Dehradun, June 10
Three Army mountaineers were killed after being hit by an avalanche while descending after successfully conquering the Trishul-I peak in the Garhwal Himalayas. On the other hand, nine trekkers, including a top official of the West Bengal government, remained stranded at more than 16,000 feet for the third consecutive day as even Air Force helicopters failed to rescue them due to inclement weather conditions in the Kedarnath area, official sources said.

According to officials, an Army mountaineering expedition while returning from the Trishul-I peak were trapped in a snow avalanche resulting in the death of three of them and injuries to seven others. The Army expedition of 11 Gorkha Rifles, comprising 10 members, scaled Trishul-I, the highest peak at a height of 23,000 feet on the Indo-Tibet border in Niti valley on June 3 and had started their descent back.

Four of the injured were admitted to the Joshimath Army Hospital while three seriously injured were flown to the Bareilly Army Hospital.

In another incident, efforts are underway to rescue nine-member expedition team from Kolkata. According to Ashok Tewari, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Ukkhimath, a nine-member expedition team, comprising five tourists and four porters, has been stuck at the Mayali top ahead of Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district for the past three days due to heavy snowfall. Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force today flew from Bareilly for the rescue operation but had to return unsuccessfully due to poor visibility and bad weather conditions in the area.

The tourist who are stranded at Mayali top include Vishwas, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial), West Bengal. Some of the porters accompanying the party had returned two days ago to the Kedarnath base camp and sought help to rescue others.

The Rudraprayag administration has also sought help from the ITBP for the rescue operations. An ITBP team will be sent on foot also to rescue the stranded trekkers.

Pitthoragarh, June 10
The Chhanguch expedition by the South Kolkata Trekkers Association failed as the mountaineers could reach only up to 20,000 feet height and not the rest of the 740 feet of the peak and called off the expedition.

“We could not estimate the accurate length of ropes we would have needed and when we reached near the summit the shortage of ropes came as a hurdle and our time to reach the summit got delayed up to noon and the weather became hostile in between and we had to take decision to call back the expedition,” said Raj Shekhar Maiti, leader of the group.

After calling off the expedition, the 11 members of the team reached Munsiyari on June 8 and left for Kolkata the same day. “After trekking from Munsiyari for six days, we reached the spot and after the next 12 days reached the base camp, from where we tried to reach the summit on June 3, but failed due to lack of exact estimate of ropes and other materials,” said Soumit Das, another member of the expedition.

Dehradun, June 10
In the results of Uttarakhand Pre-Medical Test (UPMT), which was conducted by Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU), students of Dehradun have proved their mental ability to pursue medical as their career.

The results have added one more feather in the cap of the medical aspirants from the state. The students of Aakash Institute, Dehradun, have come out with flying colours. Its 100 students out of 250 have secured position in the first 34 ranks.

The staff and students of the institute were glad on the occasion and celebrated the achievements of their students amid beats of dhol. The city has witnessed a major transformation in the recent years where more and more aspiring students are getting qualified in the all-India entrance tests.

Gaurav Shukla

Gaurav Shukla, who scored first rank in the UPMT examination, was unavailable in the town due to his counselling session in Mumbai. Our correspondent spoke to his father Dr Shukla. “Our son has made us proud and the entire family is happy with his achievement. He was dedicated and focused towards his studies and was passionate to get into the field of medicine. It’s time for celebration in the family. We are now waiting for him to arrive back from Mumbai and pray to the God that he gets best medical college of his preference,” said an elated Dr Shukla.

Sonu Kumar Pandit

Sonu Kumar Pandit from Akash Institute, whose rank in the entrance result is 4 with 169 marks, said: “Regular studies of four-five hours, focus on the qualitative studies, will power and right approach have brought me this accomplishment. I owe my achievements to my parents and to the faculty of Aakash Institute that helped me throughout the session for preparing the medical test. I’ve crossed the biggest hurdle and now counselling to get into the best medical college is the next big step”. Sonu was a student of Sri Guru Ram Rai, Kalidas Road, Dehradun, who loves reading books in the spare time.

