Saints, devotees take part in 3-day Geeta Maha Yajna
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 11
A large number of saints and devotees are participating in a three-day Geeta Maha Yajna being organised at Geeta Kutir Tapovan. Swami Rajeswaranand Saraswati said under able guidance of a guru one could achieve salvation. The saints also paid tributes to revered saint Brahmaleen Geetananad Maharaj. Swami Jagdish Maharaj said, " Ram Katha teaches us how to live life and we all should take inspiration from Lord Rama's life."

Swami Jagdish said Lord Rama as the ideal person who shunned casteism and never shied away from interacting with low caste people.

Bansi Vale Baba during Bhagwad Katha at Anna Poorna Ashram said, "Lord Krishna needs true devotion and the one who offers it has nothing to fear."

Meanwhile, a musical rendition of Shri Ram Katha is being orgainised at Hari Har Purushottam Bhagwat Dham on its third foundation day. Revered saints will participate in it till May 14.

"Parents also require full care, love and attention from their children and those who fail to do so will never be successful in their lives," Bansi Vale Baba said.

Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Garib Dasi Sadhu Maha Parishad held a religious procession in the memory of guru Shri Garib Das Ji Maharaj. The procession started from the Garib Dasi Dharamshala, Sewasharam, Mayapur, passed through Shiv Moorti Chowk, Upper Road, Har-ki-Pauri, Bhimgoda, and Khadkhadi before culminating at Shri Garib Das Anand Ashram at Bhoopatwala.

Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Dharam Snehi Maharaj, Shri Mahant Maheshwar Das of Panch Parmeshwar Brahman Sheel Udasin Jamat, Udasin Panchayati Bada Akhada, Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Shyam Sundar Das Shastri, Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Sathanand Shastri and Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Parmatm Dev took part in the procession.

Residents not to allow dumping of garbage at trenching ground
Tribune News Service

Firefighters try to extinguish the fire at trenching ground in Dehradun on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 11
Troubled by a fire that was raging at a trenching ground at Sahastradhara for the past two days, nearby residents have decided to stop dumping of garbage there. They have decided to launch a protest tomorrow and stop trucks from dumping garbage at the trenching ground. The fire had erupted at the trenching ground on Friday evening. They regretted that the authorities did not take the issue seriously despite repeated requests.

The residents said the fire was the result of the burning of garbage by workers of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). DS Bhatia, president of Hill View Apartments, said they had signed a memorandum of understanding with the DMC in February against the burning of garbage at the trenching ground.

“It was decided that garbage will not burnt there. The step was taken to prevent discomfort to the area residents. However, the DMC has violated the MoU,” Bhatia added.

“Despite repeated requests no DMC or district administration official visited the area to assess the situation. They sent a fire engine which failed to control the fire. We will launch a protest and stop DMC trucks from dumping garbage at the trenching ground,” said Bhatia.

Meanwhile, Additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harshvardhan Mishra has denied the allegations. “Why we will burn the garbage. It is possible that some DMC workers might have thrown a cigarette or biddi at the trenching ground that may have caused the fire,” he added.

Idealism of Abbas days missing today: Guv
Tribune News Service

A tribute: Dignitaries present during a seminar on Khwaja Ahmad Abbas at Raj Bhavan in Dehradun on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 11
The kind of idealism found in the days when Khwaja Ahmad Abbas wrote was not found today. The people were now more interested in material gain and want to capture society by money power. Governor Aziz Qureshi stated this while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day centenary celebrations of renowned writer, journalist and film-maker Khwaja Ahmad Abbas which concluded at the Raj Bhavan auditorium here today.

The celebrations have been organised by the Khwaja Ahmad Abbas Centenary Celebrations Committee of which the Governor is the chairman. The committee has also held celebrations in Aligarh, Delhi and Hyderabad.

The Governor said had Abbas been alive today, he would certainly have questioned the political and social set-ups. Abbas did a lot of his writing during the freedom struggle when intellectuals had a difficult time, he added.

Dr Syeda Hameed, Member of the Planning Commission, said Abbas loved the hill region of Uttarakhand and had written a short story titled "Mussoorie 1954" . She added it was extremely important that the youth of today became aware of Abbas's life and works. "He was the voice of the marginalised people and used simple Urdu in his writings," she said, adding that for him the cinema was a vehicle to convey socially relevant messages.

