Parents meet DM against schools' arbitrariness
Dehradun, April 19
Members of the Public School Parent Association met District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam over the alleged arbitrariness of the schools.

UDC students at DM's door against management
Dehradun, April 19
A group of students from Uttaranchal Dental College (UDC) met District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam regarding their complaints against the management. The students said they had taken admission in Narayan Swami Dental College in 2009.

Dehradun, April 19
Residents of Chharba village in Vikas Nagar and environmentalists have begun voicing concern at the government decision to allow global multinational Coca Cola along with its Indian subsidiary to set up a plant in their village. They fear the company’s operations may lead to the Plachimada (Kerala) like water crisis.

While Coca Cola plans to use water from the Yamuna, there are concerns that it will overexploit the river water and dump waste into the river, thus polluting it. The company is expected to use water for the manufacturing of beverages and non-alcoholic drinks.

“The Uttarakhand government should have undertaken an ecological study of the area and evaluated the track record of the company in other parts of the country. In Kerala villagers had risen against the company after they began to face water scarcity. Already in parts of Premnagar, Sahaspur and Vikas Nagar the water table has decreased considerably. The government before signing the agreement with the company should have weighed all pros and cons,” said Dr Anil Joshi, founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO).

The new plant is coming up at a time when most of the groundwater sources in Vikas Nagar and Sahaspur have depleted due to industrial and construction activities. “We are worried about an impending water crisis in our areas as there is already stress on the water resources due to their overexploitation by industries,” said R. Jaswal, gram pradhan of Chharba village, who is unhappy at the government decision.

Officials in the Jal Sansthan maintain that the discharge of water from the river surface is fixed and has fewer chances of recuperation or recharge. As such the overexploitation of water should be a cause for concern for the government.

Besides, the Yamuna water is being used by Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for irrigation and other purposes. “It is not clear if the government has managed to get the clearance for the use of water by the company,” said an official.

According to one estimate at Plachimada in Kerala, Coca Cola drew around 510,000 litres of water each day from boreholes and open wells. For every 3.75 litres of water used by the plant it produced one litre of product and a large amount of waste, water pollution and above all extreme water shortage. 

Dehradun, April 19
The forest authorities found the carcass of a three-year-old tigress bearing several injuries on the banks of the Dabaka river in the Bailparao range in the Terai west forest division of Uttarakhand last evening. A case under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act has been registered against unknown persons.

According to Nishant Verma, Divisional Forest Officer, Terai west forest division, prima facie evidence suggests that the tigress died an unnatural death. “The tigress, which had its tail cut, was bleeding profusely from nose, mouth and neck, amply indicating that it was killed brutally with sharp-edged weapons,” said Verma.

A panel of three doctors conducted a post-mortem on the tigress. Its vital organs and viscera tigress were sent to two specialist laboratories of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute at Bareilly and the Indian Wildlife Institute in Dehradun for further forensic examination to know the exact cause of the animal’s death. Though some forest officials claimed that the tigress might have died in a road accident, Rajeev Singh, one of the veterinary doctors who conducted the post-mortem on the animal, said its carcass bore several injury marks suggesting something else. Villagers of Gajpur, who were the first to locate the carcass of the tigress on the banks of the Dabaka river, confirmed that the neck of the tigress bore many injuries with bone of her left hind leg broken and skin ruptured at many places.

The culprits seem to have fled after killing the animal early morning. They could not take away the animal for extracting its skin and organs as the dawn was about break,” Verma said. — TNS

Dehradun, April 19
Members of the Public School Parent Association met District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam over the alleged arbitrariness of the schools.

President of the association Shekhar Mamgai said their organisation had been working since 2006 and raising voice against the unilateral decisions taken by the public schools in the city.

Despite their efforts, many schools had not stopped their high-handedness.

The schools had been charging extra-fees, funds under some pretext or other and harassing them by failing their children or holding back the transfer certificates.

He requested the DM to constitute a core committee comprising members of the public schools and the parent association.

The committee should be empowered to take any decision regarding fee, fund etc in these schools. With this move, the problems cropping up in the public schools over these issues could be contained.

Mamgai also placed their demands that no school should be allowed to raise fee more than 10 per cent. As per the regulations of the Right to Education Act, the students up to Class VIII should not be failed in any class.

Under the Act, the poor children should be admitted to public schools. The state government must start a public awareness programme about this Act so that public could come to know about the policy started by the Centre for their welfare.

The books, copies and uniforms should not be sold in the schools. The funds taken other than fee should be fixed or removed. The parents should not be charged extra money in the name of issuance of transfer certificates.

The District Magistrate said the committee must take up one issue at a time with the respective school management. In case the latter did not respond positively, then it could complain to him and he would take appropriate action against them.

Dehradun, April 19
A group of students from Uttaranchal Dental College (UDC) met District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam regarding their complaints against the management. The students said they had taken admission in Narayan Swami Dental College in 2009.

