Dehradun, May 7
The dismal power condition in the state is on its path to recovery. And it is not only due to the rain today that would raise the water level in the state’s rivers. The little respite from power cuts that residents and industry are experiencing nowadays is due to some innovative steps taken by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL).

The weather is also doing its bit. The rain today has brought smiles on the faces of UPCL officials. Jagmohan Lal, Managing Director, UPCL, feels that the rain could replenish the rivers of the state which were touching low levels due to the scorching heat and absence of rain during April.

The cloudy weather and incessant rain has raised hopes that the rise in water level would make hydro power houses churn out more power.

The other big thing that has led to the improvement of the power situation in the state is the optimum use of power frequency by keeping a tab on its up-down pattern, says Jagmohan Lal.

The directive of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on April 28 has helped him seek out this smart move.

He said, “Since each state in the northern grid is overdrawing beyond its limit despite several reminders from the CERC, it ultimately had to issue a directive which levied heavy penalty on overdrawing.

“According to the directive, if power is overdrawn at 48.6 Hz, the CERC would charge at the rate of Rs 8.41 per unit along with 50 per cent penalty.

“Withdrawal at the 49.5 Hz will mean a penalty at Rs 8.73 per unit. Frequencies less than 49.5 Hz will incur an additional 40 per cent penalty. In case, the frequency dips further to 49.2, then the maximum penalty of 100 per cent will be charged from defaulters.”

Lal said that this order came as a boon for a small state like Uttarakhand. Bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi cannot afford to pay such exorbitant penalties as their demands are on the higher side. So these state opted for heavy load shedding.

This improved the frequency level which earlier used to always be in crisis mode. Said Lal, “The power frequency, which earlier would hardly touch 49.2 Hz, is now normally seen touching 50 and above. If we withdraw at this level and as our demand being a small state is not much, we are liable to pay very economical charges.”

The Managing Director said that constant monitoring of frequency levels made the UPCL overdraw at the right time to give it to power-hungry industries in the state.

“I monitored the frequency levels and found that a fixed pattern, especially in the morning and at late night, and ordered to withdraw at those times.

“As a result, residents were also happy as we reduced the power shutdown period on the domestic front. We were also able to give more power to industries and the rural sector which were undergoing long power cuts.”

Industries, especially the steel industry which had been decrying the power cut of 16 hours, have shown signs of rapprochement with the UPCL. Industries were not ready to pay the higher charges for power.

Lal said, “Industry draws the maximum electricity and is in a better position to pay higher rates than the residents. On our priority list, private tube wells are on top. Then come domestic consumers and last are industries.

“But industries, which for the past five years were using electricity after paying nominal charges, were not ready to pay the higher rate to the UPCL. Rather they (Kumaon Garhwal Chamber of Commerce and Industries) went to the High Court, Naintal, and the Appellant Tribunal, Delhi, against it.

“As our hands were tied due to the fact that the UPCL already had to pay Rs 42 crore extra in April for withdrawal, we cut electricity supply for 16 hours to steel industries, 12 hours to textile and other industries and 7-8 hours to the rural sector.

“Now, fully realising the crisis after having gone through it themselves, the KGCCI has agreed to pay the charges fixed for them.”

Knowing fully well that short-term measures do not augur well for the power situation in the state for the long term, the UPCL is bracing itself for the future.

Said Lal, “We have floated a tender on March 31 which will supply 200 MW for 10 months. In couple of days, we will get a clear picture on that. In addition, on April 1 next year, we are also bidding for 300 MW which will last for the next 25 years. Plus, we are also trying for short-term purchases from the private sector.”

Dehradun, May 7
To tide over water scarcity in the state, the process of river-bank filtration (RBF) is being seen as a safe model and now, the Jal Sansthan will be harnessing waters of the Pindar, Alaknanda, Mandakini and Nayar rivers in the state.

