Haridwar, May 31
Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat visited the city yesterday night.

It was exactly two months back when Harish Rawat, on May 31, after being declared the official Congress Lok Sabha candidate for Haridwar, first visited the city.

He came with a bang and from day one, was the front-runner in the build-up to the elections.

Congress party workers and locals had thronged the road show of the veteran Congress leader that day and yesterday night too, the same scenario was revisited but with double enthusiasm.

At almost every crossing, mini-market and colony, party workers and residents lined up with flowers and garlands to welcome their MP and the state’s only central minister.

At several places, Rawat addressed the swelling crowd. It took his cavalcade more than 10 hours to reach Har-ki-Pauri.

Rawat was visiting his constituency for the first time after taking oath as a central minister.

The thanksgiving road show which started at Narsain went on till late night in Haridwar.

Fireworks, apply colour to each other, dancing to the tunes of bhangra and distribution of sweets were the norm during the road show.

The cavalcade traversed through Jatwada pull, Jwalapur, Saint Mary, Chandracharya Chowk, Arya Nagar, Singh Dwar, Kankhal Chowk, Sankaracharya Chowk, Shivmoorti, Upper Road and finally reached Har-ki-Pauri.

At the Har-ki-Pauri, Harish Rawat performed rituals and sought the blessings of the Ganga.

Speaking on the sidelines, Rawat thanked the voters for placing their trust on him and said he would try to come up to their expectations.

He said that he had already discussed the issue of the state’s development with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and has sought special measures for the state.

He also advocated strict implementation of labour laws in the country.

Accompanying the roadshow were state vice-president Jot Singh Bisht, former MP Harpal Sathi, legislator Kunwar Pranav Singh, district head Chaudhari Rajendra Singh, city Congress chief OP Chauhan, youth Congress president Raj Pal Singh Kharolla, Dr Sanjay Paliwal, Purushottam Sharma, JP Pandey, Sanjay Chopra, Naeem Kureshi, working district chief Furkan Ali, state committee general secretary Poonam Bhagat, Santosh Chauhan, Mira Raturi, Bina Kapoor among hundreds of party executive members and party workers.

Haridwar, May 31
It seems Harish Rawat is breaking all sorts of political records after contesting for the Haridwar parliamentary constituency after his home seat Almora was declared as reserved.

Not only did he win by a record margin from the seat in the whole state but he also became the first one from the hills to win from this prestigious seat which is the only plain constituency among the five seats in the state.

He also broke the jinx of losing four consecutive parliamentary elections - in 1991, 1996, 1998 and 1999. He had last won in 1989 from Almora.

And now, by becoming a minister for state in the central government, he has ended the ministerial drought for Haridwar MPs which started in 1964.

In 1951-57, Mahavir Tyagi was inducted as minister of state in the then Jawaharlal Nehru -led Congress government.

At that time, Haridwar was in the Dehradun constituency and so, Tyagi represented Haridwar too.

In 1964, Tyagi was inducted as state minister for rehabilitation once again.

At that time, the constituency was called ‘Dehradun-cum-Bijnor district-cum-Saharanpur district west’. Mahavir Tyagi was in the Ministry of Revenue and Expenditure for the first two years and later in his tenure, he took over the defence organisation portfolio.

Old timers recall that the people in Dehradun and Haridwar were in a similar celebratory mood when Tyagi joined the cabinet just in the case of Harish Rawat.

Mahavir Tyagi, who won in 1962, lost the next general election in 1967 to an Independent candidate Yashpal Singh.

Though later, four Congress MPs from Haridwar region won and Harpal Sathi of the BJP won thrice, none could garner a cabinet berth.

Harpal Sathi won in the 1999 elections but lost out to present Chief Minister BC Khanduri, who then represented Pauri Garhwal constituency, and present BJP state chief Bachi Singh Rawat, who then represented Almora constituency, in the cabinet race. Harish Rawat had lost to Bachi Singh Rawat from Almora in that parliamentary election.

A separate Haridwar constituency was formed in 1977 and since then, seven elections have been held out of which the previous six winners have failed to garner a berth in Union Cabinet.

Harish Rawat is the first to make it into the Union council of ministers since the formation of the Haridwar constituency.

