|
|
|
|
CM demands more central funds to secure borders
Mahakumbh: Cops get IB training
Congress MPs launch joint attack on state government
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
For Vikasnagar bypoll, Kuldip is BJP’s choice
Ability Unlimited: Performances leave audience awestruck
Doctors get tips to tackle swine, bird flu
The state-level meeting of the Rapid Response Team in progress in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Cloudburst: A Ray of hope emerges
Little state support for paralympians
Yuva Morcha holds protest
Beef seized
2 killed in mishap
Cleanliness drive launched
Met dept warns of heavy rain
Body found
|
|
CM demands more central funds to secure borders
Dehradun, August 17 The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand has a 350 km border with China and 275 km border with Nepal. He said that cross-border illegal activity and organised crime should be curbed. Regarding the strategic importance of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that priority should be given to the state under Border Area Development Programme. He also urged for the speedy clearance by Union Forest and Environment Ministry for the pending developmental projects and schemes at central government level. He demanded that preparations be made for national identity cards to the citizens living in border districts. Highlighting the need of funds for modernisation of state police force, he said that the central grant of Rs 9.87 crore was insufficient and it should be raised to minimum of Rs 25 crore, so that police force could be strengthened and equipped with modern arms and ammunition. He also said that about 40 per cent population of the state was managed by the revenue police that is prevalent in Uttarakhand since past 190 years. He further said that the state has recruited 13,000 police personnel. Ten special branch units and six additional units of Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) have been deployed at the Indo-Nepal border. Besides, constitution of Community Contact Groups at police station level, Economic Crime Branches at both divisions of the state had been set up, he added. The CM also urged for the additional fund of Rs 300 crore for ensuring police arrangement of tourists and pilgrims in the wake of Mahakumbh at Haridwar scheduled to be held in 2010. |
||
|
Mahakumbh: Cops get IB training
Haridwar, August 17 On the intelligence reports and citing the magnitude and sensitivity of the occasion, the IB has decided to give intelligence training and inputs on how to thwart the terrorist attacks. A four-member senior level experts from the Intelligence Bureau. New Delhi, are currently giving training to selected police personnel of the Haridwar police at BHEL. From details and information about explosives of its various forms and usage of bombs and explosives in the serial blasts in the past few years and the methods to detect and defuse them were given. Special inputs and detailed knowledge was also given about the new technological weapons and devices used by the terrorists commonly. Led by IB senior officer VK Vashwani the expert’s team dwelt on other security related issues, too, with élan and sought questions from the trainees to clarify any doubts if any. Experts guided the police personnel on how to behave with VVIP’s and to help the security cauldron with them without affecting the common people. They were also briefed about how to behave with media and the same time also frisking them as security is of paramount importance. Experts also focused that apart from the terror the main threat during such fairs arises out of public itself. The trainees are being given practical knowledge also with slide shows and demonstrations so as they are fully equipped to assist the Intelligence Units during the MahaKumbh and successful conduction of fair is done. The two-day training is bifurcated in two batches. Each batch comprises 150 police personnel and citing the sensitiveness and importance related with the fair which comes once in 12 years more such intelligence trainings will be imparted as the need is felt. Notably security is being given high importance for Kumbh and Chief Minsiter Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has said that alone on security aspect approximately Rs 5 crore will be spend so that fair could be held peacefully. Under the mela administration, Alok Sharma has been appointed DIG (Kumbh) assisted by SP (Kumbh) Ajay
Rautella. |
||
|
Congress MPs launch joint attack
on state government
Dehradun, August 17 The occasion for the coming together of all five Congress MPs from the state was a felicitation function organised by the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) here today. The recently elected five Congress Lok Sabha members from the state not only shared a platform but was also unanimous in their attack on the functioning of the state BJP government. Taking on the accusation of the state government of discrimination by the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, they instead blamed the BJP state government for its failure to utilise the funds granted by the Centre under various schemes. Harish Rawat, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, led the attack, highlighting the failures of the BJP-led state government and underlined the need for the Congress to come up with a concrete alternative development agenda for the state before the next assembly elections in the state scheduled to be held in 2012. “The