Haridwar, May 11
Addressing a well-attended rally on the last day of electioneering at the Rishikul College here today, BSP supreme Mayawati said it was an achievement that the party was contesting from all five parliamentary constituencies of the state.

"We are contesting alone without any alliance. The BSP is the third largest party in Uttarakhand and has eight legislators in the Assembly," she said. Lashing out at the Congress party, Mayawati said minorities, Dalits and the poor have suffered under their regime.

"Muslim community has remained underdeveloped ever since Independence. So time has come for Muslims to understand that voting for Congress for the past 61 years has added to their woes. But under the BSP rule in UP, the change is for everybody to see," she said in a bid to woo the sizeable chunk of Muslim voters in the constituency.

She advocated her party's ideology of 'Sarva Jan Samaj' and 'Sarva Jana Hitay' and emphasised that being the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for four times was a testimony to the success of her ideology. "I want to replicate this in Uttarakhand too, which is part of erstwhile Uttar Pradesh," said Mayawati.

However, she did not comment on the controversial hill-plain divide issue being raised by her party candidate Mohammed Shahzad. Mayawati only said if BSP is voted to power, she will try to amicably solve all issues of the residents of plains as well as the hills. "You have seen the Congress as well as BJP rule, now it's the turn of BSP to govern, as it's the only party which has no hidden agenda and is a conglomeration of all sects and religions of society," she said.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati said if anyone lives in the hut of a Dalit for a single night, spends time and eats food with them and poses for the media, he cannot claim that he has seen true India.

"Such gestures don't provide food, employment and financial security to them, but such has been the Congress dynasty's mentality towards Daltis and minorities," said Mayawati.

Talking about Varun Gandhi, she said that the BJP's Yuvraaj has been trying to spread hatred.

Interestingly, in her 50-minute speech Mayawati did not even once mention the name of her archrival Mulayam Singh or Samajwadi Party. Only towards the end did she mention that she does not consider that the SP was in the election fray at all.

Mayawati also cautioned Muslims against division of their votes between different parties. Notably, there are 27 per cent Muslims and 25 per cent Dalits among the total voters in Haridwar.

Dehradun, May 11
BJP minority cell, national secretary Joseph Varikesari has demanded that Muslims, Christians and people from other religion being called as ‘minorities’ should be treated at par with the rest of the population and also the term minority should be abolished completely.

He criticised the Congress for exploitation of the minorities for sheer greed for power.

Addressing a press conference here today, he alleged, “Congress has totally used innocent people for their selfish motives, as their ultimate goal is votes and nothing else. Once votes are in they completely forget their so called promises.” He claimed that during pre-independent era the word minority was non-existent, and since independence when Congress came into power it declared a large population of Indians as minorities.

While blaming the congress for exploiting the minorities he said, “Congress has only tried to scare the minorities and blatantly accused the BJP saying that if BJP will come in power then it will of no good for the prosperity of the nation. But during the regime of BJP at the center, former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, made the minorities feel secure and in future also they can rely on BJP only.”

He further said the minorities don’t want reservation, but need a government that can provide them employment opportunities, basic facilities of water, roads and electricity. He alleged the assigned money for the development of minorities was being misused in the name of reservation, rather being used productively.

He claimed that in BJP governed states of Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Madya Pradesh, the governments have taken steps for the development of the minorities. 

Dehradun, May 11
Making last ditch efforts to woo voters before the end of campaigning today, Uttarakhand Karnti Dal (UKD) leaders slammed all rival parties, including its coalition partner BJP, for their alleged anti-Uttarakhand activities during the statehood movement.

UKD's candidate from Tehri seat Sailesh Guleri appealed to voters to oust Congress, BJP and BSP for having compromised interests of the people of the hill state, who faced police excesses during their sustained struggle. As part of its election strategy, the UKD leadership has been highlighting the issue during campaigning.

Referring to a recent decision of Samajwadi Party to support Congress candidate from Tehri Vijay Bahuguna, he alleged that it betrayed the old anti-statehood stand of the party during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav in UP. He cited the infamous Rampur Tiraha firing incident in which some activists lost their lives even though statehood activists were demonstrating in a peaceful manner. "People of the state will never forget this," he said.

Guleri, who is contesting parliamentary elections for the first time, also came down heavily on the Congress party for accepting the support of SP, which has withdrawn its candidate in favour of Bahuguna.

He alleged that by doing so, the Congress has also hurt the sentiments of the people. "The Congress will have to pay for this indiscretion on the polling day," he claimed.

