Without ICU, hospital provides yeoman service
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
The burns ward of the Coronation Hospital, which lacks an intensive care unit (ICU) and modern health care, is providing succour to burn patients who come from far-flung areas of Uttarakhand and neighbouring towns of Uttar Pradesh.

As the use of firewood increases in rural households during the winter, the incidents of burn injuries also rise and patients from as far as Barkote, Mori, Chakrata and other parts of the state have only the Coronation Hospital to fall back upon.

“Though the modernisation of the burns ward is pending, the presence of a plastic surgeon, who was appointed a few months ago, has brightened things for patients who otherwise would have to spend money at a private hospital for treatment. We have to provide the best possible medical care to patients despite our limited resources,” said Dr Bharti Rana, Chief Medical Superintendent, Coronation Hospital.

The 12-bed ward in the dormitory style accommodates both male, female and children patients. Adjacent to the ward is the six-bed plastic surgery ward.

Anusuya, 22, a resident of Barkote, who has suffered burns on her leg and hands, lies on the one side of a bed and is waiting for the nurse to apply balm and do dressing on her wounds.

“At least the doctor visits the wards regularly and ensures dressing is also done,” said Anusuya. “Though the burns ward does not have the heating facilities, blankets provided by the hospital and those brought by families of the patients help them in keeping themselves warm,” said the relatives of Anusuya.

Regular dressing has to be done to prevent infection and induce healing. In most burn cases, respiratory infection is very common. “Earlier regular dressing was not done, but now I have ensured that it is given due importance,” said Dr Madhubari Vathulya, a plastic surgeon.

The state Health Department said there were a few plastic and maxillofacial surgeons and anaesthetists.

“To run a specialised burns ward with an ICU in any hospital, trained nurses, general surgeons, plastic surgeons and anaesthetists are needed round the clock,” said Dr JS Pangtey.

Mussoorie, Dhanaulti receive season’s first snowfall; tourists rush to hill resorts
Tribune News Service

Families from Punjab enjoy food and hot tea with pakoras at a tea stall in biting cold in Mussoorie on Sunday

Mussoorie, December 22
Popular tourist places in Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and high-altitude areas received the season's first snowfall. Meanwhile, rain in the lower hill areas brought the mercury down. The areas near Mussoorie such as Dhanaulti, Kaddukhal, Buranskhanda and Surkanda and Nag Tibba were covered with a thick blanket of snow. Dhanaulti received seven inches of snowfall.

Lal Tibba was the only place to receive around 1 to 2 inches of snow while Kulri, Library and Landour bazaars witnessed heavy rainfall. Traffic jams were seen on the road leading to Mussoorie and Lal Tibba as people rushed towards hill resorts to relish the snowfall and biting cold.

Small tea shops did a good business today. Tourists from Punjab seemed to be willing to pay a bit extra for eatables while enjoying the first snowfall of the season. “We arrived early in this morning and were fortunate enough to witness the snowfall at Lal Tibba,” said a tourist from Punjab.

Similar views were expressed by Ravindar Batra, who came to have a glimpse of the snowfall here. On the other hand, the administration, which is busy making arrangements for the Winterline Carnival scheduled to be held from December 27, was seen making alternative arrangements for an inclement weather during the carnival in Mussoorie. Moreover, alarge number of tourists are expected to throng Mussooire and nearby tourist spots and resorts in anticipation of more snowfall.

The business community was elated at the first snowfall of the season and hoped that tourists would arrive in large numbers ahead of Christmas.

The snowfall and rain also brought cheer to farmers, especially apple growers from Dhanaulti, who termed it good for their crops.

Moderate to heavy snowfall, accompanied by sleet and rain, also lashed the upper parts of Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts. However, normal life was hit in many remote areas. According to the weather department, rain and snowfall was expected in many places and the cold conditions were expected to continue for the next few days.

Weather likely to improve today

Dehradun: Rain and snowfall lashed many parts of Uttarakhand today. While there was rain in the plains, the higher reaches received heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, Met officials are hoping improvement in the weather conditions tomorrow. According to Executive Director of the Dehradun Meteorological Department Anand Sharma, the weather is likely to improve tomorrow as it rained today solely due to western disturbances.

Meanwhile, Dehradun residents woke up to a cold morning. It was the first rain of the winter season. Drizzling continued for the most of the day and the residents preferred to remain indoors. As it was Sunday, all markets in the city wore a deserted look.

