Protests against corruption get louder
Doctors, tax lawyers, traders support Anna
Tribune News Service

Members of the Indian Medical Association hold a procession in support of Anna Hazare in Dehradun on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun August 24
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), The Dehradun Income Tax Bar Association (DITBA) , and the Dehradun Traders Association (DTA) held rallies in the city today in support of Anna Hazare.

Members of the Dehradun Income Tax Bar Association held a rally at Gandhi Park. They raised slogans such as “Anna Tum Aage Raho, Hum Tumhare Saath Hai” while holding banners. Ravi Maheshwari, member of the association, said, “People are uniting with Anna and is sharing common cause with him on the issue of corruption. It is high time the Centre, other state governments, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats learn a lesson from this that the public will no longer tolerate corruption anymore.”

The Dehradun Traders Association along with the Cloth Merchant Association led a huge rally which began from Parade Ground and culminated at Darshan Lal Chowk while passing through Gandhi Park, Clock Tower and Paltan Bazar. Vipin Nagliya, president of the association, said, “We have joined Anna’s campaign against corruption. The traders too have to face lot of corruption in their work and, are equally aggrieved. Therefore we are backing Anna and his resolve to have a strong Jan Lok Pal Bill to tackle corruption at all levels in the country.”

The doctors under the banner of the IMA organised a candle march at Gandhi Park. A doctor remarked, “People are sick and tired of corruption. Anna has come as a ray of hope, who is waging a relentless battle against corruption. We must strengthen his hands at this crucial time.”

Stir gathers steam in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 24
People from all walks of life have expressed solidarity with Anna Hazare’s anti-graft movement. The common man, saints, students, traders, teerth purohits, lawyers, labourers, NGOs and even government employees are in favour of the Lokpal Bill.

A yagna was also organised at Lord Shiva temple, Jwalapur, by Bhrastachar Virodhi Rashtriya Andolan activists for the well-being of Anna Hazare. The Traders’ Association of Haridwar took out a march in support of Anna that culminated at the Ganga ghat.

The Dev Hindu Mahasabha has also extended support to the movement. It organised a meeting in this regard today and later submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate to forward it to the President.

While employees’ unions have been organising protests for the past nine days demanding a clear stand on Anna Hazare’s movement, BHEL Trade Union Federation members organised a procession from Bhagat Singh Chowk to Chandracharya Chowk today.

The teaching community, under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Rajya Prathmik Sikshak Sangh, also organised a candle light march that started from Bhalla Intermediate College and culminated at Shiv Moorti Chowk. Both primary and junior high school teachers participated in the march.

The All-India Women’s Conference was also held at Kankhal, where a unanimous decision was taken to lend support to Anna. 

State to be education hub soon: CM
Felicitates meritorious students of Classes X, XII
Tribune News Service

Haridwar,August 24
Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank stated today that the state was fast becoming an educational hub with his government committed to providing quality education to all. Nishank was speaking as chief guest at a function organised by the Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Siksha Sansthan here in BHEL-situated Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir.

He felicitated meritorious students who had been on merit list in Classes X and XII in the whole state in academic session 2010-11.

Lauding the efforts by Vidya Bharati in the state, Nishank acknowledged the fact that in hilly districts too, the institution was running schools efficiently with every year dozens of its student making it to the merit list.

Terming Uttarakhand as one of the most sought-after educational hub in the country, Chief Minister Nishank said the government was laying greater emphasis on both school and college education to make sure that state became number one in terms of the education sector too.

“We have youth power which just needs guidance, quality education and professional approach. There is no dearth of talent in our state particularly in hilly districts and our government is committed to providing them the best of facilities and resources” said Nishank while giving away trophies to the meritorious students.

Education Minister Khazan Das also highlighted the fact that in the remote hilly regions, its quite tough to provide quality education but still the government was providing the best of facilities and infrastructure at government-run schools.

A total of 815 educational centres were being run by the Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Siksha Sansthan.

On the occasion, local legislator Madan Kaushik, coordinator of the Vidya Bharati Braham Dev Sharma, several executive office-bearers of the institute, Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, RSS and BJP leaders and a large number of parents of meritorious students were present.

Top three meritorious students who were given citation were Class X: Kanchan Kumar Kandpal(95.20 pc) Nainital, Amit Semalti (88.30pc) Tehri Garhwal, Ankita Chauhan (88.40) Pauri Garhwal. From Class XII Nishant Kaushik (94.60pc) Kashipur, Neelam Bisht (94.40pc) Almora and Shivam Keriwal(93.40pc) were awarded.

