Haridwar, February 24
With the aim of easing Maha Kumbh pressure on the mela police, an inter-Kumbh volleyball tournament was being organised at Mayapur for the past one week. The tournament culminated with the Muni-ki-Reti police station winning the title defeating neighbouring the Uttar Pradesh-PAC team.

The tournament saw an intense competition as different police teams from host Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh to para-military outfits PAC, RAF, BSF and the ITBP showcased their volleyball skills. A total of 28 teams took part in the tournament which was a first of its kind in this Maha Kumbh.

In the final of the tournament, the Muni-ki-Reti police station prevailed over Provincial Armed Constabulary PAC team in three sets after losing a set. In the end, PAC players could not match the sheer classic play shown by their opponents and lost 1-3.

Elaborating the need of holding such tournaments, Mela DIG Alok Sharma said by having this inter-mela forces tournament they wanted to help in creating a better mutual understanding, coordination, team spirit and feeling of one among the personnel coming from diverse forces.

“Who lost who won is not significant but what is significant is that players achieved and shared a camaraderie which will help in making them play their mela duties more better than earlier,” said DIG Sharma.

He said while earlier on Basant Pancahmi a kite-flying contest was organised for mela police personnel, more such inter-mela sporting events are in the offing ranging from kabaddi, cricket, hockey and indoor games.

The winning team members of the Muni-Ki-Reti police station team comprised Ravindra Chauhan, Pankaj, Ravindra, Satveer, Jitendra, Gajendra, Pawan, AjayVeer and Virendra while first runners up of PAC team comprised Gulm Nayak, Rajendra Thapa, Brij Mohan Singh, Subash Tyagi, Subash, Anuj, Gurdeep, Manoj, Amit, Altaf, Yogendra and Sanjeev.

Present among others during the award-presentation ceremony were Kumbh Mela SSP Ajay Rautella, ASP and Nodal Officer from Uttar Pradesh Yogendra Singh, DSP, Mayapur Mela Station, Mani Kant Mishra.

Haridwar, February 24
The Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti has urged the mela administration to allow trains to reach the Haridwar railway station during Kumbh baths to make it convenient for lakhs of pilgrims coming to the city.

Opposing the mela administration’s move of stopping the trains at Motichur and Jwalapur sub-stations, samiti activists said that this was causing huge inconvenience to people.

Tej Prakash Sahu, spokesperson of the samiti, said that if commuters are not allowed to reach Haridwar city and have to tread several kms, then what convenience was the mela administration and Railways providing to them.

Haridwar, February 24
The Laksar railway over bridge (ROB) in Laksar tehsil will be opened for light vehicles from March 10.

Being constructed by the Public Works Department and the Railways at a cost of Rs 26 crore, it is one of the showcase Kumbh projects and has found mention in many speeches by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

The state government and mela administration had missed the October 31, 2009, January 1, 2010, deadlines for the Kumbh works. Several works are still in the construction phase. It is expected that several works will get completed next month.

The Laksar ROB was envisaged keeping in mind the Maha Kumbh rush and the massive traffic jams witnessed at the area.

Initially, the bridge will be opened for the passage of light vehicles only. Heavy vehicles will be allowed to use the bridge after a few days.

According to Tula Ram, Assistant Chief Engineer (construction), Railways, only the coating of bearings of the bridge was left and this would be completed in two days.

Mela Officer Anand Vardhan informed The Tribune that with the opening of the ROB, commuters will get relief from traffic congestion and long jams on the Laksar-Haridwar highway. The bridge will come in handy especially during the three remaining Shahi Snans of the Maha Kumbh and other religious occasions that fall all across the year.

KK Jain, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, said that all works from their side have been completed and quality norms have been strictly adhered to in construction of the project.

Meanwhile, mela officer Anand Vardhan during an inspection of Kumbh works found various deficiencies in the ongoing projects. He has directed the concerned departments to ensure that the best facilities are provided during Kumbh.

At Gauri-Shankardeep, the mela in charge found doors and lighting facilities missing from the temporary toilets being constructed for Kumbh. He then ordered for their installation.

Ashok Kumar Tyagi, Nodal Officer of the Health Department, said that the provision of doors and electricity will be made soon.

At the sector market in Gauri-Shankar deep, Vardhan objected to the location of the sector market as it is far away from the localities there. He ordered the shifting of the market to such a place where maximum people from adjacent blocks could get its benefit.

Vardhan directed all concerned Nodal Sector Magistrates of the mela area to ensure that water, electricity, roads, lighting facilities are available round the clock so that pilgrims don’t have to face any problem.

Dehradun, February 24
Uttarakhand is all set to constitute the River Conservation Authority. The development comes after the Ganga River Basin Authority directed the states concerned for a speedy constitution of their respective river basin authorities.

To be headed by the Chief Minister, the authority will have a general body, executive committee and special committee with major participation of the Uttarakhand Forest Department apart from those from potable water and other linked departments. The Uttarakhand forest authorities are already in the process of working on the constitution of the River Conservation Authority in the state and another important meeting for the purpose is slated to take place tomorrow.

