Dehradun, October 16
It is out in the open that for making a few quick bucks, unscrupulous elements are ready to play with our health and usually festivals are the right time to try out their dangerous games, especially when the incredulous public is in a celebration mood and has lowered its guard.

Before you help yourself to a plate of sweets this season, take a hard look at the products before you. The attractive-looking rasgullas or the milk cake tantalisingly placed in the neighbourhood shop may contain detergent or adulterated ‘khoya’.

The authorities have seized several quintals of adulterated milk products in the past week indicating that an elaborate racket is operating in the state.

Uttarakhand has become a fit market for all sorts of adulterated food items that arrive from the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

If the recent raids are any indication, then the health authorities have seized large quantities of dried milk and sweetmeats in the past couple of days from vehicles coming from Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Saharanpur.

The looks of brightly coloured sweetmeats are deceptive, say experts. The brighter the sweets, the more dangerous elements they contain.

“As the base of most sweets is hardened milk, it is bound to be adulterated. Chemicals, synthetic colours and a bit of pure ghee were also put to give the ‘khoya’ the right colour and scent and to avoid suspicion,” said GC Kandpal, Chief Food Inspector.

Usually, thickened milk is used to make khoya, but the dairies from where the products are procured have suspect credentials.

Milk powder, wheat flour, semolina and vegetable oil are added to thicken the product. The ‘mawa’ is sold at Rs 80 per kg in Uttarakhand while wholesalers sell good quality ‘mawa’ at Rs 80-Rs 200.

“Adulterated sweets are big business during the festival season as the consumption is high and the profit margin big. A kg of milk cake that one may buy for Rs 240 can be prepared for just Rs 75 using substandard ingredients,” stressed BS Jayara, Zonal Sanitary Officer.

Consuming adulterated sweets can invite serious health problems. “One could suffer from food poisoning or problems in the gastro-intestinal system such as vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

“If the milk is adulterated, one could develop several stomach complications,” said Dr KC Pant, senior physician, Doon Hospital.

The urea used to make contaminated ‘khoya’ and synthetic milk can affect the heart, liver and kidneys. Adulterated oil used in sweets can cause dropsy. Synthetic colours can lead to diarrhoea or even paralysis and cancer.

Senior physician Dr SD Joshi said that urea, detergent, substandard vegetable oil affect the kidney, intestine and liver. The products can give rise to serious ailments like chronic liver cirrhosis and chronic gastroenteritis.

Amid all the din, the proactive stance taken by the authorities of the Dehradun Corporation has not gone down well with the Vyapar Mandal Prakosht.

Its vice-president Umesh Agarwal created a ruckus along with other office-bearers and threatened to stage a bandh if the sampling exercise in the city was not stopped.

Officers said that it is the turpitude shown by vested interests that do not allow campaigns to go on successfully.

“There should be zero tolerance for adulterated food and on festivals, the authorites should be extended all support,” said Dr Brijmohan Sharma, secretary, Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS), that has undertaken several studies on adulterated food.

Pitthoragarh, October 16
As markets are jam-packed with goods for Diwali decoration, in Kumaon the traditional Diwali celebration is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Diwali celebrations that started in the Kumoan region in the medieval era with a tradition of “Ramleela” and “Rasleela” has now come of age.

With growing prosperity in the town of Kumaon, the Diwali celebrations are marked by electric decoration, a variety of sweets and crackers. But, in some far-flung villages this festival of lights is still celebrated in a traditional style.

The Kumaoni tradition of “alpana” and “aipan”, decorating homes with beautiful murals done by women, is still alive.

“On Diwali, women in Kumaon make the foot of Goddess Luxmi. The depiction of fingers and thumb with a point indicated of Goddess Luxmi is considered sacred,” said Kaushal Kishor Saxena of Almora, a culture writer and journalist.

Saxena explained that though the tradition of “aipan” is said to have came from Gujarat, it was visible in the traditions of Kumaon as well. “The ‘aipan’ is totally made by locally prepared material like rice flour and shop-stone powder and involved the art of fingers of a woman,” he added.

The people of Kumaon also celebrate Bari Diwali on the next day of “amawasya” and throw out the symbols of poverty from their houses and accepts the symbols of prosperity by decorating their live stocks. “On this day, the agrarian society in Kumaon decorate their bullocks, cows as symbol of prosperity.

