Dehradun, December 17
Understanding the importance of masons in quakeproof constructions, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre in Uttarakhand has so far trained over a thousand masons, which assumes much significance in the backdrop of fast changing face of constructions in the hilly terrain of the state.

Uttarakhand hills that have been prone to disasters have suffered much of causalities due to upcoming constructions sans quake resistant measures.

The traditional system of house construction in the hills is no more in practice as pathaals (typical flat stone) are no more easily available and even wood, another important component of house construction, too has become scarce with time. These traditional constructions have been replaced by motor and brick structures, which least stand effective against disasters particularly quake as they are devoid of such measures. Thus Mason Training Programme has been laid much emphasis understanding the importance of local masons in the construction activities in the hill districts.

“These masons who have traditionally taken to construction of houses in hills no more use stones and wood for the construction as brick and mortar have come as new age replacement. But these masons are yet to know of the structural importance in the new structures with respect to quake resistance measures,” said Girish Joshi, senior DMMC official who has been conducting these training programmes.

Already in its third successful year, the current phase of mason training programme that started early this week has series of such programmes scheduled for Nainital, Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Bageshwar and Almora districts.

As many as 25 masons take part in a single training programme who are informed of the importance of safe construction with the materials now at their disposal.

Interestingly, training programme entails coming up with quakeproof structures that is part of a weeklong training programme. This structure is finally left at the disposal of local village committee.

While current phase of mason training programme concludes on March 12, the DMMC officials have been working towards making a new beginning of quakeproof masonry in disaster prone Uttarakhand hills.

Haridwar, December 17
In view of management of crores of devotees and potential threat of terrorism during the Maha Kumbh looming large, the mela police needs to be equipped well in terms of communication. A wi-fi wireless system is being set up in the mela area to provide a state-of-the-art and unhindered communication setup to the police to meet this challenge.

A separate wireless-communication cell has been set up with a separate command to monitor the communication-related surveillance. An additional Superintendent of Police-rank officer has been specifically designated for this communication cell.

The cell will monitor communication, closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and communication lines. For the entire Kumbh mela area, 14 control rooms have been set up across 130 sqkm falling in districts of Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Dehradun.

A total of 137 CCTV cameras have been put in place to monitor and capture live video footages round the clock during the mega fair. Apart from dealing with terror threat and criminals, these footages will be quite helpful in controlling huge crowds and traffic during the Kumbh.

The equipment have been procured from three companies namely BCL, HCL and Rydder.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Communication) Ved Pal Singh Negi told The Tribune that the wireless base camp would be a vital chord in the communication network during the Maha Kumbh and his cell was well-equipped to provide the best of the communication service.

The cell has specially placed four Inspectors for various purposes. For CCTV monitoring OP Mehta is in charge, for line communication Shankar Ram, for communication RD Mathpal and for the entire Rishikesh mela area Rajeev Tamta will be in charge.

Meanwhile, the personnel attached with the cell have started assembling for the Kumbh task. Of the total staff of 350, 100 have already reported for duty. Fifty personnel from Uttar Pradesh will be joining the cell from January 1.

DIG (Mela) Alok Sharma said the wireless communication cell would be quite vital in ensuring communication link up during the mega fair.

Haridwar, December 17
While the state government is trying to project the Maha Kumbh preparations up to the mark and unprecedented, Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand assembly Harak Singh Rawat has cast doubts over the successful completion of the mega fair, citing a slow pace of work and insufficient and inferior quality material being used in the projects.

Talking to The Tribune, Rawat even went to the extent of saying that only God and local people can ensure a hassle-free Kumbh for devotees and remarked that the handling of the matters related to the mega fair by the mela administration and state government had been lackadaisical.

To monitor the Kumbh working and proceedings, a five-member committee of Congress legislators is being formed and it will submit its report on security, projects, deficiencies and other Kumbh-related matters to the Central government.

“We will also table the report during the assembly session and ensure that the state government doesn’t take this fair easy,” said Rawat.

Terming the Maha Kumbh as an international fair, Rawat said any mishap or inconvenience to devotees would have repercussions worldwide and the image of Uttarakhand would be tarnished.

With the state assembly session beginning from 21st of this month, the Congress is planning to corner the government on the issue of Kumbh too. “We will raise the ill-preparations for the Kumbh and sought answer from the Chief Minister as this fair is being hosted in our Uttarakhand only,” said the legislator from Lansdowne.

He has written letters to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister about the security threat perception and the need of a constant monitoring by the Central government of the Kumbh proceedings.

Haridwar, December 17
For the past few days, jumbo scare has gripped the Tibdi area and a part of BHEL residential sectors as elephants in groups are frequenting these areas on a daily basis.