Member of Parliament DP Tripathi said Abbas believed in equality and there was immense humanism in his personality. "Abbas was a rare example of a writer, dramatist, film-maker, journalist, screen play writer, biographer and was perfect in all these spheres," he added.

Theatre and film actor Atul Tiwari from the National School of Drama said Abbas shaped the cinema, literature and journalism of India and had thus contributed greatly to the nation.

Aloke B Lal, retired DGP and cultural adviser to the Governor, proposed a vote of thanks. A multimedia presentation on Abbas's life was presented by Hamari Urdu Mohabbat.

UPES Chancellor Dr SJ Chopra ,Vice-Chancellor of Doon University and UTU Prof V K Jain, Vice-Chancellor of Sanskrit University Prof Mahavir Aggarwal, Dr Chhaya Shukla, a member of the State Public Service Commission, students and teachers of mass communication from Doon University and several intellectuals of the city were present on the occasion.

POLITICAL DIARY
Harish Rawat awaits election results with bated breath
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, may 11
Chief Minister Harish Rawat have high stakes in the Lok Sabha elections. Both Congress and BJP leaders are eagerly awaiting the results of the five Lok Sabha seats of the state. For Harish Rawat, it was one of the toughest electoral battles of his political career and he did carry the burden of the election campaign throughout the state on his own shoulders.

He was brought in as Chief Minister in place of Vijay Bahuguna on February 1 with an view to improving the sagging fortunes of the Congress in the state. The Congress-led state government had been criticised for its alleged poor handling of the situation post-natural disaster. There were allegations of inaction and failure to respond quickly to the disaster in which more than 5,000 pilgrims, tourists and locals lost their lives. The entire economy of the Garhwal region, which was dependent on the Char Dham yatra, was paralysed with thousands of people losing their hearths and homes, besides the source of livelihood.

Harish Rawat was made Chief Minister to galvanise the state government machinery as well as the party organisation to meet the challenges of the Lok Sabha elections. Rawat started on a positive note and took more than 3,000 decisions in a short span of about a month before the model code of conduct for the elections came into force. A successful rally addressed by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in February also boosted the morale of party workers throughout the state.

However, the decision of Satpal Maharaj, sitting Pauri Garhwal MP, to join the BJP and an under current in favour of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi made Harish Rawat's job tougher. Harish Rawat's prestige was also at stake from the Haridwar seat which he represents in the Lok Sabha. This time his wife Renuka Rawat was given the Congress ticket to contest against former BJP Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

The BJP had fielded three former Chief Ministers, namely Major Gen BC Khanduri (retd), Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in the elections.

Harish Rawat made all out efforts and campaigned aggressively and vigorously for the party candidates. He is hopeful that the people of the state, particularly in the Haridwar constituency, would appreciate the work done by his government and would vote for the Congress.

Interestingly, there is also speculation of threat to the stability of the state government in case the BJP comes to power at the Centre. The state government is banking on the support of the seven legislators belonging to the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF).

In case the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) headed by Narendra Modi as Prime Minister forms government at the Centre, some legislators, who owe their allegiance to Satpal Maharaj, could shift loyalties. But Harish Rawat has scotched such rumours.

Ensure 22 hours of uninterrupted power supply, CM to officials
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has directed state Power Department officials to ensure at least 22 hours of uninterrupted power supply. The Chief Minister presided over a meeting of department officials in Dehradun today. He said the Power Department must ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state. If required, electricity should be purchased to make up for the shortage, he added.

He directed the officials present to prepare proposals linked to setting up of new sub-stations at various hill and border areas. He asked the Power department officers to prepare a road map for at least next 10 years taking into account the rising demand of power in the state.

The Chief Minister asked the department officials to coordinate with the Renewable Energy Department in the state to frequently run campaigns for power conservation.

He called for encouraging un-metered consumers to go installation of meters. Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Principal Secretary SS Sandhu and other officers were also present at the meeting.

CM for checking road mishaps

Chief Minister Harish Rawat today directed the officials concerned to take immediate measures to check frequent road mishaps in the hill areas of the state. He presided over a review meeting at the state Transport Department here.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to issue an advisory for measures to check frequent road mishaps in the state.

He also directed them to ensure fitness certificate validity for vehicles up to six months. He said buses operating on the Char Dham yatra routes should be checked regularly.

