Haridwar, April 23
Mahesh Chander Mehta, noted environmentalist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner, has termed the Central government’s decision of stopping the Pala Maneri and Bhaironghati hydel projects on the Bhagirathi river as steps in the right direction and has strongly advocated for the cancellation of all projects on the Ganga.

Terming the Ganga as a river of faith for crores of Hindus, Mehta said that several religious festivals and fairs which include many holy baths like the Kumbh depend heavily on the healthy flow of the Ganga and if there would be no water left in the national river, then how would Indian culture survive?

Mehta, who is a lawyer by profession and has championed legal activism for environment conservation, emphasised on the need for saving the Ganga from the ill effects of hydel projects as well as the pollution and garbage that is getting accumulated in the holy river.

Mahesh Chander Mehta was speaking at a workshop organised by his environmental foundation on Ganga Conservation in Haridwar today.

Also present were noted environmentalists, scientists, religious gurus, legal eagles, social activists, NGOs and eminent personalities from various sections of society.

Dwelling further on the issue, environmental scientist Dr Gurudas Aggarwal said that the need of the hour was to not link the Ganga with economics, but evaluate its religious-sentimental aspect, only then can vital steps regarding the Ganga be taken.

Shedding light on the Ganga being accorded national river status, Dr Gurudas said that a panel of nine specialists has been formed under the National Ganga River Basin Authority.

These specialists should devise a master plan so that the Ganga becomes pollution free and the full and natural flow of the river is ensured, he said.

Notably, Dr Agarwal, a former Dean of the Environmental Department, IIT Delhi, was on an indefinite fast in Uttarkashi last year to stop work at the 600 MW Lohari Nag Pala hydel project on the Bhagirathi.

Lamenting upon the apathy for social values, Matrasadan founder Swami Shivanand said that it was a matter of concern that we had to move court to save the Ganga.

He said that we must first ourselves ensure that the river does not get polluted. Shivanand suggested that sewage treatment must be ensured at all ashrams, hotels, lodges and other commercial ventures on the Ganga ghats.

Apart from the common man, onus was put on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) personnel too as CPCB’s former president Paritosh Tyagi remarked that a major chunk of pollution control efforts can be achieved if the CPCB employees do their respective work with sincerity and honesty.

Pointing out that the government allots massive funds for the Ganga cleaning project yet the usage and implementation of these funds are not effectively monitored and utilised.

Scientific experts who put forward their views on Ganga conservation included NBR Lucknow scientist UN Rai; Gurukul Kangri University’s Dr Gagan Matta; NEERI’s JK Wasin; Public Science Institute’s Dr Anil Gautam and Dr Rakesh Bhutyani.

Former Jammu legislator Ashok Sharma, Mahish Gehlot, Shambhu Nautiyal, locals and students were also present at the convention.

Dehradun, April 23
Adding another feather to its cap, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, has started a Short Message Service (SMS) for speedy dissemination of information linked to forest fires so as to cut the response time to these fires.

The FSI is monitoring forest fires of the country since 2004 using remote sensing based system - MODIS, Rapid Response System - developed by the University of Maryland (USA) and NASA. The detection of the forest fires is made on the daily basis. After gathering coordinates of the fire spots, the FSI maps the forest fires through GIS analysis.

The coordinates of all forest fire spots are then subsequently sent to the respective State Forest Departments through fax and email for control during fire season. But now in this fire season, the FSI has begun sending out instant SMSes to the departments when a forest fire is detected through the satellite.

The departments across the country too rely much on the FSI forest fire inputs to zero in on to the fires. Even the State Forest Departments’ feedbacks have confirmed that the information provided by the FSI on forest fires are high on accuracy. The instant message service would now facilitate them further.

Taking a lead, the Uttarakhand Forest Authorities have already issued instructions to different Divisional Forest Offices in the state to register themselves for the FSI’s SMS services. “For a state of Uttarakhand, where forest fires are very frequent during summers, SMS service is of immense benefit and we have issued instructions to the Divisional Forest Offices to avail the service,” said Jairaj, Chief Conservator of Forests Environment.

Uttarakhand, so far this summer, has experienced 433 incidents of forest fires affecting 950 hectares of the area. Chief Conservator of Forests KS Samant, who is the nodal officer for forest fires, asserts the FSI’s SMS service will be of much help for timely interventions in dealing forests fires, where time factor matter much.

