Dehradun, May 3
With a whopping 48.67 per cent electorate in the state in the age group of 18-35 years, the youth is likely to play a major role in the Lok Sabha elections this time.

According to figures, there are 6,47,486 youth electors in Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, which is the maximum for any parliamentary constituency of the state. The holy city of Haridwar is placed at number two with 6,26,585 youth electors.

Tehri, Almora and Pauri constituencies are at the third, fourth and fifth place, respectively, in terms of youth electors.

Notably, with successive government's failing to ensure that youth of Uttarakhand get employment, the state is facing a major problem of migration and youth, in large numbers, have left the state for jobs in other parts of the country.

In wake of this, it will be interesting to see which political party manages to garner majority of the youth votes.

While BJP leaders are claiming that by fielding two youth leaders - Jaspal Rana (32) from Tehri and Ajay Tamta (36) from Almora (SC) constituencies - the party has given representation to the youth, Congress leaders claim that by just giving tickets to youths, BJP can't woo the entire electorate.

"It is our party that has fielded young leaders. How can anyone accuse us of not being concerned about the issues and problems pertaining to the youth? As far as the problem of unemployment is concerned, it was the previous Congress regime that completely overlooked the matter. Congress is responsible for the migration of the youths," said BJP state spokesman Vishwas Dawar.

He added that during the past two years, BJP government had initiated a series of steps to provide employment to the youth.

The Congress leaders have, however, refuted these allegations. Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Yashpal Arya squarely blamed the BJP government for the increasing unemployment. He alleged that the Khanduri government was insensitive towards the needs of the youth.

Dehradun, May 3
With no political party taking up the issue of Central university status for Kumaon University (Nainital), varsity authorities, students, teachers and members of the Kumaon University Teachers’ Association (KUTA), are extremely perturbed.

Peeved by the apathetic attitude of the politicians towards the issue, KUTA has announced to revive the movement for getting Central status after the Lok Sabha elections are over and the new government is constituted at the Centre.

Notably, Garhwal and Kumaon Universities were sanctioned way back in 1973 during the tenure of the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh HN Bahuguna.

While both the universities were treated on par by the successive governments of Uttar Pradesh and now Uttarakhand, the Garhwal University in Srinagar won the race of getting the Central university status a few months back.

Majority of the people now feel that Chief Minister BC Khanduri preferred Garhwal University for the Central status.

Kumaon University has an enrolment of 10,000 students at the varsity-level
and it caters to at least 90,000 students in the 30 colleges affiliated to it at
the undergraduate level.

Kumaon University Vice Chancellor Prof. CP Barthwal said Central status for the university would help them in introducing new professional courses.

“In the hill state, it is certainly not possible to fulfill the criteria laid out for the Central status. There is scarcity of land in Nainital and it is practically not feasible to show large availability of land at one place,” he said, while adding that already their university is functioning from three separate campuses.

Chairman of Kumaon University Teachers’ Association (KUTA) Dr Ajay Arora said it was beyond comprehension why politicians had so far not conveyed to the Centre that a specific policy is required for the hill states.

“Unlike plains, the hill states can’t fulfill the criteria in terms of population density
and space availability,” he opined, adding that they are all set to revive the
movement for Central status to Kumaon University once the new government
assumes power at the Centre.

While smaller political parties like BSP and UKD had touched this issue in their election campaign, the Congress and BJP completely played it down, he informed.

Landoura, May 3
Slow pace of work and unprofessional approach of authorities towards laying Landoura-Manglore road has been causing serious inconvenience to the public.

Thousands of the road users virtually put their lives on risk while traveling on the six-km stretch, connecting three villages-Manglore, Landoura and Jainpur as the stretch is nothing but a bed of pebbles and stones.

A motorcyclist lost his life after losing balance on big stones, a fortnight ago, corroborates the fact.

Several minor accidents, taking place on the road due to its deplorable condition, is just a routine affair.

The matter regarding the pitiable condition of the stretch was also highlighted in
the newspaper column earlier (in March-09) but still there is not much progress in
the work since.

Surprisingly, the work on metalling the stretch has been in progress for over the past one year. The slow pace and unprofessional approach of the authorities has become cause of irritation for the people of the area.

Venting out his anguish, Ravinder Singh of Landoura said, “The project, which could have been completed within a span of one month, has already consumed over a year and still no one knows when it would be completed?

“Also look at their unprofessional approach. Instead of completing the project in parts, they have scattered stones on the entire stretch.

“Now they are putting soil to make the stones settled, which have already out of place due to the flow of heavy vehicles.”

Another resident of Manglore, Mukesh Kumar, rued that all the residents are fed up now with the dust and inconvenience, being caused by the construction of road.

