|
|
|
|
Munna keeps BSP guessing
Modified food to hit market soon, says varsity dons
Sikhs turn away from Cong
Despite defeats, Cong re-fields veterans
Poll Games |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Probe Report: Students burn effigy of sports minister
Vote litany at Ramdev’s function
Media guests attend the seminar in Haridwar on Friday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar
Another gym opens in town
A eunuch attempt for Tehri seat
Expert: Journalism is business now
Self-help secys of little help
Pupils explore career options
7,000 employees on poll duty
Tennis
Driver killed in accident
Forest fires under control
|
|
Munna keeps BSP guessing
Dehradun, April 3 The BSP had organised a function near Balliwala Chowk here today and mediapersons were told that Chauhan would formally join the party in the presence of a large number of BSP workers. But after waiting for more than one-and-a-half hour, BSP leader Subhash Sharma announced that he was informed by senior state leaders that Chauhan could not join as his resignation was not formally accepted. "But our leadership will try to ensure that he joins our party soon," said Sharma. Since Chauhan has also resigned from the primary membership of BJP, there should be no problem in him joining any other party. However, BSP leaders attributed this to a technical hitch in acceptance of the resignation. Interestingly, Chauhan has not confirmed any move to join the BSP. "For me all options are open. I will announce my decision tomorrow after consulting my supporters," he said. Chauhan is known as a 'mass leader' here, and sources said the BSP is interested in fielding him as its candidate from Tehri seat. Meanwhile, Chauhan asserted that he would not reconsider his decision to quit the BJP and the Assembly. He confirmed having been asked by senior BJP leaders, including Venkiah Naidu, Kalraj Mishra, to reconsider his decision. On the other hand, he claimed that Chief Minister BC Khanduri did not even once ask him to stay in the party fold.
|
||
|
Modified food to hit market soon, says varsity dons
Dehradun, April 3 Awaiting approval from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the first to hit the market would be Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Brinjal that has passed 25 safety studies, including environmental and food safety studies prescribed by the Indian government. “The International protocol was maintained while conducting trial studies, the animal trials were performed at the Pant Nagar based Govind Ballabh Pant Agriculture University. Complete hematological and toxicity tests were conducted on cows that were fed Bt brinjal,” said Dr DR Tiwari professor Animal Nutrition G B Pant University of Agriculture. He was speaking today at a media briefing session on Bt brinjal organised by Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) that has completed trials conducted in association with premier institutes of the country like Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (Varanasi), Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) Bangladesh and University of the Philipines Las Bami. Prof Tiwari said before sending the brinjal in commercial market, tests have been conducted to see the toxicity effects so far none have been reported. While, the Lead Biotechnology Research Bharat Char said there are several doubts in the minds of the general public about the toxic effect of Bt brinjal but all are baseless. “What we are doing with the help of biotechnology is increasing the fighting capability of brinjal against pests by introducing Bt gene, commonly found in the soil, in the common brinjal. The soil bacterium contains a protein that is toxic to the narrow range of insects but not on human beings,” said Char. He said the protein is not harmful to human beings and is usually destroyed once the brinjal is cooked. “We have been successful introducing Bt cotton in the country and since 2000 we have been engaged in Bt brinjal studies. The biggest advantage is that farmers would be using 70 per cent less pesticide. Farmers have been risking their lives in order to get good crop of but have failed miserably. However, the genetically modified brinjal would be an asset not only to the farmers but also to the environment,” said Char. On the other hand, Dr M K Sharma general manager Mahyco said the company has been selling seeds to the farmers here even when the state was part of UP. “Our demand for food is gradually increasing and genetically modified plants can fulfill our needs especially when the soil is gradually losing its fertility. Countries and institutes that have assisted us would not be charged for the cost of technology but we have an agreement with the countries like Philipines and Bangladesh for the introduction of gene in the crop,” said Dr Sharma. Brinjal is extensively grown in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar and some other plain districts of the state.
