Dehradun, November 13
Nestled between large barren mountains at San Kot village in Chamoli is a man-made community forest - a labour of love - created by 87-year-old Narain Singh Negi. Actually, there are eight different forests spread over 27 hectares with 9 lakh different plants. These have been created over 40 years by the indomitable Narain Singh.

The fact that this green warrior has achieved this feat proves that the legacy of Chipko leader Gaura Devi is alive and kicking in Uttarakhand through these personal initiatives.

The state has been losing forests and rivers to development and government role and money for green causes has so far been negligible.

Before turning it into an oasis of sorts, Negi waged a lone battle convincing village folk to convert the barren land into a community forest that would not only help in preserving the ecosystem, but would also be useful to the villagers at large.

“There was a real fear that the barren land would be acquired by the land mafia and for several years, people tried to wrest the piece of land, forcing me to approach the local administration that too was unwilling to lend its support.

“But by that time, I had already started working and the effects of greening were all too evident. The needs of fuel and fodder of the villagers were being met by the little green plot I had created. That is how I was able to expand the area,” explained Narain Singh Negi.

Even today, from morning till late evening, he spends time nurturing the land that was once barren and now abounds in different species of trees (oak, walnut, deodar, ringal, sandalwood etc), shrubs and plants, giving ample reason for birds to frequent the forest.

“I am satisfied to see my jungle, which was built through years of struggle, now becoming a model for neighbouring villagers who are keen to initiate a similar exercise on their barren land,” said Negi.

Using local initiatives, Negi even managed to recharge old springs that are now providing ample water to his forests. “The recharging of water too has gained currency after we began planting trees. The entire ecosystem seems to have been reactivated,” he stressed.

Low vision and frail health have not dimmed his enthusiasm, but apathy by successive governments sometimes gnaws at his soul. It makes him wonder if ever in his lifetime, they would ever acknowledge his work.

“I am not hungry for money or awards. I am an old man and have to worry about medicines and frequent trips to doctors,” said Narain Singh who was part of the deliberations held on Himalayan policy in Doon recently.

Recognition or no recognition, Negi has not forgotten the heroes who contributed their bit in the Freedom Struggle and later in the nation-building exercise. “I have named the forests after Mahatma Gandhi, Chipko leader Gaura Devi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr BR Ambedkar, Chander Singh Garhwali and Subhas Chander Bose,” avers Narain Singh.

Almost forlorn and fretting about his trees and plants during his trip to the state capital, Negi was keen to get back quickly in order to tend to his labour of love. But as a memento from the city, he did not forget to carry twigs of bushes that he picked up from the Gandhi Park.

Nainital, November 13
As the Uttarakhand High Court marked a decade of its coming into existence, a large of former Chief Justices descended on Nainital along with other legal luminaries to participate in the celebrations and recall the cherished memories of their stint here.

The function was presided over by the Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva in the presence of Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

In his address, the sitting Chief Justice Barin Ghosh expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the High Court. He related the achievements of the High Court in dispensing justice and dwelt at length on the efforts being made for the computerisation of the library and records while linking various courts across the state.

He said that the judiciary has been getting maximum cooperation from both the Bar and the government. “We have collectively tried to do for what we are here,” said Justice Ghosh. He also praised the functioning of the Uttarakhand Judicial and Legal Academy (UJALA) that has been functioning since 2008.

The Chief Justice raised the important issue of providing proper residential facilities to the families of the judges posted in remote areas of the state in Haldwani and Dehradun. He said that such facilities are required so that the judges can perform their duties without worrying about the well being of their families.

Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Justice JS Kehar delivered an emotionally charged speech recounting his attachment with the Uttarakhand High Court and pointed how many things were achieved during his tenure because of collective efforts, responsibility and sharing.

He called for the need of having better lawyers and creation of better facilities for them. He raised the pertinent issue of having residential facilities for litigants in all courts in the state. He said that people in Uttarakhand have to travel to far-off places in their quest for justice and many a times they are not able to afford residential accommodation in places like Nainital. He requested Nishank to look into the matter so that some kind of affordable accommodation like dormitories can be provided to such litigants.

