Dehradun, August 1
The Dehradun traffic police today challaned 300 students for underage driving and other violations of the Motor Vehicle Act.

Giving a clear message to the authorities of private schools in the state capital to make proper provisions for the parking of vehicles, ensure safety of the students and make sure that guidelines issued by the administration are adhered to, state government officials today announced that the government has decided to introduce the concept of LPG-run mini-buses to ferry children to school.

While asserting that the lack of proper and secure transport system for school students is one of the main aspects behind the traffic problem in the city, Garhwal Commissioner Uma Kant Pawar said that most schools do not have buses.

“In order to end this problem, we will authorise private operators to run school buses and it will be the responsibility of the authorities of respective schools to identify the operators and also to ensure that they provide proper parking place for the buses,” he said.

Underlining the need to formulate a comprehensive strategy to deal with the problem of traffic congestion, Pawar asserted that unless and until school authorities cooperate with the administration, the traffic problem would not end.

“No child less than 18 years of age will be allowed to drive a two or four wheeler to school. We will exhort people to form car pools in order to drop kids to schools,” said the Garhwal Commissioner after presiding over a meeting of the eminent citizens of Dehradun, traffic officials, senior police officials and other administrative authorities.

Pawar stated that earlier the authorities were not sure whether the government has any control over private schools or not.

“But now, we have got all documents that clearly mention that a government nominee will be there on the board of private schools. The schools are bound to adhere to the norms of the Regional Transport Office and those mentioned in the No-Objection Certificate (NoC) issued to the schools,” he said.

Pawar also said that it has come to their notice that schools having strength of 800 students are having just two school buses.

Pawar said that the process to identify all schools, strength of students in the respective schools, details about the parking facilities and other traffic-related details will be collected. He added that after LPG-run mini-buses are introduced, the traffic woes of city would end, particularly during school opening and closing hours. 

Dehradun, August 1
Due to fiscal constraints, the size of the state’s annual plan, which is yet to be put before the Central Planning Commission for approval, is much lower than last year. As a result, the state government does not seem to be in a position to start new development schemes.

The only hope in this regard is pinned on the prospective increase in the Central support.

However, experts do not expect any substantial increase on this count. So, the projections so far indicate likely impact on the planned expenditure.

The impact of revenue crunch and substantial increase in non-plan expenditure has already been seen in the form of deficit budget for the state for 2009-10. Sources said the state finance department has prepared the annual plan of Rs 4,600 crore this time, as compared to the last year’s plan of Rs 5,600 crore.

The Planning Commission had approved a plan size of Rs 4,285 crore. “All I can say is that the state this time will demand increase in the approved size from the Commission, besides seeking special plan assistance of Rs 500 crore for the coming Kumbh Mela,” said secretary finance LM Pant.

It is expected that the plan will be approved within this month, as the Union Budget has already been announced.

The plan size this year has been affected mainly because the states’ share of central taxes has witnessed a shortfall, as the total central kitty has shrunk due to ongoing recession. The expected growth of 7-8 per cent in central taxes has come down to 5 per cent.

Accordingly, the slump in the state’s growth rate of revenue has also suffered. Barring the excise duty, revenue from all other sources has been less as compared to last year.

Although the overall revenue collection in the last financial year has witnessed an average growth of about 10 per cent, this is not heartening news as compared to the extra burden in the committed non-plan expenditure due to salary, arrears and pension revision to the tune of 30-40 per cent, besides payment of interest.

In fact, this is the biggest component of the increased expenditure that has affected the fiscal health of the state. 

Dehradun, August 1
A large number of diarrhoea cases have been reported in Uttarkashi district of the state and health authorities are putting the blame on contaminated water being supplied in the region.

Since last week, after three deaths were reported in the district, there has been no let up in the number of persons taken ill with diarrhoea.

According to sources there has been no check on the quality of water supply or on the cleaning of tanks. Last week, three persons from Naugaon block died due to severe diarrhoea.

Dr BS Rawat, Naugaon PHC, said the block was among the worst affected and held the filthy conditions prevailing at the villages for the rising number of diarrhoea cases.

