Dehradun, December 14
The Song dam project in Dehradun will finally see the light of the day. Uttarakhand’s Potable Water Ministry has decided to give a go-ahead to this ambitious project on a public-private partnership mode. 

Interacting with mediapersons, Uttarakhand Potable Water, Irrigation and Social Welfare Minister Matbar Singh Kandari said much-awaited detailed project report for this Rs 5-crore Asian Development Bank-backed project had finally been prepared. 

The project is expected to meet the growing potable water demand of Dehradun city by providing it with 256 mld of water and helping it ward off any possible water scarcity till 2051. This apart from 6 MW power to be generated through the project. Situated 32 km from Dehradun at Songhna village, a tunnel, 6.8 km long and 2.1 metre wide, is to be constructed at Kumalda, the site of the dam. The dam reservoir would submerge 84 hectares of forest land, affecting 19 families, 16 houses and one gharat./

At present, Dehradun city and the villages in its periphery need 196 MLD of potable water while the supply stands at 186 MLD daily. But, in the summer months the demand increases several times due to tourist rush. 

Referring to social welfare issues, Kandari said the state government for the first time had decided to provide pension to deserted women and a provision of Rs 36 lakh per annum had also been made. He said benefits for underprivileged sections were also being provided under the Gramodhyog Yojana.

He also disclosed that his ministry had also increased the sustenance allowance to Rs 7,000 per annum from existing Rs 1,500. He said his ministry was providing old-age pension to as many as 2.12 lakh people apart from giving widow pensions to 82,000 and pensions to 41 physically challenged persons.

Dehradun, December 14
In several recent robbery incidents in the city it has come to light that the robbers after completing their jail sentence get active again by forming a gang.Even though the police tries to curb this sort of cases by booking such offenders under the Gangster Act, there is no decline in number of such incidents.

They commit robberies enjoy the booty and even if go to the jail after being caught by the police they strike again as they come out after getting bail or completing their sentence. 

Dehradun SSP Abhinav Kumar said: “We have found many such cases and we try and book such robbers under the Gangster Act”. 

A local advocate who is pursuing one such case in court, said: “Though this Act is imposed upon history sheeters and big criminals, it was not that they can’t come out soon. There is a minimum of two-year imprisonment and maximum of eight years and besides this there are provisions that such criminals can get bail”.

He added that on top of it, it wasn’t easy to book someone under this Act. The SSP can only order for such cases that too after the approval of the District Magistrate. Thus, such criminals prove a pain in the neck for the police.

Early this month only, the police had nabbed three such robbers who had come out of the jail four months ago and had committed 10 robberies after that. Four of these robberies were carried out in the Patel Nagar and Doiwala police stations areas each and two in the Raipur police station area.

These robbers were already booked in 12 cases of robbery and some of them were booked even under the Gangsters Act.

“At the most, we can book them under Gangster Act but the rest is up to the court to decide the term of their sentence,” said Chandan Singh Bisht, station head officer of the Patel Nagar police station.

Even last month a gang of dacoits that had looted two houses of cash and ornaments worth over Rs 2 lakh in Laxmipur, under the Basant Vihar police station, was suspected to have come out of the jail recently in the same offence. 

Dehradun, December 12/
Slum renewal of Kaath Bungalow and Khala Basti under the Basic Service for the Urban Poor(BSUP), which is part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission Programme (JNNURM), has got mired in yet another controversy with residents raising objections about the suitability of the project that will drastically reduce the size of their existing houses.

The BSUP project has been embroiled in one controversy or the other, in the process delaying work that was to begin in 2007. Now, residents, who will be provided modern flats, are cribbing about the design that is not as per their satisfaction. 

“There is a slight misunderstanding on the size of flats that will be less than the size of the land that the residents now have, several other amenities have to be built and a portion of the land may go towards building drains and other amenities. What they may get are modern flats,” said Rajeev Pandey, Project Officer, BSUP, Urban Development Directorate.

Under the BSUP plan, Kaath Bungalow, a slum area in Rajpur, has been selected for renewal. The sanctioned cost for the project is Rs 6.22 crore. The central government has released the first instalment for the project totaling Rs 1.55 crore. Under the scheme, 148 houses are to be taken up.

Altogether 12 residents have raised objections to the plan. Earlier, there was a problem pertaining to 15 houses who had made pucca houses but that had been sorted out later. Only BPL cardholders belonging to economic weaker sections would benefit from the programme./

While the total cost of the project for the renewal of Khala Basti (slum area in Ajabpur Khurd) is pegged at Rs 3.72 crore, Rs 2.46 crore has been released in 2008 by the Central government. Here, too, no work has started so far.

