State to have four Vedic centres
Tribune News Service

Rishikesh, November 13
Uttarakhand will soon have four Vedic houses of knowledge to be known as ‘Char Ved Dhams’. Saints took a pledge in this regard at Swargashram on the banks of the Ganga here today.

Ahmedabad-based Shri Swami Narayan Gurukul Vishwa Vidhya Pratisthanam, the Ganga Action Parivar and the Parmarth Niketan Ashram have decided to set up the four Vedic centres in the state.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram said they decided to establish the four institutions to spread the Vedic knowledge and literature in the world. He added that these Ved Dhams would also have a Vedic museum, which would be one of its kind in the country.

“These Ved Dhams will be pivotal in saving the Vedas, teaching the importance of the Vedas to the world, and spreading the message of the Vedic literature to villages and across the country,” said Chidanand.

Saints also expressed concern at the decrease in the number of Vedic experts, which would be looked into by these institutions. “These Vedic Dhams will play a major role in providing the required number of Vedacharyas. Students will be taught the Vedas and the Vedic literature at these institutions,” said Madhav Priya Das of Shri Swami Narayan Gurukul Vishwa Vidhya Pratisthanam.

These Ved dhams would also try to meet the shortage of teerth purohits with learned scholars and pundits. A large number of teerth purohits were killed in the natural calamity in June. A special ‘Purohit Training Centre’ would also be set up on the sidelines of these institutions.

Madhav added that the Vedas were both symbols of knowledge and science and these institutions would work as satellite centres for their proliferation.

The Ved Dhams would also be a source of supply of Vedacharyas to the world as the western countries were very keen in learning about the Indian spirituality, culture, yoga, ayurveda and Vedic concepts.

Doctors should serve in hill areas: Bahuguna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
“The profession of a doctor is not a business venture but a humanitarian vocation. Doctors have a high standing in society as they work towards reducing the pain and worries of people,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna while presiding over a function to mark the 17th death anniversary of Swami Rama, the founder of Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences at Jollygrant, near here, today.

He said it was only by pursuing the path of humanity that a strong society and a great nation could be brought into being and it was also important to remain close to one’s roots. Recalling the life of Swami Rama, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said that the sole aim of his life was to ensure human welfare.

The Chief Minister said the doctors must step forward to extend their services in the hill areas. He praised the doctors and employees of the institute who made a noteworthy contribution during the disaster that took place in June.

On behalf of the institute, the Chief Minister felicitated Prof (Dr) Shiv Kumar Sareen with the Swami Rama Manavta Award 2013. She was presented a sum of Rs 5 lakh by the institute. Bahuguna announced that from the next year, the state government would also contribute Rs 5 lakh to be given to the recipient of the award which would be known as Uttarakhand Swami Rama Award.

The employees of the institute were also felicitated for their exemplary work. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly built building of the emergency unit.

Present on the occasion were local MLA and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Rishikesh MLA Premchand Agarwal, Uttarakhand Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana and Presidential board member of the Institute Vijay Dhasmana and other distinguished guests.

Mussoorie, Doon valley were second home to Nehru
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 13
For Nehru-Gandhi family, especially the first Prime Minster of the country Jawaharlal Nehru, Mussoorie and the Doon valley have served as second home.

The love for the region has percolated down to the present generation in the family that is corroborated with the fact that Priyanka Gandhi's son is presently receiving education in the prestigious Doon School.

Jawaharlal Nehru's love for Doon valley and Mussoorie dates back to pre-Independence era when he used to spend time along with his father Motilal Nehru, who along with wife used to visit Mussoorie and Doon valley frequently.

According to local historian Gopal Bhardwaj, Jawaharlal Nehru was fond of staying in Mussoorie and used to visit it to recuperate and ponder over the political situation in the country.

He further said that Jawaharlal Nehru first visited Mussoorie in 1906 to meet his father and mother Swaroop Rani, who were already vacationing here. Following that he visited Mussoorie and Dehradun on several occasions.