Albeit Naugaon, Badkot, Purola, Chinyali Sord and Bhatwari blocks are the worst affected, the problem gets acute in areas that have very little medical facilities.

“At the meeting of health officers, field workers were asked to visit various villages and advise people on how to maintain proper hygiene.

“They will also tell them about preventive measures to check the spread of diarrhoea,” said Dr Usha Ramola, CMO of the district hospital. 

Dehradun, August 1
Eleventh Uttarakhand Girl’s Battalion of NCC (National Cadet Corps) organised a programme against female foeticide in India, at Heritage school here today.

The programme comprised of an elocution round, poster competition, skit related with the issue and pledge ceremony where all the students as well staff members of NCC took pledge to never indulge in any such heinous activity as well aware people about its dreadful consequences.

Eleven girls from NCC of varied institutions shared their views during elocution round and discussed about this growing problem.

Most of the participants for the elocution felt that illetracy, dowry and age old bias against female leads to female foeticide.

However, if the mindset changes then only India can progress otherwise results can be dire in the coming years. While discussing the issue Lt Col AK Gupta of 11th Uttarakhand Girl’s Battalion said, “Presently at all India level NCC is organising many such functions.

However, our main aim for organising the event is to generate awareness as we strongly feel word of mouth plays a crucial in spreading awareness besides many other vital mediums.

Also as we feel that NCC’s endeavour is to develop responsible youth by getting them involved in meaningful social service where they as students not only gain general knowledge but also become mature, assertive, optimistic enough to confidently face pressures of this competitive world,”

Along with the girl cadets, boys from NCC were also a part of the function. Chief guest for the day were DDG Brig PPS Pahwa of NCC along with principal of the Heritage School.

Haridwar, August 1
Shiv Dale School organised the inter-house competition here today. Students showcased their skills with élan in various categories of the competition.

In the overall all competitions Vashistha House came first followed by Drona Vyas and Sandipini house.

In the quiz competition Vyas House came first followed by Drona, Vashishtha and Sandipini House.

But the cynosure of all eyes was the fancy dress competition in which tiny tots walked the ramp. Children also tried to give social message through their performances.

While lauding the talent of the students school founder Swami Sharad Puri said that apart from education such events help in the development of children and these events also enhance the confidence in them. 

Dehradun, August 1
Spectrum Overseas Educational Group, Dehradun and University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom organised a seminar for the aspirants keen to take up higher education in UK.

Delegates from University of Salford, includingJeremy Burgess and Patrick Trodden were present there.

Jeremy Burgess highlighting course, facilities, part time jobs and Salford advantages.

The seminar offered on the spot selection facilities, 2,000 bursary, IELTS waiver for meritorious students, bank loan information, information about currency conversion and information about English language requirements.

Dehradun, August 1
Reach Talkies, a voluntary group of Dehradun involved in propagation of art and culture would be screening ‘Amadeus’, a classic at the KDMIPE auditorium on August 2 at 4 pm.

Peter Shaffer's Amadeus is a 1984 film directed by Milo Forman and written by Peter Shaffer.

Adapted from Shaffer's stage play Amadeus, the story is based on the lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, two composers who lived in Vienna, Austria, during the latter half of the 18th century.

The film was nominated for 53 awards and received 40, including 8 Academy Awards (including Best Picture), 4 BAFTA Awards, 4 Golden Globes, and a DGA Award.

The story begins in 1823 as Salieri, as an old man, attempts suicide by slitting his throat while loudly begging forgiveness for having killed Mozart in 1791.

Placed in a lunatic asylum for the act, Salieri is visited by a young priest who seeks to take his confession. Salieri is sullen and uninterested but eventually warms to the priest and launches into a long ‘confession’ about the relationship between himself and Mozart.

As the scenes later cut back to this dialogue, it appears that Salieri's tale goes on through the night and into the next day. This dialogue comprises a frame story, with the bulk of the movie being flashbacks to Mozart's lifetime 

Dehradun, August 1
With just a day left for Friendship Day, Doonites in large numbers are thronging gift galleries, which are decked up with variety of gifts to celebrate the special occasion.

