Home guards loot Gujarati pilgrims, arrested
Haridwar, March 31
In a bizarre incident in the Kumbh city, two home guards deployed here for mela duty were arrested for looting a family from Gujarat.

Kumbh city sways to Bharatwan’s jagars
Haridwar, March 31
If any artiste is called “samrat” (emperor), then there has to be something unique about him and Uttarakhand’s “jagar samrat” Preetam Bharatwan proved it once again that it was not for nothing that this tag was affixed to him. After the completion of the third Shahi Snan, it was the turn of Preetam to entertain the Kumbh city with his religious jagars and stage performance.

Haridwar, March 31
While the alliance of tennis star Sania Mirza with Pakistani international cricketer Shoaib Malik is on everyone’s lips nowadays, in the Maha Kumbh, another Indian-Pakistani connection is hogging the limelight bridging the gap between the two neighbours.

A 240-odd pilgrim group of Pakistani Hindus has come to take a holy dip in the Ganga besides visiting several other shrines.

The pilgrim entourage was organised by the Shadadi Sewa Mandal, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, which comprised Pakistani Hindus led by Sevadar Bhai Jayram Das and 300 Indian pilgrims from Chhattisgarh led by Sant Yudhistarlal.

From Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan, the Hindu delegation performed rituals during their visit. They have a month-long visa starting from March 5 and will be visiting religious places across India during this period.

Spiritually satisfied with their Indian visit, the pilgrims from across the border were quite impressed by the warmth and hospitality shown to them by people at all places they visited in India.

But a singular problem nagged them at all places. Many dharamshalas and rest houses did not accommodate them as they were from Pakistan, but some after police verification did welcome them.

Govind Ram Makhija, chief representative of the group, said that a Pakistani Hindu is as religiously committed as an Indian Hindu and asked how could a religious Hindu betray his brothers.

“Relations only foster with trust and that is true for both nations. Just being a citizen of Pakistan or India shouldn’t make one a traitor. Both governments should take steps to ensure that this discrimination doesn’t happen again,” said a sad Govind.

A dharamshala manager, on condition of anonymity, said that they didn’t have any bias towards the delegation, but even normally, police verification was essential for Pakistani or American nationals. “Otherwise, we could be roughed up later,” he said.

“To make sure we don’t get entangled in police investigation, specially during Maha Kumbh, we initially didn’t allow them admittance, but after getting clarification from the administration, we provided them with extra rooms so that they didn’t have further problems,” said the manager.

Darshan Nihal of the organising Shadadi Mandal said the Pakistani Hindu delegation had come to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh and were elated on being in the Kumbh city.

Apart from visiting religious places, the delegation had also brought ashes of 25 deceased relatives to immerse in the Ganga. This aspect again highlights the religious significance of the Ganga in Hinduism and the following of this custom by Pakistani Hindus proved their devotion towards their religion.

They also said that contrary to the common perception, the situation of Hindus in Pakistan was improving and Hindus were getting their due in society. In Pakistani Parliament, Hindus had 12-odd parliamentary representatives and recently, they had boycotted the proceedings of Parliament when a Pakistani judge questioned the integrity of Pakistani Hindus towards Pakistan.

Also in defence and government services, Hindus were being given representation. There were several temples in Pakistan and many were being built with no one raising any objections.

Jay Prakash Dolimal, a visitor, said the Haridwar-Rishikesh visit gave them solace and such trips did bring the two nations closer.

Haridwar, March 31
If any artiste is called “samrat” (emperor), then there has to be something unique about him and Uttarakhand’s “jagar samrat” Preetam Bharatwan proved it once again that it was not for nothing that this tag was affixed to him.

After the completion of the third Shahi Snan, it was the turn of Preetam to entertain the Kumbh city with his religious jagars and stage performance. And he did add an emperor’s touch to the Chaitra Poornima Shahi Snan.

The performance commenced with the Ganga aradhna and “Ram Ganga Nayola Devtou Shiv Ganga Nayola”.