|
||
|
Sikhs turn away from Cong
Roorkee, April 3 In a meeting held today, the local Sikh body, Singh Sabha Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, held: “The government agency not only hurt our sentiments but also cheated the Sikhs by recommending no action against Tytler in the trial court”. “We are virtually shocked. In protest against the CBI, will submit a memorandum to the President with a request to mark a fresh enquiry into the case,” said Surjit Singh Chandok, president of
the Sabha. The Sabha has also decided to boycott the Congress in the ensuing elections at Hairdwar. “The Congress has also hurt our sentiments by fielding Tytler from north-east Delhi seat, and Sajjan Kumar, the other alleged accused, from South Delhi. It shows that Congress never respected the emotions of Sikhs. “Therefore, we will vote against the party candidate, Harish Rawat, here in Haridwar,” said Chandok. The Sabha is also in contact with Sikh outfits in the Terai belt of the state, where the community has a sizeable presence. “In Haridwar, there are over 16,000 Sikh voters. We will confirm that no one votes for the Congress,” said the president. Meanwhile, taking advantage of the situation, the rival party, BJP, has extended support to the Sikhs. “The CBI has taken a wrong step by giving Tytler a clean chit in the case. The decision came under pressure from the Congress, which is ready to go to any extent to save the alleged accused. “In this hour, we are
with the Sikhs,” said Mayank Gupta, district BJP president. The government agency not only hurt our sentiments but also cheated the Sikhs by recommending no action against Tytler. — SS Chandok,
President, Sikh Sabha
|
||
|
Despite defeats, Cong re-fields veterans
Dehradun, April 3 In Uttarakhand, the Congress has once again preferred to stick to its old guns, notwithstanding the fact that at least two of the Congress candidates had lost the general elections four times in the past. The Congress candidate from Haridwar parliamentary constituency Harish Rawat has the dubious distinction of losing parliamentary elections for the past two decades. Rawat used to contest elections from Almora but this time he has shifted to Haridwar because Almora became a reserved constituency in the delimitation. Though Rawat made a hat-trick by winning the Almora constituency in 1980, 1984 and 1989 but since then, he is figuring among the losers. Contesting on Congress ticket, Rawat lost the Almora Lok Sabha seat four times in a row - in 1991, 1996, 1998 and 1999. In 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Rawat’s wife Renuka Rawat tried her luck but the fate was the same. This time, the Congress had fielded Rawat from Haridwar constituency which is likely to witness one of the most tough election battle in the state. Only time will tell that whether Rawat can manage to put an end to his losing spree or not. The Congress nominee from Pauri Garhwal, Satpal Maharaj, has also lost the parliamentary election four times. Except for his lone victory in the 1996 parliamentary election when Maharaj tried his luck from the Tiwari Congress party, he has lost general elections in 1989, 1991, 1998 and 1999 as a Congress candidate. This time, Maharaj faces sitting MP from Pauri Lt Gen TPS Rawat (retd). The contest between the two assumes significance in wake of the fact that Pauri is the home constituency of Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri and the BJP had not lost Pauri parliamentary constituency since 1998. Notably, the sitting MP from Tehri Garhwal Vijay Bahuguna of the Congress has also three defeats to his name. He lost the 1998 Lok Sabha elections from Pauri Garhwal and then lost the 1999 and 2004 general elections from Tehri Garhwal seat but was lucky to win the 2007 Tehri by-election following the death of sitting MP Manvendra Shah. In the by-election, he defeated Manujendra Shah, the son of the deceased MP. However this time, Bahuguna faces ace shooter Jaspal Rana of the BJP as his main opponent. Interestingly, while the Congress is banking on losers, the BJP had fielded Bachi Singh Rawat, who is also the party’s state president, from Nainital constituency. Rawat has four consecutive victories to his credit as he had won Almora constituency in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. Since Almora became a reserve constituency, this time Bachi Singh Rawat is trying his luck from Nainital.
|
||
|
Taking the cyber route for funds
Umesh Dewan Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 3 Maikhuri is sending e-mails and messages to the Yahoo groups of Uttarakhand, while making fervent appeals for monetary help. Besides, giving a brief on his political career, Maikhuri has mentioned in his mail that funds contributed would only be used for furthering peoples’ cause in the election and thereafter. Several residents of the state, who are settled in other parts of the country and even abroad, are members of the Yahoo groups like Apna Uttarakhand, Pauri Garhwal, Kumaon Garhwal et al. The appeal made by Maikhuri mentions: “Elections have become a glamorous show of money and muscle power these days. We are not in competition for money, muscle and liquor; rather we want to present an alternative to the people against all these. “In order to challenge the said convergence and to raise the voice of people in the Parliament, we need monetary support from them.” Maikhuri further mentions that their party lacks resources to reach to the maximum number of people in this geographically tough hilly constituency. “So I appeal to all of you, who are convinced with the idea that the politics of money and muscle should be ousted and the Parliament should not become yet another shelter for hardened criminals, that democracy should not become a hostage. “For this, I seek all modes of your support, including monetary,” the appeal reads further. Justifying their method, the CPI (ML) leaders claimed that they are using a fair way to generate funds and are not forcing people to give money, as the BJP did for collecting Rs 3 crore purse that was given to their Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani during the Vijay Sankalp Rally on March 8.
