R-Day Parade in Delhi
Nanda Rajjat Yatra, Jageshwar Dham selected as themes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Nanda Rajjat Yatra, Jageshwar Dham and folk dances have been selected as the themes for the Republic Day parade from Uttarakhand in New Delhi next year.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain at the Secretariat here today. He said Uttarakhand had so far exhibited the tableaux of Phooldeyi, Corbett National Park, adventure tourism and Kumbh Mela.

He said the themes of Nanda Rajjat Yatra, Jageshwar Dham and the folk dances of Uttarakhand for the parade would be sent to the Union Defence Ministry.

Nanda Rajjat Yatra is taken out after every 12 years in which the palanquins of the Goddesses of Garhwal and Kumaon regions cover 280 km distance on foot from Nouti village in Chamoli to Hemkunt Sahib.

The Chief Secretary said by exhibiting the yatra in the parade, Uttarakhand could showcase its unrivalled culture to the entire country.

Jageshwar Dham of Almora has been selected as the second alternative. Jageshwar Dham consists of a group of 250 temples. In mythological period, it was known as Hatkeshwar. Located at the altitude of 5,000 ft from the sea level, the temples can be seen standing between deodar trees. It is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlings. The proposal is to exhibit the architectural beauty and mythological significance of this place.

The folk dances of the state have been selected as the third alternative.

Folk music instruments like dhol, damau, ransingha, turai, hudka, binai, khanjari, kartal, jhanjh, masakbin, tutari, nagfani, bhounkar and Nagada will be exhibited along with cultural party performing various folk dances.

Principal Secretary, Industry, Rakesh Sharma, Secretary, Information, MH Khan, Director-General, Information, Dilip Jawalkar, Additional Secretary, Tourism, Nitish Jha, Additional Secretary, Forests, Sushant Patnaik, Cultural Director Bina Bhatt, Additional Director, Information, Anil Chandola and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

After Chipko, Maiti, its Dhaar Bachao Andolan
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Garhwal hills of the state have been witness to number of silent revolutions to safeguard its pristine environment that encompasses the abundant forest wealth and pure water resources.

After Chipko and Maiti, the two movements known for the cause of environment, another movement, Dhaar Bachao Andolan, is fast spreading its wings in the state. When water crisis has become a growing challenge in the state hills, a desolate village in district Tehri is trying to revive its age old tradition of 
worshiping water sources and pledging for conserving the water resources of the village.

‘Dhaar puja’, worship of natural water spring as it is identified, is considered as a complete marriage ritual.

It all began in Mundala village in the Dogi development block of the Narendra Nagar region of Tehri Garhwal on March 1, 2006, when some villagers led by Ramesh Singh Chauhan, a local social worker, decided to introduce the concept of ‘dhaar puja’ in the village marriage ceremonies. From then on, the bride and bridegroom have to perform a ceremony at an available water source and take a pledge that they will safeguard it. They also go through the ritual of solemnising their marriage in the name of ‘jal dev’. Planting a sapling in the source area of a spring is also the part of the ceremony.

Uttarakhand, since ages, has the tradition of giving a ‘gagar’ (water utensil) to the bridegroom, which in itself reveals the importance of water in the hill society. “We have only furthered this tradition by asking the newly-wed couples to take notice of the importance of our natural water resources and pledge for their conservation,” Ramesh Singh Chauhan pointed out.

Mahila Mangal Dals, Van Panchayats, Self-Help Groups and Panchayati Raj instituions are also being involved towards furthering the Dhaar Bachao Andolan.

“If not much, at the least the addition of the dhaar puja in the marriage ceremonies make the new couples and their family members realise the significance of natural water resources in the hills,” added Chauhan.

Victim Sangeeta, abductor sent back to Mumbai
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 10
Three-year-old Sangeeta Pawar, who was abducted from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, on June 10, and was rescued from Haridwar on July 7, was today taken by the Mumbai Police along with accused Raju Gaud via train.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Haridwar, had yesterday given the transit remand of Gaud to the Mumbai Police and also allowed it to take Sangeeta along with it, so that she could be reunited with her parents.

A six-member police team along with Sangeeta and Gaud left for Mumbai via train in the evening.

Women constables of the Uttarakhand Police who had been taking care of Sangeeta became emotional when she left. Yogita, a constable, said Sangeeta was comfortable in their company and used to eat whatever thay gave her.

She said initially, she called her abductor Gaud father as she was with him for the past one month. But when they asked the girl about her mother, she started crying.

