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Metalled Road Link
Homage paid to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru
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Monkey Menace Mathura team traps 40 simians in 2 days
Rawat lashes out at govt for poor Kumbh work
Water quality test plan fails to take off in rural areas
Nainital areas to benefit from water scheme
Kumbh Mela
Guv visits Company Garden in Mussoorie
Valmiki community takes out Peshwayi
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Metalled Road Link
Pitthoragarh, March 23 “The government of India has always neglected the feelings of these people living on the border as they are constructing motor roads in strategically important Byans valley, but despite 13-year-old promise of constructing a motor road from New Dar village to Duktu village, the Darma valley has no such link,” said Shakuntla Datal, leader of the protesters. Residents of the Darma valley, where people migrate to lower valleys in October and to upper valleys in May every year, have been demanding a metalled road linking the valley to the rest of the state for the past six years, but formerly due to a strategic policy and later due to this area falling into Askot musk deer sanctuary, work to lay the road to Darma could not be started. “The nearest village of the Darma valley is situated 17 km from a motor road whereas the most distant village is 55 km away from a motor road and it takes two days on foot to reach there,” said Datal, adding that when in 1997 the motor road patch from New Dar vilage to Duktu village was sanctioned, people of the valley were hopeful of work getting started on the road. But due to negligence of this area by respective governments, the road is still a dream of the local people. “During the Indian-China war of 1962, people from Darma helped the Army, but after the war, the government of India has forgotten us,” said Datal. According to the Border Road Organisation (BRO) and district administration sources, three main roads are under construction on the India-China border in this area which are Gatiabagar to Lipulekh, Munsiyari to Milam and Gunji to Jolingkong. “Work on the motor road to Darma despite approval could not be started due to some environmental hurdles,” said NS Negi, District Magistrate, Pitthoragarh. “If the Darma valley gets the road link up to the last village, Sipu, the permanent migration from this vital border area will not take place as the cultivation of commercial crops and high Himalayan herbs will make it commercially viable for people to live in their respective villages,” claimed Datal.
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Homage paid to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru
Haridwar, March 23 Various programmes were organised in the district to pay homage to the martyrs. At Bhagat Singh
Chowk, located in front of BHEL, and at Ranipur Mod, people offered tributes at the statue of the martyr. Outfits of the Congress held a programme at the chowk and garlanded the statue of the martyr. The City Congress Committee was the first to pay homage to the martyrs. Addressing the gathering, senior Congress leader JP Pandey stressed the need of the youth idolising the three martyrs in their life. “Our youth need to idolise Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and
Rajguru, as it’s due to their sacrifice that we are able to live in a free world today,” said
Pandey. Recalling the incidence which led to their sentencing, party state women secretary Mira Raturi said after the murder of British police officer JP Saunders in 1929, a trial was held in Lahore against
the three martyrs and they were executed. “This is a day to remember the martyrs whose sacrifices liberated millions of Indians from the shackles of imperialism and paved way for India to get Independence just 28 years later,” said OP Chauhan, city Cngress chief. Youth Congress activists also held a separate function with activists remembering the contribution of the martyrs. City youth chief Ravish Bhatija said the trio of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev, along with Chandarasekhar Azad, had put an ideal example for millions of youths to plunge into the freedom movement. “Their role was very significant in igniting the national movement for freedom and it’s up to us that we take their ideals and vision forward,” said Bhatija. CPI activists too remembered the martyrs on this day and held a discussion on their contribution and affect on national movement. State organisational committee member V Jakhmola pointed out that while on the one hand these martyrs at a young age laid their lives for the sake of the country, today it was being seen that politicians were filling their coffers and trying to divide India on regional, religious and caste basis. “This is quite sad and it’s not only by garlanding that one pays homage to these martyrs, but by making
the country an ideal one which these martyrs envisioned. Martyrs thought of the country first, but now we have become self-centred and that is the reason why corruption has seeped deep in our society,”
said Jakhmola. Dehradun: Shaheed Bhagat Singh was remembered on his death anniversary by various associations of the state capital at the Gandhi Park here today. Members of these associations paid tributes to the martyr and organised a seminar in which they spoke on the contribution of Bhagat Singh to the freedom struggle. Uttarakhand Parivartan Party member Rajeev Kothari said Bhagat Singh was a Marxist and wanted that farmers and working class ruled the country, not the capitalist. Kothari lamented that at present it was not the kind of society Bhagat Singh would have thought of in a free India. Owing to neglect of the government, people are suffering and are forced to take to streets. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee and Mahanagar Congress Committee also paid homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades Sukhdev and Rajguru. On the occasion, Mahanagar president Harish Virmani said India couldn’t ever forget the contribution of these three freedom fighters. He added that even today if any child was told the stories of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, he would hold his head up with pride.
