Haridwar, May 4
Going by the poll campaigns of various parties here, the intense heat wave seems to have had absolutely no impact on them. Rallies, meetings, opening of new election offices and door-to-door campaigns are in full swing. Whirlwind tours by star campaigners are also in the offing.

Congress candidate Harish Rawat has held a record 60 meetings-cum-gatherings in various parts of Haridwar-Dehradun-Rishikesh-Doiwala-Roorkee belt during the past weekend. This assumes significance considering the fact that Rawat hails from Almora region and is contesting elections from Haridwar for the first time.

Samajwadi Party candidate Ambrish Kumar held a massive Yuva Sankalp Rally in Haridwar, in which several members of the youth wing took part. Ambrish Kumar is banking heavily on the hill-plain divide issue.

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Swami Yatendranand too has changed his low-profile campaign and is now resorting to roadshows after an intense door-to door campaign.

Bahujan Samaj Party's candidate Mohammed Shahzad is focusing on the plain areas only and has been openly accusing BJP and Congress of ill- treating the people of the plains. He is also eyeing Dalit and Muslim voters.

However, he is not campaigning at all in the Rishikesh-Dehradun-Raiwala belt, as people belonging to hilly areas of Garhwal and Kumaon dominate the area.

Now all eyes are on the rallies of star campaigners including Manmohan Singh, LK Advani, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, Sanjay Dutt, Manoj Tiwari and a host of other political leaders and filmstars.

Dehradun, May 4
Rajya Sabha MP and member of BJP national executive Chandan Mitra today said the CBI's decision to withdraw the red corner notice against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the multi-crore Bofors pay-off case clearly implies that Congress is aware that their party is on the brink of losing the 2009 general elections.

"Since Congress knows that they won't be coming back to power, the red corner notice was withdrawn," he claimed.

Mitra, who is on an election tour to Uttarakhand, while addressing mediapersons, here today, said BJP would emerge as the single largest party in the Parliament. "In all probabilities, it is almost clear that NDA will constitute the next government at the Centre," he said.

Mitra also clarified that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will always remain the core issue, but this time BJP is contesting on the development plank.

On the issue of different voices emerging in the party pertaining to the Prime Ministerial candidate, Mitra said some party leaders had said that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi could be a good choice for the post of PM, "But it is crystal clear that party's prime ministerial candidate for 2009 elections is LK Advani."

While dismissing the speculations that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar may leave NDA to join hands with Congress, Mitra said Nitish is very much part of NDA and had already made a categorical statement that he will continue with the alliance. "There is a difference of opinion between BJP and JD (U) over certain issues but that doesn't mean Nitish is leaving NDA," he asserted, while adding that there is no threat to the alliance.

Holding UPA responsible for the lack of development in Uttarakhand, Mitra said the Central government had always adopted a partial approach towards the state. Replying to a query about the increasing forest fires in Uttarakhand, Mitra disclosed that yesterday he had held a meeting with Chief Minister BC Khanduri and the latter informed that a long-term plan to deal with the issue is being prepared.

"The CM has also said that responsibility of the erring officials will be fixed," he revealed.

Dehradun, May 4
Applying pressure tactics, the retired state pensioners, under the aegis of Retired State Pension Organisation, threatened to boycott the BJP in the elections in protest against non-fulfillment of their long-pending demands, here today.

At a meeting held at Gandhi Park, RS Parihiar, state president of the organisation said in April they had submitted a six-point charter of demands to the Chief Minister, but so far these have not been met.

The main demands include issuance of smart health card to the pensioners for undertaking medical treatment at private hospitals, removal of anomalies in the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission report and honouring agreements pertaining to pensioners who retired when Uttarakhand had not come into existence.

"We have been urging the government to procure papers pertaining to employees who had retired before November 9, 2000, from the Uttar Pradesh government, but the Uttarakhand government has not initiated any action in this regard," said Parihar.

He said that there are a total of 70,000 pensioners who may think twice before voting for the BJP this time. 

Dehradun, May 4
The forest department has for the first time decided to engage Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) and Forest Research Institute (FRI) officials towards long-term planning to check recurring fires in Uttarakhand forests.

After holding a high-level meeting of forest officials, Uttarakhand principal chief conservator of forests Dr RBS Rawat today said the department would seek expertise of scientists of the two institutes towards devising a long- term strategy to curtail the raging forest fires.

