Dehradun, February 14
More than 800 students of the Dehradun Institute of Technology (DIT), Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Brain Train and Career Launcher participated in a V-care Day march, a new definition of celebrating Valentine’s Day by saying “Let’s celebrate love in a different way” here today.

Director, DIT, Krishan Kumar and Dean (Academics), DIT, Shishir Kumar flagged off the V-care Day road march. The march began from the Behl Chowk on the Eucalyptus Road and finally culminated at the Gandhi Park. The students of DIT and IMS walked in a queue holding placards and banners depicting various social causes.

CEO, Brain Train, Amit Goyal, said, “The objective of the V-care march was to make the youth of the country aware of various social causes such as ‘save tigers’, ‘voting is my right’, ‘green India clean India’, ‘child abuse’, ‘child labour’, ‘say no to drugs’, ‘no to domestic violence’, ‘no to plastic bags’, ‘save the girl child’, ‘obey the traffic rules’ and ‘a corruption free India’.”

Dehradun, February 14
Activists of the Shiv Sena in the district opposed the celebrations of the Valentine’s Day by burning the effigy of western culture at the Clock Tower.

Talking to mediapersons, district head of the Shiv Sena Yuva Morcha Rahul Chauhan said, “Love is God and it is inside everyone’s heart. But we are against the vulgarity caused by it. Twenty years back no one used to celebrate this day,” he said.

“It is only foreign companies who are promoting this day so that they can sell their products. In America alone, 7,50,000 unmarried girls get pregnant out of which around 4,50,000 become mother,” said Chauhan.

City president of the morcha Sushil Bisht, general secretary Shubam Gaud, Pankaj Chandana, Pankaj Tayal, Rohit Bedi and Manuj Kumar were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, February 14
In a novel initiative, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Blood Bank encouraged youngsters to donate blood on the Valentine’s Day here today.

“The slogan ‘Donate Blood and Save Lives’ is quite appealing and we thought why not donate blood on Valentine’s Day,” said Manish and his wife Jyoti.

Assistant manager, Social Marketing, Amit Kumar Chandra said around 50 youth donated blood. “Some of them were not able to donate blood due to poor medical condition. But the response was very good,” said Chandra of the IMA Blood Bank.

The IMA Blood Bank has been organising blood donation camps from time to time, but this time it was little different. “We wanted to convey the message to the youth that along with fun and frolic, they should also be aware of social responsibilities, especially when blood is in such a short supply,” said Pooran Verma, a youth leader who also participated in the campaign.

Dehradun, February 14
The wet weather played a spoil sport on the Valentine’s Day in the capital city here today. The rains that started last night went on till afternoon and again started by evening.

Most of the markets had a deserted look in the morning, but the crowd started thronging as soon as the rain stopped. The Rajpur Road seemed to be the Mecca of lovers.

Many couples echoed that celebrating this day was important because it gave them a chance to express emotions in a better way. But others felt that proposing anyone on this day was a sham.

For Abhinav Sharma, a student of hotel management, it is just a regular day. “If I have to propose to any girl, I can do the same on other days as well. Why wait for the Valentine’s Day. It seems to be a sham if anyone does so on this day,” he asserted.

His friend Naveen said, “Girlfriends are a headache and it’s very difficult to keep them pleased all the time. I am happy without one and will be partying with my friends in a nightclub in the evening”.

Agreeing with him, Manish said, “Girls do, too, much ‘nakhra’, which is not acceptable. Moreover, it’s a day for the lovers. As I have no girl friend, I am free to move out with my friends”.

But for many it was one of the best times of the year to express their love. “I have planned to propose my girlfriend for marriage by presenting her a ring after having a lunch together. I want to make the day very special,” Sadhanshu Mahajan, an employee with a pharmaceutical company told The Tribune.

“I am new to the college and this is my first year. I am very excited, but nothing seems to be happening here,” said Garima, a student of GRD Girls Degree College.

This day also belonged to the florists as they did a wonderful business because roses were selling like hot cakes. The stick that costs Rs 15 was selling at Rs 50 at most of the places. Other than the youngsters, many in there 50s also bought heart-shaped red balloons for their sweethearts.

Haridwar, February 14
The cool, serene and breezy climate that lashed the city from midnight onwards, presented a beautiful pleasant gift to romance seekers on the morning of the much-awaited Valentine’s Day.

The cool and fresh atmosphere lent its own aura and romantic couples were seen spending time adjacent to ghats, colleges, institutes, commercial areas, while many took ride down the highways towards Dehradun-Rishikesh and Roorkee to get some secluded atmosphere. This time the opposition by fundamentalists, particularly the Shiv Sena and the Bajrang Dal, was quite less.