The elephants are regularly seen blocking the main road and do not move even when loud sounds, trumpets and fire crackers are blown near them.

Only after the Forest Department personnel come to the spot and fire in the air that these jumbos move away to nearby jungles.

Such is the fear of these pachyderms that the movement of people has got severely affected in the area hampering their normal routine.

Particularly, three tuskers are reportedly frequenting the Tibdi area and it is believed that they are temporarily residing in the Keshav Kunj area.

For the past two days, residents have seen elephants moving in the area and rampaging crops in the evening.

Forest officials said that one of the main reasons of their movement is the presence of sagaun trees in the area. Sagaun is a favourite food of the jumbos.

As Tibdi area lies on the edge of Rajaji National Park forest area and there are no barrier, animals, particularly elephants, intrude into this residential area.

Sighting of peacocks, cheetals and deer is a common phenomenon in this area which is next to the BHEL residential quarters and main hospital.

With tuskers standing on the main road, traffic gets halted and vehicles line up in large numbers.

Residents are demanding the construction of walls so that elephants don’t easily get inside the area.

“We feel unsafe as tuskers sometimes show aggression. Our children sometimes move into the surrounding forest area while playing. The government and the Forest Department needs to look into this matter urgently,” said Ratan Lal, a Tibdi resident.

Forest Department officials said that all measures were being taken to thwart the elephants. KS Rawat, a forest official, said that they are constantly monitoring the situation in the Tibdi 
area and urged residents to be alert, specially in the evening and early morning.

As a result, people have started avoiding the Tibdi route to reach other parts of the city. Even before sunset, the area bears a deserted look.

Roorkee, December 17
In order to improve the scenario in weather forecast in the country, the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, organised a three-day 3rd Annual Review Meeting of the Integrated Agro Advisory Services on its premises here.

Held from December 10 to 12, as many as 200 delegates from all states participated in the meeting.

Addressing the participants, the Director, IIT-R, Prof SC Saxena, said the meeting was part of a programme of direct service to farmers and stood as a 
very good approach for interaction among the institution and grass-roots stake holders.

“Being an agrarian country, our GDP is greatly affected by agricultural production and weather plays an important role in it. The efforts by the Ministry of Earth Science to safeguard the agricultural production of the country call for admiration,” said Saxena.

During the meeting, the experts said the scenario in weather forecast field has been improving very fast here. “Earlier, the operational weather forecast in India was issued three days in advance, now it is being done at five days in advance. Further efforts are on to make the forecast 10 days in advance,” said Professor (Agronomy), Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT-R, Dr SK Tripathi.

As per-capita availability of good agricultural land has been fast depleting in our country due to many factors, therefore it has become more pertinent to pay attention on agriculture and save it against aberration of weather with an effective weather forecast system.

The other prominent personalities, who attended the meeting, were India Meteorology Department DGM Dr Ajit Tyagi, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Vice-Chancellor Dr BS Bishtand, DDGM (Agrimet), IMD, Pune Dr RP Samui.

Dehradun, December 17
“Books are ones best friend”, with this single quote in mind, MKP (PG) College began a two-day national books exhibition here today. The exhibition is a part of college’s regular activities that is performed almost every year.

Nine national as well as local publishing houses have come under one roof to present their respective books. Sultan Chand & Co., Satyam Publishing House, DPS Publishing House, Jyoti Enterprises, Natraj Publishers and Girija Book Centre are few of the renowned publishing houses and booksellers that are participating in the show.

Books of all subjects like accounts, maths, chemistry, English, sociology, physics, botany, computers, etc. are kept for the display.

Apart from academic and subject books, one can easily find books on fiction, poetry, drama, lifestyle, women interests, cookery, general knowledge, entertainment and latest or best-selling novels by Indian as well non-Indian authors. The display of the books is open for the college students till tomorrow.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Kumao University VK Joshi was the chief guest. Other eminent people present at the function were principal of MKP (PG) College Indu Singh, senior teacher of the college Nimmi Raina, library in charge Sukirti Arya and few staff members.

Dehradun, December 17
It is better for young students passing out from various professional private colleges in Dehradun as more companies are approaching the colleges for campus interviews than last year. Owing to economic recession not many companies came to hire young graduates last year.

Many local, national and multinational firms are now opening avenues for these budding management gurus and technology graduates with high packages.

Dr AS Chaudhary, Professor and Director of GRD (PG) Institute of Management and Technology, said: “Though this year being the first year of the management students that will pass out, many local as well as national industrial and financial companies are approaching us for the campus recruitments. More than 62 students have got placements on good positions. We are expecting to see a rise in the number of campus recruits this year. Earlier also, firms like Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd and Himalaya Herbal Products have hired pharmacy students from our college.”