Referring to the Pauri forest fire incident in which six villagers lost their lives while battling the flames, Dr Rawat said the forest department would remain indebted to these “martyrs” who had sacrificed their lives while trying to save the forest wealth.

He said there was no budgetary provision for providing financial assistance to those killed in such incidents, adding that such a provision was the need of the hour.

On measures undertaken by the department, the officer said senior forest officials had been appointed coordinators at the district level and all forest officers asked to remain present on the field during the season.

Describing pine needles as a major cause of forest fires, he said it was necessary to put the needles to some use so that the forests were cleared of these.

“Pine needles need to be linked to industry and already such proposals have started pouring in,” Rawat pointed out.

He said as many as 204 cases of forest fires had taken place in the state this season, encompassing a total of 2,792 hectares. He said the department needed to be extra vigilant for timely check on forest fires. 

Dehradun, May 4
Senior Congress leader Dhirendra Pratap, member of the AICC, has demanded resignation of forest minister Bansi Dhar Bhagat following the death of seven persons in forest fires in Pauri Garhwal.

He asked the minister to resign on moral ground as it was the duty of his department and not villagers to save the forests from burning.

He said the damage to forests in fires was much larger than conceded by the government.

He described the conduct of the Chief Minister and the minister as “most irresponsible” and demanded a public apology for the death of six persons while trying to douse forest fires on their own.

Pratap demanded Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia to the families of the deceased and a job for a family member of each victim.

He described them as “martyrs” as they had sacrificed their lives for saving forests.

“Although it is the duty of forest officials to save the forests, these brave men who died fighting the flames deserve recognition,” the Congress leader said.

He demanded a memorial at the site where the seven were killed so that the people could be motivated to save the precious forest wealth.

Pratap lamented that none of the senior officials had visited the bereaved families. 

Dehradun, May 4
Aspiring students eyeing a career in emergency care can enroll in the course to be conducted by the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), which is planning to launch a two-year Advance Post-Graduate Diploma in Emergency Care Course from July 2009 here.

While announcing this today at a press conference, Anoop Nautiayal chief operating officer of EMRI said that the two-year course would be conducted in the Dehraudn campus in association with the Stanford School of Medicine. The Hyderabad based EMRI would help in setting up the campus here.

The qualified paramedics in emergency care have wide array of options to explore, from rural health physicians to paramedics and jobs at the casualty ward.

“In our country there is a demand for 50,000-25000 paramedics, a large number of paramedics would be absorbed at EMRI while the remaining can hope to land plum jobs at several private medical hospitals,” said Anup.

Dr SV Mahadevan, associate professor department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine has designed the course curriculum to suit Indian conditions and illnesses. “The students would get access to international faculty and advance simulators will be used as teaching tools for students about clinical emergencies.

Conditions such as choking and snakebites that are common in India are being dealt in the course,” Dr Mahadevan said. It may be mentioned that the course is already underway since July 2007 in Hyderabad. It has recently received an affiliation from Osmania Univsersity.

Haridwar, May 4
The final year students of International Academy of Fashion Technology showcased their unique and innovative creations at a three-day long fashion exhibition in Haridwar.

The creations not only bore western and Indian impressions but the inspirations were also drawn from the traditional local wear and jewellery of the state. 

From high-end designs, wedding wear, kids wear, evening wear, office wear students canvassed their designs in every possible range. 

Ruchi Arora, a student who opted for holy river Ganga, Himalayas, Brahma Kamal and state bird Monal as themes for her collection said, “Uttarakhand’s culture, its nature, traditions, lifestyle provides ample of ideas to the budding fashion designers. It is great that we can display variety available in the state through our designs.” 

Neha Singh, another designer whose theme was greenery of the state used shades of nature like green, sky-blue. She mingled traditional Garhwali and Kumaoni embroidery with other ethnic Indian embroideries of the country. 

Other students picked up themes from the colourful cultures of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal and Punjab.

The exhibition was pretty successful and people showed interests in the students’ designs. A visitor Noor-e-Shama who bought a designer lehanga said, “It is quite surprising that these students have designed such wonderful collections without having any exposure to the fashion world here in the city.” 

Some of the students wish to teach fashion designing to the next generation here and also wish to open their business in the city. 

