D E H R A D U N    E D I T I O N

Body seeks state’s merger with Himachal Pradesh
Dehradun, December 27
It seems that the state, which has seen a long struggle for its formation, is heading for another to get merged with Himachal Pradesh to form one big Himalayan state.
Members of the RTI Lok Sewa, an NGO, address a press conference in Dehradun on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

‘Nauchami Narayan’ in demand again
Dehradun, December 27
Following the sex scandal involving Andhra Pradesh Governor ND Tiwari and his subsequent resignation, the song “Nauchami Narayan”, written and sung by famous Garhwali singer Narendra Singh Negi, is again in public demand. Negi, who was in Dehradun last night to perform for a cultural show, was persuaded by a large gathering to sing the song again. The demand for the popular song made by public coincided with the resignation of Tiwari as Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

Nityanand Swami gets ‘Clean Politician’ award on 83rd b’day
Dehradun, December 27
The comparison between two Chief Ministers of the state, Nityanand Swami, first CM who was given the ‘Clean Politician’ award by the Doon Citizens Council (DCC) on his 83rd birthday and, ND Tiwari became the talk of the function. Since the programme was held by senior citizens to also discuss the topic of “Respecting Elders Our Heritage”, many speakers eulogised octogenarian Swami for setting a unique example of being an honest and upright politician.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Nityanand Swami cuts a cake on his 83rd birthday in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat

Sikh welfare body holds installation ceremony
Dehradun, December 27
The Doon Sikh Welfare Society held its 30th installation ceremony by re-electing Manmohan Kapur president, Headmaster of Colonel Brown School Shant Swarup secretary and Harjit Singh Sachdeva treasurer.

New Year bash mesmerises Doonites
Dehradun, December 27
As part of New Year celebrations, Intellectual and Technocrats’ Guild of India (ITGI) organised “Nav Varsh Hangama 2010” here today.

National Handloom Expo
Schemes for benefit of weavers introduced
Dehradun, December 27
At the ongoing National Handloom Expo, a seminar for weavers was organised here today. Under the guidance of the Directorate of Industries, Handloom Sector, Dehradun, every year for the benefit of weavers various schemes are introduced.

Use ORS, zinc to prevent diarrhoea: Doctors
Dehradun, December 27
Medical interventions in the form of administering Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORS) and zinc to children still continues to be the best treatment for diarrhoea and complication can be prevented, if it is actively used by the doctors.

Seva Samiti holds blood donation camp
Dehradun, December 27
The Shani Sena Seva Samiti organised a blood donation camp here today. The camp was organised at Shivaji Dharamshala and began with the lighting of the lamp by members of the samiti.

Samiti holds cultural programme
Dehradun, December 27
The rich culture of remote areas of Rudraprayag and Chamoli was all too evident at the cultural prorgramme presented by artistes hailing from Chamoli and Rudraprayag under the aegis of Badri Kedar Vikas Samiti. Dressed in their traditional attires first to take stage were women who presented soulful Jagars and then performed Nanda Devi Raj Yatra dance and Jaunsari dance.
Artistes perform during a cultural programme organised by the Badri-Kedar Vikas Samiti in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat 

150 artistes on the move to promote art
Dehradun, December 27
Dehradun will be in the itinerary of 150 artistes from across the globe that will be travelling to as many as six states across the country aimed to raise awareness about different art forms.

Hunt on for singing sensation in Doon
Dehradun, December 27
After the much-talked about talent hunt shows on television, budding singers in the city have pulled up their socks to become the next singing sensation of Doon.

Sainik sangathan celebrates foundation day
Dehradun, December 27
The Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangathan at Jaintanwala celebrated 16th foundation day here today. Ex-servicemen and ex-paramilitary personnel of the state organised the function to honour the efforts and work of the ex-servicemen.

Kumbh Mela duties hit medical services in Uttarkashi
Dehradun, December 27
The effect of a largescale deployment of doctors for Kumbh Mela duties has begun to have it’s impact on the health services in Uttarkashi district that was already reeling under severe shortage of doctors.

Body seeks state’s merger with Himachal Pradesh
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
It seems that the state, which has seen a long struggle for its formation, is heading for another to get merged with Himachal Pradesh to form one big Himalayan state. This new recommendation came from Manoj Dhyani, president of the RTI Lok Sewa, a voluntary organisation.

