World Press Day
Media needs to imbibe more positive traits
Haridwar, May 4
A special debate was organised on the occasion of World Press Day at Mool Chand Shastri Bal Vidyapeeeth here today. A large number of students took part in the debate that had an expert panel comprising academicians and journalists as judges. Vidyapeeth trust secretary Dr Ashok Shastri said in today’s time the media had an important role to play in Indian democracy.

Show-cause notices issued to Haridwar DM, SSP
Dehradun, May 4
At a public hearing in which 34 cases were disposed of, Vice- Chairman of the Uttarakhand SC and ST Commission today issued show-cause notices to the District Magistrate, Haridwar, SSP, Haridwar, and Director, Education, for failing to turn up for hearing of cases pertaining to members of SC and ST.

Dehradun, May 4
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna called upon Union Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises Minister Praful Patel in New Delhi today and urged him to transfer back the 803 acres of land earlier allocated to NEPA Limited at Hempur in Udham Singh Nagar district, stating that the land was not being utilised.

Chief Minister Bahuguna apprised the Union Minister that the 803-acre land was given to UPSIDC by then UP Government in 1987 for setting up a paper factory, while the land was registered as agriculture land in state government's document.

He disclosed that the said company did not set up the factory; hence it was neither utilised nor were the local people benefited from it. Stating that the state was reeling under the shortage of land to establish new projects in the direction of providing employment to the youths and launching development programmes, he said that the shortage of land was a big hindrance in the process of financial enhancement of the people.

He said that 66 per cent land in the state was under forest cover. He strongly advocated for getting back the 803-acre land so that it could be utilised for launching employment-generating schemes in the state. He said that earlier he had also held talks with Union Commerce, Industries and Textile Minister Anand Sharma in this regard.

The Chief Minister also put forward the proposal for reviving the sick HMT watch manufacturing unit spread in 92 acres of land at Ranibagh in Naintal district, which is finding hard to sustain owing to losses since many years. He said that about 569 workers employed in the factory were on the verge of losing livelihood.

Union Minister Patel assured the Chief Minister to take all possible steps to hand over the 803-acre land to state government. Also present on the occasion were Principal Secretary Industry Rakesh Sharma and Additional Commissioner, Investment, SD Sharma.

Dehradun, May 4
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain has instructed the officers to keep in mind the priorities of the government while preparing budget proposals.

He said the synopsis of the development should be reflected in the budget. He also instructed them to take opinion of ministers concerned and stress on employment generating programmes.

Presiding over a meeting at the Secretariat, Jain said Budget Session was likely to begin from May 28, hence the budget had to be prepared in short notice. He instructed the officers to keep in mind the overall development of all areas while drafting the budget proposals. He said need was to make Vir Chandra Garhwali Self Employment Tourism Scheme more effective. He also asked the officers to prepare the blueprint of the implementation of unemployment allowance. He suggested them to develop pro-industry environment in the state to attract more investors. Stating that a separate ministry for minority welfare had been set up, he said resources had to be accumulated for it.

He said the welfare schemes of minorities should be included in the budget. Jain also advocated strengthening of public distribution system and simplifying government processes. He said quality assurance was required in the construction works.

The Chief Secretary also laid emphasis on utilising information technology to promote E-governance to its maximum. He said the proper utilisation of funds be ensured in flagship, externally and centrally-funded programmes. Wherever needed, participation of private sector be ensured.

He instructed them to prepare an action plan to enhance resources.

Secretary, Finance, Radha Raturi, said the board meeting of the Reserve Bank of India would be held at Mussoorie on May 24 and 25 where RBI Governor D Subbarao would also be present.

The meeting which would specifically focus on Uttarakhand would also witness special meeting of State Level Bankers’ Committee. She asked the secretaries to submit information of their respective departments pertaining to banking or bankers by Monday.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Om Prakash, S Ramaswami, Dr Ranvir Singh, Umakant Panwar, Ajay Nabiyal, Dr SS Sandhu, HM Khan, Manisha Panwar and Vinod Fonia.

Haridwar, May 4
A special debate was organised on the occasion of World Press Day at Mool Chand Shastri Bal Vidyapeeeth here today. A large number of students took part in the debate that had an expert panel comprising academicians and journalists as judges. Vidyapeeth trust secretary Dr Ashok Shastri said in today’s time the media had an important role to play in Indian democracy.

