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Drive to make Ganga pollution free gets positive response
His fish dish makes one wish for more
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Third edition of ‘Life and Time’ released
City needs more caretaker centres for kids
Security up as exams begin
SMJN college bars virus-infected pupils
Beehive College to publish revised journal soon
With small steps, UPCL hopes to break even
Bachelikhal to have state’s first windmill
Hydro Power Projects
Dewal children visit Assembly House
Teachers told to set papers in easy language
18 complete diploma in sewing
Forest Research Institute Annual Sports Day
Doon Cricket Academy beat Lagaan XI
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Drive to make Ganga pollution free gets positive response
Haridwar, March 19 But, those who are committed to seeing the Ganga pollution free have taken upon themselves the task to motivate the common man to be part of the drive to save the Ganga. One such effort is being made by a group of activists drawn from various fields in Haridwar under the banner of Ganga Manthan and it is utilising the Maha Kumbh conglomeration to propagate the message. The group, in sync with modern times, uses audiovisual tools to convey the message of Ganga cleaning and is already getting positive response. Despite no help being provided from the government or any other organisation, the activists have been creating a positive opinion among people by showing them audiovisuals of a contaminated Ganga. To reach out to people not only in Haridwar but worldwide a website has been created: www.gangamanthan.com, which has a whopping 50,000-plus photographs on the course of the Ganga from Gaumukh to in plain areas of Rishikesh and Haridwar. Though the website was launched just a month ago, photographs of the Ganga and ongoing Maha Kumbh are seen on it by thousands daily. Founder of the group Rameshwar informed The Tribune that the plan was to upload photos of the Ganga till it merged into the sea and the focus was on depicting the pollution in the river and contaminated effluents being discharged into it. A video compact disc has been prepared namely “Ganga Manthan”, focusing on the significance of the holy river, particularly in Kumbh rituals. The CD features various events related to the Kumbh and through lyrics the religious importance of the Ganga has been narrated. Another CD will be released with footages of a polluted Ganga soon. “With the Maha Kumbh still going on, we don’t think it proper to reveal the other side of the holy Ganga as it might hurt sentiments of devotees. But, after the Kumbh is over, we will launch the CD, which will reveal how the Ganga is being contaminated by industries and the common man. Also we will be exposing the claims of the government and nodal agencies related to the Ganga cleaning projects by showing their lackadaisical style of working,” said Rameshwar. The sale of the video album has surged since it was released last week. “The way this album conveys Ganga’s religious significance and its importance during the Maha Kumbh is quite striking and indirectly people are made to think about the sorry state of the Ganga,” remarked Arun Ohri, a Mayapur resident. Activists of the Ganga Manthan have also got praise from noted film actress Hema Malini who launched the album recently at a cultural programme in Haridwar. She too voiced her concern over the contamination of the holy river. “I urge all to make sure that the Ganga doesn’t get polluted in anyway and the discharge of industrial waste into the river should be stopped otherwise the Ganga will fade away,” said Hema Malini. Other prominent members of the Ganga Manthan Rajan Pant, Nitin Pant, Amar Chand Pathak, Meenakshi Gaud, Gagan Matta, Nepali Baba Prem Puri, Ajay Sharma, Ghanshyam Shankhla, Neeraj Gupta too are making efforts to take the cause of a pollution-free Ganga to people.
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His fish dish makes one wish for more
Kosi (Almora), March 19 Call it has fate or economic compulsions, but the place would have continued to be a nondescript hamlet if Ram Dutt Joshi had not set up shop here. Thanks to his hospitality and culinary skills, the place has come to be known as a fish eater’s delight. His shop is not an elegant restaurant that will attract high-profile tourists coming from outside the state, but the locals just vouch for the hilsa and rohu served by him along with his traditional potato raita, pakoras and tea. Joshi is a man in his late 60s. Sparing some time from his busy chores, he told The Tribune, “I belong to Bimola village at a distance of about 4 km from here. It was economic hardship that had made me give up my education and open shop here. I could not even complete matriculation”. He related that he had set up a small shop at the place more than 45 years ago and initially, he just sold tea, pakoras and potato raita. Other dishes appeared on his menu quite late. “I still serve the three things with which I started my business. I cannot give them up as they helped me earn a name in this area. As a habit, I still prefer to procure milk and curd from my native village,” he said. He related that economic hardship even prevented his two sons — Vinod and Puran — from getting higher education and they too joined him in his enterprise. Today, hardly any traveller in the area will cross the hamlet without savouring the food served by him. Call it providence or fate, he continues to make chapattis, rice, dal and his famous fish curry on a traditional ‘chullah’. “I still cannot afford an LPG connection and above all, modern facilities and appliances are no match for the traditional means. True that the old means are a bit time-consuming and uncomfortable, but the taste they bestow is beyond comparison,” he said. His grandchildren are pursuing formal education and he wants his sons to diversify the business with the changing times. But for his lot, he is happy catering to his customers with traditional hospitality. He approaches every table where his customers eat and ask them personally if they are satisfied. Their appreciation brings a beaming smile to his face. The customers go a satisfied lot having had a tasty meal at a very reasonable price. After all, where can one have a diet comprising chapattis, raita, rajma or any other dal, along with mouth-watering fish curry, for less than Rs 70 at a time when everyone is cribbing about spiralling prices?
