Dehradun, June 18
Reeling under the impact of a mysterious disease, whose origin continues to confound scientists and officials alike for some time now, Tussar cocoon production in Uttarakhand is on the path of recovery, albeit slowly. Proper hygiene practices and shifting to newer sites have begun to yield results.

In 2005-2006, the impact of the disease led to a drop in cocoon production. It stood at 8 lakh cocoons per year, while in 2004-2005 it had stood at 40 lakh cocoons per year.

The malady had originated from the genetic material provided by the Chinese, the world leader in silk production. They refused to divulge the remedy since it would jeopardise their trade secret.

“A committee was formed in 2005-2006 to find the cause of the epidemic. The Chandigarh laboratory failed to pinpoint whether it was a fungal, bacterial or a viral infection that had blighted the Tussar trees that are grown in the wild. Later, the Central Silk Board (Bengaluru) said that the disease was due to virus. But the matter continues to be explored by scientists,” said Sudhir Mohan Sharma, Director, Directorate Sericulture (Uttarakhand).

Despite the limited scientific success, the Directorate of Sericulture with the help of regional research training stations at Bhimtal and Gopeshwar, began to focus on the basics. “By following a proper protocol right from rearing, egg-laying, reeling and weaving, we began to negate the effect of the virus. One must understand that the infection starts at the egg stage. The legislation passed by the Central Government that stipulates certification among other things came handy,” said Sharma.

If early signals of recovery continue, officials say for the period 2011-2012 the cocoon production may go beyond the 10-lakh cocoon mark.

Besides to lessen the impact of the disease, the sericulture department also began to move to newer sites at Kapkote, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithorgarh. In Uttarakhand, Tussar silk production is spread in high altitude areas. 

Dehradun, June 18
Aimed at drawing the party strategy for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttarakhand, national BJP President Nitin Gadkari today held a long interaction with Uttarakhand BJP ministers and key party office-bearers in Dehradun.

According to sources, Gadkari while terming the Swami Nigmanand episode in Haridwar as unfortunate asked the party leaders not to be cowed down by the Opposition propaganda and work unitedly to ensure the party’s success in achieving Mission 2012. He called for an “excellent” coordination between top party leaders of the state.

The meeting that started at 4.30 pm at Circuit House annexe saw party president Gadkari taking stock of the department-wise progress made by the ministers. He is stated to have reviewed the individual progress made by ministers and also discussed the possibility of these ministers retaining their seats in the coming Assembly elections.

Interestingly, apart from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former Chief Ministers BC Khanduri and BS Koshiyari were all present at the meeting. Besides them, all other ministers barring Madan Kaushik and Vijay Barathwal were present. Kaushik and Barathwal were stated to be outside Dehradun.

Uttarakhand BJP in charge Thawar Chand Gehlot, Uttarakhand BJP president Bisan Singh Chufal and general secretary Dhan Singh Rawat were other prominent party leaders at the meeting.

Dehradun, June 18
The Uttarakhand Government has terminated the services of 25 medical officers, who failed to report for duty since their recruitment in 2005 by the State Public Service Commission. These doctors remained absent from duty since their appointment in 2005 despite the fact that the Directorate, General Health and Family Welfare, issued repeated warnings to them.

All of them were posted in the remote districts. “We will now issue an advertisement for the fresh recruitment. These doctors were proving to be burdensome for us,” said Dr Asha Mathur, Director (General Health and Family Welfare).

According to sources, there are nearly 199 other medical officers who have also not joined duty. Action will also be taken against them once the time frame ends.

Questions are being raised over the state government’s recruitment policy for medical officers as after completing their MBBS degrees, they did their postgraduation in different specialities at the government’s expenses. However, after completing their degrees, they did not report for duty.

Dehradun, June 18
An absconding deputy manager of UCO Bank, Almora, who is allegedly involved in a scam of over Rs 16 lakh, was presented in the local court, Dehradun, here today. The accused who had disappeared 16 years ago was arrested by a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Varanasi, on Friday. He was presented in the court of CBI special judge Pradeep Pant here on Saturday. Sources reveal that the accused is being inquired about the involvement of any other bank officer in the scam while the CBI has released no information in the case, officially. — TNS

Dehradun, June 18
Today, was indeed a very special day for the officers of 18th National Defence Academy (NDA), 27th Regular, 12th National Cadet Corps (NCC) and 13th Technical Graduate courses, who passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), half a century ago. At a reunion in their alma mater, these thoroughbred soldiers and veterans rekindled old memories. A total of 314 GC passed out from the portals of the IMA on June 11, 1961.

The golden jubilee of the courses is being held at the IMA from 17 to 19 June 2011. It was an emotional homecoming for the veterans as they visited the campus, posed for group photograph, visited the museum and laid a wreath to pay homage to the martyrs who not only brought honour and glory to this nation but also to the IMA.

Highpoints of the event were the emotional get-together and interaction throughout the event. All the officers relived the times spent together during their training at the IMA. There were many misty eyes as the officers recalled wonderful times spent together in their heyday. Time indeed stood still for these officers and their wives. Each one of them could be seen beaming with pride at the contribution they had made to the Indian Army. The group constitutes 34 per cent of the total strength having achieved flag officers rank. Both its army commanders, Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi (retd as Vice- Chief of Army Staff) and Lt-Gen Surjit Singh are also attending the celebrations with their families.

The two officers from the course were awarded Maha Vir Chakra, and another four the Vir Chakras. Besides the host of dignitaries who attended the course, also present were widows of the course martyrs, along with officers from the Air force and the Navy (NDA course mates). The course presented a memento of a silver bust of Maj Somnath Sharma, PVC (posthumous) to the Indian Military Academy.

Interestingly, history is associated with the course that passed out in 1961. This was the first-ever course that neither stepped over the final step of the Chetwode building, nor passed out as per the traditional customary practice prevalent since the time of inception of the Indian Military Academy (IMA). On the day of the passing out on June 11, 1961, as horrified cadets and spectators looked on, the orderly passing-out parade was ordered to return to their lines without passing out from the parade ground. The ground was filled with ankle-deep water and the spectators were drenched to the bone under falling shamianas. There was a melee as the crowd waded in knee-deep water. 

Dehradun, June 18
Dehra XI won its match against the Indira Football Club while Chandermani Boys Club and Cantt Blues draw their match in the Lala Nemi Dass Memorial District Football League played at the Pavilion ground here today.

In the first match, Dehra XI defeated the Indira Football Club by a solitary goal. In the second match, Chandermani Boys and Cantt Blues drew their match 1-1.