RD Jakati, Director General of the FSI, said while the FSI had been detecting forest fires and informing the forest departments subsequently through fax and email, which was a long-drawn process. “But the SMSes will certainly be more effective being a speedy process and would cut the response time to these fires,” Director General, FSI, observed.

The SMS service is also open for civilians who get themselves registered for the same with the FSI.

A Ministry of Environment and Forests Institution, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, has its principal mandate to conduct survey and assessment of forest resources in the country. Its Biennial State of Forest Report that reveals the expanse of the forest cover in the country is most sought after document to frame forest policies in the country.

Dehradun, April 23
Strawberry cultivation that started as a small private initiative in certain areas of the state is expected to get a further boost with the State Horticulture Department introducing the fruit in the Dhumakot area of Pauri Garhwal.

The department introduced the Chandler variety in Dhumakot recently, cultivating it in 12 polyhouses on 1,000 sq metre of land. “The different climatic zones in the district are suitable for strawberry cultivation and we are hoping to scale up our production in the state as experiments have given good yields,” said Dr BP Nautiyal, Director of the Horticulture and Food Processing.

In Uttarakhand, strawberries are grown in Haldwani and the Bhimatal areas of Kumaon. While in Dehradun, it is mainly concentrated around the Bhauwala area of Selaqui. “What is coming in the way of the fruits popularity is that it has to be consumed on the same day, the fruit is not long-lasting that is why we are focusing on developing pockets which are visited by tourists so that the farmers can sell their fruits on the same day,” said District Horticulture Officer Amar Singh.

Strawberries thrive best in temperate climate, as it is a short day plant, known for it’s unmistakable flavour. They enjoy a huge demand in ice cream and juice making industries. “As delicate strawberries cannot be subjected to long distance transport and for this reason ready made markets have to be created within cities. The food processing industry is coming up in the state; it may turn the tide for our farmers, added BS Bisht, Assistant Development Officer (Horticulture) Sahsapur.

In Dehradun, learning from neighbouring Paonta Sahib, farmers in Selaqui and the Rajawala areas are growing strawberries that are usually sold in the local market. Though the strawberries from Paonta Sahib begun flooding the local market in large numbers from March onwards, the farmers make a good deal with local food stores and hotels.

Currently, the market rate of the fruit varies between Rs 60 and Rs 80 per kg and even going up to Rs 125 to Rs 150 kg for the better varieties. They are growing Chandler and Camarossa varieties. Horticulture experts also believe that production of Holland strawberries would be beneficial for the state farmers.

The suckers hived from the mother strawberry plant are planted in January and February. These can even be grown in pots. The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and has an unmistakable taste and flavour that also finds favour with patients that have low blood count and are looking for natural sources for increasing their blood count.

Dehradun, April 23
A total of 70 budding photographers are participating in the All-India IRIS National Photography workshop that began at Doon University Senate Hall today. It is being organised jointly by the School of Communication, Doon University, and Uttaranchal Gramin Bank.

The workshop was inaugurated by famous theatre personality Alok Ulfat. Aspirants from Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and New Delhi are participating in the workshop.

Welcoming the participants, the Vice-Chancellor of Doon University, Prof Girijesh Pant, said for the first time a workshop of this scale was being organised at the university. He hoped that it would provide a platform to budding artistes.

“The participants will learn the latest trends in photography from top professionals of the field. We are providing direction to budding photographers who have come from different parts of the country along with a large number of local photographers keen to upgrade their skills,” said Threesh Kapoor, chairman, of Uttaranchal Gramin Bank, who is himself a keen photographer.

Advertising photo artist Gurudas Dua, internationally acclaimed digital photography expert Rajender Prasad and Director of School of Phototechnic, New Delhi, Teerathdas Gupta would be giving lectures on different subjects.

Besides, renowned photography company Nikon is also offering free servicing of their cameras to the participants.

Dehradun, April 23
To discuss the safety measures being provided to drivers, guards, gang men and station masters, the Railwaymen Union held a safety seminar at the railway station auditorium here yesterday.

The meeting was an interactive session between the officers and the workers of the railways. The coordinators of the different departments presented their problems before the officers to find solutions to these. The officers also assured that immediate action would be taken on their pleas.

RK Rathore, Senior Safety Officer and Vijay Kumar Sharma, Senior Loco Inspector from Moradabad, chaired the seminar. Gate men, guards, gang men, drivers from Haridwar, Dehradun and Moradabad attended the safety seminar.

