Dehradun, February 20
Nature and man’s own creativity resulted in a perfect symphony which was evident in the generous sprinkling of flowers spread all across the lawns of the Raj Bhavan today at the start of the Basant Utsav (spring festival).

(Left to right) Dancers from Bali, Indonesia, perform; Potted flowers in full bloom; and A boy clicks photographs of flower arrangements during the Basant Utsav at the Raj Bhawan, Dehradun, on Saturday. Tribune photographs

The festival was opened by Governor Margaret Alva, who released a stamp on ‘kutki’, a local plant that is being revived in the state after 40 long years.

Away from the humdrum of the daily grind, families with children in tow seemed to revel in the freedom of being able to leisurely walk and enjoy the perfect natural ambience.

Amid gentle sunshine and cool breeze, the green lawns laid with flowers of all hues seemed to speak about the prowess of the state that is gently ambling towards becoming a flower power in the country.

There were cut flowers, wild flowers, potted plants, Bonsai, seasonal flowers and ornamental plants put up by professional floriculturists and amateur green thumb hobbyists.

A total of 383 entries will be judged in the cut flower category (commercial), 86 entries in the potted plant arrangement put up by government institutions, private nurseries and central/state government institutions.

A total of 65 entries have been received in the flower arrangement category, 66 entries in potted plants category comprising of greens, fruits, vegetables, lettuce, exotic, 55 categories in cacti, succulents, Bonsai and orchids and 42 categories in garden and 19 in institutional category. Tomorrow, the best entries in different categories will be adjudged and all participants will be given commendation certificates.

Floriculturists from Nainital, Ram Nagar, Kaladungi, Ramnagar, Rudrapur and Dehradun are participating in the flower exhibition. The cynosure of all eyes were the large-sized gerberas of different colours.

“I am growing gerbera in 6000 sq m and in a poly-house. The results have been quite good. Most of my produce is sent to Azad Mandi in Delhi,” said Balbir Kamboj, a resident of Kaladungi.

In fact, Kishan Lal Thukral, credited with raising the largest nursery in Rudrapur, is growing gerberas in 20 acres. His farm has turned into a show piece for other farmers to learn and take on floriculture.

“Our state has considerably expanded the area under flower cultivation since the last couple of years. In 2009-2010, the total area under gerbera cultivation in the state is 65.70 hectares, for carnation 27.55 hectares, gladioli 335.13 hectares, marigold 246.14 hectares, rose 125.80 hectares, tuberose 23.80 hectares and the rest 85 hectares,” said Subash Kumar, Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Forests.

Besides, the state is also eyeing the Rs 500 crore dry flower market and has even started cultivation of anthurium in Mussoorie and Nainital.

More was to follow as the evening progressed. This time, it was a cultural fiesta put up a Balinese group and a troupe from Meghalaya.

The Balinese troupe presented a captivating programme called ‘Song of Dharma’. The 14-member group recited the Gayatri mantra and an ode to Lord Vishnu.

The group was founded by Dewa Budjana in 1998. “We try to spread the message of peace and harmony and also try to inform our audience about our own culture and tradition,” said Bagu Mantra.

The Snap Paka Institute from Meghalaya, dressed in their traditional attire marked by plumed headgears and silver ornaments, presented a dance welcoming the spring season.

Dehradun, February 20
The Forest Research Institute (FRI) will now be under a security blanket.

The institute has come up with an internal comprehensive security plan for its sprawling campus that will put an additional burden of Rs 8 lakh per month to the institute’s exchequer.

Spread over 450 hectares, with the outer Himalaya forming its backdrop, the Forest Research Institute's main building is an impressive edifice, marrying Greco-Roman and Colonial styles of architecture.

The FRI services to forestry are not only recognised within the country, but internationally as well and, thus, it is its importance that makes is susceptible to terror threats.

FRI sources reveal that the institute does not want to ignore the security scenario in the country, particularly, after the Pune blast.

The institute has started deploying wireless set-equipped security guards at all its three key Kaulagarh, Shatabdhi and Panditwari Gates open to visitors.