Vidyapeeth trust working committee chairperson Dr Veena Shastri said with the changing times the role and working of the media had also changed, but it needed to imbibe more positive traits as the fourth pillar of democracy as it was viewed by the people in high esteem, almost equal to the judiciary and the Army.

School principal Ashok Sharma said today’s era when newspapers, journals and the electronic media had made deep penetration in the country, we were witnessing the impact of the media in various spheres of life.

Coordinators Rakhi Rana and Usha Sharma declared Prachi Verma, Laxmi Sharma and Meeta Sharma as the winners of the debate.

Meanwhile, a special annual programme was also organised at Kota Classes where meritorious students, who cracked various competitive examinations, were felicitated. A cultural programme was also organised on the occasion. Geetika Gupta was adjudged Miss Kota while Yogesh Singh Danu was adjudged Mr Kota. Local legislator Madan Kaushik gave away the best student of the year award to Vibha Pal. He also felicitated other students, namely Vibha, Ishan, Shivansh, Madhuri, Prachi, Ayushi and Naman, for their academic and competitive examination performances.

Haridwar, May 4
As the Char Dham pilgrimage to revered shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri is now in full swing, traffic movement on National Highway 58 and 72 is getting congested.

In the coming days as schools get closed in the plains, the number of pilgrims and tourists will increase towards lower regions of Garhwal division, Dehradun, Haridwar and upper reaches of Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli and Rudraprayag, where these revered four shrines along with Hemkund Sahib are located.

Taking into consideration the problems to the pilgrims as well as traffic violations by them, Haridwar traffic police has now started an awareness drive on the main entry stretches on these two national highways leading to Garhwal hills from the city.

Via informative pamphlets and posters, traffic police is providing pilgrims-tourists vital information that they may need in the course to their pilgrimage.

Telephone numbers of all the police stations falling in the yatra route along with higher officials' phone numbers, tourist police centre addresses, lost-found cell numbers, hospitals, medical centres, fire and related information are being provided to the pilgrims.

If one falls short of petrol-diesel, there are addresses of nearest petrol pumps falling on the route too. Important temples falling in Haridwar region are also listed in the pamphlets.

Phone numbers with addresses of parking lots and their operators are also inscribed on the pamphlets.

Furthermore, guidelines to be followed while driving, verification of drivers, vehicle checking prior to the pilgrimage, prohibition on alcohol during the pilgrimage, having necessary vehicle papers, documents and adhering to traffic rules have also been listed.

Talking to TNS, Traffic Superintendent of Police Kiran Lal Shaw said that while police is taking special care of pilgrims, in return they just want adherence of traffic rules and good behaviour.

He added that all these informative brochures are being distributed at major intersections to tourist buses and vehicles so that pilgrims-tourists avail benefit from them, paving the way for a smooth visit to the state.

Circle Officer, Traffic, J R Joshi, while distributing these brochures at Chandi ghat, Bhooma Niketan Chowk, falling on NH-58 & 72, said that they are getting good response as initially tourists think that they are stopping their vehicles for traffic purposes, but when they get to know of informative initiative by traffic police, they promise to follow traffic rules.

Joshi added that taking into consideration the large number of hotels, dharamshalas, lodges, guest houses and ashrams in the city, similar drives will also be carried out in these so that maximum number of pilgrims-tourists avail the benefits for a smooth conduct of their visit.

Anastasia, a Sweden tourist, going towards Rishikesh, appreciated the drive by traffic police, pointing out that in her country, too, traffic police carries out such initiatives which come handy for tourists as they get multiple information in one pamphlet.

Dehradun, May 4
Uttrakhand Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi today inaugurated the newly constructed block of Shri Devbhumi Institute of Education, Science and Technology.

In his address made on the occasion, Surendra Singh Negi said the youth was the strength of the nation and urged them to excel in life. Negi strongly favoured opportunities to poverty-ridden students.

Local MLA Sahdev Singh Pundir also greeted the students and exhorted them to play an important role in all walks of life. Former Minister Narayan Singh Rana said Uttarakhand keeps a vast talent and youth of Uttarakhand were proving their mettle in all spheres.

