Dehradun, June 1
Aiming big, Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah plans to take solar energy generation in the country to 20,000 MW by 2022. This, apart from adding annually 2,000 MW to the existing 11,000 MW of wind energy being generated in the country at present.

Farooq Abdullah, addressing a renewable energy workshop in Dehradun today, said his ministry was laying emphasis to promote renewable energy as substitute to fossil fuel energy even as the latter posed a threat to environment in terms of global warming and other effects. “Renewable energy is the best possible substitute to cater to the growing energy needs of the country. Forty per cent of population of the country is still deprived of basic power and renewable energy could be a means to address these power concerns,” he added.

The minister advocated liberally funding to Uttarakhand for introducing solar energy generation system in the Raj Bhawan, Assembly building and other important buildings of the state. “These important buildings can showcase the usage of solar energy to others, thus helping them to emulate,” he pointed out, adding that such initiatives have been highly successful in Delhi. Abdullah also suggested for making installation of solar energy equipment a mandatory norm while issuing approval for construction of new houses. He further told the workshop that the usage of micro hydro and geo thermal energy was also high on his agenda as they were other key areas of renewable energy sources.

Referring to Uttarakhand, the minister said he saw a bigger hope from Uttarakhand in state’s emergence as a model state in the country in renewable energy sector. The Jammu and Kashmir leader also asked the Uttarakhand government to explore its potential in the biomass energy. He said the Union Renewable Energy Ministry was open to all cooperation to Uttarakhand in its renewable energy generation efforts.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the state had already succeeded in lighting up as many as 218 villages through the solar energy. Besides, nearly 18,000 government schools had solar electricity arrangements. Dr Nishank said the government was also working for the revival of as many as 20,000 existing gharats in the state as viable means to generate renewable energy.

He also said the state was generating a total of 1,500 MW of energy through its renewable energy sources and asserted that the state had bigger goals in mind and expected broader support from the Union Renewable Energy Ministry. The Chief Minister held that the state government had submitted a proposal linked to renewable energy for the Char Dhams and shrines of Hemkund Sahib and Peeran Kailyar. Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Minister Rajendra Bhandari dwelt at length on the other initiatives being taken by the state in the renewable energy field.

Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for categorising Dehradun as one of the proposed solar cities of the country. He said the Dehradun Municipal Corporation looked forward for further cooperation from the Union Renewable Energy Department to further its alternative energy goals.

Union Renewable Energy Secretary Deepak Gupta and Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Authority’s head AK Tyagi were other prominent persons present on the occasion.

Dehradun, June 1
On the very first day of the start of the Sri Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage, the claims of the police and administration of good arrangements to tackle any eventuality proved to hollow. Two persons died in the past two days. An elderly man from Punjab died due to a lack of oxygen and a pony rider from Najibabad collapsed due to heart attack. In both cases, there was no one to attend to them. Darshan Singh, Manager, Gurdwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, said: “It was the management of Gobind Ghat which made all arrangements to bring their bodies down and send them to their native places in ambulances. We did not get any help from the administration”.

SP (Chamoli) Vimmi Sachdeva said it was difficult to bring the bodies of people down who died on the way due to a lack of oxygen during the 19-km steep climb to Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara.

She admitted that it was the doctors’ teams of gurdwara that gave all medical aid to the devotees in the time of crisis.

Darshan rued about the pathetic state of affairs with regard to administration’s arrangements for the pilgrimage saying: “We have been demanding all these years of a mobile team of doctors to treat people facing health problems on the difficult pathway or bring the dead down, but nothing has been done till date”.

The lack of a mobile service signal on the 19 km route make it further difficult for the devotees to connect in times of difficulty as well as for the crisis team to share the information with their personnel. Darshan said the signal problem had begun giving tough time from Gobind Ghat authorities itself, a source where the devotees halt and take on their arduous 19 km pilgrimage on foot trek.

Besides, he complained of no lighting on the trekking route as many devotees despite the instructions cover the distance during night. Shockingly, no drinking water arrangement has been made by the government. Nor is there any single toilet facility, he said.

