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D E H R A D U N    E D I T I O N

Power crisis a national problem: Nishank
Dehradun, April 28
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said today the power crisis was a national problem and not just confined to Uttarakhand. Interacting with mediapersons at the Secretariat, Dr Nishank said the lack of rain had affected the power supply in the state. Power worth Rs 400 crore was being purchased by the state to make up for the shortage.

Water crisis: Cong gives memo to Jal Sansthan
Dehradun, April 28
Agitated over the improper supply of water, Congress workers held protest at the Jal Sansthan office, Nehru Colony, here today.

Congress workers protest against inadequate water supply in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph


EARLIER STORIES


DM for checking illegal water procurement
Nainital, April 28
Aiming to put an end to the illegal procurement of water by certain individuals and establishments, District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli has ordered Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to conduct searches in coordination with employees of the Jal Sansthan and seize illegal pumps.

Youth found murdered
Nainital, April 28
A resident of Chunpuri Jhagarpuri village in Gadarpur was found hanging on the Bazpur-Nainital road yesterday. The body was first seen by women of Namuna village, who alerted people in their village who in turn went on to inform the police.

Ballet ‘Bhakti’ performed in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, April 28
More than 50 Kasigans, along with Nandini Bharti and artistes from Dehradun, portrayed the history and preaching of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Tulsi Das, Surdas, Kabir, Meera, Guru Nanak and Mohammed Chisti, pioneers of the Bhakti and Sufi movement in the country through a ballet titled “Bhakti” at Sampoornand Hall in LBSNAA, Mussoorie, on Monday.

Tom Alter and a co-artiste perform the ballet “Bhakti” at the LBSNAA in Mussoorie on Monday. A Tribune photograph


Historic Mussoorie Mall Road picture of neglect
Mussoorie, April 28
The historic Mall Road of the town that was once a favourite spot of personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and the Maharaja of Patiala, who enjoyed treading nonchalantly on this road enjoying the beauty of the Doon valley and Himalayas, presents a sorry picture these days.

Broken benches on the Mall Road in Mussoorie.

Death During Marathon
Parents seek Shaurya Award for Shruti
Dehradun, April 28
Ten days back, Shruti Lodhi, student of Children’s Academy, lost her life during a marathon, “Run to Live”, when a portion of a tree fell on her. Post mayhem, now the parents of Shruti as well as Simram have made a plea to the administration to pay respect to the departed soul in the form of Shaurya Award, as she had sacrificed herself while saving the lives of her two friends.

Simran, a classmate of Shruti, who died when a tree fell on her during a marathon race in Dehradun last week, at a press conference on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Mussoorie traders hold meeting
Mussoorie, April 28
The annual general meeting of the Mussoorie Traders Association was held at a wedding point here in which issues related to traders' interest were discussed. The meeting was presided over by president of the union Rajat Agarwal.

Rajat Agarwal, president of the Traders Association, addresses a meeting in Mussoorie on Wednesday.

Foresters’ alumni meet concludes
Dehradun, April 28
The two-day Indian Forest Service 1960-62 batch alumni meet concluded at the Indira Gandhi Forest Academy, Dehradun, here today. Retired IFS officers shared their experiences with young probationers asking them to focus more on field work than just becoming laptop DFOs and conservators.

Tenders invited for cardiac, nephro units
Dehradun, April 28
In order to run the nephrology unit at Haldwani and a cardiac unit at Roorkee on public private mode, the Director General, Health, has invited tenders for the two units.

Students celebrate KV Sandhya
Dehradun, April 28
Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), Upper Camp, celebrated its 26th annual function, KV Sandhya, on the premises of the school here today. The event was a coalition of cultural programmes presented by students.

Students perform at the annual function of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Upper Camp, in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

150 students examined at medical camp
Mussoorie, April 28
A medical camp was held at Mullingar Primary School in which more than 150 students and local residents of the area were tested and provided with medicines free of cost.

Rajiv Gandhi Sena seeks CBI probe into Kumbh funds
Dehradun, April 28
The Rashtriya Rajiv Gandhi Sena in Uttarakhand has sought a CBI probe in the usage of funds for the Haridwar Maha Kumbh by the state BJP government.

Book ‘Elephant Gold’ released
Dehradun, April 28
WWF-India’s Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Singh launched a book, “Elephant Gold” by PD Stracey, at Natraj: The Green Bookshop here today. The book has been published to mark the 25th anniversary of the elephant-famous Rajaji National Park.

