Dehradun, September 12
The last day of the filing of nomination papers for the upcoming students’ elections here today at DAV College was marred by violence with party members carrying sticks and pelting stones at one another, forcing the police to resort to lathi charge.

In the incident more than a dozen party members, including ex-ABVP president Moni Rawat and NSUI party member Sohiab got injured.

The agitating students also pelted stones at the police, and as a result a few of them got injured. The injured were taken to the Coronation and Doon Hospital for treatment.

The incident happened at about 1 pm when NSUI and ABVP party members were campaigning for their parties and one of the party’s supporters pushed the other party’s members. Heated arguments followed and turned into a fight.

Both parties threw sticks, banners and stones at one another and it all continued for 15 minutes.

During the scuffle some of the Aryan party members also tried to show their strength by indulging in the clash.

“The ABVP boys fell on our girl members due to which the fight began. They also injured seven of our party members,” alleged Sangram Singh, NSUI state president.

However, ABVP state in charge Aditya Chauhan, alleged, “We were campaigning on the college ground peacefully. But NSUI members who had called some hooligans from outside attacked us with stones, sticks and other weapons. Six of our party members, including me, were injured”.

Police personnel present in the college found it hard to control the students. The track of the college where the parties were campaigning that later turned into battleground was very narrow making a stampede-like situation.

The police had no other option than to resort to lathi charge and shuffling students out of the college.

However, party members started their campaigning after about an hour of their coming out of the college.

They rallied on the roads tearing posters and damaging banners put up by the rival party.

Some of the party members were seen moving around the city carrying sticks and belts in search of their rivals.

This is the first major clash incident of the session. This was the buzz among students of the college that now the fight among the parties has started and it would regularly continue this month.

“We will take revenge and not leave NSUI members who injured our party members,” shouted an overexcited party member of the ABVP.

Earlier in the day, the contesting parties entered the college campus one by one along with hundreds of supporters to file nominations in a dramatic manner.

Both party members burst crackers in front of the gate before making an entry into the campus. The parties’ members were campaigning on flashy bikes and on foot wearing masks of their party candidates. They had also made elaborate arrangements to make their respective group an extravaganza one. Some of them were carrying “dhols” and also blowing trumpet on their motorbikes.

The first to enter the college premises was the party of independent candidate Aryan (UR) with a huge number of supporters who took a few rounds of the college lifting their candidate on the shoulders. The second to enter the college was Shanti’s party, also an independent candidate.

Though party supporters seemed a bit less in numbers, the enthusiasm was way high. Carrying their candidate on the shoulders they raised slogans in support of their party. Following this, other parties, including the ABVP and the NSUI, also made their entry in the college with much aplomp.

Meanwhile, all candidates filed their nominations. Ashish Bahuguna (ABVP) and Shivesh Bahuguna, alias Shibbu (NSUI), filed their nomination for presidentship, while Amit Thapa (Ammu) and Anil Tomar (Aryan) filed their nominations for the post of general secretary.

Dehradun, September 12
With a great enthusiasm, on the Mahadevi Kanya Pathshalya (MKP) College premises the newly elected candidates took oath here today. Amid senior lecturers and budding talented candidates, along with principal Indu Singh and chief election officer Dr Nimmi Raina, MKP senior lecturer of the Psychology Department Dr Suman Nagia (retd) was the chief guest of the occasion.

The programme began with lighting of the lamp, after which students from the music society presented a Saraswati vandana. Ina Bahuguna, president, along with Rekha Raturi, vice-president and other main members, took oath and promised to work for the welfare of the college. Thereafter, in gaiety, they sang ‘hum honge kamayab’.

“As we never wanted any kind of interference from outside bodies, this year we successfully managed to conduct the election process in a fair manner. I want college to prosper in all spheres and I am grateful to my teachers and well wishers for my success,” said Bahuguna.

Dehradun, September 12
In one stroke, the state government today issued notification to reduce stamp duty rates payable on agreement to sell, certificate of sale, exchange of property, further charge and gift deeds.

The development is in line with announcements made by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in his Budget speech this year.

As per the notification, the duty rates on all above instruments have been reduced to 7 per cent from the existing 11.5 per cent. These rates are now at par with the duty payable on sale deed.

Principal Secretary, Finance, Alok Jain said the government decision to bring about uniformity in rates of stamp duty was part of its larger aim to make tax structure reasonable and simple.

The public was the main beneficiary of reduction in the stamp duty. It was understood that the government, too, would gain in terms of economy of scale.

On September 2, the government had notified reduction of duty on agreement to sell without possession from 7 per cent to 4 per cent payable on half the amount of consideration.

It was reduced to 2 per cent on lease agreement of a property up to 30 years from 8 per cent in the urban and 7 per cent in the rural areas.

The former is the most significant reduction since the state came into being.

With reduction of duty on gift deeds from 11.5 per cent to 2 per cent, the government has made gift of property to blood relations during lifetime of a person an attractive instrument of transfer of his or her immovable property.

