Delhi underground

Grammar grouse

While the DU administration has been slammed for a range of issues related to the implementation of the four-year programme,the latest was over incorrect grammar on the university website. “Welcome to Delhi University!!” with its two exclamation marks has become a subject of ridicule on social media. One teacher wrote,“The first thing you see on the DU website is Welcome to Delhi University!! with TWO exclamation marks! Are these people jokers or what? Basic grammar and professional writing rules should matter when it is the Delhi University website,even if you do not claim international standards! Can someone please tell them to remove BOTH the exclamation marks?” Another teacher wrote,“Oh they err,there should be four exclamation marks for the four-year screw up.”

Tale of the towel

Sreesanth may have been charged with pulling out a towel tucked in his tracksuit pants and using it as a sign for bookies to place their bets. But in Tihar jail,the same towel has become an article of envy among undertrials,at least for those who did not manage to get the bowler’s autograph on their handkerchiefs and towels on the day he was sent to the jail.

Pat for the effort

By the time the Delhi Congress organised a city-wide protest against BJP-led municipal corporations for increasing commercial property taxes,the North corporation had already agreed to rollback the hike. Hours after the decision,Congress workers burned effigies of BJP leaders in all 140 blocks in Delhi. Asked about protesting after the rollback,a senior Congress leader glibly said Congress party workers had put in a lot of effort into organising the city-wide demonstrations to cancel the protest altogether.

Mission successful

Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra,who was quizzed for nearly 12 hours at the Lodhi Colony Special Cell office,is believed to have requested police officers to ensure that he was not photographed. Around 9.15 pm,when it was time for Kundra to leave,a police officer was made to cover his head with a black scarf and impersonate Kundra for the media. While inside the gypsy,a Special Cell officer even held the Kundra double’s hand to fool the press. Interestingly,the journalists failed to spot a motorcycle behind the gypsy in which Kundra was riding pillion. He was later dropped at a nearby spot,where his driver was waiting.

Railways paralysed

Ever since the CBI arrested Western Railway General Manager Mahesh Kumar and nephew of Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal last month,the day-to-day functioning of the Railways seems to be in a state of paralysis. Such is the effect of the scam,that officials refuse to move any file and there is a virtual policy paralysis across the administration. “They are all are scared,” a senior official almost whispered when asked.

Modimania

While rumours on differences in the BJP brass regarding Narendra Modi has been doing the rounds,many councillors and senior leaders were seen praising the Gujarat Chief Minister. Many leaders,who have lost faith in the party’s central leadership,claimed that if anyone could save the party and lead it to success it was Modi. “We need a strong administrator and leader like Modi who does not listen to those trying to harm the party’s position,” a senior BJP councillor said.

Meters miscalculated

The Delhi Jal Board has come under fire for favouring private companies in buying water meters during a drive to install new meters. Civil society groups have alleged that the DJB has procured many more meters than are actually required. In its defence,the DJB said,“We had an approval to buy 8 lakh meters,but we bought only 4 lakh,depending on the demand.” The officials also accused the complainants of confusing the actual approval with the actual procurement on ground.