The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

DAV College witnesses peaceful campaigning on last day
Dehradun, September 6
The final showdown of contesting candidates for the college students’ union election, ahead of DAV PG College polling day, went off peacefully today. In spite of the recommendations from the college election body for barring further election campaign, students witnessed canvassing within the premises.

No place for siddha, homoeopathy, Unani in Ayush grams
Dehradun, September 6
Over emphasis on ayurveda alone while promoting Ayush grams, and ignoring claims of Unani, siddha and homoeopathy, the other Indian systems of medicines, have practitioners of these systems worried.
Mask dance festival of Hiljatra ends
Pitthoragarh, September 6
The traditional mask dance festival of Hiljatra, which is unique in the Sour valley of the district, was organised in the traditional village of Kumour today.
Hiljatra being performed in the Sour valley in Pitthoragarh district.

Businessman Murder Case
Haldwani-based lawyer behind murder: Police
Nainital, September 6
The police claims to have worked out the case of murder of Haldwani businessman Uday Prakash Aggarwal who had been shot in a marketplace in April. According to the police, the murder had been committed by professional shooters at the behest of Haldwani-based lawyer Ghananand Joshi.

‘Breastfeeding can prevent million child deaths annually’
Haridwar, September 6
Dwelling on the need of breastfeeding to the newly born, experts remarked that breastfeeding is the best food for an infant and should be continued till minimum six months from the date the child is born.
Experts speak at a workshop on breastfeeding at Kankhal on Monday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur Experts speak at a workshop on breastfeeding at Kankhal

Uttarakhand AG lauds cleanliness drive in Nainital
Nainital, September 6
The success of the cleanliness drive through Mission Butterfly is likely to be emulated in other parts of the country. This was stated by Accountant General (AG) of Uttarakhand Pravin Pande here today.

BJP for declaring 400 scribes as state agitationists
Pitthoragarh, September 6
The Uttarakhand BJP wants to declare nearly 400 journalists from the state as Rajya Andolankaris because the organisation feels the state would not have come into existence if these people had not written about the plight of people of Uttarakhand. This was stated by Bishan Singh Chufal, president of the Uttarakhand BJP, here today.

Harish Rawat denies allegation regarding state Congress chief
Dehradun, September 6
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat has denied that he has been trying to have his own man installed as President of the state Congress. In a statement issued here today, he said he would love to work with a President chosen by party President Sonia Gandhi.

Mayor sets deadline to improve house tax collection
Dehradun, September 6
Mayor Vinod Chamoli today held a meeting with officials of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) to discuss house tax collection. The Mayor, who expressed displeasure over low house tax collection, gave directions to update house tax records. He gave a deadline of two months to the Tax Department to show progress in the tax collection.

AITUC to go on strike today
Dehradun, September 6
Members of the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) will hold a strike in favour of their long-pending demands at the Gandhi Park here on September 7. The party members in a press conference said they would hold a strike mainly demanding regularisation of their employees, promotion of the pending members, pay hikes and implementation of labour laws.

Four illegal shops, three rehris seized
Dehradun, September 6
In an encroachment drive led by a Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) team, four makeshift shops and three rehris were impounded. Under this drive, which was carried in a stretch from Prince Chowk to Niranjanpur Sabji Mandi encompassing areas such as Adat Bazar, Saharnpur Chowk, Patel Nagar and Lal Pur Chowk, these encroachers were removed.