With ongoing panchayat elections, BJP workers, too, were missing from the “just for the sake” protests and effigy burning to get their pictures clicked for newspapers. Strict police vigil also diffused the showy spirit of these fundamentalist outfits.

Seeing these activists stopping everyone, even husband-wife local people gathered near the Bhagat Singh Chowk terming Shiv Sena activists’ act as uncalled for. Seeing the resentment of localities, these activists felt it better to move on targeting young girls who were going to tuition classes or coming from schools.

Social activist Poonam Bhagat termed the hooliganism by the Sena activists as a publicity-seeking stunt. Payal Bisht, a fashion model aspirant, who enjoyed the day by hanging out with her friends, said this day only added to the love existing between couples, friends, family members and people. 

Mussoorie, February 14
Jai Kumar Gupta, ward member from Jharipani, has begun the effort to bring the train to Mussoorie, a dream project of the British, which couldn’t be completed in the 19th century due to a lack of technology, misappropriation of funds and unstable rock formation near Rajpur. The recent announcement by the Municipal Corporation that a toy train would be introduced on the Camel’s Back road has provided a shot in the arm to Jai Kumar Gupta who sees no reason why the project to lay a railway track from Rajpur to Mussoorie can not be revived.

According to him, the proposal to lay the railway track from Shenshai Ashram to Mussoorie via Jharipani will be put forth in the next board meeting for its approval. Gupta is of the view that the project was feasible and can be executed on the lines of the famous Shimla and Darjeeling railway tracks.

Dehradun, February 14
Kaustabh Chaturvedi from Brightlands School bagged the “city winner” title of an inter-school contest ‘Kaho What’s Your Idea’ today. Kaustabh will now fight it out with winners from other cities in the national-level skills competition.

The contest was held at Scholars Home by Idea Cellular. It focused on developing children’s all-round personality by engaging them in activities.

It aimed at promoting logical thinking, application of memory and real-life skills, besides honing their general knowledge.

Around 250 schoolchildren from 25 schools of Dehradun participated in the event. Six students qualified for the final round where they competed against one another for the title of “city winner”. Other participants in the final round were Arushi Vishwakarma (Convent of Jesus and Mary School), Siddharth Bisht (Doon Blossom School), Akshay Agarwal (Doon International School), Sushant Makin (Scholars Home) and Richa Gupta (Welham Girls School).

The city finals comprised several rounds designed by the counsellors, principals and faculty from different schools.

According to NF Aibara, COO- Idea Cellular, UP (West), “We are delighted to engage with the bright sparks of Dehradun with our unique national inter-school skills fest, ‘Kaho What’s Your Idea’. This will provide a platform to the city kids to test and hone their skills and also to compete with their peers from across the country”.

Dehradun, February 14
To enlighten students against corruption in India, the 2nd Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw Memorial Lecture was conducted at the Marshall School here today. The chief guest of the programme was AB Lal, Director-General, Police.

The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest accompanied by GC Juyal, founder president of the Marshall School and Major-Gen SR Bahuguna (retd). The welcome speech was followed by lectures from eminent speakers.

The programme was conducted under the project “War against corruption in India,” initiated by Baba Ramdev, Kiran Bedi, Mani Shankar Iyer, Rajnish Jayal and others. A large number of students from different schools participated in the programme. The theme of the lecture was “Free India from Corruption”.

Various advocates, teachers, students and socialists were also present on the occasion.

Dehradun, February 14
The All-India Inter Zonal Table Tennis Tournament, which is being organised by the Airports Authority of India at the multi-purpose hall of the Parade Ground, was inaugurated here today.

The programme began with a march past by all the teams followed by addresses of the officers of the Airport Authority.

In the men team event of the pool A, Western region beat Northern region by 3-0. Yogesh Nagaich beat Anil Kumar by 11-5, 11-9, 11-5. Vivek Mahajan defeated Sanjeev Bakshi by 11-7, 11-9, 11-4, while Yogesh Nagaich and Vivek Mahajan beat Vivek Chauhan and Bhupender 11-9, 11-2 and 11-5.

Corporate headquarters also surpassed Northern region 3-0. Rajesh Dhall beat Sanjiv Bakshi by 11-3, 11-6 and 11-4. Rajiv Gulati defeated Anil Kumar 11-9, 11-6 and 11-5. MK Rola and Sachin Lamba defeated Sanjiv and Anil 11-3, 11-8 and 11-9.

Other results: Western region beat Corporate headquarters by 3-1. Yogesh N beat Rajesh Dhall by 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-7); Vivek M beat Rajiv Gulati by 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-8); Mangesh and Rajendra lost to Rajesh and Rajiv by 0-3 (5-11, 11-13, 6-11); Vivek M beat Rajesh Dhall by 3-1 (7-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-5).