The housing project has to be implemented by the Municipal Corporation but it has failed to take up. Now, in view of the Maha Kumbh fair, the project is expected to get delayed further, as the Executive Engineer, who was overseeing the project, has been sent on Kumbh duty.

Dehradun, December 14/
“About a year ago, me and my sister were studying in a government school, but after the sudden demise of our father at his workplace we were left with no other option than earning for our family.Both of us are now working to earn bread for our family. My younger sister works as a domestic help at ‘kothis’ (bungalows) while I work as lamp carrier in baraats,” said 12-year-old Raja.

This was the instance of just a single child who is helpless in front of the destiny. There are many others who are indulged in such activities unwillingly due to money constraint and dearth of financial support. These underprivileged kids get lost into the darkness of their misery while imparting light into the life of the others.

Sometimes, grief, sorrows and social environment piles up in life more than the moments of happiness. Their present as well as their future is in darkness. In the era of gizmos and gadgets, kids from the well-to-do families are engaged playing with video games, play stations and hi-tech mobile phones and still they are not happy, but on the other hand there are many kids who discover their happiness in playing with empty tins and stones.

Kaalu was spotted playing musical notes, along with his friends, by banging the tin base of the fancy lamps that he carries at every baraat. Kaalu, who hails from Muzafarnagar, was just 11-year old when his parents sent him to his chacha (uncle) in Dehradun. His uncle is a drummer in a band that is played at baraats. While recollecting the memories of his first day at work, he shared his experience with us and said, “I was so happy to wear the glittering blue dress with white shoes and a nice cap as I felt like a soldier in uniform. But my malik (employer) treated me very badly that day. He pinched me until I got bruise on my arm for not holding the lamps properly.”

“And from that day till date, my life has changed drastically. Now, I am also studying along with my work. An NGO called ‘Chetna’ is running free classes for many street kids like me in slums. They encourage us to study and become self-dependant in life. Our teacher also made us aware about our rights and duties. Now, I can read and write very well. And my malik also cannot ill-treat me as he did in the past,” said Kaalu./

Many government and non-government organisations are working to eradicate filth from the society, but doing something for the welfare of these kids must be their priority

Reena Sondhi, member and teacher of the Chetna NGO, said, “We have several kids associated with our organisation who are working as domestic help, labourers and at the railway stations. We don’t stop these kids from working or else their parents will stop them from studying. The lamp carriers at baraats attend their classes during the day while they work in the night.”

“We need to make them independent and self-reliant than stopping them from working.

Awareness should be the prime aim of the NGOs working for these kids. As you never know which kid may turn into a politician, engineer or doctor in future,” added Sondhi. 

Haridwart, December 14/
A one day camp was organised in the Shravan Nath Math Jawahralal Nehru College by NSS unit.Under this camp various activities were organised ranging from elocution, discussion forum to poster exhibition. The programme was inaugurated by Mahant Triyambaki Bharati, who urged students to work with dedication and without feeling of selfishness.

The students should also see that they do their bit towards their motherland, he said. College principal Ashok Mishra pointed out that social service was equivalent to prayer and termed social service as humanity’s highest trait.

Earlier, the programme was started with Saraswati vandana with Bhanupriya, Deepika, Geetika, Rita and Tanuja while Vidhu, Sonia, Yogisha, Suman and Hemlata presented a group song.

In the poster event, Dipali, Puja, Shalu and Shandhya, Neelam and Sangeeta were felicitated for their creations. In the elocution, Gitika Bharadwaj, Sushma Raturi and Bhanupriya came first, second and third, respectively.

Nainital, December 14
The Kumaon University is all set to become the first University in the country to establish a centre for climate change. Stating that the blueprint of the centre is ready, the Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr VPS Arora said prominent institutions are ready to provide funds to the centre for making it a place of excellence.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of a week-long workshop on plant tissue culture organised by the botany department of the varsity in which 20 students from all over the state had participated. Dr Arora said the centre will be unique in several ways. “It will function in an online and a virtual mode with a few co-ordinators. Anyone having an interest on this issue will be welcome. 

Even ethical issues pertaining to the subject will be taken up.” He said the centre will begin functioning with whatever resources are available.

The centre will be aiming to collect relevant data pertaining to changes in the climate and its impact in different spheres. It will also take up studies to find solutions for mitigating the emerging problems.