“Due to dust, we have started developing respiratory problems. Already the area is marred by the high growth of brick kilns here. The slow pace of work on the project is just adding to the woes.”

The work was started a year before after the union government sanctioned Rs 1 crore to the PWD for the purpose, keeping in view forthcoming ‘Kumbh Mela’.

The heavy traffic flow to Haridwar would be diverted on this road from Roorkee to
Manglore during the Kumbh to lessen the traffic congestion on Roorkee-Haridwar
highway. According to concerned authorities the work would be completed by
June this year.

Dehradun, May 3
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member MK Pandhe today came down heavily on the Union government for “ignoring” the hill state.

He alleged that with Government of India least bothered about the development of the state, the state today figures among the most backward ones in the country.

He said investment by the Centre in Uttarakhand is very low as compared to other states such as Maharashtra.

“In comparison to development that had taken place in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand stands nowhere,” he said.

“Just by forming a separate state, the economy of the state won’t see a drastic change. It needs a push,” he added.

Talking about the tourism sector, Pandhe said there are numerous tourist destinations in Uttarakhand but so far no efforts had been made to develop them.

He alleged that there is lack of infrastructure in Uttarakhand and the state does not offer proper facilities to the pilgrims, which was one of the main reasons behind more tourists visiting other hill states such as Himachal Pradesh. Pandhe said because of unemployment, there has been largescale migration from Uttarakhand.

Talking about the polls, he said they were being contested on money and muscle
power. “This election, the number of ‘crorepati’ candidates has touched 300 mark.
Likewise, there are around 250 candidates, who are contesting on muscle power
alone,” he alleged.

He added that candidates are campaigning on choppers, notwithstanding the fact that Rs 40,000 is charged for hiring it for just one hour.

Pandhe said under the prevailing circumstances candidates representing the poor and downtrodden will never reach the Parliament. He said the CPI (M) has not given any advertisements in support of their candidates.

He alleged that the manifestos of both Congress and BJP are just to befool the masses and they would not support the Congress in forming the next government.

“Since PM Dr Manmohan Singh deviated from the non-alignment policy and entered into a strategic alliance with USA, there is no question of supporting a Congress-led government,” he asserted.

Dehradun, May 3
The war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Central government has become more pronounced.

With polling scheduled for May 13, Chief Minister BC Khanduri has hit back at the Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for accusing the state government for not doing enough for development works after the completion of the Tehri dam.

Shinde, during his campaign last week in support of sitting Congress MP Vijay Bahuguna from Tehri Garhwal seat, had alleged that the state government had failed to utilise developmental funds received as royalty from Tehri dam for the welfare of the people of Tehri.

Khanduri in a statement said the accusations by the Union Power Minister were false and in turn it was the Central government that had been discriminating against the people of Tehri and Uttarakhand in general.

On the accusation by Shinde that the state government had failed to utilise the 12 per cent royalty from Tehri dam for developmental schemes in Tehri, Khanduri said under the new policy, the Central government was supposed to give one per cent more royalty to the state government for development of the Tehri area, besides one per cent share of the state government.

"The Central government has failed to give a single penny out of the one per cent extra royalty till now," he said.

The CM said his government has remained sensitive to the problems faced by
the people of Tehri following the filling up of the reservoir and had taken many
steps in this regard.

He said his government had set up a separate Bhagirathi Ghati Development Authority for the development of the area, besides setting up of Tehri Lake Development Authority for the promotion of tourism.

Haridwar, May 3
Addressing his maiden press conference here today, Mohammed Shahzad, Bahujan Samaj Party candidate from Haridwar, said people of the plains of Haridwar should vote for those who cater to their needs; otherwise they would remain neglected.

When asked why he was raising the issue after nine years of formation of the state, Shahzad said it was the main issue in the constituency.

Attacking Congress candidate Harish Rawat, Shahzad alleged that Rawat was against delimitation based on population, which meant that he was against plain areas getting more seats.

“He is on record protesting against delimitation based on population, which reduces assembly seats in the hill areas,” he said.

Stating that his fight would be with Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Swami Yatendranand Giri and not with Congress or Samajwadi Party, Shahzad said, “Harish Rawat is fighting for the third position with Ambrish Kumar of Samajwadi Party.”

Shahzad said neither the Congress nor the BJP would fight for the concerns of the people of the plains.

“I appreciate Ambrish Kumar in this issue, as he will fight for the people of plain
areas,” he said.

Lashing out at both the BJP and Congress governments in the state over the issue of domicile and caste certificates, Shahzad said this has caused widespread resentment among the people of plain areas and he had raised the issue on several occasions in the assembly.

