Haridwar, April 14
A three-day religious-cum-social convention Sadbhawna Sammelan ended today with more than five lakh followers attending the sessions by spiritual Guru Satpal Maharaj here today.

The camp is an annual affair in Haridwar that falls on Baisakhi organised by the Manav Utthan Samiti Prem Nagar Ashram.

The sheer number of followers of Satpal Maharaj was the talk of the town and he proved that he has both religious and political foothold among the masses. Satpal Maharaj is also a Member of Parliament from the Pauri Garhwal constituency and has been contesting from the Garhwal Parliamentary seat since 1989 becoming Union state Railway Minister in 1996.

Professing national integrity, communal harmony and world peace, the convention was successful as people from all over the world participated at the camp.

Terming the essence of internal knowledge as of prime importance, Satpal Maharaj pointed that while humanity had leaped in physical development and material things, yet people were lacking internal knowledge.

“We are not able to produce personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Rani Laxmi Bai, Maharana Pratap and reformers like Swami Vivekananda and Meera Bai, all because we have forgotten education that lights our internal knowledge. By awakening of internal knowledge we can once again become world leaders or Vishwa Guru,” said Maharaj.

Maharaj further cited the example of King Bhagirath saying that it was due to his toil that the river Ganga ascended on the earth and now the same holy river is providing drinking water as well as irrigation water to people in India, besides generating employment. “So, if we work hard like Bhagirath, then the whole world will be an ideal place,” said Maharaj.

At the concluding convention former state cabinet minister Amrita Rawat too addressed the followers emphasising on the need of having a true guru who put common people on the right path of truth and humanity.

Noted bhajan singers Pramod Kumar, Prithvi Singh, Raj Sharma and Kapil Sharma sang bhajans. 

Dehradun, April 14
Mayor Vinod Chamoli has said he would not carry out a special sanitation drive scheduled for April 12 and hear complaints regarding house tax on April 15 if present Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Indu Dhar Bodai was not removed from his position. The Mayor has made it clear that Bodai has to go, only then the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) will work on its plans.

He cited MNA’s anti-board attitude as reason for his refusal to carry out the prefixed plans. Chamoli said: “I will not tolerate the authoritarian behaviour of state government where it removed the former MNA in an abrupt manner without letting anybody have an inkling about it, and thereupon imposing someone who is infamous for his tarnished image.”

The Mayor said it was up to the government to decide whether it wanted the MC Board to work or see it paralysed. He expected the change in the position of MNA quite soon.

From the day one, the MNA made his stance quite clear against hoarding policy where the hoardings’ removal was to start from April 8. By bypassing the meeting called by the Mayor to discuss the removal of illegal hoardings and suspending an inspector involved in the campaign and divesting Tax Suprintendent Rajesh Naithani of his charge of removing hoardings, Bodai had steadfastly been reversing Mayor’s agenda to pursue the controversial anti-hoarding policy.

Now, the Mayor had made it clear that he was not going to carry forward the sanitation drive and hearing on house tax policy in the backdrop of MNA’s attitude. With this move, the Mayor had prepared himself well in placing the state government in the dock.

“The state government, which should have supported us in removing the illegal hoardings to save the city, has clearly become a party in favour of hoarding mafia. It could have played a role of mediator between us and hoarding owners to sort out the issue but surprisingly by nullifying the anti-hoarding policy, it has exposed its real agenda,” he said.

Having been strengthened by the strike of employees against the MNA, the Mayor seemed more determined to see Bodai removed from the position of MNA. 

Dehradun, April 14
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (independent charge) Prithviraj Chavan today said the energy security was as important as physical and military security needs of a country.

The minister was addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun.

Chavan said the nation today faced energy crisis and finding alternative means of energy. “We import 75 per cent of petroleum energy today and the scenario is likely to get worse in the days to come,” Chavan said adding that nuclear energy programme was aimed to meet out this growing energy requirement of the country.

He said the country had witnessed speedy growth on research and development front. “There were times five decades ago when several of research institutions like the IIP came up, we faced scarcity of money and even getting instruments for purposes of research was difficult. But after the reforms of 1991, there is no resource crunch and we have witnessed big strides in research and development activities. Today we have a number of institutes of higher learning and more of research laboratories,” the minister pointed out.

He said Indian science was vibrant like never before and attracted brightest of brains today.

