Dehradun, December 26
Agitated members of the Mahanagar Congress Committee, Dehradun, protested at the Gandhi Road here today. The protest was made against the lathi charge that took place on December 21. Congress party workers said the state president of the party, along with 15 other memebers, had marched forward to put forth social issues of the public. It was when the party based on the ideologies and principles of Mahatma Gandhi were peacefully taking out a rally that the city police began the lathi charge.

The protest as well as the memorandum for the party’s welfare was addressed to Governor of Uttarakhand Margaret Alva. In their memorandum, the party has mentioned about the harsh treatment by the security force. Harak Singh Rawat, along with other party workers were shouting slogans against the ruling party.

They also criticised the work of the state’s ruling party for the diminishing democratic values in the society. They expressed their resentment against the whipping of 30 party workers and injuring them till the level of unconsciousness.

They alleged that the Chief Minister was not taking strict action against the culprits of the Maha Kumbh-09 scam. In fact, the protestors shouted against the price rise, unemployment, economic meltdown, deteriorating law and order and corruption.

In the memorandum, Congress party workers have made a plea to the Governor for taking some preventive measures to eradicate the drawbacks of the ruling party.

MN Farooqi, Vijay Chauhan, Harish Virmani, Navin Joshi, Manish Nagpal, Rajkumar Walia, Deep Vohra, Piyush Gaur, Bala Verma and Sushil Nagasi were present during the protest.

Dehradun, December 26
The demonstration of a sweeping machine, costing Rs 65 lakh, at the Ghanta Ghar by the Mayor and other officials of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has stirred the hornet’s nest again about the shortage of staff in the corporation.

Sanitary workers and the Opposition have rolled up their sleeves to oppose the purchase of the machine that is said to have a capacity of 6,500 litres and can clear roads up to 70 km in one go.

Mayor Vinod Chamoli though wants two such machines for the maintenance of long roads in the town. He said, “The machine will first be bought to ensure cleanliness during the Maha Kumbh Mela.

“I will ask the state government to give us the machine after the Kumbh gets over as the machine will be used to clean long roads in the city during night.

“It will suck up dust along with clearing garbage and water residue. Since Dehradun is a big city, we need two machines. We are yet to decide about who will take care of its maintenance.”

Somu Selwan, president of the Sanitary Workers Association, said they would oppose the purchase of this machine strongly.

He said, “It is a conspiracy to cut down the number of sanitary employees. The sweeping machines will take over the job of the workers. We will not let this happen at any cost”.

Opposition leader Ashok Verma too said he would join the protest of the sanitary workers. “The DMC should increase its staff. This is long overdue and should be done instead of thinking of other ways to tackle it,” he said.

Chamoli negated the resistance of sanitary workers and the Opposition saying, “These people harbour the old mindset that machines will overtake manpower ultimately resulting in the loss of their jobs. They think in terms of their next generation also. This is hogwash. The machine will only help us in keeping the city clean which is full of garbage due to shortage of manpower”.

Since 1998, no fresh recruitment of employees has been made. There are 646 permanent and 214 employees on contract basis in the DMC. Only 27 supervisors are deputed for 60 wards and out of them, 12 are holding double charge.

In the administration wing, the number of employees has come down from 450 to 350 due to the retirement of employees.

The demand for 2,200 employees, approved by the board, is pending with the state government.

Mayor Chamoli also complained of shortage of high officials in the corporation. “My hands are tied as all decision-making power on big projects rests with the administrative officers.

“When they are away or busy with some additional charge, the DMC work suffers. Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Indu Dhar Bodai has double charge of Chief Development Officer. Additional MNA Harak Singh Rawat, whom I recommended for his grip on administration, has been sent for Kumbh. We have one Upnagar Adhikari Harshvardhan Mishra, while the other similar post is vacant. Two posts of Sahayak Nagar Adhikari have been lying vacant for years”.

Chamoli said despite several recommendations of allowing him to take decisions on day-to-day work in the absence of MNA and AMNA, the state government had taken no action on these.

Pitthoragarh, December 26
Mixed reactions have come up in the Kumoan region after the reopening of the Pancheswar Dam project.

Some have welcomed the move, but some others are opposing this as it will further delay many long-pending projects like rail and motor links to the interior region of Kumaun.

“We will fully oppose this project as it will overshadow our long struggle for Tanakpur to Bageswar Rail Line because this dam will completely finish the possibilities of a long-awaited rail link as the entire area, from where this proposed rail line has to cross, will be submerged by the dam water,” said Gusain Singh Dafauti, president of the Tanakpur-Bageswar Rail Nirman Sangharash Samiti.

