Dehradun, November 5
After visiting Cheyla Chanderbani village where activists of the Vir Savarkar Sena attacked a Christian prayer hall besides burning religious literature, CPM leader Brinda Karat today said she would submit a report to the National Minorities Commission about the incident.

Lamenting the failure of the state government in curbing regular targeting of the minority community, she said that a delegation of her party along with the affected members of the Christian community would also submit a memorandum to Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri to take effective steps to protect the constitutional rights of the minority community to practise their faith without fear. She also condemned the role played by the mayor of Dehradun Vinod Chamoli in helping the attackers go scot-free even after their arrest by the police.

“Nothing could be more serious than this,” she said while pointing out that this type of assault was all the more shameful in a place like Dehradun where Christian missionaries have contributed a lot in the field of education and social service.

She said the victims were feeling “traumatised” and frightened to conduct their prayers after the incident.

No elected government should tolerate this. Karat urged the government to rein in the communal elements and instill a sense of security among the minority community.

She asserted there was no provocation by the Christians as she had herself seen that the religious literature burnt by the right-wing activists had nothing objectionable in it.

Dehradun, November 5
A delegation of the Christian community here led by senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana today met senior superintendent of police Amit Sinha to demand action against the guilty in the prayer hall attack case.

Member of the Vir Savarkar Sena had attacked the prayer hall and had tried to burn Christian literature on November 3. Four members of the Sena were held by the police but were taken away by mayor Vinod Chamoli, a senior ruling BJP leader.

In a memorandum to the SSP, Christians charged that it was the fourth attack on Christian prayer halls and educational institutions since the BJP came to power in the state.

Suryakant Dhasmana told the SSP that inaction on the part of the police has given rise to fear among the minority Christian community. 

Mussoorie, November 5
Americans in Mussoorie are ecstatic at the victory of Barack Obama in the US presidential elections.

The family of Stephen Alter, a renowned author and brother of Bollywood actor Tom Alter, was overjoyed at the outcome of the US polls. His wife Amita Alter, said her daughter had called from America, saying “I am proud to be an American today.”

Robert Alter hailed Obama’s victory as “extremely positive for America as well as for the rest of the world.” He believed that Obama would significantly contribute towards improving America’s ties with the rest of the world.

Stephen’s parents, who returned from America a fortnight ago, had worked as volunteers for Obama’s election campaign in Ohio.

An American contingent that arrived at Woodstock School here from Missouri, USA, today said they had remained glued to their PCs for news on the Internet.

Sally Marble said she was ecstatic with the outcome of the US elections. “ Obama is not only a very capable leader, but also a very sensitive person,” she said.

Carolyn regarded Obama’s victory as significant for India and believed that “India’s relations with the US would be further strengthened now.”

Said Robert : “ Finally, the country has come to the point when being white or black doesn’t matter.” He was of the opinion that Obama’s win would reduce the racial divide in America.

Warren Hassler felt that Obama’s election would benefit the American society as a whole as “ it would help in the blacks and whites getting along better.”

Woodstock school in Mussoorie has a fair number of students as well as teachers from America.

Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Dr Owen McGowan offers sweets to his granddaughter Shelley Hubele at Dehradun on Wednesday.

Dehradun, November 5
With Barack Obama creating history by becoming the first African-American to win the American presidential election, the family of American citizen Dr Owen McGowan, whose daughter Jo Chopra is married here in Dehradun, is on top of the world.

“The moment I got to know that finally America will get Obama as the nation's first black President, I couldn’t control my emotions and wept,” said Shelley Hubele, daughter of Jo Chopra.

Jo Chopra is an American who settled in Dehradun after she married Ravi Chopra. Her father Dr Owen McGowan, who is 85 years old, and daughter Shelley Hubele, who works for Latika Royal Foundation in Dehradun, are currently in Dehradun.

At their Vasant Vihar house here, these three generations were enjoying sweets after Obama’s victory.

