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City Woes: Govt to elicit citizens’ views
On Fast Track
New age: First data centre by September
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Tale of the vanishing weeping willow
Mussoorie, August 3
The weeping willow or the “majnu” is one beautiful tree that once used to adorn the romantic mall road of the Queen of the Hills. The weeping willow (Salix alba salicaceae) is called so because of its tender branches that hang downwards towards the earth. Although an evergreen tree, the weeping willow is at its gracious best during monsoon when droplets of rainwater drip from its tender leaves making it appear like teardrops. Hence the name! A particularly huge majnu tree on the hilly slopes of Dwargarh in the Chhaijula Patti of Jaunpur is famous to the extent that the gorges and streams around it are known as ‘Majnu Khaala’ and ‘Majnu Paani’.
DAV alumni body awards meritorious students
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City Woes: Govt to elicit citizens’ views
Dehradun, August 3
The city has seen a massive growth in the education sector too. Known as the “school capital” of the country, it now has all kinds of technical institutes, from air-hostess academies to medical and paramedical colleges, technical institutions and personality development institutes and private universities. These changes have brought about a plethora of problems.Today, the city is unable to cope with traffic chaos, pollution, illegal constructions and waste disposal. As a much-needed initiative, now the government has decided to prepare a road map for sorting out these problems. Eminent and aware citizens from various sections will be invited soon for their suggestions. In an interview with The Tribune, Garhwal commissioner Uma Kant Pawar said they had classified problems that required immediate attention. “The problem of traffic congestion, pollution, slums, lack of waste disposal management systems and those related to schools and unauthorised “As a first step in this direction, we have constituted six citizen action groups that will give their feedback, suggestions and coordinate with the government in drawing a comprehensive plan to end these problems,” said Pawar. He said each citizen action group will comprise government officials, eminent citizens, NGOs and opinion leaders. “We have already held a meeting in this regard, which was attended by IG MA Ganapathy, SP Traffic Nilesh Anand Bharne, director of the Met department, Dr Anand Sharma, chairperson of the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) Awadhash Kaushal, president of the Dalanwala Welfare Society Brig KG Behl and some journalists.” Pawar said the citizen action group would mainly identify core issues and possible remedies. He said there were numerous schools in the city which did not have school buses for transporting students to school and back. This had lead to major traffic chaos because with a large number of students goes to school on two-wheelers. “Besides, parents drive their wards to the schools in cars, leading to a chaos during school opening and closing hours. “We want the citizen action groups to collect details on the total number of schools, their location and other requisite information. Thereafter, a meeting will be held with representatives of schools, parents and citizen action group members to get suggestions to rectify the system,” informed Pawar. He said this process may take some time but would be effective in finding a permanent solution to the problem. The officer said the government also wanted to ensure that pollution levels in the city did not go up. There had been a tremendous increase in the traffic volume in the past nine years and it had to be seen that vehicular pollution remained within limits. “Taking the first step in this direction, we have decided to introduce LPG-run mini school buses for carrying children. This will not only keep the pollution level down but also sort out the problem of traffic chaos during school hours. “Private operators will be authorised to run school buses. Besides, no child less than 18 years of age will be allowed to drive a two or four-wheeler to school,” he said. On the problem of illegal/unauthorised constructions in violation of norms, Pawar said: “One of the main violations is construction in more area than permitted. This leads to parking problems, which in turn congest the roads. “While the citizen action group will work on a large scale to find a solution to the problem, for the time being, we are contemplating reviewing the NOCs issued to all commercial establishments that have flouted the norms.” Likewise, because of lack of a waste disposal management system, the problem of garbage has acquired alarming proportions. While increasing slums remaimns a matter of concern, Pawar said he was hopeful that the citizen action groups will prove to be an asset in finding a solution to the problem. Asked the need for citizen action groups when the issues had been taken care of in the City Development Plan submitted under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Pawar said: “We can always have amendments in the proposed plans in accordance with+ the ground situation. “If the authorities, citizens and experts feel that a proposed plan needs to be altered for betterment, there is no harm in doing so.”