Insufficiency of government transport service is burning holes in the pockets of the hapless devotees as private transporters are taking undue advantage of this tricky situation and are charging double the fare from Rishikesh to Pandukeshwar. He urged the state government to take solid steps to provide good number of transport vehicles especially for the devotees.

Meanwhile, the SP denied from making any comment as these matters as are related to the administration and District Magistrate Niraj Semwal is on six-day leave. Though in terms of security arrangement, especially at times when the country is ridden with terrorist and Maoist attacks, Sachdeva said they had requested all guest house owners and gurudwara managers to ensure identity proofs of devotees before permitting them to stay during this pilgrimage which go on for five month henceforth. For security arrangements, she said: “We have created two police posts, at Ghangariya, 5 km short of Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara and Pundar. We have also deputed the tourist police 17 km away from the holy place. A liaison unit of the police has also been deputed to check on the devotees”.

Mussoorie, June 1
Oak Grove School is on the path of receiving the status of world heritage site soon. This was stated by Principal of the school Anurag Tripathi.

Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the founder’s day function, he said a team from UNESCO had visited the school and collected the credentials to grant the status of world heritage site to the building recently. Tripathy said if all went well, then Oak Grove School would join the list of the world heritage sites soon. He also said Shimla-Kalka rail line along with the Darjeeling Toy train were already on the world heritage site list of UNESCO. If Oak Grove was selected it would be another feather in the cap of Northern Railway.

Oak Grove School was started in 1888 by East India Railway Company with an endowment fund of Rs 2 lakh on the recommendations of the school committee. In the 19th century, companies and industrial concerns were mainly driven by profit motive and rarely invested in areas of social concern like education, which was mainly left to religious and philanthropic institutions. It was therefore quite creditable on the part of the East India Railway Company to start an institution like Oak Grove.

The proposal soon took a concrete shape and the school started functioning from June 1, 1888. The Fairlawn School was merged into Oak Grove in 1894 as it could not survive the teething troubles like shortage of staff and accommodation. The first school building, the present Boys School, was designed by R Roskell Bayne, Chief Architect, East India Railway Company, and built under the supervision of W Drysdale, an engineer. The arrival of Matron and Sergeant, Mrs and Mr Green, on May 9, 1988, as the first officials of the school followed by the arrival of head teachers Mrs and Mr AC Chapman on May 19, who steered the school through its initial teething problems and set it on the path of a stable growth over the period of 24 years. Since then the school has provided quality school education to the employees of the Railways and general public and served in the nation building effectively.

Dehradun June 1
Teacher education of India needs reforms mainly in three aspects. The first one is selection of prospective teachers should be completed with the help of a standardised aptitude test. The second one is, there must be an ideal balance between teaching and training, pedagogy and technology and training and placement. The third is the lifelong training of the teachers. These are the recommendations of school principals during the seminar organised by the Faculty of Education, a constituent of ICFAI University, Dehradun.

The principals were addressing the prospective teachers of 2010-11 academic session in the inaugural function seminar on the topic, “Why Teaching? How Teaching? And What Teaching? The questions for the teachers of today”.

The resource persons were retired Group Capt PK Rai, Principal of Sanskar International School, M Pandey, Principal of Manav Bharti India International School, Deepa Bachheti, Principal of Doon Scholars School.

A brief introduction of the faculty members of the Faculty of Education was given at the beginning of the seminar.

Prof GP Srivastav, Vice-Chancellor of ICFAI University, Dehradun, was the chief guest of the function.

In the address to the trainee teachers, Professor Srivastava emphasised on the merits in ethics in the present teacher preparation programme. He said a teacher played a major role in the culture and nurture of future generation. So the responsibility of the teacher towards children and society was high.

Deepti Bisht appraised the audience about the great academic culture of the university and the achievements of the faculty of education.

The guests were presented saplings by the faculty members of the department.

Retired Group Captain Rai, Principal of Sanskar International School, oriented the trainees about the different issues of school education. With stories and examples, he tried to develop the awareness of the students on the practical aspects of teaching and learning.