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Third edition of ‘Life and Time’ released
Dehradun, March 19 The book is a celebration of people who come from India and abroad to get first-hand experience of the Indian spirituality and religion. The book has come at a time when the fair is already underway in Haridwar. Bringing together eminent personalities to contribute for the book is no mean task and the book has achieved that. We have contributions from eminent people writing about food, culture, personalities, education and tourism. The contribution is by people who have deep knowledge about the state’s history and culture. It also sheds light on personalities who have made a mark in their chosen field and done the state proud. Mrinal Pande, Prasoon Joshi to mention a few figures in the book. There are articles devoted to environment, industries, culture, food, education and tourism. The last two editions of Life and Time, Uttarakhand were well received by book lovers. Beside, there are other details of Uttarakhand that comes out through detailed write-ups and pictures.
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City needs more caretaker centres for kids
Dehradun, March 19 “Looking after a child for a working woman is really a tedious job when she has to fulfil other responsibilities too. I had to leave my son back at home when he was just a couple of months old while I was on duty. I still remember the panic and worries we (Roy couple) had gone through when he started going to school. I had to literally run home haphazardly from the Military Hospital just to feed my son, make him sleep and again rush back to the hospital. That time, we looked for crèches and babysitters in the city, but failed to find one,” said Dr (Major) Ritu Roy (retd), dental surgeon, who is now practising at her own clinic on Rajpur Road. “I am lucky enough that my mother-in-law was with us. She looked after our son for two years whenever we both were busy in our work or touring,” she added. There are several other mothers like Dr Roy, who are facing or must have faced similar problems of feeding and spending time with their children in their initial days. It’s often noticed and seen that mothers hold a lot many responsibilities in their lives compared to their partners. From marriage to family, from children to jobs, everything persuades women to make sacrifices at every stage of their lives, while men are apparently at ease. Another affected mother is working with the media and her husband’s job often requires him to tour across the country. She says time in her job is not at all flexible due to which she is unable to spend time with her daughter. Half of the week her husband is flying to places and in that case the child has to stay with the servant. She feels worried for her daughter whenever she is working. Though she calls up her daughter every two hours to stay in touch with her, her purpose doesn’t get fulfilled until she returns home. She is also looking for a good and reliable crèche somewhere near her workplace so that she can visit her daughter whenever possible. Rajeev Sachar, Director of Cherry Fields, a franchise, said: “I run a kindergarten chain in the city. We impart education to tiny tots with modern technical way of teaching and learning, care, affection and encouragement. But yes, we often face problems with students whose both parents are working. Parents also approach us to seek assistance in the nurturing and upbringing of their children. Fewer number of crèches or caretaker centres in the city has left them with the only option of leaving their children with maids or neighbours. And it’s been noticed that children happen to imbibe activities, language as well as mannerisms of those servants, which actually hampers their mental development”. “We request self-help groups and NGOs to take an initiative to start places for toddlers with well-trained staff ,” he added.
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Security up as exams begin
Dehradun, March 19 “I am law student of the first semester and have come here to write my paper. Security inside the college is quite tight and invigilators and flying squads appear vigilant,” said Amit, a student of the college. “The kind of measures taken by the college authorities will provide equal and fair chance to students to present their dexterity as well as mental ability without any support of unfair means or cheating,” he added. After the celebration of union week at the college, more and more students are swarming the college to get their admit cards. The college authorities assured of fair and smooth conduct of exams. Chief proctor DS Joshi said, “We cannot take any chance that will bring a bad name to our institute. We had written to the administration informing it about the examination and they have deployed 25 policemen for security.