Dehradun, May 31
Indian Military Academy (IMA), in association with World Wild Fund for Nature - India, conducted a programme to create awareness towards “Tiger the rare and endangered species” at Nizam Pavillion of IMA, here today.

The event started on May 29, with signature campaign on banner, in which entire IMA fraternity aggressively participated by signing the banner with attractive slogans with a message to “save the tiger”.

The event reached its pinnacle today with the “Roar Of The Tiger Run”. Rashmi Sujlana, wife of IMA Commandant Lt Gen RS Sujlana unwrapped the occasion with the release of doves and balloons at Nizam Pavillion, followed by a flag-off of the event, organised in different categories.

In all more than 2,000 persons of the IMA participated in the event.

The campaign “Roar Of The Tiger Run” was aimed at creating the awareness about the tigers’ poaching and to contribute towards saving of the tiger- India’s critical and endangered species. The initiative is not only an attempt to illustrate the plight of Indian iconic species but also a commitment for conservation.

The event terminated with a majestic presentation ceremony, where an action-packed entertainment programme was showcased by Institute of Dancing “NAACH”, which left the audiences spellbound.

A CD on illegal wildlife trade in India was also released by IMA Commandant Lt Gen RS Sujlana and director of operations World Wild Fund (India), Wing Commander (Retd) MC Pandey.

The other attractions of the presentation ceremony were Treck Fire Fox 3700 MTB and Fire Fox Cyclone Bicycles, which were bagged by gentleman cadet P Nehra and cadet Rahul, who stood first and second respectively in the 10 kms “Roar Of The Tiger Run”.

The other highlight was the showcase of two-storied photo mosaic of a tiger, created from the personal photos of nearly 25,000 tiger lovers worldwide, which was unveiled at the Hague, the Neitherlands on June 07, 2007.

Haridwar, May 31
Around 100 close circuit cameras will be installed in and around the 130 sq km-mela site during the Mahakumbh next year, when hundreds of devotees will take a holy dip in the Ganga.

The cameras will also be set up in Roorkee and Jwalapur besides the mela area that includes Haridwar, Rishikesh and Muni-ki-reti, officials in charge of organising the religious gathering said.

Sources in the police said that about 60 cameras will be put up at the main bathing spots of Har-ki-Pauri, Chandighat, VIP ghat and surrounding areas from where they would monitor people round the clock.

Official sources said a sum of Rs 88 crore has been sanctioned for setting up the infrastructure and other logistics at the mela site.

Preparations are in full swing for the Mahakumbh here, the first after the formation of the separate state of Uttarakhand, they said. — PTI

Dehradun, May 31
Constant stress, irregular food habits and lack of exercise are the factors adversely affecting the health of the people in the city.

These factors were emphasised at the ‘High Value Health Awareness Camp’ oragnised by Apollo Clinic with Doon Diabetic Association and Dalanwala Welfare Society, at Marshall School.

Lt General GS Negi (retd), a former Commandent of Indian Military Academy (IMA) inaugurated the health camp where more than 400 persons took counsel from doctors. 

KK Jolly, center manager at the Apollo Clinic said, “We continue to emphasis on the age-old adage that says ‘prevention is better than cure’. Apollo Hospital Group pioneered the ‘preventive healthcare packages’ in the country. We, in Dehradun provide the same facilities.”

The camp mainly focused on the basic healthcare tests like blood sugar random, blood pressure, RH typing and body mass index (BMI). Rajneesh Jayal, vice-principal, Marshall School says, “The purpose of the camp is to spread health awareness amongst the people of the city. The importance of routine check-ups is recognised in the process with free consultations.”

Chartered Accountant, Akhil Saklani says, “These camps fulfill the basic requirements of proper medication especially in a place like Dehradun where we don’t have good hospitals. “The doctors from the Apollo Clinic, Dehradun paid special attention on the minor symptoms for they believe in ‘stiching in time’.

Jolly said, “The people are ignorant about their health and our aim is to provide everything under one roof ranging from consultations to diagnostics.

Heart specialist, Dr Amit Malik, cancer specialist, Dr Rohit Nayyar and kidney specialist, Dr Vijaya Kumari from Apollo Hospital, Delhi include among others who visit us on a regular basis to give the best consultations to the people of Dehradun.”

