Dehradun, June 26
Even as the state is reeling under a severe power crisis, rain in some parts of Kumaon region today has brought the much-needed improvement in the water level of Tehri Dam. In wake of the fact that the level had gone down to 741 metres on June 24, clouds of uncertainty were prevailing over the continuance of power generation from Tehri Hydroelectric Project.

Notably, the plant needs to be shut down if the level sinks to 740 metres. But after rains lashed Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi and some areas of Kumaon region today, the water level in Tehri Dam was recorded at 742.5 metres - two-and-a-half points higher than its minimum draw down level (MDDL).

While asserting that there is no need to panic, the General Manager (Generation) Tehri Project AL Shah said, “As of now, Tehri Power Project is generating 3.5 MU of power on a daily basis and we don’t see water level going down in the coming days. Even if there is any dip, we will reduce the power being generated from the Project rather than shutting it down.”

Earlier, due to the dry spell, water level in Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers had gone down considerably, following which the level in Tehri Dam had also dipped. However, the rains have come as a welcome relief.

“With rain lashing some areas of Kumaon, there is break from the dry spell,” said Director of Meteorological Department, Uttarakhand, Dr. Anand Sharma. He added that the Garhwal region, from where major rivers like Ganga and Yamuna originate, might also get some rain soon.

Dehradun, June 26
The elevation of Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' as the fifth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on Saturday heralds the emergence of younger generation of politicians into state politics. 'Nishank' will be the youngest CM of the state that came into being on November 9, 2000.

At the time of formation of the separate state of Uttarakhand, 'Nishank', being a cabinet minister in the mother state of Uttar Pradesh, was also in race for the post of interim Chief Minister, but lost out to the veteran Nityanand Swami.

He along with Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, as a mark of protest against the decision of the party high command, did not take oath as ministers.

After much cajoling and a directive from party high command, both finally took oath in the Nityanand Swami-led interim government. 'Nishank' was given an all-important portfolio of finance while Koshiyari became Minister of Public Works Department (PWD).

Working in tandem, both were instrumental in the ouster of Swami, as Koshiyari was given the reins of the state just a few months before the first assembly elections.

But infighting for the top post within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the performance of the interim government cost the party dear, and Congress came to power with ND Tiwari as the CM.

The elections also came as the first political shock for 'Nishank' who lost from the Taihilisain assembly segment. It was the first electoral defeat for a person who had been winning since 1991, and also became a cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh in 1997.

However, the defeat made him much wiser as he shared his time between politics and running his newspaper.

In the 2007 assembly elections, he again won and became the Health Minister in the Khanduri government. During the past more than two years of BJP rule, 'Nishank' became one of the most trusted aides of Chief Minister Khanduri. During the entire political crisis that unfolded against Khanduri in the past one year, 'Nishank' sided with the CM.

However, after the shocking defeat of BJP in the Lok Sabha elections and the decision of the party high command to replace the CM, under pressure from dissidents, it was time for Khanduri to pay him back. Khanduri, who enjoyed the support of more than 20 party legislators, put his foot down to install his younger colleague in his own place.

Khanduri (76), by supporting 'Nishank' extracted his sweet revenge from Koshiyari by denying him and his protégé Parkash Pant the top position.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, 'Nishank' met up with former Chief Minister Nityanand Swami who is convalescing in a city hospital, marking the beginning of a new era of younger Chief Ministers in the state.

Dehradun, June 26
Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli has advocated construction of an International Stadium outside city limits.

The issue of construction of the stadium within the city is still to come to shape with the proposal still pending with the state government. “The city is already bursting on its seams due to the increasing population pressure and any such construction will put burden on city roads,” said Vinod Chamoli. He held that the stadium should be constructed at a place, which has enough of space.

He said the traffic arrangements that are already in bad shape could go haywire if the stadium comes up within the city. “Parking is another major problem in the city and providing parking within city is possible,” Chamoli said.

Vinod Chamoli said widening of prominent crossings across city would bring in necessary relief to traffic menace.

There has been growing need among the sports fraternity within the city for construction of an international stadium.

But the matter has been lying in lurch after resentment was expressed by denizens of Dehradun over the construction of such a big stadium at parade ground, which according to them would affect the only open area of the city.

There was also a proposal to construct a stadium at Raipur, outside the city. But the matter has since been pending.

Dehradun, June 26
A state level workshop held here today to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse, under the aegis of State AIDS Control Society. Principal secretary Health KD Raju said that the problem could be easily tackled if detected early.

“No amount of laws and bans can force a person to kick the habit unless there is a desire to do so from within. We need a proper framework for making bans and laws work,” said KD Raju.

He called upon the NGOs to lend support saying that the support should come from within the society as no amount of government interventions can bear fruits if there is no support coming from voluntary organisations.

In his address member secretary AIDS Control Society Dr DC Dhyani said that society and family members need to adopt sympathetic attitude towards the person who is keen to get rid of the habit.

“Because people are not aware about the symptoms that turn a normal person into a drug addict, the problem becomes aggravated.

Lack of awareness and lack of education are some of the reasons that prevent the problem coming out in the open,” said Dr Dhyani. A presentation by Saurabh Malhotra of NIJAT, a de-addiction centre, highlighted the problem that is more of a disease than a habit.

The organisation had carried a survey few years back in which a diluter is being used as a inhaler came to light among the school children in the city.

“A dose from 15-16 bottles can keep a person high for a day and during the survey we discovered that not only children from well-off families but even rag picker children were under it’s influence,” said Surabh.

