Dehradun, July 3
It was a day of disappointment for Uttarakhand, as the state failed to get even a single new train in the Union Railway Budget tabled in parliament today.

Except one new rail line for Ramnagar-Chaukhitiya, the Centre has not done much for the expansion of rail network in the hill state.

In wake of promises made by the Congress leaders, particularly former Railway Minister Satpal Maharaj, wherein they had assured that Uttarakhand won't be ignored in the budget if UPA comes to power, people had very high expectations from the railway budget, but all hopes were dashed today.

The announcements in the railway budget with respect to Uttarakhand just include setting up of multi-facility counters at Dehradun and Kathgodam railway stations and developing Rishikesh as a "model station". In wake of the poor rail connectivity in the state, people asserted that one new rail line and couple of other decisions are not sufficient for improving railway infrastructure in the state.

Notably, in certain pockets of the plains and hilly areas rail network is totally missing. Even before the formation of Uttarakhand, there were persistent demands for extending the rail network to the hills, but to no avail. Railway services have always eluded Uttarakhand region and most of the infrastructure that exists in the region today is the gift of Britishers.

Meanwhile, reacting sharply to the union railway budget for the year 2009-10, Chief Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said once again the Central government has meted out step-motherly treatment to Uttarakhand.

Expressing resentment over no new train for the state, he said, "Being a hill state, crores of tourists from India and abroad visit Uttarakhand every year but because of the poor rail connectivity, they have to face immense problems. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests to the Union government for starting new trains and expansion of the rail network, nothing has been done in the Railway Budget even this time," said Nishank.

He rued that despite repeated requests for starting Char Dhaam Express from New Delhi to Rishikesh, Dehradun-Rishikesh-Haridwar Tourist Rail Rath and expansion of Tanakpur-Bageshwar and Rudrapur-Kicha-Sitarganj railway lines, nothing has been done. "The proposal of superfast trains from Mumbai to Dehradun and Mumbai to Kathgodam have also been overlooked in the budget," he said.

Even people expressed unhappiness over the attitude of the Union government. "The railway station in Dehradun is connected with the nearest station of Haridwar by a single track still, which is a big hindrance in the speedy movement of trains," said Jagveer Kumar, a Doon resident.

Notably, during his election campaign, former Union State Railway Minister and Congress MP from Pauri Garhwal Satpal Maharaj had promised the people of Uttarakhand that if Congress wins all five Lok Sabha seats and UPA returns to power, it would work towards building the Rishikesh-Karnprayag and Khatima-Tanakpur rail lines and full financial support would be provided in this regard.

However, after today's budget all his claims have fallen flat. 

Dehradun, July 3
Bahaujan Samaj Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has expelled Munna Singh Chauhan, a former legislator from Vikasnagar assembly segment who left the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the Lok Sabha elections as BSP candidate from Tehri Garhwal Lok seat.

Dr. Meghraj, president of the Uttarakhand unit of BSP, said Munna Singh along with Subhash Sharma, another senior leader of the party, due to disciplinary reasons.

He alleged that Munna Singh, after losing the elections, was not participating in any BSP activity.

On the other hand, Munna Singh said he was yet to receive any communication about his expulsion from the party. He said probably it was a letter written by him to Mayawati that has irked her and led to his expulsion.

“I had written a letter to Mayawati advising her against spending so much money on erecting her statues. I asked her to spend the money on education and health of Dalits,” he said.

Asked about his future plans, Munna Singh said he was all prepared to contest for Vikasnagar assembly byelection; a seat he had vacated after resigning from ruling BJP.

Dehradun, July 3
The Uttarakhand Association of North America (UANA) has invited Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to visit the USA.

In a telephonic conversation, UANA president Vijay Sharma congratulated the Chief Minister and invited him to attend the annual convention of UANA in New Jersey on September 5.

Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri was to attend UANA’s convention last year. However, the trip was cancelled at the last minute due to the ill-health of his wife Aruna Khanduri.

Sharma hoped that the new Chief Minister would accept the invitation and mark a beginning in strengthening the bond between non-resident Uttarakhandis and the state government.

He said UANA would provide unequivocal support to the state in various fields , including education, science and technology.

He said UANA would continue to enrich the lives of the people of Uttarakhand living in North America by helping them preserve their identity in North America and by fostering awareness on socila nad cultural issues among the Indian fraternity in general.

Dehradun, July 3
The lifeline of the neo-natal unit, Incubator and Ventilator seems to be serving only decorative purposes at the District Women Hospital. From last six months both the equipment have been of little use.

The incubators play an important role in normalising extremely low birth weight babies (ELBW). At the neo-natal nnit the incubator is in need of urgent repairs and it has been sent twice for repair during this period.

While the ventilator lies stationed in one position from last six months, mainly because there is paucity of staff.

"At least one staff member has to be permanently stationed to look after the functioning of the ventilator and incubator. But so far no new staff member has been appointed," said Dr Archana, senior pediatrician and neotologist.

For BPL cardholders, who get free treatment at the hospital, the lack of facilities forces them to turn to private hospitals. "A single day charge at a private clinic for incubator and ventilator will cost between Rs 2,500- Rs 3000," said Dr Archana.

The unit has two radiant warmers and four photo therapy units, which are quite less in number considering the number of deliveries taking place at the hospital.

"These warmers too help in stabilising the temperature of low birth babies but the number is quite less. We need more of these units," said Krishna Rawat, sister 
in-charge. 

