Experts demand 51% free flow of water in Ganga, Yamuna Dehradun, May 9 Experts from various IITs, environmentalists, engineers and spiritual leaders attending a two-day national workshop on the Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, have demanded at least 51 per cent free flow of water in both the rivers to maintain riverbed connectivity and save the environment and natural rivers' habitat.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati speaks at a workshop on the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Rishikesh on Thursday.

Rabindra sangeet marks Tagore’s birth anniversary celebrations Dehradun, May 9 The 152nd birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, popularly known as Gurudev, was celebrated with zeal and gusto at Ecole Globale International Girls’ School here today. The occasion was particularly special as 2013 happens to be the centenary of Tagore winning Nobel Prize.
Students of Ecole Globale School participate in a group song at the Rabindanath Tagore anniversary celebrations in Dehradun on Thursday.

Schoolchildren throng biodiversity special train Haridwar, May 9 The Science Express train named ‘Biodiversity Special’ is witnessing a good response from the residents in Haridwar. Schoolchildren are particularly thronging the one-point information express on wheels in large numbers. Pilgrims and tourists are also being seen at the mela railway platform where the train is stationed.
Exhibition on wheels: Schoolchildren visit the Science Express Biodiversity Special Train at Haridwar railway station on Thursday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Teachers present demand charter
Pithoragarh, May 9
“The ongoing struggle of government teachers for better terms and conditions of service should not affect the fate of poor students of government schools who have no other option of education,” said Prema Pandey, chairperson of the Champawat Zila Panchayat. She inaugurated the biannual regional conference of the Rajkiya Sikshak Sangh at Lohaghat today.

Dance performances mark 2nd day of cultural fiesta
Dehradun, May 9
The second day of the grand cultural fiesta being held at St. Joseph’s Academy saw excellent dance performances and display of talent and skill. The first day of the cultural extravaganza included various cultural activities held in the junior school and rangoli, hand painting, face painting and caricature making competitions.

Students of St Joseph’s Academy perform a dance on the second day of the cultural week; and (right) a play is staged in Dehradun on Thursday.

Quantam students get farewell Haridwar, May 9 Quantum Global Campus College organised a farewell party, 'Lamhe-2', for BTech students here today. Manasavi Pundir was adjudged 'Miss Quantum' and Nimit Kumar 'Master Quantum'. Folk dances, including Garhwali, Kumaoni and gidda, were presented by students. A cultural programme is staged at Quantum Global College, Roorkee, on Thursday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

BJP councillors dominate DMC board elections
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 9
Elections for the 12 members of the working committee and 10 members of the Development Committee of Dehradun Municipal Corporation Board were held peacefully today. Seven councillors of the BJP and five of the Congress were elected for working committee while for the Development Committee, six councillors of the BJP and four of the Congress were elected without any interruption or objections.

This time, the equation remained stacked in favour of the BJP, following the results of the civic body election. With 33 councillors, two MLAs and one MP in the kitty of the BJP in the DMC board, it was way ahead of the Congress which has 24 councillors, three MLAs and one MP.

Both the parties tried to woo one Independent councillor and one BSP councillor, but none of them could decide on any one side. They kept assuring both the parties of their support but ended up supporting none.

In the last DMC board, the tally of both the BJP and Congress was equal. The board had six members of each party in the Working Committee and five members of each in Development Committee.

Mayor Vinod Chamoli said, “With the BJP in majority in the working committee, I will be able to push through projects.”

On the election of the Deputy Mayor, Chamoli said, “The State Election Commission has to announce the election for the Deputy Mayor. The state government has to take a decision on the matter.”

Under the Municipal Corporation Act, the functions of Deputy Mayor have been clearly demarcated, which are now handled by the Mayor.

Chamoli said he would call the first board meeting where proposals for development would be passed. His first preference would be to get House Tax proposals passed and raise revenue from hoardings so that the DMC could get revenue to spearhead other development proposals.

