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Put off polls for Char Dham pilgrims: BJP
For Advani’s purse, people forced to pay: Congress
Decongestion |
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SP fingers crossed on pact with Cong
Special kids celebrate Holi at Raphael Home in Dehradun on Monday. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat
Splendid hues of Baithak Holi
Play safe, switch to herbal colours
Students of Nanhi Duniya school apply colour to a foreigner in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Boxers at Inter-Section Boxing Championship at Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph
SC to clear pending cases in 5 years
Comply with poll code: DM
Corbett Park all booked
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Put off polls for Char Dham pilgrims: BJP
Dehradun, March 9 In addition, the rush of tourists would mean increased security that could hamper election activities. The elections for the five parliamentary constituencies of the state have been scheduled for May 13, the fifth and final phase of election. According to the information available, the BJP state unit was drafting a letter that would be sent to the Election Commission. The decision to approach the Election Commission was taken in the BJP’s state executive committee meeting held today. While confirming the development, BJP state spokesman Vishwas Dawar said, “During the executive committee meeting, the issue was discussed at length and it was unanimously decided to request the EC to prepone the poll.” Dawar added that the Char Dham yatra would get under way from May 1 and elections in the state are scheduled for May 13. “As a result of the yatra, scores of people will not be available in their hometowns. If elections are held on May 13, thousands will not be able to exercise their right to vote.” He said that the party feels that EC should look into the matter. “The EC should prepone the elections to any date in April,” asserted BJP leaders while adding that their party would also be approaching other political parties on the issue. “We will request other political parties to support us on the matter as it will enable each and every enfranchised citizen to cast his vote,” said Dawar. However, Shahzad, the leader of the BSP legislators in Uttarakhand Assembly, said that there was no need to prepone the elections. “The 2004 general elections were also held in Uttarakhand in May when the Char Dham yatra was under way,” he said adding that the BSP feels that elections should be held as per the scheduled announced by the EC. Echoing similar views, the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee media incharge Suryakant Dhasmana said that they were ready for the elections irrespective of the fact that they are held in April or May. “But, since the election schedule had already been announced and every state has its own problems, it seems unlikely that the EC will prepone them,” he said while terming the exercise of the BJP to get the elections prepone as futile. |
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For Advani’s purse, people forced to pay: Congress
Dehradun, March 9 Confirming this, Negi said that since all five candidates of the BJP - Jaspal Rana (Tehri), Madan Kaushik (Haridwar), Ajay Tamta (Almora), Bachi Singh Rawat (Nainital) and Lt Gen TPS Rawat (retd) (Pauri) were there at the rally, they have been asked to submit the details. The Congress leaders had verbally conveyed to the District Election Officer that funds incurred on the rally must be added to the election expenditure of the candidates. Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) media incharge Suryakant Dhasmana said, “The rally was an election rally in which the BJP leaders had sought votes for its candidates. In wake of this, the total funds spent on organising the rally must be added to the election expenditure of the candidates.” Dhasmana added that they would also send a written request in this regard to the Election Commission. When contacted in this regard, the state spokesman of the BJP Vishwas Dawar didn’t gave any direct reply and only said that the rally was organised by the state unit of the BJP and all expenses for the rally were borne by the party. State spokesperson of the Uttarakhand Mahila Congress, Kamlesh, has accused the BJP of exploiting the common people by extracting money from them. “In order to collect Rs 3 crore to present to Advani, BJP activists forcibly collected money from the people of Uttarakhand,” she alleged. Earlier, the Congress leaders had alleged that government machinery was being misused for making the Vijay Sankalp Rally a success. Meanwhile, taking strong note of the statement made by the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate LK Advani at the rally yesterday, wherein he had accused the UPA government of being soft on terrorism, Dhasmana said, “Since it was BJP’s external affairs minister Jaswant Singh who took the terrorists to Afghanistan and set them free after the hijack of IC-814, the BJP has no moral right to point a finger at the Congress.” The Congress leaders also criticised Advani for his remarks that Dr Manmohan Singh was a ‘weak’ Prime Minister. The Congress leaders claimed that Dr Singh was an iron man, who not only exposed Pakistan in front of the world without using arms, but also forced that country to admit that 26/11 attackers were its nationals. |
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BSNL, PWD officials summoned
Raju William Tribune News Service
Dehradun, March 9 For the purpose, District Magistrate Amit Singh Negi today called representatives of CPWD and BSNL to his office. The BSNL authorities were asked to speed up the process of relocating phone lines box which was coming in the way of widening of Tehsil Chowk. He offered alternate space. Due to its location on the main road passing through the city as well its proximity to Doon Hospital, the widening of the chowk is very vital to tackle the daily rush of traffic. Despite the request of the administration, the department is going very slow to do the needful. As the CPWD officials maintained that permission of their higher authorities should be taken, the DM immediately wrote to the department’s superintending engineer based in Dehradun. At stake is about two metre space of the CPWD premises along the stretch from Clock Tower to Darshan Chowk. It will also provide adequate space for creation of a slip road to facilitate a free left turn for the traffic towards Lansdowne Chowk. The administration has also offered to construct the new boundary wall before dismantling the existing one to avoid any inconvenience to their staff living in the residential area within the premises. The DM also assured that their Central authorities would be taken into confidence through secretary, Urban Housing, Uttarakhand. Hopeful of formal permission since the proposed move entails public interest, the administration wants to start work at the earliest so that funds meant for it should not lapse. The urgency on part of the administration seems justified in view of coming tourist season. The administration has identified 30 important crossings and roads for their widening and beautification. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 29 crore for the purpose under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Notably, the Central departments have not shown much interest in facilitating the administration plan for the reasons best known to them. “I have also called the representatives of Forest Research Institute on March 13 to persuade them to cooperate in the matter,” said Negi.
