Dehradun, December 9
Creating a souvenir for Uttarakhand that inspires instant recall have yielded mixed results. With most handicrafts already associated with different states, the exclusivity exercise seems to be an elusive and a long-drawn one.

The state of Himachal Pradesh has Kullu shawls and caps as souvenirs with the famous Naga design, Assam has its popular cane furniture and so does Haryana and other states, leaving Uttarakhand with little else to claim as its own but to bank upon the wooden replicas of Badrinath, Kedarnath and Vishwanath temples.

Designed and developed under the initiative of the Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council, the beautiful wooden replicas of the temples have no doubt found favour with buyers, but their mass production is proving to be problematic.

“The non-availability of raw material, especially wood, is proving to be a dampener and we may not be able to scale it upward. At the moment, we are only fulfilling demand for special orders,” said SC Nautiyal, Additional Director, Industries.

The replicas are made mostly from a soft wood tree called ‘papri’ that grows at high altitude, but now, raw material from mulberry, eucalyptus, deodhar and red cedar are also being used.

The soft wood is difficult to get in the state and the ban on felling of trees too is posing a hindrance. It takes at least six to seven days to finish one wooden replica measuring one-and-a-half inch.

Uttarakhand craftsmen have been engaged in woodcraft since time immemorial, carving intricate woodwork for their houses called ‘tibaris’ and ‘chaukhats’.

Special centres were created at Uttarkashi and Srinagar to cater to the demands of wooden finished goods and handicrafts.

However in 1994, when Uttarakhand was still part of Uttar Pradesh, on the recommendation of the Mazumdar Committee report, the centres were shut, forcing the artisans to take up some other occupation.

However, after the creation of the state, efforts were made to revive the craft by the Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council (UHHD) in 2004 with an eye on the huge and untapped souvenir industry.

The production began in 2007. Now centres are functioning at Uttarkashi, Bhimtala and Sringar in Chamoli.

“The resurgence of the craft and the activity is proving to be cost-effective as the craftsmen are on the rolls of the UHHD. The raw material is procured by us through the Forest Depot.

“Initially, we began by making replicas measuring between four and five inches in height. Now, we have standardised it to one-and-a-half inches.

“It is both economical and easy to handle,” emphasised Nautiyal. The products are available at all Himadari Stores.

In the past, several agencies have tried their hand at creating a tangible object that could be associated with Uttarakhand, but none could come up with a clear differentiator - be it the woollen shawls, the organic rice, tea and even mineral water by the name of Ganga. None of these could create top-of-the-mind recall, as most states had already adopted them.

In terms of exclusivity, the UHHD has hit bull’s eye, but for the souvenirs to reach a large clientele, the problem of availability of raw materials has to be solved for which talks are on with the Forest Department.

Till then, the exclusive items can only find a place at the Governor’s house or at the mantel piece of a university don.

Nainital, December 9
As a pressure tactic aimed at pressurising their own state government to adhere to their demands, farmers from Uttar Pradesh (UP) have started bringing their sugarcane produce to Uttarakhand for selling it to sugar mills located here.

Farmers in UP are demanding that their state government pay them the same price as is being paid by its small neighbour. Last week the Uttarakhand government had decided to give the maximum state advised price (SAP) for sugarcane in the country. The state government had announced to give Rs 192 per quintal for the normal variety and Rs 197 per quintal for early varieties of sugarcane in the state.

On Sunday, dozens of agitating farmers from UP, who are affiliated to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), had gathered at Thakurdwara in Moradabad district on the Kashipur border and after having a panchayat, decided to proceed towards Uttarakhand.

While they held a powerful demonstration against the UP government at the border, more than a dozen farmers crashed through the state barrier of Uttarakhand on their tractor-trolleys. They went ahead to sell their produce at the Kashipur sugar mill.

The agitators were contesting that if there could be a uniform sugar price across the country, why should not there be a uniform price for sugarcane also.

They announced that their agitation would continue till the UP government accepted their demand. The agitators were led by BKU leader Chaudhary Harpal Singh.

The officials are viewing this action by the BKU as a symbolic move aimed at getting their demands accepted by the Mayawati-led UP government. Sugarcane Commission UD Choube told The Tribune, “This is a demonstrative action. Our mills get sugarcane for processing on account of the common distribution policy. The farmers are bound to give some part of their produce for common distribution while they are free to sell their remaining produce to anyone”.

Uttarakhand had announced the SAP last week after finding itself in a piquant situation as its neighbours had gone about announcing their SAPs.

The UP government announced Rs 160-170 per quintal while Haryana decided to give Rs 180-190 per quintal to its sugarcane farmers. Punjab announced Rs 175-180 per quintal, whereas Bihar had Rs 162 per quintal and Maharashtra Rs 165 per quintal as their SAP for sugarcane farmers.

Uttarakhand’s troubles had started after the Centre announced its fair and remunerative price (FRP) at Rs 129.84 per quintal. Already facing a decrease in its sugarcane cultivation, Uttarakhand found itself in catch-22 situation. The problem was compounded by the recent amendment in the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, that says that the difference between the FRP and the SAP of sugarcane has to be paid by the state government and not by sugar mills.