party should come up with a plan that conveys its commitment to the state, its people and its development,” he said. Referring to a demand being made by a section of the Congressmen that the state government release a white paper on the utilisation of funds given by the Centre under various schemes, Rawat requested Uttarakhand Congress chief Yash Pal Arya to bring out a white paper before the public on behalf of the state Congress. KC Singh Baba, Lok Sabha member from Nainital Lok Sabha constituency, commented that the state government was not giving enough emphasis on the development of the tourism potential of the state. He also aired the demand for tapping the sporting potential of the youth of Uttarakhand. The recently elected parliamentarian from Almora, Pradeep Tamta, underlined the need to keep the requirements and aspirations of the people residing in the far-flung corners of the state while formulation of policies at the state level. He called for a holistic approach in distribution of resources in the state. Vijay Bahuguna, Tehri Garhwal MP, called for evaluation of the performance of the state government regarding allocation of funds and their utilisation under various projects. “While continuously seeking financial aid, the state government has repeatedly failed to come up with proper proposals and plans for the development of the state,” he charged. Satpal Maharaj, Pauri Garhwal MP, underlined the need for proper management of water resources available with the state. He said that he has already initiated a debate in Parliament on the issue of water conservation in hill states. Arya asked the representatives to ensure that the Centre comes up with a mechanism to monitor. |
||
|
For Vikasnagar bypoll, Kuldip is BJP’s choice
Dehradun, August 17 Kuldip Kumar has been named as the party nominee for the seat that fell vacant following the resignation of sitting BJP legislator Munna Singh Chauhan. Munna Singh had resigned from the BJP to fight the Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully from Tehri Garhwal constituency as a candidate of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). After his defeat, he was sacked by the BSP supremo Mayawati from the party for alleged anti-party activities. The poll process for the byelection to Vikasnagar assembly seat in Uttarakhand began today with the issuance of the notification for the same. The Vikasnagar byelection, scheduled to be held on September 10, will be important for Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank. It will be the first election contested by the state unit since he took over the reins of the state following the removal of Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd) from the top post. Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure a win in the byelection to start his innings on a winning note. He had been visiting Vikasnagar and also announced a package for the area before the imposition of the model code of conduct. He has taken the responsibility to fight the election. BJP election managers also won over a senior Congress leader Raghunath Singh Negi to the BJP fold. However, it will not be cakewalk for him to ensure a victory for the BJP again. The Congress is yet to announce its candidate but in all probability, former state Urban and Forest Minister Navparbhat will be fielded. He lost the 2007 assembly elections by more than 3,000 votes to Munna Singh Chauhan who fought the election on a BJP ticket. It will be interesting to see if Munna Singh Chauhan decides to contest as an independent. The entry of Munna Singh Chauhan in the fray will make the contest a close one. Munna Singh won the seat on a BJP ticket but has a following in the area since he also hails from nearby Chakrata area. He has been politically active in the area for the past nearly two decades and fought many electoral battles in the past. No nomination was filed on the first day today. |
||
|
Ability Unlimited: Performances leave audience awestruck
Dehradun, August 17 The artistes, mostly deaf and dumb, polio stricken on wheel chairs, in the age group of 15-20 years, left no one in doubt about the indomitable spirit and performed to near perfection. As the evening progressed the artistes presented dance-theater such as ‘martial arts on wheels’, ‘Ramayana on wheels’, ‘Durga’ and the ‘Bhagawad Gita’. Beautiful presentations left the audience awestruck. For artistes on wheel chairs and crutches it is a super human effort to balance each and every moment, as most of them were either wearing masks or other costumes that hinders the movement. Trained by the famous dancer and choreographer, Guru Syed Salauddin Pasha, the performers in his group suffer from different disabilities but for the last 15 years they all are engaged in staging dance drama productions as part of Ability Unlimited. “I think any dance form has therapeutic effect. My artistes forget their disabilities when they perform on stage. My group has staged more than 100 performances around the globe,” said Pasha. Not only are the performances were entertaining but they have also brought into play new dance mudras that only artistes on wheel chair can lend character to. Of special mention are the spins that artists take on wheelchairs that can equally rival with the movements of an accomplished kathak dancer. A guru and mentor to several physically challenged artistes Pasha is credited for unleashing hidden talent and potential. “For most of us, it has been a new beginning. We have learnt to stand on our own feet. Learning to dance has healed us, it is a unique feeling that we experience on stage and the adulation that we get is unbelievable,” said Ishrat, an artiste. |
