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House echoes with corruption charges against govt, adjourned
Chamoli backs Tibetan cause
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Doon varsity faces faculty crunch
Deemed Varsity Status
Shiva Cricket Academy thump Old Himalayan team
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House echoes with corruption charges against govt, adjourned
Dehradun, March 10 The Congress legislators are on their toes since the Budget session started. They did not allow Governor Margaret Alva to address the House on the opening day on March 8. On March 9, handing over of power projects to private entrepreneurs amidst allegations of favouritism and corruption rocked the Uttarakhand Assembly. Today the Congress charged the government of gross favouritism in changing the land use pattern of a defunct chemical factory at Rishikesh in an alleged clandestine manner to build residential flats. Soon after the question hour, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislators were on their feet demanding a discussion on the issue of change of land use pattern of closed Citurgia Bio-chemicals Limited factory at Rishikesh under Section 310 of the House Rules. The Opposition charged that the leased land of the closed factory was given to another company for building flats. Speaker Harbans Kapoor disallowed the discussion on the subject leading to the Opposition members storming the well of the House forcing him to adjourn the House till afternoon. As the House assembled after lunch, the Opposition members again stalled the proceedings for the day. Earlier, Congress MLA talking to mediapersons alleged that Citurgia Bio-Chemicals was given 50.47 acres of land in the ’60s by the then Uttar Pradesh government on lease at Rishikesh. In 2003, after the factory was closed the, company asked the Uttarakhand government to sell the leased land, which was denied. As per the rules, the leased land had to go back to the state government. The Congress legislators further charged that the Nishank government granted permission to change the land use pattern of 15 acres of land to a Sterdia company to build flats and a mall. Kishore Upadhaya, Pritam Singh and Ranjit Singh Rawat, all Congress legislators, asked why no money was charged for land use causing loss of hundreds of crore to the state exchequer. “Interestingly, the entire official process to give permission to change land use pattern of the land right from the clerk to Chief Secretary and Chief Minister was done in a single day,” Kishore Upadhaya told The Tribune. He further alleged that thousands of trees on the land had also vanished. Earlier, on Tuesday, the Congress alleged a big scam in the allotment of these power projects. Seeking discussion under Rule 310, Opposition members both from the Congress and the BSP jumped into the well of the House and alleged rampant corruption in the recent handing over of the 56 hydropower projects to private hands and forced the Speaker for an adjournment. Later addressing newspersons, Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat sought a CBI probe alleging large-scale corruption in the deal asserting that most of the projects had gone to four persons who had been allotted a total of 377 MW of power through the means of various companies. Revealing the names of all four persons, Rawat said while Deepak Modi held the office of Director of 14 companies that had been allotted projects in Uttarakhand, another Deepak Suri was the Director with as many as six companies, all of which had been allotted projects in the state. “The other two are Harjinder Singh and Venkatrama Subba Reddy. Both have been allotted two projects each through the means of companies, where they hold the position of Directors,” he pointed. Describing the handing over of these hydro projects to four individuals as part of the biggest scam in the history of Uttarakhand, Rawat said the BJP government had crossed the limits of corruption by indulging in a scam involving one of the most important resources of the state. This when the Chief Minister himself held the portfolio of Power Minister. The entire Opposition also resorted to sloganeering against the government.
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Chamoli backs Tibetan cause
Dehradun, March 10 Expressing solidarity with the Tibetan cause, chief guest Vinod Chamoli, Mayor of Dehradun, said Tibetan people had preserved their culture and tradition despite being pushed out of their homeland. “You have always led a peaceful struggle and people of Uttarakhand will continue to support the ‘just cause of Tibet’,” Chamoli said. In his message, his holiness the Dalai Lama complimented the Tibetans settled in different parts of the country for keeping alive their culture and tradition and passing it on to the next generation. “The people have been successful in retaining their identity outside Tibet besides keeping alive the dream of achieving their homeland one day. “Tibetans are looking for a legitimate and meaningful autonomy, an arrangement that would enable Tibetans to live within the framework of the People’s Republic of China. However, since the occupation of Tibet, the Communist China has been publishing distorted propaganda about Tibet and its people,” the Dalai Lama said in his message. In the message that was read out by Tibetan welfare officer Gyaltsen, the Dalali Lama reiterated that once Tibet gained real autonomy he would not take up any office in the new arrangement so also the office-bearers of the Tibetan government in exile. The Dalai Lama said they had to make several provisions for monks and teachers who were part of a large scale exodus from Tibet. “We have to ensure that they continue to take up religious studies,” he said. Later, the Tibetans carrying placards and raising slogans took out a procession that passed through important landmarks of the city. In the morning, a prayer meeting was held at the park under the aegis of the Tibetan Welfare Office. Tibetans from Dekyiling, Rajpur, Clement Town, Manduwala and Haridwar participated in it. Meanwhile, members of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dekyiling, also set out on a motor cycle expedition in support of the Tibetan cause. The rally was flagged off from the park. “It will cover a distance of 2,000 km and pass through Uttar Pradesh, Delhi before returning to Dehradun on March 25,” said Yeshi Tharchen, president, RTYC.
