Less rains, less problem of waterlogging in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
As heavy showers lashed the city for two days, there was less waterlogging as compared to the previous years. But for the few low-lying areas, the city bore a comparatively water-free look.

Except for three complaints related to overflowing water at the Ballupur Chowk, where construction of a flyover is on, there were no other complaints at the control room set up at the Dehradun Municipal Corporation.

Speaking to The Tribune, DMC Mukhya Swasthya Adhikari Dr RK Singh said, “During the last year, by this time, we had received around 90 complaints in the control room. Even though it has not rained much this year, taking a lesson from mistakes committed last year, we have taken lots of precautionary steps. In fact, during the pre-monsoon preparations, special checks of the areas, from where the complaints were received last year, was conducted by the DMC.”

Teams have been dispatched to pump out water from the low-lying areas which lack any drains. The entire city has been divided into four zones with 15 wards in each one. Five officials, including a Junior Engineer, are part of each team that is monitoring the situation and is reporting any incident of waterlogging or overflowing drains in its respective area. A group of sanitation workers and engineers is in the control room round-the-clock. In case of emergency, they would be dispatched immediately. Arrangements for sufficient number of vehicles and pumps have been made,” said the MSA.

In case of waterlogging, members of the general public can lodge their complaint on control room number 01352652571 or on toll-free number 18001804153.

Prof Dimri welcomes proposed centre for Himalayan studies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Padma Shree Vijay Prasad Dimri, a distinguished scientist of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and former head of the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, yesterday welcomed the Narendra Modi government’s initiative to set up an integrated centre for Himalayan studies in Uttarakhand.

Dimri in an interview to The Tribune as part of a special series on “What needs to be done to rebuild state” during August 2013, shortly after the Kedarnath catastrophe, had strongly advocated for setting up such a centre of excellence in Uttarakhand that could bring together scientists working in the sphere of geology, meteorology and environment.

“It is a welcome development and such an integrated study centre for Himalayas was the need of the hour,” Dimri said. He has been repeatedly suggesting the setting up of a centre of excellence in Uttarakhand for Himalayan studies.

Dimri said the centre should have scientists dealing with all aspects of science linked to hills like geology, meteorology and environment science. This would help in better scientific studies of hills and help in coming up with effective remedial measures.

He admitted that while there were several scientific institutions working in Himalayas, all of them have different mandate and an integrated centre would now bring them together.

Dimri, who was awarded Padma Shree in 2010 in the discipline of science and engineering, is the first Asian to get the Lorenz Award in American Geophysical Union in the field of non-linear geophysics in December 2007. He has also received the GP Chatterjee Award of Indian Science Congress Association, presented to him by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2007. He is a Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences, Italy.

Rain disrupts Char Dham Yatra
Tribune News Service

making a splash: Commuters riding a motorbike wade through a waterlogged street in Dehradun on Monday. a tribune photograph

Dehradun, July 14
The ongoing Char Dham Yatra was disrupted after a large number of roads, including national highways, got affected in the hilly districts of the state, due to landslides and debris on roads triggered by incessant rainfall in the state in the last 48 hours.

The Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway in Rudraprayag district is still out of bounds after the embankment at Vijaynagar collapsed following heavy rainfall in the area. Even the Mayali-Bhiri motor road is blocked due to presence of debris. The district is still witnessing light showers at regular intervals. Stranded pilgrims at Sonprayag were allowed to move ahead towards Kedarnath shrine after the weather cleared up on Monday.

Major blocked roads in Uttarkashi district were cleared by Monday afternoon and the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway was cleared for both small and heavy vehicles. The Rishikesh-Yamunotri Highway is still not accessible beyond Jankichatti. All major roads in Chamoli district including village roads remained clear.

According to the State Emergency Centre, as for the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra, all major roads in Pithoragarh district are clear and accessible. Two wooden bridges were washed away due to heavy rainfall in Pithoragarh district on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain and thunderstorm at many places in Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Rather heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places, especially in Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts and southern Uttarakhand, according to the Meteorological Department.

