Health centres to issue certificates to disabled
Dehradun, December 23
Decentralising the system of issuance of certificates for persons with physical disabilities, the state Cabinet has given the nod for the issuance of such certificates at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and the Community Health Centres (CHCs) by authorised government doctors.

Haridwar, December 23
Despite tall claims being made by the city police of strict night vigil and patrolling, a major theft at a jewellers shop put a question mark on the credibility of these claims.

Jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh was stolen by thieves from Kankhal based Ashi Jeweller Shop, situated in the chowk bazaar, which is just 600 metres away from the Kankhal police station.

As per information, the theft took place after midnight as the thieves used the chilling and foggy climatic conditions to their advantage. In the morning when owner Ashish Mehta reached the shop and opened the shutter, he found the glass cases opened with other goods scattered here and there.

A patch of the inner wall of the shop was broken from where the thieves had entered. But as two streetlights are also installed just near the chowk bazaar, it was also quite surprising that no one saw them barging into the shop.

Immediately, he informed nearby traders and called the Kankhal police station. As soon as the news spread, traders of the whole colony gathered at the venue and when the police came, they held a protest and gave a two-day time for the arrest of the culprits otherwise they would resort to agitation.

The traders also pointed out that the police night patrolling was rarely seen which encouraged the thieves to execute their nefarious plan.

Initially Superintendent of City Police Yogendra Singh Rawat arrived at the place but later owing to agitating residents, district police chief Pushkar Sailal also visited the shop and assured them of intensifying the police vigil and arrest of the culprits.

The owner of the shops assessed that the stolen jewellery were worth Rs 5 lakh. 

Dehradun, December 23
The Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority has begun erecting connecting walls which it had broken yesterday in a few shops.

The tenants of the Mandir Samiti continued their protest today. Shopkeepers have intensified vacating their shops in wake of the demolition deadline of December 26.

The house owners and tenants, who are to be allotted flats in the new building near the ISBT in the city, were unhappy about the lack of basic facilities in those flats. Usha Gupta complained, “The flats had no water supply, electricity connection and sewerage lines. We are worried as our houses will be broken by December 26. In such a situation, how can we live there.”

Housing minister Khajan Das has assured the people, who are to be rehabilitated in these flats that all lacking amenities would be provided in them before they were handed over the allotment letters. Nearly 24 flats are ready by now.

On the Chakrata road, the shopkeepers who had to vacate their shops by December 25 for the demolition drive to be taken up on December 26 were seen engaged in the process. A handloom shop owner rather was found dismantling the first floor of his shop by himself. He said, “I don’t want the team assigned by the MDDA to demolish the demarcated portion of my shop as they may damage the remaining part as well. That’s why I, myself, am have begun the process at the first floor.”

Rajender Kumar, another shopkeeper, said it would take him two to three days to vacate his shops entirely. 

Dehradun, December 23
Decentralising the system of issuance of certificates for persons with physical disabilities, the state Cabinet has given the nod for the issuance of such certificates at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and the Community Health Centres (CHCs) by authorised government doctors.

During the media briefing yesterday, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar said the new arrangement had been made for the ease of persons with physical disabilities. “Earlier the disabled persons had to go all the way to the office of chief medical officer for getting the certificates. Now the certificates would be made at the PHCs and CHCs,” he said. The Cabinet also approved the rules and regulation for the appointment of senior level posts of Director and Deputy Director of homoeopathy. Now the homoeopathy Directors completing a total of 25 years in service would be essential for applying for the post of Director of homoeopathy.

The decision gained significance in the backdrop of the termination of services of Dr BC Lakhera yesterday, who was brought to the helm of the department by the former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank though he had never served in the state. A fellow doctor had challenged his appointment in the High Court and had won the case.

In addition, the nod was also given for the creation of rules and regulation for the state Medical and Health Education Department. It was also decided to make land freehold for migrants (1954) who had settled in Premnagar from West Pakistan. They would be allowed to make their land freehold on the basis of the prevailing circle rate in 2000. A total of 1,200 families would benefit from the government’s largesse. The status of industry to stone crushing enterprise was also approved. Those involved in the activity would get concessions similar to industries.