After enveloping the gathering in religious fervour, the top singer churned out the Kumbh jagar “Mandiarachal Parvat Sur Asuran” which took the audience to another level as this depicted the mythological tale of the Kumbh manthan and the reason why it is held in Haridwar, Ujjain, Allahabad and Nashik.

Other jagars like Nar Singh jagar “Hey Baba Daina Huvey Jalo”, Bhagwati jagar “Jai Maya-Jai Maya Raj Rajeshwari”, Bhariav jagar “Bhairan tweh sumiran karulo” were equally mystifying.

Then, it was the turn of popular folk and Garhwali musical-hit albums which showcased the grip of Bharatwan on this genre too.

As soon he sang “Binduli Raat Ragya Jara Si”, the younger lot in the crowd just couldn’t resist dancing to the beats. This was followed by a range of popular songs.

Bharatwan was born at Silla village in Raipur block of Dehradun and in 1994, he released his debut audio album and soon became popular for his unique rendition of jagars.

Giving Preetam company were fellow singer Anoop Kumar and Arjun Semalyati, Vinod Chauhan, Anju Nautiyal, Vijendra Kumar, Jalam Das Pari, Subash Pandey, Ranjeet Verma and Ashok Garg on the musical instruments. Vijay Bharti, Suraj Joshi, Meera Semalyat and Richa Parcha performed on the songs of Bharatwan and his company.

In addition, artistes from cultural groups - Sanskritik Kendra, Patiala, Roof Dance Centre, Vathdora district, Badgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Dhamali Dance Centre, Gopalpora Jalu, Chandora, Kashmir and Performing Artiste Centre, Imphal, Manipur also performed at the cultural event.

Haridwar, March 31
Keeping with its tradition of carrying out social work, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Ranipur, Haridwar, has deployed a free ambulance mobile dispensary van for the Maha Kumbh.

While releasing the mobile dispensary for public service, Devendra Kumar Modi, Managing Director, BHEL, said that as millions of people visit Haridwar during Kumbh and the fact that a BHEL unit was stationed in the city, it was felt that the organisation should contribute to the Kumbh in some way.

“What better way to do our bit during the Kumbh than providing medical care to pilgrims at all places falling in the Kumbh zone. The service of humanity is equal to God’s service and by this mobile dispensary, pilgrims’ health problems will be attended to,” said Modi.

He added that a specialist medical and para-medical staff would be accompanying the mobile ambulance and the service would be free of cost.

Thanking the mela administration for allowing the BHEL ambulance to operate, the BHEL management in a statement has said that the organisation was prepared to help the administration in any way.

Notably, BHEL is also carrying out social welfare schemes for which it has adopted five villages in nearby areas and is trying to make these fully developed role-model villages.

The mela administration as well as various sections of society have welcomed the mobile dispensary initiative by the BHEL unit.

Dehradun, March 31
As the new academic session is about to begin, parents, as usual, are grumbling over the ever-increasing expenses on basic school items. Despite the recent formation of a committee by the Education Department under the supervision of the Education Directorate to check malpractices in making available books and uniforms to parents by schools, many schools in the city continue to compel parents to buy uniforms and stationeries from designated shops.

Several leading ICSE and CBSE schools in the city continued to insist that parents purchase their children’s uniforms and books from just one store. The allegations are also levelled against the schools for not providing list of books to the parents rather they are handed over cards of the stores from where they have to buy books and the uniform. The report is based on a thorough enquiries of a cross-section of worried parents. Certain rules will not make difference to the people who are rich but will surely burn wholes into the pockets of many from the middle class families and those who have two-three kids.

“The books for class IX cost us around Rs 3,500 this year while two sets of uniform from this store cost us Rs 2,500. We will be happier if the freedom to choose the bookshop and uniform shop is given to us. May be the schools are making profit through the joint ventures with these shops,” said a parent.

Parents of Doon International School’s children also complained that they had to bear an additional expenditure towards food for special events and festivals at school, creative workshops and cultural shows.