‘Roorkie-M’nagar railway line to be completed by 2013’

Dehradun, July 24
The much-awaited laying of Roorkie-Muzaffarnagar railway line will be completed by 2013. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar and Chief Engineer, Northern Railways, MC Jain today held a meeting in Dehradun where emphasis was laid on the laying of Roorkie-Muzaffarnagar line latest by 2013.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the District Magistrate, Haridwar, to ensure that the problems of the affected families, whose land were being acquired for the purpose, was redressed by September 24.

Kumar said the Roorkie-Muzaffarnagar line project was in the interest of the state as it would considerably reduce the distance between Dehradun and Delhi.

The Chief Secretary also asked MC Jain to take the project with all seriousness. He asked the Railway officials to begin work on the project within a month’s time so that it could get completed within its stipulated two years time.

He directed the Commissioner, Garhwal, and the District Magistrate, Haridwar, to ensure regular review meetings with the Railway officials on the progress of the project. The Chief Secretary reminded that the Uttarakhand Government had already given Rs 80 crore to the Railways and would shortly provide the rest of the Rs 40 crore amount in two installment of Rs 20 crore each to the Railways. MC Jain said the land acquisition for the project would be completed within one month. Uttarakhand Principal Secretary, Planning, S Ramaswamy and other departmental officers were present on the occasion. — TNS

Kumaon continues to face scarcity of essential items
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 24
Despite a respite from rain in Kumaon for over the past two days, the region continues to reel under a shortage of essential commodities due to the “apathy” of the government.

As the administration has failed to check the rising prices of vegetables, hoarders across the region are cashing in on the situation.

Moreover, not only the remote areas of the hilly terrain in districts like Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh, even those areas that are located in the vicinity of the divisional headquarters of Kumaon are reeling under the power crisis.

Residents of the Ratighat area, Betalghat block, said: “Budlakot, Jakh and Kafulta villages have been without power since August 15.” They said, “Roads leading to schools located in Purani Chorsa village are damaged and no one has even cared to repair them.”

Another resident from Jakh said: “Neither politicians nor officials have visited the area so far. When Revenue Department officials were told that some houses have developed cracks, they said it was a routine phenomenon.”

Villagers said as they were yet to get ration cards, they were being forced to purchase everything from kerosene to foodgrains on the black market. One of the villagers said: “Rice that cost Rs 4 per kg are being sold at Rs 16 per kg.”

They said Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank did not even spare 10 minutes to discuss the issues with officials during his visit to Nainital two days ago. The region has also been reeling under an acute crisis of LPG cylinders. With gas capsules being stuck in flood-prone Uttar Pradesh, the LPG refilling centre at Haldwani has been badly hit. This has been resulting in a series of protests across the region on a daily basis.

With roads to the hilly areas either being closed or partially opened, the crisis is all the more grave. The authorities have assured that there would be some improvement over the next two days on this front. 

Chufal seeks Rs 50 lakh each for new dists
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 24
Bharatiya Janta Party state president Bishen Singh Chufal said here today that he had sought a special package of Rs 50 lakh each for the newly announced districts.“Though it is the privilege of the Chief Minister to act on the matter, we have demanded from him the money for the districts so that these could become functional,” said Chufal while addressing supporters that had gathered in Askot town to felicitate him for the creation of new district of Didihat.

The BJP chief, who is a local legislator, said the new district would soon be able to stand up on its feet and the pace of development would start in the area which is rich in natural sources.

“All new districts have abundance of natural sources and tourism potential to make them able to create new jobs in tourism and small and cottage industries level,” said Chufal.

Chufal was also felicitated by the people of his home town Didihat where he had reached first time after the announcement of the new district of Didihat. He was given a rousing reception on his arrival as 18 welcome gates were erected by the people of the town to welcome him.

A large number of residents gathered to greet him for his efforts in creating the new district. Chufal was greeted by a record number of people, said Kishen Singh Bhandari, Pithoragarh district chief of the BJP.

Elaborating on the possibilities of development in new districts of Didihat , Chufal said the entire Himalayan belt which falls in Pithoragarh district would now be a part of Didihat having scenic places of Munsiyari, Dharchula and Berinag from where the tourists could view the Himalayan ranges of Panchachuli and Nanda Devi.

“Besides this, the new district will also have abundance of Himalayan herbs and traditional crafts to become the base for creating new employment opportunities,” said Chufal.

Declaring that the new district will have five development blocks and four subdivisions, the BJP chief said the District Magistrates of the mother districts were being told to prepare the demarcation of boundaries ofthese districts.

18 Irrigation Dept drivers shifted to Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
The issue of 18 drivers sitting idle at Dak Pathar offices of the Irrigation Department was finally resolved today when head of the department BK Tamta deputed them at headquarters office, Dehradun. Ten of them have been attached with the Yamuna wing of the department.