The Cabinet also approved of a separate merger of the state Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and Tourism Directorate with total 221 posts. Besides, optional smart health cards for accredited journalist for availing health benefits for them and their families was also given a nod. 

Dehradun, December 23
The fifth day of the Virasat festival witnessed a beautiful dance form of ‘phaag’ from Haryana. ‘Phaag’ or spring is the season of festivities and this dance is usually performed during joyous occasions. ‘Swang’ is performed by males and ‘phaag’ by females.

The festival of Holi has an old tradition of folk songs. Even now at many places, the custom of singing songs in groups is followed days before the festival. Groups of men and women move from door to door singing traditional songs and dancing to the beats of drums and cymbals.

In association with the NZCC (North Zone Cultural Centre), Rakesh Ganguly and Group performed ‘phaag’.

The second performance of the evening was ‘bhawai’. It is the traditional folk dance of Rajasthan that can be traced to a feudal era. It is the art of fine balancing of various utensils and pots on the head and hands. The performers balance a number of earthen pots or brass pitchers as they dance nimbly, pirouetting and then swaying with the soles of their feet perched on the top of a glass, on the edge of asword or on the rim of a brass thali (plate) during the performance.

Nainital, December 23
They took the stage by storm when provided with an opportunity to do so at Shivlal Sah Dharamshala at a programme organised by the Mahila Samakhya.

The women who have never got an opportunity to display their talent as they are burdened with day-to-day challenges and chores of life throughout the year, presented what is the genuine folk of Uttarakhand.

They presented songs and dances that are still sung in the fields, kitchens, forests and on social occasions.

The presentation at the “Maati Se Manch Tak” programme that was organised in memory of well-known folk poet and cultural activist Girish Tewari, who is fondly remembered as Girda, talked about the life in the remote interiors of the state.

They depicted the grit of women when they had to face the harsh climate and terrain to ensure the survival of their families and themselves. The songs also dealt with the issues of migration of the menfolk to far-off lands to earn money for the family members.

The participants at the function had come from Kumaon and also from the districts of Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi and the Jaunsar Babar belt of Dehradun district.

The range of folk presentations was very vast. They sang songs that ranged from Holi songs to the Gurail songs that are sung at the time of sowing of crops. They also presented the traditional Hulairi or lullabys which are hardly heard in the urban mileau these days.

A team from Champawat enacted the annual festival of Bagwal that is held at Devi Dhura which is marked by a fight carried out with stones till this day.

The participants presented the folklore on the basis of which the fight is carried out every year.

A unique presentation was that of Neoli, a form of singing which is done only in the wilderness. The singer closes her ear with a fingertip as it is a song sung for oneself. Neoli is also the name of a local bird. The women artistes also encapsulated the practice of Jaagar that is very common in this part of the country.

Jaagar is a form of spirit or ghost worship practised in the hills of Uttarakhand. The word Jaagar comes from the Sanskrit root ‘jag’ or to wake. Jaagar is a medium in which gods and local deities are called from their dormant stage and asked for favours or remedies for certain problems plaguing the person. It is attached to the idea of divine justice and is organised to seek penance for a crime or seek justice from the gods for some injustice.

Music is the medium through which the gods are invoked. Jaagariya sings a ballad of the gods with allusions to the great epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana which describe the adventures and exploits of the god being invoked.

Talking to The Tribune, eminent historian Shekhar Pathak said, ”Most of the local deities that are remembered in the folk songs were rebel characters who had risen against the wrong practices during feudal times. All of them were got killed by influential classes. The people and also those responsible for their elimination recognised their contribution and glorified them as deities. The people identify these deities with the forces that have always stood against the wrong.”

The artistes later marched through the town to Chalet Hall where a lecture series on Girda was scheduled to take place.

