Dehradun, July 9
Kanwariyas who will throng the holy city of Haridwar this month will not get a chance to visit Dehradun and the “Queen of the Hills” Mussoorie during their yatra.

Reason: Keeping in view the ruckus created by them in the past, the capital police has imposed a complete ban on the hordes of Kanwariyas entering the city. The police will divert the yatra from outre circuits of the city towards Haridwar.

This will be enforced from July 11.

“The Kanwariyas hold the city to ransom during their yatra thus they have been banned from entering the city,” Shweta Choubey, Circle Officer (Traffic and Mussoorie, Rajpur Road), told The Tribune.

“Traffic violations, scuffles, jams and playing loud music on DJs create troubles in the city, if they are allowed to enter here. This has been witnessed in the past and we want to curb these things,” the CO added.

For the purpose, the police has divided the cops into four zones comprising the ISBT, the City, the Bypass and Mussoorie. Choubey said the police under these zones would divert the Kanwariyas and prevent them from indulging in any sort of nuisance.

In the yesterday’s State/Agency Coordination Conference also, the police of different states discussed in length on the peaceful completion of the religious yatra of Kanwariyas.

In the meeting, the police of other states was asked to check the Kanwars in their respective states before they make their way to Uttarakhand whether they are carrying DJs with them on their vehicles or violating any traffic rules.

As per Choubey, the ban was imposed last year too and they have planned the arrangements this time well in advance. However, it will be a challenge for the cops here to manage the millions of Kanwariyas who throng the Haridwar Kanwar fair.

Pithoragarh, July 9
Peeved at continuous communication problem in the border areas of the Dharchula subdivision, the business community of Dharchula has threatened to launch a stir if the administration failed to install mobile towers in all parts of the subdivision.

“Only the headquarters town of Dharchula has been linked to mobile services provided by the BSNL so far while the rest of the subdivision face communication problem, especially the business community,” said BS Thapa, president of the Traders Association, Dharchula. Thapa has also written to the Union Communication Minister and has demanded that private companies be allowed to install towers to end the BSNL’s monopoly. According to the demand sent to BSNL officials and the Pithoragarh District Magistrate, the association want that at least six localities of the subdivision be provided with proper communication service by installing new towers. “We need towers in the Jauljibi, Kalika, Chaudans Gunji, Pangla and Thanidhar area at the earliest,” said Thapa.

“The towers being installed at Galati and Baluakot have also taken much time in completion, which shows the apathy of the authorities concerned,” said Thapa.

According to the association, mobile services in Dharchula was very poor. “We have to cross over to the district headquarters of Nepalese town of Darchula to avail the Internet and mobile services,” said the chief of the Vyapar Sangh.

“Due to the widening work being done by the BRO on the Askot-Dharchula motor road, mobile services have disrupted at least 20 times in the past four months. Last week also, the areas of Dharchula town and Nigal Pani remained out of communication after the OFC line got cut near Askot and traders had to move to the Nepali town for communication purpose, said a traders’ representative. BSNL officials also admitted that the line remains disrupted frequently but expressed helplessness as the motor road is being constructed by the BRO. 

Dehradun, July 9
Though the monsoon is a boon for the hydro-power projects as these generate enough power due to availability of water in large quantity, yet the problem of silt at the trash rack too crops up time and again which poses threat to the safety of equipment or the machinery in the power plant.

This season too, many hydro-electric projects such as Maneri Bhalli-I and II, Chilla, Chibro, Khodri, Dakrani, Dhalipur and Kulhal have been shut for few hours to the whole day several times to flush out the trash and the silt.

The closure of the power house even for short duration affects the generation on that particular day and disturbs the power equation of the state. But Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) denied any power shortage. Deputy General Manager Pankaj said in the past one week, it was only on July 5 when the power generation reduced from 21 million unit (MU) to 18 whereas throughout the July, they had been fortunate in having the generation on the range of 20 MU to 21 MU.

The power generation had also taken a dip due to erosion at Maneri Bhallidue to the silt. To deal with this situation, he said, “We have fixed sedimentation chambers in Maneri Bhalli 2 which have proved to be a big help in sieving the big particles of the silt through the trash track. Due to this technology, the strainers, pipelines and coolers too had been saved from the heavy damage. Unfortunately this technology is not meant for small projects which are bound to get damaged. Our small projects such as Kaulagaad, Relagaad, Pilangaad and Suringaad, all of 5 MU, have got severely affected and, had to be closed down.” 

Pithoragarh, July 9
The summer vacation is over yet classes in two secondary schools in Kanar and Baluakot areas of Dharchula subdivision have not been started.

“The schools are still locked and 35 students of this school go to the schools daily but come without attending the classes,” said Bala Singh, Pradhan of Kanar village.

According to him, there were two teachers in Kanar secondary school before the summer vacation began. While one teacher is still on leave, the second one has not reached the school even after the vacation, said the Pradhan, adding that if the teachers were not sent soon, villagers would start agitation in Dharchula.

“Our area is so poor that people cannot afford to send their children to private schools and our kids are compelled to study in government schools”, said Balasingh.

