... But the valley has lost its tranquility
Padam Shri Awadesh Kaushal has been a witness to Dehradun’s triumphs and tribulations. The valley has lost its tranquility and the biggest challenge is from rampant commercialisation, he tells Jotirmay Thapliyal
Padam Shri Awadesh Kaushal was instrumental in the closure of lime quarries in Dehradun, restoring rights to Van Gujjars and taking up issues of human rights and corruption. Today, he sees the city facing yet again challenge in the form of the rich-poor divide.

‘Readying for technology-intensive battlefield’
Lieut-Gen Rajinder Singh Sujlana, AVSM, VSM, who recently took over as the 42th Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), spoke to Umesh Dewan on various issues pertaining to the academy
Q. The IMA maintains that academic expansion of the academy is on. At what stage is the expansion and what is new in it?
A. A holistic review of the capacity, training infrastructure is being carried out as part of Army Vision- 2020. Based on the recommendations of the study, a modernisation plan is in place. Approximately 65 per cent of accommodation to include Gentleman Cadets’ living quarters and messes and 53 per cent of the training infrastructure has been completed. We hope to see completion of projects by 2010.

Rafters flock to Rishikesh
Hundreds of enthusiasts are in Rishikesh and upstream Ganga to seek the adventure of white-water rafting
Rishikesh, October 20
After the monsoons, rafting in the Ganga is again back with a bang. Hundreds of rafting enthusiasts are flocking to Rishikesh and upstream to seek the adventure of white-water rafting.

Rafters coming downstream from Beasi to Rishikesh in the Ganga. — Tribune photo by Vinod Pundir

Towards a drug-free campus
Dehradun, October 20
In a first of its kind initiative to end the menace of drug abuse in public schools, Dev Lehri, renowned academician and principal of Welham Boy's School, has managed to make the school completely drug free.
Dev Lehri, principal of Welham Boys' School, Dehradun

Encroachers on highways, but is the admn watching?
Roorkee, October 20
Even as encroachment continues unabated in Roorkee and area adjacent to the Delhi-Haridwar and Saharanpur-Haridwar national highways, the local administration remains in slumber.