After the central government assured to bring in the necessary amendment, the state government, facing an acute financial crunch, had decided to announce its SAP.

Dehradun, December 9
It was Ustad Sabri Khan who first introduced the sarangi to the American audience in 1968, performing with Yehudi Menuhin and the Beatles.

Several years later and cut to the present and in the hands of his son, the instrument has taken an altogether different rhythm.

Called the Renaissance Man, Kamaal Sabri has infused energy and vivacity in the musical notes that emanate from the traditional instrument usually associated with somber occasions.

“Most people think that the sarangi is fit to be played on sad occasions. Whenever the head of the state passes away, it is these notes that we hear on state television and radio.

“It is this popular perception that I want to change,” said Kamaal Sabri.

He was speaking yesterday with The Tribune at the end of a concert organised at the Jaswant School by Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture (SPIC MACAY).

Representing the seventh generation of traditional musicians from the Senia Gharana of Rampur Moradabad, Kamaal Sabri has added a new dimension to the instrument befitting his generation by successfully fusing elements of classical musical and current trends in world music.

“My music has more vigour and energy with which the youth can easily relate to. One has to carry innovations to captivate and regain the interest of the audience.

“This is the only way that may kindle interest for the instrument,” explained Kamaal.

A brief exposure to the Western lifestyle during his five-year stay in Europe, where Kamaal played at night clubs and popular joints, casually adrift in the exuberance of youth at first had him longing for home.

“The realisation dawned on me that I needed to learn more and it was with these thoughts that I returned to India and began seriously learning music from my father and Guru Ustad Sabri Khan with whom I started playing at the age of five years,” said Kamaal.

His interest in the sarangi, which he says has the closest resemblance with pinakini veena (one-gut string), has also made him undertake research, “This research will culminate in a book, “Sarangi, Sarangi”, on which I am currently working. It will hit the stands next year,” said Kamaal.

Not unduly perturbed that more and more vocalists prefer the harmonium rather than the sarangi while performing, he said: “A vocalist cannot hope to get much help if goes out of tune, as the sarangi magnifies the flaws, while the harmonium can easily cover it”.

He has released two musical albums “Dance of the Desert” and “Sarangi Funk” and was also nominated for the Grammy Awards in 2006.

At the concert, Kamaal was accompanied by Shalender Mishra on the tabla. Mishra began his musical education at Sangeet Research Akademi, Kolkata. The jugalbandi by the duo floored the audience. In keeping with the occasion, Sabri sang the composition in Shudh Sarang Raga.

During the interactive session, the questions posed by students had the maestro explaining the nitty-gritty of music.

Dehradun, December 9
The gentlemen cadets of the passing out course December-09 excelling in various disciplines during their pre-commission training were awarded today at an award ceremony here at Khetarpal Auditorium of Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Lieut-Gen Rajinder Singh Sujlana AVSM, VSM Commandant, IMA, conferred the awards on gentleman cadets.

The gentlemen cadets are adjudged in individual as well as group activities, which are an essential component of military training.

GC Harshvardhan Pathak, who was awarded commandants cup for standing overall first in YO Cap, said this was the result of his hard work.

He is a native of Delhi. He had lost his father during his training in the National Defence Academy (NDA) and his mother is a housewife.

City boy GC Aditya Sharma, who excelled in various categories, said: “Being a Dehradun boy, I always had a fascination to join the IMA or the RIMC like others. This passion brought me here.” Sharma hails from Garhi Cantonment.

There were 18 cadets from friendly neighbouring countries who were conferred awards. Six from Bhutan, four from Sri Lanka, two each from Maldives and Nepal and one each from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Mauritius.

Earlier, the Commandant, IMA, in his address congratulated the awardees and the faculty members for completing their training. He said: “Now, you are going for the most honourable and challenging job.”

The Indian Army, led by its officer cadre, has always played a sterling role in the defence of the nation. The credibility of your fraternity is unmatchable. The nation has always expressed its gratitude and our sacrifice never go in vain. The names enshrined in the war memorial at the IMA speak of this legacy, added General Sujlana.

The commandant also released IMA journal (autumn term) 2009. In IMA’s pursuit to promote love for nature and to develop nature-related hobbies among GCs, a book on birds of the IMA has been published by the Bird Watching and Photography Club.

A maiden attempt by the IMA on the directions of the Commandant to inculcate custom and etiquettes in GCs, a Compendium on Service Etiquettes compiled and published by the IMA was also released by Rashmi Sujlana, the wife of the Commandant.

Dehradun, December 9
Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva today met a delegation comprising members of the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University Teachers Union and University Teachers Action Committee.

While submitting a memorandum, the delegation sought the establishment of a university in Dehradun for affiliating all colleges that were till now affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, which has been converted into a Central university.

The delegation members argued that as maximum colleges were located in Dehradun and Haridwar, the establishment of a university in Dehradun was most appropriate. The Governor assured the delegation of taking up the issue with the Chief Minister.

Dr OP Kulshretra, Dr Devendra Tyagi and Dr Sudhir Gairola were prominent members of the delegation.

