Haridwar, March 25
It seems that women in Uttarakhand are not only competing with men, but also doing better than their male counterparts in many spheres.

After Swarnima Thapliyal who became the first RIMC woman officer to be commissioned on March 20, it is the turn of Usha Jain Shiri, a resident of Haridwar, to bring laurels to not only the hill state, but also to the country.

Usha has been included in the coveted list of women achievers worldwide as the Indian Woman of the Year 2009 that has been compiled by the American Biographical Institute in the US.

Usha has been given this honour for generating social awareness by the medium of the pen i.e. through her articles, write-ups, stories, poems and ghazals.

In addition, Usha has also been conferred the Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century title by the International Centre at Cambridge, England, among the selected 2,000-such intellectuals from all over the world.

The letter from the institute states that the award exemplifies the importance and validation of deeds well done and the positive impact a person has on the lives of others worldwide.

A resident of Shivalik Nagar, Usha did her PG in English from Christian College, Indore, and then pursued her interest in writing. “Guftgu”, her first compilation of ghazals, was published in 1989.

Talking to The Tribune, Usha, who is a professional Hindi writer, said she was elated at the honour and recognition from any quarter motivated her to work harder.

“For me, the foremost recognition is from my readers. I eagerly look forward to their fan mails. Such awards do make one feel that one has done something of substance,” said Usha.

Usha has penned a ghazal collection, six story collections, two short-story collections, two article collections which have more than 2,000 articles published in various national dailies including Dainik Tribune and dozens of magazines.

Her articles mostly revolve around social issues, relationships, family, women, upbringing of children, personal relationships and senior citizens.

She undertakes detailed research before writing on new topics. “If one doesn’t incorporate new ideas, then one’s writing becomes stale and the next generation is not able to relate with you,” said Usha.

She is quite concerned about the young generation not being interested in literature and attributes it to fast life, less availability of time and vast availability of high-salaried jobs.

On her profession, she said, “Literature needs time, hard work, devotion and an inclination, but money is meagre when compared to other professions. Survival off it is possible only if one reaches a high level”.

On the lobbying that goes on for awards, Usha stated that she doesn’t believe in it, but accepted that awards, nowadays, get embroiled in controversies as in some cases, merit takes a back seat and eligible candidates are left behind.

Three of Usha books are ready to be published and a dozen odd books are in the pipeline.

Mussoorie, March 25
A fire tender vehicle was stuck in the middle of the road after its shaft was damaged irreparably resulting in inconvenience to the commuters at Hussainganj in Mussoorie.

According to fire official BP Gildyal after receiving the information yesterday at 11 pm of a fire near a gas godown at Hussainganj, the shaft of the fire tender vehicle broke leading to damage to the vehicle and it got stuck in the middle of the road, after reaching the spot.

The fire could not be extinguished due to this damage, as the hose could not be extended to the site of the fire. The vehicle was stuck in the middle of the road creating traffic jam for hours. The new shaft has been ordered from Dehradun which will reach by evening today.

Dehradun, March 25
The Traffic Friends project, which was started in 2007 with an aim to control traffic on city roads by engaging people from different sections of society, has failed to attract volunteers after the initial enthusiasm. As a result, policemen are finding it difficult to carry forward the project.

Though the police has registered 189 traffic volunteers with it under the project, but only 64 are working and that too occasionally.

“We have 189 registered volunteers, but only 64 of them are on the daily routine. Out of the 64, some come after months for various reasons - exams, being out of station and other problems,” said a senior police officer.

Sweety Agarwal, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said, “We had more than 150 registrations, but very few turned up later. At present, we are left with 16 to 20 daily routine volunteers. At the time of joining, they might have presumed that they would be paid, but later they left as it was just a voluntary activity”.

The ASP said the traffic police had recently held a camp for the Traffic Friends project in Mussoorie in which 50 persons, mostly senior citizens, had registered.

She added that they were organising camps in residential societies, associations and in schools to have more and more traffic volunteers.

She said now the police was making it clear to the volunteers that it was just a voluntary job and other than dress, cap and promotion to the next level, the police wouldn’t provide them anything else.

These traffic volunteers are promoted as traffic wardens on the basis of their attendance, knowledge, punctuality, training and performance in tests.

