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Harish Rawat gets Haridwar seat
Temple Use
Poll officials get a feel of EVMs
Up ante, DGP tells officers
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Poll, yatra: Transport dept has just too much to do
Tanakpur’s very own Vaishno Devi
Need to target slums, say TB experts
Teachers, pupils must keep tradition alive, says Shastri
Civil Sect clinch inter-institution title
Civil Secretariat captain receives the award at the ONGC Inter-Institutional Cricket Tournament in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph
U’khand bag 4 gold at national meet
IMA defeat NDA in basketball
Sans sponsor, football league lacks sheen
Tanush Academy down Young Stars
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Harish Rawat gets Haridwar seat
Dehradun, March 24 Earlier, Congress high command had declared three candidates for Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal and Almora (reserve) seats, but delayed the decision on Haridwar and Nainital. According to Congress spokesperson Suryakant Dhasmana, a decision on Harish Rawat, a former Rajya Sabha MP, was taken by the central election committee of the party in New Delhi. Rawat was feeling ‘homeless’ following the decision that his constituency of Almora in Kumoan would be under the reserve category. But he had been cultivating the Haridwar constituency for the past two years, although there were doubts about his candidature since he was considered an outsider by the Haridwar district Congress leaders and workers. Despite a stronghold of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rawat is confident of winning the seat. His enthusiasm stems from the fact that three assembly segments of Dehradun district having predominantly hill population - Rishikesh, Doiwala and Dharampur - now form part of Haridwar Lok Sabha seat. Moreover, Rawat is also believed to be a strong candidate to take on Swami Yatendranand Giri of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as he is likely to be a natural choice of the more than three lakh Muslim voters of the district. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has six legislators in the state assembly and was a close second during the 2004 Lok Sabha polls. The Samajwadi Party had won the seat on the plank of exclusion of Haridwar district from Uttarakhand during the last elections. But this time, BSP has fielded Shahzad, a legislator from Bahadarbad assembly segment in the district. Similarly, Samajwadi Party has also fielded Ambrish Kumar, Uttarakhand state president of the party and a seasoned campaigner from the seat. On the other hand, BJP finds itself in an awkward situation following change of its candidate. Uttarakhand education Minister Madan Kaushik was named as party candidate initially, but Hindu saints led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Ashok Singhal lobbied for Swami Chinmayanand, a former union minister. In the tussle, Swami Yatendranand Giri, an unknown saint and a former RSS pracharak, was chosen as a consensus candidate. Meanwhile, Harish Rawat was an MP from Almora in 1984 and 1989 but since then has been losing to Bachi Singh Rawat, the state BJP chief. His wife Renuka Rawat fought the 2004 elections from Almora, but lost. Rawat has been crossing swords with veteran Congress leader N.D. Tiwari and lost out to him in the race to become the first elected Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, following a Congress win in 2002 assembly elections in the state. He has been running his own faction in the state Congress and was sent to Rajya Sabha in 2002 from where he retired in 2008. |
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Temple Use
Dehradun, March 24 Congress leaders have alleged that the state BJP chief and former Union Minister Bachi Singh Rawat, who is party candidate from Nainital seat, used a temple for campaigning. State Congress spokesperson Suryakant Dhasmana said BJP workers draped religious idols in BJP flags and even put a flag on the horn of 'Nandi', the bull of Lord Shiva, at a temple in Khatima in Kumoan region. The Congress also complained about irregularities in the voters' list, in which many female voters were shown as males in the photographs. A complaint about removal of Congress banners and hoardings was also filed. "Congress banners were removed, while BJP wall writings about their Vijay Sankalp rally are intact," Dhasmana complained to Dehradun District Magistrate Amit Negi.