As for Kumaon region, the Met department has predicted rather heavy to heavy rainfall at isolated places in south Kumaon region during the next 48 hours.

CM directs officials to gear up for monsoons 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has given directions to the district magistrates of all the districts in the state to gear up to meet the challenges of monsoons in the state. He also instructed the officials to take all the warnings of the Meteorological office seriously.

The district officials have been asked to take all the precautionary measures in the wake of weather forecast of the Meteorological Department and people who are living on the banks of rivers and insecure places must be taken to secure places.

As part of his directions to the district magistrates, the chief minister has instructed them to make sure that districts have sufficient stock of food times, so that there is no shortage of food items in the hilly districts if roads got disrupted due to rainfall.

The Chief Minister gave directions to the officials of the tourism department to publicise the weather forecast regarding Char Dham Yatra through the control room, as safety of the pilgrims is very important.

The district level officials of Disaster Management Department have been asked to pull up their socks and remain alert during the monsoon season.

17 lakh Kanwariyas arrive in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 14
A whopping 17 lakh Kanwariyas have arrived in just a span of two days since the Shravan Kanwar pilgrimage commenced in Haridwar.

Round the clock movement of saffron-clad Kanwariyas is being witnessed at the entry points of the city,with chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bum Bum Bholey’ reverberating through the entire Kanwar stretch.

In the initial week of the Kanwar fair, pilgrims from states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab arrived, while in the later phase from nearby states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana arrived.

This time the condition of the Kanwar patri is not in good condition, owing to expansion work of Ganga canal being done by Uttar Pradesh irrigation department. Despite strict directives from District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan, the Kanwar stretch has not been levelled properly. Kanwariyas had to tread over pebbles and uneven stretches and pot holes.

Owing to rain last evening, at many places the temporary covering of the Kanwar stretch got exposed as the makeshift laying of mud got washed away ,leaving Kanwariyas to tread on dangerous Kanwar track.

When contacted nodal officer for Kanwar fair Veer Chandra Singh Budhiyal said that all is fine on the Kanwar track and by evening it will get levelled.

Local people and traders have also expressed resentment over the poor condition of the Kanwar stretch.

Tej Prakash Sahu, city president of Kumbh Vyapar Mandal, said that as millions of Kanwariyas come to fetch holy Ganga jal in Haridwar, it is the duty of the mela administration to ensure they are provided best of the facilities.

Statehood fighter and Uttarakhand Kranti Manch president JP Pandey expressed unhappiness over the poor arrangements being done for Kanwar pilgrimage in the pilgrim city. Pandey urged mela officer D Senthyl Pendiyan to carry out an inspection of the Kanwar stretch himself as the sector-zonal magistrates appointed for the Kanwar fair are missing from their duty points.

Rough ride

• The Kanwar patri is in bad condition owing to expansion work of the Ganga canal being done by the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department.
• The Kanwar stretch has not been levelled properly.
• Kanwariyas forced to tread over pebbles and uneven stretches and pot holes.
• Rain on Sunday evening washes away temporary covering of the stretch.

Lawyers body demands stipend for fresh entrants
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 14
Zila Adhivakta Sanstha, a lawyer’s body in Pithoragarh, has demanded that fresh entry in the profession at the district level should be given stipend of not less than Rs 5,000 per month for five years of his joining the profession.

Due to decentralisation of the judicial system in the country, chances of immediate earning in the profession of law have gone down at the district level. “A newly registered advocate needs minimum five years to set his foot in the profession,” said MC Bhatt, president of the body.

Addressing mediapersons after successful completion of one-day state-level conference on need of laws to protect land, water and forest, MC Bhatt, district president of the sanatha, said today it could be possible only when the profession of lawyers would flourish in the state.

“Besides Rs 5,000 as stipend, we have sought insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh to each advocate coming into the profession and pension for those who surrender their registration on old age ground and helping old and ailing advocates up to Rs 2 lakh by the government,” said Bhatt.