	Roadways Employee’s Death Case CB-CID probe begins Tribune News Service Haridwar, September 6 A special state team of the Crime Branch-Central Investigation Department (CB-CID) has started its investigation into the death of Roadways employee Rajendra Singh in police custody here today. Plunging into quick action, a five-member special team examined the cash store from where cash was stolen and recorded the statements of Roadways employees. Speaking to The Tribune, investigating team member BS Negi said the team’s investigation was in an initial phase where they were gathering information and corroborating evidences from police station, hospital, Roadways workshop and people concerned with the whole incident. “We are probing in our own way. The time, details and clues we have got can’t be divulged. So just wait and watch as our investigation has just begun,” said investigator Negi who, along with Vinod Chauhan, met the deceased’s family members and carried out investigation at the Roadways workshop too where the theft had occurred in which police was interrogating Rajendra Singh on suspicion. Notably, CO Pankaj Bhatt has been relieved of his charge by SSP, Haridwar, Sanjay Gunjiyal. He has been attached to the SSP office in Roshanabad. Simultaneously, SHO, City Kotwali, RP Chamoli is also under scanner, as the deceased was in custody and tortured during interrogation at the Kotwali from where he was referred to the district hospital for treatment. The family members of the deceased have lodged a case against unidentified police personnel and several officials of the Roadways. The family was totally dependent on Rajendra Singh as one of his two daughters was a divorcee and has been living with her parents for quite some time with her eight-year-old daughter, while Mithun, elder son, is physically challenged. This puts the family dependent on government compensation and a job assurance.
	Three nominations withdrawn from MPG College students union poll Our Correspondent Mussoorie, September 6 Three nominations were withdrawn on the last day of the nomination withdrawal day in the students union election at Municipal Post Graduate (MPG) College here today. Chaos ruled for the third day today when two national parties were adamant on proving their point of view in front of the college election committee. The standoff began when ABVP members opposed the withdrawal of Independent presidential candidate Sandeep Singh, due to whom the whole situation had become volatile and NSUI students had torn up nomination papers and created a ruckus on Friday. The ABVP members protesting the move cited that Sandeep as being forced to withdraw on the pressure of some NSUI members. The election committee officials, however, said Sandeep himself had agreed to withdraw, so nothing could be done about it. The situation once again became tense as students tried to barge in the Principal’s office in protest and the gates of the college were closed once again for a short period. AISF presidential candidate Anuj Lal, along with Sandeep Singh and Mohsin, withdrew their names from the contest. The election committee after consultation with student leaders said the elections would be held on the previously set date of September 9 and all necessary arrangements had been made for free and fair poll. Independent presidential candidate Sandeep, later speaking to The Tribune, said due to his candidature the situation was getting tense. Hence, he decided to withdraw his nomination to avoid any altercations between the two panels, namely the ABVP and the NSUI in the larger interest of students in the college. Only three candidates remain making the contest a triangular one.
	DAV College witnesses peaceful campaigning on last day Yamini Sunwar Tribune News Service Dehradun, September 6 The final showdown of contesting candidates for the college students’ union election, ahead of DAV PG College polling day, went off peacefully today. In spite of the recommendations from the college election body for barring further election campaign, students witnessed canvassing within the premises. Interestingly, on the one hand a group of campaigners donned traditional Garhwali attires and singing regional songs appealed to students to cast votes in their favour, on the other the others took assistance from schoolchildren to distribute leaflets of their contesting candidates. The crowd in the college was seen trying to canvas maximum in the last hour of the students’ council poll. Moreover, contestants were seen meeting students on the college premises as well as at their residences, making promises to fight for students’ interests. Areas like Karanpur, Prem Nagar, DL Road and Bengali Mohalla remained highly crowded during the daytime as a large number of college students live there. Supporters of both parties, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), with the luxury of large budget were seen in cars and bikes around the city with party stickers on these. Even veteran students were seen participating in canvassing followed by close meetings with supporters. Not only this, petrol and liquor were overflowing among students during campaigning sessions. NSUI president Sangram Singh Pundir was spotted in the campus to support Vijay Raturi “Monty” contesting for the post of president. He said, “We are confident of our win for the post of president. The response to our campaign has been very positive”. BL Nautiyal, Principal of DAV PG College, said the college administration as well as the police was on vigil to keep a check on any sort of untoward happenings tomorrow the day of polling. "The entire faculty and Class IV employees are on their toes to conduct a fair and peaceful polling tomorrow. There will be 22 booths set up on the campus with chief proctor, along with a team of 22 faculty, to keep a check throughout the elections," Nautiyal asserted. "Around 15,000 voters are expected to cast their votes tomorrow," he added.