The Indo-German collaborative project is being implemented in partnership with the Directorate of Science and Technology, government of India, and Uttaranchal Council of Science and Technology (UCOST).

In the coming weeks, the successful RBF model developed in Pant Dweep Island, Haridwar, by Jal Sansthan engineers and scientists of the University of Applied Sciences, Dresden, Germany, will be replicated at Srinagar, Satpauli, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag and Agastmuni.

“We will complete the work of the first phase within four months. Investigation and drilling activities at Agastmuni and Satpauli are complete and the water quality is as per our satisfaction.

“River-bank filtration (RBF) will prove beneficial not only for the state in the throes of a water crisis, but also become a role model nationally,” said PC Kimothi, Secretary Appraisal, Jal Sansthan, and Principal Investigator for the project.

He said hydrological conditions at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar and Nainital were suitable for RBF technology.

“The nature of the soil and other material that is present on the river beds is conducive for this technique. In fact, 90,000km of river courses of major rivers can be taken up for RBF,” said Kimothi.

The Department of Science and Technology will provide a budget of Rs 8 crore for the entire project. For the first phase, the total allocation is Rs 1.79 crore. It is a three-year project.

He said even the seasonal use of the RBF could reduce groundwater depletion in large rivers and it could even be used for irrigation purposes. Earlier, Jal Sansthan and German scientists had undertaken lake-bank filtration (LBF) at Nainital in 2006-07, throwing up the possibility of harnessing several lakes in the state.

The technology for both techniques — RBF and LBF — is similar. The only difference is that in the case of rivers, the water is flowing while in the case of a lake, the water is stagnant.

The RBF technique is ecologically sound and low cost. This technology has been in use in Europe for the past 160 years.

It is a process of obtaining naturally filtered ground water from aquifers that are hydraulically connected to a river or lake. During the RBF, surface water is subjected to a combination of physical, chemical and biological processes like dilution and filtration that significantly improve the quality of water. Even the yearly monsoon does not adversely affect the RBF site, thereby maintaining the quality of water.

The RBF Pant Dweep site in Haridwar, adopted by UNESCO, is now being used for supply drinking water. Haridwar town faces a high variation in water demand due to the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh melas.

Dehradun, May 7
To celebrate the joyous occasion of Mothers’ Day, Delhi Public School organised a gala Mothers’ Day Cooking Extravaganza on the premise of the school here today.

The mummies, along with their children, prepared scrumptious and nutritious snacks, desserts and summer coolers.

The food stalls were a visual treat with lip-smacking dishes presented in a beautiful manner.

The team of “little chefs” with their proud mothers enjoyed the hustle-bustle of cooking and putting the dishes together.

The day ended with a grand cultural show, where the children shared their wonderful ideas on “How to make Mothers’ Day special”?

Principal Urmil Verma welcomed the mother and congratulated them on their commendable culinary skills.

She praised them for their efforts and encouraged them to motivate their little ones by involving them in simple household chores.

Chief guests Dr Rekha Negi, Dr Monika Singh and Dr Niti Luthra were enthralled by the presentation of exotic dishes.

They even judged the competition and gave valuable tips to the others on how to make food appetising, keeping the health of their child in mind.

Haridwar, May 7
On the occasion of the Mothers’ Day a unique programme was organised where children gave self-made creations to their beloved mothers. While showing their gratitude mothers too prepared their favourite dishes by making lunch boxes on the school premise.

The celebration was organised at senior wing AHPC at Bachpan Play School here today. A greeting card making event was held, through which tiny tots showed their love to their mothers.

Children from Class I to V participated in the card-making event with special Mothers’ Day messages for their mamas. In this category, Utkarsh, Apar, Priyadarshini, Anmol and Kriti were adjudged top five participants while in poem event Ayushman was adjudged the best writer who worded best of the motherly love thoughts.