“It also reflects the strength of our ancient agrarian society over the modern concept of Diwali,” said Padma Dutt Pant, a historian dealing in Kumaon culture.

With the growth of population and economic prosperity, the Kumaon people consume 10 times more volume of crackers than they used to do a decade ago.

“The total money spent on crackers last year touched near Rs 15-crore mark, which is likely to be more this year,” said TCS Dukhi, a Haldwani-based wholesale dealer of crackers.

“Overall, Diwali in the Kumaon region is a mixture of folk traditions of people who migrated from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal as well as traditions created by modern market forces over the years.

“In our folk depiction the images of “aipan” are reflected at Lakhudiyar and Farkanauli primitive sites, where ancient rock carvings are still visible,” said KK Saxena.

Pauri Garhwal, October 16
The beautiful hilly town of Pauri, divisional headquarters of Garhwal and home to Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, is the place to be during this festive season.

The otherwise sleepy town has lightened up for Diwali festive season and is a lively town abuzz activities related to Diwali.

With a majority of people, specially the youth, having gone out of the town in search of employment and studies, festivals such as Diwali and Holi provide them occasions to be with their families. These days a sudden rise in people rush and activity is being witnessed at bus station and markets here.

Traders’ association geared up for the occasion a week ago. All shops are beautifully decorated and with special permission from the municipality, their owners have extended stalls to deisplay their Diwali commodities.

“This is the season when Pauri’s market matches that of any other hill station’s and so we try on our part to add more glitter to it. Decoration, lighting and providing customers locally made things are some of our efforts in this direction,” said Rajendra Rawat, head of the Pauri 
Traders Association.

Specially Dhara Road, Upper Bazar and Agency Chowk are the place to actually enjoy the Diwali buzz and to shop. With the onset of winter season people clad in colourful winter garments and attire add more colour to the atmosphere.

Another aspect which makes Pauri market different is the communal harmony it presents. At lower bazar, commonly known as Butcher Gali, a majority of shops are owned by Muslims and yet they are the most thronged ones for puja items, crackers and other festival-related commodities. “These shops have been there for more than 100 years and comprised the main market in British rule. But, the communal brotherhood and abuzz in this market is still unmatchable,” remarked Yashpal Benaam, the legislator from Pauri.

With the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission reports and the town having a considerable number of central and state government employees, shopkeepers do brisk sales. From shops of gifts, garments, crackers, electricals to sweet shops, all are witnessing a great rush of customers. And after a hectic shopping, tea stalls and cafetaria are the most sought after places.

Though sky-rocketing prices seem to have burnt a hole in people’s pockets, it has not dented the Diwali spirit and euphoria.

“This is the season which we wait all the year, being at home with the family and friends. And shopping here in the Pauri market is something which is quite different and is a thing to cherish,”opined Penaz Jaidi, an engineering student who just got selected for a job with IT major Infosys.

Local people this time has another reason to celebrate Diwali with more spirit as Pauri is home town of present Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. After assuming charge as Chief Minister, this is his first Diwali. Owing to a hectic schedule, he will not be in the town on this festive occasion. But, old-timers recall the way with which Dr Nishank used to greet people on this occasion.

“When Nishank ji had won for a third time consecutively as legislator, it was just like Diwali atmosphere for every local resident. We, as neighbours, always felt proud of his achievements. He has his own way of celebrating Diwali, less of show and crackers and more of warmth and greeting people personally,” recalled Saukar Singh Rawat, an advocate and neighbour of Nishank.

Dehradun, October 16
With gaiety and zeal, Kasiga School celebrated its 2nd founder’s day here on Thursday. The celebrations began with the fete, which had array of food stalls and game stalls inviting students to join the mega event.

On the behest of parents, there was an exciting cricket match between the Kasiga School Cricket Team and the Parents Team. Later, the colourful evening started with a representation of the cultural programmes.

The school choir evoked the blessings of the God and charged up everyone to rejoice amid beautiful surroundings of Kasiga. Reports on various facets of the school, be it academic, boarding, sports, inter-school competitions and food were read out by the students.