Kunika Kapoor

Kunika Kapoor, also from Aakash Institute, secured second rank in the examination. The results were announced on Wednesday morning and the students were busy checking their results on the official website. The UTU has just provided the marks obtained by the students while ranks of students have not been declared officially. The ranks allotted by the private institute are all based on marks evaluation.

“This year the result is much satisfactory than the last year. Last year only three students secured positions in the first 10 ranks but this time first 10 rankers of UPMT are Aakashians, which is a pride for the institute as well as for every individual. Last year the results were not satisfying but the scenario has changed completely this time. The influx of the entries is more this time as people have realised the importance of it. We have fresher as well as the droppers who have scored well this and would surely go to the college of their own preference,” said Dhananjai Kumar Mishra of Aakash Institute while speaking to The Tribune.

Dehradun, June 10
The standard unit for measuring elevation of ground, i.e. mean sea level, is all set to be redefined. The Survey of India (SOI), Dehradun, has been working on the project and has already completed its first phase.

The 200-year-old mean sea level, in use since the British era, is utilised for measuring the elevation of places and objects both on ground and air from an imaginary level line that runs from coastal areas (level of sea). To make it simpler, the elevation or height of a particular place can only be known in the respect to the fundamental unit, which is the sea level. “Over 50,000 km has already been surveyed as part of its efforts to redefine the present mean sea level,” Survey sources confirmed.

On a long-term perspective, the outcome of the project will be of immense benefit in national development projects of tunnel alignments linked to hydroelectric projects and also to chalk out the flow of canals. With the SOI already in computerisation mode, the new scale is high in accuracy than the earlier one. The earlier usage of log tables has been done away with and computers are being used instead.

The new scale, apart from ensuring gravitational corrections, will also record alternation in the height of various places across the country as depressions are bound to take place in earth in such big span 
of time.

Significantly, the term above mean sea level (AMSL) in an internationally know system and refers to the elevation (on the ground) or altitude (in the air) of any object, relative to the average sea-level datum. The AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the reach of the coverage area of a station.

Survey of India officials understand that it is arduous task to redefine mean seal level but are hopeful to come to a logical conclusion. 

Pitthoragarh, June 10
The 49-member first batch of Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar that reached Taklakot in Tibet on June 9 will resume its pilgrimage on the Tibetan soil from tomorrow when it leaves for Darchin, KMVN sources said.

The pilgrims stayed for two days in Taklakot where the Chinese authorities checked their immigration documents and passports. Next day the pilgrims reached Darchin, 140 m for Taklakot, to spend night there, said DK Sharma, a KMVN Manager who had conducted the pilgrimage three times in the past.

“From Darchin, the pilgrims are divided into two groups, one group goes to the Kailash parikrama and another to Mansarovar. The group to holly Kailash returns to Darchin after completing the parikrama of five days. This group stays at nights at Derapuk, Zongzerbu and at the Dolma Pass while the second group on the Mansrowar parikrama spends nights at Hore and Kihumath camps and returns to Darchin after five days when the route of both groups are exchanged,” 
said Sharma.

On the 11th day both batches assemble at Darchin and go to Khojarnath on the banks of the Karnali river, 12 km from Darchin. “On the 12th day the group will return to the Lipulekh Pass after completing the 54 km of Kailash and 74 km of the Mansrowar pilgrimage in Tibet,” said Sharma.

Dehradun, June 10
The commandant parade was held at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today. A total of 648 gentlemen cadets (GCs) of the passing-out course put up an excellent parade.

The parade marched to the tunes of “Sare jahan se achha Hindustan hamara”.