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On Fast Track
Roorkee, August 3 The train will have an attractive design and top-class facilities, claims the IIT team comprising Prof VK Goyal, project leader Dr BK Gandhi and Dr KM Singh from the mechanical department. The institute was entrusted with the project by the Indian Railways in April last year. The train has been given an aero-dynamic shape like high-tech cars. To make it more efficient, the old mechanical system has been changed by using new parts and advance machinery, explained Dr Gandhi. The first train in India became operational in Roorkee on December 22, 1851. It was used for hauling construction material during the making of the Solani river aqueduct. The first passenger train between Bori Bunder in Bombay to Thana (covering a distance of 34 km) was inaugurated on April 16, 1853. Since then there have been little change in the Indian railways, feels Dr Gandhi. “Even after the introduction of electric trains, there was no change in the models of the trains. After the much-required home work, we decided to give aero-dynamic looks to our new model on the pattern of high-tech cars, which can run at the speed of 170 to 200 kmph. “With this shape, wind-resistance will be minimised, thus helping the train to pick up speed. As the train needs highly efficient engines, work in this direction will be undertaken soon,” said Dr Gandhi. Asked about the deafening noise produced by aero-dynamic trains, he said the problem could be sorted out. After preparing the model of the train, the team has been working on the brake system. The team feels that the rail tracks, most of which are very old, need to be strengthened to run these high-speed trains. The trains will be air-conditioned and will be run on diesel first. The project is nearing completion. “We have been given time by the Indian Railways up to October this year,” said a visibly excited Dr Gandhi.
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Tale of the vanishing weeping willow
Mussoorie, August 3 A particularly huge majnu tree on the hilly slopes of Dwargarh in the Chhaijula Patti of Jaunpur is famous to the extent that the gorges and streams around it are known as ‘Majnu Khaala’ and ‘Majnu Paani’. According to folklore, the site at which the tree is located used be the meeting point of a village boy and a belle, which also finds mention in the famous Jaunpuri folk song - “Majnu Paani Toe Jaagan Laage” (you keep waiting for her at Majnu Paani). The majnu, known as “bhaansal” in Jaunpur, has been used in the mountains for fencing purposes. The stem and the bark extracts are made into fine baskets. The bark is of high medicinal value and has been used for ages to cure various ailments. It contains salicylic acid and is an effective antiseptic as well. When boiled with water, the bark turns into a natural aspirin and helps in cases of pain, fever and headaches. The same syrup is also taken in the hills to cure diarrhoea and bowel infections. The boiled extract can also heal wounds and provides relief in cases of inflammation. The Mall road of Mussoorie was lined with these beautiful trees a couple of decades ago; unfortunately only two them survive today, one near the erstwhile Vasu Cinema and the other at Jhulaghar, beneath the SHO office. A bunch of healthy ones can, however, be seen at the LBS sports campus at Happy Valley.
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DAV alumni body awards meritorious students
Dehradun, August 3 Addressing the participants Dr S Farooq the former president said, “DAV PG College came into existence in the year 1904 and since then it has produced many scholars, with many high dignitaries being part of this historical college.” Chief guest for the occasion member parliament from Tehri Garhwal, Vijay Bahuguna awarded certificates and medals to meritorious students from class X and XII belonging to various schools in Dehradun. Along with prize distribution ceremony, the alumni association shared their experiences of being part of this association. Annual report was also presented here. However, the association strongly respects the viewpoint of its members, and since its inception on the basis of consensus it has been electing presidents. Enlightening on this issue Dr S Farooq further added, “We as a team believe in the policy of consensus and our motive is to promote brotherhood and harmony in society.”
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From a sleepy serene town, Dehradun has grown into a large city ever since it became the capital of Uttarakhand in November 2000. Bungalows, a reminder of the era bygone, have given way to high-rise multi-storeyed flats with modern amenities.
Dehradun, August 3