Fog engulfs Terai areas, freezing cold in Kumaon
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 22
Dense fog has engulfed the Terai region and the temperature has dipped below the freezing point in the Kumaon region that is witnessing dry cold conditions.

Sources in the Met department said while the temperature in Champawat district dropped below 0°C, Pithoragarh and Almora witnessed 3°C temperature yesterday. “Nainital town witnessed minimum and maximum temperatures of 3.5°C and 13°C, respectively,” said Dr HS Kushwaha, in charge of the weather department at Pantnagar University.

“Normal life has been affected in Rudrapur, Bajpur, Kashipur, Haldwani, and Pantnagar which are witnessing dense fog in the morning these days,” Dr Kushwaha added.

“The temperature in Munsiyari, Kapkot, Ranikhet, and Berinag towns have gone down to 0°C, making people shiver with cold and keeping tourists at bay,” said PK Pandey, a hotelier at Munsiyari town of Pithoragarh district.

Rest houses in national parks booked to capacity
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
Just 10 days to go, New Year revellers have started flocking to forest rest houses and dak bunglows, particularly located in the protected areas of the Jim Corbett National Park and the Rajaji National Park.

There are over 200 rest houses and dak bunglows belonging to the Uttarakhand Forest Department. These forest rest houses and dak bungalows in the parks have already been booked. In the Corbett park, there is no accommodation available till the first week of January.

While the most sought after Dhikala in the Corbett park is already full, tourists have booked Chilla and Ranipur forest rest houses in the Rajaji National Park. There has been an increase in the demand of forest rest houses and bungalows as tourists from Delhi and other neighbouring metros prefer to stay there.

Surendra Mehra, Director, Jim Corbett National Park, said the tourist flow increased phenomenally in December and January. He added a large number of tourists wanted to celebrate New Year in the sylvan surroundings.

He, however, said there was no question of allowing even a small informal public gathering in a protected area as this might disturb the wildlife. "There is no question of any mass celebration in any of the forest rest houses. We do not allow any such activity under any circumstances," said Mehra.

Though the rush of tourists to parks and sanctuaries do bring revenue to the Forest Department, the authorities also take precaution to ensure that none of the tourist resort to any misadventure that puts an adversely impacts the wildlife.

SK Dutt, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said he had already asked the officials at the parks and the sanctuaries to ensure that no mass celebrations takes place there on Christmas and New Year.

Martyr’s widow fights for life, awaits govt support
Gaurav Talwar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
Munni Devi, 42, widow of a martyr, is fighting for her life in a hospital due to kidney failure. She is awaiting government support, which has not come yet.

Moreover, due to lack of awareness, Munni Devi could not make her ex-serviceman contributory health scheme (ECHS) card after the death of her husband while her present health condition is not allowing her to travel or visit offices to get her ECHS card made.

Harender Singh, Munni Devi’s brother, has been managing the finances for his sister’s treatment for the last four years.

“I am helpless now as the doctors have suggested her to get a kidney transplant, which is an expensive operation,” said Harender.

Devi was widowed at a young age of 20 when her husband, Rifleman Mahipal Singh, died while fighting the notorious LTTE in Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in 1988. The responsibility of her four children fell on her shoulders.

“I have spent every penny on my sister’s treatment. At times, I find the situation too tough to handle as the doctors are saying that the kidney transplant is the only option left, which will cost more than Rs 10 lakh and is beyond our financial capacity,” he added.

Harender has been running from pillar to post to seek help for the treatment of his sister at Mahant Indresh Hospital in Dehradun.

Harender has even met the local MLA and Union Cabinet Minister, Harish Rawat.

“I have met Harish Rawat and given him an application to provide financial aid. He had forwarded the application to the Defence Ministry but nothing had happened till date,” he said.

“We are in urgent need of help but till now the government and the public representatives have shown an apathetic attitude towards our concerns,” lamented Harender.

Speculation of change of guard leads to intense political activity
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
The rumours about a change in the leadership in the state government by removing Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna have heightened political activity during the previous week. But the whole exercise has proved to be a storm in a tea kettle.

The gossip started soon after the defeat of the Congress in the Assembly elections in four states and the reported change in the party organisation suggested by vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Frequent media reports suggesting a possible change of guard in the state government were the cause behind these rumours.

Political commotion

The speculation led to a lot of political activity. Many aspirants of the chief ministership rushed to the National Capital, possibly to stake claim to the top post. While Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat was the front runner, other ministers, including Indira Hriyadesh, Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh and Harak Singh Rawat, dashed to Delhi. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and scotched the rumours about his exit.

