|
|
|
|
Dispensaries elbowed out
Dehradun, December 15 The plan has been approved by councillors, who are keen to convince the residents that this is being done in their interess.The nigam began a policy of gradual neglect by drastically reducing the budget for the dispensaries from Rs 25,0000 to Rs 12, 000, when it should have been enhanced in view of the escalating cost of the herbs. “For the past two years, I have been unable to get medicines though I had made a demand for these in September 2007,” informed Hakim M. Ajmal Farooqui of Unani Dispensary, Gandhi Road. Far from strengthening the indigenous system of medicine, the nigam has unofficially terminated the cadre of dispensary doctors.No new appointments are made despite doctors retiring. In fact, the nigam has on innumerable occasions encouraged the patients to visit the Doon Hospital for small ailments that can be treated at the dispensaries. “The state already has several health centres and is setting up medical infrastructure at the primary, secondary and tertiary level. So there is no point in the nigam running the dispensaries,” said senior health officer Dr Grupal Singh of the Dehradun Corporation. Crying foul, the doctors running the dispensaries say it will be better for the authorities to close these instead of half- hearted attempts to run a system already on its last leg. “As it is, the supply of medicines has been stopped. How will the patients come to us? The policies pursued by the authorities have already harmed the system. How will a system survive in these circumstances, asks a doctor, pleading anonymity. What comes as a surprise to the doctors running the dispensaries is the new diktat that calls for relocation of the dispensaries to slum areas. A decision was taken at the executive meeting of the nigam on July 24 and 25 to shift the dispensaries to the slum areas. Questioned about this decision, Dr Gurpal Singh said it was aimed at providing health facilities to residents if slum areas. However, angry doctors say the new locations lacks basic infrastructure and to top it all, they are being asked to get in touch with their councillors for providing space, which in all fitness of things should be the concern of the corporation. “One of the places selected is the octroi check post. How can we function from a place that has no facilities for all intent and purpose,” asked an exasperated doctor.
|
|
Meanwhile, chemists protest against retail chains
Mussoorie, December 15 According to Vipul Mittal, president of chemists’ association, the entry of these giants would push the chemists out of business. “This is a symbolic protest against these retail chains and if the government takes no action, the association might even consider taking sterner measures,” he said. “The retail giants would create a monopolistic market and we would not be able to compete with them,” said Nitin Gupta, a prominent chemist. Notably, retail giants are expected to enjoy a competitive edge over local chemists. It is estimated that medicine prices could be cheaper by almost 15 per cent at
their stores. Meanwhile, the general public has welcomed the advent of retail chains into medicine retailing. The public opinion is that large retail chains could better serve their interests. “If we can get the same medicines at significantly cheaper prices then why should large companies be stopped from opening their stores,” said
Pratibha, a housewife. “We have all sympathies with retailers, but we also have to watch our interests and a 15 per cent reduction in prices is quite substantial,” said Ravindra Kumar.Meanwhile, chemists owing allegiance to Doon Chemists Whole ale Association staged a bandh against the multi-national drug companies that are setting shop in Uttarakhand, in Dehradun as well. “We have called upon the Uttarakhand government not to allow the multinational companies to open retail outlets in the state. In fact, the government should ban the entry of retail outlets in the state,” said Yogesh Gupta, president of Doon Chemist Wholesale Association. Castigating the state drug department for issuing licenses in violation of the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940, Gupta said they are being given 15 per cent rebate, which is harming the interest of the wholesalers.
|
|
Working towards sustainable energy
Dehradun, December 15 At a meeting in the first week of December in the Xian province of China of INDCO, representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Estonia, Georgia, Guinea, Peru, Sri Lanka, Togoland, the USA, Zambia and Zimbawe pledged to ensure energy services for empowerment of the rural. “We proposed public-private partnership as mode of development realising that 1/3rd of the population is without modern energy services, especially electricity,” informed Dr Anil Joshi, who was present at the meeting and is the founder member of INDCO. He said the meeting was called to take stock of the energy situation in the world and “we intend to fulfill the UNs millennium goal of achieving development through the use of environment-friendly energy. Dr Joshi said China held several lessons for Uttarakhand. “The rural landscape is similar but it has taken a lead by making villages independent and sustainable. The farmers there are engaged in various activities and they have an integrated approach that has made them prosperous, so much so the rural products manage to stand out even in upmarket stores,” Dr Joshi said. He said the next meeting of INDCO would be held in May in Hongkong and the organisation would start a hydel project in Uttarakhand soo He is hopeful that the efforts of his organisation in the state will bear fruit.