Meanwhile, Shailesh, a drug addict who is trying to get rid of the habit, shared his experience at the workshop. It was curiosity and experimentation that pushed Shailesh into drugs.

There was a time when he was ready to commit any crime for a dose.

“In the initial years it was a heady experience, no wonder I got sucked deeper and deeper into the abyss. So much so my family members gave up on me,” he said Along with physical degeneration, he lost the mental capacity to think about his problem rationally and for 16 years he lived in a denial mode.

It was after remaining in and out of 15 centers that he met people from NIJAT who encouraged him to join the de-addiction centre.

Now he is sure of giving up the habit altogether.

Haridwar, June 26
Ruskin Bond was in the city last night to launch a book called ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ written by Mona Verma.

Mona a debutante writer caught Bond with his maiden book so much that Ruskin couldn’t desist himself to give his nod to be present at the launching ceremony.

“After more than a decade in writing seeing Mona I feel there’s an additional responsibility on me to help such budding writers and guide them with writing and in publication,” said Bond.

Crediting her writing to her husband Sanjeev Verma, brother Navneet and late grandmother, Mona said that her childhood was spent in solitude and she derived satisfaction from reading books and newspapers. “I think that was the first brush and inclination towards the field of writing,” said Mona. She said that ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ has four different stories showcasing the struggle and hope in our lives depicted through four lead characters.

While talking about young writers facing publication problems and many not venturing in the field due to such problems Bond said, “You don’t get pearls in sea until you dive, so you first write and other things will fall in place. This problem was years ago and will remain so as its not easy to convince publication houses but first make your content as better and different.” Albeit Bond admitted that economic slowdown worldwide has affected the publication trade, but he said it was a temporary phase.

Reminiscing Mona’s school days at DPS Ranipur, where she studied, KC Pandey school principal said Mona was an all-rounder and used to write but he didn’t have a hint that one day she will churn out a book.

Dehradun, June 26
Three-day eighth Uttarakhand State Art Exhibition that started at MKP (PG) College today had come up with as many as seventy-three paintings. These paintings depict various facets of life in an imaginative and colourful manner on the canvass. Women, religion and nature were the main themes of the exhibition.

Painting by Rita Kapoor has effectively depicted the village scene and the daily rigorous work women undergo everyday, whereas another painter Shakun Singh depicts women in her solitude.

Under the theme religion, the painting of internationally known artist, HN Mishra has depicted Lord Ganesha in simple fascinating manner that attracted the attention of many. Another painting that draws out a scene portraying Krishna and Radha on the banks of river Yamuna was appreciated by the visitors.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Uttarkhand Tourism and Cultural minister Prakash Pant assured to come up with an art gallery in the state. “The state does not have a art gallery, but in the near future we aim to establish one at the state level and one each at the district levels. This will be done to promote art,” he said.

The minister on the occasion also distributed prizes to the winner of the painting competition organised last year in the month of December. Office-bearers of Uttaranchal Kala Parishad were also present on the occasion.

Result of the art competition:

In play group first was Siddhant Ranjan, second was Yashika and third place went to Pinakee Gairola.

In mini group first was Nidhi Tomar, second was Aman Alan Bora and Mann Batt got the third place.

In sub-junior group Pranati grover stood frst, Siksha Bisht was second and Shray Namboori got the third prize.

In junior group first was Tuli Kaviraj 2. Tanya Singh 3. Attri Chetan

In senior group Digvijay Singh was first, Neelam Joshi was second and Priyanka Shukla got the third position.

Dehradun, June 26
Khalanga Boys and Doon Star win the respective matches at the ongoing District Football League at Pavilion Ground, here today.

The first match of the day was played between Khalanga Boys and Uttarakhand Tigers. Khalanga Boys played well and dominated the game throughout. First half was a closely contested by both the teams.

But Khalanga Boys had an upper hand as they managed to penetrate through Uttarakhand Tigers defense on a number of times. In the 15th minute of the first half it was close call for Khalanga Boys as their forward penetrated the defense from the right flank. But they missed to covert it into a goal.

Immediately after Uttarakhand Tigers launched a counter attack but their move died half way to the Khalanga Boys team defense. Khalanga Boys missed out on number of occasion to covert their moves into a goals. In the end it proved to be a goalless first half.

In the second half Khalanga Boys came with a different strategy and scored two goals. In the 7th minute of the second half it was an outstanding goal scored by Khalanga Boy’s Atul Gurung. The Kalanga team forward penetrated the goal from the right to give accurate cross that was neatly placed in Uttarakhand Tigers nets.

In the second half a powerful kick by Atul made it 2-0 for Khalanga Boys team. Uttarakhand In the end it was an easy victory for Khalanga team.

In the second match it was a thumping 5-0 victory by Doon Star team over Yankey Club. Experienced Doon Star team did not find any trouble defeating young Yankey Club, as they scored their first goal in the 8th minute of the match to open their account.

It was Balvinder for Doon Star team who took a powerful kick from the right to beat the goalkeeper all quarters making it 1-0. In the 20th minute Doon Star team stuck again through Rahul. Yankey Club player could not do much against the their stronger opponent and the first half ended with Doon Star leading with 2-0.

The second half was not different as Doon Star team stuck again in the 7th minute of the half through Atul. The fourth goal came soon for the team through Rahul, who dodged to defenders before placing it in the nets to make it 4-0 for his team.In the dying minute of the match Rajesh scored the fifth goal for Doon Star.