Dafauti said his organisation would oppose this move. “This is a conspiracy to sink the Kumaoan region after sinking Garhwal in the water of Tehri Dam,” said Dafauti.

“This project will not only finish the possibility of rail link in Indian side, but also in Nepal this possibility will come to an end, where a railway link has been proposed from Viratnager to Darchula,” said Mahesh Baral, president of the Indo-Nepal Friendship Society.

Baral also indicated that his organisation after meeting the villagers, who were likely to be submerged by this dam water, would soon start a movement in Nepal to oppose this project.

But people in Jhoolaghat town situated on the Indo-Nepal border are somewhat happy with the proposed construction of the project despite the fact that the town will be fully submerged in the water of the dam.

“For the past 20 years the business in Jhoolaghat town is waning as security forces have restricted our traditional Nepali clients to purchase goods from this market.

“So traders in Jhoolaghat will welcome the project and bargain with the authorities for a good compensation for their rehabilitation,” said Dharmanand Nariyal, president of the Traders Association in Jhoolaghat.

Dafauti has plans to stage a dharna in Delhi under the banner of the Tanakpur-Bageswar Rail Nirman Sangharas Samiti.

“We are fully hopeful that the central government will cancel the project and prefer the rail project over it,” said Dafauti.

Not only the rail link, but a 60-km-long motor road proposed on the Indian side of the Kali river up to Jauljivi from Tanakpur will also be affected by this dam project.

“This proposed road is not only essential for the villages and towns situated on the bank of the Kali river, but also for the security forces like the SSB, which will be benefited by this road while guarding the Indo-Nepal border,” said Girish Awasthi, a social worker and journalist based in Jauljivi, an Indo-Nepal border town of India.

Dehradun, December 26
The exquisite range of silk saris from Karnataka is attracting a huge crowd at the ongoing National Handloom Expo. The exhibition is on display under the aegis of Sri Raghavendra Silk Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society, Bangalore.

Around 200 members of the society are busy carrying forward the traditional handicrafts of Karnataka and for the past five years have found a place in the hearts of women, who truly enjoy draping beautiful and ethnic saris. “We are coming to Dehradun for the past five years and are glad that women in the city are very fond of traditional handloom saris,” said Mohammad Ashraf.

Made out of silkworms, in varied designs, patterns and colours, the stall has some unique collection in pure Malbari silk, Kalanjali, Chintamani, Mysore crape and chiffons. However, the interesting part remains that these saris never go out of fashion and can easily last lifelong. “Our saris are in demand as we use quality products and take ample time in giving final touches to each piece. From Dehradun to other cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, we have customers who know us for our hard work and value for money items,” added Ashraf.

Starting from Rs 500 in basic cottons, there’s wedding collection for Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 with some intricate designs on brocade and Malbari saris.

As silk saris are a little heavy in weight, saris in chiffon, georgette and crapes made out of the silk waste are light in weight and can be carried out easily. “I loved the saris at the Karnataka stall as there is so much variety and have some fabulous colour combinations and designs, depicting the age-old hand work of the state,” said Sonali, a visitor.

“Till now the response has been pretty satisfactory and we are hopeful that in the coming days our business is going to expand,” said elated Ashraf.

Dehradun, December 26
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank exhorted scientists for exploring ways to get optimum benefit of agriculture and horticulture within a short period and a little cost of labour.

Addressing a gathering at the Centre for Aromic Plants, Selaqui, Dehradun, Nishank called for the need of research for various plants and herbs suitable to the varying atmosphere of low and high altitude of the state.

Nishank observed that the state had immense potential of employment avenues in seeds, off-season vegetables, aromatic plants and other herbs. He asked the scientists to come up with herbal plants that were high in value and kept a competition in the market. Farmers should be apprised of the new techniques of farming, high-yielding seeds and marketing facilities, he added.

Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the state government was making all out efforts for promoting aromatic plants, flowers and off-season vegetables. Owing to the small cultivable fields in the state, he said cluster and valleys should be developed.

Scientist-in-Charge Nripendra Singh said cluster-level agriculture was being encouraged to get better results. He said so far as many as 27 clusters had been established which encompassed 1,000 hectares leading to production of Rs 225 lakh worth 180 quintal of aromatic oil.

It may be recalled that the programme was organised to create an awareness on ‘agriculture of aromatic plants and possibilities job avenues’ among public representatives.

