TAJ SECURITY BEEFED UP

AFTER DGP'S VISIT

Published on 30/11/2008

AGRA:

Is the real Taj Mahal safe? This question is being hotly debated in Agra. Given the specifics of the situation and total lack of coordination among various security agencies the question has assumed some importance. For the moment the security around the Taj Mahal has been tightened, but for how long people want to know.

On Sunday one could see additional deployment and some amount of extra vigil in the wake of Saturday's visit by UP's DGP Vikram Singh and other senior officials.

The fear in police circles is "because of the high number of foreign visitors the Taj Mahal could become an easy target of terrorists who would get maximum propaganda mileage," said an intelligence source.

For the past two days security checks and reviews have engaged senior police and administrative officials. Railway stations and bus stands have additional security bandobust. The bigger hotels have been told by the administration to make additional security arrangements and keep a 24 hour vigil on movement of visitors.

DGP Vikram Singh and Principal secretary home Kunwar Fateh Singh reviewed security arrangement at Mathura's Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi on Saturday. Later in the evening they suggested shifting of the cloak room from the Taj Mahal's main gate. They were particularly keen to know how the security apparatus at the Taj Mahal would respond if there was a sudden terrorist attack, what were the arrangements to protect the tourists and how would the district magistrate and other officials reach the Taj Mahal. It was suggested that the rear of the Taj Mahal towards river Yamuna being totally exposed, should be taken under security cover and motor boats provided. Provision for checking of security staff in each shift should be made.

In the wake of tragic incidents in Mumbai the security arrangements have been strengthened for the moment, but fears being expressed by the tourism industry relate to the general laxity and an attitude of callousness displayed by the forces.

We should have better coordination among different agencies, there should be uninterrupted power supply and regular checking of vehicles moving around the monument. Also a permanent DIG level official exclusively for the Taj Mahal should be posted with powers to take prompt decisions," suggested president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society Surendra Sharma. "Ad hocism and fire brigade approach to problems will not help," he added.

Of particular concern has been the movement of Bangladeshis in Agra. A large number of Pakistanis have been over staying in Agra. The local intelligence unit (LIU) got active on Saturday and started looking up hotels and mohallas within the city for the "lost foreigners" and others whose Visas had expired.

"To be honest it is not so much the efficient or good work by the security agencies that have saved this city so far, but the will of the providence and the alertness of the local citizens. The city is porous and open from all sides and the cops on check posts are easy prey to corrupt practices. Three state borders touch Agra making it easy for anti social elements to cross over to the other sides. A suggestion going round is to hand over the security of the Taj Mahal and other monuments to the army," says social activist Netra Pal Singh

Dust, vanishing greenery threaten Taj
By Brij Khandelwal

published on 23/4/2010

Agra, April 19 (IANS) The Taj Mahal and other heritage monuments in and around Agra are facing a major threat from dust-laden air. Unabated construction is making the city's green cover disappear and drying up water bodies, adding to the dust levels.

Agra, April 19 (IANS) The Taj Mahal and other heritage monuments in and around Agra are facing a major threat from dust-laden air. Unabated construction is making the city's green cover disappear and drying up water bodies, adding to the dust levels.

'The collision (of the dust with the marble) results in micro-scratches that retain moisture which attracts pollutants and gaseous substances,' said P.C. Gupta, head of the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) chemical department.

The dry westerlies from the Rajasthan desert are sand-blasting the white marble mausoleum and the first question in the minds of many tourists visiting the Taj is whether it is turning yellow?

The suspended particulate matter (SPM) level in the ambient air around the Taj Mahal is over 350 micrograms per cubic metre, much above the permissible standard of 100. In the city and around other monuments, it could be much higher, Gupta told IANS.

The chief reasons are the rapid increase in vehicular movement, lack of water in Yamuna river and poor afforestation on the western periphery of the city, he said.

Surendra Sharma, president of Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, questioned the success and validity of a whole lot of exercises undertaken to bring down the air pollution level when the SPM and dust levels have not come down.

The abnormally high temperature in March and April have dried up all water sources and the dust storms have raised the SPM level to a new high.

Mughal emperor Akbar's abandoned capital at Fatehpur Sikri is equally threatened by illegal mining activity all around and lack of water to green the surroundings.

No government department has any idea or plan to remove the garbage dumps that have come up on 80 acres of the incomplete Taj Heritage corridor - work on which was ordered to be stopped by the Supreme Court in 2003 - between the Taj and the Agra Fort.

'The Supreme Court has done justice by staying the development of corridor at the site. However, the unfinished project is actually causing lots of environmental problems,' said Ritesh K. Sharma, an activist of rights group LegalMitra.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) officials have said repeatedly that the dust level in the whole Taj trapezium cannot come down until there is massive tree plantation all around and water in the river Yamuna round the year. The ASI last year sent a proposal for a barrage on the river but no action has been taken.

