Dehradun, March 17
Governor Margaret Alva today presided over annual meeting of the management committee of the Uttarakhand Sainik Punarvas Sanstha (USPS) organised at the Raj Bhawan here today.

In the meeting, details of the activities carried out by the Sainik Punarvas Sanstha in the financial year 2010-11 and the details of proposed programmes, under which various schemes and programmes were being operationalised for the welfare of the ex-soldiers, widows and their dependents.

On the occasion, the Governor expressed her appreciation at the efforts being made by the sanstha to increase its financial resources through various important activities such as jatropha (Ratnajot) cultivation in wastelands and nullahs, removal of land encroachments and development of fishponds in the low-lying areas.

During the presentation of the annual report of activities undertaken by the sanstha, the Governor said a high-quality training centre should be established to impart vocational training to dependents of the ex-soldiers, hospitality, tourist guides and cottage industries based on locally available raw materials.

She said besides promoting self-employment, such a centre would also help in effectively curbing migration from the state. Mentioning of various Central and state government schemes for women empowerment, the Governor said schemes and programmes related to horticulture and ornamental aquarium-fish could also be taken up to achieve the desired objective. 

Dehradun, March 17
The state government is contemplating discontinuing the ancient tradition of shifting the deities from the Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines for six months to their winter abodes of Kharsali (Khushimath), Mukhimath, Ukhimath and Joshimath, respectively, to boost the revenue generated through religious tourism, which plummet dramatically in the winter months.

In this part of the year, when the atmosphere for the ensuing Assembly elections is catching heat and the ground for making new announcements has become fertile, any such announcement catches one unawares. Buoyed by the launch of the Winter Char Dham Yatra for the first time for those places where the deities are relocated for the six months of winter, the Char Dham Vikas Parishad is heading towards turning another leaf by discontinuing the long-abiding tradition of relocation of the deities.

Vice-president of the parishad Surat Ram Nautiyal reasoned the shifting as merely a tradition cultivated more for convenience than religious purpose. He said: “There is not even the remotest or slightest remark about the shifting of the deities in any of our folklore or religious scriptures. It has been enforced for the sheer reason of lack of basic amenities such as transportation, accommodation or communication in olden times and become an inherent part of our tradition”.

He went on to say: “The custom can be done away with after a thorough discussion with people who are thickly involved or connected with the tradition, be it the main priests of the temples, the state government, the administration and private players. Once a consensus is arrived at, which I don’t think will be a major problem, it can be promulgated in letter and in spirit”.

“It was I who propagated the very concept of turning the set of four religious places of Uttarakhand into another version of the Char Dham by harnessing the potent tool of publicity, which over the years has been ably reinforced. Initially, people considered only Badrinath as a part of the Char Dham, with three other located in different cities of the country. I am equally hopeful of turning this germinating idea of continuance of the Char Dham pilgrimage minus shifting of deities into a reality soon,” Nautiyal adds.

Mussoorie, March 17
The degradation in ethical standards among the public representatives of the country has turned into a national crisis. BJP national convener of MLA and MP Development Cell Ram Naik stated this on his visit to Mussoorie today.

Ram said MPs, MLAs and the party workers should maintain the ethical standards across the country, so that the cases of corruption could be addressed on an urgent basis. He, however, said the ethical standards were much better compared to other parties in the BJP.

Naik also said the BJP was conducting several workshops to raise the ethical standards especially in the states where it was in power so that the people at large benefit from their services. He also informed that he visited Dehradun to hone the skills of the party workers at the state level, thus preparing them for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Ram Naik further stated that the country was facing two major problems. One was of corruption and other was the price rise. Being the former Petroleum Minister, he said the major reason for the price rise was rise in the petrol prices in his opinion.

He lamented the fact that the present government had no policy regarding petroleum that has led to the big companies benefiting and common man suffering. He also said the government that promised to control prices in 100 days has failed to do so even after two years in the government.

Speaking on the issue of neglect of the freedom fighters’ dependents in the jobs, he said he would apprise the Chief Minister about it later in the evening.

Dehradun, March 17
The horticulture card scheme that was introduced two years ago is ushering in greater accountability and transparency besides generating a large amount of data for the horticulture database in the state.

As many as 25,000 cards have been distributed in the state and the Horticulture Department has set a target of 1 lakh for itself.

“The horticulture card scheme was specifically introduced to enhance monitoring. Now, the farmers cannot complain that they have received a lesser quantity of seeds of vegetables, flowers and spices than provided by the Horticulture Department under various schemes.

“These will also play a big role in generating a large amount of useful data and the department was always weak in this regard,” said Vinod Fonia, Secretary, Horticulture.