|
||
|
Probe Report: Students burn effigy of sports minister
Dehradun, April 3 Bhagwan Singh, a student of Class XI died on February 1, this year but the inquiry into the incident was ordered just two days back and the college student were asked to give their statement to ADM V K
Suman. The family of the deceased was not offered any compensation by the government, said the students. Earlier in the day the large number of the students gathered at the Parade Ground under the banner of Uttarakhand Khiladi Sangharsh Morcha and took out a procession. Under the leadership of Morcha president Jasvinder Pal Singh students submitted a memorandum to ADM V K
Suman. Jasvinder Singh, said, “We are demanding compensation for the family of the deceased and those who are responsible for the negligence should be booked.” General secretary of the Morcha Anant Prakash Mishra said,“The sports ministry should take cognisance of the condition of the sport college. Students of the college are facing severe water shortage, poor sanitary conditions and many more.” Memorandum, also demands insurance cover for every student of the college. With no principal at the helm of affairs of the college, there has been a completely a breakdown of the administrative machinery at the college. The absence of the principal has taken a toll on the residential facilities of 250 hostellers residing here. The children have complained that the facilities offered to the hosteller at the Sports College have further deteriorated in the absence of principal. The students alleged that they are not getting the nutritious diet as they use to get earlier in the hostel. Since, there is no water in the college and there is none to look into the matter. Toilets are in bad shape in the absence of a sweeper and water shortage. The hostel is still to see a doctor in their premises. “We are not getting a good diet after the principal was attached to the Sport Directorate. We use to get non-vegetarian diet five days a week, earlier, but now that has been reduced to two days. Other food items are also sub-standard,” said Shashank
Rawat, a student. Even other standing problems like infrastructure, unavailability of games kit, waiving off fees of the winners of national-level tournaments and entertainment are still to be resolved. Sanjay Singh, another student said, “The day to day problems are causing lot of troubles to the students and there is no one to listen our woes.” |
||
|
Vote litany at Ramdev’s function
Haridwar, April 3 Swami Ramdev took the blessings of his mother Gulab Devi today. The occasion was the inauguration of the second phase of Patanjali Yogpeeth in the holy city. Apart from Swami Ramdev’s mother, his protégé Acharya Balakrishan’s mother, Savitri Devi, was also present. Swami Ramdev said his mission to make yoga a mass movement, not only in the country but the entire world, would get a major boost with the second phase of the yogpeeth becoming functional. On the occasion, industrialist Rahul Bajaj urged the people to come
forward to vote as the ballot alone could shape the course of the country’s future. Former RSS chief KC Sudharshan also emphasised on the need to vote. This he said was essential to strengthen the roots of democracy. Agreeing with him, Bajaj asked the people to elect a leader with a vision and with immaculate credentials. He said the tainted must be rejected as they gave the country a bad name. Sahara India’s OP Shrivastava said that unity despite diversity was the basis of India’s democracy. Several entrepreneurs and officials from the
corporate world attended the function. |
||
|
Another gym opens in town
Dehradun, April 3 Element was inaugurated today. It offers several health benefits. It boasts of an ambience which is on a par with global standards. Unlike, other gyms in the city, this one-stop club offers not only gym facilities but also spa, yoga, kick boxing, marshal arts, aerobics and diet consultancy. One of the main attractions is hi-tech fitness equipment, especially imported from the USA. On the faculty are the best trainers who offer counselling services to the club members. “For our multi-storey club, we have eight instructors who have being trained to help Doonites achieve the desired results. Equipment from Cybesx in the USA, including the state-of-the-art ARC cross trainers and bio-mechanical strength training machines are the unique facilities that the club offers,” said Aman, coordinator at Elements. With a strenuous exercise routine, for relaxation is the spa section, which offers massages and chills and hot showers. For those who like to chitchat post-exercise session, Snack Bar is an ideal place to hangout. “For mothers who cant leave kids at home, we have designed a kids’ section. People who need special attention due to overweight problems are given personal attention by qualified trainers,” said Aman. The most eye-catching area in the club is the section, with a large number of spinning machines. It is usually used by celebrities to attain the perfect body. “Elements is the ideal destination for exercise enthusiasts,” said Reeta, a fitness freak. “Committed to providing the latest fitness facilities, our members are assured of the best workout experience. We thrive to make workout sessions successful, enjoyable and fun,” said Shantanu Pathak, director, Elements. |