“The people of the plain areas are being discriminated against in the matter of
domicile certificates. Our party has always raised the issue, unlike the BJP or the
Congress,” he added.

Shahzad was categorical that there was no demand for exclusion of Haridwar from Uttarakhand and even demanded the merger of Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar districts of Uttar Pradesh in Uttarakhand.

“The inclusion of these parts of Uttar Pradesh will make Uttarakhand more prosperous and beautiful,” he added.

Meanwhile, some Congress party leaders joined the BSP fold on the occasion,
including Chaudhari TP Singh Khairi, former organisational secretary of the state
Congress who also fought the election as Jan Shakti Party candidate from
Rudraprayag in 2002.

Dehradun, May 3
A large number of patients suffering from various mental disorders were identified and given treatment at the camp held at the State Mental Health Institute, Selakui.

At the one-day camp 90 cases of mental disorders ranging from bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, depression, mental retardation, epilepsy and common behavioural problems were identified.

The patients were in the age group of 15-45 years. The camp was held under the Director General Health.

“At the camp, there were patients who had no clue of their abnormal problem habits that were proving worrisome for their family members and society. The purpose of the camp was to build awareness about the disease and identify patients.

“We had carried an advertisements in local newspapers about the camp, therefore, the response was quite good,” said Dr JS Bisht, psychiatrist, Doon Hospital.

He said that there is a shortage of drugs to treat illness such as epilepsy and an
ever-growing problem of population with limited resources can turn the problem
serious. Every third patient needs help to cope with disability resulting from various
psychiatric disorders.

There is a marked reduction in the quality of life among patients coping with mental illnesses. “Bipolar disorders and schizophrenia are natural corollary to depression.

“The patients usually lack mental strength and low tolerance. The bipolar disorders have a tendency to flare up during seasonal variations,” added Dr Bisht.

Along with the detection of the mental disorders, the patients were also given free medicines. A large number of patients from Vikas Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Roorkee Haridwar, Tehri and Pauri attended the camp. Last year the camps were held at Champawat and Haldwani.

Dehradun, May 3
The state authorities have decided to seek assistance from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force for curbing ranging forest fires in the state hills.

This was apart from Rs 10 crore assistance sought from the Centre by the forest department for the purpose.

Meanwhile, the shopkeepers in Pauri kept their business establishments closed to offer tributes to those who died fighting forest fire here. District officials have started investigating the reasons behind the incident.

On Friday, as many as five villagers were killed while six others were injured while extinguishing forest fires in the Van Panchayat area of Gagvadsyun Patti in district Pauri Garhwal.

Meanwhile, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and even left parties here criticised the state BJP government of aggravating forest fires in the region. They accused the government of completely failing to control forest fire in the state.

Dehradun, May 3
Roller-skating is high on popularity but safety norms are not being followed. Even the organisers of skating competition here are ignoring these norms.

One could see children in the rink without wearing a helmet. There is always a chance of falling in such races and hurting head, elbow or knee.

Pankaj Bharatwaj, owner of the Crony Skating World, said one needs to wear knee guard, elbow guard, helmet and risk guard.

“To minimise the hurt while skating two things are important, one should wear safety gears, and second players should skate in a balanced manner. If you fall while wearing your safety kits it would always minimise the risk of getting serious injuries. It is always required to wear a helmet, because even if have a bad fall there are chances of hitting your head. Therefore, one should wear all these safety kit before entering the rink.”

These safety guards reduces the speed during a competition therefore, many generally avoid wearing them.

Snehshish Tiwari, a young skater said, “One who is good in skating don’t wear knee guard and elbow guard this reduces your speed. But I make sure I wear all by safety guards before entering the rink.”

Dehradun, May 3
Asian School won the over-all trophy at the 12th District Inter-School Roller Skating Championship that concluded, here today.

In Sub-Junior Hockey Boys, Asian School stood first, Summer Valley at second and Kasiga School was placed third.

Results: Girls: In the age group of 4 to 6 year, Vanshika won gold. In 6 to 8 years, Tanushri won gold. In 6 to 8 years Tanushri bagged gold, in 8 to 10 Manandeep bags gold, in 10 to 12 years category Akriti Saxena won gold and in 14 years and above S Puri won gold.

Boys: In the category of 4 years Aman Pundir won gold. In 4-6 years Manas Deval bag gold. In 6 to 8 years Om Gupta got gold, in 8 to 10 years Sandeep Sangha win gold. Asmit Harshil won gold in 10 to 12 years category. In 12-14 years Pulkit bags gold. In 14 years and above Pulkit Singh won gold.

Quad Boys: Aditya won gold in 4 years category. In 4 to 6 years Kartikey Jain won gold while in 6 to 8 years category Snehashish Tiwari bags gold.