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Holi colours all in peace, harmony
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Jhanda Sahib reaches Guru Ram Rai shrine
Placement drive at Beehive college on
Academy performs bhoomi puja
RIMC Inter-section Cricket Competition begins
RPCA defeat Amba Club
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Holi colours all in peace, harmony
Dehradun, March 2 Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who played Holi at his Yamuna Colony residence, greeted people from different walks of life. Present at his residence were BJP’s state president Bishan Singh Chufal, MLA Ganesh Joshi and other party members. Besides former Chief Ministers Nityanand Swami, Bhagat Singh Koshayari and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harbans Kapoor, others present at his residence were mediapersons, officers and general public who had come from far-off places. Addressing the gathering, Dr Nishank greeted the people of Uttarakhand and wished for the prosperity of the state. Explaining the concept of Holi, he added that Holi is not only a festival of colours, but also a festival when people, irrespective of their caste, colour and creed, get together to enjoy.
Locals, tourists come together
Mussoorie:
Holi was celebrated with fervour and gaiety in Mussoorie. Residents along with tourists gathered in markets around 10 am and greeted one another with colours. Pots were also installed in each market with handsome prize money. The youth forming a pyramid tried to break those and were offered cash prize. The Mall Road resounded with the chant of "Happy Holi!". Palika President OP Uniyal also greeted the locals. He said this day should be used to forget past political animosity and start afresh. Tourists enjoyed by playing with each other in hotels rooms. Bhang pakora and drinks were the main attraction. One person cut his nerves due to excessive drinking and was admitted to the Government Hospital.
10 per cent rise in
emergency cases
Dehradun:
The GVK 108 Emergency Ambulance Service team was on its feet on Holi handling emergencies and accidents in the state that saw a 10 per cent rise in emergency cases and 22 per cent increase in road accidents. The GVK EMRI Uttarakhand handled the highest-ever number of 942 emergency calls, 512 emergencies and 112 road accidents related calls in a single day. There were 512 emergencies, 498 patients and 12 police cases. As many as 185 total injury cases with a highest share of 37 per cent out of which 22 per cent were road traffic accidents and 15 per cent non-vehicular injuries. Significantly, Dehradun district reported a maximum of 21 per cent accidents on that day. In Dehradun, ambulances were deployed in the city, Vikas Nagar, Dehradun (City-2), Dehradun Prem Nagar, Dehradun (Jogiwala), Raiwala Rishikesh, Mussoorie and Chakrata. Extra ambulances were pressed into service at ISBT, Selaqui and Jakhan. Last year, the ambulance service had received 8,399 calls, of which 870 were emergency calls and 452 patients were treated.
Forest guard dies
in scuffle
Dehradun: In an unprecedented case at the Uttarakhand Forest Department, a daily wager killed a forest guard after a holy reveller turned into fight between the two. Forest guard Thakur Singh and daily wager Suraj Chhetri had an altercation over a minor issue on Holi evening at the Kansro Forest Range of Rajaji National Park. In the ensuing fight, Thakur was hit in the chest following which both were rushed to nearby hospital where Thakur succumbed to his injuries. Suraj was a daily wager and used to work as a cook in the department’s canteen. A case of murder has been lodged at the Raiwala police
station.
