Dehradun, October 31
Not long ago, the organic certification market was captured by international players. An upstart, the Uttaranchal State Organic Certification Agency (USOCA), changed all that in 2005. Now firmly established, the agency is an one-stop shop for certification.

So much so, Liv-52 capsules, a herbal medicine known to cure liver-related disorders is awaiting organic certification by the Uttaranchal State Organic Certification Agency (USOCA), so also are a host of products (food and non-food) and resources that are being organically produced in the country. The USOCA is one-of-its-kind state government accreditation agency.

Now moving to the next level, the agency, which is directly linked to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is planning to bring the majority of rain-fed and high-altitude area under organic production.

At a training workshop for farmers and support groups organised today by the APEDA, the Certification Officer of USOCA, Himanand Semwal, said, “The fact that Uttarakhand was declared an organic state has been a big boost to farmers who are actively engaging with government agencies in converting their extensive fertiliser-dependent farming to organic.”

The areas popular for organic produce are Rajghari in Naugaon, Uttarkashi, Dhari Kafnol (Nain Bagh) in Uttarakashi, Hindolakhal in Tehri, Ramanagar and Kaladungi villages in Kumaon area.

The state government gives incentives to farmers by way of organising free training and awareness camps about the merits of organic farming. Indirect financial support is also given to the farming groups.

“Nowadays, it is financially viable to undertake organic farming. Farmers are aware of the ill-effects of chemical fertilisers. It reduces the fertility of the soil and is one major reason why more and farms are turning to organic farming, ” said Kirti Adhikari, a farmer from Bijnor who is into the third year of conversion from chemical to organic.

Along with her husband CM Adhikari, she is growing wheat, Basmati, sugarcane and ‘urad’ in 17.5 acres on the UP-Uttarakhand border.

In Dehradun, Dr BK Chaudhari has achieved the distinction of undertaking organic horticulture, floriculture and farming activities in Vikas Nagar area. “I have developed mango and apple orchards that have been organically certified,” he said.

A total of 54,351 farmers undertake organic farming in the state in 2,353 villages and the total area is 41,536 hectares.

The famous Himalaya Drugs Company farm in Clement Town area, Dehradun, too has an organic certification.

Saira Banu, a young farmer from Sahaspur, is the latest repository to the organic farming awareness camp. She is working in active collaboration with the USOCA to convert her land, which has been heavily sprayed with pesticides, into an organically manured one.

“In the few initial months, there was a problem related to production but it was resolved soon. Now, more and more farmers in my area are taking to organic farming,” she said.

Ramdana (amaranths), Basmati rice (Doon variety type-3), Taravadi (Haryana HBC-19), Pusa 1121 and a whole range of pulses including ‘rajma’, ‘urad’, horse gram and ‘nurangi’ have organic certification that is acceptable even in foreign countries.

In the wild collection, honey of Badri-Kedar region and Landsdowne region has also gained international prominence. The state is producing 600 tonne/annum of honey.

In the herbal category, ‘ashwagandha’, ‘sarpgandha’, ‘kutki’ and ‘brahmui’ too are organically produced in the state.

“A transaction certificate is required to sell organic products abroad and the APEDA is working in association with certification agencies to make the products popular. We need to educate farmers regarding the organic protocol as even a small dose of chemical fertiliser can upset the equation,” said Samidha Gupta, Assistant General Manager, APEDA.

She said that for addressing the traceability concerns shown by the importing countries, APEDA has developed a traceability system for organic products aimed at enhancing the credibility of India’s certification procedures. India exported 37,533 metric tonne of organic products in 2007-08.

RIMC cadets with their clay model in Dehradun. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun , October 31
For the first time, an inter-section hobby display competition was held at Rashtriya Indian Military College here today. Cadets participated in contests in clay modelling, art and painting, young Newtons and Alchemists.The competition was held to bring out overall development in the cadets and to test their creativity and skills. 

The hobbies were conducted during the weekends and the cadets were allowed to pursue their favourite ones.

After a stiff competition among different sections, the results were as follows:

In the clay modelling, the winners were Nimon Chakma and Akhilesh Gupta of Shiavji Section, closely followed by Piyush Deshmukh and Parth Indalkar of Pratap Section.

The third and fourth places went to Marshall 
and Tabish of Ranjit Section and Abhijit Baruah and Prem Kashyap of Chandragupta Section, respectively.

In the art competition, while eye-catching paintings by Bhojpal Shakya and Ashish Kapoor of Pratap Section were adjudged the best, Dinesh Yadav and Shibashish of Shivaji Section were runners up. The third and fourth places were secured by Abhishek and Daniel of Ranjit Section and Abhyuday Gupta and Shinjan of Chnadragupta Section, respectively.

In the inter-section young Newtons competition, Rakesh of Shivaji Section stood first while on the second position was Akshay of Chandragupta Section. The third place was won by Sabyasachi of Pratap Section. In the Alchemists competition, Abhijeet and Aditya of Chandragupta Section stood first while second position went to Hardaman and Hemant of Pratap Section. Abhilash and Rishikesh of Shivaji Section remained on the third position. In the photography competition, Chandragupta Section stood first. Individual prizes were given to Abhijeet Baruah (best photographer), Tonmay Baruah (best photo in flora and fauna), Sunesh Sudan (best photo in scenic beauty), Chetan Singhal (best photo in erstwhile to modern), Avinash Kumar (best photo of a nice moment of life).

Col H Dharmarajan, SM, Commandant, RIMC, congratulated the winners and said such competitions would enhance creativity among the cadets.

Tiny tots of Green Field School at the annual day celebrations in Dehradun. Tribune photo: Anil P Rawat

Dehradun October 31
Green Field School celebrated its 25th annual day, Indradhanush-09, yesterday in the school premises. Students presented cultural and dramatic performances on the occasion.The function commenced with the inauguration by chief guest Chhaya Khana, Principal of Scholars’ Home School. 