The hall was packed today with 31 women councillors.

BJP city president Neelam Sehgal joined later when the election results were announced. Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar too was present.

The winners

24-year-old drowned in Yamuna
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 9
The idea of having fun turned into a tragedy as a youth was drowned in the Yamuna at Yamuna Bridge, near Mussoorie, yesterday. He was accompanied by his two friends when the incident happened. The deceased has been identified as Rajesh, 24, son of Ganesh Chand Baloni, a resident of Barlowganj in Mussoorie.

According to the police, Rajesh along with his two friends Avinash and Sumit reached Yamuna Bridge, about 30 km from Mussoorie, around noon to take a bath in the river and have some fun.

Rajesh while trying to show his swimming prowess went too deep and was swept away by the strong current of the river. He was drowned. His friends Avinash and Sumit did not venture too far due to the fear of the gushing river water.

Meanwhile, they raised the alarm but did not get any help as the area was completely deserted. They then themselves started searching for Rajesh, who was by then swept away several kilometres downhill.

They then rushed to Mussoorie and informed the police about the incident. However, they were told to go to Kempty police station as the incident occurred in the area under its jurisdiction.

Kempty police station in charge Inder Singh Bisht rushed to the spot and began to search for Rajesh. He failed to recover Rajesh’s body and the search operation was halted as it was night by that time. When the search began again this morning Rajesh’s body was found stuck between two rocks several kilometres downstream. The police sent the body for a post-mortem to a hospital in Mussoorie.

Rajesh’s family members were informed who arrived at the hospital. The police is investigating the incident and has started questioning Avinash 
and Sumit. 

Doon suffers water shortage as tubewell discharge decreases
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 9
In the last couple of days, due to intense heat, the water discharge from tubewells has considerably decreased, leading to water crisis-like situation in some areas of the city. The pumping capacity has been badly affected as the water table has considerably gone down. As a result, the capacity of tubewells to supply water has decreased.

The tubewells located n Vijay Park Extension, Navada, Rajinder Nagar and Gandhi Park are facing the maximum brunt as their capacity to supply water has gone down due to the intense heat prevailing since the beginning of this month.

“The tubewell at Rajinder Nagar which has the capacity to supply 1,800 litres of water per minute is now supplying between 500 to 600 litres per minute. In areas where the tubewells are old, the capacity has been badly affected,” said DD Dimri, Chief General Manager of the Jal Sansthan.

In Navada, on normal days, the capacity of the tubewell is around 1,500 litres per minute, but it is now supplying only 500 litres per minute. In the Vijay Park area, the capacity of the tubewell is around 2,000 litres per minute and now it has been reduced to 500 litres per minute.

In Dehradun, along with water tanks, water is supplied through 190 tubewells whose pumping capacity was enhanced recently, but now, officials say, the complete overhaul of the pumping plant is required in order that the tubewells provide water as per their capacity.

Experts demand 51% free flow of water in Ganga, Yamuna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 9
Experts from various IITs, environmentalists, engineers and spiritual leaders attending a two-day national workshop on the Ganga and Yamuna rivers at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, have demanded at least 51 per cent free flow of water in both the rivers to maintain riverbed connectivity and save the environment and natural rivers' habitat.

The workshop was jointly organised by the IITians for Holy Ganga, a forum constituted to preserve heritage and ecology of the Ganga by the alumni of IITs across the country, the Ganga Action Parivar, a body of engineers, activists, spiritual leaders and Parmarth Niketan Ashram.

“Continuity of the river system in both the Ganga and the Yamuna is a must. At present, the Ganga alone has been fragmented at 11 places with coming up and the existing dams and barrages. Continue flow is needed for the ecosystem and the inhabitants of the rivers. At present, the Centre has already agreed on 30 to 50 per cent of free flow of water during various seasons. What we are demanding is 51 per cent free flow during the year around,” said Prof Vinod Tare of the Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur, and coordinator of the Ganga River Basin Management Plan set up by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Swami Chidanand Sarsawati, chief coordinator of the workshop and head, Ganga Action Pariwar, said experts also discussed current challenges being faced by the rivers and suggested ways to protect and maintain unpolluted state of both the rivers.