He said some essential things for the teaching profession were integrity and honesty imbibed with moral courage, self-reliance and value for time for every individual as it helped in the progress of the nation. “A teacher should not be confined to the blackboard and the textbook, but should be interactive with the child and sensitive to the environment”.

He also talked about the preservation of culture, conservation of resources, health and hygiene.

Pandey, Principal of Manav Bharti International School, said, “I am still a learner and we always remain in the learning part. The most important thing for this profession is learning. A teacher should be open to knowledge construction and learn from students also”. He related the two noble professions- teacher and doctor. A doctor saves the life of a person, and similarly a teacher makes (saves) lives of children. He stressed on the changing issues, emerging trends and use of technology in the present education system.

Deepa Bacheti, Principal of Doon Scholars Academy, asked the trainees to understand the psychology of students, read their mind and know their expectations. She showed concern in the practical aspect of education and the bond of education between students and teachers.

Among other dignitaries who were present in the seminar were Dr SC Deorani, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Deans of different constituent of the university.

Dehradun, June 1
Studying at state engineering colleges and polytechnic will be more expensive. The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved hike in the fee structure at engineering and polytechnic colleges. In another important decision, the Cabinet also decreased VAT on agro-forestry products to 4 per cent.

Disclosing the Cabinet decisions, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary NS Napalchayal today said the government had decided to increase its fee structure from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 for BE and BTech courses in all its three government-engineering colleges. Similarly, fees for MTech had been increased to Rs 30,000 from existing Rs 20,000 per annum.

The Chief Secretary also informed that fee structure for 37 government polytechnics had been increased annually from Rs 9,000 per annum to Rs 12,500 per annum. The other fees had also been increased.

In another major decision, the Chief Secretary apprised that VAT on the sale of eucalyptus and poplar trees had been deceased by existing 12 per cent to 4 per cent. A large number of farmers in state grow these trees to make fast financial gains.

Dehradun, June 1
The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies held its seventh convocation of the graduate students and doctorate candidates on its campus here today. The chief guest was Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva who initiated the event by lighting the lamp. It was followed by a welcome speech by Chancellor SJ Chopra.

Addressing the gathering, Alva said Indian students were getting appreciation and recognition throughout the world. The students must utilise their skills and calibre for the development of the country. She congratulated all passing-out students of the university and blessed them with good future ahead.

Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, inaugurated a solar power plant of the institute as the distinguished guest of honour. S Sundareshan, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, was the guest of honour.

The students of BSc and BTech courses who won gold and bronze medals were honoured.

Dehradun, June 1
Cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) from all over India have arrived at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for attachment training. The duration of this attachment is from May 26 to June 6.

The attachment of the NCC cadets takes place every year just before the passing-out parade. This year 120 senior division cadets from all 17 NCC directorates throughout the country have arrived at the academy.

During the opening address, the cadets were addressed and welcomed by DDG NCC Uttarakhand Brig PPS Pahwa, VSM, and Col Vikas Vohra on behalf of the BGS, IMA.

Besides watching the activities of gentleman cadets closely the visitors will undergo various training activities including map reading, equestrian, drill, obstacle training, navigation at night, and handling and firing of 5.56 mm INSAS Rifle during their stay here.

The NCC cadets will also witness movie “Valour and Wisdom”, IMA darshan, trek to Mussoorie, visit to FRI and ONGC, lecture and demonstration, combat team in quick at Roorkee, end of term exhibition and variety entertainment at the IMA, horse show and PT display and witness adjutant POP parade practice.

Dehradun, June 1
A fine brace by Rahul Mani went in vain as Bajrang Dal managed to get past the Uttarakhand Tigers 3-2 on the inaugural day of the Lala Nami Das District Football League here today at Pavilion Ground.

In this keenly contested match, Rahul scored the first goal to open the account of UK Tigers. The rival team retaliated to it in a whirlwind fashion. Bajrang Dal struck three back-to-back goals, Ajay (30th), Himanshu (33rd) and Saurabh (36th) to take UK Tigers for surprise.

There was no answer to the attack of the team. Rahul Mani continued his effort and netted a goal in the 63rd minute but that wasn’t enough for his side. Meanwhile, Doon Star and Western Boys are slated to meet tomorrow at 4 pm.