Obama is not only a very capable leader, but also a very sensitive person

Dr McGowan said that nothing better could happen to the US than getting Obama as President. “The policies of Bush proved to be a disaster for the US. Hence, nobody in the US was willing to take another chance and that’s why Obama sailed through,” he said, while adding that Obama is an intelligent politician and listens to everyone.

Dr McGowan, who retired as professor of library science from Bridgewater State College, Massachusetts, however, said that he does not support Obama’s views on allowing abortion.

An elated Shelley said, “In Obama’s regime, people will have a role in the formation of the policies.” She further said that healthcare for everyone is a must in the US adding, “I am sure that unlike Bush, Obama will keep this thing on top priority.”

Shelley hoped that what the Americans have been seeing during the past eight years would become a thing of the past. “Obama is a well-informed person and listens to what others say. He is the right person to rule the country,” she asserted.

As she will be going back to the US in December, Shelley said, “I am looking forward to the ceremony when Obama will finally take over the presidential chair of the US.”

Jo Chopra said that she was absolutely overjoyed over Obama’s win. “I think Americans have not seen a politician like Obama in 100 years. He is simply a phenomenon.”

“With Obama gaining power, the power of individuals in the US would increase. The people knew this, that’s why the elections witnessed such a heavy turnout,” asserted Jo.

Dehradun, November 5
Chief Minister Maj Gen B.C. Khanduri (retd) today said the state government was sensitive towards the issues concerning traders and was all willing to redress their concerns.

Addressing a convention of traders in Haldwani in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said his government has always believed in ensuring a strong link between traders and the government.

On issues such as VAT and mandi fee, the Chief Minister there was a need to solve these issues in an amicable manner by bringing both traders and government officials on the same platform.

The Chief Minister also assured the constitution of ‘Vyapari Mitra’ at the district level. He said traders were the strength of the state and the government acknowledges this fact well.

He said the central government was doing a little to curb inflation. He also held the Congress directly responsible for removing the subsidy on LPG.

He also accused the Centre of adopting a step-motherly attitude towards the Uttarakhand government alleging that the state was being deprived of its allotted foodgrain. He said even foodgrain of the BPL quota had not been provided to the state.

Dehradun, November 5
Uttarakhand Governor B.L. Joshi initiated various schemes for the wards of ex-servicemen and war widows here today. Chairing the meeting of the Uttarakhand Ex-servicemen Rehabilitation Organisation, Joshi, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the body, announced various welfare schemes.

He announced to give a grant of Rs 10,000 for the wards of ex-servicemen and widows from Uttarakhand who take admission in various military schools and Rashtriya Indian Military Academy (RIMC).

Those wards getting coaching for admission into National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officer Training School (OTS) would get Rs 5000. Those wards who get selected into the NDA would get a stipend of Rs 250 per month.

It was also decided to give a grant of Rs 25,000 for the marriage of the daughters of ex-servicemen. The amount of grant to buy sewing machines by wives of deceased ex-servicemen was also raised from Rs 1500 to Rs 2000. 

Dehradun, November 5
The Dehradun Ex-serviceman League president Brig. K.G. Behl (Retd) today expressed anguish over the lack of benefit to the armed forces by the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission. Addressing a press conference here, Brig. Behl pointed out earlier the matter was referred to the group of secretaries and later ministers but so far nothing concrete has come out.

“Instead of giving rank pay in addition to normal pay, our financial pundits showed it as paid in the pay slips of the officers but actually deducted it from their basic pay so that defence officers do not get any amount extra than their civilian counterpart,” he claimed.

He further added that this aspect was not brought to the notice of Sixth Pay Commission inspite of Kerala High Court judgment orders dated 5.10.1998 and 12.7.2005. “Further, the Supreme Court have held that whatever discrepancy has been detected, the orders passed in similar cases need not be referred to courts again. Inspite of apex court’s orders nothing concrete has come out and when constantly writs were filed to make their claims on non compliance, they termed it sub-judice, though there is nothing of this sort as no one has challenged the said statement,” clarified Brig Behl.

