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Rafting companies fight
to keep afloat
Garlic, the wonder bundle |
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Now, men want to play fair
Campus Notes
Adding colour to monsoon
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Rafting companies fight to keep afloat Dehradun, August 5 Delay in disbursal of permits by the tourism department, issuance of permits for a period of one year and the forest department’s new policy to auction beaches is being bitterly opposed by rafting operators. Three major rafting companies doing business in Uttarakhand for the past many years, the Indian Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters, the Himalayan Adventure Operators’ Association and Uttaranchal’s Finest Outdoors, have decided to resort to an agitation this time and stage a protest in Dehradun on August 20. A few days back, the operators decided to form a pressure group in the shape of Joint Action Steering Committee to take headon the forest and tourism departments. “We will be bringing our staff and rafting equipment to Dehradun and staging a protest against both the authorities,” said Dinesh Kathait, treasurer, Uttaranchal Finest Outdoors Association and member of the steering committee said. He said the rafting companies had decided on a decisive struggle. The rafting operators allege that the tourism and forest departments have been repeatedly harassing them over permits and other facilities. They say the tourism department earlier provided permits to companies for a period of five years, it has now been reduced to a year, causing unnecessary hassles to rafting companies. “There have been delays this time too. The rafting season is to begin on September 1 and we are yet to get the permits,” said Kathait, adding the rafting operators had now decided to proceed with their operations even without permits as a mark of protest. The Indian Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters (IAPRO) had recently held several rounds of discussions with the Uttarakhand authorities for doing away with the year-to-year contract system. “At present, the state policy is to renew the rafting contract every season (September- June). Thus, the rafting operators are allowed to operate camp sites for one season alone and they have to renew the contract for the subsequent year. This is proving to be very problematic,” said Rajeev Tiwari, another operator. Similarly, the tourism department holds annual inspection of these companies by a technical committee whereas the rafting operators allege that the system causes un-necessary problems. They want inspection once in three years. While the tourism department has been trying to distance itself from any possible standoff with the rafting companies, the forest department has its own share of grievances against rafting companies. They accuse the companies of putting up camp sites inside Reserve Forest areas in violation of norms. The forest department favours auction-based rafting as it will bring in better revenue to the department. However, Rafting companies oppose the auction policy tooth and nail. Rafting companies accuse the forest authorities of injudiciously leveling a charge of Rs 10 per client. As per an estimate, an amount of Rs 22 lakh was collected by the forest department through this charge, which was to be spent on the maintenance of beaches, but the authorities have gone back on the promise. “It’s we who work on maintenance of beaches and come up with changing rooms,” Kathait pointed out. Accusing the tourism and forest authorities of repeated harassment, rafting organisations have now put forward a five-point agenda which the steering committee will pursue decisively. The August 20 protest is being seen as crucial to their struggle. There are a total of 108 rafting companies in the state with an estimated annual turnover of about Rs 14 crore. The rafting season starts on September 1 and lasts till June-end.
Operators’ Take
n They allege delay in issuing permits
Officials Say...
n Companies put up camp sites inside Reserve Area in violation of norms
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Garlic, the wonder bundle Mussoorie, August 5 The very aroma of garlic fried in oil is enough to ignite appetite. The use of garlic varies from region to region. Some like to fry it as the base curry while others prefer it as garnish with fried or roasted cloves. Garlic serves as a taste enhancer, both as whole and as paste. The traditional method of mincing garlic with ginger, onion, tomato and green chilly on a stone slab or a wooden base is considered the best way out to attain a delicious curry base. Apart from the creamy white cloves, tender capillaries of the garlic leaves are great taste-enhancers, retaining a good content of raw fibre. The fresh and green capillaries are used for garnishing and for making chutney. The garlic clove is an effective antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent and carries anti-cancer properties. According to Charak Sanhita, the ancient Indian medicine science, a daily intake of a glass of milk with a clove of fresh garlic keeps most ailments at bay. People in the mountains have been taking garlic to get rid of intestinal worms and for healing respiratory and digestive disorders. The essential oil in garlic is effective in reducing arterial clots and helps in the formation of healthy semen in men. It is considered best to chew a garlic clove raw but the smell can be embarrassing. A bite of a couple of fresh mint leaves can rectify this. The friendly neibourhood garlic can easily be planted with clove in the front yard or even in vases in the sun-lit areas of the kitchen. Garlic capillary shoots adorn beautiful clumps of white flowers which add to the the kitchen ambience.
