|
|
|
|
Five states join hands for Kumbh
NGOs get lessons in water conservation |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Despite pulse polio, 2 test positive
SBI launches home loan scheme
|
|
Five states join hands for Kumbh
Haridwar, September 2 The Mahakumbh which commences on January 1, 2010, will stretch over four months and will be held in an area of 130 sq km spanning four districts, Haridwar,Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Tehri Garwal. The Kumbh Mela administration says the the number of people may touch a staggering 5 crore this time. On April 14 on the occasion of “shahi snaan”, the number of tourists visiting the city is expected to be 1.50 crore. This speaks volumes of the arduous task ahead for the administration. To thwart any terror attack and for peaceful conduct of the Mahakumbh, not only the state, but the central government too is monitoring the arrangements. Home minister P Chidambaram is expected to be take note of the security preparations soon. State DGP Subash Joshi says the Mahakumbh is the biggest challenge to the police. “ The interest that the Mahakumbh generates worldwide is enormous and in times of global terrorism, it certainly is a tough challenge for the police and the administration. Earlier, we would have to only manage the crowds, but now we have to watch out against any possible terror strikes.” The state has sought additional help from neighbouring states which has been the norm in the past too. This week a high-level security meeting of officials from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Uttarakhand was held in Haridwar. The agenda was terrorism and traffic management. All police officials agreed on sharing intelligence and crime- related information and to step up co-ordination. Uttarakhand has sought 90 paramilitary companies from the Centre and help from the New Delhi police which is chalking out an elaborate and foolproof security plan for the prestigious Commonwealth Games also scheduled next year. The state-of -the-art security equipment procured by the Delhi police for the games has been sought for effective monitoring against terrorists and anti-social elements. With vehicles banned in the mela zone, apart from the state’s constabulary of 1500 horse riders, assistance has been sought from Haryana. With the Mumbai police found wanting during the November 2008 terror strike and the National Security Guards stepping in, the state is relying on commandos to meet any unprecedented situation. Specially designated SSP for the Mahakumbh, Ajay Rautella, says state police commandos are being given special training in Tamil Nadu after a week’s intense training here. They are currently being trained by NSG trainers. At all sensitive and crowded points, sharp-shooters will be deployed with CCTV camera footage reviewed round the clock. Bomb disposal squads, metal detectors , ambulances and fire brigades with fire fighters on bikes will man the mela area. Also, a total containment vessel (TCV), touted as the most foolproof bomb disposal machine, will be procured by the state police. This vessel can sustain a blast and avoid harm to those nearby place. The vessel was first used by NSG commandos at Regal Cinema in Connaught Place, New Delhi, to defuse a bomb. The mela police is trying to utilise local manpower for manning and supervising crowds. DIG Kumbh Alok Sharma plans to have intelligence gathered by trusted local people. Training will be imparted to residents and students on security precautions during the Kumbh. MahaKumbh will be a testing time for the traffic police. Haridwar is devoid of flyovers, multi-laned highways and under-passes and even on occasions such as Somwati Amawasya and Buddh Poornima, the city sees several traffic jams. DSP Shweta Chaubey says that apart from temporary parking stations, certain points are being identified so that in case of heavy rush, these can be utilised for a temporary halt. Traffic will be stopped several kilometres ahead of the town and tourists would have to walk to Har-Ki-Pauri to avoid congestion and traffic jams. Trains bringing in pilgrims will be thoroughly searched, luggage checked and passengers frisked. The RPF will have a separate bomb disposal squad and a dog squad. All movement at the railway station will be monitored via CCTVs. This March, the Haridwar railway superintendent had received a threat letter.
