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Advani harps on interlinking of rivers
‘Prince’ charms people of twin pilgrim cities
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Easter celebrated
Rajan-Sajan duo warms Kumbh atmosphere
Doon Readings
A journey from Doon School to ‘Dhool’
Namita to attempt social satire in her new book
Real life inspires him to give vent to his feelings
Ajabpur Youngstars clinch All-India U’khand Cup
Football tourney: Santhanu is Man of Match
Badminton
Second Late Shri Hukam Singh Under-17 Cricket
A correction
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Advani harps on interlinking of rivers
Rishikesh, April 4 This, according to Advani, will only foster more development, help sort out scarcity of water, ensure more water for irrigation purposes which in turn will affect production and also purify the rivers. Advani has once again revived the issue of interlinking of rivers, which was mooted by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. The project was one of the flagship projects of the NDA government and had become a debatable issue with Opposition parties opposing the move. Advani said by interlinking the rivers criss-crossing across the country, problems like drought and floods could be better dealt with apart from overcoming potable water and irrigation woes. Advani, who is also the chairman of the BJP’s parliamentary committee, said disputes arising out of water entitlements would also be resolved by linking of rivers. Those disputes sometimes became a major headache for the Centre. Though last year only in October, 2009, the present UPA government had given a burial to this project by shelving it citing the reason given by Ministry of Environment and Forest, which said interlinking of rivers was unfeasible and would only invite ecological, human and economic disaster if undertaken. While the UPA isn’t bit interested in this mega project, Advani had to face opposition at the dais when noted environmentalist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Sunder Lal Bahuguna strongly opposed the river-interlinking project. Bahuguna, the initiator of the Chipko Movement in the 1970s and spearhead of anti-Tehri Dam agitation, took a strong cognisance of Advani’s idea, terming it as totally against the nature as well as inviting more trouble for flora fauna in and around the rivers. “This project will create another environmental and sociological catastrophe by displacing lakhs of people. Besides, the project will be creating more disputes among states rather than solve them,” said Bahuguna at a Sparsh Ganga function held at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh today. Acknowledging the sanctity of the Ganga and its spiritual-religious significance among Indians, the Tibetan spiritual Guru, the Dalai Lama, said among all rivers the Ganga’s religious significance made it distinct from other rivers. Attributing global warming as a major threat to the world, the Dalai Lama said consequences of global warming were being severely felt and if people didn’t get aware of this problem then in coming time it would drastically affect the whole world. Relating to his personal experiences, the world-renowned spiritual guru said in comparison to early years of his life, environment and ecology had sharply got affected and were only aggravating fast. He also warned that if at such speed the global warming continued then it posed a serious threat to the existence of the rivers in the near future. Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank advocated everyone’s participation in the Sparsh Ganga project so that the Ganga remained as holy as it had been. Declaring that the state government was contemplating making stringent laws such as banning of polythene in the entire state, Nishank said the government was doing its job, but needed support from common people too to make the holy river pollution-free. Advani stressed the polythene ban should be strictly implemented in the state and the state government should look into this aspect. Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev pointed out that by taking small steps such as by not using polythene, not using soap or shampoo while bathing, not washing clothes with soaps on the Ganga ghats and several other aspects, a major contribution could be made in ensuring a cleaner Ganga. Ramdev said the Ganga was life-giving and its sanctity should be maintained, which was the duty and responsibility of each and everyone of us. Chief of Parmarth Niketan Chidaanand Muni touched the chords of the audience by advocating religious compassion and secularism using example of the Ganga. He said as Ganga waters didn’t differentiate any person on the basis of caste and religion, the same way everyone should not behave differently and eye all humans equal. The function was attended by prominent saints and religious representatives of various religions, sects and environmentalists.
