Haridwar, November 20
Though a number of shopping malls and big retail outlets have opened in cities, street vendors have an important role to play and are a viable option for common people.

Acknowledging this fact, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat has termed street vendors and small-scale traders as equivalent to the lifeline of trade. Speaking at a national convention of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASI) in New Delhi recently, Rawat advocated the survival of the street vendors.

Highlighting their importance, he said: “They (street vendors) provide basic things at affordable prices and at your doorstep, making them an essential part of daily lives 
of people”.

He further added for the street vendors and small-scale industries, a separate labour board would be constituted, which will specifically deal with them.

Pointing towards the street vendors in Uttarakhand, the minister urged the state government to earmark and survey hawking and vending zones so that their livelihood didn’t get affected due to the prevalent mall culture and they ddidn’t have to encroach on government land.

Uttarakhand was represented by Sanjay Chopra, president of the Uttarakhand Small Scale Traders Association, at the convention. “We apprised central ministers and officers present at the convention of the state of small-scale vendors in Uttarakhand. The state government is discriminating against us by not following the National Policy-2009 and this is creating unrest among us,” said Chopra.

At the convention, a CD generating awareness about the small-scale vendors and hawkers was released by Union Minister for Child and Development Krishna Teerath. He said for the rehabilitation of the street vendors, funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission would be utilised and also a part of this would be spent on their education. The national convention was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit.

Dehradun, November 20
Even though the Horticulture Department claims to provide many schemes to farmers involved in honey trade, beekeepers complaint of insufficient contribution of funds and trainings from the government’s side in the state.

The little involvement of government bodies into the honey trade has left the beekeepers in despair.

Trilok Bisht, an indigenous beekeeper, said, “Slowly and steadily, the honey trade is picking up in India. Honey manufactured is in a great demand. If taken as profession, it can fetch a farmer with sufficient income. We are not receiving government’s full support as directed in the schemes introduced by the Horticulture Department”.

Baghbaan Gramudhyog Samiti president Kala Bisht said, “The trade is similar to share market, If not taken care of properly, can bring loss in the business. Schemes introduced by the government haven’t been implemented effectively. Proper training to pollination, nectar collection, breeding and packaging are required for successful business. The government has announced 50 per cent subsidies to the traders, but the fact remains that more than 80 per cent is our input.”

“We request the state government bodies to provide assistance and other aids for the cultivation. Practical training of beekeeping is as important as the theoretical training,” she added.

Senior horticulture inspector Dayashankar Sharma denied the complaints of the indigenous beekeepers. He quoted, “Under the scheme of honeybee development by the department a farmer is offered fund of Rs 800 for every colony of beekeeping box. They also provide beekeeping training for one month for Rs 600 only.” 

Nainital, November 20
Urban local bodies in the state have been asked to come up with a plan for solid-waste management by the end of the year.

The emphasis is on the development of scientific landfill clusters for a group of urban local bodies so that the disposal of waste can be done in a managed way.

Stating this, Anup Badhawan, Secretary, Urban Development, said here yesterday that the municipal bodies should have inter-ward and inter-district competitions in maintaining cleanliness in their respective areas.

He said, “Five to six bodies can come together to develop a scientific landfill cluster. The union government, through the Ministry of Urban Development, is ready to help us in this effort. All that is required is a comprehensive effort on the part of local bodies.”

He was one of the participants in a workshop on orientation of urban local bodies that focused on municipal solid waste, city sanitation plan and public-private partnership. The workshop was a part of the execution process of a waste-management plan being funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Uttarakhand.

S Raju, Commissioner, Kumaon, said as per the directions of the Supreme Court, urban local bodies cannot escape their responsibility when it comes to solid-waste management.

“Cleanliness has always been one of the most important elements of the local administration. People have always remembered those officials and public representatives who made efforts to maintain cleanliness in their respective towns and cities,” he said while pointing out that the stark difference between India and the Western world is that of cleanliness.

