Dehradun, September 9
To ensure that nothing is left to chance, the state meteorological department has been instructed to provide weather forecast in written form before VVIPs and VIPs undertake any journey by air.

So far, the information was being exchanged between the meteorological department and authorities concerned over the phone.

The move has been prompted by the recent helicopter crash that claimed the life of Andhra Pradesh CM along with all aboard, with principal secretary, Civil Aviation department, PC Sharma writing to director of the state meteorological department to ensure the same.

The Civil Aviation department has already requested government approval for purchase of satellite mobile phones for state-owned helicopter and a plane for the Chief Minister, Governor and other VIPs.

Officials said the step was being taken in view of the high risk involved in flying in tough geographical and weather conditions of the hills.

The state owns a seven-seater EC 135 helicopter manufactured by Euro Copter, which was purchased in 2003-04 at a cost of Rs 12.5 crore besides an 11-seater plane purchased in 2005-06 at a cost of Rs 21 crore.

The latter has three ordinary seats and it can fly six VIPs in the best of conditions. The machine has completed 1,600 flying hours.

Meanwhile, Sharma has asked the meteorological department to provide written weather forecast to him, the district magistrate and SSP concerned of the district in which VIPs are supposed to travel by air.

According to prevailing practice, the offices of Governor and Chief Minister send written and verbal information about their tour itinerary. 

Roorkee, September 9
The vigilance team of Uttarakhand Power Corporation last night found two hotels indulging in power theft.

The electricity meters of the hotels, namely Grand Prem Doot and Ambar Hotel, located near bus stand, were found tampered during the vigilance raid, led by the Xen MC Gupta.

Apart from registering the case under Section 135 of Electricity Act at Civil Lines Police Station, fine of Rs 46 lakh and Rs 42 lakh have been slapped on hotel Grand Prem Doot and Ambar Hotel, respectively.

To stop the power pilferage, a special drive has been conducted by the vigilance team of the electricity department.

Dehradun, September 9
On the eve of polling for the crucial byelection for the Vikasnagar assembly seat, Congress workers seized 20 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from two private taxis in Vikasnagar.

This seizure created a ruckus in the constituency as the Congress cried foul alleging attempts to rig the elections by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

According to Uttarakhand Congress president Yashpal Arya, Congress workers in Vikasnagar on specific information intercepted two private taxis — a Tata Sumo and a Bolero — carrying 20 EVMs.

A large number of Congress workers and leaders gathered at the spot and asked the district authorities to check these machines.

According to a First-Information Report (FIR) lodged with the police by Congress candidate and former Uttarakhand Urban Development and Forest Minister Navparbhat, employees of Rural Engineering Services who were carrying the machines could not give a satisfactory reply about these machines.

They said that these machines were meant for training of the election staff. However, Congress candidate Navparbhat alleged that a total of 40 EVMs were used for training.

But only 12 EVMs could be tallied with the machines used for training. The authorities could not give any explanation about the remaining eight EVMs seized by the Congress workers.

Congress legislator Tilak Raj Behad led the Congress workers who vociferously protested against the seizure of the EVMs.

According to Congress leaders, Behad and other Congress workers were lathi charged by the police.

Yashpal Arya, Uttarakhand Congress president, in a statement alleged that the state government has been trying to circumvent the election process.

“The Chief Minister, fearing the defeat of his party candidate, has resorted to this kind of rigging,” he charged.

The Congress has given a memorandum to the Returning Officer D Senthil Pandayan.

Crime on the rise, alleges Hridyesh

On the eve of Vikasnagar byelection, former Congress minister Indira Hridyesh alleged failure of the ruling BJP-led government on all fronts.

Predicting a convincing win of the Congress candidate, she said a rise in criminal incidents, including much publicised Anshu Nautiyal murder and police encounter, in which Ghaziabad youth Ranbir was killed, reflected the poor law and order situation.

Hyridesh, who was an election in charge of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, alleged that recent violence in Kaladhungi showed erosion of the government’s authority.

She also termed the BJP government’s allegation of discrimination by the UPA-led government as baseless.

The Congress leader instead accused the state government of failing to utilise central funds meant for development works.

In this regard, she referred to recent clearance to the state’s annual plan by the Central Planning Commission without any cut.

She said the state government should stop propaganda to divert public attention from the real issues and focus on the development of the state.

Haridwar, September 9
Om Prakash Bhatt, who had been working assiduously for the promotion of Sanskrit for four decades, was conferred the Rashtriya Sikshak Samman on the occasion of Teachers Day by the Vice-President of India Dr Hamid Ansari in New Delhi.

Being the only one from the state and among the five in country who got this prestigious award for exemplary contribution to Sanskrit, Om Prakash Bhatt has suddenly become a celebrity in the city.