Besides this, the services of five retired drivers who had been appointed in the department on a contractual basis had been teminated.

Informing about the development, president of the employees’ association, Shekharanand Raturi said, “These employees had become idle from last year when all civil and mechanical work related to the hydro-power projects were taken away from the department which

led to loss of work for the divisions of the department working in the Dak Pathar. But instead of deputing these drivers at the headquarters, the officials hired five retired drivers for their vehicles.

This created a lot of anger among the drivers working at Dak Pathar and the

members of the association. But now the matter had been resolved as orders have been released to transfer 18 drivers from Dak Pathar to Dehradun headquarters office and remove the hired ones.”

The maintenance work of hydro-power projects which include the Yamuna Ghati project, the Ichari project, the Koti project, the Chibro project, the Dak Pathar project, the Dakrani project, Dhalipur, Kulhah, Lakhwar and Dhalipur projects were shifted from the Irrigation Department to Uttrakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited a year ago, which directly meant massive loss of work to four divisions of the Irrigation Department working for these projects and six other divisions engaged for the Lakhwar Vyasi project, all established at Dak Pathar.

One division at Ukhipur, a little distance away from Dak Pathar too met the same fate. With no site work left to do, the vehicles became redundant and the drivers idle.

Yamuna Chief Amirrul Hasan, however, gave another version of the same episode saying, “These drivers, were not willing to work at Dehradun as they were enjoying the idleness. This was the reason that last year they got their transfer orders from Dak Pathar to Dehradun cancelled by taking the Irrigation Minister into confidence. This year too, they tried the same tactics, but we put forth the full facts before the minister who agreed to transfer these drivers. The retired drivers who were hired on contractual basis were finally relieved.” 

Junior team of MKP victorious
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
The junior team of Mahadevi Kanya Pathshala (MKP) College edged past the junior squad of Welham Girls School 1-0 in a super league match during the Major Dhyan Chand Girls Inter-school Hockey Tournament.

Kiran (40th minute) struck the lone goal to pave the way for the win.

Welham junior fought well but ultimately lost the game. However, the Welham senior team thrashed Combined XI 5-0 in another match today.

Ishrat (fifth, 27th), Medhavi (13th), Radhika (29th) and Shreya (41st) were the scorers for Welham. 

DPS(Delhi) beat Rajkumar College in TT
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
The All-India Indian Public School Table Tennis Championship being organised by Welham Girls School kickstarted today on the school campus.

The event is being held in three categories, under-14, 17 and 19, for girls till August 26. Several school teams from across India are taking part in the tournament. Today, the league matches were played.

DPS, Delhi, beat Rajkumar College, Rajkot, 3-0 in the girls’ under-17 event. Mayo College Girls' School, Ajmer, also got the better of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior, 3-2. Ashok Hall Girls' Residential School, Majkhali, defeated Mayo College in another match.

Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' Public School, Jaipur, got past Ashram, Kilapardi, 3-0. Hosts Welham Girls School, Dehradun, surpassed Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior, 3-0.

U’khand Police win soccer match
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
Uttarakhand Police and Akranta Club scored wins in their respective super league matches during the district football league held on the Pavilion ground here today.

Uttarakhand Police beat Vijay Cantt 2-0. Sushil (sixth minute) and Saurabh (48th minute) scored in the win for the police team. Vijay Cantt failed to score any goal.

Akranta Club edged past Cantt Blue 1-0. Pappy (43rd minute) was the star of the match as he scored the lone goal to help his side register the win. Cantt Blue made some good attempts to score a goal but failed to do so.

Meanwhile, City Young and Wills Youth Club will now lock horns and Doon Valley will face Doon Star.

Rakshita, Vaibhav register wins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
Himanshi bettered Nandini 21-3, 21-6 in the under-13 girls’ singles in the third round match during the District Badminton Championship under way at the Parade Ground here today.

Rakshita beat Sukhman 21-14, 21-13 in the same category. Purnima got the better of Swasthi 21-15, 18-21, 21-13 and Vigya defeated Anshika 21-2, 21-3 in the same category.

In the boys’ matches, Vaibhav defeated Ishant 21-7, 21-7. Prince beat Vipin 21-6, 21-6. Amarpal also registered a win against Siddharth 17-21, 21-13, 21-17 in another match.

Homage paid to Thapa
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
The People’s Forum, Uttarakhand, paid homage to the late BB Thapa, state agitator, at Panchayati Mandir in city today.

Co-convener Jaykrat Kandwal said, Thapa, even at the age of 73, waged a strong battle for the formation of the state and even stayed in Bareilly jail for one month.

He became a role model for the youth and were always committed for the welfare of the state.

