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Work on at snail’s pace, officials fume
State finds a friendly neighbour in Uttar Pradesh
Paragliding takes off in U’khand
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Making good music, motivating talented people his mission
ONGC provides uniforms to traffic volunteers
Yuva Sangeet Seminar
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Work on at snail’s pace, officials fume
Haridwar, September 27 But the crux of all review and supervisory meetings is just boiling down to fine-tuning and reprimanding officials on the slow and inefficient working by the concerned agencies which are dealing with the Kumbh-related developmental works and projects.
The Kumbh administration has sent proposals worth only Rs 250 crore to the government while the state government has sanctioned Rs 350 crore already. So far, only Rs 183 crore have been spent on Kumbh works and projects and approximately Rs 400 crore is yet to be utilised. This speaks volumes about the slow progress of the projects.
The lackadaisical attitude and working of various departments and agencies has invited flak not only from the Mela Officer and other top officials of the state but also from Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal
Nishank.
Recently, Nishank on an impromptu inspection of the works got so furious that he had, on the spot, dismissed top executive engineers of three departments. He also ordered review of the Kumbh work on daily and fortnightly basis to Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik and Chief Secretary Subash Kumar. The pressure from the public, CM and cabinet ministers seems to have worked and the mela administration appears to have geared itself for the task. It has upped the monitoring and speed of the works. Specially designated Mela Officer for the Mahakumbh, Anand Vardhan, has also warned the departments on their lackadaisical attitude and the slow progress of the works. He was quite annoyed at the Public Works Department and Peyjal Nigam’s working. He has directed officers of both departments to take the matter seriously. He even reprimanded them for not paying heed to the problems being faced by residents due to the slow, unending and spread-out work being carried out by these departments. In a field inspection of various places like the Shankaracharya Chowk, Kankhal, Pantdeep Highway, RTO Chowk, Bharat Mata Mandir, Doodhadhari Chowk, Bhimgoda and other Kumbh project sites, the Mela Officer found slow and scattered work being carried out that was causing problems to residents in commuting. Vardhan has directed the concerned nodal officers to work day and night to ensure timely completion of the projects. Similarly, Urban Development Secretary Anoop Badhawan in a review meeting expressed unhappiness over the slow and pending works being carried by various departments specially the PWD and Water Corporation. When the PWD asked Badhawan to extend the deadline for the completion of the works, the secretary replied in negative saying that already too much delay had taken place and there was no time left to further the deadline (October 31). He also directed various departments to work in tandem so that as the works get completed on time. Yesterday, Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Subash Kumar reviewed Kumbh-related works in a meeting at CCR Tower in the city. He, too, was quite annoyed at the slow pace of works and during the on-site inspection, scolded concerned nodal officers for the condition of work being carried out. Subash Kumar was in charge of the Ardh Kumbh in 1998 as Commissioner. He specifically lashed out at the PWD, Municipal Committee, Power Corporation, Irrigation Department, GPCB, Peyjal Nigam for not being serious towards their work. Diwakar Bhatt, Food and Supplies Minister, remarked, “There is indeed a delay. We have to keep an eye on the works. The public is facing a lot of problems due to the mismanaged and slow work being carried out in the 130 sq km Kumbh Mela area.” Questions are also being raised about the quality and material being used. Already, several completed works are showing signs of degradation. But with less than half the work done and the deadline just a month away, quality will have to take a backseat.
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State finds a friendly neighbour in Uttar Pradesh
Haridwar, September 27 To pass on its experience and help Uttarakhand in conducting the mega fair, Uttar Pradesh will be assisting the hill state administration in crime control, traffic management, transport services and health services. The Police Departments of both states will be coordinating in controlling crime with the sharing of intelligence. Besides, UP will provide extra police personnel during Mahakumbh. For easing the traffic flow in Uttarakhand, alternative routes are being marked by the Public Works Department of both states. Apart from this, UP Roadways will be operating special buses. An understanding on these points has been arrived at among Moradabad Commissioner Ram Surat Dubey, District Magistrate of Bijnore Rajmaulli, DM of Saharanpur Neeraj Shukla, SSP of Bijnore Raj Kumar and top officials of various departments of Uttarakhand. IG, Garhwal, MA Ganapathy and Mela Officer Anand Vardhan have expressed satisfaction over the support being provided by the neighbouring state. Uttar Pradesh also conducts Kumbh in Allahabad and so has much more experience in hosting the mega fair.
