Dehradun, September 22
After having a new Chief Minister, the ruling BJP today have a new president of the Uttarakhand unit. Bishan Singh Chufal was today named the new chief of the Uttarakhand unit of the party by the party high command. He will replace Bachi Singh Rawat, former union minister.

The replacement of Rawat was on the cards after the party lost the Lok Sabha elections in the state miserably. The party lost all five Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Rawat had himself been the party candidate for the Nainital Lok Sabha seat where he lost to the sitting Lok Sabha member KC Singh Baba of the Congress.

Rawat was the Minister of State for Science and Technology in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Chufal is a senior party leader hailing from the Kumaon region and had been cabinet minister in the Khanduri government. At present, he is the Forest Minister of the state in the Nishank cabinet.

He has been a cabinet minister in all BJP governments in the state. He was a minister in Nityanand Swami’s interim government and was also part of the Khanduri cabinet. Interestingly, in the Lok Sabha elections, barring Chufal’s constituency of Didihat, the BJP had lost in all constituencies being represented by its cabinet ministers.

The BJP, by appointing Chufal as the new party chief, has tried to maintain a balance between the two regions of Garhwal and Kumaon. While Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is from Garhwal, new president Chufal is from the Kumaon region. Earlier, Khanduri was from Garhwal and Rawat represented Kumaon.

Dehradun, September 22
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has favoured people’s participation in efforts on environment conservation.

Addressing North Zone Vice-Chancellors Meet on the Forest Research Institute’s campus here, Dr Nishank said India traditionally had always given due attention to environmental concerns.

The Uttarakhand CM suggested for inclusion of environmental science even in the syllabi of lower classes.

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education’s Director-General GS Rawat spoke at length on climate change.

Devbhumi Sanskriti University’s VC SP Mishra said development and environment were closely linked. He held that healthy development gave due attention to environment.

Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy’s Director RD Jakati, Forest Research Institute’s Director SS Negi, along with VCs from various universities, attended the meeting. The meeting came as the initiative of Forest Research Institute Deemed University.

Dehradun, September 22
Seeking prompt fulfilment of their long-standing demands, primary school teachers today staged a dharna at Mayur Vihar situated at District Education Officer’s office.

Led by Lakshmi Kant, the agitating teachers under the aegis of the Uttarkhand Rajya Prathimik Sangh alleged that the transfer policy was not being adhered to. “Teachers despite getting the order, were yet to get transfers due to them,” Lakshmi Kant observed.

The teachers, who rent the air with anti-government slogans, threatened to stage a statewide agitation if their demands were not met soon.

Dehradun, September 22
A Vigilance team today held the Principal of Janta Inter College, Jogimani, for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 40,000 for the post of an assistant Hindi teacher at the college.

According to Vigilance officials, Shashikant had complained to them that Hari Krishan Thapliyal, Principal of the college, had allegedly asked him to pay Rs 40,000 for hiring him as a Hindi teacher. He said his father had died while working as a teacher at the college in 2005 and according to norms he was supposed to get the job. But the Principal denied him the right and asked him to pay the amount for getting the job, Shashikant added.

The Vigilance officials gave him Rs 15,000 and sent him to the Principal as a decoy customer. As the Principal accepted the bribe, the Vigilance officers raided the place and caught him red-handed.

Dehradun, September 22
During the ongoing Navratras, a wide range of eating stuff is being offered by local restaurants. These fast-food joints located in the heart of the city are serving the regular navratra food with a variety of flavours. Along with various non-vegetarian and vegetarian food, people are enjoying this food amid traditional Navratra customs. Also at every nook and corner, markets are filled with Navratra-related articles and temples decorated, creating a perfect environment for a merry time.

Sagar Ratna, a famous South Indian food joint, has many takers for its rich Navratra special thali. Priced at Rs` 140, the thali has shahi paneer, aloo, arbhi, curd along with sambhar-rice, kuttu atta puris and rich creamy makhane ki kheer. “We have our fixed thali and during this period with our other food items these are also eaten a lot. After a whole day of fasting people are hungry and want something tasty,” said Manmohan, manager, Sagar Ratna.

