Devotees take dip in Ganga on Phalgun Amavasya
Tribune News Service

Pilgrims perform rituals at Narayani Shilla, Devpura, in Haridwar on Sunday. Tribune photos: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar, March 30
A large number of devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent ghats on the occasion of Phalgun Amavasya.

From the wee hours, devotees and teerth purohits could be seen performing rituals and chanting hymns and Vedic mantras.

The administration had made elaborate security arrangements across the state. SSP Sadanand Date and SP (City) Surjeet Singh Pawar personally monitored the day’s proceedings. Personnel deployed at the city control room monitored the situation through the CCTVs installed at the core mela zones of Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri and the adjacent Ganga ghats, besides the bus station, the railway station, various shrines and other sensitive points. Devotees from the upper reaches of Garhwal and Kumaon and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi arrived in large numbers.

Accident-prone areas on way to Char Dham Yatra being identified
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
With only a few weeks left for the annual Char Dham Yatra to begin, an exercise to identify the accident-prone places on the yatra route has started.

According to the assessment made by the police, the accident-prone points were more than 150 in number during the last year’s Char Dham Yatra. The points are expected go higher this year due to the last year’s Kedarnath tragedy and the condition of roads.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Garhwal Range, Amit Sinha, directed the police heads of the districts to form an Early Warning Teams (EWT) for assessing the condition of roads and identifying the accident-prone areas before the Char Dham Yatra begins.

Baljinder Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rudrprayag district, said the district was the worst hit in the last years deluge.

“We have set up an Early Warning Team in the district, in which each constable has been given a stretch of 15-20 kilometers. They will evaluate the condition of roads and number of people living in that stretch,” he said.

The aim behind the setting up of Early Warning Teams was to put in place an information system, which could be used for dissemination of information in case of any disaster and information.

“During the exercise, each constable will fetch all the information about the given stretch, which might be used at the time of any emergency,” he added.

It may be recalled that during the last year’s yatra, Chamoli district had the highest number of accident-prone areas with 30 sensitive places, excluding the 16 landslide prone places.

Haridwar district had 25 accident-prone points. Whereas in the hilly areas, 12 accident-prone points were identified in Uttarkashi district, 11 accident-prone places in Pauri district and 12 in Rudraprayag.

According to the Garhwal Range office, the final numbers of accident-prone areas in the yatra route would come once the districts give their report to the range headquarters.

DM tells officials to complete works before tourist season
Tribune News Service

A review meeting under way in Mussoorie on Sunday. A tribune photograph

Mussoorie, March 30
Dehradun District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam, during a review meeting held here today, directed officials of various departments to complete all pending works before the start of the tourist season.

The DM told tourism officials to shut down all illegal paying guest houses that were charging exorbitant amount contrary to the laid down guidelines in the town.

They were also directed to ensure that information about room tariffs was displayed at hotel receptions on mandatory basis.

The citizens of the town from various organisations also informed the DM about the delay in the construction of a community health centre building near the Civil Hospital.

The DM assured them of look into the matter on a priority basis.

He directed the PWD to stop the widening work on Mussoorie-Dehradun Road before April 8 and remove construction material strewn on the roadside, so that it did not cause inconvenience to commuters, especially tourists.

Taking stock of the sewerage project, the DM enquired from the officials concerned about the progress in the construction of sewage treatment plants (STP) in the town.

He was informed that three STPs were still awaiting nod from the Forest and the Wildlife Departments while work on other plants was on in the town.

The DM also enquired about the drinking water supply in the town to which social activist Megh Singh Kandari said at present, domestic users were receiving drinking water supply only once in a day and it should be increased twice a day.

The DM directed the police to install traffic lights near the Kempty bus stand and Thapar terrace to avoid congestion during the peak season. He instructed the officials to ensure that only 10 taxis were allowed at the parking lot near Picture Palace and Library Bazaar. The remaining taxis should be parked at Kingcraig and the Civil Hospital.

He also directed the Municipal Council to investigate the authenticity of passes issued to local vehicle owners. He directed the police to establish a control room to address the grievances of the tourists.

The officials were also asked to work round the clock and complete all pending works before April 9.

He suggested that a tourist destination management committee should be formed to cater to the day-to-day affairs of the tourist spots of the town.

The issue of the Dehradun-Purkul ropeway was also taken up at the meeting. The DM said the project was still awaiting the Forest Department's clearance and it would take at least one year to start.