The institute for the past few years had been closing its campus for the general public for a couple of days, particularly during the Republic and Independence days, which of course despite FRI’s official refusal has been due to security point of view.

There have been earlier suggestions for coming up bigger boundary walls, but this too had failed to materialise taking into account the expanse of space covered by the FRI campus.

The FRI on its part has been on a denial mode on public admitting any security threat to the institute.

It is joining the issue of beefing up of the security arrangements with an aim of curbing the influx of visitors inside the campus. It is mulling introducing Rs 10 entry fee that has to be deposited at every gate of the FRI.

More importantly, the FRI campus is considered to be the most vulnerable as it shares its boundaries with key defence institution, the Indian Military Academy (IMA). Interestingly, while the IMA has fortified in the campus in recent years, security arrangements at the FRI continues to be outdated.

One of most sought-after destination visiting Dehradun, the FRI has been so far most easily approachable tourist attraction within city limits. On the other side, the new security arrangements will definitely make entry at the institute campus more tough in the days to come.

Haridwar, February 20
Dr Vinay Kumar Sethi and Dr Deep Nawal Kaur today bagged the first prize for their research paper presentation by the Department of Environment and Wildlife, Gurukul Kangri University, on the concluding day of the two-day national symposium on “Impact of Trends in Climate Change on Biodiversity and Faunistic Systems”.

The symposium was inaugurated yesterday by Juna Peethadeshwar Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdeshanand Giri and Member of Parliament from the Almora constituency Pradeep Tamta attended yesterday’s proceedings.

Tamta in his address said that though developed countries are the main source of carbon emissions that lead to global warming, yet the stance of developing nations that puts the onus on these nations to cut emissions and themselves go on hindering eco-friendly steps was not the solution to the menace of global warming.

Stating that the recent Copenhagen summit on global warming was limited to rich and poorer nations shifting blame on each other, he said, “All nations need to introspect individually”.

He pointed that the Earth is not one nation, but combines all nations. So, combined as well as individual efforts are needed if adverse climatic changes have to be controlled.

“We are fourth in the list of emitting carbon emissions after the USA and China, but that doesn’t mean that the nations way low down in the list evade their responsibility of saving mankind from climatic changes,” said Tamta at Gurukul Kangri University.

Relating the experiences of his college days, the Congress parliamentarian said youth had started an agitation in Nainital to save trees from being axed even though at that time, global warming hadn’t assumed much significance.

Inaugurating the seminar, chief guest Juna Peethadeshwar Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdeshanand Giri said the rate of rise in temperature and climatic changes are a major problem for the whole of mankind.

He said if the glaciers continued to melt at the current rate, then it would have severe repercussions on rivers, specially the Ganga which is the lifeline of more than 50 crore persons.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Swatantra Kumar said temperatures in the Himalayan zone were increasing much more in comparison to the global temperature and that didn’t bode well for the world.

Indian Environmental Science Council President Prof BD Joshi made a connection between the severe climatic changes to the unbalanced development and luxurious lifestyle in the modern world.

“Haphazard urbanisation, industrialisation and overuse of natural resources are inflicting severe damage to the global climate,” said Dr Joshi.

Uttarakhand Space Application Centre Director MM Kimothi, in his research paper presentation today, highlighted the impact of climate change in biodiversity and the local inhabitants.

Kimothi said that already the forests of Uttarakhand were under pressure and if climatic changes continue, the facilities we get from forests would be hit.

Professor SN Bahuguna from Garhwal University pointed out the impact of global warming on the hilly river fishes and on their physical development.

Dr Vinay Kumar Sethi read from his research paper the effect on bird migration due to climate change.

Scientists and scholars who presented research papers were Professor VK Mathoo, MK Jyoti Barktulla, Vagnu, BN Pandey, BR Kaushal, RC Sharma, Neelima Gupta, Naveen Joshi, Tribhuwan, Vinay Sethi, Katya Sharma, Preeti Verma, Swati Agha, Naveen Chand Joshi, Kumari Swtambarai among others.