Ravi Singh, CEO, WWF-India, being presented a book in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Green Doon drive begins on KV-OLF’s annual day
Dehradun, April 28
The annual day celebration of Kendriya Vidyalaya-OLF was entirely a fun-filled programme at the OFIL (RTI) auditorium here today. Students as well as teachers presented cultural programmes with great fervour during the celebration of the function.

Union Bank opens branch at Ladpur
Dehradun, April 28
Union Bank inaugurated its new branch and an ATM at Ladpur in Raipur here today. ICS chief secretary Nrip Singh Napalchiyal inaugurated the branch and briefed the residents about services offered by the bank.

Chief Secretary NS Napalchiyal inaugurates a branch of Union Bank in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

 





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Power crisis a national problem: Nishank
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said today the power crisis was a national problem and not just confined to Uttarakhand. Interacting with mediapersons at the Secretariat, Dr Nishank said the lack of rain had affected the power supply in the state. Power worth Rs 400 crore was being purchased by the state to make up for the shortage.

Dr Nishank said they had asked 350 MW power from the Centre for the Char Dham Yatra. “I have also held talks with the Prime Minister and the Union Power Minister in this regard,” he added.

The Chief Minister also admitted that by reducing the industrial package, the employment opportunities in state had been adversely affected. He reminded that the growth rate in the state had touched 9.31 per cent, while it was just 2 per cent at the time of the formation of the state. This when there was no cooperation from the Centre in this regard.

Referring to forest fires, Dr Nishank said committees had been constituted at the village level to protect forests from fires. He said satellite imageries were being used to deal with forest fires. The state government had also been working for promotion of eco-tourism in the state.

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Water crisis: Cong gives memo to Jal Sansthan
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Agitated over the improper supply of water, Congress workers held protest at the Jal Sansthan office, Nehru Colony, here today. The protesters gave a memorandum to Jal Sansthan officer SC Kimoti stating the crisis of drinking water in the areas of Ladpur, Mokampur, Saraswati Vihar, Ajabpur, Miyawala, Badrish Colony, Majri, Sunderwala and Nalapani.

They also complained that after getting permission from the administration of making a tube well at Mokampur, the work had not been started yet.

The agitators also demanded the setting up of a mini tube well at Saraswati Vihar.

They also threatened to gherao Drinking Water Minister Prakash Pant if their demands were not fulfilled in the given duration.

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DM for checking illegal water procurement
Tribune News Service

Nainital, April 28
Aiming to put an end to the illegal procurement of water by certain individuals and establishments, District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli has ordered Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to conduct searches in coordination with employees of the Jal Sansthan and seize illegal pumps.

He has also asked the Executive Engineers of the Jal Sansthan to put employees on jobs round the clock to ensure that areas facing power cuts during the day are able to get water supply at night.

Speaking at a meeting to take stock of the water supply scenario in the district here this afternoon, Bagauli said the handpumps that were out of order must be made functional immediately and the Executive Engineers of the Nagar Palika should keep a tab on the water supply situation in the town.

He said the areas where there was no regular water supply must be brought to the notice of the district authorities.

Referring to the rural areas of the district, Bagauli asked for provision of details of Swajal schemes that had been handed over to the Gram Sabhas to the Development Office. He also sought information on the source of water and their maintenance for such schemes.

The officials were told to follow a roasting pattern for supplying water in areas facing shortage of drinking water and the schedules be duly advertised in the local papers.

The Jal Nigam officials were asked to maintain a proper water supply in Nainital and were told to make the newly sunk tubewell at the DSA Grounds functional by the first week of May.

Bagauli said monitoring committees would be constituted in every block of the district to take stock of the water supplies in them. The committees would have the SDM at the top and the other members would be officials of the Jal Nigam, Jal Sansthan and Swajal schemes besides two public representatives.

The SDMs have been asked to take stock of the availability of both departmental and private water tankers in every block. They have also been asked to use their power of requisition if the need arises. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has been asked to collect random water samples and get them tested at testing laboratory at Pantnagar.

Officials were also asked by Bagauli to ensure fogging in different localities to check the mosquito menace.

