Dehradun, June 23
More than five years after its launch, the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) has lost its sheen with more and more families now turning to private hospitals for deliveries.

Ill-equipped Primary Health Centres and a manpower shortage at government hospitals are proving to be a deterrent for families, who despite the incentives offered under the scheme, do not want to take any chances, thereby preferring well-equipped private hospitals to government hospitals.

In Dehradun district, the total number of beneficiaries in 2008-09 and 2009-2010 remained more or less in the range of 13,394-13,602. Similarly in Haridwar and Tehri districts, there has not been any substantial jump in the number of beneficiaries.

“While Doon District Hospital (female), Dehradun, continues to report the highest number of JSY cases, patients of the surrounding areas of Sahaspur, Doiwala, Vikasnagar and Raipur prefer Doon Hospital for deliveries rather the health centres located in these areas,” said Piyush Singh, Director, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

However, Doon District Hospital (female) has competition with two private medical institutes, Mahant Indresh Hospital and Himalayan Hospital at Rishikesh, which are now becoming the first choice for families who do not want to take any chance. The practice is common in Haridwar, Dehradun and Tehri.

The yojana was launched in Uttarakhand to check the maternal death rate through the encouragement of institutional deliveries. Under the scheme, incentives were offered to the beneficiaries and workers of ASHA, who were roped in to ensure institutional deliveries in government hospitals.

Like many other national programmes, the benefits of the JSY may also peter out unless Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres are not upgraded. “Most of the government centres do not have the services of women medical officers following which members of the patients’ families are forced to come down to Dehradun, where they have three options to choose from,” said Dr Asha Dutta, Joint Director, Reproductive and Child Health Care (Health Directorate, Uttarakhand).

Dehradun, June 23
Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli today said the Centre might not provide sanctioned amount to a state if it failed to implement the 74th Amendment Act.

The mayor, who was in Delhi for the past two days to attend the meeting of the All-India Council of Mayors, said they had met Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath. “We were told that the Centre is planning on not providing funds to the state under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) phase II that failed to implement the 74th Amendment Act,” he stated.

Chamoli said he had forwarded a proposal that the local bodies should be given equal status so that they were not under estimated. “Attitude of the government officials towards a seniormost person from local bodies is different and it should be changed. They should realise that we are the only ones who look after the problems faced by the common man in our state,” he said, adding that they had even asked the minister to ensure that disparities should be removed among the Mayors across the country. “The tenure and working conditions of the mayors in various part of the country differs. At some places it is one year, at others it is two years. Few have five years and above,” he stated.

On Gandhi Park issue, the Mayor said he has asked the officials concerned to make an estimate for the park so that tenders could be floated by next week. “I have told the officials to make the estimate worth Rs 8.50 lakh for the beautification of the park, Rs 6.50 lakh for fountains and Rs 8.50-9 lakh for the constructing of proper footpaths,” Chamoli said. “Two-and-a-half years ago the corporation had provided Rs 25 lakh for the adornment of the park, but nothing has been done till now. In the first phase one part of the Gandhi Park would be taken care, while in the second phase children’s park would be renovated,” he stated.

On the members of the BJP, who were annoyed with him for demolishing the dais in the Gandhi park, he said: “If I would have not demolished the dais I would have been pressurised by various political leaders for putting up the protest over there.”

About the illegal hoardings coming in the state capital, the Mayor affirmed that the illegal banners and various roadside banners would soon be removed.

Dehradun, June 23
There is a need of social transformation and change in our education system to curb the problem of corruption. This was stated by Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi at the 41st All-India Science Congress being held at Forest Research Institute here. He said senior police officers should come up with ideas and discuss it with their juniors to bring transparency in the system.

On the political pressure to cops, Joshi said the duty of the police was defined and it had to work under some limitations, following the law.

He also opined that there was a need to amend the laws, which hold no importance in the present system. “It is a continuous process of amending the laws and always attempts are made to do away with the old ones that are not of much value in the present times,” he stated.

