Haridwar, November 21
Films do have an impact on the people, though mostly negative one. But a movie has changed the life of 55-year-old two-wheeler mechanic.

Surendra Kumar, a resident of Subash Nagar, operates his wheel-alignment shop on a modified auto, the idea of which he got from the “scooter flour mill” devised by Jahangir Painter, which Kareena Kapoor rides in the blockbuster “3 Idiots”.

Surendra, who earlier had been running his shop from a tent at the Bhagat Singh Chowk, had been displaced several times during anti-encroachment drives in the past few years.

In 2010 prior to the commencement of the Mahakumbh fair in the city, the district administration carried out a major anti-encroachment drive in the city, which led to Surendra shifting to an area away from the city. Fed up of anti-encroachment drives, he decided to either have a permanent shop or make an alternative arrangement.

While watching “3 Idiots” he hit upon an idea to have a mobile shop.

He went to a junkyard from where he purchased various parts of an old auto-rickshaw and then modified these as per his requirement. He fitted a gas cylinder, racks, a window and a door on the modified vehicle. Seeing Surendra’s invention, many other street vendors are contemplating making one for them too.

At a cost of Rs 10,000 he has made his own mobile shop. Now, he can attend customers while on the way back home.

“The very idea of a modified mobile shop occurred to me while seeing ‘3 Idiots’. Also the administrative drives, which uprooted us in the name of anti-encroachment drives despite the fact we paid the ‘tehbazaari’ rates to the administration, paved the way for my invention”.

Surendra, whose dream of becoming an engineer couldn’t be fulfilled owing to poverty, is working day and night to make sure his son, who is doing an engineering course, becomes a successful engineer.

“Every problem has an answer. It’s up to you which one you derive, positive or negative,” said Surendra, while repairing a scooter. 

Dehradun, November 21
As the CD 4 cell count-measuring machine is out of order for the past several months at the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) Centre of Doon Hospital, the specimens of newly diagnosed HIV patients are now being sent to Meerut.

As the specimens are sent once a week to Meerut, the handling and transportation of the specimens also take time, so there is an inordinate delay in the arrival of reports. This, in turn, leads to delay in starting the treatment for patients whose CD 4 count report may not be satisfactory.

“For the past four months, the CD 4 cell count tests are not being done at the ART Centre of Doon Hospital as the CD 4 cell count measuring machine is out of order. Now we are waiting for the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to procure a new machine for the centre. The specimens are being sent to the Meerut Medical College,” said Dr KS Negi, Senior Medical Officer.

The CD-4 count tests are used to gauge immunity levels of HIV-infected patients. The CD 4 cells or T-helper cells are a type of white blood cells that fight infection and their count indicates the stage of HIV or AIDS in a patient. If there is a CD 4 cell count drop among HIV-infected patients, the antiretroviral treatment is usually started.

In Uttarakhand, there are two ART centres and 13 link-ART centres. “The Anti- Retroviral treatment to HIV/AIDS patients is given only at Doon Hospital. Though another ART centre at Sushila Tiwari Medical College was okayed long ago, the centre does not possess a CD 4 cell count measuring machine,” said Dr Negi.

Except these two centres, the government has no plan to equip some more centres with CD 4 machines. At present, India has 58 CD-4 count machines. 

The CD-4 count tests are used to gauge immunity levels of HIV patients. The CD 4 cells or T-helper cells are a type of white blood cells that fight infection and their count indicates the stage of HIV or AIDS in a patient

Haridwar, November 21
In what may come as a relief for the city residents, the district administration and the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) authorities have worked out a solution to the problem of waterlogging in the city’s posh area, Ranipur (Chandracharya Chowk) and Bhagat Singh Chowk.

Two embankments-cum-ponds will be constructed on a vacant land belonging to BHEL on the outskirts of the Rajaji National Park. This land is near these intersections. One embankment will stop muddy water coming from BHEL and the Park Forest region while the other will be used to store water.

These embankments will help stop water from entering residential areas and the Bhagat Singh-Ranipur road stretch, which is one of the busiest commercial intersections of the city.

Subdivisional Magistrate Harbeer Singh said waterlogging was a common sight in the area during the monsoon. However, from some time, it was being noticed that even a light rain led to waterlogging. Following this, a meeting was held with the BHEL authorities, where both the administration and the BHEL authorities worked out a solution to this problem.

