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Kanwar season grips Kumbh city
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Mining ban in Haridwar hits GMVN revenue
Garhwal colleges on verge of losing affiliation
No student rallies sans permission on city roads: SSP
Police holds awareness drive on safe driving
BCom admissions begin at DAV (PG) College
U’khand technical varsity may start six-year BTech
ICFAI holds freshers’ party
RIMC Squash Meet
Now, onus lies on youth, says statehood activist
Probe ordered into mid-day meal served in school
Doon Star edge past Akranta
SGRR Bindal, Balawala win
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Kanwar season grips Kumbh city
Haridwar, July 29 While the Maha Kumbh that created all sorts of records in terms of the number of pilgrims thronging the city, as per the initial two days of commencement of the Kanwar season, the yatra is also on the verge of breaking last year’s record of the number of Kanwariyas visiting Haridwar. As per administrative records, last year the Kanwar season witnessed a whopping 7.5 million Kanwariyas that made the fair the biggest in the whole northern region. It is being estimated that the figure has already been touched 1.5 lakh Kanwariyas in the first two days. The whole city, particularly the Kanwar route popularly known as Kanwar Patri, is buzzing with Lord Shiva devotees round the clock. The devotees carrying colourful kanwars on their shoulders, move in a line, undeterred by the changing climatic conditions from scorching sunny rays, humidity to heavy drizzles, underlining once again the faith of these Kanwariyas. It seems the religious mantras of “Bam bam Bhole” and “Jai Bhole ki” difuse all the pain and tribulations that they endure in their journey, specially those who tread on foot only. The orange colour is also making its grip on the Railways, as Kanwariyas can be seen hanging on to the windows of coaches or sitting atop Haridwar-bound trains. Keeping in mind the huge rush on these trains, the Railways has started special Kanwar fair trains to ease out the rush on normal trains and provide easy access and exit to the Kanwariyas coming from other states. While two special mela trains are being operated on the Delhi-Haridwar route, another special mela train from Haridwar to Bareilly is being plied currently for the past two days. Again it will ply on August 4 and 5, besides additional trains. Station Superintendent Samarendra Goswami informed that the Railways had already geared up for the occasion and was trying its best to provide the best of the journey and facilities to the Kanwariyas. A checking squad has also been formed to see that Kanwariyas don’t sit on rooftops of the trains, which is quite dangerous, besides deployment of Railway police personnel. Meanwhile, routine checking of railway stations is being done by bomb disposal squads. In sync with the magnitude of the Kanwar fair, the specially formed Kanwar police has been deployed at Har-ji-Pauri, Pantdeep, national highway and the whole of Kanwar stretch up to Narsain-situated Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border in a large number. Besides providing security cover, the mela police is also managing, helping and guiding the Kanwariyas. Seeing the heavy deployment of the police, it seems that after the orange-saffron colour, only khakhi is visible in the city. Signages and display boards have also been put on at entire Kanwar route showing route points in addition to urging the Kanwariyas to follow mela police instructions, avoid alcohol, drugs and other instructions.
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Mining ban in Haridwar hits GMVN revenue
Dehradun, July 29 UK Kabadwal, General Manager, GMVN, said mining was the biggest source of revenue for the Nigam. And after mining was banned in Dehradun by the High Court, which meant a loss of an annual revenue of Rs 22 crore, from June last year and now Haridwar, too, closed down which earned approximately Rs 80 lakh a month, it was a double blow to the GMVN. Additional General Manager and Mining In Charge CS Negi says, “Last year mining was closed over the Ganga in the end of July in Haridwar, but this year it was preponed from the very beginning of July till the full month of September”.
