Haridwar, July 17
In first of its kind among all states, where the GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) 108 services are operated, Uttarakhand will have mini-mobile vehicle jeeps, “Sumo jeep” ambulances, to operate more efficiently in tough hilly narrow routes of the state.

This is one among varied innovations being carried by the EMRI 108 services making it more efficient, having wider accessibility and reaching every far-flung corner of the state within minimum time so that people get medical services.

Initially, a total of seven such jeeps will be plying in the hilly terrains and after gauging their viability, the rest will be added further. The EMRI is collaborating with 208 government hospitals and 119 private hospitals, and is in negotiation with more to make a web of medical centres for timely treatment.

EMRI CEO Anup Nautiyal, who led a two-wheeler rally to generate mass awareness about road safety, said as per data, a whopping 40 per cent of road accidents were related with two-wheelers. To generate mass awareness about this, as well as bring this graph down, the awareness rally, which covered Dehradun and Haridwar districts, had been organised.

Notably, earlier too, from March 9 to 19, one such awareness rally was organised covering hilly districts. An overwhelming response of that rally made them to carry it out in these two districts, where two-wheeler accidents were quite high. Approximately, 1,800 km were was covered during this rally.

In Haridwar district, during the period of May 15, 2008, to July 13, 2010, a total of 35,046 emergency calls were made, with road accidents accounting to 4,768 and pregnancy-related cases 8,821.

Haridwar is one of the busiest locations as per receiving of emergency calls, with 12 per cent of sufferers being from the district. This comes second only to Dehradun, which has the highest 18 per cent among all districts.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Haridwar, Sanjay Gunjiyal flagged off the rally at the CCR Towers. Urging people, especially youth, to follow traffic rules as well as drive safely, the SSP said the police checking drive was being carried out in the city for helmet checking and to inculcate safer driving practice among the riders.

People gathered on the rally route at various places while the EMRI team urged people to follow traffic rules like wearing helmet, not driving while drinking and obeying traffic rules for safe commuting. 

Haridwar, July 17
He is an encyclopedia of Hindi movies. He has seen close to 10,000 films, written his first film review way back in 1952 with a recent one being on “Kites” which he had already described as “a wayward kite without a thread”.

Meet Brij Bhushan Chaturvedi, veteran film critic who is a renowned name in the film world and due to his outstanding contribution to the Indian cinema was conferred coveted Dada Saheb Phalke Award in the field of journalism.

Speaking exclusively to The Tribune “BBC” as Brij Bhushan Chaturvedi is fondly called, shed light on the journey of Indian cinema from 1896 till date. His sojourn with Indian cinema began as a ticket checker when he used to sell newspapers in the morning and rest of the time worked in cinema halls while pursuing his studies.

Seeing his hard work, he was offered the post of a teacher and from a newspaper vendor he became college principal too. But his penchant for Bollywood movies still didn’t perish and, thus, he decided to write as a reelance writer for various newspapers and cine-magazines.

“I first wrote film review for ‘Thokkar’ in 1952 and got rave reviews for it, and my tryst with film reviews began which is still continuing. Though in those times films were socially related, nowadays multiplex culture has made film watching just a leisure,” said Brij Bhushan.

On receiving many awards, Brij Bhushan recalls an award given by thespian Dilip Kumar as his life’s memorable moment. “To receive an award and appreciation from one of India’s greatest actors is itself an honour”.

He further related his sojourn at international film festivals. Till date he has participated in more than 50 international festivals spanning across continents, saying that half of his films seen are at these festivals and these provide the best of the world cinema at one spot.

On the commmercialisation of films, Brij Mohan cited the example of the recent film “Kites” which was made on a mega budget of Rs 140 crore, but failed to rake even Rs 40 crore. “Rakesh Roshan’s ‘Kites’ was a threadless kite without any specific theme, while Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’ seemed to be more banking on director-artistes reputation,” he said.

Social causes have disappeared from today’s films as everyone wants money. It was also in post-Independence era, but still there were social messages. “Mother India” and “Do Bigha Zameen” were blockbusters as well as classics, but today everyone wants to make money. So films overseas and television rights are discussed first, rather than script and screen play,” remarked Brij, who had envisioned mega success reviews of hundreds of blockbusters like “Sholay”, “Mughal-e-Azam”, “Hum Apke Hai Kaun” etc.

Brij Bhushan to provide film buffs knowledge about Indian cinema for the past 35 years is publishing Suchitra Films Directory, which is a yearly publication and has all related information about Indian cinema.