Senior advocate and former Didihat MLA Gopal Dutt Ojha said new land settlement of the land available in the state should begin as the land could be identified for Chakbandi purposes.

“We have also demanded the reenactment of Sections 176 and 177 of the UP Zamindari Abolition Act, 1955, which is applicable for poor,” said Ojha.

The advocate’s body also demanded that the Uttarakhand Bar Association should be strengthened and given a sum of Rs 10 crore for the welfare of lawyers in the state. 

Ayurvedic medicines found effective in migraine treatment
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
In its preliminary investigations through the use of traditional Ayurvedic formulations, the Vaidya Chandra Prakash Cancer Research Foundation has managed to achieve a breakthrough in treating patients suffering from of chronic migraine disease affecting large sections of population across the globe.

During the course of the study, investigators found that patients who had been suffering from migraine for the last 28 years responded remarkably well to traditional Ayurvedic medicines.

“In my study undertaken in the mid-eighties, I had managed to establish a correlation between shelsham-pitta and migraine and how an imbalance of shelsham-pitta, due to wrong eating habits, gave rise to migraine,” said Vaidya Balendu, while sharing the results of the study with mediapersons today.

Vaidya Balendu of the Dehradun-based research foundation designed the Ayurvedic treatment protocol for conducting the international research along with Dr AK Mahapatra, Head, Department of Neurology, Director AIIMS (Odisha) and Prof Manjari Tripathi, also from AIIMS.

As many as 70 patients of chronic migraine were selected for the study which began in April 2012. The patients were in the 18-45 years age group and were divided into two groups — Those treated with Ayurvedic medicines and those treated with Allopathic drugs. They were also kept on a similar diet plan.

The study sought to test the efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines by using modern research methods.

“The detailed monthly check-up showed that patients who took Allopathic medicines continued to suffer from migraine, while those who were taking Ayurvedic medicines were relatively free from migraine. In these patients, symptoms of migraine such as pulsating headache, nausea, photophobia and phonophobia reduced significantly,” said Vaidya Balendu.

DAV PG College press meet on poor infrastructure
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Reacting to the views made by Chief Minister Harish Rawat about poor infrastructure in DAV PG College, College Principal Devendra Bhasin said that the problem should be looked holistically and not just from the point of view of infrastructure.

Accepting that there is an infrastructural problem in the college, Bhasin said that the level of infrastructure existing in the college is not upto the mark and there are not enough labs and classrooms for almost 34,000 students in the college.

He also pointed out that there are mere 134 teachers for such huge amount of teachers. However, he mentioned that 187 teachers were sanctioned for around 5,000 students but the number of students kept on increasing and the number of teachers were stuck at 134.

While addressing a press meet, the principal reiterated that 18 new rooms are going to be constructed at the cost of Rs 2 crore and around Rs 12 lakh has been spent on the construction of roads inside the college campus.

On the issue of college decision to take less admission during this years session, he said that college is just implementing High Court directions and the college will not take more than 12,415 students this year. 

AAP leader starts online petition towards rebuilding of state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Uttarakhand Aam Aadmi Party leader and technocrat Anoop Nautiyal has started an online petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for rebuilding Uttarakhand.

Named “Rebuild Uttarakhand”, the petition suggests out-of-the-box solutions for Uttarakhand in order to make the state come out of the rain disaster. Nautiyal, in his petition, argued that it had been more than a year since the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in North India had been devastated due to natural and man-made reasons. As thousands of people lost their lives and many more lost their loved ones, the government’s response towards the disaster has been pathetically slow and inefficient. The petition appeals for direct intervention of the Prime Minister and involvement of the PMO in rebuilding of Uttarakhand.

“First and foremost, it has to be accepted that the state government, with its limitations and lack of capabilities, does not have the competence and resources to rebuild Uttarakhand. Repeated requests for thousands of crores or only discussing if we should have hydro power projects or not is not the answer to the state’s woes,” Anoop Nautiyal told The Tribune.