In addition to restaurants, Madhuban Hotel, situated in the centre of Rajpur Road, has been running a food festival for Navratras since September 19. “We have total nine items in thali comprising aloo, kachalu, paneer, salad, pakoras, raita with sweet dish as kheer or pumpkin halwa. The response is good and the thali costs Rs 225,” said Mahaveer Kohtiyal of the hotel.

Moreover, the concept of thali is not only giving fasting people a chance to leisurely spend time with friends, but also save them of difficulties associated with cooking this elaborate meal. To top it, the facilities of home delivery further makes the whole process of fasting much easier as well as enjoyable. “As we want our customers to have quality with variety, we keep on adding different items to our Navratra menu. The thali is not a fixed feature. Along with basic items such as puris, rice, sabudana vada, we make different paneers, sweet dish and even offer facilities of home delivery so that even at home people can relish a wholesome meal,” said Sandeep Bhatt, manager of Nirulas.

“On a daily basis, we are getting at least 70 or 80 orders for our thali, which is cooked in hygienic conditions,” said Rakesh Bisht, manager, Kumar Vegetarian. However, complementing the thalis are Navratra snacks available at department stores, which are purchased in bulks these days.

Dehradun, September 22
Soon film buffs will see Irfan Khan donning the role of Pan Singh Tomar, a tragic hero of our times who started his career as an acclaimed steeple chase runner only to become a cold-blooded in later life.

Pan Singh Tomar, winner of national and international medals, who was forced to became a dacoit due to circumstances, is the subject of director Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film by the same name. It is being shot at Maharana Sports College, Raipur, Dehradun.

Finding time to share his thoughts on the making of the Film, Irfan said despite the fact that reality had different versions for different people, 99.9 per cent of the people that I met said Pan Singh was a simple man and had unique qualities.

“It is a national shame, that the country did not accord him due recognition. It is a worst-case scenario for a country, if talent is allowed to go waste and not given due recognition,” emphasised Irfan.

He is enjoying his shooting stint in Dehradun. Getting into the skin of the character also means challenging oneself physically after all the role of an athlete has to be perfectly executed.

“It is putting a strain on me in an altogether different way, stretching my limits of endurance. It is indeed physically challenging,” said Irfan.

Terming the present phase of Indian cinema as interesting, he says after every 10 years or so a new generation comes with an altogether different colour palate.

They look for change and we are fortunate to be benefiting from it, he said.

Adding that the story is topical, exciting and has all elements that modern Indian cinema should have, it is an original idea that is bound to appeal the audience. The film will be released in February next year.

His other films that are awaiting release are “Acid”, “Hiss”, and “New York I Love You”, a Hollywood film.

Straddling two worlds, Irfan is experiencing a new high in his career getting recognition at home and abroad.

Commenting on the situation, he says: “International cinema and Hindi cinema is antidote to each other. Now, that I am working at home as well as abroad, naturally, the situation has given me ample opportunities to look for variety in roles.

“I find myself in a better situation as far as selection of films is concerned. It is difficult for me to persist with similar kind of films. But, I need to emphasise here that it was Hindi cinema’s wide reach that opened window of opportunity for me to work abroad. And then the discipline and completely different way of executing things is a welcome change.”

Avowedly simplistic in choosing films role, brevity seems to be the byword and not long script reading sessions.

“The filmmaker should be able to narrate the subject that he has in mind for his film in a few lines only, I make up my mind then and there,” said Irfan.

Though constantly amid arc lights now, there was a time when acute shyness made him aloof and introvert. But, it soon melted as he began facing camera.

Now, enjoying national and international fame, crowds make him happy. “It is hard-earned attention and we are in the show business. Crowds would swarm around us and the same way they will refuse to make us centre of attraction some day,” he stressed.

In his characteristic laid-back style, he pronounces that he never relied on networking or agents while scouting for work.

“I would say we sought each other and the pact was made,” he adds before signing off.

Dehradun, September 22
Poojashree and Rushmi Chakravarthi made it to the pre-quarterfinal of the ITF Women’s $10,000 Tennis Tournament here today.