There is very little the GMVN can do to revoke the periodic ban in Haridwar, but for the one imposed in Dehradun it is bracing up itself for a big reprisal. Negi further says, “We are going to put our counterpoint before the High Court by placing the notification dated September 14, 2006, which says that for wining sand, gravel, boulder (minor mineral) on the riverbeds, prior approval of the Central government is not needed. It is also marked in the Act that prohibition on mining is likely to be imposed on new projects or activities or on the expansion or modernisation of the existing projects or activities based on their potential environmental inputs”. He says their case does not fall in any of these categories. “We had been carrying out mining on 82 riverbeds since 2001, which testifies for it being an old case where no ban can be imposed. Earlier, it was carried out by private people and mining mafia who gave only Rs 6.34 crore annual revenue to the state government in 1998-2000, but after the GMVN took it over, it rose to Rs 9 crore in the very first year and touched up to Rs 22 crore in 2009. “It felt strange that the petitioner, who is a paanwala, is contesting this case bearing whopping expenses of fighting it in the High Court, which is suffice to corroborate the hands of mining mafia behind this ploy. The Nigam is hopeful of winning this case, which is near its fag end,” he explains. Negi also informs that as per the rule, for an area of 5 hectare, there is no need to take approval from the Environment Impact Assessment Authority (EIAA) for carrying out mining and Dehradun falls in it. It is for the mining area from 5-50 hectare, prior approval of the EIAA and MOEF and above-50 hectare, intervention of the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court is required. He also adds that since the mining trade has almost come to a nought in Uttarakhand, it is the region near Yamuna in Himachal, Hathini Kund and Bihari Garh in UP which has benefited immensely as traders and builders of the state are now dependent on it. Manoj Kumar, DMC contractor, substantiates the astronomical difference in the cost as he says that the cost of sand and gravel, which used to cost him Rs 4,000 for a truck in Uttarakhand has spiralled up to Rs 12,000 when brought from UP. The Nigam is groping for newer pastures for mining, but given to the topography of the state, very few locations have been sought, but those, too, are not very promising. “We have searched for mining potentials in Chamoli and Uttarkashi, but these are all little patches of 0.2 hectare each where we are churning revenue of Rs 10-12 lakh in Chamoli and Rs 70-80 lakh in Uttarkashi, annually. Srinagar in Tehri Garhwal is also on our radar. “If Pala Menari and Bhairo-Ghati hydro projects get approval, then the revenue graph of mining will soar high in that part of the state”.
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Garhwal colleges on verge of losing affiliation
Dehradun, July 29 According to the University Act, the agreement on affiliation is on the verge of completion and the degree colleges of the Garhwal region will be soon requiring affiliation from another university. The authorities say that the work is in the process, but the fact is otherwise. “The dilemma always prevails in my mind that whether I should continue with my studies from DAV College or should I join some other private college. If the college loses or changes its affiliation in the middle of the course, will my degree be of any significance then?” asked
Saurabh, II-year student of BCom at DAV College. The state government had proposed to set up a separate university to affiliate the degree colleges of six districts of the Garhwal region, after HNB Garhwal University got the Central university status. Earlier, there was uncertainty among colleges on the issue of affiliation after the university was provided the Central university status. Talking to mediapersons here today, Sunil
Aggarwal, secretary of association of Self-Financed Institutes, Uttarakhand, said there was confusion between all institutes regarding the affiliation, especially when the new academic session was about to begin, as the government had announced that all institutes would be affiliated to the new university which would start functioning soon. “Neither the infrastructure is ready nor the government is able to decide where the new university has to be built. We have talked to the Garhwal university authorities regarding the same and they said till the time new university was set up, all institutes would remain affiliated to them only. Perhaps, the problem will arise for the students opting for the traditional courses such as BA, BSc and
BCom, while those who are pursuing technical studies will not get affected,” said
Aggarwal. “Its ironic that on the one hand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank makes frequent promises and assurances for the welfare of the youth in public and on the other delay in the establishment of new university here depicts the contrary side of the administration,” he asserted. However, in spite the several announcements by the Chief Minister in public, nothing convincing has begun to develop yet. In fact, the state government had failed to set up a separate university, said
Aggarwal. Devendra Bhasin, HoD of Mass Communication at DAV College, informed that the students should not panic. “The administration as well as the management of the college has spoken to each other and the set up of the new university will establish soon,” he commented.
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No student rallies sans permission on city roads: SSP
Dehradun, July 29 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) GS Martoliya said no student rallies on roads would be allowed without permission. “No rallies without prior permission will be allowed and action will be taken against the violators,” he said. The SSP had a meeting with DAV College Principal BL Nautiyal yesterday in which this decision was taken. The SSP said students’ rallies had led to traffic jams on city roads and that had become a problem for the general public and school students. A large number of students in groups, supporting their respective student organisations, are holding rallies on bikes and cars with party posters on city roads everyday. Not only do students flout all traffic rules, including driving without helmet, triple riding and jumping the red light, but also misbehave with the public. The situation on roads turns into brawls particularly when rallies of two different student organisations come in front of each other. Several incidents of violence have already been witnessed during the campaigning. Even a few rounds of gunshots were reportedly fired into the air at Astley Hall yesterday. The SSP said the police wouldn’t allow any student to create nuisance during college elections and a sufficient number of policemen would be deployed at the college for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
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Rafting operators flay WII report
Dehradun, July 29 The WII, Dehradun, has conducted a rapid assessment of the rafting camps along Kaudiyala Rishikesh, 36 km stretch of the Ganga. This stretch has 34 rafting camps dotting its banks and the report had clearly found 14 out of 34 camping sites along the Ganga as detrimental to the region’s wildlife. The Rajya Sahasik Paryatan Sangarsh Samiti, an organisation of rafting entrepreneurs that operates on the Ganga, in their first reaction has said the report seems to give no way forward and seems to be formulated with an anti-rafting mindset. “The report looks like a conspiracy. Officials of the WII have admitted that the report was just a preliminary exercise and calls for a detailed survey,” Deepak Bhatt, president of the samiti, pointed out. He also claimed that WII team members had not even visited some of the beach camps and gone on to allege that the report seemed to have little truth in it. The rafting operators in their letter written to the Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests have even referred to the 1999 WII report, which, according to them, has nothing adverse to the existence of beach camps along the Ganga. “The 1999 AJT Johnsingh Report had then categorically said the rafting on the Ganga was being done in consent with ecology and not affecting wildlife in any way,” Bhatt said. Uttarakhand’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr RBS Rawat, said while the state forest department was taking the WII’s recent report in all seriousness, they were not for any immediate ban on the camps identified in the report. “I myself have talked to WII officials, who have admitted that the present report was a rapid assessment and a detailed survey was still needed for the Ganga stretch in question,” Rawat said, adding that the report had indicated means to promote rafting in a better and environmental-friendly manner. Now, the aggrieved rafting operators have turned to Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva seeking her intervention for ensuring justice to the rafting operators. Bhatt acknowledged that a deputation of the rafting operators on Wednesday had met the Governor urging her to take up their case with the government. Bhatt also pledged that the rafting operators would not tolerate their repeated harassment by the Uttarakhand Forest authorities.
