Dehradun, March 22
The Badowala leopard could not be saved. The feline died last night while on its way to the Veterinary Science Institute at the GB Pant University, Pantnagar. This has taken the leopard deaths to 22. The Doiwala leopard too had died in a similar manner when it was being transported to Pantnagar for treatment.

Dehradun Divisional Forest Officer Meenakshi Joshi admitted to the lack of proper medical treatment being the main reason for the death of the Badowala leopard.

Significantly, Dehradun forest authorities had been at the forefront of many leopard rescue missions in Dehradun in recent times. While it has successively saved some wild cats who were left later in the wild, those critically injured have often met with death. The Forest Survey of India leopard, the Doiwala Leopard and now the Badowala leopard, all three succumbed to their injuries.

The critically injured Badowala wild cat was seized from beneath a staircase and captured after a long exercise. The leopard had a deep cut mark that indicated that it had been hurt by a metal snare.

Veterinarians need anaesthesia and other facilities to conduct major surgeries that are required to save such injured leopards. But as none of the facilities are presently available in Dehradun, the injured leopard was referred to the Veterinary Science Institute in Pantnagar. This is an overnight journey from Dehradun and proved detrimental to the life of the Badowala leopard.

Significantly, the Wildlife Trust of India had initiated mobile rescue and relief vehicles for wildlife. But with man-wildlife conflict taking place in the state every now and then, instant availability of such vehicles is very bleak.

Haridwar, March 22
The issue raised by the Akhada Parishad on closing of hydro-electric projects on the Ganga and maintaining the holy river’s sanctity seems to have become a major contentious issue. The parishad has postponed its agitation for a few days after the state government sought some more time to discuss this matter with the Central government. But clouds of uncertainty have not blown away as the parishad will again start agitation from March 28 onwards if the government fails to take action on their demand.

Today, late in the evening, different akhada representatives sat under the Akhada Parishad banner at Har-ki-Pauri to press and bring attention of the government over their demand of closing hydro-projects on the Ganga.

Apart from the akhadas, different saints and Maha Mandaleshwars too joined in support of the agitation.

From the state government side, State Urban and Development Minister Madan Kaushik met the agitating saints at Har-ki-Pauri and tried to put forth the government’s stance and limitations.

The minister sought time till the completion of the Shahi Snan, but the parishad members were adamant and wanted a clear assurance. It was only after much effort that the parishad postponed its agitation to March 28.

Kaushik cited various complexities, procedures and talks with the Central government on this issue, but parishad members were quite adamant and even warned of boycotting the Kumbh Shahi Snan if there demand was not met after the given deadline.

Meanwhile, the state government and the district administration have pitched in every resource and medium available to pacify the akhadas. From Kaushik to District Magistrate R Meenakshi Sundaram, SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal to ADM Mela V Dhanik, all wre holding talks with the parishad members, especially with national chief of the Akhada Parishad Mahant Gyan Das.

Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad too has come in support of the parishad with its national organisational secretary Rajendra Singh Pankaj going against the hydro projects that affect the constant flow of the Ganga.

Haridwar, March 22
The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Haridwar is not only attracting people from foreign nations in large numbers, but also witnessing hundreds of foreigners embracing Hindu religion and observing rituals.

Ranging from Russia to Italy, Japan to the United States, foreigners are seen quite interested in the Hindu religion and are taking “deeksha” in large numbers.

While last week hundreds of foreign nationals took “sanyas” in Haridwar, today at Shanti Kunj, a Russian woman, took “guru-deeksha” highlighting the growing acceptance of Hindu spirituality worldwide.

And Shaji Umalatova, a Russian citizen, is no ordinary person as she is political advisor to Russian President Dimitry Medvedev and national president of Russia’s mainstream political party Peace and Unity.

Umalatova took Gayatri mantra from Shantikunj head Dr Pranav Pandya and Shail Jeeji. She performed all Gayatri mantra rituals and vowed to take forward the message to her country.

Dr Pranav Pandya on the occasion said the deeksha was the second birth as the first was from the mother’s womb. “When one gets a guru, one gets on the moral track as the guru helps in moulding the disciple into God’s path,” said Dr Pandya.

Talking to The Tribune, Umalatova said she was quite happy on the occasion and what set apart Shantikunj was that here one was given “guru-dakshina” in the form of shedding all negativities and wrongdoings from the disciple.

On her knowledge of Hindu religion, Umalatova said she used to read books penned by Acharya Shri Ram Sharma, founder of Shantikunj, in Russian which impressed her deep within.

“The book gave me a new direction and acquainted me with the flaws inside me. Besides the simple living in Shantikunj aided with the scientific opinion in spirituality makes it totally an altogether important place in India,” she said.