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Pak pilgrims play Holi
Peeran Kaliyar (Roorkee), March 2 Aimed at peace, love and friendship between India and Pakistan, a total of 183 Pakistani pilgrims played Holi along their Indian counterparts with gusto here on Monday evening. “We are here with a message of peace and love,” said Abdul Hamid
Rehan, group leader of Pakistani jatha. The jatha is here to visit the shrine on the occasion of 741st
‘Urs’. The shrine committee had made special arrangements for the visitors to play ‘phoolon (flowers) ki
holi’ at the shrine. Indians and Pakistanis showered rose petals, hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries and sweets and wished each other happy
Holi. The function, which also witnessed ‘sher-o-shayari’ programme, kicked off around 5 pm on Monday and lasted long for over an hour. The shrine authorities, including renowned poet Afzal
Manglori, welcomed the guests. After playing Holi, refreshments were also served. “All festivals, including
Diwali, Holi, Eid Milan, have been celebrated by Hindus and Muslims together since the Mughal era. “Some opportunists misuse religion to spread hatred. So there is a need to organise such programmes in a big number to defeat their purposes,” said Abdul Hameed
Rehan, group leader of Pakistani jatha. Afzal Manglori said that the Sabir shrine is a symbol of unity among Hindus and Muslims. Higher authorities of the district, including DM Meenakshi
Sundram, SDM Harish Chandra Kandpal and high police officials, were reportedly invited by the hosts, but except tehsildar
(Roorkee) Shahid Hussain, nobody turned up. The shrine authorities also presented a memento to the jatha’s leader at the end of the
programme.
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City roads choked as police busy in Holi bash
Dehradun, March 2 The role reversed just a day after Holi when the controlled police personnel gave way to singing, dancing, hooting and throwing colours on passers-by on the roads. City traffic left rudderless presented chaotic sights on the roads. Especially the prominent roundabouts of the city, namely Dila Ram, Astley Hall, Ghanta Ghar, Panchayti Mandir, Tehsil, Prince, Saharanpur, Ballupur, Balliwala, Survey Chowks and Doon Hospital got jam-packed. The traffic snarled through with difficulty. People had a tough time in making way through the bevy of vehicles. Unmindful of the pandemonium around, the police personnel seemed more absorbed in enjoying themselves. Music was blaring through various police posts where policemen could be seen dancing. In one such incident at Dhara Chowki, a minor scuffle erupted over some policemen misbehaving with a woman. The matter was however controlled. A programme of Holy Milan was organised at the Police Headquarters where DGP Subhash Joshi, ADGP JS Pandey, IG PAC/Fire Service Ajay Kumar, IG Intelligence/Security Anil K Raturi and DG Ghildiyal, IG Police Headquarters Ram Singh Meena, IG P/M Kumar Vishvjeet and DGP Assistant Amit Kumar Sinha were present.
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‘Don’t promote Bt brinjal to please MNCs’
Mussoorie, March 2 Where do you place the achievements of the Art of Living Foundation over the past 25 years? (After a pause, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar spoke) The Art of Living began with a humble beginning almost 30 years ago, but now has reached 151 countries from the tip of Argentina to the top of Norway. We are everywhere and whichever project we have undertaken in the past 25-30 years, I will not say 100 per cent, but to large extent has been successful. The success of the projects makes us feel that we could do more in contributing towards harmony and development of the world. The main purpose of Art of Living is to promote ‘life as a celebration’. The effort has been to convert misery into happiness wherever possible. It was uphill task back then. People viewed us as a cult and in suspicion. Anything Hindu was not acceptable because it had roots in Hinduism, but now things have changed for the better. How do you define Hinduism? A way of life. Hinduism is not just a religion as it embraces every form of thought and belief system. It is a religion which provides total liberty to its adherents. All the Constitutions in the world now are moving towards the Hindu way of thought - belief in liberalism, freedom to worship, preserving nature, environment and gender equality. Hinduism has always believed in gender equality in which man and woman are equal. Ardhnarishwar - half man, half women. Sadly, it is not being practiced in the country. The basic traits of Hinduism therefore are women’s empowerment, liberalism, gender equality and protection of the environment. How have the Himalayas contributed in the spiritual growth of individuals? People have been visiting the Himalayas in the pursuit of knowledge, solitude, meditation and prayers through the ages because the atmosphere is very congenial for spiritual growth. But it does not mean that only after visiting the Himalayas, one can grow spiritually. One can grow in Mumbai, Kanyakumari and Kolkota as well. The Kedaranath, Badrinath centres are ways to unite the people of the country for making a spiritual connection and bring diverse cultures together and at the same time, to find uniqueness in each one of them. Why is it important for people to experience the Kumbh mela? Kumbh is a spiritual fair where people are exposed to different philosophies. It is the best example of harmony and diversity. What role can Uttarakhand play in the spiritual quest in the future? Uttarakhand can play a major role. First, it should keep a check on bogus religious institutes and self-proclaimed protagonists of religion. It can also take a lead in checking the increasing commercialisation at religious centres. Little bit of commerce in day-to-day life is acceptable, but excess will do more harm than
good.