Brig Behl added that in case of Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR), they used to get pension on the maximum of scale, which as of now have been reduced to 50 per cent. 

Haridwar, November 5
With the holy Ganga being accorded the status of national river and Prime Minister himself heading the Ganga River Basin Authority, the people of Haridwar and various religious and social organisations are euphoric.

They believe with this, the river will finally become pollution-free.

Swami Ramdev said after the formation of Ganga Raksha Manch on September 18, he had submitted a charter of demands to the Prime Minister which had now been met. Ganga Sabha president Ram Kumar Mishra said: “It’s a landmark step.”

Since 1985 with the inception of Ganga Action Plan, crores of rupees have been spent on cleaning the holy river, but all in vain.

With the setting up of the Ganga River Basin Authority with chief ministers of states where the Ganga flows as members, something concrete is likely to come up.

Kumbh Mela officer Anand Vardhan also welcomed the government move to maintain the sanctity of the river.

Meanwhile, Swami Shivanand criticised Swami Ramdev for taking credit for the Ganga being declared national river.

People gathered at Har-Ki-Pauri and performed puja.

The gathering comprised eminent citizens, religious heads and political leaders.

Dehradun, November 5
Rapid urbanisation responsible for the influx of floating population is a major factor in the rise of HIV positive cases as found by the AIDS testing centre here.

Uttarakhand remains a high-risk state with the number of cases having gone up to 99 in 2006, 189 in 2007 and 96 in 2008.

The profile of HIV patients is changing gradually and youngsters in the age group of 18-30 are increasingly testing positive.

“ While curiosity may have set them on the path to destruction, but being educated they promptly visit hospital for undertaking tests.

“During counselling, we often notice that their partners are often commercial sex workers or housewives,” informed Nidhi Kala, counsellor, Doon Hospital, which receives 10-15 cases a day on an average.

While dissemination of information about AIDS is being undertaken by several government and non-government agencies, patients and their families continue to face discrimination. Mangat Ram (real name withheld) in his mid-thirties was brought to the Anti-Retroviral Centre (ART) today. Ostracised by family members and friends, he came here with his mother who has stood by him all through.

“ Stigma associated with the disease and costly treatment forced us to come to Doon Hospital from Rishikesh ”, informed the mother.

At present, 720 patients, 67 of them children, are undergoing treatment at the hospital and 440 are on lifelong treatment,” informed Somita Handa, medical qfficer, ART.

Dehradun, November 5
On the second day of the fixture of primary, higher primary and secondary (Boys’ and Girls’) 8th Zonal Games and Athletics competition got underway at MKP, various events in different disciplines were organised here today.

Arjun Prashad won the 200 meters in zone two seniors category, Ram Singh was second and Kamal Joshi stood third in the same category. In 800 meters, Kartike Pant was the winner, second was Dinesh Bangari and Govind got the third. In long jump competition of Zone two Ankit Negi was declared the winner, Mukesh came second and Money Gupta was third in the event.

In the field event, Vijay Kumar was the winner in shot put, Shakti Singh and Sohail Ahmed came second. In sub-juniors 200 mts, Ajeet won the race, Chandra Shekhar was judged second and Akhash Kumar was bagged the third.

In zone one senior category, Anesh Kumar was the lone athlete in 1500 mts who was judged the winner. In 3000 mts junior boys category, Krishan Kumar was the winner, Arun came second and Kamal stood in third position. In 1500 mts junior boys category, Amit Bhandari won the track event with ease, Shivam was on the second place and Gopal Singh gained the third place.

Dehradun, November 5
Newly appointed director of State Information and Public Relations Directorate, Suvardhan assumed office today. Reiterating his commitment for better dissemination of education, director Suvardhan called upon the department officials to ensure that the welfare schemes of the government reach the masses and are publicised adequately.

A 1997 Batch IAS officer, Suvardhan has earlier been posted in the key posts of additional secretary to the chief minister, director Mandi, additional secretary State Property Department and also director Information and Public Relations Directorate.