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Palika in spot over Clock Tower renovation
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Kumaon gets a voice
Broccoli common man’s dish in Pitthoragarh
His love for Hindi language is unmatched
MKP students stage ‘Othello’
Doon VC to hold workshop on international relations
Cipla hires 20 from SBS
Notification delayed as China yet to confirm date
Low-hanging wires spell doom for Rajaji jumbos
Shankaracharya’s Peshwayi taken out
UP to enrol umpires, scorers from U’khand
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Palika in spot over Clock Tower renovation
Mussoorie, March 11 The renovation work was inaugurated by Palika president OP Uniyal along with ward members with the a bhoomi poojan ceremony. Residents of
Mussoorie, however, disapproved of this alleged sale of the Clock Tower by the
Palika. According to Uniyal, the estimated cost of the project is around Rs 42
lakh, which will be shared between the Palika and a private builder Sanjay Narang from
Mumbai. The Palika will spend Rs 19 lakh on the renovation of infrastructure which is in dilapidated condition and the rest will be spent on the beautification of the area to be done by Narang’s company, similar to the pattern of Big Ben Tower of London. However, the residents and public representatives have questioned the whole deal which is under the scanner. Former Palika president Manmohan Singh Mall said it was sheer waste of money by the
Palika. He questioned the way in which the MoU had been signed between Narang and the Palika authorities, saying that there was no need to spend 19 lakh on the tower as the renovation had been done by the MDDA and the Palika during his tenure. He further alleged that the tower had been sold in the name of the PPP mode and that was the first incident of its kind. Mall said the selling of the tower to Narang had commercial bearings as he owned a restaurant called Clock Tower Café near the site. As he had heard through sources a museum was also proposed to be set up there with an entry fee, which would be pocketed by
Narang. Thus, it is self-evident that the whole exercise was to benefit one businessman and waste the hard-earned money of the tax payers, Mall
alleged. Shyam Sharma, MDDA AE, also confirmed the fact that a test was conducted on the tower by the IIT-Roorkee during the tenure of the previous Palika president and it was found that the tower was in good shape. After the test, the MDDA renovated the Clock Tower two years ago and there was no need to carry out the similar exercise once again. When contacted, Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola said he was unaware of the deal. He, however, revealed that the PPP mode meant that the land would be provided to the private partner who would then invest an amount equal to the value of the land. Since the private partner would not get anything in return what was the reason behind his investment in the project, he asked. The Clock Tower was constructed in 1945 and had historical significance. By awarding the project to Narang it will become a private property where no local would be able to enter freely. Anger is brewing in the residents on this issue and it seems that the dispute will not die down easily.
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Kumaon gets a voice
Mukteshwar, March 11 The radio station set up by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will cover 20 villages spread over a radius of 10 km around Mukteshwar. In her address at the inaugural function, Alva said that the new venture was something that belonged to the community as a whole and would have no interference from either the government or politicians. She said that community radio had a big role to play in remote areas of the country. “It can help a lot in the propagation of the local language, culture and dialect,” the Governor underlined. Alva said that the community radio has the potential to play a very important role in generating awareness on social issues and also in empowering the community. She said, “Issues like climate, education can be taken up through the medium.” She particularly mentioned that it had a great role to play in the empowerment of women as issues related to them can be taken up at length through it. Referring to the various initiatives being taken for women empowerment, including the Women’s Reservation Bill, she pointed out, “Only making laws in Parliament is not enough. Women have to be empowered at the grassroots levels also.” She recalled how community radio at various places has proved itself to be a very constructive tool in varied situations. She said that it can be of great help during the time of a natural disaster as it was proved during the tsunami experienced by Tamil Nadu. She also underlined that community radio has played a big role in bringing various communities together like in the case of misunderstandings between two communities in Mangalore. Alva participated in a live two-way chat on the Kumaon Vani. When she was asked by a child what she liked the most about the region, she said that she was impressed by the natural beauty and underlined that it was the duty of forthcoming generations to preserve the green cover in the area. In her interaction with a woman sitting in the studio, she said that she was aware of the hardships being faced by the women of mountainous regions. The Governor underlined the need for educating the children and encouraged women towards the setting up of self help groups (SHGs) for economic development and sustenance. A recorded message of TERI’s Director-General Dr RK Pachauri was also broadcast on the occasion in which he iterated TERI’s constant commitment to disseminate its research results to the real beneficiaries or implements at the grassroots. He said that Kumaon Vani will give the local community a voice to share their experiences and knowledge with each other. According to a TERI spokesperson, “We envisioned a means through which the local community is enabled to address its needs and issues thereby becoming a successful model of self sustenance and development. “For this reason, TERI took upon itself, the task to set up a community radio Kumaon Vani in Supi village of Uttarakhand.” The Vice-Chancellor of Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Dr BS Bisht, said that way back in 1963, the Pantnagar University was on the verge of having a radio station of its own, but that dream has become a reality now. Almost 50 organisations from Uttarakhand have shown interest in setting up community radio stations and very soon the state will have at least 15 such stations.