|
A eunuch attempt for Tehri seat
Dehradun, April 3
The BJP has fielded ace shooter Jaspal Rana from the Tehri constituency. The Congress has fielded its sitting MP, Vijay Bahuguna, for the seat. Rajni shot into limelight after unsuccessfully contesting the post of Mayor of Dehradun last year. She managed the second position, pushing the Congress candidate to the third spot by capturing nearly 40,000 votes. Said Rajni: “The dismal performance of the Congress and the BJP in the state has forced me to jump into the electoral battle. Rana may be an ace shooter, but it will be me who will hit the bull’s eye.” On her election agenda, Rajni said her primary issues of concern were poor medical facilities, lack of infrastructure for basic education and unemployment in the remote hill areas of Tehri. “I received an overwhelming response from the electorate during my tour to areas falling in the Tehri constituency. The people are fed up with false promises and want a change”, she claimed, cautioning her opponents not to take her lightly. Terming leaders of most parties as “corrupt” and “power hungry,” Rajni said she wanted to win so as to be able to do something for the poor and the downtrodden. “I am running a social organisation, Daya, which provides financial assistance to 1,000 poor students,” she said. As for fund collection for her campaign, she said she was relying on voluntary contributions and resource generation by her community. Asked about BC Khanduri’s performance, she refused comment. “ A lot of wrong is going on at the government level. I would like to expose things at my election rallies.” She announced that her party would be fielding candidates for the Pauri, Nainital, Haridwar and Almora (SC) seats as well.
|
|
Expert: Journalism is business now
Haridwar, April 3 Pankaj Pachouri, a TV journalist said, “In India very few people take up journalism as profession, which is not good sign. Pachauri further said there are 37 news channel and 25 religious channels in the country. But still crime is not under control and corruption is deep rooted in our
society. People had hopes from media but the way news channels are emerging everyday, credibility of these channels are oftn doubted.” Senior journalist, Venod Sharma said, “The journalism has become a trade and today the newspapers are being sold only to earn profits. “There are very few newspapers left who show courage to write truth and rest of them sell space and write two different articles on the rival candidates of a legislative seat.” He said such practices are confusing the voters. Popular and renowned Cartoonist Sudhir Tailang showed his concerns over the lesser number of cartoonists available in the media. He said just like democratic ideals are less so are the cartoonists and their space today. “Where are the real cartoonists now and as media has stopped putting questions on the system so has the effect on budding cartoonists bound to be negative, ” said Sudhir Tailang. He said he likes to sketch former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao but it is difficult to sketch Lalu Yadav’s cartoon because how can you make a cartoon of an cartoon!” Present at the seminar were many renowned journalists, academicians and filmmakers. Journalism has become a trade and today newspapers are being sold only to earn profits. There are very few newspapers left who show courage to write the truth and rest of them sell the space — Venod Sharma |
|
Self-help secys of little help
Dehradun, April 3 This defeats the very purpose of empowerment of women in the hill state where women constitute almost half of the total population. The process has been held up due to official apathy. “We rarely see the panchayat secretary visiting villages for the purpose. Most of them live in Dehradun,” alleged Narmada Negi, member of Block Development Committee (BDC). These committees consist of two gram sabhas. She alleged situation was same in all the 124 panchayats in the whole block. In the situation, the newly elected women representatives (EWRs) still remain clueless about their duties and rights. The elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions were held in September last year. “There is no fixed date of these secretaries’ visits. We are not informed when they visit. During their rare visits, they meet some villagers at the road head and go away. “We are unable to connect them over mobile phones, which normally remain switched off,” she added. The government appointed secretary is the most important official in the functioning of a gram sabha. Nothing can be done without his signature. It is his responsibility to maintain registers of panchayat budget, births and deaths, pension and families in the village. “In the absence of secretary’s signature, some girls in my village could not avail government assistance of Rs. 25,000 under Gaura Devi Kanya Yojna to a girl of any BPL family who has passed Class XII,” alleged Darshani Devi. We rarely see panchayat secretaries. Most live in Dehradun. Their cell phones also remain switched off — Narmada Negi, BDC
