The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

BJP violating poll code, says Congress
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
The state Congress leaders today accused the BJP-led state government of violating the Model Code of Conduct. Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) media incharge Suryakant Dhasmana has alleged that the payment of the advertisements pertaining to the Khanduri government being issued in newspapers is being made from the government exchequer, which is in gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Dhasmana also accused the government of misusing the official machinery for the party’s campaign.

“The hoardings of the Congress had been removed from the entire city forcibly,” he alleged. Taking a dig at the BJP, the Congress media incharge said that the present government has miserably failed on all fronts.

“Investments are not coming at all. The state is fast heading towards economic bankruptcy because of the lack of vision on part of the Khanduri government. The infrastructure growth is not there and the industrialization has suffered a blow due to wrong policies of the government,” alleged Dhasmana.

Talking about Congress election strategy, he said their party activists would be going door-to-door at the village level to propagate achievements of the five-year rule of the UPA government.

“The historic nuclear deal goes to the credit of the UPA government. Likewise, the far-sighted policies of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has kept the economy of the country stable,” he claimed.

Dhasmana also said that fuel prices have come down and the inflation has gone down considerably.

“It is the UPA government that waived off loans amounting to Rs 72,000 crores, which brought a halt to suicides by the farmers,” he said, while adding that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has benefited crores of people in India.

Meanwhile, Khanduri praises his govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
On the eve of the completion of two years of the Uttarakhand Government, the Chief Minister BC Khanduri has claimed that his government has performed on all fronts and the state is on path of progress. Addressing a press conference along with the Uttarakhand BJP chief Bachi Singh Rawat at that party headquarters here, Khanduri said his government has brought an end to the menace of the rampant corruption.

“Corruption increased manifold during the period of previous Congress government. But we did a good job to root out corruption during the brief two-year tenure of the government,” he said. He also said that as far as medical facilities are concerned, 108 EMRI medical ambulance service started by the BJP government had proved to be a great success.

“Setting up of a medical college in Garhwal with a very nominal fee structure, providing 28,000 jobs in past two years and provision of scholarships, fee concession etc for the economically week students will definitely swing votes in our favour in the coming general elections,” said Khanduri.

CM also said because of the efforts of his government, the office of the chief engineer of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was opened in Rishikesh, recently. He said the Vijay Sankalp Rally which will be attended by the party’s national president Rajnath Singh and prime ministerial candidate LK Advani, will be a historic rally and this would kick start the party’s formal election campaign in the state.

BJP state president Bachi Singh Rawat alleged that the UPA government has always overlooked the interests of the state .

“Whether it is railway budget, industrial package or any other matter pertaining to the state, the Centre government has completely ignored Uttarakhand,” said Rawat.

Doon revels in Holi spirit
Divya Semwal/Vishal Thakur
Tribune News Service

Students of Cherry Fields School celebrate Holi on Saturday in Dehradun. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, March 7
As Holi is just around the corner, city markets are full of variety of colours and toys. Local have already began their Holi shopping and are busy buying gulal, water colours and water guns (pichkaris).

Gulal or Abhir colours are considered auspicious and are more in demand as they are dry in nature. “Red gulal is always in demand,” said Money Arora, a salesman.

Children love to play with vibrant colours which are sticky and hard to remove. “Youngsters like to play Holi with water guns and water balloons,” said Money.

“As I am allergic to water colours, I have purchased gulal to celebrate the festival with my grand children,” said Sarita, a grandmother.

Due to the withdrawal of ban on Chinese toys, a large variety of attractive Holi toys are available in the market. Chinese water guns are preferred over Indian as there are economical and latest in technology. For this Holi, we have got water guns available in interesting shapes like teddy bear, dinosaurs and other animal figures, which are huge and can be filled with almost six liters of water,” said Mukesh Aggarwal, owner, Bombay Toys. “I loved the dinosaur water gun, and I purchased one for my younger brother,” said Mohit a student.

“Along with Indian we have China tanker water guns and mini water capsules, which are latest and hot favourite among kids,” said Naushad, a salesman.

