by the way8230;.

These men can quote the lawThey lucidly explain complicated sections of the Indian Penal Code. They animatedly discuss the masala'' orders...

These men can quote the law
They lucidly explain complicated sections of the Indian Penal Code. They animatedly discuss the 8220;masala8221; orders, pausing every once in a while to interpret a certain conviction. They don8217;t dress in the standard black and white attire, neither are they armed with law degrees. But court clerks at Tis Hazari could teach you a thing or two about the law. One clerk who has been around for 15 years says: 8220;There is nothing much in this order, it won8217;t be of use to you. It8217;s a dowry death case, but the dying declaration of the statement was not credible. So, the husband and in-laws have been acquitted.8221; He maintains that Section 498-A, dealing with cruelty by the husband or his relatives, of the IPC should be amended as many of the accused in these cases get away with murder, literally. These clerks have missed their calling.

All in a day8217;s work
A reporter8217;s job does not end with reporting alone. Sitting in a newspaper office, one has to attend all kinds of calls. But the one that really took the cake, came yesterday. At midnight, just when I thought it was time to call it a day, the phone rang.

A voice that seemed to be that of an old man, said: 8220;Hello! I am facing a major problem. I am sure you will be able to help me. My neighbours have started quarrelling again. The couple does not get along. They always start fighting around midnight and I cannot sleep.8221;

His woes had no end. He went on and on. 8220;The new breed of reporters don8217;t care about what happens to the world.8221;

8220;But it is midnight. My office car is just about to leave,8221; I managed to insert.

But the man refused to let go. 8220;You should have some concern for old men. You must talk to my neighbours.8221;

I assured him that I would take up the matter with his neighbours as soon as possible. 8220;Good night. Sleep well.8221; I said and ran out of the room before the phone could ring again.

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Yet another addition to the list of miracles
As if milk guzzling Ganesha and bleeding Christ was not enough, Bhagwati Devi, the avatar of Goddess Durga, also joined the list of miracle Gods.A few days back, the reporters here received a fax stating that a jagran8217; of mother Goddess Bhagwati was being organised. About to dismiss it as another-one-of-those-non-stories, the reporter chanced to read the next line.

In an effort to attract attention, the organisers disclosed that one day before the jagran8217;, sharp at midnight, a pigeon had taken perch on the hand of the mother Goddess. Repeated attempts to shoo away the pigeon had proved futile and anyone who approached the pigeon was attacked by the bird. Therefore, it added, all devotees were convinced that the bird had come to express its devotion and join the prayers.

The impressive marketing strategy ended with the organisers requesting the office to depute a photographer and a reporter to cover the miraculous event and be blessed.