCG, HUDA to dock for not clearing encroachment of Sikanderpur drain

In response to a petition filed by Gurgaon resident Harinder Dhingra, claiming massive encroachment around the natural drain located in DLF Phase I, the NGT slapped notices on the state government, the MCG and HUDA on Friday, seeking explanation for their inaction.   

The court has asked the civic body and other agencies to file a reply by April 9, the next date for hearing.

According to the petitioner, the drain — which runs from Sikanderpur Ghosi till the Delhi Metro line in Sikanderpur — is critical to holding rainwater and recharge the city’s depleting groundwater level.

Besides the encroachment issue, a waste transfer station proposed near the nullah is also under the NGT’s scanner.

Despite raising objections several times in the past, no measure was taken to stop encroachment around the natural drain, claimed the petitioner.  Gurgaon News

The petition, citing earlier orders issued by the tribunal, read: “Natural drains must be kept clean and obstruction-free. No stormwater drain should be covered or used to discharge sewage.”

Sudhir Chauhan, senior town planner, MCG, said, “We have taken appropriate action against the violators, and will set up the waste transfer station in an area that does not come within the ambit of the Aravalli forests.”

Irked Fresco residents point to STP water collecting outside society

In the absence of an outlet connection, the 2,500 residents of Fresco in Sector 50, Gurgaon, are having to deal with the menace of STP water collecting outside their society on a daily basis.  

The water released from the society STP collects outside the society, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases.

Gurgaon News

On a daily basis, approximately one lakh litre of water is released outside the society. The residents claim that the collection of water is a prime reason of mosquito breeding.

The town planning department, which will provide the outlet connections for STP water and stormwater, has not gone ahead with the work in the absence of occupation certificate (OC). And Unitech, despite its promises, has failed to provide occupation certificate for almost a year now.   

“It’s been almost a year that we were promised OC, and we are still waiting. There has been no response from the builder,” RWA president Nilesh Tandon complained.

The RWA, in the meantime, has taken the matter to the District Town Planning Department.

Tandon said, “Residents are extracting 20-22 crore litre of ground water every year. Unitech needs to lay the lines of canal, storm and sewer water. In the absence of a sewer line, the builder has been releasing the STP water just outside the society, which sometimes runs backs into the society. This is a big health hazard for residents staying at Fresco.”

Speaking on the issue, an official of the town planning department said, “We are aware of the issue and will solve the problem as soon as possible.”

Cyber Cell begins probe into rape threat to teacher and her daughter by student

The cyber cell has started investigating the recent incident where a Class VII student of a prominent Gurgaon school threatened to rape his teacher and have her daughter abducted and raped. The cyber cell is looking to get evidence, as the threat was made on a social media site.

“These matters are sensitive as they involve children and the probe has to be confidential,” said Gurgaon police commissioner, Sandeep Khirwar. Gurgaon news

On February 11, the student had posted a message on a social media site threatening to rape his class teacher and getting her daughter abducted and later getting her raped by someone. The message, which was later deleted by the student, shocked the teacher, and on February 12, she raised the matter with the school by sending a mail.

Also, the same day, the teacher’s husband filed a complaint along with relevant evidence at Gwal Pahari police post. “The complaint was received by the police on February 12 and was immediately sent to the Cyber Cell for probe. The father, on the following day, wanted to withdraw his complaint, however, the matter was already under investigation by then,” said a police official at Gwal Pahari police post under DLF Phase I police station.

The district education officer of Gurgaon has now been asked to conduct a probe for the same and submit a report within seven days.

Meanwhile, the teacher in question tended her resignation to the school authorities on Thursday.

Also, officials of the Gurgaon Child Welfare Committee visited the school on Friday and investigated the matter speaking to the principal and teachers of the school.

Dwarka: Juvenile drug addicts target public property made of iron

Iron grills, manhole covers, boundary walls of parks and benches at public places have become subjects of vandalisation by drug addicts in Dwarka. It is common to come across missing portions of walls and grills in parks and at chowks across sectors 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23 of the sub-city.

Working in the field of drugs de-addiction in the community, general secretary of Sahaj Sambhav, a rehabilitation centre in Dwarka, Rekha Jhingan, said, “I have come across many such children during my work in rehabilitation. These kids, mostly 10 years of age or older, target anything in public place with iron parts in it. By selling these they earn 20 to 100 Rupees — enough money to buy dry dust or leather solution, which they use as drugs.”

Authorities and community is worried both about the loss of public property and these kids wasting away their lives. Social worker and general secretary of Choti Si Khushi, an organisation working with children, Namita Chaudhry, said, “While on the one hand, this is a loss of public property, on the other, it is damaging the next generation from under class. We have counselled many such children and a lot of them have successfully returned to normal life. However, there is a need for collective effort from the authorities and the community.” Dwarka News

Social activists have been regularly raising the subject of iron theft from public property and drug addiction in children in police public meetings, but nothing effective have been done yet and the thefts and addiction in children is still rampant. “It is my opinion that the thefts and drug addiction in kids is closely associated. Police need to implement a mechanism to control these things completely,” advised SR Krishna, a resident of Sector 11.

