Dehradun, August 14
“The national flag is a symbol of the nation’s respect and pride,” is a common line that is found in many books and at government as well as non-government institutions, but how many really pay heed to this public notice?

The unfurled national flag is often seen in dustbins or at roadsides trampled by commuters after celebrations of national functions like Independence or Republic Day indicating to the scant respect citizens have for the national symbol.

Nowadays, plastic flags are sold by urchins at traffic lights. These Tricolours hit the anti-polythene drive running across the world.

To curb the disrespect to battered national flags after the celebrations, St Joseph’s Academy Alumnus, in association with Pramukh and DSI Foundation, will keep vigil tomorrow.

The associations have already circulated posters and pamphlets appealing to the people to follow the proper manner to dispose the national flag according to the flag code of India.

They have also released do’s and don’ts on the web ahead of the festivities of Independence Day.

While talking to The Tribune, Rajeev Sachar, media coordinator of the association, said, “Pramukh will provide four rickshaws to collect the used flags. These rickshaws will be placed at the Parade Ground, Gandhi Park and at Asian School, Vasant Vihar.

“The discarded flags will be picked up and collected at one place where they will be disposed off as per the flag code of India by either buying them in the ground or burning them as per the given guidelines”.

“We have requested many institutes to get this information printed in the form of posters or leaflets and distribute them among the people. Persons, who find the discarded flags in and around their locality in large numbers, can call the Flag Helpline at 9897274151 or 9319851118,” he said.

Dehradun, August 14
The President of India will award seven personnel of Uttarakhand police for their work on Independence Day tomorrow, said a police statement today.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) GS Martoliya will be bestowed with the President Police Medal for distinguished and excellent service.

For bravery, Kotwali Circle Officer (CO) Ajay Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Nehru Colony, Bhaskar Lal Shah and Head Constable Harimohan will be honoured with the Police Medal.

The trio have been selected for nabbing three robbers after a shooting encounter on October 28. After getting information that robbers had struck at a house 
and were firing bullets, the CO and the SHO with the police force had rushed to the spot.

When the robbers came out, they were confronted by the cops. And after a shooting encounter, the cops managed to apprehend two miscreants on the spot while the third was arrested later with the loot. During the clash, the then constable Harimohan had got critically injured.

Also, Udham Singh Nagar SSP Ajay Rautela, DSP (law and order) Jagdish Singh Aswal and Vigilance Inspector Arvind Dangwal will be awarded for long and commendable service.

Pitthoragarh, August 14
Keeping in view the celebrations of the 64th Independence Day, security all along the 240-km-long India-Nepal border in Pitthoragarh and Champawat districts has been put on alert and the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel guarding it have been asked to keep strict vigil on the activities from across the border, according to police officials.

“The SSB patrolling parties’ police and intelligence agencies including local intelligence units have been asked to keep vigil on the border that no anti-national element can infiltrate into Indian territory with the intention of disturbing the Independence Day celebrations,” said Nilesh Anand Bharane, SP, Pitthoragarh.

According to SSB sources, routine patrolling on India-Nepal border has been intensified and extra patrolling parties have been deputed to the part of border which are otherwise tough terrains.

“We have also alerted our water patrolling units on the Kali river and keeping extra vigil on all five bridges on the river at the India-Nepal border,” said BS Tolia, SSB Commandant.

In Champawat district, Tanakpur and Banbasa towns on the India-Nepal border have been given extra SSB and police sleuths to guard the border. “We have intensified patrolling on the border of this Tarai region, which is considered more sensitive from the infiltration point of view. We will also take special combing operations in Tanakpur and Banbasa areas on August 14 and 15,” said PS Selas, SP Champawat.Besides parade, soccer match, tree plantation planned

Haridwar, August 14
On the eve of Independence Day, about 180 odd trainee managers and engineers from across the country reached the holy city to take a dip in spiritual and religious waters of both knowledge and the river Ganga.

Attending various sessions at Shantikunj, these under trainees were addressed by key speakers from the institution as well as Dev Sanskriti University orators.

Urging these young guns to make the society free of social evils, Shantikunj chief Dr Pranav Pandya said in recent times India was facing a lot of problems emanating from society.

Citing examples of recent cases of honour killing, casteism, terrorism and illiteracy Dr Pandya said these were the social issues that had to be tackled by youth as the future of India lay in their hands.

“You (youth) have to fight the social evils, corruption and illiteracy with vigour as in your hand lies the future of India and if you carry out these tasks simultaneously, the vision 2020 will be achievable,” said Dr Pandya.

Shail Jiji termed the youth as those who were filled with enthusiasm having a desire to excel. Citing examples from Indian history, she said be it Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Rani Laxmibai, Swami Vivekananda, all in their youth gave a direction to the society “which they achieved with self knowledge only”.

These trainees have been recruited by a firm Surya group that specially brought these future executives to Dev Sanskriti University to apprise them about the spiritual aspect which helps in one’s life and career both.

Comprising apart from host state Uttarakhand, Punjab, UttarPradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Gujarat, the student group also bought spiritual-religious material, particularly literature of Pandit Shri Ram Sharma, who founded Shantikunj.