But the college had stopped the course midway after two years and shifted the batch of 52 students to UDC and 38 in Seema Dental College. These colleges took three-month fee from the students and enrolled them for the third year.

The 52 students of UDC alleged that now when they had completed the course and the internship, the college management was neither giving them mark-sheet nor the certificatese. The management is demanding fee for the full third year from them. The students said they had already given it Rs 1.36 lakh besides other expenses. Many students had taken a loan for the purpose, so they were unable to shell out more money now. Divansh Ahuja, a student, said, “UDC is demanding the fee for the entire third year. Seema Dental College, which had also taken up rest of our batch mates, did not make any such demand. This is unfair.” Shivani Gupta, another student, said the management had been resorting to wrong tactics to extract money from them. The management made this particular batch to go through the exams three months after the rest of the students. They kept demanding fee from them. Pallavi Mahajan said though they were going to the college every day, they were marked absent in the attendance register. She blamed the college authorities for harassing them mentally. The students now fear losing one precious year because of the college on the issue of fee.

DM Purushottam has referred the matter to the Chief Medical Officer for inquiry. The students , however, were not happy with that response. Manju Pandey, student, said, “We have already talked to Principal Secretary Manisha Panwar, who ordered an inquiry and a report in one week. Now three weeks have lapsed but no report has been sent on the matter. The lower staff in Panwar’s office do not let us meet her. ”

Dehradun, April 19
The students of the College of Legal Studies at University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, once again proved their excellence at the national level by lifting the winners trophy of the 4th National Moot Court Competition hosted by the Faculty of Law, Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi. The three-member team comprising Ankit Jain, a 4th year BA, LLB(Hons), Tapanshu Ghelot, a 4th year BBA, LLB and Saksham Pradyot, a 3rd year BBA, LLB, was adjudged the best amongst the 42 teams competing from all across the country.

The competition was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir, who in his inaugural address emphasised on the principle of moral over money. He said the legal professionals play an important role in the development of a righteous and just society. Justice Kabir motivated and encouraged the students to participate in such Moot Court competitions held across the country.

The moot problem for this national competition pertained to the domain of the existing Criminal Laws, particularly the procedural aspects thereof. Arun Dhand, director, media affiars of the university, explaining the format of the competition said the competing teams submitted their ‘memorials’ beforehand to the organisers. Every team was expected to defend its submissions through oral arguments during the competition. The competing teams were initially divided in two groups and each team was made to compete against other team by a random draw of lots.

On the basis of the aggregate score of the quality of ‘memorial’ and the quality of ‘defence’, eight teams shortlisted for the quarter finals were also divided in two groups. One group consisted of teams from National Law University-Jaipur, Shastra University- Tanjore, KIIT-Bhubaneswar and National Law University - Orissa. The other group consisted of teams from UPES-Dehradun, Campus Law Centre - Delhi University, Rajeev Gandhi National Law University-Patiala and University of Law-Jaipur.

Shortlisting of the four semi-finalists was again done on a similar pattern wherein each quarter finalist team had to compete against other team through a random draw.

The four teams which made to the semi-finals were UPES-Dehradun, School of Law, Christ University -Bangalore, School of Law - Shastra University-Tanjore and Seedling School of Law and Governance- Jaipur National University.

To select the two finalists, the four semi-finalists were again divided in two groups, one group comprised of the top two of the four semi-finalists and the remaining two teams from the other group were made to compete against them through a draw of lots. The two teams ultimately making to the finals were UPES-Dehradun and School of Law, Christ University - Bangalore.

The final round hard fought between these two teams had to be extended by an additional two and a half hours in which the team from UPES-Dehradun was declared as the winners.

The judging panel comprised Additional Solicitor General of India, Sidharth Luthra, Justice (Rtd) Aruna Suresh and Vice-Chairman, Bar Council of India, Zafar Ahmed Khan. 

Dehradun, April 19
La Martienere College, Lucknow, outshone all contesting teams and figured first among 23 contesting schools in the 13th RIMC All-India Inter-School Challenge Cup Quiz contest recently.

La Martienere College scored 115 points to claim the trophy of Challenge Cup. It was represented by Gokul Pishrody, Yash Chaudhary and Dhruv Sinha. Asian School, Dehradun, with 100 points bagged the second position. The third position was shared by RIMC, Dehradun, Summer Valley School, Dehradun, and Scholars’ Home, Dehradun, with 95 points each.

Other schools which participated in the events are YPS, Patiala, Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls’ Public School, Sherwood College, Nainital, Vasant Valley School, New Delhi, Mayo College Girls’ School, Ajmer, Scindia School, Gwalior, Aukland School, Shimla, Welham Boys’ School, Dehradun, Doon School, Dehradun, Mussoorie International School, Dehradun, PYDS Learning Society, Dehradun, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, The Doon International School, Dehradun, Cambrian Hall, Dehradun , Wynberg-Allen Mussoorie, Dehradun, Hope Town School, Dehradun, Indian Public School, Dehradun and St Joseph Academy, Dehradun.