Bahuguna said he had no information about any change in the leadership contemplated by the party high command. By the week end, except Indira Hriyadesh, most of the ministers were back in Dehradun with the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Harish Rawat also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi, which further fuelled speculation about Bahuguna’s removal as Chief Minister. However, Rawat put to rest the rumours. He said he met the Congress president to discuss the Cauvery waters issue in his capacity as Union Water Resources Minister.

Finally, Congress general Secretary Ambika Soni, who is also in charge of the party affairs in Uttarakhand and Sandeep Dikshit, Congress spokesperson in New Delhi, denied that change in the Uttarakhand government leadership was in the offing.

CM’s camp tries to ride piggyback on PDF

During intense speculation and lobbying, the Vijay Bahuguna camp also tried to use the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) comprising three MLAs of the BSP, three Independents and the lone Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) legislator as a pressure group in his support. The PDF is supporting the Congress-led state government and four of its members are ministers in the Bahuguna government.

PDF leader and Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani gave a statement that the Congress high command should take the PDF into confidence if a change in guard in the government is mooted. The Bahuguna group tried to convey a message that the Congress-led state government would destabilise in case the Chief Minister was change.

BJP helped Bahuguna’s cause

The BJP leadership in the state with its utterances also helped Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna’s cause. State BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat said some of the ruling Congress as well as PDF legislators were in touch with the BJP, but his party was against toppling the state government. There were reports that a former BJP Chief Minister was also in touch with the PDF members.

Harish Rawat’s supporters relent

By the week end, even die hard Harish Rawat supporters, including Almora Lok Sabha MP Pradeep Tamta, and state Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, said there was no move to change the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

Finally, it became clear that for the time being Vijay Bahuguna would continue as Chief Minister.

New Cong chief likely after January 17

According to Congress sources, the party high command would first appoint a new state Congress president since Yashpal Arya, Revenue Minister, had resigned from the post on the principle of “one man, one post”. It was expected that a new state party president would be announced before or after the session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), scheduled to be held on January 17 next year.

Gossip abound

The gossip started soon after the defeat of the Congress in the Assembly elections in four states and the reported change in the party organisation suggested by vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Frequent media reports suggesting a possible change of guard in the state government were the cause behind these rumours.

BJP not to topple state govt, says Chufal
BD Kasniyal
Tribune news servicve

Pithoragarh, December 22
The BJP is neither in a hurry nor interested in toppling the Vijay Bahuguna-led state government as it is bound to fall after the Lok Sabha elections next year. The coalition partners of the Congress-led state government do not see their future with it any more, former state BJP president and Didihat MLA Bishen Singh Chufal said in Pithoragarh today.

Chufal told this correspondent here that “every government falls due to its own acts. The Congress-led government has done nothing for the victims of the natural disaster in the state, which is an example of its failure on all fronts of development. The government has lost the faith of the people after it mishandled the situation arising out of the natural disaster,” he said.

He added the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) leaders had expressed dissatisfaction at the functioning of the government and they saw no future for themselves in coalition with the Congress. “The recent Assembly elections in four states have shown that the country is witnessing a strong BJP wave. This also shows that the Congress will be wiped out in the 2014 parliamentary elections in the state and the people will themselves demand the resignation of the state government,” Chufal said.

He added the BJP was at present focusing on the forthcoming parliamentary elections and was drafting a strategy to win all five seats in the state. “Therefore, we do not want to waste our energy on the affairs of the state government, as we are sure that it will fall before completing its five-year term,” said the BJP leader.

AAP holds convention in Almora
Calls upon people to fight against corruption
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
After tasting success in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) has now started exploring political possibilities in Uttarakhand.

It held a state-level convention in Almora today where its leaders called upon people to unite to fight corruption.

The convention called upon the party workers to concentrate on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Six new members were inducted into the state executive, namely JP Badoni from Haridwar, Bhargav Chandola and Puja Bahukhundi from Dehradun, Govind Singh Bisht from Pithoragarh, Rajkumar Pandey from Nainital district and Rakesh Negi from Pauri district of the state.

The volunteers, who worked for the party during the Delhi Assembly elections, also attended the convention.

They asserted that there was a tremendous response to the party across the country after the Delhi Assembly elections results as the people understood that the AAP party was sincere in its fight against corruption. They said the entire country, including Uttarakhand, was suffering due to rampant corruption and it needed to be wiped out.

The time has come for the people to get united and fight against corruption, they added.