Asking participants from various local bodies to encourage public participation, he said, “India has always had the tradition of encouraging public participation in decision making, something institutions like the World Bank and the ADB are talking of now.”

Recalling the problems faced by the administration in cleaning the Nainital lake and starting a proper waste-management project in the town, he said, “People start participating in the efforts once they understand that what is being done is in their favour.”

He also said that a planned effort in solid-waste management also generates employment for a set of people.

Mukesh Joshi, Chairman, Nainital Nagarpalika Parishad, asserted that public representatives have a very important role to play in ensuring that the place they represent is clean and is noticed for its cleanliness.

He said that instead of complaining about lack of funds and resources, public representatives should come up with innovative measures to make such projects a success.

Meera Mathur, a consultant involved in the execution of the project in Uttarakhand, said, “There are two aspects of this exercise. One is capacity building which is being done at our level through such workshops and other procedures. The second is spreading awareness in which even the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be involved.”

She said the workshop held here was just the beginning of a familiarisation exercise for the representatives of urban local bodies.

Dehradun, November 20
The Uttarakhand Health Department has undertaken renewal and upgrade of the 77-year-old state health manual, for which a work shop was organised yesterday at the Director General Health office.

The exercise, first of it’s kind in the country, was undertaken by the Academy of Management Studies that has developed the manual as a ready reckoner.

The process comprised of compilation and collection of existing rules and regulations. “The manual was enacted by United Province in 1932 as such it was unable to fulfil the present day requirements. “We have undertaken compilation and collection of existing rules made from time to time in keeping with the existing health needs. The provisions and duties made up of the State Mental Authority would also be included in the manual,” said Dr Subodh Maithani, a member of the team.

It is believed that the government would also come out with an order regarding new rules and regulations that also talk of convergence between the police, health and the Social Welfare Department.

“This manual will be of immense help for the doctors, laymen and health functionaries and will contain health programmes being run by the state rules and regulations pertaining to the health like food adulteration and water,” said Dr CP Arya, DG (Health).

The manual would be out in March 2010 and it took seven months to prepare the draft manual. At the workshop, the draft manual was shared with the participants comprising of Principal Secretary (Health) Keshaw Desi Raju, CMOs of district hospitals, programme heads and others. The workshop was held under the aegis of the National Rural Health Mission and Uttarakhand Health Directorate. 

Nainital, November 20
Stating that it is being used to harass the minorities, senior Congress leader Dhirendra Pratap has demanded suitable amendments to the Cow Protection Act passed by the Uttarakhand state assembly in 2007.

Alleging that a large number of Muslims who have come for sale and purchase of cattle at Mohaan Cattle Fair are being harassed by the police, right wing Hindutva elements and the contractors, Pratap staged a Dharna in Ramnagar today.

“The Act has to be amended so that its misuse can be stopped and the very purpose for its legislation is achieved,” he said.

The Act was passed in place of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, which had been adapted by the state after its formation in November 2000. As per its provisions, a ban had been imposed on the slaughter of cow and its progeny except the animals, which are diseased or injured. Anyone found guilty of the offence can invite rigorous imprisonment for a term between three to 10 years, apart from a minimum fine of Rs 5,000 which can go up to Rs 10,000.

Even for the slaughter of diseased or injured cows, a certificate has to be obtained from the local veterinary officer.

The Mohaan Cattle Fair that has been going on for decades has become a contentious event with right wing Hindu activists calling for its closure alleging that it is resulting in slaughter of oxen that are traded.

Pratap and his supporters have been accusing the former of harassing minorities while making such allegations.

He claims that for the people of adjoining plains of Uttar Pradesh in particular, the fair is an occasion to sell their old pairs of bullocks for new ones.

He has been stating that while these people are on their way back they are being stopped by the police as well as those in the act of moral policing and are being harassed. The fair started on October 28.

