Haridwar, October 31
After a hiatus of almost two weeks, water flow resumed at the world-famous Brahmkund Har-ki-Pauri. Water was released from the Chaudhari Charan Singh Bhimgoda Barrage which had been stopped as part of the yearly Ganga closure last month.

With heavy water flow being maintained since last night from various barrages to the Ganga canal, the Har-ki-Pauri regained the look it is known for by today evening.

But due to delay in the cleaning process of the canal, full water flow in the bigger Ganga Canal will only be resumed before Diwali.

With the restoration of the water level, pilgrims, tourists and localites thronged in large numbers to have a dip at the river as well as perform rituals at these ghats which were bereft of water during this festive season despite several protests from various organisations and local bodies.

Teerth purohits, pandas and local traders were a happy lot as they were the ones most affected by the closure.

During the closure, pilgrims and tourists had kept away from Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent ghats and markets.

Speaking to The Tribune, SDO Ganga Canal, KP Singh said that water at Har-ki-Pauri had been resumed last night from the Bhimgoda Barrage.

This water would be diverted from Damkoti bridge towards Kankhal. But water would not be released in the canal towards Premnagar Ashram-Roorkee as cleaning-maintenance-construction work was still going on in the Uttar Pradesh side.

Meanwhile, the Ganga Sabha has expressed happiness on the release of water at Har-Ki-Pauri.

Teerth purohits and the saint community has also welcomed the opening of the Ganga canal water at world famous ghat.

Thousands of persons took a holy dip at Brahmkund and adjacent ghats in Har-ki-Pauri. As soon as the news spread, people from nearby areas began to throng the ghat which was without full-level water for the past 12 days.

Haridwar, October 31
The Central government is presently finalising the Ganga Action Plan 2020 to clean the national river. This information was given by Magsaysay awardee Rajendra Singh. He was accompanied by Ganga River Basin Authority member DR Tej Rajdan and Jal Biradri founder Arun Tiwari here today. They were speaking at the conclusion of the first phase of the Ganga Lokyatra.

The plan is to associate all segments of society that mostly live along side the Ganga or whose livelihood largely depends on the river. This way, the project would turn out to be a success unlike previous Ganga plans.

So fishermen, purohits, pandas, saints, farmers, villagers and slum dwellers living on the banks of the national river will be associated with the plan to ensure mass participation as well as long-term effectiveness.

Without the people’s cooperation, the Ganga Action Plan initiated in 1986 did not achieve much success, despite thousands of crores of rupees having being spent on it by the Central government.

The strategy is to have Ganga panchayats at the village level, municipalities at the town level, council at the state level and a Ganga parliament on the national level to include everyone, so that the Ganga gets cleaned by the next decade.

The Ganga Lokyatra commenced from the Raj Ghat in New Delhi on October 1. Its 25 members tried to generate awareness among the common masses about the ill effects of pollution on the most sacred river in the world and the steps that should be taken to make sure that the sanctity of this holy river is maintained which is worshipped by billions of Indians.

Coordinator of the campaign Arun Tiwari said that in their campaign, they are trying to bring to notice the plight of India’s two main rivers - Ganga and Yamuna - that have been severely affected by pollution.

Stating that many rivers emerge from the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, Tiwari said that the Ganga needs to be cleaned from start to finish - from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar - and that’s why the campaign is being operated largely from Uttarakhand.

Mussoorie, October 31
The town, popularly known as Queen of Hills, has literally been disfigured due to the cropping up of potholes at every bend and corner, much to the disgust of residents and tourists. The pathetic condition of the roads, including the historic Mall Road, looks like a woman suffering from measles.

The daily commuters, including schoolchildren and office-goers, have a harrowing time treading on the road. In addition to this, the condition of link roads is also pathetic as tiles that were placed three years back have given way and make driving on it an uphill task.

According to Ashok, a resident of the area, the road at Taar Gali near Telephone Exchange is in a very bad condition and several persons, mostly senior citizens, have been injured in the past couple of months. Apart from this, streetlights do not function.

The richest Nagar Palika of Mussoorie that generates enough revenue to fend for it has neglected these potholes and open gutters and left tourists on their own.

Shopkeepers near Cambridge Book Depot have complained several times about damaged lids on gutters that pose a threat to two-wheelers. The residents urge the authorities concerned to repair these potholes and linking roads on priority basis, otherwise they will be forced to start a massive protest soon.

