Yogesh Avasthi

Kalupur railway station to introduce airport-like trolleys By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Friday, April 30, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010043020100430032509646e4dd1552 ) Come June, you will be able to board trains at the Ahmedabad railway station carrying luggage independently, without banking on porters. Like airports, trolleys will be stationed outside it for passengers’ use. A pilot project of the railways, the introduction of trolleys at the station will spare passengers the hassle of bargaining with porters. Commuters will be charged just Rs 5 for availing the facility. Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad Ashok Garud said: “We have received a guideline from the Western Railway headquarters regarding introduction of trolleys for passengers at the Ahmedabad railway station. We will execute the plan soon. It will be of great help to railway commuters for sure.” After Ahmedabad, the facility will be

With help from RTO, Western Rly lends personal touch to its campaign for safety at unmanned crossings by posting congratulatory letters attached with precautionary measures to new vehicle owners and licence holders By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Thursday, April 29, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010042920100429033728778a239e7ad ) Bought a new vehicle? Expect to receive a congratulatory note from Indian Railways. Puzzled? All those purchasing new vehicles or acquiring driving licenses will be sent awareness letters by Western Railway in a personalised attempt to promote drivers’ safety at unmanned railway crossings. Western Railway has joined hands with the Regional Transport Office for the campaign that will educate vehicle drivers about safety at such crossings. Gujarat has 2,261 unmanned level crossings, the highest in India, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 2,538. According to official figures, 2009 saw three ac

Though the elderly and the physically challenged stand to benefit, there is not enough space for the vehicle to move smoothly from platform 1 to platform 6 By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010042820100428020121223353f4b22 ) With golfcarts all set to be introduced at Ahmedabad railway station, the elderly, the ailing and the physically challenged passengers will get a free ride from platform 1 to their designated train compartments. The vehicle is battery-operated and therefore environment friendly. It will ferry passengers between platform 1 and platform 6. While passengers stand to benefit from the implementation of this scheme being made mandatory by the railway board for major railway station across the country, the Ahmedabad division looks ill-prepared to initiate it. With lakhs of people visiting the station everyday, the platforms may find it difficult to ac

By Vijay Zala, Zahid Qureshi and Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Thursday, April 22, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=20100422201004220157399782e584802 ) • The suspicious train passengers, detained on Tuesday, had hired him for an eight-hour tour of the city • He reported them to Dariapur cops after he found something amiss about their conversations in Urdu Four suspicious people on board Gujarat Mail were detained in a dramatic police operation, which involved an on-foot chase after the train, on Tuesday night. The information about these men, who have apparently made puzzling visits to various places in the city, did not come from any intelligence agency. It was an alert autorickshaw driver who tipped off cops after finding something amiss about the men. “The four, three of whom are Kashmiris, asked him to take them to Kankaria, Lal Darwaja, Iscon Mall, Iskcon temple and ISRO,” said a source familiar with the interr

Crime Branch and Special Operations Group stop Gujarat Mail to round up By Vijay Zala, Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, April 21, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010042120100421030823903a9cb6794 ) In a late-night operation, a joint team of the crime branch, Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Ahmedabad police on Tuesday detained four Kashmiris believed to have made suspicious visits to several parts of the city. The four were rounded up in a dramatic manner. They were on board Gujarat Mail, which slowly started chugging out of the Kalupur station at 10 pm. Police officers, however, sprinted to catch the train. Within 15 minutes, they located the men in A1 coach. Cops pulled the chain four times to stop the train between Maninagar and Khokhra. This Bollywood-style action shown by cops stunned passengers of Mumbai-bound Gujarat Mail. Police personnel part of this swift operation, however, controlled the

The state govt has distributed 11.2 lakh soil samples among 55 science colleges; each college will get Rs 80 for testing every sample By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Monday, April 19, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010041920100419034442179ac0a6f0 ) It’s not just colleges that will gain. Of the Rs 80 a college will get per sample, Rs 20 will go to the student who does soil analysis The Gujarat government has roped in 55 science colleges across the state for its soil health card scheme, which is aimed at helping farmers improve quality of their produce. Nearly 11.2 lakh samples of soil have been distributed among these colleges for testing. Interestingly, each college will be paid Rs 80 for every sample it analyses. The soil health card scheme was launched in 2003. Under this programme, the state government issues farmers cards detailing the type and fertility of soil of their land. Information such as land’s minera