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Poll officials get a feel of EVMs
Haridwar, March 24 Context-specific training is being given to the polling officers on functioning of electronic voting machines. They are also being trained on how to rectify minor flaws, and procedures and norms to be followed on the polling day. Chief instructor RK Sharma, from the Electronic Corporation of India, said the master trainers would have to show the agents of political parties that the EVM’s are not pre-used before polling starts. Notably, names of 16 candidates can come on one ballot unit sheet of EVMs. Meanwhile, the district election officer Shailesh Bagholi, while issuing guidelines today said no person would print or publish any poster, booklet, pamphlet, stickers or any election material that does not bear the publisher’s name in the forefront. If this rule is violated, strict action will be taken under the Election Commission of India rules. He brought to notice the press owners and publishers guidelines of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951, under which it is illustrated that the election material used should bear the name of the publisher and the state from where it is published. This would also have to be attested by the electoral officer concerned or the district magistrate of that particular district. Bagholi also informed that for all the problems and complaints of political parties, candidates and public voters, a separate room numbered 313 has been established in the control room at Roshanabad.
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Up ante, DGP tells officers
Dehradun, March 24 He held detailed discussions with the district police chiefs on the need to tone up security apparatus for the ensuing parliamentary elections, surrender of arms by license holders, action against all wanted criminals and a check on smuggling of illegal liquor into their respective areas. Since the ‘char dham’ yatra to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath would also start next month, he asked the district police chiefs to be extra vigilant and provide security to pilgrims. Joshi also called upon the officers to provide foolproof security to all the VIPs and senior politicians. |
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Poll, yatra: Transport dept has just too much to do
Dehradun, March 24 “While Char Dham yatra is at its peak during May, the date of polling in Uttarakhand also falls in the same month thus, making transport arrangements for the two are very challenging,” said the transport commissioner and secretary Dr Umakant Panwar. He said the department has decided not to requisition Uttarakhand Transport Corporation and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam buses while services of Garhwal Mandal Motors Operators Union and Tehri Garhwal Motors Operators Union that operate, as many 4,000 buses would be sought for the polls. At least 300 buses are required in each district at the time of polls. Meanwhile, as part of Char Dham yatra preparations, the Vigilance Department of Uttarakhand Transport conducted a three-day long inspection at various transport check posts at the state borders. On March 20, the vigilance team conducted inspections on Dehradun Vikasnagar Timlee Kulhal route and penalised as many as 24 vehicles while seized 4 vehicles in process. Most of the public transports from Saharanpur were found to be devoid of permit. Inspections were also held at Kulhal and Asharori check posts. On March 21, the department inspected Chidiyapur, Narsan, Satyanarayan and Bhagwanpur check posts that revealed large-scale irregularities. The incharge officer was not present at Kulhal check post; another officer was found sleeping at Asharori chowkie. As many as five vehicles were seized for evading taxes. Transport commissioner and secretary Dr Umakant Panwar said we conducted inspections after receiving several complaints related to tax evasion. He also appealed all the motorists to complete their vehicle documents before the yatra. The Public Works Department and Border Roads Organisation have also been asked to submit fitness certificates on weekly basis from April 10. |
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Tanakpur’s very own Vaishno Devi
Pitthoragarh, March 24 The temple is 20 km from Tanakpur and is atop a hill at a height of 3,000 feet. The Purnagiri mela begins on March 15 and continues till April 15 during the “Chaitra Navratras”. It is one of the biggest fairs of Kumaon region and the 16-km-long path between Tankpur and Tunnas overflows with pilgrims from western UP, Haryana and Delhi. After 1980, the fair got government attention and a metalled road up to Bharav temple was constructed, drinking water was made available at the mela spot and stairs erected up to the main temple. After these infrastructure facilities were added, the number of pilgrims have crossed the one-million mark. The mela is jointly organised by zila panchayat, Champawat, and the district administration but financial constraints remain. Prema Panday, chairperson, zila panchayat, complained about the financial crunch. “We had demanded Rs 55 lakh from the government this year to manage the fair. As