Dehradun, June 1
The hot contest not between the players, but between the old District Football Association (DFA) and the present DFA is likely to be witnessed tomorrow on the Pavilion Ground as both the associations have chosen the same venue and the same time for the league matches.

The old DFA started its league here today on the Pavilion Ground while the present DFA will begin its campaign with the league from tomorrow. However, while the old DFA has set the time for the starting of its match at 4 pm, the latter has scheduled its opening ceremony and the inaugural match at 4:30 in the evening.

On top of it, both clubs are adamant with their decision to organise matches at the same venue and at the same time. Mohsin Khan, media coordinator in the old DFA, said that Doon Star and Western Boys would play at 4 pm tomorrow on the second day of the league and all the matches will be held on this ground only.

While the secretary of the present DFA, Devender Bisht said, “How can some other association organise league when we have the permission? We have the advance booking from May 10 to August 31. We are the only affiliated football association in Dehradun and there is no question of any other association.”

PS Lunthi, district sports officer, said, “The DFA which has Devender Bisht as its secretary took the permission of the ground from us already. I cannot do anything between the dispute of the two associations they should sit and compromise for the betterment of the sport.”

Haridwar, June 1
In another accomplishment for the Uttarakhand state police in the sports arena, a gold medal was added to the state’s kitty by state police constable.

Constable Shiv Kumar won a gold medal at the recently concluded Indian Grand Prix Athletics Championship in Pune.

Shiv Kumar clinched a gold with a 60-m throw that proved to be too far for the other contestants and Shiv won with a handy margin.

Not content with this achievement, Shiv expressed that he had to work harder to meet people’s expectations. Revealing his success mantra Shiv said adhering to a strict disciplined regimen with daily several hours of practice and special stress on fitness contributed to his achieving this grand success.

“This is just a start and I want to take my game to international level and want to make my parents and countrymen proud by performing and winning a medal at Olympics,” said Shiv.

He also attributed his success to the Uttarakhand police for providing best facilities and said a sporting culture needs to be generated in the hilly state as talent lies in ample in the state, but there are few opportunities to hone their skill.

In a statement to the media, Police Sports Control Board Secretary Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Alok Sharma has congratulated Shiv Kumar for his stupendous achievement.

Mussoorie, June 1
The silver medalist of recently concluded power lifting championship Nitin Kudalkar was felicitated in a ceremony held at Mussoorie Public School here today.

Nitin who served in a hotel at Mussoorie as security officer before has developed a taste for power lifting and won three bronze and one silver medal in the recently held Asian Power lifting championship at Mongolia.

The other invited guests were the longtime friend, sports lover and eminent film personality Tom Alter. The ceremony began with the chief guest lighting the ceremonial lamp. Following that Nitin demonstrated the technique of power lifting to the students of the school. He was felicitated with a citation and a Garhwali cap on the occasion. He lifted more than 150 kg in different in squat style. He also showcased some bench-press on the occasion.

Nitin said power lifting is a great sport and after regular practice one could eye medals in the next Olympic Games in 2016 where it is being introduced for the first time. Nitin said doping allegation had harmed the reputation and for that the federations were doing a lot to curb the menace. He also said children who wanted to succeed in the sport should practice in the presence of the coach only.

Tom Alter said Indians were faring well in other sports than cricket and media should take notice of that. He also said government should have nothing to do with sports. He said today most sportspersons were looking up towards the government for money and cared less for sports. He said in the past 50 years India has not produced any gold medal in athletics due to this government interference.

Tom Alter further said if we wanted to develop other sports we should make the federations autonomous with a rotating executive committee so that they stand on their feet within 15 years and are not dependent on government money. Tom also said anybody indulging in doping should be punished severely be it coaches or athletes. He said the athletes were less to be blamed and the federation has to clean up their acts altogether.

Principal Mukesh Lal thanked the invited guests on the occasion. Ajay Mark, RS Mishra, OP Uniyal, Roop Chand, Sameer Shukla, Preetam Bhartwan and others were present on the occasion.