The vigilance departments of the Western Railway and CBI conducted joint raids on the premises of two unauthorised travel agents on Thursday. Deepak Travels, Kalbadevi and one Ramanbhai in Borivli West are the two unauthorised agents raided. The raiding party found evidence of reservation as well as cancellation tickets. Cash bill books and receipts were seized. The railways have identified several such agents.

CTB jt director appointed

Noted Hindi writer Dr D T Zalte has been appointed joint director of the Central Translation Board (CTB), Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He has been selected through the UPSC and will head the office of the Western Zone here. Dr Zalte was former editor of the research journal Grameen Vikas Samiksha, and has authored nearly 25 books in Hindi and Marathi.

TIFR scientist passes away

Nuclear physicist Dr B V Thosar, professor emeritus of the Tata Institute of FundamentalResearch (TIFR), passed away on Saturday at 85.

Dr Thosar did his doctorate from Birmingham University in 1949 and started off as a physics professor at the Science College, Nagpur. In 1951, he joined TIFR as a reader and started the nuclear physics group. He became dean of the physics faculty in 1964, and professor emeritus in 1978. Dr Thosar is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.

Moneylender looted

Four unidentified persons barged into a money lender and diamond broker's shop at Dindoshi, Malad (east), and decamped with cash and jewellery worth Rs 65,000 on Saturday afternoon. At around 2.45 pm, four men arrived in a white car (MH02 L6676) at shop No 4, Narayan Niwas, Poddar Road. They threatened the owner with a chopper and robbed him of Rs 35,000 in cash, diamond lockets, a gold chain, a ring, earrings and 15 old watches, totally worth Rs 65,000. The thieves left behind a nylon bag containing a country-made revolver loaded with six-chambers, said the police.

Essay contestat Nehru Centre

The Discovery of India Exposition of the Nehru Centre will organise a `Discovery of India Essay Competition' for high school students on August 15. Each school can nominate three students for the competition. The essays should describe any of the galleries or the exposition itself. Entries should be sent by August 5. Contact Nivedita Sadwelkar on 4964676 -80.