To keep a check on anti social elements gaining entry into the city, Noida Administration has made verification of servants, security guards and tenants mandatory.

Suresh Tiwari, General Secretary FONRWA stated that residents of all sectors have been asked to get their servants verified by the police. Landlords too have been told to give details about tenants to the police.

Also, identity proofs and contact numbers of surfers have to be kept by Cyber Cafes. According to Superintendent of Police A.K Tripathi, “those found flouting the rule will face action under section 188 of the Indian penal Code, which means roughly one to six months in jail.”

Noida Security Association President NP Singh said that all security agencies recruiting guards have been asked to register themselves under the Security Act. Agencies that violates rules will be deregistered.

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The State Transport Authority (STA) has finally approved the unrestricted movement of taxis in the NCR after meeting with members of taxi unions and viewing presentations by the transport department.

Cabs, autos and taxis are either barred from crossing borders or are charged hefty fees. This decision by the STA comes as a relief to people who depend on public transport for commuting.

Under the new guidelines, taxi operator companies would also be free to select their own color for the taxi but have to put up a ‘Taxi’ sign.

However, an issue which is yet to be sorted out is the division of tax i.e. which state gets to collect tax when a taxi crosses a border.

In the guru shishya parampara the major learning was through question answer method.

The guru was open to the idea of listening to and answering questions and clearing of doubts of the students, to his own and the students’ satisfaction. It was an accepted method of education. The level of education imparted was determined by the complexity of the questions asked. The guru encouraged it and did not take this as an affront to his standing and insult to his knowledge. But that was then.

Somewhere down the line the pristine beauty of the guru shishya parampara was lost. It became polluted, murky and opaque with the take it or leave it lecture methods of the present day education system, from primary to the university level.

Today, the teacher has no time, nor the patience. It is the classical case of the last mile disconnect, between the tutor and the taught.

This is a direct result of lack of training and aptitude and a faulty attitude on part of the teacher. It also is brought about when teachers lack knowledge.

Or maybe the sheer number of students in the class is too large to handle. Who knows?

But the truth is that under such conditions, raising a hand and asking a question in the class room becomes a risky business. It is taken as a direct attack on the ego and seen as questioning the knowledge of the mighty teacher.

The result is that today, intimidated students refrain from asking questions. Lest they be ignored, insulted or reprimanded.

The ‘Ask a stupid question day’ as a movement to break this impasse.

The child is encouraged to ask. However ‘stupid’, inane or insignificant the question may sound, the teacher should respond positively.

The students feel encouraged to pay more attention and be participative in the class. The teacher student communication becomes more meaningful and effective.

The difference between a bright and dull child is bridged. Each child is treated and is taken as individual entity. The class room becomes a pleasant place to be in.

So much is accomplished simply by a little show of patience by the teachers, by not only encouraging but also answering the questions of the curious young minds.

Vineet Wal

Culturally speaking celebration of Dussehra is a symbolic elimination of all that was bad. It was also good riddance to those that were associated with bad. It was a good cleansing job done by the Lord. Who any way had come down to perform this specific job, along with his buddies and then took help, for strategic and  logistic reasons only, from the monkeys and the other innocents animals, who were in awe of the Lord’s presence on the earth itself.

In the whole episode we note that the intellectuals- the rishis and munis, and the aam aadmi- the public at large – for whom the exercise was undertaken, remained aloof, by and large.

Nevertheless the lord, in his mortal presence, came, saw and conquered and went their way.

The aam aadmi, though with a sense of relief, continued to live as he was. In eternal ignorance. Ever cynical. And forever sloth.

Down the ages attempts were made by more saints and sages, as recent as a hundred years ago by Swami Vivekananda, to hold the mirror to the aam aadmi. But the aam aadmi could not care less. May be he was caught up in the mundane modalities of earthly life. and in doing so he degraded his life by adding the enhanced role of ego, submitting to be slave of his senses, and developing a morally corrupt and greedy mind.

The result is there for us to see. The aam aadmi is in misery. With the majority living below the bare sustenance level, in both the moral and the physical sense.

Not surprising, a value less society, is more often then not, bereft of good political and moral leadership. It therefore lacks even the hope of reversing the trend, of the down slide. The expectations begin to wane. The chasm continues to widen between the dreams and the reality.

What remains, as we see on every, Dussehra is a pathetic display of the symbolic victory over the external evil. The evil within still remains unaddressed.

