Dehradun, October 25
The Raipur police today bused a gang of vehicle thieves operating in Dehradun. Led by Uttarakhand Police Circle Office Parmendra Dobhal, the police today confronted three youths on the Raipur road area while undertaking the routine checking of vehicle documents. The trio tried to make an escape when the police sought vehicle documents from them. They were subsequently arrested by the police.

On interrogation, the three was identified as Lalit from Jwalapur in Haridwar and Sanjay from Roorkie, both residents of Uttarakhand, and Rashid, a resident of Meerut from Uttar Pradesh. On the basis of leads provided by them, the police recovered seven vehicles.

Dobhal disclosed that they were expecting a seizure of at least 15 more vehicles. He held that the gang had been indulging in stealing vehicles in Dehradun for past few years.

The Uttarakhand Director General of Police has appreciated the Raipur police for the success in busting the ganga of vehicle thieves. 

Dehradun, October 25
With her dignified style and ornate grace, Padma Shri recipient Shovana Narayan enthralled the audience with her kathak performance at FRI Kendriya Vidyalaya here today.

“Whenever I am on stage, I forget everything. Dance is a self-consuming passion for me. I love to follow the expressions of my audience. Their response acts as a barometer, letting me know how best I can engage them throughout the evening,” said Narayan while speaking with The Tribune. She was in Dehradun at the invitation of SPICMACAY.

Extremely versatile, perhaps it was her training early in life that helped her strike a balance between academics and kathak, to be followed by an equally demanding career of a bureaucrat. “I did not decide on anything but I was sure that I could do justice to both my career and may passion for dancing,” said Narayan.

This ability to manage several things at the same time is also responsible for Shovana even dabbling in choreography on many a occasion and even running a dance school for her disciples, some of whom have also made their stage debut.

“Whatever I learnt during the course of my long career, I thought should be shared with my students, so I started a school in Delhi. I also hold an annual festival ‘Lalit Arpan’ for providing a platform to the young, unknown and talented artists. I see them as future torchbearers of the tradition,” said Narayan.

Indifferent health and her battle with a skin ailment have only firmed her resolve to go on dancing and the sensitive side of her personality has often seen her taking up the causes of the physically challenged.

She has also brought out a dance video on the philosophy and legend of the immortal Khajuraho temples called “Dance of the Temples”.

Today she performed a ballet from Ramayan (Sarupnakaha episode). Earlier, she started her recital with Ganesh prayer. During her two-day performance, she also tried to strike a chord with the audience about the degradation of environment. The “Chir haran” episode from Mahabharat presented yesterday was well appreciated.

Dehradun, October 25
Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri has categorically held that the daily “Janata Milan” programme is designed to redress problems of the general public only and asked the government officials and employees not to bring their problems at these programmes and unnecessarily encroach upon the time set aside for the common people.

As usual, the Chief Minister today listened to people’s grievances at a “Janata Milan” programme organised at his new official residence on Cantt Road here and gave necessary directions to the officials. He expressed displeasure at a few officials and employees approaching him directly to get their problems resolved. The Chief Minister explained to them that they would draw the penal provision of directly approaching the highest authority, and advised them to take up their grievances at the appropriate forum through a proper channel.

The Chief Minister expressed particular concern at a complaint lodged by Neha Sharma, a resident of Raipur here, and directed the District Magistrate Dileep Jawalkar to arrest the guilty person. He said the problems of the general public be resolved immediately with earnestness and without prejudice. He said if the complainant was at fault then the matter should be brought to his attention, and resolved accordingly.

Deputy Chairman of the Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board Shiv Raj Singh Kathait requested the Chief Minister for action regarding the transfer of land for Government College in Tanakpur in the Kumaon region of the state. The Chief Minister assured him that in view of the student strength of 700 students, he would consider the possibility of transfer of land which is available at Tanakpur Resin Depot. Among the problems that came up before the Chief Minister were the demand for a hand pump in Vikasnagar in Dehradun, tubewell for irrigation, constructing drains by the PWD on both sides of the road, upgrade of a junior high school and the constriction of a water tank in Rajawala village of Dehradun. The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to initiate action on these demands.

In response to a particular demand put forth by a delegation, he also asked the officials of the relevant department to prepare a report on the construction of a bridge on the Solani river, between Ladpur Kalan and Shikarpur in Haridwar district. 

Mussoorie, October 25
It seems the controversy over the issue of historic Clock Tower demolition and its re-construction is back once again in the wake of a fresh public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Vinod Thapliyal having been admitted by the High Court, Nainital, on October 21. He has accused the Municipal Council (MC) of indulging in rampant corruption while awarding tenders for various projects, including the one related to the reconstruction of Clock Tower at Landour Bazar here.

The genesis of the Clock Tower controversy can be traced back to 2009 when a reputed businessman from Mumbai, Narang, opened a restaurant named “Clock Tower Café” right next to the old Clock Tower.

In the same year an alleged memorandum of understanding was signed between Sanjay Narang and MC President OP Uniyal where it was decided that the MC would build the structure after demolition and Narang would maintain the Clock Tower and carry out beautification of the tower on the pattern of the Big Ben tower of London at a cost of Rs 3,86,452. Narang had promised to donate an antique clock for the tower too. The MC signed a contract with Quality Construction owned by a close aide of Narang. The demolition work began in March, 2010, that evoked a massive protest forcing Bollywood actor and resident of the town Tom Alter to observe a one-day “Maun Vrat” near the site.

Following Tom Alter’s protest, an inquiry under the SDM of Mussoorie Manoj Kumar was constituted in October, 2010, that found several anomalies in the whole process and indicted the MC for wrongdoings in the tendering process to benefit a few individuals.