A traffic volunteer said, “It feels good to work here and gives me self-confidence. I am a student and whenever I get time, I make it a point to work as a traffic volunteer”.

Haridwar, March 25
At the ongoing Maha Kumbh cultural festival, various cultural centres presented their performances displaying varied cultures of India.

The first one to perform was the Sanskar Sanskritik Paryavaran Sarankshan Samiti from Almora district which depicted Ramman folk songs and dances bringing alive the hilly culture in the Kumbh city.

Next to follow were the Northern Region Cultural Centre, Patiala, artistes who showcased Kerala’s kalyari pattu and tehrukuttu dances, Maharasthra’s tamasha folk dance while Keralite artistes themselves gave a marvellous performance of martial arts.

The traditional Ramman Mela of Chamoli district has been accorded status of world’s cultural legacy by UNESCO in October, 2009. The fair is held in April at the Bhoomi Kshetrapal Devta temple and has historical and cultural significances. It’s believed that in the 800 BC when the Shankaracharya came at Joshimath, the Ramman fair was organised in his honour. But, with changing times, more stories and ill-practices got attached with the fair. The fair is held for 10-12 days and its main attraction is the depiction of Ramayana events like Lord Rama’s birth, Sita swayamvar, Rama’s exile, his victory over Ravana and Rama’s coming home to Ayodhya in dance form.

Various other programmes were also presented at the cultural evening.

Dehradun, March 25
The proposal on part of MPG College Management Committee, Mussoorie, to allot 32 bighas of its land to The Art of Living reverberated in the Uttarakhand Assembly today.

Raising the issue under Rule 58, Mussoorie Congress legislator Joth Singh Gunsola asserted that the college management committee had no right to allot land to an NGO.

Joining the issue, Opposition leader Harak Singh Rawat accused the ruling party of allotting land to private parties all across the state. He said the Congress would not tolerate these acts.

Congress legislator Dinesh Agarwal asked the government to describe the basis on which land was alloted. The people of Mussoorie had sentimental attachment with MPG College and would not tolerate such allotments, he said.

In response, Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik informed the House that the allotment process has been stalled and the proposal would be examined.

Gopal Singh Rana of the Congress raised the issue of proper identification of state agitationists under Rule 58. He accused the state government of step-motherly treatment to the agitators. He charged the BJP of rendering state agitator status to persons who had not even participated in the agitation.

In response, Uttarakhand Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant reiterated that the state government was committed to the welfare of state agitationists.

Haridwar, March 25
The Maha Kumbh, apart from religious rituals, is also associated with noble social causes and this aspect of the mega fair is evident in Haridwar these days. A unique social work will take place on March 27 and 28 when more than 24 physically challenged men and women will be solemnly married at the Bairagi camp in the Kumbh mela area.

The mass marriage of these differently abled couples is being organised by a trust, Narayan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, which has long been associated with physically challenged persons. Dr Kailash Manav Maharaj, a Padma Shri recipient and founder of the sansthan, said while on one hand people were taking holy dip in the Ganga, on the other physically challenged persons would be brought to the mainstream of life by getting them married ceremoniously.

There will be a royal procession in which all these couples will participate along with prominent saints, including big names like Akhada Parishad chief Mahant Gyandas, Yog Guru Swami Ramdev and Parmarth Niketan head Chidanand Muni. The procession will start from Rishikul on March 27 and via Kankhal move on to the sansthan camp. The mass marriage will be held the next day.

Earlier, the sansthan had organised 12 such mass marriage of physically challenged persons wherein 678 coupled had got married. People’s contribution is sought in the form of donations to this noble cause.

Dehradun, March 25
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) today launched a drive to remove unauthorised red-blue beacon lights, sirens/hooters and improper numberplates on vehicles.

The drive was carried out from 11 am to 1 pm near the Arhaghar Chowk.

During the drive, unauthorised red-blue beacon lights of four vehicles were removed.

Besides this, sirens and hooters of four vehicles and improper number plates of 19 vehicles were removed.

Shailesh Kumar Tewari, RTO Enforcement Officer, said the drive was launched following the orders of the Transport Commissioner and would continue in future as well.

