Islamic gathering to have fewer stalls
The three-day 70th annual Aalami Tablighi Jamat Ijtema (international Islamic congregation) begins inBhopal’s Eintkhedi area from November 25. The congregation is considered the third largest for Muslims after the Haj gathering in Makkah and Tablighi Ijtima in Bangladesh.
The grand handicraft market, a major draw at the annual gathering, is likely to be organised this time on a much smaller scale as compared to previous years as the local administration had raised objections. The administration says the large number of shops and the huge gathering of shoppers cause major traffic problems. The local administration and organisers are also ensuring that the arena is kept free of polythene bags which pollute the environment.
Land edging rail tracks to be fenced
A fortnight after the alleged gang-rape of a student near railway tracks close to the Habibganj station, senior district, police and municipal officials on Saturday inspected the area. According to sources, the district administration has written to the railways to fence the land along the rail tracks between Habibganj and MP Nagar to prevent trespassing and increase railway safety. Reacting to the proposal, Bhopal’s Divisional Railway Manager S Choudhuri said, “Fencing is not the railways responsibility. But if the local administration needs any assistance from the railways, they would be obliged.”
Science Centre turns exhibits vulnerable
With the boundary wall near the Dinosaur Park having been demolished for Smart City construction, the exhibits at the Regional Science Centre at Shyamla Hills are lying in the open. Stray animals as well as anti-social elements now have access to the park. The entire stretch from the MP School of Drama to the road leading to the Regional Science Centre is being dug up under the project. No alternative arrangements for protecting the exhibits have been made so far, as promised by the Smart City Development Corporation. The park hosts dinosaur models worth lakhs of rupees.
Shunted after gang-rape case, cop seeks probe
A week after she was removed as superintendent of police (GRP-Bhopal) for her alleged insensitivity in the Bhopal gang-rape case, Anita Malviya has sought forensic examination of the video tapes showing her laughing while discussing the incident. Malviya was transferred as AIG to the state police headquarters after the video went viral. The officer has complained to the additional chief secretary (home) and the DGP about the video and demanded that the tapes be examined thoroughly by forensic experts. “The video was fabricated to sully my image. It has spoiled my career,” Malviya said recently.
No takers for 50-plus courses in Hindi University
The six-year-old Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University in Bhopal appears to be struggling. Not a single student has applied for admission in as many as 56 courses this year. The university had recently decided not to run separate classes for 30 other courses because of low enrollment numbers — less than five students had applied for each of these courses. As per University Grants Commission (UGC) rules, separate classes for a particular course can be run only if at least 20 students are enrolled for that subject. The state government has relaxed this norm to 10 students per course, but that, too, is not helping. Even six years after it was established, the varsity has failed to design its syllabus
Anuraag Singh
Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh
Email:singhanuraag.journo@gmail.com