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‘Prince’ charms people of twin pilgrim cities
Haridwar/Rishikesh, April 4 According to the actor himself, “Rishikesh is like my home only and one of the cherished moments for me are when I am either at Rishikesh or Haridwar”. This exemplifies the relation the actor shares with people and aura of these two cities. Such is the place Rishikesh, for not only Vivek, but the whole Oberoi family that Vivek, who currently is single, reveals that he wants to get married on the Ganga ghats in Rishikesh as his heart beats for this city. Notably last year Vivek’s sister Meghana got married in Rishikesh and has been associated with Chidnand Muni of Parmarth Niketan for years. His father Suresh Oberoi also regularly visits the Chandi Devi Mata temple in Haridwar making both cities getting a pie of the Oberoi family at regular
intervals. “Though I reside in Mumbai as it’s the city where my livelihood depends and I was born in Hyderabad, yet whenever I get time I try to visit Rishikesh. From mental solace to simple and good-hearted people, everything gives me sheer pleasure,” said the star of several Bollywood films such as “Company” and “Shootout at Lokhandwala”. And when Vivek is there, the question of his breakup and 41 threat mobile calls from Salman Khan is almost imminent to prop up, but now a more relaxed and cool Vivek humbly answers the question. He tried to put the past incidence as a lesson and said whatever happened in the past just made one more mature and wise. So if given a choice, will he opt for a film background actress or someone his family will choose. To this, pat comes the reply: “Surely not an actress, and this onus I have now put on my mother’s shoulders. That girl should be simple, family oriented, but that girl will get married to me in Rishikesh only”. On his being associated with several social causes, specially during the tsunami in 2004, Vivek said it was an experience that jolted him and made him more sensitive. He said the atmosphere and visuals of sea areas were shocking and at one point of time while trying to help he felt somewhat alone and lacking resources. “That was the time when I called Swami Chidanand ji and he at once came out with all his resources in carrying out of relief works. That has changed my perspective, and that’s why I relish coming to these twin-Ganga ghat cities away from the fast paced-stressed life of the tinsel town. Also I feel blessed to be here during the Maha Kumbh amidst such noted saints and gurus,”
voiced Vivek. Vivek’s nature and thoughts were been applauded by Lal Krishan Advani who termed Vivek as a perfect example
for youth. As soon as news of Bollywood actor spread, people flocked to the venue areas to get a glimpse of the star and they were not disappointed as most of the times Vivek waved and greeted with a “namaste” or “hello” to star-crazy fans. “He is so humble and down-to-earth and I am eagerly awaiting his forthcoming film ‘Prince’. He just need good scripts and directors and he will show that he is a force to reckon with in Bollywood,” said Shikhu Rawat, a diehard fan of Junior Oberoi.
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Easter celebrated
Dehradun, April 4 Mussoorie: Christians dressed in colourful attires marched from Taylors’ Flat, Landour Bazar, with candles in their hands ending at the Central Methodist Church in Kulri Bazar. Rev Erik Templeton, Chaman Comfort and Edwin read out Easter messages on
the occasion.
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Rajan-Sajan duo warms Kumbh atmosphere
Haridwar, April 4 A recipient of Padma Bhushan three years back, the two singers have to their credit over two dozen albums varying from khayali form of music, semi-classical to bhajans. Mishra brothers termed their visit and performance during the Maha Kumbh as a soul-satisfying one, with the religious atmosphere itself lending their performance a touch of another level. Rajan-Sajan top tracks include Raga Durga, Raga Multani, Sangeet Sartaj, Flight of Melody and Sadhana, among others. The Mishra brothers have been performing across the globe in countries like Sri Lanka, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Australia, the USSR, Singapore, Switzerland and Gulf countries, among others. Accompanying the Mishra brothers on musical instruments were Shailendra Mishra, Sumit Mishra and Jaykishan
Maharaj.
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I’ve a romantic writer inside me, says Ruskin
Neena Sharma Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 4
In fact, the travels continue but have become less frequent with age, yet accounts of the green Dehradun can surprise the younger generation that has been a witness to the plunder of the green valley. He said his love affair with Doon and the mountains started when at the age of 16 years, he left for England for four years. “I guess, it was a wave of nostalgia and distancing that allowed me to appreciate the lofty mountains, standing permanently while we continue to come and go,” said Bond. He even took a dig at the Mussoorie Municipal authorities, who are planning to pull down the Clock Tower. “They find it ugly, so it will be rebuilt. But these brick objects are important landmarks of almost all towns in the ’20s and ’30s when an entire town relied on the clock to tell the time,” said Ruskin. He said anybody could be a nature writer providing he had empathy for people and things around him. He quite candidly admitted that there resided a romantic writer in him that came to the fore when he wrote about nature. “But I never liked Wordsworth and found his poem about daffodils too much to bear,” quipped Bond. Later, while speaking with The Tribune, Bond said many times his stories had been reproduced and the writer or television producers had never given credit nor taken prior permission. “It is difficult to keep a track of stories and even the libel suits and notices require time and money which any writer founds too much to bother. Once while judging a collection of stories by budding writers at a writing contest three years back, I was amazed to discover that one of the entries was a straight lift from one of my stories, even Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe were not spared,” revealed Bond. While Ravi Singh said cases of infringement of copyright were severely dealt with in America and the UK. “We need to work this out with writers in India as well,” he added. Elated at the success of the event in Doon, Ravi said, “Literary events do require sponsorships and it is a difficult ballgame getting sponsors, but so far Penguin has managed to do so. On the last day, Stephen Alter held a reading from his book Scared Waters and Shekhar Pathak traced the history of Uttarakhand through slide presentations.