Justice Cyriac Joseph of the Supreme Court, who has also had a stint as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, also recalled his tenure with fondness and called for a family atmosphere among judges. He said that unless the judges stand together and the Chief Justice takes everyone along, an institution cannot survive.

Quoting an example from the Mahabharata, he also called upon lawyers to show courage and stand up for what is just and right.

In his address, Nishank related what the government was doing to ensure delivery of justice to the people and to promote judicial institutions. He announced that the Governor has given approval for setting up of a legal university at Bhawali.

Addressing the Judges of the Supreme Court present at the function, he sought their guidance on issues that can help in development of the state. He pointed that certain legal hassles related to forest land, mining from river beds etc. were causing problems for the people of the state and were often giving rise to disasters.

In his keynote address, Justice VS Sirpurkar of the Supreme Court, who has also been a former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, said that Uttarakhand has immense talent and it must become a glorious state.

He called for organising of various national and international legal conferences in the state so that the legal fraternity gets proper exposure and lawyers from the state also become visible at various forums outside the state.

He also attacked the revenue police system and asked why people across the state did not get proper police protection.

A souvenir and a newsletter were also released at the function. A large number of Judges from High Courts in other states, including the Allahabad High Court, also participated in the event.

Nainital, November 13
Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva has called for a change in the mindset of judges, lawyers and administrators of the judicial system so that reforms can be ushered in to make the system transparent and result-oriented.

In a hard-hitting speech delivered at the High Court premises here, Alva touched upon the sensitive issue of corruption in the judiciary and a need for gender parity in the judicial system.

The Governor was delivering the presidential address at the main function held here to mark the completion of a decade of the functioning of the Uttarakhand High Court.

Several judges of various High Courts, former Chief Justices of the Uttarakhand High Court and other legal luminaries were present at the event along with Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Referring to the corruption in the judicial system, she pointed out, “An area that is causing great concern is corruption in the judiciary.

“I would like to quote Justice Bharucha’s observation in this regard that ‘more than 80 per cent judges in the country across the board are honest and incorruptible’ adding ‘it is that small percentage that brings the entire judiciary into disrepute. To make it known that the judiciary does not tolerate corruption in its ranks, it is requisite that corrupt judges should be investigated and dismissed from service’.

“He had suggested that the only remedy was internal - namely, the in-house procedure, and that he would like to see it enforced whenever the conditions to do so existed.”

The Governor added, “We have an increasing number of judges coming under a cloud these days with an impeachment process taking shape in Parliament - a clear indicator of falling values in the judiciary that has shattered the faith of the public in its incorruptibility.

“The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill will come before Parliament this session, which will, it is hoped, find a way to deal with this issue. There had been a long-pending demand for making judges declare their assets.

“It gained momentum after the Supreme Court in its judgement made it mandatory for politicians to declare their assets every time they contested an election. The government as well as the judiciary was saved the blushes when the Chief Justice and the Judges of the Supreme Court took the historic decision to voluntarily post their wealth declarations.”

Alva said that there were many other concerns such as the structure and functions of public interest litigations (PIL) and the Right to Information (RTI) which the judiciary needs to address.

She conveyed that these, if used in a judicious manner, can serve the interests of the common man. Human rights violations and social crimes, especially against women and weaker sections and those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population, need to be dealt with by the courts through stringent and effective action against perpetrators, she underlined.

Talking about bringing gender parity in the judicial system, Alva, who has been a lawyer herself before joining politics, said, “Indian judiciary continues to turn a Nelson’s eye to gender parity, despite the Central government making a concerted effort to raise women’s representation in Parliament and state legislatures to 33 per cent.

“Today, we have 10 per cent women on our Benches with only three women making it to the apex court in 60 years. Not having women judges deprives the institution of awoman’s insight into the countless issues that the courts are adjudicating. There are 30 women representing the lower judiciary in Uttarakhand, with three holding the posts of District Judges and just one Judge in the High Court. We need to raise these numbers.”

She pointed that there are qualified and experienced women lawyers all over the country who have made a mark in the profession. “Why are they not recommended for elevation to the Bench?” she asked.

On the performance of family courts, she said, “I personally feel that their record is a mixed bag - in any case - not a commendable record. It seems that the system lacks the trust of the majority of the justice-seeking population, regarding its capability to provide a fair and just forum for handling family disputes.

