Dehradun, February 21
There is need to increase expenditure on health and education; achieve inclusive growth to ensure social security, provide basic amenities in remote areas and create world-class physical infrastructure in Uttarakhand. These are some of the major findings of Uttarakhand@75 - Vision document for Uttarakhand for the next 15 years - that has been prepared by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Deputy chairman of CII northern region Harpal Singh said the document highlights the aspirations of people from the grassroots level to every section of society, including business, agriculture, science and technology, health, education, public administration, governance, arts, sports, literature and environment. Terming it as a “blueprint” for future progress of Uttarakhand, he said the document suggests a way forward for making collective efforts to achieve Vision 2022. The document aims “Towards Robust Growth and Inclusive Development”. However, it does not provide details of the projects and activities that are to be implemented to realise that aim.

A thorough perusal reveals that one of the main aspiration of the people here is that all villages should be connected by metalled roads and major cities by multi-lane highways. The document also mentions that provision of safe drinking water, cooking gas, sanitation and waste disposal facilities should be provided across the state.

“Free, compulsory and quality primary education for all children; access to job-oriented vocational training and setting up institutions of higher learning having focus on research for solving local problems are some of the main issues with which majority of people here were concerned,” said Rakesh Oberoi, chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council.

As far as healthcare is concerned, all sections of society had stressed upon ensuring universal and affordable health services, access to specialty healthcare at district level through specialty hospitals and medical colleges, besides a special focus on providing maternal and child healthcare, especially in remote areas.

Another interesting thing is regarding the art, sports and literature.

People feel that there should be art and culture centres at all major tourist destinations, world-class sports infrastructure and training facilities in Garhwal and Kumaon regions, besides need for organising events to promote and preserve the state’s art and culture, and also for promoting tourism. Notably, at present the state is lagging far behind in terms of good sports infrastructure.

For the agriculture sector, the vision document mentions that there is need to improve market linkages, support for mixed forestry, which can play an important role towards sustainable agriculture in the hills, and improving the yield and quality of agricultural products by providing access to latest agri-technology and irrigation facilities.

Oberoi said people wanted economic criteria to be the sole basis for all reservations for achieving inclusive growth and providing equal opportunities to all. Promoting micro and small enterprises, encouraging green and environment-friendly industries, putting the state on global tourist destination map through leveraging its spiritual, cultural, natural and adventure tourism potential, and to be the world leader in green energy by making use of the state’s hydropower potential, are some other observations of people that have been listed in the vision document.

Pitthoragarh: Ropeways in the Himalayan region are the only ecologically safe alternative to roads being carved out by blasting rocks, causing immense destruction to the fragile Himalayas.

Out of 70 ropeways, only three have been completed. Of these, 50 are in Garhwal and 20 in Kumaon region. The Centre is to bear one-third of the total expenditure on these ropeways

The Uttarakhand government claims it is serious in considering the option not as a means of transport but to transport horticulture products to markets. But nothing much has been done on the ground.

Ministry of Science and Technology has in the past tried to persuade the Uttarakhand government on this issue.

Recently, the Uttarakhand government re-assessed the progress of construction of ropeways in the state. Chief Minister BC Khanduri reportedly expressed unhappiness at the tardy progress.

Out of 70 ropeways under construction, only three have been completed. Khanduri directed the officials to complete all ropeways as early as possible. Out of the 70 ropeways, 50 are in Garhwal and 20 in Kumaon.

The central government bears one-third of the total expenditure on these ropeways.

The history of ropeways in the country is old with Chinese traveller Huns Sang in his travelogues describing one such ropeway chain for crossing the Indus on North Western Province of the then India.

“In the Himalayas, Britishers not only constructed the ropeway at Galai near the Dehradun-Mussoorie highway in 1907, but also instructed the state governments in 1919 to make laws for ropeway projects,” said Dr Dinesh Chandra Pathak of the Institutes of Himalayan Needs ( Himalayee Awskayta Sansthan), a voluntary group at Thal in Pithoragarh district.

Dr Phatak said during the British time, ropeways were effectively used by timber merchant Dan Singh Bisht of Kumaon and Wilson in Garhwal to transport the timber from high mountains to rivers.

In Uttarakhand, a 4 km-long ropeway is in use at the Ramnagar fruit belt in Nainital to transport fruit and vegetables. Experts want that the government should accept ropeways not just as temporary means of transporting horticulture produce, but as viable means of transport.