Chief guest Vineet Joshi IAS, chairman and secretary, CBSE, awarded prizes to meritorious students for excellence in academics. T

om Alter - an eminent theatre personality, Dr Sadhana Parashar, education officer, CBSE, and Meenakshi Jain, CBSE, graced the occasion with their presence. The chairman of Kasiga School, Ramesh Batta, was also present, guiding the guest and parents about the vision of Kasiga, an international-level boarding school providing all facilities for the holistic development of the students.

Addressing the gathering, Vineet Joshi stressed that the objective of education was to mould human beings who could contribute to the society and the nation and also gave a brief introduction about the new grading system under CBSE.

“Regular Assessments drive education, and that is what motivates and instill faith in parents. But, as time is changing education must also change. The whole process of the education needs to be revisited with skills like creative thinking and critical thinking so that core issues pertaining to education system can come to forefront,” he said.

A kathak performance was presented with a bhajan on Lord Rama. This was followed by the rhythmic beats of tabla presenting two kaidas, teen-taal followed by tukras and concluded with thihai. Vikramaditya’s melodious voice mesmerised the audience with a classical song in raag yaman. An English play titled “While the Auto Waits” by O Henry was enacted by the senior students of the School, also enthralled the audience. With the advancement in information and technology, the captivity of the mobile in everyone’s life was represented in a convincing manner through a mime by the boarders of Kasiga School.

The highlight of the occasion was a ballet titled “Bhakti”, where hundred Kasigans unfolded the preaching of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Tulsi Das, Surdas, Kabir, Meera, Guru Nanak and Mohd Chisti.

The function concluded with Sandeep Chhabra, principal of Kasiga School appreciating the commendable performance put up by the staff and students of the school. 

Dehradun, October 16
On World Food Day today Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised an awareness programme at Him Jyoti Foundation School.

Rs 36,000 was donated on the occasion. CII chairman, Uttarakhand state council, Rakesh Oberai, urged the industry to gave a fairer chance to the hungry children whose lives were still blighted by malnutrition.

Students of school also staged a cultural programme.

JC Pant, president of the school said children were our most treasured gifts and by meeting the physical, emotional, educational and nutritional needs of our children we were investing in hope for our future.

Dehradun, October 16
An orientation programme on continuous comprehensive evaluation (CCE) was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education on Scholar’s Home School premises here today.

Presided by Vineet Joshi, chairman and secretary of CBSE, Delhi, and education officer CBSE, Delhi, Dr Sadhana Parashar. The programme was attended by principals of 72 school from all over the state.

With a vision to decrease the increasing level of stress as well fear due to board exams, the CBSE on a consensus basis has come with a reliable system of school-based evaluation.

The evaluation pertains to a holistic assessment of a leaner, which also includes co-scholastic area of life skills, attitudes and values, sports and games as well as co-curricular activities.

However, to aware principals about this new methodology, the key points were discussed at the programme.

According to this path-breaking system of evaluation, along with assessments of class IX and class X on scholastic and co-scholastic areas of school education, no child will be declared pass or fail as for two years.

The students will be graded on a nine point scale, eventually decreasing stress and eliminating unhealthy cut throat competition, which will lead to a better learning environment. Discussing the new system of continuous and comprehensive evaluation, Scholar’s Home School principal Chhaya Khanna said, “Today we all have gathered to discuss the fundamentals of this new plan.

“For this year students of class IX will evaluated on a grade system, whereas from next year onwards students of class X will also be graded so that in future students don’t end up being self critical, dropouts rates will be reduced and a holistic development in terms of a true sense will be achieved.

“We are still in the initial stage, but we are positive that this will definitely favour students as well as parents.”

Dr Parashar, in detail, on a projector, explained the basis of the plan as well answered the queries of the principals. After the briefing programme, teacher-training workshops will be conducted simultaneously from October 2009 onwards.

These training workshops will be compulsory for the heads of schools and two teacher representatives and further information details will be available on the CBSE’s website.

“I feel that this grading system will definitely reduce the stress and will enable students, parents and teachers to make an informed choice about subjects in class IX and also encourage a friendly environment rather than a fearful situation,” said Tanu Nayal, Principal, Him Jyoti School, Dehradun.

“Coming together under one platform and discussing ideas is a very nice way to introduce this plan. It would also spread awareness in a better fashion,” said P Mega, principal of Johnson School, Harbatpur. In the later hours, chairman and secretary CBSE explained the core reasons for introducing this plan and said the CBSE was committed to the enhancement of quality in school education.