Officials of the state Stamp Duty and Registration Department said the number of such cases were almost negligible due to higher rate of duty.

But use of this mode of property transfer after reduction of duty was likely to reduce incidence of disputes over inheritance of property.

Dehradun, September 12
As the deadline to phase out carbon tetrachloride (CTC) is drawing nearer, the Uttarakhand Industries Association (UIA) yesterday organised an awareness workshop for the industries using this popular solvent and cleaning agent known for its harmful impact on the ozone layer.

The workshop was organised in association with GTZ-Proklima, an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations.

Representatives of various industries in the state using CTC were present, besides top officials of the departments of the industries, forests and environment. Anshu Kumar, consultant, GTZ-Proklima, educated the representatives of industry about viable substitutes of CTC.

Across the globe, 193 countries have 
so far agreed under Montreal Protocol to phase out substances that deplete ozone layer.

The government of India, as a signatory to this, has already initiated steps to reduce the supply of CTC.

Its production for solvent use has already been reduced by 85 per cent since January 2005. It will be completely removed from the market by December 31, 2009.

Chairman, UIA, Pankaj Gupta said the workshop was organised keeping in mind implications of phasing out CTC because it was imperative to find equally good and efficient alternatives.

GTZ-Proklima, mandated by the governments of France and Germany, is offering technical assistance to industries for the purpose, so that they could take informed decisions on CTC substitution.

“We believe that the workshop will help remove any reservations among the industries concerned about switching to safer viable alternatives in the larger interest of mankind,” he said.

Though there may be a small number of industrial units using CTC solvent in their manufacturing processes related to refrigeration, air-conditioning and electrical systems, the issue becomes significant in terms of Uttarakhand being an environmentally fragile state.

Dehradun, September 12
The Charge d’Affaires of Nepal Embassy Khush Narayan Shreshth inaugurated the International Hindi-Nepali Poets Meet here today. Speaking on the occasion, Khush Narayan stressed on increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries. He said that on the personal level, relationships have been very warm.

“There are a few hitches that can be sorted out on the political level but we need to bring our people closer through literature,”Narayan said. He stressed that ties between Nepal and India exist in every sphere. Deputy secretary of Bhartiya Sahitya Academy, Guna Shekhran, said in the coming days, poets of regional languages too would have an interaction with Nepalese poets.

“Both Hindi and Nepali have originated from Sanskrit and the two countries share an old relationship besides having geographical and cultural affinity. I am sure that poets of the two countries will add impetus to the relationship,” Shekhran said.

Naresh Saxena said that poets of India and Nepal shared a special bond. “Hindi prose writer Bhartendu Harishchander was friends with Moti Ram Bhatt, the famous prose writer of Nepal who later started Nepal’s first newspaper,” recalled Saxena.

Dhan Bahadur Oli, Press Secretary, Nepal Embassy, said that literary institutions should foster strong understanding and friendship between the two countries. “I was keen to involve the Sahitya Akademi in the organisation of the first international poets meet. “I am surprised why literary organisations in India and Nepal did not think of organising such meets. It took diplomatic efforts to do so,” Oli emphasised.

He added that Nepal has more than 100 languages and at least 15 languages have their own script. “Meetings, such as these, bring the best in people who do not mind paying to hear their favourite poets. It is probably the only country where tickets are booked for a poets’ meet,” he added.

Roorkee, September 12
The police got a little success in a double murder case, that occurred in Peeran Kaliyar over a month ago, with the identification of the victims here today.

Both victims were mother and son in relation and have been identified as Noor Jahan (40) and Abdul Rehman (11). They hailed from Yamuna Vihar in Delhi.

ASP Arun Mohan Joshi said the police got vital clues in the case after the identification of the bodies. “The woman was a widow and their missing report has been lodged in Bhajanpura Police Station in Delhi,” said Joshi.

The bodies of the victims were found with their throats cut near the Bade Imaam Sahib cemetery on August 8. Both bodies were lying separately at a distance of nearly 100 m.

As nobody claimed to recognise the bodies, the police had sent various teams to nearby states, including Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pardesh with the photographs of the victims in an effort to get any clue in the case.

“We have got a vital lead in the case. Very soon, the murderers will be in the clutches of the police,” said Joshi.

Dehradun, September 12
Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harbans Kapoor today inaugurated the Gyandhara Scheme for the education of girls. The scheme has come up at the initiative of the ONGC Officers Mahila Samiti.

Addressing the gathering, the Speaker lauded the role of the ONGC in the development of the country. He said it was a matter of immense pride for Doonites that the headquarters of the ONGC was situated here and the city was benefiting from the social welfare schemes started by the department.

He expressed his happiness over the samiti’s initiative for the education of girls.

Stressing on the need for better education for girls, he said an educated woman was able to educate the entire family and also stood against social evils.

Patron of the samiti Divya Pande said the ONGC was extending full support to the Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Ashram for its role in shaping the destiny of girls.