People are thronging his house situated in Bhoopatwala area to congratulate him and know about the award conferred on him.

Born in 1949 in Khassal village of Tehri Garhwal, Bhatt did his primary education from Tehri and Raiwala.

Then, he completed his ‘Shastri’ degree, went to Sampoornanand University, Benaras, in 1973 to complete his ‘Acharya’ degree. In 1990, he completed his PhD.

But the humble man that he is, Bhatt gave credit of his achievement to Sanskrit that he termed as the mother of all languages and to his students who took forward the language to other shores.

“One’s relation with one’s guru is a never-ending one. I was fortunate to have Acharya Buddhi Ballabh Sharma as my teacher.

“The way he guided me makes me more inclined to give more time to my students,” said Bhatt.

Bhatt has been teaching in Shri Jagat Dev Sanskrit University, Haridwar, for the past 40 years.

During his trip to Delhi to get the award, Bhatt said that it was a rare chance to meet nearly 300 teachers and educationists who had excelled in the field of education.

Bhatt is working with several Sanskrit organisations and societies and has participated in the All-India Sanskrit Convention.

He has been to United States where he charmed Americans with his flawless Sanskrit.

“People were mesmerised with the Sanskrit language and showed interest in learning this beautiful language. That is why it is called the mother of all languages,” said Acharya Om Prakash.

He is in the committee that is formalising the Sanskrit curriculum for the Patanjali University, executive member of the Uttaranchal Sanskrit University, heads the Akhil Bharat Rajya Dharam Sangh and is a regular orator at the Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Sammelans.

On what needs to be done to attract the younger generation to Sanskrit, Om Prakash said, “Link Sanskrit to employment and give grants to Sanskrit colleges.

“People will learn the language if it is connected to one’s livelihood.”

He added that the lack of computerisation and limited employment opportunities in this language has hampered the influx of students.

But Bhatt is optimistic that the hundreds of students of Sanskrit in various colleges of Haridwar will take the language forward.

“This year, 300 Dronacharyas were awarded on Teachers Day.

“I hope there won’t be a dearth of Arjunas,” said Bhatt while showing his citation, silver medal and a book given by Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal. 

Dehradun, September 9
Five more patients have tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1) virus taking the total of number of patients to 26.

There was no let up in the number of students testing positive, today also four new medical reports of Doon School students have confirmed for the swine flu, now a total of nine students have tested positive.

The fifth medical report was of a local school student who, too, has tested positive.

This has triggered some amount of anxiety among parents of schoolchildren.

State nodal officer Dr Pankaj Jain said all students had already left for their respective homes and the entire school had been quarantined.

Meanwhile, the state nodal office today sent five more reports for testing at National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD), New Delhi.

Dehradun, September 9
Notwithstanding the school authorities’ repeated insistence that Doon School has not been officially shut after five students tested positive, a large number of outstation parents gathered at the school to pick their children.

As per reports, the authorities have permitted parents to take their children home or to their local guardians, as the classes would not be held for the next four days.

“We have made arrangements comprising a large capacity quarantine ward, even boys with mild flu like symptoms have been quarantined,” said Piyush Malviya, dean, affairs, Doon School.

At a hurriedly called press conference, DG (Health) Dr PL Joshi said the rising number of positive cases in the state was a cause of concern, but instead of getting panicky, people should adhere to guidelines and should minimise travel as much as possible.

“For the past few months we have been actively engaged in containment of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, but we are receiving more positive test reports.

Somewhere the message has not gone down among the people that the influenza becomes more lethal when it spreads through human-to-human contact,” Dr Joshi said.

She called upon the school managements to keep group activities to the minimum and not hold any conferences or even organise any outdoor activities.

“I had communicated these guidelines to the respective boarding and day schools as soon as the first case of viral was reported, but it seems it was not followed properly,” she said.

However, she said, “Doon School has taken up several precautionary measures as suggested by us.”

Doctor of Doon School was also present at the conference. 

Dehradun, September 9
A pledge by noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna to donate his eyes is expected to boost the floundering eye donation campaign in the state, spurring people to take similar initiative in a big way.

He had taken a pledge during a 15-day long awareness campaign that ended here today.

The eye donation campaign is expected to gather steam as the health authorities get ready to expand the network of eye banks in the non-government and the government sectors, these include Veer Chander Singh Garhwali Medical College in Srinagar, Swami Bhuma Niketan Charitable Netar Chikatsaly at Jawala Nagar, Haridwar, Agarsen Charitable Hospital, Rudrapur.

“Once these hospitals fulfil the conditions as laid down in the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, the Central government would be informed and then a team of inspectors would come down for evaluation.