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Broccoli common man’s dish in Pitthoragarh
Pitthoragarh, March 11 “I am growing broccoli for two years on my one-acre farm in my village and getting good response from common customers,” said Jeevan Singh Danu, a young farmer, who has been producing nearly 50 quintals of broccoli every year for the past two years. According to Uttarakhand Director of Horticulture BP Nautiyal, nearly 500 farmers in the state are growing broccoli, which was introduced in Uttarakhand some eight years ago. “Farmers in Dehradun, Nainital and Haridwar are also growing this vegetable during winter. Broccoli cultivation is being encouraged under a horticulture mission as well as state and district sector plans,” said Nautiyal. “The experiments on broccoli (Brassica-Olevacea) production in this part of the Kumaon region were done between 1995 and 2000 at government horticulture research centre, Pitthoragarh. The variety of Italica was successfully grown,” said IA Khan, a senior scientist, who has experimented on broccoli, besides other European vegetables. “But only broccoli was adopted by farmers,” said Khan. Jeeven Singh Danu, the farmer who has been awarded with Kisan Bhusan by the state government for his initiative to grow this exotic vegetable, says he is selling broccoli at the rate of Rs 30 a kg only to make it acceptable by common consumers, otherwise the broccoli sells at 100 a kg in big cities. “Not only at Nachni village, but also more than 250 farmers in Champawat and Ramgarh, Ranikhet areas are also growing broccoli, which fetches them more than three times the rate of other Indian vegetables,” said Narendra Kumar, Pitthoragarh District Horticulture Officer. Khan, the senior scientist who found broccoli suitable for temperature of the area, says the broccoli crop can be grown between 3,000 and 6,000 feet in the mid-Himalayan region in August-September and in the high Himalayan region in March-April. The broccoli yield varies from 100 to 104 quintals per hectare in this mid-Himalayan region. “Though this can be grown in the plains during winter, the sweetness can only be produced in hill areas as its seed require chilling conditions,” said Khan. The nutrients are in abundance in this vegetable which is also considered anti-carcinogenic in its substance. “Besides this rare property, the broccoli contains 1.45 per cent minerals, 1.35 per cent fibres, 4.75 per cent carbohydrates, 5.50 per cent protein and 0.45 per cent fats, besides iron and calcium,” said Khan.
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His love for Hindi language is unmatched
Haridwar, March 11 One such person is Haridwar resident Narendra Mohan, who is a known face among Hindi scholars. An employee of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Ranipur, Dr Mohan has to his credit several state and national awards for his immense contribution to the Hindi language. Recently, he was felicitated by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Banikhet, in Himachal Pradesh for his outstanding contribution in popularising the language. While felicitating him, NHPC Managing Director SK Aggarwal said seeing Dr Mohan’s penchant for the Hindi language, he would try to implement the usage of the national language as much as it could in the corporation. Besides, Dr Mohan has to his credit several awards from other states too. He has been honoured for his contribution to the Hindi language by respective governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh. Surprisingly, he has been honoured by north-eastern states too, though Hindi is not the first choice there. Dr Mohan feels more elated on his being honoured in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Assam. Talking to The Tribune, Dr Mohan felt proud to be associated with the mother tongue. “It was quite surprising that in the north-eastern states there is quite a penchant for Hindi language and one can find people speaking and trying to learn Hindi giving it due respect contrary to the common perception,” recalls Dr Mohan. He has also represented BHEL, Haridwar, at various national language conventions held across the the country. While at Shillong and Dehradun national conventions he had also got opportunity to conduct the stage proceedings wherein he got rave reviews for his excellent oratory, presentation and verbal Hindi skills. On the current status of Hindi as a language wherein English and Hinglish (mixed usage of Hindi and English in common parlance) has severely affected the national language progress, Dr Mohan feels: “Hindi is a versatile, prosperous language and is spoken by crores. It has only grown over the centuries and besides Sanskrit no language comes near to Hindi,” said a confident Dr Mohan. He is quite perturbed over parents not inculcating Hindi usage in both written and spoken forms and quite crazy to teach their children in English medium schools. “I am not against English medium of education, but that should not be at the cost of the Hindi language. Don’t present before your children that those studying or speaking Hindi are second grade. The world is looking up to India and we are ignoring our voice which is Hindi,” opined Dr Mohan. He also gives a piece of advice to those who demean Hindi as a language. “Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia, was in India currently and you will see him only speaking in Russian language with pride. “Similar is the case with Chinese, France, Italy, Spain and other state heads. If we can not respect our language then how can we think world will respect us,” remarked Dr Mohan.