A poster competition was also held in which participants from six universities took part. Mahadev Semwal came first among boys while Sonika Kushwaha topped among girls.

In the concluding ceremony, Vice-Chancellor, Dev Sanskriti University, SP Mishra, talked about the importance of environment in Indian culture and stressed on maintaining a balance between the two.

Dehradun, February 20
A seminar on “Recent Trends in Conservation, Technology and Utilisation of Bio-resources” will be held by the Advance Institute of Science and Technology, an affiliate college of HNB Garhwal University, here on February 23. Chairman of the institute Ravi Sood, Principal Dr Himmat Singh and organising secretary Dr Anjali Khare today briefed mediapersons about the importance of the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Himmat Singh said, “This conference will be delivered in the form of presentations by 11 distinguished speakers drawn from research institutes to share their experience on conversion technologies and utilisation”.

He also added that the main objective of the conference was to bring together scientists from Uttarakhand and neighbouring states to discuss and exchange ideas on how biology, chemistry, biotechnology and other related fields might further enhance the possibility of conversation and utilisation of bio-resources, which formed the bases of a large proportion of modern products.

Eminent speakers invited for the conference are Dr SK Mukherjee, Dr Vishwanath Shrada, Dr Arvind Shukla, Prof Avtar Suri, Dr AK Suri, Dr P Soni, Dr HR Dhingra, Dr Rakesh Maurya, Dr PS Negi and Meenakshi Joshi.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand, Dr RBS Rawat will inaugurate the conference followed by his speech on the theme, while Himalaya Drug House president Dr S Farooq will be the guest speaker, who will deliver the key note address.

Moreover, 20 research papers from high academic institutes will also be presented on the occasion. About 20 young researchers and faculty members will display their research findings through posters that will be exhibited during the conference sessions.

The Chairman of the institute said, “The conference is organised to elaborate objectives, organisation and technicality of utilising bio-resources. The seminar is also conducted to create awareness in bio-resources conservation, collect information on recent research developments in bio-resources and to identify as well as highlight opportunities for future industries”.

Mussoorie, February 20
In the wake of the ongoing arbitrary fee hike by certain English-medium schools in Mussoorie, activists of the city Youth Congress are gearing up to take the protest step further.

According to Mussoorie Youth Congress president Shailendar Bisht, the activists will not rest till the arbitrary increase is not taken back by these schools in the town.

He also said the deliberations were on to create a parent-teacher forum, which was absent till now.

Bisht said it was indeed surprising that Mussoorie did not have a body of parents which could speak on their behalf. Now, the parents had given their consent for such forum verbally.

He warned that if their justified demands were not met, the party workers would burn the effigy of the government within coming week and raise the issue on the streets of city.

Bisht also said he was getting support from all quarters as most parents were reeling under the pressure of acute rise in the tuitions fee at certain English-medium schools.

It is important to note that the parent-teacher association has not been formed in here due to a large number of boarding students whose parents have no time to devote to such activities.

Dehradun, February 20
Fateh House lifted the overall championship trophy at the Annual Sports Meet of the Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science and Research here today.

Zorawar House was second whereas Jujhar came third.

Rahul of Fateh won the 100m gold clocking 11.89 seconds, Rajesh Negi of Jujhar was second with the timing of 12.85 seconds, whereas Pushpender of Fateh House settled for bronze.

In the girls category, Ekleen won gold for Zorawar House followed by Priyanka, who won silver for Fateh House and Lalita of Zorawar House settled for bronze.

In the 200m boys category, Rahul Singh emerged winner for Fateh House, whereas Ali had to settle for silver and Rajesh Negi earned Jujhar House bronze. In the girls category, Priyanka of Fateh House won gold, Ekleen Kaur of Zorawar House won silver and Lalita of Ajit House had to be satisfied with bronze.

In the 4x100m boys category, Zorawar House won gold, Fateh House won silver and Ajit House won bronze.

In the 4x100m girls category, Zorawar House won gold, Jujhar House won silver and Fateh House settled for bronze.