Chavan felicitated some of former Directors of IIP and ex-Directors-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

In his address, Director-General, CSIR, Prof Samir K Brahmachari said the world of tomorrow would be decided upon two factors, affordable health and sustainable energy. He said Dehradun assumed much importance as two big petroleum linked institutions, ONGC and IIP, were located here.

Chairman, ONGC, RS Sharma spoke briefly on IIP contribution in petroleum research activities particularly refining technologies. He spoke of energy efficient process and green technology.

Earlier, Director IIP Dr MO Garg said the IIP had contributed immensely towards growth of oil sector from the days of its infancy in the ’60s till today. He said the IIPs’ technologies had been trendsetters in the oil industry across the globe. 

Dehradun, April 14
On her 69th birthday today, Governor Margaret Alva inaugurated the newly constructed Raj Bhawan that took almost three years to construct at a cost of Rs 972.19 lakh by the Public Works Department and other agencies.

Built on an area of 3,142 square metre, local stone extensively used in the state covers the main building. The interior designing reflects the tastes of the Governor, who is a keen interior designer. Special attraction is pictures of all religious places of different religions hanging on the walls of the main room.Befittingly the handicrafts of Uttarakhand can be found decorating every corner of Raj Bhawan that was appreciated by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who was also present on the occasion along with other dignitaries. The ground floor of the building houses various offices of the Governor, separate offices for her ADC, Comptroller, Private Secretary, etc. Other rooms consist of a dinning room, five bed rooms, Kitchen and sitting rooms.

The first floor comprises five bedrooms, sitting rooms, dining, kitchen and multi-purpose rooms. The basement houses the banquet hall, therapy room, billiards room and store rooms.

The Governor also launched a drive for greening of Raj Bhawan from today, saying that new trees would be grown to compensate for the lost trees that might have cut while building the Raj Bhawan.

She also distributed Rs 20,000 each from the Governor’s Discretionary Fund among 11 social organisations.

Dehradun, April 14
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar had said “don’t praise me instead complete the work left by me”, pointed out DD Kalyani, Director, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Punjab, while delivering a thought-provoking lecture at Dr Ambedkar’s 119th birth anniversary programme held at AMN Ghosh Auditorium, ONGC, here today.

“It is needless to trace the achievement and struggle of Dr Ambedkar as it is beyond description. Dr Ambedkar had said he didn’t want that people remember him and praise him, he just wanted that the work left by him be completed. We all just need to contribute our bit for society,” Kalyani added.

“Government employees get 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays as off days out of 365 days of the year, then who says we don’t have time. We have the maximum time, but we just need to have an attitude to stand for the cause. There are 84 crore people in the country who live on Rs 20 per day and we need to help them,” said Kalyani, who was invited to the programme for a guest lecture.

The programme was being organised by the All-India Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Employees Welfare Association, ONGC.

Addressing the gathering, RS Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of the ONGC, said, “We should do as much as we can for the downtrodden and deprived sections of society”.

On the welfare schemes of the ONGC, he said 100 students were given scholarships every year and for which Rs 50 lakh was the budget spent by the ONGC and was to be increased in future. He also revealed that the ONGC had in the pipeline a plan to open special schools and training centres for students from underprivileged sections.

Mussoorie, April 14
Baisakhi was celebrated with fervour and gaiety in the hill town of Mussoorie. Gurdwaras of Library Bazar and Landour Bazar were decorated with ornamental lights and flowers. Ragi jathas also performed in the gurdwaras since morning along with shabad kirtan. Community kitchen was also organised on the occasion.

Students of Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School also performed shabad kirtan at Library Gurdwara. The Punjabi community gathered in a large number to pray on the occasion. Cultural programmes were also organised at various schools, in which bhangra and giddha were performed by dance troupes.

Palika ward member Jasvir Kaur greeted people on the occasion and informed that Baisakhi was a special day for Punjabis as this marked the start of new Punjabi year. It was time for farmers to harvest their crops and it also meant dancing, singing, new clothes and spreading love and happiness, therefore it was also called Harvest Festival.

She further said throughout the year, farmers worked for good crop yields, and during Baisakhi they celebrated and after this celebration they start cutting the crop.

Jasvir Kaur also said the day also marked founding of the Khalsa Panth by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, to form Khalsa - brotherhood of saint soldiers to fight against tyranny and oppression.