Dehradun, April 23
Governor Margaret Alva today emphasised the need to constitute a film development board and a separate film policy in the state.The state has a rich cultural heritage and the film industry should be promoted in a big way that would also boost tourism and economic activities in the state. “It would be appropriated that a film board and a film policy is drafted that is exclusive to Uttarakhand,” she said.

Speaking at the inauguration of Uttarakhand International Film Festival 2010, Alva said, “The first maiden film festival will prove to be a mile stone in the culturally rich state of Uttarakhand. The focus of the festival on save environment is equally relevant for the state and the word at large, battling with climate change and other environment disasters,” she added.

She said the week-long festival would provide an opportunity for film lovers, producers and directors to learn and interact with each other.

The Governor also inaugurated a poster competition based on the 50s 60s decade.

Dehradun, April 23
A 54-ball 122 by Anil gave Green Rock an easy entry into the final of the Day-Night Softball Cricket Tournament being played on PRD ground at Tapovan Road. They beat Kiran XI by six wickets in the second semifinal last evening.

In the final, Green Rock will cross swords with Kali Club (Gullar Ghati) that has already registered a final berth beating Ladpur Knight Riders by 53 runs on Wednesday.

In the second semifinal, Kiran XI won the toss and chose to bat first. The opening batsmen proved the decision of batting first right and scored half centuries to give their team a whirlwind start. Shankey scored 51 in just 38 balls while Sultan played a knock of 58 runs in only 34 balls.

After this, the rest of the batsmen could not handle the innings. The first wicket fell at 113 runs and Kiran XI managed to score 205 runs for seven in the allotted 20 overs.

For Green Rock, Ankit and Ishu got two wickets each, Chintu, Gurpreet and Anand took a wicket each.

Replying, Green Rock achieved the target scoring 208 for the loss of four wickets in 17.5 overs.

It was the superb show by Anil who struck a wonderful century to send his team into the final.

He faced no problems from the rival bowling attack and slammed 122 runs in 54 balls. He hit 16 sixes and two fours.

Gurpreet was the other principal scorer with 25 runs. For Kiran XI, Kamal took two wickets, Kiran and Arvind got one each.

Mussoorie, April 23
The fourth Uttarakhand Local Bodies’ Karamchari Mahasangh convention began at Mussoorie today. The two-day convention was inaugurated by Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli on the Palika premises by lighting the lamp. The members of the mahasangh resolved to fight till end for the introduction of the 74th amendment in the Nagar Palikas.

They also discussed the anomalies in Sixth Pay Commission and fight for the justified demands in near future. Chamoli, being critical of his own sate government, said the government was interested only in controlling the public through local bodies instead of strengthening them by introducing the 74th amendment. President of the mahasangh Bhupendar Rawat said the state government was acting in partisan way towards the employees in local bodies and the only solution was to fight unitedly against the government for the benefit of the members. He also said harassment of the employees would not be tolerated at any cost. The convention will conclude tomorrow.

Mussoorie, April 23
The 1st Late Anil Godiyal Memorial Six-a-Side Cricket tournament began in Mussoorie today under the aegis of the Mussoorie Sport and Cultural Samiti. The inaugural match was played between GNFC Boys and Manav Bharti School. GNFC Boys won the toss and decided to bat first. They scored 86 runs with the loss of two wickets. Deepak was the highest scorer with 30 runs off 11 balls. Chasing the target, Manav Bharti School could score only 61 runs losing one wicket in stipulated five overs. Ankit scored 19 (10 balls). Manav Bharti School lost the match by 25 runs.

In the second match, Nagar Palika defeated Press Club of Mussoorie by 28 runs. Nagar Palika scored 83 runs in the stipulated five overs. Press Club of Mussoorie could make only 55 runs at the loss of three wickets. SS Rawat took two wickets giving six runs. Former Palika president Anil Mall inaugurated the tournament while present president Narendar Kumar, secretary Samuel Chandra, convener Viru Rawat, MSA president Suresh Goyal and others were present. The tournament will go on till April 25.

Historian Gopal Bhardwaj shows the Shakespeare etching of 1822 from a scrap book in Mussoorie

Mussoorie, April 23
Students of Mussoorie Public School remembered greatest English playwright and storyteller of his time William Shakespeare on his 447th birth anniversary here today. Senior students recited verses from famous play “Macbeth”. The biography of the playwright was read out to students. The students also enacted a few scenes from “Macbeth” on the occasion.

