Nainital, December 8
Pushed to the back foot once again by growing public angst, the Uttarakhand government has decided to repeal a government order that had made one of the three regional ‘pahari’ languages mandatory for those seeking employment in the Class IV category. The decision of the government termed as ‘whimsical’ by critics had seen a series of protests in the entire Terai belt of the state over the past few days where Hindi is the lingua franca.

Incidentally, the local media which remains divided on parochial lines, had decided to underplay the issue.

It is learnt that the matter was raised vociferously by Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik, who comes from Haridwar, at a Cabinet meeting held in the state capital yesterday after which it was decided to withdraw the clause that had made knowledge of Kumaoni, Garhwali and Jaunsari essential for those seeking employment in the Class IV category of jobs in various departments. The timely decision is being seen a fire-fighting exercise to douse the flames of discontent against Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank-led BJP government in the state.

Yesterday also various parts of the Terai saw a series of protests on the issue. The protests were fuelled by the parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) who have a considerable voter base in the plain regions of the state and all their elected representatives have been from this region. The main Opposition party, the Congress, had also been holding protests across the region over the past few days.

In Rudrapur, workers of the SP had gone ahead with burning the copies of the controversial order blaming the government for trying to divide the people of the state on the lines of hill areas and plains.

Activists of the Congress on the other hand burnt effigies of the state government for issuing such an order, accusing the government of destroying the social fabric while impinging upon the basic rights of the people living in the plain areas. Congress leader Premlata Singh in a media briefing accused the Nishank government of dividing people. She said the popularity graph of the government was at an all-time low with controversies like the Citurgia Bio-chemical land use case and that related to the power projects exposing the ‘misdeeds’ of the government.

Dehradun, December 8
The Uttarakhand High Court (HC) yesterday directed the state government through the chief secretary that “district magistrates of all districts be asked to ensure that no sacrifice of animals may be permitted within the public view in or around a temple and that any animal sacrificed, fulfilling the above condition, may be immediately removed by the owner of the animal and taken away for his or her personal use and may not leave the carcass or any body part thereof in or around the premises of the temple”.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice Barin Ghosh and Justice VK Bisht, granted this interim relief to state representative and member secretary of People for Animals, Uttarakhand Chapter, and petitioner Gauri Maulekhi, who in her PIL had sought a ban on organising “slaughter fiesta” on December 11 at the Bhookhal Kalinka temple. The bench also ordered Maulekhi, who herself argued the case, “to give out a public notice in daily newspapers inviting any person or people’s representative to support or object to her plea”.

Dehradun, December 8
The Tourism Development Board Corporation has prepared a report elucidating problems prevailing at the Char Dham locations, namely Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, which has been affecting the tourism development in the region. The report says 20 lakh visitors throng the Char Dham sites each season. The tourists flow reaches its pinnacle two months before monsoon. The report highlights the manmade complications as the chief reason for the low output. The reasons enumerated as obstructions to the growth of tourism at these places, as per the report, are various. A lack of proper accessibility, poor quality of urban environment, which includes pollution and waste management, water supply, urban design/congestion are some of these.

As per the report, there is no awakening regarding the potential future of eco-tourism among government heads and key operators. The government agencies have also been pulled up for a lack of coordination among them on this issue. The various important wings of government, which are working for the tourism sector, such as the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, Forest Department and the International Food and Agricultural Development Organisation (both promoting eco-tourism) and the Ministry of Culture and private sector, in terms of collaboration in marketing efforts have not been collaborating well with one another.

There is a low environment awareness among overall population, domestic tourists, resort owners and developers. Strict conservation laws are restricting the eco-tourism and other related developmental activities, including the efforts to protect environment. A lack of conservation management in places like Gangotri is equally glaring.

The government houses are suffering from poor design quality and tourism facilities. Poor quality accommodation run by public sector has been leaving poor taste with tourists. Lacking rail services coupled with slack administrative set up and poor electric supply are further let-downs.