With the ginger season drawing near, there is a demand for 5,000 quintals of ginger seeds.

Each farmer engaged in horticulture is given a unique identity number and details such as the activities undertaken by the farmer, number of fruit trees in his orchards, fertilisers used etc are recorded in the card.

Online monitoring will be introduced in the next phase. “The information on the cards will also become available online. All the mobile teams set up in the districts will be able to access the information,” said Fonia.

These particulars will help in providing detailed information about the horticulture status of the state.

“Insurance companies too will have access to farmers and can also verify details provided by them while undertaking insurance cover for their crop. It will also streamline procurement and distribution of seeds,” said Fonia.

There are around 1.2 lakh farmers in the state who are engaged in horticultural activities.

In Dehradun district, a total of 1,400 horticulture cards have been 
distributed. “By next month, we hope to reach around 5,000 farmers. Details like e-mail, telephone numbers will also be inscribed on the cards,” said Dr SK Singh, District Horticulture Officer. 

Haridwar, March 17
Perturbed after several schemes related with the Ganga being handed over to the Jal Sansthan, the employees of the Ganga Pollution Control Board (GPCB) expressed their resentment owing to this, taking to symbolic agitation as a protest.

Under aegis of the Sanyukta Sangarsh Morcha Nirman and Ganga Pollution Control Unit, the employees gathered at the Jal Sansthan office and started sloganeering against the allocation that has affected their working.

The agitating employees even locked the office of the Jal Sansthan in Jagjeetpur, giving warning that if no concrete steps were taken immediately then they would be forced to take the agitation route intensely.

Terming the diversion of the Ganga-related works to other department from the GPCB as illegal and not feasible, Ramesh Chaukiyal said as the GPCB was a specialised working agency, specially meant out for the Ganga-related cleaning, projects and works, which by this decision was hurting the credibility of the department.

While Sompal Saini, JP Gairola, Ram Babu Kushwaha, Rajkumar, Jaswant Singh, Surendra and Brijpal also spoke.

Seeing the mood of the protesters, executive engineer of the Jal Sansthan DK Singh met the agitators and pacified them of a workable solution and organisation of a meeting with the officers concerned at the higher level to pave way for solution to their demands. 

Pithoragarh, March 17
Keeping in mind the mass consumption of sweets and milk products during the Holi festival, the Food and Health Department has become active against the adulteration of milk products, specially the khoya, in the Kumaon region.

“During our drive against adulterated food items, our team has seized 900 bottles of expired flavoured milk from a agency. The stuff has been destroyed and the trader warned,” said Archana Sagar, Chief Food Inspector of Pithoragarh district.

According to the Chief Medical Officer of the district, the drive against the adulterated food items, like milk products, will continue. “We have sought police protection for our team and with the help of the police force, the team will be able to raid shops in the interior parts of the district,” said Dr PC Pant, Chief Medical Officer, Pithoragarh.

In Champawat district, the police and revenue officers, along with the Food and Health Department officials, have started raiding the shops. A team, led by a Food Inspector, seized adulterated food items from more than 12 shops. “Several shops have been fined for selling expired food items,” said Yogita Tiwari, Chief Food Inspector, Champawat. 

Nainital, March 17
Just as the Holi celebrations across the region are reaching their crest, Kumaon is missing its voice that used to lead the celebrations every year. At every Holi event across the region Girish Tiwari, who is fondly called Girda, is being remembered with respect and reverence. The voice of the masses, a folk poet and a social activist, he had passed away in August, 2010.

People continue to sing the songs penned by Girda at the events marking the Holi celebrations. Even Holi wishes are being conveyed in a manner in which Girda used to go around conveying them to the people who were so dear to him.

On Wednesday, he was the person missed the most by almost everyone at the Holi Mahotsava organised by the cultural organisation Yugmanch. For almost a decade and a half, Girda used to be the leader in the annual celebrations organised by the group.

Besides his enthusiasm for promoting the rich but diminishing folk music and dances from the social scene, Girda had the knack of linking the present day life, its challenges, joys and sorrows with his Holi renditions.

A man who had lived a life that was rich in social experiences, Girda was a colourful personality. He had seen the various colours of life during his journey from his birth to death.

People still visualise him playing on the hudka and singing songs. Girda’s friends relate that his poetry on Holi was unique as he, in traditional Kumaoni style of giving best wishes to the guests during Holi, used to hit upon local, regional, national and even international issues. His Holi wishes were full of wit and sarcasm as they dealt with issues like the US bombing on Iraq or corruption at the local level.