Later, addressing mediapersons, the DM said he would hold another meeting on April 7 to review progress on the issues discuss today.

SSP Ajay Rautela was also present at the meeting.

IndiaVotes 2014
Rawat: Only Congress has development-oriented vision
Chief Minister hopeful of winning all five LS seats in state
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 30
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat claimed that Congress would emerge victorious in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, as it was the only party in the country that had development as its agenda for the people in every election and people were pro development in their respective areas.

Addressing public meetings at Pati, Someshwar and Syaldey blocks in Champawat and Almora districts, during his short Kumaon tour today, the CM said his government in its brief tenure had done enough for development of these backward areas of the state. “The Congress government has opened ITIs in every block, polytechnics, degree colleges, and an Ayurvedic college at Pati, which was a long standing demand of the people in the region,” said CM Harish Rawat.

Addressing a public meeting at Someshwar, Harish Rawat said the crisis that engulfed Congress and the government in the state after Satpal Maharaj joined BJP has been managed and the party will not lose its majority.

“The people who are betting on this incident to defeat Congress in the upcoming elections will have to face humiliation as people of the state are with the Congress and the party will win all five seats in the state,” claimed the Chief Minister at a public meeting in Someshwar.

Refuting the Gujarat Model of development, which has become the main plank of election publicity by BJP, Uttarakhand Chief Minister said Gujarat was a leading state of the country where women and children were victims of malnourishment in huge numbers. “While women and children are dying in that state, Modi is collecting money from industrialists to fulfil his ambition of becoming the Prime Minister of our country,” charged Rawat.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Almora MP Pradeep Tamta, MLA from Almora Assembly constituency Manoj Tiwari and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Singh Mahra besides several Congress leaders from local party units in Champawat and Almora.

Nishank accuses party of using Muslims as mere vote bank
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 30
BJP candidate from Haridwar Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today accused the Congress of using the Muslims as a mere vote bank and doing nothing concrete for their development.

Addressing party workers and villagers at Mangalore and Lakshar, Nishank said despite being in power for more than five decades, Congress failed to improve the socio-economic status and academic status of the minority community.

Nishank cited various pro minority steps taken by him during his tenure as Uttarakhand Chief Minister to lure the community.

“A number of decisions were taken for the welfare of Muslims in the state such as the formation of the Muslim Education Board, Waqf Board and Madarsa Board, when I was the Chief Minister. We also tried to add more facilities at the revered holy shrine Piran Kaliyar,” said the former CM.

“BJP wants to carry forward all the sections of the society together, but Congress just focuses on vote bank politics. So, it is time that the people of Haridwar realise their hidden schemes and vote for BJP’s development-oriented agenda,” said Nishank.

Zila panchayat member from Tanda Bhankheda, Roorkee, Anis Ahmed also urged people to vote for Nishank as he was one a rare leader of the state, who had mass appeal and a development-oriented vision.

A large number of minority leaders also advocated for Nishank in the nearby villages. Meanwhile, Congress has failed to announce its candidates for all the five seats including Haridwar in the state.

AAP’s roadshow in Doon gets impressive response
Tribune News Service

workers campaign for the party. Tribune photos

Dehradun, March 30
A roadshow by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state capital today received impressive response.

AAP candidate from Tehri Anoop Nautiyal, Nainital canidate Balli Singh Cheema and Almora candidate Harish Arya, along with their supporters, participated in the roadshow. It started from Shivaji Dharamshala and passed through the Saharanpur-Prince Chowk route and the Darshan Lal Chowk.

From the Darshan Lal Chowk, the roadshow proceeded towards the Kanak Chowk-Survey Chowk route before reaching the Rajpur road from where headed towards Chakrata road. It finally culminated at the party’s Bindal office.

AAP workers, who turned up in large numbers, could be seen wearing party caps and holding brooms, the party symbol. They also distributed caps to passersby and sought support for their candidates.

AAP candidate from Tehri Anoop Nautiyal said the party was receiving a tremendous response in Uttarakhand.

“I have met several people during my campaigning, who are unhappy with both the Congress and the BJP," he said, adding AAP was a third option before the people of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand AAP secretary Sanjay Sharma, Omkar Bhatia, Sanjay Bhatt, Rajesh Bahuguna and Sudesh Negi were among prominent leaders who participated in the roadshow.

