|
|
|
|
60 villages along Ganga flooded
Schools closed for three days
|
|
|
Students perform in dark of Town Hall
Freshers’ Party held at ICFAI varsity
Carman School celebrates golden jubilee
Sreela gets the better of Bhavya
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
60 villages along Ganga flooded
Haridwar, September 19 At least 12 persons have died in the past few days due to the ongoing rains, while 60-odd villages situated along the Ganga have been inundated. More than 1,500 people have been saved from drowning at various places, particularly at the Bairagi camp and in the Chandi Ghat area by Jal Police personnel. They have been shifted to safer places with the administration providing them help. The situation got aggravated with Gate No. 6 of Chaudhari Charan Singh Bhimgoda Barrage collapsing, releasing heavy flow of water into the river. Twelve police teams, comprising personnel from the district police as well as Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), carried out rescue operations throughout the day and evacuating thousands of people from flood-affected areas. Centre’s National Disaster Management Team have also landed to provide their expertise in this scenario. Citing the sensitiveness of the flood situation, an additional paramilitary force rescue team aided with 20 additional life saver boats from Ghaziabad reached here late night to pitch in the rescue efforts. Several reports of house collapse have been received and casualties may exceed the administrative claims. Speaking to The Tribune, SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal said joint teams of the state police and paramilitary were working round the clock to ensure relief was provided to the affected people in time. He also lauded the efforts of the rescue teams personnel. District Magistrate of Haridwar R Meenakshi Sundaram said a high alert had been announced in the entire district, besides a three-day school holiday. With rain continuing till late evening, the level of the Ganga, which is already way above the danger mark, is sure to go even higher, posing a major threat to the inner city areas. Ganga was flowing at 296-metre mark, a whopping 3 metre higher than the danger level. Owing to the heavy water flow and silt accumulating at the canal barrage, the Gang Nahar has been closed for an indefinite period. The worst-affected area is Bishanpur Kundi where a breach in the embankment led to the flooding of all villages falling in this belt. Flood reports have also been received from areas of Roorkee, Lakshar
and Bahadrabad.
|
|
Schools closed for three days
Dehradun, September 19 While informing the media, Manisha Panwar, Secretary, School Education, said: “In the recent past, many places in the state got affected due to incessant rains and it is likely that students might also face difficulty in reaching schools. To lessen the possibility of any mishap the closure of all schools is announced”. District Magistrate Sachin Kurve also confirmed the school closure for three days and directed all schools in the town in this regard.
|
|
Rain breaks 44-yr record in Doon
Dehradun, September 19 Director, Meteorological Department, said, “The city has witnessed a rainfall of 3,000 mm since June 1 to September 19 which has broken the record of 1966 when it rained 2,930 mm. Before this, the records of 1973 with the rainfall of 2,505 mm and thereafter of 1971 with 2,763 mm too were smashed with heavy rain lashing the city”. He said as of now, there was no sign of rain subsiding, at least, for 24 hours. The stretch of the rainy season, which usually lasts up to September might stretch up to September 25, he added. The western and eastern disturbances have joined together to create the disaster. All over the town and in the district, the houses are being flooded or flattened, people are dying or getting washed away in the flooded water, and landslides and mudslides are obstructing the roads. Even the normal life is getting badly affected with vegetable prices soaring, perpetual jams occurring due to pits on roads, drains getting clogged with garbage flowing with water and train and bus services getting somewhat derailed. Life inside the household is no different. Household things are picking up fungus and clothes have started smelling and getting a greyish tinge due to fungus. And with no sign of rain petering out as per the information given by the Met Department, life will remain difficult for one and all.
|
|
4 die in city due to incessant rains
Dehradun, September 19 One person died last night, while he was trying to cross the drain. Two others were injured due to the debris at Dabra village and were provided timely treatment. The Additional District Magistrate (ADM) said though the situation of the city was very sensitive due to the rains, still everything was under control. He said water had entered houses located at Indira Gandhi Marg, Kashmiri Colony, Brahampri Chowk, Kargi Chowk, Shakti Vihar, Banjarawala Tea Estate Bhagirathipuram, Jogiwala Badrishpur Colony, University Road, Indra Enclave, Vasant Vihar, Vani Vihar, Raipur, Mehuwala, Aadarsh Vihar, Kherigauv, Premnagar, Majra and Gandhi Gram. A team of the district Fire Department and tehsil (sadar) was deployed to check the conditions, and the team helped residents to throw out the water from their houses. The ADM affirmed that many of the residents had been shifted to safer places. He said the road leading to Santla Devi Temple and Mussoorie were also blocked due to land slides and a team had been sent there too to clear the way. Many of the trees had fallen at places like Bihar Road, Vasant Vihar and the team was working to clear these. The ADM said the two kutcha houses at the Nakronda Road and one pucca house located near Padgini were also fully damaged and family members provided the relief. The Metrological Department has recorded 200 mm in the past two days, he stated.
|
|
DEHRADUN DIARY
Uttarakhand being a Himalayan state is prone to natural disasters but the unprecedented ongoing rains this year have proved to be a bane of citizens. Already more than 100 persons have died in rain-related incidents across the state. Life has become a misery for the people particularly those living in remote hilly and mountainous areas.