Student Anirudh was of the view that one could earn a lot from the plays of Shakespeare. He said Shakespeare laid emphasis on loyalty and honesty. Macbeth is story of deceit and revenge skilfully portrayed by Shakespeare rhyming verses.

Richa another student said initially she found Shakespeare’s play boring initially but developed a taste for the plays later. She found play “Julius Caesar” more interesting. Aneesa said she liked Anthony in “Julius Caesar” and Lady Macbeth in “Macbeth”. Anthony is bit complex character who is ambiguous in beginning but she began to like him in the end when she found the nobleness in the character. Saket and Manpreet were of the view that Shakespeare was a skilful person who dramatised the story effectively. The Portrayal of the betrayal stands out in his plays.

Principal Mukesh Lal, addressing the students, said Shakespeare as playwright had a lot of creativity. Some of his favourite plays were “Tempest”, “Midsummer Night Dream” and “Merchant of Venice”. He further said the characters of these plays illuminated in such way that imaginary things turned into real vivid depictions.

For students it is important to know the mannerism of old English. Eminent Research Scholar and expert in Shakespeare, Prashant P Singh recalled that Shakespeare was born in 1564 and his birthday is traditionally observed on April 23. The third among eight children in the family, he is thought to have attended King's New School in Stratford. At 18, he married 26-year-old Anne. They had a daughter named Susanna and twins named Hamnet and Judith. Later on in 1597 Shakespeare purchased a big property named New Place for his home in Stratford. New Place is known as his final place of residence before retiring. Shakespeare was part of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a leading acting troupe in London at the time. From 1594, they were the only company that performed his plays. He was both a playwright and an actor in his own plays.

In 1599, the company built their own theatre by the south bank of the Thames river and called it the Globe. Their company was later changed to the King's Men in 1603 when given a royal patent by King James I.

Prashant opined that Shakespeare’s plays could be generally classified as comedies, tragedies or histories. In the late 19th century, four of his late comedies were referred to instead as romances or tragicomedies. Shakespeare’s plays depict nationalism and are in praise of Tudors. Because of his universal ideas, characters and themes, many treat Shakespeare as an inspiration for their own writing. He has influenced novelists such as Charles Dickens, who has drawn 25 of his titles from the bard’s writings. Even Herman Melville's Moby Dick has a tragic hero similar to that of King Lear. Importantly they depict social-cultural identity and English mannerism, added Prashant.

Eminent historian and chronicler from Mussoorie said British rulers in Mussoorie were also fond of Shakespeare and this is proved by original scrap book collection of 1822 by Capt Young. Displaying the etching of Shakespeare he said the thing reminding of Shakespeare was still present in Mussoorie. He also said he had asked the actual price of the etching from Sotheby’s in London 10 years back and they priced it at £ 400 then but he fortunately or unfortunately could not sell it to them because their auction sales were at higher prices. Gopal Bhardwaj also opined that if Shakespearean society was formed in Mussoorie, he was ready to give these fond remembrances of Shakespeare to them gleefully. He lamented the fact that due to absence of a theatre in Mussoorie one was not able to witness the plays of Shakespeare any more. He also said Shakespeare play inculcated a sense of adventurism and creativity among students.

These Hindu temples remain open for the pilgrims during the summer months while the deities of these temples come down to their winter abodes during the months of October and November every year when snowfall starts in the higher Himalayas. 

The deities are brought to their winter homes amidst much fanfare and religious ceremonies as these Hindu temples close for six months. 

The opening ceremonies are also elaborate. The priests of the household of Maharaja of Tehri, who is considered as reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, announce the dates of the opening of the portals of Badrinath.

Lakhs of pilgrims from all over the world visit these places every year. The Char Dham Yatra is also one of the most important economic activities for the people of Garhwal as lakhs of pilgrims from other states visit the region.

Apart from these temples, the pilgrims also explore some lesser known temples and even exotic tourist locations with beautiful landscapes.

The state government has already asked its Transport Department to gear up for the yatra as Buses would be ferrying passengers from Rishikesh to these places high in the hills. 

Around 40 per cent of the buses of the state transport would be utilised for the Char Dham Yatra for the next five months, as per a state government press note. Private transporters are also preparing for the coming yatra season as are hoteliers and dhaba owners on the yatra route.