we are not likely to receive the required amount, the pilgrims will have to face difficulties,” she alleged. Earlier, the devotees used to have “darshan” of the goddess from 200m below the temple as it was situated on a sharp peak. But now, it has been connected by stairs. In old days, the devotees used to reach the sanctum sanctorum by gripping the long grass there called “Babila”. They would tie it aspiring the fulfilment of their wishes and after their wishes are fulfilled, they untie the knots. “The tradition continues but people nowadays tie a cotton cloth on a railing,” said PD Pant who has been visiting the temple since 1980. On the first day of “Chaitra Navratras”, the priest of the temple is changed and so is the flag on top of the hill. Devotees from Aligarh, Agra, Shahjanpur, Bareilly, Meerut, Badaun as well as from Delhi and Haryana consider the Purnagiri as a manifestation of Durga. “We have come on bicycle from Badaun because the more effort you put, the faster is the fulfilment of your wishes,” said Aman Panday, a pilgrim who reached Tanakpur after travelling hundreds of kilometres on bicycle along with his five friends. |
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Need to target slums, say TB experts
Dehradun, March 24 “The coming of slums in these satellite towns and cities is a relatively new phenomenon but what should be of utmost interest to health workers is the unhygienic conditions and poor nutritional levels among inhabitants who are at high risk of contracting TB. “They may have been safe in the villages as poor living conditions in the cities make them most vulnerable. TB control programmes need to be geared to tackle the possibility of TB patients in small cities and towns which were relatively safe earlier,” stressed Piyush Singh, Director, National Rural Health Mission. He was speaking at a programme held to mark World TB Day today. Dr A.P Mamgai, state TB officer, said while the cure rate in the state was 85 per cent, the detection rate continued to pose a challenge. "The chances of a TB patient spreading the disease if undetected is between 10 per cent and 15 per cent in a year," he said. The state is committed to the countrywide Stop TB Campaign and DOTS programme was being vigorously followed, he said. Dr GC Bounthiyal, Chief Medical Officer, said the problem got exacerbated when patients left treatment midway. "Regularity in the administration of DOTS can completely wipe out the disease and is a sure cure against TB. As the incidence of TB is high in the Chakrata and Kalsi districts, the DOTS programme is being implemented with vigour," he said. The State Tuberculosis Control Society lauded the efforts of ASHA (Accredited Social and Health Activist) and voluntary organisation HOPE( Horizon for Prosperity and Education) that has given DOTS treatment to 500 patients by utilising the services of 400 ASHA/health workers. Philip Nag, a voluntary health worker with the NGO, said they had been working with the State TB Control Society for the last one year.
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Teachers, pupils must keep tradition alive, says Shastri
Haridwar, March 24 Focusing on the immense contributions and personality of Swami Shraddhanand, former department head of Kashi Vidyapeeth Varanasi, Prof Amarnath Pandey said, “To revive the Vedic culture and values, Swami Shraddhanand formed the century-old Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar.” While Chancellor Prof Swatantra Kumar said he had a philosophical and a dynamic personality. “Gurukul family and students owe a lot to him for putting the ancient university in line with the top universities of India.” Ved Prakash Shastri said it’s a duty of teachers and students to keep the tradition, dignity and name of the university intact. Present at the seminar were Prof. Bharat Bhushan, Gyan Prakash Shastri, Mahavir Aggarwal, Dr Chandra Shekhar Trivedi, Dr. Satyadev Nigmalankar, Manu Dev Bandhu, Ishwar Bharadwaj, Dr. Satyadev Nigmalaknakar, Somdev Satanshu, Brahmdev, Navneet with several academicians and students of the university. |
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Civil Sect clinch inter-institution title
Dehradun, March 24 After winning the toss, Civil Secretariat elected to field. Survey of India scored 155 runs for eight wickets in 25 overs. SS Rawat (67) was the top scorer of Survey of India. The six-wicket haul by Bhupender Hari helped Secretariat restrict the Survey team to a moderate total of 155 runs. Chasing the target, Secretariat kept up the scoring momentum and scored the required runs in the 24th over losing seven wickets. Opening batsman Amit Ghai (70 not out) continued with the superb form he showed in the semifinal. He was supported by TH Khan (38). Vimal took four wickets for Survey of India. Amit Ghai of Civil Secretariat was declared Player of the Tournament, SS Rawat of Survey of India was adjudged Best Batsman while the award of Best Bowler went to Devender Sharma of Survey of India. Chief guest Sushant Vats, executive director-chief, employee relations, ONGC, and special guest of honour Subhash Saxena, commissioner (entertainment), government of Uttarakhand, presented the trophies and prizes.