Shantikunj chief Shail Jeeji, impressed by Umalatova’s perfect balance between her work and spirituality, said women were shining in every field and Umalatova was one such example who would be idolised by not only Russian women, but also by Indian women.

Umalatova also had a word for Uttarakhand, terming it Dev Bhoomi, and said while India paved way for world peace, it was quite apt that Dev Sanskriti and Shantikunj situated in Uttarakhand were working wholeheartedly in spreading this message.

Haridwar, March 22
With the Women’s Reservation Bill already passed in the Upper House of Parliament and waiting to be tabled in the Lower House, prominent people from various fields have termed the Bill as imperative and pertinent for the country.

Regarding this Bill, a discussion forum was organised at the SMJN College wherein experts from varied fields supported the Bill.

Citing example of reservation given to women in gram sabhas in Uttarakhand, State Planning Commission vice-president Manohar Kant Dhyani said the women representatives had turned the tables in villages and the difference was easily visible since they had been given reservation.

“The need of the hour is to given 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state Legislative Assemblies as it will make the country stronger. Though women in India are half in population in comparison to men, yet they have not been given equal status and representation which the reservation Bill will rectify,” voiced Dhyani.

President of State Labour and Contractual Board Ram Moorti Veer termed the Bill as a right step in the right direction which will only strengthen the democracy.

Lashing at the anti-Bill parties and organisations, newly-appointed State Planning Commission member Vimal Kumar criticised the anti-women Bill sections. He termed these as feudal minded. “All parties should support the quota for women and there is no base for opposing it. How can one think of opposing them or even dividing them in caste and religion?” asked Kumar.

Host college Principal Dr Ashok Mishra said women had proved themselves in leadership and governance. “Be it President Pratibha Patil, the Parliament Speaker, the Congress party and UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi, Uttarakhand Governor, former IPS Kiran Bedi and many others who have proved that they are no lesser then men in any regard. So why should they be deprived of political share?” pointed out Dr Mishra.

Girl students are also quite ecstatic about the quota Bill as now they can think of dominating and playing a pivotal role in politics and development of the country as a whole.

Priyanka Maini, a PG student of SMJN College and secretary of NSUI, Haridwar unit, said it was just a matter of time after the reservation was passed. “Earlier I was skeptical about prospects of being a girl in politics, but now the Bill has raised hopes for girls like me. Now, I will definitely plunge into politics and try to prove detractors wrong by doing developmental works,” said Priyanka.

Dehradun, March 22
Resenting the death of law student Vidhi Juyal at Base Hospital in Srinagar, angry students today staged a jam at the Srikot Badrinath highway in Srinagar. While accusing the hospital staff of negligence in the treatment of Vidhi, the students also alleged large-scale irregularities in the hospital.

The students alleged that the nurse on duty on the day of the incident had administered a wrong injection to Vidhi leading to her instant death.

The Principal, Medical College, Srinagar, held that the nurse had been suspended and a committee constituted to probe the matter. He said the committee would be submitted a report within 15 days.

Indresh Maikhuri, president, AIISA, who led the protest also also ghearoed the Principal.

The students also threatened to stage an agitation shortly if those behind the negligence were not arrested at the earliest.

Dehradun, March 22
The ongoing Gandhi Shilpkar Mela, a platform displaying a variety of exquisite handicrafts, has got many takers in Dehradun. Started on March 18 at the Parade Ground here, the 10-day-long mela offers something for everyone.

Under the Ministry of Textile, the government of India, the fair has been organised by an NGO, Indian Development Society, Saharanpur. With as many as 180 stalls, creative artisans are participating from different states.

However, the aim of the organisers is not only to attract customers and earn profit, but also to provide these dedicated artisans a platform to hone their creative ability and simultaneously acquire market skills. For the past 17 years, the NGO has been earnestly satisfying the needs of a large number of artisans across the country.

“For the past six years, we have been coming to Dehradun for showcasing some of the finest handicrafts items. The response over the years has been very good and this year also we are positive to earn a decent share of profit,” said Shazia, secretary of the Indian Development Society.

“Conventional items such as furniture of Saharanpur, cane furniture of Assam and clothes of Banaras and Orissa have received a very good response for quality and appearance,” added Shazia.

The fair will conclude on March 28.

Mussoorie, March 22
The dilapidated condition of ornamental fountains installed in various places for the benefit of tourists and residents at the Mall Road are crying out for renovation even after tall claims made by the Palika to re-start these before summer.

The fountain at Badoni Chowk near Rialto is still facing neglect and awaiting renovation. The callousness of the Palika is evident from the fact that the fountain at Jhoola Ghar has not been renovated since last year.

Instead, the fountains have turned into garbage containers with dirty pool of water inviting mosquitoes, which could lead to an epidemic any time. The fountains were installed after spending lakhs of rupees, but lack of proper maintenance has angered residents and traders immensely.