So what’s his piece of advice for younger directors along with those who want to be in his shoes as a film critic? Brij Bhushan opined that hard work, gauging the nerves of people, literature and creativity would definitely see through one in this (cinema) field.

Dehradun, July 17
Taking a step forward, a rally was taken out in the city to spread out the 
message of Sandeep Dangwal’s captivity by Somali pirates. Before going for the rally, some of the representatives, along with Sandeep’s parents, went to meet Governor Margaret Alva to apprise her about the issue, but Alva refused to see them.

Disheartened by the Governor’s response, Sandeep’s mother Rama Dangwal said, “I did not expect this from the Governor. I felt that being a mother, she would understand the pain of a mother. But she did not come, citing reasons of being busy with guests at home. We kept waiting for her for two-and-half-hours. If she had listened to us for two minutes, that would have been sufficient for us”.

Visibly agitated by the Governor’s attitude, Uma Singh, activist and wife of a Merchant Navy officer, said, “More shocking was the answer of Governor’s ADC, who suggested that we better meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who are available 24 hours for visitors. What kind of message the officer was sending out about the Governor with his queer reply?”

While taking out the peaceful rally, Jagmohan Mehndiratta, member of the Uttaranchal Bank Association, said, “In the day, we also met Harbans Kapoor, Opposition leader. Strangely he did not seem to have any idea about what to do in such a case. When we asked him to expedite the efforts by keeping in touch with the Central government, he assured us of writing to the PM regarding this”.

Sandeep’s father Sundermani Dangwal exuded satisfaction on the positive response given by BC Khanduri, former Chief Minister of the state. He said, “Khanduri apologised for not pursuing the matter the way he did in Capt Pradeep Goyal’s case. But he assured us of his active participation from today onward”.

Dehradun, July 17
Graphic Era University conferred a degree of Doctor Literature (DLitt) on Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank at a convocation held here today. More than 1,200 students of the varsity were also conferred degrees.

As many as 283 MBA students and more than 1,000 students of MCA, MSc CS/IT), BCA, BSc (IT) and BHMCT courses received degrees.

Niskhank awarded medals to the toppers in respective courses. He appealed to the degree holders to follow the ethics and ancient culture of the country. An honorary degree was also presented to the Chief Minister for his contribution to the successful organisation of the Maha Kumbh and development of the state.

Giving reference of the growing unemployment amongst local educated youth, he advocated the need to frame and design short-term courses in electronics, electrical, mechanical and automobile engineering. The Chief Minister said the industrial package would soon complement the employment to over two lakh youth in the state.

Criticising corruption, he said it was the biggest evil of the society and could only be eradicated by working on principles of knowledge economies like Japan and Germany. Citing the example of Indonesia, he said leaders and intellectual brass of the country drew inspiration, lessons and principles of governance and management from the famous Hindu epic Ramayana.

President of the university Kamal Ghansala, while delivering his keynote address, said the university had been able to setting a benchmark by giving placement to over 700 students in the previous academic year in reputed national and multinational companies.

Talking about the success in giving placements to management and engineering students, Vice-Chancellor, HNB Garhwal University, Prof SK Singh said it was a matter of pride that young graduates from Graphic Era University have scripted a success story in the IT institutions of repute like WIPRO, INFOSYS and TCS.

This has been achieved by a mechanism, which offers career facilitation and helps develop avenues of entrepreneurship development under the faculty of the management.

Dehradun, July 17
Eleven girls adopted under the Corporate Social Responsibility plan being executed by the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies met Governor Margaret Alva at the Governor House on Friday.

The Governor boosted the morale of these girls who come from the village background by talking to them informally.

She asked them about their education, hobbies and aim in life. The Governor gifted books of general knowledge to the girls and got a picture clicked with them.

It is Petroleum University which is making all arrangements to provide education up to class XII to these girls who belong to financially weak families of Vidholi and other five villages. VC SJ Chopra, CSR Head Mandira Aggarwal, Secretary (Governor) Ashok Pai and ADC Neeru Garg were present.

Dehradun, July 17
“To teach the latest trends in education to one’s child, parents need to be well aware of the basics of parenting. Children are imitators and try to copy everything. If parents discuss things with their kids, then children would certainly like to share their feelings with them,” stated Rashmi Srivastav, academic head, North, Eurokids. She was speaking at the “Parent Orientation Programme” held at Officers’ Club, here today.