It planed to empower schools to assess the students without compromising on any quality parameter and asserted that parents should be informed to create awareness. 

Dehradun, October 16
Sub-inspector Hemant Semwal, constable Sunita Rana and constable Nisha Rana did the state proud by winning silver medal in the air-pistol event at the 3rd All-India Shooting Championship organised in Jalandhar on October 10.

In all 22 teams from across the country participated in the competition. The Uttarakhand Police team secured the second spot at the competition. The team is also expected to participate in the upcoming national shooting competition to be held in Jalandar.

Uttarakhand DGP today met the winners and congratulated them for their achievement. He had earlier announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000 as a reward for the winners.

Roorkee, October 16
Pratibha of Arya Kanya Inter-College bagged the first position in the 5000m race in the senior category while Aarti of Government College, Imli Khera, finished second in the ninth Block-Level Athletics Meet that concluded at GIC here last evening.

In the 100m race in the primary category, Javed emerged champion. Salman and Haseen took second and third spots, respectively.

Earlier, the students of Methodist Girls Inter-College presented a dance performance.

The chief guest, Suresh Jain, MLA, Roorkee, distributed the prizes among the winners.

Other prominent persons present on the occasion included Prithvi Singh, 
former minister.

Results: Senior category: 5000m: 1 Pratibha (Arya Kanya Inter College), 2 Aarti (Government Inter-College, Imli Khera).

Long jump: 1 Farhana (SDPC), 2 Anjul Arora.

High jump: 1 Mony, 2 Farhana, 3 Arsh Jahan.

Sub-junior category: 400 m race: 1 Shalu, 2 Sonali Tyagi, 3 Mamta.

Long jump: 1 Mohsin, 2 Manit, 3 Gulbahar

Junior category: 3000m race: 1 Sunil, 2 Arun Pal, 3 Monu Pal.

Long jump: 1 Gul Fashan, 2 Vaishali.

Primary category: 100m race: 1 Javed, 2 Salman, 3 Haseen.

200m race: 1 Reshma, 2 Swati, 3 Sahista. 

Dehradun, October 16
Even a superb innings by Dhanaja failed to save Employee XI from defeat at the hands of ONGC Invitation XI during a festival cricket match played here today. Employee XI lost the match by 13 runs.

Batting first, ONGC openers gave their team a flying start to pile a score of 92 runs in the allotted 12 overs. Subhant Vats and Anil Vijay smashed Employees XI bowlers all over the ground.

Subhant Vats made 12 runs hitting two fours. Anil played an important innings of 24 runs smashing four fours. In the middle order, Rawat made a valuable contribution of 15 runs.

For Employee XI, Amrender was the lone wicket-taker. He picked up a wicket.

Chasing a target of 93 runs, Employee XI could only manage to score 79 runs. Tight line and length bowling by ONGC XI gave Employee XI batsman little scoring opportunity. Dhanaja was the only batsman who showed some resistance and smashed 39 runs, hitting five fours and two sixes.

Dehradun, October 16
Abhishek Bhandari created a new record at a school marathon for seniors held at The Heritage School today. He covered a distance of 5 km in a record time of 22 minutes, smashing the earlier record by three minutes. Shivalik House won the overall trophy whereas Saagwarn House won the runners-up trophy.

Kuber Singh stood second in the seniors with the timing of 24 minutes and Sidharth Sundriyal secured the third sport clocking a time of 25 minutes.

In senior-girls category, Gitika Arora emerged winner whereas Shradha Jain won silver and Naina Singh had to satisfy with bronze.

In the class VI-VII section, Gaurav gave a golden performance while Aditya Semwal was placed second and Gaurav Uniyal third. Among girls, Varshnave won gold, Shalim Pandey settled for silver and Mamta Rawat was placed at the third spot for bronze.

In class IV-V section, Vaibhav Dandriyal clinched gold, Shivam Chetre silver and Shaurya Trimurti was placed third spot with bronze. Karnika Chaudhary occupied the first sport among girls, Akanksha Joshi second and Vidhushi Rana got the third place.

Dehradun, October 16
With schools taking the initiative to promote football among girls, the District Football Association too is not lacking behind. The Dehradun District Football Association is expected to hold a football tournament for girls soon.

