Water corpn staff stir continues
Dehradun, November 19
Uttarakhand Potable Water Corporation employees have decided to continue with their stir despite pleas by Uttarakhand Potable Water Minister Prakash Pant to end the stir.

Mussoorie, November 19
Chief Minister BC Khanduri has ordered a high-level investigation into the alleged irregularities committed by the Peyjal Nigam while executing a pipeline project worth Rs 62 crore in Mussoorie. This was stated by BJP leader Ravinder Jugran while speaking to mediapersons here today. Jugran, in his complaint addressed to the Chief Minister, had alleged that the department was misusing the funds by indulging in substandard construction and unscientific alignment of the sewage pipeline that could lead to serious problems for the residents.

He had also alleged that during a survey conducted by him recently, it had come to notice that the nigam officials’ neglect was evident from the fact that they had not even considered to separate the drinking waterline from a sewer line, which could lead to serious epidemic due to leakages in the pipeline. He also alleged that the officials had not laid down connecting pipelines to the private households.

Jugran, while speaking about a letter written by the Chief Minister, dated November 17, to the Principal Secretary, said a detailed investigation had been ordered by him in the matter and after the report is submitted to him, action would be initiated against the guilty.

He thanked Chief Minister BC Khanduri for showing his concern to the public-related matter and was of the view that the move would lead to increase in the efficiency level of the officials of the nigam for the future course of the project.

Dehradun, November 19
The Molecular Research Laboratory at Sri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (SGRRIMHS) was inaugurated today by Mahant Devender Dass, Prof Ken McElreavey, Institute Pasteur, France, and Prof Alan Bittle, Murdoch University, Australia, both international experts in the field of genetics.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Devendera Dass said the future of medicine lay in molecular research. Recognising the importance of the new development, the SGRRIMHS has now set up a new laboratory.

Explaining the technical aspects of the laboratory, Prof RK Singh, Head, Biochemistry Department, said the laboratory would carry out molecular diagnostic assays for TB, hepatitis B and C, HPV, HLB-27, thereby benefiting the patients of Uttarakhand who till now had to go to New Delhi, Chandigarh and other cities for these tests.

He said the laboratory is specially acclimatised to work at special ambient temperatures. In the evening the third Asian Workshop on Genomics and Community Genetics was also inaugurated. 

Dehradun, November 19
With their lithe body movements and floor work, a group of female dancers from the Netherlands had a day-out with differently-abled children today at the Welham Girls School here.

Children from the Astitva, Karun Vihar and Nanhi Dunya joined the dancers and ejoyed themselves.

The dancers belonging to De Stilte Dance Company were here at the invitation of the SPICMACAY.

“After working tirelessly towards promoting the Indian culture and tradition among the Indian youth, the SPICMACAY approached us to acquaint the youth about the contemporary performing arts of Europe,” said Jack, Art Director, De Stilte.

After the dance performance, a dance workshop was also held.

“With its main emphasis on body contact, floor work, ballet and modern dancing, the contemporary dance movement incorporates all the elements and much more. It gives a plenty of room to the Director to go beyond the classical dance movements to bring the contemporary elements and influences from other parts of the world,” said Sjoerd, a member of the group.

In fact, the opportunity to perform in India, where classical forms are valued, the dance group found it challenging to explain to their audience why it was a good idea not to look for a meaning in everything, “Our performances are based on story telling without words. Sometimes there may not be any meaning attached to it. For an Indian audience it may be a bit jarring at first,” said Jack.

After giving an energetic performance, dancers Elena, Mirella and Katja invited the children to dance with them. This was their first trip to India and and Dehradun in particular. Alok Ulfat, Founder, Avikal, appreciated the group’s efforts.

Dehradun, November 19
When she sits with her troupe to perform with an enchanting smile playing on her lips, no one can doubt that at one point of time, the high priestess of Jagars, Basanti Bisht, had to face a stiff opposition from a conservative society opposed to women Jagar singers giving public recitals.