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Monkey Menace Mathura team traps 40 simians in 2 days
Nainital, March 23 According to officials, more than 40 beasts have been trapped over the last two days which have been released in the forest areas of Kunjakharak at a distance of more than 50 km from the city. The team that has been called from Mathura comprises four members under the leadership of Mohammad Ikram. It is using a simple technique of luring the animals through eatables to a place where a net has been placed in advance. Incidentally, Ikram had been bitten by a langur just as the team was about to start the drive. The decision to call professional catchers had followed a series of incidents in which numerous people were bitten by simians. Things had come to such a pass that children were scared to go to school and women feared to venture outside their homes. There have been instances of toddlers being pushed by langurs and monkeys. A langur, which had unleashed a reign of terror in parts of the city, was gunned down by the personnel of the Forest Department last Friday after a chase that had lasted more than 10 days. It had bitten about 24 persons till March 8 when it was decided to trap the animal. However, the laying of a trap proved futile and this was followed by an attempt to tranquilise the animal. Although the officials managed to hit the langur with tranquilisers several times, the effort proved pointless as the animal efficiently took out the tranquiliser needles and threw these out. It was only when it had bitten eight more persons that it was decided that it be gunned down. Officials have been asserting that the growing population of simians in the city was becoming a major problem. The problem has been compounded by people who offer eatables to simians at public places.
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Even the dead can’t Rest In Peace
Dehradun, March 23 Thousands of such culprits and other offenders are flocking these isolated grave sites to create ruckus. The final abode hasn’t gone untouched by a handful of evil doers. The authenticity and sanctity of the old structures have been violated. Many residents of Anand Gram and Tapovan Road have raised an objection to the undesirable activities going on in their Christian cemetery that comes under St Francis Church situated at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School. The burial ground is in such
a condition as if the graveyard has been abandoned and is in a state of neglect. A relative of a person whose body had been buried at Anand Gram Christian Cemetery said: “I’ve often seen people, specially girls and boys, come to the cemetery in the evening. They spend hours at the burial ground indulging in undesirable activities. “They booze, smoke, damage crypts and often click photos of each other on the mausoleum. Such activities have sparked worries among other affected people too, but no one is coming forward in public”. Many graves and tombstones have been badly damaged. The littering garbage of the locality has mounted in the burial ground, making it look like a dumping site. No wall boundary in the area and lack of a chowkidar have provided a bonus to these offenders. The gravestone and markers on the tombs have vanished and if a relative of any one buried walks down the cemetery, he can not make out which grave belongs to his mother, father, son or daughter. “On the death of a person, we pray for the soul to rest in peace, but are they actually in peace or their souls are lamenting while suffering from such evil deeds going on there? “Our ancestors are buried here and we need to pay some respect and regard to their souls. Such activities will also affect our kids adversely, specially adolescents. A handful of culprits have declared the burial site as a crime scene,” asserted Himmat Singh, one of the senior residents of the locality. When the graveyard administration was informed about the wrongdoings happening at the sacred site, Father Binoy, assistant to Father Bernard of St Francis Church, said, “It’s sad that such activities are happening on the premises of the graveyard. We have also received complaints about the objectionable activities and will take immediate action to put a stop to it. We alone cannot take the decision of constructing a boundary wall and deploying security guards, but will surely put forth the problem in front of the Parish Council and also give a memorandum to committee members with the details of the increasing crime at the site”.
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Agri experts make useful suggestions to govt
Dehradun, March 23 Addressing the gathering on the closing day, university’s Vice-Chancellor BS Bisht said: “The useful suggestions given by various speakers can help the state in achieving its desired goals in the field of agriculture and horticulture”. The chief guest, Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Director, Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), also congratulated the team of scientist that had organised the symposium. “Innovative suggestions of scientists will definitely prove useful for the farmers and guide the state in the sphere of horticulture,” said Dr Dobhal. University’s Director YVS Dbaas also thanked the participants for sharing informative suggestions and knowledge regarding the development plans of agriculture and horticulture in the state. Present at the symposium were Dr HP Subgala, Dr Rajesh Kumar, Dr AK Sharma, Dr Deepa Trivedi, Dr DK Singh and other experts from various fields.