The third international football camp for girls concluded in Dehradun recently. The camp focused on improving the girls’ technique, dribbling and their ball-controlling skills.

The objective of the camp was to make them learn simple drills and help children use them as a series of steps during a game.

After seeing the enthusiasm among girls, the District Football Association members are determined to organise a football competition for girls, which they had earlier thought of.

Secretary of the association, Divender Bisht said, “Some schools and a few clubs of Dehradun have constantly been working at the grassroots level to promote football among girls.

“As a result, many girls have taken to this sport. Seeing them participate, we have decided to organise a football tournament for girls”.

“We already had detail discussions over this earlier, but we were a little uncertain about the girls’ participation. But schools like Unison, Hopetown and Doon Global are constantly working to promote football among girls.

“Vijay Cantt and Cantt Blues clubs are doing a great work in promoting football among girls, with 25 to 30 girls getting training at these clubs,” asserted Bisht.

The competition is expected to give girls a much-needed platform to perform and showcase their talent. At present, there is no football competition for them. With the association taking the initiative, it could well be a silver lining in the clouds for girls football. 

Dehradun, October 16
Marigold, which flowers in this time, is the most-sought-after flower during Diwali. The marigold cultivated on the outskirts of Dehradun has been of great help in fulfilling the floral requirement during festive season. But the drop in the quantity of rains in Dehradun and adjoining areas this year has led to a drastic fall in its production and forced the wholesale flower-seller to look for markets in other cities to meet their requirement.

A day ahead of the Diwali, marigold had already touched Rs 80 per kg. This is expected to shoot up on Saturday. Most marigold in Dehradun arrives from Indore and Jaipur.

Used for making garlands during the festive season, marigold flowers owe their religious significance to Hindu texts. Like elsewhere, the demand for these bright yellow flowers picks up phenomenally in Dehradun at the onset of Navratras.

This demand reaches its peak during Diwali when it is used for the worship of the presiding deity Goddess Lakshmi.

The flowering time for marigold coincides with Diwali but this year, marigold has failed to flower so far due to the lack of rains.

“As a result, we are totally dependent on marigold flowers from other cities as the supply from Dehradun is almost nil,” said Nitin Goel, a Dehradun-based wholesale marigold flower-seller.

Ram Vinay, a small local marigold flower seller who purchases flowers from local farmers and sells it to customers, had to shell out Rs 6,000 this year for marigolds growing on 1.5 bighas.

“The cost has risen sharply as the output is little in the fields of Dehradun and the farmers are seeking higher prices,” said Ram Vinay, who after making garlands from these marigold flowers, is hoping to make up for the loss.

There are no estimates on the quantity of flowers consumed per day during festivals. But as many as big and small shops numbering around a 100 sell marigold flowers during the season and as per a rough estimate, the consumption of marigold in Dehradun is around 25 quintals per day during Diwali.

Florists here certainly find it challenging to meet the marigold demand during the Festival of Lights.

Sushil, a well-known stockist of marigold in Dehradun, has a sale of 10 quintals. "We are hardly able to meet the demand," said Sushil, who has been in the business of selling flowers, particularly marigold, and operates his shop from Bhandari Chowk for the past two decades.

Interestingly, some marigold sellers look to Kolkata marigold for its unique qualities. It lasts longer and has greater aesthetic appeal as it is uniform in size.

But flowers from Kolkata have so far failed to hit the Dehradun market in substantial numbers this year.

However, florists maintain that Dehradun marigold too is of high quality. But they argue that the flowers certainly are not in the priority list of local farmers due to the absence of government support.

“There is no mandi for flowers in Dehradun. We are totally dependent on outside cities to get our daily flower supply,” said Bharat of Charan Das Phool Wale fame.

He asserts that a lot needs to be done for cultivation of flowers at the 
local level.

"There have been isolated efforts to promote cultivation of marigold at the local level but so far, these have failed to yield results," he said.

The State Horticulture Department’s efforts have been in the promotion of cultivation of cut flowers and those that are high in demand overseas.

But the common man’s flower i.e. marigold has not been given much importance by the state horticulturalists, despite it being a flower of medicinal value.

To make matter worse, fewer rains this year have further affected the produce which could act as a discouraging factor for the future.