Haridwar, May 31
To mark the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, ruler of Mewar, a function was organised at BHEL sector-4 community hall today. Floral tributes were paid to the great warrior whose tales of bravery still ignite passion among the young generations.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Karmachari-Majdoor Parishad organised the function. People from all sections of the society participated and remembered the warrior while speakers focused the need of idealising Maharana Pratap’s principles and bravery.

Chief guest of the function former state women commission chief Santosh Chauhan stressed on the necessity of having ideals and patronage towards the motherland as exemplified by Maharana Pratap.

She said that with changing times the role of the Kshatriya community has also changed. “Kshatriya community has to fight out injustice, poverty, corruption and other social evils and none better than Maharana Pratap to take inspiration,” said Chauhan.

While city congress chief OP Chauhan urged the people to come out against violence and ill practices that have crept in our society.

Focussing on epic Mughal emperor Akbar-Maharana Pratap war general secretary of the organising committee Suman Singh Chauhan said, “Maharana Pratap never accepted Akbar as ruler of India, and fought Akbar all his life.

“Akbar first tried diplomacy to win over Maharana Pratap and later weapons but nothing worked and Akbar later admired Pratap for his bravery and ethics.”

Also at the function all the retired BHEL pensioners were also honoured and also the students who excelled in ICSE, CBSE and other competitive examinations from Haridwar were felicitated. Colourful cultural programmes was also presented by the school children.

Present at the function were DGM BHEL Arun Kumar Chauhan, deputy CMO BHEL Hospital Dr AK Singh, zila panchayat member Sanjay Chauhan, councillor Surendra Singh, Kisan Morcha (BJP unit) president Sushil Chauhan and several other residents.

Dehradun, May 31
National Students Union of India (NSUI) members staged an awareness rally on the ill effects of tobacco consumption. Led by Jaswinder Pal Singh, Mahanagar president of NSUI said it was important to people about the harmful affects of tobacco consumption.

The members in particularly raised concern over increasing tendency among the youth towards tobacco consumption.

Another participant Jagdeep Arora called for further strengthening of anti-tobacco laws in the country.

Kapil Rawat, Sandip Chamoli, Manish Chowdhary and Kishore Uniyal were prominent participant to the awareness rally.

Dehradun, May 31
Eleven-year-old Sajid studying in Class VI is the sharpest kid attending Yoga for Kids, the summer camp which is under way at Greenfield School, Mohini Road, here. It has been organised by the Dhyan Foundation. His experience should be an eye opener to sceptics who perceive that this ancient science belongs to a particular religion.

The unique module of yoga practices, designed especially by incorporating traditional games for kids, excited him so much during the camp that he voluntarily went around asking his friends to be part of it.

“I want others to share the experience as it has made me feel more active,” he said when asked about its benefits. Around 15 kids from different religious backgrounds are attending the camp.

Like any devout Muslim, he offers ‘namaaz’ five times a day at the mosque in his locality Sanjay Colony. But yoga has not come in the way of practicing his faith. Nor does his father, a tailor, feel so.

He did not object to his son’s participation in the camp being organised free unlike other summer camps in the city having a fee tag.

“I tell my father about the experience daily. He always says all religions are equal,” Sajid said.

Yogi Ashwini, who has developed ‘Sanatan Kirya’ based on ancient texts, said that in the modern-day world, the study of this science has been confused with certain religions or sects.

The yogi said, “A major myth about spirituality is that it is a part of a religion. Religion is a code of conduct prescribed by certain highly evolved souls who have taken birth in the physical world at a time when they were needed for the benefit of mankind. Spirituality and religion cannot be equated or compared.”

The experience of Jagpreet Luthra, a Delhi-based activist of the Dhyan Foundation who has been instrumental in devising the module for kids, is worth mentioning. “Yoga is a precise science based on divine laws. It has nothing to do with religion.

“When I try to correlate Sikhism with it, I find it to be a wonderful extension of my religion. In fact, believers of all faiths should find it appealing.

“As a Sikh by birth and belief, I must say the special appeal of Sanatan Kriya also lies in the fact that it is against rituals and rigidity,” she said.

And it is turning out be the same experience that Sajid and other kids are experiencing in the camp.