“It is in this context that this petition is being made to the Prime Minister, seeking his personal and direct intervention in the rebuilding of Uttarakhand,” he observed. He disclosed that more than 100 individuals had already signed the petition.

Devotees throng temples to mark Sawan’s first Monday
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Thousands of devotees today thronged temples across the state capital to offer prayers on the first Monday of Sawan.

Observing a fast every Monday during this month is a ritual. Long queues of devotees were seen outside Lord Shiva temples.

A huge rush was witnessed at Dakra-based Nageshwar Temple. Mahant Vishwanath Yogi said Shiv Mahapuran was being organised here that would end on August 11.

Meanwhile, the month is being observed as Shiv Mahotsava at Prithvinath Mandir. According to the management of the temple, during the entire month prayers would be held in the morning and evening.

CPI condemns Israel attack on Gaza
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Condemning the attacks and killings in Gaza, the Uttarakhand Chapter of the Communist Party of India has called for peace in the war-torn city.

State Secretary Comrade Vijay Rawat said Israel forces had forcefully acquired the Palestinian land and killed thousands of innocents.

“Israel is violating the proposal laid down by the United Nations. Despite the protest, they are going ahead with the construction works on the illegal land acquired by them and forcing Palestinians to move out of their homes,” he added.

“India has always stood by the people of Palestine and the Modi Government has failed to take a tough stand,” added Rawat.

Members of the chapter, including Sajwan, Lekhraj, Anant Akash, Kamruddin, Rajender Purohit and Shiv Prasad Devli were also present.

Campaigning picks up for byelections
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 14
With the byelections to three Assembly seats —- Dharchula, Someshwar and Doiwala—- in the state nearing, the Congress and the BJP have intensified campaigning in these areas. Both parties are claiming their victory on the three seats.

The Congress is hopeful of its win from Dharchula and Someshwar in the Kumoan region and is also making all efforts to win the Doiwala seat in Dehradun. On the other hand, BJP leaders are claiming that the Narendra Modi wave is still present in the state and it will lead the party to victory this time as well.

“Although the Congress is using the state machinery in the bypoll, the BJP will win all three seats with a huge margin, especially in Dharchula,” said Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, who was in Bageshwar today.

However, Kishore Upadhayay, president of the state unit of the Congress, during his visit to the Kumaon region, said the party was contesting the byelections on the poll plank of development and would win all three Assembly seats with a huge margin. “After this victory, the Congress has decided to open its state office at Gairsain and run it for one week every month,” said Upadhayay.

He said the Congress had received a shot in the arm with the support of UKD leader Kashi Singh Airy to Dharchula candidate and Chief Minister Harish Rawat. “Kashi Singh Airy, a former MLA and statehood leader, enjoys good reputation among villagers of Dharchula. His support would help the party win the bypoll with a huge margin,’ said Mahendra Singh Lunthi, president of the Pithoragarh unit of the party.

According to information, several organisations, including the Unemployed BEd and TET Trained Teachers’ organisation and the Safai Karmachari Sangh, have decided to campaign in support of Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

“A large number of people from the area are joining the Congress everyday. It clearly indicates that the party is set to make a record victory in Dharchula,” said Yashpal Arya, Cabinet minister.

Medical camp for truck drivers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
A two-day free eye and general health check-up camp for truck drivers is being organised jointly by the Pernod Ricard India, Hindustan National Glass and Industries Limited and Rishikesh Truck Owners Association at Rishikesh.

Inaugurating the camp, Deep Sharma, Chairman, Rishikesh Nagar Palika, stressed on the need of road safety and encouraged the drivers to avail the services provided in the camp. “The families are of utmost importance to all and in event of any mishap they suffer the most. Therefore, the rivers must adhere to defence driving and road safety rules,” he added.