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Paragliding takes off in U’khand
Pitthoragarh, September 27 The number of tourists coming to Uttarakhand to participate in paragliding courses run by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and other private operators at various places in the state is on the rise. The paragliding course being run by the state Adventure Tourism Department in Pitthoragarh district is attracting a big number of tourists. “As we have just started, we conducted two batches of 40 participants from September 13 to 22 at the golf course near Pitthoragarh town,” said Ashok Bhandari, the trainer assigned by the department. The KMVN had started paragliding at Naukuchiatal in 1993. “We have located the spot that year with the help of experts and given it to private operators to conduct paragliding activities. It helped increase the flow of tourists in and around Nainital,” said Ashok Joshi, General Manager (Tourism), KMVN, Nainital. Started by the UP Tourism Department in 1994 with the help of Russian pilots, the sport was later adopted by the KMVN. “In Uttarakhand, congenial locations for paragliding are available at various places like Jaunsarbabar, Mundali Bugyal, Mussoorie in Dehradun region, Pawali Bugyal in Tehri Garhwal, Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakashi, Auli and Bedni in Chamoli, Bhanghal area in Pauri Garhwal, Sor Valley, Munisiyari and Khaliyatop in Pitthoragarh district and Naukuchiyatal and Khurpatal in Nainital and the entire Champawat valley,” said Shiv Panuli of Skysurfers who was the technical expert for KMVN when the nigam started the course in Kumaon. “The sport is dependent on thermal waves and can only be run either during May-June or from September to the first week of November,” said Yaswant Pokhariya, a private operator in Naukuchiatal. “We have more than four private operators in Naukuchiyatal where these activities are being run with the help of experts from Himachal Pradesh,” said Dinesh Gururani, Manager, adventure tourism, KMVN. Despite the success of paragliding in Kumaon, this activity has also received criticism. “This activity requires full rescue-and-relief arrangements in the sky and on the ground. Without training on rescue measures and full insurance cover to gliding tourists, the sport should not be permitted,” said Shiv Panuli. He said that paragliding above 300 feet could prove risky if these measures were not taken. Paragliding started in the USA but has made its presence felt in Europe. Vishnu Painuli took training at Pinine Hang Gliding Centre at Yorkshire, England, in 1991. He then introduced the sport in Uttarakhand that year after surveying locations at Naukuchiaya Tal, Mussoorie and Pitthoragarh. “Until we organise an international event, we will not be able to make this sport popular in Uttarakhand,” said Vishnu Painuli, a consultant and paragliding expert. It was he who, in 1991, unveiled a glider from Japan. Later, the sport took off in Himachal Pradesh and Manali and Mandi became known as international paragliding spots. But precautions are not being taken in Himachal either. Permits for paragliding are given on the lines of taxi permits. “The activity is not conducted under expert control. Last year, more than 100 gliders crowed in the sky without expert guidance resulting several accidents and deaths,” said Shiv Painuli.