Cabinet minister Pritam Singh and Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar were also present at the meeting.

CM speak

• Directs officials to prepare proposals for setting up new sub-stations at various hill and border areas of the state
• Tells them to coordinate with the Renewable Energy Department in the state to frequently run campaigns for power conservation.

Villagers seek jobs at health centre to be run on PPP basis
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 11
Villagers living around the community health centre at Thatyur in Tehri district are opposing the government move to give the centre's management to private players under the public private partnership (PPP) mode. They are demanding jobs at the health centre on priority.

The residents of Sirs village cornered District Magistrate, Tehri, Yugal Kishore Pant, and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Tehri, SP Agarwal, who were at the health centre for an inspection yesterday. They demanded that the locals should be given preference in jobs in the health centre that would now run under the PPP mode.

They also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the District Magistrate.

Residents of Sirs village Sandeep Thapliyal, Gajendar, Sushil, Vijay, Naresh, Savita Devi, Shirdas, Suman Lal, Virendar, Rajnarayan and Sobhan Das said they had donated around 70 to 80 naali of land for the health centre in the 90s. Now, all those who donated land should be given jobs in the health centre as a right. The villagers warned that they would take to streets if their demand was not met by May 20.

The CMO said local villagers had been appointed on the posts in the health centre where they could be accommodated. However, for technical jobs other candidates were considered. He appealed to the villagers to assist the health centre staff in running it under the PPP mode.

What villagers say

• Residents of Sirs village said they had donated around 70 to 80 naali of land for the health centre in the 1990s
• They said all those who donated land should be given jobs in the health centre as a right

Gurgaon bag overall trophy in open roller skating meet
Tribune News service

Giving a tough fight: Players in action during the National Open Roller Skating Championship at the Silverton Grounds in Mussoorie on Sunday. Rajashtan were adjudged runners-up while Uttarakhand secured the third place. A Tribune photograph

Mussoorie, May 11
Gurgaon was declared as the overall champion of the National Open Roller Skating Championship at Silverton Grounds in Mussoorie today. Rajashtan was adjudged runners-up while Uttarakhand secured the third place in speed rink race and roller hockey. The tournament was held under the aegis of the Indian Foundation of Ice and Roller Skating, Uttarakhand.

In senior category of the roller hockey final, Punjab defeated Uttarakhand 2-0 to lift the trophy while in the junior category, Delhi defeated Punjab 5-2 to clinch the title.

In quad rink race, Kartika Maan from Gurgeon was declared winner while Ayushi from Rajasthan stood second in the girls' (10-12 years) group.

In roller speed competition yesterday, Veera from Gudgaon won gold in the age group of four to six years. Toshika from Rajasthan won silver and Avika won bronze. In the boys' category, Madhav from Rajasthan won gold, Pranshuman from Delhi won silver and Prem from Maharashtra won bronze.

In quad rink race in the age group of six to eight years (boys), Arjun Sahay from Gurgaon won gold, Kanak and Raghav from Rajasthan won silver and bronze, respectively.

In the girls section of the same age group, Kanika and Sanjili from Rajasthan won gold and silver, respectively. In the age group of eight to 10 years (girls), Siya and Ishika were among the medal holders. In the boys section of the same group, Shivansh won gold while Tushant had to content with silver.

The four-year-old participant from Maharashtra, Prem, demonstrated his skills by passing through a ½ feet ribbon with stretched legs on roller skates. Former Mandi Parishad president Billo Thapli, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed the trophies and citation among the winners. He appealed to parents, students and coaches to tell everybody that Uttarakhand was safe for travel. He also appealed to stay away from drugs.

Train people to tackle natural disasters: Red Cross secy
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 11
With Uttarakhand falling in the sensitive zone and venerable to natural disasters, the need of the hour is to train personnel and local people in various aspects of disaster management. This will largely lessen the impact of the disaster as well as make the rescue and rehabilitation efforts more effective and quicker, said Dr Naresh Chaudhari, secretary, Indian Red Cross, Haridwar district, while talking to The Tribune here yesterday.

Governor Aziz Qureshi had felicitated Chaudhri for his valuable contribution to rescue operations in Haridwar in June last year.

People congratulated Chaudhari for his efforts and his felicitation by the Governor.