“The ropeways should be accepted by the PWD as a means of transport and money be granted to ropeway projects. This will benefit the fragile Himalayan ranges from the ecological point of view,” said Dr Pathak.

There is a need to install ropeways in the Himalayan region to not only halt the ecological destruction of hill- sides, but also owing to the fact that these ropeways are faster and cheaper means of transport.

Haridwar, February 21
Uttarakhand police is accentuating on public-police partnership, which will help in controlling crime and will also be in sync with its slogan of ‘Mitra Police’ (friendly police). The police here is trying to don a new look by changing its image and style of functioning.

Speaking at a function organised at Ranipur police station, DGP Uttarkhand Subash Joshi said it’s imperative for police to win the confidence of the masses, as it will be help in maintaining law and order.

With the success of new beat system SSP Haridwar Sanjay Gunjiyal said the 138 beat-posts in the district are also based on police-public partnership. He pointed that as locals come forward with suggestions and other useful information, the beat officer is becoming more informative and accustomed with the area, which yields better results. SSP said green cards and pamphlets would be distributed so as to make people aware about the traffic rules.

A Fire Management Training Programme will soon be given to the industries keeping view the increased fire incidents in the industrial area of SIDCUL.

Police will soon conduct a meeting with STD and Cyber-café operators and will apprise them with the guidelines. This would help police to nab culprits who use these entities to commit crime.

Police personnel, who have solved major cases, and locals who had helped police be providing information and whereabouts about criminals were also honoured at the function. Those who were honored include head constable Prashant Rana whose brave efforts fructified in a seize of Rs1.35 cr of marijuana, biggest in the state, on May last year. SI KP Tamta, head constable Suresh Chandra Sharma, Shyam Singh constable Nasibbuddin, Riyaz, Virendra Singh. Pradhan Nirbhay Singh and Kirat Singh of Lakshar were the commoners who were honoured at the function.

Inspector General of Police Garhwal range, MA Ganapathy also stressed on better coordination between police and public in the state. Apart from all senior police officers of the district prominent people attended the programme and voiced their views. 

Dehradun, February 21
To boost up the regional cuisines of India, Food Crafts Institute (FCI), an institute of Food Management, launched ‘Vaghaar’ a restaurant serving authentic Gujrati, Rajasthani and Punjabi dishes here on Wednesday. With more and more eating joints opening in the city, not many want to experiment with different cuisines of India.

“In city, most of the restaurants are serving muglai, Chinese, continental and south Indian food, but none is catering to those section of the society who love dishes of various states or wants to experiment with their taste bunds,” said Anshoo Saxena, 
principal, FCI.

District comprises people belonging to different ethnicity, however, till date a very small ratio of restaurants, are serving food of a particular state, forcing people to either cook it at home or go to metros to relish their favouirite dishes. “Our main motive behind launching of this restaurant is to serve people specialties of all these states, and for particular cuisines we have even hired a specialised cook,” said Anshoo Saxena.

To provide different variety of all these states at Rs 80 unlimited food is offered in the form of thalis. “Thali culture is again coming back into fashion, and at reasonable cost we are trying to include all specialties, so that people not only feel the difference, but are also satisfied,” said Anshoo.

“With Gujrati, Punjabi and Rajasthani dishes, the restaurant also plans to venture into Garhwali cuisines. Apart from all these cuisines, in a week’s time we plan to serve Garhwali food, as we feel that it’s important for the state to serve local cuisines for people to realise its worth,” Anshoo added.

Dehradun, February 21
Music lovers had a gala time at Ekta Ke Sur concert, organised by the Zee News Network, here Friday evening. The performances by Indian Ocean, Buzz Funk, a Punjabi band and daring acrobat artistes from South Africa were the main attractions of the show.

The show started with a thundering performance by Indian Ocean, which thrilled the crowd with their typical Bengali and Bihari songs. The lead singer Rahul Ram with Asheem Chakravarty (tabla master) and Amit Kilam (drummer) presented a foot tapping jugalbandi.

The popular songs of the band, ‘Kandisa’ and the controversial number from the flick Black Friday ‘Arre Ruk Jaa Re Bande’ gave Doonites an opportunity to unwind in midst of live music.

After that Buzz Funk, a band from Punjab, created a perfect environment for dance with fast, peppy numbers. The band entertained crowd with energetic songs, dhol and drums. The show ended with spectacular performances by acrobat artistes from South Africa.