Total bandh in Jhoolaghat against SSB ban
Pitthoragarh, December 11
Indian traders in Jhoolaghat town on the bank of the Kali river, which forms the border with Nepal, today kept the markets closed and sat on a symbolic dharna near the bridge on the border protesting against the Shashastra Seema Bal’s (SSB) recent initiative to check the free flow of consumer goods from India to Nepal.

ONGC donates Rs 1.82 lakh to educate jail inmates
Dehradun, December 11
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has taken a noble initiative to educate jail inmates of the Dehradun District Jail.

Census from Dec 15"
Dehradun, December 11
The long-drawn saga of Van Gujjar rehabilitation in Rajaji Park seems to have entered a crucial phase with the park authorities finally initiating a four-day Gujjar census to ensure that no Van Gujjar is left out from the rehabilitation plan. The plan holds the key towards formal notification of Rajaji National Park.

Fee Hike
DAV students gherao registrar office at technical varsity
Dehradun, December 11
A large number of students of DAV (PG) College ghereaod the registrar office at the Uttaranchal Technical University (UTU) here today. The protest was done due to hike in the fees of the BEd entrance examination to be held on January 24, 2010.

Haridwar, December 11
Even though the rehabilitation of Van Gujjars is an important issue and the government is quite sensitive towards their rehabilitation process, yet Van Gujjars complain that till date there are hundreds of families which have not got the benefits of the rehabilitation scheme.

Villagers of Pathri area, in a meeting of all affected Gujjar families, have complained of anomalies in the rehabilitation project and said that despite they being promised benefits, they have been neglected after they settled here in the Pathri area.

Former state minister Srikant Verma, who is also the head of the Van Gujjar Kalyan Samiti, said that till every Gujjar family doesn’t get all facilities and is properly resettled, they would not sit silently.

“Van Gujjars have made a sacrifice and, in lieu of that, what we were promised is not being given to us. This is a blow on the trust which we had on the concerned authorities,” said Verma.

Gulam Mustafa, village head of Dhanpura, said that in various villages of Pathri area there were about 500 Gujjar families and only a couple of families have been benefiting from the rehabilitation project even though they were promised timely and equal benefits.

“We also had been assured that a separate gram panchayat will be formed wherein our villages will be included, but till date, we are aligned to the Mustafabad gram panchayat. Here too, the administration has failed to deliver on their promises,” said Mohammed Mustafa, a panchayat member.

The Van Gujjars, who addressed the meeting were Shamsher Musha, Gulam Hussain, Jahoour, Noor Ahmed among others.

Dehradun, December 11
After successfully imparting literacy lessons among Gujjars, the nomadic tribesmen who inhabit the Shivaliks, the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) has started another innovative literacy programme called Juvaad for women in four districts of Uttarakhand.

With the new National Literacy Programme - Sakshar Bharat - turning the focus on women, the two-year programme ‘Juvaad’ (or rights) in Uttarakhand has been aimed at enhancing the literacy skills of women who are already members of self-help groups (SHG).

A total of 25 Juvaad centres for women, who are members of SHGs, have been set up where they are being imparted training in skill enhancement and functional literacy including maintaining records, book-keeping and micro-finance.

The National Literacy Mission is adopting a systematically planned approach to literacy through mass mobilisation and innovative learning techniques that emphasise predetermined learning levels.

Juvaad-empowerment centres will function as models powering the functional literacy campaign for women who are members of SHGs but unable to function independently and face difficulty in financial matters.

“The project is supported by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai, and is under way in four districts. Since they are already members of SHGs, the stress on providing education in the functioning of the Panchayati Raj and the concepts of micro-enterprise have also been incorporated in the lessons,” said Namrata Gulati, Secretary, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).

The value of literacy can be truly harnessed only if literacy skills are retained and applied and if literacy contributes to social change.

The state has so far performed well in the overall literacy average, but to arrest the yawning gap between male and female literacy, the issue has to specifically target women. Knowing the constraints well, the teaching is modelled on the requirements and needs of women.

“The centres are functioning as education-cum-library centres equipped with literacy material. However, knowing how preoccupied women are in day-to-day chores at home, we have introduced flexible learning.

“The gender, social and cultural barriers that women face have been taken care of while designing the curriculum. Our volunteers even visit the students at home and impart lessons as per their needs,” elaborated Manvi Tripathi, Executive Director, State Resource Centre.