However, herbal colours are also available, which are safe and eco-friendly. “Being eco-friendly, herbal colours are safe for skin. Liberal application of coconut oil is must to avoid rashes and skin problems after Holi,” said Naushad.

Good food also plays an important role during Holi.

‘Gujia’ a traditional sweet item is especially made for the occasion. Kumar’s a sweet shop is one of the oldest shops is selling fresh gujias for the festival.

“I make gujias and namkeens at home, but because I love Kumar’s gujias I have purchased the item for my relatives,” said Preeti, a housewife.

“With gujias we have even prepared angoori petha. For Holi with gujia, people also purchase our petha, chandrakala and rich dry fruit namkeens,” said Jagdeesh, Bengali sweets.

Meanwhile, Anil Jaggi, president of Society for Environment and Wildlife Action Awareness (SEWAA) had a word of caution for all children.

According to him colours like violet, silver, black, purple and green contain harmful oxidants, which could cause allergy, temporary blindness, renal failure, skin cancer as well as respiratory and central nervous system problem.

Jaggi who has been organising Cleaner India program in Dehradun for the last eight years, propagating the celebration of Indian festival in an eco-friendly manner said, “All we want is to have a environment friendly colours to be used during the Holi festival. These eco-friendly colours could be prepared a home.”

Jaggi expressed his ire over the lack of quality check over colours during Holi particularly in Dehradun. In the absence of the quality check unsafe colours are on sale in the market.

Green colour consists copper sulphate. Similarly purple is chromium iodized with other harmful substances, silver colour consists aluminum bromide, black (the highly toxic colour) consists lead oxide, violet that results in skin deceases like allergy, conjunctivitis; other such colour are sold unchecked in the open market.

The organisation is also organising a program on the March 9 to celebrate an eco-friendly Holi at home.

Meanwhile, Cherry Field Kindergarten kids today celebrated Holi with herbal colours at the school premises.

The school tried to pass on the message to the general public to avoid the use of synthetic colours during the festival of colours. The school management also took the opportunity to make parents aware of the importance of herbal colours and also informed them to prepare them at home.

Director of the Cherry Field Kindergarten, Rajeev Sachhar said, “Most of the colours available in the market contain oxidised metal, industrial dyes mixed with engine oil and other harmful substances which are extremely harmful for their skin. Therefore, we should make an attempt to celebrate Holi with herbal colours.

School gave herbal colours to children to play holi safely. On the occasion of Aakarshak and Yuvraj Rathore were chosen as Cherry Prince while Udyarvi Bhatia and Chiya Dutta were chosen as Cherry Princess.

Valmikis protest screening of Hindi flick
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 7
The Valmiki community here is up in arms against a dialogue in the recent Bollywood flick Delhi-6. Not only have several protests been held, but the community has also filed a written complaint with the President and Prime Minister.

The secretary of Haridwar unit of the Valmiki Samaj Rekha Valmiki warned that if proper action was not taken they would oppose screening of the movie, which was released in Haridwar today. Even in Roorkee, the Valmiki community has demanded a ban on the movie and has already given a memorandum to the SDM in this regard. “The film uses some derogatory words in connection with the Valmiki community,” said divisional co-coordinator Hansraj Kataria of Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj (BVDS). The community leaders are also demanding a member belonging to the scheduled castes or tribes in the Indian censor board panel so that in the future such things can be monitored.

Earlier, Shahrukh Khan starrer Billoo had to shelve the word ‘barber’ from its title due to nationwide protests against its use by members of a particular community who felt the word was derogatory.

However, a section of the people felt that such protests are only a means to and divert attention from many other issues of importance. “Indians should broaden their outlook and instead of protesting against hapless cinema halls they should try to curb this evil ,” said professor SK Batra of SMJN college.

Meanwhile, Ranipur police station officials said strict action would be taken against anyone who tries damage cinema halls.

Four held for multiple thefts
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 7
Four persons - Nafis Ansari, Feroze, Aabid and Badrool - accused of multiple thefts were arrested, here today. The police said the accused were also behind the theft at the famour Bilkeshwar temple.