Dhyani made the remark in the backdrop of a demand made by Opposition leader Harak Singh Rawat to include 61 panchayats of Uttar Pardesh. He said: “We are already bearing the brunt of including Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Hills still remain devoid of development. If these villages along with Bijnore and Saharanpur districts are included in Uttarakhand, then our purpose of forming this state for the welfare of hill people will completely be defeated. It will be better if Uttarakhand and Himachal Pardesh can merge together under the aegis of the state re-organisation committee. They share the geographical similarities and complexities”.

He suggested that the UP government should rather focus on development of these two districts, which, despite having rich industries, were suffering from poor infrastructure rather than mooting of amalgamating them with Uttarakhand.

Dhyani called upon the attention of Vigilance agencies and the Central government to probe the Kumbh scam where the state government, which has finished only 40 per cent work, is claiming to complete the rest of the 60 per cent work in six days by December 31.

Diverting the attention of the government to big industry Samsung shifting from the state to Chennai after the state stopped aid and subsidy to industries, he asked the state government and political parties to reconsider this decision in the interest of the state.

Others present at the press conference were Surya Prakash, Mukesh Bongwal, Archana Kimoti, Prem Singh Negi, Dhyan Pal Singh Bisht and Sunil Naugian.

‘Nauchami Narayan’ in demand again
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
Following the sex scandal involving Andhra Pradesh Governor ND Tiwari and his subsequent resignation, the song “Nauchami Narayan”, written and sung by famous Garhwali singer Narendra Singh Negi, is again in public demand. Negi, who was in Dehradun last night to perform for a cultural show, was persuaded by a large gathering to sing the song again. The demand for the popular song made by public coincided with the resignation of Tiwari as Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

“I had stopped singing the song after the Congress lost and Tiwariji went to the South. But the latest episode has again revived the interest of the audience in the song. I was persuaded last night by a large crowd to sing it again,” Negi told The Tribune.

Negi, one of the most popular Garhwali singers and poets, had cut “Nauchami Narayan”, a musical video, having political satire in 2006, particularly targeting Tiwari, who was the Chief Minister at that time. The name of the album “Nauchami Narayan” means “naughty Narayana” as the word “Nauchami” in the Garhwali dialect is referred to Lord Krishna in Rasleela.

More than one lakh VCDs of the album were sold in 2006-07.

“The response to the album was tremendous and unprecedented,” said Ramesh Ajmani of the Rama Cassettes, the sponsors of the video. The video album having a single song by Negi priced at Rs 35 was sold at a premium of Rs 100 per cassette in the Garhwal region.

Negi, author and singer of the album, had termed his work as pure fiction, but people of the hill state enjoyed the characters of his album as they were easily identifiable with their own Chief Minister and leaders. Characters in the album resembled Chief Minister Tiwari and his deputy PWD Minister Indira Hariydesh. A Tiwari-lookalike is seen singing and dancing with young girls in the videos.

It was not only the live shows, where the demand of “Nauchami Narayan” has shot up, but also on Internet the song (on “youtube”) has generated a lot of interest. There has been a huge draw to watch the video again. There have been more than 95,960 hits on the song.

“I had tried to depict the situation prevailing in the state through my song. But I am not getting any royalty for the song,” said Negi.

Nityanand Swami gets ‘Clean Politician’ award on 83rd b’day
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
The comparison between two Chief Ministers of the state, Nityanand Swami, first CM who was given the ‘Clean Politician’ award by the Doon Citizens Council (DCC) on his 83rd birthday and, ND Tiwari, former CM, who had to resign as Governor of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday after a TV channel showing him in a compromising position with three women became the talk of the function. Since the programme was held by senior citizens to also discuss the topic of “Respecting Elders Our Heritage”, many speakers eulogised octogenarian Swami for setting a unique example of being an honest and upright politician.

They pulled down Tiwari and took jibes on him for continuing to have ‘colourful’ persona even in the end phase of his life.

Swami talking exclusively to The Tribune refused to say anything directly about Tiwari’s escapade, but said in his inimitable style that politicians could not afford to hide their personal life. Their personal as well as private life had to be transparent and open for people to judge them. He said politics was not a dirty game. Politicians could work with honesty and serve people. He had done so in his political life.

He owed his values to his parents, mentor Madan Mohan Malviya and Pandit Deen Dyal who taught him to be sympathetic to the poor and remain detached to the lure of lucre. Loyal to these principles, even when he became CM, he continued to live in the same house where he had lived before and after he became CM.

Swami expressed regret in not having done much as a CM as he served for a short period after people from the Opposition and his own party demanded his removal for being an outsider and born outside the state. He desisted in making any remark on this episode saying it would create unnecessary controversies, but the pain was evident in his eyes.