BHEL officials said every time during waterlogging, they were blamed. So they decided to cooperate with the administration and within a few months, the embankments would be constructed, the officials added.

Dr Ritesh Joshi, a wildlife expert, said this would also help wild animals as they would be able quench their thirst with the water stored in the artificial ponds.

Local residents and shopkeepers have expressed happiness on this solution.

Traders of Chandracharya Chowk said last year, almost all commercial establishments on the ground floor had suffered huge losses due to water accumulation in their establishments.

Dehradun, November 21
Drinking Water Minister Prakash Pant said today that the Water Department was still recovering from the damage caused to the 132 water schemes during the rains last year.

At a meeting with the World Bank officials, the minister said while all efforts were being made to revive the damaged schemes by selecting new sources of water, the task was proving to be arduous in the hills. “But we are hopeful that the alternative sources will be surveyed and in some places the task is already on,” he said.

The minister also said the Peyjal Nigam would continue to undertake World Bank projects on the basis of centage.

While Director, Swajal, Kapil Lal said in the absence of proper planning several schemes had failed to take off.

While appreciating the work undertaken by Swajal through community partnership, the World Bank members, Smita Mishra and T Satish Jacob, asked its officials to complete construction of toilets in the villages. The members were informed about the level of community participation in undertaking chlorination and charging certain amount for rendering services.

The World bank team members also visited the water-testing laboratory set up at the Water Works Department.

The meeting was also attended by officials of the Peyjal Nigam and Jal Sansthan.

Dehradun, November 21
President of the women wing of the Uttrakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) Promila Rawat held a march from party office to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) to protest against the expulsion of 300 trainees by the state Police Department recently.

In the absence of the DGP, Superintendent of Police (SP) City Jaswant Singh received a copy of their memorandum and assured them of a concrete report on this matter in next 10 days.

Rawat expressed anger against the abrupt removal of these trainees, who were selected for the post of constables, saying, “As against the vacancies of 1200 posts, only 600 applicants were selected and even out of those, 300 were expelled after completion of their training period, citing that these candidates had filled their application form from two different destinations. If such was the case, why the Police Department did not detect the anomaly in the initial stages.”

She added, “Now when these youngsters had already gone through the grilling training part and were slated to be posted out, firing them at that point of time is gross injustice.”

She said the youth, especially those from the hills, were passing through difficult times because of acute unemployment prevailing in the state and hence demanded that the state Police Department should depute the expelled trainees on the posts of constable.

SP city Jaswant Singh said an inquiry in this regard was in the process and a report in this regard would be submitted in the next 10 days.

The party women members present in the rally included Devshree, Kamlesh Pandey, DP Thapa, Shanti, DP Thapa. 

Dehradun, November 21
A sub-contest of the Miss Uttarakhand Contest 2011 “Miss Fresh Face” was organised here today. A total of 21 models from all over Uttarakhand participated in the event.

Priyanka Kandwal, Miss Congeniality 2006 and Sakshi Aggarwal, Miss Uttarakhand Ist Runner-up 2008, judged the participating models in the Miss Fresh Face round.

The contest is organised by Sinmit Communications. The girls will be participating in various other competitions before the grand finale while the results of today’s event will be declared later.

Dehradun, November 21
President of the Freehold Trader Association Virender Rawat and other members did not allow PWD officials monitor and prepare an estimate of value of the freehold properties which are situated on the part of the Chakrata Road which is to be widened.

Later, officials from the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) also came to persuade the traders but they did not budge. To register their opposition against the alleged indiscriminate attitude of the MDDA on the matter, traders also held a rally at Chakrata and the Clock Tower.

Freehold traders are demanding preference in the selection of shops at the newly built shopping complex before the Clock Tower in lieu of their shops on the Chakrata Road.

Rawat also fumed over the mysterious silence which, he said, the MDDA officials were adopting over the formulation of the policy to relocate the traders. He expressed hope that at the meeting with MDDA officials tomorrow might end the stalemate. 

Mussoorie, November 21
Eight students were felicitated in the 19th Children Science Congress held at Government Inter-College in Gorakhori, situated near Nainbagh in Tehri Garhwal District, 50 kilometres from Mussoorie, yesterday.

The chief guest on the occasion, Zila Panchayat member Subash Ramola, inaugurated the science congress and presented a citation and awards to students Sangeeta, Samita, Pooja Rawat, Deepa Rawat, Sandeep Rawat, Sanjeta, Ran Narayan and Vivek for their work on climate change and other science-related activities here.