Depending on budget one can pick an array of gifts, from chocolates, friendship bands to fresh flowers.

Archie’s has loads to items to choose from. From cards to wall hangings, mugs, fizzy moon teddy bear, candle stands they have every possible gift item.

“People from quite sometime are coming to pick up gifts for the occasion but teddy bears, starting from Rs 50 to Rs 7,000, are really in demand with mugs, cards and quotation notebooks,” said Ruby, salesgirl Archie’s.

While some celebrate the occasion for a week others feel that a day is enough to express your feelings to your loved ones.

Ekta a student said that its fun to celebrate it for a week with friends, however, Sumit an engineer, believe that one doesn’t need a special day as friends are inseparable part of life. “Unlike family and relatives this is the only relationship, which we are free to choose.

Cinderella Art Gallery is offering crystal bands and couple crystal balls at affordable prices and are quite attractive as these are catching attention of many who want something unique. 

Doon Eagle defeated Uttarakhand Tiger by 3-1 at the ongoing District Football League here today.

It proved a one sided match as Doon Eagle team dominated the match throughout to win it with an ease. Doon Eagle scored its first goal in the 12th minute of the match through Amar Gurung.

It was a skillful dribble by Amar who dodged to defenders before neatly placing the ball in the Uttarakhand Tiger's nets.

The second goal came soon for Doon Eagle team, through Pranay. The team penetrated the Uttarakhand Tiger's defense from the right. It was Sandeep who gave an excellent pass to Pranay that was converted in goal.

Uttarakhand team tried to make a comeback in the match but failed to get through the strong defense put up by Doon Eagle team.

Meanwhile, Doon Eagle team scored its third goal in the 25th minute of the match through Paras to make it 3-0.

In the second half Uttarakhand Tiger team could only managed to score solitary goal in the 67th minute of the match making it 3-1.

It was Dinesh for the Uttarakhand Tiger's team who scored the solitary goal off the Manoj pass.

Meanwhile, in the second match Akranta team beat Cantt Blues by 2-0. Akranta team took an early lead to score their first goal in the 7th minute through Naresh. Cantt Blues team tried hard to find an equaliser but failed.

In the second half Akaranta team further increased its lead by scoring a goal in the 38th minute of the match through Ajit making its 2-0 for his team. 

Dehradun, August 1
Haryana athletes set three new records on the opening day of the 21st North Zone Athletics Championship that got underway at Maharana Pratap Sports College here today.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated the event.

The records were set in high jump, 600 m sprint, shot put and discus throw. Sikander created a new record of 1.91 m in the meet in boy’s category, shattering the earlier record of 1.90 m record set by Davinder Singh of Punjab in 2006.

In girls, Arti set a record of 1.6 m at the championship. Rakesh made a new record in 600 m clocking 1.29.15 sec. On the other hand Punjab’s Prabhjot Kaur created two meet records in shot put and discus throw.

In the shot put she covered distance of 13.14 m whereas in discuss she threw 44.15m.

On the opening day, Uttarakhand team began on a bright note winning three golds, three silvers and seven bronze in the first 25 events held during the day. On the first day some 75 events were conducted.

Despite heavy rains yesterday, the grass track at Maharana Pratap Sport College was in good shape and the events got underway with out a hitch.

The Athletic Federation of India (AFI) officials declared it to be one of the best grass tracks in India, aiding players to give their best performance here.

The major problem faced on the first day was that of age certificates that were produced by the participants.

As per the rules of AFI, only 10th certificate or municipal certificates are considered to be valid proofs of ages that are recognised by the federations.

But most of the athletes at the federation came up with other certificates as a result of most events were only declared after conduction of the medial tests.

Results: Boys: 100m Junior Men: 1st Bhagwant Singh of Uttarakhand (11.23 sec), 2nd Bhupender Singh of Uttarakhand (11:37) and Pradeep Malik of Hariyana (11.43 sec).