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Internal wars weakening India: Kakodkar
Haridwar, March 10 Such a situation had occurred in Haridwar when missile man and former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had visited Dev Sanskriti University and now, it was the turn of Dr Anil Kakodkar, eminent nuclear scientist, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India and Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. In the Kumbh city to attend the two-day national security convention that concluded today, Dr Kakodkar refrained from speaking on India’s nuclear programme and his role in the Indo-US nuclear deal. He said he had come to the city just to take part in the convention. His guest lecture was as impressive and varied as his stellar career. “I am not a defence expert, but it is a privilege to speak in front of top defence personnel and that too in Haridwar. “It is a different domain for me and also an honour as national security is related to all of us,” said a humble Kakodkar. On his role in clinching the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, Kakodkar tried to downplay his contribution and just said that it was an unified effort and a single person cannot be given credit for it. But the eminent scientist was more perturbed by the internal ‘wars’ being fought against naxalites, Maoists and extremists. These clashes are hindering development of our country
and putting extra pressure on our security forces. He said that while India has to be always alert with its hostile neighbouring countries, the targeting of soft targets by external agencies inside India has made the nation fight a war within. “Various factors are disturbing the country’s stability, the primary one being the exploitation of weaker sections of society. Our resources are being pitched in for internal conflicts and this is a cause of major concern.” So how to tackle growing internal insurgency. “We have to use our computer expertise and software technology to maximum effect for our defence purposes. The IT industry should come out with low-cost solutions and products as our security forces need these to tackle external and internal threats,” remarked
Kakodkar. Not many know that Kakodkar was involved in both nuclear tests conducted by India, first under the Indira Gandhi government at Pokhran (1974) and the second in Pokhran (1998) under the Atal Behari Regime. On nuclear energy, Kakodkar said that energy security is another major issue that the country is facing. He said that for energy security, it is imperative to develop energy resources and that too sustainable
ones. Kakodkar, after pursuing initial schooling from home town Barbani in Madhya
Pradesh, studied in Ruparel College and later did mechanical engineering from VJTI University of Bombay. In 1964, he joined the Bhabha Atomic Space Research Centre and later went on to become its Director in 1996. This was followed by his stint as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. When it was suggested that the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna should be his next goal, Kakodkar tried to play it down. He has already received the Padma Shri (1998), Padma Bhushan (1999) and last year, Padma
Vibhushan. He said that these awards were a recognition from the government and these honours have propelled him to work more assiduously.