Gopal Bhardwaj, speaking further, said that in 1920 Nehru was staying with his ailing mother and daughter Indira at Savoy Hotel. At the same time a Russian delegation which was invited by the British was also staying in the same hotel for political talks. The British, fearing that Nehru might contact the Russians and that might influence the ongoing talks, asked him to sign an undertaking that he would not converse with the Russian delegation at any given point during his stay. Nehru, who although was not interested in meeting the Russians, refused on the plea that he had every right to meet the delegation. He was ordered to leave Mussoorie by the authorities within 24 hours, added Bhardwaj. Nehru later, as Prime Minister, visited both Mussoorie and Dehradun on several occasions with his daughter, Indira.

Nehru was fond of horse-riding and use to trot on the horse on Mall Road with his daughter and several other leaders who accompanied him. He used to stay at Birla House and even assisted Dalai Lama to live in Birla House in 1959 during his exile from Tibet. Such was his love for the region that a day before he passed away, Nehru was in the Doon valley, said Bhardwaj.

The people of Mussoorie on his birth anniversary fondly remember the great leader of the country who had affinity for the Musosorie and Doon valley.

CM proposes animal safari in Corbett park area
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has given directions to make a proposal for an animal safari in the Corbett park area.

Presiding over the Tiger Conservation Foundation for the Corbett Tiger Reserve meeting here today, he announced that a sum of Rs 5 lakh would be given as the compensation to workers of the forest department who die on duty.

He instructed the officials concerned to establish different cadres for mahouts, fodder cutters and elephant managers for the installation of CCTV cameras at the entry points of all Corbett parks.

Describing the Corbett park an attractive destination for tourists, he directed the officials concerned to give souvenirs to the tourists who visit the park.

He asked the authorities concerned to ensure comprehensive nutrition for elephants of the Corbett Park.

On hearing that other NGOs under the name of the Corbett Foundation extracted donations from private corporate houses under their corporate social responsibility programme, he has asked the Tiger Conservation Foundation to increase its PR activities.

He gave the approval to give 50 per cent of the entry free to the foundation. Earlier, the foundation used to get 20 per cent of the amount.

He stressed on the need to encourage wildlife research. He also gave his consent in principle for setting up a state wildlife forensic lab and wildlife crime control bureau.

Present at the meeting were Cabinet Minister Amrita Rawat, Principal Secretary S Ramaswamy, Principal Forest Conservator Dr RBS Rawat, Additional Secretary Manoj Chandran, Vijendra Singh, Anoop Shah and other members.

People fear bridge on Kali may cave in during Jauljibi fair
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 13
Shopkeepers and residents of Jauljibi have expressed doubts on the ability of the makeshift bridge built on the Kali river to facilitate Nepal people to take part in the month-long Jauljibi fair, which is beginning tomorrow.

“Officially, the fair is organised for a week during which the security arrangements and facilities are provided by the district administration. After the week the local panchayat takes over the control of the fair and it continues for almost a month. Shopkeepers remain there till they manage to sell their goods,” said Pramod Kumar, SDM, Dharchula.

The SDM, who is also the mela officer, said the administration had levelled the mela ground, which was filled with sand and mud carried by the swollen Kali due to heavy rains in June this year. “We will construct a wooden bridge on the river for Nepal people to take part in the fair. We have decided not to allow Indians to visit Nepal during the mela period due to security reasons and the limited bearing capacity of the makeshift bridge,” he said.

The administration has also taken some other measures keeping in mind the security of the people who will come to the fair. “We have decided not to organise cultural programmes during night. We have taken this decision as the river flows nearby and it will be risky for the security of people who consume liquor during night,” said the SDM.

Local people remember the accident of 1977 when during the Jauljibi fair due to the breaking of the suspension bridge 17 persons were swept away by the river. Out of these 17 people only nine could be saved. Being the main fair of the area, over 10,000 Nepalese visit Jauljibi. We fear a heavy rush of people could make the bridge cave in.

Champawat farmers want menace of wild animals checked
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 13
Farmers of Champawat have demanded a check on the wild animals menace and increase in the irrigation facilities for making agriculture sustainable during the “Krishak Mahotsava” started by the Agriculture Department here today.

