Dehradun, November 29
Hundreds of men and women bid a tearful adieu to NSG commando constable Gajendra Singh, who was killed in a gunbattle with terrorists in Mumbai's Nariman House. At around 4 pm, guns boomed and bugles went off and Gajendra, who was a member of NSG's 51 Special Action Group, was cremated with full military honours at his native Ganeshpur village, some 25 km from the state capital.

It was a solemn moment as Uttarakhand Chief Minister Maj Gen B.C. Khanduri (retd), Governor B.L. Joshi, Indian Military Academy Commandant Lt Gen R.S. Sujlana, senior officers of the National Security Guard (NSG), Garhwal Regiment and the Uttarakhand government, and people in large numbers laid wreaths and paid tributes to the martyr.

Earlier, tributes were paid to Gajendra with full state honours at a special ceremony in New Delhi today. Thereafter, the mortal remains of the martyr were brought to Dehradun in a special aircraft at around 2 pm. When his coffin, draped in garlands and flowers, was brought to his native village, people in large numbers started raising slogans, “Gajendra amar rahe”. There was so much rush that it appeared that almost the entire village has descended at Gajendra’s residence to pay their tribute to the son of the soil. With tears in their eyes, villagers and relatives of Gajendra showered petals on the coffin.

After keeping the body at his home for sometime, the funeral procession started. At around 4.30 pm, Gajendra’s son Gaurav lit the pyre. Gajendra was one of the members of the two platoons which were air dropped around the Nariman House area. He was from 10 Para Commandos battalion of the Indian Army and was on deputation with the NSG since January.

After completing his XIIth from Janta Inter College, Nayagaon, Dehradun, Gajendra joined Garhwal Regiment. In January, he was selected as an NSG Commando.

“He didn't turn his back to the militants and created a way for other commandos despite the fact that a grenade was hurled at him”, said Ramesh Kumar from NSG, said. 

Dehradun, November 29
Rajaji Park’s much-hyped silver jubilee celebrations have fallen midway, as the state government has turned down the Rs 85-lakh proposal of the Park authorities terming it as too much for the celebrations.

In its 25 years of existence, Rajaji Park authorities had drawn out a yearlong schedule of programmes for the celebrations. Two months back, even the celebrations took off with much fanfare. The state chief secretary Indu Kumar Pandey along with principal chief conservator of forests and senior forest officials had participated in the inaugural function, which also witnessed the unveiling of an emblem for the park. Later, the Park authorities had mooted Rs 85- lakh proposal and had even proceeded with some of the scheduled events. However, the state government has now snubbed the proposal saying that the amount was too much.

Now, the Park authorities are in a piquant situation, as the celebrations have come to a halt. These were expected to pick by after November 15 when the park opens for tourists after rains.

The director of Rajaji National Park Raisaily confirmed that the Rs 85-lakh proposal has been turned down, as the forestry ministry has termed the amount as exorbitant. Park authorities have already spent around Rs 16-lakh for some programmes to be held as part of the silver jubilee celebrations, which they are now finding it difficult to make payments for.

Dehradun, November 29
Under a cascading flowery shower, long files of smartly turned out Cadets stood firm around the War Memorial, when Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM laid wreath at the War Memorial. The Air Chief was at Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) to grace the Graduation Ceremony of the 164th Course. Total of 22 cadets passed out today from the RIMC.

The prize distribution ceremony was held at the Thimayya Auditorium, wherein the Commandant, RIMC enumerated all the recent achievements of RIMC Cadets in various fields. The prizes were given away by Air Vice Marshal DC Kumaria, AVSM, VSM, VM, another distinguished Rimcollian in the Indian Air Force, who also read out the speech of the Air Chief to all the Cadets.

In the largely exalting speech, he said that the Cadets had eminent Rimcollians (RIMC alumni) as role models and urged the Cadets never to be complacent despite achievements galore. He said that the passing out course was at the threshold of a life which will no more be sheltered as it was at RIMC but will put to test all that they had learnt here. He asked them to continue with their relentless hardwork to earn fame for their alma mater.