Soon, an exercise to prepare second and third modules will be started for which help of educational experts and officials will be undertaken.

“We aim to set up 25 more centres in the second year of the programme and make at least 60 women literate,” said Namrata.

Pitthoragarh, December 11
Indian traders in Jhoolaghat town on the bank of the Kali river, which forms the border with Nepal, today kept the markets closed and sat on a symbolic dharna near the bridge on the border protesting against the Shashastra Seema Bal’s (SSB) recent initiative to check the free flow of consumer goods from India to Nepal.

According to police sources, the bandh was almost complete. “The traders’ protest is symbolic and they also took out a procession,” confirmed Puran Singh Rawat, Superintendent of Police (SP), Pitthoragarh.

“The goods that we have been traditionally selling to Nepal have now been banned by the SSB from the past 15 days. We are protesting against that ban,” said Dharma Nand Nariyal, president of the Traders Association of Jhoolaghat town.

The SSB officials are adamant on the ban saying that they are doing it according to the rules and the duty they have been assigned.

“The tendency of hoarding essential goods by some Nepalese elements, on the pretext of carrying essential items for their personal use, has come up in recent times. This practice we want to discourage.

“Otherwise, the SSB has not banned essential items for daily use of the Nepalese people,” said S Bandhopadhaya DIG, SSB (Kumaon).

The SSB officers said that not only essential goods, but the sand from the Kali was also being illegally extracted by some Indian citizens with the involvement of Nepalese mafias.

“We are also looking into this and want to assure that this type of illegal activity will be stopped,” said Bandhopadhaya.

The SSB officers are also concerned about the upsurge of Maoist activities in Kathmandu valley and its likely impact on the border. “Keeping recent incidents of Maoist activities in Kathmandu in mind, the SSB in Uttarakhand region at the Nepal border is keeping extra vigil,” he said.

“Though we have three battalions of the SSB to guard the 274-km-long India-Nepal border in this sector, we are looking for extra force to intensify the guard.

“Although there is no problem of encroachment in hilly region of India-Nepal border as the Kali river forms the border in this region,” said the DIG.

The SSB contingents are also worried about the receding water flow in the river resulting from the non-melting of glaciers in this cold season. “Taking advantage of the low flow of water, smugglers from across the border may cross the river.

“Therefore, we are also keeping extra vigil at Jhoolaghat, Baluakot, Jauljibi, Sitapul and Dharchula areas,” said Bandhopadhya, DIG, SSB, Kumaon region.

Dehradun, December 11
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has taken a noble initiative to educate jail inmates of the Dehradun District Jail.

The ONGC has donated an amount of Rs 1.82 lakh to the Dehradun District Jail for the education of jail inmates.

The authorities will utilise the amount for the upgrade of educational qualifications of the prison inmates through courses run by the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). As many as 113 jail inmates will benefit.

Sundar Lal, GGM-Chief, ER and Head, Corporate Administration, presented a cheque of Rs 1,82,850 to BP Pandey, Superintendent, District Jail, Dehradun, at a function held at Tel Bhavan, Dehradun, here today.

BP Pandey thanked Dr AK Balyan, Director (HR), ONGC, for this noble gesture. AK Shah, DGM (HR) and SP Toppo, DGM (HR) were also present at the function.

Dehradun, December 11
A large number of students of DAV (PG) College ghereaod the registrar office at the Uttaranchal Technical University (UTU) here today. The protest was done due to hike in the fees of the BEd entrance examination to be held on January 24, 2010.

However, with constant appeals and seeking better future for the student fraternity, the technical university has reduced the fees to 50 per cent. As per the present fee structure for the general category from Rs 2,500 it has been reduced to Rs 800 and for the SC/ST category from Rs 2,000 to Rs 400.

Discussing the issue in detail, Mritun Jai Mishra, registrar UTU said, “The fees has been reduced as we want students to prosper. Moreover, there was some confusion regarding the fees, which was blown out of proportion.”

While the registrar feels that the present fees structure is affordable and has genuine reasons for being fixed at a certain amount.