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Muslims want more say in governance
Dehradun, March 9 Led by Congress leader Yakub Siddiiqui, the speakers at the conference resented the community being equated to a vote bank. They claimed while Muslims comprised 22 per cent of the total population of Uttarakhand, yet no government had till date done justice to
them.
Shahr Quazi Maulana Kasmi said political parties in power have often sidelined Muslim issues. He called upon the community members to understand the importance of their electoral strength. Other speakers called for reservation for Muslims in government jobs, which would put them on an equal footing with other communities of the country. They also held that Muslims can get no better opportunity to air their views except when the parliament elections are already round the corner. The leaders also made it clear that Muslims were not for any one political party but for every party that would genuinely take up their issues. They also condemned political parties, alleging that the community members were suffering on all quarters. Other issues, including constitution of Minorities Welfare Directorate in the state; rendering constitutional status to State Minorities Commission; hiking Haj quota for the state; inclusion of Dehradun and Nainital districts as minority dominated districts and rendering them the benefit of Sachhar Committee recommendations; and waiving off compulsory affiliation for minority institutions were also taken up during the convention. Nazma Khan, Nasebuddin, Maulana Altaf Hussain, Tahir Ali, Wahid Hussain and Rayis were among other prominent persons present on the occasion.
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SP fingers crossed on pact with Cong
Dehradun, March 9 Rajendra Chaudhary, in charge of Uttarakhand affairs today said the party was hopeful that an alliance with the Congress would be formed in the state. Samajwadi Party holds the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat that it won in 2004 parliamentary elections on the plank of exclusion of Haridwar district from Uttarakhand. Samajwadi party leaders feel that if an alliance was formed in the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, there would be a possibility of a similar alliance in Uttarakhand also. In the bargain, party leaders feel that they would get Haridwar seat again. Samajwadi Party had already declared Ambrish Kumar, president of the Uttarakhand unit as its candidate from Haridwar instead of sitting Lok Sabha member Rajinder Badi. Earlier, the Haridwar seat was reserved but in the new delimitation, it has become an open seat. Ambrish Kumar is a seasoned leader and was a member of the interim assembly of the state by virtue of being a MLA from Haridwar at the time of the birth of the state in November 2000. Rajendra Chaudhary said the party would launch the election campaign in the state from March 15 with a convention of the party workers in Haridwar. He further said the party has sent a panel of names for the remaining four seats to the central election committee. Samajwadi Party had two MLAs namely munna Singh Chauhan and Ambrish Kumar in the interim assembly but had failed to open its account in the state assembly in the first two assembly elections held in 2002 and 2007 respectively. But it won the Haridwar (reserve) Lok Sabha seat in 2004 parliamentary polls in a close fight. The party has some pockets of influence in the Terai region of the state particularly in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts having sizeable Muslim population who continue to support Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mulayam Singh Yadav is considered a ‘villian’ in the state after the police atrocities on statehood agitators in 1994, when he was the CM of Uttar Pradesh. But in the Lok Sabha elections, apart from Haridwar, Samajwadi Party would be in a position to influence the outcome in a close fight between two major rivals Congress and BJP. While, Samajwadi Party leaders are keen on an alliance, Congress wants to keep them at an arm’s length. Surayakant Dhasmana, Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson said the party was prepared for contesting all the seats in the state. “We would abide by any decision of the high command but the sentiments of the party workers was against any alliance,” he said. However, Vinod Barthwal, a senior Samajwadi Party leaders said to ensure the defeat of BJP, an alliance with Congress in Utarakhand was a must.