Modi enemy of Sanatan Dharma, says Swami Sureshwaranand
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 30
Swami Sureshwaranand Saraswati has termed Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as an enemy of Sanatan Dharma. He said Modi wanted to reach the prime minister post by using Lord Vishnu’s name in the electoral campaign and was trying to magnify his image as he was a deity or a saint. Swami Sureshwaranand recently carried out a visit to seven states in 103 days, where he generated awareness about need to vote for secular credential candidates and urged people not to vote for Modi.

Sureshwaranand said the BJP workers claimed of pro Modi wave across the country, but he didn’t see any such wave in the seven states he visited.

“I have also written to the Election Commission to put a ban on the advertisements of film stars, cricketers and actors during the election as in one way or the other public gets impressed by them,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Mulayam Youth Brigade lashed out at the BJP for leaving behind Shri Ram Mandir issue and instead magnifying Modi as a deity, with ‘Har Har Modi’ slogan being one such example.

RLD state chief Baliyan joins BJP
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 30
Rishi Pal Singh Baliyan, Uttarakhand president of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), joined the BJP along with his supporters here yesterday.

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BJP candidate from the Haridwar constituency, welcomed Baliyan into the party.

He said Baliyan had taken a positive step at the right time. Nishank assured him of effectively taking up his issues, particularly those related with farmers and rural segments, in Parliament, if he is elected.

In another political boost to Nishank, Raju Virathiya, district president of the Rashtriyavadi Congress Party (RCP), also joined the BJP. Virathiya extended support to Nishank and affirmed his loyalty to the BJP.

He said his supporters would work hard to ensure Nishank’s win from Haridwar. Nishank also visited Virathiya’s house earlier and held talks with him. Later Virathiya along with district BJP president Kuldeep Gupta said only the BJP could provide good governance at the Centre and in the state as well.

Political Diary
Finding suitable Pauri candidate a big challenge for Congress
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
Internal squabbles in the Congress has delayed the naming of candidates for the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand. On the other hand, the BJP that announced its candidate a week ago has already covered a lot of ground in all five Lok Sabha seats.

The exit of Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj from the party to join the BJP and the reluctance of former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to contest the polls has added to the problems of Chief Minister Harish Rawat and the party high command to decide on the candidates.

The lack of trust among senior party leaders and various groups within the party has made the task more complicated.

Finding a suitable candidate from the Pauri Garhwal seat is a big challenge for the Congress. There was a talk of fielding Lt-Gen Gambhir Singh Negi (retd), a former Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), and former chairman of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission, against BJP candidate BC Khanduri. A section of the party leaders, however, objected to it saying he has no political background and he would not be able to match Khanduri, who had been representing the seat since 1991.

Congress leaders are also trying to win over Lt-Gen TPS Rawat (retd), a former Director-General of the Assam regiment and a former Congress minister, who had represented the Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat once in the 2008 byelections.

Lt-Gen TPS Rawat (retd) had quit the Congress to join the BJP in 2007. Later, he quit the BJP to form his Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha before the 2011 state Assembly polls.

Now he has merged his outfit with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). It was believed that if is willing to rejoin the Congress, he could be the party candidate from Pauri Garhwal.

In the neighbouring Tehri Garhwal seat, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has not yet given his consent to contest. Chief Minister Harish Rawat and state party chief Yashpal Arya had many rounds of talks with him to persuade him or his son Saket Bahuguna into contesting the polls.

According to party sources, Bahuguna is not sure about the wholehearted support of the party if he decides to fight. In the earlier elections he had fought, the faction led by Harish Rawat had opposed him openly. This time with Harish Rawat at the helm of affairs in the state, Bahuguna is weary of internal sabotage. However, it was believed that finally he or his son would be persuaded by the party high command into jumping into the contest.

In the Kumaon region, the Congress has a problem in former Chief Minister ND Tiwari who is demanding the party ticket for him or his son biological son Rohit Shekhar from Nainital.

KC Singh Baba, a scion of the erstwhile royal family of Kashipur, is a two-time Lok Sabha Congress MP from Nainital.

Tiwari has a large following in the entire belt and if denied the party nomination, he could fight as an Independent candidate denting the chances of the Congress not only in Nainital but also in Almora (reserve) seat.