Dehradun, December 8
Under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Jan Karwa Manch, women from Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Chamoli, Tehri and Dehradun gathered to participate in the national convention here today. Around 80 women were present to share their experiences and participate in the 16-day drive against domestic violence and women protection programme.

A large number of non-government organisations (NGOs) such as Mahila Kalyan Samiti, Jandesh, Mount Valley, Disha and many others were present at the convention.

The drive against domestic violence has already commenced from November 25 and will continue till December 10 comprising village-level meetings, padyatras, street plays, rallies, distribution of posters, pamphlets and literature among masses.

The meeting was followed by a workshop, which was chaired by Sushila Baluni, president of State Women Commission. The participants in the workshop were informed about women’s rights and guidelines mentioned in the Women Protection Act, 2005.

While addressing the convention, Sushila said, “Women affected by domestic violence must always protest against the act and come up in public instead of keeping mum. In fact, if anybody comes across such an incident occurring in their neighbourhood, he should take up a stand and interrupt then and there or report it in police”.

“Our mission is to make people aware about women rights and encourage people to discontinue domestic violence at state level first and then all over India,” said Sushila.

Dehradun, December 8
While the French first couple President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni prayed for a son at Fatehpur Sikri, a tradition of seeking blessing for a son has continued for ages at the Anushuya Mata Ashram in the border district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand. The belief certainly has a basis as many young boys have Anushuya as name, thereby giving credibility to the age-old belief.

Ten kilometres from Chamoli district headquarters Gopeshwar, the Anushuya Mata Ashram is the most sought-after destination for childless couples, particularly those aspiring for a son. It is a strong belief among villagers that paying obeisance to Goddess Anushuya blesses them with a son.

The fair that takes place during Chaturdashi Poornima in December attracts visitors from Uttarakhand and other states of the country. President, Shri Anushuya Trust Samiti, Kunwar Singh Negi said not only local villagers, but Uttarakhandis residing across the country also do not give a miss to this fair. “The wish for a son brings people to this fair and certainly their wishes do not go unfulfilled,” he pointed out.

The mela this year took place during December 1 and 2. The shobhya yatra followed by the performance of worship and mahabhog took place at the Anushuya temple.

The fair also had participation of school-going children, who gave a cultural presentation.

Vijaya Rawat, president, Mela Samiti, coordinated the proceedings under the supervision of Chandra Singh Imlilal, Sub-Division Magistrate, Chamoli, and the Mela office.

Pitthoragarh, December 8
Residents of Champawat and Lohaghat towns of Champawat district have demanded allocation of potable water projects from visiting Kumaon Commissioner as they are getting potable water only for 100 days in a year from the existing water schemes situated in their towns. “Kumaon Commissioner Kunal Sharma was felicitated by members of the Nagar Panchayat, Lohaghat. They have demanded new potable water schemes for the town from the Saryu river, that flows 30 km from here,” said Meenu Punetha, a member of the Nagar Panchayat.

The residents of Lohaghat put before the Commissioner a memorandum demanding immediate construction of the proposed artificial lake near Kolidhek village and grant money to install sever lines in the town. “We have demanded to develop infrastructure to attract tourist in Lohaghat town which had been a tourist spot during the British era,” said Meenu.

During his visit to Champawat and Lohaghat towns as well as four blocks, the Commissioner found that the fire-fighting equipment had not been installed in the Champawat Collectorate and other offices of the district and ordered for the installation of the same immediately. “The natural calamity affected villages should be given priority in protecting themselves during this winter and should be provided ration and essential clothing,” said Kunal Sharma.

According to the people of Champawat this is the second visit of a Commissioner to the area after the district was created 12 years ago. “Owing to this administrative negligence, the basic infrastructure of Champawat district has not been developed even after 12 years of creation of the district which is keeping the district in category of backward ones in the state,” said JS Dhek, senior advocate and President of the District Bar Association, Champawat.

Dehradun, December 8
To protest against the commercialisation of education in Dehradun, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) announced the commencement of its drive against fake colleges here today. The announcement was made at a press conference held by Sandeep Kumar, state president of the NSUI.