Dr Jatin Sanandiya of civil hospital and Dr Bhadresh Shah of Aarambh hospital refused they were offered money to issue fake certificates to the two students By Yogesh Avasthi , Vipul Rajput Posted On Friday, April 16, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010041620100416025610658c237b672 ) Pics - Jignesh Vora Dr Bhadresh Shah outside Aarambh Orthopaedic Hospital at Ankur Char Rasta. It is alleged he had falsely certified that Komal Patel had injured her hand Mirror reporters have found out the names of doctors who allegedly issued fake fracture certificates to Harsh Kotak and Komal Patel, both from influential families, so they could engage brilliant students as writers to take their exams. Harsh reportedly got his certificate from Dr Jatin Sanandiya, assistant professor of the orthopaedic department at civil hospital, while Komal got it from Dr Bhadresh Shah of Aarambh Orthopaedic Hospital at Ankur Char Rasta.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University to launch encyclopaedia for mobile phone users in May By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Thursday, April 15, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=201004152010041503020021926e0e111 ) Soon, you will be able to obtain definition of tricky words and terms by simply tapping your mobile phone. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) is planning to launch an encyclopaedia for cellphone users in May. The vice-chancellor of the varsity, Manoj Soni, said that the ‘mobipaedia’ would benefit students the most. “We are in the process of preparing a database of words and various concepts,” he said. “Once the mobile encyclopaedia, called ‘Gyaan Bindu’, is launched, anyone will be able to obtain information instantly by simply sending an SMS to a fixed number.” Interestingly, people who seek meanings of words and terms on their mobile phones won’t have to pay additional charges that many SMS serv

Ambedkar university will conduct the online exam to help some 220 prisoners identify their abilities By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010041420100414023333745df42266b ) Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University announced on Tuesday that it would conduct an online aptitude test for inmates of Sabarmati Central Jail to help them identify their abilities. The vice-chancellor of the varsity, Manoj Soni, said that it would analyse results of inmates who appear for the test and then offer them customised courses. “‘Need Analysis’ Test will help us learn strengths and weaknesses of prisoners. We want to offer them courses that can help them get jobs and acceptance in society after they serve their terms,” Soni said. “We will scrutinise their results and customise courses keeping in mind their needs.” The test will be conducted today, on Thursday and Friday. A van with comp

By 2011, solar photovoltaic plant will be used to create electricity to power air-conditioners and computers in the building By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Tuesday, April 13, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010041320100413032502990e9a42788 ) Model of the proposed building shows countless windows that will let in natural light and air, reducing dependence on electricity Currently, functioning out of at R C Technical Institute near Sola, Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University will shift to its own campus near Nirma University by 2011. What’s news is that it will be set up in a ‘green building’.Being built at a cost of Rs 23 crore, the building will incorporate a host of eco-friendly measures including rainwater harvesting and maximising use of natural light and air. Vice-Chancellor Manoj Soni said, “Work has begun on the building. It will be ready by next year.” The top soil, being removed for construction, has been

A team of cleaners will now be deployed on board every train leaving Ahmedabad By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Friday, April 09, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=201004092010040903421568662bcb306 ) Dirt and garbage, which you find aplenty during your train journey, will now not travel with you. The Ahmedabad railway division is on track to introduce a unique system for keeping trains squeaky-clean. Under the planned arrangement, cleaners will be on board almost every major long-distance train that starts its journey from the Kalupur station to remove trash, wash toilets and other amenities periodically during the entire trip. The system, called onboard housekeeping system, is being tested in two trains: Sayajinagar Express and Kutch Express. It is a major departure from the existing practice wherein railway staff clean coaches of a train only once, before it leaves the station. “Currently, we are trying out this a

V-C blames AMC for drop in peacock numbers from 500 to about 150. Says AMC releasing strays on the campus By Yogesh Avasthi and Ruturaj Jadav Posted On Friday, April 09, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010040920100409033602604505eaf1a ) The sprawling Gujarat University campus, which till last year had nearly 500 peacocks, now has only about 150 left. The reason, according to university vice-chancellor Parimal Trivedi, are stray dogs. Trivedi says peacocks are being hunted down by these dogs which have no other source of food on the campus. The vice-chancellor has accused the AMC of not only turning a deaf ear to university’s repeated pleas to rid the campus of canine menace, but also of releasing here strays caught from other parts of the city. Fed up, the V-C has decided to address the issue with dogged determination and form a students’ squad to keep the predating canines out and save the peacocks. “The cam

A G School staff’s statements recorded by the board in 2008 reveal how shamelessly rules were broken to help two builders’ children By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Thursday, April 08, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010040820100408031201420cc7530df ) All fingers point to H N Chavda, who was secretary of GSHSEB at the time of the fake fractures’ scam. Statements of A G High School staff and writers recorded by the Board reveal how Chavda, Bhagwatsingh Rawat, Bhatt and another teacher flouted all rules to help two builders’ children cheat in their HSC Science exams. The statements were recorded on March 28, 2008 at the Board office in Gandhinagar. Following the inquiry, Chavda was transferred as principal of DIET (Anand). Witness accounts show his involvement but Chavda was not questioned even once by the Board or the cops. The Board did issue a charge sheet against Chavda last October. However, its timing is suspe

Four phased out metre gauge diesel locomotives exported to Benin after modifications at Sabarmati railway shed; they will make Rlys richer by millions By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, April 07, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=201004072010040702113232274bf22f0 ) The four YDM4 diesel engines underwent some changes in their design at the Sabarmati diesel shed Nothing is a scrap in railway’s stable. Not even outdated metre gauge diesel locomotives. Cashing in on their demand in developing countries, Indian Railways have started exporting them. After complete overhaul at Sabarmati loco shed, four such locomotives were shipped to Benin in Africa from Mumbai port on April 1. They will make Indian Railways richer by millions. With metre gauge diesel locomotives turning obsolete following large-scale gauge conversion in the country, the Railway Board decided to export them to developing countries. It selected t