Tiwari has influence among the Brahmin population in the entire Kumaon region and had remained a bitter political foe of Harish Rawat in the past three decades. Pardeep Tamta ,the sitting Congress MP from Almora, is likely to be renominated by the party.

It is a family issue from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat represented by Chief Minister Harish Rawat. He has to decide whether his daughter Anupama Rawat, who looks after the political works of his father in Haridwar, will be fielded or his wife Runeka Rawat will be pitted.

Already, Ambrish Kumar, a former legislator from Haridwar, has recently joined the Congress and is in the race for the party ticket.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who along with state party chief Yashpal Arya has been camping in the national capital, has announced that party candidates would be announced in a day or two.

Officials told to strictly implement poll code 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
District Election Officer (DEO) and District Magistrate (DM) BVRC Purushottam gave directions to Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) and police officials regarding strict implementation of model code of conduct and Section 144 of CrPc in the district ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Purushottam told the officials in the meeting that they should not work under any political party’s pressure and must give their services without any fear.

He directed the AROs to constantly review the work of the teams set up under their leadership. He said the candidates who were found violating the Model Code of Conduct should be served a notice immediately.

During the meeting, the officials were also asked to ensure videos of all the meetings, road shows and processions of candidates of all the political parties. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Rautela briefed about the deployment of paramilitary forces in the district and asked the police officials to intensify patrolling in the sensitive areas of the district.

BSP likely to replace Haridwar candidate Haji Mohammad Islam
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 30
With Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Haji Mohammad Islam's election campaign receiving a lukewarm response, the party is contemplating replacing him with another candidate.

Former BSP legislator from Bahadrabad, Mohammad Shahzad, who was also a leader of the BSP in Uttarakhand Assembly, is likely to be the front runner. While Saharanpur-based Haji Iqbal, a senior BSP leader, close to party supreme Mayawati, is also in the run.

Haji Islam’s two political rallies in Haridwar in the past one week had been a flop show.

Hailing from Bharapur Bhauri village, Haji Mohammad Islam is a Jojha Muslim and his candidature was linked with the substantial presence of Muslims in the constituency.

Notably, Haji Islam was a replacement candidate as BSP had previously named Dr Antriksh Saini as its Haridwar seat candidate in early 2012, who for one year remained active in the constituency.

Party state president Megh Raj Zaravare, who addressed one of the two rallies of Islam, took a strong cognisance of negligible turnout of party workers and public.

Senior party leader Suraj Mal said no decision had been taken regarding same so far.

He said a few section of the party leaders felt that the party needs to push up its tempo and give a tough fight to the BJP and the Congress.

“The competition is tough and all of us need to work hard, so that the party wins the Haridwar seat. Our party president Mayawati also contested twice in late 80’s for the same seat,” added Suraj Mal.

On the other hand, Hazi Islam said he had full faith in his capability and was working round the clock.

He also refuted the meager presence of people during his political rallies.

He said it was more of a political meeting and everyone would witness a huge turnout when he would stage a rally. 

Music album released
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 30
A music album ‘Baudi Aava’ based on the life and works of the eminent poet Chandra Kunwar Bartwal from Garhwal was released in Mussoorie today.

The album was released by the president of Chandra Kunwar Bartwal Shodh Sansthan Yogember Bartwal.

The CD sheds light on the life of the eminent poet and his works that are famous among the Hindi literature lovers around the country.

Lokendar Singh Kaintura has sung the songs that are based on the issues raised by the poet and are valid to this day such as migration from the hills.

Yogamber Bartwal thanked the producers for basing the music album on the eminent poet of the region. 

Congress to hold convention for labourers, migrants
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
With an eye on the Lok Sabha polls, the state Congress is organising a day-long convention for working classes in Dehradun on April 3.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Uttarakhand Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said that State Congress president Yashpal Arya along with Chief Minister Harish Rawat will be addressing the convention, which will have presence of large number of employees from unorganised sector.

Dhasmana also took the opportunity to remind the commendable works done by UPA II government towards those working in unorganised sectors. He mentioned to the welfare measures taken for the street vendors. He also pointed out the INTUC, Congress’ wing of employees need to come forward to take forward this good work of UPA II before the people.

Responding to a particular query linked to delay in announcement of party candidates for Uttarakhand Lok Sabha seats by Congress, Dhasmana said early announcement of party candidates do not make much difference in either winning or losing. “You remember in 2009, the BJP had announced its candidate for all five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand much before Congress candidates were announced. But still the BJP lost all the five Lok Sabha seats,” Dhasmana pointed out. He said Congress has already taken a lead over BJP by announcing its poll manifesto at the national level.