Nevertheless, he was happy that he could make little a bit of difference in the lives of people during his tenure. “I freed 400 labourers who were put in jail by going on hunger strike. Then I made the state government to retract from its decision of acquiring land of 30 villages and return the acquired land after sitting on hunger strike. It was a historical move, as never had a government given the acquired land of this enormity back. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister, called me that night and congratulated me for actually doing something we preach all the time about”.

A good friend of Vajpayee since 1951 from the days of Jan Sangh, he said he wanted to meet Vajpayee on his birthday, but could not as he met only a few top dignitaries due to his ill-health.

On his birthday, his three daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren too accompanied him. His daughter Dr Vandana Harivyasi, who is librarian at the Vidhan Sabha, said she was proud of her father’s simplicity and great values. His granddaughter Geetika expressed her desire to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps by joining politics and writing a book on him in the near future.

Sikh welfare body holds installation ceremony
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
The Doon Sikh Welfare Society held its 30th installation ceremony by re-electing Manmohan Kapur president, Headmaster of Colonel Brown School Shant Swarup secretary and Harjit Singh Sachdeva treasurer.

Sweaters being distributed among poor students at the installation ceremony of the Doon Sikh Welfare Society in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Senior lifetime members of the organisation were given mementos at the ceremony held here today. The organisation has 680 lifetime members. Sadhna Sharma was also felicitated.

Woollens were distributed to more than 400 poor students.

Kapur in his speech thanked for his re-election. He said, “I will continue to do social work by making difference in lives of poor people. The organisation has given me this responsibility and expressed faith in my abilities by re-electing me president”.

Well-known industrialists and social workers Dr S Farooq, Rakesh Oberoi and Gurdwara Singh Sabha chairman Sardar Rajender Singh Rajan were present on the occasion. 

New Year bash mesmerises Doonites
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
As part of New Year celebrations, Intellectual and Technocrats’ Guild of India (ITGI) organised “Nav Varsh Hangama 2010” here today.

Presiding over the programme, ITGI president PK Khatri recalled the works done by the association towards betterment of the society. He, in particular, raised the issue of rising inflation and exhorted the members to work for uprooting poverty from the society.

Khatri said by organising New Year programmes, the ITGI not only aims to make it as get-together, but also ensure an entertainment to the members.

The programme also witnessed a presentation of songs and dances. A Sufi song by Rekha Sharma, a dance by Abhilasha and an another light music presentation by Dr Manoj Gupta mesmerised the audience.

Shamim Khatri coordinated the event. Dr Bimal Kant Nautiyal, Sonia Sahay, BD Gupta and Tanushri Gupta were among prominent persons present on the occasion. 

National Handloom Expo
Schemes for benefit of weavers introduced
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
At the ongoing National Handloom Expo, a seminar for weavers was organised here today. Under the guidance of the Directorate of Industries, Handloom Sector, Dehradun, every year for the benefit of weavers various schemes are introduced.

Speakers participate in a seminar organised for weavers at National Handloom Expo in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Around 100 weavers from all over India gathered to know the schemes being run by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and the ICCI Lombard, an initiative of the Central government. LIC Branch Manager Devali, said, “For the financial stability of weavers, the LIC has introduced a scheme, where for Rs 80 annually they can benefit in case of death, permanent disability and single amputation injury”.

Shedding more light on the scheme he further said, “An amount of Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.50 lakh can be availed easily if weavers trust the government and work together as a team”.

Apart from securing a future for various calamities, a scholarship programme for weavers’ children has also been included under the schemes of the LIC.

From class IX till XII, two children on a monthly basis can get Rs 100 for better educational facilities. However, for a healthy life, even the ICCI Lombard in a pact with the Central government has health-related schemes for improved lifestyle.

The seminar ended with one-on-one interaction with panelist and weavers.

Meanwhile, under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Khadi and Development Board, a significant meeting for rural entrepreneurs was conducted here today.

At the ongoing khadi exhibition the meeting was led by Khadi and Rural Industries Commission Director Karnal Singh.

Discussing the main problems being faced by rural entrepreneurs, he said for the prosperity of entrepreneurs, the commission had decided to launch a Uttarakhand Rural and Industries Federation.

However, as per the results of the elections, Amit Joshi, president, SS Pawar, vice-president, Pradeep Bhandari, secretary, Manish Senan, treasurer, and others have been selected as the members of the federation. The members, along with the Director, asserted that it was essential to openly discuss issues so that transparency could take place.

