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Anna’s strike against corruption gains momentum
Pharmacists boycott work
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SHO ‘held responsible’ for lathicharge on cricket fans
Man trampled to death by elephant
Fate of 2,500 students hangs in balance
Art of wood carving is their passion-cum-profession
Come Bhatuli, parents head to married daughter’s home
Brahattar Sahitya Samman for two state linguists
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Anna’s strike against corruption gains momentum
Dehradun, April 7 Panwar said he had initiated the hunger strike to extend support of his party to Gandhian leader Anna Hazare, who was observing indefinite hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, to press upon the Centre to formulate the Jan Lokpal Bill against corruption and also as a mark of protest against allegedly corrupt government, led by the BJP and the Congress in their successive terms. “Earlier, the Congress plundered the state and now the BJP is doing the same. They are emptying the coffers of the state. When it comes to funds for developmental activities, they ask for donation from the Centre. The state is going downhill and we have no option, but to watch helplessly”. He asked people of the state to reject these alleged money-mongering parties in the forthcoming Assembly polls to teach them a lesson and give an opportunity to the third front to realise their dreams.
Uttaranchal Punjabi Sabha extends
support
Meanwhile, the Uttaranchal Punjabi Sabha extended support to Anna Hazare’s hunger strike against corruption and called it a historic step to change the direction of the country. The speakers extolled Hazare for his bravery to raise voice against corruption and said people were tired of corruption hitting them from birth till death. The organisation prayed for his health and long
life.
Those who spoke were state vice-president Rakesh Obroi, city president PS Kochar, general secretary Harish Narang, Amarjit Singh, Gurdip Singh etc. Residents of
Mussoorie join Hazare’s crusade
Mussoorie (OC): Residents of Mussoorie poured out in large numbers to support of social activist Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption as his fast-unto-death entered the third day in New Delhi today. The local Communist party outfit gave a call under which a two-day dharna was started at Jhoola Ghar near Kulri Bazar today. The call received a spontaneous and overwhelming response as people hearing the news flocked at the site and registered their support against the rampant corruption prevailing in the state and the country. Eminent literati and author Dr Haridutt Bhatt Shailesh, father of famous Bollywood actress Himani Shivpuri, despite his ailing condition and extended his support. Speaking on the occasion, he said the campaign started by Anna Hazare had touched the chord of the common man and that was the reason it was getting mass support all around the country. Dr Bhatt said the Centre was dilly dallying on introducing the Jan Lokpal Bill because it itself was involved neck deep in corruption, and this Bill would punish high-profile politicians, judges and bureaucrats. He appealed to all to join in the movement that would change the course of history of the nation and bring back the true republic. Another social activist Pradeep Bhandari said people were fed up with the scale of corruption, be it at the Centre or the state, and therefore the need for introducing the Jan Lok Bill was being felt. Students from MPG College, Press Club of Mussoorie and several social organisations also extended their support and signed the petition in support of the Bill. Communist leaders RP Badoni, Devi Godiyal and others said the two-day dharna would be converted into a fast-unto-death if the demands of Anna Hazare were not met soon.
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Pharmacists boycott work
Dehradun, April 7 Ram Rati, a poor labourer, could not get medicines for her grandson who had severe stomach infection due to the boycott. “I had taken half day off solely for my trip to the hospital from Sahaspur, but now I will have to take medicines from a private chemist shop that will not be free,” said Ram Rati. Most patients were greeted by empty counters. Some waited for a few minutes unaware of the strike. But today the discomfort experienced by patients was not on the minds of the pharmacists who said they had many times taken back their boycott call on humanitarian grounds, but the government failed to fulfill their demands. “A few months back we had taken back our agitation in the aftermath of the disaster that struck the state last year, but none of our demands were met,” said SS Chauhan, Chief Pharmacist, Doon Hospital, Dehradun. In the morning, the pharmacists gathered at the Doon Hospital and raised slogans against
the government. A total of 1,500 pharmacists boycotted work in government hospitals, primary health centres and community heath centres and subcentres in the state. However, pharmacists continued to render services in emergency wards. The pharmacists are demanding equivalent pay, filling of vacant posts and other demands.
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SHO ‘held responsible’ for lathicharge on cricket fans
Dehradun, April 7 However, SSP Ganesh Singh Martolia has denied such a report. “The district police officers are contemplating on the transfer of Panwar after receiving the report,” said
the sources. Martolia called on all the circle officers and Panwar for a meeting in his office here today to discuss the matter. The report has indicted the SHO for the lathicharge, which left several, including women, children and journalists, injured. In retaliation, the crowd had also pelted stones at the police and set a bike on fire, besides breaking the glasses of several cars. The sources informed that the SHO should have taken a more patient approach and avoided lathicharge by identifying the anti-social elements among those celebrating the 28-year-awaited World Cup win. The report also found guilty those who had removed their clothes and were dancing on moving cars and motorbikes. The report added, some hooligans among people wanted to take away money from the ATM, which was badly broken by them that night. It says the police should have used force on them, but not the way
it was done. On the next day of the incident, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had ordered a probe into the lathicharge. SSP Martolia had handed over the probe to SP (Rural) GC Dhyani. The incident has been highly criticized by political parties and people. On Tuesday, a delegation of councillors and senior Congressmen, led by MLA Dinesh Agarwal, had met DGP Jyoti Swaroop Pandey seeking action. Agarwal had threatened to launch an agitation if action was not taken within two days.