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Now, men want to play fair Dehradun, August 5 Be it a schoolgoing lad or a middle-aged man, easy accessibility to a variety of products as well increase in awareness has helped men to place an array of products on their dressing table. “Even before Man Power Light, the latest fairness cream by Garnier was introduced in town, men thronged to our shops to inquire about it. From eight to 10 years now, men have begun experimenting with looks as a result of aggressive advertisement campaigns. “In Indian society, a fair complexion is seen as a mark of handsomeness,” said Pradeep Asija, a cosmetic shop owner. The cosmetic market caters to the needs of all. It offers both expensive and non-expensive products. The most commonly used brands are by Nivea, Garnier, Emami and L’Oreal. These are purchased round the year by men in bulk. “Women purchase loads of cosmetics, but these days even men are conscious about their looks. Boarding schools guys particularly end up purchasing fairness creams along with deodarants and gels. “ L’Oreal fairness cream which comes in the range of Rs 500 plus is doing brisk business,” added Pradeep. Even before the launch of products for men, Fair and Lovely, a fairness cream for women, was also being used by men. “I regularly use these fairness products. Due to aggressive advertising and increased awareness, guys are coming out of their shells though some continue to feel shy while discussing the issue with friends and family,” opined Roshan, a college student. “Advertisements by film stars boost sales and men are becoming conscious of their looks. Face packs, hair gels and fairness creams are always in demand by men,” said Sanjay owner of Krishna Cosmetics.
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SMJN session begins on green note ABVP cadres launch eco drive, earn SSP’s praise Sandeep Rawat Tribune News Service Haridwar, August 5 Located at the heart of the city and established in 1961, the college is always abuzz with activity whether or not the academic session is in progress. The acedemic session began on July 24 with the school staff, management executives and students offering prayers with the traditional Saraswati Vandana. Prinicipal Ashok Mishra urged the students to remain focussed on scholarly pursuits and practise positive thinking. This session onwards, the management has decided to involve the students in the college library projects and has decided on a more diversified collection of books. Though this session has just begun, student organisations are already up and about. The ABVP on the 60th founder’s day started an eco drive, a relief from the usual noisy protests. The support to the cause came from none other than Haridwar SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal who planted a sapling. He was all praise for the student initiative. Prominent among the activists were Sanjay Chauhan, Avinash Jha, Devendra Pradhan, Satvinder Singh and Ashwani Aggarwal.
Teachers’ Gandhigiri
This time round, the teachers seem to have taken to the path of protest. Degree College teachers these days are seen wearing black bands (while students are wearing friendship bands!), observing hour-long silence everyday. The teachers are demanding Sixth Pay Commission salaries and have decided on their non-violent protest till their demands are met. “We can’t protest as students do as we are teachers and have to set an example for the young generation. That’s why we have opted for Gandhigiri. Besides, we work one hour more than the stipulated time as a mark of protest,” explained Dr SK Batra, head, department of commerce.
Freshers at home
On Friendship Day (August 2), the college campus was aliven with boys and girls wearing colourful friendship bands, exchanging flowers and gifts and freshers giving introduction to their seniors. “The atmosphere is electric with seniors lending us a helping hand. There is no ragging and teachers are more than willing to guide us in the selection of subjects. This is the place to study. I am glad I opted for this college,” remarked Aarti Sharma. This time, to foster ties between seniors and juniors, the college union has decided to hold several interaction
programmes.
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Adding colour to monsoon Dehradun, August 5 Umbrellas are the indispensable part of monsoon and are making a part of style statement. Few years ago where people used to be satisfied with regular umbrellas, now a day two fold and three fold umbrellas are doing a brisk business. “ With standard umbrellas two fold and three fold umbrellas are preferred a lot by women and with basic colours now a days Chinese umbrellas with polka dots and beautiful prints are attracting women of all age groups. However, the price depends on the quality and strong wiring mechanism and in spite of late monsoon showers number of umbrellas are being purchased within a range of Rs 60 to Rs 400,” said Neeraj, owner of a general store. With imported quality material many stylish raincoats are available for all age groups. “Earlier we used to get raincoats from Kolkata but now most of the stuff comes from Mumbai which has better quality. For men while pant shirt raincoat are in demand, women prefer printed and fluorescent colours whereas kids are always like funky coloured raincoats,” said Rajender Singh, a shopkeeper. Moreover, where Duckback, the old and the most famous company offers raincoat at a price range of Rs 700 and above. Imported quality raincoat not only has better styling but comes within of Rs 200 to Rs 600. “The quality of Duckback is very good, but as it’s little expensive not everyone prefers it and especially people who are young want something stylish or matching,” added Ranjender Singh. “As I mostly travel on my two wheeler, recently I purchased a perky pink coloured raincoat so that I can save myself from rain showers which comes without a call,” said Puja, student.
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Dehradun, August 5
Mussoorie, August 5
A large number of men are finding sheer pleasure in getting various treatments at the city’s high-end saloons. Cosmetic endorsements by superstars has triggered the sale of regular items, attracting men of all genres. Starting from King Khan and John Abraham, it seems everyone loves being part of the cosmetics
industry. Be it a schoolgoing lad or a middle-aged man, easy accessibility to a variety of products as well increase in awareness has helped men to place an array of products on their dressing table.
Haridwar, August 5
Dehradun, August 5