The Environment Ministry had recently constituted a high-powered National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) as an empowered body under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This apart from declaring the Ganga as a national river. Environmentalists and social organisations have been demanding to protect the most revered Ganga River in the country from further pollution and other degradation for quite some time and the the Ganga River Basin Authority certainly stood as its immediate result.

While constituting the authority, the union ministry had hoped that this model would be adopted for other major rivers in our country based on the experience they gained in its implementation. We have substantially increased the allocation for river conservation programme in this year’s budget, including a special provision of Rs 250 crore for the Ganga.

The final draft of the Uttarakhand River Conservation Authority will be submitted shortly to the NGRBA, which will give its final stamp of approval. Interestingly, Uttarakhand has been witnesses to a conflict between conservation and development linked to the Ganga that criss-crosses most parts of the state.

The very basis of this authority will not be just to focus on river pollution but more comprehensively on catchment-area treatment, protection of flood plains, ensuring ecological flows and restoration of the river ecosystem. Uttarakhand has been in thick of controversy linked to development projects on state rivers. Environmentalists and religious organisations have been stepping up efforts to save the Ganga.

After its constitution, the Uttarakhand River Conservation Authority will considerably help in streamlining the issues linked to the Ganga and would also help in finding solutions to vexed issue of power projects on it. The authority will also looked into the issue of construction of hydroelectric projects in upper reaches of Bhagirathi (Loharinag Pala, Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati). Activists have been up in arms against these hydro power projects on the Bhagirathi, forcing the union government to stop work at the sites. There are also allegations by the green brigade that the work on the projects was going on at Lohari Nagpala despite the Centre’s orders.

Dehradun, February 24
The faculty at ICFAI University organised an interactive session-cum-placement interview for its prospective teachers on the university campus here today. To achieve the objectives of this programme, the Chairman, the Director and the Principal of Summer Field School, Herbartpur and Vikas Nagar branches, were invited.

The school has been one of its kind in providing education to the children of war widows for the past two decades. Many students of this school are continuing their higher education or successfully working in many reputed organisations.

Heading a meeting, Prof GP Srivastava discussed different matters related to teacher-preparation programme, curriculum development, internship and quality placement for the trainees.

Before the final interview sessions, an interactive session was organised. Lt-Col Vijay Duggal, the founder Director of the school, addressed the prospective teachers on the topic “Nuances of teaching and learning”. He emphasised that the value of teaching cannot be measured with wages rather with satisfaction of oneself and service for the nation. He encouraged the teachers to work for social and ethical values with true accountability. Giving many examples from his background as an Army officer, Col Duggal said the teachers should imbibe the quality of an Army personnel to give educational freedom to the country. Recollecting the sacrifice of brave soldiers, whose children are being educated by this school, he laid stress on the duty and responsibility of schools to provide cooperation to the children of war victims.

Immediately after the interactive session, the guests interviewed 16 student-teachers of the department for their school. They were satisfied with the curriculum and training facilities being providing by the university for preparing the future teachers.

The guests were welcomed with saplings by Prof Anjali Bhatia. Prof RS Rana gave the vote of thanks. Dr DK Giri, Dean of Faculty of Education, was organising secretary of the whole programme, who presented mementos to the dignitaries. The occasion was witnessed by Dr S Agnihotri, Prof Sarita Negi, Prof Poonam Verma, Prof Archana Thapliyal, faculty members, students and staff members.

Roorkee, February 24
Relocation of popular Budh Bazar from the Civil Lines area to a site alongside the Gang Canal, near Boat Club, does not seem to have gone well with shopkeepers.

“We have lost our many customers,” was the common complaint most of the shopkeepers at the new site came up with when this correspondent today visited the bazar, which mainly caters to the needs of the poor and middle strata of society.

Last week, the administration ordered the shopkeepers of a makeshift bazar Budh Bazar to set their shops at the new site. Wednesday is a closed day for markets in the Civil Lines area. The step was taken to make the Civil Lines free of any kind of encroachment and spruce it up.

There are around 150 shopkeepers, many of whom even come from far-off places like Delhi, Dehradun and Saharanpur, at Budh Bazar who sell household goods, readymade and fancy garments, kitchen wares, toys, footwear, cosmetics and show pieces at cheaper rates.

Whereas in the Civil Lines area, the bazar used to witness thousands of customers on the day, the new site wore almost deserted looks even till afternoon today.

“Many of us not even have opened our account as customers are not coming here for unknown reasons,” laments Shaukat, who comes from Sharanpur here every Wednesday to sell readymade garments.

“To make the matter worse, officials are not allowing us to hang our clothes on poles. Without displaying the items, how can these sell,” said another shopkeeper Rinku.

Many shopkeepers were upset as they have to clean the surroundings before setting up their stalls. “We were told by officials that we will get clean floor in the morning but the place is very dirty when we came in the morning we had to clean the place ourselves,” said Salim.