Thereafter, a PIL was filed by social activists in the same month accusing the MC of rampant irregularities but it was dismissed by the High Court.

Meanwhile, Narang, disgusted with the controversy surrounding the matter, retracted on his earlier commitment thus bringing the construction process to a halt.

The MC, in December, 2010, citing non-compliance on the part of Narang awarded the tender of reconstruction of the tower to local contractor Parvesh Pant. The local traders supporting the cause of the Clock Tower held a clandestine meeting with Uniyal and emphasised involving Narang and his aide in the project as he had not charged single penny for the designing of the Clock Tower.

In August 8, 2011, another meeting was held on the premises of the MC among some local traders, Uniyal and Narang’s close aide Manohar Lal where it was decided that the earlier proposal of awarding the tender of the Clock Tower construction (cost Rs 75 lakh) be taken away from Pant and awarded to Manohar Lal.

Since then the Clock Tower project has remained on the back burner. 

Dehradun, October 25
The markets are decorated to the hilt for the Diwali celebrations in Dehradun today. People, too, were shopping fervently with their families and friends.

The most prominent feature among all was that every shop had their articles stacked outside to draw the attention of the buyers a day before the mega festival.

Interestingly, the varied items such as colourful and scented candles, varied decorations, idols of Lord Ganesha, Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, festival calendars and earthen diyas were also being sold on the extended part of the shops meant for garments, cosmetics, etc.

This fascinating amalgamation of variety without any hotch-potch gave a festive look. The crowd swarming all over the place added to the glory and gaiety.

People could be seen buying new clothes and things related to festival such as crackers, dry-fruits, candles, lightings, prayer lamp sets.

Fresh flower sellers came early this morning in the market and at various crossings of the city with the garlands of marigold flowers.

The artificial flower sellers too were seen making good money on this day.

“Kheel-batasha”, which is offered during prayer on Diwali was also in demand. The gifts were being wrapped and loaded into the vehicles. The beats of dhols and songs sung by eunuchs who were taking some money from shopkeepers for Diwali had people smiling and enjoying themselves on the spectacle.

The sweet shops had buyers standing in the queue to have their individual sweet boxes.

City Magistrate Meharbaan Singh Bisht said the administration carried out a drive against crackers sellers who were illegally selling crackers in sensitive or prohibited places in the city. This included Paltan Bazar, Dhamawala, Darshan Chowk and Hanuman Chowk. Four shops were sealed and some material were taken in possession from the rehris selling crackers on these locations. He said the administration with the assistance of the local police would remain alert to avoid any untoward incident.

Dehradun, October 25
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya 108 Emergency Ambulance Service authorities have deployed extra ambulances to deal with any emergency during the Diwali festival tomorrow.

These extra ambulances would be deployed at Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar, Haldwani and Nainital districts. In Dehradun 8, in Haridwar 4, in Udham Singh Nagar 2 and in Nainital 3 ambulances will be deployed.

During the festival incidents of road accidents, arson and looting generally take place. The ambulance services will be on maximum alert between 6 pm and 12 pm.

Today, Chief Executive Officer of GVK EMRI 108 ambulance services Subodh Satyavadi signed a memorandum of understanding with Piyush Singh, Director, National Rural Health Mission, for Kushiyon ki Sawari ambulance services.

Meanwhile, the emergency services at Doon Hospital, Male and Female, and Coronation Hospital will continue to run and special rosters have been prepared for doctors and nurses to ensure that they also manage to get some time for the Divali festivities. 

Dehradun, October 25
Students of the junior section of St Joseph’s Academy held a diya-making competition to celebrate the occasion of Diwali here today.

Students of Classes IV and V decorated diyas with a splash of colours and sparkles. The fervour and enthusiasm was evident in the creativity and imagination employed in decorating the earthern diyas.

The diyas made by the students during the competition will be given away in charity, said Bro A J George of the academy.

Meanwhile, students of St Joseph’s Academy visited the Baal Vanita Ashram and the Unnayan Siksha Kendra where they distributed sweets, chocolates and fruits among the unprivileged children on the occasion of Diwali. The students were also accompanied by vice-principal Bro Antony, S Tiwari , Lily Joseph and Anju Thapliyal, who, besides interacting with students, presented the children of the Bal Vanita Ashram with computer sets.

Dehradun, October 25
As if the war of words between the Congress and the BJP for the fruition of the railway line project between Rishikesh and Karanprayag (Chamoli) was not enough, now the BJP has taken strong exceptions to the invitation extended to the Congress president Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate the railway project during her proposed visit on November 5.

“We understand the Congress’ desire to take political mileage out of the project and take credit for it but the Uttarakhand Congress should have invited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia who in their capacities played a major role in giving green signal to the project. Sonia Gandhi is not even part of the government, as such she should not be invited to inaugurate government projects. The Khanduri government will be extending invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” said Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, senior BJP leader and president of the election committee (Uttarakhand) at a press conference today.

He also questioned the Congress if Sonia Gandhi’s proposed visit would be sponsored by the party or the Central Government would foot the bill. 

Dehradun, October 25
In an anti-adulteration drive undertaken by the Society of Pollution and Environment Conservation Scientists (SPECS) 86 per cent of mawa and white burfi were found to be adulterated.

During random sampling undertaken by SPECS in the main markets of Hanuman Chowk, Dhamawala, Kanwali road, Patel Nagar, Kishan Nagar, Indira Nagar, Panditwari and Prem Nagar, samples of burfi and mawa were found to contain substances other than fat.

“In all, we collected 43 samples and these were found to contain flour (maida) instead of fat,” said Dr Brijmohan Sharma of SPECS.