Nainital, October 30
Officials involved in disaster management and mitigation painted a rosy picture before Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank during his visit to Nainital, while he went on to promise the moon to them. In a meeting that was meant to take stock of the prevailing scenario after the disaster had hit the region in September, the message that emanated was that everything was smooth and fine. He was here to attend the annual function of Birla Vidya Mandir today.

The meeting would have been of great academic interest to social observers and critics as Nishank while deviating from the routine allowed mediapersons to be present as he pulled up one official after the other repeating that there would be no shortage of funds and manpower, but what he wanted was optimum utilisation of resources and delivery of work on schedule. He also promised rewards to officials who had worked and ordered that those doing otherwise needed to be pulled up.

It was apparent that besides the pulling up officials, the entire exercise also turned out to be an image-building effort for his government. The first ones to bear the brunt were officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Nishank lambasted them for the delays in opening up of roads after the disaster, and asked them why they were not able to give a message that they too were working in co-ordination with officials of other departments. The two major roads, including the Nainital-Haldwani Road and the Bhawali-Almora Road, could only be opened after more than a month.

A recent visit to the latter by The Tribune revealed that a journey on this road continued to be a traveller’s nightmare. Nishank was given a briefing by Inspector General of Police (Kumaon Range) RS Meena on the rescue missions undertaken by the police during the disaster. Appreciating his men, Nishank ordered that the police must work towards making the region crime free. “I give you a free hand to control crime,” he said.

Thereafter, he was told by officials of the Power Department that 99 per cent of power supply was on track and normal. A senior official pointed out that the department would rectify the problems of voltage fluctuation emanating from Ranikhet very soon. It was another matter that the reports in the local media pointed otherwise on almost daily basis and it was experienced by The Tribune two days back that Almora town reeled under several cuts in the evening.

Similarly, officials of the Payjal Nigam, Education Department etc went on to convey that everything was on track.

Nishank on his part gave directions while pulling them up. “Tell me if there is a shortage of money or manpower. I do not want statistics but assurances that the works will be done on time. The officials must coordinate with each other to ensure that the benefits of the government schemes go to the last man,” he said.

Minority panel for peaceful settlement
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 30
With various Sikh organisations pressing for the construction of Guru Gyan Godri Gurdwara at Har-Ki-Pauri with protests from several local organisations, now the National Minority Commission has stepped in regarding this matter having discussion with administrative officials for a peaceful settlement of the issue.

Accepting that in the name of religious shrine no one should be allowed to play a political game, Harvinder Hanspal, member of the National Minority Commission, along with inquiry committee delegates, after having talks with administration and Shri Ganga Sabha members, has maintained that communal harmony of Haridwar should by no means be disturbed.

The delegation has also directed District Magistrate R Meenakshi Sundaram and SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal to solve the issue on priority basis keeping sentiments of both sides in mind, and emphasised on keeping in mind historical evidences and facts related to the gurdwara and the time since the Uttaranchal Bharat Scouts and Guide office started operating its office at the very site.

“Without facts, documentation and solid evidences one can’t claim to have gurdwara at the desired place. But if it’s proved, then the gurdwara should be built at the same place, and simultaneously the state government should send us, at least five proposed sites where Sikhs can build gurdwara in the city,” said Hanspal.

He also suggested that if Sikh followers agreed, another site somewhere in Haridwar as per their acceptance should be earmarked for the construction of Gyan Godri Gurdwara.

Inderjeet Singh Chug, national chief of the Gurdwara Prachar Committee, said they would be providing the facts and other details to the administration and had already met Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Governor Margaret Alva regarding this matter apprising them of Gyan Godri Gurdwara that was demolished in late 70s where the Bharat Scouts and Guides office operates presently.

Apart from Hanspal, Swaljung Anjma, member of Uttarakhand’s 15-point programme project Gurdeep Singh, Shiromani Gurdwara Prachar Committee chief Inderjeet Singh Chug, Ramesh Shail, Inderjeet Batra and Jasveer Singh were in the delegation that visited the claimant site as well as met administrative officials and Hindu representatives.

Admn asks Indian traders to return by today
BD Kasniyal

Pitthoragarh, October 30
The district administration has asked Indian traders, who had gone to Tibet to trade with their counterparts there under Indo-Tibet border trade arrangements, to return to India before October 31 as it will be difficult to extend the trade period beyond this date as the Himalayan passes situated at high altitude were witnessing unexpected snowfall this year and becoming difficult to cross.

“We have already extended the trading time by 15 days up to October 31 and it will be difficult to extend it beyond that,” said NS Negi, District Magistrate.

According to information received from the trade office at Dharchula, out of the 182 traders gone to Tibet last month, 71 are still there and they have been apprised of the district administration’s order. “Some of the traders have come to the Indian soil keeping the last date in mind, but some are still engaged with their trade partners and have promised to return as early and possible,” said MS Kutiyal, Assistance Trade Officer.

The Indo-Tibet border trade from the Lipulekh Pass (17,500 ft) in Pitthoragarh district begins on May 1 with the Kailash Mansarowar Yatra and is supposed to conclude with the yatra in September.

“But keeping in mind the late entrance of the Tibetan clients and trade partners of the Indian traders, the district administration has extended this date up to October 31,” said District Magistrate, adding that from November onwards the Lipulekh Pass became snow clad and it would be difficult to cross these for people as well as cattle.

According to ITBP sources, the Lipulekh Pass has already received nearly 60 cm snowfall this year till date and the Indian trade mart at Gunji has received 12 cm of snowfall.

“As winter season is nearing, the rate of snowfall beyond Gunji is witnessing higher ratio of snowfall than last year’s,” said the source. 

