Dehradun, August 24
The State Transport Authority finally approved the Motorcycle Rent Scheme which has been existing since 1997 but has never been utilised. The authority has now decided to benefit from the scheme the way other states like Delhi and Goa have been doing for years by renting motorcycles to tourists.

Secretary S Ramswamy said the authority was going through the case studies of Maharashtra, Goa and Delhi in this context, and had asked for a copy of this scheme from these states. After going through them, the authority would make the required alteration or additions in the scheme and officially launch it.

He also added that seeing the illegal service provided by some of the transporters operating in Haridwar and Rishikesh, the authority decided to launch it properly so that the interested individuals could undertake it legally and as a result boost the tourism in the state. He said initially the authority would allow the licence holders to begin with group tourists with five motorcycles at least and ensure medical and security service in a vehicle following them.

The authority hoped that once it started off, it would invite applications from many aspirants.

Under this scheme, the operators are required to have permits for taxi cab and five motorcycles under the Motorvehicle Act 1988. The applicants need to deposit Rs 1,000 for the licence and submit a character certificate. He should also have premises to provide for repair of the motorcycles and 24-hour phone service.

The transporters in the city are quite excited about the business this new initiative would generate for them.

Rajinder Singh, a transporter who runs truck business, said he had no idea of such a scheme being rolled out by permit. He showed keen interest in dabbling his hands in this business when it got launched. “Lot of tourists, both domestic as well as international ones, prefer to go to hill stations on motorcycles to get a hand-on independent experience. I am sure such a scheme will not only benefit the tourists but the operators as well in a big way,” he added.

Indeed, the tour operators in Delhi and Goa have mastered this trade as these two cities witness a smooth flow of international tourists. The Manager of Smart Operator based at Karol Bagh said his company had been renting out bikes to individual as well as groups. In case of latter, they got in touch with the company representing the group. Instead of fixing rent according to the place the tourist desired to go, they evaluated it as per the duration. For one month, they charged 20,000 per person.

He also added that it never happened that the tourists did not return the vehicles as first, usually they went back the same route and secondly, for security, the operators all took important documents from tourists.

Olvibo, owner of Albi Enterprises in Goa, said he had been renting out motorcycles to tourists to ply within Goa and outside from one month to as long as six months. To ensure the security of the vehicle, he took copies of essential documents such as a copy of pan card, pass port, etc, and money in advance, besides the essential legal formalities.

Dehradun, August 24
Rains continue to wreak havoc on state capital of Dehradun. As many as three houses collapsed while two others were partially damaged due to heavy flow in the Rispana river.

Local councillor Rajkumar said the Rispana river had caused a large scale erosion in recent times which was the reason behind water inflicting damage on the three houses in Sanjay Colony situated alongside the river. Similarly, two other houses suffered partial damage on the Balbir Road area in the same locality.

Rajkumar also accused the authorities concerned of doing little to check the continuous erosion of land alongside the river. He identified some of the affected as Khursheed, Yaseen and Bindershwari among others. The councillor has also sought compensation for the affected and also construction of embankments.

Dehradun, August 24
Though preparations for the Raksha Bandhan began a month ago in the Doon Valley with shops decorated with array of gift items, kite shops also did an outstanding business here today. A large number of people were seen thronging to purchase variety of kites since early morning.

However, where kite flying is primarily celebrated on Basant Panchmi in most of the parts of India, in Doon tradition varies. People in Dehrdaun associate the festival of thread with kites, which are also made out of paper and thread. Colourful kites soaring high in sky is considered auspicious, full of exuberance while adding colour to the festival of love and togetherness.

“I started selling kites since last evening and I am happy that I managed to sell maximum of my kites on Raksha Bandhan, despite the rainy weather. The response in the city was exceptional during the festival. Doonites associate kite flying with the festival of Rakhi, which is a unique celebration in itself as in other cities Basant Panchmi is the occasion when people enjoy flying kites,” said Junaid Hussain, owner Hussain kite shop at Dhamawala.

Where women in the city were found totally decked up with traditional outfits and accessories, men clad in crisp white kurtas and formal pant were seen out on roads since early morning to visit their relatives. However on the occasion, a large number of women alied henna at Paltan Bazar. Even on the day of Rakhi, mehndi walaas’ did a brisk business.

“We were so busy on Monday as we continued working till 10.30 in the night and we are expecting sound business today also,” said Shehzad a mehndi artist.

A great crowd at various food joints, halls and bowling alleys was also noticed today as compared to regular working weekdays. Chocolates, confectionery items, jewellery, along with watches and clothes, were commonly purchased in bulk by majority of people on the occasion to distribute it amongst closed ones.“As there is 50 per cent discount on all garments at Indian Terrain, I purchased two T-shirts for my sister,” said Robin.

Interestingly, with an array of gifts, sweetshops have also made good business on the occasion as sweets play an integral role in making the relationship all the more sweet and worth remembering. From gulab jamuns, chhene ki mithai, barfi, ladoos and ghewar are in great demand on Raksha Bandhan.

Haridwar: The festive of a love bond between sister and brother, Raksha Bandhan, was celebrated with fervour in the city. From early morning the buzz of Rakhsha Bandhan was seen with girls and boys attired in new and beautiful dresses.

People in a large number also visited temples of Mata Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi which witnessed a huge crowed as the operating ropeway company had made it a free ride for local women visitors at the ropeway. So the normal Rs 40 ticket ride was available free of cost to the women pilgrims today due to the Raksha Bandhan festive.

Women and girls were also seen utilising the free state transport service, though the massive jams witnessed on the Haridwar-Dehradun and Haridwar-Rishikesh roads made their journey a bit prolonged and uncomfortable.