Addressing the media, Sandeep said the party would first file an RTI for seeking fee structure and other remuneration earned throughout an academic year.

“We will then ask the administration to reduce fee hikes in schools and colleges of Dehradun and close down fake educational institutions that can ruin the career of many. NSUI workers are also contemplating to demand from the state government that it enforces a strict law against fraudulent academic institutions in Uttarakhand for the welfare of students,” added Kumar.

Also present on the occasion were Shivesh Bahuguna, state vice-president, Vijay Raturi and others.

Haridwar, December 8
With no heed being paid to their woes, particularly from the administrative side, people having no shelter today took to streets to press for their demands.

Taking the cause of providing homeless people with homes, the Hind Rashtriya Awami Hukook Party steeped up its campaign to get shelter for the deprived. The party activists, along with the homeless, are carrying out various programmes and agitation to draw the attention of the government and people to this issue.

Murslein Qureshi of the Hukook Party, while addressing a rally here today said poor people’s main problem was food and shelter, but the government had failed to provide even shelter to them, let alone food security.

“Thousands live in cold, hot and rainy seasons without a rooftop or are forced to live in temporary shelters which is a blow to the Indian democracy and exposes the frailties that have crept into the various schemes run by the Central and state governments,” said Anissa Bano, a woman activist from Jwalapur. Crores of rupees are allocated under the Rashtriya Awas Yojna for providing shelter to the needy but it seems the schemes are confined to the paper work only.

Dehradun, December 8
The People’s Science Institute, Dehradun, and Toxics Links, based in New Delhi, have jointly started work on biomedical waste (BMW) management and mercury elimination in health-care facilities.

The initiative is based on last year’s regional workshop on making health care toxic free that stressed on the importance of a policy initiative in BMW management in the state.

A series of activities have been planned to orient resources towards this objective. They also intend to prepare a status report on the BMW management and capacity building of the health-care facilities to address the identified gaps in the state.

It is also planned to develop two health-care facilities as model institutions, which can be replicated in other facilities. In this regard, training on BMW management and mercury elimination in four health-care facilities in Dehradun and in Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal are being held. The first such training will be held at Shri Mahant Indresh Hospital, Patel Nagar, Dehradun, on December 7 and 8 this year.

Dehradun, December 8
The Armed Forces Flag Day was celebrated at the Raj Bhawan here yesterday. On the occasion, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva said to donate generously to the Flag Day Fund was to display his or her gratitude and respect to the nation's armed forces.

On the occasion, the Governor extended greetings to serving soldiers, ex-soldiers, their dependents and family members of martyr soldiers, and said every Indian must be proud of the country’s brave soldiers who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the service of the motherland.

On August 28, 1949, the Union Defence Ministry took a decision to celebrate December 7 every year as Commemoration Day to remember the sacrifices of the nation's brave soldiers. This was started in the form of donning stamp-size flags on one's person and vehicles and making cash contribution to the Flag Day Fund for the welfare of soldiers and their families.

Haridwar, December 8
In view of safeguarding violation of human rights of common people, particularly the poor and the downtrodden, the Haridwar unit of a social organisation, Human Rights Emergency Helpline Association, came into existence with the appointment of all executive working committee members.

A meeting was held at the district office situated near the Chandracharya Chowk in which all executive working members were appointed and given respective working charges by state president Nitina Chaudhari.

Urging all newly inducted members, state vice-president Shreya Kumar Sharma said working for safeguarding human rights of the suppressed was the aim of the organisation in which every member had to play a vital role.

Gobind Aggarwal was elected president of the district unit, Thakur general secretary, Sachin Aggarwal vice-president and Uday Ram Semwal district organisation secretary, while other executive members appointed were Seema, Pragati, Tarif Malik and Sapna.

Informing about the working plan of the association, Uday Ram Semwal informed that the foremost working was to induct as many members in the association, particularly in rural areas so that rights of people were protected if the administration failed to address their woes.