Uttarakhand can also take a lead in the cleaning of rivers. It can keep the Ganga clean by managing the sewage effectively. The Art of Living has taken this matter seriously and is launching a campaign called ‘Meri Delhi, Meri Yamuna’ from March 16. The initiative has already received an overwhelming response. How can we eradicate poverty and corruption from our country? Poverty can be removed by changing the lifestyle of an
individual. It can be eradicated only by abstaining from alcohol and drugs. A labourer earns more than a white-collared employee but spends 60 per cent of the amount in alcohol thus remaining in the vicious circle of poverty. The governments too are party in this as they earn a huge amount of revenue from liquor. These shops have reached every nook and corner of the country and is being sold like a commodity. This can only lead to disaster. This New Year Day, more than Rs 40 crore worth of alcohol was sold in Kerala. We are turning this country into an alcoholic one. Instead, the government should completely prohibit alcohol and provide better health, educational and agricultural facilities to the poor. On corruption, Rajiv Gandhi said that only 10 paisa reaches the poor from the one rupee allotted by the government. It should be ensured that the amount allotted for the poor should reach him and that too at the right time. What is the root cause of terrorism? What role can Art of Living play in controlling it? Fanatics have no exposure to other religions and think that only their religion is good. This thought has to be changed. The Art of Living is continuously trying to bring peace and harmony around the world. We have three centres in Pakistan. Several centres have come up in Lebanon and Iran. In fact, many Iranians have done our advanced course and will be teaching others in their country. Many more are endorsing the knowledge as its main aim is to spread peace, love and harmony. What major challenges are you planning to address in the future? The major challenge right now is to oppose the plans to introduce Bt brinjal in the country. Bt brinjal will be dangerous for farmers. We should not introduce it just to please multinationals. As far as I know, France and America have banned it. Then, why should we introduce it without investigation? Our farmers are used to the multi-crop system in which if one crop fails, then they can survive on the other crop. But from the time these hybrid seeds entered the market and our farmers started following the pattern of mass single-crop cultivation, the farmers are committing suicide. This can be avoided. We have to save local seeds. Not only this, the decreasing number of cows is also a cause for great concern. Now, only 120 cows exist per thousand people. The shortage of milk has led to people selling adulterated milk. Saving the cow is not only a religious issue, but has become the need of society. In the end, what is a let-go process in spiritual terms? Now that you have asked the question, let go for the answer.
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Mussoorie to get technical institute, announces Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Mussoorie, March 2 Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was welcomed by Mussoorie Palika President OP Uniyal with a floral offering. Students of the Saraswati Shishu Mandir presented a welcome song in honour of the seer. Addressing a large gathering at Nagar Palika premises here, the spiritual guru said devatya appears only with education and it cannot appear in the unwise. He further said education is very important and for that each one, and not just the government, has to contribute towards educating masses. He also said a movement was needed in which the educated youth of the state should be motivated to go to villages and open primary schools there and they should then come to centres like
Mussoorie and Dehradun for higher education. He said Mussoorie had been selected for the educational institute due to its beautiful and serene environment. The guru also said proposed educational institute would provide higher learning to the youth of villages nearby. He added that all should put their efforts in establishing the educational institute. The guru also blessed the devotees and the proposed institute. Uniyal thanked Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for sparing his valuable time and agreeing in establishing an educational institute, which would have courses like journalism and MBA. Palika ward members EO RP Semwal, members from the Art of Living
organisation and others were present on the occasion. Later, the Art of Living head
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar left for Dehradun.