Though the recession blues have struck hard on the careers of many students who have passed out last year or a year earlier, still the opportunities have not yet run out. Several students attaining high percentage in academics have managed to get placements in their respective sectors.

Another faculty member of the IT Department of IMS, Dehradun, Vaibhav Pawar, said: “Our record of last many years speaks about the potential of the students and the endeavour of their mentors that have managed to get our students located in renowned companies at satisfying package. Last year, when economic meltdown clouded each and every mind in India as well as abroad, 60 per cent students got through the campus recruitments. This year also we are estimating 75-80 per cent students out of total 120 to get recruited once they are through with their last semester examinations.”

“We have tied up with IT companies like HCL, Infosys and Miracle Software which will begin with their placement process after December 26,” he added.

Dehradun, December 17
A blood donation camp was organised at Dev Bhoomi Institute of Hotel Management in the city today.

Institute Director Priyanka Dhasmana, students and staff members donated blood on the occasion.

Dr Dhasmana told students that the donation of blood was the most pious job towards humanity. He made the students aware from the myths related to blood donation.

He encouraged them to donate blood in future also. Institute’s officer Siddhartha was also present on the occasion.

Dehradun, December 17
Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva has laid stress on providing education to girls, particularly in the rural areas. She made these comments during her interaction with girl students of the Himjyoti School. She visited the school along with the founder of the school and former Governor of the state Sudarshan Aggarwal.

She advised the girl students that they should take full benefit of the excellent facilities provided by the school. Alva said girls had to play an important role in the development of society and in turn the country.

Aggarwal, who is also the president of the Himjyoti Foundation, said the school provides excellent educational, board and lodging facilities to brilliant but poor girls.

Dehradun, December 17
Tata Capital Limited today announced the launch of its branch office in Dehradun. The move is aimed at servicing the discerning customer based in the state Tata Capital has recently scaled-up its consumer finance and advisory business (CFAB) as a strategic step towards reinforcing the company’s commitment towards customer centric and service excellence.

As part of this initiative, the company has created a unique, common sales and service structure which dovetails all consumer finance and advisory products and services into a common branch network. This translates into a “one stop shop” for the customer servicing his entire financial requirements through a “single window”.

Speaking on the occasion, CFAB, Tata Capital Limited, head Jamshed S Daboo said, “Branches are an integral part of our delivery platform. The single window concept is an empowered business model streamlining all our retail offerings into a common branch network and common sales force.”

The branch in Dehradun will serve as a one stop shop providing a diverse mix of offerings in the areas of consumer loan products and investment advisory services. These will include home loans, auto loans, personal loans, education loans, loans against property, financial advisory services and equity trading.

Dehradun, December 17
Cantt Blues and Garhwal Sporting have made it to the semifinals of the MK Bisht Memorial Football Tournament here today.

In the first quarterfinal played between Cantt Blues and Garhwal Boys, Cantt Blues defeated Garhwal Boys in a tiebreaker.

During regulation time, both teams were locked 1-1. Both goals were scored in the first half. Garhwal Boys’ Tenzeen scored the first goal in the fifth minute.

But Garhwal Boys failed to hold on to the lead as Cantt Blues scored the equaliser in the 19th minute through Deepak.

In the second half, no team was able to alter the scoreline. In the tiebreaker, Cantt Blues won 4-2.

In the second quarterfinal, Garhwal Sporting registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Doon United. The match saw just one goal that came in the second half of the match. It was Deepak for Garhwal Sporting who scored in the 52nd minute.

Dehradun, December 17
Uttarkashi beat Gopeshwar by two wickets at the Winter Cricket Tournament under way at Ranger College Ground here today.

Uttarkashi’s decision to field first after winning the toss proved right as their bowlers were successful in limiting Gopeshwar batsmen to a score of 133 runs.

Mandeep Singh of Gopeshwar gave a flying start to his team and scored a half-century. He contributed 53 runs off 55 balls hitting seven fours in his innings.

Sunny Singh supported him well on the other end to score 18 runs. Naveen also tried to score some runs in the middle order and made 19 runs.

After these batsmen went back to the pavilion, no other batsmen could adjust to the tight line and length of Uttarkashi bowlers and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. For Uttarkashi, Sunil, Imtiyazal, Varun, Sunil and Amrit took two wickets each.

Chasing the target of 134 runs, Uttarkashi reached the target with two wickets in hand. The openers paved the way for Uttarkashi’s victory. Opener Jaspal scored 22 runs off 28 balls and Amrit made 32 runs off 47 balls.

Then, Amit took up the challenge and made a contribution of 26 runs. For Gopeshwar, Sunny Singh and Dheeraj Kumar took two wickets each.