Pool B: Southern region beat North East region by 3-0. R Vetrivel beat David T by 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-3); N Ravikumar beat Amitava Roy by 3-1 (11-5, 8-11, 11-2, 11-8); R Vetrivel and N Ravikumar beat David T and Amitava Roy by 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-3).

Eastern region beat North East region by 3-0. MH Tahid beat Amitava Roy by 3-2 (11-9, 11-13, 13-11, 7-11, 11-8); GK Das beat David RT by 3-0 (16-14, 11-6, 11-4); GK Das and P Biswas Bamitava Roy and David RT by 3-1 (11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9).

Southern region beat Eastern region by 3-0. N Raviu Kumar beat MH Tahid by 3-0 (11-2, 11-8, 11-4); R Vetrivel beat GK Das by 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-6); N Ravikumar and R Vetrivel beat MH Tahid and GK Das by 3-1 (11-9, 9-11-, 11-6, 11-6).

Women team event Pool ‘a’: Southern region beat eastern region by 3-0. S Jayanthi beat GB Choudhary by 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-7); S Meenakumari beat R Goswamy by 3-0 (11-4, 11-0, 11-0); S Jayanthi and S Meenakumari beat GB Choudhary and R Goswamy by 3-0 (11-2, 11-2, 11-2).

Pool ‘b’: Western region beat northern region by 3-0. Philomina beat Shiv Bala Gupta by 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-4); Manini beat Archana by 3-0 (11-1, 11-1, 11-2); Philomina and Manini beat Shiv Bala Gupta and Archana by 3-0 (11-7, 11-1, 11-5).

Dehradun, February 14
State Volleyball team started off its campaign in the 34th National Games 2011 in Jharkhand with two wins today.

It played its two pool B league matches today. It beat Services 25-12, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, while in the second match it defeated Punjab 25-20, 25-17, 25-23.

Uttarakhand squad will now take on Kerala in its third and last match of the pool. The team after this pool will enter the semifinals of the competition. Coach Mehar Singh and assistant coach Sanjiv Sharma are along the team in this tour.

Sewa Singh Matharu, member of the Uttarakhand Volleyball Association, congratulated the players on behalf of the association. He said the association was hopeful that the team would continue its winning run and would make the state proud.

Haridwar, February 14
The finals of the Shri Ganga Dham All-Indian Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament for both girls and boys sections were held here today.

Karishma Wadekar of Mumbai lived up to the huge expectations prior to the start of the tournament as favourites in under-16 category defeating Ruthwika Shivani of Andhra Pradesh, another top seed, in a hard-fought mega final, though losing initial set, but regaining her composure winning the coveted girls junior title 15-21, 25-23 and 21-18.

Following in the footsteps of Karishma was Sameer Verma in boys U-19 section, who claimed the title defeating another Andhra Pradesh rival Rohit Yadav in compatriot sets 21-13, 21-18 upsetting the Andhra Pradesh contingent, who were trying to infuse enthusiasm in their state player making him remind of their state’s star players Pullela Gopichand and Saina Nehwal, but it had little effect as Sameer belted a spree of smashes gaining points at the crucial junctures.

While in U-16 category (boys), Maharashtra’s Harshil defeated Uttar Pradesh Arshleen Naqvi 21-18 and 21-10, adding to doubles title also by aligning with Aditya Joshi of Andhra Pradesh winnig 21-16, 17-21 and 21-19 against AP’s Chaitanya and Talar Lan.

In U-19 girls doubles, Andhra Pradesh duo of top pair of Shrikanth and Heman Gendra Babu defeated their state compatriots Naresh and Venkatesh in straight sets 21-19 and 21-8, while in single girls category, Air India’s Shaili Rane with a solid performance defeated same organisation’s Tanvi 21-10, 16-21 and 21-15.

But the major upset moment of the tournament was the defeat of star studded duo of Anushka Parikh (Gujarat) and Karishma Wadekar (Maharashtra), who performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament, but failed to show their beautiful chemistry in the finals, losing easily 21-10 and 21-11 that left their fans high and dry.

Jury members evaluating on overall performances announced Ruthwika Shivani of Andhra Pradesh as the girl player of the tournament, while boys’ award was given to Harsil Kumar of Maharashtra bagging the coveted trophies.

The awards were given in a ceremony presided by Uttarakhand Director General of Police Jyoti Swarup Pandey, Inspector General of Police Ashok Kumar, Deputy General of Police Sanjay Gunjiyal, organising committee’s Sanjay Sehgal, ADM VS Dhanik, City Magistrate Shreedhar Babu, Neeraj Kumar, Suman Kumar and Dr Naresh Chaudhari.