25,000 students leaving primary schools every year: RTI activist
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, August 25
The number of students in government primary schools in the state are decreasing drastically putting a question mark on the viability of these schools.

As nearly 25,000 students are leaving government primary schools every year and in some places these schools are dependent on the students of the Nepali labourers, who have come to earn their livelihood in the state.

“Out of a total of 10,84,624 students in 15,665 primary schools in the state, 21,309 students have left the schools between 2009 and 2011,” said Shamsher Singh Negi, an RTI activist in the Gangolihat area of the district who had sought the information under the Act from all public information officers of the Education Department. Hardwar is the only district in the state where the number of the students in primary schools has increased in the last two years, said Negi quoting the information.

According to information, out of nine hilly districts of the state, Almora tops the table where the highest number of 4,420 primary students have left government primary schools in a year’s time.

This is followed by Dehradun and Pithoragarh districts where more than 3,000 students from government primary schools are leaving every year, said Negi.

The RTI information has revealed that more than 150 primary schools having no students had been closed in the state in the last five years.

The information has also revealed that as inhabitants are quitting primary schools in the state, the kids of Nepali laborers are replacing them mostly due to the meals and clothes which are provided free to the students in these schools under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

The application has revealed that more than 10,000 Nepali students are taking education in these school, most of which are in the district of Pithoragarh where 1554 Nepal-origin students are taking education in 1990 primary schools of the district followed by Nainital, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts, where the number of students of the Nepali nationality studying in primary schools is 1,375, 1,253 and 1,008, respectively, said the RTI activist.

District education officers of Almora and Pithoragarh districts agreed with the information and said in some schools of their districts, it was the kids of Nepali labourers due to which the school had become operational.

In the primary schools of Pithoragarh town and surrounding areas, it is either the students of Nepali laborers or from the weakest section of society who have helped in saving the targets of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, said Dr Mukul Sati, District Education Officer, Pithoragarh.

Adventure Tourism Dept helps youth improve job prospects
Seema Sharma/TNS

Dehradun, August 25
The Department of Adventure Tourism under the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), which has been organising a number of adventure courses in the state for school students, is also training youngsters from hill villages to promote self-employment and better career opportunities for them.

As a result, these youngsters have been getting jobs in government departments such as the state police and the ITBP and as tourist guides and coaches/trainers. Many of them have gone on to bring glory in national adventure sports as well.

Ramchander Bhardwaj, Deputy Director in Adventure Tourism, said, “Earlier we set up adventure tourism offices at Uttarkashi and Almora.Youngsters from hill villages were trained in paragliding, rafting, water skiing, etc. Seeing the project getting a good response from them, it was further implemented in each district of the state. Scores of local youth have been able to get jobs or became self-reliant due to this.” Piyush Sharma, coach for kayaking and canoeing at Haridwar, said many of his trainers had got jobs in the police and the ITBP because of their proficiency in kayaking and canoeing.

Soniya Rana, who became an instructor at a sports institute in Bhopal, has been selected for the Asian Games as well.

Maya Pathan, who has learnt rafting and is now honing her skills in ice-skating at the Raipur Sports College, recently won two gold and two bronze medals in the state Rafting Championship held on the Tons river in Mori this year.“I would prefer to participate more and more in such competitions at the state and national levels. Besides, I am also acquiring skills in various other adventure activities to become an adventure guide,” she said.

However, Kushhal Singh Negi, paragliding and parasailing instructor in Chinyalisaur, rued that certain adventure sports were lagging behind in comparison with others. He said, “There is an acute shortage of equipment for paragliding and parasailing in the state due to which these sports are not expanding much.”

The UTDB conducts adventure courses for kayaking and canoeing at Old Ganga in Haridwar, rafting in Shivpuri, parasailing in Badawala in Dehradun district and Chinayalisaur, snow skiing at Auli and Dyaara Bugyal in Uttarkahshi and rock climbing in Almora and Pithoragarh.

As per statistics provided by the UTDB, the number of trainers in the adventure course was 1,890 in 2006-07, 1,330 in 2007-08, 1,907 in 2008-09 and 2,302 in 2009-10. 

Festivities begin ahead of Id in Haridwar 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 25
Just after Janmashtami, the holy city is now all set for another festive occasion that is Id. Markets of new Haridwar and suburban Jwalapur are already abuzz with people buying Id-related items as the month of Mah-e-Ramzaan enters its last phase.

Such is the demand that advance booking of milk is being done as it is being used in preparing of sweet dishes of sheer, sewai and other sweet products.

Milk distributors have already booked in advance the additional supply of milk from neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh like Bijnore, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and from Dehradun, Kotdwar and Pauri Garhwal.