Former president of the DAV (PG) College students union, Pankaj Chetri said, “ Though the fees has been reduced, but for students who are from middle class families Rs 400 to Rs 800 is too much and till date for Garhwal University BEd examination have only paid Rs 410. We protested today, as we want the varsity to reduce the fees to Rs 500 for both general and SC/ST categories or else we will continue our agitation.

Explaining core reasons for reducing the fees to Rs 400 and Rs 800 and not less then it, Mritun Jai Mishra added, “Whether it’s a aspirant from general category or a SC/ST, the amount of expenditure would be same on the speed post and other facilities which goes in conducting all the required formalities in an examination.

And compared to Garhwal University, our forms are of better standard and follows a different pattern where the results are out in days time and not in months.” 

Dehradun, December 11
Asian School celebrated its 10th founders day here yesterday with a great enthusiasm. Over 100 students from classes VI, VII and IX set into motion an eye-catching dance and musical performance.

The festivities began with an informative exhibition on various subjects, in which students from junior and senior classes showcased their creative bend of mind by putting up ingenious models on display depicting “climate change and development”.

The 100-year-old fantasy “Finding Neverland” by 350 students from class UKG to class XI was also received very well by the parents, staff members, students and alumni.

International cricketer and MP Navjot Singh Sidhu graced the occasion as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Asian School president Amarjeet Singh reminisced how the school in its journey of 10 years had been able to cut a niche for itself. He further added, “When the journey started we thought that we would be like a particular school, but during the course of time, we have tried to improve our standards in all spheres and want our students to become good and matured human beings”.

Recounting the prominent achievements of the school, principal AK Das, while presenting an annual report, said, “With an aim to make our students’ future better, few changes had been introduced in the school. All classes would be following CBSE curriculum except class X students for session 2009-2010, who will be appearing for the ICSE examinations, as the last batch.”

About the school’s switchover to the CBSE board, he added that, “The switchover was not done due to any pressure as both are excellent boards, but because of a large number of parental request which were increasing every year”.

However, to felicitate the meritorious students, 28 high achievers in ICSE (2008-2009) and seven high achievers in ISC (2008-2009) were distributed merit certificates. Students for excellent performance in different fields were also given certificates - Adita Kaul for classical music, Pongsathon Hangroy for athletic (for establishing a new record in high jump), Astitwa Thapa and Ablisha Bandu for debate and Nicole Roseanne B Sangma for representing the state table tennis team.

Nainital, December 11
Expressing his annoyance over the delay in disbursement of scholarship cheques for students from marginalised sections, District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli has ordered that these cheques be sent to the candidates within two days.

He had come across the discrepancy during an inspection of schemes being implemented by the Social Welfare Department and the District

Rural Development Agency (DRDA) at Bhimtal today. He also asked the officials to ensure that the money being disbursed as scholarship must be routed through proper bank accounts of the recipients.

Bagauli also directed that the money being given for the treatment and marriage of the Scheduled Castes girls must be got approved from all members of the committee responsible for the purpose. He also called for preparation of a caste-wise data base of the students at block level.

The DM was also peeved to come across the discrepancies in the registration of people eligible for old age pension. He called for an immediate execution of the task. He also pulled up the officials for delay in getting National Security Certificates (NSC) from the post office, which are meant for the implementation of Kanyadhan Yojana.

Warning the officials against being lax in doing their paper work, Bagauli said he would be coming for another inspection within a month.

While taking stock of the works being done under the DRDA, he conveyed his displeasure at the slow pace of execution of projects for which money has come from the funds of the parliamentarians. He said the execution of these projects must be verified at the level of Block Development Officer (BDO) and photographic record of the same should be kept phase wise.

He said there should be no delay in making the payments. He asked the top brass of the DRDA to act against officials responsible for slow execution of projects and apprise him of the action taken within three days.

Roorkee, December 11
With the confirmation of one more swine flu case in a local school, school authorities have closed the institute for seven days.

This is the second case of H1N1 infection in the Montfort School. Its class VI student, Kshitij, a resident of Chow Mandi, was found infected the other day.

Earlier, another student of the school, Abhimanyu Rana of the same class, was detected to be infected with the ‘mild category’ of the influenza.

Kshitij was said to have developed flu-like symptoms a week before.

He was taken to the Civil Hospital here where his swab samples were sent to Delhi for further pathological tests. Now, both students are recuperating at their homes.

Taking precautionary measures, the school authorities have decided to close the school till December 16.