In talks with City Spidey on the subject, ACP Dwarka said, “We are in touch with some social organisations on this subject. I have personally been visiting the parks in the area. We are working on resolving these issues.”

DDA files its proposal for amendments to Master Plan 2021

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) submitted its recommendations for amendments in the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2021 to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's office today, and RWAs that had earlier opposed it may find their voice and suggestions unheard once again.

A DDA official talking to City Spidey confirmed that the final draft of recommendations in MPD-2021 has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor, Anil Baijal, for final approval today. “Final announcement regarding amendments in MPD-2021 will tentatively be made on February 27. The DDA meeting will be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor. I can’t reveal anymore at this stage, as final approval is yet to be received from the Lieutenant Governor, but DDA has prepared the final draft presenting its ideas on all aspects,” the official stated. Delhi News

On being asked whether DDA included RWAs' views and suggestions in the final draft, the official replied without elaborating, “Not all, but a few of them.”

Earlier on February 2, during a public hearing meeting, representatives from several RWAs had objected to DDA’s proposal of allowing residential areas for commercial purposes. At that time, RWAs had unanimously pointed out that commercial establishments being permitted in residential colonies would be detrimental to the lives of residents in various aspects. RWAs had also said that if it happened, the residential colonies, parks, street within the colonies and other open spaces left in the colonies would turn into a parking space.

In fact, to make RWAs voice stronger on this issue, a campaign ‘Save the City' was also initiated jointly by East Delhi RWA and Greater Kailash I.

Girish Jain, a member of RWA federation in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, who was also among those who had opposed proposed amendments, told City Spidey, “It won’t be appropriate to make any comment, as final decision is yet to come, but I would say this that if the proposed amendments are allowed, the quality of life in the residential areas would get degraded.”

Pankaj Agrawal, a member of United Residents Joint Action (URJA), was of the view that RWAs' views were also supported by the Delhi High Court when it had stated, "A few people have held the city to ransom." Earlier on February 12, Delhi High Court while hearing a plea on this matter had observed that, “By sitting on a dharna you can get the master plan changed. Not because it is required, nor after checking if the city can handle it. It done because a few hundred people sit on a dharna.”

The court was referring to the protest held by Delhi traders associations against a month-long sealing drive by municipal bodies against commercial establishments in residential colonies and buildings. The protests had forced the DDA to bring amendments in MPD-2021.

BS Vohra, president of RWA East Delhi, talking to City Spidey today said, “I got a call from DDA to be present on February 27 as Lieutenant Governor will announce the final decision on the day. I have no idea whether RWAs' various suggestions and recommendations were included in the final draft, but it could be that our suggestion to disallow bars and pubs in residential colonies has been included.”

Meet the winners of the ongoing gardening competitions at Noida Vasant Utsav

The gardening competitions at the ongoing flower show, Noida Vasant Utsav, started yesterday at the Ramleela Grounds, Sector 21A. This three-day-long annual event is being organised jointly by Noida Floriculture Society and Noida Authority. Prizes in 40 different categories are up for grabs. Meet some of the winners from the city:

Cdr Ved Kumar Sharma (73), a resident of M-block in Jalvayu Vihar, Sector 25, won the first prize in the category of Roadside Garden Greening Wasteland for the third time in a row. He said that 12 years ago people used to use the land which is now the garden for dumping waste. Then, in 2006, he started work on converting the nearly 500 sq m wasteland into a greenery garden. Now, the garden has become the apple of Sharma’s eye. “The garden has thousands of varieties of plants like oxygen-friendly plants, herbal plants, evergreen plants among others,” said an enthusiastic Sharma.

Another resident of Sector 25 was adjudged second in the same category. Vandana Saxena, a biology teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya in Delhi Cantt, started developing the area below her flat three years ago and entered the contest for the first time. “My garden is extremely eco-friendly. Sometimes visitors leave back various curios like small statues of Gods and then I use these trinkets to decorate the garden. Every seasonal and non-seasonal flower has been used for decorating the garden,” Saxena said. Noida news

In Institute Garden category, Shaheed Smarak Sansthan bagged the first prize once again. Col Mohinder Singh and his dedicated team have been working hard to bring the garden up to the standard that was even appreciated by Air Chief Marshal, Birender Singh Dhanoa, during their Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony on February 16.

Civic authorities in Dwarka promise to make it a ‘model city’

Top civic authority officials in Dwarka said the sub-city will be made into a model city that everyone will be proud of. The assurance was made by the officials at the 18th Foundation Day celebrations of the Federation of Cooperative Group Housing Societies, Dwarka, at a function held at Gokul Garden in Dwarka, Sector 7.

Senior officials from different civic agencies took part in the celebrations and shared their own insights and experiences with the members of the housing societies congregated on the occasion. Resident organisations also presented a colourful cultural programme to mark the event, where a souvenir of the federation was released.