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Gujarat minister to visit Uttarakhand on April 8
Dehradun, March 23 However, in honour of the foundation day, on April 30, an NRJ seminar is being organised at Ahmedabad, in which Gujaratis from all over India will participate. Briefing about the seminar, Public Relations Officer of the Gujarat government Abhay Rawal said, “Besides celebrations, the aim of the Gujarat government is to discuss important matters relating to environment, irrigation, corruption and create awareness among people, who will participate from distant locations and notice how over the years the state has progressed in different fields”. Furthermore, to particularly invite Gujaratis from Uttarakhand, Gujarat’s Water Resource and Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel, along with his team, will visit Uttarakhand from April 8 to 10. “Patel will visit Dehradun or Haridwar to cordially invite Gujarati families to join the NRJ seminar and celebrate at a common forum. Moreover, keeping with the spirit of Gujarat, for continuous one year we will continue our celebrations across the country,” added Rawal. Present at the meeting were Prakash Bhai,
Girish Karnavath, Chirag Patel, Kitan Desai and Rajnibhai Gandhi.
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Rawat lashes out at govt for poor Kumbh work
Haridwar, March 23 Speaking at the national convention of the Working Journalists Union, the minister said with changing times, the role of the media hadn’t changed much. He said earlier too the media essayed various roles from being an informer, reformer and educationist, guiding people, exposing corruption-social evils and working as a chord between the government and the common people. Rawat, who is also parliamentarian from the Haridwar constituency, was in the city to attend various functions. Speaking at a function at Haridwar Ashram, the minister said educationist and littérateur had a pivotal role in giving directions to society. He said a nation’s intellectual development rested on this segment also, and so it was imperative what they taught and wrote should be aimed at giving the nation a positive direction. Addressing the party workers, the minister lashed at the mela administration for taking taxes on hoardings and signboards from the saint community in Haridwar. Rawat said by this the state government had itself shown its real thinking which was not of providing best of facilities but only to make money from Kumbh. The parliamentarian was also quite angry over the Kumbh works that were still in progress in Haridwar despite just a month left for the Kumbh to get over. He said before the commencement of the Kumbh, the BJP government had made tall claims that at the start of the fair everybody would get to see the historic works in Haridwar, while now it was for all to see the lacklustre works that had failed in comparison to even the last Ardh Kumbh in 2004 under the Congress-led state government.
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Water quality test plan fails to take off in rural areas
Dehradun, March 23 There are a total of 39,000 habitations where testing had to be undertaken in 2007-2008. The government of India started a programme in 2004-2008 called the National Rural Water Quality Monitoring Surveillance Programme under the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Supply, Drinking Water Supply and the Ministry of Rural Development that was simultaneously conducted in other states, but in Uttarakhand the funds remain unutilised. The thrust of the programme was to take both preventive and remedial measures by establishing district-level Water Quality Testing Laboratories. To assess the quality of water resources and check the effectiveness of water treatment and supply by the authorities concerned, the BSI has established drinking water specifications that have to be adhered too, but in rural areas no surveillance or monitoring system has been established. Passing the buck, the Jal Sansthan authorities blamed Swajal for not implementing the programme, while Swajal said they had been carrying out such an activity at the community level only. “The Jal Sansthan is the nodal agency for carrying out testing. We are carrying out at community level only,” said Kapil Lal, Director of Swajal. While Peyjal and Jal Sansthan are the main water supply, distribution and maintenance agencies, a world bank funded programme under Swajal is also on that is taking up small community based water schemes. Lack of accountability as to which agency would undertake the programme too has compounded matters. The Jal Sansthan authorities say that they are already carrying testing of water at source and any new source harnessed is first tested before extending the supply. Things have come to such a pass that to this day no gram sabha has been allocated money to procure bleaching powder. However, for urban areas routine sampling of water for bacteriological tests are undertaken at Water Works Department Laboratory that is also being upgraded.
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Nainital areas to benefit from water scheme
Nainital, March 23 Ramgarh, Dhari, Bhimtal and Betalghat areas that otherwise encounter water scarcity, have been chosen as areas where the scheme will be implemented. A meeting was held at Bhimtal on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of the District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli to chalk out the road map for the implementation of the project. The project will be implemented over the next seven years and benefit residents of 64 villages and cover an area of 15,000 hectares. It will be implemented through Jalagam Samitis. Bagauli asked officials to ensure that all panchayats identified as beneficiaries must be made equal partners in the implementation of the project. He said the technical assistance must be taken from the key departments before the execution of the project begins. The Agriculture Department has been identified as the nodal agency for the execution of the IWMP. Chief Development Officer (CDO) Dr Pankaj Pande asked the officials present to take the required guidance and permission on how to execute the project in the reserved forest areas.