SMJN college bars virus-infected pupils
Haridwar, March 19 This along with eight point guidelines has been issued by the college management, which has created uproar among the students. Also to make sure that examinations are free of any untoward incident the college principal Dr Ashok Mishra has decided to take help of the district administration in this regard. Examination in charge Dr SK Batra said this time college management will strictly implement the guidelines which also includes ban of cellular phones, memory devices as per the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Central University examination manual. Citing spreading of disease via inflicted student he said this is to prevent spreading of the virus and ensure hassle-free examination especially when Kumbh is on. The SMJN College is one of the premier colleges of Haridwar and also known for students’ politics and differences between various student unions and college management. A total of 5,300 students comprising regular and private will be appearing for the forthcoming examinations starting from March 25.
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Beehive College to publish revised journal soon
Dehradun March 19 The two-day national conference on ‘Information Integrity and Supply Chain Management’ began here today at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. The Beehive College has conducted the national meet where experts and delegates from the field of IT sector and management had come under one roof to share their expertise with students. Garg elaborated on the main theme of ‘Information Integrity and Supply Chain Management’ that aims at incorporating innovate or derive less expensive as well as simpler methods to yield products in IT and management that could possibly help consumers to approach for it. Forty research papers from different researchers and colleges would be presented during the conclave, which would further compiled as a research book with the name of ‘Advance Research Book.’ The launch of the research book is scheduled to be on March 17 during the grand celebration of annual function of the Beehive College. However, after the six months of strenuous preparations and management, department heads, professors, businessmen from far-flung places such as Kerala, Rourkela, Kolkata, Greater Noida, Meerut, Jamshedpur, Jaipur, Delhi and Nainital have gathered to mark their presence in the ceremony. Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri, was the chief guest who inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp while Prof HC Nainwal, director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, was the guest of honour. Other dignitaries present at the event were Prof Ashit Kaushik, guest speaker, Dr Aftab Ahmad, director, Beehive College, Amit Kapoor, Chairman, Beehive College, Dr A K Dubey, Dr M P Singh, Dr Puneet Aggarwal and others.
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With small steps, UPCL hopes to break even
Dehradun, March 19
Jagmohan Lal, Managing Director, UPCL, said, “This year, we He said the target marked was not beyond the power body’s reach and could easily be met. “We were able to generate 4,635 MU in 2008-09. We are confident that we can produce 5,000 MU in 2010-11. Especially now, when we are taking effective steps in preventing the pilferage of electricity and are moving towards checking the leakage of water in our hydro-powerhouses”. Lal said the corporation had replaced conventional meters with some 70,000 mechanical meters. “So much needs to be done, but I am taking those steps first that can bring stupendous results by bringing in control the factors that are causing us utmost harm. “A major setback is coming from rural areas where power stealing was on at a mass scale. They were paying merely 25-30 paisa per unit. “The installation of mechanical meters has been a big step in discouraging them from stealing and making them to pay justified dues. “Secondly, training was imparted to junior engineers to detect and remove the usage of ‘shunt’ - a tool used to tamper with the meters to register a lower usage of electricity. “Third, stringent action was taken against the offenders by lodging FIRs against them. We also took the help of a free helpline for the purpose where people informed us about the culprits who were stealing electricity. “Just by checking pilferage, we were able to raise our revenue by 15 per cent and line losses to half.” A part of his hope hinges on preventing electricity losses by plugging loopholes in hydro-projects like checking the water leakage, timely repairs etc. “We have benefited a lot from the Maneri-Bhali Project II. Similarly, we are pinning our hopes on Chilla hydro-power project as well. As the baton is in the hands of the UJVN now, it can easily take charge of the situation and increase power generation by good extent.”