Another affected parent of a student of St Joseph School told The Tribune that parents like them were in a dilemma whether to purchase notebooks available on the school campus or go to some other stationery shop. Last year, the notebooks purchased from the authorised dealer of the school were not brought into use. Rather teachers asked pupils to maintain a separate thick register for mathematics, science, Hindi and English to do exercise work. The complainant also went looking for books at the Universal Book Depot but could find a few books there, leaving her with no other choice but to buy books from the school only.

At Jaswant Morden School, too, a parent said the books and stationery had to be purchased in the school itself. A mother of a class II student said the school charged around Rs 1,800 for the books and stationery. Despite the fact that the school is compelling parents, they also admit that the scheme to pick up the books from the school is more convenient.

“It saves me the bother of standing in a queue outside a shop. This way, I save time and the books are neatly arranged,” a parent said. However, they also pointed out how several schools are accustomed to ask for money from parents during the annual functions, educational tours or during the time of sports meet.

The authorised book seller of St Joseph Academy, Navneet Aggarwal, Brother Pustak Bhandar, said: “We have been insisting on parents to purchase books and uniforms from one store because of convenience and easy availability of study material. We serve the quality at reasonable prices. Neither school nor the bookstore is compelling parents and wards to purchase books from us but the difference can be seen clearly. The same quality notebooks, which we are selling at Rs 18 each, are being sold at Rs 25 outside”.

An expert of the Additional Project Directorate (Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan) opined: “We run our wing according to the government directives. Books, stationeries and uniforms to the students are entirely provided by us. But, public schools should not compel parents for the purchase as their basics academic items are easily available in the market. It is highly regretful, at the parents’ end, if they are facing any sort of inconvenience and difficulties. I would surely help in the drive of curtailing it down to provide some respite to the affected”.

Commenting on the formation of the committee by the state government, Shekhar Mamgai, president of the Parents Association who has taken up the initiative on behalf of parents, said: “We had raised our voice against rapid fee hikes in the private schools and we will again protest against the new happening in the schools. We, parents shouldn’t be forced to purchase books and uniforms from shops at random as it creates a lot of inconvenience to us. We will continue with our endeavour to provide justice to the parents”.

Dehradun March 31
No salary and remuneration has instigated Raj Kumar Chhetri to go on hunger strike along with his three children. Chhetri’s three children have been expelled from school for not paying fees. Chhetri, who hasn’t received his salary for the past one-and-half years is now in a state of desperation.

“I have no money to look after my family. My children also have been expelled from school as I was unable to deposit their fees on time. Due to my protest against the administration, I am unemployed and have been left with no other choice than committing suicide. Being the only bread earner of the family, I am working as a labourer to earn wages. I am on hunger strike till I receive justice from the administration,” said Chhetri.

Chhetri was a recovery assistant of the Housing Loan Department of the Cooperative Society and had served the organisation for more than 19 years. He is indebted with Rs 16,000 to Green Fields Schools where his children were studying, but the school has restricted them from appearing in the examinations.

However, Arun Kumar, Secretary of the Union committee told that board of management of the housing society has been affected badly with the partition and formation of the Uttrakhand. The serving secretary and the deputy registrar of the department are not from Uttrakhand and has fumed rage among the union committee as well. 

Mussoorie, March 31
The 101st branch of Nainital Bank was inaugurated in Mussoorie today. The chief guest on the occasion Palika president OP Uniyal did the honours by lighting the lamp. Uniyal on the occasion complimented Nainital Bank on completing its century as its 100th branch was also opened on the Sahranpur Road in Dehradun today.

Residents of the area were also pleased at the opening of a prestigious bank in the area. Jagjit Kukreja, a businessman, was glad that Landour Bazar now had a bank and it would ease the transaction problem faced by them during any emergency. Earlier, they had to rush to Kulri Bazar as most of the banks were situated there and sometimes were stuck in traffic jams leading to loss in their business.

President of the Traders Association Rajat Agarwal said with the opening of this branch the traders of Landour had heaved a sigh of relief as the transactions had come to their doorstep.

According to Nainital Bank Chief Manager of the Garhwal area AK Shah, the bank will provide all facilities similar to any national bank in the country. He further said the business of the bank as of date was around Rs 36,000 crore and the target for the next year was Rs 3,700 crore. RTGS, CBS, ADFT and debit card ATM would also begin in all branches within three months.

