Haridwar, February 3
With every Peshwayi, the grandeur of royal processions seems to be touching new heights and the rush of local people and those from other parts of the country increasing manifold.

An aircraft showers petals and coloured paper; girls from Delhi dance to the tune of bhangra.Tribune photos: Rameshwar Gaur

Dehradun, February 3
For the first time ever, temporary and permanent homoeopathy dispensaries are making their presence felt at the ongoing Kumbh Mela. This is perhaps the only time when the perseverance of a lone woman has ensured that the oft-neglected stream of medicines gets its due share and visitors are able to make a choice.

A casual inquiry by Dr Fatima Nasreen, who is District Homoeopathy Medical Officer (Haridwar), from high-ups in the Health Department about a 
lack of representation of homoeopathy ever during the Kumbh fairs not only resulted in the stream gaining entry, but she was also entrusted with the responsibility of a nodal officer, thereby becoming the first Muslim woman to do so in the country.

“It is a big responsibility and a lot of expectation generally arises once a woman takes the centre stage. The foundation of the initiative was laid when I pushed my way and found out that homoeopathy dispensaries too could be set up in the mela area provided a proper plan was made and submitted in advance. For the first time, a budget to the tune of Rs 13 lakh was allocated for homoeopathy and tenders were called for the supply of medicines,” said Dr Nasreen.

It was sheer dedication that saw her driving from one corner of the Kumbh mela area to the other at odd hours without caring much about the official vehicle or the lack of it, only to ensure that the arrangements were on. Her efforts won her a lot of praise and goodwill in the mela administration.

As a result, three temporary dispensaries have been established at Rorhi, Pant Deep and Bairagi Ghat while six permanent dispensaries are already functioning in the Kumbh area. Six doctors and an equal number of pharmacists run the temporary dispensaries. “On a routine 20-25 patients land up at the dispensaries. Many have remarked that such an arrangement gives them scope of going for ‘their kind of treatment’ giving them a wider choice,” said Nasreen.

Not to be left behind, the department has also kept ready a swine flu kit, comprising homoeopathy medicines said to be useful in keeping H1N1 at bay.

“It seems that only homoeopathy has a cure against H1N1. Arsenic Album-30 is known to be highly effective in treating the virus. The medicine is also recommended for doctors, policemen and others who are on duty in the mela area,”said Nasreen.

Already required dosage of medicines have been kept in readiness. “We know that the number of pilgrims is going to swell in the coming months, especially during the Shahi Snans. The medicine has preventive as well as curative properties,” stressed Nasreen.

Chandigarh, February 3
The land of gods, Uttarakhand, is replete with inspiring true stories of legendary figures who made supreme sacrifices in the larger interest of mankind. One such story is that of soldier Madho Singh Bhandari, who sacrificed his son to bring back prosperity and fertility to his village. The story of the great warrior has been inspiring the Uttarakhandis for centuries.

To propagate Madho Singh Bhandari's legacy, the Parvatiya Natya Manch, a theatre group, recently staged a musical play, “Veer Bhad Madho Singh Bhandari”, for Uttarakhandis based in Mumbai. Former Indian hockey player Mir Ranjan Negi and TV actress Himani Shivpuri were among the prominent guests.

The story begins in Maletha, a small village in the heart of Tehri district, where there is no water. As a result, there are dry lands everywhere. However, soon the fate of the village is going to change as Madho Singh , son of a warrior, is born around 1595. He goes on to become the commander-in-chief of Mahipat Shah, king of Garhwal (1629-1646), in Srinagar. On one of his visits to Maletha, he is moved by the prevailing situation. He vows to bring water to Maletha.

He decides to channel the water of Chandrabhaga, a nearby stream, to the village. A tunnel is dug, but the Chandrabhaga refuses to flow into it. Alterations are made, prayers offered, but still Maletha remains dry.

One night a goddess appears in Madho’s dream. “Sacrifice your son,” she says, “only then the water will flow to Maletha.”

Madho has only one son. However, in the larger interest of the village, he sacrifices his son's life. As he places the severed head of his son at the mouth of the tunnel, the stream immediately changes course, flowing through the tunnel, carrying the head on its roaring waves and depositing it in the village’s fields.

Soon, Madho is summoned back to duty at the Royal Court in Srinagar. With a heavy heart, he leaves his home to never return.

Today, Maletha is green and fertile, abundant and prosperous, and its people remember their hero with pride.

Looking at the huge response received from the audience, the organiser and producer of the play, Mamata Bhatt, plans to organise the musical play in Uttarakhand too. “Uttarakhandis, no matter where they are based, have a deep connection with the mythological and real-life stories. This is on what our culture is based on. We now intend to stage the play in Dehradun and other parts of the state. We have invitations from other states too,” informs Bhatt.

The lead singers, who lent their voice in the play, were Pritam Bhartwan, Meena Rana, Vikram Kaprwan, Virendra Rajput and others. It was written and directed by Baldev Rana.

Dehradun, February 3
For the welfare of students as well as private colleges, a fair election process is a must. This was stated by president of the state unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) Sangram Singh Pundir here today.

It has been noticed that very few private universities and colleges conduct student elections, leading to innumerable problems between teaching faculty and students. Grave issues at times are swept under the carpet due to a lack of communication and initiative between students and college authorities, Pundir said. “It has been observed that apart from government colleges, the number of private universities conducting elections in a democratic manner is very few. After the submission of the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendation, the Supreme Court had ordered that it was essential for all colleges to adopt a fair election process. We support the ruling and want all private universities to follow the judgment for the betterment of students, who are exploited at the hands of these college authorities. In case our demands are not met we are ready to launch a protest,” said Pundir.