Earlier late last evening, the city bazars were abuzz with people buying Rakhies and sweets for the festive occasion. “We had prepared the sweets in advance, but the rush was unprecedented and we ran out of stock, so to meet today morning’s demand we worked late night and by morning the fresh sweets were decked up,” said Uday Ram Semwal, manager of the shop.

Dehradun, August 24
A home away from home, the Cheshire Home for the disabled looked no different, except that today being Raksha Bandhan the inmates were squealing with delight eager to celebrate the festival, strengthening the bond with their large family at the Home.

These inmates suffering from one or the other form of disabilities live in comfortable surroundings nurtured lovingly by the staff and has learnt to anticipate the festival well in advance.

Ramesh, Harjeet and Babu were waiting anxiously for the arrival of thalis decked with sweets and rakhis. The most active among the 50 inmates, they kept a steady watch on the door, in anticipation of Mamta Gupta, Superintendent of Home, to arrive with the goodies and rakhis. While others could not hide their joy, occasionally pointing towards their wrists.

“It is the degree of disability that sets them apart, those with lesser form of disability are the ones to remember the dates and accordingly the word is spread around. Even during our daily interactions, discussions are held and we like to keep them informed,” said Mamta.

Once the rakhis arrived, the male members quickly flung their wrists vying with each other and anxiously trying to catch the attention of the staff carrying thalis. “Their family members also visit them but it is here in the confines of their permanent abode they discover true meaning of rakhi year after year,” she said.

In fact, Harjeet was at pains to tell everyone that his sister had already visited him a day before, “She was here yesterday and has been coming every year but I also have sisters here. They are the ones with whom I share my joys and sorrows,” said Harjeet.

Dehradun, August 24
Governor Margaret Alva today celebrated festival of Raksha Bandhan with different cross sections of the society comprising children, bureaucrats and Brahmkumaris.

Since morning, there was a steady stream of visitors who were eager to tie Rakhis on Margaret Alva’s wrist. A group of six students from Save our Souls (SOS) School, Bhimtal, were the first one to arrive. Purasharth Singh accompanying the children said the Bhimtal branch was established in 1984 and there were 120 children in the school. A total of 12 houses had been built on land allocated by the state.

They were followed by Brahamkumaris and bureaucrats Chief Secretary NS Napalchayal and Additional Chief Secretary Subash Kumar, Secretary to the Governor Ashok Pai, ADC Neeru Garg and Information Officer Hansi Brijwasi, who also tied Rakhis on the hands of the Governor.

Dehradun August 24
On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the members of the Uttarakhand Andolankari Sanyukt Manch innitiated ‘Vriksha Bandhan’ drive, here today.

The drive was organised in association with the RTI Public Services Association at Shaheed Smarak. The activists put tilak on trees and ties rakhi taking a pledge to protect them from being axed.

During the event, the members of both the associations made an appeal to people that they should be kind to trees. The drive was commenced with an aim to spread awareness among people regarding conservation of environment.

Dehradun, August 24
International skates master, Akshat Johari, Ashwin Raj and Abhishek Bhandari from Kendriya Vidhyalaya (KV) IMA have been selected to participate in the 41st National Skating Tournament to be held in Bengaluru. The selected players had participated in the u-14 Inter-Department Tournament conducted by the KV at Mussoorie from August 20-22.

The tournament was organised at The Rink Pavillion in which different units of Kendriya Vidhyalaya-Dehradun, Meerut, Moradabad, Gwaldam etc had participated in the national event.

While addressing the gathering, Gulab Chaudhary, coach of the skaters informed that for participants under 14 years would participate in 300-2,000 metres race while participants between the age of 17-19 years would participate in 300 to 3,000 metres race.

Arvind Gupta, secretary of Uttrakhand Roller Skating Federation congratulated the winners and appreciated the efforts put in by them as well as by their coach. He also said the selected skaters have been given special training to participate in the national event for the consecutive eighth time this year.

"Participants that bags the first, second and third position in the event would be eligible to play in the forthcoming skating event conducted by the Games Federation of India," asserted Gupta.

Dehradun, August 24
The Inter-Section Soccer competition organised by Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) kicked off yesterday with four matches being played on the first day.

The first match was played between Ranjit Section and Shivaji Section (juniors) and resulted into a 2-2 draw. Cadet Lulu Arambam made score for Shivaji while cadet Purnendu and cadet Chitiz Pawar scored for Ranjit. The referee of the match was Vijay.

The second match was played between Ranjit Section and Pratap Section (senior) and the referee of this match was CHM Thapa and the score was 5-1 in favour of Ranjit Section.

The scorers from the winning side were cadet Swaraj Mahapatra (2), cadet Rahul Kadian, cadet Arpit Sangwan, cadet Avinash Kumar. For Pratap Section cadet Lalit Thapliyal scored the goal.

The third match was played between Shivaji Section and Chandragupta Section (middle) and the referee of the match was Ajay. The match resulted into 1-1- draw. Cadet Anmol Rawat scored the goal for Shivaji while cadet Lalremdika netted the goal for Chandragupta.

The fourth and the final match was played between Pratap Section and Chandragupta Section (junior). The referee of the match was Hav Patil and score of the match was 8-0 vividly declaring Pratap Section as the winners. Cadet Akshat Raj scored 6 goals while cadet Tarun Dhanik netted 2 goals.

The chief guest, RIMC Commandant Col Pankaj Kumaria, and other dignitaries Lt Col R Nathawat, Wing Cmdr YS Panghal, Cmdr Somaditya Chakraborty and Maj SR Sahoo were also present in the event. The coordinators of the event were Keshav Anand and Brijesh Chauhan.