Claiming that he is doing his best for up gradation of teaching in his sphere, he said he has asked the Principals of various colleges to send proposals regarding recruitment of manpower and establishment of laboratories to the government authorities and also send a copy to him so that he may follow them up. 

Stating that the DSB campus at Nainital is known as a science destination, Dr Arora said there is still a lot of scope for up grading and up scaling. Calling for a total re-orientation of the research system, he said it has to be multi-dimensional and holistic in its approach.

Haridwar, December 14
A three-day musical-cum-dance mahotsava organised by Madhurima Sangeet Samiti ended with a gala night with participants showcasing their dance and vocal skills to perfection. 

Even DIG (Kumbh) Alok Sharma lauded the performances of the participants and stressed on more such platforms, where younger kids from Haridwar, can hone and show their talent.

In the group dance, Deepmala dance group, in sugam sangeet, Anushka Saxena-Prerna, in classical vocal, Sidhant Chauhan-Shantanu Prasad and Riyan Ahmed came first.

In kathak, Navya Arora, Kritika Sen, Hansvi Talk won while in sugam dance, Karishma Arora and again Hansvi Talk emerged winners.

DIG presented the prizes. The function was hosted by RL Bhatt and Sunil Mukherjee.

Dehradun, December 14
GRD Academy celebrated its 20th founder’s day here today. The chief guest for the occasion was Irrigation and Social Welfare Minister Matbar Singh Kandari./Principal Dr Manorma Shukla and staff members gave a hearty welcome to the guests and parents. The programme started with the march past followed by the principal’s welcome address. 

The sports meet was declared open by the chief guest, the students then took the oath and school prefects were introduced to the gathering. The colourful PT display enthralled the audience.

However, tiny tots also looked very charming while performing races and other activities.

Folk dances of different states like Punjab and Rajasthan added zeal and rhythm to the atmosphere. Race of boys and girls of 100 to 400 meters and relay race showed strength and stamina of the students.

When Kishan Kamal of class XII shared his experiences about his stay at the academy, it was clear from his words that how the school has became the second home to boarders.

In the girls’ 200 meter race, Mehak of class IX came first, Payal of class VII came second and Priya of class VIII came third. In the 400 meter junior boys’ race, Abjijeet of class IX came first, Lavnath of class IX came second and Rohit Sehrawat of class IX came third. In the senior boys’ race, Kishan Kamal of class XII came first, Manjot of class X came second and Rabjot of class X came third. 

However, in the relay race of senior boys, first position was bagged by Blue House, second by Gold House and third by White House. 

In the girl’s relay race, first position by White House, second by Gold House and third by Blue House. In the frog race, the first position went to Paresh, second to Akhil Bhatia and third to Sujal. 

For the shuttle race, the first position was bagged by Abhishek Patial of class IV, second position by Vikram Pal of class IV and third position by Anshveer of class IV. In the bucket race, the first position went to Ankit of class V, second position to Aman of class V and third position to Ewan of class V.

However, the best student award was given to Shikher Verma and Kishan Kamal for the best sports man award.

After the prize distribution ceremony, the function concluded with the chief guest appreciating the efforts and head boy Ish Chopra thanking the guest for honouring the occasion. 

Dehradun, December 14
The Diamond Cricket Academy won by 161 runs against Young Boys at the 58th District Cricket League underway at Survery Stadium here today. Batting first, Diamond Cricket Academy batsmen batted freely and scored runs at will against the weak bowling display of Young Boys team. The Academy piled 254 runs in alloted 40 overs./

The opening pair of Mandeep and Vasu added 21 runs for the first wicket partnership. Vasu made 35 runs in 61 balls, whereas Mandeep scored 14 runs in 15 balls. 

First down batsman Mukesh played a fiery knock of 41 runs in 20 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes in his innings.

It was Sunny who turned things for his side and went on to play an aggressive knock of 74 runs in 73 balls hitting 11 fours. For Young Boys team Shubham Pandey was the lead wicket taker with four wickets in his eight-over spell and Kassish took two wickets in his eight-overs spell. 

Chasing the victory target of 255 runs, the Young Boys team could only managed to score 77 runs. The team had a bad start and never recovered from it. They kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

It was Deepak for the Young Boys team who showed some resistance and scored some runs. He made 29 runs. 

Other batsmen failed to give support from the other end. In bowling for Diamond Cricket Academy it proved to be Mukesh’s day. He took fours wickets in six overs and Rahul took three wickets. 