Former Minister and MLA Kedar Singh Fonia, parliamentary secretaries Gopal Singh Rawat, Asha Nautiyal, legislators Sher Singh Gadiya, Om Gopal and other public representatives and scientists were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, December 26
No traditional red dress, no bag full of gifts, no sledge of reindeers, but there are affection and blessings for all kids. On December 25, when everybody is rejoicing and making merry on the tunes of Christmas carols, Nand Lal Uniyal is only limited to play the tunes of his loneliness and solitude through the flute that fetches money for his livelihood.

Eightytwo-year-old, Nand Lal, who sells flutes made of iron at New Road, near The Heritage School, is among those Santas who get lost in the hustle bustle of the city. He has spent his life entertaining others through his flute music. He is visually challenged and has lived life in darkness. His parents abandoned him when he was just three at an orphanage and he was later shifted to a blind school at Saharanpur. There he learnt the art of playing the flute and the drum. In his initial days, he used to play music at school functions and in bands.

Nand Lal, who hails from Dehradun, later shifted to the city. Since 1960, he has been sitting near The Heritage School, which was formerly known as Doon Culture Centre. The family of famous character actor KN Singh unofficially adopted the lone creature with physical discrepancy. For many years he was with them, but his life again took a U-turn when the Singh family had to shift to another place. But it’s true that when God closes one door, He opens many others. The new owner of the house adopted him like the former. Since then Nand Lal is with the Mittal family who looks after him.

Today, in the days of price rise, Nand Lal gets a petty amount of Rs 250 per month as disability pension from the government. “Sometimes Jagriti Mission offers me Rs 200-300 as grant,” said Nand Lal. A few of his regular visitors and music lovers call Nand Lal as Babaji and offer him Rs 10 or Rs 20. This is only the source of his earning.

Babaji loves to relish chane ki dal and chawal with nimbu and mirchi. But with declining health, doctors have strictly asked him to leave the spicy food. In the evening, Babaji also likes to chat with people while sipping his favourite elaichi tea at a nearby tea stall.

“I no more want any government funds to be given, but I wish all people to be happy, prosperous and in good health,” he added.

Dehradun, December 26
On the 10th anniversary of Doon Youth Centre (DYC), young volunteers and members of the committee organised a mesmerising eventful evening at their centre on Balbir Road here today.The event was a coalition of jazzy rock music and live performances by the young members. The celebration was more of a get-together of adolescents of the city.

The centre was established in 1992 for dealing with young minds of the children ageing between 12 and 23.

The youth centre is more of a rehabilitation centre that aims at healing the minds and dealing the emotions of the immature with compassion and tenderness. Such vulnerable issues like depression, girl-boy relationship, sexual relationship, stress building before examination, impulsiveness, speech impairment, mutilation between children and parents, time management and organising things accordingly are dealt at the centre with empathy as well as concern.

The centre also has counsellors for counselling and psychotherapy of the young minds and souls. The committee also conducts workshops and other functional camps to build up the interest of the children in a healthy and satisfactory life. 

Dehradun, December 26
Uttarakhand Speaker Harbans Kapoor today admitted that the state Assembly was not secure and the recent entry of an intruder inside the House had necessitated the need of a new Vidhan Sabha Bhawan.

Interacting with mediapersons at the Vidhan Sabha today, Kapoor said the present complex was not appropriate from the point of view of both security or structurally. He said the distance between the lobby and the mandap was quite less and thus entry of any person inside the mandap was quite easy.

Referring to the entry of a stranger inside the House, Kapoor said the matter had been thoroughly probed and finally it was concluded that the stranger mistook the mandap to be the Chief Minister’s office.

He said the winter session of the state Assembly had proved to be a resounding success registering a total of 22 hours and 22 minutes of working, whereas a total of 10 hours and 15 minutes were spent on adjournment.

The session saw a total of 434 queries, which included some 36 short notice queries and 398 of starred and non-starred questions being put over a period of four days.

He said in this session Sanskrit made the second state language, which in itself was a historic decision. As many as 17 Bills were passed.

The Speaker said it had been his endeavour to utilise the period of the session to the fullest. “A day in the session even continued till 10 pm, thus ensuring extension of more hours of work,” Kapoor observed.

Vidhan Sabha Secretary Mahesh Chand was also present on the occasion.

Dehradun December 26
A 15-day workshop on Gandhyamadan Sanskrit Samiti began at DAV (PG) College here today. The workshop aims at grammar education of students as it is the root level of all languages. The workshop is open to all. No membership and entry passes are required to be a part of the workshop.

Chief guest Dr Jyoti Singh, Sanskrit teacher of MKP (PG) College, inaugurated the workshop. She encouraged students as well as their teachers to work on Sanskrit as a subject and language.