Dehradun, July 28
Forty-five managers of various tourist rest houses of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) have been transferred as part of a drive of the Tourism Department to revamp tourism activities in the state. Many of these managers have been posted at a rest house for several years and without showing desired results.

Manager, Tourism, GMVN, HD Pande said, “Those who have been performing well have been given the challenging job of turning sick units into profitable entities. Those who were posted at one place for several years too had been shifted to other rest houses.”

Hotel Drona in Dehradun has become a headache for the department. Despite it being well located and having ample land, it had been embroiled in a land dispute for several decades and was subsequently misused as a hostel by political leaders.

The management of the hotel, which was planning to give it on the private-public-partnership, has put the decision on hold on the demand of the employees and has given the task of its makeover to manager DS Negi. Negi has a proven track record of overhauling a sick rest house at Rishikesh into a profitable one.

While exuding confidence, Negi said, “Drona has everything to become a runaway success. A few changes here and there, such as minor repairs and refurbishing will be suffice to bring it back to business. The staff deputed here are proficient and experienced. The only need is to motivate them.”

Similarly, manager of rest house at Uttarkashi BD Petwal has been entrusted with the task of Ganga Resorts at Rishikesh. Petwal said, “Ganga Resorts is well located on the banks of the Ganga. But still its occupancy rate has been less than half. I will work upon its assets and plug the loopholes. I hope that this rest house will soon begin churning profits.”

It is important to mention here that several managers have managed to remain at their preferred rest houses for many years. They set up their houses and private outlets near the rest houses as well. They are often accused of diverting tourists from the rest houses of the GMVN to their personal outlets. Despite complaints, these managers were not shifted because of their political clout. However, this time they could not have much say and were shifted. 

Haridwar, July 28
Intermittent rain through the day today left various places in the city water-logged. Despite tall claims by the Municipal Corporation of making proper arrangements, the city faced a flood-like situation due to blocked drains and poor infrastructure.

Ironically, the places where the administration had held a drive to prevent water-logging were once again flooded.

Chandracharya Chowk at Ranipur Mod, which is the business centre of the city, was flooded, thus affecting business activities.

Similarly, Bhagat Singh Chowk, which is the gateway to the BHEL area, looked like a swimming pool. Vehicles and pedestrians remained stranded on both sides of the roads for hours even after the rain stopped. Commuters had to take the longer alternative route via Jwalapur or the Tibdi bypass to reach their destinations.

Near Har-ki-Pauri, rainwater and an overflowing nullah flooded Moti Bazaar, Upper Baazar, Gau Ghat and Tibetan Market. Notably, pilgrims and tourists throng these areas to buy religious items, but today it presented a deserted look. It was nearly impossible to pass through the areas flooded due to choked drains and overflowing nullahs.

Mudslides were reported in the Mayapur area and the Tibdi bypass region, posing a threat to houses and commercial establishments. Jwalapur, Ahbab Nagar, Kotaran, Kassaban, Maidaniyan, Shastri Nagar, Khanna Nagar, Model Colony and Gobindpuri were also water-logged.

Meanwhile, Municipal Corporation officer Prahlad Singh Rawat said they were trying hard to keep the situation under control. Sanitation workers and water pumps were being pressed into service to clear flooded areas. 

Dehradun, July 28
Uttarakhand Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi today said that the cardiac care centre, a public private initiative between Uttarakhand government and Fortis Escorts Hospital, set up at the Coronation Hospital would provide quality heart care for patients of Uttarakhand.

“In the absence of such a centre, the patients were forced to go to neighbouring cities of New Delhi and Chandigarh but now with this centre, the families and patients would be saved of the trouble of going to far-off cities to avail heart care facilities,” said Negi at the formal inauguration of the centre.

He also urged the doctors to put their heart and soul into serving the patients. “I know we have signed a memorandum of understanding with you, but please try to serve the poor patients and do not deny them your attention. Don’t be guided by the profit motive but serve the poor,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion the renowned heart surgeon of the country and Director, Fortis Escorts, Dr Ajay Kaul, said in the coming days the centre would become a leading cardiac care centre in North India. “We have deputed the best surgeons and anaesthetists whose safety record is very high and the Intensive care unit is directly in touch with the Cretin centre established in New Delhi for expert advice,” said Dr Kaul.

Dr Kaul said for doctors all patients were equal and they were seldom swayed by the pocket of the patient.

In 2011 the Uttarakhand government had signed an agreement with Fortis Health Care Ltd, New Delhi, for a period of 10 years. There are 25 beds on government rates and 25 beds on non-government rates.

“Since starting the services in 2011, a total of 175 angiographies, 40 angioplasty and 25 bypass surgeries have been performed. For BPL patients, the treatment is free,” said Dr Jatinder Arora, facility director.

Dr A.S Aswal, CMS, Coronation Hospital, Dr Ranbir Singh, Principal Secretary, Health, Dr Asha Singh, Addl Director, Health and Public Private Cell, Dr Yoginder Singh and Dr Ashok Gupta from Fortis Escort Hospital were also present at the inauguration.

Dehradun, July 28
The videoconferencing facility was launched at Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) yesterday.

Managing Director, UJVNL, GP Patel said this would help review progress of the ongoing hydropower projects in the state.

Patel contacted the branch offices situated at Rishikesh, Maneri (Uttarkashi) and Ukhimath (Rudraprayag) and enquired about the progress of the projects. Patel and Director (Operations), UJVNL, BCK Mishra also enquired about the extent of damage to the Assi Ganga project in Uttarkashi due to the recent cloudburst.