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U’khand bag 4 gold at national meet
Dehradun, March 24 Vijay Choudhari won the gold in the 100m hurdles and a silver in triple jump in the 35-plus category. Darshan Singh Bajwa won a gold in javelin throw, a silver in discus throw and a bronze in the shot-put event in 75-plus category. DS Chauhan won bronzes in 100m and 200m in 80-plus category. DS Rawat won a gold in long jump and a bronze medals in triple jump and 400m in 65-plus categories. JS Sachdeva won silver in 5000m and 1500m event in 60-plus category. P Singh from ONGC won the gold medal in discus and javelin throw in 35-plus categories whereas Maurya from Pantnagar University won the bronze in the 5000m. Five out of six medals are from the Garhwal region and one from Kumaon region. The selected athletes will participate in the World Masters Athletic Championship to be held in Finland in July. A 40-member team from the state had participated in the tournament.
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IMA defeat NDA in basketball
Dehradun, March 24 In the first league, basketball match was played between IMA and NDA. IMA defeated NDA by 62-42 baskets. In hockey, NDA defeated INS Shivaji 6-1. |
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Sans sponsor, football league lacks sheen
Dehradun, March 24 The association is unable to find a sponsor for the District Football League this year. The expenses of holding the league are huge and the association banks on personal efforts to meet the expenses. Apart from getting donations from residents of Dehradun, it was only in 2006 that the association found a corporate sponsor for itself. The ONGC had then sponsored the league. But thereafter, there has not been much encouragement from big business establishments to football in Dehradun. The cost of holding an edition of the league comes to around Rs 2.25 lakh which includes the fee for referees (Rs 40,000-45,000). “The state government does make a contribution but it is miniscule amount. We have to bear the rest of it,” said Devender Bisht, secretary of the District Football Association. The association is to hold the league in May. “With elections round the corner, there could be a slight change in the dates. Otherwise, the preparations for the league have begun,” said Bisht. It will not be a big show this year due to fund scarcity. “The preparations for holding the league are on a war-footing. We have asked all football clubs to clear their dues, to submit the entry fee, to get all players registered and to renew the registration of their old players by April 10. “Only then would we be able to issue identity cards to all players ten days ahead of the tournament” said Devender Bisht. But a sponsor for this year’s league still eludes the association. Bisht asserted that the business community in Dehradun looks least interested in promoting the game.
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Tanush Academy down Young Stars
Dehradun, March 24 Ajabpur Young Star team failed to repeat their magic as they faltered in batting. They began on a bad note as they lost early two wickets at the score of 26 runs only. The opener Pradeep got out at a score of 7 runs and Gaurav was out for eight runs. Raman too failed with the bat and was out at a score of 10 runs. Vipin Kashyap was the top scorer for the team as he scored 38 runs in 45 balls. He hit five fours in the innings. He was supported well by Akshay at the other end, who made 21 runs in 37 balls to help his team score 111 runs. For Tanush Cricket Academy, it was a superb bowling display by its bowlers, who bowled a tight line and length to dismiss Ajabpur Young Star team. Bharat was the pick of the bowlers claiming three wicket in his six over spell. Rohit, Adil and Mohit supported him well on the other end take two wickets each. Tanush Cricket Academy reached the target with seven wickets in hand. Adil Khan’s scintillating inning of 77 runs in just 49 balls put the team in a commanding position. Adil struck nine fours and five sixes in his innings. Umang Sharma supported him well on the other end by contributing 14 runs in 13 balls. Ashay was the only successful bowlers from Ajabpur team who claimed three wickets in his six overs spell.
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Dehradun, March 24
Pitthoragarh, March 24
Dehradun, March 24
Dehradun, March 24