Dehradun, July 3
The National Students Union of India (NSUI) members forcibly locked the office DAV (PG) College principal Ashok Saxena and demanded his removal from the post.

Saxena has been found guilty of violating the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations by the board of management of DAV.

Scores of activists, led by state president of NSUI, Sangaram Singh Pundir, reached the college premises today and shouted slogans against the administration.

Pundir alleged that the college administration has failed to provide admission form to students this time.

The activists demanded appointment of a new principal as soon as possible for systematic functioning of the college. Former student union president of NSUI, Om Prakash Sati, said this year the college has not even formed a committee for managing the admission process, which has delayed the admission process.

Meanwhile, Akhil Bhartiya Vidyardi Parishad (ABVP) activists today carried out a lock out at Hemwati Nandan Garhwal University sub-office here today.

The activists sought the university to clear out its new admission rules and the strength of student a college is supposed to have.

Scores of ABVP activities gathered at University sub-office shouting slogans against the university. State vice-president of ABVP, Jitendra Rawat led the protest. 

Dehradun, July 3
Kiran Shah is the only woman cricket coach in the city. From the last 10 years Kiran has been hard on girls to make women’s cricket on par with men’s cricket. Everyday she spends hours at Parade Ground teaching girls the basics of the game.

Kiran Shah along with her husband started Little Master Cricket Club in 1999. Though it was her husband who introduced her to cricket, but now she spends more time on field than her husband. “In our times there was not much scope for girls in cricket. Despite having interest in the game I could not take it as a career. But after marriage it was my husband who helped me realise my dream.”

Initially, she faced a lot of problems from society but she stood their boldly facing all challenges.

“Parade Ground is usually occupied with drunker and gamblers. My presence on the field with students made them uncomfortable. But soon they find themselves cornered,” said Shah. It proved a tough time for her in the beginning, but her boldness made everyone step back.

Kiran selected Parade Ground to attract attention of the people moving on the road towards the practice session of girls. She said, “My idea was to increase awareness about the women’s participation in the game. The idea worked as slowly and steadily girls starting joining the club,” said Kiran.

Inspired by Sunil Gavaskar’s batting class Kiran and her husband decided to open a club on his name. In the beginning, the club had 10 children that included three girls. But now the strength has reached to 150 with 25 girls in it. 

Dehradun, July 3
Abhimanyu Cricket Academy cruised into the finals of Krishna Devi Garg Memorial Cricket Tournament after it registered a thumping 151-runs victory over Sports Trainees team at Survery Stadium, here today.

Batting first Abhimanyu Cricket Academy piled a mammoth total of 259 runs in allotted 35 overs. Priyanshu and Abhimanyu gave their team a fine start to contribute 25 runs in the first three overs. But Priyanshu got out early for just four runs. But Abhimanyu hammered 83 runs off 85 balls, smashing eight fours in his innings.

Middle order batsman Afzal smashed 27 runs off 30 runs to help his team pile a huge total of 259 runs. Garhwal Sporting team suffered from poor bowling display as its bowlers gave away 70 runs in the form of extras. Himanshu and Neeraj Pal picked two wickets each.

While chasing the mammoth total of 260 runs in allotted 35 overs, Garhwal Sporting team was all out for 108 runs in 21 overs. Garhwal Sporting batsman could not occupy the crease for a long before the disciplined bowling attack and fell like a pack of cards.

Middle order batsman Deepak and Himanshu were the only top scorers for the team with 24 runs each. For Abhimanyu Cricket Academy, Akhilesh was the lead wicket taker with 2 wickets whereas other bowlers took one wicket each.

Meanwhile, Nath Palace registered a thumping 105-runs victory over Maharani Bagh at the ongoing Matric Cricket Tournament, here yesterday.

Batting first Nath Palace piled a total of 127 runs. Gopal was the highest scorer for the team with 48 runs and Amit scored 35 runs. Chasing the victory target Maharani Bagh team was all out for 22 runs. In the second match Vahant Vihar team beat Mohit Nagar by 82 runs. Batting first Vahant Vihar made 146 runs. In reply Mohit Nagar was all out for 64 runs.

In the third match Goor Gaon team beat Ashirwad Enclave by eight wickets. Batting first Ashirward Enclave made 77 runs. In reply, Goor Gaon reached the target with 8 wickets in hand.

In the fourth match FRI beat Goor Gaon team by 61 runs. Batting first FRI team made 136 runs. Chasing the victory target Goor Gaon was all out at 75 runs. 

Dehradun, July 3
Just hours before the arrival of the President of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patil in the state capital today, police killed an alleged criminal in an encounter. The deceased has been identified as Randhir Singh, resident of Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh).

According to the police, the incharge of Araghar police picket sub-inspector BD Bhatt was checking vehicles in Dalanwala area this afternoon when he spotted three youth on a bike without helmet and he asked them to stop. The moment he made an attempt to search Randhir, the trio took out a country-made revolver and snatched Bhatt’s revolver.

Then they badly thrashed Bhatt and disappeared from the scene, while another cop in civil uniform intervened and saved Bhatt’s life. Soon, police flashed the registration number (HR 06 G 9093) of the bike and initiated combing operations. When the cops got information that the bike has been spotted near Jogiwala-Raipur ring road, a team from Dalanwala Police Station reached the spot.

After some search, the cops spotted the trio near Ladpur, but when they were asked to surrender, the trio opened fire on the police personnel. In retaliation, Randhir was shot dead, while two others fled.