“Counselling and conciliation are the two pillars on which the structure of the family courts is built. Lawyers are to be kept out and delays avoided. More counsellors trained and suited to ensure speedy justice have to be appointed.”

Alva said that Maharashtra is one of the few states that has detailed and elaborate rules regarding service conditions, recruitment, remuneration of the counsellors etc.

It also has the unique distinction of having a children care centre within the premises of the family court. There must be more women and sensitised male judges presiding over these courts to make these respond to the sensitive nature of family discord, she asserted.

She went on to point that the intimidating atmosphere of normal law courts generally overawes women in social distress from seeking judicial relief. Gender justice should be a component for all law courses and recruitment exams and it should be made mandatory for a judge to have undergone a gender-sensitisation course before joining service, she reiterated.

Dehradun, November 13
To provide career opportunity to youth in Uttarakhand with one of India’s foremost companies, Graphic Era University in association with Wipro BP, the BPO arm of the global IT giant, organised a mega job fest here yesterday.

The fest was organised on the premises of Graphic Era University at the new MCA Seminar Hall from 10 am to 4 pm, where suitable candidates were picked by Wipro for the BPO branch.

Wipro is looking for graduates and post-graduates from the streams of BTech, BBA, BCA, BSc (computer science/information and technology), BSc (physics/chemistry/maths) etc, other than MCA.

Addressing on the occasion, Dr DP Giridhar, Vice-Chancellor, Graphic Era University, said, “The leading IT organisation known for its excellence and innovation is providing a platform to students of our institute and youth of the state as well. We are hopeful that a large number of ambitious youngsters will take up this challenge and embark upon rewarding careers”.

“All interested candidates in the age group of 18-45 years are eligible to apply. The only pre-requisite is that applicants should possess good English communication skills,” asserted Giridhar.

He also informed that Wipro was soon to approach Graphic Era University for campus placement of boys and girls of the institute.

Dehradun, November 13
Doon Tigers beat Graphic Era nine runs in the ongoing Chaudhary Charan Singh Memorial Twenty20 Cricket Tournament underway at Matawala Bagh here today.

After winning the toss, Doon Tigers set a target of 115 runs losing all its wickets. Opening batsman Kapil (30) was the highest scorer for the batting side. Other batsmen of the side couldn’t stand on the pitch for a long time. Abhishek of Graphic Era claimed four wickets.

Batting second, Graphic Era could score 101 runs at the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Rituraj (24) and Modit (22) were the principal scorers, but the performance was not enough to get their team out of trouble.

In another match played today, the Vidhan Sabha won against the Everwins Cricket Club via Duckworth Lewis Method following bad light. In this match, Vidhan Sabha set a target of 135 runs for seven in 20 over after deciding to bat first.

Jhanghir (50 off 23) played a hurricane knock to help his side raise a fighting total. While when Everwins was batting at the score of 99 runs for seven in the 17 overs the play was called off owing to bad light and Vidhan Sabha was declared winner via D/L Method.

Dehradun, November 13
Kiddyland Preparatory School celebrated Children’s Day here today. The day began with a spell-binding performance by students.

Sneh Dora, Principal of the school, narrated the significance of the celebration. She informed the students about how much Chacha Nehru loved children and, therefore, his birthday was celebrated as Children’s Day.

On the occasion, a student of KG was dressed like Jawaharlal Nehru whom everybody gave roses. Moreover, underprivileged children of a nearby slum also participated in the programme and performed on the song “Bum bum Bhole”.

The function was thoroughly entertaining. Even teachers danced on peppy Bollywood numbers.

The event concluded with the Principal congratulating all students on the occasion followed sweets distribution among all.

Dehradun, November 13
The two-day state-level athletics meet which was organised by the Special Olympics Bharat, Uttarakhand, here at Welham Boys School concluded today.

About 200 special children from 13 schools of Uttarakhand took part in the competition. Spectators were thrilled to see special kids perform with zeal.

After the meet, a tug-of-war was organised. The special kids beat students of Welham Boys School in it.

So mesmerised were the audience by the result that they wanted it to be held again.

Again the special kids beat their able-bodied counterparts.

The special children were given medals in the prize distribution ceremony.