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MKP students stage ‘Othello’
Dehradun, March 11 This dramatic programme was co-sponsored by the English Literary Society, MKP (PG) College, and the Basanti Bhattacharya Memorial Fund. The entire programme module was created and directed by Anoop Gusain and Abhinav Goel from the Department of Culture and Folk Performing Arts, HNB GU, Srinagar. Dr Rajesh Naithani, strategic advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, graced the occasion as the chief guest for the day. The function was also attended by distinguished guests Mahesh Ghildial, Secretary, Supreme Court Monitoring Committee and foemer Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Prof DR Purohit, Head, Department of Culture and Folk Performing Arts, HNB GU, Srinagar, and Dr Bhattacharya, former Dy Director, IIP. Seventy girls participated and enthralled the audience with their performances. The programme was designed to provide cultural and language enrichment by revealing insights into the target culture and presenting language contexts that makes items memorable by placing them in a realistic, social and physical context. The aim of this presentation was to stimulate language learning through literary texts, which helps to contribute to the cognitive, social, affective and moral developments of the learner.
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Doon VC to hold workshop on international relations
Dehradun, March 11 He explained, “The winter and summer schools aim to address the range of issues and concepts in the India’s foreign policy in public domain. It’s objective is to sensitise the thinking community about the complexities of issues in holistic perspectives”. He added, “In democratic societies, public debate and public opinion play a vital role in defining public policies, including the foreign policy. In the global age with territories losing relevance and many national issues moving to global arena, it has become the more relevant that issues are discussed in public domain. However, the debate can be substantive only if it’s backed by reasoning and empirical support”. Buoyed with the successful launch of Maiden Winter School, which was based on global security scenario, he is excited about making it a permanent fixture of university, which would impart distinction to the campus. “The registration was booked in a short period. Since we charge little money for the registration, so an IAS coaching institute enrolled its students to learn about the tricky foreign security issues,” he said. Pant welcomed young researchers, academics, mediapersons, postgraduate students, aspirants for Indian Foreign Service and those who have special interest in foreign and security policy affairs. Besides, he also stressed on “research” - something which should be related to higher study centres other than carrying out employment generational courses. In this direction, he informed that the university was starting a research on the theme of “Public Policy-Governance”, which is sponsored by the NTPC. The corporation will pay Rs 3 crore for the project.
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Cipla hires 20 from SBS
Dehradun, March 11 Seventyfive candidates were interviewed for the QC Department. The team of interviewers comprised 11 members, including corporate head Gayatri Khedekar. On the occasion, Senior HR Manager Ajit Gupta spoke to the students and briefed them with company’s training criteria. SBS Training and Placement Cell convener Versha Parcha thanked the team for their corporation and regular placements of SBS students. She also thanked the management team, particularly Chairman SP Singh, Managing Secretary and Director Prof AK Sharma and members of T&P Dr Yogesh Negi, Dr Vikas Jadon, Ajmal, Vikas Sharma, Shashi Ranjan. However, amid tough competitors only 20 candidates were selected. Selection process will conclude tomorrow with interviews of production, QA and the store departments.
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Music bands enthral students
Dehradun, March 11 Dancer Jyoti of the City Lights group performed foot-tapping dance numbers and created a perfect mood for fun and frolic. Chief guests for the day were Tehri district MLA Kishore Upadhaya, Mayor Vinod Chamoli and senior Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leader Narendra Rawat. performances, which were equally enjoyed by all. The Union Week will conclude tomorrow.