Use ORS, zinc to prevent diarrhoea: Doctors
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
Medical interventions in the form of administering Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORS) and zinc to children still continues to be the best treatment for diarrhoea and complication can be prevented, if it is actively used by the doctors.

Calling upon medical practioners to prescribe it more rather than going for antibiotics and other medicines, UNICEF health specialist Dr VK Anand said: “It has been found that the simple therapy is not given due importance and 10 per cent to 14 per cent of deaths in the country occur due to diarrhoea and the use of ORS in such cases was less than 30 per cent and zinc only 1 per cent”.

Dr Anand was speaking today at a state-level workshop on current evidence based management of diarrhoea organised by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) and UNICEF.

Dr Anand said eight states and 32 districts had been chosen for awareness building exercise and in Uttarakhand, districts of Haldwani and Haridwar had been selected for the second part of the programme to be begin in February.

“We are first targeting the doctors so that they give priority to ORS and zinc while writing down prescriptions as the use of ORS for one or two days and 14 days use of zinc is scientifically and medically sound,” said Dr Anand.

While Editor of the IAP journal Dr Piyush Gupta said the Indian diet was deficient of zinc.

“Only non-vegetarian food contains zinc and even the soil, too, was poor in this mineral, so the next best thing was to administer orally. It had been seen that patients responded better to zinc if it was continued to 14 days, not only were the cured, but could ward off the threat for the next three months,” said Dr Gupta.

Senior paediatrician and state coordinator Dr Geeta Khanna said infant mortality rate in the state continued to be high and diarrhoea continued to be the major reason for this. “The workshop aims to promote the ORS therapy, good diet and hygiene”.

Doctors from the government and private hospitals attended the workshop. 

Seva Samiti holds blood donation camp
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
The Shani Sena Seva Samiti organised a blood donation camp here today. The camp was organised at Shivaji Dharamshala and began with the lighting of the lamp by members of the samiti.

Ram Kumar Gupta, president of the samiti, said, “Blood donation is a very pious work and whosoever donates blood becomes strong and not weak in life”. Along with president and other members of the samiti, present at the camp were BJP’s city President Punit Mittal, MLA Dinesh Agarwal and doctors.

Meanwhile, the NSS unit of Rajkiya Government Inter-college organised a health camp on its concluding day of the NSS camp here today. The chief guest was Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, along with NSS chief coordinator SS Bhontiyal and Chief Warden Chandra Gupt Vikram.

However, the week-long camp was conducted in various slum area, residential colonies and instructed people to not litter their neighborhood. A total of 6383 people and 962 families were contacted during the camp. Dr JP Joshi, Dr Rohit Agarwal, Dr Anand Uniyal, Dr RN Singh and others successfully conducted the camp.

The Vision Society of India also distributed medicines. The camp concluded with the Mayor appreciating the work of the camp organisers and others who dutifully worked for this cause. 

Samiti holds cultural programme
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
The rich culture of remote areas of Rudraprayag and Chamoli was all too evident at the cultural prorgramme presented by artistes hailing from Chamoli and Rudraprayag under the aegis of Badri Kedar Vikas Samiti. Dressed in their traditional attires first to take stage were women who presented soulful Jagars and then performed Nanda Devi Raj Yatra dance and Jaunsari dance.

After the cultural programme a souvenir titled “Garh Nandini” was also released by chief guest Kunwar Singh Pawar and special guest Manoj Bisht.

Later, in his presidential address, secretary of the samiti Bacchan Singh Rawat said the organisation was engaged in promoting the cultural activities of the area.

The programme was coordinated by Hemlata, secretary culture of the organisation.

On the occasion, Cyril Raphael, social activists and secretary of Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram were honoured.

150 artistes on the move to promote art
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
Dehradun will be in the itinerary of 150 artistes from across the globe that will be travelling to as many as six states across the country aimed to raise awareness about different art forms.

The tour that begins early next year from Santiniketan, West Bengal, will be prominently visiting Kolkata, Ranchi, Patna and Lucknow before coming to Dehradun where it is expected to visit the Queen of Hills Mussoorie.

The culmination of the tour will take place in Delhi in the form of grand finale.

Dancer Greta Mendez from Trinidad, Anna Macleod from Ireland, street performer Jessica Antoinette Garbers and Pakistani artistes Sana Mirza, Shakir Khan and Fatima Umar will among the 30 foreigners apart from photographer Ram Rahman, graphic artist Tejas Modak, dancer Astad Deboo, theatre groups like Kashmir Bhagat Theatre and Kerala Arts, and activist Teesta Stelvad that are some of renowned names that will be the part of the troupe called Art Karavan International.