Two years after the scandal was exposed, the accused in the fake fractures scam feel the heat By Vijay Zala and Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Tuesday, April 06, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010040620100406032005599153db6e7 ) An arrest has finally been made two years after the fake fractures, dummy writers’ scandal came to light. The Crime Branch arrested Bhagwatsinh Govindsinh Rawat in connection with the scam that was busted in March 2008, when two students — Komal Patel and Harsh Kotak — were caught faking injuries and using dummy writers in HSC Science exams. Bhagwatsinh, 34, was Komal’s tutor who dictated Komal and Harsh’s chemistry paper to the dummy writers at A G High school.   Ahmedabad Mirror : ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010040620100406032005599153db6e7 )

Rly officials tweak design to solve problems thrown up by trial of bio-toilets on two long-distance trains; if the experiment succeeds, the Board will decide in 6 months which trains will have the green toilets By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Tuesday, April 06, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=201004062010040603192145922203aa4 ) The new one will have... 1. Mechanism to eject unwanted waste material 2. Central waste collection chamber 3. Bio reactor tank 4. Process chamber 5. Final process chamber 6. Ejection route Stinking loos in trains will be a thing of the past if the trial runs on eco-friendly toilets is deemed a success. The Western Railway plans to change tracks from the open toilet to ‘biological’ ones in order to prevent wastage of water and solve hygiene problems. The bio-toilets were installed in one coach of Azimabad Express, running between Ahmedabad and Patna, and a coach of the Gwalior-Baroni

GU introduces new answer scripts with 16 security features, including matrix code, barcode, watermark By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Monday, April 05, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010040520100405024917404a3e2c205 ) Using duplicate answer scripts in Gujarat University (GU) exams can no more be a viable option for copycats. For, the varsity is all set to introduce specially-designed answer sheets having 16 security features, a few of them hidden, from this session. With watermark and barcode, any attempt to replace them with duplicates will prove futile. Come April 8, GU students will get the first look-and-feel of the new answer papers. In the first phase, varsity has placed print order for 25,00,000 answer scripts having special security features. Each answer script would cost the varsity Rs 4.90. Displaying the newly designed answer sheet in front of this correspondent on Sunday evening, GU Vice-Chancellor Pa

Sunday Revolution, a group formed by a knee surgeon and his friends, invites cycling enthusiasts to be part of weekend dose of fun and good health By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Saturday, April 03, 2010 ( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2010040320100403031228800eeaefa73 ) Every Sunday, all 40 members of the group cover 100-150 kms on their bicycles No time to hit the gym? Get a cycle and start pedalling every Sunday. It is a sureshot way to stay healthy and fit, says knee surgeon Harsh Shah, who along with friends Gaurav Shah and Bhaas Bapat has formed a group — Sunday Revolution. The group members, all passionate cyclists, hit the roads every Sunday to keep themselves in shape and to promote a greener way of living. Says Harsh: “I have been cycling in and around Ahmedabad for the last eight years. Bhas and Gaurav joined me five-six years ago.” He adds, “We have been cycling long distance regularly. We cover 100-150

They’ve been offered Rs 10,000 per month during their four-month training period; compensation will be hiked to Rs 1.8 lakh per annum based on their performance By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Students of MG Science are on a roll. Two days after Divya Synthetics hired 15 students of the college, on Monday, seven statistics graduates walked away with jobs at Tata Consultancy Services. When even CAs these days being offered an okey-dokey 4 lakh per annum, a Rs 10,000-per-month offer is definitely good for students who have graduated just last year. Till now Videocon, Reliance, Vodafone and Divya Synthetics have visited the institute scouting for talent. While Videocon hired 14 students, Reliance recruited 13 and Vodafone, 4. Next week Himalaya Agro will be on campus to hire students from the microbiology department, the college is particularly famous for. TCS came looking for suitable candidates for ‘Technical Assistant’ post for its Vadodara office. The

By Yogesh Avasthi Posted On Wednesday, March 31, 2010 A senior politician with round-the-clock security, Modhvadhia appeared for the exam like any other candidate while his guards waited outside the hall Look, who’s appearing for first year LLB examination. Senior Congress leader Arjun Modhvadhia arrived at the I M Nanavati Law College, Law Garden, on Monday to write the paper. But why now? “Though an engineering graduate, I always wanted to study law.” Did you know that the leader had flunked in his first LLB exam 10 years ago? This is the second attempt, Modhvadhia said, admitting that he was getting the jitters. So how did it go? “It went well. I only had the weekend to prepare. Some topics are interesting, so it’s fun, ” he said. “I felt like any other candidate inside the hall, and tried to fill as many answer sheets as I could (laughingly). I don’t want to make a career out of it, but today, I experienced how it is for students who work hard for a profession of their ch