In a meeting with the District Magistrate held earlier this month it was decided that all such work should be completed before March 15, but no action has been taken despite the directions of the District Magistrate.

Palika officials are of the view that a few issues have to be resolved with the Electricity Department and a proposal of traders to maintain the fountain themselves is also under consideration.

Dehradun, March 22
The Uttarakhand government today made it clear that the delay in staging of the Winter Games in the state was not due to lack of preparation, but due to change of dates as decided by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Responding to a query posed by Congress MLA Pritam Singh in the state Assembly, Uttarakhand Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant disclosed that the South Asian Winter Games were now scheduled from December 18 to 23, this year.

He admitted that the Colombo meeting of the South Asian Winter Games Council on August 21, 2006, had initially decided to hold the SAF Winter Games here in February 2008. That was postponed to 2009 and now to December 2010, due to 11 South Asian Games in Bangladesh between January 29 and February 9, 2010, and the 21st Winter Olympic Games in Canada from February 12 to 28, 2010, Pant said.

Pant further said the SAF Winter Games were organised by the IOA and it was to its sole discretion to decide on the dates of the staging of the event.

He also disclosed that a total of Rs 110 crore had been received so far by Uttarakhand for the SAF Winter Games.

Nainital, March 22
Television viewers in Nainital and areas around are in for a bad time as the control room, from where the entire cable network was being run, was burnt down on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

According to cable operators, it will take at least 15 to 20 days for full-fledged resumption of services.

District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli has asked the cable operators to restore the telecast of three or four essential channels dishing out news, IPL cricket and at least a local channel at the earliest.

He has also asked people to bear with the inconvenience. The cable network being operated from Nainital caters to the entertainment needs of people living in areas like Nainital, Bhimtal, Bhawali, Ramgarh, Khurpatal, etc.

Dehradun, March 22
Sal House won the overall championship trophy for this year at the IX three-day Annual Sports Meet of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) University which concluded here today. Dr SS Negi, Director of the institute, was the chief guest who took the salute at an impressive march past by students.

In cricket, Sal House was the winner of the trophy, while Pine House was the runner-up. In volleyball, again the Sal House bagged the top position, while Sandal House second.

In carom (women singles), Shikha of the Pine House stood first and Supriya of Teak House stood second. In the women’s double of carom, Manisha and Supriya of Teak House were the winners and Sailja and Sona of Sandal House runners-up.

In the girls’ relay race held at the concluding day, Teak House was first while Pine and Sandal House were second and third, respectively.

In the boys’ section, Sal House stood first while Pine House got the second place. Teak House was third in the relay race.

In the tug-of-war match of boys, Sal House bagged the first place and Sandal House came second, while in the girls’ section Sandal House was first and Teak House was the runner-up.

For overall individual performances, Nandan Kumar of Sal House and Anisha Siddiqui of Teak House were awarded by Dr Negi.

Senior officials of the FRI were present at the function.

Dehradun, March 22
Overall performance by Rishi Dhawan and Ajay Saklani helped the RPCA Club defeat Tanush Academy by 141 runs in the 3rd All-India Uttarakhand Cup Cricket tournament being played at Rangers’ College ground here today.

RPCA Club won the toss and elected to bat first. Rishi Dhawan and Ajay Saklani scored half centuries to take the team to the huge total of 293 runs at the loss of all wickets in 37 overs.

Rishi Dhawan missed his century as he got out on 97 while Ajay Saklanai scored 47 in 51 balls. Opener Vipin also scored a brisk 39 runs in 28 balls. For Tanush Academy, Shashank Badoni took five wickets for 44 runs in his seven overs.

Tanush Academy could not fight the huge total of RPCA Club and were all out for 152 runs in 27.3 overs. Only opener Yoginder, scored 47 runs followed by 28 runs by Sharad Kamboj.

For RPCA Club, Rishi Dhawan and Ajay Saklani took three wickets each to win the match.

Dehradun, March 22
Rajendra Sports defeated Gandhi Eleven in the Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand Real Host Cricket Tournament being played at Sunderpur near Biharigarh in Saharanpur district.

Gandhi Eleven won the toss and elected to bat first. In the allotted 20 overs, the team could manage to score only 125 runs at the loss of all wickets.

Lalit was the highest scorer with 26 runs in 32 balls. Raju and Satish made 16 and 14 runs respectively. For Rajendra Sports, Faisal, Younus and Shaffik Rao claimed two wickets each.

Rajendra Sports achieved the target with two balls to spare. The start was a disaster for the Rajendra Sports, which lost both its openers when the team’s score was mere two runs. However, Shahrukh and Shaffik Rao steered their team by scoring 25 and 24 runs, respectively.

Rajendra Sports surpassed the total of their opponents in the last overs. Rajendra Sports achieved the target of 125 runs while losing seven wickets and two balls to spare.