Long Jump u-16: 1st Jagdip Singh of Punjab (1.84m), 2nd Sanchit of Delhi (1.79) and 3rd Ujjwal Singh of Uttar Pradesh (1.70).

100m Boys u-14: 1st Mohit Kumar of Uttarakhand (12.57), 2nd Yogender of Haryana (12.76) and 3rd Rajender Kumar of Uttarakhand (12.93).

100 m Jr Women: 1st Manish (13.40 sec), 2nd Sangeeta Bora of Uttarakhand (13.4 sec) and 3rd Shikha Tyagi (13.50 sec).

100 m Girls u-18: 1st Kamal of Delhi (14.08), 2nd Prerna Sethi of Delhi (14.13) and 3rd Bavita of Himachal Pradesh (14.24 sec)

100 Girls u-16: 1st Pinki of Haryana (13.52 sec), 2nd Alwina Khan of Uttar Pradesh (13.89) and 3rd Manjeet of Chandigarh (14.38 sec).

100 m Girls u-14: 1st Nandini of Uttarakhand (14.77 sec), 2nd Kamini of Chandigarh (14.78) and 3rd Aman Sandhu of Uttarakhand (14.82 sec).

400 m Junior Men: 1st Praveen of Hariyana (49.31 sec), 2nd Dharambir of Hariyana (49.60 sec) and 3rd Vikas Singh of Delhi (50.67 sec).

Long jump Boys u-18: 1st Sachin Taliyan of Uttar Pradesh (7.01 m), 2nd Balkishan of Uttar Pradesh (6.89m) 3rd Rakesh Pundir of Uttarakhand (6.88 m).

400 m Boys u-16: 1st Vibhor Singh of Uttar Pradesh (50.94 sec), 2nd Sanjeev of Hariyana (52.61 sec) and 3rd Jatin Jain of Punjab (52.88 m).

600 m Girls u-16: 1st Vijay of Uttar Pradesh (1.47.44 sec), 2nd Pooja Kumari of Uttarakhand (1.49.36 sec) and 3rd Manisha (1.52.86 sec)

600 m Boys u-14: 1st Rakesh of Hariyana (1.29.15 sec), 2nd Vinod Singh Rawat of Uttarakhand (1.29.81 sec) and 3rd Ram Pravesh of Uttar Pradesh (1.39.25 sec).

400 m Boys u-18: 1st Sandeep of Haryana, 2nd Manoj Kumar of Delhi and 3rd Bhupesh Bora of Uttarakhand

400 m Girls u-20: 1st Hasmeet of Delhi, 2nd Kiran Yadav of Uttar Pradesh and 3rd Poonam of Uttarakhand.

400 m Girls u-18: 1st Twinkle Pundir of Uttar Pradesh, 2nd Ritu of Haryana and 3rd Chavi Sahrawat of Uttar Pradesh.

400 m Girls u-16: 1st Sarita Devi of Haryana, 2nd Prithvi Deore of Delhi and 3rd Monika Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh.

Long jump Boys u-20: 1st Shudhir of Haryana, 2nd Shailender Pratap Singh of Uttar Pradesh and 3rd Manjesh Kumar Yadav of Uttar Pradesh. 

Dehradun, August 1
Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank expressed his dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work underway for at Maharana Pratap Sport College for the upcoming SAF Winter Games.

Chief Minister today conducted a surprise survey of Indoor Stadium and Swimming Pool coming up at sports college premises for SAF games.

After his survey he asked the addition directorate sports, AK Chaturvedi to provide all the details of the construction as soon as possible.

He also issued strict directive to the construction companies, asking them to complete the work in the given time frame and also to closely follow the qualitative aspect during construction.

Chief Minister further added to call up a high level meeting to review SAF games preparation soon.

He said that games hold great importance for Uttarakhand state and would go a long way in boosting the state tourism industry.

CM conducted a surprise survey at the Maharana Pratap Sport College and showed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work underway at the college for the upcoming SAF Winter Games.