Dehradun, October 30
The IIT campus at Roorkee wore a dull look as the controversial “lipstick” episode saw participants thinning out on the final day of Thomso 2010, the cultural festival.The much-hyped cultural fest has left organisers ducking down as the episode spiralled into a controversy with local TV channels airing bytes of the incident prompting widespread condemnation from various political parties, social activists and groups.

Students were seen going back with sad memories of Thomso 2010 in the wee hours and by half day, the streets of IIT, which had, not so long ago, been bustling with activity, wore a deserted look. “We had heard so much about Thomso but this one incident has made the entire event work out so much below our expectations,” said Priyanka and Nidhi, students of ICFAI, Dehradun.

The IIT, Roorkee, students were also very upset with all negative vibes generated by one event as the success of other events like Vogue fashion show and others were marred. The police and security personnel from the IIT were seen taking rounds around the campus to ensure safety of the participants.

The management bowed down to media reports over the misconduct by the students which forced them to call off a string of events lined up for the final day. Some were also seen ensuring that the girl models come in wearing dresses below the knees and covering their shoulders with stoles.

The event of Vogue late last evening had started with dazzling lights and mesmerising music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the background, but the charm and that quantum of energy from the participants were seen missing.

Today, the main event of the day was “Mr and Miss Thomso”. Sixteen participants shortlisted for the finals who walked the ramp and answered various questions in several rounds.

Surbhi of JMIT, Radaur, was crowned Miss Thomso, whereas Anuj Bhatai of DIT, Dehradun, was declared “Mr Thomso”.

Dehradun, October 30
Kasiga School won first position in the “Green Energy” category at the CBSE national science exhibition ‘Innovations, 2010”, on October 25 in New Delhi.Devansh Malik and Akash Goel, students of Class X, presented their model, titled ‘Residential Pico Wind Turbine’, which was a fully functioning prototype designed to harness wasted wind from domestic ceiling fans to power or charge small electronic devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, clocks, radio receivers etc.

The team also had built, tested and demonstrated a gyro mill, vertical axis device that would utilise waste energy from exhaust fans for the same purpose. Their model was judged the best. All designing, fabrication, testing and presentations were done in the fully equipped design and technology school lab. Besides the first position, they also won a cash prize of Rs 3,000. Harsh Vikram, a student of Class IX, and fellow students, comprehensively supported them.

Kasiga School had already cleared the regional round at Varanasi in August where their exhibit had qualified for the second position.

Senior officials from the CBSE, including Chairman Vineet Joshi, graced the occasion. The judges’ panel comprised eminent professors from Delhi University and senior academicians from Delhi Schools. Kapil Sibal was the guest of honour. He appreciated the efforts and thinking behind all exhibits on display and encouraged all students to continue their quest for excellence in science and technology.

The students are keen to continue their project to make it commercially viable and take their work to a global audience through further exhibitions such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Science Exhibition, organised by the NCERT, Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS), supported by the Department of Science and Technology and the microprocessor manufacturer Intel.

Design and technology has been well funded and formed as a structured activity under the guidance of Naren N.

According to Principal Sandeep Chhabra, the management was planning to increase the funds towards design and technology projects in 2011-12.

Dehradun, October 30
Students of Aryan School put up an art and craft exhibition on their 10th Founder’s Day here today.Students displayed their skills through their projects and models at the exhibition with gusto and fervour.

The day began with a parent-teacher-meeting in the morning. The art and craft exhibition followed where junior and senior students based their projects on subjects like French, physics, chemistry, biology, environmental education, home science, physical education, geography, history and computer.

Dehradun, October 30
A three-day extravaganza of competitions organised by the Indo-German Cultural Society in association with Vivekanand School culminated here today. As many as 72 students from different schools participated in the inter-school group song and dance competition.

The participants mesmerised the audience with their performances while the chief guest awarded the winners of the competition. In the in-group song competition, the first prize was bagged by Doon International, while Vivekanand and Drona International were declared second and third, respectively. In the in-group dance competition, Doon International bagged the first position, Vivekanand the second and Doon Cambridge the third.

The judges for the competition were Ajit Rawat and Narender Sharma from Bhatkhande Vishwavidhyalaya. Also present at the occasion were Dr Shiv Kumar Sharma, president of the Indo-German Cultural Society, AK Singh, secretary, Sunita Sharma, Principal of Vivekanand School and other teachers of the school.

Dehradun October 30
Fostering the mutual bond and respect of cultural heritage of the institution, Shiwalik International School celebrated its 16th annual founder’s day “Samanvaya” here today.

Harish Rawat, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, was the chief guest. Accompanying him was Pritam Singh, former Cabinet Minister, as guest of honour.

The programme started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest in the presence of dignitaries of the state followed by Ganesh vandana performed by students of class II and III. Shiv Tandav depicting the angry form of Lord Shiva left the audience spellbound, while English skit “The Rat-trap” and Garhwali dance “Thand Mathu Chaumas” were highly appreciated. The bhangra enthralled the audience.

The entire show was organised under the guidance of the Director of Education, Principal, co-ordinators and teaching staff. The show culminated with a vote of thanks followed by singing the national anthem.

Dehradun, October 30
Expressing resentment over backdoor appointments of higher posts at the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) activists staged a dharna outside the Rajpur Road office here today.

Led by Bahadur Singh Rawat, the protesting UKD members alleged large-scale backdoor appointments had taken place for higher posts at the GMVN and asserted that it would not be tolerated at any cost. Rawat said even the Managing Director of GMVN had written to the appointing authority to withdraw the new higher-level appointments at the Nigam. But the compliance of the order was still not done.

The UKD leaders also sought action against the officers involved in the backdoor appointments. Shailesh Guleri, Narayan Singh Rawat, Jai Prakash Upadhyaya, Virendra Prakash and Subhash Naudiyal were among those appointed.