Besides commendable work done to rescue disaster-hit people, Chaudhari was also given a special certificate for his role in generating social awareness through various campaigns regarding tree plantation, female foeticide, illiteracy, sexual abuse and voting.

''Such acknowledgement enhances my dedication and determination to work harder. The Red Cross is focusing on giving training to more volunteers and people living in the disaster-prone areas. Helping people prepare for disasters is the key in minimising loss of human, animal, and property,'' said Chaudhari, who in the past had been adjudged the best nodal officer in Uttarakhand for carrying out various social campaigns.

Additional Secretary Nidhi Pandey cited Chaudhari's works during her 10-month stint as District Magistrate of Haridwar.

More than 5000 saplings were planted under his supervision and students were involved in social campaigns that proved successful.

District Magistrate D Senthl Pendiyan, SSP, Haridwar, Dr Sadanand Date, ADM, Finance, Dr Harak Singh Rawat, Swami Sharad Puri Maharaj, Satpal Braham Chari, Mayor Manoj Garg, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi also congratulated Chaudhari for his achievement.

Ecole Globale’s Manya Agarwal to compete in Shooting World Cup in USA
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
Manya Agarwal, a Class XI student of Ecole Globale International Girls School, Dehradun, has been selected to participate in the IPC Shooting World Cup at Fort Benning, USA, in the first week of June. The invitation to the event extended by the National Governing Body for the Olympic and Paralympic Shooting Sports in the United States, would give Manya an opportunity to participate and qualify for the world championships to be held in Suhi, Germany, and for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The World Cup events will be held from June 1 to 7, and would be hosted on the ranges of the United States Army Marksmanship Unit located at Fort Benning Military Reservation at Columbus, Georgia.

Manya began her training under her coach, Shiv Lal Dogra, in June, 2012, when she was 14. She chose air pistols and mastered the sport despite physical limitations. Encouraged by her mentor and her parents, Manya fixed her aim - the nationals - and qualified for them. Her hard work paid when she walked off with the gold medal in the junior women’s nationals in 2012 and repeated her performance in 2013.

Manya then went on to win a gold medal in the Master’s Meet, held in May 2013. The achiever says, “My dream is to represent my country at the Olympics and bring home a gold medal.”

She attributes her success to her coach, Shiv Lal Dogra, and to her parents. “Whenever I have faltered, Dogra sir has encouraged me to achieve my goals,” Manya says.

She adds, “He has worked with me tirelessly and what I am today, is all because of him as he has instilled in me the importance to be disciplined and focused on my goal.”

Haridwar-based trust to plant one crore saplings every year
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 11
Taking into account the shrinking forest cover, rapid urbanisation and changes in the environment, the Abheda Ganga Mayya Trust, Kankhal, Haridwar, has decided to plant one crore saplings in the country every year. Swami Vishwesharanand Giri Maharaj is the religious head of the trust, which was founded in 1984. Swami Samvidanand Maharaj, a disciple of Swami Vishwesharanad Maharaj, said the trust had been working in the disaster-hit Rudraprayag region for the past one year.

The trust had constructed a temporary bridge on the Mandakini river at Vijay Nagar in Rudraprayag at a cost of Rs 9.5 lakh. Similarly, a suspension bridge at a cost of Rs 60 lakh was being constructed at Silli village with the help of the Uttarakhand government and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. Besides, the trust has adopted Barsu village in Rudraprayag where a nursery has been opened. More than 1,000 varieties of plants are being nursed at the nursery.

"We will plant one crore saplings in India every year. In Uttarakhand, we have a target to plant 60,000 saplings during the first phase of the drive. Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Kerala will also be covered under the project," said Swami Samvidanand Maharaj.

Swami Samvidanand urged people, and educational, social and religious institutions to contribute to the project. He said the drive would start on World Environment Day on June 5. Mahesh Parik, a social activist, lauded the efforts of the trust and said people should lend a help hand to it.

"Global warming, climatic change and the natural disaster in the Kedar valley last year point towards ill-effects of environment degradation and efforts are imperative to save the earth," he added.

Rawat tells officials to implement food security scheme by June 30
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has instructed officials to take all necessary steps to implement the National Food Security Programme by June 30 and sort out anomalies within a week to issue ration cards.

While reviewing the national and state food security programmes, Harish Rawat gave instructions to the officials concerned to ensure timely implementation of the food security scheme in the state. He said the distribution of two kg of salt and one kg of grain would be done in those areas where residents were suffering from deficiency of iodine and protein.