Most of the roads have been damaged, power and water lines disrupted and a large number of houses collapsed as a result of the incessant rains that continue to lash the state since June this year. Already, the 40-year-old record of nearly 3,000 mm of rainfall in Dehradun valley has been broken. There is no respite from the rains as weathermen contend that there are no signs of monsoon retreating till the end of the month. The latest spell of rains from September 18 has added to the agony of the people. While the masses suffered, the response of the administration has been far from responsible. There were no efforts to provide succour to the people as most of the residents of the state, particularly in the remote hill districts were cut off and faced shortage of foodgrains and LPG gas. The administration only reacted after a disaster struck an area. The state PWD utterly failed in restoring the roads, most vital for communication and it was only Border Roads Organisation (BRO) men that worked to open the highway to Badrinath and the Tanakpur-Pitthoragarh highway. Most of the towns and cities suffered official apathy. The all important town of the Kumaon region, Nainital, was the worst hit. The city was without power and water for 48 hours since September 17 as a major power tower collapsed due to heavy rains and floods. No effort was made by the administration to put an end to the miseries of the suffering populace. To rub salt on the wounds of the suffering masses, the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government elevated four of its ministers to the rank of cabinet ministers on September 18, even as the entire state was reeling under heavy rains and floods. More than 30 persons lost their lives in different incidents caused by inclement weather on that day. Among those who were elevated for the good work was the state minister of Disaster Management. Interestingly, it was given to believe that these elevations were done in public interest. It was a cruel joke on the suffering and toiling masses of the state.
Elevation of 4 BJP
ministers
The elevation of four BJP ministers to the cabinet rank by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was more to do with the internal politics of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) than anything else. Since Nishank took over as Chief Minister, two powerful groups led by former Chief Ministers BC Khanduri and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari in the state BJP were unhappy. There were rumours of change in the guard at regular intervals and attempts to pull the rug under the feet of the Chief Minister. But by promoting all four ministers of state in his council of ministers, the Chief Minister has given a message to his detractors that he was not only in full control of the situation but commands the confidence of the party high command, who gave him a go ahead in the move. It is an important development in the internal BJP politics before the fast approaching state Assembly elections in February, 2012.
State heaven for
retired babus
Uttarakhand was carved out from Uttar Pradesh on the ground of a lack of development and discrimination by its politicians and bureaucrats. Unfortunately, politicians of the new state again fell in the trap of the bureaucrats who, in fact, rule the state. It has become a heaven for retired and tired babus as has been evident from its record. Most of the senior bureaucrats on the verge of retirement are able to find a cosy job for themselves in the state administration after their retirement. The trend started with former Chief secretary RS Tolia who was appointed as Chief Information Commissioner just before his retirement. Another Chief Secretary, SK Dass on superannuation was appointed to head the state Public Service Commission. Then came the turn of next Chief Secretary Indu Kumar Pandey, who was made vice-chairman of the state Planning Board. NS Napalchiyal, another Chief Secretary, first managed to get an extension of six months and then even before the expiry of that six-month term, he was appointed adviser to the state Election Commission. There are other officers also who managed to get themselves “adjusted” in other capacities. It is believed that in Uttarakhand it has become a rule rather than an exception for the senior bureaucrats to find themselves official positions with fat salaries, perks and facilities. Interestingly, these bureaucrats are ruling the roost with the help of ruling politicians of the time.
|
|
Tribal group from Purulia mesmerises audience
Mussoorie, September 19 The Chau or mask dance commenced with the invocation to Lord Ganesh. The artistes presented a dance drama depicting Mahsasur Mardini, in which the gods, oppressed by the tyranny of the demon, prayed to Goddess Adhyashakti Mahamaya who takes the form of Goddess Durga and after a fierce battle with the asura slays him. The group dressed in the traditional attire used masks of various gods like Lord Shiva, Durga, Ganesha etc. The audience, consisting mainly school students, were aghast with such energetic, acrobatic and rhythmic performance. Student Ankita said the government and schools should promote such events to enlighten the students towards their own culture and tradition. The tribals are basically farmers in their village at Purulia. Head of the group Tarapad Rajak, speaking to the media, said Chau dance was a genre of Indian tribal martial dance, which is popular in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa. Its origin was attributed to Mayurbhanj in Orissa and their family had been traditionally attached to this dance form for about 250 years. The Chau dance was originally performed on the occasion of the Sun Festival towards the end of March-April, but nowadays is performed in other months too. Oak Grove School Principal Anurag Tripathi said on the occasion that this tribal dance presentation was jointly organised by Oak Grove and SPIC MACAY, an organisation which works for the promotion of Indian art and culture amongst the youth of the nation by sending world famous artistes to perform in educational institutions. The group will also perform at St Georges College and LBSNAA tomorrow.
