Forest staff set Dec 11 as deadline
Dehradun, December 7
Members of the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation Association (UFDCA) held a joint press conference with the State Corporation Employees Association (SCEA) here today in support of their demand of raising the salary of employees.

Friendly ties with Pakistan shortlived: Muni
Dehradun, December 7
The recent thaw in the Indo-Pak relationship is only a tactical shift born out of domestic exigencies rather than a long-term strategy on the part of Pakistan that recently granted the status of most-favoured nation (MFN) to India.

Dehradun, December 2
Party members of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) were lathi-charged today when they came to protest at the office of the Director-General of Police (DGP) to demand revoking of the expulsion of 300 trainees, who were ousted for filing double forms from different destinations for the competitive exams held for the posts of constable in the state last year.

The trainees were expelled after they had completed their training and were waiting for the posting orders. DGP Pandey assured the agitating UKD members, saying he would personally enquire into the expulsion cases.

The members expressed their ire against Circle Officer Manikant Mishra before the DGP for using force. District president NK Gusain said: “We were peacefully carrying out our procession from our office premises to the DGP’s office when the police force led by Mishra started pushing us from Subhash Road itself, short of the DGP’s office. When we began resisting, the policemen started thrashing us with canes. Women police pulled our women activists from their hair and beat them up mercilessly.”

President of the women’s wing Promila Rawat also condemned the male policemen for ill-treating women activists of the party. “There were only two women police constables. The rest were male. The women activists were appalled over the way male policemen were getting physical with the women activists. It was a gross insult for us,” she said.

Rawat added the members got an opportunity to talk to the DGP later, who assured them action against the officer. “We are not satisfied if Mishra is merely transferred. A fair enquiry into the matter should be held,” she said. Gusain also threatened to hold a dharna near the statue of Indu Badoni from December 10 if the officer was not punished severely. “Such kind of ill-treatment was not meted out to us even when we fought fiercely for the formation of the state. Now in our own state, we are beaten up without any provocation. We will meet the SSP tomorrow to enquire about the action taken in the matter,” Gusain said.

The latter, along with party general secretary Jay Prakash Upadhyaya, were injured in the incident. The two others who received maximum injuries were Vivekanand and Devender Semwal. They got more than a dozen stitches on their heads.

Party president Trivender Panwar, too, condemned this incident strongly demanded quick action against the officer and others involved in the lathi charge.

Dehradun, December 7
Members of the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation Association (UFDCA) held a joint press conference with the State Corporation Employees Association (SCEA) here today in support of their demand of raising the salary of employees.

State president, UFDCA, Santosh Rawat, said they had to intensify their agitation started on November 23 to indefinite fast on December 2 in wake of the state government’s apathy on their demands. He said they would wait for a positive response until December 11, after which all employees of the Forest Corporation would stop working which would directly affect quarrying work which was resumed this month only.

The disruption in quarrying would lead to escalation of prices of construction material once again and heavy loss of revenue for the state government.

The indefinite fast of three employees of the UFDCA continued on the sixth day.

State general secretary of the SCEA Om Prakash said the health of the employees on fast was rapidly deteriorating, despite that officials of the department and the state government were not paying any attention to them.

Another general secretary Ravi Pachari said the agitation was not merely confined to the employees of the Forest Corporation but was also connected to the cause of employees of various corporations. Pachauri pulled up officials of the Forest Corporation saying they cheated the members of both associations by not reaching to the important meeting of the committee constituted to look into this issue.

State president, SCEA, Dinesh Bhandari said their organisation was in direct contact with the higher officials to discuss the matter and warned that if state government failed to act on their demands before the announcement of the code of conduct, then they would take to roads. 

Dehradun, December 7
The recent thaw in the Indo-Pak relationship is only a tactical shift born out of domestic exigencies rather than a long-term strategy on the part of Pakistan that recently granted the status of most-favoured nation (MFN) to India.