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Adding colour to lives of the special
Dehradun, March 9 Mamta Gupta, a superintendent, Cheshire Home said, “They feel happy to when they get to play with vibrant colours with their friends. In fact they look forward to this day. Holi spirit is all pervasive and even before the actual celebrations, children are enjoying. We serve them special menu to mark the celebration,” she said. “With Gujiya we make special peas pulao and raita, and in the evenings they are also served delicious chaat,” said the superintendent. Apart from managing the permanent physically challenged residents, Cheshire Home is simultaneously running an Early Intervention Center to provide therapy sessions for outsiders as well as physically challenged staying with them. “We have a physiotherapist who takes care of our residents. At the same time we also teach and play with physically challenged kids who are from slums and have no means to avail such opportunities,” said Mamta. Meanwhile, Rafael home, another center in the city working for the development of physically challenged and lepers, is also celebrating the festival with great fervour. The 116 residents at Rafael, got gulal to play with and Kheer to mark the occasion. “Its actually fun to celebrate with them and with school kids. Many visitors also came here to celebrate Holi with the Rafael residents,” said Urvashi, member Raphael’s. “Apart from giving education to them, we also want them to know about their culture and festivals. We celebrate every festival with them with lots of fun and fervour,” Urvashi. |
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Splendid hues of Baithak Holi
Dehradun, March 9 Baithak Holi, the Holi gathering, is a popular meeting point for everybody especially the youngsters where they get an opportunity to listen to the popular ‘Holiyars’, the traditional Holi singers, an important fixture of the ‘Baithaks’. Baithak Holi begins after a short ceremony at the temple premises, where ‘Holiyars’ create a surreal environment with their songs that have a touch of mysticism, melody and fun. “It is a musical affair as traditional Holi singers sing folk songs that one may have heard in the childhood,” said Veenapani Joshi, writer and a social activist. The songs are sung in Khari boli and the theme is usually Radha and Krishan playing Holi at fabled ‘Braj Bhoomi’. The tradition is now popularly known as ‘Mahila Baithaks.’ “It provides a chance to women to sing and dance to the glory. “Food at these Baithaks is usually light comprising of aloo chaat, namkeen and traditional sweets,” said Bharti Pandey, a regular organiser of Baithaks. Holi is known for being the most vibrant and fun filled festival. Music and dance plays a major role in the celebrations of Holi. “In fact the Holiyars have kept alive the tradition of Holi songs and have formed their own club in Almora. Holi songs are based on traditional ragas such as the songs sung at noon are based on Bhimpalasi Raag. While the songs sung in the evening are based on Raag Kalyan and Yama etc,” said Dr DR Purohit, a historian. Historians said the influence of Braj on the songs might be due to the large-scale migration of scholars and poets from the Gangetic plains. “These scholars may have been appointed by the Kings of Kumaon,” said Purohit. Besides the Baithak Holi, Khari Holi is also a popular tradition in the rural areas of Kumaon and it also begins a week before the actual festival. Villagers wearing white visit every house in the area dancing and singing to set the mood for Holi. |
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Play safe, switch to herbal colours
Dehradun, March 9 Synthetic colours contain harmful chemicals. Pink colour contains rhodamine B, violet or blue is methyl, violet, green is malachite green and yellow is
auramine. “These colours are prohibited under Food Drugs and Cosmetic Act and there is no monitoring on the quality of colours being used,” said Dr Brijmohan Sharma of Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS). Regarding the proliferation of organic colours in the city and taking an action against the traders, senior health officer Gurpal Singh, Dehradun Corporation said it is difficult to control the supply of these colours as most of them come from outside. Not only do the colours cause allergies, inhalation of noxious chemical substances and heavy metals present in them are known cause of pneumonitis resulting in acute and chronic lung diseases. “Even the people involved in the preparation of these colours are also exposed to high health risks,” said Dr Sharma. Small children are at greater risk, accidental aspiration causes cough in children, “Small children suffering from asthma are at greater risk, as their immunity is not developed well, there are instances of accidental inhalation and great care should be taken while storing Holi