Rawat said a nodal officer in every development block of the state should be appointed in order to ensure timely dissemination of newly made ration cards. The officials were also directed to ensure storage of foodgrains along the Char Dham Yatra route and for the monsoon season.

The Chief Minister said 61.94 lakh residents would be benefited once the national food security programme was implemented while other residents of the state would be covered under the state food security programme

State Food Minister Preetam Singh, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Principal Secretary SS Sandhu and Umakant Panwar were also present at the meeting.

Workshop on role of anaesthetists held at Max Super Speciality Hospital
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
In the changing healthcare environment the importance of anaesthesia and anaesthetists has evolved to one of pain management and improving patient care. Experts said this at a continuing medical education (CME) workshop on advancements in the field of anaesthesiology held at Max Super Speciality Hospital yesterday.

Dr Sanjeev Nivargi said an anaesthesia plan was prepared after considering the nature and duration of the surgery, patient's health conditions and other technical support factors.

Earlier, it was felt that an anaesthetist's role was restricted to administering drug but it was no longer the case. "In the ever evolving health care scene, anaesthetists ensure the wellbeing of the patient post-surgery and play a pivotal role in resuscitating acutely unwell patients, including trauma victims. They assist in the management of patients suffering from acute or chronic pain as well as providing pain relief for women in labour,'' said Dr Nivargi.

On the other hand, Dr Rudranath Talukdar, medical oncologist, Max Super Speciality Hospital, delved on the importance of pain management in cancer patients and said, ''The role of anaesthetists is crucial in all specialities. For example cancer patients often experience pain at different parts of the body. Accurate and meaningful assessment and reassessment of pain is essential to ensure relief and the role of an anaesthetist becomes critical to reduce pain,'' said Dr Talukdar.

Fifty doctors from different parts of the country participated in the workshop.

Kailash mansarovar yatra
Bridge on Gori river opened to traffic
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 11
A bridge reconstructed on the Gori river at Kanchoti, near Tawaghat, ahead of the Kailash Mansarowar yatra, which is scheduled to begin on June 12, was opened for transportation today. The state Public Works Department and BRO personnel have reconstructed the bridge that was washed away in the flash floods last year. It would connect all 12 villages of the Chaudans Valley.

“The vehicular movement through the bridge to the Chaundas valley villages started today,” said Pramod Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate,Dharchula.

Now, pilgrims would be able to travel from the Dharchula base camp to the Narayan Ashram by vehicles.

They would be able to reach the first camp at Sirkha, which is close to the ashram.

“We received orders from Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma to construct the bridge before May 15 and we camped at the place for a month and completed the work,” said Chief Engineer, PWD, GC Arya.

He said the construction of a concrete bridge had also begun at the same place and the work would be completed in a month's time.

Workshop on advances in chemical sciences ends

Dehradun, May 11
A workshop titled ''Advances in Chemical Sciences (Chemcon) 2014'' organised by the Department of Applied Chemistry (M.Sc.- Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Chemistry) at the Sardar Bhagwan Singh Postgraduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research concluded here yesterday. The aim of the workshop was to provide hands-on training in various instrument techniques and isolation of bioactive compounds by various subject experts. Addressing the gathering, Dr PK Gupta, head of the department,

Cellulose and Paper Division, Forest Research Institute, said: 'Chemistry is a fundamental science and has contributed immensely to the improvement of the human life on this planet. The developments in chemistry during the last few decades have been phenomenal because of re-discovery of the importance of chemistry in virtually all walks of life.'' Hands-on training on instruments was provided by Prof. Versha Parcha, Dr Manjeet Kaur, Dr Alok Maithani, Bhanwar Singh , Dr Neelam Yadav, Dr Neetu Pandey, Dr Shivani Pathak and Dr Amita Sati. More than 100 students from various institutes and colleges of Uttarakhand participated in the workshop. — TNS

Russian tourist dies while rafting
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
A Russian national fell into the Ganga during river rafting in Uttarkashi and was severely injured today. He was rushed to Doon Hospital in Dehradun by other tourists where he died. The victim was part the of a six-member group of foreign tourists who arrived in Uttarkashi yesterday.