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Youth found murdered
Tribune News Service

Nainital, April 28
A resident of Chunpuri Jhagarpuri village in Gadarpur was found hanging on the Bazpur-Nainital road yesterday. The body was first seen by women of Namuna village, who alerted people in their village who in turn went on to inform the police.

The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Vir Singh.

It is learnt that he had left his village on Monday for distributing the wedding cards of his cousin to his sisters residing at Barhaini village.

It is being suspected that he was murdered since there were injury marks on his shoulder and nose, while his body hung by a noose made of his shirt. The police is trying to identify the cause of his death and nab the guilty.

Lineman electrocuted

A lineman died after being electrocuted while he was repairing an electric fault in the Tallital area of the town this afternoon.

Kesar Singh Sahi, a resident of Hydel Colony, is learnt to have died while being given medical aid. He sustained severe burn injuries which made his survival difficult.

His body has been sent for postmortem.

Six injured in group clash

At least six persons were injured in a fight between two groups at a marriage in a resort in the Jaspur Khurd area of Kashipur. The incident took place on Monday. It is learnt that the two groups resorted to using sharp-edged weapons and fire arms against each other over a trivial matter.

The police is learnt to have taken two persons in custody over the matter.

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Ballet ‘Bhakti’ performed in Mussoorie
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, April 28
More than 50 Kasigans, along with Nandini Bharti and artistes from Dehradun, portrayed the history and preaching of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Tulsi Das, Surdas, Kabir, Meera, Guru Nanak and Mohammed Chisti, pioneers of the Bhakti and Sufi movement in the country through a ballet titled “Bhakti” at Sampoornand Hall in LBSNAA, Mussoorie, on Monday. The 50-minute ballet highlighted the history of the Bhakti and Sufi movement in the form of dance and music with Tom Alter as the narrator (sutradhar).

The audience was enthralled with the chronological depiction where stress was laid on reviving the basic characteristics of Bhakti, that was universal brotherhood and equality. The artistes laid emphasis through their work on the fact that all men, irrespective of their religion, were equal in the eyes of God.

Speaking to the media later, Alter informed that “Bhakti” was designed to create awareness among students towards the history and meaning of the Bhakti. Bhakti had become more relevant in present times as intolerance against each other was on the increase. Alter also informed that the ballet had been performed in Dehradun, Delhi and Haridwar.

Alter, however, was appalled to find very less bhakti in Haridwar among saints. Describing their stint at Haridwar as forgettable, he said the saints were adamant at not leaving the stage and fought with each other like animals for a seat on the stage before the start of the play a few months back. He was surprised to find such intolerance among saints who called themselves devoted to gods in the holy city.

He said basic principles of the Bhakti movement, namely love and devotion, had become need of the day in the country and the ballet succeeded in it. Nand Lal, Roop Chand and others were present on the occasion.

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Historic Mussoorie Mall Road picture of neglect
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, April 28
The historic Mall Road of the town that was once a favourite spot of personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and the Maharaja of Patiala, who enjoyed treading nonchalantly on this road enjoying the beauty of the Doon valley and Himalayas, presents a sorry picture these days.

The benches installed for tourists on the either side of the road are damaged. Encroachments by shops to cover extra space leaves less room for tourists to tread. Despite clear directions of the Chief Secretary and the District Magistrate, Dehradun, the condition of the Mall Road instead of improving has turned worse. Broken electric poles and lights reflect the callous attitude of the Palika and the MDDA. The condition is such that dustbins installed long ago are filled with mud instead of garbage. Trees under which tourists relaxed have been destroyed due to a lack of a secure boundary.

Dumps of building waste can be seen littered around and fresh construction is on without any hindrance, despite clear instructions that no such work will be allowed on the historic road. Damaged sewers and overflowing manholes fill the air with a horrible stench, making it difficult for tourists to pass by. It seems that the efforts of beautifying the Mall Road by the MDDA have failed miserably and the budget is being used for other projects.

The department concerned has failed to install ornamental lighting on the road. Most of the electric poles hold a cobweb of cable wires, giving an ugly look to the road.

The lackadaisical approach of the department shows that the officials concerned don’t fear punitive action by the Chief Secretary and the District Magistrate.

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Death During Marathon
Parents seek Shaurya Award for Shruti
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Ten days back, Shruti Lodhi, student of Children’s Academy, lost her life during a marathon, “Run to Live”, when a portion of a tree fell on her.