“In my opinion, the softening of stance by Pakistan is not a result of change of heart. It cannot be sustained for long and may again sour. More so, after 2014, when th US troops begin pulling out of Afghanistan,” said Prof SD Muni of the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, today, while delivering a lecture on “Indo-Pak relations: the changing dynamics”, at Doon University.

The professor, who is a south-east Asian expert and was also fellow at the Indian Institute of Strategic Studies (New Delhi), said, “Pakistan may be tempted to review this policy in parts, depending on the leeway it manages to get in Afghanistan after the exit of the USA. Besides there is no concrete evidence that the Army will permanently befriend India,” elaborated Muni.

He further said in certain quarters, there is a belief that the MFN status to India had the backing of the Pakistani army, but so far the army had refrained from making it known publicly, at least to the people of Pakistan.

“The Pakistan army continues to extend support to terrorist outfits. The perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack continue to be at large and the incidents of ceasefire violations have also increased on the border giving enough indication that the thaw may be temporary and not long lasting,” said Muni.

However, Muni said the recent overtures by Pakistan by way of release of prisoners, release of Indian helicopter and agreement on a judicial commission from Pakistan to visit India in connection with the Mumbai terror attack and recent comments by Pakistani Home Minister about hanging Kasab (the accused in the Mumbai terror attack) and grant of MFN status to India were some of the reasons indicating that there was a thaw in the Indo-Pak relationship.

Prof Muni said India could play ball with Pakistan ensuring a positive response to the peace overtures without letting off its guard.

He also said India could not gain from the disintegration of Pakistan as the debris from the integration would be too hot to handle for India.

Mussoorie, December 7
Robert Hutchinson, author of book titled “Raja of Harsil”, unveiled an extraordinary reproduction of the illustrated volume titled, “Views in the Himala Mountains”, which was published in 1820 by Rodwell and Martin, London, comprising 21 beautiful hand-coloured engravings by JB Fraser at a hotel in Mussoorie today.

Robert Hutchinson, speaking to mediapersons, claimed that the volume was the first large-scale reproduction of a finest series of aquatint engravings of Himalayan views ever produced.

Rober Hutichinson displaying one of the copy from the limited edition (Around 400) reproduced by Ms Akoi and Ashok Agarwal of Parag Books said that the book was in the same format with the same quality of craftsmanship and no expense has been spared in this reproduction to achieve the same quality as the original work.

Robert divulging some contents of the book said it also contained rare painting of Gangotri, Yamnotri and the Yamuna valley done by JB Fraser in Uttarakhand apart from several areas in Himanchal Pradesh.

The text has been written after an extensive reasarch on the life of JB Frasier, added Robert Hutchinson.

Dehradun, December 7
In a run-up to the Indian Military Academy’s passing out parade of 129 regular and parallel courses slated for December 10, the award ceremony of the passing-out course was held at the Khetarpal Auditorium of the academy today.

Addressing the passing-out gentlemen cadets, Commandant, IMA, Lt-Gen Manvender Singh greeted the cadets for successfully accomplishing the training. “I congratulate you on successfully completing the training,” Lt-Gen Manvender Singh said.

Exhorting the cadets to carry forward the proud tradition of the Army, Lt-Gen Manvendra Singh said, “The entire nation stands behind you as you carry the proud tradition of Field Marshal Cariappa and Field Marshal Manekshaw”.

On the occasion, Ranjana Singh, the First Lady of the IMA, released the IMA journal autumn term 2011.

Earlier, the Commandant handed over the awards to the gentlemen cadets on the basis of their performances in varied fields during training. The gentlemen cadets were adjudged in individual as well as group activities, which is an essential component of the military training.