Today, they decided to go for river rafting in the Ganga and within a few minutes of hitting the river, Shiringi (42), fell into the river. The other crew members pulled him out. However, he was hit by stones in the river and he later died in Doon Hospital. The Russian embassy has been informed about the incident.

Man's body found

The city police found a crushed body near Faltu Lines, here today.

A team of investigating officers immediately reached the spot and sent the body for an autopsy. The body is yet to be identified.

The investigating team is examining all aspects to solve the case but it is yet to find any concrete clue.

Police sources said the man might have died after being knocked by a speeding vehicle late last night. The investigating team, however, does not rule out foul play.

BVP office-bearers sworn in
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
An installation ceremony of office-bearers of the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP), Drona Chapter, was held here today. Harbans Kapoor, former Vidhan Sabha Speaker, was the chief guest on the occasion. He urged the gathering to contribute to the uplift of the weaker sections of society. He said efforts should be made to ensure the overall development of the country.

Dr Satyendra Mittal, state president of the BVP, said the parishad was a non-political organisation that contributes to the welfare of society. He added the BVP organised various competitions at the school level with an aim to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in students.

Dr Madhurika Saxena, state general secretary of the BVP, administered the oath of office to Aruna Chawla, Anil Sharma, DR Kothiyal and other newly-appointed office bearers.

Renowned classical dancer Nidhi Kothiyal Mishra performed Bhartanatyam on the occasion.

SS Kothiyal, Retired IG, Dolly Dabral, Savita Kapoor, Gopal Krishan Mittal, Prof DPS Khanna, Savitri Kala, Subhash Saxena, VP Lakhera, Veena Agarwal and Bharti Pandey were also present.

Dehradun boys, girls win basketball trophies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
Dehradun district teams of both boys and girls won the finals of the 14th Uttarakhand State Junior (U-18) Basketball Championship 2014 held at the outdoor Basketball court of Welham Boys' School here today.

Dehradun district girls? beat Haldwani 35-21. Palak Sharma with 12 points was the highest Scorer for Dehradun while Jaya with 10 points was the highest scorer for Haldwani. In the boys’ section, Dehradun district boys’ beat Haridwar district 70-46. Gaurav with 30 points was the highest scorer for Dehradun while Suraj with 16 points was the highest scorer for Haridwar district.

Balvinder Singh, basketball coach, gave away the trophies and prizes to the winners and tokens to all participants.

The Uttarakhand Basketball Association will conduct a 10-day pre-national basketball coaching camp in Dehradun from May 14 to 23 for the Uttarakhand state team that will be participating in the 65th Junior National Basketball Championship to be held in Eranakulam, Kerala, from May 26 to June 2.

Elaborate security for safety of EVMs
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 11
With the counting of votes due on May 16, elaborate security arrangements have been made at the buildings where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept. EVMs have been kept in 11 strongrooms at the Collectorate building and the Vikas Bhavan at Roshanabad under round-the-clock security. Six strongrooms have been made at the Collectorate building and five at the Vikas Bhavan.

Elite commandos from the Uttarakhand Police with snipers have been positioned at the Collectorate building. Besides, the entire area around the Collectorate building and the Vikas Bhavan have been put under surveillance of CCTV cameras.

District Election Officer D Senthyl Pendiyan along with SSP, Haridwar, Sadanand Date took stock of the security arrangements at the Collectorate building.

Circle Officer, Kankhal, Vimal Kumar has been appointed nodal officer for EVM security. Paramilitary and Uttarakhand Police personnel have been deployed on security at the Collectorate building.

The SSP said Vimal Kumar would visit the Collectorate building to ensure a foolproof security cover.

Social activist resents Coke plant at Sitarganj

Dehradun, May 11
Social activist and environmentalist Suresh Bhai has resented the decision of the state government to set up a Coca Cola bottling plant at Sitarganj that was earlier planned at Vikasnagar in Dehradun but had met with stiff resistance from local residents.

In a statement issued here yesterday, Suresh Bhai said the people of Vikasnagar after much resistance managed to stop Coca Cola from setting up a bottling plant there as it would have destroyed all underground water sources in the region.

He said the state government’s move to shift the plant to the Sitarganj industrial area in Udham Singh Nagar would have an adverse impact in the region.

He added the residents of the Sitanganj industrial area were already suffering from the problem of polluted underground water.