Post mayhem, now the parents of Shruti as well as Simram have made a plea to the administration to pay respect to the departed soul in the form of Shaurya Award, as she had sacrificed herself while saving the lives of her two friends.

Today, at a press conference, Simran Malhotra, Shruti’s friend and victim of the accident told the media how courageously the deceased had saved her and Vandana’s life. According to Simran, “We three were running together. Shruti somehow saw the portion of the tree falling and pushed both of us on the ground. The thick branch fell on her and she died on the spot”.

They have also asked for a probe in the matter by the administration and take appropriate action against the school management and organiser of the event.

They have also requested the administration to name the chowk located at Machhi Bazar as Shruti Chowk.

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Mussoorie traders hold meeting
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, April 28
The annual general meeting of the Mussoorie Traders Association was held at a wedding point here in which issues related to traders' interest were discussed. The meeting was presided over by president of the union Rajat Agarwal.

The elected body highlighted the achievements of the association for the year. General secretary Javed Khan informed the gathering that the association was able to provide relief to traders on the issue of sales tax, labour cards, construction of houses and keeping the traders out of the purview of the eco tax.

Khan also said efforts were made to keep Mussoorie plastic free. He also said a workshop would be organised to create awareness about sales tax and vat issues.

The issue of the Nagrik Suraksha Committee also featured in the discussion in which members raised the point that keeping the chowkidar was in the interest of the traders.

President Rajat Agarwal also said on the issue of electricity shortage in Mussoorie he was not in favour of sit-ins and chakka jams as the trader is affected the most by that.

The members also raised the issue of the dilapidated condition of the Landour road and said that the palika president should be apprised of the situation immediately.

The traders in unison said the pheriwalahs’ entry should be curbed in Mussoorie as they were making a huge dent in the pockets of permanent traders.

Dhanprakash also read out the newly formed memorandum of the association. Dhan Prakash, Jagjit Kukreja, Sandeep Aaggarwal, Praveen Panwar, Shailendar Bisht, Ravinder Goyal, Virendar Kaintura, MPS Khurana, Mohan Lal Gupta and others were present on the occasion.

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Foresters’ alumni meet concludes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
The two-day Indian Forest Service 1960-62 batch alumni meet concluded at the Indira Gandhi Forest Academy, Dehradun, here today. Retired IFS officers shared their experiences with young probationers asking them to focus more on field work than just becoming laptop DFOs and conservators.

Retired IFS officer Lakshman said the IFS officers had changed a lot. “From gruelling session on the field, the IFS officers of today rely more on laptops, thus getting themselves cut off from ground realities on field,” he said.

Pyare Lal, a retired IFS, recalled his contribution in the enrichment of forests in the Amritsar region. He asserted that people by and large were ignorant of forestry and that was a matter of concern.

Another participant Pushpendra Singh said forest area had eroded fast since pre-Independence days till today. Vishwanathan asked the young officers to work with honesty and sincerity. He also held that there were no short cuts to hard work.

Taking part in the deliberations, Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr RBS Rawat as special guest informed the gathering of the initiatives taken by the state towards meeting forest challenges.

He said perul was being utilised for creating livelihood opportunities in Uttarakhand hills with a double aim to check forest fires. He called for coordination between foresters and stakeholders.

Earlier, IGNFA’s Director RD Jakati said the academy had been organising alumni meets for the Forest Officers every year. Several of IFS probationers were present on the occasion.

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Tenders invited for cardiac, nephro units
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
In order to run the nephrology unit at Haldwani and a cardiac unit at Roorkee on public private mode, the Director General, Health, has invited tenders for the two units.

At the cardiac centre OPD, investigations invasive and non-invasive and cardiac surgeries will be undertaken.

It will be the first for Roorkee and the third for the state after Dehradun and Almora where ultra modern heart facility will come up in three years time. While the nephrology unit at Haldwani will be the second in the state.

“The last date for the submission of tenders for the cardiac unit in Roorkee is June 15 and nephrology unit at Haldwani, June 17,” said Dr CP Arya, Director General, Health

The nephrology unit will also be run on the PP mode. A selected private party will be entrusted the task of setting up the unit for which a memorandum of understanding will be signed.

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Students celebrate KV Sandhya
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), Upper Camp, celebrated its 26th annual function, KV Sandhya, on the premises of the school here today. The event was a coalition of cultural programmes presented by students.