Mussoorie Nagar Palika President OP Uniyal consented that the condition of the roads was bad and that they were waiting for the Peyjal Nigam to complete their work of laying the sewage line on the Mall Road. Only then they would start the work. Uniyal also informed that the Palika was planning to start work on damaged roads after Diwali as the Peyjal Nigam would take at least one year in laying the sewage line on the Mall Road.

Speaking on the dangerous potholes in the middle of the Mall Road near the State Bank of India, he said orders had been given to the authorities concerned and these would be repaired within 24 hours.

Haridwar, October 31
A four-year-old German boy yesterday immersed his father’s ashes in the Ganga amid the chanting of Hindu verses.

This immersion gains more importance as this was performed by members of a Christian family, who acknowledging the importance of Indian traditions came from Berlin, Germany, to make sure that the deceased person’s soul gets salvation.

Four-year-old Theror Denand was accompanied by his 37-year-old mother Burmaister and two relatives. They performed rituals at the Sati Ghat.

Theror’s father Stephen, who died of cancer, was a Berlin-based businessman who, along with his family members, had met Haridwar-based astrologer Dr Prateek Mishrapuri and was quite impressed with Indian culture and astrology. Dr Mishrapuri had even predicted the exact date of Stephen’s death.

Deviating from Christian custom, the family didn’t bury Stephen, but cremated him as per Hindu rituals. Now, they have come to India to perform his last rites by observing ‘pind daan’ and ‘asthi-visarjan’ as per the Hindu practice.

Dr Prateek Mishrapuri told The Tribune that in his numerous visits to Europe, he had seen an inclination towards Indian culture and philosophy with many Europeans coming to Haridwar to witness these firsthand.

“Our rich cultural-spiritual diversity is being recognised by the Western world and Stephen’s last rites are the perfect example of the growing acceptance of Indian spirituality,” said the astrologer.

Stephen’s widow Burmaister said to make sure his soul rests in peace, she came to India to immerse his ashes in the Ganga, which is the most sacred river in the world and gives ‘moksha’ to the deceased.

The two family members - Dr Yudit and Naveer - who accompanied the mother-son duo said they now understood India better. “Such diversity cannot be witnessed in any other country”.

They said after the immersion, they were returning to Berlin having developed a deep connection with India, Haridwar and the Ganga.

The renomination of Yashpal Arya as President of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has for the time being put an end to the question of who will head the state Congress.

This question that had been agitating the mind of the senior Congress leadership of the state for the past six months.

With the Congress high command reposing its faith in Arya, it is clear that he will be leading the party in the crucial Assembly elections in February 2012.

With the Congress expected to bounce back to power after the Assembly polls, there was an intense struggle to wrest the important position of the state Congress chief by various factions of the state Congress.

Yashpal Arya, an affable and humble leader with active support from three of the total five MPs from the state, was able to win over the Congress high command for another term as state President.

Being a Dalit and with a record of winning all five Lok Sabha seats in the parliamentary elections of 2009 under his belt, Yashpal Arya was favoured over others in the run-up to the Assembly poll.

Except Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Harish Rawat and his faction, all other senior leaders, including Satpal Maharaj and Vijay Bahuguna, threw their lot with Yashpal Arya.

However, it will not be a cakewalk for Arya as the Assembly elections approach. His first arduous task will be to have his own team of PCC office-bearers in place. He has to tread cautiously to give representation to each and every section of society that satisfies not only his supporters, but his detractors too.

According to party sources, the exercise to pick up a team of office-bearers for the state has already started.

Party general secretary in charge and co-incharge namely RK Dhawan and Bhola Pandey, respectively, in consultation with Yashpal Arya will take every faction and senior leaders into confidence to constitute the team.

They want that there should be no ambiguity and everybody in the state Congress should be on board in the exercise so that the party could take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with an aim to repeat the Lok Sabha elections performance of 2009 in the coming Assembly poll.

Another contentious issue facing the state president is to adjust many senior leaders and former legislators who were left out in the 160-member Pradesh Congress Committee and delegate list to the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) from the state. Efforts are on to adjust all such leaders in the PCC through co-option.