Yesterday, people could be heard talking about him throughout the Holi Mahotsava celebrations. They were remembering how Girda used to lead the Holi processions, how he went about greeting people,etc.

A shopkeeper in the Mallital area could be heard lamenting,” I wish the science could bring him back even for a few moments during the celebrations.”

Nainital, March 17
An interesting study done by former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary RS Tolia points that despite the support of the British administration for a century, Christianity did not spread at the rate and scale that it should have in the regions that today constitute the state.

Tolia has dwelt at length on the history of Christianity in the state. He has traced the coming of various missions and missionaries to propagate the religion. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that their efforts did not produce the desired results.

Pointing out at the factors that prevented the vast spread of the religion, he has referred to the works of Thawburn, who had observed during his visit to Pauri that till the time people waning to propagate their religion worked in the hill areas, it was not possible to replace the beliefs in Hinduism from the hearts of the people.

He had also observed that the pilgrims coming to Badrinath and Kedarnath had such commitment and conviction towards their religion that to convince them to change their religion was almost impossible.

Referring to the phenomenon in the Bhot areas of the state that are primarily the areas bordering Pithoragarh, Nepal and China, Tolia has relied upon the observations made by Priest Uttam Singh Rawat, along with priests Yunus Singh, Tara Dutt Pant and Jay Dutt Joshi.

According to Uttam Singh Rawat, the people living in the Bhot regions were so engrossed in their seasonal migrations and commercial activities that they could spare only token time for any religion. He had come to the conclusion that attempts at propagating religion could not succeed to a large extent in amongst nomadic communities. Tolia has pointed out that constant migration of communities had been the main reason for the failure of what is known as Bhot Mission.

In his study, Tolia has pointed out, “By 1947, the propagation of Christianity had reached a point over 100 years that Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh, Pauri, Dehradun, Dwarahat and Ranikhet had developed as places in North Western province where the Christian community dominated.

He further said, “Despite this and 100 years of open administrative support and encouragement, it is visible that the number of followers of Christianity is not what it should have been.”

Dehradun, March 17
To express gratitude to the party workers who volunteered in the commencement of the Atal Khadyann Yojana, the local wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party is organising a convention tomorrow. The party workers will also celebrate Holi on the occasion as a token of brotherhood.

While addressing the media, Joginder Singh Pundir, coordinator, BJP, said: “We are honouring all the party workers who have contributed to the commencement of the Atal Khadyann Yojana in the state. We heartily pay our gratitude to such workers who are always ready to work for the development of society and congratulate them for their achievements”.

“Artistes from Uttarakhand, Delhi and Brij will perform in the programme,” he added. The programme will be organised at Chaudhary Rajender Singh Memorial Farm House and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will be the chief guest. Bishen Singh Chufal, state party president, will head the programme. —TNS

Dehradun, March 17
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) held a stall jointly with the German International Corporation at one of the biggest travel shows called ITB at Berlin in Germany from March 9 to 13. In this travel show, a beginning was made to present a glimpse of eco and adventure tourism of the state. Instead of having a common stall with the Indian Tourism, the state tried to catch attention by setting up an exclusive stall.

Publicity Officer of the UTDB Vivek Singh Chauhan said their stall at the Berlin show was visited by the Minister of Economic Corporation and Development, Germany. Principal Secretary, Tourism, Rakesh Sharma explained to him the diversity of tourism in the state of Uttarakhand.

Senior Programme Manager Subroto Roy, Manish Juyal, Sanjay Bahti also participated in the show.

Pithoragarh, March 17
Residents of Barahi Dham in the Devidhura area of Champawat district want to put an end to the practice of animal sacrifice during a traditional fair held in August every year.

This impression was given by members of all four traditional groups from villages of the Devidhura area in a meeting organised by a representative of the People for Animal (PFA) in collaboration with Champawat district officials in Lohaghat today.

Champawat SDM TS Martolia appealed to the people that the ritual, in which thousands of animals are sacrificed during the fair, be brought to an end.

“We will have to remove the belief among the people that a deity is pleased when an animal is slaughtered,” said Martolia.

Manish Bhatt, the representative of the NGO People for Animal, appealed to the people that the rightful due of an animal in a civilised society be given to them.

“When we can discontinue the tradition of human sacrifice in the Barahi temple, then why can’t we can stop animal sacrifice?” said Manish.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of all four traditional scions of the Champawat district who decide on the mode of animal sacrifice in the fair.

“All the heads of society in Devidhura area agreed to the proposal. To find a mode of symbolic sacrifice, we have decided to hold more meetings,” said Diwan Singh Bisht, Chairman of the Devidhura temple committee.