Governor tells youth to break away from shackles of caste
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Governor Aziz Qureshi today inaugurated an environment meeting organised by the Bharat Vikas Parishad to celebrate its golden jubilee at the ONGC auditorium here today.

The Governor said for true development, eradication of illiteracy, superstition and other social evils was required and so was focus on the welfare of farmers, labourers and all underprivileged sections of society.

The Governor stressed the importance of primary school teachers in moulding the thoughts of youngsters.

Qureshi said if the country had followed the path of development shown by Swami Vivekananda, a new India would have been created. The Governor called upon the youth to break away from the shackles of caste, religion, language and region and create one India where there was no place for hatred, injustice or exploitation.

He paid tributes to Dr Suraj Prakash who had established the Bharat Vikas Parishad that follows the principles and ideals of Swami Vivekananda. He congratulated the office-bearers and members of the organisation on the occasion of its golden jubilee.

The Governor also presented mementos to Dr S Farooq and Dr SS Sahni, who have made great contribution to society on behalf of the parishad.

Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by the Governor by lighting a ceremonial lamp.

Counselling for 122 seats under Uttarakhand PMT over
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Counselling for a total of 122 government seats under Uttarakhand Pre-Medical Test for admission to MBBS course in Srinagar Medical College (85 seats) and Haldwani Medical College (85 seats) got over today. Counselling for 50 seats, Seema Dental College, and 50 seats in Uttaranchal Dental College (Majri Grant-Dehradun) is likely to continue till late in the night.

As the counselling for two government medical colleges got under way, elaborate arrangements were made for undertaking fingerprints, photographs of the candidates both at the registration counter and at the counselling board. The counselling board is likely to complete counselling for 270 seats.

According to the authorities, such steps have been taken to prevent fake admissions. The counselling for students with below 131 marks would take place tomorrow.

At least 19 per cent of the seats have been reserved for candidates belonging to the SC category, 14 per cent for OBC candidates, 4 per cent for ST, 30 per cent for women, 3 per cent of the seats for physically challenged and 2 per cent of the seats for the dependents of freedom fighters.

100 primary school buildings await repairs
Unable to function during rainy season
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 10
Two years after the 2010 disaster in Almora, which created havoc in the district, damaging roofs and walls of several schools, more than 100 primary schools are still awaiting repairs of roofs, causing inconvenience to students studying in these schools. “The students of these primary schools cannot join classes during rains as the roofs of the schools leak profusely during the monsoon months, creating a sense of panic amongst the students,” said Mohan Singh, a parent in Kheerakot village of Almora district.

According to official sources, the number of such damaged schools in the district which could not be used during the rainy season is 145 but the officers at Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan limit the number of such schools at not more than 20. “We have no information about how many schools are with broken roofs; this data is kept by the junior engineers of Rural Engineering Service Department,” said Mukul Sati, District Education officer, Almora .

The villagers from Kheerakot, Mala, Darmiyan Ranman, Baignia, Kantli and Lwaisal have complained to District Education Officer Mukul Sati that they cannot send their wards to schools till these get risk free during monsoon. “Kanya Junior High School, Darmiayan, situated in our area on the Almora-Someswar road, has not been repaired. This school was opened 40 years ago. Though the district administration has declared the building as highly sensitive and even ordered it to be closed down, the department has opened it and started running classes in it,” said MM Pandey, a local guardian.

According to the villagers from these remote areas, the village kids are being forced to sit in these damaged schools without any precaution being taken by the administration or Education Department officers. “Our primary school at Mala village, which is 60 years old, has not been repaired. It may collapse any time into the river Kosi,” said Pan Singh, a local parent from Mala village of Almora subdivision.

In Pithoragarh district, the position of village primary schools is not that good. Many guardians have made complaints to the local administration and asked local MLAs to take up their problem with the authorities. “We have to declare holidays during rains. Intermediate College at Ganai Gangoli, instituted in 1947, has not been repaired since then. The roof of the college has gone frail and walls have developed cracks,” said Mahesh Chandra Saxena, Principal.

BJP councillors protest poor sanitation, encroachments
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Infuriated over the worsening sanitation condition, encroachments and shortage of electrical material in their respective wards, BJP councillors sat on dharna outside the office of Mukhya Nagar Adkhikari (MNA) of Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). They also blocked the entry of MNA Ashok Kumar into his office, who had to take refuge in Mayor Vinod Chamoli's room where Chamoli facilitated talks between the two sides.