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Man trampled to death by elephant
Nainital, April 7 According to information, 60-year-old Peshkar had gone to the forest, along with co-villager Ashraf, to collect firewood on a bicycle on Tuesday. When they were returning home late in the evening, they were suddenly confronted by a trumpeting elephant. Both of them tried to flee leaving the bicycle behind, but the elephant got hold of Peshkar and banged him on the ground after lifting him with his trunk. Thereafter, it dragged the injured person to some distance before repeating the action and finally trampled him to death. A frightened Ashraf related the matter to the villagers who tried to locate Peshkar without any success. The matter was reported on Wednesday to Forest Department officials who managed to trace the body of the deceased. The body was later sent for postmortem.
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Fate of 2,500 students hangs in balance
Dehradun, April 7 Though the annual examinations have already started in the college from March 24, the fate of these students without roll numbers and admit cards, is uncertain. The students alleged that the university authorities had themselves directed the college administration to allot handwritten roll number cards for the annual examinations and scrutinise their answer sheets too. According to college officials, the students who had not submitted their examination forms before the due date, will not be allowed to appear in the annual examinations. However, the Principal of the college said the university had not sent the admit cards of those students who had failed to submit their examination forms on time, and had strictly maintained that no such forms would be taken by the varsity with either fine or late fee. Apparently, the university has already directed all its affiliated colleges in the state not to accept the examination forms after the due date, but DAV College remained an exception. According to the aggrieved students and members of the college students’ council, HNB Garhwal University was solely responsible for all the uncertainties. “The entire disorder has occurred due to the apathy of the university itself. The delay in announcing the examination results of certain subjects previously held for the students of first and second years, led to the delay in seeking admissions by them and also in submitting the examination forms on time,” said Anshul Chawla, president, DAV students’ council. “It’s the responsibility of the varsity to allot the roll numbers and admit cards to the students. We demand the university to allot the admit cards to the students as soon as possible. If the university fails to do so, we will boycott the college examinations for this academic session,” he asserted. Meanwhile, members and supporters of the DAV students’ council burnt the effigy of US Rawat, Registrar, HNB Garhwal University, here today.
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Vulture takes a disliking for agro-scientist
Pitthoragarh, April 7 “The scientist - Dr Nirmal Chandra Joshi - has demanded protection from the vulture which, according to him, is attacking him for the past week,” said Rahul, District Forest Official (DFO),
Almora. According to the DFO, the scientist has written that the bird only attacks him and not his family members. The DFO has deputed forest employees for the security of the scientist, who now ventures out with an umbrella. “As vultures are an endangered species, we cannot shooting it. We will try to scare it away by making a noise,” said the DFO. “It seems that the scientist might have disturbed the bird’s nest or its offspring,” speculated the DFO.
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Art of wood carving is their passion-cum-profession
Nainital, April 7 The brothers excel in the art of wood carving and theirs is perhaps the only family in the Kumaon hills that continues with the art while earning their livelihood from it. Over the years wood replicas of various animals found in the region, along with carvings depicting the various facets of Kumaoni lifestyle, have found their ways into the drawing rooms of top-level leaders of the country as well as a whole lot of non-resident Indians residing abroad. The middle brother Ram Lal, who is now in his 70s, told The Tribune, “The art was picked up by my elder brother Nand Lal who after studying carpentry at a school in Nainital learnt the craft by himself. I had a liking for the art and wanted to do something to promote it. I was lucky that it became my profession. Today, all you have to do is to show me an object and I can make a wooden replica out of it. I have earned my livelihood through this art and the income for all our three families has been sufficient”. He said acquiring wood for the profession had been a bit of a problem, but over the years the family had managed to get whatever little they had required from depots of the Forest Corporation. He fondly remembers the various exhibitions in Surajkund, Amethi, Delhi and Lucknow where he had participated. He narrated, “At the Surajkund Crafts Fair in 1988, the artefacts gifted to the then Haryana Chief Minister Devi Lal and the then Union Tourism Minister had been prepared by me”. Ram Lal had worked for a shopkeeper for 27 years before he decided to set up his own unit by acquiring various tools and machines required. Although his three sons are also proficient in the art, they practise it only on a part-time basis. One of them runs a taxi, another works in the local court and the third is a gram pradhan. All the three are well qualified. Similarly, his brothers’ children also know the art, but have not made it
their profession. “We just want that the administration set up a small training institute where we can teach children to make carvings that are in huge demand outside. That is the only way that the art will survive and youngsters can also earn a decent livelihood from it,” he said adding that he had got offers for bulk production and export to foreign countries to the tune of crores of rupees, but had not been able to take these up as there was not enough trained manpower to meet the deadlines.
