German tourists elated at catching a glimpse of the Dalai Lama.

Mussoorie, September 16
The spiritual and religious head of the Tibetan community, Dalia Lama, received what can be termed as a red carpet welcome on his arrival in Mussoorie today.

Dalai Lama reached the 'Queen of Hills' around 1.20 pm and headed straight for Woodstock School, which is hosting the spiritual guru for the fourth time.

The Tibetan students at Woodstock welcomed the Dalai Lama by singing the Tibetan national anthem. He was then welcomed by Woodstock School Principal Jonathan Long, who described the Nobel Laureate as 'a man of peace and compassion deeply committed to non-violence, a respected world leader and a force for the good of humanity.'

The Principal of Woodstock School, Dr Jonathan Lang, with the Dalai Lama in Mussoorie on Sunday

The 14th Dalai Lama urged students and staff at Woodstock School to remember their common humanity rather than seeing difference in religion or nationality.

Addressing a large audience in the school's Win Mumby gymnasium, the Dalai Lama, who was visiting Woodstock for the fourth time since his exile from Tibet in 1959, said: " Sometimes we are guilty of forgetting we are fundamentally human beings and brothers and sisters."

He recognised the international diversity of Woodstock, a place "with students from many different countries, where students stay and study to become brothers and sisters."

He stressed that people should not be divided in today's globalised economy, as "we are the same people; national boundaries and religious differences are not important."

The Nobel Prize winner urged the audience to act with compassion and forgiveness, whether this was motivated by religious faith or a common humanity.

School students dressed in traditonal attire wait for the Dalai Lama.

He also warned the audience to take seriously the issue of global warming, which would affect future generations. He concluded by encouraging the audience to stay positive, as "everybody loves a smile."

Speaking on successful life, he said: " All human beings have the same goal and that is to have a happy life, and in order to achieve that successful happy life, you need education. So provide education without discrimination."

Speaking on corruption, the spiritual head said: "I think a big portion of Indian people are religious minded but despite that corruption has seeped deeply in society, especially among the business- minded people, officials and in some other professions. If people have self belief, then there will be no room for corruption and injustice in society."

He reminisced about his time in Mussoorie in 1959 after first fleeing Tibet, and he frequently had the crowd in fits of laughter as he made a number of self-deprecating jokes.

After his speech, the Dalai Lama was asked a series of questions by students from Woodstock School.

The 77-year-old Lama, when asked about how he kept his youthful vigour, replied with pun intended by saying that normally it was "top secret" but a good eight to nine hours of sound, peaceful sleep was the key. He also said the key to good physical health was a healthy mind and a positive mental attitude.

The Principal, Woodstock School, Long, and his wife Sue, presented the Dalai Lama with a souvenir on the occasion.

Thereafter, he left for Buddha Temple, where he was welcomed by a 2-km-long queue of devotees, staff, ex-students from Tibetan Homes Foundation and Central School for Tibetans dressed in traditional attire all along the road.

The Dalai Lama will rest overnight at Buddha Temple in Happy Valley.

He will be attending a function organised on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of Tibetan Homes Foundation tomorrow.

Dehradun, September 16
With the prompt action of the Kotwali police station, the probability of extortion and murder at three places in Dehradun district could be nullified. The police arrested three culprits this afternoon in an encounter at Hydel colony, on the call given by Suresh Chander Sharma, a local hotelier, who alleged that some persons tried to kidnap him at Bindal Pul on Saturday night. The suspects, surrounded by the police at Hydel Colony, fired at the cops but were overpowered. The police has recovered two revolvers and catridges from them.

The miscreants are Sanjay Rawat, 26, resident of Uttarkashi, Sunil Kumar, 25, and Prem Singh, 23, both residents of village Gyong, district Kaithal, Haryana. Suresh Chander Sharma said the culprits first halted his car and tried to forcibly enter into it. On seeing a police patrol car passing by, they got down and fled. He then called the police at the number 100. He said one of the miscreants, Rawat, worked at his restaurant for three days. He was removed because he could not produce any

residence proof. He doubted him as he told Sharma that he was from Uttarkashi, but usually he talked in Haryanvi and Himachali accent on the phone.

He was also seen near PNB Bank a couple of days after being fired from the job. The suspects had come to kidnap Sharma for ransom. He had been jailed in the past for committing a murder in his village on a property issue.

The suspects had also planned to kidnap Johri Mamchand, a wealthy businessman of Vikasnagar, and MM Gupta, a cigarette distributor, at Saharanpur Chowk. Gupta said he never came across the convicts but still they knew everything about his residence and shop. He was terrified. He thanked the police for the swiftness shown in averting the crime.

The other culprits, Prem Singh and Sunil Kumar, who belonged to the same village, came in contact with Rawat when they worked in a factory at Selaqui.

Prem Singh said he came Dehradun on the invitation of Rawat to have good time in Mussoorie. He later helped him in a recce as he feared being killed by Rawat if he did not support him. Rawat also offered him Rs 5 lakh from the ransom money.

Sunil did not have any knowlwdge about the intention of Rawat and Prem Singh to commit a crime. Senior Superintendent of Police Neeru Garg said the police was gathering more information about the crimes committed by each of the culprits in the past.

Dehradun, September 16
In a dramatic turn of events, the DAV (PG) College authorities today sworn in the two newly elected students’ union office-bearers, ABVP president Mahesh Jaguri and general secretary Nitin Chauhan. The ceremony was kept a close guarded secret and even some members of the college election committee were unaware of the development.

A day after the Dehradun District Magistrate ruled out heading a magisterial inquiry over the impasse caused at the DAV (PG) Students’ Union poll that resulted after the NSUI alleged rigging of polls, the DAV (PG) College authorities in a sudden move organised oath taking ceremony around 9 am today in presence of the Principal, 
Dr Devendra Bhasin, and chief election officer Anil Sinha. Apart from ABVP’s newly elected president Mahesh Jaguri, new general secretary Nitin Chauhan from the Pattu group also took oath. The swearing ceremony was a guarded secret and media too was not informed of the ceremony.

NSUI activists, who came to know of the swearing in ceremony later, rushed to DAV (PG) College but by then both the president and the general secretary had taken charge. Uttarakhand NSUI workers led by their state president Sandeep Kumar and former DAV Students Union president Pankaj Chetri registered their protest but the presence of the police at college prevented them from resorting to misadventure.

The NSUI later threatened to hold protests against the Principal.

Dehradun, September 16
In the Dehradun District Football League, Sarvodaya beat Pachwadoon Club 1-0. Kulbhushan scored the sole goal for Sarvodaya.

In second match, Uttarakhand Police beat Garhwal Star 7-0.

For Uttarakhand Police, Bir Singh scored three goals. Ashok scored two goals.

Saurabh Rawat and Deepak Kandari scored one goal each.

As for tomorrow’s matches, Indira Club will take on Wills Youth, whereas Bajrang will take on Exodus Club.

Dehradun, September 16
Thakurpur Boys and Loco FC emerged victorious in their respective matches during the Lala Nemi Dass Memorial Football League here today.

Thakurpur Boys beat Uttarakhand Tigers 4-2. Komal scored the first goal for Thakur Boys followed by Ayush, who scored the second goal. Rahul scored the 3rd and 4th goals for Thakurpur Boys. For Uttarakhand Tigers, Mukul and Bhupendra scored the goals.

In the second match, Loco FC defeated Gorkha Boys 6-2. For Loco FC, Arjun scored 2 goals. Sandeep, Aryan, Gaurav, Vivek and Himanshu scored 1 goal each.

For Gorkha Boys, Albert and Sanjay scored the goals.