Dehradun, December 23
Delhi Public School celebrated Christmas at a function held here today with great enthusiasm. The school was tastefully decorated giving a feeling of festivity with a happy sound of bells, hymns and peace. A Christmas tree was also decorated beautifully.

The celebration began with a speech on significance of Christmas. Children, dressed in bright red colour, added colour and joy to the occasion.

A nativity play was also enacted. The magic moment of Santa Claus entering amid the audience distributing candies and goodies was captivated all present.

Nainital, December 23
A Delhi-based NGO, documenting the folk traditions and culture of the state, plans to produce a documentary of well-known folk singer Kabootri Devi.

The organisation also plans to go in for online telecast of Uttarakhand’s folk music and dances. Hailing from a remote village in Pithoragarh, Kabootri Devi, who is known as the Kokila of Kumaon, has made a mark in folk singing and has given an identity to Kumaoni folk songs. She also has an experience of singing on radio.

Despite her hardships, she is still committed to keeping alive the tradition of folk music and is ever ready to go and sing wherever she is invited.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a cultural workshop being held at Government Girls Inter-College here, Manish Mehta of Lokrang said, “It is a matter of shame and dismay that we hardly see the representation of state’s rich folk traditions at the national level. We plan to document the cultural heritage and make efforts to showcase them in different music and dance festivals held across the country from time to time.”

He further pointed out that the initiative aims to do away with the middlemen in the cultural sphere. “There are people who contact artistes for performances and while the artistes get a paltry sum, they pocket a good sum given by the organisers of such events. Such practices need to be stopped,” he underlined.

Lokrang is organising a three-day long workshop for the students of the college. Local theatre and folk artistes have been involved as the resource persons for the workshop. The students have been involved in learning the art of dramatics, folk dancing, poetry writing, essay writing, poetry recitation etc. Mehta said officials of the Education Department have agreed to hold similar workshops in every school. 

Haridwar, December 23
The fifth Prime Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, was remembered on his 109th birth anniversary here today.

A special function was held at the Jatwada Ganga canal ghat, where people from all walks of life participated in a yajna organised on the occassion. Stating that Charan Singh was a peasants’ leader, district spokesperson of the Lok Dal Shyam Singh termed him a visionary who received respect from all be it the masses or rival politicians.

Gurukul students chanted hymns as people gathered to pray for the peace of the departed soul with many urging today’s politicians to follow the ideals and ethics of Charan Singh.

Dehradun, December 23
Akshay Rawat of Nehru house emerged as the fastest sprinter of the Army School (Clement Town) by winning the 100 mts race of the annual sports meet held here today.

In the girls section, Aishwarya (Gandhi house) bagged this honour.

The Gandhi house lifted the over-all trophy while the Nehru house finished second in the annual sports meet.

Nehru, Gandhi, Sarojni and Teresa houses participated in the meet. The Nehru house boys walked away with the top honours in the tug of war.

The Teresa house clinched the tug of war trophy in the girls section. Abhishek Kamboj (Nehru house) won gold in the boys 200 mts and Aishwarya (Gandhi House) the 200 mts gold in the girls section.

The Nehru house boys won the 4X100 metres relay while the Terasa house claimed the 4X100 mts relay in the girls’ section.

The annual sports day concluded on a high note. Chief guest Brigadier SK Thapa, GOC of 14 Rapids (S) Division, presented the overall trophy to the Gandhi house. He congratulated Principal Yashpal Sharma for hosting a spectacular event. The school band mesmerized the crowd with its display. Sports teachers CM Bhatt, Abhishek Kala and Umesh Kumar Maurya were also present on the occasion.

Dehradun, December 23
Indian Technology and Management (ITM) defeated Helex Health Care (HHC) by 76 runs in a match in the 60th District Cricket League held here today.

Batting first after winning the toss, the ITM scored 166 runs at the loss of all wickets. Its opening batsman, Amit Kumar, scored 77 runs. Agrim Tiwari of the HHC took three wickets. However, the HHC could score only 90 runs. — TNS