It is for more than six months that DMC officials have not been able to distribute electrical materials to various wards as per their requirements because of a legal wrangle. A Rudrapur-based company approached the High Court when DMC made an annual turnover of competitive companies either at par or above Rs 200 lakh as compulsory to be eligible to apply for tenders of electrical appliances worth Rs 1crore.

The High Court stayed any fresh tenders till the verdict was delivered in this case. Mayor Vinod Chamoli said they had sought a mid-way by inviting quotations on the purchase of electrical materials worth Rs 1 crore, for which it did not need to go through the tender process. This way the quotations had been placed thrice quite recently, and DMC is planning to go for two rounds of further quotations as well.

The problem with regard to electrical material was solved to some extent but the councillors remained miffed with MNA’s blunt replies on encroachment and sanitation-related issues. Councillor Rajender Rawat said that he apprised MNA of a land piece being encroached upon by a resident of Defence Colony but MNA put him off, saying that he could not help it.

Councillor Amita Singh, who complained about encroachment near Anurag Nursery and dirty drains, said MNA was not able to carry out his work efficiently. They also questioned him for keeping the work of removing metal structure of hoardings pending. The MNA called the protest of councillors a political gimmick.

Samiti activists back Naithani on hydropower projects
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 10
In support of Water Supplies Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani who staged an agitation at Jantar Mantar today demanding the continuation of hydropower projects in Uttarakhand, activists of the Uttarakhand Sanyukta Sangharsh Samiti also held a symbolic demonstration at the City Magistrate office here.

Central general secretary of the samiti JP Pandey said if dams were polluting rivers in the state, then such projects in other states should also be scrapped.

Pandey said although the environment was an important aspect, that should be taken into consideration during the earlier stages and not when crores had been spent on such projects.

State women's wing leader Meera Raturi said the review panel formed by the Centre on Ganga-based hydropower projects in the state should also take inputs from all sections of society with regard to the projects. Raturi said the projects once approved should not be scraped later as it hampered the development of the state.

The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the City Magistrate office to be forwarded to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Environment and Power Ministries.

Trade unions observe strike
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, July 10
Members of various trade unions under the banner of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Hotel Workers Association and other outfits observed a strike and held a protest march in Mussoorie today in support of their demand for an increase in minimum wages.

More than 100 workers from hotels, schools and restaurants gathered at Picture Palace around noon and raised slogans against the state government. They also held a protest march from Picture Palace to Gandhi Chowk in support of their demands.

President of the Hotel Workers Association and Left leader RP Badoni said the state government plan to give minimum wages to workers of the unorganised sector in the state on the lines of Uttar Pradesh was not acceptable to them at any cost. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had made an announcement in this regard recently. He demanded that considering high inflation the minimum wages should be fixed at Rs 12,000 per month. Badoni said if their demands were not met soon, the workers would take to streets again and go on an indefinite strike.

Uma Bharti concerned over Naithani’s dharna at Jantar Mantar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Senior BJP Leader Uma Bharti has expressed concern over the Uttarakhand Potable Water Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani’s decision to stage a dharna in Delhi in support of construction of hydropower projects in the state.

In a statement issued today, Uma said it was unfortunate that while the Congress governments were in power both at Uttarakhand and Centre, Naithani was staging a dharna in support of power projects.

Uma yet again asserted that the Sringar hydropower project could be constructed along with safeguarding the Dhari Devi temple. She said there were many examples in the country where faith and development had worked together. She said the BJP had also supported maintaining the continuity of flow of the Ganga.

She also pointed out that it was a matter of concern that many projects in the state had been approved at the initial stage without going through proper sanctioning processes.

Minister’s dharna funded by power firms: Morcha
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Members of the Baadi Jal Vidyut Pariyojana Virodhi Sanyukt Sangharsh Morcha today charged Water Resources Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani with staging a sponsored protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

“Naithaini is hand in glove with the directors of power companies and is staging a drama at Jantar Mantar that is fully supported by multi-national companies (MNCs) which are keen to start the stalled power projects in Uttarakhand irrespective of environmental consequences and the resultant large scale displacement of people,” said Tripen Singh Chauhan.

The members of the newly constituted front today held a dharna at Gandhi Park and condemned the state government for extending support to Naithaini. “Several studies have shown that big dams cause untold misery to the people who are displaced, but the government is hell bent upon promoting these projects,” said Chauhan.

The protesters also criticised honouring of people who had applied ink on Bharat Jhunjhunwala’s face in Srinagar. Those who participated in the dharna included Jagdish Upreti, Malti Halder, Kamla Pant and others.