This time on Dussehra rename the rakshasas and the demons to be incinerated.

Let us kill our ignorance. Burn our cynicism, and drive away the moral and physical sloth from our lives.

Come. All you aam aadmis. This Dussehra get involved. Let’s take a turn towards dharma. Let’s start our journey to a better future. Together.

Vineet Wal

A 75 feet tall effigy of Ravan will be lit today at the Noida Stadium between 7-8 pm. Atleast 1,25,000 people are expected to turn up at the stadium.

Photo courtesy: Aamir Hussain

The problems of consumerism and its impact on the environment is an area of major concern in today’s world. Awareness building on the importance of recycling-reusing-reducing should be taken up seriously.

Without getting technical, a green consumer is someone who is very concerned about the environment and, therefore, only purchases products that are environmentally-friendly or eco-friendly.

Products with little or no packaging, products made from natural ingredients and products that are made without causing pollution are all examples of eco-friendly products.

The best way to be a green consumer is not to be a consumer at all, but that is not possible all the time, nor is it practical.

It is easy to get excited about all the new green gadgets and organic products out there. These products may be green, but they will never be as green as the product that isn’t made at all, and this is an important thing to keep in mind.

The greenest path is to make do with what you have.

If you simply must buy something new, then by all means, look for green or organic products. Develop a sharp eye for distinguishing legitimately green products from products that are simply “greenwashed.”

Green Consumer Day reminds us to:

• Buy “green”i.e. products that can be decomposed, reused and are not harmful to the environment. The most important thing is to make a commitment to using less.
• Buy products that use minimal packaging. For example, choose products sold in bags rather than plastics. Packaging uses a significant amount of resources and contributes to our growing waste problem. Plastics are known to take between 20 and 1000 years to decompose.
• Go shopping with your own bag
• Refuse to be given a plastic if you can carry your own products
• Reduce, reuse and recycle all waste
• Reduce. Choose products that minimize waste. Avoid disposable products. E.g a shaving machine instead of disposable razors.
• Reuse. Look for items that you can use for tasks other than that for which they were originally intended. E.g. Glass jars can be used to store jam and cereals.
• Recycle. Most household waste is potentially recyclable. The household contribution to recycling is a critical one involving basic changes in attitudes and habits.
• Compost organic wastes. If you have a garden, create and maintain a compost pile to produce organic fertilizer from vegetable and fruit peels, leftovers, egg shells etc, and thus reduce the garbage that is thrown out.
• Shop with a conscience Give preference to only those products that are recycled, recyclable, reliable, repairable, refillable and/or reusable.

Vineet Wal

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced that the Delhi-Noida section will be operational by the end of 2009.

E Sreedharan, managing director, DMRC said, “The metro on Yamuna Bank to Noida section is likely to start by the first week of December this year. The opening of the section depends on delivery of trains, which are likely to come by November.”

Asked about the reason for the delay, he said: ‘Trains were being double checked before delivery so that safety could be ensured.’

The 13.1 km elevated Yamuna Bank-Noida stretch that was scheduled to be opened June 2009 will be an extension of the existing Dwarka Sector 9 to Yamuna Bank section.

Once operational, it will be the longest line (58 km) of the Delhi metro, directly connecting Dwarka Sector 9 to Noida City Centre in Sector 32.

Put on your traditional garb and show off your dance moves at the ‘Dandiya Dhamal Mahautsav 2009’ to be held in the Noida Stadium on September 27.

Entry passes will be available from today onwards in 7 locations in Noida namely: Punjabi club and Wiseman office- Sector 29, Kabulli Walla -Sector 18, Ice Cube in Great India Place-Sector 38, Swani Furnitures – Sector 12, Sheetal refrigeration - Sec 15 and Nakshatara in Spice Mall.

However one should note that entry will be provided only on couple basis and to those who will arrive in traditional wear.

Awards will be given to the best dandiya couple in the ‘young’, ‘senior citizen’ and ‘general’ categories. However, participants will have to buy the dandiya sticks from the venue itself.

Avni Malhan, President of Bharat Vikas Bal Parishad says that the main attraction of the program will be renowned personalities like Bollywood singer Akriti Kakkar and ‘Little

Champs’ contestant, Sachin Seth, who will enliven the programme with their sweet melody.

The event is to take place in the football field of Noida Stadium between 7 pm to 11 pm and will house 5000 people.