Talk of the town
Ramdev to float political party
Plans to reveal his mind today
Sandeep Rawat/TNS

Haridwar, April 25
The rumour that yog guru Swami Ramdev will announce his political ambition by floating a party is the talk of the town, on the eve of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Patanjali Yogpeeth tomorrow.

Initially, Swami Ramdev had made it clear that he would reveal his future political ambition on the occasion of Ram Navami on April 19, which is the day when the yog guru became a seer in 1995.

But on Ram Navami, instead of announcing any such move ,Swami Ramdev extended his plan of revealing his ambition to April 26, when the inauguration of Gurukul-Vedic mode of education-run school, Acharya Kulam, will take place.

Swami Ramdev gave another twist on Ram Navami by pitching in for Narendra Modi as able candidate for prime minister's post , owing to his ''development-oriented vision that has made Gujarat a role model state in the country.''

Now it seems that instead of providing the public a political alternative, Swami Ramdev wants to strengthen Narendra Modi's position as, according to him, in the current scenario, only Modi seems to be a major threat to Congress and its chief Sonia Gandhi.

Being indicted in many cases by Congress-led UPA government, Swami Ramdev, along with his protégé Acharya Balakrishan , who is also facing multiple investigations, wants to remove Congress from power. A Patanjali Yogpeeth office-bearer, on condition of anonymity, pointed that if Baba would be announcing his own political front, then Narendra Modi would have never attended the function.

Yog guru has put on hold his political alternative plans as 2014 Lok Sabha elections are just a year away, and it will be quite an uphill task to erect a political structure, party cadre and choosing winning quotient candidates.

“Now Swamiji wants to put his force and resources with Narendra Modi. It is no secret that since the June 4 police crackdown at Ramlila Ground in 2011 in New Delhi, Ramdev has been targeting Sonia Gandhi and Congress at every stage,” said the insider.

As per political commentators and Bharat Swabhiman Trust office bearers, chances are that tomorrow Swami Ramdev, along with a dozen-odd renowned saints, may extend their support to BJP if Narendra Modi is made the official candidate for the prime minister's post. A galaxy of religious and spiritual saints who will be present at Patanjali along with Narendra Modi will be Morari Bapu, Anand Murti Guru Maa, Yogi Adityanath Maharaj, Chidanand Muni Maharaj, Mahant Ravindrapuri, ex Shankaracharya Satya Mitranand Giriji Maharaj, Swami Balak Nand Maharaj, Ramesh Bhai Ojha, Swami Vishwesha Maharaj, Darkesh Kal, Madhav Priya , Acharya Bal Deo, Vijay Kaushal, Raghu Mani Maharaj, Gobind Giri Maharaj , Pranav Pandya and Avdeshanand Giri Maharaj, among others.

SK Tejariwala, spokesperson for Swami Ramdev, said that as Swami Ramdev was focused on inauguration of the educational school, it won’t be appropriate that one should expect political messages to be delivered on such an occasion.

Candlelight march by Tibetans
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 25
Protesting against the abduction and illegal detention of the 11th Penchen Lama, scores of Tibetans under the aegis of the Tibetan Yough Congress (Dekyiling), the Tibetan Women’s Associaiton and the National Democratic Party held a candlelight march here today.

“Today is the 25th birth anniversary of the 11th Penchen Lama, the prominent religious leader, who was abducted and then illegally detained by the Chinese authorities. Instead of celebrating his birthday, we held a silent candle march to convey our anger and deep resentment against the Chinese authorities,” said Karma Chodak, president, Tibetan Youth Congress.

State to seek review of eco-sensitive
zone notification: Jain
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 25
Uttarakhand will request the Central government to review its notification declaring 100 km on either side of the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone as it will have an adverse impact on the economic development of the area.

With the implementation of the notification, hydropower projects of 1,743 MW capacity will be closed, causing a loss of Rs 2,000 crore to the state. The mining and construction (hotels and resorts) activity and the process of the conversion of land use will also be affected between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi.

Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain chaired a meeting to discuss in detail the notification at the Secretariat today. The meeting discussed its legal aspects, its adverse effects and the practical issues involved in it. The state government had already taken measures to protect the Ganga and the environment, it was stated.

The Chief Secretary said there was a lot of difference between the draft notification and the notification issued. In the draft, only 100 metre area on the banks of the Ganga was included but in the final notification the entire area (water supply area) from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi was declared as the eco-sensitive zone.

Earlier, the restriction was on the construction of hydropower projects of above 25 MW, but now even projects above 2 MW had been banned.

Jain said objections raised by the state government to the draft notification had been ignored. It had sent a resolution passed by the Vidhan Sabha to the Centre for consideration. The Chief Minister had also written a letter objecting to the declaration of the eco-sensitive zone.