Earlier in the science congress addressing the dignitaries on the topic of ‘Integrity in the higher echelons of police leadership-moral and financial’, he said: “Collective wisdom is there but where is the seepage? We should not close our eyes and feel that everything around us in fine. There has to be willingness in the person.”

Dehradun, June 23
Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva said trafficking in human beings, especially of women and children, was the fastest growing international organised crime. The Governor said the problem, which was a cause for concern for the humanity as a whole, required a coordinated and interdisciplinary response to check this menace.

She also emphasised upon the need for initiating measures at the national and state levels to provide legal protection to trafficked individuals. She was speaking at the valedictory session of the 41st All-India Police Science Congress at the convocation hall of the Forest Research Institute here today.

The three-day All-India Police Science Congress was jointly organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development and the Uttarakhand Police to identify ways and means to upgrade the capacity of police forces.

The Governor said the growing menace of terrorism was central to all discussions with a special emphasis on cross-border terrorism. “The technology and communication systems help criminals to commit a crime and later wipe out evidences. The term ‘organised crime’ is vast and includes a plethora of activities all of which endanger the national security,” the Governor said.

Alva said socio-economic turmoil such as extremist movements, separatist demands, cross-border terrorism, religious fundamentalism and ethnic discord should not be viewed as a mere law and order issues but their causes must be understood. “The sense of alienation resulting from various factors such as poverty, unemployment, a lack of education and access to resources lead to violent reactions and underground movements,” she said.

On the occasion, Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar delivered the valedictory address.

Among those who were present on the occasion were the wife of Nagaland Governor Shyama Singh, Chairperson of the State Women Commission Sushila Baluni, Principal Chief Conservator (Forest) RBS Rawat, state Home Secretary Rajiv Gupta, member of the Central Vigilance Commission R Shrikumar, DG (BPR&D) Vikram Srivastava, state DGP JS Pandey, environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna and his wife.

Dehradun, June 23
Rock bands of young artistes have become the centre of attraction at the ongoing funfair at Parade Ground. These bands mesmerise the audience with their scintillating performances.

Though there are not many opportunities for them in the city, it has not deterred them from continuing with this profession. “Our motivation is learning. Music is the only passion in our lives,” says Monty, a local rock band artiste.

There are nearly 15 rock bands in Dehradun that include Psychobaba, Kaal, Rudra, Absolution, Reaper, Corsair, Lok Dhwani and Ashwamegha. However, they are not earning any income out of it. Members of these bands are budding artistes who perform at trade fairs, college functions or to promote the social cause in society.

“There is no dearth of talent, but there are no opportunities for the local bands, specially who play rock music. It is due to this reason that these young artistes migrate to other states or cities to turn their passion into profession,” says Manik Lal Shah, city rock bands coordinator.

Shah, who was earlier a musician, said: “A majority of rock band artistes are students who hardly get any chance to perform in the public. I just provide them with platform to showcase their talent.”

Another hot spot for art and music lovers in the town is 124 Bluestone Road in the Subhash Road area, which works to promote the talent of beginners, amateurs and budding artistes and organises rock shows from time to time.

Krish, a rock band vocalist, says local band performers in Dehradun have not acquired any professional training in rock music. “We don’t have any school or training academy here but have learnt it by watching such performances on DVDs and the Internet,” he adds. “We don’t even have enough funds to organise our shows. We have bought musical instruments from our pocket money,” he adds.

However, the local bands try to acquire the attributes of foreign clubs and artistes with an incredible light and sound system adding to the entire feel and ambiance. 

Dehradun, June 23
To train state forest officials in snake rescue, the Endangered Flora and Fauna on Earth Conservation Team (EFFECT), an NGO, has organised a two-day programme at the Malsi Deer Park here.

On the first day of the programme yesterday, Abhishek Singh, Chairman (EFFECT), informed the participants about different species of snakes found in Uttarakhand and the level of venom carried by them.

He also gave a slide presentation on methods linked to the snake rescue operation. A pipe bag designed by EFFECT to catch snake was also distributed to the participants on the occasion.