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Tribune Impact Ajay Ramola
Mussoorie, March 11 Led by their president Nitin Dutt, they protested against the draconian and unconstitutional way in which the Nagar Palika in Mussoorie was leasing college land to an organisation for a mini-university. The students gathered on the college premises and raised slogans against the Palika president. Nitin, speaking to the Tribune, said they were not against any educational institute in Mussoorie, but it should not be at the cost of the poor students of the college. He said they would oppose any such move by the Nagar Palika “tooth and nail” and would not rest till the proposal was reversed. Jitendar Panwar, Rajesh Chandra, Arjun Sharma, Arvind Rana and Mohsin Khan were present on the occasion. The college staff has already aired its views against the lease. The next management committee meeting has been scheduled for March 16.
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No such proposal, says minister
Dehradun, March 11 When Congress Mussoorie MLA Joth Singh Gunsola, along with another Congress MLA Dinesh Agarwal, raised their fears over the lease, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant ruled out that any such proposal was being considered. At the start of the question hour, Prakash Pant, in response to a query, said there was no proposal of leasing out the land to any organisation. He accused Joth Singh Gunsola, who had put up the query of trying to unnecessarily create an issue out of it. He pointed out that the Mussoorie municipality was not even authorised to given land on lease to any organisation and even if it floats any such proposal, the final stamp of approval could only come from the government. Earlier, Dinesh Agarwal, Congress MLA from Lakshman Chowk, said the MPG College in Mussoorie was founded to help the poor population of the region get higher education. Providing any part of the college land to any non-governmental organisation was not justified and totally unacceptable. Opposition leader Harak Singh Rawat too held that the issue had raised suspicion as the same individual heads the Mussoorie municipality and the college management committee. The Tribune on March 11 had highlighted the issue of the possible leasing out of 32 bighas of the MPG College land to the Art of Living, a spiritual non-governmental organisation at the behest of the Mussoorie municipality. The report had said the land was being provided to set up a university without the approval of the college management committee.
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Notification delayed as China yet to confirm date
Pitthoragarh, March 11 Navneet Pandey, Indian Trade Officer, has said he had written to the Central government to take up the matter with the Chinese government to get confirmation of a date to start the border trade. This was decided at a preparatory meeting for the annual border trade by the Pitthoragarh district administration. “Last year, our traders were a bit confused as the Chinese authorities did not fix the exact date. Our traders had to dump their goods at some camps. This led to losses as the goods got damaged. From this year, we have decided not to inform the traders until we get the exact date from the Chinese authorities,” said Pandey. The preparation committee for the India-China border trade has requested that a Customs post be opened at Nabhidang near the Lipulekh pass instead of Gunji to lessen inconvenience to Indian traders. “Traders complain that they are subjected to numerous checks by the ITBP and SSB personnel from Nabhidang to Gunji and then customs officials check them at Gunji. “If a Customs post is opened at Nabhidang and at Sitapul on the Nepal border, Indian traders will be checked only at one point by all agencies,” said Pandey. Despite the ban on the import of livestock from Tibet, traders are actually importing Tibetan livestock and bringing them via Nepal, sometimes illegally. To avoid the loss of revenue to Indian Customs, the preparation committee has also requested the government of India that a vaccination team be sent to Tibet with the traders. They have stated that only after vaccination of the livestock should these be allowed into India. “Legally, Indian traders cannot import these as no quarantine facility is available at the Indian mart at Gunji. “However, traders import these as they need Tibetan goats for religious purposes,” said Pandey, who is also the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dharchula block of Pitthoragarh district.
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Tibetans hold rally in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, March 11 Tenzing, a student, said, “Tibet is ours and we will keep struggling till we achieve complete freedom”. The Tibetans sang the national anthem of Tibet at the Gandhi Chowk where several leaders addressed the gathering. The leaders alleged that China was indulging in rampant human rights violation in Tibet and should be ostracised for it by international community. Staff of the Tibetan Homes Foundation and elders of the community were also present on the occasion.
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Low-hanging wires spell doom for Rajaji jumbos
Dehradun, March 11 Forest officials came across a critically injured male elephant in the Saindhli beat of Dhaulkhand East Range of the Rajaji National Park on February 27. The elephant has a bullet wound on his hind leg. Despite frantic efforts on the part of Dr Parag Nigam from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to provide the best of treatment to the injured pachyderm, it succumbed to the injuries. Director in charge of the Rajaji National Park Paramjeet Singh described the incident as a clearcut case of poaching and asserted that the forest authorities did their best to save the elephant. “We removed the bullets and administered antibiotics and necessary medication to the injured elephant, but the elephant had by then developed serious complications and died in the process,” Paramjeet added. However, tusks of the elephant of about 1 metre in length were intact. The complete operation, including the tranquilising, treatment and attempted release of the elephant, was video-graphed by the department. In another elephant casualty, a female elephant died after being electrocuted by a low-hanging high-tension power wire in the Laldhang region of Haridwar today. The Lal Dhang region has witnessed elephant deaths due to electrocution in the past also. Two elephants had died after being electrocuted by the high-tension power line at the same location. “We had already pointed out the matter to the Electricity Department as this region has been prone to cases of elephant deaths due to electrocution,” said DVS Khati, Chief Conservator of Forests. Garhwal. Uttarakhand forest officials have ordered an inquiry into the deaths of both elephants.
