Dehradun, December 11
In a move initiating political regimentation of school education, the BJP government in Uttarakhand has decided to establish schools named after the party’s political leader Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukerjee vis-a-vis existing Rajiv Gandhi Navodya Vidyalaya in the state.

The government has given a go-ahead to the opening of Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Abhinav Vidalaya in Uttarakhanshi, Chamoli, Rudarprayag, Udham Singh Nagar and Bageshwar districts from the coming academic session.

The state government will provide funds for these bilingual and residential schools and these will function exactly on the pattern on CBSE- affiliated Rajiv Gandhi Navodya Vidalaya being run in eight districts of the state.

Although secretary education Dr. Rakesh Kumar declined to comment on the issue of the name of these schools, sources attributed this to priorities adopted with the change in regime.

The state finance department has already cleared the proposal and necessary funds allocation will be made in the annual budget next financial year.

The schools are meant for rural students who will be imparted education free of cost along with food and hostel facilities. The running cost of each school has been worked out at around Rs 70 lakh per annum.

Director school education Pushpa Manas said these schools would be constructed in rural areas of the five districts.

Students having passed Class V from the government schools will be admitted through an entrance test to be conducted in March, 2009.

To start with, 60 students including boys and girls will be admitted. One class will be added each year up to plus two level. The medium of instruction will be English and Hindi.

Till construction of proper buildings, which might take two years, these schools will temporarily function from the available buildings in rural areas of the five districts.

Dehradun, December 11
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) here is decked up for the passing out parade to be held on Saturday.

Security is strict inside IMA premises with armed guards standing in attendance on the campus. The chairs for the spectators have been placed on the black asphalt outside the historic Chetwode Building, where the IMA was set way back in 1932.

A visit to IMA revealed that there are no last minute preparations for the passing out parade, as everything is well in place, once again showing the well-known precision of the Indian Army. All duties have been earmarked for the parade that is to be reviewed by Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor.

Dressed in their grey coloured suits, the proud Gentlemen Cadets were spotted walking around with their parents, who have come from all parts of the country to witness this important event in the lives of the young men and women, who will pass out as officers on December 13.

Meanwhile, unprecedented security arrangements have been made by the IMA authorities in order to ensure that the passing out parade passes off smoothly. According to the authorities, without having proper pass issued by the Academy, no civilian would be allowed entry in IMA on Saturday. Even, the parents and relatives of the Gentleman Cadets have to carry photo identity cards with them.

“In wake of the Mumbai attacks, utmost care is being taken as far as security arrangements for the POP is concerned. Besides metal detectors, X-Ray machines would also be installed at the entrance of the Academy. No person would be allowed to take his/her mobile inside the IMA campus on the POP day,” said IMA authorities.

The police administration on other hand is taking care of the security arrangements outside the IMA premises. Vehicles are being thoroughly checked and cops have been deployed at several points near the IMA.

The intelligence agencies are also maintaining a constant vigil ahead of the passing out parade.

Dehradun, December 11
The coordination committee of various employees’ unions is willing to give more time, beyond the fixed deadline, for acceptance of their demands regarding pay scales recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission as well as other issues.

In a statewide call, the committee has already announced to boycott work from December 15 for three days, followed by indefinite strike if the government fails to accept all their demands before this deadline.

The committee had stuck to this even as its delegation, which met Subhash Kumar, principal secretary to Chief Minister, yesterday, termed the government stand regarding employees’ demands as positive.

Based on the outcome of yesterday’s meeting and the fact that there are around two months to go before final recommendations by the Pay Panel, the committee today indicated that it might give more breathing time to the government.

“We will definitely reconsider our stand if the government asks for more time. But its assurances should be unambiguous and convincing,” said Arun Pandey, media incharge of the committee

The principal secretary had earlier invited a delegation of the committee to discuss the demands. Terming the talks as satisfactory, the delegation claimed to have been informed about acceptance of their demand regarding grade pay.

It is among one of the five-point charter of demands, which also claimed that the government order to this effect would be issued in a day or two as the CM gave his approval on the recommendation of the Pay Committee constituted by the government.

Since the beginning, the coordination committee has maintained that the payment of revised pay along with allowances to employees of all categories should be done in one go. It is actually the main demand along with assured career progression, upgradation of pay scales and regularisation of jobs of contractual, daily wagers and work charge workers.

Dehradun, December 11
Peoples’ Science Institute (PSI) held a state level workshop entitled Promotion System Rice Intensification Paddy cultivation for Achieving Food Security in Dehradun today.

Inaugurating the workshop, Uttarakhand chief secretary, Indu Kumar Pandey, said that the System Rice Intensification (SRI) technique can lead to better yield. He said the state government was committed towards efforts for coming high yield cropping system. He disclosed that the government has asked the Pantnagar University to identify equipments that would promote the agriculture in the fields of hilly areas.