Dehradun, October 31
Alumni of St Joseph’s and children from Cherry Fields kindergarten celebrated Diwali at Prem Dham, oldage home, here today. Many children and members were present on the occasion. Students from Cherry Fields sang rhymes and recited stories for members of Prem Dham.

Residents of the oldage home enjoyed every moment with children. Children presented greeting cards, fruits and biscuits to them. The old residents became nostalgic as many of them remembered their grandchildren and homes.

Members present from the alumnus were Monica Murab, Rajeev Sachar, Ankita Chauhan, Surbhi Arora and Randeep Sondhi.

Haridwar, October 31
While the art of making colourful rangoli is associated with girls, it was quite surprising to see sub-junior students making kaleidoscopic rangolis with Diwali as the theme.

Students of Bachpan Play School, Academic Heights, Jagjeetpur from upper kindergarten to class IV participated in the rangoli competition giving the school a festive charm with colours on the floor.

From displaying the usage of traditional diyas, candles to the popular electric lights as a form of illuminating to highlight the plight of children working in cracker factories urging people not to buy or burn crackers, the creations of these tiny-tots were lined with meaningful messages.

The audience appreciated a rangoli creation displaying the illegal usage of electricity to light one’s household. In the overall category, Blue House was adjudged the winner for a combo theme of boycotting crackers, while the Yellow House bagged the second prize.

Alongside a diya-making contest was also organised where children were required to make earthern items. Manya of class I won the first, Vansh of class II came second, followed by Sudhanshu from class IV bagging the third prize.

Principal Ashok Sharma highlighting the need of such events said these made children more knowledgeable about festivals.

Others who coordinated in the event were Sachin Ahluwalia, Subodh, Namita Gupta, Satendra Pal and Konika Arora.

Haridwar, October 31
In a two-day workshop focusing on the ways to teach in an innovative way, interestingly and in having a methodology by understanding the students’ behaviour and intellectual level, the experts dwelt on various points to make education more interesting to students.

Organised by Swami Hari Hara Nand Public School, Kankhal, at the Town Hall a number of teachers, scholars and students participated in the workshop.

Educationist Jignesh Singhvi from Mumbai in his lecture focused on several aspects that remain either neglected or are not put in use while teaching, which can be very effective if followed. Singhvi said nowadays children felt heavy stress owing to vast educational curriculum and peer pressure, so the need of the hour was to make education a bit more interesting.

“Innovation aided with interesting ideas while teaching needs to be incorporated to meet the educational objectives which makes students more involved in various subjects. Minute observation of student’s inclination as well as aiding the subject topic with practical examples will make education imparting more productive,” said Singhvi.

Cabinet-rank holder Ram Moorti Veer urged parents not to pressurise children in obtaining high percentiles and termed the grade system as a better option in lessening parental-social pressure which till date had claimed many lives of students. He stressed on the need of the Gurukul-Arya Vedic educational system which empowered students with overall aspects making them first citizens.

School Principal Hema Patel said developing good character and personality traits were the foremost duty of the teachers thereby making students capable of achieving educational success aiming more on practical knowledge rather than mugging up of books.

The parents too in a large number shared their thoughts on the topic, while students answered queries giving suggestions on making teaching more interesting in classes.

Dehradun, October 31
Former Indian coach and national selector Anshuman Gaekwad said the Indian cricket team would be a strong contender for winning the forthcoming World Cup in 2011.

“The present Indian team is very balanced and a strong contender for the forthcoming World Cup. The coming domestic season before this world championship will also help in looking for talented youngsters,” said Gaekwad who was in Dehradun to attend a school function as a chief guest.

“It is the best Indian cricket team at present. We never had problem of spinners. It is the pacers who have been mostly injured. The thing that the pace bowlers have to ensure is to be fit at the time of the World Cup,” said Gaekwad.

The two-time Indian national cricket coach feels that Garry Kristen is better coach than Greg Chappal. “Kristen is better. He has proved himself and has consistently been doing well. He believes in working from behind the curtain,” he said.

Terming the referral system as not bad, he maintained that it did kill the spirit of the sport which they could enjoy in their times. “The referral system is not bad since a lot of money is involved in the game these days and nobody wants to be given wrongly but it kills the spirit of the game,” added Gaekwad who was known as The Great Wall during his playing days.

Meanwhile, on controversies surrounding the IPL and sacking of Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals, he said he didn’t know much about them except what he watched on the TV.