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Police holds awareness drive on safe driving
Nainital, July 29 Superintendent of Police (SP) JS Bhandari told The Tribune that parents and social workers had also approached the police on the issue of violation of traffic rules by the youngsters. They had also promised all possible help in checking accidents. The police plans to have an awareness rally on Friday in which children from various schools, social activists, politicians, police personnel and others will participate. The rally will start from MB College and end at the Police
Kotwali. Bhandari said, “The students, along with other participants will distribute brochures and pamphlets about the perils of violating traffic norms and the benefits of safe driving.” Inspector General of Police
(Kumaon Range) RS Meena is expected to participate in the event and address the gathering thereafter. The students will be given the tips or rules of safe riding like driving in a particular lane, wearing helmets, speed control, no triple riding, no drunken driving etc. They will be told about carrying their driving
licence, insurance certificates and driving with proper concentration. Bhandari added that a drive on proper driving of four wheelers would follow soon and public at large would be made aware of the general traffic rules that they had to follow in their daily life. The growing number of road accidents has become a matter of concern for both the parents as well as the authorities in Haldwani which is the most populated town in the region. The latest incident to shock the residents of the town was reported on Sunday when two boys riding a motorcycle lost their lives after losing control on the vehicle and hitting a stationary truck from behind. They were reportedly driving at a high speed and not wearing a protective head gear.
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BCom admissions begin at DAV (PG) College
Dehradun, July 29 “I had come to get the admission form and was ‘caught’ by a member of the students’ union at the entrance who started promising me all sorts of facilities on the condition that I cast my vote in favour of his party,” quipped Preeti Mathur. To avoid any untoward incidents during admissions, a large number of policemen were deployed in and around the campus. The admission procedure had been rendered simple with a single window system that kept all admission touts at bay. “The single window system surely helps students as well as their guardians as they need not run from pillar to post to seek admission,” said BN Bhattnagar, who had come to get an admission form for his daughter. According to the admission committee, admissions for the rest of the courses would start soon for which a meeting would be held. The entire admission procedure is under the strict supervision of the management.
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U’khand technical varsity may start six-year BTech
Dehradun, July 29 The university is contemplating to commence this course from the next academic year. The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has specified the provision to the diploma holders of pursuing BTech course through lateral entry. But now students can avail the opportunity to pursue technical studies just after passing Class X. Earlier, only Punjab had this integrated engineering course in a deemed university, but now Uttarakhand is also planning to follow the same. The best part to opt for this course will be that the candidates need not to give all-India entrance examination or take any coaching for the same. The university is also considering to integrate English as a language or medium of study that can help students in further job placements and higher studies. According to officials, “Education is witnessing many reformations in the method of teaching and learning at school as well as at the college level. This integrated course will have its own advantages in the long run. The two-year diploma will help the student to conceptualise the basics of BTech course and certainly have command over English as a language. The AICTE is also considering other elements that can help in the development of the students for their future prospects in India as well as in abroad”.
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Vanmahotsav: ICARE launches plantation drive
Dehradun, July 29 ICARE has tied up with various schools, colleges, private institutions, government agencies and corporate bodies with an objective of not only involving people of the valley in the drive, but also to inculcate in them the need for preserving the environment. “In the first leg of our campaign we will be covering schools at Raipur and Sahastradhara Road and then gradually covering different regions, including adjoining areas like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Doiwala, etc,” said Pooja Bhatt, Public Relations Head, ICARE. “Our aim is to reach out to everyone and thereby create a network of enthusiastic citizens who wish to make an effort in making our planet a better place to live in,” she added. Also present at the event were SK Bansal, Chairman Apollo International School, Gauri Taneja of Sunrise Academy, BC Srivastava, Principal of Sunrise Academy, Yudhister Puran Singh, Director-admissions, Dehradun Hills Academy, Lavish Bhatia and others.
