107 died of TB in Pithoragarh in 6 years: CMO 
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 24
Tuberculosis has killed 107 persons in the district in the last six years though it has the facility (as per the standards set by World Health Organisation) for the treatment of patients suffering from the disease, Chief Medical Officer, Pithoragarh, HC Pant said here today.

“Most of the dead patients are those who left treatment midway as one such defaulting patient infects 15 to 20 more persons,” said the CMO.

Pant said the revised tuberculosis control programme was started in the district in 2004. It was followed by awareness programmes in 41 rural areas to educate people about the serious results in case the disease is not treated or the treatment is left midway. “But despite the awareness programmes, only 215 of the 485 identified TB patients have come for treatment. Of the 215 patients under treatment, 14 died this year,” said Pant.

The CMO said this year, of the 532 identified patients of tuberculosis, 402 came for treatment and six of them died. “The death rate among TB patients was the maximum last year when 21 of the 539 patients under treatment died,” he said.

Pant added against the parameter of 5 per cent set by the WHO for the death of under treatment TB patients, the district had a death rate of 3 per cent. “The number of patients coming for treatment in hospitals has increased due to our awareness programmes as the rate of under treatment patients over the identified ones was 44 per cent in 2005 and this increased to 92 per cent in 2011,” said the CMO.

‘Need to spread awareness among people’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 24
A seminar was organised at Shri Ram Krishan Mission Hospital on World TB Day today.

Experts stressed the need to make efforts to eliminate this disease and spread awareness among the people.

Dr Sanjay Shah, vice-chairman of the Association of Physicians, said most of the people were of the opinion that the disease could not be cured, which was not true.

He pointed out that with time tuberculosis could be treated and this message needed to be conveyed to the people, especially those living in the rural areas.

Dr Shah further said tubercolosis was a communicable disease and 70-80 per cent of the patients suffer serious lung infection.

Officials from the Health Department said the Central Government had set up DOTS centres across the country, where free medicines were available for the patients.

Schoolchildren hold awareness rally
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, March 24
Students of Mussoorie Girls and Boys School organised a rally to create awareness among the people about tuberculosis on World TB Day here today.

The schoolchildren marched from St. Mary’s Hospital at Kulri Bazaar to Gandhi Chowk carrying placards bearing slogans and messages to create awareness about the disease.

Philip M. Nag, Managing Director of New Vision Society, said the World TB Day was observed on March 24 “to mark the day in 1882 when Robert Koch discovered the bacteria that causes tuberculosis”.

“Today, almost two million people across the world die of the disease every year. Therefore, this rally was organised with an objective to spread awareness about the global effects of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease,” added Nag.

The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2012 is “Stop TB in my lifetime, Call for a world free of TB”.

Man killed by elephant in Rishikesh
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
A man died after an elephant attacked him in the Muni ki Reti range of Rishikesh in the state today. Yesterday, a woman was killed in a similar attack in Kotdwar .

Confirming the incident, Dehradun Divisional Forest Officer Meenakshi Joshi said victim Mohan Singh had a chance encounter with an elephant around 2 pm near the Muni ke Reti range of Rishikesh, which led to his death.

Only a day ago, a woman was mauled by an elephant in Sigddee village of Kotdwar. The victim, Parvati Devi, along with her other family members had gone to collect fodder from the forests when she was attacked by an elephant. While she died at the very spot, other somehow managed to flee.

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Surendra Singh Negi has expressed concern over the rising elephant menace in the state. Negi, who had been elected from the Kotdwar constituency, advocated a work plan to deal with the elephant menace in the state.

He had directed the state Forest Secretary and Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to take up the matter on priority and ensure prompt compensation to the family member of the deceased woman. Kotdwar Forest Officer NS Chowdhary said while Rs 1 lakh-compensation would be provided to the family member of the deceased and Rs 5,000 has already been given to them. 

Pithoragarh, Champawat towns set to face water crisis
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, March 24
Pithoragarh and Champawat towns are poised to face a water crisis this summer as due to insufficient rain during the winter this year the natural sources feeding several drinking water projects in the two districts have gone dry. “The district received only 2.2 mm of rainfall during the winter this year as compared to 53.7 mm of rainfall in the same period last year,” said Jal Sansthan engineer DK Mishra in Pithoragarh.

According to Jal Sansthan sources, the department is providing 65 lakh litres of drinking water per day to Pithoragarh town against the demand of 1.15 crore litres per day. “Different sources, including Maila Pokhri, Bhelot, Nanipatal, Raigar Ghat and Thuligar, from where water is supplied to the town, are facing a shortage of water this year due to insufficient rain during the winter,” said Mishra.