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Tribune Investigation
Mussoorie, March 10 The Tribune has learnt that 32 bighas of MPG College have been leased to the Art of Living in a proposal passed unanimously at the Board meeting held in January. It is also proposed that the Art of Living organisation, headed by internationally renowned spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar, will establish a mini-university near Husain Ganj. Confirmed sources have revealed that no approval has been taken yet from the management committee which runs the daily affairs of the college and neither have they been informed about the ongoing affairs in land lease of the college. It is also learnt that a college management meeting, that was held last year, was cancelled as some members who were not entitled attended it illegally. The management committee consists of 14 members, including Palika president and five elected members, the District Magistrate or his nominee, local self-government nominee, higher education director nominee, Vice-Chancellor, Principal of MPG College, teachers and non-teaching staff of the college. The sections of society opposing the land lease have also alleged that arbitrary decision has been taken in leasing the land for the said purpose. Intellectuals too are agitated on the proposed lease of college land and allege irregularities in the process. According to the Shikshak Sangh, Municipal Post Graduate College president Sudhir Gairola, the MPG College land cannot be leased, sold or transferred in any condition for any purpose. He elaborated further and said MPG College was affiliated to Agra University in 1963 and later to Garhwal University (GU). The Nagar Palika adhering to the norms prescribed by GU allocated 2 acres of land near Kinckraig and Husain Ganj. Any such transfer of land to a different organisation would lead to automatic disaffiliation from the university. A delegation of teachers from MPG College also met Sri Sri Ravishankar on March 2 and apprised him of the situation and humbly requested him not to acquire the illegally transferred land as it would jeopardise the future of the students, teachers and Karamcharis. Gairola further said Palika President OP Uniyal angered at this move by teachers served them show-cause notice which appeared in a section of the media questioning their motive of meeting Sri Sri Ravishankar at the Palika premises which was not only illegal, but also immoral as it led to defamation and undermining the moral of the teachers. The college teacher condemned this act of the Palika in strong words through a letter addressed to the Palika president. Gairola also affirmed that the teaching staff had strongly felt that this notice was a flagrant attack on members of teachers organisation and a befitting reply would be given in the near future. They unanimously had decided that the transfer of the land would not be allowed at any cost, and if need be they would protest at every forum against this draconian decision of the Palika Mussoorie. Principal, MPG College, RS Shukla and eminent author Ganesh Saili also asserted that the lease of the land was illegal and the concept of mini-university as mentioned by Palika President Uniyal recently was preposterous as no such university existed in the world. On the other hand Uniyal, who is also management committee ex-officio president, also consented that no approval had been taken from the committee and he did not mention the date of the meeting, but sources had confirmed that the meeting was scheduled for March 16 discreetly. The opposition to land lease is
gaining momentum in the town and it is also learnt that the question has also been raised by Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola in the Vidhan Sabha seeking complete investigation in the matter.
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Convention calls for focus on national security
Haridwar, March 10 Organised by the Forum for Integrated National Security, the convention witnessed Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, former Rajya Sabha Chairperson Najma Heptullah, former RSS supremo KS Sudershan, G Parthasarthy and many defence experts unequivocally calling for strengthening India’s security both externally and internally. Concluding the convention, Dr Nishank stressed the need for extra security and funding to the states sharing international borders. He termed Uttarakhand as a sensitive state as apart from it having international borders with neighbouring countries due to hilly geographical conditions, the state needs to be better equipped to handle external as well as internal threats. He pointed out that the state government was gearing up to meet any task and a successful hosting of the Maha Kumbh was one example showing the capability of the state. Dhumal called for the need for a better coordination among Himalayan states on the security issue. He also advocated for a separate hill security force owing to the geographical conditions of the hill states. Heptullah emphasised on bringing the issue of global terrorism to international forums as this was not confined to one or two nations only. Terming children being targeted by multinational companies, specially with junk food, Poornima Advani, former chief of the National Women Commission, said if our young generation couldn’t be saved from having a unhealthy lifestyle, then how could we hope that they would lead the nation to prosperity. On global terrorism, a former Chief of Nepal Army, Gen Rukmangund Katawal said global terrorism was slowly engulfing the whole world and it couldn’t be fought by one nation or a cartel of nations on their own. He urged for all the terrorism-affected nations to join hands, conceive joint strategies as then only could we encounter this problem. Showing concern over the lessening of Indian armed forces on border, former defence secretary Joginder Kumar said lessening of forces on border was a serious matter. While earlier force deployment was 1.8 per cent now it was only 1.3 per cent and it needed to be increased, he added. Talking about the adverse affects of global terrorism on sports, BJP leader and former Test cricketer Chetan Chauhan cited examples of sporting teams not visiting terror-prone Pakistan. This convention was a major success where in several sessions experts and speakers dwelt upon the national security as well as internal security and impact of global happenings on India’s security set-up.
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Experts discuss cyber security
Dehradun, March 10 He was speaking at a workshop organised by the Dehradun chapter of the Computer Society of India (CSI) on Cyber Security and Surveillance on the Doon University campus. Delegates from the Central government, state government educational institutions and representatives of corporate houses attended the one-day workshop. The guest of honour, Prof Grijesh Pant, Vice-Chancellor of Doon University, stressed the need to keep the organisations abreast on the probable threat that the country is facing in view of the current socio-economic and political affairs. Doon University is offering six-month certificate course during which students are trained in security, counter terrorism, fire prevention and fighting and safety. The key speakers at the seminar were experts from various fields. They included Lieut-Gen KK Khanna (retd) from Doon University, Sandeep Lugani from Infotech, and Prof Bikash Mohanty from the IIT-Roorkee. Piyush Mittal, Chairman of the CSI, said the CSI was working towards promoting information technology as a profession and to fulfil the objective it was regularly organising conferences, conventions
and lectures. Demo stalls were also set up at the venue by companies like Wipro, LG, Dlink, Digilink, Hiltron and others.