INTUC president, Dinesh Sundriyal, was also present at the news conference.

SFI to support Shiv Prasad Devli
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
The student wing of the Communist Party of Indian (Marxists), Student Federation of India (SFI), has decided to support vice-chairman of Dehradun zila panchayat, Shiv Prasad Devli, from the Tehri Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming elections scheduled to take place on May 7.

Shiv Prasad Devli is a candidate of the CPM from the Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat. The decision was taken during the district committee meeting of SFI held here today.

Police nab car thief during routine check

Dehradun, March 30
The Dalanwala police arrested a car thief during a routine checking at Saket tri-junction on Rajpur Road yesterday.

The accused was driving a stolen car when he was arrested by the police.

Sahaspur resident Dinesh Singh Bist had filed a complaint at the Dalanwala police station on Friday against one Ranbir Singh for allegedly selling him a stolen car with forged registration papers for Rs 1.2 lakh.

Acting on the complaint, the Dalanwala police intensified the regular checking at various places and on Saturday evening, the police team stopped a car for questioning.

The driver Pankaj Diwedi failed to show the requisite documents of the car. Meanwhile, the police found out from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) that the number mentioned on the car registration plate was registered for a scooter.

Meanwhile, Bist too identified Pankaj Diwedi and told the police that he was the same person who sold him the car posing as Ranbir Singh. SP City, Navneet Singh Bhullar, said Diwedi accepted that he used to buy stolen cars from Ghaziabad and Delhi and changed the number plates after making forged registration papers.

Police have seized a computer, printer and lamination machine from his house. He also informed the cops that he used to change his name while dealing with people.

Meanwhile, police are trying fetch information from Pankaj about the location of other stolen cars, which he had sold to various people. — TNS

Lack of irrigation facilities hits poly house scheme
Fragmented, small holdings prevent peasants from pursuing floriculture
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 30
The poly house scheme for the farming community that was started with much fanfare has failed to take off due to the lack of irrigation facilities along with fragmented and small holdings, despite the announcement of subsidy for the project.

Farmers pursuing floriculture say small and fragmented land holdings are major bottlenecks that require large tracts of land at one place and till the time the Chakbandi rule is not enforced the poly house project will not be able to take off as desired by the government.

Gaje Singh, 58, started his floriculture business near Kyarkuli with the help of the horticulture department three years ago. He was fortunate to have large tracts of land and water at one place, the prerequisite for such project. Gaje Singh, who started with a single poly house three years ago, now has three more, due to huge profit earned by selling various varieties of carnations, roses and other flowers.

Initially, he installed the water mill from a nearby source of water to irrigate his poly house with his own money, but later the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Department (UREDA) helped in providing logistics support and providing better equipments for the water mill through which he also gets electricity for his home.

With individual efforts and a little support from UREDA, today Gaje Singh earns around Rs 25 lakh a year from the project.

However, not all farmers have benefited to this extent. Farmers in the Garhwal region who have small holdings scattered around the village fail to reap such profits from the project.

Dhan Singh, another farmer who wanted to enter into the business says he was unable to pursue floriculture due to lack of Chakbandi process in the state.

Elaborating further he says till the time Chakbandi - a process where rearrangement of landholdings among different landholders is consolidated at one place - is not enforced, the farmers will not be attracted to the scheme that can reap huge benefits and help the state to address migration and unemployment problems along with providing the much-needed revenue.

The government should provide adequate supply of water to irrigate the land for the high yield of flowers that are in much demand around the country says Dhan Singh.

The recent announcement made by Chief Minister Harish Rawat of awarding large sum of funds to those gram panchayats that assist farmers for the Chakbandi process has raised the farmer’s hopes as they believe that once Chakbandi is done across the state, the poly house scheme will gain wider acceptance and become a major source of revenue for the government too.

2 ward members told to leave review meeting citing model code of conduct
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 30
Unruly scenes were witnessed at the review meeting organised by the District Magistrate BVR Purushottam when two MC ward members Vinod Semwal and Ramesh Bhandari were shown the door from the Municipal Council boardroom citing the model code of conduct in place.

When the DM saw the two ward members attending the meeting, he asked them to leave as the model code of conduct was in place and no public representatives were allowed to attend any such meeting as per directions of the Election Commission.