School principal Reena Jaggi looks at it from the angle of composite Indian secular ethos. The Muslim students of her school have been attending Gita-chanting competitions organised by the Chinmaya Mission.

“This has not led to any infringement of their religious faith. Such activities, including this yoga camp, in fact foster a spirit of tolerance and dispel misconceptions prevalent in matters of faith,” she summed up. 

Dehradun, May 31
Air India team lifted the 27th All-India Uttaranchal Gold Cup trophy here today. In the finals, they defeated VCC Mumbai team by 8 wickets.

Air India team batsman Ajeet Chandela was declared man of the series, whereas Rohit Prakash was declared man of the match. Best bowler prize was given to Abit Khan whereas Shafique Khan was awarded best batsman. The winner team won the cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, whereas runner up got Rs 50,000.

The winning spree of VCC Mumbai team was brought to a halt in the final as they lost to Air India team. The VCC Mumbai team batsmen failed to adjust themselves to the tight line and length of the Air India team bowlers, who rattled through the Mumbai team's batting lineup.

Batting first VCC Mumbai team could only manage to score 166 runs in 33.1 overs. The openers did got off to a fine start but they failed to convert their starts into big scores. 

First opener Vishant More could only manage to score 12 runs off 22 balls, whereas second opener Vikas Nagarker scored 21 runs before getting out to Abid Khan. It was Amit Patil, who rose to the occasion to playing a scintillating knock of 81 runs off 65 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.

Arpit supported him well and made 22 runs. After Amit Patil got bold by Brijendra Singh at 81 runs none other batsman deliver and the team was all out for 166 runs. For VCC Mumbai team, Brijendra Singh and Kuldeep Singh were the pick of the bowlers. They both picked up three wickets each, whereas Abid Khan and Mrinal Saini took two wickets each.

Chasing a meager total of 166 runs, Air India batsmen gave a firm start to the team and hammered VCC Mumbai bowlers. Rohit Prakash played a commendable knock of 68 runs off 53 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six in his innings. 

He was supported from the other end by Ajeet Chandela who set the pace for the Air Indian team by playing a blistering knock of 37 runs off just 12 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes in his inning. 

The team captain Shafique Khan also played a fiery knock of 55 runs off 33 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes in his innings. For VCC Mumbai team Rohit and Sherbahadur Yadav took one wicket each.

Chief guest on the occasion was Uttarakhand Sports Minister, Rajendra Bhandari said, "The tournament has just growing in popularity with big cricketing names coming to Dehradun for playing in this tournament." He further resolved that an international stadium would come up in the city in the near future. 

If parade ground is not selected for the purpose then in that case the stadium will come up at Raipur. He also declared to provide financial support to those players who are living below the poverty line. 

Dehradun, May 31
Kumaon Regimental Center's Lt Col RPS Gill emerged winner at the 7th Governors Club Golf Tournament that was played at Nainital.

Vikram Kohli was placed at second place, whereas North East Railway's Pramod Kumar was declared best net winner. R Marshal and JS Kochhar were jointly placed second in the best net category.

Lt Col AK Jagota was the winner in 60 years category. Rakshita Singh was the best women golfer. Defending champions Veer Shrivastav was the winner in Maximum Power category. Vishal Bansel was the winner of Nirasht Two Pin category and Brig Bhupendra was winner of Singh Straight Drive category. 

Dehradun, May 31
2/3 GR team clinched the Pachva Doon Football Tournament here today. The 2/3 GR defeated Vijay Cantt team by 4-1 In the final.

2/3 GR team played fast pace football. Their short passes and good ball control outclassed their opponent in all quarters.

The team scored their first goal in fifth minute of the match through the boots of Manish Thapa.

The second goal for the team came in the 22nd minute of the match through Narayan Thapa.

At the end of the first half the scorer line was in 2-0 in favour of 2/3 GR team.

The second half was no different from the first as 2/3 GR further increased their lead by two goals against Vijay Cantt.

In the second half Vishal Gurung took a fine short to make it 3-0 for 2/3 GR team in 48 minute.

The fourth goal came in the 75 minute through Manish Thapa.

Vijay Cantt could only pull back a solitary goal in the in the 80 minute of the match with the help of Madhur Rana.