She said in the ONGC locations like Mumbai and Silchar, the education of girls had already been started under this scheme and 600 girls were availing of this facility in different centres of the ONGC in the country.

She said under the scheme, the evaluation of the progress of students would be undertaken after three months. Those girls who perform well would continue to get this facility till they wanted to study.

Earlier, Rukshana Hussain, president of the samiti, gave a detailed account of the activities of the samiti during the past 27 years. She quoted the importance given to the education of women by former President Dr S Radhakrishnan.

Pramila Ravinder, vice-president of the samiti, in her welcome address, gave details of the scheme and the selection of the girls of the ashram.

Earlier, after the traditional lighting of the lamp by the chief guest, a cultural programme was staged by children.

The programme was conducted by Shobha Wason, secretary of the samiti, whereas vote of thanks was presented by Jyotsana Sharma.

Dehradun, September 12
The Grandparents Day was celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm at the three main branches of Poly Kids School.

The function, which began on the September 11, concluded here today. At Dalanwala, Vasant Vihar and Mayur Vihar branch, magician Rajkumar Sharma performed various tricks and entertained kids and grandparents.

Around 80 grandparents enjoyed the function and attended a special diet related session conducted under the aegis of dietician Meenu Rastogi. She gave valuable suggestions and tips diet plans prepared especially for people who are above 60 years.

Chairman, Capt Mukul Mahendru, Poly Kids School, was present at the occasion and expressed his gratitude to grandparents for their unconditional love and support and encouraged kids to respect and spend quality time with them.

Along with the Chairman, present at the occasion were directors Ranjana Mahendru, Nandita Singh and the coordinators.

Dehradun, September 12
BC Milan defeated Sunderwala by 2-0 at the ongoing District Football League here today.

BC Milan scored its first goal in the 5th minute of the match through Abhinav to make it 1-0. Sunderwala tried hard to find an equaliser, but failed.

The second goal came in the 30th minute for the BC Milan team through Saurav.

In the second half Sunderwala team was more aggressive, but its forwards lack the finishing touch.

In the end, it was an easy victory for the BC Milan team.

Meanwhile, in the second match, 6/8 Gorkha Rifle completely outshone the Kukri Club by 2-0.

Dehradun, September 12
MKP College cruised into the final of the District Women Hockey Tournament here today after it hammered GGIC by 5-0. Divya was the star performer, scoring a hat-trick in the match.

It was a shaky start for the MKP team, which failed to coordinate. But after initial errors the team found rhythm in the 14th minute with its first goal by forward Divya. She struck again after two minutes getting 2-0 lead for the team.

GGIC College team seemed low on confidence despite winning its previous match. Its forward fumbled repeatedly outside striking circle. The MKP girls displayed good stick work and made accurate passes.

But the day belonged to Divya whose piercing shot from the top of the striking circle increased the tally to 3-0. This also marked the personal achievement for her as she became the first player of the tournament to score a hat-trick.

MKP’s goals did not stop here. It was MKP’s centre half Dina who scored in the 33rd minute of the match. The last goal for team came in he 46th minute, it was Versha, who skilfully placed the ball in GGIC goal to score the 5-0 goal.

Dehradun, September 12
St Thomas College (STC) won the Gardner Silver Jubilee Girls Basketball Tournament here today. In the final, they defeated the Convent of Jesus and Mary (CJM) by 36-14.

The CJM team had no answer to the skilful game displayed by STC team.

In the first quarter, both teams were locked at 5-5.

But scoring picked up pace for the STC team in the second quarter with Monica’s good two pointers to help her team score 12 points against the CJM team which could only managed to score one point.

STC scored heavily in the third quarter as well with the team adding another 15 points to its score. At the end of the match, the STC team was comfortably placed with 36 points and the CJM managed to score 14 points.

Dehradun, September 12
The Uttarakhand Women Badminton team has made it to the semifinals of the Chadda Cup Badminton Tournament underway at Haldwani.

Results:

In the first singles match Uttarakhand’s Dipti defeated Bhusana of Jharkhand, whereas Uttarakhand lost to Jharkhand in the doubles.

In the second singles match, the Uttarakhand team won against Jharkhand to make it to the semifinal.

In men’s team event Bihar defeated Uttarakhand by 3-1; in men’s singles, the Bihar team beat Uttarakhand by 3-1.

Sandeep (Bihar) beat Vikas (Uttarakhand) 21-16, 21-17; Sarfaraj (Bihar) beat Deepak Bisht (Uttarakhand); and Aman Ranjan (Bihar) beat Rohit Raturi (Uttarakhand).

In doubles, Aman and Ashish (Uttarakhand) beat Sandeep and Dev (Bihar).

In junior girls, Bihar outplayed Jharkhand 3-0; Alka (Bihar) beat I Aman (Jharkhand).

In doubles Alka and Aka (Bihar) defeated I Aman and Nandani (Jharkhand).