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A journey from Doon School to ‘Dhool’
Dehradun, April 4 “I learnt Hindi from my teachers Dr Haridatt Bhatt ‘Shailesh’ and BP Chandola and it was this medium that came to my rescue when I finally thought of writing. It helped me express my thoughts better and fluently. In that sense it was a homecoming for me, the quite charms of Doon outweighed everything else,” said Vishvjit, while talking to The Tribune. He quite gamely admits that it was his friends who egged him on to make his writings public, “I did not seek any publishers, it was mostly done through word of mouth and generous help from friends like Pushpesh Panta and others. The varied collection consists mostly of love poems dedicated to his wife, some musings on nature and even experiences gathered all these past years. In a way, it is a journey from Doon School to ‘Dhool’, i.e. the political life, that I am leading now,” said the poet with a laugh. The book, comprising 45 poems, has two prefaces penned by Prof Satyavrath Shastri, Sanskrit scholar, and writer Ashok Vajpayee. Much thought has gone into the design of the book that is credited to his wife, the illustrations that accompany the poems too speak a language of their own, sometimes in sync with the thoughts of the poet and at times provoking reaction. The poet has done all illustrations.
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Namita to attempt social satire in her new book
Dehradun, April 4 “Paro and Sita heighten the curiosity of readers by their assertions and non-assertions. They are normal women catapulted into extraordinary situations. If Paro is bold and alluring, Sita is no silent martyr. The collective wounding of Sita experienced down the ages, an archetypal one for Indian women, is an unending saga. Whatever happened to her was unfair, it hurts. The suggestion of agni pariksha and her subsequent banishment evoke a range of reaction among both men
and women. “In the process, the positive values that she possessed, of strength and loyalty, are often forgotten. It had to end somewhere and I along with Malashri Lal (co-author of “In Search of Sita”) tried to present another side of Sita. However, both Sita and Paro are on the path of self-discovery,” said Namita. Speaking to The Tribune today, Namita said she used social satire with great aplomb in her first book. “To this day, the book manages to evoke a giggle and once again I am trying to attempt it in my new novel that is in the works, the details of which I am not ready to reveal now,” said Namita. On her forays into mythology writing that began with “The Book of Shiva” and “The Mahabharata” for young readers, Namita said: “Gods are alive in India, we cannot deny the role they play in the lives of ordinary Indians. We have a living past which asserts now and then both in the way we think and in times like these when we are moving towards consumerism, which is both confusing and at times interesting. Positive role models need to be revived, so my forays into writing mythology-based novels”. Not unduly perturbed over the success and failure of her books, instead Namita loves to set her own tempo and pace. She said, “I do not plan anything though writing is a discipline. But, I believe every book has its ‘karma’ and nobody can stop a good book from being published and it will find its own readers”. The main force behind the literary festival in Jaipur and now giving shape to Doon Readings, Namita felt that these events would help writers access the readers directly. “At times, we are so caught up in media stereotypes that there is hardly any interaction. One has to be stirred to a point of rediscovering ourselves and literary outings are occasions to know ourselves better,” she said.
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Real life inspires him to give vent to his feelings
Dehradun, April 4 Seeking inspiration from real life, Keki has all along been an unobtrusive observer, as though seating himself at a window nearby and then observing the everyday minutiae of life without sounding judgemental. It is this extraordinary quality of his detached observation that has all along helped him create well-etched characters with all their follies and foibles intact in his short stories and novels. Here to participate at the ongoing session on Doon Readings, Keki is already working on two novels and the first to hit would be his short stories.