It is the ease with which Basanti carved a niche for herself while not bowing to the demands of conservative society and at the same time upholding the traditional style of singing. “It has been more than 20 years since I began performing. But I still feel I am a novice making my debut. Whenever I go on stage, I always pray to the God to guide me. I am very particular about my conduct on stage. While singing Jagars dedicated to Goddess Nanda (Parvati), one tends to get emotional, especially when Nanda prepares to leave her father’s home soon after her marriage. I keep my emotions firmly in check, lest there is a wrong move on my part. Jagar singing is not complete if one has not mastered mind and body control,” she said.

Basanti gives credit to her husband who had encouraged her to join Chandigarh-based Pracheen Kala Kendra to learn classical singing for six years. “Growing up in the Pindar valley which has proximity to both Kumaon and Garhwal, I learnt Jagars from my mother, Birma Devi, and began singing at the age of nine. But at the insistence of my husband, I decided to acquire classical singing as well. Every now I visit the institute and gurus,” said Basanti.

She says that her mother’s singing is the best and reigns supreme. “The mellifluous quality in her voice is natural and she has never been to any school to learn music,” she adds.

Her foray into the professional singing began in the 80s when she got an opportunity to sing for the Najibabad service of the All-India Radio. Since then she has sung innumerable compositions in Jagars, Maangal and Pandvani styles. Basanti Devi had even composed a Jagar, “Veer Nari” during the Uttarakhand statehood agitation.

As the Jagars to this day remain in the oral form, Basanti has taken upon herself to put them in a book form. “The endeavour is underway for the past couple of years. There are a few first generation singers who can be contacted. Some hesitate to part with their knowledge,” she adds. 

Dehradun, November 19
The students of Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research presented cultural items on the second day of the Annual Day celebrations, ‘SBS Utasav 2011’, on the college campus here today.

The prize-distribution ceremony was graced by Dr Farooq, president of Himalayan Drugs, Dehradun, as chief guest. The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp followed by Saraswati prayer.

The students presented Garhwali, Punjabi, Gujarati and Rajasthani folk dances.

While addressing the gathering, Dr Farooq emphasised on quality education and the right kind of institutions that provide self-employment generating education in the region. He gave credits to the efforts of the management, faculty, staff and students of the institute for presenting a successful programme.

Dehradun, November 19
The two-day National Invitation Table Tennis Tournament being organised by the Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Department, Dehradun, under the aegis of the Central Revenue Sports and Cultural Board, was inaugurated by Chief Commissioner, Income Tax (Uttarakhand) DK Singh, at Summer Valley School here today. The following are the results of today’s matches.

Mixed doubles final

S Mazumdar and Mantu Murmu (East) beat Qamuruddin and Manju Mittal (Host) 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-6)

Men doubles (open) final

Ramakant and Ajay Thukral (North) beat Rachit Chopra and Subhash Batra (North) 3-2 (11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 14-12)

Men veterans (singles 40+) final

Ajay Thukral (North) beat Ramakant (North) 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9)

Men veterans (singles 50+) final

Subhash Batra (North) beat Swapan Kr Barai (East) 3-0 (11-3, 11-1, 11-4)

Men doubles veterans (40+) final

Ramakant and Ajay Thukral beat Subhash Batra and S. Sitaram Reddy (North) 3-0

(11-4, 11-6, 11-6)

Men doubles veterans (50+) final

Subhash Batra and Swapan Kr. Barai (North) beat CS Kulkarni and Ishwar Rao (West) 3-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4)

Women singles final

Mantu Murmu (East) beat Manju Mittal (host) 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3)

Men Singles (open) Ist semifinal

S. Mazumdar (East) beat Ramakant (North) 4-1 (11-7, 3-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6)

2nd Semifinal

Ajay Thukral (North) beat Rachit Chopra 4-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7). — TNS

Dehradun, November 19
The Aryan School defeated Marshall School by five wickets in the Inter- council Schools Senior Boys Cricket Tournament played at St Joseph’s Academy 
here today.