|
|
Novel bond
Dehradun, December 14 Rebecca Hambleton and Ashley Musgrave, who are here under one such programme and study at the St Cyprian’s School in South Africa, feel that they had heard so much about India and Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership during the anti-apartheid movement in their country that they had to be here. Working at Fatehgram with other students, they are not only learning the language but also perfecting skills alien to them such as making concrete blocks that are not only eco-friendly but also cheap. “Living here was an all-together different experience: we had a different image about villages. The country is transforming but hopefully the strong bonding that we see among family members here should not change,” said Ashley. Elaborating on the ideals that are associated with Round Square International Service, with which their school is associated, Rebecca said: “It inculcates internationalism, democracy, environment consciousness, adventure, leadership and service.” A little worried with the xenophobic sentiments that have surfaced in South Africa after the influx of a large number of people from neighbouring countries of Botswana and Zimbawe, who started cornering jobs at the cost of the local population, Ashley said: “The locals are angry and want the South African government to do something to curtail the influx of outsiders. I do not know how far it will go.” However, after a hard day’s work along with other students, the duo is engulfed by a sense of pride. “In a far-off country we have learnt lessons in hardwork and community living,” they said.
|
|
Now, they dare to dream big
Dehradun, December 15 Under its guidance, Sonali Pundir and Ranjan Kumar, both students of Class XI at Purkul, near here, represented India at the cultural exchange programme in Singapore and Thailand last month. Both are back with a fresh outlook towards life. Belonging to lower middle-class families, Sonali and Ranjan not only got an opportunity to develop leadership qualities, but also a platform where they could learn about various cultures. “The prospect of travelling by plane made me nervous, but I was excited too,” said Sonali who stayed for a week at Singapore. There, she attended workshops by women, all achievers in various fields. “Every workshop was an eye-opener and it made me realise that even girls from India can achieve a lot. My outlook towards life has changed and I know that tomorrow I am going to do something fruitful for my countrymen,” said Sonali with confidence. Ranjan Kumar, who stayed with a family in Thailand, said: "Initially, I was nervous but when I met my host family, I felt relaxed and was all excited.” He stayed in the Khonkane countryside and attended a school that taqught him about the differences in both
cultures. "The school with big classrooms was equipped with modern facilities. I had fun talking of my own culture and at the same time learning about their culture,” said Ranjan. Both Sonali and Ranjan received a warm welcome. “At Raphael school in Singapore, in a few hours I felt at home. Girls from
Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines were there and by the end of the programme, we had become good friends,” said Sonali. Ranjan also enjoyed informative workshops and company of his new friends in school. “I learnt the Thai language and taught Hindi to my host family.” “The foundation had meticoulsy planned our stay abroad and we even got time for sight-seeing and shopping,” said the elated Sonali and Ranjan. Parents of Sonali and Ranjan feel confident about their future endeavours. “Our families are very happy and hopefully by mid of next year we may go for another exchange programme,” concluded Sonali, daring to dream big.
|
|
Students migrating for want of govt colleges, say experts
Dehradun, December 15 AISA has been fighting for students’ fundamental rights in the field of education and employment opportunities for the past 18 years. “The issue of employment and education in Uttarakhand is on top of the agenda. Due to privatisation of education, the masses are suffering. They have to bear the brunt of poor infrastructure and lack of educational facilities here,” said Indresh. “Due to privatisation and commercialisation of education, many students from all over India are unable to pay the high fees. They are forced to go to government schools and colleges which are in a deplorable condition,” said Sandeep Singh, national executive member, JNU, Delhi. Speakers at the convention expressed their dismay over the dismal condition of government educational bodies and its impact on today’s youth. “The main reason for Uttarakhand’s formation was to provide proper educational and employment facilities to students to curtail the ever-increasing migration from the state. A large number of students migrate to other cities due to lack of government colleges,” said Indresh. The speakers further pointed out that education is a fundamental right. Due to the ruling party’s laxity, the common man is getting frustrated due to lack of basic infrastructure for education and employment.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Instead of nurturing the nine dispensaries that were set up by the British to provide cheap healthcare to the poor based on the indigenous system of medicine, the nigam now plans to shut one while relocating the eight. 