SDM Mussoorie Ramjee Saran Sharma informed the media persons that no public representatives were called for the meeting, but the two ward members entered the meeting forcefully, which was opposed by the officials.

He also said that a show cause notice would be served to the two concerned ward members over the issue soon. When the two ward members were contacted, they said they were not aware that the public representatives had no permission to attend such meetings. They said the officials misbehaved with them when they were trying to attend the meeting.

Convention of ASHA workers
CITU: Cong promoting pro-privatisation policies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
The Uttarakhand state committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) today organised a convention of ASHA workers resenting pro-privatisation policies of the Centre.

CITU national general secretary and MP Tapan Sen accused the Congress of promoting pro-privatisation policies. He alleged both the Congress and the BJP were befooling workers by giving them false promises.

Referring to the Gujarat model of Modi, Sen said the model only believed in dividing the people in the name of religion.

He said rising inflation was adversely affecting the people of the country and accused the UPA of failing to put a check on the same.

CITU state president Satya Prakash said it was a matter of concern that policies being practised by the Congress-led state government were anti-labour and meant to aid capitalists.

CITU state general secretary Virendra Bhandari said anganwadi workers, bhojan matas and Asha workers were suffering in Uttarakhand as the state government had completely ignored their issues.

He said CITU in Uttarakhand had always been raising the issue of the workers and would continue to do so in the future. 

Encroachments removed
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 30
The local administration in association with the Mussoorie Municipal Council (MC) launched an anti-encroachment drive here yesterday.

Mussoorie SDM Ramjee Saran, along with EO (MC) Azhar Ali and adequate police force, began the drive from Mall Road. The team also confiscated goods of the vendors who had encroached along the roadside. Encroachments were removed from Library Bazaar to Kulri Bazaar. The team also witnessed minor opposition of the local shopkeepers.

The Mussoorie SDM directed the MC officials to take strict action against the encroachers. 

39 students pass out from Kashipur IIM 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 30
A group of 39 students from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kashipur, passed out after getting postgraduate diplomas in management from the institute. This was the institute’s second passing-out ceremony held on the institute campus today.

The ceremony held at Kashipur was presided over by chairman of IIM board of directors, Dhruv Sahni, who told the new graduates that they should be ready to face challenges in the management area of global market. “The institute has got its own faculty building now and classes will begin at the new building from 2015,” said Sahni.

Elaborating upon Kashipur IIMs achievements, its director Gautam Sinha said in the coming years a world famous French management institute has been contacted for the exchange programme of students. The institute has also decided to start an executive’s fellow programme in June besides PG programmes and executive PG programmes.

The institute will also have its own radio station in four months from now, said the institute director.

Three bookies arrested
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
The Dalanwala police arrested three bookies last evening for allegedly placing bets on the match between England and South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

On a tip-off, a police team led by sub-inspector Baldev Singh reached Cement Road and arrested three bookies, Akil Ahmed, Javed and Chetan.

SP (City) Navneet Singh Bhullar said the bookies were taking bets on their cellphones when the team caught them red-handed. The police have seized four cellphones and three betting papers from their possession.

During interrogation, the bookies said they would take bets from their customers on the basis of online betting rates and in return customers would deposit the money in Javed's account.

The police are checking the call details of the bookies to get information about their customers.

The trio has been booked under the Public Gambling Act. 

USERC organises science lecture

Dehradun, March 30
The Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre (USERC), Dehradun, organised a science lecture here yesterday.

Delivering the lecture, Deputy General Manager (ONGC) Sanjay Bhutani spoke on environment scenario in the country. He stresses the need of collective efforts to conserve the environment across the globe.

USERC Director Vijay Kumar Dhoundiyal said the USERC was working to promote science in the state. Uttarakhand Joint Director Dr BP Purohit, Senior Scientific Officers Dr DP Uniyal, Amit Pokhriyal and Dr Arun Kuksal were the prominents present on the occasion. — TNS

Earth Hour observed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
As part of the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Earth Hour campaign, the All India Consumer Council Uttarakhand chapter members observed Earth Hour by putting off lights at their premises from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm yesterday.

Brig KG Behl (retd), president of the All India Consumer Council, Uttarakhand, said the Earth Hour campaign began in Sydney and Australia in 2007. It drew the attention of the people to save earth by saving environment, so that global warming could be prevented.