In Champawat town, 60 lakh litres of drinking water is needed daily, while the Jal Sansthan is providing only 46 litres of drinking water per day. “The sources supplying water to 330 schemes in the rural areas of the district are having 20 per cent less water this season. This shortage is being compensated through water tankers by the department,” said a Jal Sansthan engineer in Champawat.

Orders issued for proper upkeep of horses, mules
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
With about a month to go for the Char Dham yatra in Uttarakhand, the state authorities have issued orders for the proper upkeep of horses and mules used to ferry pilgrims and luggage and other material during the yatra.

Principal Secretary, Department of Forest, Vineeta Kumar has said panchayats in the Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri regions were expected to construct night shelters for horses and mules. She also issued orders for the deployment of veterinary officers at these places. “The availability of vaccines and medicines for horses and mules should also be ensured,” the Principal Secretary said.

The People for Animals, Uttarakhand, had recently highlighted the plight of horses and mules used for ferrying pilgrims and luggage and other material on the Char Dham yatra routes in Uttarakhand. On May 8, 2009, during the Char Dham yatra an epidemic broke out due to equine influenza virus H3N8, leading to the death of more than 5,000 horses and mules in Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts. A similar situation could not be ruled out this year also. The yatra is slated to commence in May.

Gauri Maulekhi, member secretary of the People for Animals, had in a letter written to the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary a few days ago stated that while mules and horses had already started congregating at Gaurikund for ferrying pilgrims to Kedarnath and at Gobindghat for travelling to Hemkunt Sahib and the Valley of Flowers, poor living conditions, shortage of food and shared waterholes with no adequate night shelter arrangement could lead to diseases. 

Prepare map of heritage sites in state: Governor
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
For the preservation and conservation of monuments, Governor Margaret Alva has urged the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and its science branch to prepare a heritage site map of Uttarakhand.

“This will go a long way in making people aware of archaeological and historical importance of the state. In our country when it comes to monuments and historical buildings, we have a crisis of plenty and this carelessness leads to neglect of buildings and monuments. A heritage map will go a long way in making people aware about the importance of these buildings,” stressed Alva.

She was speaking at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the ASI in Dehradun recently. The Governor recounted her own efforts to preserve Nainital Raj Bhavan.

“The Raj Bhavan is in bad condition. Now with the sanctioning of Rs 11.5 crore, the building will be restored by an architect from Mumbai. It will take one-and-a-half years to restore the building and I think it should be declared as a national monument,” she said.

The Governor also observed that as a link between the past and the future, the ASI should now take the past to the future generation.

“In order to preserve our heritage, the younger generation should be involved by fuelling their curiosity to understand our past. This will help us save our heritage for posterity,” she said.

In his keynote address, KS Rana (Director Science), ASI (Science Branch) said, “After the Partition, the discoveries made by the ASI at Lothal, Dholavira (Gujarat), helped the ASI to trace the links with the Indus civilization,” he said.

Adding that the ASI had also used its expertise in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Burma to preserve the Buddhist paintings and statues, he said, “We are actively collaborating with Japan in the preservation of the Ajanta paintings in Maharashtra and also with the USA,” he said.

On the other hand, renowned historian Prof MP Joshi said the ASI in Uttarakhand was engaged in establishing links of the mid-Himalayas region with the rest of the country. “The discovery of chopping tools in Kalsi and other archaeological finds in rest of the country makes the Himalayan region an important subject for archaeologist,” said Joshi.

Haryana girls enter Netball semifinal

Haridwar, March 24
In the girls’ category in the 24th Junior National Netball Championship, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal romped home to enter the semifinals of the championship. In the boys’ category, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Haryana will vie for the final slot.

The Chandigarh team was defeated by Haryana girls in a quarter final match while Karnataka defeated Odissa. The Tamil Nadu and Punjab teams won their quarter final matches against West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

In the boys section, Rajasthan lost to Haryana while West Bengal booked a final spot by a comprehensive win against Gujarat. — TNS

Bihar Centenary Car Run reaches Mussoorie
Our correspondent

Mussoorie, March 24
The Bihar Centenary Car Run 2012, a car rally, organised jointly by the Bihar government and Magadh Sports Club, reached Mussoorie today.

The rally started from Patna on March 20 and has covered around 2,700 km as yet.

The rally team is comprised of 25 motor sports enthusiasts and professionals. It is inetersting to note that many of the participants are artists, doctors and engineers.

The main objective of the rally is to solve the misconceptions people have about Bihar and bring the state to the international tourism map.

Each participant vehicle is carrying a unique theme like heritage, tourism, women empowerment, festivals etc.

The car rally members also distributed t-shirts, caps, mementoes and various kinds of sweets from Bihar like khaza, tilkut, karuarnod perla, lai and balushahi to the tourists during the run from Dehradun to Mussoorie.