Parliamentary Secretary Himesh Kharakwal today flagged off the “Krishi Rath” to the remote part of the district from Vikas Bhawan to create awareness about the advanced agricultural technology on their doorsteps.

“Equipped with modern methodology and experts, the rath will not only give latest agro information to the farmers, but also will distribute seeds and fertilisers on cheaper rates,” said AK Upadhaya, district agricultural officer of the district.

Farmers said farming was no more a means of sustenance as wild animals were destroying their crops.

“Of 39,040 families depending on agriculture occupation in the district, over 52 per cent fall under the poverty line as they are facing crunch of irrigation facilities, timely unavailability of seeds and other essential inputs, besides havoc of wildlife on these crops,” said Navin Karayat, district chairman, Bharatiya Kisan Union.

According to the information given by the Agriculture Department, fragmentation of agricultural holdings in the district are also a cause of frustration to farmers as out of the total 39,040 farmers families, 20,250 have farm holding less than half a hectare and only 2,900 hectare of land is irrigated in the district. 

Contractual staff blame power officials for ‘engineering rift’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Leaders of the Association of Contractual Employees of the Power Department, who are on an indefinite strike for the last 17 days to pursue their demands for regularisation, have blamed the management of the Power Department for engineering a rift in their association.

General Secretary of the association Manoj Pant said, “The power situation has derailed to a great extent in the state. Power supply is getting vastly affected. Power generation has suffered a major setback. Officials of the department are presenting wrong figures and misplaced facts before the state government. They are telling that the power houses were getting closed down due to silt deposition, whereas this is absolutely false. This is not the season for the silt deposition in the rivers. In reality, due to machine operators being on strike, the power generation is not taking place in the power houses.”

He claimed that 3,000 contractual employees were running the power sector.

Statehood agitators hold protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Members of the Association of Statehood Agitators staged a protest in support of their demands at Shahidi Smark here today. President of the women’s wing of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal Promila Rawat also joined the protest rally.

He said, “The state government must extend the deadline for the identification of the statehood agitators so that all those whose names have not been included in the list could be accommodated. The government must recognise the statehood agitators as ‘Rajya Nirman Sainani’ and give them all facilities that are given to freedom fighters. A monthly pension of Rs 5,000 should be given to all statehood agitators. The state government should also give 10 per cent reservation to them and their dependents in government jobs and education. The local unemployed youth should be given jobs in industries.”

Promila said the government should accept the demands of the statehood agitators, including revocation of cases lodged against them during the agitation for the creation of the state and amenities like free stay in guest houses as provided to MLAs.

Need to include sports in school curriculum, says Naithani
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 13
Uttarakhand Minister for School Education Mantri Prasad Naithani has stressed on incorporating sports as an integral part of the school curriculum.

As sports and physical education enhance the overall development of the children, they need to be given equal importance, said Naithani while inaugurating a four-day state level sports and cultural meet of primary schools at the Gurukul Kangri University stadium here today.

Schools from all 13 districts of the state -- Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Dehradun, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar, Udham Singh Nagar and host Haridwar - are participating in the event.

Naithani urged the students to take part in the meet with a sportsman spirit and try to make a career out of sports. He referred to the achievements of sportspersons from Uttarakhand like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Manish Pandey (cricket), Parimarjan Negi (chess), Jaspal Rana (shooting), Meer Ranjan Negi (hockey), and Bachendri Pal (mountaineering), among others.

The minister said despite tough geographical conditions sportspersons from the state had made a mark in the national and international sporting arena.

Aadesh Chauhan, MLA from Ranipur-BHEL, who presided over the opening ceremony, said the state government should ensure that every government school had a playground and sports facilities, besides a specialised physical education teacher.

Legislator from Jhabreda Hari Das said there was a need to tap the vast pool of talent available in rural areas. District Education Officer Puspha Rani said more than 350 students were participating in the meet, which was being organised for the first time in Haridwar.