Both the rivers were the life source of the region and also a powerful symbol of cultural and spiritual renewal. The minimum ecological flow of the rivers ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development should be maintained, he said.

The subjects that were discussed during the workshop included sewage waste management along the Ganga and Yamuna, industrial waste treatment, solid waste management, bio-toilets along the rivers and dams.

“The Ganga and the Yamuna are deeply associated with the faith and civilisation of the country. These should be saved at any cost. We appeal to the government at the Centre and the states concerned to save the sacred rivers. Various schemes started by the Centre and the states in the past few years have left both the rivers more polluted,” said Paritosh Tyagi, spokesperson for the IItians for Holy Ganga Forum.

Experts also suggested setting up of a national river Ganga basin management commission under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to find out permanent solutions for both the rivers.

Niharika Singh, former Miss India Earth, who is an ardent supporter of the preserve Ganga movement, also participated in the workshop and pledged her commitment to the vital cause saying: "These sacred rivers are the very lifeblood of the earth without which the planet would be like a body without blood or like lungs without fresh oxygen."

Rabindra sangeet marks Tagore’s birth anniversary celebrations
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 9
The 152nd birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, popularly known as Gurudev, was celebrated with zeal and gusto at Ecole Globale International Girls’ School here today. The occasion was particularly special as 2013 happens to be the centenary of Tagore winning Nobel Prize.

The hall was decorated aesthetically with Alpona made on paper strips by the girls of Class VI and IX. A portrait of Tagore seemed to bless everyone.

The celebration of Rabindra Jayanti is unthinkable without the presentation of Rabeendra Sangeet. It is a genre of music developed by Tagore that combines classical music and Bengali folk music, which has become very popular not just among Bengalis but also among music lovers all over the world.

“Hey nuton dekha dik ar bar… Jonmero prothomo shubho khhon…” Tagore himself wrote the song to celebrate his birthday. Shradhha presented the insightful essence of the song that enabled the audience to fully appreciate its mesmerizing and mellifluous rendition by the teachers.

Chetanya spoke about the important aspects of the life of the ‘multitalented son of India’.

Bijoy Shree presented ‘Bharot Tirtho,’ an impressive recitation in Bangla, in her sweet voice and a neat pronunciation of the Bengali words. Junior girls Anusha, Malaika, Kirti and Serena performed a group recital of the one of the most famous poems “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high” filling every one with hope and fervour.

A slideshow on Tagore was riveting and gave the spectators a glimpse of the landmark achievements and little-known facts about the great man with a flowing white beard. It was followed by a melodious Bengali song “Tomari gehe palichho snehe....” sung competently by the girls of Class IV, V and VI. It was delightful to see girls from Korea and America making a spirited attempt to sing in tune “Amar bela je jai”, a light harmonious ode sung with zest by the junior girls changed the mood and tempo. The last song presented was “Aaguner Parosmani” sung by senior girls and teachers. The hall reverberated with the serene yet intense spiritual song that brought to life the spirit of Vishwa Kavi for the audience to feel and admire.

What could have been more apt to close the ceremony than National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana”, the brightest gem from the treasure left by Tagore for more than a billion patriotic Indians. The principal, Brinda Ghosh, congratulated the girls for their impressive and synchronized performances. Amarjeet Singh Juneja, president of the school and chief guest of the function, expressed his pleasure at the excellent performances put up by the girls.

Schoolchildren throng biodiversity special train
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 9
The Science Express train named ‘Biodiversity Special’ is witnessing a good response from the residents in Haridwar. Schoolchildren are particularly thronging the one-point information express on wheels in large numbers. Pilgrims and tourists are also being seen at the mela railway platform where the train is stationed.