Addressing the gathering, West Delhi Lok Saba MP Parvesh Verma promised that Dwarka will develop into a ‘model city’ in the NCR. Listing out future projects coming up in the sub-city, Verma said ambitious projects in the pipeline included a diplomatic enclave, a football stadium, a golf course, schools and colleges. To ease congestion and smoothen traffic flow, the Dwarka authorities will build an underground tunnel road from Dhaula Kuan to the Sector 21 Metro station. The project has got ministerial clearance and is now at the designing stage, said the Lok Sabha MP, who was the chief guest at the function.

Among those who attended the function were Chief Engineer, DDA, Dwarka, SN Singh; CEO of BSES, Amlan Sinha; ACP Dwarka, Rajendra Singh; and Executive Engineer DJB, Anil Kumar Sharma.

DDA

Chief Engineer of DDA, SN Singh, mingled with residents and said he was open to meeting them anytime. At present, there were many procedures pending in handing over the management of facilities to the PWD. Sadly, paucity of personnel in different departments such as Engineering, which is short of staff by 15 per cent, was affecting the pace of work, he admitted.

He also said DDA was seriously considering the requests for a foot overbridge (FOB) or underpass in Dwarka. “The demands for an FOB or an underpass have been there for a long time. We are working on that and our first target is to get the plan approved,” Singh said.

BSES

CEO of BSES, Amlan Sinha, said work was in progress about a single meter system in the CGHS societies. The process was on and soon the new single meter system would be activated.

DJB

Executive engineer of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Anil Kumar Sharma told the gathering that soon a cash counter would be opened in Dwarka Sector 5, to serve senior citizens and people wanting to pay in cash. At present, many senior citizens were finding it difficult to reach the cash counter located in Kakrola. The new Sector 5 cash counter will start functioning from April 1, he said.

On the sewage charges and penalties on rainwater harvesting systems in societies, Sharma said, “Till now all the charges have been waived off by the government. But from June 1, the use of borewells by societies will be charged a fee of Rs 100 per flat. It is the responsibility of the managements to seal the borewells,” Sharma said, adding, “for a rainwater harvesting system, a self-certification from the management should be submitted to DJB. The officials will then inspect the spot and validate it.”

But this self-certification must be submitted before May 31 by the RWAs.

Little models steal the hearts of the audience in a Noida school

The crowd was restless and nervous, for among them were parents of ‘models of tomorrow’. The children were awaiting their baby steps into the world of fashion, glitz and glamour.

The stage was all set for the opening of Runway Kids, a baby show organised by Rayz International School in Sector 19, Noida, on Saturday.

The crowd threw up a rapturous applause when the first of the 200 ‘models’ stepped on to the stage for a catwalk – a tiny girl holding her mother’s hand. Then one after another, the other children followed, a few with thumbs in their mouth. Some were accompanied by their fathers too.

The age group of the participants was 0-4 years. These tiny tots walked the ramp with their mothers and killed the audience with cuteness. Among the audience were the parents of school students and staff of the school.

DSP Anooth Singh, head ATS, Noida, was the chief guest at the function, accompanied by his wife, DSP Alka Singh. Fashion designer Winky Singh, luxury consultant Madhavi Advani and vice-chairperson of the school Jasmin Kumar formed the panel of judges for the event.

The little 'models' seemed completely at home, sashaying down the red ramp, matching their steps to the DJ's beats and flaunting their designer costumes. Judging solely by the expressions on the parents' faces, the event was a success.

Gorgeous little models stole the show as they walked the ramp, completely dolled up in the pink and blue theme, the jungle safari theme, and the divas-and-the-rockstar-look-alike themes. The winners in all categories were presented with a certificate and a gift. Noida News

Jasmin Kumar, the vice-chairperson, told City Spidey that these types of events encouraged the children and their parents and brought out the best in them. They also gave the children the confidence to follow their dreams, she said.

Rakesh Singh, another parent, said that this was the first time he had walked the ramp - and also danced on stage with his child. “In school and college, I never did, but today I did for my child,” Singh said.

Flower show enthrals Gurgaon residents

Taking forward the 17-year-old tradition of holding a flower show, HUDA organised a two-day flower show at the Leisure Valley, Sector 29, with over 700 participants showcasing gardening skills. There will bd group and individual prizes to be won at the end of the day.

Deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh inaugurated the show on Saturday in the presence of other officials of HUDA and the administration. There were close to 900 people attending the first day of the show (February 24). The works of the various participants were displayed and were judged by the officials at the show. Gurgaon News

Among the visitors there were people from the capital and the NCR. It was like a refresher in horticulture for the visitors and participants.

Singh, who was also the chief guest, said, “These shows not only exhibit the passion of people for horticulture but also increases our knowledge of the field.”

HUDA, like last year, had extended an invitation to participants from various states to present their skills. While horticulture enthusiasts were busy enjoying the show, there were other attractions for children, that included camel rides, drawing, painting and even a fashion show for children.

Speaking to City Spidey, Yashpal Yadav, HUDA administrator, said, “Our aim remains to make this show a success every year, and we feel happy seeing an active participation too.”