At around 12 last night, a patrolling team near Bilkeshwar temple got a tip-off that a group of people had been loitering in the area for quite some time. However, when the team, led by Nagesh Ghildiyal and constables Ashish and Manish Pawar, approached the four youths at the Gurdwara road near Bilkeshwar temple they tried to flee, but the attempt was foiled by the police. On being frisked, the police recovered hammers, knifes, screwdrivers and other accessories from them.

Later during interrogation it was found that the four were living in a dilapidated house near the temple, which made it easy for them to carry out their plans. Police also seized a jeep (UA 07A-3889) from the house, along with stolen goods worth thousands and some cash. A case has been filed against the four accused under sections 401 of the Indian Penal Code and 25/4 of the Arms Act.

Snatcher held

Two persons involved in snatching were also nabbed by a vigilant crowd, here today. Early in the morning at Upper Road, the duo stopped their bike near Sachin and snatched his cellphone. However, Sachin caught hold of the pillion rider and shouted for help. Soon, passersby came to his rescue and held one of the accused Ravi. But his other accomplice Ankur managed to escape. Later the accused was handed over to the police

Stolen car recovered

In another incident, due to swift police action, the car of Harmendra Singh, son of Charan Singh, resident of Sangrur, Punjab, was retrieved after a passerby sped away with it while he was on his way to submerge the ashes of his relative in the Ganga river in Hardiwar. At around 11 last evening, Harmendra’s Innova car (PB 11 L 2279) got stuck in a trench near ARTO.

However, a passerby on the pretext of helping him sped away with the car. Baffled at the turn of events, Harmendra called on the police helpline and soon the news was flashed to all patrol cars. Seeing this, the accused left the car near Sector-5 and fled. Harmendra has filed a complaint at Bhoopatwala police station.

Liquor seized

The police today nabbed a woman from Khadkhadi area on the hill bypass route with 100 quarter bottles of illegal local wine which she used to sell in the nearby areas.

Pavement to help decongest traffic
Raju William
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
The district administration is planning to construct a pavement between Prince Chowk and Saharanpur Chowk to ease the flow of traffic on this busiest stretch of road used by commuters to enter the inner part of the city from Saharanpur side.

Since Dehradun became the capital, the traffic volume on this route has increased so much that it has become a nightmare for commuters, especially during the peak hours.

The Public Works Department has been asked to prepare the estimate for a pavement between Prince Chowk and Saharanpur Chowk. Hopefully, we will start construction soon
— Amit Singh Negi District Magistrate

The congestion has been swelling in the absence of a pavement especially on the railway station side of the road. This part of the road, being used shopkeepers and vendors, has narrowed the width of the road mainly in the Arhat Bazar area, which is considered the worst traffic bottleneck.

“The Public Works Department, which has done the survey, has been asked to prepare the estimate. Hopefully, we will start construction of the pavement soon,” informed District Magistrate Amit Singh Negi. No resistance is expected from any quarter as the land on which the pavement would be constructed is part of the existing road.

This traffic bottleneck is among the many others identified by the district administration for decongestion. During the survey, it was found that having a pavement would be the best way to curb spillover of the business and other activities on the road. Once this is done, the road divider can be shifted towards the railway station side. “This will automatically facilitate widening of the other lane,” added Negi.

The city residents have for long been demanding decongestion of this road as it bears the maximum daily brunt of traffic volume in the city. Prince Chowk is the main meeting point of the city-bound traffic from Haridwar and Saharanpur sides.

“It is no less than an ordeal to pass through it daily,” said Yeshpal Singh Rawat, an advocate who takes this route from his residence on Park Road to go to the district courts.

As part of the long-term plan to decongest the entire stretch, the administration has already started formalities to shift Arhat Bazar to Niranjanpur area. About 200 bighas of land has been identified for the purpose. As the first step, a survey has been done and the process for land acquisition is expected to begin soon.

Eco Task Force exhibition from March 19
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
For the first time 127 Eco Task Force has been entrusted with the task of convening Eco Task Force exhibition in the Lucknow Cantonment area from March 19 to March 21.

The exhibition will be a part of the eco-conference and would be participated by the commanding officers from all the Eco Task Force battalions in the country and the top bosses from the Union Environment Ministry.