The students for the time used 3-D and 2-D software in designing their collection. Institute founder Suman Lata Pal said the use of modern technology has increased the demand of Indian designers in the international market. Many potential buyers from SIDCUL showed interest in young designers. Swarovski lights up bridal wear 

Haridwar, May 4
With the polling day merely a week away, sale of illegal liquor here is on the rise. Kotwali police arrested two persons late last night and seized hundreds of caskets of country-made liquor from them.

On a tip-off, sub-inspector Mamta Gola led a police team and found two youths selling illegal liquor near the Ramleela ground. The two have been identified as Vikki, resident of Brahamapuri, and Gitti, who lives at Laltaura road.

According to the SI the duo were under watch since the past several days. The police team comprised BS Pawar, Upendra, Sunil Kumar and Deepak Bhatt. Notably, Haridwar municipal area is a no- liquor zone, and sale and consumption is totally prohibited within 12 kms of the municipal limits. Liquor is easily available in several city areas including Khadkhadi, Ramleela Ground area, Roadways station, Laltaura bridge, Kashipur, Brahmapuri and even at the Har-Ki-Pauri area. 

Haridwar, May 4
At the ongoing Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Inter-Cricket Tournament joint teams of block 1 and 2 defeated NBS and block 3 team by 21 runs. Block 1 and 2 won the toss and opted to bat first.

The team utilised the dry pitch by scoring 141 runs in the allotted 20 overs. In their piling of score Ajay Pandey smashed a beautiful half-century but got out just after reaching the milestone on 51.

While Jitendra pitched in with an useful knock of 29 runs. Babar Ali, Inder Mohan Barthwal and S Das scalped two wickets each.

Needing more than 6 runs per over NBS block 1 started on a high note but later its middle order succumbed to some tight bowling of Jitendra Singh and Azad Khan who shared six wickets between them.

Earlier chief guest at the final match DK Modi executive director of BHEL met the players of both sides.

He said sports are imperative for ones well being as it inculcates quick decision ability in the person and builds a team spirit, which is the essence of leading a disciplined life.

Present at the final match were BHEL executives Vimal Kumar, SK Luthra, HP Chaudhari, Kartar Singh Bhandari KS Rana, Dhan Singh and BHEL employees accompanied by their family members.

Dehradun, May 4
Welham’s Girls School registered a thumping 4-1 victory over Hope Town School at the Council School Senior Girls Hockey Tournament, underway at Welham’s Girls School, here today.

Welham’s Girls team dominated the match throughout showing greater co-ordination and ball control. For Welham’s Girls all goals were scored in the first half.

Welham’s scored their first goal in the fifth minute of the game through the stick of Shriya. She dodged two defenders of Hope Town to score the first goal and give Welham’s a 1-0 lead in the match.

The second goal for Welham’s was scored in the eleventh minute of the match through a penalty corner that was converted by Aashna.

It was Gaurangi who scored twice in the 20th and 25th minute of the match for Welham’s to help the team to take an invincible lead of 4-0 in the first half.

Second half saw just one goal that was scored by Hope Town team in the 58th minute of the match.

In the second match Unison World School defeated Moravian Institute by 0-1.

It was a goalless first half. But in the second half Unison World came back strongly to score a goal in the 7th minute of the match through the stick of Kanika to win the match. 

Dehradun, May 4
Moravian Institute and Marshal School won their respective matches at the Inter-Council School Sub Junior Boy’s Hockey Tournament underway at Guru Nanak Academy, Dehradun, here today.

In the first match, Moravian registered a 4-2 victory over Aryan School. Shailesh scored the first goal for Moravian Institute in the first minute of the match. Aryan found an equaliser in the 9th minute through Divyansh. Moravian scored its second goal in the 19th minute, it was Shailesh again for Moravian Institute who his team take a lead in the match. In the second half, Moravian Institute’s Akash scored its third goal making the score 3-1. The fourth goal for the team came in the 30th minute through Nitin who made the score 4-1. Aryan School scored their second goal of the match in 34th minute of the match to make it 4-2.

In the second match, Marshall School won their match against Col Brown School by 2-1. Col Brown scored first goal in the 10th minute through Harshit Gupta. The first half ended with the score line 1-0 in Col Brown School favour.

In the second half, Marshal School came with a different approach scoring two goals to win the match. For Marshal School, Deepak scored its first goal in the 29th minute of the match, whereas Nitin scored the winning goal in the 48th minute to make the score 2-1.