BJP workers told to prepare chargesheet against Centre
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
In view of the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the state in charge of BJP Radha Mohan Singh here yesterday directed party workers to prepare a chargesheet against the Congress-led UPA government and complete poll meetings in all parliamentary constituency by February 28.

Radha Mohan while chairing a meeting at the party headquarters here said all election meetings should be completed by February 28. “We need to ensure that the booth-level party workers participate in the constituency-level programmes and contribute towards preparing a chargesheet against the UPA government that will be our main ammunition against the misrule of the Central government,” he said. The election meeting for the Pauri parliamentary constituency would be held in Srinagar on February 14; for the Tehri parliamentary constituency in Tehri on February 16, for the Haridwar parliamentary constituency on February 21, for the Nainital parliamentary constituency at Rudrapur on February 22, and for the Almora parliamentary constituency the meeting would be held at Almora on February 23.

“The focus of these meetings will be to training and motivating the workers to strengthen the party. Our central party leaders will address these meetings,” said Prakash Pant, a senior BJP leader.

Mahasabha supports Bakshi's nomination to Mussoorie MC
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, December 22
Newly nominated Mussoorie Municipal Council ward member Sunil Bakshi heaved a sigh of relief when the Mussoorie Punjabi Mahasabha supported his today.

Through the banners, the Punjabi mahasabha thanked Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, MC president Manmohan Singh Mall and other senior Congress leaders for the nomination of Sunil Bakshi as MC ward member.

Meanwhile, some members of the mahasabha alleged that though other members of the organisation were in the fray, the support was being extended to only one individual.

When contacted, the president of the Mussoorie Punjabi Mahasabha, MPS Khurana, said that they had no role to play in the nomination of Sunil Bakshi to the MC and thanked the government for the nomination of one of the members of the organisation.

Nanhi Duniya students celebrate Christmas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
Nanhi Duniya School yesterday celebrated Christmas in a unique and special way with young artistes of Rangshala staging a play depicting the birth of Lord Jesus. The play focused on the hardships faced by Mother Mary and Joseph before Christ's birth.

The children dressed up as farm animals build a special aura to the festival. A student dressed in green enacted the role of 'Mother' Christmas. The green attire signified feminine grace, abundance and warmth.

The concept was introduced with an idea that Father Christmas had been commercialised and liked to live with the rich. Birte and Stephan introduced carol singing from various countries and enthralled the audience.

Kiran Ulfat Goyal, chief promoter of Nanhi Duniya School, blessed the children.

Christmas party at Manav Bharati school

A Christmas celebration party was organised at Manav Bharati India International School in Dehradun today. The students took pledge to take an inspiration from the life of Lord Jesus on the occasion. AK Sharma, principal of the school, inaugurated the event.

He said Lord Jesus was a symbol of love, justice and compassion and we should follow his path.

The students sang religious songs based on Lord Jesus and Christmas carols like ‘Silent Night-Holy Night’ and ‘Joy to the World’. A Christmas cake was also cut on the occasion. Sharma also awarded the students.

Dipti Khanduri, music teacher of the school, coordinated the program and motivated the students to enjoy and participate during the celebrations.

1,206 take head constable promotion examination
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 22
Out of 1,471 aspirants, a total of 1,206 candidates took the state police and Provincial Armed Constabulary Head Constable Inter-Promotional Examination held here today. The test was conducted at the 40th PAC Campus in the city. The examination centre was bifurcated into four sectors.

Circle officers Chandra Mohan Negi, Manoj Kumar Katyal, Habans Singh, Pratap Singh Chauhan were in charge under Sarita Dobhal, Vice-Commandant of the 40 PAC, for the exam. As many as 58 sub inspectors and platoon commanders were appointed room in charge for the fair conduct of the examination. Deputy Inspector General Pushkar Singh Sailal and 40 PAC Commandant Arun Mohan Joshi also visited the examination centre.

Joshi said constables below the age of 40 with at least three years in service were eligible for this examination. Candidates selected after preparation of merit would be promoted to head constable cadre, he added. He said two places in the state - Haridwar and Rudrapur PAC battalions - were made examination centres.

Earlier this year, as many as 212 constables were promoted to the head constable cadre. They are presently undergoing training, which will end in February next year. They will be posted at the PAC battalion and Police Lines after completion of training.

PhD entrance exam

Dev Sanskriti University (DSU) held the entrance examination for PhD here today. As many as 189 students sat in the examination. The test was conducted for a total of 57 seats for 11 subjects.

DSU examination controller, Dr Chinmay Pandey, said the examination for 2012-14 session was conducted as per University Grant Commission norms. He said results would be declared on December 30 and interviews for the selected candidates would be held on January 6 and 7 next year.

