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U’khand remembers its Kargil martyrs
...Takes good care of its bravehearts
Tilak Memorial Library dying a slow death
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Ramnagar, Mussoorie celebrate Corbett’s anniversary
HIV patients to get priority in ration queues
FRI training programme ends
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U’khand remembers its Kargil martyrs
Dehradun, July 25 During the Kargil war in 1999, Uttarakhand had the highest number of brave men who laid down their lives. Out of total 572 officers and men of the Indian Army and Air Force, who died fighting, 75 were from Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank paid tributes to the martyrs of Kargil, who fighting against all odds, pushed back Pakistani invaders from the Kargil heights. Pokhriyal said that the state had always been in the forefront while defending the sovereignty of the country and the young men of Uttarakhand had laid down their lives to prove it. Major Somnath Sharma of the Kumaon regiment was decorated with the highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) in October 1948. Dhan Singh Thapa followed in Major’s Sharma’s footsteps and was also decorated with the PVC. As much as 15 per cent of Uttarakhand’s total population comprises ex-servicemen. Out of a total population of nearly 85 lakh, 1,43,000 ex-servicemen and their widows are registered with the state government. More than 65,000 men are also serving in the armed forces. A large number of them are also serving in various paramilitary forces. These families also have a big say in the economy of the hill state. As per rough estimates, nearly Rs 400 crore comes to the state every year as pension of ex-servicemen while the serving personnel also send Rs 215 crore annually to their families. The amount is bound to increase due to the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and the recent decision of the Union government to grant ‘one rank, one pension’ to retired service personnel. Every family in the state is associated with the armed forces by one way or the another. Uttarakhand is also the first state to elect a former army general, Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd), as Chief Minister. The brave men of the state have won 23 Maha Vir Chakras (MVCs), six Ashok Chakras, 19 Kirti Chakras, 81 Shaurya Chakras, 147 Vir Chakras, 419 Sena Medals and 67 mention in dispatches. Garhwal and Kumaon regiments have been the backbone of infantry of the Indian Army. During the Second World War, it was Darban Singh Negi who won the first Victoria Cross for showing exemplary courage in a battle in France. He was followed by Gabbar Singh Negi, who was also decorated with a Victoria Cross. Thousands of young men from Uttarakhand participated in the two great wars. These figures are apart from the men serving in various paramilitary forces. The state government still gives pension to 3,546 Second World War veterans and their widows.
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...Takes good care of its bravehearts
Dehradun, July 25 From the days of the Second World War to the conflicts with China and Pakistan and then the Kargil intrusion, men from Garhwal and Kumaon have always been at the forefront while sacrificing their lives for the nation. As a mark of honour to the long list of martyrs and other decorated ‘sainiks’ from the state, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Maj Gen BC Khanduri
(retd) in 2007 in a historic decision had enhanced the one-time cash grant and annuity given to gallantry award winners. An amount of Rs 25 lakh as lump sum and Rs 1.5 lakh as annuity is now provided to a Param Vir Chakra winner which is the highest in the country. Similarly for Ashok
Chakra, Rs 25 lakh as lump sum and Rs 1.2 lakh as annuity is given. For Mahavir
Chakra, Rs 15 lakh is given as lump sum and Rs 1.14 lakh as annuity, Kirti Chakra Rs 15 lakh as lump sum and Rs 1 lakh as annuity, Vir Chakra Rs 10 lakh as lump sum and Rs 66,000 as annuity. For Shaurya
Chakra, Rs 10 lakh as lump sum and Rs 50,000 as annuity, for SYSM 1.27 lakh lump sum and Rs 4,600 as annuity, for UYSM 1,27,000 lump sum and Rs 4,200 as annuity, for YSM 36,000 lump sum and Rs 3,800 as annuity. For
SM/NSM/VM winner, Rs 23,000 lump sum and Rs 4,800 as annuity is provided. The annuity is now payable to gallantry award winners and their widows.
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Tilak Memorial Library dying a slow death
Mussoorie, July 25 Established in 1920, the Tilak Memorial Library, located near Picture Palace in Mussoorie, signifies an expression of freedom by the Indians here who established this library in retaliation to being barred from entering the British-controlled “Mussoorie Library.” Notably, the British had barred entry to all Indians in their library and had even gone to the extent of erecting a signboard outside the library which read “Indians and dogs are not allowed.” Humiliated by the arrogant attitude of the British, Indians decided to set up their own library and in 1920, the ‘Tilak Memorial Library’ was established here through personal contributions (around Rs 2,000) by the Indians living in Mussoorie. This library was initially established at Maston Lodge and then shifted to Plavena House in 1923. On April 4, 1941, it was finally relocated to a larger complex near Picture Palace where it has continued since. The library was also aptly named after Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter, who gave the slogan, “Swaraj is our birthright.” However, this institution is facing a severe financial crisis today, as its revenues (through membership fee) have been steadily declining while the maintenance costs have increased significantly. According to Prof G Lal, secretary of the library, “The number of members has steadily reduced over the years leading to a significant decline in our revenues, while the operational costs have escalated.” Consequently, over the past few decades the library has not been able to procure new books, which has further led to a further dip in its popularity. “We have been left heavily dependent upon individual donations, which are few, and are barely able to meet our operational costs of around Rs 15,000 per month,” lamented Lal. This is despite the fact that the library still offers access to all major Hindi and English newspapers, periodicals and 35,000-odd books to the readers free of cost. In fact, people from all ages and sections of the society have enormously benefited from this library in the past. “When I was preparing for competitive exams I used to spend hours reading newspapers and periodicals at the Tilak library,” recalls Rakesh, who is now working with a multi national in New Delhi. According to joint secretary, Nitish Mohan Aggarwal, whose grandfather was one of the founder’s of this library, “This is the only institution in the town which offers free access to a number of newspapers, periodicals and books for all sections of the society.” Nitish, however, pointed out that the library is in need of a major rewamp in order to serve the public more effectively. “In order to cater to the demands of the modern society we need to get more books, subscribe to more newspapers and periodicals, replace the furniture and improve the lighting facilities in the library,” he said. He, however, lamented that these have taken a backseat primarily due to paucity of funds. “The Nagar Palika of Mussoorie should provide financial support to this heritage institution in order to enable it to serve the public better,” suggested Nitish. Hopefully, this jewel in the crown of the Queen of Hills would not be left to wither away and the local authorities would come forward and provide it with the much-needed financial support.