Dehradun, April 14
The closing ceremony for 13 Territorial Army Officers was held on completion of their 13 weeks of post commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here yesterday. Territorial Army officers after two to four years tenure at their respective Territorial Army battalions undergo training at the IMA.

On the occasion, the chief guest Major-Gen GS Bal SM, VSM Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, IMA, gave away the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose medal for the 1st in order of merit to Lt SK Bansal. This is the XI course, which underwent the post-commissioned training at the IMA.

The ceremony was also attended by the proud parents and relatives of the Territorial Army officers.

Mussoorie, April 14
New benches were installed at the entrance of Allahabad Bank, along with beautification, in a formal opening at the Jhoola Ghar main branch here today. The benches were installed to provide relief to people using bank facilities and tourists in general who wait for their turn in Ropeway Mussoorie.

The function was inaugurated by Allahabad Bank General Manager Dibyendu Chakravorty, along with local MLA Jot Singh Gunsola and Palika president OP Uniyal.

Chief guest on the occasion Dibyendu Chakravarty said the bank was dedicating the benches to the people and planting trees on the campus to preserve environment. He informed that the branch in Mussoorie was one of the oldest in the country and established in 1917. It was considered a heritage building, hence, the bank had taken a decision to beautify it with flowers and trees so that the heritage status was exemplified.

Assistant General Manager MS Ojha, Rahul Srivastava, SRK Sarin, Senior Mnager Guman Singh Rawat, Rajesh Sharma, Sher Singh, Sethi, Snajay Singhal, Mukesh Lal, Bharosi Rawat, K Padyar, Javed Khan and others were present on the occasion. 

Dehradun, April 14
On the occasion of 116th founder’s day of Punjab National Bank (PNB), Dehradun circle office, employees of the bank took an oath to make the city polythene free here yesterday. They also cleared up the spilling garbage on the roadside of Doon Vihar and Bhagirathi Colony.Residents of these colonies also participated in the noble cause.

SR Kumar, Director General Manager, PNB Dehradun circle, Archana Seth, Chief Manager, Jagmal Singh, HS Bhalla and other officials of the bank were present and also participated in the noble cause.

Dehradun, April 14
The state wing of the Purv Sainik Seva Parishad celebrated Azad Hind Fauj Diwas at the Defence Colony here today. Ex-servicemen paid homage to the martyrs.

The Family Welfare Society of the parishad distributed scholarship to 58 children of ex-servicemen studying in schools, colleges and other professional institutes.

Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was the chief guest who honoured freedom fighter Sita Negi by presenting shawl and a souvenir. General secretary Lt Col SP Badola, co-organising secretary Com VK Jaiswal, city president Brig VK Aggarwal, president of the Defence Colony Col SL Painoli, co-ordinator Bimal Kant Nautiyal, ex-serviceman Gen KR Banerjee and other people were present.

Dehradun, April 14
The CISF unit deployed at the ONGC, Dehradun, began the Fire Extinguishing Week which was inaugurated by Shailender Dutta, GGM, Head IDT.

JS Sajvan, DGM (Security), paid homage to firemen martyrs. Safety hand books, leaflets, posters and banners were released to spread awareness among residents of the ONGC locality.

In his welcome address, RK Sharma, Inspector in charge of the fire extinguishing branch, gave information about the martyrs who laid down their lives in putting out fire which had broken out at Mumbai Dak Yard on April 14, 1944. In the homage ceremony, Manager of Fire Service SPS Bhatia, Manager (Security) SK Raina, Ashok Kumar, BS Negi and other officers of the CISF were present. RS Pandiyar emceed the programme. 

Dehradun, April 14
About dozen passengers got injured when bus they were travelling in turned turtle after hitting a boulder near Kothal Gate on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road this morning.

The bus, which was carrying over 50 passengers, had a miraculous escape from falling into a gorge.

The injured were shifted to Coronation Hospital. Those seriously injured have been identified as Mukesh Lal, Surajpal, Amar Chand, Hukam Singh, Mumtaz and Irfan, all residents of Mussoorie.

The incident happened in the morning when the bus carrying a barat was heading towards Jauligrant from Mussoorie. The driver of the vehicle supposedly lost control and hit boulder on the roadside and the bus turned turtle.

The SP, City, and the CO, Mussoorie, reached the spot and the 108 shifted the injured to the hospital.