The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

On Baisakhi, millions visit holy ghats
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 13
Thousands of pilgrims thronged the famous ghats of Har-Ki-Pauri to take a dip in the holy Ganga on the occasion of Baisakhi today. It is estimated that as many as one million people visited the ghats. Elaborate security arrangements were made at all major ghats, temples and others important locations.

Many police personnel in plain clothes were also present amid the crowd, in accordance with orders of SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal. For the first time, metal detectors were placed at various entry points to the ghats and every visitor was thoroughly frisked. A bomb disposal squad was also pressed into service.

At Kankhal Gurdwara, devotees celebrated the Khalsa Panth Mahotsav and worshipped the third Sikh Guru Amardas. Notably, it was on Baishakhi that the tenth Sikh Guru Govind Singh formed the Khalsa Panth.

Meanwhile, due to the ongoing sewer laying and road repair work being undertaken in the city, pilgrims as well as locals had to face a tough time.

Although after a protest by locals and the Ganga Sabha, a temporary patch was laid at Har-Ki-Pauri and adjoining ghats, it was insufficient as lakhs of people from all over India were here for the holy dip.

Testing Times
Govt gears up for yatra, polls
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 13
Even as Char Dham Yatra in the state is a tremendous boost to the economy of Garhwal hills, managing it continues to be a major challenge for the administration and other stakeholders.

A file picture of a landslide in the district Tribune photo: Anil P. Rawat

With polling in Uttarakhand, scheduled to be held in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13, the administration faces a daunting task in making arrangements for both the yatra and the polls.

The yatra commences on April 27 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamotri temples followed by Kedarnath and Badrinath subsequently. The Char Dham Yatra attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across the country.

But then Char Dham has always been challenging as putting into place infrastructure for a high volume of pilgrims and ensuring that they have a safe journey on winding hill roads requires thorough preparations. All stakeholders have been asked by the administration to give the final touches to their preparations.

The transport department has decided to introduce new buses, diverting these to busy routes. It is coming up with a more professional approach to improve yatra arrangements this year. Bus services from Haridwar to Gangotri begun on April 16. These 34-seat buses will be carry pilgrims entering Uttarkhand from Haridwar. The bus service to Badrinath from Haridwar is already in progress.

While road mishaps continue to be a major irritant in the smooth conduct of the yatra, the Uttarakhand government has come up with a strategy to deal with the problem. For the first time, departments will be made accountable for any lapses.

Garhwal commissioner Uma Kant Pawar, who supervises arrangements, for the yatra said over-speeding, poor condition of roads and negligence on the part of the driver were the main reasons for the accidents.

“We have decided to direct the public works department (PWD) chief engineer to submit a certificate on the safety of various stretches of roads leading to the Char Dham. The certificate will have to be submitted every week during the yatra season, which gets under way from April 27,” he said.

The Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre that has a key role in sensitising people on precaution and preparedness linked to disasters takes extra caution during the yatra season.

It ensures that police personnel trained by the department are stationed at police posts falling on the yatra route, thereby ensuring that they are easily available for search and rescue operations in case of any mishap.

“We have already issued the necessary equipment to chowkies for use in search and rescue operations,” said Girish Joshi, a senior DMMC official. “Timely availability of assistance can save several lives and, thus, preparedness to meet disasters is of paramount importance,” he added.

The condition of roads has been a matter of concern. Officials of the PWD officials will have to make sure that there are no potholes. They also need to ensure enough crash barriers.

Similarly, potable water arrangements are high on priority. Chief engineer of the Jal Sansthan will have to submit a certificate on the availability of water en route the yatra. Every travel agency will have to submit proof of registration with the transport department.

And for tourist clearance, the travel agency must be registered with the tourism department. The transport department has started conducting raids at check posts for impounding vehicles being driven without permit.

The safety record of Uttarakhand buses has remained dismal with more than 500 persons dying on road every year. Most of these deaths take place during the Char Dham Yatra. Drunken driving, overloading, rash driving and lack of repair of roads are some of the major reasons for the occurrence of accidents.

A tendency among transporters to make money with maximum number of trips to Char Dhams has often led to accidents. The administration this time has decided to go stern with these offenders.

Another major problem during the yatra season has been the large number of pilgrims coming on trucks from neighbouring states, including Punjab and Haryana, to pay obeisance at Hemkund Sahib.

“Devotees coming from Punjab and Haryana carry LPG cylinders in trucks in violation of provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. Hence, we have decided to send a letter to the Punjab and Haryana governments to look into the matter. We will be imposing heavy fine on violators,” warned Pawar.