Shahzad, who owns a dairy in New Haridwar, said the additional stock had been stored as during Id, there is high demand of milk products when they fetch good price from the market as in the past few years almost at all dairies, milk stock got sold out.

While Uday Ram Semwal of Brijwasi Sweets, BHEL road, said this was a festive occasion. First it was Raksha Bandhan then Janmashtami and now Id falling this fortnight, their workers were unable to cater to the sweets demand. As a result they have hired more contractual labour to make sure no one goes empty-handed from their shop on festive occasion.

The administration too has geared up to make sure synthetic and adulterated milk is not supplied during Id for which intense checking and sampling is being done by the police and the Food and Supplies Department.

Meanwhile, people from the Muslim community can be seen buying new clothes, garments, ornaments and cosmetic products along with shoe stores.

In Kathaira bazaar at jewellery, bangles, make-up and shops catering to women folk, a huge rush is visible, particularly in evening.

Tailors are working round the clock to meet the Ramzaan Id deadline. Such is the workload that many tailors have stopped taking new assignments or are categorically stating that only post-Id they will be able to deliver the tailored clothes.

Political parties too seem busy in hosting Iftaar parties for Muslims as in the past few days, be it Union State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat, Leader of the Opposition in Uttarakhand Assembly Dr Harak Singh Rawat, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party Mohammed Shahzad, Samajwadi Party city chief Rajendra Prashar, all have attended more than one such Iftaar party.

Nainital admn to get tough on violators
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 25
Waking up to the need for initiating stringent measures, the district administration has called upon the authorities to take strict action against those medical practitioners who are violating the norms of the Pre Natal Determination Test (PNDT) Act.

At a meeting of the advisory committee on the implementation of the PNDT Act held here, District Magistrate Shailesh Bagauli has underlined that those ultrasound centres which are not furnishing proper information well in time and those found violating the Act must be penalised. He pointed out that all the ultrasound centres in the district needed to submit a duly filled form at the BD Pande Hospital and those not submitting the same in time would be facing action. The health authorities have been asked to ensure that these forms are submitted well in time.

At the same time the officials of the Health Department have been asked to take steps for generating awareness about the Act. They have been asked to undertake a publicity drive for the purpose.

Bagauli has underlined that apart from the officials of the Health Department, the City Magistrates and the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) must also carry out surprise checks at various ultrasound centres and initiate action against those violating the norms of the Act and not furnishing the desired information.

He has particularly laid stress on identifying those ultrasound centres where untrained persons are doing the said tests. It was pointed out that besides posing a threat to the life of the patient, such persons also violated the Act.

The Act provides for a punishment of Rs 10,000 as fine and three years’ imprisonment for those providing information of the sex of the foetus.

Such doctors also face de-recognition from the Medical Council of India (MCI). Further violations call for more stringent legal proceedings against the violator.

The participants in the meeting suggested that besides initiating legal action against the violators of the Act, the latter should also be subject to a social boycott.

What needs to be seen is that how seriously the officials take the directions given at the meeting. There are a large number of ultrasound centres particularly in Ramnagar and Haldwani towns of the district. Sources reveal that there are several centres that do violate the norms of the Act. A large number of residents also prefer to undergo prenatal tests for determining the sex of the unborn baby at various centres in Bareilly and Moradabad that are located in the close vicinity of 
the district.

Nainital bandh against corruption
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 25
People from all walks of life in the Lake City observed a complete bandh on Thursday to air their resentment against corruption in the system.

All the offices, commercial establishments, including small shops and roadside stalls, banks and educational institutions remained shut for the day following a call given by the Nainital Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti. Only the shops selling medicines remained open.

The protest was against the draconian phenomenon of corruption and not merely in support of the movement launched by Anna Hazare. People from all walks of life turned out in huge numbers to participate in a protest march that began from Ram Sevak Sabha in Mallital to the Commissioner’s office in Tallital.

Schoolchildren participated in the march wearing their school uniforms and raised slogans against corruption besides carrying placards. A large number of people came wearing the Gandhi cap that has become symbolic of Anna’s movement against corruption. A large number of participants could be seen waving the Tricolour.

Over the past few days, Nainital has witnessed a series of agitations in support of the movement launched by Anna. These protests have been small efforts by participants affiliated to individual groups or organisations. However, the protest on Thursday was a consolidated effort on the part of the entire town to air its voice against the rampant corruption in the system.

Protests continue in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun August 25
Members of the CPI and the CPM, artistes of theatre group, people from social organisations and students of Graphic Era University held a rally in the city today in favour of Anna Hazare.

The area around Parade ground, Gandhi Park, Clock Tower and Paltan Bazar witnessed one demonstration after another with people venting their outburst against widespread corruption prevalent in the country.

SS Sajwan of the CPM said their party had been protesting against the corruption inside and outside Parliament all these years.