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Doon varsity faces faculty crunch
Dehradun, March 10 The university, which is already running two courses, environment science and mass communication, has plans to start School of Foreign languages (Spanish, German and Chinese), School of Social Science, Science of Management by July this year, but it has not yet finalised faculty of any one single stream till now. Vice-Chancellor Prof Girijesh Pant, who has studied international relations in
JNU, is using his connections in the field to search for quality faculty for the purpose. He said, “It is becoming increasingly difficult to get good teachers. The number of Central universities which the Union government has opened is also facing the same problem. If I go by advertisement in the paper, then I will be flooded with applications of those who won’t fit in the bill. Since it is an upcoming university, I need to be extra-conscious in choosing the faculty”. Talking about the dilemma, he said the highly proficient faculties were not easily ready to leave the universities they were already teaching at. Giving his own example, he said, “It gives immense satisfaction to work in a new university as here we get a lot of freedom to be creative and set up a new system. One can always glance back to revel in such pride moments”. To solve the problem of providing quality education, he has mooted plans to tie up with some foreign universities and share the curriculum through video conferencing. He said, “My plan to enter in collaboration with foreign universities is in its infancy stage. But yes, it will be a giant step to make students attend a few semesters in foreign universities and a few in India. Similarly, the shortage of staff will be tackled through video-conferencing, where students will attend classes and take notes from the faculty of some other university”. Pant, who has only two years left to make a mark before he again dons the mantle of JNU professor, is making vigorous efforts to prepare a basic infrastructure and faculty for Doon University.
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Deemed Varsity Status
Dehradun, March 10 The decision of the Centre that had earlier affected three such universities from Uttarakhand. Moreover, the court has also directed the UGC to give away their reports till October, 2009, to the desiring institutes. Graphic Era, along with two other universities of Uttarakhand, the Himalayan Institute of Hospital Trust and Gurukul Kangri, are the three such universities that were blacklisted by the Supreme Court. Many students who were in a state of dilemma and felt being cheated by their institute are now bit hopeful by the chance given by the apex court of presenting the institute’s view. The students are perplexed till the final verdict from the Supreme Court is delivered. Anil Kumar Balega, Dean Academics, Graphic Era University, said: “Graphic Era University is approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The UGC has also approved our institute after a thorough inspection and scrutiny regarding the regularisation of the college activities”. “The affidavit filed by the HRD to the Supreme Court would be in our favour as everything from our end is transparent and up to the mark. Like other deemed universities, we would also present our view in front of the higher authority and the rest will be decided after the final verdict of the apex court in the matter,” he added.
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Flower show organised
Dehradun, March 10 After the inauguration ceremony by Harindar Kaur, students showcased flowers such as salviya, laneriya, sainkulus (buttercup), barbina, motimam, marigold mikulus, sweet filirium, nimishia and other eye-catching flowers amid guests and staff members. Society members Ishita, Chery, Surmeal, Neha, Babita, Rachita and Kumar Mirtyunjan played an important role in successfully organising the flower show. Present at the function were college chairman SP Singh, secretary Gauravdeep Singh, Capt GS Gill, Director Prof AK Sharma and other faculty members. Garhwali singers enthral
Entertaining Garhwali folk songs were enjoyed by students at the ongoing Union Week of DAV (PG) College here today. Famous Uttarakhand’s folk singers Meena Rana and Pritam Barthwal were the main attraction of the programme. Chief guest for the function were MLA Ganesh Joshi, BJP treasurer Vinay Goyal, Mukender Singh Kandari and vice-president of the Cantt Board Dr S Farooq. Famous songs of Meena and Pritam remained the highlight of the day. The Union Week will conclude on March 12.