Earlier, Uttarakhand Assistant Conservator of Forests PL Yadav asked the participants to take full advantage of the programme. A total of 15 forest officials are participating in the training programme.

Incidents of snakes entering human habitants have increased manifold in Uttarakhand in the recent past, particularly in villages in the periphery of Dehradun.

Forest department is finding it hard to ensure timely action in such cases due to a lack of snake handling expertise.

Mussoorie, June 23
Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO), who has devoted himself to resource-based rural development for the last 29 years, was in Mussoorie to deliver a lecture to IAS trainees from the Phase II and III batches at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration today.

Joshi said the economic disparity between the rural and urban areas was a cause for concern and efforts were needed to close this gap soon. He also said that the border areas of the country had not seen any form of development due to faulty policies which had led to the mass exodus of the rural population to the city centres thus creating a resource crunch in the process. Border villages had become barren with not a soul residing in these.

Joshi asserted that the government had to prepare a central structure to deal with such problems. He further said that employment should be provided in accordance with the resources available at the village level. The government should also collect data not only for GDP growth but also gross environment product growth to formulate a concerted development plan.

Later speaking to mediapersons he said that the planning of the country was tilted towards urban centres and this needed to be rectified so that the rural areas also received their share in the development plan of the country. He reiterated that villages had to be made development oriented so that these could stand on their own feet. Then only would the country grow at a faster rate economically. 

Dehradun, June 23
Members of civil society today urged the Uttarakhand Government to begin implementing the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act to give a life of dignity to abandoned children.

“Civil society and the government have to work in tandem for the constitution of committees under the Juvenile Justice Act. The Integrated Child Protection Scheme has been specially launched to implement these provisions,” said Suresh Balodi, State Manager, Plan India (Uttarakhand).

He was speaking today at a workshop on the Integrated Child Protection Scheme organised by Plan India (Uttarakhand). He said as the Uttarakhand Government had already signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the implementation of the child protection scheme, civil society must equip itself with the wherewithal of the scheme.

The Central Government has already allocated a sizeable budget under the scheme in the 12th Five Year Plan. “The next step would be to establish a structure for the ICPS so that work on providing protection to children could be started. There is an immediate need for establishing short-stay homes for children who are left on the streets and have been abused by their parents,” said Rahul Chaudhury of Plan India (Lucknow). Laxmi Nautiyal, Pankaj, Monica, Anjana, Dimple Pushkar, Narinder, Devinder Ojha, Soma, Pratibha, Ashish Rana, Rabinder, Tarun Pal and Gajinder Nautiyal were given the Global Award constituted by Plan International. 

New Delhi, June 23
Not so long ago Rishikesh, set in the foothills of the lower Himalayas and a site which witnesses the entry of the Ganga into the plains, used to be a city of pilgrims. Now, adventure trips are the reason why young enthusiasts from Delhi and nearby areas are flocking to this holy town for their weekends.

“We are so much occupied in our lives that we hardly get time for ourselves. Amid studies and competition, one feels quite saturated. You feel the need to break free from all pressure and stress,” said Himanshu Dubey, a tourist. Rafting on the Ganga, jumping from a 20-ft-high cliff into the flowing river, scaling mountains and rappelling - all this while you are camping in tents right in the middle of a forest!

According to adventure tourism companies, Rishikesh, an ancient pilgrim town in Uttarakhand, is becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts from India and abroad. Recently experts from New Zealand have opened India’s first and only bungee jumping camp here. Travel and tourism companies such as Adventure Tourism India, Snow Leopard Adventures, Fear Factor Adventures and Mercury Himalayan Explorations have opened over 70 camps in Rishikesh over the years.

Around 6,500 footfalls are recorded by each of the camps during the camping season. “We receive maximum visitors from October to May, which is the ideal camping season. The rest of the time, the river’s flow is very unpredictable due to the rains. So we have to close the camp,” said Anuj Shah of Adventure Tourism India’s Camp Ganga Riviera, located 40 km uphill from Rishikesh. The camps in Rishikesh operate from October to June. “Urban youth in the age group of 20 to 35 years opt for these adventure trips the most. The rents of the camps start from Rs 1,800 for one night to Rs 3,200 for a two-night stay,” Vivek Awasthi, managing director of Hamara Holidays Private Limited.