In a press release issued here, Deepak Katty, head, sales and development, Pernod Ricard India, said that the camp is a part of the corporate social responsibility initiative of the company and has been organised for the benefit of nearly 3000 truck drivers from the area. Similar camps are being organised in Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The camp brings together a panel of qualified doctors and eye specialists who would be doing detailed eye checkup and general health checkup of the drivers using latest equipments. Drivers with weak eyesight are also provided with free spectacles along with counselling on regular eye checkups. 

Teachers can give students true knowledge: Magsaysay awardee
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 14
The twenty fifth ‘Gyan Deeksha’ ceremony was organised at the Dev Sanskriti University here in Haridwar today. Students from more than 10 states participated in the ceremony.

Prior to commencement of the new academic session annually, the ‘Gyan Deeksha’ ceremony is held in which teachers bless, guide, motivate and urge students to tread the righteous path.

Addressing the students, Magsaysay awardee for community leadership, Dr Prakash Amte, who is currently working for reformation of tribal villagers in Maharashtra, said Baba Saheb Ambedkar taught people to live a life based on morals and treat animals too with love.

President of Ram Krishan Param Hans Mission, New Delhi, Swami Shant Atmanand, said real education is one that makes the learner perfect from inside too as without moral values and inner awakening, one cannot be said to have attained true education.

Swami Atmanand lauded the Shantikunj management for guiding students to the path shown by Swami Vivekanand, stating that the education pattern of Dev Sanskriti University should be followed by other educational institutes.

Dr Pranav Pandya, chancellor of Dev Sanskriti University, said the education system is meant not just to churn out students who are careerists but also make them ideal human beings — That can help India be a superpower.

Addressing freshers, Dr Pandya said in this university, students are dipped in book-based education as well as education that teaches one to tread life’s varied phases successfully.

Vice chancellor Sharad Pardhi pointed out that students should imbibe traits of common sense, honesty, hard work, responsibility, respect towards elders and courage in their stay at the Dev Sanskriti University.

Another Magsaysay awardee Dr Mandakini, Shanti Niketan former vice chancellor Dr Duleep Sinha, Dev Sanskriti University pro-vice chancellor Dr Chinmay Pandya and teaching staff of the host university were present on the occasion.

Students hailing from Andaman and Nicobar islands, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and other states have taken admission for various courses at the Dev Sanskriti University this year.

Students from Japan and Australia have taken admission in Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedic science, language and astrology courses.

OBC panel chairman constitutes team
Tribune News service

Dehradun, July 14
After receiving complaints about the Muslim members falling under Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from Sunargaon and Churani villages of Tehri district being denied caste certificates for availing OBC reservation, the State Commission for Other Backward Classes has constituted a team to assess the ground situation and present a report to the commission.

Yakub Garhwali of Tehri had lodged a complaint with the commission, saying that their community members were facing difficulty in availing the OBC reservations as the district authorities were unwilling to issue certificates based on their caste, though they fell under OBC.

“I have constituted a team comprising vice chairman of the commission Shamim Ahmed, Chaman Singh and members Devinder Prasad Chamoli and Arjun Nath Goswami to go on a fact-finding mission, as soon as the model code of conduct is over and present the report to me. The members have been asked to undertake a survey of the Muslims living in these villages and ascertain their educational, social and economic status,” said Ashok Verma, chairman of the commission.

He said that most of these members are engaged in bangle making craft and continue to be socially, educationally and economically backward.

ADG reviews preparations
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 14
Additional Director General (law and order) of Uttarakhand Police Ram Singh Meena, along with principal secretary MH Khan, today took a review meeting of the Kanwar fair police force officials at the City Control Room tower near Har-ki-Pauri.

ADG Ram Singh Meena gave necessary directives to officials concerned about ensuring security, safety, patrolling and intelligence during the fortnight-long Kanwar pilgrimage in Uttarakhand.

In the wake of the Kanwar fair and Ramzan festival going on simultaneously, the ADG said the police should take extra precautions to ensure smooth completion of festivities.