Pre-school inaugurated

Dehradun, December 22
Krayonz , a new pre-school, opened in the city today. Krayonz is offering four different programmes, which consists of a pre-school, nursery for the children of two to four years of age, an activity centre and winter/summer workshop for Classes I to VII and a crash course for Class X students (CBSE) .

The school located at the Nehru Colony was inaugurated by Preeti Singh Rathore, a former vice-principal of Mayo Girls' School, Ajmer. Presently, she is the principal of a residential school to be launched for girls.

The welcome speech was given by headmistress Punam Sharma and a brief presentation was given by admission counsellor Megha Gupta. Many educationists were also present on the occasion. The vote of thanks was presented by chairperson Deborah Singh. — TNS

Book authored by students released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
A book written by budding authors of various renowned schools of the state was released during a function today. The book ‘Young Wings’has been edited and compiled by Sanjeev K Sharma and Vandana. Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-president, Uttarakhand Congress, was the chief guest on the occasion. He honoured the young authors.

Young writers of various schools of Uttarakhand during the release of the compilation of their work in a book titled "Young Wings" in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Abhyudaya Kotnala

Ajeet Rana, director, Fylfot School, was also present on the occasion.

Dhasmana said Sanjeev Sharma had done a great work by bringing the talent of the young authors to the light. He also announced to contribute Rs 25,000 towards this literary drive. Guest of honour Ajeet Rana said these young authors would pen the present realities with all humanity and sensitivity.

Young authors Diyansha, Vidit, Shriya, Priyanka, Chitransh, Khyati, Megha, Neelabh, Shivanshu, Lakshita and Pranjal were given awards and certificates. The first prize was won by Doon International School while the second prize went to DPS, Haridwar, and RAN Public School, Rudrapur. Shivanshu, a Class IV student of Fylfort School, Vidit of Doon Blossoms and Pranav of Touch Wood School, Dehradun, won the youngest author prize.

2 constables suspended

Dehradun, December 22
For failing to implement the orders, SSP Kewal Khuranna suspended two constables of the Karanpur chowki, Kuldeep and Ravindra, and attached Sub-Inspector Naresh Rathore to the police lines.

The action was taken as they allowed the Sunday market to be held around Parade Ground despite orders to the contrary. — TNS

Car carrying tourists falls into gorge, six injured
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, December 22
Six persons were injured when the Innova car they were travelling in fell into a gorge near Suva Kholi on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road today. The injured were rescued with the help of the police and the 108 ambulance service. They were rushed to the Landour Community Hospital. The driver of the vehicle is in a critical condition.

The injured have been identified as Aashish, a resident of Benaras in Uttar Pradesh, Amresh, a resident of Badohi, Abdul Rashid and Mohd Sadiq, residents of Badohi, Lalit, a resident of Sapera Basti, Rajpur Road, Dehradun, and Rahul, a resident of Mussoorie.

According to the police, a 40-member group of tourists, who was travelling in seven vehicles, was returning from Dhanaulti when one of the drivers lost control over the vehicle and it fell into the gorge. The police are yet ascertain the reason behind the accident.

Doon Valley Public School organises annual function
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
Doon Valley Public School organised its annual function here today.The theme of the function was ‘The Sanskriti’ which displayed colours of different states of India. The students also performed folk dances from various states like Punjab, Karnataka.The students of class X and XII were awarded certificates and scholarships of Rs 1,100 for their academic excellence. All rounder students of the school were awarded the best student award.

Colonel VK Pant gave a special cash prize of Rs 8,500 to the football team of the school, which had won the recently held 5th ONGC Ram Bahadur Chetri Memorial Football Tournament.

Promotion of ayurvedic officers likely soon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
The Uttarkhand Government has held the Department Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting paving the way for the promotion of senior and district-level ayurvedic officers.

Since 2009, no promotion has taken place in the department, despite the fact that several posts have been lying vacant, which could only be filled through promotions. As the DPC meeting was held three days ago for the post of a Joint Director and 15 posts of District Ayurvedic Officers, there was hope that these vacancies would be filled in the coming days.

In January, the government is expected to conduct a DPC meeting for the posts of Additional Director, Ayurvedic and Senior Ayurvedic officers. In all, 42 posts would be filled. In Uttarakhand, around 900 sanctioned posts of ayurvedic doctor.