Cultural programme included dances, songs and skits. The fun-filled events captivated the audiences with their performances.

The celebrations began with Saraswati vandana by class VIII students directed by Sweety Sabharwal and Arti Bhatt. Snow White, the English play, was staged by Monica Pathak and Neha Tandon. Francis Samson, Mamta Nayal presented the English choir. The cultural programme included kathak performance by Prajwal Jaissi of Class VI. Hindi skit Shri Krishna Geeta Gyan was appreciated as young students performed the scenes of Geeta Gyan. Dandia dance by students of classes VI and VIII, Nepali song and dance musical skit of the Chipko movement were the other highlights. The chief guest appreciated the hard work put in by the students, teachers and Principal.

Dehradun, October 31
For the first time, under the aegis of the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), a training programme titled “The Student-Centred Education in Science” was organised on the premises of Unison World School here today. The CIE is the world’s largest provider of international qualification courses for age group of 14-19 years. It is a part of Cambridge Assessment Group, a non-profit organisation. Its qualification courses are recognised by universities and educational institutions across the world.

Aimed at enriching students’ experience of science, around 50 teachers from schools across North India participated in the seminar. Mark Winter Bottom, a lecturer in science at the University of Cambridge, led the event and helped participants devise new strategies in teaching science and engaging students in informative lessons. The student-centred approach to education focussed on the process of learning, shifting emphasis from teacher to the leaner. Students are required to play an active role in their own development and take more responsibility in learning, which is an ongoing process. However, realising the need of the hour, principals, teachers and parents are increasingly turning to the Cambridge IGCSE (board) as it encourages learning in the classroom while developing skills in analysis and evaluation.

The CIE’s regional manager, South Asia, Ian Chambers, said: “The interactive style of this seminar is typical of the student-centred approach, which underpins the Cambridge international curriculum. We are here so that teachers not just hear the latest educational research from the university of Cambridge, but also learn how to apply it in the classroom”.

Dehradun, October 31
The 15th annual sports and athletic meet of St Jude’s School was held here today. The event is known for displaying number of activities, after meticulous planning and constant support and supervision by Principal VR Gardner and Vice-Principal Michelle Nayar.The chief guest on this occasion was Inspector General of Police, Uttarakhand RS Meena.The sports meet started “Carnival- We are the world” followed by the opening march past.

A large gathering of parents along with guest and invitees from all over the city were present at the venue.

The relay race in the midst of cheering by the students enthralled the audience. However, the highlight of the event was Michael Jackson PT, a tribute to the great singing legend.

The event concluded with a beautiful grand finale, which invited lot of applause and admiration.

Addressing the gathering RS Meena, praised the school for organising such an entertaining event and appreciated the keen sportsman spirit showcased by all the participants.

While principal VR Gardner also thanked the chief guest for gracing the occasion and motivating the students. Lyoons House bagged the first position in the march past in the girl’s section and the second position was won by Khanna House.

Meanwhile, in the boy’s section first position was bagged by Gardner House and second by Khanna House.

The award for the most vibrant house was given to Lyoons House (winner) and Khanna House (runner’s up). However, the Athletic Cup was won by Khanna House with 248 points.

Dehradun, October 31
The annual sports event of Doon Valley Public School was organised here today. An array of skills were displayed by the students. All four houses of the school entertained the audience with their PT.

Giving a tough competition to the opponents, the first position was bagged by Shivalik House, with a theme on national integration. Following it was a race where the class II section participated. Along with Hariom, Samarth bagged the first position.

In the jalebi race defeating the rest was Khushi Limbu. Other events such as the balloon race, aerobics and musical chair were also no less in making the sports event a memorable one.

In the inter-house basketball tournament of girls, the best scorer award was bagged by Neha Bisht of Aravali House. While among the boys, Aatish Saini of Aravali house was on top. In the inter-house girls volleyball, Pawandeep Kaur of Shivalik House was the best player and in the boys’ team it was Aman Chhetri of Nilgiri House.

However, for the wonderful PT display Shivalik House came first amongst the rest three. In the march past, Aravali House came first. The best athlete prize in the girls group (middle section) went to Khusboo Busht and Srijana Rana. And in the boys’ (middle section) the first position went to Sachin and Umanathyadav. While in the senior section of the girls group, the award was bagged by Sneha Rana of Aravali House and in the boys’ Rahul Chauhan of Shivalik House.

In the inter-house athletic championship trophy, 2009, the first position was bagged by Shivalik House with 1681 points, runners’ up Vindhyanchal House with 1,478, Aravali House with 1,325 and last Nilgiri House with 1216 points. 

Dehradun, October 31
The Garhwal Sporting cruised into the final of the 9th Gautam Memorial Football Tournament underway at Pavilion Ground, here today. In the semifinal match, Garhwal Sporting team defeated Sunderwala Boys by 3-0.

Garhwal Sporting team played aggressive football right from the beginning, and gave Sunderwala Boys it's first jolt in the 9th minute of the match by scoring a goal through Abhishek. Garhwal Sporting team came close on scoring in the 12th minute of the match, but the ball missed the bar by inches.

Abhishek scored his second goal in the 21st minute of the match. Abhishek displayed a skillful play to score second goal for his team. After taking a 2-0 lead in the match Garhwal Sporting team gave little chance to Sunderwala Boys to make a come back in the match.

In the second half, Sunderwala team tried long-range shots in desperate attempts to open their account, but its forwards fail. On the other hand, Garhwal Sporting's Piyush pumped in another goal for his side to help his team take an invincible lead of 3-0 in the 57th minute of the match and register an easy win over Sunderwala team.