“It took me 10 years to produce the first novel ‘Pepper and Christ’ that was brought out by Penguin in 2009, it was also shortlisted for commonwealth. Most of the time, I am working with several ideas and concepts and in between a shorter version usually takes shape first, that’s how I have managed to come out with short stories,” said Keki. Partial to history and also obsessed with the period of the ’60s and ’70s, Daruwalla’s extrapolation of certain events comes out vividly in his first novel Pepper and Christ. “It was the search for Pepper by Vasco da Gama that led to the opining up of a sea route to India, the wonder lust kept several explorers going, that’s history for me. I usually keep off the hard stuff and never attempted to write a purely historical account as it is best left to the experts and should be the preserve of historians and sociologists,” he pointed out. About his partiality to the ’60s and ’70s, Keki says, “Most intellectually fertile and stimulating and my experiences are of this period”. A Parsi, who was born in Lahore, when asked about the dwindling Parsi population in the country, Keki said: “One has to adapt with the changing of times. Unfortunately, the Parsi Panchayat is not ready to change. They are not ready to accept marriages outside the community”. Quite happy with women writers and poetesses making a mark both internationally and nationally, Keki says: “They are indeed leading the pack. The literary world welcomes fresh ideas”. Not sure, if his novels or short stories would get good treatment or whether these to be adapted into films, he said: “Nobody has approached me and I am not sure about the results, but I must say films add a new dimension in the popularity of the characters etched by the writer”. He had a short stint in Dehradun way back in the ’60s.
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Ajabpur Youngstars clinch All-India U’khand Cup
Dehradun, April 4 The highlight of the match was the 132 runs of Ajmer Singh. He powered his team to win by scoring 132 in just 116 balls. He smashed three sixes and 13 fours during his century. Ashish Joshi (76*) was another valuable contributor for his team. For Gush Academy, Mohit took three wickets and Shoaib Prasad got
one wicket. Replying to the target, Gush Academy was bowled all-out for 222 in 35.3 overs. Ankur Jhulka (79) and Manav Sharma (42) were the principal scores for the batting side, but they couldn’t avoid the defeat of
their side. Arvind Sajwan did the most damage to the innings of Gush Delhi claiming five wickets. Ravi Bisht took three wickets while Yujvinder and Chander took one wicket each. Ajmer Singh was adjudged Man of the Match and Man of
the Series.
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Football tourney: Santhanu is Man of Match
Dehradun, April 4 Goalkeeper of the DFA Pauri Santhanu was adjudged Man of the Match. In the second match, the DFA, Nainital, beat Doon Star 3-1. DFA’s Rajesh Rawat struck very early in the second minute of the game. While RS Rawat of Doon Star netted a self-goal in the 22 minute of the match. Balvir (in 37th minute) and Amar Singh (in 54th minute) of the DFA score a goal each to ensure their team’s victory. Raju Rawat was declared Man of
the Match.
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Vikram Rana wins singles title
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 4
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Second Late Shri Hukam Singh Under-17 Cricket Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 4 Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Young Stars got all out at 78 runs in 14.3 overs. Sachin (23) was the top scorer for the batting side. Aman Stars bowlers gave a combined effort in the debacle of their rival. Amar Singh claimed three wickets while Anand, Ashish and Prabhansu took two each. Amit Negi pocketed one wicket. Batting second, Aman Stars achieved the target in 13.3 overs at the loss of five wickets. Bhavesh (28) was principal scorer. For Young Stars Haider and Nehra Joshi took two wickets each. Himanshu also got one batsman out.
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A correction
Nainital, April 4 The error is regretted.
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After supporting the Akhada Parishad and saints’ demand of shelving hydel projects on the holy river Ganga today, former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishan Advani advocated for the revival of the issue.
His fans know him as a versatile performer, ordinary people as son of veteran actor Vivek Oberoi and he has been more in the limelight for his link and then break-up with former Miss World Aishwariya Rai, but whatever it be, people in the twin pilgrim cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh relate to him as their own.
Dehradun, April 4
Haridwar, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
Dehradun, April 4