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ICFAI holds freshers’ party
Dehradun, July 29 The Dean welcomed the new batch of students and congratulated the senior batch for their enthusiasm and consistency. He said students should learn to enjoy the tasks they perform to excel in life. Freshers’ party is a much-awaited event for all students. It entails their welcome along with a number of activities and contests. In the competitions, Ananya Rajender and Vivek Giri, were crowned Miss Fresher and Mr Fresher, respectively. Tisha Dhodi bagged the title of Miss Dazzling Face, while Anirudh Karan Singh was declared Mr Versatile. The contests were judged by the panel comprising faculty members and A number of talented IBS, Dehradun, students presented their talent on the stage. The event was anchored by Rajni and Shashank and culminated with rock
band performance.
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Shivaji Section crowned overall champs
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, July 29 In the u-13 Category Chandragupta Section was the winner, Pratap Section stood as runners-up while the most upcoming player title went to cadet Sai Ganesh. The u-15 category was won by Shivaji Section, the runners-up was Ranjit Section and the best player was won by cadet Anuj Sable. The second best player was bagged by cadet Ankit Singh. In the open category, Shivaji Section stood as winner, Ranjit Section became the runners-up while the best player titles went to cadet Guninder Deep Singh Sidhu and cadet Vinay Chaudhary. The best player of the tournament title was bagged by cadet Guninder Deep Singh Sidhu. The overall positions winner was Shivaji Section, runners up was Ranjit Section and Chandragupta Section The chief guest of the occasion was Col Pankaj K Kumaria, Commandant, RIMC. He praised the cadets for their excellent effort and congratulated the winners. He also appreciated the effort of college squash coach HN Tripathi. The coordinators of the event were Wing Commander YS Phangal and Balvir Singh Chauhan. The referees of the final matches were Major SR Sahu and cadet Gokul Mahajan.
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Now, onus lies on youth, says statehood activist
Haridwar, July 29 Sushila, who played a pivotal role in the statehood movement, while recalling the agitation days pointed that during that time everybody contributed in their own way which eventually led to the formation of a new state in the year
2000. Sushila who was also related with the Uttarakhand Andolankari Rajya Manch was speaking on the sidelines while attending a felicitation function in
Jwalapur. On the BJP state governmnet workings, Sushila opined that under the able leadership of BC Khanduri and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank the state was on the track of being one of the best states of the country and said the condition and living standards of women in the hilly state had remarkably
improved. Sushila has been one of the top leaders of the Uttarakhand’s separate statehood movement and is widely regarded here. Here too, she got a warm welcome and was elated that Haridwar had become a major industrial hub of the state.
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Probe ordered into mid-day meal served in school
Nainital, July 29 According to a spokesperson for the administration, the District Education Officer has been asked to look into the instance of improper food being given to children. The town had erupted in a protest by people who had descended on the Collectorate office carrying utensils with the food being served. They charged that substandard rice was being used in cooking the meal at the school located in Kheda Mohalla and warned that they would not tolerate any laxity with regards to the health of their wards. They also alleged that in the past a lizard had been found in the pulses being served. The agitated parents also said despite the scholarship accounts being opened in the name of the wards in the Post Office, the money was yet to be received from the government.
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Doon Star edge past Akranta
Dehradun, July 29 Nitin Saini (73rd) and Lobsang (79th) scored a goal each in the win of Doon Star. Akranta put up good fight in the match. They scored their first goal through Sambhu (7th). Pappy (Akranta) and RS Rawat (Doon Star) were shown yellow cards during the match. Tomorrow, Sunderwala Boys will meet CT Young in a league game.
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SGRR Bindal, Balawala win
Dehradun, July 29 Every member of the winning team contributed in the victory.
Satyam (11st), Vinod (17th), Udit (28th), Prashant (30th) and Himanshu (55th) chipped in with a goal each to fashion the Bindal’s win. In another match, SGRR Balawala beat host SGRR Basant Vihar 7-5.
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Dehradun, July 29
Negi found the intermittent ban unnecessary. “We mainly do mining on Mohammadpur and Sukro. Since Mohammadpur Power House, where most of the sand gets deposited, is regulated by the Irrigation Department mechanically, so there is no logic in banning mining, on this site at least. Other areas are not quite important, where very little mining is done, for instance at Solani in Roorkie, Bhagwanpur, Kota Muradnagar, Daluwala in Haridwar are small patches”.