Pitthoragarh, August 14
Noted folk singer of Uttarakhand Kabutari Devi, a resident of a village near Pitthoragarh town, was admitted to the government hospital at Pitthoragarh after she complained of fever and stomach pain.

“I have been suffering from fever since Monday. My daughter, with whom I am staying after death of my husband, admitted me to the district hospital in Pitthoragarh.

“Doctors there said my case has been referred to Haldwani Medical College, but due to paucity of funds, I am compelled to remain here,” said a wailing and trembling folk singer, who was recently felicitated by a leading news channel of the state.

The doctors attending on Kabutari Devi said she had a stone in her gall bladder which needed to be removed. “After surgery, which is only possible at Haldwani hospital, the patients can get relief,” said Dr DS Dharmsaktu, physician at the district hospital, Pitthoragarh.

Kabutari Devi, who leads a poverty-stricken life at Kwetar village near Pitthoragarh town, was a prominent folk singer some 30 years ago when she used to sing at All-India Radio, Lucknow, Mumbai, Rampur and Nazibabad stations. She was awarded by then UP government many times.

“But after the death of my husband 25 years ago, I could not move out of my home and after the creation of Uttarakhand state, some folk enthusiasts reintroduced me to the public,” said Kabutari Devi.

Haridwar, August 14
Thousands of persons belonging to the Multani community gathered in the pilgrim city to celebrate the centenary of the annual Multan Jot Mahotsava for which elaborate arrangements had been made.

From sermons to religious kathas to the aarti of holy ‘jots’ in the Ganga, the occasion will lend colour to the Independence Day celebrations too.

Holi will be played with the colours of the Indian Tricolour. All guests and participants will be given a medal with the Akhil Bharatiya Multan Sewa Sanghtan logo in three colours.

Various politicians, cinema artistes, bureaucrats and dignitaries belonging to the Multani community are expected to attend the gala function and rituals at Har-ki-Pauri. The programme will begin at 8 am from the Chawla Bhawan in Khadkhadi with a shobha yatra and conclude at Har-ki-Pauri. 

Dehradun, August 14
Pema pumped in two goals against Wynberg Allen School, Mussoorie, to take Tibetan Homes to title win at the 26th Carbery Memorial Sub-junior Football Tournament that concluded here today at St Jude School, Majra.

Pema scored a goal each in the first and the second half to guide his team to an easy win. He once again emerged as the chief scorer for his side. Their rivals struggled to score even a single goal giving the champions a 2-0 win.

Mussoorie, August 14
Cross-country races in various categories were organised under the aegis of the Mussoorie Sports Association and Mussoorie Hotel Association on the eve of Independence Day at Garhwal Terrace today. More than 100 athletes participated in the event.

In the senior division, Tashi Tsering won the race that was held from Garhwal Terrace till Nand Residency Camels Back road. Tashi Gyaltsen stood second and Vipin Ramola stood third.

The first race for mini group (boys and girls) was flagged off by Nagar Palika President OP Uniyal and Manmohan Singh Mall, former president of the Palika.

In mini group boys, Vipin from Divya Bharti School was declared first, Shubham from Nirmala Inter College stood second, Aman from St Lawrence was declared third and Sumit from Nirmala was declared fourth.

Among girls (mini group), Pooja Rawat, Monica Rana, Nidhi and Megha were among the medals.

In junior girls, Seeta, Shobha, Sonali and Sushmita were awarded certificates and prizes. In junior boys, Pankaj Rawat, Amit Singh Negi, Dinesh and Manoj were awarded for excelling in the race.

The chief guest on the occasion Palika President OP Uniyal distributed the prizes and citation to the winners.

The coordinators of the event were Nand Lal, Surat Singh Rawat, MSA president Suresh Goel, Anuj Tayal, Rafiq Ahmed and BS Negi. Bijendar Pundir, Shubasini Bhartwal, Javed Khan, Sushil Agarwal were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, August 14
A cross-country race was organised by the Dehradun District Sports Office here today from Astley Hall to Mussoorie.

The race culminated at the Astley Hall after starting from the same point. Over 100 participants took part. The race started early in the morning. The participants were also given refreshments after the race. Sunil Kumar, SS Patnaik and Vineet Saini stood first, second and third respectively while Dharmender, Neelpal and Vinod Singh managed to get fourth, fifth and sixth spot.

Mussoorie, August 14
Manorites, a team of former students from St Georges College, defeated R-Sports Club in the final of 39th Jackie Memorial Football Tournament at St Georges College ground today.

The home team scored three goals in regulation time to lift the coveted trophy and a cash prize of Rs 18,000. R-Sports Club could not score a single goal in reply.

For Manorites, Rahul Negi with two goals and Riki Richard with one were the scorers. The runners-up received a cash prize of Rs 14000.

About 40 teams participated in the tournament. The chief guest RS Rawat, Assistant Director (Sports), Uttarakhand, presented the trophy to the winning team.

Manorite Jatin Hooda was adjudged Best Player of the Tournament. St Georges College Principal Brother Christopher and the staff were present on the occasion.