Poetry book released

Dehradun, March 30
Senior Poet Kamleshwari Mishra’s poetic work ‘Swapan Tha Ya Saar’ was released in Dehradun today.

Chief Guest Dr Hridaya Narayan Tripathy appreciated poet Kamleshwari Mishra for her writings. He said her poems were very simple and touched human emotions.

He said usage of tough words in poems act as a discouragement for the readers.

Reviewing the book, poet Dr Atul Sharma said Mishra’s work ‘Swapan Tha Ya Saar’ dwelt at length on Kedarnath tragedy and the subsequent suffering of the people.

Another speaker Sumitra Dhulia said a poet always gives a direction to the society and asserted that Mishra was following the same footsteps.

Dr Shiv Prasad Bharadwaj, Savitri Kala, Avdhesh Kumar Mishra and Uma Joshi were the prominent speakers on the occasion. — TNS

Training programme on gender sensitisation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 30
A three-day training programme for members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on gender sensitisation, equity benefit sharing, constraints, coordination, linkages and self-help groups organised by the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) with the support of Watershed Management Directorate concluded here today.

The training was held for 30 SHG members under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) at the RLEK auditorium.

The training started with an introduction session by master trainer Rekha Pundir wherein all the participants introduced themselves and put forward their expectations from the training. They were informed about the functioning of the Integrated Watershed Management Programme.

Dr PP Pantola and Dr SS Bisht elaborated on the working of IWMP. A total of 30 participants from different villages of Uttarakhand participated in the training. A feedback from the women on their experiences and problems faced while working in SHGs in the villages was also taken. One of the participants Anuradha Jha shared that now she has understood the benefits and ways of forming an SHG and appreciated the training aids like games, used for make things simpler.

Padamshree Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson RLEK pointed, these trainings are important to capacitate women and in turn Uttarakhand. This will also help women in the forthcoming Panchayat elections.

film festival
'Gulabi Gang', 'Mritudand' screened on second day

Dehradun, March 30
On the second day of the film festival organised by Mahila Samakhya and Violence against Women Network, documentary film 'Gulabi Gang' and feature film 'Mritudand' were screened.

The documentary film, 'Gulabi Gang', is directed by Nishta Jain. The film is based on the life of Sampat Pal, the leader of Gulabi Gang. The film was especially screened to inspire women to work in tandem against injustice.

ASP Mamta Bohra, social activists Ganga Devi, Sidhi Devi, Jhanvi Tiwari and Sushila Devi participated in the panel discussions and answered queries of the audience.

The audience questioned Bohra about the role of police and why they failed to respond positively to the complaints lodged by women.

Bohra also highlighted the role of 1090 women’s helpline number. Prakash Jha’s feature film, 'Mritudand', focused on the relationship between sister-in-laws.

The film managed to convey the power of unity and how it could be used as a tool to fight atrocities. “The audience also asked about how they could play a role in helping curb atrocities against women. They are also keen to work in this direction,” said Geeta Gairola of Mahila Samakhya. — TNS

NSS volunteers fan out in villages with message of cleanliness
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 30
As part of the ongoing seven-day National Service Scheme (NSS) camp at Kanya Gurukul Maha Vidyalya, volunteers carried out a sensitisation, cleaning and voting awareness drive in the nearby villages.

Led by program coordinator Dr Richa Saini, the volunteers urged people to not to come under anyone’s influence while voting and also apprised about the option of NOTA (None of the above), which has been introduced by the Election Commission of India for the first time during the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Dr Richa said it was every citizen’s right and duty to cast vote. “The country’s future is based on the parliamentary election. It’s our duty to select a right candidate, irrespective of caste, creed or any other attachment,” she added.

Geeta, Shikha, Shalu, Prachi, Sweta, Nidhi, Mahima, Madhu, Anchal, Nidhansu, Aysuhi and Nidhi were present during the drive.

An annual function was also organised at Saraswati Shishu Mandir. The meritorious students were given prizes. Municipal Committee chairperson Chaudhari Islam was the chief guest on the occasion. He lighted the traditional lamp.

Terming the students as the future of the country, Chaudhary Islam said all the students should study with concentration.

Vinod Aggarwal, president of the management committee of Saraswati Shishu Mandir, put forth the annual school development report. Principal Acharya Ashwani Kumar Sharma also announced the names of the meritorious students.