Dehradun, February 20
The GRD team registered a 103-run victory over the KIHMCT team at the Ist Inter-College Cricket Tournament here today.

Batting first, the GRD team scored 197 runs in 32 overs. Opener Sandeep made 18 runs, middle order batsman Vikash scored 24, whereas Pankaj made 28 runs. The most important contribution for the team came from the lower order batsman Pankaj who made 40 runs and Sandeep made 18 runs.

For the KIHMCT team, Akhil took four wickets and Wasim took three wickets.

Chasing the victory target of 198 runs, the KIHMCT team was all out for 94 runs. Akhil made 23 runs and Dushyant scored 11 runs.

For the GRD team Kashif and Pankaj took three wickets each.

Dehradun, February 20
Potala XI team defeated Vijay Cantt team by 5-4 in a tiebreaker at Narayan Gurung Memorial Football Tournament here today.

Both the teams were locked at 1-1 draw during the scheduled time. First half did not seem much scoring opportunities from both side and both the teams were locked 0-0 draw. In the second half, Vijay Cantt team scored 42nd minute through Tushar. Five minutes later Tashi came back for Potala XI team to score equaliser in the 47th minute. In the tiebreaker, Potala XI team defeated Vijay Cantt team by 5-4.

Meanwhile in the second match, 2/3 Gorkha Rifle team defeated Gypsy team by 2-1. 2/3 Gipsy team scored in the 14th minute through a penalty taken by Mahendra.

2/3 Gorkha Rifle team came back to score an equaliser through Vishal in the 18th minute. Yoel scored a goal in the 68th minute to make it 2-1 for 2/3 Gorkh Rifle team making it 2-1.

Dehradun, February 20
The Microbiology Department won the overall championship trophy at the Annual Sports Meet of Dolphin Institute here today.

Results:

In Track and Field (50m relay) Men: 1st Ram Singh, 2nd Jitendra Singh Yadav and 3rd Prashant.

In 50m relay girls: 1st Sumanpreet, 2nd Nabeela Khan and 3rd Neerja.

In 50m x 4 relay men: 1st Chemical Science, 2nd Microbiology Department and 3rd Forestry Department.

In 50m x 4 relay girls: 1st Microbiology Department, 2nd Pathology Department and 3rd Physiotherapy Dept.

Shot put men: 1st Manoj Pandey, 2nd Abiezo Sikos and 3rd Bharat Singh.

Shot put girls: 1st Tshering, 2nd Nisha and 3rd Abhaya Sah. Disc throw men: 1st Ambrish Kumar, 2nd Bharat Singh and 3rd Neulengthang Singsong.

Disc throw girls: 1st Poorva Laldhar, 2nd Tshering Pam and 3rd Seema.

Dehradun, February 20
“Uttarakhand Conclave” opened to a job and career fair as well as an NGO conference of skill development on the second day of the education fair, Destination 2010, at St Joseph Academy here today. The conclave was organised by Ilex Media Solutions, Bharat Shodh and Livelihood & Skill Development Alliance.

Sanjay Jadhav, Director of Bharat Shodh, spoke on the importance of skill development, strategy on securing job for illiterate as well as semi-literate youth of the state. He sought for the cooperation of the government, NGO and education bodies for skill development. He also elaborated on the organisation’s approach on skill development for Uttarakhand and promised to provide the required research on the matter.

Krishan Khanna, member of the organisation, answered the question to confirm that Bharat Shodh and iWatch are working on skill building for the unorganised sector constituting 480 million workers and representing 94 per cent of workforce working in 100 million medium and small industries.

RK Atri, secretary of Bharat Shodh, introduced the organisation, its approach and strategies to the audience. More than 50 NGOs participated in the event. Different Indian and foreigner universities have put up stalls to guide the students.

Sandeep Khanna, chief mentor (Eduplans) and organiser of the programme, said the fair had provided to students opportunities and also guided students about the career and opportunities. The Uttarakhand Conclave will conclude tomorrow.