Despite crores of rupees spent over the past 15 years, the Yamuna behind the Taj is still dry. Urging efforts to save the river, Mughal historian R. Nath said: 'The water in the river will absorb all the pollution and dust and also strengthen the base of the massive structure.'

Stretches of green cover along the Western periphery of the city and the southern side have vanished to make way for residential colonies. Community ponds have also disappeared and there is no trace of the dozen-odd Mughal gardens and with only their names like Bagh Farzana, Begum Samru Ka Bagh, Bagh Muzaffar Khan and so on surviving.

Road building activity all around the Delhi-Kolkata national highway, the Jaipur-Agra highway, and now the Jaypee group's most ambitious expressway connecting Greater Noida to Agra along the river bank have also taken a heavy toll on trees and greenery.

The new townships proposed to be built by the expressway authority all the way from Noida to Agra will further deplete the green resources.

'They are spending tonnes of money on questionable projects within the city in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, but the general maintenance of the monuments and the surroundings has remained miserably poor,' conservationist Ravi Singh told IANS.

'Encroachments have not been removed and conservation work has not been taken up to facelift the historical monuments that dot the city. The focus is too Taj-centric.'

Introducing www.agratoday.in

published on 27/05/2010

It is a great pleasure to present you this new version of our news website for the whole of Braj Mandal, Agratoday.in, more attractive and user- friendly than the earlier version.

When we launched Agralive.in three years ago, it became a kind of trend setter. The rechristened Agratoday.in has surprised us with a committed following and continuous feedback from our visitors, clients and patrons who have found the platform useful and unique.

Indeed in terms of sharing ideas, opinions and information Agratoday.in has scored quite a few successes. On several occasions breaking news stories much in demand these days, have been widely appreciated.

Many of you may have participated in the end of the year unique poll for the most popular personality of Agra. The tremendous response through emails and SMSs helped popularize the site, which now is poised for a make-over to attract the younger set. Many new features are being added. We would however continue to evolve and rediscover ourselves in this process of up-gradation. So if you have any ideas please let us know.

My colleague Dharmendra Kumar and his team do not want to rest on the laurels and be easily satisfied. He is now keen to take bigger challenges and incorporate some more innovative designing. He promises this will definitely be a very interesting and useful website in days to come. Needless to say, the contents will receive our full attention and we will not shy away from calling a spade a spade where public interest is involved.

The answer to the question why this website? First there are a whole lot of people of Agra origin spread all over the world. They are keen to know what is happening back home. Two, the mainstream newspapers do not always have the time and space for views and information that affect their commercial prospects. Here our website intends filling the gap.

Let me now tell you about the new features that have been incorporated to give it a new look and prove more useful for our valuable fans and users.

Let’s start from the logo. Logo gives the prominent impression of cultural and traditional aspect of Braj region. The identity of Agra, The Taj Mahal and of Mathura-Vrindavan, Lord Krishna and Radha appear on the logo.

For smooth navigation, there are three Menus on site one by one. First is Main Menu, which have Links for various sections as ‘News’, ‘Braj Ke Gaurav’, ‘Students’ Corner’, ‘Just Books’ ‘Editorial’ and ‘Tourism’. Second, the Special Menu, has various columns of famous columnists on various contemporary issues.

The third menu is for the legal and advertisement aspects of the website. It includes ‘About Us’, ‘Advertisement Enquiry’, ‘Privacy Policy’ and ‘Legal Disclaimer’ etc.

On the right panel of the site, there is a ‘Gallery’ which includes ‘Photo Gallery’ and ‘Cartoon Corner’ one by one. Below this, there are ‘Latest News’, ‘Popular’ stories, ‘Information’ and ‘Classifieds’ are given.

On left panel, there is a ‘Search’ field, by which users can search older stories on the website.

In the main body of the website, the top story is being presented with four other stories. Four more stories’ links are also provided at the bottom. Visitors would now be able to rate stories according to their interests and judgments.

Besides it, the story can be seen in PDF format, print can be taken and even one can send the story to friends. Related stories links also would be provided with each story. There would be more features for registered users. If they register themselves at below left panel.

RSS 2.0 version is also available for the visitors. With this service you can get the regular updates on your desktop. Even, you can add this service to your blog or Facebook profile.

A Poll Question has also been added.

Below, you will find information on how many visitors are viewing the site with you.

We have only three advertisement modules to ensure visitors don’t get irritated or inconvenienced. All the advertisements would be shown in these three modules one by one. And, strictly ‘No’ to pop ups.