Reena Dhiman, Himani Dhiman, Neelu Dhiman, Jeenat Zafri, Meera Yadav, Prerna Sharma, Lalita Tyagi of teaching staff coordinated the event.

Students Bharati, Jay Shir, Nishiu, Ruchi, Shivam, Vansh, Chandrakant, Abhay, Abhsihek, Kirti, Ankashai Krihsna and Vanshika were felicitated on the occasion.

Khanna Nagar resident looted at knife point
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 30
A robbery took place at Khanna Nagar locality near Ranipur (Chandra Charya Square) area here today.

Five youth trespassed the entrance gate of the residence of Khanna Nagar resident Sunil Taneja in the afternoon. Taneja was at his shop, while his wife Vandana and daughter Chetna were present at the home.

Both the mother and the daughter were tied with rope and their mouths covered with scarves by the assailants. They looted ornaments, cash and other commodities on knife point.

They also injured Vandana and Chetna before leaving the house. It was only on the suspicion of neighbour Sachin, who called on Sunil and the whole incident was unfurled.

Senior Superintendent of Haridwar Police Sadanand Date, SP City SS Pawar and Circle Officer Rajesh Bhatt arrived at the spot and took a stock of the situation.

No arrest was made so far. Local legislator Madan Kaushik, who lives a few metres away from the spot of crime, called on the police officials regarding the robbery. He directed them of intensifying patrolling in the city. 

Residents, cricket fraternity welcome Gavaskar as BCCI chief

Mussoorie, March 30
The residents and the cricket fraternity of the town were delighted at the appointment of the ace cricket legend, Sunil Gavaskar, as the chief of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) today.

The members of the Mussoorie Cricket Association were elated at the announcement of Gavaskar as the BCCI chief. They were of the view that under the leadership of Gavaskar, cricket will reach to new heights in the country. The secretary of the Mussoorie Cricket Association, Roop Chand, thanked the Supreme Court and extended his greetings to the legendary cricketer.

Roop Chand said the cricket players and the sports lovers were delighted at Gavasker’s appointment.

He said with Gavaskar’s appointment, the chances of forming a state cricket association would also become bright. “The former players, who are involved in promoting the game, should be made part of an association, which will work to improve the standard of the game and also promote the players at the national-level,” he added. 

Nigam Eleven lock horns with CISF in final

Dehradun, March 30
Nigam Eleven and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Technical, entered the final of the ongoing Contract Employees' Cosco Ball Cricket Tournament after winning their semifinal matches here today.

In the first semifinal match, the Nigam Eleven team beat the IPE Services Block Shining team.

In the second semifinal, CISF, Technical, defeated Civil Colony by 8 wickets.

Earlier, Civil Colony won the toss and elected to bat first. It scored 53 runs. In reply, CISF, Technical, easily achieved the target at the loss of just 2 wickets and won the match. — TNS

Cricket trials for U-16 and19 from April 4

Haridwar, March 30
On the directions of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand, the selection of under-16 and under-19 boys team will be performed by the Cricket Association of Haridwar.

Trial will be held on April 4 and April 5 at Delhi Public School, Ranipur cricket stadium from 9:30 am onwards. Apart from Haridwar district, selection of cricketers for Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi will also be done by the Cricket Association of Haridwar this time. This was stated by general secretary Inder Mohan Barthwal of CAH in a media release. He said that Inter-District Uttarakhand Tournament would begin from April 10 with final to be played on April 21.

Clusters have been formed for this tournament with Cluster A having Pitthoragarh, Almora, Uddham Singh Nagar, Champawat, Nainital, Bageshwar district teams, Cluster B :Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Cluster C :Haridwar, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Dehradun. The Cricket Association of Haridwar has also welcomed the decision of apex court of appointing temporarily ex-India captain Sunil Gavaskar as the Board of Control for Cricket in India. President of CAH Neeraj Kumar said that Gavaskar, has a global reputation as a crickter. Barhtwal said that now on, all the sporting bodies should follow suit apex court directives, so that in the governing body at least the very sport players are given due representation.

Cricket aficionados KC Pandey, KS Bhandari, Kaushal Sharma, Parvinder Singh, Pradeep Sharma, Sanjeev Gupta, Vikas Goyal, Devendra Sharma, Kamal Bahukhandi, were happy with the SCs move on the BCCI and IPL. — TNS