The programme inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by chief guest Major-Gen S Chaudhary, president of the school managing committee. Principal Yogesh Bhardwaj presented the annual report of the school.

The meritorious students as well as children, who had performed well in the extra-curricular activities, were also awarded with prizes.

Assistant Commissioner, KVS (RO), JM Rawat was the guest of honour, who presented the prizes to the students.

The main attraction of the function was a Punjabi dance and garbha, wherein children showcased the culture of diverse India. The performers captivated the audiences with their classical, semi-classical and folk dances.

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150 students examined at medical camp
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, April 28
A medical camp was held at Mullingar Primary School in which more than 150 students and local residents of the area were tested and provided with medicines free of cost.

The camp was organised under the aegis of Sadhbhavna, Mussoorie, in the memory of late Rajendar Singh Chopra. The students were also given stationary on the occasion.

The chief guest on the occasion local Congress vice-president Amir Ahmed commended the efforts of Sadhbhavna and said with such camps would benefit the poor and destitute immensely.

Sadhbhavna president Harbhajan Thakral and Anuj Tayal highlighted the works done by the society in the current year.

Aditya Sharma, Javed Khan, Ramesh Jaiswal and others were present on the occasion.

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Rajiv Gandhi Sena seeks CBI probe into Kumbh funds
Tribune News Service


Workers of the Rajiv Gandhi Sena stage a dharna at the Gandhi Park against the Uttarakhand government in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, April 28
The Rashtriya Rajiv Gandhi Sena in Uttarakhand has sought a CBI probe in the usage of funds for the Haridwar Maha Kumbh by the state BJP government.

Sena members today staged a demonstration at the Gandhi Park here demanding a probe into the alleged siphoning of Kumbh Mela funds by the state BJP government. State president of the sena Sushil Rathi, in a statement issued today, accused the state government of resorting to large-scale corruption with Kumbh funds. “The government must issue a white paper on Rs 675 crore provided by the Centre to the state for the Kumbh,” Rathi pointed out.

He also said the sanitary workers deployed for the Maha Kumbh were still to be provided with salaries.

Rathi also did not fail to mention that it was only due to the efforts of Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat that funds for the mega fair were provided to the state government. 

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Book ‘Elephant Gold’ released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
WWF-India’s Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Singh launched a book, “Elephant Gold” by PD Stracey, at Natraj: The Green Bookshop here today. The book has been published to mark the 25th anniversary of the elephant-famous Rajaji National Park.

Ravi Singh was in praise for the Rajaji National Park and urged people to come forward to save the elephants.

“Elephant Gold” remains a classic on Asian elephants. Generations have grown up reading Stracey and carrying the knowledge he imparts in the field when working in the forest service. The book reveals the special cultural association of elephants with Indians.

“The book debunks the myth about elephants, brings out their history and explains the nature of effective management of elephants, which is necessary if we want them to survive. On their survival is based the survival of our future generations,” Ruskin had said.

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Green Doon drive begins on KV-OLF’s annual day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
The annual day celebration of Kendriya Vidyalaya-OLF was entirely a fun-filled programme at the OFIL (RTI) auditorium here today. Students as well as teachers presented cultural programmes with great fervour during the celebration of the function.

The event was based on making children aware of environment conservation and for making the city green.

President of the school managing committee HS Chaudhary was the chief guest. He planted a sapling to inaugurate the Green Doon drive.

The event initiated with of the lighting of the lamp followed by Saraswati Vandana. Principal M Chaturvedi presented an annual report of the school.

The students presented a cultural programme of dance, drama and singing. Meritorious students and those performing well in extra-curricular activities were presented prizes by Assistant Commissioner, KVS (RO), JM Rawat.

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Union Bank opens branch at Ladpur
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 28
Union Bank inaugurated its new branch and an ATM at Ladpur in Raipur here today. ICS chief secretary Nrip Singh Napalchiyal inaugurated the branch and briefed the residents about services offered by the bank.

Addressing the gathering, Napalchiyal said the new branch had been launched to facilitate the residents of Ladpur with the services of the bank. The nearby-located bank would also help people from inconveniences.

Regional chief of the bank JP Bahuguna said in the past the bank had provided satisfactory services to its customers and by now had made more than 2.5 crore customers. The bank had around 2,800 branches across the country and 40 in the state.

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