He further said, "This significant moment in your life makes you stand proud and tall today, makes you a graduate and an alumnus of one of the most elite training establishments of our country. In the Air Force alone, not only just our earlier CAS, Air Chief Marshal N C Suri but also many eminent AOC in-Cs have emerged from the RIMC- truly an amazing feat for any institution."

The Wavell Sword was awarded to Cadet N Karthik Reddy of Shivaji Section and the most prestigious of all, the Sword of Honour was awarded to Cadet Captain Rakshit Sharma. In the post Prize Distribution Ceremony session, lunch was hosted at the Cadet Captain Quadrangle lawn, giving a befitting end to the successful Graduation Ceremony. 

Dehradun, November 29
The proposed Kotli Bhel-3 hydropower project on the Bhagirathi poses a threat to Devprayag town that may submerge six meters, threatening life and property of hundreds of people.

Despite the threat posed by the dam being constructed under the supervision of the NHPC, the government seems to be in a limbo, so say the members of Matu (meaning earth), an organisation fighting for the safety of the town and its people.

An area of 32 km from Srinagar to Devprayag that has mythological and religious significance will be submerged with the coming up of the Kotli Bhel-3 dam.

“Already, the area has begun to experience landslides. A portion of the bridge on the main road leading up to Kirti Nagar has already sunk 1 cm,” said Vimal Bhai while interacting with mediapersons here. Vimal Bhai is a member of Matu which is leading the fight against the construction of dams in the state.

The organisation has filed a petition with the National Environment Appellate Authority challenging the construction of the dam.

Prior to the construction of dams, environment assessment needs to be carried out, but this mandatory practice is not taken care of. “Along with their houses, the villagers are also set to lose agricultural land putting a question mark on the food security of the state,” said Rajender Negi, member of Matu.

The organisation has also compiled their observations in a book titled “Ganga ki Bhrunhatya” that was also released today.

Dehradun, November 29
More than a lakh non-gazetted employees of the state will get Rs 1000 in addition to the adhoc bonus paid to them on this Diwali. The payment of amended amount will be effective retrospectively for the financial years 2006 to 2008.

As per the order issued by secretary finance, Radha Raturi, the government has amended the adhoc bonus of Rs 2,500 paid earlier to Rs 3,500 on the pattern of central government employees in the said category. The amended bonus is payable to all the non-gazetted state government, aided educational and technical institutes, local bodies and zila panchayats in pay scales between Rs.6,500 and Rs 10,500.

Since the government has already paid bonus of Rs 2,500 equivalent to 30 days basic salary to all employees on Diwali, the additional amended amount of Rs 1000 will be paid at the earliest.

The order also covers casual and daily wagers. Instead of cash, the said amount will be deposited in general provident fund accounts of the employees. Those who do not have these accounts would be paid through national savings certificates, said the order.

Dehradun, November 29
The FCI Institute of Management organised a Kebab Festival, here today. The event was an instant hit as the chefs from Oberoi Hotel and Hyatt Hotel in New Delhi prepared sumptuous kebabs and gave tips to trainees of the institute.

According to Anshoo Saxena, vice-principal of FCI, the chefs used original spices and authentic recipes. The guests savoured Gilawati Kebab, Chicken Potli Kebab, Dom Ki Kebab, Subjdil Kebab and vegetable kebabs.

Altogether 350 students are pursuing diplomas in hospitality and service management, catering operations, front office and house keeping, from the institute.— TNS

Dehradun, November 29
Uttarakhand boys handball team has stormed into the finals of the 54th National handball Tournament underway at Parade Ground. Uttarakhand defeated Uttar Pradesh in the semifinals with a convincing (20-18) score here today.

Another team to enter the finals is Delhi, who defeated Punjab in the other semis (14-6). In the girls category the Uttarakhand team lost to Manipur in the quarterfinal.

Results: Quarterfinal (boys): Delhi bt Chandigarh (28-8), Uttar Pradesh bt Karnataka (23-11), Uttarakhand bt Andra Pradesh (27-11), Punjab bt Manipur (19-17).

(Girls): Delhi bt Andhra Pradesh (15-3), Punjab bt Rajasthan (14-12), Haryana bt Maharastra (14-7), Manipur bt Uttarakhand (11-3).