The chief guest on the occasion was Shomie Ranjan Das, a distinguished academician and former headmaster of The Doon School. Das gave away prizes and trophy to the participants and the winners.

He also addressed the students and teachers of contesting schools and gave a talk on how to manage information in fast-changing world.

Haridwar, April 19
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is supporting Independent candidate Vijay Verma for the post of Mayor of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation, has assured voters that if elected, Verma will improve the working of the civic body. AAP district unit chief JP Baduni along with Verma presented their manifesto for the civic body election during a media briefing at the Press Club here today.

“By announcing its manifesto the AAP wants to show that it is a party with a difference. It believes besides the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the civic bodies’ election also need manifestos.

Baduni said the entire corporation area would be brought under one cleanliness cell which would work round the clock, immediate disposal of garbage would be ensured, plantation of flowers would be done at a large scale, heritage spots like Braham Kund at Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent Ganga ghats would be developed keeping in mind their religious importance and sentiments. Also, areas on the city periphery like Jagjeetpur and Shivalik Nagar would be brought under the ambit of the corporation, HAD would be removed from the corporation control and the municipality would strictly implement laws.

“We want a significant change in the system; not only in words but also in working. Our candidate is clean, honest and dedicated to social causes like Ganga conservation and environment awareness. It is up to the voters for whom to elect: corrupt or those who will eradicate corruption,” said Baduni.

Verma said there was a time when the Haridwar MC had properties worth billions of rupees but now it was running into losses owing to the lackadaisical attitude and corrupt working of the municipal committees in the past few decades.

He added the lease of many properties of the civic body given to other parties had expired and it was important that these properties be resumed and used in a proper way to improve its financial position.

Verma said if elected he would ensure that the corporation dealt with strictly with violations being done by private firm Usha Breko. This firm operates Mata Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple which have Rs 125 crore payment dues towards the MC.

AAP activists started a door-to-door campaign urging the people to vote for the honest and right candidates. 

Dehradun, April 19
Governor Aziz Qureshi today honoured several ex-servicemen (who had received battle honours while in service) and relatives of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country.

The Governor was the chief guest at the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha at the organisation's builing in Garhi Cantonment.

Speaking on the occasion, he said he was not honouring them but being among them was an honour for him. "They have created history by their sacrifices for the country," he said.

He assured the sabha of all support and gave it Rs 1 lakh from his discretionary fund.

He also released a souvenir on the occasion. Present at the function were Tehri MP Rajlakshmi Shah, MLA Ganesh Joshi, Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha president BS Chhetri.

Dehradun, April 19
Kazakhstan Ambassador to India Doulat Kuanyshev called on Governor Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan here today. He also met Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

During his meeting with the Governor, Doulat Kuanyshev spoke about strengthening the traditional cultural and business relations between India and Kazakhstan.

The Governor talked about the popularity of young Indira Gandhi when she had accompanied her father, the first Prime Minister of India Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, to Kazakhstan.

He said people were so impressed by her that many of them named their daughters Indira. The Governor presented a memento to the Ambassador.

Dehradun, April 19
The ONGC-Indian Volleyball Team will participate in the Asian Club Volleyball Championship to be held at Tehran (Iran) from April 21 to 29. As many as 16 countries are expected to participate in the event. The Indian team is placed with China and Lebonan in their group. India will play its first match against Lebonan on April 21.

The members of the Indian team are: Avnish Kumar Yadav (Coach), Subba Rao, Rahul SA, R Kamaraj (Coach), Mithlesh Kumar Singh (Coach), Mukesh Kumar, T Shashidhar, Lalit Kumar, Mandeep Singh, Gurchand Singh, Ranjit Singh, Vinod Negi, Navjit Singh, Sukhjinder Singh and Arun Kumar Sood (Manager).

Dehradun, April 19
Secretariat XI and Sports College Cricket teams won their respective matches in the 61st Dehradun District Cricket League played at Survey Stadium here today.

In the first match, Secretariat XI defeated the Agriculture Department by 80 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, Secretariat XI scored 215 runs for nine wickets in 25 overs. Bhupendra was the top scorer with 66 runs. Mohan Panwar took four wickets for 35 runs.

In reply, the Agriculture Department team was all out for 135 runs in 20.6 overs, losing the match by 80 runs. Opener Deepak remained unbeaten on 81 runs. Lalit Joshi took four wickets for 18 runs.

In the second match, the Sports College Cricket team defeated Rao Cricket Academy “A” team by two wickets. Batting first after winning the toss, the Rao Cricket Academy scored 119 runs for nine wickets in 30 overs. Amit was the top scorer with 39 runs. Shobhit took four wickets for 20 runs. In reply, the Sports College team scored 120 runs for eight wickets to win the match by two wickets. Rishab, Sachin and Kiran took two wickets each.