Marshall School won the toss and chose to bat Fist. It scored 112 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs. Pawan was the highest scorer with 36 runs. Afzal, Chandeep and Ankush took two wickets each for the Aryan team. In reply, The Aryan School scored 113 runs for five wickets in 17 overs to win the match by five wickets. Abdul remained unbeaten on 29 runs while opener Amitanshu scored 24 runs. Manwinder took two wickets for 19 runs for Marshall School. — TNS

Dehradun, November 19
Under the aegis of the Central Board of Secondary Education, Pestle Weed College conducted the first stage of Zonal Informatic Olympiad 2012 here today. As many as 350 students from 20 schools of Uttarakhand appeared for the Olympiad.

Prem Kashyap, Principal of Pestle Weed College, expressed his satisfaction on successfully conducting the first stage of Zonal Informatic Olympiad. He was also pleased to witness the enthusiasm and interest shown by the students appearing for the Olympiad.

The Olympiad was conducted to inculcate competitive spirit in children to enhance zeal in students to achieve greater achievements. The qualifying candidates will appear for the second stage examination at the same centre for which the dates will be announced shortly by the Central Board of Secondary Examination. 

Dehradun, November 19
The junior wing of Doon International School celebrated the Sports Day on the school campus here today. The day was exclusively for the primary section, where students gave a spectacular performance that spoke of discipline and sportsmanship.

Dr MH Khan, IAS (secretary labour and disaster management), was the chief guest on the occasion. Earlier, he was welcomed by chairman of the school DS Mann.

Dr Khan appreciated the performance of tiny tots during their rainbow and butterfly drills.

Addressing the gathering, he advised students to set high goals and work hard to achieve their them.

A total of 850 students participated in various races and drills on the occasion. Mass events performed by the students included ball PT, aerobics, lazuim drill and tae kwon do.

The first position holders of different races were Sayam, Kritika, Vanshika, Atul, Ojaswa, Jasan, Mayank, Prashant, Nupur, Deepshikha, Aditya, Prashant and Aisha. The overall winners, the Ranjeet house, scored 51 points and won the running trophy for 2011. 

Haridwar, November 19
On the second day of the ongoing 22nd District-level School Championship, Rahul Babu and Kavita hogged the limelight by bagging two gold medals today.

In the 100m dash (senior girls’ category), Shivani clinched gold while Alka bagged silver and Priyanka bronze. In the 400m race, Neha emerged the winner while Gulafshan and Parul bagged silver and bronze, respectively.

In the 800m race, Kavita, Sanzeeda and Anamika secured the first three positions respectively. Kavita bagged the second gold in the 5000m race, followed by Sanzeed and Anamika once again.

In long jump, Gulafshan won gold followed by Shivani and Ashu. In high jump, Bharti Saini, Alka and Shivani Dhiman secured the first three positions respectively.

In the senior boys’ category, Rahul Babu won the 100m race with Shah Nazar and Anuj securing second and third position respectively. In the 200m arce, Rahul Babu won the second gold while Aditya and Ravi Kumar won silver and bronze respectively. The following are the other results.

400m: Monu Deshwal (gold), Amit Kumar (silver), and Gagan Kumar (bronze); 800m:Mayur Pawar (gold), Ravi Kumar (silver), Sunil Kumar (bronze); 5000m: Mohit Kumar (gold), Ajay Kumar (silver), Sunil Kumar (bronze).

Long jump: Mohammed Wasim (gold) Nitish Kumar (silver), Rahul Babu (bronze); high jump: Sudhir Kumar (gold), Rajat (silver), Shiv Kumar (bronze); discus throw: Ajay Dubey (gold), Mithun (silver), Arjun Rana (bronze).

Shot put: Mithun (gold), Shivam Dhiman (silver), Rahul Kumar (bronze).

Sub-junior category: 100m:Bunty, Yogendra, Ashu; 200m: Yogendra, Nitin, Ashu; 400m: Yogendra, Nitin, Nadeem; 500m: Bunty, Nitin, Vikki; high jump: Gagan, Tanveer, Gaurav; shot put: Gagan, Sachin, Mayank; long jump: Sonu, Nagendra, Ashu.