	No place for siddha, homoeopathy, Unani in Ayush grams Neena Sharma Tribune News Service Dehradun, September 6 Over emphasis on ayurveda alone while promoting Ayush grams, and ignoring claims of Unani, siddha and homoeopathy, the other Indian systems of medicines, have practitioners of these systems worried. After facing years of apathy, it augured well that the Indian system of medicine, ayurveda, got due attention in government schemes. But soon, ‘big brother’ ayurveda cornered all the glory, edging out homoeopathy, siddha and Unani. The glaring omission is evident in the promotion of Ayush grams in which only ayurvedic systems are being promoted. Setting up Ayush grams in the districts was to provide patients a choice of treatment from the officially recognised systems, namely ayurveda, siddha, unani and homoeopathy. “Only ayurveda has managed to get due attention, while the other systems, Unani, siddha and homeopathy, have been completely ignored,” said Dr BC Lakhera, Director, Homoeopathy. In fact, while implementing the Centre’s Ayush programme (ayurveda, Unani, siddha and homeopathy) in the state by promoting scientific research and education in all three systems namely ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy siddha, Unani, and homoeopathy, similar step-motherly treatment was all too evident. According to this plan, specialty clinics of ayush at allopathic hospitals and Ayush wing in district allopathic hospitals have to be set up, but none of the hospital has three wings working under one roof. “In order to help in the growth and wider reach of the Indian systems of medicine, the Ayush grams will have been appropriate models to promote all systems in equal measure, but it is not being done so. We need a balanced approach,” said a top officer in the government. The Chief Minister’s Ayush gram is part of a total health care programme that promises to provide health care through ayurveda. This was done in explicit realisation of contributions these ancient and holistic systems can make towards the health care of the people. These systems have marked superiority in addressing chronic conditions and offer a package of promotive and preventive interventions.
	Mask dance festival of Hiljatra ends Our Correspondent Pitthoragarh, September 6 The traditional mask dance festival of Hiljatra, which is unique in the Sour valley of the district, was organised in the traditional village of Kumour today. “It was a two-day programme this year which began on September 5 with a cultural evening in which various culture groups of the district participated. It was chaired by Bishan Singh Chufal, Uttarakhand BJP chief,” said Yashwant Singh Mahar, organiser of the festival. The Hiljatra, which depicts the agrarian face of the traditional Kumoani society, is played by different artistes in various roles impersonating people who were an essential part of ancient Kumoani society. “These artistes depict a pair of oxen, wild animals and the farmer tilling his land as well as women joining them by bringing breakfast for them in the muddy field in heavy rain or scorching sun,” said Mahar. The main attraction of this Hiljatra festival is Lakhiyabhoot which is uncontrollable, and, if pleased, gets a good crop and healthy family life for devotees. Lakhiya is considered an incarnation of Vir Bhardra, Lord Shiva’s chief general, who destroyed a congregation of various Vedic gods where Lord Shiva was not invited. Though the Hiljatra is organised at some other places in the district, traditionally the depiction of Lakhiyabhoot is only prevalent at Kumour village. “According to the prevalent tradition in our village from ancient times, our ancestors obtained the mask of Lakhiyabhoot and other characters from the court of Nepal after doing a valiant act for the king,” said Mahar.
	Businessman Murder Case Haldwani-based lawyer behind murder: Police Tribune News Service Nainital, September 6 The police claims to have worked out the case of murder of Haldwani businessman Uday Prakash Aggarwal who had been shot in a marketplace in April. According to the police, the murder had been committed by professional shooters at the behest of Haldwani-based lawyer Ghananand Joshi. Joshi had been hit by a vehicle a few days before the incident of murder and believed that Uday was behind the accident. He allegedly hatched a plan with a close confidant Suraj Verma, and professional shooters were hired through one Chaman Kumar of Jaspur. The shooters hired were Prakash Pande, Umesh Sajwan and Laksman Thapa. Barring Thapa, all remaining four were nabbed yesterday. Thapa has been in prison for sometime following cancellation of his bail in an older case. The murder of 46-year-old Uday in the Dahariya locality had caused a sensation in the region. He was on his way home after purchasing mobile oil when he had stopped near the Dhan Mill tri-junction and proceeded towards a general store after parking his two-wheeler. It was at that moment that the assailants had fired at his head twice from a very close range killing him on the spot. This had led to a commotion. Uday, who was also known as Lala, had owned JCB machines that he used to give out on hire. It is learnt that he was also into property dealing.