Under the Supreme Court ruling, in the initial three years government and private colleges are allowed to conduct elections on the basis of a nomination process. After the completion of three years, a proper election in a democratic fashion is recommended. “Now, as three-year time is over, we want that all private colleges follow the ruling of the Supreme Court. A fair election process will automatically lead to transparency in the working environment of colleges,” said Pankaj Chetri, former president of the NSUI.

Meanwhile, addressing a gathering, the leaders of the NSUI announced that the second phase of a membership drive for the inter-organisational election in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital would be over by February 6. “The last date to apply for the membership and to fill forms to contest elections for key posts is February 6,” added Pundir.

Dehradun, February 3
The second President Cup Football Tournament to take place from February 7, this was decided at the meeting organised by the DAV (PG) College President Association here yesterday.

Last year, the tournament was played in the month of January with a total of 16 teams participating at the tournament. The Uttarakhand Police lifted the championship trophy, whereas the Doon Valley team was runners-up.

This year, the Uttarakhand Police team will enter the competition as hot favourite, but it will face tough competition from the Doon Valley team. Madan Negi, member of the association, said, “Last year the President Cup Tournament was a district-level competition with a total of 16 teams. But seeing the success of the competition the association decided to make it a state-level competition, this year”.

He revealed that in all 12 local clubs, four teams from other districts that include Almora, Chamoli, Champawat and Pauri and two army teams would participate at the tournament.

This is the first state-level tourney of this season. Madan revealed that there are chances of the second state level tournament to come up in the state once they wrap up with this tournament.

“Having two state-level tournament in a row would go long way in promoting the football in the state.” said Madan.

Dehradun, February 3
Doon Tiger won by four wickets over the RPCA team at the 58th District Cricket League underway at Survey Stadium here today.

Himanshu in particular was outstanding with his batting for RPCA team. He played a knock of 88 runs and smashed eight fours and one six setting the pace for his team to pile a big score against the opponent. Opener Virath came up with a knock of 34 runs off 41 balls, hitting six fours in his innings. Middle order batsman Manu Vadev scored 34 runs. For the Doon Tiger team, Ashu, Sumit and Abhay took two wickets each.

In reply, the Doon Tiger reached the target with four wickets in hand. Abhay Pandey scored 89 runs, whereas Ashu made 63 runs. For RPCA team Kapil Mishra and Avinash took two wickets each.

Meanwhile in the second match, the Graphic Era team registered a nine-wicket win over the ONGC team here today. Batting first ONGC team was all out for 67 runs in 20.3 overs. Manmohan was the highest scorer for the team with 28 runs. For Graphic Era, Aditya took four wickets, and Varun claimed three wickets. Abhishek took two wickets.

In reply, the Graphic Era team reached the target with ease. Mandeep made 18 runs, whereas Ashish made 29 runs.

For the ONGC team Nadeem took one wicket. 

Pitthoragarh, February 3
After a successful commercial operation at Naukuchiyatal in Nainital district, Kumoan Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has now introduced paragliding in the Sour valley of Pitthoragarh district.

“A tandem glider costing Rs 2.50 lakh has been given to Pitthoragarh unit of the Adventure Games wing of KMVN which will be used by the unit in two tourist seasons that falls during the months of May-June and in September-October,” said DK Sharma, Manager, Tourism, KMVN.

The Pitthoragarh unit of the Adventure Games wing of KMVN is training youths in paragliding since 1993 and has trained more than a dozen local youths in this venture. “We will give this tandem gliders to some of these youths who are highly-trained and they will use this tandem to entertain the tourists,” said Dinesh Gururani, Manager of the unit.

“We have fixed Rs 1,000 for a minute flight by this tandem glider. Keeping our heights in mind, a tourist will take 1.20 minute to 1.40 minute in a flight in this valley,” said Gururani.

KMVN has plans to start paragliding at Binta in Ranikhet, besides Naukuchiyatal and Pitthoragarh in the near future keeping the tourist flow and demand in mind. 

Dehradun, February 3
The Amba XI team registered a 130-run victory over Dragon Warriors at the Suresh Chand Memorial Cricket Tournament here today.

Sonu’s brilliant half century, helped the Amba XI team pile a mammoth total of 183 runs in 20 overs.

Opener Bharat gave a good start to his team and scored 29 runs hitting five fours in his innings. Another opener Gandhi failed to adjust himself to the bowling attack of Dragon Warriors and got out at the score of two runs.

Second down batsman Lucky scored 26 runs off 24 balls thus accelerating the team runs. Muraj also helped his team increase the run rate and scored 24 runs. It was Sonu who accelerated the team’s runs rate and went on to play a blistering knock of 52 runs. Amba made 17 runs.

It was a poor bowling display by Dragon Warriors, which gave away 41 runs in the form of extras.

Abhishek was the lead wicket taker with four wickets to his kitty, whereas Avikash and Dheeraj took one wicket each.

In reply Draggan Warrior went all out for 53 runs in 9.1 overs. Six of its batsman went for a duck. Siddhant made five runs whereas Tarun made nine.

Other batsmen failed to perform and fell like a pack of cards before the fine bowling attack of Amba XI. For Draggan Warrior, Sonu picked three wickets, whereas Gussi took two wickets.

Meanwhile in the second match, the Amit XI team registered two wickets victory over the Dabbu XI team. The Dabbu XI team scored 23 runs and Rohit made 13 runs. The Dabbu XI team scored 112 runs. Pritar took three wickets, whereas Manish took two wickets.

Chasing the victory target of 112 runs, Amit XI team reached the target with 114 runs. Uday made 56 runs and Pritam scored 19 runs.

For Dabbu XI team Vipin and Sanjay took three wickets each.