Interestingly, the UKD leader did not spare even the BJP with which his party is sharing power in the state. He alleged that the role of this party was no different from the SP, as the BJP government in UP under Rajnath Singh promoted the then District Magistrate of Muzzaffarnagar despite his alleged involvement in the firing incident.

Vice-president of UKD's youth wing Sunil Dhiyani targeted the BSP for its anti-state stand.

He criticised the party for ignoring the sentiments of people, particularly from the hill areas in its bid to win the election by playing the hill-plain card.

It was for this reason that BSP had no qualms in joining hands with UKD's rival, Maidani Kranti Dal, which merged in it during campaigning.

Other important issues that UKD has in its manifesto include the demand for 50 per cent share in all hydro projects in the hilly areas; and amendment in the Forest Act to facilitate construction of roads, helipads and ropeways for better connectivity in remote areas.

Since flexibility in the Act can go a long way in checking migration to plain areas, UKD leaders have been making fervent appeals to voters of hilly areas to elect its candidates for the Parliament.

Dehradun, May 11
Reacting to AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Gopeshwar yesterday that he behaved like an “Army general”, Chief Minister BC Khanduri today sought an apology from him. 

Speaking to mediapersons, an hour before the end of the election campaign for the five parliamentary seats in Uttarakhand, Khanduri said Rahul Gandhi’s statement was derogatory and tantamount to “insulting” the armed forces. 

“Rahul’s remarks has put a question mark on the functioning of the armed forces. He must withdraw his comment and tender an apology,” demanded Khanduri. 

The Chief Minister expressed dismay over the allegations levelled by AICC president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi against his government. “Sonia is a responsible politician. It is unfortunate that during her Dehradun rally the figures quoted by her about various state schemes and funds were wrong,” he claimed. 

Khanduri claimed that a nervous Congress was begging the Left for support as most allies had deserted the party. He said the outcome of the general election could not be seen as a “referendum” on the functioning of the state government. 

On forest fires, Khanduri said: “We have decided to identify the factors behind the fires. Steps initiated by the forest department to check fires will also be reviewed.”

Dehradun, May 11
Protesting against arbitrary fee hike, angry medical students of Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences held a strike in the college campus, here today.

As per students of the institute, the new fee structure for government quota students for 2009-10 academic session served up by the management indicates a hike in miscellaneous charges to around Rs 80,000, taking up the total fee to Rs 2.95 kakh. While last year the total fee charged was Rs 2.53 lakh.

The miscellaneous charges comprising of library, laundary, sports/ gymnasium and terminals and University exam fees constitute a major chunk of fee hike totaling around Rs 42,500.

Students believe that the management is imposing optional services on them such as laundry and library.

What has angered the students is the amount of Rs 13,000 charged under terminals and supplementary exam, swhen the University charges only Rs 1,000 as examination fees.

However, the students charged the management for resorting to arm twisting tactics.

As per the norms laid down by the government hike in any form should not be more than Rs 30,000 but we have have subjected to a hike of Rs 42,000,” said a third year MBBS student.

The student also added that any protest by us is taken as an act of rebellion and even threatened with expulsion orders.

“I have spoken with the principal of the institute and he has said that only 3 per cent hike has been affected in the fee structure. The matter would be sorted out amicably,” said Mahant Indiresh, chairman of the institute.

The students have now submitted a revised proposal of the fee structure to the management. However, the management is demanding that the students should first withdraw their stir and resume their classes before any talks.

“We have been forced to organise a strike as we would be hard pressed to pay the cost of our studies as most of us are already burdened under education loans.

While the tuition fee and the hostel accommodation charges have remained unchanged from the previous year. The management has resorted to indirect ways that would only pinch us,” said a protesting student, on a condition of anonymity.

“We are in touch with the students and their guardians, the increase in miscellaneous charges has been affected due to increased cost essentials.

As for the hike in examination fee, the University does not make provision for the payment of travel and other bills of examiners, the management has to make all these arrangements,” said Dr SB Dabral, principal.

Dehradun, May 11
Veterinarians have finally diagnosed equines influenza as reason behind the deaths of mules and horses in Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.

This comes in the wake of deaths of over a dozen mules and horses in past few days. “Scientists from National Centre on Equines in Hisar have confirmed that the animals have been affected by the influenza,” said Dr VP Singh additional director of Uttarakhand Animal Husbandry Department.

The veterinarians have also started providing treatment to the affected mules and horses that number over 3,000.

Meanwhile, use of horses and mules in Kedanath Yatra, which has been suspended for three days, has now been extended up till a week.