||
|
Doctors get tips to tackle swine, bird flu
Dehradun, August 17 At the training-cum-meeting session, medical officers of 13 districts were imparted training on treatment, sampling and containment strategies for swine flu and bird flu. The meeting was chaired by Additional Director, Health, Dr Asha Mathur. Additional Director Rajesh Bhatt , State Nodal Officer Dr Pankaj Jain and other top medical officials attended the meeting. “According to the World Health Organisation calendar, a training had already been planned for the H5N1 virus as the months of November and December are crucial. But in came the H1N1 virus and the entire programme had to be re-chalked. “So both these influenzas were incorporated at the training-cum-meeting of medical officers,” said Dr Pankaj Jain, nodal officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP). Earlier, the meeting was to be held for at least two days, but it was reduced to one day. Dr Jain said that as the symptoms and treatment of both influenzas is almost same, the meeting and training proved fruitful. The medical officers were also distributed protective kits, N95 masks, syrups and medicines. “According to the needs of the districts, bigger districts were given 200 tablets while smaller ones 100 tablets,” said Dr Jain. The shortage of doctors was felt at the meeting as from Uttarkashi and Pauri, only two officials could turn up. Almora, Nainital, Pitthoragarh, Chamoli and Dehradun districts have got the services of an epidemiologist. Meanwhile, the rapid response team today sent four more blood and nasal swabs for tests at the National Institute of Communicable Disease Laboratory. |
|
Cloudburst: A Ray of hope emerges
Dehradun, August 17 Scientist Dr Sampati Ray, who has evolved the technique, claimed that this could help save human lives. The development assumes significance in the wake of the recent cloudburst incident in Pitthoragarh district. The massive landslide had claimed 43 lives. Dr Ray, who has been director of the Disaster Management Cell of SAARC countries, has conducted successful experiment in this regard. On the basis of this, he claimed to have made three correct forecasts so far by analysing data provided by 12 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), set up by him between Nandprayag and Badrinath. The first forecast related to the cloudburst, which occurred in Paakhi Tangdi on August 14, 2007, and caused a massive landslide. This information was given to the Border Roads Organisation two days in advance. Similarly, he had correctly forecast two such incidents, which occurred this year near Pipalkoti and Lambagar on the Badrinath yatra route. Besides, a bridge and section of a road were also washed away. No loss of life was reported at any of these places. Dr Ray said a comprehensive system was required to be developed to forecast such natural disasters. But for this, the government had to step in. In the next phase of his project, he was going to set up AWS in Bhagirathi valley to analyse rainfall data for the purpose. The technique enables data collection at AWS with the help of satellite link. He explained that as per the technique, the analysis of the rainfall over the past 15 days in the area concerned could give idea of amount of rainfall over the next couple of days. “In addition, we can know the behaviour of clouds over an area with the help of remote sensing technique. “On the basis of this, advance information can be provided regarding any natural disaster that may occur in any sensitive area,” he said. The havoc played by the cloudburst in the Nanchni area of Pitthoragarh district could have been forecast, had some group of scientists made such an analysis, said Dr Ray, who visited the area after the incident. He suggested that all landslide-prone villages should be listed after a survey. Besides, a team of committed experts, backed by the state government, is a must to put the system in place, which could help forecast such natural phenomenon. For the purpose, the natural disaster committees at local levels must also be activated and equipped with proper communication instruments like walkie-talkie sets. |
|
Little state support for paralympians
Dehradun, August 17 It was in November that Prem Kumar won a bronze medal in swimming at the 9th National Paralympic Swimming Competition held at Karnal, Haryana. — Prem Kumar, president, U’khand Paralympic Association Six months latter, in July the state took another big leap in the games organised for visually impaired, when three students from the National Institute for Visually Handicapped left a mark at the international level. Three students brought laurels to the state. The students, as part of the national team members, won four gold and two bronzes medals, with Sanjay bagging three gold medals at the championship held Colorado. Uttarakhand Paralympic Association president Prem Kumar said, “The state is emerging strongly in games organised for physically challenged people but it is not receiving due support from the government as is given in other states. “Even after eight years of the state’s formation, there are no district or state competition for the physically challenged people, which is a big drawback for it.” The sports person in the state is also finding difficult to fetch a sponsor for themselves. Prem Kumar is waiting to fulfil his dream to swim across the English Channel for which a huge amount of money is required. He said other states like Haryana every year provide Bhim award and a cash prize of Rs 1.50 lakh, along with job, to physically challenged sports persons, whereas Karnataka provides Eklavya award, while Maharashtra provide Chhatrapati Shivaji award on National Sports Day. He said the government should honour sports persons on Sports Day and should provide platform to the physically challenged persons, this would go a long way in encouraging these sports persons. |