Now, I would like to share with you how I have been helped by my team mates who have put in a lot of hard work and imagination. I would like to name some of my friends who helped me in launching of this new version. Dharmendra Kumar, of course, leads the team, Sunil Kumar Sirij suggested the layout, color combination and Aarti Verma designed the logo and other banners.

Finally, we are committed to only good taste and we respect the privacy of every individual who needs his own space for self-growth. Whatever is in public interest and of interest to our readers and surfers, will find space on this site.

Your comments are always a source of guidance and inspiration.

Best wishes

BRIJ KHANDELWAL

Editor

Agratoday.in

Has Agra lost the war against environmental pollution????

IS TAJ MAHAL SAFE ?

published on june 6/2010

Agra June 4: Two decades of fire-fighting operations at the intervention of the Supreme Court, to insulate the Taj Mahal, a world heritage monument, questions continue to be asked whether the environment in the Taj Trapezium Zone has really improved and if the Taj Mahal is safe from air pollution.

Tourists visiting the Taj continue to ask guides if the original shine of the white marble mausoleum is intact, or has the Taj turned yellow. And those who dare look at the river Yamuna at the rear of the Taj, need no answers. The ugly Taj Corridor and the stinking Yamuna are a grim reminder that the reality hasn't changed much, though thousand crores of rupees have been squandered away on fancy promises. Another Rs 50 odd crores are being spent now to beautify Agra for the October Commonwealth Games.

But the official point of view on the pollution front is that there has been a remarkable change in every sphere with positive results. Dr BB Awasthi, regional officer of the UP Pollution Control Board told IANS "the air quality has improved, the SPM level has come down from around 900 in 2000 to 300 micrograms per cubic metre, a 67 percent reduction, though the NOx level is still high due to use of diesel generators on a big scale and increasing number of vehicles on the road. Traffic management and better condition of roads has helped reduce air pollution. Daily 35,000 kilograms of CNG are being consumed as clean fuel by the autos, buses and other vehicles instead of diesel. Availability of clean fuel will increase in days to come when we will have ten CNG stations. Right now we have only three. The Sulphur dioxide is within limits. All parameters of air pollution look safe and ok."

The Mathura Refinery which had been cited as the original villain has taken appropriate measures to keep the pollution level in check. The dense green cover insulates the refinery and filters the air before it escapes into the ambient air, and all pollution control systems are in place, assures DGM Vijay.

The Supreme Court in December 1993 while disposing of the MC Mehta PIL had directed polluting industries in the Taj Trapezium to shift or switch over to natural gas. This move alone has helped drastically bring down the air pollution level. The apex court wanted cooking gas made available to all citizens of the city. This mission has largely been accomplished and gas connections are available for the asking, say the IOC officials.

A significant change has been the introduction of Marco Polo buses which are gradually replacing the auto-rikshaws as a mode of commuting within the city. "No longer does one feel choked or suffocated at the road crossings like the Bhagwan Talkies or the Shah Ganj crossing," says Rajeev Gupta, a businessman.

Greening efforts in the past few years have also started yielding results, as the horticulture department and the Forest division are playing a more proactive role by involving the citizens, the students and the green activists. "The area around the Taj Mahal is now fully green and we are constantly trying to expand the green cover," say the forest department officials.

Pathetic, say the citizens of Agra when one confronts them with the question "has life in Agra become better after the Supreme Court intervention?" Senior citizen Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, point to the heaps of garbage piling up ubiquitously, perpetually jammed traffic on the roads, the choked sewer lines and the over-flowing nullahs, the high-rise buildings coming up just everywhere, most without sewer connections and treatment plants. "The air is foul and stinking, the water of the river is contagious, not fit to even touch, the roads are barren of green cover, the noise pollution level has gone up several folds, the illegal encroachments eating up all vacant spaces, they are even encroaching upon the green belt," Sharma presents his list of failures.

Mughal historian R Nath feels a lot has to be done to save the monuments. "India's top architectural attraction as also the biggest revenue earner the Taj Mahal has not received the care worthy of its status. The rear of the mausoleum is totally exposed to the elements. If in the coming years the tilt of the minarets increases or the mausoleum itself shows signs of sinking or stress, it should not come as a surprise as the original physical settings of the whole area have been tampered with and the ecological balance disturbed beyond redemption," warns Mughal historian R Nath. "If you look at the old photographs and original drawings you will find the river full and flowing close to the foundation. The surroundings were lush green. The backdrop was picturesque.The river water had the capacity to absorb any amount of pollution in the air. What now?" asks R Nath.