Gentlemen cadet J Vijay Kumar of the Meiktila Company was awarded Parachute Regiment Medal for excelling in endurance and physical fitness, Abhishek Chandra of the Naushehra company was awarded the Rajputana Rifles medal for standing best in tactical ability initiative and leadership, Arjit Verma from Keren company was awarded the Maratha Light Infantry medal in PT, Raj Kumar Thapa of Cassino company was awarded both Grenadiers and General Shrinagesh Prizes for the best shots in Insas Rifles and Light Machine Gun. Suraj Prakash of Jessore was awarded Sikh Regiment Medal for standing overall best sportsman, Abhijeet Singh of Keren company was awarded the Brigade of the Guards Medal for standing best in service subjects, Nitesh Kumar of Meiktila company was awarded Signals Medal for standing best as all-round cadet in the science stream, Kharak Chand Rajan of Imphal company was awarded the Dogra Regiment Silver Medal for standing first in the obstacle competition and Jigme Nidup of Bhutan was awarded best foreign Gentlemen Cadet Medal.

The prestigious IMA medal was bagged by Vishal Chhetri of Cassino Company. The Army Commander banner was given to Meiktila company whereas Commandant?s IMA Banner was bagged by Dograi company for excellent overall performances?.

Dehradun, December 7
The Uttarakhand State Council For Science and Technology in association with the ONGC today gave away awards to organisations which have worked excellently in Petrotech 2010, a sustainable tree plantation programme conducted in Dehradun.

Addressing a gathering, chief guest Dr DM Kale, Director General, ONGC energy centre, said Petrotech had been successful in sensitising 25 colleges and schools about the importance of tree plantation.

He disclosed that under the first phase of Petrotech 2010, each participating institution in Dehradun had planted a 25 saplings and pledged to take its care.

Dr Kale said the fast-increasing consumerism was taking its toll on environment as the earth could not sustain unlimited quantities of waste generated by the indiscriminate use of natural resources. He pointed out that the condition of environment in Uttarakhand affected the life in the entire country due to the presence of the Himalayas.

He also handed over prizes to the Forest Research Institute, Rajeev Gandhi Navodaya Vidhayala and Graphic Era University for standing first, second and third in the Petrotech 2010.

Earlier, Rajendra Dobhal, director-general, UCOST, said environment today was major concern worldwide. He said the institutions could play an important role towards sensitising the society on environment.

Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board’s member secretary Jai Raj, Doon University’s Vice-Chancellor Girijesh Pant and Jatinder Peters, group general manager, Chief Corporate Affairs, ONGC, were among prominent participants to the programme.

Mussoorie, December 7
Mussoorie Girls Inter-college celebrated the annual day on the school premises today. Students performed Garhwali and Rajasthani folk dances on the occasion.

School Principal Abha Shaili read out the annual report highlighting the achievements of the school.

On the occasion, she thanked the Rotary Club for donating a water purifier to the school.

Abha Shaili informed that this year the school had fared well in the academics with 100 per cent results in Class XII board examinations. On the occasion, Tarannum and Neha Pathak got Kusum Rai Scholarship of Rs 21,000 each for three years for excelling in the academics in batch 1.

Shivangi Tamta, Akansha, Arya and Salmara received a scholarship of Rs 14,000 each in batch II. Priya Lekhwar, Anjali Kotal, Mamta Gaud, Usha Tiwari, Sonia, Pooja Mishra, Himani Sharma, Nisha Kathait and Aketa Sharma have received a scholarshipof Rs 7,000 for one year in batch III. Bina and Sushmita have received a scholarship of Rs 3,500 for the current year.

Dehradun, Dec 7
State Sports Minister Khazan Das today inaugurated a two-day kabaddi tournament at Raipur here today. In his address, the minister said the state government was undertaking all efforts to promote rural games in the state.

On the first day in a match in the men’s section, Pauri defeated Udham Singh Nagar 43-20. Champawat beat Almora 29-25, Chamoli beat Pithoragarh 43-18 and Nainital beat Bageshwar 23-9.

In the women’s section, Champawat beat Bageshwar 32-28, Nainital beat Chamoli 50-2, Uttarkashi beat Tehri 37-25, Rudraprayag beat Almora 43-27 and Dehradun beat Champawat 30-9. — TNS