Ramola said students could play an important role in preserving the environment and assist in the related research. He also said the students should also remain aware towards their responsibilities in the society and emerge as good citizens of the country.

The block convener of the science congress Dr Uday Gaur also apprised the guests about the activities undertaken by the school under the Children Science Congress.

The Conservator, Forest Department, RN Jha, addressing the students on the occasion, said that there was need to involve more children towards science through such congress and students should also be motivated in such a way that were attracted towards become renowned scientists in future and contribute in nation building.

The principal, Government Inter-College, Gorakhori, Achey Lal Kanojia thanked all on the occasion for making the science congress a success.

Dehradun, November 21
Members of the Asom Association, Dehradun, organised a special evening to pay tributes to the legendary Assamese singer, the Dada Saheb Phalke award winner late Bhupen Hazarika, on Sunday evening at the ONGC Officer’s Club.

Dr Bhupen Hazarika, who died on Saturday, November 5, 2011, was the cultural icon of Assam and the Assamese culture, who took the Assamese music to new heights during the several decades of his illustrious career.

The members of the forum performed various original Assamese compositions of the legend himself and songs from his Hindi movies, namely Rudali and Daman during the evening.

Documentaries of Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s life and his enormous contribution to the Assamese culture were also showcased.

The programme included recitation of poems by little children and the ones written in memory for Dr Hazarika was also performed by the members.

Solo instrumental presentation by Nilotpal Mahanta and songs by Debojit & Shristi Gohain was appreciated by all.

The function was attended and appreciated by a large gathering. 

Dehradun, November 21
Dr RML Awadh University, Faizabad, defeated Panjab University, Chandigarh, by 72 runs in a quarterfinal match of the North Zone Inter- University Cricket Tournament organised by Uttarakhand Technical University here today.

The Faizabad team won the toss and elected to bat. They scored 179 runs all out in 56.3 overs.

Manoj Singh was the top scorer with 66 runs scored in 110 balls with the help of eight hits to the fence and one towering six.

Karanveer Singh ran through the tail of the Faizabad team by claiming six wickets for 58 runs in 19.3 overs.

In reply, the Panjab University team failed to capitalise on the heroics of Karnveer Singh and were bundled out for 107 runs in 36.1 overs. Only two batsmen could reach the double-digit score as Faizabad bowlers ran through the Chandigarh innings. Manoj Singh claimed three wickets for 28 runs while Harshit Singh and Pankaj Tiwari took two wickets each.

The second quarterfinal match between Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, was not completed today.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, GND University, Amritsar, scored 170 runs all out in 57.4 overs. Ravinder Rawat was the top scorer with an unbeaten 59 runs scored in 74 balls with the help of 10 boundaries. It was Abhishek of Garhwal University who had a rich haul of five wickets for 47 runs in 12.4 overs.

At stumps, HNB Garhwal University had scored 127 runs for the loss of two wickets. They still need 43 more runs to win the match. The match will continue on Tuesday.

Dehradun, November 21
Aryan School entered the final of the Inter-council School Senior Boys’ Cricket Tournament by defeating St Thomas School by 22 runs in the semifinal match played on the St Jospeh’s Academy grounds here today.

Aryan School won the toss and chose to bat first. The team scored 134 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Opener Amitanshu scored 58 runs in 48 balls with the help of six fours. He was assisted by Abdul who scored 34 runs in 36 balls. Pankaj was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 16 runs.

In reply, St Thomas School fell short by 22 runs with their entire team all out for 112 runs in 18.2 overs. Pankaj remained the top scorer with 33 runs. Afzal took two wickets for 27 runs for the Aryan school team.

The final match between Aryan School and Carman School will be played tomorrow.

Dehradun, November 21
HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, would organise its 37th Inter-college Athletics Meet from November 25 to 27, said organising secretary of the event, Dr Satyavrat Tyagi, while addressing the media here today.

Nearly 250 players from 30 colleges affiliated to the university will participate in the meet.

“A total of 25 events would be organised. Accommodation for the players has been arranged at the boys’ hostel, Rangers College, and at the girls’ hostel near DAV PG College, Dehradun,” he added.

All matches will be played at Maharana Pratap Sports College. The meet will be inaugurated by Trivender Singh Rawat, State Agriculture Minister.