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COI lift UTU football trophy
Dehradun, March 10 It proved to be a one-sided match with the COI Roorkee team proving to it be a far superior side than Dev Bhoomi in the final. The Dev Bhoomi team failed to repeat its magic as was done in the semifinal match against Graphic Era Institute, in which it defeated the tough Graphic Era team by 3-2. Whereas as today, COI Roorkee did not give Dev Bhoomi Institute any chance to get a foothold in the match. The COI Roorkee team gave Dev Bhoomi Institute first jolt in the eighth minute of the match. Varun Pandey came up with a powerful kick of the right foot to help his team take an upper hand in the match. The COI Roorkee team did not take long to score its second goal of the match. It was Ankit Pandey for the team in the 30th minute, who scored the second goal making it 2-0 for his side. In the second half, the Dev Bhoomi team came up strongly and looked determined to score a goal in the match. They created many good moves but failed to convert them into scores. In the end, it was 2-0 victory for the team.
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Shiva Cricket Academy thump Old Himalayan team
Dehradun, March 10 Batting first, the Old Himalayan Cricket team scored 120 runs. Opener Sanjeev scored 16 runs off 16 balls. Deepak scored 6 runs. Middle order batsman Sanjay scored 13 runs and Manish came up with 25 runs off 19 runs. For Shiva Cricket Academy, Dhampal demolished the Old Himalayan team. He claimed six wickets in seven overs. Love was another successful bowler in the match with two wickets in the match. Meanwhile, chasing the victory target of 121 runs, Shiva Cricket Academy wasted no time in reaching the target and scored runs at quick pace. Dhampal was successful with the bats after claiming a six wickets haul in the match. He smashed 30 runs off 16 balls giving the bowlers a run for their money. Anil and Siddhart also did well for their side and scored runs with ease. Anil made 26 runs off 14 balls, whereas Siddhart came up with a runner balls 25 runs. Middle order batsman Vaibhav scored 14 runs off eight balls. For the Old Himalayan team Nitin claimed two wickets, Manish and Sanjay took one wicket each.
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Boxing competition held at RIMC
Dehradun, March 10 In 30-33 kg: Cadet Arjun Thakur, cadet Kapil Baghel. In 33-36 kg: Cadet Nimon Chakma, cadet Prathamesh Kohale. In 36-39 kg: Cadet Vishrut Rawal, Cadet Avinash Chettry. In 39-42 kg: Cadet Aurobindo Mishra, cadet Varun Kr Deewan. In 42-45 kg: Cadet Gaurav Kumar, cadet Prajwal Bhatt. In 45-48 kg: Cadet Raushan Kumar, cadet Prasad Bagauli. In 48-51 kg: Cadet K Arjun, cadet Siddarth Pratik. In 51-54 kg: Cadet Vivek Joshi, cadet Jaideep Chugh. In 54-57 kg: Cadet Suvendu Mishra, cadet JS Suman. In 57-60 kg: Cadet Priyank Jain, cadet Harsh Arora. In 60-63 kg: Cadet Swaraj Kr Mohapatra, cadet Mrugank Gargate. In 63-66 kg: Cadet Avinash Kumar, cadet Aman Kr Gupta. In 66 opens: Cadet Guninder Sidhu, cadet Leonard. Arambam. The chief guest for the evening was Col H Dharmarajan, SM, Commandant, RIMC. He was delighted to see the zeal and enthusiasm of the cadets and motivated them to perform better in the forthcoming bouts. The judges for the evening were Hav TB Thapa, Hav SK Patil, SM Kadam. The other dignitaries present were Lt Col R Nathawat, Maj SR Sahu, Lt Cdr Chakravorty, Sqn Ldr YS Panghal, CS Vishwakarma, DN Thapliyal and PN
Naik.
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‘Yaad Aali Tehri’ launched
Dehradun, March 10 Prakash Suman Dhyani, tourism adviser to the Chief Minister, was the chief guest at the ceremony, who launched the VCD of the film. Madan Mohan Duklan, male protagonist of the film, said the movie was a part of aspiring scheme to spread awareness among the entire humanity. The movie is an initiative to revive and stimulate the resonance of the dormant film industry of Uttarakhand. In particular, Duklan asserted on portraying the sorrow and grief of the Tehri town that has sunken with the modern projects, along with its civilisation and cultural heritage through the movie. The movie has five songs based on the folk music of Uttarakhand while narrating the regional tranquillity in plethora. Uma Rana, female protagonist of the movie, Narender Singh Negi, folk singer, Ravindra Lakhera, managing director of Himalayan Films Pvt Ltd and other crewmembers of the movie were present at the event.
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