These hospitals have been strategically located in keeping with the needs of the rural and urban population of the state,” said Dr PL Joshi, DG (Health).

Eyes can be preserved for at least 16 hours at the eye banks.

Only Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) has an eye bank in the state, while the collection centre (eyeballs are kept in moist solution in vials for preservation for at least 5 to 6 hours) at District Hospital, Rudrapur, has exclusive arrangement with Venu Eye hospital, New Delhi, where the transplant is finally carried out.

Further, there are a total of 76 vision centres in the state and Dehradun has eight of these.

In the next six months, the government plans to extend collection services in all district hospitals beginning with Dehradun and Haldwani initially, moving on to other districts and then link them to the district hospitals where corneal transplants can be undertaken.

At the moment, none of these hospitals have vials for preserving the eyeballs. The collection centres would come into effect only when they have vials to preserve the eyeballs.

With emphasis on training being mandatory for carrying out corneal transplants, the medical officers too would be provided training in corneal transplants sponsored by the Central government.

“All district hospitals will be made members of the eye bank association, Hyderabad, in keeping with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994,” said Dr Harish Chandra, in charge of the State Blindness Control Programme. 

Dehradun, September 9
Mahanagar unit of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) today launched a membership drive in Dehradun. All the former office bearers of Central and Mahanagar unit were made active members.

Co-incharge of the membership drive, Jaiparakash Upadhaya said that his party has set the target of enrolling 10,000 members in the city. All the former office bearers who were made active members today have been asked to enroll minimum 25 members. This has been made compulsory.

He added that as per the party policy, only the active members would be eligible to hold any party post at central and Mahanagar level besides different party cells.So it was necessary for all party workers to become active members. Moreover, the former office bearers residing here must become members of Mahanagar unit. The statewide enrolment drive is on since September 1.

Pitthoragarh, September 9
The 16th and the last batch of 21 Kailash Mansarovar yatra pilgrims, including five women, crossed into Tibet from Lipulekh Pass today.

According to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) officials who are organising the pilgrimage, there are three batches on the way.

“With this batch entering Tibet, there are three batches on the route including the 14th batch which came back from Tibet. The 15th batch is on a ‘parikrma’ of Mansarovar,” said DK Sharma, regional manager (tourism) of KMVN.

“This year, a total of a 607 pilgrims in 16 batches took the pilgrimage. The KMVN, which is a nodal agency for the yatra, introduced Innova cars instead of luxury buses this year,” said DK Sharma.

The Kailash Mansarovar yatra, which has completed 27 years, is run with the permission of the Government of China, by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. It was suspended in 1962 after the India-China war and was resumed in 1981.

“This year, the KMVN not only introduced more comfort in travelling but also introduced Kumaoni cuisines at various camps on the yatra route,” said Sharma.

Except one pilgrim, who died of heart attack, the pilgrimage has been going on well. 

Dehradun, September 9
Frantic efforts of the part of Uttarakhand forest authorities could not save a 15-ft-long female python that died after its prey tore apart its stomach.

The python was found struggling for life in the 23rd compartment of Papree region in the Ramnagar area of Terai forest division.

While the python was trying to swallow a ‘neelgai’, the prey tore the python’s belly with its horns leading to the predator’s death.

“This eight-year-old, 15-ft-long female python preyed on a ‘neelgai’ which first got stuck in its throat and later tore apart its stomach with its horn,” said senior forest official, Terai, PC Arya, who along with other WWF officials tried to rescue the python but found themselves helpless after its stomach ruptured.

The forest authorities buried the python after the post-mortem examination. 

Dehradun, September 9
Spic Macay, the society for the promotion of Indian classical music and culture amongst the youth, organised a scintillating dance performance by renowned kathak dancer Nandani Singh at the Scholar’s Home School, here today.

Dedicated to late Sudeshna Ghosh, former vice-president Spic Macay, the programme began amidst chanting of soulful Sanskrit shalokas.

The formal introduction of the artiste was followed by the magic of kathak.

Nandini Singh, a disciple of Guru Hiralal, Guru Ganesh Hiralal and Pt Sunder Prasad is an epitome of feminism, grace. She ignited the stage with her beautiful balance of nritya, abhinay and lyrical beauty.

She has also performed at various international functions and in her efforts to awaken the younger generation, their sensibilities regarding dance, she attended regular classes, lectures, demonstrations and concerts all over India organised by Spic Macay.

However, equally enchanting was the performance of the team members, who accompanied Nandini and created an incredible jugalbandi.

Ustaad Matloof Khan was on the sitar, Janaab Muhammed on tabla and Janab Iqbal Hussain gave the vocal support, which left the audience awestruck.

Discussing and enlightening students about the contribution of kathak in the history of India she said: “Kathak dates backs to almost 5,000 years ago and is one of the oldest dances of our country.