Lt Gen Rajinder Singh Sujlana, PVSM, AVSM, VSM Commandant, IMA, reviewed the parade. He congratulated all young gentlemen cadets for choosing this noble profession and asked them to keep themselves updated and be ready for all types 
of challenges.

He said the Army was respected for being apolitical, chivalrous, brave, dedicated and selfless. These were the values all officers must uphold and the ethos should guide every action of theirs. The Army demanded professional competence, physical fitness and leadership qualities of the highest order, Sujlana added.

The reviewing officer complimented the deputy commandant and chief instructor and the faculty for moulding the gentlemen cadets into a very fine future young officers.

On the behalf of all of them, he wished the gentlemen cadets the very best. On successful completion of pre-commission training, a total of 648 gentlemen cadetswill pass out from the IMA on May 12, which includes 23 gentlemen cadets from the friendly foreign countries. 

Dehradun, June 10
The results of an examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in April-May this year were declared on June 9 (senior secondary) and June 10 (secondary). The pass percentage of girls was higher compared to boys.

Total 14,783 students from the entire Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh had appeared for the senior secondary examination out of which 4,736 have passed. As many as 14,281 students had appeared for the secondary examination in which only 7,417 passed.

“The mark sheet, migration certificate and provisional certificate of the students shall be available at their respective study centres within 10 days. Candidates can deposit their examination fees at their study centre from June 16 to June 30 without late fee and from July 1-4 with a late fee of Rs 15 per subject. Examination fees with a consolidated late fee can be deposited between July 5-20. Examination fee is Rs 100 per subject and Rs 50 extra per subject with practical,” said Manoj Kumar Jain, Regional 
Director, NIOS.

He also asserted the facility of re-evaluation of answer sheets of April 2010 exams had been introduced for students of the senior secondary level. Results of re-evaluation would be sent to the applicant within 60 days of receipt of the application and would be available on the website as well.

Dehradun, June 10
Citing discrepancies in results declared by the Examination Centre of the Uttarakhand Vidyalayi Shiksha Parishad, Ramnagar, Nainital, of intermediate, the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), a wing of the Shiv Sena, laid a siege to the the Education Directorate, Dehradun, here yesterday. A large number of Sena workers and the affected students of affiliated schools participated in the agitation.

“The affected students who have scored unexpectedly less in their intermediate examinations are facing problems in admissions in engineering colleges. Such cases have occurred in Haridwar and Pitthoragarh as well. In today’s agitation, the Sena has asked the directorate to immediately order a probe into the matter, as the procedure of scrutinising the examination papers would take a long time, affecting the admission prospects of the students,” asserted Lalit Bhaduriya, state president of the BVS.

Refuting the charges of the students, Pushpa Manas, Director, Education Directorate, Uttarakhand, said: “The allegations levelled by the BVS are unauthentic and does not carry any evidential relevance to the results announced. The Sena failed to present the affected students along with their mark sheets and their parents as the proof of allegations. If complainants come up with the bona fide attestation, then the directorate would definitely look into the matter as well as provide justice to them.”

Also present at the agitation were Basant Pant, former state secretary of the Congress, Devender Singh Bisht, state spokesperson, Rakesh Bansal, city in charge, Virender Singh Rawat, district president, Prabhat Pundir, president of the BVS, and other members of the sena.

Dehradun, June 10
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has sanctioned the creation of 113 posts of 
principal, lecturer, assistant teacher, clerks and peon in 11 non-government recognised Sanskrit colleges and institutions on a government grant basis. The staff of these colleges will also get the benefits recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission.

It is notable that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government headed by Nishank had already given Sanskrit the status of the second official language of the state.

The further decision of sanctioning government grants to the non-government colleges will strengthen the Sanskrit education in the state.

The state government had earlier decided to extend the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission to the teaching and non-teaching staff of Sanskrit University in the Cabinet.