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Spiritual guru shows way to prosperity
Dehradun, March 2 Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who has a fan following cutting across countries and religions, expressed these views while on a visit to the Science Village at Shuklapur attended a demonstration of various technologies that have designed and been put up together over there by the Himalayan Environment Studies Conservation Organisation (HESCO). “I think this experiment of empowering the local communities should be replicated elsewhere too, usually we are ignorant about local innovation and technologies that do not get publicity but can play a role in bettering out lives,” said the spiritual guru. He emphasised that by empowering local communities, the Maoist movement can be kept under check. “Poor economic conditions and disenchantment with the system that fails to deliver and does not allow fulfilment of aspirations are some of the reasons that could be behind the youth joining the ranks of Maoists,” said the guru. Such programmes should be undertaken on a large scale in remote and poorest of poor villages in the country, the guru of
millions said. Appreciating the role played by HESCO in providing economic opportunities to women, he said they could be direct beneficiaries of rural technologies that can even improve their economic conditions. Later, while speaking to
mediapersons, he said a joint effort was required for keeping our rivers clean and pollution free. “Ironically, we are responsible for spoiling our rivers that are also worshipped. It is in our hands to keep them clean,” he stressed.
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Jhanda Sahib reaches Guru Ram Rai shrine
Dehradun, March 2 Led by hundreds of devotees, Mahant Devinder Dass participated in the ritual of worshipping the Jhanda Sahib. Earlier, a procession with men participants carrying the Jhanda Sahib on their shoulders started from Shri Guru Ram Rai Inter College Motherwala and reached the Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib. It may be mentioned that after three years the Jhanda Sahib is being changed. A sal tree is selected from the Dudhali forest for this purpose. During the flag-hoisting ceremony that will take place on March 5, the Old Jhanda Sahib will be replaced with the new. Meanwhile, a large number of the sangat from Punjab has already begun arriving at the Jhanda Sahib. “A total of 5,000 pilgrims have arrived for the mela. They will be put up at various dharamshalas and schools premises,” said VK Nautiyal, coordinator, Darbar Shri Guru Ram Rai.
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NSUI seeks closure of IIPM
Dehradun, March 2 A copy of the report was procured by the NSUI through an RTI application and presented before the media today. Tired of making rounds of the administration authorities, NSUI leaders has decided to make a last-ditch attempt to seek the closure of the institute from the District Magistrate and, if needed, from the Chief Minister. They have threatened to hold a series of vigorous protests if their demand was not met. A detailed report filed by Chander Singh Mehra reads that the IIPM did not furnish complete details and documents required by him. He also wrote that the institute was misleading people by publicising about its courses. “Though no institute can run the BBA/MBA courses without taking affiliation from the AICTE and the state university, the institute is running these courses without affiliation. It is also running study centres without getting an NOC from the state government, which is illegal. The degree thus given in these courses will not be recognised,” the report reads. The report cautions the state government saying that since neither the state university nor the government has any control over the IIPM, the future of the students passing out from the institute will be at stake. It holds the Uttrakhand government responsible for allowing such an institute to run in the state and warns that it can face the wrath of students in future for its inaction. It goes on to say that this institute will further harm those institutes in the state, which are running the courses with proper affiliations. Mehta in the end urges for a speedy action in this case. Determined to foil the attempts of the IIPM to run its institute smoothly and open a university, Pankaj Kshetri, senior leader of the NSUI, said the government machinery seemed to be under heavy influence of the institute which was run by well-known management guru Arindam Chaudhary. Chaudhary was made to return without letting him address students of St Joseph in town a few months ago by NSUI members. Sangram Singh Pundir, president, NSUI, said they would not let the institute play with hapless youngsters who were already grappling with lack of quality education and employment and would fight it out tooth and nail.
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Placement drive at Beehive college on
Dehradun, March 2 The companies have offered students with attractive packages amounting to Rs 4 lakh. The Beehive College of Management and Technology is a leading management institute equipped with excellent infrastructure to support every stage of placement process. Students pursuing professional courses like MBA at the college are being assured of placements according to their
talent in leading multinational groups. Dr Aftab Ahmed, Director of the college, said the institute focused on quality education and students were given enough opportunities to explore their
calibre. This is just the beginning of the placement season at the college. Dean, Placement , Vishal Garg said during the past week some big companies visited the campus and offered the students attractive profiles and packages. The college would continue to explore all avenues till its students find the right jobs in accordance to their qualifications and job experience. In the coming week, companies like Amartex and IBM are expected to visit the campus.