In Guiya primary school of the Baluakot area, both teachers deputed in the school had been transferred without giving substitute in their place . One teacher who had been given the charge of the school from a nearby school had not come till date, said Chandra Singh, a parent from a

“We have received information about the absence of teacher in the schools and are sending the information to the district education officer ordering him to arrange teachers for these schools soon,” said Dr Abhishek Tripathi, SDM of Dharchula.

Dehradun, July 9
The Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) launched a cleanliness drive at Gandhi Park here today. Mayor Vinod Chamoli, along with former president of the Mahanagar Congress Committee Lal Chand Sharma, launched the drive at 3 pm, which continued for two hours.

The staff of the corporation, including senior health officer Dr Kailash Joshi, Chief Executive Engineer Sushil Kumar and councillors from all parties, were seen cutting congress grass. Mohd. Saheed, central chief of the Muslim Youth Action Committee, Rakesh Bachheti, former chief of Arya Nagar ward, Ashit, vice-chariman of the Human Rights Commission, HM Guddu, president of the Transport Nagar Truck Mistri Welfare Association, Bhagwat Prashad Sharma, chairman of the Rajya Safai Karamchari Aayog and members of the UKD and various NGOs also gathered at the venue and cleaned the park.

Those present on the occasion were of the view that such drives should be organised on a daily basis.

Dehradun, July 9
It was the zeal in him that proves that a sportsperson can also be good at studies. New District Sports Officer Dr Dharmender Bhatt chose to do doctorate in sports psychology after having won an Asian medal in 1988-89.

“It is the common perception among people that sportspersons lag behind in studies. I wanted to prove that we, sportspersons, can also be good at studies,” said Bhatt, MA (psychology) and PhD (psychology).

A former international boxer and national coach from Pitthoragarh recently returned from the 5th Senior Asian Woman Boxing competition held in Kazakhstan where he was officiating as the Indian team coach.

The NIS, Patiala, topper in 1988-99, Bhatt has been a known name in boxing. Bhatt is among the rarest of rare sportsperson due to his brilliant stint in both education and sports.

He feels determination is everything and what one strongly feels definitely achieves. Sharing one such memorable experience of his life, he said, “I was in quarterfinal and had to face one of the toughest contenders in the 1987 Asian Games. I was determined of entering meal tally by defeating him and was sure of making it. And my determination paid off surprising everybody, I beat the rival and assured myself at least a bronze medal. I was very much contented with my performance.”

“My coaches told the next opponent I am going to face in the semi-final is not a tough player and I will easily win this one too. However, the fight, which I could have won easily I lost. This was because I already got contented with my performance. This became a learning experience for me and I often share it with my kids.”

Bhatt who was earlier an Inspector with the CSFL in Delhi joined as a District Sports Officer in his home place Pitthoragarh. After serving there for five years, he was last month transferred to Dehradun.

On his planning to do for the development of the sport here, he said, “I don’t believe claiming to do several things and doing nothing later. I have certain things in mind for the sport here and with the support of the administration, I will do these,” he replied.

He feels there is a large pool of talent in players here, especially among girls. “Our girls are naturally strong. If they are groomed and given a chance they can do wonders in the sport,” he said.

Dehradun, July 9
On the occasion of the installation ceremony of Rotary Doon Shivalik Hills Club, Dehradun, the former president felicitated the newly elected president, Surendra Petwal, secretary Durgesh Kuriyal and treasurer BK Oli here today.

Manpreet Singh, District Governor, Rotary 3080, was the chief guest on the occasion while Pragati Sablok, Assistant Governor, Rotary, was the guest of honor.

The forthcoming projects of the club were also discussed at the function. They also celebrated their recent achievements, which included the award received for its contribution in eradicating polio at the district level. — TNS

Dehradun July 9
A large number of engineering aspirants gathered to seek admission to the BTech course in Graphic Era University and Graphic Era Hill University here today. The counselling session continued till late evening, where about 18 candidates were allotted seats in the due course accordingly.

The registration for rest of the pending seats will commence from tomorrow at 1 pm followed by counselling of the students at 2:30 pm where applicants can choose either Dehradun campus or Bhimtal for their admission. Students, willing to change their branch in engineering, can also participate in the upgradation counseling starting at 9 am.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of the university, Professor Kamal Ghanshala, said, “This time we have given independence to our students to choose either of the two colleges for admission while 25 per cent of privilege on academic fees of the students hailing from Uttrakhand.” 

Dehradun, July 9
Doon Eagle scored a narrow 1-0 win over Doon Valley due to the single goal effort of Balvinder during the ongoing 60th Lala Nemi Dass Memorial District Football League here today.

Balvinder scored the decisive goal in the 13th minute. The two teams fought hard throughout the match, but it was Eagle side that had the edge later.

Whereas the second match ended on 1-1 draw as XI Star and Cantt Blue scored a goal only each. Sahid of XI Star and Ajay Gurung of Cantt Blue were the scorers for the two squads.

Meanwhile, the match between Doon Eagle and Doon Valley witnessed some kicks and punches.

According to officials of the District Football Association, Usman Khan and Ikram Khan allegedly beat up and abused the referee after they were shown yellow cards.

Eyewitnesses said later the referrers from outside the field also joined them and allegedly beat up two players.

Sources said the two players had been banned from playing for the next two years. However, there could not be conformation on the same as the meeting was still underway at the time of filing of the report.