On a question that why foreign coaches prove to be better than the Indian coaches he replied, “I think they use different language,” he laughed.

Dehradun, October 31
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghtan (KVS) and Stadium Trainees sealed the final seat of the District-Level Basketball Championship underway on the Parade Ground here today.

Stadium Trainees thrashed Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG College 24-8 in its first match today. While MKP Club got past KVS 14-9.

MKP Club also beat Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG College 14-7. KVS returned strongly in another match to beat mighty Stadium Trainees 37-31.

Whereas, Stadium Trainees got the better of MKP Club 33-18 and KVS beat Sardar Bhagwan College 42-13.

Dehradun, October 31
Fostering coordination and togetherness to its students and alumnus, Welham Girls’ School commenced with its three-day celebration of the 53 founders’ day, here today. The programme conducted to showcase the talent of the students and create an environment that is conducive for its students.

The celebration was flagged off with the annual sports meet by the chief guest of the event, IPS Abhilasha Bisht, Deputy Inspector General of Police, with the UNICEF, who is one of the old alumni of the school.

The programme followed by a parent-teacher meeting and an English play titled, “Rigmarole”, an adaptation of a play by Sai Paranjapye. The audience enjoyed and appreciated the efforts put in by the participants to perform their characters on stage.

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 31
Junior students of St Joseph’s Academy displayed a tough competition amidst an elite gathering as they celebrated their annual sports meet here today. Advocate Kanwaljit Singh was the chief guest on the occasion.

Alumnus and renowned advocate Kanwaljit declared the sports meet open amid a thundering applause by the students from Nursery to Class V. The little ones were extremely enthusiastic and received all help from their teachers to make the day memorable. The young athletes received full encouragement from their parents who enjoyed the thrilling events.

The programme commenced with a dance on “Thank You Father” presented by students of UKG who made it a pious day for one and all followed by a walk past by the students of LKG to Class III. The young athletes then released colourful balloons making it a splendid sight as excited students and happy parents cheered the enthusiastic participants with a stand-up ovation.

Among the most anticipated events were the theme races of LKG and UKG with the students of each of the five sections dressed up as characters from the fairy tales. The students of Class I participated in their share of races followed by students of Class II who competed with each other in the fisherman race, kite race, carrot and rabbit race, bursting the balloon and spoon and lime race. This was followed by an aerobics and yoga display by students of Class III.

Next were the shuttle relays by students of Class IV and V. The Lazium, a mass PT display by Classes IV and V, had 500 students impressing the audience with their coordination followed by march past by Classes IV and V.

Singh applauded the children and the school for putting together a brilliant event.

Dehradun, October 31
Ashana Agarwal of Welham Girls School defeated Pragya Uppal of STA 4-2, 4-1 to win the final of the girls’ under-14 singles during the 11th Uttarakhand State Open Junior Tennis Tournament held at Shanti Table Tennis Academy here today.

In boys’ under-14 singles final, Arush Sood of Doon School beat Uttkarash Bhardwaj of STA 6-4, 6-1. In the boys’ under-14 doubles final, Kanav Mehra and Devang of Doon School defeated Adarsh Badola and Atishya Jain of STA 5-4, 7-4.

Kanav Mehra of Doon School won the boys under-18 singles final beating Arpit Gupta of Haridwar. In doubles final, Kanav Mehra and Divij Budhiraja of Doon School defeated Ankur Rawat and Rahul Mehta of Haridwar.

While Prakhar Pal of STA won the championship of boys’ under-10 singles defeating Dron Walia (STA). In the boys’ under-12 singles final, Uttkarash Bhardwaj (STA) got the better of Adarsh Badola (STA).

Shivani of STA in above-14 singles final surpassed Avani Jain of Welham Girls School 4-1, 4-2.

Dehradun, October 31
Welham Boys’ School won final of roller hockey in both junior and senior categories during the 11th Inter School Roller Skating Championship, which was organised by the Uttarakhand Roller Skating Association at Cronny Skating World today.

In senior category, Welham beat Pestle Weed College 9-5 and in juniors it beat Cronny 6-2. While in shoo skate, Brightland School won the overall championship and Welham Boys School won overall in the in-line skate. Doon Girls School claimed the overall championship in the girls’ section.

Meanwhile, Shiv Prasad Painuli distributed prizes to the players. A total of 356 players from 30 schools took part in the competition.