The Chief Secretary said the Centre would be requested to review the notification as it would have an adverse impact on the economic development of the state.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr RBS Rawat, Principal Secretary (Potable Water) S Raju, Principal Secretary (Power) SS Sandhu, Secretary (Urban Development) MH Khan, Secretary to Chief Minister SS Rawat and member secretary of the state Pollution Control Board Vinod Singhal were present at the meeting.

Two-day Chaitola festival concludes
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, April 25
The two-day traditional festival of Chaitola in the Soor valley concluded at Ghantakaran chowk of the town today after deities from all corners of the valley assembled at the temple in their traditional palanquins and colourful umbrellas. Deities, especially from Bin, Jakhni, Kumour and Lunnthura villages, gathered at Ghantakaran temple.

According to folk traditions of the valley, Bhumia Devta or the deity of land takes stock of the crops and health of people. “The palanquin of Bhumia Devta is raised from Bin village of the Soor valley and taken back to the village after travelling 22 villages in two-day time. The ancient temple of the deity is situated at the village of Bin,” said Chanshekhar Bhatt, priest of the deity.

Before conclusion, the palanquin of the deity, considered to be the protector of crops and well-being of its subjects, is raised again which passed through several villages where the deity is supposed to bless the people.

Besides in the Soor valley, the festival of Chaitola is also celebrated in Majirkanda, Toli, Bajeti, Kanalichia and Jakhpant areas of the district where the colourful and decorated umbrellas are taken round the villages, some times with palanquin of the deity, to bless the villagers and their crops.

“The tradition seems to be ancient, even before the arrival of Aryans in this region, as it does not require a Brahmin priest to worship and entire devotional rituals are solemnised by a local priest, sometimes a non- Brahmin,” said Padma Datt Pant, a cultural historian of the Soor valley.

Hanuman Jayanti celebrated
Tribune News Service

A beautifully decorated idol of Lord Hanuman at a temple on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti in Haridwar on Friday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar, April 25
People visited temples, offered prayers and recited Hanuman Chalisa on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti here today.

Devotees also took a holy dip in the Ganga at Brahm Kund at Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent Ganga ghats.

Besides Hanuman Chalisa, Shri Ram Charit Manas katha was also recited at temples, ashrams and muths.

The Lord Hanuman temples were beautifully decorated with devotees in a large number queuing up to offer prayers.

The Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the 15th day of Shukla Paksha during the month of Chaitra, also known as Chaitra Poornima.

The recitation of religious sermons, Shri Ram Katha, Sunderkand and Hanuman Chalisa could be heard throughout the day.

A special puja was performed and parsad was distributed among the devotees at the Salasar temple, Shri Tulsi Manas Mandir, the Tibdi bypass Hanuman Mandir, Shri Balaji Salasar temple, and the temples at Jwalapur, BHEL, Mayapur, Devpura, Bhoopatwala, Sapt Sarovar and various other places. 

Villagers seek removal of snow before journey back high valley homes
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, April 25
Villagers, who have migrated to lower valleys from high altitude areas of the Johar valley, have requested the district administration to remove snow from the 66-km track route to the last border village of Milam in Munsiyari in this part of the Himalayas.

According to sources, residents of 13 villages of the Johar valley in Munsiyari subdivision of Pithoragarh district are scheduled to resume their journey back to their villages from the lower areas by May 15. But as the route is still covered under thick snow layers, their migration could be delayed if the snow is not removed before the scheduled date.

“The villagers from the Johar valley have to reach their homes in time to sow potato and mustard crops. If the crop is not sown in time, it could be destroyed due to harsh weather of the monsoon months,” said Govind Singh Pangti, a resident of Johar valley.

According to PWD sources, the department has deputed 15 labourers to remove snow from the track. “There are thick layers of snow covering the road from Burfu to Milam village, and 15 labourers have been deputed on the track to remove the snow,” they said.

Besides removing snow, the condition of the track at Jaulpani, Chirkani and Laspagari on this 66 km route is in bad condition. The department will have to repair these patches to make it viable for animal and human transportation.

All police stations to be made online soon, says DGP
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 25
The state police is going to adopt the latest technology for the facility of the people in all police stations of the state. Every police station is being made online where any person can lodge his complaint any time, DGP Satyavrata said at Bageshwar yesterday.

Talking to mediapersons on his arrival, the DGP said in one month all four police stations of the district would be made online. “Despite meager means, the state police is trying to catch up with the crime rate in the state,” he said.

The police chief said due to increased flow of vehicles in the state, number of traffic police personnel is being increased. We are also increasing the number of police personnel at key tourists places of the state as tourist season is nearing, the DGP added.

All police stations in the state will be made online in three months as all necessary equipment and personnel have been arranged for the purpose, Satyavrat said today.