The fast shrinking yield of indigenous Dehradun basmati rice, has put this exclusive rice variety of Dehradun into oblivion. SRI ensures an average increase of 60 percent in grain and 36 percent in straw yields in a crop and also helps farmers save seeds, water and physical labour.

In his keynote address, Prof Norman T. Uphoff, programme leader for sustainable rice systems, Cornell International Institute, New York, said that the introduction of System of Rice Intensification (SRI), technique has led to rising produce outputs. Prof. Norman T Uphoff further said, “The SRI has proved successful in increasing yield in indigenous rice varieties in South Asia and Dehradun basmati too can be benefited from this very popular technique being used in as many as 33 countries world over.”

Referring to such experiments in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Prof Norman said both the countries have extremely benefited from the technique and are producing minimum of two to three tonnes extra basmati per hectare in their respective countries.

He said the basmati grown in Punjab province of Pakistan has been extremely benefited from the SRI technique. He said even in San-Francisco as many as 35,000 outlets have come that are selling SRI technique grown rice from China, Bhutan and Bangladesh in high numbers.

While emphasising on enhancement of rice quality, Prof Norman who had been at forefront in Asia in the SRI promotion said there was little concern in India towards maintaining quality rice. He also disclosed that farmers in the state of Uttarkhand and Himachal Pradesh are taking the new technique in a big way.

Earlier welcoming the participants, director PSI, Ravi Chopra, said, the Achieving Food Security today was most formidable challenge before mankind. He disclosed that the PSI was organising seminars in Uttarakhand and Himachal to inform the farmers of the benefits linked to adoption of SRI technique.

The workshop discussed the results of 2008 paddy season in Dehradun. It also hold sessions to discuss strategies for scaling up SRI in which experts discussed future plans for extension of the technique across the states and evolve strategy for further promotion of SRI in the state. Delegates from Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Orissa were prominent participants at the workshop.

Dehradun, December 11
With a slew of announcements and inaugurations, Chief Minister Maj. Gen. B.C. Khanduri (retd) tried to placate the people of Kumoan region during his one-day visit to Haldwani and Kashipur today.

Khanduri, who himself hails from Garhwal region, said his government was committed to the overall development of the state without bias against any assembly segment.

He also laid the foundation stone of an international stadium at Haldwani to be built at a cost of Rs 30 crore, a 220 KV electricity sub-station at Mahuwakhera and Kashipur-Aliganj road.

The CM announced that the support price for sugarcane farmers would be announced in the coming week. “I believe in work and would not like to make false promises,” he said.

Earlier, he inaugurated various developmental works at Haldwani built at a cost of Rs 94 crore. At a public meeting at Haldwani, Khanduri tried to pacify the demand of the people of Kumoan for grant of Central university status to Kumoan University.

He said he was in regular touch with the Union government, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to demand the same. “We would pass a resolution in the state assembly in this regard and send it to the Union government,” he said.

In a meeting with the members of the Kumoan-Garhwal Chamber of Commerce at Kashipur, Khanduri appealed to the industrialists to invest in the hills. He said all the district magistrates have been instructed to look for land for industries.

He said he has been pleading with the Union government to extend the industrial package till 2013 as done by the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

Many legislators from Kumoan region, including state forest minister Banshi Dhar Bhagat, sports minister Rajinder Bhandari were also present during his visit.

Haridwar, December 11
During an inter-college debate on “Politics of Regional Discrimination” held at Chinmaya College, here today, students opined that to tackle the menace of terrorism one needs to control regionalism and end ethnic discrimination.

Students from 30 colleges participated in the debate. Most of them voiced their resentment against regional discrimination being propagated in Maharashtra, Assam and other parts of the country.

“I believe that terrorism can’t be tackled if regionalism is given importance over nationalism. This is also hurting the very ideals of our constitution, which allows us to profess any religion and live or move in any part of the country,” opined the winner among the girls section.

Nikhil Tyagi of IMS College stood first while Alpika Vashist and Jyoti Chabra of SMJN College came second and third respectively. Earlier, chief guest Prof. Yogendra Nath Sharma lighted the lamp.

SMJN College principal Ashok Mishra and Chinmaya principal Alok Kumar in their speeches urged students to use such platforms for enhancing their skills, personality and to take the nation forward.

The principals appreciated the level of debate and said they looked forward to more of these.

Dehradun, December 11
The employees of Peyjal Nigam held lockout of Peyjal Nigam and a sit at the headquarters in protest against the not meeting their demands.

Led by Dinesh Bhandari, coordinator of Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam Sanyukt Sangarsh Samiti, locked the gates of the headquarters.