In the gathering, his son Ashok and other family members were also present. A CD pertaining to his last wish was also shown on the occasion. Among those who were present on the occasion included CPI secretary Samar Bhandari, CPM secretary Vijay Rawat, PC Thapliyal from the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha, Rajiv Kothari of the Uttarakhand Parivartan Party and leader of Bankers’ Association Jagmohan Mehndiratta. 

Cloth merchants put off stir

Dehradun, August 24
The Dehradun Cloth Merchants Association has postponed its agitation till August 31 after reportedly getting an assurance from the Chief Minister to withdraw a government order on charging 1 per cent value added tax from them. They have now cancelled their proposed protest for tomorrow.

Chairman of the core committee of cloth merchants Rajiv Mohan Aggarwal said Rishikesh MLA Prem Chander Aggarwal talked to the CM on this matter on their behalf and informed them of the CM’s approval to withdraw the order. He said the MLA told them that the new order had been sent to the Chief Secretary for drafting and was likely to be tabled at a Cabinet meeting. — TNS

Parents of missing Australian youth meet DGP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 24
The parents of missing Australian youth Ryan Chambers are in India to conduct a search operation for their missing son. The youth had gone missing from an ashram in Rishikesh on August 24 in 2005.

Jock Chambers and Dianne met state Director General of Police (DGP) Jyoti Swaroop Pandey today in this regard.

The DGP asked the Australian couple of the chronology of the incident and assured them of his assistance. He later told them the case would be transferred to the Special Task Force (STF).

The Aussie couple also plans to meet Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva and for this they have sent a request letter through fax.

“We miss him badly. Wherever he is, we only want he surfaces once. We assure him we will not stop him from doing whatever he is doing,” an emotional Jock Chambers said at a press conference earlier.

Ryan’s mother is travelling to India for the first time. A hopeful Dianne said, “Had my son disappeared from Australia for such a long period, I would have lost all hope. But the culture of India to adopt outsiders makes me believe that my son is alive and is somewhere in the country.”

The sentences mentioned on Ryan Chambers diary found from the Rishikesh Ashram too is keeping the couple hopeful.

The lines said, "If I am gone, I am not dead, I have gone to free my mind..."

Jock and Dianne, along with a friend, will be visiting states, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra, and possibly Chennai, for his search.

The Chambers family is visiting India for the fourth time. Besides making their own effort, the family plans to meet the local police and government officials appealing them to help in finding the missing Ryan.

The Aussie couple plans to conduct a 10-day search in Rishikesh. After that they will be visiting Haridwar, Badrinath, Indore, Pune, Goa, Shimla and Kullu/Manali to return to Rishikesh.

Ryan and his Adelaide friend John Booker were backpacking in India in 2005. On August 24, Ryan disappeared mysteriously, leaving behind all his belongings, including his passport and money at the ashram room.

Artistes’ tribute to Girda ends with staging of play
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 24
A five-day tribute being paid by cultural artistes to folk poet, cultural and social activist Girish Tewari, who was fondly known as Girda, on his first death anniversary concluded on Tuesday with the staging of the play “Shakuntala ki Angoothi” by the the Experimental Theatre Repertory Manch.

The otherwise lacklustre presentation on Tuesday evening at the Chalet Hall was provided with life by excellent performances by veteran artiste Anil Ghildiyal and Anwar Raza. The off-stage team that helped with the presentation also did a good job with lights and management.

Written by Surendra Verma and directed by Idrish Malik, the play follows the efforts of a theatre group as the members attempt to stage Kalidasa’s “Abhijnanasakuntalam.” The play juxtaposes modern day ideology, terminology and philosophy against the serene, hermit-like existence of Kalidasa’s characters. As it proceeds, an attempt is made to reconcile classical principles of life and love with contemporary notions and ideals.

During the past five days, Nainital witnessed a series of cultural presentations, a mode which the artistes had chosen to pay their respects to Girda, who had died on August 22, 2010. The artistes promised to keep the flame of the cultural movement started by Girda alive.

The presentations had started with the performing of Saadat Hasan Manto’s famous story, “Toba Tek Singh,” by the artistes of Yugmanch on the first two days. This had been followed by a mesmerising vocal performance by Bhai Subhag Singh of Kashipur on Sunday. On Monday, the artistes from Mahila Samakhya had come up with an energetic performance in the shape of a street play depicting Girda’s contribution to the social, cultural and political mileau of the state. This had been followed by a march through The Mall that had concluded with a photo exhibition and the screening of two films on Girda. On Monday, it was the artistes from Manch who came up with the final presentation marking the end of the five-day event.

Speaking at the conclusion of the five-day event, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leader Narayan Singh Jantwal said that the region continued to be a storehouse of talent. All that was needed was a bit of exposure and encouragement for this talent to make its mark at the national level.