The shopkeepers were also complaining that the officials of the local Municipal Board were charging money from them. “We were told clearly that no charges would be collected at the new site,” lamented the shopkeepers while showing the receipts of the board.

“Like me, there are 20 other persons who come from Delhi to sell their products here,” said Rinku, adding that the low rate of every product is the main reason behind the huge popularity of the market.

Owing to cheaper rates of all items, the bazar thronged by thousands of people even from nearby villages. But, shifting of the bazar to the new site has affected our businesses, said Mohsin Ahmad, president of the Saptahik Bazar Kalyan Samiti.

This is the second time that the bazar has been shifted. Earlier, it had been shifted from the main market of the town.

Dehradun, February 24
Kings Eleven team registered a four-wickets win over Delite Club at the Chanden Singh Thapali Memorial Cricket Tournament underway at Matawalabag stadium here today.

Batting first Delite Club scored 126 runs in allotted 20 overs. It was strong start by the team with the opener Neeraj scoring 21 runs off 25 balls, while first down batsman Sachin scored 26 runs off 26 balls to make the momentum going for his team. Nitin made 17 runs off 16 balls. Girish came up with 13 runs. For Kings Eleven team Junaid and Wajid took claimed three wickets each.

Chasing the victory target of 127 runs Kings Eleven reached the target with four wickets in hand. Opener gave a poor start to the team, it was first down batsman Khalid to stabilised the innings and scored 15 runs off 17 balls, while middle order batsman Manish scored 17 runs. Wajid scored 26 runs off 13 runs. For Delite team Himanshu and Sachin took two wickets each.

Meanwhile in the second match, RPCA team defeated Lucent International School team by three wickets.

Batting first, Lucent International School scored 80 runs in 19.2 overs. Anshul was the highest scorer for the team with 27 runs off 22 balls. For RPCA team Aman was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets while Shakasam took two wickets. Chasing the victory target of 81 runs, RPCA team reached the target with three wickets in hand.

Aman scored 23 runs and Vishal made 16 runs. For Lucent School, Shivam, Vishal and Anshuia took one wicket each. 

Dehradun, February 24
Sports College team register easy eight-wicket win over Victoria Cricket Club at Jitendra Anand Memorial2 Cricket Tournament underway at OFD Stadium Ground here today.

Victoria Cricket Club failed to face the tight disciplined bowling of Sports College Cricket team. As a result their wickets fell at regular intervals to leave the team in a poor state.

Bharat was the first wicket to fall for Victoria team. He scored four runs only. After Bharat, it was Karan who failed to score for the team and was out for six runs. Rishi was the only batsman who showed some resistance for the team and scored 29 runs. But none other batsman showed the capability to occupy the crease for a long and the team was all out for 72 runs in 16 overs. For Sports College team bowlers did the trick. Zuber, Sodiyal, Aswal and Kartic claimed two wickets each for the team.

In reply, Sports College team came up with an outstanding batting display. Opener Rohit gave the much-needed start to the team scoring runs at will.

Rohit scored 22 runs off 22 balls, while another batsman Sagar, who was the highest scorer for the team. He played a useful knock of 30 runs off 34 balls helping his team reach the target with ease.

After failing in the batting department Victoria Cricket team put up a flop show in bowling as well. Bharat and Rishi were the only batsmen who claimed a wicket each.

Dehradun, February 24
2 Garhwal Rifle team registered a 2-0 victory over Gypsy Young team at the Narayan Gurung Memorial Football Tournament here today.

2 Garhwal Rifle dominated throughout the match. The team came close on scoring its first goal in the 17th minute of the match but the forward line failed to take advantage of the opportunity. The second scoring opportunity for the team came in the 27th minute of the match through Lalit Singh, who scored the first goal for his team by a right foot making it 1-0 for his team. After scoring the first goal there was not much action from 2 Garhwal Rifle team. The first half it was 2 Garhwal Rifle team leading by 1-0.

In the second half 2 Garhwal Rifle played an aggressive game and created many sharp moves. The team scored its second goal through Suraj Negi in 52nd minute of the match making it 2-0.

Meanwhile in the second match, Potala XI team registered a 3-1 victory over BC Milan team here today.

Potala XI team gave the first jolt to BC Milan in the 9th minute of the match through Jampa. After conceding the first goal BC Milan team put a strong defence, not allowing Potala XI team to make to the striking circle with ease.

In the second half Jampa did it again for his team in the 55th minute making it 2-0, whereas Moio came up with the third goal for his side in the 63rd minute making it 3-0. 

Dehradun, February 24
OLF and IIP won their respective matches at the Civil Services State-Level Volleyball Tournament here today.

Day’s first match was played between OLF and MES team. OLF players gave an outstanding performance in the match and won its first set by 25-23, while in the second set OLF won it by 25-20. Meanwhile in the second match, IIP team won the first set by 25-21 and second set by 25-13.

In the third match OFD team, emerged winner against NHO in straight sets. It took little effort from OFD team to win the first set by 25-19. The second set was no different and the team won it by 26-24.

In the fourth match Deal defeated MES team by 25-17 and 27-25.