Kathak is till date enjoyed by its fans, but for its preservation and popularity its essential that youth should be encouraged to pursue their favourite 
hobbies.

Cultural events can definitely help students to come forward and participate in activities, which enlighten their aesthetic sense.”

Besides teaching students and staff members about the nuances of this dance form.

The highlight of the day was the question-answer session where children were encouraged to ask questions pertaining to Indian dance and music.

The questions were answered with equal aplomb by the artiste. All in all it was yet another milestone in the glorious cultural history of Spic Macay.

Dehradun, September 9
For the very first time Doon has got its very own tattoo parlour. An artist from Goa has opened a tattoo parlour here recently.

The bold, unconventional look of the tattoo is catching attention of many youngsters. Almost two years ago, tattoo artist Manish Sharma got inspired by few foreigner friends in Goa and after going through a training he decided to open a parlour in the city.

“As I had inclination towards drawing I learned how to make tattoos from my friends. However, before coming to Doon I practiced for an year in Goa and Delhi. I chose to come here because I wanted to come here and provide people a professional tattoo parlour. Till now we have got a good response as I believe this art form has lot of scope to grow,” said Manish, a tattoo artist.

Manish has more than 22,000 designs with him. Every design is charged according to the size and the cost starts from Rs 1000. “We have a vast collection of designs in coloured and non-coloured tattoos. Women love to get it done on ankles while men find it cool on arms,” said Madhulika, a tattoo artist.

“ I think tattoo looks very cool and maybe that’s the reason why most of the celebrities have one. Launch of such a parlour in the city is definitely going to be a boon for trendy people,” said Sudhanshi, a resident.

Maintaining hygiene is a must for the tattoo parlours and for the artists too. It could lead to swelling of the body part and could also cause Aids due to the use of old needles. “I take utmost care while making a tattoo. With continuous use of antiseptic to avoid inflation I use a very thin sterilised needles so that pain decreases and the person feels safe also,” said Manish.

Dehradun, September 9
Tibetan Nehru Memorial School (TNMS) lifted the RIMC Soccer Cup tournament here today. In the finals they defeated the Tibetan Home School (THS) by 4-0. Vahin was declared best player of the tournament whereas Tenzin judged the highest goal scorer.

It was all TNMS affair in the final. The team totally dominated the game from the beginning, giving their opponent little chance to get a foothold in the match.

TNMS scored their first goal in the 7th minute of the match through Tashi to make it 1-0.

Five minutes latter, TNMS scored their second through Tenzin to suppress their opponent. The THS team defence was under great pressure as TNMS forwards created sharp moves at THS goal.

In the second half, TNMS came close on scoring in the 37th minute of the match. But its forward hit the ball over the bar.

TNMS team’s Pema Tashi scored their third goal in 45th minute of the match, he stuck again for his team in the 65th minute making it 4-0. 

Dehradun, September 9
Now Dehradun football fans can now see match report of the Dehradun Football League on the official website of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF). Newly designed www.the-aiff.com was launched in mid-August and Dehradun Football League is the first league of the country to get featured on the AIFF website.

The AIFF has approached the www.DehradunFootball.com to send them daily reports and photographs of the matches of the league.

The AIFF was much impressed by football promotion of the website dedicated to Doon valley that recently completed four year on the web.

Commenting on it, Rohit Goyal co-founder of the website says, “Well it’s good that AIFF has recognised the work done by www.DehradunFootball.com into promoting the football in the state.

“This will give us encouragement to organise bigger events in future. We are looking at possibility of inviting a big NFL Team like East Bengal or Mahindra United to Dehradun next year and this kind of support will definitely help us.

“I hope more people in the state get involved with our initiatives as this will allow us to reach our aim of promoting the biggest game,” he said.

Presently, result of selected football tournaments like the IFA, Durand, Federation Cup and Santosh Trophy is featuring on the AIFF website. The Dehradun Football league has taken a lead among the league championship on the website.

Col BMR Mehta, media director, AIFF, says, “The AIFF depends on the host association for the league result. It is simply not for us to engage staff for league operating in different parts of the country. You can say that Dehradun Football League is the first league to figure in the AIFF website.” 

Dehradun, September 9
Shivalik beat BC Milan 2-0 at the ongoing District Football League here today.

Shivalik team played aggressive football right from the beginning to score its first goal in the in the 14th minute through Manmohan. He scored his second goal for the team in the 41st minute to make it 2-0.

Meanwhile, in the second match New Gypsy team defeated Roshani Club 2-1. For New Gypsy team Nisant scored in the very 2nd minute of the match and Ankit scored in the 42nd minute.

Roshani team could only score a solitary goal through Vishal in the 55th minute to make it 2-1.