“Spread of rumours is another aspect on which strict action needs to be taken. In the past, we have seen that just on false rumours, peaceful atmosphere during Kanwar fair has been disrupted. Communication is the key during Kanwar fair as pilgrimage goes on round-the-clock. Even minor information needs to be forwarded and intercepted. The control room and on-field Kanwar police personnel need to be in direct contact,” said the ADG. Later, MH Khan and ADG Meena, along with SSP Dr Sadanand Date, SP (city) Surjeet Singh Pawar and ADG Meena, inspected the Kanwar track from CCR Rodibelwala-Shankaracharya square, Rishikul, Singh Dwar, Pull Jatwada till Bahdarabad.

SSP Dr Sadanand Date is reviewing the Kanwar mela proceedings on a daily basis and has been provided security cover of elite black commando unit for the Kanwar fair.

Cases of theft on the rise in Mussoorie
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 14
Barely two days have passed since the armed robbery case at the house of a petrol station owner that another incident of attempted robbery at the house of a lawyer in Barlowganj was reported today.

According to the Mussoorie police, the lawyer couple, the owners of the house at Barlowganj, who were away for two days with their family in Dehradun, on return found that that the grill of the one of the windows of the house along with the lock of the door were broken open.

On entering the house, they found that clothes and other goods were lying strewn all over the place, suggesting an attempted burglary in the house.

Advocate Archna Rab immediately summoned the police who rushed to the spot and started investigations in the matter.

She further said that it seems that the burglars not being able to find any cash and jewellery left without taking anything after searching the room at the ground floor thoroughly. The police are yet to ascertain the actual day of the robbery as the family was in Dehradun for the past two days.

When contacted advocate A.Rab, the owner of the house, said that a similar attempt had been made in their house during winter season when the locks of the door on the first floor were broken and the unidentified assailants had searched every drawer for cash or jewellery but found nothing. He had apprised about the incident to the senior police officials but no action was initiated, emboldening the robbers to attempt a break-in at the house again.

Advocate Rab was of the view that they have been living in Mussoorie since Independence and have never seen such criminal activities in the town.

The residents have also attributed the increase of drug consumption among the local youth, to the rise in theft cases in the town.

The residents opined that it was being observed that a large number of youth were addicted to glue sniffing and tablets and in order to satiate their unending desire. They were resorting to robbery in Mussoorie.

When contacted the president municipal council lambasted the police for failing to curb the theft incidents in the town and said that despite the police receiving a huge budget for modernisation, the force has not been able to resolve theft cases that have occurred in the past few years in Mussoorie, which was shameful.

Matter for concern

• Barely two days have passed since the armed robbery case at the house of a petrol station owner that another incident of attempted robbery at the house of a lawyer in Barlowganj was reported today.

No headway in armed robbery case
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 14
The armed robbery at the house of a petrol station owner on Saturday night remains a mystery. The police are still groping in the dark and despite releasing the sketches of the two assailants are yet to crack the case, much to the disgust of the residents in Mussoorie.

Around four armed robbers had entered the house of a petrol station owner near Bala Hissar on Saturday night and decamped with cash, foreign currency and jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees.

The trader community enraged at the lackadaisical attitude of the police cornered the police station in charge Jaimal Singh Negi at his office and inquired about the progress in the case.

The president of Uttarakhand hotel and restaurants association Sandeep Sahni, Mussoorie hotel association secretary Ajay Bhargav, members of advocates’ association, aired their concerns at the rise in theft cases in Mussoorie. The residents were of the view that such cases were unheard of in the erstwhile peaceful town of Mussoorie.

The residents and traders have served an ultimatum of 24 hours to the police to crack the case and threatened to take to streets in case the police fail to deliver on its assurance. The police station in charge Jaimal Negi said that they have apprehended a few people for questioning in the case and were working on other leads to enable quick disclosure in the armed robbery case here.

Municipal council ward member Sashi Rawat said that the CCTV cameras had been installed at various sensitive points in the town during the tenure of the previous council but sadly none were in working order today. She opined that CCTV cameras if in order would have helped the police in identifying the assailants.