Organiser Pranav Sahi said they had interacted with people from various states and explained to them that Bihar was on the path of development.

Hariydesh gets Parliamentary Affairs ministry
Tribune News service

Dehradun, March 24
Cabinet minister Indira Hariydesh was today allocated the portfolio of Parliamentary Affairs. Chief Secretary Subash Kumar said the appointment had been made on the advice of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

However, nine other Cabinet ministers, who were inducted into the Cabinet, had been allocated portfolios.

But with the election of Speaker scheduled for March 26, the day when the first session of the newly constituted Assembly begins, the Chief Minister decided to give the charge of parliamentary affairs to his seniormost colleague, Indira Hriyadesh. She had the same ministry in the ND Tiwari government in the state in 2002.

With BJP leaders claiming that they would put up a candidate in the election for the the post of Speaker, Bahuguna had the task cut out for him.

The Congress has the support of seven non-BJP MLAs though 11 MLAs owing allegiance to senior Congress leader Harish Rawat are yet to take oath. After the election of Speaker, Bahuguna faces the daunting task of proving majority in the Assembly.

The remaining 11 MLAs are expected to take oath Tomorrow when the nomination for the post of Speaker will be filed.

Bahuguna, who returned to Dehradun today, said the remaining portfolios would be allotted after he won the trust vote.

Guv opens Army mela
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva inaugurated the two-day “Know Your Army” mela organised by the Dehradun sub-area authorities in the cantonment area today.

In her inaugural address, the Governor said the Indian Army was one of the finest in the world with soldiers “well educated, aware and equipped”. She said the mela was a good way to showcase the strength of the Army to youth to inspire them to join the forces.

“The display of weapons, equipment and other operations of the Army will help create awareness and understanding among the visitors of the role played by the Army. It also provides an overview of the career opportunities available for youth,” she said. The Governor said life in the defence forces had its own thrill and challenges which were healthy and enjoyable. “It is an organisation that has the required resources to give a person a complete life in which glory and fame come naturally. However, this brings with it a unique set of responsibilities which demand heart, head, soul, sweat and at times, even your blood,” she said.

Helicopter fly past enthral children at fair
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
The Army Mela organised by the Sub-Area, Uttarakhand, at Mahindra Ground today attracted a huge gathering. A large number of students from 17 schools of Dehradun witnessed the enthralling show at the mela and watched the much-awaited helicopter fly past, dog show and horse show.

The highlight of the day was freefall by parachute jumpers and rescue performances by the paratroopers. The display of various types of modern and sophisticated Army equipment captivated the visitors.

The fair also acted as a motivation for the younger generation as many youngsters showed interest in knowing about recruitment in the Army and Air Force. Apart from these, other sub-departments of the Army, including the Ex-servicemen Wife Welfare Association and eco-task force, held various stalls of eateries and games for the children.

Secys to CM assigned depts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
Utpal Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, yesterday assigned departments to two Secretaries and three Additional Secretaries attached to the Chief Minister. Dr SS Sandhu, Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been assigned the Departments of Finance, Higher Education, Industry, Social Welfare, Planning, Information, PWD, Medical Education, Medical, Health and Family Welfare.

While SS Rawat, another Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been assigned the Departments of Suraj, Anti-Corruption, Janseva, Personnel, Vigilance, Power, Parliamentary Affairs, Election, Reorganisation, Indo-Nepal river projects, Externally-funded Projects, Labour, Justice, Census, Rural Development, Culture, Housing, Secretariat administration, Revenue, Cooperative, Ayush and Ayush Education, Forest and Wildlife and Pollution Control. While Bhaskaranand, Additional Secretary to Chief Minister, has been assigned departments of Secrecy, Civil Aviation, Handicap Welfare, Technical Education and Training, Cane Development and Sugar, Employment, Tourism, Religious Tourism, Animal Welfare and Husbandry, Dairy, Fisheries, Alternative Energy and Youth Welfare.

Raman Ravinath, Additional Secretary, will look after the work of School Education, Estate, General Administration, Legal, Khadi Gramaudyog, Sanskrit Education, Agriculture and Chief Minister’s discretionary fund.

DPS nursery students given certificates
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 24
Nursery students of Delhi Public School were awarded certificates and graduation hats at a ceremony at the school here today.

Additional District Education Officer Asha Rani Painuly was the chief guest of the function. The programme began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp, followed by a welcome speech. The theme of the function was ‘Palette of Colours’.

Later, brimming with confidence the students stepped up on the stage to receive certificates and graduation hats from the chief guest. Headmaster Niraj Gupta highlighted various activities of the school.

The chief guest appreciated the spectacular performance presented by the students. He congratulated the school management for organising such an event.

The programme culminated with a vote of thanks by primary wing in-charge Rekha Negi.