The number of flu cases is on rise in Haridwar district of late. According to the health authorities tackling the hazard, the number has reached 22 in the district.

“Since the people of the area are aware about the hazardous disease, most of the cases have been spotted in their early stage, enabling the Health Department to get them treated in time,” said Dr Anand Gautam, the district nodal officer.

Dehradun, December 11
A team of the Medical Council of India yesterday undertook an inspection of the Doon Hospital that will soon be upgraded to a medical college.

The team, lead by Dr Ram Prakash and two women doctors, went around the hospital making notes about the likely changes that have to be undertaken. “We are still in the preliminary stage. All deficiencies were pointed out and we have to build lecture theaters, hostel and several other departments. The report will be presented to the state government,” said Dr Sudhanshu Bahuguna, Additional Director, Health, who also holds additional charge of hospitals.

He said the team members were also shown the area around the Doon Hospital, District Jail, PWD building and the Red Cross building areas that would be utilised for the expansion of the college.

“They also visited the Coronation Hospital, Gandhi Netralaya and District Women’s Hospital and will pay a visit to the state again for holding further discussions,” added Dr Bahuguna.

Dehradun, December 11
The Dehra Dun Hills Academy is hosting an exhibition of works created by students as part of its Green Theme Programme that was started on International Volunteer Day (December 5).

The exhibition includes posters, banners, slogans, letters, articles and suggestions made by students. Ajay Gairola, member secretary, Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, inaugurated the exhibition to encourage the students to continue with the vitality, enthusiasm and creativity.

The good work they have done so far includes a complete ban on the use of polythene bags in and around the school campus, interacting with the local village community of Nagal Jwalapur in order to inculcate a hygiene drive.

The initiative also include replacing conventions light bulbs with low energy consuming green bulbs and the use of natural fibre bags by the staff of the academy.

Gairola also planted a sapling as a token of solidarity with the two green groups of the school - The Rangers, led by class X student Nisha Bhatt and Green Warriors, led by class X student Padma Rigzin. He also signed the ‘Green Pledge’ which will go a long way in encouraging not only the students participating in the programme, but also staff and whole school community. Speaking on the occasion, Gairola said such green campaign was the need of the hour, stating that these initiatives would help to foster social and environmental awareness, initiative, team spirit and leadership skills in the students, which will go a long way in transforming them and their communities.

Director of the school Yudhister Singh was off the opinion that involving the children in such green activities would go a long way in making our environment a better and cleaner.

The prize for best project was awarded to class IX student Tamanna Arora, best article award went to Nisha Bhatt and best poster prize went to class VIII student Sonal Kanyal as well as class V student Rahul Bora.

Dehradun, December 11
It was a superb batting display by Diamond Cricket Academy batsmen that helped the team register a 75-run victory over Dinesh Rawat Cricket Academy at the 58th District Cricket League underway at Survey Stadium, here today.

Batting first, Diamond Cricket Academy opener gave the team a solid start that paved their way to a big score. The team scored 219 runs in 40 overs.

The opener of the team Vasu scored 39 runs at a steady pace, whereas another opener Mandeep Singh scored 25 runs. After a strong start first down batsman Mukesh along with Sunny further accelerated the run rate.

Mukesh smashed 24 runs in 14 balls hitting five fours in his innings. Sunny played a brilliant knock of 59 runs in 55 balls, hitting nine fours. After both these batsmen got out, pair of Naveen and Sandeep helped the team cross 200 score.

Naveen scored 33 runs, whereas Sandeep scored 36 runs. For Dinesh Rawat Cricket Academy Sunil, Sachin and Amit took one wicket each.

Chasing the victory target of 220 runs, Dinesh Rawat Cricket Academy managed to score just 156 runs. Opener Satnam gave his team a flying start and scored 48 runs in 47 balls. Middle order batsmen Ravinder scored 30 runs, whereas Kumar made 23. After these two none of the batsmen managed to score any runs and the team was all out for 156 runs.

For Diamond Cricket Club team, Sunny picked up five wickets, whereas Vasu took two wickets. 

Dehradun, December 11
The Asian team defeated the Dragon team by 119 at the Beehive Championship Trophy 13th Inter District Cricket Championship under at Matawalabag here today.