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Bachelikhal to have state’s first windmill
Dehradun, March 19 Disclosing this in the House yesterday, Rajendra Singh Bhandari said the selection of Bachelikhal had been done for setting up the first windmill of the state. Responding to a query from minister Mayuk Mehar, Bhandari held that a provision for the installation of Bachelikhal windmill had also been done in the budget. He also apprised that in 2005-06, as many as 24 sites were initially identified for wind monitoring, out of which 10 were finally selected for the purpose. These included Hathipaon, Dehradun, Bhairavkhal Pauri, Srikot Almora, Jhopra in Pitthoragarh, Maneshar in Champawat, Garud Baijnath in Belgeshwar, Malari in Chamoli and the Sukhi area in Uttarkhashi district. He, however, held that it was Bachelikhal that was finally selected, as it was the only site that reported a wind speed of 18.1 km per hour. Earlier, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal MLA Om Gopal Rawat doubted the government’s intentions. He accused the state government of doing little to promote wind energy. He was joined by another legislator Kazi Nijammuddin, who said it was strange that while the government was purchasing power at high rates from other states, it was the least concerned to tap the wind energy that could be a source of generation of power.
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Hydro Power Projects
Dehradun, March 19 While he also accused him of presenting false statements about Srinagar and Vishnuprayag hydro-electric projects, Yogendra said both projects were allotted by the Uttar Pradesh government and had nothing to do with the last Congress government of the state. The Uttarakhand government had no right other than getting 12 per cent of the produced electricity free of cost from these two projects. He also pointed out that Dr Nishank himself was a Cabinet minister in the then UP ministry, responsible for allotment of Srinagar and Vishnuprayag projects. Yogendra has asked the Chief Minister to clarify his statement on possibility of any scam and corruption in the allotment of hydro-power projects during the Congress regime. “Why did he and his party so far not demand the inquiry in this regard?” he asked. The Congress government has allotted most of the projects to public undertakings of the government of India, which has no possibility of bribery or corruption. The Chief Minister should also clarify who were the local persons who had applied for the project, which had been allotted during the Congress regime. Yogendra alleged that the CM by propagating the false scam and corruption on the Congress was trying to cover up the scam in his government. “The corruption of the present government cannot be subsidised by floating the frequent statements about the so-called scam and corruption of previous government. Being the CM, he has absolute rights to write a letter for a CBI inquiry of scam and corruption during all governments of Uttarakhand,” he added.
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Dewal children visit Assembly House
Dehradun, March 19 So, when they trooped inside the Assembly House, for a moment even the MLAs stopped in their track welcoming the intrusion by guests. Their presence was acknowledged by the Speaker too. The visit of 60 children from Dewal block was facilitated by Govind Lal Shah MLA of the area and the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). “Eighty percent of the children got the chance to see buses, cars and trains for the first time during their trip to Doon. The passes for the kids have been arranged by the local MLA,” said Dalbir Danu, member Shetra Panchayat. The students study at the Mailkaith Inter College. While most of the kids may be under 11 years, they seemed to have been taken up by ways of the elders as few among them wanted to join politics on reaching the right age, “Our leaders seem to have such an impact on our lives, I am told they make laws and policies, I too would like to do the same,” said 11-year-old Nandan. Belonging to economically weaker sections, the children warmed up to the proceedings which they were allowed to watch from the visitors’ gallery, “They were discussing issues pertaining to education and Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), there were moments of heated discussions and we enjoyed it thoroughly,” said a six-year-old Hema Harki who was quite enamored by the aura surrounding the Vidhan Sabha, the ceremonies and proceedings that go with it. The visit was a an eye opener for these children who were venturing out for the first time from their homes, taking in the culture of city life, quite different from their own rural setting. While in Dehradun, the children will be visiting Doon University, Forest Research Institute and Malsi Deer Park. From here they will move to Srinagar and visit the Medical College.
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Teachers told to set papers in easy language
Dehradun, March 19 In the first phase of the camp, Dr Rajni Ranjan Singh from Mussoorie delivered a lecture on the ways of effective question-paper making and said for the overall development of students, teachers should keep those important prerequisites in mind. Addressing the gathering, Prof RP Pathak from Lal Bhadur Shastri Vidhyalaya (New Delhi) said to easily communicate with students, examiners should set the papers in a simple language and avoid sentences and words that can make them confused and nervous. “The role of the examiner is to help the students to give their best performance, rather than making them puzzled and opposed to examinations,” added Professor Pathak. Sharing important tips, Dr Aarti Srivastava from the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (New Delhi) said it’s not the institute, but its teachers who made the school or college well known and worth studying.
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18 complete diploma in sewing
Mussoorie, march 19 Two of the students, Geeta Rana and Nisha Parveen were also presented with brand new sewing machines for obtaining more than 76 per cent marks during the course. The chief guest on the occasion was Palika President OP Uniyal. Zonal in charge Harbhajan Singh congratulated the students. Harbhajan also informed that they were interested in running a hospital at Barlowganj. Uniyal informed that a proposal has been sent by the board to the government and is awaiting approval.