Srivastav talked about the teaching methodology of Eurokids, where the focus is on overall development.

The workshop was divided into two parts. In first half, parents of play school children were addressed and at the second half, discussions were held with the parents of LKG students. Seema Singh, a parent said she is happy to attend the seminar.

“Earlier I had attended this kind of workshop in the school but this one had answered almost all of my queries even. And I am here to listen them and feel happy to get some tips on handling a child.” About 300 parents participated in the programme. 

Dehradun, July 17
A 13-member team of scouts and guides, which was awarded by President Pratibha Patil on July 14, met Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank here today.

Congratulating the members, the Chief Minister said the scouts and guides were an important organisation that boosted social welfare. By this organisation, students learnt discipline, social work and love for their country and these all would be very useful for the society and the country, said Nishank.

Omprakash, Deepak Singh Rawat, Ashishraj Singh, Bhankar Bahadur, Govind Mingwal, Pooja Joshi, Kavita Mehta, Vibha, Nidhi Butela, Ravi Kumar Pandey, Manoj Singh Rana, Prem Lal and Nima Pandey met the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, he also congratulated Arun Singh who won four medals, including two golds, at the Singapore Open Shooting Championship.

Dehradun, July 17
The Himalayan Public School has organised an Investiture and Plantation programme here today.

The eminent industrialist and social worker Dr S Farooq was the chief guest.

SK Chandola, Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, Uttarakhand, was the Chairperson.

The programme commenced with the felicitation ceremony and pinning of badges.

After the welcome address by school president Harsh Vardhan Arya, the school choir sang the welcome song. The oath-taking ceremony was performed by school Principal Neena Singh.

After the oath ceremony of the Students Council, presentation of a sashe and pinning of badges was done by the Dr Farooq, Chandola, the school principal, the school secretary, Dr Farooq’s wife.

Dr Farooq presented giloy and blackberry plants to the school, which were later on planted in the school premises.

Simran Rawat, student of Class VI, recited a poem on trees, while Varun Rawat of class VIII and Priyanka Rawat of class IX spoke about the importance of trees in Hindi and English, respectively.

The trio, Psycobaba aka Akhil Arora from Dehradun and DJ Sameer and DJ Rohit from Chakra:Vu band rock at Zinc Lounge, Sector-26, Chandigarh, on Saturday night. The jam-in session is to promote ‘progressive house music’. As for Psycobaba, he has been an avid listener of electronic music, which eventually led to his encounter with psychedelic music in 2004, when he first visited the hills of Manali.

Since then he has passionately played at every possible underground and commercial venue in and around Himachal Pradesh. Today, he is among the most successful Morning Psy Trance DJ’s of India.

Akhil Arora is currently signed by Moonsun Records (Greece), Samana Records (Dubai) and Psy Tribe Production (London). — TNS

Dehradun, July 17
Shashank stormed Garhwal Sporting scoring three goals in a 3-0 win of Yankies during the Super District League at the Police Lines here today.

He scored his first goal in the 2nd minute. He made several beautiful goal attempts and became a pain for rival team. The first half ended on 1-0 in Yankies favour.

Shashank continued with his good show and netted two goals in the second half. He scored in the 37th and 68th minutes.

In another encounter, Vijay Cantt had to fight hard to beat Gypsy 2-1. Bhuwan (36th) and Madhur (66th) found the target for the winning side. Abhishek (48th) scored the lone goal for Gypsy.

Tomorrow, Sports Hostel will face Eleven Star and Cantt Blue will meet Willis Youth.

Dehradun, July 17
City Young and the Akranta Club registered easy wins today during the ongoing Lala Nemi Dass District Football League. City Young blanked DMK 3-0 while Akranta beat Doon United 2-0.

For City Young, Abhiruchi (fifth minute), Nair (36th) and Kunchuk (38th) scored a goal each to show its team the way to a facile win. DMK strikers failed to find the target throughout the match.

Akranta also didn’t face much resistance from the Doon United whom it got past 2-0. Bhuppy (43rd) and Siddharth (56th) were the scorers for the winning team.

No goal came in the first half despite some good moves by the teams. While in the second half two goals were struck by Akranta over its opponent side that failed to retaliate.

Tomorrow last league match will be played between the Sarvodaya Club and the Sunderwala Boys. The super league is starting from July 19 for which teams have been divided into two pools.

Pool A consists City Young, Gorkha United, Doon Star.

Pool B consists Akranta Club, Sarvodaya Club, Sunderwala Boys.