The government grant has been allowed to Sanskrit College, Bhuvaneshwari Siddhpeeth, Rithakhal, Pauri; Shri Jaydayal Agrawal Sanskrit College, Srinagar, Garhwal; Jwalamukhi Sanskrit College, Tehri Garhwal; Shri Billeswar Sanskrit College, Tehri Garhwal; Shri Bharat Sanskrit College, Shri Bharat Mandir Campus, Rishikesh; Drona Sthali Arya Kanya Gurukul College, Dehradun; Shri Nepali Sanskrit College, Rishikesh; Devvani Sanskrit College, Triyugi Narayan, Rudraprayag; Shri Shaktipeeth Ashram, Sanskrit College, Malli Manila, Almora; Shri Ram Sanskrit Vidyapith Shri Ram Mandir, Ranikhet, Almora; and Shri Bharati Sanskrit College, 
Kankhal Haridwar.

Grant will be sanctioned to the colleges only when it is ensured that the appointments are not back-door appointments and the decision of the Supreme Court in the Uma Devi case is not violated.

It is also obligatory to ensure that the appointments in the institutions are transparent and legal, a government press note released here stated.

Dehradun, June 10
On the second day yet another match ended in a 1-1 draw played between Gypsy Young and Little Star in the ongoing District Football League held in the Police Lines here today.

Both goals came early during the match. Aman of Little Star netted the first goal in the eighth minute. While Ankit retaliated in the 13th minute for Gypsy Young.

Dehradun, June 10
The 2010 Soccer World Cup kick starting tomorrow in South Africa has cast its spell on local footballers in Doon.

Though the footballers are presently engrossed in the district football league, they are making full preparation for watching the one-month-long sporting extravaganza which is slowly catching up the momentum.

“We will finish our work early by the evening to watch the matches at night. By watching the World Cup, we will try and learn from the players. Some of my friends are specially going in for dish TV connection to enjoy the Soccer World Cup”, says mid-fielder Arjun Yadav of the Vijay Cantt Club.

The Portugal team’s fan Ankit of the Raipur Boys Football Club says, “We will watch all matches with full enthusiasm. Some of us would gather at a place of one of our common friends and enjoy the match together”.

Most of the footballers are also planning to watch the semi-finals and final matches on the LCD by pooling in money. “The semi-final and final matches are shown on LCDs in Naalapani and Sunderwala. We are keenly looking forward for that,” says Aakar of the Raipur Boys Football Club.

“In the last World Cup we had pooled in money to watch the final on LCD in Garhi Cantt. We will plan something of this sort this time as well,” says former footballer of Doon Budhimaan Thapa.

“During our young age we had very much craze for world cup football matches. We used to get together at a house, which had a TV. We will do any work assigned by the family, which had the TV, like brining stuff from far-off markets on foot just to watch soccer matches,” recalls Thapa. 

Dehradun, June 10
On the fifth day of the Second Basudev Raghav Memorial Mussorrie-Dehradun Challengers Trophy, DR Cricket Academy made a stunning victory against Sparsh Cricket Team by 73 runs here today. The match was organised under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Youth Twenty-20 Cricket Association on the Survey Ground.

DR Cricket Academy won the toss and elected to bat first. They made a total score of 193 runs while Sparsh scored a total of 122 runs. Vipin of the Cricket Academy made highest run of 84 runs, while Manish from Sparsh made the highest score of 39 runs.

Dehradun, June 10
The famous Vishwanath Jagdishshila Doli Rath Yatra reached here yesterday. Sudha Bhaugana, wife of MP Vijay Bhauguna, along with others, gave a warm welcome to the doli at the Town Hall here.

The doli was accompanied by a large number devouts. The 13-day yatra, which started from Haridwar today, will end at Tehri Garwal on June 21. The doli will complete its journey visiting Ghansali, Rishikesh, Narinder Nagar, Mussoorie and Uttarkashi where it will be immersed in the Bhgairathi river.

The doli was organised by Dhani Lal Shah, a former block president of Bilangana.