Batting first, the Asian team scored a massive 236 runs off 20 overs. Ashish was the star performer for the Asian team and scored 81 runs.

Middle order batsman Vaibhav scored 37 runs and Paritosh made 27 runs. For the Dragon team, Abhishek took one wicket.

Chasing the target of 237 runs, the Dragon team was all out for 127 runs.

Vikas was the only batsman who showed some resistance for the Dragon team and went on to make 30 runs.

For the Asian team, Ravi, Vipul and Chand made useful contribution by taking two wickets. 

Dehradun, December 11
Meenu Choudhari is a promising athlete from Haridwar, who recently won bronze in 800m and 1,500m at a national competition in u-18 category. She has been consistently doing well at the national-level for past few years.

Meenu hails from a family that is completely dependent on agriculture. Despite her limited resources and facilities, she is determined to perform at the national level.

“My interest in the game began when I was in the Class VIII. Though I could not secure any position at school state in the first two year, but thereafter I pick up well and started winning medals at the state level, which boosted my confidence,” said Meenu.

She won her first gold medal at the recently concluded North Zone Competition in the 1,500 m. After her North Zone success she participated at national competition organised at Chennai from November 21 to November 24.

She also won a Best Athlete Award at the Kurukshetra University Athletic Competition. Meenu feels that there is still a lot of improvement that need to be brought in her performance.

Despite all the handicaps Meenu is determined to do well. “I do not have a proper ground to practice at the my village. As a result I get up at four in the morning to jog on the road for two hours, whereas in the evening it is difficult to run on road.

“Apart from ground facility I do not have a proper coach. It has been my father’s support and some guidance from Bharat Bhushan, my uncle, as a result of which I have done well at the national level.”

She is presently selected for national camp being organised at Haryana. 

Dehradun, December 11
The Almora district registered a four-wicket victory over Champawat team at the ongoing u-19 Inter-State Cricket Championship at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy,organised by Uttaranchal Cricket Association here today.

Batting first, Almora team scored 92 runs in 25.1 overs. It was not the kind of start Almora had expected as it batsmen failed to perform.

Naveet Bankott was the highest scorer for the team with 14 runs in 19 balls. The performance of the other batsmen was not up to the mark.

Chandan was out after scoring 12 runs, whereas Arvind Kumar scored nine runs. For Champawat team Deepak Panday took three wickets, Jitendra and Puneet took two wickets each.

Chasing the victory target of 93 runs, Champawat team reached the target with four wickets in hand.

Anshul was the highest scorer for the team with fine half-century. He scored 52 runs in 72 balls.

Deepak supported him well on the other end to score 13 runs. For Almora team Naveen was the lead wicket taker with three wickets, whereas Momin took two. 

Dehradun, December 11
The XIV Doon District Roller Skating Championship will be organised at Summer Valley School from December 12 to 13.

The selector will also select the Uttarakhand team for the national camp of ice-skating and for the 47th School National Games, Delhi, organised by the Roller Skating Federation of India. The national competition will be held at Visakhapatnam and Maharashtra.

The main attraction of this championship will be foundation of Ishaan Academy of Roller Hockey in which 275 participants from 75 schools of the state will take part. 

Dehradun, December 11
Anita of the Rudraprayag team won the gold medal in the 100m sprint during the state athletic competition organised by the District Sports Office here today.

Neelum of Dehradun had to settle for a silver, whereas Pooja of Rudraprayag bagged a bronze.

In 200m, Sangeeta of the Nainital team claimed gold, Shakuntala Negi of Nainital had to settle for silver and Jai Khati of Rudraprayag got bronze.

In 1500m, Rudraprayag’s Mamta took gold, Meenu of Rudraprayag took silver and Rekha Joshi of Nainital settled for bronze.

In discus throw, Rashi Singh of Dehradun gave gold-winning performance, Dehradun’s Ritu had to settle for silver and Asha Rawat claimed a bronze.

In long jump, Shakuntala emerged winner with gold medal, Mamta Mehra was second with silver and Jaya was third and got a bronze.

Meanwhile in badminton, Savita of Udham Singh Nagar will clash with Smiriti of Pitthoragarh. In the first semifinal match, Savita beat Ayushi 21-17, 23-21, whereas in the second semifinal, Smiriti beat Gayatri 18-21, 21-13 and 21-6.