The animals are used to ferry pilgrims to Kedarnath from Gaurikund, a 24-km-long trek route, where they are the only source of transportation. This is bound to hit old and feeble pilgrims

Dehradun, May 11
Instrument Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) today celebrated National Technology Day. The institute holds an exhibition of its various defence equipments.

These equipments are prepared by IRDE for the purpose of surveying, recognition and navigation.

The aim of the exhibition was to make general public aware about the technologies developed by IRDE for the defence purpose.

The achievements of IRDE were depicted through models, video films and posters. The exhibition also aimed at generating interest in the students towards science as a subject.

A Helmet Mount Thermal Imaging Camera (HMTIC) was on display at the exhibition there, which was prepared by IRDE. The instrument was of great use in the navel ships for fire fighting and had the ability to see upto 50 metres.

Eye Safe Laser Range Finder was another equipment that caught everyone’s attention.

This equipment is useful in army to measure the distance between places. Indigenous LRT, which is used in the MiG-29 AC for range finding was displayed in the exhibition. GAP Measuring Device MK-III that is used by the army during night for movement was also displayed.

Children from various schools participated in the exhibition. They showed interest in the science corner specially prepared for kids and also in the quiz organised for them. Ordinance Factory Institution of Learning (OFIL) director, KK Garg, inaugurated the exhibition.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand State Council For Science and Technology (UCOST) also celebrated the day here.

In his keynote address, former department head Science Policy JNU, Prof Dhirendra Sharma said technology day kept much relevance in the country and called for developing awareness towards technology within society.

He however, held that India today stood among the leading nations of the world that was undergoing fast technological advancements.

He also stressed for developing scientific temper within society. Former vice-chancellor HNB Garhwal University Prof A N Purohit said the 21 century belonged to higher technology.

Director UCOST Prof Rajendra Dobhal said technology kept utmost importance in progress of the nation. He laid special emphasis on technology extension.

He said speedy development of the nation could only be ensured through transfer of technology. Prof Dobhal said Uttarkhand was fast inching towards getting the status of science state.

Mussoorie, May 11
Since the first electric lights were switched on in the Queen of Hills, Mussoorie, in the month of May in 1909 this popular hill station has never looked back. While the town celebrates a centenary of its electrification it would be worthwhile to take a peek in history and know about one of the oldest running hydro-power station in the country, which had brought electricity to Mussoorie.

The Galogi hydro-power station is located near the Mussoorie-Dehradun highway about 22 kms from Dehradun. It is one of the oldest hydro-power stations in the country and it still functioning with an installed capacity of 3 MW.

According to historians, the efforts for establishing this power station were initiated around 1900 by the Mussoorie Nagar Palika. However, the efforts materialised in 1906 when the Mussoorie Nagar Palika was granted a sum of Rs 7.30 lakhs by the then British government for establishing a power station at a place called Galogi.

Since the proposed site for this power station was located about 1.5 kms below the road adjacent to a stream it was with much difficultya that the generators and turbines were transported to the present day site of this power station. At that time it was the highest lift of water in Asia with an height of 1700 ft.

After the installation of machinery in 1907-08 the electricity production was initiated around 1909 and subsequently the first electric bulb was lighted in Mussoorie on 24th May, 1909.The initial installed capacity of the station was 750 KW, which was later enhanced to 3 MW. During the initial years electricity was supplied to Mussoorie at a rate of around 25 paise per unit.

The establishment of this power station opened various avenues for development for the town where the pumping of water from the nearby streams to the famous water tank at Gunhill was made possible.

These water-pumping schemes still form the primary source of water for the town.In 1918, at the direction of the United Province government (present day Uttar Pradesh), Galogi also started supplying electricity to some parts of Dehradun.

Cinema industry in these two towns thrived with the advent of electricity.

The first cinema halls were the Olympia, Auroras and Orient in Dehradun while Picture Palace and Roxy were the first electric run cinema halls in Mussoorie.

It is interesting to mention that at that time the electric lights in Mussoorie were dimmed for 3 minutes every evening at 9 pm. This was done to let people know the time although in 1934 this practice was discontinued as it was violating the government norms.

Galogi is sill functioning, but now it supplies electricity to only a very small part of the town and nearby localities. Its management has also been taken over by the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam.

Today, the Galogi power station is badly in need of maintenance as its 100-years-old machinery has been run down. Although, there is some respite in the fact that the Jal Vidyut Nigam has proposed to undertake its maintenance through a proposed outlay of over 12 crores. It is hoped that this small power station, which had brought light in the lives of the Mussoorie residents, is adequately repaired soon.