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Making good music, motivating talented people his mission
Dehradun, September 27 Vineet Panchhi, who recently launched a hi-class sound recording studio, Audio Wagon, seriously wants to make some good music and motivate people who have talent, but due to lack of facilities switch careers or relocate to bigger cities. He is a product of St Joseph Academy and from school days started singing for local bands. But due to family pressure after competing schooling in 1991, he had to leave Dehradun. After selling shoes for Reebok and sound systems for Bose, he landed up in HR and headed many corporate companies. “I am totally passionate about my music and love listening to jazz, Western classical and rock. However, after working really hard to make a mark in the music industry, I came back to Dehradun, primarily as I wanted to promote music and give talented people a chance to excel. Also, as it’s my home town after gaining enough experience I always had plans to settle here,” informed Vineet. The studio is well equipped and if anyone has the knowledge of music as well passion to strive hard, the studio members are ready to work as a team and promote quality music. Vineet sings, write and composes and joining him in his efforts are Amit, who is a creative director, and Shashi, who is heading operations. “There’s no bar of age, culture or cast. The only thing which we look for is talent. On the basis of dedication and other factors, which make one a good performer, we are ready to invest and promote the person or groups through our contacts, which we have made over the years. Last year Narsinghgham, a local band of young boys, was given a chance to record purely as they have the spirit and right frame of mind for music,” said Vineet. While many bands have shifted to bigger cities, many are still trying to hard to grow in their hometown. But due to lack of knowledge and guidance, they easily gets disheartened. After heading various organisations, Vineet always wanted to get into music. He got an opportunity to give the sound track for the Bollywood movie, “Hello”, directed by Atul Agnihotri and gained popularity for being a witty Radio Jockey for Radio Mirchi station in Delhi. “Though people love party music, nowadays the craze for live music is again coming back in fashion. In Dehradun also there’s craze for music and due to lack of professionalism and guidance, talented people are unable to attain desired goals. Our team is here to provide that vision, guidance as well renting facilities so that people in the state look up to this profession with respect,” added Vineet. The future holds a plethora of opportunities for music lovers as well the masterminds of Audio Wagon. The response the studio received till now has been quite satisfactory and even has many projects in the pipeline. Moreover, in coming times the studio will also focus on animation and video aspects to provide more facilities and make this place a hub for creative excellence.
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ONGC provides uniforms to traffic volunteers
Dehradun, September 27 The uniform items included beret caps, peak caps, aprons, badges and belts. BC Nayak, Director General, Security, ONGC, felicitated the volunteers at the function. Nayak presented certificates and prizes to the volunteers who have made remarkable contribution during the implementation of the projects. MA Ganapathy, IG, Police, Garhwal Region, Abhinav Kumar, SSP, Dehradun, and Baij Nath, GM (HR), ONGC, also graced the function. Addressing the gathering of volunteers and police personnel, Nayak complimented the Traffic Police for launching the unique initiative of Traffic Friends and TEST involving the participation of the common public of Dehradun and instilling a sense of responsibility among school students to help the police in regulating the traffic of their own city. Earlier, Sweety Agarwal, ASP, Traffic, said people from all walks of life were participating in these projects.
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Yuva Sangeet Seminar
Dehradun, September 27 More than 20 students from various parts of the state participated and showcased their expertise in the genre of light music, folk and classical. The Sur Sangham institute came into existence in 1977, with the sole motive to nurture and provide a platform to talented singers in the country. The distinguished guest for the function were veteran musician Naushad Malik of Saharanpur, Saroj Saini, former Principal of Gururam Rai Inter College, a connoisseur of classical music, and Dr Hemlata Saxena, a known singer of the town. The competition was divided into junior and senior groups, where the age group for juniors was 11-19, for seniors 20-28. “The state has a lot of potential for music and Akhil Bhartitya Sur Sangham is here to promote good music. Moreover, Snehsheel, a social and cultural group from Dehradun, also helps students who have talent to achieve their goals,” said Dr Mamta Singh, convener Snehsheel. After the state-level competition, the national-level Sur Sangham competition will be held in Mumbai, giving opportunity to the top two state-level participants to showcase their talent. The rest scoring 75 per cent are given certificates by the institute. “The winners in January 2010 will also get a chance to launch their music albums,” added Dr Mamta Singh. The programme concluded with guests appreciating the efforts of the participants. In the junior section in the category of light music, the first position was bagged by Shivangi Kala, the second by Lakshmi and the third by Abha Rawat. In the seniors section in the category of light music the first position was bagged by Anant Shah, the second by Mahendra Singh and the third by Sashant Pandit. From western Uttar Pradesh in the juniors section, Kavita Chauhan bagged the first position.
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With barely three months left for the start of the century’s first Maha Kumbh that will be the world’s greatest conglomeration of people at
Haridwar
After adventure sports like mountaineering, river rafting and mountain trekking, now it is hang gliding and paragliding that are fast catching up with adventure tourism enthusiasts in
Uttarakhand.
Dehradun, September 27