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Ramnagar, Mussoorie celebrate Corbett’s anniversary
Dehradun, July 25 Like in the past, Rainbow Friends of Nature and Environment organised a function at Bhagatpur Tariyal that was attended by schoolchildren in big numbers. Students gathered at Shining Star School at Ramnagar to offer tributes to late Edward James Corbett, more popularly known as Jim Corbett. Children were informed about the books on wildlife authored by Corbett. Principal Tulsi Singh recalled the efforts undertaken by the legendary hunter towards relieving people from the man-eater menace prevalent at that time. She also highlighted the importance of wildlife conservation in the present-day context. Born on July 25, 1875, Jim Corbett spent a considerable part of his life in Ramnagar and surrounding areas.
For locals, he was ‘Carpet Saab’
Mussoorie, July 25 Owing to Corbett’s utmost love for the tiger which was being gunned down at an alarming rate in the jungles of India, one prime tiger reserve of the country was named after him. Jim Corbett, the great shooter, was not a hunter. He was a man of the common people and they used to call him ‘Carpet Saab’ out of affection after he had shot down many man-eaters and cattle lifters in Rudraprayag and the Kumaon region. Jim was born in Nainital on July 25, 1875, to Christopher William Corbett and Merry Jane. The couple had got married in 1859 at the St Paul church in Chaar Dukaan at Landour Cantonment, Mussoorie. As per the records kept safe with veteran historian Gopal Bhardwaj, Christopher Corbett was an Assistant Epothikery in the Army’s Horse Artillery Regiment which he left in 1848, three years after his marriage to Merry. He join the postal department in the Queen of the Hills. In 1862, Christopher was transfered to Nainital where Merry gave birth to Jim. Jim was only six when Christopher died in 1881. Christopher was buried near the St John church in the wilderness of Nainital. Jim joined the Army and left as a Major to join the Railways. Apart from being a sharp shooter, as most of the world knows him, he was a gifted writer and a photographer. He has written numerous volumes on his two loves - the tiger and the mountains. A rare collection of black and white negatives clicked by Jim and a camping pressure cooker in which Jim cooked during his outdoor adventures is in the safe custody of Gopal Bhardwaj. “These priceless articles were given to my father late RGR Bhardwaj by Winfred Mande Bibra Broneke,” reveals Bhardwaj. Winfred was a relative of Jim and was a shooter too. Corbett used to frequent her as he loved Mussoorie. In a letter written to late RGR Bhardwaj, Winfred has recalled some moments of the good time they had spent together. 
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HIV patients to get priority in ration queues
Dehradun, July 25 Uttarakhand has a large number of HIV positive patients. “Soon at the ART centers located in Doon Hospital a list of such people would be brought out,” said Dr DC Dhyani, additional director of Uttarakhand AIDS Control Society. The Foods and Supplies Department together with the Uttarakhand Aids Control Society would be working in tandem to implement the scheme. The department has been asked to give priority to the HIV patients among BPL cardholders while distributing ration. Along with these directives, the government has ordered to strike out non-eligible beneficiaries and instead give preference to HIV positive patients in the Antodya Ann Programme.
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FRI training programme ends
Dehradun, July 25 Addressing the valedictory session at Scientists hostel FRI, Dr Negi asked the farmers to fully utilise the information received by them during training while undertaking cultivation of medicinal plants. He said the Forest Research Institute was always open for the farmers towards providing its expertise to them. Director FRI while handing over the certificates to the participants also provided them with saplings of medicinal plants. Head Extension Division FRI Vipin Chowdhary spoke on the activities of the Institute towards propagating the researches in aid of the common man. He spoke on the importance of cultivation of medicinal plants towards commendable earnings. He also disclosed that the FRI has been from time to time was conducting such programmes in aid of the farmers. FRI’s publicity and liaison officer Dr Paramjeet Singh compared the proceedings. Farmers from Shishambara, Barowala and East Hopetown Devipur took part in the training programme.h
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Dehradun, July 25