These artistes will be staging road shows and trying to establish a missing link between various art forms and its performers.

Peripherals, an artiste’s initiative based in Delhi, with members from Kolkata, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Mumbai and Delhi, is hosting the event purely with self-financed initiative.

“If possible the artistes will be taking to train as medium of transport and be travelling in a special coach. Seminars, workshops and interactive programmes with local artistes to understand their day to day challenges and explore possible remedies will be on focus,” said Salim from Peripherals.

“An event of such nature as coming together of so many renowned artistes to the country and they stay putting for over four months is certainly vary rare,” added Salim.

“Dehradun will certainly be lucky to be one of the cities to in the list of states to be travelled by the troupe and will come up as a boost for local artistes”, said Ranjan Chakraborti, a painter. 

Hunt on for singing sensation in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
After the much-talked about talent hunt shows on television, budding singers in the city have pulled up their socks to become the next singing sensation of Doon.

A singer gives audition at a talent hunt programme in Dehradun on sunday. A Tribune photograph

Talent Enablers, an NGO, and the IMA Blood Bank of Uttarakhand organised auditions at Hotel Surbhi Palace, Chakrata Road, here today. More than 40 selected participants gave audition for the Uttarakhand Singing Talent Hunt.

General secretary of the NGO Rajiv Johari said the purpose of this auditions was to find some good singing talents in the city.

The NGO aims at providing platform to budding artistes. The participants will also get the certificate of ‘Friends of Music’ while the selected ones will get a chance to show their skills in the final round in January.

The panel of judges comprised lecturer (vocal) in Bharat Khande Hindustani Sangeet Mahavidhyalaya Vahini Devi, Raj Kumar of NIVH, Dinesh Thapa from Aryan School and musicians Naveen, Raj, Aakash and Alexander.

Sainik sangathan celebrates foundation day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
The Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangathan at Jaintanwala celebrated 16th foundation day here today. Ex-servicemen and ex-paramilitary personnel of the state organised the function to honour the efforts and work of the ex-servicemen.

The members of the organisation presented an eventful programme on the ceremony.Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harbans Kapoor was the chief guest at the event. He also inaugurated the launch of their annual magazine “Upsaas Smarika”.

The magazine is dedicated to soldiers and their diligent work, while they are away from their family. The magazine comprises articles, poems, write-ups and jokes.

Other guests present at the ceremony were Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola, Lt Col Ganga Singh Rawat (retd), president Hony Capt Mansaram Maliyaal (retd), Hony Capt Shrichand Singh Rawat (retd) and others.

NCC cadets honoured

A ceremony to honour NCC cadets of Uttarakhand, who will be participating in the Republic Day Parade in Delhi, was held at Bijapur today. Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also launched a NCC website and newsletter.

Nishank said, “Our state is a land of soldiers. Bravery and courage are the two elements that are found in every young blood”.

He congratulated the cadets for the participation in the national event in future. He encouraged cadets as well as people gathered in the meeting to serve the nation with patriotism and devotion.

He also said unity and discipline were the two factors that determined the development of an individual as well as the society. The Chief Minister also gave Rs 1,000 and a plant to each cadet as a gift.

Additional Director General of Uttarakhand, NCC, Brig PPS Pahwa said 58 boy cadets and 32 girl cadets would participate in the Republic Day Parade, which would be led by Lt Col BC Sati.

Commanding Officer of 29 Battalion Lt Col BS Ahluwalia, along with other NCC cadets, were present at the event. 

Kumbh Mela duties hit medical services in Uttarkashi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 27
The effect of a largescale deployment of doctors for Kumbh Mela duties has begun to have it’s impact on the health services in Uttarkashi district that was already reeling under severe shortage of doctors.

Remote areas are the worst affected with most of the medical staff already being sent on duty to the Kumbh Mela area. As a result, most of the hospitals have only skeletal staff. In all, 11 medical officers have been given Kumbh Mela duties and patients are bearing the brunt of the absence of medical staff.

As per the health authorities, 11 medical officers, three staff nurses, 12 pharmacists, 12 ANM and a health inspector have been deployed for Kumbh duties.

In addition, two junior assistants and six drivers have also been deployed and six ambulances will also be sent to Haridwar soon. Patients will have to bear with the shortage at least till April. For now, the remaining doctors are being forced to take up extra responsibilities to beat the shortage.