“Parents are getting freer in letting their daughters out on such adventure trips,” said ace adventurer Ajeet Bajaj, who accompanied his 17-year-old daughter on one such expedition. Apart from young people coming with their friends, parents from nuclear families with their kids also join these trips.

“Adventure is an instant relief from work stress. After one adventure visit itself, you return to work with fresh enthusiasm and refreshed exuberance,” said a tourist. — IANS 

Mussoorie, June 23
“The only way to uproot the menace of corruption from society is to target it at the grassroots level and this is only possible with an effective character-building exercise and the decentralisation of power,” said the former President of the Rashtriya Seva Dal, Panna Lal Surana, at a press conference here today.

He said the centralisation of power and the globalisation of economy were the two basic reasons for an increase in corruption in the past one decade and the only solution to check this menace was to give power to officials at the district and tehsil levels and making them accountable for their decisions.

He said the other solution to check corruption was to adopt character-building exercise, where the common man blatantly refused to give any sort of graft to get his work done. He said Gandhiji believed that if one did not participate in the illegal activity, it would diminish automatically.

He further said he was in favour of Anna Hazare’s demand for including the Prime Minister in the ambit of the Lokpal Bill, but was against the inclusion of judges in it, as it would create a constitutional roadblock and jeopardise the whole movement against corruption.

He reiterated his resolve to create awareness against injustice being done in the name of religion. Mussoorie Mahila Congress President Geeta Kumain, senior Congress leader Praveen Bhandari, Javed Khan, NP Dabral and others were also present on the occasion.

Dehradun, June 23
Finalists in different categories in the All-India Talent Series Tennis Tournament (boys and girls) were spotted today. The finals will be played tomorrow here at Shanti Tennis Academy.

A player in action in the All-India Talent Series Tennis Tournament at Shanti Tennis Academy in Dehradun on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

From Uttarakhand, Sachi, Mritunjay, Mayuk, Utkarsh and Dhruvpal remained in the tournament sealing the finals berth in their respective categories. The state’s other players, including Dhruv Sabharwal and Abhilaksh Uniyal, missed the ticket.

In the boys’ singles under-12 semifinals, Utkarsh Bhardwaj (UK) got past Dhruv Sabharwal (UK) 4-1, 4-2 and Mritunjay Badola (UK) registered a win against Sanket Tomar (DLI) 4-1, 4-1.

Dhruv Pal (UK) also entered the final outplaying Atishay Jain (UK) 6-0, 6-1 in the boys’ singles (under-14). Mayuk Rawat (UK) also defeated Utkarsh Bhardwaj (UK) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the same event.

Other semifinals results:

Girls’ singles (under 12): Rhea Verma (DLI) bt Rishika Sharma (DLI) 5-3, 4-2; Aarja Chakraborty (UP) bt Sukanya Biswas (DLI) 4-1,4-1.

Girls’ singles (under 14): Sachi Belwal (UK) bt Rhea Verma (DLI) 4-0, 4-1; Rishika Sharma (DLI) bt Aarushi Kakkar (CHD) 5-3, 4-2.

Girls’ doubles (under 14): Rhea Verma (DLI) & Aarja Chakraborty (UP) bt Prachi Naydu (MAH) and Nirmat Kaur Kang (PUN) 4-2; 2-4;11-9; Sachi Belwal (UK) & Annanya Bhargav (DLI) bt Aarushi Kakkar (CHD) & Rishika Sharma (DLI) 4-1, 4-1.

Boys’ doubles (under 14):Utkarsh Bhardwaj (UK) & Mayuk Rawat (UK) bt Dhruv Sabharwal (UK) & Abhilaksh Uniyal (UK) 7-1; Atishay Jain (UK) & Mritunjay Badola (UK) bt Sanket Tomar (DLI) & Vipul Mehta (DLI) 7-2.