With a large number of vehicles coming to Uttarakhand during the yatra season, parkings prove to be a main problem, particularly in Rudrprayag, Gaurikund and Joshimath, where there is no space for parking. The administration is contemplating a one-side staggered parking.

Meanwhile, with polling in Uttarakhand falling within the yatra season, the administration faces an uphill task. It has now to make preparations on two fronts. While ensuring the smooth conduct of the yatra, it must also ensure transport support for the polls. The administration has issued instructions for assessing the requirement of additional police personnel so that preparations can be made accordingly.

The Char Dham Yatra is at its peak during May and polling in Uttarakhand is on May 13. Thus, making transport arrangements for the two is a challenging task. The transport department has decided not to requisition Uttarakhand Transport Corporation and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam buses for the polls. Services of the Garhwal Mandal Motors Operators Union and Tehri Garhwal Motors Operators Union, that operate as many 4,000 buses, will be sought for the polls. As per an estimate, at least 300 buses are needed in each district for poll work.

Kidney diseases on the rise
Reasons: High levels of Calcium in water and overdose of Vitamin D
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 13
Various kidneys related diseases and their occurrence were discussed at a seminar organised by the Indian Society of Nephrology (North Zone Chapter) at the Mahant Indresh Hospital held here. Experts from different parts of the country, including Chandigarh and Delhi participated in the seminar.

The number of patients suffering from kidney related diseases are quite high in the state. Patients undergoing dialysis has increased at Doon Hospital, in the recent years. The condition in the villages is worse because of the absence of qualified doctors. It is a slow death for patients who may suddenly discover that one of their kidneys has stopped functioning.

Due to high levels of calcium contents in water, that gives it a characteristic hardness; there is a predominance of kidney stone diseases in Dehradun district. Stones also occur due to overdose of Vitamin D and mineral imbalance. These generally comprise of salts and minerals comprising of calcium phosphate or oxalate. Men are more prone to develop kidney stones.

Whereas, in females the preponderance of stones in kidneys is less but they become equally prone when there is hardness in water. So there number is also swelling in the district.

“The first signs of pain should be paid due attention, patients usually ignore the signs that prove to be fatal. Many visit non-medicos, who promise a painless method of dissolving stones. Patients continue with the medicine for several years but I have not seen them actually getting cured. In certain cases the problem becomes exacerbated,” said Dr Harish Basera, physician (MD) and nephrologist, Doon Hospital. The primary treatment for the problem is a surgery depending on the size and location of the stone.

“Generally Extra Corporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment is given to dissolve or dislodge stones but some stones are hard for which surgery is recommended. The other methods of stone removal are Precutaneous Nephrolithotomy,” said Dr KL Gupta, PGI Chandigarh. aHowever, experts said the primary preventive method is flushing the system through regular intake of water. And once the stone is detected one should avoid food items that may lead to formation of stones.

Simply scentilising
Divya Semwal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 13
High-end perfumes and deodorants have flooded the Dehradun markets. Perfumes and deodorants are the must for everyone especially in summers to stay refreshed and fragrant the all daylong.

Archie’s has a wide range of deodorants starting from Rs 85 to Rs 150, but lately has launched its collection of international perfumes ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000.

“Only three months ago we launched our international range of perfumes. The sale has been excellent during the summer season and as the international range of perfumes are expensive we have selected clientele for them,” said Pramod Chawla, owner Archie’s.

Nike, Elizabeth Arden, Benetton, 212, Emporio Armani, Dunhill, Hugo Boss and many others are top most brands ruling the perfume market in India and abroad.

People love to wear a long lasting fragrance of popular high-end brands.

“Its been more than 10 years that we are selling perfumes here. Sales are high this season and there is lot craze for Gucci’s ‘Rush’, Calvin Kline’s ‘Black’ and Hugo Boss ‘Dark’,” said Rameshwar, salesman at a perfume shop.

Apart from high-end brands the market also offers non-synthetic perfumes known as ittar, which are equally effective, and comes at a very reasonable price.

Ittar is also available in the city markets and have been doing a good business. Tiny bottles of Ittar are available in different fragrances and are available for just Rs 60.

“Since last 15 years we are importing Ittars from Kannauj and Bombay,” said Puneet of Jain shop.

Where perfumes are Alcohol based and one has to take precautions before using it, Ittars are oil based, affordable and skin friendly.

Ittars are non-synthetic and people of all age prefer these as they are made out of flowers and are long lasting. Salma is the most favourite fragrance amongst women and is selling like hot cakes,” said Puneet.