Earlier, Director of the Institute SN Nautiyal said since its establishment way back in 2004, Shri Devbhumi Institute of Education, Science and Technology had been working for educational growth of poorer sections of society.

Dehradun, May 4
The State Bank of India (SBI) today donated a Tata Winger high-roof ambulance to HelpAge India. The vehicle would proved free ayurvedic treatment and physiotherapy service in and around Dehradun to serve the disadvantaged senior citizens with the support of Department of Ayush.

The vehicle was donated by Sunil Srivastav, General Manager, State Bank of India, to Dr Aapga Singh, state head (Uttarakhand), HelpAge, India and flagged off today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Aapga Singh said: "Along with looking after the financial and physical health of senior citizens, the issues of isolation and neglect, too, need to be addressed by the immediate family members and society for which HelpAge India had established a recreation centre and toll free elders' helpline, 18001801253."

On the occasion senior citizen M.L. Kanaujia not only appreciated the work of HelpAge India but also said to make the younger generation sensitive about the needs of the elderly, they should be encouraged to mix with them. "Social organisations could organise programmes and activities in which the elderly and the younger generation could participate," he said. 

Haridwar, May 4
A massive crowd was seen at the sporting venue of Nehru Stadium in Roorkee during the state-level bodybuilding championship held yesterday evening.

Held annually, this championship was organised by the local Universal Gym with 53 participants showing their well-toned and muscled body.

Rajbeer Singh was adjudged the winner of the championship with Iron Man title being conferred on him while Mohammed Farhan became the Muscle Man of Haridwar.

Earlier, inaugurating the championship, legislator Pradeep Batra emphasised on the need of having a healthy body for a healthy mind and lauded the efforts of the organisers for regularly holding such championships, which inculcate healthy traits among the youths.

While state Congress general secretary Rashmi Chaudhari pointed that today’s youths are deflecting towards drugs and alcohol, which was a matter of grave concern.

For them these participants can be role models as they concentrated on positive aspects.

On the occasion gym organisers also assured of holding similar bodybuilding championships in other districts of the state so that youths get aware of the bodybuilding benefits and an attractive physique.

Winner Rajbeer Singh, after winning the championship, said that he has been into bodybuilding for more than seven years, working regularly to attain near perfect physique.

He advised that regular gym under able trainers, good diet, supplements and a positive attitude were important for gaining the right physique. 

Dehradun, May 4
The Uttarakhand BJP has termed as unfortunate a scuffle among Congress leaders at a public meeting of the Chief Minister in Almora yesterday.

BJP spokesman Mukesh Mahendra today said the scuffle among Congress leaders at the public meeting of the Chief Minister in Almora revealed the sorry state of affairs in the state government and the party. He added the incident proved that the Congress leaders were hunger for power.

Mahendra held that the bureaucracy was ruling the state as due to rampant groupism in the Congress the government had been rendered ineffective.

Former vice-president of the Uttarakhand BJP Media Advisory Committee Maheshwar Bahuguna said the Congress-led government in the state was backing the land and quarrying mafia. He also accused the Congress of not making good preparations for the Char Dham yatra. 

Dehradun, May 4
As many as 60 units of blood were collected during a blood donation camp organised by the NSS unit of the Dolphin (PG) Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences on the institute premises today.

It was organised in collaboration with the Himalayan Institute of Hospital Trust, Jolly Grant.

The camp was inaugurated by Dr Shailja Pant, Principal, Dolphin (PG) institute. Dr KC Joshi, technical coordinator, HIHT, said in many accident cases, precious lives were lost due to the non-availability of blood. —TNS

Mussoorie, May 4
Manav Bharti International School won both final matches of the junior and senior divisions during the Inter-school Throwball Tournament for Girls today.

The matches were played on the Manav Bharti International School premises under the aegis of the Mussoorie Inter-school Sports Association.

In the junior division, Manav Bharti International School defeated Mussoorie International School in the straight sets by a margin of 15-11, 15-0. In the senior division, Manav Bharti International School againt emerged the winner. The Manav Bharti team defeated Mussoorie International School (MIS) in two straight sets by margin of 15-5, 17-15.