Schools falling in the city periphery as well as from nearby areas are making it sure that the maximum number of students get to see this train.

Guides posted inside the train said the curiosity among children was apparent by the number of queries they put forth.

DAV School Principal PC Purohit said they had arranged a visit for most of the senior junior and senior classes as such events created awareness among the students in a way better than paper-based lectures.

Anuradha Chaudhary, student of Bal Mandir, BHEL, said she had come to know from the express about the depleting natural resources, animals, plants and newer things about snow leopard, elephants and other wild animals.

“Equipped with photos, films, models, posters and audio-visual techniques, the biodiversity train is a mini-encyclopedia. Earlier, I had visited the Swami Vivekanand Express too. Such info trains provide us with knowledge and facts in an effective manner,” said Vandana, a government school student.

Teachers present demand charter
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 9
“The ongoing struggle of government teachers for better terms and conditions of service should not affect the fate of poor students of government schools who have no other option of education,” said Prema Pandey, chairperson of the Champawat Zila Panchayat. She inaugurated the biannual regional conference of the Rajkiya Sikshak Sangh at Lohaghat today.

Addressing teachers from the districts of the Kumaon region, Prema said the government should fulfil their urgent demands because dissatisfied teachers would not be in a position to impart quality education in schools.

Regional president of the Rajkiya Shikshak Sangh Kripal Singh Mehta presented a 27-point demand charter before the gathering and requested Prema to help the teachers get these demands fulfilled.

The regional executive of the association would be elected after the plenary session. As many 21 teachers from the region have registered their names for the executive.

Dance performances mark 2nd day of cultural fiesta
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 9
The second day of the grand cultural fiesta being held at St. Joseph’s Academy saw excellent dance performances and display of talent and skill. The first day of the cultural extravaganza included various cultural activities held in the junior school and rangoli, hand painting, face painting and caricature making competitions.

A jam-packed auditorium today echoed with loud cheering by the students for their respective houses. Bro AJ George, principal, and Bro Dennis, vice-principal were the chief guests on the occasion. Colourful folk dance performances gave a glimpse of the rich Indian culture, followed by graceful solo dance performances. Both events were judged by eminent Bharatnatyam exponent Guru Veena Aggarwal and B. Roy, a dedicated dance teacher from Convent of Jesus and Mary (CJM).

A well-choreographed Rajasthani dance by Bergin House, Bihu dance by Duffy House, lively bhangra by Dooley House and a vibrant Tamil dance by Donovan House left the audience spellbound. Simran Thareja of Bergin House, Rishita Dhasmana of Duffy House, Abhiti Mishra of Dooley House and Jhanavi Avasthi of Donovan House won the hearts of one and all with their mesmerizing Indian classical solo dance performances.

Former SJA teachers S. Bhatia and M. Grover were the judges for the Hindi dramatics. The well-directed Hindi plays like “Gaddha”, “Satyanveshi Yamraaj Ka Nyay” and “Bhavishyavaani” not only tickled the funny bones of all present but also satirised the prevalent social vices. Next was the English and Hindi choir competitions and soon the auditorium was resonating with the melodies of Hindi and English songs sung by the choir of different houses. The fun continued with the electrifying western dance performances. The participants gyrating to the tunes of peppy numbers won a thunderous applause.

At the end of the day, Donovan House was leading with a score of 170, followed by Duffy with 165, Dooley with 135 and Bergin with 105 score.

Quantam students get farewell
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 9
Quantum Global Campus College organised a farewell party, 'Lamhe-2', for BTech students here today. Manasavi Pundir was adjudged 'Miss Quantum' and Nimit Kumar 'Master Quantum'. Folk dances, including Garhwali, Kumaoni and gidda, were presented by students.

College director SC Handa and chairman Ajay Goyal wished the passing-out students good luck.

Manasvi Pundir said she had learnt a lot in the college and was taking many good memories along. Rekha Negi was given a special prize as 'Miss Spark' and Manish Chauhan 'Mr Spark’.