MC president Manmohan Singh Mall said they were contemplating installing CCTV cameras at various places in the town with the assistance of the MDDA to check rising crime.

Parkash Utsav celebrated

Dehradun, July 14
The 419th Parkash Utsav of sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib was celebrated at the Arhat Bazaar gurdwara here yesterday. Famous Ragi Bhai Charanjit Singh recited the shabad kirtan in the morning. A large congregation of Sikhs participated in the day-long celebrations.

Later, bhog of Sri Akhand Path was held and community langar was served. Several Ragi Jathas from across the state and Amritsar recited shabad kirtan. Severel prominent Sikh leaders including Rajinder Singh Rajan, president of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sewa Singh Matharu, Gulzar Singh Rajinder Singh Rana were present during the celebrations.— TNS

DM reviews response to complaints at grievance cell
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Reviewing the response to complaints received at the public grievance cell, the District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav said that resolving the complaints received via any source is the primary responsibility of the officials.

Addressing the officials in a meeting held here today, Yadav said that upon receiving the complaints from the cell the concerned departments should immediately act upon resolving the issue. “Once necessary action is taken and the complaint resolved, the complainant should be intimated,” he added.

“Even though every step is taken to ensure that the public grievance cell forwards the complaints to the respective departments, the head of the department is equally responsible to check about the complaints for his departments. It’s a two way process,” said the DM.

It may be mentioned here that since the starting of the cell on June 27, a total of 278 complaints have been received so far. Out of these 80 have been resolved. The maximum number of complaints were received regarding the Dehradun Municipal Corporation out of which 23 have been resolved. 

Devotees offer milk at Lord Shiva temples 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 14
With today being the first Monday of the auspicious month of Ashad Sawan, devotees in large numbers offered holy Ganga jal, milk, bilb patra and other sacred items at Shivalingams at Lord Shiva temples across Haridwar district.

From the wee hours of the morning after the sacred Ganga bath, devotees thronged Lord Shiva temples, particularly the ancient Shri Daksheshwar Maha Dev temple at Kankhal, which is considered the parental home of deity Parvati. Sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund,Har-ki-Pauri, and adjacent Ganga ghats were thronged by Kanwariyas and devotees with chanting of hymns Har Har Maha Dev echoing in the whole atmosphere.

In view of today’s religious ritual elaborate security managements were done at Daksheshwar Maha Dev temple, Kankhal, and Bilkeshwar Maha Dev temple 

Police need to be sensitive to win public trust: Experts
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 14
Why does a complainant fear going to a police station? Or, why the police delay registration of a case? Will a change in the mindset of the police bring the requisite change or is undue interference by politicians hampering their working? These issues were dwelled upon at a one-day seminar organised by the Nirdhan-Nirbal Vidhik Sahayata in Haridwar today on ways to ensure maximum registration of complaints at police 
stations.

Addressing the gathering, including judges, academicians, mediapersons, politicians, social activists and legal experts, District Judge Kum Kum Rani stressed on the need for introspection both within society and the police administration.

Rani said be it the police or any government department, it is the people who could check corruption.

Former Nainital High Court judge Rajesh Tandon emphasised on the need for sensitising police personnel, particularly those who were in charge of police stations, as they were the ones who register complaints on daily basis.

Academician PS Chauhan said, “The Indian Penal Code was made way back in 1860 to control, curb and suppress the Indian independence revolutionary movement, and hence it’s very much authoritative and pro-elite class. After 67 years of our Independence, we need to change the code as well as the entire police structure.” Chauhan is a former Principal of Shravan Nath Math Jawaharlal Nehru College.

President of the legal committee Rajesh Rastogi said providing free of cost legal aid to the poor and depressed segments of society was their aim for the last three years.

Rastogi added they had organised 16 free legal aid camps, provided certificates to 815 physically handicapped persons and pension to 600 widows. 