	‘Breastfeeding can prevent million child deaths annually’ Tribune News Service Haridwar, September 6 Dwelling on the need of breastfeeding to the newly born, experts remarked that breastfeeding is the best food for an infant and should be continued till minimum six months from the date the child is born. This as well as other health-related tips were given at a workshop on breast feeding as part of the World Breastfeeding Week that is being celebrated worldwide. Organised by the District Project Officer, the workshop was attended by medical practitioners, social activists, Child Welfare Department office-bearers and pregnant women who wanted to know about the right way to feed the newly born. Speaking on the occasion, Dr HK Singh informed that the mother’s milk was the best food for the infant and helped immensely in the overall development of the baby, as it was nutritious as well as easily digestible. “For the overall physical development, mother’s milk is the best, while skimmed or packaged milk lacks that quality. Breast milk has higher immunity level and should be given, at least, for six months,” said Dr Singh. Urging on the need of nationwide mass awareness programme regarding breastfeeding, Dadubagh-situated Aanganbadi School Principal Kamla Joshi said due to ignorance, particularly working women were seen refraining from breastfeeding which is quite harmful for the overall development and health of the newly born. District Women Hospital Medical Practitioner Manju Agnihotri stated that even the World Health Organisation recommended compulsory breastfeeding up to six months, while continued additional breastfeeding with complementary nutritional foods uptil two years. She said breastfeeding was one of the most effective ways to ensure the child’s health and survival and a lack of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life contributed to over a million avoidable child deaths each year. A large number of Aaganwadi activists and local women also participated in the workshop.
	Uttarakhand AG lauds cleanliness drive in Nainital Tribune News Service Nainital, September 6 The success of the cleanliness drive through Mission Butterfly is likely to be emulated in other parts of the country. This was stated by Accountant General (AG) of Uttarakhand Pravin Pande here today. Pande was in Nainital to release a book named “Nainital Beckons” that has been penned by environmentalist Dr Ajay Rawat and former Kumaon Commissioner S Raju. Pande asserted that the success achieved in cleaning Nainital through Mission Butterfly would be made a benchmark for the rest of the country. He praised the work done by the Lake Development Authority (LDA), Municipal Board and Lok Chetna Manch, an NGO. He conveyed that Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Vinod Rai had visited Nainital in June and was extremely pleased by the cleanliness work done by the authorities concerned and had asked him to study how the authorities had managed to do so. Raju, who has been promoted as Principal Secretary (Urban Development), was not present on the occasion, but was highly praised for his commendable work. The other writer of the book, Dr Rawat said the book had been written for the local people who were not aware of the development work being done by the LDA to save and clean the lake and the town area. He said the book described the history of the town, its topography, the process of aeration of the lake and its bio-manipulation. Besides, it included description of important buildings, the landslides that had taken place in the past, along with the rich flora and fauna of Nainital.
	BJP for declaring 400 scribes as state agitationists Our Correspondent Pitthoragarh, September 6 The Uttarakhand BJP wants to declare nearly 400 journalists from the state as Rajya Andolankaris because the organisation feels the state would not have come into existence if these people had not written about the plight of people of Uttarakhand. This was stated by Bishan Singh Chufal, president of the Uttarakhand BJP, here today. “The BJP organisation has completed a list of activist journalists during the state movement from 1994 onwards and it is up to the government now to execute this plan,” said Chufal. The BJP president said it was the media, specially the local media, which was thoroughly active during that movement. “But no government after the creation of the state has recognised this fact,” said Chufal. Chufal said during the separate state movement in 1994, the journalists working at a sub-division even at the village level highlighted the plight of people fuelling the movement. “We want the journalists be recognised as Rajya Andolankaris and all facilities meant for an andolankari be provided to them,” said Chufal.