Sushil Kumar, Harish Kalra, Arshad Ali, Prem Singh, Branch Manage SK Pathak and others were present on the occasion.

Mussoorie, March 31
Himalayan palm civet, locally called “Bijju”, entered the residential area near Mullingar on the way to Woodstock School creating curious discussion among residents of the area.

According to the school-going children, as they ventured out of their houses for school, to their surprise and fear they found a mysterious-looking creature climbing the longest tree in the area.

They quickly raised an alarm and a curious crowd gathered to fathom the name and appearance of the creature.

Soon the gathering swelled to get a glimpse of the wild creature and rumours of a leopard in the vicinity pulled in more attention towards the animal. Forest officials were summoned, but the animal climbed down the tree and escaped into the jungle swiftly.

According to the forest officials, the animal was a Himlayan palm civet (paguna larvata) and was pretty common around hills and the Himalayan region. It usually scavenges at night, but occasionally is seen in the daytime as in the case here. The Himalayan palm civet is attracted in the tourist season towards the town due to the garbage littered around in the area.

It rummages around garbage dumpyards looking for easy pickings.

The Himalayan palm civet has a long tail, approximately as long as the head and the body put together. It is distinguished from other Indian civets by its white whiskers and absence of any trace of spots on its body.

The tip of the tail is very dark. The head is black in colour with a pointed snout and a muzzle.

Its under part is white having white whiskers. It lives in mountain and hill forests taking shelter in holes in trees and hunting for its food on treetops or on the ground.

It lives mainly on fruit, but preys on small animals and birds as it can capture and kill. The creature is also believed to be a source of human SARS-CoV virus which led to the death of many in China.

Wildlife activist Shantanu from Mussoorie was of the view that only way to avoid such nocturnal animals from the town area is covering the garbage dumps and disposing them of on a regular basis.

Dehradun, March 31
Kaushal Singh’s two efforts to score a goal went in vain today as Doon Valley managed to edge past 6/8 Gorkha Rifle 3-2 on the second day of the 2nd BS Negi Memorial Prize Money State-Level Football Tournament-2010 being held at the Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

Man of the Match Kaushal of 6/8 Gorkha Rifle struck in 33rd and 35th minute of the game. The first half was dominated by the Gorkha Riffle as they finished it 2-0. However, the players of Gorkha Rifle with full confidence of winning the match had never thought that they would face a big tragic second half.

Gorkha side couldn’t even net a single goal in the second half while Doon Valley made a strong come back. Valley’s Sahid opened the account of his team in the 55th minute. The next goal came in the 57th minute for Doon Valley. With the score level 2-2, the spectators went gaga with excitement.

The excitement was till 76th minute when Nitin of Valley netted a goal.

While in the second match was played today, 5th Garhwal Rifle got the better of Sunderwala Boys 1-0. It was Man of the Match Devender Sharma’s lone goal in the 54th minute that got the win for Garhwal.

Both Man of the Match of today’s matches were given away a cash prize of Rs 500 each.

Dehradun, March 31
A superb seven-wicket haul by Shoaib Prasad ripped off Himalayan Cricket Garhwal innings to take Gush Academy Delhi to a facile nine-wicket win during the 3rd All-India Uttarakhand Cup being played on the Rangers Ground, here today.

Man of the Match Prasad bowled a terrific spell claiming seven wickets in just eight overs he bowled.

He only gave away 29 runs and also bowled a maiden over. Mohit Mahindra, Varun Khanna and Bharat Awasti also chipped in with one wicket each.

While Kiran (35) was the top scorer for the Himalayan team that opted to bat first after winning the toss.

Rest of the batsmen couldn’t score much and the team was all out for just 87 in 19.2 overs.

In reply, Gush Academy Delhi easily scored 89 runs in 12.3 overs losing just one wicket to win the match. Gurpreet Singh (46) was the principal scorer for the team. While for Himalayan only Varun Negi tasted success with one wicket.