Rushmi dominated the match throughout to beat her opponent Ashvarya Shrivastava by 6-2, 6-3. In the first set, Rushmi’s strong forehand and backhand stroke completely outplayed her opponent. In the second set, she continued her power play to win the set by 6-3.

In the second match, Korean Soon-Mi Seo beat Chun-Yan He by 6-4, 7-5. Chun-Yan He’s too many unforced errors cost him his match.

Other result include:

Poojashree Venkatesha beat Aishwarya by 6-2, 6-1. Deepna Vazirant beat Arantxa Andrady by 6-3, 6-3. Nilaya Tarimela beat Gopika Kapoor by 6-1, 7-5. K. Solanki beat Tegan Edwards by 6-0, 5-7, 6-2. Miki Miyamura beat Jade Hopper 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Jasmin Steinherr beat Nova Patel 6-3, 6-2. Shivika Burman beat Anushree Thammanna 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. Keren Shlomo beat Ester Masuri 6-2, 6-1. Sheethal Goutham beat Dipti Shirvastava 6-4, 6-3. Hyun-Hui Hong beat Rashmi Teltumbde by 6-2,6-1. A.Malhotra beat Rishika Sunkara (ret). Moe Kawatoko beat Nicola Mooney 6-1, 6-0. Jung Yoon Shin beat Amreen Chaudhary 6-0, 6-3. Kyung-Yee Chae beat Saqarika Phadke 6-2, 6-0.

Dehradun, September 22
Runner-up at the recently concluded ITF Tournament at Delhi, He Chun Yan from China feels that Indian women tennis players are doing well and women’s tennis in India can look forward to a great future. “Indian women are doing well at the topmost level,” said Yan.

This is her third visit to India and she intends to come to India regularly.

She had a bad run in the second-round match here today and lost to Korean Seo Soon-Mi in a tough contest.

“I could not find my rhythm in the first set. I committed too many unforced errors and that helped my opponent win the first set 6-4.

“In the second set, Seo played high shots that made me uncomfortable.” She went down 7-5 in the second set.

Yan will now compete in the doubles category at ITF Women Tennis Tournament.

Her plan is to focus on her serves and skill and to improve her world ranking. She has her eyes set on the upcoming Noida and Pune tennis tournament.

Dehradun, September 22
6/8 Gorkha Rifle registered a thumping 5-3 win against Garhwal Sporting at the ongoing Super League here today.

Garhwal Sporting played aggressive football in the initial stages. They surprised their opponents in the third minute to open their account. It was Garhwal Sporting forward Maden Uniyal who scored for his side.

But Garhwal Sporting failed to hold on to the lead as 6/8 Gorkha Rifle’s Nar Bahadur fetched the equaliser in the 24th minute. At the end of the first half, both teams were locked 1-1.

In the second half, 6/8 Gorkha Rifle team scored their second goal through Pradeep Gurung in the 40th minute. Nar Bahadur struck again in the 58th minute to make it 3-1. In the 60th minute, Santa Bahadur scored the fourth goal.

Garhwal Sporting scored a goal each in the 62nd and 64th minute through Maden and Piyush making it 4-3. But 6/8 Gorkha Rifle’s Pradeep Gurung scored the fifth goal for his side to seal a 5-3 win against Garhwal Sporting.

Roorkee, September 22
Much to the delight of the gathering, local wrestler Bhoora drubbed Sachin from Muzaffarnagar in the 25th edition of the Baba Gulab Shah Wrestling Tournament which concluded at Eidgah Ground here today.

The two-day tourney witnessed over 36 wrestlers who came here from various places including Kairana, Haridwar, Purkazi, Benaras and Saharanpur.

The bouts between grapplers Kartik (Roorkee) and Kuldeep, Dilshad Chandosi and Somveer and Sufian Pehalwaan (Muzaffarnagar) and Sachin ended in a draw.

The ‘dangal’ (mud wrestling) is held every year on Eid-ul-Fitr, said organiser Irshad Khalifa.