|
|
NGOs get lessons in water conservation
Dehradun, September 2
A team of 14 renowned NGOs from Rajasthan participated to share information on the latest methods and techniques for soil and water conservation. “Indo-German Watershed Development Programme under NABARD has been running in five districts of Rajasthan and from NGO such as Sadguru Foundation, Foundation for Ecological Security to Grahmin Vikas Trust and other many others are participating to learn the latest techniques and methods. “ This in return will improve productivity and boost the economy of our country,” said Bupesh Kumar Singhal, assistant general manager, NABARD. Since 1996, the institute has been imparting training to different organisations with the motive to preserve water and soil for a fruitful cause. “The training works on the basis of harmony and focuses on theoretical as well as field exposure. “As the watershed management has practically become the basis of our life, it is essential to spread awareness regarding its proper and timely usage. “Moreover, the training we impart is not a very formal rather it’s a gamut of various activities, where we interact and provide solutions depending on the needs of the participants,” said Dr BL Dyani, head ,Human Resource Developmental and Social Sciences at the institute. The training comprises lectures by experts and field exposure. However, the main endeavour is to impart knowledge regarding watershed management to states, which are facing a severe water crisis. “Starting from giving a detailed outline about watershed management, topics such as bio-engineering measures with application of new tools and other important issues will be discussed. “Over the years , such awareness programmes have definitely helped states as it is not only imperative to help and spread awareness but also guide those who have money but lack fundamental knowledge,” said Dr BL Dyani. “Awareness programmes on soil and water conservation is the only solution to impart new methodologies ,” said Bupesh Kumar Singhal. More intensive discussions will be held tomorrow.
|
|
Despite pulse polio, 2 test positive
Dehradun, September 2 Health officials say the districts neighbouring Uttar Pradesh are at high risk with a large migrant population coming to seek work here. After a polio case in Udham Singh Nagar, another has come to light at Gadarpur, Jaya Nagar. Tests on two-year-old Vandana, daughter of Sarbjeet, have confirmed the presence of P-3. “The districts bordering Uttar Pradesh are at great risk and Udham Singh Nagar is among them. Several cases of polio have been reported from Rampur, Moradabad and JP Nagar, districts in Uttar Pradesh that border our district,” said Dr BS Aswal, CMO, Udham Singh Nagar. However, so far there has been no case of the highly infectious polio strain P1. “The detection of new P-3 case is a matter of serious concern. Vandana was given the pulse polio drops but it seems the child could not develop immunity. “In both new cases, the intensity of the virus is minimal because of the administration of pulse polio drops ,” said Dr Aswal. Uttarakhand recorded one case of polio in 2008 (Nainital) and three each in Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar in 2007. “Three other polio prevention programmes are on and the effort is to wipe out pulse polio from the state. “The main objective is to achieve zero transmission and obtaining international polio-free certification for accomplishment of this goal,” said Dr Sushma Datta, immunisation officer. The annual strategy for polio eradication over the next three years is based on the recommendations of the India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) comprising national and international experts. The group has recommended six national immunisation days, nine sub-national immunisation days and 40 mop-up rounds for the period 2009-10 to 2011-12. Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It can result in total paralysis within a few hours. Polio may strike at any age, but usually affects children below the age of three. According to the WHO , there were 660 confirmed cases of poliomyelitis in India in 2006. “India has achieved a lot of success in the polio eradication drive. I can say that 99 per cent of the job is done,” masintains Deepak Kapur, chairman of Rotary India Polio Committee.
|
|
SBI launches home loan scheme
Dehradun, September 2 Maheep Kumar, DGM, SBI Region-1, said that their marketing team has worked out tie-ups with leading builders in the state where new housing projects are coming up. More than 10 builders have accepted the SBI offer in Dehradun. Since the SBI is the only bank to target prospective home loan borrowers through the campaign, it could mean a revival of business for There are several newly built apartments in Dehradun which have failed to attract buyers. “We anticipate that the housing segment is bound to look up ahead of the festival season. Another big reason to feel so is that the economy is showing signs of recovery with the GDP growth rate touching 6.1 per cent in the first quarter of this fiscal. “We hope that the interest rates offered will attract customers,” said Kumar. He added that the interest rates were the lowest in the market and other banks were finding it difficult to match this offer. Care has been taken to address volatility of short-term interest rates until stabilisation of the economy. The builders seem to have taken the bait because the SBI is the trusted brand. They feel that concessional rates of interest and waiving off processing fee in all loans cases during the campaign might help revive business fortunes. The rates starting from 8 per cent are also applicable for takeover of home loan cases of other banks.
|
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
The sinister shadow of terrorism seems to loom large on the century’s first Mahakumbh in the holy town of Haridwar. With crores of visitors from across the country and abroad, the Kumbh may be an easy target for terrorists, it is feared.
The Mahakumbh which commences on January 1, 2010, will stretch over four months and will be held in an area of 130 sq km spanning four districts,
Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Tehri Garwal.
Dehradun, September 2