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Delay in issuing of domicile certificates irks students
Haridwar, April 7 While most of the certificates have been issued on time, the students allege that the delay in some cases is deliberate. A protest-cum-rally was held at the tehsil office here, where aided by student unions, the protesters demanded stern action against the officers who are putting on hold the issuing of domicile certificates. The National Students Union of India (NSUI) has also offered support to the affected students in this regard demanding taking the issue to a higher level as various irregularities have been found in the issuing of domicile certificates in the district. District general secretary, NSUI, Ravi Babu Sharma met Tehsildar PS Rana in this regard. He assured them of taking the matter to the authorities concerned. Arshad Khwaza, an activist, said the delay was causing problems to the students, who were not sure of appearing in the exams.
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Haridwar slum dwellers seek permanent rehabilitation
Haridwar, April 7 Several slum colonies, coming under one banner, poured on to the streets here on Tuesday pressing for their permanent rehabilitation as they have no permanent place to live despite living here for years. Dwellers of Chandighat, Laljiwlaa, Lakkad Basti, JP Pandey, Rodi Belwala, Vishnu-Ahbab Nagar, Dhyankunj, Jwalapur and the other affected areas rallied from the Har-ki-Pauri police post, moving down through Upper Bazar, city kotwali and reached the District Magistrate camp office in Devpura. Protesters staged demonstration and warned the BJP-led state government of taking to indefinite protest if their demands were not met. Leading the slum dwellers, Uttarakhand Kranti Manch chief JP Pandey, while addressing the protesters, said if floods came, the first to get affected were the slum dwellers living on the riverbed side, if any fair was organised, slum dwellers were evacuated, if any VIP arrived in the city, they were targeted in the name of security and when an anti-encroachment drive was started, big fishes were spared while poor slum dwellers were hit, just to show on paper that an anti-encroachment drive had been carried out. “This is quite sad that in a democratic setup. This will not be allowed as we, too, are citizens of the state and country and it is our fundamental right that the government treats us equally and provides basic amenities,” said Pandey. Citing rehabilitation of the Van Gujjars by the state government, Kissan Congress City chief Manoj Giri asked, “Why not these slum dwellers are given place to live?” He pointed out that there should be a uniform policy, as it was only for the betterment of the society that those who did not have a roof to live get a permanent legalised place. Rajveer Kamboj said the rehabilitation of hundreds of dwellers by the public sector undertaking BHEL in Ranipur, Haridwar, has paved way for proper rehabilitation process. “If by April 19, no action is taken on the matter then we will be moving towards the Chief Minister’s office in Dehradun,” said Meera Raturi, Chaudhari Afzal Alvi and Manju Devi.
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Come Bhatuli, parents head to married daughter’s home
Pitthoragarh, April 7 “In the old social customs of Kumoan, unmarried girls are offered gifts on the occasion of phuldei and the married ones have two occasions of Bhaiya Dooj on the third day of Diwali and during the month of Chaitra, which is called the Bhatuli month,” said research scholar Anita Joshi. “This year the Bhatuli month started on March 13 and will last till April 13,” added Joshi. During Bhatuli, Kumaon homes bloom in emotions for their married girls and at every track route, however tough it maybe, long or short, an old mother, younger brother or ageing father can be seen with a head load containing the cooked items of Kumoani delicacies supported by full container of milk or curd or other items in milk, such as kheer, for the beloved daughter or sister. “In the Kumoan region, if any married woman has no one to bring her Bhatuli from her father’s home, she is termed as the most unfortunate woman. Old folk lores say that such a woman keeps weeping all through the month of Bhatuli till some one from their clan volunteers to adopt her and keeps her dignity up among the in-laws,” said writer Padma Dutt Pant. According to the social customs of the region, for the first time after marriage the girl is offered the Bhatuli in the month of Baishakh and from the next year it is offered from the month of Chaitra. According to the tradition, the distribution of Bhatuli is quite significant. “The more you distribute the gifts received from your parents during this month, the family of the parental home grows accordingly,” said Pant.
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Brahattar Sahitya Samman for two state linguists
Pitthoragarh, April 7 According to Savita Mohan, secretary of the sansthan, Governor Margaret Alva will award 22 language scholars of the state for their contribution to literature in Kumoani, Garhwali, Jaunsari languages and their sub-dialects. Dr Mohan said the highest linguist award would be conferred on Sharma and Bhatt for their contribution to the enrichment of Kumaoni and Garhwali literature.The awards will be categorised according to the age and contributions of the scholar, added Mohan. Dr Sharma had been Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit in Panjab University, Chandigarh, and had studied the Himalayan languages right from Kashmir to Nepal. Dr Bhatt, a former Doon school teacher, had been a prolific Hindi and Garhwali writer, and contributed immensely to Garhwali literature and language. He had also done remarkable work on Garhwali folk poetry and published stories on Garhwali folklore. “A kavi sammelan on Garhwali and Kumaoni languages and its sub-dialects will also be organised on the occasion,” said Dr Mohan.
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