Sikh sabha supports man on indefinite fast for prisoners
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 22
The state wing of the Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha has pledged support to Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, who is on indefinite fast for the last 38 days in Mohali, Punjab, in support of his demand for the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their jail terms.

“There are about 118 Sikh prisoners, who were imprisoned between 1980 and 1984, and most of them are languishing in Punjab jails. Some of these prisoners are more than 80-year-old and have completed their jail terms 5 or 6 years ago but the Punjab government is not freeing them and violating their human rights,” said Harpal Singh Sethi, state vice-president of the sabha.

They said Gurbaksh was sitting on an indefinite strike for a cause and the Punjab Government must recognise it and stop violating the human rights of the prisoners.“We will intensify our protest and will come on roads against the Punjab Government if our demand is not met immediately and the aged prisoners are not freed,” Sethi added.

The office-bearers of the sabha also raised questions over not giving parole to any prisoner who had spent 25 years in the jail while others were getting it easily.

Durgapal for promotion of MSMEs in hill districts
Tribune News Service

Khadi and Village Industries Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal (extreme right) at a state-level workshop for the promotion of MSMEs in Dehradun on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, December 22
Uttarakhand Khadi and Village Industries Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal has reiterated his ministry’s commitment towards the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in the hill areas of the state.

Durgapal told mediapersons in the city yesterday that they were extending concessions to encourage setting up of MSMEs in the hill areas. He added it was important to strengthen the rural economy in the hill districts.

He said 40 per cent discount was already being provided on Khadi and Gramudhyog products, which was aimed at increasing their sales. The special discount was for a period of 108 days.

He added they were also working to ensure better design of Khadi products and sought services of the National Institute of Design.

Durgpal said as agriculture land was fast shrinking in the hill areas his ministry was trying to transfer wasteland in hills for setting up MSMEs and, thereby, creating employment opportunities for the youth of the hill areas.

He also appealed to banks to come forward in support of the MSMEs.

Indu Kumar Pandey, Finance Adviser to the Chief Minister, said the 12 per cent growth rate of the state was much higher than the national average. Managers of various nationalised banks, senior officials of the Khadi and Gramudhyog Board and the District Industrial Centre’s representatives were also present.

MLA gives blankets to poor
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, December 22
With mercury dipping in Mussoorie, MLA Ganesh Joshi distributed over 150 blankets to rickshaw-pullers and other poor and needy people at Jhoola Ghar and Library Bazaar in the city today.

He also directed the administration to make arrangements for firewood at various vantage points in the city for daily wage workers.

He said rickshaw-pullers played an important role in ferrying tourists, but were a neglected lot during the winter.

Tigress, leopardess found dead
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 22
Carcasses of a tigress and a leopardess were recovered from the Kumaon region today, taking the number of dead animals to 47 this year.

According to forest officers, the carcass of the tigress was recovered from the Aam Pokhara forest range of the western Terai division near Ramnagar. The carcass of the leopardess was recovered from the Dwarso forest compound of the Ranikhet forest range in Almora.

"The three-year-old leopardess seemed to have died due to cold and severe infection in the body," said Dr Mamata Yadav, a veterinary surgeon.

Follow Swami Vivekananda’s principles, Mayor asks youths
Tribune News Service

Students present a patriotic song at the four-day National Unity Camp at Sapt Rishi Ashram in Haridwar on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Haridwar, December 22
As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of philosopher Swami Vivekanand, a four-day National Unity Camp is being organised on the premises of the ancient temple-cum-ashram of Sapt Rishi at Bhoopatwala in Haridwar on Sunday.

At the inaugural session of the camp, Haridwar Municipal Corporation Mayor Manoj Garg urged the youth to idolise Swami Vivekanand principles, vision and philosophy to succeed in life and make India a stronger and developed country.

He said via social and creative works, the youth should indulge in right activities.

Satpal Brahamchari, a former chairperson of the Municipal Committee, said the camp was witnessing participation of youths from the North-East, Rajasthtan, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.

The camp would provide them an opportunity to know each other’s culture.

Mahant Vinod Giri Maharaj of the Dush Panchnam Juna Akhada urged students to be both spiritually and physically wealthier.

Swami Hari Chetanand, Haripur Kalan ward councillor Deepak Jakhmola, Kamla Joshi, Anil Mishra, Lakhan Singh, Ravindra Navani, Dinesh Kashyap, Dr Ved Prakash, Vinod Saxena and Sunil Juglan were also present on the occasion.

Kiran Rawat, a student of Ram Dayal Uniyal Postgraduate College, Uttarkashi, said she met fellow students and was having a good time.