In a first, Tejas to compensate passengers for delay
Lucknow: Passengers who travelled on the newly launched Tejas Express on Saturday will be paid a compensation of Rs 250 each as the train was delayed for about two hours in both the directions. There were about 451 passengers, who boarded the train from Lucknow, and another about 500 who took the train from New Delhi. Chief Regional Manager (CRM), IRCTC, Lucknow, Ashwini Srivastava, said, “We have sent a link to all the passengers on their mobile phone clicking on which they can claim compensation. Those who do so will get the paid.” Launched from Lucknow on October 4, Tejas is the first corporatised train of Indian Railways, operated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). This will be the first time that passengers will be compensated for the delayed journey. The compensation is given when the train reaches its destination behind schedule. If the train could make up the loss of time despite departing behind schedule from the originating station passengers will not be compensated. (IANS)
Bengaluru college girl dies at fashion show rehearsal
Bengaluru: A 21-year-old student died of suspected cardiac arrest after collapsing at a fashion show rehearsal in her college here, police said on Sunday. “Shalini was practising for the ramp walk in the college on late Friday evening. After her turn, she suddenly collapsed at one end of the stage where she stood with her colleagues and was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her dead,” a police official told IANS here. The privately-run AIMS Management College at Peenya, where Shalini was in the first year of the 3-year MBA course, was making the students practise for a fashion show to be held for marking the “freshers’ day”. “We are waiting for the autopsy report to ascertain the cause of Shalini’s sudden death though doctors suspect cardiac arrest could be the reason as there were no other signs of illness,” the official said. (IANS)
Dalrymple seeks law to protect Kolkata’s old buildings
Kolkata: Eminent Scottish historian William Dalrymple said he likes to wander through the by-lanes of Kolkata that are dotted with old buildings, many of which are crumbling and need legal protection from demolition. On a visit here during the launch of his latest title ‘The Anarchy’, Dalrymple told PTI that the city’s history may fade into oblivion if proper measures were not taken to preserve the old private buildings. “I walked to see the Clive’s House at Dum Dum, I walked to Victoria Memorial, I walked down Chowringhee…. I have been to Chandernagore (in Hooghly district) where my family came from. I have Bengali blood,” he said. In a 2016 interview, the historian said his great- grandfather Walter was born in Kolkata as recently as a century ago, and so he is “part-Bengali”. Dalrymple, the writer of 2009 non-fiction bestseller ‘Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India’, said there was never any central planning in Kolkata in the past. The city was a chaotic place during earlier times too, said the 54-year-old author of ‘White Mughals’. He said he loves going through the city streets, especially in north Kolkata, during Durga Puja and other times, and over 100-year-old private buildings should not be destroyed. (PTI)
‘Rape’ on pretext of marriage
Gurugram: A 34-year-old woman has alleged that she was repeatedly raped by a manager of a foreign bank on the pretext of marriage and also cheated of Rs 15 lakh by him. According to the FIR registered at Palam Vihar police station on Sunday, the victim came in contact with accused Vishal Sharma through shadi.com, a marriage website, in 2017. “Sharma, who belongs to Kota in Rajasthan, and victim, a resident of Gurugram, initially interacted through phone and video chatting. In January, Sharma expressed the desire to meet her in person. Hence, she invited him to Gurugram. They met at a hotel, and entered into physical relationship,” Said Subhash Bokan, PRO of the Gurugram Police. Since then, Sharma had been visiting her regularly. The victim then decided to register an FIR and have submitted relevent proofs, including hotel accommodation bills in Gurugram, loan amount transferred to his account, etc. (IANS)
Achuthanandan turns 96
Thiruvananthapuram: VS Achuthanandan, a veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and also a former Chief Minister of Kerala, turned 96 on Sunday making him one of the country’s oldest politicians. A seven-time legislator, Achuthanandan presently represents the Malampuzha Assembly constituency in Palakkad district. He had campaigned for the 34-year-old Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, V.K. Prasanth, the CPI-M’s candidate for the prestigious Vatiyoorkavu Assembly constituency, which is going to elect a new legislator on Monday. Achuthanandan was the Chief Minister from 2006-11. He is also the incumbent chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, which has a cabinet status position. (IANS)