He lambasted the Congress government for crushing the Jan Lok Pal Bill and demanded the inclusion of the Prime Minister under the ambit of the Bill and a separate National Judicial Commission to contain corruption at high-level in judiciary.

Students of Graphic Era raised slogans in support of Anna Hazare from their college premises to Clement Town. Meenaxi Diwedi, a student said, “The youngsters of the country are standing behind Anna and will help him in realising his dream to have a Jan Lok Pal Bill.”

Thakur Prahlad Singh, member from the Rajya Karamchari Sanyukt Parishad, said the leaders and bureaucrats were depositing the taxpayers’ money worth crores of rupees in their personal accounts, whereas general public was facing the inflation. It was the right time to nail down the corruption.

Rajiv Sachchar, founder Doon online, also aired the similar view saying the system needed an ombudsman who would monitor and check corruption. The Milk Producers Development Forum and the Nirbhay Jagran Manch also held their rallies demanding the Bill to be introduced as soon as possible.

No encroachment on protected temples: ASI
Neena Sharma/TNS

Dehradun, August 25
Despite the Union Minister for Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja claiming that three temples in Uttarakhand are under encroachment, the Dehradun circle maintains that all Centrally protected temples are free of encroachments and are in a good shape.

In a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session, the minister had provided a list of monuments under encroachment and three temples from Uttarakhand figured on the list. These temples are Mahasu Devta temple in Hanol (Chakrata), the Gangolihat group of Temples in (Pithoragarh) and the Adibadri group of temples in (Chamoli).

“None of the three temples are under encroachment. At Gagnolohat in Pithoragarh, a school building exists in the vicinity of the temple, but it has been there before the temple was declared the ASI-protected temple. The school building has now been vacated but the issue of dismantling the school is still being discussed by the school authorities and the ASI. Besides, out of the 30 Centrally protected temples in Uttarakhand, all 24 temples are in good condition. Here the ASI can only undertake structural conservation,” said Dr DN Dimri, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The ASI is in charge of protection and maintenance of the Centrally protected monuments/sites which have been declared under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

Dr Dimri said as rapid urbanisation, increasing pressures on land, commercialisation, etc posed a problem to the protected monuments and archaeological sites, the ASI had undertaken complete demarcation of the boundaries of the 42 monuments.

“As soon as a separate circle was created after Uttarakhand came into existence, efforts were started to demarcate the boundaries of the monuments and make a site-specific inventory of the monuments. Earlier, when the state was not created and we were part of the Agra circle (ASI) site, specific inspection was a problem,” added Dr Dimri. 

Allow development of Askot area, MP to Centre
Tribune News Service

Nainital, August 25
Lok Sabha member from Pauri Garhwal Sat Pal Maharaj has called upon the Centre for allowing the development in the Askot area of the Kumaon region. The matter was raised by Maharaj during zero hour of the Lok Sabha proceedings on Wednesday.

Drawing the attention of the House towards the deer sanctuary established in Askot, Maharaj pointed out that the Centre had reserved an area of 600 square kilometres in the year 1986 for establishing a deer sanctuary, particularly for the protection of the musk deer.

The sanctuary covers parts of Pithoragarh, Didihat, Munsiyari and Dharchula. He pointed out that owing to the norms that governed the management of the sanctuary, the development of the entire region had come to a standstill.

The Lok Sabha member underlined that as many as 55,000 people residing in 111 villages were deprived of the fruits of development on account of the sanctuary coming into existence.

He further said to add to the misery of the people residing in the area, a Central committee, set up in the year 2010, had called for extending the area of the sanctuary from 600 kilometres to 2,200 kilometres.

Maharaj went on to inform Lok Sabha members that because of the sanctuary at least five hydro- power projects along with 22 roads that were proposed to run up to the border with China and Nepal were hanging fire.

He contended that while the musk deer was known to be residing in areas located at a height of more than 8,000 metrers above the sea level, the sanctuary started from a height of 5,000 metres above the sea level.

He requested the Central Government to give some much-needed concessions that would facilitate the development in the area and allow 55,000 people to reap the benefits of the development processes.

He also requested for allowing the construction of 22 roads that were lying incomplete and establishment of five hydro- power projects in the region.

The Askot region is one of the most underdeveloped regions of the state. Located at a long distance from Haldwani and very far from the state capital of Dehradun, the region has been devoid of development.

The people of the region have been demanding that Askot should be made the district headquarters of the newly announced district of Didihat.

Erstwhile ruler of the place Bhanu Raj Pal has offered to donate his palace for being put to a better use if it it made the district headquarters.

Relief sought

He requested the Central Government to give some much-needed concessions that would facilitate development in the area and benefit 55,000 people. He also sought the construction of 22 roads that were lying incomplete and the building of five hydro- power projects in the region.