The DGP, who was on a day visit to the district, said the cases of women going missing and kidnapping would be specially handled by the police and to ensure the criminals were punished special police officers would be deputed at courts to help the legal process. “We have decided to emphasis on the recovery of every missing woman in the state with human and sympathetic help from the police, he said.

The DGP emphasised on proper policing in border areas of the district with the help of the SSB and the Forest Department to curb smuggling in organs of wild animals and drugs from across the international border. The police would also emphasis on checking human trafficking from across the Nepal border, which seems to have increased in the recent times, he added.

Cambridge School celebrates Book Day

Dehradun, April 25
The World Book Day was celebrated on Tuesday April 23, which perhaps went un-noticed. However, to mark this day, the Indian Cambridge School, Dalanwala organised a 3-day book fair to inculcate the habit of reading among the students and to pass the message that books still form a good source of everyone’s learning.

It was organised from April 23 to 25 under the auspices of GM Book Tractor, Gurgaon, which was inaugurated by the school Director Syed Mohammed Yasar.

Albert Temple, principal of the school said the present generation of students find no time for reading books due to other attractions, such as TV, Internet and mobile phones. He continued that as a result students were slowly losing the basic language skills such as in reading-comprehension, and even the skills to relate and report or even become imaginative. As a result, most students are shifting their interests to things that are not helping them to become good learners. — TNS

Unison School holds elocution competition
Tribune News service

Dehradun, April 25
Students of Unison World School showcased their recitation skills in the Inter House Elocution Competition held here today. Tulip House secured the first position.

The competition comprised two groups. While students of grade IV, V and VI formed the group I, students of grade VII and VIII comprised the group II. Sonia Singh, Head of the Department of English, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy, and Rimmi Nautiyal, Head of English Department, Doon Cambridge School, Dehradun, were the judges for the event.

The confidence exhibited by the students mesmerized one and all. The audience appreciated the delivery and expression of the performers as well as the choice of poems. The result of the competition is as follows: Tulip House I, Jasmine House II, Orchid House III and Daffodil House IV.

Film director Dhulia honoured
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 25
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna honoured Tigmanshu Dhulia, a famous film director who shot to fame after he got the national award for his film “Pan Singh Tomar”, at a function held here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Dhulia with his brilliant direction had brought fame to Uttarakhand also. He asked Dhulia to give suggestions for giving a fillip to tourism and cultural activities in the state.

Dhulia said Uttarakhand, besides having natural beauty had been bestowed with a lot of talent. He added that he would try to promote talent from Uttarakhand in his films.

He said he would also try to shoot his films in the state. The Chief Minister also honoured his mother. Dhulia honoured Anukriti Gusain of Kotdwar, who figured in the first five in the Miss India contest.

MKP defeat Welham girls 3-0
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 25
Mahadevi Kanya Pathshala (MKP) defeated Welham girls (blue) 3-0 in the final of the 3rd Welham Girls’ Invitational Hockey Tournament played at Welham School here today.

Chanda Yadav of the MKP team scored two goals in the 12th and 14th minutes of the game, respectively, while Pooja Bhatt scored the third goal in the 15th minute.

Earlier, in the first semifinal, the Welham girls (blue) team beat Government Girls’ Inter-College (GGIC) 7-2.

Shruti scored three goals while Prerna scored two goals. Aryashree and Medhavi Gupta scored one goal each.

For the GGIC team, Rekhi and Rinki scored one goal each. In the second semifinal, MKP trounced Scholars Home 8-0. Pooja scored six goals and Mamta scored twice.

Gunmeet Bindra, Principal, Welham Boys’ School, gave away the prizes to the winners. The best defender title went to Mamta of the MKP team while Reema Rana of Moravian institute was adjudged the best goalkeeper.

Ishu Tolia of Scholars Home was selected as the most promising player of the tournament. Medhav Gupta got the prize for being the most promising player of the tournament.

Chandragupta Section lifts basketball title
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 25
Chandragupta Section has won the Inter-Section Basketball Trophy of the Rashtriya Indian Military Academy (RIMC) for the seventh consecutive year.

A total of 18 matches were played in this annual competition aimed at finding new talented players. The competition was organised in junior, middle and senior categories.

The individual prizes won by the cadets are as follows.

Juniors: most upcoming player: L Sailo, best player: cadet Devesh Rathore, highest scorer: Devesh Rathore.

Middles: best player: Vijayant Rana, highest scorer: Vijayant Rana. Seniors: best player: Aditya Kalsotra, highest scorer: Aditya Kalsotra.

Overall standings: Chandragupta Section (1) , Shivaji Section (II), Ranjit Section (III) and Pratap Section (IV)

Col HS Bainsla, Commandant, RIMC, was the chief guest. CS Vishwakarma, Vice-Principal, RIMC, Wing Commander SK Thapliyal, Maj R Richardson, Asistant Administrative Officer, RIMC, Lt Pinku Heikham and PK Sharma were present.