Unsettled by a pond
Dehradun, February 3 Chorpani area in Narendra Nagar forest division continues to be in the thick of elephant movement. The forest authorities in order to cater to the water needs of the pachyderms began construction of a pond, which is nearing completion. This Chorpani area has been the winter habitat for the Bhotia Jaad community since ages. They migrate from the Uttarakashi region after Diwali and remain there with their livestock till Holi. After that they return to Uttarkashi. With the pond coming up at Chorpani, the community members fear elephant attacks. “ With a big pond to attract the elephants in close vicinity, there is every possibility that the elephants may target our settlements located closeby,” Chain Singh Rana, a community member said. There already has been several incidents of elephants venturing out into the Bhotia settlements, the smell of grains being a major cause for attraction. On the other hand, elephants in the region find it tough finding water in these forests.The construction of the pond has been part of Project Elephant initiated by the Uttarakhand forest authorities. The authorities dismiss the notion that the pond could pose a threat to Bhotia settlements. They argue that the pond is to be utilised during summers when Bhotia Jaad members move back to the hills from Chorpani. Gopal Singh Rana, divisional forest officer of Narendra Nagar, said he had received a complaint on the matter and was examining the concerns of the Bhotia Jaad community. |
Ayurvedic hospital in shambles, but who cares
Roorkee, February 3 The 200-year-old building has developed cracks, has broken doors and windows, and the dilapidated floor in on the verge of collapse. A portion of the building has already collapsed and compounded the problems of the hapless staff of nine persons, including two doctors and two pharmacists, and a large number of patients who come here for treatment. In addition, heaps of garbage greets visitors at the hospital entrance. According to the staff, the 15-bedded hospital, which was shifted here from Emily Road in 1986, caters to around 250 patients daily. Although none of the staff members wished to be named, all of them demanded that a new structure should be constructed. “Although the government had declared the structure as ‘unsafe’ in 1996, no repairs have been made so far due to technical reasons,” said a staff member on the condition of anonymity. Many letters have been dispatched to the authorities but no action has been taken so far, he added. The staff members informed that the land belongs to the Government Civil Hospital, which used to run from here before being shifted to a new building in 1986. “The building should be registered in the name of the ayurvedic department, so that funds can be released for repair or a new structure,” said another staff member. |
Hospice with a difference
Dehradun, February 3 A first of its kind in Uttarakhand, the 50-bedded Ganga Prem Hospice in Rishikesh, a project of Shradha Cancer Care Trust, is expected to fulfil the needs of the terminally ill. The hospice is expected to be completed in three years. “There is no government cancer hospital in the state and patients are treated at the oncology department of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT), Jolly Grant. According to a survey undertaken by the institute, there are as many as 5-6 lakh cancer patients in the state,” said Dr AK Diwan, senior surgeon and oncologist at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, at a press conference here today. Diwan is also a consultant with Shradha Cancer Care Trust. The hospice would provide emotional and spiritual care to people with an expected life span of less than six months. “The concept is new in India. The hospice will provide spiritual and non-allopathic treatment like Ayurveda and use alternative therapies. The aim is to improve the quality of life of those terminally ill. Patients will be treated free of cost,” said Dr Dewan. In India, 40 per cent cases of oral and mouth cancers are due to consumption of nicotine, ‘supari’ and alcohol, as they are all carcinogenic. Most of the cases are detected in the last stage, when the chances of treatment are negligible. “Basically, cancer is a lifestyle disease, brought forth by changes in living habits. The role of heredity is 5 per cent, with causation and environmental factors acting through modification of genes. It is important to be health conscious since a very young age so as to prevent such diseases,” added Dr Dewan. Swami Madhwanand, general manager of Ganga Prem Hospice, said members of the trust are presently visiting the houses of cancer patients who are terminally ill in order to counsel them. Dr Dewan also holds a camp on every Sunday, he informed. |
The dead count too
Dehradun, February 3 In the absence of institutional arrangement, the police find it difficult to perform the rites of unclaimed bodies. Local police officials had to seek contributions from the public to fund the cremation of these bodies. Moved by the situation where unclaimed bodies rot and the police was dependent on charitable bodies, Vijay Bagga decided to contribute to the cause. “As the constables usually approached shopkeepers of Dhamawala market, which is near the kotwali, I had seen many of them making small contributions. From 1996, I began contributing Rs 500 for the last rites of each body,” Bagga said. As a proof of his claims, Vijay has collected several acceptance receipts that have been duly signed by the munshi of the kotwali and railway station police posts. “There is no van provided by the hospital for ferrying the bodies. Neither does any doctor or helper readily undertake post-mortem examination of the bodies,” opined Bagga. Bagga made an estimate of the cost incurred in taking the body to the cremation ground from the hospital. “Money has to be offered at several stages in order to get the work done,” averred Bagga. At Lakhi Bagh cremation ground, the Shivaji Sewa Samiti, a social organisation provides logs for the cremation. “No one comes forward to light the pyre. So the police induces someone with Rs 100 to do the needful. In all, Rs 500-600 is needed,” informed Vijay Bagga. Constable Umeed Singh of Kotwali police station said, “He has been contributing for the past five or six years. The amount varies between Rs 300 to 500. After the amount is received, a slip of acceptance is given by the kotwali to the donor. Usually, two or three cases take place in a month.” ASP Anant Shankar Takwale said that from time to time, the state government makes a yearly provision for this purpose. According to sources, the constable on duty has to shell money from his pocket which is reimbursed. The state government has set aside an annual fund of Rs 5000. But the budget allocation is always delayed. The last amount received by the kotwali was in January 2008. |
Eco-friendly wedding cards in demand
Dehradun, February 3 Earlier, people used to go to Delhi in search of variety but today one can choose simple as well as exquisite designer cards. “From past two years the market for wedding cards has tremendously changed, earlier people used to visit big cities, but today we are providing them attractive designer cards in almost 300 designs,” said Abhishek, owner, Kanav cards. “With designer cards people are also opting for hand-made paper cards in metallic colours. These cards are in demand because they are attractive and nature friendly,” added Abhishek. Moreover, four years ago usually where people used to spend Rs. 5-10. Presently people don’t mind spending much to make their day special. “In this time of recession people are still willing to pick up the best as it is more of a style statement for them,” said Abhishek. “As young couples ask for unique designs. We design cards on orders which encourages us to be more innovative,” said Rajeev Gautam, owner, Indian paper mart. However, from past two years, the market here has changed but the variety is still limited and prices are also quite high as compared to big cities. Tampatra is one of the best shops in the city, specialising in hand made paper wedding cards and other marriage related accessories. |
Four artists display their works
Dehradun, February 3 Dr Indu Singh, principal of MKP PG College, had inaugurated the exhibition, which was held under the aegis of Snehil Samajik evam Sanskriti Sangthan. The exhibition concluded on Sunday. Nature was the inspiration for Dr Varsha Sonakar and she used both oil and acrylic for her creations. Shweta Shukla’s fascination with horses was evident in her ‘motion’ series. Indu Saini experimented in mix medium, while Lakshmi Chaudhri displayed miniature paintings. |
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