Suresh Bhai said, "The state needs to conserve its water resources, both above and under ground, and the state government should not promote such industries." — TNS

Wynberg Allen School students enact Hindi play ‘Uljhan’
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 11
Students of Wynberg Allen School enacted a Hindi play 'Uljhan', written by famous playwright Ramesh Mehta, at the Kirby Lain auditorium here yesterday. The play is set in a metropolitan city with the central theme revolving around a young man who is desperate to make it big in the city. He reaches the metropolitan city and becomes pompous and hypocritical, and keeps borrowing money.

There he meets a girl who turns table on his deceptive acts, thus revealing the complexities of life in a metropolitan city.

Abhishek Sharma, Saarim Khan, Saurabh Dahiya, Rishav Singh, Pranvi Manglick, Twinkle Sharma and Shaiista Machhan played the lead roles. S Saxena and G Juneja directed the play that was appreciated by the audience.

Panwar gets Shri Ram Sharma memorial award
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
The prestigious Shri Ram Sharma memorial award was conferred upon Jai Prakash Panwar, manager of the mountain channel, at a function organised by Dharatal here today. Lt Gen MC Badhani (retd), managing director of Uttarakand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited (UPNL), and Ravindra Jugran, a social worker, gave away the award to Panwar.

Sharma’s son Dr Atul Sharma and daughters Rekha Sharma and Ranjana Sharma were also present on the occasion. Lt Gen Badhani (retd) said every section of society should follow in the footsteps of freedom fighters.

He recalled Sharma’s efforts during the Indian freedom struggle and said he was also jailed many times.

Ram Lal Khanduri, Pradeep Kukretti, Jagmohan Mehandiratta, Chandshekhar Tiwari, Nand Kishore, Shangeeta Shah and Pawan Rawat were also present at the function.

ITBP expedition flagged off
Our Correspondent

Scaling peaks for safety: IS Negi, IG (north), ITBP, flags off an ITBP expedition to the Chaudhara peak from the battalion headquarters at Jajardeval in Pithoragarh on Saturday. a tribune photograph

Pithoragarh, May 11
IS Negi, IG (north), ITBP, yesterday flagged off an ITBP expedition to the Chaudhara peak (6,511 m) in the Panchchuli range of the Himalayas in the Johar valley of the district from the battalion headquarters at Jajardeval. The aim of the expedition, named ‘Trishul’, is to preserve the ecology of the Johar valley by finding ways to protect the local fauna and keep the Himvir’s of the force physically fit,” said Ranvir Singh, Commandant, 14th battalion, ITBP.

“The expedition being organised by the 14th Battalion of the ITBP will consist of 30 members. It will be led by Assistant Commandant Anupreet Borkar.” “The one-month expedition will conclude on June 10. The members will traverse minor peaks in the area to know about fatigue caused in the process and the wildlife presence in this part of the Himalayas to protect it,” said Ranvir Singh.

Makeshift bridge on Bhagirathi washed away
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 11
A temporary bridge built by local people on the Bhagirathi at Didsari village in Uttarkashi has washed away due to a rise in the level of the river following overnight rain. The villagers had built the bridge themselves as the old bridge was washed away in flash floods last year. The villagers are now cut off from the rest of the region as the bridge was the only link with the nearby Uttarkashi market.

Residents of Didsari village said they were now forced to travel several kilometres to reach the nearest road. Meanwhile, RP Bahuguna, naib-thesildar, Uttarkashi, said the bridge was a makeshift arrangement made by the villagers after the natural disaster last year. However, the surging waters of the river swept away this bridge also. He added the administration was trying to reconnect the village with the nearest road so that they did not face inconvenience.

Villagers falsely booked for boycott of poll: CPI (ML)
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 11
The CPI (ML) has opposed registration of cases against four villagers in Munsiyari tehsil of Pithoragarh district for allegedly preventing people from casting votes in response to a election boycott call.

Jagat Martolia, secretary of Pithoragarh CPI (ML) unit, said the party had submitted a memorandum to Radha Raturi, state Chief Electoral Officer, seeking her intervention in the matter to ensure withdrawal of cases.

“An individual who does not cast vote is not a crime. Every citizen of the country has the right to boycott elections,” said Martolia.

He added the authorities concerned had wrongly charged the villagers with preventing people from casting their votes. “They gave a call for election boycott but they did not prevent anyone from casting their votes nor did they instigate the voters to boycott the elections,” he added.