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Shankaracharya’s Peshwayi taken out
Haridwar, March 11 All seven akhadas’ Acharya Mahamandaleshwars and their executive body members participated in the procession. The procession started off from Kankhal and passed throught Shankaracharya Chowk, Tulsi Chowk, Shiv Moorti Tiraha, Valmiki Chowk, Upper Road, Bhimgoda Tiraha and culminated at Chandi Deep. The Peshwayi comprised 40 chariots and 10 bands. A helicopter showered flowers on the procession. During the Peshwayi course, entry of heavy vehicles was totally prohibited in the city area and traffic was halted at the adjacent routes. The Peshwyai reached Chandi Deep late in the evening. Circle Officer (Traffic) Shweta Chaubey monitored the traffic regulation even as arrangements were made to minimise inconvenience caused to people due to traffic diversion plans.
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Budding designers showcase fashion skills
Haridwar, March 11 The International Academy of Fashion Technology (IAFT) held a fashion event, where trainee students showcased their fashion sense and creations. In the overall category, Swati was adjudged the best fashion designer with her ethnic and contemporary creations. Tanima Mehta, Renu Rav and Priya Aggarwal too were awarded for their creative dresses. On the ramp, models Priyanka, Neha, Asha, Kanika and Preeti were chosen best female models, while in male models Umesh Pathak, Pankaj, Arjun and Dev Bilal were adjudged best models. Winner Swati gave the credit to the institute faculty behind her creations and expressed her desire to create a niche for herself in the fashion world. “It’s good that one’s hard work gets appreciated, but it also means more responsibility as I have to live up to the expectations of the jury,” said an elated Swati. Chief guest of the event Kamal Johra praised the students and hoped that they would pave way for future students of Haridwar, who wanted to make a name in the fashion industry. Head of the institute Suman Lata Pal related the fashion show with the Women’s Day and passing of Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. “Our girl students have stamped their class in their dresses and once again proved that if women given right opportunities, they are no less than men,” said Suman.
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Babu’s ton sculpts RPCA victory
Dehradun, March 11 Batting first, Doon Combine scored 190 runs in their allotted 30 overs. It was a poor batting display by the Doon Combine team whose openers failed to make a big score. Opener Ashish failed to click and scored nine runs. Kamal came up with a knock of 54 runs off 70 balls. Middle-order batsman Sandeep scored 37 runs off 32 balls and Manish scored 19 runs. For the RPCA, Avinesh claimed three wickets while Uipin, Rohit and Mukesh took one wicket each. In reply, opener Babu smashed 105 runs off 45 balls to pave the way for an RPCA victory. He smashed 13 fours and seven sixes in his innings. Mukesh came up with a 35-run knock and Ankush scored eight runs. For Doon Combine, Manish, Laxman and Kamal claimed one wicket each.
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UP to enrol umpires, scorers from U’khand
Dehradun, March 11 This is the first examination, conducted by the UP Cricket Association, for umpires and scorers in the state. Cricket experts consider it to be a good move that would provide better career opportunities to cricketing enthusiasts in the state. No cricket body in Uttarakhand is affiliated with the BCCI. The examination for enrolment as umpires and scorers will be organised around May. A refresher course will be held just before the examination. The Cricket Association of Uttarakhand
(CAU) has received a letter in this regard from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association. PC Verma, secretary of CAU, said, “This is a stepping stone for those interested in making a career in cricket,” said
Verma.
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State’s first full-fledged community radio station goes on air
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No interference from govt, politicians, assures Alva
Pitthoragarh, March 11
Though as per Indian government’s policy, the national language Hindi has to be given preference in all government offices and related institutions, in fact Hindi has taken a back seat in daily office chores. Yet, there are several employees who take pride in doing their entire work in Hindi.
Dehradun, March 11