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Academy performs bhoomi puja
Dehradun, March 2 Attended by hundreds of well-wishers of the academy, the executive administrator of Grace International Stuart Johnson inaugurated the bhoomi poojan. He was accompanied by president of CEA, South Africa, Stanley Moodley and Shaun Nepstad. Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bharat Susamachar Samiti (BSS), George Chavanikamannil said he wanted the school to flourish. He praised the efforts of the administrators and teachers of the academy that had helped them establish a good reputation in the past one year of its opening in this area. The BSS is a registered educational society that runs reputed schools in various parts of India.
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RIMC Inter-section Cricket Competition begins
Dehradun, March 2 The seniors’ matches were played between Shivaji and Chandragupta and Shivaji and Ranjit and the juniors’ matches were played between Pratap and Ranjit and Chandragupta and Pratap. In the seniors, a nail-biting climax was witnessed in which Ranjit Section managed a last ball win and in the second match a fiercely fought draw was the outcome. In both junior matches the Pratap triumphed showing their superiority in the game with their unbeaten streak as of now. The final results: In the match played between Chandragupta and Shivaji (seniors), Shivaji made 99 runs at the losss of 8 in 15 overs. Chandragupta scored 99 runs at the loss of 9 in 15 overs. Highest runs scorer was cadet Ayush Salaria (Chandragupta) with 23 runs. The highest wicket takers were cadets Suhas and Himanshu (both from Chandragupta) with 3 wickets each. Man of the Match was cadet Ayush Salaria. In the match played between Pratap and Chandragupta (juniors), Chandragupta scored 57 runs at the loss of 10 wickets in 20 overs. Whereas Pratap made 58 runs after losing 6 wickets in 19.3 overs. The highest runs scorer was cadet Nelson (Pratap) with 16 runs. The highest wicket taker was cadet Martand Dev (Pratap) with 4 wickets and Man of the Match was again won by cadet Nelson. Meanwhile, in the match played between Pratap and Ranjit (juniors), Ranjit made 57 runs at the cost of 10 wickets in 15 overs whie Pratap scored 58 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in 15 overs. Cadet Mayank Dhama (Pratap) won the Man of the Match title along with being the highest scorer and wicket taker with 15 runs 3 wickets in his kitty. In the Shivaji vs Ranjit (seniors) match, Shivaji made 77 runs at the loss of 10 wickets in 20 overs. And Ranjit scored 78 runs after losing 10 wickets in 19 overs. The highest run scorer was cadet Aman Kumar (Shivaji) with 29 runs and the highest wicket taker was cadet Kumar Harsh (Ranjit) with 5 wickets. Man of the Match title was bagged by cadet Kumar Harsh. The umpires for the event were cadet Aman Thakur and cadet Mukesh who presided over the seniors and cadet Ravi Yadav and cadet K Vignesh who presided over the juniors.
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RPCA defeat Amba Club
Dehradun, March 2 Vipin Kashyap was the top scorer for the winning team hitting a sizzling 61, followed by Dikshant and Ankush scoring 31 and 22 runs receptively for the team. After winning the toss, RPCA elected to bat, scoring 185 runs in 20 overs. Vipin Kashyap who looked comfortable facing deliveries of AC bowlers from the start, laid the foundation for his team that easily won the match. For Amba Team Mohinder, Farman and Sonu took one wicket each between them. The score of 185 runs proved difficult for Amba Team batsmen, who could score only 145 runs in stipulated overs. For Amba Club Neeraj scored 69 runs, but he couldn’t do much alone as rest the batsmen got out early. For RPCA team Amit and Avnish took one wicket each. The match was organised by Dinesh Rawat Academy.
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