Pratap said several people had been arrested and their animals seized.

He also charged the police with threatening the minorities.

Haridwar, November 20
The truly made in India fabric ‘khadi’ has been made trendier with little innovation in sync with today’s style and fashion. The young designers and models showcased khadi dresses with élan and got rave reviews from the fashionista’s and the audience at the final day of the Mahotsava.

The five-day Mahotsava was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary Subash Kumar in presence of Vice-Chancellor Gurukul University Swatantra Kumar and Prof Mahavir Aggarwal of Uttarakhand Sanskrit University.

Khadi’s relevance in today’s time was demonstrated giving the wear an ultra modern look and making it wearable in all aspects of life whether it is formal, casual or evening wear.

Dresses were available for all age groups and the innovative designs keeping in mind the acceptability in the modern times was the key aspect of the khadi show.

“This is a good sign that youths are themselves interested in khadi and the way they displayed their creations with passion is ample proof that designers believe in what they have presented,” said Deepa Joshi, Director of ND Tiwari Youth Hostel.

Children also wore khadi dresses essaying Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

The exhibition also drew major crowd and prospective buyers. People were quite impressed with the designs and the innovative styles and embroidery done on these dresses apart from their wear ability in sync with current times. 

Rishikesh, November 20
India’s Vedas are the source of information to almost everything ranging from spirituality, language, engineering, science, technology, medical therapies, judicial system, economics, research, religion, culture, education and universe on the whole.

These were the views of Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev who was speaking at the inauguration of the International Ved Convention at Gurukul Kangri University here today.

Addressing the massive turnout of Ved experts and scholars from around the country, Swami Ramdev urged one and all to follow the Vedas for solutions to personal and global problems.

He also added, “If by reading four Vedas and 18 Smritiyas one doesn’t get acquaint with one’s inner conscience then reading of it’s useless”.

Speaking as a special guest Bharat Mata Mandir founder Shankaracharya Swami Satya Mitranand Ji Maharaj said till date if India is known for its culture, tradition and integrity its only due to Veds.

Referring to Swami Dayanands’s martyrdom he said that only those can bring revolution in society who has the guts to take difficulties in their stride.

Hosting Gurukul Kangri University Vice-Chancellor Professor Swatantra Kumar referred to Swami Dayanand’s slogan of ‘Ved-Book of all Truths’. He said that science and technical education is in full form in Vedas and referred to his interaction with former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. “APJ Kalam himself recited Ved mantras and then I once again felt the superiority of Vedas and if we have to become world leader then its imperative to follow the path as treaded by the Vedas” said the VC. 

Nainital, November 20
SSB-trained guerrillas have launched an agitation in various districts of Kumaon alleging that they have been cheated by the central government.

The guerrillas have been holding marches and sitting on dharnas in various district headquarters of the region demanding pension for the aged and absorption of the younger among them in paramilitary forces. They are also seeking that widows of dead guerrillas be given pension for their sustenance.

“They should give us proper employment like they have done in the North-East. If they were not going to enrol us for any stable job, why did they train us? We continue to depend on agriculture for our sustenance and have lots of problems in making ends meet,” says Madan Singh from Paharpani while sitting on a dharna in Nainital.

After the 1962 war with China, the SSB had been constituted and asked to train bands of young men from villages on the borders. These men were supposed to be used for gathering intelligence on the developments on the borders.

“After 15-day induction programme run by the Pradesh Armed Constabulary, we were trained at Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh for 45 days. The training included various physical exercise routines, along with handling of weapons like rifles and light machine guns,” said another guerrilla.

Bhuvan Chand Joshi of Koat village in Ranikhet said, “There are about 14,000 of us in Uttarakhand alone.

We have put forward our case before the Home Ministry also and are awaiting their response. If they do not pay any attention to our genuine demands, we will intensify our agitation. My two daughters are also trained guerrillas. All of us feel cheated.”