|
|
|
Shiv Dale School holds collage contest
Haridwar, September 19 In one such event held here yesterday, a collage-making competition was organised wherein students in various groups displayed their collage collection. And the concept was quite successful as the students were now quite informed after presenting their collage presentations. Like the students of Class XI and XII put up various collections of collages on the topic “Disaster management”. Ranging from newspapers, magazines to science journals, students collected every bit of information in their collages. Rahul, Sarthak, Reshma, Ayush and Ankit won the first prize in Class XI category and Sudhanshu, Suraj, Swati, Vasu and Shrishti were adjudged with best collages jointly in Class XII. Junior kids, too, didn’t lag far behind drawing appreciation from the jury with one topic “To keep our India clean and neat”. Students of Class VI Aman, Anmol, Adarsh, Shivansh and Vasu were adjudged winners, while Ludra, Krishlay, Kaveri, Kritika and Shama won the coveted first position among Class VII students. Not to be left behind, students of Class I to V displayed their creative prowess by having beautiful self-made collage on “Lets colour” theme. “We utilised information and pictures from newspapers, magazines, internet and scientists, learning in the process what is disaster management and the implementation process during various disasters that occur in our country. There is a specific course on the disaster management run by various universities which we came to know for the first time and who knows may be one of us will pursue this course owing to this collage competition,” remarked Anshika, a Class XI participant.
|
|
|
Students perform in dark of Town Hall
Dehradun, September 19 The students sitting on the torn and broken seats of the Town Hall of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) were quite excited to clap and dance over the spectacle, unmindful of their uncomfortable state. But what every one was noticing and was categorical in denouncing was the darkness in the hall. The music system was working, but not the lighting. The students and the teachers were totally upset about the fact. Subhadra Nautiyal, a teacher, said, “The students worked so hard to celebrate the school’s annual function, but all their enthusiasm got dampened due to the darkness in the room”. Another teacher cribbed that the school had learnt a bitter lesson of avoiding any function there in the future. Students were being charged money for using the toilet, which was in despicable state. Mayor Vinod Chamoli said the proposal of the Town Hall was already under the consideration and would get revamped in couple of years.
|
|
|
Freshers’ Party held at ICFAI varsity
Dehradun, September 19 The event in all its grandeur commenced with enthusiasm in its full flow. Dr GP
Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor was the guest of honour, who ignited the ceremonial lamp followed by opening remark by Dean, FMS, Brig ML Sabharwal
(retd). He welcomed the fresh batch of students and said, “It is a day of love, affection, trust and, above all, the bond of belongingness to achieve success in future”. After a stimulating performance by students, Ayush Sharma and Nickita Devi were crowned Mr and Mrs Fresher, respectively.
|
|
|
Carman School celebrates golden jubilee
Dehradun, September 19 The participants of rangoli competition showed their magnificent colourful art skills. The theme of the competition was “Women power”. St Thomas stood first, followed by St Jude’s and Presidency School at the second place. The winner of hand-made painting competition was St Thomas, while the St Jude’s School stood first in the poster-making competition. The winners were awarded by Vice-Principal Suzanne Mann, accompanied by Nandani Singh and Annu Thapa as the judges.
|
|
Tourney for Visually Impaired
Dehradun, September 19 Sunil Jain and Deewa Tenzin got the second and third place, respectively, in the men seniors. In women seniors, Tserind Thamo stood second and Priyanshu Kotiyal took the third place. In junior boys, Peema Jigme and Zaip Baig got second and third place,
respectively. The championship, which was organised by the Deaf Welfare Association, saw 90 participants in boys and girls categories vying for the trophy. Prem Kumar, organising secretary, said the association would organise this championship every year.
|
|
Sreela gets the better of Bhavya
Dehradun, September 19 In another u-19 girls’ singles encounter, Savri of Welham beat Arushi of Oak Grove 21-17, 24-22. Divya of Welham defeated Sonia Kala of CMN 21-6, 21-3 in a lop-sided u-19 girls’ singles. While in u-19 boys’ singles, Jigyashi defeated Umang Chadda 21-10, 21-09 and Chetan of CMN beat Arpit of ARN 21-13, 21-15. Jitesh surpassed Swapnil 21-11, 21-11. Match between Arjun Khetan and Anshul got
withdrawn. Amritpal posted 21-10, 21-10 win over Akshat and Shivam beat Bhaskar 21-5, 21-11. In u-19 boys’ doubles, pair of Nayan and Bhaskar (ARN) defeated Shaswat and Priyank (MSL) 21-10, 21-07.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