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Kumbh Mela
Haridwar, March 23 These include CISF’s three companies, ITBP’s three, CRPF’s four and SSB’s two which underwent the training programme specially framed to better acquaint police personnel with tough situations that security forces have to encounter during Kumbh duty. These para companies personnel were given lectures on Kumbh mela history, historical-mythological significance of Kumbh, role of the mela police, expectations of pilgrims and local people from the mela police, traits of an ideal police person, akhadas, their head chiefs, their bathing serial number, Shahi Snaan, Peshwayis, mela administration infrastructural setup, Police Lines, chain of conmen, terror threat, media management, route diversion, parking facilities and other related Kumbh aspects, along with major incidents of Kumbh where the police had a role. Among those who briefed the para military personnel were Yogendra Singh Rawat, Police Superintendent (mela security),TD Bela, DSP Kumbh mela, ManiKant Mishra DSP (Mayapur Police Lines),Shweta Chaubey DSP (mela traffic), Anant Ram Chauhan SP-GRP, Ashok Kumar, PN Ojha OSD (Kumbh mela), DP Juyal OSD (Kumbh mela training), JB Pandey, Subash Tyagi, Hira Singh Rauthan, Ramesh Gairolla and other Kumbh duty veteran police officials. Meanwhile, Kumbh city Haridwar is all set for the mega festive bath of Ram Navami falling tomorrow. The Mela administration is not taking in any way lightly this holy festive bath and is seeing it as a preparatory step for the upcoming Shahi Snan of March 30 and April 14. In this regard, Mela adminstrative in charge Anand Vardhan and Mela police in charge DIG Alok Sharma took a series of meetings with all administrative and police officers of all zonal and sector magistrates of the Kumbh mela area. As this bath is coinciding with Navratri, a huge crowd of pilgirms is expected to take a holy dip at the Ganga ghat and perform rituals at temples situated across Haridwar. Intense frisking of all vehicles coming from outside states is being done and a multi-layered security cordon has been laid up. Vardhan has directed all zonal-sector in charges to remain present on their respective duty areas throughout the day and inform higher officals in case of any incident to ensure the smooth conduct of the Ram Navami festive bath. While DIG Sharma said mela police personnel had to remain alert throughout duty period as all festive baths were important and having good behaviour with people was also imperative for them.
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Folk artistes depict Nanda Devi Yatra
Haridwar, March 23 The depictions ranged from world’s longest religious journey on foot, “Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra”, to Jaunsar-Bhabhar dance Tandi and it seemed the whole culture of hilly regions of Garhwal and Kumaon had descended on the Kumbh city. Performances of these artistes were lauded by all and sundry and added more local flavour to the Kumbh atmosphere. The artistes depicted the Nanda Jat Yatra via a theatrical-musical presentation. The tale of marriage of Lord Shankar and Maa Nanda Devi and thereafter the scenes of Nanda Devi leaving her home was quite beautifully portrayed by the artistes. Usage of traditional musical instruments of dhol-damou along with trishuls, chatoliyas and nagadas was brilliant while stage decoration made the audience feel being in natural hilly terrains. This religious journey like the Maha Kumbh is conducted every 12 years and has a special significance for people of Uttarakhand. The yatra portrayal was followed by the Tandi folk dance, which is a Jaunsari dance form in which all dancers queue up and perform in different synchronisations. Here too dhol-damau and ransingha instruments were used primarily. The night was given a mega touch by Sanskritik Lok Kala Manch Hanol-Garhwal with its varied performances that evoked tremendous applause. Manch artistes started with the worship of Mahashu Devta depicting the tale of Devta’s brothers namely Bashik Devta, Pavashi Mahashu, Vountha Mahashu and Chalda Mahashu. The audience were in rapt attention as local folk artistes presented Jaunsar-Bhabhar folk tales and songs. The socio, religious, rural, historical and political incidents were narrated in skits. Following was the Jhudka folk dance by Jaunsar-Bhabhar artistes wearing mughal-pattern white dresses. The last performance of the day was by eminent state singers Hira Singh Rana and Kaushal Pandey who made the audience dance to their tunes. Their rendition of songs “Kai sandhya jhuli re...”, “Har har Gange...”, “Kakhdi jheel maa...”, “Almora bazar mey kamla hari gai...” and a couple of others made the performance a spectacular one.
