In DU, all’s not quiet on the smoking front
Now, the Delhi University Students’ Union may be running a campaign to make the campus tobacco-free but its activists have a tough task on hands. Besides regular smokers among the student community, at least one professor - a Persian teacher from Iran - has a problem if the butt goes up in smoke. “If I don’t smoke, I stop being a teacher,” he remarked. His daughter and his son, both students at DU, smoke. So, when February 15, the deadline for all DU staff, students and teachers to scratch the butt, approaches, how does he plan to stick to cigarettes? “I would lock myself up in my office and keep smoking!” he replied.

Babus at work, playing meeting-meeting
Nothing can be more certain than the uncertain ways in which the Delhi government’s Health department organises its meetings. Cornered by the media after the outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal, the health minister announced several meetings with officials. All very nice; only, the meetings were never convened on time. While officials were at pains to explain that the disease was miles away from the national capital, meetings were their way to appear pro-active. And when asked to reason the futility of meetings, the media was promptly blamed for seeking answers. “We have to respond to media hype over such things with meetings,” officials said. “If we don’t do it, you will say we are insensitive.”

Development? Check under the table!
Even as the Noida and Greater Noida authorities make big plans and bigger infrastructure strides, residential sectors in Noida are getting cramped for space. Reason: growing commercial activity. In a recent application to the Noida Authority, RWAs of many sectors sought action against those running commercial activities like hotels, cyber cafes, beauty parlours and shops in residential areas. And many more showrooms, restaurants and banks have been permitted to set shop in the interim. All this, as officials continue to look the other way. And as residents of 30-odd sectors from among the oldest settlements in Noida cry foul, sources in the Authority say the price of development has to be paid by all — under the table, that is.

Sealed in dilemma
To de-seal or not to de-seal, that sure is the question for MCD officials all of last week. The question, of course, popped up following the Centre’s de-sealing notification. Now, while the Congress tried to champion the cause by bringing out a notification that would bring relief to thousands of Delhiites in rural Delhi (read fashion designers and eatery owners), a miffed BJP declared it a stunt ahead of the Assembly polls, slated for later this year. Civic officials were left sandwiched between the parties and after much pressure de-sealed just one property in South Delhi. Only to realise that they didn’t have a list to continue further. The drive has, meanwhile, quietly fizzled out as MCD tries to draw up a list of properties to be de-sealed.