The whole of Braj Mandal which once had numerous mangroves and a dozen dense forests is now under stress of urbanisation. The stone mafia despite ban on mining in the Aravalis, as also in areas bordering Fatehpur Sikri continues its operations clandestinely. The gaps in the Aravalis right from Delhi's Dhaula Kuan area to North Gujarat, have allowed hot dust-laden winds to assault the Agra region. "This is a serious ecological problem which needs urgent attention," says Vineet Narain of the Braj Foundation. According to Dr Manju Mehta "there is mention of 137 groves associated with the pastimes of Radha and Krishna in Braj. Only three have survived the onslaught of human negligence.

The mining for stones has left gaping holes for dusty winds to hit monuments like the Taj Mahal working as sand paper to roughen the surface of the fragile white monument. "Citizens of the area must be mobilised and sensitised to the new dangers. Our heritage, the river, the forests and our very existence is in danger," says Father John Farreira, an educationist. ENDS

Biggest international leather footwear components and technology fair to begin from November 8

*220 exhibitors from ten countries, 150 companies to participate

*Union minister Mahendra Nath Pandey to inaugurate the “Meet at Agra”

By Brij Khandelwal

Agra November 2 (IANS)

Taj city, India’s  largest footwear cluster with 250 shoe  factories and 5000 cottage units, producing daily 3 to 5 lakh pairs of shoes, that make 65 percent of the country’s total production, will host the three-day international leather footwear components and technology fair, at village Seengna’s Agra Trade Centre, on the Agra-Delhi national highway.  

Agra’s share of shoe exports is approximately 28 percent. The Agra shoe industry provides livelihood to four lakh workers, and is the economic mainstay of the city.

Puran Dawar, president of the AFMEC (Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Council)  and a leading shoe exporter, said the Agra Meet had become an important international event on the calendar of fairs, in the country. “This year shoe component manufacturers from Chennai, Kolkatta, Noida, Kanpur, Mumbai, alongwith representatives from China, Brazil, Argentina, Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Spain and Hong Kong will participate and exhibit their products at more than 150 stalls at the fair, which will be opened by skill development minister Mahendra Nath Pandey. PR Akeel Ahmad, chairman of the Council for Leather Exporters, several state ministers and local MPs and MLAs will join as guests,” Dawar said.

Rajiv Vasan, general secretary of AFMEC, said there would be a series of panel discussions on vital subjects like Sustainable Exports Growth, US-China Trade War, Ease of Doing Business, One Window, ODOP (one district one product, by experts.

Vice president Gopal Gupta said the best  exhibitors will be rewarded and 500 best workers will be given certificates of excellence. For the first time a “shoe clinic model” will be presented for demonstration to help ordinary shoe workers live a dignified and organized life.  

The annual Meet at Agra began in 2007 with just 55 stalls. The number of stalls has now gone up to 225 and the number of exhibitors of machinery, and components from a dozen countries has gone up to 220. From just Rs 1500 million, the business conducted during the three day meet has gone up ten times to Rs 15 thousand million. The organizers of the fair expect a record number of footfalls this season. Agra exported finished leather products, worth Rs 2988 crores in 2016-17. It increased to Rs 3378 crores in 2018-19.

Agra shoe manufacturers are upbeat about conducting good business and hiking exports of shoes fhis year.

  .

Agra to host first-ever International Film Festival

by IANS
Published on :Sat 02nd November 2019, 12:08 PM

By Brij Khandelwal

Agra, Nov 2 (IANS) Films from 10 countries across the world would be showcased at the first-ever ‘Global Taj International Film Festival’ in Agra from November 15 to 17.

Festival director Suraj Tiwari, whose maiden directorial venture “I am Zero” was widely appreciated, told IANS: “We have received entries from some 10 countries till now. The final screening will have films from India and six other counties. These short films, animations, documentaries and music videos are based on contemporary concerns and social causes.”

The jury will make the final selection for awards in different categories. In addition, an award honouring Dada Saheb Phalke and another dedicated to Dada Saheb’s wife Saraswatibai, the first female technician of India, will be given to a female technician every year, starting this year for contribution to Indian cinema.

Tiwari said during the three-day festival, a large number of film producers, representative of various production houses, writers, actors from different countries will visit the Taj city.

“In the foreign films category Rajibul from Bangladesh, documentary of Navneet from UK, film of Murjani from Canada, film of Yuvi from Switzerland, film of L.D.N from France and films from all states of India are going to be screened,” said the organisers.

Actor Raza Murad will inaugurate the film festival, and the opening speech will be delivered by Dada Saheb Phalke’s grandson Chandrasekhar. Festival will have a master talk show by Sushma Siromani, a cinematography workshop by Vipin Goje and other special programmes by lyricist and writer Sudhakar Sharma. The curtain-raiser of the festival will be opened by Bollywood writer Manoj Santoshi.

–IANS

brij/sdr