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Forest Research Institute Annual Sports Day
Dehradun, March 19 Satyajit Singh of Sandalwood won the gold in men’s single badminton championship, whereas as Abhishek Ghoshal of Pine House settled for silver. In the volleyball tournament, Sal House won the tournament, whereas Sandalwood House stood second. While in track and field events, Nandan of Sal won a gold in the 1,500m, while Arshid also of Sal occupied the second spot to win silver and Pawan of Teak House settled for bronze. Meanwhile, in girls, Shipra of (Teak) emerged victorious to win gold, followed by Gagandeep Kaur (Pine), who claimed silver and Anjali (Teak) won bronze. In shot-put: A Bhatt (Sandalwood) made a new meet record to clinch gold, while Raja (Teak) won silver and Sunil (Sal) settled for bronze. In women’a category Anisha (Teak) won gold medal, while Arti (Sandalwood) claimed silver and Priyanka (Sal). In long jump for men’s Raja Doley claimed gold, Edwin silver and Nandan got the third position. In women’s category Anisha (Teak) gave gold winning performance, while Neha Jain (Sal) won silver and Sneha of (Teak) settled for bronze. Results of indoor events: Badminton girls’ singles: 1. Shikha Dhobal (Pine House) 2. Neetu (Sandalwood House). In boys’ doubles: 1. Satyajit Singh and Asieleavio John (Sandalwood House) 2. Gurpreet Singh and Abhishek Ghoshal. In boys’ mix doubles: 1. Gurpeet Singh 2. Shikha Dhobal 2. Kanchan and Satyajit Singh. Results of Table tennis: In girls’: 1. Sunny Deori (Teak House) 2. Shivani Dobhal (Sandalwood House). In mens’ singles: 1. R Paban (Pine House) 2. Ajay Kumar (Sandalwood House). Women’s doubles: 1. Kanchan Rawat (Sandalwood House) 2. Priyanka (Sandalwood House). In mens’ doubles: 1. Rishikesh Mishra and Ravi Veer Choudhary (Sal House) 2. Satyajit Singh and Ajay Kumar (Sandwood House). Mixed doubles: 1. Shivani Dobhal and Ajay Kumar (Sandwood House) 2. Rishikesh Mishtra and Priyanka (Sal House). Results of Chess: In men’s singles: 1. Abhay Garg (Pine House) 2. Ajay (Pine House). In women’s single: 1. Malen Leima (Pine House) 2. Priyamwada (Pine House). Results of carom event: In women’s single: 1. Shikha (Pine House) 2.Supriya (Teak House). In women’s doubles: 1. Manisha and Supriya (Teak House) 2. Sajla and Sona (Sandalwood). In men’s singles: 1. Akhoto (Sal) 2. Raja (Teak) In men’s doubles: 1. Samresh and Aryan (Teak) 2. Akohota and Ravi (Sal). In mix doubles: 1. Akhota and Seema (Sal) 2. Samesh and Manisha (Teak).
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Doon Cricket Academy beat Lagaan XI
Dehradun, March 19 DCA won the toss and piled on a big total of 159 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of four wickets. Opening batsmen Rishab (23) and Amar (11) failed to convert their respective individual scores to big numbers. However, Anshul played a swashbuckling knock of 52 runs in 31 balls but got unfortunately run out. For Lagaan XI, Waheed and Upender took two wickets each. Lagaan XI was packed off for just 67 runs in 13 overs. It was Pankaj of DCA that took the batsmen of his rival team to surprise with his five-wicket haul. He was the man of the match as well. None of the batsman could even score a respectable number and the team collapsed. Bharat got two wickets while Amar and Anshul pocketed one wicket each. Meanwhile, in the second match Gandhi Gram XI beat DC Helision Boys by 11 runs. GG XI won the toss and elected to bat first. The team scored 108 runs in the allotted 20 overs. The losing team could score only 88 runs and got all out in 16 overs. Goruav was the mainstay of the team scoring 21 runs, however, his innings couldn’t be of any help to the team.
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Haridwar, March 19
Dehradun, March 19
Dehradun, March 19
Dehradun, March 19
It aims to increase electricity production to 5,000 MU (Million Units) which will place the corporation in a no-profit-no-loss position in comparison to excessive losses in 2009-10.