While in the tiffin making completion, mothers showed their culinary skills keeping in mind the healthy aspect as well as taste of their children. The winner of the event was tagged “Sweet Mom” title with emphasis on culinary skills. Children relish the hot and fresh food in the school.

Children duly assisted by their respective class teachers made greeting cards, photo frames and bouquets for their mothers. School Director Rama Ahluwalia, Surabhi Ahluwalia, Parul Ahluwalia and the teaching staff lent their hands in organising the event.

“This is a different event and we are happy with the initiative the school management has taken. We are surprised to see our kids’ marvellous and innovative creations,” said Swati Modi, a mother who won the tiffin event.

Notably, second Sunday of May is celebrated as the Mothers’ Day with US former President Wilson Woodrow declaring May 8, 1914, as Mothers Day when he signed the joint resolution of celebrating Mothers’ Day in the US on the said date. Though in many parts of the world the Mothers’ Day is also celebrated on varied dates but the theme is same - recognition of imminent role of motherhood.

Dehradun, May 7
The inter-house quiz competition was held at Children’s Academy here today. Thirtytwo students from class III to XII participated in the quiz.

The competition was organised in three categories - A, B and C comprising the students from junior, middle and senior sections, respectively.

The competition was a battle ground of deep knowledge, quick response and awareness in almost all fields.

The theme of the quiz competition was nature quest that covered various questions from flora to fauna, zodiac, geography, science, English, entertainment and current affairs.

The Tagore House won the overall trophy. Chief guest Ghanshyam Kumar Aggarwal, divisional manager LIC, resented the prizes and certificates.

He appreciated the performance of the participants.

The principal and the vice-principal blessed the students and praised their ability and efforts put in by the staff and students.

Dehradun, May 7
A week-long camp for rural sports organised by the Uttarakhand Youth Welfare Council concluded here today at the Sports College, Raipur.

On the occasion, coaches and the master trainer who were imparted training were given certificates.

They were given training by Senior Regional Youth Welfare Council Officer DS Rawat. Training in exercises was given by PC Pandey.

Council Vice-President Subhash Barthwal, Anil Pant, Adesh Dabral, Deepa Kandari, Kishan Dobhal, Vir Singh, Nathiram, Seema, Dayaram, Sukhdev Singh, Aditya and Suresh Kumar were also present at the programme.

District Youth Welfare Council Officer Shakti Singh gave instructions to the coaches.

He said that talent in rural areas should be tapped and children should be given training according to their interest.

Dehradun, May 7
The People for Animals (PFA), an NGO, held a charity show at The Marshall School yesterday where a popular rock band, Bandish, from Delhi made students sway to their tunes.

The students of the school enjoyed the performance of the band who sang famous numbers of Linkin Park, Rock On, 3 Idiots and those of Indian singers.

The show was organised with the aim of raising funds for the development of a veterinary hospital located at Tapovan, Dehradun.

On the occasion, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, was present as the chief guest. He announced to install a cow dung gas plant at the PFA veterinary hospital. He also appreciated the initiative taken by the organisation and appealed the masses to be humble as well as generous to the animals.

Also present at the event were Paryavaran Jairaj, IPS, Ashok Lal, staff of the school and members of the organising committee.

Dehradun, May 7
Eleven Star have booked berth in the final beating Gypsy Star 4-2 in a tiebreaker of the second semifinal of the 4th RB Singh Memorial Football Tournament under way on the Pavilion Ground here today.

Eleven Star will face Vijay Cantt in the final that will be played on Sunday. A friendly match between Veterans’ team and u-16 team will be held tomorrow.

In today’s semifinal, a well-contested match was witnessed. Both sides gave a tough competition to each other and the match ended with the score nil in the stipulated time.

Later, the match went to the tiebreaker round in which Eleven Star beat Gypsy Star 4-2.

Satya Prasad, Adhikari, Saurabh and Mohit scored for the winning side. Ankush and Vijay Rai were the successful hitters to have found the target for Gypsy Star.