Aimed to highlight the pro-environment works being done by Eco Task Force across the country. Eco-exhibition will generate awareness among the masses on the importance of environment conservation efforts.

“In the exhibition we will put on display the Eco Task Force activities, the conference that assumes equal importance will discuss environmental issues apart from commanding officers will be participated by the top bosses of Union Environment Ministry and forest heads of various states,” Col Mavi said.

He said it was a matter of honour for 127 Eco Task Force to host the one of its kinds eco-exhibition at Lucknow.

Earlier here at 127 Eco Task Force, Dehradun Col PS Mavi commanding officer 127 Eco Task Force handed over the certificates to the task force personnel who had participated in the second Introductory Eco Seminar held at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun.

He said with changing times the eco task force personnel needed better expertise to ensure a successful plantation. He also lauded the role of institutions such as FRI towards conduct of the seminar.

As many 42 eco task force personnel including two officers participated in the Introductory Eco Seminar. Major Milan Mishra and Major Sandeep Bhatnagar and Subedar Rajendra Prasad Bahuguna were present on the occasion.

Dinesh Rawat Academy enter final
Vishal Thakur
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
Dinesh Rawat Cricket Academy (DRCA) entered the final of the 57th District Cricket League after it defeated Garhwal Sports by 27 runs in the second semifinal match played at Survey Stadium, here today.

Batting first DRCA cricket academy scored 218 runs in allotted 40 overs. Gajender was the star performer for the team as he smashed 96 runs in 98 balls.

It was a fine start for DRCA team as its openers contributed 58 runs for the first wickets partnership in the first nine overs. Gajender hit ten fours in his inning.

Virender on the other end contributed 13 runs. Lower order batsmen Varun and Sumit made an important contribution. They pitched in with a handy 27 run and 22 runs repectively.

For Garhwal Sports Ardula was the pick of the bowlers as he took three wickets. Garhwal Sports team was all out for 191.

It was a good start for Garhwal Sports team as their openers scored 45 runs in just 7 overs. But the team could not maintain the pace and its batsmen got out at regular interval.

Pradeep was the top scorer for the team as he hit 54 runs in just 64 balls.

For DRCA Sumit and Raman were the pick of the bowlers as they shared seven wickets among themselves. Raman took four wickets in his seven wickets spell and Sumit took three wickets to romp home the victory for their side.

Vigyan Kendra to open photo gallery
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
Forest Research Institute is establishing its photo gallery at its Shatabdhi Van Vigyan Kendra in Dehradun.

“This photo gallery would comprise big portraits of photographs that would be put up at Shatabdhi Van Vigyan Kendra in downtown Dehradun and would apprise the visitors the entire history of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) since its inception during British days,” Omkar Singh officiating director of FRI.

He said have also been sought our photographs and other material from the archive.

Significantly, Shatabdhi Van Vigyan Kendra that was established at the old FRI in downtown Dehradun some years back was the first of such Vigyan Kendras established in the country. The kendra plays a key role in dissemination of FRI’s forestry expertise to farmers and other stakeholders.

“Around 200 photographs are expected to be put up for display at the gallery, which will be one of its kind in the region,” Tilak Kakkar from FRI photo section said.

It also houses state-of-the-art pollution monitoring unit that is carried out on the basis of plants response to pollution.

Shortage of physios plagues state
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 7
Despite the growing demand for physiotherapists and occupational therapists triggered due to rising cases of accidents in the state, no physiotherapist has been appointed the health department in the last 25 years. This is despite the fact that there are several youth registered with Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh paramedical faculty.

According to sources, 20 posts are lying vacant in various hospitals and health centres although there is a dire need for physiotherapists and related staff.

“After Uttarakhand was created, the number of posts for occupational therapists has gone up to 50. Several private paramedical institutions have also come up and every year trained physiotherapists are passing out from here. However, most of them are still unemployed,” said Dr SK Tyagi, incharge of physiotherapy department of Doon Hospital. “We advice physiotherapy to patients who have had bad accidents, as it helps in early recuperation and strengthens the injured area,” said Dr RK Johri, orthopedic Surgeon.

“These therapists are trained and help the patient recover quickly,” said Dr Tyagi.