Pitthoragarh, December 9
Kumaon University is to start a centre for climate change to study the effects of changing climate on mid-Himalayan people on the Nainital campus of university in 2010 session.

The centre will be aided by a directorate of research and extension, which will facilitate the findings of the survey of people living in mid-Himalyas. Vice-Chancellor VPS Arora said here today: “We have been permitted by the Directorate of Science and Technology, Uttarakhand, to open the centre”.

“We are also introducing some reforms in our admission and examination,” said Dr Arora, adding that the semester system will first be introduced in professional courses.

Dr Arora said after joining Kumaon University as Vice-Chancellor, he had initiated the process to make data base of every student of the university and introduce professional programmes. “The professional courses already introduced in the university will be revised to make them more job oriented,” said Dr Arora, who was here to inaugurate the annual sports meet of Pitthoragarh PG College.

Dehradun, December 9
Athletes of Vikas Nagar and Kalsi block dominated the boys and girls category at the District Athletics Competition organised for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe children that concluded here today. The District Sports Office had organised the competition.

Sahaspur block bagged the kabaddi title. In the final, they defeated Chakrata block 44-41. Atul Negi of Kalsi block won the 800m race clocking 2 minutes and 7 seconds, Surendra Singh of Vikas Nagar block was placed second with a timing of 2:15 and Yashpal of Chakarata had to settle for third position as he clocked 2:21 minutes.

The names of 19 probables were declared who have been selected for the training camp to be organised next month.

They are Sanjay Chauhan, Ajab Singh Chauhan, Kripal Singh, Atul Negi, Babu Singh, Surendra Singh, Pradeep, Jaypal Singh, Mukesh Tomar, Ankit Chauhan, Matbar Singh, Gopal, Mahaveer, Yashpal, Baru Rawat, Mukesh Tomar, Khajan Singh Singh, Yudhveer and Ravinder Singh.

Chief guest Vinod Pokhriyal gave away the prizes.

Dehradun, December 9
The duo of Vipin and Sahil rattled the SS Club batting line-up to help Rao Cricket Academy register a seven-wicket victory in the 58th District Cricket League here today.

It was a flop show by SS Club batsman as they could only manage to score 62 runs in 17 overs. The openers failed to do much. Opener Sidharth scored 11 runs off 23 balls hitting one four, while Suraj made 10 runs off 25 balls.

Once the openers got out, no batsmen showed the ability to face the tight line and length bowled the Rao Academy bowlers.

Vipin created havoc in the SS Club batting line-up and picked up four wickets in his three -over spell. Sahil supported him well on the other end and took three wickets in his five-overs.

Chasing 63 runs for victory, Rao Cricket Academy wasted no time in reaching the target. Opener Dipankar came up with a score of 22 runs off 33 balls, hitting four fours. At the other end, Manish made six runs and first-down batsman Akashdeep scored nine runs.

For SS Club, Abhishek took two wickets in his five-over spell and Sachin took one wicket.

Dehradun, December 9
New Indian Star beat Ever Wins by six wickets at the Beehive Challengers Trophy 13th Twenty20 Inter-District Cricket Tournament here today.

Batting first, the Ever Wins team scored 112 runs in allotted overs. Opener Ankur could not do much with the bat and got out after scoring one run. The other opener Rohit scored nine runs.

First-down batsman Amar tried to stabilise the innings and scored 22 runs off 36 balls. After Amar got out, Rajat contributed 17 runs.

Thereafter, no other batsman occupied the crease for long and the team was all out for 112 runs. For New Indian Star, Aman and Sappy took three wickets each.

In reply, the New Indian Star team reached the target with six wickets in hand. The team got off to a flying start as their openers scored 35 runs in the first seven overs.

Vipin smashed 41 runs off 46 balls hitting three fours. The other opener Vineet could manage to score just 10 runs.

Middle-order batsman Shakti came up with a useful 15 runs off 15 balls to help his team register victory. For Ever Wins, Balbir claimed two wickets while Puneet and Umang took one wicket each.

Tomorrow’s match will be played between Ajapur Youngsters and Doiwala Cricket Club and Vikasnagar and ITM teams.

Dehradun, December 9
Pitthoragarh won by six runs against the Dehradun team at the u-19 Inter-District Cricket Championship organised by the Uttaranchal Cricket Association at ACA ground here today.

Batting first, the Pithoragarh team piled 163 runs off 45 overs. Vikramaditya was the highest scorer for the team with 64 runs off 125 balls. Middle order batsman Hemant Pal scored 16 runs off 45 balls and Kiran Mahar scored 14 runs. For the Dehradun team, bowler Anuj Chauhan took five wickets in seven overs, whereas Santosh Kala, Vivek Bhandari and Shankar took one wicket each. The Dehradun team was all out in 43 overs. Rahul Chauhan was the highest scorer for the team with 60 runs off 76 balls, whereas Satish scored 18 runs off 24 balls.

Middle order batsman Sachin scored 18 runs and Siddharth made 11 runs. For the Pithoragarh team, Manoj Kumar took four wickets, Prakash Bisht took three wickets and Hement Pal claimed one wickets.