A match in progress at the 1st MK Bisht Memorial Tournament in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, December 14 
Cantt Blues and Garhwal Sporting teams advanced to the next round of the MK Bisht Memorial Football Tournament here today. 

The result of the first match came in the tiebreaker with the Cantt Blues team beating Yankies Club by 5-3. It was exciting first half as young team of Cantt Blues team came close to scoring a goal on a number of occasions. But, inexperience of its players showed in the match as they missed out scoring opportunities. 

Cantt Blues team came close on scoring their first goal in the 13th minute of the match. Thereafter in the 22nd minute it was again a golden opportunity for its strikers to score a goal but they faltered. 

The second half was no different and both teams failing to score goals in their stipulated time period. It was only in the tiebreaker that Cantt Blues emerged victorious. 

Meanwhile, in the second match, the Garhwal Sporting team thrashed Western Boys team by 2-0. Garhwal Sporting played an attacking football right from the beginning and constantly pressed hard on Western Boys defence./

Arvind scored the first goal for Garhwal Sporting team in the 40th minute making it 1-0 for his side. Thirteen minutes latter Deepak scored another goal for his side making it 2-0. 

Dehradun, December 14 
The Himalayan and YMCA team won their respective matches at Beehive Challenger 13th T20 Inter-District Cricket Tournament here today.

The first match was played between Himalayan Cricket and RMCC teams. In the first match Himalayan Cricket team piled a massive total of 175 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

It was Sumit for Himalayan team who smashed a brilliant 56 runs, giving bowlers a tough time. 

Shekhar supported him well on the other and scored 22 runs. Middle order batsman Keshav scored 19 runs. For RMCC team Shukla took two wickets, while Sachin, Ishant and Banti took one wicket each. 

Chasing the victory target of 178 runs RMCC team tried hard to reach the target but the team was all out for 140 runs. Garri scored 31 runs and Saurabh made 31. It was tight bowling by RMCC team who just gave five runs as extra. Rahul, Varun and Bhatt took two wickets each. 

Meanwhile, in the second match YMCA team won the match by eight wickets. Batting first New Indian Star team scored 101 runs in 20 overs. Monu scored 14 runs, Arun made 10 runs and three players of New Indian Star team were gone for a duck. For YMCA team Sumit took four wickets, Kamal and Laxman took one wickets.

In reply, YMCA team reached the target with eight wickets in hand. Islam was the highest scorer for the team with 44 runs and Tarun made 28 runs. For New Indian Star team Shakti took two wickets. 

Haridwar, December 14
The Uttarakhand police team has bagged the fourth position at the just concluded 9th All-India Police Water Sports Championship. The championship, which was held in Chandigarh, saw Uttarakhand jawans bagging a gold medal, three silver and two bronze medals in various events. 

The gold medal was won by the duo of Manish Bhakuni and Sachin Rawat in the 1000 metre cocklass pair event. While the silver medals were won by Manish Bhakuni, Sachin Rawat, Bhaskar Dutt and Sunil Sati in 1000 metre cockless pair, Mukesh Sharma and Narendra Rana won medals in kayaking 2x1000 metre and Mukesh Sharma and Narendra Rana in kayakeing 2x1000 metre. /

While bronze medals were won in kyaking 4x1000 metre by Mukesh Sharma, Narendra Rana, Dinesh Rawat and Mohammed Javed, in kyaking 4x500 metre Mukesh Sharma, Narendra Rana, Manoj Arya and Rajeev Kumar bagged medals. /

Secretary Uttarakhand Sports Control Board and DIG Kumbh Alok Sharma has congratulated the winners. He said participation by police personnel in sports complements the working of the police as the job demands fitness, fighting and team spirit. 

Dehradun, December 14
The Udham Singh Nagar registered a nine-wicket win over Uttarkashi team at the u-19 Inter-District Championship underway at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy Ground organised by Uttaranchal Cricket Association.

Batting first, Uttarkashi team scored 73 runs in 23.4 overs. Sunil Rawat scored highest 15 runs in 45 balls. Noor Mohammad scored 12 runs in 16 balls. Amit and Shubham Panwar added seven runs each. Uttarkashi team batsmenstruggled hard before the disciplined bowling display of Udham Singh Nagar team. For Udham Singh team Sayam Sharma picked up five wickets in four overs, whereas Vishal Kumar took three.

Udham Singh team reached the target with nine wickets. Manoj Chand was the lead scorer with 36 runs in 25 balls, whereas Mickel Ray scored 20 runs. For Uttarkashi team Sunil picked one wicket.