Book on Chitrashi of ‘Chak de India’ fame out
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
A book titled “Chak de Chitrashi” on the “Chak de India” fame and native of Dehradun, Chitrashi Rawat, was released in the city today. Her biography has been written by writer Javad Hamid.

“I very much liked her character in “Chak de India”. Having watched the film, I initially thought she must have been a Haryanavi girl. But, when I got to know she is from Uttarakhand, I decided to write a book on her,” Hamid said at a press conference, which was organised to release the book.

Her next film “Yeh Dooriyan” is set to release soon. This film is full of fun and it also gives a message. This film tells about the sufferings of a woman who is divorced and is bringing up her two children. “My character is of a girl who marries a married man who is 10 year older than her.

The film story depicts how society views these two cases,” she said.

She further said she would soon be working on a sports reality show. “You must have seen a variety of reality shows on TV but never heard of a reality show on sports. Last evening I had a talk with Mir Ranjan Negi (former India hockey player) who spoke to me about this show and hopefully we will soon come up with it,” she said. 

Judicial remand for tourist guide
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 25
The local tourist guide, who allegedly raped a 29-year-old Mexican woman in Rishikesh yesterday, was sent to a 14-day judicial remand by a local court today.

The police yesterday sent the foreigner for a medical examination. Though the report of her medical examination has not come yet, the investigators said prima facie the circumstances and report of the doctors confirmed the rape.

After sending the man to the jail, the police has collected materials from spot, which could help it in the investigation, Rajesh Bhatt, Circle Officer (Narendernagar), told The Tribune.

According to the police, the Mexican woman has come to India to learn yoga and has been learning it at an ashram in Muni-ki-Reti for the past 20 days. On Tuesday, she met Himanshu Thapliyal at a Tapovan-situated shop. Thapliyal, who is a tourist guide at Tapovan, offered her to take her for sightseeing in the Narendernagar area. However, instead of taking her to Narendernagar he took her to his Shyampur residence on his motorcycle on Tuesday night.

At his residence, he reportedly tried to outrage her modesty. When the woman protested, he apologised to her and asked her not report the matter to anyone. However, while returning, he stopped his bike in a forest area near Lakshmanjhula and raped her. He warned her against telling the incident to anyone and dropped her at Tapovan.

The woman reached the Muni-ki-Reti police station and reported the whole matter to the police.

Executive engineer fined for providing wrong info

Haridwar, August 25
Giving false and incomplete information has proved to be costly for an Executive Engineer of the Rural Engineering Service (RES) Department. He has been fined by the Information Commissioner Vinod Nautiyal.

According to the Information Commissioner’s office, a fine of Rs 5,000 has been slapped on the Executive Engineer, Ramji Lal, who was posted in Haridwar earlier and is at present posted in New Tehri. An RTI activist, RM Dobhal, had sought information on various points through an RTI application on August, 2010, regarding a the construction of a nullah in New Haridwar. But, Ramji Lal tried to play down the role of his department in its construction, saying that the nullah was being constructed as per the District Magistrate’s directives and so the applicant should seek information from the DM office only. When the applicant sought the same information from the DM office he was told that the said nullah was being constructed by the RES. Again when the applicant contacted Ramji Lal, he was reluctant to provide the information and instead gave information to the former about some other works. The applicant moved the Information Commissioner office which served a notice on Ramji Lal but still the public information officer of the his department didn’t provide the applicant with the requisite information.

Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner came to know that the nullah work was undertaken under the natural disaster aid fund and it was started quite before the tender for the work was allocated to an agency. To avoid this discrepancy, the Executive Engineer was avoiding giving the requisite information. The of Rs 5,000 will be deducted from his salary for the month of September. — TNS

Heist bid at bank, MC office
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 25
A daring heist attempt was made at a bank situated on the premises of the Municipal Corporation as also in one of the adjacent office rooms of the corporation late last night.

Thieves intruded into the Oriental Bank in late hours by breaking a portion of the wall which led them into the main office room, where daily transaction is done. Then they broke the main gate leading to the locker room, but failed to unlock it.

The chowkidar couldn’t hear any sound of the wall being broken by the thieves.

From the circumstantial evidence the thieves seemed to have spent quite a long time on the premise as the signs of blows of iron rods on the locker and the walls could be seen. the thieves in desperation searched all the files, documents and even cut the computer cables, but they couldn’t unlock the locker.

Bank Manager Roshan Malhotra said early in the morning when the sanitation staff reached the bank they noticed a portion of the wall broken and informed the bank authorities about it. It was found that the thieves had also broken another portion of the wall and a ventilator to enter the MC office where almirahs and the record were ransacked.

Executive Officer BL Arya said no file or document was missing. It seemed in desperation the thieves entered the corporation office only to find files and papers which were of no use to them.

A case has been registered.