Rozedars from Haridwar meet ailing Harish Rawat at AIIMS 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 14
A delegation of Rozedars hailing from Haridwar, former parliamentary constituency of Chief Minister Harish Rawat,met him at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi yesterday. Led by working Congress district president Rao Affaq Ali,CM Harish Rawat wished them on the pious month of Ramzan, urging people to spread mutual harmony,love ,peace and righteous living.

Harish Rawat also cited hosting and attending many Iftaar receptions during Ramzan month earlier but said that it will not be possible this time owing to the fracture he sustained during a helicopter landing ,which will take at least another fortnight to get healed fully.

Rao Affaq apprised CM of the wishes extended by people from Haridwar,who had elected him with record margin during 2009 Lok Sabha election.

Affaq was assured by Harish Rawat that he would visit Haridwar as soon as he recovered fully from the injury.Rawat also offered dates to Rao Affaq, Ali Rao, Kasim, Rasif Abbasi, Hafiz Inam, Mohammed Irfan, Mehtab Sabri and Hazi Ikram.

Punjabi morcha holds protest against separate gurdwara panel
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Members of the Rashtwadi Swabhimani Punjabi Morcha held a protest at Chukhawala here against the Haryana Government’s decision to set up a separate body to manage affairs of gurdwaras in the state.

They demanded immediate rollback of the decision or Sikh community of Uttarakhand would intensify the stir. Members Harish Narang, Satish Kapoor, Jagjivan Jeet Singh, Charan Singh Nayak, Harpreet Singh and many others were present during the protest. 

Mud dumped, Mussoorie-Kempty road blocked for hours
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 14
The mud debris dumped illegally covered the Mussoorie-Kempty road completely due to overnight rains, blocking the traffic for several hours today.

The Kempty police summoned a JCB machine and cleared the debris at around 9 am today, much to the relief of tourists heading for Kempty falls here.

A Maruti Car and a utility vehicle laden with tomatoes was stuck in the debris and removed only after the Kempty police summoned a JCB machine this morning.

Residents lamented the fact that the construction material from the five-star hotel being built near Kempty was being transported to the roadside and dumped there, which had resulted in the road being covered by mud debris during heavy rains.

The traders from Kempty falls also demanded that the administration should curb such illegal dumping activity on the road as it was affecting their livelihood, with traffic jams being all too frequent here.

When contacted, DFO Mussoorie Dheeraj Pandey said he was not aware of any such case and if such activity was found to be in progress, he would take punitive action against the perpetrators.

Cause

• Residents lamented the fact that the construction material from the five-star hotel being built near Kempty was being transported to the roadside and dumped there, which had resulted in the road being covered by mud debris during heavy rains
• The traders from Kempty falls also demanded that the administration should curb such illegal dumping activity on the road as it was affecting their livelihood, with traffic jams being all too frequent here.

ABVP holds protest against UPSC
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a protest against Union Public Service Commission here today and accused the constitutional body of ignoring Indian regional languages in the examination process and demanded scrapping of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) at the preliminary stage.

Claiming that English medium students have advantage in the civil services examination after the changes affected by the UPSC, the ABVP members demanded equal importance to Hindi and other regional languages.

Sanket Notiyal, Suraj Rawat, Deepak Rawat, Sanjay Tomar, Sourabh, Rakesh Negi, Paras Goyal, Devendra Bist were present. 

• They claimed that English medium students have advantage in the civil services examination after the changes affected by the UPSC, the ABVP members demanded equal importance to Hindi and other regional languages.

BJP team seeks release of funds for roads’ construction
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 14
Demanding the release of funds for the NABARD proposed under construction roads at Nathuwala and Balawala, a delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders today staged a protest demonstration.

Led by senior BJP leader Digambar Singh Negi the members after staging a protest demonstration at parade ground proceeded towards the Secretariat. City Magistrate G.C. Gunwant assured them of necessary action and stopped the group. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the City Magistrate.

“The contractor stopped the work on the partially constructed stretch. Upon enquiring it was revealed that the state government failed to release the funds as a result of which the contractor left the work mid way. The villagers around the area are having lot of difficulties due to the incomplete road,” said the protesters.