|
|
Pupils explore career options
Dehradun, April 3 Various experts will take part in the seminars related to career. Lot of recreational activities are organised at the ongoing fair. “Today we have organised a seminar on Industrial Automation, cultural activities, tabla and dance performances by students and by a lecture by Yoga expert Archarya Ashish Ji,” said Amardeep Jaiswal, vice-president Nidan Shiksha and Jan Kalyan Samiti. This is one of the biggest platforms for students to inquire about the opportunities available in today’s competitive world. “This time we have 70 colleges from different streams to guide students in a much advanced and in simpler manner, so that with exposure they even know how to productively channelise their energies for better career opportunities. Moreover, Dehradun being the hub of education is another major reason we have organised this fair and we are expecting at least 20,000 students to participate,” said Amardeep. “As lot of students in the city opt for merchant navy as a career option, we have participated here and are expecting students to enroll in our courses,” said Gaurav Gupta, head Samurai Institute of Maratime Studies (SIMS).
|
|
7,000 employees on poll duty
Dehradun, April 3 Giving details of the meeting, the District Magistrate said as many as 7,000 employees will be deputed at 1,323 polling stations in
Dehradun. In addition, 2,000 employees will be kept in reserve for election duties on various polling stations. He said directions have been issued to the officials concerned to ensure that one extra electronic voting machine
(EVM) is kept at all the polling stations in Chakrata Assembly segment that are more than five-km away. Besides, instructions have also been issued that proper ramp facilities should be maintained at all the polling stations in the state. The District Magistrate has also asked officials to make arrangements for drinking water and medical kits at the Parade Ground in
Dehradun, which is the venue for the distribution of the election material. |
|
|
Avinash wins
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 3 In the men’s open singles Avinash Kumar beat Ajay 8-3. In the second match, Rahul Kumar outclassed Anil Kumar. Rahul finally won the match 8-5.In the match between Prateek Badola and Hridydesh Pal, it proved to be a one sided match as Prateek outclassed Hridydesh by 8-1.In the match between Rahul Mehta and Dipanshu Gupta, Rahul registered a thumping 8-0 victory against Dipanshu. In men’s doubles open matches, the pair of Prateek Badola and Rahul Mehta won their match against Rajeev Walia and DS Rana 7-2. In the second match between Vijay Verma and Arun and Anil Kumar and Ankur Rawat, former won the match 7-5. Varun Walia and H M Bagri won their matches against Vijay Verma and Arun 7-0. Saurabh Sharma and Avinash Kumar defeated Dinesh Gupta and Anil Kalri by 7-2.
|
|
Driver killed in accident
Roorkee, April 3 According to sources, Qurban was on his way to Haridwar to deliver some goods in his truck (UA08 E-9200), when the vehicle rammed into a tractor (UP11 T-2239), which was coming from the opposite side. He was taken to the civil hospital in a critical condition, where he succumbed to his injures. The driver of the tractor fled from the spot, leaving his vehicle behind. The police has impounded the tractor and a case has been registered against him at the Civil Lines police station here.
|
||
|
Forest fires under control
Dehradun, April 3 Dheeraj Pandey, divisional forest officer, said the fires that started in Trishula forest area on Tuesday had spread across four hectares. “Our forest guards worked on a war footing and doused the fire. They are now tackling the billowing smoke,” he said.
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Classified | Suggestion | E-mail | |
It was a rare sight: World-renowned Yog Guru, before whom lakhs bow in homage, seeking the blessings of a woman, much to the surprise of all those present.
Swami Ramdev took the blessings of his mother Gulab Devi today. The occasion was the inauguration of the second phase of Patanjali Yogpeeth in the holy city.
Dehradun, April 3