|
CT Young beat Nagar Nigam
Dehradun, August 17 In the 20th minute Nagar Nigam came close to score a goal, but its forward could not connect well and missed out on the opportunity. Both the teams were locked at 0-0 draws at the end of the first half. In the second half CT Young team coordinated well to create number of scoring opportunity. They finally succeeded in scoring a goal in the 45th minute of the match through Rohit to help his team win the match by 1-0. Meanwhile, in the u-19 Junior District Football Championship SGRR Inter College beat Carman by 3-0 and DAV Inter College defeated Hilton School by 2-0. In the first match SGRR Inter College scored its first goal in the 16th minute of the match. Gyanendra opened the account for SGRR team. The second goal came for Pratik Sharma in the 18th minute making it 2-0. Gyanendra struck again making it 3-0 in the 58th minute. In the second match DAV Inter College registered an easy 2-0 victory over Hilton School. DAV Inter College scored the first goal in the 10th minute of the match through Manoj making it 1-0. In the 25th minute Pankaj scored the second goal making it 2-0. Hilton School failed to score a goal. |
|
|
Yuva Morcha holds protest
Dehradun, August 17 A case was registered against him at Dalanwala police station recently for his involvement in the violent incident. The demonstrators led by the general secretary of the unit Ranjeet Singh Bhandari raised slogans against the police action and submitted a memorandum to the IG, MA Ganapathy. They accused the SO of the police station concerned for slapping serious sections of the IPC against their leader without proper enquiry. Bhandari alleged that no action was taken against Vinod Pundir of the rival group who has a history in the police records. They demanded that the IG should order an enquiry at his level to bring out the truth. Jaiswal was named as accused in recent incidents in which two groups of youths were involved in a violent fight in Vijay Colony area recently. |
|
Beef seized
Roorkee, August 17 The beef was being taken in a car by the miscreants. On the way, the vehicle collided with a motorcycle following which the driver of the car lost control over it and the car entered a nearby field. The villagers, who gathered on the spot, found the meat in the vehicle. The miscreants managed to flee from the spot leaving the car behind. On getting the information, the police reached the spot and impounded the vehicle.
— TNS |
|
2 killed in mishap
Dehradun, August 17 The bus (UA 10 4694) carrying 27 passengers was on its way to Kedarnath from Gangotri when it fell 200m down into the fields at Tara village. One person died on the spot while the other died on the way to the hospital. The five seriously injured persons has been referred to Dehradun. Police sources confirmed that the bus was being driven at speed and this led to the accident.
|
|
Cleanliness drive launched
Haridwar, August 17 The drive is being done during evening hours from 3-6 pm which is being spearhead by the municipality ward members so as people get the right message and quality of work coud also be monitored by the members. Municipality chairman Kamal Johra has termed the idrive an initiative to make citizens responsible for the cleanliness of the city. Inner roads and choked drains were the main targets of the drive.
|
|
|
Met dept warns of heavy rain
Dehradun, August 17 The Dehradun Meteorological Department has issued a warning for the next 36 hours forecasting heavy rains in the state and also possibility of landslides in certain areas. While rains continue to be deficient several parts of the country, the state is experiencing a rainfall in commendable quantity. Dehradun, in particular, has experienced good amount of rainfall.
— TNS |
|
Body found
Dehradun, August 17 Sanitary workers came across the body while cleaning the train after its arrival at the Dehradun railway station. According to police sources, the deceased was most probably died of a heart attack.
— TNS |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Classified | Suggestion | E-mail | |
A group of physically challenged artistes of Abilities Unlimited gave a riveting dance performance at the Doon School today.
The artistes, mostly deaf and dumb, polio stricken on wheel chairs, in the age group of 15-20 years, left no one in doubt about the indomitable spirit and performed to near perfection.
As the evening progressed the artistes presented dance-theater such as ‘martial arts on wheels’, ‘Ramayana on wheels’, ‘Durga’ and the ‘Bhagawad Gita’.
While the main focus continues to be on tackling the swine flu (H1N1) virus, medical officers of 13 districts of Uttarakhand were also asked to take steps against the outbreak of H5N1 (bird flu) virus at the state-level meeting of the rapid response team held at the Health Directorate. The World Health Organisation has already sounded a third phase alert for the H5N1 virus.
Dehradun, August 17