colours,” said Dr DP Joshi, pediatric, Doon Hospital. In order to encourage safe
Holi, several organisations have started selling herbal colours made from kitchen products, vegetables and flowers. “We encourage children to make herbal colours by using
tesu, turmeric powder, henna and sandal wood,” said Dr Sudha Sharma running a newspaper for children called Bachaon Ka
Akbhar. |
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Ligang, Avnish enter final
Dehradun, March 9 Commandant,
RIMC, Col H Dharmarajan, SM who appraised the efforts of all the boxers. The other dignitaries present were Lt Col R
Nathawat, Maj Rexon Robatson and KS Ahlawat. The co-ordinator of the events was Sqn Ldr YS
Panghal. The judges were Sub BR Hiremath, Ex Hav/APTC Ashok Kundaragi,
CHM/APTC Arjun Thapa, Hav/APTC Suraj Chauhan, ExHav/ APTC Pradeep Rana. The result of the bouts: In 30-33 kg: B Kumaran Ravi (P) beat A Chettri (S), In 30-33 kg: Parth Tiwari (C) In 33-36 kg: Nimon Chakma (C) beat Hardman Singh (P), In 33-36 kg: Prathmesh Kohle (C), In 36-39 kg: Manasvi Shukla (S) beat Shantanu (C), In 36-39 kg: Abhishek Kundalia (P) beat Vishrut (R), In 39-42 kg: Varun (C) beat Ravi Pathak (P), In 39-42 kg: Avnish Singh (R) beat Shibashish (S), In 42-45 kg: Ligang Kobing (P) beat Prajwal Bhatt (C), In 42-45 kg: Sachin Lakhawat (R) beat Bhishma Saini (S), In 45-48 kg: Siddhartha (S) beat Vivek Joshi (R), In 45-48 kg: Roshan Kumar (C) beat Aman Thakur (P), In 57-60 kg: Swaraj (R) beat Bhojpal Shakya (P) In 57-60 kg: Praveen (S) beat Devi Prasad (C), In 60-63 kg: Avinash (R) beat Haopu (C), In 60-63 kg: Abhishek (S) beat Aman Gupta (P), In 63-66 kg: Sunesh Sudan (P) beat Rahul Dev Verma (C). |
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SC to clear pending cases in 5 years
Nainital, March 9 This came out during a three-day judicial workshop which concluded, here yesterday. As on date, each judge of 13,000 courts in the country has 2,000 cases pending while each year another 1.5 crore fresh cases are filed. The major recommendation of the North Zone Judicial workshop on Planning and Management of Timely Justice, jointly organised by the National Judicial Academy, High Court Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand Judicial Academy was that there should be greater planning and management within the judicial system. The recommendations of this workshop will be presented in the national workshop next month on the same subject proposed to be held at the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, director of National Judicial Academy prof G Mohan Gopal said. Justice V V S Rao of Andhra Pradesh High Court, Justice Shantanagodar of Karnataka High Court, Justice Surendra Singh of Himachal Pradesh High Court and Justice BM Kandpal, Acting Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court were among those who participated the workshop.
— PTI |
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Comply with poll code: DM
Dehradun, March 9 “No political party or candidate will indulge in putting up posters/banners/flags etc on government property,” said Negi. He further said the participation of the government officials in any election rally or election campaign would be considered as the violation of the code and action would be initiated against the erring official. |
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Corbett Park all booked
Dehradun, March 9 According to sources, Holi revellers are flocking to Corbett in big numbers and the bookings have already gone full for Holi and the subsequent day. People, mainly from Delhi and other metropolitan areas, visit Corbett during festival holidays, including Holi and New Year et al. Meanwhile, Corbett National Park authorities have put its guards on high alert so that no reveller resorts to any misadventure inside the forests. Even during New Year celebrations, Corbett was packed to capacity and many of the revellers had to face a tough time, as no vacancies existed in any of the tourism zones. As many as 11 lakh tourists visited Corbett in the financial year 2004-05, whereas the number for the period 2005-06 was 13 lakh. Similarly, 13 lakh tourists visited the Park in 2006-07 and a staggering 17 lakh came here during 2007-08. These figures clearly indicate the rising popularity of Corbett among tourists. |
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The organic Holi colours, which are available in the market, have disastrous consequences on health. Skin rash, sneezing and eruption on exposed body parts are some of the after effects of colours used liberally during the festival.
Synthetic colours contain harmful chemicals. Pink colour contains rhodamine B, violet or blue is methyl, violet, green is malachite green and yellow is
auramine.