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Guv visits Company Garden in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, March 23 She was accompanied by her husband and relatives. She was welcomed by Palika president OP Uniyal. Alva arrived at the Company Garden where she was welcomed by the Palika ward member. She stopped specially to check out the tulips. She asked tourists their views about the garden. Ranbir Singh, a tourist from Jalandhar, replied that the landscaping was of international standards. Alva complimented the Garden Welfare Association for the maintenance of the garden. Alva said that the Chipko Movement began from Uttarakhand and the people of the state should pledge to keep the state green by planting more trees and preserving the environment. She added that the revenue being collected by the Palika as eco-fee should be used on projects of conservation. As Mussoorie was an internationally renowned hill station, efforts should be made to keep the town clean, she said. She said that tourists should be introduced to the local folk culture of the region through various avenues in order to attract and create awareness among them. SDM Jharna Kamthan, CO City Sweety Aggarwal and members of the Garden Welfare Association were present on the occasion.
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Valmiki community takes out Peshwayi
Haridwar, March 23 The community members went to take holy dip in a procession similar to those of akhadas. The Peshwayi passed through city streets and culminated at Har-ki-Pauri. The Peshwayi was a surprise for people as it was not carried by any akhada but by a community and they took it with both hands. The Valmiki Peshwayi had all ingredients of earlier Peshwayis with prominent saints of the community leading the procession followed by colourful tableaus. Radhi-Krishan and Shiv-Parwati-Goddess Kali tableaus were quite impressive as several musical bands accompanied the procession. Elaborate security arrangements were
made for the Peshwayi with paramilitary personnel accompanying the procession on the entire route. Union Minister for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat termed the Valmiki Peshwayi as religious diversity of India and said Lord Valmiki gave direction to society.
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Shujaat Khan to perform at Raj Bhawan on March 26
Dehradun, March 23 To enthrall music lovers at Dehradun and showcase some of his finest musical work, Shujaat will perform at the Raj Bhawan, the Governor’s residence, on the evening of March 26. Shujaat is the son and disciple of master sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan. At the age of three Shujaat began practising on a specially made small sitar, and by the time he was six, the child prodigy started giving public performances. Since then he has performed at all prestigious music festivals in India and travelled around the world performing in Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. Shujaat has developed his own unique style of playing Indian classical music. His approach to rhythm is largely intuitive, fresh and spontaneous, always astonishing his audiences. He is also known for his exceptional voice, which he uses for singing folk songs and poetry. He has over 50 musical releases on a variety of international labels; and also a very commercially successful video called “Khandan”. Additionally, he has been honoured with numerous awards by many different Indian and international organisations.
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Vikas Vishnoi fashions JSM’s victory
Dehradun, March 23 In this 40 over match, the RPCA decided to bat first after winning the toss. Rishi Dhawan (54) was the mainstay of its innings. His half-century contained eight fours and a six. The whole innings of the batting side revolved around him. Ranjan (22*) and Raj Singh (24) were the only other two players who could contribute with some respectable individual scores. The RPCA was all out for 150 runs in 30.5 overs. For Meerut, Vikas Vishnoi and Ravindera claimed three wickets each. Kinoj Tomar took two, while Manu Kumar and Pramod pocketed one wicket each. Replying to the target of 151 runs, Meerut too didn’t have a good start and the first three top order batsmen went for one run. At that time, the game seemed to be slipping from the hands of Meerut. However, the next down batsmen showed some resistance to stay at the pitch for sometime. Brij Mohan (26) and Manu Kumar (26) gave the first solid partnership of the innings that raised the hopes of the side. But to ensure the win of their team they needed someone like Vikas whose sensible knock of 41 runs in 51 balls sailed the team home. The innings of Haider (23) too proved a much-needed one for the team when Vishnoi needed a supporter from the other end. For the losing side, all-rounder Rishi scalped three wickets, but his performance went in vain. Raj Singh (two wickets) and Nzim (one wicket) also tasted success while bowling.
Doon College beat
Engineer Enclave
Doon College, UP, beat Engineer Enclave by 23 runs here today during the ongoing Uttarakhand-UP Real Host Cup Cricket Tournament being organised by the Uttarakhand Youth t-20 Cricket Association in Biharigarh. Doon College won the toss and chose to bat first to pile a total of 156 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of seven wickets. Sushil (36*) and Joni Singh (32) were the main scorers for the batting side. Mohit took three wickets, Anurude captured two wickets while Gorab and Gandhi pocketed a wicket each. Batting second, Engineer Enclave was all out for 133 runs in 19.1 overs. It was the disciplined bowling display of the winning side that led to the debacle of the batting side. Johny, Sushil and Amardeep took two wickets each while Sonu and Ravinder pocketed one
wicket each.
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