It may be recalled that the issue was raised in the Uttarakhand Assembly on March 23 expressing concern over the usage of red beacon lights by persons who are not authorised for the same by Congress MLA Pritam Singh.

Replying Bansidhar Bhagat, Uttarakhand Transport Minister, had held that seven of such vehicles found with red beacon lights atop had been penalised as per transport rules.

Dehradun, March 25
Weatherman Anand Sharma, Director of the Meteorological Department, Survey of India, has said Dehradun is unlikely to receive rain till March 26 or probably till month-end.

“Scorching heat and rising level of mercury has left Doonites craving for showers but as per the analysis of the collected data, March will be the driest month of the year. Hot winds blowing in northern India have also affected weather in the valley,” said Sharma.

Sharma, who dispelled the rumours of global warming as the reason for the change in climate, said: “First of all, we must not panic on the increasing mercury level in the city as such condition is prevailing just due to dryness and no rainfall. On Monday, the city recorded maximum temperature at 34.6°C and minimum temperature 17.5°C. Though yesterday’s temperature had crossed the record of past four-five years with maximum temperature rising 35.7°C and minimum temperature 17.9°C, I also have data of 1892, when March 28 was recorded with maximum temperature 37.2°C and that time there was no trace of carbon dioxide, green house emission or glacier meltdown.”

Sharma held closure of canals, urbanisation at the cost of trees and emanation of smoke responsible for the climatic changes that could be easily overcome. Replanting of trees, less usage of vehicles and no polythene or detrimental materials that could harm the environment are some of the ways that can contribute in the environment conservation.

Meanwhile, the Survey of India celebrated world’s meteorological day yesterday at the department premises where equipment and technical gadgets were kept on display for visitors. Equipment like thermometer, thermograph (graphical computation of temperature), real-time seismic monitoring network, seismograph, automatic weather station, high-speed data terminator were put on display.

Dehradun, March 25
Setting the highest tournament target today ICL College (Haryana) drubbed the Delhi Development Association (DDA), New Delhi, with a big margin of 135 runs in a knock out match of the ongoing 3rd All-India Uttarakhand Cup held on the Rangers College Ground, here today.

No doubt, the DDA must have repented its decision to invite the ICL to bat first after winning the toss. It was the fiery opening pair of the ICL’s batsmen who gave a solid start to the team and left the rival bowlers high and dry with their power shots.

Openers Rocky (84) and Amardeep (103) stitched together a partnership of 147 runs. The latter reached the fence 15 times during his well-deserved century while Rocky smashed 10 fours and five sixes in his 84-run innings in 42 balls.

Shanewaz was the other batsmen who hit half-century to raise the total of his team. He scored 50 runs in 34 balls and smashed three fours and four sixes. The team in total scored 339 runs before getting all out in 39.1 overs.

Though for the DDA, Deepak Bansal, Kuldeep, Nitin Nagar, Rohit and Vidhur Sethi took two wickets each but gave too many runs, which it suffered later.

In reply, the DDA couldn’t match up to its rival and none of its batsmen could even score a half-century. Jerry (47), Nitin Nagar (37) and Deepak (31) could give some fight to ICL but that was obviously not enough considering the target given by their rival team.

The batting side was packed off for 204 runs in 26.5 overs. Mohit was the pick of the bowlers for ICL capturing five wickets. Vicky and Amardeep took two wickets each while Vipul Chadha took one.

Tomorrow ICL College (Haryana) will clash with the NSCC, Rishikesh.

Dehradun, March 25
The Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) defeated Ordnance Factory (OFD) by three runs on the inaugural day of the Central Government Employees’ Welfare Coordination Committee (CGEWCC) Cricket Tournament being organised by Survey of India at the Survey’s cricket stadium, here today.

Batting first, the IRDE scored 157 runs at the loss of four wickets in the allotted 25 overs.

Deepak Singh (63) and Virender Bhandari (39) were the principal scorers for the team.

Replying, OFD fell three runs short of its target. The team got all out on 154 runs in 24.2 overs. Deepak (31), Pharsi (35) and Vinod (18) were the main scorers for the side but couldn’t score enough to help their team win the match.

Meanwhile, the organisers said the teams had been divided into two pools.

The teams would play league matches and later would go for knock out matches.