Patel further said through this facility, officials sitting at the headquarters could coordinate with the officials in branch offices or at project sites.

Dehradun, July 28
Wildlife filmmaker Krishnendu Bose finds movie making interesting and adventurous.

Bose recently released “Jungle Gang”, a film series on wildlife in Dehradun. “Jungle Gang” is the first Indian wildlife film series that has been made exclusively for children and young adults. The film has three animated characters which travel to different parts of the country and inform about threatened animals, their habitats and conservation efforts that have saved them from extinction.

“Shooting a wildlife film for children always gave a great sense of satisfaction,” Bose said. He added children were inquisitive and he always loved to answer their queries on wildlife.

Bose completed MA (economics) from Delhi School of Economics in 1985 and later started making documentaries on wildlife conservation. His film on the tiger crisis, “Tiger-the death chronicles”, was awarded the Wildlife Conservation Award at the 4th Vatavaran Film Festival 2007 and the Conservation Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival at Missoula, Montana, in the US in 2008.

Bose recalled that he had a narrow escape when he was chased by an elephant while he was going for shooting in forest. He referred to a clash of interest between development and conservation and said while there was a lobby that gave priority to infrastructure and wellbeing of humans, the other laid emphasis on wildlife conservation. The two lobbies were always at loggerheads.

Bose pointed out that the way the wildlife in the country was facing challenges, the future generations would have no option but to change their lifestyles for wildlife conservation.

He said it was wrong to entirely blame the Forest Department for all the ills as political will was much needed to tackle wildlife issues. “I remember once I was with the director of the Bandipur reserve and the latter received a telephone call from a politician asking him to leave poachers he had arrested the other night,” he added.

Bose today has a production house, “Earthcare Films”, in Delhi and pledges to continue sensitising society about the need for wildlife conservation through his films. 

Dehradun, July 28
St Joseph's Academy organised 'activity day' for classes IX and X here today.

The proceedings of the day began with the arrival of Principal Bro AJ George and Vice-Principal Bro Dennis.

Cultural events, including solo singing, western dance and plays, by the students left the audience spellbound.

Plays 'Andheri Nagri Chopat Raja' and 'The Villa For Sale' and a dance performance on 'Rangeelo kharo dholana' impressed the audience.

Bro AJ George appreciated active participation by the students in the programme.

Mussoorie, July 28
The hill town of Mussoorie was gripped with football fever as one of the premiere soccer tournaments of the district, the 41st Jackie Memorial Football Tournament, kicked off at St George's College today.

Even the incessant rain and the thick fog cover on the ground did not dampen the spirit of the participating teams, which continued with their scheduled fixtures for the day uninterrupted.

The chief guest, Mahalwar Singh, an ace Indian footballer of the country, inaugurated the tournament here.

However, the inaugural match between Mussoorie Public School and the host St. George's College was marred with a controversy arising over the decision by the referee that led to a walkout by the guest team in the second half. Mussoorie Public School walked out of the game in the dying minutes alleging wrong decision by the referee, who happened to be from the host school. The host team was declared the winner as the guest team did not return on the ground following the dispute. In other fixtures, Oak Grove School defeated Kendriya Vidyalaya 7-1 and Wynberg Allen School defeated Navshakti Sports Club 2-0. St George's School is the organiser of the tournament.

Jackie Memorial Football Tournament is one of the biggest open football tournaments in the district. The tournament is open to all schools and amateur local clubs in the district. The tournament is named after a former student of the school.

Dehradun, July 28
Vijay Cantt and City Young have entered the semi-finals of the 3rd ONGC BS Negi Memorial Football tournament being played at Ambedkar Stadium, Dehradun.

Vijay Cantt beat Wills Youth Club 6-0 in a match that was a one-sided affair. Shahid and Jatin scored 2 goals each for Vijay Cantt whereas Ankur and Nitin scored 1 goal each for Vijay Cantt.

In the second match, City Young beat Akranta 1-0. Manish scored the loan goal for City Young through a penalty in the 23rd minute of the match.

The penalty resulted due to foul by Manoj Barathwal of Akranta Club.

Mussoorie, July 28
The Olympic fever has gripped the hill town of Mussoorie. Students from Rama Devi Inter College, along with several dignitaries from the town, gathered at Jhoola Ghar in large numbers with the Tricolour in their hands and extended their best wishes to the Indian Olympic team and prayed for the athletes for better performance so that they return with a rich haul of medals and bring laurels to the country.

Eminent roller skater of yesteryear Gopal Bhardwaj also wished for a sterling performance of the team in the London Olympics by skating on roller wheels from Jhoola Ghar to Library Bazaar and back.

Gopal Bhardwaj said that the town had the rare distinction of being part of the Olympic movement in true sense as more than 6 students from the town had represented the country in hockey in the Amsterdam (1928) and Berlin (1936) Olympics.

According to Gopal Bhardwaj, the students from Oak Grove and St.George's School, Richard Carr, George Eric Martin, C Carrol Tapsell, Willy J Cullen, Erin J Cullen and Elsey represented the country along with Major Dhyan Chand, considered wizard of hockey, in the gold medal winning Olympic team in 1928 and 1936.

The Mussoorie Sports Association president, Suresh Goyal, speaking on the occasion, said that the entite country was behind the Olympic team and was praying for their return with a rich haul of medals in these Olympics.

The students from Rama Devi School also sung the famous song from the film, “Chak De India,” depicting hockey, in order to motivate the Indian team.