Later, chief coordinator of Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam Sanyukt Sangarsh Samiti, Dinesh Bhandari, said that they are demanding medical facilities on par with central government, gross provident fund (GPF) for employees who were recruited before October 2005, pension facility and earmarking of responsibilities for all officers and employees. So far their demands have not been met.

Haridwar, December 11
Three-day seminar titled "Nanomaterials and Devices-Processing and Applications" organised by Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department began today at Roorkee Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) featuring renowned scientists from world over including USA, England, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, and Singapore apart from top scientists from India.

Prof. S.C. Saxena, director, IIT, Roorkee, was the chief guest and lighted the lamp. The opening lectures were given by Dr.Uris Dijevis from Nebraska University USA and Dr.Wilfred of University of Netherland.

The scientists and delegates will also put their research letters. "Nanotechnology is the future technology and will completely change the way we live" said professor R.C. Aggarwal of the metallurgical department.

Haridwar, December 11
The second-day of the Inter-University North Zone Hockey championship at Gurukul University witnessed high quality hockey skill in the matches.

The first match between Punjabi University, Patiala and Delhi University was a close one with both teams scoring three goals in the penultimate time. In the penalty shoot out, Delhi University players kept their cool and won by a margin of 5-3.

In the second match, MJP, Bareilly thrashed RML, Faizabad by 2-0 in which RML players made several mistakes which proved costly in the end.

The third match between MDDP, Rohtak University and Jammu University was a lopsided one with Rohtak winning comprehensively by a 4-0 margin.

The fourth match was a close one between AMU, Aligarh and Kumaon University, Nainital.With scoreline being 0-0 till the lat minute.

In the penalty shoot out, AMU players couldn't convert first three shots into goals and lost 0-3 to the Nainital University. Jitendra, Prakash and Pradeep Negi scored for the winning team.

Tomorrow, the matches will be played between HP University Shimla Vs Delhi University. Allahabad University Vs MJP University Bareilly. GK University Vs CSJM University Kanpur and Kumaon University Vs MD University Rohtak.

Dehradun, December 11
Rao Cricket Academy registered a thumping victory over Royal Cricket Academy by defeating the latter by 190 runs at the 57th District Cricket League here today.

Rao Cricket Academy won the toss and elected to bat. There decision proved right as Manish and Ashish Pal gave a steady start to Rao Cricket Academy and added 45 runs for the opening wicket. Vipin was the highest scorer with 51 runs. Vipin hit 4 fours in his half century.

Rao’s batsman, Sanjay Kumar missed his half-century by just six runs, he made 44 runs. The team went on to pile a mammoth total of 256 runs, setting the victory target of 257 runs for Royal Cricket Academy. Royal Cricket scored a highest. For Royal Cricket Academy, Shelender picked up 3 wickets. Praveen and Inder took two wickets each and Dig Vijay took one wicket.

In reply to the massive score on board, Royal Cricket Academy was all out for 66 runs. Pressure played it part as none of the batsmen gave any resistance. They fall like a pack of cards before the fine balling display by the Rao Cricket Academy.

Yogender was the only batsman to show some resistance against he sharp bowling attack. For Rao, Sahil took three wickets and Ashish picked two wickets. Sanjay, Raju and Sankar picked up one wicket each.

Dehradun, December 11
Junior Cricket Academy registered a four-wicket win over Poanta Sahib at the 23rd Late Banke Lal Shah Cricket Tournament underway at Rangers Ground here today.

For Poanta Sahib, Sachin played a crucial role in the shaping the team’s victory scoring 40 runs and clinching a wicket for his team.

It was a high scoring match at Banke Lal Shah Cricket Tournament with big number of fours and sixes coming from the both sides. Batting first, Poanta Sahib had a shaky start when its first wicket fell at the score of eleven.

Coming at the first down position, Ankit Chaudhry, showed fine form as he went on to score 55 runs to help his team pile a massive total of 141 runs in the allotted 20 overs. He was supported well by Rahul Sharma and Rajeev Prakash who made 23 and 18 runs respectively. For Junior Cricket Academy Rajesh Chauhan took two wickets and Pradesh, Schin and Aajam Hashmi took one each.

The openers of Junior Cricket Academy gave a flying start to the team, and laid down the foundation for the team’s victory. They never let the pressure mount on them and maintained a healthy run rate easing out pressure for following batsmen.

For the opening wicket, Aajam and Sachin contributed 44 runs to give a firm start to the team. Sachin knock of 40 runs help see his team reach the 142 runs target in the allotted 20 overs.

In the end it was an easy victory for Poanta Sahib team who won by four wickets. For Ponta Sahib Mod. Amir was only bowler to take wickets. He picked four wickets.